VIPR1 can specifically bind VIP, a PRL release factor, which promotes the secretion of PRL from the pituitary gland, and participates in the regulation of bird nesting behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of miR-317 overexpression or silencing on VIPR1 gene and protein expression in duck follicle granulosa cells. The ovaries of Muscovy ducks were collected during the nesting and laying periods, and histological differences were analyzed via HE staining. Duck primary follicle granulosa cells were isolated and identified by immunofluorescence staining, after which the cells were transfected with miR-317, mimic-NC, miR-317 mimic, inhibitor-NC or miR-317 inhibitor Alterations in cell proliferation were then analyzed by EdU staining, and cell apoptosis was assessed by Annexin-V-FITC flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. Fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to assess the expression level of VIPR1 after miR-317 overexpression or silencing. Total protein was extracted from the follicle granulosa cells, and protein levels were analyzed via Western blotting. The results revealed that the nucleus of the ovarian granule in Muscovy ducks was more concentrated and distinct from the surrounding cells during the brooding period than during the laying period. More than 90 % of the cells were identified as duck follicle granulosa cells by immunofluorescence staining of FSHR and LHR. miR-317 expression was significantly higher in the miR-317 mimic-transfected group than in the miRNA-NC-transfected group (P < 0.01); similarly, miR-317 expression was significantly lower in the inhibitor-transfected group than in the miRNA inhibitor-transfected group (P < 0.01), indicating that miR-317 overexpression and interference vectors were successfully constructed and transfected into duck follicular granulosa cells. EdU staining revealed that the number of EdU-positive cells was significantly greater in the miR-317 mimic-transfected group than in the mimic-NC-transfected group (P < 0.05); after miR-317 silencing or inhibition, cell proliferation decreased, and the number of EdU-positive cells significantly decreased (P < 0.01). TUNEL staining revealed that the proportion of red, TUNEL-positive cells in the miR-317 inhibitor interference group was significantly greater than that in the miR-NC, miR-317 mimic, or inhibitor-NC group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that miR-317 inhibition promoted the apoptosis of duck follicle granulosa cells. Flow cytometry revealed that the percentage of apoptotic cells was 14.23 % and 22.75 % in the inhibitor-NC and miR-317 inhibitor groups, respectively (P < 0.01). Fluorescence quantitative PCR revealed that, compared with that in the corresponding control groups, VIPR1 gene expression was significantly lower in the miR-317 mimic group (P < 0.05) but significantly higher in the miR-317 inhibitor group (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis revealed that VIPR1 levels were significantly lower in the miR-317 mimic group than in the mimic-NC group (P < 0.05) but significantly greater in the miR-317 inhibitor group (P < 0.05). In summary, miR-317 inhibition promoted the apoptosis of duck follicle granulosa cells, and miR-317 overexpression promoted the proliferation of duck follicle granulosa cells and negatively regulated expression of the target gene VIPR1 at the gene and protein levels. This study further reveals the molecular mechanism underlying follicular atresia and serves as a reference for reducing the broodiness of Muscovy ducks.

This study evaluated the effects of selenium-enriched yeast (SY) supplementation at various levels on health and production parameters in laying hens, including egg production, egg quality, selenium (Se) concentrations in eggs, liver health, serum biochemical markers, antioxidant function, and immune responses. A total of 360 Hy-Line Brown hens (28 weeks old) were randomly assigned to four dietary groups with six replicates of 15 birds each, monitored over a 12-week feeding trial after a two-week acclimatization period. The dietary groups included a control (basal diet without selenium) and three SY-supplemented groups with Se levels of 0.3 mg/kg (SY03), 1.5 mg/kg (SY15), and 6.0 mg/kg (SY60). The results showed no significant effects of dietary SY on laying performance or feed efficiency (P > 0.05). However, the SY15 group showed significant improvements in egg quality, particularly in albumen height, Haugh Unit and yolk color (P < 0.05). Selenium concentrations in eggs, albumen, and yolk increased dose-dependently, with significant differences in the SY-supplemented groups (P < 0.001). Increased activities of liver enzymes including alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and aspartate transaminase, alongside elevated levels of uric acid were notable in the SY60 group (P < 0.05). In addition, histological analysis revealed significant hepatocyte degeneration and a higher liver organ index (P < 0.05), in the SY60 group. All of which suggests potential liver toxicity at higher selenium levels. Antioxidant capacity of the birds were significantly enhanced due to dietary supplementation of SY as indicated by increased serum levels of total antioxidant capacity, and activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05). Analysis of hepatic genes expression revealed that SY15 supplementation significantly upregulated key antioxidant-related genes (Nrf2, HO-1, CAT, and NQO1) and downregulated Keap1 expression (P < 0.05), suggesting strong activation of the antioxidant defense system. In conclusion, SY supplementation at 1.5 mg/kg improved egg quality, increased Se concentrations in eggs, and enhanced antioxidant capacity without affecting laying performance or liver health. This makes it a balanced approach to improving egg quality and poultry health. However, higher supplementation levels (6.0 mg/kg) resulted in liver damage, underscoring the importance of careful dosage consideration.

