In view of the severe reduction in Bactrian camel germplasm resources, scientific evaluation, protection, and utilization is particularly important. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the genetic diversity and genetic structure of this species, and identify the genes that have played important roles in its evolution. In this study, 21,971 SNPs were identified in 118 domestic Bactrian camels from the Tarim (n = 60) and Junggar (n = 58) populations using simplified GBS genome sequencing. The results show that Tarim and Junggar Bactrian camels have high nucleotide diversity. A phylogenetic tree constructed using structural analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and the adjacency method (NJ) showed that Tarim and Junggar Bactrian camels were clustered together. The selection signals revealed that the Tarim and Junggar Bactrian camels shared 108 genes under positive selection, including WNT1, WNT10B, CD14, SEC61A2, DPAGT1, FOXO6, etc. These selected genes were widely involved in the immune system, embryonic development, lipid metabolism, and other processes. From a genomic analysis perspective, the genetic relationship between TLM and ZGE camels is close, with an average Fst of 0.048 and a relatively low average differentiation coefficient between the two populations. In addition, shared selected genes in the long-term depression pathway were significantly enriched in Tarim and Junggar. These findings will offer support and assistance for the exploration of genetic resource preservation, economically significant traits, and the mechanisms underlying biological characteristics, molecular breeding, and disease.

The Hetian Qing donkey is an excellent local donkey breed in Xinjiang. It is of great significance to accelerate breeding and the speed of breeding and rejuvenation, as well as to understand the genetic basis of the strategies and population. This study collected a total of 4 male donkeys and 28 female donkeys. It then obtained genotype data through Simplified Genomic Sequencing (GBS) technology for data analysis. The results detected a total of 55,399 SNP loci, and the genotype detection rate of individuals was ≥90%. A total of 45,557 SNP loci were identified through quality control, of which 95.5% were polymorphic. The average minimum allele frequency was 0.250. The average observed heterozygosity was 0.347. The average expected heterozygosity was 0.340. The average IBS (state homologous) genetic distance was 0.268. ROH: 49 (homozygous fragments), with 73.47% of the length between 1 and 5 Mb. The average per-strip ROH length was 1.75 Mb. The mean inbreeding coefficient was 0.003. The 32 Hetian green donkeys could be divided into six families. The number of individuals in each family is significant. To sum up, the Hetian Qing donkey population has low heterozygosity, few families, and large differences in the number of individuals in each family, which can easily cause a loss of genetic diversity. In the subsequent process of seed protection, seed selection should be conducted according to the divided pedigree to ensure the long-term protection of the genetic resources of Hetian green donkeys.

Hair follicles are highly specialized mini-organs within the skin that drive the production of wool and cashmere, traits of major biological and economic importance in sheep and goats. Despite their microscopic size, hair follicles exhibit extraordinary regulatory complexity, integrating genetic programs with seasonal, endocrine, environmental, and epigenetic cues. Although transcriptional networks and signaling pathways underlying follicle morphogenesis and cycling have been extensively investigated, the post-transcriptional mechanisms that fine-tune these processes remain insufficiently understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as pivotal post-transcriptional regulators that coordinate cell fate determination, lineage commitment, and tissue homeostasis. Growing evidence indicates that miRNAs play essential roles in hair follicle stem cell maintenance, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and organ-level development, functioning through interconnected regulatory networks rather than isolated linear pathways. By modulating the expression of key follicle-determining genes and signaling components, miRNA-mediated regulation shapes follicle formation, cyclic regeneration, and fiber traits. In this review, we synthesize recent advances in miRNA research related to hair follicle biology, with a particular focus on wool- and cashmere-bearing mammals. We integrate findings across species to propose a systems-level framework in which miRNA networks interface with canonical signaling pathways and epigenetic mechanisms to orchestrate follicle development and regeneration. Conserved and species-specific regulatory principles are discussed to bridge fundamental follicle biology with practical applications in fiber production. Overall, this review highlights miRNAs as a critical yet previously underappreciated regulatory layer in hair follicle biology. A deeper understanding of miRNA-mediated control provides new conceptual insights into wool and cashmere development and offers a foundation for future molecular breeding and precision regulation strategies in livestock.

This study investigated breed-related differences in the flavor chemistry of the longissimus thoracis muscle from Cele Black sheep (CLH), Australian White × Hu crossbred sheep (AH), and Hotan sheep (BDT). Eighteen yearling rams (six animals per group) were evaluated. Free amino acids (FAAs) were quantified by LC–MS/MS, and free fatty acids (FFAs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analyzed by GC–MS, followed by multivariate analysis, relative odor activity value (rOAV) analysis, and correlation analysis. Muscle samples from the three breeds showed comparable pH, lightness, and shear force values, whereas BDT exhibited higher redness and yellowness values. Breed-related differences were mainly observed in specific flavor-related compounds. Glutamic acid was higher in CLH (27.77 μg/g) and BDT (27.11 μg/g) than in AH (21.21 μg/g; p < 0.05). Stearic acid (C18:0) was higher in BDT (63.72 μg/g) than in CLH (41.10 μg/g) and AH (36.37 μg/g; p < 0.01). Docosatetraenoic acid (C22:4n-6) was higher in AH (9.33 μg/g) than in CLH (7.31 μg/g) and BDT (7.29 μg/g; p < 0.01). A total of 201 VOCs were annotated in raw-muscle headspace. Although overall VOC profiles were broadly similar among breeds, differences were observed in specific VOCs and annotated odor attributes, and rOAV analysis identified multiple compounds as potential aroma contributors. Correlation analysis followed by false discovery rate (FDR) correction showed that only Ile and Lys were significantly negatively correlated with o-xylene, whereas the associations of Tyr, C20:3n-6, and C22:4n-6 with VOCs were exploratory and did not remain significant. These co-variation patterns may reflect shared upstream metabolic or oxidative pathways rather than direct precursor–product conversion. These findings characterize breed-related differences in the flavor-associated chemical profiles of raw lamb muscle; however, their implications for cooked-meat aroma and perceived flavor require further validation through descriptive sensory analysis and cooked-meat VOC measurements.

Chemical depilation presents a promising alternative to traditional shearing for Chinese Merino sheep, aiming to overcome issues of low efficiency and animal stress. Nonetheless, the safety of meat derived from sheep treated with this technology requires comprehensive scientific evaluation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of CPA on wool quality, physiological and biochemical parameters, carcass traits, meat quality, fatty acids, and amino acids in sheep. Sheep were treated with different concentrations of CPA for 30 days, and slaughtering was performed at 3, 15, and 30 days post-administration. The CPA treatment (25–30 mg/kg) achieved complete defleecing and significantly increased staple and stretch lengths without affecting fiber length. At the 25 mg/kg dose, certain physiological and biochemical parameters, including mean corpuscular volume, mid-cell count, and lymphocyte percentage, recovered over time, with only short-term fluctuations observed. Moreover, treatment with 25 mg/kg CPA did not affect carcass characteristics, muscle amino acid composition, or meat quality parameters. In conclusion, this study verifies that complete wool shedding can be achieved with CPA at 25–30 mg/kg, while meat quality remains unaffected, providing a scientific basis for its adoption in dual-purpose sheep production.