Search

The paper analyzes the main trends in the dairy industry development in Ukraine over the past decades. During this period, there has been a fivefold reduction in the number of dairy cattle (2925.2 thousand heads in 2021) and a twofold increase in average milk yield (6101 kg in 2019). On the basis of crossing females of local breeds with bulls of Holstein, Swiss and some other breeds, four Ukrainian breeds of dairy cattle were created. Initially, there was a tendency to replace local breeds (Black-and-White, Simmental, Red Steppe, Lebedynska) with newly created breeds (Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy, Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy, Ukrainian Red dairy and Ukrainian Brown dairy). However, Holstein bulls are now widely used for insemination of cows and heifers (except Ukrainian Brown dairy). And today, these breeds are developing under absorbing crossbreeding and herds of Ukrainian dairy breeds are gradually becoming Holstein. In parallel with an increase in milk production, this has brought some negative elements associated with the use of high-yielding Holstein breed. In particular, these include the reducing of cow longevity, deteriorating of their reproduction ability and decreasing of replacement heifers’ number. The searches for ways of solving the problem as well as the preservation of local breeds of dairy cattle are urgent tasks of dairy farming in Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Experience and environment can critically influence the risk and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as miRNA expression, DNA methylation, and histone modifications, readily respond to experience and environmental factors. Here we propose that epigenetic regulation of gene expression and environmental modulation thereof may play a key role in the onset and course of common neurological conditions, including Alzheimer''s disease, Parkinson''s disease, Huntington''s disease, and multiple sclerosis. For example, epigenetic mechanisms may mediate long-term responses to adverse experience, such as stress, to affect disease susceptibility and the course of neurodegenerative events. This review introduces the epigenetic components and their possible role in mediating neuropathological processes in response to stress. We argue that epigenetic modifications will affect neurodegenerative events through altered gene function. The study of epigenetic states in neurodegenerative diseases presents an opportunity to gain new insights into risk factors and pathogenic mechanisms. Moreover, research into epigenetic regulation of disease may revolutionize health care by opening new avenues of personalized, preventive and curative medicine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Stress represents a critical influence on motor system function and has been shown to impair movement performance. We hypothesized that stress-induced motor impairments are due to brain-specific changes in miRNA and protein-encoding gene expression. Here we show a causal link between stress-induced motor impairment and associated genetic and epigenetic responses in relevant central motor areas in a rat model. Exposure to two weeks of mild restraint stress altered the expression of 39 genes and nine miRNAs in the cerebellum. In line with persistent behavioural impairments, some changes in gene and miRNA expression were resistant to recovery from stress. Interestingly, stress up-regulated the expression of Adipoq and prolactin receptor mRNAs in the cerebellum. Stress also altered the expression of Prlr, miR-186, and miR-709 in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. In addition, our findings demonstrate that miR-186 targets the gene Eps15. Furthermore, we found an age-dependent increase in EphrinB3 and GabaA4 receptors. These data show that even mild stress results in substantial genomic and epigenomic changes involving miRNA expression and associated gene targets in the motor system. These findings suggest a central role of miRNA-regulated gene expression in the stress response and in associated neurological function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiences during early development are powerful determinants of lifetime mental health. Here we investigated if ancestral stress regulates the brain's epigenetic memory to alter neuromorphology and emotionality in the remote F4 progeny. Pregnant female rat dams of the parental F0 generation were exposed to stress on gestational days 12–18. To generate a transgenerational stress lineage, their pregnant daughters (F1), grand-daughters (F2) and great-grand-daughters (F3) remained undisturbed. To generate a multigenerational stress lineage, pregnant dams of each generation (F1–F3) were stressed. A lineage of non-stress controls (F0–F3) was also produced. Multigenerational stress exceeded the impact of transgenerational stress by increasing anxiety-like behaviours and stress response in young and middle-aged F4 males but not females. Functional changes were accompanied by reduced spine density in the male medial prefrontal cortex with opposite effects in the orbital frontal cortex. Ancestral stress regulated cortical miR-221 and miR-26 expression and their target genes, thus downregulating ntrk2 and map1a genes in males while downregulating crh and upregulating map1a genes in females. These miRNA-dependent pathways are candidates for developmental programming of lifetime mental