Livestock Science最新文献

{"title":"Total nutrient digestibility and small intestine starch digestion in Nellore and Nellore × Angus steers fed whole shelled corn-based diet with or without roughage","authors":"Priscilla D. Teixeira ,&nbsp;Aline C. Rodrigues ,&nbsp;Daniel R. Casagrande ,&nbsp;Erick D. Batista ,&nbsp;José M. Oliveira ,&nbsp;Ana C.O. Santos ,&nbsp;Pedro V.R. Paulino ,&nbsp;Marcio M. Ladeira","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105699","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105699","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate total nutrient digestibility, pancreatic α‐amylase, and the expression of <em>maltase-glucoamylase (MGAM)</em> and <em>solute carrier family 5 member 1 (SLC5A1)</em> in the small intestine in Nellore and Nellore × Angus steers fed whole shelled corn-based diet with or without inclusion of sugarcane bagasse as a roughage source. Sixteen Nellore and 16 Nellore × Angus steers with 353 ± 25.3 kg were allotted in a completely randomized design using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (2 breeds and 2 diets). The two experimental diets [dry matter (DM) basis] comprised: 800 g/kg of whole shelled corn and 200 g/kg of protein-mineral pellet (<strong>WSC)</strong> or 740 g/kg of whole shelled corn, 200 g/kg of protein-mineral pellet, and 60 g/kg of sugarcane bagasse (<strong>WSCB</strong>). The intake of DM and other dietary components were greater in steers fed WSCB than in steers fed WSC (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01). However, WSCB decreased the total tract digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrients (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.01) and tended to decrease ether extract digestibility (<em>P</em> = 0.08). There were no effects of breed on DM intake, nutrient intake, or nutrient digestibility (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.10). Feeding WSCB to steers increased fecal output as well as starch excretion in feces (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01), whereas it tended to decrease starch in feces when expressed as a percentage (<em>P</em> = 0.09). Steers fed WSCB had greater pancreatic α-amylase activity (<em>P</em> = 0.03) and tended to have greater <em>MGAM</em> (<em>P</em> = 0.09) expression. On the other hand, animals fed WSC had greater <em>SLC5A1</em> (<em>P</em> = 0.03) expressions. In conclusion, WSC diet increased total nutrient digestibility. However, there was no effect of diet on total starch digestibility, but the inclusion of sugarcane bagasse may increase small intestine starch digestibility since it has greater pancreatic α-amylase activity and <em>MGAM</em> expression.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"296 ","pages":"Article 105699"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143873480","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":"Net energy requirements for maintenance and weight gain in male guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) of the Peru breed","authors":"W.A. Tapie ,&nbsp;S.L. Posada-Ochoa ,&nbsp;J.R. Rosero-Noguera","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105700","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105700","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to estimate the net and metabolizable energy requirements for maintenance (NE_m, ME_m) and gain (NE_g, ME_g), along with the efficiencies of metabolizable energy utilization for maintenance (<em>k_m</em>) and weight gain (<em>k_g</em>), in intact male guinea pigs of the Peru breed. Sixty animals were assigned to three feeding levels: <em>ad libitum</em>, restricted (75 % of <em>ad libitum</em> intake), and maintenance (150–160 kcal DE/kg BW^0.75/day). A metabolism trial and a comparative slaughter technique were employed to determine gross energy intake (GEI), digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), heat production (HP), and retained energy (RE). NE_m and ME_m were estimated at 100 and 149 kcal/kg EBW⁰·⁷⁵/day, respectively, with corresponding efficiencies <em>k_m</em> and <em>k_g</em> of 67 % and 48 %. The NE_g requirement increased with both body weight (BW) and daily weight gain (DWG), ranging from 15.3 to 18.7 kcal/day for 5 g DWG in animals weighing 900 to 1200 g. The NE_g ranged between 3.06 and 3.74 kcal/g of BW gained, with higher values attributed to increased fat deposition. These findings highlight the importance of considering both growth rate and body composition in energy requirement estimations. The results support the development of more accurate and tailored feeding systems for guinea pigs raised for meat production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 105700"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143817108","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":"The effect of finishing diet neutral detergent fibre content on South African Mutton Merino lamb performance, meat fatty acid composition, tenderness and stability","authors":"Inalene De Klerk ,&nbsp;Arnold Hugo ,&nbsp;Abraham Vlok Ferreira ,&nbsp;Michael Denis Fair ,&nbsp;Ockert Bernard Einkamerer","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105698","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105698","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;A trial was conducted studying the effect of reducing neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content