Animal Bioscience最新文献

Objective: We investigated genetic parameters of calving ease (CE) using several animal models in Korean Holstein and searched for suitable models for routine evaluation of CE.

Methods: Two phenotypic datasets of CE (DS5 and DS10) on first-parity Korean Holstein calves were prepared. DS5 and DS10 included at least 5 and 10 CE records per herd-year level and comprised 117,921 and 80,389 observations, respectively. The CE phenotypes ranged from 1 to 4, from a normal to extreme difficulty calving scale. The CE was defined as a trait of the calf. The BLUPF90+ software was used for (co)variances estimation through four animal models with a maternal effect (M1 to M4), where all models included effects of a fixed calf-sex, a fixed dam calving age (covariate), and one or more fixed contemporary group (CG) terms. The CG effects were different across models-a herd-year-season (M1, HYS), a herd-year and year-season (M2, HY+YS), a herd-year and season (M3, HY+S), and a herd and year-season (M4, H+YS).

Results: Direct heritability (h2) estimates of CE ranged from 0.005 to 0.234 across models and datasets. Maternal h2 values were low (0.001 to 0.090). Genetic correlations between direct and maternal effects were strongly negative to lowly positive (-0.814 to 0.078), further emphasizing its importance in CE evaluation models. These genetic parameter estimates also indicate slower future selection progress of CE in Korean Holsteins. The M1 fitted many levels with fewer observations per level deriving unreliable parameters, and the M4 did not account for confounded herd and animal structures. The M2 and M3 were deemed more realistic for implementation, and they were better able to account for data structure issues (incompleteness and confounding) than other models.

Conclusion: As the pioneering study to employ animal models in Korean Holstein CE evaluation, our findings hold significant potential for this breed's future and routine evaluation development.

Objective: The objectives were to validate a previously published equation for estimating basal endogenous losses (BEL) of crude protein (CP) in pigs fed nitrogen-free diets and to develop prediction equations for BEL of CP and amino acids (AA).

Methods: A total of 139 observations from 123 experiments in 117 papers that determined the BEL of CP and AA in pigs were collected. For the validation of the previous equation for the BEL of CP, 94 observations that were not used for developing the previous equation were used. All observations were used to develop novel equations for estimating BEL of CP in pigs based on the initial body weight (IBW).

Results: The validation study indicated that the slope for BEL of CP, representing a linear bias, was less than zero (-0.56; standard error [SE] = 0.130; p<0.001). The intercept for BEL of CP, representing a mean bias, was less than zero (-3.21; SE = 0.488; p<0.001). The models for estimating BEL of CP (g/kg dry matter intake) in pigs fed a nitrogen-free diet were developed: 20.36-0.077×IBW with R2 = 0.11 and p<0.001 and 20.80×e(-0.00475×IBW) with R2 = 0.12 and p<0.001. Novel linear models for estimating BEL of AA were developed using BEL of CP as the independent variable.

Conclusion: The accuracy of the previous equation for estimating BEL of CP in pigs has been improved by reflecting additional data from recent publications. In the novel linear models for estimating BEL of AA of pigs, BEL of CP was used as an independent variable.

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the quality characteristics of reducednitrite boiled pork sausages (BPSs) with paprika oleoresin solution (POS) to compensate for the reduced sodium nitrite (NaNO2).

Methods: POS was prepared by diluting paprika oleoresin with sunflower seed oil at a ratio of 1:20. BPSs were subjected to four different treatments: reference (REF), BPS added with 150 ppm NaNO2; control (CTL), BPS added with 37.5 ppm NaNO2; treatment 1 (TRT1), BPS added with 37.5 ppm NaNO2 and 0.1% POS; treatment 2 (TRT2), BPS added with 75 ppm NaNO2 and 0.1% POS).

Results: The pH values of CTL were lower than those of other treatments. The a* values of TRT1 were higher than those of CTL, and those of REF were lower than those of TRT1 and TRT2. The b* values of TRT1 and TRT2 were higher than those of REF and CTL. The total plate counts of CTL were the highest among all treatments, and Enterobacteriaceae counts of CTL and TRT1 on the 14th day were higher than those of REF and TRT2.

Conclusion: The combination of 75 ppm NaNO2 and 0.1% POS to BPS during storage had an antimicrobial effect similar to that of adding 150 ppm NaNO2. Thus, POS can be used to reduce the use of NaNO2 in meat products.

