Livestock Science最新文献

{"title":"Effect of different arginine-to-lysine ratios and guanidinoacetic acid supplementation on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and breast myopathies in broiler chickens","authors":"Edwin Westreicher-Kristen ,&nbsp;Roger Davin ,&nbsp;Piero Agostini ,&nbsp;Behnam Saremi","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105624","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105624","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of increasing the digestible arginine-to-lysine ratio (dig Arg:Lys) (Experiment 1), and to evaluate the Arg sparing effect of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) (Experiment 2) on growth performance, carcass composition and breast myopathies in broiler chickens. In experiment (Exp) 1, a total of 672 male Ross 308 birds were assigned to 4 experimental groups provided in a 4-phase feeding scheme. The Control treatment had a dig Arg to Lys ratio (Arg:Lys) of 1.06, 1.06, 1.07 and 1.08 in starter, grower I, grower II and finisher diets, respectively; the other three experimental treatments had a dig Arg:Lys ratio of 1.15, 1.25 and 1.35 across all feeding phases by adding L-Arg to Control diets. In Exp 2, 504 male Ross 308 birds were fed using the same feeding scheme and assigned to 3 experimental groups: the Control diet had a dig Arg:Lys ratio of 1.05, and the other two treatments were supplemented with 0.6 g/kg GAA using two different dig Arg equivalency: 77% (GAA77) or 149% (GAA149). In Exp 1, body weight (BW), BW gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were affected in a quadratic fashion (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.03 for all) at cumulative phases 0-10 and 0-20 d when increasing the dig Arg:Lys ratio. In these phases, the highest BW, BWG and best FCR were obtained with the highest dig Arg:Lys ratio (1.35). The latter effects were not observed for the phases 0-30 and 0-44 d. In Exp 2, the replacement of Arg by GAA did not affect the productive performance (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.13) in the phases 0-20, 0-30 and 0-44 d, but GAA77 impaired FCR compared to control (<em>P</em> = 0.05) in phase 0-10 d. For carcass traits, only breast yield was increased in both GAA groups compared to Control (<em>P</em> = 0.01) at 35 d, and breast meat redness (a*) was decreased (<em>P</em> = 0.01) with GAA77 compared to CON. Skin scratches, breast myopathies, litter score and foot pad dermatitis were not affected by dietary treatments in any of the 2 Exps. In conclusion, increasing the dig Arg:Lys ratio to 1.35 has a positive effect on growth performance from 0-20 d of age without affecting breast myopathies incidence. Dietary supplementation of GAA could replace 77% of Arg without affecting performance parameters in broilers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 105624"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143170372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic relationships between male and female reproductive traits in Retinta beef cattle","authors":"José M. Jiménez ,&nbsp;Rosa M. Morales ,&nbsp;Sebastián Demyda-Peyrás ,&nbsp;Antonio Molina","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105610","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105610","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Scrotal circumference (SC) is an indirect measure used to predict the reproductive fitness of beef cattle raised in an extensive regime with limited seasonal breeding. It stands out for having a moderate to high heritability and favorable correlations, with seminal and reproductive quality traits in both the bull and its daughters. In the present study, we analyzed 2634 SC records of young bulls evaluated in testing stations for future bulls of the Retinta cattle Breed. The data was collected from 828 young bulls which produced 3,616 daughters. Monthly measurements of live weight, average daily gain, feed consumption, and SC were also performed in the bulls during testing. In addition, reproductive controls were performed in the daughters to estimate age at first calving (AFC) and reproductive efficiency (RE). We also estimated genetic parameters for the traits using a classical REML repeatability animal model. Average SC was 34.04 ± 2.43 cm. at 12 months, showing a heritability of 0.282 ± 0.052. Phenotypic (−0.05, 0.11, 0.42) and genetic (0.12, 0.15, −0.09) correlations were obtained between AFC and Reproductive Efficiency (RE) at 3, 6, and last calving and SC. These results suggest a strong environmental influence on the reproductive variables of daughters, probably motivated by the breeding model and the farmer's decision on the date of reproduction of the heifers. However, it can be seen that the AFC, RE3 and RE6 are more favorable for individuals with SC &gt;37 cm, and more unfavorable for SC ≤32 in relation to SC &gt;32 and ≤37. Finally, 85 of the bulls underwent sperm analysis using computer-assisted sperm analysis (C.A.S.A.) technology, using frozen semen samples belonging to the Retinta Breeding Program. Residual phenotypes for SC showed positive correlations with progressivity (0.11 in STR and LIN) and longevity (0.2 in L40 and 0.1 in L50). The highest r² was obtained using a canonical correlation, suggesting that a higher SC may improve sperm quality in bulls. It can therefore be confirmed that the use of this selection criterion (SC) in the breeding program of this breed will determine a response to positive selection, both for the fertility of the bull and its daughters.