Evaluation of body growth and immunity-related differentially expressed genes through deep RNA sequencing in the piglets of Jeju native pig and Berkshire

This study was carried out with the objective to investigate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between Jeju native pig (JNP) and Berkshire piglets. The RNA-Seq technique was used to investigate the transcriptomes in the fat, liver and longissimus dorsi muscle from these two breeds. Paired-end reads of the sequences that passed the quality filters were aligned to the Sus scrofa genome using tophat2 (v2.0.2). In this study, 65% of muscle, 20% of fat and 54% of liver genes showed higher expression in the piglets of JNP than in Berkshire. Gene Ontology and signaling pathways showed that immune response and lipid metabolisms were commonly enriched pathways in all three tissues. It was found that the genes pertaining to body growth and immune system are significantly (P < 0.01) more highly expressed in Berkshire piglets. DEGs explored between the piglets of the two breeds might influence the identification of the genetic markers for further breed improvement programs. Our findings provide a new perspective for understanding and identifying candidate genes that are involved in various biological functions. Moreover, transcriptome analysis makes it easier to understand the differences between genetic mechanisms of breeds.

Efficacy of fenbendazole, levamisole and ivermectin against gastrointestinal nematodes in Jamunapari goats

Efficacy of fenbendazole, levamisole and ivermectin was checked in comparison to untreated controls in twenty Jamunapari goats, naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematode parasites. Faecal examination at day 0 revealed an egg per gram of 930 ± 175.1, 1350 ± 421.1, 1060 ± 224.9 and 800 ± 279.7 in group A, B, C and D, respectively having five animals each. The results of larval culture examination revealed the presence of Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum and Strongyloides spp. in these animals. Faecal egg counts of the animals treated with fenbendazole (group A), levamisole (group B) and ivermectin (group C) were reduced by 23.66, 63.70 and 98.11%, respectively on day 14 post-treatment.

Immune response of chicks to oral vaccination against Newcastle disease and fowl pox

The humoral immune response and immunity conferred in chicks were compared following separate and combined oral vaccination with F strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and HP1 strain of fowl pox virus. The haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titre against NDV and passive haemagglutination (PHA) antibody titre against fowl pox virus were comparable in two respective groups. The serum IgG concentration increased significantly after the second vaccination in all the groups. The NDV vaccine induced significantly higher IgG production as compared to fowl pox virus vaccine. There was no significant difference in serum IgG concentration produced by combined vaccine and separate F strain vaccine. The protection afforded by combined and separate vaccinations did not vary significantly against challenge with virulent strains of NDV and fowl pox virus at different stages.