{"title":"Physiological and Metabolic Responses of Mongolian Horses to a 20 km Endurance Exercise and Screening for New Oxidative-Imbalance Biomarkers.","authors":"Xinzhuang Zhang, Yuanyi Liu, Lianhao Li, Wei Ma, Dongyi Bai, Manglai Dugarjaviin","doi":"10.3390/ani15091350","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15091350","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The traditional horse industry has undergone a remarkable evolution, with horse racing emerging as a prominent and pivotal economic driver within the sector. Among the various breeds, Mongolian horses, renowned for their exceptional endurance and speed, occupy a significant position in the horse industry. To investigate their homeostasis mechanisms during and after a 20 km endurance exercise and identify novel oxidative-imbalance markers, we selected 12 two-year-old horses and collected blood samples at various time points before, during (at 5, 10, 15, and 20 km), and after the exercise (at 1, 2, 4, and 6 h post-exercise). These samples were analyzed for haematology, blood biochemistry, antioxidant enzyme activities, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics. Our results revealed significant changes in heart rate, speed, blood cells, and biochemical markers throughout the exercise. Antioxidant indicators decreased, while malondialdehyde increased, indicating oxidative imbalance post-exercise. Metabolomics analysis identified 122 differential metabolites, including uric acid and L-tyrosine, which were enriched in pathways related to energy metabolism. Uric acid and tyrosine correlated positively with serum creatine kinase, suggesting their potential as markers of oxidative-imbalance injury. These findings elucidate the mechanisms of endurance adaptability in Mongolian horses and provide a theoretical basis for mitigating oxidative imbalance, enhancing horse performance, and promoting the sustainable development of the equine industry.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12071025/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143965419","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":"Bovine Leukemia Virus: Origin, Prevalence, Phylogenetic Diversity, Risk Factors, and Strategies for Control.","authors":"Yuxi Zhao, Jiandong Wang, Jianguo Chen, Yingyu Chen, Changmin Hu, Xi Chen, Aizhen Guo","doi":"10.3390/ani15091344","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15091344","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is classified as a <i>Deltaretrovirus</i> and shows close genomic and biological similarities with human T-cell leukemia viruses (HTLVs). It serves as the etiological agent for enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL), which stands as the most prevalent neoplastic disease affecting cattle globally. Additionally, BLV has been identified as a potential zoonotic pathogen, although the risk to human health remains a subject of ongoing research. The insidious nature of BLV lies in its predominantly subclinical presentation; the majority of BLV-infected cattle show no apparent symptoms. This subclinical nature poses challenges for disease detection and control, as infected animals can remain unnoticed carriers, contributing to the silent spread of the virus within herds. This characteristic also underscores the importance of surveillance and early detection strategies to monitor BLV prevalence and mitigate its spread. Despite concerted efforts in some regions to implement eradication programs, BLV continues to maintain a high prevalence worldwide. The persistence of BLV in cattle populations highlights the need for innovative and integrated approaches to control and manage the disease effectively. The development of a BLV vaccine represents a significant breakthrough in the fight against BLV transmission. A successful vaccine can not only reduce the incidence of BLV infection but also minimize the associated economic losses linked to reduced milk production, reproductive issues, and the premature culling of infected animals. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of BLV, encompassing its origin, evolutionary patterns, epidemiology, risk factors, and control strategies, is pivotal. Such knowledge serves as the foundation for the development of effective vaccines, diagnostic tools, and control measures. Through this review, we aim to consolidate and present this multifaceted understanding of BLV, providing valuable insights and guidance for researchers, veterinarians, and policymakers involved in BLV prevention and control efforts globally.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12071105/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143960259","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}
AnimalsPub Date : 2025-05-07DOI: 10.3390/ani15091348
Csaba Szabó, Xénia Ozsváth, Brigitta Csernus, Gabriella Gulyás, Márta Horváth, Levente Czeglédi, János Oláh, Nafiatur Rizqoh, Gabriele Achille, János Posta
