Fat Line Research Articles

Rabbit Lines Divergently Selected for Total Body Fat Content: Correlated Responses on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits.

Simple SummaryThe aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of selection for total body fat content and its effect on productive and carcass traits. Growing rabbits were selected for high or low body fat content. The selection was effective, and the difference in fat reserves (perirenal fat and scapular fat content) increased with each generation. After four generations, the feed conversion rate improved, and the ratios of fore and hind parts increased in lean rabbits. Selection for lower total body fat content could be useful for customers who want to buy animals and meat with lower fat content; while selection for higher fat content could be advantageous for rabbit does because they have more fat (energy) deposits which are in positive connection with maternal ability and a longer lifespan.The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of divergently selected rabbits for total body fat content (fat index) on growth performance and carcass traits. The fat index was determined at 10 weeks of age by computed tomography and lasted for four consecutive generations. The rabbits with the lowest fat index belonged to the lean line and those of the highest values belonged to the fat line. At generation four, 60 rabbits/line were housed in wire-mesh cages and fed with commercial pellet ad libitum from weaning (5 w of age) to slaughtering (11 w of age). Growth performance, dressing out percentage and carcass adiposity were measured. The lean line showed a better feed conversion ratio (p < 0.001) than the fat line. Furthermore, the carcass of the lean rabbits had the highest proportion of fore (p < 0.020) and hind (p < 0.006) parts. On the contrary, rabbits of the fat line had the highest carcass adiposity (p < 0.001). The divergent selection for total body fat content showed to be effective for both lean and fat lines. Selection for lower total body fat content could be useful for terminal male lines, while the selection for higher total body fat content could be an advantage for rabbit does in providing fat (energy) reserves.

Divergent selection for fat index in Pannon Ka rabbits: genetic parameters, selection response

&lt;p&gt;The objective of this study was to estimate the response to selection for total body fat content of rabbits measured by computer tomography (CT). A divergent selection experiment was performed using Pannon Ka rabbits, which were previously selected for number of kits born alive. The so-called zero generation consisted of 351 Pannon Ka rabbits, from which the index, total body fat volume (cm&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt;) divided by the body weight (kg), was measured. Rabbits with low and high fat index values were selected to form the parent groups of the lean and fat lines, respectively. The lines consisted of 55-72 females and 35-47 males, depending on the line and generation. After three generations, the rabbits were evaluated by means of a single trait animal model. The fat index showed a moderate heritability estimate (0.28±0.03). The magnitude of the common litter effect was small (0.10±0.02). The breeding values averaged per generation provided slightly asymmetrical responses. Based on the results, the divergent selection was successful in confirming that CT is a very suitable method for performing selection for body composition traits.&lt;/p&gt;

GATA Binding Protein 3 Is a Direct Target of Kruppel-Like Transcription Factor 7 and Inhibits Chicken Adipogenesis.

Kruppel-like transcription factor 7 (KLF7) is a negative regulator of adipogenesis, however, its precise mechanism is poorly understood. Our previous KLF7 ChIP-seq analysis showed that one of the KLF7 binding peaks was present upstream of GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) in chicken preadipocytes. In the present study, we identified GATA3 as a target of KLF7. Overexpression analysis showed KLF7 markedly enhanced the endogenous expression of GATA3 in the immortalized chicken preadipcyte cell line (ICP2), and the luciferase reporter assay showed that KLF7 overexpression increased the reporter gene activity of the cloned upstream region (-5285/-4336 relative to the translation initiation codon ATG) of GATA3 in ICP2 and DF1 cells, and mutation of the putative KLF7 binding site abolished the promotive effect of KLF7 overexpression on the reporter gene activity of the cloned GATA3 upstream region. ChIP-qPCR further demonstrated that KLF7 directly bound to the GATA3 upstream region. Gene expression analysis showed that GATA3 mRNA expression in abdominal adipose tissue was significantly higher in lean chicken line than in the fat line at 2, 3, and 6 weeks of age. In addition, GATA3 mRNA expression markedly decreased during the preadipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, a functional study showed that GATA3 overexpression inhibited the differentiation of the ICP2 cells. Taken together, our results demonstrated that KLF7 inhibits chicken adipogenesis, at least in part through direct upregulation of GATA3.