health. Thus, multigenerational stress in particular determines sexually dimorphic predisposition to stress vulnerability and generates a phenotype resembling symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been shown that addition of fennel in the diets of domestic animals has positive and beneficial effects on growth and meat production traits. Thus, the purpose of current study was to investigate the effect of adding fennel in the ration on growth characteristics and on insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene expression in muscle tissue of Kermani lamb. Feeding of animals were performed with three levels of fennel including zero, 10 and 20 g/kg dry matter (DM) for 90 days. After slaughter, small pieces of tissues were removed and rapidly transferred to a nitrogen tank. Then, total RNA extracting and the Real-Time PCR reaction was performed. Results showed that as the level of fennel in the diet increases the amount of IGF1 gene expression also increases significantly in humeral muscle and femur (leg) muscle tissues (p < 0.05). In animals fed with fennel, femur muscle weight, back muscle weight, lean meat weight, final weight, warm carcass weight and live daily gain were greater than in animals fed with diet without fennel (p < 0.05). According to the findings of this investigation, it can be concluded that fennel, by creating positive effects on IGF1 gene expression can be used to improve muscle structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to analyze the characteristics of heatwaves during the warm period of the year as a manifestation of climatic changes in Ukraine. It was also our goal to establish how reliable Heat and Cold Wave Index (HCWI) from European Drought Observatory (EDO) is as a tool for heatwaves analysis. To extract the frequency and duration of heatwaves the percentile thresholds of 90th were used. The data from Ukraine' weather stations since 1980 to 2021 were under analysis. There are 83 heatwave (HW) recorded in Ukraine. At the same time, for the first half-period (1980-2000) 29 events of heatwaves were recorded, and for second half-period (2001-2021) - already 54 events. The duration of heatwaves increased during the study period. If for 1980-2000 the average duration of the heatwaves was 3.8 days, then for 2001-2021 the average duration increased to 4.3 days. The average maximum length of heatwaves increased more significantly - from 7.4 to 11.5 days in the second half-period. The intensity of heatwaves was evaluated by temperature extreme. The average maximal temperature (1980-2021) during the heatwaves over Ukraine is 32.2°C. The hottest HW event for the study period had maximum daily temperature of 41.4°C (2010). For the first time, HCWI was used to determine the frequency, duration and intensity of heatwaves in Ukraine. HCWI can also be applied to study climate changes, determine the period of droughts, the adaptation of the population to heat stress and the healthcare system to its consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The causal factors determining the onset and severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) are not well understood. Here, we investigated the influence of chronic stress on clinical symptoms, metabolic and epigenetic manifestations of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a common animal model of MS. Lewis rats were immunized for monophasic EAE with MBP 69-88 and were exposed to chronic stress for 37 days starting 7 days prior to immunization. The exposure to stress accelerated and exacerbated the clinical symptoms of EAE. Both stress and EAE also disrupted metabolic status as indicated by trace elemental analysis in body hair. Stress particularly exacerbated chlorine deposition in EAE animals. Moreover, deep sequencing revealed a considerable impact of stress on microRNA expression in EAE. EAE by itself upregulated microRNA expression in lumbar spinal cord, including miR-21, miR-142-3p, miR-142-5p, miR-146a, and miR-155. Stress in EAE further up-regulated miR-16, miR-146a and miR-155 levels. The latter two microRNAs are recognized biomarkers of human MS. Thus, stress may synergistically exacerbate severity of EAE by altering epigenetic regulatory pathways. The findings suggest that stress may represent a significant risk factor for symptomatic deterioration in MS. Stress-related metabolic and microRNA signatures support their value as biomarkers for predicting the risk and severity of MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sheep were among the first animals to be domesticated. They are raised all over the world and produce a major scale of animal-based protein for human consumption and play an important role in agricultural economy. Iran is one of the important locations for sheep genetic resources in the world. Here, we compared the Illumina Ovine SNP50 BeadChip data of three Iranian local breeds (Moghani, Afshari and Gezel), as a population that does not undergone artificial breeding programs as yet, and five other sheep breeds namely East Friesian white, East Friesian brown, Lacaune, DorsetHorn and Texel to detect genetic mechanisms underlying economical traits and daptation to harsh environments in sheep. Results: To identify genomic regions that have been targeted by positive selection, we used fixation index (Fst) and nucleotide diversity (Pi) statistics. Further analysis indicated candidate genes involved in different important traits such as; wool