IntroductionEnvironmentally friendly pork production is crucial to the pig industry, where the enhancement of growth performance and feed efficiency with reduced environmental impacts is favored. This study aimed to evaluate the effect that protease supplementation in a low crude protein diet has on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention, and gut microbiome in growing pigs.MethodsEighty pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc; 24.72 kg) were selected, and based on initial body weight and sex, randomly allocated to one of the following dietary treatments: H, 16% crude protein (CP) diet; L, 14% CP diet; L+E1, low CP diet + 0.1% protease; and L+E2, low CP diet + 0.2% protease. Each treatment comprised four replicates with five pigs per pen. ResultsPigs fed a low CP diet with protease supplementation showed a significantly higher body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio than those fed a high CP diet. In addition, ammonia emissions were lower in the L+E2 group than in the L group. Based on microbiome analysis, the L+E1 and L+E2 groups showed an increased Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidota ratio and elevated expression of pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism, coinciding with higher concentrations of short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate and propionate, which support intestinal health. Additionally, the predicted function of the microbiota of pigs fed protease exhibited reduced nitrogen and sulfur metabolism, suggesting a potential reduction in excreted odorous compounds. DiscussionThese findings highlight the role of protease in enhancing growth performance and feed efficiency by modulating gut microbial composition and metabolic functions and reducing noxious gas emissions. Also, potential feed-cost savings are inferred from lower CP formulation.
The Lidia cattle breed is featured in several traditional popular bullfighting festivals throughout Spain, including the “Toro de Cuerda” event, in which the animals are subjected to intense physical exercise. However, the physiological impact and welfare implications of these activities remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the stress response and muscle damage in Lidia breed bulls during roping bull celebrations through comprehensive blood analysis. Blood samples were collected from 53 adult male Lidia bulls before and after a standardized 45 min continuous running exercise during traditional roping bull events in four Spanish autonomous regions. Hematological parameters, muscle enzymes (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, lactate), and stress hormones (cortisol and ACTH) were analyzed. Significant increases (<i>p</i> < 0.05) were observed in leukocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and post-exercise platelets. Muscle enzymes showed marked elevations, with creatine kinase increasing up to 10-fold above baseline values. Stress hormones, cortisol and ACTH, also demonstrated significant increases. Despite the magnitude of these changes, all parameters remained within established reference ranges for the bovine species. This study provides the first physiological assessment of Lidia cattle during popular bullfighting celebrations, establishing baseline data for evidence-based welfare evaluation and management protocols.
Abdullah Al Faruq, Oky Setyo Widodo, Mitsuhiro Takagi
et al.
Reproductive failure in cattle production is a global concern and is influenced by various factors, including genetic alterations. This study explored the relationship between an X-linked single-nucleotide variant (NC_037357.1: g.87298881A>G, rs135720414) in the upstream of the bovine forkhead box P3 (<i>FOXP3</i>) gene and infertility. To this end, we examined the genotypes of the variant in old Asian cattle breeds, including 48 Bali and 5 Jaliteng cattle, and 20 water buffaloes, which have recently shown subclinical signs of infertility and repeated breeding problems among populations in Indonesia. We also examined the genotypes in 69 parous and 39 non-parous Holstein Friesian (HF) cows and investigated the relationship between the genotypes and serum concentration of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). The G allele frequency was markedly high in Bali (0.944) and Jaliteng cattle (0.714), and water buffaloes (1), suggesting that the G allele may be originally a wild-type variant in old Asian cattle and buffaloes. In HF cows, the G allele frequency was moderately high, and the AMH concentration was significantly lower (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in parous cows carrying the G allele (A/G and G/G genotypes) than in parous cows with the A/A genotype. In contrast, there were no significant differences in AMH concentrations among the three genotypes of non-parous HF cows. This suggests that both G allele and aging are associated with infertility in HF cows. In conclusion, the G allele of the <i>FOXP3</i> gene variant may potentially be associated with infertility in different bovine breeds and species. Therefore, special attention should be paid to this variant, and infertility in bovine herds may be improved by selection and/or introduction of the A allele.
Jan Vařeka, Ludmila Zavadilová, Matúš Gašparík
et al.
