Animal Bioscience最新文献

Objective: Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a metabolic disorder of cartilage that impairs the development of the tibial growth plate in rapidly growing poultry. This study aimed to identify key genes and clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in TD in broiler chickens. The study evaluated the potential effect of vitamin D3 (VD3) in alleviating TD symptoms, focusing particularly on the role of Bone morphogenetic protein 8A (BMP8A) and its interaction with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1).

Methods: Ninety-four broiler chicks were allocated into three groups: healthy control, thiram-induced TD, and thiram-induced with VD3 supplementation. RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the groups. Target genes underwent additional validated using molecular biology techniques, such as gene expression analysis and in vitro functional assays on chondrocytes.

Results: VD3 effectively mitigated chondrocyte damage induced by thiram. RNA-seq revealed 625 DEGs enriched in pathways such as the TGF-β signaling pathway. Four co-DEGs (BMP8A, COL10A1, SDC3, and SCIN) were closely associated with collagen metabolism and reorganization. Functional assays, such as CCK8, EdU and IHC showed that BMP8A reduced collagen accumulation induced by elevated TGF-β1 levels, promoted the release of collagen types I, II, and X, and facilitated chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation while reducing apoptosis.

Conclusion: BMP8A plays a protective role in TD by the regulation of collagen balance and the maintenance of chondrocyte function, especially in the presence of high TGF-β1 levels. VD3 supplementation effectively reduces TD-related damage. The interaction between BMP8A and TGF-β1 may provide a novel therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of TD in poultry.

Objective: Intestinal inflammatory diseases significantly affect animal health, primarily by disrupting intestinal barrier function. Indole-3-carboxaldehyde (IAld), a key metabolite of tryptophan derived from gut microbiota, exhibits protective properties against intestinal inflammatory diseases. The regulatory mechanism by which IAld modulates intestinal barrier function requires further investigation.

Methods: An intestinal epithelial cell injury model was established by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) stimulation, alongside a mouse colitis model induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) administration. Intestinal barrier function was assessed by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, in vitro permeability assays, and histopathological analysis. Mitochondrial integrity and function were evaluated using JC-1 staining and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, key components of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway were analyzed using immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation techniques.

Results: Our findings demonstrate that IAld treatment significantly enhanced tight junction protein expression in intestinal epithelial cells and effectively attenuated TNF-α-induced intestinal barrier injury. IAld activated cellular AMPK signaling, promoting autophagy, maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis, and ultimately improving intestinal barrier function. Importantly, the activation of AMPK signaling by IAld was found to be dependent on the AhR, as evidenced by the AhR-specific inhibitor CH-223191, which abolished both IAld-induced AMPK activation and enhancement of intestinal barrier integrity. Furthermore, in vivo< experiments confirmed that IAld ameliorated intestinal barrier dysfunction and mitochondrial damage in DSS-induced colitis mice, whereas pharmacological inhibition of AMPK largely abrogated these protective effects.

Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that IAld effectively preserves intestinal barrier integrity, highlighting its potential application in the treatment of intestinal inflammatory diseases in both animals and humans.

Objective: Fat deposition is an important factor that affects meat production and quality in livestock and poultry. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in duck fat deposition. The purpose of this study was to identify key lncRNAs and mRNAs involved in fat deposition of meat ducks based on whole transcriptome sequencing for intramuscular preadipocyte (IMP-0), intramuscular adipocyte after 4 days of induction (IMP-4), subcutaneous preadipocyte (SCP-0), and subcutaneous adipocyte after 4 days of induction (SCP-4).

Methods: Differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs were identified across groups through differential expression analysis, specific gene screening, and functional enrichment analysis. Subsequently, a lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network was constructed and key nodes were identified. Finally, preliminary expression validation was performed at the mRNA level.

