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Results for “Breeding value”

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At least 1,135 records · Page 63Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Use of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry for noninvasive body composition measurements in clinically normal dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine quantitative values for components of body composition in clinically normal dogs of various breeds by use of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and validate the precision and accuracy of DEXA technology in dogs. ANIMALS: 103 clinically normal sexually intact adult dogs. PROCEDURE: In a cross-sectional study, Beagles, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, Pointers, Rottweilers, and nonpurebred dogs received total body DEXA scans. For the validation portion of the study, the results of DEXA scans of 6 dogs were compared with values obtained by chemical analyses of tissues from euthanatized dogs to determine the accuracy of this modality in dogs. RESULTS: Results (coefficient of variation) of the precision tests ranged from 0.10% for lean tissue to 5.19% for fat tissue, whereas accuracy tests revealed a difference between percentage bone mineral content and ash values. Body composition differed by sex, such as higher lean tissue and bone mineral content in males within some breeds, and among breeds. Regardless of body size or weight, the percentage of body weight that was bone mineral ranged from 3 to 4.0% [corrected]. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this cross-sectional study provide valuable body composition data for clinically normal adult dogs, which may have research and clinical applications.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1980

Seasonal influence on estrous activity in sows and gilts.

Seasonal fluctuations in the estrous activity of sows after weaning and of sows and gilts after mating were determined by analysis of breeding records from eight swine herds covering a total of 19 herd-years of data. Of 11,461 sows, 78.4% were in estrus within 7 days after weaning. From July through September, 68.6% of sows returned to estrus within 7 days after weaning, compared with 82.0% during the remaining 9 months of the year. An increase in postweaning anestrus of more than 30 days' duration also occurred during summer months. Seasonal fluctuations in the frequency of postweaning estrus were similar for sows moved from farrowing facilities to environments with or without specialized temperature control features. For sows confined to crates after weaning, the rate of postweaning return to estrus was 10.4% greater than for sows in group-housing systems, but the seasonal pattern in postweaning return to estrus was not altered. Postweaning estrous failure was more obvious in primiparous sows than in multiparous sows, especially during summer and fall. The frequency of delayed return to estrus after infertile mating was 63.7% for matings during the period July through September and 29.7% for the period January through March. It was concluded that postweaning and postservice estrous activities in swine are influenced by season of the year and by parity. Group housing of sows or individual crating of sows, and water sprinkling or evaporative cooling systems in the postweaning breeding area, as used in the herds investigated, appear to be of questionable value in preventing estrous failure during summer and fall months.

Animals↗

PubMed2025

Smarter stomata: emergent technologies unlocking yield potential in a changing climate.

Stomata, the gatekeepers of leaf gas exchange, regulate carbon dioxide uptake and water loss, functions increasingly critical as crops face more frequent, intense heat and drought. Under dry conditions, stomatal conductance (g s) typically decreases, limiting carbon assimilation and yield. Heat stress, in contrast, elicits variable g S responses: sometimes increasing to facilitate transpirational cooling, while at other times decreasing, especially when combined with drought. Heat and drought also induce complex, context-dependent shifts in stomatal anatomy. Smaller, denser stomata improve drought resilience in some cases, while reduced density confers greater tolerance in others. The optimal stomatal ideotype remains unknown, and different or even opposing traits may confer resilience dependent on the environmental scenario. Substantial genotypic variation in g s and stomatal anatomy, high heritability and co-localized quantitative trait loci for stomatal traits and yield highlight their untapped potential as breeding targets for climate-resilient crops. However, stomatal traits remain largely absent from breeding pipelines due to challenges of phenotyping at scale. This is changing rapidly. Advances in deep learning, porometry, digital microscopy, and remote sensing now enable high-throughput measurement of stomatal physiology and anatomy. Next-generation breeding technologies including clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), multi-omics approaches, and artificial intelligence-driven ideotype selection models could revolutionize breeding, allowing precise engineering of stomatal traits for resilience to environmental stress. The time has come to move beyond characterizing stomatal traits and start actively incorporating them into breeding strategies. By leveraging these technologies, stomatal traits can become high value targets, unlocking their potential to enhance crop performance in a hotter, drier future.

abiotic stress↗

PubMed1975

Papers and articles measurement of central venous pressure in horses.

