Livestock Science最新文献_第7页

Genomic scans for selection signatures revealed candidate genes for adaptation and production traits in the Thai multibreed dairy cattle population 选择特征的基因组扫描揭示了泰国多品种奶牛种群适应和生产性状的候选基因

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-08-15 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105803

Thawee Laodim , Skorn Koonawootrittriron , Mauricio A. Elzo , Thanathip Suwanasopee , Danai Jattawa , Mattaneeya Sarakul

The genetic improvement of dairy cattle for tropical environments demands a balance between high productivity and adaptability. Although previous studies have explored genomic signatures in various cattle breeds, limited insights exist for the genetically diverse Thai multibreed dairy cattle population developed through crossbreeding of multiple Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds with Holstein. This study aimed to uncover selection signatures and candidate genes underpinning adaptation and production traits in this population. Using genotype data from 2661 animals (73,762 SNPs), population structure was revealed via Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC), identifying four genetically distinct groups. Integrated haplotype score (iHS) analysis identified 376 to 500 genomic regions under selection across groups, harboring 962 to 1657 genes. Seven strong candidate genes – KLF12, MAP2K6, SPATA16, LAMA2, SLC25A28, WNT7A, and HHIPL2 – were linked to milk yield, fat synthesis, immune response, and adaptation. Annotation revealed 5036 to 7970 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) per group, with 26.53 % to 28–84 % overlapping with milk traits in groups 1 to 3, and 24.96 % with meat traits in group 4. The QTL enrichment highlighted significant traits such as milk fat yield, immunoglobulin G levels, tick resistance, and coat color, reflecting environmental selection pressures. These findings demonstrate how artificial selection shaped the genomic landscape of Thai dairy cattle, influencing traits critical for productivity, health, and climate resilience. This study provides a foundation for genomic selection strategies tailored to tropical dairy systems and underscores the potential of genetic marker information to enhance dairy cattle efficiency, productivity, and sustainability under region-specific challenges.

热带环境下奶牛的遗传改良需要在高产和适应性之间取得平衡。虽然以前的研究已经探索了各种牛品种的基因组特征，但通过将多个牛品种和牛品种与荷斯坦杂交而形成的遗传多样性泰国多品种奶牛种群的见解有限。本研究旨在揭示该种群适应和生产性状的选择特征和候选基因。利用2661只动物（73762个snp）的基因型数据，通过主成分判别分析（Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components， DAPC）揭示了种群结构，确定了4个遗传上不同的群体。综合单倍型评分（iHS）分析确定了376至500个基因组区域，其中包含962至1657个基因。七个强有力的候选基因——KLF12、MAP2K6、SPATA16、LAMA2、SLC25A28、WNT7A和HHIPL2——与产奶量、脂肪合成、免疫反应和适应有关。每组共有5036 ~ 7970个qtl，其中1 ~ 3组与乳性状重叠率为26.53% ~ 28 ~ 84%，4组与肉性状重叠率为24.96%。QTL富集突出了乳脂产量、免疫球蛋白G水平、蜱虫抗性和毛色等显著性状，反映了环境选择压力。这些发现证明了人工选择如何塑造了泰国奶牛的基因组景观，影响了对生产力、健康和气候适应能力至关重要的性状。该研究为针对热带奶牛系统的基因组选择策略提供了基础，并强调了遗传标记信息在提高奶牛效率、生产力和区域特定挑战下的可持续性方面的潜力。

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引用次数: 0

The impact of heat stress on growth and resilience phenotypes of sheep raised in a semi-arid environment of sub-Saharan Africa 热应激对在撒哈拉以南非洲半干旱环境中饲养的绵羊生长和恢复表型的影响

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-08-06 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105794

