Animals

12 pages, 2431 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Associations of Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Dairy Goat Farmers in Greece with Biosecurity-Related Practices in the Farms

by Daphne T. Lianou and George C. Fthenakis

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2136; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142136 - 22 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 965

Abstract

Given the significance of goat farming in Greece, our study aimed to explore biosecurity conditions on goat farms and refers to an investigation performed on 119 farms countrywide in Greece. The objective of the present work was to evaluate and report on potential [...] Read more.

Given the significance of goat farming in Greece, our study aimed to explore biosecurity conditions on goat farms and refers to an investigation performed on 119 farms countrywide in Greece. The objective of the present work was to evaluate and report on potential associations between the socio-demographic characteristics of goat farmers and practices that play a role in biosecurity on farms. Data were obtained during a large cross-sectional study performed across Greece in 119 goat herds. The socio-demographic characteristics of farmers, as well as 16 variables related to biosecurity, were recorded; these were practices or events that could potentially enhance or compromise biosecurity on farms. A score based on all the biosecurity-related variables was devised by assigning a ‘1’ or ‘−1’ mark for each variable recorded on a farm that could enhance or compromise, respectively, biosecurity. Among variables potentially enhancing biosecurity on farms, the application of disinfections on the farm and the maintenance of isolation for sick animals were practiced more frequently; among variables potentially compromising biosecurity on farms, the presence of hunters in the area around the farm and grazing practices for animals were recorded more frequently. The median overall score for biosecurity-related practices for all farms in the study was 1 (interquartile range: 2.5; minimum: −4; maximum: 5). Among socio-demographic characteristics, the presence of working staff on a farm was associated with five individual biosecurity-related practices and the length of farming experience with three individual biosecurity-related practices. In the multivariable analysis, female farmers (p = 0.007) and the presence of working staff on the farm (p = 0.025) emerged as the two significant socio-demographic characteristics with an association with the overall biosecurity level on farms. This knowledge can be useful when developing biosecurity programs on goat farms. Recognition of locally applied farm-level practices enhancing biosecurity could form a basis for farmers to apply more rigorous and effective relevant plans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosecuring Animal Populations)

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14 pages, 268 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of L-Methionine and DL-Methionine on Growth Performance, Methionine-Metabolizing Enzyme Activities, Feather Traits, and Intestinal Morphology of Medium-Growing, Yellow-Feathered Chickens between 1 and 30 Days of Age

by Xiajing Lin, Dong Ruan, Zeling Lin, Taidi Xiong, Sheng Zhang, Qiuli Fan, Xiaoli Dong, Yuanfan Deng, Zongyong Jiang and Shouqun Jiang

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2135; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142135 - 22 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1560

Abstract

This experiment investigated the effects of L-Methionine (L-Met) on growth performance, Met-metabolizing enzyme activity, feather traits, and small intestinal morphological characteristics, and compared these with DL-Methionine (DL-Met) for medium-growing, yellow-feathered broilers during the starter phase. Furthermore, the aim was to provide recommendations for [...] Read more.

This experiment investigated the effects of L-Methionine (L-Met) on growth performance, Met-metabolizing enzyme activity, feather traits, and small intestinal morphological characteristics, and compared these with DL-Methionine (DL-Met) for medium-growing, yellow-feathered broilers during the starter phase. Furthermore, the aim was to provide recommendations for the appropriate dietary Met levels in feed. A total of 1584 1-d broilers were randomly divided into 11 treatment groups with six replicates of 24 birds each: basal diet (CON, Met 0.28%), basal diet + L-Met (0.04%, 0.08%, 0.12%, 0.16%, 0.20%), and basal diet + DL-Met (0.04%, 0.08%, 0.12%, 0.16%, 0.20%). The total trial period was 30 days. Compared with broilers fed the basal diet, those fed 0.04 to 0.20% supplemental Met had higher final body weight (FBW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and lower feed-to-gain ratio (F: G) (p < 0.05). Compared with DL-Met groups, the L-Met group had higher FBW and ADG (p < 0.05). The relative bioavailability (RBV) of L-Met in ADG of 1–30 d was 142.5%. Chicks fed diets supplemented with L-Met had longer fourth primary feather lengths compared to birds fed the control and diets supplemented with DL-Met (p < 0.05). Compared to the control, birds supplemented with DL-Met or L-Met had an increased moulting score (p ≤ 0.05). Chicks fed diets supplemented with L-Met had lower activities of methionine adenosyl transferase (MAT) compared to those fed the basal diet or supplemented with DL-Met (p < 0.05). Chicks supplemented with either DL-Met or L-Met had higher activities of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) than those fed the basal diet (p < 0.05). Compared with the control, chicks fed diets supplemented with either DL-Met or L-Met had an enhanced level of albumin in plasma (p < 0.05). There were no obvious differences in the plasma content of uric acid and total protein among the treatments (p > 0.05). Chicks fed diets supplemented with either DL-Met or L-Met had higher villus height and V/C in the duodenal than chicks fed the basal diet (p < 0.05). The jejunum morphology was not affected by either L-Met or DL-Met supplementation (p > 0.05). Therefore, dietary supplementation with DL-Met or L-Met improved the growth performance, feather traits, and intestinal morphological characteristics of medium-growing, yellow-feathered broiler chickens aged 1 to 30 d by decreasing the enzyme activities of Met methylation (MAT) and increasing the enzyme activities of the sulfur transfer pathway (CBS), and supplementation with L-Met showed a better improvement compared with DL-Met. The relative efficacy of L-Met to DL-Met was 142.5% for ADG of yellow-feathered broilers. The appropriate Met levels for medium-growing, yellow-feathered broilers are between 0.36~0.38% (supplementation with DL-Met) or 0.32~0.33% (supplementation with L-Met) when based on ADG and feed-to-gain ratio. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Amino Acid Nutrition in Poultry)

18 pages, 5377 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Safety of Gonadal Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Geriatric Dogs with Chronic Disease

by So-Young Jeung, Ju-Hyun An, Sung-Soo Kim and Hwa-Young Youn

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2134; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142134 - 22 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1302

Abstract

Ensuring the safety of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is a fundamental requirement in clinical practice. This study aimed to assess the safety of using gonadal tissue-derived MSCs (n = 10) compared to the commonly utilized adipose tissue-derived MSCs (n = 9) in [...] Read more.

Ensuring the safety of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is a fundamental requirement in clinical practice. This study aimed to assess the safety of using gonadal tissue-derived MSCs (n = 10) compared to the commonly utilized adipose tissue-derived MSCs (n = 9) in geriatric dogs with chronic diseases. All participants received allogeneic MSC therapy, and no allergic reactions due to allogeneic cell immunogenicity were noted. Both groups showed no adverse changes in physical exams or hematological parameters before and after therapy. Importantly, there were no instances of tumor formation or growth post-treatment in either group. The findings demonstrated that dogs treated with gonadal tissue-derived MSCs experienced no clinical adverse effects. However, clinical adverse effects were reported in one case of adipose tissue-derived MSC therapy. Despite limitations in monitoring beyond one year and constraints due to a small and diverse patient group, this pioneering study validates the safe use of gonadal tissue-derived MSCs in aged companion animals. It underscores the potential of utilizing tissues from neutering procedures to advance regenerative medicine and expand cell banks and therapy options for companion animals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Clinical Studies)

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14 pages, 917 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Efficacy of β-Carotene in Cow Reproduction: A Review

by Hiroki Mitsuishi and Masato Yayota

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2133; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142133 - 22 Jul 2024

Viewed by 2755

Abstract

β-carotene supplementation improves the reproductive performance of cattle. However, the research results on this topic have been inconsistent, and no clear conclusion has been reached. In previous reviews of this topic, the functional mechanism of β-carotene in reproduction remained unclear, but subsequent studies [...] Read more.

β-carotene supplementation improves the reproductive performance of cattle. However, the research results on this topic have been inconsistent, and no clear conclusion has been reached. In previous reviews of this topic, the functional mechanism of β-carotene in reproduction remained unclear, but subsequent studies have shown that the antioxidant effects of β-carotene protect enzymes involved in ovarian sex steroid hormone production from the effects of oxygen radicals. This role consequently affects normal ovarian follicle dynamics, maintenance of luteal function, and the estrous cycle, and indirectly improves reproductive performance by preventing perinatal diseases and facilitating recovery from these diseases. Several factors must be considered in feeding management to determine whether β-carotene supplementation is effective for improving reproductive performance in cows. The same is true when the animal consumes a large amount of the antioxidant β-carotene due to lactation, aging, or season. Therefore, it is important to consider the balance between the supply and consumption of β-carotene and evaluate whether β-carotene supplementation has an effect on reproductive performance in cows. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Reproduction)

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17 pages, 5254 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals the Effects of miR-122 Overexpression in the Liver of Qingyuan Partridge Chickens

by Xiaolu Luo, Jiahang Zhang, Jiancheng Guo, Wenjuan Zhao, Yinan Tian, Hai Xiang, Huimin Kang, Fei Ye, Siyu Chen, Hua Li and Zheng Ma

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2132; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142132 - 22 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1323

Abstract

The liver of chickens is essential for maintaining physiological activities and homeostasis. This study aims to investigate the specific function and molecular regulatory mechanism of microRNA-122 (miR-122), which is highly expressed in chicken liver. A lentivirus-mediated overexpression vector of miR-122 was constructed and [...] Read more.

The liver of chickens is essential for maintaining physiological activities and homeostasis. This study aims to investigate the specific function and molecular regulatory mechanism of microRNA-122 (miR-122), which is highly expressed in chicken liver. A lentivirus-mediated overexpression vector of miR-122 was constructed and used to infect 12-day-old female Qingyuan Partridge chickens. Transcriptome sequencing analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes in the liver. Overexpression of miR-122 resulted in 776 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Enrichment analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed associations with lipid metabolism, cellular senescence, cell adhesion molecules, and the MAPK signaling pathway. Eight potential target genes of miR-122 (ARHGAP32, CTSD, LBH, PLEKHB2, SEC14L1, SLC2A1, SLC6A14, and SP8) were identified through miRNA target prediction platforms and literature integration. This study provides novel insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms of miR-122 in chicken liver, highlighting its role in key biological processes and signaling pathways. These discoveries enhance our understanding of miR-122’s impact on chicken liver function and offer valuable information for improving chicken production performance and health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Poultry)

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9 pages, 2523 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimized Depilation Method and Comparative Analysis of Hair Growth Cycle in Mouse Strains

by Joana Magalhaes, Sofia Lamas, Carlos Portinha and Elsa Logarinho

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2131; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142131 - 22 Jul 2024

Viewed by 2367

Abstract

In mice, hair growth follows a mosaic or wavy patterning. Therefore, synchronization of the hair growth cycle is required to adequately evaluate any trichogenic interventions pre-clinically. Depilation is the established method for synchronizing the growth phase of mouse hair follicles. When attempting to [...] Read more.

In mice, hair growth follows a mosaic or wavy patterning. Therefore, synchronization of the hair growth cycle is required to adequately evaluate any trichogenic interventions pre-clinically. Depilation is the established method for synchronizing the growth phase of mouse hair follicles. When attempting to reproduce procedures reported in the literature, C57BL/6J mice developed severe wounds. This led us not only to optimize the procedure, but also to test the procedure in other strains, namely Sv129 and the F1 generation from C57BL/6J crossed with Sv129 (B6129F1 mixed background), for which the hair growth cycle has not been ascertained yet. Here, we describe an optimized depilation procedure, using cold wax and an extra step to protect the animal skin that minimizes injury, improving experimental conditions and animal welfare in all strains. Moreover, our results show that, although hair cycle kinetics are similar in all the analyzed strains, Sv129 and B6129F1 skins are morphologically different from C57BL/6J skin, presenting an increased number and size of hair follicles in anagen, consistent to the higher hair density observed macroscopically. Altogether, the results disclose an optimized mouse depilation method that excludes the detrimental and confounding effects of skin injury in hair growth studies and reveals the hair cycle features of other mouse strains, supporting their use in hair growth pre-clinical studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Care and Well-Being of Laboratory Animals)

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13 pages, 738 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Beware of Strangers: Dogs’ Empathetic Response to Unknown Humans

by Micael M. Rivera and Julia E. Meyers-Manor

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2130; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142130 - 22 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2710

Abstract

Empathy is a complex cognitive ability that has been studied in many social animals, including dogs. Previous studies have found that dogs would rescue their distressed owner more quickly than a calm owner and that dogs respond physiologically and behaviorally to the sound [...] Read more.

Empathy is a complex cognitive ability that has been studied in many social animals, including dogs. Previous studies have found that dogs would rescue their distressed owner more quickly than a calm owner and that dogs respond physiologically and behaviorally to the sound of crying strangers. However, no studies have explored the empathetic and emotional contagion capabilities of dogs towards strangers in rescue paradigms. In the present study, a stranger was placed behind a clear door and was told to cry (distress) or hum (neutral). The dogs’ door opening, stress behaviors, tone of approach, and physiological responses were measured. Dogs did not open more frequently or more quickly for the stranger in the distressed condition compared to the neutral condition. Additionally, there was no significant difference between the behavioral or physiological indicators of stress across conditions. It was also found that non-openers were reported by owners to have more fear and, in the empathy test, were more aggressive and fearful in their tone of approach. These results suggest that dogs may be less likely to exhibit empathy-like behaviors to unknown humans in an unfamiliar environment and that owners may be necessary to moderate a dog’s stress to show empathetic behaviors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emotional Contagion in Animals)

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14 pages, 2677 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Predicting Body Weight in Pre-Weaned Holstein–Friesian Calves Using Morphometric Measurements

by Flávio G. Silva, Emanuel Carreira, Joana M. Ramalho, Tomás Correia, Marília Meira, Cristina Conceição, Severiano R. Silva, Alfredo M. F. Pereira and Joaquim L. Cerqueira

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2129; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142129 - 21 Jul 2024

Viewed by 2256

Abstract

Regularly weighing calves helps to assess the efficiency of the rearing period and contributes to animal welfare by allowing more precise feeding and medication application in dairy farming, but many farmers do not weigh their calves regularly. Improving the feasibility of this process [...] Read more.

