Small Ruminant Research最新文献

{"title":"Levels of starch and supplementation with calcium salts of palm oil fatty acids in the diets of goats and sheep","authors":"Hérick Pachêco Rodrigues ,&nbsp;Joyanne Mirelle de Sousa Ferreira ,&nbsp;Maria Izabel Batista Pereira ,&nbsp;Lais Santos Trajano ,&nbsp;Ligia Lins Souza ,&nbsp;Douglas dos Santos Pina ,&nbsp;José Esler de Freitas Junior ,&nbsp;Gleidson Giordano Pinto de Carvalho ,&nbsp;Stefanie Alvarenga Santos ,&nbsp;José Augusto Gomes Azevêdo","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107661","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107661","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the interactive effects of dietary starch concentration and supplementation with calcium salts of palm oil fatty acids (CSPFA) on intake, digestion, rumen fermentation, nitrogen utilization, and blood metabolites in sheep and goats. Eight male small ruminants (four Dorper sheep and four Boer goats) were assigned to a double 4 × 4 Latin square arranged in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial: species (sheep or goats), starch (220 or 420 g/kg DM), and CSPFA (0 or 30 g/kg DM). A three-way interaction was observed for neutral detergent fiber digestibility corrected for ash and protein (apNDFD; P = 0.019); goats and sheep fed high-starch diets showed lower apNDFD (0.61) than those fed low-starch diets (0.74). The starch × CSPFA and species × CSPFA interactions affected ether extract intake (P = 0.025 and P = 0.040), which increased mainly in sheep with CSPFA supplementation at 220 g/kg starch. Goats showed greater organic matter digestibility (0.84 vs. 0.81; P = 0.048) than sheep. Microbial nitrogen yield increased with CSPFA at 420 g/kg starch (7.9 vs. 5.3 g/d; P = 0.040), accompanied by higher allantoin excretion (P = 0.044). Rumen pH was lower in goats (6.53 vs. 6.90; P = 0.004), whereas the ruminal NH₃–N concentrations increased with starch (P = 0.011) and CSPFA (P = 0.032). A species × starch × CSPFA interaction was detected for plasma triglycerides and VLDL (P = 0.021), with higher values in goats fed high-starch diets with CSPFA. Goats also exhibited higher cholesterol (P = 0.043) and ALT activity (P = 0.014). These results demonstrate that palm-based CSPFA combined with high-starch diets enhances microbial protein synthesis and lipid metabolism without compromising ruminal fermentation in small ruminants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"254 ","pages":"Article 107661"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145570637","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 short-term feedlot finishing on carcass traits, colour stability, and sensory quality of Karoo lamb","authors":"J.M. Boden ,&nbsp;J. Marais ,&nbsp;L.C. Hoffman ,&nbsp;J.H.G. van Zyl ,&nbsp;P.E. Strydom","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107646","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107646","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The flavour-specific character of Karoo lamb meat as a geographic product is linked to region-specific fragrant shrubs grazed by sheep. During severe drought, lambs are often removed from veld pastures and finished in feedlots, which may dilute their distinctive sensory attributes and alter overall quality. This study investigated the effect of short-term feedlot finishing on Karoo lamb meat quality. Dorper ram lambs (30.14 ± 2.78 kg; 3–4 months) were subjected to cereal/lucerne-based diets for different durations: D0 (grazing; n = 8), D21 (21 days; n = 8), and D28 (28 days; n = 8). A randomised block design with three treatments and eight replications (n = 24) was used. Data were analysed with a linear mixed-effects model, with feeding duration as a fixed effect and animal, abattoir, slaughter day, tasting day, and session as random effects. For colour shelf life, a split-plot design was applied. Slaughter weight (P = 0.032), carcass weight (P = 0.005), backfat thickness (P = 0.029), and intramuscular fat (P &lt; 0.001) all increased with feedlot duration. Longissimus muscles from D0 carcasses exhibited higher redness (P = 0.019) but less favourable hue angle values over a seven-day display period compared with feedlot groups. Fat from D0 also received higher (P &lt; 0.05) scores for aromas typical of Karoo lamb, whereas ‘pastoral’ fat aromas were most pronounced in D21 and D28. In conclusion, although feedlot finishing increased carcass size and fatness, the distinctive sensory character of Karoo lamb was not maintained when veld-grazed lambs were finished on a grain/alfalfa diet for up to 28 days.