E. Oyieng , J.M.K Ojango , M. Gauly , C.C. Ekine-Dzivenu , R. Mrode , E.L. Clark , R. Oloo , S. König

Sheep production in Arid and Semi-Arid lands face immense heat stress with the changing climate. This study assessed the effect of heat stress on growth and developed resilience phenotypes of sheep raised in a semi-arid environment. Heat stress was measured by Temperature-Humidity Index (THI). Live body weight records of 4078 animals, belonging to pure Red Maasai (RRRR), pure Dorper (DDDD), and their crosses: 50%Dorper-50%RedMaasai (DDRR) and 75%Dorper-25%Red Maasai (DDDR) collected between 2003 and 2024 were analysed. Random regression models fitted with reaction norm functions were used to develop two resilience phenotypes: Response and Stability, at THI 70 and THI 85 representing varying heat stress. Animal mixed models were used to estimate genetic parameters. The THI breakpoints were 78.75, 78.71, 78.42 and 77.93 with a decline rate of 0.06 Kgs, 0.09 Kgs, 0.05 Kgs and 0.15 in live weight gain per unit change in THI for RRRR, DDDD, DDRR and DDDR respectively. The breed, sex, type of birth, dams’ parity and season of birth significantly (P<0.05) affected the stability of growth at low and high heat stress. The heritability estimates of resilience traits ranged from 0.12 to 0.16. Genetic correlations of resilience phenotypes at THI 85 with pre-weaning live weight gain were antagonistic and significant (P<0.05). With the changing climate, resilience phenotypes should be included in selection programs for sheep in the Arid and Semi-Arid lands for robust growth.

随着气候的变化，干旱和半干旱地区的绵羊生产面临着巨大的热应激。本研究评估了热应激对半干旱环境下饲养的绵羊生长和发育弹性表型的影响。采用温湿指数（THI）测定热应激。分析了2003 - 2024年收集的4078只纯红马赛（RRRR）、纯杜珀（DDDD）及其杂交品种：50%杜珀-50%红马赛（DDRR）和75%杜珀-25%红马赛（DDDR）的活体重记录。采用反应范数函数拟合的随机回归模型建立了两种恢复表型：反应和稳定，分别在THI 70和THI 85下代表不同的热应激。采用动物混合模型估计遗传参数。RRRR、DDDD、DDRR和DDDR的THI断点分别为78.75、78.71、78.42和77.93，THI单位变化活重增重下降幅度分别为0.06、0.09、0.05和0.15 kg。低、高热应激条件下，品种、性别、出生类型、胎次和出生季节对生长稳定性影响显著（P<0.05）。弹性性状的遗传力估计范围为0.12 ~ 0.16。THI 85的恢复力表型与断奶前活重增加呈拮抗且显著的遗传相关（P<0.05）。随着气候的变化，为了使干旱和半干旱地区的绵羊茁壮成长，应将适应力表型纳入选择方案。

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引用次数: 0

Effect of black garlic powder on immunoglobulin protein levels, hematological indicators, antioxidant capacity, and growth performance in broiler chickens 黑蒜粉对肉鸡免疫球蛋白水平、血液学指标、抗氧化能力和生长性能的影响

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-08-05 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105791

Mokhtar Fathi , Kianoosh Zarrinkavyani , Zahra Biranvand , Shiva Maleki

Black garlic (BG), a fermented form of Allium sativum L., is produced under carefully controlled conditions of temperature, humidity, and time. It contains numerous bioactive compounds that contribute to its medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. A total of 500 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly assigned to five treatment groups, each with five replicate pens (20 birds per pen). Dietary treatments were as follows: (1) control (fed a basal diet), (2) BGP-10 (basal diet + 10 g/kg black garlic powder), (3) BGP-20 (basal diet + 20 g/kg black garlic powder), (4) BGP-30 (basal diet + 30 g/kg black garlic powder), and (5) BGP-40 (basal diet + 40 g/kg black garlic powder). Results showed that birds in the BGP-20 group exhibited significantly higher body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI), along with improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and lower mortality rates compared to other groups (P < 0.05). Additionally, supplementation of garlic powder at 20 g/kg and more led to increased red blood cell (RBC) counts, hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, while reducing triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in serum (P < 0.05). Antioxidant analysis revealed that birds receiving up to 20 g/kg of black garlic powder had higher glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, along with lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels than those in other treatments (P < 0.05). Furthermore, supplementation with black garlic at levels up to 20 g/kg significantly increased immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations compared to other groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, incorporating 20 g/kg of black garlic (the fermented form of garlic) into poultry diets may enhance oxidative balance, growth performance, and immune in broiler chickens.

