Transcriptomic and metabolomic dissection of skeletal muscle of crossbred Chongming white goats with different meat production performance.

BACKGROUND: The transcriptome and metabolome dissection of the skeletal muscle of high- and low- growing individuals from a crossbred population of the indigenous Chongming white goat and the Boer goat were performed to discover the potential functional differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differential expression metabolites (DEMs). RESULTS: A total of 2812 DEGs were detected in 6 groups at three time stages (3,6,12 Month) in skeletal muscle using the RNA-seq method. A DEGs set containing seven muscle function related genes (TNNT1, TNNC1, TNNI1, MYBPC2, MYL2, MHY7, and CSRP3) was discovered, and their expression tended to increase as goat muscle development progressed. Seven DEGs (TNNT1, FABP3, TPM3, DES, PPP1R27, RCAN1, LMOD2) in the skeletal muscle of goats in the fast-growing and slow-growing groups was verified their expression difference by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Further, through the Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) approach, a total of 183 DEMs in various groups of the muscle samples and these DEMs such as Queuine and Keto-PGF1α, which demonstrated different abundance between the goat fast-growing group and slow-growing group. Through weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), the study correlated the DEGs with the DEMs and identified 4 DEGs modules associated with 18 metabolites. CONCLUSION: This study benefits to dissection candidate genes and regulatory networks related to goat meat production performance, and the joint analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic data provided insights into the study of goat muscle development.

Prospective association between fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes amongst Chinese adults: the China Health and Nutrition Survey.

This study aimed to prospectively explore the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake (FVI) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk amongst 13,175 Chinese adults. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) of T2D events in relation to FVI. Results showed that the highest quintile of FVI was inversely associated with T2D risk in men (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.98) and women (HR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.55, 0.97), whereas no such associations were observed between total vegetable intake and T2D in either men (HR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.65, 1.26) or women (HR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.77, 1.38). In addition, greater fruit intake was inversely associated with T2D risk in men (HR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.63) and women (HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.90). Overall, FVI and total fruit intake were inversely associated with T2D risk amongst Chinese adults.

STING promotes NLRP3 localization in ER and facilitates NLRP3 deubiquitination to activate the inflammasome upon HSV-1 infection.

One of the fundamental reactions of the innate immune responses to pathogen infection is the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1ß, processed by the NLRP3 inflammasome. The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) has the essential roles in innate immune response against pathogen infections. Here we reveal a distinct mechanism by which STING regulates the NLRP3 inflammasome activation, IL-1ß secretion, and inflammatory responses in human cell lines, mice primary cells, and mice. Interestingly, upon HSV-1 infection and cytosolic DNA stimulation, STING binds to NLRP3 and promotes the inflammasome activation through two approaches. First, STING recruits NLRP3 and facilitates NLRP3 localization in the endoplasmic reticulum, thereby facilitating the inflammasome formation. Second, STING interacts with NLRP3 and attenuates K48- and K63-linked polyubiquitination of NLRP3, thereby promoting the inflammasome activation. Collectively, we demonstrate that the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 signaling is essential for host defense against HSV-1 infection.

Mitophagy is involved in the mitochondrial dysfunction of vitrified porcine oocytes.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is considered a crucial factor aggravating oocyte viability after vitrification-warming. To clarify the role of mitophagy in mitochondrial extinction of vitrified porcine oocytes, mitochondrial function, ultrastructural characteristics, mitochondria-lysosomes colocalization, and mitophagic proteins were detected with or without chloroquine (CQ) treatment. The results showed that vitrification caused mitochondrial dysfunction, including increasing reactive oxygen species production, decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial DNA copy number. Damaged mitochondrial cristae and mitophagosomes were observed in vitrified oocytes. A highly fused fluorescence distribution of mitochondria and lysosomes was also observed. In the detection of mitophagic flux, mitophagy was demonstrated as increasing fluorescence aggregation of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (LC3B), enhanced colocalization between LC3B, and voltage-dependent anion channels 1 (VDAC1), and upregulated LC3B-II/I protein expression ratio. CQ inhibited the degradation of mitophagosomes in vitrified oocytes, manifested as decreased mitochondria-lysosomes colocalization, increased fluorescence fraction of VDAC1 overlapping LC3B, increased LC3B-II/I protein expression ratio, and p62 accumulation. The inhibition of mitophagosomes degradation by CQ aggravated mitochondrial dysfunction, including increased oxidative damage, reduced mitochondrial function, and further led to loss of oocyte viability and developmental potentiality. In conclusion, mitophagy is involved in the regulation of mitochondrial function during porcine oocyte vitrification.

