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Simple Summary: Plumage color is one of the economic characteristics of poultry. The most common plumage colors in adult geese are white and grey, so research on goose plumage color is relatively scarce compared with the molecular basis of research on chicken plumage color inheritance. Nevertheless, whether the formation of a black phenotype on the Holdobaggy geese newborn dorsal plumage color is associated with gender needs further profound study. Our study researched the gender identification of the newborn Holdobaggy geese based on plumage color and the expression levels of relative genes for melanin, which offers a theoretical basis for gender identification. In production practice, we have found that the gray and black down on the backs of the Holdobaggy goslings is usually darker in females than in males. Melanin is the key pigment affecting the color of poultry plumage. Therefore, to determine whether the darkness of the dorsal plumage of the Holdobaggy goslings is related to sex, we study the melanin in the feather follicles of the dorsal skin during the embryonic period. The feather follicle structure and melanin distribution on the dorsal surface of the goose embryo is observed by HE staining and melanin-specific staining. The melanin content in the feather follicles of the dorsal skin of goslings is determined by ELISA. The results showed that the melanin content is higher in female geese than in males (p < 0.05). In addition, we also analyze the mRNA and protein expression levels of melanin-related genes (TYRP1 and ASIP) by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting analysis. The results show that the mRNA expression level of TYRP1 is significantly higher in the females' dorsal skin feather follicles (p < 0.05), while the mRNA expression level of ASIP is significantly higher in the dorsal skin feather follicles of male geese (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the difference between males and females in the color of the black feathers on the dorsal track of the Holdobaggy goslings is verified, and it is feasible to identify the sex by the initial plumage color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The health of Amphioctopus fangsiao, a species used in aquaculture or fish farming, can be greatly affected by infections. To understand how their immune system responds, we looked at the changes in their immune cells when exposed to substances that mimic these infections. By studying these responses, we were able to identify key parts of their immune system that change when faced with infection-causing threats. We also discovered important genes, including PKMYT1 (protein kinase, membrane associated tyrosine/threonine 1) and NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase), that play a crucial role in this response. Our study gives us a deeper understanding of the immune system of the Amphioctopus fangsiao. The primary influencer of aquaculture quality in Amphioctopus fangsiao is pathogen infection. Both lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) are recognized by the pattern recognition receptor (PRR) within immune cells, a system that frequently serves to emulate pathogen invasion. Hemolymph, which functions as a transport mechanism for immune cells, offers vital transcriptome information when A. fangsiao is exposed to pathogens, thereby contributing to our comprehension of the species' immune biological mechanisms. In this study, we conducted analyses of transcript profiles under the influence of LPS and Poly I:C within a 24 h period. Concurrently, we developed a Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to identify key modules and genes. Further, we carried out Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses to investigate the primary modular functions. Co-expression network analyses unveiled a series of immune response processes following pathogen stress, identifying several key modules and hub genes, including PKMYT1 and NAMPT. The invaluable genetic resources provided by our results aid our understanding of the immune response in A. fangsiao hemolymph and will further our exploration of the molecular mechanisms of pathogen infection in mollusks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: As a filter-feeding and sessile invertebrate living in estuaries and intertidal areas, Crassostrea gigas must cope with and adapt to a dynamic and changeable environment. Vibrio alginolyticus is a Gram-negative bacterium that is widespread in oceans and estuaries, and is one of the main Vibrio species that cause oyster disease. In this study, we used transcriptome sequencing to help us better understand how the giant oyster adapts to pathogen-rich environments. By focusing on the gills, which play a crucial role in the immune response, we aimed to shed light on the molecular processes underlying the interaction between the oyster and the pathogen. Over the years, oysters have faced recurring mass mortality issues during the summer breeding season, with Vibrio infection emerging as a significant contributing factor. Tubules of gill filaments were confirmed to be in the hematopoietic position in Crassostrea gigas, which produce hemocytes with immune defense capabilities. Additionally, the epithelial cells of oyster gills produce immune effectors to defend against pathogens. In light of this, we performed a transcriptome analysis of gill tissues obtained from C. gigas infected with Vibrio alginolyticus for 12 h and 48 h. Through this analysis, we identified 1024 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 12 h post-injection and 1079 DEGs at 48 h post-injection. Enrichment analysis of