Background:Mammary health is important for transition dairy cows and has been well recognized to exert decisive effects on animal welfare.However,the factors influencing mammary health are still unclear.Differential s...Background:Mammary health is important for transition dairy cows and has been well recognized to exert decisive effects on animal welfare.However,the factors influencing mammary health are still unclear.Differential somatic cell count(DSCC)could reflect the mastitis risk since it is the percentage of neutrophils plus lymphocytes in total somatic cells and could be reflective of mammary health of dairy cows.This work aimed to investigate the assessment and prognosis of the health of transition cows based on blood neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs).Results:Eighty-four transition Holstein dairy cows were selected.The serum was sampled in all the animals at week 1 pre-and postpartum,and milk was sampled at week 1 postpartum.Based on the DSCC in milk at week 1,cows with lower(7.4%±4.07%,n=15)and higher(83.3%±1.21%,n=15)DSCCs were selected.High DSCC cows had higher levels of red blood cell counts(P<0.05),hemoglobin(P=0.07),and hematocrit(P=0.05),higher concentrations of serum oxidative variables[reactive oxygen species(P<0.05),malondialdehyde(P<0.05),protein carbonyl(P<0.05),and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine(P=0.07)],higher levels of serum and milk NETs(P<0.05)and blood-milk barrier indicators,including serumβ-casein(P=0.05)and milk immunoglobulin G2(P=0.09),than those of low DSCC cows.In addition,lower concentrations of serum nutrient metabolites(cholesterol and albumin)(P<0.05)and a lower level of serum deoxyribonuclease I(P=0.09)were observed in high DSCC cows than in low DSCC cows.Among the assessments performed using levels of the three prepartum serum parameters(NETs,deoxyribonuclease I andβ-casein),the area under the curve(0.973)of NETs was the highest.In addition,the sensitivity(1.00)and specificity(0.93)were observed for the discrimination of these cows using NETs levels with a critical value of 32.2 ng/mL(P<0.05).Conclusions:The formation of NETs in blood in transition dairy cows may damage the integrity of the blood-milk barrier and thereby increase the risk for mastitis in postpartum cows.展开更多
Understanding biological mechanisms is fundamental for improving animal production and health to meet the growing demand for high-quality p rotein.As an emerging biotechnology,single-cell transcriptomics has been grad...Understanding biological mechanisms is fundamental for improving animal production and health to meet the growing demand for high-quality p rotein.As an emerging biotechnology,single-cell transcriptomics has been gradually applied in diverse aspects of animal research,offering an effective method to study the gene expression of highthroughput single cells of different tissues/organs in animals.In an unprecedented manner,researchers have identified cell type s/subtypes and their marker genes,infe rred cellular fate trajectories,and revealed cell-cell in teractions in animals using single-cell transcriptomics.In this paper,we introduce the development of single-cell technology and review the processes,advancements,and applications of single-cell transcriptomics in animal research.We summarize recent efforts using single-cell transcriptomics to obtain a more profound understanding of animal nutrition and healthe reproductive performance,genetics,and disease models in different livestock species.Moreover,the practical experience accumulated based on a large number of cases is highlighted to provide a reference for determining key factors(e.g.,sample size,cell clustering,and cell type annotation)in single-cell transcriptomics analysis.We also discuss the limitations and outlook of single-cell transcriptomics in the current stage.This paper describes the comprehensive progress of single-cell transcriptomics in animal research,offering novel insights and sustainable advancements in agricultural productivity and animal health.展开更多
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementing N-carbamoylglutamate(NCG),an Arg enhancer,on amino acid(AA)supply and utilization and productive performance of early-lactating dairy cows.Th...The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementing N-carbamoylglutamate(NCG),an Arg enhancer,on amino acid(AA)supply and utilization and productive performance of early-lactating dairy cows.Thirty multiparous Chinese Holstein dairy cows were randomly divided into con-trol(CON,n=15)and NCG(CON diet supplemented with NCG at 20 g/d per cow,n=15)groups at 4 wk before calving.Diets were offered individually in tie-stalls,and NCG was supplemented by top-dress feeding onto total mixed ration for the NCG group.The experiment lasted until wk 10 after calving.Dry matter intake tended to be higher(P=0.06),and yields of milk(P<0.01),milk protein(P<0.01),and milk fat(P<0.01)were higher in the NCG-cows than in the CON-cows.Plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase(P<0.01),alanine aminotransferase(P=0.03),and plasma level ofβ-hydroxybutyrate(P=0.04)were lower in the NCG-cows than in the CON-cows,whereas plasma glucose(P=0.05)and nitric oxide(NO,P<0.01)concentrations were higher.Coccygeal vein concentrations of Cys(P<0.01),Pro(P<0.01),Tyr(P=0.05),most essential AA except Thr and His(P<0.01),total essential AA(P<0.01),and total AA(P<0.01)were higher in the NCG-cows than in the CON-cows.The arterial supply of all AA was greater in the NCG-cows than in the CON-cows.The NCG-cows had higher mammary plasma flow of AA(P=0.04)and clearance rate of Cys(P<0.01),Pro(P<0.01)and Asp(P<0.01),and higher ratios of uptake to output of Met(P=0.05),Lys(P<0.01),Cys(P=0.01),Pro(P=0.03),and Asp(P=0.01).In summary,addition of NCG initiated from the prepartum period improved the lactation performance of postpartum dairy cows,which might attribute to greater Arg and NO concentrations,as well as improved AA supply and utilization,liver function,and feed intake in these cows.展开更多
