Search Results (171)

Weaning is one of the most stressful stages in pig production, especially for Iberian piglets, which grow more slowly than other cosmopolitan breeds and therefore, have a lower weaning weight when raised in intensive systems. Stress at weaning, caused by separation from the sow, dietary change, and regrouping with unfamiliar piglets, can negatively impact welfare, immune function, and performance. Pre-weaning socialization, which allows piglets from different litters to interact before weaning, has been proposed as a strategy to reduce aggression and facilitate the adaptation to the post-weaning period. However, its physiological effects in Iberian pigs remain largely unknown. In this study, 8 Iberian sows and their litters were assigned to either a control group (CTRL) or a socialization group (SOC) where litters were mingled (socialized) two weeks before weaning. Salivary and serum biomarkers of stress, inflammation, immunity and metabolism were measured at weaning (pwD0) and 7 days post-weaning (pwD7), and growth performance was recorded until 60 days of age. Socialized piglets showed reduced salivary Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) activity at pwD0 and pwD7 and lower salivary chromogranin A (CgA) and serum Haptoglobin (Hp) levels at pwD7. In contrast, they presented higher concentrations in serum of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol, glucose, and urea at pwD7 compared to controls. Attending to the sex effect, Butyryl-cholinesterase (BChE) serum concentration was higher in males and urea, and creatinine were higher in females. Growth rates were higher in socialized piglets in the first two weeks post-weaning but lower thereafter. These findings may suggest that pre-weaning socialization could reduce the stress associated with early post-weaning in Iberian piglets, thus potentially improving welfare and adaptation during this period. Full article

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of crude protein (CP) levels and antibiotics in feed on the growth performance, body composition, nutrient digestion and absorption, gut health, and microbiota of weaned piglets. A total of 100 piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, weaned at day 21) with an initial weight of 6.39 ± 0.03 kg were randomly assigned to four treatments and fed with 18% CP antibiotic-free diets, 18% CP with antibiotics diets, 24% CP antibiotic-free diets, and 24% CP with antibiotics diets for 0–14 d (S1). Furthermore, the piglets were fed with an identical diet (19% CP and without antibiotics) starting day 15 until they reached 25 kg (S2). Results indicated that the average daily gain (ADG) and gain feed ratio (G:F) during the S1 phase as well as BW at day 14, were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the 18% CP group compared with the 24% CP group. Similarly, piglets in the 18% CP group showed a significantly decreased body protein content and body water, protein deposition rates at the S1 phase, and significantly improved the body lipid content and deposition rate but not (p > 0.05) at the S2 phase. The 18% CP group demonstrated significantly increased (p < 0.05) serum concentrations of Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, and Lysine in weaned piglets during the S1 phase, while Glycine concentration significantly decreased, and no significant (p > 0.05) effects were observed in the S2 phase. Furthermore, dietary antibiotic supplementation had no effect on (p > 0.05) piglet growth performance, body composition, nutrient digestion, and metabolism throughout the entire trial period. In the absence of antibiotics, compared to the 24% CP diet group, the piglets fed with an 18% CP diet significantly increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus in the colon of weaned piglets upon reaching 25 kg BW (p < 0.05). Compared to the diet without added antibiotics, the addition of antibiotics to the diet significantly decreased the relative abundance of Pseudoramibacter in the colon of weaned piglets on day 14. No significant (p > 0.05) difference was observed in intestinal morphology or gastrointestinal pH among the groups. In conclusion, lower dietary protein levels in the early post-weaning period reduced growth performance and promoted gut microbiota balance, and compensatory growth occurred after returning to higher protein levels two weeks after weaning. Full article

Neonatal and weaning periods are the most challenging phases for enteric infections in dairy calves. While different approaches are used to minimize calf health issues, the neonatal diet remains the core approach to enhance pre- and post-weaning animal health and performance. This pilot study aimed to evaluate blood biomarkers of inflammation and fecal metabolites in calves supplemented with oligosaccharide mixture (OS) during the preweaning stage. Sixteen newborn Holstein dairy calves (eight females and eight males) were randomly assigned into two groups: control with no supplementation, or treatment with 50 g/day of OS added to the pasteurized waste milk feeding. Both control and OS-treated calves were fed pasteurized waste milk during the preweaning period and weaned at seven weeks of age. Blood and fecal samples were collected weekly. Fecal fatty acid metabolites were downregulated in treated calves compared to control calves (p ≤ 0.05). Markers of inflammation (i.e., haptoglobin) or liver response (i.e., albumin, paraoxonase) did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). Overall, these findings suggest that dietary intervention with oligosaccharides can affect host metabolic pathways. Full article

