Hasil untuk "Zoology"

Lei Song, Zizhao Chen, Zhuoxin Lai et al.

Astaxanthin has attracted considerable interest, owing to its potent antioxidant and pigmentation properties. To investigate its effects of astaxanthin on body color variation in <i>Lutjanus erythropterus</i>, fish were divided into a control group and a treatment group fed an astaxanthin-supplemented diet. Body color parameters, growth performance, and liver antioxidant enzyme activities were measured at the end of the experiment. Tissues, including skin, intestine, liver, and blood, were subsequently collected for transcriptome sequencing. The results demonstrate that the astaxanthin-treatment group exhibited significantly enhanced body coloration alongside improved body length, body weight, and specific growth rate compared to the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Specifically regarding the red–green value (a*), the treatment group showed significantly higher values on the ventral skin, dorsal skin, and gill cover (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The yellow–blue (b*) and lightness (L*) values were also significantly elevated in the ventral skin and gill cover (<i>p</i> < 0.05), although no significant differences were observed in the dorsal skin (<i>p</i> > 0.05). The skin was identified as the tissue with the highest total carotenoid content. Astaxanthin supplementation enhanced liver antioxidant capacity, evidenced by significantly elevated total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity and significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the treatment group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Catalase (CAT) activity did not differ significantly between groups (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Transcriptomic analysis identified several coloration-associated genes, such as bco1, bco2, gstt1, and gstz1. It also revealed significant enrichment in key metabolic pathways (fatty acid, cholesterol, and retinol metabolism) and signaling pathways (PPAR and PI3K-Akt). Furthermore, the expression of multiple solute-carrier family members and apolipoproteins was detected, with notable enrichment in lipid digestion and absorption, cholesterol metabolism, and several key immune-related signaling pathways. These findings provide a theoretical basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms of carotenoid-mediated pigmentation in <i>L. erythropterus</i>.

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi, Sandhya Parameswaran, Chhaya Gadgoli et al.

Background: Poultry farmers often seek innovative methods to enhance meat production, such as new broiler varieties and alternative diets. Biofield (blessing) energy treatment may be a cost-effective way to increase the meat output of chickens. Aim: This study aimed to compare the growth, meat quality, nutrition, consumer preference, and shelf life of biofieldtreated birds with those of the unblessed/untreated control (UBCONG). Methods: Commercial genotypes (Cobb 430Y) of white broiler eggs/chicks were used. The eggs were split into two groups: an UBCONG and a biofield (blessings) energy-treated group. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly, and meat quality was assessed using nutritional and sensory parameters. Results: The mean feed conversion ratio was found to be significantly better in the groups of biofield-treated eggs (BTEG; p &lt; 0.01), biofield-treated chicks (BTCG; p &lt; 0.001), and BTEG and chicks [Double biofield (blessing) energy treatment on both eggs and chicks group (DBECG); p &lt; 0.001] than in the UBCONG. Edible meat weight was significantly increased in both BTCG (p &lt; 0.05; 62.69%) and DBECG (p &lt; 0.001; 77.19%) compared with that in UBCONG. Carbohydrate was significantly (p &lt; 0.001) increased by 189.47% and 363.16% in BTEG and DBECG, respectively, compared to UBCONG. Vitamin B3 was significantly (p &lt; 0.001) increased by 26.45% in BTEG compared with UBCONG. Minerals such as iron and copper were significantly (p &lt; 0.001) increased by 2614.92% and 316.67%, respectively, in DBECG compared to UBCONG. The levels of unsaturated fats, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), C18:1-oleic acid, C18:2-linoleic acid, and C18:3-linolenic acid were significantly (p &lt; 0.001) increased by 96.06%, 111.39%, 72.92%, 88.91%, 66%, and 145.35%, respectively, compared with those of UBCONG. The scoring of sensory parameters (color, flavor, taste, tenderness, juiciness, and overall quality/acceptability) was significantly improved (p &lt; 0.001) in the biofield treatment groups compared with the UBCONG. The shelf-life examination of raw chicken meat indicated that it was safe for storage for up to 21 days. Conclusion: The biofield (blessing) energy treatment significantly improved growth-related parameters compared with the UBCONG. This treatment also improved the meat quality compared to the increased levels of carbohydrate, PUFA, MUFA, and few minerals such as Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu than UBCONG. [Open Vet. J. 2025; 15(8.000): 3655-3669]

Arifjanov Aybek, Samiyev Luqmon, Eshboyev Navruz et al.