Results: Differential expression analysis revealed 1,419 mRNAs and 697 lncRNAs in the IMP-0-vs-IMP-4 comparison, and 2,307 mRNAs and 1,180 lncRNAs in the SCP-0-vs-SCP-4 comparison. Venn analysis identified unique differentially expressed genes for each group, including CHKA, PNPLA2, PLPP1, FABP4, ACSL5, UGT8, FAT1, and FADS2. Functional enrichment showed that the IMP-0-vs-IMP-4 group was significantly associated with regulation of the MAPK cascade, lipid binding, and arachidonic acid metabolism. The SCP-0-vs-SCP-4 group was notably enriched in beta-alanine metabolism, the Wnt signaling pathway, and lipid metabolic processes. Co-expression network analysis further constructed a network of 193 nodes and 275 edges for the IMP-0-vs-IMP-4 group, and a larger network of 564 nodes and 3,471 edges for the SCP-0-vs-SCP-4 group. Key lncRNAs, such as MSTRG.8652.4, MSTRG.15586.1, and MSTRG.6393.1, were identified based on their high connectivity degree.

Conclusion: Taken together, the current findings indicated that there are differentially regulated differential genes, lncRNAs, and enrichment pathways in IMP-0-vs-IMP-4 and SCP-0-vs-SCP-4. Because of being differentially regulated, some differential factors were significantly increased in expression in intramuscular adipocyte induction while significantly downregulated in subcutaneous adipocyte induction, such as FABP3, MSTRG.13937.5, and MSTRG.6393.1. Meanwhile, there were also some factors that were specifically regulated, CHKA, PLA2G4A, FADS2, MSTRG.13842.1, MSTRG.16051.2 and MSTRG.13842.1 were significantly downregulated only in subcutaneous adipocytes. This suggests that these lncRNAs and their target genes may play important roles in intramuscular fat and subcutaneous fat deposition.

Objective: Livestock grazing is the primary practice in alpine meadows, which is closely related to animal performance and ecosystem functions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of grazing practice on the growth performance, meat nutritional composition and shelf life, and fecal nutrient and microbiota of yaks.

Methods: Twenty-four male yaks (217.62±5.74 kg) were randomly divided into 2 groups for a 60 d fattening experiment: grazing (G) group and grazing and supplementary feeding (GS) group. The yaks in the G group were grazed only on pastures, without any supplements. The yaks in the GS group were not only grazed on natural pastures, also supplemented with the concentrate mix based on the body weight after grazing.

Results: Supplementary feeding concentrate mix after grazing significantly increased the body weight (p<0.01) and average daily gain (p<0.01) of yaks. The results indicated that supplementary feeding reduced meat shear force (p = 0.04), increased the a* value (p<0.01), the b* value (p = 0.04) and the ether extract content (p = 0.03), and extended the shelf life by 3.4 h. The total amino acid content increased (p<0.01) and promoted the deposition of monounsaturated fatty acids (p<0.01) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (p<0.01). The output concentration of nitrogen in feces was increased (p = 0.04), and the 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that grazing with supplementary feeding significantly increased the relative abundance of key genera, including Alistipes, UCG-009, Tuzzerella, Family_XIII_UCG-001, and Erysipelatoclostridium, which are associated with nutrient absorption, fiber degradation, and metabolism.

Conclusion: Post-grazing concentrate mix supplementation improved yak growth, meat quality, and shelf life, likely via enhanced amino acid and fatty acid deposition, nitrogen retention, and gut microbial shifts, which may ffers new insights into nutrient metabolism and feeding strategies for high-altitude livestock.

Objective: In China and Southeast Asia, black goats command higher selling prices. However, the blind breeding practices carried out by farmers pose a threat to the original genetic diversity of the population. Therefore, the objective of this study is to conduct a systematic detection of the genetic diversity of native black goat breeds, aiming to provide a reference for the protection and improvement of these valuable native black goat breeds.

Methods: Genetic diversity and population structure of 18 black goat breeds were estimated by utilizing 16 microsatellite markers. Subsequently, data analysis was carried out with the assistance of software like Phylip, Fstat, Arlequin, Structure. For the purpose of visualization, ITOL and Structure Selector were used to present the results in a visual manner.

