Animal Bioscience最新文献

Objective: The objective of this study was to unravel the genetic traits of Guanling cattle, pinpoint genes advantageous for muscle growth, and lay a foundation for the preservation of genetic diversity and further analysis of regulation mechanism of important economic traits in local cattle breed.

Methods: In this study, we sequenced the whole genome of 3 Guanling cattle in Guizhou province using the Illumina HiSeq cBo sequencing platform. And, high- multiplex polymerase chain reaction technology was employed to detect high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites of other 55 Guanling cattle.

Results: Our study identified 166,411 non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) and 42,423 insertions and deletions (indels). Through SNP annotation, gene function enrichment analysis, and comparing with Simmental, Angus, and Limousin cattle, we identified six genes (LEPR, AKAP9, SIX4, SPIDR, PRG4, FASN) which are potentially influential on meat quality traits, playing crucial roles in muscle growth, fat metabolism, and bodily support. We also examined polymorphisms at seven SNP sites in Guanling cattle and found that all seven were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Conclusion: These findings suggested that these gene sites are stable and widespread in the Guanling cattle population. Our research lays the groundwork for future genetic enhancement and variety identification of Guanling cattle.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of dietary β-mannanase supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, digesta viscosity, and dietary nutrient utilization in broiler chickens through a meta-analysis. The effects were further examined by a meta-regression analysis with activity levels of β-mannanase in broiler diets.

Methods: A total of 23 studies, which were conducted in 11 countries and completed between December 2003 and August 2023, were selected for this meta-analysis. The standardized mean difference and its 95% confidence interval were calculated as the effect size metrics using random effect model, with I2 value being utilized to measure heterogeneity. Investigated measurements included body weight gain (BWG), feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), VH:CD ratio, digesta viscosity, nitrogencorrected metabolizable energy (n), apparent ileal digestibility (AID), and apparent total tract retention (ATTR) of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), and nitrogen (N). All statistical analyses were performed using R version 4.3.3.

Results: Results revealed significant positive effects of dietary β-mannanase supplementation on BWG (p = 0.005), FCR (p<0.001), VH (p<0.001), VH:CD (p<0.001), digesta viscosity (p<0.001), AMEn (p = 0.011), AID of GE (p = 0.002) and N (p = 0.003), and ATTR of DM (p = 0.019), GE (p = 0.002), and N (p = 0.005) in broiler chickens. In the meta-regression analysis, increasing activity levels of β-mannanase in broiler diets increased VH:CD (p< 0.001; R2 = 79.2%) and AID of N (p = 0.038; R2 = 67.4%).

Conclusion: The current meta-analysis indicates that dietary β-mannanase supplementation improves energy and nutrient utilization in broiler diets possibly by decreasing digesta viscosity and enhancing intestinal morphology in broiler chickens. These beneficial effects can contribute to improved growth performance in broiler chickens.

Objective: This study investigated the impact of supplementation of protease and organic acid on growth performance and other biological parameters in broilers fed poultry byproduct meal (PBM) based diet.

Methods: Five hundred 1-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were distributed into five treatments with 5 replicates, each pen having 20 birds, and fed each group one of five isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets in two phases: stater phase (1 to 21 days) metabolizable energy (ME) 3000 kcal/kg; crude protein (CP) 22%, and a finisher phase (22 to 35 days) ME 3,200 kcal/kg; CP 19.5%. The dietary treatments were: i) standard broiler ration (Cont); ii) The control diet with 25% of the soybean meal replaced by PBM on an equivalent protein basis (PBM); iii) PBM diet supplemented with 0.5 g/kg of protease (PBMP); iv) PBM diet supplemented with 1 g/kg organic acid (PBMO); and v) PBM diet addition with 0.5 g/kg protease and 1 g/kg organic acid (PBMPO).

