Veterinary and Animal Science最新文献

{"title":"Inflammatory uterine microenvironment in long-term infertility repeat breeder cows compared with normal fertile cows","authors":"Maho Taru ,&nbsp;Taiga Katoh ,&nbsp;Karen Koshimizu ,&nbsp;Sohei Kuribayashi ,&nbsp;Ryotaro Miura ,&nbsp;Seizo Hamano ,&nbsp;Koumei Shirasuna","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100369","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100369","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows is gradually declining, and one of the causes of this problem is the presence of long-term infertility repeat breeder cows (RBCs). The causes of RBCs are largely thought to be maternal factors, including the uterine environment. This study aimed to accurately investigate the uterine environment of RBCs using uterine tissue and fluid. Next, we investigated the effect of nobiletin in bovine endometrial epithelial cells to explore the possibility of improving the uterine environment of RBCs.</p><p>Uterine fluid was collected by flushing the uterus and endometrial tissues were collected by biopsy on day 7 of the estrous cycle from both normal fertile cows and RBCs (<em>n</em> = 5 in each group). A comprehensive analysis of the uterus revealed that gene expression and altered pathways differed between normal fertile cows and RBCs. Especially, pathways of natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, cell cycle, and calcium signaling pathway were picked up in the uterine tissues of RBCs. In the uterine fluid, the levels of lipopolysaccharide were higher in the RBC than in normal group (<em>P</em> = 0.08). In in vitro experiment, treatment with the uterine fluid from RBCs upregulated inflammation-related pathways and molecules such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) in bovine endometrial epithelial cells. The treatment with nobiletin suppressed IL-8 induced by the treatment with uterine fluid.</p><p>In conclusion, the uterine environment of RBCs was found to be in inflammatory condition, causing the lower reproductive performance. It is necessary to develop methods to improve to the anti-inflammatory state in the uterine environment of RBCs.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article 100369"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451943X2400036X/pdfft?md5=bd7d4d83b4977b04c271a9152d86a9c6&pid=1-s2.0-S2451943X2400036X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141234837","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":"Genetic profile of milk production traits and analysis of correlations with reproductive performance in the Azawak Zebu in Niger","authors":"Adamou Karimou Ibrahim ,&nbsp;Issa Moumouni ,&nbsp;Chanono Mogueza","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100365","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2024.100365","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The effects of genetic factors on the lactation traits of the Azawak cattle breed are estimated from 11,998 monthly milk records from 1275 complete lactations from 471 Azawak cows bred at the Toukounous experimental centre (Niger), using a multi-trait animal model based on the REML method. The results show that heritability was moderate for persistency (h² = 0.23), peak lactation (h² = 0.34), milk yield at 305 days (h² = 0.30), daily milk yield (h² = 0.33) and total milk yield (h² = 0.35). In addition, very high repeatability estimates ranging from 0.50 to 0.58 were associated with the last four traits. Significant phenotypic correlations varying from 0.23 to 0.40 existed between the two reproductive traits (age at first calving and calving interval) and the lactation traits. Similarly, the significant genetic correlations between the traits of milk production and reproduction traits were unfavorable, varying according to the lactation traits considered from 0.32 to 0.87 for age at first calving and from 0.48 to 0.97 for calving interval, indicating that selection for milk yield only should result in a longer calving interval and a later age at first calving. Estimates of the heritability of lactation traits are moderate, as are those of many functional reproductive traits, so the genetic gain from selection on milk production traits alone would be rapid, but antagonistic with reproductive performance.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article 100365"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451943X24000322/pdfft?md5=2553708d639fe5dbaca69928a31d65c8&pid=1-s2.0-S2451943X24000322-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141239078","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":"Short communication: Effects of a commercial triple-strain Bacillus-based probiotic on cecal colonization with Salmonella Enteritidis in commercial layer pullets","authors":"E.B. Sobotik ,&nbsp;K. Russo ,&nbsp;S.P. Lerner ,&nbsp;D. Sandvang ,&nbsp;A. Meuter ,&nbsp;H. McBride ,&nbsp;R. Sayed ,&nbsp;G. Girgis","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100362","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2024.100362","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A