Pub Date : 2023-09-07DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1233273
Amanda Regina Cagliari, Elaine Magnani, Fernanda Rigon, Kalista Eloisa Loregian, Ana Claudia Casagrande, Bruna Roberta Amâncio, Juliana Bueno da Silva, Veronica Lisboa Santos, Marcos Inácio Marcondes, Eduardo Marostegan Paula, Pedro Del Bianco Benedeti, Renata Helena Branco
Introduction The study aimed to assess yeast-based additives' effects, as monensin alternatives, on rumen fermentation parameters, greenhouse gas emissions, and ruminal kinetics of ruminant diets using an in vitro system. Three experiments were conducted, each individually evaluating escalating levels of three yeast-based additives. Methods Three experiments were designed: Experiment 1 evaluated prebiotic blend 1—yeast culture [Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Scer)], beta-glucans, fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, and mannanoligosaccharides; Experiment 2 investigated prebiotic blend 2—beta-glucan fractions and mannanoligosaccharides from Scer; Experiment 3 examined yeast cells—hydrolyzed, inactivated, and spray-dried yeast (Scer) cells. Uniform experimental design and procedures were employed across the three experiments. Each experiment had six treatments: monensin (Rumensin®, 25 mg/kg DM) as positive control, and yeast additive levels (0, 533, 1,067, 1,600, and 2,133 mg/kg on DM basis) added to ruminant diets (60% corn silage and 40% concentrate). An in vitro gas production (GP) system with 50 AnkomRF bottles assessed total GP (at 24 and 48 hours), kinetics, fermentation profiles, methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. Comparison with monensin utilized Dunnett’s test (5%). Yeast additive levels were analyzed for linear and quadratic responses. Results In Experiment 1, the 1,600 mg/kg yeast additive had lower concentrations of propionate, isobutyrate, valerate, and branched-chain volatile fatty acids (BCVFAs), and a higher acetate concentration and acetate-to-propionate ratio than monensin. In Experiment 2, the 1,600 mg/kg yeast additive led to lower total VFA and isovalerate concentrations than monensin. Additionally, compared to the 1,067 mg/kg yeast additive, monensin showed lower isovalerate concentration and higher NH3-N concentration. In Experiment 3, the 533 mg/kg yeast additive resulted in lower valerate and BCVFA concentrations, and higher CH4 and CO2 concentrations than monensin. Monensin had lower total VFA, butyrate, and acetate-to-propionate ratio, and higher propionate concentration compared to the 2,133 mg/kg yeast additive. Discussion Collectively, these findings suggest yeast-based additives could be monensin alternatives, enhancing animal nutrient utilization efficiency and contributing to improved livestock sustainability.
{"title":"Evaluation of yeast-based additives, as an alternative to ionophores, on rumen fermentation of ruminant diets using an in vitro gas production system","authors":"Amanda Regina Cagliari, Elaine Magnani, Fernanda Rigon, Kalista Eloisa Loregian, Ana Claudia Casagrande, Bruna Roberta Amâncio, Juliana Bueno da Silva, Veronica Lisboa Santos, Marcos Inácio Marcondes, Eduardo Marostegan Paula, Pedro Del Bianco Benedeti, Renata Helena Branco","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1233273","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1233273","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction The study aimed to assess yeast-based additives' effects, as monensin alternatives, on rumen fermentation parameters, greenhouse gas emissions, and ruminal kinetics of ruminant diets using an in vitro system. Three experiments were conducted, each individually evaluating escalating levels of three yeast-based additives. Methods Three experiments were designed: Experiment 1 evaluated prebiotic blend 1—yeast culture [Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Scer)], beta-glucans, fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, and mannanoligosaccharides; Experiment 2 investigated prebiotic blend 2—beta-glucan fractions and mannanoligosaccharides from Scer; Experiment 3 examined yeast cells—hydrolyzed, inactivated, and spray-dried yeast (Scer) cells. Uniform experimental design and procedures were employed across the three experiments. Each experiment had six treatments: monensin (Rumensin®, 25 mg/kg DM) as positive control, and yeast additive levels (0, 533, 1,067, 1,600, and 2,133 mg/kg on DM basis) added to ruminant diets (60% corn silage and 40% concentrate). An in vitro gas production (GP) system with 50 AnkomRF bottles assessed total GP (at 24 and 48 hours), kinetics, fermentation profiles, methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. Comparison with monensin utilized Dunnett’s test (5%). Yeast additive levels were analyzed for linear and quadratic responses. Results In Experiment 1, the 1,600 mg/kg yeast additive had lower concentrations of propionate, isobutyrate, valerate, and branched-chain volatile fatty acids (BCVFAs), and a higher acetate concentration and acetate-to-propionate ratio than monensin. In Experiment 2, the 1,600 mg/kg yeast additive led to lower total VFA and isovalerate concentrations than monensin. Additionally, compared to the 1,067 mg/kg yeast additive, monensin showed lower isovalerate concentration and higher NH3-N concentration. In Experiment 3, the 533 mg/kg yeast additive resulted in lower valerate and BCVFA concentrations, and higher CH4 and CO2 concentrations than monensin. Monensin had lower total VFA, butyrate, and acetate-to-propionate ratio, and higher propionate concentration compared to the 2,133 mg/kg yeast additive. Discussion Collectively, these findings suggest yeast-based additives could be monensin alternatives, enhancing animal nutrient utilization efficiency and contributing to improved livestock sustainability.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":"89 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135047988","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 : 2023-08-28DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1083332
S. McGill, R. Coleman, Josh Jackson, K. Tumlin, Victoria Stanton, M. Hayes
