22 results on '"Schiavitto, Michele"'
Search Results
2. Genomic diversity and signatures of selection in meat and fancy rabbit breeds based on high-density marker data
- Author
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Ballan, Mohamad, Bovo, Samuele, Schiavo, Giuseppina, Schiavitto, Michele, Negrini, Riccardo, and Fontanesi, Luca
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Characterisation of Pasteurella multocida Strains from Different Lesions in Rabbits.
- Author
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D'Amico, Francesco, Messina, Davide, Casalino, Gaia, Schiavitto, Michele, Bove, Antonella, Romito, Diana, D'Onghia, Francesco Paolo, Camarda, Antonio, and Circella, Elena
- Subjects
PASTEURELLA multocida ,RABBITS ,GENE expression ,RABBIT diseases ,POLYMERASE chain reaction - Abstract
Simple Summary: The aim of this study is to provide information about the Pasteurella multocida strains that are responsible for pasteurellosis in rabbits. A total of 114 strains responsible for different lesions in rabbits from industrial farms were investigated. In detail, the serogroup belonging to and the presence of 15 virulence-associated genes were investigated using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) protocols. The tested strains belonged to serogroups A, D, and F. Type A was the most frequently identified and it was prevalently found in strains responsible for rhinitis and pneumonia. Type D was the prevalent capsular type of strains responsible for metritis, while F was identified in strains detected from otitis, mastitis, subcutaneous abscesses, and septicaemia. Among the virulence-associated genes, sodC was found in all tested strains. Gene pfhA was more frequently found in strains belonging to type A than in type D and it was prevalently found in strains responsible for respiratory lesions. In addition, it was found in all F strains, suggesting a strong relationship between pfhA and this capsular type. Conversely, gene tadD was rarely found in strains belonging to capsular type F. Gene fur occurred more frequently in strains belonging to type D and involved with rhinitis. Gene hgbB was detected prevalently in strains responsible for metritis. Additionally, based on the results, the presence of more than 8 virulence-associated genes in the strains seems to increase the risk of the occurrence of severe lesions in the affected rabbits. Nevertheless, the detection of some strains responsible only for rhinitis which were equipped with 10 and 11 virulence-associated genes, seems to emphasise the importance of a gene's expression rather than its presence in strains. Pasteurellosis, a disease caused by Pasteurella multocida, is responsible for economic losses in rabbit industrial farms due to rhinitis, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, metritis, mastitis, orchitis, subcutaneous abscesses, otitis, encephalitis, and septicaemic forms. Although the occurrence of the disease is conditioned by predisposing factors that affect the rabbit immune response, the strains of P. multocida involved in the infection may have a different pathogenic ability. Therefore, typing of strains spread among the rabbits is important to assess their pathogenic potential. The aim of this study is to investigate the P. multocida strains responsible for disease in rabbit industrial farms. A total of 114 strains identified from different lesions were serotyped. Additionally, the presence of virulence-associated genes was investigated using three PCR (polymerase chain reaction) protocols. Capsular type A was prevalently found in strains from respiratory lesions while types D and F in those from metritis, mastitis, and other lesions. Different associations between some virulence-associated genes and both capsular type and lesions found in rabbits were detected. The presence of 8 virulence-associated genes seems to increase the occurrence of metritis. In addition, strains belonging to capsular type A and responsible for respiratory disorders especially, were found equipped with 10 and 11 virulence-associated genes. Nevertheless, the presence of strains responsible only for rhinitis was also detected among the latter, suggesting that the pathogenic ability of the bacteria depends on the expression rather than the presence of a gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Cryopreserving Rabbit Semen: Impact of Varying Sperm Concentrations on Quality and the Standardization of Protocol
- Author
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Di Iorio, Michele, primary, Lauriola, Fabrizio, additional, Rusco, Giusy, additional, Antenucci, Emanuele, additional, Schiavitto, Michele, additional, and Iaffaldano, Nicolaia, additional
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Effect of rearing system (free-range vs. cage) on gut and muscle histomorphology and microbial loads of Italian White breed rabbits
- Author
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Losacco, Caterina, primary, Tinelli, Antonella, additional, Dambrosio, Angela, additional, Quaglia, Nicoletta C., additional, Passantino, Letizia, additional, Schiavitto, Michele, additional, Passantino, Giuseppe, additional, Laudadio, Vito, additional, Zizzo, Nicola, additional, and Tufarelli, Vincenzo, additional
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Cryopreserving Rabbit Semen: Impact of Varying Sperm Concentrations on Quality and the Standardization of Protocol.
