Age at first farrowing (AFF) is a reproductive trait with low heritability and high importance in the pig industry. To enhance the statistical power of genome-wide association study (GWAS) and further explore the genetic nature of AFF, we first conducted GWAS meta-analysis using three Yorkshire populations, and then integrated the Pig Genotype-Tissue Expression (PigGTEx) resources to interpret their potential regulatory mechanism. Additionally, we compared the AFF in pig with the age at first birth (AFB) of human using GWAS summary statistics. We detected 18 independent variants in GWAS meta-analysis and 8 genes in gene-based association analysis significantly associated with AFF. By integrating the PigGTEx resource, we conducted transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) and colocalization analysis on 34 pig tissues. In TWAS, we detected 18 significant gene-tissue pairs, such as DCAF6 in uterus and CREG1 in blood. In colocalization, we found 111 potential candidate tissue-gene pairs, such as GJD4 and LYPLAL1. We found that the homologous gene, CHST10, might be the potential candidate gene between humans in AFB and pigs in AFF. In conclusion, integrating GWAS meta-analysis and PigGTEx resources is a meaningful way to decipher the genetic architecture of complex traits. We found that DCAF6, CREG1, GJD4, and LYPLAL1 are candidate genes with high reliability for AFF in swine. The comparative analysis showed that CHST10 might play a potentially critical role in AFB/AFF across human and pigs.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate several physiological processes of cells after transcription, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In this study, we found that 500 µM of palmitic acid (PA) could significantly induce the apoptosis of porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes (p < 0.05). The overexpression of miR-429 decreased the apoptotic rate of porcine preadipocytes and inhibited the expression of the proapoptotic gene P53 (p < 0.05). In addition, miR-429 can specifically bind to the 3’ untranslated region of Sox5, and the upregulation of miR-429 downregulated Sox5 expression. However, Sox5 overexpression promoted the apoptosis of porcine preadipocytes (p < 0.01); the co-transfection of miR-429 and pcDNA3.1-Sox5 into preadipocytes could reverse the inhibition of PA-induced apoptosis by miR-429. In conclusion, the present results provide a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which miR-429 and Sox5 regulate the apoptosis of porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes.
pH value is a crucial index used to evaluate pork quality due to its direct impact on specific meat characteristics. This study investigated the genetic mechanisms influencing pH values through measurements taken from the longissimus dorsi muscle of Beijing Black pigs at 2 h (pH2h) and 24 h (pH24h) postmortem. A total of 614 Beijing Black pigs were subsequently genotyped using the Illumina Porcine 50K SNP Chip. Heritability estimates for pH2h and pH24h were found to be 0.19 and 0.25, respectively, with a genetic correlation of 0.53. Furthermore, we conducted both a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and an RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis, the latter of which identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between high and low pH groups. We identified 31, 6, and 32 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the pH2h, pH24h, and pH2–24h traits, respectively. The GWAS results revealed the presence of the SYT5 gene in both the pH2h and pH2–24h traits, while the SNX13 gene was simultaneously identified in the pH24h and pH2–24h traits. The RNA-seq results also found SYT5 to be highly expressed, while SNX13 did not exhibit differential expression. Moreover, Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses based on the DEGs revealed potential links between pH levels and the glycogen metabolic process as well as associations with the regulation of cell proliferation and calcium ion transmembrane transport. Ultimately, SYT5 and SNX13 emerged as key candidate genes affecting pH values at 2 and 24 h, respectively. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms affecting pork quality and safety and offer insights for enhancing meat quality through genetic improvement.