The trend analysis of the study was acquired by selecting multiyear seasonal groundwater table data and monitors the wells in each sub-area under the study area. To calculate and assess the spatial differences in the inanition of groundwater table, geostatistical methods was applied based on data from 14 groundwater wells during the period from January 2000 to December 2021 which were obtained from a secondary source, “Uzbekhydrogeology” State Institution. The geographic information system was used to assess the spatial change in order to find the level of groundwater. In this study, Inverse Distance Weightage was applied for estimating the attribute values of locations that are within the database using known data values. Then the interpolated data values were extracted for Statistical Analysis using Man-Kendall’s Test. Finally, based on the results of the Mann-Kendall test (Z) and Sen's Slope (Q), seasonal changes of the groundwater level were determined, and electronic maps of the area were created using the IDW interpolation method.

Segawa Yuhiro, Nakamura Akiho, Hashiguchi Hiroki et al.

Guangming Shao, Tianliang He, Yinnan Mu et al.

Summary: How organisms cope with coldness and high pressure in the hadal zone remains poorly understood. Here, we sequenced and assembled the genome of hadal sea cucumber Paelopatides sp. Yap with high quality and explored its potential mechanisms for deep-sea adaptation. First, the expansion of ACOX1 for rate-limiting enzyme in the DHA synthesis pathway, increased DHA content in the phospholipid bilayer, and positive selection of EPT1 may maintain cell membrane fluidity. Second, three genes for translation initiation factors and two for ribosomal proteins underwent expansion, and three ribosomal protein genes were positively selected, which may ameliorate the protein synthesis inhibition or ribosome dissociation in the hadal zone. Third, expansion and positive selection of genes associated with stalled replication fork recovery and DNA repair suggest improvements in DNA protection. This is the first genome sequence of a hadal invertebrate. Our results provide insights into the genetic adaptations used by invertebrate in deep oceans.

Mengwei Li, Xin Liang, Zhenhua Tang et al.

Heat stress results in serious performance losses and adversely affects animal health and welfare under various production systems. This study was conducted to develop a thermal comfort model for lactating buffaloes under hot and humid climate. Twenty Nili-Ravi buffaloes were randomly enrolled for this one-year study. Physiological parameters including rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR), and body surface temperature (BST) and environmental variables such as wet bulb temperature (WBT), dew point temperature (DPT), and black globe temperature (BGT) were recorded twice a week on each Tuesday and Thursday (<i>n</i> = 1602 and 1560, respectively) at 8:00 am and 2:30 pm. Moreover, ambient temperature (AT, °C) and relative humidity (RH, %), at an interval of every 30 min were recorded. We used a typical correlation analysis to build the index models for thermal comfort. The results revealed that AT positively correlated with BGT, WBT, DPT, BST, RT, and RR, while RH negatively correlated with RT. Moreover, a physiological index model consisting of BST, RT and RR (P1 = 0.578 × BST + 0.047 × RT + 0.429 × RR) and an environmental index model (E1 = 0.881 × AT + 0.194 × RH + 0.455 × BGT − 0.347 × WBT + 0.032 × DPT) proved to be a more accurate index as a pair to reveal the state of thermal comfort in lactating buffaloes. Moreover, these models correlated well with physiological variables, indicating that this this pair of index models can be used to effectively evaluate the thermal comfort in buffaloes.