Regularly weighing calves helps to assess the efficiency of the rearing period and contributes to animal welfare by allowing more precise feeding and medication application in dairy farming, but many farmers do not weigh their calves regularly. Improving the feasibility of this process is, therefore, important. The use of morphometric measurements has been used to estimate the weight of cattle. However, many studies have focused on adult animals or used a wide age range. As calves experience allometric tissue growth, specific models for certain ranges might be more accurate. Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop a weight estimation model specific for pre-weaned Holstein–Friesian calves using morphometric measurements and to compare the model with another equation previously validated for the same breed with young and adult animals. From four dairy farms, 237 measurements of body weight, heart girth, abdominal girth, hip height, withers height, and body length were taken from Holstein–Friesian male and female calves. Linear and non-linear regression analysis was used to test the relationship between body weight and morphometric measurements, with age, sex, and farm as possible explanatory variables. Selected models were compared with goodness of fit and agreement tests. The final model was able to accurately predict body weight (R² = 0.96) with a mean difference of −1.4 ± 3.24 kg. Differences in the relationship between body weight and morphometric traits were observed between farms, but not between males and females. The genetics of the animal population at farm level may be responsible for this variability and further studies are needed to understand this variability and improve weight prediction models. The developed model was able to perform better in the agreement tests than the previously validated model for Holstein–Friesian animals, suggesting that different equations should be used depending on the growth phase the animal is in. In addition, a web application has been developed to facilitate the use of the developed model by farmers. This avoids the use of calibrated weight bands, which are usually calibrated for a broader age range or for beef cattle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calf Nutrition and Management)

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15 pages, 6071 KiB

Open AccessArticle

One-Year-Old Precocious Chinese Mitten Crab Identification Algorithm Based on Task Alignment

by Hao Gu, Dongmei Gan, Ming Chen and Guofu Feng

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2128; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142128 - 21 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1142

Abstract

The cultivation of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) is an important component of China’s aquaculture industry and also a field of concern worldwide. It focuses on the selection of high-quality, disease-free juvenile crabs. However, the early maturity rate of more [...] Read more.

The cultivation of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) is an important component of China’s aquaculture industry and also a field of concern worldwide. It focuses on the selection of high-quality, disease-free juvenile crabs. However, the early maturity rate of more than 18.2% and the mortality rate of more than 60% make it difficult to select suitable juveniles for adult culture. The juveniles exhibit subtle distinguishing features, and the methods for differentiating between sexes vary significantly; without training from professional breeders, it is challenging for laypersons to identify and select the appropriate juveniles. Therefore, we propose a task-aligned detection algorithm for identifying one-year-old precocious Chinese mitten crabs, named R-TNET. Initially, the required images were obtained by capturing key frames, and then they were annotated and preprocessed by professionals to build a training dataset. Subsequently, the ResNeXt network was selected as the backbone feature extraction network, with Convolutional Block Attention Modules (CBAMs) and a Deformable Convolution Network (DCN) embedded in its residual blocks to enhance its capability to extract complex features. Adaptive spatial feature fusion (ASFF) was then integrated into the feature fusion network to preserve the detailed features of small targets such as one-year-old precocious Chinese mitten crab juveniles. Finally, based on the detection head proposed by task-aligned one-stage object detection, the parameters of its anchor alignment metric were adjusted to detect, locate, and classify the crab juveniles. The experimental results showed that this method achieves a mean average precision (mAP) of 88.78% and an F1-score of 97.89%. This exceeded the best-performing mainstream object detection algorithm, YOLOv7, by 4.17% in mAP and 1.77% in the F1-score. Ultimately, in practical application scenarios, the algorithm effectively identified one-year-old precocious Chinese mitten crabs, providing technical support for the automated selection of high-quality crab juveniles in the cultivation process, thereby promoting the rapid development of aquaculture and agricultural intelligence in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Aquatic Animals)

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15 pages, 14160 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monosymmetros Cephalothoracopagus Tetrabrachius and Tetrapus Piglets with Syndromic Evolution

by Simona Marc, Ioan Claudiu Crăciun, Bogdan Sicoe, Jelena Savici, Oana Maria Boldura, Cristina Paul, Gabriel Otavă, Cristina Văduva and Adrian Stancu

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2127; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142127 - 21 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1528

Abstract

Conjoined twins are rare congenital malformations that have been reported in mammals. Two different cases are presented in this study. Case No. 1 features monocephalic, thoracopagus-conjoined twin piglets with anencephaly and palatoschisis of the Pietrain breed, and case No. 2 features monocephalic, thoracopagus [...] Read more.

Conjoined twins are rare congenital malformations that have been reported in mammals. Two different cases are presented in this study. Case No. 1 features monocephalic, thoracopagus-conjoined twin piglets with anencephaly and palatoschisis of the Pietrain breed, and case No. 2 features monocephalic, thoracopagus conjoined twin piglets with palatoschisis and bifid root tongue of a mixed breed. These cases were examined using post-mortem and computed tomography (CT) examinations. In both cases, the conjoined symmetrical twins had a single head, one neck, and fused thoracic cavities, while the abdominal cavities were separated. Similarly, in both cases, they had four forelimbs and four hindlimbs and duplicated foramen magnum. During CT examination, in case No. 1, severe abnormalities were observed in the skull and vertebral column. In the left twin, occult dysraphism was seen from the C2 vertebra until the end of the vertebral column, and in the right twin, from the C3 vertebra until the end of the state vertebral level. In case No. 2, the oral cavity contained a tongue with a bifid root connected with one hyoid bone, and the soft palate presented a small cleft. During CT examination, the parietal bone and the occipital bones were partially duplicated. This case also presented occult dysraphism, but only in the cervical vertebrae, C1–C6 for the left twin and C1–C5 for the right twin. In both cases, abnormalities of the internal organs were revealed during necropsy. Conjoined twins with multiple congenital anomalies presented here enhance our understanding of the various clinical forms of conjoined cases in veterinary medicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Clinical Studies)

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19 pages, 1254 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

The Effect of Vitamins on the Immune Systems of Pigs

by Edda Mainardi, Carlo Corino and Raffaella Rossi

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2126; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142126 - 21 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3789

Abstract

In modern pig farming, there are many environmental, physiological or social stresses that weaken the immune response and increase susceptibility to disease. Nutritional management has a significant impact on the efficiency of the immune system in pigs. Among the various nutrients, vitamins have [...] Read more.

In modern pig farming, there are many environmental, physiological or social stresses that weaken the immune response and increase susceptibility to disease. Nutritional management has a significant impact on the efficiency of the immune system in pigs. Among the various nutrients, vitamins have been shown to have specific effects on immune system activity. However, the needs of modern genetic types are not met by the dietary recommendations for vitamins in pig diets. The present study therefore summarises the data on dietary integration with supranutritional doses of vitamins in gestating and lactating sows and post-weaning piglets in terms of the immune response. The present data highlight that high doses of dietary vitamins are an effective way to improve the immune system, antioxidant status and gut health. Further studies are needed to deepen the understanding of the role of dietary supplementation with vitamins in pigs on immune system and gut functionality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)

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15 pages, 884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Small for Gestational Age Calves: Part I—Concept and Definition, Contributing Prenatal Factors and Neonatal Body Morphometrics in Holstein Friesian Calves

by Maya Meesters, Mieke Van Eetvelde, Karel Verdru, Jan Govaere and Geert Opsomer

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2125; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142125 - 21 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1554

Abstract

Low birth weight (BW) calves exhibit higher mortality rates, reduced body weights at parturition, lower first-lactation milk yields, and longer parturition to first insemination intervals. In human medicine, small for gestational age (SGA) births are associated with increased perinatal morbidity and long-term metabolic [...] Read more.

