R. Kupczyński, Katarzyna Pacyga, Kamila Lewandowska, Michał Bednarski, Antoni Szumny
Simple Summary In recent years, research has focused on determining the contents of odd- and branched-chain fatty acids (OBCFAs) in milk from various ruminant species, examining the relationship between rumen fermentation processes and changes in feed composition. The content of OBCFAs in cow’s milk fat depends on the composition of the rumen microbiota, influenced by factors such as the feeding system, feed composition, proportion of roughage to concentrate, and rumen content pH. Therefore, the profiling of FAs in milk is of the utmost importance, as they can be considered as a noninvasive biomarker for predicting the proportions of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the rumen, microbial protein synthesis, or susceptibility to ruminal acidosis in dairy cows. High-fiber diets generally have a lower milk OBCFA content than lower-fiber diets. Some OBCFAs found in milk fat can be markers of ruminal acidosis or a negative energy balance. In this review, we present an up-to-date summary of research on the role and significance of OBCFAs in rumen fermentation processes and the link between these relationships and the potential for diagnosing metabolic disorders in dairy cows. Abstract Cow’s milk and dairy products are the primary sources of OBCFAs, which have beneficial health properties. The goal of this study was to identify the factors that influence the content of OBCFAs in cow’s milk and to indicate which OBCFAs can serve as biomarkers for fermentation processes. The content of OBCFAs in milk depends on the species of ruminants, with studies showing that this varies between 3.33% (in goat’s milk) and 5.02% (in buffalo’s milk). These differences also stem from the animals’ energy balance, lactation phases, forage-to-concentrate ratio, and the presence of bioactive compounds in feeds, as well as management practices and environmental conditions. The OBCFAs in milk fat mainly come from rumen bacteria, but can also be synthesized de novo in the mammary gland, making them potentially useful noninvasive indicators of rumen fermentation. The concentration of BCFA is lower in colostrum and transitional milk than in full lactation milk. The proportions of total OBCFAs are higher in first- and second-parity cows. The most effective predictors of the biohydrogenation of fatty acids in the rumen are likely C18:2 cis-9, trans-11, iso-C16:0, and iso-C13:0. OBCFAs have been identified as potential biomarkers for rumen function, because their synthesis depends on specific bacteria. Strong predictors of subclinical ruminal acidosis include iso-C14:0, iso-C13:0, and C15:0. The concentration of ∑ OBCFA >C16 in milk is associated with fat mobilization and serves as a significant marker of the energy balance in cows.
{"title":"Milk Odd- and Branched-Chain Fatty Acids as Biomarkers of Rumen Fermentation","authors":"R. Kupczyński, Katarzyna Pacyga, Kamila Lewandowska, Michał Bednarski, Antoni Szumny","doi":"10.3390/ani14111706","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111706","url":null,"abstract":"Simple Summary In recent years, research has focused on determining the contents of odd- and branched-chain fatty acids (OBCFAs) in milk from various ruminant species, examining the relationship between rumen fermentation processes and changes in feed composition. The content of OBCFAs in cow’s milk fat depends on the composition of the rumen microbiota, influenced by factors such as the feeding system, feed composition, proportion of roughage to concentrate, and rumen content pH. Therefore, the profiling of FAs in milk is of the utmost importance, as they can be considered as a noninvasive biomarker for predicting the proportions of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the rumen, microbial protein synthesis, or susceptibility to ruminal acidosis in dairy cows. High-fiber diets generally have a lower milk OBCFA content than lower-fiber diets. Some OBCFAs found in milk fat can be markers of ruminal acidosis or a negative energy balance. In this review, we present an up-to-date summary of research on the role and significance of OBCFAs in rumen fermentation processes and the link between these relationships and the potential for diagnosing metabolic disorders in dairy cows. Abstract Cow’s milk and dairy products are the primary sources of OBCFAs, which have beneficial health properties. The goal of this study was to identify the factors that influence the content of OBCFAs in cow’s milk and to indicate which OBCFAs can serve as biomarkers for fermentation processes. The content of OBCFAs in milk depends on the species of ruminants, with studies showing that this varies between 3.33% (in goat’s milk) and 5.02% (in buffalo’s milk). These differences also stem from the animals’ energy balance, lactation phases, forage-to-concentrate ratio, and the presence of bioactive compounds in feeds, as well as management practices and environmental conditions. The OBCFAs in milk fat mainly come from rumen bacteria, but can also be synthesized de novo in the mammary gland, making them potentially useful noninvasive indicators of rumen fermentation. The concentration of BCFA is lower in colostrum and transitional milk than in full lactation milk. The proportions of total OBCFAs are higher in first- and second-parity cows. The most effective predictors of the biohydrogenation of fatty acids in the rumen are likely C18:2 cis-9, trans-11, iso-C16:0, and iso-C13:0. OBCFAs have been identified as potential biomarkers for rumen function, because their synthesis depends on specific bacteria. Strong predictors of subclinical ruminal acidosis include iso-C14:0, iso-C13:0, and C15:0. The concentration of ∑ OBCFA >C16 in milk is associated with fat mobilization and serves as a significant marker of the energy balance in cows.","PeriodicalId":519482,"journal":{"name":"Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI","volume":"8 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141392360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gabriel Santos Souza David, Ellém Maria de Almeida Matos, Bianca Rodrigues Domingos, Yuri Cesconetto Ebani, L. C. D. de Sousa, Gabriela Duarte Oliveira Leite, Pedro Henrique Borba Pereira, L. N. Rennó, S. A. Lopes, S. V. Valadares Filho, M. F. Paulino
Simple Summary Several studies with Bos taurus cows report a decrease in voluntary intake close to parturition. However, there are few studies on the evaluation of these parameters in grazing Nellore cows receiving protein supplementation, which could mitigate the decrease in forage intake and improve animal performance. Hence, this study sought to understand how the feed intake and performance of Nellore cows on pasture changes during the peripartum period. Our study found a significant reduction in cows’ voluntary intake as they approach parturition, which provides a rational approach to supplementing pregnant cows at the end of gestation, improving production rates in calf–cow systems in the tropics. Abstract We aimed to understand the changes in nutritional parameters and performance of beef cows during the peripartum, whether receiving or not receiving protein supplements. Forty cows were used, divided into two treatments: CON—mineral mix and SUP—protein supplementation. Digestibility trial was performed at 45, 30, and 15 days (d) before the parturition and at 20 and 40 d of lactation. The ADG of cows pre- and postpartum was recorded along with the BCS in gestational (GT) and maternal (MT) tissues in the prepartum. There was an effect of treatment and period (p ≤ 0.044) for intakes of DM and CP. The forage intake was similar (p > 0.90) but varied with the effect of days related to parturition (p < 0.001). There was a 14.37% decrease in DM intake from d −30 to d −15 of prepartum. In the postpartum, at 20 d of lactation, there was an increase of 72.7% in relation to d −15 of prepartum. No differences were observed in postpartum ADG or BCS at parturition and postpartum (p ≥ 0.12). However, higher total and MT ADG (p ≤ 0.02) were observed in animals receiving supplementation, while ADG in GT remained similar (p > 0.14). In conclusion, there is a decrease in intake for pregnant cows close to parturition and greater performance of animals supplemented in prepartum.
