Frontiers in Veterinary Science最新文献

{"title":"Mechanisms by which phytogenic extracts enhance livestock reproductive health: current insights and future directions.","authors":"Adedeji O Adetunji, Jacqueline Price, Henrietta Owusu, Esiosa F Adewale, Precious Adedayo Adesina, Tolulope Peter Saliu, Zhendong Zhu, Christian Xedzro, Emmanuel Asiamah, Shahidul Islam","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1568577","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1568577","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Reproductive health is a critical determinant of livestock productivity and economic sustainability. However, it is often compromised by infectious diseases, environmental stressors, and nutritional deficits. Phytogenic extracts-bioactive compounds derived from medicinal plants-have emerged as sustainable alternatives to synthetic antibiotics and hormones, exhibiting antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. These extracts influence key reproductive processes such as follicular development, oocyte maturation, and endometrial health while mitigating the detrimental effects of oxidative stress and pathogenic infections. Recent findings suggest that phytogenic extract can enhance reproductive performance, improve oocyte quality, and support pregnancy outcomes. Despite the growing body of evidence, optimal application strategies and the full breadth of their biological effects remain insufficiently explored. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms modulated by phytogenic extracts, particularly in the context of hormone regulation, immune modulation, and oxidative stress mitigation. We also identify critical knowledge gaps and propose future research directions to optimize the use of phytogenic extracts as a sustainable approach to enhancing livestock reproductive health.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1568577"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12042781/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143998892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of hemp-based polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on membrane lipid profiles and reproductive performance in Martina Franca jacks.","authors":"Isa Fusaro, Salvatore Parrillo, Giovanni Buonaiuto, Paraskevi Prasinou, Alessandro Gramenzi, Roberta Bucci, Damiano Cavallini, Alessia Carosi, Augusto Carluccio, Ippolito De Amicis","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1553218","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1553218","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluates the impact of dietary supplementation with hemp-based polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the membrane lipid profiles and reproductive performance of Martina Franca jacks. Over a 90-day period, twelve donkeys were divided into a treatment group receiving hemp oil and a control group on a standard diet. Semen and blood samples were collected and analyzed at multiple time points for lipid composition and reproductive parameters. Results revealed that sperm motility improved significantly, increasing from 92.61% in the control group to 96.63% by Day 60 in the treatment group (<i>p</i> = 0.05). Normal sperm morphology also showed a significant enhancement, rising from 96.58% in the control group to 98.85% by Day 60 (<i>p</i> = 0.04). Conversely, gel-free semen volume decreased significantly in the treatment group, from 64.17 mL in the control group to 28.20 mL at Day 60 (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Lipidomic analyses indicated an increased proportion of omega-3 PUFAs, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 0.08% in the control group to 0.20% by Day 60, <i>p</i> < 0.0001), in sperm membranes, alongside a reduction in the peroxidation index (264.11 in the control group to 86.53 in the treatment group, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). These changes suggest improved membrane fluidity and oxidative stability. These findings underscore the potential of hemp oil as a dietary supplement to enhance reproductive outcomes in donkeys, with broader implications for livestock management.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1553218"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12042228/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143969579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative study on <i>Bartonella</i> infection in spleen and kidney of small mammals from Mile City and Lianghe County, Yunnan Province.","authors":"Rong Fu, Jia-Xiang Yin, Ping He, Yan Chen, Yi Luo, Ping-Guo Liu, Shuang-Ling Guo","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1554633","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1554633","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Bartonellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by <i>Bartonella</i> spp. Small mammals are the most important hosts of <i>Bartonella</i> and play an important role in its long-term maintenance and spread. The multi-organ studies help understand the <i>Bartonella</i> prevalence of hosts more systematically and comprehensively. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of <i>Bartonella</i> in small mammals and explore the genetic diversity of the infected strains and the influencing factors from Mile City and Lianghe County, Yunnan Province.