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Tetraparvovirus is an emerging parvovirus infecting a variety of mammals and humans, and associated with human diseases including severe acute respiratory infection and acute encephalitis syndrome. In the present study, a Tetraparvovirus ungulate 1 (formerly known as bovine hokovirus) strain HNU-CBY-2023 was identified and characterized from diseased Chinese Simmental from Hunan province, China. The nearly complete genome of HNU-CBY-2023 is 5346 nt in size and showed genomic identities of 85-95.5% to the known Tetraparvovirus ungulate 1 strains from GenBank, indicating a rather genetic variation. Phylogenetic and genetic divergence analyses indicated that Tetraparvovirus ungulate 1 could be divided into two genotypes (I and II), and HNU-CBY-2023 was clustered into genotype II. This study, for the first time, identified Tetraparvovirus ungulate 1 from domestic cattle from mainland China, which will be helpful to understand the prevalence and genetic diversity of Tetraparvovirus ungulate 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qaidam cattle are a typical Chinese native breed inhabiting northwest China. They bear the characteristics of high cold and roughage tolerance, low‐oxygen adaptability and good meat quality. To analyze the genetic diversity of Qaidam cattle, 60 samples were sequenced using whole‐genome resequencing technology, along with 192 published sets of whole‐genome sequencing data of Indian indicine cattle, Chinese indicine cattle, North Chinese cattle breeds, East Asian taurine cattle, Eurasian taurine cattle and European taurine cattle as controls. It was found that Qaidam cattle have rich genetic diversity in Bos taurus, but the degree of inbreeding is also high, which needs further protection. The phylogenetic analysis, principal component analysis and ancestral component analysis showed that Qaidam cattle mainly originated from East Asian taurine cattle. Qaidam cattle had a closer genetic relationship with the North Chinese cattle breeds and the least differentiation from Mongolian cattle. Annotating the selection signals obtained by composite likelihood ratio, nucleotide diversity analysis, integrated haplotype score, genetic differentiation index, genetic diversity ratio and cross‐population extended haplotype homozygosity methods, several genes associated with immunity, reproduction, meat, milk, growth and adaptation showed strong selection signals. In general, this study provides genetic evidence for understanding the germplasm characteristics of Qaidam cattle. At the same time, it lays a foundation for the scientific and reasonable protection and utilization of genetic resources of Chinese local cattle breeds, which has great theoretical and practical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local species exhibit distinctive indigenous characteristics while showing unique productive and phenotypic traits. However, the advent of commercialization has posed a substantial threat to the survival of indigenous species. Anxi cattle, an endangered native breed in China, have evolved unique growth and reproductive characteristics in extreme desert and semidesert ecosystems. In this study, we conducted a genomic comparison of 10 Anxi cattle genomes with those of five other global populations/breeds to assess genetic diversity and identify candidate genomic regions in Anxi cattle. Population structure and genetic diversity analyses revealed that Anxi cattle are part of the East Asian cattle clade, exhibiting higher genetic diversity than commercial breeds. Through selective sweep analysis, we identified specific genetic variations linked to the environmental adaptability of Anxi cattle. Notably, we identified several candidate genes, including CERS3 involved in regulating skin permeability and antimicrobial functions, RBFOX2 associated with cardiac development, SLC16A7 participated in the regulation of pancreatic endocrine function, and SPATA3 related to reproduction. Our findings revealed the distinctive genomic features of Anxi cattle in dryland environments, provided invaluable insights for further research and breed preservation, and had important significance for enriching the domestic cattle breeding gene bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Bovine coronavirus (BCoV), bovine rotavirus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and bovine astrovirus are the most common intestinal pathogenic viruses causing diarrhea in cattle. BCoV was the major pathogen detected, with a positive rate of 34.02% (560/1646) from January 2020 to August 2023. The asymptomatic BCoV-infected rate (351/1646) was higher than the diarrhea BCoV-infected rate (209/1646). Studying the relevance of diarrhea associated with BCoV has shown that the onset of diarrheal symptoms post-infection is strongly correlated with the cattle's age and may also be related to the breed. One the other hand, we amplified and sequenced the hemagglutinin esterase (HE), spike protein, and whole genomes of the partially positive samples and obtained six complete HE sequences, seven complete spike sequences, and six whole genomes. The results of molecular characterization revealed that six strains were in the GⅡb subgroup, and HBSJZ2202 and JSYZ2209 had four amino acid insertions on HE. We also analyzed ORF1a and found disparities across various regions within GIIb, which were positioned on separate branches within the phylogenetic tree. This work provides data for further investigating the epidemiology of BCoV and for understanding and analyzing BCoV distribution and dynamics. Bovine coronavirus (BCoV), bovine rotavirus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and bovine astrovirus are the most common intestinal pathogenic viruses causing diarrhea in cattle. We collected 1646 bovine fecal samples from January 2020 to August 2023. BCoV was the major pathogen detected, with a positive rate of 34.02% (560/1646). Of the 670 diarrheal samples and 976 asymptomatic samples, 209 and 351 were BCoV-positive, respectively. Studying the relevance of diarrhea associated with BCoV has shown that the onset of diarrheal symptoms post-infection is strongly correlated with the cattle's age and may also be related to the breed. We amplified and sequenced the hemagglutinin esterase (HE), spike protein, and whole genomes of the partially positive samples and obtained six complete HE sequences, seven complete spike sequences, and six whole genomes. Molecular characterization revealed that six strains were branched Chinese strains, Japanese strains, and partial American strains from the GⅡb subgroup. Strains HBSJZ2202 and JSYZ2209 had four amino acid insertions on HE. We also analyzed ORF1a and found disparities across various regions within GIIb, which were positioned on separate branches within the phylogenetic tree. This work provides data for further investigating the epidemiology of BCoV and for understanding and analyzing BCoV distribution and dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fasciolosis is a disease caused by the genus Fasciola which attacks wild animals, livestock and humans. Molecular characterization of Fasciola sp. important for identifying the species Fasciola sp. The aim of this research was to analyze the characteristics of the worm Fasciola sp. molecularly on samples of cattle slaughtered at the Kediri City Slaughterhouse Regional Technical Implementation Unit. This research was carried out from January to February 2023. The samples were adult worms Fasciola sp. taken from one beef cattle and one dairy cattle. The PCR used is conventional PCR with primers from mitochondrial DNA genes. PCR products are passed to the sequencing stage. The PCR test results read on 2% agarose gel electrophoresis showed that the PCR product had high specificity, namely forming a single band at position 752 bp showed positive for F. gigantica. the results of the phylogenetic tree of Fasciola sp. with data in GenBank showing Fasciola sp. beef and dairy cattle isolates in Kediri City are closely related to Fasciola sp. dairy cattle isolate from China with Accession Number KF543343.1 and Fasciola sp. long-haired cattle (yak) isolate from China Accession Number MH621335.1. The existence of international livestock trade can result in the introduction of various diseases, one of which is Fasciolosis. Livestock import-export activities from China allow the introduction of Fasciola sp. to Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. China has a vast area across many temperature zones and a variety of cattle breeds. These cattle resources are ideal models to research their adaptability to the environment. The KRT38 gene is an acidic protein, and its coding product can be used as a component of hair production. Aims. The objective of this study was to investigate the diversity of the KRT38 gene in Chinese local cattle and the association of different genotypes with mean temperature, relative humidity and temperature humidity index. Methods. A missense mutation g.41650738 A > G in the KRT38 gene was screened from the database of bovine genomic variation (BGVD) and was genotyped in a total of 246 samples from 15 local cattle breeds in China by polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing. Finally, the correlation between the locus and the three climatic factors was analysed. Key results. We successfully obtained the frequency of this single-nucelotide polymorphism in three groups of cattle in northern, central and southern China. The frequency of allele A gradually declined from north to south, whereas the frequency of allele G showed the opposite trend with a clear geographic distribution. Conclusions. Our results indicate that KRT38 variation in Chinese indigenous cattle might be linked to heat tolerance. Implications. Our analysis may assist in determining the importance of the variation as a genetic signal for heat tolerance in cattle reproduction and genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Xinjiang Brown cattle are a famous dual-purpose (dairy-beef) cultivated breed in China that occupy a pivotal position within the cattle breeding industry in Xinjiang, China. However, little information is available on the genetic background of this breed. To fill this research gap, we conducted a whole-genome screen using specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing to examine the genetic structure and diversity of 130 Xinjiang Brown cattle-grazing type (XBG, traditional type) cattle. Methods: A subsequent joint analysis incorporating two ancestral breeds, specifically 19 Brown Swiss (BS) foreign and nine Kazakh (KZ) Chinese cattle, as well as 20 Xinjiang Brown cattle-housing type (XBH) cattle, was used to explore the genetic background of the Xinjiang Brown cattle. Results: The results showed that, after nearly a century of crossbreeding, XBG cattle formed a single population with a stable genetic performance. The genetic structure, genetic diversity, and selection signature analysis of the two ancestral types showed highly different results compared to that of XBH cattle. Local ancestry inference showed that the average proportions of XGB cattle within the BS and KZ cattle lineages were 37.22% and 