Animal最新文献

{"title":"Environmental trade-offs of meeting nutritional requirements with a lower share of animal protein for adult subpopulations","authors":"J. Aubin ,&nbsp;F. Vieux ,&nbsp;S. Le Féon ,&nbsp;M. Tharrey ,&nbsp;J.L. Peyraud ,&nbsp;N. Darmon","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101182","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101182","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Decreasing the share of protein contributed by animal-based foods is recommended to move towards more sustainable and healthier diets. This study aimed to assess the potential environmental impacts of diets with a lower share of animal protein. The diets were modeled to include the minimum share of animal protein in total protein that met nutrient requirements and did not increase costs. The new diets also minimized the difference in the quantity of food from those of observed (<strong>OBS</strong>) diets. They were modeled for five adult subpopulations (defined by sex and age) using mathematical optimization. The model was created by combining the INCA2 database (to model OBS diets in the French population) and a database of 207 food items to adjust nutritional and price parameters. All modeled diets satisfied nutritional and cost constraints. A low-animal-protein (<strong>LAP</strong>) diet was identified for each subpopulation by progressively decreasing the share of animal protein by steps of 5% until the recommended quantity of protein and/or consumption constraints were no longer satisfied. Potential environmental impacts of the LAP diets in eight impact categories were calculated using life cycle assessment and life cycle inventories from Agribalyse® 3.0. A LAP diet for the entire population was calculated as a weighted mean of the subpopulations’ LAP diets. The share of animal protein decreased from 70% in the OBS diet to 50% in the LAP diet. Compared to the OBS diet, the LAP diet decreased five environmental impacts: climate change (greenhouse gas emissions), acidification (emissions of acidifying compounds) and land occupation (all by more than 30%), cumulative energy demand (by 23%) and marine eutrophication (by 13%). Conversely, it increased three environmental impacts: freshwater eutrophication and water use (both by ca. 40%) and biodiversity damage potential (potential loss of species associated with land use) (by 66%). These results suggest that decreasing the share of animal protein to 50% is compatible with nutritional requirements, affordability and consumption constraints, but would have mixed effects on the environment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 101182"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141027170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Review: Will “cultured meat” transform our food system towards more sustainability?","authors":"Jean-François Hocquette ,&nbsp;Sghaier Chriki ,&nbsp;Dominique Fournier ,&nbsp;Marie-Pierre Ellies-Oury","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101145","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101145","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Our agri-food system today should provide enough healthy food of good quality for the growing human population. However, it should also preserve natural resources and better protect livestock. In this context, some <em>FoodTech</em> companies are developing a disruptive approach: cell culture for <em>in vitro</em> food production of “meat” but this technology is still at the research and development stage. This article will highlight its development, the technologies used and the stakeholders involved (Part 1), its potential environmental impacts (Part 2) but also regulatory, social and ethical issues (Part 3). This article aims to shed light throughout the manuscript on two major controversies related to “cultured meat”. The first controversy is related to its ethical aspects, which includes different points: its potential to reduce animal suffering and therefore to improve animal welfare, the future values of our society, and a trend towards food artificialisation. The second controversy includes environmental, health and nutritional issues, in relation to the characteristics and quality of “cultured meat” with an important question: should we call it meat? These two controversies act in interaction in association with related societal, legal and consequently political issues. Answers to the various questions depend on the different visions of the World by stakeholders, consumers and citizens. Some of them argue for a moderate or a strong reduction in livestock farming, or even the abolition of livestock farming perceived as an exploitation of farm animals. Others just want a reduction of the current much criticised intensive/industrial model. Compared with other potential sustainable solutions to be implemented such as reduction of food losses and waste, new food consumption habits with less proteins of animal sources, sustainable