Pub Date : 2025-10-20DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2025.100523
Anna Pelegrí-Pineda , Raquel Pato , Raquel Peña , Júlia Suppi , Eudald Llauradó-Calero , David Solà-Oriol , Anna Bassols , Yolanda Saco
Analytical validation of biomarker assays as indicators of intestinal inflammatory processes is essential for the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of intestinal health. In the context of porcine intestinal health, feces are a sample of choice for determining inflammatory molecules released into the intestinal contents in pathological conditions. The advantage of this method is that it is non-invasive and samples can be collected easily, quickly and without causing stress. In this study, we validated the analytical procedures for measuring lipocalin-2 (LCN-2), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) in porcine fecal samples. Validation was carried out by studying precision (intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation), linearity under dilution, recovery, and the limits of detection and quantification. All three biomarkers fulfilled the required validation parameters. Furthermore, we analyzed the distribution of the three compounds and calprotectin (fCal) in the stools and found that all of them except LCN-2 were homogeneously distributed in the fecal sample. The stability of the compounds under different storage temperatures was assessed, and fCal was found to be the most stable parameter overall.
{"title":"Fecal intestinal inflammatory biomarkers in piglets: analytical validation, homogeneity and stability studies","authors":"Anna Pelegrí-Pineda , Raquel Pato , Raquel Peña , Júlia Suppi , Eudald Llauradó-Calero , David Solà-Oriol , Anna Bassols , Yolanda Saco","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100523","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100523","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Analytical validation of biomarker assays as indicators of intestinal inflammatory processes is essential for the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of intestinal health. In the context of porcine intestinal health, feces are a sample of choice for determining inflammatory molecules released into the intestinal contents in pathological conditions. The advantage of this method is that it is non-invasive and samples can be collected easily, quickly and without causing stress. In this study, we validated the analytical procedures for measuring lipocalin-2 (LCN-2), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) in porcine fecal samples. Validation was carried out by studying precision (intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation), linearity under dilution, recovery, and the limits of detection and quantification. All three biomarkers fulfilled the required validation parameters. Furthermore, we analyzed the distribution of the three compounds and calprotectin (fCal) in the stools and found that all of them except LCN-2 were homogeneously distributed in the fecal sample. The stability of the compounds under different storage temperatures was assessed, and fCal was found to be the most stable parameter overall.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100523"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145362277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2025.100524
Alain Ndona, Anthony Kikufi Batoba, Eric Lutete, Bienvenu Kambashi Mutiaka, Charles-Henri Moulin, Yves Beckers, Jérôme Bindelle
Free-ranging goats forage across multiple agroecosystem compartments, thereby contributing to nutrient redistribution. Despite their importance in nutrient flows, little is known about how these compartments support goat diets or about their spatial structure. This study addresses this gap by identifying, mapping, and characterising the agroecosystems exploited by free-ranging goats as forage sources and by assessing the contribution of each compartment to their daily diet. Twelve adult female goats from local herds were monitored during both the dry and rainy seasons for three consecutive days at four sites, using GPS collars combined with drone surveys and direct observations. Two observers were assigned to each goat: one, equipped with a stopwatch and tracking sheet, recorded feeding stations, forages consumed, and biting times; the other, using a Sony HDR-CX405 camera, documented biting behaviour.
Drone-based mapping revealed five distinct compartments of the foraging area: croplands (6.1 %–14.8 %), fallow lands (2.7 %–12.5 %), rangelands (36.4 %–69.7 %), residue supply areas (9.8 %–46.7 %), and hedgerows (0.1 %–5.4 %). The agroecosystem landscapes were highly fragmented (24–54 patches/ha) and exhibited SHDI values ranging from 0.94 to 1.19. Goats consumed 57 forage species, dominated by grasses (17 %) and legumes (9 %), with the remaining 74 % spanning 31 botanical families. The integration of GPS tracks with land-use maps and direct observations revealed that rangelands and agricultural lands were the primary contributors to free-ranging goats’ daily dry matter intake and forage species diversity. The marked heterogeneity and floristic richness of these agroecosystem compartments underpin their importance as key forage sources supporting smallholder free-range goat farming in western Democratic Republic of Congo.