Fear tests are a common research method to assess the affective state of an animal. This study aimed to assess: 1) the impact of repeated exposure to fear tests on fear response and, 2) how the addition of movement to fear stimuli during a novel object test impacts bird fear response. Over two trials, a total of 3,600 Ross 308 birds (1800 birds/trial) were raised until 42 days of age. At 23d, 30d, and 37d, three fear tests were performed, novel object, human approach, and response to observer tests. The novel object test was split into three movement treatments, stationary, intermittent, and continuous. The response to observer test was performed before and after the other tests. Data from the human approach test was analyzed for age effect by ANOVA. Novel object data was analyzed as repeated measures ANOVA for the effect of movement. Differences in response to observer were analyzed using a paired T-test. Repeated exposure to fear test within the same day decreased the fear response, with response to observer results before fear testing (66%) differing from after (42%, P<0.01). The fear response also decreased with multiple consecutive exposures. Both latency to human approach and latency to novel object interaction were longest on 23d, then 30d, and shortest on 37d (P<0.01). For both the human approach and the novel object test, at all-time points, the number of birds interested in the human or object was higher on 37d than 23d (P<0.01). The addition of movement to the novel object test increased the fear response at 23 days but decreased the fear response at 37 days. Overall, the repeated exposure of birds to fear tests reduced the bird's fear response, both for the repeated exposure to different fear tests on a single day and the repeated exposure to one type of fear test over the length of a flock. This impact of repeated exposure is important to recognize when designing experiments that utilize fear tests.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing inorganic trace minerals (ITM) with compound organic trace minerals (OTM) at lower levels on plasma biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, carcass traits, meat quality, and tissue mineral deposition in Chinese yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 960 one-day-old male broilers were randomly allocated to six treatment groups. The birds were fed with either the basal diets (negative control, NC), or diets supplemented with 1,000 mg/kg (positive control, PC), 300 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg ITM or OTM for 53 d, respectively. The results showed that the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of the OTM300 group was significantly higher than that of the NC, PC, and ITM300 groups (P < 0.05). Dietary OTM supplementation could significantly increase the serum concentrations of Fe and Cu, promote the deposition of Zn and Cu in breast muscle, and increase Zn content in the tibia of Chinese yellow-feathered broilers (P < 0.05). Furthermore, dietary OTM300 treatment could significantly increase plasma CAT and CuZn-SOD activities, as well as the CAT activity in the liver (P < 0.05). The liver GSH-Px activity of the OTM500 group were significantly higher than the other groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, the supplementation of dietary OTM could significantly increase the pH of breast muscle, as well as decrease drip loss and drip loss of Chinese yellow-feathered broilers (P < 0.05). Furthermore, pH was positively correlated with liver T-AOC activity and the concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn in breast muscle, while drip loss was negatively correlated with liver T-AOC activity, plasma CAT and CuZn-SOD, as well as the concentration of Cu and Zn in breast muscle. Trace mineral sources or levels had no significant effect on the carcass traits of Chinese yellow-feathered broilers (P > 0.05). Compared with the ITM groups, OTM300 significantly increased the heart index of Chinese yellow-feathered broilers (P < 0.05). Dietary OTM upregulated the mRNA expression of TGF-β and downregulated the mRNA expression of IL-1β in the spleen (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with compound OTM at lower levels could promote the deposition of trace minerals in serum and tissues, enhance antioxidant capacity, and improve the meat quality of Chinese yellow-feathered broilers.

