Yong Long’s research while affiliated with Suranaree University of Technology and other places

This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary soybean oil and probiotics on goat meat quality, total conjugated linoleic acids (TCLA) concentration, and nutritional quality indicators of goats. Thirty‐six male crossbred goats (Anglo‐Nubian♂× Thai native♀), weighing 18.3 ± 2.7 kg, were selected and randomly assigned to six groups in a 2 × 3 factorial design, with six replicates per group. The soybean oil supplementation levels were 25 and 50 g/kg, while the probiotic supplementation levels were 0, 2.5, and 5.0 g/h/day. The results showed that supplementing the diet with 50 g/kg soybean oil significantly improved the average daily gain (ADG) (p = 0.02) and carcass yield (p = 0.05), while reducing the feed conversion ratio (p = 0.05). Additionally, the addition of 2.5 g/h/day of probiotics significantly increased dry matter intake (p(L) = 0.05, p(Q) = 0.03). Notably, supplementation with 50 g/kg soybean oil reduced the Warner–Bratzler shear force (p = 0.05) and a* (p = 0.01) values of the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum. However, 2.5 g/h/day of probiotics significantly improved (p(L) = 0.01, p(Q) = 0.04) the a* value of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum. Soybean oil supplementation at 50 g/kg increased the ether extract composition of Biceps brachii (p = 0.05) and Semimembranosus (p = 0.05). Additionally, it significantly increased TCLA content (p < 0.01) and reduced the n−6/n−3 ratio (p < 0.01). Interestingly, the supplementation of 5.0 g/h/day probiotics significantly reduced the thrombogenic index (p = 0.03). Moreover, supplementing with 50 g/kg soybean oil (p = 0.03) and 5.0 g/h/day probiotics significantly improved the nutritive value index of goat muscle. Collectively, the findings suggest that the optimal supplementation levels of probiotics and soybean oil are 2.5 g/h/day and 50 g/kg, respectively. These levels have a more pronounced effect on improving the growth performance of growing goats, increasing CLA content, and enhancing meat quality.

This study aimed to reveal the effect of traditional Chinese herbal medicine residues (TCHMR) on growth performance, hematology, ruminal microbiota, and economic benefits of Guizhou black male goats through the fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) diet technique. A total of 22 Guizhou black male goats with an initial weight of 21.77 ± 0.85 kg were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 11), with 11 goats in each group. The control group (CON) was fed a traditional total mixed ration (TMR) diet without the TCHMR. The TCHMR group was fed an FTMR diet containing 40%TCHMR. Compared with the CON group, the results showed that the incorporation of TCHMR into goat diets reduced feeding costs and Feed conversion ratio (FCR). On the contrary, it improved (P < 0.01) feed quality, apparent digestibility of Dry matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP), Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), average daily gain (ADG), and dry matter intake. Interestingly, TCHMR also reduced (P < 0.01) acetate levels in the rumen of goats. Supplementally, TCHMR significantly increased (P < 0.01) the levels of GH, IgM, IgA (p < 0.05), and IFN-γ (P < 0.05), while significantly reducing (P < 0.01) the levels of IL-6, ALT, and AST in serum. Notably, at the phylum level, TCHMR significantly reduced (P < 0.01) the abundance of Bacteroidota and increased (P < 0.01) the abundance of Firmicutes. Moreover. at the genus level, TCHMR significantly reduced (P < 0.01) the abundance of Prevotella, F082, and Bacteroidales_RF16_group, while Muribaculaceae, Proteus, Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group, and Ruminococcus were increased (P < 0.01). In conclusion, our current findings indicated that 40% TCHMR improved feed quality and the apparent digestibility of nutrients. Additionally, 40% TCHMR improved the growth performance and immunity of Guizhou black male goats, while also reorganizing the composition of ruminal microbiota. So far, under the conditions of this experiment, we have not found any negative effects of 40% TCHMR on goats. This study will be a new idea for developing feed resources, which will reduce environmental pollution and the cost of animal husbandry.