{"title":"Identification and evaluation of agroecosystem compartments as forage sources for free-ranging goats in smallholder farming systems of western Democratic Republic of Congo","authors":"Alain Ndona, Anthony Kikufi Batoba, Eric Lutete, Bienvenu Kambashi Mutiaka, Charles-Henri Moulin, Yves Beckers, Jérôme Bindelle","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100524","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100524","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Free-ranging goats forage across multiple agroecosystem compartments, thereby contributing to nutrient redistribution. Despite their importance in nutrient flows, little is known about how these compartments support goat diets or about their spatial structure. This study addresses this gap by identifying, mapping, and characterising the agroecosystems exploited by free-ranging goats as forage sources and by assessing the contribution of each compartment to their daily diet. Twelve adult female goats from local herds were monitored during both the dry and rainy seasons for three consecutive days at four sites, using GPS collars combined with drone surveys and direct observations. Two observers were assigned to each goat: one, equipped with a stopwatch and tracking sheet, recorded feeding stations, forages consumed, and biting times; the other, using a Sony HDR-CX405 camera, documented biting behaviour.</div><div>Drone-based mapping revealed five distinct compartments of the foraging area: croplands (6.1 %–14.8 %), fallow lands (2.7 %–12.5 %), rangelands (36.4 %–69.7 %), residue supply areas (9.8 %–46.7 %), and hedgerows (0.1 %–5.4 %). The agroecosystem landscapes were highly fragmented (24–54 patches/ha) and exhibited SHDI values ranging from 0.94 to 1.19. Goats consumed 57 forage species, dominated by grasses (17 %) and legumes (9 %), with the remaining 74 % spanning 31 botanical families. The integration of GPS tracks with land-use maps and direct observations revealed that rangelands and agricultural lands were the primary contributors to free-ranging goats’ daily dry matter intake and forage species diversity. The marked heterogeneity and floristic richness of these agroecosystem compartments underpin their importance as key forage sources supporting smallholder free-range goat farming in western Democratic Republic of Congo.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100524"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145362252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-10DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2025.100522
Alessandro Guerrini , Luisa Vera Muscatello , Francesca del Zozzo , Valeria Harper , Lorenzo Fiorini , Ivonne Laura Archetti , Valentina Serra , Claire Carlu , Thibaut Chabrillat , Doriana Eurosia Angela Tedesco
This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a mixture of Silybum marianum L. and Cynara cardunculus scolymus L. standardised extract (PHYTO-LAYER™) expressed as silibinin (2.4 g/L) and chlorogenic acid (2.2 g/L) content, respectively, provided intermittently to caged-laying hens to alleviate fatty liver syndromes, improve blood indices and health. In this study, 792 Lohmann LSL-White hens (41 weeks of age), randomly assigned to 2 replicated groups, control and treated (n = 396 each), were used. The treatment (1 mL/L) was supplied every 2 weeks for 7 days, at different time points (T0-T5) in a 7-week trial, by drinking water. At T0, T3 and T5, 13 identified hens/group were sampled for haematological analysis. At T5, all 13 hens per group were euthanised via cervical dislocation for organ weight, gut pH, and liver histological investigations. The treatment improved red blood cell, haemoglobin, hematocrit, and the serum antioxidant activity (P < 0.05). In treated hens, a reduction of liver weight and serum alanine aminotransferase activity was evidenced, associated with a reduction of liver steatosis cases and severity, evaluated histologically (P < 0.05). Other blood and serum indices were not affected by the treatment (P > 0.05). At T5, in treated hens, the duodenum (proximal tract) showed unexpectedly higher pH, compared to the control hens (P < 0.05). This study showed that the combined phytoextracts administration is useful in improving the liver health of caged-laying hens affected by liver disorders, reducing liver steatosis, associated with an upgrade of main blood indices.
