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Zhang X, Mo F, Wang W, Li F, La Y, Liu T, Wang X, Li B, Li C. Effects of starter feeding and early weaning on developmental expressions of IGF-I gene in liver and IGF-IR gene in rumen of lambs from birth to eighty-four days of age. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:1745-1752. [PMID: 35507751 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2047993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The early weaning and starter feeding have significant effects on lamb growth and digestive tract development. However, it is not clear whether the expression of IGF-1/IGF-1R genes could be affected by feeding starter and weaning. Therefore, a total of 102 Hu male neonatal lambs were randomly divided into 3 groups: fed with starter at 42d + weaned at 56d (group A), fed with starter at 7d + weaned at 28d (group B) and fed with starter at 7d + weaned at 56d (group C), to explore the effects of starter feeding and weaning age on developmental expressions of IGF-I gene in liver and IGF-IR gene in rumen of Hu sheep. The results showed that IGF-I and IGF-IR genes were expressed extensively in various tissues of lambs, the expression of IGF-I was significantly higher in liver (p < 0.01), while the expression of IGF-IR was higher in rumen among gastrointestinal tissues. The mRNA level of IGF-I of group C was strikingly higher than that of group A at 28, 70, and 84d (p < 0.01) in liver, respectively. Rumen mRNA level of IGF-IR of group C was prominently higher than that of group A at 70d and 84d (p < 0.05), respectively. However, IGF-IR expression of group A was higher than that of group C at 14 and 42d (p < 0.05). The mRNA level of IGF-I of group B was significantly higher than that of group C at 42, 56, 70, and 84d (p < 0.01) in liver, while IGF-IR expression of group B was higher than that of group C at 70d (p < 0.01). In conclusion, early weaning and starter feeding affected liver IGF-I mRNA and rumen IGF-IR mRNA expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Futao Mo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Weimin Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Sheep Breeding and Reproduction Biotechnology in Gansu Province, Minqin, China
| | - Fadi Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Sheep Breeding and Reproduction Biotechnology in Gansu Province, Minqin, China
| | - Yongfu La
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ting Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaojuan Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Baosheng Li
- JinchangZhongtian Sheep Industry Co. Ltd., Jinchang, China
| | - Chong Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Sheep Breeding and Reproduction Biotechnology in Gansu Province, Minqin, China
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Abdelsattar MM, Zhao W, Saleem AM, Kholif AE, Vargas-Bello-Pérez E, Zhang N. Physical, Metabolic, and Microbial Rumen Development in Goat Kids: A Review on the Challenges and Strategies of Early Weaning. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2420. [PMID: 37570229 PMCID: PMC10417166 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The digestive system of newborn ruminant functions is similar to monogastric animals, and therefore milk flows into the abomasum instead of rumen for digestion. The rumen undergoes tremendous changes over time in terms of structure, function, and microbiome. These changes contribute to the smooth transition from the dependence on liquid diets to solid diets. Goat kids are usually separated at early ages from their dams in commercial intensive systems. The separation from dams minimizes the transfer of microbiota from dams to newborns. In this review, understanding how weaning times and methodologies could affect the normal development and growth of newborn goats may facilitate the development of new feeding strategies to control stress in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud M. Abdelsattar
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (M.M.A.); (W.Z.)
- Department of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt;
| | - Wei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (M.M.A.); (W.Z.)
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Atef M. Saleem
- Department of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt;
| | - Ahmed E. Kholif
- Department of Dairy Science, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt;
| | - Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, P.O. Box 237, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6EU, UK;
- Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Periférico R. Aldama Km 1, Chihuahua 31031, Mexico
| | - Naifeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; (M.M.A.); (W.Z.)
