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25 pages, 1471 KiB  
Review
Vitellogenesis and Embryogenesis in Spiders: A Biochemical Perspective
by Carlos Fernando Garcia, Aldana Laino and Mónica Cunningham
Insects 2025, 16(4), 398; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040398 - 10 Apr 2025
Viewed by 897
Abstract
This review compiles information on the biochemistry of spider reproduction, from vitellogenesis to postembryonic development. Despite the diversity of spiders, biochemical studies on their reproduction remain scarce. The structures, functions, and relationships of vitellogenins and lipovitellins across different groups are compared. Information on [...] Read more.
This review compiles information on the biochemistry of spider reproduction, from vitellogenesis to postembryonic development. Despite the diversity of spiders, biochemical studies on their reproduction remain scarce. The structures, functions, and relationships of vitellogenins and lipovitellins across different groups are compared. Information on two vitellogenin-associated proteins (30 and 47 kDa) is presented and discussed. By analyzing females at different reproductive stages—previtellogenesis, early vitellogenesis, vitellogenesis, and postvitellogenesis—as well as males, we examined lipid and fatty acid synthesis, mobilization, and accumulation in the yolk. Lipid dynamics across vitellogenic organs, such as the intestinal diverticula, hemolymph, and ovaries, were established. Structural lipids, mainly phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, were the predominant yolk components, followed by triacylglycerols. The gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indices are described for the first time in spiders, providing a new tool for studying vitellogenesis. Hemocyanin was detected in early spider eggs, suggesting a role in organogenesis, with its concentration increasing in later embryonic stages. In contrast, lipovitellin consumption was observed throughout embryonic development until juvenile emergence. The data compiled in this review provide valuable insights into the molecular interactions underlying a key process for oviparous animals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropod Reproductive Biology)
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17 pages, 5231 KiB  
Article
Environmentally Relevant Sulfamethoxazole Induces Developmental Toxicity in Embryo-Larva of Marine Medaka (Oryzias melastigma)
by Jianxuan Huang, Lei Ye, Siyi Huang, Zuchun Chen, Jiahao Gao, Yangmei Li, Yusong Guo, Zhongduo Wang, Jian Liao, Zhongdian Dong and Ning Zhang
Fishes 2025, 10(3), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10030120 - 8 Mar 2025
Viewed by 625
Abstract
Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a commonly used sulfonamide antibiotic, poses a threat to aquatic life due to its widespread presence in the environment. This study aims to investigate the specific effects of SMX on the development of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) embryos and [...] Read more.
Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a commonly used sulfonamide antibiotic, poses a threat to aquatic life due to its widespread presence in the environment. This study aims to investigate the specific effects of SMX on the development of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) embryos and larvae. Marine medaka embryos were exposed to SMX at concentrations of 0 (solvent control group, SC group), 1 μg/L (low concentration group, L group), 60 μg/L (middle concentration group, M group), and 1000 μg/L (high concentration group, H group). The results indicated that SMX exposure significantly accelerated the heart rate of embryos (p < 0.0001) and shortened the hatching time while also causing anomalies such as reduced pigmentation, smaller eye size, spinal curvature, and yolk sac edema. SMX also led to a decrease in the total length of the larvae. The M group and the H group exhibited a significant increase (p < 0.05) in lipid accumulation in the visceral mass of the larvae. In the L group and the M group, there was a significant increase (p < 0.0001) in the swimming distance of the larvae. At the molecular level, SMX exposure affected the transcript levels of the genes involved in