Translational Animal Science最新文献

{"title":"Effects of drylot dimension and group size on growth, physiological, and puberty responses of replacement beef heifers.","authors":"Camila P Prado, Reinaldo F Cooke, Shea J Mackey, Autumn T Pickett, Guilherme A Monteiro, Izadora S de Souza, Courtney L Daigle, Kelsey M Harvey","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag097","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag097","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This experiment evaluated growth, physiological responses, and puberty attainment in beef heifers reared in different stocking densities. Heifers (<i>n</i> = 240; 75% Angus × 25% Brahman) were ranked by age (270 ± 1 d), body weight (<b>BW</b> on d -3; 232 ± 2 kg) and temperament score on d 0, and assigned to (a) 1 of 6 drylot pens (10 × 14 m pens; 10 heifers/pen) with a stocking density of 14 m²/heifer (<b>HDENS</b>), (b) 1 of 6 drylot pens (10 × 28 m pens; 20 heifers/pen) with a stocking density of 14 m²/heifer (<b>HDENS-XL</b>), or (c) 1 of 6 pastures (1.38-ha pastures; 10 heifers/pasture) with a stocking density of 1,380 m²/heifer (<b>CON</b>). Shrunk BW was recorded (16 h of feed and water withdrawal) on d -3 and 171 to calculate BW gain. Heifers were fitted with an ear tag on d 0 to record behavioral responses. Blood samples were collected weekly for plasma progesterone analysis. Whole blood samples were collected on d 0, 58, 114, and 170 for mRNA isolation. Hair samples from the tail switch were collected on d 0, 30, 58, 85, 114, 142, and 170. Data were analyzed with pen or pasture as experimental unit. No treatment effects were detected (<i>P</i> = 0.67) for BW gain (∼0.635 kg/d). Time spent eating was greater (<i>P</i> < 0.01) in CON compared with HDENS and HDENS-XL. Time spent non-active, active and highly active were less (<i>P</i> < 0.01) in CON compared with HDENS and HDENS-XL. Time spent active was also less (<i>P</i> = 0.04) in HDENS compared with HDENS-XL. Hair cortisol concentrations were greater (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05) for HDENS and HDENS-XL compared with CON on d 30 and 170, greater (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.04) for HDENS compared with CON and HDENS-XL on d 58, and greater (<i>P</i> = 0.03) for HDENS compared with CON on d 142. Expression of <i>heat shock protein</i> (<b>HSP</b>)-70 mRNA was greater (<i>P</i> < 0.01) for HDENS compared with HDENS-XL on d 114, greater (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05) for HDENS compared with HDENS-XL and CON on d 170, and also greater (<i>P</i> = 0.03) for HDENS-XL compared with CON on d 170. Expression of HSP-72 mRNA was greater (<i>P</i> < 0.01) for HDENS compared with HDENS-XL and CON on d 170. Puberty rate was greater (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05) in CON compared with HDENS in weeks 8, 9, 17 and 23, greater (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05) for CON compared with HDENS and HDENS-XL from weeks 10 to 12, and greater (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05) in CON and HDENS-XL compared with HDENS from weeks 13 to 16 and weeks 18 to 22. Collectively, increasing drylot dimension and group size attenuated physiological stress responses and improved reproductive development of beef heifers reared at a high stocking density.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag097"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13375395/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148472754","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":"Evaluation of antibiotic usage during late gestation on pelvic organ prolapse incidence in sows.","authors":"Jamie M Studer, Zoë E Kiefer, R Blythe Schultz, Daniel Boykin, Jason W Ross","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag096","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag096","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Throughout the last decade, rising sow mortality rates have afflicted U.S. pork producers, as mortality rates have increased from an average of 9.0% in 2014 to 12.5% in 2024. Part of this increase is due to increased incidence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), which accounted for 22.6% of sow mortality in 2023. Despite widespread acknowledgement of this issue, mitigation strategies are lacking. Antibiotics represent a potential strategy to reduce POP incidence, as a 2019 survey reported POP incidence was lower when feed contained antibiotics compared to periods without antibiotics. Therefore, this study examined the effect of bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) supplementation on POP