these DEGs revealed a significant association with immune-related Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. To further investigate the immune response, we constructed a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network using the DEGs enriched in immune-associated KEGG pathways. This network provided insights into the interactions and relationships among these genes, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of the innate immune defense mechanism in oyster gills. To ensure the accuracy of our findings, we validated 16 key genes using quantitative RT-PCR. Overall, this study represents the first exploration of the innate immune defense mechanism in oyster gills using a PPI network approach. The findings provide valuable insights for future research on oyster pathogen control and the development of oysters with enhanced antimicrobial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The cuttlefish, Sepia esculenta, is both a valuable economic resource and a creature of scientific interest. Our study investigated how changes in ocean salinity, a factor subject to environmental shifts, affect young, more responsive cuttlefish. We examined the gene expression of cuttlefish when exposed to lower levels of salinity. Using transcriptomic and enrichment analysis, we identified over a thousand genes that were differentially expressed under these circumstances. The images created from the results of these analyses can be used to visualize the content of the analyses. Interestingly, we discovered that low salinity could trigger harmful cell proliferation in juvenile cuttlefish, thus disrupting their normal functions. This information is valuable as it can inform potential measures to reduce the mortality rate of hatchling cuttlefish in artificially controlled conditions. Sepia esculenta is an economically important mollusk distributed in the coastal waters of China. Juveniles are more susceptible to stimulation by the external environment than mature individuals. The ocean salinity fluctuates due to environmental changes. However, there is a lack of research on the salinity adaptations of S. esculenta. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the differential expression of genes in S. esculenta larvae after stimulation by low salinity. RNA samples were sequenced and 1039 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Then, enrichment analysis was performed using the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Finally, a protein–protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed, and the functions of key genes in S. esculenta larvae after low-salinity stimulation were explored. We suggest that low salinity leads to an excess proliferation of cells in S. esculenta larvae that, in turn, affects normal physiological activities. The results of this study can aid in the artificial incubation of S. esculenta and reduce the mortality of larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Feather is one of the most valuable and economical products in goose farming and plays a crucial physiological role in birds. For avian biology and the poultry industry, it is essential to comprehend and regulate how skin and feather follicles develop during embryogenesis. This study showed that several key regulatory genes (FOXO3, CTGF, and PTCH1, among others) and miRNAs (miR-144-y) participated in the developmental process of the skin and feather follicles in Zhedong white goose. Our findings are particularly important because they will serve as a valuable resource for upcoming studies on down feathers in agricultural economic growth regarding complex molecular mechanisms and breeding techniques. Skin and feather follicle development are essential processes for goose embryonic growth. Transcriptome and next-generation sequencing (NGS) network analyses were performed to improve the genome of Zhedong White goose and discover the critical genes, miRNAs, and pathways involved in goose skin and feather follicle morphogenesis. Sequencing output generated 6,002,591,668 to 8,675,720,319 clean reads from fifteen libraries. There were 1234, 3024, 4416, and 5326 different genes showing differential expression in four stages, E10 vs. E13, E10 vs. E18, E10 vs. E23, and E10 vs. E28, respectively. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found to be implicated in multiple biological processes and pathways associated with feather growth and development, such as the Wnt signaling pathway, cell adhesion molecules, ECM–receptor interaction signaling pathways, and cell cycle and DNA replication pathways, according to functional analysis. In total, 8276 DEGs were assembled into twenty gene profiles with diverse expression patterns. The reliability of transcriptome results was verified by real-time quantitative PCR by selecting seven DEGs and five miRNAs. The localization of forkhead box O3 (FOXO3), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), protein parched homolog1 (PTCH1), and miR-144-y by in situ hybridization showed spatial-temporal expression patterns and that FOXO3 and miR-144-y have an antagonistic targeting relationship. The correlation coefficient of FOXO3 and miR-144-y was -0.948, showing a strong negative correlation. Dual-luciferase reporter assay results demonstrated that miR-144-y could bind to the expected location to suppress the expression of FOXO3, which supports that there is a targeting relationship between them. The detections in this report will provide critical insight into the complex molecular mechanisms and breeding practices underlying the developmental characteristics of skin and feather follicles in Zhedong white geese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]