Adipose tissue is a heterogeneous multifunctional organ, and understanding depot-specific cellular and molecular diversity reveals functional differences. Here, We construct a single-cell atlas of major adipose depots in sheep, providing foundational data for understanding regional fat deposition. We identify depot-specific adipocytes, with visceral fat (ACSS3+ADC3) and subcutaneous fat (SCD+ADC2) showing distinct adipocyte populations, and tail fat containing a specific type of fibroadipogenic progenitor cells (PDGFRA+ASPC2). Focusing on the unique tail fat of fat-tailed sheep, we conduct longitudinal developmental analyses and identify the BMP signaling pathway as a key upstream regulator of adipogenesis, with bone morphogenetic protein 5 (BMP5) as a critical ligand. We show that knockdown of BMP5 significantly reduces triglyceride accumulation in adipocytes. Collectively, this study indicates that subcutaneous fat is primarily involved in lipid metabolism, whereas visceral fat is linked to metabolic and immune homeostasis. Moreover, BMP5 was identified as a key candidate gene regulating tail fat development. These findings provide potential molecular targets for regulating fat deposition in livestock breeding and offer a valuable resource for studying adipose tissue biology in large mammals.

Objective: Feed conversion ratio (FCR) is a crucial economic trait in animal breeding and management and is also important for environmental sustainability. This study aimed to investigate the putative regulatory mechanisms of FCR in sheep by integrating rumen microbiota and host metabolome through multi-omics analysis.Methods: FCR data were collected from 127 male Hu sheep. Extreme individuals were selected for rumen metagenomic and serum metabolomic analyses to identify key factors driving FCR across early and late fattening stages.Results: Bacteroides, Prevotella, and other genera were identified as dominant taxa in the rumen across both stages, suggesting their ipotential role in FCR regulation. Notably, Nocardia tengcongensis differed significantly between the highest FCR values (HF) and lowest FCR values (LF) groups at different stages, indicating its potential as a predictive biomarker of feed efficiency. Functional analysis revealed that the pentose phosphate pathway (M00004) and lysine biosynthesis via the succinyl-DAP pathway (M00016) were enriched in the LF group, whereas the methanogenesis pathway (M00357) was significantly enriched in the HF group, indicating increased methane production. Thirteen metabolites consistently differed between HF and LF across fattening stages and they may be used as predictive biomarkers. Furthermore, the abundance of Prevotella and Bacteroides increased over time and showed significant correlations with key metabolites.Conclusion: These findings suggest strong interactions between rumen microbiota and host metabolites that may collectively influence FCR, providing new insights into microbial and metabolic regulation of feed efficiency and a theoretical basis for optimizing feeding strategies in sheep.

