Livestock Science最新文献_第2页

Nursing frequency, duration and teat location affect immunoglobulin concentrations in piglets

IF 1.8 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105631

Abigail K. Jenkins , Courtney M. Clemons, William L. Flowers

Two experiments were conducted. The objective of the first experiment was to determine whether the anatomical location of teats affected colostrum quality. Colostrum composition from the first two, middle three, and last three pairs of teats from 18 sows was determined 1 to 2 h before and 24 h after the birth of the first piglet. Protein, IgG and IgA were significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.05), while lactose and fat tended to be reduced (0.05 ≤ P ≤ 0.1) in posterior teats. Immunoglobulin concentrations decreased (P ≤ 0.05) significantly over time regardless of anatomical location. The objective of the second experiment was to determine how much of the variation in piglet immunoglobulin levels was associated with suckling behaviors when considered in conjunction with sow and piglet birth characteristics. Piglet birth variables and suckling behaviors were recorded for 587 piglets from 43 litters beginning with the birth of the first piglet until 4 h after the sow expelled her placenta. Piglet immunocrits were measured 30 ± 3 h after the onset of farrowing. Ten variables from the multiple regression analysis were identified as sources of variation (P ≤ 0.15) for piglet immunocrits (model R² = 0.6486) with pigs born alive in the current litter (partial R² = 0.1596; P = 0.0008) and the anatomical location of the pair of teats suckled most (partial R²=0.1410; P = 0.0001) being the most important. Piglets that suckled the last three pairs of teats had reduced immunocrits (P = 0.01; 0.073 ± 0.003) compared with those that suckled the anterior (0.081 ± 0.002) and middle (0.083 ± 0.003) pairs. Piglets from litters with >16 liveborn had reduced (P ≤ 0.05) immunocrits (0.071 ± 0.002) compared with those from smaller litters (0.079 ± 0.001). The total number of teat pairs suckled (partial R²=0.0615; P = 0.0489), total time observed suckling (partial R²=0.0389; P = 0.0498), average pigs born alive from previous parities (partial R²=0.0889; P = 0.0005), birthweight (partial R² = 0.0538; P = 0.0497), and time between a piglet's birth and the onset of farrowing (partial R² = 0.0776; P = 0.0007) were other variables with significant associations with immunocrits. This study demonstrated that suckling behaviors are a significant source of variation for consumption of immunoglobulins and piglets that suckle posterior teats most frequently post-farrowing are at risk for low consumption because of the reduced amount of colostral immunoglobulins produced in those mammary glands.

{"title":"Nursing frequency, duration and teat location affect immunoglobulin concentrations in piglets","authors":"Abigail K. Jenkins , Courtney M. Clemons, William L. Flowers","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105631","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105631","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Two experiments were conducted. The objective of the first experiment was to determine whether the anatomical location of teats affected colostrum quality. Colostrum composition from the first two, middle three, and last three pairs of teats from 18 sows was determined 1 to 2 h before and 24 h after the birth of the first piglet. Protein, IgG and IgA were significantly reduced (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05), while lactose and fat tended to be reduced (0.05 ≤ <em>P</em> ≤ 0.1) in posterior teats. Immunoglobulin concentrations decreased (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05) significantly over time regardless of anatomical location. The objective of the second experiment was to determine how much of the variation in piglet immunoglobulin levels was associated with suckling behaviors when considered in conjunction with sow and piglet birth characteristics. Piglet birth variables and suckling behaviors were recorded for 587 piglets from 43 litters beginning with the birth of the first piglet until 4 h after the sow expelled her placenta. Piglet immunocrits were measured 30 ± 3 h after the onset of farrowing. Ten variables from the multiple regression analysis were identified as sources of variation (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.15) for piglet immunocrits (model R<sup>2</sup> = 0.6486) with pigs born alive in the current litter (partial R<sup>2</sup> = 0.1596; <em>P</em> = 0.0008) and the anatomical location of the pair of teats suckled most (partial R<sup>2</sup>=0.1410; <em>P</em> = 0.0001) being the most important. Piglets that suckled the last three pairs of teats had reduced immunocrits (<em>P</em> = 0.01; 0.073 ± 0.003) compared with those that suckled the anterior (0.081 ± 0.002) and middle (0.083 ± 0.003) pairs. Piglets from litters with >16 liveborn had reduced (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05) immunocrits (0.071 ± 0.002) compared with those from smaller litters (0.079 ± 0.001). The total number of teat pairs suckled (partial R<sup>2</sup>=0.0615; <em>P</em> = 0.0489), total time observed suckling (partial R<sup>2</sup>=0.0389; <em>P</em> = 0.0498), average pigs born alive from previous parities (partial R<sup>2</sup>=0.0889; <em>P</em> = 0.0005), birthweight (partial R<sup>2</sup> = 0.0538; <em>P</em> = 0.0497), and time between a piglet's birth and the onset of farrowing (partial R<sup>2</sup> = 0.0776; <em>P</em> = 0.0007) were other variables with significant associations with immunocrits. This study demonstrated that suckling behaviors are a significant source of variation for consumption of immunoglobulins and piglets that suckle posterior teats most frequently post-farrowing are at risk for low consumption because of the reduced amount of colostral immunoglobulins produced in those mammary glands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 105631"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143095440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Mode of synergistic action of hydrolyzable tannins and probiotic microorganisms on the growth performance, immunology, ileal histomorphology and microbiology in broiler chickens