incidence in late-gestation sows across two commercial farms. Administration of BMD differed between farms, with farm A administering BMD through the water and farm B administering BMD through the feed. A total of 1,014 sows were on trial at farm A, with 522 in the control group and 492 in the BMD group. A total of 1,275 sows were on trial at farm B, with 709 in the control group and 566 in the BMD group. Sows were administered BMD for approximately two weeks prior to farrowing and perineal score (PS) evaluations were conducted to determine presumed POP risk. In brief, a PS of 1 (PS1) presumes low risk of POP while a PS of 3 (PS3) presumes high risk of POP determined by protrusion and swelling of the perineal region. Analysis of PS between treatments revealed that BMD administration did not affect PS at either farm (<i>P</i> ≥ 0.13). At farm A, 60.0% of control sows and 60.6% of BMD treated sows were scored PS1 while 2.9% of control sows and 5.4% of BMD treated sows were scored PS3. At farm B, 78.3% of control and 76.7% of BMD sows were scored PS1 while 2.8% of control and 3.1% of BMD sows were scored PS3. Further, BMD did not affect POP incidence at either farm (<i>P</i> ≥ 0.71), with 2.7% of control sows and 2.8% of BMD sows experiencing POP at farm A, and 2.8% of control sows and 3.2% of BMD sows experiencing POP at farm B. When evaluating litter characteristics, BMD treated sows had a lower number of stillborn piglets compared to control (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05), although this observation is largely due to PS3 scored sows treated with BMD having lower stillborns compared to PS3 control sows. Although BMD administration did not reduce POP incidence in the current study, further investigation into the effect of BMD on incidence of stillborn piglets is warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag096"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13435607/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148674059","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 substituting commercial concentrate with chaya forage meal on feed efficiency and weight gain of growing goats fed fresh leucaena-based diets.","authors":"Marjuki Marjuki, Asri N Huda, Tri E Susilorini, Kuswati Kuswati, Yacobus Christoper, Ahmad H Husnassabil, Chalermpon Yuangklang","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag095","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag095","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated the effect of the use of substituted concentrate with chaya (<i>Cnidoscolus aconitifolius</i>) forage meal in leucaena (<i>Leucaena leucocephala</i>) fresh forage-based diet on feed efficiency and body weight gain of growing female goats in ten weeks data collection period. Chaya forage meal was prepared from the leaves and young stems where the leaves are present. Twenty growing female etawa crossbred goats of 20.84 ± 2.48 kg initial body weight were assigned to four dietary treatments in a randomized block design of 5 blocks. The treatment diets were P0 = 100% fresh leucaena forage (Negative control); P1 = 50% fresh leucaena forage + 50% concentrate (Positive control); P2 = 50% fresh leucaena forage + 50% mixed concentrate (40% concentrate + 10% chaya forage meal); and P3 = 50% fresh leucaena forage + 50% mixed concentrate (30% concentrate + 20% chaya forage meal). The treatment diets were fed to the goats at level of 5% body weight in dry matter basis. The results showed that substitution of 50% of leucaena fresh forage as a single diet (P0) with concentrate that were either not substituted (P1) or partially substituted with chaya forage meal (P2 and P3) decreased very significantly (<i>P</i> < 0.01) total dry matter (<i>DM</i>), organic matter (<i>OM</i>), crude protein (<i>CP</i>), extract ether (<i>EE</i>), and crude fibre (<i>CF</i>) intake, but increased very significantly (<i>P</i> < 0.01) nitrogen free extract (<i>NFE</i>) intake. In addition, the DM ratio of leucaena: concentrate in the consumed diet P1-P3 treatments diet (51.67:48.33%) was much better compared to those in the P0 treatment diet (100:0). Consequently, P1-P3 treatment diets showed very significantly higher average daily weight gain (<i>ADG</i>) and very significantly higher feed efficiency (<i>P</i> < 0.01). The highest body weight gain and the highest feed efficiency were observed in P2 treatment diet. It is concluded that substitution of 50% of leucaena fresh forage as a single diet, especially with mixed of 40% concentrate and 10% chaya forage meal increased the efficiency of feed utilization and growth, offering more effective in utilizing locally feed resources and thus more sustainable feeding strategy for smallholder goat production.