Search Results (1,601)

Non-invasive and intelligent technologies have been utilized to monitor agricultural systems in real time, facilitating expedient decision-making and the reduction in animal stress in diverse climatic conditions. The objective of this study was to develop a deep learning supervised model to classify Nelore cattle (Bos indicus) into two groups: those in comfort and those under thermal stress. Thirty cattle, aged between 18 and 20 months, were evaluated between June and December 2023, resulting in 676 samples collected across four daily periods (6:00, 12:00, 18:00, and 24:00). Biotic variables included rectal temperature (RT) and respiratory rate (RR), while abiotic variables included air temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH). The neural network model exhibited an accuracy and recall of 72% but a low specificity of 42%. These metrics indicate that while the model is effective in detecting stress situations, it faces challenges in correctly identifying animals in thermal comfort, likely due to class imbalance and the need for additional input features to capture environmental adaptability. Consequently, it can be posited that supervised learning models are valuable tools for precision livestock farming, provided that discriminatory limitations are mitigated by refining input characteristics and data balancing. Full article

This study aims to investigate the effects of dietary vitamin C supplementation on vitamin C synthesis, transport, and egg deposition in breeding geese. A total of 450 female and 90 male 221-day-old Yangzhou geese were randomly assigned to five treatment groups with six replicates each (15 females and 3 males per replicate). The control group received a basal diet, while the other four groups were fed diets supplemented with 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg vitamin C over a 16-week feeding trial. The results showed that dietary vitamin C supplementation increased the vitamin C content in both serum and egg yolks and modulated the expression of key vitamin C-related genes. Specifically, the intestinal and ovarian sodium-dependent vitamin C transporters 1 and 2 (SVCT1/SVCT2) were upregulated, whereas hepatic and renal L-Gulonolactone oxidase (GLO) and SVCT1 were suppressed. These findings indicate that exogenous vitamin C enhances intestinal absorption, inhibits hepatic synthesis, and promotes yolk deposition, with 300 mg/kg emerging as an effective and practical supplementation level that provides a physiological basis for its application in poultry nutrition. Full article

In Brazil, the presence of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in urban environments has raised concerns due to ecological, sanitary and coexistence challenges. This study investigates the growing presence of capybaras on Santa Catarina Island, Brazil, exploring their integration into urban areas. We interviewed 1505 residents of the Island to understand capybara distribution, public perceptions and associated risks. Beliefs about management strategies were also assessed. The findings reveal that capybaras are present in all neighborhoods of Florianópolis, the sole city in the Island. Participants expressed positive views of capybaras, describing them as “beautiful” and “cute” and showing concerns for their well-being in urban environments. Despite these positive perceptions, participants demonstrated limited knowledge about capybara biology (88%) and potential problems, such as disease transmission (37%), traffic accidents (10%), pet conflicts (56%) and garden damage (42%). Most respondents agreed with the statements: “Capybaras are part of nature and should be left undisturbed, even in urban areas” (70%) and “It is important for people to see capybaras in the city, as long as their population is not causing problems” (82%). After risk awareness, more participants rated these issues as highly relevant: disease transmission (97%), destruction of urban gardens (77%), pet incidents (92%) and traffic accidents (98%). This led to greater acceptance of population control, though elimination remained unpopular. Sociodemographic factors influenced opinions. Addressing knowledge gaps can foster ethical, supported management strategies. This case places Florianópolis within a broader South American phenomenon of urban capybara conflicts, highlighting the global challenge of managing human–wildlife interactions in cities. Full article