Elucidating how crops adapt to heterogeneous environments requires integrative analyses of genome-wide variation, regulatory architecture, and evolutionary processes. Chenopodium quinoa, a globally important pseudocereal, shows strong ecological differentiation between highland and lowland ecotypes, yet the genetic and regulatory bases of environmental adaptation across the genus remain incompletely understood. We generate a comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic resource consisting of whole-genome resequencing of 558 accessions from 20 Chenopodium species and transcriptomes from 295 accessions. Population genomic analyses reveal extensive genetic diversity, asymmetric evolution of the A and B subgenomes, and widespread interspecific introgression. Notably, Chenopodium berlandieri contributes adaptive variation to cultivated quinoa, particularly in genes related to stress response and immunity. Comparative analyses identify signatures of parallel adaptation to altitude in both quinoa and its wild relative Chenopodium berlandieri, including shared targets of selection such as PTR2, involved in nutrient transport, and CONSTANS, a key regulator of photoperiodic flowering. By genome-wide eQTL mapping, we identify 2,659 cis- and 407,628 trans-eQTLs regulating more than 11,000 genes. A major cis-eQTL controlling ELF3 expression is associated with large upstream deletions enriched in highland quinoa populations and correlated with reduced gene expression and elongated hypocotyls, implicating regulatory structural variation in altitude adaptation. Our integrative analyses demonstrate how coding variation, regulatory divergence, and introgression jointly drive parallel environmental adaptation across wild and cultivated Chenopodium, providing insights into polyploid crop evolution and resources for breeding climate-resilient quinoa.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play essential roles in plant growth and development. However, their expression variability and contribution to phenotypic changes during the domestication of fruit crops remain unclear. Here, we generated approximately 3.5T of strand-specific RNA sequencing data from wild, landrace, and improved pear varieties and identified 12 422 lncRNAs that exhibited higher tissue specificity and lower sequence conservation than protein-coding genes. Roughly 74% of lncRNAs overlapped with transposable elements (TEs) and significantly impacted sequence diversity, expression variation, and tissue-specific expression. DNA methylation explained approximately 32% of the expression variation of lncRNAs across accessions. Selective sweeps revealed 857 and 519 lncRNAs under domestication and improvement, respectively. These selected lncRNAs were associated with traits such as fruit size, sugar content, and stone cell content. Metabolome profiling revealed a consistent reduction in lignin-related metabolites during pear domestication and improvement. Integrating transcriptome and metabolome analyses, we established a lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network associated with lignin biosynthesis. The regulatory role of lncRNA-pys within this network was functionally validated through transgenic experiments, demonstrating that overexpressing lncRNA-pys led to an increase in lignin content in pear. This study represents the first effort to unveil the contributions of lncRNAs under human selection to the domestication traits of fruit crops.

Exon mutations and the rumen microbiome play crucial roles in influencing growth performance in meat animals, making them key factors for enhancing meat production efficiency. This study aimed to further investigate the effects of host genetics (KLF15 c.6256511 A>G) and rumen microorganisms on the growth performance of Hu sheep. This study selected 50 growing Hu sheep with extreme body weight and uniformly fed them a diet with a concentrateto-roughage ratio of approximately 1.5:1. Rumen content samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing. Growth traits and feed efficiency were measured at 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, and 180 days of age. The high body weight (H-BW) group exhibited better production performance, with significant differences found in growth traits, slaughter traits, and fat deposition traits between the H-BW and low weight (L-BW) group (P < 0.05). Among the 23 different bacterial genera identified, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group was significantly correlated with 180-day body weight and muscle fat content of Hu sheep. The relative abundance of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group was lowest in Hu sheep with the AA genotype (P < 0.05). No significant difference in rumen microbial diversity was observed between the H-BW and L-BW groups. Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group may activate the mTOR signaling pathway through the metabolic pathway of valeric acid, promote the growth of muscle cells, and thus regulate the body weight of Hu sheep. Utilizing the KLF15 c.6256511 A>G mutation site and the Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group provides a valuable approach to enhance the growth traits and overall production performance of Hu sheep.

