Optimization of Saanen sperm genes amplification: evaluation of standardized protocols in genetically uncharacterized rural goats reared under a subtropical environment.

The purpose of this research is to optimize quantitatively the amplification of specific sperm genes in reference genomically characterized Saanen goat and to evaluate the standardized protocols applicability on sperms of uncharacterized genome of rural goats reared under subtropical environment for inclusion in future selection programs. The optimization of the protocols in Saanen sperms included three production genes (growth hormone (GH) exons 2, 3, and 4, αS1-casein (CSN1S1), and α-lactalbumin) and two health genes (MHC class II DRB and prion (PrP)). The optimization was based on varying the primers concentrations and the inclusion of a PCR cosolvent (Triton X). The impact of the studied variables on statistically significant increase in the yield of amplicons was noticed in four out of five (80%) optimized protocols, namely in those related to GH, CSN1S1, α-lactalbumin, and PrP genes (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the yield of amplicons related to MHC class II DRB gene, regardless of the variables used (P > 0.05). The applicability of the optimized protocols of Saanen sperm genes on amplification of uncharacterized rural goat sperms revealed a 100% success in tested individuals for amplification of GH, CSN1S1, α-lactalbumin, and MHC class II DRB genes and a 75% success for the PrP gene. The significant success in applicability of the Saanen quantitatively optimized protocols to other uncharacterized genome of rural goats allows for their inclusion in future selection, targeting the sustainability of this farming system in a subtropical environment and the improvement of the farmers livelihood.

Preliminary comparison of different immune and production components in local and imported Saanen goats reared under a sub-tropical environment.

Three objectives were included in this research work. The first objective compared different immune components in healthy mature males, mature females, and female kids of local and imported Saanen goats, reared under a sub-tropical environment. The significantly differing immune components were the blood monocyte percent, blood CD8 count, and the total white blood cell count. The second objective compared the performance of Saanen versus local does. The means of the milk yield and prolificacy of the imported Saanen does were significantly higher than those of the local does (p<0.05). The third objective compared the immune responses (hemagglutination-HA titers) and complement fixation (CF) titers in mature does of the two breeds to chicken red blood cells (c-RBC). The HA titers showed a significant seroconversion only in imported Saanen (p<0.05) but not in local does; however, the CF titers increased significantly at 4 weeks following priming with c-RBC in local (p<0.05) but not in the imported Saanen does. The impact of the differences in blood immune components and responses to antigens in the compared goats on protection potential against prevalent diseases in the sub-tropical zone of the eastern Mediterranean countries is discussed.

Koch's postulate of Arcanobacterium pyogenes and its immunogenicity in local and imported Saanen goats.

The aim of this survey was to study Koch's postulate of Arcanobacterium pyogenes recovered from the necrotic lung of a kid and to compare the immunogenicity of this isolate in local and imported Saanen goats. The disease was successfully reproduced in intrathoracically challenged hamsters which showed lung congestion and liver abscesses, while hamsters that were intraperitoneally challenged showed only the formation of intestinal abscesses. The percentage of histopathologic legions in 12 observed microscopic fields per lung of three groups of hamsters (unchallenged controls, challenged intrathoracically and challenged intraperitoneally) showed a significant increase in lung necrosis of the intrathoracically challenged group, followed by intraperitoneally challenged hamsters, in comparison to unchallenged controls (p<0.05). In addition, the frequency of mucus accumulation in alveolar ducts followed the same respective pattern (p>0.05), while there was no significant difference in the frequency of neutrophil infiltration (p>0.05). The isolate was successfully recovered from the lungs and livers of hamsters challenged by both routes. Saanen does showed significant seroconversion using the indirect haemagglutination (HA) test and slide agglutination test (SAT) and at three weeks following priming and boosting with A. pyogenes antigens (p<0.05); however, only SAT showed significant seroconversion in local does at three weeks post booster (p<0.05). The possible causes and impact of the greater immunogenicity to A. pyogenes antigens in Saanen goats compared to local does are discussed.