Translational Animal Science最新文献

Heat stress (HS) poses a significant challenge to the United States swine industry. Sows and their piglets are particularly vulnerable to HS, as the periparturient phase is characterized by heightened metabolism and increased oxidative stress and inflammation. The study examined the effects of using conductive electronic cooling pads (ECP) and dietary supplementation with 4% Moringa (M) leaf powder on controlling oxidative stress and inflammation caused by HS in sows and their piglets. Forty-eight late gestation sows were assigned to four treatment groups: HS-fed corn-soybean meal (HS + CS), ECP-fed corn-soybean meal (ECP + CS), HS + M, and ECP + M. Blood was collected from sows on gestation (G) day 112, and lactation (L) day 14 and L20, and from piglets (2 males and 2 females) in each litter on postnatal (PN) day 1 and PN20. Colostrum was collected within 2h of birth of the first neonate, and mature milk was collected on L14. Piglet fecal samples were collected on PN14 to measure calprotectin concentration as a marker of intestinal inflammation. Biological antioxidant potential (BAP), derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs). and oxidative stress index (OSi) were measured in blood and milk samples using a Free Radical Elective Evaluator. Milk samples pooled by day of lactation and treatment group were analyzed using cytokine array. Levels of inflammatory cytokines in colostrum were affected by Moringa supplementation and cooling, but not mature milk. Notably, the anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-1ra were 2.14 and 1.57 Log₂ higher in the colostrum of HS + M compared to other groups. The OSi of colostrum was higher (P = 0.0002) than mature milk. Level of BAP in sow serum was greater in ECP + CS and HS + M (P = 0.0291) compared to other groups. Moringa had an overall effect of increasing dROMs (P = 0.0035) and levels of OSi were lowest in ECP + CS (P = 0.0296) sow serum. Treatments did not affect piglet serum oxidative index (P > 0.05) or calprotectin levels (P > 0.05). Findings support further studies to investigate the efficacy of using ECP and Moringa supplementation to mitigate inflammation and oxidative stress imposed by heat stress conditions in lactating sows.

With the majority of the U.S. swine industry being generally bounded by social licensing, there is a growing need to understand social perspectives to better adapt to consumer demands. Online and social media data are rich datasets that researchers are leveraging to tackle economic and societal challenges. The information that can be gleaned from online media regarding public perceptions makes it an important tool for producers to understand driving topics of interest to the public. This study utilized a prominent online and social media listening and data analytics platform to identify and quantify online and social media mentions related to the U.S. swine industry from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023. A general search for online media referencing pork and pigs was designed resulting in a total of 41,093,309 mentions. The search was further queried to specific topics of food and cooking (20,580,068 mentions), price (2,866,548 mentions), welfare (1,615,208 mentions), sustainability (771,819 mentions), and top authors/organizations within the U.S. swine industry (1,430 mentions). The study spanned the geographic locations of the overall US (including U.S. Minor Outlying Islands), the top 5 most populous states, and the top 5 pork-producing states as of 2024. Of all mentions, X/Twitter was the largest domain for nearly all mentions related to pork and pigs. Major organizations designed to spread information between the general public and pork producers had a minor impact on the overall conversation and no online media presence in the top 5 most populous states. Net sentiment was overall positive across all 4 yr and all geographies except for major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the H1N1 Swine Flu, the passing of California Proposition 12, environmental events, and inflation-associated pork prices. Overall, most media presence had positive net sentiments and with most interest surrounding ways to cook pork and how to keep bacon cheap. Understanding public perceptions of the U.S. swine industry provides the opportunity to make informed decisions on marketing strategies and production practices.

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a significant forage source for livestock grazing in the Southern Great Plains (SGP). However, increasing input costs and changing climate conditions compel producers and researchers to search for alternative forage systems, such as cool-season perennials. Specifically, cool-season perennials with summer dormancy traits can survive droughts in the SGP. This paper aimed to determine the net returns of three different types of cool-season perennial summer-dormant tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.] systems either with N fertilizer or interseeded with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and the traditional graze-out annual winter wheat forage system. The data were from a 5-yr experiment conducted in south-central Oklahoma. Animal performance results indicated that the traditional graze-out winter annual wheat forage system provided more total gains at 434 kg ha^-1 than the three tall fescue variety systems at 326 kg ha^-1 (P = 0.006) due to more grazing days. Thus, the gross revenue estimated at a cost of gain of $1.60 kg^-1 gain for wheat at $694 ha^-1 was greater than the average gross revenue of $521 ha^-1 for the tall fescue systems. However, the average total cost for the perennial tall fescue systems ($374 ha^-1) was less than the total cost ($594 ha^-1) of the wheat system. Overall, the average net returns were similar for all grazing systems at about $145 ha^-1.

