An enriched maternal environment and stereotypies of sows differentially affect the neuro-epigenome of brain regions related to emotionality in their piglets

Epigenetic mechanisms are important modulators of neurodevelopmental outcomes in the offspring of animals challenged during pregnancy. Pregnant sows living in a confined environment are challenged with stress and lack of stimulation which may result in the expression of stereotypies (repetitive behaviours without an apparent function). Little attention has been devoted to the postnatal effects of maternal stereotypies in the offspring. We investigated how the environment and stereotypies of pregnant sows affected the neuro-epigenome of their piglets. We focused on the amygdala, frontal cortex, and hippocampus, brain regions related to emotionality, learning, memory, and stress response. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were investigated in these brain regions of male piglets born from sows kept in an enriched vs a barren environment. Within the latter group of piglets, we compared the brain methylomes of piglets born from sows expressing stereotypies vs sows not expressing stereotypies. DMRs emerged in each comparison. While the epigenome of the hippocampus and frontal cortex of piglets is mainly affected by the maternal environment, the epigenome of the amygdala is mainly affected by maternal stereotypies. The molecular pathways and mechanisms triggered in the brains of piglets by maternal environment or stereotypies are different, which is reflected on the differential gene function associated to the DMRs found in each piglets' brain region . The present study is the first to investigate the neuro-epigenomic effects of maternal enrichment in pigs' offspring and the first to investigate the neuro-epigenomic effects of maternal stereotypies in the offspring of a mammal.

Evaluation of sperm and hormonal assessments in Wagyu, Nellore, and Angus bulls

Wagyu bulls are known to have a highly exacerbated libido, as shown by the intense sexual interest of young calves. Therefore we believe that Wagyu male animals have specialized Sertoli and Leydig cells that are directly involved with the sexual precocity in this breed as mature bulls have a small scrotal circumference. This study aimed to evaluate whether there were differences in the hormone and sperm characteristics of Wagyu bulls compared with the same characteristics of subspecies Bos indicus and Bos taurus sires. Frozen-thawed semen from Wagyu, Nellore, and Angus sires were analyzed for sperm kinetics (computer-assisted sperm analysis), plasma membrane integrity, chromatin integrity, acrosome status, mitochondrial activity, lipid peroxidation and hormone [luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone] serum concentration. The results showed that Wagyu had lower total motility and an increased number of sperm with no motility when compared with Nellore and Angus bulls. Wagyu breed did not differ from those breeds when considering plasma and acrosome membranes integrity, mitochondrial potential, chromatin resistance, sperm lipid peroxidation or hormone (LH and testosterone) concentrations. We concluded that Wagyu sires had lower total motility when compared with Nellore and Angus bulls. Wagyu breed did not differ from these breeds when considering plasma and acrosome membranes integrity, mitochondrial potential, chromatin resistance, sperm lipid peroxidation, or hormone (LH and testosterone) concentrations.

Association between anti-Müllerian hormone levels and reproductive parameters in Wagyu cattle raised in Brazil

The production of in vitro embryos has sped up the dissemination of superior genetic material. However, the variation among the cattle response to oocyte and embryo production is a challenging factor. This variation is even higher in the Wagyu cattle as the breed has a small effective population size. The identification of an effective marker related to reproductive efficiency would allow the selection of more responsive females to reproductive protocols. The objective of this study was to evaluate the blood levels of anti-Müllerian hormone and associate it with oocyte recovery and blastocyst rate of embryos produced in vitro in Wagyu cows, as well as observe the hormone circulating levels in males. Serum samples from 29 females with seven follicular aspirations and four bulls were used. AMH measurements were performed using the bovine AMH ELISA kit. A positive correlation was identified between oocyte production and blastocyst rate (r = 0.84, P = 9 × 10^-9), and AMH levels with oocyte (r = 0.49, P = 0.006) and embryo (r = 0.39, P = 0.03) production. The mean levels of AMH were different between animals with low (11.06 ± 3.01) and high (20.75 ± 4.46) oocyte production (P = 0.01). Males showed high serological levels of AMH (3829 ± 2328 pg/ml) compared with other breeds. It is possible to use the serological measurement of AMH as a method to select Wagyu females with greater capacity for oocyte and embryo production. Further studies correlating AMH serological levels with Sertoli cell function in bulls are needed.

Successful lactation induction in non-pregnant gilts

A protocol to induce lactation was applied to non-pregnant gilts. In Experiment I, five gilts with estrus synchronized through oral supplementation of 20 mg Altrenogest for 18 d received: 10 mg estradiol cypionate (EC) on the last day of estrus expression (D0); 10 mg EC and 300 mg long-acting progesterone (P4) on D26; and two 0.53 mg doses of a prostaglandin F2α analogue (PGF) 12 h apart on D36. Blood was collected on D12, D19, D26 and D33. Milk secretion started in all gilts 24 h after PGF administration and lasted at least 8 d. Milk samples were collected from D37 to D45. The serum P4 concentration was lower on D12 than subsequently (P < 0.05), but the estradiol concentration was unaltered (P > 0.05). The milk produced during the induced lactation was generally richer in protein and poorer in fat compared to the milk from the lactation of a reference sow. In Experiment II, the same protocol induced lactation in two gilts, which nursed fostered piglets for 22 d. Thus, lactation was induced in all treated gilts and the milk produced was capable to nurture fostered piglets.

Whole-Exome Sequencing Indicated New Candidate Genes Associated with Unilateral Cryptorchidism in Pigs

INTRODUCTION

Cryptorchidism is a hereditary anomaly characterized by the incomplete descent of one or both testicles to the scrotum. One of the challenges of this anomaly is that the retained testicle maintains its endocrine function. As a consequence, cryptorchid animals produce hormone-tainted meat in comparison to castrated animals and are likely to be more aggressive. Cryptorchidism can lead to reduced animal welfare outcomes and cause economic losses. Identifying genetic markers for cryptorchidism is an essential step toward mitigating these negative outcomes and may facilitate genome manipulation to reduce the occurrence of cryptorchidism. Attempts to identify such markers have used genome-wide association studies. Using whole-exome sequencing, we aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding regions of cryptorchid pigs and to characterize functional pathways concerning these SNPs.

METHODS

DNA was extracted and sequenced from 5 healthy and 5 cryptorchid animals from the Landrace breed, using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. Data were pre-processed using the SeqyClean tool and further mapped against the swine reference genome (Sus scrofa 11.1) using BWA software. GATK was used to identify polymorphisms (SNPs and InDels), which were annotated using the VEP tool. Network prediction and gene ontology enrichment analysis were conducted using the Cytoscape platform, and STRING software was used for visualization.

