CD14 is an important player in host innate immunity in that it confers lipopolysaccharide sensitivity to cell types like neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages. The study was aimed at characterizing the CD14 gene of cattle for sequence variations and to determine the effect of variations on the expression of the protein on the surfaces of monocytes and neutrophils in healthy dairy cows.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) regulates the reproductive endocrine system in mammals. The GnRH immunocontraception vaccine can aid animal population control and management. We evaluated a recombinant GnRH fusion protein with the adjuvant MONTANIDE ISA 206 VG as a GnRH vaccine in adult male ICR mice by evaluating anti-GnRH antibodies; concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone; testis size and histomorphology; and semen quality. Response was assessed after intramuscular administration of the vaccine to mice in weeks 0, 4, and 8. The vaccine induced specific antibody response by week 5, with peak of antibody levels observed by week 13 and a declining level thereafter until the end of the study at week 24. Furthermore, it reduced serum FSH, LH, and testosterone concentrations. The vaccinated mice exhibited testicular atrophy and reduced sperm quality, concentration, morphology, and viability compared to control males. The outcomes of pairings of treated males with untreated females revealed reduced mating, pregnancy rates and number of litters compared to control pairings. Assessment of this GnRH vaccine in different species could assist its development for future applications.

The effects of different forms of multi-strain probiotics on weaning piglets are limitedly addressed. Thus, this study investigated the effects of live or inanimate multi-strain probiotics comprising Lactobacillus plantarum, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Bacillus subtilis on growth performance, intestinal morphology, fecal microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, and intestinal gene expression of weaning piglets. A total of 160 weaning piglets (4 weeks old) were randomly allocated into four treatments (CON: basal diet; AB: basal diet with 110 ppm and 66 ppm colistin in the weaning and nursery phases, respectively; LP: basal diet with 2.0 × 10⁹ CFU/kg live probiotics; and IP: basal diet with 2.0 × 10⁹ CFU/kg inanimate probiotics). Piglets fed with LP had significantly lower FCR compared to those of the CON and IP groups in week 4 to week 8 (p < 0.05). Moreover, the LP group had significantly higher villus height (VH) compared with AB at week 6, lower crypt depth (CD) compared with IP, and higher VH/CD ratio compared to other treatments at week 10 (p < 0.05), which indicate healthier intestinal morphology. Probiotic treatments (LP and IP) increased Bifidobacterium population compared to CON at week 6 and lowered Enterobacteriaceae at week 6 and week 10 (p < 0.05). Regarding gene expressions of intestinal integrity, LP showed significantly higher TFF3 expression compared with CON and AB at week 6 and compared with other treatments in jejunum at week 10 (p < 0.05). IP treatment had significantly higher MUC2 expression compared to other treatments at week 6 and week 10 (p < 0.05). Overall, live multi-strain probiotics improved growth efficiency by enhancing gut integrity and microbiome balance, making them a potential antibiotic alternative to ameliorate weaning stress and promote productive performance in weaning piglets.