Tst gene mediates protection against palmitate-induced inflammation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Obesity is a disease characterized by chronic inflammation and increases the risk of comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular dysfunction. In obese individuals, elevated levels of plasma circulating saturated fatty acids (e.g. palmitate) contribute to subclinical chronic inflammation. Genetic variants play a major role in determining susceptibility or resistance to obesity. Some recently described variant in genetically Lean mice that leads to upregulated expression selectively in adipose tissue of the nuclear encoded mitochondrial gene thiosulfate sulfurtransferase, Tst, has been causally linked to reduced adiposity and insulin sensitisation. Here we show that macrophages derived from the high-TST expressing Lean line of mice have a reduced inflammatory response to TLR-ligand activation than those from the low-TST expressing Fat line of mice. Furthermore, using the mouse clonal 3T3-L1 adipocytes we describe a positive effect of TST upregulation via its substrates, sodium thiosulfate (STS) and the garlic compound diallyl disulfide (DADS), on palmitate-induced inflammation resulting in significant reduction of inflammatory cytokines and inhibition of reactive oxygen species. Additionally, using an IL1β-induced insulin resistance 3T3-L1 cell model, upregulation of TST associated with antidiabetic effects. Therefore, we demonstrate that TST-mediated suppression of the inflammatory response protects in vitro cell model of white adipocytes from insulin resistance-induced inflammation. These results encourage the development of potent medicines in the future that specifically target TST in the fat tissue, which could lead to new ways of treating diabetes associated with obesity.

Haplotype-based genome-wide association studies for carcass and growth traits in chicken

There have been several genome-wide association study (GWAS) reported for carcass, growth, and meat traits in chickens. Most of these studies have been based on single SNPs GWAS. In contrast, haplotype-based GWAS reports have been limited. In the present study, 2 Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content (NEAUHLF) and genotyped with the chicken 60K SNP chip were used to perform a haplotype-based GWAS. The lean and fat chicken lines were selected for abdominal fat content for 11 yr. Abdominal fat weight was significantly different between the 2 lines; however, there was no difference for body weight between the lean and fat lines. A total of 132 haplotype windows were significantly associated with abdominal fat weight. These significantly associated haplotype windows were primarily located on chromosomes 2, 4, 8, 10, and 26. Seven candidate genes, including SHH, LMBR1, FGF7, IL16, PLIN1, IGF1R, and SLC16A1, were located within these associated regions. These genes may play important roles in the control of abdominal fat content. Two regions on chromosomes 3 and 10 were significantly associated with testis weight. These 2 regions were previously detected by the single SNP GWAS using this same resource population. TCF21 on chromosome 3 was identified as a potentially important candidate gene for testis growth and development based on gene expression analysis and the reported function of this gene. TCF12, which was previously detected in our SNP by SNP interaction analysis, was located in a region on chromosome 10 that was significantly associated with testis weight. Six candidate genes, including TNFRSF1B, PLOD1, NPPC, MTHFR, EPHB2, and SLC35A3, on chromosome 21 may play important roles in bone development based on the known function of these genes. In addition, several regions were significantly associated with other carcass and growth traits, but no candidate genes were identified. The results of the present study may be helpful in understanding the genetic mechanisms of carcass and growth traits in chickens.