Equine indoor arenas are unique infrastructure investments found at equine farms and facilities. Environmental concerns within these facilities (temperature, respirable dust, moisture, and air movement) have been identified through surveys and small research studies. Thirty-seven indoor arenas at equine facilities within 160 km (100 miles) of Lexington, KY, were visited from August 2018 to August 2021. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather more information regarding the environment within the indoor arena and information about the equine facility. Site assessments were also conducted and temperatures (footing or ground level, air at 1.37 m above the footing, and roof), air speeds at 1.37 m above the footing, and light levels at 1.37 m above the footing across the indoor arena spaces were measured, in addition to the total number of horses at the facilities and daily average and maximum use of the indoor arenas. Spatial mapping was conducted using ArcMap 10.7 (Esri; Redlands, California), with kriging being used for the interpolation. The created maps were used to determine the variability of the temperatures, air speed, and lighting within the indoor arenas. These variabilities were examined for the statistical significance for variables of the indoor arenas that were determined by structural and design aspects and for facility usage information gathered from the semi-structured interviews. The variables that were statistically significant were roof ventilation for roof temperature variability, roof insulation for footing temperature variability, building enclosure for lighting variability, total number of horses at the facility for lighting variability, and total daily number of horses in the indoor arena for the ambient air temperature variability. One of the most significant results was the lack of air movement observed in the majority of the indoor arenas. Over 80% of the indoor arenas were experiencing still air speed conditions (< 0.51 m/s) during the site assessment. There is a need for more research on the environmental conditions within indoor arenas, the potential health impacts to the humans and horses in the spaces, and how design changes to the facilities could improve these environments.
{"title":"Environmental spatial mapping within equine indoor arenas","authors":"S. McGill, R. Coleman, Josh Jackson, K. Tumlin, Victoria Stanton, M. Hayes","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1083332","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1083332","url":null,"abstract":"Equine indoor arenas are unique infrastructure investments found at equine farms and facilities. Environmental concerns within these facilities (temperature, respirable dust, moisture, and air movement) have been identified through surveys and small research studies. Thirty-seven indoor arenas at equine facilities within 160 km (100 miles) of Lexington, KY, were visited from August 2018 to August 2021. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather more information regarding the environment within the indoor arena and information about the equine facility. Site assessments were also conducted and temperatures (footing or ground level, air at 1.37 m above the footing, and roof), air speeds at 1.37 m above the footing, and light levels at 1.37 m above the footing across the indoor arena spaces were measured, in addition to the total number of horses at the facilities and daily average and maximum use of the indoor arenas. Spatial mapping was conducted using ArcMap 10.7 (Esri; Redlands, California), with kriging being used for the interpolation. The created maps were used to determine the variability of the temperatures, air speed, and lighting within the indoor arenas. These variabilities were examined for the statistical significance for variables of the indoor arenas that were determined by structural and design aspects and for facility usage information gathered from the semi-structured interviews. The variables that were statistically significant were roof ventilation for roof temperature variability, roof insulation for footing temperature variability, building enclosure for lighting variability, total number of horses at the facility for lighting variability, and total daily number of horses in the indoor arena for the ambient air temperature variability. One of the most significant results was the lack of air movement observed in the majority of the indoor arenas. Over 80% of the indoor arenas were experiencing still air speed conditions (< 0.51 m/s) during the site assessment. There is a need for more research on the environmental conditions within indoor arenas, the potential health impacts to the humans and horses in the spaces, and how design changes to the facilities could improve these environments.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45830713","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 : 2023-08-25DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1169743
Tiarna Macey Scerri, S. Lomax, C. Clark
An expansive body of literature is dedicated to addressing the multi-faceted issue of bovine heat stress. This review firstly evaluated existing knowledge about the acute bovine heat stress response. Despite these papers being comprehensive, minor research gaps and biases somewhat limit their applicability. Categorising current management strategies under either a ‘reactive’ or ‘preventative’ approach, the review also evaluated the utility of strategies within each approach. Strategies that achieve individualised symptom detection and treatment were found to be the most practically effective reactive strategies. Genotypes that functionally increase the stability of proteins involved in the heat stress response and therefore increase an animal’s capacity for heat tolerance were identified as being among the most promising preventative strategies. Both approaches are generally limited by significant implementation costs for farmers and a lack of literature comparison between strategies for the best management outcome. A strong case is provided for further investigation into the role of mitochondrial genotypes for improved cattle heat tolerance. Overall, the review provides a balanced assessment of progress within heat stress scholarship and tenders a novel perspective that will inform further original work.
