Animal最新文献

{"title":"Genome-wide association study and enrichment analysis for clinical health traits in Holstein-Friesian cattle","authors":"M. Jakimowicz ,&nbsp;J. Szyda ,&nbsp;W. Jagusiak ,&nbsp;P. Topolski ,&nbsp;T. Suchocki","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101545","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101545","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Animal welfare is one of the most important aspects of animal breeding for the prevention and resistance to diseases. This study investigates the Genome-wide association study (<strong>GWAS</strong>) for three prevalent health problems in Holstein-Friesian cows: clinical mastitis (<strong>MA</strong>), clinical metritis (<strong>ME</strong>), and ovarian cysts (<strong>OC</strong>). It implements a GWAS approach to analyse genotypic data from 2 112 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. MA (1 040 sick), ME (1 103 sick), and OC (636 sick) were scored as binary traits. The single nucleotide polymorphism (<strong>SNP</strong>) effects were estimated using a two-step procedure that involved genomic prediction of breeding values and subsequent estimation of the SNP effect using the back-solve approach. Significant SNPs were genomically annotated using the Variant Effect Predictor and the corresponding genes were tested for enrichment of underlying metabolic pathways. We identified 13 significant SNPs associated with MA, 44 with ME, and 14 with OC. Genes marked by SNPs significant for MA were enriched in functions related to protein export, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and autophagy. Pathways enriched in genes significant for ME involved synaptic vesicle cycle and acute myeloid leukaemia. For OC, the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor gene (<em>IGF1R</em>) was represented in multiple pathways, including ovarian steroidogenesis and PI3K-AKT signalling. These findings provide new information on the genetic architecture and metabolic basis of health traits in Holstein cattle and highlight potential targets for genetic improvement. The limited overlap with previous studies underscores the complexity and polygenic nature of these traits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 7","pages":"Article 101545"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144230283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Considering greenhouse gas emissions from feed production in diet formulation for dairy cows as a means of reducing the carbon footprint","authors":"M. Managos ,&nbsp;C. Lindahl ,&nbsp;S. Agenäs ,&nbsp;U. Sonesson ,&nbsp;M. Lindberg","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101544","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101544","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dairy production often faces conflicting goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing food production and achieving self-sufficiency without transgressing planetary boundaries. This study examined ways to decrease emissions intensity per kg of milk from high-producing cows by selecting feed ingredients with a low carbon footprint while also considering local alternatives. Diets comprising of grass-legume mixture silage and three concentrate mixtures (standard commercial, based on by-products, and domestic crops grown on-farm) were randomly allotted to three groups of high-producing Swedish Holstein cows (N = 48). Over 7 weeks, no differences were observed (mean ± SEM) in feed DM intake (commercial: 24.3, by-products: 24.7, domestic: 24.2 kg/day, ± 0.51 kg/day), energy-corrected milk (<strong>ECM</strong>) yield (commercial: 38.3, by-products: 38.5, domestic: 37.8, ± 0.98 kg/day) or enteric methane production (commercial: 387, by-products: 378, domestic: 402 g/day, ± 17.3 g/day) among the diets. However, an evaluation of the primary carbon footprint of feed production (excluding transportation emissions) showed that the by-products and domestic diets gave lower emissions than the commercial diet, 9.4, 10.2, and 11.9 Feed CO₂ equivalents (<strong>CO_2-eq</strong>) kg/day, respectively (SEM: ± 0.38 Feed CO_2-eq kg/day). The emission intensity, expressed as feed emissions per kilogram of ECM yield, showed that the by-product-based and domestic diets generated lower carbon footprints, with emissions of 254 and 284 g Feed CO_2-eq/kg ECM, respectively, in comparison to 320 g Feed CO_2-eq/kg ECM observed for the commercial diet (SEM: ± 10.7 g Feed CO_2-eq/kg ECM). Considering greenhouse gas emissions from feed production in diet formulation resulted in a lower overall feed carbon footprint and lower emission intensity per ECM. These findings can assist in formulating dairy rations for high-yielding dairy cows that balance conflicting goals while maintaining productivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 7","pages":"Article 101544"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144230284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Use of mulberry leaf meal in fattening diets for rabbits: a comprehensive approach from animals to consumers","authors":"I. Biasato ,&nbsp;M. Renna ,&nbsp;G.L. Cerutti ,&nbsp;F. Maccagno ,&nbsp;C. Lussiana ,&nbsp;I. Ferrocino ,&nbsp;S. Bellezza Oddon ,&nbsp;C. Caimi ,&nbsp;G. Xiccato ,&nbsp;A. Trocino ,&nbsp;A. Pauciullo ,&nbsp;A. Brugiapaglia ,&nbsp;L. Gasco","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101546","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101546","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mulberry leaf meal (<strong>MLM</strong>) may act as a promising, alternative feed ingredient for rabbit farming, due to its good nutrient digestibility and high fibre content. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of the inclusion of MLM in the fattening diet of rabbits on their productive performance, caecal microbiota, genotoxicity, and meat quality and consumer acceptance. A total of 480 crossbred rabbits weaned at 45 days of age were allotted to two dietary treatments (30 replicate cages/treatment, 8 rabbits/cage). During the post-weaning phase (45–63 days of age), both groups were fed the same commercial feed; during the fattening phase (64–88 days of age), two isonitrogenous, isolipidic and isoenergetic diets were fed: (1) control diet (C) and (2) MLM diet (10% MLM). During fattening, the MLM rabbits displayed higher daily feed intake (<strong>DFI</strong>) and feed conversion ratio than the C ones (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), with higher DFI in the MLM than in the C group over the whole trial (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01). At slaughter, the relative weight of the liver was lower in MLM than in C rabbits (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). The caecal microbiota and Sister Chromatid Exchange frequency were not significantly influenced by MLM inclusion (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05). The <em>Longissimus thoracis et lumborum</em> (<strong>LTL</strong>) yellowness and saturation indexes were lower in the MLM than in the C group (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), and the former also showed a lower ether extract in the LTL when compared to the latter rabbits (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01). The proportion of the majority of fatty acids did not differ according to the diets. Only stearic and α-linolenic acids rates were lower and higher, respectively, in the thighs of MLM-fed rabbits (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). At the consumer test, the MLM meat was penalised for being “too dry” and “too bland” in flavour when compared to the C meat. In conclusion, dietary MLM inclusion in the fattening phase may impair the feed conversion of rabbits, without impairing their final weight, carcass traits, caecal microbiota, and genome stability. Paler, leaner, and α-linolenic-enriched meat can also be obtained, which however may be potentially perceived by consumers as less juicy and flavoured when compared to conventional meat.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 7","pages":"Article 101546"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144254909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genomic insights into growth traits in German Black Pied cattle: a dual-purpose breed at risk","authors":"P. Korkuć ,&nbsp;M. Reißmann ,&nbsp;G.A. Brockmann","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101540","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101540","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The German Black Pied cattle (<strong>DSN</strong>) is an endangered dual-purpose breed valued for its genetic diversity and high milk fat and protein content. However, due to competition with higher-yielding dairy breeds, the DSN population has declined, leading to its designation as an endangered breed. While previous research has focused on the milk production traits of DSN, this study aims to address meat traits to further understand the genetic determination of the dual-purpose characteristics of the breed. We conducted genome-wide association studies on 669 DSN bulls to identify genetic loci associated with birth weight, BW, and BW gain at different growth stages. Using imputed whole-genome sequencing data, we identified 14 quantitative trait loci across ten chromosomes. Significant associations were found for birth weight on chromosomes 5 and 18, for body weight at 3 weeks (<strong>BW_3w</strong>) on chromosomes 3 and 16, for body weight at 7 months (<strong>BW_7m</strong>) on chromosomes 3 and 10, and for body weight gain from birth or 3 weeks to 18 months (<strong>BWG_0d-18m</strong>, <strong>BWG_3w-18m</strong>) on chromosomes 4 and 7. Key positional candidate genes influencing muscle and fat tissue development included <em>RERGL</em> and <em>LMO3</em> (identified for birth weight), <em>MET</em> and <em>CAPZA2</em> (identified for BWG_0d-18m) which are essential for skeletal muscle development and actin filament regulation, respectively, <em>TLN2</em> (identified for BW_7m), <em>MYO1F</em> and <em>ADAMTS10</em> (identified for BWG_3w-18m) which are critical for actin filament