Summary A cattle database of candidate genes and genetic markers for milk production and mastitis has been developed to provide an integrated research tool incorporating different types of information supporting a genomic approach to study lactation, udder development and health. The database contains 943 genes and genetic markers involved in mammary gland development and function, representing candidates for further functional studies. The candidate loci were drawn on a genetic map to reveal positional overlaps. For identification of candidate loci, data from seven different research approaches were exploited: (i) gene knockouts or transgenes in mice that result in specific phenotypes associated with mammary gland (143 loci); (ii) cattle QTL for milk production (344) and mastitis related traits (71); (iii) loci with sequence variations that show specific allele-phenotype interactions associated with milk production (24) or mastitis (10) in cattle; (iv) genes with expression profiles associated with milk production (207) or mastitis (107) in cattle or mouse; (v) cattle milk protein genes that exist in different genetic variants (9); (vi) miRNAs expressed in bovine mammary gland (32) and (vii) epigenetically regulated cattle genes associated with mammary gland function (1). Fourty-four genes found by multiple independent analyses were suggested as the most promising candidates and were further in silico analysed for expression levels in lactating mammary gland, genetic variability and top biological functions in functional networks. A miRNA target search for mammary gland expressed miRNAs identified 359 putative binding sites in 3¢UTRs of candidate genes.

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Database of cattle candidate genes and genetic markers for milk production and mastitis.

Polymorphism of the growth hormone gene and its association with growth traits in Boer goat bucks

Single gene and gene interaction effects on fertilization and embryonic survival rates in cattle.

Molecular markers and their applications in cattle genetic research: A review

In reflecting on the role nuclear and related techniques have played in resolving problems of livestock kept by the poor in developing countries, the author acknowledges previous reviews in this area which dealt with the use of these techniques in generating new information on the elaboration of metabolic pathways, in unraveling the complexity of disease transmission, in understanding feedbacks in the endocrine system in relation to reproductive and metabolic hormones, and in attenuating parasites for vaccine production. Clearly the early benefits, perhaps with the exception of vaccine irradiation work, had more intellectual/scientific than economic/practical value. This short review, however, considers developments to date from the perspective of both the users and beneficiaries of such knowledge. It is only in the last 30 years or so that new knowledge and innovative technologies based on nuclear and related techniques have been used in the field to address challenges facing livestock keepers. Interestingly, these developments occurred in parallel with new knowledge in the physical and biological sciences — particularly in the use of plastics in bio-medicine, in fluid transfer and analytical throughput systems, in the computerisation of analytical technologies, in the measurement/detection of ultra-low levels of radiation in immunology, and in molecular biology. Also, there has been a palpable increase in interest of the business sector in developing robust and/or field-oriented technologies for use in the South e.g. nuclear and other marker-linked assay systems for the measurement of a wide range of key antigens and antibodies. In reviewing these developments, the author has attempted to place them within a development context and to draw out lessons learned particularly from the perspective of their contribution to solving problems of animal health and production and contributing to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Ten lessons are identified for consideration by FAO/IAEA, donors, policy makers, research managers and researchers to make the use of nuclear and related techniques more applicable and available for users, and to ensure the benefits of such techniques address the needs of poor livestock keepers. They include: a less reductionist approach to research; a more holistic approach to research on livestock systems; more diverse public and private research partnerships; longer, more sustained research trajectories; more support for extension/technology transfer; better communications (and resources) to facilitate wide-scale adoption of research products; more emphasis on monitoring and evaluating the outputs of research on livestock production and livelihoods; and greater advocacy of evidence for the key contribution of livestock and livestock research for development.

http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/aph/public/part1-aphs-symposium.pdf?origin=publication_detail

Sustainable improvement of animal production and health.

Associations were analysed between polymorphisms of the growth hormone gene (GH-MspI) (localized in intron 3) and milk production traits of Beijing Holstein cows (a total of 543 cows). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method was used for identification of various geno-types. Frequencies of genotypes were 0.77, 0,21 and 0.02 for A/A, A/B and B/B, respectively. The frequency of theGH
A allele is 0.875. The results of the least squares means show that in all three lactations, theGH A/A cows yielded more milk (P < 0.01 for lactation I andP 0.05 for lactations II and III), whereas A/B cows showed higher milk fat content than A/A individuals (P < 0.05 for lactations I and II, andP < 0.01 for lactation III). The A/A cows yielded more fat than A/B individuals (P < 0.01 only in lactation I). The A/A cows yielded more milk protein than A/B individuals (P < 0.01 for lactations I, II, and III). The A/A cows produced milk of higher protein content than of A/B individuals (P < 0.05 only in lactation II).

Association of genetic polymorphism in GH gene with milk production traits in Beijing Holstein cows

Microsatellites have proved to be useful polymorphic markers for the analysis of genetic diversity. Microsatellite based studies in livestock have mainly concentrated on pig, cattle and sheep, and there are now more than a thousand cattle microsatellite markers to choose from (Barendse et al. 1994; Kappes et al. 1997). Genotyping of cattle can be done on most tissues and cell types, and international comparison tests under the auspices of the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) to establish international standards exist. Awareness of the value of genetic resources in livestock has stimulated the study of the genetic diversity of native breeds. However most of such studies have been done on European cattle breeds and very little information is available concerning the genetic diversity of cattle breeds native to China. The purpose of the present study was to examine genetic diversity among five native Chinese cattle breeds through examining microsatellite DNA polymorphisms. We also estimated the genetic differentiation and the genetic relationship within and between the five native Chinese cattle breeds.

Yu Hou Wu

Papers

Association of genetic polymorphism in GH gene with milk production traits in Beijing Holstein cows

Genetic diversity analysis of five cattle breeds native to China using microsatellites.