Genetic recombination between field strains and vaccine strains of pseudorabies virus (PRV) has been suggested as a scenario that might arise from use of deletion-mutant modified-live vaccine strains, particularly those strains attenuated by deletions within the thymidine kinase (TK-) gene locus. To address this hypothesis experimentally, it is necessary to screen large numbers of PRV isolates for their TK genotype. Techniques to detect the native TK genotype are routinely used in molecular virology laboratories, but are time-consuming. We adapted the polymerase chain reaction to define the genotypic status of PRV isolates with regard to the presence or absence of deletions in the TK gene locus. Used in tandem with the existing glycoprotein-specific ELISA that discriminate between PRV-vaccinated and field strain-infected swine populations, the described technique may help to clarify whether vaccine-derived recombinants are generated under natural conditions and after normal vaccine usage.

Objective—To determine the mode of inheritance for cerebellar abiotrophy (CA), a neurologic disease in Arabians. Animals—804 Arabians, including 29 horses (15 males and 14 females) with CA. Procedures—Most horses (n = 755) belonged to 1 of 4 paternal families. Among the 29 CA-affected horses, all had clinical signs consistent with the disease; the disease was confirmed histologically following euthanasia in 8 horses. From the pedigree information, inbreeding coefficients were calculated for 16 affected horses and compared with coefficients for a subgroup of 16 unaffected horses. Complex segregation analysis was used to determine the effect of a putative Mendelian locus on the development of the disease and the probable mode of inheritance of CA. Results—The mean inbreeding coefficient was 0.0871 for CA-affected and unaffected horses, suggesting that all of the Arabians were inbred to the same degree and that affected horses were not more inbred than were unaffected horses. Results of the complex segregation analysis were consistent with a single Mendelian autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Knowledge of the mode of inheritance of CA should help breeders to make informed decisions regarding the selection of animals for mating when closely related horses have developed CA or produced CA-affected foals.

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.

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