the cardiovascular system (ahrra, arnt2, atp2a1, and cacan1da), antioxidant and inflammatory systems (cat, cox-1, gpx, pparα, pparβ, and pparγ), nervous system (gap43, gfap, α-tubulin), intestinal barrier function (claudin-1), detoxification enzymes (ugt2c1-like), and lipid metabolism (rxraa) in the embryos to larval stage. The microbiome analysis showed that at the phylum level, exposure to SMX resulted in an increase in the abundance of Proteobacteria. Additionally, the abundance of Actinobacteriota significantly increased in the L group (p < 0.05). At the genus level, the abundance of Bifidobacterium significantly increased in the L group (p < 0.05), while the abundance of Vibrio significantly increased in the H group (p < 0.05). The alpha diversity analysis revealed a significant decrease in the Chao1 index in the L and H groups, indicating a reduction in microbial richness. The beta diversity analysis showed differences in the microbial communities of marine medaka larvae among different SMX exposure groups. This study elucidates the negative impacts of SMX on the development of marine medaka embryos and larvae and their microbial composition, providing a scientific basis for assessing the risks of SMX in marine ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicology of Anthropogenic Pollutants on Fish)
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14 pages, 8347 KiB  
Article
Developmental Toxicity and Cardiotoxicity of N, N-Dimethylaniline in Zebrafish Embryos
by Bin Liu, Bo Peng, Yan Jin, Yijie Tao, Wenping Xu, Yang Zhang and Zhong Li
Toxics 2025, 13(2), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13020125 - 8 Feb 2025
Viewed by 863
Abstract
N, N-Dimethylaniline is an important chemical intermediate and an important metabolite of the pesticide Fenaminosulf. It is widely used in chemical production, but there is an extreme paucity of environmental risk assessments for N, N-dimethylaniline.: In this study, the cardiotoxicity of continuous exposure [...] Read more.
N, N-Dimethylaniline is an important chemical intermediate and an important metabolite of the pesticide Fenaminosulf. It is widely used in chemical production, but there is an extreme paucity of environmental risk assessments for N, N-dimethylaniline.: In this study, the cardiotoxicity of continuous exposure to N, N-dimethylaniline (20, 40, and 80 μg/mL) for 72 h was evaluated using zebrafish embryos.: The study found that N, N-dimethylaniline not only exhibits developmental toxicity to zebrafish embryos, leading to abnormalities such as pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, and spinal curvature, but also induces oxidative stress, lipid accumulation, and apoptosis, particularly affecting the heart region. Cardiac function indicators such as pericardial area, sinus venosus (SV) and bulbar artery (BA) distance, heart rate, and red blood cell (RBC) rate were all significantly altered due to exposure to N, N-dimethylaniline, with impaired cardiac morphology and structure and the downregulation of gene expression related to heart development and function (myl7, vmhc, myh6, bmp4, tbx2b, and has2).: The research findings suggest that the heart may be the potential target organ for the toxic effects of N, N-dimethylaniline, providing a scientific basis for the rational use of this compound and environmental protection. Furthermore, it enhances public awareness of the safety of substances that may degrade to produce N, N-dimethylaniline during their use. Full article
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15 pages, 4102 KiB  
Article
Abamectin Causes Neurotoxicity in Zebrafish Embryos
by Hongying Zhang, Yulong Liu, Yukun Huang, Kaiwen Zhao, Tingting Yu, Youjuan Wu, Zijia Yin, Meifeng Li, Dongming Li, Lihua Fan, Xiaowen Xu, Chengyu Hu and Shanghong Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(1), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26010349 - 3 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1034
Abstract
Abamectin is an insecticide, miticide and nematicide that has been extensively used in agriculture for many years. The excessive use of abamectin inevitably pollutes water and soil and might even cause adverse effects on aquatic biota. However, it is currently unclear how abamectin [...] Read more.
