1,721,033 research outputs found
Analysis of two Pit-1 gene polymorphisms: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distribution patterns in Podolica cattle breed
No full textPit-1 is a pituitary-specific transcription factor responsible for pituitary development and hormone expression in mammals. Pit-1 is a member of the POU domain containing proteins, a group of transcriptional regulators with a critical role in cell differentiation and proliferation. It was shown that this group of proteins control the transcription of the growth hormone (GH), the prolactin (PRL), the thyroid-stimulating hormone ?-subunit (TSH-?), the GHRH receptor genes and the Pit-1 gene itself. In this study, the Pit-1/HinfI and Pit-1/TaqI loci were investigated using PCR-RFLP approach in a sample of 104 Podolica cattle. All the possible genotypes for both single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. The allelic frequencies at Pit-1/TaqI locus were 0.76 (G) and 0.24 (A), while those at Pit-1/HinfI locus were 0.70 (B) and 0.30 (A). Combined genotypic frequencies and possible haplotypes frequencies were also reported. Moreover, some population genetic indexes, namely: gene heterozygosity (He), gene homozygosity (Ho), effective allele numbers (N e), fixation index (FIS) and polymorphism information content (PIC) were calculated
Analysis of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in exon 1 of kappa-casein gene (CSN3) in Martina Franca donkey breed
No full textThe aim of this study is to assess genetic polymorphism at two loci in the exon 1 of the kappa-casein gene (CSN3) in Martina Franca donkey breed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Martina Franca donkey was derived from the Catalan donkey brought to Apulia at the time of the Spanish rule. This donkey is tall and well built and has good temperament. Both considered loci were found to be monomorphic in the considered population. At CSN3/PstI locus, all the animals were genotyped as AA since no AG and GG animals were found in the population. A similar result was found at CSN3/BseYI locus: all the donkeys were monomorphic and genotyped as AA. As a consequence, only one out of nine possible combined genotype (AAAA) was detected
Association of STAT5A gene polymorphisms with milk yield in primiparous Agerolese cow
No full textSignal transducers and activators of transcription ( STAT) are latent cytoplasmic
transcription factors belonging to a seven member family of intracellular factors that mediate
actions of many peptide hormones and cytokines within target cells acting as signal
transducers in the cytoplasm and transcription a ctivators in the nucleus. STAT5, also known
as mammary gland factor (MGF), was discovered initially as a PRL induced transcription
factor; it is the main mediator of growth hormone (GH) action on target genes and is a key
intracellular mediator of prolacti n signalling pathway being able to activate the transcription
of milk protein genes in response to prolactin. Two genetic polymorphisms at STAT5A gene
were investigated in a sample of Agerolese cows, an autochthonous Italian cattle breed reared
in the prov ince of Naples. So, the aims of the present study were to estimate the allele and
genotype frequencies for both SNPs and to investigate the relationship among genotypes and
milk yield during first lactation. No genetic variability was found at STAT5A/AvaI locus. At
STAT5A/MslI locus the frequencies of T and C alleles were 0.875 and 0.125, respectively
Study on a SNP at STAT4 gene in Italian Brown cows: possible association with milk yield
No full textIn mammals, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT s) are a family
of latent cytoplasmic transcription factors that mediate the actions of a variety of peptide
hormones and cytokines within target cells. STAT4 may play important roles in the activation
of milk protein genes and the development of mammary g lands. To date, only few
polymorphisms at STAT4 gene were found. The SNP considered in the present study is a
transition (A>G) at position g.60330 (intron 4) of the STAT4 gene. Three different genotypes
may be detected (AA, AG and GG) with PCR RFLP using M spI restriction enzyme. The
Italian Brown cattle breed was originally a multipurpose breed reared in the Alps,
subsequently it was selected as a dairy breed by importing Swiss Brown bulls from the U.S. It
is one of the most reared milk purpose breed in Ita ly. Milk from Italian Brown cattle is
particularly suitable for cheesemaking as it gives a higher cheese yield and it improves the
manufacturing of dairy products by affecting also their biological and organoleptic qualities.
