Effects of Downregulation of Inhibin α Gene Expression on Apoptosis and Proliferation of Goose Granulosa Cells

Inhibin a is one of the candidate genes that control the ovulation in poultry. To study the genetic effects of inhibin a on apoptosis and proliferation of goose granulosa cells cultured in vitro, two RNA interference （RNAi） expression vectors, psiRNA-INHal and psiRNA-INHα2, were constructed to knock down inhibin α gene expression. After 48 h of transfection, the efficiency of these two RNAi expression vectors was examined by fluorescence microscopy. Meanwhile, inhibin protein expression levels, apoptosis indexes （AI） and proliferation indexes （PI） of granulosa cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. In addition, the supernatants were collected to assay the concentrations of estrogen （E2） and progesterone （P） by radioimmunoassay. The results showed that the expression level of inhibin a in the RNAi group were decreased 30%--40% than those in the control groups （P 〈0.05） and the apoptosis indexes and proliferation indexes in the RNAi groups were significantly higher than those in the control groups （P 〈0.05）. However, the E2 concentrations in the RNAi groups were lower than those in the control groups （P 〈0.05）. These results indicate that inhibin a has antagonistic effect on granulosa cell apoptosis.

Exploring the dynamic three-dimensional chromatin architecture and transcriptional landscape in goose liver tissues underlying metabolic adaptations induced by a high-fat diet

Background Goose, descendants of migratory ancestors, have undergone extensive selective breeding, resulting in their remarkable ability to accumulate fat in the liver and exhibit a high tolerance for significant energy intake. As a result, goose offers an excellent model for studying obesity, metabolic disorders, and liver diseases in mammals. Although the impact of the three-dimensional arrangement of chromatin within the cell nucleus on gene expression and transcriptional regulation is widely acknowledged, the precise functions of chromatin architecture reorganization during fat deposition in goose liver tissues still need to be fully comprehended.Results In this study, geese exhibited more pronounced changes in the liver index and triglyceride(TG) content following the consumption of the high-fat diet(HFD) than mice without significant signs of inflammation. Additionally, we performed comprehensive analyses on 10 goose liver tissues(5 HFD, 5 normal), including generating highresolution maps of chromatin architecture, conducting whole-genome gene expression profiling, and identifying H3K27ac peaks in the livers of geese and mice subjected to the HFD. Our results unveiled a multiscale restructuring of chromatin architecture, encompassing Compartment A/B, topologically associated domains, and interactions between promoters and enhancers. The dynamism of the three-dimensional genome architecture, prompted by the HFD, assumed a pivotal role in the transcriptional regulation of crucial genes. Furthermore, we identified genes that regulate chromatin conformation changes, contributing to the metabolic adaptation process of lipid deposition and hepatic fat changes in geese in response to excessive energy intake. Moreover, we conducted a cross-species analysis comparing geese and mice exposed to the HFD, revealing unique characteristics specific to the goose liver compared to a mouse. These chromatin conformation changes help elucidate the observed characteristics of fat deposition and hepatic fat regulation in geese under conditions of excessive energy intake.Conclusions We examined the dynamic modifications in three-dimensional chromatin architecture and gene expression induced by an HFD in goose liver tissues. We conducted a cross-species analysis comparing that of mice. Our results contribute significant insights into the chromatin architecture of goose liver tissues, offering a novel perspective for investigating mammal liver diseases.

5G Resource Allocation Using Feature Selection and Greylag Goose Optimization Algorithm

In the contemporary world of highly efficient technological development,fifth-generation technology(5G)is seen as a vital step forward with theoretical maximum download speeds of up to twenty gigabits per second(Gbps).As far as the current implementations are concerned,they are at the level of slightly below 1 Gbps,but this allowed a great leap forward from fourth generation technology(4G),as well as enabling significantly reduced latency,making 5G an absolute necessity for applications such as gaming,virtual conferencing,and other interactive electronic processes.Prospects of this change are not limited to connectivity alone;it urges operators to refine their business strategies and offers users better and improved digital solutions.An essential factor is optimization and the application of artificial intelligence throughout the general arrangement of intricate and detailed 5G lines.Integrating Binary Greylag Goose Optimization(bGGO)to achieve a significant reduction in the feature set while maintaining or improving model performance,leading to more efficient and effective 5G network management,and Greylag Goose Optimization(GGO)increases the efficiency of the machine learningmodels.Thus,the model performs and yields more accurate results.This work proposes a new method to schedule the resources in the next generation,5G,based on a feature selection using GGO and a regression model that is an ensemble of K-Nearest Neighbors(KNN),Gradient Boosting,and Extra Trees algorithms.The ensemble model shows better prediction performance with the coefficient of determination R squared value equal to.99348.The proposed framework is supported by several Statistical analyses,such as theWilcoxon signed-rank test.Some of the benefits of this study are the introduction of new efficient optimization algorithms,the selection of features and more reliable ensemble models which improve the efficiency of 5G technology.

