• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.18
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• 2022

Background: Co-infections of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and the Haemophilus parasuis (HPS) are severe in Chinese pigs, but the immune response genes against co-infected with 2 pathogens in the lungs have not been reported. Objectives: To understand the effect of PRRSV and/or HPS infection on the genes expression associated with lung immune function. Methods: The expression of the immune-related genes was analyzed using RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected and identified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting assays. Results: All experimental pigs showed clinical symptoms and lung lesions. RNA-seq analysis showed that 922 DEGs in co-challenged pigs were more than in the HPS group (709 DEGs) and the PRRSV group (676 DEGs). Eleven DEGs validated by qRT-PCR were consistent with the RNA sequencing results. Eleven common Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways related to infection and immune were found in single-infected and co-challenged pigs, including autophagy, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and antigen processing and presentation, involving different DEGs. A model of immune response to infection with PRRSV and HPS was predicted among the DEGs in the co-challenged pigs. Dual oxidase 1 (DUOX1) and interleukin-21 (IL21) were detected by IHC and western blot and showed significant differences between the co-challenged pigs and the controls. Conclusions: These findings elucidated the transcriptome changes in the lungs after PRRSV and/or HPS infections, providing ideas for further study to inhibit ROS production and promote pulmonary fibrosis caused by co-challenging with PRRSV and HPS.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.113-132
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• 2005

With the demand for free-range products increasing and the pressure on the intensive poultry industry to improve poultry welfare especially in western countries, the number of free-range poultry farms has increased significantly. The USA, Australia and European countries have developed Codes of Practice for free-range poultry farming which detail the minimum standards of husbandry and welfare for birds. However, the performance and liveability of free-range birds needs to be improved and more knowledge is required on bird husbandry, feed supply, disease control and heat wave management. This review examines the husbandry, welfare, nutrition and disease issues associated with free-range poultry systems and discusses the potential of incorporating free-range poultry into a crop-pasture rotation system.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.663-681
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• 2024

Co-infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Haemophilus parasuis (HPS) has severely restricted the healthy development of pig breeding. Exploring disease resistance of non-coding RNAs in pigs co-infected with PRRSV and HPS is therefore critical to complement and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of disease resistance in Kele piglets and to innovate the use of local pig germplasm resources in China. RNA-seq of lungs from Kele piglets with single-infection of PRRSV or HPS and co-infection of both pathogens was performed. Two hundred and twenty-five differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (DElncRNAs) and 30 DEmicroRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were identified and characterized in the PRRSV and HPS co-infection (PRRSV-HPS) group. Compared with the single-infection groups, 146 unique DElncRNAs, 17 unique DEmiRNAs, and 206 target differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the PRRSV-HPS group. The expression patterns of 20 DEmiRNAs and DElncRNAs confirmed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were consistent with those determined by high-throughput sequencing. In the PRRSV-HPS group, the target DEGs were enriched in eight immune Gene Ontology terms relating to two unique DEmiRNAs and 16 DElncRNAs, and the unique target DEGs participated the host immune response to pathogens infection by affecting 15 immune-related Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment pathways. Notably, competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks of different groups were constructed, and the ssc-miR-671-5p miRNA was validated as a potential regulatory factor to regulate DTX4 and AEBP1 genes to achieve innate antiviral effects and inhibit pulmonary fibrosis by dual-luciferase reporter assays. These results provided insight into further study on the molecular mechanisms of resistance to PRRSV and HPS co-infection in Kele piglets.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.297-303
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• 1998

For the extraction and measurement of zearalenone in the corn, bean, wheat and barley contaminated with Fusarium graminearum, the zearalenone-oxime, zearalenone-oxime BSA and zearalenone monoclonal antibodies were studied to develop and apply the direct competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The extraction range of zearalenone with the monoclonal antibodies produced in this experiment was 10ng to 500ng/g feed and the 50% inhibition value was 50ng/ml. The mean recoveries of zearalenone artificially spiked in the ground corn were 89%. The specificity of F-2 monoclonal antibody for the analogues was favorable for the direct competitive ELISA. The result of the experiment showed the zearalenone in the corn, bean, wheat and barely naturally contaminated with the mold would be suitable for extraction and measurement with the monoclonal antibodies.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2005