Abstract 4703: Single Cell CNV End to End workflow to uncover tumor heterogeneity in a murine breast cancer model

Abstract Background: Tumor heterogeneity is a hallmark of cancer and can have significant impact on identifying drivers, including those that may be therapeutically relevant. Although, the traditional sequencing of bulk tumor specimens provides invaluable information, sequencing of individual cells provides a true representation of the cellular heterogeneity that exists within a cancer. Novel technologies such as single cell copy number variation (scCNV) enable copy number profiling at a single cell resolution. Single Cell CNV generates genome wide sequencing libraries from single cells to reveal tumor heterogeneity and evolution of subclonal populations. Methods: In this study, we utilized a scCNV assay to assess heterogeneity within the 4T1 murine breast tumor model. To accomplish this we have developed an end-to-end workflow including tissue dissociation, single cell library preparation, sequencing and data analysis. We injected 4T1 cells into the mammary fat pad of 4-6 week old BALB/c mice. Mice were sacrificed at 21 days and tumors were removed from the injection site and dissociated using Milteny’s Biotec Octo Dissociator. We utilized the 10X Genomics Chromium system to partition single cells and prepare sequencing libraries in parallel such that all DNA fragments produced within a partition are barcoded. Following library construction, the Illumina Novaseq 6000 system was used to sequence single cell libraries. Additionally, single cell libraries from a fraction of the 4T1 cells that were injected into the mammary fat and non-metastatic isogeneic cell line variants, 67NR and 168FARN, were also sequenced. Results: We observed a pair of amplifications (&amp;gt;8 copies) on chromosome 9 and three segments of amplification on chromosome 15 that were conserved throughout the injection site tumor cells. Interestingly, the amplifications on chromosome 15 encompass one of the most commonly observed breast cancer oncogenes, Myc, and the cell migration regulator, Skp2. Further, we observed three unique cluster of tumors cells which suggests the possibility of detecting major and minor clonal populations using this technology. Conclusion: Our findings suggest scCNV will help us to improve characterizations of the entirety of a patient’s disease to uncover potential clones that are primed to induce metastasis, drug resistance, and relapse. Citation Format: Lee D. Gibbs, Jing Qian, Michelle Webb, Sharon Chang, Zarko Manojlovic, Enrique I. Velazquez, Troy McEachron, David W. Craig, John D. Carpten. Single Cell CNV End to End workflow to uncover tumor heterogeneity in a murine breast cancer model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4703.

Genome-wide association study for plasma very low-density lipoprotein concentration in chicken.

The plasma very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentration is an effective blood biochemical indicator that could be used to select lean chicken lines. In the current study, we used Genome-wide association study (GWAS) method to detect SNPs with significant effects on plasma VLDL concentration. As a result, 38 SNPs significantly associated with plasma VLDL concentration were identified using at least one of the three mixed linear model (MLM) packages, including GRAMMAR, EMMAX and GEMMA. Nearly, all these SNPs with significant effects on plasma VLDL concentration (except Gga_rs16160897) have significantly different allele frequencies between lean and fat lines. The 1-Mb regions surrounding these 38 SNPs were extracted, and twelve important regions were obtained after combining the overlaps. A total of 122 genes in these twelve important regions were detected. Among these genes, LRRK2, ABCD2, TLR4, E2F1, SUGP1, NCAN, KLF2 and RAB8A were identified as important genes for plasma VLDL concentration based on their basic functions. The results of this study may supply useful information to select lean chicken lines.

Assessing Fatty Acid Profiles of Macadamia Nuts

The kernel of the macadamia nut (Macadamia integrifolia and M. tetraphylla) is very high in oil, accounting for about three -quarters of their mass. In the current investigation, oil extracts from 20 breeding accessions and 14 cultivars had a range of 12.3% to 17.0% saturated fat, averaging 14.2%. Although all samples were found to be very high in “healthy” monounsaturated fats, the level of saturated fat slightly exceeds that of many other nuts that are able to make qualified health claims. The lowest saturated fat content (12.3%) corresponded to 4.6 g saturated fat/50 g kernels, which was slightly greater than the 4.0 g maximum. Despite this, potential exists to develop a reduced-saturated fat macadamia by combining characteristics found in different lines. The current trial indicates that lower total saturated fat was associated with a stronger ability to partition C16 and C18 fats to their monounsaturated fatty acids, or to elongate C16:0 to C18:0 and subsequently desaturate C18:0 to C18:1. It was also observed that the pollinizer parent is likely to have an influence on saturated fat content, although this would need to be confirmed in controlled pollination trials. Macadamia varieties generally outcross, and because the edible kernel (embryo) is formed from a pollinated ovule, it is likely any future reduced-saturated fat line would also require a reduced-saturated fat pollinizer parent.