62.78%, respectively, whereas the average proportions of XBH cattle within the BS and KZ cattle lineages were 95.14% and 4.86%, respectively. Thus, XGB cattle are more representative of all Xinjiang Brown cattle, in line with their breeding history, which involves crossbreeding. Two complementary approaches, fixation index and mean nucleotide diversity, were used to detect selection signals in the four aforementioned cattle breeds. Finally, the analysis of 26 candidate genes in Xinjiang Brown cattle revealed significant enrichment in 19 Gene Ontology terms, and seven candidate genes were enriched in three pathways related to disease resistance (CDH4, SIRPB1, and SIRPa) and the endocrine system (ADCY5, ABCC8, KCNJ11, and KCNMA1). Finally, development of the core SNPs in XBG cattle yielded 8,379 loci. Conclusion: The results of this study detail the evolutionary process of crossbreeding in Xinjiang Brown cattle and provide guidance for selecting and breeding new strains of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When given opportunities for personal glory in individual settings, people high in narcissism excel. However, less is known about narcissists' influence in team contexts. Across two studies (utilizing cross-sectional and two-wave longitudinal designs) involving 706 athletes from 68 teams in total, we tested a conceptual model linking narcissism to task cohesion, via intragroup conflict, moderated by narcissistic group composition. We tested a new sports-oriented measure of intragroup conflict using Bayesian estimation and evaluated our theorizing using a multilevel conditional indirect effect hybrid model. Across both studies, we found that narcissism influenced perceptions of task cohesion via process conflict only, with a negative influence at low narcissistic group composition that was weakened (Study 1) or nullified (Study 2) at high narcissistic team composition. Collectively, these findings offer the first example of how narcissism influences task cohesion in team settings and the contextual effects of narcissistic group composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive scale feeding of cattle and sheep in China co-exists with the traditional grazing mode. The traditional grazing mode is easily affected by climate, season and other factors, and the unstable forage supply and unbalanced feed nutrition become the restricting factors for the development of the cattle and sheep industry. The use of a total mixed diet can not only solve the problem of nutritional instability of cattle and sheep feed, improve production efficiency, but also make full use of agricultural and industrial by-products, protect the environment, and achieve green, healthy and sustainable development of the cattle and sheep industry. The paper reviews the research progress of the preparation principle and technology of total mixed diet and its effect on the production stage of cattle and sheep, aiming to provide a reference for the use of total mixed diet in the production of cattle and sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclement weather conditions, especially cold stress, have threatened the cattle industry. Cattle exposed to cold environments for a longer time suffer developmental delay, immunity decline, and eventually death. WNK1 is a member of With-no-lysine kinases (WNKs), widely expressed in animal organs and tissues. WNK1 and WNK4 are expressed in adipose tissue, and WNK4 promotes adipogenesis. WNK1 does not directly affect adipogenesis but has been shown to promote WNK4 expression in several tissues or organs. One missense mutation NC_037346.1:g.107692244, A > G, rs208265410 in the WNK1 gene was detected from the database of bovine genomic variation (BGVD). Here, we collected 328 individuals of 17 breeds representing four groups of Chinese cattle, northern group cattle, southern group cattle, central group cattle, and special group cattle (Tibetan cattle). We also collected the temperature and humidity data records from their relative locations. The frequencies of the G allele in Chinese breeds increased from northern China to southern China, and the frequencies of the A allele showed an opposite trend. Our results indicate that the WNK1 gene might be a candidate gene marker associated with cold tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The KRT77 gene is a type II epithelial cell α-keratin gene family member that plays a crucial role in animal epidermal and coat formation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the KRT77 gene and the adaptability of Chinese cattle in varying environments by exploring the distribution of an exon insertion of the KRT77 gene in different cattle populations. Our analysis involved amplifying and sequencing DNA samples from 362 individuals from 24 cattle breeds in China. Our findings reveal a gradual increase in the frequency of insertion from the northwest to the southeast population. We conducted an association analysis between the genotypes and climate data, revealing a correlation between the insertion and local annual mean temperature, relative humidity, and temperature humidity index. The study highlights the significance of the newly identified KRT77 gene insertion as a variation associated with environmental adaptation in Chinese cattle. This insertion variation increased insights into the genetic mechanisms that drive adaptation in Chinese cattle, emphasizing the importance of the 30-bp insertion in the KRT77 gene. Our findings facilitate further research to improve cattle breeding strategies for adaptability to changing environments from the northwest to the southeast population. In conclusion, this study provides value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Body measurement traits are integral in cattle production, serving as pivotal criteria for breeding selection. Wenshan cattle, a local breed in China’s Yunnan province, exhibit remarkable genetic diversity. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating body measurement traits in Wenshan cattle remain unexplored. Methods: In this study, we performed a genome-wide association method to identify genetic architecture for body height body length hip height back height (BAH), waist height and ischial tuberosity height using the Bovine 50 K single nucleotide polymorphism Array in 1060 Wenshan cattles. Results: This analysis reveals 8 significant SNPs identified through the mixed linear model (MLM), with 6 SNPs are associated with multiple traits and 4 SNPs are associated with all 6 traits. Furthermore, we pinpoint 21 candidate genes located in proximity to or within these significant SNPs. Among them, Scarb1, acetoacetyl-CoA synthetase and HIVEP3 were implicated in bone formation and rarely encountered in livestock body measurement traits, emerge as potential candidate genes regulating body measurement traits in Wenshan cattle. Discussion: This investigation provides valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms underpinning body measurement traits in this unique cattle breed, paving the way for further research in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily has been reported to play an important role in heat tolerance pathways. Based on the Bovine Genome Variation Database and Selective Signatures, a missense mutation (NC_037345.1: c.2237A > G: p. His746Arg) (rs209689836) was identified in the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 4 (TRPM4) gene, a member of the TRP family, corresponding to heat tolerance. Here, we explored the prevalence of this variant in 19 native Chinese cattle (comprised of 404 individuals) to determine its possible association with heat tolerance in Chinese cattle by using PCR and DNA sequencing. The distribution of alleles of NC_037345.1: c.2237A > G: p. His746Arg displays significant geographical differences across native Chinese cattle breeds, consistent with the distribution of indicine and taurine cattle in China. Additionally, the association analysis indicated that the G allele was significantly associated with mean annual temperature (T), relative humidity (RH) and temperature humidity index (THI) (p <.05), suggesting that cattle carrying allele G were distributed in regions with higher T, RH, and THI. In conclusion, our results suggested that the mutation of the TRPM4 gene in Chinese cattle might be a candidate locus associated with heat tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The meat production of beef cattle is a major economic factor that is closely linked to body conformation traits. Qinchuan cattle are a local breed in China with a unique flavor. However, meat production needs improvement compared to commercial breeds. In this study, we selected 254 individuals, measured 14 phenotypic data points, and used genome-wide association analysis to identify loci and genes closely related to these traits. In total, we identified 250 suggestive loci and 37 candidate genes. These genetic markers will aid in the exploration of traits for Qinchuan cattle and provide a reference for breeding. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) is an effective tool for identifying the dominant genes of complex economic traits in livestock by statistical analysis of genotype data and measured phenotype data. In this study, we rigorously measured 14 body conformation traits in 254 Qinchuan cattle, comprising body weight (BW), body height (BOH), back height (BAH), buttock height (BUH), chest depth (CD), chest width (CW), hip cross height (HCH), body length (BL), hip width (HW), rump length (RL), pin bone width (PBW), chest girth (CG), abdomen circumference (AG), and calf circumference (CC). After quality control, 281,889 SNPs were generated for GWAS with different traits. A total of 250 suggestive SNPs (p < 3.54 × 10−6) were screened and 37 candidate genes were annotated. Furthermore, we performed a linkage disequilibrium analysis of SNP loci and considered published studies, identifying the eight genes (ADAMTS17, ALDH1A3, CHSY1, MAGEL2, MEF2A, SYNM, CNTNAP5, and CTNNA3) most likely to be involved in growth traits. This study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of bovine body size development, which can be very useful in the development of management and breeding strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A meta‐analysis was performed to assess the effects of different regenerative technologies and materials on wound healing after surgical endodontic therapy and provide a reference for surgical endodontic treatment. We searched for studies on the use of regenerative technologies and materials in surgical endodontic therapy via PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data from the time of database creation to December 2022. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted information based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and evaluated the quality of the included studies. A meta‐analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4. The results showed that the use of regenerative technologies and materials significantly reduced wound healing failures (risk ratio [RR]: 0.30, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.22–0.40, p < 0.001). Moreover, autologous platelet concentrations (APCs) (RR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.15–0.53, p < 0.001) and collagen membrane plus bovine‐derived hydroxyapatite (RR: 0.27, 95% CI. 0.12–0.61, p = 0.002) were more effective in improving wound healing failure rates than collagen membrane alone (RR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.20–1.25, p = 0.140). Our findings showed that APCs, as well as collagen membrane plus bovine‐derived hydroxyapatite, significantly improved wound healing after surgical endodontic therapy. In contrast, collagen membrane alone did not significantly improve wound healing outcomes. However, currently available studies vary significantly in sample size and methodologies. Hence, high‐quality randomised controlled studies with large sample sizes are necessary to validate our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcocystis cruzi in cattle (Bos taurus) and Sarcocystis poephagicanis in yaks (Bos grunniens) are morphologically indistinguishable. However, the relationship between the two parasites is still unclear. Here, muscular tissues of the two species of domestic animal collected from abattoirs in China were examined for sarcocysts of S. cruzi and S. poephagicanis. The sarcocysts isolated from the samples were analyzed using light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and DNA analysis. Sarcocysts of S. cruzi and S. poephagicanis were found in 405 of 950 (42.6%) cattle and 304 of 320 (95.0%) yaks. LM and TEM showed that the sarcocysts of the two parasites had similar morphological characteristics. The thin-walled sarcocysts had hair-like protrusions on the surface. The ultrastructures were demonstrated to include a primary cyst wall containing irregularly folded, hirsute, or bone-like protrusions. Four genetic markers of the two parasites were sequenced and analyzed, namely, 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, mitochondrial cox1, and apicoplast rpl6. The sequences of the four loci had an interspecific similarity of 97.9–98.6%, 97.2–98.1%, 89.5–90.4%, and 96.9–97.2% identity, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis using 28S rDNA and cox1 sequences indicated that both S. cruzi and S. poephagicanis were placed into a group encompassing Sarcocystis spp. in ruminants with canid as known or putative definitive hosts. Sarcocystis cruzi and S. poephagicanis represent separate species, and cox1 and rpl6 were suitable for distinguishing between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cadmium is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant present in soil, which can be absorbed by plants, animals, and humans, causing tissue damage or dysfunction. Ruminants possess rumen microorganisms to establish tolerance against plant toxins. However, there are few studies describing the response of ruminants to cadmium accumulated in plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of feeding cadmium-accumulated maize on growth, gastrointestinal response, and microbial alterations in cattle. The results show that cadmium-accumulated maize promoted weight gain and feed efficiency and increased the abundance of short-chain fatty acid-related bacteria, but also had suppressive effects on gastrointestinal immune regulation at the genetic level. Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant, widely existing in soil, and can be absorbed and accumulated by plants. Hunan Province exhibits the worst cadmium contamination of farmland in China. Ruminants possess an abundant microbial population in the rumen, which enables them to tolerate various poisonous plants. To investigate whether the rumen microbiota could respond to Cd and mitigate the toxicity of Cd-accumulated maize to ruminants, 6-month-old cattle were fed with 85.82% (fresh basis) normal whole-plant maize silage diet (CON, n = 10) or Cd-accumulated whole-plant maize silage diet (CAM, n = 10) for 107 days. When compared to the CON cattle, CAM cattle showed significantly higher gain-to-feed ratio and an increased total bacterial population in the rumen, but a decreased total bacterial population in the colon. CAM cattle had higher relative abundance of Prevotella and Lachnospiraceae ND3007 group in the rumen, and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group and Clostridia vadinBB60 group in the colon. Notably, microbial correlations were enhanced in all segments of CAM cattle, especially Peptostreptococcaceae in the jejunum. Transcriptome analysis revealed down-regulation of several immune-related genes in the rumen of CAM cattle, and differentially expressed genes in the rumen were mostly involved in immune regulation. These findings indicated that feeding Cd-accumulated maize diet with a Cd concentration of 6.74 mg/kg dry matter (DM) could stimulate SCFA-related bacteria in the rumen, induce hormesis to promote weight gain, and improve energy utilization of cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigated irinotecan loading efficiency and release profiles of CalliSpheres in vitro. Materials and Methods: CalliSpheres with size of 50–150, 100–300, and 300–500 μm and irinotecan at different amounts (20, 40, 80, and 100 mg) and concentrations (5 and 10 mg/mL) were prepared for experiments. Dynamic light scattering and Agilent 1260 high-performance liquid chromatography system were used to quantify bead diameters and the efficiency of irinotecan loading and releasing properties, respectively. Results: The diameters of CalliSpheres with all sizes were reduced after being loaded with irinotecan compared with unloaded ones with shrinkage rate ranging from 8.5% to 16.2%. Above 80% irinotecan was incorporated with CalliSpheres with all sizes when being loaded with irinotecan 20, 40, and 80 mg, while loading efficiencies were 70%–80% when being loaded with irinotecan 100 mg. Besides, elevated loading efficiency was observed at a higher concentration of irinotecan solutions (10 mg/mL) compared with a lower concentration (5 mg/mL) for CalliSpheres with all sizes. As to release profiles, irinotecan was released from CalliSpheres very quickly, and irinotecan release rate was elevated in CalliSpheres with smaller size than CalliSpheres with larger size within the first 12 h, whereas it was similar among CalliSpheres with different sizes at 24 and 48 h with maximum release rate ∼100%. In addition, fetal bovine serum seemed to have an effect on the accelerating irinotecan release. Conclusion: CalliSpheres exhibits good physical characteristics, satisfied irinotecan loading efficiency, and acceptable releasing profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of native cattle are taurine × indicine cattle of diverse phenotypes in the central region of China. Sanjiang cattle, a typical breed in the central region, play a central role in human livelihood and have good adaptability, including resistance to dampness, heat, roughage, and disease, and are thus regarded as an important genetic resource. However, the genetic history of the successful breed remains unknown. Here, we sequenced 10 Sanjiang cattle genomes and compared them to the 70 genomes of 5 representative populations worldwide. We characterized the genomic diversity and breed formation process of Sanjiang cattle and found that Sanjiang cattle have a mixed ancestry of indicine (55.6%) and taurine (33.2%) dating to approximately 30 generations ago, which has shaped the genome of Sanjiang cattle. Through ancestral fragment inference, selective sweep and transcriptomic analysis, we identified several genes linked to lipid metabolism, immune regulation, and stress reactions across the mosaic genome of Sanjiang cattle showing an excess of taurine or indicine ancestry. Taurine ancestry might contribute to meat quality, and indicine ancestry is more conducive to adaptation to hot climate conditions, making Sanjiang cattle a valuable genetic resource for the central region of China. Our results will help us understand the evolutionary history and ancestry components of Sanjiang cattle, which will provide a reference for resource conservation and selective breeding of Chinese native cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qinchuan cattle has gradually improved in body shape and growth rate in the long-term breeding process from the draft cattle to beef cattle. As the head of the five local yellow cattle in China, the Qinchuan cattle has been designated as a specialized beef cattle breed. We investigated the selection signatures using whole genome sequencing data in Qinchuan cattle. Based on Fst, we detected hundreds of candidate genes under selection across Qinchuan, Red Angus, and Japanese Black cattle. Through protein-protein interaction analysis and functional annotation of candidate genes, the results revealed that KMT2E, LTBP1 and NIPBL were related to brain size, body characteristics, and limb development, respectively, suggesting that these potential genes may affect the growth and development traits in Qinchuan cattle. ARIH2, DACT1 and DNM2, et al. are related to meat quality. Meanwhile, TBXA2R can be used as a gene associated with reproductive function, and USH2A affect coat color. This provided a glimpse into the formation of breeds and molecular genetic breeding. Our findings will promote genome-assisted breeding to improve animal production and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical hybridization between southern indigenous Chinese cattle and banteng has been well-documented and has resulted in gene introgression. Bitter taste receptors were reported in indigenous cattle as a result of introgression from banteng. To determine the level of introgression of the taste 2 receptor member 16 (TAS2R16) gene from banteng into Chinese cattle, two missense mutations in the bovine TAS2R16 gene were examined. Here, we explored the prevalence of the two variants in 28 indigenous Chinese cattle and banteng breeds (comprising 750 individuals) to determine the influence of banteng introgressions on Chinese cattle based on PCR and DNA sequencing. In our study, the two mutant alleles had a higher frequency distribution in southern China with strong geographic distribution, especially in the south-central and southeast areas. In conclusion, this study examines the impact of introgression on the frequency distributions of mutations in variable regions and the subsequent adaptation of Chinese indigenous cattle to different environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress affects the animal production and causes serious economic losses to the husbandry. Tectonin beta-propeller repeat containing 2 (TECPR2) gene plays an important role in autophagy which may affect the temperature sensation in animals. A missense mutation (XM_024981840.1:c.3989 G > A p.Arg1330His) of the transcripts X4 in the bovine TECPR2 gene was identified. In this study, the c.3989 G > A variant in TECPR2 gene was genotyped in a total of 25 cattle breeds (520 individuals). Our results indicated that the frequency of A allele showed a decreasing pattern from southern cattle to northern cattle, while the frequency of G allele showed the opposite pattern, which was consistent with the climate distribution of China. Compared with the GG genotype, southern cattle carried more the AA and AG