Poultry farming increasingly seek effective antibiotic alternatives to maintain intestinal health and prevent inflammation, making the identification of safe and functional plant-derived additives of great importance. This study investigated the potential of catechu powder (CP), a polyphenol-rich plant extract, as an antibiotic alternative to modulate intestinal inflammation, barrier function and antioxidant capacity in broiler chickens. One hundred one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to either a control or CP supplemented group (1,000 mg/kg), with five replicates of 10 birds each. After the feeding trial reached day 27, growth performance was assessed as scheduled. On day 29, two birds per replicate were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/kg BW), while two others received saline. Samples were collected 3 h post-injection for further analyses. The experimental setup was a 2 × 2 factorial arrangements and the interactions between CP and LPS challenge were evaluated, and significant interactions were separated using Tukey’s test. The results demonstrated significant interactions (P < 0.05) between dietary CP treatment and LPS challenge with respect to inflammatory response, oxidative stress status, jejunal histomorphology and jejunal barrier functions. Specifically, under LPS challenge, broiler chickens fed a CP-supplemented diet attenuated LPS-induced inflammatory by downregulating gene expressions of duodenal interferon-γ (IFN-γ) by 37% and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by 31%, jejunal IFN-γ by 24%, and serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) by 70% and TNF-α by 78% (P < 0.05). Additionally, under LPS challenge, broiler chickens fed a CP-supplemented diet mitigated LPS-induced oxidative stress by reducing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by 53% and malondialdehyde (MDA) by 30% in the serum, duodenal H2O2 by 54%, and jejunal MDA by 39% (P < 0.05). Furthermore, under LPS challenge, broiler chickens fed a CP-supplemented diet restored intestinal barrier integrity by increasing jejunal villus height by 24% and upregulating gene expressions of jejunal Claudin1 by 52% and Mucin2 by 123% (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary CP effectively alleviated LPS-induced immunological stress and intestinal injury in broiler chickens by suppressing inflammatory responses and oxidative damage, thereby supporting its potential as a functional feed additive and a potential candidate for antibiotic replacement.
{"title":"Dietary catechu powder enhances intestinal resilience against lipopolysaccharide stimulation in broilers","authors":"Jiakun Yan, Qimeng Shi, Luqi Wang, Tingli Liu, Peng Li, Binying Ding, Yongqing Hou, Shuangshuang Guo","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf456","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf456","url":null,"abstract":"Poultry farming increasingly seek effective antibiotic alternatives to maintain intestinal health and prevent inflammation, making the identification of safe and functional plant-derived additives of great importance. This study investigated the potential of catechu powder (CP), a polyphenol-rich plant extract, as an antibiotic alternative to modulate intestinal inflammation, barrier function and antioxidant capacity in broiler chickens. One hundred one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to either a control or CP supplemented group (1,000 mg/kg), with five replicates of 10 birds each. After the feeding trial reached day 27, growth performance was assessed as scheduled. On day 29, two birds per replicate were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/kg BW), while two others received saline. Samples were collected 3 h post-injection for further analyses. The experimental setup was a 2 × 2 factorial arrangements and the interactions between CP and LPS challenge were evaluated, and significant interactions were separated using Tukey’s test. The results demonstrated significant interactions (P &lt; 0.05) between dietary CP treatment and LPS challenge with respect to inflammatory response, oxidative stress status, jejunal histomorphology and jejunal barrier functions. Specifically, under LPS challenge, broiler chickens fed a CP-supplemented diet attenuated LPS-induced inflammatory by downregulating gene expressions of duodenal interferon-γ (IFN-γ) by 37% and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by 31%, jejunal IFN-γ by 24%, and serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) by 70% and TNF-α by 78% (P &lt; 0.05). Additionally, under LPS challenge, broiler chickens fed a CP-supplemented diet mitigated LPS-induced oxidative stress by reducing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by 53% and malondialdehyde (MDA) by 30% in the serum, duodenal H2O2 by 54%, and jejunal MDA by 39% (P &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, under LPS challenge, broiler chickens fed a CP-supplemented diet restored intestinal barrier integrity by increasing jejunal villus height by 24% and upregulating gene expressions of jejunal Claudin1 by 52% and Mucin2 by 123% (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, dietary CP effectively alleviated LPS-induced immunological stress and intestinal injury in broiler chickens by suppressing inflammatory responses and oxidative damage, thereby supporting its potential as a functional feed additive and a potential candidate for antibiotic replacement.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"23 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145847422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ashley K Schilling-Hazlett, Kimberly R Stackhouse-Lawson, Tony C Bryant, Sara E Place, John P Ritten, Juan J Vargas, Irene A Reis, Edilane C Martins, Maya A Swenson, Erin N Burke, Rhyse K Campion, Cesar Velasquez, Anna M Shadbolt, Pedro H V Carvalho
Lay Summary Growth performance and gas flux in winter conditions were determined for Bos taurus indicus (BI; Brahman) and Bos taurus taurus (BT; Angus) steers managed with (GPT+) and without (GPT-) the use of growth-promoting technology (GPT). During the first 84 d, despite BI having heavier initial body weight (IBW), BT had greater dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency (G: F), and average daily gain (ADG), corresponding to greater final body weight (FBW). Also, GPT increased ADG, G: F, and FBW. During the last 96 d of the experimental period, growth performance observations were consistent with the first 84 d, but demonstrated that the effect of GPT use differed by cattle sub-species for DMI on a total daily and percentage of BW basis, as well as for G: F. More USDA Choice and Prime quality grades were observed for BT than BI. Furthermore, BI steers emitted less methane (CH4) per day; however, when expressing CH4 per unit of DMI, ADG, or as a proportion of gross energy intake, BT steers had a marked advantage. The present study suggests that BT steers exhibited greater growth performance and carcass quality, but observations differed by cattle sub-species in regard to CH4 emissions.
