Background: The difference in the maternal behavior expression of sheep can affect the early growth and development as well as the survival of lambs. The characteristics of maternal behavior in primiparous and multiparous ewes were observed to reveal the expression of maternal behavior in Chinese Hu sheep and its effects on early lamb survival and body weight. Methods: In total 527 pregnant ewes with delivery were selected, including 246 primiparous ewes and 281 multiparous ewes. The observation record of maternal behavior began from 10 days before delivery to 3 days after delivery by video recording. The behaviors of ewe to the lamb included licking, suckling, seeking lambs, denial of suckling after delivery, butting and trampling lambs, abandoning lambs, and stealing lambs. Body weight of lambs were recorded including newborn, 7-day-old, 14-day-old and 35-day-old (weaning). Result: There were significant differences in the incidence rate in lamb abandonment and stealing between primiparous and multiparous ewes (P less than 0.05), namely the primiparous ewe group had the higher incidence of undesirable behaviours. However, there were no significant differences in seeking, licking and trampling behaviors between two groups (P greater than 0.05). Lamb survival within 7 days after delivery of multiparous ewes was greater than primiparous ewes (P less than 0.05). The body weights of newborn and 7-day-old lambs in the multiparous ewe group were significantly higher than the primiparous group (P less than 0.05). This study demonstrates that limited significant differences exist between primiparous and multiparous ewes in several aspects of maternal behavior in Chinese Hu sheep. Ewe behavioral expression associated with the birth and care of the neonatal lambs are essential for the survival and growth of the offspring.

Authentication of commercial buffalo meat products has become a market concern. This study intended to develop and validate a highly species-specific multiplex PCR assay for authentication of buffalo meat products. Four pairs of species-specific primers were used to target mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. The assay generated the expected PCR products of 313, 255, 294 and 177 bp for buffalo meat, cattle meat, pork meat and duck meat, respectively. The multiplex PCR assay was sensitive enough to detect 1 pg pure DNA and 0.1% (w/w) adulterated meat under mixed matrices. Market survey revealed about 35.3% of buffalo meat products are adulterated with cattle meat, pork meat or duck meat in China. The adulteration was found in all food product types including minced meat, frozen rolls, boiled meat, meat ball, vacuum-packed meat and jerky These findings showed that multiplex PCR assay are potentially reliable techniques for detection of adulteration in raw and processed buffalo meat products.

采用PCR-RFLP、PCR-SSCP方法检测滩羊群体中与产羔性状相关基因位点的遗传变异,并分析其与产羔数的关系,为探讨滩羊产羔的分子机制提供依据.结果表明,滩羊群体中存在BMPR IB基因Fec B位点突变A746 G,表现出B/+和+/+2种基因型,B/+基因型和+/+基因型的频率分别为0.06和0.94,+/+基因型是群体中的优势基因型;等位基因B和+的频率分别为0.03和0.97,等位基因+是群体中的优势等位基因.在滩羊群体中,未检测到GDF9基因的突变位点,表明该突变位点与滩羊的产羔性能无相关性.因此,BMPR IB基因Fec B位点可能是滩羊高繁殖力的重要调控基因之一,在一定程度上影响母羊的产羔性能.

因地制宜,发展循环生态农业,是我国现代农业的发展方向.构建耐盐牧草-肉羊-鲜食玉米循环生态农业模式,并形成高效配套技术.通过在本地区农业生产中应用该模式,实现了良好的经济、生态和社会效益.

The prolactin receptor gene (PRLR) plays an essential role in maternal behavior. The aim of the study was to detect PRLR mutations in exon 10, using a polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformation polymorphism method, and to determine the association between mutations in this region with maternal behavior traits in Chinese Hu sheep. Polymorphisms were detected only in the gene region amplified by the primer P3; three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were observed. The genotype BB was predominant in the ewe study population, and genotype distributions were in agreement with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between observations for licking and kicking behaviors of AA and AB genotype individuals (P > 0.05), but there was a significant difference (0.01 < P ≤ 0.05), when both were compared with the BB genotype. Significant differences were observed in suckling behavior between AA and AB genotype individuals (0.01 < P ≤ 0.05), and the difference between these two genotypes and BB was highly significant (P ≤ 0.01). No obvious difference was observed between the genotypes in behavior of suckling rejection (P > 0.05). These results contribute to methods for selection and breeding through marker-assisted selection for maternal behavior traits in Hu sheep.

[Objective] The research aimed to provide theoretical basis for the protection and reasonable development and utilization of wild resources of Bufo gargarizans population.[Method]Based on the sequencing analysis of partial sequence of the mitochondrial control region of B.gargarizans,the genetic diversity of different geographical population of B.gargarizans in the coastal wetland of Jiangsu Province was studied.[Result]Six haplotypes were detected from three geographical populations in the coastal wetland of Jiangsu Province.The individuals in Dongtai population,Dafeng population and Sheyang population shared the same haplotypes.But the other haplotypes were exclusive.The results of phylogenesis analysis showed that no obvious geographic distribution pattern was found among three geographical populations of B.gargarizans.[Conclusion] A certain degree of gene flow and genetic differentiation existed among different geographical populations.