intensification, development of agroecological livestock production, or the development of the market for other meat substitutes (proteins from plants, mycoproteins, algae, insects, etc.), “cultured meat” has an uncertain future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 101145"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140403935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Review: Livestock cell types with myogenic differentiation potential: Considerations for the development of cultured meat","authors":"M. Olenic ,&nbsp;C. Deelkens ,&nbsp;E. Heyman ,&nbsp;E. De Vlieghere ,&nbsp;X. Zheng ,&nbsp;J. van Hengel ,&nbsp;C. De Schauwer ,&nbsp;B. Devriendt ,&nbsp;S. De Smet ,&nbsp;L. Thorrez","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101242","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101242","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the current environmental impact of large-scale animal production and societal concerns about the welfare of farm animals, researchers are questioning whether we can cultivate animal cells for the purpose of food production. This review focuses on a pivotal aspect of the cellular agriculture domain: cells. We summarised information on the various cell types from farm animals currently used for the development of cultured meat, including mesenchymal stromal cells, myoblasts, and pluripotent stem cells. The review delves into the advantages and limitations of each cell type and considers factors like the selection of the appropriate cell source, as well as cell culture conditions that influence cell performance. As current research in cultured meat seeks to create muscle fibers to mimic the texture and nutritional profile of meat, we focused on the myogenic differentiation capacity of the cells. The most commonly used cell type for this purpose are myoblasts or satellite cells, but given their limited proliferation capacity, efforts are underway to formulate myogenic differentiation protocols for mesenchymal stromal cells and pluripotent stem cells. The multipotent character of the latter cell types might enable the creation of other tissues found in meat, such as adipose and connective tissues. This review can help guiding the selection of a cell type or culture conditions in the context of cultured meat development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 101242"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141693019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aims and Scope","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S1751-7311(25)00021-7","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S1751-7311(25)00021-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 ","pages":"Article 101438"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143172454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nose-clip use in semi-free ranging pigs reduces rooting without disrupting affiliative behaviour or causing prolonged stress","authors":"E. Collarini ,&nbsp;O. Dal Monte ,&nbsp;M. Traversa ,&nbsp;E. Mecarelli ,&nbsp;C. Medana ,&nbsp;S. Visentin ,&nbsp;G. Cordoni ,&nbsp;I. Norscia","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101404","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101404","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Domestic pigs (<em>Sus scrofa</em>) raised under natural conditions can show their complete behavioural repertoire. However, rooting behaviour can have a great impact on the environment. In the context of the promotion of farm animal welfare and environmental concerns, this study investigated the potential of nose-clips as a less invasive alternative to nose-rings for the management of rooting behaviour of free-ranging pigs. We collected behavioural data and salivary cortisol levels on two groups: an experimental group (n = 17) with nose-clips and a control group (n = 17) without nose-clips. After the nose-clipping, we observed a temporary increase in anxiety-related behaviour and cortisol levels during the 1st week, followed by a return to pre-application levels in the following weeks. We found a temporary decrease in affiliative interactions involving the nose during the 1st week after the application of nose-clips, whereas no differences in affiliative interactions without nose contact and aggression levels were observed. Moreover, nose-clips effectively reduced destructive excavation behaviours, without leading to a simultaneous increase in other exploratory behaviours. In conclusion, our findings show that nose-clips could be a solution that mitigates destructive rooting while preserving social interactions and animal welfare. Further research is essential to consolidate these findings and assess the long-term implications of this approach.