Simple SummaryThe development of new production lines of turkeys has relegated native breeds to a second position. This has increased the need for new research to ensure the conservation of local turkey breeds and the maintenance of biodiversity. The objective of the present study was to identify turkey populations, their origins, and maternal lines through mitochondrial DNA analysis. For this study, mitochondrial DNA samples from 93 turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were used. The animals belonged to populations in Brazil, Mexico, Spain (Andalusia and Majorca) Italy, Iran, Egypt, and the United States. The haplogroup network that formed suggested that turkey domestic populations group into a single haplotype. However, genetic differences within the haplogroup were found. The present study may provide a better approach for the implementation of conservation strategies for domestic turkey populations.AbstractAccording to recent archeological evidence, turkey (Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo) domestication may have occurred in Mexico around 2000 years ago. However, little is known about the phylogenetic and genealogical background underlying domestic turkey populations. This study aimed to further understand the domestication process and identify inter- or intraspecific connections between turkey populations to determine their origins, trace their global expansion, and define the species’ genetic value. Ninety-three domestic turkeys (local breeds) were sampled from populations in Brazil, Mexico, USA, Spain, Italy, Iran, and Egypt. Publicly available sequences from previous studies were also included. Standard mitochondrial DNA, genetic diversity, and haplotype network analyses were performed. Seventy-six polymorphic sites were identified. Turkeys from Mexico showed the greatest number of polymorphic sites (40), while turkeys from Italy and Brazil reported only one site each. Nucleotide diversity was also highest in Mexico and the USA (π = 0.0175 and 0.0102, respectively) and lowest in Brazil and Italy. Of the six major haplogroups defined, the Mexican and USA populations appeared to have remained more stable and diverse than the other populations. This may be due to conservative husbandry policies in the rural areas of other populations, which have prevented the introduction of commercial turkey lines.

2020) Design and development of a multiplex microsatellite panel for the genetic characterisation and diversity assessment of domestic turkey (Meleagrisgallopavogallopavo),

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With the aim of assessing bull fertility before or during its use for reproduction under tropical weather conditions where heat stress is present, and correlating it to herd parameters, BSE was carried out to determine which genetic groups of bulls have better reproductive performance. 223 bulls from different genetic groups, Zebu bulls (N ¼ 72), European bulls (N ¼ 58), and Crossbred Bulls (N ¼ 93), were evaluated in situ over a two-year period, 2018-2019. Bull (age, corporal conditions, libido, and scrotal circumference), semen (concentration, motility and volume), herd (pregnancy rate and calving intervals) and environmental variables (THI, season, sampling month and spermatogenesis month) were analysed with One-Way ANOVA, as well as with factorial, multiple regression, and multivariate analysis. Zebu and European bulls have a higher libido than crossbreed bulls (p < .05), and it decreases with age (p < .05). High-libido bulls (>7) show high correlation (R ¼ 0.70 p < .05) with herd parameters; BCS affects libido (p < .05). Sperm concentration is correlated to herd parameters (R ¼ 0.82 p < .05). European bull sperm concentration and motility showed a decrease in autumn and winter (p < .05) in comparison to other genetic groups. Libido and semen variables are more associated with herd parameters than with other bull characteristics. Environmental variables are not associated with herd parameters (p > .05). Heat stress did not directly affect bull reproductive performance; Zebu bulls and crossbreeds showed better herd parameters (p < .05). HIGHLIGHTS Bull breeding soundness examination and herd proficiency. Herd proficiency of local genetic groups of bulls in tropical conditions. Breeding soundness examination in tropical environment conditions.

A variety of ion channels are expressed in the plasma membrane of somatotropes within the anterior pituitary gland. Modification of these channels is linked to intracellular Ca2+ levels and therefore to hormone secretion. Previous investigations have shown that the gut-derived orexigenic peptide hormone ghrelin and synthetic GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs) stimulate release of growth hormone (GH) and increase the number of functional voltage-gated Ca2+ and Na+ channels in the membrane of clonal GC somatotropes. Here, we reveal that chronic treatment with ghrelin and its synthetic analog GHRP-6 also increases GH release from bovine pituitary somatotropes in culture, and that this action is associated with a significant increase in Na+ macroscopic current. Consistent with this, Na+ current blockade with tetrodotoxin (TTX) abolished the ghrelin- and GHRP-6-induced increase in GH release. Furthermore, semi-quantitative and real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed an upregulation in the transcript levels of GH, as well as of NaV1.1 and NaV1.2, two isoforms of TTX-sensitive Na+ channels expressed in somatotropes, after treatment with ghrelin or GHRP-6. These findings improve our knowledge on (i) the cellular mechanisms involved in the control of GH secretion, (ii) the molecular diversity of Na+ channels in pituitary somatotropes, and (iii) the regulation of GH and Na+ channel gene expression by ghrelin and GHRPs.

