Maternal deprivation (MD) in early life induces dysbiosis in the host gut microbiota, which is a key determinant of abnormal behavior in stress model individuals. Compared with the early parenting environment of the wild, captive giant pandas face frequent and premature maternal separation. Will this lead to imbalance in intestinal flora and stress in captive giant pandas? The purpose of this research is to evaluate the possible adverse effects of the traditional parenting mode on the gut microbiota of captive giant pandas. The results showed that the frequent and premature maternal separation at early stages of the young did not change α and β diversity indices of the gut microbes, but it increased the relative abundance of s_Clostridium_tetani and s_Clostridium_sp_MSJ_8 (significantly positively correlated with the metabolism of propionic acid) and also the concentrations of fecal metabolites that are related to stress (N-acetyl-l-aspartic acid and corticosterone) in the intestinal tract of giant pandas in adulthood. Thereby, the function of protein digestion and absorption in the intestines of captive giant pandas was decreased, and the metabolism of short-chain fatty acids was disturbed. In conclusion, the parenting experience of early maternal separation could adversely affect the stress caused by the unfavorable parenting environment in the early life of captive giant pandas related to the gut microbiota of the captive giant pandas in adulthood.

The giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) stands as a flagship and umbrella species, symbolizing global biodiversity. While traditional assisted reproductive technology faces constraints in safeguarding the genetic diversity of giant pandas, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) known for their capacity to differentiate into diverse cells types, including germ cells, present a transformative potential for conservation of endangered animals. In this study, primary fibroblast cells were isolated from the giant panda, and giant panda iPSCs (GPiPSCs) were generated using a non-integrating episomal vector reprogramming method. Characterization of these GPiPSCs revealed their state of primed pluripotency and demonstrated their potential for differentiation. Furthermore, we innovatively formulated a species-specific chemically defined FACL medium and unraveled the intricate signaling pathway networks responsible for maintaining the pluripotency and fostering cell proliferation of GPiPSCs. This study provides key insights into rare species iPSCs, offering materials for panda characteristics research and laying the groundwork for in vitro giant panda gamete generation, potentially aiding endangered species conservation.

The composition of urinary metabolites can reflect the physiological state of animals. Investigating the alterations in urine metabolomics during the estrus stage can provide valuable insights for enhancing the efficacy of estrus monitoring. This study aimed to perform an analysis of urinary metabolomics in female giant pandas, specifically examining the variations in specific metabolites across different estrous stages, namely, diestrus, proestrus, estrus, and metestrus. A total of 1234 metabolites were identified in positive ion mode from 76 samples of 19 individuals, with 643 metabolites identified in negative ion mode. The content of urine metabolites exhibited significant variation throughout different stages of estrus. During the peak of estrus, the metabolic pathways primarily enriched by significantly differential metabolites were the AMPK signaling pathway, vitamin digestion and absorption, galactose metabolism, and cysteine and methionine metabolism, as well as taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. By comparing the content of specific metabolites in distinct pathways across the four distinct estrous stages, higher levels of acetylcholine, D-fructose1,6-bisphosphate, L-homocystine, dulcitol, inositol, and S-sulfo-L-cysteine and lower levels of phosphoethanolamine, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and maleic acid were detected at estrus. This study offers a novel comparative analysis of urine metabolomics across different estrus stages in female giant pandas, identifying several potential perspectives for estrus monitoring and contributing to the breeding management of captive giant panda populations.