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"254 ","pages":"Article 107646"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145570634","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 inclusion of Camelthorn (Alhagi spp.) in goat ration: Effect on goat and kids’ performance, milk production, fermentation parameters and blood metabolites","authors":"A. Aghashahi ,&nbsp;K. Rezayazdi ,&nbsp;A. Ashkvari ,&nbsp;A. Tanhaee ,&nbsp;R. Shahzad ,&nbsp;H. Adel","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107660","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107660","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This research sought to explore the advantages of replacing camelthorn (CTH) with the forage needed by Mahabadi dairy goats and to assess how this change affects the growth performance of their kids. Thirty-six lactating Mahabadi goats, grouped by weight and age, were divided into three dietary treatments, with 12 replicates per group, following a completely randomized design. The treatments included 1) a control diet without CTH, 2) a diet with 31 % of forage replaced by CTH, and 3) a diet with 62 % forage replaced with CTH. In vitro gas production and gas related parameters were measured. Moreover, digestibility, milk yield, nutrient intake, and blood parameters were evaluated using specific methods. Dietary CTH supplementation linearly lowered gas production, gas estimated parameters; however dietary NFC/NDF ratio and phenolics were linearly increased by adding CTH (P &lt; 0.01). While nutrient intake remained unchanged across treatments (P ≥ 0.05), trend analysis showed a linear decrease in dry matter intake with increasing levels of CTH in the diet (P &lt; 0.01). The inclusion of CTH linearly reduced feed cost while increased animal growth performance (P &lt; 0.01). No significant treatment effects were observed on in vivo digestibility for organic matter, dry matter, and neutral detergent fiber; nevertheless, increasing the CTH level decreased crude protein digestibility (P &lt; 0.01). Diet including CTH improved milk yield, composition (such as fat and protein), and milk production efficiency. The dietary addition of CTH did not affect blood urea nitrogen, but increased glucose and total protein concentration. In contrast, an increasing level of CTH decreased cholesterol concentration. These results showed that CTH could be a good forage option for small ruminant farms where environmental factors restrict common forage cultivation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"254 ","pages":"Article 107660"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145615670","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":"Identifying the epitope of the monoclonal antibody 4G6 within the Nucleoprotein of the peste-des-petits-ruminants virus","authors":"V.V. Dhanesh ,&nbsp;Sameer Shrivastava ,&nbsp;Dheeraj Chaudhary ,&nbsp;S. ChandraSekar ,&nbsp;Ajay K. Yadav ,&nbsp;Kaushal K. Rajak ,&nbsp;R.P. Singh ,&nbsp;Muthannan A. Ramakrishnan ,&nbsp;Dhanavelu Muthuchelvan","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107666","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107666","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Peste-des-petits ruminants (PPR) is a significant transboundary viral ailment affecting small ruminants. The N protein is a primary target in most diagnostic assays for PPRV. Our laboratory introduced an N gene-based s-ELISA about two decades ago, and this test remains in use. In this study, we characterized the epitope of the monoclonal antibody 4G6 within the N protein. Employing a prokaryotic expression system, three overlapping fragments of the N gene were generated, revealing the reactivity of mAb 4G6 in the N-terminal region. Further confirmation was conducted through Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and peptide library screening, which pinpointed the epitope's amino acid sequence as \"GVMISMLSLFVESPGQLIQR,\" corresponding to the 71–90 amino acid positions in the PPRV N protein. This identified epitope holds promise for contributing to the development of rapid diagnostic assays.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"254 ","pages":"Article 107666"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145615672","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":"Microsatellite-based genetic diversity and population structure of local sheep breeds in Cyprus","authors":"Raziye Işık Kalpar ,&nbsp;Emel Özkan Ünal ,&nbsp;Abdullah Taner Önaldi ,&nbsp;Nazan Koluman ,&nbsp;Gönen Vurana ,&nbsp;Ersin Gözenler ,&nbsp;Mustafa Yaşli ,&nbsp;Ahmet Güneş ,&nbsp;Çağrı Halil Kocadal","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107676","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107676","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of three Cyprus sheep populations (Awassi, Cyprus Native Awassi, and Cyprus Native Local Fat Tail) using 20 microsatellite loci. A total of 224 alleles were detected across the loci, with an average of 11.2 alleles per locus. The mean number of alleles (Na) varied