RESUMENLa fabricación artesanal del queso, es una actividad integradora del sistema producto leche. Para evaluar las condiciones de comercialización y caracterización del queso fresco en mercados y tianguis de Toluca, Estado de México, se realizó un muestreo por conveniencia, obteniendo 64 piezas de queso fresco de mercados establecidos e itinerantes, y se aplicó una encuesta abierta a comerciantes durante el periodo agosto a octubre de 2014. La procedencia de los quesos se obtuvo de las regiones: (A) Valle de Toluca, (B) otros municipios de la entidad, (C) de origen desconocido y (D) otros estados del país. Los valores de pH y temperatura del queso se midieron en el punto de venta. El contenido de materia seca, cenizas, grasa, proteína y NaCl se realizó por métodos oficiales. El origen del queso en los mercados fue mayoritariamente de la región A; la presentación comercial común fue de forma circular con un peso de 100 a 250 g. Los rangos de los parámetros evaluados fueron: pH (4.84-6.07), humedad (42.71-66.66 %), materia seca (33.3-68.9 %), cenizas (2.65-5.24 %), grasa (12-32 %), proteína (16.81-26.62 %) y NaCl (0.29-1.44 %). Las condiciones de comercialización y el abasto regional en los mercados son afectadas por un manejo inadecuado del producto y la competencia de quesos industrializados. El queso fresco comercializado en el municipio de Toluca, puede ser considerado un queso artesanal genuino propio de la región del valle de Toluca, que debe ser preservado por su interés como patrimonio en la gastronomía mexicana y su importancia socioeconómica y alimentaria regional.PALABRAS CLAVE: Queso fresco artesanal, Mercados, Valle de Toluca, Alimentos tradicionales, Patrimonio gastronómico. ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to determine physicochemical characteristics, its origin, marketing and sales conditions of fresh cheese marketed in Toluca´s municipality, State of Mexico, Mexico. Additionally information on the milk industry and its link to the artisan cheese production as a traditional food and its regional economic importance were provided. A cross-sectional study conducted by convenience, with a sample of 64 pieces of fresh cheese purchased on fixed and itinerant markets (flea markets) during a period from August to October 2014. Temperature and pH data of the cheeses was determined at point sale. Then following the official standard methods, it was tested dry content, ash, fat, protein and sodium chloride. The origin of the cheese was established from the supplier in each region and studied as follows: (

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of cryopreserved equine semen in the presence of trehalose-loaded liposomes on the integrity and function of sperm cells. Six ejaculations of five stallions collected with an artificial vagina were used. The ejaculates were diluted with INRA 96 ® 2:1 v/v and transported at 22 °C to the laboratory. Before cryopreservation, the semen was diluted with INRA Freeze ® to obtain the following treatments: T1) INRA Freeze ® (control), T2) INRA Freeze ® + liposomes, T3) INRA Freeze ® + liposomes+trehalose. Data were analysed using the Kruskal Wallis test. The percentages of sperm with intact DNA were 54.5, 57.9, and 64.8% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively (P>0.05). When evaluating the acrosomal and capacitation state after filtering with Percoll ® , the percentages of spermatozoa without acrosome reaction and without capacitation were 67.8, 79.2 and 68.1% in T1, T2, and T3, respectively (P>0.05), while the capacitated sperm without acrosome reaction and without capacitation was similar in T1 (47%) and T3 (32%) (P>0.05), and lower in T2 (16%) before filtering with Percoll ®. The use of liposomes and liposome-trehalose did not affect on the functional status and nuclear chromatin of the equine sperm after freezing, but it did affect the percentage of capacitated sperm without acrosome reaction after selecting the thawed semen using the Percoll ® gradient.