Search Results (388)

Genetically modified (GM) forage crops engineered to accumulate elevated levels of lipids offer potential benefits for ruminant nutrition and greenhouse gas mitigation. However, robust and reproducible workflows for producing, harvesting, and preserving GM forage biomass under containment remain a critical bottleneck, particularly where regulatory constraints preclude field-scale evaluation. Here, we describe a controlled-environment workflow for the repeated cultivation, harvesting, and ensiling of GM high-metabolizable-energy (HME) perennial ryegrass and corresponding null controls. Plants were grown under greenhouse containment, subjected to multiple regrowth cycles, and harvested biomass was wilted and ensiled using small-scale laboratory silos. Silage fermentation characteristics, total lipid content, and fatty acid (FA) composition were assessed following short- and long-term storage. Over 16 months, approximately 130 kg dry matter (DM) of each genotype was produced across multiple harvests and ensiling batches. Seasonal variation strongly influenced herbage composition, with water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations 4–5-fold higher in spring–summer than autumn–winter. Following ensiling, HME silage consistently retained elevated FA content compared with null controls (4.85% vs. 2.75% DM) and higher gross energy (18.1 vs. 17.5 MJ kg⁻¹ DM). FA profiling indicated that major FA classes in HME were preserved across storage durations. After 342 days of storage, HME silage maintained 76% higher FA content, 4% greater DM digestibility, and 0.3–0.8 MJ kg⁻¹ DM higher metabolizable energy. Both genotypes exhibited good fermentation quality, with pH consistently below 4.1 and adequate lactic acid production. This study does not evaluate animal performance or methane mitigation outcomes but establishes a practical and reproducible methodology for generating characterized GM silage material under containment suitable for subsequent in vivo studies, addressing a key translational gap between GM forage development and animal-based evaluation. Full article

Small ruminants, such as newborn lambs, rely on timely colostrum intake to acquire passive immunity through the absorption of immunoglobulin (Ig). Evaluating Ig transfer is important for ensuring lamb health and survival. However, current methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radial immunodiffusion (RID) are widely used but remain costly and require specialized facilities. The immunocrit assay has been proposed as a lower-cost alternative for evaluating serum Ig concentrations. This study aimed to evaluate the immunocrit method in lambs by comparing it with ELISA, RID, and total serum protein. Serum was collected from 135 Katahdin-Easycare lambs 24–36 h after birth. Samples were analyzed using sheep immunoglobulin G ELISA, Sheep immunoglobulin G RID, serum protein, and the immunocrit method. Pearson’s correlation was used to assess linear relationships between the methods, and Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate test accuracy, with RID as the gold standard (15 mg/mL cutoff). The immunocrit showed a high correlation with RID (r = 0.870), moderate correlation with serum protein (r = 0.725), and good correlation with ELISA (r = 0.607). The ROC analysis showed that the immunocrit had a sensitivity of 100% at a cutoff of 4.34%. These results indicate that the immunocrit method provides comparable accuracy to RID and serum protein, and could serve as a reliable, practical, and inexpensive tool for on-farm evaluation of passive transfer in Katahdin-Easycare crossbred lambs between 24 and 36 h after birth. Full article

Objective: To understand how emotion regulation may foster well-being through life transitions, one needs to consider situational factors and the specific strategy applied. Research has rarely investigated how emotion regulation relates to coping across diverse life transitions. Addressing this gap in the literature, the present paper investigated whether emotion regulation strategy use predicted distress during three distinct types of life transitions. Methods: A total of 305 men provided sociodemographic information and completed questionnaires assessing distress symptoms and cognitive emotion regulation strategy use monthly for a five-month period. Of the 305 men, 98 were first-time fathers, 34 had just received a cancer diagnosis, 81 were retiring, and 92 were control participants. Results: The results revealed that the prospective associations between emotion regulation strategy use and distress symptoms varied across life transitions. Self-blame was a predictor of increased anxiety in cancer patients (p = 0.012), acceptance was a predictor of increased depression in retirees (p = 0.007), rumination was a predictor of increased anxiety in fathers (p = 0.009), and for the control group, putting into perspective was associated with greater depression (p = 0.043), while catastrophizing were associated with greater anxiety (p = 0.003). Conclusions: The findings tentatively suggest that the adaptiveness of a given strategy varies depending on the specific life transition being experienced. This is consistent with the “person by situation by strategy” model, suggesting that successful emotion regulation is determined by the specific strategy applied, features of the situation, and person’s characteristics. Full article

