Muscle development in goose embryos is a complex and highly coordinated process involving dynamic morphological and transcriptional changes. Skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) play essential roles in postnatal muscle growth, regeneration, and meat quality, yet the molecular mechanisms regulating SMSC behavior during embryonic development in geese remain incompletely characterized. In this study, we integrated histology, immunofluorescence, and transcriptomics to investigate leg muscle development and SMSC dynamics in female Zhedong White (ZW) geese at embryonic days 15, 18, and 23 (E15F, E18F, and E23F). Histological examination revealed progressive myofiber hypertrophy and alignment from E15F to E23F. Concurrently, the proportion of Pax7⁺ SMSCs progressively decreased, indicating the establishment of a quiescent satellite cell pool. RNA sequencing of SMSCs identified numerous differentially expressed genes across developmental stages. Transcriptomic profiling indicated a clear developmental transition: early stages (E15F) were enriched in genes related to structural and contractile proteins (e.g., MYL1, ACTC1, TNNT2), while later stages (E23F) were associated with upregulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism (e.g., PPARG, PLIN2, ACSL1), extracellular matrix remodeling (e.g., MMP2, SPP1), and signal transduction (e.g., FGF10, IGFBP5). Functional enrichment analysis further supported a shift from active myogenesis toward metabolic maturation and tissue reorganization. Protein–protein interaction network analysis identified a core regulatory module involving MEF2C, MEF2D, MYOD1, and MSTN. Key gene expression trends were confirmed by quantitative PCR. Together, these findings provide a comprehensive transcriptomic resource that delineates the stage-specific molecular programs guiding SMSC differentiation and functional maturation during embryonic myogenesis in geese.

Muscle fiber density at hatching is closely associated with post-hatch meat yield through subsequent hypertrophy and with meat tenderness at market age. However, inter-individual variation in muscle fiber traits among goslings remains poorly understood. In this study, 129 one-day-old Yangzhou goslings were sampled and classified into three phenotypic groups based on gastrocnemius muscle weight and muscle fiber density: high meat yield-high fiber density (HH; 0.56 ± 0.01 g, 7803.88 ± 434.12 n/mm²), high meat yield-low fiber density (HL; 0.59 ± 0.03 g, 3847.01 ± 135.68 n/mm²), and low meat yield (LY; 0.46 ± 0.02 g, characterized by lower body weight and muscle mass). A 4D label-free quantitative phosphoproteomic approach was then applied to uncover phosphorylation-mediated mechanisms regulating early muscle fiber development. In total, 6,412 phosphorylation sites corresponding to 5,548 phosphopeptides and 2,519 phosphoproteins were quantified. Compared with HL goslings, HH goslings exhibited elevated phosphorylation of muscle structural proteins (e.g., MYOM2 Thr614, Lamin A/C Ser299), cytoskeletal proteins (e.g., PDLIM7 Ser126, FLN Ser1524), and MAPK signaling components (p38-MAPK Thr180), correlating with higher fiber density. Conversely, HL goslings showed increased phosphorylation of kinases and energy metabolism proteins (e.g., CaMK Thr288, PGM1 Thr507/Ser408), consistent with enhanced fiber hypertrophy. KEGG enrichment indicated involvement of actin cytoskeleton regulation, MAPK signaling, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. Overall, these results suggest that phosphorylation-mediated regulation may contribute to inter-individual differences in muscle fiber number and size during early development.

Background & aims Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a progressive liver disease with limited therapeutic options, and the role of ferroptosis in its pathogenesis remains to be fully understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the action of DNA damage-inducible transcript 4 (DDIT4) in the ferroptosis and regulation of MASH progression. Methods The Gene Expression Omnibus database of MASH mice models and ferroptosis database were used to identify crucial ferroptosis related genes in MASH. Hepatic DDIT4 expression was detected in MASH patients, mouse models and hepatocytes. The functional role of DDIT4 was assessed in different diet-induced MASH mice models with hepatocyte-specific DDIT4 overexpression or knockout. RNA-sequencing and immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry (IP-MS) were performed to determine DDIT4 interacting proteins. Molecular docking was used to explore the potential compound targeting DDIT4. Results We have discovered significantly elevated DDIT4 levels in mice and patients with MASH, which were positively correlated with MASH severity. Hepatocyte-specific over-expression of DDIT4 aggravated ferroptosis and MASH progression, while DDIT4 deletion alleviated ferroptosis and MASH progression. Mechanistically, DDIT4 decreased glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression in an mTORC1 dependent manner. Additionally, DDIT4 interacted with cytosolic GPX4 and inhibited TOM22-mediated mitochondrial translocation, resulting in mitochondrial GPX4 reduction and ferroptosis activation. Importantly, through molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance (SPR), we have identified quercetagetin, a natural flavonoid, as a potential DDIT4-targeting compound. Administration of quercetagetin alleviated hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in MASH mice. Conclusions Our study establishes the DDIT4-GPX4-ferroptosis axis as a new regulatory node in MASH progression and highlights DDIT4 as a potential therapeutic target for MASH.