in the diet of finishing South African Mutton Merino wether lambs on meat fatty acid (FA) composition, tenderness and stability. Fifty four-month-old lambs (29.14±1.66 kg; mean±SD) were assigned at random to the five dietary treatments with &lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt; = 10 lambs per treatment (&lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt; = 1 lamb per replicate), culminating into a randomised trial design. The lambs were housed individually in pens (1.404 m²) on elevated wooden slatted floors. Five dietary treatments similar in nitrogen content were formulated differing in respect to the NDF content thereof. Treatments were described as containing 379 (CON), 314 (NDF1), 251 (NDF2), 192 (NDF3) and 143 (NDF4) gram NDF/kg dry matter (DM), respectively. The production study was conducted over a period of 61 days. Means were analysed using the LSMEANS/DIFF with treatment as fixed effect, and post hoc using Tukey's HSD test. Regression analyses was conducted by PROC REG. All estimates were tested at the 5 % probability level. A reducing dietary NDF content linearly decreased the stearic and α-linolenic acid content of South African Mutton Merino muscle tissue, but linearly increased the palmitic, palmitoleic, vaccenic, linoleic acid, total omega-6 (n-6) and n-6:omega-3 (n-3) ratio, as well as ∆&lt;sup&gt;9&lt;/sup&gt; desaturase index of the same tissue. Subcutaneous lipid tissue was more extensively affected by dietary treatment and linearly increased (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.0001) oleic, vaccenic, linoleic and arachidonic acid content, ∆&lt;sup&gt;9&lt;/sup&gt; desaturase index, as well as total mono-unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), poly-unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), unsaturated fatty acid (UFA), n-6, n-6:n-3 and PUFA:SFA ratios following decreased dietary NDF content. In contrast, adipose tissue lipid content, stearic acid and total saturated fatty acid (SFA) content, as well as atherogenicity index linearly decreased (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &lt; 0.0001) following a decreased dietary NDF content. Treatment did not affect the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA: C18:2c9,t11) content of lamb muscle or adipose tissue. Reducing dietary NDF content linearly decreased lamb &lt;em&gt;longissimus&lt;/em&gt; muscle tissue lightness (L*) of day-4 and day-8 storage samples, yellowness (b*) and hue angle of the fresh (day-0) and day-8 samples, as well as chroma of the day-8 sample. In contrast, the redness (a*) of the day-8 storage muscle tissue increased linearly following a decrease in dietary NDF content. Dietary treatment had no effect on &lt;em&gt;longissimus&lt;/em&gt; muscle tenderness nor oxidative stability. The advantage of reducing the NDF contend of a finishing diet for South African Mutton Merino lambs seems to favourably affect the PUFA:SFA ratio of subcutaneous lipid tissue, but negatively affect the n-6:n-3 ratio of both lipid and muscle tissue, whereas the total n-3 content was left unaffected. A lipid source high in n-3 would be of benefit if added to a low-NDF fini","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 105698"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143799474","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":"Milk somatic cell count and its relationship with feed efficiency, and with GreenFeed-estimated methane emission and energy partitioning variables in Nordic Red cows","authors":"Abdulai Guinguina ,&nbsp;Rebecca Danielsson","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105697","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105697","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of somatic cell count (SCC) with production efficiency, energy partitioning, and methane emission in Nordic Red cows. Data were obtained from 10 previously conducted experiments consisting of 3 milk production trials and 7 GreenFeed (GF) studies, with available information on SCC, body weight (BW), milk production and feed intake. The complete data set consisted of a total of 924 cow/period observations from 265 cows. A subset of 150 cow/period observations from three of the GF studies, with available data on digestibility, and heat production were used for analysing energy partitioning variables. All measurements were made on cows fed diets based on grass silage with a range of protein and energy supplements. Production efficiency and energy partitioning variables were evaluated by mixed-model regression in SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). with the natural logarithm of SCC (lnSCC) treated as a fixed variable. Experiment (Exp), diet(Exp), and period(Exp) were included as random effects, allowing their effects to be excluded from the fixed-effect estimates. Additionally, segmented regression (PROC NLMIXED in SAS) was applied to determine SCC thresholds affecting feed efficiency variables. An increase in lnSCC showed a negative relationship with milk lactose concentration, milk yield, energy corrected milk (ECM), residual ECM, and feed conversion efficiency. Conversely, milk protein concentration increased with rising lnSCC. A trend towards increased BW was noted with rising lnSCC. Methane energy intensity and heat production increased while the efficiency of metabolizable energy (ME) use for lactation (<em>k_l</em>) decreased with elevated lnSCC. We identified SCC thresholds of 40 000 cells/mL for heat production (HP) and 74 000 cells/mL for <em>k_l</em>, indicating that HP increases at an earlier stage of infection, while a more advanced infection is required to impair energy utilization efficiency. These findings underscore the importance of early SCC management to sustain production, minimize energy losses, and enhance feed efficiency and overall dairy sustainability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"296 ","pages":"Article 105697"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143825892","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":"Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from excreta of different beef cattle breeds fed with different concentrate:roughage ratios and finished in feedlots under tropical conditions","authors":"Alan Figueiredo de Oliveira ,&nbsp;Edilane Costa Martins ,&nbsp;Ramon Costa Alvarenga ,&nbsp;Mônica Matoso Campanha ,&nbsp;Bruno José Rodrigues Alves ,&nbsp;Letícia Gobbo Oliveira ,&nbsp;Leandro Sâmia Lopes ,&nbsp;Ângela Maria Quintão Lana","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105694","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105694","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Excreta from confined beef cattle are sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; however, little is known about the effects of different concentrate:roughage ratios and cattle breeds on these emissions. This study evaluates methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from the excreta of Nellore or crossbred (Nellore × Angus) beef cattle that are fed diets containing 65% or 85% of concentrates under tropical conditions. The excreta were applied to the floor of feedlot pens, and N₂O and CH₄ emission rates were monitored for 84 days in static chambers. The animals were confined for 106 days to evaluate their intake, weight gain and feed efficiency. In addition to average emission rates, emissions from excreta were estimated based on ratios per kg of dry matter intake (DMI; CH₄/DMI and N₂O/DMI) and per kg of weight gain (average daily weight gain, ADG; CH₄/ADG and N₂O/ADG). The data were subjected to variance analysis in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, and the means were compared using a Tukey test (P &lt; 0.05). Results indicated that CH₄ emissions were 2.40 times higher from the excreta of crossbred cattle than in Nellore cattle (P &lt; 0.039). N₂O emissions were 50.1% lower from the excreta of animals consuming diets with low concentrate:roughage ratios than in those consuming diets with high concentrate:roughage ratios. The CH₄/DMI and CH₄/ADG ratios were higher in the excreta of crossbred cattle than in Nellore cattle. The N₂O/ADG and N₂O/DMI ratios in the excreta of animals fed with high concentrate:roughage ratios were also 18.2% and 36.1% higher in crossbred cattle than in Nellore cattle. The N₂O/DMI and N₂O/ADG ratios in the excreta of crossbred and Nellore cattle were lower when fed with diets containing low compared to high concentrate:roughage ratios. The results suggest that crossbred animals with more concentrate feed diets emit more CH₄ and N₂O from their excreta. This is the first study to report that Nellore cattle, the predominant breed in Brazil, and diets with lower concentrate:roughage ratios may be associated with a reduced potential for GHG emissions from excreta in confined beef cattle under tropical conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 105694"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143817110","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":"Intake, feed efficiency, carcass traits, muscle colour and sensory characteristics of beef from steers offered grass silage and barley-based supplementary concentrates with increasing levels of dry corn gluten feed","authors":"M.J. Kelly ,&nbsp;A.P. Moloney ,&nbsp;A.K. Kelly ,&nbsp;M. McGee","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105695","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105695","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Increasing awareness of feed-food competition means the inclusion of human-inedible by-product feed ingredients rather than cereals in concentrate feedstuffs for beef cattle is now preferred. The objective of the present experiment was to evaluate the complete replacement of soya bean meal and partial replacement of rolled barley with increasing levels of dry corn gluten feed (DCGF) in the concentrate supplement to grass silage on intake, growth, carcass traits and meat quality attributes of finishing beef cattle. The control concentrate (DCGF-0) was based on rolled barley (865 g/kg fresh weight) and soya bean meal (60 g/kg fresh weight). In three other concentrates, barley and all the soya bean meal was replaced with either 250 g/kg (DCGF-250), 500 g/kg (DCGF-500) or 750 g/kg (DCGF-750) fresh weight of DCGF. Forty-eight late-maturing breed suckler steers were individually offered <em>Lolium perenne</em> dominant grass silage <em>ad libitum</em> supplemented with 4.0 kg dry matter (DM) of the respective concentrates daily, for 124 days. Inclusion of DCGF in the concentrate had no effect on silage DM intake, daily live weight gain, feed conversion ratio, pre-slaughter weight, ultrasonic measures of body fat, carcass weight, estimated carcass gain, kill-out