Genome-wide association study and genomic heritabilities for blood protein levels in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep

Serum protein levels are related to physiological and pathological status of animals and could be affected by both genetic and environmental factors. This study aimed to evaluate genetic variation of serum protein profile in sheep. Blood samples were randomly collected from 96 Lori-Bakhtiari ewes, a heavy meat-type breed. Total protein, albumin, globulin, α1, α2, β and γ globulins and IgG levels were measured in blood serum. The samples were genotyped using the Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip. The studied traits adjusted for age, birth type, birth season and estimate of breeding value for body weight were considered as pseudo-phenotypes in genome-wide association analysis. In the GWAS model, the first five principal components were fitted as covariates to correct the biases due to possible population stratification. The Plink, R and GCTA software were used for genome-wide association analysis, construction of Q-Q and Manhattan plots and estimation of genetic variances, respectively. Noticeable genomic heritabilities ± SE were estimated for total and γ globulins (0.868 ± 0.262 and 0.831 ± 0.364, respectively), but other protein fractions had zero or close to zero estimates. Based on the Bonferroni adjusted p values, four QTLs located on 181.7 Mbp of OAR3, 107.7 Mbp of OAR4, 86.3 Mbp of OAR7 and 83.0 Mbp of OAR8 were significantly associated with α1, β, β and γ globulins, respectively. The results showed that the PKP2, IGF2R, SLC22A1 and SLC22A2 genes could be considered as candidate genes for blood serum proteins. The present study showed significant genetic variations of some blood protein fractions.

Changes in the Serum Protein Fractions in Goats after Treatment of Natural Gastrointestinal Parasite Infections

Gastrointestinal parasitic infections in small ruminants belong to major health problems. The regulation of gastrointestinal infections in goats and the responses developed against them appear to be different from those observed in sheep. In the literature, there is a lack of data on the effect of gastrointestinal parasitic infections on the serum protein profile in goats. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in goats naturally infected with gastrointestinal parasites and to compare the changes in the total serum proteins and serum protein fractions (albumin and α1-, α2-, β-, and γ-globulins) obtained after antihelminthic treatment. Eight adult female goats of the white shorthaired breed from a small dairy goat farm at the age ranging between 3 and 5 years with average body weight 35.4 ± 3.2 kg and body condition score (BCS) from 1.5 to 2.5 were used in the study. The serum proteins in goats were separated into five fractions: albumin, α1- and α2-globulins, and β- and γ-globulins. Significant changes after treatment were found in the relative concentrations of albumin ( P < 0.01 ) and α2- ( P < 0.05 ), β- ( P < 0.001 ), and γ-globulins ( P < 0.01 ), as well as albumin/globulin ratio ( P < 0.01 ). The mean concentration of total serum proteins was, after the antiparasitic treatment, significantly higher. Among the globulin fractions, the γ-globulin fraction contributed most significantly to these changes ( P < 0.001 ). The results presented in the study suggest a significant effect of antiparasitic treatment in goats on the synthesis of blood serum proteins and on the changes of the proportion of serum protein fractions.

Study of changes in biochemical indices in workers employed in underground mining of chrome ore

Introduction. Underground mining of chrome ores is characterized by constant exposure to chemical factors on production workers, leading to changes in critical organs and systems. The aim of the work was to study changes in some biochemical parameters in workers engaged in underground mining of chrome ores. Materials and methods included assessing the chromium content in the air of the working area and biological media of workers, the study of many biochemical parameters and protein fractions of blood serum, modelling of cause-and-effect relationships. Results. The workers of the observation group compared to the comparison group showed a significant (up to 1.5 times) increase in the level of chromium in the blood and urine, an increase in the level of IgE specific to chromium - up to 1.6 times, the activity of ALAT and γ-HT in the blood serum - up to 1.3 times, the level β2-microglobulins in serum and urine - up to 1.6 times, serum creatinine levels, slowing of GFR, increased serum AOA, β-globulins and γ-globulins levels. Conclusion. The constant presence of chromium compounds in the air of the working area of mineworkers leads to an elevated concentration of chromium in the blood and its excretion in the urine. The workers of the studied production showed an increase in the level of many laboratory indicators of adverse effects on the liver and kidneys, the immune and antioxidant systems. Changes in the protein fractions of blood serum were revealed in workers at the mine mining chromium ores.

