High Altitude Stress Research Articles

Effect of short-term exposure to high-altitude hypoxic climate on feed-intake, blood glucose level and physiological responses of native and non-native goat.

The exposure to high altitude and cold stress poses challenges in maintaining normal physiological standards and body homeostasis in non-native animals. To enhance our understanding of the physiology of native and non-native goats in high-altitude environments, we conducted a comparative study to examine the impact of natural hypoxic and cold stress conditions on their feed intake (FIT) and associated changes in physiological responses, including plasma glucose concentration (PGC). The study took place at an altitude of 3505.2m above mean sea level and involved twenty-two healthy females from two different breeds of goats. This study was conducted over a period of 56days after the arrival of non-native Black Bengal goats (BBN) and compared with native Changthangi (CHAN) goats. Both groups were extensively reared in a natural high-altitude and cold-stress environment in Leh, India, and were subjected to defined housing and management practices. The parameters evaluated included FIT, PGC, respiration rate, heart rate, pulse rate, and rectal temperature. High altitudes had a significant (p < 0.05) impact on FIT, PGC, respiration rate, heart rate, pulse rate, and rectal temperature in BBN, whereas these parameters remained stable in CHAN throughout the study period. Additionally, the detrimental effects of high-altitude stress were more pronounced in non-native goats compared to native goats. These findings suggest that physiological responses in non-native goats tend to stabilize after an initial period of adverse effects in high-altitude environments. Based on the physiological responses and glucose concentration, it is recommended to pay special attention to the nutrition of non-native goats for up to the third week (21days) after their arrival in high-altitude areas.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence and characteristics analysis of Qingda no.1 alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Qingda no.1)

<i>Medicago sativa</i> is the most widely cultivated forage legume and one of the most economically valuable crops throughout the world. Qingda no.1 (<i>Medicago sativa </i>L. cv. Qingda no.1) is an excellent alfalfa local variety with strong cold, drought and salt resistance in the three rivers source area of Qinghai. In this study, the whole chloroplast (cp) genome of Qingda no.1 was sequenced, assembled and its structure was analysed by the Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology. The results showed that the chloroplast genome of Qingda no.1 exhibits no obvious typical quadripartite structure; the total length of the chloroplast genome is 125 637 bp; the chloroplast genome contained 111 genes, including 77 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes, with an overall GC content of 38.33%. The relative synonymous codon usage showed that 68.67% of the codons RSCU > 1 in Qingda no.1, with the preference ending with A and T. The simple sequence repeat (SSR) analysis identified 62 SSR loci. The phylogenetic analysis of the cp genome, Qingda no.1 clustered closely with <i>Medicago sativa</i> KU321683 (<i>Medicago sativa </i>L. cv. KU321683). These results are helpful for the further study of the Qingda no.1 adaptation mechanism to high altitude stress environments.

A survey on backyard poultry farming in Leh-Ladakh region

Leh-Ladakh, India is situated at 3000-3500 m above mean sea level, where harsh climatic environment is characterized by hypobaric-hypoxia, low humidity, high UV radiation and extreme variation in ambient temperature (-20 to +30ºC), which causes high-altitude stress to poultry. Hence, not much progress has been made in poultry rearing in this region, as high altitude causes high mortality and poor growth resulting in heavy loss of farm economy. The present field survey was conducted to study the farmer’s choice, existing farm resources, market opportunity, and social awareness on modern poultry rearing. Hence, many villages, viz. Chuchot, Shey, Phyang, Thicksey, Basgo, Skurbuchan, Skara, Ranbirpura of Leh-Ladakh were surveyed. The survey findings indicated that few progressive farmers are practicing backyard poultry rearing which plays an important role in the rural economy and women empowerment. It was found that the average flock size reared per family was small and farmers preferred colour plumage birds. The coops for chicken are mainly made up of double walled under or semi-underground mud houses for better insulation and heat retention during winter. Shelters are provided during night, whereas pasture or open field gazing is practiced during day time even in winters. Farmers rear birds throughout summers and self-consume or even sell them in three to four times higher price during winters when the demand is very high. Poultry farming among more farmers in more villages with help from state departments and different NGO will definitely strengthen poultry farming in this region. DIHAR (Defence Institute of High Altitude Research) a premium institute, also working in poultry science can further help these farmers in providing a complete package of basic training on management practices and even in distribution of high altitude adapted chicks to uplift farmer’s interest and promote poultry farming in this region.