In this study, genetic mutations of EGLN1 gene within four exons and intro-exon boundary regions were analyzed using PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing methods representing different sheep breeds of high-altitude and low-altitude types. Only two SNPs located in intron 4 were detected among the screened regions and no species-specific SNP was found. The EGLN1 SNPs were found to be significantly different between the high-altitude and low-altitude sheep breeds revealing that genetic variations of EGLN1 gene may be related to high altitude adaption.

Prolactin receptor (PRLR) is the specific receptor for prolactin. Brain-specific control of PRLR gene expression is correlated with the induction of maternal behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic changes in the PRLR mRNA level in the sheep pituitary gland and its effect on ewe maternal behavior. The mRNA expression of PRLR during non-pregnancy stage was maintained at low but detectable levels, as was the case during mid-gestation. After that, expression began increasing and reached a maximum during the early postpartum followed by a gradual decline during the mid-postpartum and late postpartum stages. A trend of higher PRLR mRNA expression was observed during the postpartum stage relative to the non-pregnancy and pregnancy stages. Expression of PRLR mRNA was significantly higher in the normal maternal behavior group than that in the abnormal maternal behavior group. There may be a correlation between PRLR mRNA expression and ewe maternal behavior, especially in early postpartum.

An effective DNA-based molecular method had been used to identify avian species from meats. The method combined the use of a pair of universal primers, which amplified about 440-bp fragment of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. A total of 99 meat samples were tested and 17 haplotypes were identified by DNA sequencing, which representing 14 avian species. One avian species was listed as the national first-grade protected animal in China and the IUCN endangered species. Two avian species were under the national second-grade state protection. The proposed method represents a straightforward and robust method for the accurate identification of avian species that could be used by law enforcement agencies as a tool for the control of illegal trade of meat from protected species.

生物信息学课程在生物科学、生物技术、生物工程、生物制药等专业中广泛开设,对扩展学生的知识视野、完善知识结构和培养创新实践能力都具有重要意义.生物信息学课堂教学改革的目标是提升课堂教学效果和质量,注重培养学生知识更新能力、自主学习能力以及创新意识,全面提高学生的专业素养.课堂教学实践表明,精心安排课程教学内容、合理选用教学方法、最大限度地提高课堂教学精彩程度、激发自主学习的意识和能力是生物信息学课堂教学改革的关键内涵.因此,课堂教学改革是一个系统工程,必须协调和调动一切积极因素,努力实现课堂教学模式的根本性转变[1-2].

Lhx2, a member of LIM homeobox transcription factors, plays a key role in normal tissue development. However, the molecular mechanism of Lhx2 gene in the regulation of the secondary hair follicle cycling in cashmere goat remains largely unknown. In the present study, the Lhx2 gene was cloned and characterized in cashmere goat. The cloned cDNA of Lhx2 was 1233 bp in length, encoding for proteins of 406 amino acids which contained all functionally important domains conserved among vertebrate Lhx2 gene. Tissue distribution analysis showed that Lhx2 mRNA was highly expressed in the skin and low expressed in all other tissues. Immunohistochemical localization revealed that Lhx2 was expressed in secondary hair follicles. Analysis of expression profiles of Lhx2 mRNA during different development stages in secondary hair follicles showed that the highest expression was observed at the anagen stage, while the lowest expression was detected at the telogen stage. The expression tendency during the development stages was that it increased from telogen to anagen, decreased from anagen to catagen, and decreased from catagen to telogen. The expression pattern of Lhx2 protein and mRNA was similar. The mRNA and protein expression of Lhx2 were consistent throughout the development cycle in secondary hair follicles. These findings provided a better understanding of the function of Lhx2 and suggested that the cyclic expression of Lhx2 might play important roles during secondary hair follicle development in cashmere goat. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.

良好的母性行为是仔畜存活和适应环境的关键,故母性行为与畜牧生产的收益密切相关.本研究以99只湖羊为研究对象,通过录像资料记录数据,利用生物统计方法探讨初产、经产母羊母性行为的差异,旨在发现湖羊母性行为的表现规律,以期为制定适合其生长繁育的管理措施提供依据.结果表明:初产母羊的分娩时间比经产母羊的长,且在产双羔组差异显著(P＜0.05),在单羔和多羔组中差异不显著(P＞0.05).两组母羊抛弃羔羊和偷盗羔羊发生率均差异显著(P＜0.05),而寻找、舔舐和踩踏行为无显著性差异(P＞0.05);拒绝哺乳行为和哺乳行为差异均极显著(P＜0.01);两组羔羊7日龄重差异显著(P＜0.05).综上可知,初产母羊比经产母羊更容易表达异常母性行为.

