Animal Bioscience最新文献

Objective: The primary objective was to identify and characterize the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the MTNR1A gene sequence in Thin-tailed Indonesian ewes to assess the possible association of MTNR1A gene polymorphism with litter size trait.

Methods: Forty-seven Thin-tailed Indonesian sheep were selected for the study. Genotyping involved collecting blood samples, and sequencing exon 2 of the MTNR1A gene.

Results: The study identified 19 novel SNPs, with 10 being non-synonymous variations, in the MTNR1A gene of Thin-tailed Indonesian ewes. One non-synonymous SNP (rs1087815963) showed a significant association with litter size, with the GC genotype exhibiting a higher average litter size than the GG genotype. The deleterious impact of p.Val127Ile SNP was predicted by various in silico tools that predicted a highly damaging effect of p.Val127Ile SNP on the structure, function, and stability of MTNR1A. Docking reactions showed a critical involvement of this locus with the binding with melatonin.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of our study suggest that rs1087815963 has a remarkable negative impact on the MTNR1A with a putative alteration in the binding with melatonin. Therefore, the implementation of the novel p.Val127Ile could be a useful marker in marker-assisted selection.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of circRNA18_46222157_46248185 (named circRNA18) on goat melanogenesis, which differs significantly in goat skins isolated from white and brown coat-colored skins.

Methods: Expression patterns of circRNA18 in goat skin and melanocytes were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. The circRNA18 interference vector was designed and synthesized to transfect melanocytes and detect the effect of circRNA18 interference on melanin production. Bioinformatics software was used to predict the targeted adsorption miRNAs of circRNA18, verified by luciferase assay. A miRNA expression vector was constructed and transfected into melanocytes to detect the effect of miRNA on melanin production, and the targeted regulatory genes were detected by luciferase assay. Target gene interference vector was constructed to detect the influence of target gene interference on melanin production.

Results: qRT-PCR results unveiled distinct expression patterns of circRNA18 in diverse tissues of male and female goats, while in situ hybridization assays showed that circRNA18 is expressed in the cytoplasm of melanocytes. Functional analysis demonstrated that the downregulation of circRNA18 in melanocytes leads to a significant increase (p<0.01) in melanin production. Bioinformatics analysis identified a potential miR-211 binding site on circRNA18, and luciferase assay confirmed their interaction. Overexpression of miR-211 in melanocytes significantly augmented (p<0.01) melanin production. There were two potential miR-211 binding sites on adenoviral E1A-binding protein (EP300), and the overexpression of miR-211 in melanocytes significantly decreased (p<0.001) EP300 expression, with luciferase assay confirming their interaction. Downregulation of EP300 expression in melanocytes through siRNA-EP300 transfection results in a substantial increase (p<0.05) in melanin production. qRT-PCR results indicated that overexpression of mimics-circRNA18 in melanocytes markedly suppressed (p<0.0001) miR-211 expression, significantly elevated (p<0.01) EP300 expression, and significantly inhibited (p<0.001) melanin production.

Conclusion: circRNA18_46222157_46248185 acted as a negative regulator of melanogenesis in goat melanocytes by targeting the miR-211/EP300 pathway, and guiding animal hair color breeding strategies.

Objective: Probiotics are living microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed. Here, we investigated the effects of probiotics on gene expression in the spleen of mice using RNA-sequencing analysis between negative control and probiotic groups (including 4 Lactobacillus strains: Lactobacillus fermentum, L. casei, L. plantarum, and L. brevis).

Methods: Mice exposed with probiotic in 4 weeks by intragastric administration. Then, spleen tissues of the control and probiotics groups were collected on days 14 and 28 for RNA sequencing.