Masayoshi Yamada, Chongxiao Chen, Toshie Sugiyama et al.

Changes in medullary and cortical bone structure with age remain unclear. Twenty Hy-Line W36 hens, 25 or 52 weeks of age, were euthanized, and both tibiae were collected when an egg was present in the magnum. Serial cross sections of the tibiae were stained with Alcian blue. The bones were scanned using micro-computed tomography. Trabecular width (Tb.Wi) was significantly higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in 25-week-old hens, whereas medullary bone tissue volume (TV) was significantly higher (<i>p</i> < 0.01) in 52-week-old hens. 25-week-old hens had significantly higher (<i>p</i> < 0.01) bone volume fraction (BVF = calcified tissue / TV). Moreover, the cortical bone parameters were significantly higher (TV and bone mineral content (BMC) at <i>p</i> < 0.05, and bone volume (BV) and BVF at <i>p</i> < 0.01) in younger hens. Open porosity and total porosity, which indicate less density, were significantly higher (<i>p</i> < 0.01) in older hens. Older hens showed significantly higher (<i>p</i> < 0.01) tibial diaphysis TV than younger hens. Younger hens had significantly higher (<i>p</i> < 0.01) BV, BVF and bone mineral density (BMD) of the tibial diaphysis. These findings reveal that reductions in medullary bone quality might be associated with age-related low estrogen levels and stimulation of osteoclastic bone resorption by parathyroid hormone. Cortical bone quality decreased with enlargement of the Haversian canals and loss of volume, with a longer egg-laying period leading to osteoporosis.

Abd El-Galil E. Amr, Ayman H. Kamel, Abdulrahman A. Almehizia et al.

Agafonov Alexander V., Emtseva Maria V., Shabanova (Kobozeva) Elena V.

According to descriptions, the Siberian species E. peschkovae and E. confusus differ in the presence or absence of trichomes on lemma and rachilla surfaces only. Two methods were used for study microevolutionary relationships between these species: hybridization of biotypes from different locations and analysis of nucleotide sequences of the low-copy nuclear gene GBSS1. Created and grown hybrids in combinations AMU-8804 × BER-0807 and AMU-8804 × BUK-1109 showed complete seed sterility in two field vegetations. Taking into account wide species areas, 3 hybrids were created between Magadan biotypes from a common habitat in the combination E. confusus MOL1887 × E. peschkovae MOL-1882. The plants showed seed fertility (SF) of 0–3 %. This result does not obscure the possibility to assess SF in the F2 generation and the character of inheritance of diagnostic traits. A comparative study of the GBSS1 gene sequences in accessions was carried out in comparison with clones of reference species. Differentiation of clones by the St2 subgenome in E. confusus, E. peschkovae, E. sibiricus and E. caninus did not reveal a clear relationships between the species. Meanwhile, a certain species specificity for the H1 subgenome was noted, confirming the existence of microevolutionary isolation of these species.

Thies H. Büscher, Raunak Lohar, Marie-Christin Kaul et al.

Leaf insects (Phylliidae) are well-camouflaged terrestrial herbivores. They imitate leaves of plants almost perfectly and even their eggs resemble seeds—visually and regarding to dispersal mechanisms. The eggs of the leaf insect <i>Phyllium philippinicum</i> utilize an adhesive system with a combination of glue, which can be reversibly activated through water contact and a water-responding framework of reinforcing fibers that facilitates their adjustment to substrate asperities and real contact area enhancement. So far, the chemical composition of this glue remains unknown. To evaluate functional aspects of the glue–solvent interaction, we tested the effects of a broad array of chemical solvents on the glue activation and measured corresponding adhesive forces. Based on these experiments, our results let us assume a proteinaceous nature of the glue with different functional chemical subunits, which enable bonding of the glue to both the surface of the egg and the unpredictable substrate. Some chemicals inhibited adhesion, but the deactivation was always reversible by water-contact and in some cases yielded even higher adhesive forces. The combination of glue and fibers also enables retaining the adhesive on the egg, even if detached from the egg’s surface. The gained insights into this versatile bioadhesive system could hereafter inspire further biomimetic adhesives.

