Search Results (700)

Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of formulated feeds on gonadal and hepatopancreatic development of Eriocheir sinensis. However, there are limited studies on the effects of formulated feeds on the immune homeostasis and metabolism of muscle tissue in E. sinensis during the fattening period. Therefore, this study used metabolomic and lipidomic to systematically analyze the effects of formulated diets on muscle metabolism in female E. sinensis. The results indicate that the formulated feeds improved immune performance by inhibiting inflammatory responses, apoptosis and autophagy. In addition, the feed promoted amino acid metabolism and protein synthesis while decreasing muscle fatty acid metabolism. Metabolomic analysis reveal that pyrimidine metabolism is involved in the regulation of muscle physiological health in fattening female crabs. Lipidomic analysis revealed that the formulated feeds play a role in muscle immune homeostasis, amino acid and fatty acid metabolism by regulating the level of ceramide (Cer (d18:1/22:0)) in sphingolipid metabolism. Through subnetwork analysis, the functional interactions of sphingolipid metabolism with the pathways of sphingolipid signaling, apoptosis regulation, inflammatory response and lipid dynamic homeostasis were identified, which further defined the important role of sphingolipid metabolism in the regulation of muscle physiological health and metabolic homeostasis was further identified. In summary, the formulated feeds effectively promote immune homeostasis and metabolism in the muscle of female E. sinensis during the fattening period. These findings provide a solid theoretical foundation for feed formulation optimization and application in fattening practices. Full article

Enterococcus spp. are opportunistic and nosocomial pathogens. Intensive pig farms have been recently described as important hotspots for antibiotic resistance and reservoirs of potentially pathogenic enterococci, including other species than the most known E. faecalis and E. faecium. Here, we identified Linezolid-resistant non-E. faecalis and E. faecium (NFF) Enterococcus strains isolated from different production stages (suckling piglets, weaning pigs, and fatteners) across six intensive pig farms. The transferability of the linezolid-resistance determinants was assessed by bacterial conjugation and strains were also characterized for biofilm production, hemolytic and gelatinase activity. Among 64 identified NFF Enterococcus strains, 27 were resistant to at least three different antibiotic classes and 8/27 specifically to Linezolid. E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus both transferred their Linezolid resistance determinants to the main pathogenic species E. faecium. Remarkably, this is the first report of the optrA gene transfer from E. casseliflavus to E. faecium by conjugation, which can greatly contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes among pathogenic enterococcal species. The “weaning pigs” stage exhibited a significantly higher number of antibiotic-resistant enterococci than the “fatteners”. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring pig farms as hotspots for the spread of antibiotic-resistant enterococci, especially in the early stages of production. Furthermore, they underscore the significant role of NFF Enterococcus species as carriers of antibiotic resistance genes, even to last-resort antibiotics, which may be transferable to the major enterococcal species. Full article

Dietary supplementation under high ambient temperatures can be considered crucial for supporting immune responses in livestock. In the present paper, Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil (REO) alone and in combination with dried sugar beet pulp (REO + B) was included in the diet of lambs during the fattening period under heat stress conditions. Environmental conditions and physiological and growth parameters of lambs were monitored throughout the trial. Plasma samples were collected to evaluate cytokine secretion (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10). Notably, REO inclusion reduced rectal temperature and respiration rate while increasing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) at the same time, suggesting an enhanced immune response without compromising growth performance. Full article

The occurrence of PCV2 genotypes in domestic pig production is a dynamic process that undergoes continuous change. Beginning with PCV2a as the first recognized genotype, PCV2b, and subsequently PCV2d, has become the most prevalent one over time. The present study provides an update on the prevalence of the three major PCV2 genotypes in Germany in 2024. A total of 87 fattening farms were randomly selected, proportionally based on farm density within the respective federal states. On each farm, oral fluid samples (OFs) were collected from approximately 100 pigs aged 18 (±1) weeks. Oral fluids (OFs) were pooled and screened for PCV2 DNA by qPCR. Positive samples were subsequently examined by genotype specific qPCR. In total, 31.0% (27/87) of all farms were identified as PCV2-positive. PCV2a was detected in 8.0% (7/87) of farms, while 3.4% (3/87) tested positive for both PCV2a and PCV2d. Overall, 11.5% (10/87) of all farms were PCV2d-positive. No significant effect of vaccination status of the pigs on the viral load or frequency of detection of PCV2 DNA was detected. 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

