Abstract Aim The meat of Tibetan sheep has a unique flavor, delicious taste, and superior nutritional value. However, the change of grass will lead to a change in meat quality. This study aimed to explore the potential regulatory mechanisms of microbial metabolites with respect to meat quality traits of Tibetan sheep under nutrient stress in the cold season. Methods and results We determined and analyzed the longissimus dorsi quality, fatty acid composition, expression of genes, and rumen microbial metabolites of Tibetan sheep in cold and warm seasons. The shear force was decreased (P < .05), the meat color a*24 h value was increased (P < .05), and the contents of crude fat (EE) and protein (CP) were decreased in the cold season. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)-linoleic acid and docosahexaenoic acid increased significantly in the cold season (P < .05). The expressions of meat quality genes MC4R, CAPN1, H-FABP, and LPL were significantly higher in the warm season (P < .05), and the CAST gene was significantly expressed in the cold season (P < .01). The different microbial metabolites of Tibetan sheep in the cold and warm seasons were mainly involved in amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and digestive system pathway, and there was some correlation between microbiota and meat quality traits. There are similarities between microbial metabolites enriched in the lipid metabolism pathway and muscle metabolites. Conclusion Under nutritional stress in the cold season, the muscle tenderness of Tibetan sheep was improved, and the fat deposition capacity was weakened, but the levels of beneficial fatty acids were higher than those in the warm season, which was more conducive to healthy eating.
Abstract Background Specific pathogen-free ducks are a valuable laboratory resource for waterfowl disease research and poultry vaccine development. High throughput sequencing allows the systematic identification of structural variants in genomes. Copy number variation (CNV) can explain the variation of important duck genetic traits. Herein, the genome-wide CNVs of the three experimental duck species in China (Jinding ducks (JD), Shaoxing ducks (SX), and Fujian Shanma ducks (SM)) were characterized using resequencing to determine their genetic characteristics and selection signatures. Results We obtained 4,810 CNV regions (CNVRs) by merging 73,012 CNVs, covering 4.2% of the duck genome. Functional analysis revealed that the shared CNVR-harbored genes were significantly enriched for 31 gene ontology terms and 16 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways (e.g., olfactory transduction and immune system). Based on the genome-wide fixation index for each CNVR, growth ( SPAG17 and PTH1R ), disease resistance ( CATHL3 and DMBT1 ), and thermoregulation ( TRPC4 and SLIT3 ) candidate genes were identified in strongly selected signatures specific to JD, SM, and SX, respectively. Conclusions In conclusion, we investigated the genome-wide distribution of experimental duck CNVs, providing a reference to establish the genetic basis of different phenotypic traits, thus contributing to the management of experimental animal genetic resources.
The rumen microbiota and metabolites play an important role in energy metabolism and immune regulation of the host. However, the regulatory mechanism of rumen microbiota and metabolite interactions with host on Tibetan sheep’s plateau adaptability is still unclear. We analyzed the ruminal microbiome and metabolome, host transcriptome and serum metabolome characteristics of Tibetan sheep at different ages. Biomarkers Butyrivibrio , Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group , Prevotella , and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group were found in 4 months, 1.5 years, 3.5 years, and 6 years Tibetan sheep, respectively. The rumen microbial metabolites were mainly enriched in galactose metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and fatty acid degradation pathways, and had significant correlation with microbiota. These metabolites further interact with mRNA, and are co-enriched in arginine and proline metabolism, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, propanoate metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, gap junction pathway. Meanwhile, serum metabolites also have a similar function, such as chemical carcinogenesis − reactive oxygen species, limonene and pinene degradation, and cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis, thus participating in the regulation of the body’s immune and energy-related metabolic processes. This study systematically revealed that rumen microbiota, metabolites, mRNA and serum metabolites of Tibetan sheep were involved in the regulation of fermentation metabolic function and immune level of Tibetan sheep at different ages, which provided a new perspective for plateau adaptability research of Tibetan sheep at different ages.
The transition period for dairy cows usually refers to the 3 weeks pre-calving to the 3 weeks post-calving. During this period, dairy cows undergo metabolic and physiological adaptations because of their susceptibility to metabolic and infectious diseases. Poor feeding management under these circumstances may adversely affect the health and subsequent production performance of the cows. Owing to long-term adaptation and evolution, the rumen has become a unique ecosystem inhabited by a complex microbial community closely associated with its natural host. Dietary components are metabolized by the rumen microbiota, and volatile fatty acids and microbial protein products can be used as precursor substances for synthesizing meat and milk components. The successful transition of perinatal dairy cows includes changes in diet, physiology, and the rumen microbiota. Rumen microbial profiles have been confirmed to be heritable and repairable; however, adverse circumstances affect rumen microbial composition, host digestion and metabolism, as well as postpartum production traits of dairy cows for a certain period. Preliminary evidence indicates a close relationship between the rumen microbiota and animal performance. Therefore, changes in rumen microbes during the transition period and the intrinsic links between the microbiota and host postpartum phenotypic traits need to be better understood to optimize production performance in ruminants.