Jacqueline Salvo Pereira, Alejandra Oyanedel Pérez

The original article [1] contained a minor typo in the spelling of ‘Lyngbye’ in the title; this has now been corrected.

Anna Stępniowska, Aleksandra Drażbo, Krzysztof Kozłowski et al.

We have postulated that supplementation with Cr can increase serotonin levels and improve the antioxidant status of chickens, with no adverse effect on the secretion of other hormones. The study aimed to determine what form and dose of Cr more favorably affect the level of selected hormones (insulin, glucagon, serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, histamine, T3 and T4) and the antioxidant status (level of malondialdehyde and lipid peroxides, activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase) of chicken tissues. The experiment was carried out on chickens randomly divided into five treatment groups. The basal diets (control group) were supplemented with two levels of Cr (3 and 6 mg/kg) and two Cr sources: Cr-picolinate (Cr-Pic) and Cr-nano (Cr-NP) to obtain four experimental diets: 3 mg/kg Cr-Pic, 6.0 mg/kg Cr-Pic, 3.0 mg/kg Cr-NP. and 6.0 mg/kg Cr-NP. The addition of Cr in both forms increased the level of serotonin at a dose of 3 mg/kg and, at the same time, reduced the level of noradrenaline. The addition of Cr at 3 mg/kg, irrespective of the form used, regulated the level of hormones of carbohydrate metabolism (increasing insulin levels and reducing glucagon levels) and had an adverse effect on the antioxidant status of the liver and breast muscle. Due to the adverse effect of Cr at 3 mg/kg on the antioxidant status of chickens, this level of Cr should not be considered in both forms Cr-Pic and Cr-NP as a feed additive for broiler chickens. In the future, studies on the potential beneficial effects of Cr on the organism should take into account doses lower than 3 mg/kg.

A. Weismann

P. L. Pap, O. Vincze, Beatrix Wekerle et al.

Sarah Kathleen Gess, Peter Alexander Roosenschoon

Some observations on the nesting of three species belonging to phylogenetically interesting lineages of Megachilinae are presented. Published knowledge of the nesting of these species, Megachile (Maximegachile) maxillosa Guérin-Méneville (Megachilini), Megachile (Eurymella) patellimana Spinola (Megachilini), and Pseudoheriades grandiceps Peters (currently assigned to the Osmiini), is fragmentary making the notes presented here a worthwhile addition. The brood cells of M. maxillosa and of P. grandiceps, constructed from a mixture of resin and sand, were positioned in pre-existing cavities, trap-nests, above ground. The cells of the former are equal in diameter to the boring and are constructed in linear series. Those of the latter are small ovoid and are grouped to form a cluster. Megachile patellimana was nesting in burrows in compacted sandy ground beneath a plant and in the banks of an irrigation furrow. At the former site a female was carrying a freshly cut leaf piece and at the latter another was carrying a cut length of narrow, tough, green plastic. The nest contained a group of identical lengths of plastic, clearly a substitute for leaves.

M. Laubichler, J. Renn

ABSTRACT This paper introduces a conceptual framework for the evolution of complex systems based on the integration of regulatory network and niche construction theories. It is designed to apply equally to cases of biological, social and cultural evolution. Within the conceptual framework we focus especially on the transformation of complex networks through the linked processes of externalization and internalization of causal factors between regulatory networks and their corresponding niches and argue that these are an important part of evolutionary explanations. This conceptual framework extends previous evolutionary models and focuses on several challenges, such as the path‐dependent nature of evolutionary change, the dynamics of evolutionary innovation and the expansion of inheritance systems. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 565–577, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolution published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

E. Corner, S. O'Hara

V. Smocovitis, E. Mayr

F. A. Chace, A. Bruce