Brachyspira hyodysenteriae is the primary cause of swine dysentery, characterized by bloody to mucoid diarrhea due to mucohaemorhagic colitis in pigs. The disease primarily affects pigs during the growth and finishing stage. The control and prevention of B. hyodysenteriae consists of the administration of antimicrobial drugs, in addition to management and adapted feeding strategies. A worldwide re-emergence of the disease has recently been reported with an increasing number of isolates demonstrating decreased susceptibility to several crucially important antimicrobials in the control of swine dysentery. This compromises the possibilities to eradicate B. hyodysenteriae from infected pig farms. A novel non-antibiotic zinc chelate has been reported to demonstrate positive effects on fecal quality and consistency, general clinical signs, average daily weight gain, and B. hyodysenteriae excretion during and after a 6-day oral treatment. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the zinc chelate (IntraDysovinol^® 499 mg/mL; IntraCare) within an eradication schedule with naturally occurring swine dysentery due to B. hyodysenteriae resistant to pleuromutilins under field conditions in Belgium. We evaluated a 14-day treatment schedule combined with alternative management measures (including partial depopulation of post-weaning facilities and improved external and internal biosecurity measures) and thorough cleaning and disinfection (including 2% NaOH) of the buildings and the sows from day 7 of treatment onwards. This alternative approach for B. hyodysenteriae eradication was evaluated on 18 pig farms over a 5-year period. All enrolled eradication programs were evaluated as successful at least 6–9 months after the finalization of the protocol. In conclusion, the zinc chelate product has an excellent potential for application within an eradication protocol of B. hyodysenteriae that are diagnosed as resistant to pleuromutilins. The combined approach of zinc chelate treatment and alternative management measures is demonstrated to be successful in the eradication of farrow-to-wean, farrow-to-finish, and finishing pig farms under field conditions in Belgium. Full article

Background/Objectives: Robotic-assisted simple prostatectomy (RASP) is an increasingly popular surgical approach for prostate enucleation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of perioperative and delayed complications following RASP and the medium- to long-term urinary function outcomes. Methods: This is a multi-centre retrospective chart analysis of patients who underwent RASP between October 2016 and October 2022. Surgery was performed using a transvesical approach with a DaVinci Xi system. Patients were reviewed pre- and postoperatively at six weeks and annually thereafter. Patient characteristics, perioperative outcomes, pre- and postoperative uroflowmetry and post-void residual (PVR) measurement were assessed. Results: A total of 50 patients with mean preoperative prostate volume of 180.3 ± 48.1 underwent RASP. The mean operative time was 140.7 ± 28.7 min and hospital length of stay was 5.2 ± 2.9 days. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 247.4 ± 153.7 mL and no patients required transfusion. The mean follow-up period was 37.2 ± 18.3 months. No patients developed stress urinary incontinence. Two patients developed delayed bladder neck contracture at 44 and 63 months. There was a significant improvement in peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) (preop Qmax 10.7 mL/s vs. postop Qmax 24.2 mL/s, p < 0.05) and PVR (preop PVR 366.5 mL vs. postop PVR 42.2 mL, p < 0.05). All patients were weaned off medical therapy for benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) and no patients had recurrent lower urinary tract symptoms requiring re-operation. Conclusions: RASP is a safe and effective enucleation technique for large prostates >100 mL with excellent long-term durability of urinary function outcomes beyond 36 months. Full article

Weaning represents a major developmental milestone for foals, especially when 4- to 7-month-old foals are abruptly separated from their dams. Studies have shown that the post-weaning period is associated with physiological and psychological stress, which may affect immune function. The present study aimed to describe and analyze the pattern of blood inflammatory biomarkers related to the innate immune system. A gradual foal–dam separation procedure was chosen, which included post-weaning social buffering by a familiar adult horse. Twelve Thoroughbred foals (six fillies, six colts) aged 4–6 months were enrolled and divided into a colt and a filly group, and after weaning, were kept as such. Blood samples were collected before and up to 7 days after weaning. Serum cortisol and cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ) were quantified using equine-specific ELISA kits. Routine descriptive statistics were used to present the data, and inferences were drawn using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results showed significant differences in the concentrations of IL-10 (p < 0.001), IFN-γ (p < 0.01), and TNF-α (p < 0.01) on various days post-weaning. An apparent significant sex effect was not shown, but IL-10 peaked on day 3 in fillies. IFN-γ decreased significantly by day 5 in both sexes. Conversely, TNF-α levels increased significantly by day 5. No significant changes were observed for cortisol. Full article

Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) supplementation has been explored as a nutritional strategy to mitigate the negative effects of protein restriction. This study aims to evaluate the effects of supplementing a low-protein diet with AKG on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, and fecal nutrient digestibility in weaned piglets. A total of 60 weaned piglets (initial body weight: 7.53 kg; age: 28 days old) were randomly distributed into three dietary treatments with five replicates per group, for a 42-day experimental period. The treatments consisted of a control diet (CT), a low-protein diet (LP), and a low-protein diet supplemented with 1000 g/t AKG (AKG). Fecal samples were collected on days 40–42 to determine the apparent digestibility of nutrients. The results showed that the feed conversion rate (FCR) in LP-group piglets were significantly higher than that of the CT group (p = 0.028), while the crude protein (CP) digestibility was significantly lower in the LP group compared with the CT group (p = 0.038). However, supplementing the low-protein diet with 1000 g/t AKG effectively mitigated these negative effects. Pigs in the AKG group had reduced incidence of diarrhea between days 1 and 14 compared to CT group (p = 0.041). These findings suggest that incorporating 1000 g/t AKG into low-protein diets may reduce post-weaning diarrhea and improve growth performance of piglets. Full article

Post-weaning diarrhea caused by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major disease in piglets and leads to substantial economic losses in the swine industry. Compared to conventional lysozyme, yak stomach lysozyme (YSL) demonstrates distinctive resistance to pepsin, trypsin, high temperature, and acidic conditions. This study investigated the effects of dietary YSL supplementation on intestinal health in weaned piglets challenged with ETEC, utilizing metabolomics and proteomics. A total of 18 weaned piglets were randomly divided into three groups: control (C), diarrhea (D), and YSL treatment (YLT). Groups C and D were fed a basal diet, while the YLT group received the basal diet supplemented with YSL at a dosage of 100,000 U/kg following ETEC challenge. Following an acclimation period, piglets in groups D and YLT were orally challenged with ETEC, while group C received the same volume of sterile LB broth. The feeding trial lasted for 21 days before sample collection. The results demonstrated that dietary supplementation with YSL significantly reduced the diarrhea rate (p < 0.05). Compared with the D group, the YLT group exhibited significantly increased serum albumin levels (p < 0.05), along with a tendency toward greater villus height (p = 0.085) and higher serum glucose levels (p = 0.052), indicating an improvement in nutritional and metabolic status Metabolomic analysis identified 260 differentially abundant metabolites between the YLT and D groups (81 upregulated, 179 downregulated), which were predominantly enriched in pathways related to amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism, purine metabolism, and nucleic acid metabolism. Proteomic profiling revealed 571 differentially expressed proteins (237 upregulated, 334 downregulated). Upregulated proteins were mainly involved in arginine biosynthesis and base excision repair, while downregulated proteins were associated with the PPAR signaling pathway and Salmonella infection. In summary, dietary YSL supplementation alters the metabolic and proteomic profiles in the intestines of diarrheic piglets, potentially improving gut barrier function and nutrient utilization. This study offers novel insights into the potential of YSL as a promising feed additive for prevention of post-weaning diarrhea in pigs. Full article

Background: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary pathogen responsible for postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and related diseases, leading to significant economic losses in the global pig industry. Methods: This study conducted a thorough epidemiological survey between 2022 and 2024, gathering 6600 samples from 24 large-scale pig farms in Hubei Province. On the basis of these findings, the immune response and economic benefits of two representative commercial PCV2 subunit vaccines, recombinant baculovirus CP08 and Ingelvac CircoFLEX^®, were assessed in a modern fattening farm in Xiangyang city. Results: The results indicated no detection of viral antigens in sows; however, weaned piglets and fattening pigs presented high positivity rates, with 8-week-old nursery pigs identified as the peak period for infection. Both vaccines significantly improved average weight gain and reduced antigen positivity, with Ingelvac CircoFLEX^® demonstrating superior viral control and economic returns. Conclusions: This study offers valuable scientific and practical guidance for PCV2 control strategies and vaccine selection in Hubei and comparable regions. Full article

