Search Results (7,153)

Urbanization threatens amphibians through habitat loss and fragmentation. The critically endangered Hynobius yangi, endemic to Korea, faces severe habitat destruction from urban development. No previous study has simultaneously assessed physicochemical habitat quality and larval feeding ecology across restored and alternative wetlands for this species using fecal DNA metabarcoding. We compared 25 H. yangi spawning sites in Sasong New Town through long-term monitoring (April 2021–September 2024; 364 surveys) and fecal DNA metabarcoding (18S V9, COI313, and blocking primers) from 60 larvae. Egg sac abundance showed negative associations with habitat area (r = −0.21), pH (r = −0.23), and conductivity (r = −0.21); however, none retained significance after Bonferroni correction, and each explained only 4–5% of variance, indicating exploratory associations. Associated conditions included area 115.5 ± 16.2 m² (mean ± SE), circularity 44.2 ± 2.4%, pH 7.55 ± 0.10, and conductivity 53.0 ± 2.7 μS/cm. Dietary analysis identified 17 prey taxa. Larvae in alternative areas showed generalist feeding favoring Perlidae and Tubificidae, while restored-area larvae showed specialist patterns dominated by Chironomidae, Nematocera, and Psychodidae. Both habitat types supported H. yangi populations. These preliminary findings suggest that appropriately designed alternative areas may complement traditional restoration, pending multi-site validation. Full article

Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür) is a phytozoophagous crop pest. While the effects of plant-based diets on its development and reproduction have been extensively studied, the combined effects of plant- and prey-based diets on these traits remain poorly understood. This study systematically evaluated the effects of plant-only, prey-only, and mixed plant–prey diets on A. lucorum nymphal survival and development, as well as adult longevity and fecundity, under controlled laboratory conditions. The results demonstrate that diet composition significantly affected nymphal survival and developmental progression. Nymphs fed exclusively on prey (Aphis gossypii Glover or Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) nymphs) failed to complete juvenile development. Although a diet of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) eggs alone enabled some individuals to reach adulthood, survival rates were significantly lower than those in mixed-diet treatments. Mixed feeding markedly improved nymphal survival, with the highest rates observed in groups fed green beans + H. armigera eggs and cotton leaves + B. tabaci nymph combinations (both 64.45%). The developmental duration was also influenced. Mixed diets, particularly green beans + H. armigera eggs, significantly shortened each instar and the total developmental time (11.04 ± 0.17 d), whereas a diet of cotton leaves alone prolonged development (19.45 ± 0.24 d). Adult longevity and reproductive output were likewise diet-dependent. The longest lifespans were recorded in adults fed green beans alone or green beans + H. armigera eggs, while the shortest lifespan was observed for those fed only cotton leaves. Successful oviposition was only achieved following four dietary treatments: green beans alone, green beans + H. armigera eggs, H. armigera eggs alone, and cotton leaves + H. armigera eggs. Among these, the green bean + H. armigera egg diet yielded the best reproductive performance, featuring the shortest pre-oviposition period (5.82 ± 0.60 d), the longest oviposition period (19.41 ± 1.68 d), and the highest mean fecundity per female (238.35 ± 25.51 eggs). This underscores the reproductive advantage of a mixed plant–prey diet. This study clarifies how dietary conditions shape the survival, development, and reproduction of A. lucorum, highlighting its strong reliance on nutritional quality for key life-history traits. These findings offer valuable insights into the ecological adaptations underlying the feeding behavior of this insect. Full article