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 105610"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143170370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of high-protein distiller's dried grains with solubles (HP-DDGS) on early growth benefits and carcass quality trade-offs in pigs","authors":"Pollyana Leite Matioli Garbossa ,&nbsp;Mirele Daiana Poleti ,&nbsp;Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa ,&nbsp;Laya Kannan Silva Alves ,&nbsp;Rhuan Filipe Chaves ,&nbsp;Vinícius de Souza Cantarelli ,&nbsp;José Bento Sterman Ferraz","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite the limited adoption of DDGS in South America, its potential benefits in pig nutrition have not been thoroughly evaluated, we assessed the effects of increasing levels of HP-DDGS in corn/soybean meal-based diets fed to pigs from the initial I nursery phase to the finishing phase on performance, health parameters, and quality characteristics of carcass, pork, and belly. Five hundred piglets were distributed in randomized blocks to five HP-DDGS inclusion levels. HP-DDGS was introduced 14 days into the experiment and maintained until the end of the 147-day experimental period. It replaced corn and soybean meal in isoenergetic diets at increasing levels of 0 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, and 40 %. Increasing levels of HP-DDGS positively affected average daily feed intake (<em>P</em> = 0.001), average daily gain (<em>P</em> = 0.0002), and body weight (<em>P</em> = 0.0003) in the nursery phase, while in the growing and finishing phase negatively impacted feed conversion ratio (<em>P</em> = 0.002 and <em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001, respectively) and body weight (<em>P</em> = 0.018 and <em>P</em> = 0.0003, respectively). HP-DDGS inclusion also positively influenced fecal score; animals fed 40 % HP-DDGS in the nursery phase and 30 % and 40 % HP-DDGS in the growing and finishing phase had highest proportion of well-formed feces (fecal score 1), while those fed 10 % or no HP-DDGS showed more mild diarrhea (fecal score 2) (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001 to <em>P</em> = 0.0024). Increased HP-DDGS inclusion levels had a negative impact on body weight at slaughterhouse (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001), hot carcass weight (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001), chilled carcass weight (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001), backfat thickness (<em>P</em> = 0.042), belly weight (<em>P</em> = 0.0002), belly thickness (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001), belly external flexibility (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001), belly internal flexibility (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001), and a* color component (<em>P</em> = 0.037), but had a positive effect on L* color component (<em>P</em> = 0.044). Overall, increased HP-DDGS levels in pig diets modified the fatty acid profile of belly fat. Although this belly fat shows increased oxidation rates and flexibility, it is rendered more suitable for human consumption in terms of health benefits. In this sense, including HP-DDGS in pig diets benefits early growth by improving gut health and reducing diarrhea, enhancing weight gain and fecal consistency. However, high HP-DDGS inclusions levels negatively affected carcass traits. While HP-DDGS improved the polyunsaturated lipid profile of pork, its overall impact on meat quality varied. Therefore, HP-DDGS should be used early in growth, with a transition to a low-fiber diet during finishing to mitigate these effects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 105621"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143170371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Grower-finisher gilts with high and low feed conversion fed diets with varied crude protein content differ in pancreatic enzyme activity and gut morphology","authors":"J.M. van der Linden ,&nbsp;M.E. van der Heide ,&nbsp;M. Barszcz ,&nbsp;A. Konopka ,&nbsp;A. Tuśnio ,&nbsp;E. Święch ,&nbsp;K. Gawin ,&nbsp;J.V. Nørgaard ,&nbsp;J.G. Madsen","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105626","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105626","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reducing the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in pigs during the grower-finisher phase is crucial for improving the herd's economy, while also reducing nutrient excretion and carbon footprint. Therefore, understanding