The valorization of cull sheep and the incorporation of agro-industrial by-products into animal feeding represent effective approaches to enhancing the sustainability of small ruminant production systems. This study investigated the effects of dietary inclusion of 17% partially destoned olive cake (OC) in the concentrate fed to Valle del Belice ewes on carcass characteristics, as well as on meat and salami quality. A 14-week feeding trial was conducted on 124 animals allocated to a control (CTR) and an experimental (EXP) group, balanced for parity, days in milk, and daily milk yield. At the end of the trial, five animals per group were slaughtered and their meat was processed into three types of salami: 100% sheep meat (SM), 90% sheep meat with 10% beef heifer brisket (HB), and 90% sheep meat with 10% pork backfat (PB). Meat and salami were evaluated for chemical composition, fatty acid profile, polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity, lipid oxidation, microbiological status, textural properties, and sensory characteristics. Dietary OC supplementation resulted in increased carcass weight, separable fat, intramuscular fat content, and monounsaturated fatty acids—particularly oleic acid—along with higher polyphenol levels and antioxidant activity. Salami produced from OC-fed ewes exhibited reduced weight loss during ripening, lower lipid oxidation, an improved MUFA/SFA ratio, and satisfactory sensory attributes. Microbiological analyses indicated a dominance of lactic acid bacteria and coagulase-negative staphylococci, with no pathogenic microorganisms detected. Overall, the inclusion of olive cake in the diet enhanced meat and processed product quality, supporting the valorization of olive oil by-products within circular economy frameworks. Full article

Research has demonstrated that incorporating nitrate into animal feed can effectively decrease methane production in ruminants, though its impact on carcass characteristics and meat attributes in Hu sheep requires further investigation. This experiment examined how a dietary inclusion of 3% calcium nitrate (CN) influenced slaughter parameters, meat properties, gut microbial populations, and host gene regulation in Hu sheep. The study involved sixty healthy male Hu sheep aged 120 days with comparable body weights (31.11 ± 3.39 kg), randomly allocated into two groups: a control group receiving standard feed (CON) and a CN-supplemented group. The trial lasted 60 days, including a 15-day adaptation period and a 45-day formal trial period. They were housed individually and fed twice daily (at 8:00 and 18:00). The findings revealed that CN supplementation notably reduced the water loss rate in the longissimus dorsi muscle (LD), elevated meat color brightness, and enhanced the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly n-6 PUFA, along with the n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio. Conversely, it reduced the levels of saturated fatty acids such as myristic acid (C14:0) and oleic acid (C18:1n9t). Additionally, the treatment boosted ruminal Ammoniacal nitrogen content and total short-chain fatty acid production, thereby contributing to energy metabolism in the animals. Microbiological examination demonstrated that CN supplementation led to a decrease in Fibrobacterota and Methanobrevibacter populations within the ruminal environment, while promoting the growth of Proteobacteria in the duodenal region. The gene expression profiling of digestive tract tissues showed an increased activity in nitrogen processing genes (including CA4) and oxidative phosphorylation pathways (such as ATP6), indicating an improved metabolic efficiency and acid–base homeostasis in the host animals. These findings demonstrate that CN-enriched diets enhance the carcass characteristics of Hu sheep by modifying intramuscular lipid profiles through gastrointestinal microbial community restructuring and metabolic pathway adjustments. Such modifications affect energy utilization and acid–base equilibrium, ultimately impacting muscle characteristics and adipose tissue distribution, presenting viable approaches for eco-friendly livestock farming practices. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate different doses of bacterial inoculants and the inclusion of 8% ground corn grain (GCG) on fermentative characteristics, chemical composition, and in situ ruminal degradability of low-DM elephant grass (cv. BRS Capiaçu) silage. The experiment followed a completely randomized design in a 6 × 3 factorial arrangement (six treatments × three fermentation periods). Treatments were a control without additive (CTR); 0.5 or 1 g/ton of Lentilactobacillus buchneri (LBU0.5 and LBU1); 1 or 2 g/ton of a Lactiplantibacillus plantarum + Pediococcus acidilactici inoculant (LPP1 and LPP2); and 8% GCG. After 60 d of fermentation, in situ ruminal degradability was evaluated using rumen-fistulated lactating cows with incubation times from 0 to 240 h. The GCG treatment increased DM, CP, and ether extract concentrations and reduced NDF, ADF, and lignin contents. Additionally, GCG silage exhibited lower pH, butyric acid, and ammonia nitrogen concentrations, along with higher lactic acid levels. No treatment effects were observed for water-soluble carbohydrates or total DM losses. The effective NDF degradability, degradation rate of the slowly degradable fraction, and undigested NDF after 240 h were not affected by treatments. In conclusion, the inclusion of GCG improved the fermentative profile of low-DM elephant grass silage, whereas bacterial inoculants did not significantly enhance the silage quality under the conditions evaluated. Full article

