Search Results (5,911)

Coccidiosis is one of the most economically important parasitic diseases in poultry, causing intestinal damage, impaired nutrient utilization, and substantial production losses. The extensive use of anticoccidial drugs has raised concerns regarding drug resistance, chemical residues in poultry products, and the environmental burden associated with veterinary drug use, highlighting the need for complementary control strategies. This study evaluated the anticoccidial efficacy of phytogenic formulations containing Curcuma longa and Piper longum extracts prepared using a solid-dispersion technique designed to enhance the dissolution characteristics of poorly water-soluble phytogenic compounds. The in vitro activity of the formulations was evaluated against mixed Eimeria spp. field-isolated oocysts using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine ultrastructural alterations, whereas in vivo efficacy was investigated in broiler chickens experimentally challenged with Eimeria tenella. Cecal lesion scores, oocyst shedding, and growth performance were evaluated as indicators of infection severity and treatment response. SEM observations revealed marked structural damage to mixed Eimeria spp. oocysts following exposure to the phytogenic formulations. In the animal trial, all phytogenic treatment groups exhibited lower cecal lesion scores and reduced oocyst shedding than the infected control group. Among the phytogenic formulations evaluated, the combination containing 6 g/kg P. longum (T3) tended to produce the lowest numerical lesion score and oocyst shedding, although differences among phytogenic treatments were limited. Although some treatment groups also exhibited numerically favorable growth performance under challenge conditions, these observations should be interpreted cautiously because the study was designed primarily as a preliminary evaluation of anticoccidial efficacy, and feed intake and feed conversion ratio were assessed without independent pen-level replication. The observed biological responses may be associated, in part, with the improved dissolution characteristics afforded by the solid-dispersion formulation; however, this proposed mechanism was not directly investigated in the present study. In conclusion, solid-dispersion formulations containing C. longa and P. longum extracts demonstrated promising anticoccidial activity against experimental E. tenella infection and support further investigation as promising phytogenic candidates for complementary coccidiosis control strategies in broiler chickens. Full article

The narrow-clawed crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus), a non-native species accidentally introduced into China’s Irtysh River Basin, has formed a wild population with aquaculture potential, but its natural diet and protein utilization remain poorly understood. This study investigated its feeding ecology and digestive responses to protein sources to support ecological assessment and feed formulation. Intestinal contents and muscle samples from wild crayfish were analyzed using eDNA metabarcoding and fatty acid signature analysis. In vitro digestibility of 10 protein ingredients was evaluated with crude digestive enzyme extracts, and a 4-week trial compared an all-plant-protein diet (PPD) with an all-animal-protein diet (APD). eDNA indicated an omnivorous diet dominated by planktonic taxa, especially Rotifera, and fatty acid biomarkers suggested contributions from diatoms, dinoflagellates, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic organisms. Soybean meal and soy protein concentrate showed high dry matter digestibility, whereas fishmeal and krill meal had high crude protein digestibility and amino acid release. Compared with PPD, APD increased feed intake, apparent nutrient digestibility, hemolymph nutritional indicators, villus height, and intestinal trypsin and lipase activities; however, intestinal integrity was preserved in both groups, and most intestinal antioxidant indices did not differ significantly. These findings indicate that animal proteins enhance nutrient utilization in P. leptodactylus, while selected plant proteins may serve as partial alternatives. Full article

Background/Objectives: School feeding is a fundamental component of public policies aimed at promoting health, improving educational outcomes, reducing inequalities, and guaranteeing the human right to adequate food. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional quality of school meals offered to public school students in a federal unit of Brazil, quantify the environmental impacts using carbon and water footprints, and simulate potential reductions through a strict vegetarian menu. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study analyzed 130 daily menus (390 meals) from full-time public schools in the Federal District of Brazil in 2024. Nutritional quality was assessed based on energy, nutrients, food groups, degree of processing, and food origin. Carbon and water footprints were estimated using literature-based indicators. A nutritionally adequate strict vegetarian menu was then developed and compared with the observed menus. Results: The current menus presented good overall nutritional quality, with high food diversity and predominance of fresh or minimally processed foods. Most nutritional parameters met the recommended levels; however, protein and saturated fat exceeded the recommended limits. Animal-based foods accounted for most of the carbon and water footprints. The simulated strict vegetarian menu demonstrated significantly lower environmental impacts while maintaining nutritional adequacy. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of integrating nutritional and environmental strategies, such as a weekly “Meatless Monday” initiative alongside food and nutrition education, to improve student health outcomes and reduce the environmental burden of public school meals. Incorporating environmental sustainability criteria into school meal planning and public food procurement may advance nutritional quality, resource efficiency, and climate goals, positioning school feeding programs as strategic instruments for sustainable development. Full article

