Translational Animal Science最新文献

{"title":"Hybrid rye grain inclusion strategies as a replacement for corn grain in finishing cattle diets: effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics.","authors":"Federico Podversich, Warren Rusche, Scott Bird, Brad Rops, Pete Sexton, Zachary Smith","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf059","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf059","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding dry-rolled hybrid rye grain (DRRG) as a replacement for dry-rolled corn (DRC) in beef cattle finishing diets. Two inclusion strategies for rye grain (RG) were evaluated: a total replacement of DRC for a limited time and a partial replacement during the entire feeding trial for Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. In Exp. 1, primarily Angus steers [n = 110, initial shrunk body weight (BW) 391 ± 31.5 kg] were blocked by BW and pen location in 7 blocks and assigned to either 1-A) DRC as the sole grain during the entire finishing (DRC), or 1-B) DRRG during the initial 46 d (replacement phase) and then switched to DRC (DRRG/DRC). In Exp. 2, primarily Angus steers (n = 44, initial shrunk BW 436 ± 41.0 kg) were blocked by BW and pen location in 4 blocks and assigned to either 2-A) DRC as the sole grain (DRC), or 2-B) the dietary grain component was a blend of one-third DRRG and two-thirds DRC (DM basis), during the entire feeding trial (MIX). Steers were fed for a total of 144 and 119 d in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively. Pen was the experimental unit, and data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design for both experiments. In Exp. 1, DRRG-fed steers had 18% less dry matter intake (DMI; <i>P</i> = 0.01) and 13% less average daily gain (ADG; <i>P</i> = 0.01) during the replacement phase. Cumulatively, steers initially fed with the DRRG-based diet tended to consume less than steers continuously fed the DRC-based diet (<i>P</i> = 0.08). However, cumulative ADG, final body weight (FBW), and hot carcass weight (HCW) did not differ (<i>P</i> ≥ 0.16). Steers fed DRRG tended to have lesser marbling scores and USDA Yield Grades (<i>P</i> = 0.08). In Exp. 2, Steers fed MIX tended to have less DMI expressed as % of BW (<i>P</i> = 0.09); no other differences were observed for growth performance or carcass characteristics. In conclusion, both alternatives serve to include rye in feedlot diets, with minimal effects on cumulative performance. However, in the current experiment total replacement of DRC with DRRG for a portion of the feeding period reduced feed intake, body weight gain, and carcass quality.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf059"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12411666/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145016252","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":"Growth performance, carcass quality, immune response, and production economics of broiler chickens fed avocado seed meal under feed restriction.","authors":"Andrew Bamidele Falowo, Olugbenga David Oloruntola, Oluwaseyi Israel Atiba, Ojurereoluwa Adebimpe Ayodele, Olumuyiwa Joseph Olarotimi, Francis Ayodeji Gbore","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf047","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Feed restriction is effective in reducing feed costs, however it may have adverse effects on growth performance. Phytogenic feed additives has been explored for their potential to enhance digestion and support growth in poultry. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of avocado seed meal on growth performance, carcass quality, immune response, haematological indices, and production economics of broiler chickens under feed restriction. One hundred and twenty 1-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement comprising two feeding regimens (ad libitum and 8-hour time-restricted feeding) and two avocado seed meal (ASM) levels (0 mg/kg and 3000 mg/kg), resulting in four treatments with 12 replicates during 42-day feeding trial. Feed restriction significantly (<i>P < 0.05</i>) decreased final body weight (11.42%), weight gain (11.60%), feed intake (11.10%), slaughter weight (12.24%), and dressing percentage (3.13%) but increased relative organ weights (lung, liver, heart, spleen, gizzard, and pancreas) of the broiler chicken compared to unrestricted group. Supplementation of ASM had no significant effect (<i>P > 0.05</i>) on growth performance and carcass traits except for relative heart and pancreas weights of the broiler chickens. Economic analysis showed that feed-restricted broilers had lower feed costs (N3376.39) but reduced revenue (N6866.87) and income over feed costs (N3490.48) compared to the ad libitum group, while ASM inclusion did not significantly (<i>P > 0.05</i>) affect economic