Results: The overall data showed that feed conversion ratio was improved (p<0.05) in the PBMP group. Apparent CP digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in both Cont and PBMP groups. Jejunal villus height increased (p<0.05) in PBMP and PBMPO groups, while only the PBMO group exhibited a higher (p<0.05) crypt depth. Lipase activity was increased (p<0.05) in the PBMP, PBMO, and PBMPO dietary treatments. However, trypsin activity showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the PBMP and PBMO groups. Serum biochemistry increased (p<0.05) globulin and total protein levels in the PBMP group.

Conclusion: PBM could partially replace the soybean meal with supplementation of either protease or organic acid in broiler diets without impairing overall growth performance. Furthermore, careful optimization must be considered when combining protease and organic acids.

Objective: Black soldier fly (BSF) as an animal protein feed source is currently becoming a hot research topic. This study investigated the effects of the BSF as a protein feed source for goats on slaughter performance, muscle nutrient composition, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and antioxidant levels.

Methods: Thirty Qianbei Ma goats (20.30±1.09 kg) were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (GRPC) supplemented with 10% full-fat soybean, treatment 1 (GRPU) supplemented with 10% untreated BSF, and treatment 2 (GRPT) supplemented with 10% heat-treated BSF. One-way analysis of variance among groups (with Fisher's least significant difference post hoc comparison) was used in this study.

Results: The nutrients, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and antioxidants in muscle were analyzed. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the moisture, dry matter, crude protein, ash, amino acids, and mineral content of the muscles among the three feeding groups. The slaughter rate and carcass weight of the GRPU and GRPT groups were significantly lower (p<0.05). The overall meat quality of the GRPU and GRPT groups decreased (p<0.05). The individual unsaturated fatty acids and total unsaturated fatty acids in the GRPU group were higher (p<0.05) than those in the GRPC and GRPT groups. Both GRPU and GRPT decreased (p<0.05) the antioxidant capacity of the meat.

Conclusion: Therefore, the heat-treated BSF had a better effect on meat quality compared to untreated BSF, but there were greater negative effects on the meat quality of GRPU and GRPT than GRPC.

Objective: The objective was to investigate growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activity, intestinal morphology, immune cell distribution, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) profile, and microbiota in broiler chickens fed a diet containing Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NSMJ15.

Methods: A total of 120 1-day-old Ross 308 male broilers were allocated to 2 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. A control group was fed a corn-soybean meal control diet, and an NSMJ15-supplemented group was fed a control diet supplemented with 1 g/kg L. paracasei NSMJ15 at the expense of cornstarch. Each dietary treatment had 6 replicates with 10 birds per cage. Growth performance was recorded on day 9. On day 10, one bird representing median body weight was selected to collect serum for antioxidant enzyme activity, jejunal tissue for immune cell isolation and morphometric analysis, and cecal digesta for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and SCFA analysis.

Results: Supplementation of L. paracasei NSMJ15 did not affect growth performance, serum antioxidant enzyme activity, and jejunal histomorphology compared to the control group. In the NSMJ15-supplemented group, the population of CD3+CD4+CD8- T cells increased (p = 0.010), while the population of CD3+CD8+TCRγδ+ T cells decreased (p = 0.022) compared to the control group. The L. paracasei NSMJ15 supplementation decreased (p = 0.022) acetate concentration in the cecal digesta compared to the control group. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed that NSMJ15-supplemented group differentially expressed (p<0.05) 10 more amplicon sequence variants compared to control group without affecting alpha and beta diversity indices of the cecal microbiota. Genera Mediterraneibacter and Negativibacillus were positively (p<0.05) correlated with CD4+ T cells, while genera Gemmiger, Coprococcus, Sellimonas, Massilimicrobiota, and Blautia were negatively (p<0.05) correlated with SCFA concentration.

Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest dietary L. paracasei NSMJ15 supplementation may increase percentage of CD4+ T cells and decrease acetate concentration in broiler chickens by increasing the differential expression of specific microbial genera.

Objective: This study investigated the protein oxidation of soybean meal (SBM) stored in a warehouse and the effects of SBM on growth performance, antioxidant status, digestive performance, intestinal morphology, and breast muscle quality of broilers.