commercial triple-strain <em>Bacillus</em>-based probiotic was tested to determine its effect on the colonization of the ceca by <em>Salmonella</em> Enteritidis (SE) in commercial layer pullets. Two treatments were tested, each with containing 128 day-of-hatch LSL layer chicks. On top of a standard diet: 1) no supplement (Control, CON), and 2) Probiotic (GalliPro® Fit, 500 g/MT, 1.6 × 10⁶ CFU/g of finished feed, PRO). Environmental swabs were collected from each treatment group and tested to ensure freedom from SE prior to challenge. At 21 days of age, the SE challenge strain was administered orally at a dose of 3.3 × 10⁸ CFU/bird. Pullets from each treatment group (n=32) were euthanized at 6-, 10-, 14-, and 18-days post infection (dpi). Contents from the ceca were aseptically collected and assessed for presence and abundance of SE. No differences in the prevalence of SE positive ceca following oral inoculation (<em>P</em>&gt;0.05) were observed between treatment groups at 6-, 10-, 14-, or 18-dpi. Counts of SE in the ceca of the PRO group were not significantly different (<em>P</em>&gt;0.05) from those of CON at 6- or 10-dpi. However, significantly lower counts of SE in the ceca of the PRO group were observed at 14-dpi (<em>P</em>&lt;0.05) and 18-dpi (<em>P</em>&lt;0.05) compared with CON. SE counts were 1.24 and 1.34 logs lower than CON at 14- and 18-dpi, respectively. In conclusion, supplementation of the triple-strain <em>Bacillus</em>-based probiotic resulted in lower cecal counts of SE compared to those that did not receive an effective probiotic, thereby reducing the risk of foodborne pathogens prior to harvest through sustainable, natural methods.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 100362"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451943X24000292/pdfft?md5=52816f3019762a49f4446487f17a7376&pid=1-s2.0-S2451943X24000292-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141095614","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":"Comparison of DNA extraction methods for genotyping equine histidine-rich glycoprotein insertion/deletion polymorphisms using oral mucosa swabs and feces","authors":"Ryo Muko ,&nbsp;Yoshinobu Ojima ,&nbsp;Hiroshi Matsuda ,&nbsp;Yuko Toishi ,&nbsp;Masa-aki Oikawa ,&nbsp;Taekyun Shin ,&nbsp;Hiroaki Sato ,&nbsp;Akane Tanaka","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100361","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100361","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Previously, we demonstrated unique insertion/deletion polymorphisms of equine histidine-rich glycoprotein <em>(eHRG)</em> with five genotypes composed of 45-bp or 90-bp deletions in the histidine-rich region of <em>eHRG</em> in Thoroughbred horses. Although leukocytes are typically used to collect DNA for genotyping, blood sampling from animals is sometimes difficult and invasive. Moreover, the method for extracting DNA from blood leukocytes involves complicated steps and must be performed soon after blood sampling for sensitive gene analysis. In the present study, we performed <em>eHRG</em> genotyping using DNA, isolated from oral mucosa swabs collected by rubbing the mucosa on the underside of the upper lip of horses and 100 mg of freshly excreted feces obtained by scraping their surface. In the present study, we performed <em>eHRG</em> genotyping using DNA isolated from oral mucosa swabs and feces of horses (18 Thoroughbreds, 17 mixed breeds, 2 warm bloods), and compared the accuracy of this method with that of the method using DNA from leukocytes. The DNA derived from oral mucosa swabs was sufficient in quantity and quality for <em>eHRG</em> genotyping. However, DNA derived from fecal samples requires a more sensitive detection system because of contamination with non-horse DNA, and the test quality is low. Collection of oral mucosa swabs is less invasive than blood sampling; further, oral swabs can be stored for a longer period in a specified high-quality solution. Therefore, collecting DNA samples from oral mucosa swabs is recommended for the genetic analysis of not only horses but also other animals that are not accustomed to humans.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article 100361"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451943X24000280/pdfft?md5=9281206a969bfa5315e76e403dcc72a5&pid=1-s2.0-S2451943X24000280-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141140644","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":"Dietary effects of Sclerocarya birrea caffra seed cake replacing soyabean meal on physiology, meat and bone quality of indigenous chickens","authors":"Zibukile G. Mchunu ,&nbsp;Makiwa S. Mthana ,&nbsp;Doctor M.N Mthiyane","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100364","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100364","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigated marula seed cake (MSC) as alternative protein source (APS) replacing soyabean meal (SBM) in indigenous chicken diets. Four hundred, 3-week-old