Genetics and Genomics Commons^™

Genetic Relationship Between Longevity And Objectively Or Subjectively Assessed Performance Traits In Sheep Using Linear Censored Models, W. Mekkaway, Rainer Roehe, Ronald M. Lewis, M. H. Davies, L. Bünger, G. Simm, W. Haresign

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Genetic parameters of longevity in crossbred mule ewes, and genetic relationships among longevity, growth, body composition, and subjectively assessed traits on mule lambs and ewes have been estimated using Bayesian linear censored models. Additionally, the genetic associations between longevity and culling reasons were examined. Data comprised 1,797 observations of mule ewes for longevity, culling reasons, growth, body composition, mouth scores, and type traits. Longevity was defined as the time (in years) from 2 yr of age (the age at first lambing of most ewes) to culling or death. Censored data (i.e., observations for which only the lower bound of the …

Predictors Of Response And Genetic Resistance/Susceptibility In Pigs To Infection With Porcine Reproductive And Respiratory Syndrome Virus, Donald G. Levis, Rodger K. Johnson,, Thomas A. Rathje, Fernando A. Osorio

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The primary objective of this study was to determine differences in growth rate and expression of specific immune function genes and levels of cytokines between pigs that are more resistant and more susceptible to PRRSV infection. The data generated in this replication were combined with data from a previous replication. At 34 ± 5 days of age (8.2 ± 1.8 kg body weight), 220 weaned pigs free of PRRSV were transported from their farm of origin to the wean-to-finish barn at the Haskell Agricultural Laboratory. The pigs were randomly allotted to one of 16 pens (2.4 m x 4.3 m) …

Multiple Genes On Chromosome 7 Regulate Dopaminergic Amacrine Cell Number In The Mouse Retina, Irene E. Whitney, Mary A. Day, Daniel C. Ciobanu, Robert W. Williams, Benjamin E. Reese

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Purpose—The size of neuronal populations is modulated by gene variants that influence cell production and survival, in turn influencing neuronal connectivity, function, and disease risk. The size of the dopaminergic amacrine (DA) cell population is a highly heritable trait exhibiting six-fold variation among inbred strains of mice, and is used here to identify genes that modulate the number of DA cells.

Methods—The entire population was counted in retinal wholemounts from 37 genetically defined lines of mice, including six standard inbred strains, 25 recombinant inbred strains (AXB/BXA), reciprocal F1 hybrids, a chromosome (Chr) 7 consomic line, and three additional …

Comparison Of Feeding Wet Distillers Grains In A Bunk Or On The Ground To Cattle Grazing Native Sandhills Winter Range, Jacqueline Musgrave, Leslie Aaron Stalker, Matthew C. Stockton, T. J. Klopfenstein

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two-experiments determined the effects of feeding wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) either on the ground or in a bunk to cattle grazing native Sandhills winter range. In Experiment 1 (Exp. 1), 120 multiparous March-calving cows (536 ± 53.5 kg BW) were stratified by age and assigned to one of four treatments: WDGS fed on the ground, either three or six d/wk; or WDGS fed in a bunk either three or six d/wk. In Experiment 2 (Exp. 2), 63 March-born steer calves (201.2 ± 27.5 kg BW) were stratified by weight and assigned to one of two feeding treatments: WDGS …

Supplementing Wet Distillers Grains Mixed With Low Quality Forage To Grazing Cow Calf Pairs, Brandon L. Nuttelman, William Griffin, T. J. Klopfenstein, Walter H. Schacht, Leslie Aaron Stalker, Jacqueline Musgrave, Jerry D. Volesky

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Two consecutive summer grazing studies were conducted to quantify the effect of supplementing cows with wet distillers grains (WDGS) mixed with low quality forage on 1) grazed forage intake and 2) cow and calf performance. During exp. 1, twenty-four three year old lactating cows rotationally grazed for 56 d and were assigned to one of three treatments: 1) the recommended stocking rate of 1.48 AUM/ha with no supplementation (CON1), 2) double the recommended stocking rate (2.96 AUM/ha) and supplemented 6.64 kg/hd daily of 45% grass hay and 55% WDGS (DM) to replace 50% of estimated total intake (SUP), and 3) …

Large-Scale Association Study For Structural Soundness And Leg Locomotion Traits In The Pig, Bin Fan, Suneel K. Onteru, Benny E. Mote, Timo Serenius, Kenneth J. Stalder, Max F. Rothschild

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Background: Identification and culling of replacement gilts with poor skeletal conformation and feet and leg (FL) unsoundness is an approach used to reduce sow culling and mortality rates in breeding stock. Few candidate genes related to soundness traits have been identified in the pig.

Methods: In this study, 2066 commercial females were scored for 17 traits describing body conformation and FL structure, and were used for association analyses. Genotyping of 121 SNPs derived from 95 genes was implemented using Sequenom's MassARRAY system.