黑蒜（BG）是Allium sativum L.的一种发酵形式，是在精心控制的温度、湿度和时间条件下生产的。它含有许多生物活性化合物，有助于其药用特性，包括抗炎和抗癌作用。试验选用1日龄雄性罗斯308肉鸡500只，随机分为5个处理组，每组设5个重复栏（每个栏20只）。饲粮处理为：(1)对照组（饲喂基础饲粮）、(2)bp -10（基础饲粮+ 10 g/kg黑蒜粉）、(3)bp -20（基础饲粮+ 20 g/kg黑蒜粉）、(4)bp -30（基础饲粮+ 30 g/kg黑蒜粉）、(5)bp -40（基础饲粮+ 40 g/kg黑蒜粉）。结果表明，与其他各组相比，bp -20组鸟类的增重（BWG）和采食量（FI）显著增加，饲料系数（FCR）显著提高，死亡率显著降低(P <；0.05)。此外，添加20 g/kg及以上的大蒜粉可增加红细胞（RBC）计数、血红蛋白（HGB）、红细胞压积（HCT）和高密度脂蛋白（HDL）水平，同时降低血清中甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL）、天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）和丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）水平(P和lt；0.05)。抗氧化分析显示，与其他处理相比，接受高达20 g/kg黑蒜粉的鸟类具有更高的谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性，以及更低的丙二醛（MDA）水平(P <；0.05)。此外，与其他组相比，添加20 g/kg水平的黑蒜显著提高了免疫球蛋白g （IgG）和免疫球蛋白M （IgM）浓度(P <；0.05)。综上所述，饲粮中添加20 g/kg黑蒜（大蒜的发酵形式）可改善肉鸡的氧化平衡、生长性能和免疫力。

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引用次数: 0

Assessment of welfare in pigs with docked and undocked tails during the weaner stage 断尾和未断尾猪在断奶期的福利评估

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-07-31 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105792

Aloma Zoratti , Isabella Pividori , Mirco Corazzin , Gianluca Chiarelli , Luigi Faucitano , Anna Zuliani , Edi Piasentier

Tail integrity is a key welfare target in European pig farming. This study evaluated the welfare condition of weaner (28–84 days old) pigs with docked (D) and undocked (UD) tails on a commercial farm, following National Reference Center for Animal Welfare and WelfareQuality® standards. Animal-Based Measures and the hormonal quantification of cortisol (CORT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA(S)) in bristle samples were assessed in 295 pigs distributed in 16 pens. Pigs were born from 24 homogenous sows, distributed across four consecutive weekly batches, and were balanced by sex. Compared with D pigs, UD pigs presented more injuries in the tail (P = 0.02) and on the body (P < 0.01), with tail biting occurrences peaking halfway through the post-weaning phase. Body injuries increased over time, particularly in UD pigs, correlating with rising stocking density. D pigs displayed a straight tail posture more frequently (P < 0.01), suggesting a more positive emotional state. Regardless of tail condition, the use of environmental enrichments declined over time (P = 0.03) as novelty diminished. Hormonal analysis revealed sex-related differences in resilience, with females showing higher CORT and CORT/DHEA(S) ratio and lower DHEA(S) levels than castrated males (P < 0.01). There was a tendency toward higher CORT/DHEA(S) ratio in UD pigs than D ones (P = 0.06), indicating a greater activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to restore homeostatic conditions. Multivariate analysis linked body lesions, stress markers, and negative interactions, highlighting welfare’s multifactorial nature. Tail integrity alone may be misleading as a welfare indicator. A holistic assessment, integrating physical, emotional, and physiological factors, is crucial for improving management strategies for UD pigs on commercial farms.

