Demtu Er

Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner 1861) is the sole causative agent of vaginal myiasis in Bactrian camels, and its antennal sensilla serve as essential sensory organs for detecting environmental chemical cues. However, no systematic study has been reported on the morphology of antennal sensilla in male and female. Here, we examined and compared the antennal morphology of male and female W. magnifica using scanning electron microscopy. The antennae consist of 3 main segments, the scape, pedicel, and funiculus, with an arista arising from the funiculus. Four sensillum types were identified: chaetica, trichodea, basiconica, and coeloconica. The total antennal, scape and funiculus lengths were significantly greater in females than in males. Females also bore significantly more olfactory pits on the funiculus. In males, Str I exhibited a significantly shorter but a significantly larger basal diameter and abundance than in females, with micropores on their surfaces. Both the length and abundance of Ba II and III were significantly greater in females than in males. Males showed significantly greater length and basal diameter of Co than did females. These findings demonstrate clear sexual dimorphism in the antennal sensilla of W. magnifica. Females appear to have a sensory advantage, potentially facilitating host location and larviposition site selection, whereas the specialized, porous Str I in males may be involved in sex pheromone detection. This study provides a morphological basis for future investigations into the mechanisms underlying host location and mate recognition, as well as for the development of attractants and repellents for this species.

Wohlfahrtia magnifica , a worldwide pest, causes myiasis in many domestic animals. Its pheromones and volatiles from Bactrian camels were reported to attract or repel W. magnifica , but the molecular mechanisms are still unclear. A small protein in the insect olfactory system, called odorant binding protein (OBP), plays a crucial role in odor reception. In this study, two W. magnifica odorant‐binding proteins (WmagOBPs) genes, WmagOBP42531 and WmagOBP39280, were cloned from the antennae of W. magnifica , and then expressed and purified by prokaryotic expression. Fluorescence binding assays demonstrated that WmagOBP39280 exhibits high binding affinity to methylheptenone, butylbutyrate, p‐ ethylacetophenone, acetophenone ( K _i : 4.69, 4.15, 3.48, 4.06), while WmagOBP42531 exhibits high binding affinity to p‐ ethylacetophenone and dipentene ( K _i : 4.85, 4.98) and moderate binding to methylheptenone, 1‐octene‐3‐ol, acetophenone, ethylbenzene. o ‐xylene ( K _i : 7.00, 5.96, 5.72, 7.86, 6.15). Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation results suggest that a stable complex could be formed between WmagOBP42531 and 1‐octene‐3‐ol, acetophenone, p ‐ethylacetophenone, or o ‐xylene; between WmagOBP39280 and acetophenone, butylbutyrate, p ‐ethylacetophenone, or methylheptenone, with Gibbs free energy (ΔG) ranging from −26.84 to −14.7 kcal/mol. RMSD, RMSF, and radius of gyration suggested the spontaneous binding of WmagOBP42531 and WmagOBP39280 to odor ligands.

Background :Vaginal myiasis in Bactrian camels, caused by larval infestation of Wohlfahrtia magnifica in vaginal tissues, is characterized by clinical signs including anorexia and emaciation. However, the underlying mechanisms through which this condition influences the gut microbiota and serum metabolic profiles remain poorly understood. Results :In this study, we collected fecal and serum samples from both infected and healthy camels and employed an integrated approach combining 16S rDNA gene sequencing, LC/MS(Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry)-based metabolomics, and correlation analysis to investigate the relationship between gut microbial communities and serum metabolites. 16S rDNA sequencing revealed 74 bacterial genera exhibiting significant differences in abundance ( p < 0.05) at the genus level, as determined by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Functional prediction based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database identified 41 significantly altered metabolic pathways ( p < 0.05). Among the 16 pathways significantly enriched in the infected group, those associated with metabolism were predominant ( n = 7). Serum metabolomic profiling identified 171 significantly differential abundant metabolites ( p < 0.05), with KEGG enrichment analysis revealing 28 significantly impacted metabolic pathways ( p <0.05). Furthermore, Spearman correlation analysis identified 29 significant microbiota–metabolite pairs ( p < 0.05). Integrative analysis highlighted concurrent disruptions in glycerophospholipid metabolism and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism. Conclusions :The present study reveals that vaginal myiasis disrupts the normal "Gut-microbiota-reproductive axis," triggering a systemic metabolic response in the host characterized by disturbances in glycerophospholipid metabolism and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism. Based on these findings, we propose a novel microbiota-mediated mechanism: a distant parasitic infection induces dysbiosis of the core gut microbiota, which in turn impairs the production of key metabolites. This cascade disrupts host energy homeostasis and immune balance, ultimately manifesting as clinical symptoms including emaciation and anorexia. This work provides new insights into host-microbial interactions in parasitic diseases.

