Methods for selection for efficient animal growth

• US 20040259169A1
• Filed: 06/20/2003
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pig Improvement Company UK Ltd. (Genus PLC)
• Original Assignee: Pig Improvement Company UK Ltd. (Genus PLC)
• Inventors: Bastiaansen, John, Mellencamp, Martha A., Galina-Pantoja, Lucina
• Application Number:
  US10/600,111
• Publication Number:
  US 20040259169A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/7.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2333/70507 C2D
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2333/70514 CD4
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2333/70517 CD8
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2333/70535 Fc-receptors, e.g. CD16, CD32, CD64 (CD2314/705F)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2333/70539 MHC-molecules, e.g. HLA-molecules
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/505 involving T-cells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5052 involving B-cells

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to animal breeding methods. More specifically, the invention relates to methods for selecting for robustness among two or more animals based upon the quantity of immune cell subtypes and frequency of proliferative responses of lymphocytes in the animals.

Claims

1. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the quantity of CD16 antigen-expressing cells; and

selecting the animal with the lowest quantity of CD16 antigen-expressing cells,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.

2. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the quantity of CD16 and CD2 double-positive antigen-expressing cells; and

selecting the animal with the lowest quantity of CD16 and CD2 double-positive antigen-expressing cells,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.

3. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the quantity of CD8 antigen-expressing cells; and

selecting the animal with the lowest quantity of CD8 antigen-expressing cells,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.

4. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the quantity of MHC-DQ antigen-expressing cells; and

selecting the animal with the highest quantity of MHC-DQ antigen-expressing cells,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.

5. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQB; and

selecting the animal with the highest quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQB,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.

6. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQD; and

selecting the animal with the highest quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQD,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.

7. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the proliferation frequency of CD4 antigen-expressing cells; and

selecting the animal with the lowest proliferation frequency of CD4 antigen-expressing cells,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.

15. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the quantities of CD16 antigen-expressing cells, CD16 and CD2 double-positive antigen-expressing cells, CD8 antigen-expressing cells, MHC-DQ antigen-expressing cells, cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQB, and cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQD;

determining in each animal the proliferation frequency of CD4 antigen-expressing cells; and

selecting the animal with the lowest quantity of CD16 antigen-expressing cells, the lowest quantity of CD16 and CD2 double-positive antigen-expressing cells, the lowest quantity of CD8 antigen-expressing cells, the highest quantity of MHC-DQ antigen-expressing cells, the highest quantity of cells expressing an antigen targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQB, the highest quantity of cells expressing an antigen targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQD, and the lowest proliferation frequency of CD4 antigen-expressing cells,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.

17. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the quantity of CD16 antigen-expressing cells;

determining a statistically significant association between an animal'"'"'s quantity of CD16 antigen-expressing cells and robustness; and

selecting for the animal in order to improve robustness based on the association.

24. The method of claim 17 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.

18. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the quantity of CD16 and CD2 double-positive antigen-expressing cells;

determining a statistically significant association between an animal'"'"'s quantity of CD16 and CD2 double-positive antigen-expressing cells and robustness; and

selecting for the animal in order to improve robustness based on the association.

25. The method of claim 18 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.

19. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the quantity of CD8 antigen-expressing cells;

determining a statistically significant association between an animal'"'"'s quantity of CD8 antigen-expressing cells and robustness; and

selecting for the animal in order to improve robustness based on the association.

26. The method of claim 19 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta Canadensis.

20. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the quantity of MHC-DQ antigen-expressing cells;

determining a statistically significant association between an animal'"'"'s quantity of MHC-DQ antigen-expressing cells and robustness; and

selecting for the animal in order to improve robustness based on the association.

27. The method of claim 20 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta Canadensis.

21. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQB;

determining a statistically significant association between an animal'"'"'s quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQB and robustness; and

selecting for the animal in order to improve robustness based on the association.

28. The method of claim 21 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta Canadensis.

22. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQD;

determining a statistically significant association between an animal'"'"'s quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQD; and

selecting for the animal in order to improve robustness based on the association.

29. The method of claim 22 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta Canadensis.

23. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

determining in each animal the proliferation frequency of CD4 antigen-expressing cells;

determining a statistically significant association between an animal'"'"'s proliferation frequency of CD4 antigen-expressing cells and robustness; and

selecting for the animal in order to improve robustness based on the association.