Paxillin mediates ATP-induced activation of P2X7 receptor and NLRP3 inflammasome.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a key danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecule, is released to the extracellular medium during inflammation by injured parenchymal cells, dying leukocytes, and activated platelets. ATP directly activates the plasma membrane channel P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), leading to an intracellular influx of K+, a key trigger inducing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. However, the mechanism underlying P2X7R-mediated activation of NLRP3 inflammasome is poorly understood, and additional molecular mediators have not been identified. Here, we demonstrate that Paxillin is the molecule connecting the P2X7 receptor and NLRP3 inflammasome through protein interactions. RESULTS: We show a distinct mechanism by which Paxillin promotes ATP-induced activation of the P2X7 receptor and NLRP3 inflammasome. Extracellular ATP induces Paxillin phosphorylation and then facilitates Paxillin-NLRP3 interaction. Interestingly, Paxillin enhances NLRP3 deubiquitination and activates NLRP3 inflammasome upon ATP treatment and K+ efflux. Moreover, we demonstrated that USP13 is a key enzyme for Paxillin-mediated NLRP3 deubiquitination upon ATP treatment. Notably, extracellular ATP promotes Paxillin and NLRP3 migration from the cytosol to the plasma membrane and facilitates P2X7R-Paxillin interaction and PaxillinNLRP3 association, resulting in the formation of the P2X7R-Paxillin-NLRP3 complex. Functionally, Paxillin is essential for ATP-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse BMDMs and BMDCs as well as in human PBMCs and THP-1-differentiated macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified paxillin as a mediator of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Paxillin plays key roles in ATP-induced activation of the P2X7 receptor and NLRP3 inflammasome by facilitating the formation of the P2X7R-Paxillin-NLRP3 complex.

Fruit and vegetable intake is inversely associated with type 2 diabetes in Chinese women: results from the China Health and Nutrition Survey.

This study aimed to evaluate the associations between fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and the risk of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes (T2D). It is a cross-sectional study that involved 6802 participants aged 18-65 years. Dietary intake and other variables were assessed by questionnaires. The prevalence of prediabetes and T2D was ascertained by self-report and analyses of fasting blood samples. In the multiple logistic regression models, FV intake was negatively associated the risk of T2D in women (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.71), whereas no such association was observed in men (OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.65, 1.47). Furthermore, FV consumption was inversely associated with prediabetes risk in men and women. Results suggested that higher intake of FV was associated with a decreased risk of T2D or prediabetes in Chinese women and a reduced risk of prediabetes in men only.

Effect of substituting different concentrations of soybean lecithin and egg yolk in tris-based extender on goat semen cryopreservation.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of soybean lecithin (SL; 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%) and egg yolk (EY) in Tris-based extenders on the semen quality parameters of post-thawed goat semen. Sixteen ejaculates were collected from eight healthy, mature Chongming White goats (3-5 years of age). Each ejaculate was divided into five equal aliquots, and then each pellet was diluted with one of the five Tris-based extenders containing 20% EY, 0.5% SL, 1% SL, 2% SL, or 3% SL. The cooled diluted semen was loaded into 0.5 mL polyvinyl French straws and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Frozen semen samples were thawed at 37 °C and assessed for sperm motility, viability, plasma acrosome integrity, membrane integrity, and mitochondria integrity, and the spermatozoa were assessed for reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The semen extended in the 2.0% SL extract tended to have a higher sperm viability (57.44%), motility (52.14%), membrane integrity (45.31%), acrosome integrity (52.96%), and mitochondrial activity (50.21%) than the other SL-based extender concentrations (P < 0.05). The 2.0% SL treatment group was equivalent to the semen extended in 20% EY (P > 0.05). The extenders supplemented 20% EY or 2.0% SL significantly increased the SOD activity and decreased the ROS and MDA activities compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the extenders supplemented with 20% EY and 2.0% SL had similar effects on spermatozoa preservation. These results indicate that a soybean lecithin-based diluent may be used as an alternative extender to egg yolk for the cryopreservation of goat semen.

Addition of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in tris-based extender improves post-thaw quality and motion dynamics of dog spermatozoa.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction of different concentrations of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in a tris-based extender on semen quality parameters in post-thawed dog semen. Twenty-four ejaculates were collected from eight male Beagle dogs using an artificial vagina. Pooled semen was diluted with a tris-based extender supplemented with 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mM BHT, at a final concentration of 200 × 106 spermatozoa/mL. After thawing, sperm samples were assessed for motility parameters (CASA), membrane integrity (SYBR-14/PI), acrosome integrity (FITC-PNA), mitochondrial activity (JC-1/PI), malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. The total motility, progressive motility, and average path velocity of the frozen-thawed sperm were significantly higher in the BHT1.5 group than in the control and the other sample groups (P < 0.05). Higher values of straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, amplitude of the lateral head displacement, and linearity were observed in the BHT1.0, BHT1.5, and BHT2.0 groups than in the control (P < 0.05). The BHT1.0 and BHT1.5 groups had higher percentages of straightness and acrosome integrity than the other groups (P < 0.05). Beat cross frequency, plasma membrane integrity, and GPx activity of the BHT1.5 and BHT2.0 groups were higher than those of the control (P < 0.05). A lower concentration of MDA was observed in the BHT1.0, BHT1.5, and BHT2.0 groups than in the control (BHT0) (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that 1.5 mM BHT is the optimal concentration for improving the post-thaw quality of canine spermatozoa.

Optimizing treatment of DNA methyltransferase inhibitor RG108 on porcine fibroblasts for somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Aberration in DNA methylation is believed to be one of the major causes of abnormal gene expression and inefficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). RG108, a non-nucleoside DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor, has been reported to facilitate somatic nuclear reprogramming and improved blastocyst formation. The aim of this study was to investigate interaction effect of RG108 treatment time (24-72 hr) and concentrations (0.05-50 µM) on donor cells, and further to optimize the treatment for porcine SCNT. Our results showed that RG108 treatment resulted in time-dependent decrease of genome-wide DNA methylation on foetal fibroblasts, which only happened after 72-hr treatment in our experiments, and no interaction effect between treatment time and concentration. Remarkable decrease of methylation in imprinted gene H19 and increased apoptosis was observed in 5 and 50 µM RG108-treated cells. Furthermore, the blastocyst rates of SCNT embryos were increased as the fibroblasts treated with RG108 at 5 and 50 µM, and additional treatment during cultivation of SCNT embryos would not provide any advantage for blastocyst formation. In conclusion, the RG108 treatment of 72 hr and 5 µM would be optimized time and concentration for porcine foetal fibroblasts to improve the SCNT embryonic development. In addition, combined treatment of RG108 on donor cells and SCNT embryos would not be beneficial for embryonic development.

Positive effect of apoptotic inhibitor z-vad-fmk on vitrified-thawed porcine mii stage oocytes.

