Animal Research and One Health最新文献

Salpingitis is a highly prevalent disease that reduces production performance and egg quality in laying hens, severely impeding the sustainable development of the egg-laying industry. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) play a significant role in regulating gut health and immune function. However, the mechanisms by which FOS alleviates salpingitis remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate how FOS mitigates salpingitis using multi-omics approaches. A total of 270 34-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group with a basal diet (CN), a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged group on a basal diet (CN_LPS), and an FOS-supplemented group (1 g/kg diet) with LPS challenge (FOS_LPS). The results showed that the supplementation of FOS significantly ameliorated LPS-induced inflammation and atrophy in the magnum of hens (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of TLR2, MYD88, NF-κB, and COX2 in the FOS_LPS group were significantly reduced in the magnum compared to the CN_LPS group (p < 0.05). In contrast, the expression of ABCA9, BIRC5, and MYRF genes was significantly higher in the FOS_LPS group than in the CN_LPS group. Compared to the CN_LPS group, the FOS_LPS group exhibited a reduction in the abundance of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and Alistipes, whereas the abundances of Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus_torques_group, and Phascolarctobacterium were increased in cecal chyme. In addition, the FOS_LPS group exhibited elevated relative concentrations of S-lactoylglutathione and thymol sulfate in plasma as compared to the CN_LPS group. Collectively, FOS mitigated LPS-induced salpingitis by modulating key inflammatory pathways, restoring gut microbiota (e.g., increased Lactobacillus, decreased Rikenellaceae), and enhancing metabolic homeostasis.

This study investigates the effects of different crude protein (CP) levels on growth performance, serum biochemistry, organ indices, intestinal morphology, colonic volatile fatty acids, and gut microbiota in Ningxiang finishing pigs. Ninety-six pigs (53.20 ± 0.53 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: high-protein (HP, 15.56% CP), medium-protein (MP, 12.94% CP), and low-protein (LP, 10.31% CP), with four replicate pens per treatment and eight pigs per pen. Results showed that dietary CP levels had no significant effects on growth performance. However, the LP diet significantly reduced serum urea nitrogen, liver weight, and relative liver weight (p < 0.05). Additionally, jejunal crypt depth showed a linear decrease in response to graded reductions in dietary CP levels (Linear, p < 0.05). The LP diet significantly decreased the contents of isobutyric, isovaleric, and branched-chain fatty acids in colonic fermentation products (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the relative abundances of Terrisporobacter, Marvinbryantia, Turicibacter, Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, unclassified_f_Peptostreptococcaceae, norank_f_Eubacter_coprostanoligenes_group, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-007, and UCG-009 were significantly higher in the LP group (p < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis indicated that isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid were negatively correlated with Lactobacillus and positively correlated with Streptococcus. In conclusion, the LP diet improved colonic microbiota composition while maintaining growth performance in Ningxiang finishing pigs. These results advance our understanding of protein nutrition in indigenous fat-type pig breeds, providing a theoretical foundation for optimizing dietary formulations specifically in Ningxiang pigs.

Biopolymer-based hydrogels have emerged as functional materials with distinct characteristics such as nontoxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and water absorption, which offer valuable properties that can contribute to sustainability and environmentally safe products. They can be modified and adapted for various applications, such as biomedical, pharmaceutical, industrial, textile, and agricultural purposes. With emerging concerns about environmental contamination and safe animal production practices for increased animal welfare and human health, research has increased in search of alternatives to antibiotics, bioactive substance delivery, and growth boosters that will promote sustainable production. The application of naturally derived and bio-based hydrogels presents a great opportunity for exploration and application for animal production purposes, especially as functional feed ingredients, feed processing, wound treatment, farm waste management, antibacterial agents, encapsulation, and nutrient delivery. This review provides an overview of recent research regarding the applications of hydrogels in animals and provides insights into areas with limited information to stimulate research interest in the utilization of hydrogel composites for animal growth, development, and health.

Rapid progress in sequencing technology has made it possible to study the genome and transcriptional maps of single cells. However, to fully grasp the intricacies of multicellular organisms, methods that enable high-throughput measurements while retaining spatial information about the tissue context or subcellular localization of the analyzed nucleic acids are essential. Over the past few years, as transcriptome research has advanced, the limitations of traditional transcriptomic approaches have become increasingly evident. In response, innovative sequencing techniques, such as spatial transcriptome sequencing, have emerged to better accommodate diverse research contexts. This review offers a comprehensive examination of the evolution and limitations of spatial transcriptomics. We summarize its applications in livestock and poultry research and explore its potential future developments. By providing insights into the current state and future directions of spatial transcriptomics, this review highlights its importance in advancing our understanding of complex biological systems.

