Thirteen reference genes were investigated to determine their stability to be used as a housekeeping in gene expression studies in skeletal muscle of chickens. Five different algorithms were used for ranking of reference genes and results suggested that individual rankings of the genes differed among them. The stability of the expression of reference genes were validated using samples obtained from the Pectoralis major muscle in chicken. Samples were obtained from chickens in different development periods post hatch and under different nutritional diets. For gene expression calculation the ΔΔCt approach was applied to compare relative expression of pairs of genes within each of 52 samples when normalized to mitochondrially encoded cytochrome c oxidase II (MT-CO2) target gene. Our findings showed that hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase 1 (HPRT1) are the most stable reference genes while transferrin receptor (TFRC) and beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) ranked as the least stable genes in the Pectoralis major muscle of chickens. Moreover, our results revealed that HMBS and HPRT1 gene expression did not change due to dietary variations and thus it is recommended for accurate normalization of RT-qPCR data in chicken Pectoralis major muscle.

Recebido em 13/4/2009 Mapping of quantitative trait loci mapping in chromosomes 5, 7 and 8 of swinesABSTRACT -The aim of this experiment was to map QTL in chromosomes 5, 7 and 8 and to associate them to carcass traits, carcass cuts, meat quality, performance and internal organs of swines. An F2 offspring with 614 animals was produced from the matting of two Brazilian naturalized Piau boars with 18 commercial females (Landrace × Large White × Pietrain). The population was genotyped for 14 microsatellite markers covering chromosomes 5, 7 and 8. After that, it was built the linkage map for each chromosome. Analysis of association were done using interval mapping by regression for QTL detection. For carcass and cuts of carcass traits, 20 QTL were mapped in the three chromosomes, whereas for traits of meat quality, only three QTL were found on chromosomes 7 and 8. Among them, significant QTL at 5% in the genome were found for midline lower backfat thickness above the last lumbar vertebrae on chromosome 5; and for total length of small intestine, abdominal fat weight and brightness on chromosome 8. For carcass length by the Brazilian method and carcass length by the American method, it was found significant QTL at 1% in the genome on chromosome 7.The results found in this work will facilitate future researches as fine mapping and identification of genes that control body composition and meat quality and that will be able to be incorporated in marker-assisted selection programs to accelerate genetic improvement in swine populations, in addition to help a better understanding of the physiology of traits in swine production.

This study analyzed the demographic and biometric changes in registered animals of the Mangalarga breed over the decades. Information from 206,428 Mangalarga horses born between 1930 and 2018 extracted from the genealogic registry system of the Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Cavalos da Raça Mangalarga was employed. The data referred to sex, birth date, fur coat, breeding site location, score achieved at genealogic registration, and three body measurements. Height at withers and the thoracic and cannon bone circumferences were used to calculate five morphometric indices. Results were submitted to analysis of variance using a completely randomized split-plot design where the plots comprised the sexes and the split-plots comprised the decades of selection. Between 1930 and 1990, genealogic registrations progressively increased, particularly in the 1970s and 80s, when the herd experienced the highest growth rate. In 2018, Mangalarga breeding sites were reported in 23 Brazilian states and the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Bahia held the largest herds. Between 1970 and 2018, the height at withers of mares, stallions, and geldings increased by 5.1, 3.1, and 2.1 cm, respectively. The thoracic circumference of stallions increased by 3.3 cm and the cannon bone circumference of mares decreased by 0.34 cm. It is concluded that the Mangalarga breed is found across Brazil, especially in the Southeast region. Irrespective of sex, the selection of the breed has led to taller Mangalarga horses. In addition, the stallions became heavier and gained thoracic circumference, while mares became hypometric.