Cloning and Bioinformatics Analysis of Interleukin-2 of Sichuan White Goose

[Objective] The study aimed to clone interleukin-2(IL-2) gene from Sichuan white goose. [Method] Based on the IL-2 gene of duck accessed in GenBank, a pair of primers was designed for cloning IL-2 gene from total RNA of peripheral blood lymphocytes of Sichuan white goose stimulated by ConA via RT-PCR technology. The yielded fragment was sequenced for bioinformatics analysis. [Result] The full length of IL-2 gene of Sichuan white goose is 468 bp that contains a 441 bp open reading frame(ORF), encoding 146 amino acid residues. Bioinformatics analysis shows that the amino acid sequence of IL-2 gene of Sichuan white goose contains four phosphorylation sites, a glycosylation site and a signal peptide with 21 amino acid residues. Homologies of IL-2 nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence between Sichuan white goose and duck, chicken, turkey are 92.7%, 77.5%, 78.2% and 85.8%, 65.5%, 64.1%, respectively. By contrast IL-2 nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence between Sichuan white goose and mammalian and rodents such as human, monkey, rat, bovine, horse, pig, cat, mouse, rabbit and deer, are all less than 45% and 28%, respectively. [Conclusion] The IL-2 gene of Sichuan white goose has closer genetic relationship with those of chicken and duck.

Habitat utilization and resource partitioning of wintering Hooded Cranes and three goose species at Shengjin Lake

The loss and degradation of wetlands have adversely affected waterbirds, which depend on wetland habitats. Interspecific competition has an important effect on habitat utilization of wintering waterbirds. Resource utilization, including partitioning, in degraded wetlands has become a hot issue in ecological studies of wintering waterbirds. In order to have an insight into the habitat utilization and resource partitioning between a Hooded Crane(Grus monacha) population and the guild of three goose species, i.e., Anser fabalis, A. albifrons and A. erythropus wintering in lake wetlands, we carried out a study at Shengjin Lake National Nature Reserve from November 2011 to April 2012. We surveyed the Hooded Cranes and goose guild foraging in various habitats during the wintering periods with a combined method of fixed route searching and fixed site observations. Resource partitioning was studied by means of calculating habitat utilization rates and the width and overlap of spatial niches. The results showed that the habitat utilization rate and the width of spatial niches of the Hooded Crane population and goose guild shifted with the season. The habitat utilization rates of the cranes in grasslands were high at all three wintering stages. The habitat utilization rates were 0.454, 0.435 and 0.959 respectively for the Hooded Cranes and 0.627, 0.491 and 0.616 for the goose guild. This suggests that the overlap in grasslands was higher between cranes and goose guild. Most habitats were accessible at the middle stage, so the width of the spatial niche of the cranes(1.099) and goose guild(1.133) both reached their peak at this stage. The greatest niche overlap was 0.914 for these two groups at the late stage, followed by 0.906 at the middle stage and the smallest was 0.854 at the early stage. Ecological response to the changes in habitats of wintering waterbirds was clearly shown in the dynamic variations of the niche of both the Hooded Cranes and the three goose species. Coexistence among waterbirds was achieved by regulation of niche width to reduce niche overlap and relieve interspecific resource partitioning.

