C S Santos, A R D L Souza, A L J Ferraz, F A M Sterza, R V Rohod, M F Castro, L S Amorim, M C E Queiroz, G B Almeida, M V M Oliveira, A R D Santos, D M Oliveira
{"title":"Body development, ingestive behaviour, and physiological responses of Nelore and Crossbred heifers.","authors":"C S Santos, A R D L Souza, A L J Ferraz, F A M Sterza, R V Rohod, M F Castro, L S Amorim, M C E Queiroz, G B Almeida, M V M Oliveira, A R D Santos, D M Oliveira","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04515-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11250-025-04515-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated the body development, ingestive behaviour, and physiological responses of Nelore and Crossbred (Nelore × Angus/Senepol) heifers. A total of 20 heifers, approximately 12 months old, were distributed in a randomized block design and categorized into two genotypes: Nelore - 11 heifers; Crossbred (F1 Nelore × Angus/Senepol) - 9 heifers. Nelore heifers exhibited greater withers height, hip height, rump length, and substernal height, whereas Crossbred heifers had higher chest depth and average daily gain values (P < 0.05). In addition, Nelore heifers spent more time feeding and standing idle, while Crossbred heifers spent more time drinking water (P < 0.05). Nelore heifers showed (P < 0.001) higher sweating rate. The superior productive performance of the crossbred heifers, along with the similarity in respiratory and heart rates between the genotypes, highlights that the crossbreeding of Nelore and Angus/Senepol cattle is an effective strategy to boost cattle production in tropical climate regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 5","pages":"255"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144258936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arif Darmawan, Rantan Krisnan, Ida Nurul Fajri, Yuniartika Yuniartika, Marina Aisha Lusbiantoro, Ridho Kurniawan Rusli, Cecep Hidayat
{"title":"Effect of in ovo feeding of Centella asiatica leaf extract on hatchability, morphometric, visceral organs, intestinal morphology, and blood hematology parameters of Indonesian native chicks.","authors":"Arif Darmawan, Rantan Krisnan, Ida Nurul Fajri, Yuniartika Yuniartika, Marina Aisha Lusbiantoro, Ridho Kurniawan Rusli, Cecep Hidayat","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04507-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11250-025-04507-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to evaluate the effect of in ovo feeding of Centella asiatica leaf extract on hatchability, physical quality, blood hematology, visceral organs and immunity, and intestinal morphology of native chicks. A total of 300 fertile eggs were used in this study. This study used a completely randomized design with five treatments and six replicates, consisting of 10 fertile Sentul chicken eggs, each replicate. Treatments were uninjected eggs (P0), eggs injected with 0.5 ml PBS (P1), eggs injected with 0.5 ml PBS containing 1 mg (P2), 2 mg (P3), and 4 mg (P4) of Centella asiatica leaf extract. In ovo feeding of Centella asiatica leaf extract up to 4 mg significantly improved (p < 0.05) hatchability, villi height to crypt depth ratio, and leukocytes number, but had no significance (p > 0.05) on hatching weight, morphometric traits, physical score, weights of the proventriculus, gizzard, liver, thymus, colon, and relative length of the small intestine, cecum, and colon, as well as the number of hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocytes, leukocyte differentiation and the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes. In ovo feeding of Centella asiatica leaf extract significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the weight of the heart, gallbladder, spleen, bursa of Fabricius, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and crypt depth. It is concluded that in ovo feeding of Centella asiatica leaf extract at 4 mg improves the hatchability, immunity, and intestinal health without lowering the physical quality of Sentul chicks.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 5","pages":"256"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144258937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohammed Yousuf, Kefelegn Kebede, Yesihak Yusuf, Gemeda Duguma, Solomon Abegaz
