Project description:The aim of this study is to determine differential gene expression on skin biopsies of experimentally BTV-infected hinds (Cervus elaphus) using serotypes 1 and 8 to understand the possible role that these genes play during BTV infection. Understanding the strategies used by this virus for their cellular uptake, and detection of differentially expressed transcripts in experimentally infected hosts, can provide identification of detailed information that might be used to prevent infection. Four seven-month-old red deer Cervus elaphus were kept in a P3 facility to be experimentally infected with Bluetongue virus, and 4 more red deer were kept as controls. Skin biopsies were taken at 14 days post-infection to determine gene expression in response to this virus.
Project description:Rib bone growth in red deer stags - Abstract: In 'The Bone and Joint Decade' interest is focused on genetic factors causing bone disorders. Osteoporosis, attacking 10% of the population worldwide, is the most common metabolic bone disease, which is mimiced by several ovarectomised or genetically modified 'cascadeur' animal species, but none of them is able to remedy its pathologically porous bone tissue. Regeneration in skeletal elements is the curiosity of our newly investigated osteoporosis animal model, red deer (Cervus elaphus). The cyclic physiological osteoporosis in red deer stag is a consequence of the annual antler cycle. This phenomenon raises the possibility to explore new genes involved in regulating bone mineral density (BMD) and recovery of bone resorption on the basis of comparative genomics between deer and human. Here we compared the gene expression activities of osteoporotic and regenerating flying rib bone samples versus late autumn dwell control in red deer by heterologous microarray hybridization. Identified genes were tested on human femoral bone tissue from postmenopausal osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic patients. Expression data were evaluated by Principal Components Analysis and Discriminant Analysis. Keywords: Gene Expression experiment
2008-11-23 | GSE8075 | GEO
Project description:Resequencing of red deer (Cervus elaphus)
Project description:Anaplasma and Mycobacterium species are known to modify gene expression in ruminants. The objectives of this study were (a) to characterize global gene expression profiles in European red deer (Cervus elaphus) in response to Anaplasma ovis and A. ovis/Mycobacterium bovis/M. avium sub. paratuberculosis (MAP) infections, (b) to compare the expression of immune response genes between A. ovis- and A. ovis/M. bovis/MAP-infected deer, and (c) to characterize the differential expression of immune response genes identified in red deer in cattle infected with M. bovis and A. marginale. The results of this study showed that global gene differential expression in A. ovis- and A. ovis/M. bovis/MAP-infected deer results in the modification of common and pathogen-specific cellular biological processes. The differential expression of host immune response genes also showed pathogen-specific signatures and the effect of infection with multiple pathogens on red deer host immune response. These results suggested that intracellular bacteria from Anaplasma and Mycobacterium genera use similar mechanisms to infect and multiply within ruminant host cells while pathogen-specific mechanisms underline differences that could contribute to disease characterization and diagnosis in ruminants.
Project description:Deer antler-derived medicinal materials include antler velvet, antlers, and deer antler base. Antler velvet refers to the young antlers of male sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck) or red deer (Cervus elaphus Linnaeus) prior to ossification, which are covered with dense hair. Antler velvet is harvested by sawing during the summer and autumn seasons. After processing, it is dried in shade or by baking. Antler velvet is sweet and salty in taste, warm in nature, and enters the kidney and liver meridians. Its functions include tonifying kidney yang, replenishing essence and blood, strengthening tendons and bones, regulating the Chong and Ren vessels, and expelling toxins to promote wound healing [ref.]. Antlers and deer antler base refer to the ossified antlers or the antler bases shed in the following spring after the antler velvet harvest from red deer (Cervus elaphus Linnaeus) or sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck). Their functions include warming kidney yang, strengthening tendons and bones, promoting blood circulation, and reducing swelling.
Project description:Rib bone growth in red deer stags - Abstract: In 'The Bone and Joint Decade' interest is focused on genetic factors causing bone disorders. Osteoporosis, attacking 10% of the population worldwide, is the most common metabolic bone disease, which is mimiced by several ovarectomised or genetically modified 'cascadeur' animal species, but none of them is able to remedy its pathologically porous bone tissue. Regeneration in skeletal elements is the curiosity of our newly investigated osteoporosis animal model, red deer (Cervus elaphus). The cyclic physiological osteoporosis in red deer stag is a consequence of the annual antler cycle. This phenomenon raises the possibility to explore new genes involved in regulating bone mineral density (BMD) and recovery of bone resorption on the basis of comparative genomics between deer and human. Here we compared the gene expression activities of osteoporotic and regenerating flying rib bone samples versus late autumn dwell control in red deer by heterologous microarray hybridization. Identified genes were tested on human femoral bone tissue from postmenopausal osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic patients. Expression data were evaluated by Principal Components Analysis and Discriminant Analysis. Keywords: Gene Expression experiment Approximately 2-3 g flying rib bone pieces in the entire cross section of bony rib were surgically removed from 3 anaesthetized [SBH-Ketamine (2.5 mg/kg live weight) combined with Xylazine (0.2 mg/kg live weight) i.m. injection] 6, 7 and 8 year old Cervus elaphus stags. (Cast antler pairs weighed 7-8 kg for each animal.) Removed rib pieces were extensively washed in PBS for eliminating blood and marrow contamination, than immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. The time of tissue collections were (i) within the period of the active mineralization of antler, at the beginning of June when skeletal osteoporosis takes place, (ii) in the fitness improvement period with velvet shedding in late July, that is the 'regenerating time' and (iii) in the period of late autumn dwell at the end of November when in the skeleton the mineral mobilization and deposition are dynamically equilibrated (BMD is in steady state). Each comparison performed on Platforms GPL4052 and GPL5352.
Project description:The gut microbiota is the largest and most complex microecosystem in animals. It is influenced by the host's dietary habits and living environment, and its composition and diversity play irreplaceable roles in animal nutrient metabolism, immunity, and adaptation to the environment. Although the gut microbiota of red deer has been studied, the composition and function of the gut microbiota in Gansu red deer (Cervus elaphus kansuensis), an endemic subspecies of red deer in China, has not been reported. In this study, the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome and fecal metabolomics of C. elaphus kansuensis were identified and compared for the first time by using 16S rDNA sequencing, metagenomic sequencing, and LC-MS/MS. There were significant differences in gut microbiota structure and diversity between wild and farmed C. elaphus kansuensis. The 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that the genus UCRD-005 was dominant in both captive red deer (CRD) and wild red deer (WRD). Metagenomic sequencing showed similar results to those of 16S rDNA sequencing for gut microbiota in CRD and WRD at the phylum and genus levels. 16S rDNA and metagenomics sequencing data suggested that Bacteroides and Bacillus might serve as marker genera for CRD and WRD, respectively. Fecal metabolomics results showed that 520 metabolites with significant differences were detected between CRD and WRD and most differential metabolites were involved in lipid metabolism. The results suggested that large differences in gut microbiota composition and fecal metabolites between CRD and WRD, indicating that different dietary habits and living environments over time have led to the development of stable gut microbiome characteristics for CRD and WRD to meet their respective survival and reproduction needs. KEY POINTS: • Environment and food affected the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in red deer • Genera Bacteroides and Bacillus may play important roles in CRD and WRD, respectively • Flavonoids and ascorbic acid in fecal metabolites may influence health of red deer.