Detection of whole genome selection signatures of Pakistani Teddy goat.

BACKGROUND: Natural and artificial selection tend to cause variability that contributes to shape the genome of livestock in a way that differentiates them among the animal kingdom. The particular aim here is to identify positive selection signatures with whole genome pooled-sequence data of Pakistani Teddy goat. METHODS AND RESULTS: Paired-end alignment of 635,357,043 reads of Teddy goat with (ARS1) reference genome assembly was carried out. Pooled-Heterozygosity (Hp) and Tajima's D (TD) are applied for validation and getting better hits of selection signals, while pairwise FST statistics is conducted on Teddy vs. Bezoar (wild goat ancestor) for genomic differentiation, moreover annotation of regions under positive selection was also performed. Hp score with - ZHp > 5 detected six windows having highest hits on Chr. 29, 9, 25, 15 and 14 that harbor HRASLS5, LACE1 and AXIN1 genes which are candidate for embryonic development, lactation and body height. Secondly, - ZTD value of > 3.3 showed 4 windows with very strong hits on Chr.5 & 9 which harbor STIM1 and ADM genes related to body mass and weight. Lastly, - ZFST < - 5 generated four strong signals on Chr.5 & 12 harbor LOC102183233 gene. Other significant selection signatures encompass genes associated with wool production, prolificacy and coat colors traits in this breed. CONCLUSIONS: In brief, this study identified the genes under selection in Pakistani Teddy goat that will be helpful to refining the marker-assisted breeding policies and converging required production traits within and across other goat breeds and to explore full genetic potential of this valued species of livestock.

Studies on wheat bran Arabinoxylan for its immunostimulatory and protective effects against avian coccidiosis.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) bran derived polysaccharides, Arabinoxylans (AXs), were evaluated for their immunostimulatory and protective efficacy against Eimeria infection in chickens. Humoral response revealed significantly higher (P<0.05) total Igs, IgG and IgM titers at days 7th and 14th post primary and secondary injections of sheep red blood cells in the experimental chickens administered with AXs as compared to those of control group. The percent protection and daily weight gains were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the chickens of experimental groups as compared to control; whereas, mean oocyst per gram of droppings and lesion scores were significantly higher (P<0.05) in control group as compared to chickens in the experimental groups. The differences in organ body weight ratio of all the lymphoid organs were statistically non-significant (P>0.05) between experimental and control groups except thymus and cecal tonsils. In conclusion, AXs showed both immunostimulatory and protective effects against coccidiosis in broiler chickens.