{"title":"Evaluation of cattle Sub-species and growth-promoting technology on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and enteric gas flux of steers finished in winter feedlot conditions","authors":"ashley K Schilling-Hazlett, Kimberly R Stackhouse-Lawson, Tony C Bryant, Sara E Place, John P Ritten, Juan J Vargas, Irene A Reis, Edilane C Martins, Maya A Swenson, Erin N Burke, Rhyse K Campion, Cesar Velasquez, Anna M Shadbolt, Pedro H V Carvalho","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf448","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf448","url":null,"abstract":"Lay Summary Growth performance and gas flux in winter conditions were determined for Bos taurus indicus (BI; Brahman) and Bos taurus taurus (BT; Angus) steers managed with (GPT+) and without (GPT-) the use of growth-promoting technology (GPT). During the first 84 d, despite BI having heavier initial body weight (IBW), BT had greater dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency (G: F), and average daily gain (ADG), corresponding to greater final body weight (FBW). Also, GPT increased ADG, G: F, and FBW. During the last 96 d of the experimental period, growth performance observations were consistent with the first 84 d, but demonstrated that the effect of GPT use differed by cattle sub-species for DMI on a total daily and percentage of BW basis, as well as for G: F. More USDA Choice and Prime quality grades were observed for BT than BI. Furthermore, BI steers emitted less methane (CH4) per day; however, when expressing CH4 per unit of DMI, ADG, or as a proportion of gross energy intake, BT steers had a marked advantage. The present study suggests that BT steers exhibited greater growth performance and carcass quality, but observations differed by cattle sub-species in regard to CH4 emissions.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"181 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145847508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pistachio blanks are a mixture of pistachio byproducts that consist of undersized or unripe seeds and hard shells that may potentially be used as a high-fiber feed ingredient in diets for pigs, but there is limited information about the nutritional value of pistachio blanks when fed to pigs. Therefore, two experiments were conducted to determine the chemical composition and energy and amino acid (AA) digestibility of pistachio blanks fed to growing pigs. In experiment 1, the objective was to test the null hypothesis that apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy and digestible energy (DE), and metabolizable energy (ME) in pistachio blanks are not different from values obtained in wheat middlings when fed to growing pigs. Twenty-four growing pigs with an initial body weight of 23.01 ± 0.90 kg were individually housed in metabolism crates. A basal diet contained corn and soybean meal as the sole sources of energy, and two diets contained corn, SBM, and 30% pistachio blanks, or corn, SBM, and 30% wheat middlings. Twenty-four pigs were allotted to the three diets with eight replicate pigs per diet. Feces and urine samples were quantitatively collected for 4 days after seven days of adaptation. Results indicated that the ATTD of dry matter and gross energy and DE and ME were greater (P < 0.05) in pistachio blanks than in wheat middlings. In experiment 2, nine growing barrows (initial body weight: 22.67 ± 0.93 kg) were equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to a triplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 diets and three 7-day periods, for nine replicate pigs per treatment. Two diets contained pistachio blanks or soybean meal as the sole source of AA and a nitrogen-free diet was also formulated. The apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, indispensable AA, and dispensable AA was greater (P < 0.05) in soybean meal than in pistachio blanks. The standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of crude protein was not different between pistachio blanks and soybean meal, and the SID of Ile, Leu, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, Ala, Asp, Cys, Gly, Pro, and Ser were also not different between pistachio blanks and soybean meal. However, the SID of Arg, His, Lys, Met, Glu, and Tyr were greater (P < 0.05) in soybean meal than in the pistachio blanks. In conclusion, pistachio blanks contain more DE and ME than wheat middlings, but the SID of some, but not all, indispensable AA is less than in soybean meal.
