Single nucleotide polymorphisms of Interleukin - 4, Interleukin-18, FCRL3 and sPLA2IIa genes and their association in pathogenesis of endometriosis

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis is a complex gynaecological disorder that contributes to infertility, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and other chronic issues. It is a multifactorial disease involving genetic, hormonal, immunological and environmental components. Endometriosis's pathogenesis remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

was to analyse the polymorphisms in Interleukin 4, Interleukin 18, FCRL3 and sPLA2IIa genes to identify any significant association with the risk of endometriosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study evaluated the polymorphism of -590 C/T in interleukin- 4(IL-4) gene, C607A in Interleukin - 18(IL-18) gene, -169T > C in FCRL3 gene and 763 C > G in sPLA2IIa gene in women with endometriosis. The case-control study included 150 women with endometriosis and 150 apparently healthy women as control subjects. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes and endometriotic tissue of cases and blood samples for controls and further analysed by PCR amplification and then sequencing was carried out to find the allele and genotypes of the subjects and then to analyse the relationship between the gene polymorphisms and endometriosis. To evaluate the association of the different genotypes, 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

RESULTS

Interleukin - 18 and FCRL3 gene polymorphisms of endometriotic tissue and blood samples of endometriosis (cases) showed significantly associated (OR = 4.88 [95% CI = 2.31-10.30], P > 0.0001) and (OR = 4.00 [95% CI = 2.2-7.33], P > 0.0001) when compared with normal blood samples. However, there was no significant difference in Interleukin - 4 and sPLA2IIa gene polymorphisms between control women and patients with endometriosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that the IL-18 and FCRL3 gene polymorphisms are associated with a higher risk for endometriosis, which delivers valuable knowledge of endometriosis's pathogenesis. However, a larger sample size of patients from various ethnic backgrounds is necessary to evaluate whether these alleles have a direct effect on disease susceptibility.

A rare chromosomal polymorphism in a Kangayam bull (Bosindicus) of south India

A chromosomal polymorphism was detected on karyological screening of Kangayam breeding sires prior to subjecting them for frozen semen collection. One bull possessed the chromosomal complement 2n = 60, consisting of 58 acrocentric autosomes, one large sub-metacentric X-chromosome, and one small acrocentric Y-chromosome with a small visible p-arm, which was further confirmed using CBG- and GTG-banding. This polymorphism was attributed to a heterochromatin variation of the acrocentric Y-chromosome routine in the Bosindicus Linnaeus, 1758 cattle.

Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting semen production and quality characteristics of Gir cattle breed under semi-arid climate

Aim

This study aims to evaluate genetic and non-genetic factors influencing semen production potential of Gir bulls.

Materials and Methods

Data on semen quantity (n=6911) and quality (n=466) available from January 2011 to December 2018 at BAIF's frozen semen station, Jind, Haryana, India, were utilized for the study. Factors, namely, season of collection, age at collection, and bull (random effect) were studied for their effect on quantitative and qualitative semen traits. Least square means for the traits were obtained using a general linear model. The effect of age within bull for repeatable traits was analyzed using a longitudinal model with age as the control variable. Multivariate analysis using mixed repeatability model equation was utilized to estimate bull effect correlation (genetic + permanent environmental correlation), phenotypic correlations, and repeatability.

Results

The overall least square means of ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperms, initial and post-thaw motility, hypo-osmotic swelling test, and acrosome integrity of frozen semen were 6.62±0.03 ml, 1.22±0.01 10⁹/ml, 8.09±0.05 10⁹/ejaculate, 75.78±0.001%, 55.92±0.0001%, 55.13±0.005%, and 71.08±0.001%, respectively. The season of the collection showed a significant effect on volume, concentration, total sperm, and initial motility. The performance of bulls was superior in summer season, followed by winter and monsoon. Increase in semen attributes during summer season was due to the effect of lower temperature on sensitive stages of spermatogenesis. Age at collection had a significant effect on all semen traits. Volume and total sperm count showed increasing trend while concentration showed a decreasing trend with an increase in age. Motility and quality traits did not show any particular pattern. Individual bulls showed differences in all the semen performance traits with age. The repeatability of the traits ranged from 0.04 (HOST) to 0.58 (acrosome integrity). Bull effect correlation ranged from -0.73 (initial motility and acrosome integrity) to 0.93 (HOST and acrosome integrity).