This study evaluated test-day records of clinical mastitis (CM), somatic cell count, and nine udder conformation traits. Somatic cell count was log-transformed into somatic cell score (SCS) in 10 periods, each 30 days long and overall, for the first lactation. CM is a complex disease closely connected with somatic cell count. The optimum udder conformation traits significantly affect dairy cattle health. The CM binary trait was monitored in seven periods throughout lactation, each 50 days long, and for the whole lactation. A logistic regression model was used to estimate the risk of CM. The model included a fixed effect of herd-year-season, age at first calving, and a fixed effect of the linear type traits of the random effect of the animal. The phenotypic correlations for udder conformation traits, CM, and SCS ranged from -0.13 to 0.69 and standard errors were 0.01-0.99. The highest CM incidence and SCS were observed for the medial ligament scores 1-2: convex base of the udder. According to the logistic regression assessment, the medial ligament scores 1-2: convex base of the udder and the CM incidence to 50 days in milk reported a 3.79 times higher probability of the CM incidence at the reference level (extremely deep medial ligament) at the same stage of the lactation. CM incidence and SCS significantly decreased with decreasing udder depth. Udder depth below the hock was associated with the highest risk of CM. For udder depth and the whole lactation, the CM ODDS ratio was 1.00-2.56, CM least squares means were 0.18-0.44, and SCS least squares means were 3.20-4.10. Our study confirmed that the start of lactation is critical for the onset of CM, and somatic cell count is manifested throughout lactation. The effect of the udder conformation is then observable in somatic cell count and CM during the whole lactation.
Nurliyani Nurliyani, Jamhari Jamhari, Widodo Widodo
et al.
Cured egg yolk cookies is one of the processed egg products containing egg yolk which has been curing with salt and sugar. The purpose of this study was to evaluation of physical, chemical, microbiological and sensory quality of cured egg yolk cookies with various levels of skim milk powder substitution during storage at room temperature. This study consisted of the treatment of cured egg yolk substitution with skim milk powder (0; 20; 40%) and storage treatment (0; 3; 6; 9 weeks). Each treatment was replicated three times. The data of cookie quality were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. The results showed that cured egg yolk cookies with various skim milk powder substitution have similar physical and chemical characteristics, but substituted cookies had a lower fat content (p<0.05). There were no changes in the moisture content of cookies during 9 weeks of storage. Skim milk powder substitution could increase the peroxide number, but there was no change in the peroxide number during 3 to 9 weeks of storage. The texture of cured egg yolk cookies with 40% skim milk substitution was harder (p<0.05) than the 20% skim milk substitution, whereas there was no change in the texture value of cured egg yolk cookies before and after being stored for 9 weeks. There was no significant deferences in the sensory quality of cookies between unsubstituted and 40% skim milk powder substitution. In conclusion, skim milk powder substitution did not change the physical, chemical, and sensory characteristics, but could reduce fat content, increase the peroxide number and the hardness of cookies. During 9 weeks of storage, cured egg yolk cookies are still acceptable microbiologically.
One hundred forty four 10-day old male Arbor Acres (320±5g) broiler chicks were used to compare the responses in liver function to dietary supplementation of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), artichoke (Cichorium intybus) and olive (Olea europaea) extracts with gemfibrozil and atorvastatin, in broiler chickens fed with a lipogenic diet. Birds raised in the standard experimental conditions and received a pelleted grower diet (control) supplemented with milk thistle (250 mg/kg), artichoke (200 mg/kg), olive (150 mg/kg) extracts, atorvastatin (20 mg/kg) and gemfibrozil (1800 mg/kg) up to day 42 of age. Liver weight and liver fat parentages were 1.62 and 6.04%, respectively, in the birds fed with the un-supplemented basal diet (control) and modified by +0.21 and -2.13, +0.11 and -1.21, +0.14 and -1.40, -0.07 and -2.36, +0.07 and -0.38% in the birds received milk thistle, artichoke, olive extracts, gemfibrozil, and atorvastatin, respectively. The milk thistle-added diet elicited a significant reduction in serum activity of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase at day 35 of age. Dietary olive extract at 150 mg/kg reduced liver fat at day 35 of age compared with those grown on the basal diet (P < 0.05). The serum concentration of triglycerides was lower (P < 0.05) in the birds fed with diets enriched with artichoke (34.86 mg/dL) and olive extract (40.63 mg/dL) compared with those fed with the supplemented control diet at day 35 of age. It was concluded that milk thistle exerted greater promising hepatoprotective effects compared with other remedies. Gemfibrozil exhibited a greater hepatoprotective and blood lipid-lowering effect than atorvastatin in broiler chicken.