Cloning and Sequence Analysis of HN and F Protein Genes from a Strain of Goose Paramyxovirus

[ Objective] The study was to clone HN and F genes from GX1 strain of goose paramyxovirus and analyze their sequences. [ Method] According to the full nucleotide sequence of GPV-SF02 strain of goose paramyxovirus, two pairs of pdmers were designed to amplify the HN and F genes from GX1 strain of goose paramyxovirus isolated from diseased goose in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; the amplified products were ligated into pMD18-T vector and sequenced. [ Result ] HN and F genes of this strain tested were 1 716 and 1 662 bp in full nucleotide length, respectively; both showed the homologues of about 97.3% with GPV- SF02 strain, of 80.3% -97.5% with strains LaSota, F48E9 and JS, of just 84.8% with Miyadera strain. [ Conclusion] The results show that isolated strain BX1 matches to virulent APMV-1 strain, belonging to genotype Ⅶ of APMV-1 strain.

Gene Expression Profile of IGF-Ⅰ mRNA and Its Correlation with Body Weight in Different Goose Breeds

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the expression of IGF-I mRNA in breast and leg muscles of goose at the embryonic period and early growth stage, as well as the correlations between IGF-I mRNA expression and goose body weight. [Method] The expression of IGF-I mRNA in breast and leg muscles of 23, 25, 27, 29-embryo days and 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 week old geese of Taihu and Wanxi breeds was analyzed with multiplex competitive fluorescent-PCR method. [Result] Goose IGF-I mRNA was detected in breast and leg muscles of 23-embryo days of the both goose breeds. There were some differences in the IGF-I mRNA expression profiles between the two goose breeds during development stage. The body weight of Taihu goose was positively related with the IGF-I mRNA expression in leg muscle, and the body weight of Wanxi goose was positively related with IGF-I mRNA level in breast muscle. [Conclusion] IGF-I mRNA in the muscle of goose might play an important role in early development stage.

Expression of GHR, IGF-I, IGF-IR and IGFBP-3 Genes in Leg Muscles of Taihu Goose and Wanxi White Goose and Correlation between Their Expression and Carcass Traits

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effects of IGFs system on the growth of goose skeletal muscles. [Method] Quantitative fluorescence PCR technique was adopted to study the variety- and gender-specificity in the expression of GHR, IGF-I, IGF-IR and IGFBP-3 genes in leg muscles of 70-day-old Taihu goose and Wanxi white goose, and the correlation between their expression and carcass traits was also investigated. [Resull] There was no variety difference in the expression of GHR, IGF-t, IGF-IR and IGFBP-3 genes in leg muscles of Taihu goose and Wanxi white goose, but there were significant variety differences in the body weight and leg muscle weight. There were no gender difference in the body weight, leg muscle weight and the rate of leg muscles; except IGF-I mRNA level that was significantly higher in male Taihu goose than in female ones（P=0.032）, there was no gender dif- ference in the expression of other three genes. Among the four tested genes, only IGFBP-3 mRNA exhibited an extremely significantly positively correlation with the rate of leg muscles, suggesting that IGFs may play a role in regulating the growth of leg muscles via IGFBP-3 system in 70-day-old goose. [Conclusion] This study provides theoretical basis for research in the skeletal growth and development.

基于GOOSE通信的城市轨道交通直流牵引供电系统双边联跳与自愈方案

[目的]城市轨道交通直流牵引供电系统的结构复杂且无备用,一旦故障将直接引发停车事故。针对传统牵引供电系统双边联跳方案在实际工程中暴露出的不足,以及直流牵引供电系统智能化程度较低的现状,需研究出利用智能化手段提高直流牵引供电系统双边联跳可靠性的方案。[方法]提出了一种基于GOOSE(面向通用对象的变电站事件)通信的直流牵引供电系统双边联跳与自愈方案。该方案在直流牵引供电系统内构建了GOOSE过程层通信网络,通过牵引变电所内及牵引变电所间各类信息的快速实时交换实现了直流牵引供电系统的双边联跳与自愈重构。对所提出的方案进行了实验室模拟与现场验证。[结果及结论]基于GOOSE通信的城市轨道交通直流牵引供电系统双边联跳与自愈方案具有更高的可靠性与实时性,且方案智能化程度较高,可进行推广应用。

Development of Double Antibody Sandwich ELISA for Detection of Duck or Goose Flavivirus

