Effects of dietary l-carnitine supplementation on the response to an inflammatory challenge in mid-lactating dairy cows: Hepatic mRNA abundance of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism.

This study aimed at characterizing the effects of dietary l-carnitine supplementation on hepatic fatty acid (FA) metabolism during inflammation in mid-lactating cows. Fifty-three pluriparous Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to either a control (CON, n = 26) or an l-carnitine supplemented (CAR; n = 27) group. The CAR cows received 125 g of a rumen-protected l-carnitine product per cow per day (corresponding to 25 g of l-carnitine/cow per day) from d 42 antepartum (AP) until the end of the trial on d 126 postpartum (PP).

MicroRNAs Regulate Cellular ATP Levels by Targeting Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism Genes during C2C12 Myoblast Differentiation.

In our previous study, we identified an miRNA regulatory network involved in energy metabolism in porcine muscle. To better understand the involvement of miRNAs in cellular ATP production and energy metabolism, here we used C2C12 myoblasts, in which ATP levels increase during differentiation, to identify miRNAs modulating these processes. ATP level, miRNA and mRNA microarray expression profiles during C2C12 differentiation into myotubes were assessed.

Morphology, proliferation, and ribonucleic acid and fractional protein syntheses in the small intestinal mucosa of young goats fed soy protein-based diets with or without amino acid supplementation.

The study was designed to examine whether feeding soy protein isolate as partial replacement of casein (CN) affects jejunal protein synthesis and whether effects may be ameliorated by supplementation of those AA known to be at lower concentrations in soy protein isolate than in CN. Goat kids (14 d) were fed comparable milk protein diets, in which 50% of the crude protein was CN (CAS), soy protein isolate (SPI), or soy protein isolate supplemented with AA (SPIA) for 43 d (n=8 per group). On d 42, plasma concentrations of protein, urea, and AA were measured before and after morning feeding.

Gametic gene flow method accounts for genomic imprinting.

Findings within the last 15 years emphasize the possible role of genomic imprinting for trait expression in livestock species. In genetic evaluation, genomically imprinted traits can be treated by models with two different breeding values per animal; one accounts for the paternal and the other for the maternal expression pattern. Relative weighting factors for these breeding values were derived by a generalized version of the discounted gene flow method, which was extended to a gametic level to account for parent-of-origin effects.

Quantitative trait loci mapping of calving and conformation traits on Bos taurus autosome 18 in the German Holstein population.

Linkage, linkage disequilibrium, and combined linkage and linkage disequilibrium analyses were performed to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting calving and conformation traits on Bos taurus autosome 18 (BTA18) in the German Holstein population. Six paternal half-sib families consisting of a total of 1,054 animals were genotyped on 28 genetic markers in the telomeric region on BTA18 spanning approximately 30 Mb. Calving traits, body type traits, and udder type traits were investigated.

Expression quantitative trait loci analysis of genes in porcine muscle by quantitative real-time RT-PCR compared to microarray data.

Genetic analysis of transcriptional profiling is a promising approach for identifying biological pathways and dissecting the genetics of complex traits. Here, we report on expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) that were estimated from the quantitative real-time RT-PCR data of 276 F(2) animals and compared with eQTL identified using 74 microarrays. In total, 13 genes were selected that showed trait-dependent expression in microarray experiments and exhibited 21 eQTL.

Annotation of novel transcripts putatively relevant for bovine fat metabolism.

Two bovine transcripts encoded by the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) gene and the locus LOC618944 predicted as similar to human chromosome 6 open reading frame 52 (C6orf52) gene had indicated divergent expression in bovine skeletal muscle containing different amount of intramuscular fat in a pilot screening experiment. However, for both loci any role in the regulation of energy or fat metabolism is not yet described. In this study, we validated and refined gene structure, screened for mRNA splice variants and analyzed the tissue-specific gene expression patterns of both loci as a prerequisite to elucidate their potential physiological function.

