Frontiers in animal science最新文献

{"title":"Relationship between higher estrus-associated temperatures and the bovine preovulatory follicular fluid metabolome","authors":"Abigayle B. Pollock, Sarah E. Moorey, Emma A. Hessock, Jessica L. Klabnik, Rebecca R. Payton, F. Neal Schrick, Shawn R. Campagna, J. Lannett Edwards","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1241033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1241033","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction A higher estrus-associated temperature (HEAT) is a hallmark feature in sexually active females; however, its functional importance is unclear. Our objective was to examine the relationship between HEAT and the preovulatory follicular fluid metabolome. It was hypothesized that HEAT is functionally important as it affects fertility-related components in the preovulatory follicle. Methods Estrus was synchronized in non-lactating Jersey cows. A Thermochron iButton temperature data logger was affixed to blank controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices and intravaginally inserted after CIDR device removal. The follicular fluid was aspirated 14.9 h + 3.3 h after an animal first stood to be mounted. Regression models were performed using metabolite abundance and HEAT variables. Best-fit models were determined using backward manual selection ( p < 0.05). Results A total of 86 metabolites were identified in cow follicular fluid samples. The vaginal temperature at first mount and when it was expressed as a change from baseline was positively related to the abundance of four metabolites (i.e., taurine, sn -glycerol 3-phosphate, glycine, and cysteine) and negatively related to one metabolite (i.e., serine). The vaginal temperature at the first standing mount was related to the differential abundance of two metabolites (i.e., jasmonate and N -carbamoyl-L-aspartate). Three metabolites were related to the maximum vaginal temperature (i.e., N -carbamoyl-L-aspartate, uracil, and glycodeoxycholate). When expressed as a change from baseline, the maximum vaginal temperature was related to the differential abundances of uracil, uric acid, and 6-phospho-D-gluconate. The time taken to reach maximum vaginal temperature was related to N -carbamoyl-L-aspartate, glycodeoxycholate, jasmonate, and tricarballylic acid. Pertaining to the combination of HEAT and its duration, the area under the curve associated with the time between the first increase in vaginal temperature and the maximum vaginal temperature was related to 6-phospho-D-gluconate, sulfolactate, guanidoacetic acid, and aspartate. The area under the curve associated with the time between the initial vaginal temperature increase and up to 10 h after a cow first stood to be mounted or when a cow’s temperature returned to baseline was related to the differential abundances of uracil, sn -glycerol 3-phosphate, methionine sulfoxide, and taurodeoxycholate. Discussion Our findings support the notion that HEAT is related to changes in the preovulatory follicular fluid metabolites involved in energy metabolism, thermoregulation, and oxidative stress management.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":"54 s56","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135431181","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}

{"title":"Health effects of ruminant trans fatty acids with emphasis on type 2 diabetes","authors":"Yanqing Xu, Michael E. R. Dugan, Cletos Mapiye, Payam Vahmani","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1278966","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1278966","url":null,"abstract":"Recent government bans on industrial trans fatty acids (TFA) in developed countries has left naturally occurring TFA from ruminant products (e.g., dairy, beef, and lamb) as the sole source of TFA in the food supply. In contrast to industrial TFA, which have undisputed adverse health effects, ruminant TFA such as trans vaccenic acid (TVA; trans11-18:1), rumenic acid (RA; cis9, trans11-18:2) and trans palmitoleic acid (TPA; trans9-16:1) have been associated with reduced risk for some diseases such as type 2 diabetes. The present review summarizes the findings from observational, animal and human studies investigating the effects of ruminant TFA on metabolic parameters related to type 2 diabetes, and provides an update on the current knowledge of their biosynthesis, intake and factors affecting their concentrations in ruminant derived foods. Overall, observational studies and a small number of animal studies suggest that ruminant TFA may be protective against type 2 diabetes, whereas the same benefits have not been observed in other animal studies or in human clinical trials. Additional clinical and mechanistic studies are needed to better understand the isomer-specific effects of ruminant TFA. Until then, production practices resulting in increased levels of this group of fatty acids in ruminant milk and meat should be carefully reconsidered.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":"112 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135679557","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}

