[Objective] This study was conducted to characterize the change of functional gene expression of active microorganisms in different fermentation stages of koumiss. [Method] The koumiss samples were collected at the early （12 h）, middle （48 h） and late （96 h） stages of fermentation, and the metatranscriptomic libraries were prepared for high-throughput RNA sequencing. After assembly and functional annotation of the sequencing data, the differentially expressed genes （DEGs） were identified to determine the static enrichment of significant DEGs in GO and KEGG signaling pathways. [Result] The koumiss samples of the early, middle and late stages of fermentation generated 12.17 GB clean reads by metatranscriptomic high-throughput sequencing. Sequence assembly and data analysis demonstrated that the expression of genes involved in metabolic process played a dominant role in the fermentation process of koumiss. The identification and assessment of DEGs exhibited that the number of the down-regulated genes was more than that of the up-regulated genes in pairwise comparison of the koumiss samples collected at the three fermentation stages. GO functional enrichment analysis showed that the GO terms highly enriched by DEGs between the samples of early and middle fermentation stages associated with cellular process, metabolic process, organic ring compound binding, and heterocyclic compound binding. The GO terms highly enriched by DEGs between the samples of middle and late fermentation stages included cellular process and cellular macromolecule metabolic process. The GO terms highly enriched by DEGs between the samples of early and late fermentation stages mainly involved cellular process, organic substance metabolic process, nucleoside binding, ribonucleoside binding, and purine nucleotide binding. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis displayed that there was only one signaling pathway （ribosome） in which DEGs between the samples of early and middle fermentation stages significantly enriched. DEGs between the samples of middle and late fermentation stages significantly enriched in the signaling pathways of ether lipid metabolism, aminobenzoate degradation, mRNA surveillance pathway, and steroid biosynthesis. The signaling pathways of steroid biosynthesis, aminobenzoate degradation, mRNA surveillance pathway, ribosome and ethylbenzene degradation were significantly enriched by DEGs between the samples of early and late fermentation stages. [Conclusion] The differential expression of functional genes of active microorganisms was involved in the fermentation process and dynamically changed in different fermentation stages of koumiss. The results obtained in this study provide references for in-depth understanding the fermentation mechanism and optimizing the fermentation process of koumiss.

[Objective] This study was conducted to assess the mechanisms underlying the protective role of honeysuckle extract against Newcastle disease virus （NDV） infection in pigeon. [Method] A total of 40 healthy 28-day-old American king pigeons without NDV vaccination were selected and subjected to a 7-day adaptive rearing. At the age of 35 days, the experimental pigeons were randomly assigned into a honeysuckle extract protective （KO） group （n=10） or a virus challenge control （OE） group （n=10）. The pigeons in KO group drank the water containing 1.2% honeysuckle extract for 7 consecutive days, and at the age of 42 days, they were intramuscularly injected with 0.5 mL NDV Pi/NJ/CH/4416/2016 strain of pigeon origin with HA potency of 5log2 . The pigeons in OE group drank the normal water and were challenged with the same NDV strain at the same dosage at the age of 42 days. Seven days after challenge, 3 pigeons were chosen from both KO and OE groups. The spleen samples were collected for paraffin-embedded tissue section preparation and for total RNA extraction to construct the transcriptome libraries. RNA-Seq was used to identify differentially expressed genes （DEGs） and to perform GO functional enrichment analysis as well as KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Four randomly selected significant DEGs identified by RNA-Seq were verified by using qRT-PCR. [Result] The splenocytes of the pigeons in OE group had abnormally enlarged nuclei and white vacuoles, accompanied by a large number of granulocyte infiltration in splenic tissues, while those of the pigeons in KO group had many white vacuoles and minor granulocyte infiltration alone, and no abnormally enlarged splenocyte nuclei in splenic tissues were observed. A total of 374 DEGs were identified in the spleens of the pigeons in KO group by RNA-Seq, of which 112 were significantly up-regulated and 262 were significantly down-regulated. GO functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that 875 DEGs were enriched in 312 GO entries, of which 149 belonged to biological process, 33 belonged to cellular component, and 130 belonged to molecular function. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that 226 DEGs were enriched in 93 KEGG signaling pathways, including information transmission pathway, metabolic pathway, natural immunity related pathway, and apoptosis pathway. The qRT-PCR validation test showed that the relative mRNA abundance of the 4 randomly selected significant DEGs （LOC110360702, LOC110360688, SFRP5 and CHAD） had the same change trend as the RNA-Seq results. [Conclusion] Honeysuckle extract exerts protective role against NDV infection in pigeon by activating important physiological processes of host such as information transmission, metabolic regulation and immune response. The results obtained in this study provide a scientific basis for further investigation on the molecular mechanism of immune response to NDV infection in pigeon.

