Analysis of pig posture detection in group-housed pigs using deep learning-based mask scoring instance segmentation.

Pig posture is closely linked with livestock health and welfare. There has been significant interest among researchers in using deep learning techniques for pig posture detection. However, this task is challenging due to variations in image angles and times, as well as the presence of multiple pigs in a single image.

CRISPR/Cas genome editing revealed non-angiogenic role of VEGFA gene in porcine luteal cells: a preliminary report.

Background: The angiogenic cytokine vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) also exerts non-angiogenic effects on endocrine functionality of porcine luteal cells critical for progesterone (P) production.

Method And Results: The expression dynamics of VEGFA-FLT/KDR system were investigated using RT-qPCR during luteal stages and VEGFA gene knock out (KO) porcine luteal cells were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The downstream effects of VEGFA ablation were studied using RT-qPCR, Annexin V, MTT, ELISA for P estimation and scratch wound assay.

Ovarian follicle transcriptome dynamics reveals enrichment of immune system process during transition from small to large follicles in cyclic Indian Ghoongroo pigs.

Ovarian follicular development is a critical determinant of reproductive performance in litter bearing species like pigs, wherein economic gains depend on litter size. The study aimed to gain insight into the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and signalling pathways regulating follicular growth and maturation in Ghoongroo pigs. Transcriptome profiling of porcine small follicles (SF) and large follicles (LF) was conducted using NovaSeq600 sequencing platform and DEGs were identified using DESeq2 with threshold of Padj.

Comparative muscle transcriptome of Mali and Hampshire breeds of pigs: a preliminary study.

Muscle development is an important priority of pig breeding programs. There is a considerable variation in muscularity between the breeds, but the regulation mechanisms of genes underlying myogenesis are still unclear. Transcriptome data from two breeds of pigs with divergent muscularity (Mali and Hampshire) were integrated with histology, immunofluorescence and meat yield to identify differences in myogenesis during the early growth phase.

Evaluation of thermo-adaptability between Tharparkar (Bos indicus) and crossbred (Bos indicus X Bos taurus) calves in a controlled environment.

The global warming driven climate change has increased the susceptibility of livestock around the globe to heat stress (HS), which reduces animal productivity and threatens the sustainability of marginal farmers. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate thermo-adaptability between Tharparkar calves (TC), an indigenous milch breed of India and crossbred calves (CC) during induced heat stress in controlled environment. For this purpose, 12 apparently healthy male calves (six in each group) aged 5-6 months, were selected.

Porcine Circovirus type 2 infected myocardial tissue transcriptome signature.

The goal of this study was to compare the global gene expression profile in cardiac tissues of pig infected with porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) to that of healthy cells. Since PCV2 infection causes severe cardiovascular lesions, the myocardial tissue model was chosen for this study. In High-throughput transcriptome analysis, DESeq2 and CLC genomics workbench analyses revealed a total of 196 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (p-value < 0.

Androgen receptor gene deficiency results in the reduction of steroidogenic potential in porcine luteal cells.

Luteal steroidogenesis is critical to implantation and pregnancy maintenance in mammals. The role of androgen receptors (AR) in the progesterone (P) producing luteal cells of porcine corpus luteum (CL) remains unexplored. The aim of the present study was to establish gene knock out (KO) porcine luteal cell culture system model by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology and to study the downstream effects of gene deficiency on steroidogenic potential and viability of luteal cells.

Effect of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms in SLC11A1, ANKRA2, IFNG and PGLYRP1 genes on host susceptibility to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection in Indian cattle.

Paratuberculosis (PTB) is a chronic infectious enteritis of ruminants, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) that brings huge economic loss to the dairy farmers. The study was conducted to explore the association of selected SNPs in IFNG, SLC11A1, ANKRA2 and PGLYRP1 genes with resistance to PTB disease in Indian cattle population. A case-control resource population was established based on the results of diagnostic tests used for detection of MAP infection status viz.

Deciphering the functional role of EGR1 in Prostaglandin F2 alpha induced luteal regression applying CRISPR in corpus luteum of buffalo.