RESULTS

A total of 63 SNPs were identified across the genes PIGB, CCPG1, COMMD9, LDLRAD3, TRIM44, MYLPF, SEPTIN, ZNF48, TIA1, FAIM2, KRT18, FBP1, FBP2, CTSL, DAPK1, DHX8, GPR179, DEPDC1B, ENSSSCG00000049573, ENSSSCG00000016384, ENSSSCG00000022657, ENSSSCG00000038825, and ENSSSCG00000001229. Using pathway enrichment analyses and network prospection, we have identified the following significant adjusted p value threshold of 0.001 involved with the biological function pathways of estrogen signaling, cytoskeleton organization, and the pentose phosphate pathway.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest the involvement of new SNPs and genes in developing cryptorchidism in pigs. However, further studies are needed to validate our results in a larger cohort population. Variations in the GPR179 gene, with implications at the protein level, may be associated with the appearance of this anomaly in the swine. Finally, we are showing that the estrogen signaling pathway may be involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of this congenital anomaly as previously reported in GWAS.

Cryopreservation of jaguar (Panthera onca) sperm cells using different cryoprotectants and different thawing temperatures

The cryopreservation of jaguar semen must be improved to produce high-quality biobanking doses. Until now, the rare studies of semen freezing in the species have only evaluated glycerol, always with a significant reduction in sperm quality in thawed semen. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of three cryoprotectants, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol (GLY), and methanol (MET), in the cryopreservation of jaguar semen in an LDL-based extender, as well as the effect of thawing temperature on dosage quality. Five mature males with a history of reproduction were used. On the males, an infrared thermal image (IRT) was captured, the spicules and testes were analyzed, and the CASA system was used to evaluate the quality of fresh and thawed sperm. The superficial IRT was 4.6 ± 1.2 °C cooler than the anal sphincter, and the semen measured between 27.3 and 28.7 °C shortly after exiting the urethra. The total motility of fresh sperm was 55.3 ± 22.6%, and progressive motility was 36.3 ± 18%. The total motility of thawed sperm was 5.28 ± 2.51%, 4.49 ± %2.49, and 0.51 ± 0.62% for DMSO, GLY, and MET, respectively. DMSO and GLY performed better than MET, and there was no difference in thawing temperature (37°C 30 s vs. 50°C 12 s). All animals exhibit a considerable level of morphological changes in sperm. Low amounts of total and progressive motility were found in the thawed sperm. Males with a high level of sperm morphological changes were found to be fertile, but the lone male with normospermia was infertile. Thus, we contest the applicability of the commonly used morphological classification for bovines to felid species.

Bovine anaplasmosis as a risk factor for retained placenta, mastitis, and abomasal displacement in dairy cattle

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of IgG antibodies against A. marginale, the occurrence of this bacterium by qPCR, and the effect of bovine anaplasmosis as a risk factor for clinical cases of retained placenta, mastitis, and abomasal displacement in dairy cattle. For that 179 Holstein cows out of three dairy herds, in the municipality of Sertão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. These cows were on farms that were vulnerable to risk factors that are crucial to susceptibility among these animals to this intracellular hemoparasite. The mean seropositivity for A. marginale from the periods evaluated was 54% on farm A, 69.4% on farm B, and 27.3% on farm C. Molecular diagnosis was performed with qPCR and the mean positivity for A. marginale among the cows on farms A, B, and C in December 2017 was 34.6% (67/179). Infected animals showed clinical cases of retained placenta (6.1%), mastitis (6.1%), and abomasal displacement (0.5%). The association between positivity for anaplasmosis and these clinical cases was assessed through the odds ratio. Our results show that females with a positive qPCR assay for A. marginale had 52.48 times increased probability (OR) to develop clinical cases of retained placenta and mastitis (P < 0.001). These clinical cases negatively impact the productivity of positive females. Thus, implementing preventive and prophylactic control measures to ensure the sanitary quality of the herds is needed to avoid losses due to morbidity and mortality and diminish the economic losses suffered by farmers.

Downregulation of growth plate genes involved with the onset of femoral head separation in young broilers

Femoral head separation (FHS) is characterized by the detachment of growth plate (GP) and articular cartilage, occurring in tibia and femur. However, the molecular mechanisms involved with this condition are not completely understood. Therefore, genes and biological processes (BP) involved with FHS were identified in 21-day-old broilers through RNA sequencing of the femoral GP. 13,487 genes were expressed in the chicken femoral head transcriptome of normal and FHS-affected broilers. From those, 34 were differentially expressed (DE; FDR ≤0.05) between groups, where all of them were downregulated in FHS-affected broilers. The main BP were enriched in receptor signaling pathways, ossification, bone mineralization and formation, skeletal morphogenesis, and vascularization. RNA-Seq datasets comparison of normal and FHS-affected broilers with 21, 35 and 42 days of age has shown three shared DE genes (FBN2, C1QTNF8, and XYLT1) in GP among ages. Twelve genes were exclusively DE at 21 days, where 10 have already been characterized (SHISA3, FNDC1, ANGPTL7, LEPR, ENSGALG00000049529, OXTR, ENSGALG00000045154, COL16A1, RASD2, BOC, GDF10, and THSD7B). Twelve SNPs were associated with FHS (p &lt; 0.0001). Out of those, 5 were novel and 7 were existing variants located in 7 genes (RARS, TFPI2, TTI1, MAP4K3, LINK54, and AREL1). We have shown that genes related to chondrogenesis and bone differentiation were downregulated in the GP of FHS-affected young broilers. Therefore, these findings evince that candidate genes pointed out in our study are probably related to the onset of FHS in broilers.