 RESUMOA realização do presente estudo teve como objetivo mapear Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) de carcaça e qualidade de carne em uma população F2 de suínos desenvolvida pelo cruzamento de dois reprodutores da raça brasileira Piau com 18 fêmeas comerciais (Landrace x Large White x Pietrain). O mapa de ligação para essa população foi construído após a genotipagem de 684 animais para 35 marcadores microssatélites. Os dados foram analisados pelo mapeamento por intervalo usando-se sexo, lote e genótipo halotano como efeitos fixos e peso de carcaça ao abate, peso da carcaça direita e idade ao abate como covariáveis. Um total de 18 QTLs foi encontrado; os QTLs para maior espessura de toucinho na região da copa, na linha dorsolombar, e a perda por cozimento foram significativos em nível de 5% genômico. A característica espessura de toucinho foi essencialmente associada aos alelos da raça Piau, conhecido como porco tipo banha. As informações dos QTLs significativos encontrados servem para futuros estudos de mapeamento fino para identificação de genes a serem usados em conjunto com os métodos tradicionais de seleção, para melhorar a eficiência dos programas de melhoramento, assim como prover informação acerca da fisiologia envolvida no desenvolvimento das características quantitativas dos suínos.Palavras-chave: suínos, raça Piau, marcador molecular, microssátelites ABSTRACT The accomplishment of the present study had as objective to map Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) associated to carcass and quality traits in a F2 pig population developed by mating two Brazilian Piau breed sires with 18 dams from a commercial line (Landrace × Large White × Pietrain

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This study aimed to determine the participation frequency and competitive performance of Campolina and Mangalarga Marchador horses in national shows concerning marcha type, sex, and age. To that end, the trial results of national horse shows between 2007 and 2017, comprising 1,781 Campolina and 5,239 Mangalarga Marchador animals, were extracted from the databases of the breeders' associations of each breed. The results regarding participation frequency in these events and the performance achieved by horses were grouped by breed, marcha type, sex, and age group and then subjected to frequency distribution tests. In both breeds, most animals attended only one national show. However, when the specimens were separated by marcha type, sex, and age, it was observed that 54.39% of marcha batida Campolina males competed twice, with greater participation of adult horses (41.41%) than of young ones (22.22%). For Mangalarga Marchador, irrespective of gait type, the proportion of adult horses (67.22%) that competed was higher than that of young ones (25.63%). For marcha picada competitors, the proportion between young (13.97%) and adult (81.91%) was even higher. It was concluded that, over their competitive careers, most horses of either breed attended only one national show, that marcha picada animals usually compete only when adults, and that marcha batida females compete more often when young. In addition, the age group in which competitors achieve their best performances varies according to the specimen.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary lysine on performance, protein deposition and respiratory chain gene expression in male broilers. A total of 252 Cobb 500 broilers were distributed, in a completely randomized design, into four treatments with seven replicates of nine birds per experimental unit. Experimental treatments consisted of diets based on corn and soybean meal, with four levels of digestible lysine: 1.016%, 1.099%, 1.182% and 1.265%. The increase in the level of digestible lysine in the diet provided higher weight gains, feed efficiency and body protein deposition. Birds fed the lowest level of dietary lysine (1.016%) showed a lower expression of genes such as NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (ND1), cytochrome b (CYTB) and cytochrome c oxidase subunits I (COX I), II (COX II) and III (COX III), displaying the worst performance and body protein deposition. This demonstrates the relationship existing between the expression of the evaluated genes and the performance responses. In conclusion, results indicate that broilers fed diets with higher levels of digestible lysine have increased messenger RNA expression of some genes coded in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ND1, CYTB, COX I, COX II and COX III). It may be stated that diets with proper levels of digestible lysine, within the 'ideal protein' concept, promote the expression of genes, which increases the mitochondrial energy, thereby fostering body protein deposition and the performance of broilers in the starter phase.

The heart fatty acid-binding protein (HFABP) gene was sequenced in parental animals of a F2 crossing of boars of the Brazilian native Piau breed with commercial sows (Landrace x Large White x Pietrain). Primers used for PCR were designed to amplify four exons of the gene. The PCR products were sequenced and compared with the GenBank sequences. Differences between the generated sequences and the GenBank sequences were observed for both genetic groups. A total of 246 F2 animals were genotyped using the Hinf I restriction enzyme. Two genotypes were identified, 198 being animals HH and 48 Hh. The Hinf I SNP was significantly associated with weights of loin (bone-in) (P<0.05), jowl (P<0.05), sirloin (P<0.10), and kidneys (P<0.01). These results showed the potential of the H-FABP gene in marker-assisted selection programs for carcass traits in pigs.