- Author
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Di Iorio, Michele, Lauriola, Fabrizio, Rusco, Giusy, Antenucci, Emanuele, Schiavitto, Michele, and Iaffaldano, Nicolaia
- Subjects
FROZEN semen ,SEMEN ,SPERMATOZOA ,RABBITS ,BIODIVERSITY conservation ,ARTIFICIAL insemination - Abstract
Simple Summary: In the rabbit species, the use of frozen semen could play a twofold role; on the one hand, it could bring many benefits to commercial breeding operations that rely on artificial insemination, and on the other hand, it would enable the conservation of biodiversity through the establishment of semen cryobanks. One of the less explored aspects of cryopreserving rabbit semen involves establishing the ideal sperm concentration in straws. Achieving this goal is crucial for minimizing the variability in outcomes and accurately determining the number of sperm delivered during artificial insemination procedures. This study sought to determine the ideal sperm concentration in straws for cryopreserving rabbit semen, with the broader goal of improving and standardizing the freezing protocol developed by our research group over the past decade. Our study provided a comprehensive analysis of how different sperm concentrations within straws (ranging from 15 to 75 million sperm) influenced the critical stages of the cryopreservation process, starting from initial dilution with the extender, through to cooling and equilibration, and culminating in the thawing phase. This investigation shed light on the role of the sperm concentration when determining the overall success of rabbit semen cryopreservation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of sperm concentrations on the in vitro quality of cryopreserved rabbit semen. The semen pools (n = 8, from 80 donors) were split into five aliquots with final sperm concentrations of 15, 25, 35, 55, and 75 × 10
6 per straw. The sperm motility parameters (CASA system) and membrane integrity (flow cytometric analysis) were both evaluated at various stages of the cryopreservation process: fresh semen dilution, cooling, equilibration, and immediately after and 30 min post-thawing. The results indicated the significant influence of the sperm concentration on the total motility (TM) and progressive motility (PM), with a consistent decline in all sperm variables over the time points. Notably, the semen with a final concentration of 15 × 106 exhibited a higher TM and PM after cooling and equilibration. The post-thawing quality (TM, PM) was higher (p < 0.05) in the mid-range sperm concentrations of 25 × 106 (49.9% and 19.7%) and 35 × 106 (46.2% and 19.7%) compared to the other concentrations. This study demonstrated that the sperm concentration per straw played a significant role in specific phases of the cryopreservation process. These findings contribute valuable insights for refining and standardizing the cryopreservation protocol for rabbit semen, emphasizing the importance of the sperm concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Effect of rearing system (free-range vs cage) on gut and muscle histomorphology and microbial loads of Italian White breed rabbits.
