Reproductive biotechnologies, such as artificial insemination, sperm selection and embryo technologies, offer possibilitiesfor animal producers to increase reproductive efficiency. There have been many significant dev...Reproductive biotechnologies, such as artificial insemination, sperm selection and embryo technologies, offer possibilitiesfor animal producers to increase reproductive efficiency. There have been many significant developments in reproductivebiotechnologies over the last few decades, e.g., in sperm handling and preservation, in vitro embryo production and preservation,sexing and cloning. This review discusses some of the key changes that have occurred and explores their potential for increasing thereproductive efficiency of domestic animals in the future. As a consequence, they also offer opportunities to facilitate or accelerategenetic selection. If properly used, they may contribute to increase the sustainability of animal production. The role of epigenetics ininfluencing phenotype is also considered.展开更多
Background:The grazing behaviour of herbivores and their grazing personalities might in part be determined genetically,but there are few studies in beef cattle illustrating this.In this study,we investigated for first...Background:The grazing behaviour of herbivores and their grazing personalities might in part be determined genetically,but there are few studies in beef cattle illustrating this.In this study,we investigated for first time the genetic variation within a candidate‘grazing gene',the glutamate metabotropic receptor 5 gene(GRM5),and tested associations between variation in that gene and variation in grazing personality behaviours(GP-behaviours)displayed by free-ranging cows during winter grazing in the steep and rugged rangelands of New Zealand.Mature beef cows(n=303,from 3 to 10 years of age)were tracked with global positioning system(GPS)and,with 5-minutes(min)relocation frequency,various GP-behaviours were calculated.These included horizontal and vertical distances travelled,mean elevation,elevation range,elevation gain,slope,home range and movement tortuosity,variously calculated using daily relocation trajectories with repeated measurements(i.e.,7 to 24 days(d))and satellite-derived digital elevation models(DEM).The different GP-behaviours were fitted into mixed models to ascertain their associations with variant sequences and genotypes of GRM5.Results:We discovered three GRM5 variants(A,B and C)and identified the six possible genotypes in the cattle studied.The mixed models revealed that A was significantly associated with elevation range,home range and movement tortuosity.Similarly,GRM5 genotypes were associated(P<0.05)to home range and movement tortuosity,while trends suggesting association(P<0.1)were also revealed for elevation range and horizontal distance travelled.Most GP-behaviour models were improved by correcting for cow age-class as a fixed factor.The analysis of GP-behaviours averaged per cow age-class suggests that grazing personality is fully established as beef cows reached 4 years of age.Home range and movement tortuosity were not only associated with GRM5 variation,but also negatively correlated with each other(r=-0.27,P<0.001).Conclusions:There seems to be a genetically determined trade-off between home range and movement tortuosity that may be useful in beef cattle breeding programmes aiming to improve the grazing distribution and utilisation of steep and rugged rangelands.展开更多
Single-cell RNA sequencing technology(scRNA-seq)is an emerging,high-throughput,high-resolution big data production and analysis technology,which has helped some pioneering research and discoveries in the field of anim...Single-cell RNA sequencing technology(scRNA-seq)is an emerging,high-throughput,high-resolution big data production and analysis technology,which has helped some pioneering research and discoveries in the field of animal husbandry in recent years.This technology provides an essential basis for the early selection of livestock and poultry and the selection of excellent characters,showing that it has great application potential and broad prospects in animal husbandry research and production.Although scRNA-seq technology has established a wide range of commercial production services at home and abroad,the standardization status of this technology in animal husbandry needs further exploration,as it can provide clues and foundations for the application of scRNA-seq technology in animal husbandry.展开更多
文摘Reproductive biotechnologies, such as artificial insemination, sperm selection and embryo technologies, offer possibilitiesfor animal producers to increase reproductive efficiency. There have been many significant developments in reproductivebiotechnologies over the last few decades, e.g., in sperm handling and preservation, in vitro embryo production and preservation,sexing and cloning. This review discusses some of the key changes that have occurred and explores their potential for increasing thereproductive efficiency of domestic animals in the future. As a consequence, they also offer opportunities to facilitate or accelerategenetic selection. If properly used, they may contribute to increase the sustainability of animal production. The role of epigenetics ininfluencing phenotype is also considered.
基金CAMG was funded with a Lincoln University Ph D scholarship(Lincoln University Centennial Trust,New Zealand)with research funding from the New Zealand Hereford Association(NZHA)the Hellaby Grasslands Trust。
文摘Background:The grazing behaviour of herbivores and their grazing personalities might in part be determined genetically,but there are few studies in beef cattle illustrating this.In this study,we investigated for first time the genetic variation within a candidate‘grazing gene',the glutamate metabotropic receptor 5 gene(GRM5),and tested associations between variation in that gene and variation in grazing personality behaviours(GP-behaviours)displayed by free-ranging cows during winter grazing in the steep and rugged rangelands of New Zealand.Mature beef cows(n=303,from 3 to 10 years of age)were tracked with global positioning system(GPS)and,with 5-minutes(min)relocation frequency,various GP-behaviours were calculated.These included horizontal and vertical distances travelled,mean elevation,elevation range,elevation gain,slope,home range and movement tortuosity,variously calculated using daily relocation trajectories with repeated measurements(i.e.,7 to 24 days(d))and satellite-derived digital elevation models(DEM).The different GP-behaviours were fitted into mixed models to ascertain their associations with variant sequences and genotypes of GRM5.Results:We discovered three GRM5 variants(A,B and C)and identified the six possible genotypes in the cattle studied.The mixed models revealed that A was significantly associated with elevation range,home range and movement tortuosity.Similarly,GRM5 genotypes were associated(P<0.05)to home range and movement tortuosity,while trends suggesting association(P<0.1)were also revealed for elevation range and horizontal distance travelled.Most GP-behaviour models were improved by correcting for cow age-class as a fixed factor.The analysis of GP-behaviours averaged per cow age-class suggests that grazing personality is fully established as beef cows reached 4 years of age.Home range and movement tortuosity were not only associated with GRM5 variation,but also negatively correlated with each other(r=-0.27,P<0.001).Conclusions:There seems to be a genetically determined trade-off between home range and movement tortuosity that may be useful in beef cattle breeding programmes aiming to improve the grazing distribution and utilisation of steep and rugged rangelands.
文摘Single-cell RNA sequencing technology(scRNA-seq)is an emerging,high-throughput,high-resolution big data production and analysis technology,which has helped some pioneering research and discoveries in the field of animal husbandry in recent years.This technology provides an essential basis for the early selection of livestock and poultry and the selection of excellent characters,showing that it has great application potential and broad prospects in animal husbandry research and production.Although scRNA-seq technology has established a wide range of commercial production services at home and abroad,the standardization status of this technology in animal husbandry needs further exploration,as it can provide clues and foundations for the application of scRNA-seq technology in animal husbandry.
