To investigate the effects of conventional auxiliary materials (such as mushroom residue and furfural residue) on the fermentation process, maturity, and nitrogen fixation of chicken manure, a single factor experimental design was adopted in the experiment. Pure chicken manure, furfural residue, and mushroom residue were used as composting materials for 30 days. A total of 4 treatments were set up, namely CK (pure chicken manure), T1 (CK+10% furfural residue), T2 (CK+10% furfural residue+10% mushroom residue), and T3 (CK+10% furfural residue+20% mushroom residue). The results showed that adding mushroom residue and furfural residue to the diet prolonged the duration of the high-temperature period of the pile by 11.1%~33.3%, and increased the seed germination rate by 6.1%~12.5%, thereby accelerating the maturation process of the compost. The combination of furfural residue and 10% mushroom residue can significantly reduce the organic matter loss of the compost by 11.1%（P<0.05）, total nitrogen loss of the pile by 10.7%（P<0.05）. Taking into account the fermentation process parameters, nitrogen fixation, and ripening effects of pure chicken manure compost, it is more suitable to mix furfural residue with 10% mushroom residue for application.

The experiment aimed to study the effects of Dorper × Tibetan hybridization on the growth, slaughter performance and meat quality of the offspring. The study conducted hybridization experiments using Dorper sheep and Tibetan sheep as the paternal line and Tibetan sheep as the maternal line. The body weight and body measurement indicators of F₁ generation of Dorper-Tibetan sheep ( Duzang F₁) were determined and compared to those of Tibetan sheep. In each group, 9 individuals were randomly selected for slaughter experiment, and the indexes of meat quality were assessed. The results showed that the body weight, body length and chest circumference of Dorper × Tibetan F1 were significantly higher than those of Tibetan sheep (P<0.001). Additionally, the pre-slaughter live weight, carcass weight, meat weight, bone weight, slaughter rate, eye muscle area and backfat thickness of Dorper × Tibetan F₁ were all significantly greater than those of Tibetan sheep (P<0.001), while the coefficients of the liver, lung and kidney were obviously lower (P<0.05). Except for the shear force of longissimus dorsi (P=0.001) in F1 generation being lower than that of Tibetan sheep (P=0.001), there were no significant differences in the physical properties of the muscle between the two groups. The moisture, crude protein, and ash content of the longissimus dorsi in Dorper × Tibetan F₁ decreased significantly, whereas the crude fat content was significantly higher than in Tibetan sheep (P<0.001). Compared to Tibetan sheep, the longissimus dorsi muscle of Duzang F1 showed a decreasing trend in calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and iron content, while zinc and selenium levels increased (P<0.05). The proportions of threonine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, aspartic acid, and histidine in the longissimus dorsi muscle of Duzang F1 were significantly higher, while the proportions of tryptophan, glutamic acid, serine, and tyrosine were significantly lower (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the total saturated fatty acid content in the longissimus dorsi muscle; however, the contents of the two main monounsaturated fatty acids, palmitoleic acid and oleic acid, were significantly higher, while the levels of various polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased significantly (P<0.05). These results indicate that Duzang F1 exhibits superior growth and slaughter performance compared to Tibetan sheep, with meat quality indices also being reasonable. The hybrid advantages are significant, making this crossbred combination an ideal choice for the agro-pastoral transitional zone of Qinghai.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for both humans and animals. Selenium agronomic strengthening of forage is an effective method to solve the low selenium content of forage resources in selenium-deficient areas. In this paper, the research status of forage selenium agronomic enhancement at home and abroad is summarized, and the agronomic enhancement methods of forage selenium (soil base application, foliar spraying, selenium soaking), the physiological effect of selenium on forage, the toxicity of excessive selenium to forage, the absorption and accumulation of exogenous selenium in forage and the application of selenium-rich forage in livestock and poultry production are summarized. The aim is to provide scientific basis for the development and utilization of selenium-rich forage and selenium-rich livestock and poultry products.