Abamectin is an insecticide, miticide and nematicide that has been extensively used in agriculture for many years. The excessive use of abamectin inevitably pollutes water and soil and might even cause adverse effects on aquatic biota. However, it is currently unclear how abamectin exposure causes neurotoxicity in aquatic organisms. Herein, the early neural system development was assessed in zebrafish embryos following abamectin exposure. After treatment with a concentration gradient of abamectin (0.055, 0.0825, 0.11 mg/L), the survival rate, average heart rate, pericardial edema area and yolk sac edema were all documented in zebrafish embryos (96 hpf). It was found that after abamectin exposure, embryonic brain development was impaired, and motor behaviors were also affected. The fluorescence intensity was reduced in the transgenic embryos (Eno2: GFP). The activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and ATPase were decreased, and the expression of neurodevelopment-related genes, such as sox10, gap43, grin1b, abat, gad1b, grin2b, nestin and glsa, were all inhibited in zebrafish embryo treatment with abamectin. Furthermore, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) were triggered upon exposure to abamectin in zebrafish embryos along with the accumulation of ROS, eventually resulting in neuroapoptosis in the developing embryonic brain. In conclusion, neurodevelopmental toxicity was caused by oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in zebrafish embryos following abamectin exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Zebrafish Model in Animal and Human Health Research, 2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 2584 KiB  
Article
In-House Immunoglobulin Y-Based Immunoassay for Detecting Benzo[a]pyrene in Grilled Pork Samples
by Peerapong Jeeno, Sumed Yadoung, Marninphan Thongkham, Pichamon Yana, Udomsap Jaitham, Sakaewan Ounjaijean, Zhen-Lin Xu, Korawan Sringarm and Surat Hongsibsong
Biosensors 2024, 14(12), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14120588 - 2 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1073
Abstract
Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that accumulates in several environmental matrices as a result of incomplete combustion. Its presence, carcinogenic properties, and tendency for bioaccumulation provide significant risks to human health and the environment. The objective of this study is [...] Read more.
Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that accumulates in several environmental matrices as a result of incomplete combustion. Its presence, carcinogenic properties, and tendency for bioaccumulation provide significant risks to human health and the environment. The objective of this study is to create an immunoassay for the detection of benzo[a]pyrene utilizing immunoglobulin Y antibodies. An indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) was utilized to develop a speedy, straightforward, sensitive, and economical approach for detecting B[a]P residues. Following the immunization of hens with the hapten pyrenebutyric acid-bovine serum albumin (PyBA-BSA), the IgY antibody extracted from egg yolk was utilized to identify B[a]P residues. To evaluate antibody specificity, six PAH derivatives—PyBA, B[a]P, Chrysene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[a]anthracene, and Benzo[k]fluoranthene—were examined in the experiment to compete for binding with PyBA. The findings indicate that the antibody had considerable affinity for Chrysene (1.15%), Benzo[b]fluoranthene (311.32%), Benzo[k]fluoranthene (10.62%), Benzo[a]anthracene (22.82%), and PyBA (9.55%). Nonetheless, its affinity for B[a]P remained at 100%. The recovery range for grilled pork samples spiked with B[a]P doses of 10.00–0.1 μg/mL was 74.99% to 143.11%. This study utilized a polyclonal antibody, employing the IgY antibody for the inaugural development of an immunoassay to detect benzo[a]pyrene. The ELISA had a higher IC50 value compared to the other immunoassays; however, it yielded good results. This immunoassay signifies a substantial progression in environmental analytical chemistry, offering a cost-effective and accessible technique for the detection of B[a]P to protect human health and the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development of Biosensors for Detection/ Diagnostic Purposes)
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22 pages, 4130 KiB  
Article
gnas Knockdown Induces Obesity and AHO Features in Early Zebrafish Larvae
by Alaa Abbas, Ayat S Hammad, Zain Z. Zakaria, Maha Al-Asmakh, Khalid Hussain and Mashael Al-Shafai
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12674; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312674 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 941
Abstract
GNAS (Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein, Alpha Stimulating) is a complex gene that encodes the alpha subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gsα), critical for signaling through various G protein-coupled receptors. Inactivating genetic and epigenetic changes in GNAS, resulting in Gs [...] Read more.
