Bovine nasal and oral discharges were used as samples for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) gene detection. Viral genes in serum (S), nasal discharge (N) and oral discharge (O) were quantified with real-time polymerase chain reaction using SYBR Green by the relative quantification method, and findings were compared among samples. Although the quantity of the BVDV gene in S was greater than those in N and O, all samples were available to identify persistently infected (PI) cattle with BVDV by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The swab samples were able to be stored for a few days at 4degC with a little decrease of amplification signal in RT-PCR. Oral swab sampling was easier than nasal swab sampling, and was also less uncomfortable for the cattle than other sampling methods without pain or unnecessary retention. This sampling method can be performed without any special technique and equipment. Therefore, the oral swab sampling method is useful for screening to detect BVDV PI cattle by RT-PCR.

Although mammals produce either sperm or eggs depending on their sex, newborn MRL/MpJ male mice contain oocytes within their testes. In our previous study, the testicular oocyte appears as early as day 0 afterbirth and has morphological characteristics as an oocyte such as zona pellucida and follicular epithelial cells. Based on the observation of F1 between MRL/MpJ and C57BL/6, one of the genes causing the appearance of testicular oocyte exists on the Y chromosome. In the present study, we found testicular oocytes within newborn AKR mice. We have also analyzed the Sry genes from several inbred mouse strains and identified a shortened glutamine repeat near the C-terminal region that is unique to MRL and AKR. These results suggest that polymorphism of glutamine repeat within SRY correlates with the appearance of testicular oocyte and this phenotype is derived from AKR, one of the original strains of MRL mice.

Puumala virus (PUUV), a causative agent of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), is prevalent in Europe and European Russia. No vaccine has been developed for PUUV-associated HFRS, primarily because of the low viral yield in cultured cells. A PUUV strain known as DTK/Ufa-97 was isolated in Russia and adapted for growth in Vero E6 cells maintained in serum-free medium. The DTK/Ufa-97 strain produced a higher viral titer in serum-free medium, suggesting that it may prove useful in the development of an HFRS vaccine. When PUUV-infected Vero E6 cells were grown in serum-free medium, the DTK/Ufa-97 strain yielded more copies of intracellular viral RNA and a higher viral titer in the culture fluid than did the Sotkamo strain. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that PUUVs can be classified into multiple lineages according to geographical origin, and that the DTK/Ufa-97 strain is a member of the Bashkiria-Saratov lineage. The deduced amino acid sequences of the small, medium, and large segments of the DTK/Ufa-97 strain were 99.2% to 100%, 99.3% to 99.8%, and 99.8% identical, respectively, to those of the Bashkirian PUUV strains and 96.9%, 92.6%, and 97.4% identical, respectively, to those of the Sotkamo strain, indicating that the PUUVs are genetically diverse. However, DTK/Ufa-97 and other strains of PUUV exhibited similar patterns of binding to a panel of monoclonal antibodies against Hantaan virus. In addition, diluted antisera (i.e., ranging from 1:160 to 1:640) specific to three strains of PUUV neutralized both homologous and heterologous viruses. These results suggest that the DTK/Ufa-97 strain is capable of extensive growth and is antigenically similar to genetically distant strains of PUUV.

Glycophorins are the major sialoglycoproteins in red blood cell membranes, possessing various physiological and pathological roles. We examined membrane glycoproteins in canine red cells and cloned cDNAs for two major glycophorins, glycophorins A (GPA) and C (GPC) from bone marrow cells. Periodic acid-Schiff staining and immunoblotting analyses showed that canine red cell membranes contained several glycoproteins immunoreactive to an anti-bovine GPC antibody, whereas the most abundant sialoglycoproteins, the candidates for GPA, did not react with an anti-human GPA antibody. The amino acid sequences of the extracellular domains of GPA and GPC had no significant homology to those from other mammalian species, including humans, and had O-linked and/or N-linked glycosylation sites. On the other hand, the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain and/or the transmembrane helices of GPA and GPC were conserved among species, indicating some functional significance of those regions in red cell membranes that include dimerization of GPA in the membrane-spanning region, and association of GPC with membrane skeletal proteins through binding with protein 4.1 and p55 in the cytoplasmic domain. These findings provide insights for clinical studies to evaluate the involvement of GPA and GPC in the pathogenesis of red cell diseases.