Results: In total, 665, 186, and 81 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly expressed on day 14 vs control, day 28 vs control groups, and probiotics day 28 vs day 14 groups, respectively. On the other hand, 12 toll-like receptor genes underwent additional validation through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), affirming the increased alignment between qRT-PCR and RNA-Seq findings. In addition, the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes and gene ontology analyses revealed that the DEGs were predominantly enriched in defense responses to pathogens, including inflammatory bowel diseases, malaria, leukaemia virus 1, and herpes virus, as well as immune processes related to immune response and signal transduction. This study represents the first investigation into mice's gene expression in the spleen exposed to probiotics using Lactobacillus spp. isolated from a field strain in Vietnam.

Conclusion: Our results provide valuable insights into the impacts and functions of probiotics on mammalian development, offering crucial information for the potential therapeutic use of probiotics in defending against pathogens in Vietnam. The findings from this study highlight the potential of probiotics in modulating gene expression in the spleen, which may have implications for immune function and overall health in mice.

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of increased levels of dietary total digestible nutrient (TDN) and crude protein (CP) using protected fat (PF), soybean meal (SB), and heat-treated soybean meal (HSB) on performance, physiological parameters, and behavioral measurements of early-fattening Hanwoo steers under heat stress conditions.

Methods: Thirty-six steers (480.9±58.6 kg, 15.9±1.4 months) were assigned to 4 treatments: control (TDN 75%, CP 15%, rumen degradable protein [RDP]:rumen undegradable protein [RUP] = 62:48); PF (TDN 82.5%, CP 15%, RDP:RUP = 62:48); PF+SB (TDN 82.5%, CP 16.5%, RDP:RUP = 62:48); and PF+SB+HSB (TDN 82.5%, CP 16.5%, RDP:RUP = 48:52) for a total of 16 weeks with division of 4 weeks. The average temperature-humidity index (THI) was 82.9 (1st; moderate), 76.9 (2nd; mild), 70.9 (3rd; comfort), and 65.8 (4th period; comfort).

Results: Dry matter intake during whole period did not differ among treatments but decreased by 34% and 19%, respectively during 1st and 2nd compared to 4th. Average daily gain (ADG) of PF+SB+HSB was higher (p<0.05) than that of control during the 1st period, and those of both PF+SB and PF+SB+HSB were higher (p<0.05) than Control during the 2nd. The ADG during whole period was in the order of PF+SB+HSB (1.23), PF+SB (1.18), PF (1.11), control (0.98 kg/d) (p<0.05). As THI increased, rectal temperature and all blood parameters increased, while blood glucose levels decreased (p<0.05). Behavioral changes during 1st period compared to 3rd included decreases in lying (24%), walking (48%), and eating (40%), and increases in total standing (50%) and drinking (43%) (p<0.05). Rumination during standing was 38% higher, and rumination during lying was 32% lower (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates 10% of increased levels of dietary TDN using PF and CP considering RUP can prevent performance reduction in early-fattening of heatstressed Hanwoo steers and have positive effects on performance recovery from post-heat stress.

Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of xylanase alone or combination of xylanase and β-glucanase in high non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) diets with low energy on growth performance, meat quality, intestinal measurements, stress responses, and energy and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens.

Methods: A total of four hundred 8-d-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatment groups with 10 replicates. A positive control (PC) diet was formulated with adequate energy and nutrients, whereas a negative control (NC) diet had 100 kcal/kg less nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy than the PC diet with increasing inclusion of high NSP ingredients. Two additional diets were produced by supplementing 0.1% xylanase alone or 0.1% xylanase and β-glucanase mixture in the NC diet. Experiments lasted for 27 d.

Results: Birds fed PC diets had less (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed NC diets. Birds fed NC diets supplemented with xylanase alone or combination of xylanase and β-glucanase had less (p<0.05) FCR than those fed NC diets. Dietary supplementation of xylanase alone in NC diets exhibited the highest (p<0.05) breast meat pH among dietary treatments. Birds fed PC diets or NC diets supplemented with xylanase and β-glucanase combination exhibited greater (p<0.05) villus height:crypt depth ratio than those fed NC diets. Dietary supplementation of xylanase alone and combination of xylanase and β-glucanase in NC diets decreased (p<0.05) ileal digesta viscosity and increased (p<0.05) xylo-oligosaccharide concentrations in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) compared with NC diets without affecting energy and nutrient utilization in NC diets.