Body weight and size are critical indicators of sow health and reproductive performance. Traditional manual measurement methods are not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also induce stress in sows. To address these limitations, we propose an innovative method for estimating sow body weight and size using 3D point cloud data. Our method began by obtaining point cloud data from depth images captured by an Intel^® RealSense™ D455 camera. First, we used a KPConv segmentation model with a deformable kernel to extract the sow‘s back. The resulting back point cloud then served as the input to a novel dual-branch, multi-output regression model named DbmoNet, which integrates features from both location and feature spaces. We evaluated the method on 2400 samples from three breeds during non-pregnant periods. The KPConv model demonstrated excellent performance, achieving an overall segmentation accuracy (OA) of 99.54%. The proposed DbmoNet model outperformed existing benchmarks, achieving mean absolute percentage errors (MAPEs) of 3.74% for body weight (BW), 3.97% for chest width (CW), 3.33% for hip width (HW), 3.82% for body length (BL), 1.94% for chest height (CH), and 2.43% for hip height (HH). Therefore, this method provides an accurate and efficient tool for non-contact body condition monitoring in intensive sow production. Full article

Conservation programmes for two local dairy cattle breeds—Latvian Brown old type (BV) and Latvian Blue (LZ)—commenced in 2004. The aim of this study was to evaluate genetic diversity in the BV and LZ local cattle populations using SNP data. This study was based on genotype data from 96 BV and 75 LZ cows and 20 BV and 18 LZ bulls. The SNPs were determined using the GGP 100K bovine SNP BeadChip. Quality control (QC) and genotype data analysis were performed using PLINK v1.9. The observed heterozygosity was moderate, at around 0.4, for both breeds. Inbreeding coefficients were estimated based on homozygosity runs (F_ROH) to compare recent and ancient inbreeding in the BV and LZ populations. Therefore, the ROH segments were divided into segments with the four classes (1–4 Mb, 4–8 Mb, 8–16 Mb, and above 16 Mb). Shorter ROH regions (ROH < 4 Mb) predominated in the genome. ROH regions with lengths above 16 Mb covers 4–6% of the genome in BV and 11% in LZ population. The average inbreeding coefficient for approximately three generations (F_ROH>16) was 2.30% and 4.87% for BV and LZ cows (p < 0.05), respectively, and 2.59% and 3.85% for BV and LZ bulls, respectively. This study demonstrates that inbreeding has increased from generation to generation (F_ROH>16 is higher compared with F_ROH<16) in both populations. The level of current inbreeding in LZ is higher compared with that in the BV breed. The overall level of inbreeding in the BV and LZ populations is low, but there is a high level of inbreeding among a few animals. The impact of inbreeding on cow productivity has been observed in the LZ and BV cow populations. As a result, breeding organisations need to monitor and control the level of inbreeding and prevent the loss of genetic diversity in these animal populations. Breeders should minimize mating among close relatives; introduce genetically unrelated animals, use pedigree, and genomic information in controlling rates of inbreeding. Full article

Contagious ecthyma (CE) is a widespread, highly contagious zoonotic skin disease of small ruminants caused by the Orf virus (ORFV), leading to substantial economic losses and welfare concerns. There is no specific treatment, with topical antiseptics and oral or parenteral antibiotics often administered for preventing secondary infections, risking antimicrobial resistance. This study assessed the effect of treating CE in lambs with an antibiotic-free topical anaesthetic/antiseptic formulation (Tri-Solfen^®; T-S; Medical Ethics, Australia/MultiSolfen^®; M-S; Dechra, UK). Serum amyloid A (SAA), a marker of systemic inflammation, was measured in both experimentally and naturally infected lambs allocated to treated and untreated groups. Samples were collected prior to (T0) and at 2 (T2), 7 (T7) and 14 (T14) days post-treatment in experimentally infected lambs and at T0, 10 (T10) and 20 (T20) days post-treatment in naturally affected lambs. In the experimental infection, SAA concentrations were lower in the treated group than in controls at T7 and significantly lower at T14. In the natural outbreak, SAA concentrations significantly decreased over time in the treated group, with a consistent trend toward lower values than in controls. These findings indicate that this therapeutic formulation reduces systemic inflammatory responses in lambs affected by CE, supporting its use as an alternative to antibiotics. Full article

