- Genome research has progressed rapidly in recent years and DNA-based selection tools are now available in a number of domesticated species. To date, advanced genomics technologies have not been developed in alpacas (Vicugna pacos). Therefore, breeders select for traits of economic importance (fleece phenotypes) using traditional techniques such as line breeding. Alpacas have experienced a history of population bottlenecks including the mass destruction of alpacas and llamas during the 16th Century, therefore traditional breeding may exacerbate an already depleted gene pool. Alpaca veterinarians report a prevalence of congenital defects much higher than any other livestock species. This study investigated levels of genetic diversity at genome-wide markers in Australian alpacas. Samples have been collected from unrelated individuals with normal and defective phenotypes including choanal atresia, polydactyly, cyclopia, syndactyly, vulval atresia and anal atresia. Multi-locus heterozygosity and inbreeding coefficients were estimated using microsatellite data from 53 or 22 loci. In addition, pedigrees were examined in order to detect pedigree inbreeding. Inbreeding coefficients estimated from genomic data reveal that individuals with congenital defects do not have significantly higher molecular inbreeding levels than healthy individuals. These results suggest that high levels of inbreeding cannot explain the high prevalence of congenital abnormalities in alpacas. This study is the first to report on the genetic variability of Australian alpacas and represents an important first step in the use of genomics to inform alpaca breeding practices. more »
- Gene expression analysis can aid in prioritising regions or classes of variants for genomic prediction and they increase our understanding of quantitative traits. The number of reads from RNA sequencing that align to a gene can be used to quantify gene expression. We sampled liver and muscle tissues of 150 lambs at slaughter. Their dams had been managed to high, medium, and low body condition scores (BCS) during mid-to-late pregnancy and the lambs were fed three different finishing diets. Differential expression of genes (DEG) was investigated contrasting tissue, BCS, lamb diets, other treatment differences, as well as high and low lamb carcass eye muscle width (CEMW). A large number of DEG were identified between tissues, but only the low versus high BCS comparison resulted in DEG for treatments. DEG were also found when we contrasted high and low CEMW. A strong trend toward down regulation was observed in all tests, except in BCS where all DEG were overexpressed in fatter ewes. more »
- The last five years has witnessed the completion of reference genome projects for each of the major livestock species, along with the application of high throughput SNP genotyping to fast track gene discovery and genomic prediction. This paper explores one possible new direction in genomics and its possible impact on animal science. An international project has been initiated that aims to identify the genomic regions responsible for gene regulation, thereby providing functional annotation of animal genomes FAANG). This seeks to increase our ability to interpret variation in genome sequence and predict the resulting phenotypic consequence. This has large implications for animal science and in particular animal breeding, given a key objective of genomic prediction is to use molecular data (currently SNP) to predict genetic merit. To successfully annotate the regulatory elements in genomic sequence, the FAANG Consortium has been created to provide coordination and standardisation in data collection, uality control and analysis. Aspects of the consortium are described, along with information on Australia’s current and future contributions. more »
- Calories and nutritional value in generic 100g alpaca meat (burger). more »
- Kristen Schmitt wrote in Modern Farmer (May 2014): Alpaca meat is the byproduct of culling the herd – but it’s a tasty byproduct. Each mature alpaca harvested equates to about 60 pounds of meat – roughly the same amount of meat you can get from a deer. Lean, tender and almost sweet, alpaca meat is nutritionally superior to many of its red meat counterparts. Lower in calories, fat,and cholesterol, this high-protein, exotic meat is beginning to appeal to those seeking out alternatives to domesticated meat like beef or pork, and even wild meat, like venison. Ground alpaca is versatile enough to be substituted in place of ground turkey or beef in most recipes. more »