Animal Bioscience最新文献

{"title":"Evaluation of gel and structural properties of pork myofibrillar protein gels using faba bean protein isolate at various salt concentrations.","authors":"Geon Ho Kim, Koo Bok Chin","doi":"10.5713/ab.250921","DOIUrl":"10.5713/ab.250921","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the gel and structural properties of pork myofibrillar protein gels (MPGs) using faba bean protein isolate (FBPI) at various salt concentrations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>MPGs were prepared with or without 1 % FBPI under three salt concentrations (0.15, 0.30, and 0.45 M), yielding six treatments. The gel strength, viscosity, and cooking yield were measured. In addition, microstructure, surface hydrophobicity, sulfhydryl group, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were analyzed to examine the effects of FBPI and salt concentration on the gel and structural properties of MPGs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>MPGs containing 1.0% FBPI had a higher cooking yield, gel strength, protein surface hydrophobicity, and shear stress values than the control groups. The addition of FBPI resulted in more homogenous MPGs with a denser surface compared to the control groups. No interactions in functional properties between FBPI addition and salt concentration were observed, except for gel strength. MPGs at a 0.45 M salt concentration showed a higher cooking yield and hydrophobicity and fewer sulfhydryl groups than those at a 0.15 M salt concentration. The shear stress values at a 0.45 M salt concentration dramatically increased compared to those at 0.15 M and 0.30 M. Furthermore, higher salt concentrations (0.45 M salt) resulted in fewer cavities and a more compact three-dimensional structure.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Higher salt concentrations may improve the rheological properties of MPGs and influence the effects of FBPI on the viscosity and protein patterns. These findings suggested that controlling salt concentration and FBPI level could be an effective strategy to enhance the gelation and structural characteristics of meat protein systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":7825,"journal":{"name":"Animal Bioscience","volume":" ","pages":"250921"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13441185/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147925666","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":"Integrating single-nucleus RNA sequencing and gene perturbation reveals regulatory networks of intramuscular fat deposition in bovine skeletal muscle.","authors":"Fengying Ma, Mingjuan Gu, Lin Zhu, Risu Na, Caixia Shi, Guiting Han, Chencheng Chang, Le Zhou, Yanchun Bao, Shuai Li, Yaqiang Guo, Jiaxin Zhang, Wenguang Zhang","doi":"10.5713/ab.250897","DOIUrl":"10.5713/ab.250897","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Intramuscular fat (IMF) is key for meat quality. Although fibro/adipogenic progenitor cells (FAPs) participate in adipogenesis, roles of other stromal cells remain unclear. This study characterized cellular heterogeneity in cattle IMF deposition and identified essential cell types and mechanisms regulating intramuscular adipogenesis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing on longissimus dorsi muscle samples from three cattle breeds (Angus, Hereford, and Simmental) with divergent IMF content. Cell populations were annotated using multiple reference-based methods. We applied Scissor to identify phenotype-associated cells, CellChat to infer intercellular communication, high-dimensional weighted gene co-expression network analysis to detect co-expression modules, and single-cell flux estimation analysis to evaluate metabolic activity. Virtual gene perturbation was evaluated using scTenifoldKnk, and drug-responsive cell subpopulations were assessed with scRank. Additional in vitro validation experiments were conducted to confirm the regulatory effect of BMPR1A.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ten cell types were identified. Angus (high marbling) showed elevated proportions of adipocytes, FAPs, and vascular endothelial cells (VEndoCs), while Hereford were enriched in type II fibers. VEndoCs were consistently linked to high IMF, acting as central signaling hubs that interact extensively with adipocytes and FAPs, and exhibited high glucose metabolic activity. Co-expression analysis within VEndoCs revealed 40 candidate regulators including nine BMP signaling pathway genes. Virtual knockdown identified BMPR1A as top regulator, altering expression of 13 lipid metabolism-related genes. In vitro validation confirmed that BMPR1A inhibition downregulated PPARγ mRNA, validating its positive regulatory role in intramuscular adipogenesis. Neurocytes showed highest sensitivity to resveratrol (via ALDH2), whereas FAPs were least responsive.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings indicate VEndoCs actively regulate intramuscular adipogenesis via a BMPR1A-mediated signaling pathway, supported by in vitro validation. These results provide insights into the cellular and molecular basis of marbling in cattle, highlighting BMPR1A as a potential target for genetic or nutritional strategies to improve meat quality.