IF 1.8 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105648

Mohammad Hassan Akhoundzadeh , Amir Hossein Mahdavi , Mohammad Sedghi , Mehdi Shahsavan

The current study was conducted to evaluate the synergistic effects of three concentrations of either hydrolyzable tannin (HT; g/kg) or probiotic microorganisms (PM; g/kg) on the intestinal microbiota, histomorphology, immunological responses, and growth performance of broiler chickens. A total of 1404 one-day-old female broiler chickens were randomly assigned to nine experimental treatments with six replicates and each pen as a replicate contained 26 chickens. Treatments consisted of a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, consisting of 0, 0.75, and 1.5 g HT/kg of diet (0 HT, 0.75 HT, and 1.5 HT) and 0, 0.1, and 0.2 g PM/kg of diet (0 PM, 0.1 PM, and 0.2 PM). The results showed that dietary inclusion of 0.75 HT + 0.1 PM resulted in the greatest average daily weight gain (ADWG) with improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), increased immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, and total antibody titers against sheep red blood cell, increased ileal villi length (VL), and the heaviest relative weight of bursa of Fabricius (P < 0.05). Broiler chickens fed only with 0.75 HT benefited from the largest ADWG, smallest FCR, heterophils to lymphocytes ratio (H:L), ileal E. coli count, and greatest ileal villi length to crypt depth ratio (VL:CD), and immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, and total antibody titers against sheep red blood cell (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, feeding 1.5 HT led to a decrease in ADWG, humoral immune response, liver relative weight, VL:CD, and an increase in FCR, the numbers of goblet cells, and H:L (P < 0.05). Similarly, dietary administrations of 0.2 PM caused the greatest numbers of monocytes, intestinal Lactobacillus, lamina propria lymphoid follicles, goblet cells, and the lowest H:L as well as pH of the ileal content, and E. coli enumeration (P < 0.05). In general, the present findings would indicate that although dietary inclusion of 0.2 PM improved the growth performance and either microbial or histological indices at the ileum of broiler chickens, feeding 0.75 HT + 0.1 PM, without an adverse effect on gut microbiota, manifested the best synergistic effects on the growth performance of broiler chickens via improvement of humoral immunity, relative weights of lymphoid organs, and the ileal absorptive area.

{"title":"Mode of synergistic action of hydrolyzable tannins and probiotic microorganisms on the growth performance, immunology, ileal histomorphology and microbiology in broiler chickens","authors":"Mohammad Hassan Akhoundzadeh , Amir Hossein Mahdavi , Mohammad Sedghi , Mehdi Shahsavan","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105648","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105648","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The current study was conducted to evaluate the synergistic effects of three concentrations of either hydrolyzable tannin (HT; g/kg) or probiotic microorganisms (PM; g/kg) on the intestinal microbiota, histomorphology, immunological responses, and growth performance of broiler chickens. A total of 1404 one-day-old female broiler chickens were randomly assigned to nine experimental treatments with six replicates and each pen as a replicate contained 26 chickens. Treatments consisted of a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, consisting of 0, 0.75, and 1.5 g HT/kg of diet (0 HT, 0.75 HT, and 1.5 HT) and 0, 0.1, and 0.2 g PM/kg of diet (0 PM, 0.1 PM, and 0.2 PM). The results showed that dietary inclusion of 0.75 HT + 0.1 PM resulted in the greatest average daily weight gain (ADWG) with improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), increased immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, and total antibody titers against sheep red blood cell, increased ileal villi length (VL), and the heaviest relative weight of bursa of Fabricius (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Broiler chickens fed only with 0.75 HT benefited from the largest ADWG, smallest FCR, heterophils to lymphocytes ratio (H:L), ileal <em>E. coli</em> count, and greatest ileal villi length to crypt depth ratio (VL:CD), and immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, and total antibody titers against sheep red blood cell (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Nevertheless, feeding 1.5 HT led to a decrease in ADWG, humoral immune response, liver relative weight, VL:CD, and an increase in FCR, the numbers of goblet cells, and H:L (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Similarly, dietary administrations of 0.2 PM caused the greatest numbers of monocytes, intestinal <em>Lactobacillus</em>, lamina propria lymphoid follicles, goblet cells, and the lowest H:L as well as pH of the ileal content, and <em>E. coli</em> enumeration (<em>P</em> < 0.05). In general, the present findings would indicate that although dietary inclusion of 0.2 PM improved the growth performance and either microbial or histological indices at the ileum of broiler chickens, feeding 0.75 HT + 0.1 PM, without an adverse effect on gut microbiota, manifested the best synergistic effects on the growth performance of broiler chickens via improvement of humoral immunity, relative weights of lymphoid organs, and the ileal absorptive area.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 105648"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143095439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

