Differences between horse selection based on two forms of osteochondrosis in fetlock.

Horses lose potential opportunities because of health problems. Available breeding strategies are not effective enough, probably also because of the different definition used and its genetic usefulness. The aim of the study was to compare the genetic background estimated by the genome-wide association study (GWAS) for osteochondrosis using two different scaling osteochondrosis (OC)/healthy and osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD)/healthy systems for evaluating the disease status of investigated fetlock joints.

Assessment of genomic inbreeding in Polish Konik horses.

The aim of this study was to assess the inbreeding coefficient of Polish Konik horses based on runs of homozygosity (ROH). Ninety six horses kept in 6 herds located across Poland were genotyped with the use of EquineSNP60 BeadChip (Illumina). SNP markers with a Minor Allele Frequency lower than 0.

Cholesterol Deficiency - new genetic defect transmitted to Polish Holstein-Friesian cattle.

The aim of the study was to find out whether carriers of new genetic defect Cholesterol Deficiency (CD) occur in the population of Polish Holstein-Friesian bulls. Twenty seven bulls were included in the analysis. Bulls were selected as having in the pedigree known carrier of CD (Maughlin Storm CANM000005457798).

Genome-wide association study for host response to bovine leukemia virus in Holstein cows.

The mechanisms of leukemogenesis induced by bovine leukemia virus (BLV) and the processes underlying the phenomenon of differential host response to BLV infection still remain poorly understood. The aim of the study was to screen the entire cattle genome to identify markers and candidate genes that might be involved in host response to bovine leukemia virus infection. A genome-wide association study was performed using Holstein cows naturally infected by BLV.

On the origin of mongrels: evolutionary history of free-breeding dogs in Eurasia.

Although a large part of the global domestic dog population is free-ranging and free-breeding, knowledge of genetic diversity in these free-breeding dogs (FBDs) and their ancestry relations to pure-breed dogs is limited, and the indigenous status of FBDs in Asia is still uncertain. We analyse genome-wide SNP variability of FBDs across Eurasia, and show that they display weak genetic structure and are genetically distinct from pure-breed dogs rather than constituting an admixture of breeds. Our results suggest that modern European breeds originated locally from European FBDs.

Detection of Brachyspina carriers within Polish Holstein-Friesian bulls.

The aim of this paper was to verify the hypothesis whether carriers of genetic defect Brachyspina occur in the Polish Holstein-Friesian Cattle. PCR method was used to screen 78 Polish Holstein-Friesian bulls. Eight bulls were identified as heterozygotes for 3,3 kb deletion in the FANCI gene - the mutation causing Brachyspina defect.

Genome-wide association study for posthitis in the free-living population of European bison (Bison bonasus).

Background: About 5-6% of the European bison (Bison bonasus) males are affected by posthitis (necrotic inflammation of the prepuce) and die in the wild forest. Despite many years of study, pathogenesis of this disease has not yet been determined. The main aim of the study was to find SNP markers significantly associated with the incidence of posthitis and mine the genome for candidate genes potentially involved in the development of the disease.

Genome-wide association study for semen volume and total number of sperm in Holstein-Friesian bulls.

In artificial insemination industry bulls producing high volume of semen with relatively high concentration of sperm are very desirable since they ensure stable production of commercial straws especially in case of top bulls. The aim of the study was to screen the entire bull genome to identify markers and candidate genes underlying semen volume (SV) and total number of sperm (TNS) in ejaculate produced by Holstein-Friesian bulls. Data on semen production were retrieved from records of AI center and included a population of 877 Holstein-Friesian bulls.

Screening of Polish Holstein-Friesian bulls towards eradication of complex vertebral malformation (CVM) carriers.

The effectiveness of a program aimed at eradicating carriers of the recessive disorder Complex Vertebral Malformation (CVM) from the population of Holstein-Friesian bulls is reported. Among 1823 bulls, 1268 young and 555 proven bulls were examined. Three hundred and three bulls appeared to be CVM carriers (16.

Evaluation of reference genes for qRT-PCR gene expression studies in whole blood samples from healthy and leukemia-virus infected cattle.

Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) is the method of choice to investigate the alterations in gene expression involved with BLV pathogenesis. However, the reliability of qRT-PCR data critically depends on proper normalization to a set of stably expressed reference genes. The aim of the study was to validate the expression stability of ten candidate reference genes in RNA isolated from whole blood cells of BLV-negative and BLV-positive cows with hematological abnormalities.

The association between acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSL4) polymorphism and intramuscular fat content in (Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc pigs.

The aim of the study was to check whether different genotypes at acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSL4 locus, SNP G2645A) are associated with pork quality. 132 (Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc fatteners were genotyped by originally developed PCR-RFLP method. Upon the slaughter, the samples of longissimus lumborum muscle were taken from each carcass to determine the following parameters: content of water, protein and fat, pH (45 min, 24, 48, 96, and 144 h post mortem), electrical conductivity, drip loss, meat lightness, glycolytic potential, glycogen and lactate contents in meat.

Microarray of SNPs for diverse applications in commercial pig breeding.

Modern pig production needs new tools for fast, reliable, more effective breeding. In the present paper we present a chip containing 45 SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) which enables the determining of 1 genetic disease (PSS-Porcine Stress Syndrome), 4 QTLs genes: PRKAG3, CAST, MC4R and ESR, which together with the remaining SNPs create a panel useful in marker-assisted selection and veterinary control. The SNPs were genotyped using the PCR-APEX (Arrayed Primer Extension) technique.

