Bile acids(BAs) are important components of bile and play a significant role in fat metabolism. However, there is currently no systematic evaluation of the use of BAs as feed additives for geese.This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding BAs to goose feed on growth performance, lipid metabolism, intestinal morphology, mucosal barrier function, and cecal microbiota. A total of 168 28-day-old geese were randomly assigned to four treatment groups and fed diets supplemented with 0, 75, 150, or 300 mg/kg of BAs for 28 days. The addition of 75 and 150 mg/kg of BAs significantly improved the feed/gain (F/G) (p  < 0.05).The addition of BAs decreased abdominal fat percentage and serum total cholesterol (TC) levels, with 150 mg/kg of BAs significantly reducing serum triglyceride levels and increased expression of Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) mRNA in the liver(p < 0.05), 300 mg/kg of BAs significantly increasing the expression level of liver peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) (p < 0.05). In terms of intestinal morphology and mucosal barrier function, 150 mg/kg of BAs significantly increased villus height (VH) and VH/crypt depth (CD) in the jejunum (p < 0.05). The addition of 150 and 300 mg/kg of BAs significantly reduced the CD in the ileum, while increasing VH and VH/CD (p<0.05). Additionally, the addition of 150 and 300 mg/kg of BAs significantly increased the expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin in the jejunum. Simultaneously 150mg/kg and 300mg/kg BAs increased the total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) concentrations in the jejunum and cecum(p < 0.05).Supplementation with BAs resulted in a significant increase in the ɑ-diversity of cecal microbiota and a decrease in the abundance of Proteobacteria in the cecum. The addition of 150 mg/kg of BAs significantly reduced the abundance of Bacteroidetes and increased the abundance of Firmicutes. Moreover,Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size analysis (LEfSe) showed that the abundances of bacteria producing SCFA and bile salt hydrolases (BSH) were increased in the BAs-treated group. Furthermore, Spearman’s analysis showed that the genus Balutia, which is negatively correlated with visceral fat area, was positively correlated with serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), while Clostridium was positively correlated with intestinal VH and VH/CD. In conclusion, BAs can be considered an effective feed additive for geese, as they increased SCFA concentration, improve lipid metabolism and intestinal health by enhancing the intestinal mucosal barrier, improving intestinal morphology, and altering the cecal microbiota structure.

Although graylag geese (A. anser) showed similar plumages of white, grey, and white with grey patches compared to those in swan geese (A. cygnoides), it was believed the substantial molecular mechanism for plumage variations were different. To date, studies on genes responsible for diverse plumages among graylag geese were limited and causal mutations remain unknown. In this study, genomes from 57 individuals belonging to six breeds showing different plumages were sequenced at ∼10X depth. Firstly, the allele frequency differences (AFD) of variants on the scaffold394 (NW_013185915.1) between grey and white goose breeds (A. anser) was calculated and a genomic region between 768,290-779,889 bp was detected to carry candidate variants associated with plumages, including one SNP (g. 775,151G > T, ∼18.6 kb upstream of EDNRB2) found to be fixed in white geese. This region was overlapped with the one detected by the haplotype-based sweep analysis, in which significant signals defined a candidate region of 736,610-820,622 bp on the same scaffold. Results from the transcriptomic data showed that expression levels of EDNRB2 and many other melanogenesis-related genes were significantly decreased among white geese compared to that in grey geese, especially at late embryonic stages (>E15). Modifications at transcriptional levels might result in abnormal melanocyte developments and thus the white plumages when they grow up. In addition, a frameshift mutation (C > -) in exon4 of MLANA gene on scaffold176 (NW_013185876.1) was suggested as the causal mutation for sex-linked dilution phenotype in graylag geese although this requires more demonstration experiments. Together with observed white plumages caused by EDNRB2 mutations in coding regions among swan geese and chicken, our study provided new examples to study the parallel evolution.

Although geese possess an adaptive physiological capacity for lipid storage, few candidate genes contributing to this ability are characterised. By comparing the genomes of individuals with extremely high and low fatty liver weights (FLW), candidate genes were identified, includingARAP2,GABRE, andIL6. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in or near these genes were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with carcass traits (FLW) and biochemical indexes (very-low-density lipoprotein and N-terminal procollagen III), suggesting contribution to trait variation. A common variant at the 5′-end ofLCORLexplained ~ 18% and ~ 26% of the phenotypic variance in body weight with/without overfeeding and had significant effects on FLW (p < 0.01).ZFF36L1,ARHGEF1andIQCJ,involved in bile acid metabolism, blood pressure, and lipid concentration modulation, were also identified. The presence of highly divergent haplotypes within these genes suggested involvement in protection against negative effects from excessive lipids in the liver or circulatory system. Based on this and transcriptomic data, we concluded that geese hepatosteatosis results from severe imbalance between lipid accumulation and secretion, comparable to human non-alcohol fatty liver disease but involving other genes. Our results provided valuable insights into the genesis of geese fatty liver and detected potential target genes for treatment of lipid-related diseases.

