This study was performed to evaluate the effects of different rearing methods on the growth performance, carcass yield, and meat quality of small-sized meat ducks. A total of 420 healthy 21-day-old birds was randomly allocated to 2 treatment groups (6 replicates per treatment, sex ratio 1/1) and subjected to 2 rearing methods (furnished cage and plastic wire-floor) until d 63. Growth performance was measured in all birds. Three males and 3 females from each replicate were randomly selected and evaluated to determine the carcass yield and meat quality. In terms of growth performance, the rearing method affected the final body weight, average daily feed intake, and average daily gain, which were higher in the cage group ( P < 0.05) than in the floor group, with a similar feed/gain in both groups. For slaughter performance, ducks in the cage group showed a higher abdominal fat yield and lower gizzard yield than those in the floor group ( P < 0.05). For meat quality, the L* value of the breast muscle was higher in the cage group than in the floor group ( P < 0.05). The pH recorded at 1 h was lower and pH recorded at 24 h was higher in the cage group ( P < 0.05). The shear force and water loss rate were both lower in the cage group ( P < 0.05). Additionally, the moisture content was lower and intramuscular fat content was higher in ducks fed in cages ( P < 0.05). Our results indicate that the cage rearing system improved the growth performance and meat quality of ducks, which is appropriate for small-sized meat ducks.

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The objective of this investigation was to clone goose FSHβ-subunit cDNA and to construct a FSH fusion gene to identify the function of FSHβ mRNA during stages of the breeding cycle. The FSHβ gene was obtained by reverse transcription-PCR, and the full-length FSHβ mRNA sequence was amplified by rapid-amplification of cDNA ends. FSHβ mRNA expression was detected in reproductive tissues at different stages (pre-laying, laying period, and broody period). Additionally, the expression of 4 genes known to be involved in reproduction (FSHβ, GnRH, GH, and BMP) were evaluated in COS-7 cells expressing the fusion gene (pVITRO2-FSHαβ-CTP). The results show that the FSHβ gene consists of a 16 base pair (bp) 5'-untranslated region (UTR), 396 bp open reading frame, and alternative 3'-UTRs at 518 bp and 780 bp, respectively. qPCR analyses revealed that FSHβ mRNA is highly transcribed in reproductive tissues, including the pituitary, hypothalamus, ovaries, and oviduct. FSHβ mRNA expression increased and subsequently decreased in the pituitary, ovaries, and oviduct during the reproductive stages. Stable FSH expression was confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays after transfection with the pVITRO2-FSHαβ-CTP plasmid. FSHβ, GnRH, and BMP expression increased significantly 36 h and 48 h after transfection with the fusion gene in COS-7 cells. The results demonstrate that the FSHβ subunit functions in the goose reproductive cycle and provides a theoretical basis for future breeding work.

Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC. is a popular vegetable with unique flavor and its leaf is the main product organ. Gibberellin (GA) is an important plant hormone that plays vital roles in regulating the growth of plants. In this study, the plants of water dropwort were treated with different concentrations of GA3. The plant height of water dropwort was significantly increased after GA3 treatment. Anatomical structure analysis indicated that the cell length of water dropwort was elongated under exogenous application of GA3. The metabolome analysis showed flavonoids were the most abundant metabolites and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites were also regulated by GA3. The exogenous application of GA3 altered the gene expressions of plant hormone signal transduction (GID and DELLA) and metabolites biosynthesis pathways to regulate the growth of water dropwort. The GA contents were modulated by up-regulating the expression of GA metabolism gene GA2ox. The differentially expressed genes related to cell wall formation were significantly enriched. A total of 22 cellulose synthase involved in cellulose biosynthesis were identified from the genome of water dropwort. Our results indicated that GA treatment promoted the cell elongation by inducing the expression of cellulose synthase and cell wall formation in water dropwort. These results revealed the molecular mechanism of GA-mediated cell elongation, which will provide valuable reference for using GA to regulate the growth of water dropwort.