Background: Improving feed efficiency is one of the important breeding targets for poultry industry. The aim of current study was to investigate the breast muscle transcriptome data of native chickens divergent for feed efficiency. Residual feed intake (RFI) value was calculated for 1008 closely related chickens. The 5 most efficient (LRFI) and 5 least efficient (HRFI) birds were selected for further analysis. Transcriptomic data were generated from breast muscle collected post-slaughter. Results: The differently expressed genes (DEGs) analysis showed that 24 and 325 known genes were significantly up- and down-regulated in LRFI birds. An enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that the genes and pathways related to inflammatory response and immune response were up-regulated in HRFI chickens. Moreover, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was also employed, which indicated that LRFI chickens increased expression of genes related to mitochondrial function. Furthermore, protein network interaction and function analyses revealed ND2, ND4, CYTB, RAC2, VCAM1, CTSS and TLR4 were key genes for feed efficiency. And the ‘phagosome’, ‘cell adhesion molecules (CAMs)’, ‘citrate cycle (TCA cycle)’ and ‘oxidative phosphorylation’ were key pathways contributing to the difference in feed efficiency. Conclusions: In summary, a series of key genes and pathways were identified via bioinformatics analysis. These key genes may influence feed efficiency through deep involvement in ROS production and inflammatory response. Our results suggested that LRFI chickens may synthesize ATP more efficiently and control reactive oxygen species (ROS) production more strictly by enhancing the mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle compared with HRFI chickens. These findings provide some clues for understanding the molecular mechanism of feed efficiency in birds and will be a useful reference data for native chicken breeding.

This study examined the effects of divergence in residual feed intake (RFI) on expression profiles of key genes related to lipid transport in the liver and duodenal epithelium and their associations with feed efficiency traits in meat-type ducks. A total of 1,000 male ducks with similar body weight (1,042.1±87.2 g) were used in this study, and their individual RFI was calculated from 21 to 42 d of age. Finally, the 10 highest RFI (HRFI) and 10 lowest RFI (LRFI) ducks were chosen for examining the expression of key genes related to lipid transport in the liver and duodenal epithelium using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In the liver, expression levels of albumin (ALB), CD36 molecule (CD36), fatty acid hydroxylase domain containing 2 (FAXDC2), and choline kinase alpha (CHKA) were significantly higher in LRFI ducks than in HRFI ducks (p<0.01); negative correlations (p<0.05) between expression levels of ALB, CD36, FAXDC2, and CHKA and RFI were detected in the liver. Additionally, ALB expression was strongly positively correlated (p<0.05) with CD36, FAXDC2, CHKA, and apolipoprotein H (APOH) expression in the liver. In duodenal epithelium, we found that mRNA levels of ALB, CD36, FAXDC2, and APOH were significantly higher in LRFI ducks than in HRFI ducks (p<0.01); RFI was strongly negatively correlated (p<0.05) with ALB, FAXDC2, and APOH expression, while ALB expression was strongly positively correlated with APOH expression (p<0.01) in duodenal epithelium. Furthermore, expression levels of both ALB and FAXDC2 genes were significantly associated with feed conversion ratio and RFI in both liver and duodenal epithelium (p<0.05). Our findings therefore suggest that ALB and FAXDC2 genes might be used as potential gene markers designed to improve feed efficiency in future meat-type duck breeding programs.

The Wanxi White Goose (Anser cygnoides) is a large waterfowl of the Anatidae family and one of the most prominent medium-sized goose breeds in China. This

Buzhong Yiqi Decoction, traditionally used in China for the treatment of diarrhea, is extracted from Astragalus, Atractylodes macrocephala, Tangerine peel, Bupleurum, Ginseng, Cimicifuga, Licorice, and Chinese Angelica. However, the precise mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects remain inadequately understood. Considering that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota may contribute to diarrhea, and that oral administration of the decoction exhibits limited intestinal absorption, we propose that the modulation of gut microbiota plays a crucial role in its anti-diarrheal efficacy. To validate this hypothesis, we established a canine diarrhea model by administering Senna decoction, followed by treatment with Buzhong Yiqi Decoction. Diarrhea rates, complete blood counts, serum biochemistry, serum antioxidant levels, and D-xylose absorption were measured. The alteration of gut microbiota was examined through 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. Compared with the model group, after treatment with the decoction, the levels of white blood cells and superoxide dismutase in the dogs significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the levels of D-xylose and malondialdehyde significantly increased (P<0.05). The intestinal flora results showed that, compared with the control group, the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria decreased in the model group, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes significantly increased. At the genus level, compared with the control group, the relative abundance of unclassified Ruminococcaceae, Collinsella, and Fusobacterium in the model group significantly decreased, while the relative abundance of Shigella and Anaeroplasma significantly increased. In conclusion, Buzhong Yiqi Decoction has a therapeutic effect on dogs with diarrhea, primarily through reducing diarrhea rate, exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and regulating the intestinal flora.

In this study, a total of 115 geese were selected and raised in 23 separate pens. We found that the average frequency of brooding was 2.18 times during the whole reproduction period. The duration of broodiness of early, middle, and later stage of the brooding period were 2.96 d, 9.93 d, and 4.27 d, respectively. The daily brooding time of early, middle, and later stage of the brooding period were 13.59 h/day, 21.62 h/day, and 5.26 h/day, respectively. The egg production was negatively correlated with the duration of broodiness in early, middle, and later stage of the brooding period and the daily brooding time of early and middle stage of the brooding period. In addition, the LH, FSH, E2, and P4 levels of laying stage were significantly higher than that of early, middle, and later brooding stage. The E2 level of middle stage was significantly lower than early and later stages. Taken together, we demonstrated that annual egg production of geese can be increased through waking up the brooding geese in the early or middle stage of brooding period. And E2 may be a marker hormone for laying stage of Wanxi white geese.

To explore the impact of age on the fattening effects in Zhedong white geese, this experiment selected 240 geese to undergo a three-week fattening period starting at 49 d and 70 d. The results showed that the final weight and feed-to-gain ratios (F/G) in the first and second weeks were significantly higher in the geese that started fattening at 70d compared to those starting at 49d (P<0.05). The F/G ratio in the third week was significantly lower in the 70d group compared to the 49d group (P<0.05). Additionally, the weights of the breast muscle, leg muscle, abdominal fat, intestinal fat, gizzard pH, and heart were significantly higher in the 70d group (P<0.05). The meat color L values and b* values of the breast and leg muscles were higher in the 70d group, while the leg muscle pH was significantly higher in the 49d group (P<0.05). Overall, the analysis suggests that starting fattening at 70d can improve the final weight and slaughter performance of Zhedong white geese but also increases the F/G ratio and reduces carcass quality and meat color. Therefore, the fattening effects are superior when started at 49d.