{"title":"Periparturient Changes in Voluntary Intake, Digestibility, and Performance of Grazing Zebu Beef Cows with or without Protein Supplementation","authors":"Gabriel Santos Souza David, Ellém Maria de Almeida Matos, Bianca Rodrigues Domingos, Yuri Cesconetto Ebani, L. C. D. de Sousa, Gabriela Duarte Oliveira Leite, Pedro Henrique Borba Pereira, L. N. Rennó, S. A. Lopes, S. V. Valadares Filho, M. F. Paulino","doi":"10.3390/ani14111710","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111710","url":null,"abstract":"Simple Summary Several studies with Bos taurus cows report a decrease in voluntary intake close to parturition. However, there are few studies on the evaluation of these parameters in grazing Nellore cows receiving protein supplementation, which could mitigate the decrease in forage intake and improve animal performance. Hence, this study sought to understand how the feed intake and performance of Nellore cows on pasture changes during the peripartum period. Our study found a significant reduction in cows’ voluntary intake as they approach parturition, which provides a rational approach to supplementing pregnant cows at the end of gestation, improving production rates in calf–cow systems in the tropics. Abstract We aimed to understand the changes in nutritional parameters and performance of beef cows during the peripartum, whether receiving or not receiving protein supplements. Forty cows were used, divided into two treatments: CON—mineral mix and SUP—protein supplementation. Digestibility trial was performed at 45, 30, and 15 days (d) before the parturition and at 20 and 40 d of lactation. The ADG of cows pre- and postpartum was recorded along with the BCS in gestational (GT) and maternal (MT) tissues in the prepartum. There was an effect of treatment and period (p ≤ 0.044) for intakes of DM and CP. The forage intake was similar (p > 0.90) but varied with the effect of days related to parturition (p < 0.001). There was a 14.37% decrease in DM intake from d −30 to d −15 of prepartum. In the postpartum, at 20 d of lactation, there was an increase of 72.7% in relation to d −15 of prepartum. No differences were observed in postpartum ADG or BCS at parturition and postpartum (p ≥ 0.12). However, higher total and MT ADG (p ≤ 0.02) were observed in animals receiving supplementation, while ADG in GT remained similar (p > 0.14). In conclusion, there is a decrease in intake for pregnant cows close to parturition and greater performance of animals supplemented in prepartum.","PeriodicalId":519482,"journal":{"name":"Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI","volume":"78 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141395105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Simple Summary The gut microbiota plays important roles for maintaining the health of the host. In this study, the results revealed significant differences in the gut bacterial communities among bean geese, hooded cranes, and domestic geese. In comparison to domestic geese, the gut bacterial community of bean geese and hooded cranes had a greater capacity for energy metabolism, suggesting that wild birds may rely more on their gut microbiota to survive in cold conditions. Furthermore, pathogens were discovered to overlap among the three hosts, reminding us to monitor the potential for pathogen transmission between poultry and wild birds. Hooded cranes showed the highest diversity and relative abundance of pathogens compared to the other two species. Due to its vulnerable status, more focus should be paid to the protection of the hooded crane species. These findings could help us gain a deeper understanding of the structure of gut bacterial and pathogenic communities in poultry and wild birds. Abstract The host’s physiological well-being is intricately associated with the gut microbiota. However, previous studies regarding the intestinal microbiota have focused on domesticated or captive birds. This study used high-throughput sequencing technology to identify the gut bacterial communities of sympatric bean geese, hooded cranes, and domestic geese. The results indicated that the gut bacterial diversity in domestic geese and hooded cranes showed considerably higher diversity than bean geese. The gut bacterial community compositions varied significantly among the three hosts (p < 0.05). Compared to the hooded crane, the bean goose and domestic goose were more similar in their genotype and evolutionary history, with less difference in the bacterial community composition and assembly processes between the two species. Thus, the results might support the crucial role of host genotypes on their gut microbiota. The gut bacteria of wild hooded cranes and bean geese had a greater capacity for energy metabolism compared to domestic geese, suggesting that wild birds may rely more on their gut microbiota to survive in cold conditions. Moreover, the intestines of the three hosts were identified as harboring potential pathogens. The relative abundance of pathogens was higher in the hooded crane compared to the other two species. The hooded crane gut bacterial community assemblage revealed the least deterministic process with the lowest filtering/selection on the gut microbiota, which might have been a reason for the highest number of pathogens result. Compared to the hooded crane, the sympatric bean goose showed the least diversity and relative abundance of pathogens. The intestinal bacterial co-occurrence network showed the highest stability in the bean goose, potentially enhancing host resistance to adverse environments and reducing the susceptibility to pathogen invasion. In this study, the pathogens were also discovered to overlap among the three hosts, remi