ABSTRACT Sheep are one of the globally significant livestock, providing meat, dairy products, and wool for human life, playing an indispensable role in human civilization. Despite significant advancements in microbiome research in recent years, most studies have focused solely on the rumen, lacking a comprehensive study covering the microbiome of different gastrointestinal tract (GIT) regions in sheep. In this study, we collected 338 samples from 10 different regions of the sheep GIT and systematically investigated their microbiome signatures, including community structure, enterotypes, interactions among taxa, and microbial community assembly. Our results showed that the bacterial diversity of sheep GIT exhibited a U-shaped pattern along the GIT, with the lowest diversity in the jejunum. The bacterial community composition and enterotype varied along the GIT, mainly divided into three distinct groups (four-chambered stomach, small intestine, and large intestine). The rumen had the highest total number of bacterial taxa, unique taxa, and unique functions, while the enterotypes were the same in the three regions of the large intestine. The bacterial co-occurrence networks differed greatly between different GIT regions, with more positive correlations than negative ones. Furthermore, we found that the assembly processes of bacterial communities in the four-chambered stomach and small intestine were mainly stochastic, while those in the large intestine were mainly shaped by deterministic processes, with a higher ecological niche width than other GIT regions. Our results reveal the spatial pattern of bacterial communities in the sheep GIT and the intrinsic mechanisms of bacterial community assembly, laying the foundation for microbial interventions to improve sheep productivity and sustainable farming. IMPORTANCE Sheep's gastrointestinal tract harbors a diverse microbial community crucial for immune system balance, nutrient digestion, and overall health. We explored the microbial community composition, community types (enterotypes), bacterial interactions, and ecological processes in 10 gastrointestinal regions of 36 six-month-old Hu sheep raised under same diets and environmental conditions. Our findings revealed a unique U-shaped pattern of bacterial diversity from the rumen to the rectum, with the lowest diversity in the jejunum. The composition and enterotypes of bacterial communities varied spatially along the gastrointestinal tract, primarily categorized into three distinct groups. The rumen exhibited the highest abundance of bacterial taxa, unique taxa, and unique functions, while the enterotypes in the three regions of the large intestine were consistent. We explored the assembly processes of bacterial communities, elucidating how they find their ecological niches based on their characteristics and environmental demands. The assembly processes in the four-chambered stomach and small intestine resembled random selection, where bacterial positioning depended on luck and chance, while in the large intestine, it appeared more deterministic, with specific bacteria likely selected based on their unique skills and environmental requirements. This study enhances our understanding of microbial coexistence and interactions in complex ecosystems, with implications for improving animal productivity, disease treatment, and the development of novel microbial formulations.

Pyrus pyrifolia, commonly known as sand pear, is a key economic fruit tree in temperate regions that possesses highly diverse germplasm resources for pear quality improvement. However, research on the relationship between resistance and fruit quality traits in the breeding of fruit species like pear is limited. Pan-transcriptomes effectively capture genetic information from coding regions and reflect variations in gene expression between individuals. Here, we constructed a pan-transcriptome based on 506 samples from different tissues of sand pear, and explored the intrinsic relationships among phenotypes and the selection for disease resistance during improvement based on expression presence/absence variations (ePAVs). The pan-transcriptome in this study contains 156,744 transcripts, among which the novel transcripts showed significant enrichment in the defense response. Interestingly, disease resistance genes are highly expressed in landraces of pear but have been selected against during the improvement of this perennial tree species. We found that the genetically diverse landraces can be divided into two subgroups and inferred that they have undergone different dispersal processes. Through co-expression network analysis, we confirmed that the formation of stone cells in pears, the synthesis of fruit anthocyanins, and the ability to resist stress are interrelated. They are jointly regulated by several modules, and the expression of regulatory genes has significant correlations with these three processes. Moreover, we identified candidate genes such as HKL1 that may affect sugar content and are missing from the reference genome. This study provides insights into the associations between complex fruit traits, while providing a database resource for pear disease resistance and fruit quality breeding.

Fat deposition is a crucial economic trait during sheep growth and development, closely linked to economic returns. Current research on sheep's digestive tract predominantly focuses on the rumen, but the composition of the cecal microbiota and its relationship with host fat deposition remains largely unexplored. In this study, we sequenced the cecal microbiota of 60 Hu sheep, exhibiting marked differences in traits. The most abundant species in the sheep cecum were Firmicutes and Bacteroidota. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in microbial community structures among different fat-deposition groups (P < 0.05). Using a random forest regression model and linear regression, 15 microbial biomarkers, including Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group, Turicibacter, and Bacteroides, were identified as key contributors to fat deposition. Additionally, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the cecum and biochemical indices in serum were measured. Acetic acid was the most abundant VFA in the cecum, while isobutyric acid levels were significantly higher in the low-fat group than in other groups (P < 0.05). Serum triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly higher in the high-fat group (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a significant association between Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group and acetic acid levels, as well as between TG levels and fat deposition traits (P < 0.05). TG levels were negatively correlated with acetic acid concentrations (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the cecal microbiota influences fat deposition in sheep, potentially via the VFAs-TG metabolic pathway. IMPORTANCE:Compared with muscle development, fat deposition consumes more energy, and controlling the fat deposition process can effectively reduce energy waste. Current research on rumination mainly focuses on the rumen but lacks research on the hindgut. This study identifies differences in the cecal microbiota of sheep with varying fat deposition levels and highlights significant correlations between specific microorganisms, cecal metabolites, and host traits. Therefore, the regulation of cecal microorganisms can help improve the fat deposition characteristics of sheep.

