Meat Tenderness Genetic and Genomic Variation Sources in Commercial Beef Cattle

Published in: Journal of Food Quality

1. María Salud Rubio Lozano,
2. Selene Alfaro-Zavala, 
3. Ana María Sifuentes-Rincón,
4. Gaspar Manuel Parra-Bracamonte, et al.

To assess genetic group (GGR; Bos indicus [Bi], Bos taurus [Bt] and crosses [BtxBi]) and to confirm the calpain (CAPN316 and CAPN4751) and calpastatin (CAST-T1) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) effects on Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF), 196 animals under commercial conditions were analyzed. A model was fitted including the effect of GGR and considering residuals as adjusted WBSF (aWBSF). Another model was fitted to evaluate the SNP effect on aWBSF. Allele substitution effect (α) and combined favorable alleles in CAPN and CAST on aWBSF were evaluated. GGR showed a significant effect (P < 0.0001) on WBSF; Bt and BtxBi had the lower WBSF. CAPN316 showed significant effect on aWBSF with an α = −0.549 kg. The combined effect of CAPN and CAST showed significant (P < 0.0056) reduction on aWBSF of 0.239 kg by favorable allele. The results remarked the importance of GGR and confirmed CAPN316 and combined effect of CAPN and CAST on prediction of meat tenderness.

Knowledge of main factors related to tenderness, as a key related factor to beef consumer satisfaction, would serve as a resource for commercial beef classification and management under slaughterhouse conditions. Confirmation on combined marker effects provides strong validation for marker-assisted management use of these technologies under industry conditions. Additionally, the presented results may be used as a reference for research in the beef industry aimed to provide improvement on beef tenderness to the final product.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jfq.12185/abstract

El bagre de canal (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, 1818): estado actual y problemática en México
[Revisión]
Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, 1818): current status and problematic situation in Mexico

[A review]

Ana Laura Lara-Rivera

Gaspar Manuel Parra-Bracamonte

Ana María Sifuentes-Rincón

Héctor Hugo Gojón-Báez

Hervey Rodríguez-González

Isidro Otoniel Montelongo-Alfaro

Published in: Lat. Am. J. Aquat. Res., 43(3): 424-434, 2015 

ABSTRACT

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is one of the endemic fishes of North America with the greatest potential for aquaculture. Despite this, data of its current distribution is scare and many aspects of its dynamic and productive performance remain unknown. In the present study, results are reported from a literature search and field analysis for describing the current status of channel catfish in Mexico regarding its historical and current geographical distribution as well as the problems faced by fish farmers and production systems. We were able to identify a lack of information and indicators to properly assess the extent of the species natural habitat and its productive potential. The quality and availability of water are among the main problems of the industry. Food costs represent the larger cost-loss for producers and there is great heterogeneity on the management of both breeding and production farms. Much of the production dynamics follows a pattern of trial and error. It became clear the need to optimize and standardize the processes on the channel catfish production system and to properly characterize domestic and wild populations to maximize their potential.

RESUMEN

El bagre de canal (Ictalurus punctatus) es uno de los peces endémicos de Norte América con mayor potencial para la acuicultura. A pesar de esto, los datos sobre su distribución actual son escasos y se desconocen muchos aspectos de su dinámica y desempeño productivo. En el presente estudio se reportan los resultados de una búsqueda bibliográfica y análisis de campo que permiten describir la situación actual del bagre de canal con respecto a su distribución geográfica histórica y actual, así como de la problemática que enfrentan los sistemas productivos de esta especie en México. Se identificó la falta de información e indicadores que permitan conocer la extensión de su hábitat natural, movilización o potencial productivo. La calidad y disponibilidad del agua figuran entre las principales problemáticas de la industria; el alimento supone el mayor gasto para los productores y existe gran heterogeneidad de manejo tanto en granjas reproductoras como de engorde, gran parte de la dinámica productiva sigue un modelo de ensayo y error. Se requiere optimizar y homologar los procesos del sistema productivo de bagre de canal, así como caracterizar correctamente las poblaciones domésticas y silvestres para aprovechar al máximo su potencial.

