Pub Date : 2025-03-04DOI: 10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100094
F. Marín , M. Carriquiry , H. Naya
Heart rate (HR) has proven to be a non-invasive method to assess animal welfare and stress as well as a valuable tool to evaluate several animal traits related to metabolism. Remote sensors have provided the opportunity to monitor this trait individually; nevertheless, this continuous monitoring is prone to measurement errors and thus must be subjected to corrections. Nonetheless, it has proven difficult to establish a general correction method that does not involve a visual examination or does not depend on commercial software related to the measuring sensor. In this sense, this study aimed to develop a simple protocol using R software scripting that could objectively remove erroneous registers from individual 4-day grazing Hereford cattle recordings based on Polar sensors’ data. Using this method, we successfully decreased spurious variation of HR individual records and used this method on other cattle breeds. Nonetheless, calibration could be necessary if the conditions (i.e., other breeds, different physiological states) vary from the ones described in this study.
{"title":"Method: An alternative tool for heart rate data processing in grazing cattle","authors":"F. Marín , M. Carriquiry , H. Naya","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100094","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100094","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Heart rate (<strong>HR</strong>) has proven to be a non-invasive method to assess animal welfare and stress as well as a valuable tool to evaluate several animal traits related to metabolism. Remote sensors have provided the opportunity to monitor this trait individually; nevertheless, this continuous monitoring is prone to measurement errors and thus must be subjected to corrections. Nonetheless, it has proven difficult to establish a general correction method that does not involve a visual examination or does not depend on commercial software related to the measuring sensor. In this sense, this study aimed to develop a simple protocol using R software scripting that could objectively remove erroneous registers from individual 4-day grazing Hereford cattle recordings based on Polar sensors’ data. Using this method, we successfully decreased spurious variation of HR individual records and used this method on other cattle breeds. Nonetheless, calibration could be necessary if the conditions (i.e., other breeds, different physiological states) vary from the ones described in this study.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100094"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143548381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-01DOI: 10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100096
M. Duplessis , F. Hassanat , C. Côrtes , C. Benchaar
There is a lack of data about potential differences in trace mineral absorption within dairy cow breeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate if apparent zinc absorption between Ayrshire and Holstein lactating cows differs. A total of 12 multiparous cows (six Ayrshire and six Holstein) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with periods of 35-day duration (26 days of diet adaptation followed by data collection). Daily intake and total fecal collection were performed on 7 consecutive days. Daily samples of total mixed ration, refusals, and feces were composited by week and analysed for zinc concentration by atomic absorption spectrometry. Apparent absorption was calculated as daily dietary intake minus excretion in feces over dietary intake. The percentage of inclusion of the mineral and vitamin supplement was 1.56 and 1.47% for Ayrshire and Holstein cows, respectively, accounting for different milk production, BW, and DM intake between the two breeds. Dry matter intake of Ayrshire cows averaged 20.5 (standard error (SE): 0.8) kg/day and 25.8 (SE: 0.8) kg/day for Holstein cows resulting in a tendency for Holstein cows to ingest greater quantity of zinc. Zinc excretion was significantly greater for Holstein compared to Ayrshire cows but this was not translated into different apparent absorption. Averaged apparent zinc absorption did not differ between breeds and was 21 and 16% for Ayrshire and Holstein, respectively, with a range from −15–31%, regardless of the breed. In summary, averaged apparent zinc absorption was similar between breeds and was in line with the values reported in the literature. However, under the current experimental conditions, the technique using dietary intake minus fecal output to measure apparent zinc absorption led to an important variation between animals.
