Translational Animal Science最新文献

{"title":"Nonlinear mixed models to describe the growth of Columbia sheep in Mexico.","authors":"Ricardo Martínez-Rocha, Rodolfo Ramírez-Valverde, Rafael Núñez-Domínguez, Joel Domínguez-Viveros, Víctor Díaz Sanchez, Jonathan Valerio-Hernández, Katherine Scheflen, Jorge Hidalgo","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag100","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag100","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Our objective in this study was to identify the nonlinear mixed model that best describes the growth curve of Columbia sheep within the central region of Mexico. The study was conducted using a total of 1886 live body weight records (birth to 450 days of age) from 174 Columbia Sheep (90 males and 84 females). Only animals with at least four weight records were considered in the study. The sheep were fed twice daily with a ration of corn silage and oat hay. Animals were weaned at an average age of 75 days. Growth curves were fitted using four nonlinear mixed models: Brody, Logistic, Von Bertalanffy, and Gompertz. In all models, the asymptotic body weight (A), integration constant (b), and maturity rate (k) were estimated, with A and k modeled as both fixed and random effects. Sex was included as a fixed effect affecting only the A and k parameters. A model comparison was performed using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), which states that lower AIC indicates better fit. Among the evaluated models, the Von Bertalanffy model provided the best fit for the data. Estimated parameters for females were A = 40.26 kg, b = 0.516, and k = 0.011 day^-1, while the sex effects for males were + 9.55 kg for A and -0.001 for k. These estimates indicate that males reach higher mature body weights while maturing slightly more slowly than females. Including random effects for A and k improved model accuracy by reducing residual variance. These results provide useful information on growth characterization may help define age or weight targets for further evaluation of slaughter strategies in Columbia sheep.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag100"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13426000/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148654013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of a cheese co-product fed in lactation and nursery diets on sow, litter, and subsequent nursery pig performance.","authors":"Grady A Privett, Jason C Woodworth, Joel M DeRouchey, Katelyn N Gaffield, Jordan T Gebhardt, Mike D Tokach, Robert D Goodband, Diego A Lopez","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag106","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag106","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A total of 86 sows (Line 241, DNA Genetics, Columbus, NE) were used to determine the effects of a cheese co-product added to lactation diets on sow and litter performance. Sows in three separate farrowing groups (approximately 31 ± 1 sows per group) were moved into the farrowing house and blocked by parity on day 112 ± 1 of gestation. Sows then were assigned to one of two dietary treatments which consisted of a standard corn-soybean-based lactation diet (control) or the control diet with 4% cheese co-product (Pro88; Keys Manufacturing, Paris, IL, USA) added at the expense of soybean meal on a digestible Lys-basis. The addition of the cheese co-product in lactation diets did not affect sow or litter performance. Offspring from the third farrowing group (395 pigs; DNA Line 241 × 600; initially 5.8 kg) were followed into the nursery and used in a 2 × 2 factorial to evaluate the effects of previous sow lactation feed treatment and addition of the cheese co-product in nursery diets in a 35-d growth trial. Nursery treatments included either a control diet or the control diet with 4% added cheese co-product fed in phases 1 (days 0 to 9) and 2 (days 9 to 21) followed by a common diet fed to all pigs in phase 3 (days 21 to 35). The cheese co-product was added at the expense of enzyme treated soybean meal in the nursery diets on a digestible Lys-basis. No sow × nursery interactions were observed. Offspring from the third group of sows fed the cheese co-product were heavier (<i>P</i> < 0.001) at weaning than those not fed cheese co-product, and this body weight advantage was maintained throughout the experiment. There was a tendency (<i>P</i> = 0.058) for fewer pigs fed the cheese co-product in the nursery to lose body weight from days 0 to 3 after weaning, regardless of previous sow treatment. During the nursery experimental period (days 0 to 21 post-weaning) and overall (days 0 to 35), pigs weaned from sows fed the cheese co-product tended to have increased (<i>P</i> < 0.10) gain-to-feed ratio (G: F). There were no effects on average daily gain or feed intake due to previous sow treatment. In addition, during the experimental period and overall, feeding the cheese co-product in the nursery diet increased (<i>P</i> < 0.05) G: F compared with pigs fed the control diet. In conclusion, feeding a cheese co-product either in lactation or early nursery diets at the expense of soybean meal or a specialty soy protein, respectively, increased G: F of pigs throughout the nursery period.