Advancements in Livestock Histology and Morphology

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Anatomy, Histology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2026 | Viewed by 5198

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, Argonafton & Filellinon, 382 21 Volos, Greece
Interests: bone biology; teratology; mammary gland; skin histology; avian anatomy
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A multidisciplinary approach is important for increasing collaboration and communication in animal husbandry and healthcare aspects. In this way, scientific disciplines such as animal morphology and histology can be part of this path toward advancing these sectors.

This Special Issue aims to combine synergies that could disclose unanswered questions and knowledge about various aspects of Livestock Veterinary Science. Even though the morphological sciences (Anatomy, Histology, Embryology), the forerunners of Veterinary Science, are not standing on the cutting edge of modern practice, they are always the core and frame of animal science and medicine.

In this context, using modern imaging techniques is a promising area of investigation. Furthermore, the modern imaging diagnosis, though well established in medical science, is still in its infancy in veterinary practice due to heavy initial investment and maintenance costs, lack of expert interpretation, requirement of specialized technical staff, and need for adjustable machines to accommodate the different range of animal sizes

I propose the Special Issue of "Advancements in Livestock Histology and Morphology", aiming to synergize and exchange scientific knowledge between basic and applied science. This Special Issue addresses the need to strengthen the flow and exchange of information between veterinary and medical sciences by publishing a selection of research articles from leading researchers in this field. Hopefully, this Special Issue will further stimulate collaboration between scientists engaged in all aspects of this field of research.

Dr. Aris Pourlis
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • body conformation
  • imaging techniques
  • microscopy

