Discrepancies between Genetic and Visual Coat Color Assignment in Sarcidano Horse.

This study aimed to evaluate the discrepancies between genetic and visual coat color assignment in the Sarcidano Horse and to elucidate potential reasons. Individual DNA from 90 Sarcidano Horses was used for genetic assignment of coat color to explore the correspondence with individual forms containing phenotypical traits. The exon 1 and exon 3 have been genotyped and sequenced to obtain a picture of the coat color distribution in this breed.

Polymorphism of the Melatonin Receptor Gene in Goat Breeds of Northern Italy.

Melatonin receptor MT1, encoded by the gene, is the main one involved in the seasonal regulation of reproductive activity. A correlation between this gene polymorphism and reproductive performance has been demonstrated in sheep. To date, no data about gene polymorphism are available regarding Italian goat breeds other than the Sarda goat.

Reproductive Resumption in Winter and Spring Related to Gene Polymorphisms in Sarda Sheep.

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the association between the SNPs rs430181568 and rs407388227 located in the MTNR1A gene with the reproductive recovery of Sarda sheep in different months of ram introduction in the flock (February, March, April and May). In order to address this research gap, we selected two farms, each of which consisted of approximately 1000 animals; a total of 800 ewes (400 for each farm) were genotyped for the two single nucleotide polymorphisms rs430181568 and rs407388227 located in the exon 2 of the MTNR1A. These SNPs are completely linked; thus, each genotype of rs430181568 corresponded to the same genotype for rs407388227.

Characterization of the Sarcidano Horse Coat Color Genes.

The goal of this study was to contribute to the general knowledge of the Sarcidano Horse, both by the identification of the genetic basis of the coat color and by updating the exact locations of the genotyping sites, based on the current EquCab3.0 genome assembly version. One-hundred Sarcidano Horses, living in semi-feral condition, have been captured to perform health and biometric checks.

Effect of Body Condition Score, Treatment Period and Month of the Previous Lambing on the Reproductive Resumption of Melatonin-Treated Sarda Breed Sheep during Spring.

Stakeholders place great emphasis upon rationalizing the management and rearing techniques which are utilized within sheep farms. The present study aimed to investigate factors which may improve the reproductive performance of melatonin-treated Sardinian sheep via a series of three trials. The first trial ( = 100) investigated the effect of melatonin treatment alongside body condition score (BCS), the second trial ( = 150) investigated the effect of treatment alongside the date of treatment (treatment period) and the third trial ( = 150) investigated the effect of treatment alongside the previous lambing of the ewes.

Melatonin Treatment in Rams and Their Replacement with Novel Treated Rams Advance First Lambing and Increase Fertility in Sarda Ewe Lambs.

This study aims to find reliable strategies for advancing first mating and shortening the period from weaning to first lambing in ewe lambs. Sarda ewe lambs (n = 400) were selected from two farms and allocated into four separated groups of 100, all of which were exposed to fertile, adult rams over the course of a 50-day breeding period. The first treatment group (RMR) was exposed to four melatonin-treated rams which were replaced every ten days, whilst the second treatment group (RM) was exposed to four melatonin-treated rams which were not replaced.

Detection of Polymorphisms in the Gene and Their Association with Reproductive Performance in Awassi Ewes.

The economy in Mediterranean areas is tightly linked to the evolution of the sheep-farming system; therefore, improvement in ewe's reproductive performance is essential in the developing countries of this area. is the gene coding for Melatonin receptor 1 (MT1), and it is considered to be involved in the reproductive activity in sheep. The aims of this study were: (1) identifying the polymorphisms from the entire coding region and promoter in Lebanese Awassi sheep flocks, and (2) investigating the association between the found polymorphisms and the reproductive performance, assessed as lambing rate, litter size, and days to lambing (DTL).

New polymorphisms at MTNR1A gene and their association with reproductive resumption in sarda breed sheep.

The aim of this study was to characterize the MTNR1A locus in Sarda sheep breed, in order to identify potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with reproductive resumption. The reproductive performance of 200 lactating ewes, aged 3-5 years, with body condition score (BCS) 2.5-4.

Polymorphism of insulin-like growth factor 1 gene and its relationship with reproductive performances and milk yield in Sarda dairy sheep.

The aim of this research was to detect polymorphisms within the gene in dairy sheep and to verify their influence on milk yield and reproductive performances. Four hundred Sarda ewes in their second lactation were selected from 2 farms. Their reproductive traits (fertility rate, interval in days from ram introduction to lambing and litter size) and milk yield were recorded, from the second to the fourth lactation.

Twenty-four-hour rhythm patterns of plasma melatonin in short-day and long-day breeders maintained under natural environmental conditions.

Photoperiodic treatments have been of practical interest in controlling seasonal reproduction in sheep, goats and horses. Melatonin is the principal mediator of the environmental photoperiodic message. To investigate the intra- and inter-subject variability of melatonin 24 h rhythm, ten female Italian Saddle horses (8-10 yrs old, mean body weight 525 ± 30 kg), ten female Sarda breed sheep (2-3 yrs old, mean body weight 40.

Reproductive response to male joining with ewes with different allelic variants of the MTNR1A gene.

The aims were to evaluate the reproductive response to ram placement with Sarda ewes with different allelic variants at position g.15099485 A > G of the MTNR1 A gene. Ram placements occurred between the early and late spring and there was analysis of whether this polymorphism is associated with other nucleotide substitutions.