Plant essential oil is a natural mixture of volatile and aromatic compounds extracted from plants, with biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. At present, research on the application of plant essential oil in chicken production mainly focuses on improving growth performance, anti-oxidant stress and regulating intestinal development. This paper introduced the physicochemical properties and biological activities of plant essential oil, and reviewed the research progress on the application of plant essential oil as feed additives in chicken production, in hoping to provide reference for the development of plant essential oil preparations and their scientific application in chicken production.

[Objective] The aim of the present study was to characterize the activity and proliferation of spermatogonial stem cells （SSCs） from testes of Boer goats at different months of age during in vitro culture. [Method] Testes of Boer goats at 1, 3, 5 and 58 months of age were sampled, and the development of them was observed by histological method. The testicular tissues from goats at different months of age were separated to single cell by three-step enzyme digestion method. The total number of digestive cells and the number of dead cells was observed by trypan blue staining. The SSCs were purified with differential adhesion method and cultured for 10 days. The number of Thy-1⁺ cells in suspension before purification, after purification and cultured for 10 days was determined by flow cytometry. After cultured for 10 days, the SSCs clones were identified by alkaline phosphatase staining, and the number and area of clones formed by SSCs from testes of goats at different months of age were statistically measured. [Result] Testicular histological observation demonstrated that goats aged 1 month had the least number of germ cells in lumen of contorted seminiferous tubule, germ cells of all levels gradually developed with the increase of months of age, while seminiferous epithelium of goats aged 58 months was evidently degraded. After three-step enzyme digestion, the highest total number of testicular cells obtained before and after purification was observed in goats aged 5 months, which was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that in goats aged 1 month. There was no significant （P>0.05） difference in survival rate of testicular cells before and after purification for goats at different months of age. Among pre- and post-purification testicular cells and purified SSCs cultured for 10 days, the highest proportion of Thy-1⁺ cells in the total number of testicular cells was found in goats aged 1 month, which was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that in goats aged the other months. After 10 days of culture, the SSCs clones from testes of goats at different months of age were positive for alkaline phosphatase. The average number of SSCs formed clones from testes of goats aged 1 month was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that of goats aged the other months, while no significant （P>0.05） difference in average area of SSCs formed clones among goats at different months of age was observed. [Conclusion] Boer goats aged 5 months had the highest total number of cells in testes. Those aged 1 month had the lowest total number of cells in testes, while had the highest activity and proliferation efficiency of SSCs.

Ventilation in animal housing refers to the exchanging process of internal and external air, which is crucial for maintaining good air quality as well as regulating temperature and humidity in animal housing, and for reducing the risk of respiratory diseases in animals. The primary ventilation patterns in animal housing include natural and mechanical ventilation. Natural ventilation relies on natural forces and is suitable for open animal housing, while mechanical ventilation controls air movement within housing using machinery equipment, offering more flexibility. The factors such as animal species, layout and structure of animal housing, climate and geographical location should be taken into account in selection of ventilation patterns. The comfort of animal housing environment directly impacts the health status and production performance of animals. High temperature and high humidity environment may cause heat stress in animals, and further affects their feed intake, growth and immune function. Accordingly, scientific and reasonable ventilation management is of great significance for maintaining health and improving production efficiency of animals. This paper introduced the commonly used ventilation patterns in animal housing, expounded the impacts of different ventilation patterns on environmental factors, and reviewed the research progress on the effects of ventilation patterns on animals′ physiological and biochemical parameters and production performance, in hoping to provide theoretical basis for the design and construction of ventilation systems in animal housing.