Effects of nutrition restriction of fat- and lean-line broiler breeder hens during the laying period on offspring performance, blood biochemical parameters, and hormone levels

To evaluate the effects of maternal undernutrition on the performance, blood biochemical indexes, and hormone levels of broiler chicks, two broiler breeder lines (a fat line and lean line) were given either 100% or 75% of the daily feed intake recommended by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture from 27 to 54 wk. All hens were fed the same basal corn-soybean diet. Fertile eggs were collected and hatched. All chicks were fed the same basal diet for 56 d. Then, chick performance, blood biochemical indexes, and hormone levels were measured. The results showed that there were interactions between maternal nutrition and line for some parameters, such as the kidney index, glucose, triglyceride, insulin, glucagon, leptin, and triiodothyronine (P < 0.05). Chicks of the fat line had a lower level of serum glucose, triglyceride, albumin, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, insulin, and thyroxin than those of the lean line (P < 0.05), but the opposite trend was seen for birth weight, heart index, leptin, and triiodothyronine (P < 0.05). Maternal undernutrition decreased the birth weight and thymus index (day 28) of offspring (P < 0.05), but these effects disappeared by day 56. Maternal undernutrition decreased glucose (day 28), urea nitrogen (day 56), creatinine (day 56), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (day 56), creatinine kinase (day 56), and leptin (day 56) levels in the offspring's serum (P < 0.05) but increased creatinine (day 28), total protein (day 28), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (day 28), and glucagon (day 28) levels (P < 0.05). In conclusion, different lines have different metabolic processes. Maternal nutrition restriction during the laying period did have effects on the offspring, and the compensation by offspring reduced the effect of maternal nutrition restriction.

Important candidate genes for abdominal fat content identified by linkage disequilibrium and fixation index information.

Selection for rapid growth in chickens has always been accompanied by increased fat deposition and excessive fat deposition, especially abdominal fat, cannot only decrease feed efficiency but also cause many diseases. Finding the candidate genes associated with abdominal fat deposition is essential for breeding. To identify these candidate genes, we applied linkage disequilibrium and selection signature analysis using chicken 60 k single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chips in two broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content for 11 generations. After quality control, 46,033 SNPs were left for analysis. Using these SNPs, we found that r2 was 0.06 to 0.14 in the lean line and 0.07 to 0.13 in the fat line for all 28 chromosomes (except GGA16). Pairwise SNP distances <25 kb showed a mean r2 = 0.33 in the lean line and r2 = 0.32 in the fat line. The fixation index (FST) analysis was carried out and 46 SNPs with the top 0.1% of the FST value was detected as the loci with selection signatures. Besides FST, hapFLK was also used to detect selection signatures for abdominal fat content. A total of 11 genes, including transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C member 4, estrogen related receptor gamma, fibroblast growth factor 13, G-protein-signaling modulator 2, RAR related orphan receptor A, phospholipase A2 group X, mitochondrial ribosomal protein L28, metadherin, calcitonin receptor like receptor, serine/threonine kinase 39, and nuclear factor I A, were detected as the important candidate genes for abdominal fat deposition based on their basic functions. The results of the present study may benefit the understanding of genetic mechanism of abdominal fat deposition in chicken.