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Small mammals were captured in Mile City and Lianghe County of Yunnan Province from July to August 2019. Spleen and kidney tissues were collected and the <i>gltA</i> gene was amplified to detect and analyze the prevalence of <i>Bartonella</i> in two regions and two organs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of <i>Bartonella</i> in small mammals was 14.29% (43/301). Lianghe County's risk of infection was 3.79-fold (95%<i>CI</i>: 1.39-13.35) compared to that of Mile City. The risk of infection in <i>Rattus tanezumi</i> was increased by 90% compared to <i>Suncus murinus</i> (95%<i>CI</i>: 0.01-0.63). The small mammals with tail lengths > 132 mm infected by <i>Bartonella</i> were 6.34 folds than that with tail lengths ≤ 132 mm (95%<i>CI</i>: 1.87-23.39). The spleen had a higher infection rate of 12.11% (35/289) than the kidney at 7.33% (22/300) (<i>χ</i> ² = 4.966, <i>p</i> = 0.026). There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of <i>Bartonella</i> among small mammals with different habitats, sex, age, flea infestation status, body weight, body length, hindfoot length, and ear height. Five <i>Bartonella</i> species were isolated in seven species of small mammals<i>. Bartonella tribocorum</i> is the dominant species in both regions, and it has a genetic relationship with the zoonotic pathogen <i>Bartonella elizabethae</i>.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study showed the prevalence of <i>Bartonella</i> in small mammals from Mile City and Lianghe County of Yunnan Province was high, and there were more types of <i>Bartonella</i> infection species. The spleen was more conducive to the growth and reproduction of <i>Bartonella</i>. The results of the study will help to prevent and control <i>Bartonella</i> infection and transmission to humans from small mammals in the two regions and provide a reference basis for further research on <i>Bartonella</i> infection in Yunnan or other similar regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1554633"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12041079/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144013532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of resveratrol supplementation on lipid metabolism in healthy and obese cats.","authors":"Jung Eun Yun, Seung Rok Kang, Jae Young Kim, Hyun Joong Kim, Motoo Kobayashi, Toshiro Arai","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1565367","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1565367","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The prevalence of lipid metabolism disorders, including obesity, increases with age in cats and humans. Obesity is a condition characterized by systemic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress caused by excessive visceral fat accumulation. Resveratrol (RSV), a natural plant polyphenol, modulates the expression of anti-inflammatory factors. This study aimed to investigate the effects of resveratrol supplementation on lipid metabolism in both healthy and obese cats and assess its potential as a dietary supplement for improving lipid metabolism disorders in this population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Plasma metabolite and hormone concentrations, and enzyme activities were measured in healthy, obese, and overweight cats supplemented with RSV for 4 weeks. RVS was supplemented at 1 mg/kg body weight/day (low dose) and 5 mg/kg/day (high dose) in capsules for 4 weeks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Body weight, body condition score, BUN, and insulin concentrations did not change in obese or overweight cats with RSV supplementation for 4 weeks. Plasma triglyceride, free fatty acids, and serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities decreased, and adiponectin concentrations increased markedly in obese and overweight cats after RSV supplementation.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Decreased plasma SAA concentrations and LDH activities and increased plasma adiponectin concentrations in obese and overweight cats seem to be induced by the improvement in liver function and the anti-inflammatory effect of RSV. Moreover, RSV supplementation may be useful in treating lipid metabolism disorders, including obesity, in cats.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1565367"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12042225/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144016902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial: Advances in methods of biochemical assessment and diagnosis of animal welfare in wildlife.","authors":"Ana María Molina-López, Valeria Pasciu, Elena Baralla, Guadalupe Gómez-Baena","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1602735","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1602735","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1602735"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12042223/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143964184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fermented <i>Erigeron breviscapus</i> flavonoids: anti-pseudorabies virus efficacy and mechanisms <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>.","authors":"Ying Zhang, Ting Li, Chunkun Yang, Qiong Pan, Changxu Pan, Xue Zhang, Ying Zhang, Xianghua Shu, Zheng Wang, Zhenghong He, Zichen Qu, Chunlian Song","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1562879","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1562879","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong><i>Erigeron breviscapus</i> exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, protects neuronal cells and enhances immune function. Modern traditional Chinese medicine fermentation techniques can increase the bioactive compound content in <i>Erigeron breviscapus</i>. However, its potential therapeutic effects against the porcine pseudorabies virus (PRV) remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A PRV infection model was established in mouse trigeminal ganglion (TG) cells to determine the optimal antiviral mode of action of flavonoids from fermented <i>Erigeron breviscapus</i> (FEBF). Additionally, a PRV-infected rat model was developed to evaluate the <i>in vivo</i> antiviral efficacy of FEBF.