If there’s one meat dish Ugandan people really enjoy,that’s goat meat.Across the country in restaurants,bars and clubs,the aroma of roasted goat meat wafts enticingly,attracting people at all hours of the day and ni...If there’s one meat dish Ugandan people really enjoy,that’s goat meat.Across the country in restaurants,bars and clubs,the aroma of roasted goat meat wafts enticingly,attracting people at all hours of the day and night.展开更多
This study was conducted at Fafan Research Center, Golajo research site to evaluate the effect of Moringa stenopetala and pigeon pea leaf supplementation on growth performance of short-eared Somali goat breed. A total...This study was conducted at Fafan Research Center, Golajo research site to evaluate the effect of Moringa stenopetala and pigeon pea leaf supplementation on growth performance of short-eared Somali goat breed. A total of fifteen yearling indigenous short-eared Somali goat breeds with an initial weight of 15.2 ± 0.30 kg were assigned to three treatment groups using completely randomized design. Pigeon pea (Pp) and Moringa stenopetala (MS) feeds were formulated using 0%, 5%, and 10% inclusion levels of MSLM and PPLM as experimental diets, respectively. The feed of the experiment was prepared in two levels (2 kg of Moringa stenopetala and 2 kg of pigeon pea) and was supplemented to experimental animals in treatments one and two, respectively. The average e initial body weight of selected male goats was 18.82 ± 0.37, 18.8 ± 0.37 and 17.8 ± 0.37 kg under treatment groups T1, T2 and control respectively. Data was analyzed using general linear model (GLM) procedure of SAS computer package Version 9.0 (SAS, 2002). The final weights gain (FWG) of goats on T1 and T2 of experimental group was significantly (P 0.05) the final weight gain of goat supplemented on Moringa stenopetala (T1) and pigeon pea levels (T2). The mean average weight gains (AWG) obtained from the supplemented group in this study were 7.50 ± 0.37 and 7.82 ± 0.37 kg for T1 and T2, whereas mean weight gains for un-supplemented goats were found to be 6.26 ± 0.37 kg. Feeding of dried Moringa stenopetala and pigeon pea leaves mixture improved body weights and average daily body weight gain without affecting feed intake and overall health of Somali goat breed. As Moringa stenopetala and pigeon pea leaves are rich nitrogen/protein source, they can be used effectively as substitute for conventional concentrate in the diet of growing goats at small holder farmer’s level where they can be grown in abundance. Therefore, for higher quality of forage and higher total DM yield for animal feeding, moringa should be harvested at wider harvesting intervals of at least 6th- to 8th-week intervals. Similarly, for pigeon peas, 4- to 6-week harvesting interval can result in optimum forage as well as feed quality and resulted in better growth performances for Somali short-eared goat breeds.展开更多
This study aimed to optimization of the in vitro fertilization system in Cỏ goat oocytes to achieve the maximum possible blastocyst development rate. In Experiment 1, we assessed the effects of IVF media on the in vit...This study aimed to optimization of the in vitro fertilization system in Cỏ goat oocytes to achieve the maximum possible blastocyst development rate. In Experiment 1, we assessed the effects of IVF media on the in vitro fertilization of Cỏ goat oocytes. There was no significant difference in the cleavage, blastocyst, or hatching rates between TALP-Fert and BO-IVF media. Experiment 2 was performed to assess the concentration of sperm in the in vitro fertilization of Cỏ goat oocytes. The matured Cỏ goat oocytes were fertilized in BO-IVF for four sperm concentrations: 5 × 105, 1 × 106, 2 × 106 and 3 × 106 sperm/ml. The blastocyst rate of 2 × 106 sperm/ml and 3 × 106 sperm/ml groups was higher than that of 5 × 105 sperm/ml and 1 × 106 sperm/ml groups (P Experiment 3 was performed to assess the IVF duration on the in vitro fertilization of Cỏ goat oocytes. The matured Cỏ goat oocytes were fertilized in BO-IVF with sperm concentration of 3 × 106 sperm/ml for 18, 20, 22 and 24 h. The cleavage, blastocyst, and hatching blastocyst rates of 18 h group were lower than those of 20, 22 and 24 h groups (P 0.05). In conclusion, the matured Cỏ goat oocytes were fertilized in BO-IVF with sperm concentration of 3 × 106 sperm/ml for 20 hours, which is suitable for the in vitro Cỏ goat embryo production.展开更多
Background Unveiling genetic diversity features and understanding the genetic mechanisms of diverse goat pheno-types are pivotal in facilitating the preservation and utilization of these genetic resources.However,the ...Background Unveiling genetic diversity features and understanding the genetic mechanisms of diverse goat pheno-types are pivotal in facilitating the preservation and utilization of these genetic resources.However,the total genetic diversity within a species can’t be captured by the reference genome of a single individual.The pan-genome is a col-lection of all the DNA sequences that occur in a species,and it is expected to capture the total genomic diversity of the specific species.Results We constructed a goat pan-genome using map-to-pan assemble based on 813 individuals,including 723 domestic goats and 90 samples from their wild relatives,which presented a broad regional and global represen-tation.In total,146 Mb sequences and 974 genes were identified as absent from the reference genome(ARS1.2;GCF_001704415.2).We identified 3,190 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)using the pan-genome analysis.These novel SNPs could properly reveal the population structure of domestic goats and their wild relatives.Presence/absence variation(PAV)analysis revealed gene loss and intense negative selection during domestication and improvement.Conclusions Our research highlights the importance of the goat pan-genome in capturing the missing genetic variations.It reveals the changes in genomic architecture during goat domestication and improvement,such as gene loss.This improves our understanding of the evolutionary and breeding history of goats.展开更多
Sheep and goat coccidiosis has a worldwide distribution and is an important disease on lambing farms.Infection with multiple Eimeria species can lead to severe intestinal damage in sheep/goats and economic losses on f...Sheep and goat coccidiosis has a worldwide distribution and is an important disease on lambing farms.Infection with multiple Eimeria species can lead to severe intestinal damage in sheep/goats and economic losses on farms.Disease is a serious constraint to the healthy development of small ruminant farming.Studies published on PubMed,CNKI,VIP,Wanfang and the resulting references of selected studies were included.Risk factors affecting prevalence were analyzed and stratified by geographic location and climatic variables,age,sex,feeding model,season,sample year,breeds and environment.The total prevalence of coccidia in sheep and goats reached more than 60%in most regions,in which the dominant species in sheep were mainly E.parva,E.ovinoidalis,and E.parva and E.ahsata.East China had the lowest prevalence of coccidia infection in sheep(43.24%),and the dominant species were different from those in the other regions,mainly E.bakuensis and E.gonzalezi.Southwestern China and Central China had slightly less than 40.0%goat coccidia infection,and the dominant species in goats were mainly E.arloingi,E.aligevi,E.hirci and E.ninakohlyakimovae.Sheep/goats of different ages can be infected with coccidiosis,but lambs between 1 and 3 months of age are more susceptible to the disease.When lambs become infected,the pathogen spreads rapidly throughout the herd.Spring,summer and autumn are the seasons with a high incidence of this disease.Environmental pollution may be a significant factor in the development of coccidiosis in sheep raised in large-scale housing.This study provides a comprehensive overview of the species,morphology and geographic distribution of Eimeria species in sheep and goats,summary prevalence in different regions of China,risk factors affecting prevalence,and prevention and control strategies.展开更多
Background Heat stress(HS)poses a significant threat to male goat reproduction.Sertoli cells(SCs)provide both structural and nutritional support necessary for germ cells.HS induces physiological and biochemical change...Background Heat stress(HS)poses a significant threat to male goat reproduction.Sertoli cells(SCs)provide both structural and nutritional support necessary for germ cells.HS induces physiological and biochemical changes in SCs.Nevertheless,the molecular mechanisms involved are still not fully understood.Melatonin is a classic antioxidant that can alleviate HS-induced male reproductive damage.However,the underlying molecular mechanisms by which melatonin mitigates damage to goat testicular SCs remain unclear and require further investigation.Results In this study,an in vivo heat stress model was established in goats.The results showed that HS exposure led to testicular injury,abnormal spermatogenesis and apoptosis of SCs.To elucidate the mechanism of HS-induced SC apoptosis,primary SCs were isolated and cultured from goat testes,then exposed to HS.HS exposure increased the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS),decreased adenosine triphosphate(ATP)synthesis,and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential in SCs.Additionally,HS increased the expression of mitochondrial fission proteins 1(FIS1)and dynamin-related protein 1(DRP1)while decreasing the expression of mitochondrial fusion proteins Mitofusin 1(MFN1),Mitofusin 2(MFN2),and optic atrophy 1(OPA1).This resulted in excessive mitochondrial fission and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis.Mdivi-1(DRP1 inhibitor)reduces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis by inhibiting excessive mitochondrial fission.Mitochondrial fission is closely related to mitophagy.HS activated upstream mitophagy but inhibited autophagic flux,disrupting mitophagy and exacerbating mitochondria-dependent apoptosis.Finally,the classical antioxidant melatonin was shown to reduce mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in SCs exposed to HS by decreasing ROS levels,restoring mitochondrial homeostasis,and normalizing mitophagy.Conclusions In summary,these findings indicated that the mechanism of HS-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in SCs is mediated by hyperactivation of the ROS-DRP1-mitochondrial fission axis and inhibition of mitochondrial autophagy.Melatonin inhibited HS-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in SCs by restoring mitochondrial homeostasis.This study enhances the understanding of the mechanisms through which heat stress triggers apoptosis and provides a vision for the development of drugs against HS by targeting mitochondria in goats.展开更多
