Genomic characterization, phylogenetic and expression analysis of foraging gene in Apis mellifera.

The genomic characterization of the foraging gene and its expression analysis are required to better understand the behavior of honey bees (Apis mellifera). The present study performed a genome-wide characterization of the foraging gene, analyzing its physicochemical properties, phylogenetic features, and expression. An in silico analysis was carried out to characterize the foraging gene and the motifs and conserved domains of the encoded protein to predict its physicochemical properties. Moreover, a phylogenetic analysis of the foraging gene was performed in different species using MEGAX. The relative expression of the foraging gene was determined using qRT-PCR in two groups of forager bee samples (incoming and outgoing bees) during two seasons (five times per day). In addition, the queen effect was evaluated in another experiment. The results revealed that foraging gene expression and bee traffic were influenced by the interaction of season and daytime. The daily foraging traffic and transcription level of the foraging gene were the same in both seasons. The traffic of bees and the transcription abundance of the foraging gene were the highest in the middle and at the end of the day in the first and second seasons, respectively. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of the foraging gene was relatively higher in incoming bees than in outgoing bees. The queen also had a significant effect on the outgoing bees. We conclude that gene-environment interactions affect the foraging behavior of bees through the modulation of the foraging gene transcription.

Cysteamine administration in lambs grazing on mountain pastures: Effects on the body weight, antioxidant capacity, thyroid hormones and growth hormone secretion.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of intravenous injection of cysteamine (CS) on body weight (BW), growth hormone (GH), thyroid hormones (TH) secretion, and antioxidant status of growing lambs grazing on mountain pastures. Fifteen lambs (3-4 months of age) were randomly allocated into three experimental groups which received different dosages of CS: 0, 20, and 50 mg/kg BW-1 . The CS was injected on the 1st, 10th, and 20th days of the experiment to the lambs through the jugular vein. Assessment of plasma concentration of GH and TH hormones was carried out at days 0 (a day before the start of CS injections), 15, and 30 of the experiment. The antioxidant enzymes were measured at the end of the experiment. Lambs were weighed at days 0, 10, 20, and 30 of the experiment. The results showed that treatment and time affected the BW, GH, triiodothyronine (T3 ), and tetraiodothyronine (T4 ) secretion. The intravenous injection of CS increased the BW of growing lambs (p < 0.01) and increased the plasma concentration of GH, T3, and T4 (p < 0.01). The treatment also enhanced glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px; p < 0.05) and reduced malondialdehyde concentrations (MDA; p < 0.01). Total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) level reduced in CS-1 treatment compared to GC and CS-2 treatments (p < 0.01). The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were not affected by CS. In conclusion, intravenous injection of CS improved BW, GH, and TH concentrations and antioxidant capacity in growing lambs grazing on mountain pastures.

The pattern of HSP70 gene expression, flight activity and temperature in Apis mellifera meda colonies.

Honey bees produce heat shock proteins (HSPs) following biotic and abiotic stressors to protect cells from damage. In the current study, the pattern of HSP70 gene transcription, foraging, and temperature inside and outside the hive and their association in Apis mellifera meda colonies during Ziziphus blooming period were investigated. Therefore, the number of bees entering the hive, temperature inside and outside the hive were recorded in six colonies at different times of the day. Entering and exiting worker bees were sampled in the front of three hives at three times during the day, morning, midday, and afternoon to evaluate HSP70 gene expression by real-time PCR. The results showed that the flight behavior was influenced by the inside and outside hive temperatures, which was lower and higher in the midday and at the end of the day, respectively. The peak amount of HSP70 gene transcription at the midday was associated with the lowest bee flight activity and highest inside and outside the hive temperatures. In addition, the peak of flight activity was associated with intermediate levels of HSP70 gene expression in the afternoon.

No polymorphism of melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene was found in Markhoz goat.

Melatonin is the main hormone of seasonal breeding in sheep and goat which has an effect on reproductive organs via its receptors. Studies have shown that mutations in melatonin receptor 1A (MTNR1A) gene are related to litter size as well as the ovulation rate in sheep and goats. In this study, polymorphism of two loci in MTNR1A melatonin receptor gene was studied in order to survey their relationship with litter size in Markhoz goats. PCR primers were employed to mask polymorphisms of MTNR1A in 150 does by PCR-RFLP method. After DNA extraction, the PCR-RFLP was performed using Ecol31I and HpaI restriction enzymes. Results showed that these loci were not polymorphic. These results show that the fecundity of Markhoz goats is not linked to MTNR1A. No polymorphism in MTNR1A was found in Markhoz goats, therefore, it is essential to test polymorphism of other genes or loci to facilitate marker-assisted selection techniques to improve reproduction traits in Markhoz goats.

Differential Expression of the Alpha S1 Casein and Beta-Lactoglobulin Genes in Different Physiological Stages of the Adani Goats Mammary Glands.

BACKGROUND: Milk proteins genes have been the focus of the researches as the candidate target genes that play a decisive role when animal breeding is desired. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, the transcriptional levels of Beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) and Alpha S1 casein (CSN1S1) genes were investigated during prenatal, milking and drying times in mammary glands of the Adani goats which showed high and low breeding values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The breeding values of the animals were estimated first by applying multi-trait random regression model. Using the biopsy gun, the mammary gland samples were taken and real-time PCR was applied to search the expression of the genes. Fixed factors of the model were the breeding value groups, sampling times and their interactions. RESULTS: The interactions were significant for both genes. At milking time, the high breeding value group exhibited more transcriptional levels for BLG and less transcriptional levels for CSN1S1 gene compared with the low breeding value group. The expression patterns of these genes were also different between the two breeding value groups. The maximum level of BLG and CSN1S1 transcriptions were found to occur at drying time. CONCLUSIONS: A difference in the gene expression was observed between the two groups which indicate the change in the nucleotide sequence for transcription factor binding sites, or miRNA binding sites, otherwise in the coding regions. Therefore, the variations in the coding and promoter regions of this gene should be investigated in the further studies.