Body weight (BW) is a critical economic trait closely linked to livestock meat production performance and producer profitability. In the present study, we measured individual BW of 1070 male Hu sheep at six growth stages (80, 100, 120, 140, 160, and 180 days of age) and conducted descriptive statistical analyses. Results showed that the coefficient of variation (CV) for BW at each stage was higher than 13%. Additionally, we investigated the expression patterns of the FGF9 gene and its associations with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and BW. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed FGF9 is significantly higher expressed in the hypophysis tissues that in the other tested tissues. Association analyses indicated that the SNP FGF9:c.382-1264C>T was significantly associated with BW across different measurement periods. Finally, we performed assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) and cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) techniques to identify the OCRs (open chromatin regions) and regulatory regions in the hypophysis tissues of Hu sheep, and we obtained an average of 221243, 52692, and 20957.5 peaks in the ATAC-seq, H3K27ac, and H3K4me3 data per sample. Simultaneously, by integrating the SNPs of FGF9 and hypophysis tissue’s epigenomic data, we found that the SNP FGF9:c.382-1264C>T was located in the adjacent OCR- and H3K27ac-modified peaks. Therefore, we propose that the SNP FGF9:c.382-1264C>T plays an important role in regulating body weight in sheep. Overall, this study generated a valuable epigenetic dataset (ATAC-seq, H3K27ac, and H3K4me3) in sheep hypophysis tissue and identified a novel functional regulatory variant for improving body weight in sheep.

ABSTRACT Increasing strain on feed resources has led to a gradual increase in feed input costs, making it necessary to improve feed efficiency in livestock and poultry. In this study, Hu sheep were divided into two groups (high and low feed conversion ratio [FCR]) according to the FCR. Based on 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing technology to compare rumen and small intestine microbial composition, the differences and similarities of production performance, expression level of intestinal nutrient-specific carrier, digestive enzyme activity, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content, muscle conventional nutrient content, and blood biochemical indexes of Hu sheep in high- and low-FCR groups were investigated, and correlation analysis was conducted. The results showed that Hu sheep in the low-FCR group had higher feed efficiency, average daily gain, and less fat deposition (P < 0.05). The difference in rumen microbial composition between the high- and low-FCR groups was significant (P < 0.05). Spearman’s correlation analysis showed that FCR was significantly associated with production performance such as body weight, fat deposition, and dressing percentage (P < 0.05). The levels of digestive enzyme activity and nutrient transporter carrier expression in the small intestine were higher in the low-FCR group than in the high-FCR group. Therefore, FCR can be one of the important targets of concern in Hu sheep production. Combining FCR and regulating the gastrointestinal environment of Hu sheep by nutritional means can greatly improve the production performance and economic benefit of Hu sheep.IMPORTANCEFeed costs account for a large portion of housed sheep. The purpose of comparing the performance and intestinal microbial composition of different FCR Hu sheep is to regulate the gastrointestinal microecology in production practice. This helps livestock producers choose low-FCR Hu sheep to maximize production costs, improve efficiency, and achieve the purpose of low-carbon production.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest family of membrane receptors and are highly effective targets for therapeutic drugs. GPCRs couple different downstream effectors, including G proteins (such as Gi/o, Gs, G12, and Gq) and β-arrestins (such as β-arrestin 1 and β-arrestin 2) to mediate diverse cellular and physiological responses. Biased signaling allows for the specific activation of certain pathways from the full range of receptors’ signaling capabilities. Targeting more variable allosteric sites, which are spatially different from the highly conserved orthosteric sites, represents a novel approach in biased GPCR drug discovery, leading to innovative strategies for targeting GPCRs. Notably, the emergence of cryptic allosteric sites on GPCRs has expanded the repertoire of available drug targets and improved receptor subtype selectivity. Here, we conduct a summary of recent progress in the structural determination of cryptic allosteric sites on GPCRs and elucidate the biased signaling mechanisms induced by allosteric modulators. Additionally, we discuss means to identify cryptic allosteric sites and design biased allosteric modulators based on cryptic allosteric sites through structure-based drug design, which is an advanced pharmacotherapeutic approach for treating GPCR-associated diseases.

