The Myostatin (MSTN), or Growth and Differentiation Factor 8 (GDF8), gene has been implicated in the double muscling phenomenon, in which a series of mutations render the gene inactive and unable to properly regulate muscle fibre deposition. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MSTN gene have been correlated to production traits, making it a candidate target gene to enhance livestock and fowl productivity. This study aimed to assess any association of three SNPs in the rabbit MSTN gene (c.713T>A in exon 2, c.747+34C>T in intron 2, and c.*194A>G in 3'-untranslated region) and their combinations, with carcass, production and reproductive traits. The investigated traits included individual body weight, daily body weight gain, carcass traits and reproductive traits. The 3 SNPs were screened using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based analysis and the effects of the different SNP genotypes and their combinations were estimated in a rabbit population. Additionally, additive and dominance effects were estimated for significant traits. The results found no significant association between the c.713 T>A SNP and all the examined traits. Allele T at the c.747+34C>T SNP was only significantly associated (P<0.05) with increased body weight at 12 wk of age. However, for the SNP residing in the 3' untranslated region (c.*194A>G), allele G was significantly associated (P<0.05) with increased body weight and high growth rate. Genotype GG at the c.*194A>G SNP also had positive effects on most carcass traits. The estimated additive genetic effect for the c.*194A>G SNP was significant (P<0.05) with most body weight, daily gain and carcass traits. No significant association was obtained between any MSTN SNPs and reproductive traits. In the combinations analysis, regardless of the genotypes of SNPs at c.713T>A and c.747+34C>T, GG at the c.*194A>G SNP correlated with highest values in body weight and daily weight gain. In conclusion, the 'G' allele at the c.*194A>G SNP had positive effects on growth and carcass traits and so could be used as a favourable allele in planning rabbit selection. Further population-wide studies are necessary to test the association of the c.*194A>G SNP with carcass traits. We also recommend evaluation of the potential effects of the c.*194A>G SNP on MSTN gene expression.

Emergence and stand establishment are critical concerns of sugar beet growers worldwide, and abiotic stresses potentially limit the types of varieties that can be grown productively. This project seeks to develop information that will be useful in selecting and breeding sugar beet for enhanced emergence in saline conditions. We developed a simple bioassay using seeds submerged in salt water to screen 147 germplasm lines for their ability to germinate in 150 mM NaCl as compared with 0.3% H 2 O 2 , and used the ratio as a predictor of field emergence potential (FEP). Simultaneously, we surveyed gene expression during salt germination in order to identify potential molecular breeding targets. Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) were obtained from 3,119 transcripts of 4-day old seedlings germinated in saline and H 2 O 2 solutions. Results suggest that 1-carbon metabolism is an important process in stress germinating seedlings. Results also indicated that germplasm differs in germination under salt stress, and in at least one germplasm, differential gene expression is observed. Results from the salt germination assay appear to be consistent with tolerance at the whole plant level, at least for some tested lines. This information will allow subsequent breeding and physiological studies on sugar beet salt tolerance, for instance in identifying highly salt tolerant sugarbeet germplasm that could be used to help remediate saline soils.

Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is an important source of meat and milk in countries with relatively warm weather. Compared to the cattle genome, a little has been done to reveal its genome structure and genomic traits. This is due to the complications stemming from the large genome size, the complexity of the genome, and the high repetitive content. In this paper, we introduce a high-quality draft assembly of the Egyptian water buffalo genome. The Egyptian breed is used as a dual purpose animal (milk/meat). It is distinguished by its adaptability to the local environment, quality of feed changes, as well as its high resistance to diseases. The genome assembly of the Egyptian water buffalo has been achieved using a reference-based assembly workflow. Our workflow significantly reduced the computational complexity of the assembly process, and improved the assembly quality by integrating different public resources. We also compared our assembly to the currently available draft assemblies of water buffalo breeds. A total of 21,128 genes were identified in the produced assembly. A list of milk virgin-related genes; milk pregnancy-related genes; milk lactationrelated genes; milk involution-related genes; and milk mastitis-related genes were identified in the assembly. Our results will significantly contribute to a better understanding of the genetics of the Egyptian water buffalo which will eventually support the ongoing breeding efforts and facilitate the future discovery of genes responsible for complex processes of dairy, meat production and disease resistance among other significant traits.