Biomedical subjects

D M Vankan

Publications and source records attributed to D M Vankan.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

Bull selection and use in northern Australia. 4. Calf output and predictors of fertility of bulls in multiple-sire herds.

On 10 northern Australian properties, the number of calves sired (calf output) by individual bulls in multiple-sire matings was measured by DNA typing for paternity. There were 235 bulls (92 Santa Gertrudis, 25 5/8 Brahman and 119 Brahman) from 37 multiple-sire mating groups. Number of bulls in groups ranged from 2 to 25 and ages of bulls ranged from 2 to 5 years. Mating periods were for 3-12 months and bull mating percentages were 2.5-6%. In all, there were 4251 calves tested and the resolution of paternity ranged from 92.5 to 100% and averaged 97.7% across all sites. This included 9.9% of calves with no potential sires in any of the mating groups. Of the 235 bulls mated, 58% sired 10% or less calves in each of their respective mating groups with 6% not siring any calves. In contrast, 14% sired over 30% of the calves in each of the respective mating groups. When bulls were mated in groups of 8-24, the maximum percent of calves sired by individual bulls was 26+/-7% (mean+/-S.D.) with a range 11-36%. However, when bulls were mated in groups of 2-7, the maximum percent of calves sired by individual bulls was 59+/-19% with a range 24-94%. Calf output of bulls was moderately repeatable across years at four of five sites. Multiple regression models relating pre-mating measures of physical, seminal and behavioural traits to calf output were developed for the three breed groups. In all, only 138 of the 235 bulls were included in the models (40 Santa Gertrudis, 24 5/8 Brahman and 74 Brahman). Sheath and testicular traits, such as scrotal circumference and testicular tone, were generally not related to calf output, the exceptions being sheath depth in Brahman bulls which was negatively related (P<0.05) and scrotal circumference in 5/8 Brahmans which was positively related (P=0.08) to calf output. Dominance was only included in the 5/8 Brahman model but there was no significant relationship between dominance hierarchy and calf output. Semen motility was only related (P<0.05) to calf output in 5/8 Brahmans. However, measures of semen quality based on spermatozoa morphology were important contributors to calf output in the Santa Gertrudis and Brahman models where percent normal spermatozoa was positively related (P<0.01) to calf output. In Santa Gertrudis and Brahman bulls, measures of sexual behaviour in the serving capacity test were related to calf output. In Santa Gertrudis, these were for the number of displays of sexual interest (P<0.05), and mounts (P<0.01), but not number of serves, whilst in Brahman bulls, libido score was positively related to calf output (P<0.05). The models only explained 35-57% of the variation in calf output.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1999

Estimations of the efficacy and reliability of paternity assignments from DNA microsatellite analysis of multiple-sire matings.

It is important for bovine DNA testing laboratories to provide the cattle industry with accurate estimates of the efficacy and reliability of DNA tests offered so that end users of this technology can adequately assess the cost-benefits of testing. To address these issues for bovine paternity testing, paternity exclusion probability estimates were obtained from breed panel data and were predictive of the efficacy of the DNA tests used in 39 multiple-sire mating groups, involving 5960 calves and 505 bulls. Paternity testing of these mating groups has demonstrated that the majority involve a variable proportion of unknown sires and this impacts on the reliability of sire allocation. Mathematical models based on binomial or beta-binomial probability distributions were used to estimate the reliability of single-sire allocations from multiple-sire matings involving unknown sires. Reliability of 98-99% is achieved when the exclusion probability is 0.99 or greater, after allowing for up to 20% unknown sires. When the exclusion probability drops below 0.90 and there are 20% unknown sires, the reliability is poor, bringing into question the benefits of testing. This highlights the need for DNA testing laboratories to offer paternity tests with an exclusion power of at least 99%.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Caprine blood groups. 1. The B system.

Twelve of 24 monospecific caprine reagents produced by absorption of alloimmune antisera identified a complex blood group system of goats which was designated B, based on the results of a small comparison test with ovine reagents. The frequencies of the 12 B factors differed significantly among the Australian Angora, Texan Angora, Cashmere, and Dairy goat breeds. Three of the antigens detected by the reagents were shown to be related as linear subtypes, designated Ba1, Ba2, and Ba3, and inherited as alleles. The segregations of B factors in 80 sire groups involving 1086 offspring demonstrated that groups of B factors (phenogroups) segregated as products of allelic genes.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Caprine blood groups. 2. The C, G, H, I, J, K, L, N, and Q systems.

Nine blood group systems of goats were identified using 12 caprine reagents produced by absorption of alloimmune antisera. The caprine C blood group system, possibly homologous to the ovine C blood group system, was characterized by two reagents and shown to be controlled by three alleles, C12, C25, and C-. A more complex blood group system of goats, designated G, was identified using three reagents and shown to be controlled by six codominant alleles (G10.19.20, G10.19, G10.20, G10, G19, G20) and a recessive allele (G-). A further seven one-factor two-allelic systems were identified by seven reagents. The nine genetic systems provided exclusion probabilities of 0.479, 0.492, 0.548, and 0.572 in Australian Angora, Dairy, Cashmere, and Texan Angora goat breeds, respectively.

Alleles↗

PubMed1993

Caprine plasma proteinase inhibitors--I. Partial characterization.

