The trade in live animals between India and Brazil dates from the late nineteenth century when European travellers traded animals of Indian origin for display in zoos. Considering the origin of coffee and sugar cane, as well as the expertise related to mineral evaluation, we need to consider that India was involved in important economic cycles of Brazil, even indirectly. This virtuous flow of trade has been maintained and intensified throughout modern history, especially after these two nations gained political independence from their colonisers, thereby becoming independent in mercantile affairs. This paper addresses the main points related to the use of animals of Indian origin in Brazil. We revisit some of the historical aspects of the process of colonisation of Brazil, as well as the importation of animals from India. The restrictions imposed on this process due to the occurrence of diseases in cattle and buffalo in India will be examined. At the end of the text, emphasis will be given to the risks of introducing exotic diseases into Brazil.

Background: In this study, we perform a search for variants (SNVs and InDels) in the genome of a Brazilian Naturalized horse breed, using FreeBayes and GATK variant calling tools. This breed presents exclusive adaptive traits of extreme importance to semi-arid conditions, such as those that allow survival under excessive sunlight, rainfall, low forage availability and stony ground. Moreover, these traits are expressed without any detriment to the performance and perpetuation of the breed. Results: A total of 305,588,364 reads were mapped in the horse reference genome, 1,598,210 single nucleotide variations and 138,139 insertions/deletions were detected by FreeBayes, 88,838 (SNVs) and 25,232 (InDels) by GATK. Both have been used in order to increase the safety of variant calls, identify in which regions of the genome they are present and check for variants in genes possibly associated with the peculiar traits exhibited by the breed. Conclusions: The variants annotation identified numerous non-synonymous SNVs and frameshift InDels, which could affect phenotypic variation. We found 28 and 392 Emsembl gene IDs containing high and moderate impact SNVs, including GTPase family members, olfactory receptors, mitochondrial complex and defense genes. Functional enrichment analysis was performed and revealed that variants in the olfactory transduction pathway were overrepresented.

Species substitution in meat products is a common problem reported worldwide. This type of food fraud is, typically, an intentional act for economic gain, using sources of low-priced meats in high-value meat products. Consequences include economic, health, and religious concerns. Highly sensitive and efficient techniques are thus required to detect meat species. This paper describes a method based on real-time PCR to detect 10 animal species (Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Capra hircus, Gallus gallus, Meleagris gallopavo, Bubalus bubalis, Equus caballus, Felis catus, and Canis familiaris) in meat product. The method combines species-specific and universal (used here as internal positive control) primers, and applies melt curve analysis for amplicon checking. Method accuracy was evaluated on 46 experimental meat mixtures and all species were correctly identified in all cases, at 1% test sensitivity. Analysis of 14 commercial meat products revealed that 6 of 14 samples had nondeclared bovine and/or chicken material. We performed an interlaboratory comparison using the reference meat mixtures and commercial samples, achieving 100% of reproducibility. The developed test proved to be effective and reliable for routine analysis of meat products.PRACTICAL APPLICATION:This paper describes a fast and reliable method for species detection in meat products based on real-time PCR. It can be applied for analysis of in natura or processed meat. The method proposed here can play an important role in controlling the origin of meat products, ensuring their quality and safety for the entire food industry-producers to consumers.

Puberty is a stage of sexual development determined by the interaction of environmental factors and genetic mechanisms. Among them, thyroid function plays a key role in sexual development and spermatogenic function and is under the control of several genes, including the well-described thyroglobulin gene (TG). Previous reports have shown genetic association between thyroid function and selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in taurine cattle. Therefore, the identification of genetic mechanisms involved in the regulation of this trait can assist with the selection for early pubertal bulls, thus improving genetic progress in livestock breeding. The aim of this study was to validate the association between TG SNPs and age at puberty in zebuine bulls. Three SNPs (rs110406764, rs109662686, rs109057985) were genotyped in 159 Guzerat animals using SEQUENOM technology. Results showed a significant association (p < .05) between the studied SNPs and puberty age, in agreement with our previous reports in a taurine breed. Interestingly, allele frequencies were different from those already reported, being GAT the most favourable allele for age at puberty in Guzerat (94.4 days lower). Overall, our findings corroborate previous reports and reinforce the importance of genetic influence in the regulation of sexual development and puberty through a thyroid pathway in zebuine cattle.