Low birth weight (BW) calves exhibit higher mortality rates, reduced body weights at parturition, lower first-lactation milk yields, and longer parturition to first insemination intervals. In human medicine, small for gestational age (SGA) births are associated with increased perinatal morbidity and long-term metabolic risks. This study aimed to define SGA in Holstein Friesian (HF) calves, evaluate their body measurements and proportions, and identify its prenatal risk factors. Four linear regression models were built with weight as a function for gestation length for bull and heifer calves born from nulli- or multiparous dams. Calves with a BW below the 10th percentile were classified as SGA. Differences in body measurements were analyzed using ANOVA, and logistic regression models identified prenatal risk factors to be born SGA. Gestation length, calf sex, and dam parity were crucial variables in defining SGA. SGA calves had significantly smaller body measurements (p < 0.001) and larger body proportions (p < 0.001) compared to average and large calves. For nulliparous dams, a higher 2nd trimester temperature–humidity index (p = 0.032) and older age at parturition (>26 months, p = 0.026) significantly increased the birth of SGA calves. For multiparous dams, both low (<5800 kg, p = 0.049) and high (6700–8600 kg, p = 0.027) milk yields during gestation lead to more SGA births, although very high-yielding dams (>8600 kg) did not birth more SGA calves. This study establishes SGA in HF calves, suggests SGA calves are asymmetrical with evidence of “brain sparing”, and highlights the impact of prenatal factors on calf size at birth. Further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of being born SGA on growth, reproductive performance, and productivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Environmental Factors on Animal Performance: A Focus on the Occurrence of Genotype–Environment Interaction and Epigenetic Effects)

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15 pages, 275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effectiveness of Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicates and Discarded Date Pits as Dietary Adsorbents for Aflatoxin B1 in Enhancing Broiler Chicken Productive Performance, Hepatic Function, and Intestinal Health

by Ala E. Abudabos, Riyadh S. Aljumaah, Abdulaziz A. Alabdullatif, Ali R. Al Sulaiman, Zafar Hakmi and Abdulrahman S. Alharthi

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2124; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142124 - 21 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1408

Abstract

The research aimed to evaluate how effective hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicates (HSCASs) and discarded date pits (DDPs) are as dietary adsorbents for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in enhancing the performance and health of broiler chickens aged 16 to 30 days. A total of 240 [...] Read more.

The research aimed to evaluate how effective hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicates (HSCASs) and discarded date pits (DDPs) are as dietary adsorbents for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in enhancing the performance and health of broiler chickens aged 16 to 30 days. A total of 240 Ross 308 straight-run broilers were randomly allocated into four dietary groups, each with 10 replicates: a control diet, a control diet with 1000 ppb AFB1, an AFB1-contaminated diet with 0.5% HSCAS, and an AFB1-contaminated diet with 4% DDP. Incorporating HSCASs or DDPs into the AFB1-contaminated diet resulted in significant improvements across various parameters, involving increased body weight, improved feed conversion ratio, higher dressing percentage, decreased relative weights of kidney and spleen, elevated serum levels of total protein, globulin, and glucose, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase activity, and heightened hepatic protein concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity, along with diminished hepatic malondialdehyde content and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity. Moreover, both supplements led to increased ileal villus height and surface area, enhanced apparent nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy digestibility, and decreased AFB1 residues in the liver and kidney. Moreover, the dietary inclusion of DDPs significantly decreased relative liver weight, raised serum albumin concentration, lowered serum alkaline phosphatase activity, enhanced hepatic total antioxidant capacity level, and augmented ileal villus width. Conversely, the dietary addition of HSCASs significantly heightened apparent crude protein digestibility. In conclusion, the inclusion of HSCASs and DDPs in AFB1-contaminated diets can mitigate the toxic effects of AFB1 on broiler chickens, with DDPs exhibiting additional advantages in optimizing liver function and gut morphology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Poultry Feeding and Gut Health)

12 pages, 237 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Attachment as the Catalyst for the Attribution of Complex Cognition and Emotion to Companion Cats

by Jennifer Vonk and Esther M. C. Bouma

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2123; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142123 - 21 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2183

Abstract

Companion cat caregivers ascribe complex emotions and cognitions to their cats, and these attributions are greater with a stronger attachment to their animals. We compared attributions of emotional and cognitive complexity to cats in cat caregivers and non-caregivers. We measured attitudes toward animals, [...] Read more.

Companion cat caregivers ascribe complex emotions and cognitions to their cats, and these attributions are greater with a stronger attachment to their animals. We compared attributions of emotional and cognitive complexity to cats in cat caregivers and non-caregivers. We measured attitudes toward animals, belief in animal minds, caregivers’ strength of attachment, and attachment style with a particular companion cat in 448 university students, of whom 251 had owned a cat. We asked the extent to which respondents thought that cats were capable of expressing primary and secondary emotions and cognitive capabilities. Caregivers significantly differed from non-caregivers only in the attribution of primary emotions. Belief in animal minds predicted the attribution of secondary emotions and cognition. For caregivers only, avoidant attachment style was negatively associated with the attribution of primary emotions, whereas attachment strength was positively associated with the attribution of secondary emotions and cognition. These abilities may have greater discriminatory power as most respondents ascribe primary emotions to cats, perhaps for anthropomorphic reasons. Housing conditions (indoor and outdoor) were not associated with attributions, suggesting that bonds are more important than time spent together within the home in predicting the attribution of emotional and cognitive complexity in cats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Complexity of the Human–Companion Animal Bond)

14 pages, 1178 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pig Weight Estimation Method Based on a Framework Combining Mask R-CNN and Ensemble Regression Model

by Sheng Jiang, Guoxu Zhang, Zhencai Shen, Ping Zhong, Junyan Tan and Jianfeng Liu

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2122; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142122 - 20 Jul 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2146

Abstract

Using computer vision technology to estimate pig live weight is an important method to realize pig welfare. But there are two key issues that affect pigs’ weight estimation: one is the uneven illumination, which leads to unclear contour extraction of pigs, and the [...] Read more.

Using computer vision technology to estimate pig live weight is an important method to realize pig welfare. But there are two key issues that affect pigs’ weight estimation: one is the uneven illumination, which leads to unclear contour extraction of pigs, and the other is the bending of the pig body, which leads to incorrect pig body information. For the first one, Mask R-CNN was used to extract the contour of the pig, and the obtained mask image was converted into a binary image from which we were able to obtain a more accurate contour image. For the second one, the body length, hip width and the distance from the camera to the pig back were corrected by XGBoost and actual measured information. Then we analyzed the rationality of the extracted features. Three feature combination strategies were used to predict pig weight. In total, 1505 back images of 39 pigs obtained using Azure kinect DK were used in the numerical experiments. The highest prediction accuracy is XGBoost, with an MAE of 0.389, RMSE of 0.576, MAPE of 0.318% and

R^{2}

of 0.995. We also recommend using the Mask R-CNN + RFR method because it has fairly high precision in each strategy. The experimental results show that our proposed method has excellent performance in live weight estimation of pigs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Application of Animal Models: From Physiology to Pathology)

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28 pages, 4284 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Distribution and Hierarchical Behaviour of Cattle Using a Virtual Fence System

by Silje Marquardsen Lund, Johanne Holm Jacobsen, Maria Gytkjær Nielsen, Marie Ribergaard Friis, Natalie Hvid Nielsen, Nina Østerhaab Mortensen, Regitze Cushion Skibsted, Magnus Fjord Aaser, Søren Krabbe Staahltoft, Dan Bruhn, Christian Sonne, Aage Kristian Olsen Alstrup, John Frikke and Cino Pertoldi

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2121; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142121 - 20 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1139

Abstract

Interest in virtual fencing has increased due to its flexibility for agriculture and rewilding. However, systems like Nofence© require large financial investments, and the need for individual collars complicates large-scale use. If cattle herds maintain cohesive groups around leading individuals, fewer collars could [...] Read more.

