The Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis a.) are an endemic and critically endangered species in China. Intensive captive breeding is essential for understanding the biology of critically endangered species, especially their pregnancy characteristics, knowledge of which is crucial for effective breeding management. Urine metabolomics can reveal metabolic differences, arising from physiological changes across pregnancy stages. Therefore, we used the urinary metabolomic technology, to explore urinary metabolite changes in pregnant Yangtze finless porpoises. A total of 2281 metabolites were identified in all samples, which including organic acids and derivatives (24.45%), organoheterocyclic compounds (20.23%), benzenoids (18.05%), organic oxygen compounds (7.73%), and phenylpropanoids and polyketides (6.48%). There were 164, 387, and 522 metabolites demonstrating differential abundance during early pregnancy, mid pregnancy, and late pregnancy, respectively, from the levels observed in nonpregnancy. The levels of pregnenolone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, and tetrahydrocortisone were significantly higher during all pregnancy stages, indicating their important roles in fetal development. The differential metabolites between nonpregnancy and pregnancy were mainly associated with amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. Moreover, metabolic activity varied across pregnancy stages; steroid hormone biosynthesis was predominant in early pregnancy, and amino acid biosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism were predominant in mid pregnancy and late pregnancy, respectively. Our results provide new insights into metabolic characteristics in the Yangtze finless porpoises' urine during pregnancy, and indicate that the differential levels of urine metabolites can determine pregnancy in Yangtze finless porpoises, providing valuable information for the husbandry and management of pregnant Yangtze finless porpoises in captivity.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11017131 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioad175 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Role of air sinuses in sound reception of the Yangtze finless porpoise: A numerical study.
J Acoust Soc Am
December 2024
Key Laboratory of Underwater Acoustic Communication and Marine Information Technology of the Ministry of Education, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
Although air sinuses are prevalent in odontocetes and are an integral component of their sound reception system, the acoustic function of these air-filled structures remains largely unknown. To address this, we developed a numerical model using computed tomography data from a Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) to investigate the role of the air sinuses in sound reception. By comparing sound reception characteristics between model cases with and without the air sinuses, we found that the air sinuses improved sound reception directivity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPerfluorooctane sulfonate causes DNA damage and apoptosis via oxidative stress in umbilical cord fibroblast cells of Yangtze finless porpoise.
Sci Total Environ
December 2024
Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China. Electronic address:
Yangtze finless porpoise (YFP) is a critically endangered species in China. It has been found that YFP is constantly exposed to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in aquatic environments, leading to significant bioaccumulation. However, the impacts of PFOS on YFP health and survival are still unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffect of calf separation on gut microbiome and fecal metabolome of mother in the captive Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis).
Int Microbiol
November 2024
Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.
Social separation, or the absence of social support, can cause physical and psychological health issues. Social separation is crucial for the welfare of the Yangtze finless porpoise (YFP) in captivity because they face many challenges like frequent social separation, noise from visitors, and animal replacement, which can cause psychological and physiological stress. This research is aimed at assessing the potential negative impacts of social separation on the gut microbiome and metabolome of captive YFP, focusing on the potential imbalances caused by mother-calf separation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpatiotemporal variations and driving factors of fine-scale habitat use by the Yangtze finless porpoise population in the Yangtze River.
BMC Zool
October 2024
Present Address: Engineering Technology Research Center for Aquatic Organism Conservation and Water Ecosystem Restoration in University of Anhui Province, College of Life Science, Anqing Normal University, Anhui, China.
Background: The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) is critically endangered and has suffered from extensive habitat loss and fragmentation. Knowledge of its habitat preference could assist the conservation of the species and associated ecosystem. In the present study, spatiotemporal variations and driving factors of habitat use of a Yangtze finless porpoise population were studied in a 30-km section of the Yangtze mainstream.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnvironmental DNA reveals the spatiotemporal distribution and migration characteristics of the Yangtze finless porpoise, the sole aquatic mammal in the Yangtze River.
Environ Res
December 2024
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China. Electronic address:
The Yangtze Finless Porpoise (YFP) is one of the 13 global flagship species identified by the World Wildlife Fund and is classified as "Critically Endangered." It is also the only extant aquatic mammal in the Yangtze River. In this study, 44 sampling points were deployed across the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, with vertical sampling sections established in four key areas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!