Retail prices for eggs surged during the period from early 2022 to mid-2023 in the U.S. We investigate the impact of egg price fluctuations on online and social media discourse, analyzing the relationship between egg prices and public sentiment. Utilizing online and social media listening data from September 2019 to August 2023, we explore how the total number of statements (i.e., mentions) and sentiment respond to changes in egg prices in the U.S. We find a significant association between increases in egg prices and both the volume of mentions and the sentiment of online discussions. Notably, mentions increased and sentiment became more negative as egg prices rose, highlighting a clear public response to price changes. However, the relationship between egg prices and online and social media attention is complex, which becomes apparent when studying the timing of increased concern with the timing of online news media coverage. Importantly, using regression discontinuity in time, we show that online and social media conversations about eggs and egg prices tend to increase after the rapid rise in online news coverage. Similarly, online and social media conversations about eggs and egg prices tend to decrease after the rapid rise in online news coverage.

The current study aimed to explore the suitable starch: protein ratios under different dietary protein levels for goslings. A total of 360 male 1-day-old Jiangnan White goslings were randomly divided into 6 groups with six replicates containing ten goslings each. The experimental design consisted of a 3 × 2 factorial array of treatments. Three protein levels (18%, 16%, 14%) and two starch: protein ratio (S: P ratio) types (standard, reduced) were formulated. The results showed that: reducing the S: P ratio at the same dietary protein level increased weight gain (WG), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of goslings (P < 0.05). Lowering the protein level increased feed-to- gain ratio (F/G) at the same dietary S: P ratio type. Both decreasing dietary protein levels and reducing S: P resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in the serum albumin (ALB) content of goslings. Protein at 18% level, minimized serum total cholesterol (TC) in goslings. Reducing the dietary S: P ratio elevated serum lipid concentration. In reduced S: P ratio diets, serum Leucine (Leu) decreased and Threonine (Thr) concentration increased. The reduction in dietary protein level and S: P ratio significantly affected the amino acid composition of muscles. The varied levels of protein and S: P ratio types interacted to influence the starch digestibility of distal jejunum. In addition, the reduced S: P ratio attenuates α-amylase activity of jejunal chyme. Moreover, SGLT1 and GLUT2 genes expression were generally down-regulated, and SLC7A5 gene expression was up-regulated in reduced S: P ratio groups. In summary, the diet with 14% protein level, and 2.97 starch: protein ratio is recommended to use in gosling's growth phase of 1 to 28 days.

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant that has neurotoxic properties, which poses serious threats to human health and the development of poultry farming. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a dietary polyphenol exhibit various biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and autophagy regulation. In addition, CGA can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and exert neuroprotective effects. This study explored the mechanism of CGA in alleviating Cd-induced cerebral cortical neuron injury in chickens. The results showed that in vivo, CGA reduced the Cd level and alleviated Cd-induced histopathological and ultrastructural damages in the chicken cerebral cortex. Further research has found that CGA alleviated Cd-induced incomplete autophagy and activation of the AMPK-ULK1 pathway. In vitro, AMPK inhibitors (Compound C) could alleviate Cd-induced incomplete autophagy in chicken cerebral cortical neurons. In addition, CGA alleviated the decreased viability, incomplete autophagy, and activation of the AMPK-ULK1 pathway induced by Cd in chicken cerebral cortical neurons. In summary, CGA can alleviate Cd-induced cerebral cortical neuron injury in chickens, which is related to CGA alleviating Cd-induced incomplete autophagy by inhibiting the AMPK-ULK1 pathway.