The objective of this study was to investigate whether supplementation with N-carbamoylglutamate(NCG)to cows during late gestation alters uteroplacental tissue nutrient transporters,calf metabolism and newborn weight....The objective of this study was to investigate whether supplementation with N-carbamoylglutamate(NCG)to cows during late gestation alters uteroplacental tissue nutrient transporters,calf metabolism and newborn weight.Thirty multiparous Chinese Holstein cows were used in a randomized complete block design experiment.During the last 28 d of pregnancy,cows were fed a diet without(CON)or with NCG(20 g/d per cow).The body weight of calves was weighed immediately after birth.Placentome samples were collected at parturition and used to assess mRNA expression of genes involved in transport of arginine,glucose,fatty acid and angiogenesis factors,as well as the mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway.Blood samples of calves before colostrum consumption were also collected for the detection of plasma parameters,amino acids(AA)and metabolomics analysis.The newborn weight(P=0.02)and plasma Arg concentration of NCG-calves was significantly higher(P=0.05)than that of CON-calves,and the plasma concentrations of urea nitrogen tended to be lower(P=0.10)in the NCG group.The mRNA abundance of genes involved in glucose transport(solute carrier family 2 member 3[SLC2 A3],P<0.01),angiogenesis(nitric oxide synthase 3[NOS3],P=0.02),and mTOR pathway(serine/threonine-protein kinase 1[ACT1],P=0.10;euka ryotic translation initiation factor 4 B pseudogene 1[EIF4 BP1],P=0.08;EIF4 EBP2,P=0.04;and E74-like factor 2[ELF2],P=0.03)was upregulated in the placentome of NCG-supplemented cows.In addition,17 metabolites were significantly different in the placentome of NCG-supplemented cows compared to non-supplemented cows,and these metabolites are mainly involved in arginine and proline metabolism,alanine,aspartate and glutamate metabolism,and citrate cycle.In summary,the increased body weight of newborn calves from the NCG supplemented dairy cows maybe attributed to the increased angiogenesis and uteroplacental nutrient transport and to the activated mTOR signal pathway,which may result in the increased nutrient supply to the fetus,and improved AA metabolism and urea cycle of the fetus.展开更多
Newborn ruminants are considered functionally monogastric animals.The poor understanding of cellular differences between newborn and mature ruminants prevents the improvement of health and performance of domestic rumi...Newborn ruminants are considered functionally monogastric animals.The poor understanding of cellular differences between newborn and mature ruminants prevents the improvement of health and performance of domestic ruminants.Here,we performed the single-cell RNA sequencing on the rumen,reticulum,omasum,abomasum,duodenum,jejunum,ileum,cecum,colon,rectum,liver,salivary gland,and mammary gland from newborn and adult cattle.A comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic atlas covering 235,941 high-quality single cells and 78 cell types was deciphered.A Cattle Cell Landscape database(http://cattlecelllandscape.zju.edu.cn)was established to elaborately display the data and facilitate effective annotation of cattle cell types and subtypes for the broad research community.By measuring stemness states of epithelial cells in each tissue type,we revealed that the epithelial cells from newborn forestomach(rumen,reticulum,and omasum)were more transcriptionally indistinct and stochastic compared with the adult stage,which was in contrast to those of abomasum and intestinal tissues.The rapid forestomach development during the early life of calves was driven by epithelial progenitor-like cells with high DNA repair activities and methylation.Moreover,in the forestomach tissues of newborn calves,the Megasphaera genus was involved in regulating the transcriptional plasticity of the epithelial progenitor-like cells by DNA methylation regulation.A novel cell type,the STOML3+cell,was found to be newborn-specific.It apparently plays a crucial role in stemness maintenance of its own and cholangiocytes in the hepatic microenvironment.Our results reveal that the age-and microbiota-dependent cell stemness plasticity drives the postnatal functional maturity of ruminants.展开更多
基金financially supported by grants from the China-USA Intergovernmental Collaborative Project in S&T Innovation under the National Key R&D Program (No.2018YFE0111700,Beijing)。