DOI: 10.3856/vol43-issue3-fulltext-4

Associations of SNPs located at candidate genes to bovine growth traits prioritized with an interaction networks construction approach

BMC Genetics. 16(91): 1-12. http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/s12863-015-0247-3.pdf

Abstract 

Background: For most domestic animal species, including bovines, it is difficult to identify causative genetic variants involved in economically relevant traits. The candidate gene approach is efficient because it investigates genes that are expected to be associated with the expression of a trait and defines whether the genetic variation present in a population is associated with phenotypic diversity. A potential limitation of this approach is the identification of candidates. This study used a bioinformatics approach to identify candidate genes via a search guided by a functional interaction network. 

Results: A functional interaction network tool, BosNet, was constructed for Bos taurus. Predictions for candidate genes were performed using the guilt-by-association principle in BosNet. Association analyses identified five novel markers within BosNet-prioritized genes that had significant effects on different growth traits in Charolais and Brahman cattle.

Conclusions: BosNet is an excellent tool for the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms that are potentially associated with complex traits. 

Keywords: Candidate gene approach, Genetic networks, Beef cattle, Economically relevant traits 

Inbreeding evidence in a traditional channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) hatchery in Mexico, Now Published

Abstract


Background: Channel catfish are one of the most important aquaculture species raised for food purposes in Mexico. Two temporal samples were obtained from the largest channel catfish breeding hatchery in Mexico to identify changes in genetic diversity and inbreeding that are promoted by traditional hatchery management. Results: The genetic parameter analysis of 11 microsatellite loci showed no significant change in genetic diversity (p > 0.05). However, a significant heterozygosis deficiency was detected (p < 0.001), and genetic structure analysis indicated moderate differentiation between the temporally divided populations (FST = 0.08). A moderate level of inbreeding and a slight increase of the inbreeding coefficient from 0.23 to 0.27 were the result of traditional hatchery practices. To achieve an effective population size, the temporal approach resulted in a limited number of breeders to maintain genetic variability. Conclusions: Although no significant change in genetic diversity parameters was found, the heterozygote deficiency and low effective number of breeders suggest that there is a risk for increased inbreeding. Thus, we propose the need for controlled reproductive management and the establishment of genetic programs in hatcheries. Molecular tools can provide valuable information to facilitate the achievement of these goals.
Keywords: channel catfish, effective population size, genetic diversity, inbreeding 

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ADVANCES AND PERSPECTIVES OF GENOMICS BIOTECHNOLOGY APPLIED TO LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN MEXICO

 RESUMEN


El desarrollo de la biotecnología genómica en el área animal, ha sido promovido como una realidad necesaria en México, y sus objetivos se enfocan fundamentalmente en el desarrollo, establecimiento e implementación de técnicas y métodos moleculares en beneficio de los sistemas pecuarios del país. En esta revisión se define el concepto de la biotecnología genómica y cómo el conocimiento de las herramientas moleculares y de los marcadores genéticos, derivados de esta disciplina puede ayudar a la ganadería (sobre todo enfocada a los sistemas productores de carne bovina), al mejoramiento en la producción y calidad de sus productos, y finalmente, exponer algunas perspectivas de aplicación para los sistemas de producción pecuaria en México.

Palabras clave: Biotecnología genómica; ganadería; marcadores genéticos.
 
 
SUMMARY


Development of genomic biotechnology for animal sciences has been promoted as a reality in Mexico; and its objectives are focused in development and establishment of molecular technique and methodologies to be applied for improvement of livestock production. The present review defines the concept of genomics and how the knowledge of the molecular tools and genetic markers may help to livestock systems (focused in beef cattle systems), their production and quality of their products, and finally, to present some perspectives of current application for animal production systems in Mexico.

Key words: Genomic biotechnology; livestock; genetic markers.
 





 Forthcoming as Review in:
 2011 (3)  Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems
 http://www.ccba.uady.mx/ojs/index.php/TSA/article/view/1143/624