Upstream stimulating factors 1 and 2 enhance transcription from the placenta-specific promoter 1.1 of the bovine cyp19 gene.

Background: Placenta-derived oestrogens have an impact on the growth and differentiation of the trophoblast, and are involved in processes initiating and facilitating birth. The enzyme that converts androgens into oestrogens, aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom), is encoded by the Cyp19 gene. In the placenta of the cow, expression of Cyp19 relies on promoter 1.

The vacuolar-type H-ATPase in ovine rumen epithelium is regulated by metabolic signals.

In this study, the effect of metabolic inhibition (MI) by glucose substitution with 2-deoxyglucose (2-DOG) and/or application of antimycin A on ovine rumen epithelial cells (REC) vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase (vH(+)-ATPase) activity was investigated. Using fluorescent spectroscopy, basal pH(i) of REC was measured to be 7.3 +/- 0.

Stimulated expression of TNF-alpha and IL-8, but not of lingual antimicrobial peptide reflects the concentration of pathogens contacting bovine mammary epithelial cells.

We examined if and how mammary epithelial cells (MECs) calibrate and confine the intensity of an inflammatory response elicited by different concentrations of mastitis pathogens. Therefore we quantified in primary bovine MEC the effect of different E. coli pathogen concentrations upon the abundance of mRNA molecules encoding factors of immune defence.

Enriched partial correlations in genome-wide gene expression profiles of hybrids (A. thaliana): a systems biological approach towards the molecular basis of heterosis.

Heterosis is a well-known phenomenon but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet established. To contribute to the understanding of heterosis at the molecular level, we analyzed genome-wide gene expression profile data of Arabidopsis thaliana in a systems biological approach. We used partial correlations to estimate the global interaction structure of regulatory networks.

Toll-like receptor signaling in bony fish.

The innate immune system constitutes an efficient defense against invading microbial pathogens. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) eventually alert vertebrates about the presence of pathogens and elicit the immune responses. To date, 17 different TLRs have been identified in more than a dozen different fish species.

Dual effect of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the first intron of the porcine secreted phosphoprotein 1 gene: allele-specific binding of C/EBP beta and activation of aberrant splicing.

Background: Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1 or Osteopontin, OPN) is a multifunctional matricellular glycoprotein involved in development and regeneration of skeletal muscle. Previously, we have demonstrated that porcine SPP1 shows breed-related differential mRNA expression during myogenesis. With the aim to identify putative contributing cis-regulatory DNA variation we resequenced the 5' upstream region of the gene in the respective breeds Pietrain and Duroc.

Long-term cognitive enrichment affects opioid receptor expression in the amygdala of domestic pigs.

Enriching the housing environment by stimuli that challenge both reward and cognitive mechanisms may enhance behavioural experiences and can improve animal welfare, particularly in farm animals. A newly developed experimental feeding system for domestic pigs using food-rewarded learning of discriminatory and instrumental tasks enabled the animals to successfully master a cognitive challenge and to be rewarded ca. 30 times per day with small food portions.

Rumen epithelial cells adapt magnesium transport to high and low extracellular magnesium conditions.

A protein of approximately 70-kDa was identified as a candidate Na+/Mg2+ exchanger in rumen epithelial cells (REC). Melastatin-related Transient Receptor Potential 7 (TRPM7) and Magnesium Transporter 1 (MagT1) transcripts and, from them, encoded proteins were also detected. The regulation of these Mg transport pathways by extracellular [Mg] changes was the main focus of this study.

Expression of microRNAs is not related to increased expression of ZDHHC9 in hind leg muscles of splay leg piglets.

ZDHHC9 (zinc finger, DHHC-type containing 9) is a protein acyl transferase involved in palmitoylation of basic signaling molecules. We found ZDHHC9 expression increased in hind leg muscles of newborn splay leg piglets. In order to elucidate the background of this increased expression we determined the structure of the porcine gene, including sequence variation, and analyzed the structure and expression of microRNAs potentially targeting the gene.

