Assessment of genetic diversity in main local sheep breeds from Romania using microsatellite markers.

The state of the local breeds of farm animals is increasingly precarious worldwide because of the aggressive introduction of breeds with improved economical traits. The preference of the breeders for local breeds is due to their higher adaptability to the particular climate and relief conditions of the mountain areas, to the high rate of assimilation of the feeds from these regions and to their increased resistance to diseases. This study analyzes the genetic variation of the main four local Romanian sheep breeds (Tsurcana, Tsigai, Ratska and Teleorman Blackhead) in terms of stock and economic importance, using 18 microsatellite markers.

Effects of starvation and refeeding on growth performance and stress defense mechanisms of stellate sturgeon Acipenser stellatus juveniles from aquaculture.

Acipenser stellatus represents a species of great economical interest due to its roe used for caviar production. Therefore, it has been intensively captured for decades and nowadays, this species is on the verge of extinction. As a consequence, Acipenser stellatus is intensively raised in fish farms.

Gene expression involved in the sexual development of Best Beluga hybrid sturgeons.

The scope of this study is to investigate the expression of dmrt1, foxl2, ar, star and sox9 genes in the context of the gonad development stage of 21 month-old Best Beluga individuals. No significant difference was observed between males and females but the cyp17a1 gene showed higher expression in male than in female gonads. The results suggest that during sampling the females were in perinucleolar stage and the males in early spermatogenesis stage which led to specific patterns of expression for the investigated genes.

Expression Characterization of Six Genes Possibly Involved in Gonad Development for Stellate Sturgeon Individuals (, Pallas 1771).

Nowadays, in sturgeon's aquaculture, there is a necessity for sex identification at early stages in order to increase the efficiency of this commercial activity. The basis for a correct identification is studying the different factors that influence the gonad development. The research has been directed towards molecular methods that have been employed with various degrees of success in identifying genes with different expression patterns between male and female sturgeons during their development stages.