Heat stress is a growing concern in cattle production systems due to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the multifaceted impacts of heat stress and focuses on nutritional strategies to mitigate its effects on ruminating cattle. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Heat stress adversely affects cattle physiology, behavior, rumen function, and overall productivity, particularly in dairy animals with high metabolic activity. During heat stress episodes, changes in the microbial population have been reported; however, there is no clear consensus, as findings vary widely among studies depending on diet, feed intake, animal type and experimental design. This variability limits the ability to draw general conclusions regarding changes in the rumen microbiome driven by heat stress. In this context, dietary nutritional intervention strategies offer a practical and scalable approach to enhance thermotolerance and maintain performance under heat stress conditions. Key nutritional strategies include modifications in diet composition to reduce metabolic heat production, with some approaches carrying potential risks to animal health, e.g., increasing dietary energy density through concentrates while minimizing forage content. Supplementation with rumen-protected nutrients like amino acids, vitamins, and minerals can be used to support immune function, antioxidant capacity, and metabolic stability. Polyphenols and betaine contribute to oxidative stress reduction and gut integrity, while probiotics may be used to improve rumen fermentation and nutrient utilization. Sensor technologies, including rumen boluses and wearable devices, offer the potential to monitor physiological responses to heat stress in real time and offer opportunities for precision feeding and early intervention. Most published studies only cover short periods of heat stress, and there is a lack of in vitro models simulating rumen hyperthermia. In parallel, future research should therefore prioritize longitudinal, in vivo trials that integrate physiological, metabolic, and microbial responses to understand the long term and systemic effect of heat stress. In addition, controlled trials in commercial settings are necessary to prove the transferability of results to commercial herds. A multidisciplinary approach combining nutritional, environmental, and technological strategies is likely to play an important role in safeguarding cattle welfare and productivity in a warming climate. Full article

Postbiotics are defined as preparations of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confer a health benefit on the host. Although interest in postbiotics has increased substantially, their translational use in functional foods remains insufficiently characterized with respect to preparation identity, production methodology, food-matrix compatibility, mechanistic specificity, and regulatory positioning. This PRISMA-guided structured review aims to synthesize current evidence on postbiotics in functional food and nutraceutical contexts, with particular emphasis on preparation-based characterization, gut–brain axis-related mechanisms and clinical findings, food matrix applicability, and regulatory and health-claim considerations. Unlike broader postbiotic reviews that mainly address definitions, general health effects, or technological stability, this review integrates preparation identity, production process, gut–brain axis-related evidence, food matrix compatibility, and regulatory/health-claim translation within a single functional food framework. A structured literature search was conducted in Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection and was completed on 16 February 2026. The search strategy included three conceptual blocks: postbiotic and inactivation-based preparation terms, functional food/nutraceutical and food matrix terms, and gut–brain axis-related clinical and mechanistic terms. Cosmetic, topical, veterinary, animal feed, and aquaculture-focused publications were excluded. The export files contained 131 records from Scopus and 136 from the Web of Science Core Collection, yielding 267 records after applying document-type and language filters. After manually removing duplicates, 237 unique records were screened. Following title/abstract screening, 176 records were excluded as outside the scope of the review, and 61 publications were retained for full-text assessment and final thematic synthesis. The review was reported according to applicable PRISMA 2020 items. The evidence was organized into three thematic domains: gut–brain axis-related clinical findings, mechanistic evidence, and food matrix/product development applications. Heat-inactivated preparations, including Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SNK12, have shown preliminary effects on stress-related symptoms, sleep quality, and selected neuroendocrine or inflammatory biomarkers in human studies. Mechanistic pathways include gut barrier integrity, immunomodulation, short-chain fatty acid signaling, tryptophan–kynurenine–serotonin metabolism, vagal communication, and regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Food matrix studies support the potential application of postbiotics in fermented dairy products, cereal-based systems, plant-based matrices, powders, concentrates, and bioactive packaging; however, matrix-dependent effects on bioavailability, sensory quality, and biological activity remain incompletely defined. Postbiotics provide a stable translational platform for functional-food development, but their scientific and commercial use requires clear characterization of the microbial source, production process, inactivation method, retained active fractions, dose metric, delivery matrix, and clinically meaningful endpoint. Future studies should avoid broad category-level claims and prioritize preparation- and matrix-defined human evidence with standardized safety reporting. Full article

