Genome-wide association studies for heat stress response in Bos taurus × Bos indicus crossbred cattle.

Heat stress is an important issue in the global dairy industry. In tropical areas, an alternative to overcome heat stress is the use of crossbred animals or synthetic breeds, such as the Girolando. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and post-GWAS analyses for heat stress in an experimental Gir × Holstein F2 population. Rectal temperature (RT) was measured in heat-stressed F2 animals, and the variation between 2 consecutive RT measurements (ΔRT) was used as the dependent variable. Illumina BovineSNP50v1 BeadChip (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA) and single-SNP approach were used for GWAS. Post-GWAS analyses were performed by gene ontology terms enrichment and gene-transcription factor (TF) networks, generated from enriched TF. The breed origin of marker alleles in the F2 population was assigned using the breed of origin of alleles (BOA) approach. Heritability and repeatability estimates (± standard error) for ΔRT were 0.13 ± 0.08 and 0.29 ± 0.06, respectively. Association analysis revealed 6 SNP significantly associated with ΔRT. Genes involved with biological processes in response to heat stress effects (LIF, OSM, TXNRD2, and DGCR8) were identified as putative candidate genes. After performing the BOA approach, the 10% of F2 animals with the lowest breeding values for ΔRT were classified as low-ΔRT, and the 10% with the highest breeding values for ΔRT were classified as high-ΔRT. On average, 49.4% of low-ΔRT animals had 2 alleles from the Holstein breed (HH), and 39% had both alleles from the Gir breed (GG). In high-ΔRT animals, the average proportion of animals for HH and GG were 1.4 and 50.2%, respectively. This study allowed the identification of candidate genes for ΔRT in Gir × Holstein crossbred animals. According to the BOA approach, Holstein breed alleles could be associated with better response to heat stress effects, which could be explained by the fact that Holstein animals are more affected by heat stress than Gir animals and thus require a genetic architecture to defend the body from the deleterious effects of heat stress. Future studies can provide further knowledge to uncover the genetic architecture underlying heat stress in crossbred cattle.

Genome-wide association studies for tick resistance in Bos taurus × Bos indicus crossbred cattle: A deeper look into this intricate mechanism.

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is the main cattle ectoparasite in tropical areas. Gir × Holstein crossbred cows are well adapted to different production systems in Brazil. In this context, we performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) and post-GWAS analyses for R. microplus resistance in an experimental Gir × Holstein F2 population. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) identified in GWAS were used to build gene networks and to investigate the breed of origin for its alleles. Tick artificial infestations were performed during the dry and rainy seasons. Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA) and single-step BLUP procedure was used for GWAS. Post-GWAS analyses were performed by gene ontology terms enrichment and gene transcription factors networks, generated from enriched transcription factors, identified from the promoter sequences of selected gene sets. The genetic origin of marker alleles in the F2 population was assigned using the breed of origin of alleles approach. Heritability estimates for tick counts were 0.40 ± 0.11 in the rainy season and 0.54 ± 0.11 in the dry season. The top ten 0.5-Mbp windows with the highest percentage of genetic variance explained by SNP markers were found in chromosomes 10 and 23 for both the dry and rainy seasons. Gene network analyses allowed the identification of genes involved with biological processes relevant to immune system functions (TREM1, TREM2, and CD83). Gene-transcription factors network allowed the identification of genes involved with immune functions (MYO5A, TREML1, and PRSS16). In resistant animals, the average proportion of animals showing significant SNPs with paternal and maternal alleles originated from Gir breed was 44.8% whereas the proportion of animals with both paternal and maternal alleles originated from Holstein breed was 11.3%. Susceptible animals showing both paternal and maternal alleles originated from Holstein breed represented 44.6% on average, whereas both paternal and maternal alleles originated from Gir breed animals represented 9.3%. This study allowed us to identify candidate genes for tick resistance in Gir × Holstein crossbreds in both rainy and dry seasons. According to the origin of alleles analysis, we found that most animals classified as resistant showed 2 alleles from Gir breed, while the susceptible ones showed alleles from Holstein. Based on these results, the identified genes may be thoroughly investigated in additional experiments aiming to validate their effects on tick resistance phenotype in cattle.

