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Veterinary Sciences
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Interaction Between Intestinal Microorganisms and Hosts to Regulate Animal Growth
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Interaction Between Intestinal Microorganisms and Hosts to Regulate Animal Growth

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 8853

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Shifeng Pan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Veterinary Sciences, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Interests: animal growth regulation; interaction between intestinal microorganisms and hosts
Dr. Yanhong Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang 453003, China
Interests: animal growth regulation and animal welfare; physiological metabolism and inflammatory diseases of livestock and poultry
Dr. Penggang Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Interests: animal reproductive development and pathogenic mechanisms

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid development of modern biotechnology and in-depth research in the field of digestive tract microecology, the complex interaction between intestinal microorganisms and their hosts is gradually being deciphered. Intestinal microorganisms, which include a diverse array of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes, play a pivotal role in regulating animal growth by affecting various biological processes. Two key research directions have emerged in this field. The first focuses on nutrients and their role in maintaining intestinal innate immunity. Nutrients are not only essential for the host’s health, but also influence the balance of gut microorganisms, promoting an optimal immune response to protect the gut from pathogens while supporting its natural microflora. The second direction explores the interaction between intestinal microorganisms and host cells, particularly how microorganisms communicate with and influence host cell function at the molecular level. This interaction affects nutrient absorption, energy metabolism, and overall growth performance in animals. By understanding these molecular mechanisms, researchers aim to develop new strategies to improve animal health and growth through tailored nutritional and microbial interventions. This field holds great promise for advancements in both animal husbandry and biotechnology.

Prof. Dr. Shifeng Pan
Dr. Yanhong Zhang
Dr. Penggang Liu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nutrients
  • intestinal microbiota
  • innate immunity
  • host–microbe interaction
  • molecular mechanisms
  • gut homeostasis
  • animal growth
  • microbial balance
  • nutrient absorption
  • immune response

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2676 KiB  
Article
Ssc-miR-130b Enhances Cell Proliferation and Represses Adipogenesis of Primary Cultured Intramuscular Preadipocytes in Pigs
by Yunqiu Yang, Yongfang Chen, Lijun Wang, Min Du, Rui Zhang, Yao Lu and Shifeng Pan
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(4), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12040375 - 17 Apr 2025
Viewed by 334
Abstract
In the efforts towards germplasm innovation of livestock and poultry, strategies to improve meat quality have faced some increasingly challenging and dynamic concerns. Intramuscular fat (IMF) content and backfat thickness are two important traits contributing to meat quality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs)—a class of endogenous [...] Read more.
In the efforts towards germplasm innovation of livestock and poultry, strategies to improve meat quality have faced some increasingly challenging and dynamic concerns. Intramuscular fat (IMF) content and backfat thickness are two important traits contributing to meat quality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs)—a class of endogenous noncoding RNAs maintaining cell homeostasis by inhibiting target gene expression—have been proven as critical regulators of body fat deposition, thus affecting farm animal production. Our previous in vitro and in vivo models of pigs have clarified that miR-130b overexpression can obviously suppress adipogenesis of subcutaneous preadipocytes and lower backfat thickness. However, the way miR-130b regulates proliferation and adipogenesis of primary cultured porcine intramuscular preadipocytes (PIMPA) and the underlying mechanism are still unknown. PIMPA derived from longissimus dorsi muscle were employed to examine the role of miR-130b in proliferation and adipogenesis and to further elucidate its underlying mechanism. Lipid deposition in cytoplasm was evaluated by TG quantification and ORO-staining, and EDU-staining was employed to measure cell proliferation. Adipogenic and proliferation-related gene expression were conducted by qPCR and Western blot. MiR-130b overexpression markedly stimulated proliferation of PIMPA by increasing cell cycle-related gene expression. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-130b significantly inhibited adipogenic differentiation of PIMPA, mainly by inhibiting expression of adipogenic differentiation marker genes PPAR-γ and SREBP1. In addition, we proved that miR-130b significantly inhibited expression of PPAR-γ downstream target genes and ultimately repressed adipogenesis. Ssc-miR-130b accelerated proliferation but inhibited adipogenic differentiation of PIMPA, contributing to an enhanced knowledge of the function of ssc-miR-130b in lipid deposition, and providing potential implications for enhancing pork quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Intestinal Microorganisms and Hosts to Regulate Animal Growth)
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18 pages, 3154 KiB  
Article
Angelicae Pubescentis Radix Remitted Intestine Damage in Mice Induced by Escherichia coli via Mediating Antioxidant Defense, Inflammatory Mediators, and Restoring Gut Microbiota
by Kehong Deng, Chang Xu, Qing He, Muhammad Safdar, Mudassar Nazar, Xiaocong Li and Kun Li
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(4), 354; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12040354 - 10 Apr 2025
Viewed by 480
Abstract
This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix (APR), a traditional Chinese medicine that is widely known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-microbial properties, using a mouse model. In this study, 30 mice were selected and divided into three [...] Read more.