In order to establish double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （DAS-ELISA） for detection of duck or goose flavivirus, polyclonal antibody against the flavivirus strain JS804 in geese and monoclonal antibody against the E protein of flavivirus strain JS804 in geese were used as the capture antibody and detection antibody, respectively. The optimal dilution of the capture antibody and detecting antibody capable of detecting the flavivirus strain JS804 in geese were 1：3 200 and 1：160 in the check-board titration, respectively. The reaction time of sample was 1 h, and the optimal working dilution of HRP-labeled goat-anti-mouse IgG was 1：10 000. The positive standard value was 0.247 （OD450.m）. The geese flavivirus could be detected at a minimal concentration of 1.875 μg mL^-1. The ELISA had no cross-reaction with Newcastle disease virus （NDV）, Avian influenza virus （AIV）, Infectious bronchitis virus （IBV）, Infectious bursal disease virus （IBDV）, Duck hepatitis virus （DHV）, and Gosling plague virus （GPV）. Twenty clinical samples were detected by the DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR respectively, with the agreement rate of 75%. The results revealed that the DAS-ELISA possessed favorable specificity and higher sensitivity, indicating a suitable method for rapid detection of the duck or goose flavivirus.

A potential distribution map of wintering Swan Goose(Anser cygnoides)in the middle and lower Yangtze River floodplain,China

Background: Reliable information on the distribution of target species and influencing environmental factors is essential for effective conservation management. However, ecologists have often derived data from costly field surveys. The Swan Goose(Anser cygnoides), a vulnerable Anatidae species, winters almost exclusively in China's Yangtze River floodplain, but wintering numbers have been steadily decreasing. To better safeguard this unique species, modern modeling approaches can be used to quantify and predict its suitable wintering habitat. Specifically, a potential wintering distribution map of this species is critically important.Methods: This study used the maximum entropy approach to model a distribution map of this species. In total, data from 97 up-to-date sites were extracted from 1263 survey sites(excluding duplicate data). After eliminating spatial autocorrelation, 11 environmental variables, including factors related to climate, land structure, vegetation, and anthropogenic activities, were used for model prediction.Results: The prediction distribution map shows that the population has concentrated mainly in the boundary area of Anhui, Hubei, and Jiangxi provinces, especially along the Yangtze River. Modeling results suggest that areas within the middle and lower Yangtze River floodplain, such as those in Hunan and Hubei provinces and the eastern coastal area of Zhejiang Province, demonstrate a potential level of "medium" suitability for this species to winter.Conclusions: Results from this study provide fundamental information for the restoration and management of the Swan Goose. Our "visualized" potential distribution map can assist in planning optimal conservation strategies, and consequently may help to increase the number of wintering populations in China.

Cloning and Expression of C4B Gene in Siji Goose

[Objective] This study aimed to clone C4B gene in Siji goose and detect its expression level in different tissues. [Method] cDNA sequence of C4B gene was cloned with RACE-PCR method. Amino acid sequences in multiple species were aligned in GenBank, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed for homology analysis. [Result] C4B gene in Siji goose shared relatively high homology with chicken and quail; Siji goose C4B gene was expressed highly in liver and lung of adult geese and expressed lowly in epididymis, seminiferous duct, brain, kidney, testis, heart, oviduct and smal intestine. [Conclusion] In the present study, mRNA expression lev-el of C4B gene in different tissues and organs of Siji goose was determined by flu-orescence quantitative PCR, which provided basis for rapid diagnosis of specific an-imal diseases.

Effect of Euchsaena mexicana Schrad Diets on Nutrient Digestibility and Nitrogen Metabolism for Wulong Goose

One trial was conducted to study nutrition digestibility of Euchsaena mexicana Schrad (EMC) diets for Wulong Goose. Thirty-two geese of 9 months old were selected and divided into four groups randomly, with eight geese in each group. Four groups were fed with the isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets of different EMC contents (12, 19, 25 and 31%), respectively. The results showed that, as dietary EMC increased, dry matter (DM) digestibility was decreased significantly, meanwhile the digestibility of crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) increased significantly (P<0.05). The ratio of apparent essential amino acid (EAA) digestibility (except Leu) among the four groups had significant difference (P<0.01). the content of NH3-N in feces dropped (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in net protein utilization (NPU), N apparent digestibility, N deposition and Ca apparent digestibility in different groups (P> 0.05). The apparent digestibility of P in different groups elevated, while there was significant difference between group D and A (P<0.01), and there was significant difference between group D and B (P<0.05).