Dietary intake of broiler breeder hens during the laying period affects amino acid and fatty acid profiles in eggs

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of maternal dietary intake on the amino acid and fatty acid contents in eggs during the laying period. An experiment with a 2×2 factorial design was conducted with two maternal dietary intake levels (100 and 75% of dietary intake recommended by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture) and two broiler lines (fat and lean line). A total of 384 hens of fat line and 384 hens of lean line at [...]

Composition of Intestinal Microbiota in Two Lines of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) Divergently Selected for Muscle Fat Content.

Background:Recently, studies suggest that gut microbiota contributes to the development of obesity in mammals. In rainbow trout, little is known about the role of intestinal microbiota in host physiology.Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the link between intestinal microbiota and adiposity, by high-throughput 16S RNA gene based illumina Miseq sequencing in two rainbow trout lines divergently selected for muscle lipid content. Fish from these two lines of rainbow trout are known to have a differing lipid metabolism.Methods:Samples from the two lines (L for lean and F for fat) were collected from Midgut (M) and Hindgut (H) in juvenile fish (18 months) to compare intestinal microbiota diversity.Results:Whatever the lines and intestinal localisation, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria are the dominant phyla in the bacterial community of rainbow trout (at least 97%). The results indicate that richness and diversity indexes as well as bacterial composition are comparable between all groups even though 6 specific OTUs were identified in the intestinal microbiota of fish from the fat line and 2 OTUs were specific to the microbiota of fish from the lean line. Our work contributes to a better understanding in microbial diversity in intestinal microbiota of rainbow trout.Conclusion:Altogether, our study indicates that no major modification of the intestinal microbiota is induced by selection for muscle lipid content and associated metabolic changes. Finally, we identified members of core microbiota in rainbow trout.

On the postulation of lines and a fat line

In the present note we show that the union of r general lines and one fat line in P3 imposes independent conditions on forms of sufficiently high degree d, where the bound is independent of the number of lines. This extends former results of Hartshorne and Hirschowitz on unions of general lines, and of Aladpoosh on unions of general lines and one double line.

Breeding selection of rainbow trout for high or low muscle adiposity differentially affects lipogenic capacity and lipid mobilization strategies to cope with food deprivation

The present study evaluates the transcriptional regulation of lipid metabolism, adiponectin system and oxidative stress genes in two rainbow trout lines selected over seven generations for low (lean line, LL) or high (fat line, FL) muscle adiposity, and subjected to different fasting regimes. Under feeding conditions, FL fish had higher muscle lipid content, plasma triglycerides (TG) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) than the LL fish. Besides, FL fish had higher fatty acid synthase (fasn) mRNA levels in adipose tissue (AT) and white muscle (WM), and higher lipoprotein lipase (lpl) mRNA levels in WM, suggesting an increased lipogenic capacity and fatty acid uptake in the fatty genotype. In response to fasting, the two fish lines displayed a different trend in muscle lipid mobilization, plasma TG levels changes and lipid metabolism-related genes expression patterns. There were different fasn expression profiles between the fish lines in both, AT and WM, in agreement with the changes observed in plasma TG levels. The FL fish had higher adiponectin receptor 2 mRNA levels in WM and adiponectin mRNA levels in AT than LL fish after 1 and 4 weeks of fasting respectively, indicating a difference between genotypes in the adiponectin system. Furthermore, oxidative stress genes mRNA levels in both fish lines showed a different pattern between AT and WM upon fasting, probably indicating a higher protective effect in WM. Overall, the present study reveals a distinct metabolic regulation for each genotype, highlighting their different strategies in response to food deprivation.