尾巴完整性是欧洲养猪业的一个关键福利目标。本研究按照国家动物福利和福利质量参考中心®标准，评估了商业农场断奶猪（28-84日龄）断尾(D)和未断尾（UD）的福利状况。对分布在16个猪圈的295头猪进行了猪鬃样本中皮质醇（CORT）和硫酸脱氢表雄酮（DHEA(S)）的动物测量和激素定量分析。猪由24头同质母猪出生，分布在连续四个周批次，并按性别平衡。与D猪相比，UD猪在尾部（P = 0.02）和身体(P <；0.01)，咬尾事件在断奶后的中期达到峰值。身体损伤随着时间的推移而增加，特别是在UD猪中，这与饲养密度的增加有关。D型猪更频繁地表现出直尾姿态(P <；0.01)，表明更积极的情绪状态。无论尾部条件如何，随着新颖性的降低，环境富集的使用随着时间的推移而下降（P = 0.03）。激素分析揭示了恢复力的性别差异，与阉割的男性相比，女性的CORT和CORT/DHEA(S)比值较高，DHEA(S)水平较低(P <；0.01)。与D组相比，D组的CORT/DHEA(S)比值有更高的趋势（P = 0.06），表明下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴的激活程度更高，以恢复体内平衡状态。多变量分析将身体病变、压力标记和负面互动联系起来，突出了福利的多因素性质。尾巴完整性本身作为福利指标可能具有误导性。综合身体、情感和生理因素的全面评估对于改善商业农场对UD猪的管理策略至关重要。

{"title":"Assessment of welfare in pigs with docked and undocked tails during the weaner stage","authors":"Aloma Zoratti , Isabella Pividori , Mirco Corazzin , Gianluca Chiarelli , Luigi Faucitano , Anna Zuliani , Edi Piasentier","doi":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105792","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105792","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tail integrity is a key welfare target in European pig farming. This study evaluated the welfare condition of weaner (28–84 days old) pigs with docked (D) and undocked (UD) tails on a commercial farm, following National Reference Center for Animal Welfare and WelfareQuality® standards. Animal-Based Measures and the hormonal quantification of cortisol (CORT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA(S)) in bristle samples were assessed in 295 pigs distributed in 16 pens. Pigs were born from 24 homogenous sows, distributed across four consecutive weekly batches, and were balanced by sex. Compared with D pigs, UD pigs presented more injuries in the tail (<em>P</em> = 0.02) and on the body (<em>P</em> < 0.01), with tail biting occurrences peaking halfway through the post-weaning phase. Body injuries increased over time, particularly in UD pigs, correlating with rising stocking density. D pigs displayed a straight tail posture more frequently (<em>P</em> < 0.01), suggesting a more positive emotional state. Regardless of tail condition, the use of environmental enrichments declined over time (<em>P</em> = 0.03) as novelty diminished. Hormonal analysis revealed sex-related differences in resilience, with females showing higher CORT and CORT/DHEA(S) ratio and lower DHEA(S) levels than castrated males (<em>P</em> < 0.01). There was a tendency toward higher CORT/DHEA(S) ratio in UD pigs than D ones (<em>P</em> = 0.06), indicating a greater activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to restore homeostatic conditions. Multivariate analysis linked body lesions, stress markers, and negative interactions, highlighting welfare’s multifactorial nature. Tail integrity alone may be misleading as a welfare indicator. A holistic assessment, integrating physical, emotional, and physiological factors, is crucial for improving management strategies for UD pigs on commercial farms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18152,"journal":{"name":"Livestock Science","volume":"300 ","pages":"Article 105792"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144770582","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

Feed intake, milk production, and nutrient use efficiency with early lactating Norwegian Red dairy cows fed concentrates with varying levels of local ingredients 挪威红奶牛采食量、产奶量和营养物质利用效率的研究

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-07-29 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105790

K.S. Eikanger , M. Eknæs , J.K. Sommerseth , I.J. Karlengen , I. Schei , M. Silberberg , A. Kidane