Boschveld chicks were randomly allocated to 5 iso-energetic-nitrogenous maize and SBM-based grower diets with 0, 10, 15, 20, and 25 % MSC, each with 5 replicate pens of 16 birds, in a completely randomised design (CRD), for 9 weeks. Results showed that dietary MSC quadratically decreased bird overall feed intake (FI) (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) and body weight gain (BWG) (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01) as it linearly decreased the weights of hot carcass (HCW; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), spleen (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), jejunum (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), ileum (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), and caecum (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). In contrast, MSC increased chicken serum glucose (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), cholesterol (<em>P</em> = 0.001) and phosphate (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) as it decreased its amylase activity (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01). Also, it decreased bird meat lightness at 45 min (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) and its yellowness at 45 min (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) and 24 h (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) whilst it increased its redness at 45 min (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01) and 24 h (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) post-slaughter. In addition, MSC decreased chicken bone medial diaphysis (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) as it induced no effects (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05) on overall feed conversion efficiency (FCE) and all other parameters. In conclusion, feeding of ≤ 15 % dietary MSC is nutritionally safe for indigenous chickens whilst detrimental on bird appetite, growth and meat yield, however without significantly affecting their physiology, at higher inclusion levels.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article 100364"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451943X24000310/pdfft?md5=3e09973657ba2ba70ef5db12a1e43457&pid=1-s2.0-S2451943X24000310-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141139987","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":"Prevalence and associated economic losses of bovine fasciolosis from postmortem inspection in municipal abattoirs in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Abayeneh Girma ,&nbsp;Kasaye Teshome ,&nbsp;Indris Abdu ,&nbsp;Amere Genet ,&nbsp;Dessalew Tamir","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100360","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100360","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Fasciolosis is a prevalent disease that significantly affects the health and productivity of cattle and causes significant economic loss. Beyond individually available studies with varying prevalence rates, there are no pooled national prevalence studies on bovine fasciolosis. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to determine the combined magnitude and economic significance of fasciolosis among cattle on postmortem examination. Inverse variance (<em>I²</em>), sensitivity analysis, funnel plots, Begg's test, and Egger's regression test were used to assess heterogeneity and publication bias. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled burden of fasciolosis among cattle. The pooled prevalence of fasciolosis among cattle on postmortem examination was 31.77 % (95 % CI=27.82–35.71). Among a total of 14,965 livers of slaughtered cattle examined in municipal abattoirs, <em>Fasciola hepatica</em> (54.4 %) was the predominant fluke identified compared to <em>F. gigantica</em> (24.6 %). Mixed infections of both species and unidentified immature flukes were detected in 12.4 % and 7.6 %, respectively, of affected livers. Regarding the severity of the pathological lesions observed, 30.5 %, 44.3 %, and 25.2 % of the livers were lightly, moderately, and seriously infested, respectively. The pooled annual economic loss attributed to fasciolosis-associated liver condemnation among cattle in 40 reported studies was approximately 40,833,983.15 ETB (6,417, 847.73 USD). Therefore, bovine fasciolosis requires integrated control methods to address its influence on animal health and economic impact.