Adaptive Responses of Four Medicinal Plants to High Altitude Oxidative Stresses through the Regulation of Antioxidants and Secondary Metabolites

The conservation of medicinal plants, particularly endangered or endemic species, is of the utmost importance, especially in light of inevitable climate change and its consequences. Species inhabiting high altitudes adopt exceptional defense mechanisms in response to abiotic stresses as a survival strategy. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of altitudinal variations on secondary metabolite accumulation and antioxidant enzyme capacity in four plants (Cotoneaster orbicularis, Crataegus x sinaica, Echinops spinosissimus subsp. Spinosissimus, and Tanacetum sinaicum) growing naturally on the Sinai Peninsula’s high mountains. Plant leaves and soil samples were collected from three altitudes between 1500 and 2250 m a.s.l. to evaluate the adaptive responses of these species in relation to high-altitude oxidative stresses. The results showed that at higher altitudes, the electrical conductivity and the micronutrient contents of the soil decreased, which may be due to the prevalence of silt and clay decreasing at higher altitudes. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, ascorbic acid, and total soluble protein showed similar results in relation to higher altitudes for all species. On the other hand, proline, total soluble sugars, carotenoids, phenols, tannins, and flavonoids increased in response to high altitudes. The activity levels of catalase and ascorbic acid peroxidase showed a significant increase aligned with higher altitudes, while a significant decrease in activity levels was obtained for polyphenol oxidase. In conclusion, the present findings showed that Cotoneaster orbicularis exhibited the maximum response for coping with high-altitude stresses, followed by the remaining three species regarding the level of biochemical and physiological responses. The present work will help formulate conservation plans for important medicinal species.

High-Altitude Stress Orchestrates mRNA Expression and Alternative Splicing of Ovarian Follicle Development Genes in Tibetan Sheep.

Simple SummaryTo achieve optimal growth performance and improved fertility in animals living on high plateaus, it is important to understand how high-altitude stress reduces fertility in females. This study analyzed the transcriptome dynamics of Tibetan sheep ovaries under high-altitude stress. High-altitude stress suppressed the expression of follicular development marker genes and impaired the luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone signaling pathway. High-altitude stress also increased abnormally spliced isoforms of transcription factors and RNA processing factors. Therefore, high-altitude stress may reduce the fertility of Tibetan sheep by disrupting the normal expression/hormone signaling of follicular development genes. Further work is needed to decipher whether this phenomenon is a unique feature of Tibetan sheep or a general mechanism in animals under high-altitude stress.High-altitude stress threatens the survival rate of Tibetan sheep and reduces their fertility. However, the molecular basis of this phenomenon remains elusive. Here, we used RNA-seq to elucidate the transcriptome dynamics of high-altitude stress in Tibetan sheep ovaries. In total, 104 genes were characterized as high-altitude stress-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). In addition, 36 DEGs contributed to ovarian follicle development, and 28 of them were downregulated under high-altitude stress. In particular, high-altitude stress significantly suppressed the expression of two ovarian lymphatic system marker genes: LYVE1 and ADAMTS-1. Network analysis revealed that luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) signaling-related genes, such as EGR1, FKBP5, DUSP1, and FOS, were central regulators in the DEG network, and these genes were also suppressed under high-altitude stress. As a post-transcriptional regulation mechanism, alternative splicing (AS) is ubiquitous in Tibetan sheep. High-altitude stress induced 917 differentially alternative splicing (DAS) events. High-altitude stress modulated DAS in an AS-type-specific manner: suppressing skipped exon events but increasing retained intron events. C2H2-type zinc finger transcription factors and RNA processing factors were mainly enriched in DAS. These findings revealed high-altitude stress repressed ovarian development by suppressing the gene expression of LH/FSH hormone signaling genes and inducing intron retention of C2H2-type zinc finger transcription factors.

