Veterinary and Animal Science最新文献

{"title":"Milk sustainability in specialized farms as affected by farm size and culling rates: A new perspective for allocation","authors":"A. Bragaglio ,&nbsp;E. Nannoni ,&nbsp;E. Romano ,&nbsp;A. Lazzari ,&nbsp;R. Roma ,&nbsp;C. Bisaglia ,&nbsp;M. Cutini","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100426","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100426","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Several studies investigated the sustainability of dairy cattle systems. Global warming potential (GWP) is a “touchstone impact category” of LCA, whereas fossil depletion (FD) remains a scarcely studied environmental indicator. This study aims to help fill the gap of knowledge on FD in dairy cattle systems. We compared two highly specialized dairy cattle farms equipped with precision technologies: a large (L) and a small (S) farm. The discriminants were the number of lactating cows and the agricultural area, with L having approximately twice the heads and three times the area of S.</div><div>In LCA we used the main product (FPCM, i.e., 1 kg of milk normalized for fat and protein), as the functional unit (FU). A second FU was used, i.e., hectare of occupied area. By changing the FU, the study showed different results, because S performed better when FPCM was used while L performed better when the agricultural area was used.</div><div>Allocation of culled cows affected the environmental impacts of both farms improving their sustainability. A high culling rate provides information on herd management, and it can result in lost income. We proposed the allocation as helpful to quantify the culled cows, a potentially undesirable product, showing a significant difference between farms, i.e., 30 and 38 % of culling rate in the L S, respectively. In S, this rate led to a higher income percentage provided by culled cows (6.3 vs. 4.2 % of L). Allocation decreased the equivalents of some LCA environmental indicators, showing an oversized replacement of cows.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 100426"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11780153/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143068504","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":"Investigating BoLA Class II DRB3*009:02 carrying cattle in Japan","authors":"Sho Fujimori ,&nbsp;Tatsuya Ando ,&nbsp;Satoshi Sekiguchi ,&nbsp;Kosuke Notsu ,&nbsp;Shogo Ishida ,&nbsp;Tomo Daidoji ,&nbsp;Katsuro Hagiwara","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100425","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100425","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) is a malignant lymphoma of cattle that is mainly caused by bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection. In this study, PCR-RFLP was used to investigate the frequency of the DRB3*009:02 allele in several farms with different herd management practices in Japan. A total of 742 Holsteins (384) and Japanese Blacks (230) were used as the sample size for the study, which was larger than the number of cattle in the study area with a confidence level of 95 % and a margin of error of 8. PBMCs isolated from whole blood from clinically healthy cattle were used for examination. The presence of BLV provirus infection was determined by qPCR targeting the env region. BLV antibodies were detected using a commercial ELISA kit. The results showed that 35 cattle were heterozygous for DRB3*009:02. The frequency on each farm varied between farms, and PCR analysis showed that the prevalence of BLV also varied between farms. The incidence rate (4.7 %) was lower than in previous studies. The BLV seroprevalence (14.4 %) in this study was lower than the BLV infection rate (35 %) in the study. Holstein dairy cows had low levels of BL resistance genes, confirming the spread of the virus within the farm's herd. Cattle on farms with low BLV-positive rates had a resistance gene-carrying rate of 16.9 %, meanwhile, those who did not carry the resistance gene had a rate of 91.4 %. BLV provirus levels vary between farmers, with herds carrying low BL-resistance genes tending to have higher levels of BLV provirus. In light of the current BLV epidemic, herd composition reform, along with aggressive breeding of BL-resistant sires, is a required component to increase the herd of BL-resistant sires and improve livestock productivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 100425"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11762616/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143048076","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":"Stress, lipid profile and inflammatory responses to flunixin meglumine administration in surgical and non-surgical castration in donkeys","authors":"Hamidreza Alipour-Khairkhah ,&nbsp;Saeed Azizi ,&nbsp;Siamak Asri-Rezaei","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100423","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100423","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Donkeys are in the Equidae family but have several differences from horses. There are many studies on the pathophysiology of pain and its clinical signs in horses, but data are limited for donkeys. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate biochemical effects of flunixin meglumine in donkeys subjected to pain induced by bloodless and surgical castration. Twenty healthy male donkeys were randomly divided into four groups: 1- Surgical castration with flunixin injection, 2- Surgical castration without flunixin injection, 3- Non-surgical castration with flunixin injection, and 4- Non-surgical castration without flunixin injection. Blood samples were collected a day before surgical procedures; four hours, one day, and two days after castration. Serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, fibrinogen, cortisol, triglyceride, and cholesterol significantly increased in non-surgical castrated group compared to the other groups. Moreover, the levels of the measured parameters were significantly higher in the non-surgically castrated group compared to the surgically castrated group. Furtheremore, flunixin meglumine administration reduced the levels of the mentioned parameters, and it was significant for TNF-α and fibrinogen in the surgically castrated donkeys. However, in the nonsurgically castrated animals, there was a significant reduction in the levels of all mentioned parameters except for fibrinogen. It was concluded that non-surgical method, compared to the surgical method, was accompanied by more inflammation, stress, and pain; therefore, the surgical method could be suggested as a preferred technique for the castration of donkeys. Furthermore, the injection of flunixin meglumine could be suggested in the castration of donkeys, particularly in the bloodless technique.