Application of molecular markers on genetic improvement and reproduction in the post-genomic Era: Emerging biotechnologies and perspectives in livestock

Background: New challenges are rising in the animal protein market, and one of the main world challenges is to produce more in shorter time, with better quality and in a sustainable way. Brazil is the largest beef exporter in volume hence the factors affecting the beef meat chain are of major concern in countrýs economy. An emerging class of biotechnological approaches, the molecular markers, is bringing new perspectives to face these challenges, particularly after the publication of the first complete livestock genome (bovine), which has triggered a massive initiative to put in practice the benefits of the so called the Post-Genomic Era. Review: This article aimed at showing the directions and insights in the application of molecular markers on livestock genetic improvement and reproduction as well at organizing the progress so far, pointing some perspectives of these emerging technologies in Brazilian ruminant production context. An overview on the nature of the main molecular markers explored in ruminant production is provided, which describes the molecular bases and detection approaches available for microsatellites (STR) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). A topic is dedicated to review the history of association studies between markers and important trait variation in livestock, showing the timeline starting on quantitative trait loci (QTL) identification using STR markers and ending in high resolution SNP panels to proceed whole genome scans for phenotype/genotype association. Also the article organizes this information to reveal how QTL prospection using STR could open ground to the feasibility of marker-assisted selection and why this approach is quickly being replaced by studies involving the application of genome-wide association using SNP research in a new concept called genomic selection. Conclusion: The world's scientific community is dedicating effort and resources to apply SNP information in livestock selection through the development of high density panels for genomic association studies, connecting molecular genetic data with phenotypes of economic interest. Once generated, this information can be used to take decisions in genetic improvement programs by selecting animals with the assistance of molecular markers.

Lysine and methionine + cystine for laying hens during the post-molting phase

One experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of using different lysine and methionine + cystine levels on body weight recovery, performance, and egg quality of laying hens during the postmolting period. In this trial, 432 Isa Brown layers, with 72 weeks of age, were distributed in 54 cages according to a completely randomized design with six treatments and nine replicates of eight birds each. During the resting period, six diets with different digestible lysine and methionine + cystine levels were used, as follows: 0.48% digestible lysine and 0.43% methionine + cystine; 0.48% digestible lysine and 0.47% methionine + cystine; 0.48% digestible lysine and 0.52% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0.50% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0.56% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0.62% methionine + cystine. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared at by Tukey's test at 5% probability level. The different lysine and methionine + cystine levels in the diets fed during the resting period significantly influenced layer performance. The diet containing 0.56% lysine and 0.56% methionine + cystine promoted higher egg weight eggs during the second production cycle.

El desarrollo social de América Latina en la postguerra = The social development of Latin America in the post-war period

Publicado sólo en español por Solar/Hachette de Buenos Aires

A meta-analytical study about the relation of blood plasma addition in diets for piglets in the post-weaning and productive performance variables

The meta-analysis was used to evaluate the performance of piglets in post-weaning period, without imposition of sanitary challenge and fed diets containing blood plasma, obtained by spray-dried process (SDBP). Piglets are faced with normal challenges in post-weaning period such as environmental stress and the substitution of the liquid diet to a solid one. References regarding sanitary challenges were disregarded in this study. Only data regarding normal and expected challenges were considered. Data were obtained from indexed journals with information extracted from the material, methods and results sections of pre-selected scientific articles. First, the database was analyzed graphically to observe the distribution of data and presence of outliers. Afterwards correlation analysis and variance-covariance analyses were carried out. The database contained a total of 23 articles. The average initial weight of the piglets was 8.02. kg (4.00-9.28. kg) and the average initial age was 27 days (14-32 days). The average duration of feeding diets containing spray-dried blood plasma (SDBP) was 9 days (6-28 days). SDBP increased the feed conversion by 20.2% (P<0.05) during the initial period. Feed conversion during the total period was 10.2% higher (P<0.05) for animals fed with SDBP. Average daily weight gain and daily feed intake were not affected (P>0.05) during the entire period, but average daily gain was higher (P<0.05) for animals fed with SDBP during the initial period. The initial age of supplementation influenced the average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake of animals fed with SDBP. Better results were obtained than those obtained for animals up to 35 days of age fed diets without added SDBP supplementation. In early post-weaning period for piglets weaned up to 35 days of age, the SDBP supplementation positively influenced the average daily weight gain and feed conversion. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

The maritime cycle and the post-crisis ups and downs

This edition of the FAL Bulletin analyses the maritime cycle and its impact on the overall business cycle. In particular, it considers the financial and economic crisis which shook the world from 2008 onwards, affecting both world trade and levels of economic activity, with serious consequences for maritime transport.

Preliminary reflections on Latin America and the Caribbean in the post-2015 development agenda based on the trilogy of equality

This document has been prepared in accordance with the mandate contained in resolution 687(XXXV) The regional dimension of the post-2015 development agenda, adopted by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) at its thirty-fifth session.

Assessment of strategies for linking the damage and loss assessment methodology to the post-disaster needs assessment

This report was prepared at the request of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) with support from the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) to assess strategies for linking the ECLAC Damage and Loss Assessment (DaLA) Methology to the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA). Each metholodolgy was individually outlined and their use in the Caribbean context was explored in detail to set the framework or lens through which their linking would be viewed. Other methologies that are used within the recovery process were identified and outlined. A gap analysis was conducted on moving from the PDNA with a focus on initial rapid reponse to DaLA. DaLA training materials were reviewed to assess where improvements can be made to seamlessly move from one methology to the next. Additionally, both DaLA and PDNA reports were reviewed to identify specific areas of information which could serve as common data links, and note how this linkage could inform the overall disaster assessments in the region. This is in addition to noting any similarities or variance in the application of both methologies. Challenges to linking both methodologies were identified such as countries lacking well defined recovery frameworks and their ability to fund or finance recovery efforts, in addition to recurrent challenges in the Caribbean region such as inadequacy of baseline data, human resource and training, and identifying teams to conduct the data collection. Recommendations made in terms of the strategies to be employed for the successful linking of both the DaLA and PDNA Methodologies included: creating and maintaining a recovery framework and baseline data; creation of a minimum requirements list for the successful implementation of PDNA and DaLA implementation; and increasing political will in addition to identify a champion to push the subject.