The effects of administering 10 mL of maternal bovine appeasing substance (mBAS) or water (control; CT) at weaning (day 0) before transport on feedlot adaptation and efficiency were evaluated in twenty-two Angus-influenced heifers (n = 11/treatment) over 28 days. Body weight (BW), salivary cortisol, blood for complete blood cell count, rectal temperature, chute score and exit speed were collected on days 0, 14 and 27. Intake, feeding duration, frequency and rate, as well as activity and rumination were monitored daily using automated systems. Average daily gain (ADG) and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) were calculated for each 14-day interval as well as for the entire feeding period. Treated heifers spent less time eating (p ≤ 0.06) on weeks 1 and 2, with greater feeding rate and activity (p < 0.01) in week 1, followed by reduced activity (p ≤ 0.05) in weeks 2, 3 and 4. Rumination was longer (p < 0.05) in weeks 3 and 4, coinciding with greater (p ≤ 0.05) final BW, ADG_0–27, ADG_14–27, and G:F_0–27, G:F_14–27. Lymphocyte and hematocrit were lower (p < 0.05) on days 14 and 27, respectively, and platelets tended to be greater (p = 0.08) than CT for the entire period. Treated heifers achieved numerically greater profit margins than CT. Overall, mBAS enhanced feedlot adaptability post-weaning, improving production efficiency, which may translate into potential profitability; however, this interpretation should be viewed cautiously considering some design limitations. Full article

Pasteurized colostrum has significantly contributed to improving the health and growth of newborn calves by reducing total bacterial count. However, previous research on animal responses to pasteurized colostrum has primarily focused on physiological functioning and production performance, especially during the preweaning period, with limited attention to any postweaning effects from the feeding of pasteurized colostrum at birth. We conducted a comprehensive investigation into the growth, health, blood immunity, and microbiota responses of dairy calves in these two groups from birth to 180 d of age. In this study, a total of 32 healthy female Holstein calves [mean birth weight = 39.8 ± 1.22 kg (mean ± standard deviation)] were selected and divided into two groups (n = 16; fed either pasteurized or unpasteurized colostrum at birth). The results demonstrated that calves fed pasteurized colostrum exhibited enhanced growth performance as indicated by higher body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) compared to those fed unpasteurized colostrum (p < 0.05). Calves fed pasteurized colostrum displayed higher lymphocyte ratio (W-SCR) and platelet distribution width (PDW), along with lower neutrophil ratio (W-LCR) and neutrophil count (W-LCC) (p < 0.05). Additionally, substantial differences were identified in microbial richness and diversity between the pasteurized and unpasteurized colostrum-fed groups (p < 0.05). Distinct microbial communities were observed in the ruminal and fecal regions (p < 0.05), and we detected shared beneficial microbiota (Alloprevotella, Parabacteroides, and unidentified_Prevotellaceae) and metabolic functions (metabolism of energy, amino acids, and glycan) in both gut regions of the pasteurized group. Furthermore, our study revealed intricate and robust interactions among microbiota, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and blood indicators (|r| > 0.5 and p < 0.05). In conclusion, the findings in the present experiment suggest that the positive effects from d 0 pasteurized colostrum feeding may be seen up to d 180, including improved growth performance, health, and blood immunity, and these may be attributed to modifications in microbiota development induced by pasteurized colostrum. Full article

