A Case Study on Activin Gene in Avian Species | Chapter 3 | Advanced Research in Biological Science Vol. 8

The present study aimed at carrying out an In silico analysis of activin gene in guinea fowl and in some avian species, thereby providing the basis for the use of activin or its downstream target gene for the improvement of impaired wound healing, and of activin antagonists for the prevention and treatment of fibrosis and of malignant tumors that over express activin. Among the avian species, understanding the roles of activin happens to be a dominant challenge in the genetic evolution due to its complexity in nature. As a sedentary bird, guinea fowl is more susceptible to local selection processes and needs a proper genetic study for conservation. The current study lays the groundwork for the use of activin antagonists to treat and prevent fibrosis and end malignant tumors that overexpress activin, as well as activin or its target genes to enhance defective wound healing. The data offered will function as a foundational instrument for more extensive genetic diversity investigations aimed at identifying important genes and genetic resources for poultry breeding programs. This study was done by retrieving hundred (100) nucleotides and amino acid sequences of activin gene belonging to guinea fowl and other avians from the GeneBank, aligning the sequences using BLASTp determined the percent identity and phylogenetic relationship of the activin gene of guinea fowl and other avians. The shortest ACTIVIN nucleotide sequence (467bp) was observed in chicken and the longest (39896445) in duck. Using the comparative sequence analysis, it was observed that ACTIVIN gene of chickens, turkey and guinea fowl shared percent identity ranging from 91 to 95%. The percent identity reflects degree of relatedness of species. Although closely related (90%) in ancestral line, the Activin gene of guinea fowl and quail cannot be compared with guinea fowl-turkey (95%) nor guinea fowl-chicken (90%), in both biological functions and evolutionary relationship. Genetic diversity is useful especially for selecting animals with high reproductive efficiency and fertility potential which are most preferred by ranchers. Diversity in activin gene may lead to variation in the expression of function with avians having more of such variation. Finally, the percent identity and similarity in function of ACTIVIN gene of guinea fowl, turkey, and chicken were in the range of 93-100%, indicating that activin gene of avians possesses similar functions, well conserved and are very effective in performing functions like increasing FSH bindings, FSH-induced aromatization, improves wound healing and enhances scar formation, regulates morphogenesis of branching organs, enhances ovarian folliculogenesis. The study therefore, recommends farmers to select and breed for activin gene in order to promote reproductive efficiency, thereby barricading species extinction.

Author(s) Details:

C. M. Ikele,
Integrated Germline Biology Group Laboratory, Osaka University, Japan.

I. S. Ahamba,
Department of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A and F University, China.

M. Egom,
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

C. U. Ekugba,
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

C. E. Awaogu,
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Mafikeng Campus, Northwest University, Mmabatho, South Africa.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/ARBS-V8/article/view/13288

Studies on Gross, Histomorphological, Histochemical and Ultrastructural Characteristics of Pecten Oculi in Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) | Chapter 2 | New Visions in Biological Science Vol. 2

 Guinea chicken (Numida meleagris) Pecten Oculi were examined for gross, histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural studies on their 18 eyes. There are 13 to 17 accordion (pectineal) folds in the pecten oculi. These snake-like accordion folds began at the cauda of the optic nerve and travelled distally into the vitreous humour via the fundus. The shape of pecten oculi was similar to that of a water-based sailboard. Pecten oculi's maximum average length and height were found to be 3.3780.061 mm and 5.9130.074 mm, respectively. Microscopically, the pecten oculi resembled a festoon of blood capillaries, with elastic, collagen, and reticular fibres that matched the structure of a spring diving board, which operates according to Hook's law. Melanocytes, melanosomes, and melanin granules were found in and surrounding pecten oculi blood capillaries. It is separated into three sections: the peak, the middle third, and the base. In the apex, the largest concentration of melanin was found. Acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in the pecten oculi was found to be very low histochemically. Glycogen activity was shown to be high in the optic nerve and collagen fibres of pectineal capillaries. Nucleated erythrocytes were seen ultrastructurally at the luminal area of pectineal blood capillaries with a tight intercellular endothelial connection. Primary and secondary lamellae containing pigment depositing globules were found in the luminal region of pectineal capillaries. Pecten oculi of Guinea fowl includes different anatomical properties as a haemostatic organ, phagocytosis, supplying source of energy to vitreous after diffusion, protecting eye from UV sunlight radiation, supplementing of nourishment, and providing oxygen to the retina to maintain visual acuity.

Author (S) Details

Pratiksha Mishra
Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary and Animal science, Udaipur, Rajasthan (RAJUVAS), India.

Balwant Meshram
Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary and Animal science, Udaipur, Rajasthan (RAJUVAS), India.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/NVBS-V2/article/view/3708

Study on the Effect of Day Length and Seasonal Variation on Haematological, Biochemical and Hormonal Traits of Indigenous Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) in Ghana | Chapter 6 | Research Aspects in Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences Vol. 1

 The purpose of this study was to see how day length and season affected the haematological, biochemical, and hormonal profiles of laying Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris). Each of the four hens and one male was given 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness (12L: 12D), 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness (14L: 10D), 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness (16L: 8D), and 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness (18L: 6D) (18L: 6D). In a 3x4 factorial experiment, each group was reproduced three times and reared in three seasons (dry December-March, major rains April-July, and minor rains August-November). SAS's General Linear Model technique was used to examine the data. Higher by a significant amount (p0.05). 16L: 8D had the greatest (p0.05) packed cell volume (PCV), lymphocytes and eosinophils, total serum protein, and prolactin levels, whereas 14L: 10D had the highest (p0.05) neutrophil and albumin. In heavy rains, PCV and platelets were highest (p0.05), whereas red blood cells and neutrophils were highest (p0.05) in dry and minor rainy seasons, respectively. Between the dry and minor rainy seasons, total serum protein rose (p0.05). Major rains had the highest levels of oestrogen and luteinizing hormones (p0.05), while minor rains had the highest levels of prolactin (p0.05) and major rains had the lowest levels. Except for prolactin, the interaction effect was not significant (p>0.05). According to the conclusions of this study, a daylength of 14-16 hours and a substantial rainy season in Ghana sustain acceptable haematological, biochemical, and hormonal profiles of Guinea.

Author (s) Details

Korankye Okyere
Department of Animal Science Education, Faculty of Agriculture Education, University of Education of Winneba, P.O.Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana.

Kagya-Agyemang James Kwame
Department of Animal Science Education, Faculty of Agriculture Education, University of Education of Winneba, P.O.Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana.

Annor Serekye Yaw
Department of Animal Science Education, Faculty of Agriculture Education, University of Education of Winneba, P.O.Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana.

Asabere-Ameyaw Akwasi
Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Science Education, University of Education of Winneba, P.O.Box 25, Winneba, Ghana.

Kyere Gyeabour Clement
Department of Animal Science Education, Faculty of Agriculture Education, University of Education of Winneba, P.O.Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana.

Afua Sarpong Asamoa-Bonsu
Department of Catering and Hospitality, Faculty of Vocational Education, University of Education, Winneba, Post Office Box 1277 Kumasi, Ghana.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/RAAVS-V1/article/view/2420