In mammalian species, pregnancy is a complex process that involves the maternal recognition of pregnancy, implantation, decidualization, placentation, and parturition. The innate immune system is composed of cellular components, such as natural killer cells, neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages, and effector molecules, such as cytokines, interferons, antimicrobial peptides, and complement components. The innate immune system plays a critical role as the first line of defense against infection or inflammation to maintain homeostasis and activate the adaptive immunity. During pregnancy, innate immune cells and effector molecules act on the regulation of innate immunity for host defense and processes such as embryo development, implantation, and placentation at the maternal-conceptus interface. In this review, we describe the components of the innate immune system and their functions at the maternal-conceptus interface to establish and maintain pregnancy in animal species that form hemochorial- or epitheliochorial-type placentas, including humans, rodents, ruminants, and pigs.

Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the effect of increasing β-mannanase supplementation in diets containing copra meal (CM) on growth performance, meat quality, liver health, intestinal morphology, and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens.

Methods: A total of 1,600 3-d-old Ross 308 broiler chickens (initial body weight±standard deviation = 43.3±1.08 g) were randomly allotted to 1 of 5 treatment groups with 8 replicates. One group was fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet (control). Other 4 diets were prepared by inclusion of 10% commercial CM in the control diet with 0, 400, 800, and 1,600 U β-mannanase/kg. Experiments lasted for 32 d.

Results: Birds fed the control diet had less (p = 0.001) feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed diets containing 10% CM without β-mannanase supplementation. Increasing supplementation of β-mannanase in diets containing 10% CM had no linear and quadratic effects on body weight gain, feed intake, and FCR in broiler chickens. The control diet had greater (p<0.01) apparent total tract retention (ATTR) of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), and N as compared to the diets containing 10% CM without β-mannanase supplementation; however, no differences in the ATTR of Ca and P were identified between 2 diets. There were no linear and quadratic effects of increasing supplementation of β-mannanase on the ATTR of DM, GE, N, Ca, and P in broiler diets containing 10% CM. Both inclusion of 10% CM and increasing supplementation of β-mannanase in broiler diets did not affect apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and N-corrected AME (AMEn) values in treatment diets.

Conclusion: The use of 10% CM in broiler diets during growing and finishing period impairs growth performance by decreasing energy and nutrient utilization in diets. Increasing β-mannanase supplementation in diets containing 10% CM has no positive effects on performance, meat quality, liver health, intestinal morphology, and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens.

Objective: Nicotinamide (NAM) is easily degraded in the rumen, but the rumen-protected NAM (RPN) supplementation might enable the use of NAM in ruminants. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of RPN supplementation on growth performance, rumen fermentation, antioxidant status and amino acid (AA) metabolism in growing lambs.

Methods: A total of 128 healthy and similar lambs (21.3±0.28 kg, 70±6.3 days of age) were allotted to 1 of 4 groups. The treatments were 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 g/d RPN supplementation. The RPN products (50% bioavailability) were fed at 0700 h every day for 12 weeks. All lambs were fed the same pelleted total mixed rations to allow ad libitum consumption and had free access to water.

Results: The RPN tended to increase the average daily gain and feed efficiency. The tendencies of RPN×day interaction were found for dry matter intake during the entire study (p = 0.078 and 0.073, respectively). The proportions of acetic acid, isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid were decreased, whereas the proportions of propionic acid and valeric acid were increased (p<0.05). The ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid was decreased (p<0.05). Moreover, the antioxidative status was enhanced and the glucose concentration was increased by RPN (p<0.05). In addition, 17 AAs were detected in plasma, of which 11 AAs were increased by RPN (p<0.05). Plasma metabolomics analysis identified 1,395 compounds belonging to 15 classes, among which 7 peptides were significantly changed after RPN supplementation.

Conclusion: Overall, the results suggested that RPN supplementation favoured the rumen fermentation pattern to propionic acid-type with benefited glucose metabolism, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and changed the AA and small peptide metabolism. This study provides a new perspective for studying the relationship between vitamin and AA metabolism.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effects of capsaicin (CAP) on productive performance, blood profile, intestinal morphology, carcass and meat quality of growing-finishing pigs.

Methods: Two experimental diets were offered to 36 crossbred barrows: basal diet (0% CAP) and basal diet with CAP at 0.02%. Each experimental group consisted of 18 pigs, with six replications (three each).

Results: Supplementation of CAP at 0.02% decreased average daily feed intake (p = 0.003) and feed cost/gain (p = 0.056), increased return on investment (p = 0.052) and increased gain:feed ratio (p = 0.037) during the growing period. There was no effect of CAP on the growth rate. The blood urea nitrogen and nitrogen (N) levels in faeces tended to decrease (p = 0.093 and p = 0.087), whereas the basophil level increased with CAP supplementation (p = 0.029). In addition, dietary CAP supplementation decreased crypt depth (p = 0.022) and tended to increase the villus height/crypt depth ratio in the segment of the jejunum (p = 0.084). Backfat (BF) thickness (p = 0.047) was reduced by supplementing CAP. Whereas the protein content increased with CAP supplementation (p = 0.021). Using CAP in the diet of growing pigs increased the pH at 6 h post-mortem (p = 0.046) and tended to increase the springiness value (p = 0.078) of the meat. In terms of meat color, CAP supplementation increased the yellowness (p = 0.029).