Conclusion: Dietary supplementation of xylanase in high NSP diets with low energy concentrations improves growth performance by decreasing digesta viscosity and increasing concentrations of xylo-oligosaccharides in the GIT of broiler chickens. However, little additional benefits of β-glucanase supplementation in combination with xylanase are identified for broiler chickens.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of reducing dietary crude protein (CP) coupled with supplementation of indispensable amino acids (AA) on growth performance of pigs at different growth stages.

Methods: A total of 126 (63 barrows and 63 gilts), 90 (45 barrows and gilts), and 72 (36 barrows and 36 gilts) pigs with average weights of 9.8±1.62, 30.6±2.31, and 58.3±2.95 kg in the nursery, growing, and finishing stages, respectively, were assigned to three dietary treatments with six replicates in a randomized complete block design. The pigs had ad libitum access to water and fed three experimental diets, each supplemented with all indispensable AA and subjected to a 2% reduction in CP from the upper limits of 18%, 16%, and 16% established for the nursery, growing, and finishing stages, respectively.

Results: In the nursery stage, from 0 to 2 weeks, reducing dietary CP concentrations decreased average daily feed intake (ADFI; linear, p = 0.04). From 2 to 4 weeks, dietary CP reduction decreased average daily gain (ADG; linear, p<0.01; quadratic, p = 0.02), ADFI (linear, p = 0.04), and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F; linear, p = 0.01). From 0 to 4 weeks, reduction in dietary CP concentrations decreased ADG (linear p<0.01), and G:F (linear, p = 0.01). In the growing stage, the dietary CP reduction did not affect growth performance. During the finishing stage, decrease in dietary CP concentrations decreased ADFI from 3 to 6 weeks (quadratic, p<0.01) and 0 to 6 weeks (quadratic, p = 0.01).

Conclusion: Dietary CP reduction with indispensable AA supplementation potentially decreases the growth performance of nursery pigs but may not decrease the growth performance of growing and finishing pigs.

Objective: The study aimed to improve the efficiency of leghorn male hepatoma (LMH) cells for animal virus vaccine production by transitioning from adherent to suspension culture and evaluating the effects of dextran sulfate (DS) on preventing cell aggregation. The goal was to enhance cell growth, viability, and glucose metabolism and to develop efficient suspension-adapted LMH cells for large-scale vaccine production.

Methods: LMH cells previously cultured in an adherent state were transferred to 125 mL Erlenmeyer flasks to conduct suspension culture. Cell culture performance, including cell density, viability, and glucose metabolism, during the cultures was measured, along with an assessment of cell aggregation. Additionally, mRNA expression levels of genes associated with cell adhesion and apoptosis were monitored.

Results: DS supplementation in suspension culture enhanced cell viability and growth, with higher cell densities and viabilities compared to control media. Additionally, DS supplementation reduced glucose consumption and waste production, indicating improved metabolic efficiency. DS also delayed cell aggregation, possibly by downregulating integrin expression and promoting anti-apoptotic gene expression. However, even after 2 months, cell aggregation persisted in both control and DS-supplemented cultures, suggesting further optimization is needed for LMH cell adaptation to suspension culture.

Conclusion: DS supplementation in LMH cell suspension cultures led to notable improvements in cell growth, viability, and glucose metabolism, while also decreasing the cell aggregation.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the genetic link between variations in vertebral number and meat production traits, such as body weight and body measurements (body length, body height, heart girth, and shin width) in Mongolian (Bayantsagaan) sheep. Additionally, we examined the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes, particularly vertnin (VRTN), nuclear receptor subfamily 6, group A, member 1 (NR6A1), and synapse differentiation-inducing 1-like (SYNDIG1L), with vertebral number variations and their potential impact on meat production traits.