BACKGROUND: The developmental potential of vitrified porcine oocytes is very lower, and apoptosis is considered as one of the key factors involved. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of apoptotic inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK addition into the incubation medium after warming on apoptosis and developmental ability of vitrified porcine MII-stage oocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The activities of several caspases, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and early apoptotic levels were measured. Parthenogenetic developmental ability and relative expression levels of apoptosis related genes were also detected. RESULTS: Caspase activity and early apoptotic level of the Z-VAD-FMK group were significantly lower than those of the group without Z-VAD-FMK addition, but were much higher than those of fresh group (P < 0.05). The ΔΨm of Z-VAD-FMK group was 1.19, higher than the vitrified group (0.91) and lower than the fresh group (1.33). The cleavage rate and blastocyst rate after parthenogenetic activation in the Z-VAD-FMK group were much higher than those in the vitrified group, and much lower than those in the fresh group (P < 0.05). Vitrified porcine oocytes exhibited increased expression of pro-apoptotic genes (caspase 3, 8, 9, TNF-α) and decreased genes expression levels of anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, CuZnSOD), and the Z-VAD-FMK addition in incubaiton medium significantly decreased the transcripts levels of caspase 3,8,9, Bax, TNF-α and increased Bcl-2 and CuZnSOD genes expression. CONCLUSION: The addition of apoptotic inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK into the incubation medium after warming improved the in vitro developmental ability of vitrified porcine oocytes by increasing mitochondrial function, reducing apoptotic level and changing apoptosis-elated gene expression.

Anti-inflammatory effects of tanshinone IIA on atherosclerostic vessels of ovariectomized ApoE mice are mediated by estrogen receptor activation and through the ERK signaling pathway.

AIMS: Estrogen plays a protective role in atherosclerosis. Our preliminary work demonstrated that the active conformation of Tanshinone IIA(TanIIA) is similar to the 17ß-estradiol and it can bind to the estrogen receptor. Here, we hypothesized that Tanshinone IIA might have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects in atherosclerosis, mediated through estrogen receptor activation. METHODS: Subjects for this study were 120 apoE(-/-) female mice and 20 C57/BL female mice. The apoE(-/-) mice were ovariectomized (OVX) and the C57/BL mice were sham ovariectomized. The sham OVX mice were maintained on a normal diet (NOR) group. The OVX apoE(-/-) mice were fed a high fat diet and randomly divided into 6 groups: Model (MOD) group which was fed a high fat diet only, E2 group were given estrogen (E2) 0.13 mg/kg/d; E2+ICI group were given E2:0.13 mg/kg/d and ICI182780:65 mg/kg/m; TLD group (TanIIA low dose) were given TanIIA: 30 mg/kg/d; THD group (TanIIA high dose) were given TanIIA:60 mg/kg/d; and TLD+ICI group were given TanIIA 30 mg/kg/d and ICI182780 65 mg/kg/m. After three months of treatment, the aorta and the blood of the mice from each group was collected. The aorta were used for testing the lipid deposition by using hematoxylin and eosin(HE) and oil red O staining and for testing the expression of p-ERK1/2 by Western blot. The blood was used for testing the serum cholesterol, superoxide dismutase (SOD), methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA), nuclear factor kappa (NF-κB), soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), activating protein-1 (AP-1), E-selectin and 17ß-estradiol in serum. RESULTS: Tanshinone IIA significantly reduced the lipid deposition in aorta, decreased the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), MDA, NF-κB, sICAM-1, AP-1, and E-selectin in serum but increased the levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and SOD in serum. Tanshinone IIA also suppressed the expression of p-ERK1/2. Tanshinone IIA had no effect of level of serum 17ß-estradiol levels. All of the effects of Tanshinone IIA were similar to estrogen and were inhibited by the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI182780. CONCLUSION: Tanshinone IIA may play an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress role in OVX atherosclerotic apoE(-/-) mice by activating the estrogen receptor through the ERK signaling pathway. Therefore, Tanshinone IIA, as a phytoestrogen, could be used for estrogen replacement therapy for cardiovascular disease of postmenopausal women.