This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix (APR), a traditional Chinese medicine that is widely known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-microbial properties, using a mouse model. In this study, 30 mice were selected and divided into three groups: control group (CD), infection group (ED), and treatment group (TD). Mice in the TD were gavaged with APR oil (0.15 mL/kg/day) for 20 days, while mice in the CD and ED received an equal volume of normal saline. On the 21st day, mice in the ED and TD were infected with multi-drug-resistant E. coli (1 × 107 CFU/mL) derived from diarrheal yak. Twenty-four hours later, all mice were euthanized, and blood, organs, and intestinal samples were collected for analysis. The results of intestinal sections and intestinal bacterial load revealed that APR treatment significantly reduced (p < 0.05) both bacterial load and intestinal injury. Serum analysis indicated that APR treatment also alleviated the inflammation and oxidative stress induced by E. coli infection. Intestinal microbiota sequencing further showed that APR treatment increased the abundance of intestinal probiotics such as Ligilactobacillus, Paludicola, and Blautia_A_1417806 while also enhancing the enrichment of functional pathways associated with antioxidant defense. In conclusion, APR treatment effectively alleviates diseases caused by E. coli infection, promotes the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria, and improves the antioxidant capacity in animals. Additionally, these findings confirm APR’s role in addressing immediate effects rather than chronic adaptations. Future studies should investigate the prolonged effects of APR treatment beyond the acute phase. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Intestinal Microorganisms and Hosts to Regulate Animal Growth)
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17 pages, 2660 KiB  
Article
Dietary Bacillus toyonensis BCT-7112T Supplementation Influences Performance, Egg Quality, Ammonia Emission, and Cecal Microbiome in Laying Ducks
by Tossaporn Incharoen, Rangsun Charoensook, Wandee Tartrakoon, Sonthaya Numthuam, Yutthana Sunanta, Guillermo Jimenez and Juan J. Loor
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(3), 259; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12030259 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 657
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of Bacillus toyonensis BCT-7112T on laying duck performance, egg quality, ammonia emission, and cecal microbiota. Two hundred twenty 32-week-old Khaki Campbell ducks were assigned to four dietary treatments (0, 200, 500, or 1000 ppm Toyocerin® 10 [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the effects of Bacillus toyonensis BCT-7112T on laying duck performance, egg quality, ammonia emission, and cecal microbiota. Two hundred twenty 32-week-old Khaki Campbell ducks were assigned to four dietary treatments (0, 200, 500, or 1000 ppm Toyocerin® 109 premixture, containing 1 × 10⁹ B. toyonensis BCT-7112T CFU/g) with five replicate pens of eleven birds each. Data on productivity, egg quality, and ammonia emissions were collected weekly, and cecal microbiota were analyzed at 44 weeks of age. Supplementation with 1000 ppm B. toyonensis BCT-7112T significantly increased average egg weight (p < 0.001) and eggshell thickness (p = 0.007). Egg mass also improved at higher supplementation levels (p < 0.05), though feed intake, feed conversion, daily egg production, and most egg quality parameters were unaffected (p > 0.05). Ammonia emissions in litter decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with probiotic inclusion. Cecal microbiota analysis revealed higher diversity in ducks fed 1000 ppm, with a notable shift in predominant phyla from Bacteroidetes (35.12%) and Firmicutes (34.93%) in the controls to Bacteroidetes (40.52%), Firmicutes (34.08%), and Deferribacteres (9.54%) in the treated ducks. The findings suggest that 1000 ppm B. toyonensis BCT-7112T enhances egg production, eggshell quality, and microbial diversity while reducing ammonia emissions in laying duck systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Intestinal Microorganisms and Hosts to Regulate Animal Growth)
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13 pages, 4672 KiB  
Article
The CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Knockout of VgrG2 in Wild Pathogenic E. coli to Alleviate the Effects on Cell Damage and Autophagy
by Tian-Ling Pan, Jin-Long Cha, Hao Wang, Jing-Song Zhang, Jin-Long Xiao, Jue Shen, Meng Zhou, Yue Li, Jin-Zhi Ma, Kai-Yuan Zhao, Yong-Kang Zhang, Peng Xiao and Hong Gao
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(3), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12030249 - 5 Mar 2025
Viewed by 885
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9, as a well-established gene editing technology, has been applied in numerous model organisms, but its application in wild-type E. coli remains limited. Pathogenic wild-type E. coli, a major cause of foodborne illnesses and intestinal inflammation in humans and animals, poses a [...] Read more.
