Search Results (621)

We evaluated the inclusion of hydrolyzed feather meal (HFM) as a partial replacement for fishmeal in diets for Macrobrachium rosenbergii post-larvae (PL) over a 32-day nursery feeding trial. Five experimental diets with increasing HFM levels (control, 1.5%, 3.0%, 4.5%, and 6.0%) were tested. Survival rates ranged from 73.3 ± 5.44% to 83.3 ± 3.84% without significant differences among groups. Dietary HFM inclusion levels above 3.0% significantly improved prawn performance, including final weight (up to 2.18-fold higher than control), length (1.13-fold), antenna length (1.18-fold), biomass gain (2.14-fold), and feed conversion ratio (1.59-fold lower). Prawn-fed diets at 6.0% HFM showed the highest performance among all experimental groups. No significant effects were observed on antioxidant biomarkers or digestive enzymes in prawns hepatopancreas, which suggests no imbalance in the antioxidant system or impairment of digestive function. Likewise, carcass proximate composition remained stable across experimental groups. These findings suggest that HFM at 3.0–6.0% dietary inclusion levels is a potential alternative to fishmeal in nursery-phase diets for M. rosernbergii PL, promoting prawn growth and welfare and maintaining health and carcass quality. Notably, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the potential effective use of HFM in feeding the nursery phase of M. rosernbergii. Full article

Pork is a major global source of animal protein, and improving both its production efficiency and meat quality is a central goal in modern animal agriculture and food systems. This study investigated post-inflection-point growth patterns in two genetically distinct pig breeds—the lean-type Yorkshire pig (YP) and the fatty-type Qingyu pig (QYP)—with the aim of elucidating breed-specific characteristics that influence pork quality and yield. Comprehensive evaluations of carcass traits, meat quality attributes, nutritional composition, and gene expression profiles were conducted. After the growth inflection point, carcass traits exhibited greater variability than meat quality traits in both breeds, though with distinct patterns. YPs displayed superior muscle development, with the longissimus muscle area (LMA) increasing rapidly before plateauing at ~130 kg, whereas QYPs maintained more gradual but sustained muscle growth. In contrast, intramuscular fat (IMF)—a key determinant of meat flavor and texture—accumulated faster in YPs post inflection but plateaued earlier in QYPs. Correlation and clustering analyses revealed more synchronized regulation of meat quality traits in QYPs, while YPs showed greater trait variability. Gene expression patterns aligned with these phenotypic trends, highlighting distinct regulatory mechanisms for muscle and fat development in each breed. In addition, based on the growth curves, we calculated the peak age at which the growth rate declined in lean-type and fat-type pigs, which was approximately 200 days for YPs and around 270 days for QYPs. This suggests that these ages may represent the optimal slaughter times for the respective breeds, balancing both economic efficiency and meat quality. These findings provide valuable insights for enhancing pork quality through precision management and offer theoretical guidance for developing breed-specific feeding strategies, slaughter timing, and value-added pork production tailored to consumer preferences in the modern food market. Full article

Extensive beef systems in the tropics are the cheapest but require more land and longer rearing times with environmental impact. This study was carried out to evaluate three beef bull’s production systems in tropics: pasture-based system (PASTU), feedlot system immediately after weaning (FELOT) and a system with the combination of rearing in pasture and finishing in feedlot (PRIME) on animal performance and carcass characteristics of 30 bulls crossbred Angus x Nellore. The final weight, average daily gain and carcass weight (hot and cold) were higher (p < 0.050) for the FELOT system, intermediate for the PRIME system and lowest for the PASTU system. The carcass dressing (hot and cold), dripping losses, ratio (Longissimus dorsi) and degree of finishing were similar (p > 0.050). The carcass pH_24h was higher for the PRIME system (p < 0.010). Subcutaneous fat thickness (mm) was lower for the PASTU system (p < 0.050). Marbling was better for the PRIME system. The tissular composition was similar among systems related to muscle percentage but PASTU showed the highest bone percentage (p < 0.050) and lowest of adipose (p < 0.050). PRIME enable cost-effective, fast beef production with less environmental impact. Full article

