The composition and relative abundances of intestinal microbiota are closely related to animal growth, development and health. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of intestinal fungi in pigs, with a focus on fungal alterations associated with diarrhea. Intestinal digesta from duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon and feces of 8 finishing pigs

Maternal nutrition significantly influences offspring development. This study investigated the effects of maternal or post-weaning cinnamaldehyde (CA) supplementation in sows and their offspring on reproductive performance and health. Sixty sows, selected based on body condition score and parity, were randomly allocated to control or CA (500 mg/kg) diets from d 107 of gestation to d 24 of lactation

Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets, often caused by F4+ enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), poses significant challenges in pig production. Traditional solutions like antibiotics and zinc oxide face increasing restrictions due to growing concerns over antibiotic resistance and environmental sustainability. This study investigates the application of bivalent heavy chain variable domain (VHH)

The protein sources in pig diets strongly rely on soybean meal, but its production has been associated with soil degradation, deforestation and loss of biodiversity. Microalga Spirulina can be a potentially more sustainable alternative to soybean meal, but comprehensive information about its use in growing pigs is still lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of partial to full replacement

Intestinal inflammation is an energy-consuming process that may alter energy supply and demand in poultry. During inflammation, the intestinal energy metabolic profile and the patterns of energy partitioning remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of intestinal inflammation on energy intake, heat production (HP), retained energy (RE) and intestinal energy metabolites in layer pullets. After

Higher embryonic mortality, especially in aged breeding hens, is associated with insufficient hepatic functionality in maintaining redox homeostasis. Our previous study demonstrated that egg exosome-derived miRNAs may play a key role in modulating embryonic oxidation-reduction process, whereas the exact function and mechanism were still poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) risks animal and human health, and the liver is considered the most crucial detoxification organ. Phlorotannin (PT) is a polyhydroxy phenol that has a wide range of biological activities, including anti-oxidation and hepatoprotection, which can promote the ability of liver detoxification. This study aimed to elucidate the protective effect of PT on AFB1-induced liver damage in broilers

Compelling evidence has established a strong link between the gut microbiota and host reproductive health. However, the specific regulatory roles of individual bacterial species on reproductive performance are not well-understood. In the present study, Jinhua sows with varying reproductive performances under the same diet and management conditions were selected to explore potential mechanisms on the

Pigs fed diets with different ingredients but identical nutritional levels show significant differences in growth performance, indicating that growth may also be influenced by the synchronicity of dietary carbon and nitrogen supply. Therefore, this study aimed to determine glucose release kinetics of various feed ingredients, to investigate a glucose release pattern that is conducive to synchronized

Mitophagy is an essential cellular autophagic process which maintains mitochondrial homeostasis, but its role in high fat diet (HFD)-induced lipid accumulation is unclear in the yellow catfish. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate mechanism of mitochondria mediating HFD-induced hepatic fat accumulation. In the present study, yellow catfish were fed three diets with dietary fat at 6.31% (low fat; LFD

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection poses a significant challenge to the swine industry, with limited effective control measures available. Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCP) is the primary active ingredient of Poria cocos, and has been demonstrated to show beneficial effects on intestinal damage in previous studies. However, its mechanism has not been fully understood. In the present study

Viral diseases have profoundly influenced the sustainable development of the swine farming industry. With the development of genomics technology, the combination of transcriptome, genetic variation, immune response, and QTL mapping data to illustrate the interactions between pathogen and host immune system, will be an effective tool for identification of disease resistance genes in pigs. The immune

Exogenous xylanase can increase utilization of fiber and energy when included in diets for pigs, and xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) may improve growth performance of pigs by modulating intestinal fermentation. However, it is unclear if a stimbiotic (i.e., a combination of xylanase and XOS) has superior effects compared with a xylanase alone, and there is a lack of data demonstrating if xylanase fed to

Necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler chickens leads to significant economic losses in poultry production. This study examined the inhibitory effects of usnic acid and tannic acid on coccidia, sporozoite, and Clostridium perfringens and assessed their influence on growth performance and intestinal health in NE-challenged broilers through in vitro and in vivo experiments. The in vitro experiment included

This study was carried out to investigate the individual and combined contamination of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN) in feeds in China between 2021 and 2024. A total of 23,003 feed samples, including 17,489 feedstuff samples and 5,514 complete feed samples, were collected from different provinces of China for mycotoxin analysis. The analyzed mycotoxins displayed considerably

Coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria parasites, is a major enteric disease in poultry, significantly impacting animal health, production performance, and welfare. This disease imposes a substantial economic burden, costing the global poultry industry up to $13 billion annually. However, effective mitigation strategies for coccidiosis remain elusive. While different chicken breeds exhibit varying resistance

Insect meals have been identified as innovative and sustainable feedstuffs that could be used in ruminant nutrition. However, current research on the effects that their processing may have on rumen digestibility and fatty acid (FA) biohydrogenation is scant. This trial aims to investigate the effects (i) of drying temperature of full-fat Hermetia illucens (HI) and Tenebrio molitor (TM) meals, and (ii)

The intestinal tract, a complex organ responsible for nutrient absorption and digestion, relies heavily on a balanced gut microbiome to maintain its integrity. Disruptions to this delicate microbial ecosystem can lead to intestinal inflammation, a hallmark of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While the role of the gut microbiome in IBD is increasingly recognized, the underlying mechanisms, particularly

Lactate is a classical byproduct of glucose metabolism, and the main lactate production pathway depends on glycolysis. Lactate stabilized HIF1α by inhibiting PHD activity, leading to hypoxic stress response and exacerbating glycolysis in multiple tissues. However, the redox induction mechanism of lactate in mammary gland has not been understood yet. Herein, we describe a lactate-responsive HIF1α/circadian

Early embryo development plays a pivotal role in determining pregnancy outcomes, postnatal development, and lifelong health. Therefore, the strategic selection of functional nutrients to enhance embryo development is of paramount importance. In this study, we established a stable porcine trophectoderm cell line expressing dual fluorescent reporter genes driven by the CDX2 and TEAD4 gene promoter segments

In this study, the effects of L-leucine (Leu) on rumen fermentation parameters, rumen epithelium development, amino acid composition, rumen bacterial communities and rumen metabolites in beef cattle were investigated. Twenty-four fattening Angus females of similar initial weight (575.5 ± 22.1 kg) were randomly assigned to 2 treatments with 4 replicate pens (3 cattle per pen). They were fed either a

Coumarins are toxic phytochemicals found in a variety of plants and are known to limit microbial degradation and interfere with nutrient cycling. While the degradation of coumarins by fungi has been studied in an environmental context, little is known about their degradation in the gastrointestinal system of herbivores after ingestion. In this study, we investigated in vitro fermentation by microbial

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

Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) are aliphatic compounds ubiquitous in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Positively charged polyamines bind to negatively charged macromolecules, such as nucleic acids and acidic phospholipids, and are involved in physiological activities including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and gene regulation. Intracellular polyamine levels are regulated

Despite growing concerns about the adverse effects of antibiotics in farm animals, there has been little investigation of the effects of florfenicol in laying hens. This study examined the effect of florfenicol on the intestinal homeostasis, immune system, and pathogen susceptibility of laying hens. The oral administration of florfenicol at field-relevant levels for 5 d resulted in a decrease in the

This study investigated the potential impacts of increasing linoleic and α-linolenic acid intake during lactation and wean-to-breeding on subsequent reproduction of sows. A total of 309 sows (PIC Camborough L42) were balanced by parity (140 and 169 sows representing parity 1 to 2 [P1-2] and 3 to 9 [P3+], respectively) and assigned within parity to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Factors included essential

AFB1-8,9-exo-epoxide (AFBO) is the highly toxic product of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play pivotal roles in detoxifying AFB1 by catalyzing the conjugation of AFBO with glutathione (GSH). Although there are over 20 GST isozymes that have been identified in chicken, GST isozymes involved in the detoxification process of AFB1 have not been identified yet. The objective of this

Regulating the regional deposition of fat is crucial for improving the carcass characteristics of pigs. The intestine, as an important organ for lipid absorption and homeostasis maintenance, secretes various biological signals that participate in the crosstalk between the intestine and adipose tissue. Extracellular vesicles, as novel extracellular genetic factors that mediate metabolic signal exchange

Maintaining intestinal health is crucial for the overall well-being and productivity of livestock, as it impacts nutrient absorption, immune function, and disease resistance. Oxidative stress and inflammation are key threats to intestinal integrity. This study explored the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and barrier-strengthening properties of a fermented plant macerate (FPM) derived from 45 local

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

Rumen microorganisms are key regulators of ruminant growth and production performance. Identifying probiotic candidates through microbial culturomics presents a promising strategy for improving ruminant production performance. Our previous study identified significant differences in rumen microbial communities of Holstein calves with varying average daily gain (ADG). This study aims to identify a target

Caffeic acid (CA) and its derivative, chlorogenic acid (CGA), have shown promise in preventing and alleviating fatty liver disease. CA, compared to CGA, has much lower production costs and higher bioavailability, making it a potentially superior feed additive. However, the efficacy, mechanistic differences, and comparative impacts of CA and CGA on fatty liver disease in laying hens remain unclear.

