Phenotypic characteristics and Gene Frequency of the Banyo Gudali zebu (Bos indicus) variety in the high Guinean Savannah zone of Cameroon

This study is aimed at evaluating the phenptypic and genetic diversity of local cattle breeds in Cameroon. To this end, biometric data were collected randomly in six (6) localities of the Mayo-Banyo Division, on a sample of 321 adult Banyo Gudali zebu cattle (234 cows and 87 bulls) aged between 6 and 16 years and having a body condition score varying from 2 to 4. Results reveal a variability of the coat color i.e., 19,00% white coat and its derivatives (speckled, stoat, grey, truiture); 9.99% black coat and its derivatives (black list and black piebald); 18.06% piebald (4.67% black piebald and 13.39 red piebald); 52.94% red and its derivatives (red piebald and red list). The single-colored coats are less represented (38.94%)compared to double-colored coats (61.06%). The frequency of alleles S+, D, ED, Aa, E+, s, A+, e and P are respectively 0.315; 0.201; 0.140; 0.267; 0.859; 0.685; 0.733; 0.386 and 1.000. There is a predominance of white-black horns (50.2%) over grey horns (42.4%). This population is characterized by long hairs, straight-edged ears oriented laterally and with humps occupying a cervico-thoracic position. The facial and back profiles are straight. The neck has a horizontal curved profile, the rump with a low set tail. Crescent shaped horns predominate (73,5%) followed by the horns in low lyre (15,9%) with the other shapes (stump, lateral pointed tip, crown and asymmetrical deformed right or left) being the least represented. The raised horns (92.5%) are predominant. Erect and moderate humps (86.6%) are dominant over drooping ones (13.4%).

Phylogenetic tree analysis for Bali Cattle based on partial sequence 16S rRNA Mitochondrial DNA

Mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) as a source of genetic information based on the maternal genome, can provide important information for phylogenetic analysis and evolutionary biology. The objective of this study was to analyze the phylogenetic tree of Bali cattle with seven gene bank references (Bos indicus, Bos taurus, Bos frontalis, and Bos grunniens) based on partial sequence 16S rRNA mitochondria DNA. The Bayesian phylogenetic tree was constructed using BEAST 2.4. and visualization in Figtree 1.4.4 (tree.bio.ed.ac.uk/software/figtree/). The best model of evolution was carried out using jModelTest 2.1.7. The most optimal was the evolutionary models GTR + I + G with p-inv (I) 0,1990 and gamma shape 0.1960. The main result indicated that the Bali cattle were grouped into Bos javanicus. Phylogenetic analysis also successfully classifying Bos javanicus, Bos indicus, Bos taurus, Bos frontalis and Bos grunniens. These results will complete information about Bali cattle and useful for the preservation and conservation strategies of Indonesian animal genetic resources.

Monomorphic allele rs109231213 in 3’UTR PLAG1 gene in purebred of Bali cattle (Bos javanicus)

The mutation rs109231213 that is located in 3’UTR of PLAG1 gene is associated with the growth and body weight in several Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds. This study aimed to identify SNP rs109231213 in Bali cattle (Bos javanicus). The study used 41 samples of Bali cattle. The PLAG1 gene polymorphism was analyzed using PCR and direct sequencing methods. PCR pimers were 5’- TTGCACAGAATCAGTGTGTC-3’ and 5’- AGCCTAACGTGGATCTATGG-3’. The results showed that primers successfully amplified the 331 bp fragment at annealing 60°C that contained rs109231213. SNP was monomorphic in Bali cattle with one allele (G). This study concludes that rs109231213 in 3’UTR of PLAG1 gene can be used as specific marker in purebred of Bali cattle that have never been crossed with Bos taurus and Bos indicus.

EFECTOS DEL CIPIONATO Y BENZOATO DE ESTRADIOL EN VAQUILLAS MESTIZAS SOBRE EL PORCENTAJE DE PREÑEZ

El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar el efecto del Cipionato de Estradiol (ECP), al momento del retiro del dispositivo vaginal de Progesterona o el Benzoato de Estradiol (BE), 24 horas más tarde sobre la tasa de preñez en vaquillas inseminadas a tiempo fijo (IATF). Se seleccionaron 72 vaquillas mestizas Bos indicus x Bos taurus de condición corporal 3,0 a 3,5 (Escala 1 al 5), peso corporal entre 300 a 400 kilos. Los animales fueron divididos en tres grupos A, B y C, en todos los animales se les sincronizó el estro mediante el uso de BE + Progesterona (DIB 0.5) + Prostaglandina F2-Alfa. Se indujo ovulación administrando a los grupos A y B, Cipionato de Estradiol 0,5 y 1 miligramo, el día cero al retirar el dispositivo vaginal de progesterona. Al grupo C, se administró 1 miligramo de Benzoato de Estradiol a las 24 horas de finalizado el tratamiento con progesterona. La administración de ECP en dosis 0,5 miligramo, mostró la mejor uniformidad en la manifestación del celo, mayor porcentaje de concepción 68,1% y preñez 62,5% que el resto de los grupos tratados, con respecto al peso corporal no influyo sobre la preñez. Se concluye que administrar ECP en dosis baja a las cero horas de finalizado el tratamiento con progesterona mostró unos mejores indicadores sobre los porcentajes de preñez como también permite disminuir un día en las labores de campo con adecuadas tasas de preñez, no obstante, el rango de 300 a 400 kg de peso corporal al inicio de tratamiento no tuvo efecto en la fertilidad en vaquillas mestizas Bos indicus x Bos taurus.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Bovine TLR2 Extracellular Domain Contribute to Breed and Species-Specific Innate Immune Functionality

Recent evidence suggests that several cattle breeds may be more resistant to infection with the zoonotic pathogen Mycobacterium bovis. Our data presented here suggests that the response to mycobacterial antigens varies in macrophages generated from Brown Swiss (BS) and Holstein Friesian (HF) cattle, two breeds belonging to the Bos taurus family. Whole genome sequencing of the Brown Swiss genome identified several potential candidate genes, in particular Toll-like Receptor-2 (TLR2), a pattern recognition receptor (PRR) that has previously been described to be involved in mycobacterial recognition. Further investigation revealed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in TLR2 that were identified between DNA isolated from cells of BS and HF cows. Interestingly, one specific SNP, H326Q, showed a different genotype frequency in two cattle subspecies, Bos (B.) taurus and Bos indicus. Cloning of the TLR2 gene and subsequent gene-reporter and chemokine assays revealed that this SNP, present in BS and Bos indicus breeds, resulted in a significantly higher response to mycobacterial antigens as well as tri-acylated lipopeptide ligands in general. Comparing wild-type and H326Q containing TLR2 responses, wild-type bovine TLR2 response showed clear, diminished mycobacterial antigen responses compared to human TLR2, however bovine TLR2 responses containing H326Q were found to be partially recovered compared to human TLR2. The creation of human:bovine TLR2 chimeras increased the response to mycobacterial antigens compared to the full-length bovine TLR2, but significantly reduced the response compared to the full-length human TLR2. Thus, our data, not only present evidence that TLR2 is a major PRR in the mammalian species-specific response to mycobacterial antigens, but furthermore, that there are clear differences between the response seen in different cattle breeds, which may contribute to their enhanced or reduced susceptibility to mycobacterial infection.