A novel lncRNA LOC105613571 binding with BDNF in pituitary promotes gonadotropin secretion by AKT/ERK-mTOR pathway in sheep associated with prolificacy.

The pituitary is a vital endocrine organ for synthesis and secretion of gonadotropic hormones (FSH and LH), and the gonadotropin showed fluctuations in animals with different fecundity. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as regulatory factors for the reproductive process. However, the profiles of lncRNAs and their roles involved in sheep fecundity remains unclear. In this study, we performed RNA-sequencing for the sheep pituitary gland associated with different fecundity, and identified a novel candidate lncRNA LOC105613571 targeting BDNF related to gonadotropin secretion. Our results showed that expression of lncRNA LOC105613571 and BDNF could be significantly upregulated by GnRH stimulation in sheep pituitary cells in vitro. Notably, either lncRNA LOC105613571 or BDNF silencing inhibited cell proliferation while promoted cell apoptosis. Moreover, lncRNA LOC105613571 knockdown could also downregulate gonadotropin secretion via inactivation AKT, ERK and mTOR pathway. In addition, co-treatment with GnRH stimulation and lncRNA LOC105613571 or BDNF knockdown showed the opposite effect on sheep pituitary cells in vitro. In summary, BDNF-binding lncRNA LOC105613571 in sheep regulates pituitary cell proliferation and gonadotropin secretion via the AKT/ERK-mTOR pathway, providing new ideas for the molecular mechanisms of pituitary functions.

Dietary spirulina supplementation modifies rumen development, fermentation and bacteria composition in Hu sheep when consuming high-fat dietary.

Introduction: This study aims to investigate the long-term effects of spirulina supplementation in a high-fat diet (HFD) on rumen morphology, rumen fermentation, and the composition of rumen microbiota in lambs. Spirulina is a blue-green microalgae that has been shown to have high nutritional value for livestock. Methods: Fifty-four lambs were randomly divided into three groups: a normal chow diet (NCD) group, a high-fat diet (HFD) group, and a high-fat diet supplemented with 3% spirulina (HFD+S) group. Rumen morphology, rumen fermentation, and rumen microbiota were analyzed at the end of the study. Results: Spirulina supplementation improved the concentration of volatile fatty acids and rumen papilla length. Additionally, there was a tendency for an increase in rumen weight and an upregulation of the genes Claudin-1, Claudin-4, and Occludin in the HFD+S group. Pyrosequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene also showed that spirulina supplementation significantly changed the rumen microbiota composition in the HFD group, with a decrease in richness and diversity. Specifically, the relative abundance of Prevotella 9 and Megasphaera was significantly increased in the HFD group compared to the NCD group, while spirulina supplementation reversed these changes. Discussion: This study suggests that 3% spirulina supplementation can improve rumen development and fermentation, and effectively relieve rumen microbe disorders in lambs caused by a high-fat diet. However, further research is needed to confirm the findings and to examine the long-term effects of spirulina supplementation in different types of livestock and under different dietary conditions.

[Mechanism of Pre-ozonation Enhanced Coagulation on DON in the Secondary Effluent].

Municipal wastewater effluent is increasingly used as reclaimed water and source water for downstream areas. Scholars are beginning to study the potential of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) as a precursor to the formation of nitrogen disinfection by-products (DBP). In order to explore the mechanism of pre-ozonation coupled with enhanced coagulation on DON in the secondary effluent, the distributions of molecular weight and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of DON were analyzed. Disinfection by-product formation potential from chlorination was also investigated. Lastly, the composition and chemical structure of DON before and after coagulation were studied in combination with 3DEEM. Our results showed that pre-ozonation followed by coagulation with PACl significantly enhanced the removal of DON and mitigated DBP formation potentials. The following conclusions can be drawn from this study:① The tested effluent was very hard as indicated by total hardness and high calcium concentrations, and the pH had an important effect on pre-ozonation enhanced coagulation. As pH was decreased, the rates of DON, DOC and UV254 removal increased. At pH 6.2, the rate of DON removal was maximal, and a 3.7 fold increase in removal-rate was achieved. ② Calcium played a critical role in pre-ozonation enhanced coagulation. Zeta potentials and calcium concentrations were substantially affected at higher ozone doses. At ozone dosage of 8 mg·L-1, Zeta potentials increased from -33 to -8 mV, and calcium concentrations decreased from 116 to 89 mg·L-1. The ratio of calcium hardness to DOC was relatively high in this study, approaching 24 mg·mg-1 (CaCO3/DOC). Thus, pre-ozonation promoted the removal of DON by coagulation. ③ Large molecular weight and hydrophobic DON were easier to remove by coagulation. Ozonation modified the DON characteristics to become more hydrophilic and smaller in molecular weight. Coagulation reduced overall DBP formation potentials to less than 20%. Pre-ozonation enhanced coagulation decreased overall DBP formation potentials by more than 45%. ④ Finally, the 3DEEM spectra indicated that the formation potentials and DON characteristics, due to disinfection, were related to three main peaks, which corresponded to tryptophan-based proteins, aromatic proteins, and fulvic acids.

A new O-terpenoidal coumarin from Clausena anisum-olens Merr.

A new O-terpenoidal coumarin 1, named hekumarone, was isolated from the leaves and twigs of Clausena anisum-olens Merr.(Rutaceae) collected in Hekou County in Yunnan Province, P.R. China. Structure elucidation and unambiguous NMR assignments for the title compound was carried out on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments.