Identification of a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network to explore the effects of circRNAs on Holstein bull testis after sexual maturity.

Spermatogenesis is an extremely sophisticated and complex process and is regulated not only by a large number of genes, but also by a large number of epigenetic factors. Although existing studies have demonstrated that circRNAs plays an important regulatory role in spermatogenesis, there is still insufficient information to properly understand the regulatory role and mechanism of circRNA action. We addressed this issue by examining the testes of two Holstein bull developmental stages; three 8-week-olds (young bull, YB) and three 80-week-olds (adult bull, AB), randomly selected from the same breeding stock.

Effects of solid-state fermentation product of yeast supplementation on liver and intestinal health, and resistance of common carp () against spring viraemia carp virus.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of solid-state fermentation products of yeast (SFPY) on liver and intestinal health and disease resistance of common carp (). A total of 200 common carp with an initial average weight of 2.55 ± 0.

Genomic Reference Resource for African Cattle: Genome Sequences and High-Density Array Variants.

The diversity in genome resources is fundamental to designing genomic strategies for local breed improvement and utilisation. These resources also support gene discovery and enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of resilience with applications beyond local breeds. Here, we report the genome sequences of 555 cattle (208 of which comprise new data) and high-density (HD) array genotyping of 1,082 samples (537 new samples) from indigenous African cattle populations.

Foot and mouth disease vaccine efficacy in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Several factors, such as diverse serotypes, vaccination methods, weak biosecurity, and animal movements, contribute to recurrent Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) outbreaks in Africa, establishing endemicity. These outbreaks cost over $2 billion annually, prompting a high-priority focus on FMDV vaccination. Despite extensive efforts, vaccine efficacy varies.

Goat flock abortion: a retrospective study at Abergelle Agricultural Research Center, Tigray, Ethiopia.

Background: Small ruminants are the principal component of livestock production in Tigray region, Ethiopia. But their productivity is affected by various factors. According to farmers and expert observation, goat abortion is among the leading causes of production losses in Tanqua-Abergelle district.

Global genetic diversity, introgression, and evolutionary adaptation of indicine cattle revealed by whole genome sequencing.

Indicine cattle, also referred to as zebu (Bos taurus indicus), play a central role in pastoral communities across a wide range of agro-ecosystems, from extremely hot semiarid regions to hot humid tropical regions. However, their adaptive genetic changes following their dispersal into East Asia from the Indian subcontinent have remained poorly documented. Here, we characterize their global genetic diversity using high-quality whole-genome sequencing data from 354 indicine cattle of 57 breeds/populations, including major indicine phylogeographic groups worldwide.

Outbreak investigation of foot-and-mouth disease in cattle in Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia.

An investigation of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak was conducted between late October and mid-December 2019 in Tigray region. The outbreak investigation team collected epidemiological data from the six villages of Kafta Humera and Seharti Samre districts, including morbidity proportions, mortality proportions, and clinical signs, and cattle management and vaccination history were collected via participatory methods, including interviews and group discussions with local experts and farmers in Kafta Humera and reports from the district veterinarians in Seharti Samre. Twenty-two tissue samples were collected for laboratory confirmation.

Genome-wide diversity and admixture of five indigenous cattle populations from the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia.

The Tigray region, where we found around eight per cent of the indigenous cattle population of Ethiopia, is considered as the historic centre of the country, with the ancient pre-Aksumite and Aksumite civilisations in contact with the civilisations of the Fertile Crescent and the Indian subcontinent. Here, we used whole genome sequencing data to characterise the genomic diversity, relatedness, and admixture of five cattle populations (Abergelle, Arado, Begait, Erob, and Raya) indigenous to the Tigray region of Ethiopia. We detected 28 to 29 million SNPs and 2.

Identification of spermatogenesis-related lncRNA in Holstein bull testis after sexual maturity based on transcriptome analysis.

Under the large-scale breeding model, the performance of the Holstein bull is directly related to the economic efficiency of the whole dairy farm and is the key factor affecting the genetic quality of the herd. Although the number of reported studies on the association of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) with male reproduction is increasing, there is a lack of research on how lncRNAs regulate Holstein bull testicular development and spermatogenesis. To explore the molecular mechanisms between lncRNAs and spermatogenesis, three 8-week-old Holstein bull (young bull, YB) testes and three 80-week-old Holstein bull (adult bull, AB) testes from the same herd were randomly chosen, and transcriptome analysis was performed to find associations between spermatogenesis and transcriptome profiles.