The aim of this study is to explore the genetic characteristics of Guizhou Black goats and Meigu goats and their relationship to reproductive performance through population structure analysis, genetic diversity assessment, and selection signal analysis. Blood samples of 19 Guizhou Black goats and 11 Meigu goats were collected for whole-genome high-throughput sequencing. Using PCA and ADMIXTURE analyses, their population structure and genetic relationships were revealed. Further genetic diversity analysis showed that although there is significant population differentiation, the levels of genetic diversity are similar. Subsequently, these goats were categorized into high-yield and low-yield groups based on their litter sizes, with 15 goats in each group. Then, a selection signal analysis was performed using FST and π ratios for 33,563 SNP loci. The results identified six candidate genes, including KCNIP4, GFRA2, and DGKH, which are significantly associated with high litter performance. These findings enhanced our understanding of the genetic characteristics and population structure of Guizhou Black goats and Meigu goats. Moreover, they provide an important theoretical foundation and scientific basis for further breeding improvements.

The black soldier fly larvae (BSF) are used as a substitute for soybean meal due to their high crude protein content. This experiment aims to assess the impact of heat treatment on the rumen degradability of BSF and protein digestion in the small intestine using the in situ nylon bag method and the three-step in vitro method. This study comprises a total of 8 groups (n = 6). The negative control group includes only full-fat soybeans (FFS) and BSF (FF group and BS group). The positive control groups consist of a 95% BSF or 95% FFS mixed with 5% cassava (FFC and BSC groups). The treatment groups involve adding 75% water to the positive control mixture, followed by vigorous kneading to achieve uniform mixing. The resulting mixture was then pressed to a thickness of approximately 5 cm, placed in an oven, and dried for 120 min at temperatures of 120 °C and 140 °C (12FFC, 14FFC, 12BSC, and 14BSC groups). Nylon bags will be incubated in the rumen for 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h, and the small intestine protein digestion rate will be analyzed at 16 h. Compared to the BS group, heat-treated BSF showed increased (P < 0.05) rumen DM degradability and effective degradability. The 14BSC group increased (P < 0.05) rumen CP degradability and degradation kinetic parameters, while the 12BSC group decreased (P < 0.05) these parameters. The CP degradability of BSF was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of full-fat soybeans. The Idg and IDCP of heat-treated full-fat soybeans were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of other treatment groups. At the same time, heat treatment was beneficial for increasing (P < 0.05) the Idg and IDCP of BSF, and the 14BSC treatment effect was significantly better (P < 0.05) than that of the 12BSC group. Therefore, based on the results of this experiment, it is recommended to supplement BSF with cassava and subject them to heat treatment at 140 °C.

Objective: Black soldier fly (BSF) as an animal protein feed source is currently becoming a research hot topic. This study investigated the effects of the BSF as a protein feed source for goats on slaughter performance, muscle nutrient composition, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and antioxidant levels. Methods: Thirty Qianbei Ma goats (20.30 ± 1.09 kg) were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (GRPC) supplemented with 10% full-fat soybean, treatment 1 (GRPU) supplemented with 10% untreated BSF, and treatment 2 (GRPT) supplemented with 10% heat-treated BSF. One-way ANOVA among groups (with Fisher's least significant difference (LSD) post hoc comparison) was used in this study. Results: The nutrients, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and antioxidants in muscle were analyzed. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the moisture, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash, amino acids, and mineral content of the muscles among the three feeding groups. The slaughter rate and carcass weight of the GRPU and GRPT groups were significantly lower (p<0.05). The overall meat quality of the GRPU and GRPT groups decreased (p<0.05). The individual unsaturated fatty acids and total unsaturated fatty acids in the GRPU group were higher (p<0.05) than those in the GRPC and GRPT groups. Both GRPU and GRPT decreased (p<0.05) the antioxidant capacity of the meat. Conclusion: Therefore, the heat-treated BSF had a better effect on meat quality compared to untreated BSF, but there were greater negative effects on the meat quality of GRPU and GRPT than GRPC.

Lycopene is a kind of natural carotenoid that could achieve antioxidant, anti-cancer, lipid-lowering and immune-improving effects by up-regulating or down-regulating genes related to antioxidant, anti-cancer, lipid-lowering and immunity. Furthermore, lycopene is natural, pollution-free, and has no toxic side effects. The application of lycopene in animal production has shown that it could improve livestock production performance, slaughter performance, immunity, antioxidant capacity, intestinal health, and meat quality. Therefore, lycopene as a new type of feed additive, has broader application prospects in many antibiotic-forbidden environments. This article serves as a reference for the use of lycopene as a health feed additive in animal production by going over its physical and chemical characteristics, antioxidant, lipid-lowering, anti-cancer, and application in animal production.

Introduction The primary objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of Flammulina velutipes mushroom residue (FVMR) in a fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) diet on the fattening effect and rumen microorganisms in Guizhou black male goats. Methods A total of 22 Guizhou black male goats were allocated into two groups using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) experimental design. The average initial weight was 22.41 ± 0.90 kg and with 11 goats in each group. The control group (group I) was fed the traditional fermentation total mixed ration (FTMR) diet without FVMR. Group II was fed the 30% FVMR in the FTMR diet. Results The results showed that compared with group I, the addition of FVMR in the goat diet could reduce the feed cost and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of group II (p < 0.01). Notably, the apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and dry matter (DM) were higher in group II (p < 0.01). The levels of growth hormone (GH), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) in group II were higher than that of group I (p < 0.01), which the level of glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (ALT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was noticeably lower than that of group I (p < 0.01). 30% FVMR in FTMR diets had no effect on rumen fermentation parameters and microbial composition at the phylum level of Guizhou black male goats (p > 0.05). However, at the genus level, the relative abundance of bacteroidal_bs11_gut_group, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Desulfovibrio in group II was lower than in group I (p < 0.05), and the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group was higher than in group I (p < 0.01). Discussion In conclusion, the results of the current study indicated that 30% FVMR in the FTMR diet improves rumen fermentation and rumen microbial composition in Guizhou black male goats, which improves growth performance, apparent digestibility, and immunity.

This study was conducted to examine the effect of a mulberry leaf total mixed ration (TMR) diet on growth performance, apparent digestibility, meat quality and the expression of related meat-quality genes (ADSL, H-FABP) in crossbred black goats. Forty-four Guizhou crossbred black goats (Nubian black goat ♂ × Guizhou black goat ♀), weighing 33.43 ± 0.55 kg, were chosen. The goats were randomly divided into four groups, with 11 test replicates in each group. Group I was the control group and fed with the traditional feeding method of roughage and concentrate supplement without adding mulberry leaf. Group II was fed with a 40% mulberry leaf pellet TMR diet. Group III was fed with a freshly processed 40% mulberry leaf TMR diet. Group IV was fed with a 40% mulberry leaf fermented total mixed rations (FTMR) diet. The results showed that the average daily gain (ADG) of group II was significantly higher than that of group I and III (p < 0.05). The apparent digestibility of group II of ether extract (EE) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was significantly higher than that of group I (p < 0.05), and the apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) was significantly higher than that of group I (p < 0.01). Compared with group I, meat in group II had lower meat color lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values (p < 0.01) in the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum. The shear force of group II was significantly lower than that of group I (p < 0.05). The total fatty acids (TFA) of group II was significantly higher than that of groups I and III (p < 0.05), but the total saturated fatty acids (SFA) of group II was significantly lower that than of group I (p < 0.01). Subsequently, the Unsaturated fatty acids (USFA), Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of group II were significantly higher than those in group I (p < 0.01). The contents of total amino acids (TAA), total essential amino acids (EAA), total non-essential amino acids (NEAA) and total of major fresh-tasting amino acids (DAA) of groups II, III and IV were significantly higher than those of group I (p < 0.05), as well as the contents of IMP (p < 0.01). The expression of the H-FABP gene in the arm triceps of group II was significantly higher than that of groups I, III and IV (p < 0.05). The expression of the ADSL gene in the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum and biceps femoris of group II was significantly higher than that of group I (p < 0.05). Collectively, the results of the current study indicated that the mulberry leaf TMR diet improved the growth performance, apparent digestibility and expression of related meat-quality master genes (ADSL, H-FABP) in crossbred black goats, which promoted the deposition of intramuscular fat (IMF) and inosinic acid (IMP) and improved the composition of fatty acids and amino acids in the muscles.