ABSTRACT Gut microbiota plays an important role in animal health, production and diseases. Little is known about whether heat stress alters the composition of quail gut microbiota; therefore, we studied the effects of heat stress on growth performance, antioxidant functions, heat shock proteins and caecal microbiota. Two groups of 40 (20-day-old) quails were set up, including a control reared at 24 ± 2°C and a heat stress group subjected to heat stress at 36 ± 2°C for 4 h per day for 7 consecutive days. We found that heat stress significantly elevated the relative expression levels of HSP70 and HSP90 mRNA in the thymus, bursa and spleen by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay, indicating successful establishment of the experimental model. Heat stress was found to have an effect on gut microbiota composition. At the genus level, Alistipes were significantly increased in the heat stress group. PICRUSt2 function prediction revealed that most of the KEGG pathways with high temperature-induced abundance differences are metabolism-related. These data indicated that heat stress reduced the production performance of quails by affecting antioxidant functions, as well as the composition and structure of the intestinal microbiota. The results of this study provide technical information for conducting research on heat stress prevention and control techniques in quails.

ABSTRACT The current experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of Pancreatin supplementation at different levels on ileal and fecal digestibility in layer-type cockerels. A total of 480-day-old silver brown Hy-Line male chicks were randomly allocated into 5 treatments, 6 replicates (16 birds per pen) arranged in a completely randomized design. Pancreatin enzyme was supplemented on a basal corn-soybean meal-based diet at 0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/kg and was fed in two growth phases (starter and grower). The results indicated that at the end of the starter stage, except for 1000 mg/kg, dietary Pancreatin supplementation levels increased (p<0.05) the ileal crude protein (CP). Similarly, addition of Pancreatin increased (p< 0.05) apparent ileal amino acids (AA) digestibility (AIAAD) total means of AA (MTAA), means of indispensable AA (MIAA) and dispensable AA (MDAA) with the optimum performance on 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. However, except for histidine and alanine which were negatively affected (p<0.05), and MIAA, MDAA, MTAA which were also positively affected, the addition level at 1000 mg/kg did not affect most of the AIAAD compared to the non-supplemented. Further, Pancreatin supplementation had no effect (p>0.05) on nitrogen digestibility (ND), nitrogen retention (NR), digestible energy (DE), apparent metabolizable energy (AME), dry matter digestibility (DMD), dry matter retention (DMR), and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AME-n) on fed starter diet. On the other hand, at the end of the grower stage, dietary Pancreatin enzyme supplementation reduced (p<0.05) the ileal CP, MIAA, MDAA, MTAA, AIAAD, AME, AME-n, ND, NR, DE, DMD, and DMR in a dose-dependent manner. The rate of reduction was more marked on Pancreatin addition level 1000 mg/kg. In conclusion, Pancreatin supplementation at 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 750 mg/kg improved AIAAD and ileal CP, especially at the young age. The rate of pancreatin enzyme effect was dependent on enzyme supplement level to the ileal CP and individual amino acid.

ABSTRACT Fat deposition is higher in fast growing chickens than in slow growing chickens. The liver is the major organ for lipogenesis and fat deposition in chickens, although genetic background, age, and gender also influence fat deposition. In the present study, we aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying fat deposition in liver and abdominal fat. We determined the expression abundances of the key genes regulating fat metabolism in fast-growing (FG) broilers (Cobb) and slow-growing (SG) broilers (HS1) and found that ACC, FAS, PGC-1α, PPARγ, SREBP-1c and PLIN1genes were expressed in the abdominal fat and liver tissues of FG and SG. ANOVA analysis showed that the breed, age, and tissue factors influenced the expressions of ACC, FAS, PGC-1α, PPARγ, SREBP-1c, and PLIN1 genes in the liver and abdominal fat of FG and SG. Also, the expressions of PPARγ and PLIN1 in the liver of SG were higher than that of FG. The results suggest that the differences in adipocyte development and adipose deposition between breeds are due to genetic factors.