Molecular cloning and expression patterns of the cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme(CYP11A1) gene during the reproductive cycle in goose(Anas cygnoides)

Background： CYP11A1, a gene belonging to the family 11 of cytochrome P450, encodes a crucial steroidogenic enzyme that catalyzes the initial step in the production of all classes of steroids. Many studies show that CYP11A1 plays a role in ovary function. However, the role of CYP11A1 in goose reproductive cycle remains largely unknown.Results： In this study, full-length CYP11A1 c DNA of Zhedong goose was obtained using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR） and rapid amplification of c DNA ends（RACE）. The c DNA consisted of a 96-base pair（bp） 5′untranslated region（UTR）, a 179-bp 3′UTR and a 1509-bp open reading frame. The open reading frame encodes a putative 503 amino acid protein that shares high homology with CYP11A1 of other birds. The amino acid sequence possesses conserved domains of the P450 superfamily, which include the steroid-binding domain and the heme-binding region. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（q PCR） analysis revealed CYP11A1 mR NA was expressed ubiquitously in every Zhedong goose tissue analyzed, including the heart, liver, glandular stomach,lung, spleen, kidney, intestinum tenue, intestinum crassum, cerebrum, cerebellum, muscle, oviduct, pituitary,hypothalamus and ovary.. The relatively low levels of CYP11A1 m RNA were detected in pituitary, ovary and oviduct tissues at ovulation when compared with levels at oviposition. Interestingly, higher expression was observed in ovary and oviduct tissues during brooding. Lastly, higher m RNA expression of Yangzhou geese was detected during the ovulation period than that of Zhedong geese.Conclusions： Our findings reveal the sequence characterization and expression patterns of the CYP11A1 gene during the goose reproductive cycle, which may provides correlative evidence that CYP11A1 expression is important in reproduction activity.

基于改进GOOSE算法的VMD体征信息研究

本文中依靠60 GHz调频连续波(FMCW)毫米波雷达,通过改进的GOOSE算法,在种群初始化阶段结合Tent混沌映射,在探索阶段运用Levy飞行策略提升算法的全局搜索能力。然后,通过改进的GOOSE算法去应用到变分模态分解(VMD)中,得到k和α最优值。对GOOSE算法的改进提高了呼吸心率的检测的精度。最后,该实验结果表明:利用改进的GOOSE优化算法对VMD算法进行参数自适应优化,通过对信号的重构后分析,有效地去除了噪声分量,提高了分解效率。

Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism in the MC4R Gene and Its Genetic Effects on Carcass and Feather-down Traits in Geese

Carcass,meat quality,and feather-down traits of 123 geese from an F_1 population of Wanxi White goose(male parent)and Sichuan White goose(female parent)were measured,and an additional 12 compound indices were constructed from the single traits,using factor analysis.The coding region of melanocortin receptor-4(MC4R)gene was amplified by PCR and the products were digested with four restriction endonucleases Hinf I,Ear I,Pst I,and Pvu II to detect restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP)in the MC4R gene,to analyze its associations with the traits.The only RFLP was exposed by digesting with Hinf I indicating two genotypes,HH and Hh,with frequencies of allele H and h being 0.8902 and 0.1098 in the F_1 population.Significant effects of genotype HH were found on carcass weight,eviscerated weight(with giblet),liver weight,heart weight,stomach percentage,abdominal fat percentage,breast muscle drip water loss and down proportion and many of the compound indices,and all genotypic contribution percentages(CP,genotypic effect on the population mean)were between-5%and 5%;effects of genotype Hh with the MC4R gene mutation,were not significant.Effects of genotype Hh were significant on two of the compound indices related to fat deposition:the fat index(CP=3.314%,P<0.05)and fatty acid quality(CP=1.218%,P<0.05).

Expression and Purification of Goose HSP70 and Compound Formation with Virus Polypeptide

The experiment was conducted to study the specific expression of HSP70 caused by heat shock, HSP70 purification and the characteristics of coalescence with antigenic peptide in the formation of the complex. Sixty healthy 6-week-old male Wulong geese were selected and randomly divided into three groups. The control group was slaughtered without heat treatment. Treatment group 1 was shocked with an acute heat treatment at （42 ± 1）℃ for 5 h before they were immediately slaughtered. Treatment group 2 was kept for 12 h after the heat treatment under normal conditions in order to recover and was then slaughtered. Cardiac tissue was taken in order to make paraffin sections for the immunohistochemistry experiment and the liver tissue was used to purify HSP70. The geese heart HSP70 expression differences in the three groups were determined and at the same time the experiments of HSP70 purification and appraisal in the liver tissue were carried on. HSP70 purification and synthesis of HBV PreS1 multi-peptides unified the complex, which was determined by bi-specific antibody enzyme-linked immune sandwich assay. The results indicated that widespread HSP70 positive pellets in the cardiac muscle were found under hot shock conditions. HSP70 expression in the treatment group 1 was centered in the karyotheca and its periphery, but in treatment group 2, it was centered in the surrounding cell membrane. The HSP70 purification could be obtained through two sets of purification plans; both the synthesis peptide and the HSP70 purification form the complex under certain conditions. The double antibody sandwich ELISA technique was applied to detect if the complex had been formed. Positive results showed that the complex was formed. The specific expression of HSP70 under heat shock shifted with time, suggesting that HSP70 possibly had some function in cell protection. High-purity HSP70 protein can be obtained under low-pressure chromatography conditions, and in comparison with each other, it was better in the flow of the molecular sieve preliminary separation, ConA-agarose chromatography and the ADP-agarose chromatography. Under certain condition in vitro, the synthetic peptide could combine with HSP70 to form the compound, thereby providing a further experimental foundation for the immunity function of the complex.

Effect of Different Ca and P Level on Early Growth of Fast-growth Lines of Wulong Goose

Two hundred and eighty-eight Wulong geese of fast-growth lines were selected to be fattened respectively in netting bed, then divided into eight groups with three replications in each group. The diets contained different contents of Ca and P to determine the best level for the early growth of Wulong goose. The result suggested that, during the early period, the proportion of Ca and NPP (non-Phytate Phosnhorus) had significant influence on its growth (P < 0.05), when the dietary level of Ca was 0.65% and NPP was 0.30% (the proportion of Ca and NPP was 2.17:1), the liveweight gain was higher, so were the eviscerated ratio and eviscerated weight with giblet ratio, feed/gain(F/G) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity at four weeks were lower. The Wulong goose grew well at the proportion between 1.88 : 1 and 2.50 : 1, and grew worst at 1.38 : 1.

Coarse Extraction and Identification of Non-specific Transfer Factors from Goose Spleens

[ Objective] To extract non-specific transfer factors （TFs） from goose spleens and to detect the activity of the extracts. [Methodl The non-specific TFs were extracted crudely from goose spleens using the dialysis method, and the effects of the extracts on immunity were studied. [ Result] The extracts of goose TFs were transparent, light yellow and non-toxic. The extracts were at pH 6.72 and did not contain higher molecular weight proteins. The concentration of minor polypeptides was 23.78 ug/ml. The results of immunization test showed that the level of antibodies was higher in the geese inoculated with the inactivated vaccine against infections serositis and the extracts of TFs than in the control geese injected with normal saline. In addition, the level of antibodies was significantly higher in the geese only inoculated with inactivated vaccine than in the control geese. The results showed that the extracts of TFs from goose spleens could enhance immunity to a certain extent. [ Conclusion] The study pro- vides a theoretical basis and technical reference for further researches on the biological activity of non-specific TFs from goose spleens as well as for application of the extracts.

Liver Lead Levels in Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) in a Wetland near the City of Durango, Mexico

The use of lead in ammunition for hunting exposes waterfowl to lead poisoning (plumbism) by accidental consumption of shotgun pellets. To test this hypothesis we sampled 18 liver tissue samples of Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) collected during the 2012-2013 hunting season in a wetland near the city of Durango, Mexico. We quantified liver lead levels using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and portions of liver were fixed and stained for their histological study. Average lead concentration (in dry weight) were under the normal range (mean = 0.73 ± 0.2, standard error) which do not represent any risk of poisoning. Liver tissue injuries were not observed in the histopathological analysis, suggesting no reaction to a xenobiotic agent such as lead. Gastrointestinal content analysis showed lead pellet in the gizzard of one individual, but we could not find a relationship between pellet ingestion and lead concentration in the liver. Although the results did not provide evidences of lethal or sublethal effects caused by lead poisoning, they show a possible risk due to the presence of lead pellets in the digestive tract.