{"title":"Concentrations of digestible and metabolizable energy are greater in pistachio blanks than in wheat middlings, but some amino acids in pistachio blanks have reduced digestibility compared with soybean meal when fed to growing pigs","authors":"Yeonwoo Kim, Su A Lee, Hans H Stein","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf454","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf454","url":null,"abstract":"Pistachio blanks are a mixture of pistachio byproducts that consist of undersized or unripe seeds and hard shells that may potentially be used as a high-fiber feed ingredient in diets for pigs, but there is limited information about the nutritional value of pistachio blanks when fed to pigs. Therefore, two experiments were conducted to determine the chemical composition and energy and amino acid (AA) digestibility of pistachio blanks fed to growing pigs. In experiment 1, the objective was to test the null hypothesis that apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy and digestible energy (DE), and metabolizable energy (ME) in pistachio blanks are not different from values obtained in wheat middlings when fed to growing pigs. Twenty-four growing pigs with an initial body weight of 23.01 ± 0.90 kg were individually housed in metabolism crates. A basal diet contained corn and soybean meal as the sole sources of energy, and two diets contained corn, SBM, and 30% pistachio blanks, or corn, SBM, and 30% wheat middlings. Twenty-four pigs were allotted to the three diets with eight replicate pigs per diet. Feces and urine samples were quantitatively collected for 4 days after seven days of adaptation. Results indicated that the ATTD of dry matter and gross energy and DE and ME were greater (P &lt; 0.05) in pistachio blanks than in wheat middlings. In experiment 2, nine growing barrows (initial body weight: 22.67 ± 0.93 kg) were equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to a triplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 diets and three 7-day periods, for nine replicate pigs per treatment. Two diets contained pistachio blanks or soybean meal as the sole source of AA and a nitrogen-free diet was also formulated. The apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, indispensable AA, and dispensable AA was greater (P &lt; 0.05) in soybean meal than in pistachio blanks. The standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of crude protein was not different between pistachio blanks and soybean meal, and the SID of Ile, Leu, Phe, Thr, Trp, Val, Ala, Asp, Cys, Gly, Pro, and Ser were also not different between pistachio blanks and soybean meal. However, the SID of Arg, His, Lys, Met, Glu, and Tyr were greater (P &lt; 0.05) in soybean meal than in the pistachio blanks. In conclusion, pistachio blanks contain more DE and ME than wheat middlings, but the SID of some, but not all, indispensable AA is less than in soybean meal.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145844736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Taiwo J Erinle,Marllon J K de Oliveira,John K Htoo,S Maria Mendoza,Jenny-Lee Thomassin,Daniel A Columbus
Indigestible dietary protein content is an emerging dietary concept that is thought to be related to adverse intestinal health outcomes and increased incidence of pathogen-related diarrhea in pigs. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of IDP on growth performance, immune status, and fecal consistency score (FCS) of nursery pigs challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4 (ETEC) or Salmonella Typhimurium (ST). Thirty-two mixed-sex nursery pigs with an average initial body weight of 7.26 ± 0.40 kg were individually housed and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 dietary treatments for 14 d in a completely randomized design (n = 8 pigs/treatment). Corn-soybean-based diets were formulated to contain similar dietary protein (DP) content (21%) but differed in IDP content [low IDP, 2.74% (LIDP) or high IDP, 4.2% (HIDP)]. After a 7-d pre-inoculation period, all the pigs were orally inoculated with either 1.36 × 106 CFU·mL-1 ETEC or 1.14 × 1010 CFU·mL-1 ST (n = 16 pigs/challenge). Growth performance, rectal temperature, FCS, and blood inflammatory biomarkers were measured pre- and post-inoculation. There was no dietary effect on any measures pre-inoculation. Inoculation with ETEC or ST increased rectal temperature, FCS, blood inflammatory cytokines, acute-phase protein, and redox biomarkers (P < 0.05). Unlike in ETEC-inoculated pigs (P > 0.05), HIDP decreased average daily feed intake and average daily gain (P < 0.05) and tended to decrease gain: feed (P < 0.10) compared to LIDP in ST-inoculated pigs. Low IDP reduced FCS (P < 0.05) and tended to reduce ileal and cecal ammonia-nitrogen concentrations (P < 0.10) in ST-pigs compared to HIDP but not in ETEC-inoculated pigs. Regardless of enteric pathogen, HIDP stimulated immune response with higher serum interleukin-6 and plasma haptoglobin compared to LIDP (P < 0.05). In ST-inoculated pigs, HIDP further increased serum albumin, tumor necrotic factor-alpha, and diamine oxidase, pathogen translocation to mesenteric lymph node, while reducing plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) and GSH: oxidized glutathione (P < 0.05). Increasing IDP content results in negative outcomes on performance, fecal score, and inflammation in ST-inoculated pigs, with milder outcomes under ETEC challenge.