Multiple Adaptive Strategies of Himalayan Iodobacter sp. PCH194 to High-Altitude Stresses.

Bacterial adaption to the multiple stressed environments of high-altitude niches in the Himalayas is intriguing and is of considerable interest to biotechnologists. Previously, we studied the culturable and unculturable metagenome microbial diversity from glacial and kettle lakes in the Western Himalayas. In this study, we explored the adaptive strategies of a unique Himalayan eurypsychrophile Iodobacter sp. PCH194, which can synthesize polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and violacein pigment. Whole-genome sequencing and analysis of Iodobacter sp. PCH194 (4.58 Mb chromosome and three plasmids) revealed genetic traits associated with adaptive strategies for cold/freeze, nutritional fluctuation, defense against UV, acidic pH, and the kettle lake's competitive environment. Differential proteome analysis suggested the adaptive role of chaperones, ribonucleases, secretion systems, and antifreeze proteins under cold stress. Antifreeze activity inhibiting the ice recrystallization at −9°C demonstrated the bacterium's survival at subzero temperature. The bacterium stores carbon in the form of PHB under stress conditions responding to nutritional fluctuations. However, violacein pigment protects the cells from UV radiation. Concisely, genomic, proteomic, and physiological studies revealed the multiple adaptive strategies of Himalayan Iodobacter to survive the high-altitude stresses.

Plant diversity and ecology on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Plant diversity and ecology on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Integrated Physiological and Transcriptomic Analyses Responses to Altitude Stress in Oat (Avena sativa L.)

Oat is an annual gramineous forage grass with the remarkable ability to survive under various stressful environments. However, understanding the effects of high altitude stresses on oats is poor. Therefore, the physiological and the transcriptomic changes were analyzed at two sites with different altitudes, low (ca. 2,080 m) or high (ca. 2,918 m), respectively. Higher levels of antioxidant enzyme activity, reactive oxygen and major reductions in photosynthesis-related markers were suggested for oats at high altitudes. Furthermore, oat yields were severely suppressed at the high altitude. RNA-seq results showed that 11,639 differentially expressed genes were detected at both the low and the high altitudes in which 5,203 up-regulated and 6,436 down-regulated. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment tests were conducted and a group of major high altitude-responsive pigment metabolism genes, photosynthesis, hormone signaling, and cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis were excavated. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain response, we also confirmed expression levels of 20 DEGs (qRT-PCR). In summary, our study generated genome-wide transcript profile and may be useful for understanding the molecular mechanisms of Avena sativa L. in response to high altitude stress. These new findings contribute to our deeper relevant researches on high altitude stresses and further exploring new candidategenes for adapting plateau environment oat molecular breeding.

Comparative genomics and molecular adaptational analysis of Arthrobacter from Sikkim Himalaya provided insights into its survivability under multiple high-altitude stress

Arthrobacter is a dominant aerobic bacterium under the class Actinobacteria, known for its nutritionally versatile nature and wide prevalence in stressful environments. In the current study representative two strains of Arthrobacter, ERGS1:01 and ERGS4:06, with efficient survivability under high altitude stress conditions were selected for comparative genomic studies with their mesophilic counterparts. Physiological analysis and genome insights supported the survival of these strains under multiple high-altitude stress conditions. Molecular cold-adaptation and substitution analysis of the studied strains supported the incidence of more cold-adapted proteins for functionality at low temperatures. Studied strains preferred amino acids like serine, asparagine, lysine, tryptophan for favoring increased flexibility supporting their broad temperature survivability. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first molecular cold adaptation analysis performed for the genus Arthrobacter and has revealed that ‘aromaticity’, one of the cold-adaptor indicators, should be carefully considered while evaluating cold adaptation strategies in psychrotrophic/psychrophilic bacteria.