Conventional hormonal and clinical models inadequately clarify the complex and diverse aspects of female infertility, resulting in poor reproductive outcomes and reduced egg viability. A growing body of research indicates that female reproductive failure is mostly due to disruptions in cellular homeostasis, especially concerning organelle quality control. Oxidative stress has emerged as a crucial mediator connecting metabolic, inflammatory, and ageing-related processes to ovarian failure, however its downstream impacts on intracellular organelle turnover remain insufficiently clarified. Our narrative review encapsulates the existing data for a unified pathogenic concept focused on the redox-regulated mitochondria–lysosome axis. We examine the interaction of oxidative stress, mitochondrial malfunction, compromised mitophagy, and lysosomal deficiency in granulosa cells and oocytes. Prolonged oxidative stress may disrupt this equilibrium, leading to defective mitochondria accumulation and impaired mitophagy. This self-perpetuating cycle may ultimately jeopardises reproductive viability and oocyte integrity. The integrated axis offers a shared molecular foundation for various infertility-related diseases, such as inadequate ovarian response, obesity-associated infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, and ovarian ageing. Ultimately, we analyse new findings suggesting that specific antioxidant chemicals modify mitophagy and lysosomal function while also neutralising reactive oxygen species, highlighting their potential use in precision fertility treatments. Our research redefines female infertility as a condition of redox-dependent organelle quality control, thereby introducing novel avenues for identifying biomarkers, categorising patients, and targeting treatments in assisted reproduction. Full article

This study examined the life characteristics, fecundity, and innate immune response of fairy shrimp (Branchinella thailandensis Sanoamuang, Saengphan and Murugan, 2002) cultivated on Chlorella vulgaris, biofloc, dried powder Spirulina sp., and a formulated feed. These feeds were selected to compare traditional live feed (Chlorella vulgaris), microbial-based feed (biofloc), and alternative dry feed in order to identify a sustainable feeding strategy for fairy shrimp culture. The lifespans of male and female fairy shrimp reared on the biofloc diet were the longest at 44 ± 6.00 and 44.33 ± 4.67 days, respectively. Fairy shrimp reared on the biofloc diet demonstrated significantly enhanced growth, with lengths of 25.66 ± 1.75 mm in males and 27.60 ± 2.08 mm in females. The highest fecundity was also observed in the biofloc treatment, with 25 ± 6.65 broods per female, an average of 229.57 ± 2.08 eggs per brood, and a total of 5726.33 ± 1518.11 eggs per female over their lifespan. Fairy shrimp fed with Chlorella vulgaris, biofloc, and Spirulina sp. showed significantly high levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lysozyme activities compared to those fed on a formulated feed, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker of oxidative stress, were lower in these three groups. Results suggested that biofloc was a viable feed option for B. thailandensis, which positively influenced growth, lifespan, and fecundity while enhancing the innate immune function. Full article

Silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus, family Stromateidae) is a highly valuable marine fish species with significant commercial demand; however, its aquaculture remains undeveloped due to limited knowledge of captive breeding and seed production. To our knowledge, this is the first successful report on the induction of maturation, natural spawning, and larval rearing of silver pomfret under captive conditions in Korea. Wild broodstock (33 individuals in 2020; 250 individuals in 2021) were collected from the southern coastal waters of Korea using set nets. In the first year, water temperature management alone successfully induced gonadal maturation, as evidenced by a significant increase in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the presence of vitellogenic oocytes (400–500 μm) in April. In the second year, natural spawning was observed on fifteen occasions from May to September 2022, yielding a total number of 157,050 eggs. Fertilized eggs were spherical, transparent, and pelagic, with diameters ranging from 1.29 to 1.37 mm. Hatched larvae (total length: 4.85 ± 0.22 mm) exhibited poor feeding responses to rotifers and high early mortality within two weeks post-hatching, with the maximum rearing period reaching 24 days post-hatching. These findings demonstrate that water temperature management alone is sufficient to induce maturation and natural spawning of silver pomfret, and highlight the critical need for optimizing larval feeds, improving broodstock nutritional management, and conducting endocrine profiling during reproduction to establish a complete aquaculture protocol for this species. Full article

Against the backdrop of the full implementation of “antibiotic ban” and “zinc restriction” policies in livestock and poultry breeding, and the growing consumer demand for safe livestock and poultry products, the development of natural and efficient green feed additives has become crucial for the sustainable development of the animal husbandry industry. Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L., has attracted extensive attention in poultry production due to its various biological activities and safety. This paper thoroughly reviews the chemical structure and physicochemical properties of curcumin, and elaborates on its core molecular mechanisms of action, which mainly involve the regulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, immunomodulatory and lipid metabolism regulatory effects. It further clarifies the practical application value of curcumin in major poultry species including broilers, laying hens, ducks and quails, showing that curcumin can significantly improve poultry production performance, optimize meat and egg quality, protect intestinal health, and enhance the ability of poultry to resist stress and diseases. Meanwhile, the review notes curcumin’s current application limitations (low bioavailability, poor stability, unclear standardized dosage, and high industrialization cost) and proposes targeted future research directions to address these issues. In conclusion, curcumin is a promising green feed additive alternative to antibiotics, and its large-scale and standardized application in poultry production will effectively promote the green, healthy and sustainable development of the poultry industry. Full article