Interest in virtual fencing has increased due to its flexibility for agriculture and rewilding. However, systems like Nofence© require large financial investments, and the need for individual collars complicates large-scale use. If cattle herds maintain cohesive groups around leading individuals, fewer collars could be used, thereby enhancing cost efficiency. This study investigates the pattern in spatial distribution in a herd of 17 Angus cows on Fanø in Denmark with GPS locations, using a Nofence© system. The aim of this paper is to determine how individuals position themselves in a herd, spatially, and identify a pattern in ranks. The method used in this study examines the distances between an individual to the rest of the herdmates using nearest neighbour and descriptive statistics. Contrary to expectations, this study did not reveal a distinct pattern in herd distribution. While some tendencies in spatial distribution patterns were observed, only a low concordance could be found (

W = 0.15, p < 0.001

), indicating great variability in the cattle’s ranks. A cumulative curve of the ranks estimated over the entire periods, however, allowed a rough estimation of the hierarchy and allowed identification of the highest-ranked cows, making the use of a cumulative curve a possible solution to finding the high-ranked cows. This research underscores the complexity of cattle social structures and highlights the need for extended observation periods and alternative methodologies to enhance the cost-effectiveness and scalability of virtual fencing in agricultural and rewilding contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ruminant Welfare Assessment)

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14 pages, 1572 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Mink-Origin Enterococcus faecium on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, Immunity, and Intestinal Microbiota of Growing Male Minks

by Lin Cao, Fengxue Sun, Qifeng Ren, Ziyi Jiang, Jian Chen, Yalin Li and Lihua Wang

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2120; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142120 - 20 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1105

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to explore the effects of dietary Enterococcus faecium (EF) on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and intestinal microbiota of growing male minks. A total of 60 male Regal White minks at 12 weeks of age were [...] Read more.

The purpose of this experiment was to explore the effects of dietary Enterococcus faecium (EF) on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and intestinal microbiota of growing male minks. A total of 60 male Regal White minks at 12 weeks of age were randomly assigned to two groups, each with 15 replicates of two minks per replicate. The minks in two groups were fed the basal diets and the basal diets with viable Enterococcus faecium (more than 10⁷ cfu/kg of diet), respectively. Compared with the minks in control, Enterococcus faecium minks had heavier body weight (BW) at week 4 and week 8 of the study (p < 0.05), greater average daily gain (ADG), and a lower feed/gain ratio (F/G) of male minks during the initial 4 weeks and the entire 8-week study period (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Enterococcus faecium increased the apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP) and dry matter (DM) compared to the control (p < 0.05). Moreover, Enterococcus faecium enhanced the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents (p < 0.05). The results also confirmed that Enterococcus faecium increased the levels of serum immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and the concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in the jejunal mucosa while decreasing the interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels in the jejunal mucosa (p < 0.05). Intestinal microbiota analysis revealed that Enterococcus faecium increased the species numbers at the OUT level. Compared with the control, Enterococcus faecium had significant effects on the relative abundance of Paraclostridium, Brevinema, and Comamonas (p < 0.05). The results showed that Enterococcus faecium could improve the growth performance, increase the antioxidant capacity, improve the immunity of growing male minks, and also modulate the gut microbiota. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Probiotics Application on Animal Health)

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20 pages, 3155 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lupin Seed Supplementation as a Functional Feed Additive: In Vitro Ruminal Gas, Methane and Carbon Dioxide Production, Fermentation Kinetics, and Nutrient Degradability

by Tarek A. Morsy, Ahmed E. Kholif, Moyòsore J. Adegbeye, Olurotimi A. Olafadehan, Gouda A. Gouda, Mahmoud Fahmy and Mireille Chahine

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2119; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142119 - 20 Jul 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1220

Abstract

The inevitable enteric gas emission from ruminants is considered a modern-day problem from an environmental perspective. Addressing this problem requires nutritional approaches such as the use of phytogenic additives in ruminant diets. In this regard, lupin seed (LS) can be a useful additive [...] Read more.

The inevitable enteric gas emission from ruminants is considered a modern-day problem from an environmental perspective. Addressing this problem requires nutritional approaches such as the use of phytogenic additives in ruminant diets. In this regard, lupin seed (LS) can be a useful additive due to its phytochemical constituents. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed supplementation as a functional and sustainable feed additive in sheep diet (50:50 concentrate-to-forage ratio) on in vitro gas production (GP; mL/g DM), methane (CH₄; mL/g DM) and carbon dioxide (CO₂; mL/g DM) emissions, fermentation parameters, and nutrient degradability (g/kg DM incubated). Gas production and CH₄ were measured per gram of incubated dry matter (DM), degradable DM (dDM), degradable neutral detergent fiber (dNDF), and degradable acid detergent fiber (dADF). Lupin seeds were included at 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2% of the diet. The seeds contained 3.27% essential oils (DM basis), with eucalyptol as the main phytochemical. The highest GP per gram of DM and dDM was observed (p < 0.01) with 2.0% LS supplementation level. While 1.0% LS had the highest GP per gram of dNDF, 0.5% lupin diet had the highest GP per gram of dADF. Asymptotic GP and CH₄ emissions linearly and quadratically increased (p < 0.01) with increasing LS level, while lag time decreased. Despite increased CH₄ production, the proportion of CH₄ in total biogas was lower (p = 0.008) for LS treatments than the control, with the 0.5% LS showing the lowest CH₄ proportion. Production of CO₂ increased with lupin seed treatments, with 0.5% LS producing the highest proportion (p = 0.027). Degradability of DM, NDF, and ADF was greater (p < 0.01) for the high LS supplementation level, while 0.5% supplementation level decreased ADF degradability. Total short-chain fatty acids, acetic acid, and propionic acid increased (p < 0.05) with LS supplementation level, leading to a reduced acetate:propionate ratio. Rumen pH decreased (p = 0.036) with LS supplementation, while ammonia-N decreased (p = 0.045) and estimated metabolizable energy increased (p < 0.001) linearly. Calculated microbial protein synthesis (p = 0.005) and gas yield (p = 0.047) increased with LS supplementation level. LS supplementation at 2.0% of diet (DM basis) increased GP and CH₄ emission (mL/g DM) and enhanced nutrient degradability, suggesting its potential use as a functional feed additive for ruminants when supplemented at a 2.0% level into diet. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies for Higher-Quality Products and Sustainable Animal Production)

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24 pages, 4039 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bayesian Meta-Analysis: Impacts of Eating Habits and Habitats on Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Composition and Growth in Cultured Fish

by Yuanbing Wu, Ania Rashidpour and Isidoro Metón

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2118; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142118 - 20 Jul 2024

Viewed by 2062

Abstract

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA) offer protective benefits against various pathological conditions, including atherosclerosis, obesity, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. Marine fish and seafood are [...] Read more.