Haematological and biochemical profiling of Ladakhi cow: A native cattle of high altitude Leh-Ladakh, India

Ladakhi cattle is a native breed of cattle which is well adapted to hypobaric-hypoxia and cold-stress conditions prevalent at high altitude. These cattle are the main source of A2 quality milk. However, their utility, health and dairy production managements were not standardised for optimum dairy farm economics. Moreover, the haematological and biochemical parameters have not been investigated in details in adult Ladakhi cows, which is the primary requirement of farm health managements. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the haematology and biochemical parameters in adult Ladakhi cow to establish baseline reference values. Clinically healthy female Ladakhi cattle (10) were selected from the Ladakhi cattle research section, DIHAR, Leh. The resulted haematological and biochemical parameters were compared with already reported reference values for low lander cattle and high lander native and crossbred cattle. Haematological findings revealed that RBC, Hb, heamatocrit, MCV and WBC were within the reference range, rather MCH and MCHC values were more than the reference range. Biochemical findings revealed that albumin, glucose, creatinine, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, and aspartate aminotransferase were within the reference range limits of low lander. However, urea, triglycerides, total protein values were higher than the reference range and calcium was less than the reference range. These findings indicated that the native Ladakhi cattle are in healthy condition and metabolically adapted to high altitude stress. Hence, these hemato-biochemical profile could be the good biomarkers to evaluate their health status in high altitude stress condition.

Comparative microRNA Transcriptomes in Domestic Goats Reveal Acclimatization to High Altitude.

High-altitude acclimatization is a representative example of vertebrates’ acclimatization to harsh and extreme environments. Previous studies reported sufficient evidence for a molecular genetic basis of high-altitude acclimatization, and genomic patterns of genetic variation among populations and species have been widely elucidated in recent years. However, understanding of the miRNA role in high-altitude acclimatization have lagged behind, especially in non-model species. To investigate miRNA expression alterations of goats that were induced by high-altitude stress, we performed comparative miRNA transcriptome analysis on six hypoxia-sensitive tissues (heart, kidney, liver, lung, skeletal muscle, and spleen) in two goat populations from distinct altitudes (600 and 3000 m). We obtained the expression value of 1391 mature miRNAs and identified 138 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs between high and low altitudes. Combined with tissue specificity analysis, we illustrated alterations of expression levels among altitudes and tissues, and found that there were coexisting tissue-specific and -conserved mechanisms for hypoxia acclimatization. Notably, the interplay between DE miRNA and DE target genes strongly indicated post-transcriptional regulation in the hypoxia inducible factor 1, insulin, and p53 signaling pathways, which might play significant roles in high-altitude acclimatization in domestic goats. It’s also worth noting that we experimentally confirmed miR-106a-5p to have a negative regulation effect on angiogenesis by directly targeting FLT-1. These results provide insight into the complicated miRNA expression patterns and regulatory mechanisms of high-altitude acclimatization in domestic goats.

The 2018 Global Research Expedition on Altitude Related Chronic Health (Global REACH) to Cerro de Pasco, Peru: an Experimental Overview.

What is the central question of this study? Herein, a methodological overview of our research team's (Global REACH) latest high altitude research expedition to Peru is provided. What is the main finding and its importance? The experimental objectives, expedition organization, measurements and key cohort data are discussed. The select data presented in this manuscript demonstrate the haematological differences between lowlanders and Andeans with and without excessive erythrocytosis. The data also demonstrate that exercise capacity was similar between study groups at high altitude. The forthcoming findings from our research expedition will contribute to our understanding of lowlander and indigenous highlander high altitude adaptation. In 2016, the international research team Global Research Expedition on Altitude Related Chronic Health (Global REACH) was established and executed a high altitude research expedition to Nepal. The team consists of ∼45 students, principal investigators and physicians with the common objective of conducting experiments focused on high altitude adaptation in lowlanders and in highlanders with lifelong exposure to high altitude. In 2018, Global REACH travelled to Peru, where we performed a series of experiments in the Andean highlanders. The experimental objectives, organization and characteristics, and key cohort data from Global REACH's latest research expedition are outlined herein. Fifteen major studies are described that aimed to elucidate the physiological differences in high altitude acclimatization between lowlanders (n=30) and Andean-born highlanders with (n=22) and without (n=45) excessive erythrocytosis. After baseline testing in Kelowna, BC, Canada (344m), Global REACH travelled to Lima, Peru (∼80m) and then ascended by automobile to Cerro de Pasco, Peru (∼4300m), where experiments were conducted over 25days. The core studies focused on elucidating the mechanism(s) governing cerebral and peripheral vascular function, cardiopulmonary regulation, exercise performance and autonomic control. Despite encountering serious logistical challenges, each of the proposed studies was completed at both sea level and high altitude, amounting to ∼780 study sessions and >3000h of experimental testing. Participant demographics and data relating to acid-base balance and exercise capacity are presented. The collective findings will contribute to our understanding of how lowlanders and Andean highlanders have adapted under high altitude stress.