The effect of a supplement of potassium formate and/or probiotic to the feed on the protection of piglets gastrointestinal tract against the negative effects of pathogenic bacteria

IF 1.8 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105637

Marek Pieszka , Kinga Szczepanik , Sylwia Orczewska-Dudek , Marian Kamyczek , Bogdan Śliwiński , Łukasz Gala , Magdalena Pieszka

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of potassium formate and/or probiotics in feed on intestinal microflora stability, gastrointestinal tissue histomorphometry, enzyme activity, and the growth of piglets. Animals in each group were kept in pens consisting of 6 litters per group. Piglets received: control (no supplement), D1 (potassium formate), and D2 (potassium formate and probiotic). Feed additives had a positive effect on piglet rearing traits, including final body weight (D2: 22.75 kg vs. D1: 20.26 kg and control: 18.96 kg). Histomorphometric analysis revealed wider ileum intestine crypts in the D1 group compared to the other groups (P = 0.048). The additives reduced acetic acid levels in D1 and D2 (48.04 and 42.02 mmol/kg vs. 63.10 mmol/kg) and increased propionic acid (23.80 mmol/kg in control to 30.27 and 33.18 mmol/kg in D1 and D2). Significant increases were also noted in butyric (9.95 vs. 16.88 and 18.98 mmol/kg, P = 0.014) and isobutyric acid levels (0.45 vs. 1.14 and 2.00 mmol/kg, P = 0.024). Jejunum saccharase and aminopeptidase N activity were significantly higher in the experimental groups, while HPT and CRP protein levels were higher in the control (19.77 vs. 16.37 and 14.22 ng/ml; 4.99 vs. 2.91 and 2.67 ng/ml, respectively). IgG content was also greater in the control group (1.945 mg/ml) compared to D1 (1.381 mg/ml) and D2 (1.432 mg/ml). The simultaneous use of potassium formate or potassium formate with a probiotic shows a great positive influence on status of health in the pre-weaning period of piglets.

{"title":"The effect of a supplement of potassium formate and/or probiotic to the feed on the protection of piglets gastrointestinal tract against the negative effects of pathogenic bacteria","authors":"Marek Pieszka , Kinga Szczepanik , Sylwia Orczewska-Dudek , Marian Kamyczek , Bogdan Śliwiński , Łukasz Gala , Magdalena Pieszka","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105637","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105637","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study aimed to evaluate the effects of potassium formate and/or probiotics in feed on intestinal microflora stability, gastrointestinal tissue histomorphometry, enzyme activity, and the growth of piglets. Animals in each group were kept in pens consisting of 6 litters per group. Piglets received: control (no supplement), D1 (potassium formate), and D2 (potassium formate and probiotic). Feed additives had a positive effect on piglet rearing traits, including final body weight (D2: 22.75 kg vs. D1: 20.26 kg and control: 18.96 kg). Histomorphometric analysis revealed wider ileum intestine crypts in the D1 group compared to the other groups (P = 0.048). The additives reduced acetic acid levels in D1 and D2 (48.04 and 42.02 mmol/kg vs. 63.10 mmol/kg) and increased propionic acid (23.80 mmol/kg in control to 30.27 and 33.18 mmol/kg in D1 and D2). Significant increases were also noted in butyric (9.95 vs. 16.88 and 18.98 mmol/kg, P = 0.014) and isobutyric acid levels (0.45 vs. 1.14 and 2.00 mmol/kg, P = 0.024). Jejunum saccharase and aminopeptidase N activity were significantly higher in the experimental groups, while HPT and CRP protein levels were higher in the control (19.77 vs. 16.37 and 14.22 ng/ml; 4.99 vs. 2.91 and 2.67 ng/ml, respectively). IgG content was also greater in the control group (1.945 mg/ml) compared to D1 (1.381 mg/ml) and D2 (1.432 mg/ml). The simultaneous use of potassium formate or potassium formate with a probiotic shows a great positive influence on status of health in the pre-weaning period of piglets.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 105637"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143095966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

The teat number in rabbits: The possibility and benefits of selection for this trait