Changes in mitochondrial function in porcine vitrified MII-stage oocytes and their impacts on apoptosis and developmental ability.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in mitochondria in porcine MII-stage oocytes after open pulled straw (OPS) vitrification and to determine their roles in apoptosis and in vitro developmental ability. The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) concentration, mitochondrial distribution, mitochondrial ultrastructure, early-stage apoptosis with Annexin V-FITC staining, survival rate, parthenogenetic developmental ability and related gene expression were measured in the present experiments. The results showed that: (1) the mitochondrial ΔΨm of vitrified-thawed oocytes (1.05) was lower than that of fresh oocytes 1.24 (P<0.05). (2) ROS level in the OPS vitrification group was much higher than that of the fresh group, while the ATP concentration was much lower than that of fresh group (P<0.05). (3) Early-stage apoptosis rate from the OPS vitrification group (57.6%) was much higher than that of fresh group (8.53%) (P<0.05), and the survival rate and parthenogenetic cleavage rate of OPS vitrified oocytes were much lower than those from fresh ones (P<0.05). (4) Vitrification not only disrupted the mitochondrial distribution of porcine MII-stage oocytes, but also damaged the mitochondrial ultrastructure. (5) After vitrification, the gene expression level of Dnm1 was up-regulated, and other four genes (SOD1, Mfn2, BAX and Bcl2) were down-regulated. The present study suggested that not only the morphology and function of mitochondria were damaged greatly during the vitrification process, but also early-stage apoptosis was observed after vitrification. Intrinsic mitochondrial pathway could be in involved in the occurrence of apoptosis in vitrified-thawed porcine oocytes.

From mechanism to therapy: the journey of CD24 in cancer.

CD24 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein that is expressed in a wide range of tissues and cell types. It is involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including cell adhesion, migration, differentiation, and apoptosis. Additionally, CD24 has been studied extensively in the context of cancer, where it has been found to play a role in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. In recent years, there has been growing interest in CD24 as a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment. This review summarizes the current knowledge of CD24, including its structure, function, and its role in cancer. Finally, we provide insights into potential clinical application of CD24 and discuss possible approaches for the development of targeted cancer therapies.

Dietary Supplementation with Rumen-Protected Arginine or N-Carbamylglutamate Enhances Fetal Liver Development in Nutrient-Restricted Pregnant Hu Ewes.

This study was conducted in nutrient-restricted pregnant Hu ewes to determine whether rumen-protected arginine (RP-Arg) or N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) supplementation affects fetal liver growth and development. From 35 d to 110 d of gestation, 32 Hu ewes were randomly divided into four groups: a control group (100% of the National Research Council (NRC) requirements), a nutrient-restricted group (50% of the NRC requirements), and two treatment groups (ARG and NCG, 50% of the NRC requirements, supplemented with 20 g/day RP-Arg or 5 g/day NCG, respectively). Fetal body weights, fetal liver growth performance, the capability of antioxidation, and the expression of the mRNA and proteins of apoptosis-related genes in the fetal liver were determined and analyzed at 110 d of gestation. The dry matter, water, fat, protein, and ash components of the fetal livers in the RG group were found to be lower than in the CG group, and these components were significantly higher in the NCG group than in the RG group (p < 0.05). A decrease in DNA, RNA, and protein concentrations and contents, as well as in protein/DNA ratios, was observed in the RG group in comparison to the CG group (p < 0.05). Compared with the RG group, the NCG group had higher concentrations of DNA, RNA, and protein, as well as higher protein/DNA ratios (p < 0.05). The RG group had lower concentrations of cholinesterase, nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase, superoxide dismutase, alanine aminotransferase, and total protein than the CG group (p < 0.05). The RG group had higher levels of glutathione peroxidase, maleic dialdehyde, and aspartate aminotransferase than the CG group (p < 0.05). In the RG group, the mRNA and protein expression of p53 and Bax was significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared with the CG group, and the gene expression of FasL and Bcl-2, the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax, and the protein expression of Bcl-2 in the RG group were lower (p < 0.05) than in the CG group. It appears that RP-Arg and NCG supplementation during pregnancy could influence fetal liver growth and development. A nutrition-based therapeutic intervention to alleviate reduced fetal growth can be developed based on this study, which has demonstrated that maternal undernutrition during pregnancy induces the maldevelopment of the fetal liver.

