The Licha Black pig (LC) is a nationally protected Chinese indigenous breed known for its superior meat quality and strong environmental adaptability. However, its population has declined rapidly due to extensive crossbreeding with commercial lines. Understanding the genetic basis of its economically important traits is crucial for conservation and genomic improvement. Whole-genome resequencing was performed on 120 LC pigs and combined with genomic data from 285 pigs representing 32 global populations, including wild boars, commercial breeds, and other Chinese indigenous pigs. Population structure was investigated using phylogenetic trees, PCA, ADMIXTURE and TreeMix analysis. Selection signatures were identified through four complementary approaches (FST, θπ ratio, XP-CLR, and Tajima's D). Candidate genes were examined by functional enrichment analysis, protein structure prediction, and cross-referencing with trait association and tissue-specific expression databases. Phenotypic data on body size and teat number were also collected in LC pigs for targeted genotype-phenotype analysis. Phylogenetic analyses showed clear stratification among global pig populations, with Chinese indigenous breeds broadly separated by the Qinling-Huaihe Line. LC pigs formed a distinct genetic cluster between northern Chinese and European breeds. Selective sweep analyses revealed several candidate genes under positive selection, including SOCS6 and ATP2B4 (skeletal muscle development), RASAL2 (adipogenesis), and DOCK2 (male fertility). Trait-focused analyses identified ZNRF3 as a major locus for body size, with a missense mutation (g.46228935G>A; Gln→Arg) predicted to influence Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Signals of selection in ADGRB3, a gene potentially involved in teat patterning and mammary gland vascularization, were associated with variation in teat number. Our comprehensive genomic analyses provide new insights into the genetic architecture underlying economically important traits and environmental adaptation in the LC. These findings establish a foundation for genomic-informed selective breeding and offer valuable molecular tools for the genetic improvement and sustainable utilization of this indigenous genetic resource.

Genomic selection (GS) has become an indispensable tool in the beef cattle industry, offering the potential to significantly increase genetic gain and prediction accuracy by integrating genomic, pedigree, and phenotypic information to estimate genomic breeding values. In the Korean Peninsula, Hanwoo cattle (HC) are valued for their exceptional marbling and distinct flavour. Thus, genetic improvement breeding programs for Hanwoo have been undertaken to improve beef production and profitability, with a particular focus on carcass and meat quality traits. The success of a breeding program incorporating genomic information in HC largely depends on prediction accuracy, making genomic prediction (GP) essential for accelerating genetic gain. Hence, breeders should acknowledge the superiority of GS and choose the most suitable prediction model depending on the genetic architecture and biological nature of the trait of interest. Several GP methods have already proven their ability in terms of carcass and meat quality traits over the traditional pedigree-based best linear unbiased prediction (PBLUP) method. Therefore, there are no alternative approaches to GS for breeders to accelerate the innovative development of Hanwoo beef cattle. Thus, the main objective of this review is to provide an overview of how GP methods are being applied to improve the ultimate meat quality of HC. Furthermore, this review presents the transversal analysis of interest in GS for Hanwoo breeders when choosing the best prediction method for specific traits. We believe this review literature would be a significant resource for future exploitation of Hanwoo's potential in the Korean beef industry.

Bacillus coagulans is a spore-forming probiotic known for its resilience and metabolic activity, both of which are desirable in promoting gut health and oxidative balance. Nonetheless, the beneficial effects of B. coagulans-fermented bedding (BFB) on raising native Chinese chicken breed farming remain largely unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate BFB supplementation on growth performance, meat quality and gut health in Jiuyuan Black chicken. A total of 120 male chicks were allocated to the control (CON, using traditional litter) and BFB groups with four replicates per group containing fifteen birds. The chickens were monitored for 70 days; growth performance was evaluated on days 35 and 70, while meat quality, intestinal integrity, antioxidant capacity, and animal welfare were evaluated on day 70. The results showed that, after 70 days, the chickens in the BFB group exhibited significantly higher average daily gain, lower feed conversion ratio, and increased semi-eviscerated yield and intramuscular fat content compared to the CON group (P < 0.05). Breast muscle from the BFB group showed enhanced flavor and juiciness than the CON group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the histological analysis of the jejunum demonstrated increased villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, alongside upregulated expression of tight junction proteins (Claudin-1 and ZO-1) (P < 0.05). Additionally, total antioxidant capacity, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities were increased, with reduced malondialdehyde levels in the serum and jejunal tissue (P < 0.05). Furthermore, BFB improved Jiuyuan Black chickens feather coverage (P < 0.05). This study indicated that BFB treatment was a good source of reducing oxidative stress in broilers by improving gut health, antioxidant capacity and meat quality which may provide an essential proof for the practical application to enhance growth performance without causing welfare issues in poultry.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of purified Lactobacillus brevis metabolite (LBMs) supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality in Chikso cattle subjected to heat stress. Twenty-seven Chikso steers with an average initial body weight of 499 ± 15 kg were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: a basal diet control (CG), and basal diets supplemented with either 150 mg/kg (LGS) or 300 mg/kg (HGS) of purified LBMs. The feeding trial lasted for 120 days under summer heat stress conditions. Both LBMs-supplemented groups exhibited significant improvements in average daily gain (ADG), with 0.89 g/d (LGS) and 0.81 g/d (HGS) compared to 0.52 g/d in controls (p < 0.05). Total weight gain increased by 71% and 56% in LGS and HGS groups, respectively. Meat protein content was significantly higher in LGS (18.97%) and HGS (18.37%) than in CG (17.23%) (p < 0.05). Supplementation enhanced water holding capacity and reduced cooking loss to 26.13% from 31.09% in controls (p < 0.05). Antioxidant enzyme activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were elevated in the treatment groups throughout cold storage (p < 0.05), with lipid oxidation significantly inhibited from day 3 onward (p < 0.05). LBMs also increased oxymyoglobin percentages, indicative of improved meat freshness, and favorably altered fatty acid profiles by decreasing saturated fatty acids and increasing eicosapentaenoic acid levels. Carcass characteristics, however, remained unaffected. Rumen-protected LBMs supplementation effectively enhances growth performance and meat quality in heat-stressed Chikso steers. These benefits likely arise from improved antioxidant capacity, reduced oxidative stress, and modulation of fatty acid composition. This strategy holds promises for improving livestock resilience to climate challenges and warrants further research.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of phytase in broiler diets on zootechnical performance and nutritional cost through a technical economic analysis combined with a systematic review and meta-analysis. A database was created by collecting scientific articles published between 2018 and 2023 that investigated broilers supplemented with phytase. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flowchart was used to select the articles. A total of 3,483 publications were identified, of which 17 were selected. Performance data from the articles and qualitative factors (broiler strain, diets, and phosphorus reduction) were collected, tabulated, and used in economic equations. Meta-analyses were conducted to assess effect size, heterogeneity, and publication bias for performance variables among the groups BD vs. DRP, BD vs. DRP+PHY, and DRP vs. DRP+PHY. Seventeen studies were selected, totaling 16,151 broilers evaluated, with average initial and final weights of 44.0 ± 2.0 g and 2,731 ± 0.6 g, respectively, receiving 1,664 FTU/kg of phytase and a 0.15% reduction in digestible phosphorus. Overall, the results indicate that phytase supplementation improves broiler performance (P<0,05), whereas phosphorus-reduced diets without phytase impair it (P<0,05). These findings were reinforced by our meta-analysis, which identified a highly significant effect size (PSMD < 0.0001) for all variables studied, high heterogeneity among studies (P< 0.0001, I² = 96%), broiler strain sending as the main source of variation. No significant publication bias was detected across the evaluated variables (P>0.05). Those subjected to DRP+PHY had a lower cost/head and greater final weight than those fed BD and DRP, respectively. In addition, DRP+PHY reduces the feed cost per ton of broilers by -1,56%. Reducing phosphorus in diets without phytase impairs broiler performance, while supplementing phytase in low-phosphorus diets improves performance and reduces nutritional costs, saving approximately US$9.52 per ton of broilers.

Post-ruminal supplementation of glucose may contribute to subsequent milk production and health by increasing secretion of gut hormones and reducing intestinal-derived inflammation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of bypass sugar (BpS) supplementation to dairy cows during the transition period on milk production and metabolic status after calving. Fifteen Holstein cows were randomly assigned into three groups considering parity and previous milk production. The three groups corresponded to the following three treatments: a BpS group supplemented with BpS, a Gly group supplemented with dietary glycerol, and a control group with no supplementation in the basal diet from 21 days pre-partum to 5 days post-partum. Cows were sampled from 21 days pre-partum to 28 days post-partum, and milk yield and blood and health statuses were determined. Milk yield was higher in the BpS group than that in the other groups. The rumen fill score was highest in the BpS group from the dry period to post-partum compared with that in the other groups. Post-partum blood glucose concentrations were higher in the BpS group than in the control group. The prevalence of hyperketonemia and blood concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxylbutyrate, glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) and haptoglobin were not different among the groups. In the BpS group, blood aspartate aminotransferase concentration was lower than that in the Gly group. γ-glutamyl transpeptidase was lower than that in the control group. From these results, feeding BpS and Gly did not affect GLP-2 secretion and alleviate inflammation after calving, but BpS increased milk production and improved liver function.

This study aims to analyze the dynamic expression profile and functional mechanisms of circular RNA (circRNA) in the liver of young goats during the developmental process from birth to the early weaning stage. The study performed transcriptome sequencing on liver tissues from Laiwu Black goats at five key developmental time points after birth (1 day, and 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks). A total of 178 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified at the five developmental stages. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the source genes of these circRNAs are involved in key pathways such as immune response, lipid metabolism, and cell signaling. Persistently upregulated circRNAs (cluster 9) are related to tryptophan metabolism and may regulate the inflammatory response and energy homeostasis under weaning stress in young goats; while persistently downregulated circRNAs (cluster 0) may promote the transition of liver metabolism from glucose to fatty acid oxidation by relieving inhibition on pathways like AMPK and insulin signaling pathway. Based on the ceRNA mechanism, the study constructed a regulatory network consisting of 20 circRNAs, 15 miRNAs, and 21 mRNAs, among which chi-miR-532-3p/CYP8B1/circ101504503815046736, chi-miR-542-5p/ACACB/circ10_21217626_21219471, and miR-542-5p/ACACB/circ10-21217626-21219471 were identified as potential key ceRNA axes. Furthermore, this study confirmed the targeting regulatory relationship between chi-miR-532-3p, CYP8B1 and circ10-21217626-21219471 through dual luciferase reporter gene experiments. This study reveals the dynamic expression profile of circRNA during goat liver development, suggesting that it may regulate metabolic and immune pathways through the ceRNA mechanism, providing a new perspective on post-transcriptional regulation of liver development in ruminants.

This study aims to evaluate the variations in carcass fat percentage (CFP), carcass muscle percentage (CMP), carcass bone percentage (CBP), meat-to-bone ratio (MTB), carcass weight (CW), loin eye area (REA), backfat thickness (BF), the total tissue depth of muscle and fat at the twelfth rib, 110 mm from the midline (GR), and dressing percentage (DP) in 574 mutton sheep using CT scanning technology. It also seeks to estimate the genetic and phenotypic correlations, as well as estimated Genomic selection accuracy provides reference for breeding of mutton sheep carcasses. Phenotypic data from National Mutton Sheep Testing Station; uniform rearing for 155 days. CT scans were used to obtain body images of the sheep, and CT-Calc2012 software was employed to trait determination. Genomic data were sequenced using second-generation sequencing, and SNP calling was performed with GATK. A mixed linear model incorporating both genomic and pedigree data was used to estimate genetic parameters for various traits. Cross-validation through ten-fold was conducted to assess Genomic selection accuracy, and both direct and correlated selection responses for carcass traits were analyzed. The coefficient of variation for each trait ranging from 8.86% to 25.12%. All carcass composition traits demonstrated medium to high heritability (0.38-0.51). A strong genetic correlation was found between BF, REA and CFP, CMP. The Genomic selection accuracy for carcass traits ranged from 0.29 to 0.43, suggesting potential for Genomic selection in mutton sheep breeding. The genetic progress of CMP and CFP after direct and indirect selection was tested, showing that indirect improvement of CMP and CFP was most significant when selecting for BF and REA. The study indicates that BF and REA are valuable traits for improving carcass composition in mutton sheep breeding, with Genomic selection offering prospects for breeding carcass traits more effectively.

Semen quality plays a crucial role in embryo production in cattle. This study aims to compare the effects of 0°C refrigerated semen and liquid nitrogen-frozen semen on the quality of in vitro fertilised embryos in Simmental cattle. Semen from six bulls was split equally into two groups. One was diluted with cold storage solution and stored at 0°C for 72 h; the other with cryopreservation solution and preserved in liquid nitrogen for 72 h. Post-storage, sperm quality (motility, progressive motility via CASA, acrosome/plasma membrane integrity) was assessed, along with MDA, ROS, ATP, and MMP levels. For IVF, oocytes from Simmental cows (>50 per group) were inseminated with the two semen groups. At 45 h post-IVF, embryo cleavage rate was recorded; on day 8, blastocyst rate was determined. Embryos then underwent BrdU staining (proliferation) and TUNEL staining (apoptosis), with proliferation and apoptosis levels quantified via marker genes. The results showed that compared with liquid nitrogen-frozen semen, 0°C refrigerated semen exhibited significantly higher sperm motility, forward motility rate, acrosome integrity, and plasma membrane integrity (p < 0.05). In vitro fertilised embryos also exhibited significant increases in quality and quantity (cleavage rate and blastocyst rate) (p < 0.05), and embryos derived from 0°C refrigerated semen contained significantly more proliferating cells (p < 0.05) and fewer apoptotic cells (p < 0.05) than those from frozen semen. These findings suggest that 0°C refrigerated semen is superior to liquid nitrogen frozen semen in terms of sperm quality parameters and in vitro embryo production.

The Animal Bioscience editorial board has named Prof. Cheol-Heui Yun as the new editor-in-chief (EiC), succeeding Prof. Jong Kyu Ha, who has served in this role for 25 years. The term as a new editor-in-chief will begin on January 1, 2026.