Serum protein electrophoretic pattern in piglets during the early postnatal period

The pattern of serum proteins, the typical features of the electrophoretogram in newborn piglets and during their postnatal development is not completely described. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the changes in serum protein electrophoretic pattern and features of the electrophoretograms during the early postnatal period. Significant changes during the monitored period were found in all evaluated parameters (P < 0.001). The most marked changes were observed mainly in the period before weaning. The concentrations of total proteins, albumin and γ-globulins were before colostrum intake low, γ-globulins represented the smallest proportion of protein fractions. The proportion of α1-globulins was after birth a dominant protein fraction. Significant increase of total proteins, α2-, β- and γ-globulins and decrease of α1-globulins was found 2 days after colostrum intake. The albumin and A/G values increased after birth gradually until weaning. After weaning a significant changes were found in absolute concentrations of total protein and albumin, and in relative values of β-globulin fractions. Presented results showed marked developmental alterations in the serum protein pattern in piglets along with the age. The study also brings new knowledge in the field of description of typical features of electrophoretograms in the observed period of piglet’s life.

Abnormalities of Serum Protein Electrophoresis in Cattle and Comparison between Assays for Markers of Inflammation and Markers of Liver Alteration

This study aims to prove the advantage to use blood serum electrophoresis (BSE) in medicine for cattle. For that, 200 animal’s cases (healthy or diseased) were studied. We found, in order of importance: 47 cases of respiratory diseases, 7 cases of lameness, 9 cases of mastitis and 8 cases of metritis, the rest have developed inflammatory signs (hyperthermia, low appetite) without any other specific clinical signs (15 subjects). The majority of animals reveal the highest ratio A/G (Albumin/globulin). Alpha2 globulins were markedly high during bronchopneumonia. Most of the cattle had a low value of the α1 globulins (3.67±1.16g/l). The majority of cattle had a low value of the α1 zone in comparing with normal range. Seven subjects have developed a monoclonal peak in hyper-gamma globulins. The fibrinogen concentrations did not exceed the threshold of 5g/l. The concentration of Haptoglobin was higher for only ten animals. The electrophoresis of blood serum can replace the biochemical parameters used to determinate the alterations of the liver function: total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). We found if the level of the α2 and γ globulins is highest; it gives the same interpretation for the animal’s inflammation status like we have with the increased level of haptoglobin observed for bronchopneumonia. For the other cases, like the insidious pathologies, they are detected by the α2 and γ globulins, but not by haptoglobin. Our study has proved that the use of blood serum electrophoresis confirms the diagnosis of symptomatic pathologies and allows detecting asymptomatic pathologies.

FEATURES COLOSTRAL IMMUNITY CALVES IN COMBINED STIMULATION PREGNANT COWS IMMUNOMODULATORS AND SYNESTROL2%

The purpose of our experiment was to study the effect of the combined administration of an immunomodulator and a synthetic analogue of estrone to cows 3-5 days before calving on the colostral immunity of calves. The result of the work showed that the calves obtained from such cows have a greater number of leukocytes, T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes at birth. A synthetic analogue of estrone probably cross the placenta and affect the fetus, which is reflected in the acceleration of the metabolism of the newborn. As a result, there was an accelerated assimilation of colostrum from the gastrointestinal tract, which was reflected in a sharp increase in the fractions of β- and γ-globulins one hour after drinking colostrum. In addition, the number of T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes has sharply increased.

