Veterinary and Animal Science最新文献

{"title":"Detection of camel milk adulteration with buffalo milk during semi hard cheese production","authors":"Lívia Darnay,&nbsp;Annamária Barkó,&nbsp;Barnabás Juhász,&nbsp;József Surányi,&nbsp;Miklós Süth,&nbsp;Karina Ilona Hidas","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100536","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100536","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As camel milk is a highly nutritional milk type with difficult access, emerging concern is related to its adulteration. Although researchers are publishing methods for detection of fraud, there is still a need to understand the effects of adulteration also on processed dairy products made of camel milk. The present research aims to show the classical and the new approaches for determination of camel milk adulteration with buffalo milk involving also the cheese manufacturing process and ripening. German camel milk was mixed with different ratios of Hungarian buffalo milk (0 % - 20 % - 40 % - 60 % - 80 % - 100 %). Pasteurized milk samples were analysed with ELISA-based test kit, gel electrophoresis, analytical chemistry before undergoing the same manufacturing process. Resulted cheese samples were ripened for 6 months and analysed for color, fat, protein, histamine concentration, textural properties and cheese holes development due to long ripening time. Our results show that the adulteration with buffalo milk could be detected both in milk and in cheese. Milk adulteration could be followed by appearance of β-lactoglobulin and significantly higher fat, protein and lactose concentration. Cheese adulteration impacted numerous parameters. Already the addition of 20 % buffalo milk resulted in 90 % higher cheese yield, darker and more yellowish cheese color and 74 % increase in hardness. Furthermore, sensory panellists observed a linear correlation between cheese holes and buffalo milk concentration and found significant difference to camel cheese already by addition of 40 % buffalo milk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100536"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145525858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Applying Wonheug soybean-sourced meal in broiler diets improves growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass yield, and tibia characteristics","authors":"Jing Yang ,&nbsp;Weihong Guo ,&nbsp;Qingyu Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhenyu Xu ,&nbsp;Lei Zhang ,&nbsp;Shengwei Wu ,&nbsp;Shaobo Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100526","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100526","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the potential of Wonheug, a novel soybean cultivar, as an alternative soybean meal (SBM) source in broiler diets for improving growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass yield, and tibia characteristics. Wonheug soybeans were processed via hexane solvent extraction to produce SBM for experimental diets. Two SBM types, a commercial SBM and Wonheug-sourced SBM, were compared over a 42-day feeding trial. A total of 200 day-old Arbor Acre broilers (mean initial body weight, 43.90 ± 0.37 g) were randomly assigned to two groups, each with five replicates of 20 birds. Compared with commercial SBM, Wonheug-sourced SBM contained higher crude protein (<em>P</em> = 0.028), phosphorus (<em>P</em> = 0.004), and methionine (<em>P</em> = 0.002) contents. Broilers fed the Wonheug-sourced SBM-based diet exhibited greater body weight gain (<em>P</em> = 0.001), improved feed efficiency (<em>P</em> = 0.020), enhanced digestibility of crude protein (<em>P</em> = 0.044), calcium (<em>P</em> = 0.008), and phosphorus (<em>P</em> = 0.002), increased breast (<em>P</em> = 0.004) and leg meat (<em>P</em> = 0.027) yields, as well as better tibia characteristics, including weight (<em>P</em> = 0.020), length (<em>P</em> = 0.033), weight-to-length ratio (<em>P</em> = 0.019), and medullary canal diameter (<em>P</em> = 0.006). Therefore, the results obtained in the present study suggest that Wonheug-sourced SBM is a high-quality and functional feed ingredient which can enhance growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass yield, and tibia characteristics of broilers, thereby supporting more sustainable and efficient broiler production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100526"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145474172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antimicrobial resistance and biofilm-forming ability in Staphylococcus aureus causing clinical bovine mastitis in Chitwan, Nepal","authors":"Sujan Adhikari ,&nbsp;Swagat Khanal ,&nbsp;Aakash Marasini ,&nbsp;Prakash Panthi ,&nbsp;Akash Adhikari ,&nbsp;Himal Luitel ,&nbsp;Yagya Raj Pandeya","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100508","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100508","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This cross-sectional study, conducted from August to December 2024, investigated the antimicrobial resistance and biofilm-forming abilities of <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> from clinical bovine mastitis in Chitwan, Nepal. Out of 134 California Mastitis Test-positive milk samples, 32 (23.9%) were confirmed as <em>S. aureus</em> by biochemical tests and species-specific <em>nuc</em> gene PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the 32 isolates against 12 antibiotics revealed high resistance rates, particularly to ampicillin (78.1%), nalidixic acid (75.0%), and enrofloxacin (62.5%). The prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR), defined as resistance to ≥3 antibiotic classes, was alarmingly high, with 27 (84.4%) isolates