Central venous pressure measurements were made in 74 horses and ponies free from clinical evidence of cardiopulmonary disease. Using the sternal manubrium as the zero reference point, the mean value obtained was 12 cm H2O (S.D. +/- 6). There was a significant correlation with body weight (r=0.6, p less than 0.001) but there was none with age, sex, breed or type. During halothane anaesthesia, using the same reference point, the mean value was 24.5 cm H2O (S.D. +/- 6) in 28 animals in right lateral recumbency, 29 cm H2O (S.D. +/- 8) in 17 animals in left lateral recumbency and -6 cm H20 (S.D. +/- 4) IN 27 supine animals. The use of the sternal manubrium as zero reference point did not allow comparison of values in standing and recumbent animals and it was considered that serial measurements were of more value than isolated determinations in assessing the circulatory state of an animal.

Acepromazine↗

PubMed1985

Paragonimus ohirai: genetic control of tetrazolium oxidase isozymes.

The Japanese lung fluke, Paragonimus ohirai, has three electrophoretic variants: F, FS, and S of tetrazolium oxidase (EC 1.15.1.1). Variant flukes were crossed in the laboratory. In both crosses, S X S and F X F, parental phenotypes appeared in all respective F1 progeny. In a cross of F X S, all F1 individuals derived from each parent showed the same phenotype (FS) indicating a heterozygote. On the other hand, from the cross of FS X S, 13 of FS and 11 S were observed from a parent (FS) while 2 FS and 1 S were recovered in three clones from the other parent (S). In the case of a cross between FS X F, a parent (F) produced 9 FS and 18 F clones in the offspring, numbers not significantly different from the expected values of Mendelian inheritance at the 0.01 level. The breeding data indicate that the tetrazolium oxidase isozymes of P. ohirai are controlled by two alleles, ToF and ToS, at a single locus.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Pregnancy diagnosis and assessment of fetal numbers in the ewe in a commercial setting.

Jugular plasma progesterone concentrations were used to accurately predict open ewes (96 +/- 3%) in early pregnancy, but they less accurately predicted subsequent lambing especially during the late breeding season and most of the seasonal anestrus. Progesterone values clearly indicated that 500 I.U. of P.M.S.G. elevated ovulation rate in synchronized ewes, but did not clearly indicate fetal numbers. During late pregnancy (88-108 days), abdominal palpation, doplar ultrasound and serum progesterone analysis were equally efficacious in predicting lambing (86 +/- 9.8%, 90 +/- 9.0% and 87 +/- 4.1%, respectively), but a high percentage of ewes lambed that were diagnosed as nonpregnant (30 +/- 15.0%, 48 +/- 17.3% and 25 +/- 8.4%, respectively). Accuracy of the serum progesterone test improved the later the test was performed, although considerable individual overlap existed. Progesterone values for ewes bearing 1, 2, or greater than 2 fetuses at 94 to 95 days of gestation differed (5.5 +/- 0.3, 8.0 +/- 0.4 and 12.4 +/- 2.1, respectively (P < 0.05), whereas at 103 to 108 days values for ewes carrying two or more fetuses did not differ.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

LEA proteins in higher plants: structure, function, gene expression and regulation.

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are mainly low molecular weight (10-30 kDa) proteins, which are involved in protecting higher plants from damage caused by environmental stresses, especially drought (dehydration). These findings and the fact that the breeding of drought tolerant varieties would be of great value in agriculture, form the basis of search for anti-drought inducible genes and their characterization. LEA proteins are generally classified into six groups (families) according to their amino acid sequence and corresponding mRNA homology, which are basically localized in cytoplasm and nuclear region. LEA protein synthesis, expression and biological activities are regulated by many factors (e.g. developmental stages, hormones, ion change and dehydration), signal transduction pathways and lea genes. No tissue-specific lea gene expression has been considered as one main regulatory mechanism on the basis of extensive studies with the model plant, Arabidopsisthaliana. The study of the regulatory mechanism of lea gene expression is an important feature of modern plant molecular biology.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed2001

Effects of maternal age on oocyte developmental competence.

