<div>Background: Litter size is one of the most important economic traits that translates into higher returns for farmers. KISS 1 and NGF genes plays significant role in female reproduction. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the potential variation in the of expression levels of KISS1 and NGF genes in ovarian tissue of two different goat breeds with diverse prolificacy. 
 
Methods: Phenotypic records pertaining to litter size of Barbari and Jamunapari goats were collected. Total RNA was extracted from both breeds&#39; ovarian tissues for real-time PCR quantification of the KISS1 and NGF genes, using GAPDH and &beta;-actin as endogenous controls. The target gene&rsquo;s expression levels were measured and the fold-change was determined. 
 
Result: The phenotypic recording revealed that Barbari goats are more prolific in nature than Jamunapari goats. The expression levels of KISS1 and NGF genes were higher in Barbari goat and lower in Jamunapari goat (P&lt;0.05). The results of this study can be used to further discover the crucial role of KISS1 and NGF genes in reproduction for improving the prolificacy in goats.</div>

Ovarian Expression Profile of KISS1 and NGF Genes in Indian Goat

<div style="text-align: justify;">Selection of high fertile bulls with the help of marker assisted selection has gained importance in recent years. The low heritability of fertility traits hampers improvement of these traits by conventional selection based on phenotypic records. No information is available on the role of SNPs in KiSS1 gene in cattle on semen quality parameters in bovines. KiSS1 genes code for Kisspeptin, which are essential upstream regulators of neurons secreting gonadotropin-releasing hormone and play crucial role in reproduction.The coding regions along with exon-intron boundaries of KiSS1 gene, was characterized using PCR-SSCP method and direct sequencing. Two genotypes were observed which were represented as SSCP pattern 1 and pattern 2 and found to carry one &nbsp;SNPs (T153C) and one insertion of G at 291_292bp. The bulls with pattern 2 were heterozygous with respect to the transition T153C and pattern1 bulls were homozygous with TT genotype. The transition was predicted to cause amino acid change from Valine to Alanine. The frequency of bulls with pattern1 and pattern 2 were 0.67 and 0.33 in 67 Holstein Friesian bulls and 0.73 and 0.27 in 13 Khillari bulls. The association study of genotypes with semen quality parameters revealed significant association of genotypes with acrosome integrity in fresh semen (P&lt;0.05) and no association with sperm concentration, volume per ejaculate, percent live sperm and Hypo Osmotic Swelling Test (HOST) with higher acrosome integrity in bulls with pattern2. Upon validation of the results in larger population and identifying the exact role of the novel SNP T153C and insertion of G at 291_292bp, they could be incorporated in selection programme for improving fertility in bulls.as markers for acrosome integrity in cattle.</div>

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in KiSS1 gene and its association with semen quality in Bos taurus and Bos indicus bulls

<div>Background: Decreased feed intake is a common stress response presented after weaning that leads to a negative effect on performances. Health management and feed supplementation were commonly used to solve such problems. The objectives of this research were to study the effects of nutritional stress and the benefit of fermented potato protein supplementation in intact nursery gilts. 
 
Methods: Prepubertal nursery gilts were assigned into the following feed treatments for 30 days: 1) normal feed, 2) normal feed with fermented potato protein (FPP) supplementation, 3) restricted feed which received 60% amount of normal feed and 4) restricted feed with FPP supplementation. 
 
Result: Serum IGF-1 and IGF1 mRNA expression of semitendinosus muscle were significantly increased by FPP supplementation (P&lt;0.05). All pig groups showed no different on serum cortisol and hypothalamic Kiss1 mRNA expression levels. The degree of feed restriction was suggested to be an important determinant of response of serum IGF-1, cortisol and hypothalamic Kiss1 mRNA expression. In this study, an elevated serum IGF-1 concentration correlated with IGF1 mRNA upregulation in a muscle rather than in a liver.</div>

Effects of Feed Restriction and Fermented Potato Protein Supplementation on IGF1, GHR and Kiss1 mRNA Expression in Intact Nursery Gilts