{"title":"Apparent zinc absorption in Ayrshire and Holstein lactating cows","authors":"M. Duplessis , F. Hassanat , C. Côrtes , C. Benchaar","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100096","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100096","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is a lack of data about potential differences in trace mineral absorption within dairy cow breeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate if apparent zinc absorption between Ayrshire and Holstein lactating cows differs. A total of 12 multiparous cows (six Ayrshire and six Holstein) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with periods of 35-day duration (26 days of diet adaptation followed by data collection). Daily intake and total fecal collection were performed on 7 consecutive days. Daily samples of total mixed ration, refusals, and feces were composited by week and analysed for zinc concentration by atomic absorption spectrometry. Apparent absorption was calculated as daily dietary intake minus excretion in feces over dietary intake. The percentage of inclusion of the mineral and vitamin supplement was 1.56 and 1.47% for Ayrshire and Holstein cows, respectively, accounting for different milk production, BW, and DM intake between the two breeds. Dry matter intake of Ayrshire cows averaged 20.5 (standard error (<strong>SE</strong>): 0.8) kg/day and 25.8 (SE: 0.8) kg/day for Holstein cows resulting in a tendency for Holstein cows to ingest greater quantity of zinc. Zinc excretion was significantly greater for Holstein compared to Ayrshire cows but this was not translated into different apparent absorption. Averaged apparent zinc absorption did not differ between breeds and was 21 and 16% for Ayrshire and Holstein, respectively, with a range from −15–31%, regardless of the breed. In summary, averaged apparent zinc absorption was similar between breeds and was in line with the values reported in the literature. However, under the current experimental conditions, the technique using dietary intake minus fecal output to measure apparent zinc absorption led to an important variation between animals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100096"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143527435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-03-01DOI: 10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100093
M. Mills , K. Proudfoot , I. Elsohaby , J. Burns , M. Ross , S. McKenna , C. Ritter , K. MacMillan
There are challenges with assessing the welfare of equines due to their diverse uses and management practices. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the prevalence of animal-based welfare outcomes and compliance with Canada’s National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines on equine farms in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and (2) determine the effect of benchmarking on compliance and awareness of the Code of Practice, as well as any changes in practices and animal-based welfare outcomes on these farms. Sixty farms were enrolled and were visited for an initial equine welfare assessment; all farms were then provided a benchmarking report that compared data collected from their equids to the other farms and the Code of Practice. Of these, 50 farms were re-visited the following year for a second assessment. The prevalence of animal-based outcomes in both years is presented descriptively, and differences between years were analyzed using paired t-tests and Chi-squared tests. On the second visit, 54% (n = 27) of farms showed more awareness of the Code of Practice and 48% (n = 24) of farms showed an improvement in at least one category of Code of Practice requirements. Of the animal-based measures, there was a significant reduction in the prevalence of unhealthy body condition score (−17.72, P < 0.001), integument lesions (−6.22, P = 0.020), and hoof abnormalities (−4.541, P = 0.026) from the first to the second visit. Although it is not clear if these changes occurred solely due to the benchmarking report, the results suggest that horse and donkey owners may be motivated to improve equid care and management using this approach. This study adds to the existing knowledge of equid welfare by providing a practical framework for the development of animal welfare assessments and the potential role of benchmarking in improving the welfare of horses and donkeys on Prince Edward Island and abroad.
{"title":"The effect of benchmarking on management practices and equid welfare on Prince Edward Island, Canada","authors":"M. Mills , K. Proudfoot , I. Elsohaby , J. Burns , M. Ross , S. McKenna , C. Ritter , K. MacMillan","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100093","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100093","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There are challenges with assessing the welfare of equines due to their diverse uses and management practices. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the prevalence of animal-based welfare outcomes and compliance with Canada’s National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Equines on equine farms in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and (2) determine the effect of benchmarking on compliance and awareness of the Code of Practice, as well as any changes in practices and animal-based welfare outcomes on these farms. Sixty farms were enrolled and were visited for an initial equine welfare assessment; all farms were then provided a benchmarking report that compared data collected from their equids to the other farms and the Code of Practice. Of these, 50 farms were re-visited the following year for a second assessment. The prevalence of animal-based outcomes in both years is presented descriptively, and differences between years were analyzed using paired t-tests and Chi-squared tests. On the second visit, 54% (n = 27) of farms showed more awareness of the Code of Practice and 48% (n = 24) of farms showed an improvement in at least one category of Code of Practice requirements. Of the animal-based measures, there was a significant reduction in the prevalence of unhealthy body condition score (−17.72, <em>P</em> < 0.001), integument lesions (−6.22, <em>P</em> = 0.020), and hoof abnormalities (−4.541, <em>P</em> = 0.026) from the first to the second visit. Although it is not clear if these changes occurred solely due to the benchmarking report, the results suggest that horse and donkey owners may be motivated to improve equid care and management using this approach. This study adds to the existing knowledge of equid welfare by providing a practical framework for the development of animal welfare assessments and the potential role of benchmarking in improving the welfare of horses and donkeys on Prince Edward Island and abroad.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100093"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143518857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-28DOI: 10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100095
S. Mauny , J. Kwon , N.C. Friggens , C. Duvaux-Ponter , M. Taghipoor
This paper presents a dataset of accelerometer data and corresponding video-annotated behaviours from eight indoor dairy Alpine goats. Animals were equipped with 3D-accelerometers attached to their ears for 24 consecutive hours and recorded at a frequency of 5 Hz. Video recordings for this period were also obtained. Activities associated with positional, feeding and social behaviours were annotated over two daylight periods, for a total of 11 hours per goat, by a trained observer assuring high precision and consistency. This dataset can be used independently or complement an existing dataset for training supervised Machine Learning models for the detection of goat behaviour. It contributes to improving the robustness of such models by incorporating behavioural signals specific to indoor-housed goats.