The aim of this study was to identify the presence and magnitude of right–left asymmetry in the fore- and hindlimb long bones of adult guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), and, in parallel, to evaluate sex-related differences in shape and size in the same bones. For this purpose, the stylopodium and zeugopodium bones were analyzed together. Computed tomography data were obtained from all animals under a standard protocol, three-dimensional bone models were generated from these datasets, and these models formed the basis for the geometric morphometric analyses. The analyses showed that sex accounted for a small but consistent proportion of shape variation (approximately 5–7%) in the antebrachium, femur and crus, whereas this effect was more limited in the humerus. Asymmetry analysis based on paired right–left data revealed that directional asymmetry was generally low, whereas fluctuating asymmetry varied across bones. The highest asymmetry was detected in the antebrachium, the crus showed an intermediate level, and the stylopodial elements, humerus and femur, were comparatively more symmetrical. This pattern is consistent with the biomechanical expectation that small right–left deviations tend to accumulate in distal and functionally more active forelimb segments that are positioned farther from the trunk. In conclusion, the findings indicate that asymmetry arises gradually as a function of bone position and functional use rather than from a single growth error, and that distal forelimb elements should therefore be given particular attention in asymmetry studies. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of thermal and noise stress on rabbits (90 HYLA hybrids), focusing on physiological responses, production performance, and welfare. Three dietary treatments were compared: a control diet (C), a diet supplemented with milk thistle seed cake (SMT), and a diet containing fermented milk thistle seed cake (FMT). The aim was to assess whether these feed additives could mitigate the adverse effects of environmental stress. Health status was monitored through clinical observation and analysis of biochemical indicators, including enzymes, lipid and protein metabolism markers, and total antioxidant status. Thermal stress at the onset of fattening influenced average daily gain, feed intake, and carcass yield, while dietary intervention modulated these effects. The FMT group demonstrated the lowest feed intake and most efficient feed conversion during later growth stages, but had lower slaughter weight compared with the control. In contrast, rabbits fed the SMT diet achieved the highest slaughter weight and superior growth efficiency. These findings suggest that milk thistle, particularly in combination with probiotic fermentation, can enhance feed utilization, growth performance, and stress resilience in rabbits, contributing to more sustainable and welfare-oriented production systems. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the presence of known bee viruses in the European hornet (Vespa crabro, Linnaeus, 1758), a species recognized as a bee predator in Hungary. Several viruses affecting honeybees (Apis mellifera, Linnaeus, 1758), such as deformed wing virus (DWV), sacbrood virus (SBV), chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), and acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), have been documented in various wasp species. For instance, DWV has been frequently isolated in Vespa orientalis (Linnaeus, 1761), and ABPV has been detected in V. orientalis. Additionally, viruses like Kashmir bee virus (KBV) and Black queen cell virus (BQCV) have been confirmed in other wasp species such as Vespula germanica and Vespa velutina. Despite this, data on virus presence in V. crabro remain limited. Between August and October 2023, we tested 40 adult V. crabro workers, collected from Kiskunlacháza and Vácduka, for viral infections using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Our results confirmed the presence of genetic material from DWV and ABPV infection in adult workers of the European hornet, which showed no morphological alterations. This study provides the first detection of DWV (in Hungary) and ABPV in V. crabro, contributing to our understanding of virus transmission pathways in wasp species and their potential impact on bee populations. Full article