{"title":"Significant Differences in Intestinal Bacterial Communities of Sympatric Bean Goose, Hooded Crane, and Domestic Goose","authors":"Jing Yin, Dandan Yuan, Ziqiu Xu, Yuannuo Wu, Zhong Chen, Xingjia Xiang","doi":"10.3390/ani14111688","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111688","url":null,"abstract":"Simple Summary The gut microbiota plays important roles for maintaining the health of the host. In this study, the results revealed significant differences in the gut bacterial communities among bean geese, hooded cranes, and domestic geese. In comparison to domestic geese, the gut bacterial community of bean geese and hooded cranes had a greater capacity for energy metabolism, suggesting that wild birds may rely more on their gut microbiota to survive in cold conditions. Furthermore, pathogens were discovered to overlap among the three hosts, reminding us to monitor the potential for pathogen transmission between poultry and wild birds. Hooded cranes showed the highest diversity and relative abundance of pathogens compared to the other two species. Due to its vulnerable status, more focus should be paid to the protection of the hooded crane species. These findings could help us gain a deeper understanding of the structure of gut bacterial and pathogenic communities in poultry and wild birds. Abstract The host’s physiological well-being is intricately associated with the gut microbiota. However, previous studies regarding the intestinal microbiota have focused on domesticated or captive birds. This study used high-throughput sequencing technology to identify the gut bacterial communities of sympatric bean geese, hooded cranes, and domestic geese. The results indicated that the gut bacterial diversity in domestic geese and hooded cranes showed considerably higher diversity than bean geese. The gut bacterial community compositions varied significantly among the three hosts (p < 0.05). Compared to the hooded crane, the bean goose and domestic goose were more similar in their genotype and evolutionary history, with less difference in the bacterial community composition and assembly processes between the two species. Thus, the results might support the crucial role of host genotypes on their gut microbiota. The gut bacteria of wild hooded cranes and bean geese had a greater capacity for energy metabolism compared to domestic geese, suggesting that wild birds may rely more on their gut microbiota to survive in cold conditions. Moreover, the intestines of the three hosts were identified as harboring potential pathogens. The relative abundance of pathogens was higher in the hooded crane compared to the other two species. The hooded crane gut bacterial community assemblage revealed the least deterministic process with the lowest filtering/selection on the gut microbiota, which might have been a reason for the highest number of pathogens result. Compared to the hooded crane, the sympatric bean goose showed the least diversity and relative abundance of pathogens. The intestinal bacterial co-occurrence network showed the highest stability in the bean goose, potentially enhancing host resistance to adverse environments and reducing the susceptibility to pathogen invasion. In this study, the pathogens were also discovered to overlap among the three hosts, remi","PeriodicalId":519482,"journal":{"name":"Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI","volume":"22 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141397413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Simple Summary This study investigated core habitat areas for yellow-throated martens and leopard cats, two endangered forest species sensitive to habitat fragmentation in Korea. Overlaying the InVEST-HQ and MaxEnt models, priority conservation areas were identified by analyzing gaps in currently protected areas. The core area (14.7%) was mainly distributed in forests such as the Baekdudaegan Mountains Reserve and 12.9% was outside protected areas, and only 1.8% was protected. Conservation priority areas were identified as those with more than 95% forest cover, offering an appropriate habitat for the two species. These findings can be used to identify priority conservation areas through objective habitat analysis and as a basis for protected area designation and assessment of endangered species habitat conservation, thereby contributing to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. Abstract This study investigated core habitat areas for yellow-throated martens (Martes flavigula) and leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis), two endangered forest species sensitive to habitat fragmentation in Korea. Overlaying the InVEST-HQ and MaxEnt models, priority conservation areas were identified by analyzing gaps in currently protected areas. The InVEST-HQ model showed that habitat quality ranged from 0 to 0.86 on a scale from 0 to 1, and the majority of the most suitable areas on the Environmental Conservation Value Assessment Map, designated as grade 1, were derived correctly. The MaxEnt model analysis accurately captured the ecological characteristics of the yellow-throated marten and the leopard cat and identified probable regions of occurrence. We analyzed the most suitable yellow-throated marten and leopard cat habitats by superimposing the two results. Gap analysis determined gaps in existing protected areas and identified priority conservation areas. The core area (14.7%) was mainly distributed in forests such as the Baekdudaegan Mountains Reserve in regions such as Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Gangwon; 12.9% was outside protected areas, and only 1.8% was protected. The overlap results between protected and non-protected areas were compared with different land use types. Conservation priority areas were identified as those with more than 95% forest cover, offering an appropriate habitat for the two species. These findings can be used to identify priority conservation areas through objective habitat analysis and as a basis for protected area designation and assessment of endangered species habitat conservation, thereby contributing to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.