The genetic regulation of hair density in animals remains poorly understood.The Dazu black goat,characterized by its black coarse hair and white skin,provides a unique model for dissecting coarse hair density(CHD).Usi...The genetic regulation of hair density in animals remains poorly understood.The Dazu black goat,characterized by its black coarse hair and white skin,provides a unique model for dissecting coarse hair density(CHD).Using high-resolution micro-camera imaging,this study analyzed 905 skin images,33 skin transcriptomes,272 whole-genome sequences,and 182 downloaded transcriptomes.Morphological assessment from juvenile to adult stages revealed the thickening of hair shafts accompanied by a progressive decline in density,largely attributable to rapid surface expansion of the trunk skin.Transcriptomic comparison between high-and low-CHD individuals identified 572 differentially expressed genes(DEGs).A genome-wide association study detected 25 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms(P<9.07e-8)and mapped 48 annotated genes,with the most prominent association signal located near GJA1 on chr9.15931585-18621011.Literature review and Venn analysis highlighted six genes(GJA1,GPRC5D,CD1D,CD207,TFAM,and CXCL12)with documented roles in skin and hair biology,and three genes(GJA1,GPRC5D,and ATP6V1B1)overlapped with DEGs.Multiple-tissue transcriptomic profiling,western blotting,immunohistochemical staining,and skin single-cell RNA sequencing confirmed that GJA1 and GPRC5D were highly and specifically expressed in skin,particularly within hair follicles.Expression was localized predominantly to follicular stem cells and dermal papilla cells,suggesting a significant role in folliculogenesis and structural maintenance.Cross-validation using four public datasets further demonstrated positive correlations between GJA1 and GPRC5D expression and hair follicle density.The innovative micro-camera application allowed the elucidation of spatiotemporal patterns and genes associated with CHD,thereby addressing a significant knowledge gap in animal hair density.展开更多
Background Lactational performance depends heavily on age,health,and nutrition.L-Citrulline(Cit)is an effective precursor of L-arginine(Arg),an amino acid that has important roles in synthesis of nitric oxide(NO)and p...Background Lactational performance depends heavily on age,health,and nutrition.L-Citrulline(Cit)is an effective precursor of L-arginine(Arg),an amino acid that has important roles in synthesis of nitric oxide(NO)and polyamines.Ruminal microbes degrade extracellular Arg;however,extracellular L-citrulline(Cit)is not degraded by ruminal microbes due to lack of uptake and can be fed unencapsulated as a precursor for Arg.As NO is a vasodilator,an increase in blood flow and transport of molecules to mammary tissue may enhance lactational performance and milk composition.Increases in polyamine production may increase milk protein synthesis within mammary tissue,thus increasing milk protein content.This study determined,for the first time,effects of dietary Cit supplementation on milk production and milk composition of Alpine dairy goats.Methods Does were synchronized to estrus and bred to Alpine bucks.Parturition was induced on d 149 of gestation and does were suckled overnight allowing kid(s)to obtain colostrum before being milked 24 h later(d 1 of lactation).Does were assigned to either control(CON,n=24)or Cit(CIT,n=23)diets.The isonitrogenous control diet consisted of 97.63%basal diet and 2.37%supplement(1.37%L-alanine and 1.00%soybean hydrogenated oil).The CIT supplemented diet consisted of 97.63%basal diet and 2.37%supplement(0.5%Cit,0.5%L-glutamine,1%soybean hydrogenated oil,0.37%cornstarch).Diets were group fed ad-libitum by treatment group.Blood samples were collected on d 0 and 30 of lactation,milk volumes measured twice daily,and on d 10,20,and 40 of lactation,milk samples were collected.Results CIT-treated does had greater daily milk production(P<0.05)and there was an effect of day of lactation on daily milk production(P<0.0001).Sire had significant effect on daily milk production as well(P<0.05).Milk compositional analyses revealed Cit supplementation increased solid-non-fat(SNF;P<0.05)and protein(P<0.05)content in milk.Conclusions Our novel results indicate that dietary supplementation of Cit fed ad-libitum in Alpine does increased daily milk yield,milk SNF content,and protein content.Supplemental Cit may be a proxy for Arg in goats to enhance lactational performance.展开更多
Background The diverse types and processing methods of grains intricately influence the sites and digestibility of starch digestion,thereby impacting energy utilization.This study aimed to explore the impact of grain ...Background The diverse types and processing methods of grains intricately influence the sites and digestibility of starch digestion,thereby impacting energy utilization.This study aimed to explore the impact of grain variety and processing methods on the net energy(NE)in dairy goats,analyzing these effects at the level of nutrient digestion and metabolism.Methods Eighteen castrated Guanzhong dairy goats(44.25±3.59 kg BW)were randomly divided into 3 groups,each consisting of 6 replicates.The substitution method was employed to determine the NE values of the dry-rolled corn(DRC),dry-rolled wheat(DRW)or steam-flaked corn(SFC,360 g/L).Briefly,two phases were performed.Throughout the basal phase,all goats were fed the same basal diet.In the substitution phase,30%of the basal diet was replaced with DRC,DRW and SFC,respectively.Results In this study,the NE values of the DRC,DRW and SFC were 7.65,7.54 and 7.44 MJ/kg DM,respectively.Compared to the DRC group,the DRW group showed increased digestibility of starch and crude protein(CP).Similarly,the SFC group exhibited increased organic matter(OM)and starch digestibility and a trend towards higher dry matter(DM)digestibility,reduced fecal OM and starch content.Additionally,fecal volatile fatty acid(VFA)concentrations decreased in goats fed SFC.Correspondingly,digestible energy(DE)in the DRW and SFC groups tended to be higher than in the DRC group.DRW increased total VFA concentration compared to DRC,while SFC increased the proportion of propionate and decreased the acetate-to-propionate ratio in the rumen.Both the DRW and SFC diets elevated serum glucose levels.Furthermore,heat increment(HI)and gaseous energy(Gas E)related to fermentation were significantly higher in the DRW and SFC groups compared to the DRC group.Conclusion Our findings indicated that DRW and SFC increased rumen starch fermentation in goats,thereby improving total tract starch digestion and DE.However,DRW and SFC failed to improve NE value due to increased heat and gas energy production from fermentation.Therefore,excessively refined grains processing in the diet of dairy goats does not effectively improve energy efficiency.展开更多
Background Meat goat production is a worldwide industry with products such as meat,milk,soap,and fiber being produced.There are approximately 2.6 million meat goats in the United States.For breeding female ruminants,e...Background Meat goat production is a worldwide industry with products such as meat,milk,soap,and fiber being produced.There are approximately 2.6 million meat goats in the United States.For breeding female ruminants,early pregnancy loss is estimated to be 30%within the first month of gestation.Extracellular L-citrulline(a precursor to L-arginine)is not degraded by ruminal microbes due to the lack of uptake.L-Arginine and thus L-citrulline,have beneficial impacts on placentation and,subsequently,fetal-placental development and survival.This study aimed to determine the impact of feeding L-citrulline to meat goats during gestation to improve reproductive success.Meat goats were fed either a control(CON)or L-citrulline(CIT)supplemented diet from d 12 to 82 of gestation.Blood samples were collected and sera were subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography analyses to quantify the abundance of amino acids.Pregnancy rates were determined on d 30,61,and 90 of gestation,and litter weight,individual birth weights,and 90 d adjusted weaning weights were collected.Results The concentrations of citrulline,ornithine,and arginine were greater in CIT does compared to CON does,but there was no difference in pregnancy rates between CON and CIT does.Birth weight was greater for male kids born as singles when compared to females,but this phenotype was not observed for kids born as twins or triplets.Further,males born to CON does had greater 90 d adjusted weaning weights than females,but this was not observed in the CIT group.Female kids born to CON and CIT Boer goats had heavier 90 d adjusted weaning weights than those born to Spanish or F1 Boer-Spanish does.Conclusion This study provides proof of concept that feeding dietary L-citrulline increases concentrations of citrul-line and arginine in blood of gestating meat goats.However,further studies are needed to understand the cellular mechanisms impacted by feeding this supplement.Regardless,this study demonstrated that feeding L-citrulline has the potential to increase reproductive performance in gestating ruminants.展开更多