Hemibagrus guttatus is a commercially valuable freshwater fish in the Pearl River Basin, renowned as the “King of Freshwater Fish.” Due to habitat degradation and overfishing, its wild population has declined sharply, leading to its listing as a National Key Protected Wild Animal of Class II in China. Artificial breeding is therefore crucial for conservation, yet progress is hindered by the lack of clear sexual dimorphism and poor understanding of its sex differentiation mechanism. In this study, we performed high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to compare gonadal transcriptomes of male and female H. guttatus. A total of 3245 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 3122 male-biased and 123 female-biased DEGs, which clustered into three distinct expression patterns. Enrichment analysis revealed that genes associated with the TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor-beta) and GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone) signaling pathways were significantly enriched in the female gonads, suggesting their potential roles in gonadal differentiation. From the DEG set, we further highlighted five genes with pronounced sex-biased expression: rbm46 (RNA Binding Motif Protein 46) exhibited gonad-specific expression, whereas myc (v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog), angptl4 (Angiopoietin-Like 4), sox9 (SRY-Related HMG-Box Gene 9), and fzd2 (Frizzled Class Receptor 2) showed marked expression differences between male and female gonads. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sex differentiation in H. guttatus, offer potential molecular markers for sex identification, and establish a scientific basis for germplasm conservation and the optimization of breeding techniques. Full article

Sheep are an economically important livestock species, and reproductive performance is a key trait affecting productivity. The Dorper × Hu hybrid sheep (DHS), widely bred in China, provides a valuable model for studying the genetic basis of prolificacy. This study aimed to investigate the genomic architecture and identify candidate genes associated with high litter size in DHS using whole-genome selective sweep analysis and genome-wide association study (GWAS). A total of 31 DHS individuals with complete reproductive records were sequenced and compared with publicly available genomic data from 20 Hu sheep (HUS) and 10 Dorper sheep (DPS). Population genetic structure and diversity were assessed using phylogenetic trees, principal component analysis (PCA), and ADMIXTURE analysis. To identify key genomic regions associated with litter size, we performed selective sweep analysis between the polytocous and monotocous subpopulations of DHS using multiple methods within a 50 kb sliding window framework, including $F_{ST}$, ${\theta }_{\pi }$ ratio, XP-CLR, and XP-EHH; we also conducted GWAS. DHS exhibited a distinct genetic structure with admixed ancestry and elevated genetic diversity. Genetic diversity analysis showed that DHS retained moderate levels of heterozygosity and polymorphism, comparable to or exceeding those of its parental breeds. Comparative analysis between polytocous and monotocous DHS identified reproduction-associated genes, including MUC1, PLCB4, SIN3A, and ELAVL2, enriched in pathways such as ovarian steroidogenesis, insulin secretion, and circadian entrainment. Furthermore, genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified 140 significant loci (p < 10⁻⁵) associated with reproductive traits. From these, 10 candidate SNPs were selected for validation through single-marker association analysis in 200 DHS individuals, among which two loci—g.88680390 C>A (SLC24A2/MLLT3) and g.18197516 T>C (ABCA1)—showed significant correlations with litter size. These findings enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of prolificacy in DHS and provide valuable molecular markers for genomic selection in sheep-breeding programs. Full article

Rochia nilotica is a tropical Pacific gastropod inhabiting shallow coral reef habitats and supporting important marine resources in Pacific island nations. In this study, we analyzed specimens collected from Weno Island, Chuuk Atoll, Federation States of Micronesia (FSM), using an integrative approach that combined morphological characteristics, molecular phylogenetics (COX1 and 16S rRNA), and complete mitochondrial genome analysis. While the Chuuk population exhibited morphological features consistent with R. nilotica, molecular data revealed substantial genetic divergence. Phylogenetic analyses based on the complete mitochondrial genome (17,664 bp) clustered the Chuuk specimen with Rochia virgata. Phylogenies inferred from concatenated COX1 and 16S rRNA gene sequences yielded congruent topologies, placing the Chuuk lineage within the Rochia clade but clearly separated from other R. nilotica populations in New Caledonia and Mo’orea Island, French Polynesia. This genetic divergence is likely driven by the long-term geographic isolation of Chuuk Atoll. The lagoon’s fringing reefs descend rapidly into waters exceeding 4000 m, which may act as a barrier to restricting larval dispersal. Combined with the extremely short planktonic larval duration of R. nilotica (approximately four days), such environmental isolation may promote the formation of a distinct gene pool. Despite morphological uniformity, the observed genetic divergence suggests that the Chuuk population may represent a cryptic species. Our study provides a complete mitochondrial genome and offers robust phylogenetic framework that provides an understanding of species boundaries within Rochia. These findings underscore the importance of integrating genomic and morphological data for accurate species identification and have implications for conservation and sustainable aquaculture practices in geographically isolated reef ecosystems. Full article

Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) has been implicated in multiple biological processes during pregnancy in ruminants. However, the regulatory effects of PGE₂ on endometrial function during the diestrus period and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Herein, PGE₂ treatment promoted the accumulation of lipid droplets and induced cytoskeletal reorganization in bEECs. As a well-established inducer of lipid droplet formation, oleic acid (OA) treatment significantly increased the number of lipid droplets in bEECs, altered the distribution of F-actin and disrupted the expression patterns of key adhesion-related proteins. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the PPAR signaling pathway was the key pathway that responded to PGE₂ treatment in bEECs, and its downstream target gene FABP3 was markedly up-regulated. Knockdown of FABP3 led to a reduced number of BTC spheroids and down-regulation of adhesion-related proteins in bEECs while increasing the density of microvilli and up-regulating the expression of epithelial markers. Prostaglandin E receptor 4 (PTGER4) was the primary receptor that responded to PGE₂ treatment, and PTGER4 knockdown or pharmacological inhibition with GW-627368 suppressed FABP3 expression in bEECs. Moreover, uterine samples from dairy cows at different stages of the estrous cycle showed that FABP3 expression was significantly elevated in the endometrium tissue during mid-diestrus compared to metestrus, with predominant localization in the luminal and superficial glandular epithelium. Collectively, these findings indicate that FABP3 regulates lipid droplet accumulation and adhesion ability in bEECs via the PGE₂/PTGER4/PPAR signaling axis, providing new insights into the metabolic regulation of endometrial receptivity in ruminants. Full article

Salmonella is a significant public health concern in Nigeria causing foodborne illnesses. Genetic diversity and prevalence of Salmonella is poorly understood in Nigeria. This study assessed the occurrence of Salmonella in various poultry houses in Nigeria and explored the evolutionary relationships among the isolates by analysis on invA gene. A total number of 314 samples (feces, feed, dust, waters, and palm swab) were collected from 49 farms in Abeokuta (18), Ibadan (20) and Oshogbo (11). Salmonella was detected with a prevalence of 2.75% in Ogun, 6.0% in Osun and 5.71%, in Oyo States, respectively. The overall prevalence of Salmonella in poultry farms sampled was 15/314 (4.78%). Sequence analysis revealed two sequences 01 and 02 to have 99.59% and 89.04 homologies with sequence of Paratyphi serovar (LC320032) and Enteritidis serovar (LC318423) in GenBank, respectively. Sequence 01 clustered with S. serovar Enteritidis from the USA, whereas Sequence 02 formed a distinct clade near S. serovar Typhimurium from Egypt. These findings underscore the public health significance of S. enterica in Nigeria, particularly in relation to food animals. The study highlights the need for improved farm management practices, stringent food safety regulations, and robust surveillance systems to mitigate the risk of Salmonella outbreaks. Full article

Silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) is an economically valuable marine species with growing potential for large-scale aquaculture in China. In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in artificial breeding, nutritional research, and disease management; however, the industry’s development remains constrained by technological and operational challenges. This review provides an overview of the biological characteristics of P. argenteus and systematically summarizes the research progress and technological applications in artificial breeding, nutritional physiology, disease management, and aquaculture systems. It also analyzes the key constraints hindering the development of its aquaculture industry. Based on current research progress and industry needs, five strategic measures are proposed to accelerate industry development: (1) establishing a comprehensive germplasm repository; (2) breeding high-performance new varieties; (3) developing species-specific compound feeds; (4) enhancing disease prevention and biosecurity systems; and (5) standardizing operational protocols for different aquaculture systems. The implementation of these measures will provide a theoretical reference and technical support for the high-quality development of the P. argenteus aquaculture industry in China. Full article