{"title":"Analysis of Priority Conservation Areas Using Habitat Quality Models and MaxEnt Models","authors":"Ahmee Jeong, Minkyung Kim, Sangdon Lee","doi":"10.3390/ani14111680","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111680","url":null,"abstract":"Simple Summary This study investigated core habitat areas for yellow-throated martens and leopard cats, two endangered forest species sensitive to habitat fragmentation in Korea. Overlaying the InVEST-HQ and MaxEnt models, priority conservation areas were identified by analyzing gaps in currently protected areas. The core area (14.7%) was mainly distributed in forests such as the Baekdudaegan Mountains Reserve and 12.9% was outside protected areas, and only 1.8% was protected. Conservation priority areas were identified as those with more than 95% forest cover, offering an appropriate habitat for the two species. These findings can be used to identify priority conservation areas through objective habitat analysis and as a basis for protected area designation and assessment of endangered species habitat conservation, thereby contributing to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. Abstract This study investigated core habitat areas for yellow-throated martens (Martes flavigula) and leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis), two endangered forest species sensitive to habitat fragmentation in Korea. Overlaying the InVEST-HQ and MaxEnt models, priority conservation areas were identified by analyzing gaps in currently protected areas. The InVEST-HQ model showed that habitat quality ranged from 0 to 0.86 on a scale from 0 to 1, and the majority of the most suitable areas on the Environmental Conservation Value Assessment Map, designated as grade 1, were derived correctly. The MaxEnt model analysis accurately captured the ecological characteristics of the yellow-throated marten and the leopard cat and identified probable regions of occurrence. We analyzed the most suitable yellow-throated marten and leopard cat habitats by superimposing the two results. Gap analysis determined gaps in existing protected areas and identified priority conservation areas. The core area (14.7%) was mainly distributed in forests such as the Baekdudaegan Mountains Reserve in regions such as Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Gangwon; 12.9% was outside protected areas, and only 1.8% was protected. The overlap results between protected and non-protected areas were compared with different land use types. Conservation priority areas were identified as those with more than 95% forest cover, offering an appropriate habitat for the two species. These findings can be used to identify priority conservation areas through objective habitat analysis and as a basis for protected area designation and assessment of endangered species habitat conservation, thereby contributing to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.","PeriodicalId":519482,"journal":{"name":"Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI","volume":"15 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141403031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Simple Summary Based on a sample of nearly 30,000 individuals representing 18 small mammal species trapped in Lithuania between 1980 and 2023, we conducted the first multi-species analysis of the Body Condition Index (BCI) of small mammals in middle latitudes. Our analysis compared BCIs between species and examined differences in age groups, gender, and reproductive statuses within each species (seven species had sample sizes with N < 100 individuals). Among the species with the highest average BCI, seven out of eight granivores or omnivores consume animal food occasionally. Two distinct patterns in the BCI were identified during ontogeny, either decreasing or increasing from juvenile to adult, possibly related to differences in their diet. Our results demonstrate that reproductive stress has a negative impact on the BCI of adult females in all analyzed species and nearly all adult males. We observed a rare case of the Chitty effect in two species of shrews, where their high body mass resulted in a very high BCI. Our results help to understand how changing environmental conditions are affecting small mammals. This is the first multi-species approach of body condition at middle latitudes. Abstract The body condition index (BCI) is an indicator of both reproductive success and health in small mammals and might help to understand ecological roles of species. We analyzed BCI data from 28,567 individuals trapped in Lithuania between 1980 and 2023. We compared BCIs between species and examined differences in age groups, gender, and reproductive statuses within each species. Seven out of eighteen species had sample sizes with N < 100. In terms of species, we found that seven of the eight species with the highest average BCIs are granivores or omnivores, which can consume animal-based food at least seasonally. The two contrasting (decreasing or increasing) BCI patterns observed during ontogeny can be related to diet differences among juveniles, subadults, and adult animals. Our results demonstrate that reproductive stress has a negative impact on the BCI of adult females in all analyzed species and nearly all adult males. Although the animals with extremely low BCI consisted mostly of shrews, for the first time we found 23 common and pygmy shrews exhibiting the Chitty effect, i.e., a very high body mass resulting in a BCI > 5.0. This is the first multi-species approach of body condition at middle latitudes. The results increase our understanding of how changing environmental conditions are affecting small mammals.
{"title":"Insight into Body Condition Variability in Small Mammals","authors":"L. Balčiauskas, L. Balčiauskienė","doi":"10.3390/ani14111686","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111686","url":null,"abstract":"Simple Summary Based on a sample of nearly 30,000 individuals representing 18 small mammal species trapped in Lithuania between 1980 and 2023, we conducted the first multi-species analysis of the Body Condition Index (BCI) of small mammals in middle latitudes. Our analysis compared BCIs between species and examined differences in age groups, gender, and reproductive statuses within each species (seven species had sample sizes with N < 100 individuals). Among the species with the highest average BCI, seven out of eight granivores or omnivores consume animal food occasionally. Two distinct patterns in the BCI were identified during ontogeny, either decreasing or increasing from juvenile to adult, possibly related to differences in their diet. Our results demonstrate that reproductive stress has a negative impact on the BCI of adult females in all analyzed species and nearly all adult males. We observed a rare case of the Chitty effect in two species of shrews, where their high body mass resulted in a very high BCI. Our results help to understand how changing environmental conditions are affecting small mammals. This is the first multi-species approach of body condition at middle latitudes. Abstract The body condition index (BCI) is an indicator of both reproductive success and health in small mammals and might help to understand ecological roles of species. We analyzed BCI data from 28,567 individuals trapped in Lithuania between 1980 and 2023. We compared BCIs between species and examined differences in age groups, gender, and reproductive statuses within each species. Seven out of eighteen species had sample sizes with N < 100. In terms of species, we found that seven of the eight species with the highest average BCIs are granivores or omnivores, which can consume animal-based food at least seasonally. The two contrasting (decreasing or increasing) BCI patterns observed during ontogeny can be related to diet differences among juveniles, subadults, and adult animals. Our results demonstrate that reproductive stress has a negative impact on the BCI of adult females in all analyzed species and nearly all adult males. Although the animals with extremely low BCI consisted mostly of shrews, for the first time we found 23 common and pygmy shrews exhibiting the Chitty effect, i.e., a very high body mass resulting in a BCI > 5.0. This is the first multi-species approach of body condition at middle latitudes. The results increase our understanding of how changing environmental conditions are affecting small mammals.","PeriodicalId":519482,"journal":{"name":"Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI","volume":"18 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141407728","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sujiang Zhang, Jiao Wang, Shunping Lu, Abdul Shakoor Chaudhry, Divine Tarla, Hassan Khanaki, I. Abbasi, Anshan Shan