GNAS (Guanine Nucleotide-Binding Protein, Alpha Stimulating) is a complex gene that encodes the alpha subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gsα), critical for signaling through various G protein-coupled receptors. Inactivating genetic and epigenetic changes in GNAS, resulting in Gsα deficiency, cause different variants of pseudohypoparathyroidism, which may manifest features of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO, a syndrome characterized by early-onset obesity and other developmental defects). Recent findings have linked Gsα deficiency with isolated, severe, early-onset obesity, suggesting it as a potential, underrecognized cause of monogenic, non-syndromic obesity. This study was prompted by identifying several GNAS variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) in pediatric patients presenting with unexplained, severe, early-onset obesity at Sidra Medicine in Qatar. To functionally characterize these variants, we developed the first zebrafish model of Gsα deficiency, offering numerous advantages over other model systems. This was achieved by knockdown of the ortholog through microinjection of translation-blocking Morpholino antisense oligonucleotides into the yolks of 1-8-cell-stage zebrafish embryos. The morphant larvae displayed an obese phenotype, marked by significantly enlarged yolk sacs, increased neutral lipid accumulation, and reduced metabolic rates, among other developmental abnormalities resembling those in AHO. This zebrafish model lays the foundation for efficient functional characterization of GNAS VUSs and paves the way for enhancing our understanding of Gsα deficiency-associated early-onset obesity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genomics)
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13 pages, 2131 KiB  
Article
Developmental Toxicity and Teratogenic Effects of Dicarboximide Fungicide Iprodione on Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos
by Chang-Young Yoon, Kyongmi Chon, Bala Murali Krishna Vasamsetti, Sojeong Hwang, Kyeong-Hun Park and Kee Sung Kyung
Fishes 2024, 9(11), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9110425 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1073
Abstract
Iprodione (IDN) is a broad-spectrum fungicide used to treat various fungal infections in plants. Despite its extensive use, assessment of its toxicity in aquatic organisms remains incomplete. This study investigated the deleterious effects of IDN using zebrafish (ZF) as a model organism. ZF [...] Read more.
Iprodione (IDN) is a broad-spectrum fungicide used to treat various fungal infections in plants. Despite its extensive use, assessment of its toxicity in aquatic organisms remains incomplete. This study investigated the deleterious effects of IDN using zebrafish (ZF) as a model organism. ZF embryos, beginning at 2 h post-fertilization (hpf), were exposed to IDN (3.75–40 mg/L), and both mortality and deformities were assessed. The impact of IDN on mortality was concentration-dependent and significant from 14 mg/L. Importantly, IDN induced several deformities at sublethal concentrations, including abnormal somites, reduced retinal pigment accumulation, yolk sac edema, hatching failure, abnormal swim bladders, and spinal curvature. The EC50 values for IDN-induced deformities were 3.44 ± 0.74 to 21.42 ± 6.00 mg/L. The calculated teratogenic index values for all deformities were above 1, indicating that IDN is teratogenic to ZF. IDN-exposed ZF also displayed abnormalities in touch-evoked escape responses. IDN significantly affected heart rate and blood flow, and induced pericardial edema and hyperemia in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting its influence on cardiac development and the function of ZF. In conclusion, these results suggest that IDN exerts toxic effects on ZF embryos, affecting mortality, development, and behavior. Full article
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24 pages, 12131 KiB  
Article
Reproductive Structures of Female Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and the Development of Egg and Embryo in the Body
by Binting Huang, Mingxia Li, Xiaohuan Jiang, Bo Zhang, Yong Huang and Xuenong Xu
Agriculture 2024, 14(9), 1647; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14091647 - 20 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1198
Abstract
The Phytoseiulus persimilis specialized in preying on Tetranychus species, with particularly strong predation capability against Tetranychus urticae. To investigate the morphology of female reproductive structures and effects of different gravid times on structures of oocytes and embryos in Phytoseiulus persimilis, we [...] Read more.
