The genetics of the prion protein gene (PRNP) play a crucial role in determining the relative susceptibility to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in several mammalian species. To determine the PRNP gene variability in European red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), the PRNP open reading frame from 715 samples was analysed to reveal a total of ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In red deer, SNPs were found in codons 15, 21, 59, 78, 79, 98, 136, 168 and 226. These polymorphisms give rise to 12 haplotypes, and one of which is identical to the PRNP of American wapiti (Rocky Mountain elk, Cervus elaphus nelsoni). One silent mutation at codon 119 was detected in chamois and no SNPs were found in roe deer. This analysis confirmed that European wild ruminants have a PRNP genetic background that is compatible with TSE susceptibility, including chronic wasting disease.

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Egg quality traits and some blood parameters of Bianca di Saluzzo hen (BSh) were compared to Isa Brown hen (IBh). Birds were reared in free range conditions. Weightofthewholeegg Weight of the whole egg was higher (P≤0.01) for IBh, due to its higher amount of albumen (P≤0.01) whereas BSh egg showed the highest weight and relative percentage of yolk (PP≤0.01). IBh and BSh egg chemical composition was similar.Totalredcellsdidnotshowstatisticaldifferencesbetweengroups,whiletotalleucocytes Total red cells did not show statistical differences between groups, while total leucocytes were lower (P≤0.05) forBShhens. Heterophyl/Lymphocyte(H/L) ratioof BShwaslower (P for BSh hens. Heterophyl/Lymphocyte(H/L) ratioof BShwaslower (P . Heterophyl/Lymphocyte(H/L) ratioof BShwaslower (P Heterophyl/Lymphocyte (H/L) ratio of BSh was lower (P (PP≤0.01) than IBh(0.33 IBh (0.33 (0.33 vs. 0.82).IBh 0.82). IBh IBh α-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP)meanconcentrationswereaffectedbytime: (AGP) mean concentrations were affected by time: the values registered after 15 d (T1) and 2 months (T2) of observation were similar (345±132 and 279±58 μg/mlrespectively),whileAGPvalueregisteredafter4months(T3)weresignificantlyhigher μg/ml respectively),whileAGPvalueregisteredafter4months(T3)weresignificantlyhigher ), while AGP value registered after 4 months (T3) were significantly higher (700±487 μg/ml);BShdidnotdisplayanyAGPstatisticalvariationovertime.IBhalbuminmeancon- μg/ml); BShdidnotdisplayanyAGPstatisticalvariationovertime.IBhalbuminmeancon- BSh did not display any AGP statistical variation over time. IBh albumin mean con- centration (1.62 g/dL) was statistically lower than BSh values (1.89 g/dL); in both groups no effect of time of sampling was recorded. Acutephaseprotein(APP)valuesofBShsuggestedamoreadaptive Acute phase protein (APP)valuesofBShsuggestedamoreadaptive (APP) values of BSh suggested a more adaptive attitude to free range conditions and appeared more constant over time. The present findings suggest genetic or adaptive differences affecting egg quality, physiological and immunological parameters