Revealing genes related teat number traits via genetic variation in Yorkshire pigs based on whole-genome sequencing.

Background: Teat number is one of the most important indicators to evaluate the lactation performance of sows, and increasing the teat number has become an important method to improve the economic efficiency of farms. Therefore, it is particularly important to deeply analyze the genetic mechanism of teat number traits in pigs. In this study, we detected Single Nucleotide Ploymorphism (SNP), Insertion-Deletion (InDel) and Structural variant (SV) by high-coverage whole-genome resequencing data, and selected teat number at birth and functional teat number as two types of teat number traits for genome-wide association study (GWAS) to reveal candidate genes associated with pig teat number traits.

Free-caged rearing modes regulate chicken intestinal metabolism by influencing gut microbial homeostasis.

Free-caged rearing modes, which prioritize animal welfare, are believed to enhance the quality of animal products. The impact of rearing modes on meat quality may play a key role in the superior quality of local chicken breeds. This study analyzed the cecal contents of free-range and caged black-bone chickens at different ages using metagenomic and metabolomic sequencing.

NEK2 promotes the progression of osteoarthritis by stabilizing ATF2 through phosphorylation at Ser-112 and inhibiting autophagy.

NEK2 (NIMA-related kinase 2) has recently gained attention for its potential role in osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes, however, its specific involvement remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of NEK2 in OA progression and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Primary mouse knee chondrocytes were stimulated with IL-1β to establish an in vitro OA model, followed by the knockdown of NEK2 or ATF2.

Partially replacing dietary starch with soybean oil improved production performance of weaned Rex rabbits.

The differences between the high-starch diet commonly used in rabbit farming and the natural feeding habits of rabbits may pose certain health risks. In our study, we replaced part of the starch in the feed with soybean oil and conducted a four-week feeding trial with weaned Rex rabbits. The results indicated that rabbits fed the oil-supplemented diet had a lower incidence of diarrhea, improved growth performance, and higher feed conversion efficiency, along with increased absorptive capacity of small intestine.

The genomic landscape of short tandem repeats in cattle.

Short tandem repeats (STRs) are abundant and have high mutation rates across cattle genomes; however, comprehensive exploration of cattle STRs is needed. Here, we constructed a comprehensive map of 467 553 polymorphic STRs (pSTRs) constructed from 423 cattle genomes representing 59 breeds worldwide. We observed that pSTRs in coding sequences and 5'UTRs (Untranslated Regions) were under strong selective constraints and exhibited a relatively low level of diversity.

ACKR1ECs Promote Aortic Dissection Through Adjusting Macrophage Behavior.

Background: Type A aortic dissection (TAAD) is a life-threatening condition characterized by complex pathophysiology, in which macrophages play a critical but not yet fully understood role. This study focused on the role of endothelial cells with elevated expression of ACKR1 (atypical chemokine receptor 1) and their interaction with proinflammatory macrophages in TAAD development.

Methods: Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of human aortic tissues was used to identify cellular heterogeneity in TAAD.

Application of a Screen-Printed Ion-Selective Electrode Based on Hydrophobic TiC/AuNPs for K Determination Across Variable Temperatures.

Monitoring potassium ion (K) concentration is essential in veterinary medicine, particularly for preventing hypokalemia in dairy cows, which can severely impact their health and productivity. While traditional laboratory methods like atomic absorption spectrometry are accurate, they are also time-consuming and require complex sample preparation. Ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) provide an alternative that is faster and more suitable for field measurements, but their performance is often compromised under variable temperature conditions, leading to inaccuracies.

Therapeutic Efficacy and Underlying Mechanisms of a Mannoglucan from Mycelium on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Mice: Modulation of the Intestinal Barrier, Oxidative Stress and Gut Microbiota.

, a non-sexual form of the valuable Chinese medicinal herb, demonstrates various biological activities, such as immune modulation and antioxidative capabilities. Nonetheless, the effects of bioactive polysaccharides derived from on colitis have yet to be investigated. In our prior research, we extracted a mannoglucan (HSWP-1d) from and found that it attenuates TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Identification of Functional Variants Between Tong Sheep and Hu Sheep by Whole-Genome Sequencing Pools of Individuals.

Tong sheep, known for their superior meat quality and disease resilience, face breeding challenges due to low prolificacy, unlike Hu sheep, which exhibit higher fertility and growth rates. This study identified over 700,000 genetic variants between these breeds through pooled whole-genome sequencing. Functional analysis reveals key differences in pathways related to fat metabolism, insulin signaling, and cell cycle regulation.

Curcumin Inhibits Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis Induced by HO in Bovine Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (bADSCs).

In livestock production, oxidative stress (OS) is ubiquitous, reducing animal productivity and product quality. Hence, investigating the mechanisms of oxidative stress in livestock and inhibiting oxidative stress-induced damage is crucial. Curcumin, a plant-derived bioactive compound, exhibits antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

Effects of Fermented Soybean Hulls on Reproductive Performance, Blood Physiology and Immune Parameters Along with Fecal Microbiota in Sows.

This study aims to investigate the effects of fermented soybean hulls (FSHS) on reproductive performance, plasma biochemical profiles, immune parameters, and fecal microbiota in sows. A total of 325 sows were randomized into five groups, each fed a diet with varying FSHS proportions: 0% (control), 2% (FSHS2), 4% (FSHS4), 6% (FSHS6), and 8% (FSHS8). Diets were prepared by replacing conventional soybean hulls with FSHS in equal amounts.