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>FEBF demonstrated a higher protective rate and a lower viral copy number compared to unfermented <i>E. breviscapus</i> flavonoids (EBF). The protective effect was most pronounced under toxicological and inhibitory conditions, surpassing the blocking effect. PRV infection upregulated TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 protein expression during the pre-infection phase, followed by their downregulation after 12 h. FEBF regulated PRV-induced changes in protein expression, restoring them to near-normal levels by 36 h. <i>In vivo</i> assessments of pathological injury, PRV viral load, neuronal count, and neuronal apoptosis indicated that FEBF provided superior neuroprotection compared to both Minocycline (MINO), a broad-spectrum neuroprotective drug, and unfermented <i>EBF.</i> Mechanistic studies further revealed that FEBF modulated microglial polarization and regulated the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-<i>α</i>, IL-4, and IL-10.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings demonstrate that FEBF exhibits significant antiviral effects against PRV in both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> models. FEBF represents a promising candidate for the development of anti-PRV therapeutics.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1562879"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12042226/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143964236","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Regulatory element map of sheep reproductive tissues: functional annotation of tissue-specific strong active enhancers.","authors":"Zhu Meng, Mingxing Chu, Hao Yang, Shiwen Zhang, Qiangjun Wang, Jiahong Chen, Chunhuan Ren, Zhangyuan Pan, Zijun Zhang","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1564148","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1564148","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Comprehensive functional annotation of the genome is crucial for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying complex traits and diseases. Although functional annotation has been partially completed in sheep, a systematic annotation focused on reproductive tissues remains absent.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we integrated 60 transcriptomic and epigenomic datasets from five reproductive tissues. Using a multi-omics approach, we predicted 15 distinct chromatin states and conducted thorough functional annotation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We established the first regulatory element atlas for sheep reproductive tissues and examined the roles of these elements in reproductive traits and disease. In total, we annotated 1,680,172 regulatory elements, including 83,980 tissue-specific strong active enhancers (EnhAs).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Enhancers were identified as critical drivers of tissue-specific functions, operating through sequence-specific transcription factor binding and direct regulation of target genes. Key transcription factors associated with reproductive function included <i>INHBA</i> (ovary), <i>KITLG</i> (oviduct), <i>Snai2</i> (cervix), <i>WNT7A</i> (uterine horn), <i>FOLR1</i> (uterine body), and <i>SALL1</i> (shared uterine regions). Additionally, our findings support the potential of sheep as a promising model for investigating embryonic development and miscarriage. This work lays a theoretical foundation for future research into the molecular mechanisms of complex traits and diseases in sheep.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1564148"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12040938/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144008231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of fermented wheat bran on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal microbiota of weaned piglets.","authors":"Ninghui Jia, Jin Jin, Xinru Wei, Massimo Trabalza-Marinucci, Gang Jia, Qiang Zhou, Ruinan Zhang, Hua Li, Fali Wu, Hua Zhao, Hefeng Luo, Lianqiang Che, Jiayong Tang","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1561196","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1561196","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of fermented wheat bran (FWB) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemistry, short-chain fatty acids, and intestinal microbiota of weaned piglets. One hundred twenty-eight weaned piglets were randomly assigned to 4 groups, each with 8 pens and 4 piglets per pen: basal diet group (BD), 5% wheat bran group (5% WB), 5% fermented wheat bran group (5% FWB), and 10% fermented wheat bran group (10% FWB) for a 28-day trial. Results showed that compared to the BD group, the diarrhea rate in the 5% WB group was significantly increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) at d 15-28 and d 1-28. In contrast, at d 15-28 and d 1-28, the diarrhea rates in the 5% FWB and 10% FWB groups were significantly lower than those in the 5% WB group and showed no significant difference compared to the BD group. Moreover, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, GE, CP, EE, CF and ADF at d 1-14, and EE and NDF at d 15-28 in the 5% FWB group were significantly improved compared to the 5% WB group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). However, only the ATTD of CP, EE and CF at d 1-14 in the 10% FWB group were significantly higher than those in the 5% WB group (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Compared to the BD group, the pH of cecum chyme and serum urea nitrogen content in the 5% FWB and 10% FWB groups were significantly reduced (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and those in the 10% FWB group were significantly lower than those in the 5% WB group (<i>p</i> < 0.01). The propionic acid content of cecum chyme in the 5% FWB and 10% FWB groups, and butyric acid content in the 10% FWB group were significantly higher than those in the BD group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). LEfSe analysis (LDA score > 3.0) identified 4 species, 6 species of Proteobacteria, 2 species, and 9 species that were enriched in the BD, 5% WB, 5%F WB and 10%F WB groups, respectively. Additionally, <i>Dialister</i>, <i>Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group</i>, <i>Mitsuokella</i>, <i>Succinivibrio</i>, and <i>Prevotella</i> were significantly and positively correlated with the concentrations of valeric acid, propionic acid, and acetic acid (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In conclusion, 10% FWB supplementation in weaned piglet diets did not affect growth performance, it reduced the diarrhea rate compared to the 5% WB group, potentially due to enhanced nutrient digestibility, elevated SCFAs levels, and shifts in microbial composition.