Agris category codes: L10
COBISS
1.02 Language: English
Pluripotent stem cells and reprogramming in human
and farm animals
1,
Peter DOVČ
1
Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac. Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje
3, SI-1230, Slovenia
ABSTRACT
The importance of pluripotent cells, which can
differentiate in to different cell lineages and form an entire organism, is
fundamental for understanding developmental biology including emerging
diseases and offers potential for numerous applications in medicine and
biotechnology. However, molecular mechanisms behind differentiation and
de-differentiation (reprogramming) remain largely unknown. Until recently it
was possible to obtain stem cells only from embryos in the early stages of
development (embryonic stem cells – ESCs) or by using very inefficient and
technically difficult method of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) that
requires use of egg cells (oocytes). Both methods raised ethical concerns,
especially when using human biological material. On the other hand, induced
pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be generated by direct reprogramming of
differentiated adult somatic cells. iPSCs show similarities to ESCs and
represent ethically acceptable and almost unlimited source of
individuum-specific pluripotent cells. iPSCs are particularly important for
development of regenerative medicine, disease modelling, drug development
and testing, basic research, generation of transgenic animals, and for
conservation of endangered species. However, before it is possible to
exploit their potential in full, reprogramming processes should be
investigated and understood in details and safe methods developed – that
will enable production of genetically and epigenetically stable cells
without tumorigenic potential. This article provides an overview of the
field of iPSCs and addresses some of the latest achievements and
applications of pluripotent cells in human and farm animals.
Agris category codes: /
COBISS
1.01 Language: English
Comparison of methods for relative quantification of gene expression
using real-time PCR
Luka BOLHA1, Daliborka DUŠANIĆ, Mojca NARAT, Irena OVEN
1
Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje
3, SI-1230 Domžale, Slovenia
ABSTRACT
Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) has become a widely
used tool for quantifying gene expression. Several methods for relative
quantification have been developed, enabling rapid and reliable detection
and quantification of specific nucleic acids. These methods, based on qPCR
include: the standard curve method, the efficiency calibrated method and the
2−ΔΔCq method. Here we analyzed
if these three methods generate comparable results. To evaluate their
performance, we analyzed the expression of the nuclease gene MS53_0284 from
Mycoplasma synoviae type strain WVU 1853 during in vitro
infection of CEC-32 cells, using qPCR. As determined, all three methods
generated comparable and reliable results when all necessary conditions were
fulfiled. Also, the efficiency calibrated and the standard curve methods
were more suitable for quantifying small differences in relative gene
expression than the 2−ΔΔCq
method.
Agris
category codes:
L10 COBISS
1.01 Language: English
Variance components estimation for type traits in
Slovenian Brown Swiss cattle
Marija ŠPEHAR1,
Miran ŠTEPEC, Klemen POTOČNIK
1Croatian
Agricultural Agency, Ilica 101, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to estimate genetic
parameters for 39 (26 official and 13 new) scored type traits in Slovenian
Brown Swiss cattle. Data set included records of 35 386 Brown Swiss cows
scored from 2000 to 2011 using method ‘System 97’. The studied type traits
were scored on scale from 1 to 9 (29 traits), measured by stick or tape
(five traits) or expressed in points from 60 to 90 (five traits).
Multiple-trait analyses based on three models were used for estimates of
genetic parameters. Fixed class effects in the models were: classifier and
year of scoring interaction, calving season, and time from calving to
scoring. Body condition score effect was additionally fitted as linear
regression in the second model. The third model included time after milking
as fixed class effect instead of condition. Direct additive genetic effect
and herd were used in the models as random effects. Estimated heritabilities
ranged from 0.13 to 0.46 for frame and from 0.03 to 0.22 for form traits.
Low to intermediate heritabilities (from 0.10 to 0.25) were estimated for
mammary system traits. The lowest heritability estimates, in range from 0.04
to 0.13, were obtained for foot and leg traits. The variance ratio for herd
covered between 0.02 and 0.26 of phenotypic variation. Genetic correlations
among type traits ranged from −0.41 between rear legs side view and legs
overall to 0.99 between rump height measured by tape and rump height
linearly scored for frame traits. High genetic correlations were estimated
for the following pairs of traits: rump width measured and rump width
linearly scored (0.92), central ligament and central ligament redefined
(0.97), body depth measured and body depth linearly scored (0.86).
Phenotypic correlations between pairs of traits were similar in direction
but smaller in magnitude in comparison to genetic correlations. Measured
type traits should be replaced with the scored one since genetic
correlations between them were high. The replacement will lead to the same
efficient but cheaper scoring system.
Key words: cattle / breeds / Brown Swiss / type traits /
heritability / genetic correlations
Agris
category codes:
S40, Q04 COBISS
1.01 Language: English
Nutrient intake variability
induced by processing of food diary data: A pilot study
1,
Ksenija PODGRAJŠEK , Marjan SIMČIČ
1Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical
Fac., Dept. of Food Science and Technology, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000
Ljubljana, Slovenia
ABSTRACT
Accurate assessment of nutrient intake of the population
represents one of the main challenges in food and nutritional science.
Evaluation of food diary is a complicated process, involving choosing the
appropriate nutritional database and having well qualified personnel
(coders) to work with it. The aim of this study was a comparison of nutrient
intake data obtained from one weighed 5-day food diary processed by five
master degree students, studying nutrition, focusing on coding errors.