In Vitro Analysis of LPS-Induced miRNA Differences in Bovine Endometrial Cells and Study of Related Pathways.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is one of the main factors inducing endometritis in dairy cows. However, the specific pathogenesis of LPS-induced endometritis in dairy cows is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to establish an in vitro endometritis model using LPS-induced bovine endometrial epithelial (BEND) cells.

Association of R3HDM1 variants with growth and meat quality traits in Qinchuan cattle and its role in lipid accumulation.

The R3H domain containing 1 (R3HDM1) gene has emerged as a candidate influencing residual feed intake and beef yield. Despite this, the genetic variation of R3HDM1 and its effects on beef cattle remain unexplored. This study identified four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the R3HDM1 gene of Qinchuan cattle, with the g.

Impact of prenatal heat tolerance in holstein dry cows on their calves' thermoregulation and immunity.

This study examines the impact of Holstein dry cows' prenatal heat tolerance (n = 180) on their calves' thermoregulation and immunity. Holstein cows (body condition score 3.29 ± 0.

Spop deficiency impairs adipogenesis and promotes thermogenic capacity in mice.

As the adaptor protein that determines substrate specificity of the Cul3-SPOP-Rbx1 E3 ligase complex, SPOP is involved in numerous biological processes. However, its physiological connections with adipogenesis and thermogenesis remain poorly understood. In the current study, we report that the conditional knockout of Spop in mice results in substantial changes in protein expression, including the upregulation of a critical factor associated with thermogenesis, UCP1.

Soybean isoflavone promotes milk yield and milk fat yield through the ERα-mediated Akt/mTOR pathway in dairy goats.

Soybean isoflavone (SIF) in soybeans are natural phytoestrogens, which is functioned as an estrogen agonistic or antagonistic. SIF regulates the capacity of animals to synthesize triacylglycerols by directly utilizing long-chain fatty acids. However, few studies have focused on its regulatory lipid metabolism in lactating dairy goats.

A Graph-based Goat Pangenome Reveals Structural Variations Involved in Domestication and Adaptation.

Pangenomes can facilitate a deeper understanding of genome complexity. Using de novo phased long-read assemblies of eight representative goat breeds, we constructed a graph-based pangenome of goats (Capra hircus) and discovered 113-Mb autosomal novel sequences. Combining this multi-assembly pangenome with low-coverage PacBio HiFi sequences, we constructed a long-read structural variations (SVs) database containing 59,325 SV deletions, 84,910 SV insertions, and 24,954 other complex SV alleles.

Intrinsic and environmental drivers of pairwise cohesion in wild Canis social groups.

Animals within social groups respond to costs and benefits of sociality by adjusting the proportion of time they spend in close proximity to other individuals in the group (cohesion). Variation in cohesion between individuals, in turn, shapes important group-level processes such as subgroup formation and fission-fusion dynamics. Although critical to animal sociality, a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing cohesion remains a gap in our knowledge of cooperative behavior in animals.

Bifunctional nanobody facilitates a colorimetric and fluorescent dual-mode immunoassay of Staphylococcal enterotoxin A.

Immunoassay is a diagnostic tool based on the specific binding of antibodies and antigens with widespread applications. Nonetheless, several research obstacles, like poor specific antibodies, the poisonous reagents and unstable results, still remain challenges. Herein, we innovatively reported a colorimetric and fluorescent dual-mode immunoassay based on the bifunctional nanobody for SEA detection.

A non-synonymous variant of C21R in the gene is significantly associated with brown eggshell color of Lueyang black-boned chicken.

Eggshell colors have a significant effect on sale of eggs. The aim of this study is to identify sequence variants associated with color variation of chicken brown eggs in the , a protoporphyrin transport-related gene. Three successive eggs were collected from each of 381 Lueyang black-boned hens at the 31 weeks old.

Protective effects of betaine on the early fatty liver in laying hens through ameliorating lipid metabolism and oxidative stress.

Introduction: Fatty liver syndrome (FLS) is a prevalent nutritional and metabolic disease that mainly occurs in caged laying hens, causing substantial losses in the poultry industry. The study was carried out to explore the protective effect and potential mechanism of betaine on early FLS.

Methods: There were three groups: Con group (basal diet), FLS group (Dexamethasone injection + basal diet) and betaine group (Dexamethasone injection + basal diet with 8 g/kg betaine).

Skin as outermost immune organ of vertebrates that elicits robust early immune responses after immunization with glycoprotein of spring viraemia of carp virus.

As the outermost immune organ in vertebrates, the skin serves as the primary interface with the external environment and plays a crucial role in initiating the early immune response. The skin contains a variety of immune cells that induce mucosal and systemic immune responses, rendering it a prime target for vaccination strategies. Insight into the mechanisms through which vaccination triggers early immune responses is paramount for advancing animal and human health, yet our current understanding remains limited.

Comprehensive assessment of straw returning with organic fertilizer on paddy ecosystems: A study based on greenhouse gas emissions, C/N sequestration, and risk health.

High greenhouse gas emissions and soil deterioration are caused by the overuse of chemical fertilizers. To improve soil quality and crop productivity, it is necessary to utilize fewer chemical fertilizers to achieve sustainable agriculture. Organic substitution is a scientific fertilization strategy that will benefit future agricultural productivity development, little is known about how it affects the heavy metal content and trace gas emissions in rice grains.