Conclusion

Individual bulls showed variation in traits measured over age. The result of the study could be utilized in suggesting suitable management plans to achieve the desired profit by improving semen quality in Gir bulls.

Ascertaining the paternal lineage in crossbred calves

Karyotyping is one among the culling parameter used for taking up culling decisions. Cytogenetic screening of breeding bulls has been recommended to screen for chromosomal abnormalities before semen production in artificial insemination. The chromosomal analysis of a Holstein Friesian crossbred bull revealed the presence of acrocentric Y-chromosome, which was further confirmed by CBG banding. The shape of the Y-chromosome determining that male line used for crossbreeding was from indigenous origin. Karyotyping is a best and reliable technique for the identification of crossbred calves born to the indigenous bulls.

Genetic structure of a small closed population of the New Zealand white rabbit through pedigree analyses

The genetic structure of a small population of New Zealand White rabbits maintained at the Sheep Breeding and Research Station, Sandynallah, The Nilgiris, India, was evaluated through pedigree analyses. Data on pedigree information (n=2503) for 18 yr (1995-2012) were used for the study. Pedigree analysis and the estimates of population genetic parameters based on the gene origin probabilities were performed. The analysis revealed that the mean values of generation interval, coefficients of inbreeding and equivalent inbreeding were 1.49 yr, 13.23 and 17.59%, respectively. The proportion of population inbred was 100%. The estimated mean values of average relatedness and individual increase in inbreeding were 22.73 and 3.00%, respectively. The percentage increase in inbreeding over generations was 1.94, 3.06 and 3.98 estimated through maximum generations, equivalent generations and complete generations, respectively. The number of ancestors contributing the majority of 50% genes (f_a50) to the gene pool of reference population was only 4, which might have led to reduction in genetic variability and increased the amount of inbreeding. The extent of genetic bottleneck assessed by calculating the effective number of founders (f_e) and the effective number of ancestors (f_a), as expressed by the f_e/f_a ratio was 1.1, which is indicative of the absence of stringent bottlenecks. Up to 5th generation, 71.29% pedigree was complete, reflecting the well maintained pedigree records. The maximum known generations were 15, with an average of 7.9, and the average equivalent generations traced were 5.6, indicating a fairly good depth in pedigree. The realized effective population size was 14.93, which is very critical, and with the increasing trend of inbreeding the situation has been assessed as likely to become worse in future. The proportion of animals with the genetic conservation index (GCI) greater than 9 was 39.10%, which can be used as a scale to use such animals with higher GCI to maintain balanced contribution from the founders. From the study, it was evident that the herd was completely inbred, with a very high inbreeding coefficient, and the effective population size was critical. Recommendations were made to reduce the probability of deleterious effects of inbreeding and to improve genetic variability in the herd. The present study can help in carrying out similar studies to meet the demand for animal protein in developing countries.

Estimates of (co)variance components and genetic parameters for body weights and growth efficiency traits in the New Zealand white rabbit