Milk production traits are crucial economic traits in Holstein cattle, and estimating genetic parameters for milk production traits lays a solid foundation for subsequent breeding research. This study integrated 567 969 DHI test-day records and pedigree data from 60 560 Holstein cows across 13 farms in Hebei and Ningxia provinces between 2009 and 2023. Genetic parameter estimation for milk production traits was conducted using a random regression test-day model. The results indicated heritability estimation for each trait in the first and second parity were as follows: Daily Milk Yield - 0.24 and 0.15; Milk Protein Yield - 0.19 and 0.13; Milk Fat Yield - 0.11 and 0.07; Somatic Cell Score - 0.02 for both parities. Moreover, there were positive phenotypic and genetic correlations among Daily Milk Yield, Milk Protein Yield, and Milk Fat Yield, while mostly negative phenotypic and genetic correlations were observed between Somatic Cell Score and the aforementioned three traits. These findings provide important insights for population breeding of Holstein cattle.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different energy and protein levels in diets during the fattening period on fermentation parameters and microbial diversity in the rumen of yaks. A total of 48 Niangya yaks, aged 2.5 years and with similar body weight and condition, were selected. They were randomly divided into 6 groups using a 3×2 two-factor design based on different energy levels (7.63, 8.25, and 8.88 MJ/kg) and protein levels (10.84%, 12.82%), with 8 replicates per group (half male and half female), and one yak per replicate. The adaptation period lasted for 15 days, followed by a trial period of 60 days. The results showed that 1) in yaks' rumen, NH₃-N content in low energy group was significantly lower than that in medium and high energy groups (P<0.05). The molar percentage of acetic acid was significantly higher in high-energy group compared to the low-energy group (P<0.05). The molar percentages of isobutyric acid and isovalerate were significantly higher in high-energy group than in medium energy group (P<0.05), and the molar percentage of valerate was significantly higher in high-energy group than in both low and medium energy groups (P<0.05). The molar percentage of butyrate in medium energy group was significantly higher than that in low energy group (P<0.05). The molar percentage of valerate in high protein group was significantly higher than that in low protein group (P<0.05). There was a significant interaction between dietary energy and protein levels on NH3-N concentration (P<0.05). 2) In rumen microflora, the Chao 1 index in high protein group was significantly lower than that in low protein group (P<0.05). There was a significant interaction between dietary energy and protein levels on the Chao1 and Shannon indices (P<0.05). 3) The relative abundance of Tenericutes in medium energy group was significantly higher than that in high energy group (P<0.05). The relative abundance of Patescibacteria in low energy group was significantly lower than that in medium and high energy groups (P<0.05), while it was significantly higher in high protein group than that in low protein group (P<0.05). The relative abundance of Bacterium F082 in high energy group was significantly higher than that in low energy group (P<0.05), and the relative abundance of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group was significantly lower than that in low energy group (P<0.05). In conclusion, the enegery level of diets during fattening period did not affect the rumen environment of yaks. However, a low protein level reduced rumen ammonia nitrogen content and increased rumen microbial richness, although it did not affect the composition of rumen microorganisms.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of Curcumin (Cur) on cecal bacteria in heat-stressed broilers. A total of 180 healthy 1-day-old male Arbor Acres (AA) broilers with similar body weight were randomly divided into 5 groups, with 3 replicates in each group and 12 chickens in each replicate. The control group (C group) and heat stress group (HS group) were fed the basal diet, and the experimental groups were supplemented with 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg of Curcumin in the basal diet, respectively. The heat stress test began at day 21 and ended at day 42. The environmental temperature of the control group was controlled at 22±1 ℃ for 24 h. The environmental temperature of the heat stress group and the experimental group was at 34±1 ℃, 8h/d, and the rest of the time was controlled at 22±1 ℃. The results showed that: 1) adding 75 mg/kg curcumin significantly increased the diversity of cecal microbiota in broilers (P<0.05); 2) Adding 150 mg/kg of curcumin can increase the proportion of Colidextribacter; 3) The KEGG functional enrichment analysis results showed that adding 75 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg of curcumin can increase the relative abundance of pathways such as amino acid synthesis and metabolism, carbon metabolism, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, cysteine and methionine metabolism. In conclusion, adding curcumin to the diet can to some extent regulate the balance of cecal microbiota in heat stressed broilers and maintain intestinal health.