[Objective] The purpose of this study was to investigate the degradation effect of potassium ferrate combined with hydrogen peroxide on florfenicol in water. [Method] A 4-factor 5-level orthogonal test was conducted using the molar ratio of potassium ferrate to florfenicol, the molar ratio of hydrogen peroxide to potassium ferrate, the pH value of the reaction system, and the reaction duration as the factors. The concentration of florfenicol was determined by high performance liquid chromatography, and the degradation rate of florfenicol was used as an evaluation index to determine the optimal degradation conditions. [Result] The optimal degradation conditions obtained from the orthogonal test were as follows: the molar ratio of potassium ferrite to florfenicol was 45∶1, the molar ratio of hydrogen peroxide to potassium ferrite was 1∶1, the pH value of the reaction system was 7, and the reaction duration was 45 min. [Conclusion] The combination use of potassium ferrite and hydrogen peroxide could effectively degrade florfenicol in water.

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate and analyze the competitiveness status of the indigenous pig farming enterprises in Yunnan Province and to provide references for enhancing their competitiveness. [Method] Based on the Michael Porter′s value chain theory and combined with the industry characteristics of indigenous pig farming enterprises and the availability of related data, a competitiveness evaluation index system composed of 20 indicators for the indigenous pig farming enterprises in Yunnan Province was established from the dimensions of enterprise capital, human resource, production status as well as science and technology level. The survey data were collected from 15 indigenous pig farming enterprises in 9 prefectures or cities of Yunnan Province in 2020, and were used to evaluate the competitiveness of the surveyed enterprises by using entropy weight TOPSIS method. [Result]①The competitiveness comprehensive level of the indigenous pig farming enterprises in Yunnan Province ranged from 0.102 4 to 0.634 0, with an average value of 0.368 7 and a standard deviation of 0.149 8. The highest value （0.634 0） was observed in the No.7 enterprise, which reached a good level. While the lowest one （0.102 4） was observed in the No.12 enterprise, which was at a poor level. ②In terms of each sub-item weight and level, enterprise capital had the highest （37%） weight, followed by production status （24%） as well as science and technology level （24%）, and human resource had the lowest （15%） weight. The average value, standard deviation and variation coefficient of enterprise capital level were 0.346 3, 0.184 2 and 0.531 9, respectively. The average value, standard deviation and variation coefficient of human resource level were 0.377 7, 0.183 7 and 0.486 4, respectively. The average value, standard deviation and variation coefficient of production status level were 0.378 2, 0.141 8 and 0.374 9, respectively. The average value, standard deviation and variation coefficient of science and technology level were 0.340 7, 0.221 6 and 0.650 4, respectively. [Conclusion] The competitiveness of the indigenous pig farming enterprises in Yunnan Province was relatively weak, and no enterprises reached the high-quality level. Only one enterprise reached the good level, and the vast majority of the enterprises were at the medium or below level. The human resource and production status of the surveyed enterprises were relatively good and exhibited minor gaps with each other. While the highly weighted enterprise capital as well as science and technology level were relatively weak and displayed disparities with each other. For enhancing the competitiveness of the indigenous pig farming enterprises in Yunnan Province, this paper suggests that the conservation and development of the excellent breeds of indigenous pig should be taken as the core, the development of leading enterprises should be fully supported, the own commercial brands should be established, and the scientific and technological innovation in pig farming should be emphasized.