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag095"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13375394/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148472880","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":"Modeling feed intake in lactating sows during summer considering temperature and humidity covariates.","authors":"Qianqian Huang, Maria V Souza, Hyatt Frobose, Hinayah R Oliveira, Luiz F Brito, Allan P Schinckel","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag092","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag092","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Heat stress during lactation reduces voluntary feed intake (FI) and milk production in sows, thereby limiting piglet growth. In this context, the main objectives of this study were to compare alternative models for describing daily FI over a 22-d lactation and to evaluate temperature- and humidity-related environmental covariates under commercial conditions. Daily FI records from 898 lactating sows (parity 1: 503, parity 2: 138, parity 3 and higher: 257) were analyzed using mixed-effects models. The generalized Michaelis-Menten (GMM) function was compared against a third-order orthogonal polynomial function using model diagnostic metrics and a sow-level cross-validation. To account for thermal stress, we incorporated daily maximum air temperature (MT), daily maximum dew point (MD), and degree-hours above 24°C (DGH24) into the models. These environmental indicators were evaluated as fixed linear covariates, as interactions with lactation time components, or as proportional modifiers to the base intake curve. The cubic polynomial mixed-effects model (<i>R</i> ² = 0.85) demonstrated superior out-of-sample predictive performance relative to the GMM (<i>R</i> ² = 0.82) by accommodating late-lactation declines in FI. Parity significantly affected FI dynamics, with multiparous sows exhibiting greater overall FI and steeper early lactation increases than primiparous sows. Modeling environmental variables as interactions with lactation day improved model fit in comparison to fixed linear covariates and proportional modifiers, indicating lactation-day-dependent environmental sensitivity. Among single covariates, MD provided the best fit (AIC = 49,829), and a joint MT + MD interaction model achieved the strongest overall performance (AIC = 49,793). These findings demonstrate that flexible polynomial models combined with multidimensional environmental indicators provide an improved framework for describing lactation FI dynamics. Accounting for parity and moisture-related heat load may enhance precision feeding and environmental management strategies in modern sow production systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag092"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13344835/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148413031","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":"Factors associated with student success in an introductory level animal science course.","authors":"M Tipton, J Ahola, Q Scott, C Cramer","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag091","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag091","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The impact of demographic factors and student academic behaviors on student success are well-documented in many science disciplines, yet little data exists for animal science programs. The objective of this study was to determine if academic behaviors or demographic factors were associated with students' final grades in an introductory animal science course at Colorado State University. Students enrolled during the fall 2021, 2022, and 2023 semesters were anonymously surveyed at semester's end regarding their final grade, academic behaviors, and demographics. Separate regression models assessed associations between final course grade and extracurricular involvement, perceived adequacy of studying/notetaking strategies, attendance patterns, high school GPA (HSGPA), race, number of times enrolled in the course, and first-generation status (FG). Students that connected with faculty and those that were involved in clubs, research, or voluntary animal feeding were associated with a lower likelihood of failing (earning a grade of D or F) compared to those who were not (<i>P</i> = 0.006, <i>P</i> = 0.003, <i>P</i> = 0.013, <i>P</i> = 0.001, respectively). Students with perceived inadequacies in studying or notetaking strategies were associated with a higher likelihood of failing compared to those who felt their skills were adequate (<i>P</i> = 