Black soldier fly: A new vista for livestock and poultry manure management

The corresponding author and editor express their thanks to Dr.Dave Mangindaan(Bina Nusantara University,Indonesia)forpointingoutthemisuse.

Transcriptome-based analysis of key signaling pathways affecting the formation of primordial germ cell in chickens

Bone morphogenetic protein 4(BMP4)can induce the formation of chicken primordial germ cells(PGCs)in vitro;however,its regulatory mechanism in poultry remains unknown.This study aimed to use RNA-seq to analyze PGCs in chicken embryos and iPGCs induced by BMP4 in vitro,clarify the internal regulatory factors of PGCs,analyze the mechanism of the formation of PGCs,and lay a theoretical foundation for the further optimization of PGCs induction systems.Embryonic stem cells(ESCs),PGCs and iPGCs induced by BMP4 in vitro were collected.The transcriptional maps of the three cell types were studied using RNA-seq.The results showed 6,142 genes differentially expressed between PGCs and iPGCs,of which 2,728 were upregulated in iPGCs and 3,414 were downregulated in iPGCs.Compared to that in ESCs,BMP4 was significantly upregulated in PGCs and iPGCs.KEGG results showed that both the TGF-βand Wnt signaling pathways were activated during the formation of PGCs in vitro and in vivo,and the activation was more significant during iPGCs induced by BMP4.The expression of Nodal,an inhibitory factor of TGF-βsignaling,was significantly decreased in PGCs and iPGCs,but was not expressed in iPGCs,which further supports our conclusion.Additionally,the Lysosome and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways were significantly enriched in PGCs and iPGCs,respectively.Further,transmission electron microscopy(TEM)results showed that the number of autolysosomes was significantly higher after the addition of BMP4,which is consistent with the KEGG results.Furthermore,the number of PGCs was significantly reduced after ATG14 was interfered in vivo and in vitro.In conclusion,this study screened out the key signaling pathways during the formation of PGCs,aiming to provide help for enriching the mechanism network regulating PGCs formation in chicken and laying a theoretical foundation for further improving the efficiency of inducing PGCs in vitro.

Black soldier fly:A new vista for livestock and poultry manure management

The number of intensive livestock and poultry farms is expected to increase substantially in future because of consumer demand.Unfortunately,such demand also results in a great deal of manure being generated,which threatens the environment if it is not properly managed.Concurrent developments in biotransformation of these wastes with the black soldier fly(BSF),Hermetia illucens(L.)(Diptera:Stratiomydiae),demonstrates such concerns can be abated,while also producing products(e.g.,protein,chitin,biodiesel,and fertilizer)of value.In this review,we analyzed the factors influencing black soldier fly larvae(BSFL)conversion processes,the role of microorganisms,and the mechanisms used by BSFL when converting livestock and poultry manure into these valuable products.The effects of BSFL conversion technology on reducing the hazards of such materials and their associated pathogens are reviewed,and the economics of livestock and poultry manure conversion by BSF larvae is discussed.

Bearing Capacity of Livestock and Poultry Breeding in Nanjing City Based on Planting-breeding Pattern

To assess the status of environmental beating capacity of livestock and poultry manure in Nanjing City, the environmental pollution warning value and environmental bearing potential of livestock and poultry manure in various districts of Nanjing were calculated according to livestock and poultry manure discharge coefticiem and manure content. The results showed that based on planting-breeding pattern, the livestock and poultry manure load in Nanjing City was 14.08 t/hm2 pig manure equivalent; the warning values of environmental bearing capacity of livestock and poultry breeding calculated by nitrogen and phosphor- us were 0.23 and 0.26, respectively, which were within the scope of environmental hearing capacity, with no threat to the environment. Under the premise of reasonable planing of livestock and poultry breeding and comprehensive utilization of manure, the environmental beating potential of livestock and poultry breed- ing in Nanjing City were 5. 667 3 million （nitrogen） and 11. 109 1 million （phosphorus） pigs equivalent, and there were nearly one third of bearing space more than the existing total breeding quantity.

Chronic heat stress induces renal fibrosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in laying hens

Background Heat stress in laying hens negatively affects egg production and shell quality by disrupting the homeo-stasis of plasma calcium and phosphorus levels.Although the kidney plays an important role in calcium and phos-phorus homeostasis,evidence regarding the effect of heat stress on renal injury in laying hens is yet to be elucidated.Therefore,the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic heat stress on renal damage in hens during laying periods.Methods A total of 16 white-leghorn laying hens(32 weeks old)were randomly assigned to two groups(n=8).One group was exposed to chronic heat stress(33°C for 4 weeks),whereas the other group was maintained at 24°C.Results Chronic heat exposure significantly increased plasma creatinine and decreased plasma albumin levels(P<0.05).Heat exposure also increased renal fibrosis and the transcription levels of fibrosis-related genes(COLA1A1,αSMA,and TGF-β)in the kidney.These results suggest that renal failure and fibrosis were induced by chronic heat exposure in laying hens.In addition,chronic heat exposure decreased ATP levels and mitochondrial DNA copy number(mtDNA-CN)in renal tissue,suggesting that renal mitochondrial dysfunction occurs under conditions of heat stress.Damaged mitochondria leak mtDNAs into the cytosol and mtDNA leakage may activate the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase(cGAS)stimulator of interferon genes(STING)signaling pathway.Our results showed that chronic heat exposure activated the cGAS-STING pathway as indicated by increased expression of MDA5,STING,IRF7,MAVS,and NF-κB levels.Furthermore,the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines(IL-12)and chemokines(CCL4 and CCL20)was upregulated in heat-stressed hens.Conclusions These results suggest that chronic heat exposure induces renal fibrosis and mitochondrial damage in laying hens.Mitochondrial damage by heat stress may activate the mtDNA-cGAS-STING signaling and cause subse-quent inflammation,which contributes to the progression of renal fibrosis and dysfunction.