outcomes. Feed-restricted broilers exhibited lower red (2.68 × 10¹²/L)) and white blood cell counts (3.20 × 10⁹/L), while ASM supplementation maintained normal haematological parameters. Immune responses showed elevated IgG (313.75mg/dL) and IgM (153.17mg/dL) levels in feed-restricted broilers, with ASM inclusion affecting IgM levels but not IgG concentrations. The influence of feed restriction × ASM supplementation interaction was not significant (<i>P > 0.05</i>) on final body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, cost of feed intake, revenue, and income over feed cost per bird across treatments. However, a feed restriction × ASM supplementation interaction occurred on feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage, liver, heart, gizzard, pancreas weights and IgM levels across treatments. The study concludes that supplementation of ASM at 3000 mg/kg could minimize the negative influence of feed restriction on growth performance, carcass traits, and economic returns during production.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf047"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12141815/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144249769","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 acupuncture treatment through acupoints in ears on transport stress in domestic pigs.","authors":"Hiroaki Kawaguchi, Moe Ijiri, Motohiko Sato, Chihiro Kanno, Hiroshi Miura, Hisaya K Ono, Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Tomohide Matsuo","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf030","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to investigate the effects of acupuncture treatment through ear acupoints on transport stress in domestic pigs. Experiment 1 [Safety test of new starch-circular transdermal needles (CTNs)]: Four experimental minipigs underwent the application of starch-CTNs to ear acupoints, and they were observed for 2 wk to identify any gross abnormalities. Experiment 2 (Transport stress experiment): thirty-four domestic pigs were divided into three groups: Group 1: control without treatment; Group 2: acupuncture treatment using stainless-CTNs; Group 3: acupuncture treatment using starch-CTNs. Blood samples were collected on bloodletting in the slaughterhouse, and stress and oxidative stress markers, and other biochemical factors were examined. Experiment 3 (Follow-up study): The incidence of abnormal internal organs on carcass inspection was investigated. In Experiment 1, no abnormalities were observed in any of the animals. In Experiment 2, the acupuncture treatment improved the changes in blood cortisol, noradrenaline, derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP)/d-ROMs ratio. In Experiment 3, The acupuncture treatment improved rates of an abnormal digestive tract, pancreas, and heart. In conclusion, it was suggested that the acupuncture treatment through acupoints in ears using stainless- and new starch-CTNs suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function, central catecholaminergic system, and affects blood oxidative stress, and consequently reduces transport stress, and can improve animal welfare for domestic pigs.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf030"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12070473/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144043628","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":"Survey of Colorado beef producers' perceptions of the Beef Quality Assurance program.","authors":"Malei Tipton, Colton Smith, Paxton Sullivan, Tyler Thomas, Libby Bigler, Kayleigh Keller, Jason Ahola, Lily Edwards-Callaway","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf057","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf057","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program was first established as a voluntary beef producer initiative to address food safety and quality challenges. A statewide survey of beef producers was conducted to determine: (1) prevalence of BQA certification status, (2) the relationship between BQA certification and adherence to best management practices, and (3) perceptions about the value of BQA certification. The survey was mailed to beef producers in Colorado and included questions about demographics, BQA knowledge and participation, perspectives on the BQA program, and value derived from BQA. A total of 466 producers were included in the analysis; nearly 95% (n = 439) had heard of the BQA program, and 72.0% (n = 313) had participated in BQA training. There was a significant relationship between BQA certification status and: perceived knowledge about and adherence to BQA guidelines (χ² = 171.82, P < 0.0001), indication of having written documentation of a valid working relationship with a veterinarian (χ² = 20.246, P < 0.0001), and following of animal handling and well-being practices (χ² = 68.558, <i>P</i> < 0.0001). There was a relationship between being BQA-certification and using BQA certification as a marketing strategy (χ² = 93.001, <i>P</i> < 0.0001). Results showed a relationship between BQA certification status and the belief that BQA certification increases consumer confidence in beef production (χ² = 18.886, <i>P</i> < 0.0001). Results from this study indicate that producers identify many values associated with the BQA program related to cattle well-being, profitability, and consumer confidence.