{"title":"Relationship between wool cortisol, wool quality indices of Australian Merino rams and climatic variables in Tasmania","authors":"Troy Cobb, Georgia-Constantina Hantzopoulou, Edward Narayan","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1234343","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1234343","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction Australia is the world’s largest producer and exporter of fine wool. External factors (i.e., non-genetic) that affect wool phenotype need to be identified and managed to minimize any negative effects on wool quality. Climatic stress is one external event that can affect wool phenotype, other stressors include shearing, nutrition, disease, pregnancy, and lambing. This study focuses on the relationship between Saxon Merino ram wool phenotype and wool cortisol. The hypotheses had two parts (i) wool cortisol levels would vary seasonally and variations would correlate with wool phenotype (ii) that these seasonal variations would also correlate with thermal indices. Methods Cortisol levels in Saxon Merino ram wool samples were determined using a cortisol enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) using polyclonal cortisol antibody. The wool cortisol results were correlated for significance with thermal indices including Temperature Humidity Index [THI] and Chill Index [CI] obtained from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Results Part 1 of hypothesis one was supported with wool cortisol showing significant seasonal variation. Part 2 of hypothesis 1 was not supported, with no statistically significant causality present between total wool cortisol levels and the price index of Saxon Merino ram wool. However, there was significant causality between wool cortisol and coarse edge measurement (CEM) of wool. Hypothesis 2, the proposal that thermal indices would impact on wool cortisol was also not supported. Discussion It can be concluded that although conclusive causality between total wool cortisol and wool phenotype quality could not be ascertained, there were indirect effects of cortisol levels on wool phenotypes with significant effects on the CEM. The CEM of Merino Saxon ram wool can be manipulated by assessing and managing cortisol levels during the growth cycles of Merino wool, through appropriate nutrition and husbandry procedures stress could be managed.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":"22 2","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135819502","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}

{"title":"Recording group and area-specific activity of fattening pigs by using Passive Infrared Detectors on farm","authors":"Esther Wurm, Naemi von Jasmund, Inga Tiemann, Kathrin Schulze Rötering, Wolfgang Büscher","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1279086","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1279086","url":null,"abstract":"Animal activity in pigs can be a direct indicator of animal welfare. Passive infrared detectors (PID) provide one method of measuring animal activity on the pen level as a cost-effective and easy-to-use sensor technique. The study aimed to test PIDs on different commercial farms with fattening pigs. On each farm, a focus pen was selected and group activity, and activity in the feeding and exploration area was measured by using three PIDs. For data evaluation, three continuous 24h time periods were selected for each farm. Additionally, animal behavior was recorded by video cameras for visual scan sampling. To compare the PID outcome with the recorded behaviors, an ethogram was used to categorize active and inactive behaviors. Using scan sampling, the validation of the PID data was based on still frames at 10 min intervals. In addition, barn climate such as temperature, relative humidity, and ammonia concentration were measured. The analysis of seven farms showed a strong correlation between PID data and visual assessment for group activity from 0.67 - 0.91 (p < 0.001; n = 432). For the activity in the feeding area, medium to strong correlations between 0.44 - 0.65 (p < 0.001; n = 327) could be found. The PID data for the exploration area reached correlations with a smaller effect strength. Based on the activity data measured by PIDs, a typical diurnal rhythm for pigs could be found for all farms. Moreover, the PID data indicated different activity patterns depending on, e.g., feeding times and sex group composition. The results demonstrated that PIDs can also be used in different housing conditions for measuring animal activity. In combination with barn climate data, the PIDs can provide useful information for the farmer and also characterize farm-specific management.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":"16 13","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135972948","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}