The cecum is the main organ where the body breaks down dietary fiber and encourages nutrient fermentation, which has a sizable microbiological population. Several species' cecal microorganisms have been examined and studied, but no such research on the African ostrich has been documented. Hence, in this investigation, the diversity of microorganisms in the caecum of African ostriches at 7, 30, 60, and 180 days of age was examined using metagenomics sequencing technology. The results showed that the flora in the caecum of African ostriches was distributed in 9 phyla, 16 classes, 29 orders, 58 families and 128 genera. With increasing age, the abundance and diversity of microbes in the cecum first increased and then decreased, with the microbial abundance peaking at 60 days of age and microbial diversity being highest at 30 days of age. At the phylum level, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the most dominant phyla at 7, 60 and 180 days of age, while the dominant phyla at 30 days of age were Firmicutes, Tenericutes and Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, the dominant bacteria in the cecum of different ages were different. Acinetobacter, Escherichiacoli-Shigella, and Akkermania had the highest abundance at the age of 7 days. Anaeroplasma and Bacteroides were the most abundant at the age of 30 days, Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas were the dominant bacteria at 60 and 180 days old, respectively. There were different bacterial groups in the cecum of each age group. At 7, 30, 60, and 180 days of age, there were 28, 24, 8 and 6 different bacterial groups, respectively, and the number of bacterial groups gradually declined with age. In conclusion, African ostriches have complex and diverse cecal microorganisms, and as they mature, the microbial composition and dominating species will shift. This offers a theoretical foundation for future studies on how aging affects gut microorganisms and how they interact with the body.

In order to investigate the effects of different fishmeal additions to feeds on the growth performance, conventional nutrients, and health status of Onychostoma macrolepis juveniles, three types of practical feeds were formulated to have equal nitrogen and fat content but different fishmeal levels (20% (FM20), 16% (FM16), 12% (FM12)). The commercial yellow catfish feed (CN), commonly used in Onychostoma macrolepis production, served as the control. A total of 192 juvenile Onychostoma macrolepis (6.00±0.05 g) were randomly allocated into four groups and subjected to a 70-day culture trial. The results showed that (1) there was no significant difference in specific growth rate and final body weight between the FM20 group and the CN group, and the degree of fattening was significantly higher than that of the CN group (P<0.05); the feed coefficients of the FM20 and CN groups were significantly lower than that of the FM12 group; (2) the composition of fatty acids of the whole fish showed that ΣSFA of the CN group was significantly higher than that of the remaining three groups; ΣMUFA of the CN and FM20 groups was significantly higher than that of the FM16 and FM12 groups; muscle crude protein level of FM20 and CN groups was significantly higher than that of FM12 group (P<0.05); (3) hepatopancreatic T-SOD activity of FM20 group was significantly higher than that of CN group (P<0.05); CAT activity of FM20 group was significantly higher than that of FM12 group, and the hepatopancreatic MDA content of FM12 group was significantly higher than that of FM20 group (P<0.05); and (4) the height of intestinal villi in FM20 group was significantly higher than that in FM16 and FM12 groups. In summary, under the conditions of this study, the group adding 20% fishmeal was not significantly different from the yellow catfish feed group in terms of production performance, conventional nutrients, and health condition. And the total fish weight gain and comprehensive benefit increased by 6.23 % and 8.02 %, respectively, compared with the commercial feed group, which could partially replace the commercial yellow catfish feed. This study provides a reference to the status of lacking specialized feed for the Onychostoma macrolepis industry.

High concentrations of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants, and pathogenic microorganisms in piggery wastewater pose a serious threat to water bodies and ecological environment. This paper delves into the increasingly prominent piggery wastewater treatment technologies in recent years. It provides a comprehensive overview on the research status, pollutant removal rate, resource utilization and energy efficiency of innovative technologies, including physical and chemical methods, microalgae technology and constructed wetlands. Through the review of the advantages and disadvantages of various resource utilization technologies and existing optimization measures, the paper aims to provide valuable insights for the enhancement and refinement of pig wastewater treatment processes.

Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive bacterium that causes serious diseases in livestock and poultry and reduces livestock production by releasing toxins and enzymes, thus reducing livestock production. Literature analysis can provide insights into the development direction of the discipline, clarify the current research status and identify development trends. However, there is a lack of systematic review of literature on Clostridium perfringens. Therefore, this study aims to use the core database of web of science to summarize the literature using Clostridium perfringens as a keyword. The results showed that: 1) From 1980 to 2022, a total of 9,093 papers related to Clostridium perfringens were published, with “Foodborne Illness Acquired in the United States-Major Pathogens” being the most cited (1,401 times); (2) The countries with the highest number of publications are the United States (2,688) > Japan (850) > Germany (644) > United Kingdom (561) > Canada (501) > China (500); (3) The keywords with the highest weight for Clostridium perfringens are “toxin” from 1980 to 2022, and it intersects with disciplines such as microbiology, agriculture science, food science and technology, veterinary medicine, and bioengineering and applied biology. Bioengineering and applied biology are intersected by other disciplines. Effective containment of Clostridium perfringens is the core and rapid eradication is the key. To this end, this paper analyzes the research trends of Clostridium perfringens and proposes new ideas for future research such as phage therapy and vaccine immunization, and provides theoretical support for safeguarding livestock production.