Nutrition evaluation was done by Prodi 5.7 Expert Plus computer programme
and IBM SPSS Statistics 20 for statistical analysis. Results of our pilot
study show that variability of calculated data induced by food coding
lonesome is acceptable. Nevertheless putting other errors into account,
results can be misleading. On a five-day level macronutrients intake
variability is between 5 and 15%, while energy intake variability is within
6%. Uncommon food items and complex composition of the meal have the major
impact on observed high standard deviations on a separate meal level. In
conclusion the main reason of food coding errors is inaccuracy and incorrect
identification of specific food items.
Key words: human nutrition / food diary / energy intake /
macronutrient intake / food coding errors
Agris category codes:
L51
COBISS
1.01 Language: English
Effect of selenium and vitamin E
supplementation during late pregnancy on colostrum and plasma Se, Cu, Zn and
Fe concentrations of fat tail Sanjabi ewes and their lambs
M.T. JALILIAN,
1,
K. KARKODI
1Univ.
of Razi, Dept. of Animal Sciences Kermanshah, Iran
ABSTRACT
Twenty seven fat tail ewes were randomly assigned to
three treatment groups. Four and two weeks before expected lambing, ewes
were injected intramuscularly 0 ml (C) 5 ml (T1), 10 ml (T2) selenium and
vitamin E respectively. Blood samples were collected from ewes four weeks
before expected lambing and on the day of lambing. Blood samples of their
lambs were taken from the jugular vein at birth and 7 days of age. Selenium,
copper, zinc and iron concentrations of plasma and colostrum were measured
by inductively couple plasma (ICP-OES). The plasma Se concentration of lambs
in T2 was significantly increased compared with control group at 7 days of
age (P < 0.05). The colostrums Se and Cu concentrations were significantly
increased in Se supplemented ewe and their lambs (P < 0.05). The plasma Zn
concentration of ewes at lambing and colostrum were significantly decreased
in T2 compared with controls. The plasma Zn concentration of lambs of ewes
of T2 was significantly decreased compared with other groups at 7 days of
age (P < 0.05). The serum concentration of Cu increased in supplemented
ewes, which was concomitant with a reduction in Zn concentration in serum
and colostrums. It seems that an increase in serum concentration of Cu at
the end of pregnancy in ewes given Se supplement could disturb the Zn: Cu
ratios which in turn lead to Zn reduction. There was a positive correlation
between serum Se concentration with Cu and Fe levels and also a negative
correlation between Se and Zn in treated ewes.
Agris category codes: Q01, Q04
COBISS
1.01 Language: English
The impact of processing methods on
the quality of Sudanese white cheese produced by small scale in New Halfa
area
I.A.E. ELKHIDER,
1,
A.A. BASHEIR
1
Univ. of Khartoum, Fac. of Animal Production, Dept. of Dairy Production,
P. O. Box 32, Postal code 13314, Khartoum North, Sudan
ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to compare the effects of
production and processing methods of Sudanese white cheese produced in small
production units on cheese quality. The study was based on surveying 10
small scale producers in New Halfa area (eastern Sudan) during the period of
February to July, 2008. The production was carried out mainly by private
sector (70%), while 30% were owned by governmental institutes. Milk used in
the cheese making was fresh cow milk purchased from nomads (90%) compared to
only 10% from dairy farms. Regarding the level of education, 60% of cheese
producers finished secondary school and 40% were university graduates. The
average age of cheese producers ranged between 35–50 years. The results
showed no variation between cheese manufacturing methods in the majority of
production units in New Halfa. The supervision by the health authority
comprised about 80% of production units. Significant (P < 0.05) variation
was found in fat and ash content and non significant differences were
observed for total solids, protein content and the acidity of the Sudanese
white cheese due to variation in education, training, ownership, health
visits, heat treatment and marketing methods. Moreover, the producers owing
the plant for cheese processing produced cheese with significantly
(P < 0.05) high counts for total bacteria, yeast, mould and coliform.
However training and the regular health visits were found to improve the
hygienic quality. The study suggested that interventions and training of
cheese producers would help to improve Sudanese white cheese quality in New
Halfa area. In conclusion, traditional cheese methods need to be encouraged
and improved to utilize the surplus milk in rural areas.
Key words: milk products / Sudanese white cheese
/manufacturing / composition / small producers / Sudan
1
Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac. Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje
3, SI-1230, Slovenia
ABSTRACT
The geography of Slovenian autochthonous Cika cattle
breed was studied over a 140-year period of its development. The first
literature reference regarding the dissemination range of original Cika
cattle was found in the year 1872, when Schollmayr (1873) studied cattle
breeds in Carniola. In the second half of the 19 century, cattle in Carniola
were without their own names of breeds and were characterized by a large
phenotypic diversity. A generic term “Carniolan cattle” was the most
commonly used name and animals were grouped according to their colour. Povše
(1893) reported that the red coloured Gorenjska cattle were to the fullest
extent spread in the area which today belongs to Gorenjska statistical
region. Under the influence of specific climate and breeding conditions in
Bohinj area, the smallest in size and the most dairy type of Cika cattle was
developed here. They named it as “Bohinj cattle” and this was the original
form of Cika cattle. Breeding of Cika cattle maintained in the same area
until the sixties of the past century. In the year 1964 a symposium took
place in Kranj, where it was decided that Cika cattle was going to get
upgraded by Simmental breed. Today, the breeding of Cika cattle is dispersed
across a larger area of the Republic of Slovenia, however, it is the most
widespread in the north part of Central Slovenian statistical region (Kamnik
area) and Gorenjska, especially in the south-eastern part of Julian Alps
(Bohinj area). In these two areas, Cika cattle breeding is still most
concentrated.
[*]
The article is part of the doctoral
dissertation »Development of Cika Cattle Breed and Alpine Dairy
Farming«, issued by Metka Žan Lotrič, Ph.D., supervisor prof. Drago
Kompan, Ph.D.