Feeding of pregnant sows with mycotoxin-contaminated diets and their non-effect on foetal and maternal hepatic transcription of genes of the insulin-like growth factor system.

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system regulates foetal and placental growth. It can be influenced by dietary factors, but little is known about the effects of mycotoxin feeding on hepatic levels of the IGF system. The aim was (1) to determine the normal foetal and maternal hepatic transcription of major IGF genes at distinct stages of pregnancy and (2) to find out if the mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON) affect transcript concentrations.

Porcine muscle sensory attributes associate with major changes in gene networks involving CAPZB, ANKRD1, and CTBP2.

Principal component analysis of traits related to carcass and meat properties were combined with microarray expression data for the identification of functional networks of genes and biological processes taking place during the conversion of muscle to meat. Principal components (PCs) with high loadings of meat quality traits were derived from phenotypic data of 572 animals of a porcine crossbreed population. Microarray data of 74 M.

QTL for traits related to humoral immune response estimated from data of a porcine F2 resource population.

This study aimed to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for traits related to humoral innate immune defence. Therefore, haemolytic complement activity in the alternative and the classical pathway, serum concentration of C3c and of haptoglobin (HP) were measured in blood samples obtained from F2 piglets (n = 457) of a porcine F2 resource population before and after Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Aujeszky's disease virus (Suid herpesvirus I, SuHVI) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccination at 6, 14 and 16 weeks of age. Animals were genotyped at 88 autosomal markers.

Identification of candidate genes for congenital splay leg in piglets by alternative analysis of DNA microarray data.

The congenital splay leg syndrome in piglets is characterized by a temporarily impaired functionality of the hind leg muscles immediately after birth. Etiology and pathogenetic mechanisms for the disease are still not well understood. We compared genome wide gene expression of three hind leg muscles (M.

Characterization of two key molecules of teleost innate immunity from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): MyD88 and SAA.

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are relevant for piscine innate immunity. TLR activation recruits several downstream factors regulating the expression of immunorelevant genes. We have characterized two key factors of innate immunity from rainbow trout: MyD88 as an adaptor protein interacting directly with TLRs, and serum amyloid A as an effector molecule induced by the activated Toll-like receptor signaling cascade.

Assessment of the immune capacity of mammary epithelial cells: comparison with mammary tissue after challenge with Escherichia coli.

We examined the repertoire and extent of inflammation dependent gene regulation in a bovine mammary epithelial cell (MEC) model, to better understand the contribution of the MEC in the immune defence of the udder. We challenged primary cultures of MEC from cows with heat inactivated Escherichia coli pathogens and used Affymetrix DNA-microarrays to profile challenge related alterations in their transcriptome. Compared to acute mastitis, the most prominently activated genes comprise those encoding chemokines, interleukins, beta-defensins, serum amyloid A and haptoglobin.

Metabolism and lactation performance in dairy cows fed a diet containing rumen-protected fat during the last twelve weeks of gestation.

Effects of dietary fat supplementation prepartum on liver lipids and metabolism in dairy cows are contradictory. Thus, we examined in 18 German Holstein cows (half-sib; first lactation 305-d milk yield >9,000 kg) whether dietary fat:carbohydrate ratio during the last trimester of gestation affects lipid metabolism and milk yield. The diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenous but differed in rumen-protected fat (FD; 28 and 46.

Performance and metabolic and endocrine changes with emphasis on glucose metabolism in high-yielding dairy cows with high and low fat content in liver after calving.

Elevated liver fat content occurs in high-yielding dairy cows during the transition from pregnancy to lactation after fat mobilization and may affect hepatic glucose metabolism, but the degree of liver fat storage is highly variable. Therefore, we studied metabolic and endocrine changes and hepatic glucose metabolism in cows that markedly differ in liver fat content. Multiparous cows from the same herd with high (HFL; n = 10) and low (LFL; n = 10) liver fat contents (mean of d 1, 10, and 21 after calving for each cow, respectively) were studied from 60 d before expected calving to 56 d in milk.