Search Results (692)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus (H5N1 HPAIV) has long circulated in wild waterfowl and poultry and continues to cross species barriers, posing sustained threats to livestock productivity and public health. The 2024 outbreak of H5N1 HPAIV in dairy cattle across multiple U.S. states represents the first recognized large-scale transmission event of this virus in ruminants, reshaping our understanding of its host range and transmission ecology. This review summarizes recent advances in the epidemiology, virological characteristics, transmission, pathogenesis, surveillance, and control of dairy cattle-associated H5N1. The initial multistate outbreak was dominated by clade 2.3.4.4b genotype B3.13, whereas subsequent independent introductions of genotype D1.1 demonstrated that repeated avian-to-cattle spillover also contributes to the evolving outbreak ecology. A defining feature is efficient replication in bovine mammary epithelial cells, resulting in high viral titers in milk, supporting milk-associated exposure and milking-related contamination as plausible components of transmission, although the relative contribution of different routes remains unresolved. Infected cattle typically show reduced feed intake, a marked decline in milk production, abnormal milk, and mild systemic signs, whereas severe respiratory disease and mortality are uncommon. Mutations such as PB2-M631L, PA-K497R, and changes in NP and NS1 may promote replication and immune evasion in bovine cells, while genotype-specific PB2 adaptations highlight the potential for further mammalian adaptation. Human infections reported to date have been predominantly mild and associated with occupational exposure, with no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. Experimental vaccine studies have begun to demonstrate immunogenicity in cattle, although protection against mammary infection, viral shedding, and transmission remains to be established. Future priorities include clarifying mammary tropism and transmission dynamics, while strengthening diagnostics, farm biosecurity, vaccination, evaluating cattle vaccination strategies, and integrated One Health surveillance. Full article

Climate change has intensified heat stress in poultry production systems, raising concerns about productivity, animal welfare, and system sustainability. This study aimed to analyze the evolution, structure, and emerging trends of scientific research on climate change and heat stress in industrial poultry production using a bibliometric approach. Records were retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection databases. After deduplication and eligibility screening, 342 documents published between 1974 and 2025 were retained. Bibliometric analyses were performed using Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny in RStudio, including publication dynamics, international collaboration, author co-citation, conceptual structure, thematic evolution, trend topics, and keyword co-occurrence. Scientific production increased markedly in recent years, with an annual growth rate of 8.36% and international co-authorship in 22.51% of the publications. China and the United States were the leading contributors. At the same time, the international research structure showed interconnected collaboration networks and complementary intellectual communities focused on physiological and neuroimmune responses, cellular and oxidative mechanisms, and nutritional and management-based mitigation. Heat stress was the main conceptual hub, connecting thermoregulation, oxidative stress, immunity, welfare, productive performance, and product quality. Heat tolerance, thermotolerance, chronic heat stress, and genetic adaptation showed recent or developing bibliometric visibility, although their structural and temporal patterns differed across analyses. However, heat waves, long-term resilience, validation under commercial conditions, climate-vulnerable regions, environmental engineering, and digital monitoring exhibited lower bibliometric representation and network centrality within the analyzed corpus. Future research should combine nutritional, physiological, genetic, environmental, and precision-monitoring approaches to support economically viable and climate-resilient poultry production. Full article

Nitrogen (N) sources affect forage production, soil N dynamics, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study evaluated short-term effects of contrasting N sources on forage responses, soil health indicators, and GHG emissions in a cool-season oat (Avena sativa L.) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) system. Treatments were T1 (grass only), T2 (grass + N), T3 (grass + legume), T4 (grass + poultry litter), and T5 (grass + cattle dung). Crude protein was greater in T3 than in T4 (18% versus 13%; p = 0.02). In May, T3 had the greatest microbial C:N ratio (60.6) and soil inorganic N (45.5 mg N kg⁻¹; p < 0.01). Potentially mineralizable N was greater in T3 than in T1, T2 and T4 (3.96 versus ≤ 2.71 mg NH₄-N kg⁻¹ day⁻¹; p < 0.01). Mean daily CH₄ fluxes were greater (p < 0.01) under T5 (1106 g CH₄-C ha⁻¹ day⁻¹) than under T1 and T3 (≤−3.59 g CH₄-C ha⁻¹ day⁻¹). Mean daily CO₂ fluxes were lower in T3 and T4 than in T1, T2, and T5. There were no effects on N₂O emissions. Legume integration enhanced short-term N cycling and forage nutritive value, without N₂O emissions, over a 60-day experiment. Full article