Results: The mean number of alleles per population ranged from 4.75 to 9.56, with an average of 6.38. The observed heterozygosity of each breed ranged from 0.46 to 0.68, all of which were lower than the expected heterozygosity. The inbreeding coefficient (FIS) of the 18 breeds ranged from -0.003 to 0.376. Among them, the FIS values of Meigu goat (MG), Yimeng black goat, Yunling goat, Guizhou black goat and Ziwuling black goat were significantly higher than those under random rearrangement (p<0.05). All pairwise Fixation index between the Chinese black goat populations reached a significant level (p<0.05). Finally, the results of Bayesian model-based clustering and a neighbor-joining tree based on Nei's genetic distance showed these eighteen breeds can be further classified into seven genetic clusters.

Conclusion: All breeds showed high genetic diversity. MG had excessive inbreeding, and CZ and LZ were at risk of losing original genetic traits. Similar geographical and climatic conditions might lead to similar genetic materials in different breeds.

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in powdered and pelleted forms on feed intake, rumen fermentation, and nutrient digestibility in Thai native beef cattle.

Methods: Four male Thai native beef cattle (3-3.5 years old; 370±20.0 kg body weight) were assigned to a 4×4 Latin square design to evaluate the effects of replacing SBM with BSFL in the concentrate portion of the diet. The dietary treatments were: T1, control diet with SBM as the sole protein source; T2, 50% of SBM replaced with powdered BSFL; T3, 25% of SBM replaced with pelleted BSFL; and T4, 75% of SBM replaced with pelleted BSFL.

Results: Replacing SBM with BSFL had no significant effect on dry matter (DM) intake, ruminal pH, ammonia-nitrogen, or volatile fatty acid concentrations (p>0.05). Neutral detergent fiber intake was significantly higher in cattle fed the diet containing 75% pelleted BSFL compared to those fed 25% pelleted BSFL (p<0.01). Crude protein digestibility improved overall in BSFL-supplemented groups compared to the control (p<0.01). The highest DM digestibility was observed at 25% pelleted BSFL, significantly higher than at 75% inclusion (p<0.05). At 4 hours post-feeding, blood urea nitrogen concentration was significantly lower in cattle fed the 75% pelleted BSFL diet compared to those fed 25% pelleted BSFL (p<0.05). Protozoal populations, total volatile fatty acid concentrations, and the volatile fatty acid profile did not differ significantly among treatments (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Replacing SBM with BSFL, particularly at 25% in pelleted form, improves nutrient digestibility without impairing rumen fermentation, supporting its potential as a functional protein source in ruminant diets.

Objective: Post-hatching myogenesis is a critical determinant of meat yield and quality, with potential regulatory roles of specific genes remaining underexplored in Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata). This study aimed to identify hub genes governing post-hatching myogenesis through transcriptomic profiling .

Methods: Three white-feathered male Muscovy ducks at 1-day-old (1D) and 80-day-old (80D) were selected, respectively. Following humane euthanasia, the left leg muscles were collected for subsequent RNA extraction, library construction, genome alignment, and transcriptome sequencing. Differential gene expression analysis was performed using DESeq2 (ver. 1.16.1), with significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) selected under the thresholds of |log2FC|>1 and p-value<0.05. Subsequent functional characterization included enrichment analyses (Gene Ontology, KEGG, and PANTHER pathways) implemented through DAVID and KOBAS, followed by protein-protein interaction network modeling via STRING. Topological analysis with CytoHubba further pinpointed hub genes functionally linked to myogenesis.

Results: Totally 1,683 DEGs were identified between 80D and 1D muscles, including 865 upregulated and 818 downregulated genes . Totally ten hub genes, such as CD3E, ITK, COL4A6, and IVD, were prioritized as key regulators of myogenesis . Functional analysis revealed their enrichment in L-leucine catabolic processes and fatty acid β-oxidation . Pathway mapping further associated these genes with glycine/serine/threonine metabolism, and branched-chain amino acid degradation .

Conclusion: This study delineates a molecular framework for post-hatching myogenesis in Muscovy ducks, highlighting ten hub genes that orchestrate myogenesis through metabolic reprogramming . These findings advance genetic strategies for improving poultry meat production and quality .

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of different levels of phytase supplementation on growth performance parameters, nutrient digestibility, amino acid digestibility, and blood inositol concentration in weanling piglets that fed corn-soybean meal diet.

