Refining the evolutionary tree of the horse Y chromosome.

The Y chromosome carries information about the demography of paternal lineages, and thus, can prove invaluable for retracing both the evolutionary trajectory of wild animals and the breeding history of domesticates. In horses, the Y chromosome shows a limited, but highly informative, sequence diversity, supporting the increasing breeding influence of Oriental lineages during the last 1500 years. Here, we augment the primary horse Y-phylogeny, which is currently mainly based on modern horse breeds of economic interest, with haplotypes (HT) segregating in remote horse populations around the world. We analyze target enriched sequencing data of 5 Mb of the Y chromosome from 76 domestic males, together with 89 whole genome sequenced domestic males and five Przewalski's horses from previous studies. The resulting phylogeny comprises 153 HTs defined by 2966 variants and offers unprecedented resolution into the history of horse paternal lineages. It reveals the presence of a remarkable number of previously unknown haplogroups in Mongolian horses and insular populations. Phylogenetic placement of HTs retrieved from 163 archaeological specimens further indicates that most of the present-day Y-chromosomal variation evolved after the domestication process that started around 4200 years ago in the Western Eurasian steppes. Our comprehensive phylogeny significantly reduces ascertainment bias and constitutes a robust evolutionary framework for analyzing horse population dynamics and diversity.

Y-Chromosomal Insights into Breeding History and Sire Line Genealogies of Arabian Horses.

The Y chromosome is a valuable genetic marker for studying the origin and influence of paternal lineages in populations. In this study, we conducted Y-chromosomal lineage-tracing in Arabian horses. First, we resolved a Y haplotype phylogeny based on the next generation sequencing data of 157 males from several breeds. Y-chromosomal haplotypes specific for Arabian horses were inferred by genotyping a collection of 145 males representing most Arabian sire lines that are active around the globe. These lines formed three discrete haplogroups, and the same haplogroups were detected in Arabian populations native to the Middle East. The Arabian haplotypes were clearly distinct from the ones detected in Akhal Tekes, Turkoman horses, and the progeny of two Thoroughbred foundation sires. However, a haplotype introduced into the English Thoroughbred by the stallion Byerley Turk (1680), was shared among Arabians, Turkomans, and Akhal Tekes, which opens a discussion about the historic connections between Oriental horse types. Furthermore, we genetically traced Arabian sire line breeding in the Western World over the past 200 years. This confirmed a strong selection for relatively few male lineages and uncovered incongruences to written pedigree records. Overall, we demonstrate how fine-scaled Y-analysis contributes to a better understanding of the historical development of horse breeds.

The Reference Intervals of Hair Trace Element Content in Hereford Cows and Heifers (Bos taurus).

The objective of the present study was to assess hair trace element content in Hereford heifers and cows (Bos taurus) living in South Ural region and calculate the site-specific reference intervals. Hair trace element content in 150 cows and heifers farmed in the Southern Urals of Russia was assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. Dietary trace element content corresponded to the adequate values as estimated by recommendations of USSR State Agriculture Committee and U.S. National Research Council. Comparative analysis demonstrated that heifers are characterized by significantly higher hair Se (3-fold), Hg (4-fold), and Sn (46%) content, whereas cows had significantly higher levels of hair Co (56%), I (33%), Si (2-fold), V (27%), B (55%), Cd (19%), Pb (47%), and Sr (23%). At the same time, no significant group difference in hair Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Zn, As, and Ni was detected between Hereford cows and heifers. The reference intervals and 90% confidence intervals for the lower and upper limits were calculated in agreement with the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology Quality Assurance and Laboratory Standard Guidelines.

meso-Phenyltetrabenzotriazaporphyrin based double-decker lanthanide(III) complexes: synthesis, structure, spectral properties and electrochemistry.

A series of half-sandwich and sandwich-type lanthanide(III) complexes have been prepared using tetrabenzotriazaporphyrin ligands. Reaction of 27-phenyl-29H,31H-tetrabenzo[b,g,l,q][5,10,15]-triazaporphyrin (PhTBTAPH2, 1) with salts [LnX3]·nH2O (Ln = Eu (a), Lu (b); X = OAc, acac) afforded the single- and homoleptic double-deckers (PhTBTAP)LnOAc (2) and (PhTBTAP)2Ln (3) respectively. Heteroleptic double-decker compounds (PhTBTAP)LnPc (4a,b) were obtained upon interaction of 1 with the corresponding Ln mono(phthalocyaninates). An unexpected formation of partially and completely dephenylated co-products 5 and 6 has been detected in the synthesis of sandwich 3, while the possibility of the dearylation of the half-sandwich compound 2 has been demonstrated as well. A more predictable yet firstly observed formation of the triple-decker compound (PhTBTAP)3Eu2 (7) has also been found. Structural studies of 3 supported by 1H NMR spectra, XRD analysis and DFT theoretical calculations reveal that the Eu complex 3a is formed as a single isomer, while the lutetium compound 3b represents an inseparable mixture of two rotational isomers with virtually identical spectral characteristics. The double-decker compounds 3 and 4 reveal intrinsic UV-Vis/NIR absorption as well as peculiar electrochromic behavior. The heteroleptic derivatives 4 generally show intermediate spectral and electrochemical properties with respect to their homoleptic relatives.

Bis(tetrabenzotriazaporphyrinato) and (tetrabenzotriazaporphyrinato)(phthalocyaninato) lutetium(III) complexes--novel sandwich-type tetrapyrrolic ligand based NIR absorbing electrochromes.

The first sandwich-type complexes have been prepared for tetrabenzotriazaporphyrin ligands. The compounds reveal intrinsic UV-Vis/NIR absorption as well as peculiar electrochromic behavior. The heteroleptic (tetrabenzotriazaporphyrinato)(phthalocyaninato) lutetium derivative shows intermediate spectral and electrochemical properties with respect to homoleptic relatives.