Methods: The study involved 220 Bayantsagaan sheep from Bayantsagaan soum, Tov province, Mongolia, including 104 sheep with extra vertebrae group and 116 individuals with typical vertebral number as the control group. Morphological data, including body weight and body measurements, were collected, and genetic samples were obtained. The impact of vertebral number on morphological traits was estimated using a general linear model. The SNPs in the VRTN, NR6A1, and SYNDIG1L genes were sequenced, and their association with vertebral number was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance.

Results: Bayantsagaan sheep with extra vertebrae were, on average, 4.45 kg heavier and exhibited higher variability in body size traits compared to the control group. Four polymorphic sites were identified at the VRTN gene, with one polymorphic locus (VRTN1716) showing a significant association with vertebrae number and body size. Sheep with C/C genotype at VRTN1716 locus, had more vertebrae and larger body size compared to other genotypes.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that variations in vertebral number and VRTN gene polymorphisms are linked to favorable meat production traits in Bayantsagaan sheep. The identified SNP (VRTN1716) associated with vertebral number and body size offers the potential for marker-assisted selection in breeding programs. These results provide valuable insights into the genetic basis of meat production traits in Bayantsagaan sheep and may contribute to the development of more efficient breeding strategies.

Objective: The current study investigated the impacts of different feeding regimes during early gestation on conception rate, litter traits, piglet birthweight, and litter uniformity in primiparous sows.

Methods: In total, 108 primiparous sows were inseminated and assigned to either a standard (1.9±0.5 kg/d, S) or high (2.9±0.8 kg/d, H) feeding levels during the first 35 days of gestation. The feeding regimes were categorized based on periods of gestation: 1 to 3, 4 to 15, and 16 to 35 days, resulting in four groups: standard-standard-standard (SSS, n = 26), standardstandard-high (SSH, n = 28), standard-high-high (SHH, n = 28), and high-high-high (HHH, n = 26). Afterwards, sows were placed into a group-housed system equipped with electronic sow feeders. The sows were weighed and assessed for backfat thickness and loin muscle depth at 0 and 35 days of gestation. At farrowing, data were collected on the total number of piglets born per litter, piglet birthweights, and the coefficient of variation of piglet birthweights.

Results: On average, sows gained 22.5±21.6 kg during the first 35 days of gestation, showing a positive correlation with backfat gain (r = 0.954; p = 0.006). The backfat gain in the HHH group was higher than in the SSS (p = 0.016) and the SSH groups (p = 0.023), but did not differ from the SHH group (p = 0.684). Conception rates did not show differences among the feeding regimes (p>0.05). Individual piglet birthweights in the HHH group were higher than those in the SSH group (p<0.001). Likewise, the percentage of piglets with birthweights <1,000 g in the HHH group was lower than that in the SSH group (p<0.001). However, the variation of piglet birthweight did not differ among the groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Increasing feeding levels in primiparous sows in a group-housed system during early pregnancy can effectively restore their body condition without any detrimental effects on subsequent litters.

Objective: This study categorized farm management levels to improve the productivity and uniformity of pork from pigs shipped from farms.

Methods: A total of 48,298 pigs were grouped (A, B, C, D group) using the k-means algorithm, carcass weight and backfat thickness. The results of the grouping were used to classify Farm Management Grades (A, B, C, D grade).

Results: The proportion of primal cuts in pigs, according to the new classification method, increased from group A to group D for shoulder blade, shoulder picnic, and ham, but decreased for loin and belly. In the regression analysis of the five primal cuts (shoulder blade, shoulder picnic, loin, belly, and ham) production (kg) for each group, all regression equations showed low errors (MAE<0.7), indicating that the model can predict the production of primal cuts by group. As the Farm Management Grade decreased, the proportion of pigs in the group with large differences from the mean of carcass weight and backfat thickness of the whole pig increased.

Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed the differences in primal cut traits by pig grouping and created a method to classify farms who ship non-uniform pigs. This is expected to provide indicators for improvement and supplementation to farms that ship uneven pigs, helping to enhance the production of standardized pigs at the farm level.