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in early childhood development. Dysbiosis in this community has been linked to risk of disease. The transition from an exclusive milk-based diet to complementary feeding and eventual weaning is crucial for the development and maturation of the gut microbiota. However, the impact of breastfeeding duration during the complementary feeding period (typically 6 to 24 months of age) on microbial development trajectories remains incompletely characterized. Here, we investigated whether prolonged breastfeeding during the complementary feeding window influences gut microbiota succession by comparing children who continued breastfeeding with those who were fully weaned at the same ages. We analyzed 16S rRNA gene sequencing profiles of fecal samples collected from a cohort of Peruvian children at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. Samples were categorized into two groups: a complementary feeding group (BF), which received both complementary foods and breast milk, and a post-weaning group (NBF), which had stopped receiving breast milk for over 7 days. We conducted both alpha and beta diversity to assess within- and between-sample microbial variation. Relative abundances of microbial taxa at the phylum and genus levels were also quantified. The results showed a clear age-related increase in both species richness and species evenness across early childhood, while BF had more gradual changes relative to NBF. Marked differences in community composition were observed between BF and NBF children at 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. Children who continued breastfeeding maintained a Bifidobacterium-rich, lower-diversity microbiota for a longer period, whereas weaned children at the same age exhibited accelerated microbiota development toward an adult-like profile enriched in Bacteroidota and Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes). These findings suggest that breastfeeding during the complementary feeding period exerts a significant influence on gut microbiota development through the first two years of life, which is most likely independent of complementary food. The study provides potential implications for children’s health and nutrition guidelines from a perspective of gut microbiota succession. Full article

This study investigated the association between temperament and retrospective growth rates in 84 Nili Ravi buffalo heifers aged 18 to 24 months. Temperament was assessed using chute score and exit velocity, measured twice at a seven-day interval, and classified as calm (≤3) or nervous (>3). Retrospective average daily weight gain data were retrieved from farm records, and blood samples were collected to measure cortisol levels. ANOVA was used to analyze data, considering temperament, age group, season, and year of birth as fixed effects, with birth weight as a covariate. Results showed that 48 heifers were calm and 36 were nervous. Calm heifers exhibited significantly higher average daily gains than nervous heifers during the post-weaning period, with an increase of 240 g/day from 4 to 6 months and 190 g/day from 6 to 12 months (p < 0.001). However, this difference was not significant at 18–24 months (p = 0.144). Calm heifers have numerically lower cortisol levels (0.96 vs. 1.27 μg/dL; p = 0.11). These findings suggest that calmer heifers grow faster in early life, emphasizing the importance of temperament in breeding programs aimed at improving growth performance and welfare. Full article

The trial explored innovative low-protein diets for weaning piglets, testing the elimination of fish meal and blood derivatives. The trial compared three treatments, each with two post-weaning feeds: control feed with blood plasma and fishmeal; T1: low-protein feed with seven amino acids, fishmeal, and blood plasma; T2: low-protein feed with seven amino acids without fishmeal and blood plasma. The trial tested 180 weaned piglets, 24 days of age, evenly distributed by weight, age, and litter of origin. At the end of the first phase, T1 and T2 recorded a significantly higher average weight, ADG, and FCR compared with the control feed. At the end of the second phase, the T2 group maintained a significantly better weight, ADG, and FCR than the control group. Considering the entire test period (phase 1 and phase 2), the T2 thesis appears to have a significantly higher average weight, ADG, with a lower FCR compared to the control group. The T2 thesis fixed a significantly (p < 0.01) greater quantity of nitrogen compared to the T1 thesis and control feed (T2 58.71% vs. T1 54.13% and control 54.02%). In conclusion, a low-protein diet without raw materials of animal origin proved more efficient in terms of performance and nitrogen retention. Full article

Optimising kid rearing is essential for sustainable dairy goat farming, yet validated parameters and practical benchmark data are lacking. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) for monitoring kid-rearing practices through a participatory approach. Researchers, veterinarians and five dairy goat farms participated developed a prototype set of KPIs covering birth, colostrum management, average daily gain (ADG), and mortality, which were stratified across four rearing phases: perinatal (first 48 h), postnatal (birth to weaning), postweaning (weaning to 12 weeks), and final rearing (12 weeks to mating). The set of KPIs was subsequently tested for its added value but also for its feasibility in practice on the five participating farms as proof of principle. On these farms, data were gathered over a six-month period (June 2020–January 2021), combining routine census data with on-farm records. Only three out of five farms returned complete datasets encompassing data from 715 kids. Results revealed significant variation in rearing outcomes across farms, particularly in birth weights and postweaning growth. Birth weight emerged as a key predictor for ADG, while differences in weaning strategies had the greatest impact on postweaning performance. Although the farmers acknowledged the added value of the developed KPIs, collection of these data during the kidding season was challenging and required further automation to simplify data collection on the farm. This study demonstrates the feasibility and value of individual-level data collection in dairy goat systems and underscores the need for practical tools to support routine monitoring and data-driven management. Full article