{"title":"Hepatoprotective effects of silibinin and chlorogenic acid standardised extract to alleviate the fatty liver syndrome and improve blood indices in caged-laying hens after the peak of production","authors":"Alessandro Guerrini , Luisa Vera Muscatello , Francesca del Zozzo , Valeria Harper , Lorenzo Fiorini , Ivonne Laura Archetti , Valentina Serra , Claire Carlu , Thibaut Chabrillat , Doriana Eurosia Angela Tedesco","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100522","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100522","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a mixture of <em>Silybum marianum</em> L. and <em>Cynara cardunculus scolymus</em> L. standardised extract (PHYTO-LAYER™) expressed as silibinin (2.4 g/L) and chlorogenic acid (2.2 g/L) content, respectively, provided intermittently to caged-laying hens to alleviate fatty liver syndromes, improve blood indices and health. In this study, 792 Lohmann LSL-White hens (41 weeks of age), randomly assigned to 2 replicated groups, control and treated (<em>n</em> = 396 each), were used. The treatment (1 mL/L) was supplied every 2 weeks for 7 days, at different time points (T0-T5) in a 7-week trial, by drinking water. At T0, T3 and T5, 13 identified hens/group were sampled for haematological analysis. At T5, all 13 hens per group were euthanised via cervical dislocation for organ weight, gut pH, and liver histological investigations. The treatment improved red blood cell, haemoglobin, hematocrit, and the serum antioxidant activity (<em>P</em> < 0.05). In treated hens, a reduction of liver weight and serum alanine aminotransferase activity was evidenced, associated with a reduction of liver steatosis cases and severity, evaluated histologically (<em>P <</em> 0.05). Other blood and serum indices were not affected by the treatment (<em>P</em> > 0.05). At T5, in treated hens, the duodenum (proximal tract) showed unexpectedly higher pH, compared to the control hens (<em>P <</em> 0.05). This study showed that the combined phytoextracts administration is useful in improving the liver health of caged-laying hens affected by liver disorders, reducing liver steatosis, associated with an upgrade of main blood indices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100522"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145362251","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-10DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2025.100518
C. Negrini , D. Luise , F. Correa , M. Mazzoni , A. Serra , A. Monteiro , P. Trevisi
Early weaning can impact piglets’ gut health, and some forms of zinc (Zn) may mitigate this stress. This study evaluates the effect of authorised level of Zn, from different sources, on the performance and gut health of piglets weaned at different ages. At weaning (d0), 96 piglets weaned at either 21 (Early, E; 48) or 26 (Normal, N; 48) days were divided into 3 feeding groups: Zn sulphate (SO4), Zn glycinate (Gly) or a porous form of Zn oxide (Hi) to achieve 150 mg/kg of Zn. On d8 and d21, 8 piglets/group were slaughtered and oxidative status (blood), jejunal morphology, gene expression, microbiota, and volatile fatty acids and intestinal pH were assessed. The N group had a higher body weight throughout the study (P < 0.001) and a higher gain to feed ratio from d7-d14 (P = 0.03). At d8, villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) tended to be higher in the N group (P < 0.10). At d8, the Hi diet increased the abundance of the Lactobacillaceae (P = 0.04) in the E piglets. At d21, the Hi tended to increase VH:CD (P = 0.09) compared to SO4 in N piglets; in the E groups fed SO4 the crypt depth tended to be higher than Gly and Hi (P < 0.10). Regardless the weaning age, the Gly tended to increase the expression of Glutathione Peroxidase-2 (P = 0.09) and Hi reduced the one of Solute Carrier Family-39 Member-4 (P = 0.07). Weaning age impacted piglets’ performance and gut physiology; feeding piglets different forms of Zn may positively improve gut health depending on weaning age.
{"title":"Effects of European authorised level of zinc from different sources on the physiology and intestinal ecosystem and performance of piglets weaned at different ages","authors":"C. Negrini , D. Luise , F. Correa , M. Mazzoni , A. Serra , A. Monteiro , P. Trevisi","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100518","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100518","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Early weaning can impact piglets’ gut health, and some forms of zinc (Zn) may mitigate this stress. This study evaluates the effect of authorised level of Zn, from different sources, on the performance and gut health of piglets weaned at different ages. At weaning (d0), 96 piglets weaned at either 21 (Early, E; 48) or 26 (Normal, N; 48) days were divided into 3 feeding groups: Zn sulphate (SO<sub>4</sub>), Zn glycinate (Gly) or a porous form of Zn oxide (Hi) to achieve 150 mg/kg of Zn. On d8 and d21, 8 piglets/group were slaughtered and oxidative status (blood), jejunal morphology, gene expression, microbiota, and volatile fatty acids and intestinal pH were assessed. The N group had a higher body weight throughout the study (<em>P</em> < 0.001) and a higher gain to feed ratio from d7-d14 (<em>P</em> = 0.03). At d8, villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) tended to be higher in the N group (<em>P</em> < 0.10). At d8, the Hi diet increased the abundance of the Lactobacillaceae (<em>P</em> = 0.04) in the E piglets. At d21, the Hi tended to increase VH:CD (<em>P</em> = 0.09) compared to SO<sub>4</sub> in N piglets; in the E groups fed SO<sub>4</sub> the crypt depth tended to be higher than Gly and Hi (<em>P</em> < 0.10). Regardless the weaning age, the Gly tended to increase the expression of Glutathione Peroxidase-2 (<em>P</em> = 0.09) and Hi reduced the one of Solute Carrier Family-39 Member-4 (<em>P</em> = 0.07). Weaning age impacted piglets’ performance and gut physiology; feeding piglets different forms of Zn may positively improve gut health depending on weaning age.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100518"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145332910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-10DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2025.100520