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf057"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12357238/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144875397","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 <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> fermentation product on ruminal fermentation, total tract digestibility, blood proinflammatory cytokines, and plasma metabolome of Holstein steers fed a high-grain diet.","authors":"Yun Jiang, Anjan Dhungana, Oluwaseun A Odunfa, Megan McCoun, Jodi McGill, Ilkyu Yoon, Ibukun Ogunade","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf058","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf058","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to assess the impact of <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> fermentation product (SCFP) on digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and plasma metabolome of Holstein steers fed a high-grain diet. Steers were fed diet with 80% concentrate and 20% corn silage once daily ad libitum. Steers were stratified based on initial body weight (BW) and randomly assigned to two treatments: 1) control (CON), a basal diet without SCFP; 2) basal diet + 12 g/head/day SCFP, top-dressed. Eight rumen-cannulated Holstein steers (<b>BW</b>: 580 ± 29.2 kg) were enrolled in a crossover design study with 25-d treatment periods and a 24-d washout period. Dry matter intake (DMI) was calculated from daily feed offered and refusals. Blood was collected before morning feeding on day 25 of each period. Rumen fluid was collected at 0, 4, 8 and 12 h post-feeding on d 25. Fecal samples were collected from d 22 to 24 for digestibility measures. Statistical analyses were performed with the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS, 2023). Supplementing SCFP had no effect on digestibility of organic matter (OM, <i>P</i> = 0.63), crude protein (CP, <i>P</i> = 0.97), neutral detergent fiber (NDF, <i>P</i> = 0.59), and acid detergent fiber (ADF, <i>P</i> = 0.84). Treatment did not affect fecal excretion of nitrogen (N, <i>P</i> = 0.69), phosphorus (P, <i>P</i> = 0.24), copper (Cu, <i>P</i> = 0.71), and zinc (Zn, <i>P</i> = 0.95). Supplementing SCFP increased (6.29 vs. 6.01, <i>P</i> = 0.01) ruminal pH compared to CON. Lactic acid concentrations were similar between treatments (P = 0.17) and low in both groups (0.09mM vs. 0.28mM). Treatment did not affect ruminal total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations (<i>P</i> > 0.10) but decreased butyrate molar proportion (<i>P</i> = 0.01) and tended to increase the molar proportions of isobutyrate (<i>P</i> = 0.06) and isovalerate (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.10). Treatment had no effect on the in vitro production of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β (<i>P</i> > 0.11) and IL-6 (<i>P</i> > 0.12), in the whole blood in response to various toll-like receptor stimulants. Plasma pathways of purine metabolism, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, and lysine degradation were enriched (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05) by feeding SCFP. Overall, supplementing SCFP did not affect total tract digestibility, fecal excretions of macro minerals but enhanced ruminal pH in cattle fed a high-grain diet. Furthermore, feeding SCFP enriched several important plasma pathways related to protein metabolism.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf058"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12086543/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144102807","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":"Influence of dietary <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> fermentation product on markers of inflammation and cartilage metabolism in young exercising horses challenged with intra-articular lipopolysaccharide.","authors":"Grace E Moore, Jessica L Leatherwood, Kati G Glass, Carolyn E Arnold, Brittany L Paris, Margaret M Carter, James M George, Alyson B Fontenot, Rafael E Martinez, Mark A Franklin, Sharon A Norton, Amanda N Bradbery, Tryon A Wickersham","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaf042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective was to evaluate dietary <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> fermentation product (SCFP) on joint inflammation and cartilage metabolism in exercising yearlings challenged with intra-articular lipopolysaccharide (LPS), hypothesizing dietary SCFP (TruEquine^®C, Diamond V Mills, Inc.) would ameliorate joint inflammation and increase cartilage metabolism. Thirty Quarter Horse yearlings were stratified by bodyweight (BW), age, sex, and randomly assigned to dietary treatments (n = 10/treatment): control (0), 46, or 92 mg/kg BW/d SCFP. Treatments were top-dressed to 1% BW/d concentrate void of added microbials. Horses were stalled (3.6 m × 7.3 m), offered ad libitum Coastal bermudagrass hay, and exercised 30 min/d, 5 d/wk. On days 0, 21, 42, and 56, wither height, hip height, heart girth, body length, body condition scores (BCS), and BW were recorded. On day 46, one radial carpal joint received 0.8 mL of a 0.5 ng LPS solution or sterile lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) in the contralateral joint. Synovial fluid was collected pre- (0) and 6, 12, 24, and 336 hours post-injection and analyzed for prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), carboxypropeptide of type II collagen (CPII), and collagenase cleavage neopeptide (C2C) via commercial ELISA, and chemokines (CCL2, and CCL11) and cytokines (TNF <math><mstyle><mi>α</mi></mstyle> </math> and IL-10) via multiplex platform. Rectal temperature (RT), heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), and carpal circumference (CC) were recorded prior to arthrocentesis. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. By day 56, growth parameters increased (<i>P</i> < 0.01), BCS did not change (<i>P</i> = 0.39), and BW had a treatment × d interaction (<i>P</i> = 0.02) where control tended to be heavier than 92 mg/kg BW on day 56 (<i>P</i> = 0.07). Clinical parameters (RT, HR, RR, CC) were uninfluenced by diet (<i>P</i> ≥ 0.29) but varied over time (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.03). Treatments did not influence cartilage metabolism (CPII, C2C, and CPII:C2C) (<i>P</i> ≥ 0.46) or logPGE₂, logCCL2, CCL11, or logIL-10 (<i>P</i> ≥ 0.23). There was a treatment × h interaction for CCL11 (<i>P</i> = 0.04) where control was greater than SCFP groups at h 6. LogIL-10 had a treatment × h interaction where 46 mg/kg BW was lower than control and 92 mg/kg BW at h 12 (<i>P</i> = 0.05). There was a main effect of treatment for TNF <math><mstyle><mi>α</mi></mstyle> </math> (<i>P</i> = 0.04) where 92 mg/kg BW was lower than 46 mg/kg BW and tended to be lower than control. Results indicate that SCFP didn't influence cartilage metabolism or PGE₂, though SCFP may ameliorate inflammatory cytokines and chemokines following an acute, intra-articular insult.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf042"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12057563/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144014594","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 pulse-dosing an essential oil blend to dairy cows on enteric methane emissions and productivity.","authors":"Julia Quinn Fouts, Silvia Grossi, Juan M Tricarico, Ermias Kebreab","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf056","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf056","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective was to investigate the effects of pulse-dosing the essential oil blend, Agolin Ruminant (EOB), to dairy cows on methane (CH₄) production (g/d) and intensity (g/kg milk or energy-corrected milk (ECM)), as well as lactation performance, on a commercial farm. Seventy-two multiparous, mid-lactation cows were blocked by days in milk, parity, and milk yield and housed in a single pen. After a 2-wk covariate period, cows within each block were randomly assigned to one of two treatments for 10 wk: Control (blank pellets) and EOBP (blank pellets and EOB pellets). The pellets were delivered through double-hopper GreenFeed (GF) units. Hopper 1 of each GF unit contained EOB pellets, formulated to supply ~1 g EOB from the first daily drop of pellets for each EOBP cow. Hopper 2 dispensed blank pellets for the remaining daily drops to EOBP cows and for all drops to Control cows. Enteric gases were measured via the GF units. Milk yields and components were obtained twice weekly, and dry matter intake (DMI) was calculated weekly using milk data, body weight, and body condition score. Overall, cows receiving EOB tended to have lower milk lactose concentration. In week 7, EOBP cows outperformed Control cows in milk yield, ECM, yields of milk protein, lactose, and solids-nonfat, modeled DMI, and CH₄ intensity. Inherent limitations of administering EOB through the GF units, as well as a low number of CH₄ measurements occurring after peak fermentation, may have contributed to the lack of consistent treatment differences. Our efforts to administer a feed additive to individual cows, and our consideration of how farm management practices influenced the results, contribute to the progress of on-farm CH₄ research.