Evaluation of Muscle Chemical Composition, Amino Acids Profile and Antioxidative Capacity of the Shaziling Pig and its Crossbreeds

Background: Meat quality in pigs is an extremely important economic trait. The Shaziling pig is representative of good meat quality but has been scarcely utilized because of the unpleasant growth rate and lean percentage. Methods: The differences of muscle chemical composition, amino acids profile and antioxidative capacity were evaluated among [(Berkshire × Shaziling) × (Berkshire × Shaziling) (BS × (B × S)], (Berkshire × Shaziling) × Shaziling [(B × S) × S], Shaziling × (Berkshire × Shaziling) [S × (B × S)] and Shaziling (S × S) pigs. Result: Four groups had plentiful contents of mineral elements (Ca, Zn, Na, K, Cu, Mg, Mn) and abundant amino acids content and no obvious differences in diameters of myofibers and adipocytes were found among four groups. In addition, (B × S) × S pigs had the highest crude protein content, possessed comprehensive nutrient in amino acids and showed preferable antioxidative capacity, suggesting that the meat of (B × S) × S pigs has optimal shelf life.

Detection of Novel Variations Related to Litter Size in BMP15 Gene of Luzhong Mutton Sheep (Ovis aries)

Litter size is an important economic trait in the mutton sheep industry. BMP15 is one of the key candidate genes for litter size in sheep. In this study, the entire ORF region of BMP15 was sequenced in 154 Luzhong mutton ewes, and the novel variations were determined. The association between polymorphism in BMP15 and litter size was analyzed using a general linear model. Six out of a total of thirteen variations were identified to be novel. Association analysis indicated that four (SNPs ENSOART00000010201.1:c.352+342C>A, c.352+1232T>C, c.352+1165A>G and c.353-2036T>A) were significantly associated with litter size. The joint analysis among three major genes (BMP15, BMPR1B and GDF9) exhibited significant interaction effects in three combinations (FecB and c.352+1232T>C of BMP15; FecB and c.352+1165A>G of BMP15; c.352+342C>A of BMP15 and ENSOART00000014382.1:c.994G>A of GDF9). For the SNPs c.352+1232T>C and c.352+342C>A, the global distribution of allele frequencies showed that the highest variation frequency occurs in Western Europe. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that BMP15 is a major gene for litter size in Luzhong mutton sheep and candidate SNPs associated with litter size were identified.

ASSESSMENT OF EARLY MATURITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF NEW CORN HYBRIDS IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE NORTHERN ZONE OF THE MIDDLE VOLGA REGION IN 2020

Evaluation of new breeding samples of early maturing hybrids of the in FSBSI ARRSI of corn 2020 was carried out on an experimental plot with gray forest heavy loamy soils. Meteorological conditions were characterized by an extremely uneven supply of heat and precipitation during the growing season. Of the earliest hybrids, RM 77/18 was isolated with the speed of recoil of moisture by the grain during ripening of 0.88% per day versus 0.64% for the Kubansky 101 standard, as a source of a valuable economic trait. The universal hybrid RM 139/18 surpassed the Nur standard in grain productivity by 10.6%, moisture-yielding speed (1.12% versus 1.02% per day for Nur) and starch content in the grain (57.7% versus 54.6% for Nur). Among the mid-early samples for silage, RM 151/18 stood out: it surpassed the Nur standard in dry matter productivity by 10.8%, output per hectare of crude protein by 35%, sugars - by 15% and metabolizable energy - by 10.6%. Both hybrids are recommended for transfer to State Variety Trials. Analyzed and noted the unreliability of the generally accepted criteria for the preliminary assessment of the early maturity of new maize hybrids in the northern zone of the Middle Volga region.

Genotyping of polyploid plants using quantitative PCR: application in the breeding of white-fleshed triploid loquats (Eriobotrya japonica)

