Animal Bioscience最新文献

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of cecropin on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune function, rumen fermentation parameters, and rumen microbiota of goats.

Methods: Twelve male Yudong black goats were randomly divided into two groups, with 6 replicates per group. The control group (CON) was fed a basic diet, while the antimicrobial peptide group (AMP) received a diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg cecropin. The experimental period lasted for 60 days.

Results: Compared with the CON group, the AMP group showed significantly improved FW (35.46 vs. 37.33 kg, p<0.05), average daily gain (205.19 vs. 234.78 g/d, p<0.05), and reduced feed-to-gain ratio (6.45 vs. 5.66, p<0.05). The AMP group presented significantly higher SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activities and total antioxidant capacitylevels in the serum, while the MDA content was significantly lower (p<0.05). Furthermore, compared with the CON group, the les of IgG, IgA, and IL-10 in the AMP group were significanveltly increased, while the levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were significantly decreased (p<0.05). In the rumen fluid, the AMP group presented significantly greater propionate and total volatile fatty acid levels, with a significantly lower acetate/propionate ratio (p<0.05). Microbial analysis revealed differences in rumen microbiota diversity and composition between the two groups. At the phylum level, the AMP group presented significantly greater abundances of Bacteroidota, Fibrobacterota, Desulfobacterota, and Elusimicrobiota, whereas the Firmicutes abundance was significantly lower than that in the CON group (p<0.05). At the genus level, the AMP group presented significantly greater abundances of Prevotella, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, F082, Fibrobacter, Prevotellaceae_ UCG-003, Bacteroidales_RF16_group, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, and UCG-010, whereas the abundances of Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 and Butyrivibrio were significantly lower (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Overall, these results suggest that adding 500 mg/kg cecropin to the diet promotes goat growth performance by improving serum antioxidant capacity and immune function, optimizing rumen fermentation parameters, and modulating rumen microbiota.

Objective: Bacillus coagulans is a spore-forming probiotic known for its resilience and metabolic activity, both of which are desirable in promoting gut health and oxidative balance. Nonetheless, the beneficial effects of B. coagulans-fermented bedding (BFB) on raising native Chinese chicken breed farming remain largely unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate BFB supplementation on growth performance, meat quality and gut health in Jiuyuan Black chicken.

Methods: A total of 120 male chicks were allocated to the control (CON, using traditional litter) and BFB groups with four replicates per group containing fifteen birds. The chickens were monitored for 70 days; growth performance was evaluated on days 35 and 70, while meat quality, intestinal integrity, antioxidant capacity, and animal welfare were evaluated on day 70.

Results: The results showed that, after 70 days, the chickens in the BFB group exhibited significantly higher average daily gain, lower feed conversion ratio, and increased semi-eviscerated yield and intramuscular fat content compared to the CON group (P < 0.05). Breast muscle from the BFB group showed enhanced flavor and juiciness than the CON group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the histological analysis of the jejunum demonstrated increased villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, alongside upregulated expression of tight junction proteins (Claudin-1 and ZO-1) (P < 0.05). Additionally, total antioxidant capacity, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities were increased, with reduced malondialdehyde levels in the serum and jejunal tissue (P < 0.05). Furthermore, BFB improved Jiuyuan Black chickens feather coverage (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study indicated that BFB treatment was a good source of reducing oxidative stress in broilers by improving gut health, antioxidant capacity and meat quality which may provide an essential proof for the practical application to enhance growth performance without causing welfare issues in poultry.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the intrinsic relationships between meat quality, protein properties, and enzyme activities of pork longissimus dorsi treated with L-lysine (Lys) during postmortem aging.

Methods: The pork samples were collected from 18 twelve-month-old crossbred pigs (120 kg, Duroc×Long White Large×White, longissimus dorsi muscle) in three batches of six samples each. The meat was then immediately placed in a thermal container and transported to the laboratory within 1 hour for subsequent processing at 4°C. After removing fat and connective tissue, the pork was cut into 20 g±1 g meat blocks. Then, the samples were vacuum sealed and left in a freezer (4°C) for 0, 1 and 3 days.

