A. K. F. H. Bhuiyan

On-farm characterization and present status of North Bengal Grey (NBG) cattle in Bangladesh

Summary North Bengal Grey (NBG) cattle are an important indigenous cattle genetic resource found mainly in the northern part of Bangladesh. The study was undertaken at Bogra Sadar, Shibgonj and Kahalu Upazila (sub-district) in the Bogra district. The physical and morphological characteristics, and the productive and reproductive performances of NBG cattle were studied. The coat colour of these animals is deep grey to white. The coat colour of the neck region in adult bulls was found to be generally ashy with a range of shades. The body is small, compact and less fleshy. Ear length and ear width were 18.0±0.17 and

Evidence of balanced diversity at the chicken interleukin 4 receptor alpha chain locus.

BackgroundThe comparative analysis of genome sequences emerging for several avian species with the fully sequenced chicken genome enables the genome-wide investigation of selective processes in functionally important chicken genes. In particular, because of pathogenic challenges it is expected that genes involved in the chicken immune system are subject to particularly strong adaptive pressure. Signatures of selection detected by inter-species comparison may then be investigated at the population level in global chicken populations to highlight potentially relevant functional polymorphisms.ResultsComparative evolutionary analysis of chicken (Gallus gallus) and zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) genes identified interleukin 4 receptor alpha-chain (IL-4Rα), a key cytokine receptor as a candidate with a significant excess of substitutions at nonsynonymous sites, suggestive of adaptive evolution. Resequencing and detailed population genetic analysis of this gene in diverse village chickens from Asia and Africa, commercial broilers, and in outgroup species red jungle fowl (JF), grey JF, Ceylon JF, green JF, grey francolin and bamboo partridge, suggested elevated and balanced diversity across all populations at this gene, acting to preserve different high-frequency alleles at two nonsynonymous sites.ConclusionHaplotype networks indicate that red JF is the primary contributor of diversity at chicken IL-4Rα: the signature of variation observed here may be due to the effects of domestication, admixture and introgression, which produce high diversity. However, this gene is a key cytokine-binding receptor in the immune system, so balancing selection related to the host response to pathogens cannot be excluded.

Genome-wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Analyses Reveal Genetic Diversity and Structure of Wild and Domestic Cattle in Bangladesh

In spite of variation in coat color, size, and production traits among indigenous Bangladeshi cattle populations, genetic differences among most of the populations have not been investigated or exploited. In this study, we used a high-density bovine single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 80K Bead Chip derived from Bos indicus breeds to assess genetic diversity and population structure of 2 Bangladeshi zebu cattle populations (red Chittagong, n = 28 and non-descript deshi, n = 28) and a semi-domesticated population (gayal, n = 17). Overall, 95% and 58% of the total SNPs (69,804) showed polymorphisms in the zebu and gayal populations, respectively. Similarly, the average minor allele frequency value was as high 0.29 in zebu and as low as 0.09 in gayal. The mean expected heterozygosity varied from 0.42±0.14 in zebu to 0.148±0.14 in gayal with significant heterozygosity deficiency of 0.06 (FIS) in the latter. Coancestry estimations revealed that the two zebu populations are weakly differentiated, with over 99% of the total genetic variation retained within populations and less than 1% accounted for between populations. Conversely, strong genetic differentiation (FST = 0.33) was observed between zebu and gayal populations. Results of population structure and principal component analyses suggest that gayal is distinct from Bos indicus and that the two zebu populations were weakly structured. This study provides basic information about the genetic diversity and structure of Bangladeshi cattle and the semi-domesticated gayal population that can be used for future appraisal of breed utilization and management strategies.

Variation in chicken populations may affect the enzymatic activity of lysozyme

The chicken lysozyme gene encodes a hydrolase that has a key role in defence, especially in ovo. This gene was resequenced in global chicken populations [red, grey, Ceylon and green jungle fowl (JF)] and related bird species. Networks, summary statistics and tests of neutrality indicate that although there is extensive variation at the gene, little is present at coding sites, with the exception of one non-synonymous site. This segregating site and a further fixed non-synonymous change between red JF and domestic chicken populations are spatially close to the catalytic sites of the enzyme and so might affect its activity.