Meat quality traits, particularly WHC and tenderness, are pivotal for consumer satisfaction and economic value in the sheep industry. However, their genetic regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. We used RNA-Seq and WGCNA to identify genes regulating WHC and tenderness. Sixty longissimus thoracis samples were classified into high/low WHC (HWHC vs. LWHC) and high/low tenderness (HTN vs. LTN) groups. Comparative transcriptomics identified 270 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) linked to WHC, enriched in pathways like the regulation of the ATP metabolic process and the inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling. Key DEGs (e.g., SORBS1, FOXO1, PDE4B, CDH1) correlated significantly with WHC-associated traits. For tenderness, 165 DEGs were identified, including LEP, FABP4, PLIN1, and GLP1R, enriched in PPAR signaling, fat cell differentiation, and cAMP signaling pathways. WGCNA revealed modules associated with WHC and tenderness, with hub genes (ATP2C1, GSKIP, PATL1, PPARA, CYLD) involved in ATP metabolism, lipid biosynthesis, and myofibril assembly. Tissue-specific gene integration prioritized muscle-enriched candidates (METTL21C and ACTC1) with strong trait correlations. Our findings unveil interconnected gene networks governing WHC and tenderness, highlighting some candidate genes as potential biomarkers for precision breeding. This study provides novel insights into the molecular determinants of meat quality, offering actionable targets to enhance mutton production sustainability and consumer appeal.

The landscape of allosteric drug discovery is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by the integration of three computational approaches: machine learning (ML), molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and network theory. ML identifies potential allosteric sites from multidimensional biological datasets; MD simulations, empowered by enhanced sampling algorithms, reveal transient conformational states; and network analyses uncover communication pathways, further aiding in site identification. Their synergy enables rational allosteric modulator design. However, challenges like high computational costs, limited datasets, and model generalizability persist. Future strategies will leverage ML-accelerated MD, open-science data platforms, and advanced ML techniques, including transfer learning with models like AlphaFold and ESM-2. This multidisciplinary approach holds great promise to enhance allosteric drug discovery, driving therapeutic breakthroughs in the post-structural genomics era.

Optimizing drying efficiency and enhancing product quality are crucial for industrial apple dehydration processing. This study focused on multi-dimensional micro-structure changes of apple slices with ultrasonic pretreatment (US). The results indicated that US pretreatment significantly enhanced mass transfer by depolymerizing cell wall pectin to increase water-soluble pectin (72.15 to 90.35 mg/g AIR) and chelate-soluble pectin (35.31 to 54.69 mg/g AIR), converting bound water to free water, disrupting the structural integrity of the cells, thereby reducing drying time by 13.31-38.82 % for hot-air drying and 32.60-36.88 % for infrared drying. Concurrently, the microscopic structural changes induced by US treatment enhanced rehydration capacity and minimized bio-active compound's loss, particularly chlorogenic acid and malic acid. Although the reduction in total phenols and flavonoids resulted in decreased antioxidant activity, appropriate US treatment enhanced color by activating polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Consequently, optimal US pretreatment is essential for enhancing both the drying efficiency and quality of apple slices.

