Evaluation of candidate gene effects and environmental factors on reproductive performance of Holstein cows

This study investigated the impact of nine polymorphisms located in the CSN2, CSN3, CSN1S1, CSN1S2, OLR1, LALBA, STAT1, DGAT1 and LGB genes, and environmental factors including calving year, season and parity on reproductive traits. The analysis was conducted on 165 Holstein-Friesian cows. Genotypes were identified using PCR-RFLP. The data of reproductive traits for four lactations were evaluated. Statistical analysis was carried out using least squares of the GLM procedures. Results indicated that CSN2 had significant effects on days before first insemination and first insemination to pregnancy interval. The SNP at the CSN3 was significantly associated with gestation length. A novel effect of OLR1-C223A on age at first calving was observed in the present study. Moreover, DGAT1 and LGB markers were significantly associated with calving interval and days before first insemination, respectively. In addition, significant environmental effects were as follows: calving year with days before first oestrus, days open, and first insemination to pregnancy interval; season with days open, first insemination to pregnancy interval, and calving interval; parity with days before first oestrus and days open. The present results and novel associations may therefore be useful and indicative for future studies on a genetic basis of cattle reproduction traits.Keywords: cattle, environmental effects, genetic marker, Holstein-Friesian, reproduction parameter

Association of polymorphisms in the CSN2, CSN3, LGB and LALBA genes with milk production traits in Holstein cows raised in Turkey

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗA polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) test was performed on DNA samples extracted from blood samples of 189 Holstein Friesian cows to detect genotypic distribution of polymorphic markers in the bovine beta-casein (CSN2), kappa-casein (CSN3), beta-lactoglobulin (LGB) and alfa-lactalbumin (LALBA) genes responsible for milk production traits. Statistical analysis was carried out using least square methods of the general linear model (GLM) procedure. CSN2 locus was significantly associated with the following traits: 305-day milk yield, days before peak milk production, fat percentage and protein yield. There was no significant effect of CSN3, LGB and LALBA markers on the traits analysed. These results suggested that CSN2 marker may be evaluated in selection programmes regarding not only milk content but also milk production

Relationship of the bovine IGF1, TG, DGAT1 and MYF5 genes to meat colour, tenderness and cooking loss

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗBovine insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), thyroglobulin (TG), diacylglycerol-O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) and myogenic factor 5 (MYF5) genes play an important role in the physiology of lipid and muscle metabolism and are therefore considered as candidate genes for meat production traits in farm animals. The objectives of this study were to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IGF1, TG, DGAT1 and MYF5 genes and to evaluate whether these polymorphisms affected meat colour, tenderness and cooking loss in Holstein cattle. Initially, the SNPs were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Meat samples (N= 50) derived from M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) were used in the current study. Significant differences in variations of meat colour parameters were observed at 24 hours post-mortem. IGF1 was associated with colour parameters of a* and chroma values. In addition, effects of TG were statistically significant on L* and a* values, while, effects of MYF5 were significant on a* value. There was no association of the tested SNPs with meat pH, tenderness and cooking loss. The results presented here may give the valuable information for improving meat colour in cattle

Comprehensive assessment of candidate genes associated with fattening performance in Holstein–Friesian bulls

The objective of this study was to determine the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in selected candidate genes with fattening performance traits in a commercial cattle herd. Fifteen SNPs in 12 candidate genes (LEP, FABP4, DGAT1, TG, IGF1, IGF1R, MYF5, LGB, CAPN1, CAST, GHR, and OLR1) were evaluated in 296 purebred Holstein–Friesian bulls using PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism). Associations between each segregating SNP and genetic merit for fattening performance were quantified using linear mixed models. Traits included in the study were fattening period, final weight, dry matter intake, feed conversion rate, and average daily weight gain. Apart from the general determination of the above-mentioned traits, each trait was evaluated based on the fattening periods between five selected target body weights (W1&thinsp;=&thinsp;100&thinsp;kg, W2&thinsp;=&thinsp;200&thinsp;kg, W3&thinsp;=&thinsp;300&thinsp;kg, W4&thinsp;=&thinsp;400&thinsp;kg, W5&thinsp;=&thinsp;450&thinsp;kg). All markers with the exception of CAPN1 530, IGF1R, TG, and DGAT1 were associated with at least one of the traits. Furthermore, novel associations were observed for LEP&thinsp;×&thinsp;GHR, IGF1&thinsp;×&thinsp;LEP, FABP4 3691&thinsp;×&thinsp;FABP4 2834, and FAP4 3533&thinsp;×&thinsp;LEP interactions. The results of this study confirm some previously reported associations. Moreover, novel associations have been identified, which may be incorporated into breeding programs to improve fattening performance.</p

Termohigrometria no transporte e na qualidade de ovos destinados ao consumo humano

A produção de ovos de galinha acompanhando a evolução de pesquisas e o desenvolvimento de projetos inovadores vem ganhando espaço expressivo a cada ano, nos mercados nacional e internacional. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar a influência da temperatura do ar e da umidade relativa na qualidade dos ovos de galinha para consumo humano durante o seu transporte entre a granja e o entreposto final. A pesquisa foi conduzida em uma granja de galinhas de postura em Esperança, PB, e foram realizados seis carregamentos. Utilizou-se um caminhão modelo F-4000, sem controle da climatização. Foram utilizados ovos de coloração vermelha de poedeiras semipesadas da linhagem Lohmann (Brown) e avaliados os seguintes parâmetros de qualidade: massa do ovo, gravidade específica, unidade Haugh, espessura de casca, índice de gema e pH. Para a análise estatística foi realizado o teste de Dunnett a 0,05 de probabilidade comparando, assim, as amostras finais com as testemunhas da granja. Foi verificada que, nas condições dos carregamentos, apenas a unidade Haugh apresentou perda de qualidade nas viagens mais longas

Local political marketing in the context of the conservative party

Local political marketing can be defined as marketing related strategy, activities, and tactics implemented by a political party in a local geographic constituency, in order to attempt to maximise aggregate potential voter satisfaction, and therefore maximise total number of votes and electoral support in the constituency. Through 12 in-depth interviews with Local Constituency Party representatives from the Conservative Party, the study found that local political marketing was acknowledged by a majority of respondents although this was not unequivocal, and was frequently conflated with campaigning. Local political marketing was associated with: visual identity, language/messages, values, image, communication devices, awareness raising, data management and targeting, and simplification. The support from higher levels of the party in local political marketing was varied across constituencies. There was evidence of growing coordination /influence by higher levels of the party in local political marketing. However, this tended to be in seats judged as ‘winnable’