PUBLISHED ISSUES by Prof. Dr. Yousif M S Al-Barzinji
This study aimed to identify the best ewes' genotypes using molecular technique for identifying α... more This study aimed to identify the best ewes' genotypes using molecular technique for identifying αs1-casein, β-lactoglobulin and αs2-casein genes that have major effect on milk traits in Hamdani ewes. The age of ewes, sex of lambs and type of lambing had a significant effect on total milk yield, average daily milk yield and density of raw milk. Also, lambing month had a significant effect on all traits under study. The estimated Best Linear Unbiased Prediction of ewes ranged from-67.11 to 42.48 kg for total milk yield,-0.373 to 0.238 kg for daily milk yield and-0.0053 to 0.003894 kg/L for density of raw milk. The AA genotype of α-s2 gene has positive effect on all milk traits, while the AB genotype of β-LG gene is responsible for higher total milk yield and density of raw milk compared with AA and BB genotypes. The AB genotypes of α-s1 gene have positive effect on total milk yield and daily milk yield compared with AA and BB genotypes. The results show that the best ewes' genotype corresponding to all loci identified in present study was AAABAB, which led to higher total milk yield (116.235 kg/ewe/lactation) and daily milk yield (645.75 g/ ewe/day) compared with other genotypes.
The study aimed to know the productive efficiency of the hybrids produced by cross-breeding three... more The study aimed to know the productive efficiency of the hybrids produced by cross-breeding three different colors of local quail. The results showed that the highest value of hybrid vigor/heterosis was 4.5% of the body weight at 42 days of age for the quail resulting from the crossbreeding of brown males with white females. The highest value of hybrid vigor for the dressing percentage of quail, highest body and carcasses weight at marketing age, and the highest daily weight gain were recorded of crossing of desert-colored males with white females, which averaged 10.99%, 197.43 g/bird, 136.75 g/bird and 4.52 g/bird/day, respectively. Regarding egg production, the results of the statistical analysis also showed that the quail produced by crossbreeding desert males with white females gave the largest number of eggs (127.6 egg), the highest DEP (91.1%), and the highest egg weight (11.3 g/egg) with the best FCR (3.2 g feed/ g egg). In addition, the quail resulting from cross-crossing of desert males with white females reached sexual maturity at 34 days/bird with 0% of mortality in addition to a high hatchability rate of 87.08%. We conclude from the above that the best interbreeding was between desert males and white females for the economic characteristics of the local quail.
The relationship between microsatellite polymorphism and economical traits (meat, milk and wool) ... more The relationship between microsatellite polymorphism and economical traits (meat, milk and wool) of Hamdani sheep breed was investigated in two local flocks in Kurdistan. A total of 10 out of 35 microsatellites markers could be considered on flanking markers to TLW, TMY, WP and IV in Hamdani sheep. Out of 35 microsatellites investigated, result revealed that a total of 496 alleles, 820 genotypes and 14.171 mean numbers of alleles were observed in 64 ewes. The mean number observed and expected heterozygosity values at these microsatellites for pooled ewes, Agricultural College flock, Commercial flock, low and high genetic-economic index groups were (0.407 and 0.764), (0.393 and 0.742) and (0.425 and 0.745), (0.428 and 0.658) and (0.429 and 0.644), respectively. The sample of pooled ewes studied was significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for all markers. Average PIC values of pooled ewes, Agricultural College flock, Commercial flock, low and high genetic-economic index groups were (0.744, 0.719, 0.721, 0.617 and 0.656) respectively, while corresponding inbreeding coefficient values were (0.467, 0.479, 0.438, 0.418 and 0.410), respectively. The Neis genetic distance between two flocks of Hamdani sheep for 35 markers investigated in this study was 0.2304. Furthermore, the higher genetic distance of pooled ewes was observed between high and low genetic-economic index groups being 0.4529. Whereas, higher genetic distance between genetic-economic indexes groups in Agricultural College and Commercial flocks observed being 0.5729 and 0.6024, respectively. Further analysis show the high, medium and low production groups could be differentiated from each other, indicating that microsatellites are able to track relatively recent changes in the population structure of sheep breeds. The dendrograms constructed on the basis of microsatellite allelic frequencies showed that populations that have shared selection criteria (meat and milk vs. wool) tend to cluster together. The findings of the relation may be helpful for molecular breeding, as well as the marker-assisted selection of Hamdani sheep.