Vaginal Microbiota Diversity in Response to Lipopolysaccharide in Gilts Housed Under Three Housing Systems

The United Kingdom and European Union have banned crates for pregnant sows. However, animals are kept in a restrictive environment for up to four weeks after mating, leading to stress and different responses of the animals’ immune system. Here, we used vaginal flushing of gilts to investigate whether housing systems or an experimental inflammatory challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can modify the gilt vaginal microbiome. Alpha-diversity indices showed differences in the microbiota of gilts housed under different systems (q = 0.04). Shannon alpha-diversity richness was higher in gilts group-housed in pens than in gilts housed in crates (q = 0.035), but not higher than in other groups. The relative abundance of the operational taxonomic unit (OTU) (q < 0.05) revealed specific differences in housing systems before a LPS or saline (SAL control) challenge. We found different abundances in taxa of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria in gilts housed in the different systems before challenge. After the LPS challenge, significant differences were detected in the relative abundance of OTUs (q < 0.05) for the LPS-challenged group compared with SAL animals for each housing system. The phylum Staphylococcus showed higher abundance among the LPS-challenged gilts than in SAL-challenged animals. Furthermore, Enterobacter was more abundant in the LPS-challenged gilts housed in crates than in SAL-challenged gilts housed in crates. Streptococcus suis, Conchiformibius, Globicatella and Actinobacillus were more abundant in LPS-challenged gilts in indoor group housing than in SAL gilts in the same housing system. Gilts kept outdoors did not show changes in vaginal microbiota after an LPS challenge. Gilts housed in crates showed clinical signs of urogenital infection, whereas gilts housed outdoors and in indoor group housing did not. The relationship between environment, immune response, and microbiota suggested that animals in a poor environments experience difficulties responding to a challenge and their vaginal microbiota is altered as a consequence, with decreased richness of normal vaginal microbiota, and increased opportunistic bacteria. Welfare indicators measured by gilts’ responses to housing systems however, do not fully explain mechanisms associated with the unique signature in vaginal microbiota encountered in the different housing systems.

Housing Conditions and a Challenge with Lipopolysaccharide on the Day of Estrus Can Influence Gene Expression of the Corpus Luteum in Gilts

The corpus luteum (CL) is a temporary endocrine gland that plays a decisive role in the reproductive physiology of gilts. Recently, it has been suggested that exogenous factors may compromise the normal functioning of the CL. In the present study, we aimed to understand to what extent an acute and systemic challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the day of estrus could compromise gene expression of gilts’ CLs housed in different welfare conditions. For this, we housed 42 gilts in three different housing systems: crates, indoor group pens, and outdoor housing. Then, we challenged six females from each group with LPS and eight with saline (SAL) on the day of estrus. After slaughtering the gilts on the fifth day after the challenge, ovaries were collected for gene expression analysis by RT-qPCR. Housing system and LPS challenge did not have a significant interaction for any genes evaluated; thus, their effects were studied separately. We identified significant (p < 0.05) downregulation of the angiogenic genes VEGF and FTL1 among LPS-challenged animals. Meanwhile, we also observed upregulation of HSD3B1 gene among LPS-challenged animals. We found that STAR and LHCGR genes were differentially expressed depending on the housing system, which indicates that the environment may affect adaptation capabilities. Our results indicate that an acute health challenge on the estrus day alters CL gene expression; however, the role of the housing system remains uncertain.

From Mendel laws to whole genetic association study to decipher the swine mulefoot phenotype

The swine mulefoot (SM) is a rare condition characterized by a non-cloven hoof due to the partial or total fusion of the phalanges. No comprehensive study has been conducted to identify associated markers with this phenotype until now. We aimed to characterize the association between SNP and the mulefoot phenotype using a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS). An experimental population was produced using a half-sib mating where the male had the mulefoot phenotype and the females (n = 6) had cloven hoofs. The cross resulted in 27 (47%) animals with the mulefoot characteristic and 30 (53%) normal animals, indicating the possible dominant gene action. Animals were further genotyped using the Illumina PorcineSNP50k BeadChip, and SNPs were tested for associations. Twenty-nine SNPs located on the SSC15, SSC4, and SSCX were associated with the mulefoot phenotype (p-value <5 × 10^-5). Six markers were found in the intronic regions of VWC2L, CATIP, PDK3, PCYT1B, and POLA1 genes. The marker rs81277626, on SSC15:116,886,110 bp, is located in the Von Willebrand Factor C Domain (VWC2L), a possible functional candidate gene. The VWC2L is part of a biological process involved with the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway, previously associated with syndactyly in other species. In conclusion, the identified markers suggest the involvement of the VWC2L gene in the SM phenotype in this population.

A joint analysis using exome and transcriptome data identifiescandidate polymorphisms and genes involved with umbilical hernia in pigs

BACKGROUND

Umbilical Hernia (UH) is characterized by the passage of part of the intestine through the umbilical canal forming the herniary sac. There are several potential causes that can lead to the umbilical hernia such as bacterial infections, management conditions and genetic factors. Since the genetic components involved with UH are poorly understood, this study aimed to identify polymorphisms and genes associated with the manifestation of umbilical hernia in pigs using exome and transcriptome sequencing in a case and control design.

RESULTS

In the exome sequencing, 119 variants located in 58 genes were identified differing between normal and UH-affected pigs, and in the umbilical ring transcriptome, 46 variants were identified, located in 27 genes. Comparing the two methodologies, we obtained 34 concordant variants between the exome and transcriptome analyses, which were located in 17 genes, distributed in 64 biological processes (BP). Among the BP involved with UH it is possible to highlight cell adhesion, cell junction regulation, embryonic morphogenesis, ion transport, muscle contraction, within others.

CONCLUSIONS

We have generated the first exome sequencing related to normal and umbilical hernia-affected pigs, which allowed us to identify several variants possibly involved with this disorder. Many of those variants present in the DNA were confirmed with the RNA-Seq results. The combination of both exome and transcriptome sequencing approaches allowed us to better understand the complex molecular mechanisms underlying UH in pigs and possibly in other mammals, including humans. Some variants found in genes and other regulatory regions are highlighted as strong candidates to the development of UH in pigs and should be further investigated.

Genome-Wide Analyses Reveal the Genetic Architecture and Candidate Genes of Indicine, Taurine, Synthetic Crossbreds, and Locally Adapted Cattle in Brazil

Cattle population history, breeding systems, and geographic subdivision may be reflected in runs of homozygosity (ROH), effective population size (N_e), and linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns. Thus, the assessment of this information has become essential to the implementation of genomic selection on purebred and crossbred cattle breeding programs. In this way, we assessed the genotype of 19 cattle breeds raised in Brazil belonging to taurine, indicine, synthetic crossbreds, and Iberian-derived locally adapted ancestries to evaluate the overall LD decay patterns, N_e, ROH, and breed composition. We were able to obtain a general overview of the genomic architecture of cattle breeds currently raised in Brazil and other tropical countries. We found that, among the evaluated breeds, different marker densities should be used to improve the genomic prediction accuracy and power of genome-wide association studies. Breeds showing low N_e values indicate a recent inbreeding, also reflected by the occurrence of longer ROH, which demand special attention in the matting schemes to avoid extensive inbreeding. Candidate genes (e.g., ABCA7, PENK, SPP1, IFNAR1, IFNAR2, SPEF2, PRLR, LRRTM1, and LRRTM4) located in the identified ROH islands were evaluated, highlighting biological processes involved with milk production, behavior, rusticity, and fertility. Furthermore, we were successful in obtaining the breed composition regarding the taurine and indicine composition using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data. Our results were able to observe in detail the genomic backgrounds that are present in each breed and allowed to better understand the various contributions of ancestor breeds to the modern breed composition to the Brazilian cattle.