Detection and Analysis of Antidiarrheal Genes and Immune Factors in Various Shanghai Pig Breeds.

The aim of this study was to identify effective genetic markers for the Antigen Processing Associated Transporter 1 (TAP1), α (1,2) Fucosyltransferase 1 (FUT1), Natural Resistance Associated Macrophage Protein 1 (NRAMP1), Mucin 4 (MUC4) and Mucin 13 (MUC13) diarrhea-resistance genes in the local pig breeds, namely Shanghai white pigs, Fengjing pigs, Shawutou pigs, Meishan pigs and Pudong white pigs, to provide a reference for the characterization of local pig breed resources in Shanghai. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLR) and sequence sequencing were applied to analyze the polymorphisms of the above genes and to explore the effects on the immunity of Shanghai local pig breeds in conjunction with some immunity factors. The results showed that both TAP1 and MUC4 genes had antidiarrheal genotype GG in the five pig breeds, AG and GG genotypes of the FUT1 gene were detected in Pudong white pigs, AA antidiarrheal genes of the NRAMP1 gene were detected in Meishan pigs, the AB type of the NRAMP1 gene was detected in Pudong white pigs, and antidiarrheal genotype GG of the MUC13 gene was only detected in Shanghai white pigs. The MUC13 antidiarrhea genotype GG was only detected in Shanghai white pigs. The TAP1 gene was moderately polymorphic in Shanghai white pigs, Fengjing pigs, Shawutou pigs, Meishan pigs and Pudong white pigs, among which TAP1 in Shanghai white pigs and Shawutou pigs did not satisfy the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The FUT1 gene of Pudong white pigs was in a state of low polymorphism. NRAMP1 of Meishan pigs and Pudong white pigs was in a state of moderate polymorphism, which did not satisfy the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The MUC4 genes of Shanghai white pigs and Pudong white pigs were in a state of low polymorphism, and the MUC4 genes of Fengjing pigs and Shawutou pigs were in a state of moderate polymorphism, and the MUC4 genes of Fengjing pigs and Pudong white pigs did not satisfy the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The MUC13 gene of Shanghai white pigs and Pudong white pigs was in a state of moderate polymorphism. Meishan pigs had higher levels of IL-2, IL-10, IgG and TNF-α, and Pudong white pigs had higher levels of IL-12 than the other pigs. The level of interleukin 12 (IL-12) was significantly higher in the AA genotype of the MUC13 gene of Shanghai white pigs than in the AG genotype. The indicator of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the AA genotype of the TAP1 gene of Fengjing pigs was significantly higher than that of the GG and AG genotypes. The indicator of IL-12 in the AG genotype of the Shawutou pig TAP1 gene was significantly higher than that of the GG genotype. The level of TNF-α in the AA genotype of the NRAMP1 gene of Meishan pigs was markedly higher than that of the AB genotype. The IL-2 level of the AG type of the FUT1 gene was obviously higher than that of the GG type of Pudong white pigs, the IL-2 level of the AA type of the MUC4 gene was dramatically higher than that of the AG type, and the IgG level of the GG type of the MUC13 gene was apparently higher than that of the AG type. The results of this study are of great significance in guiding the antidiarrhea breeding and molecular selection of Shanghai white pigs, Fengjing pigs, Shawutou pigs, Meishan pigs and Pudong white pigs and laying the foundation for future antidiarrhea breeding of various local pig breeds in Shanghai.

