Search Results (273)

Animal welfare assessment is a vital component of working with animals in a research environment and is a growing expectation. Rabbits are a common species worked with in biomedical research, but information on rabbit welfare and best practices are limited, making it difficult to assess welfare. To address this gap, a rabbit welfare assessment tool was developed within an international contract research organization and commercial breeder. The tool contained 134 descriptors including input- and output-based measures of welfare across six categories: physical, behavioral, environmental, training, procedural, and culture of care. Benchmarking assessments occurred in March and September 2025, assessing 13 facilities across seven countries. In March, overall scores were in the range of 70–92%, with high scores in the physical category (avg: 97%) and the most room for improvement in training (avg: 73%). In September, overall scores were in the range of 77–88%, with the highest score in the physical category (avg: 98%) and the most room for improvement in culture of care (avg: 74%). The results of the assessments identified strengths in rabbit management programs, as well as identified areas needing refinement. The results allow for development of facility and organizational level goals to improve rabbit welfare and create a culture of continuous improvement. Full article

Cultured meat represents an emerging frontier in cellular agriculture, garnering increasing interest due to its potential benefits regarding sustainability, animal welfare, and food safety. However, its development is hampered by challenges in flavor modulation and sensory quality, primarily due to the limited biosynthesis of fat-derived flavor compounds. Although adipose tissue engineering has been extensively studied, its industrial-scale production is hampered by serum dependency and low differentiation efficiency. Therefore, the establishment of serum-free, efficient strategies for regulating lipid synthesis is urgently needed. In this study, we developed a serum-free adipogenic induction system and investigated its underlying regulatory mechanisms. We demonstrated that Serum-Free Differentiation Medium 1 (SFM-1) initiated the differentiation program and induced intracellular lipid deposition in preadipocytes (~10% by Day 8). Serum-free differentiation medium 2 (SFM-2), which supplied oleic acid (OA) as a lipid substrate and signaling activator, markedly enhanced lipid droplet accumulation and differentiation efficiency. Ultimately, serum-free differentiation medium 3 (SFM-3), leveraging the synergistic action of oleic acid (OA) and transferrin (TRF), successfully activates the expression of SEPTIN4, which in turn regulates a core adipogenic network—including the master transcription factors PPARγ and CEBPα, as well as downstream functional genes. Mechanistically, the OA/TRF combination in SFM-3 upregulates SEPTIN4, unveiling a previously unrecognized regulatory axis that activates the PPARγ signaling pathway, thereby synchronizing the proliferation and differentiation of precursors and guiding them from initiation to functional maturity. Our study presents a chemically defined, scalable platform for the serum-free adipogenic differentiation of porcine adipocytes, offering a promising strategy for the controllable production of fat components in cultured meat and supporting its industrialization. Full article

Modern genetic selection for high productivity has created a physiological conflict in ruminants, where the metabolic demands of lactation compete directly with the energy requirements of reproduction. This review provides a mechanistic synthesis of how key nutritional factors modulate the endocrine and cellular pathways governing reproductive success in cattle and sheep. Negative energy balance (NEB), characteristic of the early postpartum period, suppresses the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis by impairing the pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), mediated through reduced kisspeptin signaling, growth hormone (GH) resistance, and decreased circulating insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and leptin. At the macronutrient level, excess rumen-degradable protein elevates blood urea nitrogen and impairs the uterine environment, while omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit prostaglandin F2α synthesis to support corpus luteum maintenance. At the micronutrient level, selenium, copper, and zinc are essential antioxidant cofactors protecting gametes and embryos from oxidative stress, while vitamins A, D, and E regulate gene expression in reproductive tissues. Furthermore, maternal nutrition during critical gestational windows programs the reproductive capacity of offspring through epigenetic modifications, with profound implications for long-term herd fertility. Understanding these nutritional–reproductive interactions is crucial for developing precision feeding strategies that optimize herd fertility, improve animal welfare, and ensure the economic sustainability of livestock management. A thorough understanding of these nutritional–reproductive interactions is essential for developing precision feeding strategies that optimize fertility in high-producing ruminants. Full article