Effects of Low-Frequency Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on High-Altitude Stress Ulcer Healing in Rats.

High-altitude stress ulcer (HSU) has constantly been a formidable clinical challenge for high-altitude and severe hypoxia. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have been verified to have the ability to penetrate tissues, and the biological effects have been confirmed effective on various tissue restorations. However, the therapeutic effect of PEMFs on HSU has been rarely reported. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of PEMFs on HSU healing systematically. Sprague–Dawley rats were assigned to control, HSU, and HSU+PEMF groups. The HSU models were induced by restraint stress under low-pressure hypoxia. The HSU+PEMF group was subjected to PEMF exposure. During the HSU healing, gastric juice pH values, ulcer index (UI), and histopathologic changes were investigated. Furthermore, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was determined to analyze the severity of gastric membrane inflammations. Norepinephrine (NE), which influences gastric acid secretion, was measured. Results indicated the UI of the HSU+PEMF decreased faster than that of the HSU group. Histopathologic observation suggested that the ulcer tissue healing is faster in the HSU+PEMF group than in the HSU group. The TNF-α/total protein results revealed that the inflammation of the HSU+PEMF group is suppressed effectively. The pH values are higher in the HSU+PEMF group than in the HSU, as confirmed by NE examination. The results indicated that low-frequency PEMFs can penetrate stomach tissues to relieve the symptoms of HSU and promote the regeneration of disturbed tissues, thus implying the clinical potential of PEMF therapy for HSU treatment.

ALS blood expression profiling identifies new biomarkers, patient subgroups, and evidence for neutrophilia and hypoxia

BackgroundAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating disease with few treatment options. Progress towards new therapies requires validated disease biomarkers, but there is no consensus on which fluid-based measures are most informative.MethodsThis study analyzed microarray data derived from blood samples of patients with ALS (n = 396), ALS mimic diseases (n = 75), and healthy controls (n = 645). Goals were to provide in-depth analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), characterize patient-to-patient heterogeneity, and identify candidate biomarkers.ResultsWe identified 752 ALS-increased and 764 ALS-decreased DEGs (FDR < 0.10 with > 10% expression change). Gene expression shifts in ALS blood broadly resembled acute high altitude stress responses. ALS-increased DEGs had high exosome expression, were neutrophil-specific, associated with translation, and overlapped significantly with genes near ALS susceptibility loci (e.g., IFRD1, TBK1, CREB5). ALS-decreased DEGs, in contrast, had low exosome expression, were erythroid lineage-specific, and associated with anemia and blood disorders. Genes encoding neurofilament proteins (NEFH, NEFL) had poor diagnostic accuracy (50–53%). However, support vector machines distinguished ALS patients from ALS mimics and controls with 87% accuracy (sensitivity: 86%, specificity: 87%). Expression profiles were heterogeneous among patients and we identified two subgroups: (i) patients with higher expression of IL6R and myeloid lineage-specific genes and (ii) patients with higher expression of IL23A and lymphoid-specific genes. The gene encoding copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase (CCS) was most strongly associated with survival (HR = 0.77; P = 1.84e−05) and other survival-associated genes were linked to mitochondrial respiration. We identify a 61 gene signature that significantly improves survival prediction when added to Cox proportional hazard models with baseline clinical data (i.e., age at onset, site of onset and sex). Predicted median survival differed 2-fold between patients with favorable and risk-associated gene expression signatures.ConclusionsPeripheral blood analysis informs our understanding of ALS disease mechanisms and genetic association signals. Our findings are consistent with low-grade neutrophilia and hypoxia as ALS phenotypes, with heterogeneity among patients partly driven by differences in myeloid and lymphoid cell abundance. Biomarkers identified in this study require further validation but may provide new tools for research and clinical practice.