production included crimp of wool (PTPN3, NBEA and KRTAP20–2 genes), fiber diameter (PIK3R4 gene), hair follicle development (LHX2 gene), the growth and development of fiber (COL17A1 gene)), adaptation to hot arid environments (CORIN gene), adaptive in deficit water status (CPQ gene), heat stress (PLCB4, FAM107B, NBEA, PIK3C2B and USP43 genes) in sheep. Conclusions: We detected several candidate genes related to wool production traits and adaptation to hot arid environments in sheep that can be applicable for inbreeding goals. Our findings not only include the results of previous researches, but also identify a number of novel candidate genes related to studied traits. However, more works will be essential to acknowledge phenotype- genotype relationships of the identified genes in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the calpastatin gene expression in different tissues of Kermani sheep using the real-time PCR. Tissue samples from the brain, humeral muscle, femoral muscle, liver, adipose tissue, rumen and testis were taken from 30 Kermani sheep. Total RNA was extracted using RNXTM plus solution. To determine the quantity (concentration) and quality of the extracted RNA, two methods of RNA; electrophoresis on 1% agarose gel and a Nano drop device were used. A Thermoscientific kit (Iran) was used for cDNA synthesis. After performing normal PCR reactions and obtaining the desired binding conditions and temperature for the genes, real-time PCR was performed to study the relative gene expression. The Beta-actin gene was used as a housekeeping gene. The Pfaffl method was used to analyze the data. The quality of the extracted RNAs was good. The presence of two 18S and 28S bands in the rRNA indicated that the RNA was healthy and the absence of an additional band was an indication of its purity. For the calpastatin gene, the 189bp fragment, and for Beta-actin, the 206bp fragment was observed in all tissues. The real-time PCR findings showed that calpastatin gene was expressed in all tissues (brain, humeral muscle, liver, adipose, femoral tissue, rumen and testis) with the highest level of expression in the humeral and femoral muscles and the lowest level in adipose tissues. This study lays a foundation for further calpastatin research in sheep. It is suggested that this study be conducted on a greater number of animals, and different breeds, sexes, ages and physiological stages to reach a more comprehensive conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the intron 2 of leptin gene polymorphism in wild, native and exotic goat breeds in Iran using PCR-RFLP. Blood samples were collected from 14 wild and domestic goat breeds including (Cashmere Abadeh, Torki-Ghashghaei, Naeini, Robati, Nadoushani, Adani, Shahrbabaki, Birjandi, China goat, Sannen, Pakistani, Raeini cashmere, Najdi and Wild goat) and then the genomic DNA was extracted. A 422bp fragment from intron 2 of the leptin gene was amplified. PCR products were digested by Sau3AI restriction enzyme and were separated and visualized on the agarose gel. Three genotypes including MM, Mm and mm with genotype frequency of 94%, 1% and 5%, respectively, were observed in the studied populations. The number of observed alleles, number of the effective alleles, Nei's Index and Shanon's Index were 2, 1.10, 0.09 and 0.19, respectively. The studied populations were not found to be in a Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Our investigation demonstrated that MM genotype and M allele had a very high frequency (0.94 and 0.95, respectively) in Iranian goats. Hence, it can be concluded that this finding can provide basis for selection when considering evolution and differentiation among breeds, however further studies should be carried out on a larger population of different domestic and wild breeds to verify the final conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic stress is considered to be one of many causes of human preterm birth (PTB), but no direct evidence has yet been provided. Here we show in rats that stress across generations has downstream effects on endocrine, metabolic and behavioural manifestations of PTB possibly via microRNA (miRNA) regulation. Methods: Pregnant dams of the parental generation were exposed to stress from gestational days 12 to 18. Their pregnant daughters (F1) and grand-daughters (F2) either were stressed or remained as non-stressed controls. Gestational length, maternal gestational weight gain, blood glucose and plasma corticosterone levels, litter size and offspring weight gain from postnatal days 1 to 30 were recorded in each generation, including F3. Maternal behaviours were analysed for the first hour after completed parturition, and offspring sensorimotor development was recorded on postnatal day (P) 7. F0 through F2 maternal brain frontal cortex, uterus and placenta miRNA and gene expression patterns were used to identify stress-induced epigenetic regulatory pathways of maternal behaviour and pregnancy maintenance. Results: Progressively up to the F2 generation, stress gradually reduced gestational length, maternal weight gain and behavioural activity, and increased blood glucose levels. Reduced offspring growth and delayed behavioural development in the stress cohort was recognizable as early as P7, with the greatest effect in the F3 offspring of transgenerationally stressed mothers. Furthermore, stress altered miRNA expression patterns in the brain and uterus of F2 mothers, including