[Objective] The aims of the present study were to review and sort out the research progress and experience in agricultural and livestock product production base construction in China and abroad, and to summarize the enlightenment for Inner Mongolia in constructing the national important agricultural and livestock product production base. [Method] Literature review method was used to analyze the main research contents and achievements in agricultural and livestock product production base construction in China and abroad, and the corresponding experience and practice in this field were summarized. Furthermore, the current situation and restricting factors of agricultural and livestock product production base construction in Inner Mongolia were assessed, and relevant suggestions for the high-quality construction of national important agricultural and livestock product production base were proposed. [Result] The research conducted by scholars in China and abroad has demonstrated that the agricultural and livestock product production base construction is able to effectively promote the regional economic development, optimize the structure of agricultural and animal husbandry industries, and improve the quality of agricultural and livestock products. The United States, Japan, Australia and some European countries have established well-known agricultural and livestock product production bases or industrial belts worldwide. Some regions in China have also combined their resource endowments to construct agricultural and livestock product production bases with local characteristics. These construction experiences have reference significance for Inner Mongolia. Although Inner Mongolia has achieved positive results in constructing the national important agricultural and livestock product production base, it still faces some problems such as natural resource constraints, weak infrastructure construction in agricultural and animal husbandry industries, inadequate scientific and technological support and innovation capabilities, and insufficiently extended animal husbandry industry chain. Based on the experience in agricultural and livestock product production base construction in China and abroad, and starting from the actual situation in Inner Mongolia, this paper proposes some countermeasures and suggestions as follows：strengthening the infrastructure construction of agricultural and livestock product production base, enhancing the production capacity of agricultural and livestock products, accelerating the construction of new-type management systems, promoting the integrated development of agricultural and animal husbandry industries, strengthening the construction of scientific and technological service systems, promoting the high-quality development of agricultural and animal husbandry industries, improving the support policies and guarantee measures, and forming a green development system. [Conclusion] The results obtained in this study provide references for the high-quality construction of national important agricultural and livestock product production base in Inner Mongolia, and for the promotion of stable and safe supply of grain and important agricultural and livestock products.

[Objective] This study was conducted to characterize the nutritional value, production performance and soil improvement effects of different varieties of forage grasses planted on floodplain in the Yinchuan section of the Yellow River in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. [Method] A total of 11 varieties of forage grasses were included in this study. The nutritional quality and production performance indexes of the forage grasses, as well as the soil nutrient indexes of the forage grass planting plots were determined and statistically compared. In addition, the correlation among these indexes were assessed. [Result] ①There were obvious variations in nutritional quality indexes among the 11 varieties of forage grasses. Zhongmu No.4, Bromus inermis and Festuca arundinacea had the highest contents of crude protein, crude fat and crude ash, respectively. Festuca arundinacea exhibited the lowest contents of crude fiber and ADF, and Zhongmu No.3 exhibited the lowest NDF content. The highest contents of total carbon and total nitrogen were observed in Elymus dahuricus and Zhongmu No.4, respectively, while those of calcium and phosphorus were observed in Ruide and Festuca arundinacea, respectively. ② The plots planted with the 11 varieties of forage grasses had significantly （P<0.05） decreased soil pH value and total salt content compared with those before planting. Except for the soil contents of total phosphorus and available phosphorus in selected forage grass planting plots, most soil nutrient indexes in the forage grass planting plots significantly （P<0.05） increased. The plots planted with Leymus chinensis or Agropyron mongolicum Keng had higher soil contents of total nitrogen, organic matter and alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen. The Leymus chinensis planting plot had the highest soil contents of available phosphorus and available potassium. The highest soil content of total phosphorus was observed in the Agropyron mongolicum Keng planting plot. ③ Except for Elymus dahuricus with a lower plant height, there were no significant （P>0.05） differences in plant height among the other 10 varieties of forage grasses. Elytrigia elongata, Agropyron mongolicum Keng, Zhongmu No.4 and Zhongmu No. 3 had higher grass yield. ④ Correlation analysis demonstrated that grass yield had varying degrees of positive or negative correlation with some indexes of nutritional quality of forage grasses and some soil nutrient indexes of the forage grass planting plots. Principal component analysis showed that the comprehensive evaluation ranking of the 11 varieties of forage grasses was as follows: Leymus chinensis>Agropyron mongolicum Keng>Bromus inermis>Puccinellia distans>Elytrigia elongata>Zhongmu No.4>Elymus dahuricus>Festuca arundinacea>Qishi No.2>Zhongmu No.3>Ruide. [Conclusion] Leymus chinensis, Agropyron mongolicum Keng, Bromus inermis, Puccinellia distans and Elytrigia elongata had better comprehensive performance when planting on floodplain in the Yinchuan section of the Yellow River, and had the potential to be the mainly promoted varieties of forage grasses and used for soil improvement in the Yellow River floodplain.