In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with thermally modified attapulgite on the daily weight gain, serum biochemical indices, and serum metabolites of Simmental fattening cattle. A total of 30 healthy Simmental fattening beef calves of similar age (8 to 9 months old) and body weight (370 ± 10 kg) were randomly divided into two groups, each containing 15 animals. A control group was fed the basal diet, and a treatment group was fed the same basal diet with the addition of 4 g/kg of thermally modified attapulgite. After 75 days of formal experiment, the calves in the two groups were weighed, and blood samples were collected by tail vein blood sampling for determinations of the serum biochemical indices and serum metabolites using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. The results indicated that the addition of thermally modified attapulgite to the diet had no significant effects on the daily weight gain of fattening beef cattle. After feeding with modified attapulgite, the glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in the serum of the experimental group were 55.02% (257.26 U·mL⁻¹ to 165.95 U·mL⁻¹, p < 0.05) and 13.11% (18.98 U·mL⁻¹ to 16.78 U·mL⁻¹, p < 0.05) higher than that in the control group. Compared with the control group, the tumor necrosis factor-alpha content was reduced by 14.50% (31.27 pg·mL⁻¹ to 36.57 pg·mL⁻¹, p < 0.01), and the concentration of interleukin-6 and lipopolysaccharide decreased by 17.00% (34.33 pg·mL⁻¹ to 41.36 pg·mL⁻¹, p < 0.001) and 23.05% (51.34 EU·L⁻¹ to 66.72 EU·L⁻¹, p < 0.001) in the serum of the experimental group. Contrastingly, the thermally modified attapulgite had no significant effects on the levels of serum total protein, albumin, or globulin in Simmental fattening cattle (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the results of serum metabolomic analyses revealed that there were a total of 98 differential metabolites, which were mainly enriched with respect to glycerophospholipid metabolism, Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation, autophagy-other, retrograde endogenous cannabinoid signaling, and the NF-κB signaling pathway. Overall, thermally modified attapulgite was found to effectively increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes, reduce serum inflammatory mediators, may suppress oxidative damage, enhance immunity, and have a positive influence on the health of Simmental fattening beef calves. 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

The aims of the current study were to characterize the natural compounds of Salsola tragus via GC-MS and determine its effects as a forage source on lamb growth, in vitro rumen fermentation kinetics, carcass quality, cellular damage, and metabolomic meat interaction. Twenty-one Rambouillet lambs were randomly assigned to one of three experimental diets (seven lambs per treatment): (1) a control diet (W/o-Salsola) containing 300 g/Kg dry matter (DM) of sorghum stover; (2) a diet with a medium inclusion of Salsola tragus (15-Salsola), which contained 150 g/Kg DM of Salsola tragus and 150 g/Kg DM of sorghum stover; and (3) a diet comprising 300 g/Kg of Salsola tragus (30-Salsola). The results showed there were no differences (p > 0.05) in lamb growth performance during the fattening phase. The in vitro gas analysis demonstrated that the 30-Salsola treatment increased lag time h⁻¹ (p < 0.05) and reduced gas production (p = 0.03). The metabolomic analysis findings suggest that the treatments that included Salsola tragus significantly positively affect the metabolomic composition of meat (p < 0.05). The use of 15-Salsola as a source of forage is promising for feeding lambs during the fattening phase. Full article

Animal production generates gas emissions. It is imperative to reduce them as projections suggest that emissions will continue to increase with rising temperatures, alongside the intensification of agriculture to meet global food demand. Slurry acidification in-house can reduce these emissions. In this study, an acidification technology was installed in a pig-fattening barn to evaluate the influence of the addition of a mixture of organic acids, mainly lactic acid and glycolic acid, on NH₃ and GHG emissions. A total of 384 pigs were allocated to four experimental rooms, two with additive applied to the slurry pits by a spraying system and two as a control. In high-temperature conditions, the spraying system discharged additive over the slurry which, in contrast with other systems, was stored inside the rooms during the whole trial. The concentration of NH₃ and GHG, the temperature, and the air extraction rate were measured continuously. A significant reduction in the emissions of the gases evaluated was achieved. NH₃ emissions were reduced by 26.8%, CH₄ by 23.6%, N₂O by 25.0%, and CO₂ by 28.7%. The role of the dynamic spraying system is considered essential to prevent the acidification effect being reversed by the buffering effect of the slurry itself. Full article