Simple Summary Maize silage is one of the most commonly used forages on many dairy farms. However, the absence of tiller and regeneration characteristics, alongside its high-water needs, limit its planting potential in arid areas. Conversely, the cultivation of sweet sorghum for silage in arid regions worldwide has been constantly increasing due to its excellent regrowth, tiller, biomass yield, water-soluble carbohydrates, and resistance to drought. Our previous in vitro studies have shown that sweet sorghum can replace maize in arid areas to produce high-quality silage feed. This study assumes that the sugar in sweet sorghum silage can provide the required proportion of starch content. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of high-sugar sorghum silage, forage sorghum silage, and maize silage on the lactation performance and digestibility of dairy cows. It was observed that feeding sweet sorghum silage without additional grain supplementation was substantially similar to feeding maize silage. No differences in milk yield or nutrient digestibility in cows were noted for these tested forages. This indicates that sweet sorghum silage could be an acceptable feedstuff to support milk production in dairy cattle, especially in water-limited regions worldwide. Abstract This study investigated the effects of replacing maize silage (MZS) with high-sugar sorghum silage (HSS) or forage sorghum silage (FSS) without additional grain supplement in the diets of dairy cows on nutrient digestibility, milk composition, nitrogen (N) use, and rumen fermentation. Twenty-four Chinese Holstein cows (545 ± 42.8 kg; 21.41 ± 0.62 kg milk yield; 150 ± 5.6 days in milk) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (n = 8 cows/treatment). The cows were fed ad libitum total mixed rations containing (dry matter basis) either 40% MZS (MZS-based diet), 40% HSS (HSS-based diet), or 40% FSS (FSS-based diet). The study lasted for 42 days, with 14 days devoted to adaptation, 21 days to daily feed intake and milk production, and 7 days to the sampling of feed, refusals, feces, urine, and rumen fluid. Milk production was measured twice daily, and digestibility was estimated using the method of acid-insoluble ash. The data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA in SPSS 22.0 according to a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments were used as fixed effects and cows as random effects. The results indicate that MZS and HSS had greater crude protein but less neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and a lower pH than FSS (p ≤ 0.04). High starch contents in MZS and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents in HSS were observed (p < 0.01). While the highest starch intake was observed for the MZS-based diet, the highest WSC intake was noted for the HSS-based diet, and the highest NDF, ADF, ADL intake was observed for the FSS-based diet (p ≤ 0.05). The diets, including MZS and HSS, had greater digestibility than that of FSS (p ≤ 0
{"title":"Effects of Sweet and Forge Sorghum Silages Compared to Maize Silage without Additional Grain Supplement on Lactation Performance and Digestibility of Lactating Dairy Cows","authors":"Sujiang Zhang, Jiao Wang, Shunping Lu, Abdul Shakoor Chaudhry, Divine Tarla, Hassan Khanaki, I. Abbasi, Anshan Shan","doi":"10.3390/ani14111702","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111702","url":null,"abstract":"Simple Summary Maize silage is one of the most commonly used forages on many dairy farms. However, the absence of tiller and regeneration characteristics, alongside its high-water needs, limit its planting potential in arid areas. Conversely, the cultivation of sweet sorghum for silage in arid regions worldwide has been constantly increasing due to its excellent regrowth, tiller, biomass yield, water-soluble carbohydrates, and resistance to drought. Our previous in vitro studies have shown that sweet sorghum can replace maize in arid areas to produce high-quality silage feed. This study assumes that the sugar in sweet sorghum silage can provide the required proportion of starch content. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of high-sugar sorghum silage, forage sorghum silage, and maize silage on the lactation performance and digestibility of dairy cows. It was observed that feeding sweet sorghum silage without additional grain supplementation was substantially similar to feeding maize silage. No differences in milk yield or nutrient digestibility in cows were noted for these tested forages. This indicates that sweet sorghum silage could be an acceptable feedstuff to support milk production in dairy cattle, especially in water-limited regions worldwide. Abstract This study investigated the effects of replacing maize silage (MZS) with high-sugar sorghum silage (HSS) or forage sorghum silage (FSS) without additional grain supplement in the diets of dairy cows on nutrient digestibility, milk composition, nitrogen (N) use, and rumen fermentation. Twenty-four Chinese Holstein cows (545 ± 42.8 kg; 21.41 ± 0.62 kg milk yield; 150 ± 5.6 days in milk) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (n = 8 cows/treatment). The cows were fed ad libitum total mixed rations containing (dry matter basis) either 40% MZS (MZS-based diet), 40% HSS (HSS-based diet), or 40% FSS (FSS-based diet). The study lasted for 42 days, with 14 days devoted to adaptation, 21 days to daily feed intake and milk production, and 7 days to the sampling of feed, refusals, feces, urine, and rumen fluid. Milk production was measured twice daily, and digestibility was estimated using the method of acid-insoluble ash. The data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA in SPSS 22.0 according to a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments were used as fixed effects and cows as random effects. The results indicate that MZS and HSS had greater crude protein but less neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and a lower pH than FSS (p ≤ 0.04). High starch contents in MZS and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents in HSS were observed (p < 0.01). While the highest starch intake was observed for the MZS-based diet, the highest WSC intake was noted for the HSS-based diet, and the highest NDF, ADF, ADL intake was observed for the FSS-based diet (p ≤ 0.05). The diets, including MZS and HSS, had greater digestibility than that of FSS (p ≤ 0","PeriodicalId":519482,"journal":{"name":"Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI","volume":"24 S10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141407576","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Simple Summary Clinical ketosis is a dangerous disease in the dairy industry, as it affects milk production in cows. We imply that calmodulin is abundantly expressed in adipocytes during lipolysis and inflammatory responses. Thus, reducing calmodulin levels could help control the inflammatory response in the adipose tissue of dairy cows during the development of clinical ketosis. Abstract Clinical ketosis is a detrimental metabolic disease in dairy cows, often accompanied by severe lipolysis and inflammation in adipose tissue. Our previous study suggested a 2.401-fold upregulation in the calmodulin (CaM) level in the adipose tissue of cows with clinical ketosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that CaM may regulate lipolysis and inflammatory responses in cows with clinical ketosis. To verify the hypothesis, we conducted a thorough veterinary assessment of clinical symptoms and serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration. Subsequently, we collected subcutaneous adipose tissue