Hyaluronic acid (HA), a glycosaminoglycan found in joint synovial fluid, is administered to horses as an anti-inflammatory with lubrication properties. This experiment examined the effects of HA administered before and shortly after an exercise test on metacarpophalangeal (MCP; fetlock) and tibiotarsal (hock) joint range of motion (ROM). Horses were injected intravenously (IV) with placebo (4 mL, saline) or HA (4 mL, 40 mg) 24 h before performing a standardized exercise test (SET) on a high-speed treadmill and again at 6-h post-SET. Passive fetlock flexion was measured at 4 and 24 h post-SET. Hock flexion and extension were measured at 24 h post-SET by videography and kinematic evaluation at the trot. Parameters of the SET were sufficient to cause peak lactate values of 6.6 ± 0.15 mM and a maximum heart rate of 203.6 ± 4.8 bpm. A minor gain (P = 0.08) in fetlock flexion prior to SET was observed in HA horses that were not retained at either 4 or 24 h post-SET. Hock flexion in both limbs was greater (P < 0.05) at 24 h post-SET, independent of treatment. Horses receiving HA exhibited reduced (P = 0.04) right hock extension. No differences in either right or left hock ROM were observed between control and HA-treated horses. From these results, it is concluded that IV HA injections surrounding an exercise stressor offer no substantive gains in either fetlock or hock ROM.

Several calf studies demonstrated growth advantages when feeding greater protein and/or milk solids amounts, however, studies comparing 2 times per day vs. 3 times per day feeding are limited. The study objective was to evaluate feeding 2 times per day vs. 3 times per day thereby increasing milk solids intake. Forty 2- to 5-d old Holstein bull calves were blocked by body weight (BW) and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments (N = 20/treatment) using a randomized complete block design. Treatments were 1) 2×: milk replacer (MR) fed 2 times per day; and 2) 3×: MR fed 3 times per day for increased solids intake. The MR was fed at 15% solids at 0630 and 1800 hours and the 3rd 3× feeding was at 1200 hours. Calves on 2× were fed MR at 0.567 kg/d for days 1 to 14, increased to 0.85 kg/d for days 15 to 35, and reduced to 1 time per day at 0.425 kg/d for days 36 to 42 to facilitate weaning at 42 d. Calves on 3× were fed MR 0.851 kg/d for days 1 to 14, increased to 1.275 kg/d for days 15 to 35, and reduced to 1 time per day at 0.425 kg/d for days 36 to 42 followed by weaning. Calf starter (CS; amounts and orts weighed daily) and water were offered for ad libitum intake. Initial BW was not a significant covariate and final BW (81.5 and 80.9 kg, for 2× and 3×, respectively) was similar. A treatment-by-week interaction (P < 0.01) indicated variable BW gains during the study with calves fed 3× demonstrating greater BW during weeks 4 (P < 0.10) and 5 (P < 0.05) compared with calves fed 2×. However, BW gains for calves fed 3× were reduced (P < 0.05) during the weaning period resulting in similar BW gains (36.8 and 36.4 kg) at the study end. Intake of CS (0.65 and 0.46 kg/d) was lower (P < 0.04) for calves fed 3× compared with calves fed 2×. Feed conversions (0.64 and 0.58 kg/kg) were greater (P < 0.02) for calves fed 2× compared with 3× fed calves. Calves fed 2× had less (P < 0.01) scours (fecal score = 0; 34.3 and 29.7 d) compared with 3× fed calves. Providing an additional MR feeding demonstrated minimal BW gains due to lower CS intake. Providing greater MR intake using a 3rd daily feeding reduces CS intake that can inhibit transition to dry feed when weaning calves.

The objective of the current experiment was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with different dietary fatty acid profiles on the dam during the first third of gestation and on the offspring during growth on the offspring's cognitive behavior. Seventy-nine postweaning lambs were blocked by body weight and sex using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The first factor (maternal supplementation; MS) was supplementation to the ewes in the first third of gestation with 1.61% Ca salts of palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) or Ca salts enriched with eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) to early pregnant ewes. The second factor (offspring supplementation; OS) was to supplement the offspring during their growing phase with diets that contained 1.48% of PFAD or Ca salts of PFAD or EPA and DHA. Ewes were housed in groups, 3 ewes per pen and 12 pens per treatment, with different treatments until day 50 of gestation. From day 51 of gestation until weaning, all the animals (ewes and lambs) were housed in a common pen. After weaning, lambs were housed in group pens (5 pens per treatment, 3 to 5 per pen). The lambs ran maze tests on weeks 5 and 7 after weaning to evaluate cognitive ability. The maze contained 2 trap zones and had the pen conspecific lambs at the end of the maze. The measurements were the times to solve the traps and the total time to complete the maze. Data were analyzed using a mixed procedure considering the 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. There was an MS × OS × time interaction for the time to complete the maze (P = 0.02). Lambs receiving a different type of fatty acid supplementation during gestation than postweaning took less time to complete the maze on the second relative to the first day compared with the lambs fed the same type of fatty acids during gestation and growing. In conclusion, combining different fatty acids during different life stages may improve lambs' cognitive abilities.

