Ovarian Expression Profile of KISS1 and NGF Genes in Indian Goat

Background: Litter size is one of the most important economic traits that translates into higher returns for farmers. KISS 1 and NGF genes plays significant role in female reproduction. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the potential variation in the of expression levels of KISS1 and NGF genes in ovarian tissue of two different goat breeds with diverse prolificacy. Methods: Phenotypic records pertaining to litter size of Barbari and Jamunapari goats were collected. Total RNA was extracted from both breeds' ovarian tissues for real-time PCR quantification of the KISS1 and NGF genes, using GAPDH and β-actin as endogenous controls. The target gene’s expression levels were measured and the fold-change was determined. Result: The phenotypic recording revealed that Barbari goats are more prolific in nature than Jamunapari goats. The expression levels of KISS1 and NGF genes were higher in Barbari goat and lower in Jamunapari goat (P less than 0.05). The results of this study can be used to further discover the crucial role of KISS1 and NGF genes in reproduction for improving the prolificacy in goats.

Genetic Diversity Analysis among 27 Indian Goat Populations using Microsatellite Markers

Background: Livestock genetic diversity studies focus on their within and diversity, breed history, adaptive variations, ancestral information, site of domestication and parentage testing and assess the genetic uniformity, admixture or subdivision, inbreeding, or introgression in the population which is helpful in breed formation and their sustainable utilization.Methods: The present research work was conducted during the year 2016-17 at National Bureau of Animal Genetics Resources, Karnal-132001. STR data of 25 markers on 1237 random samples of 27 goat populations was used for analysis. The genetic diversity analysis of new population viz: Narayanpatna, Raighar, Kalahandi, Malkangiri of Odisha state and Rohilkhandi (UK) and their association studies with other Indian goat breeds was performed.Result: It was found that used markers are highly polymorphic- and the studied breeds/population showed great diversity and distributed mostly on the basis of physio-geographical condition and type of production but among new populations diversity was least which might be due to exchange of animal for breeding purposes. The studied new goat populations were well differentiated from other goat breeds which might be due to physio-geographical condition and breeding practices, so these may be considered as separate breeds/populations. In conclusion, the results showed high level of conserved genetic diversity in the Indian goat breeds. The smaller and isolated new population showed less diversity and a higher inbreeding level as compared to registered breeds.

Histogenesis of the reticulum of non- descript goat (Capra hircus) of India

The study was conducted on 36 developing reticulum from healthy and normal embryos/ foeti of Indian goat. Embryos/foeti were assigned into three groups. Histo-differentiation of reticulum of goat stomach took place at 38 days of gestation. The wall of foetal reticulum was made up of three strata i. e. epithelium, pleuripotent blastemic tissue and serosa up to 49 days of fetal age and definite four layers viz. epithelium, propria-submucosa, tunica muscularis and serosa were observed first at 51 days of gestation. Upto 100 days of gestation the reticulum was lined by undifferentiated stratified epithelium and thereafter gradually transformed into stratified squamous epithelium. Keratinization was noticed at term. Primary and secondary reticular crests made their appearance at 60 and 112 days of gestation, respectively. Corial papillae were detected in primary and secondary reticular crests at 121 and 145 days of gestation, respectively. Near term, the core of the reticular crest also contained muscularis mucosae in its proximal 1/3rd region while core of the corial papillae contained only lamina propria. Reticular, collagen and elastic fibers came into sight at 46, 100 and 134 days of gestation, respectively.Summary statementThe study was conducted on intrauterine reticulum of Indian goat. From this study it can be concluded that the histogenesis of reticulum was almost completed in prenatal life. However, to become functional it still required more time as the relative sizes of reticulum and process of keratinization were yet to be completed.

Characterization of dorsal guard hair of the wild goats and sheep (Bovidae: Caprinae) occurring in the Himalaya and Western Ghats of India

The morphological and microscopic characteristics of dorsal guard hair of six species of the Indian goat-antelopes are described. Although the cuticular characteristics of hair of all the six species studied are similar, the morphological, medulla and transverse section characteristics of hair are varied between the species. The hair of Indian caprines can easily be identified on the basis of their unique medulla and transverse section. The high-resolution microphotographs and key characteristics of hair are presented here and can be used as an appropriate reference for species identification of the wild goats and sheep occurring in the Himalaya and Western Ghats of India.