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 100360"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451943X24000279/pdfft?md5=cc2bf652336de255e6fd048149e5e8cc&pid=1-s2.0-S2451943X24000279-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141045142","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":"Analysis of the climatic trends and heat stress periods for ruminants rearing in Bangladesh","authors":"Md. Sodrul Islam ,&nbsp;Apurbo Kumar Mondal ,&nbsp;Md. Rabiul Auwul ,&nbsp;S. H. M. Faruk Siddiki ,&nbsp;Md. Ashraful Islam","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100359","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2024.100359","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The production of ruminant livestock is greatly impacted by climate change, as it is anticipated to jeopardise food security due to the increasing heat stress experienced by the animals, which can be measured using the Temperature Humidity Index (THI). The objective of our study was to analyze climatic patterns, identify influential variables and evaluate heat stress episodes through the utilization of the THI to establish a rearing system for ruminants in Bangladesh. The THI value was determined by analyzing meteorological station data spanning from 1995 to 2022 across various climatic zones in Bangladesh. The Mann–Kendall evaluation was used to analyze the THI patterns throughout the study. Our findings indicated that heat stress problems are expected to occur in Bangladesh when THI for ruminant rearing exceeds 74, particularly from February to December. The severity of heat stress in THI_ruminant 71–90 varied significantly, ranging from normal to extremely severe. We observed that June (90) was the hottest month in the west central region, while January (71) was the coldest in the northwest area. When examining the impact of climatic factors on the THI, we found that air temperature has the highest influence, while relative humidity had the second-highest influence on THI in all areas of Bangladesh. Sunlight length and wind speed influenced the yearly THI marginally but not seasonally. Our findings highlighted a seasonal threat associated with heat stress in the climatic conditions of Bangladesh. It is essential to identify heat stress in ruminants, especially considering the continuing global warming issue. Our results recommend the implementation of heat stress mitigation strategies for ruminant farmers in Bangladesh.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 100359"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451943X24000267/pdfft?md5=4f1b6ff41510843811197f37bc1298bc&pid=1-s2.0-S2451943X24000267-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141068670","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":"Performance and egg quality traits of local chickens across different agroecologies in the Kewot district, North Shewa zone, Northern Ethiopia","authors":"Zeneb Damte ,&nbsp;Nebiyu Yemane ,&nbsp;Hassanuur Hassan ,&nbsp;Andualem Tonamo","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100358","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100358","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study was conducted to evaluate the performance (productive and reproductive) potential and egg quality traits of local chickens (LCs) across different agroecologies (AEs) in the Kewot district, North Shewa zone, northern Ethiopia. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study sites and households (HHs). The data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires, monitoring and measurements. A total of 147 HHs were included in this study. Ninety brooding hens were monitored to determine hatchability and survivability percentages. A body weight of 120 LCs was measured at the market centres. Furthermore, the egg quality traits of 120 freshly laid eggs were evaluated. The data were analysed by a statistical package for social sciences (version 20). In the study area, the average flock size of the LC/HH populations was 9.90 ± 0.36. The most common flock type was chicks, followed by pullets, with significantly lower (p &lt; 0.05) in the lowland (LL) AE. The mean age at first egg of females and the mean age at sexual maturity of males were 6.05 ± 0.06 and 5.68 ± 0.08 months, respectively. The numbers of eggs per clutch and per year were 14.29 ± 0.40 and 50.02 ± 1.51, respectively. There was no significant difference (p &gt; 0.05) in the average number of clutches/hen/year across AEs, while significantly lower (p &lt; 0.05) numbers of eggs per clutch and per year were recorded for highland (HL) AEs than for LL agro-ecology. The mean hatchability percentage was 80.94 ± 1.69%. The mean market body weights of the male and female LCs were 0.91 ± 0.05 and 0.82 ± 0.05 kg, respectively. There were significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) in egg weight, egg width, shell thickness, shell ratio, albumen height, albumen and yolk weight, yolk colour, and Haugh unit (HU) between the AEs. The results revealed that the performance potential and egg quality traits of the LC in the study district were somewhat poor. Therefore, AE-specific development interventions should be designed and implemented to improve the performance potential and egg quality traits of LC in the study area.