Farrowing durations that exceed 240 min cause stillborn rates to increase. Therefore, feeding strategies in late gestation have been studied to mitigate the negative consequences of extended farrowing durations. A total of 1,501 sows (PIC 1050 Camborough) were used for this study at two individual farms near Carthage, IL. Farm 1 (758 sows) was a porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSv) stable (previously experienced a PRRSv outbreak and is currently vaccinated for PRRSv) with an older parity structure (3.67). Farm 2 (743 sows) was PRRSv positive (sows with pigs demonstrating Ct values <36 determined by pig processing fluids) and had a younger parity structure (2.96). Sows were moved into farrowing rooms at approximately day 112 of gestation and started on their respective treatment. Treatment 1 sows were fed 1 meal of 2.27 kg per day at 0600 h. Treatment 2 sows were fed two equal meals of 1.13 kg (2.27 kg total) at 0600 and 1400 h. Treatment 3 sows were fed two equal meals of 1.13 kg (2.27 kg total) at 0600 and 1800 h. Treatment 4 sows were fed three equal meals of 0.77 kg (2.27 kg total) at 0600, 1400, and 2200 h. Treatments were assigned to farrowing rooms in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square arrangement of treatments where each treatment was fed in each room one time at each farm. Daily feed intakes were recorded from the time sows were introduced to the farrowing room until 5 d after farrowing. The total number of pigs born, pigs born alive, stillbirths, and mummies were recorded for each litter within 24 h of farrowing. Live pigs were weighed as a group to record litter birth weight. Pig mortality and morbidities were recorded until 5 d after farrowing. The total number of pigs born and pigs born alive were not different (P ≥ 0.59) among treatments. The number of stillborn pigs was not different (P = 0.33) among treatment 1(1.15 ± 1.41), treatment 2 (1.20 ± 1.36), treatment 3 (1.30 ± 1.46), and treatment 4 (1.14 ± 1.28). Sows fed three times per day at 8 h intervals tended (P = 0.08) to reduce the percentage of sows farrowed under supervision compared with sows fed once a day. Sows fed twice per day at 12 h intervals reduced (P = 0.01) the percentage of sows provided assistance compared with feeding sows once per day. Feeding a sow one meal of 2.27 kg, two meals (2.27 kg total), or three meals (2.27 kg total) of feed a day before farrowing did not reduce the number of stillborn piglets regardless of farm health status or parity structure.