Sequence variations within the 5' flanking region of bovine growth hormone gene were identified from six bovine species raised in China. Cloned and sequenced amplified fragments revealed difference in lengths because of the insertion and deletion mutations. A total thirty-one variation sites were identified in this region within species and among species. Several new SNPs within bovine species were detected in the 5' flanking region with exception in Haizi buffalo. Some important regulatory elements such as TATA box, CRE, NRE3, dPit1 and pPit1 were identified in the 5' flanking in six bovine species. The conservation of regulatory elements may be consistent with functional constraint during the course of evolution.

The aim of this study was to study the genetic diversity of PRLR gene in Hu sheep to discuss its effect on Hu sheep maternal behaviors and provide the genetics analysis method for evaluating sheep maternal behaviors.81 parturition ewes were used to detect single nucleotide polymorphism of PRLR gene exon10 by using PCR-SSCP,in which 63 individuals were observed for maternal behaviors.The methods of normal distribution test,cluster analysis and nonparametric test were used to reveal the Hu sheep maternal behavior distribution rules and the difference of Hu sheep maternal behavior with various genotypes.The result showed that only the products amplified by primers P3 displayed polymorphisms.The genotypes were AA,AB and BB,and each genotype fitted Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.The statistical data of licking,nursing,treading and refusing to feed lamb didn't fit normal distribution.The results of nonparametric test with multiple independent samples showed that the difference of observations for licking,nursing and trampling of individuals with AA,AB and BB genotypes was extremely significant(P<0.01).No obvious difference was found in individuals with three genotypes for the behaviour of refusing to feed young sheep(P>0.05).As the result showed,the partial sequences of PRLR gene exon10 had polymorphisms and there was correlationship between PRLR gene and maternal behaviours.According to the preliminary inference,PRLR gene could be used as candidate gene affecting the Hu sheep maternal behavior.

To analyze the genetic diversity and phylogenetic evolution of the coastal wetland population of Lepus capensis,partial mitochondrial DNA control region was sequenced and mtDNA D-Loop segments of different geographic populations of Lepus capensis in China were analyzed.The results showed that 4 polymorphic sites were detected by using the 566 bp segments of mitochondrial DNA control region from ten Lepus capensis individuals and three haplotypes were defined.The haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were 0.689 and 0.003 06 respectively,which showed a relative low genetic diversity level.The main reason for low genetic diversity may be the strong gene flow and dramatically reduced quantity within the population.Phylogenetic tree showed that no significant geological architecture was detected from different geological populations of Lepus capensis in China but these populations found in a certain area can be defined as unique genetic populations of evolutionarily significant units.

Good maternal behavior is critical to the survival of baby animals.The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between the polymorphism of prolactin receptor(PRLR) gene and maternal behavior.The PCR-SSCP technique was applied to study the polymorphism of PRLR gene exon10.The results showed that only the products amplified by primer 3 displayed polymorphisms and three genotypes(AA,AB and BB) were detected.The analysis of genetic diversity level within populations indicated that three genotypes were accorded with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium,which indicated that the populations could be selecting for maternal traits.Using least square analysis,it was observed that there was no significant difference between observations for licking and trampling behavior of AA and AB genotypes individuals(P >0.05),but it had significant difference compared with BB genotype(P <0.05).However,for nursing behavior,the observations of the three genotypes were decreased gradually,and there was significant difference(P<0.05).No obvious difference was found in three genotypes for the behavior of refusing to feed young sheep(P>0.05).Consequently,we conjectured that the allele A might be an advantageous gene.

EGLN1 gene is a key oxygen sensor gene and is considered to be one of the regulatory gene in low oxygen adaptability.Adaptive evolution and coevolution of mammal EGLN1 gene were analyzed by bioinformatic method.The analysis showed that positive selection sites were tested through the methods of SLAC,FEL and REL.It indicated that EGLN1 gene fell under the effection of positive selection and underwent adaptive evolution.Coevolution sites were also identified in the coding region of EGLN1 gene.The direct or indirect interaction among these sites may play important role in maintaining the structure and function of protein.

The DNA samples were extracted from cattle,yak and buffalo meat for PCR amplification using universal primers.PCR products were extracted by electrophoresis and sequenced by direct bidirectional sequencing.The phylogenetic tree was constructed for species identification of beef.PCR amplified fragments of yak and buffalo were 440 bp,while 439 bp of cattle.The constructed phylogenetic tree could clearly identify the bovine species of sequenced samples by referencing 12S rDNA gene sequences.Hence,it was a accurate and reliable method to combine PCR amplication with DNA sequencing technology in the species identification of beef.

为了提高葡萄园资源利用率和综合效益，构建了牧草-鹅-鲜食葡萄循环生态种养体系。实践表明，在设施葡萄园推广套种牧草养鹅、鹅粪生产有机肥料、有机肥料种植葡萄和牧草等高效配套技术，取得了良好的经济效益、生态效益和社会效益。实施牧草-鹅-鲜食葡萄循环生态种养是江苏沿海地区发展现代农业的一种有效生产模式。