Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the physiological, endocrine and productive response in lactating dairy cows under several series of artificial cooling at the beginning of the summer (June to July, 2011). Fourteen multiparous Holstein cows were assigned in one of two treatments: Cooling (C) before milking (0700 and 1700 h) and additional cooling (AC) each 2 h (from 0700 to 1700h) in the holding pen of the milking parlor. Milk yield (MY), and serum levels of prolactin (PRL) and IGF1 were measured. Rectal temperature and respiratory rate were registered and included as physiological markers of heat stress. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were also collected and used to calculate temperature-humidity index (THI). Both markers of heat stress showed a significant interaction (P<0.001) between treatment and time/week, which were lower in AC treatment (-3.8 breaths per minute and -0.2 °C) during wk 6 and 7. Serum levels of PRL were higher under additional cooling (AC: 35.1 vs C: 29.4 ng/ml; P=0.004), while IGF1 serum levels showed variation only through the sampling weeks (P=0.014). The MY increased (P<0.05) in AC only during wk 6 (+3.1 kg/d) and 7 (+3.1 kg/d). It was concluded that additional cooling at the beginning of the summer reduced heat stress in dairy cows allowing a better productive performance at the end of the study because such effect relied on the variable time/week.

Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la respuesta fisiológica, endócrina y productiva en vacas lactantes sometidas a varias series de enfriamiento artificial al inicio de verano (junio a julio de 2011). Se asignaron 14 vacas Holstein multíparas a uno de dos tratamientos: enfriamiento (E) antes de la ordeña (0700 y 1700 h) y enfriamiento adicional (EA) cada 2 h de 0700 a 1700 h en el corral de espera a la ordeña. Se midió la producción de leche (PL), niveles de prolactina (PRL) e IGF1, mientras que la temperatura rectal y frecuencia respiratoria fueron registradas y consideradas como indicadores fisiológicos de estrés por calor. La temperatura ambiental y humedad relativa también fueron registradas y utilizadas para calcular el índice de temperatura-humedad (ITH). Los indicadores de estrés calórico mostraron una interacción significativa (P<0.001) entre tratamiento y tiempo/semana, los cuales fueron menores con EA (-3.8 respiraciones por minuto y -0.2 °C) sólo durante las semanas 6 y 7. Los niveles séricos de PRL fueron mayores bajo enfriamiento adicional (EA: 35.1 vs E: 29.4 ng/ml; P=0.004), mientras que los de IGF1 solo variaron através de las semanas de muestreo (P=0.014). La PL se incrementó (P<0.05) en EA durante las semanas 6 (+3.1 kg/día) y 7 (+3.1 kg/día). Se concluye que la mayor frecuencia de baños mitigó la condición de estrés calórico al inicio de verano, permitiéndole a la vaca expresar un mejor desempeño productivo al final del estudio, ya que dicho efecto dependió de la variable tiempo/semana.

The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity within and among three breeds of sheep: Corriedale, Merino and Creole. Sheep from the three breeds (Merino n = 110, Corriedale n = 108 and Creole n = 10) were genotyped using the Illumina Ovine SNP50 beadchip®. Genetic diversity was evaluated by comparing the minor allele frequency (MAF) among breeds. Population structure and genetic differentiation were assessed using STRUCTURE software, principal component analysis (PCA) and fixation index (F ST). Fixed markers (MAF = 0) that were different among breeds were identified as specific breed markers. Using a subset of 18,181 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), PCA and STUCTURE analysis were able to explain population stratification within breeds. Merino and Corriedale divergent lines showed high levels of polymorphism (89.4% and 86% of polymorphic SNPs, respectively) and moderate genetic differentiation (F ST = 0.08) between them. In contrast, Creole had only 69% polymorphic SNPs and showed greater genetic differentiation from the other two breeds (F ST = 0.17 for both breeds). Hence, a subset of molecular markers present in the OvineSNP50 is informative enough for breed assignment and population structure analysis of commercial and Creole breeds.

This study carried out a study panel to analyze the factors that influence the credit market in Mexico. It includes institutional variables (rule of law, regulatory quality, financial freedom, property rights) and variables that considered the particularities of financial systems (interest rates, level of deposits, financing alternatives, banking concentration). We find that the level of deposits is the main determinant of the Mexican credit market. Although institutional variables have a positive effect on the provision of credits, it is small.