Methods: In total, 160 one-day-old Arbor Acres Plus broilers (half male and half female) were randomly divided into two groups with ten replicates of eight birds each: The control group was served with a basal diet including SBM stored at -20°C (FSBM), and the experimental group was served with a basal diet including SBM stored in a warehouse at room temperature for 45 days (RSBM).

Results: Compared with FSBM, the protein carbonyl level in RSBM was increased, the free and total thiol levels and in vitro digestibility of protein were decreased. The RSBM decreased the serum glutathione (GSH) level and the hepatic total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity at days 21 and 42 when compared with FSBM. Further, RSBM reduced the duodenal T-SOD activity, jejunal catalase (CAT), and T-SOD activities at day 21, and decreased the duodenal CAT and T-SOD activities, jejunal T-SOD activity, and ileal GSH level and T-SOD activity at days 21 and 42 when compared with FSBM. Besides, the trypsin activity and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in small intestines of broilers at days 21 and 42 were reduced when fed with a RSBM-contained diet. Compared with FSBM, the 24-h drip loss, shear force, and 24- and 48-h cooking loss of breast muscle were increased of RSBM group, the opposite result was observed for muscle lightness at 48 h.

Conclusion: Room temperature storage for 45 days led a protein oxidation and decreased in vitro digestibility in SBM, and fed RSBM impaired growth performance, antioxidant status, and meat quality, reduced trypsin activity, and affected the small intestine morphology in broilers.

Objective: This study investigated the efficiency of different estrous synchronization programs and hormonal treatments in improving reproductive outcomes in goats. Conducted on a commercial farm in southern Thailand, the study used multiparous Shami and Anglo-Nubian breed goats.

Methods: In experiment 1, goats were randomly allocated to two estrous synchronization treatments: 11-day (CI11D) and 13-day (CI13D) intravaginal progesterone implants, followed by artificial insemination (AI) with frozen-thawed semen. Various hormonal treatments (human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), GnRH analogue, progestogen) were administered on day 5 post-AI to elevate progesterone levels. Experiment 2 assessed embryo survival after transferring early- and late-stage embryos, using GnRH analogue to increase progesterone levels in the recipient goats.

Results: Results showed that GnRH analogue significantly increased pregnancy rates, kidding rates, and the number of kids born in the CI13D group. Progesterone levels were higher in treated groups, particularly with GnRH analogue, though estradiol levels varied between synchronization protocols. Late-stage embryo transfers significantly improved pregnancy rates and reduced embryonic loss compared to early-stage transfers. GnRH analogue supplementation reduced early embryonic mortality, enhancing embryo survival and overall reproductive performance.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the efficacy of tailored estrous synchronization and hormonal treatments in optimizing goat reproductive outcomes, with significant implications for improving fertility management in commercial goat farming. Although no significant differences were observed in progesterone levels, the administration of GnRH analogue reduced early embryonic mortality and improved reproductive outcomes, demonstrating its potential to enhance embryo survival and reproductive performance in goats.

Objective: Growing demand for embryo transfer is steadily expanding and further studies on in vitro fertilization of cattle. To assess the effect of calcium lactate by replacing Tyrode's Albumin Lactate Pyruvate (TALP) medium composition during fertilization and embryonic development.

Methods: Sodium lactate and CaCl2 were replaced with 2.0, 3.0, 4.5 mM calcium lactate for TALP medium during fertilization in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, the concentrations of sodium lactate and CaCl2 were re-modified as control, in comparison with the same concentration of calcium lactate at 4.5 mM. Zygotes were moved to sequential media to match early-and late-stage environments. Embryonic development was examined on day 8 after insemination.