The widespread use of a variety of assisted reproductive technologies has removed many of the constraints that previously restricted mammalian reproduction to the period between onset of puberty and reproductive senescence. In vitro embryo production systems now allow oocytes from very young animals to undergo fertilization and form embryos capable of development to normal offspring, albeit at somewhat reduced efficiencies compared to oocytes from adult females. They also can overcome infertility associated with advanced age of animals and women. This review examines oocyte developmental competence as the limiting factor in applications of assisted reproductive technologies for both juvenile and aged females. Age of oocyte donor is a significant factor influencing developmental competence of the oocyte. Age-related abnormalities of oocytes include a) meiotic incompetence or inability to complete meiotic maturation resulting in oocytes incapable of fertilization; b) errors in meiosis that can be compatible with fertilization but lead to genetic abnormalities that compromise embryo viability; and c) cytoplasmic deficiencies that are expressed at several stages of development before or after fertilization. In general, oocytes from juvenile donors and the embryos derived therefrom appear less robust and may be less tolerant to suboptimal handling and in vitro culture conditions than are adult oocytes. Research to identify specific cytoplasmic deficiencies of juvenile oocytes may enable modifications of culture conditions to correct such deficiencies and thus enhance developmental competence. Use of oocytes from aged donors for assisted reproduction can have a variety of applications such as extending the reproductive life of individual old females whose offspring still have high commercial value, and conservation of genetic resources such as rare breeds of livestock and endangered species. In general, female fertility decreases with advancing age. Studies of women in oocyte donation programs have established reduced oocyte competence as the major cause of declining fertility with age, although inadequate endometrial function can also be a contributing factor. Most research has emphasized the importance of chromosomal abnormalities because of the well established increase in aneuploidy with increasing maternal age but little is known about the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. Research aimed at identifying the specific developmental deficiencies of oocytes from juvenile donors and abnormalities of oocytes from aged females will assist in overcoming present bottlenecks that limit the efficiency of assisted reproduction technologies. Such research will also be crucial to the development of new oocyte-based technologies for overcoming infertility and possibly subverting chromosomal abnormalities in women approaching menopause.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Lysosomal storage diseases in livestock.

Lysosomal storage diseases may be inherited or acquired. The former are usually inherited as autosomal traits, and heterozygotes may be identified by having enzyme activity levels approximately midway between normal and diseased values. Founder effect, enhanced by widespread acceptance of artificial breeding technologies, has been important in the spread of these genetic diseases in cattle. Acquired storage diseases of importance to livestock most frequently are plant intoxications.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Hybridization of banteng (Bos javanicus) and zebu (Bos indicus) revealed by mitochondrial DNA, satellite DNA, AFLP and microsatellites.

Hybridization between wild and domestic bovine species occurs worldwide either spontaneously or by organized crossing. We have analysed hybridization of banteng (Bos javanicus) and zebu (Bos indicus) in south-east Asian cattle using mitochondrial DNA (PCR-RFLP and sequencing), AFLP, satellite fragment length polymorphisms (SFLP or PCR-RFLP of satellite DNA) and microsatellite genotyping. The Indonesian Madura zebu breed is reputed to be of hybrid zebu-banteng origin, but this has never been documented and Bali cattle are considered to be a domesticated form of banteng. The banteng mitochondrial type was found in all animals sampled on the isle of Bali, Indonesia, but only in 35% of the animals from a Malaysian Bali-cattle population. The Madura animals also carried mitochondrial DNA of either zebu and banteng origin. In both populations, zebu introgression was confirmed by AFLP and SFLP. Microsatellite analysis of the Malaysian Bali population revealed for 12 out of 15 loci screened, Bali-cattle-specific alleles, several of which were also found in wild banteng animals. The tools we have described are suitable for the detection of species in introgression studies, which are essential for the genetic description of local breeds and the preservation of their economic and cultural value.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Male-mediated introgression of Bos indicus genes into Argentine and Bolivian Creole cattle breeds.

The geographic distribution and frequency of Bos taurus and Bos indicus Y chromosome haplotypes amongst Argentine and Bolivian Creole cattle breeds were studied, using cytogenetic and molecular genetic techniques. A complete correspondence between Y chromosome morphology and the haplotype of the Y-linked microsatellite marker INRA 124 was found in all males examined. The taurine and indicine haplotypes were detected in 85.7 and 14.3% of the males studied, respectively, although these frequencies varied amongst the different breeds examined. The geographic distribution of this polymorphism suggests a pattern of zebu introgression in South America. The highest frequencies of the Zebu Y-chromosome are found in Brazilian populations (43-90%), in the eastern part of the continent, while it is absent in the southernmost breeds from Uruguay and Argentina. Bolivian breeds, at the centre of the continent, exhibit intermediate values (17-41%). This east/west and north/south gradient of male Zebu introgression could be explained by historical events and environmental factors.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Indirect molecular diagnosis of copper toxicosis in Bedlington terriers is complicated by haplotype diversity.