IF 1.8 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105635

Zsolt Szendrő

The purpose of the review is to present the distribution of teat number in rabbits, its relationship with some reproductive traits, and the possibility and limitations of selection for increasing teat number. In many mammal species, it has been observed that the number of offspring born is typically half as many or at most equal to the number of teats ("one-half rule"). While this rule holds true for European wild rabbits, it is no longer applicable for domesticated rabbits. Teat numbers most commonly range from 8 to 10, while litter size of hybrid rabbits typically fall between 10 and 12. A weak correlation was found between teat number and litter size at birth, but a closer relationship was observed between teat number and the survival of suckling kits or litter size at 3 weeks, especially in litters larger than 10. The high heritability of teat number was confirmed by the distribution of the teat number of the offspring from parents with 8 or 10 teats. Selection experiments have shown that it is possible to increase the average number of teats and the proportion of rabbits with 10 teats, although rabbits with 11 or 12 teats are rarely born. When selecting maternal lines, the number of teats should be considered to increase litter size. In the short term, selecting does with 10 teats is beneficial as it increases the chances of survival for kits during nursing, as they have more opportunities to access milk. In the long-term, this selective breeding strategy can lead to improved survival rates and overall reproductive success in rabbit populations.

{"title":"The teat number in rabbits: The possibility and benefits of selection for this trait","authors":"Zsolt Szendrő","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The purpose of the review is to present the distribution of teat number in rabbits, its relationship with some reproductive traits, and the possibility and limitations of selection for increasing teat number. In many mammal species, it has been observed that the number of offspring born is typically half as many or at most equal to the number of teats (\"one-half rule\"). While this rule holds true for European wild rabbits, it is no longer applicable for domesticated rabbits. Teat numbers most commonly range from 8 to 10, while litter size of hybrid rabbits typically fall between 10 and 12. A weak correlation was found between teat number and litter size at birth, but a closer relationship was observed between teat number and the survival of suckling kits or litter size at 3 weeks, especially in litters larger than 10. The high heritability of teat number was confirmed by the distribution of the teat number of the offspring from parents with 8 or 10 teats. Selection experiments have shown that it is possible to increase the average number of teats and the proportion of rabbits with 10 teats, although rabbits with 11 or 12 teats are rarely born. When selecting maternal lines, the number of teats should be considered to increase litter size. In the short term, selecting does with 10 teats is beneficial as it increases the chances of survival for kits during nursing, as they have more opportunities to access milk. In the long-term, this selective breeding strategy can lead to improved survival rates and overall reproductive success in rabbit populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 105635"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143095437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Corrigendum to “Implications of Commercial Cross-Fostering in Large Litters when Low Body Weight of Piglets is the Main Criterion”

IF 1.8 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105630

Dubravko Škorput , Zoran Luković , Danijel Karolyi , Dejan Škorjanc , Ana Kaić , Janko Skok , Maja Prevolnik Povše

引用次数: 0

A case study on the cost-benefit perspective on the influence of high-protein Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles (HP-DDGS) pricing and inclusion levels on economic sustainability in pig production

IF 1.8 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105632

Pollyana Leite Matioli Garbossa , Mirele Daiana Poleti , Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa , Laya Kannan Silva Alves , Rhuan Filipe Chaves , Vinícius de Souza Cantarelli , José Bento Sterman Ferraz

Conducting an economic analysis is essential to evaluate the feasibility of including HP-DDGS in feed, aiming to optimize costs and improve economic returns for producers. In this sense, we conducted an economic analysis of high-protein Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles (HP-DDGS) inclusion in pig diets, aiming to guide pig producers in decision-making for efficient use of production factors and favorable economic outcomes. Performance data were obtained from a nursery-to-finishing experiment with 500 piglets, assigned to one of five HP-DDGS inclusion levels: 0 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, and 40 %. The economic analysis, based on Neoclassical Economic Theory, considered implicit and explicit costs across production settings in two economic distinct scenarios. Additionally, two tools were developed to optimize HP-DDGS inclusion for the best cost-benefit ratio and economic return, focusing on the nutrition cost per kilogram of pig produced. Results indicated that HP-DDGS inclusion in the nursery phase could reduce feed costs and enhance economic returns. Despite being costlier than corn, HP-DDGS offered a better cost-benefit than diets without HP-DDGS. Even when feed costs rose in the scenario where HP-DDGS was pricier than corn and soybean meal, improved feed conversion and higher weights partially offset increased costs, maintaining economic viability. However, in nursery-to-finishing phases, higher HP-DDGS levels led to reduce performance. Under intermediate HP-DDGS pricing, lower production costs compensated for decrease in revenue, resulting in higher profitable. In contrast, high HP-DDGS pricing, coupled with reduced performance, led to economic inefficiency, failing to cover production costs. The challenge of HP-DDGS inclusion is balancing price and levels to minimize costs without affecting performance and revenue. Tools developed showed that when HP-DDGS costs up to 97.02 % of soybean meal and 66.75 % above corn, its inclusion at 40 % allows optimal cost-benefit and maximized returns.

