Litter size is an important indicator to measure the reproductive performance of goats, which is affected by the reproductive function of animals. The hypothalamus, as the regulatory center of the endocrine system, plays an important role in the reproduction of female animals. Here, we performed high-throughput RNA sequencing using hypothalamic tissue from high-fecundity and low-fecundity Leizhou goats to explore critical functional genes associated with litter size. Differentially expressed mRNA, lncRNA, and circRNAs were screened using DESeq and were enriched, and then analyzed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome. Results showed that some of these differentially expressed mRNAs could be enriched in reproductive processes, jak-STAT, prolactin signaling pathway, and other signaling pathways related to reproduction, such as SOCS3. Furthermore, the central proteins POSTN, MFAP5, and DCN from protein–protein interaction may regulate animal reproductive activity by affecting cell proliferation and apoptosis. lncRNA MSTRG.33887.2 as well as circRNAs chicirc_098002, chicirc_072583, and chicirc_053531 may be able to influence animal reproduction by participating in folate metabolism and energy metabolism homeostasis through their respective target genes. Our results expand the molecular mechanism of hypothalamic regulation on animal reproduction.

Due to the high price of whole-plant corn silage in southern China, many dairy farms are attempting to prepare whole-plant corn silage using corn stover and corn flour, but the mixing ratio has not yet been determined. Therefore, we mixed fresh corn stover and corn flour at the proportions of 100:0 (F0 group) to 80:20 (F20 group), using five groups with three replicates each. The optimal mixing ratio was determined by assessing the nutritional composition, fermentation quality, and bacterial community of silage after 45 days. The results showed that dry matter and water-soluble carbohydrates in silage increased linearly with the increasing ratio of corn flour (p < 0.01) while crude protein, true protein, neutral detergent fiber, acidic detergent fiber, and crude ash content decreased linearly (p < 0.01). The F0 group had the highest pH, and the mixing ratio quadratically affected ammonia nitrogen concentration (p < 0.05). Additionally, at the phylum level, the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria in the F15 group were significantly higher than in other groups (p < 0.05). At the genus level, Lactobacillus increased with corn flour inclusion compared to the F0 group. In conclusion, the silage quality is the best when the mixing ratio of fresh corn stover and corn flour is 85:15.

This study investigated the effects of dietary capsaicin supplementation on antioxidant capacity, immune function, and gut microbiota in periparturient dairy cows. Twenty Holstein cows with an average parity of 2.5 ± 0.76, milk production of 31.30 ± 2.39 kg, and 36.10 ± 2.38 days to calving were randomly assigned to either a control group fed a basal diet or a treatment group supplemented with 1.2 g/head/day of capsaicin. The supplementation was administered during an evaluation period spanning from 28 days before delivery to 21 days after delivery using a randomized block experimental design. Results showed that capsaicin significantly reduced milk somatic cell count and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) while enhancing serum antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT) and immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, and IgM). Moreover, capsaicin altered gut microbiota composition, increasing the relative abundance of beneficial genera. These findings suggest that dietary capsaicin supplementation during the transition period improves lactation performance and supports immune function, as well as alleviates oxidative stress. This study highlights the potential of capsaicin as a practical dietary strategy for enhancing productivity in dairy farming.

This study employed high-throughput sequencing to explore bacterial diversity and hematological variations across different age groups of giraffes, as well as the impact of diarrhea on their intestinal microbiota. Additionally, the correlation between intestinal flora and hematological indices was examined for the first time. Firmicutes, Bacteroides, and Proteobacteria were the predominant bacterial groups in the giraffe’s intestinal flora. The α-diversity analysis indicated significant variations in microbial diversity among giraffes of varying ages (p < 0.05). Furthermore, giraffes suffering from diarrhea exhibited significant alterations in the abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota at the phylum level (p < 0.05). At the genus level, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Monoglobus, and Prevotellaceae_UCG-004 had significant differences compared to healthy counterparts (p < 0.05). Hematological parameters such as lymphocyte count (Lym), red blood cell count (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), platelet count (PLT), and plateletcrit (PCT) varied significantly across different age groups (p < 0.05). A substantial correlation was observed between the intestinal microbiome composition and hematological parameters (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study highlights significant differences in both the intestinal microbiome composition and hematological indices among giraffes of different ages. Diarrhea was found to significantly alter the abundance and composition of the intestinal microbial community. These insights provide a valuable theoretical foundation for the microbiological and hematological aspects of giraffe health management and breeding practices.