Can detomidine replace medetomidine for pharmacological semen collection in domestic cats?

Among the different methods used for semen collection from domestic cats, the pharmacological collection by urethral catheterization becomes disruptive. Medetomidine is the elected α²-adrenoceptor agonist for that, but in several countries, it is not commercially available. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of detomidine compared to medetomidine in collecting semen by urethral catheterization in domestic cats. Urethral catheterization was performed on 13 mongrel cats using a disposable semi-rigid tomcat urinary catheter. Of the 19 semen collections performed with medetomidine induction, 94.7% were successful, while with detomidine induction, only 56.3% of 16 were successful. The values semen samples variables were as follows for volume - 10.56 ± 0.4 vs 8.88 ± 0.5 mL, motility - 171.67 ± 0.79 vs 49.77 ± 3.45%, vigor - 4.1 ± 0.03 vs 3.10 ± 0.1 and concentration - 3.24 ± 0.19 vs 2.15 ± 0.13 ×10⁹ sperm/mL respectively for medetomidine and detomidine group. The failure in semen collections with detomidine was mainly due to azoospermic samples, poor urethral relaxation, insufficient volume, or contamination of urine. The sperm concentration was also lower in the detomidine group (P <0.05) when compared to medetomidine. However, when the volume of semen collected was compared, we found no statistical differences. Despite its low performance in collecting semen from cats, detomidine may be an alternative when medetomidine is not accessible.

Functional Variants Surrounding Endothelin 2 Are Associated With Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis Infection

Bovine paratuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), continues to impact the dairy industry through increased morbidity, mortality, and lost production. Although genome-wide association analyses (GWAAs) have identified loci associated with susceptibility to MAP, limited progress has been made in identifying mutations that cause disease susceptibility. A 235-kb region on Bos taurus chromosome 3 (BTA3), containing a 70-kb haplotype block surrounding endothelin 2 (EDN2), has previously been associated with the risk of MAP infection. EDN2 is highly expressed in the gut and is involved in intracellular calcium signaling and a wide array of biological processes. The objective of this study was to identify putative causal mutations for disease susceptibility in the region surrounding EDN2 in Holstein and Jersey cattle. Using sequence data from 10 Holstein and 10 Jersey cattle, common variants within the 70-kb region containing EDN2 were identified. A custom SNP genotyping array fine-mapped the region using 221 Holstein and 51 Jersey cattle and identified 17 putative causal variants (P < 0.01) located in the 5′ region of EDN2 and a SNP in the 3′ UTR (P = 0.00009) associated with MAP infection. MicroRNA interference assays, mRNA stability assays, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were performed to determine if allelic changes at each SNP resulted in differences in EDN2 stability or expression. Two SNPs [rs109651404 (G/A) and rs110287192 (G/T)] located within the promoter region of EDN2 displayed differential binding affinity for transcription factors in binding sequences harboring the alternate SNP alleles. The luciferase reporter assay revealed that the transcriptional activity of the EDN2 promoter was increased (P < 0.05) with the A allele for rs109651404 and the G allele for rs110287192. These results suggest that the variants rs109651404 and rs110287192 are mutations that alter transcription and thus may alter susceptibility to MAP infection in Holstein and Jersey cattle.

Milk yield and composition in dairy cows with post-partum disorders

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the impact of different post-partum disorders on milk yield and composition. One hundred and fifteen Holstein cows from a commercial dairy farm located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil were monitored up to 62 days post-partum. During this period, body condition score evaluation and animal clinical examination were conducted. Percentages of fat, protein, and lactose, as well as somatic cells score, were determined in milk samples. The AST activity and concentrations of NEFA, calcium, and BHBA, were analyzed in blood samples. The occurrence of clinical disorders was identified in 30 (26%) cows. Subclinical disorders were identified in 64 (56%) cows. Only 21 (18%) cows did not suffer any kind of disorder within the studied period. In this study, no significant differences were found in milk production, protein, and somatic cell count in clinical, subclinical, and healthy cows. Milk fat and the fat: protein quotient (F:P) were higher in cows with clinical disorders and the 6 to 21 days in milk, and lactose were lower in cows with clinical disorders and the 22 to 42 days in milk (P<0.05).

A rare case of heteropaternal twin calves after natural mating in Brazil

Twin birth is a complex condition observed in most livestock animals, when the female gives birth to two or more offspring, generally out of the same mating. In cattle, it is a rare condition (3 to 5%) and depends on the genetic background and environmental factors. Twin birth is a result of multiple ovulations, being more common in dairy rather than in beef cattle. Calves could be monozygous or dizygous, with the same or of different sexes. When twins are born with different sexes, a sexual condition called Freemartinism occurs in between 90 to 97% of pregnancies, causing infertility in the female calf. Knowing that the twin rate is rare in commercial beef cattle, here we present an even rarer case of twin birth from two different sires after natural mating, also called heteropaternal superfecundation.

Chemoprophylaxis for babesiosis and anaplasmosis in cattle: case report

Cattle tick fever (CTF) causes significant economic losses in the livestock sector. The pathogenic action of the hemoparasites is associated with anemia, weight loss, abortion and reduced productivity, which result with animal death. Programs to prevent CTF involve several procedures, including immunization, chemoprophylaxis and use of ectoparasiticides, together with the vector control in the environment. The objective of this study was to report an acute outbreak of CTF in a group of 157 Hereford cattle from a farm without presence of the vector, that were moved to a farm in the same state with a high tick infestation (Rhipicephalus microplus). On the day before the transportation, the animals received a chemoprophylaxis with imidocarb dipropionate (3 mg/kg, SC), which was repeated 21 days after the first application. After 42 days, some animals showed signs compatible with CTF, which was confirmed through clinical examination, necropsy, histopathological and hemoparasitological analyses. The morbidity rate was 37.6% and the mortality rate was 24.8%. Calves that were recently weaned were the group most affected with the tick fever, morbidity (100% and mortality (73%). Chemoprophylaxis in association with use of ectoparasiticides was not sufficient to control the outbreak of the disease.

