Animals最新文献

{"title":"Effects of Dandelion Flavonoid Extract on the Accumulation of Flavonoids in Layer Hen Meat, Slaughter Performance and Blood Antioxidant Indicators of Spent Laying Hens.","authors":"Yuyu Wei, Jingwen Zhang, Yiming Zhang, Dingkuo Liu, Chunxue You, Wenjuan Zhang, Chaoqi Ren, Xin Zhao, Liu'an Li, Xiaoxue Yu","doi":"10.3390/ani15060886","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15060886","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to investigate the effects of different supplemental amounts of dandelion flavonoid extracts (DFE) in diets on nutrients in chicken, slaughtering performance, blood biochemical indexes and antioxidant capacity of spent laying hens. A total of 180 560-day-old spent Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly divided into five groups. The control group was fed the basal diet, while the experimental groups were supplemented with DFE at levels of 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 mg/kg (as T1, T2, T3, and T4 group) in the basal diet, respectively. The variables measured included the content of dandelion flavonoids in layer hen thigh meat and breast meat, slaughter performance, blood biochemical indexes, and antioxidant capacity. Data were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) to assess the impact of DFE supplementation compared to the control group on study outcomes. The results showed that dietary supplementation with DFE can increase the content of dandelion flavonoids in layer hen meat. The contents of rutin in layer hen breast meat of groups T1, T2, T3, and T4 were 1.37, 4.41, 16.26, and 36.03 ng/g, respectively, and the contents of quercetin was 2.58, 1.36, 4.98, 12.48 ng/g. In layer hen thigh meat of groups T1, T2, T3, and T4, the contents of rutin were 11.48, 15.98, 44.43, 122.32 ng/g, and the contents of quercetin were 9.96, 13.14, 23.15, 38.09 ng/g, respectively. The addition of DFE increased the total phenol content of the feed and highly significantly elevated the total phenol content of layer hen meat (<i>p</i> < 0.01), and the total phenol content of chicken meat was strongly and positively correlated with the total phenol content of the feed. DFE supplementation significantly decreased abdominal fat percentage (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and increased crude fat content in chicken (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The addition of DFE reduced aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities (<i>p</i> < 0.05), decreased triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C), glucose (GLU), and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and increased the content of albumin (ALB), total antioxidant (T-AOC) capacity and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of DFE at different concentrations could significantly increase the content of dandelion flavonoids in the muscle of spent laying hens, reduce the abdominal fat rate in hens, effectively reduce blood lipid levels, effectively increase crude fat content in thigh muscle, and enhance the body's antioxidant capacity and liver function.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939149/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727405","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":"Management of Coexistence and Conflicts Between Humans and Macaques in Japan.","authors":"Léane Depret, Cédric Sueur","doi":"10.3390/ani15060888","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15060888","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Conflicts between humans and Japanese macaques (<i>Macaca fuscata</i>) have intensified due to urban and agricultural expansion, reducing natural habitats and pushing macaques into human settlements. This review examines strategies for managing human-macaque coexistence in Japan. Since the 1970s, urbanisation and deforestation have led to increased macaque migration into populated areas, resulting in property damage, crop loss, and, in some cases, aggressive encounters. The growing macaque population underscores the urgency of effective management programmes. Strategies include preventive measures, such as weeding to limit food sources, habitat modification, and community-based interventions to reduce attractants. Non-lethal deterrents, including visual and auditory scare tactics, trained guard animals, and electric fences, have been implemented to discourage macaques from entering human spaces. Physical barriers, such as fences and buffer zones, provide long-term mitigation but require maintenance and community cooperation. Fertility control, including sterilisation and hormonal contraception, offers a long-term population management solution but presents logistical challenges. Lethal control and capture-relocation, though controversial, remain options for particularly problematic individuals. Additionally, integrating One Health and One Conservation approaches into macaque management allows for a holistic strategy that considers disease risks, ecological balance, and ethical implications. A balanced management plan that incorporates multiple strategies, community participation, and continuous monitoring is crucial for mitigating conflicts and fostering sustainable coexistence between humans and macaques.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939813/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727440","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":"Rethinking Animal Welfare in a Globalised World: Cultural Perspectives, Challenges, and Future Directions.","authors":"Sarah Oxley Heaney, Michelle Szydlowski, Kristine Hill, Jes Hooper","doi":"10.3390/ani15060891","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15060891","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In an increasingly interconnected world, human and other-than-human-animal welfare has emerged as a significant global concern [...].