 |
|
Genes behind animal growth discovered
January 30, 2007An advance in genomics, the ID of growth genes in oysters has relevance for farming and aquaculture
How many genes influence a complex trait, like weight, height or body type?
And why does the answer matter?
Among other reasons, because the "Green Revolution" that multiplied crop yields has to be followed by a "Blue Revolution" in ocean farming, according to marine biologists at the University of Southern California.
"We're going to have to make future decisions as a society how to provide enough food for a growing population," said Donal Manahan, co-author of a study on oyster growth appearing online this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition.
Currently a delicacy, oysters fed the masses in the past and could again become "the soy bean of the sea" as traditional fisheries collapse, Manahan predicted.
He and senior author Dennis Hedgecock linked growth rate in oysters to approximately 350 genes, or 1.5 percent of the more than 20,000 genes in the oyster genome.
To the authors' knowledge, this is the first estimate of the number of genes that determine growth rate in any animal.
Specifically, the authors discovered the genes responsible for "hybrid vigor," or the ability of some children of crossbreeding to outgrow both parents. Hybrid vigor is of evolutionary as well as agricultural interest because it appears to favor biodiversity.
Many plants have hybrid vigor. Seed companies exploited this property to increase corn yields seven-fold from the 1920s to the present.
Most animals do not express hybrid vigor to such an extent, the authors said. That makes oysters particularly strong candidates for aquaculture.
"Their hybrids grow much faster than either of the parents. And this is exactly like corn," Manahan said.
The PNAS study may lead to improved breeding both on land and sea. The green revolution worked by trial and error, with companies trying every possible cross of corn strains to find the best hybrids.
"A century after its discovery in corn, we still don't know why plants have hybrid vigor, despite the economic and evolutionary importance of this phenomenon," Hedgecock explained.
Knowing the genes for hybrid vigor may enable companies to develop the best cross of corn strains, or oyster types, without guesswork.
The lines would not be genetically modified, only screened and matched as in a dating service.
The goal is efficient and sustainable domestication of oysters and other promising ocean species, mostly shellfish. Oysters already are the number one farmed aquatic species worldwide.
Aquaculture of large fish remains environmentally challenging, Manahan and Hedgecock noted.
Another problem is the apparent lack of hybrid vigor in most fish. Even in oysters, the researchers found the rules of hybrid vigor to be more complicated than predicted by classical ideas in genetics and physiology.
For example, some genes were expressed much less in the offspring than in either parent, a pattern the authors call "underdominance." Very few genes were expressed as the average of the expression in their parents.
Hedgecock called the underdominance patterns "one of the more surprising findings" of the study.
University of Southern California
Among other reasons, because the "Green Revolution" that multiplied crop yields has to be followed by a "Blue Revolution" in ocean farming, according to marine biologists at the University of Southern California.
"We're going to have to make future decisions as a society how to provide enough food for a growing population," said Donal Manahan, co-author of a study on oyster growth appearing online this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition.
Currently a delicacy, oysters fed the masses in the past and could again become "the soy bean of the sea" as traditional fisheries collapse, Manahan predicted.
He and senior author Dennis Hedgecock linked growth rate in oysters to approximately 350 genes, or 1.5 percent of the more than 20,000 genes in the oyster genome.
To the authors' knowledge, this is the first estimate of the number of genes that determine growth rate in any animal.
Specifically, the authors discovered the genes responsible for "hybrid vigor," or the ability of some children of crossbreeding to outgrow both parents. Hybrid vigor is of evolutionary as well as agricultural interest because it appears to favor biodiversity.
Many plants have hybrid vigor. Seed companies exploited this property to increase corn yields seven-fold from the 1920s to the present.
Most animals do not express hybrid vigor to such an extent, the authors said. That makes oysters particularly strong candidates for aquaculture.
"Their hybrids grow much faster than either of the parents. And this is exactly like corn," Manahan said.
The PNAS study may lead to improved breeding both on land and sea. The green revolution worked by trial and error, with companies trying every possible cross of corn strains to find the best hybrids.
"A century after its discovery in corn, we still don't know why plants have hybrid vigor, despite the economic and evolutionary importance of this phenomenon," Hedgecock explained.
Knowing the genes for hybrid vigor may enable companies to develop the best cross of corn strains, or oyster types, without guesswork.
The lines would not be genetically modified, only screened and matched as in a dating service.
The goal is efficient and sustainable domestication of oysters and other promising ocean species, mostly shellfish. Oysters already are the number one farmed aquatic species worldwide.
Aquaculture of large fish remains environmentally challenging, Manahan and Hedgecock noted.
Another problem is the apparent lack of hybrid vigor in most fish. Even in oysters, the researchers found the rules of hybrid vigor to be more complicated than predicted by classical ideas in genetics and physiology.
For example, some genes were expressed much less in the offspring than in either parent, a pattern the authors call "underdominance." Very few genes were expressed as the average of the expression in their parents.
Hedgecock called the underdominance patterns "one of the more surprising findings" of the study.