genotypes. Furthermore, the association results carried out that the frequencies of genotypes (GG, AG, AA) and the value of climate parameters (mean annual temperature (T), relative humidity (RH) and temperature humidity index (THI) were significantly correlated (p < 0.01). Hence, we speculated that the c.3989 G > A variant of TECPR2 gene was associated with the heat tolerance trait in Chinese cattle and the locus may be considered as a molecular marker for Chinese cattle breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Lactation traits are economically important traits in dairy production, with milk yield, milk fat percentage, and milk protein percentage being the main indicators of cow performance and milk quality. The interaction between environment and genetics has a great influence on the performance of dairy cows. Cows are susceptible to heat stress under conditions of high temperature and humidity, which in turn affects lactation traits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify single-nucleotide polymorphism loci and candidate genes related to lactation traits in Holstein dairy cows under conditions of high temperature and high humidity in southern China. Our study identified 23 single-nucleotide polymorphic sites significantly associated with lactation traits, and 10 key candidate genes associated with lactation traits. The results of this study may provide a theoretical basis for the molecular marker breeding of Chinese Holstein cows in high-temperature and high-humidity environments in southern China. Lactation traits are economically important for dairy cows. Southern China has a high-temperature and high-humidity climate, and environmental and genetic interactions greatly impact dairy cattle performance. The aim of this study was to identify novel single-nucleotide polymorphism sites and novel candidate genes associated with lactation traits in Chinese Holstein cows under high-temperature and humidity conditions in southern China. A genome-wide association study was performed for the lactation traits of 392 Chinese Holstein cows, using GGP Bovine 100 K SNP gene chips. Some 23 single nucleotide polymorphic loci significantly associated with lactation traits were screened. Among them, 16 were associated with milk fat rate, 7 with milk protein rate, and 3 with heat stress. A quantitative trait locus that significantly affects milk fat percentage in Chinese Holstein cows was identified within a window of approximately 0.5 Mb in the region of 0.4–0.9 Mb on Bos taurus autosome 14. According to Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses, ten genes (DGAT1, IDH2, CYP11B1, GFUS, CYC1, GPT, PYCR3, OPLAH, ALDH1A3, and NAPRT) associated with lactation fat percentage, milk yield, antioxidant activity, stress resistance, and inflammation and immune response were identified as key candidates for lactation traits. The results of this study will help in the development of an effective selection and breeding program for Chinese Holstein cows in high-temperature and humidity regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors associated with the Salmonella infection status of dairy herds in Henan and Hubei provinces, China. Herds were assigned a Salmonella status based on the isolation of Salmonella from fecal samples obtained from adult lactating dairy cows. Information on potential biosecurity risk factors was collected using a questionnaire template via a 15-min face-to-face interview with dairy cattle producers from May 2020 to March 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 23 questions across two broad categories of potential biosecurity risk factors: farm and biosecurity managemental factors. A total of 48 farms were surveyed. In all (100%, 48/48) of the surveyed farms, although sick animals were separated from healthy animals using fencing, there were no strict quarantine protocols for newly introduced animals. Mixed species rearing was practiced in 35.4% (17/48) of the farms. Feces were removed more than once a day in 45.8% (22/48) of the farms, whereas the remainder (54.2%, 26/48) only removed animal feces once a day. A total of 29.2% (14/48) of the farms were located < 2 km from other livestock farms. The use of personal protective equipment was consistently performed on all farms, with a majority of the workers on most farms (81.3%, 39/48) always disinfecting footwear before entering production areas. A significant association between Salmonella-positive status and the high frequency of the presence of wildlife (birds and rodents in sheds and feed storage places) was recorded (OR: 11.9, 95% CI: 1.7, 84.1, p = 0.013). Fortunately, no farms shared farm equipment with other farms. The study highlights the occurrence of wildlife as a risk factor for the presence of Salmonella in investigated dairy herds. There is a need to institute appropriate on-farm control measures for wild birds and rodents to control the potential spread of Salmonella in dairy production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cattle are one of the six livestock species that have occupied an important place in Chinese history. Previous ancient DNA studies have indicated that Chinese taurine cattle (Bos taurus taurus) are exotic, but the exact route and diffusion by which they were introduced to China is unknown. In this study, we extracted the mitochondrial genomes of 34 cases of ancient taurine cattle (from the late Neolithic to Qin and Han dynasties) excavated from sites in northern China and the eastern Eurasian steppe, and successfully obtained 14 mitochondrial genome sequences. The results of ancient DNA analysis reveal that with cultural exchange and trade, there was close genetic exchange between domestic taurine cattle in different regions. The haplotypes shared by domestic cattle have genetic continuity, reflecting the strong cultural influence of the large capital city sites such as Taosi, Shimao and Erlitou on the surrounding areas. This study suggests that ancient northern Chinese taurine cattle may have accompanied the westward transmission of agricultural or painted pottery culture and thus had a maternal genetic contribution to modern Tibetan cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a pathogen that is widespread throughout the world, causing serious economic losses. Most of the current BVDV infection research focuses on genotyping based on the 5′-UTR sequence, neglecting the molecular characteristics of the whole genome of BVDV strains. Cows infected with non-cytopathic (NCP) BVDV in early pregnancy may give birth to persistently infected (PI) cattle, which are the main sources of virus transmission in the herd. The present study isolated and identified nine BVDV strains from PI cattle in China. The complete genome of the new isolates was sequenced for phylogenetic analysis, recombination analysis and sequence analysis in 5′-UTR, E0 and E2. In this study, we reported the isolation, identification, and molecular characteristics of nine BVDV strains that were isolated from the serum of persistently infected cattle. The new strains were designated as BVDV TJ2101, TJ2102, TJ2103, TJ2104, TJ2105, TJ2106, TJ2107, TJ2108 and TJ2109. The TJ2102 and TJ2104 strains were found to be cytopathic BVDV, and the other strains were non-cytopathic BVDV. An alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that the new isolates share 92.2–96.3% homology with the CP7 strain and, thus, were classified as the BVDV-1b subgenotype. A recombination analysis of the genome sequences showed that the new strains could be recombined by the major parent BVDV-1a NADL strain and the minor parent BVDV-1m SD-15 strain. Some genome variations or unique amino acid mutations were found in 5′-UTR, E0 and E2 of these new isolates. In addition, a potential linear B cell epitopes prediction showed that the potential linear B cell epitope at positions 56–61 is highly variable in BVDV-1b. In conclusion, the present study has identified nine strains of BVDV from persistently infected cattle in China. Further studies on the virulence and pathogenesis of these new strains are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copy number variation (CNV) is a type of genomic structural variation, and the research on it has flourished in recent years. According to the high-throughput sequencing data, we found that the copy number variation region of the GAL3ST1 gene was correlated with the growth traits of bovine. It is significant that we study the CNV of GAL3ST1 gene and process the association analysis between results of Q-PCR and growth traits of Chinese cattle. In this research, SPSS software was used to detect the distribution of GAL3ST1 gene copy number in four cattle breeds and the correlation of growth traits was analyzed. Correlation analysis showed that GAL3ST1 CNV had positive effects on some growth traits of bovine (p < 0.05). In addition, the study detects the expression of GAL3ST1 gene in different tissues of Xia'nan cattles on mRNA level. The result showed that GAL3ST1 gene has different expression conditions in different tissues, results showed that the expression level was high in intestine and low in liver tissue. In a word, we speculated that the GAL3ST1 gene can be used as a molecular marker and this study confirmed that the CNV of it can provide theoretical basis for molecular breeding of cattle in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sidekick cell adhesion molecule 1 (SDK1) gene belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) is reported to be associated with disease resistance. A novel missense mutation (XM_015469413.1: c.2678 A > G: p. Asp893Gly) in bovine SDK1 gene was observed in the Bovine Genome Variation Database (BGVD). The purpose of the current study was to determine the allelic frequency distribution of XM_015469413.1: c.2678 A > G: p. Asp893Gly and analyze its association with disease resistance in native Chinese cattle. Here, we explored the allele frequency of the missense mutation (M_015469413.1: c.2678 A > G: p. Asp893Gly) in 542 individuals from 27 Chinese indigenous cattle breeds using PCR and DNA sequencing methods. The frequency of the mutant allele (G) gradually decreased from the southern cattle groups to the northern cattle groups, whereas the frequency of the wild-type allele A showed an opposite pattern, consistent with the distribution of indicine and taurine cattle in China. Thus, our results proved that the bovine SDK1 gene might be candidate genes associated with disease resistance in Chinese cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is an infectious viral disease caused by epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) and EHDV frequently circulates in wild and domestic ruminants. Sporadic outbreaks of EHD have caused thousands of deaths and stillbirths on cattle farms. However, not much is known about the circulating status of EHDV in Guangdong, southern China. To estimate the seroprevalence of EHDV in Guangdong province, 2886 cattle serum samples were collected from 2013 to 2017 and tested for antibodies against EHDV using a competitive ELISA. The overall seroprevalence of EHDV reached 57.87% and was highest in autumn (75.34%). A subset of positive samples were serotyped by a serum