The genetic parameters of growth traits in the New Zealand White rabbits kept at Sheep Breeding and Research Station, Sandynallah, The Nilgiris, India were estimated by partitioning the variance and covariance components. The (co)variance components of body weights at weaning (W42), post-weaning (W70) and marketing (W135) age and growth efficiency traits viz., average daily gain (ADG), relative growth rate (RGR) and Kleiber ratio (KR) estimated on a daily basis at different age intervals (42 to 70 d; 70 to 135 d and 42 to 135 d) from weaning to marketing were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood, fitting 6 animal models with various combinations of direct and maternal effects. Data were collected over a period of 15 yr (1998 to 2012). A log-likelihood ratio test was used to select the most appropriate univariate model for each trait, which was subsequently used in bivariate analysis. Heritability estimates for W42, W70 and W135 were 0.42±0.07, 0.40±0.08 and 0.27±0.07, respectively. Heritability estimates of growth efficiency traits were moderate to high (0.18 to 0.42). Of the total phenotypic variation, maternal genetic effect contributed 14 to 32% for early body weight traits (W42 and W70) and ADG1. The contribution of maternal permanent environmental effect varied from 6 to 18% for W42 and for all the growth efficiency traits except for KR2. Maternal permanent environmental effect on most of the growth efficiency traits was a carryover effect of maternal care during weaning. Direct maternal genetic correlations, for the traits in which maternal genetic effect was significant, were moderate to high in magnitude and negative in direction. Maternal effect declined as the age of the animal increased. The estimates of total heritability and maternal across year repeatability for growth traits were moderate and an optimum rate of genetic progress seems possible in the herd by mass selection. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among body weights and between growth efficiency traits were also estimated. Moderate to high heritability and higher genetic correlation in body weight traits promise good scope for genetic improvement provided measures are taken to keep the inbreeding at the lowest level.

Polymorphic Regions in Fc Gamma Receptor and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Genes and Susceptibility to Chronic Periodontitis in a Cohort From South India

BACKGROUND

Polymorphisms in the immunoglobulin G Fc receptor II (FcGR) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFA) genes are known to influence pathogenesis and severity of several inflammatory conditions. Association of FcGR and TNFA gene polymorphisms with chronic periodontitis (CP) susceptibility has been found to be diverse among different ethnic populations. Objectives of the present study are to determine association of functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FcGR and TNF-α genes with CP susceptibility in a cohort from South India.

METHODS

Polymorphisms of: 1) FCGR2A 131His/Arg (rs1801274); 2) FCGR2B 232Ile/Thr (rs1050501); 3) TNFA -1031T/C (rs1799964); and 4) TNFA -863C/A (rs1800630) were analyzed among patients with healthy gingiva (n = 176) and patients with CP (n = 177). Genotyping was performed using allele-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. Association between CP and SNPs was examined by multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for: 1) age; 2) sex; and 3) oral hygiene index (OHI). Epistatic interaction between FcGR polymorphisms and interleukin 1B (IL1B) +3954C/T (rs1143634) was assessed using multifactorial dimensionality reduction analysis.

RESULTS

Among four SNPs analyzed, only FCGR2A 131His/Arg showed significant association with CP in a dominant model (odds ratio: 1.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.028 to 2.530). This significance disappeared after correcting for multiple comparisons using Bonferroni analysis, or after adjusting for age, sex, and OHI. A significant redundant interaction between IL1B +3954 C/T and FCGR2A 131His/Arg was observed.

CONCLUSION

Study results suggest the variant form of the SNP in FCGR2A 131His/Arg, FCGR2B 232Ile/Thr, TNFA -1031T/C, and TNFA -863C/A are not associated with CP susceptibility in the selected cohort from South India.

Association between interleukin-1 gene polymorphism and severity of chronic periodontitis in a south Indian population group

BACKGROUND

Periodontitis is a bacterial disease modified by multiple factors. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a key regulator of the host response and a major modulator of extracellular matrix catabolism and bone resorption. It has been reported that variations in IL-1 gene are associated with increased susceptibility to periodontitis. The aims of the study were 1) to analyze the distribution of single nucleotide polymorphism of IL-1 (IL-1A-+4845 and IL-1B-+3954) and 2) to correlate the association of the composite genotype with the severity of chronic periodontitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty patients aged above 35 years were selected. Following a periodontal examination, using the clinical parameters plaque index, gingival bleeding index, probing depth, and clinical attachment loss (CAL), the selected subjects were categorized into four groups of differing disease severity based on CAL. Five milliliters of venous blood was drawn. DNA was isolated by phenol chloroform method. Amplification of IL-1A+4845 and IL-1B+3954 was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Detection of genotype was done using restriction fragment length polymorphism using the enzymes FnU4HI for IL-1A and TaqI for IL-1B. The results obtained were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

The frequencies of IL-1A-+4845 and IL-1B-+3954were significantly greater in severe periodontitis patients. The distribution of composite genotype (allele 2 of IL-1A+4845and allele 2 of IL-1B+3954) also correlated with the severity of periodontitis. Genotype-positive subjects had a higher mean bleeding index (%) when compared to genotype-negative patients. But no correlation was observed between mean plaque level among genotype-positive and -negative subjects.