Melatonin treatment in winter and spring and reproductive recovery in Sarda breed sheep.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of melatonin treatment carried out between late winter and early spring on reproductive response in Sarda breed sheep and whether the photo-refractoriness can influence this reproductive response. The study was conducted on 3200 adult ewes, aged 3-6years old, with body condition score (BCS) 2.5-4.

Association between SREBP-1 gene expression in mammary gland and milk fat yield in Sarda breed sheep.

The aim of this study was to examine the expression patterns of SREBP-1 gene in milk somatic cells and its association with milk fat yield during early lactation in Sarda breed sheep. A sample of 20 Sarda ewes, aged between 4 and 5 years, in their third to fourth lactation were chosen. From each ewe 28 days after lambing milk yield was measured, and a 160 ml milk sample for the RNA extraction and to test somatic cells count and lactose, fat and protein contents were collected.

Ovine insulin induced-gene-2: molecular characterization, polymorphisms and association with milk traits.

The aim was to characterize the INSIG-2 gene in Sarda sheep and to highlight associations between polymorphisms and milk traits. Two-hundred ewes, in their third or fourth lactation who lambed a single lamb between 20th and 30th of November, were chosen. Monthly individual milk yield was recorded and from each ewe a sample of milk was taken to analyze fat and protein content.

Growth hormone gene variability and its effects on milk traits in primiparous Sarda goats.

The aim of this research was to investigate variability in each of the five exons of the caprine growth hormone (gGH) gene, in order to establish the possible relationships with milk traits in Sarda breed goat. The general linear model procedure was used to analyse the effects of the single strand conformation (SSCP) profiles on milk traits of 100 lactating goats. Analysis of conformational polymorphism at exons 1-5 revealed a total of 25 differing banding patterns.

Effect of CSN1S1 gene polymorphism and stage of lactation on milk yield and composition of extensively reared goats.

The effect of CSN1S1 genotype and lactation stage on milk yield and composition were investigated in 80 extensively reared goats. Milk yield was recorded in early, mid and late lactation and individual milk samples were collected to determine: fat, protein, lactose and casein content, pH, freezing point, somatic cell count (SCC) and total microbic mesophilic count (TMC). Relative casein composition and amino acid profile were quantified by HPLC.

Identification of novel SNPs in the Sarda breed goats POU1F1 gene and their association with milk productive performance.

The aim of the study was to detect polymorphism in the POU1F1 gene in Sarda breed goat, as well as to establish if SNPs could be associated with milk productive traits. The research was conducted on 129 Sarda breed goats from 4 to 5 years old, multiparous, lactating and in their third to fifth lactation. We report nine exonic and seven non-coding regions SNPs within the Sarda goat POU1F1 gene, namely, Ex 1 61 G>C; Ex 1 108 G>A; Ex 3 C>T; Ex 3 92 C>T; Ex 4 110 A>G; Ex 5 34 G>A resulting in Arg213Lys change; IVS4 641 G>A, IVS4 643 A>C, IVS4 659 G>A, IVS4 677 A>C, IVS4 G699Del, IVS4 709 C>G, Ex 6 17 G>A resulting in Arg228Ser change, Ex 6 58 G>T, Ex 6 172 T>C, 3'UTR 110 T>C.

Development of a RNA extraction method from milk for gene expression study in the mammary gland of sheep.

The aim of the study was to develop a reliable method for the RNA extraction from milk of Sarda sheep breed and to highlight if the extracted RNA can be used for expression study on mammary genes involved in milk fat synthesis using RT-qPCR. The main result is that a sample of 150 ml of milk provides an optimal amount of RNA (73.5 μg/ml).

Analysis of polymorphism within POU1F1 gene in relation to milk production traits in dairy Sarda sheep breed.

The ovine POU1F1 gene is localized on chromosome 1 and it contains five introns and six exons. In different mammalian species some mutations in different exons are associated with different production traits. The aim of our research was to study the POU1F1 gene nucleotide sequence to detect possible polymorphisms and their relationships with milk productive traits in Sarda breed sheep.

Effects of different storage conditions, the farm and the stage of lactation on renneting parameters of goat milk investigated using the Formagraph method.

This study evaluated the effect of storage on renneting properties of goat milk investigated using the Formagraph method. Milk samples from 169 goats in three farms (F1, F2 and F3) were analysed during an entire lactation (45, 75, 105, 135 and 165 days in milking DIM), to obtain renneting parameters, both from fresh milk and after storage with Bronopol and freezing at -20°C and -80°C. As regards fresh milk, mean values of clotting time were between 12·51 (45 DIM) and 13·29 min (105 DIM and F2), the curd firming time between 1·77 (45 DIM) and 2·15 min (F1) and curd firmness between 42·09 (165 DIM) and 49·55 mm (45 DIM).

A polymorphism at the melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene in Sarda ewes affects fertility after AI in the spring.

The effect of MTNR1A gene polymorphisms on the fertility rate after AI in Sarda sheep was evaluated in 600 lactating adult ewes. Genomic DNA was subjected to amplification of the MTNR1A gene exon II. Amplicons were digested with restriction endonuclease MnlI.

Relationships between milk characteristics and somatic cell score in milk from primiparous browsing goats.

To determine milk yield and composition, total microbic count (TMC) and somatic cell count (SCC) of browsing goats throughout the first lactation, 100 goats of Sarda breed, equally distributed in four flocks (F1, F2, F3 and F4), were selected. They were exclusively fed pasture and hand-milked once daily. Individual milk samples and daily milk yield were taken from each goat at monthly intervals, from March to July.