I. Azorín , J. Madrid , S. Martínez-Miró , M.B. López , M. López , F. Hernández
This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with selenium in organic form and iodine in dairy goats, aiming to obtain milk, cheese, and yogurt naturally enriched with these minerals and assessing the impact on animal health and performance. The control diet (CON) included 0.23 mg of inorganic selenium and 0.57 mg of iodine per kg of dry matter (DM). In contrast, the supplemented diet (SeI) included 0.46 mg of selenium (0.23 mg inorganic + 0.23 mg organic) and 5.68 mg of iodine per kg of DM. After 64 days of treatment, no adverse effects on health or productivity were observed. However, the SeI group exhibited elevated selenium and iodine concentrations in milk (p < 0.001), with 1.73 times more selenium (3.93 μg/100 g vs. 2.27 μg/100 g) and over 4 times more iodine (98.0 μg/100 g vs. 21.7 μg/100 g) compared to the CON group. A similar enrichment was observed in cheese (p < 0.001), where selenium content was approximately doubled (16.0 µg/100 g vs. 7.56 µg/100 g), and iodine quintupled (99.4 µg/100 g vs. 20.1 µg/100 g) in the SeI group. More than a 4-fold increase in iodine content was also observed in yogurt from the SeI group (106 µg/100 g vs. 24.4 µg/100 g; p < 0.001). Notably, selenium and iodine treatment did not affect the general characteristics or quality of milk and dairy products, supporting their use as a strategy to enhance the nutritional value of goat milk and derivatives.
本研究评估了在奶山羊中添加有机形式的硒和碘的效果，旨在获得天然富含这些矿物质的牛奶、奶酪和酸奶，并评估对动物健康和生产性能的影响。对照饲粮（CON）为每kg干物质（DM）添加0.23 mg无机硒和0.57 mg碘。相比之下，每千克DM添加0.46 mg硒（无机硒0.23 mg +有机硒0.23 mg）和5.68 mg碘。处理64天后，未观察到对健康或生产力的不良影响。然而，SeI组牛奶中的硒和碘浓度升高（p < 0.001），硒含量是CON组的1.73倍（3.93 μg/100 g vs. 2.27 μg/100 g），碘含量是CON组的4倍多（98.0 μg/100 g vs. 21.7 μg/100 g）。在奶酪中观察到类似的富集（p < 0.001），其中SeI组的硒含量大约增加了一倍（16.0 μ g/100 g vs. 7.56 μ g/100 g），碘含量增加了五倍（99.4 μ g/100 g vs. 20.1 μ g/100 g）。SeI组酸奶中的碘含量也增加了4倍以上（106µg/100 g vs. 24.4µg/100 g; p < 0.001）。值得注意的是，硒和碘处理不会影响牛奶和乳制品的一般特性或质量，支持将其用作提高羊奶及其衍生物营养价值的策略。
{"title":"Effects of dietary supplementation with selenium in organic form and iodine in dairy goats and their transfer to milk and dairy products","authors":"I. Azorín , J. Madrid , S. Martínez-Miró , M.B. López , M. López , F. Hernández","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100520","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100520","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with selenium in organic form and iodine in dairy goats, aiming to obtain milk, cheese, and yogurt naturally enriched with these minerals and assessing the impact on animal health and performance. The control diet (CON) included 0.23 mg of inorganic selenium and 0.57 mg of iodine per kg of dry matter (DM). In contrast, the supplemented diet (SeI) included 0.46 mg of selenium (0.23 mg inorganic + 0.23 mg organic) and 5.68 mg of iodine per kg of DM. After 64 days of treatment, no adverse effects on health or productivity were observed. However, the SeI group exhibited elevated selenium and iodine concentrations in milk (p < 0.001), with 1.73 times more selenium (3.93 μg/100 g vs. 2.27 μg/100 g) and over 4 times more iodine (98.0 μg/100 g vs. 21.7 μg/100 g) compared to the CON group. A similar enrichment was observed in cheese (p < 0.001), where selenium content was approximately doubled (16.0 µg/100 g vs. 7.56 µg/100 g), and iodine quintupled (99.4 µg/100 g vs. 20.1 µg/100 g) in the SeI group. More than a 4-fold increase in iodine content was also observed in yogurt from the SeI group (106 µg/100 g vs. 24.4 µg/100 g; p < 0.001). Notably, selenium and iodine treatment did not affect the general characteristics or quality of milk and dairy products, supporting their use as a strategy to enhance the nutritional value of goat milk and derivatives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100520"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145332708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-09DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2025.100519
Nelly Banda , Mahongo Selwa , Rio Doya , Nyein Chan Soe , Andrew Kataba , John Yabe , Golden Zyambo , Kaampwe Muzandu , Yared Beyene Yohannes , Yoshinori Ikenaka , Mayumi Ishizuka , Shouta MM Nakayama
Non-essential metals and metalloids are known to induce oxidative stress in exposed organisms, often leading to cellular damage and systemic toxicity. While chelation therapy remains the primary treatment for metal toxicity, its application is limited by side effects. L-ascorbic acid (L-AA), a widely available antioxidant, has emerged as a promising nutritional intervention for mitigating metal-induced oxidative stress. Dogs, whose blood lead levels (BLLs) closely mirror those of humans, have been utilized as sentinel species in environmental toxicology studies.