Ecotourism in protected areas creates a conservation paradox: tourism revenue funds protection, yet tourism infrastructure simultaneously degrades the wildlife it protects. We examined this paradox in white-faced capuchins (Cebus imitator) in Tortuguero National Park, comparing behaviour across a high-tourism accommodation site (2152 monthly guests) and a strictly regulated terrestrial trail. Using focal animal and sweep sampling methods, we recorded 477 behavioural units across 261 min, analysing locomotion, feeding, and agonistic behaviours through generalized linear models. Primates in accommodation areas exhibited significantly reduced high substrate use (p = 0.005), showed a trend toward increased anthropogenic food reliance (p = 0.070), and higher—but not statistically significant—rates of agonistic behaviours (p > 0.05). The negative correlation between natural foraging and active food supply (r = −0.31) is consistent with anthropogenic provisioning that may alter primate ecological functions. These findings demonstrate that effective conservation in tourism contexts requires integrated management addressing three interconnected challenges: (1) habituation to human presence, (2) food provisioning with cascading consequences, and (3) ecosystem-level degradation through altered primate functions. We recommend evidence-based interventions including secured waste management, enforcement of wildlife feeding prohibitions, and environmental education programs with community participation. Ecotourism sustainability requires managing human–wildlife interactions and integrating local stakeholder perspectives to preserve animal welfare and ecosystem functions essential for conservation. Full article

For millennia, cats have been valued worldwide as biological agents for rodent control. Our previous qualitative research found that Australian dairy farmers valued cats for rodent management and companionship, while also highlighting welfare and operational challenges when populations were unmanaged. We therefore argued for a structured, humane management approach. Critics questioned our methodology and portrayed our publications as a blanket endorsement of placing cats on farms. Here, we clarify the scope and limitations of our earlier work and reaffirm that unmanaged cats can create significant risks, including disease transmission, poor welfare, environmental concerns, and psychological stress for farmers and veterinary professionals tasked with lethal control. Responsible management, through sterilization, feeding, healthcare, and formal recognition of some cats as working animals, has the potential to reduce these harms while aligning with farmer values and food safety requirements. Farmers also supported barn/working-cat programs to replace sterilized cats lost through attrition and because they recognized the wellbeing impact on shelter staff required to humanely kill healthy cats. While more research is needed to empirically examine the benefits of the humane management of farm cats, alternatives to cats suggested by critics, such as owls or dogs, lack equivalent evidence or feasibility in dairy systems. Given that cats already exist on many farms, we conclude that responsible management offers a pragmatic, humane, and One Welfare-aligned pathway while longer-term studies are undertaken. Full article

The sustainability of the beef and dairy industry requires a systems approach that integrates environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability. Over the past two decades, global genetics consortia have advanced data-driven germplasm programs (breeding and conservation programs focusing on genetic resources) to enhance sustainability across cattle systems. These initiatives employ multi-trait selection indices aligned with consumer demands and supply chain trends, targeting production, longevity, health, and reproduction, with outcomes including greenhouse gas mitigation, improved resource efficiency and operational safety, and optimized animal welfare. This study analyzes strategic initiatives, germplasm portfolios, and data platforms from leading genetics companies in the USA, Europe, and Brazil. US programs combine genomic selection with reproductive technologies such as sexed semen and in vitro fertilization to accelerate genetic progress. European efforts emphasize resource efficiency, welfare, and environmental impacts, while Brazilian strategies focus on adaptability to tropical conditions, heat tolerance, and disease resistance. Furthermore, mathematical models and decision support tools are increasingly used to balance profitability with environmental goals, reducing sustainability trade-offs through data-driven resource allocation. Industry-wide collaboration among stakeholders and regulatory bodies underscores a rapid shift toward sustainability-oriented cattle management strategies, positioning genetics and technology as key drivers of genetically resilient and sustainable breeding systems. Full article