Methods: Weanling piglets were allocated to one of the five feeding treatments: control, a corn-soybean meal diet; dietary supplementation of 500 FTU/kg phytase; dietary supplementation of 750 FTU/kg phytase; dietary supplementation of 1,000 FTU/kg phytase; dietary supplementation of 1,500 FTU/kg phytase. The experiment had two feeding phases (phase 1, d 1 to 21; phase 2, d 22 to 42) to clarify effects of dietary phytase supplementation.

Results: The final body weight, average daily gain, and gain-to-feed ratio in the whole experimental period were increased linearly in response to elevated levels of dietary phytase supplementation (p<0.01). There was no significant difference in average daily feed intake in the whole experimental period. In phase 1, there was a linear increase in apparent total tract digestibility of crude protein (CP), gross energy, and calcium as the level of dietary phytase supplementation increases. Phosphorus digestibility tended to be linearly increased (p = 0.056). In phase 2, linear increases were observed (p<0.01) in calcium and phosphorus digestibility. Additionally, CP digestibility was linearly increased (p<0.05). Dry matter digestibility showed a quadratic effect (p<0.05). The digestibility of arginine, leucine, lysine, tryptophan, alanine, and phenylalanine and cysteine showed a linear increase (p<0.01). There was a linear increase (p<0.01) in blood myo-inositol levels in phase 2.

Conclusion: Dietary phytase supplementation at levels greater than 1,000 FTU/kg significantly improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood myo-inositol concentrations in weanling pigs. However, further studies are necessary to investigate the effects of super dosing and to determine the optimal phytase dosage.

Objective: Since the liver is key to poultry lipid metabolism and fasting models are widely used in studying animal nutrition metabolism, this study used fasting to explore chicken liver lipid metabolism characteristics, providing a basis for poultry lipid metabolism research.

Methods: RNA-seq and metabolomics were combined to analyze 72-hour fasting effects on chicken liver lipid metabolism. Key lipid metabolism-related genes and metabolites were identified, with their mechanisms explored via RNAi and Oil Red O staining.

Results: Metabolomics identified 648 differential metabolites, including 8 (e.g., Arachidonoyl amine) with levels 160-fold higher than controls. Transcriptomics found 849 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 78 involved in lipid metabolism; Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed hub genes like EHHADH. Transcriptome-metabolome correlation analysis showed 101 DEGs correlated with 99 metabolites, with EHHADH associated with 54 metabolites (the most) and linked to 2-methylcrotonoyl-CoA and 5 pathways via KEGG Markup Language. Fasting upregulated EHHADH, whose overexpression/interference altered mRNA levels of Fabp7, Plin2, ACACA, FASN, PPARα, as well as cholesterol/triglyceride levels. EHHADH overexpression reduced LMH cell lipid deposition, while interference increased it, indicating its role in reducing lipid deposition.

Conclusion: Fasting significantly alters chicken liver lipid metabolism, and EHHADH helps reduce liver lipid deposition.

Objective: Although there is some evidence linking weaning stress to altered gut flora and stunted development, the exact nature of this relationship is still up for debate.

Methods: In this study, we employed Granger causality inference to compare the dynamic changes in gastrointestinal microbiota between stressed and non-stressed goat kids, and we validated our findings through a randomized controlled trial involving rumen microbiota transplantation.

Results: Our findings indicated that the alpha diversity and microbial maturity of the rumen microbiota in stressed kids were significantly lower than those in non-stressed kids during the weaning period (p<0.05). Furthermore, the rumen microbiota at pre-weaning could accurately predict the body weight changes during weaning stress period (R2 = 0.99, root-mean-square error of prediction = 0.19). We found that the majority of high-abundance rumen bacteria (89.22%) were retained by the cultured rumen microbiota, and that transplanting this microbiota successfully changed the rumen microbiota (analysis of similarity of microbiota, p<0.05), improved growth performance (p<0.05) during weaning, and enhanced microbial maturity (p<0.05), but had no effect on the gut microbiota (p>0.05). Additionally, transplantation of the cultured rumen microbiota reduced intestinal permeability and inflammation while increasing antioxidant levels in weaned kids (p<0.05).

Conclusion: These findings provide evidence for the association between rumen microbiota and weaning stress, demonstrating that manipulating rumen microbiota is an effective strategy for alleviating weaning stress in goat kids.