Protective effects of melatonin against fluoride-induced oxidative stress in rats at high altitude

This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of melatonin against fluoride-induced oxidative stress-mediated haematological and biochemical changes in rat at high altitude. Adult male Wistar rats (6) were given the basal diet and drinking water ad lib. for first 7-days which was considered as the control period. Thereafter, they were exposed to NaF (@ 50 ppm) per-oral through drinking water for the next 14 days followed by melatonin treatment (@ 15 mg/kg BW, p.o.) for the next 14 days. The result showed induction of oxidative stress during NaF treatment alone, which caused significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, and % inhibition of DPPH, MDA, and water intake. Whereas, total antioxidant capacity (FRAP) and body weight gain were significantly reduced during NaF exposure. Haemogram analysis indicated significant decrease in haemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocytes, lymphocytes, platelets count, whereas increase in MCH, monocytes, neutrophil, and eosinophil during NaF exposure. However, melatonin administration after 14 days of fluoride treatment resulted in significant amelioration of adverse changes occurred in different blood-biochemical parameters and also increased the total antioxidant status. Notably, the body weight gain improved during melatonin administration. These findings indicated induction of oxidative stress-mediated adverse change in haematology and biochemical parameters, and amelioration effect of oral dose of melatonin in rats under high altitude stress condition. Hence it can be concluded that melatonin acts as a potent antioxidant agent, which may be orally supplemented for amelioration of fluoride-mediated oxidative stress even under prevalent high altitude stress.

Evaluation of antioxidant status in serum and milk of Jersey cross-bred in different seasons reared under high-altitude stress condition

ABSTRACTLadakh is the cold-desert high-altitude region located in the Trans-Himalayan region of India. This region is characterized by very harsh environmental conditions with hypobaric hypoxia-induced oxidative stress in domestic animals. In these circumstances this study has been carried out to analyze the effects of different seasons and high altitude stress on serum and milk antioxidant status of cow to monitor health and milk production. A total of 140 clinically healthy lactating Jersey cross-bred cows were used for the sample collection in the two successive season’s viz. summer and winter. Blood lipid peroxidation was significantly (p < 0.05) higher during the winter season. Whereas, the blood and milk antioxidant capacity was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the winter season as compared to the summer season. Milk production showed significant (p < 0.05) higher in the summer seasons than the winter season. This study indicated unfavourable THI for dairy cattle which caused stress to Jersey crossbred cows. This physiological status was attributed to changes in antioxidant status in studied animals. This is also supported by the antioxidant capacity of milk samples. Hence, microenvironment management should be given utmost importance for the better cattle health management in this region for the better production level.

Endurance exercise causes adverse changes in some hematological and physiobiochemical indices in ponies under high altitude stress condition

The ponies have immense relevance for logistic support for civil population and troops in hilly and high altitude areas. There is no information on specific biomarkers of endurance performance under high altitude stress condition, which could be supportive in the identification of elite ponies for deployment at high altitude. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the physiological responses, hematological, biochemical, metabolic, and antioxidant biomarker during endurance exercise in ponies at high altitude. For this study, total 5 mares were put on endurance exercise at 4–6 m/sec speed for 30 min on 30 m track situated at 3,500 m altitude for 28 days period. The result showed a significant change in physiological responses, and some hematological, biochemical, metabolic and antioxidant parameters viz. glutathione peroxidase, creatinine kinase-MB, lactic acid, total protein, glucose, hexokinase, cortisol, and interleukin-6 level at different phase of endurance exercise. In conclusion, this study showed the alteration in physiological responses and some hematological and physio-biochemical metabolic parameters during the endurance exercise. Hence, these parameters could be considered as biomarkers for evaluation of endurance performance in ponies at high altitude before putting them under load carrying deployment.