Long Noncoding RNAs: Recent Insights into Their Role in Male Infertility and Their Potential as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are composed of nucleotides located in the nucleus and cytoplasm; these are transcribed by RNA polymerase II and are greater than 200 nt in length. LncRNAs fulfill important functions in a variety of biological processes, including genome imprinting, cell differentiation, apoptosis, stem cell pluripotency, X chromosome inactivation and nuclear transport. As high throughput sequencing technology develops, a substantial number of lncRNAs have been found to be related to a variety of biological processes, such as development of the testes, maintaining the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells, and regulating spermatocyte meiosis.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Bovine Mastitis in Southern Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Mastitis is the most common disease of adult dairy cattle. The disease continues to be one of the most perplexing and costly diseases of dairy cattle. The present study was conducted to detect bovine mastitis cows and identify potential risk factors for the distribution of bovine mastitis of smallholder dairy farmers using the California mastitis test.

Chemical Composition and Digestibility of Major Feed Resources in Tanqua-Abergelle District of Central Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Background: A detailed study on the feed quantity and quality is required to document the available feeds and their nutritional values.

Aim: The study was aimed to investigate and document the chemical composition and dry matter digestibility of major feed resources available in Tanqua-Abergelle district of central Tigray, northern Ethiopia.

Methods: Ten different feed resources were evaluated for their nutritive values.

Multivariate characterization of phenotypic traits of five native cattle populations from Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Abergelle, Arado, Begait, Irob, and Raya are important native cattle populations that are well adapted to the harsh natural conditions in Tigray, Ethiopia. However, little is known about their phenotypic characteristics and inter-population variability. Understanding the phenotypic characteristics is the crucial step in an effort of maintaining genetic diversity and conserving important traits for adaptation.

Woody species composition, structure, and diversity of homegarden agroforestry systems in southern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Nowadays, the conservation of biodiversity is a major environmental challenge globally. Homegarden agroforestry systems (HGAFs) have a large potential for biodiversity conservation. However, little attention has been given to the relative importance of HGAFs in terms of biodiversity conservation.

Effect of supplements on feed utilization of Tigray Highland sheep fed a basal diet of barley straw.

The feeding experiment was conducted at Ofla district, southern Tigray, North Ethiopia, to investigate feed utilization, diet digestibility, and its economic feasibility under different supplementation options. Twenty-four yearling intact growing lambs were used in randomized complete block design with three treatments and eight replications. The treatment diets were T1 (molasses 15% + wheat bran 48% + cotton seed cake 35%), T2 (maize grain 20% + wheat bran 43% + noug seed cake 35%) and T3 (maize grain 20% + wheat bran 33% + dried brewers' grain 45%).

Long noncoding RNAs: new insights in modulating mammalian spermatogenesis.

Spermatogenesis is a complex differentiating developmental process in which undifferentiated spermatogonial germ cells differentiate into spermatocytes, spermatids, and finally, to mature spermatozoa. This multistage developmental process of spermatogenesis involves the expression of many male germ cell-specific long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and highly regulated and specific gene expression. LncRNAs are a recently discovered large class of noncoding cellular transcripts that are still relatively unexplored.

Effect of dried Sesbania sesban leaves supplementation on milk yield, feed intake, and digestibility of Holstein Friesian X Zebu (Arado) crossbred dairy cows.

This experiment was conducted to investigate effect of dried Sesbania sesban leaves supplementation on milk yield, feed intake and digestibility of Holstein Frisian X Zebu (Arado) crossbred dairy cows. Twelve cows at midlactation (155.83 ± 4.

Effect of supplementation of indigenous browse tree pods on weight gain and carcass parameters of Abergelle rams.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of indigenous browse tree pods on nutrient intake, digestibility, weight gain, and carcass parameters of local Abergelle rams fed grass hay as a basal diet. This experiment was conducted at the Abergelle Agricultural Research Center farm in Tigray region, northern Ethiopia. Experimental rams were grouped according to their initial body weight (17.

Livestock feed resources utilization practices in Tanqua-Abergelle district of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

A study was carried out with the objective to assess the utilization practices of local feed resources. It was implemented in Tanqua-Abergelle district of the Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia. Lemlem and Gera peasant associations (PAs) were selected purposively based on their potentiality in livestock resources and road access for household (HH) interview purpose.