CRISPR/Cas9, as a well-established gene editing technology, has been applied in numerous model organisms, but its application in wild-type E. coli remains limited. Pathogenic wild-type E. coli, a major cause of foodborne illnesses and intestinal inflammation in humans and animals, poses a significant global public health threat. The valine-glycine repeat protein G (VgrG) is a key virulence factor that enhances E. coli pathogenicity. In this study, PCR was used to identify 50 strains carrying the virulence gene VgrG2 out of 83 wild pathogenic E. coli strains, with only one strain sensitive to kanamycin and spectinomycin. A homologous repair template for VgrG2 was constructed using overlap PCR. A dual-plasmid CRISPR/Cas9 system, combining pTarget (spectinomycin resistance) and pCas (kanamycin resistance) with Red homologous recombination, was then used to induce genomic cleavage and knock out VgrG2. PCR and sequencing confirmed the deletion of a 1708 bp fragment of the VgrG2 gene in wild-type E. coli. IPEC-J2 cells were infected with E. coli-WT and E. coli ∆VgrG2, and treated with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin to study the effects of VgrG2 on the mTOR signaling pathway. The qPCR results showed that VgrG2 activated the mTOR pathway, suppressed mTOR and p62 mRNA levels, and upregulated the autophagy-related genes and LC3-II protein expression. In conclusion, we utilized CRISPR/Cas9 technology to achieve large-fragment deletions in wild-type E. coli, revealing that VgrG2 activates the mTOR signaling pathway and upregulates autophagy markers. These findings offer new insights into E. coli genome editing and clarifies the pathogenic mechanisms through which VgrG2 induces cellular damage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Intestinal Microorganisms and Hosts to Regulate Animal Growth)
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18 pages, 3274 KiB  
Article
N-(3-Oxododecanoyl)-Homoserine Lactone Induces Intestinal Barrier Damage in Piglets via the Lipid Raft-Mediated Apoptosis Pathway
by Yang Yang, Xin Zhang, Jin Yang, Ziyan Wu, Junpeng Li, Ruilong Song, Chuang Meng and Guoqiang Zhu
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(3), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12030233 - 3 Mar 2025
Viewed by 529
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a process by which bacteria sense their population density and regulate behavior accordingly. QS not only regulates bacterial virulence but also directly influences host cells. Previous studies have shown that QS is strongly associated with piglet intestinal health, but [...] Read more.
Quorum sensing (QS) is a process by which bacteria sense their population density and regulate behavior accordingly. QS not only regulates bacterial virulence but also directly influences host cells. Previous studies have shown that QS is strongly associated with piglet intestinal health, but the mechanism is not yet clear. For the first time, we have confirmed in a piglet animal model that OdDHL directly damages intestinal cells in weaned piglets, disrupting the intestinal barrier. We also provide a preliminary exploration of the underlying mechanism of these effects. TUNEL assays confirmed that damage to the piglet intestinal barrier coincided temporally and spatially with dysregulated apoptosis. Lipid rafts, key components of the cell membrane, are involved in many biological processes, including the activation of apoptosis-related proteins. Following the disruption of the lipid raft structure in IPEC-J2 cells, the apoptosis rate under OdDHL stimulation decreased by 50%. These data demonstrate that lipid rafts mediate the attachment of OdDHL to porcine intestinal cells; then, OdDHL induces apoptosis in porcine intestinal cells through the mitochondrial and death receptor pathways, thereby compromising the integrity of the porcine intestinal barrier. This study provides foundational insights into the role of QS in piglet intestinal diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Intestinal Microorganisms and Hosts to Regulate Animal Growth)
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17 pages, 2542 KiB  
Article
The Occurrence and Meta-Analysis of Investigations on Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Captive Wild Mammals in Mainland China
by Xueping Zhang, Hongyu Zhou, Lina Ye, Jiayu Shi, Huiling Zhang and Tangjie Zhang
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(2), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12020182 - 18 Feb 2025
Viewed by 753
Abstract
This study investigated the infection rates of intestinal parasites in captive wild animals from 2000 to 2024 and analyzed the associated risk factors using a meta-analysis. We retrieved 29 studies, with a total of 8421 captive wild mammals, published between 2000 and 2024. [...] Read more.