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag106"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13424426/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148653967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic diversity and population structure of Mexican Gir cattle using genome-wide SNP data.","authors":"Ricardo Martínez-Rocha, Jonathan Emanuel Valerio-Hernández, Rafael Núñez-Domínguez, Rodolfo Ramírez-Valverde, Joel Domínguez-Viveros, Juan Fernando Saiz, Julius Mugambe, Jorge Hidalgo","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag094","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag094","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study characterizes the genomic diversity and population structure of Mexican Gir cattle. We sampled 226 animals from three tropical herds and isolated DNA from hair samples was genotyped using the GGP Indicus 50K array. After quality control, 212 animals and 28,394 autosomal SNPs remained for a within-breed analysis. We merged the Mexican Gir dataset with an available online database involving 134 worldwide breeds. The combined dataset was used for across-breed comparisons, with 9091 shared SNPs. Within-breed diversity was high (Heterozygosity Observed = 0.40; Heterozygosity Expected = 0.38), and genomic inbreeding by Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium ( <math> <mrow> <mrow> <mrow> <msub><mrow><mi>F</mi></mrow> <mrow><mi>I</mi> <mi>S</mi></mrow> </msub> </mrow> </mrow> </mrow> <mo>=</mo> <mo>-</mo> <mn>0.04</mn></math> ), by Genomic Relationship Matrix ( <math> <mrow> <mrow> <mrow> <msub><mrow><mi>F</mi></mrow> <mrow><mi>GRM</mi></mrow> </msub> </mrow> </mrow> </mrow> <mo>=</mo> <mo>-</mo> <mn>0.02</mn></math> ) and by Runs of Homozygosity ( <math> <mrow> <mrow> <mrow> <msub><mrow><mi>F</mi></mrow> <mrow><mi>ROH</mi></mrow> </msub> </mrow> </mrow> </mrow> <mo>=</mo> <mn>0.07</mn></math> ) was low. Runs of Homozygosity were dominated by short segments (1-2 Mb), which accounted for 75% of the total detected segments, consistent with historical rather than recent inbreeding. Multidimensional scaling grouped Mexican Gir with Asian zebu, particularly Gir from India and Pakistan; pairwise Fixation Index values were lowest versus Gir, Red Sindhi, Lohani, Rojhan, and Tharparkar, and IBS heatmaps showed greater similarity to Asian indicine than to unrelated zebu. ADMIXTURE-supported ancestry components were concordant with the breed's introduction history. Overall, Mexican Gir exhibit ample genetic variability and low recent inbreeding, providing a robust foundation to intensify selection for productivity and tropical adaptation while safeguarding diversity. These results support genomic monitoring ( <math> <mrow> <mrow> <mrow> <msub><mrow><mi>F</mi></mrow> <mrow><mi>I</mi> <mi>S</mi></mrow> </msub> </mrow> </mrow> </mrow> </math> , <math> <mrow> <mrow> <mrow> <msub><mrow><mi>F</mi></mrow> <mrow><mi>GRM</mi></mrow> </msub> </mrow> </mrow> </mrow> </math> , <math> <mrow> <mrow> <mrow> <msub><mrow><mi>F</mi></mrow> <mrow><mi>ROH</mi></mrow> </msub> </mrow> </mrow> </mrow> </math> ), balanced sire usage, and targeted germplasm introduction as management priorities.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag094"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13588704/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149008966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impacts of conventional and high-oleic soybean oil supplementation on rumen microbiology, physiology, immunity, and growth of recently weaned Brangus steers.","authors":"Marcelo Vedovatto, Hiam Marcon, Matheus F L Ferreira, Ashley K Edwards, Joao V Chinaglia, Gilmara P Leite, Kelsey M Harvey, Brooklyn Laubinger, Barbara R Dos Reis","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag099","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag099","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The current experiment evaluated the effects of conventional (CSBO) and high-oleic soybean oils (HOSBO) on rumen microbiology, physiology, immunity, and growth of beef steers during a 56-day preconditioning period. Seventy-two Brangus steers (body weight [BW] = 248 ± 30.6 