Divergent selection of broilers for water conversion ratio has established and high-(HWE) and low- water efficient (LWE) broiler lines. Two 2 × 2 factorial experiments were conducted to assess the gene expression profile of systems involved in renal water homeostasis. In Exp. 1, male and female HWE and LWE broilers were individually phenotyped between 4 and 6 wks of age to determine growth performance and water conversion ratio (g water intake/g body weight gain). Kidney samples were obtained from 5 males and 5 females from each line. In Exp. 2, HWE and modern random bred (MRB) broilers were placed in 12 controlled-environmental chambers (2 floor pens/chamber, 6 chambers/line, 11 birds per pen, 132 birds/line) on day of hatch. The broilers were brooded at thermoneutral temperatures from 0 to 4 wks. From 4 to 7 wks, broilers were maintained at thermoneutral (TN, 25 °C) or exposed to cyclic heat stress (HS, 35 °C, 8h/day) conditions. Body weight, feed intake, and water intake were recorded. Kidney samples were collected, flash frozen in liquid nitrogen, and kept at -80 °C for gene expression analysis. Data were analyzed by Two-way ANOVA and means compared by Tukey's HSD multiple comparison test. Molecular analyses from Exp. 1 showed that the renal expression of arginine vasopressin (AVP), angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin II receptor type 1 and 2 (AT1/2), sodium-potassium ATPase subunit B1 (ATP1B1), and aquaporin 3 (AQP3) were upregulated in HWE compared to the LWE line. In contrast, mRNA expression of mesotocin receptor (MTR), AT1/2, AQP1/2, and occludin were significantly higher in females than in males. In Exp. 2, target genes were regulated in environment and/or line-dependent manner. The renal expression of heat shock proteins 70 and 90, AVP receptor 2 (AVPR2), AGT, renin, AT1/2, and AQP1was significantly upregulated in HS compared to TN birds, however AVPR2 expression was significantly higher in HWE compared to MRB birds. Together, the up-regulation of AVP, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and AQP in HWE, female, or under HS conditions suggests a better renal water reabsorption to support water use efficiency.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have vast application prospects in livestock and poultry production, genetic engineering, and medical research. However, the scarcity of SSCs and the complexity of their development limit the elucidation and verification of the mechanism of SSCs in vitro. Although miRNAs have been identified as critical players in germ cell development, upstream regulatory mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate SSCs formation are rarely reported. In this study, miR-1458, which was differentially expressed during SSCs formation, was selected by transcriptomic sequencing. We found that miR-1458, inhibited in an in vitro SSCs induction model, significantly upregulated the expression of germline marker genes (Cvh and integrin β1). Further analysis using Immunofluorescence and Flow Cytometry confirmed that miR-1458 inhibition promotes the formation of spermatogonial stem-like cells (SSCLCs). Immunohistochemical significantly increased the number of SSCs in the testis in vivo. However, significant upregulation of miR-1458 showed opposite results. High-throughput sequencing results showed that miR-1458 interacted with TBX6, one of the target genes of miR-1458, involved in affecting cell differentiation, and dual-luciferase reporter vectors confirmed the targeting relationship between the two. TBX6 overexpression and knockdown in vitro and in vivo have validated its function in SSCs formation. We found that overexpression of TBX6 promoted SSCs formation. Additionally, we identified Vitamin B6, a key metabolite affecting SSCs formation, as an upstream regulator of miR-1458 expression. The results showed that low concentrations of Vitamin B6 led to low expression of miR-1458 by decreasing histone demethylation levels. Overall, our findings suggest that miR-1458 is involved in SSCs formation, which is inhibited by low concentrations of Vitamin B6 and subsequently regulates the formation of SSCs by targeting TBX6, an essential gene involved in embryonic stem cell differentiation. Our study demonstrates the critical role of the Vitamin B6-miR-1458-TBX6 regulatory axis in spermatogonial stem cell formation in Rugao Yellow Chicken, providing new insights into the regulatory mechanisms by which miRNAs affect SSCs formation. It should be noted that most of the germline findings related to miRNAs were obtained by in vitro studies, and in vivo studies are needed to validate our results for clinical applications.

The ongoing Goose astrovirus (GoAstV) epidemic, which primarily infects goslings causing severe liver damage, has inflicted considerable damage on the poultry industry. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is a significant modulator of several viral infections, while severe ERS may result in apoptosis. This study examined the roles and possible mechanisms of ERS and apoptosis in GoAstV-induced liver injury in goslings. Two hundred Xingguo gray geese were chosen and randomly separated into two groups (Con and Dis). The Dis group received a subcutaneous injection of GoAstV genotype 2 (GoAstV-2) JX01 (2 × 10 TCID/0.2 mL), whereas the Con group received a subcutaneous injection of 0.2 mL physiological saline, both at 1 day of life. Subsequent analyses demonstrate that the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased following GoAstV infection. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining revealed swollen and ruptured hepatocytes, with significant inflammatory cell infiltration. Electron microscopy revealed expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and aggregation of chromatin at the periphery. TUNEL testing further demonstrated an increase in the quantity of positive cells. RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses indicated that GoAstV infection enhanced the expression of ER Ca release channels (IP3R and RYR) and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), while decreasing the expression of ER Ca uptake channels (SERCA). Further, GoAstV infection activated ERS-related factors, including GRP78, IRE1α, PERK, ATF6, eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, TRAF2, and JNK, induced the expression of pro-apoptotic factors (Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Bax), and inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2. Correlation analysis further revealed a potential relationship among ERS gene expression, apoptotic gene expression, and liver injury. In summary, GoAstV infection can lead to liver injury by interfering with ER Ca homeostasis, exacerbating ERS and inducing hepatocyte apoptosis.

