Heat stress proteins assist cellular proteins in the acquisition of native structure. The present research was conducted to study how thermo-tolerance is modulated by HSP90 and HSP70 gene polymorphism and its association with hemato-physio-biochemical parameters, supported by their expression profiles in Chokla, Magra, Marwari, and Madras Red sheep breeds. Least square analysis revealed significant effect (P < 0.05) of season and breed on all the physiological parameters, i.e., temperature, respiratory rate, and pulse rate (a.m. and p.m.), as well as hematological parameters like Hb, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count (TEC), neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, and total leukocyte count (TLC). There was a significant influence (P < 0.05) of breed on biochemical parameters such as glucose, SGOT, phosphorous, triglyceride, and cholesterol. Eight fragments were amplified and sequenced in HSP90, and 70 genes and 13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. Tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system PCR, PCR-RFLP, and allele-specific PCR genotyping protocols were developed for large-scale genotyping of five SNPs. A significant difference (P < 0.05) of rectal temperature (a.m.), respiratory rate (p.m.), triglyceride, and total protein was observed at SNP01; albumin at SNP2; pulse rate (p.m.) at SNP3; and rectal temperature (p.m.), pulse rate (p.m.), Hb (g/dL), and N/L ratio at SNP4 and TLC at SNP5. Gene expression analysis revealed lower expression in less adapted animals with Madras Red < Magra < Chokla < Marwari expression pattern. Predominant allele was found to be superior in most of the SNPs (SNP1–4) indicating the selection acting in directional manner (positive selection). Finally, it is concluded that TACCA haplotype combination of SNP1-SNP2-SNP3-SNP4-SNP5 might be of some selection advantage for the identification of animals more adaptable to heat stress.

The present investigation was undertaken to study the reproduction performance and effect of non-genetic factors on reproduction performance of Jersey crossbred cows. Data on 355 Jersey crossbred cattle maintained at the Post-graduate Research Institute in Animal Sciences, Kattupakkam, Tamil Nadu, distributed over 30 years (1985 to 2014). The effect of various non-genetic factors including the period of birth, season of birth, period of calving, season of calving and parity were analyzed through least-squares analyses using univariate general linear model. The different (co)variance components for calculation of genetic parameters were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood method by fitting an animal model. The overall least-squares means (±standard error) of age at first service, age at first calving, weight at first calving, service period, calving interval, dry period, and number of services per conception were 848.06±9.72 days, 1204±12.20 days, 289.81±1.71 kg, 210.01±6.41 days, 489.12±6.45 days, 137.96±5.58 days, 2.50±0.07, respectively. Period of calving had either significant (p<0.05) or highly significant (p<0.01) effect on all reproduction traits studied except service period, calving interval, and dry period. Number of services per conception was affected by season of calving. Parity had significant influence (p<0.05) or highly significant (p<0.01) influence on all the traits studied except service period and dry period. Heritability estimates of age at first service, age at first calving, weight at first calving, service period, calving interval, dry period, and number of services per conception were 0.299, 0.220, 0.017, 0.142, 0.222, 0.177, and 0.042, respectively. The estimates of repeatability for service period, calving interval, dry period, and number of services per conception were 0.219, 0.234, 0.420, and 0.001, respectively. The reproduction performances of Jersey × Red Sindhi crossbreds were lower when compared to the earlier reports on Jersey crossbreds. Heritability and repeatability values were also low to moderate, indicating limited scope for improvement through selection.

The study was conducted at Southern Regional Research Center, ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI), Mannavanur, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu to estimate genetic trends for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (3WT), 6 months weight (6WT), and greasy fleece weight (GFY) in a Bharat Merino (BM) flock, where selection was practiced for 6WT and GFY. The data for this study represents a total of 1652 BM lambs; progeny of 144 sires spread over 15 years starting from 2000 to 2014, obtained from the BM flock of ICAR-SRRC (CSWRI), Mannavanur, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India. The genetic trends were calculated by regression of average predicted breeding values using software WOMBAT for the traits BWT, 3WT, 6WT and GFY versus the animal's birth year. The least square means were 3.28±0.02 kg, 19.08±0.23 kg, 25.00±0.35 kg and 2.13±0.07 kg for BWT, 3WT, 6WT and GFY, respectively. Genetic trends were positive and highly significant (p<0.01) for BWT, while the values for 3WT, 6WT and GFY though positive, were not significant. The estimates of genetic trends in BWT, 3WT, 6WT and GFY were 5 g, 0.8 g, 7 g and 0.3 g/year gain and the fit of the regression shows 55%, 22%, 42% and 12% coefficient of determination with the regressed value, respectively. In this study, estimated mean predicted breeding value (kg) in BWT and 3WT, 6WT and GFY were 0.067, 0.008, 0.036 and -0.003, respectively. Estimates of genetic trends indicated that there was a positive genetic improvement in all studied traits and selection would be effective for the improvement of body weight traits and GFY of BM sheep.