{"title":"Review on the identification of sheep breeding objectives, breeding practices and selection criteria among smallholder farmers in Ethiopia.","authors":"Mohammed Yousuf, Kefelegn Kebede, Yesihak Yusuf, Gemeda Duguma, Solomon Abegaz","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04497-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11250-025-04497-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of this review was to provide and synthesizes scientific knowledge on sheep breeding objectives, practices, and selection criteria among smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, emphasizing the crucial role of indigenous sheep breeds in Ethiopia's agricultural system. Indigenous sheep not only contribute significantly to food security but also play a vital role in the cultural and economic stability of rural communities. Despite their importance, traditional breeding methods often lack integration with modern scientific advancements, hindering productivity and sustainability. To address these challenges, the review emphasizes the need to combine traditional knowledge with modern genetic techniques, particularly through community-based breeding programs. These programs adoptive collaboration between farmers and technical experts, prioritizing economically significant traits aligned with market demands while respecting local practices. Systematic collection and analysis of genetic and phenotypic data are essential to enhance breeding strategies, ensuring genetic improvement and sustainability. A multifaceted approach that integrates traditional practices with scientific advancements is vital for the sustainable development of Ethiopia's sheep sector, ultimately strengthening food security and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 5","pages":"257"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144258938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carina Caren Santos, Bruna Cardoso Braga, Severino Delmar Junqueira Villela, Raphael Dos Santos Gomes, Lucas Lima Verardo, Cláudio Manoel Teixeira Vitor, Fernando de Paula Leonel
{"title":"Slow-release urea, and propolis in dairy cow diets.","authors":"Carina Caren Santos, Bruna Cardoso Braga, Severino Delmar Junqueira Villela, Raphael Dos Santos Gomes, Lucas Lima Verardo, Cláudio Manoel Teixeira Vitor, Fernando de Paula Leonel","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04511-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11250-025-04511-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Using a source of non-protein nitrogen and ionophores can improve microbial efficiency, promoting greater dry matter intake and digestibility, less energy loss, and, consequently, increased milk yield. This study evaluated the performance of crossbred dairy cows receiving diets with different levels of slow-release urea (SRU) with or without propolis extract. Eight multiparous cows (Holstein x Gir) were used, with an initial average body weight of 550 kg in the same lactation period and with an average of 15 kg in milk yield. Cows were distributed into two simultaneous 4 × 4 Latin squares designs. The experiment lasted 84 days and was divided into four 21-day sub-periods. The first 14-d were used to adapt to the diet, while the remaining 7-d were used for data collection. The treatments were: 1) 150 g of SRU (SRU150), 2) 300 g of SRU (SRU300), 3) 150 g of SRU + 20 g of propolis (SRU150P), and 4) 300 g of SRU + 20 g of propolis. The cows were managed on pasture, supplemented with concentrate. The inclusion of propolis extract did not affect dry matter intake, digestibility, milk yield, or composition. The supply of 300 g of slow-release urea promoted an increase in dry matter intake from pasture and reduced concentrate intake without affecting milk yield and composition.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 5","pages":"254"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144258939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pistachio by-product biochar as an antibiotic alternative: promoting growth and gut health in Japanese quails (Countrix japonica).","authors":"Omid Zahed, Reza Vakili, Amir Mokhtarpour","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04504-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11250-025-04504-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Growing concerns over antibiotic resistance and environmental sustainability have increased the demand for natural alternatives to in-feed antibiotics in poultry production. Biochar offers a novel, eco-friendly solution that may improve animal performance while supporting waste valorization. This study investigated the effect of biochar produced from pistachio by-product (PB) on growth, feed efficiency, and gut health in Japanese quails. Birds were assigned to five dietary treatments including a control diet without additives, a diet with 0.05% flumequine, and diets supplemented with 0.35%, 0.65%, or 1% PB biochar for 35 days. Feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass traits, nutrient digestibility, intestinal histomorphology, and cecal microbial counts were evaluated. The results showed that final body weight and weight gain significantly increased in birds fed 0.65% biochar compared to the control and flumequine groups (P < 0.05). A trend towards a lower FCR was observed in birds fed 0.65% biochar compared with the control (P = 0.08). Except for the weight of the breast and thigh, none of the carcass traits and internal organs were affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). Preplanned comparisons between control and biochar-treated groups showed that PB biochar significantly increased Lactobacillus populations while reducing E. coli counts in the cecum (P < 0.05). Ileal digestibility of crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF) also enhanced with the inclusion of biochar in the diets compared to the control (P < 0.05). Dietary inclusion of PB biochar increased cecal and ileal villus height indicating improved gut morphology (P < 0.05). The optimal inclusion level of PB biochar was found to be 0.65%, which showed significant improvements in growth and digestibility. Overall, this study provides insight into the potential of PB biochar as a promising alternative to antibiotics.