assembly, cytoskeletal function, and skeletal development, respectively. Candidate genes such as <em>CPT2</em> (identified or BW_3w) and <em>VPS13C</em> (identified or BW_7m) are involved in lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function. Additionally, candidate genes such as <em>IGSF3</em> (identified for BW_7m), <em>KLRC1</em> and members of the C-type lectin family (identified for birth weight) are associated with immune regulation, and thus, suggest a potential interplay between metabolism, immune function, and growth efficiency. These findings highlight the distinct genetic mechanisms underlying growth at various developmental stages, underscoring the importance of breed-specific genetic evaluations. The identified loci also overlap with previously reported loci for meat and production traits in other cattle breeds, underscoring their relevance and potential utility in DSN breeding strategies. This study provides a foundation for conservation and genomic breeding strategies to maintain the dual-purpose characteristics of DSN through optimising both meat and milk production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 6","pages":"Article 101540"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144139549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of weaning and cow-calf contact on the physiological and clinical health, performance, and behaviour of dairy cows and their calves","authors":"S.E. McPherson ,&nbsp;E.A.M. Bokkers ,&nbsp;A.M. Sinnott ,&nbsp;M.C. McFadden ,&nbsp;L.E. Webb ,&nbsp;E. Kennedy","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101541","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101541","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cow-calf contact (<strong>CCC</strong>) systems have become increasingly popular calf−rearing systems to promote positive welfare; however, weaning and separation may cause distress. This preliminary study aimed to investigate the interaction between weaning and CCC on the physiological health, performance, and behaviour of dairy cows and calves. Three systems were compared: conventional, pasture-based Irish system (<strong>CONV</strong>; 18 pairs), cow and calf separated ≤ 2 h postbirth, cows milked twice-a-day, calves artificially reared indoors; full-time access system (<strong>FT</strong>; 14 pairs), dam and calf allowed constant, pasture-based, unrestricted access and cows milked twice-a-day; and part-time access system (<strong>PT</strong>; 18 pairs), unrestricted access at night indoors, cows grazed outdoors by day while calves remained indoors, cows milked once-a-day (0800 h). All calves were weaned at 8 weeks of age; FT and PT pairs underwent a 7 d gradual weaning and separation process (PT cows switched to twice-a-day milking) while CONV calves were gradually weaned over 12 d. Clinical health scores (2x/week), blood samples (1x/week; analysed for physiological markers of health and performance), BW (1x/week), body condition score (1x/week; cows only), and behaviour (1 d/week; scan sampling 3x/d; 24 total observations) were taken the week before (<strong>preWS</strong>) and after (<strong>postWS</strong>) the weaning and separation process. The PT cows had higher body condition scores (3.18 ± 0.034) than CONV (2.95; FT cows were similar to both, 3.05) and lower non-esterified fatty acids (<strong>NEFA</strong>; 0.40 ± 0.038 mmol/L) than the FT cows (0.58 mmol/L; CONV cows were similar to both, 0.48 mmol/L) across both time-points. All calves preWS had lower summed clinical health scores (0.91 vs 1.25 ± 0.131; <em>P</em> = 0.017), beta-hydroxybutyrate (0.07 vs 0.39 ± 0.023 mmol/L; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), and globulin (12.0 vs 14.5 ± 0.929 g/L; <em>P</em> = 0.010) than postWS. After weaning and separation, the FT (0.36 mmol/L; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) and PT (0.34 mmol/L; <em>P</em> = 0.001) calves had higher NEFA than CONV calves (0.13 mmol/L). Calf weekly average daily gain (<strong>ADGw</strong>) was similar preWS (0.9 ± 0.142 kg/d), but CONV calves had higher ADGw postWS than FT (0.42 kg/d) and PT calves (0.40 kg/d). All calves performed more (<em>P</em> = 0.009) positive behaviours preWS (4.6 ± 6.37%) compared to postWS (2.3 ± 3.38%). Our results suggest the applied CCC slightly worsened cow and calf health, performance, and behaviour around weaning and separation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 6","pages":"Article 101541"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144138952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sex-specific effects of a methionine-restricted maternal diet on liver transcript levels and fatty liver production in mule ducks","authors":"A. Sécula ,&nbsp;H. Chapuis ,&nbsp;L. Bodin ,&nbsp;M-D. Bernadet ,&nbsp;X. Martin ,&nbsp;J. Barrieu ,&nbsp;E. Cobo ,&nbsp;L.E. Bluy ,&nbsp;H. Manse ,&nbsp;L. Gress ,&nbsp;C.M.D. Bonnefont ,&nbsp;M. Morisson","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101539","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101539","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sex-specific