Animal最新文献

{"title":"Improving genomic prediction accuracy of pig reproductive traits based on genotype imputation using preselected markers with different imputation platforms","authors":"J. Sun ,&nbsp;J. Wei ,&nbsp;Y. Pan ,&nbsp;M. Cao ,&nbsp;X. Li ,&nbsp;J. Xiao ,&nbsp;G. Yang ,&nbsp;T. Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101387","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101387","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Genomic prediction has been widely applied to the pig industry and has greatly accelerated the progress of genetic improvement in pigs. With the development of sequencing technology and price reduction, more and more genotype imputation panels of pig have been investigated, providing an effective and economical method to further study the genetic variation of pig economic traits. In this study, the imputation from 80 k Single Nucleotide Polymorphism chip data of 832 Large White pigs to whole-genome sequencing genotypes was performed by Swine Imputation Server, Pig Haplotypes Reference Panel (<strong>PHARP</strong>), Animal Genotype Imputation Database and 1k-pig-genomes four thousand-pig imputation panels. Then, linkage disequilibrium (<strong>LD</strong>) pruning and genome-wide association study (<strong>GWAS</strong>) preselected markers strategies were utilised to compare the genomic prediction accuracy of the different imputation data for reproductive traits, respectively. Our results showed that the PHARP panel exhibited the best genomic prediction accuracy among the four imputation panels. Meanwhile, the genomic prediction accuracy of the imputation data can be further improved by utilising the LD pruning and GWAS preselected marker strategies. In conclusion, our study provides insights into imputation data for pig genetic breeding.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 1","pages":"Article 101387"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142873384","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":"Public acceptance of microbiome management strategy in dairy calves: a European survey on colostrum, probiotic provision and prolonged cow-calf contact","authors":"A. Ait Sidhoum ,&nbsp;A. Stygar ,&nbsp;F. Bedoin ,&nbsp;J.K. Niemi","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101380","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101380","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The microbiome plays a crucial role in the calves’ early stages of life. Several management practices can be considered to enhance the development and composition of the microbiome in calves. However, their social acceptance is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the public acceptance of innovative microbiome management practices aimed at improving the health and welfare of calves and to assess the factors influencing these levels of acceptance. Data used in the analysis were obtained from an online survey conducted in July 2023. The final sample consists of 3 220 citizens from four EU countries (Finland = 813, France = 803, Ireland = 801 and Poland = 803). Participants were asked to assess four management practices designed to improve calves’ health and welfare: (1) using colostrum, (2) providing mix probiotics powder, (3) providing probiotics as yogurt or kefir and (4) prolonged cow-calf contact. Participants were provided with different levels of information: one group received only a short description of the intervention, while the other group received both the intervention description and information on aspects such as potential costs and environmental impact of the intervention. Participants were asked to rate the acceptance on a standardised scale ranging from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating “strongly agree” and 5 indicating “strongly disagree”. Additionally, the participants were questioned about their socio-demographic background (e.g. age, education). They were also asked to provide their perspectives on various dimensions concerning familiarity with farming and microbiome, food safety, environmental awareness, cost consideration, and cultural perspective of consuming dairy products. Obtained data were analysed using the ordinary least squares regression model. The findings reveal that prolonged cow-calf contact was the most acceptable measure among tested interventions in all countries (79% of responders agreed or strongly agreed). Attitudinal and socio-economic variables were found to have a differential effect across the studied management strategies. For instance, individuals with greater familiarity with farming systems and microbiomes were more inclined to accept all four interventions, while women, compared to men, showed higher acceptance of prolonged cow-calf contact. Results also indicate that the provision of additional information to the participants was associated with a decrease in the acceptance of the measures. In conclusion, the public’s perceptions regarding microbiome management strategies in dairy calves are shaped by complex factors. Also, our discussion emphasises the importance of clarity and transparency of messages, ethical dissemination of scientific knowledge, and the necessity for balanced and coherent communication.