The Outcome and Economic Viability of Embryo Production Using IVF and SOV Techniques in the Wagyu Breed of Cattle

The Japanese black cattle breed (Wagyu) has an improved metabolism, which allows them to have a higher marbling score when compared with other cattle breeds. However, this may affect other aspects of the animal’s physiology, including hormone secretion and their reproductive success, such as their response to synchronization protocols and embryo production. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to test a superovulation protocol (SOV) developed with low doses of FSH and to evaluate the outcome and economic viability of embryo production using the SOV and in vitro fertilization (IVF) approaches in the Wagyu cattle breed. For that, ten Wagyu cows were submitted to five SOVs over a period of 15 months using a standard protocol: CIDR + 3 mg estradiol benzoate (D0), 35 mg FSH (Folltropin^®) a.m. and p.m. (D4), 35 mg Folltropin^® a.m. and 20 mg p.m. (D5), 20 mg Folltropin^® a.m. and 10 mg p.m. (D6), 10 mg Folltropin^® and 0.5 mg cloprostenol, both a.m. and p.m., + CIDR removal (D7), 0.05 mg GnRH + insemination 12 and 24 h after (D8) and embryo collection + 0.5 mg of cloprostenol (D16). Thirty days after each SOV, a follicular aspiration was conducted to produce IVF embryos without any pre-synchronization using standard semen in the same group of animals. The average number of embryos produced was 7.63 ± 5.61 (SOV) and 4.52 ± 2.44 (IVF) (p = 0.303). There was no significant correlation between the number of embryos produced by the different techniques (SOV and IVF), indicating that cows that respond well to SOV did not respond well to IVF and vice versa (r = 0.379, p = 0.529). The total cost of each embryo produced by SOV was R$215.00 and R$410.00 for IVF. Therefore, cows that produce less than five embryos by SOV are not economically viable due their lack of response to FSH, and the use of IVF in those animals may be more effective.

Study of vaginal microbiota of Holstein cows submitted to an estrus synchronization protocol with the use of intravaginal progesterone device

The characterization of vaginal microbiota will help to understand some of the reproductive problems and mechanisms to improve cattle reproduction. The objective of this study was to characterize the vaginal microbiota of cyclical Holstein cows with different parturition orders using 16S rDNA sequencing. Animals were submitted to an estrus synchronization protocol with the use of intravaginal progesterone (P4) implants and were treated or not with ceftiofur hydrochloride. DNA samples were extracted from vaginal swabs on day 0 and 10 of the synchronization, and sequenced with the Illumina MiSeq platform with an average coverage rate of 10.000 reads per samples using a Single-End library for fragments of 300 bp. The main bacterial phyla found in the vaginal tract of Holstein cows, were Firmicutes (37.61%), Tenericutes (29.45%), Proteobacteria (17.47%) and Bacteriodetes (13.73%), followed by Actinobacteria (0.82%) and Spirochaetae (0.45%). The use of intravaginal P4 devices has increased the relative abundance of the genera Family XIII AD3011 and Family XIII unclassified (p < .049). We have also observed an effect of the number of calving on the vaginal microbiota composition, showing that multiparous cows have a greater bacterial diversity than primiparous animals (p < .05). The use of ceftiofur hydrochloride was effective to reduce the vaginal bacteria proliferation. This study describes for the first time the vaginal microbiota of cows synchronized with intravaginal progesterone devices, different from the traditional methods such as microbiological culture and biochemical tests. We have identified a large number of microorganisms commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of cows, colonizing the vaginal microbiota.

Proximal femoral head transcriptome reveals novel candidate genes related to epiphysiolysis in broiler chickens

BACKGROUND

The proximal femoral head separation (FHS) or epiphysiolysis is a prevalent disorder affecting the chicken femur epiphysis, being considered a risk factor to infection which can cause bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis in broilers. To identify the genetic mechanisms involved in epiphysiolysis, differentially expressed (DE) genes in the femur of normal and FHS-affected broilers were identified using RNA-Seq technology. Femoral growth plate (GP) samples from 35-day-old commercial male broilers were collected from 4 healthy and 4 FHS-affected broilers. Sequencing was performed using an Illumina paired-end protocol. Differentially expressed genes were obtained using the edgeR package based on the False Discovery Rate (FDR < 0.05).

RESULTS

Approximately 16 million reads/sample were generated with 2 × 100 bp paired-end reads. After data quality control, approximately 12 million reads/sample were mapped to the reference chicken genome (Galgal5). A total of 12,645 genes were expressed in the femur GP. Out of those, 314 were DE between groups, being 154 upregulated and 160 downregulated in FHS-affected broilers. In the functional analyses, several biological processes (BP) were overrepresented. Among them, those related to cell adhesion, extracellular matrix (ECM), bone development, blood circulation and lipid metabolism, which are more related to chicken growth, are possibly involved with the onset of FHS. On the other hand, BP associated to apoptosis or cell death and immune response, which were also found in our study, could be related to the consequence of the FHS.

CONCLUSIONS

Genes with potential role in the epiphysiolysis were identified through the femur head transcriptome analysis, providing a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate bone development in fast-growing chickens. In this study, we highlighted the importance of cell adhesion and extracellular matrix related genes in triggering FHS. Furthermore, we have shown new insights on the involvement of lipidemia and immune response/inflammation with FHS in broilers. Understanding the changes in the GP transcriptome might support breeding strategies to address poultry robustness and to obtain more resilient broilers.

Genomic structure of a crossbred Landrace pig population

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers are used to study population structure and conservation genetics, which permits assessing similarities regarding the linkage disequilibrium and information about the relationship among individuals. To investigate the population genomic structure of 300 females and 25 males from a commercial maternal pig line we analyzed linkage disequilibrium extent, inbreeding coefficients using genomic and conventional pedigree data, and population stratification. The average linkage disequilibrium (r²) was 0.291 ± 0.312 for all adjacent SNPs, distancing less than 100 Kb (kilobase) between markers. The average inbreeding coefficients obtained from runs of homozygosity (ROH) and pedigree analyses were 0.119 and 0.0001, respectively. Low correlation was observed between the inbreeding coefficients possibly as a result of genetic recombination effect accounted for the ROH estimates or caused by pedigree identification errors. A large number of long ROHs might indicate recent inbreeding events in the studied population. A total of 36 homozygous segments were found in more than 30% of the population and these ROH harbor genes associated with reproductive traits. The population stratification analysis indicated that this population was possibly originated from two distinct populations, which is a result from crossings between the eastern and western breeds used in the formation of the line. Our findings provide support to understand the genetic structure of swine populations and may assist breeding companies to avoid a high level of inbreeding coefficients to maintain genetic diversity, showing the effectiveness of using genome-wide SNP information for quantifying inbreeding when the pedigree was incomplete or incorrect.