neutralization test, showing that EHDV serotypes 1 and 5–8 were circulating in Guangdong. In addition, EHDV prevalence always peaked in autumn, while eastern Guangdong had the highest EHDV seropositivity over the five-year period, displaying apparent temporal–spatial distribution of EHDV prevalence. A binary logistic model analysis indicated a significant association between cattle with BTV infections and seroprevalence of EHDV (OR = 1.70, p < 0.001). The co-infection of different serotypes of EHDV and BTV raises a high risk of potential genomic reassortment and is likely to pose a significant threat to cattle, thus urging more surveillance to monitor their circulating dynamics in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has diversified resources of indigenous cattle, which are classified into Northern, Central, and Southern groups according to their geographical distribution. Chaling cattle belong to Southern group. This breed is famous for the production of good quality meat with elite meat grades. To analyze the genetic diversity of Chaling cattle, 20 samples were sequenced using whole‐genome resequencing technology, along with 138 published whole‐genome sequencing data of Indian indicine cattle, Chinese indicine cattle, East Asian taurine cattle, Eurasian taurine cattle, and European taurine cattle as control. It was found that Chaling cattle originated from Chinese indicine cattle. The genetic diversity of Chaling cattle is higher than that of Indian indicine cattle, East Asian taurine cattle, Eurasian taurine cattle, and European taurine cattle, but lower than that of Chinese indicine cattle and Xiangxi cattle. Annotating the selection signals obtained by composite likelihood ratio, θπ, FST, π‐ratio, and XP‐EHH methods, several genes associated with immunity, heat tolerance, reproduction, growth, and meat quality showed strong selection signals. In general, this study provides a theoretical basis for analyzing the genetic mechanism of Chaling cattle with excellent adaptability, rough feeding tolerance, good immune performance, and good meat quality. This work lays a foundation for genetic breeding of Chaling cattle in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sharply increased beef consumption is propelling the genetic improvement projects of beef cattle in China. Three-dimensional genome structure is confirmed to be an important layer of transcription regulation. Although genome-wide interaction data of several livestock species have already been produced, the genome structure states and its regulatory rules in cattle muscle are still limited. Results: Here we present the first 3D genome data in Longissimus dorsi muscle of fetal and adult cattle (Bos taurus). We showed that compartments, topologically associating domains (TADs), and loop undergo re-organization and the structure dynamics were consistent with transcriptomic divergence during muscle development. Furthermore, we annotated cis-regulatory elements in cattle genome during myogenesis and demonstrated the enrichments of promoter and enhancer in selection sweeps. We further validated the regulatory function of one HMGA2 intronic enhancer near a strong sweep region on primary bovine myoblast proliferation. Conclusions: Our data provide key insights of the regulatory function of high order chromatin structure and cattle myogenic biology, which will benefit the progress of genetic improvement of beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the evolutionary forces related to climate changes that have been shaped genetic variation within species has long been a fundamental pursuit in biology. In this study, we generated whole-genome sequence (WGS) data from 65 cross-bred and 45 Mongolian cattle. Together with 62 whole-genome sequences from world-wide cattle populations, we estimated the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of cattle populations. In addition, we performed comparative population genomics analyses to explore the genetic basis underlying variation in the adaptation to cold climate and immune response in cross-bred cattle located in the cold region of China. To elucidate genomic signatures that underlie adaptation to cold climate, we performed three statistical measurements, fixation index (FST), log2 nucleotide diversity (θπ ratio) and cross population composite likelihood ratio (XP-CLR), and further investigated the results to identify genomic regions under selection for cold adaptation and immune response-related traits. Results: By generating WGS data, we investigated the population genetic structure and phylogenetic relationship of studied cattle populations. The results revealed clustering of cattle groups in agreement with their geographic distribution. We detected noticeable genetic diversity between indigenous cattle ecotypes and commercial populations. Analysis of population structure demonstrated evidence of shared genetic ancestry between studied cross-bred population and both Red-Angus and Mongolian breeds. Among all studied cattle populations, the highest and lowest levels of linkage disequilibrium (LD) per Kb were detected in Holstein and Rashoki populations (ranged from ~ 0.54 to 0.73, respectively). Our search for potential genomic regions under selection in cross-bred cattle revealed several candidate genes related with immune response and cold shock protein on multiple chromosomes. We identified some adaptive introgression genes with greater than expected contributions from Mongolian ancestry into Molgolian x Red Angus composites such as TRPM8, NMUR1, PRKAA2, SMTNL2 and OXR1 that are involved in energy metabolism and metabolic homeostasis. In addition, we detected some candidate genes probably associated with immune response-related traits. Conclusion: The study identified candidate genes involved in responses to cold adaptation and immune response in cross-bred cattle, including new genes or gene pathways putatively involved in these adaptations. The identification of these genes may clarify the molecular basis underlying adaptation to extreme environmental climate and as such they might be used in cattle breeding programs to select more efficient breeds for cold climate regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morganella morganii (M. morganii) is a member of the genera Morganella in the Enterobacteriaceae family. We tried to better understand the prevalence and characterization of M. morganii strains in cattle. A total of 191 nasal swab samples from beef cattle in Guang'an, Yibin, and Ziyang, Sichuan province, China were collected. The presence of M. morganii in the swabs was determined by PCR. Then positive swabs were processed using bacterial isolation and identification. The M. morganii isolates were assayed for antimicrobial susceptibility and pathogenicity using a mouse model. The prevalence of M. morganii in three cities was 10.5% (20/191). Three M. morganii strains (16GA7, 17GA61.2, and 17YB9) were isolated and identified from positive swab samples. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the 16S rRNA gene of M. morganii isolates could be clustered with known Genbank M. morganii strains. All three M. morganii strains were sensitive to penicillin-type and quinolone antibiotics and were resistant to some cephalosporins, carbapenems, macrolide antibiotics and polymyxin B. Lesions in mice inoculated with M. morganii included pulmonary hemorrhage, thickened alveolar walls and pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration, although lesions varied by strain. Through research on the M. morganii in beef cattle, it was found that mice were susceptible to M. morganii isolates. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to report the prevalence of M. morganii in beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection causes subclinical to severe acute disease in cattle all over the world. Two genotypes of BVDV are recognized, BVDV1 and BVDV2. Currently, the subtypes of BVDV1b and BVDV2a are mainly circulating in China. Here, a newly noncytopathic (ncp) BVDV strain named BVDVNM21 was isolated and identified from cattle. We determined the complete genome sequence of BVDVNM21, phylogenetic analysis of 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR), Npro, and E2 gene, and complete genome showed the virus belongs to BVDV2b subtype and formed an independent clade within BVDV2b. Genome-wide sequence analysis showed that BVDVNM21 had high homology with SD1301 (98.10%) isolated from China. In the experimental infection study of guinea pigs and calves, they all developed similar clinical signs, including a pronounced and prolonged febrile response lasting more than 3 days and pronounced reduction in white blood cells (WBC) and platelets of more than 40%. Moreover, guinea pigs showed more acute infection characteristics after infection, and WBC decreased by more than 50% at 1 day postinfection (dpi), and they recovered in less than 3 days. The results indicated that the BVDVNM21 strain showed high virulence in calves. It was the first confirmed isolation of a highly pathogenic ncpBVDV2b in cattle, as well as the establishment of the BVDV-guinea pig model. This study may provide a basis for further research and control of the prevalence of BVDV2b in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Precisely estimating the extent of the conflict between livestock and wild animals is crucial for making a proper management policy. Sika deer in the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park restrictedly distributes along the Sino-Russia border and fail to dispersal further into inland China, which hampers the ecosystem restoration flagged with tiger and leopard. Domestic cattle raised in the park are hypothesized as the main factors restricting the dispersal of sika deer, while the extent of the cattle-deer conflict is largely unknown. By utilizing high-throughput sequencing technology, this study quantified the extent of foraging conflict between cattle and deer in the park. We found the cattle shifted from a grazer-typical diet to a browser-typical diet, which resulted in a big diet overlap with sika deer. Indeed, the diet of cattle was more diverse than that of sika deer. Therefore, we argue that the big diet overlaps and superior competitive abilities of cattle may be the main driver restricting the dispersal of sika deer into the inland. Managers need to know the extent of the conflict between livestock and wild animals. Although many studies have reported the conflict between livestock and wild animals, few have checked the extent of the conflict. Cattle raising in the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park is considered one of the main driving forces behind the restricted distribution of sika deer. To understand whether foraging competition is contributing to avoidance patterns between sika deer and cattle, we investigated their feeding habits using DNA barcoding and high-throughput sequencing. Our study shows that although cattle are grazers in the traditional division of herbivores, their diet shifted to a predominance of dicotyledonous woody plants, and this diet shift resulted in a high degree of dietary overlap between sika deer and cattle. Moreover, compared to sika