INTRODUCTION:Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists have gained significant attention in clinical applications because of their remarkable efficacy in reducing obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanisms by which these dual agonists affect systemic metabolism remain elusive. OBJECTIVES:To investigate the effects of a novel dual-receptor agonist, THDBH120, on systemic metabolism in obese individuals and the specific roles of GIPR and GLP-1R in modulating systemic and adipose tissue metabolism. METHODS:To evaluate the intrinsic properties of THDBH120, we conducted a potency assay by using HEK293 cell lines overexpressing either human GIPR or GLP-1R and measured the accumulation of cAMP as a downstream second messenger following receptor activation. To evaluate the efficacy of THDBH120 on systemic metabolism, we used obese rodents and nonhuman primate species that received various doses and frequencies of THDBH120. To determine the metabolic roles of GLP-1R and GIPR in mediating the beneficial effects of THDBH120, we used GLP-1R- and GIPR-knockout mouse models treated with THDBH120, the GLP-1R agonist semaglutide, or the GIPR agonist LAGIPRA and performed transcriptomic sequencing analyses of adipose tissues. RESULTS:THDBH120 is a novel long-acting dual GIPR/GLP-1R agonist that has superior weight loss and metabolic improvement effects in rodents and mammals. The activation of GLP-1R by semaglutide or THDBH120 improved lipid metabolism, whereas the activation of GIPR by LAGIPRA or THDBH120 alleviated inflammation. THDBH120 improved lipid metabolism via GLP-1R-mediated pathways and mitigated inflammation by activating GIPR-associated pathways in the adipose tissues of obese mice. CONCLUSION:Both GLP-1R and GIPR are important in mediating the beneficial effects of dual receptors on systemic metabolism. THDBH120 is a novel long-acting dual GIPR/GLP-1R agonist that has potential clinical applications.

Clothianidin (CLO), a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, may pose a health risk to waterfowl through contaminated feed ingredients and agricultural residues. This study investigated whether dietary Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA) could alleviate CLO-induced growth suppression and liver oxidative injury in goslings. Fourteen-day-old Holdobagy goslings were assigned to five treatments for 21 days: control, 2.5 mg/kg CLO, 2.5 mg/kg CLO plus 60 ppm BA, 10 mg/kg CLO, and 10 mg/kg CLO plus 60 ppm BA. CLO exposure reduced final body weight and average daily gain, increased liver index, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and decreased liver total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities (p < 0.05). Histological analysis further showed hepatocyte disorganization, vacuolar degeneration, congestion, and inflammatory infiltration, which were partially alleviated by BA supplementation. Serum untargeted metabolomics showed clear separation among treatment groups. CLO exposure altered 130 and 215 differential metabolites at the low and high doses, respectively, whereas BA supplementation regulated 115 and 170 differential metabolites under the corresponding CLO backgrounds (p < 0.05). These metabolites were mainly enriched in amino acid metabolism, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, purine metabolism, riboflavin metabolism, glutathione metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis/degradation pathways. Liver transcriptomic analysis identified 761 and 1283 differentially expressed genes after low- and high-dose CLO exposure, respectively, while BA supplementation altered 338 and 440 genes (p < 0.05). Enriched pathways included peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling, fatty acid metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway, glutathione metabolism, cell adhesion molecules, and adipocytokine signaling. This study adds new evidence on the protective role of BA against CLO-induced toxicity in goslings by combining physiological, histological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic observations. Overall, BA partially mitigated CLO-induced growth inhibition and liver oxidative injury, potentially through coordinated regulation of redox homeostasis, lipid and energy metabolism, and liver metabolic remodeling.

Feathers are valuable by-products of the poultry industry, and their growth and development markedly have significant impact on economic returns. This study used Landes geese as a model to analyze the expression of core genes involved in feather regeneration and inflammation through comparative transcriptomic analyzes between plucked and unplucked skin tissues. In Landes geese aged 180 days (LD180), 624 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at 5 days post-plucking (481 upregulated and 143 downregulated), whereas 1851 DEGs were identified at 14 days (1350 upregulated and 501 downregulated). In Landes geese aged 90 days (LD90), 694 DEGs were detected at five days post-plucking (513 upregulated and 181 downregulated), with 1154 DEGs identified at 14 days (887 upregulated and 267 downregulated). These DEGs were significantly enriched in GO terms, KEGG pathways, and protein-protein interaction networks associated with inflammatory responses (e.g., leukocyte-mediated immunity), and feather regeneration (e.g., epidermis development). Notably, signatures of both innate and adaptive immunity were detected at the early post-plucking stage. Compared with younger geese, the LD180 group showed faster inflammatory resolution than the LD90 group, as demonstrated by a more pronounced decrease in proinflammatory gene expression levels in LD180. Comparative analysis revealed that mechanical damage (such as feather plucking) induces immediate inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. In conclusion, the mechanical damage caused by feather plucking triggers a renewed cycle of feather growth, which requires overcoming the harm inflicted by the subsequent inflammatory responses. The ability to recover from inflammatory damage varies significantly with age.

Skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) are essential for embryonic myogenesis and postnatal muscle regeneration; however, their cellular heterogeneity and transcriptional dynamics during avian development remain largely unexplored. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on 42,886 cells isolated from goose leg muscles across four embryonic stages (E13, E15, E18, and E23), with each stage comprising pooled tissues from four female embryos. Unbiased clustering resolved 22 transcriptionally distinct clusters representing six major cell types—satellite cells, myocytes, fibro-adipogenic progenitors, endothelial cells, immune cells, and Schwann cells—with satellite cells being the most abundant. Satellite cells were further subdivided into three functional states (quiescent, activated, and proliferative/differentiating), which followed a continuous, linear pseudotime trajectory from early to late embryonic stages. This trajectory was marked by a progressive downregulation of stemness-associated regulators (e.g., PAX7) and upregulation of myogenic commitment and differentiation factors (e.g., MYF5, MYOD1, and MYOG), faithfully mirroring chronological development. Cell–cell communication analysis revealed that quiescent satellite cells exhibited the most extensive intercellular signaling networks (e.g., FGFR, Ephrin, collagen, CADM), whereas activated and proliferative/differentiating cells showed progressively diminished communication capacity. Across developmental stages, the contribution intensities of key signaling pathways—including SEMA6, CDH, FGF, LAMININ, MK, MPZ, CADM, FN1, and COLLAGEN—varied significantly among satellite cell states, indicating state-specific responsiveness to microenvironmental cues. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that satellite cells dynamically coordinate extrinsic signal integration with intrinsic differentiation programs to achieve orderly myogenic progression. This study provides a high-resolution single-cell atlas of goose SMSC development, uncovering subpopulation heterogeneity, state-specific molecular signatures, and key signaling pathways, with important implications for avian muscle biology and genetic improvement of poultry.

Skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) are quiescent stem cells located in skeletal muscle tissue and function as the primary reservoir of myogenic progenitors for muscle growth and regeneration. However, the molecular and metabolic mechanisms governing their differentiation in geese remain largely unexplored. This study comprehensively examined the morphological, transcriptional, and metabolic dynamics of goose SMSCs across three critical differentiation stages: the quiescent stage (DD0), the differentiation stage (DD4), and the late differentiation stage (DD6). By integrating transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, stage-specific molecular signatures and regulatory networks involved in SMSC differentiation were identified. Principal component analysis revealed distinct clustering patterns in gene expression and metabolite profiles across these stages, highlighting dynamic shifts in lipid metabolism and myogenesis. The PPAR signaling pathway emerged as a key regulator, with crucial genes such as PPARG, IGF1, ACSL5, FABP5, and PLIN1 exhibiting differentiation-dependent expression patterns. Notably, PPARG and IGF1 displayed negative correlations with adenosine and L-carnitine levels, suggesting their role in metabolic reprogramming during myotube formation. Additionally, MYOM2 and MYBPC1 exhibited stage-specific regulation and positively correlated with 2,3-dimethoxyphenylamine. This study provides a foundational framework for understanding muscle development and regeneration, offering valuable insights for both agricultural and biomedical research.

This study aimed to investigate the role of ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) in mitigating dexamethasone (DEX)-induced immune injury in goslings. Dexamethasone (DEX) is commonly used to establish an animal model of immune suppression, which mimics the immune injury caused by stress or certain pathological conditions in poultry. A total of 180 one-day-old goslings were randomly assigned to three groups: control (Con), DEX, and DEX + GLP, with six replicates of 10 goslings each. The Con and DEX groups were fed a basal diet, whereas the DEX + GLP group received feed supplemented with 0.2% GLP. From days 14 to 21, the DEX and DEX + GLP groups were injected with 3.5 mg/kg body weight (BW) of DEX, while the Con group received normal saline. Growth performance, immune organ indices, serum parameters, organ morphology, and intestinal microbiota were evaluated at 21 and 35 days. At day 21, the Con group exhibited significantly higher BW, average daily gain (ADG), spleen, thymus, and bursa indices, as well as serum total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLOB), IL-6, IgA, and IgG compared to the DEX and DEX + GLP groups (p < 0.01). By day 35, the DEX + GLP group demonstrated greater ADG than the DEX group (p < 0.01) and showed improved TP, ALB, and immune organ indices relative to DEX alone (p < 0.05). Histological analysis indicated that DEX induced bursa plica disorder, spleen parenchyma loosening, and thymus lobule atrophy, all of which were alleviated by GLP supplementation. Regarding the gut microbiota, the Con group displayed higher α-diversity at day 21 than the DEX group (p < 0.05), while at day 35, β-diversity in the DEX group differed markedly from that in the Con and DEX + GLP groups. Furthermore, DEX + GLP was associated with an enrichment of Bacteroidetes, Flavobacterium, and Lactococcus as microbial biomarkers. Overall, GLP effectively mitigated DEX-induced immune injury and partially restored growth performance by improving immune organ morphology, modulating serum factors, and reshaping gut microbiota.

The objective of this study was to preliminarily explore the effects of Calsporin® (Bacillus subtilis C-3102) on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, apparent digestibility, and cecal microbiota of geese. A total of 144 Sanhua geese, aged 35 days, were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a group receiving a basal diet supplemented with 30 ppm Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), and a group receiving a basal diet supplemented with 60 ppm B. subtilis. Each group had six replicates, with eight geese per replicate. The study consisted of a one-week pre-feeding period followed by a four-week experimental period. The results indicated that, compared to the control group, the group supplemented with 60 ppm B. subtilis showed a significant increase in final body weight and the average daily gain (P<0.05). Both the 30 ppm and 60 ppm B. subtilis groups exhibited significant improvements in the feed/gain (F/G) ratio (P<0.05). Additionally, supplementation with either 30 ppm or 60 ppm B. subtilis significantly increased the height of the ileum villi (P<0.05), with a trend towards an increased villus height to crypt depth (VH/CD) ratio (P>0.05). In terms of digestive enzyme activity, both 30 ppm and 60 ppm B. subtilis supplementation significantly enhanced the activities of ileum cellulase and chymotrypsin (P<0.05). Furthermore, the apparent digestibility of crude ash, crude protein, and Ca was significantly improved in the 60 ppm B. subtilis group (P<0.05). Microbial analysis revealed that B. subtilis increased the abundance of potential probiotics bacterial families, such as Turicibacter, and butyrate-producing, including Prevotellaceae Ga6Al. In conclusion, supplementation with 60 ppm B. subtilis can significantly enhance the growth performance, intestinal morphology, and apparent digestibility of geese. Increasing the supplementation level may further optimize these benefits.

Leptin resistance is a hallmark of obesity. Recent evidence shows that gut microbiota is associated with the development and progression of leptin resistance. However, whether intervention targeting gut microbiota can improve leptin sensitivity remains to be fully established. In the current investigation, we have demonstrated that co-administration of berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid compound, and stachyose, a prebiotic, could enhance leptin sensitivity and reduce body weight in diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice, via an effect associated with gut microbiota modulation. Notably, the combination of berberine and stachyose significantly increased the abundance of Blautia producta, altered host purine metabolism, and elevated serum and hypothalamic levels of a purine metabolite, inosine. Furthermore, direct supplementation with inosine further ameliorated inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the hypothalamus and improved leptin sensitivity in obese mice. These findings suggest that berberine combined with stachyose represents a novel leptin sensitizer for obesity, acting through the modulation of gut microbiota and subsequently alteration in host purine metabolism, particularly with the involvement of inosine.