[Objective] This study was conducted to evaluate the production performance of three new cultivars of alfalfa （Medicago sativa L.） in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Method] The three new cultivars of alfalfa bred by Grass Germplasm Resources and Breeding Team in Xinjiang Agricultural University, designated as MX01, MX02 and MX03, were used as the research objects, and Xinmu No.4, an indigenously bred alfalfa cultivar in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was served as control （CK）. The plant height, dry to fresh ratio, leaf to stem ratio, fresh yield per harvest, total fresh yield, hay yield per harvest and total hay yield of the four tested alfalfa materials in three consecutive harvests within the same year were assessed and statistically compared. In addition, correlation analyses were performed between the associated trait indicators and total fresh yield or total hay yield. [Result] The average plant height of the four tested alfalfa materials in the three observed harvests from high to low were MX01 （95.23 cm）, CK （94.56 cm）, MX03 （90.25 cm） and MX02 （88.36 cm）, indicating that MX01 had a better performance in growth. The average dry to fresh ratio from high to low were MX02 （32.22%）, CK （28.81%）, MX01 （27.76%） and MX03 （25.36%）, revealing that MX02 had a better performance in dry matter accumulation. The average leaf to stem ratio from high to low were MX03 （70.85%）, MX02 （67.53%）, CK （66.68%） and MX01 （62.76%）, demonstrating that MX03 had a better performance in quality. The contribution rate of the fresh yield in the first two harvests to the total fresh yield of MX02 and MX03 was relatively higher, both reaching over 80%. The total fresh yield of the four tested alfalfa materials from high to low were MX03 （89.01 t/hm²）, MX02 （86.33 t/hm²）, CK （83.53 t/hm²） and MX01 （76.62 t/hm²）, with MX03 significantly （P<0.05） higher than the other materials, indicating that it was suitable for fresh grass production. There were evident differences in the contribution rate of the hay yield in the three separate harvest to the total hay yield among the three new cultivars. The total hay yield from high to low were MX02 （27.82 t/hm²）, CK （24.06 t/hm²）, MX03 （22.57 t/hm²） and MX01 （21.27 t/hm²）, demonstrating that MX02 was suitable for hay production. The fresh yield in the second harvest was extremely significantly （P<0.01） positively correlated with the total fresh yield, while the leaf to stem ratio in the second harvest was extremely significantly （P<0.01） negatively correlated with the total hay yield. [Conclusion] The evaluation results of multiple trait indicators of the three new cultivars of alfalfa in different harvests and the entire production cycle demonstrated that the comprehensive performance of MX02 and MX03 was better, and they had the potential to be promoted and planted in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

[Objective] The aim of the present study was to characterize the amino acid profiles in free-grazing Alagxa white cashmere goat and Mongolian sheep meat from Alagxa League, Inner Mongolia. [Method] A total of 137 mutton samples including biceps femoris, longissimus dorsi muscle and intercostal muscle were collected from Alagxa white cashmere goat and Mongolian sheep reared in Alagxa Left Banner, Alagxa Right Banner and Ejin Banner of Alagxa League. The contents of 17 kinds of amino acids in mutton were assessed in accordance with the Determination of Amino Acids in Food in National Food Safety Standards （GB 5009.124—2016）. Chemometric discrimination and descriptive statistical analysis methods were applied to compare the differences in amino acid profiles in mutton from different species and parts. [Result] Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） achieved an higher separating capacity in amino acid contents in mutton from different species and parts. The presence of all the tested amino acids were detected in mutton from both species, including 7 kinds of essential amino acid （EAA） for human. There were no significant （P>0.05） differences in the contents of all the tested amino acids between the mutton from the two species, and the similar contents of total amino acid （TAA）, EAA and non-essential amino acid （NEAA） were observed within the two species. There were significant （P<0.05） differences in most of the amino acid contents in mutton from the three parts, and significant （P<0.05） differences in the contents of TAA, EAA and NEAA were observed among different parts as well. The characteristic amino acids of intercostal muscle samples were Gly, Pro and Ala, while His, Tyr, Gly, Lys, Ala, Phe and Met were the potentially important marker amino acids for discriminating different parts of mutton. The ratios of EAA to TAA （EAA/TAA） in the mutton from both species and three parts were all around 40%, and those of EAA to NEAA （EAA/NEAA） were all above 60%, which were in line with the recommended EAA/TAA and EAA/NEAA of ideal protein by FAO/WHO. [Conclusion] The amino acid profiles in different parts of free-grazing Alagxa white cashmere goat and Mongolian sheep meat from Alagxa League was preliminarily characterized in this study. Mutton from both species were abundant in amino acid composition and content, and had high nutritional value.

