Genetic diversity of meat quality related genes in Argentinean pigs.

Genetic influence on pork quality exists between breeds and within a breed. The variation is caused by a large set of genes, and pork quality traits have a multifactorial background. Research into the genetics of meat quality found causative mutations associated with marked effects on pig meat value. This study aimed to investigate the segregation of meat quality-related SNPs and compare their diversity and genetics in commercial and Creole pigs from different farms in the North-West of Argentina. A screen for SNPs in RYR1, PRKAG3, CAST, and SOX6 candidate genes and the differentiation of their genotypes by PCR-RFLP was conducted. All genes were characterized by a high level of polymorphism and heterozygosity, and populations showed no differences in the genetic structure for the analyzed SNPs. These results highlighted the role of pig genotypes as a source of basic variability potentially affecting processed meat products and fresh meat.

[Equine herpesvirus 2: A study on the relation between viral excretion and respiratory disease in thoroughbred horses]. / Herpesvirus equino 2: estudio de la relación entre excreción viral y enfermedad respiratoria en equinos deportivos pura sangre de carrera.

Equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) was isolated from healthy animals; therefore, the association between EHV-2 infection and respiratory disease raises the question of the role of this agent in this pathology. To date, there are no reports that relate viral excretion to health, this study then analysed 153 nasal swabs from horses in different age groups (older and younger than 1 year old) and state of health (clinically healthy and with respiratory symptoms). Results showed that the percentage of horses with viral excretion was higher within the clinically healthy group, being significative (p < 0.05) in the younger than 1 year old group, whereas the percentage of animals with respiratory symptoms did not show significant differences (p > 0.05) between age groups.

Reduction in morbidity due to diarrhea in nursing beef calves by use of an inactivated oil-adjuvanted rotavirus-Escherichia coli vaccine in the dam.

An outbreak of neonatal diarrhea occurred among beef calves (2000 animals) from one large Argentinian farm in 1985. Rotavirus was detected in 78% (106/136) and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in 1.5% of the samples (2/136) obtained from sick calves. In comparison rotavirus was identified in only 1.6% (1/63) of the samples from clinically healthy calves. The rotavirus strain responsible for the outbreak was characterized as serotype 6 belonging to group A. In the following three years the protective capacity of a combined rotavirus-E. coli inactivated vaccine administered to the dams during the last third of the gestation period was evaluated on this farm by comparison of morbidity due to diarrhea in calves from vaccinated vs. placebo cows within the same year. The morbidity due to diarrhea among calves from dams in the vaccinated and placebo groups was 34% and 77%, respectively in 1986; 23% and 47% in 1987, and 15% and 34%, in 1988. In 1987 morbidity of diarrhea in calves born from vaccinated heifers was 54% and 74% in calves from placebo heifers. In 1988 morbidity from diarrhea was 41% and 54%, respectively among calves in these two groups. In all experiments, calves from heifers showed significantly greater morbidity than calves from cows. Differences in diarrhea morbidity between the vaccinated and placebo groups were statistically significant (P less than 0.05). Additional studies showed that the diarrhea had a significant influence (P less than 0.05) on the average live weight of the calves at weaning (5 to 7 months) with an average weight loss of 7.8 kg per calf among the calves affected with diarrhea.

Enzymelinked immunosorbent, immunofluorescence test and electrophoretic analysis of rotaviral RNA in the diagnosis and characterization of the bovine rotavirus

Two handred and ninety five faecal samples from 45 days old calves with and without diarrhoea were processed using the ELISA, PAGE, and IFT techniques for rotavirus detection. Ninety one sample (31%) proved to be positive bu at least one of the techniques used. ELISA detected 93%, PAGE 84% and IFT 67%. Fifteen per cent of the samples were positive using ELISA and negative using PAGE, The reverse situation appeared in 5% of the samples. In 5%, 4% and 1% only of the techniques used showed the presence of the virus (ELISA, PAGE and IFT, respectively). ELISA proved to be the most sensitive technique for the detection of rotavirus in the faeces of calves. No relationship could be established between detection of rotavirus by any one of teh techniques used and age, imptomatology, geographical distribution, and electrophoretic pattern. Rotavirus was detected more frequently in diarrheic than in non-diarrheic calves

Variations and persistency of electropherotypes of bovine rotavirus field isolates. Brief report.

Genomic variations in electropherotypes of bovine rotavirus were analyzed in dairy farms. A unique electropherotype was detected in each farm which persisted at least for a year. In one farm a dual infection and a second electropherotype were detected.