CONCLUSION

IL-1 gene polymorphism IL-1A+4845, IL-1B+3954 and composite genotype is an indicator of susceptibility to severe periodontitis in adults.

Anthropogenic nexus on organochlorine pesticide pollution: a case study with Tamiraparani river basin, South India

The levels of 17 organochlorine pesticides residues (OCPs) in surface water and sediments from Tamiraparani river basin, South India were investigated to evaluate their potential pollution and risk impacts. A total of 96 surface water and sediment samples at 12 sampling stations were collected along the river in four seasons during 2008-2009. The ΣOCP concentrations in surface water and sediments were in the range of 0.1 to 79.9 ng l(-1) and 0.12 to 3,938.7 ng g(-1) dry weight (dw), respectively. Among the OCPs, the levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), aldrin, dieldrin, cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, and mirex were dominant in the sediments. The dominant OCPs in water samples are heptachlor, o,p'-DDE, dieldrin, o,p'-DDD, and mirex, which show different source of contamination pattern among sampling seasons. The distribution pattern of DDTs, hexachlorocyclohexane, and other OCPs in the present study shows heterogenic nature of nonpoint source of pollution. Notable contamination of water and sediment sample that was observed in upstream (S2) 58 ng l(-1) and downstream (S11) 1,693 ng g(-1) dw explains agricultural and municipal outfalls, whereas frequent damming effect reduces the concentration level in the midstream. The overall spatial-temporal distribution pattern of ΣOCP residues are illustrated by GIS package.

Sublethal effect of copper toxicity against histopathological changes in the spiny lobster, Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758)

The tissue damage induced by various organic pollutants in aquatic animals is well documented, but there is a dearth of information relating to the histological alterations induced by copper in the spiny lobster. In the present study, intermoult juveniles of the spiny lobster Panulirus homarus (average weight 150-200 g) were exposed to two sublethal concentrations of the copper (9.55 and 19.1 μg/l) for a period of 28 days. The muscle, hepatopancreas, midgut, gills, thoracic ganglion and heart of the lobsters were then dissected out and processed for light microscopic studies. Exposure to copper was found to result in several alterations in the histoarchitecture of the muscle, hepatopancreas, midgut, gills, thoracic ganglion and heart of P. homarus. The alterations included disruption and congestion of muscle bundle in muscle tissue; blackened haemocytes; distended lumen and F cell; necrosis of the tubules of the hepatopancreas; disarrangement of circular muscle of the midgut; accumulation of haemocytes in the haemocoelic space; swelling and fusion of lamellae; abnormal gill tips; hyperplastic, necrotic, and blackened secondary gill lamellae of the gills; damaged neurosecretory cell and sensory and motor fibre; necrotic of the thoracic ganglion; dispersedly arranged muscle bands; clumped satellite cells and nucleus of the heart. The results obtained suggest that the muscle, hepatopancreas, midgut, gills, thoracic ganglion and heart of lobsters exposed to copper were structurally altered. Such alterations could affect vital physiological functions, such as absorption, storage and secretion of the hepatopancreas, digestion of gut and respiration, osmotic and ionic regulations of the gills, which in turn could ultimately affect the survival and growth of P. homarus. Thus, all possible remedial measures should be adopted to prevent the occurrence of copper contamination in the aquatic environment.