Quaternary ammonium salt-based disinfectants （QASDs） are chemical disinfectant agents prepared with disinfectant quaternary ammonium compounds. They are cationic disinfectants with strong antibacterial activity and have diverse uses in a variety of fields such as public places, food processing, aquaculture and healthcare, playing a critical role in preventing the spread of environmental pathogenic microorganisms. Due to the irrational use of QASDs, bacteria have gradually become resistant to them, and the detection rate of resistant bacteria has increased substantially. The emergence of disinfectant resistance genes has exacerbated the mutual transmission of the QASDs resistant bacteria at the human-animal-environment interface. Bacteria can develop varying degrees of resistance to QASDs through different mechanisms such as generating biofilms, altering cell membrane permeability, active efflux systems, synthesizing degradative enzymes, changing target sites of action, and acquisition of genetic elements, posing a serious threat to human health and ecological environment. In this paper, the research progress on bacterial resistance to QASDs as well as corresponding detection methods and possible underlying mechanisms were reviewed to further clarify the influencing factors of bacterial resistance to QASDs, in hoping to provide references for scientific cognition and rational use of QASDs as well as effective control of bacterial resistance to QASDs.

[Objective] The aims of the present study were to isolate and identify the Staphylococcus aureus （S. aureus） strain from fecal samples of lambs with diarrhoea, and to characterize the antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity of the isolate. [Method] Four anal swab samples of diarrheic lambs were collected from a sheep farm in Emin County, Tacheng Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and S. aureus strain was selectively isolated with mannitol salt agar （MSA）. The isolate was identified by morphological observation and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The in vitro susceptibility of the isolate to 11 antimicrobial agents belonging to 9 categories was analyzed by paper diffusion method. The presence of virulence genes of the isolate was detected by PCR assay. A model of abdominal infection in Kunming mice was established to evaluate the pathogenicity of the isolate. [Result] One suspected S. aureus strain was isolated from the four fecal samples of diarrheic lambs. It formed glossy, moderately raised, golden or lemon coloured colonies on MSA. Gram staining and morphological observation revealed that the isolate was Gram-positive and arranged in the form of grape bunches. The 16S rDNA sequence of the isolate was 100% similar to that of a S. aureus isolate of porcineluny origin from Changsha City, Hunan Province, China. Morphological observation and 16S rDNA sequence analysis confirmed that the isolate was S. aureus. The isolate was resistant to penicillin, clindamycin, cefotiamine, rifampicin and erythromycin, and was sensitive to gentamicin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, norfloxacin, cefoxitin and cotrimoxazole. Out of the 20 virulence genes belonging to 8 classes tested, the presence of sea, seg, sei, eta, clfA and clfB genes was observed. The LD₅₀ of the isolate for Kunming mice was 2.24×10⁸ CFU/mL, with observable pathological changes in the organs of the dead mice. [Conclusion] One S. aureus strain was isolated and identified from the fecal samples of diarrheic lambs in a sheep farm in Emin County, which exhibited a multi-drug resistant phenotype, harbored multiple virulence genes and had certain pathogenicity. The results of this study provide references for the rational use of medication for the diseases caused by S. aureus infection in sheep in this region.