To analyze the polymorphic loci of hemoglobin (Hb) genes and their genetic effects in Pamir Plateau domestic sheep (Tashkurgan sheep) and wild sheep (Pamir urial), this study selected multiple sheep breeds such as Dolang sheep, Tashkurgan sheep, and urial sheep as research subjects. PCR amplification combined with direct sequencing and bioinformatics approaches were used to examine polymorphisms in the b subunit and e subunit, and an association analysis was performed between genotypes and hemoglobin content (HGB). The results indicated that HGB levels were significantly higher in Tashkurgan sheep compared to Dolang sheep (P<0.01). Thirteen SNPs and twelve haplotypes were identified in the b subunit. Transcription factor binding site prediction revealed a mutation in the RUNX1 (a hematopoietic stem cell transcription factor) binding site in urial sheep. Four SNPs and five haplotypes were observed in the second exon of the e subunit, with three nonsynonymous mutations at the amino acid level. The findings suggest that Tashkurgan sheep, residing at high altitudes, have adapted to hypoxic environments by increasing HGB levels. Sheep enhance their oxygen-carrying capacity through mutations in the Hb gene that increase Hb hydrophobicity, thereby facilitating adaptation to low-oxygen conditions.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of adding different concentrations of chlorogenic acid (CGA) to the frozen diluent of goat semen on the quality of frozen semen. Different concentrations of CGA (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 mg/mL) were incorporated into the semen diluent, then cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen using a straw method. After thawing at 37 ℃,semen quality was assessed by measuring sperm viability, kinematic parameters, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity, antioxidant performance, and apoptosis proteins. The findings indicated that the addition of 0.4 mg/mL of CGA resulted in the highest levels of post-thaw sperm viability, motility, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity, which were significantly superior to the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, at 0.4 mg/mL of CGA, the levels of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in sperm were notably elevated, significantly surpassing those of the control group (P<0.05), while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were notably reduced, significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). Additionally, the highest superoxide dismutase (SOD) value was observed at a CGA concentration of 0.8 mg/mL, significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). Analysis of apoptosis protein expression revealed that CGA supplementation decreased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein a-Caspase-3 in sperm, increased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and decreased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein BAX. In summary, the inclusion of 0.4 mg/mL of CGA in the diluent of dairy goat semen can enhance the quality of frozen semen from dairy goats. 

Theileria spp., an important parasitic protozoan, primarily infects the red blood cells, macrophages, and lymphocytes of sheep, causing ovine theileriosis. This disease is characterized by clinical symptoms such as lethargy, anemia, high fever, malnutrition, and enlargement of superficial lymph nodes. To identify the species of Theileria infecting sheep exhibiting typical symptoms at a farm in Shaanxi Province, as well as to analyze their genetic and evolutionary relationships, six blood samples were collected from affected animals. These samples were examined using morphological methods, including stained blood smears and microscopic observation. Additionally, molecular analyses were conducted by extracting DNA from the samples and amplifying the Theileria SSU rRNA gene through PCR, followed by sequencing, sequence alignment, and phylogenetic tree construction. Morphological observation preliminarily confirmed the presence of Theileria infection in red blood cells. Molecular analysis revealed PCR amplification products of approximately 770 bp, consistent with the expected size of the target gene. Sequencing of the positive PCR products yielded a 773 bp target gene sequence. Sequence analysis showed that the Theileria isolates from this study shared 100% identity with the T. luwenshuni isolate derived from goats in Hainan Province (GenBank reference sequence: MK680191), and they clustered within the same branch of the phylogenetic tree, indicating a close genetic relationship. In conclusion, T. luwenshuni appears to be widely distributed among sheep in Shaanxi Province and exhibits genetic diversity. This study provides valuable reference data for the effective and integrated control of ovine theileriosis.