Results: 4.5 mM calcium lactate enhanced the rate of fertilization and blastocyst formation (p<0.0001, p<0.01, respectively). It represented differences in the ROS (p<0.01) and GSH levels (p<0.05) and increased blastocyst diameter and total cell number (p<0.05). In Experiment 2, fertilization (p<0.05) and blastocyst formation rates (p<0.01) were increased in 4.5mM calcium lactate under same concentration effect of sodium lactate and CaCl2. Additionally, it reduced the ROS (p<0.01) and increased the GSH levels (p<0.05), leading increase embryo quality.

Conclusion: The replacement of calcium lactate in TALP medium enhances fertilization and embryonic development while also improving oxidative stress. Specifically, it has been determined that a concentration of 4.5 mM calcium lactate is the most effective, irrespective of the varying concentrations of sodium lactate and CaCl2. This study presents a novel formulation of a modified TALP medium intended for implantation withing the bovine embryo industry. The current implications of the study are discussed in relation to previously stated objectives and hypotheses.

Objective: Lambing in ewes is a complex and crucial aspect of sheep production that directly influences economic viability and production efficiency. In the present study, we analyzed the genomes of single lamb (SLE) and twin lamb (TLE) Hotan sheep to elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying lamb production in Hotan sheep.

Methods: In this study, we used genome-wide resequencing to analyze the genomes of Hotan sheep exhibiting SLE and TLE traits. To identify the population genetic structure and linkage disequilibrium associated with SLE and TLE traits, we employed two complementary genome selection signals: the interpopulation genetic differentiation index (FST) and nucleotide diversity (Pi). Subsequently, we performed gene annotation and enrichment analyses of the selected regions of the obtained genome.

Results: Our analysis generated 801 Gb of sequence data, from which 31,864,651 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphic loci were identified. We identified 290 selected regions and 332 genes across the Hotan sheep genome by using two widely adopted selective scanning detection methods (FST statistics and Piratio). Functional annotation and enrichment analysis of these genes identified 13 genes associated with the lambing rate, which were enriched in pathways such as the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway (BMPR2, ID2, SMAD7, THBS1, and RBX1), renal cell carcinoma (PAK1, ELOC), inositol phosphate metabolism (PLCZ), non-homologous terminal junction (RAD50), ABC transporters (ABCC4), and the NET pathway (H2B, H4, and H2A).

Conclusion: This study employed selective elimination analysis to identify candidate genes involved in the regulation of lambing trait in Hotan sheep. By investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying lambing rate in Hotan sheep, we developed molecular markers for twin lambing to enhance reproductive performance and promote the conservation and development of outstanding genetic resources in local Xinjiang sheep.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the maximum inclusion rate of low-oil corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in swine diets with a focus on growth performance and pork quality.

Methods: A total of 160 crossbred pigs with an initial body weight of 25.5 kg (standard deviation = 2.5) were randomly assigned to one of 5 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with BW and sex as blocking factors to obtain 8 replicates and 4 pigs per pen. The low-oil corn DDGS contained 26.3% crude protein, 24.5% neutral detergent fiber, and 3.7% ether extract. Five experimental diets based on the corn, soybean meal, and wheat were formulated to contain 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% of the low-oil corn DDGS for each of 2 phases.

Results: During the overall period, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and gain-to-feed ratio linearly decreased (p<0.05) as the low-oil corn DDGS inclusion rate increased. A one-slope broken-line analysis showed that the maximum inclusion rate of low-oil corn DDGS in swine diets without compromising gain-to-feed ratio was 16.5% during the overall period. The carcass characteristics were not affected by the inclusion of low-oil corn DDGS up to 40%. The firmness of loin and belly linearly decreased (p<0.05) as the low-oil corn DDGS inclusion rate increased. As the inclusion rate of low-oil DDGS increased, the saturated fatty acid content in both loin and pork belly linearly decreased (p<0.001), whereas the unsaturated fatty acid content linearly increased (p<0.001). The iodine value of lard also showed a linear increase (p<0.001) with increasing the low-oil corn DDGS inclusion rate.

Conclusion: The maximum inclusion rate of low-oil corn DDGS in growing-finishing swine diets without detrimental effects on growth performance and pork quality was 16.5%.