[Objective] The aim of the present study was to clarify the infection status of Theileria in beef cattle in the Ninth Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps （hereinafter referred to as the Ninth Division）. [Method] A total of 118 blood samples were collected with anticoagulation tubes from beef cattle reared in the large-scale farms or scatter-feed households in the 161 （n=48）, 163 （n=22）, 164 （n=25） and 165 （n=23） Regiments of the Ninth Division, respectively. Among them, 48 samples were collected from the confined beef cattle and the remaining 70 samples were collected from the free-range beef cattle. The whole genomic DNA of the blood samples were extracted, and PCR assay was used to detect the presence of T. annulata, T. orientalis and T. sinensis with the specially designed primers. The species of Theileria were identified by sequence alignment, and the phylogenetic tree was constructed for genetic evolution analysis. The χ² test was employed to assess the differences in the infection rate of Theileria in beef cattle at different sampling sites and under different rearing modes. [Result] PCR detection showed that among the 118 blood DNA samples of beef cattle, 82 samples were positive for Theileria, with an overall infection rate of 69.49% （82/118）. All Theileria positive samples had T. orientalis alone, while T. annulata and T. sinensis were absent. The infection rates of Theileria in beef cattle in the 161, 163, 164 and 165 Regiments of the Ninth Division were 29.17% （14/48）, 95.45% （21/22）, 96.00% （24/25） and 100% （23/23）, respectively. There was an extremely significant difference in the infection rates of Theileria in beef cattle at different sampling sites （χ²=62.195, P<0.01）. A higher infection rate （97.14%, 68/70） of Theileria was observed in the free-range beef cattle, while a lower one （29.17%, 14/48） was observed in the confined beef cattle. The infection rates of Theileria in beef cattle under different rearing modes were extremely significantly different （χ²=62.061, P<0.01）. Among the 82 sequences obtained, 78 had 100% homology with the MPSP gene sequence of a T. orientalis isolate from cattle in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region （GenBank accession number: ON462019）, and the sequence type was designated as TSE1. The remaining 4 sequences had 100% homology with the MPSP gene sequence of another T. orientalis strain of cattle origin in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region （GenBank accession number: ON462018）, and the sequence type was designated as TSE2. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the identified TSE1 and TSE2 sequences in present study were clustered with T. orientalis of cattle origin in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Conclusion] The species of Theileria prevailed in beef cattle in the Ninth Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps was T. orientalis. The free-range beef cattle had a higher infection rate of Theileria, suggesting the detection of Theileria in the free-range beef cattle herd should be strengthened.

[Objective] The aim of the present study was to characterize the prevalence and the subgenotype distribution of Blastocystis in yaks in Gonghe County, Qinghai Province. [Method] A total of 475 fresh fecal samples were collected from yaks raised in Sangde pasture （n=89）, Kanzhuoxiangmao pasture （n=12） and Zanla family pasture （n=374） in Gonghe County. All of the samples were subjected to fecal genomic DNA extraction. Nested PCR assay was performed to detect the presence of SSU rDNA of Blastocystis, and selected positive PCR products were subjected to bidirectional sequencing. The subgenotype identification of Blastocystis was conducted based on the sequence alignment of SSU rDNA, and the phylogenetic tree was constructed to assess the genetic evolutionary relationships. [Result] Among the 475 yak fresh fecal samples, 361 samples were positive for Blastocystis, with a total infection rate of 76.00% （361/475）. The Blastocystis positive samples were observed in Sangde pasture, Kanzhuoxiangmao pasture and Zanla family pasture, and the infection rates of the three pastures were 96.63% （86/89）, 91.67% （11/12） and 70.59% （264/374）, respectively. A total of 126 SSU rDNA fragments were sequenced and used to perform subgenotype identification of Blastocystis. The sequence alignment analysis demonstrated that there were 5 subgenotypes of Blastocystis. The highest detection rate was observed in ST10 subgenotype （80.95%, 102/126）, followed by ST26 （9.52%, 12/126）, ST25 （6.35%, 8/126）, ST21 （2.38%, 3/126） and ST5 （0.80%, 1/126） subgenotypes. [Conclusion] Blastocystis infection in yaks was common in Gonghe County, and the subgenotypes exhibited genetic diversity. A zoonotic subgenotype of ST5 was observed, indicating that the infection monitoring of Blastocystis in yaks in this region was expected to be enhanced.

Cryptosporidium is an important genus of parasitic protozoa and is the causative agent for cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium is capable of infecting various hosts （human, livestock and poultry） through water and food, causing symptoms such as diarrhea and even death. It not only brings huge economic losses to livestock and poultry farming, but also poses a serious threat to public health and safety. At present, there are no effective vaccines or specific drugs against cryptosporidiosis. Accordingly, the epidemiological investigation of this disease is particularly critical. In this paper, we reviewed the research progress on infection rate, species distribution, infection risk factors of Cryptosporidium in pig herds in China, and assessed the zoonotic risk, in hoping to provide references for the effective prevention and control against pig cryptosporidiosis.