The Phytoseiulus persimilis specialized in preying on Tetranychus species, with particularly strong predation capability against Tetranychus urticae. To investigate the morphology of female reproductive structures and effects of different gravid times on structures of oocytes and embryos in Phytoseiulus persimilis, we employed paraffin sectioning, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on the model species of predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis. The female adult possessed several reproductive organs, including paired solenostomes, major ducts, embolus, calyces, and vesicles within the sperm-access system, as well as lyrate organ and the ovary. Furthermore, the reproductive system also encompassed the uterus, vagina, and genital pore, which were involved in egg development and expulsion. The solenostomes were situated between the third and fourth legs, and they were scarcely discernible in virgin, but they became apparent during mating. The occurrence of mating significantly influenced the nucleus of lyrate organ. In virgin, the nucleus exhibited underdeveloped morphology, whereas in mated individuals, it was well-formed. However, the duration of mating did not impact its development. The cellular structure of the ovary was solely associated with the stage of the surrounding oocyte and was not directly linked to mating occurrences. The uterus was barely visible outside of mating periods but became observable 12 h after mating when eggs were present within the body. At this point, it opened in preparation for egg laying when both the vagina and reproductive opening were open. Positioned in front of the vesicle but behind the ovary was the lyrate organ, with its lower part housing the uterus. The vagina was connected to the genital pore. No significant difference was observed in oocyte morphology between the virgin ovaries and the mated. Oocyte development occurred through four stages: during stage I (4–9 h after mating), yolk accumulation took place; stage II (10 h after mating) involved egg relocation; stage III (12–13 h after mating) was marked by eggshell formation; finally, at stage IV (14–16 h after mating), embryonic development commenced, leading to egg deposition. The fusion of sperm and egg occurred approximately 9–10 h after mating. These findings established a solid foundation for investigating the Phytoseiid reproductive mechanisms. Full article
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16 pages, 3526 KiB  
Article
Toxicity and Metabolomic Dysfunction Invoked by Febrifugin, a Harmful Component of Edible Nut of Swietenia macrophylla
by Xiaoyue Zhang, Qinyang Song, Hanghang Zheng, Rui Wang and Qiang Zhang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(17), 9753; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179753 - 9 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1433
Abstract
Swietenia macrophylla fruit is a valuable and historically significant medicinal plant with anti-hypertension and anti-diabetes. We identified a toxic component, Febrifugin, from the edible part of the nut following zebrafish toxicity-guided isolation. Febrifugin is a mexicanolide-type limonoid compound. The toxic factor induced acute [...] Read more.
Swietenia macrophylla fruit is a valuable and historically significant medicinal plant with anti-hypertension and anti-diabetes. We identified a toxic component, Febrifugin, from the edible part of the nut following zebrafish toxicity-guided isolation. Febrifugin is a mexicanolide-type limonoid compound. The toxic factor induced acute toxicity in zebrafish, including yolk sac edema and pericardial edema, reduced body length, decreased melanin deposition, and presented acute skeletal developmental issues. Further exploration of the acute toxicity mechanism through metabolomics revealed that Febrifugin caused significant changes in 13 metabolites in zebrafish larvae, which are involved in the pentose phosphate, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and amino acid biosynthesis. The bioassay of oxidative stress capacity and qRT-PCR measurement showed that the compound significantly affected the h6pd gene in the pentose phosphate pathway and the mRNA expression of cs, idh3a, fh, and shda genes in the TCA cycle, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and a notable decrease in glutathione (GSH) activity in zebrafish. These findings provide a basis for the rational use of S. macrophylla as a medicinal plant and raise awareness of the safety of medicinal plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Bioactives and Nutraceuticals)
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14 pages, 2690 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Different Doses of Canthaxanthin in the Diet of Laying Hens on Egg Quality, Physical Characteristics, Metabolic Mechanism, and Offspring Health
by Junnan Zhang, Zhiqiong Mao, Jiangxia Zheng, Congjiao Sun and Guiyun Xu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 7154; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137154 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1403
Abstract
Currently, there is a dearth of in-depth analysis and research on the impact of canthaxanthin on the production performance, egg quality, physical characteristics, and offspring health of laying hens. Furthermore, the metabolic mechanism of cantharidin in the body remains unclear. Therefore, to solve [...] Read more.