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1561196"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12042227/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143992584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of methylene blue solution distribution in the four-point transversus abdominis plane block technique in pigs: a pilot anatomical study.","authors":"Jerneja Sredenšek, Jana Brankovič, Urša Lampreht Tratar, Maja Čemažar, Mihajlo Đokić, Alenka Seliškar","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1574833","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1574833","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>This prospective pilot anatomical study aimed to develop an ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block technique that desensitises cranial and mid-abdominal wall in grower pigs. We hypothesised that a four-point TAP approach would be more efficient than a three-point TAP in staining relevant nerves of the cranial and mid-abdominal wall.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In phase I, the ultrasound anatomy of the abdominal wall musculature was examined on three pig cadavers (two piglets and one fattening pig) and the ultrasound localization of the needle in the corresponding interfascial plane was practised. In phase II, a three-point TAP injection was performed in three freshly euthanized cadavers of grower pigs. A 1% methylene blue solution (0.3 mL/kg per injection point) was injected between the transversus abdominis and internal oblique muscle. In phase III, methylene blue solution was injected at four points (0.2 mL/kg per injection point) in four anaesthetized grower pigs prior to euthanasia. Positive nerve staining was defined as continuous staining of at least 1 cm of the nerve length. Binary variables (positive/negative) were used for nerve staining assessment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The four-point TAP technique with a lower injection volume stained more nerves than the three-point technique with a higher injection volume, i.e., 69% of the observed nerves from the eighth-last thoracic to the third lumbar nerve were stained with the four-point TAP technique. The nerves in the centre were stained with a higher success rate, while the eighth-last thoracic and the second lumbar nerve were stained with less success (1/8 and 3/8, respectively). The third lumbar nerve was not stained.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The four-point TAP technique could be used as part of a multimodal analgesia approach for cranial and mid-abdominal surgery in pigs, but live animal studies are needed to evaluate the clinical applicability and efficacy of desensitisation.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1574833"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12040921/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144063614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Whole genome sequencing informs SNP-based breeding strategies to safeguard genetic diversity in captive African lions.","authors":"Wanzhao Chen, Ronghe Xing, Panpan Xia, Yujie Yang, Chao Ma, Lining Xia","doi":"10.3389/fvets.2025.1577726","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1577726","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>African lions (<i>Panthera leo</i>) face severe population declines, making captive breeding programs essential for conservation. However, genetic data scarcity in such programs elevates inbreeding risks and threatens genetic diversity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we analyzed genome-wide genetic markers from 10 captive African lions at Xinjiang Tianshan Wildlife Park. We identified high-confidence SNPs, evaluated population structure, and calculated kinship/inbreeding coefficients alongside identity by descent (IBD) and identity by state (IBS) analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified 5,051,795 high-confidence SNPs. The population contained distinct genetic subgroups. Six lion pairs exhibited elevated kinship coefficients, with one individual showing inbreeding signs. We developed a science-driven breeding program based on population genetic structure, identity by descent (IBD) analysis, and Identity by State (IBS) analysis. This program prioritizes pairings with low kinship while maintaining a balanced ancestral lineage.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This study underscores the importance of genomic tools in managing captive populations, offering actionable insights to mitigate inbreeding risks and improve long-term viability. This approach offers a model for optimizing breeding strategies in other endangered species conservation efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":12772,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Veterinary Science","volume":"12 ","pages":"1577726"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12040825/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144008462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}