Prevalence of polycystic kidney disease in Persian and Persian-related cats in western Mexico.

OBJECTIVES: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most frequently diagnosed hereditary disease affecting Persian cats, is caused by a cytosine-to-adenine transversion (10063C>A) in PKD1, the gene that codes for polycystin-1. The objective of this study was to provide a preliminary estimate of the frequency of the pathogenic 10063C>A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of PKD1 in Persian and Persian-related cat breeds in western Mexico. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 104 cats (89 Persian, seven Persian crossbreed, five Siamese and three Himalayan cats). Genotyping was performed with our proposed PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay, as well as a previously established PCR-RFLP method for validation. The genotypes of control cats were corroborated by a commercial veterinary genetics laboratory. RESULTS: Our proposed PCR-RFLP assay and the validated PCR-RFLP methodology indicated that 24/104 (23.1%) cats in this study were heterozygous carriers of the 10063C>A SNP, including 23/89 Persian cats (25.8%) and 1/7 Persian crossbreed cats (14.3%). No Siamese or Himalayan cats were carriers. There were no discrepancies between the results obtained with our proposed assay and those obtained with the validation method or with commercial laboratory results. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The carrier frequency of the PKD1 10063C>A SNP in Persian and Persian-related cat breeds in western Mexico was found to be 23.1%. ADPKD frequencies among cat populations in Mexico have not been published previously. Genotyping assays can be used to facilitate the selection of breeding stocks by local breeders and veterinarians to avoid propagation of ADPKD.

Effect of COQ9 and STAT5A polymorphisms on reproductive performance in a Holstein cow herd in Mexico.

Coenzyme Q9 (COQ9), a coenzyme Q (CoQ) precursor, is an essential component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain that drives adenosine triphosphate production. COQ9 polymorphism 18:25527339 is characterized by substitution of guanine (allele G) for adenine (allele A), which modifies the function of the protein encoded by the gene. In Holsteins, allele A has been associated with better reproductive performance in terms of the conception rate, number of services per conception (SPC) and days open (DO). The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) protein is a transcription factor activated in the presence of cytokines and growth factors. STAT5A polymorphism 19:42407732 in exon 8 has been associated with higher fertility and embryonic survival rates. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of COQ9 and STAT5A polymorphisms with reproductive parameters [calving to first heat interval (CFHI), DO and SPC]. Blood samples were taken from 112 lactating Holstein from a herd in México for allele genotyping by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). To estimate the association between reproductive parameters and genotypes, a linear mixed-effect model was performed. The COQ9 AG genotype was associated significantly with lower SPC (P<0.05) but not with DO or CFHI. No significant association with any reproductive parameter was found for STAT5A. Our findings suggest that the COQ9 18:25527339 polymorphism is a useful molecular marker for improvement of reproductive performance in dairy herds.

A novel simple genotyping assay for detection of the 'Gait keeper' mutation in DMRT3 and allele frequencies in Azteca and Costa Rican Saddle Horse breeds.

The 'Gait keeper' mutation in the DMRT3 gene alters locomotion and gait patterns in horses. This mutation (C>A) has been found in all gaited breeds of horses analyzed but is absent in most non-gaited breeds. We developed a new mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) based method for simple detection of horse DMRT3 genotype. Our method was applied in a preliminary study to determine DMRT3 allele frequencies in 78 Azteca horses (AZ) and 53 Costa Rican Saddle Horses (CRSH). We found a wild-type C allele frequency of 100% in the AZ horses. For the CRSH, the wild-type C frequency and mutant A allele frequency were 88.7% and 11.3%, respectively.