Embryonic transcriptome and proteome analyses on hepatic lipid metabolism in chickens divergently selected for abdominal fat content

BackgroundIn avian species, liver is the main site of de novo lipogenesis, and hepatic lipid metabolism relates closely to adipose fat deposition. Using our fat and lean chicken lines of striking differences in abdominal fat content, post-hatch lipid metabolism in both liver and adipose tissues has been studied extensively. However, whether molecular discrepancy for hepatic lipid metabolism exists in chicken embryos remains obscure.ResultsWe performed transcriptome and proteome profiling on chicken livers at five embryonic stages (E7, E12, E14, E17 and E21) between the fat and lean chicken lines. At each stage, 521, 141, 882, 979 and 169 differentially expressed genes were found by the digital gene expression, respectively, which were significantly enriched in the metabolic, PPAR signaling and fatty acid metabolism pathways. Quantitative proteomics analysis found 20 differentially expressed proteins related to lipid metabolism, PPAR signaling, fat digestion and absorption, and oxidative phosphorylation pathways. Combined analysis showed that genes and proteins related to lipid transport (intestinal fatty acid-binding protein, nucleoside diphosphate kinase, and apolipoprotein A-I), lipid clearance (heat shock protein beta-1) and energy metabolism (NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 beta subcomplex subunit 10 and succinate dehydrogenase flavoprotein subunit) were significantly differentially expressed between the two lines.ConclusionsFor hepatic lipid metabolism at embryonic stages, molecular differences related to lipid transport, lipid clearance and energy metabolism exist between the fat and lean chicken lines, which might contribute to the striking differences of abdominal fat deposition at post-hatch stages.

Genetic selection on abdominal fat content alters the reproductive performance of broilers

The effects of obesity on reproduction have been widely reported in humans and mice. The present study was designed to compare the reproductive performance of lean and fat chicken lines, divergently selected for abdominal fat content. The following parameters were determined and analyzed in the two lines: (1) reproductive traits, including age at first egg and total egg numbers from generations 14 to 18, absolute and relative testicular weights at 7, 14, 25, 30, 45 and 56 weeks of age, semen quality at 30, 45 and 56 weeks of age in generation 18, and fertility and hatchability from generations 14 to 18; (2) reproductive hormones at 7, 14, 25, 30, 45 and 56 weeks of age in generation 18; (3) and the relative mRNA abundance of genes involved in reproduction at 7, 14, 25, 30, 45 and 56 weeks of age in generation 18. In females, birds in the lean line laid more eggs from the first egg to 40 weeks of age than the birds in the fat line. In male broilers, the birds in the lean line had higher absolute and relative testicular weights at 7, 14 and 25 weeks of age, but lower absolute and relative testicular weights at 56 weeks of age than the birds in the fat line. Male birds in the lean line had greater sperm concentrations and larger numbers of motile and morphologically normal sperms at 30, 45 and 56 weeks of age than the birds in the fat line. Fertility and hatchability were also higher in the lean line than in the fat line. Significant differences in the plasma levels of reproductive hormones and the expression of reproduction-associated genes were also found at different ages in the lean and fat birds, in both males and females. These results suggest that reproductive performance is better in lean birds than in fat birds. In view of the unique divergent lines used in this study, these results imply that selecting for abdominal fat deposition negatively affects the reproductive performance of birds.

Construction of multiple linear regression models using blood biomarkers for selecting against abdominal fat traits in broilers.

Plasma very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) can be used to select for low body fat or abdominal fat (AF) in broilers, but its correlation with AF is limited. We investigated whether any other biochemical indicator can be used in combination with VLDL for a better selective effect. Nineteen plasma biochemical indicators were measured in male chickens from the Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines divergently selected for AF content (NEAUHLF) in the fed state at 46 and 48 d of age. The average concentration of every parameter for the 2 d was used for statistical analysis. Levels of these 19 plasma biochemical parameters were compared between the lean and fat lines. The phenotypic correlations between these plasma biochemical indicators and AF traits were analyzed. Then, multiple linear regression models were constructed to select the best model used for selecting against AF content. and the heritabilities of plasma indicators contained in the best models were estimated. The results showed that 11 plasma biochemical indicators (triglycerides, total bile acid, total protein, globulin, albumin/globulin, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, uric acid, creatinine, and VLDL) differed significantly between the lean and fat lines (P < 0.01), and correlated significantly with AF traits (P < 0.05). The best multiple linear regression models based on albumin/globulin, VLDL, triglycerides, globulin, total bile acid, and uric acid, had higher R2 (0.73) than the model based only on VLDL (0.21). The plasma parameters included in the best models had moderate heritability estimates (0.21 ≤ h2 ≤ 0.43). These results indicate that these multiple linear regression models can be used to select for lean broiler chickens.