between populations, with Awassi (AW) showing the highest diversity (Na = 10.15) and Cyprus Native Local Fat Tail (CNLFT) exhibiting the lowest (Na = 3.70). The effective number of alleles ranged from 3.31 to 12.60, and polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged between 0.53 and 0.94, indicating high polymorphism across the markers. Observed heterozygosity (H_O) and expected heterozygosity (H_E) values ranged from 0.54 to 0.62 and 0.53–0.74, respectively, with the Awassi population showing the highest levels of genetic variation. Inbreeding levels, assessed by the F_IS coefficient, were positive and significant at most loci, with an average F_IS value of 0.21, suggesting moderate inbreeding. The F_ST values (ranging from 0.026 to 0.259) and Nei’s genetic distance (D_A) values confirm moderate genetic differentiation among the populations, with CNLFT being the most distinct. Factorial correspondence analysis and results from STRUCTURE software, indicating three genetic clusters, also supported the clear genetic separation of CNLFT from the other two populations. The study also found significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) at 14 loci, likely due to inbreeding, genetic drift, or the presence of null alleles. Furthermore, null alleles were identified at high frequencies at certain loci, highlighting the need for careful interpretation of genetic differentiation. These results suggest limited genetic differentiation among the Cyprus sheep populations, with Awassi and Cyprus Native Awassi showing higher genetic diversity compared to the Cyprus Native Local Fat Tail population. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the genetic structure of Cyprus sheep populations and offers a foundation for future breeding and conservation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"254 ","pages":"Article 107676"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145681575","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":"Coinfection of small ruminant lentivirus and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in dairy goats","authors":"Bárbara Karen Marques Mendes ,&nbsp;Alice Andrioli Pinheiro ,&nbsp;Raymundo Rizaldo Pinheiro ,&nbsp;Dalva Alana Aragão Azevedo ,&nbsp;Patrícia Yoshida Faccioli-Martins ,&nbsp;Ana Milena César Lima ,&nbsp;Francisco Selmo Fernandes Alves ,&nbsp;José Lindenberg Rocha Sarmento ,&nbsp;Tânia Vasconcelos Cavalcante","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107652","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107652","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of dairy goats positive for small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) to infection by <em>Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis</em>. The study was conducted with 1010 dairy goats of the Saanen, Toggenburg, Anglo-Nubian, Alpine, and mixed (Saanen and Alpine), aged between 18 and 66 months, raised under intensive management, and distributed across 12 dairy farms located in three Brazilian states. Serological tests were used to identify SRLV, including agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), western blotting (WB), and nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (<em>n</em>PCR). The indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test was used to detect <em>C. pseudotuberculosis</em>. The seropositivity for Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) in the animals was 50.2 % (507/1010) in the WB test, a higher percentage than that detected by the AGID test, which reached 40.1 % (405/1010). Among the animals positive for SRLV in AGID, 53.3 % (216/405) also evaluated positive for <em>C. pseudotuberculosis</em> (P &lt; 0.01). Similarly, 51.3 % (260/507) of the animals positive for SRLV in the WB test were also positive for <em>C. pseudotuberculosis</em> (P &lt; 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the results for animals positive for SRLV in <em>n</em>PCR 71.1 % (718/1.010) whereas the positivity for caseous lymphadenitis was 49.9 % (358/718). The analysis revealed that animals infected with CAEV exhibit a higher frequency of caseous lymphadenitis compared to non-infected animals, suggesting a positive, albeit low-intensity, association.