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA) offer protective benefits against various pathological conditions, including atherosclerosis, obesity, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. Marine fish and seafood are the primary sources of n-3 LC-PUFAs in the human diet. However, the inclusion of fish oil in aquafeeds is declining due to limited availability, fluctuating prices, sustainability concerns, and replacement with vegetable oils. While comprehensive narrative reviews on the impact of substituting fish oil with vegetable oil in aquafeeds exist, quantitative studies are relatively scarce and mainly focused on comparing the source of vegetable oils. Herein, we employed, for the first time, a Bayesian meta-analysis approach, collecting research data from 81 articles to quantitatively analyze the effects of dietary n-3 LC-PUFA levels on the n-3 LC-PUFA composition and growth performance in cultured fish. Our findings indicate that with the exception of herbivorous fish, dietary n-3 LC-PUFA levels significantly affect the EPA and DHA levels in the livers and muscles of carnivorous, omnivorous, freshwater, and marine fish. Additionally, the growths of freshwater and herbivorous fish were less affected by changes in dietary n-3 LC-PUFA levels compared to that of carnivorous and marine fish. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The New Era of Food and Agriculture: Sustainable Strategies to Achieve Zero Hunger)

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10 pages, 1232 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy and Protein Requirements of Growing Lambs in Colombian Highlands

by Yesid Avellaneda, Edgar Mancipe, Juan Vargas and Diego Manriquez

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2117; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142117 - 20 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1379

Abstract

Determining the nutritional requirements of lambs is necessary to formulate balanced rations and contribute to sustainable sheep production systems. However, limited information is available regarding the nutritional requirements of growing lambs in the Colombian highlands. Twenty-two Romney Marsh males were used. Initially, four [...] Read more.

Determining the nutritional requirements of lambs is necessary to formulate balanced rations and contribute to sustainable sheep production systems. However, limited information is available regarding the nutritional requirements of growing lambs in the Colombian highlands. Twenty-two Romney Marsh males were used. Initially, four lambs were slaughtered at 20 kg body weight (BW). The remaining 18 lambs were distributed into two groups, according to BW (light: 20 BW and heavy: 30 kg BW). Lambs were randomly allocated into one of three different nutritional schemes, according to voluntary intake (no restriction, and 25 and 50% restriction). All the animals received a totally mixed ration. When a voluntary-fed lamb gained 10 kg BW, the two other lambs restricted to 25 and 50% were slaughtered and dissected into components to determine protein and gross energy concentration. Energy and protein accumulation were analyzed through regression analysis. The net energy for maintenance was 82.3 kcal/kg BW^0.75, while the energy efficiencies for maintenance and gain were 0.72 and 0.29, respectively. Crude protein for maintenance was 1.78 g/kg BW^0.75, and the nitrogen efficiencies for maintenance and gain were 0.41 and 0.27, respectively. The maintenance requirement of energy was greater, while protein was similarly related to values reported in the literature; however, the efficiency of energy and protein use was lower in growing lambs. These results suggested that estimating energy and nitrogen requirements for growing lambs must be adjusted in Colombian highland conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nutrition, Management and Health of Feedlot Cattle and Lambs)

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12 pages, 1287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Movements between Freshwater and Saltwater by Brown Trout (Salmo trutta L.) Based on Otolith Microchemistry

by Magdalena Andersson, Bror Jonsson, Olle Calles and Larry Greenberg

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2116; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142116 - 20 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 996

Abstract

By analyzing otolith microchemistry, we examined the use of freshwater and marine environments by brown trout Salmo trutta L. that spawn in the Swedish River Emån and migrate to the Baltic Sea. We estimated the time juveniles spent in freshwater and the number [...] Read more.

By analyzing otolith microchemistry, we examined the use of freshwater and marine environments by brown trout Salmo trutta L. that spawn in the Swedish River Emån and migrate to the Baltic Sea. We estimated the time juveniles spent in freshwater and the number of times the fish returned to freshwater, presumably to spawn. Twenty-six percent of the fish migrated to sea by 1 year of age. However, 13% spent less than one year in the river. Most brown trout (48%) migrated to the sea between 1 and 2 years of age. On average, brown trout, which averaged 4.4 years in age (range 3–6 years), returned to freshwater 2.3 times, and there was an inverse relationship between time spent in freshwater after hatching and the number of visits to freshwater. Our results do not support the classical life history pattern, where brown trout spend one or more years in freshwater before migrating to the sea. Here, we found evidence that part of the population leaves freshwater during their first year. While the cause for precocial migration in the River Emån is not known, our results from this permanently flowing river do not support the idea proposed for other Baltic Sea populations, where the risk of drought has been suggested to be the cause. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Aquatic Animals)

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13 pages, 4403 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Immunohistochemical Expression of PTEN in Canine Gliomas

by Jéssica Molín, Roberto José-López, Gustavo A. Ramírez and Martí Pumarola

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2115; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142115 - 20 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1234

Abstract

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a critical tumor suppressor gene with a vital role in regulating cell proliferation, migration, and survival. The loss of PTEN function, either by genetic alterations or decreased protein expression, is frequent in human gliomas and has been [...] Read more.

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a critical tumor suppressor gene with a vital role in regulating cell proliferation, migration, and survival. The loss of PTEN function, either by genetic alterations or decreased protein expression, is frequent in human gliomas and has been correlated with tumor progression, grade, therapeutic resistance, and decreased overall survival in patients with glioma. While different genetic mutations in PTEN gene have been occasionally reported in canine gliomas, no alterations in protein expression have been reported. This study investigates the immunohistochemical expression of PTEN in canine gliomas to evaluate possible alterations, as those reported in human gliomas. Immunohistochemical PTEN expression and pattern distribution were analyzed in 37 spontaneous canine gliomas. Among gliomas, 52.6% cases showed high PTEN expression and 48.6% displayed reduced (13.5%) or highly reduced (35.1%) immunopositivity. Most oligodendrogliomas showed high expression (73.7%), while the majority of astrocytomas (69.2%) showed a reduced or highly reduced expression. A reduced PTEN expression was mostly associated with a heterogeneous loss of PTEN immunopositivity. These observations are in line with those reported in human gliomas and provide a rationale for future studies regarding abnormalities in PTEN expression and PI3K/Akt/mTor pathway in canine gliomas, to evaluate its prognostic and therapeutic implications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress and Diagnostic Innovations in Veterinary Neuropathology: In Dedication to Professor Martí Pumarola on the Occasion of His Retirement)

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8 pages, 669 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Molecular Identification and Survey of Cyclospora spp. in Cattle in Shanxi Province, North China

by Ze-Xuan Wu, Yu Kang, Shi-Bo Huang, Ya-Ya Liu, Jin-Jin Mei, Qing Liu and Xing-Quan Zhu

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2114; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142114 - 20 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1153

Abstract

To date, more than 20 species in the genus Cyclospora have been reported. Among them, Cyclospora cayetanensis has been recognized as the causative agent of human cyclosporiasis, which is characterized by severe intestinal injury and prolonged diarrhea in patients with immune dysfunction. The [...] Read more.

