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D I Våge

Publications and source records attributed to D I Våge.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A genome scan for quantitative trait loci affecting milk production in Norwegian dairy cattle.

An autosomal genome scan for quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting milk production traits was carried out on the Norwegian Dairy Cattle population. Six half-sibling families with a total of 285 sons organized according to a granddaughter design were analyzed by a multiple marker regression method. Suggestive QTL for one or several of the five milk traits (milk yield, protein percentage, protein yield, fat percentage and fat yield) were detected on chromosomes 3, 5, 6, 11, 13, 18 and 20. Among these results, the findings on chromosomes 3, 6, and 20 are highly supported by literature. The most convincing result was found close to marker FBN9 on chromosome 6, where a QTL was detected with alleles that cause a marked reduction in both protein and fat percentages and an increase in milk yield. The results for fat and protein percentage were highly significant even after accounting for multiple testing across the genome. Using bootstrapping, a 95% confidence interval for the position of the QTL for the percentage traits on chromosome 6 was estimated to 16 cM.

Animals↗

Quantitative trait loci affecting clinical mastitis and somatic cell count in dairy cattle.

Norway has a field recording system for dairy cattle that includes recording of all veterinary treatments on an individual animal basis from 1978 onwards. Application of these data in a genome search for quantitative trait loci (QTL) verified genome-wise significant QTL affecting clinical mastitis on Chromosome (Chr) 6. Additional putative QTL for clinical mastitis were localized to Chrs. 3, 4, 14, and 27. The comprehensive field recording system includes information on somatic cell count as well. This trait is often used in selection against mastitis when direct information on clinical mastitis is not available. The absence of common QTL positions for the two traits in our study indicates that the use of somatic cell count data in QTL studies aimed for reducing the incidence of mastitis should be carefully evaluated.

Animals↗

A primary screen of the bovine genome for quantitative trait loci affecting twinning rate.

An autosomal genome scan for quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting twinning rate was carried out in the Norwegian Cattle population. Suggestive QTL were detected on Chromosomes (Chr) 5, 7, 12, and 23. Among these, the QTL positions on both Chr 5 and Chr 23 are strongly supported by literature in the field. Our results also confirm previous mapping of a QTL for twinning to Chr 7, but definitely suggest a different location of the QTL on this chromosome. The most convincing QTL peak was observed for a region in the middle part of Chr 5 close to the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene. Since IGF1 plays an important role in the regulation of folliculogenesis, a mutation search was performed by sequencing more than 3.5 kb of the gene in actual families. The sequencing revealed three polymorphisms in noncoding regions of the gene that will be important in fine structure mapping and characterization of the QTL.

Animals↗

Resolution of conflicting assignments for the bovine casein kinase II alpha (CSNK2A2) gene.

The casein kinase II alpha' gene (CSNK2A2), which physically maps to human chromosome 16 (HSA16), has previously been mapped to bovine chromosome 5 (BTA5). Based on these results, a new segment of homology between the human and bovine genomes was suggested. In this paper we demonstrate linkage between CSNK2A2 and several markers on BTA18. Our result is supported by the extensive conservation of synteny between HSA16q and BTA18. Bovine chromosome 18 markers used in this study included several microsatellites, as well as the MC1R gene previously mapped to HSA16q24.3. Sequencing of the PCR-fragment mapped to BTA5 reveals that a CSNK-like retroposon was responsible for the conflicting assignments. The present results further extend the observed conservation of synteny between HSA16q and BTA18.

Animals↗

Consensus and comprehensive linkage maps of bovine chromosome 7.

The objective of this project was to integrate the currently available linkage maps for bovine chromosome 7 (BTA7) by combining data sets from eight research groups. A total of 54 unique markers were typed in eight pedigrees. Multilocus linkage analysis with CRI-MAP produced a bovine chromosome 7 consensus framework map of 27 loci ordered with odds greater than 1000:1. Furthermore, we present a bovine chromosome 7 comprehensive map integrating 54 loci. The locus order is in general agreement with the recently published linkage maps except for one discrepancy. The order of loci BM9289, BMS713, and ILSTS001 was reversed in the consensus framework map relative to the published USDA-MARC bovine chromosome 7 linkage map.