- Author
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Losacco, Caterina, Tinelli, Antonella, Dambrosio, Angela, Quaglia, Nicoletta C., Passantino, Letizia, Schiavitto, Michele, Passantino, Giuseppe, Laudadio, Vito, Zizzo, Nicola, and Tufarelli, Vincenzo
- Subjects
RABBIT breeding ,ESCHERICHIA coli ,ANAEROBIC bacteria ,MICROBIOLOGICAL assay ,ANIMAL welfare - Abstract
Objective: The growing consumers' interest on animal welfare has raised the request of products obtained by alternative rearing systems. The present study was conducted to assess the influence of housing system on gut and muscle morphology and on microbial load in rabbits reared under free-range (FR) and cage system (CS). Methods: A total of forty weaned (35 days of age) male Italian White breed rabbits were allotted according to the rearing system, and at 91 days of age were randomly selected and slaughtered for the morphological evaluation of tissue from duodenum and longissimus lumborum. Morphometric analysis of the villus height, villus width, crypt depth, villus height/crypt depth ratio, and villus surface was performed. The microbial loads on hind muscle was determined by total mesophilic aerobic count (TMAC), Escherichia coli and Enterobacteriaceae; whereas, total anaerobic bacteria count (TABC) and TMAC, E. coli and Enterobacteriaceae was determined on caecal content. Results: Rearing system did not interfere with the duodenum and muscle histomorphology in both rabbit groups. Similarly, microbial load of caecal content showed no significant differences on the TABC and TMAC. Conversely, significant difference was found for E. coli strains in caecal content, with the lower counts in FR compared to CS rabbits (p<0.01). Microbiological assay of muscle revealed significant lower TMAC in FR vs CS rabbits (p< 0.05). All rabbit meat samples were negative for E. Coli and Enterobacteriaceae. Conclusion: Free-range could be considered a possible alternative and sustainable rearing system in rabbits to preserve gut environment and muscle quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Population genomic structures and signatures of selection define the genetic uniqueness of several fancy and meat rabbit breeds.
- Author
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Ballan, Mohamad, Bovo, Samuele, Bertolini, Francesca, Schiavo, Giuseppina, Schiavitto, Michele, Negrini, Riccardo, and Fontanesi, Luca
- Subjects
RABBIT meat ,EUROPEAN rabbit ,GERMPLASM ,CATTLE genetics ,BODY size ,SINGLE nucleotide polymorphisms ,RABBIT breeding ,RABBIT diseases - Abstract
Following the recent domestication process of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), many different breeds and lines, distinguished primarily by exterior traits such as coat colour, fur structure and body size and shape, have been constituted. In this study, we genotyped, with a high‐density single‐nucleotide polymorphism panel, a total of 645 rabbits from 10 fancy breeds (Belgian Hare, Champagne d'Argent, Checkered Giant, Coloured Dwarf, Dwarf Lop, Ermine, Giant Grey, Giant White, Rex and Rhinelander) and three meat breeds (Italian White, Italian Spotted and Italian Silver). ADMIXTURE analysis indicated that breeds with similar phenotypic traits (e.g. coat colour and body size) shared common ancestries. Signatures of selection using two haplotype‐based approaches (iHS and XP‐EHH), combined with the results obtained with other methods previously reported that we applied to the same breeds, we identified a total of 5079 independent genomic regions with some signatures of selection, covering about 1777 Mb of the rabbit genome. These regions consistently encompassed many genes involved in pigmentation processes (ASIP, EDNRA, EDNRB, KIT, KITLG, MITF, OCA2, TYR and TYRP1), coat structure (LIPH) and body size, including two major genes (LCORL and HMGA2) among many others. This study revealed novel genomic regions under signatures of selection and further demonstrated that population structures and signatures of selection, left into the genome of these rabbit breeds, may contribute to understanding the genetic events that led to their constitution and the complex genetic mechanisms determining the broad phenotypic variability present in these untapped rabbit genetic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Antimicrobial Efficacy of Phyto-L, Thiosulfonate from Allium spp. Containing Supplement, against Escherichia Coli Strains from Rabbits
- Author
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D’Amico, Francesco, primary, Casalino, Gaia, additional, Dinardo, Francesca Rita, additional, Schiavitto, Michele, additional, Camarda, Antonio, additional, Romito, Diana, additional, Bove, Antonella, additional, and Circella, Elena, additional
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Antimicrobial Efficacy of Phyto-L, Thiosulfonate from Allium spp. Containing Supplement, against Escherichia Coli Strains from Rabbits.