This study was conducted to identify polymorphism in Booroola gene (FecB) in five Iraqi sheep bre... more This study was conducted to identify polymorphism in Booroola gene (FecB) in five Iraqi sheep breeds (Hamdani, Karadi, Arabi, Naeimi and Awassi). About fifty mature ewes (Ten for each breed used as pooled samples) were genotype for the Booroola (BMPRIB) receptor. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for amplification of a fragment with 140 bp at this locus. For genotyping of individuals at Booroola locus, the resulted amplified fragments were digested using AvaII restriction enzyme. AvaII restriction enzyme was used to detect possible mutation (G|GACC). The results showed no differences in the band patterns of digested products only the wild type alleles (Fec++) were detected and all breeds for this locus were monomorphism. Considering the phenotypic records in these breeds, the result revealed that the genetic factor responsible for litter size is not related to report of Booroola major gene and research should continue to search for other major genes (such as FecH, FecX and FecG) in these sheep breeds.
RAPD-DNA markers were used to study genetic characterization among four locations for Karadi shee... more RAPD-DNA markers were used to study genetic characterization among four locations for Karadi sheep breed in Sulamania governorate. A total of 40 samples were typed using twenty RAPD primers. Nine out of the twenty primers had clear bands, which used to investigate the genetic variations among four locations(Halabjai Taza, Penjwen, Halabja and Sharbazer) of same breed. Out of the nine primers 8 of them are polymorphisms. A total of 119 bands were scored, of which 27 bands (25.05%) were polymorphic and seven of polymorphic band were unique bands. For all location, Nei's gene diversity, Shannon index and percentage of polymorphic loci are respectively averaged of 0.2361, 0.3415 and 34.60. Using unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) dendrogram, the three clusters, the 1st cluster branch consisted of the Karadi sheep in location 1 and 3, the 2nd cluster was including Karadi sheep from location 2 and the 3rd one including sheep from location 4. These results indicated that the Karadi sheep in location 1 and 3 is most genetically distant from the Karadi sheep in location 2 .The dendrograms show that there are moderately genetic diversity among Karadi sheep breed, were ranged from 0.251to 0.541. Based on the high degree of genetic distance among the four locations it is concluded that there are widely area for selection in this breed of sheep.
Data were collected on 38 lambs, descendants of 4 Awassi rams. The overall means ± SD for birth w... more Data were collected on 38 lambs, descendants of 4 Awassi rams. The overall means ± SD for birth weight, weaning weight (4 months) and average daily gain weight were (62.4 ± 0.57), (37.57 ± 4.45) and (0.277 ± 0.04) kg, respectively. The rams and month of birth have significant effect on ADG and WW. Whereas, sex of lamb has significant effect of BW, WW and ADG. The estimated heritability for the BW, WW and ADG were 0.18, 0.35 and 0.25, respectively. Higher and significantly correlation was recorded between WW and ADG being 0.99. The estimation of the breeding value of rams for WW ranged from-2.30 to 2.171 kg. Out of the 4 rams which were progeny tested, only one ram was considered as improved (113%). The estimates of heritability, and correlations among the different body weights indicated that the selection for improving the body weights at different traits should be done on the basis of weaning weight because of higher heritability estimates and having higher correlations with weight gain trait.
The genetic variation in Hamdani sheep in the Kurdistan region of Iraq was studied using 35 micro... more The genetic variation in Hamdani sheep in the Kurdistan region of Iraq was studied using 35 microsatellite markers. All 35 markers were found to be highly polymorphic. The mean number of observed alleles ranged from four at BMS1494 to twenty five at BM6444 and INRABERN185 loci. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.208 for BMS1494 loci to 0.935 for INRABERN185 with an average value of 0.744. The overall observed and expected heterozygosity values were 0.407 and 0.764, respectively. Test of genotype frequencies for deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) at each locus, revealed a significant departure from HWE due to loss in heterozygotes by high level of inbreeding. The average inbreeding value for the 35 markers investigated was 0.469. The high observed heterozygosity is an indication of genetic variability that could be used for developing efficient utilization and genetic improvement strategies for Hamdani sheep.
