Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology最新文献

{"title":"Impacts of zinc caproate supplementation on growth performance, intestinal health, anti-inflammatory activity, and Zn homeostasis in weaned piglets challenged with Escherichia coli K88","authors":"Jilong Xu, Hanzhen Qiao, Liping Gan, Peng Wang, Yifeng Zhao, Zetian Lei, Yixuan Chou, Chenrui Hou, Mengqi Li, Jinrong Wang","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01172-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01172-2","url":null,"abstract":"Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is one of the primary causes of diarrhea in piglets, creating substantial economic losses in the swine farming industry worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of zinc caproate (ZnCA, C12H22O4Zn) on the intestinal health, growth performance, inflammatory status, and Zn homeostasis of weaned piglets challenged with ETEC K88. In total, 48 weaned piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, 7.78 ± 0.19 kg, 28 d) were selected for a 21-d experiment. Each experimental treatment consisted of 6 replicate pens with 2 piglets each. The treatment conditions were as follows: i) a basal diet (CON), ii) a basal diet + ETEC K88 (NC), iii) a basal diet + 2,500 mg/kg of Zn (provided as zinc oxide, ZnO) + ETEC K88 (PC), and iv) a basal diet + 1,600 mg/kg of Zn (provided as ZnCA) + ETEC K88 (ZnCA). The addition of 1,600 mg/kg ZnCA to the diet of post-weaning piglets effectively enhanced growth performance and nutrient digestibility and reduced the incidence of diarrhea and inflammatory reactions caused by ETEC K88 infection. These therapeutic effects were comparable to those of pharmacological doses of ZnO. In terms of improving intestinal health and Zn homeostasis in post-weaning piglets challenged with ETEC K88, the effectiveness of 1,600 mg/kg ZnCA surpassed that of pharmacological doses of ZnO. Overall, under the experimental conditions of this study, ZnCA exhibited the potential to reduce the pharmacological dosage of ZnO while improving intestinal health and Zn homeostasis in weaned piglets. ","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143618480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of organic acid-preserved cereal grains in sow diets during late gestation and lactation on the performance and faecal microbiota of sows and their offspring","authors":"Shane Maher, Torres Sweeney, Stafford Vigors, Michael McDonald, John V. O’Doherty","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01171-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01171-3","url":null,"abstract":"Organic acids (OA) and maternal nutritional strategies have been demonstrated to promote piglet health and development. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of incorporating OA-preserved cereal grains into sow diets during late gestation and lactation, aiming to reduce the metabolic demands of lactation while optimising offspring development and growth until slaughter. The experiment compared OA-preserved wheat and barley to conventionally dried grains, focusing on sow and offspring performance, as well as their faecal microbiota during lactation. Forty sows were blocked based on parity, body weight and back fat thickness on d 100 of gestation and assigned to one of two diets: a dried grain lactation diet and a preserved grain lactation diet. Sow faecal samples were collected at farrowing for the coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) of nutrients and microbial analysis. Offspring faecal samples were collected on d 10 postpartum and at weaning (d 26 postpartum) for microbial analysis. Sow body weight, back fat changes, gestation and lactation length, total piglets born, wean-to-oestrus interval, and lactation efficiency were unaffected by sow diet (P > 0.05). However, sows offered the preserved grain diet exhibited improved CATTD of dry matter, nitrogen, gross energy, and neutral detergent fibre (P < 0.05). While no maternal effect was observed on offspring growth during lactation (P > 0.05), pigs from sows offered the preserved grain diet showed improved growth and feed efficiency from weaning until slaughter (d 168) compared to those from sows offered the dried grain diet (P < 0.05). The preserved grain diet also reduced the abundance of Proteobacteria in sow faeces at farrowing and in their offspring on d 10 postpartum, and improved piglet faecal scores throughout lactation (P = 0.05). At weaning, piglets from sows offered the preserved grain diet exhibited an increased abundance of Lactobacillus and reduced abundance of Alistipes in their faeces (P < 0.05). OA-preserved grains enhanced the CATTD of nutrients in sows, promoted healthier piglet faecal scores during lactation, and improved offspring growth performance post-weaning, potentially linked to beneficial changes observed in the faecal microbiota of sows and their offspring during lactation.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"54 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143599831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"MSTN knockout enhances the production of MYOD1-mediated steak-type cultivated meat","authors":"Kyeong-Hyeon Eom, Dayi Jeong, Jae-Yoon Choi, Gyeong-Min Gim, Soo-Young Yum, Sumin Jin, Hojae Bae, Goo Jang","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01173-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01173-1","url":null,"abstract":"As the global population increases, the demand for protein sources is expected to increase, driving the demand for cell-based cultivated meat. This study aimed to enhance the productivity of cultivated meat through optimization of the cell source and organization process. We engineered fibroblasts into myogenic cells via non-viral introduction of the MYOD1 gene, avoiding viral methods for safety. After confirming the stable derivation