Economic animal husbandry workers exposed to organic dust can be suffered from immunologic disorders. Our study was to determine immunological parameters related with occurrence of respiratory allergic diseases to animal husbandry workers in Korea for the first time. Peripheral blood were obtained from twenty-five pig barn workers, forty-nine chicken farming workers and fifty-one non-agricultural control workers. Significantly upregulated plasma IgE level was observed with pig-barn workers than that of chicken farming workers or healthy community control subjects. Furthermore, level of histamine, a hallmark of allergy induction, was upregulated in the pig and chicken farming workers in comparison with that of the control subjects. Downregulation of $IFN_\gamma$ and $TNF_{\alpha}$ production from T cells was apparent in the animal husbandry workers compared with the control subjects. Meanwhile, T cells collected from the pig barn workers demonstrated significantly higher production of IL-4 and IL-10 than the other groups. There were also alterations in IgG subclass distribution. In conclusion, immunological modulation probably leading to occupational allergic diseases can be occurred in the economic animal husbandry workers and the pig barn workers could be the most risky group to the work-related allergic disease.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.920-928
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• 2023

Objective: Angora rabbits fed a low-protein diet exhibit decreased hair production performance. This study was set out to evaluate the effects of methionine on hair properties and nitrogen metabolism in Angora rabbits fed a low-protein diet and to investigate the gene expression related to hair follicle development to determine the possible molecular mechanism of methionine effects on hair follicle development. Methods: An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of DL-methionine addition on a low-protein diet on hair development in Angora rabbits. Angora rabbits were divided into 5 groups: fed a normal diet (control), fed a low-protein diet (LP), or fed an LP supplemented with 0.2%, 0.4%, or 0.6% DL-methionine (Met). Results: The results showed that rabbits in the LP group had lower wool yield than the control rabbits, but the addition of 0.4% to 0.6% Met to LP attenuated these effects (p<0.05). Dietary addition of 0.4% to 0.6% Met to LP increased the apparent nitrogen digestibility, nitrogen utilization rate, and feed efficiency (p<0.05). Feeding LP decreased the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), keratin-associated protein (KAP) 3.1, and KAP 6.1 mRNA levels compared with the control, but the addition of 0.4% Met in LP attenuated these effects (p<0.05). Relative to the LP or control group, dietary addition of 0.4% Met increased versican mRNA levels. Conclusion: In conclusion, the addition of Met to LP could improves wool production performance and feed efficiency and reduce nitrogen emissions in Angora rabbits. Met can promote hair follicle development, which may be associated with IGF1, KAP, and the versican signaling.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.982-992
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• 2024

Objective: Jining Grey goat is a local Chinese goat breed that is well known for its high fertility and excellent meat quality but shows low meat production performance. Numerous studies have focused on revealing the genetic mechanism of its high fertility, but its highlighting meat quality and muscle growth mechanism still need to be studied. Methods: In this research, an integrative analysis of the genomics and transcriptomics of Jining Grey goats compared with Boer goats was performed to identify candidate genes and pathways related to the mechanisms of meat quality and muscle development. Results: Our results overlap among five genes (ABHD2, FN1, PGM2L1, PRKAG3, RAVER2) and detected a set of candidate genes associated with fatty acid metabolism (PRKAG3, HADHB, FASN, ACADM), amino acid metabolism (KMT2C, PLOD3, NSD2, SETDB1, STT3B, MAN1A2, BCKDHB, NAT8L, P4HA3) and muscle development (MSTN, PPARGC1A, ANKRD2). Several pathways have also been detected, such as the FoxO signaling pathway and Apelin signaling pathway that play roles in lipid metabolism, lysine degradation, N-glycan biosynthesis, valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation that involving with amino acid metabolism. Conclusion: The comparative genomic and transcriptomic analysis of Jining Grey goat and Boer goat revealed the mechanisms underlying the meat quality and meat productive performance of goats. These results provide valuable information for future breeding of goats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.116-121
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• 2010