Supplementation of choline chloride in culture medium programs the preimplantation bovine embryo to increase weaning weight of the resultant calf. Here, it was hypothesized that similar programming actions of choline can be induced by feeding rumen-protected choline (RPC) to beef cows during the periconceptional period. A preliminary experiment was conducted to determine changes in circulating concentrations

This study investigated the effects of different non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) sources with NSP degrading enzymes (NSPases) and the influence on the mucosa-associated microbiota and intestinal immunity of nursery pigs, on growth performance and carcass traits at market weight. One hundred and sixty newly weaned pigs at 7.0 ± 0.3 kg body weight (BW) were allotted in a 2 × 2 factorial with NSP sources

Dietary protein level and amino acid (AA) balance are crucial determinants of animal health and productivity. Supplementing rumen-protected AAs in low-protein diets was considered as an efficient strategy to improve the growth performance of ruminants. The colon serves as a crucial conduit for nutrient metabolism during rumen-protected methionine (RPMet) and rumen-protected lysine (RPLys) supplementation

Correction: J Animal Sci Biotechnol 14, 45 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-023–00852-1 Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported that Fig. 3 were incorrect because there was naming error occurred during the archiving of electron microscopy micrographs of mitochondrial ultrastructure for maternal Zn treatment referring to Zn + pbs and Zn + BHP groups, resulting in

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is one of the primary causes of diarrhea in piglets, creating substantial economic losses in the swine farming industry worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of zinc caproate (ZnCA, C12H22O4Zn) on the intestinal health, growth performance, inflammatory status, and Zn homeostasis of weaned piglets challenged with ETEC K88. In total, 48 weaned

Organic acids (OA) and maternal nutritional strategies have been demonstrated to promote piglet health and development. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of incorporating OA-preserved cereal grains into sow diets during late gestation and lactation, aiming to reduce the metabolic demands of lactation while optimising offspring development and growth until slaughter. The experiment

Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (GenX), a substitute for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, has been widely detected in various environmental matrices and foods recently, attracting great attention. However, a systematic characterization of its reproductive toxicity is still missing. This study aims to explore the male reproductive toxicity caused by GenX exposure and the potential cellular

As the global population increases, the demand for protein sources is expected to increase, driving the demand for cell-based cultivated meat. This study aimed to enhance the productivity of cultivated meat through optimization of the cell source and organization process. We engineered fibroblasts into myogenic cells via non-viral introduction of the MYOD1 gene, avoiding viral methods for safety. After

Salmonella enteritidis is a prevalent foodborne pathogen causing diseases in humans and poultry globally. While clove extract is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, its specific effects on gut injury and underlying mechanisms are not well understood. A total of 432 one-day-old male fast-growing yellow-feathered broilers with similar body weight were randomly assigned to 6 groups, the CON and

Previous evidence suggests that methionine (Met) consumption can promote placental angiogenesis and improve fetal survival. To investigate the mechanisms by which increased levels of Met as hydroxyl-Met (OHMet) improve placental function, forty sows were divided into four groups and fed either a control diet, or diets supplemented with 0.15% OHMet, 0.3% OHMet or 0.3% Met (n = 10). Placentas were collected

Aflatoxins have been reported as a significant pollutant in feed, capable of causing harm to the liver, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys of piglets. However, research on the interactions among aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), bile acid (BA) metabolism and gut microbiota is limited. In this study, piglets were treated with AFB1 and antibiotics (ABX) to evaluate the interaction between AFB1 and gut microbiota

Milk synthesis is an energy-intensive process influenced by oxygen availability. This study investigates how hypoxia affects milk synthesis in BMECs, focusing on key genes involved in lactation and energy metabolism. BMECs were cultured in a normoxic environment and then transferred to a hypoxia chamber with 1% O2 for specified durations. The study evaluated cellular responses through various molecular

