Search Results (23)

Ketosis and fatty liver syndrome are metabolic disorders apparent in dairy cows during the transition period. The study focused on examining how varying levels of milk production in dairy cows might reflect or influence specific blood biochemical markers and liver health as assessed through ultrasonography. A total of 65 Holstein-Friesian cows from six farms were evaluated at three time points as follows: 7 days before expected calving and at 7 and 21 ± 3 days postpartum. Each evaluation included the body condition score (BCS), blood sampling for biochemical analysis, and liver ultrasonography. Based on average farm milk yield, cows were divided into three production groups as follows: GR1 (38.4 ± 6.45 L/day, n = 23), GR2 (42.9 ± 2.77 L/day, n = 24), and GR3 (45.69 ± 7.49 L/day, n = 18). Parameters assessed included liver lipid content and ultrasonographic measurements such as portal vein diameter and depth, liver depth, and liver angle. Significant time-dependent changes were observed in liver size, fat metabolism, and electrolyte balance, especially postpartum. However, no significant differences emerged among the production groups, indicating that these changes likely represent physiological adaptations to lactation. These findings support the use of blood analysis and ultrasonography as practical, minimally invasive tools for routine metabolic health monitoring in dairy cows during the transition period. Full article

The objective was to determine whether dairy cows may activate traditional and alternative inflammatory pathways by consuming a combination of a phytogenic diet (essential oil and pepper resin). Twenty pregnant Jersey cows in the final (third) lactation phase (260 days in milk) were divided into two groups: control, with no additive consumption, and test, with the addition of the phytogenic to the concentrate portion of the diet (150 mg/day/kg dry matter). Blood samples were collected on experimental days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 by coccygeal vein puncture to assess the complete blood count, serum biochemistry of levels of total protein, albumin, and globulin, as well as carbohydrate metabolism (glucose), lipid metabolism (cholesterol and triglycerides), protein metabolism (urea), activities of hepatic enzymes (gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)), cytokine levels (interleukins IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10), antioxidant response [thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reactive oxygen species (ROS), total thiol (PSH), and non-protein thiol (NPSH), and glutathione S(GST)], cholinergic system [total cholinesterase (ChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)], purinergic signaling [NTPDase, 5′ectonucleotidase and adenosine deaminase (ADA)], and energetic metabolism enzymes [creatine kinase (CK), pyruvate kinase (PK), and adenylate kinase (AK)]. Productive performance was assessed through feed intake and milk production. The results revealed that the use of phytogenic compounds significantly influenced the cholinergic system and purinergic signaling associated with immunology. The reduction in cholinesterase (ChE) activity and the increase in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in lymphocytes suggest the modulation of the cholinergic system, enhancing the immune response. Furthermore, the elevated activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA) in lymphocytes and platelets, together with increased ATP and ADP hydrolysis in platelets, indicates the beneficial regulation of purinergic signaling, potentially contributing to inflammatory modulation. These effects were accompanied by a lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) and a higher production of IL-10, reinforcing an anti-inflammatory profile. The reduced leukocyte and lymphocyte counts may reflect a lower inflammatory demand, while the increased levels of NPSH and GST antioxidants suggest cellular protection. Despite these physiological changes, productive performance and milk quality remained unaffected. In summary and practical terms, including this additive in the cows’ diet benefits the cow’s health in the final third of gestation when the animal already has a reduced immune response due to advanced gestation. Full article

This study aims to explore the impact of adding sodium acetate and sodium butyrate on the composition, blood biochemical parameters, and volatile flavor compounds of lactating mares’ milk. By assessing the influence of these additives on milk flavor enhancement, the findings provide scientific evidence for optimizing flavor characteristics and offer new strategies for improving the sensory attributes of mare milk products. Eighteen lactating Yili mares were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group, a sodium acetate group (85 mg/kg·BM⁻¹), and a sodium butyrate group (85 mg/kg·BM⁻¹). The experiment lasted 90 days, with milk yield recorded on days 0, 30, 60, and 90. Milk samples were collected on day 60 (peak lactation) for compositional analysis, and GC-IMS was employed to identify and quantify volatile compounds. Additionally, blood samples were drawn from the jugular vein before morning feeding on day 60 using heparinized tubes to assess key biochemical markers, including glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and urea. The results revealed the following findings: (1) Milk yield and composition: The addition of sodium acetate and sodium butyrate had no significant effect on milk yield. However, both treatment groups exhibited significantly or extremely significantly higher milk fat content compared to the control group, whereas milk protein and lactose levels remained largely unchanged. (2) Blood biochemical indicators: The sodium butyrate group showed an extremely significant increase in urea levels compared to the sodium acetate and control groups. Glucose levels in the sodium acetate group were also significantly higher than in the control group. Moreover, triglyceride levels were markedly elevated in the sodium butyrate group compared to the sodium acetate group, while total bilirubin concentrations were significantly higher in the sodium acetate group than in the control group. (3) Volatile compounds: The addition of these additives led to a significant increase in the diversity and concentration of volatile compounds in mare milk. Notably, esters, aldehydes, and ketones showed substantial enrichment in both treatment groups. The relative abundance of esters such as butyl acetate, L-lactic acid ethyl ester, 1-pentene-3-ol, pentanol, and 3-pentanone increased, alongside a significant rise in aldehydes and ketones, including 2-heptenal and 3-pentanone. In conclusion, sodium acetate and sodium butyrate enhance milk flavor by modulating milk composition and metabolic parameters, providing a scientific foundation for improving the quality of mare milk products. Full article