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) promote the development of brain and vision of the fetus, relieve inflammation, inhibit oral dysplasia of rumor cell, decrease the incidence of cardiovascular disease and regulate arrhythmia. ${\Delta}-6$ desaturase is the rate-limited enzyme in the desaturation process. This study reports the cloning, characterization and tissue expression of a ${\Delta}-6$ desaturase gene in the chicken. PCR primers were designed based on the predicted sequence of chicken ${\Delta}-6$ desaturase (accession number: XM421053) and used to isolate a cDNA fragment of 1,323 bp from chicken liver. Based on the 1,323 bp fragment an EST (BI390105) was obtained by BLAST. The EST and 5'nd of the 1,323 bp fragment were partially overlapped. Gene specific primers derived from the EST were used for amplification of the 5'nd. Another gene-specific primer derived from the 1,323 bp fragment was used for amplification of the 3'nd by 3'ACE. Then the three overlapping cDNA sequences obtained were assembled with DNAMAN software and a full-length ${\Delta}-6$ desaturase of 2,153 bp was obtained. The full-length cDNA contained an ORF of 1,335 bp with a 5'ntranslated region of 147 nucleotides followed by an ATG initiation codon. Stop codon TGA was at position 1,481-1,483 bp. The deduced amino acids shared an homology above 77% with bovine, mice, orangutan, rat and human. The protein sequence had three histidine-rich regions HDFGH (HisI region), HFQHH (HisII region) and HH (HisIII region), a cytochrome $b_{5}$-like domain containing a heme-binding motif and two transmembrane domains. Sequence analysis of the chicken genomic DNA revealed that the coding sequence of chicken ${\Delta}-6$ desaturase included 12 exons and 11 introns. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the ${\Delta}-6$ desaturase expression levels were in turn liver, spleen, pancreas, lung, breast muscle, heart, and abdominal fat. The expression of ${\Delta}-6$ desaturase in liver was significantly higher than that in breast muscle (p<0.01). The expression of ${\Delta}-6$ desaturase in lung was significantly higher than that in abdominal fat (p<0.01). This is the first clone of chicken ${\Delta}-6$ desaturase.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.159-167
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• 1995

The relationship between palpable ovarian structure and milk progesterone levels were determined in 144 dairy cows. Depending on the ovarian structure and diseases were divided into two groups, Group I (absence of functional luteal tissue in ovary and <2ng/ml in milk progesterone levels) and Group II(presence of functional luteal tissue in ovary and ${\geq}2ng/ml$ in milk progesterone levels) 1. Among 69 cows of group I, dysfunction of ovary, atropy of ovary, follicle is ovary, follicular cyst and corpus luteum albicans were 17(11.8%), 19(13.2%), 14(9.7%), 3(2.1%) and 16 cows(11.1%), and among 75 cows of group II, corpus luteum A, B and C were 16(11.1%), 17(11.8%) and 42 cows(29.2%), respectively. 2. In Group I, milk progesterone concentrations were <1ng/ml in 55 cows(79.9%). Conversely in Ggroup II, milk progesterone concentrations were ${\geq}4ng/ml$ in 55 cows(73.3%). 3. The mean(${\pm}SE$) concentrations of milk progestsrone in the Group I and II were $1.62{\pm}0.45$ and $7.64{\pm}0.68ng/ml$, respectively, and CR test showed the difference in milk progesterone concentrations between the two groups to be statistically significant(p<0.01). 4. The mean(${\pm}SE$) concentration of milk progesterone in cows with corpus luteum A, B and C were $8.11{\pm}1.83$, $8.48{\pm}1.30$ and $7.12{\pm}0.82ng/ml$, respectively, there was no significant relationship between palpable corpora luteum structure and milk progesterone concentration. 5. The accuracy of ovarian diagnosis was 82.6 and 20.2% in the Group I and II, respectively, and Chi-square test showed the difference in accuracy between the two groups to be statistically significant (p<0.001). 6. The agreement between the rectal palpation and milk progesterone concentrations in ovarian disease was 50%.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.242-249
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• 2003

Antimicrobial activity of Caesalpina sappan L. extract (CS extract) against animal husbandry disease-related bacteria was studied. The CS extracts showed a significant antimicrobial activity against Gram(+) bacteria and this antimicrobial activity was most significant against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of CS was in the range of 0.8∼16 mg/ml and 0.8∼10 mg/ml, in the case of MeOH extracts and EtOH extracts, respectively. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of each solvent fraction was most significant with EtOAc layer. The antimicrobial activities of CS extracts against most microbial strains were stable by either heat treatment or acid treatment, whereas those against S. aureus and Sal. typhimurium were reduced by acid treatment. The inhibitory effect of CS extracts on microbial cell growth was further examined by the addition of 0, 100, 300, and 500 ppm of CS extracts into growth medium. The growth of gram(+) bacteria, S. aureus and S. epidermidis, was inhibited for 72 hours in all ranges of CS extracts added, but the growth of gram(-) bacteria was only inhibited when at least 100 ppm of CS extracts were added. Taken together, the antimicrobial activities of CS extracts were more effective against gram(+) bacteria compared to those against gram(-) bacteria.