Guanhua Fu

The Minxinan black rabbit (MBR) is a valuable genetic resource in China. In this study, we compared meat quality between indigenous MBR and introduced Hyla rabbit (CIR) using multi-omics and phenotypic analyses. We identified 1175 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 327 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) with 32 overlapping. Antioxidant-related pathways (glutathione metabolism, peroxidase activity, and HIF-1) were enriched, with upregulated superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and gamma (γ)-glutamylcyclotranserase (GGCT) (p < 0.05), enhancing the antioxidant capacity in MBR. Meanwhile, key proteins (GSTM3, ENSOCUG00000024443, and ENSOCUG00000009681) in the glutathione and cytochrome P450 pathways may regulate meat color by reducing oxidative stress. Phenotypic analysis confirmed that the MBRs had increased redness (a*), yellowness (b*), melanin, and myoglobin (p < 0.05). Additionally, proteins involved in fatty acid metabolism (ACSL6), purine metabolism (NME2 and NME4), tight junctions (MYL10), and amino acid biosynthesis (ENO1) are involved in regulating fatty acid content, which can influence meat flavor quality. Notably, MBR meat exhibited significantly increased levels of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) and glycine (p < 0.05), which regulate meat flavor. MBR demonstrated superior antioxidant capacity, color, and flavor, thus providing a scientific foundation for optimizing conservation strategies.

This study investigates the regulatory role of circFBN1 in chicken follicular granulosa cells (GCs) and its underlying molecular mechanisms through the miR-206/E2F5 pathway. circFBN1 was found to significantly enhance GC proliferation and inhibit apoptosis, as evidenced by increased expression of proliferation-related genes (PCNA, CDK1, and CCND1) and decreased expression of apoptosis-related genes (Caspase-3). Additionally, circFBN1 overexpression promoted the secretion of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) by upregulating steroidogenesis-related genes (StAR and CYP11A1). Mechanistic studies revealed that circFBN1 functions as a molecular sponge for miR-206, thereby alleviating its inhibitory effect on the target gene E2F5. Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed the specific binding between circFBN1 and miR-206. Overexpression of miR-206 had the opposite effects, inhibiting GC proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and reducing E2 and P4 secretion by downregulating StAR and CYP11A1. Furthermore, E2F5 was identified as a direct target of miR-206, and its knockdown significantly reduced GC proliferation, increased apoptosis, and decreased steroid hormone secretion. These findings elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of the circFBN1/miR-206/E2F5 axis in avian follicle development and provide potential molecular targets for improving poultry reproductive performance. Future research should focus on exploring the upstream regulators of this axis and its interactions with other signaling pathways.

Zearalenone (ZEA), an estrogenic mycotoxin, is mainly produced by Fusarium fungi. In this study, Bacillus licheniformis CK1 isolated from soil with the capability of degrading ZEA was evaluated for its efficacy in reducing the adverse effects of ZEA in piglets. The gilts were fed one of the following three diets for 14 days: a basic diet for the control group; the basic diet supplemented with ZEA-contaminated basic diet for the treatment 1 (T1) group; and the basic diet supplemented with fermented ZEA-contaminated basic diet by CK1 for the treatment 2 (T2) group. The actual ZEA contents (analyzed) were 0, 1.20 ± 0.11, 0.47 ± 0.22 mg/kg for the control, T1, and T2 diets, respectively. The results showed that the T1 group had significantly increased the size of vulva and the relative weight of reproductive organs compared to the control group at the end of the trial. The T1 group significantly decreased the concentration of the luteinizing hormone (LH) compared with the control and T2 groups. Expression of ERβ was significantly up-regulated in the T2 group compared with the control. In addition, expression of ERβ was not different between the control and the T1 group. In summary, our results suggest that Bacillus licheniformis CK1 could detoxify ZEA in feed and reduce the adverse effects of ZEA in the gilts.