Animal最新文献

{"title":"Variation of gut microbiota composition in a honey bee breeding population: exploring potential links with docility and honey production","authors":"M.G. De Iorio ,&nbsp;G. Minozzi ,&nbsp;F. Tiezzi","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101474","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101474","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The current global decline of bee populations is of great concern due to their crucial role as pollinators and for the conservation of biodiversity. Today the survival of bees is increasingly dependent on beekeeping practices. In this context, the present study explores the composition of honey bee gut microbiota, its changes in time and its potential relationship with two key traits of interest to beekeepers: docility and honey yield. In this study, 77 colonies, belonging to a breeding population selected for these phenotypes, were sampled three times over a 5-month period, leading to a total of 190 samples. Results showed that <em>Apis mellifera</em>, differently from other insects, hosts a specialised gut microbial community composed of five ever-present bacterial taxa. However, the proportional abundance of these bacterial taxa undergoes significant seasonal shifts, reflecting seasonal changes in diet. Moreover, the association between the composition of the honey bee microbiota and honey production was identified. In conclusion, this study offers insights into the composition and the seasonal dynamics of honey bee gut microbiota.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 101474"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143680802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative evaluation of phenotypic, pedigree, and family-based selection in insect breeding using stochastic simulation","authors":"L.S. Hansen ,&nbsp;A.C. Bouwman ,&nbsp;G. Sahana ,&nbsp;M. Slagboom ,&nbsp;H.M. Nielsen ,&nbsp;E.D. Ellen","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101475","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101475","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Selective breeding in insects has predominantly relied on phenotypic selection without considering relatedness. Selection on estimated breeding values could potentially increase genetic gain, but the challenge of pedigree tracking complicates this. Family selection can be used as an alternative to individual selection, either using combined between- and within-family selection, or strict between-family selection with full-sib group records as a proxy for individual data. The effectiveness of family selection can however be compromised by the presence of unmitigated common environmental effects. In this study, we employ stochastic simulations to explore expected genetic gain and rate of inbreeding in insect populations under four single-trait selection schemes: phenotypic selection, individual pedigree selection, combined selection using both family and individual breeding values for selection, and between-family selection using full-sib average phenotypes for breeding value estimation. These schemes are compared on genetic gain and rate of inbreeding across five trait heritabilities (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6), two variations in number of families in the population (60 or 200), and two offspring group structures for the family breeding schemes (1 or 3 sib groups per female) with a fixed common environment effect. Selection based on individual breeding values results in significantly higher genetic gain than phenotypic selection at low heritability (≤ 0.1), and similar gain at heritability &gt; 0.1. Phenotypic selection results in a lower rate of inbreeding (0.003–0.011) compared to other schemes (0.005–0.055) at low heritability (≤ 0.1), but this difference is reduced as heritability increases. Combined selection results in genetic gain between that of the phenotypic and individual pedigree schemes, depending on sib group structure and heritability. Using between-family selection reduces genetic gain (0.23–1.97) compared to other schemes (0.40–4.34). Establishing multiple sib-groups mitigates the confounding of genetic and common environment effects, and thus the reduction in genetic gain from family selection schemes. Increasing the number of families from 60 to 200 in the breeding population reduces inbreeding in all scenarios (ΔF at 60 families is 0.009–0.055, at 200 families is 0.003–0.031). We conclude that selection on individual breeding values yields greater genetic gain compared to family breeding values and selection on phenotypes. The between-family approach is an alternative when individual pedigrees are not feasible to maintain. Phenotypic selection results in both high genetic gain and generally low rates of inbreeding, but as heritability increases, so does the rate of inbreeding. Therefore, phenotypic selection should not be implemented without any inbreeding control in long−term selection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 101475"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143674642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Defatted black soldier fly larvae meal as a substitute of soybean meal in dairy cow diets","authors":"D.J.M. Braamhaar ,&nbsp;W.F. Pellikaan ,&nbsp;D. List ,&nbsp;D. Korir ,&nbsp;C.M. Tanga ,&nbsp;S.J. Oosting","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101476","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101476","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The replacement of soybean meal (<strong>SBM</strong>) with insect meal, e.g. black soldier fly larvae meal (<strong>BSFLM</strong>), as an alternative protein source in livestock feed is gaining traction globally. To date, no <em>in vivo</em> studies have been conducted to test the impact of BSFLM on the milk production of dairy cows. This study quantified the effects of replacing SBM with defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (<strong>DBSFLM</strong>) in diets of lactating dairy cows on feed intake, milk production and composition, apparent total-tract digestibility, feed- and nitrogen use efficiency. Twelve lactating Holstein-Friesian cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design (18 d per period) with 3 protein treatments: a diet containing SBM as the main protein source (control, SBM); a diet with a 50: 50 mixture of SBM and DBSFLM (SBM: DBSFLM, 50: 50); and a diet with DBSFLM (DBSFLM). Animals were blocked per Latin square based on milk yield (<strong>MY</strong>), and the amount of concentrate in the diets was adjusted for MY. Diets were provided as a total mixed ration and offered <em>ad libitum</em>. Our results showed no treatment effects (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05) on milk yield and composition. DM and organic matter (<strong>OM</strong>) intake were significantly higher (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.003) for cows fed SBM (17.6 and 16.2 kg/d, respectively) compared with DBSFLM (16.6 and 15.1 kg/d, respectively), while DM and OM intake of SBM: DBSFLM (17.5 and 16.0 kg/d, respectively) did not differ from SBM but were higher compared with DBSFLM. CP intake was significantly higher (<em>P</em> = 0.003) for cows fed SBM (2.68 kg/d) compared with both DBSFLM (2.50 kg/d) and SBM: DBSFLM (2.54 kg/d), while CP intake for SBM: DBSFLM did not differ from DBSFLM. Apparent total-tract digestibility of NDF and ADF were significantly lower (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.024) for cows fed SBM (46.7 and 45.6%, respectively) compared with DBSFLM (54.0 and 52.0%, respectively), with SBM: DBSFLM (51.0 and 49.7%, respectively) not differing from either diet. No treatment effects were observed for DM, OM, CP and ether extract digestibility, and feed and nitrogen use efficiency. Incorporating DBSFLM into dairy cow diets did not significantly compromise the milk yield and composition, suggesting its potential to reduce the reliance on SBM and contribute to circular food systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 101476"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143674598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic parameters of vulva traits and impact of vulva scores on gilts culling in Large White pigs","authors":"J. Zhou ,&nbsp;L. Xu ,&nbsp;Q. Liu ,&nbsp;J. Ma ,&nbsp;J. He ,&nbsp;D.S. Casey ,&nbsp;L. Zhong ,&nbsp;G. Su ,&nbsp;R. Huang ,&nbsp;P. Li ,&nbsp;Q. Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101472","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101472","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vulva morphologies represent significant traits in pig production. Recent studies suggest that vulva size can be predictive of the reproductive performance of gilts. This study aimed to analyse the genetic parameters of vulva traits, including vulva length, vulva width, and vulva angle score (<strong>VAS</strong>), as well as litter traits, including total number born, number born alive, number stillborn, and piglet survival rate, across three Large White pig strains (PIC, Topigs, and Canadian). We estimated the correlations between vulva traits and litter performance, as well as the reasons for culling gilts. In this study, single-trait and multitrait models were employed to estimate the heritability and genetic correlations between vulva and litter traits. The heritabilities of vulva traits ranged from 0.167 to 0.426, whereas the heritability of litter traits ranged from 0.013 to 0.147. The VAS in Topigs Large White pigs exhibited the highest heritability. The genetic correlation coefficients between vulva length and width in PIC and Topigs Large White pigs were significantly positively correlated, ranged from 0.585 to 0.767. No significant correlation was found between vulva and litter traits. Subsequently, we scored the vulva traits according to previously reported studies, linear relationship analysis between vulva score and reasons for culling gilts revealed that gilts with larger vulva widths had a lower risk of culling. The average vulva width score of the gilts that were culled due to prolonged oestrus was significantly lower (2.75) compared to that of gilts with normal oestrus (2.90). In the population of gilts aged 220–230 days, the gilts with higher vulva angle scores had a lower risk of culling due to vulva inflammation with purulent discharge. The results suggest that selecting vulva traits in replacement gilts is an effective strategy to reduce gilt culling rates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 101472"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143680733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Repeatability of carbon dioxide and methane emissions and oxygen consumption by forage-consuming