Sheep

Transcriptome analysis of skeletal muscle at prenatal stages in Polled Dorset versus Small-tailed Han sheep

N. Liu, He, J. N., Yu, W. M., Liu, K. D., Cheng, M., Liu, J. F., He, Y. H., Zhao, J. S., and Qu, X. X., Transcriptome analysis of skeletal muscle at prenatal stages in Polled Dorset versus Small-tailed Han sheep, vol. 14, pp. 1085-1095, 2015.

The objectives of the present study were to identify additional genes that may play important roles in the regulation of skeletal muscle growth and development, and to provide fundamental information for understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms. Eighteen cDNA libraries were constructed from the longissimus muscle of Polled Dorset (PD) and Small-tailed Han (SH) fetuses. To reveal the differences between the two species, we analyzed the differences in gene expression in 60-, 90- and 120-day fetal skeletal muscle by applying Agilent ovine genome-wide microarray.

Cross-reactivity of anti-human cytokine monoclonal antibodies used as a tool to identify novel immunological biomarkers in domestic ruminants

E. M. S. Dorneles, Araújo, M. S. S., Teixeira-Carvalho, A., Martins-Filho, O. A., and Lage, A. P., Cross-reactivity of anti-human cytokine monoclonal antibodies used as a tool to identify novel immunological biomarkers in domestic ruminants, vol. 14, pp. 940-951, 2015.

Eleven commercially available PE-labeled anti-human (IL-1-α, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12 and IL-13) and anti-mouse (IL-10, TNF-α) cytokine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were tested for cross-reactivity with cattle, goat, and sheep cytokines. Cross-reactivity was assessed by comparative analysis with the standard reactivity of the target species. Our data demonstrated that anti-human IL-1-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A and IL-10 mAbs cross-react with all ruminant species tested.

Analysis of Fcgrt gene polymorphism in indigenous Chinese sheep and its association with colostrum IgG concentration

Z. H. Tian, Shi, F., Zhong, F. G., Bai, D. P., and Zhang, X. Y., Analysis of Fcgrt gene polymorphism in indigenous Chinese sheep and its association with colostrum IgG concentration, vol. 14, pp. 2461-2470, 2015.

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) plays an important role in regulating IgG homeostasis in the body and passive protection to the offspring. Changes in FcRn expression levels caused by genetic polymorphisms of Fcgrt, which encodes FcRn, may lead to inter-individual differences in colostrum IgG levels in sheep.

Polymorphisms of KAP6, KAP7, and KAP8 genes in four Chinese sheep breeds

Y. X. Liu, Shi, G. Q., Wang, H. X., Wan, P. C., Tang, H., Yang, H., and Guan, F., Polymorphisms of KAP6, KAP7, and KAP8 genes in four Chinese sheep breeds, vol. 13, pp. 3438-3445, 2014.

High glycine-tyrosine proteins (HGTPs), also known as keratin-associated proteins (KAPs), play a key role in the major structures and mechanical properties of wool fiber. Sheep HGTPs consist of three multigene families: KAP6, KAP7, and KAP8 genes. Polymorphisms of these three genes have been proposed to have important effects on wool fiber traits. The aim of the present study was to identify polymorphisms of the KAP6, KAP7, and KAP8 genes in four sheep breeds, including Chinese Merino superfine wool sheep, Hu sheep, a Merino x Hu crossed breed, and Romney sheep.

Analysis of geographic and pairwise distances among sheep populations

J. B. Liu, Yue, Y. J., Lang, X., Wang, F., Zha, X., Guo, J., Feng, R. L., Guo, T. T., Yang, B. H., and Sun, X. P., Analysis of geographic and pairwise distances among sheep populations, vol. 13, pp. 4177-4186, 2014.

This study investigated geographic and pairwise distances among seven Chinese local and four introduced sheep populations via analysis of 26 microsatellite DNA markers. Genetic polymorphism was rich, and the following was discovered: 348 alleles in total were detected, the average allele number was 13.38, the polymorphism information content (PIC) of loci ranged from 0.717 to 0.788, the number of effective alleles ranged from 7.046 to 7.489, and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.700 to 0.768 for the practical sample, and from 0.712 to 0.794 for expected heterozygosity.

