Structural variation during dog domestication: insights from gray wolf and dhole genomes.

Several processes like phenotypic evolution, disease susceptibility and environmental adaptations, which fashion the domestication of animals, are largely attributable to structural variations (SVs) in the genome. Here, we present high-quality draft genomes of the gray wolf (Canis lupus) and dhole (Cuon alpinus) with scaffold N50 of 6.04 Mb and 3.96 Mb, respectively. Sequence alignment comprising genomes of three canid species reveals SVs specific to the dog, particularly 16 315 insertions, 2565 deletions, 443 repeats, 16 inversions and 15 translocations. Functional annotation of the dog SVs associated with genes indicates their enrichments in energy metabolisms, neurological processes and immune systems. Interestingly, we identify and verify at population level an insertion fully covering a copy of the AKR1B1 (Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member B) transcript. Transcriptome analysis reveals a high level of expression of the new AKR1B1 copy in the small intestine and liver, implying an increase in de novo fatty acid synthesis and antioxidant ability in dog compared to gray wolf, likely in response to dietary shifts during the agricultural revolution. For the first time, we report a comprehensive analysis of the evolutionary dynamics of SVs during the domestication step of dogs. Our findings demonstrate that retroposition can birth new genes to facilitate domestication, and affirm the importance of large-scale genomic variants in domestication studies.

Screening weight related genes of velvet antlers by whole genome re-sequencing.

The velvet antler is a special organ that has important biological significance for deer, and its growth is a complicated biological metabolism process. Growing evidence suggests that genetics factors play essential roles in the weight of velvet antlers. In this study, we investigated five sika deer (Cervus nippon) populations under the same feeding condition, and screened genetic variations in the 100 samples (including 50 heavy and 50 light velvet antler weight samples) by whole genome re-sequencing. The results showed that 94 genetic variations were related to the velvet antler weight, among which two single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites were located on the exon regions of OAS2 and ALYREF/THOC4, respectively. Furthermore, ALYREF/THOC4 is highly expressed in the velvet antler. The biological functions of these genetic variations were highly related to the growth and development of deer velvet antlers. Collectively, we screened genes related to the velvet antler weight in sika deer populations by whole genome re-sequencing and identified 94 sites as candidate genetic variations related to the velvet antler weight. We hope that it will contribute to further mechanistic studies of velvet antler development and weight variations.

[Photosynthetic characteristics of Emmenopterys henryi seedlings and their relationships with environmental factors]. / é¦™æžœæ ‘å®žç”Ÿè‹—çš„å ‰åˆç‰¹æ€§åŠå ¶ä¸ŽçŽ¯å¢ƒå› å­çš„å ³ç³».

To find appropriate environment for Emmenopterys henryi seedlings and develop corresponding strategies for their natural regeneration, the net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, chlorophyll content, height, basal diameter and biomass of two-year old seedlings and the relationships with environmental factors were studied in different habitats, i.e., undercanopy, crown edge, forest gap, and forest edge. In the four habitats, the maximum photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was 50-1380 Μmol·m-2·s-1, net photosynthetic rate of E. henryi seedlings showed singlet diurnal variation in undercanopy and crown edge, and showed a bimodal pattern in forest gap and forest edge. Seedlings were shade-tolerant plants with the low shade-tolerant ability. The order of light saturation point, light compensation point, and dark respiration of their functional leaves in different habitats was the same as follows: forest edge ＞ forest gap ＞ crown edge ＞ undercanopy, and the order was inverse when sequenced by apparent quantum efficiency. Seedlings were highly adaptable to forest gap and crown edge, with higher transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency (WUE), and net photosynthetic rate. Seedlings in forest gap had lower leaf chlorophyll content, but they grew fast and therefore showed the maximum biomass. Net photosynthetic rate of the seedlings showed significant positive correlation with PAR and stomatal conductance. For undercanopy, seedling photosynthesis was facilitated by reducing canopy density and increasing light transmittance. For forest edge, vegetation cover should be increased with reducing light intensity to ensure rapid growth of the seedlings.

[Predictive factors of testicular sperm extraction in men with non-obstructive azoospermia].

Men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) can achieve fertility by testicular sperm extraction (TESE) coupled with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the key to which is the successful retrieval of sperm from the testis. Although improved testicular sperm extraction techniques have increased the chances of sperm retrieval, to predict preoperatively the success of sperm retrieval from NOA patients remains challenging. A non-invasive diagnostic technique predicting the presence of sperm in the testis would be useful for avoiding possible surgical intervention. At present, some preoperative variables, such as serum FSH, inhibin B level, testis volume, genetic analysis, histopathology on diagnostic biopsy, Raman Spectroscopy, and molecular and protein markers, have provided new insights into the chances of successful sperm retrieval in NOA males. This review aims to evaluate the preoperative factors currently available for predicting the outcomes of sperm retrieval from NOA patients.