Animals

We studied fine particulate matter (PM) effects on porcine granulosa, a model of endocrine reproductive cells, and on ovarian endothelial cells. PM produced a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in metabolic activity. PM reduced endothelial cell proliferation (p < 0.001). As for redox status, superoxide anion (O₂⁻) production by granulosa was reduced (p < 0.05) by PM, while it was increased in endothelial cells (p < 0.001). PM increased (p < 0.001) nitric oxide (NO) levels in granulosa, while in endothelial cells, it displayed a biphasic effect (p < 0.05) as well as for superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) in granulosa cells (p < 0.001). In endothelial cells, PM increased (p < 0.001) SOD. A reduction in Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP) (p < 0.01) was observed. In granulosa, PM did not induce oxidative damage to DNA, while in endothelial cells, it determined a reduction (p < 0.05). PM significantly inhibited steroidogenesis (p < 0.05). The accumulation of autophagic vacuoles and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) production was increased (p < 0.05) by PM. The data obtained likely demonstrate that PM induces critical effects on ovarian cells.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) impairs poultry production and causes substantial economic losses. This study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus reuteri postbiotics (LR) on growth performance and intestinal health of broiler chickens challenged with E. coli. A total of 180 one-day-old Arbor Acres+ broilers were allocated into three groups (six replicates per group and 10 chicks each replicate): CTR, control group; E. coli-infected group, orally challenged with a mixture of E. coli O₁, O₂, and O₇₈ at a dose of 10⁹ CFU/mL; LR + E. coli-infected group, challenged with E. coli and fed a basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg LR. The results showed that dietary LR significantly improved the average daily gain (ADG) in the LR + E. coli group compared to the E. coli-infected group from days 1 to 18 (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences in average daily feed intake (ADFI) or feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed among the CTR, E. coli, and LR + E. coli groups. Infection with E. coli led to lower total antioxidant capacity in jejunum and activity of total superoxide dismutase in ileum. Moreover, dietary LR significantly alleviated the down-regulation of Mucin2 and Aquaporin-3 gene expression in jejunum and ileum caused by E. coli infection and up-regulated the gene expression of Claudin-1 and Zonula occludens 1 in the ileum. In addition, dietary LR treatment led to the up-regulation of interleukin-10 mRNA transcripts in the jejunum. Further analysis demonstrated that dietary supplementation with LR reshaped the ileal flora of birds challenged with E. coli via elevating the relative abundance of Romboutsia and Bacteroidota, while reducing the abundance of Candidatus_Arthromitus and Escherichia-Shigella. In conclusion, dietary LR supplementation improved the expression of intestinal barrier and anti-inflammatory genes and reshaped the intestinal flora in E. coli-infected broilers.

A key area of research is the role played by the gut microbiota in the health of sheep during the early period of life; consequently, understanding its complexity may have significant implications for sheep farming. While factors such as diet, age, health status, and environmental conditions are crucial for determining the composition of the gut microbiota, there are very few summaries on the gut microbiota in early life and only a limited number of reviews considering the gut microbiota in adult (sheep) life. Accordingly, after a brief introduction to the generic qualitative and quantitative composition of the gut microbiota in sheep, this review focuses on its development in early life, with primary attention given to the rumen. It then provides an overview of factors that may modulate the microbiota, with a particular focus on prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics. The optimisation of these processes in sheep may enhance digestibility, immunity, and overall production efficiency. The review also highlights key challenges associated with the adoption of management strategies based on the integration of microbial approaches in modern livestock systems with the aim of enhancing animal welfare, sustainability, and production efficiency.