the biological factors contributing to FCR is important. In this study, sixty grower-finisher gilts were divided between three dietary treatments and fed a low (LCP; 148 g CP/kg), standard (SCP; 152 g CP/kg), or high (HCP; 158 g CP/kg) crude protein (CP) diet from 30 to 115 kg of body weight, for a period of 10 weeks. Feed intake and weight were measured individually. Within each diet, pigs were categorized based on their FCR during the final four growing weeks as the 30 % highest (high FCR), medium 40 %, and 30 % lowest (low FCR). The pigs categorized as low and high FCR were euthanized at 20 weeks of age where pancreatic as well as small (SI) and large intestinal samples were collected, and subsequently subjected to an analysis of enzyme activity and morphological characteristics. Differences with respect to enzyme activity in low compared with high FCR pigs included lower (<em>P</em> = 0.05) trypsin activity, and greater (<em>P</em> <em>=</em> 0.02) alanine aminotransferase activity. There was a tendency for a diet and FCR interaction with respect to aspartate aminotransferase (<em>P</em> <em>=</em> 0.06) and lactate dehydrogenase (<em>P</em> = 0.08) activity. In addition, differences in gut morphology between low and high FCR pigs were found, where a thinner (<em>P</em> <em>=</em> 0.04) caecal muscular layer and a tendency (<em>P</em> = 0.07) for shorter distal SI villous height were observed in the low FCR pigs. In conclusion, the results indicate a possible link between the level of feed efficiency of grower-finisher gilts and their pancreatic enzyme activity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 105626"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143170379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Supplementing steers up to 43 % canola meal had no negative effects on either ruminal parameters or the degradation characteristics of lucerne hay","authors":"E.E.M. Lynch ,&nbsp;G.L. Krebs ,&nbsp;J.W. Piltz ,&nbsp;R.G. Meyer ,&nbsp;E.H. Clayton ,&nbsp;M.A. Campbell ,&nbsp;M.A. Friend","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105627","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105627","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Interpreting <em>in sacco</em> and <em>in vitro</em> results needs to be undertaken with caution, as many variables, such as diet, can influence the rate of degradation and degradation kinetics. Four ruminal fistulated donor steers were fed rations based on low quality cereal roughages with one of four inclusion levels of canola meal, <em>viz.</em> 0 % (control), 13 %, 27 % or 43 % on a DM basis. Two degradation methods, <em>in sacco</em> and <em>in vitro</em> Ankom Daisy™ incubation, were used to determine the degradation kinetics of ground lucerne hay (lucerne standard) over 72 h Supplementing donor steers up to 43 % canola meal had no negative (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05) effects on the degradation of the ground lucerne standard, regardless of which incubation method was used. The average ruminal NH₃-N concentration increased (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) with increasing levels of canola meal in the ration, while total volatile fatty acid concentrations and molar proportions were within the normal range for microbial synthesis. Average ruminal pH was not affected (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05) by the ration fed to the steers and did not decrease below 6.3, indicating canola meal was safe to include at 43 % in a basal, low-quality ration for cattle.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 105627"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143170374","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Infrared thermography of different tear staining scores in pigs","authors":"Zdeňka Vacušková ,&nbsp;Dominik Vacuška ,&nbsp;Irene Camerlink","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105623","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105623","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tear staining is increasingly suggested as a potential indicator for pig welfare. However, current research outcomes on tear staining are inconclusive. There is therefore a need for more information on this potential indicator. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between tear staining scores and infrared thermography (IRT) of the inner canthus of the eye (with eye temperature relating to emotional states). We expected that pigs with a more severe tear staining score would have a higher eye IRT value. Pigs of a high-welfare research herd were assessed for tear staining using a 6-point scoring scale. Twenty-four female pigs with tear staining scores from 0 to 3 were selected, while scores 4 and 5 did not occur. Pigs were subjected to IRT of the right eye, in a test area specially constructed for IRT. Data were analysed in a generalised linear mixed model with IRT value as response variable and tear staining score, age and temperature-humidity index as predictor variables. The results showed no significant relationship between tear staining score and IRT values. The average IRT value was 37.1 ± 0.34, with the highest IRT values in tear staining score 3. The pigs’ age did not influence the outcomes. In this small-scale study we did not find a relationship between tear staining and eye IRT. Nevertheless, the outcomes show that tear staining is prevalent also in high welfare systems and we therefore urge for caution in using tear staining as a welfare indicator.