<div><div>Guava leaves (GL) can serve as a new and sustainable feed source due to their rich content of various health-promoting nutrients, as well as bioactive compounds. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of incorporating GL into the diet of growing lambs on digestibility, nitrogen utilization, serum metabolites, rumen fermentation, methane emissions mitigation, and growth performance. Thirty male Barki lambs, with an initial average body weight (BW) of 24.56 ± 1.68 kg, were randomly assigned to three dietary groups for 150 days. Guava leaves were included at three levels: 0 % (control group, GL<sub>0</sub>), 5 % (GL<sub>5</sub>), and 10 % (GL<sub>10</sub>), replacing corn silage in the diets. The phenolic compounds in GL are approximately 384.1 mg/kg of dry matter (DM). Both final BW (P = 0.007) and average daily gain (ADG) (P = 0.025) of the lambs increased linearly with higher levels of GL in their diets. Lambs fed the GL<sub>5</sub> and GL<sub>10</sub> diets exhibited higher final BW (P = 0.015) and ADG (P = 0.044) compared to those on the GL<sub>0</sub> diet. There was also a linear increase in the digestibility of DM (P = 0.008), organic matter (OM) (P = 0.009), crude protein (CP) (P = 0.042), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (P = 0.027). There was a linear decrease in urinary nitrogen (N) excretion (P = 0.006) and a linear increase in N retention (P = 0.008). Lambs on the GL<sub>10</sub> diet excreted less N in their urine (P = 0.018) and retained more N (P = 0.023) than those on the GL<sub>0</sub> diet. A linear increase was also observed in ruminal pH (P = 0.002), total volatile fatty acid concentration (P = 0.004), and the molar proportion of propionate (P = 0.009), with the GL<sub>10</sub> diet showing lower values (P < 0.05) compared to the GL<sub>5</sub> and GL<sub>0</sub> diets. Conversely, there was a linear decrease in ammonia-N concentration (P = 0.001), the molar proportion of acetate (P = 0.001), and the acetate-to-propionate ratio (P = 0.002). A linear decrease (P = 0.000) in total gas and methane production occurred as the percentage of GL increased. The counts of protozoa decreased linearly (P = 0.009) with higher levels of GL in the diet. A linear decrease was also observed in cholesterol (P = 0.012), triglycerides (P = 0.013), and urea levels (P = 0.008), with the GL<sub>5</sub> and GL<sub>10</sub> diets showing lower values compared to the GL<sub>0</sub> diet (P < <sub>0</sub>.05). Moreover, the activities of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (P = 0.010), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P = 0.010), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) (P = 0.005) increased linearly, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased (P = 0.022). The GL<sub>5</sub> and GL<sub>10</sub> diets displayed higher (P < 0.05) levels of TAC, SOD, and GSH-PX, along with lower levels of MDA (P = 0.054) compared to the GL<sub>0</sub> diet. In conclusion, GL can be utilized as a feed additive to modulate rumen fe
{"title":"Effects of feeding guava (Psidium guajava L.) leaf on performance, nitrogen utilization, rumen fermentation, methane emissions mitigation, and antioxidant activity in growing lambs","authors":"Mohamed Samir Mahmoud Khalel , Ayman Abdel Mohsen Hassan , Ibrahim M. Khattab , Mohamed Helmey Yacout , Safaa E.S. Atia","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116657","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116657","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Guava leaves (GL) can serve as a new and sustainable feed source due to their rich content of various health-promoting nutrients, as well as bioactive compounds. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of incorporating GL into the diet of growing lambs on digestibility, nitrogen utilization, serum metabolites, rumen fermentation, methane emissions mitigation, and growth performance. Thirty male Barki lambs, with an initial average body weight (BW) of 24.56 ± 1.68 kg, were randomly assigned to three dietary groups for 150 days. Guava leaves were included at three levels: 0 % (control group, GL<sub>0</sub>), 5 % (GL<sub>5</sub>), and 10 % (GL<sub>10</sub>), replacing corn silage in the diets. The phenolic compounds in GL are approximately 384.1 mg/kg of dry matter (DM). Both final BW (P = 0.007) and average daily gain (ADG) (P = 0.025) of the lambs increased linearly with higher levels of GL in their diets. Lambs fed the GL<sub>5</sub> and GL<sub>10</sub> diets exhibited higher final BW (P = 0.015) and ADG (P = 0.044) compared to those on the GL<sub>0</sub> diet. There was also a linear increase in the digestibility of DM (P = 0.008), organic matter (OM) (P = 0.009), crude protein (CP) (P = 0.042), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (P = 0.027). There was a linear decrease in urinary nitrogen (N) excretion (P = 0.006) and a linear increase in N retention (P = 0.008). Lambs on the GL<sub>10</sub> diet excreted less N in their urine (P = 0.018) and retained more N (P = 0.023) than those on the GL<sub>0</sub> diet. A linear increase was also observed in ruminal pH (P = 0.002), total volatile fatty acid concentration (P = 0.004), and the molar proportion of propionate (P = 0.009), with the GL<sub>10</sub> diet showing lower values (P < 0.05) compared to the GL<sub>5</sub> and GL<sub>0</sub> diets. Conversely, there was a linear decrease in ammonia-N concentration (P = 0.001), the molar proportion of acetate (P = 0.001), and the acetate-to-propionate ratio (P = 0.002). A linear decrease (P = 0.000) in total gas and methane production occurred as the percentage of GL increased. The counts of protozoa decreased linearly (P = 0.009) with higher levels of GL in the diet. A linear decrease was also observed in cholesterol (P = 0.012), triglycerides (P = 0.013), and urea levels (P = 0.008), with the GL<sub>5</sub> and GL<sub>10</sub> diets showing lower values compared to the GL<sub>0</sub> diet (P < <sub>0</sub>.05). Moreover, the activities of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (P = 0.010), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P = 0.010), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) (P = 0.005) increased linearly, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased (P = 0.022). The GL<sub>5</sub> and GL<sub>10</sub> diets displayed higher (P < 0.05) levels of TAC, SOD, and GSH-PX, along with lower levels of MDA (P = 0.054) compared to the GL<sub>0</sub> diet. In conclusion, GL can be utilized as a feed additive to modulate rumen fe","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 116657"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146036284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A 90-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the dietary effects of Saraca asoca bark powder (SA) on reproductive performance, including gonadal indices, hormone levels, antioxidant activity, gene expression, and histological alteration in female Anabas testudineus fingerlings. Five isonitrogenous (35 % crude protein) and isolipidic (8 % crude lipid) diets were formulated with graded level of SA viz. 0 % (control, SA-0), 1 % (SA-1 %), 2 % (SA-2 %), 3 % (SA-3 %) and 6 % (SA-6 %). A total of 225 fingerlings (average weight, 3.30 ± 0.25 g) were randomly distributed into 15 tanks in triplicate using completely randomized design. Results demonstrated that a 3 % inclusion of SA (SA-3 %) significantly (P < 0.05) increased gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index, and relative fecundity, whereas these indices declined with the 6 % inclusion level. Plasma concentration of estradiol and vitellogenin were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the SA-3 % group as compared to other treatment but were reduced in SA-6 % supplemented group. Furthermore, antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and the transcript levels of reproductive related genes [cyp19a (3.16 ± 0.06) and IL-6 (3.93 ± 0.05)] were significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced with the 3 % inclusion levels (SA-3 %) and declined by SA-6 % treatment group. Ovarian histology revealed that advanced oocyte maturation [vitellogenic stage 3 (75 %)] was significantly higher in SA-3 % group. Similarly, hepatic histology showed pronounced vacuolation of hepatocytes, indicative of active yolk precursor synthesis in the same group. Overall, the supplementation of Saraca asoca bark powder (SA-3 %) significantly improved reproductive performance in climbing perch by upregulating reproductive hormones, antioxidant defence through HPG axis and controlling gene expression related to gametogenesis and steroidogenesis.