{"title":"Bovine heat stress management: current amelioration approaches and the case for a novel mitogenomic strategy","authors":"Tiarna Macey Scerri, S. Lomax, C. Clark","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1169743","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1169743","url":null,"abstract":"An expansive body of literature is dedicated to addressing the multi-faceted issue of bovine heat stress. This review firstly evaluated existing knowledge about the acute bovine heat stress response. Despite these papers being comprehensive, minor research gaps and biases somewhat limit their applicability. Categorising current management strategies under either a ‘reactive’ or ‘preventative’ approach, the review also evaluated the utility of strategies within each approach. Strategies that achieve individualised symptom detection and treatment were found to be the most practically effective reactive strategies. Genotypes that functionally increase the stability of proteins involved in the heat stress response and therefore increase an animal’s capacity for heat tolerance were identified as being among the most promising preventative strategies. Both approaches are generally limited by significant implementation costs for farmers and a lack of literature comparison between strategies for the best management outcome. A strong case is provided for further investigation into the role of mitochondrial genotypes for improved cattle heat tolerance. Overall, the review provides a balanced assessment of progress within heat stress scholarship and tenders a novel perspective that will inform further original work.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49076784","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 : 2023-08-21DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1230830
P. Hemsworth, A. Tilbrook, Rutu Y. Galea, Megan E. Lucas, K. L. Chidgey, L. Hemsworth
Farrowing crates continue to be the most common system of housing farrowing and lactating sows, however continuous confinement is one of the most contentious welfare issues in livestock production. This review aims to critically evaluate the scientific literature on the implications of two important determinants of sow and piglet welfare: housing and human contact. While the evidence in sows is contradictory, there is consistent evidence of a greater short-term cortisol response in gilts introduced to farrowing crates than pens and there is limited evidence of changes in the HPA axis consistent with sustained stress in gilts during the fourth week of lactation. Confinement of sows during lactation increases stereotypic behaviour, reduces sow-piglet interactions, nursing duration and lying behaviour, and may contribute to leg and shoulder injuries in sows. Piglets reared by sows in pens display more play and less oral manipulative behaviours and generally have better growth rates than those reared in farrowing crates. However, there is increasing interest in developing alternate housing systems with minimal sow confinement and reduced piglet mortality risk. Recent research on temporary crating of sows suggests that confinement briefly around farrowing may be the best compromise between continuous housing in farrowing crates and pens, as it may reduce live-born piglet mortality, while providing the opportunity for the sow to move more freely prior to parturition. Together with housing, the behaviour of stockpeople is a key determinant of pig welfare. Recent evidence shows that positive handling of piglets during lactation reduces fear behaviour and physiological stress responses of pigs to humans, novelty and routine husbandry practices, and thus may be enriching for piglets. As a source of enrichment, positive human interactions provide several advantages: close interactions with piglets usually occur several times daily, positive interactions can be combined with routine checks, human interactions invariably provide variability in their predictability which will minimise habituation, and positive interactions may not require additional physical resources. There is a clear need for comprehensive research examining both the short- and long-term welfare implications and the practicality of less confinement of the sow, and positive handling of both sows and piglets during lactation.
{"title":"Review of the influence of farrowing and lactation housing and positive human contact on sow and piglet welfare","authors":"P. Hemsworth, A. Tilbrook, Rutu Y. Galea, Megan E. Lucas, K. L. Chidgey, L. Hemsworth","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1230830","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1230830","url":null,"abstract":"Farrowing crates continue to be the most common system of housing farrowing and lactating sows, however continuous confinement is one of the most contentious welfare issues in livestock production. This review aims to critically evaluate the scientific literature on the implications of two important determinants of sow and piglet welfare: housing and human contact. While the evidence in sows is contradictory, there is consistent evidence of a greater short-term cortisol response in gilts introduced to farrowing crates than pens and there is limited evidence of changes in the HPA axis consistent with sustained stress in gilts during the fourth week of lactation. Confinement of sows during lactation increases stereotypic behaviour, reduces sow-piglet interactions, nursing duration and lying behaviour, and may contribute to leg and shoulder injuries in sows. Piglets reared by sows in pens display more play and less oral manipulative behaviours and generally have better growth rates than those reared in farrowing crates. However, there is increasing interest in developing alternate housing systems with minimal sow confinement and reduced piglet mortality risk. Recent research on temporary crating of sows suggests that confinement briefly around farrowing may be the best compromise between continuous housing in farrowing crates and pens, as it may reduce live-born piglet mortality, while providing the opportunity for the sow to move more freely prior to parturition. Together with housing, the behaviour of stockpeople is a key determinant of pig welfare. Recent evidence shows that positive handling of piglets during lactation reduces fear behaviour and physiological stress responses of pigs to humans, novelty and routine husbandry practices, and thus may be enriching for piglets. As a source of enrichment, positive human interactions provide several advantages: close interactions with piglets usually occur several times daily, positive interactions can be combined with routine checks, human interactions invariably provide variability in their predictability which will minimise habituation, and positive interactions may not require additional physical resources. There is a clear need for comprehensive research examining both the short- and long-term welfare implications and the practicality of less confinement of the sow, and positive handling of both sows and piglets during lactation.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47757188","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 : 2023-08-10DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1215206
Sarah-Lina A. Schild, M. Rørvang
Pigs are widely acknowledged for their olfactory abilities. Research on pigs’ olfactory capacities has focused mainly on aspects of olfaction that directly impact production, such as palatability of feed and pheromones to stimulate reproduction. Several basic research questions remain unanswered, such as which odors do pigs like/dislike, and how may odors enrich their lives? This review aims to explore the currently available literature on pig olfaction to elucidate the current knowns and unknowns within the following topics: chemicals in a pig’s environment, the olfactory organs of pigs, olfactory detection and acuity, behavioral reactions to odors, aversive odors, reaction to novel odors, attractive odors, and odors as a management tool in commercial pig production. The review focuses on complex odors of non-social origin (e.g., ammonia), and when information on this topic is lacking we include information from research on other mammalian species. We found that the olfactory organs of pigs are already functional at birth and that piglets can recognize the smell of the sow within 12h postpartum. Compared with humans and several other mammalian species, the pig’s olfactory system is highly developed, and the use of their sense of smell is incorporated into their natural behavior. While sniffing is a well-known behavior in pigs’ exploratory behavioral repertoire, this review points to a lack of knowledge on pigs’ behavioral reactions specifically when exposed to odors. Some odors appear attractive to pigs, whereas others appear repellent. Depending on the properties of the odor, providing pigs access to odors may be a way to stimulate their sense of smell, and could possibly be used in commercial pig production to enrich their lives. The review lastly highlights potential risks for animal welfare caused from lacking knowledge about how pigs perceive odors in their environment, and proposes future research questions and ways to utilize pigs’ sense of smell in the daily management of these animals. Further research on the olfactory abilities of pigs could help to ensure a more sustainable pig production.
{"title":"Pig olfaction: the potential impact and use of odors in commercial pig husbandry","authors":"Sarah-Lina A. Schild, M. Rørvang","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1215206","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1215206","url":null,"abstract":"Pigs are widely acknowledged for their olfactory abilities. Research on pigs’ olfactory capacities has focused mainly on aspects of olfaction that directly impact production, such as palatability of feed and pheromones to stimulate reproduction. Several basic research questions remain unanswered, such as which odors do pigs like/dislike, and how may odors enrich their lives? This review aims to explore the currently available literature on pig olfaction to elucidate the current knowns and unknowns within the following topics: chemicals in a pig’s environment, the olfactory organs of pigs, olfactory detection and acuity, behavioral reactions to odors, aversive odors, reaction to novel odors, attractive odors, and odors as a management tool in commercial pig production. The review focuses on complex odors of non-social origin (e.g., ammonia), and when information on this topic is lacking we include information from research on other mammalian species. We found that the olfactory organs of pigs are already functional at birth and that piglets can recognize the smell of the sow within 12h postpartum. Compared with humans and several other mammalian species, the pig’s olfactory system is highly developed, and the use of their sense of smell is incorporated into their natural behavior. While sniffing is a well-known behavior in pigs’ exploratory behavioral repertoire, this review points to a lack of knowledge on pigs’ behavioral reactions specifically when exposed to odors. Some odors appear attractive to pigs, whereas others appear repellent. Depending on the properties of the odor, providing pigs access to odors may be a way to stimulate their sense of smell, and could possibly be used in commercial pig production to enrich their lives. The review lastly highlights potential risks for animal welfare caused from lacking knowledge about how pigs perceive odors in their environment, and proposes future research questions and ways to utilize pigs’ sense of smell in the daily management of these animals. Further research on the olfactory abilities of pigs could help to ensure a more sustainable pig production.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42112765","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 : 2023-08-09DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1163531