Results: The results showed that Lys addition (0.10%, 0.15%, and 0.20%) improved pork quality (water-holding capacity and tenderness). On the third day of aging, the shear force values reached their lowest levels (p<0.05), measuring 38.21 N, 34.04 N, and 30.94 N for the respective treatment groups. In addition, the postmortem addition of Lys significantly increased the myofibrillar fragmentation index and actomyosin solubility during pork aging (p<0.05), with maximum values of 105.07% and 90.35%, respectively. Meanwhile, microscopic structure and electrophoresis results indicated that Lys treatment disrupted the muscle fiber structure, promoted the degradation of myofibrillar proteins (MPs) and dissociation of actomyosin. Furthermore, with increasing Lys addition, calpain-1 activity, caspase-3 activity, and Ca2+-ATPase activity in the muscle significantly increased (p<0.05), reaching maximum values of 17.46 ng/mL, 55.68 μg/mL, and 2.79 μmol (Pi)/min·mg protein, respectively. The activation of these enzymes promoted the dissociation and hydrolysis of key structural proteins.

Conclusion: Lys improved pork quality by increasing calpain-1, caspase-3, and Ca2+-ATPase activity during the postmortem aging, thereby promoting the degradation of MPs and the dissociation of the actomyosin.

Objective: The growth and development of secondary hair follicles primarily determine the economic value of cashmere traits, significantly influencing the quality of cashmere fineness. Previous studies have concentrated on the periodic growth regulation of hair follicles in Inner Mongolia cashmere goats (IMCGs), identifying numerous candidate genes that influence cashmere traits. Research on the factors and regulatory mechanisms affecting cashmere fineness in different body parts is currently limited.

Methods: The differences of cashmere fineness traits among different body parts or ages were determined by multiple comparison analysis testing in analysis of variance. RNA-seq and Gene Ontology (GO) & Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were used to assess the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across different body parts of IMCGs. The candidate genes were validated using quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction techniques.

Results: Ages and different body parts had significant effects on cashmere diameter of IMCGs (p<0.05). Cashmere diameter was coarsest in the abdomen, but finest in the neck and back. A total of 2,178 DEGs were specifically screened among four body parts based on cashmere diameter. GO and KEGG analyses showed that these DEGs were mainly enriched in signaling pathways related to hair growth, such as MAPK signaling pathway and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction. The expression of MATN2 and CA12 were consistent with the phenotype of cashmere fineness in different body parts.

Conclusion: The differences of cashmere fineness among different body parts of IMCGs were investigated through transcriptome and phenotype analysis, which provide a basis for understanding molecular regulation of cashmere growth in cashmere goats. ATN2 and CA12 have been validated as regulatory genes influencing the heterogeneity of cashmere fineness in various parts of IMCGs.

Objective: This study aimed to characterize the genomic distribution and amino acid homology of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) subtypes in three pig breeds, Jeju native pigs (JNPs), Duroc, and Landrace.

Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from hair and ear tissue samples of JNPs, Duroc, and Landrace breeds using DirEx Fast Hair Kit and Exgene Tissue SV Plus kit (GeneAll). Whole-genome resequencing (WGR) was performed by using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform. Sequencing libraries were prepared using the TruSeq Nano DNA Kit and qualitychecked using QUAST and BUSCO, and aligned to the Sus scrofa 11.1 reference genome with Bowtie2. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR were conducted with subtype-specific primers targeting gag, pol, and env regions. Amplicons were verified via agarose gel electrophoresis, purified, and subjected to Sanger sequencing.

Results: WGR revealed breed-specific differences in PERV insertion, with JNPs exhibiting a higher frequency compared with the commercial breeds. PERV-B was the most abundant subtype, followed by PERV-CA and PERV-A, whereas PERV-C was absent in all the breeds. Chromosomal mapping highlighted variations in the localization of PERV, with notable absence on chromosomes 10 and 18. Homology analysis of amino acid sequences of PERV-A, PERV-B, and PERV-CA revealed breed-specific variations in the gag, pol, and env regions, indicating potential differences in viral replication and infectivity. The presence of all PERV subtypes were confirmed using polymerase chain reaction, with PERV-C detected in some Western breeds and all the JNPs analyzed. Sequencing of the PERV-C env region revealed single nucleotide polymorphisms, indicating genetic divergence among pig breeds.