Background: PGF2α is essential for the induction of the corpus luteum regression which in turn reduces progesterone production. Early growth response (EGR) proteins are Cys2-His2-type zinc-finger transcription factor that are strongly linked to cellular proliferation, survival and apoptosis. Rapid elevation of EGR1 was observed after luteolytic dose of PGF2α.

Transcriptome profiling of different developmental stages of corpus luteum during the estrous cycle in pigs.

To better understand the molecular basis of corpus luteum (CL) development and function RNA-Seq was utilized to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in porcine CL during different physiological stages of the estrous cycle viz. early (EL), mid (ML), late (LL) and regressed (R) luteal. Stage wise comparisons obtained 717 (EL vs.

Modulation of granulosa cell function via CRISPR-Cas fuelled editing of BMPR-IB gene in goats (Capra hircus).

BMPs are multifunctional growth factors implicated in regulating the ovarian function as key intra-ovarian factors. Biological effects of BMPs are mediated through binding with membrane bound receptors like BMPR-IB and initiating downstream Smad signaling pathway. FecB mutation, regarded as a loss of function mutation in the BMPR-IB gene was identified in certain sheep breeds having high fecundity.

Association of genetic variability in gene with bovine paratuberculosis disease: a case-control study in the Indian cattle population.

This study aimed to explore the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in gene with the occurrence of bovine paratuberculosis (PTB) disease caused by subspecies () in Indian cattle. A total of 213 animals were preliminarily selected on the basis of physical body condition score, which was then screened by a panel of diagnostic tests Johnin, ELISA, fecal microscopy, and fecal culture, for the establishment of a case-control resource population. A total of four SNPs rs208222804, rs211654540, rs208814257, and rs210748127 in gene were genotyped by PCR-RFLP.

Expression and functional role of fibroblast growth factors (FGF) in placenta during different stages of pregnancy in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

The present study documented the expression and functional role of Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) family and their receptors (Fibroblast growth factor receptor, FGFRs) in placenta (Cotyledon; COT, Caruncle; CAR) during different stages of pregnancy in water buffalo. Samples were collected from Early pregnancy 1 (EP1); Early pregnancy 2 (EP2); Mid pregnancy (MP) and Late pregnancy (LP) while diestrus stage of oestrus cycle (NP) was taken as control. In addition, modulatory role of FGF2 on mRNA expression of von Willebrand factor (vWF), Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage (CYP11A1), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) and BCL2 Associated X (BAX) were studied in cultured trophoblast cells (TCC), obtained from EP2.

Genetic association of polymorphisms in bovine TLR2 and TLR4 genes with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection in Indian cattle population.

Toll like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition molecules involved in cellular recognition of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), the infectious agent causing Paratuberculosis (PTB), a notified disease of domestic and wild ruminants. The present study was undertaken to investigate the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TLR2 and TLR4 gene and to evaluate association of these SNPs with occurrence of PTB in Indian cattle. A total of 213 cattle, were subjected to multiple diagnostic tests viz.

Transcriptional Regulation of Thrombospondins and Its Functional Validation through CRISPR/Cas9 Mediated Gene Editing in Corpus Luteum of Water Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis).

Background/aims: Thrombospondins (TSPs) are large multi-modular proteins, identified as natural angiogenesis inhibitors that exert their activity by binding to CD36 and CD47 receptors. The anti-angiogenic effect of TSPs in luteal regression of water buffalo has not been addressed. The present study characterized the expression pattern and localization of TSPs and their receptors in ovarian corpus luteum during different stages of development in buffalo.

Association of Bovine CLEC7A gene polymorphism with host susceptibility to paratuberculosis disease in Indian cattle.

Bovine CLEC7A gene, encodes Dectin-1, an important pattern recognition molecule that generates proinflammatory response against mycobacterium. The aim of the present study was to identify single nuceotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene CLEC7A and to evaluate association of these SNPs with occurrence of paratuberculosis (PTB) in cattle. A total of 213 cattle from three different farms were subjected to single intradermal Johnin test, ELISA test, faecal microscopy and faecal culture for establishment of case-control resource population.

Immunomodulatory effects of probiotics and prilled fat supplementation on immune genes expression and lymphocyte proliferation of transition stage Karan Fries cows.