This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of L-AA in dogs residing in Kabwe, Zambia, a former mining town where remediation of heavy metal contamination is ongoing. The reported BLLs in Kabwe dogs ranged from 0.43 µg/dL to 123.5 µg/dL. A total of 22 dogs (10 females and 12 males) received oral L-AA supplementation daily for 14 days. Blood samples were collected on Day 1 of L-AA administration and Day 14 to assess biochemical and toxicological changes.
Post-treatment analysis revealed statistically significant reductions in plasma malondialdehyde, cortisol, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels, as determined by Student’s t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Additionally, δ-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase activity was significantly elevated, indicating improved oxidative status. These findings support the efficacy of L-AA in attenuating oxidative stress associated with metal and metalloid exposure, even in the absence of exposure cessation.
Interestingly, Pb levels declined predominantly in dogs younger than 24 months. Furthermore, reductions in Zn and Cu commonly linked to L-AA administration were observed exclusively in male dogs, suggesting a sex-specific response.
{"title":"Evaluation of ascorbic acid as an intervention of metal toxicity in dogs in Kabwe district","authors":"Nelly Banda , Mahongo Selwa , Rio Doya , Nyein Chan Soe , Andrew Kataba , John Yabe , Golden Zyambo , Kaampwe Muzandu , Yared Beyene Yohannes , Yoshinori Ikenaka , Mayumi Ishizuka , Shouta MM Nakayama","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100519","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100519","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Non-essential metals and metalloids are known to induce oxidative stress in exposed organisms, often leading to cellular damage and systemic toxicity. While chelation therapy remains the primary treatment for metal toxicity, its application is limited by side effects. L-ascorbic acid (L-AA), a widely available antioxidant, has emerged as a promising nutritional intervention for mitigating metal-induced oxidative stress. Dogs, whose blood lead levels (BLLs) closely mirror those of humans, have been utilized as sentinel species in environmental toxicology studies.</div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of L-AA in dogs residing in Kabwe, Zambia, a former mining town where remediation of heavy metal contamination is ongoing. The reported BLLs in Kabwe dogs ranged from 0.43 µg/dL to 123.5 µg/dL. A total of 22 dogs (10 females and 12 males) received oral L-AA supplementation daily for 14 days. Blood samples were collected on Day 1 of L-AA administration and Day 14 to assess biochemical and toxicological changes.</div><div>Post-treatment analysis revealed statistically significant reductions in plasma malondialdehyde, cortisol, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels, as determined by Student’s t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Additionally, δ-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase activity was significantly elevated, indicating improved oxidative status. These findings support the efficacy of L-AA in attenuating oxidative stress associated with metal and metalloid exposure, even in the absence of exposure cessation.</div><div>Interestingly, Pb levels declined predominantly in dogs younger than 24 months. Furthermore, reductions in Zn and Cu commonly linked to L-AA administration were observed exclusively in male dogs, suggesting a sex-specific response.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100519"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145332706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study aimed to develop predictive models for estimating the body weight (BW) of indigenous sheep in Ethiopia using morphometric traits, comparing the performance of random forest regression (RFR), support vector regression (SVR), and classification and regression trees (CART) algorithms. Data were collected from 306 mature sheep (249 ewes and 57 rams) in Tahtay Maichew district of Tigray region, including BW and 16 linear body measurements (LBMs). Descriptive statistics indicated low to moderate variability in BW and key LBMs, with heart girth (HG) and body length (BL) showing the strongest correlations with BW (r = 0.61 and 0.46, respectively). Among the models evaluated, RFR demonstrated superior predictive accuracy, achieving the highest R² values (0.809 training, 0.477 validation) and the lowest root mean square error (RMSE: 1.650 training, 2.825 validation). SVR performed well in training but had lower generalizability in validation, while CART showed the weakest performance overall. Variable importance analysis identified HG as the most influential predictor across all models, contributing 40.90 % in RFR, 16.30 % in SVR, and 68.76 % in CART, often followed by BL and height at withers (HAW). The findings highlight the potential of RFR as a robust tool for BW prediction in resource-limited settings where weighing scales are unavailable. The study provides practical insights for smallholder farmers and breeding programs, enabling improved genetic selection and management practices based on easily measurable morphometric traits, particularly HG. Future research should validate these models with larger, more diverse datasets to enhance their applicability across different agroecological zones and sheep populations.