文摘Background:Mammary health is important for transition dairy cows and has been well recognized to exert decisive effects on animal welfare.However,the factors influencing mammary health are still unclear.Differential somatic cell count(DSCC)could reflect the mastitis risk since it is the percentage of neutrophils plus lymphocytes in total somatic cells and could be reflective of mammary health of dairy cows.This work aimed to investigate the assessment and prognosis of the health of transition cows based on blood neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs).Results:Eighty-four transition Holstein dairy cows were selected.The serum was sampled in all the animals at week 1 pre-and postpartum,and milk was sampled at week 1 postpartum.Based on the DSCC in milk at week 1,cows with lower(7.4%±4.07%,n=15)and higher(83.3%±1.21%,n=15)DSCCs were selected.High DSCC cows had higher levels of red blood cell counts(P<0.05),hemoglobin(P=0.07),and hematocrit(P=0.05),higher concentrations of serum oxidative variables[reactive oxygen species(P<0.05),malondialdehyde(P<0.05),protein carbonyl(P<0.05),and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine(P=0.07)],higher levels of serum and milk NETs(P<0.05)and blood-milk barrier indicators,including serumβ-casein(P=0.05)and milk immunoglobulin G2(P=0.09),than those of low DSCC cows.In addition,lower concentrations of serum nutrient metabolites(cholesterol and albumin)(P<0.05)and a lower level of serum deoxyribonuclease I(P=0.09)were observed in high DSCC cows than in low DSCC cows.Among the assessments performed using levels of the three prepartum serum parameters(NETs,deoxyribonuclease I andβ-casein),the area under the curve(0.973)of NETs was the highest.In addition,the sensitivity(1.00)and specificity(0.93)were observed for the discrimination of these cows using NETs levels with a critical value of 32.2 ng/mL(P<0.05).Conclusions:The formation of NETs in blood in transition dairy cows may damage the integrity of the blood-milk barrier and thereby increase the risk for mastitis in postpartum cows.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province Outstanding Youth Fund Project(LR23C170001)。
文摘Understanding biological mechanisms is fundamental for improving animal production and health to meet the growing demand for high-quality p rotein.As an emerging biotechnology,single-cell transcriptomics has been gradually applied in diverse aspects of animal research,offering an effective method to study the gene expression of highthroughput single cells of different tissues/organs in animals.In an unprecedented manner,researchers have identified cell type s/subtypes and their marker genes,infe rred cellular fate trajectories,and revealed cell-cell in teractions in animals using single-cell transcriptomics.In this paper,we introduce the development of single-cell technology and review the processes,advancements,and applications of single-cell transcriptomics in animal research.We summarize recent efforts using single-cell transcriptomics to obtain a more profound understanding of animal nutrition and healthe reproductive performance,genetics,and disease models in different livestock species.Moreover,the practical experience accumulated based on a large number of cases is highlighted to provide a reference for determining key factors(e.g.,sample size,cell clustering,and cell type annotation)in single-cell transcriptomics analysis.We also discuss the limitations and outlook of single-cell transcriptomics in the current stage.This paper describes the comprehensive progress of single-cell transcriptomics in animal research,offering novel insights and sustainable advancements in agricultural productivity and animal health.
基金grants from the China-USA Intergovernmental Collaborative Project in S&T Innovation under the National Key R&D Program(No.2018YFE0111700)the China Agricultural Research System(No.CARS-36).
文摘The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementing N-carbamoylglutamate(NCG),an Arg enhancer,on amino acid(AA)supply and utilization and productive performance of early-lactating dairy cows.Thirty multiparous Chinese Holstein dairy cows were randomly divided into con-trol(CON,n=15)and NCG(CON diet supplemented with NCG at 20 g/d per cow,n=15)groups at 4 wk before calving.Diets were offered individually in tie-stalls,and NCG was supplemented by top-dress feeding onto total mixed ration for the NCG group.The experiment lasted until wk 10 after calving.Dry matter intake tended to be higher(P=0.06),and yields of milk(P<0.01),milk protein(P<0.01),and milk fat(P<0.01)were higher in the NCG-cows than in the CON-cows.Plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase(P<0.01),alanine aminotransferase(P=0.03),and plasma level ofβ-hydroxybutyrate(P=0.04)were lower in the NCG-cows than in the CON-cows,whereas plasma glucose(P=0.05)and nitric oxide(NO,P<0.01)concentrations were higher.Coccygeal vein concentrations of Cys(P<0.01),Pro(P<0.01),Tyr(P=0.05),most essential AA except Thr and His(P<0.01),total essential AA(P<0.01),and total AA(P<0.01)were higher in the NCG-cows than in the CON-cows.The arterial supply of all AA was greater in the NCG-cows than in the CON-cows.The NCG-cows had higher mammary plasma flow of AA(P=0.04)and clearance rate of Cys(P<0.01),Pro(P<0.01)and Asp(P<0.01),and higher ratios of uptake to output of Met(P=0.05),Lys(P<0.01),Cys(P=0.01),Pro(P=0.03),and Asp(P=0.01).In summary,addition of NCG initiated from the prepartum period improved the lactation performance of postpartum dairy cows,which might attribute to greater Arg and NO concentrations,as well as improved AA supply and utilization,liver function,and feed intake in these cows.