Towards an integrated approach to study SNPs and expression of candidate genes associated with milk protein biosynthesis.

MilkProtChip is oligonucleotide microarray allowing bovine genotyping based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes influencing milk protein biosynthesis. A total of 71 SNPs in 42 genes were selected as associated with milk protein biosynthesis. Genotyping of about 300 animals of Polish Black-and-White cattle showed that SNPs in acyl-CoA: 1,2-diacylglycerol O-transferase (DGAT1), lactoferrin (LTF), casein kappa (CSN3) and growth hormone receptor (GHR) genes were associated with several milk performance traits.

SNiPORK - a microarray of SNPs in candidate genes potentially associated with pork yield and quality - development and validation in commercial breeds.

SNiPORK is an oligonucleotide microarray based on the arrayed primer extension (APEX) technique, allowing genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes of interest for pork yield and quality traits. APEX consists of a sequencing reaction primed by an oligonucleotide anchored with its 5' end to a glass slide and terminating one nucleotide before the polymorphic site. Extension with one fluorescently labeled dideoxynucleotide complementary to the template reveals the polymorphism.

Effect of new SNP within bovine prolactin gene enhancer region on expression in the pituitary gland.

A new single nucleotide polymorphism was revealed using PCR-SSCP and sequencing methods within the bovine prolactin distal promoter region described as a functional enhancer. The A-->G transition at position -1043 abolishes the recognition site for Hsp92II restriction endonuclease, allowing for PCR-RFLP genotyping. The application of real-time PCR revealed that the prolactin gene expression level in the pituitary was higher in cattle with the AA genotype than in those with the GG genotype.

Prevalence of complex vertebral malformation carriers among Polish Holstein-Friesian bulls.

An increasing number of Holstein calf births exhibiting vertebral deformations has been detected in Denmark since 1999 by a program monitoring the incidence of genetic diseases. Pedigree analysis demonstrated that the affected calves originated from a family afflicted by an autosomally recessively inherited complex vertebral malformation (CVM) syndrome. To determine the actual carrier frequency of the CVM-determining mutation in a population of Polish Holstein-Friesian (=Polish Black-and-White) cattle, we examined 202 proven bulls (active in 2001-2005) used by 4 domestic artificial insemination companies and 403 unproven bulls (under evaluation for breeding value).

Associations between milk performance traits in Holstein cows and 16 candidate SNPs identified by arrayed primer extension (APEX) microarray.

An oligonucleotide microarray-which allows for parallel genotyping of many SNPs in genes involved in cow milk protein biosynthesis-was used to identify which of the 16 candidate SNPs are associated with milk performance traits in Holstein cows. Four hundred cows were genotyped by the developed and validated microarray. Significant associations were found between four single SNPs, namely DGAT1 (acyloCoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase), LTF (lactoferrin), CSN3 (kappa-casein), and GHR (growth hormone receptor) and with fat and protein yield and percentage.

No incidence of DUMPS carriers in Polish dairy cattle.

DUMPS (Deficiency of Uridine Monophosphate Synthase) is a hereditary recessive disorder in Holstein cattle causing early embryo mortality during its implantation in the uterus. The only way to avoid the economic losses is early detection of DUMPS carriers. Because American Holstein semen has been intensively imported to Poland since 1970, there was a risk that DUMPS could have spread in Polish dairy cattle.

MilkProtChip--a microarray of SNPs in candidate genes associated with milk protein biosynthesis--development and validation.

MilkProtChip is an oligonucleotide microarray based on the arrayed primer extension (APEX) technique, allowing genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes of interest for bovine milk protein biosynthesis. APEX consists of a sequencing reaction primed by an oligonucleotide anchored with its 5'end to a glass slide and terminating one nucleotide before the polymorphic site. The extension with one fluorescently labeled dideoxy nucleotide complementary to the template reveals the polymorphism.

New SSCP polymorphism within bovine STAT5A gene and its associations with milk performance traits in Black-and-White and Jersey cattle.

Milk protein genes expression in cows' mammary epithelial cells is regulated mostly by the action of prolactin mediated through the STAT5A transcription factor. The STAT5A gene is a potential quantitative trait locus (QTL) and genetic marker of production traits in dairy cattle. The sequence of the bovine STAT5A gene was analysed in this study to investigate if mutations in this sequence might be responsible for quantitative variations in milk yield and composition.

Relation between Ava I polymorphism within the estrogen receptor gene (ESR) and meatiness in Polish Large White boars.

It is currently debated whether identification of ESR (estrogen receptor) genotypes should be introduced into breeding programs of Large White pigs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible relations between ESR/Ava I polymorphism and carcass performance traits in Polish Large White boars. We examined 103 boars originating from one herd in NE Poland.

Simultaneous identification of ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) and estrogen receptor (ESR) genotypes with the multiplex PCR-RFLP method in Polish Large White and Polish Landrace pigs.

A method allowing simultaneous genotyping of two loci: ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) and estrogen receptor (ESR) is presented. In multiplex PCR amplification, two amplicons were simultaneously produced: a 272 bp fragment of RYR1 gene and a 185 bp fragment of ESR gene and were then subjected to "one-tube" restriction enzyme digestion with Hin6 I and Ava I, respectively. A total of 122 Polish Large White and Polish Landrace pigs were genotyped by this method, demonstrating its reliability, convenience and lower costs.