The chromatin structure of eukaryotic cell has an important role in gene regulation. However, the chromatin structure of different tissues in relation to gene expression have been less reported, especially in animal genome model such as sheep. Here, we aimed to explore the relationship between three-dimensional (3D) chromatin structure and gene regulation through in High throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) of hypothalamus, liver, muscle, and tail fat in sheep. A high-resolution 3D chromatin interaction map was generated to examine different 3D genome hierarchies including A/B compartments (A being transcriptionally active and gene-rich, B being transcriptionally inactive and gene-poor), topologically associated domains (TADs), and chromatin loops by Hi-C. Gene expression analysis revealed significant differences between A and B compartments, with B compartments also harboring highly expressed genes. Gene expression differed significantly between TAD boundaries and the internal regions of TADs, with TAD boundaries frequently aligning with compartment boundaries. This suggests that compartmentalization plays a facilitating role in the formation of TADs in sheep. Liver and muscle tissues showed significantly more cis-significant interaction sites, related to the complex functional and metabolic needs of tissues. Finally, we calculated the proportions of shared and unique regions across A compartments, TAD boundaries, and chromatin loops. Completely shared and unique patterns were found to be rare, with most regions being partially shared. This study offers a large dataset of chromosomes that can aid future investigations into genetic and tissue-specific diseases in sheep.

Meat quality is a critical determinant of consumer preference and economic value in the livestock industry. However, the relationship between carcass performance and meat quality remains poorly understood. In our study, we conducted an integrative analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying meat quality differences in Hu sheep with high (HHS, n = 10) and low (LHS, n = 10) carcass performance. Phenotypic analysis revealed that the HHS group exhibited superior meat quality traits, including higher intramuscular fat (IMF) content (reflected in elevated marbling scores), along with lower shear force, drip loss, and cooking loss, compared to the LHS group. Transcriptomic analysis identified 376 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) enriched in pathways linked to lipid metabolism, such as the PPAR signaling pathway and long-chain fatty acid metabolic process. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed important modules and key genes (e.g., ELOVL6, PLIN1, and ARHGEF2) associated with meat quality traits. Metabolomic profiling identified 132 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), with significant enrichment in amino acid metabolism pathways, including D-amino acid metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism. Integrative analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic data highlighted six co-enriched pathways, such as the mTOR signaling pathway and amino acid metabolism, underscoring their role in regulating meat quality. These findings provide valuable insights into the genetic and metabolic networks driving meat quality variation and offer potential biomarkers for genetic selection and nutritional strategies to enhance both carcass yield and eating quality in Hu sheep. This research enhances knowledge of the molecular basis of meat quality and supports precision breeding in livestock production.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the variations in carcass fat percentage (CFP), carcass muscle percentage (CMP), carcass bone percentage (CBP), meat-to-bone ratio, carcass weight, loin eye area (REA), backfat thickness (BF), the total tissue depth of muscle and fat at the twelfth rib, 110 mm from the midline (GR), and dressing percentage in 574 mutton sheep using CT scanning technology. It also seeks to estimate the genetic and phenotypic correlations, as well as estimated genomic selection accuracy provides reference for breeding of mutton sheep carcasses. Methods: Phenotypic data from National Mutton Sheep Testing Station; uniform rearing for 155 days. CT scans were used to obtain body images of the sheep, and CT-Calc2012 software was employed to trait determination. Genomic data were sequenced using second-generation sequencing, and SNP calling was performed with GATK. A mixed linear model incorporating both genomic and pedigree data was used to estimate genetic parameters for various traits. Cross-validation through ten-fold was conducted to assess genomic selection accuracy, and both direct and correlated selection responses for carcass traits were analyzed. Results: The coefficient of variation for each trait ranging from 8.86% to 25.12%. All carcass composition traits demonstrated medium to high heritability (0.38-0.51). A strong genetic correlation was found between BF, REA, CFP, and CMP. The genomic selection accuracy for carcass traits ranged from 0.29 to 0.43, suggesting potential for genomic selection in mutton sheep breeding. The genetic progress of CMP and CFP after direct and indirect selection was tested, showing that indirect improvement of CMP and CFP was most significant when selecting for BF and REA. Conclusion: The study indicates that BF and REA are valuable traits for improving carcass composition in mutton sheep breeding, with genomic selection offering prospects for breeding carcass traits more effectively.