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 100358"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451943X24000255/pdfft?md5=9e527e7f0fca81b6988a97b63e60b1c8&pid=1-s2.0-S2451943X24000255-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141055102","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":"Genes involved in the cholecystokinin receptor signaling map were differentially expressed in the jejunum of steers with variation in residual feed intake","authors":"Rebecca J. Kern-Lunbery ,&nbsp;Abigail R. Rathert-Williams ,&nbsp;Andrew P. Foote ,&nbsp;Hannah C. Cunningham-Hollinger ,&nbsp;Larry A. Kuehn ,&nbsp;Allison M. Meyer ,&nbsp;Amanda K. Lindholm-Perry","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100357","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100357","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The jejunum is a critical site for nutrient digestion and absorption, and variation in its ability to take up nutrients within the jejunum is likely to affect feed efficiency. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in gene expression in the jejunum of beef steers divergent for residual feed intake (RFI) in one cohort of steers (Year 1), and to validate those genes in animals from a second study (Year 2). Steers from Year 1 (<em>n</em> = 16) were selected for high and low RFI. Jejunum mucosal tissue was obtained for RNA-seq. Thirty-two genes were differentially expressed (<em>P_FDR</em>≤0.15), and five were over-represented in pathways including inflammatory mediator, cholecystokinin receptor (CCKR) signaling, and p38 MAPK pathways. Several differentially expressed genes (<em>ALOX12, ALPI, FABP6, FABP7, FLT1, GSTA2, MEF2B, PDK4, SPP1</em>, and <em>TTF2</em>) have been previously associated with RFI in other studies. Real-time qPCR was used to validate nine differentially expressed genes in the Year 1 steers used for RNA-seq, and in the Year 2 validation cohort. Six genes were validated as differentially expressed (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.1) using RT-qPCR in the Year 1 population. In the Year 2 population, five genes displayed the same direction of expression as the Year 1 population and 3 were differentially expressed (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.1). The CCKR pathway is involved in digestion, appetite control, and regulation of body weight making it a compelling candidate for feed efficiency in cattle, and the validation of these genes in a second population of cattle is suggestive of a role in feed efficiency.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 100357"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451943X24000243/pdfft?md5=bd51564d22169639a9d82618f2511888&pid=1-s2.0-S2451943X24000243-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141024070","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":"Feeding pomegranate pulp to Ghezel lambs for enhanced productivity and meat quality","authors":"Zabihollah Nemati ,&nbsp;Saeid Amirdahri ,&nbsp;Ardashir Asgari ,&nbsp;Akbar Taghizadeh ,&nbsp;Shahida Anusha Siddiqui ,&nbsp;Magsoud Besharati ,&nbsp;Kazem Alirezalu ,&nbsp;Benjamin W.B. Holman","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2024.100356","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2024.100356","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Agrifood by-products contain nutrients and bioactive compounds that can be used in the diets of livestock – thereby value-adding to an otherwise waste product of environmental and economic significance. This study investigated the effect of dietary pomegranate pulp in the total mixed ration of Ghezel lambs, evaluating its effect on growth performance, blood parameters, carcass traits, as well as meat quality and shelf life. 3-month-old Ghezel lambs (individually housed, <em>n</em> = 8) were randomly assigned to be either non-supplemented (control) or supplemented with 100 g/kg DM of sun-dried pomegranate pulp for 28 days, post-adjustment. Results showed that supplementation of lamb diets with pomegranate pulp significantly increased liveweight and average daily gains, while not significantly affecting dry matter intake. Lamb serum urea and alkaline phosphatase concentrations and hot carcass weight were increased with pomegranate pulp supplementation. Compared to control lambs, the meat from lambs fed the supplemented diet had higher concentrations of intramuscular fat, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid, total unsaturated fatty acid, and meat phenolic compounds. Pomegranate pulp supplemented lambs also had a higher ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids; and produced liver tissue with less fat and ash contents. Meat oxidative status (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance<em>)</em> and quality (water holding capacity, colour, and pH) were improved when lambs were supplemented with pomegranate pulp. These findings demonstrate that using pomegranate pulp as a feed for Ghezel lambs has advantageous effects on animal performance and meat quality, offering valorisation of an agrifood by-product.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article 100356"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451943X24000231/pdfft?md5=25bef412460f2f7f8ef06010da320ac9&pid=1-s2.0-S2451943X24000231-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140918071","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}