Animal Science Journal最新文献

Pork quality is critically influenced by fat deposition patterns, with emerging evidence implicating circular RNAs (circRNAs) as key regulators of adipogenesis, though the specific circRNAs controlling lipogenesis remain incompletely characterized. To systematically elucidate the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network governing porcine adipocyte differentiation, we isolated primary preadipocytes from piglets, induced differentiation, and performed comprehensive RNA sequencing that identified 504 differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs, 126 DE miRNAs, and 1615 DE mRNAs between proliferative and differentiated states, revealing an extensive transcriptomic rewiring during adipogenesis. Functional characterization demonstrated that two circRNAs, circSAMD4A and circLPAR1, significantly promoted lipid accumulation. The further mechanistic studies established that circSAMD4A functions by competitively binding miR-127, alleviating the repression of PRKAR2B, thereby enhancing adipogenic differentiation. These findings not only advance fundamental understanding of circRNA biology in adipose tissue but also provide actionable molecular targets for precision breeding strategies aimed at optimizing intramuscular fat deposition.

This study evaluated teat end massages (TEMs) associated with various liner shapes and provides foundational data for assessing the impact of liner design on teat ends. A silicon dropper, simulating a teat end, was attached to one end of a stainless tube, with a pressure sensor attached to the opposite end. Twelve liner types were tested under vacuum settings of 40 or 50 kPa, with liners positioned at depths of 7 and 10 cm from the liner mouthpiece. TEMs were recorded over 10-s periods at 0.1-s intervals. TEMs were also conducted after altering the pulsation ratio. TEMs were consistently higher at 50 kPa for all liners and increased at a depth of 10 cm compared with 7 cm. Significant differences (p < 0.01) in TEMs were observed across four categories of liner types, with non-round liners exhibiting higher TEMs. The D-phase duration was correlated with average TEMs, but not with maximum TEMs. Based on these findings, the study recommends using either a round liner with outer ribs or a round silicone liner with a pulsation ratio of 60:40 to promote teat end health.

Infectious diseases pose significant challenges to livestock production, compromising animal health and reducing economic productivity. To address these challenges, CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs) have emerged as promising immunomodulators that stimulate the innate immune system through Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), offering a potential strategy for enhancing disease resistance in livestock. This study examined MsST, a class B CpG-ODN derived from Streptococcus thermophilus, a representative lactic acid bacterium widely used in yogurt production, and its role in modulating CXCL5 expression in macrophages. At a low concentration, MsST significantly enhanced CXCL5 secretion in mouse splenocytes and bone marrow-derived macrophages, outperforming other CpG-ODNs and TLR4 ligands. These effects were mediated by TLR9 and CD11b⁺ macrophages and highlighted the potential of MsST to bolster immune responses against infections. MsST strongly suppressed Abca1 in splenocytes, while the other tested CpG-ODNs increased the Abca1 levels. Although MsST may help enhance disease resistance in livestock due to potent induction of CXCL5, suppressing Abca1 raises concerns regarding lipid metabolism. The dual effects of MsST underscore the need for further research to evaluate broader implications of the utility of MsST and optimize safety and efficacy. MsST is a promising yet complex candidate for improving animal health through immunomodulation.

The main objective of the current study was to assess the associative impacts of substituting steam-flaked corn (SFC) with steam-flaked wheat (SFW) in beef cattle diets on in vitro rumen fermentation profiles, in vitro dry matter disappearance rate (IVDMD), and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, when dietary total mixed ration (TMR) diets were suspended with rumen fluid. Rumen fluid was collected from the three donor steers 2 h after feeding. Adding 0%, 10%, 20%, 40%, and 60% levels of the replacement of SFC with SFW grains dramatically increased the GHG emissions and ruminal pH (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, when SFW supplementation increased, IVDMD decreased (linear p < 0.05). Interestingly, in the presence of SFW, ruminal acetate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate increased linearly (p < 0.05), whereas valerate, butanol (quadratic, p < 0.01), phenol, and ethanol productions decreased (p < 0.01) with increasing SFW. The rumen's IVDMD and a molar proportion of acetate (R² = 0.62; p < 0.01) were significantly related to ruminal CH₄ production. The study's key findings indicated that partial replacement of ground SFW with SFC could not be effective in mitigating GHG emissions by altering rumen fermentation profiles compared to SFC.

The study set out to examine the effect of sampling time, ultrasonic treatment and muscle on the microbial and physicochemical quality of meat from red deer. Samples of three muscles from eight red deer hinds were collected: semimembranosus (SM), longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL), and quadriceps femoris (QD). The samples were stored using three methods and treated or not with an ultrasonic bath. The SM muscle had the highest loads of lactic acid bacteria, and the SM had more fungi and molds than the LTL. Freezer storage reduced the numbers of lactic acid bacteria by 17.8% compared with the samples examined 48 h post-harvest. The freezer storage of LTL and SM samples led to the lowest detection of Pseudomonas sp., with the QD sample being free of this microbe. Ultrasonic bath had minimal impact on meat physicochemical and sensory traits. Still, it significantly reduced the loads of β-d-glucuronidase-positive Escherichia coli (by 35.2%) and Enterobacteriaceae (by 11.6%), compared with untreated samples. Deer muscles vary in microbial loads, but bacterial counts can be decreased with proper methods of venison management.

Ovum pick-up (OPU)-in vitro fertilization (IVF), a technique in which cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) are aspirated from the ovaries of cows and embryos are produced through IVF, is a method that allows repeated oocyte collection and embryo production without the need for slaughtering cattle and is used in breeding of Japanese Black cattle. However, there is no research on OPU-IVF-related traits in Japanese Black cattle from a breeding perspective. Therefore, we estimated genetic parameters of OPU-IVF-related traits in Japanese Black cows farmed in Hiroshima Prefecture. We used four OPU-related traits (numbers of follicles [NF], collected COCs [CCOC], collected excellent COCs [ACCOC], and collected COCs used for IVF) and five IVF-related traits (numbers of cleavage, eight-cell stage, morula-stage, blastocyst-stage, and excellent or good blastocyst-stage embryos) for OPU-IVF-related traits. Variance components were estimated using Bayesian approach. The estimated heritability of OPU-IVF-related traits ranged from 0.22 ± 0.09 (ACCOC) to 0.39 ± 0.22 (NF and CCOC) and showed for the first time that genetic improvement of OPU-IVF-related traits in Japanese Black cattle is feasible.

This study investigated the role and mechanism of α-glycerol monolaurate (α-GML), a Food and Drug Administration–approved natural emulsifier, in enhancing tight junction (TJ) assembly and intestinal barrier function. In vitro experiments showed that α-GML significantly increased the gene and protein levels of TJ-related occludin (OCLN) and zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1), increased ZO-1 distribution in the cell membrane, and reduced paracellular permeability in porcine jejunum epithelial cells (IPEC-J2). These findings indicated that α-GML enhanced intestinal barrier function by promoting TJ protein expression and assembly. Compared with the α-GML group, TJ protein expression and assembly and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation were significantly downregulated in cotreatment groups receiving α-GML along with a calcium-sensing receptor antagonist or a phospholipase C inhibitor. Notably, the groups treated with α-GML and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor inhibitor showed a significant decrease in TJ assembly and AMPK phosphorylation, with no significant difference in the TJ protein expression levels. In vivo experiments demonstrated that dietary α-GML significantly upregulated TJ levels and AMPK phosphorylation in the jejunum of partridge chicks. In conclusion, α-GML may upregulate intestinal epithelial TJ assembly via AMPK activation and promote intestinal barrier development in young animals to maintain intestinal health.