**4.3 Thyrotropin alpha subunit gene (***CGA***)**

552 A Bird's-Eye View of Veterinary Medicine

Fig. 5. Genetic Polymorphisms of porcine HPT axis

**4.1 Thyrotropin releasing hormone gene (***TRH***)** 

Polymophisms of porcine *TRH* gene were divided into two linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks. One of the LD block contained locus ss325994933 which was significantly (P <0.05) associated with daily weight gain. Homozygous individuals with the insertion allele showed higher daily weight gain than the ones with the deletion allele. TRH could be considered functional and positional candidate gene of the ADG QTL reported by de Koning et al. (de Koning et al., 2001). However, further investigation on the allele frequencies in different purebreds showed that the insertion allele mainly existed in the As the existence of microsatellites in the porcine *CGA* gene, QTL mapping results around the *CGA* gene from different studies were instable. In the crossbred of Jinhua and Pietrain, haplotypes of *CGA* was only associated with intramuscular water content. But if further dissecting by dividing the gene with the microsatellites, the promoter region of this gene showed significant associations with growth and backfat thickness traits.

#### **4.4 Thyrotropin beta subunit gene (***TSHB***)**

Haplotypes of porcine *TSHB* gene were significantly associated daily weight gain between 90 to 120 days, ham muscle weight, and extremely significantly (P<0.01) associated with carcass weight, carcass length and average backfat thickness. Corresponding QTLs have also been reported in this chromosome region (Grindflek et al., 2001; Knott et al., 2002; Malek et al., 2001; Nagamine et al., 2003; van Wijk et al., 2007; Walling et al., 2000). The homozygous individuals with haplotype originating from Jinhua pig had significantly lower daily weight gain and thicker average BFT than the homozygous individuals with the haplotype originating from Pietrain, which were in accordance with the observations in the two purebreds. Further verification in a Duroc population confirmed the association of *TSHB* gene with the average BFT trait and showed that the allele A of ss181129015 which was popular in Western breeds was associated with lower average BFT. Porcine *TSHB* gene, especially the locus ss181129015 is worthwhile for further study and to be developed as genetic marker for the BFT trait.

#### **4.5 Thyrotropin receptor gene (***TSHR***)**

Individuals with allele A of *TSHR* ss325994932 showed higher daily gain between 120 to 180 days old and lower muscular pH value than the ones with allele G in the crossbred of Jinhua and Pietrain. Several QTLs on ADG around the *TSHR* gene have been reported previously (Edwards et al., 2008; Nagamine et al., 2003). Though individuals with allele A showed better performance in growth and meat quality in the crossbred, investigation on the allele frequencies in different purebreds showed that the allele A appeared in fairly low

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#### **5. Acknowledgment**

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO. 30972078) and Main Research Projects of Zhejiang Province (NO.2006C004-2).

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**28** 

 *Brazil* 

**Detection of Poxvirus Using Transmission** 

*Gnorimopsar chopi* is a bird with blackish plumage, smooth and silky look, found throughout the Brazilian territory, except in the Amazon State. It is one of the singing birds most wanted by illegal trade and is listed as endargered to extinction by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA). Avian pox or variola avium is a infectious disease of worldwide distribution, that infect poultry, pet and wild birds of many species which result in economic losses to the poultry industry and commercial aviaries

Poxvirus infection has been considered one of important extinction factors for the endangered avian species in Hawaii and in North America (Friend & Franson, 1999; Smits et

The etiologic agent is a member of the genus *Avipoxvirus*, *Chordopoxvirinae* subfamily, *Poxviridae* family (Van Riper & Forrester, 2007). The genome is linear, double-stranded DNA molecule rariying in size from 260 to 309 kpb and encodes 260 putative genes (Moss, 2007). Virus particles measure 270 x 450 nm and are composed of an electron dense, centrally located core and two lateral bodies that are visible in ultrathin sections. In negative stained preparations the membrane displays an outer coat composed of a random arranjement of

The disease is characterized by cutaneous or wet pox, diphteric or wet pox and septicemic forms. The cutaneous form is the most common in Passeriformes. In this form occurs the development of nodular proliferative skin lesions on the unfeathered parts of the body, legs, feet, face at the base of the beak and eyelids. In the diphtheric form, fibronecrotic lesions occur in the membranes of the upper respiratory tract and esophagus. Anorexia, letargy, ruffled plumage, respiratoty distress, sonnolence, cyanosis and death characterize

**1. Introduction** 

(Trypathy et al., 2000; Weli & Tryland, 2011).

al., 2005; Kim & Tripathy, 2006).

tubules (Carter & Cheville, 1981).

septicemic poxvirus infections (Ritchie et al., 1994).

**Electron Microscopy Techniques During** 

**Outbreak in Bay-Winged Cowbird** 

 **(***Gnorimopsar Chopi***)** 

S. Petrella2 and L. Milanelo3

*2 Adolfo Lutz, Institute São Paulo, SP, 3Tietê Ecological Park, São Paulo, SP,* 

M.H.B. Catroxo1, A.M.C.R.P.F. Martins1,

*1 Biological Institute of São Paulo, São Paulo,SP,* 

Pfleger KD, Kroeger KM, Eidne KA. Receptors for hypothalamic releasing hormones TRH and GnRH: oligomerization and interactions with intracellular proteins. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2004; 15: 269-80.

Porterfield SP, White BA. Endocrine Physiology 3rd. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Inc., 2007.

