Analyze Diet

Biology.

Periodical
Biological Science Disciplines
Publisher:
MDPI,
Frequency: Quarterly
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Author(s):
Molecular Diversity Preservation International.
Start Year:2011 -
ISSN:
2079-7737 (Electronic)
2079-7737 (Linking)
Impact Factor
4.2
2022
NLM ID:101587988
(OCoLC):797208902
LCCN:2013243056
Transcriptome Sequencing and Differential Expression Analysis of Ovaries from Kazakh Mares During Seasonal Quiescence and Estrus Activation.
Biology    September 7, 2026   Volume 15, Issue 17 1566 doi: 10.3390/biology15171566
Zhou Y, Ren W, Zeng Y, Wang J, Meng J, Yao X, Zhai M.Kazakh horses are typical seasonal breeders, and ovarian activity is markedly reduced during the non-breeding period. Hormonal stimulation can induce ovarian functional responses during seasonal anestrus; however, the early ovarian transcriptional changes associated with this response remain incompletely understood. In this study, ovarian transcriptome sequencing was performed in 12 Kazakh mares examined during the seasonal anestrous period. The mares were classified into a non-hormonally stimulated seasonal quiescent group (DB, = 6) and a hormone-induced ovarian activation group (DY, = 6) f...
Correction: Xue et al. Untargeted Sweat Metabolomics and Targeted Plasma Amino Acid Profiling Reveal Dynamic Metabolic Remodeling During Conditioning in Yili Horses. Biology 2026, 15, 1033.
Biology    September 7, 2026   Volume 15, Issue 17 1565 doi: 10.3390/biology15171565
Xue Y, Luo P, Shen Z, Meng C, Yao X, Meng J, Ren W, Wang T, Zeng Y.In the original publication [...].
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the Wnt Gene Family in Donkey (Equus asinus): Phylogenetic Analysis and Expression Profiling.
Biology    August 6, 2026   Volume 15, Issue 15 1323 doi: 10.3390/biology15151323
Zhu Q, Jing Y, Zheng Y, Khan MZ, Liu A, Peng Y, Wang C.The gene family encodes highly conserved signaling molecules involved in vertebrate development, tissue homeostasis, and cell fate regulation. However, the evolutionary characteristics and potential biological functions of genes in the domestic donkey () remain poorly understood. In this study, we performed the first genome-wide identification and comprehensive characterization of the donkey gene family. A total of 19 genes were identified, consistent with the conserved repertoire reported in other mammalian species. Phylogenetic and synteny analyses revealed strong evolutionary conservat...
Effects of IGF1 Knockdown and Overexpression on the Phenotype and Function of Equine Primary Skeletal Muscle Cells.
Biology    July 23, 2026   Volume 15, Issue 15 1225 doi: 10.3390/biology15151225
Su Y, Ren W, Zeng Y, Meng J, Yao X, Wang J.Skeletal muscle serves as the direct executor of movement, and the proliferation and migration capacities of its constituent cells represent the key physiological foundation determining equine endurance and speed. Previous whole-transcriptome analysis has shown that Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 () is significantly upregulated in following racing and is involved in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway; however, its specific regulatory mechanism in equine skeletal muscle cells remains unclear. This study utilized primary equine skeletal muscle cells as a model. By constructing an overexpression plas...
Untargeted Sweat Metabolomics and Targeted Plasma Amino Acid Profiling Reveal Dynamic Metabolic Remodeling During Conditioning in Yili Horses.
Biology    June 28, 2026   Volume 15, Issue 13 1033 doi: 10.3390/biology15131033
Xue Y, Luo P, Shen Z, Meng C, Yao X, Meng J, Ren W, Wang T, Zeng Y.Training induces sweat morphology changes in horses from muddy sweat (MS) to foamy sweat (FS) and clear sweat (CS), reflecting physiological adaptation. However, the metabolic mechanisms linking sweat phenotypes to systemic amino acid dynamics remain unclear. This study integrated sweat untargeted metabolomics and plasma amino acid targeted metabolomics to reveal coordinated metabolic remodeling. Six 2-year-old horse stallions underwent 10-week training. Plasma and sweat were sampled pre- and post-race at each stage. LC-MS/MS and UHPLC-MS/MS were used for sweat metabolome and plasma amino aci...