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 5","pages":"249"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144249795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Luana Ledz Costa Vasconcelos Rocha, Rafael Carlos Nepomuceno, Valquíria Sousa Silva, Lidia Sarah Dias Mariano, Francisco Cayo Pereira Gomes, Cirliane de Abreu Freitas, Janaína Serra Azul Monteiro Evangelista, Francisco Antônio Félix Xavier Júnior, Isadora Oliveira de Carvalho, Maria Teresa Salles Trevisan, Ednardo Rodrigues Freitas
{"title":"Calcium anacardate and citric acid in starter diets for pullets reared on the floor.","authors":"Luana Ledz Costa Vasconcelos Rocha, Rafael Carlos Nepomuceno, Valquíria Sousa Silva, Lidia Sarah Dias Mariano, Francisco Cayo Pereira Gomes, Cirliane de Abreu Freitas, Janaína Serra Azul Monteiro Evangelista, Francisco Antônio Félix Xavier Júnior, Isadora Oliveira de Carvalho, Maria Teresa Salles Trevisan, Ednardo Rodrigues Freitas","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04493-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11250-025-04493-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of combinations of calcium anacardate (CaA) and citric acid (CA) in the diet of layers between the 1st and 8th weeks of age, reared on the floor. A total of 960 1-day-age chicks were used in a completely randomized design with 8 treatments and 6 replicates with 20 birds per treatment. The treatments consisted of two control diets, negative (no additives) and positive (with anticoccidial additive-salinomycin), and 6 diets with the combinations: 0.25% CaA + 0.25% CA; 0.50% CaA + 0.25% CA; 0.50% CaA + 0.50% CA; 0.75% CaA + 0.25% CA; 0.75% CaA + 0.50% CA; and 0.75% CaA + 0.75% CA. Performance, intestinal morphometry, blood biochemical parameters and bone quality were assessed. Birds fed the diet containing salinomycin showed lower feed intake, average weight at 8 weeks and weight gain, with no influence of the treatments on feed conversion and uniformity. There was no influence of the treatments on the morphometry parameters in the duodenum, however, it was observed that in the jejunum and ileum, the birds fed diets containing the different combinations of CaA + CA had the lowest crypt width values. The addition of CaA + CA reduced the concentration of uric acid in the blood and the treatment with salinomycin affected bone quality. Therefore, the use of salinomycin is not recommended for layers in the growth phase, while the combination of 0.25% CaA + 0.25% CA can be used safely for these animals.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 5","pages":"253"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144249755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shichao Liu, Zhiyuan Tai, Muzhi Li, Rui Zhang, Guobin Shao, Jiatai Guo, Weixing Lu
{"title":"Improving intestinal barrier function and intestinal microbiome of weaned piglets fed a low-protein diet through tryptophan and N-Acetylglutamic acid supplementation.","authors":"Shichao Liu, Zhiyuan Tai, Muzhi Li, Rui Zhang, Guobin Shao, Jiatai Guo, Weixing Lu","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04490-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11250-025-04490-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The research aimed to evaluate how incorporating NAG and Trp into a low-protein diet affects intestinal functions and alterations in the microbiota, ultimately focusing on enhancing the growth and stress resistance of weaned piglets aged 3-4 weeks.A total of 120 weaned piglets were categorized into five distinct groups: a control group (CON), a low-protein diet group (LP), a low-protein diet group with 0.2% N-acetylglutamic acid (LP + NAG), a low-protein diet group with 0.2% tryptophan (LP + Trp), and a low-protein diet group with 0.2% N-acetylglutamic acid and 0.2% tryptophan (LP + NAG + Trp). The results revealed that the LP + NAG + Trp group exhibited a higher feed-to-gain ratio and improved growth performance, with significantly greater average daily gain and feed intake than the control group. Antioxidant capacity was enhanced, as indicated by elevated levels of catalase and glutathione peroxidase. The expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and claudin-1 increased, strengthening the intestinal barrier. Additionally, immunoglobulin levels and the abundance of actinomycetes in the gut microbiota rose, indicating improved immune function and gut health.The increased digestive capacity of the intestine may be linked to the growth in the population of actinomycetes, which is attributed to the combined addition of the NAG + Trp group.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 5","pages":"252"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144249794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ayşe Uysal, Vefa Tohumcu, Soner Uysal, Ali Sarı, Oğuz Zenginoglu, Mehmet Cengiz, Armağan Hayırlı