Low egg-producing turkeys reduce the profitability of a flock by limiting the number of poults that can be hatched. Understanding the biological mechanics behind egg-production rates will greatly benefit the industry. Two lines with vastly different egg production rates are the Ohio State University E line, and its unselected counterpart, the random-bred control one (RBC1). Differences between E Line and RBC1 hens (n = 4 per line) were investigated by measuring egg production traits, ovarian and follicle anatomical characteristics, and gene expression for reproductively important genes within different follicle types. Data were analyzed by an ANOVA mixed model procedure in SAS. The E line hens produced 20% more eggs than the RBC1 hens, even though they had similar numbers of preovulatory follicles in their ovaries. This was accomplished by increasing clutch length and keeping the pause length the same. On the gene expression side small white follicles (SWF) within E line hens had less LHCGR expression which coincided with downregulation of CYP11A1 and CYP17A1. Along with an upregulation of PRLR in small yellow follicles (SYF) which also coincided with downregulation of CYP17A1. In both cases changes in pituitary hormone receptor transcription levels appeared to affect the steroid hormone synthesis pathway. In SWF from E line hens ESR2 was downregulated, however in the large white follicles and selected follicles ESR1 was the estradiol receptor which was downregulated. The similarity in preovulatory numbers suggests that E line hens aren't selecting more follicles to grow, but instead, follicles are growing faster. Based on the gene expression patterns, the reduction of steroid hormone synthesis might hint at the follicles putting more energy into growth and differentiation. At the same time, the decrease in estradiol receptor might limit the negative effects of estradiol on granulosa cells and allow for more rapid growth, suggesting a possible mechanism for the higher egg production trait of the E line.

A study was conducted in 2022 in the Liban Jawi district to characterize the breeding practices of indigenous chickens. A total of 192 farmers were surveyed, revealing diverse breeding objectives, including income generation, egg consumption, savings, and meat consumption. Limited selective breeding was observed, with plumage color, egg number, broodiness, hatchability, and male body weight as common selection traits. Most farmers practiced uncontrolled natural mating and were unaware of the risks of inbreeding. Culling underproductive chickens, undesirable colored cockerels, or pullets at an early age, along with selling or slaughtering, were employed to prevent unwanted mating. Correspondence Analysis (CA) revealed significant relationships among phenotypic traits, with Dimension 1 accounting for 39.43 % of total inertia, indicating that environmental conditions heavily influence trait selection. The Chi-Squared Distance analysis highlighted strong preferences for Egg Number (D= 15.23) and Hatchability (D = 12.45), both showing highly significant P-values (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002 respectively). Additionally, farmers expressed significant preferences for Disease Resistance (D = 11.56, p = 0.003) and Body Size (D = 10.12, p = 0.012). This research provides valuable insights into the breeding practices of indigenous chickens in the unique context of the Liban Jawi District, Ethiopia. By combining qualitative and quantitative analyses, the study emphasizes the significance of indigenous knowledge, identifies challenges, and underscores the implications for sustainable rural livelihoods. The findings advocate for effective trait selection and the implementation of controlled mating systems to mitigate inbreeding risks and enhance productivity in indigenous chicken populations.

Natural drugs possess exceptional pharmacological properties, yet their development is often hindered by a lack of clarity regarding the mechanisms of their pharmacological actions. Building on our previous research, we employed a co-infection model with Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) to investigate the pharmacological action of Radix Isatidis Mixtures (RIM). To further demonstrate the various mechanisms underlying the pharmacological effects of RIM, we conducted a validation study focusing on gene expression, protein interactions, metabolic pathways, and molecular docking. Through a multi-omics joint analysis network, we identified key targets and metabolites associated with co-infection and conducted targeted verification experiments with RIM aqueous extracts. The experimental results indicated that, compared to the co-infection group, the RIM treatment group significantly modulated the expression of select genes and proteins, particularly MMP2 and TLR4, with a high level of statistical significance (p < 0.01). At the metabolic level, the treatment group exhibited significantly reduced expression levels of Dopamine and γ-Aminobutyric acid. Notably, the molecular docking results highlighted compounds with the most favorable binding affinities: Salvianolic acid A (-10.1 kcal/mol), Licorice (-9.3 kcal/mol), and Isoglycyrrhiza (-8.7 kcal/mol). In conclusion, our multi-level experiments demonstrated that RIM possesses the characteristics of multi-pathway and multi-target treatment for co-infection.