Effects of sex, age, coat color, kidding status, season of kidding and number of kids rearing on ... more Effects of sex, age, coat color, kidding status, season of kidding and number of kids rearing on raw fleece yield and body dimensions were studied. Furthermore, effects of sex, type of birth, season of birth, kid coat color and age of does were also investigated on weaning weight. The statistical analyses of this study were based on 123 adult (10 males and 113 females) and 84 kids from Maraz Cashmere goat in Iraqi Kurdistan. The results revealed that overall means of raw fleece yield of goats estimated to be 1.43 kg for males and 0.866 kg for females. Sex, age of does, coat colors and kidding status significantly influenced fleece weight and heart girth. Overall means of weaning weight of kids was 13.256 kg. Sex, season of birth, kid coat colors, and age of does significantly influenced weaning weight of kids. Age had a significant positive effect on raw fleece yield and body dimensions. Kidding status had significant effects (p<0.01) on raw fleece yield, but non-kidding does gave higher yield. Male kids, with dark brown coat color, born in spring from does of 4-5 years old gave higher weaning weight at 4 months. Percentages of fertility, conception, twining rates, barrenness, productivity as well as letter size at weaning of Maraz goat were 84.043, 86.17, 12.658, 13.829, 89.362 and 1.063, respectively. The overall means for oblique body length, heart girth in adults male and female were (54.5 and 51.27 cm and 73.5 and 68.48 cm), respectively. The correlation coefficients among oblique body length, heart girth and raw fleece yield were higher correlation between body dimension and raw fleece yield was found, the highest correlation recorded between heart girth and raw fleece yield was arrived 0.41. The estimated best linear unbiased prediction of does for the total kids weaned and raw fleece yield ranged from-6.194 to 18.145 kg and-0.712 to 0.988 kg, respectively. Genetic-Economic index based on multiple traits (total kids weaned and raw fleece yield) of all Maraz does under investigation ranged from 11.332 to 280.391 $. Frequency in offspring, for light brown coat increased from 0.479 in parents to 0.655 in offspring. In conclusion above results showed the Maraz goat have good production and performance traits and the selection process play positively role to improvement productive traits. For that the improvement this type necessary by opening breeding stations to development Maraz goat in this region of Iraq.
Cashmere is only produced from Maraz (Kurdi) goat breed in Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The objective ... more Cashmere is only produced from Maraz (Kurdi) goat breed in Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of different Maraz color types, black goat and Shami breeds using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Fourteen primers were used and nine out of them were selected based on their number of bands (NB) and polymorphic characteristics. These primers generated a total of 154 bands ranged from 100 to 2800 bp. Out of the total bands detected only 50 bands were found to be polymorphic. Thirteen unique bands were found in Maraz goat, whereas the highest unique band was obtained in primer 7-MO2 locus. The overall Nei's gene diversity (gene diversity/heterozygosity) averaged 0.40, while the Shannon diversity index value was 0.58 ranged from 0.45 to 0.69. Phylogenetic dendrograms showed that three clusters, the 1 st cluster branch consisted of the black goat breed, the 2 nd cluster includes Shami goat with both black and light brown Maraz goat. The 3 rd cluster includes both white and dark brown Maraz goats. Maraz color types grouped in one cluster that contains white and dark brown types and the black with light brown types were included in another cluster. It was concluded that the Maraz goat breed was closer to Shami goat than to the black goat breed.