Ovarian Response to Different Dose Levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) in Different Genotypes of Bangladeshi Cattle

The experiment was conducted under the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh from June, 2001 to December, 2005 in two different locations (Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm and Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute in Savar, Dhaka) to observe ovarian response to different doses of FSH in three different genotypes of cattle- indigenous Local, Pabna cattle and Friesian×Local cross. Five different dose levels used were 200, 240, 280, 320 and 360 mg. Ovarian response as corpus luteum (CL), recovered embryo (RE) and of transferable embryos (TE) count in Local were significant for 320, 280 and 280 mg respectively. In Pabna cattle CL, RE and TE count were found significant for 360, 320 and 320 mg respectively. In Friesian×Local cross CL, RE and TE count were found significant for 360, 320 and 320 mg respectively. The excellent quality embryos showed significantly the highest yield (1.80±0.20) in the 240 and 280 mg FSH levels in Local genotype. In Pabna cattle, the highest yield (2.00±0.32) was found at FSH level 320 mg. In Friesian×Local, the highest yield (2.20±0.20) was found at FSH level 280 mg.

Phenotypic and morphological characterization and reproduction attributes of native pigs in Bangladesh

The study was undertaken for a period of 30 days to investigate the phenotypic, morphological and reproduction attributes of native pigs in 14 villages of Haluaghat, Durgapur and Nalitabari upazilas in Mymensingh, Netrokona and Sherpur districts, respectively. A total of 200 experimental animals were evaluated, of which 81 were male and 119 were female. Various parameters were evaluated separately at different age groups in males and females. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to record various phenotypic information. Body weight, body length, chest girth, length from ear to tail, height at withers, height at loin region, head length, width of head, ear length, hair length, tail length and number of teats were the morphometric traits recorded. The predominant coat colour of the pigs was black, with 95 percent of them having dark skin pigmentation. The majority of pigs possessed a long, straight head (75 percent) and the rest had a shape classified as a “wide face”. All of them had erect ears with upward orientation, whereas 98.5 percent had thin, straight tails. The pigs with stocky body shape (27.5 percent) showed larger body measurements than animals with angular body shape (72.5 percent). The mean values along with the Standard Error for traits were statistically analysed. Three main independent variables (i.e. upazila, age and sex) were considered for an univariate analysis of variance and the correlations among traits were measured. The average, minimum and maximum values for age at first farrowing, farrowing interval, litter size, gestation period and weaning period were also measured.

Genotype and environmental interaction in growth and milk yield traits of indigenous Red Chittagong cattle

The present study was conducted to reveal the G×E interaction in growth and milk yield traits of indigenous Red Chittagong cattle reared in two production environments. Traits included: birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), average daily gain (ADG), daily milk yield (DMY), lactation length (LL) and lactation yield (LY). Data accumulated on a total of 161 animals during 2005 to 2012 in growth traits and 76 animals during 2005 to 2008 in milk yield traits. The heritability of BW, WW and ADG were 0.47±0.04, 0.49±0.17, 0.49±0.16 respectively and the heritability of DMY, LL, LY were 0.47± 0.07, 0.47±0.06 and 0.47±0.08, respectively. The effect of genotype x environment interaction was non-significant (p>0.05) on BW, WW and ADG whereas its effect was highly significant (p<0.001)on DMY, LL and LY. Correlations (genetic) between the breeding values of BW, WW and ADG in two production environment were 0.19, 0.13 and 0.11, respectively and correlations (genetic) between breeding values of DMY, LL and LY were 0.07, 0.18 and -0.01, respectively. The said genetic correlation values represented the degree of genotype by environment interaction arising on the RCC in the said two production environments.Traits with positive genetic correlation values indicate their acceptability (no difference) where as traits with negative correlation values indicate that RCC parents should be selected and used separately in two production environments.