Current Analytical Methods and Research Trends Are Used to Identify Domestic Pig and Wild Boar DNA in Meat and Meat Products

The pig, one of the most important livestock species, is a meaningful source of global meat production. It is necessary, however, to prove whether a food product that a discerning customer selects in a store is actually made from pork or venison, or does not contain it at all. The problem of food authenticity is widespread worldwide, and cases of meat adulteration have accelerated the development of food and the identification methods of feed species. It is worth noting that several different molecular biology techniques can identify a porcine component. However, the precise differentiation between wild boar and a domestic pig in meat products is still challenging. This paper presents the current state of knowledge concerning the species identification of the domestic pig and wild boar DNA in meat and its products.

Molecular genetic studies of microbiocenosis and microstructure of jejunum wall in young rams grown on biofortified feed additives

The research featured the effect of a diet fortified with essential microelements on the ruminal microbiota of young rams. Ruminal microbiota is largely responsible for feed digestibility and body functioning of cattle. The study involved the contents of the rumens and jejuna of seven-month-old rams of the Edilbaev breed, which were subjected to a biofortified diet. The diet included the Russian feed additives Yoddar-Zn and DAFS-25 represent a protein-carbohydrate complex with plant silicon. The microflora of the digestive tract was tested using the molecular genetic method of terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) sequestration. The microstructural studies of the jejunum samples exploited light microscopy. The feed additives increased the population of cellulolytic and lactate-fermenting bacteria, as well as the Prevotella sp. microbiome and bifidobacteria in the rumen samples. The data obtained revealed the effect of essential microelements on the taxonomic pattern of microorganisms and the microflora profile. The research revealed the ratio of normal, opportunistic, pathogenic, nonculturable, and transit microflora. The jejunum wall samples obtained from the experimental group that fed on Yoddar-Zn and DAFS-25 had a more distinct micropicture of mucous membrane. Their rumen microflora balance had fewer pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms, which was also confirmed by the jejunum morphology. The feed additives DAFS-25 and Yoddar-Zn proved beneficial for ram diet and inhibited the negative effect of pathogenic treponemas on the rumen. The additives improved digestion, absorption, and assimilation of food nutrients, as well as increased the livestock yield.

Sheep Post-Domestication Expansion in the Context of Mitochondrial and Y Chromosome Haplogroups and Haplotypes

Mitochondrial DNA and nonrecombinant parts of Y-chromosome DNA are a great tool for looking at a species’ past. They are inherited for generations almost unaffected because they do not participate in recombination; thus, the time of occurrence of each mutation can be estimated based on the average mutation rate. Thanks to this, male and female haplogroups guide confirming events in the distant past (potential centers of domestication, settlement of areas, trade connections) as well as in modern breeding (crossbreeding, confirmation of paternity). This research focuses mainly on the development of domestic sheep and its post-domestication expansion, which has occurred through human trade from one continent to another. So far, five mitochondrial and five Y-chromosome haplogroups and dozens of their haplotypes have been detected in domestic sheep through studies worldwide. Mitochondrial DNA variability is more or less correlated with distance from the domestication center, but variability on the recombinant region of the Y chromosome is not. According to available data, central China shows the highest variability of male haplogroups and haplotypes.

The genetic profiles and maternal origin of local sheep breeds on Java Island (Indonesia) based on complete mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences

Background and Aim:

Java Island is one of the islands in Indonesia which has local sheep breeds with specific characteristics and native development geography in certain regions. This study aimed to determine the genetic profiles and maternal origin of six local sheep breeds on Java Island.

Materials and Methods:

This study was conducted by identifying the profiles of complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) displacement loop (D-loop) region sequences on a total of 22 individual in six local sheep breeds on Java Island, including Javanese thin-tailed (JTT), Javanese Fat-Tailed (JFT), Batur (BTR), Wonosobo (WSB), Garut (GRT), and Priangan (PRG) sheep. The D-loop region was amplified using specific primers, and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed. The PCR products were purified and sequenced.

Results:

The mtDNA D-loop analysis identified 21 haplotypes in the analyzed 22 animals with 123 polymorphic sites (V) consisting of 60 singleton variable sites (S) and 63 parsimony informative sites (P). Within all breeds tested, the haplotype diversity, the average number of pairwise differences (K), and nucleotide diversity (Pi) were 0.99567, 25.36364, and 0.02153, respectively. The genetic distance (D) within groups and between groups was 0.001-0.006 and 0.004-0.036, respectively. The phylogeny resulted in the presence of two haplogroups (Hap), which are 5 Hap A and 16 Hap B. All JTT, JFT, BTR, and WSB breeds were in the same cluster in Hap B, whereas GRT and PRG breeds were in clusters in both Hap A and Hap B.

Conclusion:

The high genetic diversity in six local sheep breeds on Java Island suggests that they originated from different genetic sources. JTT sheep have closer genetic relationships to JFT, BTR, and WSB sheep, and they are close to European sheep, whereas GRT sheep have closer genetic relationships to PRG sheep. Both are closer to Asian sheep than to European sheep.

Phylogenetic differentiation between Awassi and Hamdani sheep using the mitochondrial 12S rRNA

This study was conducted to assess the role of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA variations in the phylogenetic discrimination between two Iraqi breeds of sheep that differ in geographical distribution. A total of 122 animals (68 Awassi and 54 Hamdani) were included in the study. Direct sequencing of amplicons followed by the construction of a median-joining network and several trees were performed to identify the possible phylogenetic differences between both involved breeds. Genetic diversity, relative frequencies, and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) were performed to assess the genetic correlation between both populations. The median-joining network and minimized tree values showed that all observed haplotypes were separated into two groups according to their breed. Comprehensive phylogenetic data revealed only one Asian ancestor for all observed haplotypes. As indicated by AMOVA, the observed diversity was mostly due to between-population variation (1.24836%), while within-population variation (0.91221%) accounted for much less. The currently investigated rRNA amplicons exhibited different mitochondrial manifestations between Awassi and Hamdani breeds. Due to the ability of these 12S rRNA amplicons to mimic the geographical diversity for the currently investigated breeds, it is highly recommended to be used as potent mitochondrial genetic markers among broader ovine sequences.