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf056"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12086541/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144102810","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 effect of ovulation synchronization with OvuGel on ovarian follicles and fertility responses to a single fixed time insemination in different parities and seasons.","authors":"Lidia S Arend, Amanda M Minton, Clint R Schwab, Caleb M Shull, Stephen G Buysse, Mike E Johnston, Catherine M Roaten, Christopher L Anderson, Stephen K Webel, Robert V Knox","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf052","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf052","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Increasing use of semen from superior sires can accelerate genetic improvement when using a single fixed-time AI (SFTAI) to reduce the number of sperm required to produce a litter. The objectives of this study were to: 1) Assess whether follicle development, ovulation, and insemination was altered by parity and season in OvuGel and Controls; 2) Determine the impact of Day of OvuGel administration and estrus in Controls; and 3) Evaluate OvuGel and Control interactions with parity and season on farrowing rate and litter size. The experiment was performed in replicates in summer and fall with sows assigned from Monday and Thursday wean groups by parity to OvuGel or Control after weaning (Day 0). Sows received OvuGel (n = 1,636) on Days 3, 4 or 5 based on proestrus or estrus symptoms and then a SFTAI 24 h later. Controls with a wean to estrus interval of 3 to 6 d (n = 1,676) received an AI on each day standing. Ovaries of a sub-population of the Thursday weaned sows (n = 445) were scanned by ultrasound. The number (17.5) and size (7.0 mm) of ovulatory follicles on Day 4 did not differ between treatments, but P1 and P2 sows had smaller follicles and sows weaned in Sep-Oct had fewer and smaller sized follicles (<i>P</i> ≤ 0.05). OvuGel increased (<i>P</i> = 0.004) ovulation by Day 6 (92.2%) compared to Control (79.4%). Sows with large follicles on Day 4 were more likely to ovulate (87.8%, <i>P</i> < 0.0001) by Day 6 than those with medium (62.1%). Although there was no interaction with parity, ovulation was lower in the Control for parities 1, 2, and ≥ 7. OvuGel treatment on Days 3 or 5 reduced (<i>P</i> = 0.0003) farrowing rate (FR) by 7 to 11% and were excluded from further analyses. Day 4 OvuGel treatment had no effect on FR (86.7 vs. 87.4%) or total born (TB) compared to Control (13.2 vs. 13.4), respectively. Interactions were due to OvuGel improving FR in P1 sows (87.9 vs. 76.5%) and for sows weaned in Jul-Aug (89.2 vs. 83.4%) compared to Control, respectively. There was an effect of day of weaning that was linked to semen storage (<i>P</i> = 0.02) indicating 4 to 5 d (84.5%) reduced FR compared to ≤ 3 d (91.3%). The effect was evident with the SFTAI but not Control and was thought to originate with changes in fertility with additional days of handling and storage in summer. The results indicate OvuGel treatment on Day 4 at proestrus or estrus and followed by a SFTAI has great potential to mimic the fertility performance of conventionally inseminated sows.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf052"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12124252/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144200094","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":"Grazed bite item diversity of beef cows grazing semi-natural grassland in relation to herbage nutritive value and the actually available diversity of bite items.","authors":"Caroline Siede, Alina Juch, Wiebke Pohlmann, Dina Hamidi, Johannes Isselstein, Martin Komainda","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf053","DOIUrl":"10.1093/tas/txaf053","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Heterogeneous extensive grassland offers herbivores a variation of potential bite items (BI) from which they can select. But there is a lack of knowledge on the relationship between the actually available (BI_a) and the grazed (BI_g) BI diversity albeit this information is essential to understand grass sward composition. We assessed the BI_a in the sward and the BI_g to evaluate the BI diversity under two grazing intensities in two seasons in the replicated long-term grazing experiment Forbioben. The BI_a diversity was measured pre-grazing using a modified sward stick (200 measurement points per 1-ha paddock) whereby at each point the botanical composition, phenological stage, color and height were recorded