kg) were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments (4 pastures per treatment; 6 steers/pasture): (i) no oil (Control), (ii) CSBO, or (iii) HOSBO. Oils were supplemented at 0.06% BW/day mixed with soybean hulls, which were offered at 0.8% BW/day. Bermudagrass hay was provided ad libitum. Steers were vaccinated against respiratory diseases on day 0, and BW and blood samples were collected on days 0, 21, and 56, while rumen fluid was collected on days 0 and 56. The CSBO steers had lower rumen bacterial richness (<i>P</i> = 0.05) and a tendency toward lower Shannon indices (<i>P</i> = 0.10) than others at the phylum level. Furthermore, HOSBO steers had greater plasma oleic acid concentrations (<i>P</i> = 0.05) than other steers on days 21 and 56. The CSBO steers had greater plasma linoleic acid concentrations (<i>P</i> < 0.01) than HOSBO steers, which in turn had greater concentrations than Control steers on days 21 and 56. The HOSBO steers tended to have greater plasma α-linolenic acid concentrations (<i>P</i> = 0.08) than others on day 21. However, CSBO steers had greater plasma cortisol concentrations (<i>P</i> = 0.05) than Control steers and did not differ from HOSBO steers on day 21. In addition, CSBO steers tended to have greater serum alanine aminotransferase concentrations (<i>P</i> = 0.09) on day 56 than others. The CSBO steers had greater serum titers (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05) against bovine viral diarrhea virus types 1 (BVDV-1) and 2 (BVDV-2) than others. Moreover, HOSBO steers had greater serum titers against bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV; <i>P</i> = 0.03) on day 21 than others. Additionally, on day 56, HOSBO steers tended (<i>P</i> = 0.10) to have greater BW than CSBO steers, which in turn tended (<i>P</i> = 0.10) to have greater BW than Control steers. Thus, HOSBO and CSBO supplementation had a low effect on rumen microbiology but modified plasma fatty acid profiles, increasing linoleic acid with CSBO and oleic acid with HOSBO supplementation. These changes resulted in distinct immune responses, with CSBO enhancing responses to BVDV-1 and BVDV-2, and HOSBO enhancing responses to BRSV. Moreover, HOSBO was more effective than CSBO in supporting the growth of recently weaned Brangus steers.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag099"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13421081/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148631734","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of different acidifiers on the growth performance and diarrhea score of weaned piglets under commercial pig farm conditions.","authors":"Mingfang Hu, Qing Gao, Wen Ren, Anping Li, Ming Huang, Liangqiang Che, Daiwen Chen, Aimin Wu","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag101","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Benzoic acid (BA)-based acidifiers are widely applied in nursery diets; however, formulation can shape their functional outcomes on intake, host robustness, and gut microbial ecology. This study assessed a new-type benzoic acid (NBA) strategy under commercial farm conditions. A total of 210 21-day-old DLY (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) weaned piglets, with equal numbers of males and females and similar body weight (average 6.03 kg ± 0.01 kg), were randomly assigned to 5 groups with 6 replicates per group and 7 piglets per replicate. The control group was fed a basal diet, while the four experimental groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.5% benzoic acid (BA), 0.3% new-type benzoic acid (NBA), 0.25% controlled-release-coated benzoic acid (CBA), or 0.5% compound acidifier (CA) powder, respectively. The trial lasted 42 days. The results showed that compared to the control group, the average daily feed intake (ADFI) from days 15 to 28 was significantly increased (<i>P</i> < 0.05) in the BA, NBA, and CA groups, indicating improved voluntary intake during the mid-nursery period. The diarrhea rate was significantly reduced (<i>P</i> < 0.05) during days 0-14 in the BA, NBA and CBA groups compared to the control group. Compared to the control group, serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was significantly elevated (<i>P</i> < 0.05) in the BA, CBA, and CA groups, and catalase (CAT) levels increased significantly in the NBA group. White blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte (Lym), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) increased significantly in the BA group compared to the control group, while MCHC levels decreased significantly in the NBA, CBA, and CA groups. Notably, compared with the control group, 0.5% BA, 0.3% NBA, and 0.25% CBA increased the richness and diversity of the