Genetic Characterization of Indubrasil Cattle Breed Population

The Indubrasil breed was developed in the Brazilian region called Triângulo Mineiro as a result of a cross between zebu cattle. Initially, it was used as a terminal cross and currently it represents approximately 4.45% of all the Brazilian zebu cattle. Studies were conducted to estimate genetic parameters in the Indubrasil using pedigree information, however, until now, no study has been developed using large-scale genomic markers in this breed. Pedigree information are widely used to investigate population parameters; however, they can neglect some estimates when compared to the use of genomic markers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the population structure and the genetic diversity of Indubrasil cattle using a high-density Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) panel (Illumina BovineHD BeadChip 700k). Levels of genomic homozygosity were evaluated using three different approaches: Runs of homozygosity (F_ROH), % of homozygosis (F_SNP), and inbreeding coefficient (F_x). Further, Runs of Homozygosity (ROH) segments conserved among the animals were investigated to identify possible regions associated with the breed characteristics. Our results indicate that even the Indubrasil breed having a small effective population size, the levels of homozygosity (F_ROH = 0.046) are still small. This was possibly caused by the cross conducted among different breeds for its development. It suggests no immediate risks associated with loss of genetic variation. This information might be used in breeding programs, for the breed conservation and for the expansion of the Indubrasil breed.

Identification and Distribution of Causative Agents of Pleurisy in the Brazilian Pig Farming

Background: Pleurisy is defined as an inflammation of the pleural membranes, usually caused by bacterial infections. It is considered the second most common reason for condemnations of swine carcass during slaughter. Prior to slaughter, pleurisy can causes discomfort to the animals, and during the slaughter, the carcass from affected animals, has to be trimmed, reducing the value to both the farmer and the plant, increasing the costs of disposal, and line speeds are reduced, increasing processing costs. The objective of this study was to verify the prevalence and to identify the bacterial agents associated with pleurisy lesions in pigs.Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, were used tissue samples from 4,536 piglets collected from the main swine producing regions of Brazil between the years 2013/2014. Samples were collected from animals that presented respiratory, enteric or nervous symptoms. Samples were sent to pathology and bacteriology examinations in a commercial laboratory. The pathogen isolates were classified according to the agent Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida), Haemophilus parasuis (HPS), Streptococcus suis (S. Suis), Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) and Bordetella bronchiseptica (BB) stage of development and regional location of the case. Data were analyzed based on the frequency according to the age group using Fisher-test. Of the total number of animals with clinical cases investigated in this study, 10.63% of them presented pleurisy lesions. When investigating the pleurisy frequency among the states or regions, we have observed that the state of Santa Catarina had the higher prevalence of pleurisy with 35.06% of cases, followed by the state of Minas Gerais with 35.31%, Rio Grande do Sul with 17.22% Paraná with 9.75% and the Midwest region had the lower prevalence with 6.02% of cases. Out of the total isolates, HPS were isolated in 55.0% of the total; P. multocida 31.0%; S. suis 7.0%; APP 6.0% and BB 1.0%. The higher prevalence of HPS was identified in southern states, while in MG, Southeast and Midwest there was equality between HPS and P. multocida isolations. The prevalence of HPS (P < 0.05) was in the nursery phase. P. multocida and APP prevailed in the growth and fattening phases.Discussion: In the swine industry, respiratory problems are responsible for huge economic losses caused to the animals, including treatment, condemnation of carcass up to the death of the animal, without including the animal pain and discomfort condition. Our data support the previous findings that P. multocida, was observed in higher frequency in the phase of growth (54.08%) and finishing (29.85%), being responsible to 83.93% of the cases in those phases. Therefore it could be considered the most economically important agent, since the HPS lesions are repaired over time, having low identification at later ages and slaughter of the pig. Similar findings were observed with APP. The S. suis and BB have been identified in sporadic forms. Knowing the possible agente causing the lesion based on the animal age and country region it is easier to predict with higher chances better management techniques to prevent the pathogen occurrence or even indicate a better treatment to reduce the lesion levels. Our data supported hypotheses of the identification of clinical cases and the animal growth stage for the most accurate classification for the success of animal treatment.

Identification of Genetic Regions Associated with Scrotal Hernias in a Commercial Swine Herd

In this paper, we have used two approaches to detect genetic associations with scrotal hernias in commercial pigs. Firstly, we have investigated the effects of runs of homozygosity (ROH) with the appearance of scrotal hernias, followed by a Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS). The phenotype classification was based on visual appearance of scrotal hernias. Each affected animal was matched to a healthy control from the same pen. In the total, 68 animals were genotyped using the Porcine SNP60 Beadchip, out of those, 41 animals had the presence of hernias and 27 were healthy animals. Fifteen animals were removed from the analysis due to differences in genetic background, leaving 18 healthy animals and 35 piglets with scrotal hernia. Further, the detection of extended haplotypes shared ROH were conducted for health (control) and affected (case) animals and a permutation test was used to test whether the ROH segments were more frequent in case/case pairs than non-case/case pairs. Using the ROH, we have identified an association (p = 0.019) on chromosome 2(SSC2) being segregated on animals with the presence of scrotal hernias. Using a GWAS, a region composed by 3 SNPs on the sexual chromosome X (SSCX) were associated with scrotal hernias (p < 1.6 × 10^-5), this region harbors the Androgen Receptor Gene (AR).

Genome-wide association study for performance traits in chickens using genotype by sequencing approach

Performance traits are economically important and are targets for selection in breeding programs, especially in the poultry industry. To identify regions on the chicken genome associated with performance traits, different genomic approaches have been applied in the last years. The aim of this study was the application of CornellGBS approach (134,528 SNPs generated from a PstI restriction enzyme) on Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) in an outbred F₂ chicken population. We have validated 91.7% of these 134,528 SNPs after imputation of missed genotypes. Out of those, 20 SNPs were associated with feed conversion, one was associated with body weight at 35 days of age (P < 7.86E-07) and 93 were suggestively associated with a variety of performance traits (P < 1.57E-05). The majority of these SNPs (86.2%) overlapped with previously mapped QTL for the same performance traits and some of the SNPs also showed novel potential QTL regions. The results obtained in this study suggests future searches for candidate genes and QTL refinements as well as potential use of the SNPs described here in breeding programs.

Genome-wide association study of periweaning failure-to-thrive syndrome (PFTS) in pigs

Porcine periweaning-failure-to-thrive syndrome (PFTS) is a condition that affects newly weaned piglets. It is characterised by a progressive debilitation leading to death, in the absence of infectious, nutritional, management or environmental factors. In this study, we present the first report of PFTS in South America and the results of a genome-wide association study to identify the genetic markers associated with the appearance of this condition in a crossbred swine population. Four chromosomal regions were associated with PFTS predisposition, one located on SSCX, one on SSC8, and the two other regions on SSC14. Regions on SSC8 and SSC14 harbour important functional candidate genes involved in human depression and might have an important role in PFTS. Our findings contribute to the increasing knowledge about this syndrome, which has been investigated since 2007, and to the identification of the aetiology of this disease.