{"title":"Prediction of body weight in indigenous sheep using random forest regression, support vector regression, and classification and regression trees algorithms","authors":"Ashenafi Getachew Megersa , Fikrineh Negash , Abebe Hailu , Awoke Melak , Abraham Assefa , Tesfalem Aseged , Seble Sinkie","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100517","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100517","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to develop predictive models for estimating the body weight (BW) of indigenous sheep in Ethiopia using morphometric traits, comparing the performance of random forest regression (RFR), support vector regression (SVR), and classification and regression trees (CART) algorithms. Data were collected from 306 mature sheep (249 ewes and 57 rams) in Tahtay Maichew district of Tigray region, including BW and 16 linear body measurements (LBMs). Descriptive statistics indicated low to moderate variability in BW and key LBMs, with heart girth (HG) and body length (BL) showing the strongest correlations with BW (<em>r</em> = 0.61 and 0.46, respectively). Among the models evaluated, RFR demonstrated superior predictive accuracy, achieving the highest <em>R²</em> values (0.809 training, 0.477 validation) and the lowest root mean square error (RMSE: 1.650 training, 2.825 validation). SVR performed well in training but had lower generalizability in validation, while CART showed the weakest performance overall. Variable importance analysis identified HG as the most influential predictor across all models, contributing 40.90 % in RFR, 16.30 % in SVR, and 68.76 % in CART, often followed by BL and height at withers (HAW). The findings highlight the potential of RFR as a robust tool for BW prediction in resource-limited settings where weighing scales are unavailable. The study provides practical insights for smallholder farmers and breeding programs, enabling improved genetic selection and management practices based on easily measurable morphometric traits, particularly HG. Future research should validate these models with larger, more diverse datasets to enhance their applicability across different agroecological zones and sheep populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100517"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145220832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-30DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2025.100516
Mohammad Ettefaghdoost, Hossein Haghighi
The effects of dietary sodium alginate supplementation on Macrobrachium nipponense were evaluated over a 60-day feeding trial, with emphasis on growth, hematological, immune-physiological responses, and metabolic characteristics. Juvenile prawns with an initial average weight of 1.47 ± 0.05 g were assigned to diets containing 0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 4.0 g/kg sodium alginate. Among all the examined water quality indicators, dissolved oxygen (DO) was the only parameter that showed a statistically significant rise with increasing levels of sodium alginate supplementation, with the 4.0 g/kg group showing the maximum value of DO concentration (P < 0.05). Furthermore, growth metrics and survival rates (SR) were significantly enhanced in prawns receiving 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg sodium alginate compared to other treatments (P < 0.05). Hemato-biochemical indices generally decreased following sodium alginate supplementation, whereas levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were elevated (P < 0.05). Most immune parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities demonstrated positive modulation in response to the dietary intervention (P < 0.05), although glutathione peroxidase (GPx), acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities did not differ significantly among groups (P > 0.05). Diets supplemented with 4.0 g/kg sodium alginate notably enhanced digestive enzyme activities, promoted beneficial intestinal microbiota, and improved body composition (P < 0.05). Additionally, sodium alginate intake influenced the expression of genes associated with growth, immune function, and metabolism (P < 0.05). Overall, these findings support the dietary inclusion of 4.0 g/kg sodium alginate to optimize growth, physiological condition, and metabolic health in M. nipponense.