To date, more than 20 species in the genus Cyclospora have been reported. Among them, Cyclospora cayetanensis has been recognized as the causative agent of human cyclosporiasis, which is characterized by severe intestinal injury and prolonged diarrhea in patients with immune dysfunction. The presence of C. cayetanensis in cattle has been confirmed. To date, however, no surveillance data are available on the occurrence and prevalence of Cyclospora spp. in cattle in Shanxi Province, North China. In the present study, a total of 761 fecal samples collected from cattle in three representative counties (Qi, Jishan, and Shanyin) in this Province were examined for Cyclospora spp. by using a polymerase-chain-reaction–restriction-fragment-length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) test based on the nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The prevalence of Cyclospora spp. in cattle was 2.1%, and region, age, sex, and breed were not identified to be risk factors. Molecular evolutionary analysis based on the SSU rRNA sequences revealed that all 12 of the isolates were relatively distant from the human pathogen C. cayetanensis; seven isolates were grouped with Cyclospora colobi, whereas the others were grouped with cattle Cyclospora spp. reported previously. Though C. cayetanensis was not detected in cattle in the present study, more investigations should be performed in human populations, other animal species, or cattle from other regions of Shanxi Province and other environmental sources from the One Health perspective. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Parasitology: Epidemiology, Control and Prevention Strategies)

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23 pages, 21539 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fatty Acids and Volatile Flavor Components of Adipose Tissue from Local Tibetan Sheep in Qinghai with Dietary Supplementation of Palm Kernel Meal (PKM)

by Ying Ma, Lijuan Han, Shengzhen Hou, Linsheng Gui, Shengnan Sun, Zhenzhen Yuan, Chao Yang, Zhiyou Wang and Baochun Yang

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2113; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142113 - 20 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1623

Abstract

Substituting traditional protein feed with palm kernel meal (PKM) in the diet of Tibetan sheep can be a cost-effective feeding strategy. To determine the impact of PKM on flavor development in different adipose tissues of Tibetan sheep, subjects were fed with 15% and [...] Read more.

Substituting traditional protein feed with palm kernel meal (PKM) in the diet of Tibetan sheep can be a cost-effective feeding strategy. To determine the impact of PKM on flavor development in different adipose tissues of Tibetan sheep, subjects were fed with 15% and 18% of PKM, while the control group received no PKM. The fatty acids and volatile compounds in the samples were then analyzed by GC-MS and HS-GC-IMS. Adding PKM to the diet significantly increased the C12:0, C14:0, C16:0 and C18:1N9 content in adipose tissues compared with the control, and most of these were associated with flavor formation (p < 0.05). The flavor compounds in the adipose tissues predominantly consisted of alcohols, ketones, acids and aldehydes. In particular, including PKM in the diet increased the proportion of ketones but decreased the proportion of alcohols, acids and aldehydes in subcutaneous and tail fat. Specifically, the proportion of acetone, acetoin monomer, 2,3-butanedione, 2-butanone monomer, 2-methyl-2-propanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol and methyl acetate increased significantly in the subcutaneous and tail fat (p < 0.05), while that of ethanol, 1-propanol monomer, butanol monomer, acetic acid monomer and acetic acid monomer decreased. Intermuscular fat exhibited variable results, mainly because the addition of PKM resulted in higher proportions of alcohols, including ethanol, 1-propanol and butanol monomer, especially at 15% PKM. In summary, the addition of PKM improved the flavor of Tibetan sheep fat and increased the amount of favorable volatile flavor compounds. This study can serve as reference for understanding the effects of dietary PKM on the adipose tissue flavor profile of Tibetan sheep. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrients and Feed Additives in Ruminants)

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13 pages, 1148 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Improvement Effects of a Nutritional Fortifier on the Reproductive Performance, Sex Steroid Hormone Production, and Health of the Striped Bamboo Shark Chiloscyllium plagiosum

by Junjie Zhang, Chao Xu, Yifan Zhang, Yifu Zhong, Dizhi Xie, Peng Zhang and Yuanyou Li

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2112; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142112 - 19 Jul 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1423

Abstract

To explore a method of improving the reproductive performance of the striped bamboo shark, three groups (D0, D1, and D2) of mature individuals were fed squid with (D1 and D2) or without (D0) a nutritional fortifier during the breeding seasons of 2022 and [...] Read more.

To explore a method of improving the reproductive performance of the striped bamboo shark, three groups (D0, D1, and D2) of mature individuals were fed squid with (D1 and D2) or without (D0) a nutritional fortifier during the breeding seasons of 2022 and 2023. Compared with the D0 group, the D1 and D2 groups had an increase of 20.90% and 31.34% in total eggs, increases of 32.73% and 41.82% in the proportion of lecithal eggs, and a total 119.07% increase in hatching rate, respectively, in 2022. In 2023, the corresponding increase was 17.12% and 9.91% in total eggs, 19.63% and 12.15% in the proportion of lecithal eggs, 43.37% and 43.94% in fertilization rate, 23.94% and 22.22% in hatchability rate, and 66.70% and 8.70% in the survival rate of fry. Moreover, the levels of serum estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, albumin, and total antioxidant capacity and the levels of ARA, EPA, DHA, n-3 PUFA, and n-6 PUFA in both serum and lecithal eggs significantly increased, while the levels of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol were the opposite (p < 0.05). The results demonstrate that feeding the sharks with a nutritional fortifier can increase spawn production and the quality of eggs, regulate the production of sex steroids, and improve the nutrition of eggs and the health of broodstocks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)

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14 pages, 4174 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microbial and Metabolic Profiling of Obese and Lean Luchuan Pigs: Implications for Phenotypic Divergence

by Lihui Zhu, Shengwei Ma, Chuan He, Lan Bai, Weilong Tu and Xiao Wu

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2111; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142111 - 19 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1379

Abstract

Luchuan (LC) pigs are a Chinese breed renowned for their distinctive black and white coloring, superior meat quality and rapid reproduction, but their growth rate is slow. Over the course of approximately two decades of controlled breeding, the LC pigs maintained at the [...] Read more.

Luchuan (LC) pigs are a Chinese breed renowned for their distinctive black and white coloring, superior meat quality and rapid reproduction, but their growth rate is slow. Over the course of approximately two decades of controlled breeding, the LC pigs maintained at the Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Shanghai, China) have diverged into two phenotypes: one characterized by obesity (FLC) and the other by leanness (LLC). Recent studies indicate a correlation between microorganisms and the differentiation of host phenotypes. In this study, we examined the fecal microbiota profiles and serum metabolites of FLC and LLC pigs. The body weight, chest circumference, and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzyme activities were increased in the FLC pigs compared to the LLC pigs. Conversely, the levels of the Fusobacterium and Streptococcus genera were lower in the FLC pigs, while the number of Firmicutes, Lactobacillus, Phascolartobacterium, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group members were higher. A total of 52 metabolites were altered between the two groups, with many playing crucial roles in prolactin signaling, oocyte meiosis, and aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption pathways. The correlation analyses demonstrated a significant association between the modified microbiota and metabolites and the phenotypic variations observed in the LC pigs. Specifically, Jeotgalicoccus was positively correlated with the body weight and chest circumference, but was negatively correlated with metabolites such as 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and N1-pyrazin-2-yl-4-chlorobenzamide, which were positively associated with Bacteroides. These results provide compelling evidence for a novel relationship between the gut microbiome and metabolome in the phenotypic differentiation of LC pigs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pigs)

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14 pages, 8467 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, and PGP Expression in Feline Injection-Site and Feline Noninjection-Site Sarcomas—Pilot Study

by Agata Wojtkowska, Anna Małek, Sławomir Giziński, Rafał Sapierzyński, Anna Rodo, Justyna Sokołowska, Katarzyna A. Zabielska-Koczywąs, Anna Wojtalewicz, Magdalena Walewska, Ewa Kautz, Magdalena Ostrzeszewicz and Roman Lechowski

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2110; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142110 - 19 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1777

Abstract

Feline injection-site sarcomas (FISSs) are aggressive neoplasms that have been associated mostly with vaccination. Feline noninjection-site sarcomas (non-FISSs) are less frequently observed in cats and may arise in any anatomic site. This study aimed to determine the differences in the expression of the [...] Read more.