{"title":"Dietary Saraca asoca bark powder as a reproductive enhancer: Insights into endocrine, molecular, oxidative, and reproductive tissue biomarkers in female climbing perch (Anabas testudineus)","authors":"Maneesh Kumar Dubey , Shivendra Kumar , Prem Prakash Srivastava , Aditi Banik , R.K. Brahmchari , Pankaj Kishore , Amit Kumar , Rini Joshi","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116656","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116656","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A 90-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the dietary effects of <em>Saraca asoca</em> bark powder (SA) on reproductive performance, including gonadal indices, hormone levels, antioxidant activity, gene expression, and histological alteration in female <em>Anabas testudineus</em> fingerlings. Five isonitrogenous (35 % crude protein) and isolipidic (8 % crude lipid) diets were formulated with graded level of SA viz. 0 % (control, SA-0), 1 % (SA-1 %), 2 % (SA-2 %), 3 % (SA-3 %) and 6 % (SA-6 %). A total of 225 fingerlings (average weight, 3.30 ± 0.25 g) were randomly distributed into 15 tanks in triplicate using completely randomized design. Results demonstrated that a 3 % inclusion of SA (SA-3 %) significantly (<em>P</em> < 0.05) increased gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index, and relative fecundity, whereas these indices declined with the 6 % inclusion level. Plasma concentration of estradiol and vitellogenin were significantly higher (<em>P</em> < 0.05) in the SA-3 % group as compared to other treatment but were reduced in SA-6 % supplemented group. Furthermore, antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and the transcript levels of reproductive related genes [<em>cyp19a</em> (3.16 ± 0.06) and <em>IL-6</em> (3.93 ± 0.05)] were significantly (<em>P</em> < 0.05) enhanced with the 3 % inclusion levels (SA-3 %) and declined by SA-6 % treatment group. Ovarian histology revealed that advanced oocyte maturation [vitellogenic stage 3 (75 %)] was significantly higher in SA-3 % group. Similarly, hepatic histology showed pronounced vacuolation of hepatocytes, indicative of active yolk precursor synthesis in the same group. Overall, the supplementation of <em>Saraca asoca</em> bark powder (SA-3 %) significantly improved reproductive performance in climbing perch by upregulating reproductive hormones, antioxidant defence through HPG axis and controlling gene expression related to gametogenesis and steroidogenesis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 116656"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146034387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-19DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116644
B. Lahart , L. Shalloo , W. Flynn , V. Glevarec , J.P. Murphy , N. Walker , H. Costigan
There is increasing pressure to develop solutions for reducing enteric methane (CH4) emissions from dairy production systems. 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP; Bovaer10®) has been proven to reduce CH4 by 20–30 % from dairy cows within indoor settings when the additive is mixed throughout the basal diet using a mixing wagon. This method of delivery may not be possible where mixing wagons to feed animals are not freely available as is the case in most pasture-based production systems in Ireland. Top-dressing 3-NOP onto the feed with minerals offers an alternative method of delivering the additive to non-lactating dairy cows. However, there has been limited research to date on the CH4 abatement potential of 3-NOP when top-dressed. The current study investigated the potential of 3-NOP top dressed twice daily onto grass silage to reduce CH4 emissions of non-lactating dairy cows over a 6 week period. Treatment cows received 3-NOP mixed with minerals, which were top-dressed onto grass silage, while control cows were offered grass silage with minerals (without 3-NOP) top-dressed onto their silage. Enteric CH4, hydrogen (H2), and carbon dioxide (CO2) were measured using GreenFeed measurement units. Body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were also monitored, while dry matter intake (DMI) was determined at a group level. There was no effect of 3-NOP supplementation on BW or BCS, while DMI was observed to be similar between treatment and control groups. Cows supplemented with 3-NOP produced 11.8 % less enteric CH4 than cows offered the control diet. Furthermore, the effect was variable across the day, with the greatest reductions in CH4 in the periods post top-dressing. Cows supplemented with 3-NOP also produced 2.5-fold more H2 relative to the control group, with the effect heavily influenced by time post top-dressing. In conclusion, twice daily top-dressing of 3-NOP onto grass silage fed to non-lactating dairy cows can moderately reduce enteric CH4 emissions without impacting productivity.