Conclusion: The study findings highlight the need for breed-specific strategies in PERV inactivation for xenotransplantation applications. The distinct chromosomal distribution patterns and functionally significant PERV insertions identified in this study provide a foundation for future research into host-virus interactions and retroviral evolution.

The objective of this review was to describe the enzymatic properties of multiple inositol polyphosphate phosphatase (MINPP1/MIPP) as an unusual member of histidine acid phosphatase, distinct from conventional microbial phytases and their additional physiological functions besides degrading phytate. Considering parameters such as pH activity profile, substrate specificity, catalytic efficiency, and stability, MINPP1 is of merit as a novel phytase source for developing an ideal feed additive supported by functional metagenomics fused with recombinant DNA technology and classical protein engineering. In addition, MINPP1 appears to be involved in some biological activities such as cell survival, stress, lipopolysaccharide and inorganic polyphosphate-induced inflammatory response, milk fatty acid composition-related metabolism and bone-related growth and pathophysiology, which can be important for the production performance of farm animals. Future directions need profound studies revealing the direct effects of MINPP1 on these physiological events.

Objective: Oocyte quality is critical for the stable transmission of genetic information and affects early embryonic development. But the precise mechanisms governing oocyte meiotic progression remains largely unclear. Transcription regulation through chromatin compaction and decompaction is regulated through various chromatin-remodeling complexes such as nucleosome remodeling and histone deacetylation (NuRD) complex. GATAD2B is known to be a component of the NuRD complex but whether GATAD2B regulates chromatin modification in mouse oocyte meiosis remains unclear. We hope to explore the role of GATAD2B in mouse oocyte meiosis.

Methods: In this study, we initially utilized western blot and immunofluorescence to delineate the expression and subcellular localization of GATAD2B during oocyte meiotic maturation. To further elucidate the role of GATAD2B in regulating oocyte meiotic division, we employed the method of microinjection of Gatad2b-specific siRNA to knock down the protein expression of GATAD2B. Subsequently, dynamic changes in oocyte meiotic division were captured in real-time using live-cell imaging with Geri. Additionally, spindle staining, DNA staining, spread analysis, and reanalysis of RNA-seq data were performed to investigate the mechanisms through which GATAD2B regulates oocyte meiotic division.

Results: GATAD2B was stably expressed during oocyte meiosis and was significantly increased during the metaphase II (MII) stage. To further explore the effect of GATAD2B on oocyte meiotic maturation, we observed increased abnormal spindle, severe chromosome misalignment and metaphase I (MI) block in GATAD2B knocked-down (GATAD2B-KD) oocytes. Interestingly, the distribution of microtubule organizing center was abnormal and aneuploidy was significantly increased in GATAD2B-KD oocytes. In addition, some deacetylation-related genes were significantly downregulated and acetylated proteins accumulated abnormally in GATAD2B-KD oocytes.

Conclusion: These findings implicate GATAD2B as a novel regulator of histone deacetylation during oocyte maturation and provide evidence that such deacetylation is required for proper spindle assembly.

Objective: This study investigated the antioxidant activities of lotus root, Nelumbo nucifera, by producing oven-dried lotus root powder (ODLRP) and powdered ethanolic extracts of the ODLRP produced using different concentrations of ethanol (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) for various times (0-8 h). The effect of ODLRP and an ethanolic extract powder produced by an extraction of ODLRP with 50% ethanol for 4 h (ODLRP_E50%) in low-fat boiled and smoked pork sausages were investigated.

Methods: Antioxidant activities of the ODLRP and the ethanol extracts produced from the ODLRP under different extraction conditions were analyzed. Then, the ODLRP and ODLRP_E50% extract powder were added to pork sausages at concentrations of 1% and 0.1%, respectively, to determine their effects on the physicochemical properties, and antibacterial and antioxidant activities the sausages.

