Whole-Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Regulatory Network of Immune Response in Dapulian Pig.

There is a consensus that indigenous pigs in China are more resistant than modern commercial pigs in terms of disease resistance. Generally, the immune response is an important part of anti-disease capability; however, the related mechanism in pigs is largely puzzling. Here, the public transcriptome data of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from Dapulian (Chinese local breed) and Landrace (Commercial breed) pigs after stimulation with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C, a conventional reagent used for simulation of the viral infection) were reanalyzed, and the immune response mechanism in different pig breeds was investigated from a transcriptomic perspective.

Joint Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Candidate Genes Associated with Plumage Color Traits in Matahu Ducks.

Plumage color is a key trait for identifying waterfowl breeds with significant economic importance. A white-feathered group has recently emerged within the native Matahu duck population, presenting an opportunity for breeding new lines. However, the genetic basis for this plumage variation is still unknown, necessitating further research.

A comprehensive review on potential role of selenium, selenoproteins and selenium nanoparticles in male fertility.

Selenium (Se), a component of selenoproteins and selenocompounds in the human body, is crucial for the development of male reproductive organs, DNA synthesis, thyroid hormone, metabolism, and defence against infections and oxidative damage. In the testis, it must exceed a desirable level since either a shortage or an overabundance causes aberrant growth. The antioxidant properties of selenium are essential for preserving human reproductive health.

Genome-wide association studies of egg production traits by whole genome sequencing of Laiwu Black chicken.

Compared to high-yield commercial laying hens, Chinese indigenous chicken breeds have poor egg laying capacity due to the lack of intensive selection. However, as these breeds have not undergone systematic selection, it is possible that there is a greater abundance of genetic variations related to egg laying traits. In this study, we assessed 5 egg number (EN) traits at different stages of the egg-laying period: EN1 (from the first egg to 23 wk), EN2 (from 23 to 35 wk), EN3 (from 35 to 48 wk), EN4 (from the first egg to 35 wk), and EN5 (from the first egg to 48 wk).

The significance of single-cell transcriptome analysis in epididymis research.

As a crucial component of the male reproductive system, the epididymis plays multiple roles, including sperm storage and secretion of nutritive fluids for sperm development and maturation. The acquisition of fertilization capacity by sperm occurs during their transport through the epididymis. Compared with the testis, little has been realized about the importance of the epididymis.

Elucidation of the genetic determination of body weight and size in Chinese local chicken breeds by large-scale genomic analyses.

Background: Body weight and size are important economic traits in chickens. While many growth-related quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and candidate genes have been identified, further research is needed to confirm and characterize these findings. In this study, we investigate genetic and genomic markers associated with chicken body weight and size.

CircRNA-5335 Regulates the Differentiation and Proliferation of Sheep Preadipocyte via the miR-125a-3p/STAT3 Pathway.

The content of intramuscular fat (IMF) from preadipocytes is proportional to meat quality in livestock. However, the roles of circRNAs in IMF deposition in sheep are not well known. In this study, we show that circRNA-5335/miR-125a-3p/STAT3 play a crucial adjective role in the proliferation and differentiation of sheep preadipocytes.

Induced differentiation of primordial germ cell like cells from SOX9 porcine skin derived stem cells.

Understanding the mechanisms behind porcine primordial germ cell like cells (pPGCLCs) development, differentiation, and gametogenesis is crucial in the treatment of infertility. In this study, SOX9 skin derived stem cells (SOX9 SDSCs) were isolated from fetal porcine skin and a high-purity SOX9 SDSCs population was obtained. The SOX9 SDSCs were induced to transdifferentiate into PGCLCs during 8 days of cultured.

Integrating genomics and transcriptomics to identify candidate genes for high egg production in Wulong geese (Anser cygnoides orientalis).

Background: Wulong geese (Anser cygnoides orientalis) are known for their excellent egg-laying performance. However, they show considerable population differences in egg-laying behavior. This study combined genome-wide selection signal analysis with transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq) to identify the genes related to high egg production in Wulong geese.

Aflatoxin B1 affects porcine alveolar macrophage growth through the calcium signaling pathway mediated by the ceRNA regulatory network.

Background: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), one of the most prevalent contaminants in human and animal food, impairs the immune system, but information on the mechanisms of AFB1-mediated macrophage toxicity is still lacking.

Methods And Results: In this study, for the first time, we employed whole transcriptome sequencing technology to explore the molecular mechanism by which AFB1 affects the growth of porcine alveolar macrophages (PAM). We found that AFB1 exposure reduced the proliferative capacity of PAM and prevented cell cycle progression.

LncRNA profiles of Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside ameliorated Zearalenone-induced damage in porcine granulosa cells.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), a class of RNA molecules with transcripts longer than 200 nt, is crucial for maintaining animal reproductive function. Zearalenone (ZEN) damaged animal reproduction by targeting ovarian granulosa cells (GCs), especially in pigs. Nonetheless, it is not quite clear that whether Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) exert effects on porcine GCs (pGCs) after ZEN exposure by altering lncRNA expression.

Identification of unique transcriptomic signatures through integrated multispecies comparative analysis and WGCNA in bovine oocyte development.

Background: Cattle (Bos taurus) are a major large livestock, however, compared with other species, the transcriptional specificity of bovine oocyte development has not been emphasised.

Results: To reveal the unique transcriptional signatures of bovine oocyte development, we used integrated multispecies comparative analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to perform bioinformatic analysis of the germinal follicle (GV) and second meiosis (MII) gene expression profile from cattle, sheep, pigs and mice. We found that the expression levels of most genes were down-regulated from GV to MII in all species.