Identification of complete linkage disequilibrium in the DSG4 gene and its association with wool length and crimp in Chinese indigenous sheep

Y. H. Ling, Xiang, H., Zhang, G., Ding, J. P., Zhang, Z. J., Zhang, Y. H., Han, J. L., Ma, Y. H., and Zhang, X. R., Identification of complete linkage disequilibrium in the DSG4 gene and its association with wool length and crimp in Chinese indigenous sheep, vol. 13, pp. 5617-5625, 2014.

The desmoglein 4 (DSG4) gene is a potential candidate in the search for genes that may affect wool traits, because of its function. This study aimed to screen for polymorphisms in partial exon 16 and 3ꞌUTR of the sheep desmoglein 4 DSG4 gene, and to test its possible association with wool length and crimp associated with fur. Overall, 326 sheep were scanned via single-strand conformational polymorphism assay, through three pairs of primers.

Study of the correlation between GH gene polymorphism and growth traits in sheep

J. L. Jia, Zhang, L. P., Wu, J. P., Ha, Z. J., and Li, W. W., Study of the correlation between GH gene polymorphism and growth traits in sheep, vol. 13, pp. 7190-7200, 2014.

The growth hormone gene plays an important role in the physiological function of an organism. The current study aimed to investigate the correlation between polymorphisms in the 5ꞌ regulatory region, exon 4, and 3ꞌ untranslated region (UTR) of the sheep GH gene and sheep growth traits. The DNA from 510 adult sheep was analyzed by DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism.

Expression of CD44 in sheep oocytes and preimplantation embryos

J. V. Luz, Alcântara-Neto, A. S., Batista, R. I. T. P., Souza, J. M. G., Teixeira, D. I. A., Melo, L. M., and Freitas, V. J. F., Expression of CD44 in sheep oocytes and preimplantation embryos, vol. 11, pp. 799-809, 2012.

The CD44 family belongs to a larger group of hyaluronic acid-binding proteins and plays important roles in oocyte maturation, fertilization and preimplantational embryo development. We analyzed the CD44 receptor in sheep oocytes and embryos. Immature oocytes (N = 66) were obtained from a local abattoir; mature oocytes (N = 35) and embryos (N = 41) were obtained by laparotomy from adult hair ewes submitted to ovarian stimulation treatment.

Ovine prion protein genotype frequencies in northwestern China

C. - L. Zhao, Wu, R., Liu, L., Li, F. - D., Zhang, X. - L., Wang, C., Wang, F., Diao, X. - L., Guan, H. - W., Wang, X., and Zhou, L., Ovine prion protein genotype frequencies in northwestern China, vol. 11, pp. 1671-1681, 2012.

Anti-scrapie breeding programs have been initiated to screen for scrapie-resistant sheep based on ovine prion protein gene (PRNP) genotypes at codons 136, 154 and 171 in many countries, especially European Union member states. However, investigation of sheep PRNP genotypes is limited in China, despite the large number of sheep breeds. We analyzed 432 sheep of five different breeds from farms in northwestern China, using PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis (PCR-SSCP); the corresponding haplotypes of different PRNP alleles were cloned.

Molecular characterization and functional analysis of sheep thyroid transcription factor-1

L. P. Zhang, Ma, B. Y., Han, F. X., Wan, H. L., Wu, J. P., Yu, L. H., Wang, X. R., and Zhu, J. Y., Molecular characterization and functional analysis of sheep thyroid transcription factor-1, vol. 11, pp. 2585-2597, 2012.

Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), a member of the Nkx2 family of homeodomain-containing proteins, is involved in binding to and in activating the promoters of several important genes in the thyroid, lungs, and brain, and in regulating expression of these tissue-specific genes. We investigated potential roles of sheep (Ovis aries) TTF-1 in regulating cell fate and organ morphogenesis and in controlling puberty and reproductive capability of females.

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