Incubation qualities of eggs and the level of protein ingredients in the blood of embryos and goslings by optimizing the level of tryptophan in the diet of geese of the parent flock

The results of studies on the effect of synthetic tryptophan supplements to goose feed during the reproductive period on the incubation qualities of eggs, the level of total protein, albumin and α-, β- and γ-globulins in the blood of embryos and newborn goslings are presented. The study was conducted on four groups of geese-analogues of the Obroshyn gray breed group during the 3-month period (January ‒ March). The control group did not receive synthetic tryptophan supplements. The level of this amino acid in this group of geese in accordance with current regulations in Ukraine was 0.16 g per 100 g of feed. To the diet of birds 2, 3 and 4 experimental groups were additionally administered, respectively, 0.04; 0.09 and 0.14 g of synthetic tryptophan per 100 g of feed. As a result of research it was found that increasing the level of tryptophan from 0.16 g to 0.30 g per 100 g of feed due to its synthetic analogue in the diet of geese during egg-laying significantly improves the incubation quality of eggs and has a positive effect on protein levels. daily embryos and 5-day-old goslings. It is shown that the most pronounced effect on improving the quality of hatching eggs and optimizing the effect on the level of protein in the blood of embryos and goslings reveals the content of tryptophan in feed during intensive laying of geese in the amount of 0.25 g per 100 g of feed. Studies have shown that the quality of hatching eggs and the content of total protein, albumin and α-, β- and γ-globulins in the blood of embryos and newborn goslings has a pronounced positive effect on the level of tryptophan in the diet of geese during intensive laying. In particular, increasing the amount of this essential amino acid in goose feed during the reproductive period from 0.16 to 0.30 g due to its synthetic analogue improves such incubation qualities of eggs as: egg-laying, weight, length, width, egg shape index, strength and thickness eggshells, and increases in the serum of 25-day-old embryos and 5-day-old goslings contents of total protein, albumin and α-, β- and γ-globulins (P < 0.05). It is shown that the most pronounced positive effect on the optimization of protein ingredients in the serum of both embryos and goslings was found for the content of tryptophan in the feed of geese of the parent flock in the amount of 0.25 g per 100 g of feed. The results show that increasing the level of such essential amino acids as tryptophan in goose feed during intensive egg-laying from 0.16 to 0.25 g per 100 g of feed activates the synthesis of egg components in the ovary of birds, improves their quality and has a stimulating effect on the biosynthesis in hepatocytes of embryos and newborn goslings of total protein, its albumin, α-, β-globulin fractions and immune γ-globulins.

The effect of cysticercosis invasion on the protein metabolism and cellular immunity of rabbits

The composition of blood proteins depends on the functional state of animals, as well as on various pathologies. The goal of the work was to establish the effect of cysticercosis invasion on the protein metabolism and cellular immunity of rabbits. Rabbits were divided into two groups after visual identification of the larval cysts presence: healthy (control) and diseased (experimental). Biochemical blood tests were performed using reagent sets produced by “Filisit-Diagnostika” (Ukraine). Spontaneous cysticercosis invasion of male rabbits caused changes in protein metabolism. The content of total protein in infected animals was higher by 8.79% (P<0.05) than in control. The increase in the total protein content was due to the globulin fraction, which was 1.50 times (P<0.05) higher in affected animals than in healthy rabbits. This rise occurred as a result of a high content of γ-globulins, both in absolute value by 1.69 times (P<0.05), and in percentage by 1.51 times (P<0.05). The albumins, which are completely synthesized by liver, were lower by 10.08% (P<0.05) in rabbits with cysticercosis. The protein coefficient of experimental animals was lower by 43.89% (P<0.05) compared with the control. The concentration of uric acid in diseased rabbits was lower by 34.09% (P<0.05) than in healthy ones. We have observed a high number of T-, B-lymphocytes and T-helper cells, especially the last two indicators, which increased respectively 1.54 times (P<0.01) and 1.36 times (P<0.05) against the background of a low number of T-suppressors and O-lymphocytes — almost 5 times (P<0.001) in affected animals than in healthy rabbits. In our opinion, such changes in the proteinogram and cellular immunity indicate the intensification of immune reactions in the body of rabbits infected with the Cysticercus pisiformis as a result of inflammatory processes that occur in the liver under the action of a mechanical, toxic effect of the helminths.