classified as MDR. Presumptive methicillin-resistant <em>S. aureus</em> (MRSA), detected via cefoxitin resistance, was identified in 14 (43.8%) isolates, all of which were also MDR. Biofilm-forming abilities were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively, with 5 (15.6%) isolates classified as strong biofilm producers. Fisher’s exact test revealed no significant association between biofilm formation and overall MDR status (<em>p</em> &gt; 0.05). However, a statistically significant correlation was found between strong biofilm formation and high-level MDR (resistance to ≥ 4 classes) (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05), as well as between strong biofilm formation and presumptive MRSA status (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01). These findings highlight the co-existence of high-level resistance and strong virulence phenotypes in <em>S. aureus</em> from bovine mastitis in Nepal, underscoring the urgent need for robust antimicrobial stewardship, enhanced surveillance, and the development of strategies to mitigate biofilm-associated treatment failures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100508"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145105967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Climate-resilient genetic selection in cattle: Insights from resilience phenotypes of Fogera cattle under climate variabilities","authors":"Demelash Kassahun ,&nbsp;Mekonnen Tilahun ,&nbsp;Zeleke Tesema ,&nbsp;Mulugeta Meseret ,&nbsp;Eyasu Lakew ,&nbsp;Assemu Tesfa ,&nbsp;Addisu Bitew ,&nbsp;Mulat Lakew ,&nbsp;Tewodros Bimrow ,&nbsp;Mehari Ayalew ,&nbsp;Adebabay Kebede ,&nbsp;Beyadglign Hunegnaw ,&nbsp;Adebabay Adane ,&nbsp;Demelash Dagnaw ,&nbsp;Mulugeta Alemayehu ,&nbsp;Getinet Mekuriaw Tarekegn","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100538","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100538","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to derive novel resilience phenotypes in response to climatic variability using pedigree and phenotypic data from 646 Fogera cows recorded between 1998 and 2011. The data included average daily milk yield, productive longevity, functional longevity, and heat tolerance index. Resilience phenotypes were estimated through genotype-by-environment interaction analyses using a random regression model with reaction norm functions, integrated with climate data accessed from the NASA POWER database. Genetic parameters and correlations between resilience and economic traits were estimated using the animal model using Average Information Restricted Maximum Likelihood (AIREML) of WOMBAT. Genetic trends were evaluated by regressing estimated breeding values (EBVs) by calving year. Future resilience potential under projected climate scenarios was analyzed using downscaled data from the Climate Change Knowledge Portal, applying bias correction and quantile mapping at a 10 km resolution. Results showed that increasing temperature-humidity index and declining rainfall significantly reduced resilience phenotypes of Fogera cattle. Heritability estimates were low to moderate under both temperature-humidity index and rainfall variability, suggesting a moderate genetic basis for adaptive traits. Negative genetic correlations between milk yield, longevity, and resilience traits indicated antagonism between productivity and adaptability. The genetic decline in resilience likely resulted from selection emphasizing productivity over adaptability. Across all climate scenarios, resilience potential consistently declined, emphasizing the need for climate-smart breeding strategies integrating resilience and production traits to ensure sustainable genetic progress under changing climatic conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100538"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145525857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The heart of the hair fiber: How the inner structure of the coat reflects adaptive variation across color, sex, age, and body region in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)","authors":"C. Iglesias Pastrana ,&nbsp;E.C. Quispe Peña ,&nbsp;E. Ciani ,&nbsp;N. Cisneros Rodríguez ,&nbsp;J.V. Delgado Bermejo ,&nbsp;M.E. Camacho Vallejo","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100543","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100543","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding how hair fiber structure mediates thermal adaptation in desert animals still remains an unresolved question. In dromedary camels (<em>Camelus dromedarius</em>), the coexistence of dark and white coat colors in hot deserts presents an adaptive paradox.. This study examined how the internal architecture of camel hair fibers—specifically the degree and type of medullation—varies with coat color, sex, age, and body region to assess their potential thermoregulatory significance. Hair samples from 138 Canarian dromedaries were analyzed using an automated medullation detection system and evaluated through non-parametric tests and generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs). Dark and white camels exhibited higher proportions of medullated fibers, suggesting structural adaptations that facilitate both insulation and heat dissipation. Males and dorsal regions (hump and tail) showed greater medullation than females and ventral regions, reflecting combined physiological and mechanical demands. Although age effects were weaker, medullation tended to increase with maturity. These results demonstrate that the dromedary coat operates as a multifactorial thermoregulatory system in which pigmentation, biological traits, and fiber architecture interact to maintain homeostasis under extreme heat. The findings provide