As an important non-genetic factor, the rearing system has significant effects on male poultry reproductive system development. However, compared with other poultry such as chickens and ducks, less is known about the effects and mechanisms of rearing system on the gander reproductive organ development and semen quality. In the present study, the testicular morphological, histological, and transcriptomic responses of three goose breeds to the two dryland rearing systems (i.e., cage rearing system, CRS and net-floor mixed rearing system, MRS) were systematically analyzed and compared. Results from histomorphological analysis demonstrated that the effects of rearing system on the gander testicular development were age-dependent, and moreover, the CRS may be more conducive than MRS to the testicular development and semen quality during the period from post-hatch week 10 to week 43. At week 30, compared to Sichuan White goose (SW), the rearing system showed more pronounced effects on the testicular size, weight, and organ index of Gang goose (GE) and Landes goose (LD). However, such effects were mitigated in LD and even reversed in GE at week 43. Meanwhile, most testicular histological parameters of three goose breeds were higher under MRS than under CRS at week 30, while the converse was seen in some histological parameters of either GE or LD at week 43. Moreover, the semen quality was generally better under CRS than under MRS at week 43. Through comparative transcriptomics analysis, the Wnt signaling pathway together with several involved hub genes were identified to have important roles in mediating the effects of rearing system on the goose testicular development. Moreover, the metabolism-related, cell cycle, and Wnt signaling pathways could be partially responsible for differences in the goose breed-related testicular development and semen quality under CRS, where a number of genes involved in meiosis could have crucial roles. These results would not only provide novel insights into the effects and mechanisms of rearing system on male poultry reproductive performance, but they would also be helpful for the optimization and selection of dryland rearing systems in male geese.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the in-ovo injection of Yu Ping Feng polysaccharides (YPF) on the immunological development, hatchability, growth performance, intestinal tissue development, intestinal IgA cell distribution, and intestinal secretory IgA (SIgA) production in broiler chicken. Herein, 800 chicken embryos were randomly divided into Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharide (ATR), YPF, and normal saline (control) injection groups-polysaccharide injection, 0.5 mL of 4 mg/mL polysaccharide; normal saline injection, 0.5 mL. The related indexes of hatched chicks were detected, and there were 5 repeats in each group. Compared with the other three groups, the in-ovo YPF injection did not affect the hatching rate of chicken embryos; however, the initial body weight of hatchlings significantly increased and the feed conversion ratio decreased. Additionally, at each time point, the intestinal villus height (VH) of the chicks in the YPF group increased, whereas no notable difference was observed in the crypt depth (CD), resulting in a higher VH/CD ratio. Furthermore, the YPF group exhibited a statistically significant increase in intestinal IgA cell count and flushing fluid SIgA level throughout various time periods compared with those in the other three groups. Additionally, the expression of intestinal mucosal immune cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, and interferon-γ, were markedly increased in the duodenum and ileum of the YPF group. Moreover, the analysis of immune development revealed that their serum levels in the polysaccharide-injected groups were also increased, with the YPF groups exhibiting superior performance than the APS and ATR groups and encouraging the development of T and B lymphocytes in the spleen and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Altogether, the findings of this study demonstrate that the in-ovo injection of YPF can improve the growth performance, intestinal tissue development, and immune system of the broiler chicks.