Background: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses a critical global threat to both the poultry industry and public health. Although Morocco currently maintains HPAI-free status, the country faces substantial risk due to its location along major migratory flyways and its extensive commercial trade networks within the poultry sector. Available data indicate that the links between live bird markets, production farms, and related facilities in the poultry sector constitute a pivotal determinant of disease epidemiology. This study aimed to analyze these movements and determine how they can influence the spread of the disease and to guide policymakers in developing effective risk-based surveillance and control strategies tailored to the local context.: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was conducted across the Casablanca-Settat region, including nine provinces and 138 municipalities, to investigate the movement patterns within the poultry sector in this region. Social network analysis (SNA) was employed to construct a movement network, and findings were spatially visualized using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and analyzed through network analysis in R.: A total of 945 transport routes were recorded in 126 municipalities. Centrality measures identified three predominant network nodes exhibiting high degree and betweenness centrality values. Our findings indicate that although the network has a low density, the transmission of IAHP remains critical due to frequent bidirectional links and a heterogeneous network structure. The high concentration of movements by a few “hub” municipalities leads to an early emergence and rapid dissemination.: The identification of highly influential nodes allows veterinary authorities to prioritize and target surveillance activities toward municipalities with the greatest likelihood of disease introduction or persistence. The network’s structural connectivity suggests a theoretical potential for rapid HPAI spread, underscoring the importance of the frequent bidirectional links identified between municipalities. This protects both Morocco’s poultry industry and public health. Full article

Sustainable poultry nutrition is increasingly challenged by feed variability, environmental constraints, resource competition, and the growing demand for precision feeding strategies. Conventional feed evaluation systems based on proximate analysis, static nutrient tables, and empirical formulation are often insufficient to predict the biological and functional value of modern sustainable feed resources. This critical integrative review examines emerging approaches for evaluating and optimizing sustainable feeds in poultry nutrition through the integration of advanced analytical technologies, biological validation systems, omics sciences, and artificial intelligence (AI). This review was developed as a structured narrative review following a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-inspired workflow and organized around an integrated AI–omics–feed evaluation framework. Recent advances in spectroscopy-based analytical techniques, in vitro digestibility systems, microbiomics, metabolomics, nutrigenomics, machine learning, and predictive modeling are discussed in relation to feed characterization, nutrient utilization, host–microbiota interactions, and precision nutrition, with emphasis on the transition from static compositional assessment toward dynamic, system-oriented feed evaluation. Explainability, biological validation, and generalizability of AI-based models across heterogeneous production systems are highlighted as key challenges for practical implementation, alongside emerging frontiers in AI-driven nutritional decision-support. Integrating analytical, biological, molecular, and computational approaches may support adaptive precision nutrition systems capable of improving nutrient efficiency, reducing environmental emissions, and optimizing sustainable poultry production. Full article

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a highly toxic mycotoxin which can be carried over into animal products and cause deterioration of livestock productivity when fed to livestock and wildlife. This review proposes a biomarker-guided framework for improving the early assessment of AFB1 exposure and toxicological responses in animal models. Oral exposure leads to the absorption of AFB1, which is bioactivated in the liver to the reactive AFB1-exo-8,9-epoxide that causes DNA and protein adduct formation, inflammation, mitochondrial apoptosis, and other effects. Cytochrome P450 activation and glutathione-dependent detoxification are in balance in determining susceptibility species, and this balance is different for poultry, pigs, ruminants, and rodents. In addition to traditional liver enzymes and histopathology, we highlight mechanistically informative biomarkers such as metabolites of aflatoxin, DNA and albumin adduct, lipid peroxidation products, antioxidant indices, cytokines, apoptotic markers, as well as signals involved in the Nrf2/NFκB pathway. AFB1 also damages the integrity of the intestinal barrier, the maintenance of the intestinal gut microbiota, reproductive function, growth performance, and development, thus creating a gut–liver-systemic toxic cascade. Finally, an assessment of stage-targeted interventions such as aluminosilicate binders, adsorbents derived from yeast, probiotics and nano-enabled interventions is conducted as viable tools for the reduction in exposure and injury. This review offers targeted mitigation strategies for early diagnosis of aflatoxicosis in animal production systems based on a biomarker approach. Full article