Mycotoxin contamination in feed poses a major threat to animal health and productivity, particularly in pigeons. This study evaluated the protective effects of three mycotoxin biodegradation agents (MBAs) in pigeons subchronically co-exposed to a mycotoxin-contaminated (MYC) diet for 60 days. The MYC diet was prepared by mixing 3% naturally mold-contaminated corn with 97% basal diet, yielding final dietary concentrations of fumonisin B1 (7829.41 µg/kg), aflatoxin B1 (201.16 µg/kg), zearalenone (1675.46 µg/kg), T-2 toxin (7721.41 µg/kg), and deoxynivalenol (1211.77 µg/kg). Birds were allocated to five groups (n = 18/group): CON (basal diet); MYC (MYC diet alone); and TRT1–TRT3 fed the MYC diet supplemented with 1.5 g/kg of MBA I (Bacillus subtilis + Bacillus licheniformis + Devosia sp.), MBA II (Bacillus licheniformis + Saccharomyces cerevisiae), or MBA III (Bacillus subtilis + glucose oxidase), respectively. Subchronic co-exposure to the MYC diet significantly increased serum pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), whereas all three MBAs effectively attenuated these elevations. Histopathological examination revealed inflammatory infiltration and tissue damage in the jejunum and liver of MYC birds, which were markedly alleviated by MBA supplementation. Gut microbiota analysis showed that mycotoxins decreased Firmicutes and Lactobacillus and increased Proteobacteria and Streptococcus, whereas MBAs partially restored microbial balance. Among the three MBAs, MBA II exhibited the strongest protective effect, as reflected by the greatest improvements in serum biochemistry, intestinal morphology, and microbial composition. Liver transcriptome analysis showed that mycotoxin mainly affected pathways related to cell cycle and DNA replication, whereas MBA II enhanced pathways associated with intestinal immune function and antigen processing and presentation. Collectively, these findings suggest that MBA II offers effective protection against combined mycotoxin-induced toxicity in pigeons and may serve as a promising feed additive for mitigating mycotoxin contamination in poultry production. Full article

Rapeseed meal (RSM) is an important protein source in animal feed, but its high levels of anti-nutritional factors and crude fiber (CF) limit its utilization in pigs. Our study compared the morphological structure, nutrient composition, and anti-nutritional factors of RSM, extruded rapeseed meal (ERM), and extruded solid-state enzymatically hydrolyzed rapeseed meal (EERM), and evaluated their digestibility in growing pigs. The results showed that ERM and EERM increased surface porosity. Notably, ERM and EERM had higher trichloroacetic acid-soluble protein contents and lower fiber, glucosinolate (GL), and isothiocyanate (ITC) contents. Compared to RSM, the in vitro digestibility of crude protein (CP) was significantly lower in ERM (p < 0.05), whereas EERM exhibited significantly higher digestibility of CP than ERM (p < 0.05). Additionally, compared to RSM and ERM, the digestibility of dry matter (DM) and gross energy (GE) increased significantly in EERM (p < 0.05). For in vivo digestibility, compared to ERM, the digestibility of CP and GE increased significantly in EERM (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our study demonstrates that ERM and EERM can change the chemical composition of RSM, and improve the digestibility of nutrients in pig production. Full article