Results: Based on the association results from single trait and principal components using mixed linear …

Association And Haplotype Analyses Of Positional Candidate Genes In Five Genomic Regions Linked To Scrotal Hernia In Commercial Pig Lines, Zhi-Qiang Du, Xia Zhao, Natascha Vukasinovic, Fernanda Rodriguez, Archie C. Clutter, Max F. Rothschild

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Scrotal hernia in pigs is a complex trait likely affected by genetic and environmental factors. A large-scale association analysis of positional and functional candidate genes was conducted in four previously identified genomic regions linked to hernia susceptibility on Sus scrofa chromosomes 2 and 12, as well as the fifth region around 67 cM on chromosome 2, respectively. In total, 151 out of 416 SNPs discovered were genotyped successfully. Using a family-based analysis we found that four regions surrounding ELF5, KIF18A, COL23A1 on chromosome 2, and NPTX1 on chromosome 12, respectively, may contain the genetic variants important for the …

Age And Diet Affect Gene Expression Profile In Canine Skeletal Muscle, Ingmar S. Middelbos, Brittany M. Vester, Lisa K. Karr-Lilienthal, Lawrence B. Schook, Kelly S. Swanson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

We evaluated gene transcription in canine skeletal muscle (biceps femoris) using microarray analysis to identify effects of age and diet on gene expression. Twelve female beagles were used (six 1-year olds and six 12-year olds) and they were fed one of two experimental diets for 12 months. One diet contained primarily plant-based protein sources (PPB), whereas the second diet contained primarily animal-based protein sources (APB). Affymetrix GeneChip Canine Genome Arrays were used to hybridize extracted RNA. Age had the greatest effect on gene transcription (262 differentially expressed genes), whereas the effect of diet was relatively small (22 differentially expressed genes). …

Characterization Of 24 Microsatellite Loci In Delta Smelt, Hypomesus Transpacificus, And Their Cross-Species Amplification In Two Other Smelt Species Of The Osmeridae Family, Kathleen M. Fisch, Jessica Lynn Petersen, Melinda R. Baerwald, John K. Pedroia, Bernie May

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

We characterized 24 polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellite loci for delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) endemic to the San Francisco Bay Estuary, California, USA. Screening of samples (n = 30) yielded two to 26 alleles per locus with observed levels of heterozygosity ranging from 0.17 to 1.0. Only one locus deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, suggesting these individuals originate from a single panmictic population. Linkage disequilibrium was found in two pairs of loci after excluding the locus out of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Twenty-two primer pairs cross-amplified in wakasagi smelt (Hypomesus nipponensis), and 15 primer pairs cross-amplified in longfin smelt ( …

Effects Of Time Of Transporting Prior To Sale Date On Selling Weight Of Weaned Steer Calves, L. M. Kovarik, Matt K. Luebbe, Joshua R. Benton, Galen E. Erickson, Richard J. Rasby

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Eighty-eight crossbred weaned steer calves (250 + 26 kg) were used to evaluate weight loss (shrink) when transported to a mock sale barn on differing days prior to sale. The calves were weaned 14 days and fed free choice grass hay and 0.9 kg of DDGS at UNL’s Dalbey-Halleck Research Unit. Two days before initiation of treatments all calves were fed grass hay ad libitum and initial BW were recorded on two consecutive days. Calves were assigned randomly to treatment as a completely randomized design. On d 2, 1d restricted and 1d ad libitum treatments were transported 150 km to …

Thirty-Seven Additional Microsatellite Loci In The Pacific Lion-Paw Scallop (Nodipecten Subnodosus) And Cross-Amplification In Other Pectinids, Jessica Lynn Petersen, Ana M. Ibarra, Bernie May

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

We characterized 37 new microsatellite markers in the Pacific lion-paw scallop (Nodipecten subnodosus) and tested for cross-amplification in four other species. Genetic diversity was estimated using 24 individuals from the Lagoon Ojo de Liebre, B.C.S., Mexico. Allelic richness varied from 5 to 27 alleles per locus and the average expected heterozygosity was 0.76. Ten loci exhibited significant departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium likely due to the presence of null alleles. Sixteen of these markers cross-amplified in closely related N. nodosus, while little or no amplification was observed in three Argopecten species.

Effect Of Hydrogen Peroxide In The Scald Tank On The Microbial Count Of Pork Skin, A. S. De Mello Jr., R. O. Roca

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) (50% v/v) on pork skin microbial populations. Forty-eight crossbred hogs were analyzed after dehairing and 30 during chilling. Three different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide were added to the scalding water (0.01, 0.05 and 0.1% of the total capacity of the scald tank). In treatment I no addition of H₂O₂ was applied while, in treatment II, H₂O₂ was added at 0 min and, in treatment III, it was added at 0, 30 and 60 min. Both treatments …