{"title":"Impacts of dietary sodium alginate as a prebiotic on the oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense): A comprehensive analysis of growth, physiology, immunity, antioxidant, and metabolism","authors":"Mohammad Ettefaghdoost, Hossein Haghighi","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100516","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100516","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The effects of dietary sodium alginate supplementation on <em>Macrobrachium nipponense</em> were evaluated over a 60-day feeding trial, with emphasis on growth, hematological, immune-physiological responses, and metabolic characteristics. Juvenile prawns with an initial average weight of 1.47 ± 0.05 g were assigned to diets containing 0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 4.0 g/kg sodium alginate. Among all the examined water quality indicators, dissolved oxygen (DO) was the only parameter that showed a statistically significant rise with increasing levels of sodium alginate supplementation, with the 4.0 g/kg group showing the maximum value of DO concentration (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Furthermore, growth metrics and survival rates (SR) were significantly enhanced in prawns receiving 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg sodium alginate compared to other treatments (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Hemato-biochemical indices generally decreased following sodium alginate supplementation, whereas levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were elevated (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Most immune parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities demonstrated positive modulation in response to the dietary intervention (<em>P</em> < 0.05), although glutathione peroxidase (GPx), acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities did not differ significantly among groups (<em>P</em> > 0.05). Diets supplemented with 4.0 g/kg sodium alginate notably enhanced digestive enzyme activities, promoted beneficial intestinal microbiota, and improved body composition (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Additionally, sodium alginate intake influenced the expression of genes associated with growth, immune function, and metabolism (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Overall, these findings support the dietary inclusion of 4.0 g/kg sodium alginate to optimize growth, physiological condition, and metabolic health in <em>M. nipponense</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100516"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145220833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-29DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2025.100515
Mehri Montazerharzand , Hamid Paya , Akbar Taghizadeh , Ali Hosseinkhani , Mohammad Ramin
Converting agricultural waste into biochar offers a promising approach to improve animal nutrition and mitigate environmental impacts. This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with walnut shell-derived biochar on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fermentation characteristics in fattening male lambs. Twelve lambs (initial body weight: 34.4 kg) were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments: a control diet and a diet supplemented with 1 % walnut shell biochar, over a period of 60 days. The inclusion of 1 % walnut shell biochar did not significantly affect dry matter intake (DMI) (p = 0.08), average daily gain (ADG) (p = 0.06), or feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p = 0.47). However, lambs fed the walnut shell biochar diet had a higher final body weight compared to the control group (p = 0.05). In contrast, lambs fed the walnut shell biochar -supplemented diet showed significantly higher digestibility coefficients of organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (p < 0.05). Rumen fermentation parameters were also influenced by the walnut shell biochar supplement, with increased total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration (p = 0.03), higher propionate levels (p = 0.054), and reduced protozoa counts (p = 0.0003), while rumen pH (p = 0.76) and ammonia nitrogen (NNH3) concentrations (p = 0.64) remained unaffected. These findings suggest that walnut shell biochar may improve fiber and organic matter digestibility and beneficially modulate rumen fermentation without compromising growth performance in lambs.
{"title":"Effects of walnut shell biochar feed additive on rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and performance in fattening lambs","authors":"Mehri Montazerharzand , Hamid Paya , Akbar Taghizadeh , Ali Hosseinkhani , Mohammad Ramin","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100515","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100515","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Converting agricultural waste into biochar offers a promising approach to improve animal nutrition and mitigate environmental impacts. This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with walnut shell-derived biochar on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fermentation characteristics in fattening male lambs. Twelve lambs (initial body weight: 34.4 kg) were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments: a control diet and a diet supplemented with 1 % walnut shell biochar, over a period of 60 days. The inclusion of 1 % walnut shell biochar did not significantly affect dry matter intake (DMI) (<em>p</em> = 0.08), average daily gain (ADG) (<em>p</em> = 0.06), or feed conversion ratio (FCR) (<em>p</em> = 0.47). However, lambs fed the walnut shell biochar diet had a higher final body weight compared to the control group (<em>p</em> = 0.05). In contrast, lambs fed the walnut shell biochar -supplemented diet showed significantly higher digestibility coefficients of organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Rumen fermentation parameters were also influenced by the walnut shell biochar supplement, with increased total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration (<em>p</em> = 0.03), higher propionate levels (<em>p</em> = 0.054), and reduced protozoa counts (<em>p</em> = 0.0003), while rumen pH (<em>p</em> = 0.76) and ammonia nitrogen (N<img>NH3) concentrations (<em>p</em> = 0.64) remained unaffected. These findings suggest that walnut shell biochar may improve fiber and organic matter digestibility and beneficially modulate rumen fermentation without compromising growth performance in lambs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100515"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145332707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-23DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2025.100514