new insight into the structural mechanisms resolving the adaptive paradox of dark and white camels in hot deserts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100543"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145525323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morbidity, mortality, and risk factors associated with Theileria parva seropositivity in a longitudinal calf study, Narok, Kenya","authors":"Wyckliff Ngetich ,&nbsp;George Karuoya Gitau ,&nbsp;Tequiero Abuom Okumu ,&nbsp;Gabriel Oluga Aboge ,&nbsp;Daniel Muasya","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100456","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100456","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>East Coast fever (ECF), caused by <em>Theileria parva</em> causes devastating loss to livestock keepers in sub-Saharan Africa. A longitudinal study was carried out in Narok County to estimate the incidence and risk factors associated with <em>Theileria parva</em> infection among calves. Calves were recruited within 5 weeks of birth and visited every six weeks to collect farm and calf level factors. A total of 1849 serum samples were collected and tested using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A multilevel multivariable logistic regression was used to determine associations between the seropositivity and different predictor variables. A total of 318 calves were recruited where 62 seroconverted during the follow up period. The overall risk of exposure was 26 %, with ECF-specific morbidity risk of 14.5 %. The cumulative incidence rate was 37 cases per 100 calf-years with higher incidence rate in agro-pastoral system. The crude mortality risk was 5.1 %, but four calves manifested classical signs of ECF resulting to clinical case-fatality risk of 44.4 %. In the final multivariable model, four variables were found to be significantly associated with <em>T. parva</em> seropositivity; calf age (OR 6.9; P &lt; 0.01), calf sex (OR 1.4; P = 0.02), acaricide application (OR 0.5; P &lt; 0.01) and spraying specific body parts (OR 2.5; P = 0.002). The results present the <em>T. parva</em> exposure patterns based on serological response in calves from birth to one year. These results will support evidence-based and effective practices for the management and control of ECF to mitigate the impact on productivity in the livestock sector.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100456"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144185003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seroprevalence of influenza C and D virus infections among cattle in Japan","authors":"Kosuke Ohira ,&nbsp;Kokoro Yokoe ,&nbsp;Kaixin Li ,&nbsp;Misa Katayama ,&nbsp;Ayano Ichikawa ,&nbsp;Akiko Takenaka-Uema ,&nbsp;Wataru Sekine ,&nbsp;Emi Takashita ,&nbsp;Yasushi Muraki ,&nbsp;Shin Murakami ,&nbsp;Taisuke Horimoto","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100468","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100468","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although influenza C virus (ICV) and influenza D virus (IDV) circulate mainly among humans and cattle, respectively, recent studies in the USA have reported both viruses to be significantly related to the symptomatic bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC), which causes economic losses in cattle farming. In this study, we conducted a serosurvey of ICV and IDV infections using cattle samples collected from five prefectures in Japan during 2020–2023. Hemagglutination inhibition testing indicated that the overall seroprevalence was 27.0 % for ICV and 48.5 % for IDV, the regional seroprevalence varied from 4.0 % to 36.9 % for ICV and from 10.8 % to 57.7 % for IDV, and the annual seroprevalence varied from 3.4 % to 23.2 % for ICV and from 21.8 % to 53.5 % for IDV. These results indicate that ICV and IDV are circulating widely among cattle in Japan, suggesting their possible involvement as the causative agents of BRDC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100468"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144279917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification and multidrug resistance profiles of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus from cloacal swabs of captive yearling gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) in Chitwan National Park, Nepal","authors":"Sujan Adhikari ,&nbsp;Himal Luitel ,&nbsp;Swagat Khanal ,&nbsp;Aakash Marasini","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100475","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100475","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study focuses on the identification and antibiogram profiles of <em>Escherichia coli, Salmonella</em> spp., and <em>Staphylococcus</em> spp. isolated from cloacal swabs of captive yearling gharials (<em>Gavialis gangeticus</em>) at the Gharial Breeding Center, Chitwan National Park, Nepal. A total of 28 samples were collected and processed, yielding 38 isolates comprising <em>E. coli</em> (46.43 %), <em>Staphylococcus</em> spp. (46.43 %), and <em>Salmonella</em> spp. (42.86 %). All three bacteria were isolated in 14.29 % of samples. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, demonstrated high levels of resistance to commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin and ciprofloxacin. Multidrug resistance was prevalent, with 84.62 % of <em>E. coli</em> and 58.33 % of <em>Salmonella</em> spp. isolates classified as multidrug-resistant, while all <em>Staphylococcus</em> spp. isolates showed resistance to three or more classes of antibiotics underscoring critical AMR challenges. The study also revealed a significant interplay between the reptilian gut microbiota and environmental factors, suggesting shared reservoirs for bacterial transmission. The findings underscore the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship, improved environmental management, and regular health monitoring to mitigate the risks posed by antimicrobial resistance and pathogenic bacteria in critically endangered gharials. This research contributes valuable insights into the health challenges facing captive gharials and provides a basis for developing targeted conservation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100475"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144604866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Use of double PGF2a in a 7-day CIDRSynch timed artificial insemination in water buffloes during summer","authors":"Excel Rio S. Maylem,&nbsp;Noel F. Ablaza II,&nbsp;Joseph Oliver C. Lofranco,&nbsp;Carlito F. Dela Cruz,&nbsp;Roseline D. Tadeo,&nbsp;Eufrocina P. Atabay,&nbsp;Edwin C. Atabay","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100474","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100474","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Water buffaloes often experience reduced fertility during the summer due to factors like temperature, photoperiod, and nutrition. This seasonal decline in reproduction affects calf and milk production, impacting farm economics. This research focuses on creating a breeding program tailored to the summer conditions in the Philippines to improve artificial insemination (AI) conception rates and boost production. During the summer months (March-June), water buffaloes may experience decreased luteal function or persistent corpus luteum, lowering fertility. To address this, a timed AI (TAI) protocol was developed, utilizing CIDR + GnRH on Day 0, followed by CIDR removal + PGF2a on Days 7–8, and hCG injection with AI on Day 10. The summer protocol included a double PGF2a injection on Days 7 and 8, compared to the control protocol with a single PGF2a injection on Day 7. Results from the PCC Genepool farm showed a 52.63 % conception rate in 2023 with the summer protocol (10/19), compared to 27.27 % with the control (3/11). In 2024, the summer protocol alone led to a 57.14 % conception rate (20/35). Additionally, milk production per cow per day ranged from 5.16 to 5.45 liters in 2024, compared to 2.62 to 3.0 liters in 2023. The summer protocol's effectiveness in increasing AI conception rates contributed to higher milk production, supporting sustainable livestock farming year-round.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100474"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144662736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of adding wheat and poultry by-product meal to the diet on broiler carcass traits, production performance, and physical pellet quality","authors":"Omid Ahmadauli ,&nbsp;Mohsen Daneshyar ,&nbsp;Sina Payvastegan ,&nbsp;Amir Attar ,&nbsp;Gholamreza Najafi ,&nbsp;Mohammad Reza Abdollahi","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100460","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100460","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A total of 450, one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used to examine the impact of three poultry by-product meal (PMB) levels (0, 2, and 4 %), and three wheat levels (0, 10, and 20 %) on physical pellet quality (PPQ), growth performance, and carcass features of broilers during starter, grower and finisher periods. The results of the current study demonstrated that during the starter phase, the inclusion of 2 % and 4 % PBM significantly (<em>P</em> ˂ 0.01) reduced PDI (Pellet Durability Index) in wheat-free diets. However, this reduction was not observed in diets supplemented with 10 % and 20 % wheat. During the growth phase, the inclusion of 2 % and 4 % PBM resulted in a reduction (P ˂ 0.01) in PDI in wheat-free diets. In contrast, diets containing 20 % wheat showed an increase in PDI by adding 2 % and 4 % PBM. During the finisher phase, including of 4 % PBM led to an increase (P ˂ 0.01) in PDI in wheat-free diets. Conversely, in diets containing 10 % and 20 % wheat, PDI decreased by adding 4 % PBM. In the starter diet, includingwheat resulted in a reduction (<em>P</em> ˂ 0.05) in pellet hardness. Additionally, during the growth and finisher phases, the inclusion of 2 % PBM reduced (<em>P</em> ˂ 0.01) PDI in wheat-free diets and diets containing 10 % wheat, respectively; however, this effect was not observed in diets containing 20 % wheat. Feed intake was influenced by the interaction effects of PBM and wheat levels, such that the addition of 10 % wheat to the diet without PBM led to an increase in feed intake compared to diets without wheat and with 0 % or 2 % PBM during the entire period of study (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Throughout the experimental period, no significant differences were observed in the average daily gain among the experimental groups (<em>P</em> ˃ 0.05). Additionally, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in birds fed diets containing 2 % PBM showed improvement compared to those fed diets with 4 % PBM and was comparable to the control group (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Birds fed 20 % wheat had significantly (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) the lowest abdominal fat. The findings of this study indicated that while the inclusion of 2 % PBM improved the FCR in broilers, it resulted in a decrease in PDI during both the starter and growth periods, as well as reduced pellet hardness in the growth phase for diets without wheat.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100460"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144138935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}