beef heifers","authors":"M.D. MacNeil ,&nbsp;R.C. Waterman","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101469","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101469","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gas exchange by ruminant livestock is deemed as a contributor to climate change. As such, research to reduce the production of greenhouse gasses is an emerging need. It is important that these studies reach definitive outcomes. Because the majority of cows are sustained by grazing forages, the objective of this study was to assess the variation in methane (<strong>CH₄</strong>) and carbon dioxide (<strong>CO₂</strong>) emissions and oxygen (<strong>O₂</strong>) consumption among forage-consuming beef cattle. Recommendations as to the number of days over which data need to be collected and the numbers of experimental units that need to be used in comparing treatments can be inferred from this information. Heifers (n = 30) from a three-breed composite population of beef cattle were used in this research. They were introduced to a portable automated head-chamber system in January 2023 and had continuous access to the system through February 2024 (414 d). Data were uploaded to a server, and proprietary algorithms were used to calculate CH₄ and CO₂ emission and O₂ consumption of the heifers. Repeatability of the daily average values was calculated, and those estimates were used to infer the accuracy of measurements obtained over varying numbers of days. The numbers of heifers that are required to achieve a specified power-of-the-test for an experiment comparing two treatments and for the comparison of an observed mean against a threshold were calculated. Methane required 45 days of measurements to obtain a mean with 80% accuracy. Carbon dioxide required data from only 28 days. Given the cost of the technology to measure gasses in the grazing situation and the recommended number of animals to utilize it at one time, some care will be required in designing appropriate experiments and to properly interpret the observed effects particularly when they are not statistically significant.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 101469"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143674709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The functional addition of hydrochloric acid to dry feed improves mineral nutrition, growth, and reduces body deformities in juvenile stomachless tench","authors":"R. Kamiński ,&nbsp;J. Sikorska ,&nbsp;L. Polak-Juszczak ,&nbsp;J. Wolnicki","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101471","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101471","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid growth of aquaculture production is accompanied by environmental challenges, an important factor of which is the release of phosphorus into aquatic ecosystems. Phosphorus released from aquaculture contributes to the eutrophication of freshwater ecosystems. Improving the efficiency of assimilation of phosphorus contained in feed can help reduce phosphorus-induced pollution. Supplementing dry fish diets with inorganic acids appears to be a simple and cost-effective method of increasing the availability of key dietary minerals, including phosphorus, to fish. This is especially effective for species lacking a functional stomach which are unable to digest food in an acidic environment. This group includes cypriniform fish, many of which play a significant role in global aquaculture. One such species, tench (<em>Tinca tinca</em>), is an important species for aquaculture in several European countries. In this study, different doses (0.75, 1.5, and 3.0%) of hydrochloric acid were used as functional additives to commercial dry feed for tench juveniles. The 57-day experiment was carried out in recirculating aquaculture systems. The dietary additive of HCl affected the fishes’ whole-body phosphorus content and phosphorus use efficiency, as well as the content of calcium, magnesium, strontium, chromium, incidence of body deformities, growth, condition factor, and feed conversion ratio. The body contents of potassium, sodium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, cadmium, and lead were not affected by adding HCl. The highest share of individuals with body deformities (10%) was recorded in fish fed the basal diet. In contrast, among fish fed a diet with HCl, body deformities (2%) were found only in the group with the lowest acid dose. Moreover, the 1.5% additive of HCl to the diet gave the best results regarding fish growth rates and feed conversion. Therefore, this dietary additive of HCl was proven to effectively promote the growth of juvenile tench, protect fish from body deformities, and reduce pollution caused by phosphorus waste generated during intensive fish farming.