Domestic Animals Research Articles

Ancient Mitogenomes Reveal the Maternal Genetic History of East Asian Dogs.

Recent studies have suggested that dogs were domesticated during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in Siberia, which contrasts with previous proposed domestication centers (e.g. Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia). Ancient DNA provides a powerful resource for the study of mammalian evolution and has been widely used to understand the genetic history of domestic animals. To understand the maternal genetic history of East Asian dogs, we have made a complete mitogenome dataset of 120 East Asian canids from 38 archaeological sites, including 102 newly sequenced from 12.9 to 1 ka BP (1,000 years before present). The majority (112/119, 94.12%) belonged to haplogroup A, and half of these (55/112, 49.11%) belonged to sub-haplogroup A1b. Most existing mitochondrial haplogroups were present in ancient East Asian dogs. However, mitochondrial lineages in ancient northern dogs (northeastern Eurasia and northern East Asia) were deeper and older than those in southern East Asian dogs. Results suggests that East Asian dogs originated from northeastern Eurasian populations after the LGM, dispersing in two possible directions after domestication. Western Eurasian (Europe and the Middle East) dog maternal ancestries genetically influenced East Asian dogs from approximately 4 ka BP, dramatically increasing after 3 ka BP, and afterwards largely replaced most primary maternal lineages in northern East Asia. Additionally, at least three major mitogenome sub-haplogroups of haplogroup A (A1a, A1b, and A3) reveal at least two major dispersal waves onto the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in ancient times, indicating eastern (A1b and A3) and western (A1a) Eurasian origins.

Molecular analysis of scats revealed diet and prey choice of grey wolves and Eurasian lynx in the contact zone between the Dinaric Mountains and the Alps

A comprehensive understanding of the dietary habits of carnivores is essential to get ecological insights into their role in the ecosystem, potential competition with other carnivorous species, and their effect on prey populations. Genetic analysis of non-invasive samples, such as scats, can supplement behavioural or microscopic diet investigations. The objective of this study was to employ DNA metabarcoding to accurately determine the prey species in grey wolf (Canis lupus) and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) scat samples collected in the Julian Alps and the Dinaric Mountains, Slovenia. The primary prey of wolves were red deer (Cervus elaphus) (detected in 96% scat samples), European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) (68%), and wild boar (Sus scrofa) (45%). A smaller portion of their diet consisted of mesocarnivores, small mammals, and domestic animals. In contrast, the lynx diet mostly consisted of European roe deer (82%) and red deer (64%). However, small mammals and domestic animals were also present in lynx diet, albeit to a lesser extent. Our findings indicate that the dietary habits of wolves and lynx are influenced by geographical location. Snapshot dietary analyses using metabarcoding are valuable for comprehending the behaviour and ecology of predators, and for devising conservation measures aimed at sustainable management of both their natural habitats and prey populations. However, to gain a more detailed understanding of wolf and lynx dietary habits and ecological impact, it would be essential to conduct long-term genetic monitoring of their diet.

Subolesin knockdown in tick cells provides insights into vaccine protective mechanisms

Ticks as obligate blood-feeding arthropod vectors of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, protozoa and helminths associated with prevalent tick-borne diseases (TBDs) worldwide. These arthropods constitute the second vector after mosquitoes that transmit pathogens to humans and the first vector in domestic animals. Vaccines constitute the safest and more effective approach to control tick infestations and TBDs, but research is needed to identify new antigens and improve vaccine formulations. The tick protein Subolesin (Sub) is a well-known vaccine protective antigen with a highly conserved sequence at both gene and protein levels in the Ixodidae and among arthropods and vertebrates. In this study, transcriptomics and proteomics analyses were conducted together with graph theory data analysis in wild type and Sub knockdown (KD) tick ISE6 cells in order to identify and characterize the functional implications of Sub in tick cells. The results support a key role for Sub in the regulation of gene expression in ticks and the relevance of this antigen in vaccine development against ticks and TBDs. Proteins with differential representation in response to Sub KD provide insights into vaccine protective mechanisms and candidate tick protective antigens.