{"title":"Milled rapeseeds and oats decrease milk saturated fatty acids and ruminal methane emissions in dairy cows without changes in product sensory quality","authors":"Anni Halmemies-Beauchet-Filleau, Seija Jaakkola, Tuomo Kokkonen, Anu M. Turpeinen, D. Ian Givens, Aila Vanhatalo","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1278495","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1278495","url":null,"abstract":"Plant lipids in the diet are known to modify milk fatty acid (FA) composition and mitigate ruminal methane emissions. The objective of the present work was to examine the potential of milled rapeseeds and oats to decrease both milk saturated FAs and ruminal methane emissions in practical farm settings. In the pilot study, six Finnish Ayrshire cows were fed a control diet for 3 weeks, which was then followed by a lipid-rich test diet for 3 weeks. The experimental diets were based on grass silage supplemented with barley and rapeseed meals in the control diet and with oats and milled rapeseeds in the test diet. The lipid inclusion rate was 55 g/kg dry matter (DM). In the main study, the whole Finnish Ayrshire research herd in milk ( n = 49–59) was used in a switch-back-designed study. The cows were fed a control diet for 3 weeks, then a test diet for 4 weeks, and, finally, a control diet for 3 weeks. The diets were the same as in the pilot study except for a lower lipid inclusion level of 50 g/kg DM. The test diet decreased DM intake by 15% and energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield by 13% in the pilot study. The adjustment of supplemental lipids from 55 g/kg to 50 g/kg DM was successful, as the DM intake decreased only by 4% relative to the control diet in the main study. Furthermore, the yields of milk, lactose, protein, and fat were also unaffected by dietary lipids in the main study. The milk fat composition was significantly altered in both studies. The milk fat saturated FAs were decreased by 16%–20% in the test diet, mainly due to the de novo FAs of 6- to 16-carbons (a reduction of 22%–48%). Milk fat cis -9 18:1 was increased by 63%–78% in the test diet relative to the control. Dairy products’ (milk, butter, and cheese) organoleptic quality was not compromised by the modified lipid profile. Ruminal methane and hydrogen intensities ( n = 23; g or mg/kg ECM) were 20% and 39% lower, respectively, in the test diet than in the control diet. This reduction can be attributed to a lower amount of organic matter fermented in the rumen, as indicated by the lower DM intake and nutrient digestibility.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":"26 6","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135974374","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}

{"title":"Assessing short-term economic consequences of cow-calf contact systems in dairy production using a stochastic partial budgeting approach","authors":"Karin Alvåsen, Marie J. Haskell, Silvia Ivemeyer, Hanna Eriksson, Kathryn Bicknell, Nils Fall, Haseeb Ahmed","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1197327","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1197327","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction While early separation of dairy calves after birth has been debated from an ethical and animal welfare lens, the economic evidence surrounding alternative cow-calf contact (CCC) systems is scarce. Methods To address this knowledge gap, we assessed the economic consequences of CCC systems using data from the Agriwise database as well as parameters from published literature in a stochastic partial budget model. The implementation of CCC is very diverse between farms, so in our study we therefore selected a limited number of CCC systems to assess. The examined CCC systems were: (i) dam rearing with limited contact at milking (15 minutes twice a day for 115 days) with no manual milk feeding; (ii) dam rearing with 21-day full contact, after which calves are manually fed 8 kg of whole milk for 94 days; and (iii) mixed calf rearing with using both dams and foster cows with full contact; calves are initially kept with their dams and then moved to foster cows at 9 days of age. Results We found that adoption of CCC systems was associated with decreases in contribution margins in the range of 1 to 5.4%, as compared to a rearing system where the calves were separated from their dams after one day and were manually fed 8 kg of milk for 12 weeks. These results illustrated that the costs associated with CCC systems may be fairly high under certain circumstances and may prohibit farmers from adopting this practice. Sensitivity analysis suggested that differences in milk sales, assumptions on changes in labor requirements, and changes in daily calf weight gain depending on CCC system were the main variables that governed the net impact on the contribution margins. Discussion We did not include building costs in the analyses assuming that barn structures may not change in the short-term. The study focused only on short-term pecuniary associations between changes in CCC systems and contribution margins. To strengthen the economic decision-making around CCC systems, future research should consider non-monetary impacts of different CCC systems, as well as long-term economic impacts of these production strategies.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":"94 1-2","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135271509","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}