Complete genome sequence of Pseudomonas frederiksbergensis ERDD5:01 revealed genetic bases for survivability at high altitude ecosystem and bioprospection potential

Pseudomonas frederiksbergensis ERDD5:01 is a psychrotrophic bacteria isolated from the glacial stream flowing from East Rathong glacier in Sikkim Himalaya. The strain showed survivability at high altitude stress conditions like freezing, frequent freeze-thaw cycles, and UV-C radiations. The complete genome of 5,746,824 bp circular chromosome and a plasmid of 371,027 bp was sequenced to understand the genetic basis of its survival strategy. Multiple copies of cold-associated genes encoding cold active chaperons, general stress response, osmotic stress, oxidative stress, membrane/cell wall alteration, carbon storage/starvation and, DNA repair mechanisms supported its survivability at extreme cold and radiations corroborating with the bacterial physiological findings. The molecular cold adaptation analysis in comparison with the genome of 15 mesophilic Pseudomonas species revealed functional insight into the strategies of cold adaptation. The genomic data also revealed the presence of industrially important enzymes.

Cardiovascular biomarkers of high altitude adaptation: Selection aid for livestock breeding

The efficiency of oxygen usage and energy metabolism is important for high-altitude adaptation and optimum performance of animals. With regards to adaptation and productivity of high yielder animals, high-altitude stress (hypobaric-hypoxia, cold stress) is a primary concern at high altitude. The cardiovascular system is an essential link in the transport of oxygen from the air to the mitochondria, and it, therefore, has an important role in acclimatisation and adaptation to the oxygen depleted environment of high altitude. These pathophysiological changes belong to the morphological, functional, and component of the cardiovascular system which can be detected as the biomarker whenever changes are found in this system. These cardiovascular biomarkers are structural, haematological, biochemical, molecular, and genetic. This lecture has reviewed the different types of cardiovascular biomarkers which are important in high altitude adaptation and therefore may be helpful in selection of adapted animals for future breeding and rearing at high altitude. Some structural biomarkers are hypertrophy of auricle and ventricle, pulmonary arterial pressure, hypertension, myocardial contractibility, hydrothorax, ascites, etc., whereas hematocrit level, blood viscosity, plateletatic, is haematological biomarkers. Cardiac troponin-I and troponin-T, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), inflammatory markers, rennin, etc. are biochemical biomarkers. Details of these biomarkers and other related markers will be discussed in present lecture. These biomarkers concentration or levels are indicators of physiological state genetic make-up of animals of the respective environmental condition. Hence, these biomarkers along with performance and physical traits may be considered for selection high altitude adapted animals for breeding and rearing.

Evaluation of Water and Feed Intake and Growth Performance of Goat (Capra hircus) at High Altitude

At high altitude, due to extreme climatic conditions, high altitude (HA) stress coupled with poor nutritional status adversely affects the animal's health and productivity. These poor health and low productivity may be due to poor feed and water intake that affect animal metabolism and thereafter their animal's performance. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to know daily water and feed intake, and growth performance of native and exotic goat of plain areas at high altitude (Leh-Ladakh; 11500 ft above from mean sea level) under semi-intensive rearing system. For this, eight adult female of each breed viz. Sirohi, Black Bengal (exotic breed from plain areas), and Changthangi goat (native breed) were selected from newly introduced flocks of animals. All the animals were observed for weekly water and feed intake and fortnightly gain in body weight up to eight weeks period. Result indicated significantly (P<0.05) higher water and feed intake and body weight gain during the entire period of experiment in Changthangi goat as compared to Sirohi and Black Bengal goats. There was no difference in water intake per kilogram feed intake among the breeds. Similarly, there were no significant change in daily and weekly water and feed intake between Sirohi and Black Bengal goats. Whereas, significantly (P<0.05) higher total weight gain was recorded in Sirohi as compared to Black Bengal goats during the entire experimental period and at fortnightly interval. Interestingly, there was no significant change in daily gain in body weight among the breeds. These findings indicate the adverse effect of high altitude stress on water and feed intake and growth performance of exotic goat breeds at high altitude. This study will help in farm management (feeding/watering) of exotic goats reared at high altitude and ration/feed formulation for optimum productivity.