ABSTRACT Geese (Anser cygnoides) possess stronger ability of roughage digestion and utilization than other poultries, hence, it has become the focus of attention of scientists. Duodenal, jejunum and ileum were mainly participated in food digestion and nutrient absorption, while the cecum was responsible for biological fermentation. Effects on the geese’s cecal microbiota community by feeding with the all-grass diet have been investigated, however, whether it had an influence on the geese’s duodenal microbiota community remains unexplored. To address this problem, geese feeding with the basal diet for 28 days (G1), the basal diet for 28 days and the all-grass diet for the following 14 days (G2), the basal diet for 42 days (G3) were selected, respectively. The duodenal segments of geese were collected and the hypervariable V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequencing. A total of 4 main phyla and 16 main genera were identified. Moreover, we also successfully identified that two taxa including the Helcococcus and Clostridium could be used as distinguishing biomarkers specific to G2. The functional profiles of the duodenum microbiota were mainly involved in the membrane transport (e.g. ABC transporters), amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, and cellular processes and signaling pathways in geese feeding with the all-grass diet. In conclusion, the all-grass diet could impact the composition of duodenal microbiota. However, to resolve the underlying mechanism of the fiber digesting and utilization in geese’s gut microbiota, the whole intestinal system needs to be assessed by further studies.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) to the basal diets of chickens at late laying period on clutch trait, reproductive organs, serum reproductive hormones and reproduction-related genes expression. A total of 350 hens (37 weeks old) with similar laying rate and clutch trait were randomly allocated into five groups, and fed 0 (Control, CON), 2.5 (MOLP2.5), 5, 7.5 and 10% MOLP supplemented diets for 6 weeks. The hens supplemented with 2.5% MLOP had the average clutch length, clutches and clutch intensity close to those in CON. The numbers and weight of hierarchal follicle were significantly increased at the supplementation 2.5% MOLP group. The estrogen concentration was highest in MOLP2.5 group and lowest in MOLP10 group. Expression levels of steroidogenesis-related genes of StAR and Cyp19a1 were higher in MOLP2.5, MOLP5 and MOLP7.5 groups compared with that in the control. These findings suggested that dietary supplementation with 2.5% MOLP effectively increased hierarchal follicle numbers, estrogen level and gene expression of StAR and Cyp19a1, which has a potential beneficial effect on laying performance in laying chicken.

ABSTRACT Chicken abdominal fat (AF) is an economically important trait, and many studies have been conducted on genetic selection for AF. However, previous studies have focused on detecting functional chromosome mutations or regions using gene chips. The present study used the specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) technology to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on purebred Wengshang Barred chicken. A total of 1,286,715 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected, and 175,211 SNPs were selected as candidate SNPs for genome-wide association analysis using TASSEL general linear models. Two SNPs markers reached genome-wide significance. Of these, rs7943847, rs127627362 were significantly associated with AF at 120 days. These SNPs are close to eight genes (SLC16A6, ARSG, WIPI1, PRKAR1A, FAM20A, ABCA8, ABCA9, CPQ,). These results would enrich the studies on AF and promote the use of Chinese chicken, especially the Wenshang Barred chicken.

ABSTRACT Purpose: We aimed to find the association between screen time (ST)-based sedentary behavior and depression in children and adolescents. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of science database were searched to find eligible studies until April 25, 2021. Data extraction was conducted by two investigators independently, followed by quality assessment for included studies. Odd ration (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were regarded as effect size index. Heterogeneity test was conducted using Cochran’ s Q test and I2 test. Least squares trend estimation method was used for dose-response meta-analysis. All statistical analyses were conducted using Stata12.0 software. Results: Totally 22 articles containing 197,673 cases were included. The pooled results displayed that there was a significant positive correlation between ST and depression [OR (95%CI) = 1.24 (1.11, 1.38), P < 0.001]. Similar results were observed for watching television (TV), computer use (CU), computer game (CG)/video game (VG) and internet use (IU)/mobile phone (MP) time. Dose-response meta-analysis showed that take 1 hour/day as control, the risk of depression went down and then went up as sedentary time increased for ST (P > 0.05). The risk of depression was significantly increased when TV time beyond 4.5 hours/day (P < 0.05), or CU time beyond 0.5 hours/day (P < 0.05), or CG/VG time beyond 2 hours/day (P < 0.05), or IU/MP time beyond 0.5 hours/day (P < 0.05). Conclusion: ST-based sedentary behavior was associated with the risk of depression in a non-linear dose–response manner for children and adolescents.