Evaluation of Dry Ice for Short-Term Storage and Transportation of Frozen Boar Semen.

To address the safety problems posed by the transportation of boar semen using LN, this study was conducted on the short-term storage of frozen boar semen in dry ice (-79 °C). Boar semen frozen in LN was transferred to dry ice, kept for 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, or 8 days, and then moved back to LN. The quality of frozen semen stored in LN or dry ice was determined to evaluate the feasibility of short-distance transportation with dry ice. The results showed that 60 °C for 8 s was the best condition for thawing frozen semen stored in dry ice. No significant differences in spermatozoa motility, plasma membrane integrity, or acrosome integrity were observed in semen after short-term storage in dry ice compared to LN (p > 0.05). There were no significant changes in antioxidant properties between storage groups either (p > 0.05). In conclusion, dry ice could be used as a cold source for the short-term transportation of frozen boar semen for at least 7 days, without affecting sperm motility, morphological integrity, or antioxidant indices.

Genomic Dissection through Whole-Genome Resequencing of Five Local Pig Breeds from Shanghai, China.

China has rich genetic resources of local pig breeds. In this study, whole-genome resequencing was performed on five Shanghai local pig breeds, aiming to analyze their population genetic structure and unique genomic characteristics. Tens of millions of single nucleotide variants were obtained through the resequencing of a total of 150 individual pigs from five local pig breeds (Meishan, Fengjing, Shawutou, Pudong White, and Shanghai White) after mapping them with the pig reference genome of Sus scrofa 11.1. The results of admixture structure analysis also clearly demonstrated the genetic differences between the Shanghai local pig breeds and the three commercial pig breeds (Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire). The genetic infiltration of Landrace and Yorkshire pig breeds in the SHW breed was detected, which is consistent with the early history of crossbreeding in this breed. Selective sweep analysis between four indigenous Shanghai pig breed populations and three commercial pig breed populations identified 270 and 224 genes with selective signatures in the commercial and indigenous Shanghai pig populations, respectively. Six genes (TGS1, PLAG1, CHCHD7, LCORL, TMEM68, and TMEM8B) were found to be associated with animal growth in the commercial pig population through gene enrichment and protein-protein interaction analysis. In contrast, the MSRB3 gene in the indigenous Shanghai pig population was significantly under selection, which correlated with the long pendulous ear phenotype of the indigenous Shanghai pig population. In conclusion, this study is the first genomic profiling of five representative local pig breeds in Shanghai, which provides molecular genetic data and foundations for better conservation and utilization of local pig breed resources in Shanghai, China.

Effect of Poria cocos Mushroom Polysaccharides (PCPs) on the Quality and DNA Methylation of Cryopreserved Shanghai White Pig Spermatozoa.

In this study, we explore the effects of Poria cocos mushroom polysaccharides (PCPs) on the quality and DNA methylation of the cryopreserved spermatozoa of Shanghai white pigs. A total of 24 ejaculates (three ejaculate samples per boar) from eight Shanghai white pigs were manually collected. The pooled semen was diluted with a based extender supplemented with different concentrations of PCPs (0, 300, 600, 900, 1200, and 1500 µg/mL). Once thawed, the quality of the spermatozoa and their antioxidant function were assessed. In the meantime, the effect of spermatozoa DNA methylation was also analyzed. The results show that compared with the control group, 600 µg/mL of PCPs significantly improves the spermatozoa viability (p < 0.05). The motility and plasma membrane integrity of the frozen-thawed spermatozoa are significantly higher after treatment with 600, 900, and 1200 µg/mL of PCPs compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In comparison with the control group, the percentages of acrosome integrity and mitochondrial activity are significantly enhanced after the application of 600 and 900 µg/mL PCPs (p < 0.05). The reactive oxygen species (ROS), the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, in comparison with the control group, are significantly decreased in all groups with PCPs (all p < 0.05). The enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in spermatozoa is significantly higher in the treatment with 600 µg/mL of PCPs than in the other groups (p < 0.05). As compared with the control group, a significant increase in the catalase (CAT) level is found in the groups with PCPs at 300, 600, 900, and 1200 µg/mL (all p < 0.05). In comparison with the control group, the 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) levels are significantly decreased in all groups with PCPs (all p < 0.05). As a result of these findings, a certain amount of PCPs (600-900 µg/mL) added to the cryodiluent can significantly improve the quality of Shanghai white pig spermatozoa and can also reduce the methylation of spermatozoa DNA caused by cryopreservation. This treatment strategy may establish a foundation for the cryopreservation of semen from pigs.