deer, cattle diets are more diverse at the species level with a wider ecological niche. Our results confirm that overlapping dietary niches and the superior competitive abilities of cattle contribute to the restricted distribution of the sika deer, which has critical implications for the conservation of their predators. Our study suggests that cattle grazing should be prohibited in the Park and effective measures should be taken for the benefit of sika deer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) involves multiple pathogens, shows diverse lung lesions, and is a major concern in calves. Pathogens from 160 lung samples of dead cattle from 81 cattle farms in Northeast China from 2016 to 2021 were collected to characterize the molecular epidemiology and risk factors of BRDC and to assess the major pathogens involved in bovine suppurative or caseous necrotizing pneumonia. The BRDC was diagnosed by autopsy, pathogen isolation, PCR, or reverse transcription-PCR detection, and gene sequencing. More than 18 species of pathogens, including 491 strains of respiratory pathogens, were detected. The positivity rate of bacteria in the 160 lung samples was 31.77%, including Trueperella pyogenes (9.37%), Pasteurella multocida (8.35%), Histophilus somni (4.48%), Mannheimia haemolytica (2.44%), and other bacteria (7.13%). The positivity rate of Mycoplasma spp. was 38.9%, including M. bovis (7.74%), M. dispar (11.61%), M. bovirhinis (7.94%), M. alkalescens (6.11%), M. arginini (0.81%), and undetermined species (4.68%). Six species of viruses were detected with a positivity rate of 29.33%, including bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1; 13.25%), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV; 5.50%), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV; 4.89%), bovine parainfluenza virus type-3 (BPIV-3; 4.28%), bovine parainfluenza virus type-5 (1.22%), and bovine coronavirus (2.24%). Mixed infections among bacteria (73.75%), viruses (50%), and M. bovis (23.75%) were the major features of BRDC in these cattle herds. The risk analysis for multi-pathogen co-infection indicated that BoHV-1 and H. somni ; BVDV and M. bovis , P. multocida , T. pyogenes , or Mann. haemolytica ; BPIV-3 and M. bovis ; BRSV and M. bovis , P. multocida , or T. pyogenes ; P. multocida and T. pyogenes ; and M. bovis and T. pyogenes or H. somni showed co-infection trends. A survey on molecular epidemiology indicated that the occurrence rate of currently prevalent pathogens in BRDC was 46.15% (6/13) for BoHV-1.2b and 53.85% (7/13) for BoHV-1.2c, 53.3% (8/15) for BVDV-1b and 46.7% (7/15) for BVDV-1d, 29.41% (5/17) for BPIV-3a and 70.59% (12/17) for BPIV-3c, 100% (2/2) for BRSV gene subgroup IX, 91.67% (33/36) for P. multocida serotype A, and 8.33% (3/36) for P. multocida serotype D. Our research discovered new subgenotypes for BoHV-1.2c, BRSV gene subgroup IX, and P. multocida serotype D in China's cattle herds. In the BRDC cases, bovine suppurative or caseous necrotizing pneumonia was highly related to BVDV [odds ratio (OR) = 4.18; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.6–10.7], M. bovis (OR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.1–4.9), H. somni (OR = 8.2; 95% CI: 2.6–25.5), and T. pyogenes (OR = 13.92; 95% CI: 5.8–33.3). The risk factor analysis found that dairy calves <3 mo and beef calves >3 mo (OR = 5.39; 95% CI: 2.7–10.7) were more susceptible to BRDC. Beef cattle were more susceptible to bovine suppurative or caseous necrotizing pneumonia than dairy cattle (OR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.2–4.4). These epidemiological data and the new pathogen subgenotypes will be helpful in formulating strategies of control and prevention, developing new vaccines, improving clinical differential diagnosis by necropsy, predicting the most likely pathogen, and justifying antimicrobial use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superovulation is a key technique in embryo transfer. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two different sources of FSH (Ningbo Second Hormone Factory – NSHFTM, China and Vetoquinol, Australia), FSH injection methods (decreasing dose and equal dose), embryo collection methods (injection-type flushing tube and three-channel type flushing tube) and seasons (winter and spring) on superovulation response in Belgian Blue cattle. For this purpose, 80 Belgian Blue cattle (aged 2-3 years, parity=1) were randomly divided into four groups, with each group was further divided into two sub-groups. Superovulation experiments were carried out through Cue-Mate+FSH+PGF2α+GnRH, followed by artificial insemination. The effects of the above four factors on superovulation response were determined by comparing the mean numbers of corpora lutea, total embryos and viable embryos. The results showed non-significant difference in the effects of FSH produced by NSHFTM, China and Vetoquinol, Australia on the superovulation response, though the cost of NSHFTM was lower. Moreover, the superovulation response to decreasing-dose injection of FSH was significantly better than that of equal dose injection (P<0.05). Regarding embryo collection methods, the results of injection-type flushing tube were significantly better than those of three-channel type flushing tube (P<0.05). Similarly, superovulation results during spring season were significantly better than those during winter (P<0.05). In summary, the best method of superovulation in Belgian Blue cattle is to inject FSH with reduced dose/s and collect embryos through injection-type flushing tube method during spring season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dabieshan cattle (DBSC) are a valuable genetic resource for indigenous cattle breeds in China. It is a small to medium-sized breed with slower growth, but with good meat quality and fat deposition. Genetic markers could be used for the estimation of population genetic structure and genetic parameters. In this work, we genotyped the DBSC breeding population (n = 235) with the GeneSeek Genomic Profiler (GGP) 100 k density genomic chip. Genotype data of 222 individuals and 81,579 SNPs were retained after quality control. The average minor allele frequency (MAF) was 0.20 and the average linkage disequilibrium (LD) level (r2) was 0.67 at a distance of 0–50 Kb. The estimated relationship coefficient and effective population size (Ne) were 0.023 and 86 for the current generation. In addition, we used genotype data to estimate the genetic parameters of the population's phenotypic traits. Among them, height at hip cross (HHC) and shin circumference (SC) were rather high heritability traits, with heritability of 0.41 and 0.54, respectively. The results reflected the current cattle population's extent of inbreeding and history. Through the principal breeding parameters, genomic breeding would significantly improve the genetic progress of breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus agalactiae is an important zoonotic pathogen that affects milk production and quality and poses a threat to public health. Treatment of infections with this bacterium exploits antimicrobials, to which the resistance of S. agalactiae is a growing problem. Addressing the possibility of a correlation between this pathogen's genetic factors for antimicrobial resistance and virulence, this study attempted to identify the relevant genes. Antimicrobial resistance of S. agalactiae isolated from 497 Chinese bovine mastitic milk samples was detected by the broth microdilution method. Eight drug resistance genes and eleven virulence genes were detected using PCR. Streptococcus agalactiae was 100% susceptible to rifampicin and vancomycin, 93.33% susceptible to sulfisoxazole and sulfamethoxazole, but 100% resistant to ≥3 of the 16 antimicrobial agents, thereby being multidrug resistant, with resistance to oxacillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, clindamycin, and gentamicin being common. The ermB, ermA and lnuA genes were carried by 73.33%, 66.67% and 60.00% of the strains, respectively. The carriage rates of the glnA, clyE, hylB, bibA, iagA, and fbsA virulence genes were greater than 40%, lmb and bac were not observed in any strain, and glnA+hylB+bibA+iagA+fbsA+clyE combined virulence gene patterns were the most commonly detected. Antimicrobial resistance of S. agalactiae is still a great concern for cattle health in China, and multidrug resistance coupled with the high positive rates of this bacterium's strains for virulence genes indicates the importance of S. agalactiae surveillance and susceptibility tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advent of global climate change, heat-tolerance is becoming more and more important to the sustainability of animal husbandry production systems. Previous studies have shown that MYO1A gene associated with pigmentation may be closely related to heat-tolerance in cattle. In this study, a novel missense mutation (NC_037332.1 g.56390345 A > G) was first detected in MYO1A in 891 individuals of 35 cattle breeds, which transformed the amino acid isoleucine into valine. The purpose of this study was to determine the allele frequencies distribution of this locus in Chinese indigenous cattle and to analyze the relationship between this locus and heat-tolerance. Further analysis showed that frequency of wild allele A decreased gradually from northern cattle to southern cattle, whereas frequency of mutant type allele G showed the opposite pattern, which was consistent with the distribution of various climatic conditions of China. Additionally, association analysis was carried out between genotypes and four climatic conditions (annual mean temperature (T), relative humidity (H), temperature-humidity index (THI) and average annual sunshine hours (100-cloudiness) (SR)). Analysis results showed that genotypes were significantly correlated with climatic conditions. Therefore, our results suggest that the novel SNP (rs209559414) is related to heat-tolerance trait of Chinese indigenous cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Tick-borne pathogens are considered emergent because they cause several tick-borne diseases that threaten the health of humans and animals during tick feeding, including anaplasmosis, which is caused by Anaplasma spp. However, information on the carrier animals for Anaplasma spp. antibodies in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau Area is limited, and current data on the serodetection of anaplasmosis in plateau areas around the world are needed. Indirect ELISA and competitive ELISA are reliable serological tests that have been developed for the detection of Anaplasma infections in animals. Moreover, major surface protein 5 is a highly conserved surface protein of the Anaplasma genus that has proven effective as a diagnostic antigen and has been used in the serodetection of Anaplasma species infection in various animals with a high level of sensitivity. Hence, in this study, an rMSP5-ELISA was performed to analyze Anaplasma spp. IgG and IgM antibodies in potential carrier animals in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau Area. The results not only show the positive rate of IgG and IgM antibodies in the study animals but also indicate that there is a threat of tick biting and zoonotic pathogen infection in the vicinity of human activities in the tested areas. Our study should have major importance for identifying animals with Anaplasma spp. infection in the plateau area. Anaplasma genus infects the blood cells of humans and animals by biting, causing zoonotic anaplasmosis. However, limited data are available on carrier animals for Anaplasma spp. antibodies in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau Area. Therefore, a serological indirect ELISA diagnostic method based on the major surface protein 5 (MSP5), derived from Anaplasma phagocytophilum, was developed in this study to analyze both IgG and IgM antibodies of Anaplasma spp. in a total of 3952 animals from the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, including yaks (Bos grunniens), cows (Bos taurus), cattle (Bos taurus domesticus), Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries), horses (Equus ferus caballus), pigs (Sus domesticus), chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), donkeys (Equus asinus), stray dogs (Canis sp.), and stray cats (Felis sp.). The results showed that recombinant MSP5 protein was expressed and was successfully used to establish the indirect ELISA methods. The overall positivity for Anaplasma IgG and IgM antibodies was 14.6% (578/3952) and 7.9% (312/3952), respectively, and a total of 123 animals (3.1%) were both IgG- and IgM-positive. Moreover, the most prevalent Anaplasma IgG positivity was exhibited by donkeys (82.5%), followed by stray dogs, Tibetan sheep, pigs, chickens, horses, yaks, cows, cattle, and stray cats. The analysis for IgM antibody positivity revealed that IgM positivity was the most prevalent in the stray dogs (30.1%), followed by horses, yaks, Tibetan sheep, cows, stray cats, and cattle. Moreover, the results revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) at different altitudes in Anaplasma-specific IgG in the yaks, Tibetan sheep, and horses, and in IgM in the yaks and Tibetan sheep. In conclusion, this study is the first to demonstrate that yaks, cows, cattle, Tibetan sheep, horses, donkeys, stray dogs, stray cats, pigs, and chickens living in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau are carrier animals for Anaplasma spp. IgG or IgM antibodies. The current findings provide valuable current data on the seroepidemiology of anaplasmosis in China and for plateau areas of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cattle have been essential for the development of human civilization since their first domestication few thousand years ago. Since then, they have spread across vast geographic areas following human activities. Throughout generations, the cattle genome has been shaped with detectable signals induced by various evolutionary processes, such as natural and human selection processes and demographic events. Identifying such signals, called selection signatures, is one of the primary goals of population genetics. Previous studies used various selection signature methods and normalized the outputs score using specific windows, in kbp or based on the number of SNPs, to identify the candidate regions. The recent method of iSAFE claimed for high accuracy in pinpointing the candidate SNPs. In this study, we analyzed whole-genome resequencing (WGS) data of ten individuals from Austrian Fleckvieh (Bos taurus) and fifty individuals from 14 Chinese indigenous breeds (Bos taurus, Bos taurus indicus, and admixed). Individual WGS reads were aligned to the cattle reference genome of ARS. UCD1.2 and subsequently undergone single nucleotide variants (SNVs) calling pipeline using GATK. Using these SNVs, we examined the population structure using principal component and admixture analysis. Then we refined selection signature candidates using the iSAFE program and compared it with the classical iHS approach. Additionally, we run Fst population differentiation from these two cattle groups. We found gradual changes of taurine in north China to admixed and indicine to the south. Based on the population structure and the number of individuals, we grouped samples to Fleckvieh, three Chinese taurines (Kazakh, Mongolian, Yanbian), admixed individuals (CHBI_Med), indicine individuals (CHBI_Low), and a combination of admixed and indicine (CHBI) for performing iSAFE and iHS tests. There were more significant SNVs identified using iSAFE than the iHS for the candidate of positive selection and more detectable signals in taurine than in indicine individuals. However, combining admixed and indicine individuals decreased the iSAFE signals. From both within-population tests, significant SNVs are linked to the olfactory receptors, production, reproduction, and temperament traits in taurine cattle, while heat and parasites tolerance in the admixed individuals. Fst test suggests similar patterns of population differentiation between Fleckvieh and three Chinese taurine breeds against CHBI. Nevertheless, there are genes shared only among the Chinese taurine, such as PAX5, affecting coat color, which might drive the differences between these yellowish coated breeds, and those in the greater Far East region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Chinese Holstein cows, crossbred cattle in China, have abundant genetic diversity due to the fact that Holstein cows were crossbred with various local breeds. Therefore, to reveal their genetic diversity, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region of 501 Chinese Holstein cows and found abundant genetic resources (including 219 haplotypes, polymorphisms of 260 SNPs, and 32 indels) and two haplogroups in the study population. Meanwhile, the two haplogroups had different maternal origins and corresponding distinguished mutations. Furthermore, the association between haplogroups and antral follicle count was found, and the mtDNA haplogroup HG1 with Bos indicus maternal origin had more antral follicles (diameter ≥ 8 mm), implying that these individuals of HG1 had higher reproductive potential. Finally, these distinguished mutations between two haplogroups could be considered as important genetic markers for cattle breeding. Maternal origins based on the bovine mitochondrial D-loop region are proven to have two main origins: Bos taurus and Bos indicus. To examine the association between the maternal origins of bovine and reproductive traits, the complete mitochondrial D-loop region sequences from 501 Chinese Holstein cows and 94 individuals of other breeds were analyzed. Based on the results obtained from the haplotype analysis, 260 SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism), 32 indels (insertion/deletion), and 219 haplotypes were identified. Moreover, the nucleotide diversity (π) and haplotype diversity (Hd) were 0.024 ± 0.001 and 0.9794 ± 0.003, respectively, indicating the abundance of genetic resources in Chinese Holstein cows. The results of the median-joining network analysis showed two haplogroups (HG, including HG1 and HG2) that diverged in genetic distance. Furthermore, the two haplogroups were significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with the antral follicle (diameter ≥ 8 mm) count, and HG1 individuals had more antral follicles than HG2 individuals, suggesting that these different genetic variants between HG1 and HG2 correlate with reproductive traits. The construction of a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree and principal component analysis also revealed two main clades (HG1 and HG2) with different maternal origins: Bos indicus and Bos taurus, respectively. Therefore, HG1 originating from the maternal ancestors of Bos indicus may have a greater reproductive performance, and potential genetic variants discovered may promote the breeding process in the cattle industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We provide a comprehensive overview of sequence variations in Dehong humped cattle genomes with important implications for the future; moreover, we unravel the characteristics of other native cattle in China. In the current study, we investigated a high level of genomic diversities using whole-genome resequencing data in 18 Dehong humped cattle. It is speculated that Dehong humped cattle were influenced by two ancestral segments (Chinese indicine and Indian indicine cattle). Additionally, the selection signatures were detected in genomic regions that are possibly related to economically important traits in Dehong humped cattle. These results will establish a foundation for conservation and breeding programs in the future. Dehong humped cattle are precious livestock resources of Yunnan Province, China; they have typical zebu traits. Here, we investigated their genetic characteristics using whole-genome resequencing data of Dehong humped animals (n = 18). When comparing our data with the publicly-available data, we found that Dehong humped cattle have high nucleotide diversity. Based on clustering models in a population structure analysis, Dehong humped cattle had a mutual genome ancestor with Chinese and Indian indicine cattle. While using the RFMix method, it is speculated that the body sizes of Dehong humped cattle were influenced by the Chinese indicine segments and that the immune systems of Dehong humped cattle were affected by additional ancestral segments (Indian indicine). Furthermore, we explored the position selection regions harboring genes in the Dehong humped cattle, which were related to heat tolerance (FILIP1L, ABHD6) and immune responses (GZMM, PRKCZ, STOML2, LRBA, PIK3CD). Notably, missense mutations were detected in the candidate gene ABHD6 (c.870C>A p.Asp290Glu; c.987C>A p.Ser329Arg). The missense mutations may have implications for Dehong humped cattle adaptation to hot environments. This study provides valuable genomic resource data at the genome-wide level and paves the way for future genetic breeding work in the Dehong humped cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diarrhoea is one of the most important syndromes in neonatal calves. In industrialized nations with intensive animal farming, Cryptosporidium spp. and rotavirus are primary causes of calf diarrhoea, but the role of these and other enteric pathogens is not clear in China. In November and December 2018, a diarrhoea outbreak was identified in over 150 pre‐weaned calves on a dairy farm in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China and approximately 60 calves died. To determine the cause of the outbreak, we analyzed 131 faecal samples collected from pre‐weaned calves (0–2 months) during (n = 114) and after the outbreak (n = 17). Initially, 10 diarrheic samples during the outbreak and 10 non‐diarrheic samples after the outbreak were screened for rotavirus, coronavirus, Escherichia coli K99 and Cryptosporidium parvum by using an enzymatic immunoassay (EIA). In addition, 81 other samples were tested specifically for rotavirus by EIA, and all 131 samples were analyzed for Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi by PCR. The initial EIA analysis identified C. parvum (8/10) and rotavirus (5/10) as the dominant pathogens in calves during the outbreak, while both pathogens were detected at lower frequency after the outbreak (2/10 and 1/10, respectively). Further