Background And Aim: Probiotics are the living microorganism which when administered improves the digestion and health of the animal. (SC) improves the humoral and innate immunity of the animal. Prilled fat is a hydrogenated palm oil triglyceride which has been reported to promote the release of cytokines from macrophages.

Expression analysis of Toll like receptors and interleukins in Tharparkar cattle during acclimation to heat stress exposure.

Six male Tharparkar cattle of 2-3 years old were selected for the study. After 15 days acclimation at thermo neutral zone (TNZ) in psychrometric chamber, animals were exposed at 42°C for 6h up to 23 days followed by 12 days of recovery period. Blood samples were collected during control period at TNZ (day 1, 5 and 12), after heat stress exposure (day 1-10, Short Term Heat Stress Acclimation - STHSA; day 15-23, Long Term Heat Stress Acclimation - LTHSA) and recovery period (day 7 and 12) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated for RNA and protein extraction.

Expression dynamics of HSP90 and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms during heat stress acclimation in Tharparkar cattle.

Six male Tharparkar cattle of 2-3 years old were selected for the study. After 15-day acclimation at thermoneutral zone (TNZ) in psychrometric chamber, animals were exposed at 42 °C for 6 h up to 23 days followed by 12 days of recovery period. Blood samples were collected during control period at TNZ (days 1, 5, and 12), after heat stress exposure (day 1, immediate heat stress acclimation (IHSA); days 2 to 10, short-term heat stress acclimation (STHSA); days 15 to 23, long-term heat stress acclimation (LTHSA); days 7 and 12, recovery period), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated for RNA and protein extraction.

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) synergistically promote steroidogenesis and survival of cultured buffalo granulosa cells.

The present study investigated the combined effect of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) on estradiol (E) secretion and relative abundance of mRNA for aromatase enzyme (CYP19A1), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and BCL-2 associated X protein (BAX) in cultured buffalo granulosa cells (GCs). Follicles were isolated and classified into four groups based on size and E concentration in follicular fluid (FF): Small, 4-6mm diameter, E<0.5ng/ml; Medium, 7-9mm, E=0.

Expression dynamics of HSP70 during chronic heat stress in Tharparkar cattle.

Six male Tharparkar cattle aged 2-3 years were selected for the study. The animals were acclimatized in the psychrometric chamber at thermoneutral zone (TNZ) for 15 days and then exposed to 42 °C temperature up to 23 days followed by 12 days of recovery period. Physiological responses were estimated, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated at TNZ on day 1, day 5, and day 12; after 6 h of heat stress exposure on day 16 to day 20, day 25, day 30, day 32, day 34, day 36, and day 38; and a recovery period on day 45 and day 50.

Expression and functional role of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) in cyclical corpus luteum in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

The role of growth factors in the modulation of ovarian function is an interesting area of research in reproductive biology. Recently, we have shown the expression and role of IGF, EGF, VEGF and FGF in the follicle and CL. Here, we report the presence of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) and their functional receptors in the corpus luteum (CL) of buffalo.

Expression and localization of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family in buffalo ovarian follicle during different stages of development and modulatory role of FGF2 on steroidogenesis and survival of cultured buffalo granulosa cells.

The present study investigated the expression and localization of FGF and its functional receptors in the follicle of buffalo and the treatment of FGF2 on mRNA expression of CYP19A1 (aromatase), PCNA, and BAX (BCL-2 associated X protein) in cultured buffalo granulosa cells (GCs). Follicles were classified into four groups based on size and E2 level in follicular fluid (FF): F1, 4-6mm diameter, E2<0.5ng/ml of FF; F2, 7-9mm, E2=0.

Expression and localization of angiopoietin family in buffalo ovarian follicles during different stages of development and modulatory role of angiopoietins on steroidogenesis and survival of cultured buffalo granulosa cells.

The present study investigated the expression and localization of angiopoietin (ANPT) family members in buffalo ovarian follicles of different size. It also looked at the role of ANPTs in estradiol secretion and mRNA expression of phosphoinositide-3-kinase-protein kinase B signaling pathway cellular proliferation (phosphoinositide-dependant kinase and protein kinase B [AKT]) and proapoptotic (BAD) factors with caspase 3 in cultured buffalo granulosa cells (GCs). The mRNA and protein expression of ANPT-1 was greatest (P < 0.