Transcriptome profiling revealed insights into the growth retardation and dwarfism in goslings induced by goose parvovirus

Goose parvovirus significantly threatens the waterfowl industry, causing high mortality and stunted growth in goslings, leading to economic losses. Fourteen days post-infection with the GPV SYG61 strain, goslings showed a 63.33% mortality rate, along with dwarfism, weight loss, and severe liver and jejunum lesions. Serum analysis revealed increased immunosuppressive factors, while pro-inflammatory cytokines remained unchanged. GPV infection inhibited goose embryo fibroblast proliferation and induced apoptosis, with transcriptomic analysis identifying 285 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) linked to cell proliferation and skeletal development. Key regulatory genes associated with apoptosis and ferroptosis were upregulated. These findings suggest GPV triggers inflammatory responses and programmed cell death, causing growth retardation and dwarfism in survivors, providing insights into GPV pathogenic mechanisms and potential mitigation strategies for the waterfowl industry.