Hematological parameters and protein metabolism in the blood of pregnant rats under the effect of vanadium citrate

Dose-dependent changes in protein metabolism in the blood and hematological parameters of pregnant rats under the effect of vanadium citrate are presented in the article. The animals were divided into five groups: group I – non-pregnant females, II – pregnant females consuming pure water without additives, III, IV, V – females which during the mating and pregnancy period received the solution of vanadium citrate at concentrations of 0.03, 0.125 and 0.50 μg V/mL water. The research findings show that in pregnant animals of group II, the level of urea and alkaline phosphatase activity increased, meanwhile aspartate aminotransferase activity decreased, as compared to the non-pregnant females of group І. The levels of total protein and albumin decreased; however, the content of β-globulins increased in the pregnant animals of group II, as compared with that in group I. Also, in the rats of group II, there was a decrease in hemolysis time, total content of erythrocytes and hemoglobin, the content of old and mature erythrocytes, while the content of young erythrocytes increased, as compared to group I. The platelet content and thrombocrit in rats of group II increased in comparison with group I. The content of leukocytes and lymphocytes in pregnant animals of group II decreased, while the content of granulocytes increased, in contrast to non-pregnant rats. Under the effect of vanadium citrate at concentrations of 0.03–0.50 μg V/mL, there was a significant increase in the maximum number of prohemolized erythrocytes, the time of maximum hemolysis was delayed by 0.4–0.6 min, as compared with the pregnant rats of group II. This did not affect the time of total hemolysis in rats of groups III and V, as compared with the pregnant animals in group II. Under the effect of vanadium citrate, an increase in the content of young erythrocytes was observed, as compared with group II. The hemoglobin content decreased at the concentration of 0.125 μg V/mL, while at the concentration of 0.50 μg V/mL it increased, as compared to the pregnant animals of group II. Also, under the effect of vanadium citrate there was a decrease in the mean hemoglobin concentration in the erythrocyte. In pregnant animals fed with vanadium citrate solutions, the platelet content and thrombocrit, the relative width of platelet distribution by volume decreased, as compared with the pregnant rats of group II. The content of leukocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes under the effect of vanadium citrate increased, as compared with the pregnant animals in group II. Under the effect of vanadium citrate at the concentration of 0.03 μg V/mL, the level of albumin, creatinine and aspartate aminotransferase activity increased in blood plasma in comparison with group II. Meanwhile, at the concentration of 0.125 μg V/mL, the relative content of γ-globulins and aspartate aminotransferase activity increased, alkaline phosphatase activity and urea level decreased in comparison with group II. However at the concentration of 0.50 μg V/mL, the relative α- and γ-globulins content and aspartate aminotransferase activity increased, at the same time, the relative β-globulins content and urea level decreased in comparison with group II. Therefore, vanadium citrate normalizes the indicators of protein metabolism during pregnancy, thus it can be considered as a potential dietary drug for the pregnant.

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF CALVES WHEN STIMULATING MOTHERS WITH THE IMMUNOMODULATOR AZOXIVET IN COMBINATION WITH SINESTROL 2 %

The aim of the study was to research the effect of Azoxivet in combination with Sinestrol 2 % on the development of calf resistance. The experiment was carried out in the Dalnekonstanti-novsky district of the Nizhny Novgorod region. To assess the effectiveness of the experiment, the first portion of colostrum was analyzed for Ig concentration, and to analyze the development of calf resistance, immunological, morphological and biochemical analyzes of the venous blood obtained before drinking the first portion of colostrum, one hour after drinking, the next day, on the 7th, 14th and days of life were performed. As a result, an increase in the fraction of γ-globulins in the blood of calves was recorded as early as an hour after drinking colostrum, and the peak of the indicator fell on the daily age. In addition, there was an active increase in the immunological parameters of calves.