Conclusion: Supplemental CAP improves gut morphology and blood profiles, consequently promoting productive performance as well as carcass and meat quality.

Objective: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent methylation of mRNA and plays crucial roles in various physiological processes, including pigmentation. Yet, the regulatory mechanisms, including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) m6A methylation contributing to pigmentation in sheep skin remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify potential lncRNAs and the m6A methylation of lncRNAs associated with pigmentation.

Methods: RNA-seq and MeRIP-seq were performed to study the expression of lncRNAs and the m6A methylation of lncRNAs in black and white sheep skin. Furthermore, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to verify the consistency with the RNA-seq and MeRIP-seq data.

Results: We identified 168 differentially expressed lncRNAs between the two sheep skin colors. The differentially expressed lncRNAs enriched in the pathway of ECM-receptor interaction, Rap1 signaling pathway, and Non-homologous end-joining may play essential roles in pigmentation. We identified 577 m6A peaks and 617 m6A peaks in black and white sheep skin, respectively, among which 20 m6A peaks showed significant differences. The enriched motif in sheep skin was "GGACU", which aligned with the consensus motif "RRACH" (R = A or G, H = A, C or U). Differently methylated lncRNAs enriched in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and Wnt signaling pathway might participate in skin pigmentation. ENSOARG00020015168 was the unique lncRNA with high expression and methylation (Hyper-Up) in black sheep shin. A lncRNA-mRNA network was constructed, with pigmentation-related genes, such as PSEN2, CCND3, COL2A1, and ERCC3.

Conclusion: The m6A modifications of lncRNAs in black and white colored sheep skin were analyzed comprehensively, providing new candidates for the regulation of pigmentation.

Objective: The livestock handler attitude and their handling of animals is crucial for improving animal welfare standards, minimizing stress, improving productivity and meat quality. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of training livestock handlers on behavioral, physiological, and hormonal responses during preslaughter handling in goats.

Methods: A total of 6 handlers were divided into trained (trained in basic animal handling practices, animal behavior, and animal welfare), contact trained (not trained directly but interacted and saw the working of trained handlers), and untrained groups (no formal training). The handling experiment was conducted on 18 male goats by following a crossover design. The goats were moved from lairage to slaughter point by trained, contact-trained, and untrained handlers. Various behavioral, physiological, and hormonal parameters were recorded at the lairage before handling and at the slaughter point after handling the goats.

Results: The training of livestock handlers had a significant effect on behavioral, physiological, and hormonal responses in goats. The goats handled by untrained and contacttrained handlers were recorded with intense vocalization, significant (p<0.05) increase in heart rate and blood glucose, and catecholamines (adrenaline and nor-adrenaline), thereby indicating stress and poor animal welfare. The trained handlers were observed to use visual interactions (waving of hands or objects, blocking, hand raising, etc), and lower stress responses were recorded in the goats handled by this group.

Conclusion: The present study highlights the importance of training to livestock handlers in improving animal welfare and minimizing stress in goats during pre-slaughter stress.

Objective: Tropical plants are composed of phytonutrients (PTNs) and are utilized for their capacity to manipulate rumen fermentation characteristics and methane production. The aim of this experiment was to determine the impact of microencapsulated phytonutrients-extracted from lemongrass and mangosteen peel (M-LEMANGOS), as well as crude protein levels on nutrient degradability, rumen ecology, microbial population, and methane emission in an in vitro study.

Methods: The treatments were randomly assigned in a 2 × 4 Factorial arrangement in a Completely randomized design. The two factors consisted of crude protein (CP) percentage in the concentrate diet (16% and 18% CP) and the levels of M-LEMANGOS addition (0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% of the total substrate).

Results: The results showed that nutrient degradability both 12 and 24 h were significantly increased with M-LEMANGOS at 4% total substate. In part of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), particularly propionate and total VFA, these were enhanced by %CP and M-LEMANGOS combination. The %CP increased ruminal ammonia-nitrogen concentration (NH3-N), while M-LEMANGOS supplementation reduced such concentration. Methane production and Methanobacteriales population at 12 and 24 h were reduced when supplemented with M-LEMANGOS at 4% total substate. The population of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Megasphaera elsdenii were increased with the interaction between %CP and M-LEMANGOS addition.

Conclusion: M-LEMANGOS indicates promising potential as a plant-based PTN for dietary modulation of rumen fermentation and mitigation of methane production.