{"title":"Data paper: A goat behaviour dataset combining labelled behaviours and accelerometer data for training Machine Learning detection models","authors":"S. Mauny , J. Kwon , N.C. Friggens , C. Duvaux-Ponter , M. Taghipoor","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100095","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100095","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents a dataset of accelerometer data and corresponding video-annotated behaviours from eight indoor dairy Alpine goats. Animals were equipped with 3D-accelerometers attached to their ears for 24 consecutive hours and recorded at a frequency of 5 Hz. Video recordings for this period were also obtained. Activities associated with positional, feeding and social behaviours were annotated over two daylight periods, for a total of 11 hours per goat, by a trained observer assuring high precision and consistency. This dataset can be used independently or complement an existing dataset for training supervised Machine Learning models for the detection of goat behaviour. It contributes to improving the robustness of such models by incorporating behavioural signals specific to indoor-housed goats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100095"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143518858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-28DOI: 10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100092
C. Rivoir , G.R. Mendina , M.L. Adrien , A. Meikle , P. Chilibroste
The transition period and its management affect how dairy cows face physiological challenges. Total mixed rations (TMR) have been shown as a strategy to address pasture-based system limitations and improve milk production, without consistent information about their use in short periods and residual responses. The study aimed to evaluate contrasting feeding management in the first 21 days postpartum on direct and residual milk production responses until 60 days in milk (DIM). Sixty-seven mixed parity Holstein dairy cows were used in a completely randomised block design in two treatments across two trials: MD-MD, cows fed a mixed diet (MD) with grazing and supplementation with mixed ration, from calving until 60 DIM, TMR-MD: confined cows with TMR provided ad libitum during the first 21 DIM in a compost-bedded pack barn and changed to MD at 22 until 60 DIM. During the first 21 DIM (direct response), cows fed TMR produced 11.7% more milk than those on MD-MD. Multiparous (M) TMR-MD obtained 18.6% higher milk yield than M MD-MD cows, but no significant differences were detected between primiparous (P) cows. After the switch at 22 DIM (residual response), no significant differences were detected between treatments in milk yield. However, the interaction between treatment and parity indicates that M TMR-MD cows exhibited 3.6% more milk than those in MD-MD, as a carryover effect. In contrast, P cows did not differ between treatments. In the first 21 DIM, TMR-MD cows achieved a higher fat concentration and protein yield than MD-MD. Fat yield tended to increase in TMR-MD compared to MD-MD, without treatment effect for lactose yield. In the residual period, TMR-MD cows had higher protein concentrations and tended towards higher fat concentrations than MD-MD cows. The interaction between treatments and parity showed that P TMR-MD cows had higher protein and exhibited a trend towards higher fat concentration than P MD-MD cows. The differential feeding management during the first 21 DIM did not generate differences in body condition score (BCS), between treatments or parities. In the residual period, TMR-MD cows achieved a higher BCS than MD-MD cows without differences between parities. No differences were found between treatments in grazing and ruminating time, reflecting a successful adaptation of TMR-MD cows. In conclusion, feeding TMR during the first 21 DIM is an effective strategy for increasing milk yield and achieving short-term carryover effects in M, but not in P cows.