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 2","pages":"Article 101404"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143014919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Short communication: The importance of random effects in detecting purging of inbreeding depression: A model comparison in Pannon White rabbits","authors":"I. Nagy ,&nbsp;I. Curik ,&nbsp;A.T. Nguyen ,&nbsp;J. Farkas ,&nbsp;Gy. Kövér","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101412","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101412","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Inbreeding depression (<strong>ID</strong>) is a well-documented phenomenon associated with reduced fitness and possible extinction. However, ID can be mitigated or even eliminated through the interplay of inbreeding and selection, a process known as purging. The aim of this study was to compare the predictive power of two commonly used approaches in models with and without random dam effects to detect purging (full and reduced models). Specifically, we compared the full and reduced models based on the Kalinowski ancestral inbreeding coefficient (<strong>KAL</strong>) with the full and reduced inbreeding-purging (<strong>IP</strong>) models based on the purged inbreeding coefficient. Our analysis utilised kindling records from 1 379 Pannon rabbits born between 1992 and 1997. We modelled the effects of dam and litter inbreeding on kit survival at birth (zero/one), an important fitness trait, along with the effects of parity and the effects of kindling season. Random dam effects were only considered in the full KAL and IP models. We assessed the classification abilities (predictive power) of these models using Receiver Operating Characteristic (<strong>ROC</strong>) and Precision-Recall (<strong>PR</strong>) curves, where larger areas under the curve (<strong>AUC</strong>) indicate better classification performance. The full KAL model (AUC-ROC = 0.8156, AUC-PR = 0.9861) and the full IP model (AUC-ROC = 0.8152, AUC-PR = 0.9860), both of which include random dam effects, demonstrated high predictive power based on both methods. In contrast, the reduced KAL model (AUC-ROC = 0.5730, AUC-PR = 0.9553) and the reduced IP model (AUC-ROC = 0.5686, AUC-PR = 0.9546), which did not include random dam effects, had significantly lower AUC values. Based on our empirical results using the receiver ROC and PR curves, it could be concluded that the inclusion of random dam effects significantly increased the predictive power of the KAL and IP approaches. This finding has high importance as the inclusion of ’polygenic’ random effects is not standard - and possibly never applied - in the IP models, unlike in KAL models where their use is more common.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 2","pages":"Article 101412"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143025657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of an innovative intravaginal model of probiotic inoculation in dairy ovine flocks: positive effects on the vaginal microbiota, vaginitis and fertility","authors":"M. Toquet ,&nbsp;J. Gomis ,&nbsp;E. Jiménez-Trigos ,&nbsp;E. Bataller ,&nbsp;M. Barba ,&nbsp;A. Sánchez ,&nbsp;P. González-Torres ,&nbsp;Á. Gómez-Martín","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101417","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101417","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>In vitro</em> studies have reported the antimicrobial effect of an inoculum (<strong>L2</strong>) made from commercial probiotic strains of <em>Lactobacillus</em> spp. (<em>Lactobacillus (L.) crispatus</em>, <em>L. brevis</em> and <em>L. gasseri</em>) against some ruminants’ pathogens. However, their possible beneficial effects on controlling the vaginosis caused by the use of intravaginal sponges for oestrus synchronisation have not been evaluated in <em>in vivo</em> models. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to perform an intravaginal double inoculation of this same non-lyophilised (non-freeze-dried) L2 inoculum, in 120 ewes from four dairy commercial ovine flocks using straws similar to those used in artificial insemination. Globally, in the entire study population, the fertility percentage (65%) of the inoculated groups increased by 10% compared to the control groups (55%). Specifically, increases in the percentages of pregnant sheep in flocks 1 and 4 (10.7 and 5.7% respectively; <em>P</em> &gt; 0.05) and flock 3 (27.3%; <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) were observed in inoculated ewes. Overall, the administration of L2 on the day of intravaginal sponge insertion decreased the number of ewes with vaginitis by 11.13% at the time of sponge removal (<strong>T1</strong>). In the first flock, the administration of the probiotic positively modulated the microbiota with an increased richness and presence of Lactobacillales accompanied by a reduction in <em>Mycoplasma</em> spp. Genera such as <em>Fusobacterium, Streptobacillus, Campylobacter or Trueperella</em> were linked to the presence of vaginitis at T1. Genera belonging to Lactobacillales, including some genera previously reported to be beneficial for pregnancy, significantly increased at the time of pregnancy