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is a key epigenetic modification that can modulate gene expression and strongly affect mammalian developmental processes. However, the genome-wide methylation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and its implications for the development of skeletal muscle remain poorly understood. Bovine skeletal muscle samples from five developmental stages were analyzed in this study

Poor feather growth not only affects the appearance of the organism but also decreases the feed efficiency. Methionine (Met) is an essential amino acid required for feather follicle development; yet the exact mechanism involved remains insufficiently understood. A total of 180 1-day-old broilers were selected and randomly divided into 3 treatments: control group (0.45% Met), Met-deficiency group (0

Mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most intractable problems for the dairy industry, causing significantly reduced milk yields and early slaughter of cows worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression and studies in recent years have shown the importance of miRNA-associated gene regulation in S. aureus-induced mastitis. In this study

Goat breeds in the Alpine area and Mediterranean basin exhibit a unique genetic heritage shaped by centuries of selection and adaptability to harsh environments. Understanding their adaptive traits can aid breeding programs target enhanced resilience and productivity, especially as we are facing important climate and agriculture challenges. To this aim the genomic architecture of 480 goats belonging

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 requirements. This study explores the potential of the buccal (oral) microbiome as a diagnostic indicator for SARA, hypothesizing an interaction with the rumen microbiome. The study involved 47 dairy

The creatine-creatine kinase-phosphocreatine (Cr-CK-PCr) system maintains intracellular ratios of ATP/ADP for support of cellular functions and has been characterized at the placental-uterine interface of rodents, primates, swine and sheep, and thus may support fetal development. This study determined effects of dietary supplementation of creatine (Cr) to gestating gilts on fetal development, the number

Black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) stands out as a promising nutritional resource due to its rich bioactive substances and favorable protein profile. Nonetheless, its potential to mitigate coccidia infection in broilers remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of partially defatted BSFLM (pBSFLM) on growth performance, nutrient utilization, and intestinal health, focusing on morphology

Ferroptosis is a newly identified form of regulated cell death (RCD) characterized by iron overload and excessive lipid peroxidation. To date, numerous studies in human and mouse models have shown that ferroptosis is closely related to tissue damage and various diseases. In recent years, ferroptosis has also been found to play an indispensable and multifaceted role in infection and tissue injury in

Intestinal oxidative stress serves as an endogenous host defense against the gut microbiota by increasing energy expenditure and therefore decreasing feed efficiency (FE). Several systems coordinately regulate redox balance, including the mitochondrial respiratory chain, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, and different antioxidants. However, it remains unclear which redox

Organic selenium (Se) has gained recognition in poultry nutrition as a feed additive to boost production and Se deposition in eggs and tissues, owing to its high bioavailability, efficient tissue accumulation and minimal toxicity. Selenium-enriched yeast (SeY) is a well-established source, while selenium-enriched lactobacilli (SeL), a newer alternative, offers the added benefits of probiotics. This

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. We found a significant increase in lyso-phospholipids in frozen-thawed sperm

Correction: J Animal Sci Biotechnol 15, 100 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-024-01057-w Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported errors in Fig. 2 and Table 2. In Fig. 2, CON group discrepancies in the arrangement and SIL1000 group in week4 used wrong figure that led to a misrepresentation of the visual data. Fig. 2 has been repositioned to align with the precise

Ferroptosis is characterized by increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and membrane lipid peroxidation that can exacerbate inflammatory damage. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from bovine milk have many biological functions, including antioxidant properties. However, the role of EVs on Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced ferroptosis and oxidative stress in bovine mammary epithelial cells

Thermogenic adipose tissue, both beige and brown, experiences whitening as animals are exposed to warmth and age, but the potential mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we employed single-nucleus RNA-seq to construct a cell atlas during whitening progression and identified the characteristics of thermogenic adipocytes. Our histological studies and bulk transcriptome gene expression analysis

As an important genetic resource of chickens, gamecock has unique morphological and behavioral characteristics such as large size, muscular development and strong aggression, making it a good model for studying muscle development and behavior patterns, as well as an excellent breeding material. Gamecocks are distributed worldwide, forming different breeds and strains. However, the single or multiple

India harbors the world’s largest cattle population, encompassing over 50 distinct Bos indicus breeds. This rich genetic diversity underscores the inadequacy of a single reference genome to fully capture the genomic landscape of Indian cattle. To comprehensively characterize the genomic variation within Bos indicus and, specifically, dairy breeds, we aim to identify non-reference sequences and construct