Genome wide scan for quantitative trait loci affecting tick resistance in cattle (Bos taurus x Bos indicus).

BACKGROUND: In tropical countries, losses caused by bovine tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus infestation have a tremendous economic impact on cattle production systems. Genetic variation between Bos taurus and Bos indicus to tick resistance and molecular biology tools might allow for the identification of molecular markers linked to resistance traits that could be used as an auxiliary tool in selection programs. The objective of this work was to identify QTL associated with tick resistance/susceptibility in a bovine F2 population derived from the Gyr (Bos indicus) x Holstein (Bos taurus) cross. RESULTS: Through a whole genome scan with microsatellite markers, we were able to map six genomic regions associated with bovine tick resistance. For most QTL, we have found that depending on the tick evaluation season (dry and rainy) different sets of genes could be involved in the resistance mechanism. We identified dry season specific QTL on BTA 2 and 10, rainy season specific QTL on BTA 5, 11 and 27. We also found a highly significant genome wide QTL for both dry and rainy seasons in the central region of BTA 23. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental F2 population derived from Gyr x Holstein cross successfully allowed the identification of six highly significant QTL associated with tick resistance in cattle. QTL located on BTA 23 might be related with the bovine histocompatibility complex. Further investigation of these QTL will help to isolate candidate genes involved with tick resistance in cattle.

Gestation length, birth weight and offspring gender ratio of in vitro-produced Gyr (Bos indicus) cattle embryos.

In vitro embryo production (IVP) has been suggested to result in a greater proportion of male calves, longer gestation and heavier offspring than artificial insemination in Bos taurus cattle. Despite the increasing use of IVP in tropical countries, its effects upon these traits in Bos indicus have not been conclusively investigated. Gyr is a B. indicus dairy breed with known physiological differences from B. taurus, such as a longer gestation period and lighter offspring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of IVP on gestation length, birth weight and gender ratio in Gyr offspring. Oocytes were recovered from Gyr cows by ovum pick-up and were matured and fertilized with thawed Gyr semen in vitro. Embryos were cultured in CR2aa medium with cumulus cells and 10% fetal calf serum under 5% CO(2) at 38.5 degrees C in air. Seven- to eight-day blastocysts were transferred to synchronized recipients. Data on gestation length and birth weight of calves from in vitro-produced embryos were compared to data obtained from Gyr calves produced by artificial insemination (AI) and natural breeding (NB) during the same period using analysis of variance, and the gender ratio was compared to the expected 1:1 ratio using a chi-square test. IVP increased (P<0.01) the percentage of male offspring (76.9%) compared to the expected 1:1 ratio, while no difference (P>0.05) was observed in the AI and NB groups. Gestation length was similar (P>0.05) between the IVP and AI groups, but IVP-derived offspring were heavier (P<0.05) than AI- and NB-derived ones, mainly for male calves (P<0.05). These data show that in vitro production affects the subsequent development of Gyr embryos, resulting in a skewed sex ratio and increased birth weight.

Efeito da aplicação de um análogo de GnRH (Buserelina) na concentração sérica de progesterona e na taxa de gestação em receptoras de embriões bovinos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ação de um análogo de GnRH (Buserelina), aplicado no dia da inovulação de embriões;nos níveis plasmáticos de progesterona e, conseqüentemente, na taxa de gestação de receptoras mestiças Holandês vsZebu. Foram realizadas cinco coletas de sangue a partir do dia da inovulação e intervaladas de 48 horas, para avaliar aconcentração de progesterona. Após 50 dias da inovulação, através do exame transretal, foi observado que 60% (12/20) dosanimais do grupo tratado ficaram gestantes e no grupo controle foi obtida uma taxa de gestação de 50% (10/20). Essesrestlttados não foram significativos pelo teste de Qui-quadrado. No entanto, os níveis séricos de progesterona dos animais dogrupo tratado foram maiores (p 0,05) que do grupo controle. Através dos resultados obtidos conclui-se que a aplicação de1 Omg de buserelina no dia da inovulação do embrião causou um incremento na concentração de progesterona dos animaistratados, sem contudo resultar em aumento na taxa de· gestação.