Background Subacute rumen acidosis(SARA)is a common metabolic disorder in ruminants that disrupts the rumen microbiome and animal health,but diagnosis is challenging due to subtle symptoms and invasive testing require...Background Subacute rumen acidosis(SARA)is a common metabolic disorder in ruminants that disrupts the rumen microbiome and animal health,but diagnosis is challenging due to subtle symptoms and invasive testing require-ments.This study explores the potential of the buccal(oral)microbiome as a diagnostic indicator for SARA,hypoth-esizing an interaction with the rumen microbiome.Results The study involved 47 dairy goats,including 11 on a control diet and 36 on high-concentrate diets with increasing rumen-degradable starch.Animals were grouped based on dietary exposure and ruminal pH:Control,Low-RDS Tolerance/SARA(LRDST/LRDSS),and High-RDS Tolerance/SARA(HRDST/HRDSS).Transcriptomics of rumen epithelium showed heightened inflammatory pathway gene expression in SARA-susceptible goats compared to controls and tolerant groups.Alpha diversity of ruminal bacteria showed lower Shannon diversity in HRDSS goats compared to HRDST whereas buccal bacteria displayed significantly lower Chao1 diversity in LRDSS goats compared to HRDST.Beta diversity analyses revealed distinct patterns between SARA-affected goats and healthy controls in both ruminal and buccal microbiomes.Prevotellaceae_UCG-003 emerged as a candidate biomarker,with reduced abundance in SARA-susceptible goats in both rumen and buccal samples.Machine learning classifiers achieved high accuracy in distinguishing SARA-susceptible goats using this genus(rumen AUC=0.807;buccal AUC=0.779).Source tracking analysis illustrated diminished cross-population of bacteria from the buccal to rumen(2.86%to 0.25%)and vice versa(8.59%to 1.17%),signifying compromised microbial interchange in SARA-affected goats.A microbiota transplant experiment verified SARA microbiota’s ability to induce pH decline,escalate inflammation-related gene expression(MAPK10,IL17B,FOSB,SPP1),disrupt microbial transfer,and reduce Prevotellaceae_UCG-003 in recipients.Conclusion Our findings highlight SARA’s dual impact on ruminal and buccal microbiota,exacerbating epithelial inflammation gene expression.Shifts in the buccal microbiome,specifically reductions in Prevotellaceae_UCG-003,mirror ruminal changes and can be influenced by inter-compartmental bacterial transmission,thereby offering a non-invasive diagnostic approach for SARA.展开更多
Insomnia is associated with neurotransmitters and intestinal dysbiosis.Though studies have demonstrated the ameliorative effects of milk hydrolysates on insomnia,the underlying mechanisms require further exploration.I...Insomnia is associated with neurotransmitters and intestinal dysbiosis.Though studies have demonstrated the ameliorative effects of milk hydrolysates on insomnia,the underlying mechanisms require further exploration.In this study,we investigated how papain hydrolysates of goat casein(CPH)and whey protein(WPH)affected mice's sleeplessness.Here,we show that CPH effectively improved the total sleep time in 12 h and restoring neurotransmitters(5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA),dopamine(DA),and norepinephrine(NE))in mice.Further gut microbiota analysis revealed a significant increase in the relative abundance of Helicobacter and Escherichia-Shigella and a decrease in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus in the insomnia model mice(Model).Compared to the Model group,both CPH and WPH significantly increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Lactobacillus while lowering the relative abundance of Helicobacter and Escherichia-Shigella.Notably,while diazepam(DZP)increased mouse sleep duration,it also increased the relative abundance of Colidextribacter,Parasutterella,Muribaculaceae,and Prevotella.Additionally,the gene expression and protein expression of GABA_A receptor,cAMP-response element binding protein(CREB),and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)were upregulated in the hypothalamus.We also discovered a link between intestinal gut microbiota and neurotransmitters.Overall,our results suggest that goat milk hydrolysates,especially CPH,can effectively improve insomnia,providing a theoretical basis for further experimentation and individualized designs.展开更多
Background Dysregulation of lipid metabolism and its consequences on growth performance in young ruminants have attracted attention,especially in the context of alternative feeding strategies.This study aims to elucid...Background Dysregulation of lipid metabolism and its consequences on growth performance in young ruminants have attracted attention,especially in the context of alternative feeding strategies.This study aims to elucidate the effects of milk replacer(MR)feeding on growth,lipid metabolism,colonic epithelial gene expression,colonic microbiota composition and systemic metabolism in goat kids compared to breast milk(BM)feeding,addressing a critical knowledge gap in early life nutrition.Methods Ten female goat kids were divided into 2 groups:those fed breast milk(BM group)and those fed a milk replacer(MR group).Over a period of 28 d,body weight was monitored and blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical,transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses.Profiling of the colonial microbiota was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.Intestinal microbiota transplantation(IMT)experiments in gnotobiotic mice were per-formed to validate causality.Results MR-fed pups exhibited reduced daily body-weight gain due to impaired lipid metabolism as evidenced by lower serum and liver total cholesterol(TC)and non-esterified fatty acid(NEFA)concentrations.Transcriptomic analysis of the colonic epithelium revealed upregulated genes involved in negative regulation of lipid metabolism,concomitant with microbiota shifts characterized by a decrease in Firmicutes and an increase in Actinobacteria.Specifically,genera such as Bifidobacterium and Prevotella were enriched in the MR group,while Clostridium and Fae-calibacterium were depleted.Metabolomics analyses confirmed alterations in bile acid and fatty acid metabolic path-ways.IMT experiments in mice recapitulated the metabolic phenotype observed in MR-fed goats,confirming the role of the microbiota in modulating host lipid metabolism.Conclusions Milk replacer feeding in goat kids disrupts lipid metabolism and gut microbiota dynamics,result-ing in reduced growth rates and metabolic alterations.These findings highlight the importance of early nutritional intervention on metabolic programming and suggest that modulation of the gut microbiota may be a target for improving growth and metabolic health in ruminants.This study contributes to the understanding of nutritional management strategies in livestock and their impact on animal health and productivity.展开更多
Goat husbandry plays a crucial role in the agrarian economy of Aligarh district,Uttar Pradesh,offering a sustainable source of income and livelihood for marginalized communities,landless farmers,and smallholders.This ...Goat husbandry plays a crucial role in the agrarian economy of Aligarh district,Uttar Pradesh,offering a sustainable source of income and livelihood for marginalized communities,landless farmers,and smallholders.This study explores the socio-economic dimensions of goat farming in the district,analyzing its impact on income generation,employment,and rural development.The present study is based on both primary and secondary data.The primary data is obtained from 12 sampled villages,and the secondary data is obtained from Statistical Bulletins of Aligarh District.The study examines the demographic composition of goat rearers,landholding patterns,and the role of gender and caste in traditional goat rearing.The findings highlight that goat farming serves as a financial safety net,often referred to as the“poor farmer’s ATM”due to its low input costs and quick returns.The study further assesses the trends,market dynamics,and future prospects of modern scientific goat farming in the region.The results indicate that despite regional variations in herd size and market accessibility,goat husbandry remains a viable strategy for poverty alleviation and economic resilience.The study concludes by emphasizing the need for improved veterinary support,financial assistance,and market linkages to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of goat farming in the district.展开更多