Neonatal piglets with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) exhibit reduced rates of growth and survival. The present study tested the hypothesis that L-arginine supplementation can mitigate this problem. One hundred and twelve (112) IUGR piglets (with a mean birth weight of 0.84 kg) from 28 sows (four IUGR piglets/sow) were assigned randomly into one of four groups. Piglets were nursed by sows and orally administered 0, 0.1, 0.2, or 0.4 g L-arginine (in the form of L-arginine-HCl) per kg body weight (BW) twice daily between 0 and 14 days of age. The total doses of L-arginine were 0, 0.2, 0.4, or 0.8 g/kg BW/day. Appropriate amounts of L-alanine were added to L-arginine solutions so that all groups of piglets received the same amount of nitrogen. Piglets were weighed on days 0, 7, and 14 of age. On day 14, blood samples (5 mL) were obtained from the jugular vein of piglets at 1 h after suckling, and their milk consumption was measured over a 10-h period using the weigh–suckle–weigh technique. Milk intake did not differ (p > 0.05) among the four groups of piglets. Oral administration of 0.4 g L-arginine/kg BW/day increased (p < 0.05) the circulating levels of arginine, creatine, and anabolic hormones (insulin, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-I), but decreased (p < 0.05) plasma concentrations of ammonia and cortisol (a catabolic hormone). Compared to the control group, IUGR piglets administered 0.2 and 0.4 g L-arginine/kg BW/day increased (p < 0.05) weight gain by 19% and 31%, respectively. Growth did not differ (p > 0.05) between the control and 0.8 g L-arginine/kg BW/day groups. The survival rates of IUGR piglets were 50%, 75%, 89%, and 89%, respectively, for the 0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 g L-arginine/kg BW/day groups. Collectively, these results indicate that the growth and survival of IUGR piglets can be improved through L-arginine supplementation. Full article

Artificial rearing (AR) of lambs is nowadays a common practice in Mediterranean dairy sheep production systems to enhance the milk available for cheese or yoghurt manufacturing. The sufficient growth of lambs in an AR system is vital for the economic success of dairy sheep farms. However, AR is often associated with negative impacts on the performance and physiology of lambs. Greece is one of the major producers of ovine milk; nevertheless, data concerning the effects of artificial rearing in lambs of Greek autochthonous breeds are not available. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the influence of artificial rearing on growth performance, thyroid hormone levels, locomotor activity, carcass traits and meat quality characteristics in lambs of the Chios breed, which is one of the most well-known Greek dairy sheep breeds. Twenty-one singleton male lambs were assigned into two feeding regimes; natural rearing NR (n = 11) and AR (n = 10). The lambs’ behavior was continuously videotaped until weaning, and their standing percentage was recorded as an activity index. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of lambs on days 3, 10, 17 and 40 after birth to assess thyroid hormone levels. The body weight of lambs was also recorded weekly. At the age of 45 days, lambs were fasted for 12 h, weighed and slaughtered. The weights of the carcass and internal organs were measured, while samples of the longissimus dorsi muscle were used for the determination of meat pH, color, water holding capacity, shear force and oxidative stability values. As indicated, body weight (kg) at birth was greater in NR vs. AR group and this difference was maintained till day 35 (p < 0.05), although body gain (kg) was generally not significantly different between NR and AR lambs, with the exception of the first week, when NR showed a greater value compared with the AR lambs (p < 0.001). On day 42, no significant differences between lamb groups for body weight were observed. Levels for triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and the free form of T3 (FT3) were greater, whereas the standing percentage was lower in NR compared with AR lambs (p < 0.05). The feeding regime of lambs did not affect carcass traits, internal organ and fat tissue weights, except for cold carcass yield which was greater in AR vs. NR lambs. No significant differences were observed between the two lamb groups in meat quality characteristics, such as pH, color, water holding capacity and shear force values, although MDA content was decreased in AR lambs indicating an improved oxidative stability. In conclusion, artificial rearing appears to be a feasible strategy for Chios lamb meat production, since it does not negatively influence carcass traits and meat quality characteristics, while a positive effect in meat oxidative stability is observed. Full article