{"title":"High indigestible dietary protein impairs growth and health status of nursery pigs with Salmonella Typhimurium more than with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4 challenge.","authors":"Taiwo J Erinle,Marllon J K de Oliveira,John K Htoo,S Maria Mendoza,Jenny-Lee Thomassin,Daniel A Columbus","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf451","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf451","url":null,"abstract":"Indigestible dietary protein content is an emerging dietary concept that is thought to be related to adverse intestinal health outcomes and increased incidence of pathogen-related diarrhea in pigs. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of IDP on growth performance, immune status, and fecal consistency score (FCS) of nursery pigs challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4 (ETEC) or Salmonella Typhimurium (ST). Thirty-two mixed-sex nursery pigs with an average initial body weight of 7.26 ± 0.40 kg were individually housed and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 dietary treatments for 14 d in a completely randomized design (n = 8 pigs/treatment). Corn-soybean-based diets were formulated to contain similar dietary protein (DP) content (21%) but differed in IDP content [low IDP, 2.74% (LIDP) or high IDP, 4.2% (HIDP)]. After a 7-d pre-inoculation period, all the pigs were orally inoculated with either 1.36 × 106 CFU·mL-1 ETEC or 1.14 × 1010 CFU·mL-1 ST (n = 16 pigs/challenge). Growth performance, rectal temperature, FCS, and blood inflammatory biomarkers were measured pre- and post-inoculation. There was no dietary effect on any measures pre-inoculation. Inoculation with ETEC or ST increased rectal temperature, FCS, blood inflammatory cytokines, acute-phase protein, and redox biomarkers (P < 0.05). Unlike in ETEC-inoculated pigs (P > 0.05), HIDP decreased average daily feed intake and average daily gain (P < 0.05) and tended to decrease gain: feed (P < 0.10) compared to LIDP in ST-inoculated pigs. Low IDP reduced FCS (P < 0.05) and tended to reduce ileal and cecal ammonia-nitrogen concentrations (P < 0.10) in ST-pigs compared to HIDP but not in ETEC-inoculated pigs. Regardless of enteric pathogen, HIDP stimulated immune response with higher serum interleukin-6 and plasma haptoglobin compared to LIDP (P < 0.05). In ST-inoculated pigs, HIDP further increased serum albumin, tumor necrotic factor-alpha, and diamine oxidase, pathogen translocation to mesenteric lymph node, while reducing plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) and GSH: oxidized glutathione (P < 0.05). Increasing IDP content results in negative outcomes on performance, fecal score, and inflammation in ST-inoculated pigs, with milder outcomes under ETEC challenge.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145813560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Milena Aparecida Ferreira Campos, Hinayah Rojas De Oliveira, Henrique Alberto Mulim, Eduarda Da Silva Oliveira, Jorge Hidalgo, Raphael Bermal Costa
Morphological defects in beef cattle can compromise animal welfare and productivity, yet they remain underexplored in genetic evaluations. In this study, we assessed the prevalence and estimated genetic parameters for seven morphological defects in Nellore cattle, including depigmentation, feet and legs malformation, chamfer deviations, loin and jaw defects, hump irregularities, and navel abnormalities, using linear and threshold models. Data from over 180,000 animals recorded between 1998 and 2021 were analyzed. Defect prevalence increased over time, likely due to improved phenotyping and broader participation in data collection. After appropriate scale conversion, linear and threshold models yielded similar heritability estimates; with heritability ranging from 0.03 to 0.12 across traits. Genomic estimated breeding values from both models were expressed on the probability scale, with Spearman correlations of probability scaled values ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 across models. Agreement among commonly selected sires was also high (Spearman 0.94–0.97), indicating consistent rankings across models. Feet and legs malformations showed moderate positive correlations with chamfer (0.50) and jaw defects (0.51); chamfer had moderate correlated with hump (0.52); and loin had low positive correlated with jaw (0.34) and with feet and legs (0.39). Depigmentation showed weak correlations with all other traits (<0.20), suggesting distinct genetic control. These results support including morphological defects in routine genetic evaluations and underscore the value of model-appropriate transformations to maintain ranking consistency and interpretability.