effects of maternal diet on offspring phenotypes have been reported in farm animals including in poultry. The present study was conducted in mule ducks, investigating the long-term effects of a methionine-restricted maternal diet on the production performance of the offspring of both sexes. Sixty female ducks were divided into two groups and fed either a control diet containing 4.0 g/kg of methionine or a restricted diet containing 2.5 g/kg of methionine. Next, 254 offspring were divided into four subgroups of 60–67 animals, according to maternal diet and sex. Their growth performance was recorded until 87 days of age. Then, plasma parameters were measured on these non-overfed ducks (<strong>NOFDs</strong>) at D87 and 60 of them were sacrificed, representing 15 males and 15 females in each maternal diet group. Carcass traits were recorded, and the liver transcript level of 170 genes mainly involved in energy or one-carbon metabolism was studied. The remaining 194 ducks were overfed during 12.5 days -until 100 days of age- for fatty liver production. Then, zootechnical traits and plasma parameters were measured on these 194 overfed ducks (<strong>OFDs</strong>), and the liver transcript level of the same 170 genes was studied. The results showed that the methionine-restricted maternal diet affected traits in NOFDs but in females only, with lower liver lipid and DM percentages (<em>P</em>-value = 0.006 and <em>P</em>-value = 0.004, respectively) and a lower plasma cholesterol level (<em>P</em>-value = 0.020). In OFDs, after the overfeeding period, fatty liver weight was reduced in both sexes by around 53 g, or almost 10% (<em>P</em>-value = 0.016 and 0.017 in females and males, respectively). Only females showed a tendency to lower liver lipid and DM percentages (<em>P</em>-value = 0.078 and <em>P</em>-value = 0.062, respectively) and their plasmatic aspartate aminotransferase activity was reduced (<em>P</em>-value = 0.025). In addition, 18 genes differentially expressed between maternal diet groups were identified in the liver of females only. All were up-regulated in the restricted group and involved in either energy or one-carbon metabolism. These findings showed that the methionine-restricted maternal diet had long-term effects on liver traits, impacting production performance in both sexes. Importantly, these effects were sex-specific, and robust enough to still be observed after the overfeeding period, despite the major reorganisation of metabolic pathways this implied.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 6","pages":"Article 101539"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144124014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Welfare impacts during and after reproductive procedures for in vivo embryo production and transfer in Holstein dairy heifers","authors":"D. Ledoux ,&nbsp;A. de Boyer des Roches ,&nbsp;P. de Roover ,&nbsp;C. Roque ,&nbsp;S. Lancelin ,&nbsp;B. Deloupy-Dobin ,&nbsp;P. Salvetti","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101538","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101538","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Embryo technologies are routinely used in cattle, but the links between embryo technologies and cattle welfare have been poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to describe the behavioural, physiological and clinical responses of Holstein dairy heifers during and after five reproductive procedures: dominant follicle removal (<strong>DFR</strong>) by transvaginal follicular puncture, superovulation, double artificial insemination (<strong>AI1</strong> and <strong>AI2</strong>), embryo flushing (<strong>EF</strong>), and embryo transfer (<strong>ET</strong>). This longitudinal cross-over design used twelve nulliparous pubescent and cycled Holstein heifers, each acting as their own control. Behavioural recordings (video and continuous monitoring sensors), physiological and clinical examinations, and blood sampling were performed at regular intervals on each reproductive procedure from the start of contention up to 24 h after the end of the procedure. The heifers changed their behavioural and physiological responses during and after each of the five reproductive procedures. During the procedures, they displayed more abnormal postures of the body (e.g. arched back during all procedures; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), hindlimbs (e.g. base-wide stance during all procedures except EF; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), and head (e.g. lowered head during AI2, EF and ET; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). They also displayed more signs of agitation, moving their body more (e.g. stepping aside during DFR, AI1 and ET; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), their feet more (e.g. hoof lifting during DFR, EF and ET; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) and their head more (e.g. neck stretching forward during AI2, EF, and ET; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). They also showed increases in