Association between IRS-1, PPAR-γ and LEP genes polymorphisms and growth traits in rabbits

Resequencing Analyses Revealed Genetic Diversity and Selection Signatures during Rabbit Breeding and Improvement

Domestication has shaped the diverse characteristics of rabbits, including coat color, fur structure, body size, and various physiological traits. Utilizing whole-genome resequencing (DNBSEQ-T7), we analyzed the genetic diversity, population structure, and genomic selection across 180 rabbits from 17 distinct breeds to uncover the genetic basis of these traits. We conducted whole-genome sequencing on 17 rabbit breeds, identifying 17,430,184 high-quality SNPs and analyzing genomic diversity, patterns of genomic variation, population structure, and selection signatures related to coat color, coat structure, long hair, body size, reproductive capacity, and disease resistance. Through PCA and NJ tree analyses, distinct clusters emerged among Chinese indigenous rabbits, suggesting varied origins and domestication histories. Selective sweep testing pinpointed regions and genes linked to domestication and key morphological and economic traits, including those affecting coat color (TYR, ASIP), structure (LIPH), body size (INSIG2, GLI3), fertility (EDNRA, SRD5A2), heat stress adaptation (PLCB1), and immune response (SEC31A, CD86, LAP3). Our study identified key genomic signatures of selection related to traits such as coat color, fur structure, body size, and fertility; these findings highlight the genetic basis underlying phenotypic diversification in rabbits and have implications for breeding programs aiming to improve productive, reproductive, and adaptive traits. The detected genomic signatures of selection also provide insights into rabbit domestication and can aid conservation efforts for indigenous breeds.

Association of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) gene polymorphism with growth and litter-related traits in NMER rabbits

This study investigated the associations between the c.189G > T polymorphism of the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) gene and the growth and litter size-related traits in the Native rabbit in Middle Egypt (NMER). One hundred sixty-two NMER rabbits were genotyped by RFLP-PCR using Sau3AI restriction enzyme and the associations of the reported genotypes with body weights at 5th, 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th week old, body gain, and daily gain plus, the litter size-related traits were determined. Additionally, the genotypic and allelic frequencies, the effective (Ne) and observed (NA) numbers of alleles, observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosity, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), and the decrease in heterozygosity because of inbreeding (FIS) were calculated. Three genotypes; GG, GT, and TT with 0.65, 0.33, and 0.02 frequencies, respectively which fit HWE were reported. These genotypes displayed a marked low FIS value. Significant associations of the genotypes with the body weights, and gains, except at the 5th week old determined with superiority of the GT genotype compared with the other genotypes. All reported litter size-related traits significantly varied among different genotypes. In summary, the c.189G > T SNP of the IRS-1 gene is an effective genetic marker to improve growth performance and litter size traits of the NMER rabbits.

Nutraceuticals and the Network of Obesity Modulators

Obesity is considered an increasingly widespread disease in the world population, regardless of age and gender. Genetic but also lifestyle-dependent causes have been identified. Nutrition and physical exercise play an important role, especially in non-genetic obesity. In a three-compartment model, the body is divided into fat mass, fat-free mass and water, and obesity can be considered a condition in which the percentage of total fat mass is in excess. People with a high BMI index or overweight use self-medications, such as food supplements or teas, with the aim to prevent or treat their problem. Unfortunately, there are several obesity modulators that act both on the pathways that promote adipogenesis and those that inhibit lipolysis. Moreover, these pathways involve different tissues and organs, so it is very difficult to identify anti-obesity substances. A network of factors and cells contributes to the accumulation of fat in completely different body districts. The identification of natural anti-obesity agents should consider this network, which we would like to call "obesosome". The nutrigenomic, nutrigenetic and epigenetic contribute to making the identification of active compounds very difficult. This narrative review aims to highlight nutraceuticals that, in vitro or in vivo, showed an anti-obesity activity or were found to be useful in the control of dysfunctions which are secondary to obesity. The results suggest that it is not possible to use a single compound to treat obesity, but that the studies have to be addressed towards the identification of mixtures of nutraceuticals.