The aims of the present study were to investigate the transition at position g.60330 (intron 4)
of the STAT4 gene in a sample of Italian Brown cows and to find a possible relationship
between this SNP and milk yield. In the investigated population, three possible genotypes
were identif ied and the association with milk yield was investigated. However, further studies
are needed to better clarify the role of this SNP on production traits in cattle
Genetic analysis of milk production traits in Jonica goats
No full textData from 1009 lactation of 220 Jonica goats, collected over a 5-year period were used to study the effect of different environmental factors on milk production traits and to estimate the heritability for these traits. The considered lactation traits were: milk yield, fat and protein yielded and lactation length. Year of kidding, parity and type of birth were all important sources of variation for milk production traits. In particular, the year of kidding affected all the considered traits; the parity of does influenced milk yield and lactation length, and the type of birth was a significant source of variation only for milk yield. Estimates of heritability obtained in the present study were 0.22, 0.17, 0.25, 0.23 for milk yield, lactation length, fat and protein yielded, respectively. The results obtained in Jonica breed suggest that genetic variability in milk production traits is adequate for selection indicating a good possibility of improvements in Jonica goat population by adopting judicious selection strategies
Comparative characteristics of DNA polymorphisms of κ-casein gene (CSN3) in the horse and donkey
Full text linkThe aims of this study were to assess the genetic variability in the exon 1 of the κ-casein gene in four Italian horse populations (Italian Saddle horse, Italian Trotter, Italian Heavy Draught horse, and Murgese horse) and in a sample of Martina Franca donkey by estimating genotype, allele and haplotype frequencies, as well as several population genetic indices. Genotyping of the selected polymorphisms was performed using the PCR-RFLP technique with two restriction enzymes: PstI and BseYI aimed to discover the presence of c.-66A>G and c.-36C>A polymorphism, respectively. Both these loci were found to be polymorphic in horses with some differences depending on the breed. No genetic variability was observed in Martina Franca donkey breed. In the equine species no selective pressure for milk purpose was performed, therefore the polymorphisms at milk protein loci were mainly considered as result of natural selection or as indirect consequence of selection oriented to increase body size or to improve conformation. From this point of view these two single nucleotide polymorphisms and particularly the c.-36C>A one could be useful instruments for population studies
Fatty acid composition and hedonic ratings of meat from light lambs of leccese breed in relation to slaughter age
Full text linkTwenty lambs from Leccese local breed were used to investigate the effect of two slaughter ages (45 vs 60 d) on fatty acid composition and hedonic ratings of meat. The lambs, born as singles in spring, were subdivided into two groups (n. 10) corresponding to the slaughter ages of 45 and 60 d. The animals received their mother's milk and a supplementation of hay and concentrate from 30 d to slaughter. The increase to 60 d of slaughter age resulted in higher proportion of lauric acid (C12:0; P<0.05), pentadecanoic acid (C15:0; P<0.01) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; P<0.05), and lower proportion of stearic acid (C18:0; P<0.05) and linoleic acid (C20:3 n-6; P<0.05). Using a none-point hedonic scale, consumer test showed that meat from lambs slaughtered at 60 d received a higher hedonic scores (P < 0.01) as well as higher scores for tenderness (P < 0.05), flavour (P < 0.05), and juiciness (P < 0.001) than meat from lambs slaughtered at 45 d. These findings might be useful to characterise lamb meat of local origin in relation to its nutritional traits and market perspectives connected to consumer acceptability
Bovine STAT5A gene polymorphism and its influence on growth traits in Podolica breed
No full textSignal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) are latent cytoplasmic transcription factors that mediate the actions of a variety of peptide hormones and cytokines within target cells. STAT5A is the main mediator of growth hormone action on target genes and plays a key role as intracellular mediator of prolactin signalling. In this study, the T→C nucleotide polymorphism at position 12743 in exon 16 of the bovine STAT5A gene was investigated with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in a sample of Podolica young bulls. The Podolica breed derives from Bos primigenius podolicus (forebears of the modern Bos taurus), it has been present in Italy for a very long time and represents yet another example of successful biological adaptation to a hostile environment. The aims of this study were to estimate the allele and genotype frequencies in Podolica breed and to investigate a possible relationship between this polymorphism and some growth performance traits. The observed frequencies of C and T alleles were 0.344 and 0.656, respectively. The TT genotype was the most frequent in the studied population followed by TC and CC ones. Moreover, the animals carrying TT genotypes seem to show an initial faster growth, which determined higher bodyweight at 90 and 270 days of age; conversely, CC individuals exhibit a faster growth in the post-weaning period achieving the higher bodyweight at 450 days of age
Environmental and genetic factors affecting milk yield and quality in three Italian sheep breeds
No full textThe aims of the study described in the Research Communication were to determine the level of influence of some environmental factors on milk yield and quality traits, including lactose, and lactation length in ewes belonging to three different Italian breeds and to estimate the heritability for the same traits. A total of 2138 lactation records obtained from 535 ewes belonging to three different Italian breeds (Comisana, Leccese, and Sarda) were used. Breed significantly affected all of the considered traits. Moreover, year of lambing affected milk yield and lactation length without influence on milk quality traits. Parity affected significantly only the milk yield, whereas type of birth showed its effect on milk yield, fat, protein, and lactose yield. On the whole, the presently reported heritability estimates are within the range of those already obtained in other dairy breeds by other authors, with values for lactation length being very low in all the investigated populations. Considering the heritability estimates for lactose content and yield, to the best of our knowledge, there is a lack of information on these parameters in ovine species and this is the first report on heritability of lactose content and yield in dairy sheep breeds. Our results suggest that genetic variability for milk traits other than lactation length is adequate for selection indicating a good response to selection in these breeds
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