Cu exposure induces liver inflammation via regulating gut microbiota/LPS/liver TLR4 signaling axis.

Copper (Cu) serves as an essential cofactor in all organisms, yet excessive Cu exposure is widely recognized for its role in inducing liver inflammation. However, the precise mechanism by which Cu triggers liver inflammation in ducks, particularly in relation to the interplay in gut microbiota regulation, has remained elusive. In this investigation, we sought to elucidate the impact of Cu exposure on liver inflammation through gut-liver axis in ducks. Our findings revealed that Cu exposure markedly elevated liver AST and ALT levels and induced liver inflammation through upregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α) and triggering the LPS/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Simultaneously, Cu exposure induced alterations in the composition of intestinal flora communities, notably increasing the relative abundance of Sphingobacterium, Campylobacter, Acinetobacter and reducing the relative abundance of Lactobacillus. Cu exposure significantly decreased the protein expression related to intestinal barrier (Occludin, Claudin-1 and ZO-1) and promoted the secretion of intestinal pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, correlation analysis was observed that intestinal microbiome and gut barrier induced by Cu were closely related to liver inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments further demonstrated the microbiota-depleted ducks transplanting fecal samples from Cu-exposed ducks disturbed the intestinal dysfunction, which lead to impaire liver function and activate the liver inflammation. Our study provided insights into the mechanism by which Cu exposure induced liver inflammation in ducks through the regulation of gut-liver axis. These results enhanced our comprehension of the potential mechanisms driving Cu-induced hepatotoxicity in avian species.

Advanced Optical Characterization of PEDOT:PSS by Combining Spectroscopic Ellipsometry and Raman Scattering.

The optical properties of various PEDOT:PSS films obtained by drop casting and blade coating are analyzed by variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry in the visible-UV spectral range. We discuss observed differences in the optical spectra due to PSS content and DMSO treatment and correlate them to structural changes extracted from Raman measurements. In particular, we investigate the optical anisotropy of the complex refractive indices which arises from the in-plane arrangement of the PEDOT backbones, giving rise to optically uniaxial behavior with the optic axis perpendicular to the film plane. Although this is widely accepted, most investigations disregard the anisotropy for simplicity, which sometimes leads to inaccurate conclusions. In this work, we compare the results of isotropic and anisotropic analyses to clarify which kind of errors we can expect if anisotropy is not considered. Finally, the correlation between Raman scattering and ellipsometric analyses shows that not only local structural changes of the chain conformation but also the overall morphology of the composite films are significant in the interpretation of Raman spectra.

Removal of roosters alters the domestic phenotype and microbial and genetic profile of hens.

Hens are raised apart from roosters in modern poultry production, a substantial change from their natural social structure. We compared productivity, injuries, behavior, physiology, microbiome and transcriptome of hens housed with (R+) or without (R-) roosters to quantify the effects of this change in social structure. Hens were raised free-range from 70 to 280 days when 30 birds per treatment were assigned to battery cages until Day 315 (R+C vs. R-C), while 30 birds per treatment remained in free-range pens (R+F vs. R-F). Response to a novel environment and object, behavioral time budgets, cecum microbiome, blood composition and transcriptomic sequencing of thigh muscle and spleen were analyzed. Hens housed without roosters showed better survival, consumed less food, produced more eggs and had better feed conversion. R+F hens clustered around the rooster and were less mobile in the novel environment and object tests. R+F hens displayed the richest microbiome, and the presence of roosters resulted in differentially expressed genes related to muscle development, cellular processes, environmental information processing and immune function. Removing roosters from housed hens intensified desirable characteristics favored by domestication probably operating by deprivation of mating behavior and reduced fear, along with altered microbial and genetic function.

Mitochondrial DNA Haplotypes Influence Energy Metabolism across Chicken Transmitochondrial Cybrids.

The association between mitochondrial DNA haplotype and productive performances has been widely reported in chicken breeds. However, there has not been physiological evidence of this seen previously. In this study, chicken transmitochondrial cells were generated using the nucleus of the DF-1 cell line and mitochondria of primary cell lines derived from two native chicken breeds, Tibetan chicken and Shouguang chicken. Generally, Tibetan chicken primary cells showed a stronger metabolic capacity than Shouguang chicken primary cells. However, the Tibetan chicken cybrids had a dramatic drop in relative mtDNA copies and oxygen consumption. Higher rates of oxygen consumption (OCR) and expression levels of mitochondrial biogenesis and fusion genes were observed in Shouguang chicken cybrids, potentially reflecting that the mitochondrial DNA haplotype of Shouguang chicken had better coordination with the DF-1 nucleus than others. Meanwhile, mitonuclear incompatibility occurred in Tibetan chicken cybrids. The results demonstrate functional differences among mitochondrial DNA haplotypes and may shed light on the interaction between the mitochondria and nucleus in Gallus gallus domesticus.