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 100423"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11743893/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143013013","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":"Risk factors for subclinical endometritis and its effect on reproductive performance in small-scale dairy farms","authors":"Fernando Villaseñor-González ,&nbsp;Luis Javier Montiel-Olguín ,&nbsp;Mario Alfredo Espinosa-Martínez ,&nbsp;Marina Durán-Aguilar ,&nbsp;Feliciano Milian-Suazo ,&nbsp;Héctor Raymundo Vera-Ávila","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100422","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100422","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study aimed to evaluate the effect of subclinical endometritis (SCE) on reproductive performance and identify risk factors for this pathology in small-scale dairies. In four small-scale dairies, 608 lactations were monitored for health issues, nutritional status, and reproductive events, and SCE was diagnosed based on endometrial polymorphonuclear counting (PMN%) at 30±5 (SCE30) and 60±5 (SCE60) days postpartum. The threshold for diagnosis was established according to the quartile distribution of PMN%; 4 % and 2 % for SCE30 and SCE60. Conception rate at first service (CRFS), number of services per conception (SC), and days open (DO) were analyzed for SCE effect through Chi-square or ANOVA. Events of interest were considered in each lactation to perform a risk factor analysis using univariate logistic regression and multiple logistic regression model building. The population attributable fraction was calculated to identify the most important risk factors. Considering both sampling periods, 40.5 % of the cows were positive for SCE. SCE30-positive cows had lower CRFS (38.9 vs 53.7 %), required 0.4 more SC, and had 20.2 more DO than SCE30-negative cows (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.001). SCE60-positive cows had 16 more DO than SCE60-negative cows (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.01). The most important risk factors for SCE30 were retained fetal membranes (RFM) and uterine diseases, while calving season, RFM, and SCE30 status were the risk factors for SCE60. SCE could represent a major problem in small-scale dairies due to its prevalence and negative effect on reproductive performance. Furthermore, there are identifiable risk factors for SCE under these production conditions, which should be considered when designing prevention strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 100422"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11745807/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143012845","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":"Productive performance, rumen parameters, carcass quality, antioxidant profile and methane emission in lambs supplemented with triticale hay","authors":"G.A. Izadi ,&nbsp;Y. Rouzbehan ,&nbsp;J. Rezaei ,&nbsp;M.J. Abarghuei","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100417","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100417","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aims to measure the effects of different dietary concentrations of triticale hay (TH) on productive performance, carcass characteristics, microbial protein synthesis (MPS), ruminal and blood variables, and antioxidant power in 40 fattening male Gray Shirazi lambs (BW of 33.2 ± 1.1 kg) over 81 days in a completely randomized design (10 animals/diet). Four levels of TH (0.00, 13.30, 26.50, and 40.00 g/100 g dry matter; DM) were included in the diet, instead of alfalfa hay + barley straw. Dietary inclusion of TH decreased DM and nutrient intakes, but increased phenolic and flavonoid intakes, and digestibility of DM and nutrients (L, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.01). Feeding TH did not affect daily gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight, dressing percentage, and <em>Longissimus</em> muscle area, decreased (L, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) fat-tail, total carcass fat, and carcass stearic acid but increased (L, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) lean-to-total carcass fat ratio, carcass oleic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA), and antioxidant power. Dietary TH increased ruminal MPS and cellulolytic bacteria but decreased ammonia-N, protozoa, and <em>in vitro</em> methane production (L, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.01). Nitrogen retention and rumen short-chain FA were not affected by TH addition. Increasing dietary TH levels lowered (L, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.01) blood cholesterol, triglyceride, and urea-N, but did not affect glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, nitrate, and nitrite. Overall, TH can be included, up to 40 % of DM in the diet of fattening lambs, without effects on performance, to improve carcass quality, FA composition, and antioxidant capacity and reduce ruminal methane production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 100417"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11733181/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143012645","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":"Changes in hematological and hematochemical parameters in lactating dairy sheep according to different pasture management and heat stress risk: A longitudinal study","authors":"Luca Turini ,&nbsp;Giulia Foggi ,&nbsp;Alberto Mantino ,&nbsp;Elisa Gasparoni ,&nbsp;Francesca Vichi ,&nbsp;Alina Silvi ,&nbsp;Giovanni Armenia ,&nbsp;Giulia Sala ,&nbsp;Francesca Bonelli ,&nbsp;Micaela Sgorbini ,&nbsp;Marcello Mele","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100419","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100419","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sheep in Italy are exposed to heat stress (HS) for several months, increasing the risk of HS-related problems such as the decrease in growth, reproductive performance, milk quantity and quality and natural immunity. This study aimed to assess changes in hematological and biochemical parameters in dairy sheep from three different farms with varying pasture management: A (no water or shade), B (water but no shade), and C (both water and shade). From March to June, when HS risk is high, monthly blood samples (T1-T4) were collected from 20 sheep per farm (total n = 60). Blood parameters included red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB), urea, creatinine, and total protein (TP). The impact of HS and management on these parameters was analyzed using a mixed linear model. Heat stress was classified using temperature-humidity index (THI) evaluated in the sampling day in “no HS”, “moderate HS”, “severe HS” or “extreme HS”. Severe HS was observed at T3 and extreme HS at T4. At T4, RBC levels were significantly higher in A compared to C. Both HCT and HGB levels at T3 and T4 were significantly higher in A and B compared to C. Urea levels were higher in A and B compared to C at T1 and T3, in A compared to B and C at T2, and in DSF B compared to C at T4. TP concentrations varied between farms and over time, with significant differences at T1 (B vs C), T2 (A vs B; C), T3 (A vs B vs C), and T4 (A vs B; C). These findings suggest that pasture management may influence blood and biochemical parameters under HS condition, and they could potentially be used as a tool for implementing health and welfare monitoring of grazing dairy sheep. Providing shade and water may improve sheep health in hot climates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 100419"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11730265/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142984504","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":"Identification of genes associated with longevity in dogs: 9 candidate genes described in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel","authors":"Evžen Korec ,&nbsp;Lenka Ungrová ,&nbsp;Josef Kalvas ,&nbsp;Jiří Hejnar","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100420","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100420","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the past years, dogs have served as a convenient natural model organism for longevity due to their similarity with humans concerning not only their environment but also the diseases and complications occurring in older age. Since many dog breeds have significantly shorter lifespan than their closely related breeds, identification of genes associated with longevity may help to elucidate its background and serve as a possible tool for selective breeding of long-living dogs. This genome-wide association study (GWAS) was undertaken to identify the candidate genes associated with longevity in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel individuals that have reached the age of more than 13 years. We described 15 SNPs localized in nine genes: <em>B3GALNT1, NLRP1</em> like, <em>PARP14, IQCJ-SCHIP1, COL9A1, COL19A1, SDHAF4, B3GAT2,</em> and <em>DIRC2</em> that are associated with longevity in purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. These results are promising for future research and possible selective breeding of companion dogs with extended lifespan.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 100420"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11737349/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143013492","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 assisted calving and retained fetal membranes on milk production in the smallholder farming system","authors":"Mario Alfredo Espinosa-Martínez ,&nbsp;Héctor Raymundo Vera-Ávila ,&nbsp;Eliab Estrada-Cortés ,&nbsp;Felipe de Jesús Ruiz-López ,&nbsp;Luis Javier Montiel-Olguín","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100418","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100418","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The impact of assisted calving, retained fetal membranes (RFM) and calf sex on milk production in small-scale dairy systems remains unknown. This study evaluated their impact on early lactation milk production and standardized 305-day yield (305MY) using 279 lactation records from 23 farms over 18 months. Variables analyzed included assisted calving, RFM, calf sex, and lactation number, with milk production at 30 days and 305MY as response variables. General Linear Models were used for statistical analysis, with significance at P &lt; 0.05, and trends at P &lt; 0.1. Lactation number significantly affected early lactation milk production (P = 0.023), with RFM showing a trend toward significance (P = 0.078). Cows without RFM produced 21.8 ± 0.8 kg/day, while those with RFM produced 18.6 ± 1.7 kg/day. Assisted calving significantly affected 305MY (P &lt; 0.05), with cows not requiring assistance having higher yields compared to those needing assistance. Interactions between assisted calving and lactation number (P = 0.099), as well as RFM and calf sex (P = 0.060), approached significance. In cows that did not require assisted calving, no significant differences in 305MY were found based on lactation number (P ≥ 0.05). However, in cows that required assisted calving, significant differences in 305MY (P &lt; 0.05) were observed between first and third or higher lactations, with second-lactation cows having average values. Additionally, cows without RFM that gave birth to female calves had higher 305MY compared to cows with RFM or those that gave birth to male calves with RFM or without RFM. In conclusion, RFM reduces early lactation milk production by approximately 3.2 kg/day, and assisted calving impacts 305MY by about 1,069 kg/lactation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 100418"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11731973/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142984463","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":"Multiple benefits of herbs: Polygonaceae species in veterinary pharmacology and livestock nutrition","authors":"Zafide Türk ,&nbsp;Florian Leiber ,&nbsp;Theresa Schlittenlacher ,&nbsp;Matthias Hamburger ,&nbsp;Michael Walkenhorst","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100416","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100416","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Herbs rich in secondary metabolites may possess beneficial properties in livestock nutrition and health. 