- Author
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D'Amico, Francesco, Casalino, Gaia, Dinardo, Francesca Rita, Schiavitto, Michele, Camarda, Antonio, Romito, Diana, Bove, Antonella, and Circella, Elena
- Subjects
ESCHERICHIA coli ,PHYTOPATHOGENIC bacteria ,ALLIUM ,RABBITS ,RABBIT diseases ,ORGANOSULFUR compounds ,GARLIC - Abstract
Simple Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Phyto-L (Pro Tech s.r.l.), a commercial product containing organosulfur compounds (OSCs) such as propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) from Allium spp., on 108 enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) strains responsible for colibacillosis in rabbits. Bacterial suspensions with a charge of 10
8 CFU/mL were tested with different concentrations (20, 10, 5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.6, 0.3, and 0.15 μL/mL) of Phyto-L. To evaluate MBC values, bacterial suspensions corresponding to the MIC and above the MIC were plated on Tryptic Soy agar (TSA) without Phyto-L. The MICs of the tested strains corresponded to 1.25 μL/mL (37/108-34.3%), 2.5 μL/mL (70/108-64.8%), and 5 μL/mL (1/108-0.9%). The MBCs were 1.25 μL/mL (15/108-13.9%), 2.5 μL/mL (46/108-42.6%), 5 μL/mL (9/108-8.3%), 10 μL/mL (20/108-18.5%), 20 μL/mL (8/108-7.4%), and higher than 20 μL/mL (10/108-9.3%). Based on the results obtained, Phyto-L has antibacterial activity on EPEC strains. Therefore, in field applications, Phyto-L should be useful in limiting the E. coli load in the rabbit gut, preventing the occurrence of colibacillosis. Moreover, considering that 104 –105 CFU/g of feces is the charge of E. coli normally present in the intestinal contents of rabbits under physiological conditions, it is possible that lower dosages than those found in this study may be effective in preventing the disease in rabbit farms. Colibacillosis, caused by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), is one of the most common diseases in rabbit farms, resulting in economic losses due to mortality and decrease in production. Until recently, antimicrobials were used to both treat and prevent disease on livestock farms, leading to the possible risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the selection of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Therefore, interest in alternative control methods, such as the use of natural substances, has increased in the scientific community. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Phyto-L (Pro Tech s.r.l.), a product containing organosulfur compounds (OSCs) such as propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) from Allium spp., against 108 strains of E. coli isolated from rabbits with colibacillosis from 19 farms. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Phyto-L were assessed. Bacterial suspensions with a charge of 108 CFU/mL, corresponding to those found in the rabbit gut under pathologic conditions, were tested with different concentrations from 20 to 0.15 μL/mL of Phyto-L. For each strain, the MIC and concentrations above the MIC were plated on Tryptic Soy agar (TSA) without Phyto-L to assess the MBCs. MIC and MBC values ranged from 1.25 to 5 μL/mL and 1.25 to 20 μL/mL, respectively, depending on the strain tested. The data showed an interesting antibacterial activity of Phyto-L against EPEC strains. Therefore, this product could be effective in preventing colibacillosis in field application, especially considering that 104 –105 CFU/g of feces is the amount of E. coli usually found in the gut contents of rabbits under physiological condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Comparative analysis of genomic inbreeding parameters and runs of homozygosity islands in several fancy and meat rabbit breeds
- Author
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Ballan, Mohamad, primary, Schiavo, Giuseppina, additional, Bovo, Samuele, additional, Schiavitto, Michele, additional, Negrini, Riccardo, additional, Frabetti, Andrea, additional, Fornasini, Daniela, additional, and Fontanesi, Luca, additional
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. Evaluating productive performance, meat quality and oxidation products of Italian White breed rabbits under free-range and cage rearing system
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Tufarelli, Vincenzo, primary, Tateo, Alessandra, additional, Schiavitto, Michele, additional, Mazzei, Domenico, additional, Calzaretti, Giovanna, additional, and Laudadio, Vito, additional
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Additional file 1 of Genomic diversity and signatures of selection in meat and fancy rabbit breeds based on high-density marker data
