Use of the Syrian hamster, Mesocricetus auratus, in selection for fertility in animal breeding

SummaryThe Deleted in AZoospermia (DAZ) gene family regulates the development, maturation and maintenance of germ cells and spermatogenesis in mammals. The DAZ family consists of two autosomal genes, Boule and Dazl (Daz-like), and the Daz gene on chromosome Y. The aim of this study was to analyze the localization of DAZL and BOULE during testicular ontogeny of the seasonal-breeding Syrian hamster, Mesocricetus auratus. We also evaluated the testicular expression of DAZ family genes under short- or long-photoperiod conditions. In the pre-pubertal and adult testis, DAZL protein was found mainly in spermatogonia. BOULE was found in the spermatogonia from 20 days of age and during the pre-pubertal and adult period it was also detected in spermatocytes and round spermatids. DAZL and BOULE expression in spermatogonia was strictly nuclear only in 20-day-old hamsters. We also detected the novel mRNA and protein expression of BOULE in Leydig cells. In adult hamsters, Dazl expression was increased in regressed testis compared with non-regressed testis and DAZL protein expression was restricted to primary spermatocytes in regressed testis. These results show that DAZL and BOULE are expressed in spermatogonia at early stages in the Syrian hamster, then both proteins translocate to the cytoplasm when meiosis starts. In the adult regressed testis, the absence of DAZL in spermatogonia might be related to the decrease in germ cell number, suggesting that DAZ gene family expression is involved in changes in seminiferous epithelium during photoregression.

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Spontaneous glomerular basement membrane changes in the golden Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus): a light and electron microscope study

Laboratory Animals ◽

10.1258/002367778781088530 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 207-211 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

E. A. E. Van Marck ◽

W. Jacob ◽

A. M. Deelder ◽

P. L. J. Gigase

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscope ◽

Basement Membrane ◽

Glomerular Basement Membrane ◽

Syrian Hamster ◽

Microscope Study ◽

Electron Microscope Study ◽

Mesocricetus Auratus ◽

Golden Syrian Hamster ◽

Membrane Changes ◽

Apparently Healthy

Changes in apparently healthy hamsters, consistent with proteinuria, are reported, but no IgG deposits or amyloid in the glomeruli were detected. Further investigation is required into the significance and the aetiology of these, as yet, obscure alterations.

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Why and How to Switch to Genomic Selection: Lessons From Plant and Animal Breeding Experience

Frontiers in Genetics ◽

10.3389/fgene.2021.629737 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Aline Fugeray-Scarbel ◽

Catherine Bastien ◽

Mathilde Dupont-Nivet ◽

Stéphane Lemarié

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Genomic Selection ◽

Plant Species ◽

Animal Species ◽

Animal Breeding ◽

Breeding Cycle ◽

Breeding Programs ◽

The Third ◽

Wide Range ◽

Selection For

The present study is a transversal analysis of the interest in genomic selection for plant and animal species. It focuses on the arguments that may convince breeders to switch to genomic selection. The arguments are classified into three different “bricks.” The first brick considers the addition of genotyping to improve the accuracy of the prediction of breeding values. The second consists of saving costs and/or shortening the breeding cycle by replacing all or a portion of the phenotyping effort with genotyping. The third concerns population management to improve the choice of parents to either optimize crossbreeding or maintain genetic diversity. We analyse the relevance of these different bricks for a wide range of animal and plant species and sought to explain the differences between species according to their biological specificities and the organization of breeding programs.

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Phenotypic and genetic parameters for lamb weights in a synthetic line of sheep

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100024041 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 261-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

T. G. Martin ◽

D. I. Sales ◽

C. Smith ◽

D. Nicholson

Keyword(s):

Least Squares ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Animal Breeding ◽

Research Organization ◽

Correction Factors ◽

Component Method ◽

Breeding Research ◽

Selection For ◽

Synthetic Line

ABSTRACTData on 2120 lambs produced over 7 years in the Animal Breeding Research Organization synthetic Dam Line (49% Finn, 22% East Friesian, 16 % Border Leicester and 13 % Dorset Horn) were analysed by least squares. The effects of sex, age of dam, year of birth, birthrearing class, and age of lamb on weights at birth and at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age were all appreciable. However, pooled within-year correction factors should be adequate in adjusting records for selection. Heritability estimates for weights at the five ages ranged from 0·17 to 0·24 by the sire component method and from 0·18 to 0·28 by regression of offspring on dam. Previous reports of differences in heritability in singles and in twins were not confirmed. Estimates of the genetic correlations among the various lamb weights were high (0·62 to 1·04) indicating that selection for weight at one age should result in increased weights at all ages.

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