Efeito da aplicação de um análogo de GnRH (Buserelina) na concentração sérica de progesterona e na taxa de gestação em receptoras de embriões bovinos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ação de um análogo de GnRH (Buserelina), aplicado no dia da inovulação de embriões;nos níveis plasmáticos de progesterona e, conseqüentemente, na taxa de gestação de receptoras mestiças Holandês vsZebu. Foram realizadas cinco coletas de sangue a partir do dia da inovulação e intervaladas de 48 horas, para avaliar aconcentração de progesterona. Após 50 dias da inovulação, através do exame transretal, foi observado que 60% (12/20) dosanimais do grupo tratado ficaram gestantes e no grupo controle foi obtida uma taxa de gestação de 50% (10/20). Essesrestlttados não foram significativos pelo teste de Qui-quadrado. No entanto, os níveis séricos de progesterona dos animais dogrupo tratado foram maiores (p 0,05) que do grupo controle. Através dos resultados obtidos conclui-se que a aplicação de1 Omg de buserelina no dia da inovulação do embrião causou um incremento na concentração de progesterona dos animaistratados, sem contudo resultar em aumento na taxa de· gestação.

Corpo lúteo persistente associado a infecções uterinas em rebanhos leiteiros da Zona da Mata-MG

O exame ginecológico de 3408 fêmeas bovinas, em 50 rebanhos leiteiros da Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais, revelou 384(11 ,3%) casos de infecção uterina, das quais 186 (5,5%) de primeiro grau ou catarral, 162 (4,8%) do segundo grau oumucopurulenta e 36 (1, 1 %) do terceiro grau ou purulenta. Destas, 12 animais encontravam-se no período puerperal (até 90dias pós-parto), com 1 O em anestro, dos quais três por corpo lúteo (CL) persistente. Nos 24 casos restantes os animaisencontravam-se no período pós-puerperal (acima de 90 dias pós-parto), com 14 em anestro, dos quais seis por CL persistente,incluídos quatro fetos macerados. Não se verificou nenhum caso de infecção uterina do primeiro e segundo grau induzindopersistência de CL. Esta foi confirmada por palpação transretal (presença de CL no mesmo ovário e mesma posição em doisexames com intervalo de 1 O a 12 dias), por dosagem de progesterona no sangue a cada sete dias, por observação visual do estro e pelo retorno do estro após aplicação de Prostaglandina F2a. Os nove casos de infecção uterina do terceiro grau queprovocaram anestro por persistência do CL correspondem a 0,3% do total de 3.408 vacas examinadas ou 25% dos 36 casosde infecção uterina do terceiro grau. Os resultados revelam baixa prevalência de CL persistente provocado por alteração domecanismo luteolítico devido à infecção uterina, não representando importante causa de i

Corpo lúteo persistente associado a infecções uterinas em rebanhos leiteiros da Zona da Mata-MG

O exame ginecológico de 3408 fêmeas bovinas, em 50 rebanhos leiteiros da Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais, revelou 384(11 ,3%) casos de infecção uterina, das quais 186 (5,5%) de primeiro grau ou catarral, 162 (4,8%) do segundo grau oumucopurulenta e 36 (1, 1 %) do terceiro grau ou purulenta. Destas, 12 animais encontravam-se no período puerperal (até 90dias pós-parto), com 1 O em anestro, dos quais três por corpo lúteo (CL) persistente. Nos 24 casos restantes os animaisencontravam-se no período pós-puerperal (acima de 90 dias pós-parto), com 14 em anestro, dos quais seis por CL persistente,incluídos quatro fetos macerados. Não se verificou nenhum caso de infecção uterina do primeiro e segundo grau induzindopersistência de CL. Esta foi confirmada por palpação transretal (presença de CL no mesmo ovário e mesma posição em doisexames com intervalo de 1 O a 12 dias), por dosagem de progesterona no sangue a cada sete dias, por observação visual do estro e pelo retorno do estro após aplicação de Prostaglandina F2a. Os nove casos de infecção uterina do terceiro grau queprovocaram anestro por persistência do CL correspondem a 0,3% do total de 3.408 vacas examinadas ou 25% dos 36 casosde infecção uterina do terceiro grau. Os resultados revelam baixa prevalência de CL persistente provocado por alteração domecanismo luteolítico devido à infecção uterina, não representando importante causa de i