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The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes play a vital role in the immune response of vertebrates by encoding molecules involved in self and non-self-discrimination (spelling) and antigen presentation. This study focuses on the MHC II DRB3 gene in goats, specifically comparing its nucleotide and amino acid sequences with those of other ruminant species (Capra hircus, Ovis aries, Bos taurus, B. grunniens, and Bubalus bubalis). Four different goat breeds (Philippine Native, Upgraded (Philippine Native x Exotic), Anglo-Nubian, and Saanen) were analyzed, and their MHC II DRB3 sequences were aligned with sequences from the NCBI GenBank. The nucleotide sequences exhibited high similarity between the different goat breeds and other ruminant species, indicating a conserved structure across mammalian species. Results from sequence comparisons revealed varying degrees of similarity between goat MHC II DRB3 sequences from C. hircus, O. aries, B. taurus, B. grunniens, and Bu. bubalis. Phylogenetic analysis further supported the close (95-99%) relationship between goats and other ruminants. Different functional domain regions in the MHC II DRB3 gene across different breeds of goats and other ruminants were characterized using SMART online tool. Moreover, polymorphism analysis using the HaeIII restriction enzyme highlighted genetic variability within the MHC II DRB3 gene in goats. This study enhances our understanding of the goat MHC II DRB3 gene, its similarities to other ruminant species, and its potential role in immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted using 18 growing (10-week-old) female Philippine mallard duck-IP Itim (PMD-IPI) breed to establish the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) of the commonly used basal feeds (BF), corn (Co), rice bran D1 (Rb), and soybean meal (Sm). The experiment was carried out by in vivo metabolizable energy (ME) assay that lasted for 102 hours with 54-hour excreta collection period. The experimental design was completely randomized with six replications and one duck per replication. The AME of Co, Rb, and Sm were 3.69, 3.49 kcal/g as fed and 3.10, and 4.07, 3.62, and 3.27 kcal/g DM. While the AMEn were 3.60, 3.35, and 2.55 kcal/g as fed and 3.96, 3.47, and 2.68 kcal/g DM. The AME and AMEn generated on the BF for PMD-IPI were higher than the values by PHILSAN, the primary reference standard of feedstuff nutrient composition matrix in the country required in feed formulation. The experiment results suggest that BF have higher energetic values for PMD-IPI and the breed demonstrates additional efficiency in metabolizing BF energy. Therefore, this will facilitate the formulation of least-cost diets and underpins precision feeding for the breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aerolysin (aerA) is a virulence indicator used to identify the pathogenicity of the Aeromonas strain. Targeting a pathogen's crucial virulence gene for detection is essential, as it determines the potential threat to the host. This study aimed to develop a gold nanoparticle (AuNP) probe for detecting the gene aerA in Aeromonas hydrophila among field samples. Materials and Methods: Kidney samples among both healthy and sick Nile tilapias in five provinces of Luzon Island were collected for bacterial analysis. Screening using specific primers targeting aerA was conducted in parallel with testing the AuNPs probe on the same sample set. The positive control provided by BFAR-NFLD, confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, was used as a positive sample containing the target gene. Results: The AuNP probe demonstrated a computed accuracy of 81.32%, sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 81.26%. Among the 257 reactions, 59 were false positives, while no false negative results were observed. The AuNP probe could detect aerA at levels as low as 30 ng/µl. The low prevalence of the target gene may be attributed to the use of general media instead of specific media like Rimler-Shotts agar. Conclusion: The established colorimetric detection method for A. hydrophila with the aerA gene offers a swift alternative to PCR, negating the requirement for advanced equipment like a thermal cycler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine tuberculosis is a chronic zoonotic disease that affects both animal and human health and imposes serious public health concerns in the world. Intake of non-pasteurized milk is considered the most probable vehicle for the transmission of pathogenic bacteria. In this study, the detection of Mycobacterium bovis BCG in spiked milk using a polymerase chain reaction was performed. The performance of two DNA extraction methods, CTAB/phenol:chloroform:isoamyl alcohol and EXTRAGENMB were also evaluated. In addition, Mycobacterial concentration was tried to determine using the Standard/Viable Plate Count Method and Spectrophotometric (Turbidimetric) Method. PCR successfully detected M. bovis BCG in spiked milk, detecting approximately up to two bacilli per reaction. The two DNA extraction methods were effective in the isolation of amplifiable DNA, having the advantage of EXTRAGENMB in terms of (1) shorter duration of DNA extraction, (2) less sample manipulation, and (3) ease of execution of the procedure. Quantitative determination of the Mycobacterial population, however, failed to quantify the bacterial concentration per dilution, suggesting that CFU concentration should be considered an approximation. It is expected that this method can be used for the detection of M. bovis in raw milk samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpha (1, 2)-fucosyltransferase (FUT1), as a candidate gene in controlling the expression of Escherichia coli F18 receptor has been identified to determine whether an animal (i.e., Sus scrofa, swine) is resistant or susceptible to enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) infections. This study was conducted to determine the genotypes of 150 blood samples of three swine breeds. From these, 20 individuals were randomly selected for sequencing. Polymerase chain reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) results revealed that among the genotypes, seven of the Duroc x