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) induces avian colibacillosis and brings huge economic losses to global poultry production. The small alarmone (p)ppGpp mediates the bacterial stringent response, a vital pathway modulating microbial stress adaptation and pathogenic capacity. The functions of the (p)ppGpp synthase gene relA in APEC pathogenesis remain poorly characterized. In this study, we constructed a relA deletion mutant (ΔrelA) and its complemented strain (CΔrelA). The phenotypic and pathogenic characteristics of these strains were investigated. The results showed that deletion of relA did not significantly affect bacterial growth or motility. However, the ΔrelA strain showed increased susceptibility to aminoglycoside antibiotics. Furthermore, the enhanced interbacterial competition of the mutant was associated with the upregulation of core genes in the type VI secretion system (T6SS). Importantly, relA was essential for APEC adhesion to and invasion of avian DF-1 cells, as well as for colonization and virulence in ducklings, where ΔrelA exhibited significantly attenuated infectivity and reduced bacterial loads in the liver and spleen. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis revealed that RelA deletion downregulated genes involved in integral components of the membrane, and further assays confirmed compromised membrane integrity in the mutant strain. These findings suggest that RelA maintains membrane integrity, which underpins its contributions to antibiotic resistance and virulence. These findings indicate that relA plays a key role in APEC virulence, antibiotic resistance, and membrane homeostasis, and could provide a theoretical basis for targeting the stringent response as a potential strategy to control avian colibacillosis. Full article

Irisin is a myokine derived from fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5) and is involved in energy metabolism, muscle development, and oxidative regulation. Although irisin has been extensively studied in mammals, its potential application in poultry production remains unclear. Enhancing growth performance and physiological resilience is critical for male white-feathered broiler chickens under intensive production systems. This study investigated the effects of dietary irisin supplementation on growth performance and physiological responses in male white-feathered broiler chickens. A total of 180 broilers were randomly allocated to three treatments, with six replicate pens of ten birds per treatment: basal diet and basal diet supplemented with 5 and 10 mg/kg irisin for 42 days. At 42 days, one bird from each replicate pen was sampled for carcass, meat-quality, serum, immune, and microbiota analyses. Dietary irisin supplementation significantly increased final body weight and average daily gain compared with the control group. Feed conversion ratio decreased from 1.51 in the control group to 1.46 in the 5 and 10 mg/kg groups. Carcass evaluation showed higher slaughter yield and breast muscle yield in irisin-supplemented birds, and cooking loss was significantly reduced in both breast and thigh muscles. Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was elevated in irisin-treated groups. In addition, immunoglobulin Y (IgY) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations were significantly increased. No significant treatment effects were observed for total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), or immune organ indices (thymus, spleen and bursa of Fabricius). Gut microbiota analysis showed numerical differences in the relative abundance of several major bacterial taxa among treatments. In conclusion, dietary irisin supplementation was associated with improved growth performance and selected carcass, meat-quality, antioxidant, immunoglobulin, and cecal microbiota outcomes in male white-feathered broiler chickens, supporting further investigation of its potential as a functional feed additive in poultry nutrition. Full article

Smallholder and family farms in the Western Balkans face intertwined production, market, institutional, human resources and financial risks. This systematic review maps agricultural-risk evidence across seven Western Balkan countries and five enterprise types: crops, livestock, poultry, beekeeping and mixed systems. Following PRISMA 2020, SciSpace was used as a discovery interface for Scopus-indexed literature and was complemented by regional literature compilation, citation tracking and manual verification. From 189 records identified before deduplication, 68 studies published between 2000 and 2025 met the eligibility criteria. Studies were coded by country, enterprise type, risk category and method, and synthesised through a 5 × 5 evidence-gap matrix and complementary risk-overlap analysis. Evidence is concentrated in production risk for crops and livestock, market risk in beekeeping and institutional risk in mixed systems. The main gaps concern human resources risk in crops and poultry and financial risk in poultry. Although 22 studies address multiple risks, only six cover all five major farm risks, mostly descriptively rather than through interaction modelling. The review is limited by uneven regional source visibility and judgement-based evidence coding. The findings support portfolio-based risk management for sustainable rural development rather than isolated hazard responses. The review was not prospectively registered. Full article