Currently, there is a dearth of in-depth analysis and research on the impact of canthaxanthin on the production performance, egg quality, physical characteristics, and offspring health of laying hens. Furthermore, the metabolic mechanism of cantharidin in the body remains unclear. Therefore, to solve the above issues in detail, our study was conducted with a control group (C group), a low-dose canthaxanthin group (L group), and a high-dose canthaxanthin group (H group), each fed for a period of 40 days. Production performance was monitored during the experiment, in which L and H groups showed a significant increase in ADFI. Eggs were collected for quality analysis, revealing no significant differences in qualities except for yolk color (YC). The YC of the C group almost did not change, ranging from 6.08 to 6.20; however, the trend in YC change in other groups showed an initial intense increase, followed by a decrease, and eventually reached dynamic equilibrium. By detecting the content of canthaxanthin in the yolk, the YC change trend was found to be correlated with canthaxanthin levels in the yolk. The content of unsaturated fatty acid increased slightly in L and H groups. Following the incubation period, the physical characteristics and blood biochemical indices of chicks were evaluated. It was observed that the shank color of chicks in the L and H groups was significantly higher than that in the C group at birth. However, by the 35th day, there were no significant differences in shank color among the three groups. Further investigation into the metabolic mechanism involving canthaxanthin revealed that the substance underwent incomplete metabolism upon entering the body, resulting in its accumulation as well as metabolic by-product accumulation in the yolk. In summary, this study highlighted the importance of understanding canthaxanthin’s role in production performance, egg quality, and offspring health, providing valuable insights for breeders to optimize feeding strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Models in Biomedical Research, 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 3370 KiB  
Article
Characterization of the Ovarian Development and Associated Factors during the Breeding Migration of Coilia nasus in the Yangtze River
by Shuwei Wei, Zhong Hua, Yanping Yang, Fengjiao Ma, Wei Han, Wei Zhang, Congping Ying, Yanmin Deng and Kai Liu
Fishes 2024, 9(3), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9030090 - 28 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1942
Abstract
Coilia nasus is a typical anadromous migratory fish found in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Every year, C. nasus clusters offshore and swims upstream along the Yangtze River into the tributaries and lakes in the middle and lower reaches of the [...] Read more.
Coilia nasus is a typical anadromous migratory fish found in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Every year, C. nasus clusters offshore and swims upstream along the Yangtze River into the tributaries and lakes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River to breed. In this study, female C. nasus were collected as study subjects from the Chongming section of Shanghai, the Taizhou section of Jiangsu, and the Anqing section of Anhui. Their ovaries were used to examine tissue sections and investigate gene expression, including the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (fshr), the luteinizing hormone receptor (lhr), kisspeptin-1 (kiss1), and forkhead box l2 (foxl2), which are related to reproductive development, while the serum levels of estrogen (including estradiol, E2) and progestins (including 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregenen-3-one, 17α,20β-DHP) were also analyzed. Our results showed that, first, the growth period of the oocytes was small in stage II of ovarian development, in which both E2 and 17α,20β-DHP levels and gene expression were low. Then, in stage III, the growth period of the oocytes became large, and the yolk granules and oil droplets began to appear. Simultaneously, E2 and the expression of kiss1 and foxl2 were significantly elevated. Finally, stage IV was the period of a large amount of accumulation of nutrients in the oocytes, and 17α,20β-DHP levels and the expression of fshr and lhr were significantly elevated. These results enrich the theoretical study of ovarian development in the natural population of C. nasus, supplementing the biological basis of C. nasus reproduction and scientifically supporting the study of C. nasus population ecology and resource conservation. Full article
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25 pages, 1732 KiB  
Article
Effect of Dietary Incorporation of Hemp Seeds Alone or with Dried Fruit Pomace on Laying Hens’ Performance and on Lipid Composition and Oxidation Status of Egg Yolks
by Daniel Mierlita, Alin Cristian Teușdea, Mădălina Matei, Constantin Pascal, Daniel Simeanu and Ioan Mircea Pop
Animals 2024, 14(5), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050750 - 28 Feb 2024
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2448
Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of introducing hemp seeds, as a source of PUFAs, into a standard diet with or without dried fruit pomace (dried blackcurrant (DB) or dried rosehip (DR)), as a source of natural antioxidants, on the [...] Read more.