samples from six healthy and six clinically ketotic Holstein cows at 17 ± 4 days postpartum. Commercial kits were used to test the abundance of BHB, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), the liver function index (LFI), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). We found that cows with clinical ketosis exhibited higher levels of BHB, NEFA, LFI, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and lower glucose levels than healthy cows. Furthermore, the abundance of CaM, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), inhibitor of nuclear factor κB kinase subunit β (IKK), phosphorylated nuclear factor κB p65/nuclear factor κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65), adipose triacylglycerol lipase (ATGL), and phosphorylated hormone-sensitive lipase/hormone-sensitive lipase (p-HSL/HSL) was increased, while that of perilipin-1 (PLIN1) was decreased in the adipose tissue of cows with clinical ketosis. To investigate the mechanism underlying the responses, we isolated the primary bovine adipocytes from the adipose tissue of healthy cows and induced the inflammatory response mediated by TLR4/IKK/NF-κB p65 with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Additionally, we treated the primary bovine adipocytes with CaM overexpression adenovirus and CaM small interfering RNA. In vitro, LPS upregulated the abundance of TLR4, IKK, p-NF-κB p65, ATGL, p-HSL/HSL, and CaM and downregulated PLIN1. Furthermore, CaM silencing downregulated the abundance of LPS-activated p-HSL/HSL, TLR4, IKK, and p-NF-κB p65 and upregulated PLIN1 in bovine adipocytes, except for ATGL. However, CaM overexpression upregulated the abundance of LPS-activated p-HSL/HSL, TLR4, IKK, and p-NF-κB p65 and downregulated PLIN1 expression in bovine adipocytes. These data suggest that CaM promotes lipolysis in adipocytes through HSL and PINL1 while activating the TLR4/IKK/NF-κB inflammatory pathway to stimulate an inflammatory response. There is a positive feedback loop between CaM, lipolysis, and inflammation. Inhibiting CaM may act as an adaptive mechanism to alleviate metabolic dysregula
{"title":"Calmodulin Contributes to Lipolysis and Inflammatory Responses in Clinical Ketosis Cows through the TLR4/IKK/NF-κB Pathway","authors":"Jinshui Chang, Zhijie Wang, Yu Hao, Yuxi Song, Cheng Xia","doi":"10.3390/ani14111678","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111678","url":null,"abstract":"Simple Summary Clinical ketosis is a dangerous disease in the dairy industry, as it affects milk production in cows. We imply that calmodulin is abundantly expressed in adipocytes during lipolysis and inflammatory responses. Thus, reducing calmodulin levels could help control the inflammatory response in the adipose tissue of dairy cows during the development of clinical ketosis. Abstract Clinical ketosis is a detrimental metabolic disease in dairy cows, often accompanied by severe lipolysis and inflammation in adipose tissue. Our previous study suggested a 2.401-fold upregulation in the calmodulin (CaM) level in the adipose tissue of cows with clinical ketosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that CaM may regulate lipolysis and inflammatory responses in cows with clinical ketosis. To verify the hypothesis, we conducted a thorough veterinary assessment of clinical symptoms and serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration. Subsequently, we collected subcutaneous adipose tissue samples from six healthy and six clinically ketotic Holstein cows at 17 ± 4 days postpartum. Commercial kits were used to test the abundance of BHB, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), the liver function index (LFI), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). We found that cows with clinical ketosis exhibited higher levels of BHB, NEFA, LFI, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and lower glucose levels than healthy cows. Furthermore, the abundance of CaM, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), inhibitor of nuclear factor κB kinase subunit β (IKK), phosphorylated nuclear factor κB p65/nuclear factor κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65), adipose triacylglycerol lipase (ATGL), and phosphorylated hormone-sensitive lipase/hormone-sensitive lipase (p-HSL/HSL) was increased, while that of perilipin-1 (PLIN1) was decreased in the adipose tissue of cows with clinical ketosis. To investigate the mechanism underlying the responses, we isolated the primary bovine adipocytes from the adipose tissue of healthy cows and induced the inflammatory response mediated by TLR4/IKK/NF-κB p65 with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Additionally, we treated the primary bovine adipocytes with CaM overexpression adenovirus and CaM small interfering RNA. In vitro, LPS upregulated the abundance of TLR4, IKK, p-NF-κB p65, ATGL, p-HSL/HSL, and CaM and downregulated PLIN1. Furthermore, CaM silencing downregulated the abundance of LPS-activated p-HSL/HSL, TLR4, IKK, and p-NF-κB p65 and upregulated PLIN1 in bovine adipocytes, except for ATGL. However, CaM overexpression upregulated the abundance of LPS-activated p-HSL/HSL, TLR4, IKK, and p-NF-κB p65 and downregulated PLIN1 expression in bovine adipocytes. These data suggest that CaM promotes lipolysis in adipocytes through HSL and PINL1 while activating the TLR4/IKK/NF-κB inflammatory pathway to stimulate an inflammatory response. There is a positive feedback loop between CaM, lipolysis, and inflammation. Inhibiting CaM may act as an adaptive mechanism to alleviate metabolic dysregula","PeriodicalId":519482,"journal":{"name":"Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI","volume":"20 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141415474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Zhang, Zan Li, Luyao Dong, Yanwei Feng, Guohua Sun, Xiaohui Xu, Zhongping Wang, Cuiju Cui, Weijun Wang, Jianmin Yang
Simple Summary As a filter-feeding and sessile invertebrate living in estuaries and intertidal areas, Crassostrea gigas must cope with and adapt to a dynamic and changeable environment. Vibrio alginolyticus is a Gram-negative bacterium that is widespread in oceans and estuaries, and is one of the main Vibrio species that cause oyster disease. In this study, we used transcriptome sequencing to help us better understand how the giant oyster adapts to pathogen-rich environments. By focusing on the gills, which play a crucial role in the immune response, we aimed to shed light on the molecular processes underlying the interaction between the oyster and the pathogen. Abstract Over the years, oysters have faced recurring mass mortality issues during the summer breeding season, with Vibrio infection emerging as a significant contributing factor. Tubules of gill filaments were confirmed to be in the hematopoietic position in Crassostrea gigas, which produce hemocytes with immune defense capabilities. Additionally, the epithelial cells of oyster gills produce immune effectors to defend against pathogens. In light of this, we performed a transcriptome analysis of gill tissues obtained from C. gigas infected with Vibrio alginolyticus for 12 h and 48 h. Through this analysis, we identified 1024 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 12 h post-injection and 1079 DEGs at 48 h post-injection. Enrichment analysis of these DEGs revealed a significant association with immune-related Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. To further investigate the immune response, we constructed a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network using the DEGs enriched in immune-associated KEGG pathways. This network provided insights into the interactions and relationships among these genes, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of the innate immune defense mechanism in oyster gills. To ensure the accuracy of our findings, we validated 16 key genes using quantitative RT-PCR. Overall, this study represents the first exploration of the innate immune defense mechanism in oyster gills using a PPI network approach. The findings provide valuable insights for future research on oyster pathogen control and the development of oysters with enhanced antimicrobial resistance.
