The pampas deer belongs to the Cervidae family (Artiodactyla order). It used to be a common and abundant species that had a wide distribution. However, at the end of the 19th century, the populations were decimated. In general, the hearts of mammals share many similarities, but size, shape, position, vessel organization and branching can vary among species. The objective of the present study was to describe the macroscopic morphology, topography and irrigation of the heart of the pampas deer. The anatomical study was conducted with 20 animals that had died of natural causes. The animals were studied by simple dissection. All animals had colored latex injected into one of the common carotid arteries to facilitate the visualization. The position of the heart, with a 45° axis, the presence of a double sternopericardial ligament, and the bilateral cardiac circulation were some of the notable findings.
The widespread use of artificial insemination has allowed the expansion of genetic progress. However, it also brought consequences such as the expansion of lethal hereditary diseases and the increase in inbreeding. The object of this study was to establish a fast and sensitive molecular assay to detect bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) and deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase (DUMPS) carriers in Uruguayan Holstein cattle by means of high resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis. By testing previously confirmed carrier and non-carrier animals, we set up a rapid, simple, and inexpensive diagnostic test using PCR followed by HRM curve analysis. The PCR-HRM genotyping method was effective for the discrimination of BLAD and DUMPS homozygous genotypes, and the BLAD heterozygous genotype. We conclude that the PCR-HRM assay is a robust, reliable, and economical tool for the detection of these mutations in the Holstein breed, which may be implemented in genetic selection programs.
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