This study systematically investigated the genetic and metabolic mechanisms underlying pigmentation in goose webbed feet by integrating histological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses. Histological examinations revealed significant differences in melanin deposition among webbed feet of varying colors. Dark black webbed feet exhibited the highest melanin content, light black webbed feet showed moderate levels, and colorless webbed feet lacked detectable melanin. Transcriptomic analysis identified substantial variations in the expression levels of key genes involved in melanin biosynthesis, including TYRP1, PMEL, DCT, TYR, OCA2, MC1R, RAB38, WNT16, CAMK2A, and MLANA, between pigmented and colorless webbed feet. Notably, the OCA2 gene exhibited significantly higher expression in dark black webbed feet compared to light black webbed feet, underscoring its pivotal role in regulating pigmentation intensity. Enrichment analysis emphasized the importance of pathways related to tyrosine metabolism, melanin production, and amino acid biosynthesis in determining pigmentation differences. Metabolomic profiling supported these findings, revealing that L-tyrosine and 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid are critical metabolites in the melanin biosynthesis pathway. Specifically, elevated levels of L-tyrosine were detected in colorless webbed feet, likely due to inhibited melanin synthesis, whereas 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid levels were highest in dark black webbed feet, reflecting active melanin production. Correlation analysis between transcriptomic and metabolomic data further validated the central role of tyrosine metabolism and melanin biosynthesis pathways in pigmentation. In conclusion, this study employed multi-omics approaches to elucidate the critical role of the OCA2-centered genetic-metabolic regulatory network in melanin deposition of goose webbed feet, providing important insights into the molecular mechanisms of avian pigmentation and valuable references for poultry breeding.

This study investigated a compound low-protein diet (CLPD) strategy to reduce soybean meal (SBM) dependency in meat geese. Diets were formulated with crude protein (CP) levels decreasing from 16.5% (corn-soybean meal diet, CSD) to 9.8%, incorporating alternative ingredients such as rapeseed meal, corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), broken rice, and rice bran. All diets were balanced for limiting amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine, and valine) through supplemental synthetic amino acids. A total of 192 four-week-old Sanhua geese were randomly assigned according to a single-factor completely randomized design to four dietary treatment groups: the 16.5% (CSD) group and three CLPD treatment groups (14.0% CP, 11.5% CP, and 9.8% CP). Each treatment consisted of six replicate pens with eight geese per pen. During the six-week trial, evaluations included growth performance, organ weights, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemistry, amino acid profiles, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbiota composition. Results demonstrated that compared to the 16.5% (CSD) group, the 11.5% CP (CLPD) group significantly improved final body weight (p < 0.05), average daily gain (P_Linear < 0.01, p < 0.05), and feed conversion efficiency (P_Linear < 0.01, p < 0.05), alongside enhanced apparent digestibility of crude protein and amino acids (P_Linear < 0.01, p < 0.05). Organ weights were generally stable, though the 9.8% CP (CLPD) group showed reduced liver weight (p < 0.05) and increased abdominal fat (P_Linear < 0.01, p < 0.05). Serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased (P_Linear < 0.05, p < 0.05). Intestinal morphology improved in the duodenum and jejunum: in the duodenum, villus height and villus-to-crypt ratio were significantly increased, and crypt depth was significantly decreased (P_Linear < 0.01, p < 0.05); in the jejunum, villus height was significantly increased (p < 0.05) and crypt depth was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Cecal microbiota alpha diversity remained consistent. The dominant genera in the 9.8% CP (CLPD) group were unclassified_Oscillospiraceae and unclassified_Ruminococcaceae (p < 0.05), among which, Megamonas, Prevotellaceae_Ga6A1_group, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group dominated in the 16.5% (CSD) group (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that a compound low-protein diet (CLPD) with 11.5% CP, precisely balanced for limiting amino acids, supports optimal growth performance, improves nutrient utilization, and maintains intestinal health in meat geese. Overall, this offers a viable approach to easing SBM reliance in poultry nutrition while enhancing resource efficiency.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (CAL) on the laying performance, follicular development, and cecal microorganisms of breeder geese. The experiment was conducted at a goose farm in Lu’an City, Anhui Province, from April to December 2024. A total of 5965 geese (male-to-female ratio of 1:4.75) were used and divided into three groups with CAL supplementation levels of 0 ppm, 60 ppm, and 100 ppm. Changes in laying performance, serum hormones, follicle number, and fecal microorganisms were analyzed. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the total number of eggs laid in the 100 ppm BS group increased by 2.77 eggs (p < 0.05), and the number of graded follicles was significantly increased by 78.2% (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum reproductive hormones among all groups (p > 0.05). Microbial analysis revealed that the 100 ppm CAL group had a significantly higher abundance of Firmicutes, with enrichment of the genera Bacillus and Lactococcus. Additionally, the relative abundance of Bacillus was significantly positively correlated with the level of intestinal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) (p < 0.05). However, the egg weight and egg shape index in the 60 ppm CAL group were significantly lower than those in the other groups (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in hatching rate among all groups (p > 0.05). This study indicated that CAL has precise application value in the green breeding of breeder geese. It is recommended to add CAL at a dose of 100 ppm, which can improve the laying performance and optimize the follicular development of breeder geese by enhancing intestinal microecology and mucosal immune function. The results provide a direct theoretical basis and practical reference for the scientific application of CAL in breeder goose breeding.

LCORL is a crucial gene that regulates body weight and size in several organisms, including the graylag geese (Anser anser). However, the effect of this gene in swan geese (Anser cygnoides) has been deemed negligible. As various indigenous goose breeds (A. cygnoides) are systemically selected for their growth performance, a comprehensive understanding of the genetic basis of growth performance-related traits is imperative for goose breeding. A goose double-digest genotyping-by-sequencing (ddGBS) protocol was established by implementing dual restriction enzyme (EcoRI and BfaI) digestion of genomic DNA, followed by the ligation of adapters with paired-end index sequences. The ddGBS method was used to perform genome-wide association studies on body weight in Zhedong white goose, with the aim to identify candidate genes. The novel genome-wide genotyping method detected > 100 K bi-allelic markers per sample and exhibited a high genotyping accuracy demonstrated by the Sanger sequencing method. Moreover, this strategy was used to conduct a longitudinal genome-wide association study (GWAS) on body-weight traits (0–10 weeks), which identified 19 significant loci. These loci exerted significant effects on body weight, but could only explain a small proportion of the phenotypic variation (≤ 0.51

Geese exhibit relatively low meat production and growth efficiency compared to broilers and ducks, with muscle fiber being key determinant of meat yield. The embryonic stage and early post-hatching period are critical for muscle fiber differentiation and hypertrophy. However, the muscle development of geese in these stages remains unclear. In this study, Yangzhou geese during embryonic stages (E15, E19, E21, E23, E25, E27, and E29) and the early post-hatching periods (1 d, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d, and 28 d) were selected. The breast and leg muscles were dissected to characterize the morphological traits and types of muscle fibers. Our results indicated that muscle fiber development in the breast and leg muscles follows an asynchronous pattern. Leg muscle differentiation began at E21 and was largely completed between E23 and E25. During the first week after hatching, muscle fibers grew rapidly, reaching a diameter of 19.5 μm by 7 d. In contrast, breast muscle fiber development occurred later, with no fully developed muscle fiber morphology observed throughout the entire embryonic period. Differentiation began at 1 d post-hatching. In addition, the breast muscle consisted entirely of fast-twitch fibers throughout all stages, whereas slow-twitch fibers first appeared in the leg muscles around E25. Between 5 and 28 d post-hatching, leg muscles shifted from slow- to fast-twitch fiber dominance. Taken together, our findings enhance understanding of skeletal muscle development in geese and will offer insights for improving meat yield via muscle fiber regulation.