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 101471"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143610598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge, attitude and behaviour of farmers towards the use of reproductive hormones in dairy cattle","authors":"A. Wicaksono ,&nbsp;W. Steeneveld ,&nbsp;T. van Werven ,&nbsp;H. Hogeveen ,&nbsp;B.H.P van den Borne","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101470","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101470","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reproductive hormones are regularly applied in dairy farms for cow fertility management regarding oestrus induction and treatment of reproductive diseases. The use of hormones in dairy farms needs to be explored with insight into the farmers’ knowledge and attitude to obtain their reasoning behind their behaviour of hormone use. This study aimed to determine and associate dairy farmers’ knowledge and attitude with their reproductive hormone use behaviour. An online questionnaire on reproductive hormone use was distributed by 15 veterinary practices, who distributed it to their dairy farm members through email or as an inclusion in an online newsletter. The questionnaire was responded by 188 farmers (response rate of 13%). Data on herd characteristics, knowledge, attitude and hormone use behaviour (self-reported based on a questionnaire and actual use based on hormone sales data) were collected. A knowledge score (0–10) was based on 10 objective knowledge questions. An explanatory factor analysis was conducted to identify latent structures among 19 attitude variables, resulting in four−factor variables. Several regression analyses were conducted to associate knowledge with attitude (multivariate multiple regression), knowledge and attitude with self-reported behaviour (logistic regression) and with actual hormone use (negative binomial regression). All models corrected for eight herd characteristic variables. The mean knowledge score was 5.9 ± 1.8 and 83% of the farmers indicated that they used hormones if their cows were not in oestrus after exceeding some expected days in milk. No significant association was found between knowledge and four attitude factors. However, a higher knowledge score was positively associated with hormone use behaviour (self-reported and actual hormone use). The same direction was shown for a stronger attitude on the benefits of using hormone with both higher hormone use behaviours. A stronger attitude on following the treatment protocol was positively associated with a higher actual hormone use while a stronger attitude towards non-hormonal fertility management was associated with a lower actual hormone use. In conclusion, determining farmers’ objective knowledge and attitude provided the reasoning behind their hormone use behaviour. Furthermore, obtained insights into knowledge, attitude and behaviour might therefore be beneficial for improving fertility guidelines.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 101470"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143621378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Short communication: Evaluating laying curve models and estimating genetic parameters for egg production traits in chickens","authors":"X.Y. Gui ,&nbsp;Y.J. Li ,&nbsp;H.Y. Yu ,&nbsp;W.T. Zhang ,&nbsp;X.Q. Deng ,&nbsp;Z.F. Zhang ,&nbsp;G.H. Hua ,&nbsp;H. Li ,&nbsp;H.M. Kang","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101465","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101465","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Qingyuan partridge chicken, a highly valued indigenous breed in China, requires optimised egg production traits to maximise economic returns. This study analysed weekly egg production data from 6 776 Qingyuan partridge chickens to compare the Grossman and Wood models in fitting individual egg-laying curves and identify the most robust model for estimating egg production persistency. Genetic parameters were estimated for three key traits: age at first egg (<strong>AFE</strong>), cumulative egg number up to 28 weeks (<strong>EN</strong>), and persistency derived from the Wood model, alongside weekly egg numbers using a random regression model. Results demonstrated the Wood model’s superior performance, achieving successful curve fits for more individuals with comparable residual SEs. Moderate heritability estimates were observed for AFE (0.37 ± 0.02) and EN (0.28 ± 0.02), while persistency exhibited lower heritability (0.09 ± 0.06). Moderate to high genetic correlations emerged between AFE and EN (−0.63 ± 0.002), AFE and persistency (−0.51 ± 0.008), and EN and persistency (0.58 ± 0.008). The heritability of weekly egg numbers from weeks 1 to 28 followed a W-shaped trajectory, ranging from 0.07 to 0.19. Notably, genetic correlations between weekly egg numbers at weeks 16–19 and EN exceeded 0.91. These findings highlight the importance of selecting for egg production persistency alongside AFE and EN. Selection based on weekly egg numbers during weeks 16–19 offers a practical alternative to selection based on cumulative egg numbers, enabling early selection in breeding programmes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 101465"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143621330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary inclusion of hay of greater digestibility and water-soluble carbohydrate content increases performance of dairy cows, irrespective of concentrate type and breed","authors":"M. Coppa ,&nbsp;D. Pomiès ,&nbsp;B. Martin ,&nbsp;M. Bouchon ,&nbsp;J.P. Renaud ,&nbsp;M. Aoun ,&nbsp;B. Deroche ,&nbsp;R. Baumont","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101464","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101464","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Water-soluble carbohydrate (<strong>WSC</strong>)-rich pasture or alfalfa hay, with high organic matter digestibility (<strong>OMd</strong>), are known