{"title":"Morphological defects in Nellore cattle: Comparison of linear and threshold models for genetic evaluation of morphological defects in Nellore cattle","authors":"Milena Aparecida Ferreira Campos, Hinayah Rojas De Oliveira, Henrique Alberto Mulim, Eduarda Da Silva Oliveira, Jorge Hidalgo, Raphael Bermal Costa","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf438","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf438","url":null,"abstract":"Morphological defects in beef cattle can compromise animal welfare and productivity, yet they remain underexplored in genetic evaluations. In this study, we assessed the prevalence and estimated genetic parameters for seven morphological defects in Nellore cattle, including depigmentation, feet and legs malformation, chamfer deviations, loin and jaw defects, hump irregularities, and navel abnormalities, using linear and threshold models. Data from over 180,000 animals recorded between 1998 and 2021 were analyzed. Defect prevalence increased over time, likely due to improved phenotyping and broader participation in data collection. After appropriate scale conversion, linear and threshold models yielded similar heritability estimates; with heritability ranging from 0.03 to 0.12 across traits. Genomic estimated breeding values from both models were expressed on the probability scale, with Spearman correlations of probability scaled values ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 across models. Agreement among commonly selected sires was also high (Spearman 0.94–0.97), indicating consistent rankings across models. Feet and legs malformations showed moderate positive correlations with chamfer (0.50) and jaw defects (0.51); chamfer had moderate correlated with hump (0.52); and loin had low positive correlated with jaw (0.34) and with feet and legs (0.39). Depigmentation showed weak correlations with all other traits (&lt;0.20), suggesting distinct genetic control. These results support including morphological defects in routine genetic evaluations and underscore the value of model-appropriate transformations to maintain ranking consistency and interpretability.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145822758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
øyvind Nordbø, Muhammad Umair Hassan, Lars Erik Gangsei, Eli Grindflek, Kristin Olstad
Lay Summary We have developed a new computer-based method to automatically identify bones and joints in CT scans of pigs. These CT scans are used in pig breeding to measure body composition and detect joint diseases like osteochondrosis, a condition that can cause pain and leg problems in pigs. Until now, we have manually inspected CT images to find and measure the severity of joint lesions. This was slow and expensive. The new method uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically recognize 29 different tissues, including bones, muscles, and organs. It then pinpoints the exact location of major joints like shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles. Tests show that the joint detection is very close to expert labeled data By focusing on these joints, the system can help future AI models measure joint lesions more accurately and efficiently. This breakthrough could make pig breeding program more sustainable and cost-effective, by helping breeders select animals with better joint health, using smart technology instead of manual scoring.
{"title":"Automated Identification of Bones and Joints in Whole-body CT-scan Images of Pigs","authors":"øyvind Nordbø, Muhammad Umair Hassan, Lars Erik Gangsei, Eli Grindflek, Kristin Olstad","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf449","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf449","url":null,"abstract":"Lay Summary We have developed a new computer-based method to automatically identify bones and joints in CT scans of pigs. These CT scans are used in pig breeding to measure body composition and detect joint diseases like osteochondrosis, a condition that can cause pain and leg problems in pigs. Until now, we have manually inspected CT images to find and measure the severity of joint lesions. This was slow and expensive. The new method uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically recognize 29 different tissues, including bones, muscles, and organs. It then pinpoints the exact location of major joints like shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles. Tests show that the joint detection is very close to expert labeled data By focusing on these joints, the system can help future AI models measure joint lesions more accurately and efficiently. This breakthrough could make pig breeding program more sustainable and cost-effective, by helping breeders select animals with better joint health, using smart technology instead of manual scoring.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145822757","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dan Tulpan, Luis O Tedeschi, Hector Menendez, Ricardo Augusto M Vieira
Lay Summary This study demonstrated how programming languages like Python, alongside artificial intelligence technologies such as machine learning, can help those working with farm animals models better understand and predict essential traits, including feeding behavior and growth patterns. We created a step-by-step process (called a “pipeline”) that cleans and prepares animal data, builds and tests models, and explains which factors are most important for making predictions. We tested this approach on two case studies (real examples) to show how it works. This work is special because the tools and code are completely open and free for anyone to use, promoting collaboration and accessibility. This makes it easier for researchers, students, and farmers to learn from data, try out ideas, and improve their own animal management or research projects. It also helps make science more transparent and fair because anyone can check, refine, or build on what we’ve done. Additionally, we designed the system to provide reliable results and clear explanations of its predictions. That way, users can trust the model’s predictions, understand its reasoning, and make smarter, data-driven decisions regarding animal care, feeding, and breeding strategies.