Pietrain samples carried the AG genotype which was previously reported to be susceptible to ETEC infection. Two AA genotypes were presumptively resistant and 50 that were presumptively susceptible, as these samples carried either AG or GG genotypes from the Landrace variety. Of the Large White samples, two samples carried the AA genotype and 89 had either AG or GG genotypes. Allelic frequency of allele A was 0.273, while, and allele G was 0.726. The DNA sequences registered 100% homologies to the S. scrofa FUT1 gene. Twelve of the sequenced samples exhibited a shift from G to A in the 117th nucleotide and one sample had a C to T shift in the 39th nucleotide. A change in the protein was observed from alanine to threonine at the 117th nucleotide position indicating a functional mutation. The FUT1 mutation was found in all the Duroc X Pietrain samples, as well as in samples with the AA genotype (Large White samples). Heterozygous forms of Landrace and Large White also exhibited this mutation. The constructed phylogenetic tree revealed 2 groupings based on the mutations at the 117th nucleotide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular characterization of TLR4 genes of swamp and riverine types of water buffaloes was conducted to determine unique genotypic characteristics specific to each type of water buffalo and provide baseline information for explaining differences in disease resistance between each type. The nucleotide sequence of the riverine TLR4 gene produced 2,526 bp, whereas the swamp TLR4 sequence produced 2,322 bp. Riverine and swamp buffalo TLR4 nucleotide sequences were 99% similar to that of B. bubalis sequence from GenBank. The translated amino acid sequence of TLR4 showed that the riverine buffalo TLR4 sequence had a higher percentage similarity to B. bubalis sequence as compared to the swamp buffalo TLR4 amino acid sequence. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the degree of relationship between the bubaline species and showed the distinctness of each breed. The predicted functional domains identified were 13 LRRs and a single LRRCT. Transmembrane protein and globular cytoplasmic domain TIR1 were found to be conserved regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine and identify the productivity and technical efficiency of smallhold hog farms in the 3rd District of Pampanga, the Philippines. This study also recommended specific production inputs and technical parameter/s that can demonstrate improvement in reproductive efficiency and using a sow productivity index equation. Maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) were used and analyzed through Stochastic Production Frontier Approach. All variables for pig production were estimated to different functional forms and were all transformed to their natural logarithm, squared terms, and interaction terms. The most influential input variables are in sows (0.401) and in piglets born alive (0.52), which can increase their level of productivity as demonstrated by a positive and significant influence at p< 0.05 and p < 0.01 level of significance in the production output, respectively. It was also revealed that variables in the inefficiency model were efficient indicators with a significant effect on technical efficiency and with the inclusion of 21-day litter weight, can generate a Sow Productivity Index (SPI) based on the stochastic production frontier estimation of the relevant reproduction efficiency parameters. The high level of mean technical efficiency at 92% demonstrated that only 8% is needed for improvement for technical-based reproductive efficiency parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study characterized inhibin-ßA (INHßA) gene of 12 water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls [two Philippine Carabao (PC), five Bulgarian Murrah (BM), and five Italian Murrah (IM)] using DNA extracted from semen. Using MEGA 7.0 software and Signal P® version 4, the sequences were assembled and aligned and amino acid sequences were determined, respectively. BM bull sequence showed 100% similarity with B. bubalis from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. However, a lower similarity was seen on both PC and IM at 98%. The translated amino acid sequence of PC, BM, and IM had 95, 97, and 93% similarity with B. bubalis sequence from NCBI, respectively. The phylogeny tree revealed that both PC and IM were closely similar in their gene sequence, while BM was more similar with B. bubalis from NCBI. Their similarities in nucleotide sequence suggest that INHßA gene was conserved in bulls. The signal peptide was observed in BM and B. bubalis from NCBI. BM has an amino acid exchanged from threonine to alanine, while in B. bubalis has an amino acid exchanged from histidine to aspartic acid. This polymorphism from their cleaving site could cause an interaction in the reproduction, growth, and maintenance of the bull. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study characterized the bacterial microbiome in the vagina of lactating dairy water buffaloes using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the 16S rRNA gene. This research was conducted to serve as baseline study for future studies on vaginal microbiome and its possible effect on production and reproduction of dairy water buffaloes. Molecular characterization of 16S rRNA genes of the different band after DGGE revealed that 15 (46.87%), 15 (46.87%) and two (6.25%) of isolated microbiomes had 100%, 90-99% and below 89% sequence homology, respectively. Out of the 32 isolates sequenced, the top three most isolated bacteria were Comamonas sp., E. coli, and Acidovorax sp. with nine (28.13%), four (12.5%) and three (9.36%) isolates, respectively. The other bacteria isolated with two (6.25%) isolates each were Stenotrophomas maltophila, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Microbacterium sp., Pedobacter sp. and one (3.16%) each of Enterococcus faecium, Lysinibacillus capsici, Enterobacter, Variovorax, Flavobacterium, Alpha Proteobacterim and an Uncultured bacteria clone. This was the first study of characterization of the 16s rRNA gene of the vaginal microbiome of dairy water buffaloes in the Philippines using PCR-DGGE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]