PCR analyses indicated that the occurrence of C. parvum infections in calves was significantly higher during the outbreak (75.4%, 86/114) than after the outbreak (11.8%, 2/17; odds ratio [OR] = 23.0), and was significantly associated with the occurrence of watery diarrhoea (OR = 15.7) and high oocyst shedding intensity. All C. parvum isolates were identified as subtype IIdA20G1. Among other pathogens analyzed, the overall prevalence of rotavirus, G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi was 19.8% (20/101), 38.9% (51/131) and 42.0% (55/131) in calves, respectively, without significant differences during and after the outbreak. Among the three pathogens, only the rotavirus infection was associated with diarrhoea in calves. More importantly, coinfections of C. parvum and rotavirus were significantly associated with the occurrence of watery diarrhoea in calves and were seen only during the outbreak. Thus, C. parvum subtype IIdA20G1 and rotavirus appeared to be responsible for this diarrhoea outbreak. Control measures should be implemented to effectively prevent the concurrent transmission of these enteric pathogens in pre‐weaned dairy calves in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of milk mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy for phenotype prediction has urged the application of prediction models across regions and countries. Spectra standardization is the most effective way to reduce the variability in the spectral signal provided by different instruments and labs. This study aimed to develop different standardization models for MIR spectra collected by multiple instruments, across 2 provinces of China, and investigate whether the standardization method (piecewise direct standardization, PDS, and direct standardization, DS), testing scenario (standardization of spectra collected on the same day or after 7 mo), infrared prediction model accuracy (high or low), and instrument (6 instruments from 2 brands) affect the performance of the standardization model. The results showed that the determination coefficient (R 2 ) between absorbance values at each wavenumber provided by the primary and the secondary instruments increased from less than 0.90 to nearly 1.00 after standardization. Both PDS and DS successfully reduced spectra variation among instruments, and performed significantly better than nonstandardization. However, DS was more prone to overfitting than PDS. Standardization accuracy was higher when tested using spectra collected on the same day compared with those collected 7 mo after, but great improvement in model transferability was obtained for both scenarios compared with the nonstandardized spectra. The less accurate infrared prediction model (for C8:0 and C10:0 content) benefited the most from spectra standardization compared with the more accurate model (for total fat and protein content). For spectra collected 7 mo after standardization, after PDS the root mean square error between predictions obtained by different machines decreased on average by 86% and 94% compared with the values before standardization for C8:0 and C10:0, respectively. The secondary instrument had no significant effect on the R 2 between predictions. The variation in the spectral signal provided by different instruments was successfully reduced by standardization across 2 provinces in China. This study lays the foundations for developing a national MIR spectra database to provide consistent predictions across provinces to be used in dairy farm management and breeding programs in China. Additionally, this provides opportunities for data exchange and cooperation at international levels., (The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Dairy Science Association®. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).)

Different antibiotics are used to treat mastitis in dairy cows that is caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli). Antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals in China has been monitored since 2000. Surveillance data have shown that the prevalence of multiresistant E. coli in animals has increased significantly. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecular characteristics of resistance determinants in E. coli strains ( n  = 105) obtained from lactating cows with clinical bovine mastitis (CBM) in China. A total of 220 cows with clinical mastitis, which has swollen mammary udder with reduced and red or gangrenous milk, were selected from 5000 cows. The results showed 94.3% of the isolates were recognized as multidrug resistant. The isolates (30.5%) were positive for the class I integrase gene along with seven gene cassettes that were accountable for resistance to trimethoprim resistance ( dfrA17, dfr2d and dfrA1 ), aminoglycosides resistance ( aadA1 and aadA5 ) and chloramphenicol resistance ( catB3 and catB2 ), respectively. The bla TEM gene was present in all the isolates, and these carried the bla CTX gene. A double mutation in gyrA (i.e., Ser83Leu and Asp87Asn) was observed in all fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates. In total, nine fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli isolates were identified with five different types of mutations in parC . In four (44.4%) isolates, Ser458Ala was present in parE, and in all nine (9/9) fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates, Pro385Ala was present in gyrB. Meanwhile, fluoroquinolone was observed as highly resistant, especially in isolates with gyrA isolates from lactating cattle with CBM.parC mutations. In summary, the findings of this research recognize the fluoroquinolone resistance mechanism and disclose integron prevalence and ESBLs in E. coli isolates from lactating cattle with CBM.

Cow milk is rich in proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals; however, its precise nutrient content varies based on various factors. In the current study, we evaluated the differences in the fatty acid and protein contents of milk and the factors associated with these differences. To achieve this, samples were collected from seven types of cows in different regions. These included samples from three dairy breeds: Chinese Holstein milk from Beijing, China (BH), Chinese Holstein milk (HH) and Jersey milk (JS) from Hebei province, China; and four dairy/meat breeds: Sanhe milk (SH) from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, Xinjiang brown milk (XH) and Simmental milk (SI) from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, and Shu Xuanhua milk (SX) from Sichuan province, China. Breed significantly affects total fat, fatty acid, and protein contents. Additionally, geographic region significantly affects the contents of different fatty acids, α-lactalbumin, and lactoferrin. JS has the highest total fat and casein contents. XH samples contain significantly higher unsaturated fatty acid content than BH samples and do not differ significantly from JS. Additionally, the low β-lactoglobulin and high lactoferrin contents in XH samples may be favorable for the growth and development of infants. Our results may inform the development of dairy products from different cow breeds and advance the process of accurate breed identification.

Candida tropicalis (C. tropicalis) is a zoonotic pathogen that is widespread in the environment and in recent years an increasing number of dairy cows have been infected with the fungus causing mastitis in cows.In this study, 37 milk samples from the udders of cows with clinical mastitis were collected from a dairy farm in Guangxi Province, China, from which C. tropicalis was isolated and identified, and then the isolated fungi were subjected to genome frame map sequencing, genome functional analysis as well as comparative genome analysis of the sequencing results, and combined with the virulence test of the fungi and drug sensitivity test of the fungi determined in infected mice, the resistance genes and pathogenicity of the fungi were Analysis of resistance genes and pathogenicity.Our study results revealed the isolation and characterisation of C. tropicalis from diseased cows, with a genome length of approximately 14.27 Mb. Functional annotation of the genome identified 4068 genes associated with C. tropicalis. The strain exhibited a chemoresistance mutation in the gene cyp51,a virulence-enhancing mutation in the gene VTC4, and mutations in genes linked to drug resistance. Pathogenicity tests demonstrated that C. tropicalis could induce damage to the internal organs of mice, leading to different levels of cyanosis in the abdominal cavity, white necrotic foci on the surface of internal organs, lung hemorrhage, and enlargement of the spleen and thymus.Histological sections also revealed varying degrees of hemorrhage and degenerative changes in the cells of different organs in the mice. Drug sensitivity tests showed that the fungus was highly sensitive to nystatin and ketoconazole, moderately sensitive to amphotericin B, and insensitive to antibiotics such as itraconazole, gentamicin, and penicillin. In conclusion, C. tropicalis isolated from dairy cows in the Guangxi region in this study was pathogenic and resistant to azoles such as itraconazole and fluconazole, and this study provides a theoretical basis for the further screening of novel resistance genes in C. tropicalis, as well as providing a certain reference for the drugs used for the treatment of fungal cow mastitis in this region., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Ticks represent a significant vector for the transmission of infectious diseases, with the prevalence of tick-borne diseases becoming a prominent global health concern in recent decades. Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., and Piroplasma have been identified as significant pathogens with the potential to impact human and animal health. However, there is a dearth of data concerning the prevalence of these pathogens in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China., Methods: In this study, a total of 643 Dermacentor silvarum and 314 Haemaphysalis longicornis were identified through the application of morphological and molecular identification techniques on 957 ticks collected from yaks in Zoige County. The assessed of Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., Theileria spp., and Babesia spp. was assessed in 957 ticks and 96 blood samples collected from yaks., Results: Significant discrepancies were observed in the positivity rates for the four pathogens among the tick species and sampling sites. The identification of different species within the four pathogens was based on the analysis of the 16S rRNA of Anaplasma spp., the ompA and ompB genes of Rickettsia spp., and the 18S rRNA of Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. The prevalence ranges of the four pathogens are 9.9-50.2%, 29.5-100%, 16.2-46.4%, and 14.5-58.4%, respectively., Conclusion: In view of the growing zoonotic risks, further investigations into the prevalence of additional pathogens in ticks and animals, including livestock, in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China, are essential., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Xiang, He, Zhu, Xiao, Pan, Chen, Zheng, Yuan and Hao.)