Laurynas Vadopalas, Modestas Ruzauskas, Modestas Ruzauskas
et al.
The aim of this study was to apply a combination of the microbial starters Lactobacillus uvarum LUHS245, Lactobacillus casei LUHS210, Pediococcus acidilactici LUHS29, and Pediococcus pentosaceus LUHS183 for feed fermentation and to evaluate the influence of fermentation on feed acidity and microbiological characteristics, as well as on the piglet feces microbiota, health, and growth performance. Additionally, mycotoxin biotransformation was analyzed, including masked mycotoxins, in feed and piglet feces samples. The 36-day experiment was conducted using 25-day-old Large White/Norwegian Landrace (LW/NL) piglets with an initial body weight of 6.9–7.0 kg, which were randomly distributed into two groups (in each 100 piglets): control group, fed with basal diet (based on barley, wheat, potato protein, soybean protein concentrate, and whey powder), and treated group, fed with fermented feed at 500 g kg−1 of total feed. Compared to a commercially available lactic acid bacteria (LAB) combination, the novel LAB mixture effectively reduced feed pH (on average pH 3.65), produced a 2-fold higher content of L(+) lactic acid, increased viable LAB count [on average 8.8 log10 colony-forming units (CFU) g−1], and led to stable feed fermentation during the entire test period (36 days). Fecal microbiota analysis showed an increased number of probiotic bacteria in the treated group, particularly Lactobacillus, when compared with the control group at the end of experiment. This finding indicates that fermented feed can modify microbial profile change in the gut of pigs. In treated piglets' blood (at day 61), the serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) were significantly higher, but the levels of T4, glucose, K, alkaline phosphatase (AP), and urea were significantly decreased (p ≤ 0.05) compared with the control group. Mycotoxin analysis showed that alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) and altenuene were found in 61-day-old control piglets' feces and in fermented feed samples. However, AME was not found in treated piglets' feces. Feed fermentation with the novel LAB combination is a promising means to modulate piglets' microbiota, which is essential to improve nutrient absorption, growth performance, and health parameters. The new LAB composition suggests a novel dietary strategy to positively manipulate fermented feed chemicals and bio-safety and the piglet gut microbial ecology to reduce antimicrobials use in pig production and increase local feed stock uses and economical effectiveness of the process.
The main direction of improving the quality of grain is the cultivation of new varieties genetically predisposed to form high quality grain. At the same time, the genetic potential of varieties can only be realized under specific weather conditions and the application of cultivation techniques that favourably affect the growth and development of plants. In these studies, various conditions were created by changing plant nutritional regimes in order to determine the possibilities of varieties to form a grain crop with a high protein content. The purpose of the work was to evaluate and highlight varieties of winter wheat that can realize the potential of grain quality at various levels of intensification of mineral nutrition. To achieve the goal, a two-factor field experiment was carried out. Factor A – winter wheat varieties, factor B – levels of mineral nutrition. As a result, it was established that varieties of winter wheat were characterized by unequal properties to accumulate protein in grain. Variety Claudia 2 was characterized by high activity to accumulate protein when fertilizing. Bezenchukskaya 380, Moskovskaya 56 were characterized by medium activity and Nemchinovskaya 57, Scepter and Fatigna – by low. The application of mineral fertilizers at the rate of N16 P16 K16 during sowing in fall and N68 for top dressing in spring contributed to the formation of grain with a higher protein content in all varieties of winter wheat.