49 Polygonaceae species of European mountain regions were included in a qualitative systematic review based on the methodological framework of the PRISMA statement. 174 relevant publications were identified. They comprised 231 <em>in vitro</em> and 163 <em>in vivo</em> experiments with cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, pigs, and rodents. For 16 Polygonaceae species no reports were found. <em>Fagopyrum esculentum</em> and <em>Fagopyrum tataricum</em> showed potential as anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and metabolic modifying herbs and feeds improving intake and nitrogen conversion in broiler as well as milk quality and ruminal biotransformation in dairy cows. <em>Polygonum aviculare</em> was promising as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug or feed, improving performance and affecting ruminal biotransformation in sheep, and <em>Polygonum bistorta</em> as an anti-inflammatory drug or feed, improving performance in broiler and mitigating methane emissions in ruminants. <em>Rumex obtusifolius</em> showed potential as an antibacterial drug or feed improving ruminal biotransformation and preventing bloating in cows, while <em>Rumex acetosa</em> and <em>Rumex acetosella</em> had antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, <em>Polygonum minus, Polygonum persicaria, Rumex crispu</em>s and <em>Rumex patienti</em>a possess interesting anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. In conclusion, some Polygonaceae species show relevant properties that might be useful to prevent and treat livestock diseases, combined with nutritional benefits in performance, product quality, lowering ruminal methane and ammonia formation and transferring omega-3 fatty-acids from feed to tissue. The potential of such multifunctional plants for a holistic integration of veterinary, nutritional and ecological perspectives under a one-health approach of livestock management is discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 100416"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11667078/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142886261","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":"Local agro-industrial by-products offer feasible options to supplement breeding rams in mixed farming systems of Ethiopia","authors":"Tesfa Getachew ,&nbsp;Bimrew Asmare ,&nbsp;Ashraf Alkhtib ,&nbsp;Wamatu Jane","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100413","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100413","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study assessed the supplemental effect of flushing Menz breeding rams with local agro-industrial by-products on their reproductive performance and semen quality. In a completely randomized design, rams (<em>n</em> <em>=</em> 49) with an initial weight of 25.69+2.8 kg and average age of 18.79±3.9 months were allocated to seven treatments with seven replicates. Supplementation consisted of varying combinations of metabolizable energy (7.02, 8.14, 9.91 MJ ME/kg DM) and crude protein (CP) (8.17 and 12.5 %) levels above the basal diet (pasture grazing). The experimental treatments were control, T0 (8 h of free grazing in natural pasture and fallow lands providing 4.7 MJ/Kg metabolizable energy and 6.65 CP) supplemented with T1 (500 g oats grain), T2 (500 g maize bran), T3 (500 g wheat bran), T4 (300 g oat grain +150 g broken lentil grain), T5 (300 g maize bran + 150 g broken lentil grain), T6 (400 g wheat bran). Supplementation significantly (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) improve body condition score, scrotal circumference, semen ejaculation volume, spermatozoa concentration, and predictive potential of rams to serve ewes. Notably, all variables within the supplemented groups showed no significant differences (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05), except for scrotal circumference, where T1 and T3 showed a greater increase (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) compared to other treatments. High and positive correlations (<em>r</em> = 0.89) between scrotal circumference and volume of semen were observed. Semen volume and concentration correlated positively (<em>r</em> = 0.7 and <em>r</em> = 0.9 respectively) with the rams’ potential to serve ewes. It is concluded that the reproductive activity of Menz rams is influenced by their nutritional state. Agro-industrial by-products can supply adequate protein and energy levels to enhance reproductive potential of rams. The studied agro-industrial by-products are relatively inexpensive and easily accessible compared to commercial concentrates. Hence, based on the cost-effectiveness of supplementary feed used; it is recommended that T3 and T6 wheat bran-based supplementation strategies be employed to enhance the reproductive performance, semen quality, and the potential of Menz rams to serve ewes. Further research is needed to evaluate how different seasons affect the levels of protein and energy supplementation required for ram flushing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 100413"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11667063/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142886255","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}