Papers by Prof. Dr. Yousif M S Al-Barzinji
IRAQI JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, Dec 28, 2023
This study was conducted on 67 local doe goat, aged from 2-5 years old. The overall mean of TMY, ... more This study was conducted on 67 local doe goat, aged from 2-5 years old. The overall mean of TMY, DMY and lactation length of 1 st and 2nd flocks were (130.541 ± 7.403 kg, 0.716 ± 0.033kg, and 182.432 ± 4.112 day) and (164.043 ± 8.788 kg, 0.832 ± 0.043 kg, 197.027 ± 2.650 day), respectively. The flock, age of doe, doe coat color, month of kidding and type of birth have significant effect on TMY and DMY, doe in 2 nd flock production 33.502 and 0.116 kg milk/doe, respectively more than doe in 1 st flock. Doe of five years old yielded (181.878 ± 10.171 kg /doe) and (0.892 ± 0.044 kg /doe/day) more milk than young doe. Doe kidding in Januarys were consistently produced high significantly (p≤0.001) more TMY (158.354 ± 7.076 kg /doe) and DMY (0.828 ± 0.033 kg /doe/day) in comparison with other groups. Doe with brown coat color produced significantly (p≤0.05) more TMY (165.205 ± 20.558 kg /doe) and DMY (0.835 ± 0.095 kg /doe/day) in comparison with other coat colors. Doe kidding twin's kids were significantly (p≤0.05) yielded more TMY and DMY than single kids. The flock and age of doe significantly affected the lactation length, 2 nd flock have higher length with 197.027 ± 2.650 day and higher lactation length recorded of doe with 5 years old with 200 ± 3.779 day. BLUP values for TMY of doe ranged from-130.65 to 224.77 kg/doe. The repeatability of DMY, fat%, protein% and lactose% in present study arrived 0.286, 0.319, 0.067 and 0.015 respectively. The MPPA value of TMY in this study ranged from 80.988 to 329.749. These results indicated the good genetic make-up of local goat for milk traits and the selection programs can play major role to increase production ability of local goat.
Eurasian Journal of Biosciences, Mar 8, 2020
Present study aimed to characterization Pishdar shepherd dogs which is a native breed specified i... more Present study aimed to characterization Pishdar shepherd dogs which is a native breed specified in Kurdistan- Iraq. For this purpose the RAPD markers were used to study genetic diversity among nine geographical locations in Suliamani governorate. A total of 74 samples were typed using twenty RAPD primers. Moreover, fourteen out of the twenty primers had clear bands. A total of 709 bands were scored, of which 57 bands (51.48%) were polymorphic and 15 of polymorphic band were unique bands. For all regions, Nei’s gene diversity, Shannon index, percentage of polymorphic loci and unique bands are in the range of 0.19 to 0.49, 0.34 to 0.68, 10 to 100, and 1 to 5, respectively. The UPGMA dendrograms showed three clusters, the 1st cluster branch consisted of the Sitak and Halabja, the 2nd cluster was include both of the Qala-Diza and Rania and the 3rd one included constitutes four sub-clumps the 1st branch consist of (Dokan and Suliamani) region, the 2nd branch harbored the Huwana region only. The 3rd one covers the Sangasar region. Finally, the 4th sub-cluster possesses the Pishdar group. The results indicated that impressive logical result, showed low genetic distance between the Dokan and Suliamani population, in addition to small genetic distance between Qala-Diza and Rania, and moderate genetic distance between Sitak and Halabja. Which means there was no genetic variation in between these populations according to the near geographical distance between these areas. Thus, the inbreeding mating among these areas records high value. Meanwhile, the Huwana, Sangasar and Pishdar sub-clusters population documented a moderate genetic distance between them. Nevertheless, the high genetic distance that recorded (56.13%) among the region’s population of Pishdar dog showed ample ground for mating within this breed in suliamani province.