to increase the voluntary dry matter intake (<strong>DMI</strong>) of dairy cows and diet digestibility, often resulting in higher dairy performance. However, little is known about the effect of highly digestible hays from botanically diversified natural grasslands, rich in WSC and their interactions with concentrate type on dairy performance. The present trial tested the effect on dairy cow performance of dietary inclusion of hay of greater digestibility and WSC content (high OMd, WSC-rich or low OMd, WSC-poor) from botanically diversified natural grasslands and its possible interactions with concentrate type with low or high starch degradation rate in cow breeds with different production potential. Twenty-eight Holstein and 28 Montbéliarde cows after the lactation peak were randomly allocated to four equivalent groups of 14 cows each. Cows were fed for 6 weeks with 5 kg DM/day of concentrate, 3 kg DM/day of the same 2nd cut hay and two different types of 1st cut hay <em>(ad libitum</em>). Two groups received the 1st cut hay characterised by a high (<strong>A</strong>) WSC content and high OMd and the two other groups received the 1st cut hay (<strong>B</strong>) with low WSC content and low OMd. One group per hay type received a wheat-based concentrate, with a high starch degradation rate and the other group received a maize-based concentrate, with a low starch degradation rate. Cows fed A hay diet ingested more WSC (+551 g/day) and had a higher WSC/CP ratio (+0.24) than B hay diet−fed cows. The resulting higher OM total tract apparent digestibility (+2.1%) of ingested diet improved milk yield (+1.4 kg/day), milk fat yield (+58 g/day) and feed conversion efficiency (+0.05 g milk /kg DMI) of cows fed A hay compared to B hay diets. The A hay diet also induced a lower milk urea (−91 mg/kg) and higher milk protein content (+1.1 g/kg) and yield (+59 g/day). The A hay diet milk was richer in <em>de-novo</em> synthesised fatty acids (<strong>FA</strong>) and poorer in FA derived from ruminal biohydrogenation of dietary polyunsaturated FA. The effect of concentrate type on dairy performance was not significant for either the A hay or B hay diets. Regardless of cow breed and concentrate type, including botanically diversified natural grasslands highly digestible and WSC-rich hay in cow diet improved milk yield, milk fat, and protein synthesis, and feed conversion efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 101464"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143621331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genomic insights into racing camels: inbreeding levels and positive selection linked to athletic traits","authors":"H. Bahbahani ,&nbsp;Z. Mohammad ,&nbsp;A. Alfoudari ,&nbsp;M. Al Abri","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101467","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101467","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Racing dromedary camels are widely distributed across the Arabian Peninsula, predominantly concentrating in its northern and southeastern regions. Phenotypically, they are differentiated from other dromedary types, characterised by their smaller body size, longer limbs, reduced hump size, and thinner chest girth. In this study, the whole genome sequences of 34 racing camels were analysed to assess their genetic relationship with non-racing populations, estimate levels of inbreeding, calculate Wier and Cockerham’s fixation index (<strong>Fst</strong>), assess effective population size (<strong>N_e</strong>), and identify candidate regions with signatures of positive selection. Both racing and non-racing camels exhibited comparable levels of genomic inbreeding (F_ROH = 0.21), with no significant genetic differentiation detected between them. The estimated Fst value between the two camel groups also revealed minimal genetic differentiation. A declining trend was observed in N_e estimations of both groups over the past 5 000 years, with slightly lower recent N_e in racing camels compared to their non-racing counterparts. Signatures of positive selection in the genomes of racing camels were identified through the application of two haplotype-based statistics, namely the integrated haplotype homozygosity score (<strong>iHS</strong>) and extended haplotype homozygosity between-populations (<strong>Rsb</strong>), along with runs of homozygosity (<strong>ROH</strong>) analysis. A total of 33 regions under selection were detected via iHS, 19 via Rsb, and 24 through ROH. Candidate regions under selection were found to overlap with genes involved in diverse biological pathways potentially linked to athletic performance, e.g., musculoskeletal development, lipid metabolism, stress response, bone integrity, as well as endurance and power. These findings provide a foundation for further exploration of the racing dromedary genome, with the goal of defining variants and haplotypes that might be associated with athletic traits. Such insights could assist the development of genetically informed breeding programmes aimed at developing specialised racing dromedary lines, contributing to the broader understanding and preservation of animal athletic performance and selection in domesticated species worldwide.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 101467"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143593819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}