The intergenic SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) rs80860411A>C was identified as a major QTL for drip loss measured on semimembranosus muscle (SM) in pigs. The SNP is located near the GALNT15. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between rs80860411A>C and fattening, slaughter, and quality traits of Polish pigs. This study was conducted on 235 individuals belonging to two breeds, Polish Large White (n = 187) and Pulawska (n = 48). The rs80860411 genotypes were determined using the PCR-RFLP method. Association analysis was performed for each breed separately. It was shown that rs80860411A>C had a significant effect on fattening performance traits, on several slaughter performance traits, including width of the loin eye and carcass meat content (p ≤ 0.01, p ≤ 0.05), as well as on meat color—redness (a*) (p ≤ 0,05) in Pulawska breed. The obtained results indicate that the studied SNP has the potential to be a QTN and could be included in pig selection programs, especially in Pulawska pigs. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from extruded linseed, alone and combined with Padina pavonica algae extract, on growth performance and metabolic status in fattening rabbits. Sixty New Zealand White rabbits were assigned to three groups, as follows: control (CNT), L (5% linseed), and LPP (3.5% linseed + 0.2% algae extract) from weaning (37 days) to slaughter (85 days). Productive performance was assessed through body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and feed intake (FI). Blood was sampled at weaning, 60 days, and slaughter and analyzed for insulin, leptin, cortisol, thyroid hormones (T3, T4), glucose, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs). The L group showed significantly higher ADG (41.0 ± 1 g/d) and improved FCR (4.1 ± 0.2) compared to LPP (ADG: 37 ± 1 g/d, FCR: 4.6 ± 0.2; p = 0.001). No differences were observed in final BW or FI among groups (p < 0.001). Insulin peaked at 60 days across all groups (p < 0.001), with the LPP group showing the lowest levels (9.8 ± 0.9 µUI/mL; p = 0.043). T3 and T4 increased significantly with age (p < 0.001), and the T3/T4 ratio varied by diet and time (p = 0.005). Cortisol rose only at slaughter (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with insulin and thyroid hormones. The results suggest that omega-3-rich nutraceuticals can enhance growth performance without disrupting metabolic balance and may modulate specific hormonal responses due to their bioactive compounds. Full article

Porcine circoviruses are significant pathogens that affect swine populations worldwide, with implications for animal health and productivity. While PCV2 is well-documented, particularly due to widespread vaccination programs, PCV3 is less understood, and its epidemiological impact is still under investigation. This study screened for PCV2 and PCV3 in pigs and wild boars across Portugal to assess their prevalence. Also, nucleotide sequence determination was performed to evaluate the genetic diversity of these viruses. Stool samples from 160 pigs belonging to different groups (quarantine, nursery, fattening and adult pigs), as well as organ samples from 120 hunted wild boars, were analyzed. Samples were collected from twelve of the eighteen mainland Portuguese districts with positive cases being detected in nine of them. Pigs had a lower prevalence of PCV2 (1.9%) than PCV3 (11.2%), but the opposite was true in wild boars (76.7% for PCV2 and 55.0% for PCV3). The lower PCV2 prevalence in pigs can be attributed to the PCV2 vaccination program implemented. Additionally, these viruses were significantly more prevalent in wild boars (90.8% were infected with at least one of the viruses) than in domestic pigs (only 12.5%). This significant difference highlights the impact of the controlled environment in pig farms on disease prevention in contrast to the higher exposure risks faced by wild boars in their natural habitat. Compared to a previous study from 2023, we observed a slight decrease in the percentage of positive cases for both PCV2 and PCV3. Phylogenetic analysis of sequences obtained by Sanger sequencing allowed us to conclude that the samples from domestic pigs belong to the PCV2a and PCV3c clades, in contrast to the PCV2-positive cases detected in domestic pigs in 2023 that were classified in the PCV2d genotype. Conversely, samples from wild boars belong to the PCV2d and PCV3a clades. These results reveal genotype differences between wild and domestic pigs and shifts from 2023 to 2024. Our findings provide some information about the circulation of these viruses and emphasize the importance of vaccination and continued monitoring for a deeper understanding of their epidemiology to mitigate potential risks to swine health and production. Full article