Contaminated poultry is one of the major sources of food-borne non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Salmonella along the slaughter process in low- and high-throughput poultry abattoirs in South Africa and to determine their characteristics. Samples were collected from 500 chicken carcass rinsates at various processing stages in three abattoirs. Salmonella detection and identification was conducted in accordance with the ISO 6579 methodology. NTS serotyping was performed with serotype-specific PCRs. The Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method was used to determine antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella. PCR was used to analyze thirteen antimicrobial genes and four virulence genes. Salmonella spp. was detected in 11.8% (59/500; CI: 9.5–15) of the samples tested. The predominant serovars were Salmonella Enteritidis (n = 21/59; 35.59%) and Salmonella Typhimurium (n = 35; 59.32%). Almost all Salmonella isolates were susceptible to all tested antimicrobials except three. Despite the low resistance to tetracyclines at the phenotypic level, approximately half of the strains carried tetA genes, which may be due to “silent” antimicrobial resistance genes. Diverse virulence genes were detected among the confirmed NTS serotypes. We found a predominance of S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium from chicken carcasses with diverse virulence and resistance genes. As we detected differences between the slaughterhouses, an in-depth study should be performed on the risk of Salmonella in low- and high-throughput abattoirs. The integrated monitoring and surveillance of NTS in poultry is warranted in South Africa to aid in the design of mitigation strategies. Full article

To evaluate animal performance and meat quality, stoned olive cake and linseed were used in an experimental test conducted on thirty-six young Podolian bulls, divided into four groups: the control group (CON), OC group (with olive cake containing a 30% as-fed basis of stoned olive cake), EL group (with linseed containing a 15% as-fed basis of extruded linseed), and OCEL group (with olive cake + linseed containing 20% stoned olive cake and 10% extruded linseed). The results show that olive cake supplementation did not influence performance in vita or the post-slaughter animal measurements (final body weight, DMI, FCR, ADG, carcass weight, dressing percentage, and pH) (p > 0.05); this was not true of the TBARS and color measurements, for which the meat samples showed excellent values (p < 0.001), especially in diets supplemented with olive cake. In conclusion, incorporating olive cake and linseed into the diet of fattening cattle may be a way to utilize a by-product of the olive industry and naturally increase the nutritional value of meat and meat-based products in Mediterranean regions. This would reduce environmental impacts and promote the valorization of this local feed source in alignment with the principles of the circular economy. Full article

This study evaluated the effect of biochars on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass yield, bone mineralization, litter quality and footpad lesions in broilers. Eight hundred day-old chicks were randomly divided into four treatments, 10 replicates per treatment (20 birds/replicate) for 35 days. Treatments were basal diet (control), a control diet with corncob (CC) biochar (1%), a control diet with wheat straw (WS) biochar (1%) and a control diet with sugarcane bagasse (SCB) biochar (1%). Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded weekly. Nutrient digestibility, bone mineralization and carcass parameters were determined on the 21st and 35th days, while footpad lesions and litter quality were also assessed. The results revealed significant improvement (p < 0.05) in FI, BWG and FCR with supplementation. Nutrient digestibility was higher (p < 0.05) in the SCB biochar group. Tibia calcium and phosphorus levels were enhanced (p < 0.05) in the WS and SCB biochar groups, respectively. Footpad lesions were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the CC biochar group, while litter quality was improved (p < 0.05) in the WS biochar group. Lymphoid organ relative weight results revealed that spleen weight was not affected by biochar supplementation in diet (p > 0.05), while dietary supplementation of CS and WS biochar in the diet resulted in the highest relative weights of thymus and bursa (p < 0.05). However, dietary supplementation of WS, SC and SCB biochar supplementation had affected positively the log value of the ND virus and IBV titers in birds. Overall, dietary supplementation of 1% biochars enhances growth performance, bone mineralization, footpad health immunity and litter quality in broilers. Full article