Identification of a potential functional single nucleotide polymorphism for fatness and growth traits in the 3'-untranslated region of the PCSK1 gene in chickens.

Prohormone convertase 1/3 is a serine endoprotease belonging to the subtilisin-like proprotein convertase family that is encoded by the () gene, and its major function is the processing and bioactivation of the proproteins of many kinds of neuroendocrine hormones, including insulin, cholecystokinin, and adrenocorticotropic hormone. The results of our previous genomewide association study indicated that the gene might be an important candidate gene for fatness traits in chickens. The objectives of this study were to investigate the tissue expression profiles of gene and to identify functional variants associated with fatness and growth traits in the chicken. The results indicated that mRNA was widely expressed in various tissues, especially neuroendocrine and intestinal tissues. Of these 2 tissue types, mRNA expression in lean males was significantly higher than in fat males. A SNP in the 3' untranslated region of (c.*900G > A) was identified. Association analysis in the Arbor Acres commercial broiler population and Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content (NEAUHLF) population showed that the SNP c.*900G > A was associated with abdominal fat weight, abdominal fat percentage, BW, metatarsus length, and metatarsal circumference. In the 5th to 19th generation (G to G) of NEAUHLF, the allele frequency of c.*900G > A changed along with selection for abdominal fat content. At G, allele G of c.*900G > A was predominate in the lean line, whereas allele A was predominate in the fat line. Functional analysis demonstrated that allele A of c.*900G > A reduced mRNA stability and consequently downregulated gene expression. These results suggested that c.*900G > A was a functional SNP for fatness and growth traits in the chicken. The results of this study provide basic molecular information for the role of gene in avian growth and development, especially obesity.