In the process of rapid fattening and rearing of meat sheep, yellow fat disease of sheep occurs frequently. This study aims to investigate the preliminary pathogenesis of yellow fat disease in sheep. Eighteen healthy sheep (4–5 months old, 34 ± 1 kg) were selected and randomly divided into three groups: the 10 ppm copper group, the 50 ppm copper group, and the 100 ppm copper group. At the end of the experiment, blood, liver, kidney, and adipose tissue samples were taken from all sheep, and measurements of each index were taken. 50 and 100 ppm copper supplementation in the diets did not significantly affect average daily gain, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and sorbitol dehydrogenase in sheep but significantly increased the effects on gamma-glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase enzyme activities in the liver and increased the accumulation of copper in the liver. 50 and 100 ppm copper supplementation to the feed caused different levels of pathological damage to the liver, the kidney, and fat and significantly affected the brightness, redness, and yellowness of the carcass fat. Sheep in the 50 ppm copper group did not show significant clinical symptoms of yellow fat disease in the later period of the experiment, but those in the 100 ppm copper group showed significant clinical symptoms of yellow fat disease. Transcriptome analysis of sheep livers showed differential genes associated with yellow fat disease, and GO and KEGG analyses associated with yellow fat disease were performed, and further correlation analysis found that the occurrence of copper-induced yellow fat disease may be closely related to gene IFIT1.
The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of iron homeostasis and the ferroptosis pathway for yolk sac atrophy during late embryogenesis. To study the mechanism of yolk sac atrophy, 100 eggs were used. Further, 500 eggs were randomly divided into five treatments and in ovo feeding with different iron sources, such as FeSO4, ferrous glycinate (Fe-Gly), or deferoxamine (DFO), to study the effects of free iron content on hatching quality and embryonic development. The results showed that total iron content of yolk decreased, but yolk sac increased from embryonic(E)13 to E19 (p < 0.05). Comparison of gene expression of iron transport systems showed that free iron accumulation and dysfunction occurred in the yolk sac. Yolk sac metabolites at E19 compared to E13 were more enriched in histidine and sulfur pathways, suppressing glutathione synthesis and resulting in oxidative stress damage in the yolk sac. Combined analysis of differential metabolites and gene expression in ferroptosis pathway at E13 and E19 revealed the activation of the yolk sac during late embryogenesis was probably through up-regulation of ACSL4 expression and down-regulation of GPX4 expression. Furthermore, in ovo feeding FeSO4 shortened the incubation time compared to CON, while Fe-Gly or DFO delayed the hatching peak and increased hatching weight with less residual yolk. Collectively, it can be concluded that yolk sac atrophy during late embryogenesis may be mediated by iron disorders and provides a novel insight to modulate yolk sac nutrition, and hatching efficiency in chickens.
The aims of this study were to investigate the heavy metal pollution status and distribution and to analyze the relationships among metal concentrations of different links in the dairy production chain. Chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) levels in water, fodder, milk, blood, hair, and feces samples collected from cows from five dairy farms in China were measured. The concentrations of Cr, As, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn were 4.61–11.11, 0.06–0.46, 0.17–0.29, 2.84–4.23, 4.11–7.72, and 7.23–19.91 mg/kg in silage; 12.72–40.85, 0.76–2.40, 0.05–0.16, 4.73–9.16, 44.14–78.46, and 4148.51–4845.20 µg/L in milk; 33.59–60.73, 0.09–3.57, 0.29–1.78, 20.14–39.20, 821.34–1007.45, and 2665.10–4929.95 µg/L in blood; 0.59–1.06, 0.02–0.09, 0.08–0.11, 1.70–2.09, 6.45–8.64, and 9.73–1.56 mg/kg in hair; 31.75–296.35, 0.33–5.96, 0.18–0.53, 3.35–9.06, 12.27–41.39, and 56.54–196.34 mg/kg in feces, respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals in hair were higher than those in the other samples and when combined with the results from the silage and tissue samples, we can assume that cow’s hair can be used as a biological indicator for heavy metal contamination in the dairy production chain.