Carrier frequency of autosomal recessive disorders (BC, BLAD, FXID and CVM) in Holstein cows in Jalisco, Mexico

The hereditary autosomal recessive disorders bovine citrullinemia (BC), bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD), factor XI deficiency (FXID), and complex vertebral malformation (CVM) have affected dairy cattle breeding significantly around the world. This study examined the carrier frequency of BC, BLAD, FXID, and CVM autosomal recessive disorders in Bos taurus Holstein cows bred in the Altos Norte region of the state of Jalisco, Mexico. We extracted DNA from 408 random samples of peripheral blood, and then used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify insertion mutations for FXID, and PCR with restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for CVM, BC and BLAD. We visualized the PCR products using agarose gel electrophoresis stained with GelRed®. We found that 100% of wild-type (N/N) allele homozygous animals for genes CD18, ASS, and FXI were free of the mutations for BLAD, BC and FXID respectively. For gene SLC35A3 we estimated total carrier frequency of 10.3% and allele frequency of 5%.(AU)

Effect of aqave oliqofructose feed on eqq production from layinq hens / Efecto de oligofructosa de agave en dietas de gallinas ponedoras en la producción de huevos

ABSTRACT Objective. To determine egg production in laying hens treated with oligofructose from agave. Materials and methods. Eighteen weeks old Hy-line W-36 hens (n = 300) were distributed randomly into 3 treatment groups: no feed supplementation (control) or feed supplementation with 0.1% of 0.2% oligofructose from agave (OFA). Hens were monitored from development until 30 weeks of egg laying. Results. A significant (p<0.05) increase in the percent of egg-laying hens as well as increased in egg weight and egg quality occurred in hens from the OFA treatment groups relative to the control hens. Significantly lower levels (p<0.05) of fecal putrescine were observed in hens from the OFA treatment groups. Conclusions. The oligofructose from agave may be used as an alternative feed additive in laying hens.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Determinar la producción de huevos en gallinas tratadas con oligofructosa de agave (OFA). Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 300 gallinas de la línea genética Hy-line w-36, de 18 semanas de nacidas, distribuidas aleatoriamente en tres tratamientos con cuatro repeticiones de 25 gallinas cada uno. Los tratamientos consistieron en tres niveles de OFA, 0, 0.1 y 0.2% en alimento. La prueba duró desde las 18 hasta las 30 semanas de postura. Resultados. Se presentó un incremento significativo (p<0.05) en el porcentaje de postura y peso del huevo, así como en índices de calidad del huevo a favor de tratamientos con OFA. Se encontraron valores significativamente (p<0.05) más bajos de putrescina fecal en las gallinas tratadas con OFA. Conclusiones. El uso de la OFA en gallinas ponedoras puede ser una alternativa como aditivo en la alimentación.

Frequency of canine degenerative myelopathy SOD1:c.118G>A mutation in 22 dog breeds in Guadalajara, Mexico / Frecuencia de la mutación SOD1:c.118G>A de mielopatía degenerativa canina en 22 razas de perros en Guadalajara, México / Frequência da mutação SOD1: c.118G>A de mielopatía degenerativa canina em 22 raças de cães no Guadalajara, México

Abstract Background: Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a late-onset disease that primarily affects large-breed dogs. The disease involves the spinal cord and produces progressive paresia and, eventually, complete loss of mobility. DM has been related to missense mutation c.118G>A in the SOD1 gene. Objective: To determine the genotypic and genic frequencies of DM in Mexico. Methods: In total, 330 samples from 22 different dog breeds were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) technique. Results: The mutation was identified in 71 animals from 11 different breeds. Observed genic frequencies were 0.78 for the G allele and 0.14 for the A allele. Genotypic frequencies were 0.79 for the G/G wild-type, 0.14 for the G/A heterozygote, and 0.7 for the A/A homozygote. Conclusion: The genic frequency of this allele is high among the studied populations. A molecular marker program that identifies the DM mutation in breeding dogs should be implemented in order to reduce this frequency.

Resumen Antecedentes: La mielopatía degenerativa canina (MD) es una enfermedad progresiva de presentación tardía que afecta a la médula espinal, generalmente en caninos de razas grandes, y que produce paresis progresiva y eventual pérdida completa de la movilidad. Se ha relacionado con una mutación puntual por sustitución de bases en el gen SOD1 recientemente identificado como c.118G>A. Objetivo: Determinar las frecuencias genotípicas y génicas para la presentación de DM en México. Métodos: Se genotipificaron 330 muestras de perros de 22 razas mediante la técnica de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa y polimorfismos de longitud de fragmentos de restricción (PCR- RFLPs). Resultados: Se identificó la mutación en 71 animales de 11 razas diferentes. Las frecuencias génicas encontradas fueron de 0,78 para el alelo G y de 0,14 para el alelo A. Las frecuencias genotípicas fueron de 0,79 para el tipo silvestre G/G, 0,14 para el heterocigoto G/A y 0,7 para el homocigoto A/A. Conclusión: La frecuencia encontrada para la mutación es alta en las poblaciones estudiadas. La aplicación de un programa de selección asistida por marcadores moleculares contra la mutación causante de MDC en perros reproductores resultaría útil para reducir su frecuencia.

