Objective—To determine whether selection for the homozygous A136R171 genotype that confers resistance to classic scrapie infection negatively affects production traits in sheep. Animals—996 commercial lambs obtained from 2 flocks at separate locations across 3 consecutive years. Procedures—Genotyping at codon 136 and 171 was performed by use of commercially available testing or a single-nucleotide polymorphism assay. Carcass data were collected without knowledge of genotype approximately 24 hours after slaughter by an experienced grader. The model to analyze associations between prion protein (PRNP) genotype and production traits was based on genotype, breed, or both as fixed effects and days on feed as a covariate. Results—Average daily gain was significantly associated with only combined codons 136 and 171. In flock 1, weaning average daily gain was significantly greater in AA136 sheep than heterozygotes; the difference between QR171 and RR171 sheep, compared with QQ171 sheep, were not significant although QR171 and RR171 sheep had higher values. However, in flock 2, average daily gain was significantly greater in AV136 sheep than AA136 sheep and in QR171 sheep than QQ171 sheep. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Findings suggest there is an advantage for average daily gain in lambs with an arginine allele at codon 171, but there were no other genotype effects on production traits. Thus, selection for the resistant arginine allele at codon 171 to comply with USDA scrapie eradication guidelines should not be detrimental to lamb production in commercial flocks. Effects of codon 136 on average daily gain were ambiguous.

Objective-To evaluate whether additive genetic correlations existed between certain aspects of the radiographic appearance of the distal sesamoid (navicular) bones (RNB) or between RNB and other types of radiographic changes in the limbs of Hanoverian Warmblood horses. Animals-5,157 horses. Procedures-Quasi-linear and binary traits were defined by the appearance of canales sesamoidales (CSs) and the structure and contour of the forelimb navicular bones (NBs). Prevalences of osseous fragments in the metacarphophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal (fetlock) and tarsocrural joints and deforming arthropathy in tarsal joints were analyzed as binary traits. Genetic parameters were estimated by use of multivariate linear models. Results-Heritability estimates for the RNB traits ranged from 0.10 to 0.34. Additive genetic correlations among those traits were usually close to unity. Extensive radiographic changes in the NBs, including changes in CSs and alterations in structure and contour, had correlations with less distinct radiographic changes. Negative additive genetic correlations were observed between small numbers of short and conical CSs in the central portion of the distal border of the NB and osseous fragments and arthropathy, and between most types of radiographic findings in the NBs and osseous fragments in tarsal joints. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-The genetic bases for different types of RNB were not identical. The detection of correlations between normal RNB and findings of short and conical CSs versus deformed CSs and structural and contour changes warrants further study. Genetically justified distinction between physiologic and pathologic NB changes will increase the efficiency of selecting against NBs with radiographically apparent alterations.

Molecular genetic data provide powerful tools for genealogy reconstruction to reveal mechanisms underlying disease ecology. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) congregate in matriarchal groups; kin-related close social spacing may be a factor in the spread of infectious diseases. Spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disorder of deer and their cervid relatives, is presumed to be associated with direct contact between individuals and by exposure to shared food and water sources contaminated with prions shed by infected deer. Key aspects of disease ecology are yet unknown. DNA tools for pedigree reconstruction were developed to fill knowledge gaps in disease dynamics in prion-infected wild animals. Kinship indices using data from microsatellite loci and sequence haplotypes of mitochondrial DNA were employed to assemble genealogies. Molecular genealogy tools will be useful for landscape-level population genetic research and monitoring, in addition to epidemiologic studies examining transmission of CWD in captive and free-ranging cervids.

Investigation of quality and quantity indexes of sperm production of boars of Yorkshire, Landrace, Duroc breeds of Danish selection was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus. Quality and quantity indexes were analyzed in accordance with ejaculate volume, spermium concentration and activity at different age-specific periods in the comparative aspect. Thorough analysis of quality indexes (ejaculate volume; spermium concentration; spermatozoon motility; sperm quantity) of semen production of studied breeds at different age-specific stages (before 7 months old; 7-10 months; 10-12 months; 12 months and older) was presented. Coefficients of variation of valuation indexes of semen production were stated. Research results showed that the lowest ejaculate volume was typical for boars of Duroc breed, but the quantity of spermium in ejaculate of this breed since 10-month old age was the highest – 92,6 milliard, that made it possible for this breed of boars to take premier place according to the index of spermium quantity in ejaculate. The same index for boars of Landrace and Yorkshire at age of 12 months old and older was 77,5 and 76,3 milliards, respectively. High variability of indexes of evaluation of semen production was due the reason that the research was taking place at the period of formation of productivity over the whole pig stock. Research results proved that indexes of semen production of producer boars of Yorkshire, Landrace, Duroc breeds of Danish selection depended on the breed and high variability indexes

Use desirable alleles allows to raise the reproductive quality of the sows, in particular, amount alive piglets at birth (EPORTT), safety piglets (MUC4CC) meat quality pig (IGF-2QQ) that in turn allows to get the additional income at realization of the saplings

In course of a long-term selection breeding activities in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus on the basis of Belarusian Large White breed of swine there were created two high-productive lines - Delfina 37755 and Svitanka 3884. Individual selection of animals was realized in accordance with the main indexes of productive ability, development and conformation type. There were selected parent lines, there were used methods of intrastrain breeding and hybrid between lines, mild inbreeding on parental line. Bores and breeding sows were evaluated in accordance with their posterity productivity by means of a control feeding method. Productive indexes for Delfina 37755 line were 11,7 piglets, for Svitanka 3884 line – 11,9 piglets; age of live weight gain of 100 kg – 189 and 182 days, respectively; average daily weight gain – 735 gram and 749 gram; forage expenses – 3,5 and 3,51 fodder units; backfat thickness – 27,2 and 26,2 mm; ham weight – 10,9 and 11,2 k, respectively