The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has intensified global interest in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as promising feed additives. Although AMPs were initially considered less prone to resistance due to their broad-spectrum activity, recent studies have revealed an alarming increase in bacterial resistance to AMPs, though the mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that Staphylococcus aureus can develop stable resistance to the plectasin-derived AMP NZ2114, as well as nisin and bacitracin, after 35 consecutive days of exposure. Comparative genomic analysis identified five candidate genes associated with resistance, with functional assays revealing significant mutations in ndh (Gln287*), lytD (Ala138Thr), and braS (Asn130Asp) as key contributors. Knockout studies showed that Δndh strains exhibited increased resistance to NZ2114, bacitracin, and nisin, alongside reduced intracellular ROS levels and rifampicin mutation rates. In contrast, ΔlytD and ΔbraS mutants displayed diminished resistance to NZ2114 and bacitracin, with enhanced biofilm formation in ΔlytD and reduced biofilm capacity in ΔbraS. To further investigate these mutations, we generated in situ complementation strains ∆::lytD-A138T and ∆::braS-N130D, both of which showed heightened resistance compared to wild type, indicating that functional alterations, rather than gene loss, mediate resistance. Notably, resistance phenotypes correlated inversely with bacterial surface anion levels, emphasizing the importance of electrostatic interactions between cationic AMPs and bacterial surface anions in antimicrobial efficacy. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of AMP resistance in S. aureus, highlighting the risk of cross-resistance and underscoring the need for stringent control of AMP use to mitigate the emergence of resistance.

“One Health” concept is a worldwide strategy characterized by promoting the integration of human, animal, and environmental health through cross-disciplinary, cross-sectoral, cross-regional communication, and collaboration, aiming to improve health and well-being through the prevention of risks and the mitigation of effects of crises [1]. There was a worldwide consensus on implementing the “One Health” strategy, emphasizing its ability to sustainably improve the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems. “One Health” strategy is critical for tackling modern challenges such as emerging zoonotic diseases, food safety, climate change, and antimicrobial resistance. What's more, animal welfare is an essential part of the “One Health” framework, with animal and human health and the environment being interconnected [2].

Annually, the health of untold millions of lives around the world are threatened by existing or novel emerging zoonotic diseases. Emerging or re-emerging of the zoonotic infectious diseases is suggested to be promoted by increasing human–animal contacts, international trade of animals, and the expansion of global travel [3]. The transmission and epidemic of zoonotic diseases is a dynamic process, which is jointly affected by all relevant links among humans, animals, and environment, forming a complex network. Given the more and more serious and complex epidemic of zoonotic diseases that have become a globally substantial risk to the health of animals and humans, it is clear that the “One Health” concept must be addressed for combating emerging zoonotic diseases at the human–animal–environment interface. When the practice of “One Health” concept is properly implemented, it will be an effective strategy to tackle zoonotic diseases. The European Union and the United States have provided funding to support interdisciplinary research within the “One Health” strategy, such as research on interventions for emerging zoonotic diseases and early warning systems of threats to humans from animals [4]. It is reported that investing in the “One Health” concept to mitigate pandemics by reducing the impact of their underlying drivers are likely to be more effective than business as usual, saving over $300 billion worldwide over the next century [5]. A five-step framework, “Generalizable One Health Framework (GOHF)”, was developed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which provides structure for using the “One Health” approach in zoonotic disease programs being implemented in technical domains including laboratory, surveillance, joint outbreak response, prevention and control, preparedness, communication, and government and policy at the local, sub-national, national, regional, or international level [6]. In China, the “One Health” concept is gaining recognition as an effective way

Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus belonging to the genus Lyssavirus in the family Rhabdoviridae. The virus has the potential to infect all warm-blooded animals, with primary reservoirs including dogs, wild carnivores (such as foxes, jackals, hyenas, and skunks), and bats. These reservoirs pose a significant public health risk, particularly in regions where human–animal interactions are frequent. The Somali Region in Ethiopia is predominantly home to pastoral and agropastoral communities, which inhabit vast swathes of land with diverse wildlife populations. The coexistence of these communities, domestic animals, and wildlife presents a unique environmental challenge that requires careful management. In times of drought, pastoralists may be compelled to migrate to remote and isolated habitats in search of grazing lands, resulting in heightened interaction between livestock and wildlife. The major causes of rabies outbreaks in the Somali Region include increased interaction between wildlife and livestock in remote pastoral settings without adequate control measures, such as lack of mass vaccination for at-risk dogs, low dog ownership rates, poor animal health infrastructure, limited diagnostic capacity, and weak surveillance systems. Comprehensive response of one-health approach is necessary to prevent and control rabies outbreaks in the Somali Region. These include increasing vaccination coverage for at-risk dogs, improving the animal health infrastructure, enhancing surveillance systems, increasing awareness and education, and strengthening wildlife management. These measures can improve the health and well-being of animals and humans. This review aims to highlight the major causes of rabies outbreaks and the need to implement a one-health approach in the Somali Region.