ABSTRACT
The chicken lysozyme gene encodes a hydrolase that has a key role in defence, especially in ovo. This gene was resequenced in global chicken populations [red, grey, Ceylon and green jungle fowl (JF)] and related bird species. Networks, summary statistics and tests of neutrality indicate that although there is extensive variation at the gene, little is present at coding sites, with the exception of one non-synonymous site. This segregating site and a further fixed non-synonymous change between red JF and domestic chicken populations are spatially close to the catalytic sites of the enzyme and so might affect its activity.
Subject(s)
Chickens/genetics , Muramidase/genetics , Animals , Chickens/metabolism , Genetics, Population , Models, Molecular , Muramidase/chemistry , Phylogeny , Polymorphism, Single NucleotideABSTRACT
In this study we examined transferrin (Tf) and hemoglobin (Hb) types and frequencies and their relationship with Packed Cell Volume (PCV), which is considered as a selection criterion for the trypanotolerance trait. Blood samples were collected from 96 sheep and were typed for Tf and Hb. The frequencies of the alleles TfA, TfB, TfC and TfD were respectively 0.276, 0.005, 0.109, and 0.609. At the locus Hb, all animals were monomorphic B. The lowest PCV value was observed in animals homozygous for TfC, while the highest value was found in heterozygous (CD) animals; however, the difference was not significant.
Subject(s)
Hemoglobins/genetics , Sheep Diseases/blood , Transferrin/genetics , Trypanosomiasis/veterinary , Alleles , Animals , Confidence Intervals , Female , Hemoglobins/analysis , Immunity, Innate , Male , Phenotype , Senegal , Sheep , Sheep Diseases/immunology , Transferrin/analysis , Trypanosomiasis/blood , Trypanosomiasis/immunologyABSTRACT
Owing to increasing scientific and agricultural interest in the disease-resistant (trypanotolerant), indigenous cattle breeds of West and Central Africa, there is a need for a rational genetically based description of populations in the region. The greatest threat to the invaluable genetic resource represented by these animals is that of extensive genetic introgression of distantly related zebu cattle from northern populations which do not share their inherited tolerances. Southern blotting with a chromosome Y-specific probe, btDYZ-1 (locus DYZ1) is shown to be a sensitive assay to detect such introgression. Evidence of historical crossbreeding is reported in two important N'Dama populations previously classed as purely taurine.