</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939432/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727583","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":"Ultrasound Back-Fat Thickness Association with Risk of Metabolic Disease of Dairy Cows in Early Lactation.","authors":"Filippo Fiore, Enrico Fiore, Barbara Contiero, Anastasia Lisuzzo","doi":"10.3390/ani15060883","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15060883","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ultrasound back-fat thickness (BFT) can indirectly assess the risk of metabolic disease as hyperketonemia. In this study, 129 multiparous and clinically healthy dairy cows were enrolled and examined weekly for the first 8 weeks of lactation for body-condition score (BCS), BFT, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), weekly changes (ΔBCS, ΔBFT, ΔBHB), and total changes over the study (TotalΔ_8to1BCS, TotalΔ_8to1BFT, TotalΔ_8to1BHB). Cows with BHB ≥ 1.0 mmol/L were considered to be affected by hyperketonemia (HK; n = 56), while the remaining animals were considered as controls (CTR; n = 73). Statistical analysis included mixed models, spearman correlation matrix, logistic regression, and linear regression analysis. BCS and BFT showed a strong correlation and were greater in the first weeks after calving in HK. The same group had greater BCS and BFT losses over the trial. However, weekly changes were identified only for BFT. Linear and logistic regression analysis for the disease event identified that BFT loss of 1 mm was associated with an increase in BHB (+0.36 mmol/L) and an increased risk of developing hyperketonemia over the week when the loss was between the second and first weeks (+2.5 times), third and second (+51%), and fourth and third (+58%) weeks. In conclusion, BFT can be used to identify the risk of developing hyperketonemia during early lactation.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939801/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727625","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":"A Sheep Behavior Recognition Approach Based on Improved FESS-YOLOv8n Neural Network.","authors":"Xiuru Guo, Chunyue Ma, Chen Wang, Xiaochen Cui, Guangdi Xu, Ruimin Wang, Yuqi Liu, Bo Sun, Zhijun Wang, Xuchao Guo","doi":"10.3390/ani15060893","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15060893","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sheep are an important breed of livestock in the northern regions of China, providing humans with nutritious meat and by-products. Therefore, it is essential to ensure the health status of sheep. Research has shown that the individual and group behaviors of sheep can reflect their overall health status. However, as the scale of farming expands, traditional behavior detection methods based on manual observation and those that employ contact-based devices face challenges, including poor real-time performance and unstable accuracy, making them difficult to meet the current demands. To address these issues, this paper proposes a sheep behavior detection model, Fess-YOLOv8n, based on an enhanced YOLOv8n neural network. On the one hand, this approach achieves a lightweight model by introducing the FasterNet structure and the selective channel down-sampling module (SCDown). On the other hand, it utilizes the efficient multi-scale attention mechanism (EMA)as well as the spatial and channel synergistic attention module (SCSA) to improve recognition performance. The results on a self-built dataset show that Fess-YOLOv8n reduced the model size by 2.56 MB and increased the detection accuracy by 4.7%. It provides technical support for large-scale sheep behavior detection and lays a foundation for sheep health monitoring.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939809/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727376","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":"A Systematic Literature Review of Mitochondrial DNA Analysis for Horse Genetic Diversity.","authors":"Ayman Agbani, Oumaima Aminou, Mohamed Machmoum, Agnes Germot, Bouabid Badaoui, Daniel Petit, Mohammed Piro","doi":"10.3390/ani15060885","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15060885","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This Systematic Literature Review (SLR) consolidates current research on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis in horses, focusing on genetic variation, maternal lineage tracing, and haplogroup identification. The article selection process screened 1380 articles, with 76 fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Data extraction covered sampling techniques, studied mtDNA regions, sequencing methods, and haplogroup identification. Following the methodology of the PRISMA guidelines, this review encompasses studies published since 2012, obtained from Scopus, PubMed, Research4Life, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. The major findings emphasise the use of mtDNA for tracing ancestry, validating maternal lineages, and identifying haplogroups along with their geographic distributions. This review identifies challenges, including the need to update the haplogroup classification system and potential information loss due to sequence trimming. Additionally, it examines promising avenues for future research, such as the implementation of next-generation sequencing and the merging of haplogroup data with performance traits, which could influence conservation initiatives and breeding programs. This review emphasises the necessity for standardised classification systems and further research on underrepresented breeds and regions to improve our understanding of equine genetic diversity.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939364/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727396","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":"Molecular Determination of Sex from Down and Feather in Wild and Reared Monomorphic and Dimorphic Birds at Juvenile Age.","authors":"Antonio Ciro Guaricci, Mario Cinone, Salvatore Desantis, Giovanni Michele Lacalandra, Maria Albrizio","doi":"10.3390/ani15060892","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15060892","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The inability to distinguish males from females in young birds is a major obstacle for pair formation in reintroduction-restocking programs and commercial-amateur breeding. Several techniques are employed to address this problem, but not all of them are suitable for juvenile subjects. Among the various tests applied for sex determination, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is one of the genetic tools that seems to be most effective (rapid, not invasive and cheaper). In this study, DNA was extracted from down and feathers to make the procedure less stressful for nestlings. The DNA was amplified by PCR, and the amplicon was subjected to the restriction endonucleases procedure when the gender was not clearly identified by PCR alone. One hundred and fifty-three avian species were sexed using this procedure, including 27 for the first time. In all the nestlings and juveniles tested, sex was correctly identified; in fact, all pairs that reached sexual maturity during this study gave offspring.