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Dziki-Michalska K, Tajchman K, Kowalik S, Wójcik M. The Levels of Cortisol and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Red Deer Harvested during Stalking Hunts. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1108. [PMID: 38612347 PMCID: PMC11010865 DOI: 10.3390/ani14071108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
As a reactive species, the red deer is sensitive to both negative exogenous and endogenous stimuli. An intensive hunting period may have a particularly negative impact on game animals. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma cortisol level and biochemical parameters in 25 wild red deer (Cervus elaphus) harvested during stalking hunts in correlation with the sex and age of the animals. The mean cortisol concentrations in the stags and hinds analyzed in this study were similar (20.2 and 21.5 ng/mL, respectively). Higher HDL cholesterol values were found in the blood of the hinds than in stags (p < 0.05). Similarly, the mean levels of LDL cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, and alanine aminotransferase were higher by 21%, 16%, and 42%, respectively, in the blood of the hinds. In contrast, the levels of alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and aspartate aminotransferase were higher in the stags (by 30%, 49%, and 36%, respectively). There was a negative correlation of the cortisol concentration with urea and bilirubin and a positive correlation between cortisol and aspartate aminotransferase in the stags (p < 0.05). In turn, a negative correlation was found between the cortisol and urea levels in the hinds (p < 0.05). In summary, the stress caused by stalking hunts and the characteristic behavior of red deer during the mating season had an impact on chosen biochemical parameters. The increased concentration of cortisol resulted in a decrease in the carcass mass, which may lead to the deterioration of the physical condition of animals on hunting grounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Dziki-Michalska
- Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Tajchman
- Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Sylwester Kowalik
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 12, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Maciej Wójcik
- Regional Directorate of the State Forests in Lublin, Czechowska 4, 20-950 Lublin, Poland;
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Feng H, Feng T, Mo Y, Sun S, Wang L, Lu C, Feng C, Xing K, Su Z. Integrated multi-omics analysis reveals insights into Chinese forest musk deer ( Moschus berezovskii) genome evolution and musk synthesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1156138. [PMID: 37228656 PMCID: PMC10203155 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1156138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the artiodactyls, male animals belonging to the Family Moschidae have a unique tissue, the musk gland, with the capability of musk synthesis. However, the genetic basis of musk gland formation and musk production are still poorly understood. Here, musk gland tissues from two juvenile and three adult Chinese forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) were utilized to analyze genomic evolution events, evaluate mRNA profiles and investigate cell compositions. By performing genome reannotation and comparison with 11 ruminant genomes, three expanded gene families were identified in the Moschus berezovskii genome. Transcriptional analysis further indicated that the musk gland displayed a prostate-like mRNA expression pattern. Single-cell sequencing revealed that the musk gland is composed of seven distinguishable cell types. Among them, sebaceous gland cells and luminal epithelial cells play important roles in musk synthesis, while endothelial cells master the regulation of cell-to-cell communication. In conclusion, our study provides insights into musk gland formation and the musk-synthesizing process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Feng
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tingyin Feng
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yidi Mo
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Suli Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chunbin Lu
- Department of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengli Feng
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ke Xing
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhijian Su
- Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Feng H, Wang L, Cao F, Ma J, Tang J, Feng C, Su Z. Forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) in China: research and protection. JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.25225/jvb.22067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Feng
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, China; e-mail: , , , Tangjie:, Fengchengli:
| | - Lu Wang
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, China; e-mail: , , , Tangjie:, Fengchengli:
| | - Fangjun Cao
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, China; e-mail: , , , Tangjie:, Fengchengli:
| | - Ji Ma
- Xi'an Center, China Geological Survey, Xi'an, China; e-mail:
| | - Jie Tang
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, China; e-mail: , , , Tangjie:, Fengchengli:
| | - Chengli Feng
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi'an, China; e-mail: , , , Tangjie:, Fengchengli:
| | - Zhijian Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; e-mail:
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Zhou C, Peng K, Liu Y, Zhang R, Zheng X, Yue B, Du C, Wu Y. Comparative Analyses Reveal the Genetic Mechanism of Ambergris Production in the Sperm Whale Based on the Chromosome-Level Genome. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030361. [PMID: 36766250 PMCID: PMC9913093 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm whales are a marine mammal famous for the aromatic substance, the ambergris, produced from its colon. Little is known about the biological processes of ambergris production, and this study aims to investigate the genetic mechanism of ambergris production in the sperm whale based on its chromosome-level genome. Comparative genomics analyses found 1207 expanded gene families and 321 positive selected genes (PSGs) in the sperm whale, and functional enrichment analyses suggested revelatory pathways and terms related to the metabolism of steroids, terpenoids, and aldosterone, as well as microbiota interaction and immune network in the intestine. Furthermore, two sperm-whale-specific missense mutations (Tyr393His and Leu567Val) were detected in the PSG LIPE, which has been reported to play vital roles in lipid and cholesterol metabolism. In total, 46 CYP genes and 22 HSD genes were annotated, and then mapped to sperm whale chromosomes. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of CYP genes in six mammals found that CYP2E1, CYP51A and CYP8 subfamilies exhibited relative expansion in the sperm whale. Our results could help understand the genetic mechanism of ambergris production, and further reveal the convergent evolution pattern among animals that produce similar odorants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Ecoenvironment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Kexin Peng
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Ecoenvironment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Fishes Conservation and Utilization in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Neijiang Normal University, Neijiang 641000, China
| | - Rusong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Ecoenvironment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Ecoenvironment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Bisong Yue
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Ecoenvironment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Chao Du
- Baotou Teachers College, Baotou 014060, China
- Correspondence: (C.D.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yongjie Wu
- Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Ecoenvironment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
- Correspondence: (C.D.); (Y.W.)