{"title":"Contrasting feeding management in the first 21 days postpartum in Holstein dairy cows: direct and residual milk responses","authors":"C. Rivoir , G.R. Mendina , M.L. Adrien , A. Meikle , P. Chilibroste","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100092","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2025.100092","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transition period and its management affect how dairy cows face physiological challenges. Total mixed rations (<strong>TMR</strong>) have been shown as a strategy to address pasture-based system limitations and improve milk production, without consistent information about their use in short periods and residual responses. The study aimed to evaluate contrasting feeding management in the first 21 days <em>postpartum</em> on direct and residual milk production responses until 60 days in milk (<strong>DIM</strong>). Sixty-seven mixed parity Holstein dairy cows were used in a completely randomised block design in two treatments across two trials: MD-MD, cows fed a mixed diet (<strong>MD</strong>) with grazing and supplementation with mixed ration, from calving until 60 DIM, TMR-MD: confined cows with TMR provided <em>ad libitum</em> during the first 21 DIM in a compost-bedded pack barn and changed to MD at 22 until 60 DIM. During the first 21 DIM (direct response), cows fed TMR produced 11.7% more milk than those on MD-MD. Multiparous (<strong>M</strong>) TMR-MD obtained 18.6% higher milk yield than M MD-MD cows, but no significant differences were detected between primiparous (<strong>P</strong>) cows. After the switch at 22 DIM (residual response), no significant differences were detected between treatments in milk yield. However, the interaction between treatment and parity indicates that M TMR-MD cows exhibited 3.6% more milk than those in MD-MD, as a carryover effect. In contrast, P cows did not differ between treatments. In the first 21 DIM, TMR-MD cows achieved a higher fat concentration and protein yield than MD-MD. Fat yield tended to increase in TMR-MD compared to MD-MD, without treatment effect for lactose yield. In the residual period, TMR-MD cows had higher protein concentrations and tended towards higher fat concentrations than MD-MD cows. The interaction between treatments and parity showed that P TMR-MD cows had higher protein and exhibited a trend towards higher fat concentration than P MD-MD cows. The differential feeding management during the first 21 DIM did not generate differences in body condition score (<strong>BCS</strong>), between treatments or parities. In the residual period, TMR-MD cows achieved a higher BCS than MD-MD cows without differences between parities. No differences were found between treatments in grazing and ruminating time, reflecting a successful adaptation of TMR-MD cows. In conclusion, feeding TMR during the first 21 DIM is an effective strategy for increasing milk yield and achieving short-term carryover effects in M, but not in P cows.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100092"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143511059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-31DOI: 10.1016/j.anopes.2024.100088
A. Desmarchais , S. Fréret , S. Uzbekova , V. Maillard , S. Elis
This dataset consists of raw data from an experimental design in the ovine model: zootechnical traits, biological indicators, oocyte collection and embryo production from ewes with contrasted metabolic status and submitted to chronic Bisphenol S (BPS) exposure. For 2 consecutive years, 120 primiparous ewes (60 different ewes for each year) were managed in a loose sheepfold, assigned to two diet groups − Restricted (R, n = 30) and Well-fed (WF, n = 30) − and supplemented with or without BPS (0, 4 or 50 μg/kg/day), generating six experimental groups named R-0, R-4, R-50, WF-0, WF-4, and WF-50 (n = 10 ewes/group). Oocyte collection was carried out during the breeding season of sheep between September and December. Diet management started in May and BPS treatment started in June, that is to say at least 3 months before oocyte collection. The dataset presents zootechnical traits (age, live weight, body condition score), metabolic indicators and hormones concentrations measured in plasma (non-esterified fatty acids, glucose, thyroid hormones, Anti-Mullerian hormone, progesterone, oestradiol and other steroids) as well as in follicular fluid for some of them (progesterone, oestradiol and others steroids), BPS and BPS-glucuronide concentrations in plasma and urine, data from follicular puncture and oocyte collection by ovum pick-up followed by in vitro embryo production (during the 2nd year of experiment). This large dataset can be re-used on the one hand by researchers working on reproductive physiology in interaction with energy metabolism in ruminants, to further investigate the effects of a restricted diet; on the other hand, by toxicologists and endocrinologists to investigate the effects of BPS (potential endocrine disruptor) on several hormones (i.e. steroids) and metabolites.