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 1","pages":"Article 101380"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142824677","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":"Evaluating reproduction traits in a crossbreeding program between indigenous and exotic sheep in semi-arid lands","authors":"E. Oyieng ,&nbsp;J.M.K. Ojango ,&nbsp;M. Gauly ,&nbsp;R. Mrode ,&nbsp;R. Dooso ,&nbsp;A.M. Okeyo ,&nbsp;C. Kalinda ,&nbsp;S. König","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101391","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101391","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reproduction traits are important factors determining the efficiency of any sheep production system. This study evaluates the age at first lambing (<strong>AFL</strong>), lambing interval (<strong>LI</strong>), litter weight at birth (<strong>LBWT</strong>), litter weight at weaning (<strong>LWWT</strong>), birth weight of ewe (<strong>EBWT</strong>) and weaning weight of ewes (<strong>EWWT</strong>) in a crossbreeding program between the Red Maasai (<strong>RRRR</strong>) and Dorper sheep and their crosses, 75% Dorper and 50% Dorper (<strong>DDRR)</strong> breeds. All the traits significantly (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) differed across breeds and season of birth of the ewe. LBWT and LWWT were significantly affected by the sex of the lamb, type of birth of the lamb and parity in which the lambs were born in. AFL and LI had very high environmental variances. Overall heritability estimates of AFL (0.09 ± 0.04) and LI (0.00 ± 0.01) were not significant from zero while the heritability estimates for EBWT (0.38 ± 0.04), EWWT (0.23 ± 0.03), LBWT (0.19 ± 0.03) and LWWT (0.09 ± 0.02) were significant (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). The RRRR had the highest genetic gain for all traits while the DDRR had a higher genetic gain among the crosses. LI had negative genetic correlations with LBWT (−0.53 ± 0.08) and LWWT (−0.28 ± 19.59) while AFL had positive genetic correlations with LBWT (0.27 ± 0.46) and LWWT (0.31 ± 0.34). The phenotypic trends for AFL and LWWT showed a negative and positive association, respectively, with the rainfall index over the years. With proper farm management, improved reproduction performance of ewes is possible by indirect selection using LBWT and LWWT for the Red Maasai, Dorper and their crosses within the semi-arid lands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 1","pages":"Article 101391"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142900189","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 the specialisation and selection of the Jinding duck","authors":"H. Chen ,&nbsp;Y. Huang ,&nbsp;J. Xue,&nbsp;K. luo,&nbsp;H. Tang,&nbsp;S. Zheng,&nbsp;Y. Xiong,&nbsp;Y. Wu,&nbsp;J. Li,&nbsp;R. Xuan,&nbsp;R. Xiong,&nbsp;Y. Gong,&nbsp;X. Fang,&nbsp;L. Wang,&nbsp;J. Miao,&nbsp;J. Zhou,&nbsp;H. Tan,&nbsp;Y. Wang,&nbsp;L. Wu,&nbsp;J. Ouyang,&nbsp;X. Yan","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101374","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101374","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The domestication of ducks represents a pivotal evolutionary shift from the unguided propagation of wild species to deliberate human-mediated selection, culminating in distinct behavioural, morphological, and physiological traits that differentiate domesticated ducks from their wild counterparts. This transition has yielded breeds with traits fine-tuned to specific economic roles, such as egg production, meat yield, or dual-purpose functionality. Duck domestication plays a significant role in poultry production globally, meeting the growing demand for eggs and meat in various regions. Here, we focus on the Jinding Duck (<strong>JDD</strong>), a breed renowned for its prolific egg-laying traits. Employing whole-genome resequencing data from 325 individuals across five Chinese indigenous duck breeds, we aimed to dissect the unique population structure and assess the genetic diversity within the JDD cohort. The findings reveal the distinct genetic heritage of JDD, diverged from other domesticated breeds, and show a relative paucity of genetic diversity. A salient discovery was a 200 kb genomic interval containing three genes (<em>NCF2</em>, <em>SMG7</em>, and <em>ARPC5</em>) with almost exclusive haplotypes, which were inherited from <em>Anas platyrhynchos</em> or <em>Anas zonorhyncha</em>, impacting the morphological attributes of JDD. The study highlights a c.28G&gt;A non−synonymous mutation in the first exon of the <em>LAMC1</em> gene, which is potentially influencing feather morphology in JDD. Our findings suggest that unique blue eggshell colouration in JDD is likely attributable to variations within the promoter element of the <em>ABCG2</em> gene, distinguishing it from other breeds. Moreover, the <em>MAP7</em> and <em>FHL1</em> genes emerge as significant factors in the laying performance of JDD. These genetic insights are not only crucial for improving the JDD breed but also provide valuable information that could be applied to duck breeding programmes worldwide, helping enhance productivity and meet international demands for high-efficiency poultry breeds.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 1","pages":"Article 101374"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143014281","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":"Energy-aware feature and classifier for behaviour recognition of laying hens in an aviary system","authors":"X. Yang ,&nbsp;Q. Hu ,&nbsp;L. Nie ,&nbsp;C. Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101377","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101377","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Long-term monitoring of animal behaviours requires energy-aware features and classifiers to support onboard classification. However, limited studies have been conducted on the behaviour recognition of laying hens, especially in aviary systems. The objective of this study was to configure key parameters for developing onboard behaviour monitoring techniques of aviary laying hens, including proper sliding window length, energy-aware feature, and lightweight classifier. A total of 19 Jingfen No.6 laying hens were reared in an aviary system from day 30 to day 70. Six light-weight accelerometers were attached to the back of birds for behaviour monitoring with a sampling frequency of 20 Hz. Laying hen behaviours were categorised into four groups, including static behaviour (resting and standing), ingestive behaviour (feeding and drinking), walking, and jumping. Two different window lengths (0.5 and 1 s) were tested. The SD of each axial acceleration was considered the only classification feature. The results indicated that performing denoise procedure before feature extraction can improve the classification accuracy by 10–20%. The 1-s window length yielded better accuracy than the 0.5-s window, especially for ingestive and walking behaviours. Classification models based on X-axis accelerations were better than those of Y- and Z-axis with the recognition accuracies of static, ingestive, walking, and jumping behaviours being 97.4, 89.6, 95.7, and 98.5%, respectively. The study might provide insights into developing onboard behaviour recognition algorithms for laying hens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 1","pages":"Article 101377"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142830712","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":"Review: Feed efficiency and metabolic flexibility in livestock","authors":"W.M. Rauw ,&nbsp;L.H. Baumgard ,&nbsp;J.C.M. Dekkers","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101376","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101376","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Improving the conversion of feed into product has been a key focus of genetic improvement in all livestock species. Livestock feed efficiency is the amount of product produced per unit of feed intake. Feed efficiency also depends on processes that are not directly related to economically important phenotypes, which can be considered ‘waste’ from a production point of view but are vital maintenance-related functions that are closely associated with environmental flexibility and adaptation. Resource allocation theory suggests that an animal’s resource budget is narrowed when production efficiency is improved through an increase in productive output, along with a decrease in feed intake (capacity) and body reserves (improved leanness). The resulting trade-offs between productivity and vital functions may render the animal less capable of responding to unexpected challenges, potentially leading to negative side effects that are not directly related to economically important phenotypes. However, selection for feed efficiency may not narrow the metabolic space and result in trade-offs if the increase in feed efficiency is the result of increased metabolic flexibility in fuel substrate choice (carbohydrates, lipids, and/or proteins) and other energy-saving strategies. This review evaluates the relationship between metabolic flexibility and feed efficiency during anabolism (growth), fasting, immune activation, general stress, and heat stress, with a focus on pig production. We start with a brief overview of energy processes and substrate metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and protein. During muscle metabolism, the type of fuel used depends on fibre type characteristics of the muscle. Selection for improved meat production has resulted in pigs with a greater abundance of fast-twitch fibres with lower energy expenditure and higher metabolic efficiency. Metabolic flexibility for adaptation to disease, and response to regular stress implies that a more reactive immune response and reduced fear response results in higher feed efficiency. The examples presented in this review show that selection for improved feed efficiency does not necessarily narrow the metabolic space and result in trade-offs between productivity and vital functions because of energy−sparing mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 1","pages":"Article 101376"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142824631","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":"Lysine requirement of weaned piglets","authors":"S. Goethals ,&nbsp;P. Bikker ,&nbsp;J.H.M. Rijpert ,&nbsp;B. Ampe ,&nbsp;J.W. Spek ,&nbsp;S. Millet","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101323","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101323","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lysine, often referred to as the ‘first limiting amino acid’ in pig nutrition, plays a pivotal role in growth performance. Variability in lysine requirements arises due to factors such as age, sex and environmental conditions. Optimising pig health and production efficiency and minimising nitrogen excretion require accurate knowledge of estimated lysine requirements accounting for factors such as genetics, feeding practices, scientific advancements, and environmental considerations. This study aimed to