文献类型： 外文期刊

作者： Mustafa, Shehr Bano ¹ ; Long, Hua ² ; Song, Tianzeng ³ ; Zhang, Xiaoming ¹ ; Zhaxi, Yangzong ³ ; Wu, Jing ¹ ; Chen, Xiaoying ³ ; Shahzad, Khuram ⁵ ; Jiang, Xunping ⁴ ; Liu, Guiqiong ⁴ ; Zeng, Xianyin ⁶ ; Zhao, Wangsheng ¹ ;

作者机构： 1.Southwest Univ Sci & Technol, Coll Life Sci & Agriforestry, Mianyang 621010, Sichuan, Peoples R China

2.Shigatse High Tech Ind Dev Ctr, Shigatse 857000, Xizang, Peoples R China

3.Xizang Acad Agr & Anim Husb Sci, Inst Anim Sci, Lhasa 850009, Xizang, Peoples R China

4.Huazhong Agr Univ, Coll Anim Sci & Technol, Wuhan 430070, Peoples R China

5.COMSATS Univ Islamabad CUI, Interdisciplinary Res Ctr Biomed Mat IRCBM, Lahore Campus,Def Rd,Off Raiwind Rd, Lahore 54000, Pakistan

6.Sichuan Agr Univ, Coll Life Sci, Yaan 625000, Peoples R China

关键词： colonic; GnRH immunocastration; metabolomic; microbiome; sheep; surgical castration; testosterone; 16S rRNA sequencing

期刊名称：REPRODUCTION FERTILITY AND DEVELOPMENT （ 影响因子：2.1； 五年影响因子：2.0 ）

ISSN： 1031-3613

年卷期： 2025 年 37 卷 10 期

页码：

收录情况： SCI

摘要： Context Castration of lambs is an old practice for managing reproduction and improving meat quality. However, the traditional method raises welfare concerns. To overcome these limitations, immunocastration has gained attention as an ethical and effective solution to the welfare challenges associated with surgical castration by targeting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.Aims In this investigation, we study the impact of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) immunocastration by analysing its influence on testosterone levels, colon microorganisms, and metabolomics.Methods The experiment is divided into immunocastrated (IMCF), surgically castrated (ORCCF), and control (EMCF) groups of male sheep. Blood and fecal samples were collected for testosterone measurement, metabolomics and microbiota analysis. Metabolomics was analysed by LC-MS/MS, while microbiota analysis was performed using 16S rRNA sequencing.Key results The testosterone level in both IMCF and ORCCF groups significantly declined compared to the EMCF. Furthermore, the relative abundance of bacteroidota to Firmicutes was higher in the IMCF and ORCCF groups compared to the EMCF group. The IMCF group showed increased levels of beneficial genera, Bacteroides, compared to the ORCCF and EMCF groups. Furthermore, metabolomics analysis revealed that GnRH immunocastration significantly affected some metabolites, such as methyl stearate and 23-nordeoxycholic acid, which were significantly upregulated in the IMCF group relative to the ORCCF group. In contrast, N '-formylkynurenine and 6-aminonicotinamide showed marked downregulation.Conclusions GnRH immunocastration is an effective alternative to surgical castration with added benefits for health and metabolic efficiency, highlighting its potential advantages in animal welfare and productivity.Implications The study highlights the potential of GnRH immunocastration, which contributes to advancing modern techniques. This approach offers ethical livestock management practices.