As a representative form of extreme weather, typhoons inflict widespread and systemic damage, posing a severe threat to the livestock industry. The stress they induce, typhoon stress (TS), is an unavoidable and complex environmental challenge that severely disrupts the ovarian function of Wenchang chickens. In this preliminary study, we employed a two-group comparison design (n = 6 per group) integrating behavioral observations, serum biochemical assays, histopathological examinations, and molecular analyses (qPCR, 16S rDNA sequencing, and transcriptome sequencing) to explore the role of the microbiota–gut–brain–ovarian axis (MGBOA) in this process. The findings revealed that TS markedly reduced water intake and locomotor activity, while it elevated serum corticosterone (CORT) and oxidative stress markers. It also induced shifts in gut microbiota composition, including a decrease in Bacteroides and an increase in Escherichia–Shigella. Furthermore, TS compromises duodenal intestinal barrier integrity, as evidenced by downregulation of the tight junction proteins TJP1 and CLDN1, structural damage to intestinal villi, and a reduced villus-to-crypt ratio. In the hypothalamus, VIP mRNA expression was upregulated, while GHSR expression was downregulated; the expression of the tight junction protein CLDN5 was also reduced. In the ovary, reproductive potential was suppressed, manifested by a reduction in follicle number and downregulation of STAR expression. Ovarian transcriptome analysis highlighted enrichments in pathways associated with inflammation (e.g., Toll-like receptor signaling) and lipid metabolism (e.g., PPAR signaling). These results support the hypothesis that TS impairs egg production via the MGBOA, providing preliminary mechanistic insights into how environmental stressors might disrupt animal productivity through MGBOA-mediated pathways. Full article

The anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) is a highly abundant but underutilized fish resource in China, primarily due to its extreme post-harvest perishability. This study expanded the utilization of anchovy by developing a blended surimi from anchovy and golden threadfin bream, an I-optimal mixing design experiment was performed to optimize the formulation, and the effects of soy protein isolate (SPI), egg white powder (EWP), and yeast protein (YP) on the gel properties were investigated. The results of sensory evaluation and model prediction indicated that SPI had the most pronounced positive effect on the sensory characteristics of the gels, especially improving the elasticity, followed by EWP. Furthermore, the SPI-rich sample exhibited superior gel strength and chewiness, which was attributed to the increased β-sheet structure and the highest content of disulfide bonds in the protein network. And the water hold capacity of SPI-rich sample increased by 6.0%. The YP-rich group showed the strongest hydrophobic interactions and exhibited a significant enhancement in water hold capacity of 7.7%, which also provided a notable improvement in gel strength. The results showed that EWP contributed to the smoothness of the surimi, but it had no significant impact on water distribution, water-holding capacity, or the content of disulfide bonds within the gel network. Moreover, the EWP-rich group exhibited reduced the gel strength, hardness, and chewiness of the gel, resulting in the lowest overall sensory score of the surimi. Therefore, the optimal composite ratio was determined to be SPI:EWP:YP = 5.45%:2.55%:2.00%. These findings provided a precise blending strategy for developing high-quality surimi products from anchovy, offering a viable technical pathway for the value-added utilization of this resource. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the compensatory effects of amino acid (AA) supplementation on laying hens fed a low-protein diet, focusing on production performance, egg quality, blood immunity, total tract retention, and intestinal health. A total of 180 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (35 weeks old) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments with 12 replicates (5 hens/replicate): (1) control diet (15.90% crude protein, CON), (2) reduced-protein diet (15.20% crude protein, NG), and (3) reduced-protein diet supplemented with 400 g/t methionine, 400 g/t lysine, and 300 g/t threonine (15.20% crude protein, LAA). Over the 12-week experimental period, production parameters were monitored weekly. The results showed that compared to the NG group, AA supplementation significantly increased laying rates during weeks 1–4 (p < 0.05) and reduced the feed-to-egg ratio during weeks 9–12 (p < 0.05), with a 3.10% decrease in feed conversion ratio (FCR). By week 12, the NG group exhibited lower Haugh unit values than both the CON and LAA groups (p < 0.05), indicating improved egg quality with AA supplementation. Serum analysis revealed elevated immunoglobulin Y levels and upregulated expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the LAA group (p < 0.05). Total tract retention of crude protein (CP) and phosphorus (P) was significantly enhanced in the LAA group compared to CON and NG groups (p < 0.05). However, in terms of cecal microbiota, no significant differences were observed among the experimental groups. These findings demonstrate that AA supplementation alleviates the adverse effects of low-protein diets by enhancing nutrient utilization and immune modulation, thereby improving productive performance, egg quality, and total tract retention in laying hens. Full article