Endothelial dysfunction, which is marked by a reduction in nitric oxide (NO) production or an imbalance in relaxing and contracting factor levels, exacerbates atherosclerosis by promoting the production of cell adhesion molecules and cytokines. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Limosilactobacillus reuteri HY7503, a novel probiotic isolated from raw milk, on endothelial dysfunction. Five lactic acid bacterial strains were screened for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and endothelium-protective properties; L. reuteri HY7503 had the most potent effect. In a mouse model of angiotensin II-induced endothelial dysfunction, L. reuteri HY7503 reduced vascular thickening (19.78%), increased serum NO levels (226.70%), upregulated endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression in the aortic tissue, and decreased levels of cell adhesion molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1] and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1]) and serum cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]). In TNF-α-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), L. reuteri HY7503 enhanced NO production and reduced cell adhesion molecule levels. In HUVECs, surface-layer proteins (SLPs) were more effective than extracellular vesicles (exosomes) in increasing NO production and decreasing cell adhesion molecule levels. These findings suggested that L. reuteri HY7503 may serve as a functional probiotic that alleviates endothelial dysfunction. Full article

This study focused on assessing whether the inclusion of probiotics (B. subtilis) as feed additives during the preweaning stage can enhance the body weight and metabolic condition of neonatal calves. A total of 50 Holstein calves, all born on the same farm, were randomly divided into two homogeneous treatment groups after birth. The calves in the control group (CG) were fed a milk replacer (n = 25) (13 females and 12 males) and those in the B. subtilis-supplement-treated group (TG), (n = 25) (13 females and 12 males) were fed a milk replacer with 7.5 mL/calf/day of B. subtilis probiotic (complied with the manufacturer’s guidelines). The probiotic was administered 24 h post-birth, signifying the start of the experimental period. It took one month to collect the animals. Body weight was measured at birth for all animals. A local veterinarian, working on the farm, conducted daily health checks of the calves, recording health parameters and any antibiotic treatments. Blood samples were collected from each calf at birth and 30, 60, and 90 days by puncturing the jugular vein using 10 mL evacuated serum tubes before morning feeding. Significant differences in body weight were observed between the CG and the TG at 30, 60, and 90 days of age. At 30 days, the TG had a 4.11% higher average body weight than the CG (54.38 kg vs. 52.71 kg). At 60 days, the TG’s average weight was 3.75% higher (79.21 kg vs. 76.34 kg), and at 90 days, the TG had a 2.91% higher average weight (112.87 kg vs. 109.67 kg). At 30 days of age, the TG showed significantly lower AST activity, with a 41.12% decrease compared to the CG (51.02 IU/L vs. 72.00 IU/L). Conversely, GGT activity was significantly higher in the TG by 64.68% (40.64 IU/L vs. 14.35 IU/L). Phosphorus concentration at 30 days was also significantly higher in the TG by 9.36% (3.27 mmol/L vs. 2.99 mmol/L). Additionally, the TG had a significantly lower total protein concentration, with a 21.63% decrease at 30 days (46.32 g/L vs. 56.34 g/L) and a 20.28% decrease at 60 days (48.32 g/L vs. 58.12 g/L) compared to the CG. These findings indicate that dairy calves given conventional milk replacer along with a daily dose of 7.5 mL of B. subtilis probiotic experienced enhanced growth performance and a more favourable metabolic profile during the first 90 days of their lives. Full article