{"title":"Dataset of zootechnical, biological, oocyte and embryo production indicators, from ewes with contrasted metabolic status and submitted to chronic bisphenol S exposure","authors":"A. Desmarchais , S. Fréret , S. Uzbekova , V. Maillard , S. Elis","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2024.100088","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2024.100088","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This dataset consists of raw data from an experimental design in the ovine model: zootechnical traits, biological indicators, oocyte collection and embryo production from ewes with contrasted metabolic status and submitted to chronic Bisphenol S (<strong>BPS</strong>) exposure. For 2 consecutive years, 120 primiparous ewes (60 different ewes for each year) were managed in a loose sheepfold, assigned to two diet groups − Restricted (<strong>R</strong>, n = 30) and Well-fed (<strong>WF</strong>, n = 30) − and supplemented with or without BPS (0, 4 or 50 μg/kg/day), generating six experimental groups named R-0, R-4, R-50, WF-0, WF-4, and WF-50 (n = 10 ewes/group). Oocyte collection was carried out during the breeding season of sheep between September and December. Diet management started in May and BPS treatment started in June, that is to say at least 3 months before oocyte collection. The dataset presents zootechnical traits (age, live weight, body condition score), metabolic indicators and hormones concentrations measured in plasma (non-esterified fatty acids, glucose, thyroid hormones, Anti-Mullerian hormone, progesterone, oestradiol and other steroids) as well as in follicular fluid for some of them (progesterone, oestradiol and others steroids), BPS and BPS-glucuronide concentrations in plasma and urine, data from follicular puncture and oocyte collection by ovum pick-up followed by <em>in vitro</em> embryo production (during the 2nd year of experiment). This large dataset can be re-used on the one hand by researchers working on reproductive physiology in interaction with energy metabolism in ruminants, to further investigate the effects of a restricted diet; on the other hand, by toxicologists and endocrinologists to investigate the effects of BPS (potential endocrine disruptor) on several hormones (i.e. steroids) and metabolites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100088"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.anopes.2024.100090
A.M. Johnson , M.G. Anderson , M. Arguelles-Ramos , A.B.A. Ali
Essential oils can be used as an alternative to antibiotics for health promotion in livestock. The essential oil of oregano (EOO) can have positive effects on poultry. This study aimed to explore the effects of EOO on performance, blood lipid profile, antioxidant capacity, and egg quality in Hy-line Brown layers during the peak laying phase. A total of 270 hens at 24 weeks of age were given, at random, a corn-soybean-based control diet, or the diet supplemented with a commercial EOO product (275 mg/1 kg control diet). Feed and bird weights and egg quality were measured at 24, 30, 36, and 40 weeks while blood samples were taken at 24, 36, and 40 weeks. Differences were measured between treatments and across weeks using generalised linear mixed models and Tukey’s posthoc test for significant differences (α = 0.05) in R 3.3.1. Feed conversion ratio was lower in EOO at 30 and 40 weeks than in control birds (P < 0.05). At 24 and 36 weeks, certain blood lipids- triglycerides and cholesterol- were significantly lower while high-density lipoproteins were significantly higher in hens supplemented with EOO (P < 0.05). Antioxidant parameters, including total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzymes, were higher at all timepoints in the oregano group compared to the control at all timepoints (P < 0.05). The measure of lipid peroxidation was statistically lower at all timepoints in EOO birds (P < 0.05). Indicators of liver health were significantly lower at certain ages in the EOO group compared to the control group. Indicators of internal egg quality were significantly higher in eggs from the EOO group (P < 0.05), but no differences in external quality were identified. Lastly, levels of egg yolk lipid peroxidation were lower in EOO eggs compared to the control at all timepoints (P < 0.05). In conclusion, oregano essential oil has many benefits, and it may be one potential source of health enhancement in laying hens. Oregano essential oil may be a good option for producers to maximise their flock longevity and enhance potential profit from eggs.