This study investigated the infection rates of intestinal parasites in captive wild animals from 2000 to 2024 and analyzed the associated risk factors using a meta-analysis. We retrieved 29 studies, with a total of 8421 captive wild mammals, published between 2000 and 2024. We used the DerSimonian-Laird model and calculated infection rate estimates with the variance stabilizing double arcsine transformation. The results revealed that the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in captive wild mammals in mainland China was found to be 53.9%. The highest infection rate was observed for nematodes at 45.1%. Seasonal subgroup analysis revealed the highest incidence in summer at 61.8% and 61.6% in winter. In the class order Mammalia, the highest infection rate was found in the Primates at 66.5% and similarly high values were determined in several other orders like Artiodactyla (59%), Rodentia (57.1%), Carnivora (53.3%) and extremely low in Proboscidea (19.9%). The highest overall infection rate was recorded in summer. The infection rate of gastrointestinal parasites in captive wild mammals in mainland China is notably high. Additionally, parasitic infection rates in captive animals were found to be lower in economically developed regions of mainland China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Intestinal Microorganisms and Hosts to Regulate Animal Growth)
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17 pages, 2137 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Off-Season Breeding Effects on Egg-Laying Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters, and Reproductive Hormones in Zhedong White
by Jiaqiao Zhu, Yonggang Ma, Waseem Ali, Rui Yu, Hui Zou and Zongping Liu
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(2), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12020179 - 17 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 602
Abstract
Off-season breeding is a method of encouraging animals through manual intervention to reproduce during the non-breeding season. The egg-laying period of the Zhedong white goose usually starts from September and ends in April of the following year. During the summer months from May [...] Read more.
Off-season breeding is a method of encouraging animals through manual intervention to reproduce during the non-breeding season. The egg-laying period of the Zhedong white goose usually starts from September and ends in April of the following year. During the summer months from May to August, with long daylight hours and high temperatures, the white geese rest and do not lay eggs. This study explored the effects of off-season breeding on egg production performance, serum biochemical indicators, and hormone secretion in Zhedong white goose. The experiment was divided into normal breeding and off-seasonal breeding. The results suggested that the peak laying period lasted 3 months, and egg production was 15.62% higher than that in the control group in the off-season breeding group. The off-season breeding group had a 4.13% higher egg fertilization rate in November (laying period) than the control group, and the hatching rate of hatched eggs and fertilized eggs in the peak laying period was 2.77% and 2.3% higher, respectively, than the control group. The experimental group showed significantly higher serum P, ALB (albumin), TG (triglyceride), and TC (total cholesterol) levels; serum AST (glutamic oxalacetic transaminase) activity; and CREA (creatinine) and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) levels than the control group at different time points. The serum LH (luteinizing hormone), FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), P4 (progesterone), and E2 (estradiol) levels were significantly higher in the off-season breeding group than in the control group. The serum T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (Tetraiodothyronine) levels were significantly higher in the off-season breeding group than in the control group at different points in the breeding cycle. The control group showed a significantly higher gene expression of GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) in the hypothalamus; GnRH, FSH, and LH in the pituitary; and GnRH in the ovary and significantly lower gene expression of VIP (vasoactine intestinal peptide) and PRL (prolactin) in the pituitary than the off-season breeding group. Thus, the off-season breeding of Zhedong white geese may prolong the peak laying period and improve egg production performance, thus enhancing the economic benefits of goose breeding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Intestinal Microorganisms and Hosts to Regulate Animal Growth)
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16 pages, 5500 KiB  
Article
Helicobacter hepaticus CdtB Triggers Colonic Mucosal Barrier Disruption in Mice via Epithelial Tight Junction Impairment Mediated by MLCK/pMLC2 Signaling Pathway
by Tao Wang, Xiao Meng, Miao Qian, Shanhao Jin, Ruoyu Bao, Liqi Zhu and Quan Zhang
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(2), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12020174 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 683
Abstract
Background: Helicobacter hepaticus (H. hepaticus) has been demonstrated to have clinical relevance to the development of colitis in rodents. H. hepaticus produces cytolethal distending toxins (CDTs), which are identified as the most important virulence factors to the pathogenicity of CDT-producing [...] Read more.
