Search Results (12)

The Kazakh horse is an outstanding dual-purpose dairy and meat breed in China, characterized by early maturity, tolerance to coarse feed, and strong stress resistance. Previous studies have examined gene expression patterns in the testicular tissues of Kazakh horses at different age stages, but the molecular mechanisms regulating testicular sexual maturation remain unclear. To address this gap, this study conducted HE staining and in-depth transcriptome sequencing analysis of Kazakh horse testicular tissue before and after sexual maturity. HE staining showed that the G3 group had well-formed seminiferous tubule lumens, dense interstitial cells, and visible early spermatocytes and spermatozoa, indicating structural maturation. (G1 group: pre-sexual maturity; G3 group: post-sexual maturity), with four biological replicates per group (n = 4). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were called using the criteria of |log₂(fold change)| ≥ 1.5 and adjusted p-value ≤ 0.05. A total of 3054 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including CABS1, RPL10, PGAM2, TMSB4X, and CYP17A1, were identified in the G1 and G3 groups. Among these, 402 genes showed upregulation and 2652 genes showed downregulation. GO annotation and KEGG enrichment analysis of DEGs revealed their predominant enrichment in the following categories: signaling pathways such as Focal adhesion, Pathways in cancer, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. RT-qPCR validation confirmed the accuracy of the transcriptomic sequencing data. This study further elucidates the differentially expressed genes and associated signaling pathways in Kazakh stallion testes tissue before and after sexual maturity, providing a theoretical foundation and data reference for enhancing reproductive efficiency in equids and promoting biological processes such as testes development and spermatogenesis. Full article

The sea buckthorn has proven antioxidant properties. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the addition of dry Hippophae rhamnoides extract on the functional and oxidative stability of traditional Kazakh molded smoked ham. Sea buckthorn extraction parameters were optimized by factorial experimental design and polynomial regression modelling. The optimal dosages of acid value, peroxide value, TBARS, and sensory-assessed cross-sectional surface were determined. The instrumental color, pH, texture profile, hydrolytic and oxidative changes in lipid and protein fractions, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and microbiological status of ham with 3% extract were evaluated over 30 d at 0–4 °C. An increase in total phenols (19.8%), radical scavenging activity against DPPH (33.6%), and FRAP (12.8%) was found. The addition of 3.0% sea buckthorn extract had a minor effect on the oxidative processes. Dry sea buckthorn extract can be successfully added to the production of traditional Kazakh molded smoked ham from horse and camel meat to stabilize the oxidative stability of the product. Full article

The ovary is among the earliest organs to undergo age-related degeneration, limiting the reproductive potential of elite horses and constraining the growth of the equine industry. Follicular development during estrus is a key determinant of fertility, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying its decline, particularly at the level of specific ovarian cell types, remain poorly understood in equids. Here, we constructed a single-cell transcriptomic atlas to investigate ovarian changes in Kazakh horses. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we profiled 112,861 cells from follicle-containing and follicle-absent ovaries, identifying nine distinct ovarian cell types and their subtypes, each with distinct gene expression signatures. Functional enrichment analyses revealed cell type-specific engagement in biological pathways, including ECM–receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt signaling, and oxytocin signaling. Gene expression patterns indicated tightly regulated processes of ovarian activation and cell differentiation. Notably, stromal cells exhibited high expression of ROBO2, LOC111770199, and TMTC2, while smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were marked by elevated levels of CCL5, KLRD1, and NKG7. Moreover, cell–cell interaction analyses revealed robust signaling interactions among SMCs, endothelial cells, neurons, and proliferating (cycling) cells. Together, these findings provide a comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic map of normal and abnormal ovarian states during estrus in Kazakh horses, offering novel insights into the cellular mechanisms of follicular development and identifying potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ovarian quiescence in equids. Full article

Kazakh horses are renowned for their endurance and adaptability, with distinct muscle groups such as the longissimus dorsi (LD) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles serving specialized functions. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the functional specialization of these muscles in Kazakh horses remain poorly understood. This study aims to address this gap by utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate the transcriptomic differences between these muscle groups, with a focus on understanding their molecular adaptations. Our analysis revealed that the BF muscle, specialized for explosive movements, exhibited upregulation of genes associated with anaerobic metabolism, muscle contraction, and oxidative stress response, reflecting its reliance on glycolysis for sustained energy production. In contrast, the LD muscle, primarily responsible for postural support and endurance, showed a metabolic shift toward lipid utilization and energy production. Differential gene expression analysis also revealed distinct enrichment in biological pathways, with LD cells being enriched in pathways related to muscle contraction and calcium signaling, while BF cells were enriched in energy metabolism pathways. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular adaptations of Kazakh horses’ muscle tissues, highlighting the functional specialization of LD and BF muscles and offering a foundation for future research on improving muscle performance and breeding programs in equines. Full article