Cybrid Model Supports Mitochondrial Genetic Effect on Pig Litter Size.

In pigs, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphism and the correlation to reproductive performance across breeds and individuals have been largely reported, however, experimental proof has never been provided. In this study, we analyzed 807 sows for correlation of total number born (TNB) and mitotype, which presented the maximum of 1.73 piglets for mtDNA contribution. Cybrid models representing different mitotypes were generated for identification of the mtDNA effect. Results indicated significant differences on cellular and molecular characteristics among cybrids, including energy metabolic traits, mtDNA copy numbers and transcriptions, mRNA and protein expressions on mitochondrial biogenesis genes and reproduction-related genes. Referring to mitotypes, the cybrids with prolific mitotypes presented significantly higher oxygen consumption rate (OCR) productions, mtDNA transcriptions and copy numbers than those with common mitotypes, while both mRNA and protein expressions of PPARA, TFAM, ER1, ER2, and ESRRG in prolific cybrids were significantly higher than those with common mitotypes. Cybrid models reflected the mtDNA effect on pig litter size, suggesting the potential application of mtDNA polymorphism in pig selection and breeding practices.

Rearing system causes changes of behavior, microbiome, and gene expression of chickens.

It has been long demonstrated that cage rearing (CR) deprives the animal of the possibility to express natural behaviors and results in stress. However, the effect of the rearing system on gene expression and the molecular levels of the gut microbiome are unknown. 10-wk-old Beijing You chickens were studied in parallel CR and free-range (FR) systems for 30 wk, to investigate the effect of rearing systems on behavior, microbiota composition, and gene expression. From week 40, a match-mismatch design was conducted for 5 wk. The results indicated that CR deprives the animals of natural behaviors, evidenced by sham dust-bathing behavior. A decreased alpha diversity of gut microbiome composition of CR chickens was seen in FR compared to CR-FR chickens (P < 0.001), and the alpha diversity of gut microbiome composition of FR-CR was decreased as compared to FR chickens (P = 0.045). The heat map and beta-diversity analysis showed that the cluster of gut microbial compositions were similar between the mismatch groups (FR-CR and CR-FR), while those of CR showed the lowest diversity from the 4 groups. The relative abundance of gut microbes at genera and species levels was different between comparisons (P < 0.05). Moreover, the CR (both CR and FR-CR) triggered the downregulation of most Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways, while it was upregulated in 2 genetic information processing pathways, compared to FR hens regardless of long or short term. In conclusion, CR deprived chickens of their normal behavior and resulted in changes in the microbiome diversity and pathways and gene expression of chickens.

Polymorphism of mitochondrial tRNA genes associated with the number of pigs born alive.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in mitochondrial tRNA genes have been widely reported association with human reproductions. It is also important to explore the effect on the number of piglets born alive (NBA). Here, 1017 sows were used to investigate the association between polymorphisms in mitochondrial tRNA genes and NBA. RESULTS: In total, 16 mutations were found in mitochondrial tRNA genes, of which 13 mutations were significantly associated with NBA (P < 0.05). The reproductions of mutant carriers were significantly greater than that of wild carriers by 0.989 piglets born alive/sow farrowing. To test whether the mutations altered the structure of mitochondrial tRNAs, the secondary and tertiary structures were predicted. In result, C2255T changed the secondary structure of tRNA-Val by elongating the T stem and shrinking the T loop, and C2255T and G2259A in the tRNA-Val gene, C6217T and T6219C in the tRNA-Ala gene, and T15283C in the tRNA-Glu gene altered the tertiary structure of their tRNAs, respectively by changing the folding form of the T arm, and C16487T in the tRNA-Thr gene changed the tertiary structure of mitochondrial tRNA-Thr by influencing the folding form of the acceptor arm. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the effect of mitochondrial tRNA genes on the number of piglets born alive, and suggest that polymorphic sites of the tRNA genes be genetic markers for selection of pig reproduction.

Transcriptome changes provide genetic insights into the effects of rearing systems on chicken welfare and product quality.