of myogenic cells, we combined knockout (KO) of MSTN, a negative regulator of myogenesis, with MYOD1-mediated myogenesis to improve cultivated meat production. Primary cells from MSTN KO cattle exhibited enhanced myogenic potential. Additionally, when tested in immortalized fibroblasts, myostatin treatment reduced MYOD1-induced myogenesis in two-dimensional cultures, while MSTN knockout increased it. To achieve muscle-like cell alignment, we employed digital light processing (DLP)-based three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting to organize cells into 3D groove-shaped hydrogels. These bioactive hydrogels supported stable cell proliferation and significantly improved muscle cell alignment. Upon differentiation into myotubes, the cells demonstrated an ordered alignment, particularly the MSTN KO cells, which showed highly efficient differentiation. The integration of genetic modification and advanced DLP 3D bioprinting with groove-patterned hydrogels provides an effective strategy for producing high-quality, muscle-aligned cultivated meat.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"192 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143589638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Single-cell transcriptomics reveals the cellular dynamics of hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid in exerting mouse male reproductive toxicity","authors":"Xupeng Zang, Yongzhong Wang, Lei Jiang, Yuhao Qiu, Yue Ding, Shengchen Gu, Gengyuan Cai, Ting Gu, Linjun Hong","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01177-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01177-x","url":null,"abstract":"Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (GenX), a substitute for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, has been widely detected in various environmental matrices and foods recently, attracting great attention. However, a systematic characterization of its reproductive toxicity is still missing. This study aims to explore the male reproductive toxicity caused by GenX exposure and the potential cellular and molecular regulatory mechanisms behind it. Normally developing mice were exposed to GenX, and testicular tissue was subsequently analyzed and validated using single-cell RNA sequencing. Our results revealed that GenX induced severe testicular damage, disrupted the balance between undifferentiated and differentiated spermatogonial stem cells, and led to strong variation in the cellular dynamics of spermatogenesis. Furthermore, GenX exposure caused global upregulation of testicular somatic cellular inflammatory responses, increased abnormal macrophage differentiation, and attenuated fibroblast adhesion, disorganizing the somatic-germline interactions. In conclusion, this study revealed complex cellular dynamics and transcriptome changes in mouse testis after GenX exposure, providing a valuable resource for understanding its reproductive toxicity.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143589637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Eugenol accelerates intestinal stem cell regeneration to protect the intestinal barrier integrity through inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in Salmonella enteritidis-challenged broiler chicks","authors":"Yaxue Lv, Nan Zeng, Yuqing Feng, Sheng Zhang, Xiaodan Zhou, Chunqi Gao","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01168-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01168-y","url":null,"abstract":"Salmonella enteritidis is a prevalent foodborne pathogen causing diseases in humans and poultry globally. While clove extract is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, its specific effects on gut injury and underlying mechanisms are not well understood. A total of 432 one-day-old male fast-growing yellow-feathered broilers with similar body weight were randomly assigned to 6 groups, the CON and S.E were fed a basal diet; the CE and S.E + CE received 300 mg/kg of clove extract in their diets; and the EUG and S.E + EUG had 180 mg/kg of eugenol added to their basal diets. Moreover, a newly established ex vivo culture model for chick intestinal organoids (IOs) was used to evaluate intestinal stem cell (ISC) activity. Salmonella enteritis infection significantly reduced the growth performance and induced severe intestinal mucosa injury (P < 0.05). Dietary supplemented with clove extract or eugenol significantly improved average daily weight gain and feed intake, enhanced the structure and barrier function of the jejunum, reduced the bacterial load and diarrhea scores, promoted the proliferation and differentiation of ISCs, and diminished the efficiency, surface area, budding efficiency, and number of buds of intestinal organoids (P < 0.05). Both clove extract and eugenol down-regulated the protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. They also inhibited the excessive activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway induced by Salmonella enteritidis infection in the jejunum tissues and crypts of chicks (P < 0.05). Eugenol, the active component in clove extract, alleviates intestinal inflammation by inhibiting the excessive activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. It promotes the proliferation and differentiation of ISCs, suppresses apoptosis, and accelerates ISCs-driven intestinal epithelial renewal in chicks, thereby maintaining the structural integrity and functional normalcy of the intestine.