Gender-specific responses in gene expression of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to heavy metal pollution in different aquatic habitats.

Monitoring heavy metal accumulation is essential for assessing the viability of aquatic ecosystems. Our methodology involved integrating analysis of immunological, stress, inflammatory, and growth-related gene expression in male and female Nile tilapia with on-site recordings of physicochemical parameters. Additionally, we assessed the effect of different physicochemical parameters on heavy metal bioavailability and residual concentration in fish and water. Samples of fish and water were gathered from three different localities: Lake Brullus, a brackish lake sited in northern Egypt; Lake Nasser, an artificial freshwater reservoir located in southern Egypt; and El-Qanater El-Khayria, a middle-freshwater location belonging to the Rashid branch of the river Nile. The assessment of heavy metal residues (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Ni) revealed that their concentrations were higher in fish specimens compared to their counterparts in water (except for Ni). In addition, Lake Brullus emerges as the most polluted area, exhibiting elevated levels of heavy metals concentrations in water and fish specimens. In contrast, Lake Nasser showed the least degree of heavy metals pollution. Gene expression analysis revealed gender-specific responses to heavy metal exposure at the three investigated water bodies. The expression of hepatic antioxidant genes (GST and MT) and inflammatory-related genes (CC-chemokine and TNFα) increased in males compared to females. In females, the immune and pro-inflammatory-related genes (IgM and CXC2-chemokine) transcripts were upregulated. Additionally, growth-related genes were downregulated in both Lake Brullus and El-Qanater; on the contrary, fish samples from Lake Nasser exhibited a normal expression pattern of growth-related genes. Stress-related genes (HSP70 and HSP27) showed significant downregulation in gills of both genders from Lake Brullus. The minimal presence of heavy metal contaminants in Lake Nasser seems to endorse the normal patterns of gene expression across all gene categories. A potential gender-specific gene expression response towards pollution was noticed in genes associated with inflammation and antioxidant activities. This highlights the importance of considering gender-related responses in future environmental assessments.

Exposure to a Low-Oxygen Environment Causes Implantation Failure and Transcriptomic Shifts in Mouse Uteruses and Ovaries.

Hypoxia is a condition in which tissues of the body do not receive sufficient amounts of oxygen supply. Numerous studies have elucidated the intricate roles of hypoxia and its involvement in both physiological and pathological conditions. This study aimed to clarify the impact of a forced low-oxygen environment in early pregnancy by exposing mice to low-oxygen conditions for 24-72 h after fertilization. The treatment resulted in the complete failure of blastocyst implantation, accompanied by vascular hyperpermeability in the uterus. A transcriptome analysis of the uterus revealed remarkable alterations in gene expression between control normoxic- and hypoxic-treatment groups. These alterations were characterized by the differentially expressed genes categorized into the immune responses and iron coordination. Furthermore, exposure to a low-oxygen environment caused apoptosis in the corpus luteum within the ovary and a reduction in progesterone secretion. Consequently, diminished plasma progesterone levels were considered to contribute to implantation failure in combination with the activation of the hypoxic pathway in the uterus. Additionally, previous studies have demonstrated the impact of hypoxic reactions on blastocyst development and the pre-implantation process in the endometrium. Our findings suggest that the corpus luteum exhibits elevated susceptibility to hypoxia, thereby elucidating a critical aspect of its physiological response.

Camel milk or silymarin could improve the negative effects that experimentally produced by aflatoxin B1 on rat's male reproductive system.

BACKGROUND: Camel milk and silymarin have many different beneficial effects on several animal species. Meanwhile, Aflatoxins are mycotoxins with extraordinary potency that pose major health risks to several animal species. Additionally, it has been documented that aflatoxins harm the reproductive systems of a variety of domestic animals. The present design aimed to investigate the impact of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on rat body weight and reproductive organs and the ameliorative effects of camel milk and silymarin through measured serum testosterone, testes pathology, and gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in the testes. A total of sixty mature male Wister white rats, each weighing an average of 83.67 ± 0.21 g, were used. There were six groups created from the rats. Each division had ten rats. The groups were the control (without any treatment), CM (1 ml of camel milk/kg body weight orally), S (20 mg silymarin/kg b. wt. suspension, orally), A (1.4 mg aflatoxin/kg diet), ACM (aflatoxin plus camel milk), and AS (aflatoxin plus silymarin). RESULTS: The results indicated the positive effects of camel milk and silymarin on growth, reproductive organs, and gene expression of TNF-α, LHR, and StAR with normal testicular architecture. Also, the negative effect of AFB1 on the rat's body weight and reproductive organs, as indicated by low body weight and testosterone concentration, was confirmed by the results of histopathology and gene expression. However, these negative effects were ameliorated by the ingestion of camel milk and silymarin. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, camel milk and silymarin could mitigate the negative effect of AFB1 on rat body weight and reproductive organs.