As essential branches of systems biology, metabolomics and lipidomics systematically reveal the composition, dynamic changes, and biological functions of small-molecule metabolites and lipids using high-throughput analytical techniques. This review examines the application of these omics technologies in evaluating livestock and poultry meat and egg quality, focusing on their roles in elucidating the molecular mechanisms behind key traits such as flavor, tenderness, and nutritional value. By identifying key metabolic markers—including glutamic acid, inosine monophosphate, and specific triglycerides—the intrinsic links between these markers and intramuscular fat deposition, flavor precursor formation, and antioxidant capacity are highlighted. Furthermore, this paper emphasizes the transformative impact of integrating multi-omics data with artificial intelligence (AI). AI-driven analytical frameworks are overcoming the limitations of traditional high-dimensional data processing, enabling robust biomarker discovery, predictive modeling for product quality, and reverse design for genetic improvement. Ultimately, the synergistic application of metabolomics, lipidomics, and AI will drive the development of modern animal husbandry toward intelligent, predictable, and precision-based production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although Drosophila melanogaster is widely used in genetics and nutrition research, developmental kinetics are rarely analyzed using formal mathematical modeling. Most dietary studies present developmental curves without rigorous fitting, limiting quantitative interpretation. This study applies and compares three primary models, as well as develops secondary models, to characterize the effects of high-sugar diets on egg-to-adult (life cycle) development. Methods: Standardized husbandry and an embryo-to-pupa feeding assay were performed across 11 sucrose concentrations. Synchronized embryo collection and high-resolution monitoring were used for this assay. Three primary models—dose–response, Gompertz, and logit-based linearization—were fitted to developmental curves to extract timing (t_mid) and synchrony (s_dvp) parameters. Secondary modeling was used to evaluate how these parameters change with respect to sucrose concentration. Results: Increasing sucrose concentration markedly delayed pupariation and reduced viability at the highest levels. All models showed increasing t_mid and decreasing s_dvp with rising sugar concentration, with the Gompertz model providing the best overall performance. Secondary modeling revealed a consistent bilinear response with a breakpoint at 0.52–0.62 M, separating low-, medium-, and high-sucrose conditions. Reduced sampling frequency decreased model robustness, while twice-daily observations remained sufficient. Conclusions: Mathematical modeling provides a robust, practical framework for quantifying the effects of diet on D. melanogaster development. The Gompertz model provided the best fit and yielded biologically interpretable parameters. The bilinear secondary model effectively captured sucrose-dependent stress responses and quantified plasticity through environment-dependent changes in developmental timing and synchrony. Overall, this work establishes a quantitative practical framework for modeling developmental kinetics under nutritional perturbations, and the approach can be extended with additional secondary environmental factors to improve predictive analyses of nutritional effects. Full article