The latency-to-lie (LTL) test is an objective method for assessing walking ability of broiler chickens which has traditionally consisted of placing a bird into a tub of shallow water and measuring how long it takes the standing bird to sit, with duration being negatively associated with gait score. Unfortunately, this method is impractical for use on commercial farms. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the performance of LTL tests without the addition of water, making them more practical for use on farm. In total, 159 Ross 308 and 186 Rustic Gold broilers were assessed. Following receiving a gait score (Bristol scale), birds were placed individually into a litter lined clear plastic storage box and the LTL was conducted with a maximum test duration of 300 s. Following a 120 s period of rest, the bird was then placed on the litter near a group of flockmates, and the LTL test was repeated. This allowed for the assessment of whether containment of the bird was necessary. Latencies to lie were negatively correlated with gait score (With box: ρ=-0.44 , P < 0.001; Without box: ρ=-0.46 , P < 0.001). The latencies to lie (mean ± SD) when using a box were 129.0 ± 82.0, 114.0 ± 78.8, 71.9 ± 54.9, 45.8 ± 35.8, and 7.9 ± 14.0 s and without a box were 104.0 ± 97.2, 52.2 ± 53.8, 27.9 ± 29.9, 22.8 ± 27.0, and 14.0 ± 19.4 s for gait scores 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. There was no effect of hybrid on the performance of either of the tests. Results suggest that the LTL tests without water could serve as an objective and valid measure of walking ability on farm, with the LTL test with a box showing better ability at distinguishing between specific gait scores compared to the LTL test without a box, though possible impacts of fatigue due to study design should be considered.

New farmers are needed in agriculture in the U.S. to assure the sustainability of our food, including small- and mid-scale farmers. At the same time, military veterans need career opportunities as they transition back to civilian life. Many want to reconnect to community and the land. Training in sustainable agriculture and access to resources are needed for beginning farmers. Frontline to Farm is a new program at Appalachian State University in western N.C. to train military veterans in farming. We use a national/regional/community approach with on-line modules, as well as in-person training options. Specifically, 1) We have developed educational materials on-line with partners, the University of Arkansas and also the National Center for Appropriate Technology. These materials focus on sustainable farming, poultry, livestock, and pasture, as well as farm entrepreneurship and legal issues. 2) We also provide scholarships for veterans to attend sustainable agriculture conferences and training in the Southeast region. The University of Missouri offers training each summer on agroforestry, a regenerative agriculture practice that sequesters carbon while building soil fertility. 3) We provide intensive in-person trainings in our community in Southern Appalachia. We work closely with cooperative extension, USDA agencies, and local farmers for trainings. Several farmer veterans host customized internships at their farms to provide immersive experiences. 4) We provide our alumni with on-going consulting opportunities. We work with local farmer veteran mentors as consultants. Many farmers learn well in farmer-to-farmer settings. We leverage strengths in our community and work with local partners including Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture. We also work with local groups that support veterans, including Farmer Veteran Coalition and NC AgrAbility. Results in our first 3 years indicate that we have reached over 60,000 farmers electronically and over 220 in-person. Our project provides pathways to success (environmental, social, and economic) for new farmers. Sustainable agriculture protects environmental resources, increases equity for military veterans and beginning farmers, and builds resilience in local and regional food systems.

Italian local turkey populations are an important source of genetic diversity that should be preserved through an in vivo approach. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and genotyping datasets were used to assess genetic variability within and across populations, to perform a genome-wide comparative analysis among populations and to identify selection signatures in Italian turkey populations. We used new data from 73 WGS samples (12X) representing five turkey populations, together with previous data from 107 birds genotyped with the Affymetrix 600K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) turkey array from 11 populations. The PCA and Admixture show a relatively strong isolation effect between the populations. Moreover, the values of genomic inbreeding based on ROH (F) showed marked differences among populations and ranged from 0.096 to 0.643. Selective sweeps were identified using the integrated haplotype score (iHS) within the local group, the commercial line, and the Narragansett breed, resulting in the identification of 20, 19, and 27 regions with a total of 73, 48, and 90 candidate genes, respectively. Some of these genes such as FAM107B, MSTN, PDZRN4, HSF2 and GJA1 are associated with heat stress, growth, and carcass traits. We conclude that our results improve our understanding of the genomic architecture of the Italian turkey populations. The findings of iHS suggest that selection can play a significant role in shaping selection signatures in local turkey populations and could provide a basis for identifying gene mutations that may be beneficial in adaptation to climate change. Our results will be useful in developing and implementing conservation and selection plans for Italian turkey populations.

