The orientation of agricultural production systems to the use of a limited number of high-productive transboundary breeds has led to a dramatic decrease in the number of local breeds of farm animals, both in Russia and in the world. Considering that the local genetic resources are carriers of unique forms of variability, their loss may lead to a decrease in genetic diversity, the preservation of which is the basis for the sustainability of agricultural production systems in the future. In this review we analysed the current state and world experience in the ex situ conservation of animal genetic resources aimed to determine research and methodological approaches to the preservation of the Russian gene pool of breeds. The review provides brief information on the breed diversity of farm animals based on data provided by the World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and specify criteria for categorizing breeds by risk status proposed by FAO. The advantages and disadvantages of two approaches to the conservation of animal genetic resources are discussed – in situ (in conditions of agricultural production) and ex situ (outside the production systems for which the resource was created), including two forms – in vivo ("live" breeding) and in vitro (cryobanks or gene banks). Examples of organizational structures responsible for the conservation of animal genetic resources at the national level in foreign countries are given. The role of the National center for genetic resources of farm animals, created at the Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after academy member L.K. Ernst in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 195 of March 19, 2024, as a key element of the research infrastructure in the system of conservation of agricultural animal resources in the Russian Federation, is shown. The advantages and disadvantages of maintaining various types of genetic material in cryobanks are discussed.
The review provides an analysis of the latest achievements in the application of DNA markers in national sheep breeding. Microsatellites were used to assess the state of the allele pool, to calculate the parameters of genetic diversity and to study the population structure of the most popular breeds and types of domestic sheep (E.A. Gladyr et al., 2013; T.E. Deniskova et al., 2016; S.V. Beketov et al., 2022; V.S. Matyukov et al, 2022, 2023). The associations of the CAST, GH, and IGF-1 gene variants with the meat traits of Russian sheep were found (N.V. Shirokova et al., 2018; V.P. Lushnikov et al., 2020; I.F. Gorlov et al., 2021; A.A. Ozdemirov et al., 2021; A.Ya. Kulikova, 2023; A.I. Surov et al., 2023). The correlation between allelic variants of the milk genes PRL and β-LG with milk productivity was shown (M.I. Selionova et al., 2020; D.D. Evlagina, M.I. Selionova, 2022). Polymorphism in the genes KAP1.3 (R.Yu. Senina et al., 2019; Z.K. Gadzhiev et al., 2023) and KRT1.2 (O.L. Khalina et al., 2023) was studied. An analysis of allelic variants in the genes GDF9, BMP15 and BMP15B was carried in the populations of the Dagestan Mountain, Manych Merino, and Romanov breeds (Z.K. Gadzhiev et al., 2023; E.A. Klimanova, T.V. Konovalova, 2023; T.E. Deniskova et al., 2023). Based on GWAS, SNPs significantly associated with body weight of sheep from a specially created resource population were identified (T.E. Deniskova et al., 2018). The GWAS-MAP|ovis platform was created for storing and analyzing statistics of GWAS for meat-related traits (A.V. Kirichenko et al., 2022). Significant associations of SNPs with meat traits and body conformation were identified in the Dzhalga Merino (A.Yu. Krivoruchko et al., 2022), North Caucasian Meat-Wool (R.V. Zuev et al., 2023) and Russian Meat Merino breeds (A Y. Krivoruchko et al., 2023; E.Yu. Safaryan et al., 2023). In 16 sheep breeds, regions of copy number variations were identified (A.V. Igoshin et al., 2022). An assessment of maternal variability of 25 breeds was performed based on an analysis of the CytB gene polymorphism (O.A. Koshkina et al., 2021). The study of the complete nucleotide sequences of mtDNA from various Russian regions was carried out (O. Koshkina et al., 2023). A wide introduction of marker-assisted selection is required for the successful development of sheep breeding.