proportion, carcass conformation score, carcass fat score, carcass fat depth or on subcutaneous fat redness, yellowness and saturation. There was a linear increase (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01) in subcutaneous fat lightness and hue as DCGF inclusion level increased. Inclusion of DCGF in the concentrate had no effect on ultimate pH, temperature, drip loss, colour or meat sensory characteristics of the <em>M. Longissimus dorsi</em> muscle. Under the conditions of this experiment, DCGF had a feeding value comparable to that of rolled barley (+ soya bean meal) with little effect on meat quality, when included at up to 750 g/kg fresh weight in a concentrate supplement to grass silage. The overall implication of these findings is that the human-edible food-feed efficiency of beef production can be enhanced further by the use of DCGF.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 105695"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143791467","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":"Unlocking potential, facing challenges: A review evaluating virtual fencing for sustainable cattle management","authors":"Jana Musinska ,&nbsp;Sylvie Skalickova ,&nbsp;Pavel Nevrkla ,&nbsp;Tomas Kopec ,&nbsp;Pavel Horky","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105693","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105693","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Virtual fencing systems are an innovative technology that uses GPS and wireless signals to create an invisible barrier around a designated area. It simplifies the work of the farmer, allows for easy paddock rotation, and enables real-time monitoring of the herd and animal behavior. However, more research and development is needed to fully realize the benefits of this technology. This review aimed to identify, critically appraise, and map the existing literature on the effectiveness and reliability of virtual fencing and its multifaceted impact on the welfare of cattle, considering both the positive effects and potential challenges associated with this technology.</div><div>Studies have shown that virtual fencing is highly effective and reliable for cattle. Although there have been cases of cattle crossing the virtual boundary, the vast majority of the time, the animals stayed within the designated area. It is important to provide a learning period where the animals learn to respond to the acoustic signal and respect the virtual boundary. Studies have not found any negative impact on welfare when using virtual fencing compared to conventional fences. However, future studies should focus on improving the accuracy of the system, developing alternative aversive stimuli, optimizing training protocols, investigating interindividual differences among animals, social learning and the long term effect of virtual fencing on the welfare of animals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 105693"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143799473","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":"Investigation of apparent digestibility, caecal fermentation and microbiota of rabbit fed with raffinose","authors":"Kai Yang,&nbsp;Shuo Yang,&nbsp;Zixuan Tie,&nbsp;Zhenxin Li,&nbsp;Meinan Ji,&nbsp;Kun Wang,&nbsp;Shugui Zheng,&nbsp;Fangfang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105692","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105692","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study aimed to investigate the influence on caecal microbial communities of the supplementation of raffinose (RA) in rabbit's diet, also considering apparent digestibility and caecal fermentation. Rabbits (<em>n</em> = 120) with a similar weight were randomly divided into four groups and fed a basal diet (RA0) and a basal diet supplemented with 0.5 g/kg RA (RA0.5), 1 g/kg RA (RA1) and 2 g/kg RA (RA2), respectively. 16 s rRNA high-throughput sequencing of the V3–V4 segment of the bacterial was performed on each group (<em>n</em> = 6). The results showed that, compared with the control group, dietary 0.5 g/kg RA inclusion improved the digestibility of crude protein (CP) (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Meanwhile, the proportion of volatile fatty acids, including propionate and butyrate, in the RA0.5 and RA1 groups were increased compared with the RA0 group (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Moreover, the microbiota diversity and richness of the cecum in RA0.5 group were significantly higher than other groups (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, at the phylum level, dietary 0.5 g/kg RA increased the relative abundance of <em>Bacteroidetes</em> and <em>Actinobacteria</em> (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05); At the genus level, feeding 0.5 g/kg RA increased the relative abundance of <em>Subdoligranulum</em> (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt) analysis revealed potential metabolic changes associated with RA treatment, the microbial genes involved in the chlorocyclohexane and chlorobenzene degradation, phosphonate and phosphinate metabolism and methane metabolism pathways were all decreased in the present study (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Overall, diet supplemented with 0.5 g/kg RA is effective in improving CP digestibility and caecal fermentation, optimizing the cecum microflora of