Fermented feed has considerable potential as a high-quality protein source in animal production. This research aimed to examine the effects of a low-protein (LP) diet, supplemented with fermented feed, on the meat quality and intestinal health of growing–fattening pigs. The pigs were randomly divided into three groups, and a total of 72 growing–fattening pigs were subjected to the experiment. They were fed the control (CON) diet, LP diet, and LP diet supplemented with fermented rapeseed meals and fermented distiller’s grains (FLP), respectively. The results indicated that the FLP diet altered the structure of the intestinal microbiota and regulated the composition of unsaturated fatty acids in the longissimus dorsi. Furthermore, the FLP diet upregulated the expression of genes associated with myosin heavy chain isoforms (p < 0.05) and modified the content of short-chain fatty acids in the intestines (p < 0.05). In summary, the addition of fermented distiller’s grains (FDGs) and fermented rapeseed meals (FRMs) to the LP diet enhanced fatty acid metabolism and intestinal barrier function in growing–fattening pigs. Full article

Cryptosporidium spp. are protozoan parasites that cause cryptosporidiosis, an enteric disease that can affect a wide range of vertebrate hosts. Pigs play a potential role in the transmission of Cryptosporidium spp. to humans, although infections are most often subclinical. This study aimed to assess the occurrence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in swine farms located in Aragón, northeastern Spain. Fecal samples (n = 72) were collected from 10 breeding farms, encompassing various production stages (lactation, nursery, fattening, and/or wean-to-finish). Data regarding the type of production system (two- or three-stage), production stages, and farming facilities (the type of flooring and water source) associated with the parasite presence were also analyzed using a questionnaire. The results showed that Cryptosporidium spp. were more frequently detected in fecal samples originating from three-stage production systems (21.9%) compared to two-stage systems (12.5%). Samples from the fattening stage exhibited the highest positivity rate and estimated oocyst count (3.0 oocyst/microscopic field). Furthermore, the molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. revealed the circulation of multiple species both among farms and within the same pig production flow, with Cryptosporidium scrofarum being the most prevalent species (7/72; 9.7%), followed by Cryptosporidium suis (1/72; 1.4%). These findings underscore the importance of the surveillance and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. for controlling infections in pigs, considering the potential for the zoonotic transmission of this parasite to humans. Full article

Although porcine sapelovirus (PSV) is generally subclinical, it can cause a wide range of clinical signs in some individuals, including respiratory distress, acute diarrhea, pneumonia, skin lesions, reproductive failure, and neurological diseases. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and genotype of PSV isolated from domestic pigs and wild boars in Korea. We also analyzed potential recombination events, and assessed the pathogenicity of the virus through animal experiments. In wild boars, the prevalence of PSV antibodies decreased slightly (by 1.8%) over 5 years (from 2019 to 2024); however, prevalence increased significantly (by 17.8%) in breeding sows. In samples from animals with diarrhea and respiratory clinical signs, the prevalence of PSV alone was 21.1%, whereas the prevalence of PSV mixed with other pathogens was also 21.1%. The whole genome of the PSV/Goryeong/KR-2019 strain isolated from a piglet with diarrhea was closely related to the Jpsv447 strain isolated in Japan in 2009, and recombination analysis predicted that the PSV/Goryeong/KR-2019 strain was generated by genetic recombination between the KS05151 strain and the Jpsv447 strain. However, when the PSV/Goryeong/KR-2019 strain was orally administered to 5-day-old suckling pigs, diarrhea clinical signs were mild, and no significant changes were observed in villus height and ridge depth in the duodenum, jejunum, or ileum. In addition, no neurological clinical signs were observed when the isolated virus was administered to 130-day-old pigs, and no specific lesions were found upon histopathological examination of brain tissue. In conclusion, PSV/Goryeong/KR-2019 appears to be a weakly pathogenic virus that does not cause severe diarrhea in suckling pigs, and does not cause neurological clinical signs in fattening pigs. Therefore, it is presumed that most PSVs detected in Korean pig farms are weakly pathogenic strains. Full article