Circular RNAs (circRNAs), which are considered a large class of endogenous noncoding RNAs, function as regulators in various biological procedures. In this study, the function and molecular mechanisms of circRNA8220 in goat mammary epithelial cells (GMECs) were explored. CircRNA8220 could spong miR-8516 and block the function of miR-8516 by binding to the target site of miR-8516 a negative feedback relationship existed between circRNA8220 and miR-8516. Stanniocalcin 2 (STC2) was a target gene of miR-8516. circRNA8220 could up-regulate the expression of STC2 by sponging miR-8516 in GMECs. circRNA8220/miR-8516/STC2 could promote proliferation and enhance the synthesis of β-casein and triglycerides (TG) via Ras/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways, respectively.

2-Bromopalmitate (2-BP) is a palmitoylation inhibitor that can prevent the binding of palmitic acid to proteins, thereby exhibiting significant effects in promoting inflammation and regulating the immune system. However, limited research has been conducted regarding the direct effects of 2-BP on the animal organism. Therefore, we probed mice injected with 2-BP for altered expression of inflammatory genes, with a focus on demonstrating changes in the intestinal flora as well as damage to the reproductive system. Our findings indicate that 2-BP can induce substantial inflammatory responses in visceral organs and cause testicular dysfunction. The key changes in the gut microbiota were characterized by an abundance of Firmicutes, Clostridiales, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Desulfovibrio, Muribaculaceae, and Alistipes, and their metabolism has been intricately linked to visceral inflammation. Overall, the findings of this study provide a sound scientific basis for understanding the impact of high doses of 2-BP in mammals, while also offering crucial support for the development of preclinical models to suppress palmitoylation.

Topmouth culter (Culter alburnus) is one of the most economically important freshwater fish in China, but intensive aquaculture has caused germplasm degradation and reduced growth performance, while the genetic basis underlying growth variation in this species remains poorly understood. This study aimed to identify major-effect loci and candidate genes associated with growth-related traits to support molecular breeding. Whole-genome resequencing (average depth 11.44×) was performed on 300 individuals derived from random mating among three geographic populations (Danjiangkou, Taihu, and Poyang Lake); 239 individuals with complete phenotypic records were retained for a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of five growth-related traits, including body weight (BW), body weight without viscera (BWW), total length (TL), body length (BL), and body height (BH). After stringent filtering, 7,597,008 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were obtained, and association analysis was conducted using a linear mixed model, followed by Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate correction and 1000-permutation testing for BW and BL. Six genome-wide significant SNPs and 473 suggestive SNPs were identified, with individual significant SNPs explaining over 11% of phenotypic variance, indicating candidate loci of putatively moderate-to-large effect. Significant SNPs were predominantly clustered on chromosomes 16 and 19. Four candidate genes—aig1, cacna1b, pgm5, and bcr—were identified, with functions related to lipid metabolism, muscle structure, and cell proliferation. This first population-level GWAS in topmouth culter provides valuable molecular markers for marker-assisted selection and lays a foundation for accelerated genetic improvement of this species.

Sex-specific markers are important for genetic sex identification and sex-control breeding in aquaculture. Siniperca scherzeri (Steindachner, 1892) is an economically important freshwater fish with female-biased sexual size dimorphism, but its sex-associated genomic architecture remains poorly characterized. Here, whole-genome resequencing of 10 females and 10 males generated approximately 480 Gb of clean data and identified 55 candidate male-associated fragments using a read-presence/absence screening strategy. PCR testing identified seven candidate male-associated markers that showed male-specific amplification and complete concordance with phenotypic sex in the tested S. scherzeri cohort. Marker4, Marker5, and Marker18 showed the same amplification pattern in the tested Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky, 1855) and Siniperca knerii (Garman, 1912) samples. The seven amplicons mapped to a marker-enriched interval at 20.677–20.695 Mb on chromosome 14. Marker18 overlapped a partial candidate amh-family gene model; however, no male-specific sequence variant, sex-biased expression, or functional role was tested. Because all S. scherzeri samples originated from one farmed cohort of unknown pedigree and the PCR assays lacked dedicated no-template and internal amplification controls, the observed concordance should not be interpreted as established diagnostic performance. The data support a male-associated marker cluster on chromosome 14, rather than establishing a Y-specific sex-determining region or a differentiated sex chromosome. Independent population validation with appropriate assay controls, together with genome-wide structural, expression, and functional analyses, is required.

To address cryodamage in Culter alburnus sperm, this study evaluated the effects of trehalose supplementation in a conventional cryomedium (D-15 + 10% ethylene glycol). Six experimental groups were established: fresh sperm (G1), a conventional cryomedium (G2), groups supplemented with 10, 100, or 200 mmol/L trehalose (G3–G5), and a control group with extender only (G6). The group with 100 mmol/L trehalose (G4) was associated with improved post-thaw motility parameters (activation rate, movement time, and lifespan) and higher antioxidant (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and energy metabolism (ATPase, succinate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase) enzyme activities. Ultrastructural damage in G4 included partial plasma membrane rupture and mitochondrial swelling, while G6 exhibited additional damage features including membrane disintegration, mitochondrial disruption, and flagellar fracture. Proteomic analysis revealed that, compared to G1, G4 exhibited higher abundance of proteins (e.g., Histone H2A, cytochrome c oxidase, profilin) involved in structural integrity and energy homeostasis, whereas G6 showed signatures of oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction (lower abundance of NADH dehydrogenase and higher abundance of calcium-transporting ATPase and glutathione S-transferase). In conclusion, 100 mmol/L trehalose was associated with improved cryopreservation outcomes, and the proteins identified provide a basis for further investigation. This approach offers a framework for refining germplasm conservation strategies in aquaculture.

Procambarus clarkii and Macrobrachium nipponense are two freshwater shrimp species used in rice-farming systems. To guide their cultivation in saline–alkaline waters, two 96 h experiments were conducted on juvenilels of each species using 540 juveniles per species (initial body length: 1.51 ± 0.16 cm for P. clarkii and 0.88 ± 0.03 cm for M. nipponense): combined salinity–pH stress (0/15.0/25.0‰ at pH 7.4/9.0/10.0) and NaHCO₃ alkalinity stress (0/10/20 mmol/L). Under salinity–pH stress, survival of P. clarkii was 100%, 72.23%, and 53.33%, respectively; for M. nipponense, it was 93.33%, 61.13%, and 23.33%. Under alkalinity stress, survival of P. clarkii was 92.22%, 82.22%, and 61.11%; for M. nipponense, it was 91.11%, 65.55%, and 46.67%. In both species, superoxide dismutase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase decreased while malondialdehyde increased with stress intensity. Metabolomics revealed species-specific reprogramming: P. clarkii upregulated protective lipids (e.g., glycerophosphoethanolamines, fatty acid esters), whereas M. nipponense showed depletion of critical osmolytes (glycerophosphocholines) and accumulation of apoptosis-related ceramides. KEGG analysis confirmed that energy metabolism, amino acid homeostasis, and ABC transporters were primary pathways affected. In conclusion, extreme stress significantly reduced survival, suppressed immunity, and triggered metabolic reprogramming in both species, with P. clarkii showing substantially higher tolerance. For cultivation, P. clarkii is preferred in moderately high saline–alkaline waters, while M. nipponense requires low-alkalinity freshwater with strict monitoring. These findings support species-specific management of saline–alkaline rice–shrimp systems.