- Author
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Ballan, Mohamad, Bovo, Samuele, Schiavo, Giuseppina, Schiavitto, Michele, Negrini, Riccardo, and Fontanesi, Luca
- Abstract
Additional file 1: Table S1. Statistics for the window selection analysis. Table S2. Groups of breeds that were compared in this study. Table S3. Estimates of effective population size (Ne) over time (from 13 to 142 generations ago). Table S4. Single-SNP-based FST distances between pairs of rabbit populations. Table S5. Window-based FST distances between pairs of rabbit populations. Table S6. The most relevant results obtained from the PCAdapt analysis that overlap with those of the FST analyses. Table S8. Pearson���s correlations for genome windows FST values obtained from Method 1 and Method 2 (P-value
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
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14. Additional file 2 of Genomic diversity and signatures of selection in meat and fancy rabbit breeds based on high-density marker data
- Author
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Ballan, Mohamad, Bovo, Samuele, Schiavo, Giuseppina, Schiavitto, Michele, Negrini, Riccardo, and Fontanesi, Luca
- Abstract
Additional file 2: Figure S1. Window-based Neighbor Joining tree. Figure S2. Multidimensional scaling plot. The first three components are provided. Figure S3. Scree plot used to identify the number of principal components that describe well the population structure of the investigated rabbit breeds. The plot displays in decreasing order the percentage of variance explained by each principal component. Figure S4. Manhattan plots of the PCAdapt analysis. Each dot represents a 350-kb genome window. The red line identifies the threshold value (0.1 Bonferroni corrected P-value). Unassembled scaffolds are not reported. Figure S5. Genome regions carrying signatures of selection (99.8th percentile; expanded windows) identified in the studied breeds. Only the assembled autosomes are presented and unassembled scaffolds are not reported. Figure S6. Manhattan plots of the genome-wide FST analyses based on Method 1 (M1). Each dot represents a 350-kb genome window. The blue line identifies the threshold value (99.8th percentile of the distribution). Unassembled scaffolds are not reported. Figure S7. Manhattan plots of the genome-wide FST analyses based on Method 2 (M2). Each dot represents a 350-kb genome window. The blue line identifies the threshold value (99.8th percentile of the distribution). Unassembled scaffolds are not reported.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Improving the Rabbit Semen Cryopreservation Protocol: Comparison Between Two Extenders and Inseminating Doses
- Author
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Di Iorio, Michele, primary, Rusco, Giusy, additional, Colonna, Maria Antonietta, additional, Schiavitto, Michele, additional, D’Andrea, Maria Silvia, additional, Cerolini, Silvia, additional, and Iaffaldano, Nicolaia, additional
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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16. Effect of Dietary Boswellia serrata Resin on Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, and Cecal Microbiota of Growing Rabbits
- Author
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Ismail, Ismail E., primary, Abdelnour, Sameh A., additional, Shehata, Sabry A., additional, Abd El-Hack, Mohamed E., additional, El-Edel, Mohamed A., additional, Taha, Ayman E., additional, Schiavitto, Michele, additional, and Tufarelli, Vincenzo, additional
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Rabbit metabolic response and selected meat quality traits: Evaluation of dietary PLX®23 and LycoBeads®feed supplement
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Palazzo, Marisa, primary, Schiavitto, Michele, additional, Cinone, Mario, additional, and Vizzarri, Francesco, additional
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. Initial cooling time before freezing affects post-thaw quality and reproductive performance of rabbit semen
- Author
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Di Iorio, Michele, primary, Colonna, Maria Antonietta, additional, Miranda, Marsia, additional, Principe, Paola, additional, Schiavitto, Michele, additional, Cerolini, Silvia, additional, Manchisi, Angelo, additional, and Iaffaldano, Nicolaia, additional
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. Rabbit metabolic response and selected meat quality traits: Evaluation of dietary PLX®23 and LycoBeads® feed supplement.