</p>","PeriodicalId":7825,"journal":{"name":"Animal Bioscience","volume":" ","pages":"250897"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13441230/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147484365","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":"Extrusion processing of peanut vine-corn-urea mixture promotes the growth performance of fattening cattle by modulating rumen fermentation and microbiota.","authors":"Xiaohui Kong, Mingyan Wang, Binghan Dong, Haoliang Tian, Di Ding, Tengyun Gao, Tong Fu, Chuanyou Su, Liyang Zhang","doi":"10.5713/ab.250978","DOIUrl":"10.5713/ab.250978","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to develop a novel extruded compound feed, characterize its rumen degradation parameters, and investigate the effects on growth performance, diet digestibility, rumen fermentation, and bacterial community of fattening cattle.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To determine the optimal ratio, we measured key nutritional components and ruminal degradability using in situ nylon bag technology. Subsequently, 36 fattening cattle (618.0±23.3 kg) were randomly assigned to the control group (CON) and the extruded compound feed group (EXP), with 18 cattle per group. The feeding experiment lasted 60 d.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>With the increase in corn percentage in the extruded compound feed, the effective degradability of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased (p = 0.056). At the ratio of peanut vine: corn: urea of 65:30:5, the effective degradability of NDF reached the highest value of 27.3%. This extruded compound feed was used in the subsequent feeding experiment. The EXP group had higher average daily feed intake (CON vs. EXP: 16.0 kg vs. 17.2 kg, respectively, p<0.001) and average daily gain (CON vs. EXP: 1.51 kg vs. 1.72 kg, respectively, p<0.001). The feeding profit per head of fattening cattle in the EXP group was 7.1 US dollars higher than that in the CON group. The 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (CON vs. EXP: 37.7% vs. 59.2%, respectively, p<0.001) and Prevotella_1 (CON vs. EXP: 16.0% vs. 36.1%, respectively, p<0.001) in the rumen of cattle fed the extruded compound feed was increased.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results revealed that the optimal ratio of peanut vine: corn: urea was 65:30:5, representing the most efficient and cost-effective composition. The extruded compound feed is a promising feedstuff, that can significantly enhance rumen fermentation and growth performance in fattening cattle.</p>","PeriodicalId":7825,"journal":{"name":"Animal Bioscience","volume":" ","pages":"250978"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13441223/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147687721","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":"Amino acid nutrition of dairy cows: invited review.","authors":"Leoni F Martins, Alexander N Hristov","doi":"10.5713/ab.260271","DOIUrl":"10.5713/ab.260271","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Improving nitrogen (N) efficiency in dairy production systems is important due to environmental concerns and the economic cost of dietary protein. A substantial proportion of dietary N consumed by lactating dairy cows is not converted into milk protein and is instead excreted in urine and consequently manure. Advances in protein nutrition have shifted feeding strategies from crude protein (CP)-based approaches toward metabolizable protein and, more recently, amino acid (AA)-based systems designed to better match absorbed AA supply with animal needs. This review synthesizes current knowledge on AA nutrition in lactating dairy cows, with emphasis on the biological regulation of milk protein synthesis, identification of limiting AA, and opportunities to improve N utilization efficiency through more precise diet formulation. Absorbed AA originate primarily from microbial protein synthesized in the rumen and rumen-undegraded feed protein digested postruminally, and the relative contribution of these sources influences both the quantity and profile of AA available for metabolism. Milk protein synthesis is regulated not only by AA supply but also by energy availability, endocrine signaling, and tissue nutrient partitioning. Among individual AA, methionine, lysine, and histidine are most consistently associated with limitations to milk protein synthesis in dairy cows under common feeding conditions. Evidence indicates that balancing diets for these AA can increase milk protein yield, improve feed N conversion into milk N, and allows reductions in dietary CP without compromising production. However, practical implementation of AA-based feeding strategies remains constrained by limitations in predicting microbial protein synthesis and postruminal AA supply. Nutritional models provide useful tools for evaluating AA adequacy, but prediction errors and biological variability require that model outputs be interpreted alongside production responses and metabolic context. Overall, improved alignment of AA supply with metabolic demand represents a key strategy for enhancing productivity while reducing environmental N losses in dairy production systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":7825,"journal":{"name":"Animal