Background/Objectives: To identify major dietary patterns among adults aged ≥45 years and examine their associations with metabolic health–obesity phenotypes. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 32,091 adults aged ≥45 years from the 2015 China Adults National Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance. Diet was assessed using three consecutive 24 h dietary recalls, with household condiment weighing used to improve estimation of cooking oil and salt intake. Dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis and categorized into quartiles. Multinomial logistic regression adjusted for energy intake and key sociodemographic/lifestyle factors to estimate odds of metabolically unhealthy non-obesity (MUNO), metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) versus metabolically healthy non-obesity (MHNO). Results: Four patterns with geographic variation were identified: (1) the Rice–Vegetable–Pork pattern; (2) the Fruit–Egg–Dairy pattern; (3) the Red Meat–Offal–Snack pattern; and (4) the Soybeans–Tubers–Grains pattern. Compared with Q1, Q4 of Pattern 1 was associated with lower odds of MHO (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.38–0.46) and MUO (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.36–0.44). Pattern 2 and Pattern 3 were associated with higher odds of MHO (Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 1.42 and 1.21) and MUO (OR = 1.36 and 1.14, all p < 0.001). Pattern 4 was inversely associated with MHO (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.79–0.92) but positively associated with MUNO (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.08–1.24). Conclusions: The Rice–Vegetable–Pork pattern was associated with more favorable obesity-related metabolic phenotypes, whereas energy-dense, animal-derived patterns were associated with higher odds of obesity phenotypes; the Soybeans–Tubers–Grains pattern showed mixed associations. Full article

Sanitization of hatching eggs is part of established poultry management practices, and its effectiveness is essential for productive success. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between microbiological and incubation performance variables obtained from a controlled experimental dataset of hatching eggs subjected to sanitization with essential oils or not under commercial conditions, and to determine the efficacy of these sanitizers, using a multivariate approach. Data were analyzed using principal component, canonical, cluster, and discriminant analysis. The results suggested that bacterial contamination of the eggshell may promote internal contamination, leading to embryonic mortality. Essential oil-based treatments are associated with lower microbial indicators and improved hatchability, while formaldehyde showed an opposite trend despite its antibacterial efficacy. Multivariate analyses clarified the interrelationships between microbiological and incubation performance variables, allowing the identification of response patterns that evidenced the functional efficiency of essential oil–based treatments for hatching egg sanitization under commercial conditions. Full article

The use of Steinernema carpocapsae infective juveniles as biological control agents is a long-standing practice, yet the oral impact of their secreted venom proteins on crop pests remains largely unknown. We evaluated the oral toxicity of S. carpocapsae venom proteins against Spodoptera frugiperda using artificial diet assays. Ingestion caused significant dose-dependent toxicity in early-instar larvae, resulting in mortality and a prolonged developmental duration. Carry-over effects were profound; treated pupae were smaller and malformed, with only 19% of larvae fed on 1000 ng g⁻¹ venom protein-supplemented diet reaching adulthood compared to 92% in controls. Surviving adults lived 30% fewer days and laid over 90% fewer morphologically normal eggs. These physiological disruptions coincided with elevated oxidative stress and detoxification enzyme activity, suggesting the venom induces oxidative and detoxification responses, which may be associated with the observed phenotypic alterations. This study provides the first demonstration of the oral toxicity of entomopathogenic nematode venom proteins, positioning them as a promising resource for the discovery of novel insecticidal proteins for sustainable pest management. Full article

Highland barley Baijiu is a kind of fermented liquor with national characteristics produced in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, and its quality largely depends on the highland barley Baijiu Daqu (HBQ). HBQ contains abundant microbial resources and embedded unknown genomes that have not yet been decoded. In order to deeply understand the key contribution of microorganisms in HBQ, this study analyzed the microbial community structure of HBQ, inferred predicted functions and recovered high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) based on Metagenomics. The results indicated that Pantoea agglomerans was the most abundant species in HBQ, followed by Lichtheimia ramosa, Pichia kudriavzevii, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera and Wickerhamomyces anomalus. The predictive function of the HBQ was focused on annotating carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid metabolism. Meanwhile, six high-quality MAG strains were recovered and identified as Unclassified Kroppenstedtia, Erwinia persicina, Leuconostoc citreum, Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula, Levilactobacillus brevis, and Pantoea agglomerans. Genome annotation of the recovered genomes showed eggNOG predicted function as well as primary and secondary metabolites. The metabolic network diagram of the functional microorganisms in HBQ related to flavor compounds was also predicted. The results can help to understand the formation mechanism of flavor profiles in highland barley Baijiu. Full article