We evaluated the effects of replacing imported soya protein and carbohydrate ingredients in concentrate feeds with alkalised barley in dairy cow diets with grass silage as a basal diet. Eight multiparous early lactation Norwegian Red dairy (NRF) cows with an initial daily milk yield (MY±SD) of 30.5 ± 5.94 kg were used in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design experiment of four 35-day experimental periods. Four roughly isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were included: a positive control with a higher share of imported ingredients, including soya as a protein source (Soya-F), two concentrates including alkalised barley (Alka-diets), differing in pre-pelleting particle size (i.e., Alka fine = Alka-F, and Alka coarse = Alka-C), and a negative control with the same basal ingredients as the Alka-diets but with untreated barley and added feed-grade urea replacing the alkalised barley (Urea-F). Grass silage was offered ad libitum and concentrate requirement for individual cows was calculated based on Soya-F. The Soya-F was then quantitatively replaced by the other three concentrate feeds. Feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk production, nutrient use efficiency, and serum metabolites were measured. Replacing Soya-F with Alka-diets did not affect feed intake, digestibility, and milk production. However, Alka-diets supported a greater milk yield than Urea-F, which in turn improved feed utilisation efficiency for Alka-diets without altered N efficiency. A coarser pre-pelleting structure of Alka-C resulted in a lower starch digestibility compared to Alka-F. In conclusion, alkaline-treated barley has the potential to replace soya in concentrates for NRF dairy cows without compromising production efficiency.

本研究评估了以草料青贮为基础日粮的奶牛饲粮中用碱化大麦替代浓缩饲料中进口大豆蛋白和碳水化合物成分的效果。选取8头初始日产奶量（MY±SD）为30.5±5.94 kg的多产早期泌乳挪威红奶牛，进行4 × 4重复拉丁方设计试验，试验期为4个35 d。包括四种大致等氮和等能的饲粮：阳性对照，进口成分的比例较高，包括大豆作为蛋白质来源（大豆- f）；两种浓缩物，包括碱化大麦（碱化大麦饲粮），预颗粒大小不同（即，碱细= Alka- f，碱粗= Alka- c）；阴性对照，与碱化大麦饲粮的基础成分相同，但未经处理的大麦和添加饲料级尿素代替碱化大麦（尿素- f）。以大豆- f为基础，计算单头奶牛的精料需要量。然后用其他三种浓缩饲料定量替代大豆- f。测定采食量、营养物质消化率、产奶量、营养物质利用效率和血清代谢产物。用alka日粮代替大豆f对采食量、消化率和产奶量没有影响。然而，与尿素- f相比，alka饲粮支持更高的产奶量，这反过来提高了alka饲粮的饲料利用效率，而不改变氮的效率。与Alka-F相比，Alka-C较粗的预制粒结构导致淀粉消化率较低。综上所述，碱处理大麦有潜力在不影响生产效率的情况下替代非rf奶牛精料中的大豆。

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引用次数: 0

Intensive vs. environmentally sustainable: The livestock dilemma 集约化vs.环境可持续：畜牧业的困境

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-07-26 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105789

Alessia Lombardi , Giovanna Bifulco , Giuseppe Campanile , Gianluca Neglia , Nadia Piscopo , Antonio Paparella , Luigi Cembalo

Agricultural intensification is central to the modernization narrative, promoting efficiency and productivity, particularly in the dairy sector. Despite potential efficiency gains, intensive farming faces criticism for its environmental impact, particularly concerning greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient runoff, raising concerns about their long-term environmental sustainability. This study empirically investigates the interplay of farm intensification, environmental sustainability, and economic efficiency in the livestock sector. It uniquely analyses how intensification and environmental performance, the latter measured by the Agri-Environmental Footprint Index, influence the technical efficiency of buffalo dairy farms. To this end, this research employs the Stochastic Frontier Analysis to a sample of 198 buffalo farms within Italy's Protected Designation of Origin area, using the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) for the period 2010 to 2022. Results highlighted that the adoption of intensive practices in buffalo farming represents a winning solution from the standpoint of technical efficiency, while acting sustainably does not pay off from a technical and economic point of view. These results stimulate reflections on the effectiveness of policies supporting livestock farms, offering insights for both practitioners and policymakers to improve agricultural practices while maintaining economic viability.