Bioscience","volume":" ","pages":"260271"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13441314/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147925620","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 and phosphorus digestibility of feed ingredients did not differ between Jeju Island native pigs and commercial Landrace by Yorkshire crossbred pigs.","authors":"Hyunwoong Jo, Yeojin An, Beob Gyun Kim","doi":"10.5713/ab.260177","DOIUrl":"10.5713/ab.260177","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to determine energy and phosphorus (P) digestibility of feed ingredients fed to Jeju Island native pigs (JINP) and Landrace×Yorkshire (LY) pigs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In experiment 1, digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) were measured in 5 ingredients using 12 JINP (30.9±3.3 kg) and 12 LY barrows (52.3±2.8 kg). A diet based on corn and soybean meal, along with 5 experimental diets containing each test ingredient, were used. Twelve pigs from each breed were allotted to a replicated 6×5 incomplete Latin square design, with 6 diets and 5 periods. In experiment 2, standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in the 5 ingredients was measured using 12 JINP (66.8±9.3 kg) and 12 LY barrows (42.8±4.4 kg). Five experimental diets were prepared, each utilizing a different test ingredient as the sole P source, in addition to a P-free diet that was also formulated. The design structure was identical to that of experiment 1.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No interactions between breed and ingredient were observed for DE and ME. The DE and ME of the 5 feed ingredients differed significantly (p<0.001) regardless of pig breed, whereas no breed effects were noted in the DE and ME of the test ingredients. The interaction between breed and ingredient was significant (p = 0.014) in ME:DE but not in DE:gross energy (GE) or ME:GE. No interaction was observed between breed and ingredient regarding the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) or STTD of P. The breed effect was noted in the ATTD of P in the test ingredients (p<0.001), but not in the STTD of P. The ATTD and STTD of P in the 5 feed ingredients varied independently of breed (p<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>No significant differences were observed in energy and P digestibility between JINP and LY pigs. The ranking of energy and P digestibility among ingredients was similar for both JINP and LY pigs.</p>","PeriodicalId":7825,"journal":{"name":"Animal Bioscience","volume":" ","pages":"260177"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13441312/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147925650","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":"Effects of rumen-protected glucose supplementation strategies on growth performance, colonic fermentation, and meat quality in Simmental beef cattle.","authors":"Zhenyu Liu, Sikai Wang, Bing Bai, Haihao Huang, Xianchao Guan, Lingyan Li","doi":"10.5713/ab.260255","DOIUrl":"10.5713/ab.260255","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementation strategies containing rumen-protected glucose (RPG) on growth performance, colonic fermentation characteristics, bacterial community structure, carcass traits, and meat quality in Simmental beef cattle.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty Simmental bulls with an initial body weighing 578.4±14.7 kg were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments for 90 d, with 10 animals per treatment. All animals received the same basal total mixed ration, to which the treatment supplements were added. The treatments were CON, unprotected glucose (150 g/d) plus coating fat (150 g/d); T1, RPG (100 g/d) plus unprotected glucose (100 g/d) and coating fat (100 g/d); and T2, RPG (300 g/d). Growth performance was recorded throughout the trial. At the end of the experiment, colonic digesta were collected for fermentation and bacterial community analyses, and carcass traits and meat quality were evaluated after slaughter.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>T1 and T2 exhibited higher average daily gains (ADGs) compared to CON (p<0.05), while feed efficiency differed marginally among treatments (p = 0.049). In colonic digesta, propionate concentrations were higher in T1 and T2 than in CON, and butyrate concentration was higher in T2 than in CON and T1 (p<0.05). Alpha diversity was not affected by treatment; however, unweighted UniFrac-based principal coordinate analysis showed differences in the overall colonic bacterial community structure among treatments. At the phylum and genus levels, several taxa showed nominal differences based on raw p values, but these were not retained after false discovery rate correction. Hot carcass weight and meat weight were greater in T1 and T2 than in CON (p<0.05). Intramuscular fat content was higher in T2 than in CON (p<0.05), whereas most other meat quality traits were not significantly affected.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Under the conditions of this study, the supplementation strategies containing RPG were associated with increased overall ADG, hot carcass weight, and meat weight in Simmental beef cattle. These strategies were also associated with higher colonic propionate and butyrate levels, indicating changes in hindgut fermentation. The higher-RPG strategy (T2) was associated with increased intramuscular fat content.