基金financially supported by grants from the ChinaUSA Intergovernmental Collaborative Project in S&T Innovation under the National Key R&D Program(Grant No.2018YFE0111700)the China Agricultural Research System(Grant No.CARS-36)。
文摘The objective of this study was to investigate whether supplementation with N-carbamoylglutamate(NCG)to cows during late gestation alters uteroplacental tissue nutrient transporters,calf metabolism and newborn weight.Thirty multiparous Chinese Holstein cows were used in a randomized complete block design experiment.During the last 28 d of pregnancy,cows were fed a diet without(CON)or with NCG(20 g/d per cow).The body weight of calves was weighed immediately after birth.Placentome samples were collected at parturition and used to assess mRNA expression of genes involved in transport of arginine,glucose,fatty acid and angiogenesis factors,as well as the mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway.Blood samples of calves before colostrum consumption were also collected for the detection of plasma parameters,amino acids(AA)and metabolomics analysis.The newborn weight(P=0.02)and plasma Arg concentration of NCG-calves was significantly higher(P=0.05)than that of CON-calves,and the plasma concentrations of urea nitrogen tended to be lower(P=0.10)in the NCG group.The mRNA abundance of genes involved in glucose transport(solute carrier family 2 member 3[SLC2 A3],P<0.01),angiogenesis(nitric oxide synthase 3[NOS3],P=0.02),and mTOR pathway(serine/threonine-protein kinase 1[ACT1],P=0.10;euka ryotic translation initiation factor 4 B pseudogene 1[EIF4 BP1],P=0.08;EIF4 EBP2,P=0.04;and E74-like factor 2[ELF2],P=0.03)was upregulated in the placentome of NCG-supplemented cows.In addition,17 metabolites were significantly different in the placentome of NCG-supplemented cows compared to non-supplemented cows,and these metabolites are mainly involved in arginine and proline metabolism,alanine,aspartate and glutamate metabolism,and citrate cycle.In summary,the increased body weight of newborn calves from the NCG supplemented dairy cows maybe attributed to the increased angiogenesis and uteroplacental nutrient transport and to the activated mTOR signal pathway,which may result in the increased nutrient supply to the fetus,and improved AA metabolism and urea cycle of the fetus.
基金the National Key R&D Program Youth Project(2022YFD1301700)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province Out standing Youth Fund Project(LR23C170001)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32002207,Beijing)the China Agriculture(Dairy)Research System(CARS-36,Beijing)the“Hundred Talents Program”Research Professor Start-up Fund of Zhejiang University.
文摘Newborn ruminants are considered functionally monogastric animals.The poor understanding of cellular differences between newborn and mature ruminants prevents the improvement of health and performance of domestic ruminants.Here,we performed the single-cell RNA sequencing on the rumen,reticulum,omasum,abomasum,duodenum,jejunum,ileum,cecum,colon,rectum,liver,salivary gland,and mammary gland from newborn and adult cattle.A comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic atlas covering 235,941 high-quality single cells and 78 cell types was deciphered.A Cattle Cell Landscape database(http://cattlecelllandscape.zju.edu.cn)was established to elaborately display the data and facilitate effective annotation of cattle cell types and subtypes for the broad research community.By measuring stemness states of epithelial cells in each tissue type,we revealed that the epithelial cells from newborn forestomach(rumen,reticulum,and omasum)were more transcriptionally indistinct and stochastic compared with the adult stage,which was in contrast to those of abomasum and intestinal tissues.The rapid forestomach development during the early life of calves was driven by epithelial progenitor-like cells with high DNA repair activities and methylation.Moreover,in the forestomach tissues of newborn calves,the Megasphaera genus was involved in regulating the transcriptional plasticity of the epithelial progenitor-like cells by DNA methylation regulation.A novel cell type,the STOML3+cell,was found to be newborn-specific.It apparently plays a crucial role in stemness maintenance of its own and cholangiocytes in the hepatic microenvironment.Our results reveal that the age-and microbiota-dependent cell stemness plasticity drives the postnatal functional maturity of ruminants.