The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of introducing hemp seeds, as a source of PUFAs, into a standard diet with or without dried fruit pomace (dried blackcurrant (DB) or dried rosehip (DR)), as a source of natural antioxidants, on the laying performance of hens and the FA profile, cholesterol level, antioxidant content, and lipid oxidative status in the yolks of fresh eggs or eggs stored at 4 °C for 28 days. The experiment used 128 Tetra SL hens at 35 weeks of age, which were divided into four groups and randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: a standard corn–wheat–soybean meal diet (C), standard diet containing 8% ground hemp seed (H), hemp seed diet containing 3% dried blackcurrant pomace (HB), and hemp seed diet containing 3% dried rosehip pomace (HR). The laying rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), egg weight, and yolk weight were improved by the use of hemp seeds. The yolks of the H, HB, and HR eggs had a lower cholesterol (p ˂ 0.01) and SFA content, while the concentration of total and individual PUFAs (n-6 and n-3 FAs) was significantly higher (p ˂ 0.01) compared to C. In addition, the introduction of hemp seeds into the diets alone or with dried fruit pomace (DB or DR) led to increased (p ˂ 0.001) content of α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and hypo-/hypercholesterolemic FA ratio and decreased arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) content, n-6/n-3 ratio, and thrombogenicity index (TI) compared to the control eggs. The introduction of dried fruit pomace (DB or DR) into the diets had no effect on the laying performance of the hens or the cholesterol content and FA profile of the egg yolks, compared to the diet supplemented only with hemp seeds. The dried fruit pomace improved the color, accumulation of antioxidants, and oxidative stability of fats in the yolks of the fresh eggs and eggs stored at 4 °C for 28 days. The DR was found to have the most desirable effects, producing the most intense color of egg yolks, the highest content of natural antioxidants, and the best oxidative stability of yolk lipids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Poultry Production: Physiology and Nutrition)
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11 pages, 4235 KiB  
Article
Egg Yolk Fat Deposition Is Regulated by Diacylglycerol and Ceramide Enriched by Adipocytokine Signaling Pathway in Laying Hens
by Qianyun Ji, Penghui Chang, Yuhao Dou, Yutong Zhao and Xingyong Chen
Animals 2023, 13(4), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040607 - 9 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2048
Abstract
The mechanism which regulates differential fat deposition in egg yolk from the indigenous breeds and commercial laying hens is still unclear. In this research, Chinese indigenous Huainan Partridge chickens and Nongda III commercial laying hens were used for egg collection and liver sampling. [...] Read more.
The mechanism which regulates differential fat deposition in egg yolk from the indigenous breeds and commercial laying hens is still unclear. In this research, Chinese indigenous Huainan Partridge chickens and Nongda III commercial laying hens were used for egg collection and liver sampling. The weight of eggs and yolk were recorded. Yolk fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Lipid metabolites in the liver were detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Yolk weight, yolk ratio and yolk fat ratio exhibited higher in the Huainan Partridge chicken than that of the Nongda III. Compared to the Nongda III, the content of total saturated fatty acid was lower, while the unsaturated fatty acid was higher in the yolk of the Huainan Partridge chicken. Metabolites of phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine from glycerolphospholipids, and metabolites of diacylglycerol from glycerolipids showed higher enrichment in the Huainan Partridge chicken than that of the Nongda III, which promoted the activation of the adipocytokine signaling pathway. However, metabolites of phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and lysophosphatidylcholine from glycerol phospholipids, and metabolites of triacylglycerol from glycerolipids showed lower enrichment in the Huainan Partridge chicken than that of the Nongda III. The high level of yolk fat deposition in the Huainan Partridge chicken is regulated by the activation of the adipocytokine signaling pathway which can promote the accumulation of diacylglycerol and ceramide in the liver. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Poultry)
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17 pages, 3102 KiB  
Article
Transcriptomic Analysis and Functional Gene Expression in Different Stages of Gonadal Development of Macrobrachium rosenbergii
by Zhenxiao Zhong, Guozhu Chen, Haihui Tu, Xinyi Yao, Xin Peng, Xuan Lan, Qiongying Tang, Shaokui Yi, Zhenglong Xia, Miaoying Cai and Guoliang Yang
Fishes 2023, 8(2), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8020094 - 5 Feb 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2802
Abstract
In order to decipher the functional genes and reveal the molecular mechanism of gonadal development in Macrobrachium rosenbergii, a comparative transcriptome analysis was performed on the testes and ovaries at different developmental stages. A total of 146,537 unigenes with an N50 of [...] Read more.