L. T. Wesolowski, C. Guy, C. R. Long, R. Randel, D. Riley, T. Welsh, S. H. White-Springer
In cattle, prenatal transportation stress has been associated with differential methylation of genes related to metabolism, but the effects of prenatal transportation stress on skeletal muscle mitochondria and oxidative stress have not been investigated. We tested the hypothesis that prenatally stressed calves would exhibit increased skeletal muscle mitochondrial function resulting in greater oxidative stress than calves from non-stressed dams. Serum and longissimus thoracis muscle samples were collected from yearling Brahman calves whose mothers were stressed by transportation at five time points during gestation [i.e., prenatally stressed (PNS); eight bulls and six heifers] and control calves (CON; four bulls and six heifers). Serum was evaluated for concentration of the stress hormone, cortisol and for a marker of muscle perturbation, creatine kinase activity. Muscle samples were analyzed for concentration of a by-product of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde, and activity of the antioxidants, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Additionally, muscle mitochondrial volume density and function were estimated by citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase activities, respectively. Data were analyzed using mixed linear models with sex, treatment, and the sex × treatment interaction as fixed effects. No investigated variable differed between CON and PNS calves (p ≥ 0.3). These data suggest that prenatal transportation stress does not have an impact on skeletal muscle mitochondrial metabolism or markers of stress or muscle damage in Brahman yearling calves at rest. However, previously reported negative impacts of prenatal stress on inflammatory responses suggest that PNS calves may be differentially equipped to handle an acute stressor. Future research should investigate the energetic and inflammatory implications of acute stressors in animals subjected to prenatal stress.
{"title":"Prenatal transportation stress does not impact resting skeletal muscle mitochondrial function or antioxidant activity in Brahman calves","authors":"L. T. Wesolowski, C. Guy, C. R. Long, R. Randel, D. Riley, T. Welsh, S. H. White-Springer","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1163531","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1163531","url":null,"abstract":"In cattle, prenatal transportation stress has been associated with differential methylation of genes related to metabolism, but the effects of prenatal transportation stress on skeletal muscle mitochondria and oxidative stress have not been investigated. We tested the hypothesis that prenatally stressed calves would exhibit increased skeletal muscle mitochondrial function resulting in greater oxidative stress than calves from non-stressed dams. Serum and longissimus thoracis muscle samples were collected from yearling Brahman calves whose mothers were stressed by transportation at five time points during gestation [i.e., prenatally stressed (PNS); eight bulls and six heifers] and control calves (CON; four bulls and six heifers). Serum was evaluated for concentration of the stress hormone, cortisol and for a marker of muscle perturbation, creatine kinase activity. Muscle samples were analyzed for concentration of a by-product of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde, and activity of the antioxidants, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Additionally, muscle mitochondrial volume density and function were estimated by citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase activities, respectively. Data were analyzed using mixed linear models with sex, treatment, and the sex × treatment interaction as fixed effects. No investigated variable differed between CON and PNS calves (p ≥ 0.3). These data suggest that prenatal transportation stress does not have an impact on skeletal muscle mitochondrial metabolism or markers of stress or muscle damage in Brahman yearling calves at rest. However, previously reported negative impacts of prenatal stress on inflammatory responses suggest that PNS calves may be differentially equipped to handle an acute stressor. Future research should investigate the energetic and inflammatory implications of acute stressors in animals subjected to prenatal stress.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42976716","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 : 2023-08-09DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1228533
Gabrielle B. Clark, M. Díez-León, R. Meagher
It is standard practice on mink farms in Canada to provide one manipulable environmental enrichment (EE) in each cage to benefit animal health and welfare, and once an enrichment is introduced, it must remain in the cage for the duration of that animal’s life. However, mink might habituate to permanently present enrichments, which reduces interaction with these items over time. In this study, juvenile mink were provided with multiple EEs (mobile and hanging items) that were regularly exchanged to maintain novelty in addition to a standard, permanently present EE (enriched kits; EK). EE use over time, as well as interactions based on EE type, were compared to that of two groups which were standard-housed as juveniles (control; C and enriched at whelping; EW) with access to a permanently available standard enrichment. EK housing was found to significantly increase kits’ EE use compared to standard housing (p< 0.001). Despite some evidence of rapid habituation to novel objects (e.g., decreased use of hanging rope EE in second week of access: p = 0.019), item exchange appeared to have a sustaining effect on exploration of all EEs in the cage, including familiar objects. Thus, it may be beneficial to provide farmed mink with multiple EEs, both novel and familiar, to promote their optimal use and facilitate welfare benefits. Objects with greater manipulability or malleability were also used more by kits than those with fewer possible uses (e.g., pig’s ear versus other, less malleable mobile EEs: p< 0.001; rope versus less malleable hanging EE: p< 0.001). Although this effect was persistent across all periods of observation, it is possible that kit age at time of object introduction or differences in novelty may have contributed to these differences in their use. Further research is required to determine kits’ preference for different EE types when all items are equivalently novel, and when differences in developmental stage are fully accounted for.