Summary Swine leucocyte antigen (SLA) is a highly polymorphic multigene family that plays a crucial role in swine immune response and disease resistance. Here, we identified polymorphisms and gene variations of SLA‐DQA exon 2 using polymerase chain reaction–single‐strand conformation polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) and DNA sequencing analysis, and further investigated the correlation between the polymorphisms and piglet diarrhoea in three Chinese native pig breeds (Bamei, Juema and Gansu Black pigs). Consequently, 12 genotypes and 8 alleles including two novel alleles were detected. Nucleotide polymorphism was compared with the actual functional polymorphism in the peptide‐binding region (PBR), binding pockets P1, P6 and P9, and the antigen‐binding groove, variations in the antigen‐binding groove of alleles DQA*01xa01, DQA*01xa03, DQA*01xb01, DQA*We02, DQA*03xb03 and DQA*wy06 were higher than alleles DQA*03xa01 and DQA*03xa03, while amino acid variations in peptide‐binding pockets of allele DQA*03xa03 were most abundant among all alleles. The results of association analysis showed the diarrhoea score of Gansu Black pigs (−0.08 ± 0.78) was significantly higher than Bamei and Juema pigs ( P < 0.01), and genotype DQA*03xa0103xa01 (0.39 ± 0.54) was significantly higher relative to other genotypes ( P < 0.01), while that of genotype DQA*03xa0303xa03 (−1.31 ± 0.88) was markedly lower than scores obtained with genotypes DQA*03xa0103xa01 and DQA*03xa0101xa01 ( P < 0.01), as well as DQA*01xa0101xa01 ( P < 0.05), indicating that amino acid variations in the peptide‐binding pockets play a more important role than the antigen‐binding groove in piglet diarrhoea resistance. Further studies on other SLA molecules of native pigs are required to validate the link between this gene complex and diarrhoea.
The feeding of Co lactate (Co), an essential oil blend (EO; oregano), or a combination of Co and EO (EOC) may improve nutrient digestion of corn silage-based rations. In four separate studies, Co, EO, or EOC was fed at 0, 4, and 7 g/days to nine rumen fistulated rams arranged in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. The fourth study evaluated the carrier at 0, 4, and 7 g/day. In each ram, fresh ensiled corn silage, leaf, and husk were placed in individual nylon bags inserted through the ruminal cannula and removed after 48 h. Rams fed increasing carrier rates demonstrated similar ( P > 0.10) nutrient digestibilities and ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid concentrations. Feeding Co at 4 and 7 g/day increased ( P < 0.05) digestibility of DM (59.4, 63.9, and 62.4% for 0, 4, and 7 g/day, respectively), NDF (59.4, 63.9, and 62.4%), and hemicellulose (HC; 56.2, 63.6, and 65.9%) compared with rams fed 0 g/day, while CP digestibility (46.4, 49.9, and 57.8%) was improved ( P < 0.05) in rams fed 7 g/day compared with those fed 0 and 4 g/day. Rams fed 4 g/day EO digested greater ( P < 0.05) HC (64.1, 71.4, and 69.1%) than rams fed 0 g/day, while rams fed 7 g/day were intermediate and similar ( P > 0.10). Rams fed the EOC combination at 4 and 7 g/day demonstrated greater ( P < 0.05) digestibilities of DM (57.7, 60.0, and 60.0%), NDF (21.4, 28.8, and 27.7%), and ADF (24.3, 33.3, and 34.4%) than rams fed 0 g/day. The SEM and SM techniques visually demonstrated minor evidence of husk and leaf digestibility in rams across the three experiments when fed 0 g/day of Co, EO, or EOC; rams fed 4 g/day of Co, EO, or EOC exhibited varying visual signs of leaf digestion with some palisade tissue, spongy tissue, and whole vein structure remaining, while in rams fed 7 g/day, only the vein structure remained. Results demonstrated that feeding Co, EO, or EOC at 4 or 7 g/day enhanced ruminal nutrient digestion and fermentation parameters, which was visually confirmed via SEM and SM.