{"title":"Fertility and parturition parameters in beef type heifers.","authors":"Ayşe Uysal, Vefa Tohumcu, Soner Uysal, Ali Sarı, Oğuz Zenginoglu, Mehmet Cengiz, Armağan Hayırlı","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04505-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11250-025-04505-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study compared fertility and parturition parameters in Limousin (L) and Charolais (C) heifers to identify the breed most suitable for beef production. A total of 234 L and 76 C Hungarian-origin heifers, aged 9-11 months, were managed under standardized housing and feeding conditions at Dogan Farm. Parturitions were categorized based on the time of day (day: 07:00-19:00; night) and season (cold, cool, hot). Statistical analyses were conducted using ANOVA and Chi-square tests Results showed that C heifers required significantly more inseminations to conceive (C: 3.39 ± 0.22, L: 2.32 ± 0.10, P < 0.0001), indicating lower reproductive efficiency. Additionally, C calves were significantly heavier at birth than L calves (C: 46.1 ± 0.8 kg, L: 40.2 ± 0.3 kg, P < 0.0001), with male calves being generally heavier than females (M: 43.7 ± 0.5 kg, F: 39.5 ± 0.3 kg, P < 0.0001). The incidence of dystocia was higher in C heifers (63.16%) compared to L heifers (41.88%), while L heifers experienced greater parturition ease (58.12% vs. 36.84%; X<sup>2</sup> = 10.4244, P < 0.0054).</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 5","pages":"250"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12149006/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144249793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Masood Ur Rehman, Rajwali Khan, Syed Muhammad Suhail, Iqbal Munir, Khalid Mahmood, Amel Ayari Akari
{"title":"Physiochemical and transcriptomics of exotic holstein friesian cattle in Pakistani subtropics.","authors":"Masood Ur Rehman, Rajwali Khan, Syed Muhammad Suhail, Iqbal Munir, Khalid Mahmood, Amel Ayari Akari","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04506-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11250-025-04506-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Holstein Friesian (HF) cows are raised in diverse agroecological zones of Pakistan, where they face diverse agro-climatic effects, which consequently affect their productive and reproductive potential. This environmental stress impacts gene expression and influences molecular pathways, which needs exploration. Therefore, the current study was performed to evaluate environmental effects on biochemical, antioxidant, and genetic effects in HF dairy cows managed in three different agroecological zones of Pakistan. Biochemical parameters and antioxidant enzymes were analyzed through ELISA kits. Deep RNA Sequencing was performed to explore DGE, GO terms, and their KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways. The mRNA expression was quantified through qRT-PCR. Different agroecological zones significantly (p < 005) affected biochemical stress markers (SOD, GPX, cortisol, glucose) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in HF cows during early and late summer. The highest SOD levels were found in early and late summer, and the highest GPX level was found in late summer (p < 0.05) in the Abbottabad zone. Additionally, the lowest cortisol levels in early and late summer were found in Abbottabad, and the highest in Okara (p < 0.05). The HSP70 level exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) increase in Okara in the early and late summer. In total, 265 DEGs were explored, of which 76 were downregulated and 189 were upregulated. The top GO terms of DEGs were positive regulations of biological processes, axons and protein binding, cytokine-mediated signalling, acyltransferase activity, and lipid binding. The important KEGG pathways regulated by the DEGs are linoleic acid metabolism, alpha-linoleic acid metabolism, cell cycle, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, TNF signalling pathway, citrate cycle (TCA cycle), and apoptosis. The relative mRNA levels of the HSP90 AB1, CD19, CYBB, HSPAB, IL2RG, LYN, MAPK7, MSN, and PRDX2 were significantly (p < 0.05) enriched in the Abbottabad zone as compared with the Okara and Quetta zones. These findings will deepen our understanding regarding the molecular adaptation of Holstein Friesian cows to their particular ecological contexts and their adaption to Pakistan's tropical climate.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 5","pages":"248"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144235347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}