{"title":"Diversity and novelty in environmental enrichment increases enrichment use in juvenile American mink (Neogale vison)","authors":"Gabrielle B. Clark, M. Díez-León, R. Meagher","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1228533","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1228533","url":null,"abstract":"It is standard practice on mink farms in Canada to provide one manipulable environmental enrichment (EE) in each cage to benefit animal health and welfare, and once an enrichment is introduced, it must remain in the cage for the duration of that animal’s life. However, mink might habituate to permanently present enrichments, which reduces interaction with these items over time. In this study, juvenile mink were provided with multiple EEs (mobile and hanging items) that were regularly exchanged to maintain novelty in addition to a standard, permanently present EE (enriched kits; EK). EE use over time, as well as interactions based on EE type, were compared to that of two groups which were standard-housed as juveniles (control; C and enriched at whelping; EW) with access to a permanently available standard enrichment. EK housing was found to significantly increase kits’ EE use compared to standard housing (p< 0.001). Despite some evidence of rapid habituation to novel objects (e.g., decreased use of hanging rope EE in second week of access: p = 0.019), item exchange appeared to have a sustaining effect on exploration of all EEs in the cage, including familiar objects. Thus, it may be beneficial to provide farmed mink with multiple EEs, both novel and familiar, to promote their optimal use and facilitate welfare benefits. Objects with greater manipulability or malleability were also used more by kits than those with fewer possible uses (e.g., pig’s ear versus other, less malleable mobile EEs: p< 0.001; rope versus less malleable hanging EE: p< 0.001). Although this effect was persistent across all periods of observation, it is possible that kit age at time of object introduction or differences in novelty may have contributed to these differences in their use. Further research is required to determine kits’ preference for different EE types when all items are equivalently novel, and when differences in developmental stage are fully accounted for.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41942993","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 : 2023-08-08DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1210144
Logan R. Kilburn-Kappeler, Krystina A Lema Almeida, C. Paulk, C. Aldrich
Traditional distillers dried grains, co-products from the ethanol industry, can be utilized as sustainable ingredients for pet food. However, negative consumer perception prevents their widespread use. Corn fermented protein (CFP) is produced using post-fermentation separation technology, resulting in a high protein ingredient, which may increase consumer appeal compared to traditional distillers dried grains. The study objective was to compare the effect of CFP with that of traditional distillers dried grains on stool quality, nutrient digestibility, and palatability when fed to dogs. The control diet (CON) contained 15% soybean meal and the experimental diets contained 3.5% brewer’s dried yeast (BDY), 2.5% brewer’s dried yeast plus 17.5% distillers dried grains with solubles (BDY+DDGS), or 17.5% corn fermented protein (CFP). Experimental diets were fed to adult dogs (n = 12) in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design. Dogs were adapted to the diets for 9 days; this was followed by 5 days of total fecal collection. Titanium dioxide (0.4%) was added to all diets as an external marker to estimate digestibility. Data were analyzed using a mixed model in SAS, with treatment as a fixed effect and dog and period as random effects. Fecal output was greatest (p< 0.05) for dogs fed BDY+DDGS. The feces of dogs consuming CFP were firmer (p< 0.05) than those of dogs consuming CON and BDY+DDGS. Overall, nutrient digestibility was greatest (p< 0.05) for CON and BDY and lowest for BDY+DDGS, with that for CFP being intermediate. There were no differences (p > 0.05) in total short-chain or branched-chain fatty acid concentrations in the fresh fecal samples of dogs fed these dietary treatments. However, the percentage of propionate was higher (p< 0.05) in the fecal samples of dogs fed CON than in those of dogs fed BDY+DDGS, whereas the percentage of valerate was higher (p< 0.05) in the fecal samples of dogs fed CON than in those of dogs fed CFP. In the palatability evaluation, dogs had no preference when CON was compared with BDY or BDY+DDGS. However, dogs appeared to prefer CON over CFP. Overall, CFP resulted in improved stool quality and nutrient digestibility when compared with DDGS, which could increase consumer appeal for inclusion into pet food. The impact of CFP on palatability, however, warrants further investigation.
