The ketogenic diet (KD) is a specialized dietary regimen characterized by high fat, adequate protein and low carbohydrate content. In recent years, KD has garnered increasing attention in the field of reproductive health due to its metabolic regulatory effects. Gametogenesis is a key process in reproduction, and the maintenance of its homeostasis is essential for normal reproductive function. However, the regulatory role of KD in gametogenesis and the underlying mechanisms have not been systematically summarized, and the relevant research findings remain controversial. KD exerts certain protective effects on gametogenesis; nevertheless, its efficacy in modulating apoptosis and inflammation is limited, and its effects are influenced by basal metabolic status and dietary composition. This review focuses on the impacts of KD on gametogenesis, addressing both spermatogenesis and oogenesis. It summarizes recent advances regarding how KD influences gametogenesis through multiple pathways involving oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, hormone levels, cellular energy metabolism and autophagy. Meanwhile, it summarizes the potential mechanisms involved in these effects. In addition, this paper also discusses the limitations of current research and future research directions, aiming to provide a theoretical reference for the clinical application potential and risks of KD in regulating reproductive function, and to offer novel insights for the prevention and treatment of reproductive health-related diseases.

Skeletal muscle is a central metabolic organ in the body, predominantly composed of oxidative and glycolytic myofibers. The types of skeletal myofibers are closely associated with human skeletal muscle health and livestock meat quality. Lactate has long been regarded as a byproduct of glycolysis. However, the lactate shuttle theory has revealed that lactate can act as a signaling molecule mediating metabolic regulation among different cells, organs and tissues. This review first provided an overview of the functional and metabolic differences among various myofiber types, followed by a systematic review of the role of intracellular, intercellular, and inter-tissue lactate shuttling in regulating myofiber type transformation. It particularly focused on the molecular mechanisms through which lactate shuttle modulates myofiber type transformation via key pathways, such as lactate transporters, PGC-1α, Ca2? signaling, and histone lactylation. These insights not only provide theoretical support for in-depth analysis of the intrinsic mechanisms by which lactate shuttle regulates skeletal myofiber type transformation, but also offer important references for the treatment of skeletal muscle-related diseases and the improvement of livestock meat quality.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major causative agent of animal diarrhea, severely constraining the sustainable development of animal husbandry and endangering food safety and human health. Driven by the worsening antibiotic resistance crisis and the policy implementation of antibiotic reduction and replacement, phages have attracted extensive attention as novel antibacterial candidates. With prominent strengths including rapid bactericidal action, strict host specificity, no disturbance to intestinal microflora, and no drug residues, phages exhibit promising prospects for antibacterial development. This review summarizes the pathogenic mechanisms of ETEC and research progress in the antibacterial applications of ETEC phages, with a focus on the clinical effects of phage intervention against diarrhea in piglets, calves, and lambs. Furthermore, it outlines the research progress in the application of phages in animal-derived food preservation and bacterial biofilm elimination. Additionally, this paper delves into the co-evolutionary infection-defense mechanism between phages and bacteria, aiming to offer a reference for the clinical translation and application of ETEC phage therapy.

Conventional physical and chemical methods for addressing global heavy metal pollution are costly and prone to inducing secondary pollution. Bioremediation technologies, despite their ecological advantages, often exhibit limited efficacy due to the limited tolerance thresholds and bioaccumulation efficiencies of natural organisms. Consequently, the genetic engineering of natural organisms has emerged as a viable approach to enhancing heavy metal bioremediation capabilities. This paper systematically reviews the research progress and application mechanisms regarding the use of genetic engineering technologies to enhance the heavy metal remediation capabilities of microorganisms and plants. It focuses on the heterologous expression of functional genes via transgenic technology and explores the potential of gene editing technologies for heavy metal remediation, thereby offering a reference for future environmental remediation efforts and the development of related processes.