Food and beverage contamination by microbial and chemical hazards during product processing and handling has significant risks to quality, public health, and regulatory compliance. Cleaning and sanitation practices are essential components of food safety management systems, with their effectiveness dependent on factors such as product characteristics, residue composition, surface properties, biofilm formation, and environmental conditions during production and processing. A comprehensive analysis of cleaning agents and sanitizers, including alkaline, acidic, enzymatic, surfactants, and oxidizing compounds, as well as emerging and sustainable approaches (e.g., organic acid-based formulations, bio-based surfactants, electrolyzed water, and ozone), and their roles during the processing and handling of products, is key to minimizing risks but also to creating resilience in the entire food chain. This review highlights the importance of understanding food-soil composition when selecting appropriate cleaning solutions and methods, particularly for removing carbohydrate-, protein-, fat-, and mineral-based residues, as well as biofilms from food-contact surfaces. Sector-specific challenges, such as biofilm persistence in seafood processing, fouling in dairy operations, moisture control in low-moisture food facilities, and microbial contamination in fresh produce, meat, poultry, cereal grain, and beverage processing, are also discussed. The overall goal is to support researchers, food industry professionals, and regulatory stakeholders in selecting and optimizing cleaning and sanitizing protocols that ensure food safety and regulatory compliance across diverse food industries. Full article

Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are commensal bacteria of poultry but also important opportunistic pathogens and key indicators for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance within a One Health framework. However, data on the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance of enterococci in breeding hens remain limited despite their critical role in the poultry production pyramid. This study evaluated the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance profiles, and resistance genes of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium isolated from two commercial breeding hen farms in eastern Spain. A total of 330 isolates were obtained from different production stages and sample types. Species identification was performed by multiplex PCR, antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using disk diffusion according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines, and resistance genes (erm and tet) were detected by PCR. A significant age-related shift from E. faecalis in early production stages to E. faecium in adult hens was observed. High resistance rates were detected for tetracycline (up to 95.2%) and erythromycin, whereas resistance to critically important antimicrobials such as vancomycin, aminoglycosides, and ampicillin was rare or absent. Significant differences between farms were identified in both antimicrobial resistance levels and the prevalence of multidrug resistance. The most prevalent resistance genes were ermB, tetL, and tetM, frequently co-occurring. This study shows that breeding hens constitute a relevant reservoir of AMR within poultry production systems. Species dynamics and resistance patterns appear to be influenced by age and farm-related factors. These findings underscore the need for continuous AMR surveillance integrating phenotypic and genotypic approaches from a One Health perspective. Full article

The global poultry industry faces a critical ethical and bioeconomic challenge regarding the annual culling of 6–7 billion day-old male layer chicks, which lack commercial value for mass meat production. This study critically evaluates European and global regulatory frameworks alongside the practical, economic, and ethical viability of alternative management strategies. While legislative bans in nations like Germany and France push for in ovo sexing technologies, and several systems are already operational across Europe, these methods currently impose substantial financial burdens and operational constraints that hinder their global commercial implementation. Alternative approaches, including rearing light-type cockerels or caponisation, frequently face significant sustainability challenges due to poor feed conversion ratios, prolonged production cycles, and inherent animal welfare concerns. Consequently, the immediate, worldwide integration of these technological alternatives remains challenging. This paper offers a pragmatic, bioeconomically stable recommendation: while in ovo systems continue to expand towards genuine high-throughput global viability, a sustainable approach—manual post-hatch sorting followed by immediate culling using methods permitted under current animal welfare legislation—may represent a transitional management option in jurisdictions where commercially viable in ovo sexing technologies are not yet available. Managed strictly as Category 3 animal by-products under Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009, the resulting material could potentially be directed to biogas plants to recover renewable energy. When implemented in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009, such an approach may provide a legally compliant pathway for recovering renewable energy while remaining consistent with current veterinary and environmental regulations. Full article