{"title":"Comparing the effects of corn fermented protein with distillers dried grains fed to healthy adult dogs on stool quality, nutrient digestibility, and palatability","authors":"Logan R. Kilburn-Kappeler, Krystina A Lema Almeida, C. Paulk, C. Aldrich","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1210144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1210144","url":null,"abstract":"Traditional distillers dried grains, co-products from the ethanol industry, can be utilized as sustainable ingredients for pet food. However, negative consumer perception prevents their widespread use. Corn fermented protein (CFP) is produced using post-fermentation separation technology, resulting in a high protein ingredient, which may increase consumer appeal compared to traditional distillers dried grains. The study objective was to compare the effect of CFP with that of traditional distillers dried grains on stool quality, nutrient digestibility, and palatability when fed to dogs. The control diet (CON) contained 15% soybean meal and the experimental diets contained 3.5% brewer’s dried yeast (BDY), 2.5% brewer’s dried yeast plus 17.5% distillers dried grains with solubles (BDY+DDGS), or 17.5% corn fermented protein (CFP). Experimental diets were fed to adult dogs (n = 12) in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design. Dogs were adapted to the diets for 9 days; this was followed by 5 days of total fecal collection. Titanium dioxide (0.4%) was added to all diets as an external marker to estimate digestibility. Data were analyzed using a mixed model in SAS, with treatment as a fixed effect and dog and period as random effects. Fecal output was greatest (p< 0.05) for dogs fed BDY+DDGS. The feces of dogs consuming CFP were firmer (p< 0.05) than those of dogs consuming CON and BDY+DDGS. Overall, nutrient digestibility was greatest (p< 0.05) for CON and BDY and lowest for BDY+DDGS, with that for CFP being intermediate. There were no differences (p > 0.05) in total short-chain or branched-chain fatty acid concentrations in the fresh fecal samples of dogs fed these dietary treatments. However, the percentage of propionate was higher (p< 0.05) in the fecal samples of dogs fed CON than in those of dogs fed BDY+DDGS, whereas the percentage of valerate was higher (p< 0.05) in the fecal samples of dogs fed CON than in those of dogs fed CFP. In the palatability evaluation, dogs had no preference when CON was compared with BDY or BDY+DDGS. However, dogs appeared to prefer CON over CFP. Overall, CFP resulted in improved stool quality and nutrient digestibility when compared with DDGS, which could increase consumer appeal for inclusion into pet food. The impact of CFP on palatability, however, warrants further investigation.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44612261","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 : 2023-08-04DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1218495
Ricard Parés, P. Llonch, X. Manteca, X. Such
Sheep production systems are diverse in Europe, and welfare assessment should consider this diversity, including differences in breed type, climatic conditions, and time of the year. The aim of this study was to evaluate welfare in 100 commercial sheep farms in Spain, and therefore in Mediterranean conditions, using a list of 24 indicators, comprising three for good feeding, five for housing, 11 for health, and five for appropriate behavior. The list includes indicators from the AWIN protocol and other suggested indicators. Level of intensification was the main parameter that affected the welfare outcomes of feeding and health, but seasonality and flock size also affected some of the outcomes. Novel indicators included in the list (sternum evaluation, crowding behavior, subcutaneous abscesses, external parasitism, aggressive behaviors, wool pulling, ear posture, and reaction during restraint) were useful to evaluate welfare in Spanish farming conditions, but further studies should be performed to validate these indicators.
{"title":"Sheep welfare assessment of meat farms from Spain in different breeds and production systems","authors":"Ricard Parés, P. Llonch, X. Manteca, X. Such","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1218495","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1218495","url":null,"abstract":"Sheep production systems are diverse in Europe, and welfare assessment should consider this diversity, including differences in breed type, climatic conditions, and time of the year. The aim of this study was to evaluate welfare in 100 commercial sheep farms in Spain, and therefore in Mediterranean conditions, using a list of 24 indicators, comprising three for good feeding, five for housing, 11 for health, and five for appropriate behavior. The list includes indicators from the AWIN protocol and other suggested indicators. Level of intensification was the main parameter that affected the welfare outcomes of feeding and health, but seasonality and flock size also affected some of the outcomes. Novel indicators included in the list (sternum evaluation, crowding behavior, subcutaneous abscesses, external parasitism, aggressive behaviors, wool pulling, ear posture, and reaction during restraint) were useful to evaluate welfare in Spanish farming conditions, but further studies should be performed to validate these indicators.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47772180","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 : 2023-08-03DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1149085
