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Aucamp J, van der Zwan H, Geldenhuys Z, Abera A, Louw R, van der Sluis R. Diagnostic applications and limitations for the use of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in animal husbandry and wildlife management. Res Vet Sci 2023; 158:106-116. [PMID: 36989830 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
In animal breeding, a species sex can influence the value of the animal. For example, in the horse breeding industry, mares are preferred as polo horses, while in wildlife breeding males with larger horns are more valuable. Therefore, the economic advantages of knowing the unborn fetus' sex are important to successful animal management. Ultrasonography is used to determine the sex of unborn fetuses, but this method places additional stress on the animal and require specialized equipment and expertise. Conversely, molecular-based sexing techniques require less invasive sampling and can determine sex more reliably. Although in humans, various studies have evaluated the use of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) for prenatal sexing, very few animal studies have been published in this field. Several factors can affect the sensitivity of cffDNA-based sex determination, for example the gestational age. These factors are often not optimized and validated when establishing a protocol for prenatal sexing. In this review, we summarize the current literature on cffDNA in animals. We discuss the diagnostic applications and limitations in the use thereof in animal husbandry and wildlife management. Lastly, the feasibility of implementing diagnostic tests is evaluated and solutions are given to the current drawbacks of the technology.
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Manenti R, Mercurio S, Melotto A, Barzaghi B, Epis S, Tecilla M, Pennati R, Scarì GU, Ficetola GF. A New Disease Caused by an Unidentified Etiological Agent Affects European Salamanders. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060696. [PMID: 35327092 PMCID: PMC8944795 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
New pathologies are causing dramatic declines and extinctions of multiple amphibian species. In 2013, in one fire salamander population of Northern Italy, we found individuals with undescribed cysts at the throat level, a malady whose existence has not previously been reported in amphibians. With the aim of describing this novel disease, we performed repeated field surveys to assess the frequency of affected salamanders from 2014 to 2020, and integrated morphological, histological, and molecular analyses to identify the pathogen. The novel disease affected up to 22% of salamanders of the study population and started spreading to nearby populations. Cysts are formed by mucus surrounding protist-like cells about 30 µm long, characterized by numerous cilia/undulipodia. Morphological and genetic analyses did not yield a clear match with described organisms. The existence of this pathogen calls for the implementation of biosecurity protocols and more studies on the dynamics of transmission and the impact on wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raoul Manenti
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (B.B.); (R.P.); (G.F.F.)
- Correspondence: (R.M.); (S.M.); Tel.: +39-3490733107 (R.M.)
| | - Silvia Mercurio
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (B.B.); (R.P.); (G.F.F.)
- Correspondence: (R.M.); (S.M.); Tel.: +39-3490733107 (R.M.)
| | - Andrea Melotto
- Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7602, South Africa;
| | - Benedetta Barzaghi
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (B.B.); (R.P.); (G.F.F.)
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (S.E.); (M.T.); (G.U.S.)
| | - Marco Tecilla
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (S.E.); (M.T.); (G.U.S.)
| | - Roberta Pennati
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (B.B.); (R.P.); (G.F.F.)
| | - Giorgio Ulisse Scarì
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (S.E.); (M.T.); (G.U.S.)
| | - Gentile Francesco Ficetola
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (B.B.); (R.P.); (G.F.F.)
- Laboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine (LECA), University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, 38400 Grenoble, France
- Laboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine (LECA), University Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, 38400 Grenoble, France
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Effects of kisspeptin-10 on in vitro proliferation and kisspeptin receptor expression in primary epithelial cell cultures isolated from bovine placental cotyledons of fetuses at the first trimester of pregnancy. Theriogenology 2015; 83:978-987.e1. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Revised: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Asadpour R, Asadi MH, Jafari-Joozani R, Hamidian GH. Ovine fetal sex determination using circulating cell-free fetal DNA (ccffDNA) and cervical mucous secretions. ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTION 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/s2305-0500(14)60061-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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