Mixed liquor circulates ceaselessly in the closed-loop corridor in an oxidation ditch (OD), which is significantly different from other wastewater treatment processes. The internal recirculation ratio (IRR), i.e., the ratio between circulation flow rate (Q CC) and influent flow rate (QJ, and the circulatory period (T), i.e. the time consumed for the mixed liquor to complete one lap in the circular corridor, was used to quantify the internal recirculation characteristics of the OD system. In order to elucidate the characteristics and applicability of IRR and T, this study obtained the numerical relationship between IRR and T by formula derivation. It also discusses the factors influencing IRR and analyses the applications of IRR and T. The results showed that IRR = Q CC/Q In = HRT/T = HRT · IRF (HRT = hydraulic retention time of the mixed liquor in the circular corridor; IRF = internal recirculation frequency). Moreover, three kinds of parameters had an effect on IRR: Q In; reactor dimensions, i.e., length (Lmid), width (ß), and height (H) of the circular corridor; and horizontal velocity of the mixed liquor in the circular corridor (v). Q In changed IRR by altering HRT. However, B, H, Lmid, and v changed IRR by altering IRF and T. Furthermore, the same IRR corresponded to many different HRT and IRF. Therefore, when Q In and Q CC varied in the OD system, using HRT and IRF to evaluate the variation of Q In and Q CC, respectively, was better than using IRR to evaluate their synthetical variation. IRF and T were useful for directly and precisely characterizing the circulation speed and circulation flow rate in the circular corridor, while IRR was more useful for evaluating the dilution effect of reflux on influent.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of supplementing tea polyphenols (TP) in diet of laying hens on yolk cholesterol content and production performance. A total of 1800 Lohmann laying hens aged 48 weeks were randomly allocated to 6 groups. Each group consisted of 6 replicates with 50 layers. The feeding experiment was 4 weeks including one-week acclimatization. Layers fed basal diet supplemented with 0, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 mg TP/kg diet, respectively. The results showed that average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), average egg weight (AEW), laying rate and the indicators of egg quality were not significantly affected by the diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg TP (p>0.05). However, yolk cholesterol content decreased by increasing TP concentration (p<0.01), with 18.06% reduction in layers fed diet supplemented with 300 mg TP/kg. Also, the diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg TP significantly decreased plasma triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level (p<0.05). The activity of serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was enhanced by increasing TP concentration, while the content of serum methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) was decreased by increasing TP concentration. The highest activity of GSH-Px and the lowest serum MDA content were both determined in 300 mg/kg TP group (p<0.01). In conclusion, this study suggests that the addition of 300 mg TP/kg basal diet had no negative effect on the production performance laying hens, yet decreased the egg yolk cholesterol content and enhanced the antioxidant capacity of laying hens at the same time.

Abstract Background: Knowledge of plant population structure facilitates conservation, management, and utilization of endangered plants. Research question: What is the current status of the natural populations of Tetracentron sinense in Leigong Mountain Nature Reserve (LMNR) and what future population development trends can be predicted? Studied species: Tetracentron sinense. Study site and period of research: T. sinense populations in LMNR in China in 2018. Methods: The population structure and quantity dynamics of four typical patches were studied using static life tables, survival curves, survival analyses, and time series analyses. Results: The age structures of the T. sinense populations were spindle-shaped, with few seedlings and saplings, and Deevey type II and III survival curves. The mortality rate (q x ) of each patch increased quickly, and then plateaued, finally increasing again. Survival rate (S x ) showed a contrary trend to q x . Trends in cumulative mortality rate (F (i) ), killing power (K x ), mortality density (f (ti) ), and hazard rate (λ (ti) ) with increasing age class were similar: increasing at a younger age, gradually stabilizing in middle age, and then increasing slightly in older age. The number of individuals in these T. sinense populations was predicted to decrease sharply in future, with younger individuals being seriously deficient. The results showed that the natural populations of T. sinense in the LMNR were relatively stable but were in an early stage of decline. Conclusions: The lack of younger individuals might reflect a bottleneck for regeneration of T. sinense populations, leading to a decline in population size.