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections are the most prevalent parasitic diseases in grazing sheep worldwide, causing significant productivity losses, high mortality and, as a result, economic losses and emerging animal welfare concerns. Conventional control strategies, primarily relying on anthelmintic treatments, face limitations due to rising drug resistance and environmental concerns, underscoring the need for sustainable alternatives. Selective breeding for host genetic resistance has emerged as a promising strategy, while recent advances in transcriptomics and integrative omics research are providing deeper insights into the immune pathways and molecular and genetic mechanisms that underpin host–parasite interactions. This review summarizes current evidence on transcriptomic signatures associated with resistance and susceptibility to H. contortus and T. circumcincta GIN infections, highlighting candidate genes, functional genetic markers, key immune pathways, and regulatory networks. Furthermore, we discuss how other omics approaches, including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiome, and multi-omics integrations, provide perspectives that enhance the understanding of the complexity of the GIN resistance trait. Transcriptomic studies, particularly using RNA-Sequencing technology, have revealed differential gene expression, functional genetic variants, such as SNPs and INDELs, in expressed regions and splice junctions, and regulatory long non-coding RNAs that distinguish resistance from susceptible sheep, highlighting pathways related to Th2 immunity, antigen presentation, tissue repair, and stress signaling. Genomic analyses have identified SNPs, QTL, and candidate genes linked to immune regulation and parasite resistance. Proteomic and metabolomic profiling further elucidates breed- and tissue-specific alterations in protein abundance and metabolic pathways, while microbiome studies demonstrate distinct microbial signatures in resistant sheep, suggesting a role in modulating host immunity. In conclusion, emerging multi-omics approaches and their integration strategies provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex host–parasite interactions that govern GIN resistance, offering potential candidate biomarkers for genomic selection and breeding programs aimed at developing sustainable, parasite-resistant sheep populations. Full article

Background: Effective communication is a fundamental competency in veterinary medicine that shapes the quality of veterinarian–client relationships, shared decision-making, and animal welfare. However, consistent and systematic integration of communication training across veterinary curricula remains uneven worldwide. Methods: This scoping review mapped and analyzed educational programs aimed at developing communication competencies in veterinary education and professional practices. A systematic search was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines, identifying 37 eligible studies published between 2005 and 2024. Results: Most publications were in English and originated from North America, particularly Canada (n = 15) and the United States (n = 8). Regarding target populations, 15 studies (40.5%) focused on veterinary students, 12 (32.4%) on practicing veterinarians, 8 (21.6%) on animal owners or clients, and 2 on veterinary educators. 18 studies (48.7%) described structured programs that used active learning strategies such as role-play, clinical simulations, peer-assisted learning, and formative feedback. The competencies frequently emphasized include empathy, active listening, nonverbal communication, conflict resolution, and rapport building. Notable best practices included the Calgary–Cambridge model, Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), and reflective video analysis. Conclusions: The available evidence indicates a growing emphasis on clinical communication within veterinary education, primarily implemented through experiential and practice-based approaches. However, substantial gaps persist in the representation of Latin American contexts and in the systematic, longitudinal integration of communication skills across veterinary curricula. Addressing these gaps may contribute to more coherent, equitable, and context-sensitive communication training in veterinary education. Full article

Background/Objectives: The poultry industry faces severe heat-stress challenges that threaten both economic sustainability and animal welfare. Embryonic thermal manipulation (ETM) has been proposed as a thermal programming strategy to enhance chick heat tolerance, yet its efficacy in layers requires verification, and its effects on growth performance and neurodevelopment remain unclear. Methods: White Leghorn embryos at embryonic days 13 to 18 (ED 13–18) were exposed to 39.5 °C (ETM). Hatch traits and thermotolerance were recorded, and morphometric and histopathological analyses were performed on brain sections. Transcriptome profiling of the whole brains and hypothalami was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Representative pathway genes responsive to ETM were validated by RT-qPCR. Results: ETM reduced hatchability, increased deformity rate, and decreased hatch weight and daily weight gain. During a 37.5 °C challenge, ETM chicks exhibited delayed panting and lower cloacal temperature. Histopathology revealed impaired neuronal development and myelination. Transcriptomic analysis of ED18 whole brains showed DEGs enriched in neurodevelopment, stimulus response, and homeostasis pathways. RT-qPCR confirmed hypothalamic sensitivity to ETM: up-regulation of heat-shock gene HSP70, antioxidant gene GPX1, the inflammatory marker IL-6, and apoptotic genes CASP3, CASP6, CASP9; elevated neurodevelopmental marker DCX, indicative of a stress-responsive neuronal state; and reduced orexigenic neuropeptide AGRP. Conclusions: ETM improves heat tolerance in layers but compromises hatching performance and brain development, with widespread perturbation of hypothalamic stress responses and neurodevelopmental gene networks. These findings elucidate the mechanisms underlying ETM and provide a reference for enhancing thermotolerance in poultry. Full article