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Lewis KE, Price E, Croft DP, Langford J, Ozella L, Cattuto C, Green LE. Social behaviour and transmission of lameness in a flock of ewes and lambs. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1027020. [PMID: 36532333 PMCID: PMC9753574 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1027020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sheep have heterogenous social connections that influence transmission of some infectious diseases. Footrot is one of the top five globally important diseases of sheep, it is caused by Dichelobacter nodosus and transmits between sheep when infectious feet contaminate surfaces, e.g., pasture. Surfaces remain infectious for a few minutes to a few days, depending on surface moisture levels. Susceptible sheep in close social contact with infectious sheep might be at risk of becoming infected because they are likely to step onto infectious footprints, particularly dams and lambs, as they cluster together. METHODS High resolution proximity sensors were deployed on 40 ewes and their 54 lambs aged 5-27 days, in a flock with endemic footrot in Devon, UK for 13 days. Sheep locomotion was scored daily by using a 0-6 integer scale. Sheep were defined lame when their locomotion score (LS) was ≥2, and a case of lameness was defined as LS ≥2 for ≥2 days. RESULTS Thirty-two sheep (19 ewes, 9 single, and 4 twin lambs) became lame during the study, while 14 (5 ewes, 5 single, and 4 twin lambs) were lame initially. These 46 sheep were from 29 family groups, 14 families had >1 lame sheep, and transmission from ewes to lambs was bidirectional. At least 15% of new cases of footrot were from within family transmission; the occurrence of lameness was higher in single than twin lambs. At least 4% of transmission was due to close contact across the flock. Most close contact occurred within families. Single and twin lambs spent 1.5 and 0.9 hours/day with their dams, respectively, and twin lambs spent 3.7 hours/day together. Non-family sheep spent only 0.03 hours/day in contact. Lame single lambs and ewes spent less time with non-family sheep, and lame twin lambs spent less time with family sheep. DISCUSSION We conclude that most transmission of lameness is not attributable to close contact. However, in ewes with young lambs, some transmission occurs within families and is likely due to time spent in close contact, since single lambs spent more time with their dam than twin lambs and were more likely to become lame.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine E. Lewis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Price
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Darren P. Croft
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Joss Langford
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Activinsights Ltd, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Ozella
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ciro Cattuto
- Institute for Scientific Interchange (ISI) Foundation, Turin, Italy
- Department of Computer Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Laura E. Green
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Ages of weaning influence the gut microbiota diversity and function in Chongming white goats. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:3649-3658. [PMID: 33885927 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11301-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
To study the effect of weaning age on the gut microbiota diversity in the lambs of Chongming white goats, fresh feces from the lambs weaned at 30, 45, and 60 days of age were collected 3 days after weaning at 33, 48, and 63 days of age, for microbial composition analysis by 16S rRNA sequencing. The serum concentrations of lipid metabolites were also investigated at the fecal collection dates. Serum and feces from the ewe-reared groups at 33, 48, and 63 days of age were used as controls. The alpha diversity increased significantly after weaning and with the aging of the lambs. Levels of Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminococcus varied significantly according to the weaning treatment in lambs (P < 0.05). Butyrate-producing gut bacteria such as Ruminococcaceae_UCG-010, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002, Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, and Lachnospiraceae_NK4B4 were identified as significantly increased genera (P < 0.05) in the feces of weaned Chongming white lambs. Additionally, the abundance of fiber degradation-associated bacteria including Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Ruminococcus_1, and Ruminococcus_2 significantly increased with lamb weaning age (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that Lachnospiraceae_AC2044_group, norank_f__Bacteroidales_S24-7_group, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG_005 were negatively correlated, and Lachnoclostridium was positively correlated with levels of cholesterol, while Blautia showed positive correlation with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum samples from weaned lambs. This study helped to understand the maturing development of gut microbiota in Chongming white goats under weaning stress. KEY POINTS: • Effects of weaning age on the gut microbiota diversity in Chongming white goat lambs were studied. • Some butyrate-producing gut bacteria were significantly increased after weaned. • Correlations of gut microbiota and lipid metabolites were analyzed.
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Altered expression of miRNAs and mRNAs reveals the potential regulatory role of miRNAs in the developmental process of early weaned goats. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220907. [PMID: 31393969 PMCID: PMC6687162 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play pivotal roles in growth, development, and stress responses. However, the regulatory function of miRNAs in early weaned goats remains unclear. Deep sequencing comparison of mRNA and miRNA expression profiles showed that 18 miRNAs and 373 genes were differentially expressed in pre- and post-weaning Chongming white goats. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that these differentially expressed genes are involved in cellular processes, developmental processes, and growth in terms of biological process analysis. KEGG analysis showed that downregulated genes were enriched in salivary secretion, bile secretion, vascular smooth muscle contraction, and calcium signaling pathways. Additionally, a miRNA-mRNA co-expression network of the 18 dysregulated miRNAs and their 107 target mRNAs was constructed using a combination of Pearson’s correlation analysis and prediction by miRanda software. Among the downregulated miRNAs, two (chi-miR-206 and chi-miR-133a/b) were muscle development-related and the others were cell proliferation associated. Further RT-qPCR analysis confirmed that downregulated miRNAs (chi-miR-99b-3p, chi-miR-224, and chi-miR-10b-5p) were highly expressed in muscle tissues (heart, spleen, or kidney) of the rapid growth period (7-month old) in Chongming white goats. The results of the present study suggested that weaning induced cell proliferation repression in post-weaning goats, providing new insight into the mechanism of muscle development of goats, although additional details remain to be elucidated in the future.