The study aimed to investigate the effects of honeysuckle extract (HE) on growth performance, serum biochemical indexes, immune organ indexes, gut morphology, and gut microbes in geese. A total of 180 28-day-old Holdobaki geese were randomly divided into three groups. Each group contained 6 replicates (10 geese, with 5 males and 5 females). The BD group was fed the basal diet, the HE1 group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 1 g/kg of HE, and the HE2 group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 2 g/kg of HE. The experiment lasted for 42 days. The results showed that, compared with the BD group, the average daily gain (ADG) of the HE1 and HE2 groups tended to increase (0.05 < P < 0.10), but the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and final body weight (BW) did not differ significantly, and the feed/gain ratio (F/G) was significantly lower (P < 0.01). The bursa index and the thymus index tended to increase (0.05 < P < 0.10), and serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels increased significantly (P < 0.05). In the HE1 and HE2 groups, the crypt depth (CD) in the jejunum tended to decrease (0.05 < P < 0.10), and the villus height/crypt depth ratio (V/C) increased significantly in the jejunum and the ileum (P < 0.05). According to 16sRNA microbial community diversity analysis, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria were the dominant phyla. The abundance of Firmicutes was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), while that of Bacteroidetes was significantly increased (P < 0.01), in the HE1 and HE2 groups compared with the BD group. Bacteroides barnesiae, Subdoligranulum variabile, Bacteroides plebeius, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were the dominant species, and the abundance of B. plebeius and F. prausnitzii was significantly increased (P < 0.05). According to the LEfSe analysis, BD enriched g_Dorea and g_Dehalobacterium; HE1 enriched g_Faecalibacterium, g_Dialister, g_Prevotella, g_Megamonas, g_Phascolarctobacterium, g_Paraprevotella, g_Anaerostipes, g_Staphylococcus, g_Odoribacter, g_Succinivibrio, and g_Sutterella; and HE2 enriched g_Parabacteroides, g_Olsenella, g_human, and g_Rikenella. According to the Spearman correlation analysis, Bacteroides plebeius was positively correlated with final BW, ADG, IgA, IgG, VH (ileum), and V/C (ileum) and was negatively correlated with F/G and CD (ileum); Ruminococcus gnavus was negatively correlated with final BW, ADG, IgA, and IgG. HE supplementation at 1 g/kg improved growth performance, immune performance, gut morphology, and cecal microbes.

Skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) are quiescent stem cells located in skeletal muscle tissue and function as the primary reservoir of myogenic progenitors for muscle growth and regeneration. However, the molecular and metabolic mechanisms governing their differentiation in geese remain largely unexplored. This study comprehensively examined the morphological, transcriptional, and metabolic dynamics of goose SMSCs across three critical differentiation stages: the quiescent stage (DD0), the differentiation stage (DD4), and the late differentiation stage (DD6). By integrating transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, stage-specific molecular signatures and regulatory networks involved in SMSC differentiation were identified. Principal component analysis revealed distinct clustering patterns in gene expression and metabolite profiles across these stages, highlighting dynamic shifts in lipid metabolism and myogenesis. The PPAR signaling pathway emerged as a key regulator, with crucial genes such as PPARG, IGF1, ACSL5, FABP5, and PLIN1 exhibiting differentiation-dependent expression patterns. Notably, PPARG and IGF1 displayed negative correlations with adenosine and L-carnitine levels, suggesting their role in metabolic reprogramming during myotube formation. Additionally, MYOM2 and MYBPC1 exhibited stage-specific regulation and positively correlated with 2,3-dimethoxyphenylamine. This study provides a foundational framework for understanding muscle development and regeneration, offering valuable insights for both agricultural and biomedical research.

Males and females have long shown disparities in body weight and height; yet, the underlying mechanisms influencing growth and development remain unclear. Male and female Zhedong White Geese (ZDW) geese have long been selected for large body size and egg production, respectively. This led to a large difference in body weight between males and females, making them a unique model for studying the effects of sex on growth and development. This study aimed to elucidate these mechanisms by comparing the transcriptomes of muscle and pituitary tissues in male and female ZDW geese to identify the critical genes responsible for the effects of sex on growth performance. Our analysis revealed 1101 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in leg musculature (507 upregulated, 594 downregulated), 773 DEGs in breast musculature (311 upregulated, 462 downregulated), and 517 DEGs in the pituitary gland (281 upregulated, 236 downregulated) between male and female geese. These DEGs were significantly enriched in gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways associated with endocrine metabolism (e.g., hormonal activities), muscle formation (e.g., sarcomere and myofibril), and bone formation (e.g., bone morphogenesis and cartilage formation). The upregulated genes in males were enriched in KEGG pathways involving nutrient digestion and absorption (vitamin and protein), as well as the secretion of digestive juices (gastric acid and bile). Through protein–protein interaction analyses, we also observed high-density gene networks related to muscle fiber development, calcium ion metabolism, mitochondrial respiratory chain, and bone development. Therefore, our multi-tissue transcriptome analysis provides a deeper understanding of the complex and systematic gender-driven effects on growth and development in geese. IGF1, GHRHR, and NCAPG-LCORL and pathways related to myogenesis might play vital roles in gender differences before hormones exert their effect.