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 2380 KB  
Article
Spleen Histopathological Evaluation of Broiler Chickens Challenged with Escherichia coli and Its Effect Towards the Combination of Javanese Cardamom and Turmeric Herbs
by Tyagita Hartady, Mas Rizky A. A. Syamsunarno, Belgia Basyirasaniyanti, Shafia Khairani and Aziiz Mardanarian Rosdianto
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(10), 975; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12100975 - 11 Oct 2025
Viewed by 263
Abstract
Given the increasing global concern over antimicrobial resistance in poultry health, this study investigated the potential of Javanese cardamom essential oil (JCEO) and dried turmeric (DT) as alternative therapies for colibacillosis by evaluating their effects on the spleen organ. A total of 72 [...] Read more.
Given the increasing global concern over antimicrobial resistance in poultry health, this study investigated the potential of Javanese cardamom essential oil (JCEO) and dried turmeric (DT) as alternative therapies for colibacillosis by evaluating their effects on the spleen organ. A total of 72 Cobb-strain day-old chickens were allocated into eight groups, which received different doses of JCEO (0.06 mL/kg BW and 0.1 mL/kg BW), DT (400 mg/kg feed) and ciprofloxacin. Infection was induced intraperitoneally (E. coli O78 strain, 106 CFU/mL/chicken) at 28 days, while the treatments were administered orally from day 7 to week 5. Histopathological evaluation was graded on a 1–5 scale based on the five primary lesion criteria. The herb combination groups had the lowest severity grade, characterized by compact lymphoid follicles and reduced vasculitis. The JCEO single-dose group, both in vitro and in vivo, reduced bacterial growth and had a mild vasculitis score, indicating its antibacterial activity. In contrast, the single treatment of DT and the antibiotic groups showed moderate spleen lesion damage. These findings suggest that JCEO acts bactericidally, while DT provides an anti-inflammatory effect, and both combinations work synergistically. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Livestock Histology and Morphology)
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12 pages, 9670 KB  
Article
Morphometric Characterization and Zoometric Indices of High-Andean Creole Cows from Southern Peru
by Ruth Ccalta, Rito Felipe Huayta Arizaca, Elvis Lizandro Salcedo Quispe, Anthony Valverde, Hernán Carlos Cucho Dolmos, Ali William Canaza-Cayo, Alex Yony Acuña Leiva and Richard Estrada
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(8), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12080782 - 20 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1035
Abstract
High-Andean Creole cattle represent a genetic resource with significant adaptive value in high-altitude ecosystems. In this study, 151 Creole cows from the provinces of Canas and Quispicanchis (Cusco, Peru) were evaluated to characterize their morphometry, calculate zoometric indices, and establish functional biotypes. Ten [...] Read more.
High-Andean Creole cattle represent a genetic resource with significant adaptive value in high-altitude ecosystems. In this study, 151 Creole cows from the provinces of Canas and Quispicanchis (Cusco, Peru) were evaluated to characterize their morphometry, calculate zoometric indices, and establish functional biotypes. Ten morphometric parameters were measured, and eight structural indices were calculated. Four differentiated biotypes were identified through the multivariate analysis and hierarchical clustering of quantitative variables (BI, BII, BIII, and BIV). Morphological differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05) and associated with different productive orientations. Biotype I showed greater thoracic development and a compact structure, which is compatible with intermediate beefaptitude; Biotype II exhibited more elongated proportions and a lower weight, indicating a dairy tendency; Biotype III stood out for its muscle mass, thoracic depth, and pelvic width, evidencing a clear beef orientation; and Biotype IV combined a higher weight, rectangular conformation, and wide pelvis, showing potential for beef production and ease of calving. Functional differentiation was supported by Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) and PERMANOVA tests. Correlations between morphometric variables and zoometric indices revealed anatomical patterns consistent with the productive functions proposed. The results highlight the morpho-functional diversity of Andean Creole cattle and their potential for conservation and improvement programs in extensive highland systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Livestock Histology and Morphology)
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16 pages, 5245 KB  
Article
Histopathological Picture of Lung Organs Towards Combination of Java Cardamom Seed Extract and Turmeric Rhizome as Anti-Colibacillosis in Broiler Chickens
by Tyagita Hartady, Mohammad Ghozali and Charles Parsonodihardjo
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(8), 726; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12080726 - 31 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 617
Abstract
Colibacillosis is a poultry disease caused by the pathogenic bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli). This study is an experimental cross-sectional study using herbal-based test materials from Javanese cardamom and turmeric rhizome as treatments to replace the role of antibiotics that experience [...] Read more.
Colibacillosis is a poultry disease caused by the pathogenic bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli). This study is an experimental cross-sectional study using herbal-based test materials from Javanese cardamom and turmeric rhizome as treatments to replace the role of antibiotics that experience drug resistance in several types of bacteria. A total of 32 samples were utilized in this study, separated into two control groups and six treatment groups. The analysis was carried out by an histopathological examination of the lung organs using H&E and ImageJ staining to calculate the area of the slide image. The data results were analyzed statistically with one-way ANOVA method and qualitatively. The outcome of the statistical test showed that the differences were not statistically significant p value = 0.922 [p > 0.05] in all groups, and findings from qualitative histopathology showed morphological differences in the alveoli, parabronchi, and vasculature in the lung organs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Livestock Histology and Morphology)
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14 pages, 1299 KB  
Article
Post-Slaughter Age Classification and Sex Determination in Deboned Beef Using Lipofuscin Autofluorescence and Amelogenin Gene Analysis
by Büşra Cumhur, Mustafa Yenal Akkurt, Tuğçe Anteplioğlu, Oğuz Kul, Ufuk Kaya and Bengi Çınar
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(6), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12060593 - 17 Jun 2025
Viewed by 2961
Abstract
Beef meat quality and value are influenced by the breed, sex, and age of slaughtered animals. This study aimed to evaluate lipofuscin pigment autofluorescence as a method for age classification in beef meat samples and to determine the sex of market-obtained meat using [...] Read more.
Beef meat quality and value are influenced by the breed, sex, and age of slaughtered animals. This study aimed to evaluate lipofuscin pigment autofluorescence as a method for age classification in beef meat samples and to determine the sex of market-obtained meat using PCR-based amelogenin gene amplification. Deboned beef meat samples from M. longissimus dorsi and M. biceps femoris were collected from 67 slaughtered cows with known age and sex. Additionally, 48 market samples were tested for sex identification and age classification using the same methods. Lipofuscin deposition was first observed at 1.5 years, and autofluorescence analysis effectively distinguished between meat from younger animals (1.5–2.2 years) and older ones (3–13 years), with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Lipofuscin levels and excitation intensity increased with age, and no differences were found between the two muscles analyzed. The sex determination results were fully consistent with the records, and 55.2% of animals aged 3 years and older were identified as female. These findings demonstrate the reliability of lipofuscin autofluorescence for binary age determination in beef and support the potential of combining age and sex classification to identify meat derived from older dairy cows in the marketplace. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Livestock Histology and Morphology)
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