diagnosis but significantly decreased at T1. The results of this study suggest that the use of probiotics via intravaginal inoculation as a strategy to positively modulate the microbiota and vaginal inflammation, derived from the use of intravaginal sponges, is also associated with improved fertility. This novel approach could improve animal welfare in oestrus-synchronisation protocols and represents an alternative to the prophylactic use of antibiotics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 2","pages":"Article 101417"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143082008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Temporal changes in plasma and milk lipids in response to an esophageal bolus of rumen-protected fish oil in lactating Holstein dairy cows","authors":"J.E. Rico ,&nbsp;V. Sáinz de la Maza-Escolà ,&nbsp;N.D. Senevirathne ,&nbsp;P. Deme ,&nbsp;N.J. Haughey ,&nbsp;R. Gervais ,&nbsp;J.W. McFadden","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101381","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2024.101381","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Feeding very-long-chain omega-3 (<strong>VLC n-3</strong>) fatty acids (<strong>FA</strong>), which are found in fish oil, may have beneficial effects on health, fertility, and milk production in the dairy cow. Rumen-protected technologies aim to prevent the ruminal biohydrogenation of VLC n-3 FA. To test the effects of these technologies on circulating FA and phospholipid concentrations, and milk FA concentrations, six mid-lactation, multiparous, pregnant Holstein dairy cows (mean ± SD: 155 ± 19 days in milk; 3.0 ± 0.5 body condition score; 3.2 ± 1.1 lactations; 644 ± 23 kg BW) were randomly assigned to treatments in a study with a replicated 3 × 3 Latin Square design. Cows were unsupplemented (control) or supplemented with a single esophageal bolus of a gelatin capsule containing a fish oil product coated in palm oil triglycerides or modified starch (<strong>TAG</strong> and <strong>STR</strong>, respectively). The provision of either fish oil product provided 10 g equivalent of VLC n-3 FA including 20:5 n-3 and 22:6 n-3. Cows were fed a total mixed ration to meet or exceed nutrient requirements and were milked thrice daily. Blood was sampled at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 24, and 36 h, relative to bolus administration. A 7-d washout period was utilized between each bolus delivery. Extracted plasma was analyzed for individual FA and phospholipid concentrations using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Separated milk fat was analyzed for individual milk FA using gas–liquid chromatography and a flame-ionization detector. Data were analyzed under a mixed model with the random effect of cow, and the fixed effects of treatment, hour, and period. Plasma concentrations of 20:5 n-3 and 22:6 n-3 increased over time by TAG and STR, relative to control. Plasma concentrations of lysophophatidylcholine-20:5, −22:5 and −22:6, and phosphatidylcholine (<strong>PC</strong>)-38:5 and −38:6 were higher in TAG and STR by h 10, relative to control. Plasma PC-40:5 and −40:6 concentrations were greater in cows administered STR by h 10, relative to TAG. Total milk n-3 increased over time in treated cows compared to control. We conclude that triglyceride- or starch-encapsulated fish oil increases the plasma and milk concentrations of VLC n-3 FA and phospholipids containing these acyl chains in lactating cows.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 2","pages":"Article 101381"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143178072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A dose–response meta-analysis of grape by-product effects on lamb growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood parameters","authors":"J. Bahrampour ,&nbsp;A.H. Piray ,&nbsp;A. Mousaie ,&nbsp;M. H. Ghaffari","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101449","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101449","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Previous studies on feeding grape by-products (<strong>GBP</strong>) to lambs have shown conflicting results regarding performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, and blood constituents. To clarify these uncertainties, we conducted a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and dose-dependent effects of GBP in lamb diets. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results, including the localisation of knots, leave-one-out tests and the exclusion of data points with high GBP addition (more than 600 g/kg). The results showed that GBP addition had no statistically significant effect on DMI (<em>P</em> = 0.92), average daily gain (<em>P</em> = 0.21) or final live weight (<em>P</em> = 0.36). However, GBP inclusion had a significant effect on feed conversion ratio (<em>P</em> = 0.002), with lambs fed up to 450 g/kg GBP showing an improved feed conversion ratio, which peaked at 200 g/kg. ADF digestibility was not significantly affected by GBP inclusion (<em>P</em> = 0.08). Conversely, significant negative linear correlations were observed between the consumption of GBP and the digestibility of OM (<em>P</em> = 0.03), CP (<em>P</em> = 0.002), DM (<em>P</em> = 0.001) and NDF (<em>P</em> = 0.004). In contrast, the intake of GBP was positively associated with fat digestibility (<em>P</em> = 0.001). The meta-analysis revealed no significant association between GBP intake and urinary nitrogen excretion, nitrogen consumed, faecal nitrogen excretion, or nitrogen retained. Blood analysis also showed no significant correlation between GBP consumption and serum concentrations of albumin, cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, or total protein. However, blood urea nitrogen concentration showed a significant non-linear, J-shaped relationship with GBP consumption (<em>P</em> = 0.001), decreasing with GBP inclusion up to 250 g/kg DM, with no significant changes at higher levels. No statistically significant effects of GBP on serum AST (<em>P</em> = 0.28) or GGT (<em>P</em> = 0.93) were observed. In contrast, GBP intake of up to 200 g/kg DM significantly reduced ALT activity in serum (<em>P</em> = 0.009). In conclusion, the intake of GBP shows a dose-dependent response that affects nutrient digestibility and may influence feed efficiency and health status of lambs. Intake of GBP in the range of 200–400 g/kg DM can improve feed conversion ratio and health but can also reduce the digestibility of certain feed components such as OM, DM, CP and NDF.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 3","pages":"Article 101449"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143444827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of dietary energy levels on production and absorption of hindgut short-chain fatty acids in two sheep breeds","authors":"X.P. Jing ,&nbsp;L. Zhao ,&nbsp;W.J. Wang ,&nbsp;A.A. Degen ,&nbsp;J.D. Mi ,&nbsp;J.W. Zhou ,&nbsp;R.J. Long","doi":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101447","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.animal.2025.101447","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hindgut fermentation is a crucial process in the production of short-chain fatty acids (<strong>SCFAs</strong>) and the provision of energy for ruminants. However, hindgut fermentation is not well−researched and has only recently received more attention. Tibetan sheep (<strong>T-sheep</strong>), an indigenous sheep breed raised on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (<strong>QTP</strong>), play a vital role in the livelihood of the residents and in ecosystem services in the region. They have adapted well to the fluctuating supply of energy and nutrition under the harsh environment of the QTP. As part of the same study as the present study, T-sheep produced more ruminal SCFAs and had a greater capacity to absorb SCFAs than Small-tailed Han sheep (<strong>H-sheep</strong>), a breed introduced to the QTP due to their high reproductive rate. These findings raised intriguing questions about whether T-sheep also produce and absorb a greater amount of hindgut SCFAs to adapt to the harsh QTP environment, and whether there is a link between rumen and hindgut dietary digestion. Twenty-four T-sheep and 24 H-sheep, all 1.5-year-old wethers, were divided randomly into four groups of six sheep in each breed, and each group received a diet of different energy yield, namely, 8.21, 9.33, 10.45 or 11.57 MJ digestible energy (DE)/kg DM. After 49 days of treatment, all sheep were slaughtered, and tissues and digesta from the cecum, colon, and rectum were collected. The morphology of tissues was examined, and the concentrations of SCFAs in digesta and the expressions of related genes involved in the absorption and metabolism of SCFAs were determined. The concentration of total SCFAs and the molar proportion of butyrate increased in each site as the dietary energy level increased, and the H-sheep produced greater yields of total SCFAs in both the colon and rectum than T-sheep. This indicated a greater production of SCFAs in the hindgut of H-sheep than T-sheep, compensating for their lesser production in the rumen. T-sheep had a greater absorption surface area of the hindgut and greater mRNA expressions of SCFA transporters, indicating a greater capacity to absorb SCFAs than H-sheep. However, T-sheep had lesser mRNA expressions of the rate-limiting enzymes and regulators in SCFAs metabolism, indicating a lesser capacity for metabolism of SCFAs in the hindgut than H-sheep. These characteristics confer T-sheep with an advantage in the absorption and metabolism of SCFAs in the hindgut, enabling them to adapt rapidly to the highly fluctuating energy intake on the harsh QTP.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50789,"journal":{"name":"Animal","volume":"19 3","pages":"Article 101447"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143444828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}