Molecular Genetics and Genome Biology of Goats

Abstract

Information on goat genome has led to a better understanding of the genetics of goats, its response to infection and the underlying immune response mechanism. Natural productbased therapeutic can therefore be utilized to target genes important for goat immunity. In this chapter, we have summarized the effect of diet and dietary supplements as immune modulators in goats. These modulators affect the expression of genes and secreted proteins associated with innate and adaptive immune response and homeostasis. Probiotics, mushroom extracts, plant polyphenol extracts, Sericea lespedeza (SL) and cowpea diet affect key molecular pathways including Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway, Wnt signaling pathway and cytokine-mediated signaling pathway. Results from various studies reviewed in this chapter suggest that utilization of dietary immunomodulators has beneficial effects on goat health and production.

A Review of the Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) from Cow, Sheep and Goat Models

“…Cattle, sheep and goats are susceptible to inflammatory diseases caused by pathogens and as a result of metabolic disorders. These diseases are important limiting factors in production systems around the world resulting in economic losses [ 108 ]. The mechanism of activation, migration into tissue and immune modulation in response to stimuli, microbial killing and NETosis of cow, sheep and goat neutrophils is similar to other species [ 109 ].…”

“…As reported by Vong et al, (2014) probiotic bacteria inhibit both PMA- and S. aureus -induced NETosis [ 110 ]. Furthermore, this inhibition of NETosis is an additional benefit of PAMPS expressed by health beneficial microorganism playing a role in maintaining homeostasis and gastrointestinal health [ 95 , 108 ]. Genes associated with innate and adaptive immunity are differentially regulated in cows and goats receiving probiotics [ 95 , 108 ].…”

“…Furthermore, this inhibition of NETosis is an additional benefit of PAMPS expressed by health beneficial microorganism playing a role in maintaining homeostasis and gastrointestinal health [ 95 , 108 ]. Genes associated with innate and adaptive immunity are differentially regulated in cows and goats receiving probiotics [ 95 , 108 ]. Adjei-Fremah et al, (2016) investigated the in vitro effect of LPS using blood samples collected from probiotics-treated animals.…”

“…Asiamah et al, [ 92 ] showed extracts from Sericea lespedeza modulated the expression of innate and adaptive immune and WNT signaling pathway genes including TLR2, TLR4, WNT5A and FZD. Table 3 shows genes, modulated as a result of probiotic and phytochemicals supplementation in goats [ 108 , 142 ], that may impact NETosis.…”

“…Asiamah et al, [92] showed extracts from Sericea lespedeza modulated the expression of innate and adaptive immune and WNT signaling pathway genes including TLR2, TLR4, WNT5A and FZD. Table 3 shows genes, modulated as a result of probiotic and phytochemicals supplementation in goats [108,142], that may impact NETosis. Dietary modulation to improve immuno-suppression during the periparturient period can impact NETosis and immune function [123] Global gene expression profiles of bloodderived neutrophils from periparturient cows revealed that 249 genes out of 44,000 were differentially expressed (fold change ≥ 2, p < 0.05).…”