In order to decipher the functional genes and reveal the molecular mechanism of gonadal development in Macrobrachium rosenbergii, a comparative transcriptome analysis was performed on the testes and ovaries at different developmental stages. A total of 146,537 unigenes with an N50 of 2008 bp and an average length of 1144 bp were obtained from the sequencing raw data via quality control and denovo assembly. Identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed that there were 339 and 468 DEGs among the different developmental stages of testes and ovaries, respectively, and 7993 DEGs between the testes and ovaries. The KEGG enrichment analysis identified 13 candidate pathways related to gonadal development, including insulin synthesis, oocyte maturation, and steroid biosynthesis, which were involved in biological processes such as regulation of hormone metabolism, sex cell proliferation and development, and amino acid metabolism. The DEGs related to the above pathways such as insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), heat shock protein 90 (Hsp 90), and cyclooxygenase (COX) genes were highly expressed during yolk protein synthesis, indicating that these genes might be involved in yolk accumulation and oogenesis. Meanwhile, calmodulin (CaM) and other genes were highly expressed during spermatogenesis, suggesting that these genes might play an important role in spermatogenesis. Ten differentially expressed genes in the KEGG signaling pathway, including CRQ, COX, APP, Cdc42, Hsd17b12, Art-1, Hsp70, Hsp90, PRMT1, and GP, were selected for real-time quantitative PCR (RT- qPCR) to validate the transcriptome data, and the results showed that RT- qPCR obtained consistent results with the RNA-Seq data. The present findings provide new insights into the molecular regulation mechanism of gonadal development in M. rosenbergii. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transcriptomics in Aquaculture: Current Status and Applications)
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18 pages, 8949 KiB  
Article
Methyl Parathion Exposure Induces Development Toxicity and Cardiotoxicity in Zebrafish Embryos
by Tianyi Chen, Haoze Chen, Anli Wang, Weixuan Yao, Zhongshi Xu, Binjie Wang, Jiye Wang and Yuanzhao Wu
Toxics 2023, 11(1), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11010084 - 15 Jan 2023
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3781
Abstract
Methyl parathion (MP) has been widely used as an organophosphorus pesticide for food preservation and pest management, resulting in its accumulation in the aquatic environment. However, the early developmental toxicity of MP to non-target species, especially aquatic vertebrates, has not been thoroughly investigated. [...] Read more.
Methyl parathion (MP) has been widely used as an organophosphorus pesticide for food preservation and pest management, resulting in its accumulation in the aquatic environment. However, the early developmental toxicity of MP to non-target species, especially aquatic vertebrates, has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, zebrafish embryos were treated with 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/L of MP solution until 72 h post-fertilization (hpf). The results showed that MP exposure reduced spontaneous movement, hatching, and survival rates of zebrafish embryos and induced developmental abnormalities such as shortened body length, yolk edema, and spinal curvature. Notably, MP was found to induce cardiac abnormalities, including pericardial edema and decreased heart rate. Exposure to MP resulted in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, increased catalase (CAT) activity, elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and caused cardiac apoptosis in zebrafish embryos. Moreover, MP affected the transcription of cardiac development-related genes (vmhc, sox9b, nppa, tnnt2, bmp2b, bmp4) and apoptosis-related genes (p53, bax, bcl2). Astaxanthin could rescue MP-induced heart development defects by down-regulating oxidative stress. These findings suggest that MP induces cardiac developmental toxicity and provides additional evidence of MP toxicity to aquatic organisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agrochemicals and Food Toxicology)
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