intestinal microbiota. Specifically, these treatments promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria such as <i>Lactobacillus</i> while inhibiting the proliferation of <i>Escherichia coli</i>. The results of this study indicate that adding 0.5% BA, 0.3% NBA, and 0.25% CBA all enhance piglets' antioxidant capacity, reduce diarrhea incidence, and enhance gut microbial diversity. Among these, 0.5% BA and 0.25% CBA demonstrated superior efficacy compared to 0.3% NBA, offering potential economic benefits by improving feed efficiency, thereby enhancing overall production performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag101"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13452052/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148697911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The spearmint extract L-carvone as a euthanasia agent in sheep.","authors":"Robert J Brosnan, Monica Aleman, Lais Costa, Heather Knych, Adrien Dupanloup, Ujwala Vedavally, Chelsea M Unkel","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag103","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag103","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>L-carvone is a natural monoterpene found in spearmint and other foods that can be administered intravenously to euthanize rats. We hypothesized intravenous L-carvone rapidly alters consciousness and produces death in sheep, resulting in tissue L-carvone concentrations that are commonly found in foods. Jugular catheters were placed in five adult Hampshire-Suffolk ewes, and a carotid arterial catheter was inadvertently placed in a sixth ewe. Animals were restrained in a seated position and instrumented with surface electroencephalographic (EEG) and electromyographic electrodes and a two-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) accompanied by pulse and respiratory rate and behavioral monitoring. A 50% solution of food-grade L-carvone administered as a rapid intravenous bolus at a dose of 0.5 mL/kg was followed by bilateral ocular strabismus, loss of responsiveness, shallow breathing, and a 50% reduction in heart rate within 6 ± 4 s (mean ± SD). In 4 sheep, myoclonus and increased muscle tone was present for 15-54 s after injection. Pulses were undetectable within 20 ± 9 s, and animals were apneic in 48 ± 14 s and without cardiac electrical activity 46 ± 19 s after injection. During this time, the EEG spectral edge frequency rapidly decreased, indicative of progressively altered consciousness and deepening anesthesia. Intermittent, large amplitude polyspike waves were observed on the EEGs of most sheep, consistent with seizure activity. Intra-arterial L-carvone injection yielded quantitatively similar results except for persistence of ECG electromechanical dissociation for several minutes after death. Sheep tissues collected after euthanasia were analyzed for L-carvone by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. For intravenous doses, L-carvone concentrations ranged from 283 ± 155 in the kidney to 2.2 ± 1.6 in the semitendinosus muscle. Intravascular L-carvone produces rapid onset of unconsciousness and irreversible death in sheep without contaminating the carcass with non-edible residues. However, increased muscle tone and EEG seizure activity make L-carvone imperfect for euthanasia when administered as a sole agent.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag103"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13431673/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148670331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of distance and vibration isolation during transportation on subprimal and case-ready steak quality of beef sirloins.","authors":"Kylie N Krueger, Keith R Underwood, Amanda D Blair, J Kyle Grubbs, Christina E Bakker","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag102","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag102","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objectives of this study were to determine the impacts of transportation distance and vibration isolation on beef sirloin subprimal and case-ready steak quality. Cases (<i>n</i> = 45) of beef sirloin top butts were obtained from a commercial processing facility and allocated to one of three treatments: (i) regular pallet transported 240 km (RP240), (ii) regular pallet transported 640 km (RP640), or (iii) vibration isolation pallet transported 640 km (VI640). After initial transportation, one sirloin from each case was subset for further analysis. Sirloins were fabricated into three-2.54 cm steaks for evaluation of color, purge loss, cook loss, and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). The steaks were further bisected into medial and lateral halves. Steaks from the medial side were evaluated fresh and steaks from the lateral side were frozen prior to evaluation. Steaks were allocated into three evaluation time points: (i) subprimal fabrication, (ii) case-ready steaks evaluated prior to retail display (d 0), or (iii) case-ready steaks evaluated after 6 d of retail display (d 5). Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with fixed effects of treatment and day of simulated display. Least-squares means were calculated, and two orthogonal contrasts were used to test the hypotheses (i) \"Distance\" RP240 vs RP640 and (ii) \"Pallet\" RP640 vs VI640. Significance was determined at α ≤ .05. Increased distance resulted in decreased (<i>P</i> < 0.05) <i>L*</i>, <i>a*</i>, and <i>b*</i> of sirloin subprimals. Additionally, VI640 steaks had increased (<i>P</i> = 0.005) WBSF values for fresh steaks at the time of subprimal fabrication. Fresh case-ready RP240 steaks had increased (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.005) purge loss, cook loss, total moisture loss, and <i>L*</i> values compared to RP640 steaks. Fresh case-ready VP640 steaks had increased (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.011) purge loss and <i>L*</i> values compared to RP640 steaks. Fresh steaks had decreased (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.008) purge loss and WBSF on d 5 of simulated retail display compared to d 0. Frozen steaks had decreased (<i>P</i> = 0.023) purge loss on d 5 of simulated retail display compared to d 0. Instrumental <i>L*</i> did not change (<i>P</i> = 0.604), but <i>a*</i> and <i>b*</i> values were reduced (<i>P</i> < 0.001) over the course of simulated retail display. Minimal differences (<i>P</i> > 0.05) were observed on frozen steaks. These data indicated that increased subprimal transportation distance and vibration exposure may be beneficial to water holding capacity, color, and tenderness of fresh beef sirloin steaks.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag102"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13506050/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148819681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dose-response effects of corn-derived deoxynivalenol on nursery pig feed intake and growth performance.","authors":"Thomas A Crome, Darlene J Bloxham, Scott L Radke, Fredrik B Sandberg, Nicholas K Gabler","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag104","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag104","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a trichothecene mycotoxin commonly contaminating swine diets and is known to impair nursery pig performance through anorectic effects. The objective of this study was to characterize the dose-response effects of increasing dietary DON concentrations (0.2 to 5.1 mg/kg) that were naturally added through increasing levels of DON-contaminated corn on growth performance in modern nursery pigs using a seven-point titration design. A total of 112 pigs (9.1 ± 0.37 kg BW) were assigned to one of seven dietary treatments (<i>n</i> = 8 pens/treatment; 2 pigs/pen) and fed experimental diets for 24 d (Phase 1: d 0-14; Phase 2: d 14-24). Growth performance declined linearly during both Phase 1 and Phase 2 (<i>P</i> < 0.001). Across the 24-d period, increasing DON reduced overall BW, ADG, and ADFI in a linear manner (<i>P</i> < 0.001), with no quadratic responses detected (<i>P</i> > 0.100) DON concentration explained 39%, 48%, and 58% of the variation in final BW, ADG, and ADFI, respectively. Each 1 mg/kg increase in DON was associated with a 1.13 kg reduction in final BW, a 0.04 kg/d reduction in ADG, and a 0.07 kg/d reduction in ADFI. Overall Gain:Feed was not linearly related to DON concentration (<i>P</i> = 0.214). Two-segmented and linear-plateau regression analysis provided minimal improvement over linear models, indicating limited to no evidence for a biological breakpoint within the evaluated range. These findings demonstrate a clear, linear, dose-dependent suppression of voluntary feed intake and growth performance in nursery pigs exposed to 0.2 to 5.1 mg/kg DON, without evidence of a discrete intake threshold.