</p>","PeriodicalId":7825,"journal":{"name":"Animal Bioscience","volume":" ","pages":"260255"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13441311/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148142313","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":"Supplementation of the freezing extender with glutathione peroxidase improves the post-thaw quality of ram semen by enhancing antioxidant capacity, regulating metabolic enzyme activity, and modulating proteome expression.","authors":"Kexin Wang, Qian Zhou, Yuping Wang, Zhixing Shen, Jun Li, Xue Li, Shengrong Shi, Yining Yan, Chunxiang Zhang, Shi Lei, Youshe Ren","doi":"10.5713/ab.250985","DOIUrl":"10.5713/ab.250985","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The present study was conducted to determine effects of different concentrations of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) on sperm motility and viability, structural integrity, antioxidant capacity, and metabolic enzyme activity after freezing semen of sheep and to evaluate the expression of differential proteins.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Semen samples were collected from six Dorper rams, pooled, and subsequently divided into four groups. GSH-Px was added to the cryoprotectant solution at concentrations of 0, 0.8, 1.6, and 3.2 units per liter, respectively. Following thawing, sperm motility, viability, and kinematic parameters were assessed, along with acrosomal and plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity, mitochondrial activity, antioxidant status, metabolic enzyme activity, and proteomic profiles.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Adding 1.6 U/L GSH-Px to the freezing extender significantly enhanced the motility and viability of sperm after freeze-thaw, as well as the integrity of the acrosome, plasma membrane and DNA. The activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly increased. The oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde was significantly reduced, and the activities of metabolic enzymes including lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were also decreased. Proteomic analysis identified 150 differentially expressed proteins. Western blotting demonstrated the increase G1 to S Phase Transition 1, ribosomal protein L11, and downregulated annexin A2 expression.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Supplementing the cryopreservation extender with 1.6 U/L GSH-Px significantly improves post-thaw ovine sperm quality, as evidenced by enhanced structural integrity, elevated T-AOC, and attenuated oxidative stress-induced damage.</p>","PeriodicalId":7825,"journal":{"name":"Animal Bioscience","volume":" ","pages":"250985"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13441319/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147925641","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":"Beef Color Standard, including marbled Wagyu beef, determined using a portable near-infrared optical fiber spectrometer.","authors":"Kazunori Matsumoto, Naoaki Obana, Masakazu Irie","doi":"10.5713/ab.251019","DOIUrl":"10.5713/ab.251019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The purpose of this study was to see if a portable near-infrared optical fiber spectrometer with a wavelength range of 700-1,050 nm could objectively predict the Beef Color Standard (BCS), which is visually evaluated during beef carcass grading.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 1,077 carcasses were procured from Japanese Black (JB) Wagyu (n = 534), crossbred (F1) (n = 367), and dairy cows (n = 176) shipped to meat markets. The cut surface between the sixth and seventh ribs was visually evaluated by grading members using the BCS. In addition, a near-infrared optical fiber spectrometer was applied to the cut surface to obtain the reflectance spectrum. Using data from 827 carcasses, a calibration model was established through a partial least squares regression analysis using the BCS value as the objective variable, while the optical data following quadratic differential processing as the explanatory variable. Using data from 250 additional animals, the calibration model and predicted BCS values were verified for accuracy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The calibration model exhibited a high correlation coefficient of 0.83 and a standard error of calibration of 0.70. The predicted BCS by near-infrared evaluation rarely differed significantly from the actual BCS, and the difference was roughly distributed in the range of ±1. For verifying the accuracy of our calibration model, the correlation coefficient between the actual BCS and the predicted value for the validation sample was 0.75, and the standard error of prediction was 0.71. The probability that the error between the measured and optically predicted BCS values in the validation samples was within ±1 and ±0 was 97.6% and 54.4%, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Using a portable near-infrared fiber optic spectrometer, we demonstrated that the BCS value of beef carcasses, particularly marbled Wagyu beef in meat markets, can be objectively evaluated with relatively high accuracy.