Farm animals raised under free-range (FR) systems are assumed to have improved welfare and higher-quality products that are better to eat than intensively reared animals. However, the modulations are limited in scientific investigations. In this study, we compared 2 rearing systems (FR and cage) and their effects on chickens, including production performance, product quality, body condition, physiological indicators, and gene expression. By using a match-mismatch design in which each treatment was transferred to the other treatment during the last period of the experiment, we aimed to understand the influence of current and former rearing conditions and the ability of individuals to adapt to the current environment. The results indicated that the FR system led to better chicken welfare (e.g., gait score, feather condition, and physiological indicators, P < 0.05) and contributed to higher product quality (P < 0.05), although it resulted in poorer production performance (P < 0.05) and foot pad condition (P < 0.05) than that of the cage rearing system. Additionally, the FR system triggered a series of inner changes and genetic responses in chickens, such as the upregulation of calcium and GnRH signaling, actin and cytoskeleton regulations, immune functions, and developmental processes, and the downregulation of pathological regulations (q-value < 0.05 for all gene ontology terms and P < 0.05 for all Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways). In conclusion, rearing systems alter chicken gene expression patterns, which provide a genetic basis for the adaptability to rearing environments and ultimately affects chicken welfare and products.

Free Dietary Choice and Free-Range Rearing Improve the Product Quality, Gait Score, and Microbial Richness of Chickens.

Poultry welfare has been extensively studied; however, there is a lack of rigorous scientific knowledge relating to the different aspects of welfare factors and how this may contribute to the production quantity and product quality as well as the welfare of chickens. Therefore, we conducted an integrated study to compare welfare factors in chickens by providing free dietary choice under cage rearing, and further comparing cage rearing with free-range rearing. One hundred chickens each were allocated to a cage rearing group with conventional feeding (CC), a cage rearing group with free dietary choice of mealworms (FDM), a cage rearing group with free dietary choice of mealworms and fresh grass (FDMG), and a free-range rearing system group with free dietary choice of mealworms and fresh grass (FRMG). Results showed that under cage rearing, free dietary choice contributed to better meat quality and gait score, higher values of blood platelets, and a richer gut microbial composition, but poorer egg production than CC chickens. As compared to FDMG, FRMG chickens showed better meat quality, gait score, and feather conditions, as well as a richer gut microbial composition; however, they had poorer egg production and a poorer foot pad and foot feather condition. We conclude that free dietary choice and free-range rearing systems improve the product quality, gait score, and microbial richness of chickens.

Mitochondrial haplotypes influence metabolic traits across bovine inter- and intra-species cybrids.

In bovine species, mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms and their correlation to productive or reproductive performances have been widely reported across breeds and individuals. However, experimental evidence of this correlation has never been provided. In order to identify differences among bovine mtDNA haplotypes, transmitochondrial cybrids were generated, with the nucleus from MAC-T cell line, derived from a Holstein dairy cow (Bos taurus) and mitochondria from either primary cell line derived from a domestic Chinese native beef Luxi cattle breed or central Asian domestic yak (Bos grunniens). Yak primary cells illustrated a stronger metabolic capacity than that of Luxi. However, all yak cybrid parameters illustrated a drop in relative yak mtDNA compared to Luxi mtDNA, in line with a mitonuclear imbalance in yak interspecies cybrid. Luxi has 250 divergent variations relative to the mitogenome of Holsteins. In cybrids there were generally higher rates of oxygen consumption (OCR) and extracellular acidification (ECAR), and lower mRNA expression levels of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes, potentially reflecting active energy metabolism and cellular stress resistance. The results demonstrate that functional differences exist between bovine cybrid cells. While cybrid viability was similar between Holstein and Luxi breeds, the mitonuclear mismatch caused a marked metabolic dysfunction in cattle:yak cybrid species.

[Genetic polymorphism of penta e locus in four Chinese nationalities].

To study the genetic polymorphism of Penta E locus in four Chinese nationalities using home made reagent kits, DNA samples were obtained from about 400 unrelated peoples of four different Chinese nationalities. As a result, we found 20 alleles in the four nationalities with frequencies ranging from 0.0048 to 0.2396. The genotype frequencies of Penta E locus met Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. It proved that Penta E locus was a high polymorphic STR genetic marker and was valuable for forensic science.

[Genetic polymorphism of D1S1612 and D18S535 in Chinese Han population of Beijing].

To investigate the genetic polymorphism of D1S1612 and D18S535 in Han population of Beijing. Amp-FLP method was used. 9 alleles, 25 genotypes were observed for D1S1612 locus; and 9 alleles and 27 genotypes for D18S535 locus. All allele frequencies, heterozygosity (H), discrimination power (Dp), exclusion of paternity probability (PE) and polymorphism information content (PIC) were calculated. The allele distributions of the two loci were conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.01). According to the results obtained in this study, it is suggested that both D1S1612 and D18S535 are useful genetic markers for individual identification and paternity testing in forensic science practice as well for genetic study.