Three hundred and sixty sows were used to investigate the effect of various dietary branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) levels on sow lactation and piglet growth performance. On day 112 ± 1.4 of gestation, sows were blocked by the parity group (P1, P2, P3+) and randomly assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments containing various levels of standardized ileal digestible (SID) Leu, Ile, and Val. The experimental diets were formulated to the desired levels of BCAA by replacing cornstarch in a basal diet with l-leucine, l-isoleucine, and l-valine. Dietary BCAA levels relative to SID Lys were 114% or 180% for Leu, 56% or 64% for Ile, and 64% or 120% for Val. Diets were formulated to be isocaloric (3.23 Mcal ME/kg) and met or exceeded all other NRC (2012) essential amino acid and vitamin and mineral recommendations. Sow body weight (BW) and backfat thickness were measured at the time of entry into the farrowing room and at weaning. Piglet litter weights were recorded after cross-fostering and weaning to calculate the litter growth rate. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models with fixed effects of dietary treatment and parity group and a random effect of lactation group. The models were fit using R (v4.4.1; R Core Team, 2024). The sow and her litter were the experimental unit, and results were considered significant if P < 0.05. On average, sows nursed their litters for 21.3 d (P = 0.998). The mean parity by treatment ranged from 3.8 to 3.9 (P = 0.999). After farrowing, the mean sow BW was 220 kg with a range between treatments of 216 to 222 kg (P = 0.523). On average, sows gained 2.3% of their BW (P = 0.740) with an average daily feed intake of 8.74 kg/d (P = 0.903). As expected, sow Leu, Ile, and Val intakes were different across treatments (P ≤ 0.001) and corresponded to the varying dietary levels of BCAA. Sows entered farrowing with an average backfat thickness of 11.50 mm (P = 0.919) and lost 6.5% backfat through lactation (P = 0.880). Sows started the trial with an average of 14.1 piglets/sow (P = 0.967) and weaned 12.7 piglets/sow (P = 0.995) with a piglet ADG of 0.22 kg/d (P = 0.280) and a daily litter growth rate of 2.90 kg/d (P = 0.547). In conclusion, there was no evidence of an effect of the various leucine, isoleucine, and valine levels evaluated in this study on lactating sow and piglet performance.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of methionine supplementation prior to and during a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge on the performance and inflammatory biomarkers of receiving beef steers. Steers (n = 65; 295.8 ± 46.5 kg) were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups: L0 = Control, receiving no supplement; L1 = 10 g/hd/d rumen-protected methionine (MetaSmart, Adisseo USA Inc., Alpharetta, GA); and L2 = 20 g/hd/d rumen-protected methionine and fed for 40 d at the West Texas A&M University Research Feedlot. On day 40, a subset of steers (n = 32; L0 = 10; L1 = 11; L2 = 11) were transported to the USDA Livestock Issues Research Unit, and on day 41 steers were weighed and fitted with indwelling rectal thermometers and jugular catheters. On day 42, steers were challenged i.v. with LPS (0.25 µg/kg BW). Blood samples were collected at -2, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 h relative to the LPS administration at 0 h. Serum was isolated to determine serum chemistry and inflammatory marker concentrations. Whole blood was used for hematology analysis. There were no differences in DMI or ADG (P ≥ 0.75) during 35 d of supplementation. A treatment × time interaction (P = 0.01) occurred for rectal temperature, where L2 steers had the greatest temperature following the challenge (P ≤ 0.05) compared to L1 and L0 steers. There was a treatment × time interaction (P = 0.03) for the change in white blood cells where L0 steers had the greatest change compared to L1 and L2 steers at various timepoints. There was a treatment × time interaction (P = 0.02) for the change in tumor necrosis factor-α concentration, where there was a greater increase in concentration in L0 compared to L1 and L2 steers. Additionally, there was a treatment × time interaction (P < 0.01) for Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1β (MIP-1β) concentrations, where concentrations were greater in L0 compared with L1 and L2 steers from 2 to 4 h post-challenge. There was a treatment × time interaction for plasma total protein concentration (P < 0.01) where L0 steers had less plasma total protein compared with L1 and L2 steers, while L1 steers had less plasma total protein than L2 steers at -2 h prior to LPS challenge. These data suggest that methionine supplementation may have an immunomodulatory effect in beef steers that may improve response to pathogens.

A total of 557 mixed parity sows (PIC 1050) were used to evaluate the effect of lactation feeder design on sow farrowing performance, litter growth performance, feeder cleaning criteria, and economics. The experiment was conducted during the summer of 2023 at a commercial sow farm located in northwest Texas. The study used two sequential farrowing groups with approximately 279 sows per group. On approximately days 112 to 114 of gestation, sows were moved to the farrowing house and randomly allotted to one of three feeder types based on parity and caliper score. Feeder types consisted of 1) a dry feeder with a nipple drinker located next to the feeder, 2) a wet-dry feeder with a divider to separate feed and water, or 3) a wet-dry feeder without a divider. The three feeder types were used in one of every three stalls with the same sequence from the front to the end of all rooms to balance for environmental effects. Sows were weighed before entering the farrowing house and at weaning. Sows were provided approximately 1.81 kg per day of a common lactation diet prefarrowing, and after farrowing, sows were provided ad libitum access to lactation feed. There was no evidence of a difference in sow weight at entry or weaning, overall BW change, caliper score at entry or weaning, total litter weight or individual pig weight at birth, total pigs born, or percentage of pigs born alive. However, sows fed with the dry lactation feeder had decreased (P < 0.05) total daily feed disappearance and average daily feed disappearance compared to either wet-dry feeder design. There was no evidence of difference for litter or pig weaning weight, or litter average daily gain. As a result, litter feed efficiency was improved (P < 0.05) for sows fed via the dry feeder compared to either wet-dry feeder. For feeder cleaning criteria, dry feeders had increased (P < 0.05) washing time and washing cost compared to either wet-dry feeder design. In addition, sows fed via the dry feeder had decreased (P < 0.05) total lactation feed cost and feed cost per piglet weaned compared to either wet-dry feeder design. In summary, using the wet-dry feeder design in this study with or without a divider separating the feed from the water increased feed disappearance with no effects on sow and litter performance compared to dry feeders, thus worsening litter feed efficiency and increasing feed cost per sow and litter.