{"title":"A case study on the cost-benefit perspective on the influence of high-protein Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles (HP-DDGS) pricing and inclusion levels on economic sustainability in pig production","authors":"Pollyana Leite Matioli Garbossa , Mirele Daiana Poleti , Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa , Laya Kannan Silva Alves , Rhuan Filipe Chaves , Vinícius de Souza Cantarelli , José Bento Sterman Ferraz","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105632","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105632","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Conducting an economic analysis is essential to evaluate the feasibility of including HP-DDGS in feed, aiming to optimize costs and improve economic returns for producers. In this sense, we conducted an economic analysis of high-protein Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles (HP-DDGS) inclusion in pig diets, aiming to guide pig producers in decision-making for efficient use of production factors and favorable economic outcomes. Performance data were obtained from a nursery-to-finishing experiment with 500 piglets, assigned to one of five HP-DDGS inclusion levels: 0 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, and 40 %. The economic analysis, based on Neoclassical Economic Theory, considered implicit and explicit costs across production settings in two economic distinct scenarios. Additionally, two tools were developed to optimize HP-DDGS inclusion for the best cost-benefit ratio and economic return, focusing on the nutrition cost per kilogram of pig produced. Results indicated that HP-DDGS inclusion in the nursery phase could reduce feed costs and enhance economic returns. Despite being costlier than corn, HP-DDGS offered a better cost-benefit than diets without HP-DDGS. Even when feed costs rose in the scenario where HP-DDGS was pricier than corn and soybean meal, improved feed conversion and higher weights partially offset increased costs, maintaining economic viability. However, in nursery-to-finishing phases, higher HP-DDGS levels led to reduce performance. Under intermediate HP-DDGS pricing, lower production costs compensated for decrease in revenue, resulting in higher profitable. In contrast, high HP-DDGS pricing, coupled with reduced performance, led to economic inefficiency, failing to cover production costs. The challenge of HP-DDGS inclusion is balancing price and levels to minimize costs without affecting performance and revenue. Tools developed showed that when HP-DDGS costs up to 97.02 % of soybean meal and 66.75 % above corn, its inclusion at 40 % allows optimal cost-benefit and maximized returns.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 105632"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143095965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Dietary fibre fermentability quantitatively modulates faecal bacterial pathogens in sows and their offspring

IF 1.8 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105636

Łukasz Grześkowiak, Wilfried Vahjen, Jürgen Zentek

Dietary fibre is essential in shaping the gut microbiota of pigs, affecting their health. We hypothesised that different fibre fermentability in diets could impact the faecal microbiota and pathogen levels in pigs. The sows were fed diets supplemented with sugar beet pulp (SBP) or lignocellulose (LNC). Faecal samples from sows during gestation and lactation and from their piglets were subjected to DNA extraction, 16SrDNA sequencing and qPCR. In sows, Clostridium perfringens concentration was higher in LNC vs. SBP group at baseline. Seven days ante-partum, Escherichia coli-Hafnia-Shigella and segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) were higher in LNC vs. SBP (p = 0.015, p = 0.005, respectively), while Clostridioides difficile was higher in sows fed SBP vs. LNC (p = 0.029). One week post-partum, E. coli-Hafnia-Shigella and SFB were higher in LNC vs. SBP (p = 0.035, p = 0.032, respectively). Microbiota sequencing analysis showed age-based clustering of the piglets. In one-week-old piglets, the counts of C. difficile and TcdA were higher in LNC vs. SBP (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). In 21-day-old piglets, C. perfringens was higher in LNC vs. SBP (p = 0.018). At weaning, E. coli-Hafnia-Shigella and C. perfringens were higher in piglets from LNC vs. SBP (p = 0.004 and p = 0.037, respectively). Two days post-weaning, C. perfringens was higher in piglets from LNC vs. SBP (p = 0.034). One week postweaning, Streptococcus suis was higher in piglets from SBP vs. LNC (p = 0.002). Two weeks post-weaning, E. coli-Hafnia-Shigella was higher in piglets from LNC vs. SBP (p = 0.048). Maternal dietary fibre influences early microbial programming in piglets, potentially affecting their susceptibility to gut pathogens. These findings highlight the importance of sow nutrition in shaping offspring resilience to infections and health.