Grazing systems, commonly considered less productive than indoor livestock farming, account for most farms and agricultural land worldwide. Beyond feeding livestock, they fulfil essential environmental, economic, and social functions that are particularly relevant to sustainable development in the context of climate change, resource constraints, and population growth. By relying on circular resource use and promoting ecological processes, grazing systems can offset methane emissions from livestock through soil carbon sequestration while preserving biodiversity, maintaining landscapes, and reducing fire risks. In order to assess whether grazing systems are actually less productive than indoor systems, data from comparative trials assessing these two feeding environments published over 40 years were used as the basis for a meta-analysis published in 2014. This analysis showed that animal performance on pasture was equivalent to that indoors, despite the supplementation provided primarily to indoor feeding environments. Given the economic and environmental context and the challenges related to the sustainable development of livestock farming, here, we present this 2014 data to encourage its equitable reuse and contribute to a better overall assessment of grazing in current debates, considering all aspects, including animal performance. Furthermore, supplementing this initial dataset with additional data will lead to an even more comprehensive evaluation of these grass-based livestock systems. Full article

Chemical contamination of milk represents a relevant food safety concern, particularly in countries where systematic monitoring programs are still limited. In Algeria, information on human exposure to aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination remains fragmented or lacking. This study assessed the occurrence of AFM₁ and 17 PFAS in cow and goat milk and explored farm-level management practices potentially influencing contamination. Bulk-tank milk samples were collected from 26 dairy cattle and 11 dairy goat farms. Farm characteristics, including feeding strategies, water sources, grazing practices, and herd size, were recorded using structured questionnaires to characterize farm-level practices and explore their potential association with contamination patterns. AFM₁ was detected in all samples. In cow milk, 96.1% exceeded the EU limit (0.05 µg/kg), with concentrations ranging from 0.048 to 0.410 µg/kg (mean: 0.102 µg/kg), although none exceeded the Codex Alimentarius limit (0.50 µg/kg). Goat milk showed a lower prevalence of samples above the EU limit (36.4%), but higher concentrations were observed (range 0.030–0.578 µg/kg; mean 0.193 µg/kg), with two samples (18.2%) exceeding the Codex limit. PFAS contamination was generally low: 73.0% of cow and 64.0% of goat samples were below detection limits, with only PFBS (cow milk) and PFDA (goat milk) quantified above LOQ. Because of the limited number of farms and the single sampling period, no robust associations could be established between farm-level variables and contaminant concentrations. This preliminary study provides an exploratory overview of AFM₁ and PFAS occurrence in bovine and goat bulk milk from the sampled Algerian farms. These findings reveal widespread AFM₁ contamination within the investigated farms, consistent with possible feed-borne AFB₁ exposure, whereas PFAS occurrence appeared sporadic and generally low. Full article

Marine by-products, including fishery discards, seafood-processing residues, aquaculture wastes, crustacean shells, and seaweed-derived side streams, are heterogeneous feedstocks rich in proteins, lipids, minerals, chitinous materials, polysaccharides, and bioactive compounds. This review examines insect-mediated bioconversion as a controlled biorefinery strategy for transforming these unstable marine residues into functional aquafeed ingredients and value-added bioproducts. We compare major marine feedstock classes and industrially relevant insects, with emphasis on substrate–insect matching, moisture control, salinity, lipid and ash load, texture, spoilage risk, and safety. Particular attention is given to how marine substrates can tailor insect meal, insect oil, chitinous fractions, hydrolysates, frass, and functional feed additives. The review further summarizes aquafeed applications of insect-derived products, including fishmeal and fish-oil replacement, protein and amino acid quality, lipid enrichment, gut health, immunity, and disease resistance in aquatic animals. Microbiome-assisted strategies, such as fermentation, enzymatic pretreatment, and gut or substrate microbial management, are discussed as tools to improve substrate stability, digestibility, and product quality. Finally, safety, regulation, scale-up, life cycle assessment, and techno-economic issues are considered. Overall, marine insect biorefineries should be optimized not only for biomass yield, but also for product quality, traceability, and application-specific safety. Full article