This study investigated the effects of dietary energy levels during late gestation on mineral content in the plasma, colostrum, and milk of jennies postpartum. Twenty-four pregnant multiparous DeZhou jennies, aged 6.0  ±  0.1 years, with a body weight of 292  ±  33 kg, an average parity number of 2.7  ±  0.1, and similar expected dates of confinement (74  ±  4 days), were randomly allocated to three groups and fed three diets: high energy (12.54 MJ/kg, HE), medium energy (12.03 MJ/kg, ME), and low energy (11.39 MJ/kg, LE). Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of each jenny at time points of 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 5 d, 7 d, and 14 d after parturition. Additionally, milk samples were collected through manual milking, and an analysis of the mineral content was conducted. The results showed that compared with HE, both ME and LE significantly increased the levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and cobalt (Co) in the plasma and Ca, P, magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), Zn, selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and Co in the milk of jennies postpartum (p < 0.05); ME also increased the levels of potassium (K), iron (Fe), and Mn in plasma and K and Fe in milk (p < 0.05). The levels of Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Se, Zn, and Mo in plasma and milk gradually decreased with increasing postpartum time. Their contents were the highest at 0 h postpartum, rapidly decreased after 24 h postpartum, and declined to the lowest on day 14 postpartum. The interaction between dietary energy level and postpartum time showed that although the concentrations of the minerals Ca, P, K, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Co, Se, and Mo decreased in jennies’ plasma and milk in the treatment groups with different energy levels as postpartum time increased, the pattern of change was also influenced by dietary energy level. The influence of dietary energy level in late gestation on the mineral content of milk and plasma during the postpartum colostrum phase was higher than that during the milk phase. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that, under the current experimental conditions, the mineral content of the colostrum, milk, and plasma of jennies after parturition was dependent on the dietary energy level during late gestation. Full article

The ecosystem of ruminal microbiota profoundly affects the health and milk production of dairy cows. High-concentrate diets are widely used in dairy farms and evoke a series of metabolic disorders. Several studies have reported the effects of high-concentrate diets on the ruminal microbiome, while the effect of changes in ruminal microbial flora, induced by high-concentrate diet feeding, on the liver of dairy cows has not been studied before. In this study, 12 mid-lactating Holstein Friesian cows (weight of 455 ± 28 kg; parities of 2.5 ± 0.5; starting milk yield of 31.59 ± 3.2 kg/d; DMI of 21.7 ± 1.1 kg/d; and a DIM at the start of the experiment of 135 ± 28 d) were fitted with ruminal fistulas, as well as with portal and hepatic vein catheters. All cows were randomly divided into 2 groups; then, they fed with low-concentrate diets (LC, concentrate: forage = 40:60) and high-concentrate diets (HC, concentrate: forage = 60:40) for 18 weeks. The forage sources were corn silage and alfalfa hay. After the cows of two groups were euthanized over two consecutive days, ruminal microbiota; the concentration of LPS in the rumen content; cecum content; the levels of blood and histamine in rumen fluid, blood, and the liver; the histopathological status of the rumen and cecum; and the inflammatory response of the liver were assessed in dairy cows under conditions of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). These conditions were caused by high-concentrate diet feeding. All data were analyzed using the independent t-test in SPSS. The results showed that high-concentrate diet feeding increased the concentration of LPS and histamine in the rumen and plasma of veins (p < 0.05). The abundance of Bacteroidetes at the phylum level, and of both Bacteroidetes and Saccharibacteria at the genus level, was decreased, while the abundance of Firmicutes at the phylum level and Oscillibacter at the genus level was increased by high-concentrate diet feeding. The decreased pH values of ruminal contents (LC = 6.02, HC = 5.90, p < 0.05) and the increased level of LPS in the rumen (LC = 4.921 × 10⁵, HC = 7.855 × 10⁵ EU/mL, p < 0.05) and cecum (LC = 11.960 × 10⁵, HC = 13.115 × 10⁵ EU/mL, p < 0.01) induced the histopathological destruction of the rumen and cecum, combined with the increased mRNA expression of IL-1β (p < 0.05). The histamine receptor H1R and the NF-κB signaling pathway were activated in the liver samples taken from the HC group. In conclusion, the elevated concentrations of LPS and histamine in the gut may be related to changes in the ruminal microbiota. LPS and histamine induced the inflammatory response in the ruminal epithelium, cecum epithelium, and liver. However, the cause–effect mechanism needs to be proved in future research. Our study offers a novel therapeutic strategy by manipulating ruminal microbiota and metabolism to decrease LPS and histamine release and to improve the health of dairy cows. Full article

