Sawalha R M, Brotherstone S, Lambe N R, Villanueva B
Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK.
J Anim Sci. 2008 Aug;86(8):1737-46. doi: 10.2527/jas.2007-0650. Epub 2008 Apr 11.
This study investigated associations of prion protein (PrP) genotype with body composition and weight traits of Scottish Blackface ewes. Body composition was predicted using computer tomography (CT) scans to estimate muscle, carcass fat, internal fat, and bone weights. The traits were measured at 4 key seasonal production points (pre-mating, pregnancy, midlactation, and weaning) over 4 production cycles (2 to 5 yr old). There were 2,413 records for each of the CT traits measured on 335 ewes, and 26,649 records for each of the body condition score and BW traits for 2,356 ewes. From 1999 to 2004, animals were genotyped to determine polymorphisms at codons 136, 154, and 171, which are associated with scrapie susceptibility. Four alleles were found in the population (ARR, AHQ, ARQ, and VRQ). The data were analyzed using a linear mixed random regression model assuming that the direct additive genetic effect was a 2nd order Legendre polynomial function of time. The PrP genotype was included in the model as a fixed effect along with other fixed factors with significant effects (P < 0.05). Five separate analyses were carried out for each trait, depending on the method of classifying the PrP genotype. In the first analysis, animals were categorized according to the genotype. Only the 5 most common genotypes (ARR/ARR, ARR/AHQ, ARR/ARQ, AHQ/ARQ, and ARQ/ARQ) were included. In the last 4 analyses, animals were categorized according to the number of each PrP allele carried. For CT traits and body condition score, results showed that the PrP genotype has no association with the overall mean of the traits (averaged over age). For BW, ewes without the ARQ allele were at least 0.5 kg heavier than ARQ homozygous and heterozygous ewes. On the other hand, there was a significant interaction between PrP genotype and age of the ewe (i.e., the effect of PrP genotype was not the same at different ages for 5 out of the 6 traits studied). In general, ARQ carrying ewes mobilized more fat reserves at times of nutrient deficiency, such as during lactation, and gained it back more quickly by the mating season (when nutrients became abundant) than non-ARQ carriers. Therefore, selecting against this allele would have consequences on BW and seasonal mobilization of body reserves. The number of VRQ alleles (the most scrapie susceptible allele) carried was not significantly associated with any of the traits.
本研究调查了朊病毒蛋白(PrP)基因型与苏格兰黑脸母羊身体组成及体重性状之间的关联。使用计算机断层扫描(CT)扫描预测身体组成,以估计肌肉、胴体脂肪、内脏脂肪和骨骼重量。在4个生产周期(2至5岁)的4个关键季节性生产点(配种前、怀孕期、泌乳中期和断奶期)测量这些性状。对335只母羊测量的每个CT性状有2413条记录,对2356只母羊的身体状况评分和体重性状各有26649条记录。从1999年到2004年,对动物进行基因分型以确定与羊瘙痒病易感性相关的第136、154和171密码子处的多态性。在该群体中发现了4个等位基因(ARR、AHQ、ARQ和VRQ)。使用线性混合随机回归模型分析数据,假设直接加性遗传效应是时间的二阶勒让德多项式函数。PrP基因型与其他具有显著效应(P<0.05)的固定因素一起作为固定效应纳入模型。根据PrP基因型的分类方法,对每个性状进行了5次单独分析。在第一次分析中,根据基因型对动物进行分类。仅纳入了5种最常见的基因型(ARR/ARR、ARR/AHQ、ARR/ARQ、AHQ/ARQ和ARQ/ARQ)。在最后4次分析中,根据携带的每种PrP等位基因的数量对动物进行分类。对于CT性状和身体状况评分,结果表明PrP基因型与性状的总体平均值(按年龄平均)无关。对于体重,不携带ARQ等位基因的母羊比ARQ纯合子和杂合子母羊至少重0.5千克。另一方面,PrP基因型与母羊年龄之间存在显著交互作用(即,在所研究的6个性状中的5个中,PrP基因型在不同年龄的效应不同)。一般来说,携带ARQ的母羊在营养缺乏时期(如泌乳期)会动用更多的脂肪储备,并且在配种季节(当营养丰富时)比不携带ARQ的母羊更快地恢复脂肪储备。因此,选择淘汰这个等位基因会对体重和身体储备的季节性动用产生影响。携带的VRQ等位基因数量(最易感染羊瘙痒病的等位基因)与任何性状均无显著关联。