Resumen Antecedentes: El conocimiento de la estructura poblacional de una planta facilita su conservación, manejo y utilización. Pregunta de investigación: ¿Cuál es el estado actual de las poblaciones naturales de Tetracentron sinense en la Reserva Natural de la Montaña Leigong (LMNR) y qué tendencias futuras de desarrollo de la población se pueden predecir? Especies estudiadas: Tetracentron sinense. Sitio y período de investigación: Poblaciones en LMNR, China, 2018. Métodos: Se usaron tablas de vida estáticas, curvas de supervivencia, análisis de supervivencia y análisis de series de tiempo para el análisis de la estructura poblacional y dinámica de parches. Resultados: Las estructuras de edad de las poblaciones de T. sinense mostraron forma de huso, con pocas plántulas y juveniles. Curvas de supervivencia Deevey tipo II y III. La tasa de mortalidad (q x ) de cada parche aumentó rápidamente, para estabilizarse y finalmente aumentar nuevamente. La tasa de supervivencia (S x ) mostró una tendencia contraria a q x . Las tendencias en las tasas de mortalidad acumulada (F (i) ), mortalidad (K x ), densidad de mortalidad (f (ti) ), y tasa de riesgo (λ (ti) ) fueron similares con el aumento de la clase de edad. Las poblaciones naturales de T. sinense en el LMNR eran relativamente estables, aunque en etapa temprana de disminución. El número de individuos en poblaciones de T. sinense disminuirá drásticamente en el futuro, donde los más jóvenes mostrarán serias deficiencias. Conclusiones: La ausencia de individuos más jóvenes podría reflejar un cuello de botella para la regeneración de las poblaciones de T. sinense, lo que lleva a una disminución en el tamaño de la población.

ABSTRACT Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are present on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix in all metazoans. HSPGs interact with growth factors and receptors through heparan sulfate (HS) chains. The sulfation pattern of heparan sulfate chains influences signaling events mediated by heparan sulfate proteoglycans located on the cell surface. SULF1 and SULF2 are two endo-sulfatases that can cleave specific 6-O-sulfate groups within the heparan chains. To determine their possible roles in tissues and satellite cells in vitro, their expression pattern was examined in tissues from 40-day-old chickens and in satellite cells from the breast muscles of 1-week-old and 2-week-old chickens using RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry analyses. The SULF1 and SULF2 transcripts were widely distributed in various tissues. Upon increasing culture times in chicken´s primary skeletal muscle satellite cells, SULF1 and SULF2 expression in 1-week-old chickens was significantly higher than in 2-week-old chickens, suggesting that sulfatases play a key role in satellite cell development. Therefore, our findings increase our knowledge of sulfatase expression diversity and provide a solid basis for further research concerning this molecular mechanism.

SUMMARY: The structural characteristics of the skin, types and distribution of mucous cells of Yangtze sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus) were studied at the light microscope level, stained with Haematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Alcian blue-periodie acid Schiff (ABPAS). The skin of both was composed of epidermis and dermis. The dermis was divided into stratum spongiosum and stratum compactum. The stained color of stratum compactum was stained more deeply than that of stratum spongiosum. The skin thickness displayed differences in the fish at different body positions. The thickest of epidermis layer was on the dorsal region for Yangtze sturgeon, reversely, the thinnest was the mandibular region; Stratum spongiosum on the mandibular region was the thickest, the stratum spongiosum of the maxillary region was not obvious. In summary, keratinized spines, a kind of keratin derivative, are widely distributed in the mandibular, ventral, dorsal, and caudal peduncle skin surface for Yangtze sturgeon, and some pit organs mainly present in the skin surface of the maxillary and ventral regions. In short, the small amount of mucous cells in the skin of Yangtze sturgeon and the type of mucous cell were main Type IV, nevertheless there was a distribution of a few Type III.

RESUMEN: Se estudiaron las características estructurales de la piel, los tipos y la distribución de las células mucosas del esturión Yangtze (Acipenser dabryanus) con microscopio de luz, teñidas con hematoxilina-eosina (HE) y azul alcián-ácido de Schiff (AB-PAS). La piel estaba compuesta por epidermis y dermis. La dermis se dividía en estrato esponjoso y estrato compacto. El grosor de la piel mostró diferencias en los peces en diferentes posiciones del cuerpo. La capa más gruesa de la epidermis se observó en la región dorsal del esturión Yangtze; a la inversa, la más delgada en la región mandibular. El estrato esponjoso en la región mandibular era el más grueso, el estrato esponjoso de la región maxilar no era visualizado. En resumen, las espinas queratinizadas, un tipo derivado de la queratina, estaban ampliamente distribuidas en la superficie de la piel del pedúnculo mandibular, ventral, dorsal y caudal en el esturión Yangtze, y algunos órganos en fosas, presentes principalmente en la superficie de la piel de las regiones mandibular y ventral. En resumen, la pequeña cantidad de células mucosas en la piel del esturión Yangtze y el tipo de célula mucosa eran células principales tipo IV, sin embargo, se observaron algunas células tipo III.