Dietary bitter compounds such as caffeine have the potential to reduce backfat in pigs. However, the use of caffeine as a feed additive has restrictions in many countries. It was hypothesised that grape seed and gentian plant extracts (GG) could replace caffeine in feed due to their bitterness and antiadipogenic effects. The effect of caffeine (0.5 g/kg), GG (2 g/kg) alone or in combination with caffeine (BM) at increasing concentrations (0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2 g/kg) on feed efficiency, carcass, and meat quality was assessed in finishing pigs (Large White × Landrace). Growth performance and carcass traits were evaluated at a pen level (n = 14). Loins (longissimus thoracis) were removed from eight pig/treatment at the abattoir to assess drip loss, lightness (L*), redness (a*), yellowness (b*), chroma (C*), hue angle (h°), pH, cook loss, and shear force. A linear increase (p < 0.05) in loin a*, b*, and C* values and a linear decrease (p < 0.05) in ADFI, ADG, backfat, dressing percentage, and HSCW were observed with increasing BM levels. At 1.5 g/kg, BM increased the loins a* (p < 0.05), b* (p < 0.05) and C* values (p < 0.05) compared to the control. Twenty-two proteins related to energy metabolism and myofibril assembly were identified to be upregulated (FDR < 0.05) in BM vs. control loins. In conclusion, GG could be used in combination with low doses of caffeine to modulate appetite and carcass leanness and improve pork colour. Full article

Beef production in Greece is a sector that has been characterized by a decline in both the output and the number of beef-producing animals over the last decades. The major challenge is low beef self-sufficiency; only 19.1% of demand is met by domestic production. The latter leads to a growing reliance on imports of both live animals and carcasses. Hence, the fattening of young bulls from dairy breeds could be an option to address this challenge subject to improving the quality of produced meat. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of extruded linseed in the diet of young bulls on their performance and meat quality. Sixty-eight young Holstein bulls were equally assigned in two experimental groups: the control group (CON, n = 34) and Linseed Group (LS, n = 34). Bulls in the CON group received a basal total mixed ration while LS young bulls were offered the same basal ration supplemented with linseed (5% on dry matter basis) during the final fattening stage. All bulls were subjected to three individual weightings at the beginning, the middle and the end of the trial. The feed offered was recorded daily and feed refusals were weighed for each pen to calculate feed intake. After slaughter, the Longissimus dorsi muscle from each carcass was collected to evaluate meat pH, color, chemical composition, tenderness and fatty acid profile. Analysis of variance was used to evaluate the effect of dietary intervention on performance and examined meat parameters, with significance set at p < 0.05, using SPSS software (version 29.0). Average daily gain, dry matter intake and feed conversion ratio were not affected by the dietary intervention (p > 0.05). Similarly, carcass yield and dressing percentage remained unaffected (p > 0.05). Adding extruded linseed did not result in differences in meat quality traits (p > 0.05), except for meat pH, which was significantly decreased in the LS group (p < 0.05), indicating more efficient post-mortem glycolysis. Finally, the inclusion of extruded linseed resulted in higher levels of α-linolenic acid in the meat (p < 0.05). These results suggest that including 5% extruded linseed (on a DM basis) in the diet of young Holstein bulls increased meat n-3 content, improved beef pH and maintained production performance. Full article

Male Ross 308 finisher (19 to 33 days) broiler chickens (n = 672) were used to determine the standardized ileal digestible (SID) leucine (Leu)-to-lysine (Lys) ratio for the maximum growth performance and slaughter parameters. A basal diet (incl. wheat, triticale, soybean meal, sunflower meal, and synthetic amino acids) deficient in Leu was formulated, and supplementary L-Leu was used to achieve 0.9 and 1.25 SID Leu-to-Lys ratios in increments of 0.05. A slight deficiency in lysine was implemented to truly relate broiler performance to changes in the SID Leu-to-Lys ratio. Diets were fed to broilers in seven pens (12 broilers each). Eight birds per pen were used for carcass evaluation on day 33. Data analysis indicated that SID Leu-to-Lys ratios between 0.96 and 1.025 were required to achieve 95% and 98% of the maximum body weight gain, daily feed consumption, and the European production efficacy factor, respectively. The estimation of recommended SID Leu-to-Lys ratios for the feed conversion ratio and carcass parameters was not possible. Full article