{"title":"The effects of dietary oregano essential oil on production, blood parameters, and egg quality of laying hens during the early lay phase","authors":"A.M. Johnson , M.G. Anderson , M. Arguelles-Ramos , A.B.A. Ali","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2024.100090","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2024.100090","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Essential oils can be used as an alternative to antibiotics for health promotion in livestock. The essential oil of oregano (<strong>EOO</strong>) can have positive effects on poultry. This study aimed to explore the effects of EOO on performance, blood lipid profile, antioxidant capacity, and egg quality in Hy-line Brown layers during the peak laying phase. A total of 270 hens at 24 weeks of age were given, at random, a corn-soybean-based control diet, or the diet supplemented with a commercial EOO product (275 mg/1 kg control diet). Feed and bird weights and egg quality were measured at 24, 30, 36, and 40 weeks while blood samples were taken at 24, 36, and 40 weeks. Differences were measured between treatments and across weeks using generalised linear mixed models and Tukey’s posthoc test for significant differences (α = 0.05) in R 3.3.1. Feed conversion ratio was lower in EOO at 30 and 40 weeks than in control birds (<em>P</em> < 0.05). At 24 and 36 weeks, certain blood lipids- triglycerides and cholesterol- were significantly lower while high-density lipoproteins were significantly higher in hens supplemented with EOO (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Antioxidant parameters, including total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzymes, were higher at all timepoints in the oregano group compared to the control at all timepoints (<em>P</em> < 0.05). The measure of lipid peroxidation was statistically lower at all timepoints in EOO birds (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Indicators of liver health were significantly lower at certain ages in the EOO group compared to the control group. Indicators of internal egg quality were significantly higher in eggs from the EOO group (<em>P</em> < 0.05), but no differences in external quality were identified. Lastly, levels of egg yolk lipid peroxidation were lower in EOO eggs compared to the control at all timepoints (<em>P</em> < 0.05). In conclusion, oregano essential oil has many benefits, and it may be one potential source of health enhancement in laying hens. Oregano essential oil may be a good option for producers to maximise their flock longevity and enhance potential profit from eggs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100090"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.anopes.2024.100089
C. Enevoldsen
Bovine somatic cell counts (SCCs) research and management programmes appear to neglect implications for decision−making of the substantial measurement error of SCC. Here, I suggest three frameworks for presenting somatic cell count values from routine collections of cow milk that circumvent possible managerial flaws or biases associated with the current use of a general threshold, such as 200 000 cells/mL, or a linear somatic cell score (SCS). The suggestions are applicable to any kind of dairy herd, require access to two consecutive SCC values from all cows in a homogeneous group, and apply standard statistical techniques. Suggestion #1 demonstrates the nature of pairs of SCC records with a simple assumption-free percentile analysis. Suggestion #2 presents the same data around an elliptical framework with 68 and 95% ellipsoidal prediction limits assuming that a bivariate normal distribution provides a valid description of paired log10-transformed SCC values from cows without mastitis or major udder infection. Visual inspection of the data cloud supports the identification of individual outliers, leverage points, or systematic trends in the study population. These deviations are plausible indications of new cases or the substantial reduction of udder inflammation at cow level, or systematic changes in SCC patterns within group. Suggestion #3 applies an errors-in-variables regression model to assess agreement between two consecutive log10-transformed SCCs at the cow level. This parametric model gives estimates of systematic deviation from perfect agreement (45° slope) at cow level, and automatically and objectively identifies likely outliers and leverage points by means of case-level residual diagnostics. Consequently, this third suggestion supplements visual inspection of the percentile and elliptical analyses with a tool for objectively ranking cow-level SCC deviations from a central (normal, random, or noisy) pattern of SCC changes and identifies distinct patterns (distributions) of SCCs. The three analytical frameworks all demonstrate that a dichotomising (single universal threshold) may not meaningfully identify distinct patterns of cow-level SCCs. Five categories seem sufficient and necessary to capture the main components of a complicated SCC pattern. An assumption of normal distribution may be valid for describing SCCs after log transformation in some herds, but the user must validate this assumption. Substantial upward and downward changes in SCCs (outliers) can be explained as new cases or reductions of udder inflammation, respectively, and such pathobiologically different mechanisms may not fit a single linear scale such as SCS. I discuss possible approaches to combine the three SCC frameworks with microbiological diagnoses.