{"title":"ASAS-NANP Symposium: Mathematical Modeling in Animal Nutrition: Construction of supervised machine learning regression pipelines for livestock data modeling: A case study","authors":"Dan Tulpan, Luis O Tedeschi, Hector Menendez, Ricardo Augusto M Vieira","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf444","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf444","url":null,"abstract":"Lay Summary This study demonstrated how programming languages like Python, alongside artificial intelligence technologies such as machine learning, can help those working with farm animals models better understand and predict essential traits, including feeding behavior and growth patterns. We created a step-by-step process (called a “pipeline”) that cleans and prepares animal data, builds and tests models, and explains which factors are most important for making predictions. We tested this approach on two case studies (real examples) to show how it works. This work is special because the tools and code are completely open and free for anyone to use, promoting collaboration and accessibility. This makes it easier for researchers, students, and farmers to learn from data, try out ideas, and improve their own animal management or research projects. It also helps make science more transparent and fair because anyone can check, refine, or build on what we’ve done. Additionally, we designed the system to provide reliable results and clear explanations of its predictions. That way, users can trust the model’s predictions, understand its reasoning, and make smarter, data-driven decisions regarding animal care, feeding, and breeding strategies.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145812854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bradley Lawrence, Jesus Acosta, Eric Myers, Chelsie Foran, Jon Bergstrom, Hans H Stein, Su A Lee, Andrea P Mallea, Deana Hancock
: Introduction Vitamin D is essential for growth and development including processes beyond those associated with bone. Vitamin D status can be low in reproducing sows. The vitamin D receptor is a Zn dependent receptor. Thus available mineral may be necessary to optimize vitamin D status. Objective Assess impact of mineral source fed during gestation and lactation on sow serum 25-OH D3 concentration. Methods Thirty-two multiparous sows (16 reps/treatment) were fed 100 ppm Zn, 20 ppm Cu and 40 ppm Mn either solely in the hydroxy form (ITM), or, as a 50:50 blend of metal methionine hydroxy analogue bis-chelate minerals and ITM (MHAC:ITM). All diets were supplemented with 50 mcg/kg 25-OH D3 and 1,000 FTU/kg phytase. Sows had not previously received 25-OH D3. Serum samples were obtained at insemination, gestation d-103, and 21-d post-farrow and analyzed for 25-OH D3 concentration. Results At breeding serum 25-OH D3 averaged 26.4 ng/ml (P = 0.20). Breeding 25-OH D3 was used as a covariate. Day 103 25-OH D3 was 47.0 and 40.4 ng/ml for ITM and MHAC:ITM respectively (P = 0.20). Weaning 25-OH D3 was 78.2 ng/ml for MHAC:ITM which tended (P < 0.10) to be greater than the 66.3 ng/ml in ITM serum. The d-103 to weaning rise in 25-OH D3 tended (P < 0.10) to be greater in MHAC:ITM (+16.5 ng/ml) than ITM (+4.5 ng/ml). Conclusion Supplementing 50 mcg/kg 25-OH D3 can increase vitamin D status within 1 parity. A MHAC:ITM blend fed throughout gestation and lactation tended to result in a greater weaning serum 25-OH D3.
{"title":"28 Serum 25-OH D3 concentration changes in sows as a result of 25-OH D3 addition and mineral source","authors":"Bradley Lawrence, Jesus Acosta, Eric Myers, Chelsie Foran, Jon Bergstrom, Hans H Stein, Su A Lee, Andrea P Mallea, Deana Hancock","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf398.022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf398.022","url":null,"abstract":": Introduction Vitamin D is essential for growth and development including processes beyond those associated with bone. Vitamin D status can be low in reproducing sows. The vitamin D receptor is a Zn dependent receptor. Thus available mineral may be necessary to optimize vitamin D status. Objective Assess impact of mineral source fed during gestation and lactation on sow serum 25-OH D3 concentration. Methods Thirty-two multiparous sows (16 reps/treatment) were fed 100 ppm Zn, 20 ppm Cu and 40 ppm Mn either solely in the hydroxy form (ITM), or, as a 50:50 blend of metal methionine hydroxy analogue bis-chelate minerals and ITM (MHAC:ITM). All diets were supplemented with 50 mcg/kg 25-OH D3 and 1,000 FTU/kg phytase. Sows had not previously received 25-OH D3. Serum samples were obtained at insemination, gestation d-103, and 21-d post-farrow and analyzed for 25-OH D3 concentration. Results At breeding serum 25-OH D3 averaged 26.4 ng/ml (P = 0.20). Breeding 25-OH D3 was used as a covariate. Day 103 25-OH D3 was 47.0 and 40.4 ng/ml for ITM and MHAC:ITM respectively (P = 0.20). Weaning 25-OH D3 was 78.2 ng/ml for MHAC:ITM which tended (P &lt; 0.10) to be greater than the 66.3 ng/ml in ITM serum. The d-103 to weaning rise in 25-OH D3 tended (P &lt; 0.10) to be greater in MHAC:ITM (+16.5 ng/ml) than ITM (+4.5 ng/ml). Conclusion Supplementing 50 mcg/kg 25-OH D3 can increase vitamin D status within 1 parity. A MHAC:ITM blend fed throughout gestation and lactation tended to result in a greater weaning serum 25-OH D3.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145777767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Evaniya Shakya, Sumera A Ali, Saleem Jessani, Cheyret Wood, Katerina Kechris, Yangyang Xu, Jennifer L Kemp, Jamie Westcott, Sarah Saleem, Blair J Wylie, Robert L Goldenberg, Nancy F Krebs, Kartik Shankar, Sarah Borengasser
: Introduction Maternal heat exposure has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. The impact of high ambient temperature exposure on inflammation during human pregnancy remains largely unknown. Objective Determine the associations between preconception/ trimester-wise exposure to excessive heat stress (HS) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) or C-Reactive Protein (CRP) at 12 and 34 weeks of gestation. Methods This secondary analysis included women with serum concentrations of AGP (n = 160), and CRP (n = 143) collected at 12 and 34 weeks of pregnancy from Women First Preconception Maternal Nutrition Trial in Thatta, Pakistan. Excessive HS was categorically defined as > 20 days with average maximal daily temperature >39 °C in each period: 90 days preconception (PreC), trimester 1 (T1), or trimester 2 (T2). Multiple linear regression was used to assess relationships between HS and each inflammatory marker in separate models for 12 and 34-weeks assessments, including adjustment for maternal characteristics, intervention arm, cluster, maternal anemia status, PM2.5 levels, and 12-week AGP or CRP (for 34-week outcomes). Results Exposure to HS during PreC increased 34-week AGP by 0.10 µg/mL compared to no HS exposure (p = 0.045). Exposure to HS compared to no exposure was positively associated with 34-week CRP (mg/L) during PreC (ß= 1.90, p = 0.015), T1 (ß= 2.06, p = 0.009), and T2 (ß= 1.93, p = 0.020). No significant associations were observed between exposure to HS and inflammatory markers at 12 weeks. Conclusion Findings suggest that preconception and early pregnancy HS may contribute to late-gestation inflammation.