Haemonchus placei (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea: Haemonchidae) is a parasite of cattle and other ruminants that reduces the weight gain and increases mortality causing significant economic losses to livestock worldwide. Here we sequenced and annotated its complete mitochondrion (mt) genome, obtaining a circular molecule of 13,664 bp long and 78.8% A + T content (KT955899). Besides, all 10 mt genomes publicly available for the Trichostrongyloidea superfamily were downloaded from GenBank database. In the comparison between the complete mt genome sequences of the 3 species from the Haemonchidae family, an AT-rich region of variable size was observed. A primer pair that amplifies this region was proposed to allow the molecular diagnostic and differentiation between H. placei and H. contortus infections. Furthermore, the evolutionary relationship between H. placei and other members of Trichostrongyloidea was inferred based on a phylogenomics approach. All mitochondrial gene sequences were aligned and then concatenated into a supermatrix dataset. A maximum likelihood tree was produced and confirmed the monophyly of Haemonchidae family. The superfamily Trichostrongyloidae was also recovered as a monophyletic clade. The complete mt genome sequence reported here may be used to develop new genetic markers and investigate phylogenetic and geographic relationships between isolates as well as to assess population diversity and allow health control programs monitoring.

BACKGROUND:The availability of the bovine genome sequence and SNP panels has improved various genomic analyses, from exploring genetic diversity to aiding genetic selection. However, few of the SNP on the bovine chips are polymorphic in buffalo, therefore a panel of single nucleotide DNA markers exclusive for buffalo was necessary for molecular genetic analyses and to develop genomic selection approaches for water buffalo. The creation of a 90K SNP panel for river buffalo and testing in a genome wide association study for milk production is described here.METHODS:The genomes of 73 buffaloes of 4 different breeds were sequenced and aligned against the bovine genome, which facilitated the identification of 22 million of sequence variants among the buffalo genomes. Based on frequencies of variants within and among buffalo breeds, and their distribution across the genome, inferred from the bovine genome sequence, 90,000 putative single nucleotide polymorphisms were selected to create an Axiom® Buffalo Genotyping Array 90K.RESULTS:This 90K "SNP-Chip" was tested in several river buffalo populations and found to have ∼70% high quality and polymorphic SNPs. Of the 90K SNPs about 24K were also found to be polymorphic in swamp buffalo. The SNP chip was used to investigate the structure of buffalo populations, and could distinguish buffalo from different farms. A Genome Wide Association Study identified genomic regions on 5 chromosomes putatively involved in milk production.CONCLUSION:The 90K buffalo SNP chip described here is suitable for the analysis of the genomes of river buffalo breeds, and could be used for genetic diversity studies and potentially as a starting point for genome-assisted selection programmes. This SNP Chip could also be used to analyse swamp buffalo, but many loci are not informative and creation of a revised SNP set specific for swamp buffalo would be advised.

Knowledge of genetic diversity and relationships between breeds is very important for conservation programs. Hair samples were collected from 393 individual Nordestino horses and genotyped using 14 microsatellite markers in order to investigate the genetic relationship between this breed and 66 international horse breeds. There was high allelic diversity and inbreeding coefficient within population values were not significant, which was probably due to crossbreeding. Despite the Nordestino horse population being in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, a global deficit of heterozygotes was observed. This may represent evidence of repeated use of the same stallions for breeding, which is consistent with the high number of castrated males found. Campolina, Mangalarga Marchador, and Mangalarga were the Brazilian horse breeds most closely related to the Nordestino horse, which is a reflection of recent introgressions. Among Iberian horse breeds, the Sorraia breed appears to have had an important influence on the genetics of the Nordestino horse. Those results provide important information that can guide future conservation programs.