Background Freezing-induced sperm damage,often associated with oxidative stress,can result in regulated cell death.Given that oxidative stress can trigger various forms of regulated cell death,the prevailing form duri...Background Freezing-induced sperm damage,often associated with oxidative stress,can result in regulated cell death.Given that oxidative stress can trigger various forms of regulated cell death,the prevailing form during sperm cryopreservation remains unknown.Our study aimed to investigate this issue using cashmere goats as a model.Results We found a significant increase in lyso-phospholipids in frozen-thawed sperm suggested ferroptosis.Assessment of cryopreserved sperm,with or without prior treatment with ferroptosis or apoptosis inhibitors,demonstrated the significant efficacy of ferroptosis inhibitors in reducing freezing damage.This implicates ferroptosis as the primary form of regulated cell death induced during sperm cryopreservation.Additionally,the positive rate of transferrin receptor protein 1 was significantly lower in fresh live sperm(47.8%)than in thawed live sperm(71.5%),and the latter rate was lower than that in dead sperm(82.5%).By contrast,cleaved caspase-3 positivity showed no significant difference between fresh live sperm and thawed live sperm but was notably lower in thawed live sperm than in dead sperm.Conclusions Our findings establish ferroptosis as the dominant regulated cell death form during goat sperm cryopreservation,providing novel insights into freezing-induced sperm damage mechanisms.These findings have significant implications for optimizing cryopreservation protocols and enhancing sperm viability after freezing-thawing.展开更多
纽约时间8月25日,在美国网球公开赛即将拉开帷幕之际,法式运动生活方式品牌Lacoste发布了一则引人注目的重磅消息。品牌不仅在纽约第五大道全新旗舰店举办特别活动,还将其最具辨识度的标志--鳄鱼,象征性地变身为GOAT(Greatest Of All Ti...纽约时间8月25日,在美国网球公开赛即将拉开帷幕之际,法式运动生活方式品牌Lacoste发布了一则引人注目的重磅消息。品牌不仅在纽约第五大道全新旗舰店举办特别活动,还将其最具辨识度的标志--鳄鱼,象征性地变身为GOAT(Greatest Of All Time,史上最佳),以此向其大使诺瓦克·德约科维奇的非凡成就致敬。展开更多
In 2013,peste des petits ruminants(PPR)re-emerged in China and spread to the majority of provinces across the country.The disease was effectively controlled through a vaccination campaign employing live attenuated vac...In 2013,peste des petits ruminants(PPR)re-emerged in China and spread to the majority of provinces across the country.The disease was effectively controlled through a vaccination campaign employing live attenuated vaccines,although sporadic cases still occurred.However,limited information is currently available regarding the peste des petits ruminants virus(PPRV)endemic in China.Here,a PPRV strain(HLJ/13)was isolated from a field sample in China using Vero cells expressing goat signalling lymphocyte activation molecule.Phylogenetic analysis indicated that HLJ/13 belonged to lineage IV.Subsequent intranasal and subcutaneous inoculation of goats with a dose of 2×10~6 TCID50of HLJ/13 resulted in the development of typical clinical symptoms of PPR,including pyrexia,ocular and nasal discharges,stomatitis,and diarrhea.All infected goats succumbed to the disease by day 8.To gain further insight,viral loading,pathological examination and immunohistochemical analyses were conducted,elucidating the main targets of HLJ/13 as the respiratory system,digestive tract and lymphoid organs.Employing the goat infection model established above,the goat poxvirus-vectored PPR vaccine,which was previously developed and could be used as DIVA(differentiating infected from vaccinated animals)vaccine,provided complete protection against the challenge of HLJ/13.It is important to note that this study represents the first comprehensive report delineating the biology and pathogenicity characterization,and infection model of PPRV isolated in China.展开更多
Background The ovaries are one of the first organs that undergo degenerative changes earlier in the aging process,and ovarian aging is shown by a decrease in the number and quality of oocytes.However,little is known a...Background The ovaries are one of the first organs that undergo degenerative changes earlier in the aging process,and ovarian aging is shown by a decrease in the number and quality of oocytes.However,little is known about the molecular mechanisms of female age-related fertility decline in different types of ovarian cells during aging,especially in goats.Therefore,the aim of this study was to reveal the mechanisms driving ovarian aging in goats at single-cell resolution.Results For the first time,we surveyed the single-cell transcriptomic landscape of over 27,000 ovarian cells from newborn,young and aging goats,and identified nine ovarian cell types with distinct gene-expression signatures.Functional enrichment analysis showed that ovarian cell types were involved in their own unique biological processes,such as Wnt beta-catenin signalling was enriched in germ cells,whereas ovarian steroidogenesis was enriched in granulosa cells(GCs).Further analysis showed that ovarian aging was linked to GCs-specific changes in the antioxidant system,oxidative phosphorylation,and apoptosis.Subsequently,we identified a series of dynamic genes,such as AMH,CRABP2,THBS1 and TIMP1,which determined the fate of GCs.Additionally,FOXO1,SOX4,and HIF1A were identified as significant regulons that instructed the differentiation of GCs in a distinct manner during ovarian aging.Conclusions This study revealed a comprehensive aging-associated transcriptomic atlas characterizing the cell typespecific mechanisms during ovarian aging at the single-cell level and offers new diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for age-related goat ovarian diseases.展开更多
Background Diets rich in starch have been shown to increase a risk of reducing milk fat content in dairy goats.While bile acids(BAs)have been used as a lipid emulsifier in monogastric and aquatic animals,their effect ...Background Diets rich in starch have been shown to increase a risk of reducing milk fat content in dairy goats.While bile acids(BAs)have been used as a lipid emulsifier in monogastric and aquatic animals,their effect on ruminants is not well understood.This study aimed to investigate the impact of BAs supplementation on various aspects of dairy goat physiology,including milk composition,rumen fermentation,gut microbiota,and BA metabolism.Results We randomly divided eighteen healthy primiparity lactating dairy goats(days in milk=100±6 d)into two groups and supplemented them with 0 or 4 g/d of BAs undergoing 5 weeks of feeding on a starch-rich diet.The results showed that BAs supplementation positively influenced milk yield and improved the quality of fatty acids in goat milk.BAs supplementation led to a reduction in saturated fatty acids(C16:0)and an increase in monounsaturated fatty acids(cis-9 C18:1),resulting in a healthier milk fatty acid profile.We observed a significant increase in plasma total bile acid concentration while the proportion of rumen short-chain fatty acids was not affected.Furthermore,BAs supplementation induced significant changes in the composition of the gut microbiota,favoring the enrichment of specific bacterial groups and altering the balance of microbial populations.Correlation analysis revealed associations between specific bacterial groups(Bacillus and Christensenellaceae R-7 group)and BA types,suggesting a role for the gut microbiota in BA metabolism.Functional prediction analysis revealed notable changes in pathways associated with lipid metabolism,suggesting that BAs supplementation has the potential to modulate lipid-related processes.Conclusion These findings highlight the potential benefits of BAs supplementation in enhancing milk production,improving milk quality,and influencing metabolic pathways in dairy goats.Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the broader implications of these findings.展开更多
Background Brown adipose tissue(BAT)is known to be capable of non-shivering thermogenesis under cold stimulation,which is related to the mortality of animals.In the previous study,we observed that goat BAT is mainly l...Background Brown adipose tissue(BAT)is known to be capable of non-shivering thermogenesis under cold stimulation,which is related to the mortality of animals.In the previous study,we observed that goat BAT is mainly located around the kidney at birth,and changes to white adipose tissue(WAT)in the perirenal adipose tissue of goats within one month after birth.However,the regulatory factors underlying this change is remain unclear.In this study,we systematically studied the perirenal adipose tissue of goat kids in histological,cytological,and accompanying molecular level changes from 0 to 28 d after birth.Results Our study found a higher mortality rate in winter-born goat kids,with goat birthing data statistics.Then we used thermal imaging revealing high temperature in goat hips at postnatal 0 d and gradually decrease during 28 d.This is consistent with the region of perirenal BAT deposition and highlights its critical role in energy expenditure and body temperature regulation in goat kids.Additionally,we found a series of changes of BAT during the first 28 d after birth,such as whitening,larger lipid droplets,decreased mitochondrial numbers,and down-regulation of key thermogenesis-related genes(UCP1,DIO2,UCP2,CIDEA,PPARGC1a,C/EBPb,and C/EBPa).Then,we used RNA-seq found specific marker genes for goat adipose tissue and identified 12 new marker genes for BAT and 10 new marker genes for WAT of goats.Furthermore,12 candidate genes were found to potentially regulate goat BAT thermogenesis.The mechanism of the change of this biological phenomenon does not involve a large-scale death of brown adipocytes and subsequent proliferation of white adipocytes.While apoptosis may play a limited role,it is largely not critical in this transition process.Conclusions We concluded that perirenal BAT plays a crucial role in thermoregulation in newborn goat kids,with notable species differences in the expression of adipose tissue marker genes,and we highlighted some potential marker genes for goat BAT and WAT.Additionally,the change from BAT to WAT does not involve a large-scale death of brown adipocytes and subsequent proliferation of white adipocytes.展开更多
文摘If there’s one meat dish Ugandan people really enjoy,that’s goat meat.Across the country in restaurants,bars and clubs,the aroma of roasted goat meat wafts enticingly,attracting people at all hours of the day and night.