Reducing hazards for animals from humans

If animals may be a source of hazards for humans, the reverse is equally true. The main sources of hazards from humans to animals, are the impact of human introduction of transboundary animal diseases, climate change, globalisation, introduction of invasive species and reduction of biodiversity.There is also a trend toward reducing genetic diversity in domestic animals, such as cattle; there are presently around 700 different breeds of cattle many of which at the verge of extinction (less than 100 reproductive females). The impact of humans is also indirect through detrimental effects on the environment. It is therefore urgent to implement the new concept of “one health"....

Key indicators of beef safety and quality as important aspects of conservation

Meat cattle breeding should develop in Ukraine as a priority and independent industry to meet beef needs. The meat industry has enormous potential and, as the most promising and attractive, will take a dominant place in the structure of the domestic food industry in the coming years. Beef is one of the most essential elements of the human diet. It contains complete proteins and animal fats, biologically active substances, mineral elements, and vitamins. The most important feature of food products is their quality and safety indicators, that is, the absence of substances harmful to the consumer's health and pathogens of infectious and invasive diseases. In this regard, veterinary and sanitary expertise and product safety control are of particular importance, as they are necessary to ensure the health of the population of Ukraine. Improving the quality of meat and meat products is a primary task in modern conditions. The implementation of this task depends not only on agricultural but also on processing enterprises. The article presents materials on the study of critical indicators of the safety and quality of beef. The study was carried out as part of the research work of the Department of Normal and Pathological Morphology, hygiene, and Expertise: “Monitoring the content of toxic substances in drinking water, feed and their impact on the body of cattle and the quality and safety of products”, state registration number – 0120U101318. The material for the research was the slaughter products of domestic animals, such as cattle, which were supplied to enterprises in the city of Zhytomyr. Pre-slaughter inspection and veterinary-sanitary examination of carcasses and their slaughter products of cattle was carried out following the “Rules of pre-slaughter veterinary examination of animals and veterinary-sanitary examination of meat and meat products”. The study aims to determine the safety and quality indicators of beef obtained in the conditions of meat processing enterprises of the Zhytomyr region. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive survey of beef safety and quality indicators was conducted. As a result of the tests, it was established that the pH level of the meat was 5.7–6.1. Carrying out the reaction with a 5 % solution of CuSO4 in the broth showed that the broth was transparent. A positive response to peroxidase was also detected. The safety parameters corresponded to regulatory documents. Careful control of the safety and quality of beef at every stage of production, starting from the rearing of animals and up to the sale of the product, guarantees a high degree of consumer protection.

Camel milk or silymarin could improve the negative effects that experimentally produced by aflatoxin B1 on rat’s male reproductive system

BackgroundCamel milk and silymarin have many different beneficial effects on several animal species. Meanwhile, Aflatoxins are mycotoxins with extraordinary potency that pose major health risks to several animal species. Additionally, it has been documented that aflatoxins harm the reproductive systems of a variety of domestic animals. The present design aimed to investigate the impact of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on rat body weight and reproductive organs and the ameliorative effects of camel milk and silymarin through measured serum testosterone, testes pathology, and gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in the testes. A total of sixty mature male Wister white rats, each weighing an average of 83.67 ± 0.21 g, were used. There were six groups created from the rats. Each division had ten rats. The groups were the control (without any treatment), CM (1 ml of camel milk/kg body weight orally), S (20 mg silymarin/kg b. wt. suspension, orally), A (1.4 mg aflatoxin/kg diet), ACM (aflatoxin plus camel milk), and AS (aflatoxin plus silymarin).ResultsThe results indicated the positive effects of camel milk and silymarin on growth, reproductive organs, and gene expression of TNF-α, LHR, and StAR with normal testicular architecture. Also, the negative effect of AFB1 on the rat’s body weight and reproductive organs, as indicated by low body weight and testosterone concentration, was confirmed by the results of histopathology and gene expression. However, these negative effects were ameliorated by the ingestion of camel milk and silymarin.ConclusionIn conclusion, camel milk and silymarin could mitigate the negative effect of AFB1 on rat body weight and reproductive organs.

Molecular detection of Bartonella rochalimae and Hepatozoon canis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from China

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been recognized as natural reservoirs for multiple pathogens and a source of infection for domestic animals, wildlife and humans. To date, no reports are available on the Bartonella rochalimae and Hepatozoon canis infection in red foxes from China. In 2018–2022, a total of 16 red foxes were sampled in two counties and a city in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in northwest China. Subsequently analyzed by DNA extraction amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the present study, based on nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic tree analyses, B. rochalimae and H. canis were molecularly identified in red foxes. Our findings provide the first molecular evidence of B. rochalimae and H. canis in red foxes from China.

Cross-sectional serosurvey of Leptospira species among slaughter pigs, goats, and sheep in Uganda.

Leptospira are a group of bacteria, including pathogenic types that cause leptospirosis. In Uganda, Leptospira exposure has been reported in humans, with domesticated animals being speculated as the source. However, comparable evidence of Leptospira prevalence and circulating serovars/serogroups in animals is only documented for cattle, and dogs. Our study determined Leptospira seroprevalence, associated risk factors and serogroups circulating among slaughtered pigs, goats, and sheep in Uganda. During an 11-month cross-sectional survey in selected slaughter facilities in three regions of Uganda, we collected blood from 926 pigs, 347 goats, and 116 sheep. The age, sex, breed, and origin of each sampled animal were noted. The samples were tested for anti-Leptospira antibodies using the microscopic agglutination test, based on a panel of 12 serovars belonging to 12 serogroups. Leptospira seroprevalence was 26.67% (247/926, 95%CI 23.92-29.61) among pigs, and 21.81% (101/463, 95%CI 18.29-25.80) in goats and sheep (small ruminants). L. interrogans Australis and L. kirschneri Grippotyphosa were the commonest serovars among pigs, as was L. borgpetersenii Tarassovi in small ruminants. Pigs sourced from the Eastern (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.82, 95%CI 1.84-4.30) and Northern (OR = 3.56, 95%CI 2.52-5.02) regions were more likely to be seropositive, compared to those from the Central region. For small ruminants, being female (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.69-4.57) and adult (OR 4.47, 95% CI 1.57-18.80) was significantly more associated with Leptospira seropositivity. Conclusion/significance: Detection of a moderate seroprevalence, and several Leptospira serogroups among pigs, sheep, and goats from all regions of Uganda, supports existing reports in cattle and dogs, and implies widespread Leptospira exposure in domestic animals in Uganda. These findings may inform future programs for the control of leptospirosis in livestock in Uganda.

Tuvan Family Photo Album: Social Practices of Creation and Storage

The authors analyze the social practices of creating and storing a Tuvan family photo album throughout the XX - early XXI century. The sources of the study are the materials of narrative biographical interviews with ten respondents - indigenous residents of Tuva of different ages which were recorded by the authors in April - May 2023. The appearance of photo albums, the features of their creation and storage reflect the general history of photo albums in the Soviet state, and now in Russia. The authors point out that in the history of photo albums there appear the Tuvan traditions, for example, in photo frames inside the yurt there are photographs of relatives, domestic animals (horses), and elements of national cuisine. But due to the events of the XX century, the issue of loss and theft of photographs and photo albums became relevant for Tuvans. In the XXI century, Tuvans have a wide variety of photo albums on different media, and today family photo albums also represent the ethnicity of people.

Scientific justification of Mycobacterium avium survival in natural environment of Republic of Dagestan

Contamination of the environment with the infectious animal disease agents is still a pressing problem for the poultry farms. Mycobacterium avium can grow and replicate in organic wastes from the poultry farms for a long time thus contaminating vast adjacent areas and being the source of infection not only for wild and domestic animals but also for humans. The studies were aimed at the examination of the duration of Mycobacterium avium survival in the natural environment in two geographical regions of the Republic of Dagestan characterized by different soil and climate. Samples of Mycobacterium avium-contaminated feces and soil collected from pastures and farmyards (on the surface and from 5 cm depth) were tested. The experiments demonstrated that pathogenic for chickens mycobacteria survived for up to 30 days in the samples collected in the sub-mountainous areas in summertime, when the air temperature ranged from 15.1 to 30 °С, land surface temperature – from 17 to 38 °С, air humidity – from 44 to 94% and average monthly precipitation amounted to 1.5 mm. From September to May, with the air temperature ranging from –10.8 to +25 °C, land surface temperature from –14 to +30 °C, air humidity 26–100% and average precipitation 0.39 mm, the bacteria survived for up to 213 days on the soil surface on the pastures and farmyards, and for up to 243 days at the depth of 5 cm and in the feces. In the plain area, in the same time period in the slightly saline soil with high humus content and at air temperature from –11.9 to +27.3 °C, soil temperature from –13 to +45 °C, air humidity from 37 to 100% and average precipitation 20.4 mm, Mycobacterium avium survived just like in the sub-mountainous area, i.e. for 213 and 243 days, respectively. The post-mortem lesions in the internal organs of the poultry corresponded to the tuberculosis clinical signs in 86 of 171 birds (50.3%). The study results will allow for the development of the optimal algorithm for animal health and management measures aimed at tuberculosis eradication on the poultry farms.

Depressive symptoms among women in disaster-prone region in Bangladesh

Women are one of the crucial mental health victims of disaster but there is a lack of rigorous research in this area. This study, therefore, conducted a survey using a questionnaire among 350 randomly selected women from Khulna district (a disaster-prone region in Bangladesh) to explore the prevalence of depression and associated factors among women. 9-items Patient Health Questionnaire was used to measure the depressive symptoms and 63% were found to have the moderate to severe level of depression. Similarly, the ordered logistic regression model revealed that being married, having children, facing physical injury, job loss in disaster, damage of house, damage of crops, loss of domestic animals, worrying about future possible loss, family conflicts, and physical violence were the significant risk factors of depression among women in disaster-prone Bangladesh. This is because disasters increase caregiving obligations, financial instability, weak social support, and gender-based violence among women comparing men. Thus, it is crucial to prioritize mental health interventions for women including livelihood and emotional supports within disaster management policy framework. Likewise, future studies should use a longitudinal design with an extensive sample and study region since the current study employed a cross-sectional design with a small sample and study region.

Effects of climate change and human activities on vector-borne diseases.

Vector-borne diseases are transmitted by haematophagous arthropods (for example, mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies) to humans and wild and domestic animals, with the largest burden on global public health disproportionately affecting people in tropical and subtropical areas. Because vectors are ectothermic, climate and weather alterations (for example, temperature, rainfall and humidity) can affect their reproduction, survival, geographic distribution and, consequently, ability to transmit pathogens. However, the effects of climate change on vector-borne diseases can be multifaceted and complex, sometimes with ambiguous consequences. In this Review, we discuss the potential effects of climate change, weather and other anthropogenic factors, including land use, human mobility and behaviour, as possible contributors to the redistribution of vectors and spread of vector-borne diseases worldwide.

Improved Antibody Detection for Canine Leptospirosis: ELISAs Modified Using Local Leptospiral Serovar Isolates from Asymptomatic Dogs.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of significant concern for human and animal health, with domestic animals, including dogs, acting as reservoirs for human infection. Serology is widely used for leptospirosis diagnosis, even though the standard microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using a panel of serovars lacks specificity and can lead to detection limitations in certain regions. In this study, we aimed to develop an antibody detection tool for dogs using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a set of local serovar isolates, including Paidjan, Dadas, and Mini, to enhance the accuracy of leptospirosis surveillance in our region. The specificity and sensitivity of various antigen preparations, namely leptospiral whole-cell protein (WCP), total membrane protein (TMP), and outer membrane protein (OMP), were assessed using sera from infected and non-infected dogs, as well as negative puppy sera. Leptospirosis diagnosis was supported using a genus-specific nested polymerase chain reaction test on all collected sera. Protein preparations were validated using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis. In the results, the standard MAT failed to detect antibodies in any of the dogs confirmed as being infected using PCR and isolation, highlighting its limitations. In contrast, the OMP-based ELISAs using local isolates of Leptospira serovars gave positive results with sera from all infected dogs, and negative results with sera from all dogs from non-endemic areas. IgG titres of infected and unvaccinated dogs from endemically affected areas were significantly higher than those in non-endemic regions. Using the OMP-based IgG/ELISAs with the local serovar Dadas resulted in higher specificity and lower sensitivity than when using the WCP- and TMP-based IgG/ELISAs. Agreement analysis revealed fair and moderate concordance between OMP-based IgG/ELISAs and PCR results, whereas slight and fair agreement was observed between OMP-based ELISAs and the MAT. Overall, the modified OMP-based IgG/ELISAs, utilising relevant local serovar isolates from dogs, demonstrated improved accuracy in detecting leptospirosis in the study area, overcoming the limitations of the MAT. This study highlights the importance of identifying and incorporating these local circulating serovar isolates into serological techniques for leptospirosis diagnosis and surveillance.

Genetic diversity of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in companion dogs and cats, Tianjin, China.

Dogs and cats are the hosts of many vector-borne human pathogens that can be transmitted to humans. Given their direct and intimate contact with humans, companion dogs and cats are considered direct sentinels of vector-borne human pathogens. However, limited information is currently available regarding canine and feline zoonotic pathogens in China. This study detected canine and feline vector-borne human pathogens to better understand the potential risk to humans. Blood samples were collected from 275 domestic companion animals (117 dogs and 158 cats) living in Tianjin city, China, and the presence of DNA from Anaplasma, Babesia, Bartonella, and Rickettsia was detected by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products of the expected size were sequenced, and these newly generated sequences were subjected to BLASTN, nucleotide identity, and phylogenetic analyses. A total of 24 blood samples tested positive for vector-borne pathogens in companion dogs and cats in Tianjin city, China, with a relatively low positive rate of 8.7%. Specifically, seven human pathogens, including Rickettsia raoultii, Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis, Rickettsia sibirica, Rickettsia felis, Babesia venatorum, Bartonella tribocorum, and Bartonella Henselae, were identified. In addition, Anaplasma ovis with zoonotic potential and Candidatus A. cinensis were detected. Our results indicate substantial genetic diversity in the vector-borne human pathogens circulating in companion dogs and cats. Interventions based on "One Health" should be taken to reduce the potential risks of contracting infection from companion dogs and cats in Tianjin, China.

Традиционные представления о собаке по данным русской паремиологии

The aim of the research is to establish the traditional perceptions of the dog in Russian linguaculture, using the material from V. I. Dal's ‘Proverbs of the Russian People’. The article identifies various characteristics of the animal (appearance, behavioral traits, human-dog relationships, comparison of dogs with other animals, etc.) that served as sources for folk sayings about dogs. It conducts a lexical-semantic and quantitative analysis of animal nominations, interprets the literal and metaphorical meanings of proverbs. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the reconstruction of the mid-19th-century image of the dog based on proverbial texts, including previously unstudied riddles, reflecting the perception of the animal in the collective consciousness of the Russian people. Dog features are classified into three aspects: 1) the dog as a domestic animal; 2) the dog and humans; 3) the dog and other animals. Proverbial units are interpreted as cognitive structures containing condensed information about the phenomenon of reality. The study proves that the linguo-cognitive interpretation of folklore texts of small genres allows for the reconstruction of a relatively complete image of the dog as a specific fragment of the Russian linguistic worldview.

The impact of green finance policy on land ecological security: City-level evidence from China

As the phenomenon of ecological degradation increases, there is a growing body of research related to green finance, but no papers evaluating the link between it and land ecological security. Thus, this research calculates land ecological security using data from 158 cities in China's major grain-producing regions from 2012 to 2020. Taking China's green finance policy as an example, it applies the synthetic difference-in-difference method to analyze green finance's impact on land ecological security. The conclusions show that, first, green financial policy implementation has contributed to the improvement of land ecological security by 0.154 units. This result still holds after a series of robustness tests such as parallel trend tests, dynamic effects tests, and placebo tests. Second, mechanism analysis finds that green finance affects land ecological security through three paths: agricultural scale management, agricultural technological progress, and eco-industrialization. Third, in terms of the sub-dimension of eco-industrialization, green finance promotes domestic tourism revenues, agriculture, forestry, and animal husbandry, while its impact on international tourism revenues and fisheries is not significant. The results herein confirm the role of green finance in securing ecological security of land. Future research will further enrich the indicator system of land ecological security as well as excavate the boundary conditions for green finance in order to promote land ecological security.

SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV -2 cross-reactive antibodies in domestic animals and wildlife in Nigeria suggest circulation of sarbecoviruses

Anthropogenic exposure of domestic animals, as well as wildlife, can result in zoonotic transmission events with known and unknown pathogens including sarbecoviruses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals, most likely resulting from spill-over from humans, have been documented worldwide. However, only limited information is available for Africa. The anthropozoonotic transmission from humans to animals, followed by further inter- and intraspecies propagation may contribute to viral evolution, and thereby subsequently alter the epidemiological patterns of transmission. To shed light on the possible role of domestic animals and wildlife in the ecology and epidemiology of sarbecoviruses in Nigeria, and to analyze the possible circulation of other, undiscovered, but potentially zoonotic sarbecoviruses in animals, we tested 504 serum samples from dogs, rabbits, bats, and pangolins collected between December 2020 and April 2022. The samples were analyzed using an indirect multi-species enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV -2, respectively. ELISA reactive sera were further analyzed by highly specific virus neutralization test and indirect immunofluorescence assay for confirmation of the presence of antibodies. In this study, we found SARS-CoV reactive antibodies in 16 (11.5%) dogs, 7 (2.97%) rabbits, 2 (7.7%) pangolins and SARS-CoV-2 reactive antibodies in 20 (13.4%) dogs, 6 (2.5%) rabbits and 2 (7.7%) pangolins, respectively. Interestingly, 2 (2.3%) bat samples were positive only for SARS-CoV RBD reactive antibodies. These serological findings of SARS-CoV and/or SARS-CoV-2 infections in both domestic animals and wildlife indicates exposure to sarbecoviruses and requires further One Health-oriented research on the potential reservoir role that different species might play in the ecology and epidemiology of coronaviruses at the human-animal interface.

‶Don’t Say Neigh, Say Yay”

‶Don’t Say Neigh, Say Yay”

Evaluation of protective efficacy, serological responses, and cytokine modulation induced by polyvalent Leptospira vaccines in hamsters

Whole-cell inactivated vaccines (bacterins) are the only licensed vaccines available for leptospirosis prevention and control, especially in domestic and farm animals. However, despite their widespread use, inconsistencies in their efficacy have been reported. Because immunity induced by bacterins is mainly mediated by antibodies against leptospiral lipopolysaccharides, the involvement of cellular responses is not well-known. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and characterize the humoral and cellular immune responses induced by whole-cell inactivated leptospirosis bacterin formulations containing serovars Bratislava, Canicola, Copenhageni, Grippotyphosa, Hardjoprajitno, and Pomona. For the potency test, hamsters were immunized with one dose of polyvalent bacterins (either commercial or experimental) and then challenged with a virulent Pomona strain. Serological (MAT and IgM and IgG-ELISA) and cellular (cytokine transcription in blood evaluated by RT-qPCR) analyses were performed. The results revealed that vaccination with either bacterin formulation was able to protect 90–100% of the hamsters infected with the Pomona serovar, although most of the surviving animals remained as renal carriers. Specific agglutinating antibodies and significant levels of IgM, IgG, and IgG2 (P < 0.05) that were able to react with the six serovars present in the vaccine formulations were produced, indicating that the vaccines can potentially provide immunity against all strains. The protective immunity of these vaccines was mainly mediated by balanced a Th1/Th2 response, characterized by increased IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-α transcription. These data support the importance of characterizing immunological responses involved in bacterin efficacy and investing in the improvement of these vaccine formulations.

Asynchronous Holocene human population changes in north and south China as related to animal resource utilization

During the Holocene, rich Neolithic and Bronze cultures developed in the middle and lower reaches of Yellow River valley (north China) and Yangtze River valley (south China), making them the core areas of past human activities. Thus, it is important to reveal the process and driving mechanism of regional population change. Agriculture development has always been taken as the key driver of population changes, and current studies mainly focus on the role that cultivation played, however, it is still unclear if animal resource utilization also contributed to regional population changes. Here, the spatiotemporal changes of population and domestic animal utilization levels in north and south China from 10 to 2 ka BP have been reconstructed based on 27,935 archaeological sites and faunal remains data from 94 sites, respectively, and the change in potential wild animal resources has been simulated by the Minimum Terrestrial Resource Model (MTRM). The results show asynchronous changes of population occurred in north and south China during 10–2 ka BP, which were correlated with regional domestic and potential wild animal resource utilization. In north China, more significant population growth corresponded to a greater increase of domestic animal ratios and a sharp decline of potential wild animal resources after 8 ka BP. In south China, less significant population growth was accompanied by a slower increase of domestic animal ratios and stable variations of potential wild animal resources. This research suggests that different changes of potential wild animal resources in north and south China contributed to spatial variations in survival pressure, utilization level of domestic animals, and population growth, which was further determined by asynchronous changes of precipitation in the two regions. This study explains the impact of climate changes on population from a new perspective.