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"68 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143582979","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Increased maternal consumption of methionine as its hydroxyl analog improves placental angiogenesis and antioxidative capacity in sows","authors":"Rui Zhou, Shanshan Lai, Peiqiang Yuan, Li Zhe, Lunxiang Yang, Yves Mercier, Liang Hu, Xiaoling Zhang, Lun Hua, Yong Zhuo, Shengyu Xu, Yan Lin, Bin Feng, Lianqiang Che, De Wu, Zhengfeng Fang","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01159-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01159-z","url":null,"abstract":"Previous evidence suggests that methionine (Met) consumption can promote placental angiogenesis and improve fetal survival. To investigate the mechanisms by which increased levels of Met as hydroxyl-Met (OHMet) improve placental function, forty sows were divided into four groups and fed either a control diet, or diets supplemented with 0.15% OHMet, 0.3% OHMet or 0.3% Met (n = 10). Placentas were collected immediately after expulsion, and extracted proteins were analyzed by tandem mass tag based quantitative proteomic analysis. We found that 0.15% OHMet consumption significantly increased placental vascular density compared with the control. Proteomic analysis identified 5,136 proteins, 87 of these were differentially expressed (P < 0.05, |fold change| > 1.2). Enriched pathways in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes for 0.15% OHMet vs. control and 0.15% OHMet vs. 0.3% OHMet were glutathione metabolism; for 0.15% OHMet vs. 0.3% Met, they were NOD-like receptor signaling and apoptosis. Further analysis revealed that 0.15% OHMet supplementation upregulated the protein expression of glutathione-S-transferase (GSTT1) in placentas and trophoblast cells compared with the control and 0.3% OHMet groups, upregulated thioredoxin (TXN) in placentas and trophoblast cells compared with the 0.3% OHMet and 0.3% Met groups, and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in trophoblast cells compared with other groups. In contrast, sows fed 0.3% OHMet or 0.3% Met diets increased placental interleukin 1β levels compared with the control, and upregulated the protein expression of complex I-B9 (NDUFA3) compared with the 0.15% OHMet group. Furthermore, homocysteine, an intermediate in the trans-sulphuration pathway of Met, damaged placental function by inhibiting the protein expression of TXN, leading to apoptosis and ROS production. Although dietary 0.15% OHMet supplementation improved placental angiogenesis and increased antioxidative capacity, 0.3% OHMet or 0.3% Met supplementation impaired placental function by aggravating inflammation and oxidative stress, which is associated with cumulative homocysteine levels.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143576282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gut microbiota-mediated bile acid transformations regulate the transport of aflatoxin B1 from the intestine to the liver in piglets","authors":"Jiangdi Mao, Yusen Wei, Zhixiang Ni, Jinzhi Zhang, Junli Zhu, Haifeng Wang","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01169-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01169-x","url":null,"abstract":"Aflatoxins have been reported as a significant pollutant in feed, capable of causing harm to the liver, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys of piglets. However, research on the interactions among aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), bile acid (BA) metabolism and gut microbiota is limited. In this study, piglets were treated with AFB1 and antibiotics (ABX) to evaluate the interaction between AFB1 and gut microbiota. Subsequently, the roles of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and sterol 12α-hydroxylase (CYP8B1) in AFB1 absorption were studied by using FXR agonists obeticholic acid (OCA) and Cyp8b1-knockout (KO) mice, respectively. AFB1 inhibited bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity in ileal microbiota, downregulated ileal FXR expression, and upregulated CYP8B1 expression in liver, increasing the proportion of 12α-OH BAs and potentially enhancing AFB1 absorption. ABX treatment reduced AFB1 absorption and liver damage, and unexpectedly increased BSH activity, counteracting the AFB1-induced downregulation of FXR and upregulation of CYP8B1. OCA reactivated ileal FXR, reduced AFB1 absorption, and alleviated liver damage. Furthermore, Cyp8b1-KO mice showed increased resistance to AFB1-induced liver damage by lowering AFB1 absorption. These results underscore the significance of gut microbiota and BAs in AFB1 absorption, suggesting new strategies to mitigate health risks from AFB1 in piglets.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"39 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143575435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of hypoxia stress on the milk synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells","authors":"Yanshan Jin, Zhuolin Liu, Ziyan Yang, Lizhu Fang, Feng-Qi Zhao, Hongyun Liu","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01174-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01174-0","url":null,"abstract":"Milk synthesis is an energy-intensive process influenced by oxygen availability. This study investigates how hypoxia affects milk synthesis in BMECs, focusing on key genes involved in lactation and energy metabolism. BMECs were cultured in a normoxic environment and then transferred to a hypoxia chamber with 1% O2 for specified durations. The study evaluated cellular responses through various molecular experiments and RNA sequencing. Small interfering RNA was employed to knock down HIF-1α to investigate whether the lactation-related phenotype alteration depends on HIF-1α. Hypoxia disrupted milk protein production by reducing mTOR/P70S6K/4EBP1 signaling and downregulating genes critical for amino acid transport and protein synthesis. Triglyceride synthesis increased due to enhanced fatty acid uptake and the upregulation of regulatory proteins, including FASN and PPARγ. Although glucose uptake was elevated under hypoxia, key enzymes for lactose synthesis were downregulated, suggesting a redirection of glucose toward energy production. Mitochondrial function was impaired under hypoxia, with reduced gene expression in TCA cycle, ETC, cytosol-mitochondrial transport, decreased ATP levels, increased ROS levels, and structural alterations. Additionally, lipid synthesis and glucose uptake depend on HIF-1α, while milk protein synthesis alterations occurred independently of HIF-1α. Hypoxia alters milk synthesis in BMECs by disrupting milk protein synthesis, enhancing lipid metabolism, and impairing energy production. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of oxygen deprivation on lactation efficiency, offering potential targets for mitigating hypoxic stress in the mammary glands of dairy animals.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"87 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143569678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comprehensive characterization of lncRNA N6-methyladenosine modification dynamics throughout bovine skeletal muscle development","authors":"Cui Mao, Wei You, Yuta Yang, Haijian Cheng, Xin Hu, Xianyong Lan, Enliang Song","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01164-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01164-2","url":null,"abstract":"N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is a key epigenetic modification that can modulate gene expression and strongly affect mammalian developmental processes. However, the genome-wide methylation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and its implications for the development of skeletal muscle remain poorly understood. Bovine skeletal muscle samples from five developmental stages were analyzed in this study to establish lncRNA methylome and transcriptomic maps. Globally, 59.67% of lncRNAs in skeletal muscle with m6A modifications, and this percentage decreased progressively during development. lncRNA expression levels were positively associated with the number of m6A peaks, with lncRNAs possessing 3 or more peaks showing significantly higher expression levels than those with 1 or 2 peaks. Specific lncRNAs involved in skeletal muscle development were identified through two analytical approaches. The first approach employed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of transcriptomic data to identify correlations between annotated lncRNAs and growth-related traits, resulting in 21 candidate hub lncRNAs. The intersection of these 21 hub lncRNAs with 151 differentially methylated lncRNAs (DM-lncRNAs) identified 10 shared candidate lncRNAs. The second approach integrated MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq data to identify 36 lncRNAs that were both differentially m6A modified and differentially expressed (dme-lncRNAs). GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of cis-target genes associated with these dme-lncRNAs identified eight candidate lncRNAs. Combining the results from the two approaches identified 16 key m6A-modified lncRNAs likely involved in skeletal muscle development. These findings highlight the regulatory and functional significance of dynamic lncRNA methylation in skeletal muscle development.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"212 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143560841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mitochondrial PGAM5 modulates methionine metabolism and feather follicle development by targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in broiler chickens","authors":"Sheng Zhang, Yijun Chen, Yaxue Lv, Yuqing Feng, Chunqi Gao","doi":"10.1186/s40104-025-01176-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01176-y","url":null,"abstract":"Poor feather growth not only affects the appearance of the organism but also decreases the feed efficiency. Methionine (Met) is an essential amino acid required for feather follicle development; yet the exact mechanism involved remains insufficiently understood. A total of 180 1-day-old broilers were selected and randomly divided into 3 treatments: control group (0.45% Met), Met-deficiency group (0.25% Met), and Met-rescue group (0.45% Met in the pre-trial period and 0.25% Met in the post-trial period). The experimental period lasted for 56 d, with a pre-trial period of 1–28 d and a post-trial period of 29–56 d. In addition, Met-deficiency and Met-rescue models were constructed in feather follicle epidermal stem cell by controlling the supply of Met in the culture medium. Dietary Met-deficiency significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the ADG, ADFI and F/G, and inhibited feather follicle development. Met supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) improved growth performance and the feather growth in broilers. Met-rescue may promote feather growth in broilers by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (GSK-3β, CK1, Axin1, β-catenin, Active β-catenin, TCF4, and Cyclin D1). Compared with Met-deficiency group, Met-rescue significantly (P < 0.05) increased the activity of feather follicle epidermal stem cell and mitochondrial membrane potential, activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and decreased the content of reactive oxygen species (P < 0.05). CO-IP confirmed that mitochondrial protein PGAM5 interacted with Axin1, the scaffold protein of the disruption complex of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and directly mediated Met regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and feather follicle development. PGAM5 binding to Axin1 mediates the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and promotes feather follicle development and feather growth of broiler chickens through Met supplementation. These results provide theoretical support for the improvement of economic value and production efficiency of broiler chickens.","PeriodicalId":14928,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143546452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}