{"title":"Effect of the inclusion of rumen-protected amino acids in the diet of growing beef cattle on animal performance and meat quality","authors":"Almudena Cabezas, Jesús De la Fuente, María Teresa Díaz, Rubén Bermejo-Poza, Diego Martínez del Olmo, Javier Mateos, Nuria Llanes, Vicente Jimeno","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1269775","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1269775","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction This study investigated the impact of rumen-protected amino acids on beef cattle's growth, fattening performance, and meat quality. Methods Two groups of 40 Montbeliard steers (237.8 ± 30 kg body weight) were housed separately and fed, with mono-tunnel feeders, either a control diet (CON) or a diet containing rumen-protected lysine and methionine with 3% less crude protein (APR). Feed consumption and weight were tracked in all animals, and meat quality analysis focused on the longissimus muscle, with 10 steers randomly selected from each treatment. Results and discussion Results for overall performance revealed no significant differences in body weight, average daily gain (ADG), and concentrate conversion ratio between the CON and APR diets (p > 0.05). However, during the final 90 days of the trial, the APR group showed significantly higher ADG (p < 0.05) than the CON group, while the concentrate conversion ratio was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the CON group compared to the APR group. The hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and carcass conformation did not differ significantly between the CON and APR diets (p > 0.05). There was a slight tendency (p = 0.06) for higher fatness score in the CON group. Regarding meat composition, the diet did not significantly affect proximate composition, but a tendency (p = 0.059) for higher crude protein content in APR cattle's meat compared to the CON group was observed. The APR meat showed slightly lower levels of C17:1 (0.56% vs. 0.72%) and C18:1n9 (31.7% vs. 34%). There was a tendency for C14:0 to be lower (P = 0.07), and for C16:0, C18:2 and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to be greater in meat from cattle fed APR compared to CON. However, meat quality attributes like pH, water-holding capacity, color, and texture were similar in both CON and APR groups (p > 0.05). The findings indicate that utilizing rumen-protected amino acids enables formulating diets with reduced crude protein levels while enhancing nitrogen utilization efficiency for protein synthesis in intensively reared steers. Importantly, these dietary improvements do not adversely affect meat quality.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":"196 2","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136312234","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}

{"title":"The effect of teff (Eragrostis tef) hay inclusion on feed intake, digestibility, and milk production in dairy cows","authors":"Philip Wagali, Godliver Ngomuo, Justine Kilama, Chris Sabastian, Shiran Ben-Zeev, Yehoshav A. Ben-Meir, Nurit Argov-Argaman, Yehoshua Saranga, Sameer J. Mabjeesh","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1260787","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1260787","url":null,"abstract":"Teff ( Eragrostis tef ) is a drought-tolerant, multi-harvest, high-quality summer forage crop. We conducted a study aiming at assessing the effect of replacing wheat hay with teff hay in diets on the feed intake, digestibility, and lactational performance of dairy cows. Thirty-four multiparous (≥3rd parity) Israeli Holstein Friesian dairy cows averaging (± SD) 182 days in milk ± 8 days in milk, 45 kg/d ± 4.8 kg/d of milk yield, and a body weight of 647.1 kg ± 51 kg at the beginning of the study were recruited to a 6-week feeding trial. Cows were randomly divided into two balanced groups based on parity, days in milk, and milk yield. Cows were subjected to two low-roughage dietary treatments (~30% roughage): a control wheat hay-based diet and a teff hay-based diet. Production performances, dry matter intake, and nutrient digestibility were measured. Milk samples were analyzed for their composition and fatty acids profile. Blood samples were used to measure metabolite concentrations. The statistical model included fixed effects of dietary treatments, time, and random effects of cows nested in treatment. Production data and feed intake were analyzed as repeated measures using a covariance structure. Dietary treatments did not affect dry matter intake (26 kg/d). However, the teff-fed cows demonstrated higher crude protein digestibility than control cows (61.9% vs. 59.2%). Dietary teff inclusion increased milk yield by 1.5 kg/d. Polyunsaturated fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids profiles in milk were greater in the teff cows than in the control cows (4.77 g/100 g vs. 4.36 g/100 g and 3.71 g/100 g vs. 3.43 g/100 g, respectively). Non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and blood urea nitrogen concentrations in circulation were higher in the control group than in the teff group. The acetic-to-propionic-acid ratio in the rumen fluid was higher in control cows than in teff cows (2.90 vs. 2.43). However, the ruminal ammonia-N concentration was higher in the teff cows than in the control cows (18.5 mg/dL vs. 15.8 mg/dL). In conclusion, teff hay inclusion in the rations of high-producing dairy cows increased milk yield, which could be attributed to improved crude protein digestibility and energy partition to production.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":"49 8","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135168585","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}