Astroviruses are non-enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses known to infect various mammals and birds, including humans, often causing gastrointestinal disorders. In recent years, astroviruses have also been linked to neurological and respiratory diseases across several species, including ruminants, mink, deer, and other mammals. Notably, astrovirus infections in goats have been documented in countries such as Switzerland and China, where novel genotypes have been identified in fecal samples. However, their role in the context of disease remains unclear, and reports focusing solely on goat astrovirus in the United States have not been published. A necropsy case of a Boer goat kid with a history of diarrhea was submitted for investigation following death in January 2025. Fresh tissues were received and used for histopathology and enteric pathogen testing, including parasitic, bacterial, and viral workups. Metagenomic-based next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was also applied for this case. Histological examination revealed severe necrotizing enterocolitis. The small intestine exhibited epithelial ulcerations, villus atrophy, hyperplastic and dilated crypts with necrotic debris, few intraenterocytic coccidian parasites, and increased inflammatory cells in the lamina propria. The large intestine showed similar findings with pleomorphic crypt enterocytes. Standard enteric pathogen tests were negative except for aerobic culture that identified Escherichia.coli and Enterococcus hirae. mNGS and bioinformatic analysis identified a novel astrovirus in the intestinal content that showed the highest nucleotide identity (86%) to the sheep strain Mamastrovirus 13 sheep/HA3 from China based on BLAST analysis. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the newly identified caprine astrovirus IL90175 clustered with astrovirus strains from small ruminants in Asia and Europe. This research reports the discovery, histopathologic features, and genetic characteristics of a gastrointestinal disease-causing astrovirus in a goat kid, which had not been previously described in the United States. Full article

Gastrointestinal parasites are a major health and economic concern in small ruminants. The classic microscopic approach using the manual McMaster method serves to quantitatively count parasite eggs, which are labor-intensive and prone to variation. Artificial intelligence-based systems (Parasight^®, powered by Fecalsight AI™) could provide quicker and more objective alternatives; therefore, independent validation is necessary before clinical implementation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agreement, classification consistency, and diagnostic performance of Parasight^® relative to the manual McMaster method, with a focus on its suitability as a screening and decision-support tool. Fecal samples from 44 Kiko goats over 3 sampling times were analyzed using both methods, with manual counts performed independently by 2 observers. Agreement between methods was assessed using Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient, Bland–Altman analysis, and Cohen’s Kappa for categorical classification. Diagnostic performance for identifying animals exceeding the clinical treatment threshold (>1000 eggs per gram) was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and regression modeling was used to characterize associations between methods. Manual observers showed high reliability, confirming the suitability of the McMaster method as a reference. Compared with manual counts, Parasight^® consistently underestimated egg counts, resulting in poor-to-moderate absolute agreement; however, it reliably ranked animals by parasite burden and showed excellent discrimination for identifying animals above the treatment threshold (AUC = 0.90–0.96). Regression analyses further demonstrated linear or curvilinear associations depending on egg counts. Overall, the Parasight^® device reliably captured relative parasite burden but required a lower operational threshold to match manual treatment decisions. Full article