The present study aimed at evaluate the viability of PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) for identification of fraud and/or accidental contamination in buffalo meat - fresh and processed. Pure, autoclaved and controlled fraud samples, produced in the laboratory with the addition of 1, 5, 10 and 50% of beef in raw homogenized buffalo meat samples, were tested. Furthermore, different extraction methods, using a commercial kit and classical technique using phenolchloroform, were compared. The statistical result was obtained by contingency table analyzed by chi-square and the Fisher exact test. The specificity was highly significant (p < 0.0001), and the sensitivity was highly significant in dilutions from 10% (p < 0.0001). Despite its accuracy and precision, capable to detect a contamination level of 1%, PCR-RFLP technique is not recommended for inspection in cases of accidental contamination. This is due to the need of test repetition in levels of contamination lower than 10%. The efficiency of this test is lower to autoclaved meat. The PCR-RFPL technique can be used for certification of food made with specific species (species identification certification stamp).

Fil: Posik, Diego Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genetica Veterinaria Ing. Fernando Noel Dulout. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Genetica Veterinaria; Argentina

Para avaliar a viabilidade da metodologia da Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase associada com o Polimorfismo de Fragmentos de DNA (PCR-RFLP) na identificação de fraude intencional e contaminação acidental em produtos cárneos de origem bubalina, in natura e processados, foram testadas amostras puras e amostras de carnes com misturas controladas, produzidas em laboratório, com adição de 1%, 5%, 10% e 50% de carne bovina em carne de búfalo, homogeneizada crua e em amostras autoclavada. Foram comparados, ainda, diferentes métodos de extração, usando um kit comercial e a técnica clássica, utilizando fenol/clorofórmio. O resultado estatístico foi obtido por tabela de contingência, analisada pelo teste do qui-quadrado (χ2) e do exato de Fisher. A especificidade encontrada foi altamente significativa (P<0,0001). Observou-se também sensibilidade altamente significativa nas diluições a partir de 10% (P<0,0001). A técnica tem alta especificidade e sensibilidade para detectar até mesmo contaminação de 1%, mas a repetibilidade desse resultado impede a aplicação oficial desse método para a inspeção de contaminação acidental, sendo recomendada somente para inspeção de fraude a partir de 10% de substituição. Em carnes autoclavadas, a eficácia do teste é menor. A técnica pode ser empregada para certificação de produto específico (selo de identidade de espécie).

This study analyzed four remnant subpopulations of Nordestino horse breed to detect genetic structure and diversity through 14 microsatellite markers.Hair root follicles from a total of 393 horses were collected.There were 61 animals from Salitre Valley (JUAZ-BA) located at Bahia state, 89 from North and Central North ecoregions located at Piauí state (NCEN-PI), 185 animals from Sertão and Sertão do São Francisco ecoregions (SERT-PE) and 58 animals from Agrestina city (AGRE-PE) located at Pernambuco state.Genetic diversity, genetic differentiation and bottleneck effects were examined in the 4 remnant subpopulations of Nordestino horse breed.There was high allelic diversity and the F is value did not show evidence of a significant predominance of mating among relatives, probably because of crossbreeding among populations.Recent bottleneck effects were not detected in the 4 subpopulations, but the IAM and TPM model did suggest a bottleneck effect.This may be a reflection of the decreased number of breeding animals caused by castration of males, mechanization processes and changes in life style in the rural areas.The bottleneck event was not enough to lead a genetic differentiation among the 4 remnant subpopulations of Nordestino horse.There was no evidence of genetic differentiation, so the 4 subpopulations formed one genetic group.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the relationships that occur between morphometric variables of larvae of Lophiosilurus alexandri Steindachner, 1876 through their allometric growth analysis. Total length, head length and body height were correlated with standard length, head height and body height, as well as eye diameter and head height with head length. The results revealed allometric positive relation during the initial development, where the b coefficient varied between 1.10 and 2.81. The variable pre-anal distance in relation to the standard length and the snout length in relation to the head length revealed an allometric negative relation, where the b coefficient was 0.85 and 0.94, respectively.