Carcass and meat quality traits are critical in pig breeding and production. Estimating genetic parameters for these traits is a vital aspect of breeding engineering, as accurate genetic parameters are essential for estimating breeding values, predicting genetic progress, and optimizing breeding programs. This study was conducted on a population of 461 Yorkshire pigs from the same breeding farm, which were slaughtered to assess nine carcass traits and seven meat quality traits, followed by descriptive statistical analysis. Additionally, we estimated the genetic parameters of these traits using genomic information based on 50K chip data. The results indicated that sex significantly affected most carcass and meat quality traits. Carcass traits including carcass length indicators (h² = mean 0.35), backfat thickness indicators (h² = mean 0.36), eye muscle area (h² = 0.28), and the number of rib pairs (h² = 0.28) exhibited medium to high heritability. Carcass length indicators showed high genetic correlations with backfat thickness indicators (r = mean −0.49) and the number of rib pairs (r = mean 0.63), while high negative genetic correlation (r = −0.72) was noted between eye muscle area and the number of rib pairs. Meat quality traits also displayed medium to high heritability, expect for pH value measured within one hour post-slaughter (h² = 0.12). Drip loss indicators had higher genetic correlations with pH (r = mean −0.73) than with meat color indicators (r = mean 0.22). These findings may provide a theoretical reference for genetic evaluation and breeding in the Yorkshire pig population. Full article

Anseriformes (waterfowl) and Charadriiformes (shorebirds) are well-recognized natural reservoirs of low pathogenic (LP) influenza A viruses (IAVs). Historically, LP IAVs circulate among healthy individuals during seasonal, and often transcontinental, migrations. However, following the introduction of clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic (HP) A/Goose/Guangdong/1/1996 lineage H5 IAV to North America in 2021, countless wild birds succumbed to fatal infections across the Western Hemisphere. Due to their small size and cryptic plumage patterns, opportunities for carcass recovery and postmortem evaluation in sanderlings (Calidris alba) and other shorebirds are rare. A multispecies mortality event in coastal Virginia, USA, in March–April 2024 included sanderlings among other wild bird species. Nine sanderlings underwent postmortem evaluation and clade 2.3.4.4b H5 IAV RNA was detected in pooled oropharyngeal-cloacal swabs from 11/11 individuals by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Histopathology was similar to that in waterfowl and included necrosis in the pancreas and brain and less commonly in the gonad, adrenal gland, spleen, liver, and intestine. Immunohistochemistry revealed IAV antigen labeling in necrotic neurons of the brain (neurotropism) and epithelial cells of the pancreas, gonad, and adrenal gland (epitheliotropism). Describing HP IAV-attributed pathology in shorebirds is key to understanding ecoepidemiology and population health threats in order to further document and compare pathogenesis among avian species. Full article

Background: Heat stress challenges small ruminants in semi-arid regions, requiring integrative multi-modeling approaches to identify adaptive thermotolerance traits. This study aimed to identify phenotypic biomarkers and explore the relationships between thermoregulatory responses and hematological, behavioral, morphometric, carcass, and meat traits in lambs. Methods: Twenty 4-month-old non-castrated male lambs, with an average body weight of 19.0 ± 5.11 kg, were evaluated under natural heat stress. Results: Thermoregulatory variables were significantly associated with non-carcass components (p = 0.002), carcass performance (p = 0.027), commercial meat cuts (p = 0.032), and morphometric measures (p = 0.029), with a trend for behavioral responses (p = 0.078). The main phenotypic traits related to thermoregulation included idleness duration, cold carcass weight, blood, liver, spleen, shank, chest circumference, and body length. Exploratory factor analysis reduced the significant indicators to seven latent domains: carcass traits, commercial meat cuts, non-carcass components, idleness and feeding behavior, and morphometric and thermoregulatory responses. Bayesian network modeling revealed interdependencies, showing carcass traits influenced by morphometric and thermoregulatory responses and non-carcass traits linked to ingestive behavior. Thermoregulatory variables were not associated with meat quality or hematological traits. Conclusions: These findings highlight the complex biological relationships underlying heat adaptation and emphasize the potential of combining phenomic data with computational tools to support genomic selection for climate-resilient and welfare-oriented breeding programs. Full article

