Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are recognized as effective prebiotics that can mitigate methane (CH4) emissions. However, the specific relationship between the effects of XOS on CH4 emissions and alterations in the ruminal microbiota and their metabolites remains unclear. To investigate the relationship between XOS and CH4 emissions, 48 Jersey cows were randomly divided into two groups: the XOS group (group T) and the control group (group C). Group T received 25 g/d of XOS, while group C received 0 g/d of XOS added to the basal diet. Three randomly selected cows from each group, exhibiting consistent milk production and lactation stage, were analyzed for CH4 emissions detection, 16S rRNA sequencing, and untargeted metabolomics analysis. The addition of XOS significantly reduced CH4 emissions and increased both the number of observed species and the abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE) index of ruminal microbiota compared to group C. Sixteen differential metabolites were identified between the two groups; these differential metabolites were correlated with microbiota, including Chloroflexi, Acidobacteriota, and Succiniclasticum. The study suggests that XOS may regulate ruminant CH4 emissions by influencing the microbiota, thereby providing a rationale for CH4 control.
Intramuscular fat (IMF) significantly influences meat quality, affecting flavor, tenderness, and juiciness. Despite extensive research on livestock such as cattle and pigs, the regulation of IMF in rabbits remains poorly understood. This study establishes a standardized in vitro method for isolating and characterizing intramuscular preadipocytes from the longissimus dorsi muscle of 3-day-old Hycole rabbits using enzymatic digestion and differential centrifugation. Three-day-old neonates were selected for initial protocol development due to their higher progenitor cell abundance and tissue accessibility, which facilitates method optimization and ensures consistent cell yields. Isolated cells displayed typical preadipocyte morphology and expressed key markers, including PREF-1, PPARγ, and Leptin, confirmed by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. Upon adipogenic induction, cells exhibited progressive lipid accumulation, as indicated by Oil Red O staining, and showed upregulated expression of PPARG, C/EBPa, and FABP4, confirming their differentiation potential. This study establishes a comprehensive protocol for isolating rabbit intramuscular preadipocytes, providing a foundational tool for investigating the molecular mechanisms of adipogenesis in lagomorphs. The model supports future studies on genetic and nutritional strategies to enhance rabbit meat quality while preserving its lean characteristics.
Neuropeptide B/W receptor-2 (NPBWR2) is a G protein-coupled receptor which is related to the regulation of feeding behavior, energy homeostasis, neuroendocrine function, and inflammatory pain. In addition, it plays a potential role in the regulation of stress, emotion, anxiety and fear responses. Interestingly, previous genomic analyses revealed variable levels of Bos javanicus introgression into Chinese indicine cattle, including a key adaptive region encompassing the NPBWR2 gene. By integrating introgression analysis with the Bovine Genome Variation Database, a banteng introgressed missense mutation (NC_083880.1: c.14C > G,Thr5Ser) of NPBWR2 was identified. The current study explored the allele frequency of this mutation in 1648 individuals representing 63 Chinese cattle breeds/populations using polymerase chain reaction amplification and whole genome resequencing methods. Here, we explored the prevalence of this variant in native Chinese cattle to instigate the introgression influence of B. javanicus on Chinese cattle.
Astragalus stems and leaves (ASL) represent a promising feed additive to improve cattle health and production efficiency. They are rich in nutrients and active substances, such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, alkaloids, exhibit antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and other biological functions. With the advantages of high yield and low price, ASL are excellent potential feedstuff resources that could alleviate the shortage of conventional feed and reduce feeding costs. This review highlights the botanical characteristics, phytochemical components, nutritional and pharmacological effects of ASL, as well as their applications in cattle production, which could be beneficial for animal nutrition regulation and forage development.
Xizang sheep are vital economic livestock in plateau regions. Traditional surgical castration often induces stress and infection. Although immunization presents an alternative method, the physiological mechanisms underlying its effects in Xizang sheep remain unclear. Therefore, this study integrated serum immune-antioxidant indicators with hypothalamus-pituitary transcriptomics to investigate molecular mechanisms of GnRH immunization. Results indicated that serum IgA, IgG, IgM, SOD, and GSH in the immunization (IM) group were significantly higher than in control (CON) and surgical castration (SN) groups, while IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). RNA-seq analysis revealed that hypothalamic CYTB, ATP6, COX, ABLIM1, and ABI3 were significantly upregulated in IM group, whereas SHISA7 and PTPRO were significantly downregulated, with notable enrichment in prion disease, oxidative phosphorylation, and thermogenesis pathways. Pituitary RPL15 was upregulated while RPL10A, CACNA1D, ANK1, DDX3X, and KCNMA1 were significantly downregulated, showing enrichment in myofibril, contractile fiber, sarcomere, and cytosolic ribosome pathways. Association analysis revealed significant positive correlations between IgG and pituitary ATP6, CYTB, TNNI2, as well as hypothalamic COX1, COX, and ND4. In summary, GnRH immunization outperforms surgical castration by modulating hypothalamic-pituitary genes and enhancing immunity and antioxidants in plateau Xizang sheep, achieving integrated neuroendocrine-immune regulation for healthy husbandry of plateau Xizang sheep.