Background: An umbilical venous catheter (UVC) is the preferred route of epinephrine administration during neonatal resuscitation but requires specialized equipment, expertise, and time. Hypothesis: Direct injection of epinephrine into the umbilical vein (UV) followed by milking a ~20 cm segment of cut umbilical cord to flush the epinephrine (DUV + UCM) will lead to a quicker administration and earlier return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) compared with epinephrine given through a UVC. Design: Eighteen near-term asphyxiated lambs were randomized to receive a low-UVC or DUV + UCM of epinephrine at 0.02 or 0.03 mg/kg doses. Outcome measures: A total of 16/18 lambs achieved ROSC with a similar mean (±SEM) time to ROSC [DUV + UCM vs. low-UVC (4.67 ± 0.67 vs. 3.99 ± 0.58 min); p = 0.46]. Two out of ten lambs in the DUV + UCM group required UVC placement for additional epinephrine. The administration of the first dose of epinephrine was similar (DUV + UCM—2.97 ± 0.48 vs. UVC—4.23 ± 0.58 min; p = 0.12). Both methods yielded similar epinephrine concentrations (peak concentrations of 253 ± 63 and 328 ± 80 ng/mL for DUV + UCM and UVC EPI, respectively). Conclusions: DUV + UCM resulted in a ROSC success of 78% following the first epinephrine dose and showed similar epinephrine concentrations to UVC. Clinical studies evaluating DUV + UCM as an alternate route for epinephrine while intravenous access is being established are warranted. Full article

The objective of this study was to assess the potential effects of supplementing difructose anyhdride III (DFAIII) during the first days of life on the absorption of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and growth performance of calves early in life fed colostrum with a high IgG concentration. Sixty-six healthy new-born Holstein calves were randomly assigned to three treatments consisting of no supplementation (control), supplementation of 12 g/d (DFA12), or 36 g/d (DFA36) of DFAIII during the first 7 d of life via colostrum and milk replacer (MR). Calves were separated from dams at birth and bottle-fed colostrum in two meals, each targeting 2.5 L within the first 18 h of birth. Colostrum had been previously collected from other dams (and preserved frozen) within the first 2 h of calving and had a Brix value ≥32%. Daily consumption of starter concentrate and MR (and colostrum on the first day) were individually monitored. Calves were body weighed using an electronic scale at birth and on a weekly basis thereafter until the end of study at 42 d of age. A sample of colostrum fed to each calf and a blood sample from the jugular vein of the calves were collected at 12 and 24 h of life to determine the IgG concentration. The mean colostrum IgG concentration fed in the current study was 110 ± 33.7 g/L (mean ± SD). No differences in animal performance were found among the treatments. Calves on all treatments consumed the same amount of colostrum with a similar concentration of IgG, and thus the amount of IgG consumed was also similar. Serum IgG concentrations were greater at 24 than at 12 h but did not differ among treatments. However, the apparent efficiency of absorption of colostral immunoglobulins was greater in DFA12 and DFA36 at 12 h of life than in control calves, with no differences observed at 24 h. Even when feeding high-quality colostrum, in terms of IgG concentration, supplementation with difructose anhydride III may pose an additional advantage in promoting the passive transfer of immunoglobulins in neonatal Holstein calves during the first 12 h of life. Full article

Background: Aflatoxin (AF), a metabolite of Aspergillus flavus, is injurious to vital body organs. The bacterial defense against such mycotoxins has attracted significant attention. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known to ameliorate AF toxicity. Methods: Thirty adult male rats were divided into six groups (five each) to perform the experiments. The control (Co) group was fed a basal diet and water. Each of the following periods lasted 21 days: the milk (MK) group orally received milk (500 µL); LAB suspension (500 µL) containing 10⁷ cfu/mL was orally provided to the LAB group; AF (0.5 mg/kg) was orally given to the AF group; and a combination of AF and LAB was administered to the AF + LAB group. The AF/LAB group was initially given AF for 21 days, followed by LAB for the same period. Finally, the rats were dissected to retrieve blood and tissue samples for hematological, biochemical, and histological studies. Results: The results revealed a significant decrease in RBCs, lymphocytes, total proteins, eosinophil count, albumin, and uric acid, whereas the levels of WBCs, monocytes, neutrophils, creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine kinase significantly increased in the AF group in comparison to the control group. The histological examination of the AF group revealed necrosis and apoptosis of the kidney’s glomeruli and renal tubules, nuclei vacuolization and apoptosis of hepatocytes, congestion of the liver’s dilated portal vein, lymphoid depletion in the white pulp, localized hemorrhages, hemosiderin pigment deposition in the spleen, and vacuolization of seminiferous tubules with a complete loss of testis spermatogenic cells. Meanwhile, protective and therapeutic LAB administration in AF-treated rats improved the hematological, biochemical, and histological changes. Conclusions: The study revealed LAB-based amelioration to AFB1-induced disruptions of the kidney, liver, spleen, and testis by inhibiting tissue damage. The therapeutic effects of LAB were comparatively more pronounced than the protective effects. Full article