农业集约化是现代化叙事的核心，可以提高效率和生产力，特别是在乳制品部门。尽管集约化农业可能提高效率，但其对环境的影响仍受到批评，特别是在温室气体排放和养分流失方面，这引起了人们对其长期环境可持续性的担忧。本研究实证调查了农业集约化、环境可持续性和畜牧业经济效率之间的相互作用。它独特地分析了集约化和环境绩效（后者由农业环境足迹指数衡量）如何影响水牛奶牛场的技术效率。为此，本研究使用农场会计数据网络（FADN），对2010年至2022年期间意大利原产地指定保护区内的198个水牛农场进行了随机前沿分析。结果强调，从技术效率的角度来看，在水牛养殖中采用集约化做法是一种成功的解决方案，而从技术和经济的角度来看，可持续地采取行动并没有回报。这些结果激发了对支持畜牧业的政策有效性的思考，为从业者和政策制定者提供了在保持经济可行性的同时改进农业实践的见解。

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引用次数: 0

Investigating cattle responses to acoustic signals to extend the functions of virtual fencing collars 研究牛对声信号的反应，扩展虚拟围栏项圈的功能

IF 1.9 3区农林科学 Q2 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-07-25 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105788

Lisa Wilms , Juliane Horn , Friederike Riesch , Dina Hamidi , Martin Komainda , Masud Hamidi , Johannes Isselstein

Virtual fencing uses collars that emit acoustic signals and, if necessary, electric pulses to indicate the fence line. In Europe, legalization is lacking because of animal welfare concerns over electric pulses. This study investigated whether acoustic signals can replace electric pulses and influence grazing livestock movement. Two experiments with eight to ten Fleckvieh heifers and a prototype virtual fencing collar that emits directional acoustic signals and vibrations were conducted over 36 days in 2023 and 32 days in 2024. In the first experiment, the heifers’ responses to different acoustic signals and vibrations were analyzed. Generalized linear mixed effect models with data from behavioral observations and heart rate measurements revealed that the heifers were unimpressed by the signals, as often no response was observed and the changes in heart rate appeared to be unrelated to the signaling. Furthermore, clear signs of quick habituation were found, suggesting the need to test different signals. In the second experiment, we tested whether the heifers could be taught to adjust their walking direction to directional acoustic signals while moving toward a feed source. The training protocol used proved ineffective in teaching heifers to associate an acoustic signal with a walking direction, as generalized linear mixed effect models revealed that the heifers approached the indicated feed source in less than 50 % of the cases. Instead, side preferences were detected for some heifers. A different training protocol is recommended for further studies to test whether directional acoustic signals can influence the movement of cattle.

虚拟围栏使用能发出声音信号的项圈，如果有必要，还会发出电脉冲来指示围栏线。在欧洲，由于对电脉冲的动物福利担忧，电脉冲还没有合法化。本文研究了声信号是否可以代替电脉冲影响放牧牲畜的运动。在2023年和2024年分别进行了36天和32天的两次实验，实验对象是8到10头Fleckvieh小母牛和一个发射定向声波信号和振动的虚拟围栏原型项圈。在第一个实验中，分析了小母牛对不同声音信号和振动的反应。基于行为观察和心率测量数据的广义线性混合效应模型显示，小母牛对信号不感兴趣，因为通常没有观察到任何反应，心率的变化似乎与信号无关。此外，还发现了快速适应的明显迹象，这表明有必要测试不同的信号。在第二个实验中，我们测试了是否可以教会小母牛在向饲料源移动时根据定向声信号调整其行走方向。所使用的训练方案在教授小母牛将声音信号与行走方向联系起来方面被证明是无效的，因为广义线性混合效应模型显示，在不到50%的情况下，小母牛接近指定的饲料源。相反，检测到一些小母牛的侧边偏好。建议采用不同的训练方案进行进一步研究，以测试定向声信号是否会影响牛的运动。

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引用次数: 0

Beef quality and expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in Nellore bulls finished with diets containing snaplage 饲喂含snaplage日粮的Nellore公牛牛肉品质及脂质代谢相关基因的表达

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

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-07-19 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105787

Edmilson H.R. Domingues, Thiago F. Bernardes, Gabrielli F. da Costa, Mateus P. Gionbelli, Daniel R. Casagrande, Priscilla D. Teixeira, Tathyane R.S. Gionbelli, Ana C.O. Santos, José Oliveira, Marcio M. Ladeira

