Read the full review for this F1000Prime recommended article: Hitchhiking Trypanosoma cruzi minicircle DNA affects gene expression in human host cells via LINE-1 retrotransposon.

Background: Reproductive capacity can be altered by challenges experienced during critical periods of development, including fetal development and early neonatal life. Gossypol is a polyphenolic compound, commonly found in cotton seeds, that impairs male reproduction. Here, we investigated whether the exposure to gossypol in utero and during lactation alters male reproductive function in sheep. From conception until 60 days postpartum, ewes were randomly assigned to a control diet or a gossypol-rich diet based on cottonseed. Lamb testicles were removed at 60 days of age and subjected to RNA-sequencing. Results: Lambs derived from the maternal cottonseed diet showed significantly lower growth and lower testis weight as a proportion of the total body weight, and reduced testosterone levels. In addition, the testis transcriptome was significantly altered by the maternal cottonseed diet. Most of the altered genes are directly implicated in testis development and sperm biology, cell communication, iron ion metabolism, calcium homeostasis and signaling, among other functions. Interestingly, network analysis revealed that exposure to gossypol significantly disturbed coexpression patterns among spermatogenesis-related genes, suggesting a disruption in coregulation mechanisms. Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence that maternal exposure to gossypol alters male reproductive function in the offspring, with potential lasting or lifelong negative consequences.

• Forage-free diet with plant-based additive improved feed intake and growth in finishing cattle. • Ruminal health was maintained despite lower pH and microbiota shifts. • Forage-free diet was associated with reduced estimated methane intensity.

Acacia nilotica var adansonii (Guill. et Perr.) O. Ktze and Acacia raddiana (Savi) species are local ressources important to feed animals in Sahelian area of Burkina Faso. Thus, this experiment was to investigate the in vitro effect of both Acacias on ruminal fermentation, CH4 production and rumen microbial community using a semi-automatic system. In all experiments, 25 mL of the inoculum solution was incubated with 50 mL of buffered rumen fluid at 39 °C and gas production was measured at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h. The results show that A. nilotica was rich in condensed tannins and fiber content compared to A. raddiana which was rich in total tannins. A. raddiana treatment presented greater degradability of organic matter and lower CH4 production compared to A. nilotica and control group (P<0.05). In addition, methanogenic archaeal were significantly lower in A. raddiana associated with increased fungal communities abundance compared to A. nilotica (P<0.05), but no effects was observed on rumen bacteria R. flavefaciens and F. succinogenes (P>0.05). We conclude that A. nilotica leaves showed negative effect on ruminal fermentation due to high fiber and CT content, and A. raddiana could be an interesting plant to increase fiber digestion and reduce CH4 production in vitro.

This study assessed the association between encapsulated nitrate product (ENP) and monensin (MON) to mitigate enteric methane (CH4) in vitro and possible effects on ruminal degradability, enteric fermentation characteristics, and microbial populations. Six treatments were used in randomized complete design in a 2×3 factorial arrangement with two levels of MON (0 and 2.08 mg/mL of buffered rumen fluid) and three levels of ENP (0, 1.5 and 3.0%). The substrate consisted of 50% Tifton-85 hay and 50% concentrate mixture (ground corn and soybean meal). ENP replaced soybean meal to achieve isonitrogenous diets (15% CP). No ENP×MON interaction was observed for any measured variable (P > 0.05) except for the relative abundance of F. succinogenes (P = 0.02) that linearly increased in diets with MON when ENP was added. The ENP addition decreased CH4 production (P < 0.01) without affecting (P > 0.05) truly degraded organic matter nor the relative abundance of methanogens. Hydrogen production was reduced with MON (P = 0.04) and linearly decreased with ENP inclusion (P = 0.02). We concluded that use of nitrate is a viable strategy for CH4 reduction, however, no additive effect of ENP and MON was observed for mitigating CH4 production.