{"title":"Dietary fibre fermentability quantitatively modulates faecal bacterial pathogens in sows and their offspring","authors":"Łukasz Grześkowiak, Wilfried Vahjen, Jürgen Zentek","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105636","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105636","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dietary fibre is essential in shaping the gut microbiota of pigs, affecting their health. We hypothesised that different fibre fermentability in diets could impact the faecal microbiota and pathogen levels in pigs. The sows were fed diets supplemented with sugar beet pulp (SBP) or lignocellulose (LNC). Faecal samples from sows during gestation and lactation and from their piglets were subjected to DNA extraction, 16SrDNA sequencing and qPCR. In sows, <em>Clostridium perfringens</em> concentration was higher in LNC vs. SBP group at baseline. Seven days ante-partum, <em>Escherichia coli</em>-<em>Hafnia</em>-<em>Shigella</em> and segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) were higher in LNC vs. SBP (<em>p</em> = 0.015, <em>p</em> = 0.005, respectively), while <em>Clostridioides difficile</em> was higher in sows fed SBP vs. LNC (<em>p</em> = 0.029). One week post-partum, <em>E. coli-Hafnia-Shigella</em> and SFB were higher in LNC vs. SBP (<em>p</em> = 0.035, <em>p</em> = 0.032, respectively). Microbiota sequencing analysis showed age-based clustering of the piglets. In one-week-old piglets, the counts of <em>C. difficile</em> and TcdA were higher in LNC vs. SBP (<em>p</em> = 0.001 and <em>p</em> = 0.002, respectively). In 21-day-old piglets, <em>C. perfringens</em> was higher in LNC vs. SBP (<em>p</em> = 0.018). At weaning, <em>E. coli-Hafnia-Shigella</em> and <em>C. perfringens</em> were higher in piglets from LNC vs. SBP (<em>p</em> = 0.004 and <em>p</em> = 0.037, respectively). Two days post-weaning, <em>C. perfringens</em> was higher in piglets from LNC vs. SBP (<em>p</em> = 0.034). One week postweaning, <em>Streptococcus suis</em> was higher in piglets from SBP vs. LNC (<em>p</em> = 0.002). Two weeks post-weaning, <em>E. coli-Hafnia-Shigella</em> was higher in piglets from LNC vs. SBP (<em>p</em> = 0.048). Maternal dietary fibre influences early microbial programming in piglets, potentially affecting their susceptibility to gut pathogens. These findings highlight the importance of sow nutrition in shaping offspring resilience to infections and health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 105636"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143095967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Fast across all distances: Genetic parameters and selection for racing time in Quarter Horses using a random regression model

IF 1.8 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105653

Thiago G.B. Franco , Annaiza B. Bignardi , Ricardo A.S. Faria , Antônio R. Silva , Josineudson A.II V. Silva , Mário L. Santana

The Quarter Horse, renowned for its exceptional speed and versatility, is one of the most prominent breeds in short-distance racing. Despite this, there is a lack of studies on the performance of these animals across different distances, particularly using an approach that accounts for the longitudinal nature of racing performance. Our objectives in this study were to apply a random regression model (RRM) to estimate genetic parameters for racing time (RT) at different distances in Brazilian Quarter Horses and to examine the genetic trends in performance over recent years. A total of 21,173 records from 4,482 horses that competed in races of varying distances were used. The heritability and repeatability estimates ranged from 0.05 ± 0.02 to 0.22 ± 0.03 and from 0.17 ± 0.02 to 0.48 ± 0.04 for shorter to longer distances, respectively. The genetic correlations for RT between different race distances were very high and positive, with the lowest correlation observed between the 275 m and 402 m distances (0.84 ± 0.12). The RRM effectively identified animals with stable and variable genetic merit across distances. Genetic trends for RT were favorable across races of all distances. Selecting for RT in longer distances may enhance speed across all distances. This longitudinal evaluation proved effective for analyzing performance, revealing important genetic progress in the Brazilian Quarter Horse population, particularly in 402 m races.

{"title":"Fast across all distances: Genetic parameters and selection for racing time in Quarter Horses using a random regression model","authors":"Thiago G.B. Franco , Annaiza B. Bignardi , Ricardo A.S. Faria , Antônio R. Silva , Josineudson A.II V. Silva , Mário L. Santana","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105653","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105653","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Quarter Horse, renowned for its exceptional speed and versatility, is one of the most prominent breeds in short-distance racing. Despite this, there is a lack of studies on the performance of these animals across different distances, particularly using an approach that accounts for the longitudinal nature of racing performance. Our objectives in this study were to apply a random regression model (RRM) to estimate genetic parameters for racing time (RT) at different distances in Brazilian Quarter Horses and to examine the genetic trends in performance over recent years. A total of 21,173 records from 4,482 horses that competed in races of varying distances were used. The heritability and repeatability estimates ranged from 0.05 ± 0.02 to 0.22 ± 0.03 and from 0.17 ± 0.02 to 0.48 ± 0.04 for shorter to longer distances, respectively. The genetic correlations for RT between different race distances were very high and positive, with the lowest correlation observed between the 275 m and 402 m distances (0.84 ± 0.12). The RRM effectively identified animals with stable and variable genetic merit across distances. Genetic trends for RT were favorable across races of all distances. Selecting for RT in longer distances may enhance speed across all distances. This longitudinal evaluation proved effective for analyzing performance, revealing important genetic progress in the Brazilian Quarter Horse population, particularly in 402 m races.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 105653"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143342765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