In animals and humans, nutrients influence signaling cascades, transcriptional programs, chromatin dynamics, and mitochondrial function, collectively shaping traits related to growth, immunity, reproduction, and stress resilience. This review synthesizes evidence supporting nutrient-mediated regulation of DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, and mitochondrial biogenesis, and emphasizes their integration within metabolic and developmental pathways. Recent advances in epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS), single-cell multi-omics, and systems biology approaches have revealed how diet composition and timing can reprogram gene networks, sometimes across generations. Particular attention is given to central metabolic regulators (e.g., PPARs, mTOR) and to interactions among methyl donors, fatty acids, vitamins, and trace elements that maintain genomic stability and metabolic homeostasis. Nutrigenetic evidence further shows how genetic polymorphisms (SNPs) in loci such as IGF-1, MSTN, PPARs, and FASN alter nutrient responsiveness and influence traits like feed efficiency, body composition, and egg quality, information that can be exploited via marker-assisted or genomic selection. Mitochondrial DNA integrity and oxidative capacity are key determinants of feed conversion and energy efficiency, while dietary antioxidants and mitochondria-targeted nutrients help preserve bioenergetic function. The gut microbiome acts as a co-regulator of host gene expression through metabolite-mediated epigenetic effects, linking diet, microbial metabolites (e.g., SCFAs), and host genomic responses via the gut–liver axis. Emerging tools such as whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing, EWAS, integrated multi-omics, and CRISPR-based functional studies are transforming the field and enabling DNA-informed precision nutrition. Integrating genetic, epigenetic, and molecular data will enable genotype-specific feeding strategies, maternal and early-life programming, and predictive models that enhance productivity, health, and sustainability in poultry production. Translating these molecular insights into practice offers pathways to enhance animal welfare, reduce environmental impact, and shift nutrition from empirical feeding toward mechanistically informed precision approaches. Full article

Managing community cats on islands requires reconciling animal-welfare mandates with biodiversity protection under real operational constraints. In the Canary Islands (Spain), national Law 7/2023 endorses ethical, non-lethal colony management, while subsequent regional resolutions restrict TNR in and around protected areas, narrowing municipal room for action. We combine a multilevel governance assessment with stochastic demographic simulations parameterized from official records to compare three sterilization regimes over 20 years. The intensive regime (≈60–70%/year) reflects the coverage threshold previously identified by Spain-based modelling and field evaluations and adopted in national program guidance; the 20%/year regime represents the pre-resolution baseline widely observed across the archipelago up to December 2024; and the 4%/year regime reflects the post-resolution reality, with abrupt declines in sterilizations, operations largely confined to urban cores, and program suspensions in multiple municipalities. Minimal (4%) and low (20%) efforts produce rapid population growth, bringing numbers close to the assumed carrying capacity under our deliberately high-K configuration and sustaining high densities and associated welfare and ecological risks; only sustained high-coverage TNR prevents saturation and produces progressive declines across island contexts. Under insular constraints, outcomes are determined by achievable coverage rather than regulatory intent; aligning policy and implementation to secure continuous, high-coverage TNR—particularly in risk-sensitive areas with appropriate safeguards—offers a feasible pathway to meet animal-welfare obligations while limiting ecological pressure. Full article

Dairy cow longevity is a key driver of farm profitability, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. Despite genetic progress in milk production, the average herd life has declined in many high-yielding dairy systems, raising concerns about early culling. This study analyzed data from 2057 Holstein–Friesian cows in Hungary to characterize the distribution and timing of culling events and to identify major risk factors affecting productive lifespan. We studied age, parity, milk yield, and culling reason using descriptive statistics, Kruskal–Wallis tests, multinomial logistic regression, and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Udder health problems were found to be the most frequent cause of culling (22.8%), followed by metabolic disorders (18.2%), locomotive problems (17.3%), and reproductive disorders (17.1%). Economic reasons such as low milk production contributed to a smaller proportion of culling. Most cows were culled after the second or third lactation, with survival probability dropping sharply within the first 1500–2000 days of life. Cows reaching four or more lactations represented a small but economically and genetically valuable subset of the herd. Our results indicated that in Hungary culling decisions are largely determined by health problems, which represent a greater limitation to the productive potential of dairy cows than economic factors. This research recommends that breeding programs prioritize genetic selection for robustness and that herd management adopts preventive health and reproductive strategies to prolong cow longevity, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of dairy production systems. Additionally, prevention of animal wastage to foster animal welfare could be suggested as an additional advantage. Full article