Background/Objectives: In the context of increasing consumer demand for high-quality meat, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of 4% fermented goji berry residue supplementation on meat quality and flavor characteristics in finishing Tan sheep. Methods: Thirty-six male lambs were randomly assigned to a control and FGB group and fed for 68 days. Results: FGB supplementation significantly enhanced Longissimus Dorsi (LD) brightness (L*), redness (a*), and crude protein content, while reducing crude fat (p < 0.05). Amino acid analysis revealed significant increases in lysine, methionine, histidine, glycine, proline, arginine, cysteine, and total sweet-tasting amino acids in the FGB group (p < 0.05). Lactate and inosine monophosphate (IMP) levels were significantly elevated, whereas hypoxanthine levels decreased (p < 0.05). Metabolomics identified 189 metabolites, with 12 differentially expressed, mainly enriched in butanoate metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, PI3K-Akt, and HIF-1 signaling pathways. Transcriptomics revealed 382 differentially expressed genes, including key regulators of lipid metabolism (FOXO1, SLC2A4, LPIN1, IGF1, SPP1) and amino acid metabolism (COL3A1, GLUL, PSMC1). Conclusions: Fermented goji residue altered amino acid and lipid metabolism in the LD muscle of Tan sheep, affecting meat quality and flavor traits. However, effects on color (L*, a*, b*), protein content, and shear force varied across the four muscles studied, indicating that responses to supplementation are muscle-specific. These findings offer a sustainable strategy for improving meat quality and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying flavor development in ruminants. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are at increased risk for mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety. Emerging evidence suggests that psychological rather than purely medical factors may play a decisive role in explaining individual differences in emotional adjustment. However, comprehensive models integrating multiple cognitive and emotional domains remain scarce. This study aimed to identify the psychological variables most strongly associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in ACHD when considered simultaneously to inform priorities for psychosocial interventions. Methods: A total of 1136 ACHD (aged 18–85 years; 59.7% female) from the National Register for Congenital Heart Defects, Berlin, completed an online survey assessing depression, anxiety, emotion regulation, illness perceptions, and illness identity. Correlational and multiple regression analyses were conducted, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, CHD severity, and secondary diseases. Significance level for regression models was set at p < 0.025 due to Bonferroni correction. Results: Rumination showed the strongest positive correlations with both depression and anxiety, whereas acceptance was most negatively correlated. In multiple regression analyses, rumination (highest unique variance explanation with semi-partial R² = 0.068 resp. 0.072) and illness engulfment emerged as the most strongly associated predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Illness-related concerns were not significant predictors. Conclusions: The findings highlight the key role of repetitive negative thinking and an engulfed illness identity in the development of emotional distress among ACHD. Psychotherapeutic interventions targeting rumination, fostering psychological distance from illness identity, and promoting a multifaceted self-concept may be particularly beneficial in this population. Full article

Greene and Pruim’s (2023) theory of adult communicative play (TACP) was developed as an effort to address considerations of: (a) pattern and novelty, (b) interpersonal connection, and (c) enjoyment as they pertain to adult conversational activities by recourse to a parsimonious, integrated conceptual framework. Central to their treatment is the notion of quintessential (or “ideal”) play, referring to occasions characterized by: (a) receptivity and absorption in the conversation; (b) comprehension and understanding; (c) connection and mutuality; and (d) a sense of discovery and insight. This conception of “ideal play” is viewed as the endpoint of a continuum along which efforts at play may be understood to be successively less and less mutually enjoyable as one moves away from the “ideal” endpoint. The primary aim here is to further refine and clarify the nature of quintessential play. In particular, “ideal” play is posited to: (1) unfold over multiple, mutual conversational entries, (2) be relatively rare and fleeting, (3) be enacted in pursuit of the enjoyment derived from the communicative event itself, (4) involve mutual, improvisational contributions to the interaction, and (5) be both the product and source of enhanced communication skills. Full article

In this study, eight treatment groups were set up with three replicates in each group to investigate the effects of Bacillus, Lactobacillus, and molasses on the chemical composition and fermentation quality of fermented rice straw. Furthermore, an animal experiment was conducted to determine the nutrition apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation characteristics, and methane emission in Hu sheep. The results showed that the dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) content in the group treated with Bacillus megaterium and Lactobacillus acidophilus (BMLB) was significantly higher than that in the group with no additive (CK) (p < 0.05). Compared with the CK group, all treatments with single or composite addition of Bacillus significantly reduced the content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (p < 0.05). The content of acetate, propionate, and NH₃-N in the BMLB group were significantly lower than those in the CK group (p < 0.05). In addition, the Hu sheep in the BMLB group showed a significant reduction in daily methane emission per unit of metabolic body weight. In conclusion, the BMLB treatment significantly improved the nutritional value, fermentation quality, ruminal fermentation, and methane emission of rice straw haylage in Hu sheep. Full article