both plasma cortisol concentration (during AI2 and EF; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) and heart rate (during DFR and AI2; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). However, we did not observe any inflammatory response in plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines and haptoglobin or in macroscopic appearance of the vulvae 2 h after the procedures. During the 24 h after the procedures, the heifers spent less time ingesting and standing up after DFR (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), less time ruminating after EF (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05), more time with activity after superovulation and more time without activity after EF (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Each reproductive procedure has specific responses in the heifers. Taken together, our findings suggest that heifer welfare was impacted both during and after the procedures involved in embryo production and <em>in vivo</em> transfer protocol. Acknowledging that some discomfort/pain may be present, it may be welfare-friendly to develop and apply refinement strategies during and after embryo technology procedures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 6","pages":"Article 101538"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144134394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impacts of digestibility stalls on the welfare of growing bulls","authors":"I. Veissier,&nbsp;R. Bellagi,&nbsp;P. Nozière,&nbsp;R. Baumont","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101513","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101513","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Diet digestibility and nitrogen balance are essential indicators for studies on ruminant nutrition. Both these indicators are conventionally assessed over 1− to 2-week periods when animals are restrained in so-called digestibility stalls that largely restrict their movements. Here, we aimed to assess the welfare of bulls in digestibility stalls and to check whether stall-related welfare impacts could be limited by shortening the duration of the stay in the stall. Sixteen Charolais bulls accommodated in a large group pen were confined in digestibility stalls for 2 weeks, in two repetitions spaced 2.5 months apart. Urine and faeces were collected daily for 10 days from Day 7 in stalls. From 7 days before the bulls entered the stalls to 7 days after they exited, we measured their feed intake daily and monitored their posture (standing vs lying) and main activity patterns (eating, ruminating, other activity, inactivity) using activity sensors. External lesions (hair losses, wounds) were assessed once a week during the same period. Cortisol was determined in hair from the tail tuft at 3-week intervals from before entering the stalls to after 10 or 15 days in the stalls. Bulls responded to the digestibility stalls by eating lower amounts of feed, spending more time standing or inactive and less time eating or ruminating than when they were in the group pen. The increase in time spent inactive and the decrease in time spent eating were stronger in Repetition 2 than in Repetition 1. The time spent inactive decreased over the first few days in the stalls then increased again over the course of days when urine and faeces were collected. Bulls were more likely to be affected by lesions once they were in the stalls. Hair cortisol increased when the bulls were in the stalls, with a more marked increase after a short stay in Repetition 2. In conclusion, we find definitive evidence that digestibility and nitrogen measurements in digestibility stalls are constraining for animals, and bulls do not appear to habituate to time in the stalls. Confinement in the stalls as well as handling while in the stalls can both have negative welfare impacts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 5","pages":"Article 101513"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143908243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative intake, digestibility and enteric methane emissions by growing lambs and goat kids fed a medium digestibility grass nuts diet","authors":"M.R. Quail ,&nbsp;I.G. Davies ,&nbsp;J.M. Moorby ,&nbsp;M.D. Fraser","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101489","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101489","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The availability of baseline emission data across various livestock systems is an essential component of identifying suitable mitigation strategies for the future. However, the comparative CH₄ emissions of different livestock species, particularly those that represent key small ruminants globally (sheep (<em>Ovis aries</em>) and goats (<em>Capra hircus</em>)), have not been explored in the context of diet digestibility and growth potential of the animal. This study aimed to generate baseline data through comparing weaned lambs and goat kids in relation to (1) growth performance, (2) enteric methane emissions, (3) and diet <em>in vivo</em> digestibility of a