Research results on usage of DNA-markers (RYRI, FABP, ESRF18/FUTI) and other factors for industrial pork production were presented. It was determined that DNA-technologies let conduct interbreed crossing on industrial scale and get diverse (fat or meat, with different fat content) products, as well as increase pork production in general. The best variants of crossing combinations were pigs of the Belarus large white breed with Belarus meat and Dyurok, and also the Belarus large white breed with Landras and Dyurok. Research results showed, for in course of the whole period of breeding the daily average weight gain of hybrids of the large white with the Belarus meat and breeds Landras was higher than with the Estonian bacon on 25 and 18 g, respectively. Fattening of stores was finished at the period of achievement of body weight by 100-102,5 kg. The slaughter yield of meat products by groups (without intestinal fat) did not essentially differ and varied within 69,9 - 71,1%. There were noted no considerable distinctions in weight of internals (heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen, liver). Thickness of the salted pork fat at hybrids with animals of the Belarus meat breed was 1-2 mm lower than in other. The average meat yield of diverting weir was 61,9%, fat weight - 27,9%, bone weight - 10,2%. The organoleptic evaluation of beef-infusion broth quality showed that indicators of habit, aroma and taste and nourishing were at high level and compose 4,67; 4,59; 4,55 and 4,71 points, respectively. Tenderness, juiciness and taste of boiled meat also were at level 4,69; 4,76 and 4,87 points, respectively; fried meat - 4,57; 4,68 and 4,66 points

As a result of the realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus research on revealing the influence of polymorphism character and the influence of presence of various allelomorphic variants of IGF-2 gene in breeding boars genotype on fattening and carcass traits of stores of Belarusian large white and Belarusian meat breeds it was established: 1. frequency of occurrence of desired QQ genotype among boars of the Belarusian meat breed was rather low and has made 10%. Among boars of the Belarus large white breed the given genotype has not been revealed. Heterozygotic genotype Qq had a rather wide range - from 26,6% at boars of the Belarusian meat breed to 43,2% at boars of the Belarusian large white breed; 2. fattening boars of both studied breeds which had been received from the boars bearing in their genome Qq genotypes of IGF-2gene showed the tendency for predominance in fattening and carcass traits over their herdmates which had been received from the boars bearing in their genome qq genotypes; 3. The posterity of boars of the Belarusian meat breed bearing in their genome the homozygous QQ genotype, authentically surpassed in fattening and carcass traits their analogues which had been obtained from fathers with a genotype qq. The following traits were higher: age of achievement of body weight; daily average weight gain in case of fattening; feed expenses per unit of live weight gain; slaughter yield; weight of a back third of half carcass. Research results showed, that IGF2gene (a gene of the insulin-like growth factor) could be a perspective candidate gene which makes it possible to predict the growing capacity and carcass trait of pigs of Belarusian breeds. Taking into consideration the influence undesired q allele, for the increasing of fattening and carcass traits of pigs it was possible to recommend the realization of estimation of replacement boar pigs using the data analysis of their genotype of IGF2 gene, as additional criterion of their selection

For the first time in the Republic of Belarus there were developed the effective methods of marker-dependent selections directed towards increasing the performance traits and preventive measures of pig diseases of the Belarusian Large White breeds. Application of the presented techniques in practice made it possible to increase the multiple fetation of sows on 0,5-1,5 piglets, increase livability of stores on 1,1-5,7%, increase the average daily weight gain on 17g, lower feed expenses on 0,04 FU. In course of the realized studies there was studied the polymorphism of Ryr-1, ESR, E.Coli (ECR F 18) FUT 1 and IGF-2 genes, there was developed the efficient methods of marker-dependent selection. Research results showed that application of methods of molecular gene diagnostics proved to be economically feasible. In the conditions of rather low expenses for testing of boars and sows there was stated the considerable increases in economic efficiency of pork production. Creation of reserve populations with a desired genotype breed will make it possible to accelerate the breed-forming process

In the research the genetic structure of populations of bulls Vitebsk of cattle breeding state farm and cows of Belarusian Black-and-White breed of Joint-Stock Company Olgovskij of Vitebsk region (Republic of Belarus) on a locus of a gene of kappa-casein was analyzed. As a result of genotyping a gene of kappa-casein by DNA-diagnostics method there were revealed three genotypes CSN3**AA, CSN3**AB, CSN3**BB. Frequency of occurrence of homozygous genotype CSN3**AA at cows has made 69,5%, at bulls of Vitebsk cattle breeding state farm - 78,3%; heterozygotic genotype CSN3**AB - 26,3% and 20,5%; homozygous genotype CSN3**BB - 4,2% and 1,2%, respectively. Frequency of CSN3**A allele in population of cows and bulls has made 0,83 and 0,88; CSN3**B - 0,17 and 0,11%, respectively. The presence of authentic influence of polymorphic variants of a gene of kappa-casein on level of milk yield and fat and protein content in cow milk was stated. The highest milk productivity in course of 305 days of lactation was observed at cows with homozygous genotype CSN3**BB (5984 kg), that was on 890 kg higher than in animals with genotype CSN3**AB (5094 kg), and on 1406 kg higher (Р less than 0,05), than at animals with CSN3**AA genotype (4578 kg). Cows with B kappa-casein allele in genome were characterized by higher fat content in milk (CSN3**AB - 3,61%, CSN3**BB - 3,72%) than animals with a CSN3**AA genotype - 3,60%. Cows with genotype CSN3**BB had higher level of protein in milk (3,28%) in comparison with the animals with CSN3**AA genotype (3,18%). In animals with CSN3**AB genotype the mentioned above index 3,19%. Research results showed that genetic variants of the gene of kappa-casein are important for selection practice as they could be used as breeding-genetic markers which could raise milk yields and protein content in milk