BIOTECHNLOGY INTERVENTIONS FOR SHEEP&GOAT DEVELOPMENT

biotechnology means application of scientific and engineering principles to the processing or production of materials by animals to provide goods and services (NRC 2003). Ex: generation of transgenic animals. gene knockout technology- to generate animals with specific gene has been inactivated. somatic cell nuclear transfer- production of identical animals (clones).

Transgenics
to generate transgenic animals . EX: transgenic livestock generated with increased growth rates, enhanced lean muscle mass, enhanced resistance to disease or improved use of dietary phosphorous to lessen the environmental impacts of animal manure. Transgenic SHEEP&GOAT produced that generate large quantities of human proteins milk, blood, or urine, with the goal of using these products as human pharmaceuticals. Ex : human pharmaceutical proteins include enzymes, clotting factors, albumin, and antibodies. transgenics success rate <10%.

Gene Knockout Technology

TO knock out or inactivate a specific gene.

Knockout technology creates a possible source of replacement organs for humans. (xeno transplantation) .
knockout technology in animals used to inactivate the prionrelated peptide (PRP) gene to generate disease resistant animals associated with prions (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease [CJD], scrapie, etc.).

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

use of SCNF to produce transgenic animals, genetically superior animals, or have some other desirable trait, etc.. This process called as cloning. Used in sheep & goat The technique involves culturing somatic cells . cultured somatic cell nuclei microinjected into an enucleated oocyte of another individual of the same or a closely related species. After further culture and development in vitro, the embryos are transferred to a recipient female and ultimately will result in the birth of live offspring. The success rate <10%. It depends on many factors like species, source of the recipient ova, cell type of the donor nuclei, treatment of donor cells prior to nuclear transfer, the techniques employed for nuclear transfer, etc.

 Advances in animal biotechnology : in sequencing and analyzing animal genomes, identification of molecular markers (microsatellites, expressed sequence tags [ESTs], quantitative trait loci [QTLs], etc.) and for understanding gene regulatory mechanism. Uncertainties: 1.safety issues and potential risks. 2. use of unnecessary genes in construct & to generate transgenic animals. 3. use of vectors with the potential to be transferred and t potential effects of genetically modified animals on the environment. 4.food safety concerns for meat or animal products derived from animal biotechnology.

Transgenics
Used for production of desirable traits:examples 1. the gene responsible for the production of growth hormone ( manipulated to increase growth rates). 2. keratin genes(which could improve the wool of sheep).

 rDNA used 1)to promote expression of desirable genes &hinder expression of undesirable genes. 2) to alter specific genes and to inactivate genes to block specific pathways. Genetic engineering -to introduce foreign genes into animal genome & knockout selected gene. Nuclear transfer (NT) technology : provides an opportunities for genetic modification. production of transgenic animals. success rate < 10 %.

Characterizing genetic variability

Molecular markers used in the identification of genotypes and the genetic fingerprinting of organisms. dense microsatellite linkage maps to assist in the search for genetic traits of economic importance. These maps used to develop strategies for marker assisted selection and marker assisted introgression .that will meet the goals of breeding programmes . Molecular markers used to study the distribution and patterns of genetic diversity.

Reproductive technologies
Objectives:
For increase productive and reproductive efficiency. To increase rate of genetic improvement. To control the reproductive diseases.

Reproductive technologies:
1. Artificial insemination(AI). 2. embryo transfer technology(ETT). 3.in vitro embryo production (IVEP) .

Artificial insemination
The conception rate in field AI programmes in developing countries is very low. So several modifications to increase conception rate. Synchronization with using of gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH) followed 7 days later by prostaglandin f2(PGF2) can synchronies oestrus and improves the conception rate. Most semen banks still evaluate semen on the basis of sperm motility, even though significant advances have been made in techniques for semen evaluation.

 AI has impact on sheep & goat development programmes by accelerating breeding programme through increased intensity of selection of males &through diffusion of breeding progress ,initially with fresh and later with frozen semen. Globally 3.3 million of sheep &0.5 million goats AI performed annually .

Embryo transfer
Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) takes AI one step further, in terms of both the possible genetic gains and the level of technical expertise and organization required. The main advantage of MOET for is that the elite females of local breeds can be identified, and bucks and rams can be produced from them for use in a field programme of breed improvement. MOET allow genetic progress through increased intensity of selection of female ,freezing of embryo enable low cost transport of genetic material across continents. Also used for conservation of diploid genome.

In vitro production of embryos

Practical use of IVEP is limited by high production costs and the low overall efficiency . High rates of maturation (70% to 90%). Fertilization (60 -70%). Cleavage (40 - 50%). Moderate to low rates of blastocyst formation (1530%).

Improving health through developing vaccines

Three main approaches to develop vaccines by rdna technology. 1. Deleting genes that determine the virulence of the pathogen& produce attenuate organisms (nonpathogens) that can be used as live vaccines. 2.To identify protein subunits of pathogens that can stimulate immunity. 3.By injecting genes in form of plasmid DNA can stimulate an immune response to the respective gene products.

Diagnostics and epidemiology

Molecular epidemiology characterizes pathogens by nucleotide sequencing, enabling their origins to be traced. Eg..1) molecular analysis of R.P viruses in determining the lineages circulating in the world and instrumental in aiding the Global RPEP. ELISA-diagnosing and monitoring many animal diseases. PCR-used for diagnosing the diseases.

Nutrition and feed utilization

enzymes, probiotics, SCP and antibiotics in feed widely used in intensive production systems to improve the nutrient availability of feeds and the productivity of livestock. Metabolic modifiers used to production efficiency. to improve carcass composition (meat-fat ratio). to decrease animal fat. Gene-based technologies used to improve animal nutrition 1.by modifying the feeds to make them more digestible 2.by modifying the digestive and metabolic systems of animals to enable them to make better use of the available feeds.

Constraints on applying the technology

a) absence of an accurate and complete database on livestock and animal owners so that programmes can be implemented. b) biodiversity within species and breeds in agroecological systems. c) models of biotechnological intervention differ distinctly between developed and developing economies. d) many animal species and breeds have its own distinct developmental, production, disease resistance and nutrient utilization characteristics.

 e) the lack of trained scientists, technicians and fieldworkers to develop and apply the technologies, both in the government and in the private sectors. f) the absence of an interface between industry, universities and institutions, which is necessary to translate technologies into products. g) the inability to access technologies from the developed world at an affordable price for the economic welfare of farmers.

h) the high cost of technological inputs such as materials, biologicals and equipment. i) the failure to address issues of biosafety and to conduct risk analyses of new biologicals, gene products, transgenics and modified food items. i) the failure to address issues of biosafety and to conduct risk analyses of new biologicals, gene products, transgenics and modified food items. the negligible investment in animal biotechnology.

 Conclusions:
Advanced biotechnology laboratories for benefits are reaching in only a few areas of conservation, animal improvement, healthcare (including diagnosis and control of disease) and the augmentation of feed resources. Adopting biotechnology benefits in of animal improvement and economic returns to the farmers. The developing world will have to respond to many gene based technologies developed with a sense of commitment, trained manpower, infrastructure and funding.