Transcriptomic and Meat Quality Differences in Longissimus Dorsi Muscle of Surgically Castrated Three-Year-Old Kazakh Horses.
Biology    June 18, 2026   Volume 15, Issue 12 959 doi: 10.3390/biology15120959
Li Z, Ren W, Wang R, Li L, Ma S, Su Y, Shan D, Huang Q, Wang J.Although the Kazakh horse is a dual-purpose breed renowned for both milk and meat production, the extent to which surgical castration alters gene expression in its muscles has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, left longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) samples were obtained from six Kazakh stallions (W group) and six Kazakh geldings (S group) to comparatively evaluate meat quality parameters, examine histological characteristics in tissue sections, and apply transcriptomic profiling to comprehensively explore the principal regulatory pathways and candidate genes through which surgical cas...
miRNA Sequencing and Differential Analysis of Testis in 1-Year-Old and 2-Year-Old Kazakh Horses.
Biology    April 30, 2026   Volume 15, Issue 9 715 doi: 10.3390/biology15090715
Zhou Y, Wen L, Ren W, Wen M, Ming M, Wang J, Meng J, Yao X, Zeng Y.The represents a significant genetic resource within China's population, characterized by notable resilience and an ability to thrive on coarse forage. Nevertheless, a decline in its numbers has been observed recently, making the improvement of its reproductive performance crucial for the preservation of this breed and the advancement of the related industry. In this study, testicular tissues from 1-year-old (pre-pubertal) and 2-year-old (post-pubertal) were analyzed. miRNA sequencing was conducted on tissues from these age groups, followed by bioinformatics analyses to elucidate the functi...
Comparative Morphological and Proteomic Characterization of Adipose Tissues from Different Anatomical Sites in Yili Horses.
Biology    April 16, 2026   Volume 15, Issue 8 621 doi: 10.3390/biology15080621
Yang L, Song L, Lu Z, Yao X, Wang J, Zeng Y, Ren W, Luo P, Meng J.Adipose tissue functions not only as a primary energy reservoir but also as a metabolically active endocrine organ. However, the morphological and molecular differences among adipose depots from different anatomical sites in Yili horses remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the morphological characteristics and proteomic profiles of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and pericardial adipose tissue (PCAT). To this end, adipose tissue samples from 18 Yili horses were analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, while a subset of samples from 6 horses was subjected to proteomic a...
miRNA Sequencing and Differential Analysis of Testes from 1-Year-Old and 3-Year-Old Kazakh Horses.
Biology    April 2, 2026   Volume 15, Issue 7 569 doi: 10.3390/biology15070569
Huang Q, Wen M, Wen L, Li Q, Zeng Y, Wang J, Meng J, Ren W, Yao X.This study aims to elucidate the miRNA regulatory mechanisms during the developmental process of Kazakh horse testes at 1 and 3 years of age. Through miRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of testicular tissues from 1-year-old and 3-year-old horses, a developmentally stage-specific miRNA expression profile was constructed. A total of 1640 miRNAs were identified, among which 437 (380 up-regulated and 57 down-regulated) exhibited significant differential expression between the two age groups, including eca-miR-16, eca-miR-17, eca-miR-103, and eca-miR-199a-5p. Functional enrichment analysis...
Biomarkers of Adipose Color: A Multi-Omics Analysis Unravels the Molecular Landscape of White and Yellow Fat in Kazakh Horse.
Biology    April 1, 2026   Volume 15, Issue 7 563 doi: 10.3390/biology15070563
Chang X, Shi X, Luo P, Yao X, Meng J, Wang J, Ren W, Li L, Zeng Y.Fat color is one of the most important economic traits influencing consumer preference and the market value of meat products. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying abdominal adipose tissue color differentiation in the Kazakh horse, this study employed a multi-omics strategy, integrating targeted metabolomics (fatty acid and amino acid profiling), untargeted metabolomics, and transcriptomic analyses. Two types of adipose tissue, white adipose tissue (WAT, = 8) and yellow adipose tissue (YAT, = 8), were selected for systematic comparative analysis. Fatty acid composition analysis reve...
Proteomic Insights into the Mechanism by Which Ferulic Acid Promotes Skeletal Muscle Fiber Type Conversion in Mongolian Horses.
Biology    March 18, 2026   Volume 15, Issue 6 481 doi: 10.3390/biology15060481
Gong W, Ding W, Bou T, Shi L, Lin Y, Shi X, Li Z, Wu H, Dugarjaviin M, Bai D.Ferulic acid is a bioactive phenolic compound with potential benefits for skeletal muscle health. In this study, Mongolian horses were used as experimental subjects and were orally administered ferulic acid at doses of 5, 10, or 15 g per horse per day for 40 consecutive days. Muscle biopsy samples were analyzed using proteomics to assess fiber type composition and regulatory protein expression. Ferulic acid supplementation increased the proportion of fast-twitch fibers and upregulated key differentiation factors such as MUSTN1, while modulating glycolysis, ECM remodeling, and calcium signaling...
Correction: Wang et al. Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals Biaxial Regulatory Mechanisms of Cardiac Adaptation by Specialized Racing Training in Yili Horses. Biology 2025, 14, 1609.
Biology    January 23, 2026   Volume 15, Issue 3 209 doi: 10.3390/biology15030209
Wang T, Li M, Ren W, Meng J, Yao X, Chu H, Yao R, Zhai M, Zeng Y. [...].
Transcriptome Sequencing and Differential Analysis of Testes of 1-Year-Old and 3-Year-Old Kazakh Horses.
Biology    January 4, 2026   Volume 15, Issue 1 100 doi: 10.3390/biology15010100
Liu J, Yang Y, Wen L, Wen M, Zeng Y, Ren W, Yao X.The Kazakh horse is an outstanding dual-purpose dairy and meat breed in China, characterized by early maturity, tolerance to coarse feed, and strong stress resistance. Previous studies have examined gene expression patterns in the testicular tissues of Kazakh horses at different age stages, but the molecular mechanisms regulating testicular sexual maturation remain unclear. To address this gap, this study conducted HE staining and in-depth transcriptome sequencing analysis of Kazakh horse testicular tissue before and after sexual maturity. HE staining showed that the G3 group had well-formed s...
Differential Energy Metabolism in Skeletal Muscle Tissues of Yili Horses Based on Targeted Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis.
Biology    November 30, 2025   Volume 14, Issue 12 1713 doi: 10.3390/biology14121713
Li X, Meng C, Xue Y, Shen Z, Ren W, Zeng Y, Meng J.Skeletal muscle is the largest organ system in mammals. To investigate the differences in energy metabolism across various skeletal muscles in Yili horses, this study examined muscle fiber type distributions through immunohistochemical staining of muscles, including the splenius, triceps brachii, longissimus dorsi, and gluteus medius. The splenius and gluteus medius muscles, which exhibited the greatest differences in the proportion of slow-twitch fiber area, were selected for further comparison of differential metabolites and transcriptomic expression profiles between slow-twitch and fast-twi...
Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals Biaxial Regulatory Mechanisms of Cardiac Adaptation by Specialized Racing Training in Yili Horses.
Biology    November 17, 2025   Volume 14, Issue 11 1609 doi: 10.3390/biology14111609
Wang T, Li M, Ren W, Meng J, Yao X, Chu H, Yao R, Zhai M, Zeng Y.Yili horses undergo coordinated physiological adaptations across systems in response to customized training. This study aimed to clarify the molecular mechanisms of these adaptations by integrating analyses of cardiac function and multi-omics (lipidomics, transcriptomics, miRNomics). We collected whole blood samples from ten Yili horses before and after 12 weeks of specialized racing training to perform these analyses. Results showed training induced adaptive cardiac remodeling, with substantial increases in LVIDd and LVIDs. At the molecular level, this was accompanied by extensive blood lipid...
Cardiac-Metabolic Coupling Revealed by Lipid and Energy Metabolomics Determines 80 km Endurance Performance in Yili Horses.
Biology    November 12, 2025   Volume 14, Issue 11 1581 doi: 10.3390/biology14111581
Wang T, Huang J, Ren W, Meng J, Yao X, Chu H, Yao R, Zhai M, Zeng Y.This study aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanisms underlying the relationship between cardiac structure and function and plasma metabolic characteristics in Yili horses participating in an 80-km endurance, by integrating echocardiography, lipidomics, and energy metabolomics analyses. Twenty four competing Yili horses were selected and divided based on competition outcomes: Pre-Completion Group: PCG ( = 6); Post-Completion Group: PoCG ( = 6); Overtime Completion Group: OCG ( = 6); and Non-Completion Group: NCG ( = 6). Cardiac structural and functional parameters were assessed via echoca...
Integrating miRNA, mRNA, and Targeted Metabolomics Analyses to Explore the Regulatory Mechanism of Cardiac Remodeling in Yili Horses.
Biology    November 1, 2025   Volume 14, Issue 11 1535 doi: 10.3390/biology14111535
Wang T, Yang X, Ren W, Meng J, Yao X, Chu H, Yao R, Zhai M, Zeng Y.Training not only enhances the athletic performance of horses but also improves cardiac structure and function, strengthens cardiovascular adaptability, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the consequences of training on equine cardiac structure and function remain unclear. This study investigated the morphological, functional, genetic, and metabolic changes in the hearts of Yili horses divided into three groups: high athletic performance (agility group, AG), low athletic performance (ordinary group, OG), and untrained (untrained group, UN). The results showed remodeling ...
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Differences in Athletic Ability in Racehorses Based on Whole Transcriptome Sequencing.
Biology    October 5, 2025   Volume 14, Issue 10 1364 doi: 10.3390/biology14101364
Huang Q, Ren W, Shan D, Su Y, Li Z, Li L, Wang R, Ma S, Wang J.This study aimed to compare blood samples from Yili horses with outstanding and average performance in 5000 m races through transcriptome sequencing, identify key differentially expressed genes, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, as well as related enriched pathways, and elucidate their regulatory networks. This study used six healthy four-year-old Yili stallions as subjects, divided into an excellent group (E group, = 3) and an ordinary group (O group, = 3) based on their 5000-m race performance. Blood RNA-Seq technology was used to analyze differentially expressed mRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs. A total...
Exploring the Abnormal Characteristics of the Ovaries During the Estrus Period of Kazakh Horses Based on Single-Cell Transcriptome Technology.
Biology    October 2, 2025   Volume 14, Issue 10 1351 doi: 10.3390/biology14101351
Ren W, Zhou J, Zhu J, Zhang J, Zhao X, Yao X.The ovary is among the earliest organs to undergo age-related degeneration, limiting the reproductive potential of elite horses and constraining the growth of the equine industry. Follicular development during estrus is a key determinant of fertility, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying its decline, particularly at the level of specific ovarian cell types, remain poorly understood in equids. Here, we constructed a single-cell transcriptomic atlas to investigate ovarian changes in Kazakh horses. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we profiled 112,861 cells from follicle-containing...
Mechanisms of Variation in Abdominal Adipose Color Among Male Kazakh Horses Through Non-Coding RNA Sequencing.
Biology    September 17, 2025   Volume 14, Issue 9 1285 doi: 10.3390/biology14091285
Zhou Y, Yao X, Meng J, Wang J, Zeng Y, Li L, Ren W.The Kazakh horse is a highly valuable indigenous Chinese breed known for its use in both milk and meat production. However, the mechanisms underlying color variation in the abdominal adipose tissue of this breed remain poorly understood. In this study, the sequencing of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) was conducted on abdominal adipose tissue of different colors from Kazakh horses, with the aim of investigating the molecular mechanisms responsible for this variation. A total of 205 differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (DELncRNAs) including , , and ; 52 differentially expressed microRNAs (DEm...
Transcriptome Analysis of Muscle Tissue from Three Anatomical Locations in Male and Female Kazakh Horses.
Biology    September 8, 2025   Volume 14, Issue 9 1216 doi: 10.3390/biology14091216
Wubuli A, Su Y, Yao X, Meng J, Wang J, Zeng Y, Li L, Ren W.The Kazakh horse, a versatile breed, is renowned for stable genetic performance and strong tolerance to coarse feed. Sex is a key factor influencing skeletal muscle development. However, the mechanisms underlying sex-specific regulation of equine muscle growth remain obscure. This study employed transcriptomic analysis to investigate sex-associated molecular differences in skeletal muscle of Kazakh horses. The experimental cohort comprised four three-year-old Kazakh stallions and four three-year-old Kazakh mares. After slaughter, six groups of muscle samples were collected immediately, includi...
DNA Methylation of Igf2r Promoter CpG Island 2 Governs Cis-Acting Inheritance and Gene Dosage in Equine Hybrids.
Biology    June 11, 2025   Volume 14, Issue 6 678 doi: 10.3390/biology14060678
Wang X, Shen Y, Ren H, Yi M, Bou G.Genomic imprinting is critical for mammalian development, but its regulation varies across species. The insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF2R), which is a maternally expressed imprinted gene critical for cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as embryonic and placental development, is classically regulated by differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and lncRNA- in mice. However, studies on this in equus are scarce, especially in terms of mechanistic studies. In the present study, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, and muscle samples were obtained from horses, donkeys, a...
A Genetic Make Up of Italian Lipizzan Horse Through Uniparental Markers to Preserve Historical Pedigrees.
Biology    December 23, 2024   Volume 13, Issue 12 1087 doi: 10.3390/biology13121087
Crisà A, Cardinali I, Giontella A, Silvestrelli M, Lancioni H, Buttazzoni L.Lipizzan is a famous horse breed dating back to 1580 when the original stud of Lipica was established by the Hasburg Archduke Charles II. Currently, the Italian State Stud of Lipizzan Horses (ASCAL) is a conservation nucleus managed through strict mating rules where mitochondrial DNA sequences are used to verify the correct assignment of mares to a historical pedigree maternal lineage. Here, we analyzed the D-loop sequences of Lipizzan horses from the ASCAL in Monterotondo (Rome, Italy) in order to confirm their pedigree assignment to known female founder families. The concurrent investigation...
Changes in Immunoglobulins G and A in the Saliva and Serum of Horses with Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) and Their Relationship with Other Immune and Redox Status Biomarkers.
Biology    November 1, 2024   Volume 13, Issue 11 doi: 10.3390/biology13110891
Botía M, Martín-Cuervo M, Martínez-Subiela S, Cerón JJ, Ayala I, Hansen S, Muñoz-Prieto A.Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is a widespread disease with a very high prevalence and importance in horses. It includes two conditions: Equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD), linked to acid disturbances, and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD), associated with inflammation and immune system issues. In saliva, increased levels of immunological markers have been observed in this disease, indicating immune system involvement. In addition, changes in biomarkers of oxidative stress have been described. In horses, IgG and IgA are proteins that appear in saliva and serum and are considere...
Effect of Sugar Beet Pulp on the Composition and Predicted Function of Equine Fecal Microbiota.
Biology    September 19, 2023   Volume 12, Issue 9 1254 doi: 10.3390/biology12091254
Ford T, McAdams ZL, Townsend KS, Martin LM, Johnson PJ, Ericsson AC.The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the partial replacement of dietary hay with sugar beet pulp (SBP) on the composition and predicted function of the fecal microbiota of healthy adult horses. Fecal samples were collected daily for 12 days from six adult horses after removal from pasture, including a five-day acclimation period, and a seven-day period following the introduction of SBP into their diet, and compared to six untreated horses over a comparable period. Fecal DNA was subjected to 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and a longitudinal analysis was performed comparing the ...
Evaluation of Thermal Changes of the Sole Surface in Horses with Palmar Foot Pain: A Pilot Study.
Biology    March 10, 2023   Volume 12, Issue 3 doi: 10.3390/biology12030423
Zaha C, Schuszler L, Dascalu R, Nistor P, Florea T, Imre K, Rujescu C, Sicoe B, Igna C.Horses with palmar foot pain do not show a typical increase in temperature in the palmar aspect of the hoof and heel due to low blood flow. The objectives of the current study were to determine the changes and differences in the thermographic pattern of the sole surface in horses with unilateral palmar foot pain and non-lame horses before and after training. We hypothesized that the thermal pattern and the local temperature of the frog area and toe area would be similar, with an increased local temperature after training in both lame and non-lame horses. A pilot study was conducted to investig...
Evolution of the Family Equidae, Subfamily Equinae, in North, Central and South America, Eurasia and Africa during the Plio-Pleistocene.
Biology    August 24, 2022   Volume 11, Issue 9 1258 doi: 10.3390/biology11091258
Studies of horse evolution arose during the middle of the 19th century, and several hypotheses have been proposed for their taxonomy, paleobiogeography, paleoecology and evolution. The present contribution represents a collaboration of 19 multinational experts with the goal of providing an updated summary of Pliocene and Pleistocene North, Central and South American, Eurasian and African horses. At the present time, we recognize 114 valid species across these continents, plus 4 North African species in need of further investigation. Our biochronology and biogeography sections integrate Equinae...
Structure and Strength of Bovine and Equine Amniotic Membrane.
Biology    July 23, 2022   Volume 11, Issue 8 1096 doi: 10.3390/biology11081096
Wells HC, Sizeland KH, Kirby N, Haverkamp RG.Thin, strong scaffold materials are needed for surgical applications. New materials are required, particularly those readily available, such as from non-human sources. Bovine amniotic membrane (antepartum) and equine amniotic membrane (postpartum) were characterized with tear and tensile tests. The structural arrangement of the collagen fibrils was determined by small-angle X-ray scattering, scanning electron microscopy, and ultrasonic imaging. Bovine amnion had a thickness-normalized tear strength of 12.6 (3.8) N/mm, while equine amnion was 14.8 (5.3) N/mm. SAXS analysis of the collagen fibri...
Biological Potential of Polyphenols in the Context of Metabolic Syndrome: An Analysis of Studies on Animal Models.
Biology    April 7, 2022   Volume 11, Issue 4 559 doi: 10.3390/biology11040559
Niewiadomska J, Gajek-Marecka A, Gajek J, Noszczyk-Nowak A.Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a disease that has a complex etiology. It is defined as the co-occurrence of several pathophysiological disorders, including obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. MetS is currently a severe problem in the public health care system. As its prevalence increases every year, it is now considered a global problem among adults and young populations. The treatment of choice comprises lifestyle changes based mainly on diet and physical activity. Therefore, researchers have been attempting to discover new substances that could help reduce or even reverse t...
Equine Genital Squamous Cell Carcinoma Associated with EcPV2 Infection: RANKL Pathway Correlated to Inflammation and Wnt Signaling Activation.
Biology    March 21, 2021   Volume 10, Issue 3 244 doi: 10.3390/biology10030244
Mecocci S, Porcellato I, Armando F, Mechelli L, Brachelente C, Pepe M, Gialletti R, Passeri B, Modesto P, Ghelardi A, Cappelli K, Razzuoli E.Equine genital squamous cell carcinomas (egSCCs) are among the most common equine tumors after sarcoids, severely impairing animal health and welfare. papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) infection is often related to these tumors. The aim of this study was to clarify the molecular mechanisms behind egSCCs associated with EcPV2 infection, investigating receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) signaling in NF-kB pathway, together with the Wnt and IL17 signaling pathways. We analyzed the innate immune response through gene expression evaluation of key cytokines and transcription fac...