Pedro Antônio Bronhara Pimentel , Antonio Giuliano , Fernanda Vieira Amorim da Costa , Paweł Marek Bęczkowski , Letícia Neves Ribeiro , Breno Neves Manzalli Oliveira , Raquel Fernandes Pereira , Rodrigo dos Santos Horta
Lymphoma is the most common neoplasia in cats and is frequently linked with concurrent retroviral infections. Despite preventive strategies, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) remain endemic in many parts of the world, with FeLV significantly shortening the lifespan of infected cats. In Brazil and other low-income countries, the incidence of FeLV and FIV remains high. However, the distribution of these retroviruses across South America is still unclear, and their correlation with the anatomical and clinical features of feline lymphoma remains poorly understood. Gaining a deeper understanding of these associations could lead to more effective disease control strategies and better-defined chemotherapy protocols. In this study, we examined the geographical distribution and clinical presentations of feline lymphoma in retrovirus-positive cats in Brazil. A modified bias risk analysis assessed the quality of published studies, and a map was created to highlight areas in need of further research. Initial screening of 703 studies identified 29 relevant ones, encompassing 607 cats with feline lymphoma. After bias analysis, 273 cases were included in this review: 190 were FeLV-positive and FIV-negative, 98 were FeLV-negative and FIV-negative, and 15 were FeLV-negative and FIV-positive. Cases were reported from six Brazilian states and the Federal District of Brazil (2000–2023). The anatomical location of lymphoma varied depending on the cats' viral status, with notable differences in intestinal and mediastinal manifestations. FeLV-negative cats showed an 11.1-fold increased risk (95 % CI=6.0–20.0) for intestinal lymphoma, while FeLV-positive cases had a 7.5-fold increased risk (95 % CI=3.7–15.6) for mediastinal lymphoma. Due to the scarcity of FIV-related cases, analyzing associations was not feasible. Given the apparent association between FeLV-positive status and lymphoma location, further research into this neoplasm is strongly encouraged. We also recommend widespread retrovirus testing and expanded FeLV vaccination efforts in Brazil.
{"title":"Feline lymphoma associated with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infections in Brazil- Systematic review","authors":"Pedro Antônio Bronhara Pimentel , Antonio Giuliano , Fernanda Vieira Amorim da Costa , Paweł Marek Bęczkowski , Letícia Neves Ribeiro , Breno Neves Manzalli Oliveira , Raquel Fernandes Pereira , Rodrigo dos Santos Horta","doi":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100514","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.vas.2025.100514","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lymphoma is the most common neoplasia in cats and is frequently linked with concurrent retroviral infections. Despite preventive strategies, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) remain endemic in many parts of the world, with FeLV significantly shortening the lifespan of infected cats. In Brazil and other low-income countries, the incidence of FeLV and FIV remains high. However, the distribution of these retroviruses across South America is still unclear, and their correlation with the anatomical and clinical features of feline lymphoma remains poorly understood. Gaining a deeper understanding of these associations could lead to more effective disease control strategies and better-defined chemotherapy protocols. In this study, we examined the geographical distribution and clinical presentations of feline lymphoma in retrovirus-positive cats in Brazil. A modified bias risk analysis assessed the quality of published studies, and a map was created to highlight areas in need of further research. Initial screening of 703 studies identified 29 relevant ones, encompassing 607 cats with feline lymphoma. After bias analysis, 273 cases were included in this review: 190 were FeLV-positive and FIV-negative, 98 were FeLV-negative and FIV-negative, and 15 were FeLV-negative and FIV-positive. Cases were reported from six Brazilian states and the Federal District of Brazil (2000–2023). The anatomical location of lymphoma varied depending on the cats' viral status, with notable differences in intestinal and mediastinal manifestations. FeLV-negative cats showed an 11.1-fold increased risk (95 % CI=6.0–20.0) for intestinal lymphoma, while FeLV-positive cases had a 7.5-fold increased risk (95 % CI=3.7–15.6) for mediastinal lymphoma. Due to the scarcity of FIV-related cases, analyzing associations was not feasible. Given the apparent association between FeLV-positive status and lymphoma location, further research into this neoplasm is strongly encouraged. We also recommend widespread retrovirus testing and expanded FeLV vaccination efforts in Brazil.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37152,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary and Animal Science","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100514"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145220831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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