En este trabajo realizamos un estudio de panel para analizar cuáles son los factores que influyen en el mercado de crédito en México. Se incluyen variables institucionales (respeto a los derechos de propiedad, mandato de ley, calidad regulatoria, libertad financiera) y variables que consideran las particularidades de los sistemas financieros (tasas de interés, nivel de depósitos, alternativas de financiamiento, concentración bancaria). Encontramos que el nivel de depósitos es el principal determinante del mercado de crédito mexicano. Si bien las variables institucionales tienen un efecto positivo en la provisión de créditos, este es reducido.

En el Uruguay la raza Corriedale representa el 70% del stock ovino, por lo cual es importante garantizar la exactitud al realizar un diagnóstico de paternidades mediante tipificación de ADN, con el fin de asistir a los registros genealógicos y a los programas de selección para las características de importancia económica realizados en dicha raza. En el presente trabajo se desarrolló un multiplex de 10 microsatélites (Short Tandem Repeats, STR) recomendados del panel de la ISAG (International Society of Animal Genetics). Con este multiplex se analizó una población de 156 ovinos de la raza Corriedale del Uruguay. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar dicho multiplex de acuerdo a variabilidad genética de las frecuencias alélicas para la asignación de progenitores mediante los valores de su Probabilidad de Exclusión (PE). Los STR presentaron una variabilidad relativamente alta de acuerdo al Índice de Heterocigosidad promedio (HObs=0,661), al número de alelos observados (N=8,6) y al Contenido de Información Polimórfica (PIC=0,614). Se observó en cuatro de los 10 STR utilizados (FCB20, TGLA53, MCM527 y MCM130) una pérdida de equilibrio Hardy-Weinberg debido a la disminución significativa de heterocigotos, con la consiguiente reducción de variabilidad genética. Como consecuencia la Probabilidad de Exclusión combinada en dicha población presentó un valor de 0,960. Concluimos que para mejorar la certeza en el diagnóstico de paternidad se podría incluir un mayor número de STR en el multiplex, dada la baja variabilidad genética presente en los padres.

The Corriedale breed represents 70% of Uruguayan sheep stock, therefore it is important to guarantee accuracy in paternity assessment through DNA analysis, to contribute to genealogy recording and selection programs for economically relevant traits of the breed. In this study, a multiplex of 10 microsatellites (Short Tandem Repeats, STR) recommended from the ISAG (International Society of Animal Genetics) panel was developed. With this multiplex, a population of 156 Corriedale sheep was analyzed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the multiplex according to genetic variability of allele frequencies, for assigning parents through the their Probability of Exclusion (PE) values. The STR showed a relatively high variability according to the average Heterozygosity Index (HObs=0.661), the number of alleles observed (N=8.6), and the Polymorphic Information Content (PIC=0.614). In four ot the 10 STR (FCB20, TGLA53, MCM527 and MCM130) there was a loss of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium due to the significant decrease of heterozygotes, with a consequent reduction of genetic variability. As a result, combined exclusion probability presented a value of 0.960. We conclude that in order to improve the accuracy in paternity diagnostic the multiplex could include a greater number of STR, given the low genetic variability present in the parents.

The objective was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated to fertility in cows raised under a subtropical environment. Re-sequencing of nine genes associated to GH-IGF endocrine pathway, which are located in bovine chromosomes 5, 16 and 20, identified 73 SNP useful for associative genetic studies; however, only seven resulted as polymorphic and unique to the Romosinuano breed. Then, DNA samples were extracted from 129 beef heifers and used to determine genotypes corresponding to each SNP. Mixed model analysis identified one SNP from the PAPP-A2 gene (C/T, rs110490898) as predictor (P<0.05) of reproductive performance. The allele T was the most favorable allele (P<0.05), because it was associated with lower age at first calving (-37.1 ± 14.4 d) and age at second calving (-65.43 ± 30.8 d). In the contrast analysis, the linear term resulted as significant and quadratic term as non significant, which suggested an additive effect of the alleles. These results provide evidence to support the PAPP-A2 gene as a candidate gene associated to reproductive performance in heifers and first-calf cows from the Romosinuano breed, raised under a subtropical environment.

El objetivo fue identificar polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido (SNP) asociados a la fertilidad en hembras bovinas criadas en subtropico. La re-secuenciación de nueve genes relacionados al eje endocrino GH-IGF, localizados en los cromosomas 5, 16 y 20 del bovino, identificó 73 SNP útiles para estudios genéticos asociativos; sin embargo, sólo siete resultaron polimórficos y exclusivos de la raza Romosinuano. Muestras de ADN se extrajeron de 129 vaquillas Romosinuano y usadas para determinar los genotipos correspondientes a cada SNP. Un análisis de modelos mixtos identificó únicamente a un polimorfismo del gen PAPP-A2 (C/T, rs110490898) como predictor (P<0.05) del comportamiento reproductivo. El alelo T fue el más favorable (P<0.05) ya que éste se asoció a una reducción tanto en la edad al primer parto (-37.1 ± 14.4 días), como en la edad al segundo parto (-65.43 ± 30.8 días). En el análisis de contrastes el término lineal resultó significativo (P<0.05), pero no el quadrático, lo cual sugiere un efecto aditivo de los alelos. Los resultados proporcionan evidencia para proponer al gen PAPP-A2, como candidato asociado al comportamiento reproductivo en vaquillas y vacas primerizas de la raza Romosinuano.

Robertsonian translocation (rob(1;29)) is the most frequent structural chromosomal abnormality in cattle. Heterozygous carriers have a normal phenotype but show a 3-5% decrease in fertility. Chromatin decondensation was evaluated similar to the inactive X chromosome when submitted to demethylating agent. Based on this result, and the concept that imprinted genes are essential in embryonic development, we decided to query genes located on BTA1 and BTA29 that could undergo genome imprinting. The collagen typeVIII-α1 (Col8A1) acted on extracellular matrix structural proteins. DNA bisulfite conversion and sequentiation methods were used to compare its differential methylation patterns. It was performed on eight Creole cattle DNA blood samples from normal and rob(1;29) carriers. An in silico screening for CpG islands in its promoter uncovered a single region of 454 bp prone to methylation. BiQ-Analizer software was used to show the selective conversion of unmethylated cytosines to uracils obtaining the following results: unmethylated CpGs: 0.000 (0 cases), methylated CpGs: 0.802 (77 cases) and CpGs not present: 0.198 (19 cases). No differences between samples were observed in this highly methylated region. This technique was successfully applied so it is a straightforward methodology that can be utilized to evaluate different tissue associated to specific gene expression.

The Uruguayan Creole cattle genetic reserve consists of a herd of about 600 animals (bulls, cows and calves) located in an indigenous habitat of 650 hectares. In a previous study, a random sample from this herd showed high heterozygosity and a Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for markers of major genes related to milk production. To study its genetic diversity we genotyped a sample of bulls (N = 19 out of 23 for the whole herd) using the PCR reaction with a set of 17 microsatellite markers. Between two and seven different alleles were identified per microsatellite in a total of 73 alleles. The expected mean heterozygosity (He) per locus was between 0.465 and 0.801, except for microsatellite HEL13 which gave a He value of 0.288. The expected mean heterozygosity was 0.623 and the polymorphic information content (PIC) was between 0.266 for HEL13 and 0.794 for CSSM66. The genetic diversity found in polymorphic markers in the breeding bulls of this Creole cattle population supports previous genetic analyses using major production genes and indicate that further studies should be carried out on this population to provide data of interest to cattle production.

The ancestors of Uruguayan Creole cattle were introduced by the Spanish conquerors in the XVII century, following which the population grew extensively and became semi-feral before the introduction of selected breeds. Today the Uruguayan Creole cattle genetic reserve consists of 575 animals. We used the tetra primer amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) to analyze the kappa-casein, beta-casein, alphaS1-casein and alpha-lactoalbumin gene polymorphisms and restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR (RFLP-PCR) for the beta-lactoglobulin and the acylCoA:diacyl glycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) genes. The kappa-casein and beta-lactoglobulin genes presented very similar A and B allele frequencies, while the alphas1-casein and alpha-lactoalbumin gene B alleles showed much higher frequencies than the corresponding A alleles. The beta-casein B allele was not found in the population sampled. There was a very high frequency of the DGAT1 gene A allele which is associated with low milk fat content and high milk yield. All loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and the level of heterozygosity agreed with the high genetic diversity observed in a previous analysis of this population. Preservation of the allelic richness observed in the Uruguayan Creole cattle should be considered for future dairy management and livestock genetic improvement. The results also emphasize the value of the tetra primers ARMS-PCR technique as a rapid, easy and economical way of genotyping cattle breeds for milk gene single nucleotide polymorphisms.