孕妇热暴露与不良妊娠结局有关。在人类怀孕期间，高环境温度暴露对炎症的影响在很大程度上仍然未知。目的探讨孕前/孕期过度热应激（HS）与妊娠12周和34周α - 1-酸性糖蛋白（AGP）或c -反应蛋白（CRP）的关系。方法该二次分析纳入了来自巴基斯坦塔塔妇女第一孕前孕产妇营养试验的血清AGP浓度（n = 160）和CRP浓度（n = 143）的妇女，收集于妊娠12周和34周。过量HS被明确定义为&；gt；平均最高日气温20天；每个时期39°C：孕前90天（PreC），妊娠1 （T1）或妊娠2 （T2）。在12周和34周的评估中，使用多元线性回归评估HS与不同模型中每种炎症标志物之间的关系，包括调整产妇特征、干预组、集群、产妇贫血状况、PM2.5水平和12周AGP或CRP（34周结果）。结果与未暴露HS相比，PreC期间暴露HS使34周AGP升高0.10µg/mL （p = 0.045）。与未暴露相比，暴露于HS与PreC （ß= 1.90, p = 0.015）、T1 （ß= 2.06, p = 0.009）和T2 （ß= 1.93, p = 0.020）期间34周CRP （mg/L）呈正相关。12周时未观察到HS暴露与炎症标志物之间的显著关联。结论孕前和妊娠早期HS可能是妊娠后期炎症的重要因素。
{"title":"50 Associations between maternal extreme heat exposure and inflammatory biomarkers in early and late pregnancy","authors":"Evaniya Shakya, Sumera A Ali, Saleem Jessani, Cheyret Wood, Katerina Kechris, Yangyang Xu, Jennifer L Kemp, Jamie Westcott, Sarah Saleem, Blair J Wylie, Robert L Goldenberg, Nancy F Krebs, Kartik Shankar, Sarah Borengasser","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf398.043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf398.043","url":null,"abstract":": Introduction Maternal heat exposure has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. The impact of high ambient temperature exposure on inflammation during human pregnancy remains largely unknown. Objective Determine the associations between preconception/ trimester-wise exposure to excessive heat stress (HS) and α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) or C-Reactive Protein (CRP) at 12 and 34 weeks of gestation. Methods This secondary analysis included women with serum concentrations of AGP (n = 160), and CRP (n = 143) collected at 12 and 34 weeks of pregnancy from Women First Preconception Maternal Nutrition Trial in Thatta, Pakistan. Excessive HS was categorically defined as &gt; 20 days with average maximal daily temperature &gt;39 °C in each period: 90 days preconception (PreC), trimester 1 (T1), or trimester 2 (T2). Multiple linear regression was used to assess relationships between HS and each inflammatory marker in separate models for 12 and 34-weeks assessments, including adjustment for maternal characteristics, intervention arm, cluster, maternal anemia status, PM2.5 levels, and 12-week AGP or CRP (for 34-week outcomes). Results Exposure to HS during PreC increased 34-week AGP by 0.10 µg/mL compared to no HS exposure (p = 0.045). Exposure to HS compared to no exposure was positively associated with 34-week CRP (mg/L) during PreC (ß= 1.90, p = 0.015), T1 (ß= 2.06, p = 0.009), and T2 (ß= 1.93, p = 0.020). No significant associations were observed between exposure to HS and inflammatory markers at 12 weeks. Conclusion Findings suggest that preconception and early pregnancy HS may contribute to late-gestation inflammation.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"82 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145777814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Karrah Peterson1,2, C Azure2, T Azure2, H Davis2, K Gourneau2, S LaRocque2, C Poitra2, S Poitra2, S Standish2, T J Parisien2, K J Morin2, Lyle G Best1,2
: Introduction Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a state of hyperglycemia during pregnancy. GDM can increase risk of birth complications, and subsequent type 2 diabetes mellitus in the mother and offspring. Risk factors such as diet, BMI, and family history have demonstrated strong association with GDM but no clear pathophysiology has been ascertained. Methods A diagnosis of GDM was abstracted from participant medical records. Analysis was conducted on 41 women with and 320 without GDM. Genotypes of 7 genetic variants were available. Additive and dominant genetic models were evaluated by chi-square and multivariate logistic regression methods. A genetic risk