Results: The ODLRP ethanol extract powder exhibited antioxidant activity, regardless of extraction time. The pH value of the boiled pork sausages containing 1% ODLRP was lower than that of the control sausages (CS). The color value demonstrated that the lightness of the boiled and smoked sausages decreased with the addition of 1% ODLRP or 0.1% ODLRP_E50% compared with the CS, but their redness and yellowness increased. The hardness and gumminess of smoked sausages with 0.1% ODLRP_E50% were lower than those of the CS (p<0.05). However, the springiness of the boiled sausages containing 0.1% ODLRP_E50% decreased. Boiled sausages treated with ODLRP and ODLRP_E50% had lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances compared with the CS from day 14 of storage. Moreover, the boiled sausages containing 1% sausages containing 0.1% ODLRP_E50% extract powder exhibited an extended shelf-life compared with the CS.

Conclusion: Ethanol extraction conditions of ODLRP and cooking methods of low-fat pork sausages are critical factors affecting the quality and shelf-life of sausages.

Objective: The Neijiang indigenous pig breed of China and the Western Large White pig breed have unique meat quality and carcass characteristics. However, the genetic factors and mechanisms influencing their distinct meat and carcass traits are still not well understood. Therefore, using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), this study aimed to identify key genes influencing these traits.

Methods: Transcriptome data from 17 Neijiang and 22 Large White pigs, along with their carcass weight, backfat thickness, eye muscle area, meat color, and muscle pH phenotypic data, were analyzed using WGCNA. A total of 9,249 genes were used to construct a weighted gene co-expression network.

Results: Twenty-two co-expression gene modules were identified. Genes in the top modules were enriched in processes relevant to carcass and meat quality, such as protein transport. Further analysis identified six key genes, including HSPH1, HSPA4, DNAJA4, MRPL3, SEC63, and SRP54, for the Neijiang breed. Also, five key genes, consisting of EP300, SETD2, NIPBL, NAT10, and VCP, were identified for the Large White population. These genes were involved in biological processes related to mitochondrial function, protein targeting, chromatin organization, and morphogenesis.

Conclusion: The findings from this study elucidate the regulatory mechanisms influencing the carcass and meat characteristics of the Neijiang and Large White pigs. The key genes could serve as potential biomarkers for enhancing breeding strategies aimed at improving pork quality.

Objective: Inner Mongolia cashmere goats are superior indigenous breeds developed through long-term natural selection and systematic artificial selection, which have experienced a certain intensity of selection pressure during the breeding process, leading to bipolar differentiation trends in cashmere traits. Therefore, identifying genomic selection signatures associated with cashmere traits in Inner Mongolia cashmere goats is crucial for breeding high-quality cashmere-producing goats.

Methods: To unravel the genetic basis of cashmere traits, this study stratified 375 Inner Mongolia cashmere goats into eight subgroups based on breeding values for cashmere traits: high-yield vs low-yield cashmere types (HYCG vs LYCG), fine vs coarse cashmere types (FCG vs CCG), long vs short cashmere types (LCG vs SCG), and long vs short fleece types (LFCG vs SFCG). Whole-genome resequencing was performed for genotyping, followed by detection of selection signatures.

Results: Results revealed 144, 158, 147, and 147 high-frequency run of homozygosity (ROH) regions in HYCG, FCG, LCG, and LFCG subgroups, respectively, annotating to 515, 565, 510, and 521 genes. Additionally, genomic regions under positive selection were identified using Fst, θπ ratios, and XP-EHH methods, with overlapping regions detected by ≥2 methods defined as candidate regions. Gene annotation identified 777, 660, 712, and 726 candidate genes in HYCG vs LYCG, FCG vs CCG, LCG vs SCG, and LFCG vs SFCG comparisons, respectively. These genes were enriched in 3,051 GO terms and 318 KEGG pathways, including Hippo, MAPK, Wnt, PI3K-Akt, and mTOR signaling pathways associated with cashmere growth and development, involving genes such as LGR6, RUNX2, IGF1R, FGF9, and TCF7L1.

Conclusion: In this study, we employed four complementary approaches, including ROHs, Fst, θπ ratios, and XP-EHH, to identify genomic signatures of selection for cashmere traits in Inner Mongolia cashmere goats. These findings provide valuable insights for improving cashmere production performance and developing novel strains with highquality cashmere in Inner Mongolia cashmere goats.