Background: Studying the genetic characteristics and molecular mechanisms of immune regulation in horses is of great significance for protecting their genetic resources, improving breeding strategies, and enhancing their disease resistance, thereby ensuring their healthy performance in both sports and production. Aims/objectives: This study investigates the genetic characteristics and molecular mechanisms underlying immune regulation in Yili horses, comparing them with Thoroughbreds and Kazakh horses. Methods: Blood samples from each breed were analyzed for physiological, biochemical, and immune indices alongside transcriptome sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Results: The results revealed significant differences in neutrophil counts, monocytes, red blood cell parameters, glucose levels, and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) among breeds. Yili horses exhibited intermediate values for most parameters, aligning more closely with Thoroughbreds. Transcriptomic analysis identified 3574 DEGs, enriched in immune-related pathways such as platelet activation, antigen processing, and cytokine signaling. Key genes, including TNFRSF14, IFIT3, and IL21R, correlated with immune traits, highlighting hybrid vigor in Yili horses. Functional enrichment underscored pathways like IL-17 signaling and NF-κB regulation, linking genetic differences to immune adaptability. Conclusions: These findings provide molecular insights into breed-specific immune traits, supporting strategies to enhance disease resilience in Yili horses while preserving their athletic performance. This study underscores the importance of integrating transcriptomic and phenotypic data for informed breeding practices in equine conservation and improvement. Full article

The Kazakh horse is a highly valuable indigenous Chinese breed known for its use in both milk and meat production. However, the mechanisms underlying color variation in the abdominal adipose tissue of this breed remain poorly understood. In this study, the sequencing of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) was conducted on abdominal adipose tissue of different colors from Kazakh horses, with the aim of investigating the molecular mechanisms responsible for this variation. A total of 205 differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (DELncRNAs) including ENSECAG00000003836, ENSECAG00000017858, and ENSECAG00000035167; 52 differentially expressed microRNAs (DEmiRNAs) including miR-200-y and eca-miR-9a; and 559 differentially expressed circular RNAs (DEcircRNAs) including ZNF226 and ITPKC, were identified between Group W and Group Y. GO annotation and KEGG enrichment analyses of the DEGs revealed that these genes were primarily involved in biological processes such as chemical homeostasis (biological process, BP), intracellular components (cellular component, CC), and iron-sulfur cluster binding (molecular function, MF) as well as in metabolic pathways related to lipid biosynthesis and metabolism including vitamin B6 metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and glycerolipid metabolism. The sequencing accuracy was further validated using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). This study identified key DEGs and signaling pathways associated with the color variation in adipose tissue of Kazakh horses and sheds light on the regulatory genes and biological processes involved. These findings provide a theoretical basis and research foundation for future studies on color variations in the adipose tissue of equine species. Full article

The Kazakh horse, a versatile breed, is renowned for stable genetic performance and strong tolerance to coarse feed. Sex is a key factor influencing skeletal muscle development. However, the mechanisms underlying sex-specific regulation of equine muscle growth remain obscure. This study employed transcriptomic analysis to investigate sex-associated molecular differences in skeletal muscle of Kazakh horses. The experimental cohort comprised four three-year-old Kazakh stallions and four three-year-old Kazakh mares. After slaughter, six groups of muscle samples were collected immediately, including the longissimus dorsi, rectus abdominis, and diaphragm muscles of both sexes, with four biological replicates per group. RNA-seq analysis revealed 361, 230, and 236 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the longissimus dorsi of stallion Kazakh horses (Mb) vs. the longissimus dorsi of mare Kazakh horses (Gb), the rectus abdominis of stallion Kazakh horses (Mf) vs. the rectus abdominis of mare Kazakh horses (Gf), and the diaphragm of stallion Kazakh horses (Mg) vs. the diaphragm of mare Kazakh horses (Gg), respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses indicated that DEGs such as TPM1, MYL1, MYH3, and PYGM were primarily enriched in muscle system processes (BP), contractile fibers (CC), and adenosine ribonucleotide binding (MF). Furthermore, these genes were significantly associated with pathways such as the Cytoskeleton in muscle cells and the Thyroid hormone signaling pathway. The data demonstrate pronounced sex-related differences in gene expression and muscle structure in Kazakh horses, likely mediated by cytoskeleton-associated genes. Notably, TPM1, MYL1, MYH3, and PYGM may act as key regulators of sex-specific muscle development. These findings provide molecular insights into the mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism in equine muscle growth. Full article

The Kazakh horse, one of China’s indigenous primitive breeds, is renowned for its remarkable adaptability and distinctive physiological traits. The ovary is a vital reproductive organ in female animals, responsible for oocyte production and hormone secretion. However, limited research has been conducted on gene expression profiles in the ovarian tissue of equine species. To address this gap, the present study performed transcriptomic sequencing on ovarian tissues from 12 Kazakh horses in different physiological states. A total of 979 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified, including 619 upregulated and 360 downregulated genes. Among these, key genes such as COL1A1, LHCGR, KISS1, NTRK2, COL1A2, and THBS4 were identified as differentially expressed. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed that 374 of these genes were primarily involved in ovarian steroidogenesis, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and ECM-receptor interactions among 292 enriched pathways. This study provides a comprehensive transcriptomic profile of equine ovarian tissue, offering in-depth insights into differential gene expression and signal pathways associated with ovarian development in Kazakh horses, providing theoretical foundations and referential data for future research in equine ovarian development and reproductive studies. Full article

Gastrointestinal parasitic diseases pose significant health risks to equine populations. This study investigated the epidemiological patterns of equine gastrointestinal parasites in Xinjiang by analyzing 83 fecal samples collected from Ili (n = 62) and Urumqi (n = 21) between August and November 2024. The modified McMaster technique was employed to quantify fecal egg counts (EPG) and was complemented by morphological identification to assess infection dynamics related to geography, breed specificity, and management practices. The results demonstrated an overall infection prevalence of 66.3% (55/83), with strongyles, Parascaris equorum, and Eimeria oocysts being present. Significant geographical variation was observed, with Ili exhibiting a higher prevalence (74.2%) compared to Urumqi (42.9%). Breed susceptibility analysis revealed that there was a 94.1% prevalence in Yili horses versus 42.9% in Kazakh horses. Pasture-managed herds showed markedly higher infection rates (94.1%) than stable-based systems (50.0%). Parasite community composition was dominated by strongyles (82.1%), followed by Triodontophorus spp. (27.7%) and P. equorum (2.4%). These findings highlight severe parasitic infection risks in Xinjiang’s grazing equids, underscoring the urgency of implementing targeted anthelmintic protocols to mitigate disease transmission. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of milk from Kazakh mares kept under free-grazing conditions on natural pasture without supplementary feeding. Fifty Kazakh mares were aged 3 to 13 years, kept in herds, and categorized by age, number of foalings, and lactation stage for statistical analysis. Milk samples were collected, chilled, and analyzed on the same day using a Milkoscan FT2. The composition of fat, protein, lactose, total solids, casein, and other components was examined. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, PCA, CDA, and Pearson correlation analysis, were performed using JMP 17 Pro to assess the effects of lactation stage, mare age, and foaling number and to identify key relationships. The results showed that milk composition was significantly influenced by these factors. Milk from the late-lactation stage contained higher protein, lactose, and total nutrients, while milk from the early-lactation stage had a higher sugar content and acidity. Older mares and those with higher foalings produced milk with higher concentrations of glucose and galactose, while younger mares and those with fewer foalings produced milk with higher fat. A key aspect of this experiment was that all mares grazed exclusively on natural pastures without supplementation, allowing for an objective assessment of their inherent productive potential. These findings deepen the understanding of mare milk composition dynamics in Kazakh breed horses under extensive management, supporting its potential for organic dairy production. Full article

Understanding the genetic diversity and structure of domesticated horse (Equus caballus) populations is critical for long-term herd management and breeding programs. This study examines 435 horses from Kazakhstan, covering seven groups in three geographic areas using 11 STR markers. Identified are 136 alleles, with the mean number of alleles per locus ranging from 9 to 19. VHL20 is the most variable locus across groups, while loci HTG4, AHT4, AHT5, HTG7, and HMS3 are variable in most populations. The locus AHT5 in the Emba population shows the highest frequency of rare alleles, while the lowest frequency, 0.005, is observed in the Kulandy population. All loci were highly informative for the Kazakhstani populations of E. caballus, with PIC values higher than 0.5. Pairwise variations in Wright’s F_ST distances show that the examined varieties have little genetic differentiation (0.05%), indicating a high degree of admixture and a continuing lineage sorting process. Phylogenetic and population structure analyses reveal three major clusters of Kazakh horses, representing (I) the Uralsk population of the Kushum breed and the monophyly of two groups: (II) the Kozhamberdy population of the Mugalzhar breed, and (III) the Mugalzhar–Kushum breed populations. Kazakhstani horse populations, while being regionally isolated, were recently in contact with each other. Full article

The Asian Central Steppe, consisting of current-day Kazakhstan and Russia, has acted as a highway for major migrations throughout history. Therefore, describing the genetic composition of past populations in Central Asia holds value to understanding human mobility in this pivotal region. In this study, we analyse paleogenomic data generated from five humans from Kuygenzhar, Kazakhstan. These individuals date to the early to mid-18th century, shortly after the Kazakh Khanate was founded, a union of nomadic tribes of Mongol Golden Horde and Turkic origins. Genomic analysis identifies that these individuals are admixed with varying proportions of East Asian ancestry, indicating a recent admixture event from East Asia. The high amounts of DNA from the anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria Tannerella forsythia, a periodontal pathogen, recovered from their teeth suggest they may have suffered from periodontitis disease. Genomic analysis of this bacterium identified recently evolved virulence and glycosylation genes including the presence of antibiotic resistance genes predating the antibiotic era. This study provides an integrated analysis of individuals with a diet mostly based on meat (mainly horse and lamb), milk, and dairy products and their oral microbiome. Full article