文摘This study was conducted at Fafan Research Center, Golajo research site to evaluate the effect of Moringa stenopetala and pigeon pea leaf supplementation on growth performance of short-eared Somali goat breed. A total of fifteen yearling indigenous short-eared Somali goat breeds with an initial weight of 15.2 ± 0.30 kg were assigned to three treatment groups using completely randomized design. Pigeon pea (Pp) and Moringa stenopetala (MS) feeds were formulated using 0%, 5%, and 10% inclusion levels of MSLM and PPLM as experimental diets, respectively. The feed of the experiment was prepared in two levels (2 kg of Moringa stenopetala and 2 kg of pigeon pea) and was supplemented to experimental animals in treatments one and two, respectively. The average e initial body weight of selected male goats was 18.82 ± 0.37, 18.8 ± 0.37 and 17.8 ± 0.37 kg under treatment groups T1, T2 and control respectively. Data was analyzed using general linear model (GLM) procedure of SAS computer package Version 9.0 (SAS, 2002). The final weights gain (FWG) of goats on T1 and T2 of experimental group was significantly (P 0.05) the final weight gain of goat supplemented on Moringa stenopetala (T1) and pigeon pea levels (T2). The mean average weight gains (AWG) obtained from the supplemented group in this study were 7.50 ± 0.37 and 7.82 ± 0.37 kg for T1 and T2, whereas mean weight gains for un-supplemented goats were found to be 6.26 ± 0.37 kg. Feeding of dried Moringa stenopetala and pigeon pea leaves mixture improved body weights and average daily body weight gain without affecting feed intake and overall health of Somali goat breed. As Moringa stenopetala and pigeon pea leaves are rich nitrogen/protein source, they can be used effectively as substitute for conventional concentrate in the diet of growing goats at small holder farmer’s level where they can be grown in abundance. Therefore, for higher quality of forage and higher total DM yield for animal feeding, moringa should be harvested at wider harvesting intervals of at least 6th- to 8th-week intervals. Similarly, for pigeon peas, 4- to 6-week harvesting interval can result in optimum forage as well as feed quality and resulted in better growth performances for Somali short-eared goat breeds.
文摘This study aimed to optimization of the in vitro fertilization system in Cỏ goat oocytes to achieve the maximum possible blastocyst development rate. In Experiment 1, we assessed the effects of IVF media on the in vitro fertilization of Cỏ goat oocytes. There was no significant difference in the cleavage, blastocyst, or hatching rates between TALP-Fert and BO-IVF media. Experiment 2 was performed to assess the concentration of sperm in the in vitro fertilization of Cỏ goat oocytes. The matured Cỏ goat oocytes were fertilized in BO-IVF for four sperm concentrations: 5 × 105, 1 × 106, 2 × 106 and 3 × 106 sperm/ml. The blastocyst rate of 2 × 106 sperm/ml and 3 × 106 sperm/ml groups was higher than that of 5 × 105 sperm/ml and 1 × 106 sperm/ml groups (P Experiment 3 was performed to assess the IVF duration on the in vitro fertilization of Cỏ goat oocytes. The matured Cỏ goat oocytes were fertilized in BO-IVF with sperm concentration of 3 × 106 sperm/ml for 18, 20, 22 and 24 h. The cleavage, blastocyst, and hatching blastocyst rates of 18 h group were lower than those of 20, 22 and 24 h groups (P 0.05). In conclusion, the matured Cỏ goat oocytes were fertilized in BO-IVF with sperm concentration of 3 × 106 sperm/ml for 20 hours, which is suitable for the in vitro Cỏ goat embryo production.
基金Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA24030205)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.U21A20246,32102511)+3 种基金National Key Research and Development Program-Key Projects(2021YFD1200900 and 2021YFD1300904)Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(STEP)(No.2019QZKK0501)Biological Breeding-National Science and Technology Major Project(2023ZD0407106)Chinese Universities Scientific Fund(2024TC162).
文摘Background Unveiling genetic diversity features and understanding the genetic mechanisms of diverse goat pheno-types are pivotal in facilitating the preservation and utilization of these genetic resources.However,the total genetic diversity within a species can’t be captured by the reference genome of a single individual.The pan-genome is a col-lection of all the DNA sequences that occur in a species,and it is expected to capture the total genomic diversity of the specific species.Results We constructed a goat pan-genome using map-to-pan assemble based on 813 individuals,including 723 domestic goats and 90 samples from their wild relatives,which presented a broad regional and global represen-tation.In total,146 Mb sequences and 974 genes were identified as absent from the reference genome(ARS1.2;GCF_001704415.2).We identified 3,190 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)using the pan-genome analysis.These novel SNPs could properly reveal the population structure of domestic goats and their wild relatives.Presence/absence variation(PAV)analysis revealed gene loss and intense negative selection during domestication and improvement.Conclusions Our research highlights the importance of the goat pan-genome in capturing the missing genetic variations.It reveals the changes in genomic architecture during goat domestication and improvement,such as gene loss.This improves our understanding of the evolutionary and breeding history of goats.
基金supported,in part,by Key Research and Development Projects of Henan,China(231111111600)the National Key R&D Program(2023YFD1801200)the China Agriculture(sheep and goats)Research System(CARS-38).
文摘Sheep and goat coccidiosis has a worldwide distribution and is an important disease on lambing farms.Infection with multiple Eimeria species can lead to severe intestinal damage in sheep/goats and economic losses on farms.Disease is a serious constraint to the healthy development of small ruminant farming.Studies published on PubMed,CNKI,VIP,Wanfang and the resulting references of selected studies were included.Risk factors affecting prevalence were analyzed and stratified by geographic location and climatic variables,age,sex,feeding model,season,sample year,breeds and environment.The total prevalence of coccidia in sheep and goats reached more than 60%in most regions,in which the dominant species in sheep were mainly E.parva,E.ovinoidalis,and E.parva and E.ahsata.East China had the lowest prevalence of coccidia infection in sheep(43.24%),and the dominant species were different from those in the other regions,mainly E.bakuensis and E.gonzalezi.Southwestern China and Central China had slightly less than 40.0%goat coccidia infection,and the dominant species in goats were mainly E.arloingi,E.aligevi,E.hirci and E.ninakohlyakimovae.Sheep/goats of different ages can be infected with coccidiosis,but lambs between 1 and 3 months of age are more susceptible to the disease.When lambs become infected,the pathogen spreads rapidly throughout the herd.Spring,summer and autumn are the seasons with a high incidence of this disease.Environmental pollution may be a significant factor in the development of coccidiosis in sheep raised in large-scale housing.This study provides a comprehensive overview of the species,morphology and geographic distribution of Eimeria species in sheep and goats,summary prevalence in different regions of China,risk factors affecting prevalence,and prevention and control strategies.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2022YFD1300200)Basic Research Program of Jiangsu Province(BK20220315)+1 种基金Key Research and Development Project in Shaanxi Province(No.2022QCY-LL-52,No.2024NC-ZDCYL-03-02)Core and Key technological breakthroughs Project in agriculture of Shanxi Province(No.2023NYGG005).