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 105623"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143170391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental assessment and mitigation strategies for dairy cattle farms in Colombia: Greenhouse gas emissions, non-renewable energy use, and land use","authors":"Ricardo González-Quintero ,&nbsp;Rolando Barahona-Rosales ,&nbsp;Jacobo Arango ,&nbsp;Diana María Bolívar-Vergara ,&nbsp;Manuel Gómez ,&nbsp;Ngonidzashe Chirinda ,&nbsp;María Solange Sánchez-Pinzón","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105625","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105625","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Colombia, cattle farming is responsible for 15 % of national greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), consequently, it is crucial to develop mitigation strategies that can reduce their climate impact. Using a Life Cycle Assessment approach, this study quantified the environmental burdens of 192 specialized dairy systems and determined mitigation strategies. Carbon footprint (CF), land use, and non-renewable energy use were calculated by applying the 2019 Refinement to 2006 IPCC guidelines and impact factors. The functional units considered were one kilogram of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) and one kilogram of live weight gain (LWG) from a cradle-to-farm-gate perspective. The findings revealed that enteric fermentation and manure left in pastures were the primary sources of on-farm GHGE, while feed manufacturing contributed significantly to off-farm emissions. Milk CF values ranged between 0.6 to 3.9 kg CO₂-eq kg FPCM⁻¹ when the biological allocation method was applied. Through clustering analysis, three farm clusters were identified, with Cluster 1 demonstrating higher milk productivity, better paddock and cattle manageability, and improved environmental behavior compared to the other clusters. The adoption of improved pastures as a mitigation strategy resulted in a significant reduction of milk CF by 20 % to 39 %. This study provides evidence supporting the effectiveness of mitigation strategies such as the inclusion of improved pastures, adoption of good cattle management practices, improvements in fertilizer usage, identification of an adequate stocking rate, and enhancement of milk yields in dairy production systems. These reductions in GHGE intensities can be achieved with a negative economic cost, highlighting the potential for sustainable and economically viable cattle farming practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 105625"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143170384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mild synergistic effects of a dietary source of polyphenols (Ceratonia siliqua L.) and vitamin E on light lambs’ rumination activity, nutritional status, and gastrointestinal redox-immune markers","authors":"Diego Nicolas Bottegal ,&nbsp;Sandra Lobón ,&nbsp;Beatriz Serrano-Pérez ,&nbsp;María José Martín-Alonso ,&nbsp;María Ángeles Latorre ,&nbsp;Javier Álvarez-Rodríguez","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of carob pulp (0 vs. 20 % Cp, <em>Ceratonia siliqua</em> L.) and vitamin E (Vit E, 40 vs. 300 IU/kg of concentrate) on growth performance, time-budget and eating behaviour, blood metabolites, gastrointestinal and immune markers of fattening light lambs. Seventy-two weaned lambs (females and entire males) were randomly allocated in 12 group pens (6 animals/pen) in a 2 × 2 nutritional factorial design. Growth performance was evaluated, and blood samples were collected twice, whereas behaviour and eating pattern were recorded three times in the fattening period. Gene expression was evaluated by collecting ruminal, jejunal and ileal tissue samples at slaughter. The Cp inclusion did not affect lambs’ performance, but the High Vit E improved the lambs’ growth. Likewise, both Cp and High Vit E independently increased the haematocrit value while only High Vit E improved the plasma α-tocopherol concentration and decreased the ratio MDA: α-tocopherol, considered a proxy of enhanced redox balance. Providing simultaneously 20 % of Cp and High Vit E boosted rumination activity. Dietary Cp modified the eating pattern which was slightly delayed to the early afternoon, and decreased blood lactate. In the jejunum, High Vit E and 20 %-Cp diets down-regulated IFN-γ expression, while High Vit E down-regulated TNF-α expression. In the ileum, Cp decreased the expression of GPX2, whereas High Vit E down-regulated