Background: The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of the supplementation of protease sources on growth and carcass response, gut health, nutrient digestibility, and cecal microbiota profiles in broilers fed poultry-by-product-meal (PBM)-containing diets. Methods: In total, 800 one-day-old mixed-sex broilers (Arbor Acres) were weighed and allocated to one of the four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, with eight replicates and 25 birds each per replicate. The treatments were as follows: (1) T₀, control diet (without protease supplementation and 3% PBM); (2) T₁, control diet supplemented with acidic protease at 100 g/ton (50,000 U/g); (3) T₂, control diet supplemented with alkaline protease at 200 g/ton (25,000 U/g); (4) T₃, control diet supplemented with neutral protease at 200 g/ton (25,000 U/g). Results: Protease supplementation enhanced (p < 0.05) body weight gain and the feed conversion ratio, predominantly in broilers fed PBM-based diets containing alkaline protease. Alkaline protease supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the apparent ileal digestibility of proteins (AIDP) by 4.3% and the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids (AIDAA) by up to 5.8%, except for ornithine. Increments (p < 0.05) in carcass, breast, and leg quarter yields due to protease supplementation were evident, particularly in broilers fed diets containing alkaline protease. Alkaline protease improved (p < 0.05) the duodenal villus height (VH), reduced the crypt depth (CD), and increased the villus height to crypt depth ratio (VCR). Alkaline protease supplementation reduced (p < 0.05) cecal counts of Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium in the broilers, whereas it increased (p < 0.05) the Lactobacillus counts. Conclusions: the supplemented alkaline protease resulted in improved growth performance and carcass traits, better gut health, as well as improved ileal digestibility of nutrients, including crude protein (CP) and acid insoluble ash (AIA), with a more balanced cecal microbial composition in broilers. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of fermented banana agro-waste silage (BAWS) in finishing diets for KHAPS pigs (Duroc × MeiShan hybrid). BAWS was produced via 30 days of anaerobic fermentation of disqualified banana fruit, pseudostem, and wheat bran, doubling crude protein content and generating short-chain fatty acids, as indicated by a satisfactory Flieg’s score. Thirty-six pigs were assigned to control (0%), 5%, or 10% BAWS diets formulated to meet NRC nutritional guidelines. Over a 70-day period, BAWS inclusion caused no detrimental effects on growth performance, carcass traits, or meat quality; a transient decline in early-stage weight gain and feed efficiency occurred in the 10% group, while BAWS-fed pigs demonstrated reduced backfat thickness and increased lean area. Fore gut microbiome analysis revealed reduced Lactobacillus and elevated Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Terrisporobacter, Streptococcus, and Prevotella, suggesting enhanced fiber and carbohydrate fermentation capacity. Predictive COG (clusters of orthologous groups)-based functional profiling showed increased abundance of proteins associated with carbohydrate transport (COG2814, COG0561, COG0765) and stress-response regulation (COG2207). These results support BAWS as a sustainable feed ingredient that maintains production performance and promotes fore gut microbial adaptation, with implications for microbiota-informed nutrition and stress resilience in swine. Full article

The origin of feed ingredients, particularly corn, can influence nutrient composition and availability, thereby affecting broiler growth performance and overall production efficiency. This study evaluated the effects of the dietary inclusion of different corn origins: United States (local) (USA-L), United States (reimported) (USA-R), Argentina (ARG), and Brazil (BRA) on broiler performance, nutrient digestibility, and processing yield from 1 to 35 d of age. A total of 1200 male broiler chicks (YPM × Ross 708) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, with each diet incorporating corn from a specific origin. Birds were housed in controlled environmental conditions and fed isocaloric, isoproteic diets formulated based on corn nutrient profiles from each origin. Body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were assessed at 10, 21, and 35 d. On d 35, ileal digestibility of nutrients was assessed using titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker, and processing yields were measured on d 36. Results indicated no impact of corn origin on BW or BWG during the grow-out. However, FI was greater in broilers fed with diets containing corn from ARG and BRA compared to corn from USA-L from 1 to 35 d (p = 0.012). Feed intake of birds fed diets with USA-R did not differ from diets with either BRA or USA-L corn. Feed conversion ratio remained unaffected at 10 and 21 d of age, but broilers fed diets with corn from USA-L and USA-R exhibited improved FCR at 35 d compared to those fed corn from BRA (p < 0.001). Processing weights and yields showed no differences among treatments; nonetheless, broilers fed corn from ARG had a higher chilled carcass weight than those fed corn from USA-R (p = 0.032). Nutrient digestibility analysis revealed no differences in crude protein, fat, calcium, and potassium digestibility, while phosphorus digestibility was significantly higher in broilers fed corn from ARG compared to corn from USA-L (p = 0.007). These findings suggest that corn origin minimally affected overall broiler growth performance and carcass characteristics. However, differences in FI, FCR, and nutrient digestibility may exist among different corn sources. Full article