文摘Background Heat stress(HS)poses a significant threat to male goat reproduction.Sertoli cells(SCs)provide both structural and nutritional support necessary for germ cells.HS induces physiological and biochemical changes in SCs.Nevertheless,the molecular mechanisms involved are still not fully understood.Melatonin is a classic antioxidant that can alleviate HS-induced male reproductive damage.However,the underlying molecular mechanisms by which melatonin mitigates damage to goat testicular SCs remain unclear and require further investigation.Results In this study,an in vivo heat stress model was established in goats.The results showed that HS exposure led to testicular injury,abnormal spermatogenesis and apoptosis of SCs.To elucidate the mechanism of HS-induced SC apoptosis,primary SCs were isolated and cultured from goat testes,then exposed to HS.HS exposure increased the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS),decreased adenosine triphosphate(ATP)synthesis,and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential in SCs.Additionally,HS increased the expression of mitochondrial fission proteins 1(FIS1)and dynamin-related protein 1(DRP1)while decreasing the expression of mitochondrial fusion proteins Mitofusin 1(MFN1),Mitofusin 2(MFN2),and optic atrophy 1(OPA1).This resulted in excessive mitochondrial fission and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis.Mdivi-1(DRP1 inhibitor)reduces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis by inhibiting excessive mitochondrial fission.Mitochondrial fission is closely related to mitophagy.HS activated upstream mitophagy but inhibited autophagic flux,disrupting mitophagy and exacerbating mitochondria-dependent apoptosis.Finally,the classical antioxidant melatonin was shown to reduce mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in SCs exposed to HS by decreasing ROS levels,restoring mitochondrial homeostasis,and normalizing mitophagy.Conclusions In summary,these findings indicated that the mechanism of HS-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in SCs is mediated by hyperactivation of the ROS-DRP1-mitochondrial fission axis and inhibition of mitochondrial autophagy.Melatonin inhibited HS-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in SCs by restoring mitochondrial homeostasis.This study enhances the understanding of the mechanisms through which heat stress triggers apoptosis and provides a vision for the development of drugs against HS by targeting mitochondria in goats.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFD1300202)Collection,Utilization,and Innovation of Animal Resources by Research Institutes and Enterprises of Chongqing(Cqnyncw-kqlhtxm),Chongqing Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System(CQMAITS202413)National Training Program of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Undergraduates(S202310635040)。
文摘The genetic regulation of hair density in animals remains poorly understood.The Dazu black goat,characterized by its black coarse hair and white skin,provides a unique model for dissecting coarse hair density(CHD).Using high-resolution micro-camera imaging,this study analyzed 905 skin images,33 skin transcriptomes,272 whole-genome sequences,and 182 downloaded transcriptomes.Morphological assessment from juvenile to adult stages revealed the thickening of hair shafts accompanied by a progressive decline in density,largely attributable to rapid surface expansion of the trunk skin.Transcriptomic comparison between high-and low-CHD individuals identified 572 differentially expressed genes(DEGs).A genome-wide association study detected 25 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms(P<9.07e-8)and mapped 48 annotated genes,with the most prominent association signal located near GJA1 on chr9.15931585-18621011.Literature review and Venn analysis highlighted six genes(GJA1,GPRC5D,CD1D,CD207,TFAM,and CXCL12)with documented roles in skin and hair biology,and three genes(GJA1,GPRC5D,and ATP6V1B1)overlapped with DEGs.Multiple-tissue transcriptomic profiling,western blotting,immunohistochemical staining,and skin single-cell RNA sequencing confirmed that GJA1 and GPRC5D were highly and specifically expressed in skin,particularly within hair follicles.Expression was localized predominantly to follicular stem cells and dermal papilla cells,suggesting a significant role in folliculogenesis and structural maintenance.Cross-validation using four public datasets further demonstrated positive correlations between GJA1 and GPRC5D expression and hair follicle density.The innovative micro-camera application allowed the elucidation of spatiotemporal patterns and genes associated with CHD,thereby addressing a significant knowledge gap in animal hair density.
基金supported by funding from Texas A&M AgriLife ResearchPrairie View A&M University International Center for Goat Research。
文摘Background Lactational performance depends heavily on age,health,and nutrition.L-Citrulline(Cit)is an effective precursor of L-arginine(Arg),an amino acid that has important roles in synthesis of nitric oxide(NO)and polyamines.Ruminal microbes degrade extracellular Arg;however,extracellular L-citrulline(Cit)is not degraded by ruminal microbes due to lack of uptake and can be fed unencapsulated as a precursor for Arg.As NO is a vasodilator,an increase in blood flow and transport of molecules to mammary tissue may enhance lactational performance and milk composition.Increases in polyamine production may increase milk protein synthesis within mammary tissue,thus increasing milk protein content.This study determined,for the first time,effects of dietary Cit supplementation on milk production and milk composition of Alpine dairy goats.Methods Does were synchronized to estrus and bred to Alpine bucks.Parturition was induced on d 149 of gestation and does were suckled overnight allowing kid(s)to obtain colostrum before being milked 24 h later(d 1 of lactation).Does were assigned to either control(CON,n=24)or Cit(CIT,n=23)diets.The isonitrogenous control diet consisted of 97.63%basal diet and 2.37%supplement(1.37%L-alanine and 1.00%soybean hydrogenated oil).The CIT supplemented diet consisted of 97.63%basal diet and 2.37%supplement(0.5%Cit,0.5%L-glutamine,1%soybean hydrogenated oil,0.37%cornstarch).Diets were group fed ad-libitum by treatment group.Blood samples were collected on d 0 and 30 of lactation,milk volumes measured twice daily,and on d 10,20,and 40 of lactation,milk samples were collected.Results CIT-treated does had greater daily milk production(P<0.05)and there was an effect of day of lactation on daily milk production(P<0.0001).Sire had significant effect on daily milk production as well(P<0.05).Milk compositional analyses revealed Cit supplementation increased solid-non-fat(SNF;P<0.05)and protein(P<0.05)content in milk.Conclusions Our novel results indicate that dietary supplementation of Cit fed ad-libitum in Alpine does increased daily milk yield,milk SNF content,and protein content.Supplemental Cit may be a proxy for Arg in goats to enhance lactational performance.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFE0111800)Shaanxi Livestock and Poultry Breeding Double-chain Fusion Key Project(grant number 2022GD-TSLD-46-0501)。
文摘Background The diverse types and processing methods of grains intricately influence the sites and digestibility of starch digestion,thereby impacting energy utilization.This study aimed to explore the impact of grain variety and processing methods on the net energy(NE)in dairy goats,analyzing these effects at the level of nutrient digestion and metabolism.Methods Eighteen castrated Guanzhong dairy goats(44.25±3.59 kg BW)were randomly divided into 3 groups,each consisting of 6 replicates.The substitution method was employed to determine the NE values of the dry-rolled corn(DRC),dry-rolled wheat(DRW)or steam-flaked corn(SFC,360 g/L).Briefly,two phases were performed.Throughout the basal phase,all goats were fed the same basal diet.In the substitution phase,30%of the basal diet was replaced with DRC,DRW and SFC,respectively.Results In this study,the NE values of the DRC,DRW and SFC were 7.65,7.54 and 7.44 MJ/kg DM,respectively.Compared to the DRC group,the DRW group showed increased digestibility of starch and crude protein(CP).Similarly,the SFC group exhibited increased organic matter(OM)and starch digestibility and a trend towards higher dry matter(DM)digestibility,reduced fecal OM and starch content.Additionally,fecal volatile fatty acid(VFA)concentrations decreased in goats fed SFC.Correspondingly,digestible energy(DE)in the DRW and SFC groups tended to be higher than in the DRC group.DRW increased total VFA concentration compared to DRC,while SFC increased the proportion of propionate and decreased the acetate-to-propionate ratio in the rumen.Both the DRW and SFC diets elevated serum glucose levels.Furthermore,heat increment(HI)and gaseous energy(Gas E)related to fermentation were significantly higher in the DRW and SFC groups compared to the DRC group.Conclusion Our findings indicated that DRW and SFC increased rumen starch fermentation in goats,thereby improving total tract starch digestion and DE.However,DRW and SFC failed to improve NE value due to increased heat and gas energy production from fermentation.Therefore,excessively refined grains processing in the diet of dairy goats does not effectively improve energy efficiency.
文摘Background Meat goat production is a worldwide industry with products such as meat,milk,soap,and fiber being produced.There are approximately 2.6 million meat goats in the United States.For breeding female ruminants,early pregnancy loss is estimated to be 30%within the first month of gestation.Extracellular L-citrulline(a precursor to L-arginine)is not degraded by ruminal microbes due to the lack of uptake.L-Arginine and thus L-citrulline,have beneficial impacts on placentation and,subsequently,fetal-placental development and survival.This study aimed to determine the impact of feeding L-citrulline to meat goats during gestation to improve reproductive success.Meat goats were fed either a control(CON)or L-citrulline(CIT)supplemented diet from d 12 to 82 of gestation.Blood samples were collected and sera were subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography analyses to quantify the abundance of amino acids.Pregnancy rates were determined on d 30,61,and 90 of gestation,and litter weight,individual birth weights,and 90 d adjusted weaning weights were collected.Results The concentrations of citrulline,ornithine,and arginine were greater in CIT does compared to CON does,but there was no difference in pregnancy rates between CON and CIT does.Birth weight was greater for male kids born as singles when compared to females,but this phenotype was not observed for kids born as twins or triplets.Further,males born to CON does had greater 90 d adjusted weaning weights than females,but this was not observed in the CIT group.Female kids born to CON and CIT Boer goats had heavier 90 d adjusted weaning weights than those born to Spanish or F1 Boer-Spanish does.Conclusion This study provides proof of concept that feeding dietary L-citrulline increases concentrations of citrul-line and arginine in blood of gestating meat goats.However,further studies are needed to understand the cellular mechanisms impacted by feeding this supplement.Regardless,this study demonstrated that feeding L-citrulline has the potential to increase reproductive performance in gestating ruminants.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program for International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation between Governments(2023YFE0111800)the Shaanxi Province’s San Qin Talent Attraction Program for Regional Youth Talents.