She-camel (Camelus Dromedarius) reproductive status and biochemical blood parameters assay in extensive breeding in southern Algeria

IF 1.8 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105646

Rabah Kelanemer , Djallel Adel , Bachir Medrouh , Redha Belala , Sabrina Sellali , Amina Saidi , Ammar Kalem , Yasmine Rahmoune , Naima Dellal , Said Fettata , Nassim Moula , Hocine Ziam

Despite its importance to social and economic life in arid and semi-arid regions of Algeria, the dromedary camels has received little scientific attention in our country. This research focuses on two aspects of this animal in its natural environment. An individual monitoring of 14 reproductive parameters in 110 breeding camelids over 18 months and a single analysis of blood biochemical parameters in 212 animals was performed. The results reveal that the camel breeding season lasts from October to June, with an oestrus or “heat” duration (7.7 ± 1.4 days), mating duration (25±10 min), gestation duration (377 ± 9.4 days), labour duration (37.7 ± 15 min), delivery duration (37.9 ± 10 min), duration of return to oestrus after parturition (30.3 ± 11.7 days), average duration between parturition and fertilising oestrus (216 ± 137.7 days), rate of females returning to oestrus after parturition (77.2 %), fertility rate (54.11±10.6 %). Our findings for blood biochemical parameters show average glycemia (1.21 ± 0.04 g/l), proteinemia (63.8 ± 73 g/l), uremia (432.54 ± 17.4 mg/l), triglyceride levels (487.66 ± 86 mg/l), cholesterol (318.7 ± 32 mg/l), lipids (3 ± 0.31 g/l), calcium (87.45 ± 3.7 mg/l), phosphorus (46.5 ± 3.95 mg/l) and magnesium (23.47 ± 2.25 mg/l). Statistical analysis indicates that age, gender, and production status significantly affected most of blood biochemical parameters (p ≤ 0.001). The findings were compared to those of other authors from other countries. Research, understanding, and improvement of the dromedary camels breeding system remain crucial in Algeria.

{"title":"She-camel (Camelus Dromedarius) reproductive status and biochemical blood parameters assay in extensive breeding in southern Algeria","authors":"Rabah Kelanemer , Djallel Adel , Bachir Medrouh , Redha Belala , Sabrina Sellali , Amina Saidi , Ammar Kalem , Yasmine Rahmoune , Naima Dellal , Said Fettata , Nassim Moula , Hocine Ziam","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105646","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105646","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite its importance to social and economic life in arid and semi-arid regions of Algeria, the dromedary camels has received little scientific attention in our country. This research focuses on two aspects of this animal in its natural environment. An individual monitoring of 14 reproductive parameters in 110 breeding camelids over 18 months and a single analysis of blood biochemical parameters in 212 animals was performed. The results reveal that the camel breeding season lasts from October to June, with an oestrus or “heat” duration (7.7 ± 1.4 days), mating duration (25±10 min), gestation duration (377 ± 9.4 days), labour duration (37.7 ± 15 min), delivery duration (37.9 ± 10 min), duration of return to oestrus after parturition (30.3 ± 11.7 days), average duration between parturition and fertilising oestrus (216 ± 137.7 days), rate of females returning to oestrus after parturition (77.2 %), fertility rate (54.11±10.6 %). Our findings for blood biochemical parameters show average glycemia (1.21 ± 0.04 g/l), proteinemia (63.8 ± 73 g/l), uremia (432.54 ± 17.4 mg/l), triglyceride levels (487.66 ± 86 mg/l), cholesterol (318.7 ± 32 mg/l), lipids (3 ± 0.31 g/l), calcium (87.45 ± 3.7 mg/l), phosphorus (46.5 ± 3.95 mg/l) and magnesium (23.47 ± 2.25 mg/l). Statistical analysis indicates that age, gender, and production status significantly affected most of blood biochemical parameters (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.001). The findings were compared to those of other authors from other countries. Research, understanding, and improvement of the dromedary camels breeding system remain crucial in Algeria.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 105646"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143135604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Substituting barley with soya bean hulls in the concentrate offered to beef cattle as a supplement to grass silage or ad libitum: Intake, feed efficiency, carcass and selected meat quality traits