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107652"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145516829","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":"Meat physicochemical, shelf life, fatty acids and sensory attributes of South African feedlot lamb breeds subjected to varying water restriction levels","authors":"Nolutsha Pahlane ,&nbsp;Obert C. Chikwanha ,&nbsp;Chenaimoyo L.F. Katiyatiya ,&nbsp;Leo N. Mahachi ,&nbsp;Annelin H. Molotsi ,&nbsp;Jeannine Marais ,&nbsp;Cletos Mapiye","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107647","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107647","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study compared the meat quality of four-month-old ram lambs from four sheep breeds: Damara, Pedi, Meatmaster and Dohne Merino subjected to water restriction (W<em>R</em>) levels of 0 (control, normal water intake), 10 % (90 % water intake) or 20 % (80 % water intake) [n = 8 per treatment] for 42 days. After slaughter, the <em>longissimus thoracis et lumborum</em> (LTL) muscles were removed for the evaluation of meat quality attributes. The interaction of breed and W<em>R</em> did not influence (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05) most of the investigated parameters. However, W<em>R</em> treatments resulted in lower (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05) carcass temperature at 45 min and reduced contents of C15:0, C17:0, C19:1<em>cis(c)</em>7, C18:1<em>trans (t)</em>10/<em>t</em>11, total <em>t</em>-MUFA and <em>t</em>otal <em>n</em>6 PUFA relative to the control. Meatmaster and Dohne Merino meat exhibited higher (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05) intramuscular fat content of C22:5<em>n</em>3, C22:6<em>n</em>3 and total <em>n</em>3 PUFA, scores for metallic aroma and sustained juiciness than Damara meat. Dohne Merino had higher (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05) C18:1<em>t</em>10/<em>t</em>11and <em>t</em>-MUFA con<em>t</em>ents than Meatmaster and Damara. Meatmaster achieved higher (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05) ratings for meat and fat flavor than the Pedi breed. Nonetheless, Meatmaster meat had higher (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05) drip loss, and along with Damara had slightly darker (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05) and less tender (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05) meat than Dohne Merino and Pedi. In conclusion, 20 % W<em>R</em> and the use of productive water-efficient sheep breeds such as Meatmaster offer sustainable strategies for conserving water while maintaining meat quality in feedlots experiencing water scarcity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107647"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466144","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":"In vivo assessment of Chaetomorpha vieillardii ethanolic extract as a natural anthelmintic in sheep","authors":"Awistaros Angger Sakti ,&nbsp;Kustantinah ,&nbsp;Bambang Suwignyo ,&nbsp;Ahmad Sofyan ,&nbsp;Cuk Tri Noviandi ,&nbsp;Hendra Herdian ,&nbsp;Zein Ahmad Baihaqi ,&nbsp;Harwi Kusnadi ,&nbsp;Rusli Fidriyanto ,&nbsp;I Nyoman Guna Darma ,&nbsp;Prasetyo","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107643","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107643","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) cause substantial losses in ruminants, including nutrient depletion, anemia, reduced productivity, and mortality. Nematodes' resistance to synthetic drugs has led to interest in alternative control strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of <em>Chaetomorpha vieillardii</em> extract, a green macroalga, as a natural anthelmintic agent and to assess its effects on productivity, feed intake, and digestibility in thin-tailed sheep. Sixteen naturally infected thin-tailed sheep were randomly allocated into four groups: P0 (basal diet), P1 (P0 + <em>C. vieillardii</em> extract 10 mg/kg BW), P2 (P0 + <em>C. vieillardii</em> extract 20 mg/kg BW), and Palb (P0 + albendazole 5 mg/kg BW). Diets were composed of king grass (80 % dry matter, DM) and wheat bran (20 % DM), targeting 0–50 g/day weight gain. Treatments were conducted over 8 weeks, with a 2-week adaptation period. Counting fecal eggs per gram (EPG) for GIN was monitored weekly. The ethanol extract of <em>C. vieillardii</em> yielded 2.45 % with bioactive contents: total flavonoids 117.9 mg EQ/g, phenolics 5.2 mg GAE/g, phloroglucinol-reactive phenolics 2.1 mg PGE/g, and saponins 218.8 mg SE/g. At 20 mg/kg BW, the extract significantly reduced GIN prevalence by 98.1 % (P &lt; 0.05). Hematological parameters remained stable, with a positive trend in red blood cell indices, and a significant increase in eosinophils in controls due to infection. Administration at 20 mg/kg body weight enhanced feed intake, nutrient digestibility, feed efficiency, and improved growth performance in sheep. This suggests that <em>C. vieillardii</em> has the potential to be further developed as a natural anthelmintic for sheep, while also enhancing their nutritional status.