This study analyzed the degree of concentration in worldwide exports of forest products in the period ranging from 1961 to 2008. The data used are available at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The concentration was determined by the concentration ratio [HR (k)], the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), Theil Entropy Index (E) and the Gini index (G). The main conclusions were: The aggregate Brazilian share in the world exports of forest products is increasing over time; the most important sectors in the aggregate world exports of forest products, in decreasing order, were pulp, lumber, paper and cardboard, wooden panels, saw and fire wood. According to Bain, the concentration ratio of the four and eight largest exporters of forest products is moderately low; the HHI and Theil Entropy (E) show a reduction in the concentration of world exports of forest products and greater competition among the countries that sell such products; the Gini index indicates that despite the increase in export of forest products over the period of analysis, a smaller number of competitors concentrate increasingly larger shares of international exports of these products; summary indices (HHI, E and G) indicated that increased competition has not led to a more equitable distribution of forest products so as to bring down inequalities and concentration of profits in the sector; despite the downward trend in CR (4) and CR (8), there is an increase in G, probably because the economies of scale in the international trade have been held by few competitors; caution is recommended in the analysis of summary indices (HHI, E and G) which had better be checked jointly with the partial indices [CR (k)] in order to avoid wrong conclusions; countries with a significant share in total exports, such as Brazil, should seek business strategies to retain competitive advantages, especially those arising from economies of scale.

In tropical areas buffaloes are used to improve a milk and meat production in small farmers and have the social impact in keep the population in the rural areas. This paper describes the economical results of a milk production system composed by 10 lactation buffaloes and one sire, calves and weaned animals breed in Braquiaria sp. pasture at Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Using the production index and products prices the value of the work and economical results were calculated. In a year this production system controlled by a single man allows an income of USD 16527,03. The natural capacity of buffaloes to produce more milk and meat in tropical areas reduces the spending with modern corrals and medications, improving the economical results and environmental welfare.

The helminth resistance to antiparasitic drugs has a huge impact in livestock production. In bovines, helminth resistance to doramectin is reported since 2002 however there is no report in buffaloes. In a routine feces examination to evaluate the efficacy of a parasitic control program using doramectin (200 mcg /kg of body weight) in a buffalo farm, one animal was found positive to trichostrongylid eggs after seven days post treatment. To confirm the observed resistance the animal was treated once again and the feces were collected and analyzed at day 7 and 14. The resistant worms were then identified by complementary exams. This observation invites all buffalo farmers and technicians to be alerted for the use of correct practices to helminth control aiming to reduce the frequency of anthelmintic resistance in buffalo population. Practices to reduce the calve mortality by worms are currently used, but according to genetic selection and high production levels, it becomes necessary to be attempted also for the subclinical parasitic infection and its control.

Anthelmintic resistance is an increasing problem that threatens livestock production worldwide. Understanding of the genetic basis of benzimidazole resistance recently allowed the development of promising molecular diagnostic tools. In this study, isolates of Haemonchus contortus obtained from goats, sheep and buffaloes raised in Brazil were screened for presence of the polymorphism Phe200Tyr in the β-tubulin 1 gene, which confers resistance to benzimidazole. The allelic frequency of the mutation conferring resistance ranged from 7% to 43%, and indicated that resistance to benzimidazole could be found in nematodes isolated from all the ruminant species surveyed. Although significant variation in the frequency of the F200Y mutation was observed between different herds or host species, no significant variation could be found in populations isolated from animals within the same herd. These findings suggest that screening of samples from a few animals has the potential to provide information about the benzimidazole resistance status of the entire herd, which would enable a considerable reduction in the costs of diagnosis for the producer. Molecular diagnosis has practical advantages, since it can guide the choice of anthelmintic drug that will be used, before its application in the herd, thus reducing the economic losses driven by anthelmintic resistance.