Ameliorative effects of camel milk and silymarin upon aflatoxin B1 induced hepatic injury in rats.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) poses a major risk to both human and animal health because it contaminates food, feed, and grains. These dangerous effects can be mitigated using natural components. The purpose of this study was to examine the ameliorative effects of camel milk and silymarin supplementation upon aflatoxin B1 induced hepatic injury in rats. This improvement was assessed by measuring leukocytic and deferential counts, serum biochemical parameters, and gene expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α), antioxidant gene (NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1)), and base excision repair genes (APE1 and OGG1) in the liver tissue, in addition to liver histopathology. Sixty mature males Wister white rats were used to perform the present study; the rats were distributed in six groups (ten rats/group). The control group (without any treatment) received saline by gavage. The camel milk group received 1 ml of camel milk/kg body weight. The silymarin group received 1 ml of silymarin suspension solution at a dose of 20 mg of silymarin/kg of b.wt. The aflatoxin group received an aflatoxin-contaminated diet at a dose of 1.4 mg of aflatoxin /kg of diet and received saline. The camel milk + aflatoxin group received the same previous oral doses of camel milk and an aflatoxin-contaminated diet at the same time. The silymarin + aflatoxin group received the same previous doses of silymarin orally and an aflatoxin-contaminated diet at the same time. The obtained data indicated the deleterious effect of aflatoxin B1 on the leukocytic count, activity of AST and ALT, serum proteins, ferritin, alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, liver pathology, and the expression of the studied genes. However, these deleterious effects were mitigated by camel milk and silymarin supplementation. Thus, we could conclude that the ingestion of camel milk and silymarin mitigated the negative effects of AFB1 on the hematology, activity of AST and ALT, serum proteins, ferritin, alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, liver pathology, and gene expression in the rat model.

Ameliorating effect of probiotic on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and lipolytic gene expression in rabbits.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition that affects about 24% of people worldwide. Increased liver fat, inflammation, and, in the most severe cases, cell death are all characteristics of NAFLD. However, NAFLD pathogenesis and therapy are still not clear enough. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effect of a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) inducing NAFLD on lipolytic gene expression, liver function, lipid profile, and antioxidant enzymes in rabbits and the modulatory effects of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) on it. A total of 45 male New Zealand white rabbits, eight weeks old, were randomly divided into three groups of three replicates (5 rabbits/replicate). Rabbits in group I were given a basal diet; rabbits in group II were given a high-cholesterol diet that caused NAFLD; and rabbits in group III were given a high-cholesterol diet as well as probiotics in water for 8 weeks. The results showed that a high-cholesterol diet caused hepatic vacuolation and upregulated the genes for lipoprotein lipase (LPL), hepatic lipase (HL), and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). Downregulated low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) gene, increased liver enzymes [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)], cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), glucose, and total bilirubin. On the other hand, it decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total protein, albumin, and liver antioxidants [glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)]. Supplementing with probiotics helped to return all parameters to normal levels. In conclusion, probiotic supplementation, especially L. acidophilus, protected against NAFLD, and restored lipolytic gene expression, liver functions, and antioxidants to normal levels.

Selenium and/or vitamin E upregulate the antioxidant gene expression and parameters in broilers.

BACKGROUND: In contrast to free radicals, the first line of protection is assumed to be vitamin E and selenium. The present protocol was designed to assess the roles of vitamin E and/or a selenium-rich diet that affected the blood iron and copper concentrations, liver tissue antioxidant and lipid peroxidation, and gene expression linked to antioxidants in the liver tissue of broilers. The young birds were classified according to the dietary supplement into four groups; control, vitamin E (100 mg Vitamin/kg diet), selenium (0.3 mg sodium selenite/kg diet), and vitamin E pulse selenium (100 mg vitamin/kg diet with 0.3 mg sodium selenite/kg diet) group. RESULTS: The results of this experiment suggested that the addition of vitamin E with selenium in the broiler diet significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) serum iron when compared with the other groups and serum copper when compared with the vitamin E group. Moreover, the supplements (vitamin E or vitamin E with selenium) positively affected the enzymatic activity of the antioxidant-related enzymes with decreased malondialdehyde (MDA),which represents lipid peroxidation in broiler liver tissue. Moreover, the two supplements significantly upregulated genes expression related to antioxidants. CONCLUSION: Therefore, vitamin E and/or selenium can not only act as exogenous antioxidants to prevent oxidative damage by scavenging free radicals and superoxide, but also act as gene regulators, regulating the expression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes.