Resumo Antecedentes: A mielopatía degenerativa canina (MD) é uma doença progressiva de apresentação tardia que afeta a medula espinal geralmente de caninos de raças grandes e que produz paresia progressiva e eventualmente a perda completa da mobilidade. Tem sido relacionada com uma mutação pontual por substituição de bases no gen SOD1, recentemente identificado como c.118G>A. Objetivo: Determinar as frequências genotípicas e genéticas para a apresentação de DM no México. Métodos: Genotipagem de 330 amostras de cães de 22 raças por meio da técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase e polimorfismos no comprimento de fragmentos de restrição (PCR- RFLPs). Resultados: A mutação foi identificada em 71 animais de 11 raças diferentes. As frequências gênicas encontradas foram de 0,78 para o alelo G e de 0,14 para o alelo A. As frequências genotípicas foram de 0,79 para o tipo silvestre G/G, 0,14 para o heterozigoto G/A e 0,7 para o homozigoto A/A. Conclusão: A frequência encontrada para a mutação é alta nas populações estudadas. A implementação de um programa de seleção assistida por marcadores moleculares contra a mutação que causa MDC seria útil para reduzir a sua frequência.

Genotyping of friesian horses to detect a hydrocephalus-associated c.1423C>T mutation in B3GALNT2 using PCR-RFLP and PCR-PIRA methods: Frequency in stallion horses in México.

Hydrocephalus in Friesian horses is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease that can result in an abortion, a stillbirth, or euthanization of a newborn foal. Here, the hydrocephalus-associated c.1423C > T mutation in B3GALNT2 gene was detected with PCR-RFLP and PCR-PIRA methods for horse genotyping. A preliminary genotyping survey was performed on 83 randomly selected Friesian stallion horses to determine the current allele frequency in Mexico. The frequency of the mutant T allele was 9.6%.

Diagnosis and prevalence of Theileria equi horses in western Mexico by nested PCR.

Theileria equi infection prevalence was calculated from 1000 blood samples obtained from apparently healthy horses in western Mexico. Samples were sent to the Animal Biotechnology Laboratory of the University of Guadalajara (Mexico) for T. equi diagnosis. Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was used as a diagnostic method to detect pathogen DNA. Using primers for the merozoite antigen-1 (EMA-1) gene, 19.70±2.47% of the horses (95% CI, 17.23-22.17%) tested positive for T. equi. There was no significant association between gender and T. equi infection. However, prevalence was higher among stabled horses (25.81%) than that among grazing horses (15.02%). The positivity rate was also higher among Quarter Horse (24.70%), Lusitano (35.90%), and Costa Rican Saddle Horse (47.37%) breeds than that among the other seven breeds investigated in this study. The percentage of T. equi infection was higher among adult horses (≥ 4years old, 25.05%) than that among colts and fillies (2-4years old, 15.48%), yearlings (1-2years old, 10.49%), and foals (<1year old, 10.34%). This is the first study of T. equi infection prevalence among horses in Mexico by nPCR . The results indicate that the equine piroplasmosis (EP) caused by T. equi is enzootic in western Mexico.

New test for endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB) mutation genotyping in horses.

Lethal white foal syndrome (LWFS) is an autosomal recessive disease of neonatal foals characterized by a white hair coat and a functional intestinal obstruction. Traditional techniques for identifying the dinucleotide mutation (TC→AG) of the endothelin receptor B gene (EDNRB) associated with LWFS are time-consuming. We developed a new technique based on mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) for simple detection of the EDNRB genotype in horses.