determine standardised ileal digestible (<strong>SID</strong>) lysine requirements of weaned piglets (5–30 kg) based on a literature review using meta-analytical approaches. The literature review yielded 344 studies that were screened for title and abstract. In total, 41 experiments met the inclusion criteria, resulting in a dataset of 206 treatment means. Linear, quadratic and linear-plateau models were used to gain insight into the effect of SID lysine addition on average daily gain and feed efficiency for the combined dataset and separately for the individual experiments. Regression analysis showed a predominant linear increase in average daily gain and feed efficiency as an overall response to increasing lysine levels across both the combined dataset and individual experiments. Breakpoint estimation from the linear-plateau models was inconclusive, indicating that the optimal SID lysine requirement to maximise piglet growth performance likely exceeded the upper lysine levels tested in most studies, thus surpassing 1.3 g SID lysine per MJ net energy. This review indicates high values for the lysine requirement to achieve maximum growth performance. Results may suggest that piglet feed formulation should focus on an optimal dietary SID lysine to CP ratio, rather than SID lysine per kg of diet or unit of net energy. However, more research is needed to investigate this suggestion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 1","pages":"Article 101323"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142856551","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":"Modulating the fatty acid composition of black soldier fly larvae via substrate fermentation","authors":"F. IJdema ,&nbsp;S. Lievens ,&nbsp;R. Smets ,&nbsp;G. Poma ,&nbsp;M. Van Der Borght ,&nbsp;B. Lievens ,&nbsp;J. De Smet","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101383","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101383","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Black soldier fly larvae (<strong>BSFL</strong>, <em>Hermetia illucens</em>) contain high amounts of proteins and essential amino acids and are therefore an appropriate feed source. However, they lack essential fatty acids (<strong>FAs</strong>), specifically ω-3 and ω-6, making them a less desirable feed choice for aquaculture. The aim of this study was to increase the ω-3 and ω-6 FA concentrations in BSFL by manipulating the FA composition in their rearing substrate. Specifically, the potential of substrate fermentation using the ω-3 and ω-6 FA−producing fungus <em>Mortierella alpina</em> was assessed. Fermentation of two agricultural side streams (wheat bran (<strong>WB</strong>) and WB with distiller’s dried grains with solubles (<strong>DDGS</strong>)) increased substrate total crude fat concentration by 2.1 – 4.6%, as well as the concentration of several essential FAs, including the ω-6 FAs arachidonic acid (from less than 0.2 mg/g fat to a maximum of 44.2 mg/g fat) and gamma-linolenic acid (from less than 1.2 mg/g fat to a maximum of 45.8 mg/g fat and the ω-3 FA eicosapentaenoic acid (<strong>EPA</strong>) (from less than 0.7 mg/g fat to a maximum of 49.9 mg/g fat). Rearing BSFL on feeds from such fermented substrates resulted in similar changes in larval FA composition, specifically a higher concentration of EPA (from less than 0.2 mg/g fat to a maximum of 26.6 mg/g fat in the larvae fed on fermented diets), however, larval growth was reduced. Feeds made from fermented substrates were prone to stickiness and dehydration, possibly limiting larval movement and feeding, thereby affecting larval growth. Furthermore, proximate analysis of the substrates revealed sugar depletion after fermentation, which could be detrimental for larval growth and illustrate important attention points going forward. This study shows that fermentation of agricultural side streams WB and a mixture of WB with DDGS with <em>Mortierella alpina</em> alters their FA profile, increasing their ω-3 and ω-6 FA concentrations and that of BSFL fed with those substrates. Therefore, these results suggest that BSFL with tailor-made FA profiles for a specific application could be successfully produced.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 1","pages":"Article 101383"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142900192","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":"Peripartum energy metabolism of prolific ewes and their progeny in response to prepartum feeding and litter size","authors":"M. Plante-Dubé ,&nbsp;R. Bourassa ,&nbsp;P. Luimes ,&nbsp;S. Buczinski ,&nbsp;F. Castonguay ,&nbsp;R. Gervais","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101382","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101382","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In late gestation, the increased energy demand to support the rapid fetal growth can induce an acute negative energy balance associated with a high risk of pregnancy toxemia, especially for prolific ewes (carrying two or more fetuses). The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary energy during the last 6 weeks prepartum on the energy metabolism dynamic responses and the newborn lamb metabolic profile in prolific ewes. Forty-five crossbred (Dorset × Romanov) ewes were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary energy densities: <strong>E_CTRL</strong>: 8.36 MJ of metabolizable energy (<strong>ME</strong>)/kg DM for weeks −6 to −3 relative to lambing, followed