1. Using two-dimensional electrophoresis (IEF, pH 3.5-6.0 and PAGE, 11.5% T, pH 7.9) the caprine plasma proteinase inhibitors were classified into six distinct classes, designated PIA, PIB, PIC, PID, PIE and PIF. Differentiation of the six inhibitors was based on electrophoretic criteria, their abilities to inhibit bovine trypsin and chymotrypsin and their crossreactions with antisera to human alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin. 2. Polymorphic variants were identified for five of the protein systems (PIA, PIB, PIC, PID and PIE) and the electrophoretic data indicated that the variants were controlled by allelic genes. PIF proteins were poorly resolved and invariant. 3. Treatment of selected plasmas with neuraminidase demonstrated that the microheterogeneity observed in the PIA, PIB, PIC and PID proteins was attributable to sialic acid additions. 4. The inhibitory activities of all six caprine proteinase inhibitors were unaffected by chemical oxidation with chloramine-T.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Caprine plasma proteinase inhibitors--II. Genetic analysis.

1. Analysis of the inheritances of the variants of five caprine plasma proteinase inhibitor systems in families demonstrated a genetic control of codominant alleles at five loci. 2. The PIA, B, C, D and E proteins are controlled by four (PIA1,2,3,4), three (PIB1,4,0), three (PIC2,3,0), five (PID1,2,3,4,0) and two (PIE1,2) alleles respectively. Null alleles were postulated for the PIB, PIC and PID systems. 3. The frequencies of the alleles differed substantially between the Australian and Texan Angoras and Cashmere breeds of goats. 4. The combined exclusion probability for the five PI systems was as high as 0.82 in the Cashmere breed, indicating the potential of the proteinase inhibitor proteins for parentage control purposes.

Alleles↗

PubMed1992

A new transferrin allele in Australian goats.

Subdivision of TF B into two variants, B1 (faster) and B2 (slower) in Australian goat breeds was accomplished by high voltage, thin layer polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 7.9. The genes controlling the caprine transferrins were shown to be autosomal codominant alleles, TFA, TFB1, TFB2 and TFC and in the various breeds of goats, the alleles were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. TFA was the most common allele in the Australian and Texan Angora, Cashmere and Dairy breeds with gene frequencies ranging from 0.652 to 0.977. TFB1 and TFB2 occurred in all four breeds while TFC was only observed in very low frequencies in Australian Angora and Cashmere breeds.

Alleles↗

PubMed1992

Genetic polymorphism of plasma vitamin D-binding protein (GC) in Australian goats.

Polymorphism at the GC locus in goats was detected using isoelectric focusing (pH 4.5-5.4) and immunoblotting with antiserum to human GC. Three variants, designated A, B and C in order of decreasing mobility to the anode, were detected and were shown to be controlled by three codominant alleles, GCA, GCB and GCC. GCA and GCB occurred in all four breeds (Australian and Texan Angora, Cashmere and Dairy) with GCA being the most common and having gene frequencies ranging from 0.851 to 0.993. GCC was found only in Australian Angora and Cashmere animals. The products of the three GC alleles had isoelectric points in the range pH 4.63-4.95 and M(r) of approximately 54,375. The major isoforms of the three alleles were shown to contain sialic acid. Linkage between the GC and albumin loci was unable to be demonstrated due to the low frequency of ALBA (0.02) in the Cashmere breed.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Reproduction in female Onchocerca gibsoni.

The embryonic stages in the uteri of adult female Onchocerca gibsoni were studied to determine the reproductive potential of this worm. It was concluded that female O. gibsoni undergo cyclic phases of reproduction, each lasting about 14.5 weeks. Once insemination occurred and a cycle commenced, the rate of embryonic development was reasonably constant irrespective of the age of the worm. Mature young females had fewer embryos than older females but both contained a similar proportion (about 19%) of abnormal embryos. In comparison to the older female worms, a greater proportion of mature young females were in the early phase of a reproductive cycle and fewer were actively reproducing. This difference was considered to be due to a greater access of males to older than to recently mature females. There were marked similarities between these observations with O. gibsoni and those reported for O. volvulus, providing further evidence of the usefulness of O. gibsoni as a model for O. volvulus.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

An evaluation of implanted male Onchocerca gibsoni in mice as a screen for macrofilaricides against Onchocerca volvulus.

An in vivo drug screen for identifying new compounds with activity against Onchocerca macrofilariae was developed using male Onchocerca gibsoni implanted subcutaneously in outbred mice. There were several similarities (Mel W, CGP 20376, CGP 6140, levamisole) and two differences (suramin, furapyrimidone) between levels of drug efficacy in this model and activity against natural infections of O. gibsoni and O. volvulus. There was considerable variation in the mouse reaction. This mouse model is a potentially useful primary screen for macrofilaricidal drugs against Onchocerca.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Use of an antigen detection assay to determine mortality of Dirofilaria immitis after thiacetarsamide therapy.

The use of an antigen detection enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to determine the post-treatment infection status of 16 dogs naturally infected with Dirofilaria immitis was investigated. Dogs were treated with thiacetarsamide at a dose rate of 12mg/4.5kg twice daily for 2 days, bled at regular intervals and necropsied 9 weeks later. The infection status of all dogs at necropsy was compared to the ratios of optical density (OD) values from the EIA using fresh plasma samples (day 60/day 0 = R60) and dogs were divided into 2 groups. Using the R60 ratios, those dogs with fewer than 2 live adult worms or immature worms at necropsy ("cleared" dogs) could be differentiated with 95% confidence from those dogs with more than 1 live adult worm ("non-cleared" dogs). Changes in the average OD values from the plasma of "cleared" dogs and "non-cleared" dogs were similar up to 46 days after treatment but diverged significantly thereafter. The efficacy of thiacetarsamide was 50% if all worms were considered and 75% if the presence of immature worms was ignored. The benefits of antigen detection assays for diagnosis and improved patient assessment and the use of an R60 ratio to assess the efficacy of adulticides such as thiacetarsamide are discussed in relation to their practical significance for clinicians.

Animals↗