In vitro characteristics of cyprinid herpesvirus 2: effect of kidney extract supplementation on growth.

Herpesviral hematopoietic necrosis caused by goldfish hematopoietic necrosis virus (now identified as cyprinid herpesvirus 2, CyHV-2) has contributed to economic losses in goldfish Carassius auratus culture and is becoming a major obstacle in Prussian carp C. gibelio aquaculture in China. Several reports have described difficulties in culturing the virus, with the total loss of infectivity within several passages in cell culture.

Effect of VRTN gene polymorphisms on Duroc pig production and carcass traits, and their genetic relationships.

The thoracic vertebral number is associated with body length and carcass traits, and represents one of the most important traits in the pig industry. Recent studies have shown that vertnin (VRTN) gene is associated with variations in the vertebral number in commercial European pigs. However, the genetic relationships and effect of this VRTN gene in pig production and carcass traits remain uncertain.

Effects of porcine leptin receptor gene polymorphisms on backfat thickness, fat area ratios by image analysis, and serum leptin concentrations in a Duroc purebred population.

The leptin receptor (LEPR) gene is considered a candidate gene for fatness traits. It is located on SSC 6 in a region in which quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for backfat thickness (BF), fat area ratios, and serum leptin concentration (LEPC) have previously been detected in a Duroc purebred population. The objectives of the present study were to identify porcine LEPR polymorphisms and examine the effects of LEPR polymorphisms on fatness traits in this same population.

Mapping QTL for fat area ratios and serum leptin concentrations in a Duroc purebred population.

The reduction of extra subcutaneous, intermuscular and abdominal fat is important to increase the carcass lean percentage of pigs. Image analyses of fat area ratios were effective for estimation of separated fat in pig carcasses. Serum concentrations of leptin are useful as physiological predictors of fat accumulation in pigs.