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107643"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466145","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":"Innovative approaches to improve camel milk yogurt: A review of physicochemical and technological challenges","authors":"Sanaz Sanayei ,&nbsp;Aprilia Fitriani","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107634","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107634","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Yogurt is a popular fermented dairy product known for its nutritional and health benefits, particularly its positive effects on digestion. Researchers have investigated the production of yogurt from various milk types, including sheep, goat, and camel milk. Camel milk, recognised for its high nutritional and functional value, is typically consumed as raw milk or in fermented beverages. In recent years, studies have increasingly focused on developing new products from camel milk, such as yogurt<strong>.</strong> Camel milk forms weak gels, and achieving an acceptable texture in yogurt remains challenging. This review article explores the factors that influence the structure and quality of camel milk yogurt. Camel milk is characterised by smaller fat globules, low κ-casein content, larger casein micelles, a high proportion of β-casein, and the absence of β-lactoglobulin. Furthermore, Antimicrobial peptides such as lysozyme, lactoferrin, and immunoglobulin inhibit starter cultures, an important consideration during yogurt fermentation. The ratio of casein to whey protein is one of the main factors affecting the texture of the yogurt product. To address these challenges, several strategies have been investigated, including the use of hydrocolloids, which can modify texture, but may also influence flavour, and blending with other kinds of ruminant milk can reduce camel milk’s unique functional properties. Understanding these factors is essential for selecting suitable ingredients and processing methods to improve camel milk yogurt quality. Future advances in starter culture design, enzymatic modification, and formulation strategies will enable cost-effective industrial production of camel milk yogurt with improved quality and consumer acceptance<em>.</em></div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107634"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145364644","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":"Histopathological analysis in placentas of ewes infected with Chlamydia abortus showing different gross lesion severity","authors":"S.G. Caspe ,&nbsp;J. Palarea-Albaladejo ,&nbsp;S.R. Wattegedera ,&nbsp;E. Milne ,&nbsp;M. Livingstone ,&nbsp;K. Aitchison ,&nbsp;C. Underwood ,&nbsp;F. Chianini ,&nbsp;N.D. Sargison ,&nbsp;D. Longbottom","doi":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107632","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smallrumres.2025.107632","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The placenta plays a vital role in nutrient exchange between the mother and fetus. In pregnant ewes, <em>Chlamydia abortus</em> infection causes suppurative necrotising placentitis, impairing this function. While gross placental lesions are observable, microscopic analysis is required for detailed characterisation. This study investigated the histopathological changes in placentas showing different severities of visible damage from <em>C. abortus</em>-infected ewes. This study investigated histopathological changes in placentas from ewes experimentally infected with <em>C. abortus</em>, grouped (n = 3 per group) by the extent of visible lesions: Low (0–25 %), Medium (40–60 %), and High (85–100 %). Formalin-fixed placentas were randomly sampled for histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). In the Low group, the placentas showed mild to moderate focal suppurative placentitis. Medium group placentas exhibited severe multifocal suppurative necrotising placentitis with vascular thrombosis, while the High group exhibited severe, diffuse, suppurative necrotising placentitis with vascular necrosis and mineralisation. IHC for chlamydial lipopolysaccharide showed a higher presence in the trophoblast in the Medium group than in the Low or High groups. The histopathological parameters were standardised and statistically analysed to investigate each parameter's relative impact on the disease's pathogenesis. The findings suggest that ischemic necrosis, due to vascular lesions such as vasculitis, mural necrosis, and thrombosis driven by the host response to chlamydial antigens, has a greater impact on pregnancy outcome than cell lysis associated with the release of chlamydial elementary bodies. Reduced perfusion and inflammation-associated oedema increase the thickness of the maternofetal interface, compromising fetal nutrient exchange and fetal survival.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21758,"journal":{"name":"Small Ruminant Research","volume":"253 ","pages":"Article 107632"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145322018","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}