common medium-digestibility diet that reflects the pasture type that the animals might be expected to graze. Ten castrated lambs (Welsh Mountain breed) and ten goat kids (Cashmere × Boer crossbreed) of an equivalent age postweaning (c. 12 months) (avg. starting weight of 15 kg ± 0.86, and 26 kg ± 1.02, respectively) were offered a grass-nuts diet <em>ad libitum</em> whilst housed in individual pens. Dry matter intake (<strong>DMI</strong>) of feed was monitored daily throughout an 8-week growth stage, whilst liveweight was assessed weekly. Enteric CH₄ emissions of each animal were recorded for 72 h in methane collection chambers. We found significantly higher liveweight gains for the sheep compared to goats (163 and 84 g/day for lambs and kids respectively; SED = 12.8; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), as well as higher DMI (1299.8 vs 881.8 g/day; SED = 64.7; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). DM intake was comparable between species on a metabolic liveweight (W^0.75) basis. The sheep also produced higher daily CH₄ emissions (26.3 g/day, and 19.4 g/day, respectively; SED = 3.02; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.01) than goats. However, no effect of species was observed on CH₄ emissions per kg W^0.75 or per kg DMI. The proportion of methane energy excreted expressed as a proportion of diet gross energy (Ym) was similar for both species (4.9 and 4.6% CH₄ E/gross energy intake for lambs and kids, respectively; SED = 0.46), as were apparent whole-tract <em>in vivo</em> DM digestibility, although the sheep had a better feed conversion ratio (<strong>FCR</strong>) than the goats (6.6 g DMI/ g W^0.75 gain and 11.5 g DMI/g W^0.75 gain, respectively; SED = 1.58; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Here, we found that sheep were more efficient than goats when offered an identical diet of grass nuts, giving a higher weight gain than the goats (resulting in a lower FCR), whilst also producing similar CH₄ emissions to the goats on a metabolic LW basis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 5","pages":"Article 101489"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143886435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Early life reproductive investment affects longevity in ewes","authors":"L.S. Kierkegaard ,&nbsp;N.C. Friggens ,&nbsp;G. Steinheim ,&nbsp;Ø. Holand ,&nbsp;G. Klemetsdal ,&nbsp;L. Puillet ,&nbsp;B.A. Åby","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101504","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101504","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To increase lifetime production of ewes, it has been suggested to mate ewe lambs. However, research on the effect of age at first lambing on longevity has shown conflicting results. This study investigated the impact of early life reproduction (i.e., the effect of age at first lambing and litter size) and environmental conditions on longevity in a prolific sheep breed traditionally bred as lambs. Lifetime performance data were obtained from 550 884 Norwegian White Sheep born between 2000 and 2013 spread across Norway. All ewes lambed their first litter either as 1-year-old or 2-year-olds. Longevity was investigated using a linear mixed model with age at first lambing, litter size, county, the covariates early- and late parturition, and two categorical variables describing cross-fostering and success in weaning as fixed effects. Herd x year was fitted as a random effect. The lifespan of the ewes was affected both by age of the ewe at first reproduction and the reproductive investment (i.e., litter size). The predicted lifespan for ewes mated as lambs was 1 548 days (4.2 years) whereas the lifespan for those mated as 2-year-olds was 1 700 days (4.7 years). There was a curvilinear relationship between lifespan and litter size. Lifespan increased from 1 272 days (3.5 years) to 1 618 days (4.4 years) when litter size increased from 0 to 1 lamb. Further increased reproductive investment resulted in a decreased lifespan with a litter size of 4 having the shortest lifespan of 1 468 days (4.0 years). The relation between litter size and lifespan was similar but at different levels for both age groups of ewes, except for ewes rearing less lambs than they gave birth to. In that group, ewes mated as lambs had a peak predicted lifespan at 1 504 days (4.1 years) with a litter size of one lamb, whereas those first mated as 2-year-olds had their peak predicted lifespan of 1 650 days (4.5 years) with a litter size of two lambs. The relationship between longevity and reproductive investment was in some cases affected by environmental conditions. However, the effect was not consistent with latitude. In conclusion, ewes mated as lambs, in general, live shorter lives compared to those first mated as 2-year-olds but environmental importance for longevity and reproduction needs further investigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 5","pages":"Article 101504"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143900002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}