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Ye D, Ding X, Pang S, Gan Y, Li Z, Gan Q, Fang S. Seasonal Variations in Production Performance, Health Status, and Gut Microbiota of Meat Rabbit Reared in Semi-Confined Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2023; 14:113. [PMID: 38200844 PMCID: PMC10778228 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010113] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the variations in production performance, health status, and gut microbiota of meat rabbits raised in the semi-confined barn during summer and winter. Compared to summer, rabbits reared in winter possessed significantly higher slaughter weight and carcass weight. Rabbits fed in the summer were more vulnerable to different stressors, which led to increased protein levels of HSP90, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, and concentrations of MDA, but declined GSH and SOD activities. Additionally, significant differences in gut microbial communities were observed. Compared to the winter, rabbits fed in the summer had significantly lower and higher alpha and beta diversity. Both Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobiota were the dominant phyla, and they accounted for greater proportions in the winter than in the summer. At lower microbial taxa levels, several seasonal differentially enriched microbes were identified, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, the Oscillospiraceae NK4A214 group, the Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Alistipes, and Muribaculaceae. Functional capacities linked to microbial proliferation, nutrient metabolism, and environmental adaptive responses exhibited significantly different abundances between summer and winter. Moreover, strong interactions among different indicators were presented. Based on our findings, we not only proposed several potential strategies to ameliorate the undesirable effects of seasonal changes on the productivity and health of meat rabbits but also underscored the directions for future mechanistic studies of adaptation physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingcheng Ye
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Fujian Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350013, China;
| | - Xiaoning Ding
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (X.D.); (S.P.); (Y.G.); (Z.L.)
| | - Shuo Pang
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (X.D.); (S.P.); (Y.G.); (Z.L.)
| | - Yating Gan
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (X.D.); (S.P.); (Y.G.); (Z.L.)
| | - Zhechen Li
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (X.D.); (S.P.); (Y.G.); (Z.L.)
| | - Qianfu Gan
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (X.D.); (S.P.); (Y.G.); (Z.L.)
| | - Shaoming Fang
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (X.D.); (S.P.); (Y.G.); (Z.L.)
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Bessei W, Tetens J, Bennewitz J, Falker-Gieske C, Hofmann T, Piepho HP. Disturbed circadian rhythm of locomotor activity of pullets is related to feather pecking in laying hens. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102548. [PMID: 36907128 PMCID: PMC10024181 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102548] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Various aspects of activity, such as spontaneous activity, explorative activity, activity in open-field tests, and hyperactivity syndrome have been explored as causal factors of feather pecking in laying hens, with no clear results. In all previous studies, mean values of activity over different time intervals were used as criteria. Incidental observation of alternated oviposition time in lines selected for high (HFP) and low feather pecking (LFP), supported by a recent study which showed differentially expressed genes related to the circadian clock in the same lines, led to the hypothesis that feather pecking may be related to a disturbed diurnal activity rhythm. Hence activity recordings of a previous generation of these lines have been reanalyzed. Data sets of a total of 682 pullets of 3 subsequent hatches of HFP, LFP, and an unselected control line (CONTR) were used. Locomotor activity was recorded in pullets housed in groups of mixed lines in a deep litter pen on 7 consecutive 13-h light phases, using a radio-frequency identification antenna system. The number of approaches to the antenna system was recorded as a measure of locomotor activity and analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model including hatch, line, time of day and the interactions of hatch × time of day and line × time of day as fixed effects. Significant effects were found for time and the interaction line × time of day but not for line. All lines showed a bimodal pattern of diurnal activity. The peak activity of the HFP in the morning was lower than that of the LFP and CONTR. In the afternoon peak all lines differed with the highest mean in the LFP followed by CONTR and HFP. The present results provide support for the hypothesis that a disturbed circadian clock plays a role in the development of feather pecking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Bessei
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 17, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Jens Tetens
- Department of Animal Sciences, Georg-August-University, Burckhardtweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jörn Bennewitz
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 17, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Clemens Falker-Gieske
- Department of Animal Sciences, Georg-August-University, Burckhardtweg 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tanja Hofmann
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 17, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Piepho
- Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 23, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
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Zhang Y, Li Y, Yuan Y, Wang J, Zhang S, Zhu R, Wang Y, Wu Y, Liao X, Mi J. Reducing light exposure enhances the circadian rhythm of the biological clock through interactions with the gut microbiota. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:160041. [PMID: 36356756 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Light mainly synergistically regulates the central biological clock system. In farming, long-term light exposure may induce metabolic disorders and increase the load on the liver in laying hens. In contrast, intermittent photoperiods can reduce light exposure and increase rest time to improve the health of laying hens. The circadian rhythms of gut microbes are essential for the health of the host. However, the circadian rhythms of gut microbes and how those microbes interact with the host under intermittent photoperiods are not clear. We used laying hens as a model to evaluate the circadian rhythms of gut microbes and biological clock genes under different intermittent photoperiods. Intermittent photoperiod 1 (IP1, 16 [3 h -L/1 h -D]: 8 D) enhanced the circadian rhythms of cBmal1, cBmal2, cCry1, and cCry2 in the hypothalamus and increased the expression of cClock, cBmal1, and cCry2 in the liver and seven clock genes in the cecal wall. The intermittent photoperiod also significantly altered the composition and metabolic function of the cecal microbiota via the melatonin pathway. The concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the abundance of SCFA-producing genera such as Odoribacter significantly increased under the IP1 treatment and might have further fed back into and strengthened the peripheral and central rhythms by activating the SCFA receptor gene pathway in cecal wall. These findings clarify the mediation mechanisms for the circadian rhythms of the central circadian clock and highlight the role of intermittent photoperiod-induced regulation of the interaction between the host clock and the cecal microbial community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yong Li
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yilin Yuan
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jun Wang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shiyu Zhang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Run Zhu
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yan Wang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Livestock Breeding, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yinbao Wu
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Livestock Breeding, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xindi Liao
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Livestock Breeding, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Jiandui Mi
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Livestock Breeding, Guangzhou 510642, China; State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
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Zhang Y, Zhang S, Yuan Y, Li Y, Zhu R, Yang Y, Xing S, Wang Y, Wu Y, Liao X, Mi J. Metagenomic assembly reveals the circadian oscillations of the microbiome and antibiotic resistance genes in a model of laying hens. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 836:155692. [PMID: 35525356 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The increasing risks of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in livestock feces have attracted global attention. However, how the rhythmic activity of ARGs changes in fecal microbiota remains largely unclear. In our study, we collected 52 fresh fecal samples every 6 h over 72 h from laying hens and characterized circadian oscillations of bacteria and ARGs using an approach based on assembled metagenome shotgun sequencing. We found that 14% of commensal bacterial taxonomic units fluctuated over 24 h. A total of 33 out of 281 ARGs and 17 of 574 mobile genetic elements (MGEs) featured rhythmic patterns in feces. lnuC and ANT(6)H-lb were the two most abundant ARGs with circadian oscillation identified from feces, and they increased during the day and decreased at night. Acetate, butyrate, propionate, and 78 out of 392 MetaCyc pathways relating to short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolism featured circadian oscillations. Assessment of the above ARG-other element connections revealed that 17 ARGs presented strong correlations with 7 MGEs, and 2 SCFAs (acetate and propanoate) and bacterial species in feces. Structural equation model (SEM) analysis showed that ARGs were directly affected by microbial β-diversity and MGEs. These results showed a comprehensive map of ARGs over 24 h and revealed circadian oscillations of ARGs, which are influenced by key bacterial species, MGEs, and metabolites. Together, our findings advance comprehension of circadian oscillations of ARGs in the fecal microbiota and provide a reference for ARGs control and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shiyu Zhang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yilin Yuan
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yong Li
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Run Zhu
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yiwen Yang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Sicheng Xing
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yinbao Wu
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xindi Liao
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Jiandui Mi
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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