Positional cloning recently identified the mutation causing copper toxicosis (CT) in Bedlington terriers. Isolation of the MURR1 gene will be of great value in developing a reliable diagnostic test for the breeding of a copper toxicosis-free stock. It will replace the current diagnostic test using the CT-linked marker, C04107, which is located in intron 1 of the MURR1 gene with a distance of approximately 8 kb from the exon 2 deletion. Despite the short distance between C04107 and the CT mutation, possible recombinant dogs have been reported with C04107. Although these dogs have a normal phenotype, they carry the C04107 allele 2, which is associated with CT. To study the origin of this possible recombination event we collected a pedigree consisting of two unaffected American Bedlington terriers and their litter of four pups, which were all homozygous for the C04107 2,2 genotype. Mutation analysis showed that two dogs were heterozygous for the CT exon 2 deletion mutation, whereas four dogs were homozygous for the wild-type (WT) allele. Haplotype analysis was performed using two DNA markers in the MURR1 gene and four DNA markers flanking the gene and spanning a region of approximately 600 kb. Surprisingly, we identified a new haplotype (haplotype C) that contains allele 2 of marker C04107 in combination with the WT MURR1 allele. Analysis of the flanking markers suggests there are different genetic backgrounds in the Bedlington terrier population.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Terminal investment induced by immune challenge and fitness traits associated with major histocompatibility complex in the house sparrow.

The terminal investment hypothesis predicts that individuals should invest more in their present reproduction if they are less likely to survive to future reproductive events. Infections, which reduce viability, may be used by individuals as a cue of a diminishing residual reproductive value and could therefore theoretically trigger an intensification of breeding effort. We tested this hypothesis in a natural population of house sparrows (Passer domesticus). We manipulated the immune system of breeding females by injecting them with a vaccine against the Paramyxo virus, the agent of Newcastle disease. Females were captured and treated immediately after completion of their first clutch either with the vaccine (NDV) or with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The entire clutch was subsequently removed. We also screened Mhc class I genes of females to assess possible genotype-by-immune treatment interactions on reproductive investment. Our results indicate that vaccinated females were more likely to lay replacement clutches and that the difference in number of eggs between first and replacement clutches was greater for NDV females than for controls. In addition, chick size, both in terms of tarsus length and body mass, was affected by immune activation but in interaction with nestling age and female body mass, respectively. Mhc genotype-by-immune treatment interactions were never significant; however, allelic diversity was positively correlated with nestling survival. These results show that immune system activation is potentially used as a cue of reduced survival prospect and appears to induce a costly terminal investment behavior, and Mhc diversity might be under selection in a natural population of house sparrows.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Controlling GRF4-GIF1 expression for efficient, genotype-independent transformation across wheat cultivars.

Wheat is a staple crop critical for global food security, and its continuous genetic improvement is essential to meet the demands of a growing population. Efficient, genotype-independent transformation is a major bottleneck in wheat functional genomics and gene editing. The growth regulating factor (GRF)-GRF-interacting factor (GIF) fusion technology enhances regeneration efficiency and broadens the range of transformable cultivars, but constitutive expression can reduce fertility and spikelet number. Here, we present an optimised Agrobacterium-mediated wheat transformation protocol incorporating GRF4-GIF1, tested across multiple tetraploid and hexaploid cultivars. Transformation efficiency was improved through adjustments in selection pressure, zeatin concentration, and promoter choice, with GRF4-GIF1 consistently enabling successful transformation across genotypes. Tissue-specific promoters and heat-inducible excision strategies effectively minimised pleiotropic effects, such as reduced fertility, while maintaining high transformation rates. This refined system provides a robust and versatile platform for gene function studies and gene editing, advancing genotype-independent wheat transformation and supporting breeding efforts to improve crop productivity, resilience, and nutritional value.

Triticum↗

PubMed1992

Decline in CD4+ cell numbers in cats with naturally acquired feline immunodeficiency virus infection.

T-cell subsets were studied by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis in 57 feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-seropositive cats with naturally acquired FIV infection to see whether CD4(+)-CD8+ alterations were comparable to those observed in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. CD4+ values were decreased and CD8+ values were increased. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio was reduced to 1.6, compared with 3.3 in 33 FIV-seronegative control cats. Variance analysis of data showed a significant influence of FIV seropositivity, sex, and spaying of female cats on CD4+ values. CD8+ values were significantly influenced by FIV seropositivity, age, and breed. These findings indicate a similarity between FIV and human immunodeficiency virus infections, as far as alterations of T-cell subsets are concerned.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1987

Lung function and respiratory symptoms in pig farmers.

In a pilot study to investigate the health effects of swine confinement work on the respiratory tract pulmonary function tests and a questionnaire for respiratory symptoms were used. Complete data, including qualitative exposure information, were gathered for 132 owners of fattening, breeding, or closed pig farms. All measured pulmonary function values, except the FVC, were on average lower than the reference values of the European Committee for Coal and Steel. There were no significant associations between duration of exposure and pulmonary function. About 28% of the farmers had respiratory or flu-like symptoms during or shortly after confinement work; 14% reported symptoms four to eight hours after work. For the fattening farm the following elements of confinement management were negatively correlated with pulmonary function: fully slatted floor, an automatic feeding system, natural ventilation, and the use of dust masks. A significant association between lung disease of the pigs and pulmonary function of the pig farmers was observed.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗

PubMed2003

Genetic analysis and genome mapping in Raphanus.

The first genetic map of the Raphanus genome was developed based on meiosis in a hybrid between Raphanus sativus (cultivated radish) and Raphanus raphanistrum (wild radish). This hybrid was used to produce a BC1 population of 54 individuals and an F2 population of 85 individuals. A total of 236 marker loci were assayed in these populations using a set of 144 informative Brassica RFLP probes previously used for genetic mapping in other crucifer species. The genetic maps derived from the BC1 and F2 populations were perfectly collinear and were integrated to produce a robust Raphanus map. Cytological observations demonstrated strict bivalent pairing in the R. sativus x R. raphanistrum hybrids. Productive pairing along the length of each chromosome was confirmed by the identification of nine extensive linkage groups and the lack of clustering of marker loci. Indeed, the distributions of both marker loci and crossovers was more random than those reported for other crop species. The genetic markers and the reference map of Raphanus will be of considerable value for future trait mapping and marker-assisted breeding in this crop, as well as in the intergenomic transfer of Raphanus genes into Brassica crops. The future benefits of comparative mapping with Arabidopsis and Brassica species are also discussed.

Chromosome Mapping↗

PubMed2026

Integrative analysis of transcriptome and chromatin accessibility reveals promoter-proximal regulation and identifies candidate ABC transporters associated with cold stress responses in maize.

BACKGROUND: Low-temperature stress is a formidable environmental constraint that severely limits the growth and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.), particularly during the highly vulnerable early seedling stage. While cold tolerance is a critical agronomic objective, the integrated transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that govern this trait remain largely elusive. Characterizing these coordinated molecular networks is fundamental to the genetic enhancement of cold resilience in maize. METHODS: Using two maize inbred lines contrasting in chilling response (ZHB12 tolerant, B73 sensitive), we performed integrative time‑course RNA‑seq and ATAC‑seq to thoroughly and systematically characterize the precise dynamic interplay between gene expression and chromatin accessibility under cold stress conditions at the seedling stage. RESULTS: Physiological assessments confirmed that ZHB12 possesses superior cold tolerance, manifested by significantly attenuated electrolyte leakage and reduced foliar damage compared to B73. Transcriptomic profiling revealed a massive, time-dependent divergence in gene expression between the two genotypes, with a major regulatory transition identified at 24 h of cold exposure. Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that ZHB12 preferentially activates a robust defense repertoire, including Photosystem II electron transport, diterpenoid biosynthesis, and ATP biosynthetic pathways. Notably, multiple ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes were coordinately upregulated under chilling, suggesting their potential involvement in cellular homeostasis. ATAC-seq analysis indicated that cold stress is associated with chromatin remodeling in ZHB12, with increased accessibility observed in proximal promoter regions. Integrative analysis identified a core set of dual-responsive genes, in which increased promoter accessibility coincided with transcriptional upregulation. These genes were predominantly enriched in transporter activity and transcriptional regulation, suggesting potential epigenetic link to the superior stress response of ZHB12. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal extensive transcriptional and chromatin accessibility changes in ZHB12 under cold stress. The observed associations between promoter accessibility and gene activation, particularly in genes involved in transport processes, highlight candidate regulators potentially contributing to cold tolerance. This study provides a molecular framework and identifies high-value candidate genes that may inform future efforts in breeding cold-tolerant maize, pending functional validation.

Zea mays↗