The objective of this study was to analyze beef quality through chemical composition, color, and shear force, as well as the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism, in the muscle of Nellore bulls fed snaplage. Seventy-two Nellore bulls with an initial live weight of 400 ± 27.4 kg were used in a completely randomized design. Bulls were housed in 8 pens per treatment with three animals each, with pens considered the experimental units. The experimental diets were control, snaplage + ground corn (SNAP65, with 65% snaplage), and snaplage (SNAP85, with 85% snaplage). After an experimental period of 86 days, the animals were slaughtered by concussion stunning and severing of the jugular vein. After skinning, longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle samples were taken from the left half-carcass. Gene expressions were analyzed using the RT-qPCR technique. The chemical composition of the LT muscle was not influenced by the inclusion or absence of snaplage in the diet (P > 0.05). However, animals fed SNAP85 showed higher PPARG expression (P = 0.03). The muscle of young bulls fed SNAP65 and SNAP85 showed higher expression of the ACACA and SCD1 genes (P ≤ 0.03) than the control muscle. PC expression in the liver was higher for the control treatment than SNAP65 and SNAP85, while PEPCK2 had greater expression in animals fed control and SNAP85 treatments than in those fed SNAP65. We conclude that diets with snaplage can replace other types of diets and silages since they increase the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and do not affect qualitative beef attributes.

本研究的目的是通过化学成分、颜色、剪切力以及脂质代谢相关基因的表达来分析Nellore公牛饲喂snplage后肌肉的品质。选用72头初始活重为400±27.4 kg的内洛尔公牛，采用完全随机设计。公牛被安置在8个围栏中，每个围栏3只，围栏被视为实验单位。试验饲粮为对照饲粮、snapplage +玉米粉（SNAP65， snapplage含量65%）和snapplage （SNAP85， snapplage含量85%）。经过86天的实验，这些动物通过震荡休克和切断颈静脉进行屠宰。剥皮后，从左半胴体取胸最长肌（LT）肌肉样本。采用RT-qPCR技术分析基因表达。LT肌的化学成分不受饮食中是否含钠的影响(P >；0.05)。而饲喂SNAP85的动物PPARG表达较高（P = 0.03）。饲喂SNAP65和SNAP85的公牛肌肉中ACACA和SCD1基因的表达量高于对照组（P≤0.03）。对照组动物肝脏中PC的表达高于SNAP65和SNAP85，而PEPCK2在对照组和SNAP85处理动物中的表达高于SNAP65处理动物。我们得出的结论是，添加青贮饲料可以取代其他类型的饲料和青贮饲料，因为它们增加了参与脂肪生成的基因的表达，并且不影响牛肉的定性属性。

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引用次数: 0

Effect of inbreeding on reproductive, growth and morphological traits of Mertolenga cattle in Portugal 近交对葡萄牙Mertolenga牛繁殖、生长和形态性状的影响

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

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-07-18 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105786

Andreia Vitorino , George Stilwell , José Pais , Nuno Carolino

Inbreeding is a common issue in small breeds under conservation and larger breeds under selection, leading to genetic diversity loss, increased homozygosity, and inbreeding depression. This study estimated the effect of inbreeding (F_i) and inbreeding rate (ΔF_i) on productive, reproductive and morphological traits and assessed the impact of including these parameters in the animal model used to estimate their genetic parameters. Genealogical and production data from the Mertolenga herdbook were analyzed using MTDFREML software and mixed models to estimate the effect of F_i and ΔF_i on different traits and their genetic parameters. Inbreeding depression was evaluated through trait regressions on individual and maternal inbreeding coefficients, with genetic parameters estimated with and without inbreeding as a covariate. Significant negative effects (P < 0.01) of inbreeding were found for reproductive traits, weaning weight, and carcass weight per day. Among morphological traits, F_i affected only MT2 (P < 0.01), while ΔF_i significantly impacted most traits (P < 0.01), except MT16 (P > 0.05). Inbreeding had an unfavorable effect on all the reproductive and growth traits analyzed. The largest differences in estimates of variance components and heritability between models with and without F_i were observed for productive longevity and total number of calvings. The results obtained suggest that ignoring inbreeding may lead to under- or overestimation of heritability and that the ΔF_i can provide a more accurate assessment of the cumulative negative impact of inbreeding over time, particularly where there are some gaps in the pedigree. Livestock improvement programs should balance genetic progress and genetic diversity to mitigate inbreeding effects.