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Population genomics reveals moderate genetic differentiation between populations of endangered Forest Musk Deer located in Shaanxi and Sichuan. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:668. [PMID: 36138352 PMCID: PMC9503231 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08896-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many endangered species exist in small, genetically depauperate, or inbred populations, hence promoting genetic differentiation and reducing long-term population viability. Forest Musk Deer (Moschus berezovskii) has been subject to illegal hunting for hundreds of years due to the medical and commercial values of musk, resulting in a significant decline in population size. However, it is still unclear to what extent the genetic exchange and inbreeding levels are between geographically isolated populations. By using whole-genome data, we reconstructed the demographic history, evaluated genetic diversity, and characterized the population genetic structure of Forest Musk Deer from one wild population in Sichuan Province and two captive populations from two ex-situ centers in Shaanxi Province. Results SNP calling by GATK resulted in a total of 44,008,662 SNPs. Principal component analysis (PCA), phylogenetic tree (NJ tree), ancestral component analysis (ADMIXTURE) and the ABBA-BABA test separated Sichuan and Shaanxi Forest Musk Deer as two genetic clusters, but no obvious genetic differentiation was observed between the two captive populations. The average pairwise FST value between the populations in Sichuan and Shaanxi ranged from 0.05–0.07, suggesting a low to moderate genetic differentiation. The mean heterozygous SNPs rate was 0.14% (0.11%—0.15%) for Forest Musk Deer at the genomic scale, and varied significantly among three populations (Chi-square = 1.22, p < 0.05, Kruskal–Wallis Test), with the Sichuan population having the lowest (0.11%). The nucleotide diversity of three populations varied significantly (p < 0.05, Kruskal–Wallis Test), with the Sichuan population having the lowest genetic θπ (1.69 × 10–3). Conclusions Genetic diversity of Forest Musk Deer was moderate at the genomic scale compared with other endangered species. Genetic differentiation between populations in Sichuan and Shaanxi may not only result from historical biogeographical factors but also be associated with contemporary human disturbances. Our findings provide scientific aid for the conservation and management of Forest Musk Deer. They can extend the proposed measures at the genomic level to apply to other musk deer species worldwide. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08896-9.
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Comparative study of the function and structure of the gut microbiota in Siberian musk deer and Forest musk deer. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:6799-6817. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12158-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Di Genova A, Nardocci G, Maldonado-Agurto R, Hodar C, Valdivieso C, Morales P, Gajardo F, Marina R, Gutiérrez RA, Orellana A, Cambiazo V, González M, Glavic A, Mendez MA, Maass A, Allende ML, Montecino MA. Genome sequencing and transcriptomic analysis of the Andean killifish Orestias ascotanensis reveals adaptation to high-altitude aquatic life. Genomics 2021; 114:305-315. [PMID: 34954349 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Orestias ascotanensis (Cyprinodontidae) is a teleost pupfish endemic to springs feeding into the Ascotan saltpan in the Chilean Altiplano (3,700 m.a.s.l.) and represents an opportunity to study adaptations to high-altitude aquatic environments. We have de novo assembled the genome of O. ascotanensis at high coverage. Comparative analysis of the O. ascotanensis genome showed an overall process of contraction, including loss of genes related to G-protein signaling, chemotaxis and signal transduction, while there was expansion of gene families associated with microtubule-based movement and protein ubiquitination. We identified 818 genes under positive selection, many of which are involved in DNA repair. Additionally, we identified novel and conserved microRNAs expressed in O. ascotanensis and its closely-related species, Orestias gloriae. Our analysis suggests that positive selection and expansion of genes that preserve genome stability are a potential adaptive mechanism to cope with the increased solar UV radiation to which high-altitude animals are exposed to.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Di Genova
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Center for Mathematical Modeling, Department of Mathematical Engineering, Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Universidad de Chile and IRL CNRS, 2807 Santiago, Chile
| | - Gino Nardocci
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Maldonado-Agurto
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Hodar
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Camilo Valdivieso
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pamela Morales
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe Gajardo
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Raquel Marina
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo A Gutiérrez
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ariel Orellana
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Center of Plant Biotechnology, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Veronica Cambiazo
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mauricio González
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alvaro Glavic
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marco A Mendez
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile; Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, Chile
| | - Alejandro Maass
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Center for Mathematical Modeling, Department of Mathematical Engineering, Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Universidad de Chile and IRL CNRS, 2807 Santiago, Chile
| | - Miguel L Allende
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Martin A Montecino
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.
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Chebii VJ, Mpolya EA, Muchadeyi FC, Domelevo Entfellner JB. Genomics of Adaptations in Ungulates. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1617. [PMID: 34072591 PMCID: PMC8230064 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ungulates are a group of hoofed animals that have long interacted with humans as essential sources of food, labor, clothing, and transportation. These consist of domesticated, feral, and wild species raised in a wide range of habitats and biomes. Given the diverse and extreme environments inhabited by ungulates, unique adaptive traits are fundamental for fitness. The documentation of genes that underlie their genomic signatures of selection is crucial in this regard. The increasing availability of advanced sequencing technologies has seen the rapid growth of ungulate genomic resources, which offers an exceptional opportunity to understand their adaptive evolution. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on evolutionary genetic signatures underlying the adaptations of ungulates to different habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien J. Chebii
- School of Life Science and Bioengineering, Nelson Mandela Africa Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania;
- Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa, International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya;
| | - Emmanuel A. Mpolya
- School of Life Science and Bioengineering, Nelson Mandela Africa Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania;
| | - Farai C. Muchadeyi
- Agricultural Research Council Biotechnology Platform (ARC-BTP), Private Bag X5, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa;
| | - Jean-Baka Domelevo Entfellner
- Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa, International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya;
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