Poultry nutrition simultaneously affects animal health, productive efficiency, product quality and the environmental burdens associated with feed production and manure management. Nutritional interventions may generate synergies among these outcomes, but they can also shift costs or environmental impacts across biological and supply-chain boundaries. This review critically evaluates low-protein diets, functional additives, feed enzymes, alternative protein sources, precision-feeding technologies and nutritional approaches to manure-emission mitigation. The evidence indicates that improved intestinal function and nutrient retention can reduce feed requirements and nutrient excretion, whereas excessive protein restriction, unstable additive responses, limited alternative-ingredient supply and poorly validated digital systems may compromise performance, product quality or economic feasibility. Environmental benefits are also sensitive to ingredient origin, processing, transport, crystalline amino acid and additive manufacture, coproduct allocation and life cycle assessment assumptions. To integrate these considerations, we propose a four-level conceptual decision framework comprising physiological adequacy, precision nutrient supply, constraint-specific functional intervention and whole-chain verification. The framework treats health, productive performance, product quality, economic feasibility and environmental impact as simultaneous decision criteria, while genotype, production stage, disease pressure, climate, ingredient availability and market objectives define the conditions of application. Standardized life cycle assessment and commercial validation are required to distinguish reproducible net benefits from improvements confined to individual indicators. This approach provides a structured basis for selecting poultry nutritional strategies that remain biologically effective, economically accessible and environmentally beneficial under practical production conditions. Full article

The present study examined the supplementation of Spirulina platensis (SP) in various ratios in the basal diet of laying hens targeting the determination of the optimum amount that is required for the improvement of egg quality parameters and oxidative stress. A total of 300 24-week-old Lohmann Brown laying hens were selected and kept at a commercial farm (Vasileios Kompoulis Ltd. farm, Megara, Attiki, Greece). The employed farm was supplied with 25 similar cages. The control group was fed the basal diet, whereas the experimental feedstuff was fortified with SP by 0.1, 0.2, 2 and 5% w/w. At the end of the trial the addition by 5% w/w improved the egg weight, the yolk color, carotenoids, protein content and enhanced the eggshell strength. Additionally, the specific treatment improved the oxidative stress of the employed laying hens by recording the lowest values in TBARS and CARBs content. On the contrary the fortification with 5% w/w enhanced TAC, GSH and CAT activity. Overall, SP addition forms an intriguing approach for the improvement of the performance, physiology, and health of laying hens, with a parallel contribution to the development of more sustainable and viable feed ingredients for poultry production systems. Full article

Background: Broiler production systems in Africa and the European Union (EU) differ substantially in terms of housing design, environmental control, welfare outcomes, and regulatory oversight. Understanding these differences is essential for identifying region-appropriate strategies for sustainable poultry production. Objectives: This review aimed to compare broiler housing systems, welfare outcomes, environmental management, and regulatory frameworks in Africa and the EU. Methods: This review followed some aspects of the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Searches were conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and CAB Abstracts from January 2023 to January 2025. The grey literature from the FAO, EU institutions, and NGOs was also screened. Eligible studies examined broiler housing systems, welfare indicators, environmental control, or regulatory frameworks in African or EU contexts. Two reviewers independently screened records, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using the SYRCLE tool. No meta-analysis was performed due to heterogeneity; results were synthesized narratively. Results: The search identified 86 records; 83 remained after duplicate removal. After screening, 45 studies met the inclusion criteria. EU systems were characterized by climate-controlled indoor housing, strict welfare regulations, and integrated supply chains. African systems ranged from intensive open-sided houses to semi-intensive and backyard systems, with major constraints including heat stress, limited access to veterinary care, and high feed costs. These systems also differ markedly across African regions, reflecting variation in infrastructure, market integration, and climatic conditions. Risk of bias was moderate across most studies. The certainty of the evidence was low to moderate due to heterogeneity in study designs and reporting. Limitations: Heterogeneous study designs prevented quantitative synthesis. Reporting quality varied, and few African studies provided detailed welfare metrics. Conclusions: Broiler production systems in Africa and the EU reflect distinct climatic, economic, and institutional contexts. Sustainable improvements require region-specific strategies rather than universal housing models. In this review, region-specific strategies refer to climate-adaptive housing designs, modular environmental control technologies, and management approaches aligned with local infrastructure, market structures, and resource availability. Full article