</p>","PeriodicalId":7825,"journal":{"name":"Animal Bioscience","volume":" ","pages":"251019"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13441317/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148142260","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":"Evaluation of weaning strategies using an automated milk replacer feeder on growth performance and physiological responses in Hanwoo calves.","authors":"Hyerin Nam, Seongjin Kim, Seo-Ho Oh, Danil Kim, Younghye Ro, Sang-Kee Kang","doi":"10.5713/ab.260116","DOIUrl":"10.5713/ab.260116","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess automated feeder milk replacer (MR) weaning strategies for Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) calves and identify a cost-effective program that improves growth, feed efficiency, and timely adaptation to solid feed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Four 60-d MR programs were compared with a standard control by changing one key factor: MR feeding frequency (T1; 4 vs. 6 meals/d), MR solids concentration (T2; 13% vs. 15%), MR duration in the early feeding period (T3; 30 d vs. 37 d), or the MR tapering strategy in the late feeding period (T4; linear vs. step-down). Performance outcomes included dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and weaning body weight, and physiological responses were assessed with complete blood counts (CBCs) and serum biochemical profiles (SBPs).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Across treatments, performance differences were driven primarily by the MR-tosolid- feed transition method and timing rather than total DMI. In T1, MR DMI tended to be lower, and ADG was the lowest (p<0.001), which is consistent with reduced appetite under frequent MR meals. T2 increased MR DMI but yielded only moderate growth, with higher diarrhea incidence and duration and higher aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase, suggesting greater metabolic load at 15% vs. 13% MR solids. Compared with the control, T3 and T4 improved ADG and FCR, with significant treatment effects (p<0.001), and increased weaning body weight (p = 0.001). T3 prolonged MR-centered feeding early, whereas T4 used step-down tapering to increase solid feed intake late and promote earlier solid feed reliance. CBC and SBP showed no added disturbance in T3 or T4.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Both T3 and T4 increased growth and efficiency. T4 performed comparably with reduced MR and earlier solid feed dependency, indicating practical and economic benefits.</p>","PeriodicalId":7825,"journal":{"name":"Animal Bioscience","volume":" ","pages":"260116"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13441316/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148142251","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":"Exploring the breed-specific variations in meat quality attributes and gene expression patterns associated with tenderness, intramuscular fat, and fatty acid composition profiles in nellore and deccani sheep breeds of India.","authors":"Navya Pothireddy, M R Vishnuraj, K Vijaya Rachel, P Baswa Reddy, G Ajay, K Shiva Shankar, I Krishnachaithanya, N Aravind Kumar, S B Barbuddhe","doi":"10.5713/ab.250854","DOIUrl":"10.5713/ab.250854","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the meat quality attributes and expression patterns of meat quality-regulating genes of two Indian indigenous sheep breeds.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Meat quality indicators and expression patterns of four candidate genes (CAST, CAPN, CEBPB, and SCD), involved in meat tenderness, intramuscular fat (IMF), and fatty acid (FA) composition in the longissimus dorsi muscle of healthy rams of Nellore (n = 4) and Deccani (n = 4) sheep breeds aged between 9 and 12 months, were measured.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Nellore breed exhibited lower cooking loss, pH, moisture, and shear force, and higher protein. The Nellore breed exhibited higher crude protein content (p<0.05), while the Deccani breed showed higher crude fat content (p<0.05) and moisture (p<0.05). Further, FA composition varied among breeds, with the Deccani breed exhibiting a healthier profile than the Nellore breed. Relative expression of the CAST, SCD, and CEBPB genes was 5.51, 3.04, and 3.08-fold higher in the Deccani breed (p<0.05) compared to the Nellore breed, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between gene expression and meat quality traits. The IMF and FA composition demonstrated a strong positive correlation (p<0.05) with CEBPB and SCD expression. Moreover, in the Nellore breed, Warner- Bratzler shear force exhibited a strong negative correlation (p<0.05) with CAPN expression.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrated clear differences between the two sheep breeds evaluated under extensive feeding systems. The Deccani breed offers superior IMF and flavour potential, in addition to a high concentration of beneficial FAs. On the other hand, the Nellore breed's balanced proteolytic activity and leaner composition made it favourable for tenderness.</p>","PeriodicalId":7825,"journal":{"name":"Animal Bioscience","volume":" ","pages":"250854"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13441227/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147607559","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}