In this study, we explored the gene expression patterns of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus of Angus cows at different growth and developmental stages by deep sequencing and we identified genes that affect bovine reproductive performance to provide new ideas for improving bovine fertility in production practice. We selected three 6-month-old (weaning period), three 18-month-old (first mating period), and three 30-month-old (early postpartum) Angus cattle. The physiological status of the cows in each group was the same, and their body conformations were similar. After quality control of the sequencing, the transcriptome analyses of 18 samples yielded 129.18 GB of clean data. We detected 13,280 and 13,318 expressed genes in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, respectively, and screened 35 and 50 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for each, respectively. The differentially expressed genes in both tissues were mainly engaged in metabolism, lipid synthesis, and immune-related pathways in the 18-month-old cows as compared with the 6-month-old cows. The 30-month-old cows presented more regulated reproductive behavior, and pituitary CAMK4 was the main factor regulating the reproductive behavior during this period via the pathways for calcium signaling, longevity, oxytocin, and aldosterone synthesis and secretion. A variant calling analysis also was performed. The SNP inversions and conversions in each sample were counted according to the different base substitution methods. In all samples, most base substitutions were represented by substitutions between bases A and G, and the probability of base conversion exceeded 70%, far exceeding the transversion. Heterozygous SNP sites exceeded 37.68%.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of low-protein diets on blood calcium (Ca) level, bone metabolism, and the correlation between bone metabolism and blood calcium in goats. Twenty-four female Xiangdong black goats with similar body weight (19.55 ± 3.55 kg) and age (8.0 ± 0.3 months) were selected and allocated into two groups: control group (CON, 10.77% protein content) and low-protein group (LP, 5.52% protein content). Blood samples were collected on days 1, 4, 7, 16 and 36 before morning feeding to determine the concentration of calcium (Ca), parathyroid hormone (PTH), bone gla protein (BGP), C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX-1), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)₂D3]. Liver samples were collected to determine the expression of bone metabolism-related genes. There was no difference observed between LP and CON in concentration of plasma Ca or any of bone metabolism markers (P > 0.05). In the liver, the mRNA expression of bone gamma carboxyglutamate protein (BGLAP), alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog-1 (SMAD1) were increased (P < 0.05) in LP as compared with CON. The correlation analysis of Ca and bone metabolism markers showed no significant correlation between Ca and bone metabolism. These results suggest that the blood Ca concentration in mature goats may keep at a stable level through nitrogen cycling when the providing protein is not enough.

(1) Background: Matou goats, native to Hunan and Hubei provinces in China, are renowned for their exceptional meat and skin quality. However, a comprehensive whole-genome-based exploration of the genetic architecture of this breed is scant in the literature. (2) Methods: To address this substantial gap, we used whole-genome sequences of 20 Matou goats and compared them with published genomic data of 133 goats of different breeds across China. This comprehensive investigation sought to assess genetic diversity, population structure, and the presence of genomic selection signals. (3) Results: The whole genome of Matou goat populations yielded a substantial catalog of over 19 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), primarily distributed within intergenic and intron regions. The phylogenetic tree analysis revealed distinct clades corresponding to each goat population within the dataset. Notably, this analysis positioned Matou goats in a closer genetic affinity with Guizhou White goats, compared to other recognized goat breeds. This observation was corroborated by principal component analysis (PCA) and admixture analysis. Remarkably, Matou goats exhibited diminished genetic diversity and a notable degree of inbreeding, signifying a reduced effective population size. Moreover, the study employed five selective sweep detection methods (including PI, CLR, PI-Ratio, Fst, and XP-EHH) to screen top signal genes associated with critical biological functions, encompassing cardiomyocytes, immunity, coat color, and meat quality. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, this study significantly advances our understanding of the current genetic landscape and evolutionary dynamics of Matou goats. These findings underscore the importance of concerted efforts in resource conservation and genetic enhancement for this invaluable breed.