Intra- and inter-breed variation in immune response to acute and sub-chronic Salmonella infection and commercial immune-stimulant in two-layer breeds.

Salmonella is one of the most hazardous diseases in poultry farms. Markedly, the application of active immunostimulants is illustrated as potential protective agents against infection in poultry farms. Thus, this work aimed to explore inter- and intra-breed variation in response to acute and subchronic Salmonella enteritidis infection in two-layer breeds (one commercial [Hy-line strain] and another native [Fayoumi breed]). Besides exploring the possible protective effect of a commercial immune modulator (STIMULAN) on the two breeds during the acute infection. The ELISA antibody titer in sub-chronic infections and the expression analysis of some selected genes (IL-1ß, LITAF, TGF-ß, HSP90 and HSP70) are used as the clinical signs for acute infections to assess the possible protective role of a commercial immunomodulator (STIMULAN). Five groups were used during the acute experiment: G1-control; G2a-susceptible; G2b-resistant birds, G3-which received STIMULAN and G4-which received the infection + STIMULAN. The groups with sub-chronic infections include G1 (control), G2 (high antibody titer) and G3 (low antibody titer). The gene expressions among the susceptible birds during acute infection of both breeds are nearly similar. They only differ in the expression of HSP90 in the Fayoumi breed. However, the resistant birds vary in their gene expression profile. The effect of STIMULAN as a feed additive in non-infected birds was an up-regulation of LITAF, TGF-ß, HSP90 in Fayoumi. Moreover, a powerful stimulatory role was observed when both breeds were infected. Both breeds were asymptomatic during the sub-chronic infection. Although, the increased expression of inflammatory-related genes in the Hy-line was considered as an indication of infection persistence. Fayoumi is capable of immune clearance for this infection. Thus, the Fayoumi breed is more resistant to acute Salmonella infection. HSP90 plays a vital role in its resistance. We recommend the use of STIMULAN as an immunomodulator during Salmonella infection.

The impact of vitamin E and/or selenium dietary supplementation on growth parameters and expression levels of the growth-related genes in broilers.

BACKGROUND: Broilers are continuously stressed because of the rapid growth rate and the environmental issues associated with industrialized poultry production systems, which lead to higher susceptibility for infection with pathogens. It is well known that vitamin E (Vit. E) and selenium (Se) supplementation have protective functions in such stressful conditions. This protocol was to investigate the impact of Vit. E and/or Se on the production performance, some serum biochemistry, and expression of some growth-related gene in the liver tissue of the broilers. The day-old chicks were allotted into four groups according to the supplement; Control group and groups supplemented with Vit. E and/or Se into Vit. E group (100 mg Vit. E/kg diet), Se group (0.3 mg sodium selenite/kg diet), and Vit E + Se group that supplemented with both Vit. E and Se. RESULTS: The data of the present experiment showed that dietary inclusion of Vit. E and/or Se significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved the production parameters without any side effect on the general health status of the broilers, which indicated by normal serum biochemical parameters. Moreover, the treatments positively affected the expression of some genes related to growth performance including growth hormone receptor (GHR) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) in the liver tissue of broilers. CONCLUSION: Dietary supplementation of Vit. E and/or Se improved the production parameters and upregulate the growth-related genes without effect on the general health status of the broilers.

Deeper insight into maternal genetic assessments and demographic history for Egyptian indigenous chicken populations using mtDNA analysis.

This study principally sought to reveal the demographic expansion of Egyptian indigenous chickens (EIC) using representative breeds: Sinai (North), Fayoumi (Middle) and Dandarawi (South) of Egypt as well as to deeply clarify their genetic diversity, possible matrilineal origin and dispersal routes. A total of 33 partial mitochondrial DNA sequences were generated from EIC and compared with a worldwide reference dataset of 1290 wild and domestic chicken sequences. Study populations had 12 polymorphic variable sites and 7 haplotypes. A lack of maternal substructure between EIC was detected (F ST  = 0.003). The unimodal mismatch distribution and negative values of Tajima's D (-0.659) and Fu's Fs (-0.157) indicated demographic expansion among EIC and pointed to Fayoumi as the oldest EIC population. Egyptian haplotypes were clustered phylogenetically into two divergent clades. Their phylogeography revealed an ancient single maternal lineage of Egyptian chickens likely derived from Indian-Subcontinent. Moreover, a recent maternal commercial heritage possibly originated in Yunnan-Province and/or surrounding areas was admixed restrictedly into Sinai. It is implied that Egypt was an entry point for Indian chicken into Africa and its further dispersal route to Europe. This study provides a clue supporting the previous assumption that urged utilizing consistent founder populations having closely related progenitors for synthetizing a stabilized homogenous crossbreed as a sustainable discipline in breeding program.