文摘Background Subacute rumen acidosis(SARA)is a common metabolic disorder in ruminants that disrupts the rumen microbiome and animal health,but diagnosis is challenging due to subtle symptoms and invasive testing require-ments.This study explores the potential of the buccal(oral)microbiome as a diagnostic indicator for SARA,hypoth-esizing an interaction with the rumen microbiome.Results The study involved 47 dairy goats,including 11 on a control diet and 36 on high-concentrate diets with increasing rumen-degradable starch.Animals were grouped based on dietary exposure and ruminal pH:Control,Low-RDS Tolerance/SARA(LRDST/LRDSS),and High-RDS Tolerance/SARA(HRDST/HRDSS).Transcriptomics of rumen epithelium showed heightened inflammatory pathway gene expression in SARA-susceptible goats compared to controls and tolerant groups.Alpha diversity of ruminal bacteria showed lower Shannon diversity in HRDSS goats compared to HRDST whereas buccal bacteria displayed significantly lower Chao1 diversity in LRDSS goats compared to HRDST.Beta diversity analyses revealed distinct patterns between SARA-affected goats and healthy controls in both ruminal and buccal microbiomes.Prevotellaceae_UCG-003 emerged as a candidate biomarker,with reduced abundance in SARA-susceptible goats in both rumen and buccal samples.Machine learning classifiers achieved high accuracy in distinguishing SARA-susceptible goats using this genus(rumen AUC=0.807;buccal AUC=0.779).Source tracking analysis illustrated diminished cross-population of bacteria from the buccal to rumen(2.86%to 0.25%)and vice versa(8.59%to 1.17%),signifying compromised microbial interchange in SARA-affected goats.A microbiota transplant experiment verified SARA microbiota’s ability to induce pH decline,escalate inflammation-related gene expression(MAPK10,IL17B,FOSB,SPP1),disrupt microbial transfer,and reduce Prevotellaceae_UCG-003 in recipients.Conclusion Our findings highlight SARA’s dual impact on ruminal and buccal microbiota,exacerbating epithelial inflammation gene expression.Shifts in the buccal microbiome,specifically reductions in Prevotellaceae_UCG-003,mirror ruminal changes and can be influenced by inter-compartmental bacterial transmission,thereby offering a non-invasive diagnostic approach for SARA.
基金supported by the National First-class Discipline Program of Food Science and Technology(JUFSTR20180204)。
文摘Insomnia is associated with neurotransmitters and intestinal dysbiosis.Though studies have demonstrated the ameliorative effects of milk hydrolysates on insomnia,the underlying mechanisms require further exploration.In this study,we investigated how papain hydrolysates of goat casein(CPH)and whey protein(WPH)affected mice's sleeplessness.Here,we show that CPH effectively improved the total sleep time in 12 h and restoring neurotransmitters(5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA),dopamine(DA),and norepinephrine(NE))in mice.Further gut microbiota analysis revealed a significant increase in the relative abundance of Helicobacter and Escherichia-Shigella and a decrease in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus in the insomnia model mice(Model).Compared to the Model group,both CPH and WPH significantly increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Lactobacillus while lowering the relative abundance of Helicobacter and Escherichia-Shigella.Notably,while diazepam(DZP)increased mouse sleep duration,it also increased the relative abundance of Colidextribacter,Parasutterella,Muribaculaceae,and Prevotella.Additionally,the gene expression and protein expression of GABA_A receptor,cAMP-response element binding protein(CREB),and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)were upregulated in the hypothalamus.We also discovered a link between intestinal gut microbiota and neurotransmitters.Overall,our results suggest that goat milk hydrolysates,especially CPH,can effectively improve insomnia,providing a theoretical basis for further experimentation and individualized designs.
基金financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (32160801)China Agriculture Research System (CARS-39-12)+1 种基金Young Talent Fund of Association for Science and Technology in Shaanxi, China (2023-6-2-1)“Double-chain” project on livestock breeding (2022GDTSLD-46)
文摘Background Dysregulation of lipid metabolism and its consequences on growth performance in young ruminants have attracted attention,especially in the context of alternative feeding strategies.This study aims to elucidate the effects of milk replacer(MR)feeding on growth,lipid metabolism,colonic epithelial gene expression,colonic microbiota composition and systemic metabolism in goat kids compared to breast milk(BM)feeding,addressing a critical knowledge gap in early life nutrition.Methods Ten female goat kids were divided into 2 groups:those fed breast milk(BM group)and those fed a milk replacer(MR group).Over a period of 28 d,body weight was monitored and blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical,transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses.Profiling of the colonial microbiota was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.Intestinal microbiota transplantation(IMT)experiments in gnotobiotic mice were per-formed to validate causality.Results MR-fed pups exhibited reduced daily body-weight gain due to impaired lipid metabolism as evidenced by lower serum and liver total cholesterol(TC)and non-esterified fatty acid(NEFA)concentrations.Transcriptomic analysis of the colonic epithelium revealed upregulated genes involved in negative regulation of lipid metabolism,concomitant with microbiota shifts characterized by a decrease in Firmicutes and an increase in Actinobacteria.Specifically,genera such as Bifidobacterium and Prevotella were enriched in the MR group,while Clostridium and Fae-calibacterium were depleted.Metabolomics analyses confirmed alterations in bile acid and fatty acid metabolic path-ways.IMT experiments in mice recapitulated the metabolic phenotype observed in MR-fed goats,confirming the role of the microbiota in modulating host lipid metabolism.Conclusions Milk replacer feeding in goat kids disrupts lipid metabolism and gut microbiota dynamics,result-ing in reduced growth rates and metabolic alterations.These findings highlight the importance of early nutritional intervention on metabolic programming and suggest that modulation of the gut microbiota may be a target for improving growth and metabolic health in ruminants.This study contributes to the understanding of nutritional management strategies in livestock and their impact on animal health and productivity.
基金project entitled“Impact Assessment of Potential of goat farming and its Allied Activities on Socio-Economic Development of Rural Population in Aligarh District,U.P”(F.N0.02/159/2022-23/ICSSR/RP/MJ/GEN)sanctioned to Professor Nizamuddin Khan,Department of Geography,A.M.U,Aligarh.
文摘Goat husbandry plays a crucial role in the agrarian economy of Aligarh district,Uttar Pradesh,offering a sustainable source of income and livelihood for marginalized communities,landless farmers,and smallholders.This study explores the socio-economic dimensions of goat farming in the district,analyzing its impact on income generation,employment,and rural development.The present study is based on both primary and secondary data.The primary data is obtained from 12 sampled villages,and the secondary data is obtained from Statistical Bulletins of Aligarh District.The study examines the demographic composition of goat rearers,landholding patterns,and the role of gender and caste in traditional goat rearing.The findings highlight that goat farming serves as a financial safety net,often referred to as the“poor farmer’s ATM”due to its low input costs and quick returns.The study further assesses the trends,market dynamics,and future prospects of modern scientific goat farming in the region.The results indicate that despite regional variations in herd size and market accessibility,goat husbandry remains a viable strategy for poverty alleviation and economic resilience.The study concludes by emphasizing the need for improved veterinary support,financial assistance,and market linkages to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of goat farming in the district.
基金funded by grants from the Biological Breeding-National Science and Technology Major Projects(grant number 2023ZD0405104)Inner Mongolia Education Department Special Research Project For First Class Disciplines(grant number YLXKZX-NND-007)+1 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(grant number 2023MS03001)the 12th Inner Mongolia"Grassland Talent"High-level Talent Training Project(2023).