TGF-β and up-regulated CAT expression. Mild synergistic effects of dietary Cp and Vit E were evident on the nutritional status and gastrointestinal redox-immune markers of concentrate-fed lambs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 105628"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143170390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of grazing deprivation as compared to grazing restriction on hair and saliva cortisol levels in pregnant ewes","authors":"Ricard Parés ,&nbsp;Pol Llonch ,&nbsp;Manel López-Béjar ,&nbsp;Anaïs Carbajal ,&nbsp;Xavier Such ,&nbsp;Xavier Manteca","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105609","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105609","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Grazing is a natural behaviour of ruminants and when access to pasture is deprivated, a behavioural frustration appears, which can lead to chronic stress. In sheep, no response of stress biomarkers like cortisol has been studied in permanent housed ewes. In the present study, two groups of twenty pregnant Ripollesa ewes were used in a 10-week experiment. The 5h-grazing group (5h-G), had access to pasture five hours daily, and the housed group (H) had no access to pasture and remained permanently in the barn. Hair samples were collected on Weeks 5 and 10 of grazing deprivation (W5, W10), and saliva samples on Weeks 0, 3, 5, 8 and 10 (W0, W3, W5, W8, W10). No significant differences in hair cortisol (HC) or saliva cortisol (SC) were observed between Groups 5h-G and H throughout the study period (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05). However, significant differences were observed in ewes carrying one or two lambs (PROL1 HC=4.97±0.1, PROL2 HC=7.20±0.1, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). No evidence of chronic stress could be detected through cortisol levels in hair and saliva although abnormal behaviours appeared in previous results published from the same experience. Saliva cortisol showed a significant variability over time and it should be used in a combination with other biomarkers. Further research is needed to analyse pregnancy effect, longer periods of grazing deprivation, and the use of wool samples or other body regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"290 ","pages":"Article 105609"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142746231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Application of an attention bias test after surgical castration in piglets","authors":"Jessica M. Neary ,&nbsp;Ahmed B.A. Ali ,&nbsp;Leonie Jacobs","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105612","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105612","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Surgical castration of male piglets is a routine procedure performed to improve meat quality. Prior studies have shown that pain due to castration can last for up to 4 days, negatively impacting animal welfare, however the impact on affect, such as anxiety, is unclear. The objective of this study was to test the application of a novel attention bias test to assess anxiety in piglets that underwent surgical castration with or without practical pain alleviation methods. Piglets were surgically castrated (<em>n</em> = 22), castrated with analgesics (<em>n</em> = 21), or sham-handled (<em>n</em> = 22) at 3 days of age. An attention bias test was performed in week 1 (<em>n</em> = 32, 10–11/treatment) and 12 (<em>n</em> = 29, 9–10/treatment) to assess anxiety (an affective state), with feed (positive stimulus), loud bangs, and flashing lights (negative stimuli) presented simultaneously. Latency to visit the feeder, behavioral responses, and activity were recorded during the test. Additional data on piglets’ activity, tails, and grimaces were collected at three timepoints, at 1, 6, and 24 h after castration to determine pain experience. Piglets’ increased activity (<em>P</em> = 0.065), the fact that fewer piglets visited the feeder (<em>P</em> = 0.029), and tended to have longer latencies to visit the feeder (<em>P</em> = 0.092) in the attention bias test in week 1 might suggest that pain caused by surgical castration increased anxiety. No differences were detected in week 12. Castration treatment and sampling timepoint impacted activity levels hours after treatments, however, other measures were not impacted. These results suggest that more research is needed to determine how affect is impacted by pain caused by surgical castration. Activity and behavioral results somewhat support previous findings that surgical castration causes pain in piglets. As this is the first study assessing the relationship between painful procedures and piglet anxiety, more research is needed to determine a valid method to understand the impacts of these procedures on pig affect.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"290 ","pages":"Article 105612"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142746230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}