Strategy for Industrial Development of SPF Chickens in China

SPF chickens and chicken embryos are indispensable raw materials for high-level research in fidds of biology, medicine and veterinary science, and pro- duction and identification of a variety of biological products for people, livestock and poultry. The paper analyzes the current development status of SPF chickens in China and issues in industrial development, and puts forward suggestions for healthy development of SPF chickens in future.

Correlation between Egg Production Traits and Broodiness Traits in Shiqiza,Langya and Luqin B2 Chickens

[ Objective] To investigate the relationship between the egg production traits and broodiness of Shiqiza, Langya and Luqin B2 chickens. E Method] Three chicken breeds, Shiqiza chickens （a breed preserved by Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences）, Langya chickens （a local breed in Shandong Province） and Luqin B2 chickens （a cultivated breed） were selected. Then their broodiness traits were observed and the egg productions were analyzed. Finally, the relationships between the egg production traits and broodiness were analyzed by SAS software. [ Result] The Shiqiza, Langya and Luqin B2. chickens were broody and their broodiness rate was 15.80%, 2.24% and 6.95%, respectively. Compared with the non-broody chickens, the egg productions of Shiqiza, Langya and Luqin B2 chickens were respectively decreased by 17.16%, 1.53% and 10.8% at the age of 43 weeks. The three breeds had significant differences in repeats of broody cycles （ P 〈 0.05）, and extremely significant differences in the broodiness duration, the the first day of broodiness, the age at the first egg, total amount of abnormal eggs and amount of double- yolked eggs （P 〈 0.01 ）. [Conclusion] The broodiness is a main factor affecting egg production traits. The degree of effects of broodiness on egg production traits is decreased successively in Shiqiza chicken, Luqin B2 chicken and Langya chicken.

Effects of Dietary Metabolizable Energy and Crude Protein Levels on Reproductive Performance of Magang Geese

[ Objective] To investigate the effects of different levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein on egg laying performance and hatch- ing efficiency in Magang geese. [Method] The healthy Magang geese at 2 years old were randomly assigned into four groups, group Ⅰ, group Ⅱ, group Ⅲ and control group. They were fed with diets at different levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein, and then their eggs were collect- ed and hatched. During the test, their health was observed, and the egg weight, egg yield and hatching rate were recorded. [ Result] The average egg laying rates and average egg weight were significantly higher in the group Ⅰ, group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ than in the control group. The hatchable egg rates and egg fertilization rates of the group Ⅰ, group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ were also increased, and significance was found between the group Ⅲ and the other group （P 〈 0.05）. The feed costs of the three test groups were lower than that of the control group, and the feed cost was higher in the group Ⅲ than that in the group Ⅰ and Ⅱ. [ Conclusion] The levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein in diet have significant effects on laying performance and hatching efficiency in Magang geese.

Conservation and Utilization of Germplasm Resources of Shandong Local Chickens

In this article, we reviewed the achievements of our team in genetic resource conservation and innovative use of Shandong local chicken breeds from the conservation, assessment on germplasm characteristics and breeding of Shandong local chickens, so as to provide a reference for further research and development of local chicken breeds.

Intraspecific Relationship of Sheep Based on Mitochondrial Cytochrome b Gene

[ Objective] To preliminarily explore the intraspecific relationship of sheep based on cytochrome b （ Cyt b） gene of mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA）. [Method] The Cyt b gene sequences in 112 sheep individuals of two local sheep breeds were amplified by PCR. Then the amplified products were digested with EcoR I and analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP）. [ Result] As many as 56 samples from Tan sheep and 56 samples from Wadi sheep were detected. The results showed that the amplified Cyt b gene in 51 individuals of Tan sheep had one EcoR I restriction site and no EcoR I restriction site in other five individuals, thus the Cyt b gene in Tan sheep showed two restriction morphs; the Cyt b gene in all 56 individuals of Wadi sheep had one EcoR I restriction site and showed one restriction morph. [ Conclusion] The polymorphism of mitochondrial Cyt b gene in Tan sheep and Wadi sheep is poor, and the Cyt b gene in sheep breeds is very conservative. Therefore, using Cyt b gene as gene marker to study the intraspecific relationship of sheep has some limitations.