Project description:An Infinium microarray platform (GPL28271, HorvathMammalMethylChip40) was used to generate DNA methylation data from blood samples of roe deer n=94 blood samples
Project description:Studies of the miRNA expression profiles associated with the postnatal late growth, development and aging of skeletal muscle are lacking in sika deer. To understand the molecular mechanisms of the growth and development of sika deer skeletal muscle, we used de novo RNA-seq analyses to determine the differential expression of miRNAs from skeletal muscle tissues at 1, 3, 5, and 10-year-old in sika deer. A total of 171 known miRNAs and 60 novel miRNAs were identified based on four small RNA libraries. 11 miRNAs were differentially expressed between adolescence and juvenile sika deer, 4 miRNAs were differentially expressed between adult and adolescence sika deer, and 1 miRNAs were differentially expressed between aged and adult sika deer. GO and KEGG analyses showed that miRNA were mainly related to energy and substance metabolism, processes that are closely associate with growth, development and aging of skeletal muscle. We also constructed mRNA-mRNA and miRNA-mRNA interaction networks related to growth, development and aging of skeletal muscle. The results showed that miR-133a, miR-133c, miR-192, miR-151-3p etc. may play important roles in muscle growth and development, and miR-17-5p, miR-378b, miR-199a-5p, miR-7 etc. may have key roles in muscle aging. In this study, we determined the dynamic miRNA in muscle tissue for the first time in sika deer. The age-dependent miRNAs identified will offer insights into the molecular mechanism underlying muscle development, growth and maintenance and also provide valuable information for sika deer genetic breeding.
Project description:BackgroundTo understand and reduce the concomitant effects of trapping and handling procedures in wildlife species, it is essential to measure their physiological impact. Here, we examined individual variation in stress levels in non-anesthetized European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), which were captured in box traps and physically restrained for tagging, biometrics and bio-sampling. In winter 2013, we collected venous blood samples from 28 individuals during 28 capture events and evaluated standard measurements for stress (heart rate, body temperature, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, lactate and total cortisol). Additionally, we assessed stress using the immunological tool, Leukocyte Coping Capacity (LCC), a real-time proxy for stress measuring oxygen radical production by leukocytes. Finally, the behavioral response to handling was recorded using a scoring system.ResultsLCC and therefore stress levels were negatively influenced by the time animals spent in the box trap with human presence at the capture site prior to handling. In contrast, none of the classical stress measures, including total cortisol, nor the behavioral assessment, were correlated with the stressor tested (time of human presence prior to handling) and thus did not provide a clear depiction regarding the extent of the animals short-term stress response.ConclusionsOverall our study verifies the LCC as a strong method to quantify short-term stress reactions in wildlife. Moreover, our results clearly show that human presence at the trapping site prior to handling should be kept to an absolute minimum in order to reduce stress levels.