Feline injection-site sarcomas (FISSs) are aggressive neoplasms that have been associated mostly with vaccination. Feline noninjection-site sarcomas (non-FISSs) are less frequently observed in cats and may arise in any anatomic site. This study aimed to determine the differences in the expression of the selected proteins (matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and P-glycoprotein (PGP)) and their correlation with the mitotic count in FISS and non-FISS, in order to characterize their immunohistochemical features. A preliminary study of eleven samples of FISS and eight samples of non-FISS was performed using immunohistochemistry. Among all the tested sarcomas, 80.4% of the tumors were positive for COX-2, 90.2% were positive for MMP-9, and 100% were positive for PGP. The results showed that the expressions of COX-2, MMP-9, and PGP were significantly higher in FISS than in non-FISS (COX-2—p ≤ 0.001; MMP-9—p ≤ 0.05; and PGP—p ≤ 0.05). A Spearman rank correlation analysis showed a moderate negative correlation between the expression of COX-2 and MMP-9 in FISS (r = −0.52). A strong negative correlation between COX-2 and PGP (r = −0.81), a moderate positive correlation between MMP-2 and MMP-9 (r = +0.69), and a moderate negative correlation between MMP-2 and PGP (r = −0.44) were observed in non-FISS. In summary, our study presents the immunohistochemical profile of the proteins involved with inflammation and carcinogenesis in FISS and non-FISS, which can contribute to expanding the knowledge of tumor biology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Comparative Oncology: Naturally Developing Tumors in Animals for Investigating Cancer Biology and Therapy)

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15 pages, 4156 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Maintaining Period and the Differentially Expressed Genes between the Yellow and Black Stripes of the Juvenile Stripe in the Offspring of Wild Boar and Duroc

by Sanya Xiong, Dengshuai Cui, Naibiao Yu, Ruiqiu He, Haojie Zhu, Jiacheng Wei, Mingyang Wang, Wenxin Duan, Xiaoqing Huang, Liming Ge and Yuanmei Guo

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2109; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142109 - 19 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 964

Abstract

Coloration is a crucial trait that allows species to adapt and survive in different environments. Wild boars exhibit alternating black (dark) and yellow (light) longitudinal stripes on their back during their infancy (juvenile stripes), and as adults, they transform into uniform wild-type coat [...] Read more.

Coloration is a crucial trait that allows species to adapt and survive in different environments. Wild boars exhibit alternating black (dark) and yellow (light) longitudinal stripes on their back during their infancy (juvenile stripes), and as adults, they transform into uniform wild-type coat color. Aiming to record the procedure of juvenile stripes disappearing, piglets (WD) with juvenile stripes were produced by crossing a wild boar with Duroc sows, and photos of their coat color were taken from 20 d to 220 d. The pigments in the hairs from the black and yellow stripes were determined. Furthermore, the differentially expressed genes between the black and yellow stripes were investigated in 5 WD with the age of 30 d using whole-transcriptome sequencing to explore the genetic mechanism of the juvenile stripes. The juvenile stripes started to disappear at about 70 d, and stripes were not distinguished with the naked eye at about 160 d; that is, the juvenile stripe completely disappeared. A hotspot of a differentially expressing (DE) region was found on chromosome 13, containing/covering 2 of 13 DE genes and 8 of 10 DE lncRNAs in this region. A network among ZIC4, ssc-miR-532-3p, and ENSSSCG00000056225 might regulate the formation of juvenile stripes. Altogether, this study provides new insights into spatiotemporal coat color pattern. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pigs)

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11 pages, 828 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Brazilian Corn Ethanol Coproducts for Pigs: Feeding Value and Blood Parameters

by Anderson Corassa, Igor Willian Wrobel Straub, Maicon Sbardella, Ana Paula Silva Ton, Charles Kiefer, Claudson Oliveira Brito, Vivian Luana Rothmund and Leonardo Willian Freitas

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2108; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142108 - 19 Jul 2024

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Abstract

This study aimed to determine the values of net energy (NE), digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) and digestibility coefficients of corn ethanol coproducts produced in Brazil and their effects on the nitrogen balance and blood parameters of pigs. Ten barrows were [...] Read more.

This study aimed to determine the values of net energy (NE), digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) and digestibility coefficients of corn ethanol coproducts produced in Brazil and their effects on the nitrogen balance and blood parameters of pigs. Ten barrows were housed in metabolic study cages for total collection and fed a reference diet (RD) or 800 g/kg RD + 200 g/kg of a coproduct of corn ethanol. Distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn bran with solubles (CBS), distiller’s dried grains (DDG) and high-protein distiller’s dried grain (HPDDG) were evaluated. The experimental design was randomized blocks with three repetitions per period, totaling six repetitions per diet. Diets containing the HPDDG had greater DE and ME than those containing CBS and DDGS and greater DE than those containing the DDG (p < 0.05). HPDDG, DDG, CBS and DDGS showed 4498, 3419, 3029 and 3335 kcal/kg DE; 4366, 3305, 2934 and 3214 kcal/kg ME; and 2515, 1938, 1649 and 1725 kcal/kg NE, respectively. Pigs fed diets containing HPDDG and CBS showed greater nitrogen retention efficiency than pigs fed DDGS (p < 0.05). Pigs fed diets containing HPDDG had higher blood urea levels than pigs fed CBS and RD, while triglyceride levels in animals that received the CBS diet were greater than those in animals that received all other diets. The HPDDG had the highest energy levels and the best digestibility coefficients. The chemical composition of coproducts influences the nitrogen balance and circulating levels of urea and triglycerides in pigs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feed Ingredients and Additives for Swine and Poultry)

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16 pages, 656 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Data-Mining Methodology to Improve the Scientific Production Quality in Turkey Meat and Carcass Characterization Studies

by José Ignacio Salgado Pardo, Francisco Javier Navas González, Antonio González Ariza, José Manuel León Jurado, Nuno Carolino, Inês Carolino, Juan Vicente Delgado Bermejo and María Esperanza Camacho Vallejo

Animals 2024, 14(14), 2107; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142107 - 19 Jul 2024

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Abstract

The present research aims to describe how turkey meat and carcass quality traits define the interest of the scientific community through the quality standards of journals in which studies are published. To this end, an analysis of 92 research documents addressing the study [...] Read more.

The present research aims to describe how turkey meat and carcass quality traits define the interest of the scientific community through the quality standards of journals in which studies are published. To this end, an analysis of 92 research documents addressing the study of turkey carcass and meat quality over the last 57 years was performed. Meat and carcass quality attributes were dependent variables and included traits related to carcass dressing, muscle fiber, pH, colorimetry, water-holding capacity, texture, and chemical composition. The independent variables comprised publication quality traits, including journal indexation, database, journal impact factor (JIF), quartile, publication area, and JIF percentage. For each dependent variable, a data-mining chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) decision tree was developed. Carcass or piece yield was the only variable that did not show an impact on the publication quality. Moreover, color and pH measurements taken at 72 h postmortem showed a negative impact on publication interest. On the other hand, variables including water-retaining attributes, colorimetry, pH, chemical composition, and shear force traits stood out among the quality-enhancing variables due to their low inclusion in papers, while high standards improved power. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Product Excellence in Poultry: Key Factors Influencing Egg and Meat Quality)

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Animals, Volume 14, Issue 14 (July-2 2024) – 121 articles

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