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag104"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13499682/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148798155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of growth-promoting implants and revaccination timing on stress physiology and growth performance in male beef calves.","authors":"S Lasso-Ramirez, M Londono-Mendez, V Ramirez-Sepulveda, A E M Silva, A Macias Franco, H A Lardner, G M Silva","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag098","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag098","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hormonal growth-promoting implants are known to enhance growth performance in beef cattle, but their influence on vaccine response has not been studied extensively. Herein, we evaluated the growth performance and immunity of beef steers under different hormonal implant treatments and timing of booster vaccination. Fifty-nine crossbred beef calves were stratified by body weight (BW) and age (109 ± 18.9 kg and 70 ± 8 d of age) and randomly distributed into a completely randomized design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement to one of three implant treatments: (i) no implant (<b>CON</b>); (ii) short-term payout period implant (Synovex C; <b>ST</b>); or (iii) long-term payout period implant (Synovex One Grower; <b>LT</b>), and to one of the booster vaccination groups; at weaning (<b>WV</b>) or 7 days post-weaning (<b>PWV</b>). From implantation, and initial vaccination (d 0) until weaning (d 114), calves were raised with their dams in a single pasture. After weaning, calves were allocated to a single pen until d 63 post-weaning (d 177). Body weight was recorded, and blood samples were collected to analyze insulin-like growth factor, cortisol, β-hydroxybutyric acid, non-esterified fatty acids, leptin, serum antibody titers, and complete blood cell count. Peripheral blood lymphocyte concentration was greater in CON compared with ST and LT (<i>P</i> < 0.01), and greater plasma leptin (<i>P</i> = 0.01) in ST compared to LT, while CON was intermediate. A treatment × timing of booster vaccination (<i>P</i> < 0.01) was observed with greater peripheral blood monocyte counts in LT-PWV compared to ST-PWV and CON-PWV. A timing of booster vaccination × day interaction (<i>P</i> = 0.01) was observed for plasma cortisol with smaller concentration in WV compared with PWV at booster vaccination and d 28 post-booster vaccination. No main effects of treatments or treatment interactions were observed for serum antibody titers (<i>P</i> > 0.20). Implant treatment did not affect weaning weights; however, calves implanted with LT were the heaviest on d 142 (<i>P</i> = 0.03) and tended to have greater final body weights at the end of the study (<i>P</i> = 0.07). In summary, implant strategy and booster vaccination timing affected metabolic and immune parameters in beef calves but did not influence serum antibody titers. Growth performance was not affected at weaning; however, long-term-implanted calves were heavier post-weaning and tended to have greater final BW, indicating improved growth without compromising antibody-mediated immune responses.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag098"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13455977/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148707854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multi-protease supplementation enhances growth performance and promotes gut health in broilers fed low-protein, low-amino acid diets.","authors":"Márcia N Soares, Bindhu L Vasanthakumari, Laryssa F Bernardes, Antonio G Bertechini","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag093","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag093","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of this study was to assess the impact of dietary supplementation with a multi-protease enzyme on broiler diets with reduced levels of protein and amino acids. One-day-old male Cobb-500 chicks (2250 birds) were assigned to 10 treatments (9 pens/treatment). The treatments included (1) a nutritionally adequate Positive Control (PC); (2) PC + 200 g/t of a multi-protease (KZP); (3) a Negative Control (NC1) reformulated to-4% PC and amino acids; (4) NC1 + 100 g/t KZP; (5). NC1 + 200 g/t KZP; (6). NC1 + 300 g/t KZP; (7) a Negative Control (NC2) reformulated to - 8% PC and amino acids; (8). NC2 + 100 g/t KZP; (9) NC2 + 200 g/t KZP; and (10) NC2 + 300 g/t KZP. NC1 and NC2 showed the worst growth performance, with supplementation of KZP able to restore performance to the level of the PC at 200 g/t and 300 g/t dosage. There was no effect on carcass yield. The inclusion of multi-protease enhanced intestinal morphology, with increased villus height and villus: crypt ratio, along with reduced crypt depth. Protease supplementation promoted descriptive taxonomic shifts in cecal microbiota composition. Multi-protease enhanced bird performance, gut morphology, and influenced microbial community composition in amino acid-reduced diets.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag093"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13405243/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148607838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}