Does Antioxidant Mitoquinone (MitoQ) Ameliorate Oxidative Stress in Frozen-Thawed Rooster Sperm?

In this study, we aimed to determine the benefit of mitoquinone (MitoQ) in rooster semen extenders on sperm quality, motility parameters, antioxidant capacities, and apoptotic changes in post-thawed rooster semen. A total of 85 ejaculates from 18 roosters were collected and then divided into five equal aliquots and cryopreserved in extenders with 1.0% soy lecithin nanoparticles that contained various concentrations of MitoQ (0 nM (M0), 50 nM (M50), 100 nM (M100), 150 nM (M150), and 200 nM (M200)). By using a computer-assisted semen analyzer, sperm motility parameters were assessed after freeze thawing. The M150 group had significantly higher percentages of total motility, progressive motility, viability, acrosome membrane integrity, and mitochondrial activity than the other groups (p < 0.05). Compared to other groups, M100 and M150 groups produced a higher percentage of plasma membrane integrity and ATP contents (p < 0.05). Additionally, the lowest levels of ROS and MDA in spermatozoa were observed in M150 group (p < 0.05), whereas the highest levels of ROS and MDA were observed in sperm in the controls or the M200 group (p < 0.05). Significantly higher values of SOD, GPx, and Cas-3 were found in the M150 group compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Overall, these results demonstrate that MitoQ at 150 nM not only ameliorates post-thawed sperm quality and motility parameters by restoring ATP levels and preventing membrane damage, but also improves redox balance and antiapoptotic activities.

Screening Discriminating SNPs for Chinese Indigenous Pig Breeds Identification Using a Random Forests Algorithm.

Chinese indigenous pig breeds have unique genetic characteristics and a rich diversity; however, effective breed identification methods have not yet been well established. In this study, a genotype file of 62,822 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which were obtained from 1059 individuals of 18 Chinese indigenous pig breeds and 5 cosmopolitan breeds, were used to screen the discriminating SNPs for pig breed identification. After linkage disequilibrium (LD) pruning filtering, this study excluded 396 SNPs on non-constant chromosomes and retained 20.92~-27.84% of SNPs for each of the 18 autosomes, leaving a total of 14,823 SNPs. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed the largest differences between cosmopolitan and Chinese pig breeds (PC1 = 10.452%), while relatively small differences were found among the 18 indigenous pig breeds from the Yangtze River Delta region of China. Next, a random forest (RF) algorithm was used to filter these SNPs and obtain the optimal number of decision trees (ntree = 1000) using corresponding out-of-bag (OOB) error rates. By comparing two different SNP ranking methods in the RF analysis, the mean decreasing accuracy (MDA) and mean decreasing Gini index (MDG), the effects of panels with different numbers of SNPs on the assignment accuracy, and the statistics of SNP distribution on each chromosome in the panels, a panel of 1000 of the most breed-discriminative tagged SNPs were finally selected based on the MDA screening method. A high accuracy (>99.3%) was obtained by the breed prediction of 318 samples in the RF test set; thus, a machine learning classification method was established for the multi-breed identification of Chinese indigenous pigs based on a low-density panel of SNPs.