Expression of TAC1 and Its Receptors TACR1,TACR2,TACR3 Genes in Different Goat Tissues Under Different Photoperiods

This study was conducted to analyze the regulation mechanisms of TAC1,TACR1,TACR2 and TACR3 genes on reproduction of goat under different photoperiods. The expression conditions of TAC1,TACR1,TACR2 and TACR3 genes in 12 tissues( oviduct,ovary,uterus,gluteus,mesenteric fat,brain,cerebellum,medulla oblongata,hart,lung,liver,kidney) of adult Henan Huai goat under different photoperiods( short day light,Light 8 h∶ dark 16 h,and long day light,light 16 h∶ dark 8 h) were analyzed by q-PCR method. TAC1,TACR1,TACR2 and TACR3 genes were expressed in all the 12 tissues of goats,with different expression characteristics; and the expression levels of all the genes were affected by photoperiod and changing of light signal between light and dark under short photoperiod. Shifting of light signal from dark to light was more conductive to the expression of these genes in all tissues than that of light signal from light to dark.There were significant differences in the expression levels of genes between light shifting from light to dark and from dark to light when the genes were expressed at a higher level in some tissues. TAC1 and TACR2 genes were expressed at a higher level than TACR1 and TACR3 genes in the various tissues,which implied that TACR2 is a receptor given priority to combine with TAC1 when TAC1 is functional.

Behavioral Observations on Introduced Hu Sheep in Henan Province,China

Hu Sheep is a local sheep breed in the plain of Taihu, China. Due to the natural conditions in Taihu and human domestication, Hu Sheep is gradually featured with high adaptability, fast growth rate, early maturity and high productivity, which make them to be a unique and rare breed of sheep. In the present study, an experiment was conducted by means of instantaneous scan sampling, focal animal sampling and all-occurrence sampling to learn about Hu Sheep's behavior and activity pattern under certain feeding management and ecological condition. The result showed that the activity time budgets for several behaviors were different between rams and ewes, with respect to feeding (rams 30.60% vs. ewes 33.23%), ruminating (33.43% vs.35.30%); sleeping (19.92% vs. 13.69%), standing (4.13% vs. 5.26%), moving (8.10% vs. 7.46%), and other behaviors (3.86% vs.5.06%). A circadian activity rhythm was shown in some behaviors; e.g., total feeding time was greater in the daytime than at night, whereas resting time showed the opposite tendency. Moving mostly occurred in the daytime, and ruminating mainly occurred at night. Additionally, feeding activity occurred 32.22 times per day in rams and 31.73 times per day in ewes, whereas ruminating activity after feeding occurred 19.83 times per day in rams and 24.34 times per day in ewes. For each food bolus,the average ruminating time was 51.22 s in rams and 49.52 s in ewes, with 68.22 bouts of rumination per day in rams and57.35 bouts of rumination in ewes. By conducting the experiment, we studied and grasped the local Hu Sheep's main behavior and regularity which are of great significance on improving the feeding management and reducing diseases.