by 10.01 MJ ME/kg DM for weeks −2 and −1; <strong>E_INCR</strong>: weekly increments from 7.99 to 12.69 MJ ME/kg DM; and <strong>E_HIGH</strong>: 10.87 MJ ME/kg DM for the last 6 weeks of gestation. Dry matter intake (<strong>DMI</strong>; daily) and energy intake (<strong>MEI</strong>; daily), blood concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate (<strong>BHB</strong>) and glucose (every other day), as well as plasma concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (<strong>NEFAs</strong>; weekly), BW and body condition score (<strong>BCS</strong>; twice weekly) were determined throughout the experimental period. The effect of time on DMI and MEI varied based on dietary energy densities and litter size. During the last week before lambing, DMI decreased for E_HIGH and E_INCR ewes, as well as for ewes carrying quadruplets. On average, during week −5 to week −2 of gestation, E_HIGH promoted the highest DMI and MEI, resulting in an increase of 0.16 BCS points between the pretreatment week and week −1 prepartum. In contrast, during the same period, BCS of E_CTRL and E_INCR ewes decreased by 0.35 and 0.19 points, respectively, which was reflected by higher NEFA concentrations compared with E_HIGH ewes. The greater litter size was also associated with decreased BCS. Compared with twin-bearing ewes, for which BCS remained stable, BCS decreased for triplet-, and even more intensively for quadruplet-bearing ewes. Consequently, plasma NEFA concentrations were higher for quadruplet-bearing ewes than for twin− and triplet-bearing ewes, especially during the last week prepartum. Blood BHB concentrations increased from 0.63 to 1.13 mM over time. Regardless of dietary treatments, in the last week prepartum, blood BHB concentrations increased for quadruplet-bearing ewes, being 2.6 and 2.2 times greater than for twin− and triplet-bearing ewes, respectively. These results suggest that dynamic responses of energy metabolism in late gestation of prolific ewes are influenced by both dietary energy level and litter size.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 1","pages":"Article 101382"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142900193","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 walnut tree as a source of progesterone for reproductive control in goats","authors":"P. Chemineau ,&nbsp;A.L. Lainé ,&nbsp;D. Gennetay ,&nbsp;C. Porte ,&nbsp;D. Chesneau ,&nbsp;C. Laclie ,&nbsp;G. Goudet ,&nbsp;M. Meunier ,&nbsp;M. Delmas ,&nbsp;M.L. Greil ,&nbsp;P. Liere ,&nbsp;A. Pianos ,&nbsp;A. Bernard ,&nbsp;E. Dirlewanger ,&nbsp;J.A. Delgadillo ,&nbsp;M. Keller","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101392","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101392","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Intravaginal sponges impregnated with the progesterone (<strong>P4</strong>) analogue fluorogestone acetate (<strong>FGA</strong>) induce synchronous oestrous behaviour and normal ovulatory cycle in goats. To explore alternatives using natural P4 from plants, we developed a method of ethanolic extraction and a specific enzyme immunoassay (<strong>EIA</strong>) to measure P4 in the different parts of the walnut tree <em>Juglans regia</em>. We found a very high concentration of P4, specifically in the leaves of the three most common French varieties (∼100 mg/kg of DM) but not in flowers, fruits, septa, husk, oil or cake. High concentrations of P4—and to a lesser extent its reduction metabolites and phytosterols—were also measured by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry in leaf extracts. P4 concentrations were five times higher in October than in June. P4 was detected in 182 varieties of <em>Juglans regia</em> ranging from 35 to 287 mg of P4 per kg of leaf DM. We collected large quantities of leaves over 6 years, which were used to manufacture feed pellets containing 32% of dry leaf for distribution to female goats. To determine their dietary acceptance and their efficacy in terms of P4 blood plasma concentration, three trials in ovariectomised goats and four trials in ovary-intact goats were performed (N = 83). The distribution of 600 g of pellets per day per ovary-intact goat over 3 days, 6 and 4 days before the introduction of males in April allowed us to achieve our objective of a significant increase of P4 plasma concentration to ∼1.5 ng/mL measured by EIA from 24 to 72 h after the first distribution in the walnut pellet group (n = 13). The two control groups of goats (FGA, n = 12 and control, n = 10) showed no increase in plasma P4. However, despite this high P4 plasma concentration, goats of the walnut group had the same percentages of goats in oestrus at the first ovulation and of goats experiencing short ovulatory cycles after introduction of males (54 and 77%, respectively) as the group of control goats (80 and 90%), whereas the FGA goats showed very different percentages (100 and 0%, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.01). It was concluded that whereas walnut leaves contain a high concentration of P4—and its reduction metabolites and phytosterols—the pellet feeding mode does not allow for restoration of oestrus behaviour and duration of the induced cycle consistently achieved with FGA-impregnated intravaginal sponges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 1","pages":"Article 101392"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142900194","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}