and consequently structured into BI_a. Herbage samples were taken for each BI and analyzed via near-infrared-reflectance spectroscopy for the concentration of crude protein (CP), acid-detergent fiber in the organic matter (ADF), in vitro digestibility of the organic matter (ivdOM) and metabolizable energy (ME) and labeled as grazed and non-grazed. For the BI_g diversity each cow was observed in the morning and afternoon four times, 2 min each on 1 d each season using an app for counting the bites and following video analysis to determine the composition of the BI_g. A reduction in growth rates during the hot and dry summer might have caused the decline of BI_a diversity of 25% under moderate and 22% under lenient grazing towards autumn (p < 0.0001). This also influenced the BI_g as in spring 50% and 53% of the BI_a diversity were grazed under moderate and lenient grazing, respectively. In autumn only 36% and 28% were grazed, respectively corresponding well to the generally lower herbage nutritive value of BI in autumn as the offered grassland resource changed over time and provided greater ivdOM and ME in spring compared to autumn (p < 0.0001). This shows a greater selectivity from the limited choice in autumn. All cows were able to maintain a good quality diet irrespective of grazing intensity which is underlined by the fact that the digestibility of ingested herbage was the same among the grazing intensities but greater in spring than in autumn.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf053"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12070483/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144038667","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 feed withdrawal prior to marketing to improve carcass yield and reduce feed cost in finishing pigs.","authors":"Hilario M Cordoba, Joel M DeRouchey, Jason C Woodworth, Mike D Tokach, Robert D Goodband, Jordan T Gebhardt","doi":"10.1093/tas/txaf046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaf046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fasting pigs prior to harvest benefits food safety and pork quality. Studies have examined the effect of feed withdrawal prior to marketing applied on groups of pigs marketed at one time but not across multiple marketing events. Therefore, this study determined the effects of three feed withdrawal times before the first and final marketing event on pig performance, carcass traits, and economic return. A total of 695 finishing pigs (117.6 ± 1.06 kg) were allotted in a randomized complete block design and assigned to 1 of 3 treatments (24 pens per treatment; 9 to 10 pigs per pen). Treatments consisted of 12, 18, or 24 h (including transportation and lairage) of feed withdrawal prior to harvest to determine its effects on hot carcass weight (HCW), carcass yield, and economic costs vs. benefits of pigs marketed at two different marketing events (3 heaviest pigs per pen marketed 14-d prior to the final marketing of all remaining pigs). There were no differences in growth performance during the 14-d period between marketing events. However, pigs with 24 h of feed withdrawal prior to harvest had lower (<i>P</i> < 0.05) live BW at the first marketing event and at both events combined than pigs with 12 h of feed withdrawal. For carcass responses, pigs at the final marketing with 12 h of feed withdrawal prior to harvest had increased (<i>P</i> < 0.05) HCW compared to pigs with 24 h of feed withdrawal, leading to a tendency (<i>P</i> = 0.055) for increased HCW overall for the combined marketing events (0.5 kg heavier). When evaluating carcass yield using live weights at 24 h prior to harvest, pigs in the final marketing group with 12 h of feed withdrawal prior to harvest had greater yield (<i>P</i> < 0.05) than pigs marketed with 24 h of feed withdrawal; however, using live weights 12 h prior to harvest to calculate yield, pigs with 24 h of feed withdrawal prior to harvest had increased yield (<i>P</i> < 0.05) compared to pigs marketed with 12 h of feed withdrawal for both marketing events. There were no differences in backfat, loin depth, and percentage lean between treatments. Feed consumed and cost were reduced (<i>P</i> < 0.05) with 24 h treatment compared to 12 h in the overall period. In conclusion, withholding feed at the first marketing event did not impact pigs' growth performance or HCW. However, carcass yield was affected by the feed withdrawal time prior to harvest, with greater HCW for pigs with 12 h compared to 24 h of feed withdrawal at the final marketing event.</p>","PeriodicalId":23272,"journal":{"name":"Translational Animal Science","volume":"9 ","pages":"txaf046"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12057559/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144049956","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}