Background Ploidy manipulation is effective in seedless loquat breeding, in which flesh color is a key agronomic and economic trait. Few techniques are currently available for detecting the genotypes of polyploids in plants, but this ability is essential for most genetic research and molecular breeding. Results We developed a system for genotyping by quantitative PCR (qPCR) that allowed flesh color genotyping in multiple tetraploid and triploid loquat varieties (lines). The analysis of 13 different ratios of DNA mixtures between two homozygous diploids (AA and aa) showed that the proportion of allele A has a high correlation (R2 = 0.9992) with parameter b [b = a1/(a1 + a2)], which is derived from the two normalized allele signals (a1 and a2) provided by qPCR. Cluster analysis and variance analysis from simulating triploid and tetraploid hybrids provided completely correct allelic configurations. Four genotypes (AAA, AAa, Aaa, aaa) were found in triploid loquats, and four (AAAA, AAAa, AAaa, Aaaa; absence of aaaa homozygotes) were found in tetraploid loquats. DNA markers analysis showed that the segregation of flesh color in all F1 hybrids conformed to Mendel's law. When tetraploid B431 was the female parent, more white-fleshed triploids occurred among the progeny. Conclusions qPCR can detect the flesh color genotypes of loquat polyploids and provides an alternative method for analyzing polyploid genotype and breeding, dose effects and allele-specific expression.

Identification and Validation of Marketing Weight-Related SNP Markers Using SLAF Sequencing in Male Yangzhou Geese

Growth performance is a complex economic trait for avian production. The swan goose (Anser cygnoides) has never been exploited genetically like chickens or other waterfowl species such as ducks. Traditional phenotypic selection is still the main method for genetic improvement of geese body weight. In this study, specific locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) with bulked segregant analysis (BSA) was conducted for discovering and genotyping single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with marketing weight trait in male geese. A total of 149,045 SNPs were obtained from 427,093 SLAF tags with an average sequencing depth of 44.97-fold and a Q30 value of 93.26%. After SNPs’ filtering, a total of 12,917 SNPs were included in the study. The 31 highest significant SNPs—which had different allelic frequencies—were further validated by individual-based AS-PCR genotyping in two populations. The association between 10 novel SNPs and the marketing weight of male geese was confirmed. The 10 significant SNPs were involved in linear regression model analysis, which confirmed single-SNP associations and revealed three types of SNP networks for marketing weight. The 10 significant SNPs were located within or close to 10 novel genes, which were identified. The qPCR analysis showed significant difference between genotypes of each SNP in seven genes. Developed SLAF-seq and identified genes will enrich growth performance studies, promoting molecular breeding applications to boost the marketing weight of Chinese geese.

Sperm Functional Genome Associated With Bull Fertility

Bull fertility is an important economic trait in sustainable cattle production, as infertile or subfertile bulls give rise to large economic losses. Current methods to assess bull fertility are tedious and not totally accurate. The massive collection of functional data analyses, including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics, helps researchers generate extensive knowledge to better understand the unraveling physiological mechanisms underlying subpar male fertility. This review focuses on the sperm phenomes of the functional genome and epigenome that are associated with bull fertility. Findings from multiple sources were integrated to generate new knowledge that is transferable to applied andrology. Diverse methods encompassing analyses of molecular and cellular dynamics in the fertility-associated molecules and conventional sperm parameters can be considered an effective approach to determine bull fertility for efficient and sustainable cattle production. In addition to gene expression information, we also provide methodological information, which is important for the rigor and reliability of the studies. Fertility is a complex trait influenced by several factors and has low heritability, although heritability of scrotal circumference is high and that it is a known fertility maker. There is a need for new knowledge on the expression levels and functions of sperm RNA, proteins, and metabolites. The new knowledge can shed light on additional fertility markers that can be used in combination with scrotal circumference to predict the fertility of breeding bulls. This review provides a comprehensive review of sperm functional characteristics or phenotypes associated with bull fertility.

Transcriptome Profiling Reveals Key Genes In Regulation Of The Tepal Trichome Development In Lilium Pumilum D.C.

Trichome is a specialized structure found on the surface of the plant with important function in survival against abiotic and biotic stress. It is also an important economic trait in crop breeding. Extensive research has investigated the foliar trichome in model plants (Arabidopsis and tomato). However, the developmental mechanism of tepal trichome remains elusive. Lilium pumilum is an edible ornamental bulb and a good breeding parent possessing cold and salt-alkali resistance. Here, we found a natural mutant of Lilium pumilum grown on a highland whose tepals are covered by trichomes. Our data indicate that trichomes of this mutant are multicellular and branchless. Notably, stomata are also developed on the tepal of the mutant as well, suggesting there may be a correlated between trichome and stomata regulation. Furthermore, we isolated 27 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by comparing the transcriptome profiling between the natural mutant and the wild type. These twenty-seven genes belong to four groups: epidermal cell cycle and division, trichome morphogenesis, stress response, and transcription factors. Quantitative real-time PCR in Lilium pumilum (natural mutant and the wild type) and other lily species (Lilium leichtlinii var. maximowiczii/ trichome; Lilium davidii var. willmottiael, trichomeless) confirmed the validation of RNA-seq data and identified several trichome-related genes.