The publication of the human genome sequence in 2001 was a major step forward in knowledge necessary to understand the variations between individuals. For farmed species, genomic sequence information will facilitate the selection of animals optimised to live, and be productive, in particular environments. The availability of cattle genome sequence has allowed the breeding industry to take the first steps towards predicting phenotypes from genotypes by estimating a "genomic breeding value" (gEBV) for bulls using genome-wide DNA markers. The sequencing of the buffalo genome and creation of a panel of DNA markers has created the opportunity to apply molecular selection approaches for this species.The genomes of several buffalo of different breeds were sequenced and aligned with the bovine genome, which facilitated the identification of millions of sequence variants in the buffalo genomes. Based on frequencies of variants within and among buffalo breeds, and their distribution across the genome compared with the bovine genome, 90,000 putative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were selected to create an Axiom (R) Buffalo Genotyping Array 90K. This "SNP Chip" was tested in buffalo populations from Italy and Brazil and found to have at least 75% high quality and polymorphic markers in these populations. The 90K SNP chip was then used to investigate the structure of buffalo populations, and to localise the variations having a major effect on milk production.

Fraudulent species substitution in food products is a reality in many markets around the world. The consequences are serious and impact governments, consumers and producers. Molecular methods, including PCR-based techniques, are available to prevent species substitutions and to authenticate food content. Here, we describe a method for calculating the bovine and buffalo content in milk- and meat-derived food products. The method applies real-time PCR using primers designed to specifically amplify bovine or buffalo DNA. The amplification efficiencies of both primer sets were assessed using the TaqMan and SYBR Green systems. Both sets of primers showed satisfactory results. A quantification procedure is proposed and involves amplifying a sample with both primer sets and then normalizing the total DNA using the total non-normalized bovine and buffalo DNA. To correct for the potential deviations between the real and measured DNA quantity caused by biological differences between species, we propose the use of calibration curves generated from each analyzed matrix. These curves include a set of controlled admixtures of bovine and buffalo material. Using this method for dairy samples containing known bovine and buffalo content, the use of the calibration curve always approximated the measured to the expected quantities. This technique was then tested on commercial samples. Our method was efficacious and reliable and can be applied to the routine analysis of these products. Although we only tested the methodology on dairy products, it can also be applied to other food matrices, such as meat-derived products. A patent document for the technique has been submitted to the Brazilian Patent Office (INPI – Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial – www.inpi.gov.br) under the number 014110002844.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a estrutura e diversidade genética de quatro subpopulações do cavalo Nordestino utilizando 14 marcadores microssatélites. Amostras de bulbo capilar de 393 cavalos foram coletadas, distribuídos em: 61 animais do vale do Salitre (JUAZ-BA) localizado no estado da Bahia, 89 das mesorregiões Norte e Centro-Norte do estado do Piauí, 58 animais da cidade de Agrestina (AGRE-PE) e 185 das mesorregiões Sertão e Sertão do São Francisco localizado no estado de Pernambuco (SERT-PE). A diversidade genética, diferenciação genética e efeito de gargalo genético foram avaliados nas 4 subpopulações do cavalo Nordestino. Observou-se elevada diversidade genética e valores de Fis que não evidenciaram níveis de consanguinidade significativa, prova-velmente isso se deve à acasalamentos entre as subpopulações. Efeito de gargalo genético recente não foi detectado para as quatro subpopulações, porém os modelos IAM e TPM sugeriram um efeito de gargalo genético não recente. Isso pode ser reflexo da redução no número de reprodutores decorrente da castração de machos, processo de mecanização e mudanças no estilo de vida das populações da zona rural. Eventos mais antigos do efeito de gargalo genético não foram suficientes para evidenciar uma diferenciação genética entre as 4 subpopulações, portanto elas formam um só grupo genético.