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to investigate the mechanism by which dietary energy concentration regulates laying performance in geese. Eighty 558-day-old female Sichuan White geese were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments, each treatment was fed 1 of 2 experimental diets containing 10.00 (deficient) or 11.80MJ/kg metabolizable energy (sufficient) for 30 days. Laying performance, hormone concentration and gene expressions in hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis were examined in geese. Birds fed the sufficient-energy diet had significantly higher average egg weight, daily laying rate, and lower feed to egg ratio than those fed the deficient-energy (p<0.05). The birds fed sufficient-energy diet had higher concentration of serum insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) than those in deficient-energy diet (p<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of GnRH in the hypothalamus, FSH in the pituitary and E2 in the ovary of birds fed sufficient-energy diet were higher than the corresponding counterpart in deficient-energy diet (p<0.05), respectively. In conclusion, the study implied that dietary energy modifies laying possibly through regulating reproductive hormone secretion and gene expression in hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis in laying geese.

ABSTRACT There is increasing evidence that bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) plays critical roles in regulating various stages of ovarian follicle development in mammals. However, the mechanisms of regulation of BMP6 in the chicken ovary remain unclear. In this study, mRNA and protein expression level of BMP6 in chicken ovarian follicles at different development stages were determined by qRT-PCR and western blot separately. Different concentrations of BMP6 protein and FSH were added to the culture medium, and the effects to proliferation of granulose cells were detected, further effect on expression pattern of progesterone synthesis associated genes were also analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting and the secretion of progesterone was detected by ELISA. The results showed that mRNA and protein expression level of BMP6 increased significantly in the follicle with the development of follicle (p<0.05) and reached a peak at F1 follicle. Adding concentration of 50ng/ml and 100ng/ml of BMP6 protein promoted significantly the proliferation of granulosa cells (p<0.05), as well as up-regulated the expression of Steroid hormone synthesis acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) genes in mRNA and protein level. Meanwhile, the secretion of progesterone was significantly higher in the group that added BMP6 and FSH separately than blank control group (p<0.05) and reached a peak in the group that both added BMP6 and FSH. Collectively, these findings highlight that BMP6 is associated with proliferation of follicular cells and the synthesis of progesterone, which indicated that it took an important role in the follicular development of chicken.

ABSTRACT The aim was to investigate the effect of glutamine (Gln) on broilers challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis. 240 1-day-old birds were divided into four groups in a completely randomized design, each of which included 6 replicates with 10 birds per replicate. Group I served as the unchallenged, untreated control (CON). All birds in groups II (SCC) - IV were challenged with 2.0 × 104 CFU/mL of S. Enteritidis. Birds in group III and IV were treated with 0.5% (Gln 1) and 1.0% (Gln 2), respectively, of Gln. The results indicated that S. Enteritidis infection led to a decrease in the average body weight at d 7, 14, and 21 (p<0.05). Chickens fed the Gln showed improved average body weights in comparison with the SCC group (p<0.05). At d 4, 7, 14, and 21, the Gln groups increased digestive enzyme (trypsin, lipase and amylase (except the amylase activity of jejunum at d 14 and d 21)) activities in the intestine (p<0.05), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (at d 14 jejunum; except at d 4, ileum) and catalase (CAT) (at d 4, and d 21, jejunum; d 4, ileum) activity in the serum (except at d 14) and intestinal mucosa (p<0.05), and the mRNA expression of SOD, CAT and nuclear respiratory factor 2 (Nrf2) of the intestinal mucosa compared with the SCC group (p<0.05). These results suggest that Gln as a feed additive could be effective for reducing the detrimental effects of S. Enteritidis infection of broilers.