近交是保护下的小品种和选择下的大品种的常见问题，导致遗传多样性丧失，纯合性增加和近交抑制。本研究估计了近交（Fi）和近交率（ΔFi）对生产、生殖和形态性状的影响，并评估了将这些参数纳入用于估计其遗传参数的动物模型的影响。利用MTDFREML软件和混合模型分析了Mertolenga遗传手册中的家谱和生产数据，估计了Fi和ΔFi对不同性状及其遗传参数的影响。通过个体和母系近交系数的性状回归来评估近交抑制，并以有无近交的遗传参数作为协变量进行估计。显著的负面影响(P <；繁殖性状、断奶重和日胴体重的近交系差异均为0.01)。在形态性状中，Fi仅影响MT2 (P <；0.01)，而ΔFi显著影响了大部分性状(P <；0.01)， MT16除外(P >；0.05)。近交对所分析的所有生殖和生长性状均有不利影响。在有和没有Fi的模型之间，对生产寿命和产犊总数的方差成分和遗传力的估计差异最大。所获得的结果表明，忽略近交可能导致对遗传力的低估或高估，ΔFi可以更准确地评估随时间推移近交的累积负面影响，特别是在谱系中存在一些差距的情况下。牲畜改良计划应平衡遗传进步和遗传多样性，以减轻近亲繁殖的影响。

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引用次数: 0

The effect of neighbouring cows within the milking parlour on a cow's daily milk yield 挤奶室内邻近的奶牛对奶牛日产奶量的影响

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

Livestock Science

Pub Date : 2025-07-14 DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2025.105785

Ida Hansson , Hector Marina , Freddy Fikse , Per Peetz Nielsen , Lars Rönnegård

Social interactions in a dairy herd are essential to maintain the herd's structure. Disturbances in social relationships can be stressful and may impact both animal welfare and production. Pathological and physiological changes, biological variations, but also the social environment induced by surrounding cows can affect variation in the daily milk production. This study aims to investigate the social interplay between cows during milking by examining the milking order in a milking parlour and determining if the individuals a cow stands next to will affect its daily milk yield. Milking order data from 234 individuals was collected from a two-sided herringbone parlour twice a day for 35 days. The indirect effect of the neighbour cows in the milking parlour was studied by fitting a linear mixed model to the daily milk yield residuals. The estimated indirect effects on milk yield ranged from -1.07 kg to 0.85 kg. We described a weak negative correlation of -0.26 (SE: 0.09) between direct and indirect effect estimates. The average of the indirect effects of neighbouring cows differed between different lactation stages and regrouped cows changed to a more negative estimated indirect effect in their new group. Our results show individual variation in the average indirect effect on the milk yield of the neighbour, with some individuals having a positive effect on their group mates, while others have a more negative effect. Further investigation of these effects would be helpful in selecting the best individuals in a herd and optimising group composition and milking routines.

在奶牛群体中，社会互动对维持群体结构至关重要。社会关系中的干扰可能会带来压力，并可能影响动物福利和生产。病理生理变化、生物变异，以及周围社会环境诱导的奶牛日产奶量的变化都可能受到影响。本研究旨在通过检查挤奶室的挤奶顺序来调查挤奶期间奶牛之间的社会相互作用，并确定奶牛站在旁边的个体是否会影响其每日产奶量。在35天的时间里，每天两次在一个双面人字形客厅收集234只奶牛的挤奶顺序数据。通过拟合日产奶量残差的线性混合模型，研究了挤奶室内相邻奶牛的间接影响。估计对产奶量的间接影响范围为-1.07公斤至0.85公斤。我们描述了直接效应和间接效应估计之间的弱负相关为-0.26 （SE: 0.09）。相邻奶牛的间接影响的平均值在不同的泌乳期之间有所不同，重新分组的奶牛在新的组中产生了更负面的间接影响。我们的研究结果显示，对邻居的产奶量的平均间接影响存在个体差异，有些个体对其群体同伴有积极影响，而其他个体则有更消极的影响。进一步研究这些影响将有助于在畜群中选择最佳个体，优化群体组成和挤奶程序。

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引用次数: 0