Background: Helicobacter hepaticus (H. hepaticus) has been demonstrated to have clinical relevance to the development of colitis in rodents. H. hepaticus produces cytolethal distending toxins (CDTs), which are identified as the most important virulence factors to the pathogenicity of CDT-producing bacteria in animals. However, the precise relationship between CDTs of H. hepaticus and intestinal barrier dysfunction remains unclear. The objective of the present study was to ascertain the impact of CdtB, the active subunit of CDTs, on the colonic mucosal barrier during H. hepaticus infection. Materials and Methods: We investigated the infection of male BALB/c mice, intestinal organoids, and IEC-6 cell monolayers by H. hepaticus or CdtB-deficient H. hepaticus (ΔCdtB). A comprehensive histopathological examination was conducted, encompassing the assessment of H. hepaticus colonization, the levels of mRNA expression for inflammatory cytokines, the expression levels of tight junction proteins, and the related signaling pathways. Results: The results demonstrate that the presence of ΔCdtB led to a mitigation of the symptoms associated with H. hepaticus-induced colitis, as evidenced by colon length shortening and the colon histological inflammation score. In addition, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were reduced in the ΔCdtB group. Moreover, a downward trend was observed in the phosphorylation levels of STAT3 and nuclear factor-κB (p65). In vitro, the presence of H. hepaticus resulted in a reduction in the expression of tight junction (TJ) markers (ZO-1 and occludin) and an impairment of the F-actin structure in either the intestinal epithelium or intestinal organoids. However, these effects were reversed by CdtB deletion. Concurrently, both ROS levels and apoptosis levels were found to be significantly reduced in cells treated with the ΔCdtB strain. Mechanistically, myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) activation was observed in the H. hepaticus-infected group in vivo, whereas the MLCK inhibitor ML-7 was found to reverse the CdtB-induced alterations in TJ proteins in IEC6 cells. Conclusions: The collective findings demonstrate that CdtB plays a pivotal role in the H. hepaticus-induced colonic mucosal barrier. This is achieved through the regulation of TJs via the MLCK/pMLC2 signaling pathway, which is linked to elevations in oxidative stress and inflammation within intestinal epithelial cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Intestinal Microorganisms and Hosts to Regulate Animal Growth)
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11 pages, 5802 KiB  
Article
Effect of Ascites Syndrome on Diversity of Cecal Microbiota of Broiler Chickens
by Aikebaier Reheman, Zhichao Wang, Ruihuan Gao, Jiang He, Juncheng Huang, Changqing Shi, Meng Qi and Xinwei Feng
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(2), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12020126 - 5 Feb 2025
Viewed by 645
Abstract
Ascites syndrome (AS) is a metabolic disease that seriously affects the growth and development of broiler chickens. Intestinal microbiota play a significant role in the growth of broiler chickens. Therefore, further research on the relationship between AS and intestinal microbiota will help to [...] Read more.