Camel milk exosomes reduce blood glucose levels in diabetic mice by regulating hepatic mitochondrial complex I activity, liver metabolites, and the composition of the gut microbiota.

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the therapeutic potential of camel milk-derived extracellular vesicles (CM-EVs) for treating colonic damage caused by high-altitude hypoxia, supporting the WHO’s “Food as Medicine” initiative. Methods: Using a 5500 m mouse model, researchers induced colonic injury and treated it with oral CM-EVs for 15 days, comparing results to whole camel milk. Results: CM-EVs outperformed whole milk, significantly improving colon health by restoring barrier integrity and reducing disease activity index (DAI) (p < 0.01). They boosted beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and decreased Enterobacteriaceae (p < 0.01). Metabolic analysis showed restored bile acid balance and amino acid modulation via the FXR/NF-κB pathway, reducing TLR4/MyD88-mediated inflammation and oxidative stress (p < 0.01). Fecal microbiota transplantation in the CM-EVs group notably decreased DAI and increased colon length (p < 0.05). Conclusions: CM-EVs repair mucosal damage, balance microbiota, and regulate metabolism to combat hypoxia-induced colonic damage, suggesting their potential as nutraceuticals and altitude-adaptive foods. This showcases nanotechnology’s role in enhancing traditional dietary benefits via precision nutrition.

Background: The Alxa bactrian camel, as one of the primary breeds in China, contributes significantly to the local dietary structure as a crucial meat source. However, the existing analysis and research on the quality and chemical composition of Alxa bactrian camel meat lack a comprehensive and systematic approach, leading to a substantial lag in the development and utilization of local camel meat products. Methods: To investigate the meat quality characteristics of Alxa bactrian camels, 48 individuals were randomly selected from Desert, Gobi, Desert steppe and Mountainous areas based on their ecological environment. Their meat quality characteristics and chemical compositions were analyzed in two age groups (3~4 ,7~8 years old). Result: The shear force, fat, energy, iron, manganese, methionine, myristic acid, palmitic acid, vitamin E and hypoxanthine contents of camel meat significantly increased with age, while moisture, glutamic acid, glycine, proline, stearic acid, linoleic acid, cis-11,14,17-dodecatrienoic acid and cis-13,16-docosa-2-dienoic acid contents decreased with age. In comparison to the meat of grass-feeding livestock such as cattle and sheep, Alxa bactrian camel meat is characterized by low cholesterol, low fat, high calcium, high sodium, selenium enrichment and high L-carnitine.

The camel milk market’s rapid expansion necessitates strategies that ensure raw milk quality and safety, particularly in small-scale production. This study examines smallholder farmers in Haixi, Qinghai Province, China, where traditional practices intersect with modern standards. Analyzing 80 raw camel milk samples, the study assessed risks like adulteration, microbial contamination, and nutritional variability. DNA testing and microbial assays revealed that 66.67% of hand-milked samples were adulterated with cow milk, a significantly higher rate than mechanically processed samples (p < 0.05). Manual milking also showed higher microbial counts (up to 2.05 × 10⁴ CFU/mL) and somatic cell levels, indicating hygiene issues. Nutritional analysis found that grazing systems yielded milk with more vitamin A, B2, and potassium, while semi-intensive systems had higher ash content. A quality evaluation framework was developed, combining pastoralist knowledge with rapid diagnostic tools, focusing on mechanization, cold-chain efficiency, and community training. This framework provides strategies to reduce adulteration, ensure nutritional consistency, and align small-scale production with international standards. The study proposes culturally adaptive quality control methods to protect consumer health, support rural livelihoods, and standardize the camel milk market.

