Structural and functional analysis of the signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family 7 (SLAMF7) gene in response to infection with coagulase-negative and coagulase-positive staphylococci.

Splice variants of the signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family 7 (SLAMF7) gene have been identified, and differences in the expression of this gene have been demonstrated at the mRNA level in the mammary glands of healthy and mastitis-infected dairy cows. At the same time, significant associations have been found between a deletion in the SLAM7 gene exon, the occurrence of different splice variants, and the occurrence of mastitis in one group of dairy cows. An expression study was conducted on 40 Polish Holstein-Friesian dairy cows of the Black and White variety (group I). Milk samples were taken for microbiological analysis 2 d before slaughter and examined for the presence of bacteria. Immediately after slaughter, mammary tissue samples were taken and divided into 3 groups according to the health status of the mammary gland: healthy (without pathogenic bacteria in milk), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), and coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS). Based on different SLAMF7 gene DNA fragments, 2 alternative variants of this gene (V1 and V2) and complete gene expression were identified. Separate analyses performed for each isoform showed that the health status of the cow was strongly associated with the expression level of individual variants. The highest expression was detected for the SLAMF7 complete amplicon in healthy cows, and in the CNS and CPS cows the expression of this variant was also higher than V1 and V2. Sanger sequencing was applied to detect the polymorphism/indel variant in the second exon of the SLAMF7 gene probably having the greatest effect on the protein structure and function of SLAMF7. Two genotypes were detected: AA (wild-type) and AB (insertion A). In healthy cows, the frequency of homozygotes AA was higher than the heterozygotes, whereas in the infected animals, the genotypic distribution was the opposite. An association analysis between the identified polymorphism and production traits-including somatic cell count, as well as lactose, protein, and casein content and yield as indicators of subclinical mastitis occurrence-was performed on the group II cows (166 Polish Holstein-Friesian dairy cows). Unfortunately, due to the low number of AB animals, no relationship was demonstrated between genotype in the second exon and the health status of cows. Additionally, the difference in the percentage of SLAMF7-targeted DNA methylation between the groups of animals was not significant, with an average of ∼66 to 68%.

Polymorphisms in selected genes and analysis of their relationship with osteochondrosis in Polish sport horse breeds.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the polymorphisms of selected genes and to find their potential effect on the occurrence of osteochondrosis in Polish Warmbloods (sport horse breeds). The study was conducted on a group of 198 horses subjected to official performance tests. Investigated joints-fetlock, hock and stifle-were X-rayed twice, once before and again at the end of the tests (first and second examination), and on this basis the degree of disease was evaluated. Based on the results of previous research, 13 candidate genes potentially associated with the occurrence of osteochondrosis were selected and, among them, 32 polymorphisms were tested. Seven SNPs located in the MATN1, CPVL, HYAL1, XIRP2, FRZB, COL5A2 and IGF1 genes were found to be associated with occurrence of osteochondrotic lesions in different joints. These intragenic polymorphisms seem to provide valuable information about the genetic basis of osteochondrosis in sport horse breeds.

Differences between horse selection based on two forms of osteochondrosis in fetlock.

Horses lose potential opportunities because of health problems. Available breeding strategies are not effective enough, probably also because of the different definition used and its genetic usefulness. The aim of the study was to compare the genetic background estimated by the genome-wide association study (GWAS) for osteochondrosis using two different scaling osteochondrosis (OC)/healthy and osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD)/healthy systems for evaluating the disease status of investigated fetlock joints. Two hundred one Warmblood horses trained for performance tests (87 stallions and 114 mares) were phenotyped and genotyped. Four fetlock x-ray images per horse were collected using the RTG Girth HF 80 and Vet Scan ray 3600. The DNA of each horse was genotyped using the BeadChip 70K. To identify SNPs that significantly affect the probability of osteochondrosis, two different methods were applied: the Cochran-Armitage test based on an additive mode of inheritance and logistic regression. The genetic background for osteochondrosis, expressed in the number of SNPs found with significant associations with osteochondrosis, was higher by evaluation in the scale of OCD/healthy horses (16 SNPs on several chromosomes mainly on the ECA1 and ECA10) than OC/healthy (2 SNPs on the ECA15 and one SNP on the ECA10). Detailed definition of osteochondrosis is needed in breeding and in veterinary practice. The genetic background for osteochondrosis and osteochondrosis dissecans seems not the same. Suggestive SNPs could be the candidate markers for osteochondrosis but should be checked on a larger population before usage.

Health status and potential uptake of transgenic DNA by Japanese quail fed diets containing genetically modified plant ingredients over 10 generations.

The hypothesis assumes that feed containing GMOs affects animal health and results in the transgene product accumulating in the body. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of genetically modified (GM) ingredients used in poultry diets on aspects of bird health status and accumulation of transgenic DNA in eggs, breast muscle and internal organs. A total of 10 generations of Japanese quail were fed three types of diets: group A - containing GM soya (Roundup Ready) and non-GM maize, group B - containing GM maize (MON810) and non-GM soya, and group C - containing non-GM soya and maize. Bird performance traits were monitored throughout the trial. In 17-week-old animals of each generation, health examination took place on birds from each group including post-mortem necropsy and histological organ evaluation. For the purpose of transgenic DNA detection, samples of selected important tissues were taken. A molecular screening method of PCR amplification was used. The analysis of the sectional examination of birds used in the current experiment did not indicate the existence of the pathological changes caused by pathogens, nutritional factors or of environmental nature. The histopathological changes occurred in all three dietary groups and there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. There was no transgene amplification - neither CaMV35S promoter sequence nor nos terminator sequence, in the samples derived from breast muscle, selected tissues and germinal discs (eggs). According to the obtained results, it was concluded that there was no negative effect of the use of GM soya or maize with regard to bird health status or to the presence of transgenic DNA in the final consumable product.

Genetically modified crops in a 10-generation feeding trial on Japanese quails--Evaluation of its influence on birds' performance and body composition.

The effect of genetically modified (GM) feed components comprising soya bean meal and maize on the performance indices (reproduction, survival rate, growth, egg production, relative weight of chosen internal organs, and basic chemical composition of breast muscle and egg yolk) of Japanese quails was investigated during a 10-generation trial. A total number of 8,438 healthy quail chicks were used in the course of the trial. In each generation, birds were maintained in 3 experimental groups differing in the main feed components, i.e. 1) GM soya (Roundup Ready) and non-GM maize, 2) GM maize (MON810) and non-GM soya, and 3) non-GM soya and maize. The different feeds used did not influence any of the biological hatch indices, survival rate, or BW of young or adult quails. With regard to egg-laying performance, the GM maize group showed a better laying percentage and a higher egg mass production compared to the other groups; the GM soya group showed reduced average egg mass compared to the other groups, whereas the overall egg production level was the same as in the control group. Results showed a higher relative weight of breast muscle and gizzard in birds fed GM maize compared to the control group, whereas live BW and the relative weights of liver and heart were not different among groups. Meat from the GM soya group showed higher protein and lower fat levels compared to the control group. In the case of egg yolk, its chemical composition in the experimental groups did not differ from the control group. Even though some differences were found among the feeding groups, none could be judged as a negative influence of GM maize or GM soya in feed on the birds or final consumer products over 10 generations of Japanese quails.