Ascites syndrome (AS) is a metabolic disease that seriously affects the growth and development of broiler chickens. Intestinal microbiota play a significant role in the growth of broiler chickens. Therefore, further research on the relationship between AS and intestinal microbiota will help to better understand the impact of AS on broiler growth. In this study, 0.2% sodium chloride was added to the drinking water, which induced AS in broiler chickens, and we detected the influence of AS on the growth performance and cecal microbiota of broiler chickens. The results showed that AS significantly reduced the cecal microbial diversity of broiler chickens and affected the cecal microbial composition at the phylum and genus levels (p = 0.05). Further, LEfSe analysis revealed that AS significantly increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes (p = 0.035) while simultaneously reducing the abundance of Actinobacteria (p = 0.031) in the cecum. Additionally, the differential metabolites associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation were significantly diminished. The findings suggest that AS may further impact the growth rate of broiler chickens by altering cecal microorganisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Intestinal Microorganisms and Hosts to Regulate Animal Growth)
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17 pages, 2635 KiB  
Article
Glycerol Monolaurate Complex Improved Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammation, and Gut Microbiota Composition of Offspring in a Sow–Piglet Model
by Dan Li, Min Yang, Zhao Ma, Lianqiang Che, Bin Feng, Zhengfeng Fang, Shengyu Xu, Yong Zhuo, Jian Li, JiHhua Wang, Zhengfan Zhang, Zehui Wu, Tao Lin, De Wu and Yan Lin
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12010024 - 7 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1514
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal glycerol monolaurate complex (GML) and antibiotic (acetylisovaleryltylosin tartrate, ATLL) supplementation during late gestation and lactation on the reproductive performance of sows and the growth performance of piglets. In total, 64 pregnant sows were randomly [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal glycerol monolaurate complex (GML) and antibiotic (acetylisovaleryltylosin tartrate, ATLL) supplementation during late gestation and lactation on the reproductive performance of sows and the growth performance of piglets. In total, 64 pregnant sows were randomly divided into control, antibiotic, 0.1% GML, and 0.2% GML groups. The GML shortened their delivery interval and farrowing duration. The ATLL increased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in sows and piglets and enhanced glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in piglets, while reducing the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level in sows. The GML tended to increase milk protein in the colostrum and decreased the TNF-α of sows at lactation. Meanwhile, 0.2% GML increased the serum total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity and interleukin-6 level in weaned piglets and decreased the TNF-α level in sows and weaned piglets. Furthermore, ATLL decreased the microbial diversity of sows, and GML tended to increase the microbial diversity of sows and piglets. The ATLL group had an increased relative abundance of Bacteroidota in weaned piglets. The GML decreased the relative abundance of Peptostreptococcales-Tissierellales, Proteobacteria, and the harmful bacteria Romboutsia in sows. Compared with the ATLL group, the 0.2% GML reduced the relative abundance of Bacteroidota in weaned piglets. Interestingly, both ATLL and GML supplementation decreased the relative abundance of harmful bacteria Peptostreptococcaceae in sows. Correlation analysis also found positive effects of ATLL and GML in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant aspects. In conclusion, GML enhanced reproductive and growth performance by improving antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status and maintaining intestinal flora balance, making it a promising alternative to ATLL in future applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Intestinal Microorganisms and Hosts to Regulate Animal Growth)
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14 pages, 7851 KiB  
Article
Effects of Long-Term Serum Starvation on Autophagy, Metabolism, and Differentiation of Porcine Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells
by Yi Wang, Juan Gao, Bojun Fan, Yuemin Hu, Yuefei Yang, Yajie Wu, Jiaqiao Zhu, Junwei Li, Feng Li and Huiming Ju
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12010011 - 30 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1036
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of long-term serum starvation on autophagy, metabolism, and differentiation of porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) and elucidated the role of autophagy in skeletal muscle development. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for improving meat production in domestic [...] Read more.
This study investigated the effects of long-term serum starvation on autophagy, metabolism, and differentiation of porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) and elucidated the role of autophagy in skeletal muscle development. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for improving meat production in domestic pigs. The SMSCs isolated and preserved in our laboratory were revived and divided into six groups based on the culture medium serum concentration to simulate varying levels of serum starvation: 20% serum (control group), 15% serum (mild serum starvation group), 5% serum (severe serum starvation group), and their autophagy inhibition groups supplemented with 3-methyladenine. After 96 h of culture, the apoptosis rate, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species, and ATP were measured to evaluate the effects of serum starvation on the SMSCs’ metabolism. Additionally, the levels of autophagy-related proteins, autophagosomes, and autolysosomes were measured to investigate the impact of long-term serum starvation on autophagy. The expression of proteins associated with myogenic and adipogenic differentiation (MHC, MyoD1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and lipoprotein lipase) as well as lipid content were also determined to investigate the effects of long-term serum starvation on SMSC differentiation. The results showed that long-term serum starvation induced autophagy through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, accelerated cell metabolism and apoptosis, exacerbated reactive oxygen species accumulation, and inhibited myogenic and adipogenic differentiation of SMSCs. Moreover, these effects were positively correlated with the level of serum starvation. In addition, serum starvation-induced autophagy moderately promoted the myogenic and adipogenic differentiation of SMSCs; however, these effects were insufficient to counteract the inhibition of cell differentiation by long-term serum starvation. This study provides insight into leveraging serum starvation as a stressor to regulate muscle growth and metabolism in domestic pigs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interaction Between Intestinal Microorganisms and Hosts to Regulate Animal Growth)
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