Emulsifiers play a diverse role in the livestock industry. As a feed additive, it aids the digestion and absorption of added fat in feed to increase the productivity of broilers. The study aimed to investigate the effect of nutrient density levels and emulsifier supplementation on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) in broilers. A total of 60 14-days- old Ross broiler chickens were randomly allocated into 4 group with 5 replicates and 3 chicks per cage for 14 days (phase 1 days 1 to 7 and phase 2 days 8 to 14). ATTD and AID were evaluated on days 7 and 14 using indigestible indicator method. Dietary treatment included: TRT1, Low nutrient diet without emulsifier; TRT2, Low nutrient diet + 0.05% emulsifier; TRT3, High nutrient diet without emulsifier; TRT4, High nutrient diet + 0.05% emulsifier. Results showed that the nutrient density diets have no effect (P>0.05) on ATTD and AID of amino acids. However, ATTD of dry matter, nitrogen, gross energy (GE) and crude protein and essential amino acid of lysine, valine, tryptophan and total essential amino acid and non-essential amino acid of proline and alanine, AID of dry matter and GE and essential amino acid of histidine and tryptophan and non- essential amino acid of proline and alanine were significantly increase (P <0.05) in chickens fed the emulsifier compared with the nutrient density. Therefore, high nutrient density diets emulsifier supplementation had a beneficial effect on ATTD and AID of amino acids.

Over the past decade, metabolomic research in livestock and poultry has gained considerable momentum; however, quail metabolomics still lags behind that of livestock species such as chickens, pigs, and cattle. Quails are important models due to their low-cost protein sources-both eggs and meat-and practical benefits such as minimal space requirements, high egg production, disease resistance, and rapid reproduction. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically understand the effects of various factors on quail metabolism to provide a theoretical basis for accurate feeding and breeding practices. In this study, liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS)-based metabolomics was used to examine the effects of age, breed, and sex on the serum metabolic profile of quails. A total of 550 metabolites were identified. Relative to breed and sex, we found that age played a crucial role in influencing quail serum metabolites. At 20 days of age (D20), quails had high levels of serum thymidine and alpha-D-glucose, while at 70 days of age (D70), the lipids, including 3-isothujone, 15-deoxy-d-12,14-PGJ2, and 2-aminobut-2-enoate dominated the serum. Additionally, xanthine, hypoxanthine, diaminopimelic acid, and 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose appeared to be specific metabolites of Japanese quail (JAPQ). Serum levels of N-acetylglutamic acid, hydroxypyruvic acid, carnosine, alloepipregnanolone, lumichrome, 6-hydroxynicotinate, and myristic acid were higher in D70 Hengyan white feather quails (HYWQ) than those in D70 JAPQ. Notably, this study also identified 2-hydroxy-2-ethylsuccinic acid and riboflavin as potential specific metabolites in female quails. Furthermore, integration analysis showed that amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism, as well as ABC transporters, were the key pathways distinguishing D20 from D70. Purine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, ABC transporters, and TCA cycle were the key pathways distinguishing HYWQ from JAPQ. Differences in energy metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism were observed between males and females. These findings enhance our understanding of the dynamic changes in quail serum metabolites influenced by various factors and address the knowledge gap regarding serum metabolic changes at different stages in quails.

We evaluated the quality, storage stability, and flavor-related compounds of breast meat from a novel Korean native chicken breed (Woorimatdag No. 2; WRMD2) and commercial broiler (CB) during seven days of aerobic cold storage. We found that pH and drip loss increased gradually during storage and WRMD2 exhibited a significantly lower pH and higher drip loss than CB. In both groups, aerobic plate counts, volatile basic nitrogen, and lipid oxidation levels increased, whereas creatine and dipeptide levels gradually decreased during storage. WRMD2 exhibited a significantly higher anserine content and lower carnosine-to-anserine ratio than CB. Flavor nucleotide content was influenced more by the storage period, whereas fatty acid composition was affected more by genetic differences. WRMD2 exhibited significantly higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially C20:4n6 and C22:6n3, than CB. Interestingly, multivariate analysis highlighted several volatile compounds, including methyl salicylate (day 1), dodecanal (day 3), naphthalene (day 5), and 2,4-decadienal (day 7) as potential biomarkers to distinguish between WRMD2 and CB on each storage day. Correlation analysis identified five key meat quality traits, including drip loss, aerobic plate counts, and anserine that are strongly associated with flavor substances, such as inosine monophosphate, guanosine monophosphate, 1-octen-3-ol, and hexanal. These results offer insights into the distinctive meat quality and flavor compounds in WRMD2 during storage, providing fundamental data that could improve the management and quality of native chicken meat.