Y Chromosome Analysis of Horses

 

Scientists are attempting to trace the paternal line in horses by using the Y chromosome. The Y chromosome has always been difficult to study since it contains many repeating sections and palindromes. Since computer technology has made it easier to analyze it, a worldwide collection of horse DNA samples were able to be analyzed, and the ancestries of these horses were able to be traced. Horse and human history are closely linked, and humans have used stallion mediated breeding with horses due to the fact that it is easier to trace a stallion’s fertility than a mare’s. Pedigrees are used to trace horse ancestry today, but since they are done manually then only go back a few generations. With the Y chromosome analysis, however, they are able to go back many generations and examine evolutionary lineages within the horse’s paternal ancestry. This will allow horse breeders to better prevent inbreeding and maintain genetic diversity.

In my opinion, this is a very useful and unique effort. Mapping the Y chromosomes of a variety of horses in order to examine their evolutionary development and lineages on their paternal side proved to be extraordinarily beneficial. By gaining the ability to trace the genetics of horses across multiple generations, we can better keep record of particular lineages and ensure that horses with similar lineages do not breed together in order to prevent genetic defects. We can work to better conserve and enhance genetic diversity within horses. We are also able to better analyze breeding influences over time and how they connect with human history as well.

    

                         

Not Magic, CADM2 is Why You Lost Your Virginity

Just today, Nature Genetics posted a "HUUUUGGEE" article as bernie would say with "25,000 participants, aged 40 to 69, from the UK Biobank, a national project that collected the DNA and personal information of half a million people in the UK from 2006 to 2010."

What did they find?  38 genetics variants that aren't magical at all, but are inherited and play a role into when people have sex for the first time. Contrary to previous belief, not all of them are linked with puberty.

Genes, such as CADM2, a risk taking gene has been found as a determinant factor in timing of one's first event so to speak. These genes is correlated with the age when Women had their first child as well as amount of children they had over their lifetime.

Environmental influences are not discredited by any means, as this study does acknowledge their role.

I found this interesting, because the argue of who we are because of nature vs nurture is not one which I believed to be applicable in the case of losing one's virginity. 

There are many cultural expectations with reproductions, which may be derived from genetics. This is a fascinating preliminary genetic analysis of a behavior that has taken place from the beginning of time.

This study will definitely advance a new viewpoint of science research, supplying answers in the form of genes for common practices that may be viewed as 

Perhaps now, genetics of rituals or other practiced mannerisms may be viewed analytically for genetic causation? Or does the persist of cultural behaviors weed out genes that don't possess similar genes deemed "right" by the society? 

Nature vs. Nurture, man..... 

Genes That Determine Territoral, Nonteritoral and Cross-Dressing Male Mating Behavior

Animals typically have a wide range of behaviors to chose from, however some behaviors are predetermined by genetics. Researchers from the University of Sheffield have used genome sequencing to identify the genes that determine male striking mating behavior in wading birds known as ruffs.

The mating system for males of this species works by the males gathering together and investing a high amount of energy into attracting females. There are 3 distinct breeding behaviors in this system. Territorial breeding males have plumes around their necks called ruffs. The coloring in these males varies greatly to make them distinguishable. Nonterritorial males have white feathers and concentrate on stealing mates from the territorial males. The 'cross-dresser' males mimics females. This makes it easy for them to hide amongst the territorial males and steal mates.

A study published in Nature Genetics shows the three distinct breeding behaviors are encoded by a "supergene", a section of chromosome that contains a hundred or more genes. This supergene was created several million years ago by a chromosomal rearrangement.

What makes this supergene special is that it allows a lot of genes that are next to each other which determine multiple traits such as hormones, feathering, color and size. The combination determines the mating patterns for these male birds. This study shows that personality and behaviors are not always up to us but can be predetermined by our genes.

Article used: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151116112456.htm

Related article: http://www.uu.se/en/media/news/article/?id=5612&area=2,5,10,15,16&typ=artikel&lang=en

Breeding Behavior Patterns Determined by a Supergene

You wouldn't generally think that the way in which a male attracts a female is predisposed, would you?  Well according to researchers from the University of Sheffield this behavior is determined by a specific gene sequence in the wading bird, referred to as ruff.  They have identified the genes that determine the behavior patterns in this specific animal.
There behavior can follow one of three patterns: territorial males, non-territorial (satellite) males, or the "cross-dresser" males.  The study shows that these breeding behaviors are encoded by a "supergene", which is defined in the article as a "section of a chromosome containing a hundred or more genes".  It apparently started off as allowing males to mimic females in order to coexist with territorial males.
The author of the study says that this supergene process is "similar to the one that led to the evolution of separate sex chromosome, and indeed the alternative forms of the supergene combined to create the third type of bird personality" (the satellite male).

I found this article very intriguing, as a psychology major, learning about behaviors and patterns of behavior within individuals whether human or not, I have never heard of a specific breeding behavior being genetically determined.  Also, the concept of a "supergene" is quite interesting, and how researchers say that this is the same process that occurred when the two separate sex chromosomes were established.

Original Article