- Author
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Palazzo, Marisa, Schiavitto, Michele, Cinone, Mario, and Vizzarri, Francesco
- Subjects
- *
MEAT quality , *VERBASCOSIDE , *LYCOPENE , *DIETARY supplements , *TOMATOES - Abstract
Effects of dietary supplementation of verbascoside and lycopene, alone and in combination, on some blood parameters, plasma oxidative status and meat quality traits in intensively reared rabbits were investigated. The test lasted 60 days and was conducted on 200 weaned‐rabbits, divided into four groups of 50 animals each (5 animals each cage × 10 repetitions). The control group (CON) received a fattening feed without any feed supplements, whereas the experimental groups received the following: the first, an integration in 22 g of PLX®23 (Lippia citriodora extract; VB group) per ton of feed; the second, an integration in 100 g of LycoBeads® (Solanum lycopersicum extract; LIC group) per ton of feed; and the third, an integration of both feed supplements in combination at the same doses (LIC+VB group). The dietary supplementation with Lippia citriodora and Solanum lycopersicum resulted in an improvement of the blood lipid profile, oxidative plasma markers, and hepatic and renal activity of treated growing rabbits. Feed additives also produced meat with a lower content in SFA and an increased PUFA content, and inhibited the lipid oxidation improving the oxidative stability of rabbit meat. The dietary supplementation, even reporting no effects on productive parameters and carcass yield, showed an improvement on several blood parameters, as indicator of animal welfare, and on quality and healthy meat markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. Comparative analysis of genomic inbreeding parameters and runs of homozygosity islands in several fancy and meat rabbit breeds
- Author
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Mohamad Ballan, Giuseppina Schiavo, Samuele Bovo, Michele Schiavitto, Riccardo Negrini, Andrea Frabetti, Daniela Fornasini, Luca Fontanesi, Ballan, Mohamad, Schiavo, Giuseppina, Bovo, Samuele, Schiavitto, Michele, Negrini, Riccardo, Frabetti, Andrea, Fornasini, Daniela, and Fontanesi, Luca
- Subjects
Islands ,Meat ,Genotype ,Homozygote ,ROH ,SNP ,Genomics ,General Medicine ,Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ,Oryctolagus cuniculu ,signature of selection ,genetic variability ,Genetics ,Animals ,Inbreeding ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Rabbits - Abstract
Runs of homozygosity (ROH) are defined as long stretches of DNA homozygous at each polymorphic position. The proportion of genome covered by ROH and their length are indicators of the level and origin of inbreeding. In this study, we analysed SNP chip datasets (obtained using the Axiom OrcunSNP Array) of a total of 702 rabbits from 12 fancy breeds and four meat breeds to identify ROH with different approaches and calculate several genomic inbreeding parameters. The highest average number of ROH per animal was detected in Belgian Hare (~150) and the lowest in Italian Silver (~106). The average length of ROH ranged from 4.001 ± 0.556Mb in Italian White to 6.268 ± 1.355Mb in Ermine. The same two breeds had the lowest (427.9 ± 86.4 Mb, Italian White) and the highest (921.3 ± 179.8 Mb, Ermine) average values of the sum of all ROH segments. More fancy breeds had a higher level of genomic inbreeding (as defined by ROH) than meat breeds. Several ROH islands contain genes involved in body size, body length, pigmentation processes, carcass traits, growth, and reproduction traits (e.g.: AOX1, GPX5, IFRD1, ITGB8, NELL1, NR3C1, OCA2, TRIB1, TRIB2). Genomic inbreeding parameters can be useful to overcome the lack of information in the management of rabbit genetic resources. ROH provided information to understand, to some extent, the genetic history of rabbit breeds and to identify signatures of selection in the rabbit genome.