Kurdistan journal of applied research, Apr 3, 2019
The objective of present study was to determine genetic diversity among three geese color types u... more The objective of present study was to determine genetic diversity among three geese color types using RAPD markers and hematological parameters. The overall mean, of the live weights , Hemoglobin, Hetrophil %, Lymphocyte %, Monocyte % and H/L ratio were 3.006 (kg), 14.64, 36.896, 49.896, 2.233 and 0.736 respectively. The breed, sex and interaction between them have significant effect on live body weight, Hemoglobin and Monocyte %. Ten primers were used and six out of them were selected based on their number of bands (NB) and polymorphic characteristics. A total of 309 bands observed, ranged from 30 in primer OPB-07 to 54 bands in OPA-20. Five unique bands were found only in white goose, whereas the highest unique band was obtained in primer OPB-01 locus. Overall genetic distance among native geese arrived 64.122 and phylogenetic dendrograms showed that 3 clusters, the first cluster content only white geese (Male and Female) breed, the second one cluster is included piebald geese breed (Male and female) and third one was including gray geese (Male and female) breed. It was concluded that the white geese was closer to piebald geese than to the gray geese breed. The high genetic distance (64.122%) and variation in phenotypic value such as live weight (2.375 to 3.600 kg/bird) for three native geese indicates that these native geese have a good amount of genetic resources to made genetically improvement in further and it means the three goose samples are independent breeds.
Malaysian applied biology, Jun 1, 2016
This study was undertaken on 50 local (Black, Red and Narragansett) and 26 commercial turkey bree... more This study was undertaken on 50 local (Black, Red and Narragansett) and 26 commercial turkey breeds (Black, White and Red). Out of twenty random primers used, twelve were able to amplify and showed bands. The total fragment number over all the turkey samples was 324 with size range of fragments from 220 to 2800 bp. Polymorphic fragments and unique bands in all breeds were 60 and 18, respectively. The Nei's gene diversity for overall breeds averaged 0.44. The genetic distance among all turkey breeds ranged from 0.144 to 0.575. The higher genetic distance in local breeds was 0.667 between both (Black and Red) and (Black and Narragansett). On the other hand, the lowest distance was 0.269 between the Narragansett and Red breeds. The overall dendrograms showed three main clusters, the first cluster branch consisted of (local and commercial) black breeds; the second cluster included (local and commercial) Red breeds, while the third cluster included local Narragansett and commercial White breeds. These results showed that the three local turkey breeds are independent to one another.
The TGF-β super family, (GDF9, BMP-15 and BMPR-IB) have been shown to be essential for follicular... more The TGF-β super family, (GDF9, BMP-15 and BMPR-IB) have been shown to be essential for follicular growth and ovulation in the sheep breeds. The present study aimed to test the presence mutations of the fecundity genes association with fertility, controlling ovulation rate and litter size in four Iraqi sheep breeds (Kurdi, Hamdani, Arabi and Awassi) using specific primers designed to introduce a point mutations in PCR products of FecB1, FecB2 (BMPR-IB), FecXI, FecXB, FecXG (BMP-15) and FecGH, FecGI (GDF9) belonging to the TGF-β. A total of 140 blood samples collected from individual ewes (3-7 years) were genotyped for allelic polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP screening method. The quantity and quality of DNA was checked by Nanodrop spectrophotometer and gel electrophoresis. All genes (except the FecGH) showed wild types (non carriers ++) for all breeds and results viewed to be monomorphic with a specific restriction enzyme. Whereas, FecGH showed heterozygous carriers (H+) only in Hamdani ...
The Journal of the University of Duhok, 2020
Avian infectious bronchitis disease is reported as the main problem in the poultry industry in th... more Avian infectious bronchitis disease is reported as the main problem in the poultry industry in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. This study was performed to diagnose Infectious bronchitis among suspected broiler farms located in Duhok governorate, Northern of Iraq as well as to evaluate the efficiency of Real-Time PCR for the detection of the causative virus of this disease. In this study, one hundred and eighty tracheal tissue samples were collected from sixty suspected broiler farms from April 2018 to July 2019. RNA was successfully extracted and used for detection by Real-Time PCR technique using commercial kit targeting 160 bp of S gene which is the conserved region for all avian infectious bronchitis virus strains. Out of sixty suspected farms sixteen (26.66%) farms were positive to the infectious bronchitis virus. This study confirms the presence of avian infectious bronchitis disease in this area by Real-Time PCR. Although a single study was performed to detect this disease by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction in this governorate, this is the first study to use Real-Time PCR in the diagnosis of this disease in this area and it was highly efficient for detection of this virus.