0.002 and <i>P</i> < 0.001, respectively), yet no differences were seen between students with different notetaking strategies (<i>P</i> = 0.662) or quantities of time spent studying for quizzes (<i>P</i> = 0.435) or exams (<i>P</i> = 0.370). Students who attended 80% to 90% and < 70% of class periods were associated with a higher likelihood of failing, compared to those who attended 100% of class periods (<i>P</i> = 0.010 and <i>P</i> = 0.005, respectively), but no differences were seen between those attending 100% of classes and those attending 90% to 100% of them (<i>P</i> = 0.185), nor between those attending 80% to 90% of classes and those attending < 70% of them (<i>P</i> = 0.203). An interaction occurred between FG and HSGPA (<i>P</i> = 0.040), showing that the effect of FG on likelihood of failing differs by HSGPA category. Racially minoritized students and students retaking the course had a higher probability of failing the course than their respective counterparts (<i>P</i> < 0.001 and <i>P</i> = 0.003, respectively). This study highlights the roles of involvement, attendance, perceived inadequacies in learning behaviors, and various demographics in academic performance and can be used to inform future student support programs in animal science disciplines.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag091"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13350890/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148424505","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":"Evaluation of dietary crude protein and non-starch polysaccharidase on nursery pig performance, nitrogen retention, hindgut fermentation and health.","authors":"Mitchell J Nisley, Brian J Kerr, Sarah C Pearce, Chris Sparks, Nicholas K Gabler","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag090","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag090","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Reducing dietary crude protein (CP) in nursery pig diets is a strategy to decrease post-weaning diarrhea (PWD), optimize feed costs, and reduce nitrogen excretion. One way by which high CP (HCP) diets increase PWD involve potentially cytotoxic proteolytic fermentation metabolites produced in the hindgut from unabsorbed proteins. Increasing dietary fiber fermentability with carbohydrase inclusion may mitigate this modality by shifting microbial fermentation towards carbohydrate substrate. To evaluate these interactions, a 3 × 2 factorial design assessed pig performance, nitrogen retention, hindgut fermentation, and health outcomes using high- and low- CP diets with or without a non-starch polysaccharidase (NSPase; xylanase). A total of 792 newly weaned 17 to 22- d-old mixed sex pigs (6.2 ± 0.12 kg body weight [BW]) were randomly allotted to three CP diets with or without NSPase (<i>n</i> = 12 pens/treatment), fed in three phases (10, 11, and 21 d). The CP and Lys per diet and phase were: (1) 16% CP containing 1.20, 1.15, and 1.10% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys per phase (LCP1.2); (2) 17% CP containing 1.40, 1.35, and 1.30% SID Lys (LCP1.4); (3) 24% CP containing 1.40, 1.35, and 1.30% SID Lys (HCP1.4). On d 10, one barrow per pen (<i>n</i> = 12 pigs/treatment) was moved to metabolism crates and fed at ∼5% of their average BW for 7 d on phase 2 diets, after which total fecal, and urine output were collected over a 4-d period for nitrogen retention analysis. On d 21, pigs utilized for metabolism evaluation were euthanized to collect intestinal tissue and luminal contents. The highest overall average daily gain and feed efficiency were observed in pigs fed HCP1.4 (both <i>P</i> < 0.0001). During phase 1, a tendency for a diet × NSPase interaction on PWD incidence was observed (<i>P</i> = 0.063), as NSPase numerically decreased incidence in HCP1.4 pigs but increased it in LCP1.4 and LCP1.2 pigs; overall, HCP1.4 pigs had greater PWD incidence than LCP1.4 and LCP1.2 pigs (<i>P</i> < 0.045). Pigs fed HCP1.4 diets observed increased nitrogen excretion and retention (g/d) when compared pigs fed either LCP diet (both <i>P</i> < 0.001, respectively). Pigs fed HCP1.4 had the highest production of total volatile fatty acids (VFA, <i>P</i> = 0.027). Polyamines cadaverine and putrescine were unaffected by CP (<i>P</i> > 0.05), but NSPase tended to reduce cadaverine production in all pigs (<i>P</i> = 0.079). Herein, pigs fed HCP diets observed improved performance concurrently with increased nitrogen excretion and PWD incidence.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag090"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13356043/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148431261","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 anthelmintics and gastrointestinal nematode infection intensity on growth and production performance and carcass quality in western Canadian feedlot cattle.","authors":"Eranga L De Seram, Gregory B Penner, John R Campbell, Sarah E Parker, John S Gilleard, Colleen M Pollock, Samantha Ekanayake, Fabienne D Uehlinger","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag087","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag087","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A randomized controlled trial determined the effects of anthelmintic treatments on growth and production performance, and carcass quality in western Canadian feedlot cattle. Fall-weaned, auction-derived steers (<i>n</i> = 234) were randomly assigned to three groups: untreated control (CTRL), injectable ivermectin (IVM), and injectable ivermectin combined with oral fenbendazole (IVM + FZ). Steers were dosed according to individual body weights and manufacturers' recommendations. Individual fecal and blood samples were collected at feedlot arrival to determine fecal egg counts (FEC) and serum <i>O. ostertagi</i> antibody titers. The effects of anthelmintic treatments on live body weights (BW), dry matter intake, average daily gain (ADG), gain-to-feed ratio, and carcass quality characteristics were analyzed at the pen level. Individual FEC and serum <i>O. ostertagi</i> titers were used to estimate effects of gastrointestinal nematode infection intensity on growth, production, and carcass traits at the steer level. Live BW (<i>P</i> ≥ 0.46), dry matter intake (<i>P</i> ≥ 0.48), ADG (<i>P</i> ≥ 0.60), and gain-to-feed ratio (<i>P</i> ≥ 0.36) were not associated with anthelmintic treatments in either the backgrounding (day 0-28) or finishing (days 29-177) phase. Hot carcass weight (<i>P</i> = 0.97), dressing percentage (<i>P</i> = 0.41), backfat thickness (<i>P</i> = 0.33), and rib-eye area (<i>P</i> = 0.97) also showed no differences between treatments. The IVM + FZ treatment increased the proportion of carcasses with modest marbling compared with CTRL and IVM (<i>P</i> = 0.002) and tended to produce more AAA carcasses than CTRL (<i>P</i> = 0.06), whereas IVM alone increased the proportion of yield grade 2 carcasses compared with the other treatments (<i>P</i> = 0.006). Higher FEC at arrival (mean 9.1 ± 10.2 eggs per g of feces) were associated with lower ADG during the finishing phase (<i>P</i> = 0.01), reduced hot carcass weight (<i>P</i> = 0.03), and a lower percentage of AAA carcasses (<i>P</i> = 0.02). Increasing serum <i>O. ostertagi</i> titers were linked to thinner backfat (<i>P</i> = 0.004) and a greater proportion of yield grade 1 carcasses compared to fatter yield grades (<i>P</i> = 0.04). The results indicate that anthelmintics used in western Canada improved certain beef cattle carcass qualities and that relatively low gastrointestinal nematode burdens may still be associated with measurable adverse impacts on feedlot performance under these conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag087"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13356044/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148431185","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":"Exploring the modulatory effects of spotted pumpkin (<i>Lagenaria breviflora</i>) fruit aqueous extract on growth performance, behaviour and blood profile of broiler chickens.","authors":"Adebayo Oluwatomiwa Enitan, Ibiyemi Omolola Opowoye, Adebayo Vincent Jegede, Oyegunle Emmanuel Oke, Oluwagbemiga Olanrewaju Adeleye","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag075","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Growing concerns over health risks and microbial resistance associated with synthetic growth promoters have increased interest in natural alternatives in poultry production. This study evaluated the effects of <i>Lagenaria breviflora</i> (spotted pumpkin) fruit aqueous extract on growth performance, behaviour, haematology, and serum biochemistry of broiler chickens. A total of 240 day-old Ross 308 chicks were assigned to six treatment groups in a 2 (300 and 500 g/L) × 3 (0, 3, and 4 times/week) factorial arrangement and administered the extract via drinking water from day 7 to 42. Growth performance indices included weight gain, feed intake, water intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Behaviour was monitored using closed-circuit television, and blood parameters were determined using standard laboratory procedures. While the extract did not improve growth performance, it influenced behavioural activity and selected physiological indices. Birds receiving 300 