Search Results (9,496)

African swine fever in both domestic and wild pig populations is caused by the extremely infectious African swine fever virus (ASFV). It seriously endangers biodiversity and results in large financial losses for the worldwide pork sector. The major capsid protein p72 is molecularly chaperoned by the ASFV pB602L protein, which is essential to viral assembly. Furthermore, as a nonstructural protein expressed at late stages of infection, pB602L induces a distinct antibody response that may complement existing serological assays based on structural proteins. Given its strong immunogenicity, pB602L represents a promising antigen for developing supplementary diagnostic tools for African swine fever (ASF). In this study, we successfully generated and separated the ASFV pB602L protein, and we verified its responsiveness using serum from pigs infected with ASFV. Additionally, we produced four monoclonal antibody-specific hybridoma cell lines that targeted the pB602L protein exclusively. These cell lines demonstrated high immunoreactivity and responsiveness toward ASFV pB602L. These results highlight the potential enhancement of diagnostic skills. We have detected two previously unknown linear B-cell epitopes (¹³⁸TIDSFL¹⁴³ and ¹⁶⁴TNVDTC¹⁶⁹) using overlapping peptide and truncated protein fragment analysis. Due to their high degree of conservation across various ASFV strains, these epitopes offer trustworthy candidates for the creation of particular diagnostic instruments. This study expands the known ASFV antigenic repertoire by systematically mapping immunodominant epitopes of pB602L. The identified epitopes provide potential molecular targets for the rational design of multi-epitope subunit vaccines. Full article

A study was conducted to determine the effects of the level and source of copper (Cu) on Cu concentrations and the mRNA expression of Cu regulatory proteins in the small intestine of pigs. Thirty weanling castrated male pigs, approximately 21 days of age, were stratified by weight and assigned to dietary treatments consisting of control (6.7 mg Cu/kg from feed ingredients; no supplemental Cu) or 225 mg supplemental Cu from either Cu sulfate (CuSO₄) or tribasic Cu chloride (TBCC). Pigs were harvested on days 35 or 36. The soluble Cu and mucosal Cu concentrations in the duodenum, proximal jejunum, and ileum were higher (p < 0.001) in Cu-supplemented pigs versus controls. Duodenal soluble and mucosal Cu concentrations were higher in (p < 0.05) CuSO₄ versus TBCC-supplemented pigs. However, proximal jejunum and ileum mucosal Cu were higher (p < 0.05) in TBCC versus CuSO₄ pigs. The intestinal copper transporter 1 (CTR1) expression was lower (p < 0.05) in Cu-supplemented pigs compared to control pigs but was not affected by the intestinal section or treatment x section. The duodenal mRNA expression of metallothionein1a (MT1a) was greater (p < 0.05) in Cu-supplemented pigs and was greater in CuSO₄ than TBCC-fed pigs. These data demonstrate that both the Cu level and source affect the Cu uptake and mRNA expression of Cu regulatory proteins throughout the small intestine of weanling pigs. Full article

Variants in the human PAX4 gene are associated with both monogenic and complex forms of diabetes, yet their pathogenic effects remain difficult to define in models that accurately mimic human islet architecture and neonatal metabolic transitions. Here, we created a porcine PAX4 loss-of-function model using CRISPR/Cas9 cytidine deaminase base editing to introduce a premature stop codon in the PAX4 coding sequence. PAX4 knockout piglets developed severe hyperglycemia within 24 h of birth, followed by rapid postnatal clinical deterioration and uniform death by day 3. Biochemical analysis showed significant diabetic decompensation, including electrolyte imbalances, hyperosmolality, azotemia, dyslipidemia, and metabolic acidosis. Gross and histological examinations revealed notable pancreatic hypoplasia with preservation of exocrine tissue. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry demonstrated an almost complete loss of insulin- and somatostatin-producing β- and δ-cells, respectively, with relative preservation of glucagon-expressing α-cells. Overall, these results establish PAX4 as a crucial factor in pancreatic endocrine development and postnatal glucose regulation in a large-animal model. This platform offers a human-relevant system for studying diabetes-associated PAX4 variants and for testing regenerative and gene-based therapies for insulin-deficient diabetes. Full article

Background: Thromboxane B2 Synthase 1 (THBS1), also known as TSP-1, is a multifunctional glycoprotein involved in various cellular processes that plays a crucial role in skeletal muscle development and repair. It acts as a key physiological activator of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), both in vivo and in vitro. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the effects of THBS1 on myoblast proliferation and differentiation using the mouse skeletal muscle satellite cell line C2C12 and to reveal its regulatory relationship with the TGF-β signaling pathway through a series of cellular and molecular experiments. Results: Overexpression or knockout of THBS1 in C2C12 cells regulates and upregulates the activity of the TGF-β signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 cells. Conclusions: These results provide a theoretical foundation for future research aimed at enhancing skeletal muscle quality in livestock and poultry and lay the groundwork for developing therapeutic strategies for skeletal muscle disorders. Full article

Female empowerment in post-conflict rural contexts is strategic for food security and socioeconomic resilience. This study analyzed the relationship between women’s productive empowerment and food security in 40 rural women involved in pig production in Santa Rosa del Sur, Bolívar, Colombia. A mixed approach with a descriptive–exploratory design and longitudinal scope was used. Data collection employed adapted versions of the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (A-WEAgI) and the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), alongside participant observation and reflective thematic analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation. The baseline revealed low empowerment regarding income, resources, technical capacities, and time. The global A-WEAgI reached 21%, while HFIAS showed moderate food insecurity in 52% of households. Spearman analysis (CS) indicated moderate negative correlations between food insecurity and income (CS = −0.56), access to resources (CS = −0.51), and technical capacities (CS = −0.49), suggesting that greater women´s empowerment was associates with lower food insecurity. Post-intervention, improvements occurred in technical skills, leadership, and organizational participation. Qualitative findings showed increased confidence in Agroindustry activities, though limitations in economic autonomy, commercialization, and domestic workloads persisted. Gender-focused rural strategies enhance productive capacities and food resilience; however, structural barriers related to economic autonomy and gender inequality persist. Full article

The CRISPR/Cas9 system has been widely used for gene editing in various species; however, mosaicism remains a significant challenge. This study aimed to improve gene editing efficiency and reduce mosaicism in porcine embryos by exploring double electroporation pre- and post-in vitro fertilization combined with zona pellucida (ZP) removal. We evaluated the effects of these treatments on the development and mutation rates of oocytes/zygotes edited with guide RNAs (gRNAs) targeting GGTA1, CMAH, or B4GALNT2 genes. Double electroporation significantly increased the total and biallelic mutation rates in ZP-intact zygotes but not in ZP-free zygotes edited using GGTA1-targeted gRNAs. All blastocysts from ZP-free zygotes exhibited biallelic mutations following double electroporation. For the CMAH gene, all blastocysts exhibited mutations (biallelic mutations ≥ 80%); however, double electroporation and ZP removal did not affect their mutation rates or efficiency. For the B4GALNT2 gene, double electroporation significantly increased total mutation rates in ZP-intact zygotes, whereas all blastocysts from ZP-free zygotes showed biallelic mutation. These findings suggest that double electroporation, particularly with ZP removal, may enhance gene-editing efficiency, reduce mosaicism and improve the success of genetic modifications. Full article

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.), is a significant zoonotic disease affecting livestock and public health worldwide, particularly in endemic regions such as La Araucanía, Chile. This study evaluated the role of cattle in the transmission dynamics of E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) by morphologically and molecular characterizing hydatid cysts (HC) collected from cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats. A total of 123 cysts were obtained from a local slaughterhouse, with cattle contributing the majority of samples (n = 94). Fertility was highest in sheep (76.2%) and low in cattle (3.2%), while cysts from pigs and goats were infertile. PCR amplification and sequencing of the cox1 gene confirmed the predominance of genotype G1 (98.1%), with two additional haplotypes (Eg^B and Eg^C) identified in cattle and sheep. Two cattle samples harbored genotype G3. Phylogenetic analyses grouped all sequences within the E. granulosus s.s. complex. The results corroborate the role of cattle as important sentinels for environmental surveillance of CE due to their exposure and traceability but highlight their lower competence in parasite transmission to definitive hosts compared with sheep. The genetic diversity observed aligns with previous findings in Chile, underscoring the epidemiological significance of E. granulosus s.s. and genotype G1 in the region. Full article

Primary hepatocytes are limited by poor proliferative capacity and a finite replicative lifespan, restricting their utility in long-term in vitro studies. Here, we report the generation of expandable hepatocyte-like progenitor cells from GGTA1 knockout pigs, a large-animal model with reduced immunogenicity. Porcine fibroblasts were directly reprogrammed using a non-integrative episomal system encoding hepatic transcription factors, enabling stable lineage conversion without genomic integration. A simplified two-vector configuration combined with codon optimization enabled evaluation of vector-dependent effects while maintaining genomic safety without viral integration. The resulting cells exhibited hepatocyte-like morphology and gene expression, and transcriptomic analysis revealed a progressive shift toward liver-associated profiles during extended culture. Chromosomal analysis revealed vector-dependent differences in genomic stability, with codon-optimized cells showing increased aneuploidy, indicating a trade-off between proliferative capacity and genomic integrity. The cells also demonstrated sustained proliferative capacity, supported by maintenance of telomere length, increased expression of TERT and MYC, and reduced CDKN1A levels. Importantly, sustained proliferation was supported by complementary evidence from chromosomal and telomeric analyses. Although chromosomal alterations were observed during long-term culture, their biological significance remains to be fully determined. These cells partially recapitulate hepatocyte functions and provide a renewable in vitro system for studies of hepatic biology, proliferation, drug metabolism, toxicity, and repeated in vitro applications. Full article

In addition to its role in energy storage, adipose tissue contributes substantially to energy metabolism, endocrine regulation, and inflammatory processes. Sujiang pigs, a hybrid breed approved by the National Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources Committee of China as a new national breed in 2013, possess a genetic predisposition for substantial fat deposition, making them an ideal model for investigating the mechanisms underlying adipose tissue accumulation. In this study, back fat (BF; subcutaneous adipose tissue), greater omentum (GOM; visceral adipose tissue), and mesenteric adipose tissue (MAD; visceral adipose tissue) were collected from three 6-month-old male Sujiang pigs for RNA-seq analysis. Comparative analyses identified 3005 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between BF and GOM, 975 DEGs between BF and MAD, and 892 DEGs between GOM and MAD. To validate the reliability of the sequencing data, five DEGs were randomly selected for RT-qPCR verification. The DEGs were further subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. By integrating protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks with bioinformatics analyses, we identified candidate genes potentially associated with lipid metabolism (e.g., WNT9A, WNT5A, and PDGFRA) and inflammatory responses in adipose tissue (e.g., CSF1R, C1QB, and CD4). These findings indicate potential molecular differences between porcine visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues and may serve as a reference for further studies on the molecular regulation of adipose tissue metabolism. Full article

Proactive disease transmission pathway analyses break complex transmission routes into simpler steps, making risks and uncertainties easier to identify. This approach is especially valuable for African Swine Fever (ASF), a difficult-to-control disease in low-biosecurity settings or when biosecurity practices are inconsistently applied. To support targeted biosecurity planning, a pathway analysis was conducted that is specific to pork harvest facilities in the United States. The analysis focused on two federally inspected plants that slaughter market hogs and produce primal cuts. Inputs, outputs, and potential transmission pathways were identified through a literature review, site visits, and facility personnel interviews. Because ASF virus remains stable at low temperatures and in many pork products, particular attention was given to pathways involving storage conditions, waste materials, and processing steps such as heating or pH modification. Processing steps were evaluated against existing process control plans and ASF inactivation thresholds to determine mitigation status. Of 42 identified pathways, 39 were classified as unmitigated or of unknown mitigation status. These unmitigated or unknown pathways—broadly involving pigs, people, vehicles, and waste—represent the highest priorities for further risk assessment work and for exploring ways to develop or strengthen biosecurity protocols that reduce ASF transmission. Full article

Copper supplements are prominent antibiotic alternatives in livestock production, but their excessive use poses environmental risks, necessitating safer substitutes. Potassium diformate (KDF), an organic acid salt, has shown potential as a feed additive, yet its effectiveness in copper-unsupplemented diets remains unclear. This study compared the effects of copper glycinate (Cu_Gly) and KDF on weaned piglets fed a copper-unsupplemented basal diet. Forty-five Meishan piglets were allocated to a control group (basal diet), a Cu_Gly group (basal diet + 60 mg/kg Cu_Gly), or a KDF group (basal diet + 10 g/kg KDF). The KDF group exhibited a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the control group. Although no significant differences in average daily gain were observed, KDF supplementation significantly enhanced immune function by increasing plasma IgG and decreasing IgM, IL-6, and IL-1 levels compared to the control. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that the Control group was enriched with pathogenic genera (Staphylococcus, Escherichia-Shigella, Brevibacterium) in the ileum and cecum. Cu_Gly supplementation enriched Bacillus, Longispora, and Terrisporobacterin the ileum, while KDF increased the abundance of beneficial taxa (TM7, Nesterenkoniain the ileum; Lachnospiraceae_UCG-007 in the cecum). Correlation analysis showed that the abundances of Escherichia-Shigella and Staphylococcus were negatively correlated with IgG but positively correlated with IgM and IL-6. Cecal Lachnospiraceae_UCG-007 (enriched in the KDF group) was negatively correlated with IL-1. In summary, KDF improved feed efficiency and demonstrates superior immunomodulatory effects compared to Cu_Gly. The enrichment of bacteria linked to metal resistance in the Cu_Gly group suggested a potential drawback not associated with KDF. Therefore, KDF represented a viable and sustainable alternative to copper supplements, offering a combination of improved gut health, enhanced immunity, and a reduced environmental risk profile. Full article

Betaine, functioning as a key methyl donor and organic osmolyte, is widely used to improve growth performance and carcass characteristics of swine. However, existing studies show inconsistent results, and the optimal supplementation dose remains unclear. This study systematically quantified the impact of betaine supplementation on the growth performance, serum metabolites, and meat quality of swine via a meta-analysis and meta-regression of 31 randomized controlled trials. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using a random-effects model, while a subgroup analysis and meta-regression were used to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity. The analysis revealed that dietary betaine supplementation significantly increased the average daily gain and reduced the feed conversion ratio, while the average daily feed intake remained unaffected. A subgroup analysis indicated that the optimal dose for improving feed conversion was approximately 1250 mg/kg, whereas this efficacy was attenuated in the high-dose cohorts. Furthermore, betaine significantly reduced serum urea levels, muscle shear force, drip loss, and cooking loss. Conversely, the backfat thickness and serum lipid indices showed no significant changes. The meta-regression confirmed that the breed and growth stage were the primary determinants of heterogeneity in growth performance. These findings demonstrate that betaine facilitates growth primarily by enhancing feed efficiency and protein accretion, and its beneficial effects on meat quality are mainly driven by improved tenderness and water-holding capacity. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of partially replacing wheat bran with poplar wood composite fiber (PWCF) on growth performance, immune status, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), and gut microbial composition in growing pigs. A total of 140 healthy crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) growing pigs with an initial body weight of 47.25 ± 0.49 kg were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments, with five replicates per treatment and fourteen pigs per replicate. The control (CT) group was fed a corn–soybean meal-based diet containing wheat bran and rice bran meal, whereas the experimental group received the same diet in which 2% wheat bran was replaced by PWCF. The experiment lasted for 60 days. Compared with the CT group, replacing wheat bran with PWCF did not affect body weight, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or average daily gain on days 30 or 60 (p > 0.05). In addition, no negative effects were observed on ATTD of nutrients and serum immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG, and IgM levels at either time point, indicating that PWCF can serve as a suitable partial substitute for wheat bran in growing pig diets. However, it could regulate nitrogen metabolism by reducing blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration and the BUN/creatinine ratio, as well as decreasing total free amino acids in serum (p < 0.05). In addition, the antioxidant capacity can be transiently improved by increasing catalase activity. Gut microbiota analysis showed that the replacement significantly increased the relative abundances of Treponema, the Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 (p < 0.05). These changes suggest that PWCF modulates gut microbiota and enriches fiber-degrading bacterial populations. Overall, substituting wheat bran with PWCF did not impair growth performance, immunity, or digestibility, while altering microbial community composition. These findings support the potential application of PWCF as an alternative fiber source, contributing to greater diversity in feed formulation. Full article

One of the keys to improving feed conversion rates in Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) is the early identification of growth impediments. However, the swine farming data collected by Electronic Feeding Station (EFS) are often disorganized and lack effective labeling. Data from healthy pigs are frequently intermixed with that from sick pigs, leading to label leakage and survivor bias in models, particularly when age is included as a feature. To address these known issues, this study breaks away from traditional modeling methods. First, we clean and classify the time-series data from electronic feeding stations, using age-cohort baselines as one of the criteria for determining high and low productivity, thereby avoiding problems such as label leakage. Next, we construct a high-dimensional feature matrix that captures dynamic derivatives such as feeding acceleration and weight gain acceleration, which together serve as behavioral feature fingerprints. To test the system, we optimized the mixed-model algorithm and evaluated the model based on behavioral deviations among individual pigs after removing all absolute age labels. Our results indicate that the full-feature model achieved an ROC-AUC of 0.778 and an F1-score of 0.4137 at the optimal threshold. Interestingly, SHAP attribution analysis revealed that “intake peer deviation,” “Cumulative Intake and Lifetime Avg Intake,” and “feeding acceleration” served as precursors to low productivity and growth retardation in this dataset, with these factors proving more significant than absolute feed intake or age. Our ablation experiments confirmed that a model based solely on behavioral features (excluding age labels) maintained an ROC-AUC of 0.773, successfully decoupling pig growth performance from growth stage. Our model can detect changes in feeding dynamic signatures at an average of 12.3 days, thereby providing insights for pig growth assessment, health monitoring, or more informed culling decisions. Full article

This experiment aimed to explore the effects of different doses of compound probiotics (a 1:1:1 mixture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bacillus subtilis) added to the diet on pregnant sows and weaned piglets. The experiment was carried out in two stages. Experiment with pregnant sows: thirty-six second-parity Large White sows at 80 d of late gestation were randomly divided into a control group, experimental group I, and experimental group II. The control group was fed a basal diet, while experimental groups I and II were fed the basal diet supplemented with 2 g/kg and 3 g/kg of compound probiotics, respectively. The pre-experiment lasted 7 d, and the formal experiment continued until the end of lactation. The results showed that the numbers of live piglets per litter, healthy piglets per litter, litter birth weight and litter weaning weight in the experimental groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Colostrum IgG concentration in experimental group I was significantly higher than that in the control group and experimental group II (p < 0.05). Compound probiotics significantly increased colostrum immunoglobulin levels (p < 0.05). The concentrations of ammonia, carbon dioxide and PM2.5 in the barns of the experimental groups all showed a decreasing trend. Experiment with weaned piglets: a total of 160 Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred weaned piglets at 30 d of age with an initial body weight of (8.01 ± 0.13) kg were randomly assigned to four groups. The control group was fed a basal diet, while the treatment groups were supplemented with 2, 3, and 4 g/kg of compound probiotics, respectively. The results indicated that average daily gain and average daily feed intake in experimental group III were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the feed-to-gain ratio and diarrhea rate were significantly lower (p < 0.05). The apparent digestibility of crude fiber was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05), and serum IgA was significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 2 g/kg compound probiotics for sows in late gestation showed the optimal effect, improving reproductive performance, colostrum immune indices and reducing harmful gases in the barn. For weaned piglets, supplementation with 4 g/kg compound probiotics improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility and serum immune indices. Full article