Animals↗

Molecular and pharmacological characterization of dominant black coat color in sheep.

Dominant black coat color in sheep is predicted to be caused by an allele ED at the extension locus. Recent studies have shown that this gene encodes the melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor (MC1-R). In mouse and fox, naturally occurring mutations in the coding region of MC1-R produce a constitutively activated receptor that switches the synthesis from phaeomelanin to eumelanin within the melanocyte, explaining the black coat color observed phenotypically. In the sheep, we have identified a Met-->Lys mutation in position 73 (M73K) together with a Asp --> Asn change at position 121 (D121N) showing complete cosegregation with dominant black coat color in a family lineage. Only the M73K mutation showed constitutive activation when introduced into the corresponding mouse receptor (mMC1-R) for pharmacological analysis; however, the position corresponding to D121 in the mouse receptor is required for high affinity ligand binding. The pharmacological profile of the M73K change is unique compared to the constitutively active E92K mutation in the sombre mouse and C123R mutation in the Alaska silver fox, indicating that the M73K change activates the receptor via a mechanism distinct from these previously characterized mutations.

Animals↗

Bovine chromosome 4 workshop: consensus and comprehensive linkage maps.

The report of the bovine chromosome 4 (BTA4) workshop is presented. Six laboratories contributed a total of 30,168 informative meioses from 62 loci. Twenty-two loci were typed by at least two independent laboratories and were used to construct a consensus linkage map of BTA4. The remaining 40 loci were subsequently incorporated into a comprehensive map. The sex-averaged consensus map covered 131.4 cM. The female map was 124.3 cM in length, while the male map was 134.3 cM. The comprehensive sex-averaged map spanned 141.6 cM. The length of the female and male comprehensive maps were 123.1 cM and 156.4 cM, respectively. Average genetic distance between loci was 6 and 2.3 cM for the consensus and comprehensive linkage maps, respectively.

Animals↗

Presence of the dominant extension allele E(D) in red and mosaic cattle.

The melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor (MC1-R) is a central regulator of mammalian coat colour, encoded by the extension locus. In cattle, the dominant extension allele E(D) is associated with the production of black pigment in coloured areas. Genotyping of the MC1-R gene in a bull with mosaic expression of red vs. black pigment verified the existence of the E(D) allele, in spite of the fact that the majority of the animal is red coloured. No further mutations were found within the E(D) variant of the MC1-R gene, which was inherited from a completely red mother (genotype E(D)/e).

Alleles↗

The melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor (MC1-R) gene as a tool in evolutionary studies of artiodactyles.

The complete coding region of the melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor (MC1-R) gene was characterized in species belonging to the two families Bovidae and Cervidae; cattle (Bos taurus), sheep (Ovis aries), goat (Capra hircus), muskox (Ovibos moschatus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), moose (Alces alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama). This well conserved gene is a central regulator of mammalian coat colour. Examination of the interspecies variability revealed a 5.3-6.8% divergence between the Cervidae and Bovidae families, whereas the divergence within the families were 1.0-3.1% and 1.2-4.6%, respectively. Complete identity was found when two subspecies of reindeer, Eurasian tundra reindeer (R.t. tarandus) and Svalbard reindeer (R.t. platvrhynehus), were analyzed. An rooted phylogenetic tree based on Bovidae and Cervidae MC1-R DNA sequences was in complete agreement with current taxonomy, and was supported by bootstrapping analysis. Due to different frequencies of silent vs. replacement mutations, the amino acid based phylogenetic tree contains several dissimilarities when compared to the DNA based phylogenetic tree.

Animals↗

A non-epistatic interaction of agouti and extension in the fox, Vulpes vulpes.