g/L showed higher feed and water intake than those on 500 g/L. Administration frequency significantly (<i>P</i> < 0.05) affected growth, with the control group (0 time/week) recording the highest final weight and weight gain. Behaviour did not differ at the starter phase, but at the finisher phase, birds on 300 g/L exhibited greater feeding, drinking, walking, dust bathing, and wing-flapping activities than those on 500 g/L. Frequency of administration also influenced behavioural expression, with control and 3 times/week groups generally more active than birds treated 4 times/week. Haematological indices were not affected by treatment. Serum biochemical parameters indicated improved antioxidant status at higher concentration (500 g/L), as evidenced by reduced (<i>P</i> < 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Birds receiving 500 g/L had higher serum protein and albumin and lower MDA levels, indicating improved antioxidant status. These findings suggest that <i>Lagenaria breviflora</i> extract may support behavioural expression and antioxidant status without improving growth performance. Therefore, its application should be considered cautiously, and further studies are required before definitive recommendations can be made.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag075"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13353228/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148424514","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":"In growing lambs, can body weight be predicted from the dorsal area?","authors":"Miguel Ángel Gastelum-Delgado, Roberto Carlos Barrientos-Medina, Darwin Nicolas Arcos-Álvarez, Ignacio Vázquez-Martínez, Jesus Mezo-Solis, Enrique Camacho Perez, Tairon Pannunzio Dias-Silva, Antonio Leandro Chaves Gurgel, Alfonso Juventino Chay-Canul","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag089","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txag089","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Periodic assessment of body weight is one of the main parameters for evaluating the performance of a herd and the consequent efficiency of the production system. Based on this, the aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate different equation models for predicting body weight (BW) in growing lambs using the dorsal area (DA). The variables BW (27.56 ± 5.86 kg), hip width (HW), thoracic width (TW) and body length (BL) were measured in 275 growing male lambs (Pelibuey × Blackbelly × Katahdin) aged between 6 and 9 months and reared under humid tropical conditions. Dorsal area (cm²) was calculated using the mathematical formulae for calculating the area of a trapezium, taking into account HW, TW and BL in the calculation. The prediction models were constructed using linear and non-linear regression. Goodness of model fit was assessed using Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), coefficient of determination (<i>R</i> ²), mean square error (MSE) and root mean square error (RMSE). Internal cross-validation (<i>k</i>-folds) was also used to evaluate the developed models. The root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), <i>R</i> ² and mean absolute error (MAE) were used to assess the ability of the fitted models to predict the observed values. The model selected for the prediction of BW was: -8.47 + 0.06 × DA -2.29 × DA² as it had the lowest MSE, RMSE and AIC values. Furthermore, for the relationship between BW and DA, this quadratic fit gave the highest <i>R</i> ² value (0.67). Therefore, with a reasonable level of accuracy, the quadratic model using the dorsal area may be suitable for the prediction of body in growing lambs. Based on results, dorsal area may be a moderate predictor of body weight in growing lambs, contributing to better property management.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag089"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13344859/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148413015","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":"Correction to: Growth performance, carcass merit, and nitrogen status of long-fed feedlot steers in response to dietary protein concentrations: a comparison of industry-average and reduced protein diets.","authors":"","doi":"10.1093/tas/txag080","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txag080","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/tas/txag037.].</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"10 ","pages":"txag080"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13313157/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148353706","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}