Genetic diversity analysis of two commercial breeds of pigs using genomic and pedigree data

Background

Genetic improvement in livestock populations can be achieved without significantly affecting genetic diversity if mating systems and selection decisions take genetic relationships among individuals into consideration. The objective of this study was to examine the genetic diversity of two commercial breeds of pigs. Genotypes from 1168 Landrace (LA) and 1094 Large White (LW) animals from a commercial breeding program in Brazil were obtained using the Illumina PorcineSNP60 Beadchip. Inbreeding estimates based on pedigree (F_x) and genomic information using runs of homozygosity (F_ROH) and the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) by SNP inbreeding coefficient (F_SNP) were obtained. Linkage disequilibrium (LD), correlation of linkage phase (r) and effective population size (N_e) were also estimated.

Results

Estimates of inbreeding obtained with pedigree information were lower than those obtained with genomic data in both breeds. We observed that the extent of LD was slightly larger at shorter distances between SNPs in the LW population than in the LA population, which indicates that the LW population was derived from a smaller N_e. Estimates of N_e based on genomic data were equal to 53 and 40 for the current populations of LA and LW, respectively. The correlation of linkage phase between the two breeds was equal to 0.77 at distances up to 50 kb, which suggests that genome-wide association and selection should be performed within breed. Although selection intensities have been stronger in the LA breed than in the LW breed, levels of genomic and pedigree inbreeding were lower for the LA than for the LW breed.

Conclusions

The use of genomic data to evaluate population diversity in livestock animals can provide new and more precise insights about the effects of intense selection for production traits. Resulting information and knowledge can be used to effectively increase response to selection by appropriately managing the rate of inbreeding, minimizing negative effects of inbreeding depression and therefore maintaining desirable levels of genetic diversity.

Osteoblastic Nasal Osteosarcoma in a Wagyu Bovine

Background: Osteosarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal tumor with a wide variety of histological patterns. It is the primary bone neoplasia diagnosed in most domestic animal clinic, but rare in farm animals. The tumor develops both the appendicular skeleton as the axial skeleton, the latter being less affected. Generally it has a fast, painful and infiltrative grow, being observed metastasis. This study aims to report a case of metastatic osteoblastic osteosarcoma in the nasal bone of a bovine, diagnosed at the Animal Pathology Laboratory at the University of Passo Fundo (UPF), featuring its pathological and immunohistochemical aspects.Case: A 5 year old Wagyu female beef cattle, was treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Passo Fundo. The animal had swelling in the left nasal plan, dyspnoea and anorexia. It was held cytology and biopsy which revealed malignant mesenchymal neoplasm compatible with osteosarcoma. The clinical picture has worsened and the animal died. At necropsy, the left nasal plane, had ulcerated tumor mass measuring 15x12.5x7.5 cm, hard and firm consistency with whitish color that seeped up to the turbinates and sinuses. In the lung, there were numerous nodules of tumor appearance, adhered to the parietal pleura, similar to bone tissue. In the histopathological analysis, proliferation of neoplastic cells located in the deep dermis was observed, cell thick, well-defined and infiltrative, arranged in bundles, loosely grouped with rounded shape, sometimes oval, with distinct boundaries. There were areas with formation of osteoid matrix calcification and tumor necrosis. It was observed lung and regional lymph nodes metastasis. Tissue samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry (IHC), was performed using the polymer method with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), with positive control, using a panel of antibodies. Neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for vimentin and negative for other antibodies. Thus, confirmed the case of mesenchymal origin and bone tumor.Discussion: Osteosarcoma developing in the axial skeleton, more precisely in the nasal bone, in animals of this age group, is not found frequently in the literature. However, when they occur, they have unilateral injury, remarkable facial deformities, dyspnea and infiltration of adjacent tissues. During necropsy there was observed a mass of hard consistency suggesting bone tissue in the nasal plane, there was also observed whitish spots on the lung and lymph nodes. Through microscopic analysis was obtained the classification of osteoblastic osteosarcoma. Being a malignant tumor it has a fast and infiltrative growth, there was visualized metastasis in lung and mediastinal lymph nodes. The samples submitted to immunohistochemistry were positive for vimentin and negative for other antibodies. No treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgical intervention to remove the tumor was possible to be performed. Due to the severity of the clinical condition, the mass location, which couldn’t be obtained a safe surgical margin and it was financially unviable. The presumptive diagnosis of osteosarcoma was based on clinical history, anamnesis and cytological examination. However, the histopathological examination was essential to confirm the diagnosis. Through immunohistochemical examination, it was found the histogenesis, allowing to exclude other neoplasias. This technic was essential to characterize osteosarcoma due to the shortage reports of this neoplasia in farm animals, therefore, very important in veterinary medicine diagnosis.Keywords: neoplasia, bone, axial skeleton, ruminant, immunohistochemical and anatomopathological aspects.

Thermal activation process of Au/TiO2 system: a molecular spectroscopy study

Concatenated reactions involved in the thermal activation process of the AuNPs/TiO₂ system were evidenced by an in situ molecular spectroscopy study.

Identification of polymorphisms associated with production traits on chicken (Gallus gallus) chromosome 4

Genetic selection for production traits has resulted in a rapid improvement in animal performance and development. Previous studies have mapped quantitative trait loci for body weight at 35 and 41 days, and drum and thigh yield, onto chicken chromosome 4. We investigated this region for single nucleotide polymorphisms and their associations with important economic traits. Three positional candidate genes were studied: KLF3 (Krüeppel-like factor 3), SLIT2 (Slit homolog 2), and PPARGC1A (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, coactivator 1 alpha). Fragment sequencing of these genes was conducted in 11 F1 animals, and one polymorphism in each gene was selected and genotyped in an F2 population (N = 276) and a paternal broiler line TT (N = 840). Associations were identified with growth, carcass, and fat traits in the F2 and the paternal line (P < 0.05). Using single markers in both the F2 and the TT line, KLF3 was associated with weight gain (P < 0.05), PPPARGC1A was associated with liver and wing-parts weights and yields (P < 0.05), and SLIT2 was associated with back yield (P < 0.05) and fat traits (P < 0.05). Using multiple markers, KLF3 lost its significance in both populations, and SLIT2 was associated with feed conversion only in the TT population (P < 0.05). The QTLs mapped in the F2 population could be partly explained by PPARGC1A and SLIT2, which were associated with body weight at 35 and 41 days, respectively, and with drum and thigh yield in the same population. The results of this study indicate the importance of these genes for production traits.