{"title":"One health implications of fur farming","authors":"Clifford Warwick, Anthony Pilny, Catrina Steedman, Rachel Grant","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1249901","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1249901","url":null,"abstract":"Fur farming involves the captive-breeding, rearing, and killing of between 85 – 100 million animals annually for their pelts. The purpose of this report is to summarise key areas of significance and concern regarding fur farming, and discuss these matters and their one-health considerations. We conducted primary literature searches using Google Scholar and PubMed that focused on issues of animal welfare, zoonoses and public health, and environmental impacts of fur farming, and examined 280 reports. We identified that at least 15 species are farmed for fur across at least 19 countries. We found 16 categories of animal welfare concern (e.g., deprivation, stress, abnormal behaviours, insanitary conditions, forced obesity, and high morbidity and mortality), 18 reported endemic pathogens and diseases with confirmed or potential zoonotic and cross-species implications (e.g., bacterial n = 6, viral n = 5, and parasitic n = 7), and four main categories of environmental concern (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, invasive alien species, toxic chemicals, and eutrophication) associated with fur farming. Despite numerous efforts to systematically monitor and control animal welfare at fur farms, practices continue to fail to meet normal scientific principles and models used in other animal welfare situations. In our view, limited available data does not currently indicate that fur farms are major sources of zoonotic epidemics and pandemics. The environmental problems caused by fur farming are significant, and relate mainly to invasive species, toxic chemical release and eutrophication of water bodies. We offer some recommendations for monitoring and controlling particular fur farming practices, in line with many governments and other investigators we conclude that inherent problems are essentially unresolvable and advocate complete prohibitions on the sector.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":"8 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135170783","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}

{"title":"Exploring undergraduate students’ perceptions of food animal production and their sense of belonging in an introductory animal science course","authors":"Paxton Sullivan, Colton Smith, Erica Machuca, Abigail Figan, Sage Mijares, Noa Roman-Muniz, Catie Cramer, Jason Ahola, Lorann Stallones, Lily Edwards-Callaway","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1268719","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1268719","url":null,"abstract":"New animal science undergraduates are further removed from agriculture than ever before, many coming from non-agricultural backgrounds lacking experience with food animals. In addition to beginning a degree program in which they have little experience, undergraduates face unique challenges during their transition to college, which could impact retention and success in their chosen major. The focal course, Food Animal Science: ANEQ 101, is an introductory animal science course composed primarily of first year animal science students. This course utilized experiential learning by implementing laboratories with dairy calves providing hands-on experience. Pre- and post-surveys were developed to assess students’ perceptions of food animal production, welfare, and sense of belonging in the Animal Science major at the beginning and end of this course that was characterized by hands-on opportunities; quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on 114 paired survey responses. Respondents were mostly female (79%, n = 91), white (80.7%, n = 92), and from non-agricultural backgrounds (83.3%, n = 95). Despite only half (51.8%, n = 59) of respondents indicating that they had experience with food animals, most respondents indicated that they agreed being comfortable with food animal production (96.5%, n = 110) and working with food animals (95.6%; n = 109); agreement with these statements was similar in the post-survey ( P > 0.05). More students agreed with the statement “In the United States, food animals are raised with an acceptable level of animal welfare” ( P = 0.016) in the post-survey as compared with the pre-survey. In the pre- and post-survey, questions related to belonging garnered positive responses, consequently, there was no evidence that students’ sense of belonging in the major was altered during the course. Two free-response questions asked respondents to comment on their sense of belonging in the major. Thematic analysis of these answers identified themes related to belonging, including Learning and Curriculum, Career Goals and Aspirations, Passion for Working with Animals, Self-Assurance, and Community and Classroom Environment. The majority of students had positive views about production and their sense of belonging within the major highlighting the value of integrating experiential learning opportunities for students studying animal science.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":"79 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135166207","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}