This study investigated the effects of dietary Edible Dock Powder (EDP) on growth performance, organ development, serum biochemistry, and cecal microbiota in Sanhua goslings. A total of 240 goslings were randomly allocated into four groups: one control group (Group A) and three experimental groups supplemented with EDP at concentrations of 1.00% (Group B), 2.50% (Group C), and 4.00% (Group D). Group B showed a significantly decreased feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Organ analysis indicated an increase in liver and glandular stomach weights in Groups B and C (p < 0.05). Serum aspartate transaminase (AST) levels were significantly decreased in the EDP groups (p < 0.05), and glucose (GLU) levels were notably lower in Groups C and D compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Cecal microbiota analysis revealed that Group B was enriched in Prevotella and Streptococcaceae, while Cyanobacteria and Alistipes were higher in Group C. Additionally, Desulfovibrio was positively correlated with glandular stomach weight, and Oxalobacter with ADG (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that 1.00–2.50% EDP supplementation supports growth, enhances liver and gut health, and optimizes microbiota composition, providing a viable functional feed strategy for goslings.

Muscle growth is a critical determinant of meat yield and quality in livestock. Although follistatin (FST) is recognized as a key regulator of skeletal muscle development and fat metabolism, its specific function in geese remains largely unexplored. In this study, we identified two transcript variants of goose FST (gFST) in Zhedong White geese: gFST-X1 (1125 bp), encoding a 343-amino acid protein with a 28-amino acid signal peptide and four conserved domains, and gFST-X2, which contains a 243 bp insertion within the gFST-X1 transcript. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that gFST mRNA expression varied across tissues from female embryos (25 days), adults (70 days), and laying geese (270 days), as well as in skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) at embryonic day 16 (E16d). Overexpression of gFST in SMSCs resulted in 3596 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 2247 upregulated and 1349 downregulated genes (padj < 0.01). Key stemness markers (PAX7, PAX3) and myogenic regulators (MYOG, MYOD, MYF5) were significantly downregulated, whereas genes associated with lipid metabolism (PPARG, FABP5, ACSL5) and myosin-related processes (MYO1D, MYO1F, MYO1E) were markedly upregulated (padj < 0.01). Functional enrichment analysis linked these DEGs to the TGF-β, PPAR signaling, fatty acid metabolism, and Notch signaling pathways. These transcriptomic findings were further validated by qRT-PCR. Collectively, our results demonstrate the dual regulatory role of gFST in skeletal muscle development and provide new mechanistic insights into muscle development in geese.

Adipose tissues (AT) are an important endocrine organ that secretes various functional adipokines, peptides, non-coding RNAs, and acts on AT themselves or other distant tissues or organs through autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine manners. An accumulating body of evidence has suggested that many adipokines play an important role in liver metabolism. Besides the traditional adipokines such as adiponectin and leptin, many novel adipokines have recently been identified to have regulatory effects on the liver. Additionally, AT can produce extracellular vesicles (EVs) that act on peripheral tissues. However, under pathological conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, dysregulation of adipokines is associated with functional changes in AT, which may cause liver diseases. In this review, we focus on the newly discovered adipokines and EVs secreted by AT and highlight their actions on the liver under the context of obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), and some other liver diseases. Clarifying the action of adipokines and adipose tissue-derived EVs on the liver would help to identify novel therapeutic targets or biomarkers for metabolic diseases.

The purpose of the experiment was to study the effects of a low protein and amino acid balanced diet on the production performance, egg quality, blood indexes, and fecal nitrogen content of Longyan laying ducks at the peak laying period. 540 healthy laying ducks aged 140 days were randomly divided into three groups. The control group was fed with a 17.31% crude protein diet, and the experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 were fed with 16.20% and 15.30% crude protein balanced amino acid diets, respectively. The formal trial period was 98 days. The results showed that compared with the control group and experimental group 2, the yolk weight and egg weight of the experimental group 1 were significantly increased (P<0.05). The activity of serum SOD in the experimental group 2 was significantly higher than that in the other two groups (P<0.05), and the content of BUN in the experimental group 2 was significantly higher than that in the experimental group 1 (P<0.05). The apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude fiber in experimental group 2 and control group was significantly higher than that in the experimental group 1 (P<0.05). With the decrease in crude protein level, the apparent digestibility of crude protein was significantly increased (P<0.05), and fecal nitrogen content was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The study indicates that when the dietary crude protein level is 17.31%, reducing the crude protein level to 1.0% to 2.5% and balancing essential amino acids has no negative effects on production performance, egg quality, serum biochemical and antioxidant indexes, and can reduce the fecal nitrogen content of laying ducks.