{"title":"The Effect of Poppy Oil on Egg Production and Calcium Metabolism in Japanese Quail.","authors":"Csaba Szabó, Xénia Ozsváth, Brigitta Csernus, Gabriella Gulyás, Márta Horváth, Levente Czeglédi, János Oláh, Nafiatur Rizqoh, Gabriele Achille, János Posta","doi":"10.3390/ani15091348","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15091348","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Consumers tend to favor natural dietary supplements to improve their health. However, vendors rarely cite scientific evidence to justify these claims. In the case of poppy oil, it is often mentioned as having a positive effect on Ca metabolism-related disorders, but no proof has been provided. Therefore, the aim of our trial was to test the possible effect of poppy oil on calcium metabolism using Japanese quail layers as a model animal. A total of 120 four-week-old quail were divided into three dietary treatments (four cages per treatment, with ten birds in each cage): a control group (using sunflower oil as the energy source in the diet), 0.5%, and 1% poppy oil supplementation (replacing sunflower oil). Egg production, eggshell thickness, eggshell strength, and egg yolk color were investigated. Ca retention was determined using the acid-insoluble ash method. At the end of the experiment, two birds per cage were sacrificed, and uterus and jejunum samples were collected for gene expression analyses. Poppy oil supplementation improved egg production in terms of intensity, egg weight, and eggmass production. The thickness and eggshell strength decreased when 1% poppy oil was fed to the animals, while Ca retention improved. Poppy oil supplementation increased the expression of Ca transporter genes (<i>CALB1</i>, <i>SLC8A1</i>, and <i>SLC26A9</i>) in the uterus and <i>ITPR1</i> in the jejunum. Our results indicate a possible effect of poppy oil on Ca metabolism. Further studies are needed to identify the active compound and to understand the mode of action.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12071030/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143957248","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}
AnimalsPub Date : 2025-05-07DOI: 10.3390/ani15091347
Phillip Andreas Guhl, Adrian Steiner, Lisa Bachmann, Maike Heppelmann
{"title":"The Effect of Compost-Bedded Pack Barns on Claw Health and Lameness in Dairy Herds in Southern Germany.","authors":"Phillip Andreas Guhl, Adrian Steiner, Lisa Bachmann, Maike Heppelmann","doi":"10.3390/ani15091347","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15091347","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to determine claw health and lameness prevalence in cows housed in CBPs in southern Germany. Eight farms that housed their dairy cows in CBPs were visited for data collection once in the warm season and once in the cold season between January and December 2023. The first visit was during hoof trimming of the herd to identify claw disorders, score lameness, and assess the bedded pack resting area. Lameness was scored again and the bedded pack resting area assessed at the second visit. To compare claw health at cow and farm levels, a cow claw score (CCS) and a farm claw score (FCS) were calculated using geometric severity scores. The prevalence of lameness at cow level was 9.4% in the cold season and 11.1% in the warm season, which were lower than values reported in studies that investigated cubicle free-stall barns. The low prevalences of lameness and claw disorders were reflected in a CCS of 8 and FCS of 9, which are defined as excellent. Based on our results, CBPs are associated with low lameness prevalence and favourable claw health.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12071046/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143959440","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}
AnimalsPub Date : 2025-05-07DOI: 10.3390/ani15091345
Patrick Kofi Makafui Tecku, Zhenjian Zhao, Kai Wang, Xiang Ji, Dong Chen, Qi Shen, Yang Yu, Shengdi Cui, Junge Wang, Ziyang Chen, Jia Xue, Guoqing Tang
{"title":"Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses of the Liver and Ileum Identify Key Genes and Pathways Associated with Low and High Groups of Social Genetic Effect of Residual Feed Intake.","authors":"Patrick Kofi Makafui Tecku, Zhenjian Zhao, Kai Wang, Xiang Ji, Dong Chen, Qi Shen, Yang Yu, Shengdi Cui, Junge Wang, Ziyang Chen, Jia Xue, Guoqing Tang","doi":"10.3390/ani15091345","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15091345","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Social genetic effects (SGEs) refer to how the genotypes of other individuals impact an individual's phenotype within a population. These effects significantly influence the feeding behavior and production performance in pigs, though their mechanisms are not well understood. This study examined two pig groups with extreme SGE values for residual feed intake (RFI), analyzing their feeding behavior and the molecular mechanisms involved using transcriptomics and proteomics analysis of liver and ileum tissues. Pigs with higher SGE values exhibited distinct feeding patterns, spending more time at the feeder but making fewer visits. They consumed less overall feed but had a higher intake per visit. Differentially expressed genes and proteins were identified in the liver and ileum and were associated with processes such as mitochondrial functions, oxidative phosphorylation, and cholesterol metabolism. Integrated analysis supported these findings. Combined transcriptome and proteome analysis identified potential key genes that were associated with processes including mitochondrial processes, oxidative phosphorylation, fat digestion and absorption, and cholesterol metabolism. The results showed that pigs with differing SGE values display different feeding behaviors and utilize distinct molecular pathways affecting RFI. These findings offer valuable insights into how SGEs influence feed efficiency and shed light on the fundamental mechanisms underlying it.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12070873/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143974261","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}
AnimalsPub Date : 2025-05-07DOI: 10.3390/ani15091349
Li-Xiu Sun, Meng Wang, Hany M Elsheikha, Shi-Chen Xie, Bao-Quan Fu, Xing-Quan Zhu, Guo-Hua Liu