The aquafeed industry is seeking sustainable alternatives to fishmeal, and insect meals are promising candidates. However, quantitative syntheses of their effects on non-fish aquatic animals like shrimp, crabs, turtles, and frogs are limited. This meta-analysis evaluated five insect meals—black soldier fly, Coleoptera, housefly, silkworm, and Orthoptera—on specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain rate (WGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). A total of 69 studies (2004–2025) were included. Hedges’ g was pooled using random-effects models, and meta-regressions examined dose–response relationships. Among all categories, only silkworm meal improved or maintained growth, showing no significant negative dose–response relationship. In contrast, black soldier fly and Coleoptera meals impaired growth, with a negative linear dose–response. Subgroup analyses revealed species-specific responses; shrimp, particularly Litopenaeus vannamei, exhibited growth depression, whereas some crab species, including Scylla paramamosain and Eriocheir sinensis, showed tolerance or improved performance. Housefly and Orthoptera meals were evaluated in fewer studies, precluding firm conclusions. Thus, the efficacy of insect meal substitution is jointly determined by insect type and host physiology. Silkworm pupae meal is a favourable fishmeal alternative, while black soldier fly and Coleoptera meals require conservative inclusion limits, especially for shrimp. Full article

Visceral organ mass is a major determinant of maintenance energy requirements in cattle, suggesting that equations to predict visceral organ mass could increase the accuracy of estimates of energy requirements. The objective of this meta-analysis was to quantify the relationships of visceral organ mass with the chemical composition of the diet, as well as animal and management characteristics. A database of 170 treatment means from 38 studies was assembled from published literature. Mixed-effects models with animal, management, and diet characteristics as fixed effects and study as a random effect were selected based on the lowest corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc) and evaluated via leave-one-trial-out cross-validation. Out of 16 organs, 15 had concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) values over 0.900, and cross-validated coefficient of determination (R²) values ranged from 0.728 to 0.967 across organs. Dry-matter intake, days on feed, and fiber-related diet characteristics (roughage level, neutral detergent fiber, and physically effective neutral detergent fiber) were the most consistently retained predictors, with crude protein and metabolizable energy concentrations being retained less frequently. These equations provide a quantitative basis for more accurate estimation of visceral organ mass in cattle. Full article

The global cattle industry is experiencing significant growth, requiring advanced methods for monitoring animal health and welfare to ensure productivity and sustainability. Traditional manual monitoring techniques are labor-intensive and often impractical for large-scale operations. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of existing and emerging computer vision tools applied to the monitoring of cattle health and welfare. By systematically examining studies across major databases, this paper addresses six key research questions focusing on (1) the issues addressed by computer vision technologies, (2) data acquisition systems, (3) implemented techniques and algorithms, (4) performance outcomes, (5) challenges faced, and (6) potential applications for underexplored health and welfare aspects in cattle farming. The findings show that computer vision technologies have significantly progressed in areas such as body condition score detection, lameness detection, weight estimation, estrus detection, monitoring of feeding and drinking behavior, breathing detection, and recognition of general behaviors. Despite the progress, challenges such as variability in environmental conditions, the need for large annotated datasets, and the high cost of advanced imaging equipment persist. The review emphasizes future research opportunities to address these challenges by focusing on disease-specific monitoring. This review aims to provide veterinarians, farmers, and animal health professionals with greater insight into computer vision technologies and to promote their adoption by discussing their practical applications. Full article

African pygmy hedgehogs (APHs) are increasingly kept as companion animals, yet evidence-based nutritional recommendations for this species remain limited. Commercial cat or kitten diets are still commonly used by owners and veterinarians in practice, despite being formulated exclusively for domestic cats rather than for hedgehogs with omnivorous–insectivorous feeding habits. This cross-sectional study evaluated the association between dietary regimen and serum biochemical parameters associated with renal function in APHs. Blood samples were collected from 19 client-owned APHs aged 12–68 months: 10 hedgehogs fed a commercial kitten diet and 9 fed a commercial APH-specific diet. Serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, phosphorus, and calcium were measured, and the nutritional composition of the two diets was compared using manufacturer declarations and targeted laboratory analyses. Hedgehogs fed the commercial kitten diet had significantly higher serum blood urea nitrogen (p = 0.0133), creatinine (p = 0.0279), and phosphorus (p = 0.0279) concentrations than those fed the APH-specific diet, whereas serum calcium concentrations did not differ significantly (p = 0.3846). These differences occurred despite similar dietary phosphorus content, while the commercial kitten diet had higher declared fat and lower fiber content. The findings suggest that dietary regimen may be associated with alterations in renal biochemical profiles in APHs and support the use of species-appropriate diets in clinical practice. Full article