rabbits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 105692"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143769000","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":"Prevalence and severity of pale, soft, and exudative (PSE)-like zones in crossbred pigs (Yorkshire x Hampshire): Insights into season, gender, slaughter weight and technological meat traits","authors":"Qasim Mashood ,&nbsp;Anna Wallenbeck ,&nbsp;Susanne Eriksson ,&nbsp;Anna M. Johansson ,&nbsp;Anders H. Karlsson ,&nbsp;Katarina Arvidsson Segerkvist","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105690","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105690","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pale, soft, and exudative (PSE)-like zones in pork is a growing concern, affecting several meat quality attributes as well as production economics. This study investigates the prevalence and severity of PSE-like zones in Swedish commercial crossbred pigs (Yorkshire dam x Hampshire sire), focusing on the effects of the key factors such as season, gender, slaughter weight and technological meat quality traits. A total of 192 pigs were sampled during four seasons (autumn, winter, spring, summer) and assessed for post-slaughter PSE-like zones. Results revealed that season significantly influenced the prevalence of PSE-like zones, with a notably lower prevalence observed in summer compared to other seasons. Gender differences were also significant, with female pigs showing a higher incidence of PSE-like zones compared to immuno-castrated males. Additionally, slaughter weight was significantly associated with the prevalence of PSE-like zones, while the proportion of affected muscle weight notably influenced severity levels. Among technological meat quality traits, lightness (<em>L*</em>) and yellowness (<em>b*</em>) showed strong associations with both prevalence and severity, while redness (<em>a*</em>) demonstrated a significant association solely with severity. Additionally, ultimate temperature (Temp_24h) had a significant effect on prevalence of PSE-like zones. These findings underscore the importance of season-specific environmental management and handling practices to minimize the prevalence and severity of PSE-like zones. Future strategies integrating genetic selection, stress reduction measures, and optimized slaughter processes hold potential for improving meat quality outcomes in commercial pork production systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 105690"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143791468","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 parameters for latent variables derived from factor analysis of morphological and gait traits in Mangalarga Marchador horses","authors":"Cristian Silva Teixeira ,&nbsp;Yame Fabres Robaina Sancler-Silva ,&nbsp;Pedro Vital Brasil Ramos ,&nbsp;Eula Regina Carrara ,&nbsp;José Teodoro de Paiva ,&nbsp;Daniele Botelho Diniz Marques ,&nbsp;Moysés Nascimento ,&nbsp;Ana Carolina Campana Nascimento ,&nbsp;Tiago Toledo Bittencourt e Alves ,&nbsp;Paulo Sávio Lopes ,&nbsp;Fabyano Fonseca e Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105691","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105691","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Our aim was to assess the reduction of computational demand compared to traditional multivariate analyzes, as well as identify latent variables with biological relevance (pseudo-phenotypes) through a factor analysis for morphological and gait traits in MM horses, estimating their genetic parameters within a Bayesian framework. A total of 15 morphological and performance traits were collected from 50,172 horses: withers height, croup height, thoracic perimeter, cannon bone perimeter, head length, neck length, back and loin length, croup length, shoulder length, body length, head width, croup width, morphofunctional points, gait and total points. The dataset was provided by the Brazilian Association of Mangalarga Marchador Horse Breeders (ABCCMM). A factor analysis was performed and six latent factors that explained 73 % of the total variance of the data were extracted. From them, four factors showed biological relevance, namely: \"height\" (F1), \"gait ability\" (F2), \"robustness\" (F3), and \"head size\" (F4), and were explored in the genetic analysis. The heritability estimates for F1 and F4 were of moderate to high magnitudes (0.47 ± 0.10 and 0.39 ± 0.10 for F1 and F4, respectively). The genetic correlations ranged from zero to high magnitudes, with notable values observed between F1 and F4 (0.80 ± 0.00), F1 and F3 (0.44 ± 0.01), and F3 and F4 (0.33 ± 0.01). The factor analysis proved to be an adequate alternative for reducing the dimensionality of variables and, consequently, the computational demand in the genetic evaluation of MM horses. Moderate heritabilities indicate the possibility of effective selection of horses based on these traits. In general, the correlations suggest that the selection of factors may result in genetic gains ranging from negative to high for other factors. Therefore, two factors are recommended to be used as selection criteria in MM horse breeding programs, which could contribute to the genetic improvement of the breed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 105691"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143791466","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}