The Nilagiri sheep is a dual utility (fine wool and meat), native to the Nilagiri hills of Tamil Nadu. It is known for its adaptability to high altitude and low input system of rearing. At present, this breed is endangered with less than a thousand numbers existing, of which about 50 percent is maintained at Sheep Breeding Research Station, Sandynallah. Efforts are on to conserve the breed in-situ. Generation interval (GI), pedigree completeness level, inbreeding coefficient (F), average relatedness (AR), effective population size (N e), and effective number of founders (f e) and ancestors (f a) were studied for the breed. Pedigree analysis was carried out using data available at the research station on 5 051 animals from 1965 onwards using ENDOG ver. 4.8. Higher values of pedigree completeness (more than 80 percent for 5th generation), balance in percent of ancestors between sire and dam pathways and higher equivalent complete generations (7.12) for the reference population were indicative of the depth in pedigree. The GI, F, and AR were 3.36 years, 2.17 and 3.45 percent, respectively. N e based on maximum number of generations and individual increase in inbreeding was 298.83 and 97.25, respectively. f e and f a were 59 and 41, respectively, for the reference population. F was far from critical values of inbreeding and f e /f a ratio indicated absence of stringent bottlenecks. The effective population size was on the higher end of the range reported for endangered sheep breeds. The knowledge on genetic diversity and effective population size coefficients would support the cause of conservation. Les moutons Nilagiri, bétail à double aptitude (laine fine et viande), sont originaires des montagnes Nilagiri du Tamil Nadu. Ces animaux sont réputés pour leur capacité d'adaptation aux altitudes élevées et aux systèmes d'élevage à faible intensité d'intrants. Avec moins d'un millier de têtes recensées, dont environ la moitié est maintenue à la Station de Recherche en Sélection d'Ovins de Sandynallah, la race est à présent menacée. Des efforts se réalisent pour la conservation in vivo de la race. L'intervalle générationnel (GI), le niveau de complétude de la généalogie, le coefficient de consanguinité (F), la parenté moyenne (AR), la taille effective de la population (Ne) et le nombre effectif de fondateurs (fe) et d'ancêtres (fa) ont été étudiés pour la race. L'analyse de généalogie a été menée avec des données, de 1965 en avant, disponibles à la station de recherche pour un total de 5 051 animaux, en utilisant ENDOG ver. 4.8. Des valeurs de complétude de la généalogie élevées (plus de 80 pour cent sur la cinquième génération), l'équilibre dans les pourcentages d'ancêtres entre lignes paternelles et maternelles et un nombre élevé de générations complètes équivalentes (7,12) pour la population de référence sont signe de la profondeur de la généalogie. GI, F et AR ont été de 3,36 ans, 2,17 pour cent et 3,45 pour cent, respectivement. La Ne basée sur le nombre maximal de générations et l'augmentation individuelle de la consanguinité a été de 298,83 et 97,25, respectivement. Pour ce qui est de fe et fa, les résultats ont été, respectivement, de 59 et 41 pour la population de référence. La valeur de F a été loin d'être critique et le rapport fe/fa a indiqué une absence de goulots d'étranglement sévères. La taille effective de la population s'est située sur l'extrême supérieur de la plage de valeurs rapportées pour les races ovines menacées. Les connaissances en diversité génétique et l'appréciation des coefficients de la taille effective de la population serviraient à soutenir la cause de la conservation. El ganado ovino Nilagiri, de aptitud doble (lana fina y carne), es oriundo de los montes Nilagiri de Tamil Nadu. Estos animales son conocidos por su capacidad de adaptación a altitudes elevadas y a sistemas de cría con bajos insumos. En la actualidad, esta raza está amenazada, quedando menos de un millar de ejemplares censados, de los cuales cerca de la mitad se mantienen en la Estación de Investigación en Mejora de Ganado Ovino de Sandynallah. Se están realizando esfuerzos para la conservación in situ de la raza. Se han estudiado, para la raza, el intervalo generacional (GI), el nivel de compleción del pedigrí, el coeficiente de endogamia (F), el parentesco medio (AR), el tamaño efectivo de población (Ne) y el número efectivo de fundadores (fe) y ancestros (fa). El análisis de genealogía fue llevado a cabo con datos, de 1965 en adelante, disponibles en la estación de investigación para un total de 5 051 animales, usando ENDOG ver. 4.8. Valores altos de completitud del pedigrí (más del 80 por ciento para la quinta generación), el equilibrio en el porcentaje de ancestros entre vías paternas y maternas y un elevado número de generaciones completas equivalentes (7,12) para la población de referencia son indicativos de la profundidad de la genealogía. El GI, F y AR fueron, respectivamente, de 3,36 a|ños, 2,17 por ciento y 3,45 por ciento. El Ne basado en el número máximo de generaciones y el incremento individual en consanguinidad fue de 298,83 y 97,25, respectivamente. Los resultados de fe y fa fueron de 59 y 41, respectivamente, para la población de referencia. El valor de consanguinidad F estuvo lejos de ser crítico y el ratio fe/fa indicó ausencia de cuellos de botella severos. El tamaño efectivo de la...