Isaias Vitorino Batista de Almeida, José Thyago Aires Souza, Mateus Costa Batista
A precipitação é a principal variável climática para o Semiárido brasileiro, sendo um fator limitante para produção de vegetais, principalmente em regiões com histórico de ocorrência de baixas pluviosidades. Por outro lado, a pecuária é a principal atividade econômica dessa região e a produção de alimento para os animais, infelizmente, ainda se constitui no maior gargalo. A presente revisão tem como objetivo principal descrever o melhoramento genético das principais plantas forrageiras xerófilas cultivadas no Semiárido brasileiro e das espécies com potencial de cultivo para as áreas com registro histórico de baixas precipitações. As espécies discriminadas são: palma forrageira, capim buffel, algodão mocó, flor-de-seda, mandacarú, feijão-bravo e maniçoba. O programa de melhoramento genético dessas espécies se inicia com a formação de um banco ativo de germoplasma (BAG) e compreende a realização de diferentes estratégias, como a domesticação da espécie, que envolve o cultivo, avaliação, caracterização agronômica e bromatológica dos acessos, estudo de diversidade genética, seleção de plantas, hibridação, alteração cromossômica, uso de ferramentas de biotecnologia, entre outras estratégias. A execução de programas de melhoramento genético dessas culturas xerófilas torna-se uma ferramenta necessária para cultivo, domesticação de materiais silvestres e obtenção de novas variedades, com maior potencial de produção e com a função de elevar a renda das propriedades rurais do Semiárido brasileiro.
Monchanok Vijarnsorn, Irin Kwananocha, Narudee Kashemsant
et al.
Abstract Background NSAIDs are accepted as the most predictably efficacious medical treatment of the clinical signs of osteoarthritis (OA). The marine-based fatty-acid compound PCSO-524 has been proposed as an adjunctive treatment for canine OA, however benefits of this agent is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of PCSO-524 combined with the NSAID firocoxib using force plate gait analysis, orthopedic assessment score (OAS) and canine brief pain inventory score (CBPI) in dogs with OA. A prospective, randomized, double-blinded study was conducted. Seventy-nine dogs that had hip and/or stifle OA were assigned randomly into three treatment groups: firocoxib, PCSO-524 and combination of firocoxib and PCSO-524, orally for 4 weeks. Peak vertical force (PVF, expressed as a percentage of bodyweight), OAS, CBPI, serum prostaglandin E2 concentration, hematology and blood chemistry values were evaluated before treatment (Day0), as well as at the second (Day14) and fourth week (Day28) during treatment. Results Within group analysis revealed significant increases in PVF over the 4-week treatment period for firocoxib, PCSO-524 and the combination (p < 0.05). Mean increases in PVF were 3.25 ± 4.13, 2.01 ± 3.86, 4.11 ± 4.69%BW (mean ± SD) respectively. The OAS showed non-significant change in all treatment groups. There were significant decreases in CBPI pain severity score (PSS) and CBPI pain interference scores (PIS) within some groups over time, however no significant differences were found between the groups. Significantly decreased serum PGE2 concentration (p < 0.05) was found in the combination group. Significant increases in BUN and creatinine (p < 0.05) compared to pre-treatment values were found in the firocoxib and combination groups but not in the PCSO-524 group at day28, but all values in all dogs remained within the normal ranges. Conclusions The results of this study suggested combination of both PCSO-524 and firocoxib is more effective in alleviation of inflammation and improvement of weight bearing ability when compared to the uses of either PCSO-524 or firocoxib alone. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm this, and to determine if there is any benefit of PCSO-524 over placebo.
The term `sacrifice' is used by experimental biologists to describe methods for killing laboratory specimens. In Western societies, `sacrifice' usually connotes a process of `making sacred', a process Durkheim and his followers interpreted as a ritual transformation between `profane' and `sacred' realms. This paper examines whether `sacrifice' in the experimental context bears any relation to such traditional usage, or whether, as animal rights advocates argue, the term is no more than a euphemism for brutal and unnecessary slaughter. Drawing on ethnographic observations of laboratory practice, the paper argues that `sacrifice' means much more than simply killing a specimen, and that the violence done to the animal victim is part of a systematic `consecration' of its body to transform it into a bearer of transcendental significances. While scientists do not treat their practices as ceremonial rituals endowed with religious meaning, laboratory `sacrifice' is a part of a sequence of procedures through which the naturalistic animal body is transformed into an abstracted analytic object with generalized significance for members of the research community.