30. The method of claim 23 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta Canadensis.

31. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

obtaining a biological sample from the animals, wherein the sample comprises whole blood;

determining in each animal the quantity of CD16 antigen-expressing cells; and

selecting the animal with the lowest quantity of CD16 antigen-expressing cells,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

38. The method of claim 31 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.

32. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

obtaining a biological sample from the animals, wherein the sample comprises whole blood;

determining in each animal the quantity of CD16 and CD2 double-positive antigen-expressing cells; and

selecting the animal with the lowest quantity of CD16 and CD2 double-positive antigen-expressing cells,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

39. The method of claim 32 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.

33. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

obtaining a biological sample from the animals, wherein the sample comprises whole blood;

determining in each animal the quantity of CD8 antigen-expressing cells; and

selecting the animal with the lowest quantity of CD8 antigen-expressing cells,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

40. The method of claim 33 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta Canadensis.

34. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

obtaining a biological sample from the animals, wherein the sample comprises whole blood;

determining in each animal the quantity of MHC-DQ antigen-expressing cells; and

selecting the animal with the highest quantity of MHC-DQ antigen-expressing cells,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

41. The method of claim 34 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta Canadensis.

35. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

obtaining a biological sample from the animals, wherein the sample comprises whole blood;

determining in each animal the quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQB; and

selecting the animal with the highest quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQB,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

42. The method of claim 35 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta Canadensis.

36. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

obtaining a biological sample from the animals, wherein the sample comprises whole blood;

determining in each animal the quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQD; and

selecting the animal with the highest quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQD,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

43. The method of claim 36 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta Canadensis.

37. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

obtaining a biological sample from the animals, wherein the sample comprises whole blood;

determining in each animal the proliferation frequency of CD4 antigen-expressing cells; and

selecting the animal with the lowest proliferation frequency of CD4 antigen-expressing cells,

thereby selecting for robustness among two or more animals.

44. The method of claim 37 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta Canadensis.

45. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

obtaining a biological sample from the animals, wherein the sample comprises whole blood;

determining in each animal the quantity of CD16 antigen-expressing cells;

determining a statistically significant association between an animal'"'"'s quantity of CD16 antigen-expressing cells and robustness; and

selecting for the animal in order to improve robustness based on the association.

52. The method of claim 45 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.

46. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

obtaining a biological sample from the animals, wherein the sample comprises whole blood;

determining in each animal the quantity of CD16 and CD2 double-positive antigen-expressing cells;

determining a statistically significant association between an animal'"'"'s quantity of CD16 and CD2 double-positive antigen-expressing cells and robustness; and

selecting for the animal in order to improve robustness based on the association.

53. The method of claim 46 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.

47. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

obtaining a biological sample from the animals, wherein the sample comprises whole blood;

determining in each animal the quantity of CD8 antigen-expressing cells;

determining a statistically significant association between an animal'"'"'s quantity of CD8 antigen-expressing cells and robustness; and

selecting for the animal in order to improve robustness based on the association.

54. The method of claim 47 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta Canadensis.

48. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

obtaining a biological sample from the animals, wherein the sample comprises whole blood;

determining in each animal the quantity of MHC-DQ antigen-expressing cells;

determining a statistically significant association between an animal'"'"'s quantity of MHC-DQ antigen-expressing cells and robustness; and

selecting for the animal in order to improve robustness based on the association.

55. The method of claim 48 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta Canadensis.

49. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

obtaining a biological sample from the animals, wherein the sample comprises whole blood;

determining in each animal the quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQB;

determining a statistically significant association between an animal'"'"'s quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQB and robustness; and

selecting for the animal in order to improve robustness based on the association.

56. The method of claim 49 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta Canadensis.

50. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

obtaining a biological sample from the animals, wherein the sample comprises whole blood;

determining in each animal the quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQD;

determining a statistically significant association between an animal'"'"'s quantity of cells expressing an antigen that is targeted by MHC-DQ antibodies as MHC-DQD; and

selecting for the animal in order to improve robustness based on the association.

57. The method of claim 50 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta Canadensis.

51. A method for selecting for robustness among two or more animals, the method comprising the steps of:

providing two or more animals of the same species;

obtaining a biological sample from the animals, wherein the sample comprises whole blood;

determining in each animal the proliferation frequency of CD4 antigen-expressing cells;

determining a statistically significant association between an animal'"'"'s proliferation frequency of CD4 antigen-expressing cells and robustness; and

selecting for the animal in order to improve robustness based on the association.

58. The method of claim 51 wherein the species is selected from the group consisting of Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Ovis aries, Bison bison, Babalus babalus, Gallus domesticus, Meleagrus gallopavo, Anas rubripes, and Branta canadensis.