This study aims to investigate the effect of varying addition levels of corn steep liquor (CSL) on the fermentation quality, bacterial community, and ruminal degradation rate of corncob silage. The experiment included a control group (CON) and four treatment groups: L1 with 5% CSL (50 g·kg⁻¹ fresh matter), L2 with 10% CSL (100 g·kg⁻¹ fresh matter), L3 with 15% CSL (150 g·kg⁻¹ fresh matter), and L4 with 20% CSL (200 g·kg⁻¹ fresh matter). The water content was controlled at 65% during fermentation for a period of 45 days. The results showed that the addition of CSL significantly increased the contents of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and lactic acid (LA), while decreasing the pH, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N). Furthermore, the addition of CSL altered the relative abundance of microbial genera. While Pediococcus was the dominant bacterium in the CON group, Lactobacillus became the prevalent species upon the addition of CSL, and its relative abundance increased in accordance with the supplemental amount. These findings suggest that CSL provides a favorable environment for lactic acid bacteria. It is worth noting that CSL addition did not significantly alter the phylum-level bacterial community structure. The dominant bacterial taxa across all treatments were Bacillota, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidota, with their cumulative relative abundance accounting for over 95%. The rumen degradation of the tested feedstuff was determined using the in situ nylon bag method. Results revealed that incorporating CSL into corncob silage significantly enhanced the effective degradation rates of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF in the rumen of Kazakh sheep. Specifically, the effective degradation rate of DM in the CON group was only 49.10%, which increased to 53.12% following the addition of 20% CSL, along with corresponding improvements in the degradation rates of CP, NDF, and ADF. In summary, as a valuable feed additive, corn steep liquor supports the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms in fermentation systems by supplying essential growth substrates. Additionally, it improves the nutritional balance of corncob feed and further enhances the absorption and utilization of nutrients from this feed by animals. Full article

Caseous lymphadenitis (CL), caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, typically affects small ruminants but is rarely reported in cattle. This case report describes an outbreak of CL in a dairy herd in southern Portugal, where 55 of 500 animals (11%) were clinically affected. Diagnosis was based on characteristic lesions and laboratory confirmation by bacterial culture and PCR. Control measures included isolation, culling, environmental disinfection, and vector management. An autogenous vaccine was prepared from herd isolates and administered under veterinary supervision. No further clinical cases occurred following vaccination. Although immunological and efficacy assessments were not performed, the apparent control of the outbreak suggests that autogenous vaccination, combined with strict biosecurity, may support disease management in atypical hosts. This report underscores the importance of recognizing C. pseudotuberculosis infections in cattle and highlights the need for further evaluation of autogenous vaccines under controlled conditions. Full article

Grape pomace is the principal by-product of the winemaking industry, with an estimated global production of 14 million tonnes annually. Traditional livestock systems often incorporate local agroindustrial by-products into ruminant diets, and grape pomace is particularly notable for its high concentrations of bioactive compounds. These grape-derived molecules may exert beneficial effects on animal oxidative balance, biochemical status and productive performance, offering an environmentally and economically sustainable alternative to conventional feed ingredients that may be incorporated into the milk produced. This study evaluated the impact of incorporating varying inclusion levels (0, 5, 10 and 15% DM) of ensiled white grape pomace (WGP) into isoenergetic and isoproteic diets on the nutritional and technological characteristics of goat milk. Eighty-eight Murciano-Granadina dairy goats were selected and allocated into eight homogeneous batches (n = 11 per batch) based on physiological traits. Following a pre-experimental sampling, each diet was randomly assigned to two batches, and the feeding trial lasted eight weeks. After a two-week dietary adaptation period, four biweekly samplings were conducted to obtain representative bulk tank milk samples from each batch. Milk samples were analysed for gross composition, pH, mineral profile, fatty acid composition, coagulation properties, colorimetric parameters and antioxidant capacity. WGP consumption significantly increased milk fat content, improved the lipid profile from a human health perspective, accelerated curd aggregation and elevated the yellowness index. Moreover, notable changes were observed in the antioxidant activity of the milk. Despite these effects, the overall composition of the milk remained largely unchanged, which is a key factor in preserving its technological properties. Nevertheless, the final product demonstrated enhanced biological quality, reinforcing its value as a functional food for human consumption. Full article