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Chai J, Diao Q, Wang H, Tu Y, Tao X, Zhang N. Effects of weaning age on growth, nutrient digestibility and metabolism, and serum parameters in Hu lambs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 1:344-348. [PMID: 29767014 PMCID: PMC5941006 DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2015.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Revised: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the effect of weaning age on growth performance, nutrient digestion and metabolism, and serological indicators, and to obtain an optimal weaning age in Hu lambs. Forty-eight newborn Hu lambs (birth weight, 2.53 ± 0.14 kg) were randomly divided into 4 groups. The lambs in control group (ER) suckled their dams. The lambs in other three experimental groups were weaned on milk replacer at 10, 20, and 30 days of age (EW10, EW20, and EW30 groups), respectively. The results were as follows: 1) lambs in EW10 and EW30 groups had a lower (P < 0.05) ADG than those in ER group within 10 days post-weaning; the weaned lambs began to show a higher (P < 0.05) ADG than those in ER group after 20 days post-weaning. 2) EW10 and EW20 groups had a higher (P < 0.05) creep feed intake than EW30 and ER groups from 15 to 60 days of age. 3) The apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, gross energy, nitrogen, ether extract and phosphorus, and the deposition of nitrogen and phosphorus did not differ (P > 0.05) among groups; however, the apparent digestibility and deposition of calcium in early weaned lambs were lower (P < 0.05) than those in ewe-reared lambs. 4) The albumin content in EW30 group was lower (P < 0.05) than that in ER group; the globulin content in EW30 group was higher (P < 0.05) than that in other groups; the content of serum insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ in weaned lambs tended to increase compared with lambs in ER group. Finally, the growth rate of lambs decreased within 10 days post-weaning, but early weaning boosted creep feed intake, leading to better growth and health later in life. The Hu lambs can be weaned on milk replacer and creep feed at 10 days of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianmin Chai
- Feed Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Qiyu Diao
- Feed Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Haichao Wang
- Feed Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yan Tu
- Feed Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiaojing Tao
- Jiangsu Taizhou Helen Sheep Ltd. Taizhou 225300, China
| | - Naifeng Zhang
- Feed Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China
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Lv SJ, Yang Y, Li FK. Parity and litter size effects on maternal behavior of Small Tail Han sheep in China. Anim Sci J 2015. [PMID: 26213127 DOI: 10.1111/asj.12441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The effects of parity and litter size on maternal behavior of Small Tail Han sheep was investigated at Linyi University, China. Sixty-eight ewes were observed from parturition to weaning. Continuous focal animal sampling was used to quantify the duration of maternal behaviors. Ewe feces were collected every 2 days and estradiol concentration was measured with an enzyme immunoassay kit. All lambs were weighed 24 h after parturition and again at 35 days of age. Parity increased sucking, following, grooming, low-pitched bleat, head-up and udder-refusal behavior and decreased aggressive behavior (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively), and litter size showed significant effect on sucking, following and low-pitched bleat behavior (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). The lambs of multiparous ewes were significantly heavier than primiparous ewes at birth (P < 0.01) and were significantly heavier at weaning age (P < 0.01). Similar results were founded for birth weight and weaning weight gain in litter size (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, respectively). Estradiol concentration in feces was higher in multiparous ewes than primiparous ewes. Parity and litter size may have effects on maternal behavior during lactation. Ewes that have 2-3 lambs may be more suitable for production of Small Tail Han sheep in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen-Jin Lv
- College of Life Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Linyi Agriculture Science Institute, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Fu-Kuan Li
- College of Life Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong, China
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