Genetic polymorphism in European and African sheep breeds reared in Hungary based on 48 SNPs associated with resistance to gastrointestinal parasite infection using KASP-PCR technique.

This pilot study used an alternative and economically efficient technique, the Kompetitive Allele-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (KASP-PCR) to examine 48 SNPs from 11 parasite-resistance genes found on 8 chromosomes in 110 animals from five sheep breeds reared in Hungary; Hungarian Tsigai, White Dorper, Dorper, Ile de France, and Hungarian Merino. Allele and genotype frequencies, fixation index, observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity, F statistic, and their relationship with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (WHE) and the polymorphic information content (PIC) were determined, followed by principal component analysis (PCA). As much as 32 SNPs out of the 48 initially studied were successfully genotyped. A total of 9 SNPs, 4 SNPs in TLR5, 1 SNP in TLR8, and 4 SNPs in TLR2 genes, were polymorphic. The variable genotype and allele frequency of the TLRs gene indicated genetic variability among the studied sheep breeds, with the Hungarian Merino exhibiting the most polymorphisms, while Dorper was the population with the most SNPs departing from the HWE. According to the PIC value, the rs430457884-TLR2, rs55631273-TLR2, and rs416833129-TLR5 were found to be informative in detecting polymorphisms among individuals within the populations, whereas the rs429546187-TLR5 and rs424975389-TLR5 were found to have a significant influence in clustering the population studied. This study reported a moderate level of genetic variability and that a low to moderate within-breed diversity was maintained in the studied populations.

Genetic diversity and substructuring of the Hungarian merino sheep breed using microsatellite markers.

The Hungarian Merino sheep breed (Ovis aries) is the most significant animal resource of the Hungarian sheep sector which, unfortunately, has gone through a huge reduction in number during the last decades and became endangered in 2014. A modern molecular genetic survey is now becoming more than necessary in order to characterize the within-breed genetic diversity and structure. For that reason, six Hungarian Merino flocks were genotyped in 16 microsatellite markers. In total, 144 different alleles were found and the mean values of observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.714 and 0.705, respectively, suggesting a noticeable genetic variability of the breed. The genetic differentiation of the Hungarian flocks was generally low, as reflected by the estimated total FST value (0.036), the extended pattern of admixture in Structure analysis, as well as, by the noticeable level of genetic clustering in UPGMA and FCA analyses. However, two out of the six studied flocks tended to be genetically more distant. The outcome of our study could be a starting point for a planned breeding strategy of the Hungarian Merino breed, by keeping the within-flock genetic variability in priority, as well as, by preserving the potential genetic uniqueness with close monitoring of the inbreeding.

Protective effects of meat from lambs on selenium nanoparticle supplemented diet in a mouse model of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced immunotoxicity.

Increased environmental oxidative stress caused primarily by chemicals like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, plays significant role in human diseases. A representative compound, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), was used for modeling oxidative damages including the significant decrease of the antioxidant capacity of the blood. Selenium has antioxidant effects but with a narrow therapeutic window. In our current studies to avoid accidental overdose and toxicity selenium was given to meat-producing animals. The standard rodent diet of mice was replaced by meat from lambs either on standard or selenium-enriched diet. Selenium concentration of lamb meat was enhanced three times by nano-selenium administration and an increase in the antioxidant capacity of the blood of mice was measured after the indirect selenium supplementation. Protective effects were also observed against DMBA-induced immunotoxicity. Twice the amount of white blood cells and among them three times more phagocytes survived. Similarly, in their renewal system in bone marrow twice the amount of cells survived and regenerative capacity of granulopoiesis was four times higher than in control DMBA-damaged mice. Our findings suggest functional dietary benefits of lamb meat enriched with selenium by feeding lambs with nanoparticle selenium supplements.