Characterization of Chicken Skin Yellowness and Exploration of Genes Involved in Skin Yellowness Deposition in Chicken

Skin color is an important economic trait in meat-type chickens. A uniform bright skin color can increase the sales value of chicken. Chickens with bright yellow skin are more popular in China, especially in the broiler market of South China. However, the skin color of chickens can vary because of differences in breeds, diet, health, and individual genetics. To obtain greater insight into the genetic factors associated with the process of skin pigmentation in chickens, we used a colorimeter and high-resolution skin photographs to measure and analyze the skin color of chickens. By analyzing 534 chickens of the same breed, age, and feed condition, we found that the yellowness values of the chickens varied within this population. A significant positive correlation was found between the cloacal skin yellowness values before and after slaughter, and the cloacal skin yellowness value of live chickens was positively correlated with the overall body skin yellowness value. Additionally, chicken skin yellowness exhibited low heritability, ranging from 0.07 to 0.27. Through RNA sequencing, 882 genes were found to be differentially expressed between the skin with the highest and lowest yellowness values. Some of these differentially expressed genes may play an important role in yellow pigment deposition in chicken skin, which included TLR2B, IYD, SMOC1, ALDH1A3, CYP11A1, FHL2, TECRL, ACACB, TYR, PMEL, and GPR143. In addition, we found that the expression and variations of the BCO2 gene, which is referred to as the yellow skin gene, cannot be used to estimate the skin yellowness value of chickens in this population. These data will help to further our understanding of chicken skin yellowness and might contribute to the selection of specific chicken strains with consistent skin coloration.

Features of heterosis manifestation in interlinear hybrids of sweet pepper in unheated film greenhouses

The dynamics of changes in an important economic trait of sweet pepper “average fruit weight” and the manifestation of heterosis have been studied on the example of 10 hybrids and their parental lines with multiple harvests in an unheated film greenhouse. It was found that the average weight, regardless of its value, was maximum and relatively stable during the first 5 harvests, which corresponds to the return of an early yield in the first month of fruiting. At the last collection, there was a decrease in the average weight of the fruit by 1.3-2.5 times. It has been established that a decrease in fruit weight with late harvests in hybrids occurs at a later date and is less pronounced than in parental lines, which indicates their higher adaptive ability. With an early harvest in 3 combinations, the level of true heterosis was 5.4-19.7%, a hypothetical heterosis at the level of 5.4-24.4% was found in 7 hybrids. At an early harvest and a late harvest in 50% of sweet pepper hybrids, the value of heterosis varied, but had the same character; in 50% of hybrids, a change in the sign of heterosis to the opposite was noted.2 hybrid combinations with a more stable average fruit weight were identified with multiple harvests - (Bs1xF46Kt22706) and (San1xF46Kt2181) with varying traits within 77-99 g and 81-123 g. the effect in 80% of large-fruited (17.6-27.3%) and medium-fruited hybrids (8.5-49.3%) was noted after the early harvest on July 21.The maximum effect of heterosis does not correspond to the maximum value of fruit weight in the experiment and is associated with a more pronounced reaction of the parental lines compared to hybrids to extreme temperatures during the period of fruit formation.

Endogenous Auxin Content Contributes to Larger Size of Apple Fruit

Fruit size is an important economic trait that is controlled by multiple genes. However, the regulatory mechanism for fruit size remains poorly understood. A bud sport variety of “Longfeng” (LF) apple (Malus domestica) was identified and named “Grand Longfeng” (GLF). The fruit size of GLF is larger than that of LF, and both varieties are diploid. We found that the cell size in GLF fruit was larger than that of LF. Then, we compared the fruit transcriptomes of the two varieties using RNA-Seq technology. A total of 1166 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected between GLF and LF fruits. The KEGG analysis revealed that the phytohormone pathway was the most enriched, in which most of the DEGs were related to auxin signaling. Moreover, the endogenous auxin levels of GLF fruit were higher than those of LF. The expressions of auxin synthetic genes, including MdTAR1 and MdYUCCA6, were higher in GLF fruit than LF. Collectively, our findings suggest that auxin plays an important role in fruit size development.