简单摘要 作为一种生活在河口和潮间带的滤食性无脊椎动物，巨牡蛎必须应对和适应动态多变的环境。溶藻弧菌是一种革兰氏阴性细菌，广泛存在于海洋和河口地区，是导致牡蛎疾病的主要弧菌之一。在这项研究中，我们利用转录组测序帮助我们更好地了解巨牡蛎如何适应病原体丰富的环境。通过重点研究在免疫反应中起关键作用的鳃，我们旨在揭示牡蛎与病原体之间相互作用的分子过程。摘要 多年来，牡蛎在夏季繁殖季节经常面临大量死亡的问题，弧菌感染是一个重要因素。经证实，巨头鲈的鳃丝小管处于造血位置，可产生具有免疫防御能力的血细胞。此外，牡蛎鳃的上皮细胞会产生免疫效应物质来抵御病原体。有鉴于此，我们对感染藻溶性弧菌 12 小时和 48 小时的巨牡蛎鳃组织进行了转录组分析。这些 DEG 的富集分析表明，它们与免疫相关的基因本体（Gene Ontology，GO）术语和京都基因组百科全书（Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes，KEGG）通路有显著关联。为了进一步研究免疫反应，我们利用富集在免疫相关 KEGG 通路中的 DEGs 构建了一个蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用（PPI）网络。该网络揭示了这些基因之间的相互作用和关系，揭示了牡蛎鳃先天免疫防御机制的内在机制。为确保研究结果的准确性，我们利用定量 RT-PCR 验证了 16 个关键基因。总之，本研究是首次利用 PPI 网络方法探索牡蛎鳃的先天免疫防御机制。这些发现为今后牡蛎病原体控制研究和开发具有更强抗菌能力的牡蛎提供了宝贵的见解。
{"title":"Exploration of Molecular Mechanisms of Immunity in the Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) in Response to Vibrio alginolyticus Invasion","authors":"E. Zhang, Zan Li, Luyao Dong, Yanwei Feng, Guohua Sun, Xiaohui Xu, Zhongping Wang, Cuiju Cui, Weijun Wang, Jianmin Yang","doi":"10.3390/ani14111707","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111707","url":null,"abstract":"Simple Summary As a filter-feeding and sessile invertebrate living in estuaries and intertidal areas, Crassostrea gigas must cope with and adapt to a dynamic and changeable environment. Vibrio alginolyticus is a Gram-negative bacterium that is widespread in oceans and estuaries, and is one of the main Vibrio species that cause oyster disease. In this study, we used transcriptome sequencing to help us better understand how the giant oyster adapts to pathogen-rich environments. By focusing on the gills, which play a crucial role in the immune response, we aimed to shed light on the molecular processes underlying the interaction between the oyster and the pathogen. Abstract Over the years, oysters have faced recurring mass mortality issues during the summer breeding season, with Vibrio infection emerging as a significant contributing factor. Tubules of gill filaments were confirmed to be in the hematopoietic position in Crassostrea gigas, which produce hemocytes with immune defense capabilities. Additionally, the epithelial cells of oyster gills produce immune effectors to defend against pathogens. In light of this, we performed a transcriptome analysis of gill tissues obtained from C. gigas infected with Vibrio alginolyticus for 12 h and 48 h. Through this analysis, we identified 1024 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 12 h post-injection and 1079 DEGs at 48 h post-injection. Enrichment analysis of these DEGs revealed a significant association with immune-related Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. To further investigate the immune response, we constructed a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network using the DEGs enriched in immune-associated KEGG pathways. This network provided insights into the interactions and relationships among these genes, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of the innate immune defense mechanism in oyster gills. To ensure the accuracy of our findings, we validated 16 key genes using quantitative RT-PCR. Overall, this study represents the first exploration of the innate immune defense mechanism in oyster gills using a PPI network approach. The findings provide valuable insights for future research on oyster pathogen control and the development of oysters with enhanced antimicrobial resistance.","PeriodicalId":519482,"journal":{"name":"Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI","volume":"6 33","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141415655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shahab Ur Rehman, Yongkang Zhen, Luoyang Ding, Ahmed A. Saleh, Yifan Zhang, Jinying Zhang, Feiyang He, Hosameldeen Mohamed Husien, Ping Zhou, Mengzhi Wang
Simple Summary This meta-analysis examines the impact of neutering on sheep production and quality, focusing on performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. It is observed that castrated sheep (wethers) exhibit enhanced daily weight gain and meat tenderness compared to intact rams. Furthermore, wethers display characteristics of a slenderer carcass with potentially elevated muscle content. By utilizing gene expression analysis, the research sheds light on genes associated with metabolic pathways and fat metabolism, indicating their involvement in fat formation. These results advocate for the practice of castration in sheep farming to enhance growth and meat quality. Additionally, the identified alterations in gene expression offer valuable insights for further exploration of castration’s influence on muscle development in sheep. Abstract Objective: The study aimed to investigate the effects of castration on performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in sheep, as well as explore the expression of key genes related to metabolic pathways and muscle growth following castration. Methods: A meta-analysis approach was utilized to analyze data from multiple studies to compare the performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of castrated sheep (wethers) with intact rams. Additionally, protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, differential gene expression (DEG) interactions, Gene Ontology (GO) terms, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were examined to identify molecular mechanisms associated with fat metabolism and muscle development in sheep tails. Results: The analysis revealed that castrated sheep (wethers) exhibited improved average daily gain, increased tenderness, lower backfat thickness, and a tendency for greater loin muscle area compared to intact rams. This suggests that castration promotes faster growth and results in leaner carcasses with potentially higher muscle content. Furthermore, the identification of downregulated DEGs like ACLY, SLC27A2, and COL1A1 and upregulated DEGs such as HOXA9, PGM2L1, and ABAT provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying fat deposition and muscle development in sheep. Conclusions: The findings support the practice of castration in sheep production as it enhances growth performance, leads to leaner carcasses with higher muscle content, and improves meat tenderness. The identified changes in gene expression offer valuable insights for further research into understanding the impact of castration on muscle development and fat metabolism in sheep. This meta-analysis contributes to the knowledge of molecular mechanisms involved in fat deposition in sheep, opening avenues for future investigations in livestock fat metabolism research.
{"title":"Integrative Meta-Analysis: Unveiling Genetic Factors in Meat Sheep Growth and Muscular Development through QTL and Transcriptome Studies","authors":"Shahab Ur Rehman, Yongkang Zhen, Luoyang Ding, Ahmed A. Saleh, Yifan Zhang, Jinying Zhang, Feiyang He, Hosameldeen Mohamed Husien, Ping Zhou, Mengzhi Wang","doi":"10.3390/ani14111679","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111679","url":null,"abstract":"Simple Summary This meta-analysis examines the impact of neutering on sheep production and quality, focusing on performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. It is observed that castrated sheep (wethers) exhibit enhanced daily weight gain and meat tenderness compared to intact rams. Furthermore, wethers display characteristics of a slenderer carcass with potentially elevated muscle content. By utilizing gene expression analysis, the research sheds light on genes associated with metabolic pathways and fat metabolism, indicating their involvement in fat formation. These results advocate for the practice of castration in sheep farming to enhance growth and meat quality. Additionally, the identified alterations in gene expression offer valuable insights for further exploration of castration’s influence on muscle development in sheep. Abstract Objective: The study aimed to investigate the effects of castration on performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in sheep, as well as explore the expression of key genes related to metabolic pathways and muscle growth following castration. Methods: A meta-analysis approach was utilized to analyze data from multiple studies to compare the performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of castrated sheep (wethers) with intact rams. Additionally, protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, differential gene expression (DEG) interactions, Gene Ontology (GO) terms, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were examined to identify molecular mechanisms associated with fat metabolism and muscle development in sheep tails. Results: The analysis revealed that castrated sheep (wethers) exhibited improved average daily gain, increased tenderness, lower backfat thickness, and a tendency for greater loin muscle area compared to intact rams. This suggests that castration promotes faster growth and results in leaner carcasses with potentially higher muscle content. Furthermore, the identification of downregulated DEGs like ACLY, SLC27A2, and COL1A1 and upregulated DEGs such as HOXA9, PGM2L1, and ABAT provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying fat deposition and muscle development in sheep. Conclusions: The findings support the practice of castration in sheep production as it enhances growth performance, leads to leaner carcasses with higher muscle content, and improves meat tenderness. The identified changes in gene expression offer valuable insights for further research into understanding the impact of castration on muscle development and fat metabolism in sheep. This meta-analysis contributes to the knowledge of molecular mechanisms involved in fat deposition in sheep, opening avenues for future investigations in livestock fat metabolism research.","PeriodicalId":519482,"journal":{"name":"Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI","volume":"90 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141399658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Da Sol Park, Won-Hee Hong, Jae Hoon Kim, A. H. Yuen, S. Giri, S. Lee, W. Jung, Young Min Lee, S. Jo, Mae-Hyun Hwang, Jae Hong Park, Eun Jae Park, Se Chang Park
Simple Summary This case report offers a comprehensive analysis of the clinical symptoms, radiological findings, and postmortem examinations of three green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) investigated for spirorchiidiasis. These findings highlight the complexity and severity of the disease, emphasizing the presence of systemic, granulomatous inflammation, and its impact on the overall health of sea turtles. This study advocates for continuous research and conservation efforts to mitigate the impact of spirorchiidiasis on marine turtles. Abstract Despite the precarious state of marine turtles as a highly endangered species, our understanding of their diseases remains limited. This case report presents a detailed pathological investigation of spirorchiidiasis, a blood fluke infection that poses a substantial threat to marine turtles. This retrospective study examined three cases of spirorchiid-infected sea turtles, specifically, green sea turtles stranded on Jeju Island, South Korea. Premortem examination of the three spirorchiid-infected green sea turtles demonstrated nonspecific clinical symptoms; blood analysis revealed dehydration, malnutrition, and anemia. Computed tomography scans provided insights into severe pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations, including the mass present in the joint region. Post-mortem examinations consistently indicated severe lung lesions and systemic manifestations, with histopathological examination confirming the presence of spirorchiid ova across various organs. Despite the global prevalence of spirorchiidiasis in sea turtles, disease severity varies regionally. This report provides a detailed demonstration of the pathology of spirorchiidiasis in sea turtles from Northeast Asia.
{"title":"Blood Fluke Infection (Spirorchidiasis) and Systemic Granulomatous Inflammation: A Case Study of Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) on Jeju Island, South Korea","authors":"Da Sol Park, Won-Hee Hong, Jae Hoon Kim, A. H. Yuen, S. Giri, S. Lee, W. Jung, Young Min Lee, S. Jo, Mae-Hyun Hwang, Jae Hong Park, Eun Jae Park, Se Chang Park","doi":"10.3390/ani14111711","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14111711","url":null,"abstract":"Simple Summary This case report offers a comprehensive analysis of the clinical symptoms, radiological findings, and postmortem examinations of three green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) investigated for spirorchiidiasis. These findings highlight the complexity and severity of the disease, emphasizing the presence of systemic, granulomatous inflammation, and its impact on the overall health of sea turtles. This study advocates for continuous research and conservation efforts to mitigate the impact of spirorchiidiasis on marine turtles. Abstract Despite the precarious state of marine turtles as a highly endangered species, our understanding of their diseases remains limited. This case report presents a detailed pathological investigation of spirorchiidiasis, a blood fluke infection that poses a substantial threat to marine turtles. This retrospective study examined three cases of spirorchiid-infected sea turtles, specifically, green sea turtles stranded on Jeju Island, South Korea. Premortem examination of the three spirorchiid-infected green sea turtles demonstrated nonspecific clinical symptoms; blood analysis revealed dehydration, malnutrition, and anemia. Computed tomography scans provided insights into severe pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations, including the mass present in the joint region. Post-mortem examinations consistently indicated severe lung lesions and systemic manifestations, with histopathological examination confirming the presence of spirorchiid ova across various organs. Despite the global prevalence of spirorchiidiasis in sea turtles, disease severity varies regionally. This report provides a detailed demonstration of the pathology of spirorchiidiasis in sea turtles from Northeast Asia.","PeriodicalId":519482,"journal":{"name":"Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI","volume":"582 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141401688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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