The swine leukocyte antigen (SLA)-DRA locus is noteworthy among other SLA class II loci for its limited variation and has not been investigated in depth. This study was investigated to detect polymorphisms of four exons of SLA-DRA gene and its association with piglet diarrhea in Landrace, Large White and Duroc pigs. No polymorphisms were detected in exon 3, while 2 SNPs (c.178G>A and c.211T>C), 2 SNPs (c.3093A>C and c.3104C>T) and 5 SNPs (c.4167A>G, c.4184A>G, c.4194A>G, c.4246A>G and c.4293G>A) were detected in exon 1, exon 2 and exon 4 respectively, and 1 SNP (c.4081T>C) in intron 3. Statistical results showed that genotype had significant effect on piglet diarrhea, individuals with genotype BC had a higher diarrhea score when compared with the genotypes AA, AB, AC and CC. Futhermore, genotype AC had a higher diarrhea score than the genotype CC in exon 1 (p<0.05); diarrhea scores of genotype AA and BB were higher than those of genotypes AC and CC in exon 2 (p<0.05); individuals with genotype AA had a higher diarrhea score than individuals with genotype AB and BB in exon 4 (p<0.05). Fourteen common haplotypes were founded by haplotype constructing of all SNPs in the three exons, its association with piglet diarrhea appeared that Hap2, 5, 8, 10, and 14 may be the susceptible haplotypes and Hap9 may be the resistant haplotype to piglet diarrhea. The genetic variations identified of the SLA-DRA gene may potentially be functional mutations related to piglet diarrhea.
To investigate the impact of maternal microbiota during lactation in different beef cattle breeds on their own immune levels, milk quality, and the growth and development of their offspring, this study measured the immune parameters, intestinal microbiota diversity, and milk quality of Pingliang red cattle and Simmental cattle, and performed a correlation analysis with the growth and development of their offspring. Our study showed that during lactation, Pingliang red cattle had significantly higher IL-6 levels than Simmental cattle, while the latter exhibited higher levels of immune factors such as IgG, IgA, IgM, IL-1β, and TNFα. The analysis of the intestinal microbiota of lactating cows found that Pingliang red cattle were rich in Bacteroidetes and Fibrobacteres, while Simmental cattle had a higher proportion of Actinobacteria. This difference may be related to the different adaptation strategies in energy metabolism and immune regulation between the two breeds. In addition, the analysis of milk quality between different beef cattle breeds revealed significant differences in protein, acidity, milk fat, and total solids. The correlation analysis found that Alistipes_communis, Firmicutes_bacterium_CAG_110, Alistipes_communis, Paludibacter_propionicigenes, Alistipes_sp._58_9_plus, and Bacteroidales_bacterium_55_9 were associated with both milk quality and the growth of offspring calves, including body weight, body length, chest girth, and cannon circumference. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the intestinal microbiota, immune characteristics, and their effects on offspring health in different beef cattle breeds, and has important implications for breed selection and management strategies in the livestock industry.
Sheep production systems in northwest China depend mostly on natural grasslands. Seasonal growth and maturity fluctuations can cause periodical restrictions in food quality and quantity. These fluctuations, in turn, result in variability in fat deposition and fatty acid profiles in different fat depots. Consequently, the study objective was to compare fat deposition, intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage and fatty acid profiles of the longissimus dorsi (LD), kidney fat (KF), tail fat (TF), and subcutaneous fat (SF) in lambs under ME restrictions similar to seasonal changes observed in the natural grasslands of northwest China. Nineteen male Dorper × Small Tailed Han lambs were assigned to 2 treatments, a control (CON) fed at 1.0 MJ / W × d and restricted (RES) by restricting ME sequentially every 30 d (0.56 MJ / W × d, 0.84 / W × d, 1.0 MJ / W × d, 0.84 MJ / W × d, 0.56 MJ / W × d, 0.28 MJ / W × d). All lambs were harvested at the end of the 180 d experimental period. Compared to CON fed lambs, restricting ME resulted in lesser IMF, fat deposition indexes ( < 0.05) except testicular and heart fat and greater ( < 0.05) SFA in LD, KF, and TF depots. The RES fed lambs had greater ( < 0.05) -3 PUFA, eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3n3), eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n3, EPA), and trans-linolelaidic acid (C18:2n6t) in LD muscle. The conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) content was greater in the SF depots of the CON fed lambs compared to the RES fed lambs. Fatty acid ratios (unsaturated fatty acid; USFA:SFA, MUFA:SFA, PUFA:SFA), and percentage USFA in RES fed lambs were lesser in muscle and adipose tissue compared to CON fed lambs ( < 0.05), except SF depots. In RES fed lambs, EFA were less ( < 0.05) in LD and KF depots and the ratios of functional fatty acids were lesser in LD and some adipose tissues ( < 0.05), including lesser n-6:n-3 in KF and SF ( < 0.05) depots, lesser USFA, SFA, MUFA, SFA in LD, KF, and TF ( < 0.05) depots, and lesser PUFA and SFA in LD and TF ( < 0.05) depots. Results from this research demonstrate that sequential energy restriction, as might be experience during seasonal forage quality and quantity changes in natural grasslands, result in lesser intramuscular fat with associated lesser quality, as well as, changes in fatty acid composition in different fat depots, which has implications for both meat quality and animal physiological functions.
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