Camel milk is known to have hypoglycemic properties. Previous studies found that camel milk exosomes (CM-exo) may regulate cellular glucose metabolism through the inhibition of mitochondrial complex I, but this hypothesis has not been verified by other experiments. The objective of this study was to verify the hypothesis that CM-exo regulated glucose metabolism in hepatocytes by inhibiting mitochondrial complex I pathway. AML12 cells were treated with extracted exosomes from camel milk and the effect of the CM-exo on cell viability was examined by cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assays. The glucose content of the cell culture medium was measured to determine the glucose consumption of the cells. Lactate release from the cells was determined by measuring the lactate content in the cell culture medium. The glycogen content of AML12 cells was detected. The activity of complex I and the contents of ATP, NAD+ and NADH were measured. The protein expression levels of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK) were detected by western blotting. The AML12 cells were treated with medium containing CM-exo and gluconeogenic substrates and the glucose content in the cells was determined. The protein expression levels of ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenases (TET3), hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α-Promoter 2 (HNF4α-P2), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC), glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and phosphorylation of GSK3β (p-GSK3β) were detected by western blotting. The results of this study showed that a high dose of CM-exo inhibited the viability of AML12 cells. It promoted glucose consumption, glycogen content and lactate release in AML12 cells, inhibited complex I activity, ATP content, NAD+ content, and NAD+/NADH ratio, and increased NADH content. The CM-exo increased the protein levels of p-AMPK, p-GSK3β, the protein expression ratio of p-AMPK/AMPK, p-GSK3β/GSK3β and decreased the glucose content and the protein expression levels of intracellular TET3, HNF4α-P2, PEPCK and G6PC. By inhibiting the activity of mitochondrial complex I in hepatocytes, CM-exo inhibited oxidative phosphorylation, oxidation of NADH to NAD+ and synthesis of ATP, enhanced glycolysis, activated AMPK and resulted in decreased gluconeogenesis and increased glycogen synthesis.

Food Science of Animal Resources (Food Sci. Anim. Resour.) is an international, peer-reviewed bimonthly journal publishing original research and reviews on basic and applied aspects of the use of animal resources including the meat, egg, dairy, and edible insect/worm products. Food Sci. Anim. Resour. is published and distributed by the Korean Society for Food Science of Animal Resources.

Background: The longissimus dorsi muscle of the camel was chosen as the experimental material in order to investigate the impact of plasma electric field assisted freezing on the quality and freezing process of Bactrian camel meat. Methods: The effect of the auxiliary plasma electric field of different field strengths (1 kV/m, 3 kV/m and 5 kV/m) on the freezing velocity of the camel meat and the distribution of ice crystals as well as the diameter and roundness of ice crystal in the frozen meat were studied and analyzing them with the help of the thermodynamic theory. Result: The findings demonstrated that the meat samples in the auxiliary 5 kV/m plasma field environment took 60 min and 30 min, respectively, at -20°C and -35°C, to pass the maximal ice crystal production zone. The tissue sections revealed that at -20°C and -35°C assisted 5 kV/m plasma field freezing, the smallest ice crystal area and grain size were formed, the roundness of the ice crystals was highest. Using Boltzmann’s entropic equation to calculate the system’s entropy, the results revealed that the meat samples frozen by the aided 5 kV/m plasma electric field had the lowest entropy at -20°C and -35°C. The electric field assisted freezing requires less energy to improve the subcooling degree and accelerate the freezing rate of meat samples, proving that the auxiliary 5 kV/m plasma electric field can significantly improve the system frozen meat moisture vitrification degree and can make the crystallization process more controllable.