Technological defects in the organoleptic characteristics of cheese (odour, colour, texture, and flavour) reduce quality and consumer acceptance. A red colour defect in Cabrales cheese (a traditional, blue-veined, Spanish cheese made from raw milk) occurs infrequently but can have a notable economic impact on family-owned, artisanal cheesemaking businesses. This work reports the culture-based determination of Serratia marcescens as the microbe involved in the appearance of red spots on the surface and nearby inner areas of such cheese. Sequencing and analysis of the genome of one S. marcescens isolate, RO1, revealed a cluster of 16 genes involved in the production of prodigiosin, a tripyrrole red pigment. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of prodigiosin in methanol extracts of S. marcescens RO1 cultures. The same was also observed in extracts from red areas of affected cheeses. The strain showed low survival rates under acidic conditions but was not affected by concentrations of up to 5% NaCl (the usual value for blue cheese). The optimal conditions for prodigiosin production by S. marscescens RO1 on agar plates were 32 °C and aerobic conditions. Prodigiosin has been reported to possess antimicrobial activity, which agrees with the here-observed inhibitory effect of RO1 supernatants on different bacteria, the inhibition of Enterobacteriaceae, and the delayed development of Penicillium roqueforti during cheesemaking. The association between S. marcescens and the red colour defect was strengthened by recreating the fault in experimental cheeses inoculated with RO1. The data gathered in this study point towards the starting milk as the origin of this bacterium in cheese. These findings should help in the development of strategies that minimize the incidence of pigmenting S. marcescens in milk, the red defect the bacterium causes in cheese, and its associated economic losses. Full article

Udder health of dairy cows is related to their productivity and welfare. The period from dry-off to calving and early lactation is crucial. Ultrasonography is a useful and practical tool for the examination of the mammary parenchyma and blood flow. This observational study investigated the relationship between udder echotexture features, blood flow volume (BFVol) in the milk vein, milk somatic cell count (SCC) and daily milk yield (DMY) from late lactation, throughout the dry period and consecutive early lactation. Seventeen repeated measurements were performed on twenty-one Holstein cows. The udder parenchyma was examined with B-mode ultrasonography. Udder echotexture was studied using 15 features: Numerical Pixel Value (NPV), Pixel Standard Deviation (PSD), Skewness, Excess, Contrast, Homogeneity, Correlation, Entropy, Run Percentage, Long-Run Emphasis, Grey Value Distribution, Runlength Distribution, Gradient Mean Value, Gradient Variance and Percentage of Non-zero Gradients. Blood flow in the milk vein was examined with spectral Doppler. Linear mixed-effects models were employed to investigate relationships between BFVol, udder echotexture features, SCC and DMY throughout the study period. Our models showed that a 1 kg increase in DMY was associated with a significant increase of 0.25 L/min in the expected BFVol and that a 1,000,000-cells/mL increase in SCC was associated with a significant BFVol decrease of 0.49 L/min, keeping all other variables constant. Multivariable models showed significant associations between DMY and NPV, between PSD and Long-Run Emphasis, and between SCC and NPV, PSD, Gradient Mean Value, Homogeneity, Gradient Variance and Entropy. In conclusion, udder echotexture and BFVol in the milk vein are related to SCC and milk yield. Ultrasonography can be used for the comprehensive assessment of udder health in support of precision dairy farming. Full article

Blue-veined cheeses in general undergo a pronounced lipolysis. The aim of this work was to determine the evolution of free fatty acids (FFA) in Valdeón cheese during ripening, comparing cheeses made from raw and pasteurized milk. The effect of season on the evolution of FFA in pasteurized milk cheeses was also studied. Cheeses made with raw milk showed the highest concentrations of FFA, reaching values of 23,081.9 mg 100 g⁻¹ dry matter at the end of ripening, compared to the values of cheeses made with pasteurized milk (7327.1 mg 100 g⁻¹ dry matter), in both cases with a predominance of oleic and palmitic acids. However, pasteurization did not affect the FFA profile of the cheeses. Regarding the cheeses made with pasteurized milk in different seasons, the highest FFA concentration was reached in cheeses made in summer after 30 days of ripening. The season also influenced the FFA profile and thus the concentration of short-, medium- and long-chain fatty acids in relation to total FFA. There were no significant differences in sensory analysis between cheeses made from raw and pasteurized milk. Full article