Laser capture microdissection (LCM) provides a rapid and simple method for procuring homogeneous populations of cells. However, reproducible isolation of intact RNAfrom these cells can be problematic; the sample may deteriorate before or during sectioning, RNA may degrade during slide staining and LCM, and inadequate extraction and isolation methods may lead to poor recovery. Our report describes an optimized protocol for preparation of frozen sections for LCM using the HistoGene Frozen Section Staining Kit. This slide preparation method is combined with the PicoPure RNA Isolation Kitfor extraction and isolation of RNA from low numbers of microdissected cells. The procedure is easy to perform, rapid, and reproducible. Our results show that the RNA isolated from the LCM samples prepared according to our protocol is of high quality. The RNA maintains its integrity as shown by RT-PCR detection of genes of different abundance levels and by electrophoretic analysis of ribosomal RNA. RNA obtained by this method has also been used to synthesize probes for interrogating cDNA microarray analyses to study expression levels of thousands of genes from LCM samples.

Myostatin is a member of TGF-β super family and is directly involved in regulation of body growth through limiting muscular growth. A study was carried out in three chicken lines to identify the polymorphism in the coding region of the myostatin gene through SSCP and DNA sequencing. A total of 12 haplotypes were observed in myostatin coding region of chicken. Significant associations between haplogroups with body weight at day 1, 14, 28, and 42 days, and carcass traits at 42 days were observed across the lines. It is concluded that the coding region of myostatin gene was polymorphic, with varied levels of expression among lines and had significant effects on growth traits. The expression of MSTN gene varied during embryonic and post hatch development stage.

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Aim:The objective of this study was to investigate the chromosomal profile of indigenous pigs by computing morphometric measurements.Materials and Methods:A cytogenetic study was carried out in 60 indigenous pigs to analyze the chromosomal profile by employing the short term peripheral blood lymphocyte culture technique.Results:The modal chromosome number (2n) in indigenous pigs was found to be 38 and a fundamental number of 64 as in the exotic. First chromosome was the longest pair, and thirteenth pair was the second largest while Y-chromosome was the smallest in the karyotype of the pig. The mean relative length, arm ratio, centromeric indices and morphological indices of chromosomes varied from 1.99±0.01 to 11.23±0.09, 1.04±0.05 to 2.95±0.02, 0.51±0.14 to 0.75±0.09 and 2.08±0.07 to 8.08±0.15%, respectively in indigenous pigs. Sex had no significant effect (p>0.05) on all the morphometric measurements studied.Conclusion:The present study revealed that among autosomes first five pairs were sub metacentric, next two pairs were sub telocentric (6-7), subsequent five pairs were metacentric (8-12) and remaining six pairs were telocentric (13-18), while both allosomes were metacentric. The chromosomal number, morphology and various morphometric measurements of the chromosomes of the indigenous pigs were almost similar to those established breeds reported in the literature.

The three naked neck broiler genotypes (NaNa, Nana and nana) were investigated for the effect of temperature on juvenile body weights, shank length, immune competence and carcass characteristics. Weekly body weights were recorded from day old to six weeks (n = 417). The body weights were significantly higher in naked neck genotypes (NaNa and Nana) at 4th, 5th and 6th week of age. Birds with NaNa and Nana genotype recorded significantly (p#0.05) higher weight gains during 4th (211.17 g) and 5th (207.96 g) week, respectively than nana genotype. The body weight gains were numerically higher at all ages either in NaNa or Nana genotypes without any significant difference. The shank length did not show any significant variation among the genotypes, which ranged from 78.54 mm in full feathered (nana) birds to 79.67 mm in heterozygous (Nana) population with an overall mean of 79.13 mm. Mean anti SRBC titre, anti NDV titre and response to PHA-P ranged from 3.55-5.6, 2.75-5.10 and 1.35-1.47 mm, respectively in different genetic groups. The dressing percentage was significantly higher in NaNa genotypes (71.96) than their normal (nana) siblings (69.66), which can be attributed to higher body weight and less losses due to lack of feathers in naked neck chicken. The liver, heart and gizzard weights are numerically higher in NaNa and Nana genotypes. The present study invariably concluded that Na gene in homozygous and heterozygous condition is more beneficial to exploit for better performance of Naked neck in tropical conditions.