The Journal of The University of Duhok, 2020
The present study was to investigate genotypes of three genes (MSTN, CAST and MHC-DRB1) that rela... more The present study was to investigate genotypes of three genes (MSTN, CAST and MHC-DRB1) that related to body weight in Awassi lambs. A total of 52 lambs were used. The DNA concentration and DNA purity (A260/280) was calculated automatically by nanodrop and ranged between 10.53-53.94 ng/μl and 1.51-2.19, respectively. The RFLP-PCR results showed that the CAST and MHC-DRB1genes were polymorphism among individuals while the MSTN gene was monomorphism. Lambs with CC genotype for MHC-DRB1 locus have positive effect on body weight at most ages while lambs with AB genotype for CAST locus gave higher body weight at all ages and higher average daily gain. The lambs with BBCCBB genotypes for the three genes under study gave higher weight at weaning (22.15 kg/lamb) and higher average daily gain (0.197 kg/lamb/day) compared with all other genotypes. These results showed that Awassi lambs have potential for growth traits and the selection process with the aid of molecular technique can play a positive and rapid role for improvement this breed of sheep.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY, 2011
The genetic variation in Hamdani sheep in the Kurdistan region of Iraq was studied using 35 micro... more The genetic variation in Hamdani sheep in the Kurdistan region of Iraq was studied using 35 microsatellite markers. All 35 markers were found to be highly polymorphic. The mean number of observed alleles ranged from four at BMS1494 to twenty five at BM6444 and INRABERN185 loci. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.208 for BMS1494 loci to 0.935 for INRABERN185 with an average value of 0.744. The overall observed and expected heterozygosity values were 0.407 and 0.764, respectively. Test of genotype frequencies for deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) at each locus, revealed a significant departure from HWE due to loss in heterozygotes by high level of inbreeding. The average inbreeding value for the 35 markers investigated was 0.469. The high observed heterozygosity is an indication of genetic variability that could be used for developing efficient utilization and genetic improvement strategies for Hamdani sheep.
The Iraqi Journal of Agricultural science, Feb 23, 2022
The objective of this study was to investigate the polymorphisms of three loci (SEMA3E, GH and TL... more The objective of this study was to investigate the polymorphisms of three loci (SEMA3E, GH and TLX) that related with growth traits in local quail. A total of 720 birds (males and females) from three lines (desert, brown and white) were used. The results revealed that the effects of the line were significant on bird body weight and carcass weight and dressing percentage at 180 days at age. The Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) value overall birds for body weight was ranged from-9.2173 to 10.0117, these results showed there were significant differences among high and low BLUP value groups in three quail lines under study. The PCR-RFLP results overall three lines showed that there were three, three and two alleles for SEMA3E, TLX and GH locus, respectively. This alleles gives twelve differences genotypes, the desert male quail with ACABAA genotype and desert female quail with AAABAA genotype (high group) for three loci under study give significantly higher body and carcass weight compared with another groups. In conclusion results showed that there are agreements between BLUP values with PCR-RFLP results to select best birds and the selection process with molecular technique can play a major positive and rapid role to improve and increase growth traits in these lines of local quail in Iraqi Kurdistan region.
IRAQI JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
This research was carried out to compare the productivity performance of three lines of local qua... more This research was carried out to compare the productivity performance of three lines of local quail. The results showed a significant superiority in the daily gain weight (3.76 g/day/quail) and marketing weight (167.2 g/quail) for brown quail over other colors. Also, significant differences were found in the dressing ratio between males (67.8%) and females (65.76%). As for the egg production of quail, it was found a significant superiority of the desert quail over the other colors in the number of eggs produced, the average egg weight (9.73 g/ egg) and the HDEP (78.6 %) with the best feed conversation (2.15 g / g of egg). The results also show that the white-colored quail was average between the other two colors for the characteristics of the productive performance of body weight and egg production. It could be concluding from these results the possibility of directing the different colors of a particular trait and developing it into specialized lines for the production of eggs or m...
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PUBLISHED ISSUES by Prof. Dr. Yousif M S Al-Barzinji
Papers by Prof. Dr. Yousif M S Al-Barzinji