{"title":"AP2X-8 Is Important for Tachyzoite Growth and Bradyzoite Differentiation of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>.","authors":"Li-Xiu Sun, Meng Wang, Hany M Elsheikha, Shi-Chen Xie, Bao-Quan Fu, Xing-Quan Zhu, Guo-Hua Liu","doi":"10.3390/ani15091349","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15091349","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is a protozoan parasite capable of establishing chronic infections, with potential reactivation in immunocompromised individuals. However, the molecular mechanisms governing tachyzoite-to-bradyzoite differentiation remain incompletely understood. Previous studies have identified AP2 transcription factors as key regulators of this developmental switch. In this study, we investigated the role of the AP2 factor AP2X-8. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that AP2X-8 is constitutively expressed in the nucleus of both tachyzoite and bradyzoite stages. Using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated homologous recombination, we successfully generated an <i>ap2X-8</i> knockout strain. Phenotypic assays including plaque formation, invasion, replication, and egress, and bradyzoite differentiation assays, were then performed to assess the impact of <i>ap2X-8</i> deletion. Our analyses showed that the loss of <i>ap2X-8</i> significantly impaired plaque formation and intracellular replication, while invasion and egress were unaffected. Furthermore, <i>ap2X-8</i> knockout enhanced bradyzoite differentiation in vitro. Despite these changes, deletion of <i>ap2X-8</i> did not alter parasite virulence in a mouse infection model. These findings demonstrate that AP2X-8 is an important regulator of <i>T. gondii</i> tachyzoite growth and bradyzoite differentiation, offering new insights into the parasite's developmental regulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12070893/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143966532","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}
AnimalsPub Date : 2025-05-07DOI: 10.3390/ani15091346
Qing Liu, Liangyu Shi, Pu Zhang, Bo Yu, Chenhui Liu, Min Xiang, Shuilian Li, Lei Liu, Lei Cheng, Hongbo Chen
{"title":"Development and Application of a 40 K Liquid Capture Chip for Beef Cattle.","authors":"Qing Liu, Liangyu Shi, Pu Zhang, Bo Yu, Chenhui Liu, Min Xiang, Shuilian Li, Lei Liu, Lei Cheng, Hongbo Chen","doi":"10.3390/ani15091346","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15091346","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The availability of genome sequences and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chips allows us to investigate the various genomic characteristics of species by exploring genetic diversity to aid genetic selection. The SNP chip is a cost-effective genotyping platform essential for molecular breeding of livestock. In this study, we developed a liquid SNP capture chip suitable for five Hubei (China) indigenous beef cattle breeds based on whole-genome sequencing datasets. The panel consisted of 42,686 SNPs (~40 K). These SNPs were evenly distributed on each bovine chromosome, with the majority of SNPs having minor allele frequencies >0.05 and located within intergenic regions. The performance evaluation of this SNP chip panel was proceeded by genotyping 200 individuals, revealing that this panel has a high SNP call rate of 99.48%. The SNP chip panel was further used to examine the population structure of a beef cattle population with 205 individuals and demonstrated the ability to differentiate between foreign and indigenous cattle breeds. The SNP chip was also used to determine the runs of homozygosity (ROH) within a local Hubei beef cattle population of 195 individuals. We identified 2547 ROH and several genes associated with economically important traits in the study population. Our findings demonstrate that this chip not only contributes to the understanding of the genetic characteristics of local beef cattle breeds but also provides valuable genetic information for future breeding programs, thereby improving their production efficiency and economic value.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12071055/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143952889","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}
AnimalsPub Date : 2025-05-06DOI: 10.3390/ani15091336
Maddi Oyanguren, Elena Molina, Maitane Mugica, Ainara Badiola, Ana Hurtado, Gorka Aduriz, Natalia Elguezabal
{"title":"A Pilot Study on Management Practices in Dairy Farms in the Basque Country: Focus on Colostrum Feeding and Vaccination.","authors":"Maddi Oyanguren, Elena Molina, Maitane Mugica, Ainara Badiola, Ana Hurtado, Gorka Aduriz, Natalia Elguezabal","doi":"10.3390/ani15091336","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15091336","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Colostrum feeding is crucial for calf rearing to guarantee passive immunity transfer (PIT) of antibodies. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different management practices on the calf's immunological parameters focusing on vaccination and colostrum management. Data were gathered on management routines, vaccination programs, and antimicrobial usage. Farmers were provided with colostrum management guidelines and a digital Brix refractometer to enhance colostrum feeding practices. Colostrum quality, PIT and lymphocyte subpopulations in both colostrum and blood were analyzed for further characterization. The combined farm and laboratory data were then examined to evaluate each farm's situation. Farmers reliably monitored colostrum quality by Brix refractometry and were able to modify colostrum management in a way that favored PIT. High-quality colostrum was linked to better PIT outcomes. Notably, Farm C, the sole non-vaccinated farm, reported higher antibiotic usage in both calves and lactating animals and showed reduced γδ T cell levels in colostrum. In conclusion, lymphocyte subpopulation content should be further studied as a trait of colostrum quality as well as of PIT. Failure to implement a vaccination program in the farm can have negative consequences on colostrum quality, as shown when analyzing both immunoglobulins and lymphocytes. This can result in a higher number of antibiotic treatments that may in turn be followed by different patterns of antimicrobial resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12071018/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143961836","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}