Aflatoxin B1 disrupts testicular development via the cell cycle-related Ras/PI3K/Akt signaling in mice and pig.

Aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), a type I carcinogen widely present in the environment, not only poses a danger to animal husbandry, but also poses a potential threat to human reproductive health, but its mechanism is still unclear. To address this question, multi-omics were performed on porcine Sertoli cells and mice testis. The data suggest that AFB1 induced testicular damage manifested as decreased expression of GJA1, ZO1 and OCCLUDIN in mice (p < 0.

Naringin regulates intestinal microorganisms and serum metabolites to promote spermatogenesis.

Naringin (NAR) is a dihydroflavonoid with various biological activities and pharmacological effects, especially natural antioxidant activity. To gain a better understanding of the effects of NAR on the reproductive system, especially spermatogenesis, we employed western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, metabolomics and microbiomics to comprehensively dissect the impact of NAR on spermatogenesis. NAR promotes germ cell proliferation and testicular development, and promotes the secretion of sex hormones.

Identification of Candidate Genes for Twinning Births in Dezhou Donkeys by Detecting Signatures of Selection in Genomic Data.

Twinning trait in donkeys is an important manifestation of high fecundity, but few reports are available elucidating its genetic mechanism. To explore the genetic mechanism underlying the twin colt trait in Dezhou donkeys, DNA from 21 female Dezhou donkeys that had birthed single or twin colts were collected for whole-genome resequencing. FST, θπ and Tajima’s D were used to detect the selective sweeps between single and twin colt fecundity in the Dezhou donkey groups.

Comparison of gut microflora of donkeys in high and low altitude areas.

Donkeys' gut microbe is critical for their health and adaptation to the environment. Little research has been conducted on the donkey gut microbiome compared with other domestic animals. The Tibetan Plateau is an extreme environment.

Cryopreservation of porcine skin-derived stem cells using melatonin or trehalose maintains their ability to self-renew and differentiate.

Porcine skin-derived stem cells (pSDSCs) are a type of adult stem cells (ASCs) that retain the ability to self-renew and differentiate. Currently, pSDSCs research has entered an intense period of development; however there has been no research regarding methods of cryopreservation. In this paper, we explored an efficient cryopreservation method for pSDSCs.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and indels identified from whole-genome re-sequencing of four Chinese donkey breeds.

This paper represents the fundamental report of the survey of genome-wide changes of four Chinese indigenous donkey breeds, Dezhou (DZ), Guangling (GL), North China (NC), and Shandong Little donkey (SDL), and the findings will prove usefully for identification of biomarkers that perhaps predict or characterize the growth and coat color patterns. Three genomic regions in , , and genes, were identified as putative selective sweeps in all researched donkey populations. The loci of candidate genes that may have contributed to the phenotypes in body size (, , , and ) and coat color patterns ( and ) in donkey populations would be found in underlying strong selection signatures when compared between large and small donkey types, and between different coat colors.

Identification of nucleotide polymorphisms in the key promoter region of chicken annexins A2 gene associatied with egg laying traits.

Annexin A2 () is a member of the A subfamily of a multifunctional calcium dependent membrane phospholipid binding protein family. The mRNA expression of is consistent with ovary function and egg laying in chickens. In this study, six nucleotide polymorphisms in the key promoter region of chicken gene (-2861bp to -1394bp), i.

Comparative Transcriptomics Uncover the Uniqueness of Oocyte Development in the Donkey.

The donkey is an important domestic animal, however the number of donkeys world-wide is currently declining. It is therefore important to protect their genetic resources and to elaborate the regulatory mechanisms of donkey reproduction, particularly, oocyte development. Here, we adopted comparative transcriptomic analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to uncover the uniqueness of donkey oocyte development compared to cattle, sheep, pigs, and mice, during the period from germinal vesicle (GV) to metaphase II (MII).

Comparison of body size and reproductive hormones in high- and low-yielding Wulong geese.

Wulong geese are renowned for their egg-laying and reproductive abilities. This work investigated the potential of using body size traits in the selection and breeding of high-yielding Wulong geese. A total of forty 479day-old female geese (high-yielding geese, n = 20; low-yielding geese, n = 20) were selected to evaluate the relationship between body weight, body size trait indicators, serum reproductive hormones, and biochemical indicators.

The proliferation role of LH on porcine primordial germ cell-like cells (pPGCLCs) through ceRNA network construction.

Background: The transdifferentiation of skin-derived stem cells (SDSCs) into primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) is one of the major breakthroughs in the field of stem cells research in recent years. This technology provides a new theoretical basis for the treatment of human infertility. However, the transdifferentiation efficiency of SDSCs to PGCLCs is very low, and scientists are still exploring ways to improve this efficiency or promote the proliferation of PGCLCs.

YAP regulates porcine skin-derived stem cells self-renewal partly by repressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Skin-derived stem cells (SDSCs) are a class of adult stem cells (ASCs) that have the ability to self-renew and differentiate. The regulation mechanisms involved in the differentiation of SDSCs are a hot topic. In this paper, we explore the link between the transcriptional regulator yes-associated protein (YAP) and the fate of porcine SDSCs (pSDSCs).

Establishment of lncRNA-mRNA network in bovine oocyte between germinal vesicle and metaphase II stage.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), a type of non-protein coding transcripts with lengths exceeding 200 nucleotides, is reported to be widely involved in many cellular and developmental processes. However, few roles of lncRNA in oocyte development have been defined. In this study, to uncover the effect of lncRNA during oocyte maturation, bovine germinal vesicle (GV) and in vitro matured metaphase II (MII) oocytes underwent RNA sequencing.