{"title":"Method: How to avoid decision errors resulting from unjustified use of a general threshold or an invalid linear score to utilise somatic cell counts in dairy cows?","authors":"C. Enevoldsen","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2024.100089","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2024.100089","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bovine somatic cell counts (<strong>SCCs</strong>) research and management programmes appear to neglect implications for decision−making of the substantial measurement error of SCC. Here, I suggest three frameworks for presenting somatic cell count values from routine collections of cow milk that circumvent possible managerial flaws or biases associated with the current use of a general threshold, such as 200 000 cells/mL, or a linear somatic cell score (<strong>SCS</strong>). The suggestions are applicable to any kind of dairy herd, require access to two consecutive SCC values from all cows in a homogeneous group, and apply standard statistical techniques. Suggestion #1 demonstrates the nature of pairs of SCC records with a simple assumption-free percentile analysis. Suggestion #2 presents the same data around an elliptical framework with 68 and 95% ellipsoidal prediction limits assuming that a bivariate normal distribution provides a valid description of paired log10-transformed SCC values from cows without mastitis or major udder infection. Visual inspection of the data cloud supports the identification of individual outliers, leverage points, or systematic trends in the study population. These deviations are plausible indications of new cases or the substantial reduction of udder inflammation at cow level, or systematic changes in SCC patterns within group. Suggestion #3 applies an errors-in-variables regression model to assess agreement between two consecutive log10-transformed SCCs at the cow level. This parametric model gives estimates of systematic deviation from perfect agreement (45° slope) at cow level, and automatically and objectively identifies likely outliers and leverage points by means of case-level residual diagnostics. Consequently, this third suggestion supplements visual inspection of the percentile and elliptical analyses with a tool for objectively ranking cow-level SCC deviations from a central (normal, random, or noisy) pattern of SCC changes and identifies distinct patterns (distributions) of SCCs. The three analytical frameworks all demonstrate that a dichotomising (single universal threshold) may not meaningfully identify distinct patterns of cow-level SCCs. Five categories seem sufficient and necessary to capture the main components of a complicated SCC pattern. An assumption of normal distribution may be valid for describing SCCs after log transformation in some herds, but the user must validate this assumption. Substantial upward and downward changes in SCCs (outliers) can be explained as new cases or reductions of udder inflammation, respectively, and such pathobiologically different mechanisms may not fit a single linear scale such as SCS. I discuss possible approaches to combine the three SCC frameworks with microbiological diagnoses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100089"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143182052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.anopes.2024.100087
Xianming Wei , Jun Teng , Shixi Zhang , Changheng Zhao , Guilin Chen , Zhi Cao , Yan Chen , Jianbin Li , Chao Ning , Qin Zhang
In this study, we applied random regression test-day model for genomic prediction in the Holstein population in Shandong Province of China with respect to different reference populations, using either 150 k chip genotypes or imputed sequence genotypes. Three different reference populations were considered, i.e., the Shandong (SD) reference population consisting of 1 688 Holstein cows from Shandong Province, the Non-SD reference population consisting of 5 299 Holstein cows from other parts of China, and the combined population of the two. The SD reference resulted in higher prediction accuracy than the Non-SD reference, although the former was much smaller than the latter. The combined reference further increased the accuracy. These results indicate that the accuracy of genomic prediction cross-population within breed is low, even though the reference population is large. Using imputed sequence data may not significantly improve the cross-population prediction ability. However, the inclusion of data from other populations into the reference population can improve the accuracy of genomic selection.
{"title":"Genomic selection based on random regression test-day model in dairy cattle with respect to different reference populations","authors":"Xianming Wei , Jun Teng , Shixi Zhang , Changheng Zhao , Guilin Chen , Zhi Cao , Yan Chen , Jianbin Li , Chao Ning , Qin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.anopes.2024.100087","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anopes.2024.100087","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, we applied random regression test-day model for genomic prediction in the Holstein population in Shandong Province of China with respect to different reference populations, using either 150 k chip genotypes or imputed sequence genotypes. Three different reference populations were considered, i.e., the Shandong (<strong>SD</strong>) reference population consisting of 1 688 Holstein cows from Shandong Province, the Non-SD reference population consisting of 5 299 Holstein cows from other parts of China, and the combined population of the two. The SD reference resulted in higher prediction accuracy than the Non-SD reference, although the former was much smaller than the latter. The combined reference further increased the accuracy. These results indicate that the accuracy of genomic prediction cross-population within breed is low, even though the reference population is large. Using imputed sequence data may not significantly improve the cross-population prediction ability. However, the inclusion of data from other populations into the reference population can improve the accuracy of genomic selection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100083,"journal":{"name":"Animal - Open Space","volume":"4 ","pages":"Article 100087"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143183638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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