AnimalsPub Date : 2025-05-06DOI: 10.3390/ani15091340
Francesco Ceccarelli, Fabrizio Londei, Giulia Arena, Aldo Genovesio, Lorenzo Ferrucci
{"title":"Home-Cage Training for Non-Human Primates: An Opportunity to Reduce Stress and Study Natural Behavior in Neurophysiology Experiments.","authors":"Francesco Ceccarelli, Fabrizio Londei, Giulia Arena, Aldo Genovesio, Lorenzo Ferrucci","doi":"10.3390/ani15091340","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15091340","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Research involving non-human primates remains a cornerstone in fields such as biomedical research and systems neuroscience. However, the daily routines of laboratory work can induce stress in these animals, potentially compromising their well-being and the reliability of experimental outcomes. To address this, many laboratories have adopted home-cage training protocols to mitigate stress caused by routine procedures such as transport and restraint-a factor that can impact both macaque physiology and experimental validity. This review explores the primary methods and experimental setups employed in home-cage training, highlighting their potential not only to address ethical concerns surrounding animal welfare but also to reduce training time and risks for the researchers. Furthermore, by combining home-cage training with wireless recordings, it becomes possible to expand research opportunities in behavioral neurophysiology with non-human primates. This approach enables the study of various cognitive processes in more naturalistic settings, thereby increasing the ecological validity of scientific findings through innovative experimental designs that thoroughly investigate the complexity of the animals' natural behavior.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12071079/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143957971","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}
AnimalsPub Date : 2025-05-06DOI: 10.3390/ani15091341
Kai Shi, Xiao Zhou, Jiuli Dai, Yuefeng Gao, Linna Gao, Yangyang Shen, Shufang Chen
{"title":"Integrative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis of Muscle and Liver Reveals Key Molecular Pathways Influencing Growth Traits in Zhedong White Geese.","authors":"Kai Shi, Xiao Zhou, Jiuli Dai, Yuefeng Gao, Linna Gao, Yangyang Shen, Shufang Chen","doi":"10.3390/ani15091341","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15091341","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Geese (<i>Anser cygnoides</i>) are popular worldwide with consumers for their unique meat quality, egg production, foie gras, and goose down; however, the key genes that influence geese growth remain elusive. To explore the mechanism of geese growth, a total of 500 Zhedong White geese were raised; four high-weight (HW) and four low-weight (LW) male geese were selected to collect carcass traits and for further transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. The body weight and average daily gain of HW geese were significantly higher than those of the LW geese (<i>p</i>-value < 0.05), and the yields of the liver, gizzard, glandular stomach, and pancreas showed no significant difference between the HW and the LW group (<i>p</i>-value > 0.05). Compared with the LW geese, 19 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (i.e., <i>COL11A2</i>, <i>COL22A1</i>, and <i>TF</i>) were detected in the breast muscle from the HW geese, which were involved in the PPAR signaling pathway, adipocytokine signaling pathway, fatty acid biosynthesis, and ferroptosis. A total of 59 differential accumulation metabolites (DAMs), which influence the pathways of glutathione metabolism and vitamin B6 metabolism, were detected in the breast muscle between the HW and LW geese. In the liver, 106 DEGs (i.e., <i>THSD4</i>, <i>CREB3L3</i>, and <i>CNST</i>) and 202 DAMs were found in the livers of the HW and LW groups, respectively. DEGs regulated the pathways of the TGF-beta signaling pathway, pyruvate metabolism, and adipocytokine signaling pathway; DAMs were involved in pyrimidine metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and phenylalanine metabolism. Correlation analysis between the top DEGs and DAMs revealed that in the breast muscle, the expression levels of <i>COL11A2</i> and <i>COL22A1</i> were positively correlated with the content of S-(2-Hydroxy-3-buten-1-yl)glutathione. In the liver, the expression of <i>THSD4</i> was positively correlated with the content of 2-Hydroxyhexadecanoic acid. In addition, one DEG (<i>LOC106049048</i>) and four DAMs (mogrol, brassidic acid, flabelline, and L-Leucyl-L-alanine) were shared in the breast muscle and liver. These important results contribute to improving the knowledge of goose growth and exploring the effective molecular markers that could be adopted for Zhedong White goose breeding.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12071005/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143957972","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}