Noteworthy Professional News

FIRST NEONATAL MRI DEVICE CLEARED BY FDA The first neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device designed to scan the head and brain of a neonate has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration. The MRI machine uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate the images needed to view the head and the brain. The images are produced when protons in fat and water molecules line up in the body, producing scans that are useful in the diagnosis of many neurological diseases.1Embrace Neonatal MRI System was designed for infants with a head circumference of up to 38 cm and weight of 1 to 4.5 kg; the machine was designed in such a way to allow a temperature-controlled incubator to be placed directly into the machine, limiting temperature fluctuations. If the infant does exhibit signs of distress, removal of the infant from the machine takes only approximately 30 seconds. The Embrace Neonatal MRI System is contraindicated for patients weighing more than 4.5 kg, those with a head circumference of more than 38 cm, and infants with metallic or electronically active implants. The MRI system can be placed directly in the neonatal intensive care unit because the machine does not require a safety zone.2 NEW BREAST PUMP KIT CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS New guidelines for how to keep breast pump kits clean have been released following the tragic death of an infant who was 29 weeks old.3,4 The infant developed sepsis at the age of 21 days of life demonstrating positive Cronobacter sakazakii in both her blood and her cerebrospinal fluid. Despite aggressive treatment, the infant developed global developmental delay and required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and a gastrostomy feeding tube. After extensive investigation, one of the potential contributing factors to the sepsis was the breast pump kit that became contaminated with C sakazakii. Without adequate cleaning or sanitation, the infant was exposed to the deadly bacterial infection. Thus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has introduced new guidelines for parents to facilitate more hygienic expression and handling of human milk.4 Before using the breast pump kit, always wash hands with soap and water. Then assemble and inspect the kit to ensure that no mold or dirt is directly visible in the tubing. Finally, clean pump dial, power switch, and countertop with disinfectant wipes. After using the breast pump, store the milk safely, clean the pumping area, take apart the breast pump, rinse the pump parts, and clean the pump parts either in the dishwasher or by hand. Finally, after cleaning for extra protection, sanitize the pump parts, washbasin, and bottlebrush at least once daily after they have been cleaned. Ensure that items are stored in a clean dry area until needed.3 HIGH PERIPHERAL SEROTONIN IN INFANTS WITH SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME MAY BE A PERIPHERAL BIOMARKER The incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) even after the national Back to Sleep campaign continues to remain at 0.4 per 1000 live births, which is the leading cause of postneonatal infant mortality.5 SIDS is defined as an infant who dies suddenly without explanation despite a complete autopsy, an examination of the death scene, and a review of the clinical history.6 Infants with SIDS appear to have what is called the triple risk hypothesis: underlying vulnerability (poverty, prematurity, gender, race); critical developmental period (infancy); and an outside stressor that precipitates sudden death (asphyxia due to prone sleeping).7–10 The infants with SIDS appear to have respiratory and cardiac abnormalities within the brainstem, combined with the environmental stressors (sleeping position, temperature, exposure to tobacco smoke, sleep state) and a “terminal cascade of hypoxia, bradycardia, apnea, and death,” thus the infants suffer irreversible injury and death occurs.10(p778),11 A new study sought to determine whether peripheral serum serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) levels are altered in SIDS cases compared with deceased infants with known causes, since no known peripheral biomarkers exist for SIDS.12 Sixty-one SIDS cases were identified and 15 control infants were also recruited following a thorough investigation using the postulated triple risk hypothesis. Postmortem results indicated that the serum 5-HT levels for SIDS cases was 177.2 + 15.1 with control infants having 5-HT levels of 91.1 ng/mL + 30.6 ng/ml, which was statistically significant difference. Results confirm that increased serum 5-HT levels in SIDS infants were present when compared with other infants who died within the first year of life. The high levels of serum 5-HT may serve as a potential biomarker for infants.12 Potential use for this may allow for differentiation of different types of neonatal death, allowing for correct diagnosis.

Divergent breeding values for fatness or residual feed intake in Angus cattle. 1. Pregnancy rates of heifers differed between fat lines and were affected by weight and fat

The pregnancy rate of heifers affects the efficiency and profitability of beef herds. Heifers extreme in rib fatness (Fat) or post-weaning residual feed intake (RFI) estimated breeding values (EBVs) were evaluated for their pregnancy rates at two locations in the southern agricultural regions of Australia (Struan and Vasse) as part of the Beef Cooperative Research Centre Maternal Productivity Project. Heifers divergent in Fat (High-Fat and Low-Fat) had differences in fat depth pre-joining at the 12/13th rib (4.4 mm vs 3.5 mm) and P8 rump site (6.1 mm vs 4.8 mm). This was associated with significant differences in pregnancy rates over a 9-week joining period (91.5% vs 83.0%) and an even larger difference when calculated over a 6-week joining period (77.3% vs 65.0%). Heifers divergent in RFI (Vasse only) also differed in rib fat (7.6 mm vs 6.4 mm) and P8 fat (11.0 vs 9.2 mm), but not significantly in pregnancy rates between the two RFI (High-RFI and Low-RFI) genotypes following a 9-week (92.4% vs 88.5%) or 6-week (81.2% vs 73.7%) joining period. The phenotypic analysis of the Fat and RFI heifers together indicated that weight and fat depth were the largest contributing factors to variation in pregnancy rates, and age and pre-joining weight gain were not significant. These phenotypic characteristics indicated that producers can manage heifers to particular weight and fat combinations to improve heifer conception rates. Associations of BREEDPLAN EBVs with heifer fertility showed that a shorter days-to-calving EBV had the biggest impact (P &lt; 0.001) on heifer pregnancy rates and rib fat and scrotal size EBVs were close to significant (P &lt; 0.10).