In intensive poultry production, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria, addressing the issues of agricultural waste and feed costs for farmers is crucial. This study explores a solution by incorporating cassava waste into broiler chicken diets. The research examines its effects on economic factors, growth performance, carcass yield, and agricultural waste utilization over 8 weeks. Three hundred broiler chickens were divided into three groups: a control group without cassava waste and two treatment groups with 10% and 15% cassava waste inclusion. Results showed that a 10% inclusion improved key performance indicators such as weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and carcass weight, while a 15% inclusion was less efficient than the control. Economically, diets with 10% and 15% cassava tuber waste were more cost-effective than the control, emphasizing the economic benefits of cassava-based diets for broiler chickens, and offering a sustainable, cost-efficient feeding option for poultry farmers.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a lipid messenger, propagates its signals by interacting with its intracellular targets or is transported to autocrine/paracrine to activate its cell surface receptors. In the female reproductive system, the homeostasis of S1P plays an important role in ovarian follicular development. Our recent studies show that S1P emerges as a functional mediator of LH-EGFR signaling from cumulus cells to oocytes: elevating calcium levels in cumulus cells to induce oocyte meiotic maturation, and activating Akt/mTOR cascade reaction to promote oocyte developmental competence. Thus, S1P might be applied to promote oocyte maturation in animals and humans.
Zoonotic diseases remain a persistent threat to global public health. Many major zoonotic pathogens exhibit seasonal patterns associated with climatic variations. Quantifying the impacts of environmental variables such as temperature and humidity on disease transmission dynamics is critical for improving prediction and control measures. This review synthesizes current evidence on the relationships between temperature and humidity and major zoonotic diseases, including malaria, dengue, rabies, anisakiasis, and influenza. Overall, this review highlighted some overarching themes across the different zoonotic diseases examined. Higher temperatures within suitable ranges were generally associated with increased transmission risks, while excessively high or low temperatures had adverse effects. Humidity exhibited complex nonlinear relationships, facilitating transmission in certain temperature zones but inhibiting it in others. Heavy rainfall and high humidity were linked to vector-borne disease outbreaks such as malaria by enabling vector breeding. However, reduced incidence of some diseases like dengue fever was observed with high rainfall. To address existing knowledge gaps, future research efforts should prioritize several key areas: enhancing data quality through robust surveillance and the integration of high-resolution microclimate data; standardizing analytical frameworks and leveraging advanced methodologies such as machine learning; conducting mechanistic studies to elucidate pathogen, vector, and host responses to climatic stimuli; adopting interdisciplinary approaches to account for interacting drivers; and projecting disease impacts under various climate change scenarios to inform adaptation strategies. Investing in these research priorities can propel the development of evidence-based climate-aware disease prediction and control measures, ultimately safeguarding public health more effectively.
High stocking density and suboptimal conditions limit animal behaviors in modern livestock farming. This is particularly evident in captive animals, in which the motivation for foraging behavior is often thwarted. Oral stereotypic behaviors are common in farm animals. Ruminants (e.g., cattle and sheep) show oral stereotypic behaviors such as tongue-rolling, self-sucking, and inter-sucking. Captive pigs exhibit oral stereotypic behaviors such as bar-biting, sham-chewing, and ear-biting. Chickens peck at drinkers, feeders, and pens. Stereotypic behavior in livestock can be reduced by selecting a specific diet composition that prolongs their eating time and increases their satiety. Furthermore, reducing stocking density and enriching the farming environment encourage livestock to explore and reduce stereotypic behavior. It is important to note that stereotypic behavior is also influenced by organismal physiology. Stereotypic behavior was considered an indicator of poor animal welfare. However, recent research has revealed that animals engage in stereotypic behavior as a response to external stimuli, aiming to alleviate the negative impact of these stimuli on their well-being. Animals that frequently show stereotypic behavior may have higher levels of stress. Certain stress indicators also affect the expression of stereotypic behavior, such as 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine. Consequently, further investigation is necessary to understand how stereotypic behaviors affect the physiological state and metabolic processes of animals. This paper discusses the research progress on the oral stereotypic behaviors of farm animals. The objective is to establish a foundation for enhancing livestock feeding conditions and optimizing feeding practices, ultimately reducing stereotypic behaviors.