Effect of copper on morphology, weight, and chromosomal aberrations in the spiny lobster, Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Spiny lobster Panulirus homarus which had been exposed to cupric ion at 9.55 and 19.1 μg/l for 28 days was examined for sub-lethal effects including morphology, wet weight, and induced genotoxic effect on the chromosome. Following cupric exposure, the color of lobster P. homarus changed from yellowish-brown to greenish black in the hepatopancreas, changed from normal creamy white to yellowish white in the muscle, and changed to greenish black in the gill. A significant change in the percentage of wet weight of muscle (28.70 ± 0.41-23.47 ± 0.45), hepatopancreas (4.03 ± 0.12-2.63 ± 0.17), and gills (3.63 ± 0.45-3.87 ± 0.12) were observed in the copper-treated lobsters. The diploid number of chromosomes of P. homarus was over 200 metaphases from ten lobsters, as 2n = 58, and consisted of 16 acrocentric, seven metacentric, and six sub-metacentric chromosomes. The lobsters exposed to cupric ion at 9.55 and 19.1 μg/l showed different types of chromosomal aberrations such as centromeric gaps, chromatid breaks, centromeric fusion, stickiness, ring chromosomes, and acrocentric association region. The frequency of aberrations increased with duration of exposure. In conclusion, it was suggested that cupric ion interacts with the spindle formation and consequently distorts the normal karyomorphology, indicating cytogenetic effect on lobster.

Modification of cyclophosphamide-induced clastogenesis and apoptosis in rats by alpha-lipoic acid

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on the cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced chromosomal aberrations (CA) and apoptosis in the bone marrow of rats. Male Wistar rats of 140+/-20 g were categorized into eight groups. Five groups were administered CP (40 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally) to induce toxicity; four of these groups received a single intraperitoneal injection of LA at a dose of either 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight, and either 30 or 60 min prior to CP administration. A vehicle-treated control group and LA control groups were also included. Twenty-four hours after CP treatment, the frequency of CA in bone marrow cells were significantly increased in comparison with the controls. The CP-induced CA were associated with significant increase in DNA damage in the bone marrow as evidenced by increased single strand breaks, whereas in rats treated with LA and CP, the frequency of CA and single strand breaks were significantly decreased in comparison to those given CP alone. CP administration distinctly triggered the apoptotic and necrotic cell death, and LA pretreatment affected cell death by decreasing the number of apoptotic and necrotic cells. The protective effect of LA was found to be stronger at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight than 100 mg/kg body weight dosage, indicating the dose dependent protective effect of LA. However, the protection by LA was not dependent on the time intervals between LA and CP administration. The results of this study illustrate the protective effect of LA on the CA and apoptosis induced by CP in the erythropoietic system of rats.

Salubrious effects of lipoic acid against adriamycin-induced clastogenesis and apoptosis in Wistar rat bone marrow cells

Adriamycin (ADR), an anthracycline antibiotic, which is widely used as an antineoplastic drug in the treatment of various solid tumors, has been shown to induce genotoxicity in erythropoietic system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective efficacy of DL-alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on ADR-induced clastogenicity and apoptosis in the bone marrow of rats. The animals were randomly divided into eight groups consisting of six rats each. Five groups were administered ADR (20 mg/kg body weight, i.v.) to induce genotoxicity; four of these groups received a single intraperitoneal injection of LA at a dose of either 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight, and either 30 or 60 min prior to ADR administration. A vehicle treated control group and LA control groups were also included. The beneficial effects of LA were monitored by DNA strand breaks, chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus assay and apoptotic studies in the bone marrow cells of rats after 24 h following single dose of ADR treatment. ADR treatment caused significant clastogenicity and apoptosis in rat bone marrow cells. The treatment with LA showed significant reduction in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations, DNA strand breaks and apoptosis in bone marrow cells as well as decreased the micronuclei formation in bone marrow and peripheral blood of rats treated with ADR. The protective effect of LA was found to be stronger at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight than 100 mg/kg body weight dosage with respect to the above results, indicating the dose dependent effect of LA. However, the protection by LA was not dependent on the time intervals between LA and ADR administration. The results of this study illustrate the protective effect of LA on ADR-induced clastogenicity and apoptosis in the erythropoietic system of rats.