H. J. Perez Marquez, D. Ambrose, C. Bench
The first objective of this study was to compare behavioral and ear temperature changes using accelerometer ear tags (CowManager system; Sensor) during the declining progesterone (P4) phase (expected estrus) and the luteal phase determined using in-line milk P4 analysis (Herd Navigator system; HNS). The second objective was to evaluate the accuracy of each Sensor metric to detect estrus compared to HNS in a commercial dairy herd. Forty-six cows (23 young [1 to 2 lactations] and 23 mature [3 to 6 lactations]) at 20 days in milk (DIM) were fitted with Sensor tags, and P4 profiles measured via HNS until 90 DIM. Sensor metrics analyzed were Resting, Ruminating, Eating, Active, High-Active, and ear temperature (Etemp). The day of milk P4 decline below the 5 ng/mL threshold in the HNS was designated as d -1 (LSM ± SEM; 3.42 ± 0.08 ng/mL) and the day of expected estrus as d 0. Significant increases (LSM ± SEM) were observed at d 0 in Active (5.01 ± 0.14 min/h) and High-Active (8.70 ± 0.25 min/h) behavior responses as well as in Etemp (29.45 ± 0.08°C) compared with the luteal phase (Active: 4.46 ± 0.13 min/h; High-Active: 6.40 ± 0.22 min/h and Etemp: 28.69 ± 0.08°C). The greatest estrus detection accuracy (Youden Index [J: performance]) single metric was achieved using Etemp (0.24 J) followed by Resting (0.20 J) and High-Active (0.17 J) in all cows. Greater accuracy was observed in Young cows (Etemp: 0.44 J; Resting: 0.33 J; and High-Active: 0.25 J) than in Mature cows (Etemp: 0.09 J; Resting: 0.12 J; and High-Active: 0.13 J). Similarly, accuracy was greater when only healthy cows (cows with no postpartum health events) were compared (Etemp: 0.33 J; Resting: 0.31 J; High-Active: 0.20 J) to unhealthy cows (Etemp: 0.11 J; Resting: 0.02 J; High-Active: 0.02 J). The combination of behavior and Etemp metrics optimized the estrus detection accuracy in all the cows (0.30 J), Young (0.46 J), Mature (0.26 J), Healthy (0.45 J), and Unhealthy (0.11 J) cows compared to a single metric approach. Age and postpartum health affected the estrus detection accuracy using Sensor tags.
{"title":"Behavioral changes to detect estrus using ear-sensor accelerometer compared to in-line milk progesterone in a commercial dairy herd","authors":"H. J. Perez Marquez, D. Ambrose, C. Bench","doi":"10.3389/fanim.2023.1149085","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1149085","url":null,"abstract":"The first objective of this study was to compare behavioral and ear temperature changes using accelerometer ear tags (CowManager system; Sensor) during the declining progesterone (P4) phase (expected estrus) and the luteal phase determined using in-line milk P4 analysis (Herd Navigator system; HNS). The second objective was to evaluate the accuracy of each Sensor metric to detect estrus compared to HNS in a commercial dairy herd. Forty-six cows (23 young [1 to 2 lactations] and 23 mature [3 to 6 lactations]) at 20 days in milk (DIM) were fitted with Sensor tags, and P4 profiles measured via HNS until 90 DIM. Sensor metrics analyzed were Resting, Ruminating, Eating, Active, High-Active, and ear temperature (Etemp). The day of milk P4 decline below the 5 ng/mL threshold in the HNS was designated as d -1 (LSM ± SEM; 3.42 ± 0.08 ng/mL) and the day of expected estrus as d 0. Significant increases (LSM ± SEM) were observed at d 0 in Active (5.01 ± 0.14 min/h) and High-Active (8.70 ± 0.25 min/h) behavior responses as well as in Etemp (29.45 ± 0.08°C) compared with the luteal phase (Active: 4.46 ± 0.13 min/h; High-Active: 6.40 ± 0.22 min/h and Etemp: 28.69 ± 0.08°C). The greatest estrus detection accuracy (Youden Index [J: performance]) single metric was achieved using Etemp (0.24 J) followed by Resting (0.20 J) and High-Active (0.17 J) in all cows. Greater accuracy was observed in Young cows (Etemp: 0.44 J; Resting: 0.33 J; and High-Active: 0.25 J) than in Mature cows (Etemp: 0.09 J; Resting: 0.12 J; and High-Active: 0.13 J). Similarly, accuracy was greater when only healthy cows (cows with no postpartum health events) were compared (Etemp: 0.33 J; Resting: 0.31 J; High-Active: 0.20 J) to unhealthy cows (Etemp: 0.11 J; Resting: 0.02 J; High-Active: 0.02 J). The combination of behavior and Etemp metrics optimized the estrus detection accuracy in all the cows (0.30 J), Young (0.46 J), Mature (0.26 J), Healthy (0.45 J), and Unhealthy (0.11 J) cows compared to a single metric approach. Age and postpartum health affected the estrus detection accuracy using Sensor tags.","PeriodicalId":73064,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in animal science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45143013","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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