score comprised of total risk alleles among the 7 variants was also evaluated. Results Multivariate logistic regression showed significant, independent, positive associations between body-mass index (BMI), age, the posited genetic risk score and GDM. Genetic variant rs1421085 was associated with GDM in multivariate analysis (OR 2.12, 1.08-4.15, p = 0.029. The polygenic risk score showed association with GDM, odds ratio 1.27, 95% CI 1.09 - 1.48, p = 0.003. Discussion This relatively small cohort replicated a previously proposed polygenic risk score, as well as established risk factors for GDM (age and BMI). A previous meta-analysis in the literature reported a degree of heterogeneity between the 3 large cohorts analyzed, suggesting that the effect of these variants may differ according to genetic background. Conclusion We validate a previously published polygenic risk score for GDM in an ethically unrelated population. (Supported by NIGMS P20GM103442)
妊娠期糖尿病（Gestational diabetes， GDM）是一种发生在妊娠期的高血糖状态。GDM可增加分娩并发症的风险，以及随后母亲和后代发生2型糖尿病的风险。危险因素如饮食、身体质量指数和家族史已证实与GDM密切相关，但尚未确定明确的病理生理学。方法从患者病历中提取诊断为GDM的病例。对41名GDM患者和320名非GDM患者进行了分析。得到7个遗传变异的基因型。加性遗传模型和显性遗传模型采用卡方和多元逻辑回归方法进行评估。还评估了由7个变异中的总风险等位基因组成的遗传风险评分。结果多因素logistic回归显示，体重指数（BMI）、年龄、推定遗传风险评分与GDM之间存在显著、独立、正相关。多因素分析显示，rs1421085与GDM相关（OR 2.12, 1.08-4.15, p = 0.029）。多基因风险评分与GDM相关，比值比1.27,95% CI 1.09 ~ 1.48, p = 0.003。这个相对较小的队列重复了先前提出的多基因风险评分，以及GDM的既定风险因素（年龄和BMI）。先前文献中的一项荟萃分析报告了所分析的3个大型队列之间存在一定程度的异质性，表明这些变异的影响可能因遗传背景而异。结论：我们验证了先前发表的GDM多基因风险评分在非伦理人群中的有效性。（支持NIGMS P20GM103442）
{"title":"42 A polygenic risk score associated with gestational diabetes mellitus","authors":"Karrah Peterson1,2, C Azure2, T Azure2, H Davis2, K Gourneau2, S LaRocque2, C Poitra2, S Poitra2, S Standish2, T J Parisien2, K J Morin2, Lyle G Best1,2","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf398.035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf398.035","url":null,"abstract":": Introduction Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a state of hyperglycemia during pregnancy. GDM can increase risk of birth complications, and subsequent type 2 diabetes mellitus in the mother and offspring. Risk factors such as diet, BMI, and family history have demonstrated strong association with GDM but no clear pathophysiology has been ascertained. Methods A diagnosis of GDM was abstracted from participant medical records. Analysis was conducted on 41 women with and 320 without GDM. Genotypes of 7 genetic variants were available. Additive and dominant genetic models were evaluated by chi-square and multivariate logistic regression methods. A genetic risk score comprised of total risk alleles among the 7 variants was also evaluated. Results Multivariate logistic regression showed significant, independent, positive associations between body-mass index (BMI), age, the posited genetic risk score and GDM. Genetic variant rs1421085 was associated with GDM in multivariate analysis (OR 2.12, 1.08-4.15, p = 0.029. The polygenic risk score showed association with GDM, odds ratio 1.27, 95% CI 1.09 - 1.48, p = 0.003. Discussion This relatively small cohort replicated a previously proposed polygenic risk score, as well as established risk factors for GDM (age and BMI). A previous meta-analysis in the literature reported a degree of heterogeneity between the 3 large cohorts analyzed, suggesting that the effect of these variants may differ according to genetic background. Conclusion We validate a previously published polygenic risk score for GDM in an ethically unrelated population. (Supported by NIGMS P20GM103442)","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"93 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145778083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：