Lipid metabolism plays the important role in mammalian organism. In cattle, due to the multichambered structure of the digestive system and the redistribution of nutrients and energy during lactation, fat metabolism has certain features that are important to take into account in connection with the intensive use of this type of animal to obtain food products vital to humans, such as milk and beef. The present review is dedicated to metabolism of fats in cattle and describes the main stages of the lipid metabolism, its possible disorders and the most effective methods of its regulation, in particular, analysis of the gene polymorphisms, influenced on the synthesis of the biologically active key substances of fat metabolism, and, as demonstrated productivity indicators. The purpose of the review is forming of the understanding of the physiology of lipid metabolism and its features, possible disorders and gene regulation in cattle. This information, collected on the scientific research base, could be the good foundation to understand the single stages of lipid metabolism that will allow predicting and preventing the possible associated with the lipid metabolism disorders pathologies in animals and, in perspective, in human. Particular, the investigations on the beef animals could lead to the new understanding of the fat metabolism regulation and physiology of adipocytes that be used later in the developments of the measures of correction of lipid metabolism disorders, especially in persons with lipodystrophy and obesity. In addition, the further directions of studying lipid metabolism in cattle, the most relevant now, are outlined. The acquired knowledge will become the basis for the competent use of information on lipid metabolism in fundamental and applied aspects in the field of dairy and beef cattle breeding, which, subsequently, will have a positive impact on the productivity of herds, both dairy and meat, and increase the profitability of the Russian cattle industry.
In the presented review article, BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) methodology widely used in breeding abroad and being implemented in Russia to improve the accuracy of breeding value estimation is considered. The theoretical foundations of the BLUP method based on the use of mixed statistical models to separate the influence of fixed and random factors on trait variability are outlined. The advantages of BLUP are described, such as high accuracy of estimates, accounting for various sources of variability, and the ability to simultaneously evaluate a large number of animals. Modifications of BLUP using genomic information are considered: GBLUP, ssGBLUP, and wssGBLUP. GBLUP (Genomic BLUP) includes genomic relationships between individuals, which allows accounting for the effects of a large number of small-effect SNPs in the model. ssGBLUP (Single-Step Genomic BLUP) combines the traditional approach of accounting for similarity between individuals through pedigree and genomic data in a single model. wssGBLUP (Weighted Single-Step Genomic BLUP) additionally accounts for the effect of each genetic marker. These modifications of BLUP allow improving the accuracy of breeding value estimates, conducting early prediction of breeding value based on genomic data, and mitigating the influence of pedigree errors. The mathematical apparatus used for calculations within the BLUP methodology and its modifications is presented in general form, with an example of constructing the main matrix elements of the equation. In conclusion, it is noted that the BLUP methodology and its genomic modifications are powerful tools for breeding, contributing to the acceleration of genetic progress through accurate breeding values estimation. Its implementation in breeding practice is a relevant task for improving the efficiency of breeding agricultural animals and plants.
The spread of insect farming technologies, particularly H. illucens, can play a key role in meeting the nutrient needs of animals. The Black soldair fly or Hermetia illucens is one of the best known flies worldwide because of its nutritional value. The inclusion of Black soldair fly larvae in poultry, fish and pig diets has shown promise as a potential replacement for conventional feed ingredients such as soybean and fish meal. However, to realize the full potential of Black soldair fly, more research and development is needed to scale up technologies for their cultivation and processing. The presented review considers current work on the digestion of H. illucens larvae, describing their possible nutrient requirements, and on the efficiency with which larvae utilize different substrates. A wide range of wastes including abattoir waste, food waste, fruits and vegetables are very suitable substrates for rearing Hermetia illucens larvae, and some require combination with other components due to protein or carbohydrate deficiencies. It is also noted that the type of substrate still seems to have a minor effect on the amino acid profile of the larvae. On the other hand, it is concluded that Hermetia illucens larvae can grow on a wide range of nutrient-rich substrates, suggesting that they can regulate digestive processes after ingestion to meet their nutrient requirements. Depending on the nutrient saturation of the diet, adaptation processes occur in the midgut to ensure more efficient utilization of nutrient-poor substrates. Genes with important functions in digestion and nutrient absorption are expressed differently when grown on different substrates, predetermining the adaptability of this species to substrate nutrient availability. Thus, the development of H. illucens rearing technologies, taking into account the expansion of ideas about the efficiency of the substrates used, implies the maximum use of wastes and the creation of effective feed mixtures taking into account the peculiarities of larval digestion.