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939742/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727569","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":"Pain in Dairy Cattle: A Narrative Review of the Need for Pain Control, Industry Practices and Stakeholder Expectations, and Opportunities.","authors":"Steven Roche, Julia Saraceni, Laura Zehr, David Renaud","doi":"10.3390/ani15060877","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15060877","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pain is an adverse experience causing distress and decreased production in dairy cattle. Pain, and its associated distress, is also undesirable from an animal welfare standpoint. Consumers consider animal welfare an important issue; therefore, ensuring proper pain management, and by extension good welfare, is important to maintain the social acceptability of dairy production. However, while some painful procedures and diseases can be avoided, some are inevitable. When this is the case, it is important to provide pain mitigation where possible. Various dairy quality assurance programs provide guidance on pain management practices for producers; however, guidelines differ across countries and jurisdictions. This narrative review covers common painful conditions and procedures, including disbudding and dehorning, castration, calving and dystocia, surgeries, disease conditions, and lameness. Further, this paper reviews evidence of the necessity and efficacy of pain management in these cases, current uptake of pain management, and quality assurance program standards for addressing pain in dairy cattle. Overall, there are clear advantages to providing pain mitigation for some conditions and procedures. For others, gaps still exist in understanding the best methods for pain control. Further attention should be paid to understanding and reducing the barriers to adoption of pain management strategies, as it is crucial to minimizing pain in animals and ensuring productive and sustainable dairy production.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939162/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727572","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":"<i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> as a Livestock Supplement and Animal Feed: A Comprehensive Review.","authors":"Ishaya Usman Gadzama, Saraswati Ray, René Méité, Isaac Maina Mugweru, Takudzwa Gondo, Md Atikur Rahman, Md Rahat Ahmad Redoy, Md Fazle Rohani, Ahmed Eid Kholif, Md Salahuddin, Andre F Brito","doi":"10.3390/ani15060879","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15060879","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review explores the potential of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> (CLV) as an alternative supplement in animal feed. CLV is rich in essential nutrients including fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, as well as bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, which contribute to its health-promoting properties. The nutritional composition of CLV can vary depending on factors such as cultivation methods, nutrient availability, light intensity, temperature, water pH, strain, and processing techniques. The rigid cell wall of the microalga limits nutrient accessibility, particularly in monogastric animals. However, processing techniques such as enzymatic treatments can disrupt the cell wall, enhancing nutrient bioavailability and improving its utility as a feed ingredient. Research across livestock species has demonstrated the positive effects of CLV supplementation. For instance, CLV has improved milk production and composition in ruminants, modulated rumen microbiota, enhanced lamb growth, and elevated blood immunoglobulin levels. Moreover, the impact of CLV on ruminal fermentation is dose-dependent, with higher inclusion rates exhibiting more pronounced effects, and it may also play a role in mitigating methane emissions. In poultry, CLV supplementation leads to better growth, feed conversion ratios, immune responses, and meat and egg quality. Similarly, studies on pigs suggest that CLV can benefit immune response and fatty acid profiles, while in rabbits, CLV has been found to reduce oxidative stress and improve immune responses. Additionally, CLV has shown promise in aquaculture, improving feed utilization, immunity, and disease resistance in various fish species. While CLV shows considerable potential, the variability in animal responses and the need for optimized inclusion levels necessitate further species-specific research to elucidate the long-term implications of its inclusion in animal diets.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939222/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727361","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":"Modeling Spawning Habitats of <i>Coreius guichenoti</i> with Substrate Considerations: A Case Study of Pingdi Town in the Lower Jinsha River.","authors":"Wenchao Li, Dong Chen, Lekui Zhu, Tong Liu, Hanyue Wang, Litao Zhang, Rui Han, Zhi Yang, Jun Yan, Hongyi Yang, Anan Guo, Lei Liu","doi":"10.3390/ani15060881","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ani15060881","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Coreius guichenoti</i>, once widely distributed in the upper reaches of the Jinsha River, has become a nationally protected species in China due to the profound impacts of cascade reservoirs. To assess the influence of substrate on the suitability of spawning habitat for <i>C. guichenoti</i>, this study develops a substrate-inclusive habitat model using fuzzy logic based on expert knowledge. Taking the Pingdi Town section of the lower Jinsha River-a historical spawning site for <i>C. guichenoti</i>-as a case study from March to July 2020, we simulated changes in the spawning habitat suitability index (HSI) and compared the results with those from traditional models that exclude substrate factors. The results showed that in the first and second halves of May, Weighted Usable Area (<i>WUA</i>) and Overall Suitability Index (OSI) increased by 42.31% and 38.73%, respectively, while MSP exhibited dramatic increases of 236.04% and 614.56%. These improvements were primarily observed along the riverbanks, where HSI increased by approximately 0.25. From a management perspective, the HSI results provide a scientific basis for optimizing ecological flow regulation. Incorporating substrate factors into spawning habitat models offers a more objective and comprehensive assessment of habitat quality. Habitat restoration measures, such as targeted substrate improvement in key riverbank areas, may further increase habitat suitability, providing additional opportunities for conservation planning in regulated rivers.</p>","PeriodicalId":7955,"journal":{"name":"Animals","volume":"15 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939362/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143727451","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}