Donkeys (Equus asinus) play a critical role in agricultural, transport, and livelihood systems across Asia, yet they remain among the most neglected domestic species in terms of welfare, management, and research attention. This review synthesizes recent literature on donkey welfare, health, breeding, and conservation across Asia, highlighting regional disparities and emerging challenges. A systematic review of published studies identified welfare determinants including nutrition, workload, shelter, and veterinary access. Welfare conditions are found to be poorest in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, where chronic undernutrition, inadequate housing, excessive workloads, and limited veterinary support prevail. Preventive healthcare, such as vaccination and deworming, remains largely absent, reflecting low owner awareness and weak veterinary infrastructure. In contrast, China demonstrates substantial progress through semi-intensive farming systems, structured welfare management, and research-based breeding programs that integrate welfare with productivity enhancement. Recent advancements in molecular genetics have further expanded the scope of donkey conservation and improvement. Studies on key genes, including PRKG2, NR6A1, LTBP2, HOXC8, and DCAF7, have elucidated their roles in vertebral number, skeletal development, and body conformation in Dezhou donkeys, offering new opportunities for genomic-level conservation and marker-assisted selection. Nonetheless, significant health challenges, such as parasitic, bacterial, and viral infections (Theileria equi, Giardia duodenalis, and Equid herpesviruses), continue to threaten productivity and welfare. Reproductive management across most Asian countries remains traditional and uncoordinated, whereas China leads in artificial insemination, genetic resource preservation, and policy-supported breeding initiatives. Ethical concerns surrounding overexploitation and the commercial use of donkeys, particularly in the ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin) industry, are also gaining attention. Overall, this review underscores the urgent need for a “One Welfare” approach, linking Animal Welfare, human livelihoods, and sustainable industry development. Strengthening veterinary infrastructure, promoting owner education, and integrating genomic tools into breeding programs are essential steps toward improving the welfare, productivity, and long-term conservation of donkeys across Asia. Full article

This study examines the welfare conditions, legal ambiguities, and economic inefficiencies inherent in Korea’s traditional bullfighting practices. The study analyzes field data collected during 2025 (February–June), covering 131 contests across six venues, collected by the Animal Liberation Wave (ALW); the results reveal pervasive welfare violations, as evidenced by high avoidance (41.2%) and injury (62.3%) rates among bulls, alongside notable physiological and behavioral stress markers. From a legal perspective, the Animal Protection Act of Korea displays a core inconsistency: it prohibits cruelty to animals yet exempts bullfighting on cultural grounds, thereby compromising legal coherence and undermining welfare standards. Public opinion surveys further demonstrate declining societal support, particularly among younger and urban populations. Comparative cases from Spain, Mexico, and the European Union illustrate alternatives and possible reforms that may preserve cultural identity while eliminating harm against animals. Accordingly, this study proposes a phased policy framework comprising immediate welfare oversight, gradual redirection of subsidies toward humane cultural programs, and legislative amendment to remove the exemption clause. Ultimately, this study contends that harmonizing Korea’s cultural heritage with international welfare norms is both ethically significant and legally necessary, offering a model for culturally sensitive reform in the global context. Full article

Given the complex risk factors associated with youth offending, a comprehensive approach is needed to support the reintegration of incarcerated youth. Canine-assisted interventions (CAIs), involving structured, facilitator-guided programs with dogs, have emerged as a strategy to promote human well-being while sometimes attending to animal wellness. This scoping review, conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, examines the characteristics and benefits of CAIs for youth aged 12–17 involved in the criminal justice system. This review included studies published in English through 2024, focusing exclusively on dog-based interventions. Studies were sourced from databases and grey literature between 1998 and 2020. This review maps program designs, objectives, participant profiles, practitioner qualifications, dog roles, and reported outcomes for the youth participants and dogs. Findings reveal that some studies reported improved participant behavioural, psychological, and social outcomes, while few found no significant differences or noted symptom worsening. Some studies noted that training dogs in a CAI may boost their chances of adoption. Gaps include non-standardized terminology, need for more research, inadequate handler training, and insufficient focus on animal welfare. The study concludes that standardized protocols, enhanced handler training, and rigorous program evaluation are essential for ethical and effective CAI implementation that contributes to the well-being and successful reintegration of youth following incarceration. Full article