Agouti and extension are two genes that control the production of yellow-red (phaeomelanin) and brown-black (eumelanin) pigments in the mammalian coat. Extension encodes the melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor (MC1R) while agouti encodes a peptide antagonist of the receptor. In the mouse, extension is epistatic to agouti, hence dominant mutants of the MC1R encoding constitutively active receptors are not inhibited by the agouti antagonist, and animals with dominant alleles of both loci remain darkly pigmented. In the fox the proposed extension locus is not epistatic to the agouti locus. We have cloned and characterized the MC1R and the agouti gene in coat colour variants of the fox (Vulpes vulpes). A constitutively activating C125R mutation in the MC1R was found specifically in darkly pigmented animals carrying the Alaska Silver allele (EA). A deletion in the first coding exon of the agouti gene was found associated with the proposed recessive allele of agouti in the darkly pigmented Standard Silver fox (aa). Thus, as in the mouse, dark pigmentation can be caused by a constitutively active MC1R, or homozygous recessive status at the agouti locus. Our results, demonstrating the presence of dominant extension alleles in foxes with significant red coat colouration, suggest the ability of the fox agouti protein to counteract the signalling activity of a constitutively active fox MC1R.

Agouti Signaling Protein↗

The role of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) receptor in bovine coat color determination.

The melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) receptor has a major function in the regulation of black (eumelanin) versus red (phaeomelanin) pigment synthesis within melanocytes. We report three alleles of the MSH-receptor gene found in cattle. A point mutation in the dominant allele ED gives black coat color, whereas a frameshift mutation, producing a prematurely terminated receptor, in homozygous e/e animals, produces red coat color. The wild-type allele E+ produces a variety of colors, reflecting the possibilities for regulating the normal receptor. Microsatellite analysis, RFLP studies, and coat color information were used to localize the MSH-receptor to bovine Chromosome (Chr) 18.

Alleles↗

Isolation and sequence determination of porcine class II DRB alleles amplified by PCR.

The first domain exon of a porcine DRB gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the nucleotide sequence was determined. In a material consisting of 10 unrelated animals, five different alleles were identified, all probably belonging to a single locus designated DRB1. In addition, a non-expressed locus, designated DRB2, was coamplified with DRB1. This pseudogene, containing a single base deletion, also exhibited some variation, but at a very restricted level compared with DRB1. In pairwise comparisons of DRB1 alleles, the number of amino acid substitutions ranged between 6 and 21 out of 83 positions compared.

Alleles↗

High levels of linkage disequilibria between serologically defined class I bovine lymphocyte antigens (BoLA-A) and class II DQB restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in Norwegian cows.

Serum defined BoLA-A antigens, together with BoLA-DQB RFLP patterns, were determined in 87 almost unrelated Norwegian cattle. Statistical analysis revealed strong linkage disequilibria between these loci at the population level. A total of 13 haplotypes were found to be present at frequencies significantly greater than those predicted on the basis of their component gene frequencies. Among these, the subgroups 1A and 1B of the DQ1 haplotype were found to be closely associated with the class I antigens A11 and w16, respectively. The association between A11 and DQ1A is of particular interest, as two independent studies, one employing class I serology, and the other RFLP analysis of the class II locus DQ, have previously indicated that A11 and DQ1A confer relative susceptibility to mastitis.

Alleles↗

A study on association between mastitis and serologically defined class I bovine lymphocyte antigens (BoLA-A) in Norwegian cows.

A total of 102 cows was tested for class I antigens of the bovine major histocompatibility complex. Half of the animals (51) had completed at least four lactations without any veterinary treatment for mastitis. The distribution of BoLA-A antigens among these relative mastitis-resistant cows was compared to that in the other half of the material (51), which comprised animals with at least one recorded treatment for mastitis. There were no statistically significant differences in BoLA-A antigen frequency between cows with mastitis and cows without mastitis. The two most common antigens were A2 and w16. The frequency of these two antigens deviated from earlier estimates within the Norwegian cattle (NRF) population, the difference for w16 being statistically significant.

Animals↗