Feed efficiency is a crucial target traits in livestock production. The LMOD3 gene is involved in the assembly and stability regulation of actin fibers in muscle cells.The member related to the formation of actin filaments A is significantly associated with the high feed efficiency group. The idea of this paper was to explore the influence of the LMOD3 gene polymorphism on the feed efficiency of Hu sheep. In this investigation, 984 male Hu sheep aged 120-140 days were meticulously evaluated for key parameters including body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The polymorphic locus of LMOD3 gene was identified by sanger sequencing. The expression level of the LMOD3 was measured by reverse transcriptional quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results showed that LMOD3 was mutated from C to A at the 33976909 base of intron 1. The results of association analysis showed that the FCR of AA genotype was significantly lower than that of CC genotype (P < 0.05), and the ADG of AA genotype was significantly higher than that of CC genotype (P < 0.05). qRT-PCR results revealed that the mRNA expression of LMOD3 in muscle was significantly higher than that in other tissues, except spleen (P < 0.05). The expression levels of different genotypes in muscle tissue showed that AA genotype was significantly higher than CC genotype. In short, LMOD3 may potentially regulate the feed efficiency of Hu sheep. The findings of this research have established a theoretical framework for understanding the growth and development of Hu sheep.

The identification of quantitative trait locus (QTL) or genes responsible for key agronomic traits has significantly enhanced genetic improvement through marker-assisted selection (MAS). However, the impacts of MAS on genetic parameters and subsequent selection processes have not been thoroughly characterised. Here, through genome-wide selective sweep analysis, we identified a diverse set of genes involved in oocyte meiosis, including PPP3CA, AR, PPP1CB, SPDYA, MAD1L1, and BMPR1B. The genome-wide association study (GWAS) further identified three genes UNC5C, BMPR1B, and PDLIM5 as being associated with lambing rate in Hu sheep. From these analyses, the FecB loci emerged as a potential molecular marker for lambing rate. with an increase of 0.5 lambs per G allele. The heritability of the lambing rate was estimated to be 0.19 (±0.02). Moreover, based on 10-fold cross-validation, the accuracy of genomic selection (GS) was found to be 0.30. Simulated MAS resulted in a reduction of the additive genetic variance components, with estimated heritability dropping to 0.14 (±0.02) and GS accuracy decreasing to 0.18-representing a decline of 26.42% and 34.81%, respectively. To address the reduced GS accuracy, we performed GWAS on the reference set to identify weighted single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This method has the potential to increase accuracy by 13.8%. Our study found that MAS has a negative impact on GS. To address this issue, we integrated prior information on SNPs from GWAS, which exhibit pleiotropic genetic architecture. This integration enables us to utilise genetic markers for complex traits more effectively, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of GS.

B-complex vitamins are essential micronutrients that maintaining health, and provide (individually/simultaneously) many important biological actions in organism. Therefore, sensitive, reliable analytical method to determine B-complex vitamins simultaneously in actual samples is significant. Conventional analytical methods for vitamins analysis are usually labor-intensive, time-consuming and mostly do not allow the simultaneous determination. Few papers have been published on capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) analysis of individual vitamin B or B-complex vitamins. Microchip capillary electrophoresis (ME) offers less consumption of background electrolyte and reagents than CE, and fast separation as having several channels for highthroughput. ME based on ZipChip integrates sample injection, electrophoretic separation, and ESI functions into one platform, herein, for the first time, in this paper, the ME-MS based on ZipChip platform was investigated and demonstrated preliminarily a significant improvement over existing techniques. Because: the ME-MS method has a linear response with excellent precision for replicate injections and LODs lower than 4 ppb; The method is simple and fast (<3 min per sample), using a small amount of sample (similar to 5 nL) with low reagent consumption, making it suitable for high-throughput applications; The inter/intraday reproducibility (RSD %) is less than 3 %, which is important for clinic application.