文摘Background Freezing-induced sperm damage,often associated with oxidative stress,can result in regulated cell death.Given that oxidative stress can trigger various forms of regulated cell death,the prevailing form during sperm cryopreservation remains unknown.Our study aimed to investigate this issue using cashmere goats as a model.Results We found a significant increase in lyso-phospholipids in frozen-thawed sperm suggested ferroptosis.Assessment of cryopreserved sperm,with or without prior treatment with ferroptosis or apoptosis inhibitors,demonstrated the significant efficacy of ferroptosis inhibitors in reducing freezing damage.This implicates ferroptosis as the primary form of regulated cell death induced during sperm cryopreservation.Additionally,the positive rate of transferrin receptor protein 1 was significantly lower in fresh live sperm(47.8%)than in thawed live sperm(71.5%),and the latter rate was lower than that in dead sperm(82.5%).By contrast,cleaved caspase-3 positivity showed no significant difference between fresh live sperm and thawed live sperm but was notably lower in thawed live sperm than in dead sperm.Conclusions Our findings establish ferroptosis as the dominant regulated cell death form during goat sperm cryopreservation,providing novel insights into freezing-induced sperm damage mechanisms.These findings have significant implications for optimizing cryopreservation protocols and enhancing sperm viability after freezing-thawing.
文摘纽约时间8月25日,在美国网球公开赛即将拉开帷幕之际,法式运动生活方式品牌Lacoste发布了一则引人注目的重磅消息。品牌不仅在纽约第五大道全新旗舰店举办特别活动,还将其最具辨识度的标志--鳄鱼,象征性地变身为GOAT(Greatest Of All Time,史上最佳),以此向其大使诺瓦克·德约科维奇的非凡成就致敬。
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFD0500108)the International S&T Cooperation Program of China(ISTCP)(2015DFA31300)。
文摘In 2013,peste des petits ruminants(PPR)re-emerged in China and spread to the majority of provinces across the country.The disease was effectively controlled through a vaccination campaign employing live attenuated vaccines,although sporadic cases still occurred.However,limited information is currently available regarding the peste des petits ruminants virus(PPRV)endemic in China.Here,a PPRV strain(HLJ/13)was isolated from a field sample in China using Vero cells expressing goat signalling lymphocyte activation molecule.Phylogenetic analysis indicated that HLJ/13 belonged to lineage IV.Subsequent intranasal and subcutaneous inoculation of goats with a dose of 2×10~6 TCID50of HLJ/13 resulted in the development of typical clinical symptoms of PPR,including pyrexia,ocular and nasal discharges,stomatitis,and diarrhea.All infected goats succumbed to the disease by day 8.To gain further insight,viral loading,pathological examination and immunohistochemical analyses were conducted,elucidating the main targets of HLJ/13 as the respiratory system,digestive tract and lymphoid organs.Employing the goat infection model established above,the goat poxvirus-vectored PPR vaccine,which was previously developed and could be used as DIVA(differentiating infected from vaccinated animals)vaccine,provided complete protection against the challenge of HLJ/13.It is important to note that this study represents the first comprehensive report delineating the biology and pathogenicity characterization,and infection model of PPRV isolated in China.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFD1300202)the Technology Innovation and Application Development Special Project of Chongqing(cstc2021jscx-gksb X0008)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32102623)the National Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing(cstc2021jcyj-msxm X0875)the Ph D Train Scientific Research Project of Chongqing(CSTB2022BSXM-JCX0002)。
文摘Background The ovaries are one of the first organs that undergo degenerative changes earlier in the aging process,and ovarian aging is shown by a decrease in the number and quality of oocytes.However,little is known about the molecular mechanisms of female age-related fertility decline in different types of ovarian cells during aging,especially in goats.Therefore,the aim of this study was to reveal the mechanisms driving ovarian aging in goats at single-cell resolution.Results For the first time,we surveyed the single-cell transcriptomic landscape of over 27,000 ovarian cells from newborn,young and aging goats,and identified nine ovarian cell types with distinct gene-expression signatures.Functional enrichment analysis showed that ovarian cell types were involved in their own unique biological processes,such as Wnt beta-catenin signalling was enriched in germ cells,whereas ovarian steroidogenesis was enriched in granulosa cells(GCs).Further analysis showed that ovarian aging was linked to GCs-specific changes in the antioxidant system,oxidative phosphorylation,and apoptosis.Subsequently,we identified a series of dynamic genes,such as AMH,CRABP2,THBS1 and TIMP1,which determined the fate of GCs.Additionally,FOXO1,SOX4,and HIF1A were identified as significant regulons that instructed the differentiation of GCs in a distinct manner during ovarian aging.Conclusions This study revealed a comprehensive aging-associated transcriptomic atlas characterizing the cell typespecific mechanisms during ovarian aging at the single-cell level and offers new diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for age-related goat ovarian diseases.
基金funded by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant number 32072761,32102570)Shaanxi Livestock and Poultry Breeding Double-chain Fusion Key Project(grant number 2022GDTSLD-46-0501)the fellowship of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(grant number 2021M702691).
文摘Background Diets rich in starch have been shown to increase a risk of reducing milk fat content in dairy goats.While bile acids(BAs)have been used as a lipid emulsifier in monogastric and aquatic animals,their effect on ruminants is not well understood.This study aimed to investigate the impact of BAs supplementation on various aspects of dairy goat physiology,including milk composition,rumen fermentation,gut microbiota,and BA metabolism.Results We randomly divided eighteen healthy primiparity lactating dairy goats(days in milk=100±6 d)into two groups and supplemented them with 0 or 4 g/d of BAs undergoing 5 weeks of feeding on a starch-rich diet.The results showed that BAs supplementation positively influenced milk yield and improved the quality of fatty acids in goat milk.BAs supplementation led to a reduction in saturated fatty acids(C16:0)and an increase in monounsaturated fatty acids(cis-9 C18:1),resulting in a healthier milk fatty acid profile.We observed a significant increase in plasma total bile acid concentration while the proportion of rumen short-chain fatty acids was not affected.Furthermore,BAs supplementation induced significant changes in the composition of the gut microbiota,favoring the enrichment of specific bacterial groups and altering the balance of microbial populations.Correlation analysis revealed associations between specific bacterial groups(Bacillus and Christensenellaceae R-7 group)and BA types,suggesting a role for the gut microbiota in BA metabolism.Functional prediction analysis revealed notable changes in pathways associated with lipid metabolism,suggesting that BAs supplementation has the potential to modulate lipid-related processes.Conclusion These findings highlight the potential benefits of BAs supplementation in enhancing milk production,improving milk quality,and influencing metabolic pathways in dairy goats.Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the broader implications of these findings.
基金This work was financially supported by The National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2022YFD1300202)The National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32372834)+2 种基金Chongqing Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System(CQMAITS202313)the Collection,Utilization and Innovation of Germplasm Resources by Research Institutes and Enterprises of Chongqing,China(cqnyncw-kqlhtxm)the Chongqing Postgraduate Research Innovation Project(CYB22141).
文摘Background Brown adipose tissue(BAT)is known to be capable of non-shivering thermogenesis under cold stimulation,which is related to the mortality of animals.In the previous study,we observed that goat BAT is mainly located around the kidney at birth,and changes to white adipose tissue(WAT)in the perirenal adipose tissue of goats within one month after birth.However,the regulatory factors underlying this change is remain unclear.In this study,we systematically studied the perirenal adipose tissue of goat kids in histological,cytological,and accompanying molecular level changes from 0 to 28 d after birth.Results Our study found a higher mortality rate in winter-born goat kids,with goat birthing data statistics.Then we used thermal imaging revealing high temperature in goat hips at postnatal 0 d and gradually decrease during 28 d.This is consistent with the region of perirenal BAT deposition and highlights its critical role in energy expenditure and body temperature regulation in goat kids.Additionally,we found a series of changes of BAT during the first 28 d after birth,such as whitening,larger lipid droplets,decreased mitochondrial numbers,and down-regulation of key thermogenesis-related genes(UCP1,DIO2,UCP2,CIDEA,PPARGC1a,C/EBPb,and C/EBPa).Then,we used RNA-seq found specific marker genes for goat adipose tissue and identified 12 new marker genes for BAT and 10 new marker genes for WAT of goats.Furthermore,12 candidate genes were found to potentially regulate goat BAT thermogenesis.The mechanism of the change of this biological phenomenon does not involve a large-scale death of brown adipocytes and subsequent proliferation of white adipocytes.While apoptosis may play a limited role,it is largely not critical in this transition process.Conclusions We concluded that perirenal BAT plays a crucial role in thermoregulation in newborn goat kids,with notable species differences in the expression of adipose tissue marker genes,and we highlighted some potential marker genes for goat BAT and WAT.Additionally,the change from BAT to WAT does not involve a large-scale death of brown adipocytes and subsequent proliferation of white adipocytes.