- Published
- 2022
21. Genomic diversity and signatures of selection in meat and fancy rabbit breeds based on high-density marker data
- Author
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Mohamad Ballan, Samuele Bovo, Giuseppina Schiavo, Michele Schiavitto, Riccardo Negrini, Luca Fontanesi, Ballan, Mohamad, Bovo, Samuele, Schiavo, Giuseppina, Schiavitto, Michele, Negrini, Riccardo, and Fontanesi, Luca
- Subjects
Genotyping ,Meat ,Genotype ,Rabbit ,QH426-470 ,Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ,SF1-1100 ,Genetic ,Polymorphism, Population genomic ,Genetics ,Animals ,Selection, Genetic ,Selection ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Genome ,Animal ,Genomics ,General Medicine ,Single Nucleotide ,Oryctolagus cuniculu ,Animal culture ,Phenotype ,Genomic ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Rabbits ,Research Article - Abstract
Background Domestication of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has led to a multi-purpose species that includes many breeds and lines with a broad phenotypic diversity, mainly for external traits (e.g. coat colours and patterns, fur structure, and morphometric traits) that are valued by fancy rabbit breeders. As a consequence of this human-driven selection, distinct signatures are expected to be present in the rabbit genome, defined as signatures of selection or selective sweeps. Here, we investigated the genome of three Italian commercial meat rabbit breeds (Italian Silver, Italian Spotted and Italian White) and 12 fancy rabbit breeds (Belgian Hare, Burgundy Fawn, Champagne d’Argent, Checkered Giant, Coloured Dwarf, Dwarf Lop, Ermine, Giant Grey, Giant White, Rex, Rhinelander and Thuringian) by using high-density single nucleotide polymorphism data. Signatures of selection were identified based on the fixation index (FST) statistic with different approaches, including single-breed and group-based methods, the latter comparing breeds that are grouped based on external traits (different coat colours and body sizes) and types (i.e. meat vs. fancy breeds). Results We identified 309 genomic regions that contained signatures of selection and that included genes that are known to affect coat colour (ASIP, MC1R and TYR), coat structure (LIPH), and body size (LCORL/NCAPG, COL11A1 and HOXD) in rabbits and that characterize the investigated breeds. Their identification proves the suitability of the applied methodologies for capturing recent selection events. Other regions included novel candidate genes that might contribute to the phenotypic variation among the analyzed breeds, including genes for pigmentation-related traits (EDNRA, EDNRB, MITF and OCA2) and body size, with a strong candidate for dwarfism in rabbit (COL2A1). Conclusions We report a genome-wide view of genetic loci that underlie the main phenotypic differences in the analyzed rabbit breeds, which can be useful to understand the shift from the domestication process to the development of breeds in O. cuniculus. These results enhance our knowledge about the major genetic loci involved in rabbit external traits and add novel information to understand the complexity of the genetic architecture underlying body size in mammals.
- Published
- 2022
22. Rabbit metabolic response and selected meat quality traits: Evaluation of dietary PLX ® 23 and LycoBeads ® feed supplement.
- Author
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Palazzo M, Schiavitto M, Cinone M, and Vizzarri F
- Subjects
- Animal Feed analysis, Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Animals, Biomarkers blood, Cholesterol chemistry, Fatty Acids chemistry, Female, Male, Meat analysis, Oxidative Stress drug effects, Rabbits growth & development, Rabbits metabolism, Body Composition drug effects, Diet veterinary, Dietary Supplements, Lippia, Solanum lycopersicum, Meat standards
- Abstract
Effects of dietary supplementation of verbascoside and lycopene, alone and in combination, on some blood parameters, plasma oxidative status and meat quality traits in intensively reared rabbits were investigated. The test lasted 60 days and was conducted on 200 weaned-rabbits, divided into four groups of 50 animals each (5 animals each cage × 10 repetitions). The control group (CON) received a fattening feed without any feed supplements, whereas the experimental groups received the following: the first, an integration in 22 g of PLX
® 23 (Lippia citriodora extract; VB group) per ton of feed; the second, an integration in 100 g of LycoBeads® (Solanum lycopersicum extract; LIC group) per ton of feed; and the third, an integration of both feed supplements in combination at the same doses (LIC+VB group). The dietary supplementation with Lippia citriodora and Solanum lycopersicum resulted in an improvement of the blood lipid profile, oxidative plasma markers, and hepatic and renal activity of treated growing rabbits. Feed additives also produced meat with a lower content in SFA and an increased PUFA content, and inhibited the lipid oxidation improving the oxidative stability of rabbit meat. The dietary supplementation, even reporting no effects on productive parameters and carcass yield, showed an improvement on several blood parameters, as indicator of animal welfare, and on quality and healthy meat markers., (© 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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