Unravelling the genetic components involved in the immune response of pigs vaccinated against influenza virus

A genome-wide association study for immune response to influenza vaccination in a crossbred swine population was conducted. Swine influenza is caused by influenza A virus (FLUAV) which is considered one of the most prevalent respiratory pathogens in swine worldwide. The main strategy used to control influenza in swine herds is through vaccination. However, the currently circulating FLUAV subtypes in swine are genetically and antigenically diverse and their interaction with the host genetics poses a challenge for the production of efficacious and cross-protective vaccines. In this study, 103 pigs vaccinated with an inactivated H1N1 pandemic virus were genotyped with the Illumina PorcineSNP60V2 BeadChip for the identification of genetic markers associated with immune response efficacy to influenza A virus vaccination. Immune response was measured based on the presence or absence of HA (hemagglutinin) and NP (nucleoprotein) antibodies induced by vaccination and detected in swine sera by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and ELISA assays, respectively. The ELISA test was also used as a measurement of antibody levels produced following the FLUAV vaccination. Associations were tested with x(2) test for a case and control data and using maximum likelihood method for the quantitative data, where a moderate association was considered if p<5×10(-5). When testing the association using the HI results, three markers with unknown location and three located on chromosomes SSCX, SSC14 and SSC18 were identified as associated with the immune response. Using the response to vaccination measured by ELISA as a qualitative and quantitative phenotype, four genomic regions were associated with immune response: one on SSC12 and three on chromosomes SSC1, SSC7, and SSC15, respectively. Those regions harbor important functional candidate genes possibly involved with the degree of immune response to vaccination. These results show an important role of host genetics in the immune response to influenza vaccination. Genetic selection for pigs with better response to FLUAV vaccination might be an alternative to reduce the impact of influenza virus infection in the swine industry. However, these results should to be validated in additional populations before its use.

Unraveling the associations of osteoprotegerin gene with production traits in a paternal broiler line

Improvements on growth and carcass traits in the poultry industry have been achieved by intense selection for heavier chickens at early ages. This faster growth has caused serious problems due to insufficient skeletal structure development needed to support the musculature of modern broilers. The osteoprotegerin gene (OPG), located on GGA2, is an important regulator of bone metabolism and reabsorption, being suggestive as a possible functional candidate gene associated with bone integrity in chickens. This study reports associations of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the OPG gene with production traits in a parental broiler line. Different phenotypic groups were evaluated: performance, carcass and skeletal traits. SNPs were identified within the OPG gene and the most informative SNP g.9144C > G was chosen for association analyses. Chickens (n = 1230) were genotyped using PCR-RFLP. The association was carried out with QxPaK v4.0 software using a mixed model including sex, hatch and SNP as fixed effects, and the infinitesimal and residual as random effects. The OPG SNP was associated with important traits as body weight at 21 days, weights of tibia and drumstick skin, leg muscle yield, and tibia breaking strength (P < 0.05). Associations were explained by the additive effect of the SNP and the additive effect within sex. This SNP could be considered a potential marker to improve bone resistance in chickens; however, caution should be taken because of its negative effect in other important traits evaluated in this study. Furthermore, these findings suggest a possible involvement of the OPG gene in fat deposition in poultry.

Photoconversion of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of hydrazine with AgNPs-TiO2 nanoparticles prepared by the sol-gel method

The photocatalytic properties of functionalized TiO2 with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for the conversion of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of hydrazine were investigated. The TiO2 semiconductor synthesized by the sol-gel method was functionalized with AgNPs at different loadings, and their structural and optical properties were characterized by several techniques. The functionalized TiO2 with 1.5wt% AgNPs presented the highest photocatalytic activity for the conversion of 4-nitrophenol with appropriate hydrazine concentrations (0.5M). The photoefficiency enhancement under UV light irradiation was attributed to the electron transfer from the TiO2 semiconductor surface to the adsorbed acceptor reactant (4-nitrophenol) through the deposited AgNPs.

TLR4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with Salmonella shedding in pigs

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a key factor in the innate immune recognition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria. Previous studies from our group identified differences in the expression profile of TLR4 and genes affected by the TLR4 signaling pathway among pigs that shed varying levels of Salmonella, a Gram-negative bacterium. Therefore, genetic variation in this gene may be involved with the host’s immune response to bacterial infections. The current study screened for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TLR4 gene and tested their association with Salmonella fecal shedding. Pigs (n = 117) were intranasally challenged at 7 weeks of age with 1 × 10⁹ CFU of S. Typhimurium χ4232 and were classified as low or persistent Salmonella shedders based on the levels of Salmonella being excreted in fecal material. Salmonella fecal shedding was determined by quantitative bacteriology on days 2, 7, 14, and 20/21 post exposure, and the cumulative levels of Salmonella were calculated to identify the low (n = 20) and persistent (n = 20) Salmonella shedder pigs. From those 40 animals, the TLR4 region was sequenced, and 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TLR4 were identified. Twelve SNPs have been previously described and six are novel SNPs of which five are in the 5′ untranslated region and one is in intron 2. Single marker association test identified 13 SNPs associated with the qualitative trait of Salmonella fecal shedding, and seven of those SNPs were also associated with a quantitative measurement of fecal shedding (P < 0.05). Using a stepwise regression process, a haplotype composed of SNPs rs80787918 and rs80907449 (P ≤ 4.0 × 10⁻³) spanning a region of 4.9 Kb was identified, thereby providing additional information of the influence of those SNPs on Salmonella fecal shedding in pigs.

Towards real-time image deconvolution: application to confocal and STED microscopy

Although deconvolution can improve the quality of any type of microscope, the high computational time required has so far limited its massive spreading. Here we demonstrate the ability of the scaled-gradient-projection (SGP) method to provide accelerated versions of the most used algorithms in microscopy. To achieve further increases in efficiency, we also consider implementations on graphic processing units (GPUs). We test the proposed algorithms both on synthetic and real data of confocal and STED microscopy. Combining the SGP method with the GPU implementation we achieve a speed-up factor from about a factor 25 to 690 (with respect the conventional algorithm). The excellent results obtained on STED microscopy images demonstrate the synergy between super-resolution techniques and image-deconvolution. Further, the real-time processing allows conserving one of the most important property of STED microscopy, i.e the ability to provide fast sub-diffraction resolution recordings.