the miR-200 family, which regulates pathways related to brain plasticity and parturition, respectively. Main miR-200 family target genes in the uterus, Stat5b, Zeb1 and Zeb2, were downregulated by multigenerational stress in the F1 generation. Zeb2 was also reduced in the stressed F2 generation, suggesting a causal mechanism for disturbed pregnancy maintenance. Additionally, stress increased placental miR-181a, a marker of human PTB. Conclusions: The findings indicate that a family history of stress may program central and peripheral pathways regulating gestational length and maternal and newborn health outcomes in the maternal lineage. This new paradigm may model the origin of many human PTB causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• First investigation of the effect of fennel on DLK1 gene expression in Kermani lambs. • The fennel increases DLK1 gene expression in the femur muscle and in the rumen muscle. • Maximum gene expression rate was related to 2 % fennel in comparison to 0% in all studied tissues. • Fennel can be used for increasing DLK1 gene expression in some tissues. DLK1 (protein delta homolog 1) plays an important role in production of adipocytes, muscle development, wound healing, pancreas, liver and lung cells development and also in the development of meat quality, digestion and growth performance. Therefore, the goal of this research was to investigate the effects of different levels of fennel seed power in the diet on growth performance and on DLK1 gene expression in brain, adipose, femur (leg) muscle and rumen muscle tissues of Kermani lambs. Dietary treatments including different levels of fennel seed powder (0, 1 and 2 % of diet DM) were fed to 3 groups of lambs (each group contained 10 animals) for three months. Some physiological parameters relating to muscle and adipose development were measured. Tissues including brain, adipose tissue, femur (leg) muscle and rumen muscle were collected for expression analysis of the DLK1 gene. In this study, increasing the level of fennel seed powder in diets of lambs, increased the amount of DLK1 gene expression in the femur muscle and rumen tissues. Feeding 2 % fennel in comparison to the control diet (0 %) resulted in a significant difference in the amount of DLK1 gene expression in the femur (leg) muscle and in the rumen muscle (P < 0.05). Maximum gene expression rate was observed in all studied tissues of lambs fed diets with 2 % fennel in comparison to 0%. On the other hand, final weight, live daily gain, dry matter intake, warm carcass weight, weight of back muscle (loin), weight of femur (leg) muscle, weight of lean meat and eye muscle area were higher for animals fed with 2 % fennel than those fed control diet, but weight of liver was lower in animals fed with 2 % fennel than those fed control diet. In regards to the results of this investigation, it can be concluded that fennel can be used for increasing DLK1 gene expression in some tissues, like muscle, and consequently for increasing animal growth and muscle mass, which is important in the sheep industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic stress is considered to be one of many causes of human preterm birth (PTB), but no direct evidence has yet been provided. Here we show in rats that stress across generations has downstream effects on endocrine, metabolic and behavioural manifestations of PTB possibly via microRNA (miRNA) regulation.Methods: Pregnant dams of the parental generation were exposed to stress from gestational days 12 to 18. Their pregnant daughters (F1) and grand-daughters (F2) either were stressed or remained as non-stressed controls. Gestational length, maternal gestational weight gain, blood glucose and plasma corticosterone levels, litter size and offspring weight gain from postnatal days 1 to 30 were recorded in each generation, including F3. Maternal behaviours were analysed for the first hour after completed parturition, and offspring sensorimotor development was recorded on postnatal day (P) 7. F0 through F2 maternal brain frontal cortex, uterus and placenta miRNA and gene expression patterns were used to identify stress-induced epigenetic regulatory pathways of maternal behaviour and pregnancy maintenance.Results: Progressively up to the F2 generation, stress gradually reduced gestational length, maternal weight gain and behavioural activity, and increased blood glucose levels. Reduced offspring growth and delayed behavioural development in the stress cohort was recognizable as early as P7, with the greatest effect in the F3 offspring of transgenerationally stressed mothers. Furthermore, stress altered miRNA expression patterns in the brain and uterus of F2 mothers, including the miR-200 family, which regulates pathways related to brain plasticity and parturition, respectively. Main miR-200 family target genes in the uterus, Stat5b, Zeb1 and Zeb2, were downregulated by multigenerational stress in the F1 generation. Zeb2 was also reduced in the stressed F2 generation, suggesting a causal mechanism for disturbed pregnancy maintenance. Additionally, stress increased placental miR-181a, a marker of human PTB.Conclusions: The findings indicate that a family history of stress may program central and peripheral pathways regulating gestational length and maternal and newborn health outcomes in the maternal lineage. This new paradigm may model the origin of many human PTB causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]