IF 1.8 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105634

M. McGee , C. Lenehan , D. Magee , E.G. O'Riordan , A.K. Kelly , A.P. Moloney

There is growing interest in human-inedible by-product feed ingredients as a substitute to cereals in concentrate feedstuffs for beef cattle. Three experiments were carried out to determine the effects of complete or partial replacement of rolled barley with soya bean hulls (SH) in the concentrate, offered as a supplement to perennial rye-grass dominant grass silage or ad libitum, on intake, rumen fermentation, feed efficiency, carcass characteristics and selected meat quality traits of beef cattle. The control concentrates were based on (g/kg fresh weight) rolled barley (860 g/kg), soya bean meal (60 g/kg), cane molasses (50 g/kg), and minerals and vitamins (25 g/kg), and in the treatment concentrates, barley (+ soya bean meal) was replaced with SH. Inclusion levels of SH (g/kg fresh weight) were; SH- 0 and 933 (Experiment 1); SH- 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 (Experiments 2a and 2b). Concentrates were offered to growing cattle as a supplement to grass silage in Experiment 1 for 90 days and in Experiment 2a for 71 days (1.7 and 3.0 kg dry matter (DM) daily, respectively), and in Experiment 2b ad libitum to finishing cattle for 70 days. In Experiment 1, inclusion of SH in the concentrate supplement had no effect on total DM intake, live weight gain (LWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) or on the acetate-to-propionate ratio in rumen fluid. In Experiment 2a, there was a linear decrease in LWG and a linear increase in FCR as the level of SH inclusion in the concentrate increased. Total DM intake did not differ between concentrate treatments. In Experiment 2b, there was a linear increase in DM intake and FCR, and a linear decrease in LWG, slaughter weight, carcass weight and carcass fat score as the level of SH inclusion in the concentrate increased. In Experiment 2b, increasing the inclusion level of SH in the concentrate, did not affect M. longissimus muscle colour, linearly increased the proportion of total saturated fatty acids, vaccenic, linolenic and conjugated linoleic acids, and linearly decreased the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids in M. longissimus muscle. In conclusion, SH and rolled barley had equivalent feeding value for beef cattle at low concentrate supplementation levels to grass silage, but barley was superior to SH at moderate concentrate supplementation levels, and particularly in high-concentrate finishing diets. Soya bean hull inclusion had little effect on fat and muscle colour but improved the fatty acid composition of M. longissimus muscle in terms of human nutrition.

{"title":"Substituting barley with soya bean hulls in the concentrate offered to beef cattle as a supplement to grass silage or ad libitum: Intake, feed efficiency, carcass and selected meat quality traits","authors":"M. McGee , C. Lenehan , D. Magee , E.G. O'Riordan , A.K. Kelly , A.P. Moloney","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105634","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105634","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is growing interest in human-inedible by-product feed ingredients as a substitute to cereals in concentrate feedstuffs for beef cattle. Three experiments were carried out to determine the effects of complete or partial replacement of rolled barley with soya bean hulls (SH) in the concentrate, offered as a supplement to perennial rye-grass dominant grass silage or <em>ad libitum</em>, on intake, rumen fermentation, feed efficiency, carcass characteristics and selected meat quality traits of beef cattle. The control concentrates were based on (g/kg fresh weight) rolled barley (860 g/kg), soya bean meal (60 g/kg), cane molasses (50 g/kg), and minerals and vitamins (25 g/kg), and in the treatment concentrates, barley (+ soya bean meal) was replaced with SH. Inclusion levels of SH (g/kg fresh weight) were; SH- 0 and 933 (Experiment 1); SH- 0, 200, 400, 600 and 800 (Experiments 2a and 2b). Concentrates were offered to growing cattle as a supplement to grass silage in Experiment 1 for 90 days and in Experiment 2a for 71 days (1.7 and 3.0 kg dry matter (DM) daily, respectively), and in Experiment 2b <em>ad libitum</em> to finishing cattle for 70 days. In Experiment 1, inclusion of SH in the concentrate supplement had no effect on total DM intake, live weight gain (LWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) or on the acetate-to-propionate ratio in rumen fluid. In Experiment 2a, there was a linear decrease in LWG and a linear increase in FCR as the level of SH inclusion in the concentrate increased. Total DM intake did not differ between concentrate treatments. In Experiment 2b, there was a linear increase in DM intake and FCR, and a linear decrease in LWG, slaughter weight, carcass weight and carcass fat score as the level of SH inclusion in the concentrate increased. In Experiment 2b, increasing the inclusion level of SH in the concentrate, did not affect <em>M. longissimus</em> muscle colour, linearly increased the proportion of total saturated fatty acids, vaccenic, linolenic and conjugated linoleic acids, and linearly decreased the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids in <em>M. longissimus</em> muscle. In conclusion, SH and rolled barley had equivalent feeding value for beef cattle at low concentrate supplementation levels to grass silage, but barley was superior to SH at moderate concentrate supplementation levels, and particularly in high-concentrate finishing diets. Soya bean hull inclusion had little effect on fat and muscle colour but improved the fatty acid composition of <em>M. longissimus</em> muscle in terms of human nutrition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 105634"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143095968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0