This experiment aimed to investigate the variation of environmental parameters in sheep caves and the impact of light control measures on the sheep cave environment, and to optimize the number and placement of points for environmental control. The experiment utilized a multi-functional gas analyzer for livestock and poultry (CN201410008619.7) to monitor harmful gas concentrations, light intensity, wind speed, temperature, and humidity continuously  in the context of reusing abandoned cave dwellings in the northern Shaanxi region. The experimental data collected while the sheep were inside the cave were used for analysis of gas concentration differences, comparison of gas fitting degrees inside the cave, and construction of regression equations for harmful gas concentration variations. Results showed there were significant differences (P<0.05) in methane and carbon dioxide gas concentrations at three points within the cave. Light control had an impact on the variation of harmful gas concentrations in the caves. The trend of changes in harmful gas concentrations varied considerably, with ammonia concentrations lower than those in non-light-controlled caves, and carbon dioxide and methane concentrations higher than those in non-light-controlled cave, but with consistent concentration change trends. Throughout the experiment, the sheep in both caves remained in a comfortable environment without obvious stress reactions, indicating the feasibility of utilizing abandoned cave dwellings for sheep husbandry.

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of differenct feeding methods on rumen emzyme activity,rumen microbiota composition and dirersity of Nanjing Yellow goat. Thirty-two three months old Nanjiang Yellow goats with good body condition and similar body weight were randomly divided into grazing group and housing group, with 16 goats in each group. The grazing group was allowed to graze naturally, while the housing group was fed a complete mixed ration. The trial consisted of a 7-day pre-test period and a 60-day experimental test. At the end of the test, rumen fluid was collected for high-throughput sequencing of rumen microbiota 16S rRNA and enzyme activity determination. The PICRUSt software was used to predict the metabolic functions of rumen microbiota in Nanjiang Yellow goats. The results showed that the activity of rumen α-amylase and pepsin in the housing group was significantly higher than that in the grazing group(P<0.01), while cellulase activity was significantly lower(P<0.01). There was no significant difference in α-diversity of rumen microbiota between the housing and the grazing group, but there was a significant difference in β-diversity(P<0.01). At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Patescibacteria and Desulfobacterota in the rumen microbiota of the grazing group was significantly higher than that in the housing group(P<0.05); at the genus level, the relative abundance of Butyrivibrio in the rumen microbiota of the grazing group was significantly higher than that in the housing group(P<0.01), while the relative abundance of Selenomonas was significantly higher(P<0.05), however, the relative abundance of Ruminococcus and Prevotellaceae_UCG-003 was significantly lower(P<0.05)than that in the housing group. At the KEGG2 level, carbohydrate metabolism was detected to be the most abundant metabolism-related pathway, and at the KEGG3 level, it was found that the metabolism-related enrichment pathways were mainly Selenocompound metabolism, Energy metabolism, and Metabolism of cofactors and vitamins. Spearman correlation, which was used to study the relationship between rumen enzyme activity and rumen microbiota abundance, revealed a significantly positive correlation between α-amylase and the genus Ruminococcus(P<0.05), and a highly significant negative correlation with Prevotellaceae_UCG001(P<0.01). Cellulose activity showed a highly significant positive correlation with the genus Butyrivibrio(P<0.01). In conclusion, different feeding patterns have a certain impact on the rumen microbiota structure and enzyme activity in Nanjiang Yellow goats, and the changes in rumen enzyme activities are correlated to rumen microbiota.

The study aims to investigate the methods for isolation, culture, identification, and induction of differentiation of satellite cells from rabbit skeletal muscle, and to establish a comprehensive culture system for rabbit skeletal muscle satellite cells. New Zealand White rabbits at 1 day of age were selected as the experimental animals and satellite cells from hind leg muscle tissue were isolated using a combination of collagenase and trypsin digestion method. Subsequently, the satellite cells were purified using differential adhesion method and induced into mature myotubes under low serum conditions. Finally, protein immunoblotting technique was employed to analyze the expression of the satellite cell marker gene MyoG, and the induced differentiated skeletal muscle satellite cells were identified using MHC immunofluorescence staining for myosin heavy chain (MHC). The results showed that the purified rabbit skeletal muscle satellite cells exhibited a spindle-shaped morphology with evident refringence. Upon further induction of myogenic differentiation, successful formation of myotubes was observed. Protein immunoblotting results indicated a significant increase in MyoG expression in the differentiated cells, while immunofluorescence indentification showed positivity for MHC. In conclusion, this experiment successfully isolated and cultured primary rabbit skeletal muscle satellite cells, established a comprehensive culture and induction differentiation technique system for rabbit skeletal muscle satellite cells, laying a solid foundation for further in vitro studies on rabbit skeletal muscle satellite cells.