University of Southern California
Ocean Carbon: A Dent in the Iron Hypothesis
Oceanographers Jim Bishop and Todd Wood of the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have measured the fate of carbon particles originating in plankton blooms in the Southern Ocean, using data that deep-diving Carbon Explorer floats collected around the clock for well over a year.
Effects of the illegal use of pharmaceutical products in animal production on human health
The use of drugs/pharmaceuticals in cattle rearing is the object of a recent study, carried out by two researchers from the Centro de Estudos Farmac'™uticos, Laborat'³rio de Bromatologia, Hidrologia e Nutri'§'£o (Pharmaceutical Study Centre, Bromatology, Hydrology and Nutrition Laboratory) at the Pharmacy Faculty of Coimbra University. The consequences for consumers are, from a public health standpoint, the most significant conclusions to take from an exhaustive work of literary revision in these matters, started in 2000. The fat content contained in the meat has been a concern for consumers, for reasons of health and diet, who consider it an unnecessary
More Animal Growth Current Events and Animal Growth News Articles
|
PRINCIPLES OF ANIMAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT by GERRARD DAVID (Author), GRANT ALAN L (Author) | |
 |
Dolce Mia Farm Animals Growth Chart by Dolce Mia Designs "We love farm life at Dolce Mia, and so does every child. This growth farm chart has the cutest, happiest animals frolicking in a field outside their red barn. Handmade growth chart folds on ribbon seams and fits neatly inside an included keepsake box for convenient gift giving or tucking away with other memorabilia. Chart extends to 60 in. (5 feet) and includes a page of 20 stickers, including birthday stickers and extra stickers which can be written on to mark special occasions. Construction is of finest quality archival printing on paper over sturdy board." |
 |
Growth and Decay New Animal (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Critters Also With: Warner Bros. (Producer) |
 |
Wild Animals Canvas Personalized Growth Chart by Olive Kids by Olive Kids Our personalized Wild Animals growth chart makes it easy to measure your wild one from head to tail! Kids will ROAR with delight when they see their name featured with all their favorite jungle animals in this safari scene! This wild growth chart is ready to hang and will instantly make an exciting change in your kids bed or play room. Growth Chart measures 12 x 43 inches and is marked for measuring both inches & centimeters. Printed on high-quality canvas. Corners have grommets and include a 28" decorative blue grosgrain ribbon & tacks for easy hanging. Mark wall with a pencil 60 inches up from the floor, line up the pencil mark with the 60 inch mark on the growth chart and hang on wall. PERSONALIZATION INSTRUCTIONS: Our store will email you for the name you want on your product. |
 |
Universal GH Stack Nutritional Supplement, Maximum Growth Hormone Support, Grape, 7.4-Ounce Tub by Universal Along with testosterone, growth hormone (GH) may be the most anabolic hormone for the strength athlete. GH is a unique polypeptide hormone comprised of 191 amino acids which is secreted from the anterior pituitary gland. While the highest levels of GH are secreted during sleep, it is also released in pulses throughout the day - 9 to 29 times daily. As we age, these GH bursts are smaller and less frequent. |
 |
Animal Methoxy Stack-Universal Nutrition Ultimate Natural Anabolic Stack, 21 Packets by Universal Nutrition The ultimate natural anabolic stak. Prohormone-free & ephedra-free. Methoxyisoflavone. Ecdysterone. Ipriflavone. Arginine. Ornithine. Triboxybol. ALC. & More. Natural flavones & sterones. LH boosters. Energy complex. DHT blockers. Liver detoxifiers. GF boosters. Insulin potentiators. Anti-aromatase inhibitors. Enhanced formula. In a short period of time, Animal Stak has become the world's best-selling undisputed champion of all stacked anabolic training paks. However, due to certain anabolic ingredients, Animal Stak wasn't suitable for everyone, especially drug-tested athletes. Today, there's a prohormone and ephedra-free alternative to Animal Stak. Animal M Stack. Animal M Stack is a powerful and new natural anabolic training pak whose time has come |
 |
FROM DUSK 'TIL DAWN An Insider's View of the Growth of the Animal Liberation Movement by Keith Mann (Author) |
 |
Vinyl Wall Art Decal Sticker Safari Giraffe Neck Measuring Growth Chart 60x21 by Superstylings The newest interior design trend is adding vinyl art on interior walls. It's easier than hiring an artist and a lot cheaper. The smaller pieces can be put up within minutes. The larger pieces takes a little longer. The decals can be applied to all smooth surfaces, such as walls, windows, tiles, mirrors and doors. Each of our designs come with easy instructions to follow. |
 |
On The Mark Press OTM2113 Growth & Change in Animals Gr. 2-3 by On The Mark Press Imaginative & Innovative Activities That Meet Curriculum Expectations. Students will become familiar with the six animal groups and the animals within each group. They will classify animals, understand the major physical characteristics and behavioral characteristics that enable animals to survive. Gain an understanding of metamorphosis and become familiar with the lifecycles of various animals and be able to compare the lifecycles of different animals whether they are similar or dissimilar. They will learn to appreciate the many ways in which humans affect other animals and how animals adapt to different environment conditions. 40 activities, 96 pages. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |