Significance: Here, we show that DMRT1 dosage is the key sex determination factor in birds and is essential for testis development. Furthermore, we provide additional evidence that birds, in contrast to mammals, have acquired cell-autonomous sex identity (CASI) and that the sex hormone environment does not significantly influence avian secondary sexual characteristics. This finding highlights an evolutionary divide between mammals and nonmammalian vertebrates. In mammals, the sex chromosomes determine the type of gonad formed, and sex hormones largely define the secondary sexual phenotype. In birds, the sexual phenotype is directly determined by the sex chromosome content of individual cells in different tissues. Our findings help advance our understanding of the evolution of sex determination systems and the nature of sex identity.

Background: Egg white must provide nutrients and protection to the developing avian embryo. One way in which this is achieved is an arsenal of antimicrobial proteins and peptides which are essentially extensions of the innate immune system. Gallin is a recently identified member of a family of peptides that are found in egg white. The function of this peptide family has not been identified and they are potentially antimicrobial. Results: We have confirmed that there are at least 3 forms of the gallin gene in the chicken genome in 3 separate lines of chicken, all the forms are expressed in the tubular cells of the magnum region of the oviduct, consistent with its presence in egg white. mRNA expression levels are in the order 10,000 times greater in the magnum than the shell gland. The conservation between the multiple forms of gallin in the chicken genome compared with the conservation between gallin and other avian gallin like peptides, suggests that the gene duplication has occurred relatively recently in the chicken lineage. The gallin peptide family contains a six cysteine motif (C-X₅-C-X₃-C-X₁₁-C-X₃-C-C) found in all defensins, and is most closely related to avian beta-defensins, although the cysteine spacing differs. Further support for the classification comes from the presence of a glycine at position 10 in the 41 amino acid peptide. Recombinant gallin inhibited the growth of Escherischia coli (E. coli) at a concentration of 0.25 μM confirming it as part of the antimicrobial innate immune system in avian species. Conclusions: The relatively recent evolution of multiple forms of a member of a new defensin related group of peptides that we have termed ovodefensins, may be an adaptation to increase expression or the first steps in divergent evolution of the gene in chickens. The potent antimicrobial activity of the peptide against E. coli increases our understanding of the antimicrobial strategies of the avian innate immune system particularly those of the egg white and the evolution of the defensin family. The potential of this peptide and others in the family can now be investigated in a number of novel antimicrobial roles.

Goose can develop severe hepatic steatosis without overt injury, thus it may serve as a unique model for uncovering how steatosis-related injury is prevented. To identify the markedly prosteatotic and protective mechanisms, we performed an integrated analysis of liver transcriptomes and gut microbial metagenomes using samples collected from overfed and normally-fed geese at different time points. The results indicated that the fatty liver transcriptome, initially featuring a ‘metabolism’ pathway, was later joined by ‘cell growth and death’ and ‘immune diseases’ pathways. Gut microbiota played a synergistic role in the liver response as microbial and hepatic genes affected by overfeeding shared multiple pathways. Remarkably, the complement system, an inflammatory component, was comprehensively suppressed in fatty liver, which was partially due to increased blood lactic acid from enriched Lactobacillus. Data from in vitro studies suggested that lactic acid suppressed TNFα via the HNF1α/C5 pathway. In conclusion, gut microbes and their hosts respond to excess energy influx as an organic whole, severe steatosis and related tolerance of goose liver may be partially attributable to gut microbiotic products and suppressed complement system, and lactic acid from gut microbiota participates in the suppression of hepatic TNFα/inflammation through the HNF1α/C5 pathway.

Certain strains of probiotic bacteria can secret functional substances namely digestive enzymes and functional peptides to regulate physiological conditions such as digestion and anti-oxidation, which are often incorporated in industrial broiler chick production. However, few studies have detailed the action mechanisms and effects of these bacteria on regulating growth and anti-oxidation levels in broiler chickens. Ligilactobacillus salivarius is a strain of probiotic bacteria used as dietary supplement. In the present study, Ligilactobacillus salivarius was evaluated for its secreted digestive enzymes in vitro. To detailed evaluate the action mechanisms and effects of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota on alleviating anti-oxidation levels of broiler chickens through the gut-brain axis. Ligilactobacillus salivarius was cultured and supplemented in the food of broilers to evaluate the probiotic effect on growth and anti-oxidation by modulation of gut microbial composition and its functional metabolites using metagenomic and metabolomic assays. Biochemical results showed that Ligilactobacillus salivarius secreted digestive enzymes: protease, lipase, and amylase. Broiler chickens with Ligilactobacillus salivarius supplemented for 42 days, showed increased body weights, a reduced oxidative status, decreased malondialdehyde levels, and improved activities rates of total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase IIand IV improved. The microbial composition of caecum was more abundant than those broiler without probiotics supplementation, owing 400 of total number (489) of bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTU). The genera of Lactobacillus, Megamonas, Ruminoccoccaceae, Ruminococcus, Alistipes and Helicobacter shared the dominant proportion of Candidatus _Arthromitus compared with the control chickens. These functional bacteria genera assisted in the transportation and digestion of amino acids, carbohydrates, and ions, synthesis of cellular membranes, and anti-oxidation. Uncultured_organism_g_ Anaerosporobacter, Lactobacillus salivarius, uncultured_bacterium_g_ Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, uncultured_bacterium_g_ Peptococcus were strongly and positively correlated with body growth performance and anti-oxidation. A metabonomic assay suggested that the secreted of gamma-aminobutyric acid and monobactam was metabolized according to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis. In conclusion, Ligilactobacillus salivarius optimized microbial composition of the caecum and secreted functional peptides through gut-brain axis to improve the body growth and antioxidation of broiler chicken.

Geese form a fatty liver after feeding on a carbohydrate-rich diet, possibly as an evolutionary adaption to accumulate reserves for migration. To gai