{"title":"Twice daily top-dressing of 3-nitrooxypropanol as a strategy to reduce enteric methane emissions in pregnant non-lactating dairy cows consuming grass silage","authors":"B. Lahart , L. Shalloo , W. Flynn , V. Glevarec , J.P. Murphy , N. Walker , H. Costigan","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116644","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116644","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is increasing pressure to develop solutions for reducing enteric methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) emissions from dairy production systems. 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP; Bovaer10®) has been proven to reduce CH<sub>4</sub> by 20–30 % from dairy cows within indoor settings when the additive is mixed throughout the basal diet using a mixing wagon. This method of delivery may not be possible where mixing wagons to feed animals are not freely available as is the case in most pasture-based production systems in Ireland. Top-dressing 3-NOP onto the feed with minerals offers an alternative method of delivering the additive to non-lactating dairy cows. However, there has been limited research to date on the CH<sub>4</sub> abatement potential of 3-NOP when top-dressed. The current study investigated the potential of 3-NOP top dressed twice daily onto grass silage to reduce CH<sub>4</sub> emissions of non-lactating dairy cows over a 6 week period. Treatment cows received 3-NOP mixed with minerals, which were top-dressed onto grass silage, while control cows were offered grass silage with minerals (without 3-NOP) top-dressed onto their silage. Enteric CH<sub>4</sub>, hydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>), and carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) were measured using GreenFeed measurement units. Body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were also monitored, while dry matter intake (DMI) was determined at a group level. There was no effect of 3-NOP supplementation on BW or BCS, while DMI was observed to be similar between treatment and control groups. Cows supplemented with 3-NOP produced 11.8 % less enteric CH<sub>4</sub> than cows offered the control diet. Furthermore, the effect was variable across the day, with the greatest reductions in CH<sub>4</sub> in the periods post top-dressing. Cows supplemented with 3-NOP also produced 2.5-fold more H<sub>2</sub> relative to the control group, with the effect heavily influenced by time post top-dressing. In conclusion, twice daily top-dressing of 3-NOP onto grass silage fed to non-lactating dairy cows can moderately reduce enteric CH<sub>4</sub> emissions without impacting productivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 116644"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146036283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116655
Han Huang , Xin Liu , Hao Sun , Yang Xiao , Yuanfa He , Yongjun Chen , Shimei Lin
<div><div>This study compared the effects of structurally distinct starches on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, and liver health in largemouth bass to provide scientific evidence for starch utilization in aquafeeds. Three isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets (47.78 % crude protein, 10.76 % crude fat) containing distinct starch sources were formulated: common corn starch (CS), waxy corn starch (WCS), and high-amylose corn starch (HACS). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish (initial average weight: 8.49 g) in a recirculating aquaculture system for 65 days. The results showed that the HACS group exhibited the highest final body weight (FBW), weight gain rate (WGR), and specific growth rate (SGR), followed by the CS and WCS groups (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Furthermore, compared with the WCS group, the HACS group showed a significant increase in the concentrations of propionate and butyrate in the intestinal digesta (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Additionally, hepatic transcriptome analysis revealed that the differently expressed genes (DEGs) in the HACS and WCS groups were predominantly enriched in Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways related to fatty acid metabolism and inflammatory regulation. Moreover, compared with the WCS group, the HACS group significantly reduced serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels, along with fewer hepatic lipid droplets (<em>P</em> < 0.05). This was accompanied by downregulated the mRNA expression of hepatic lipid synthesis genes including sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (srebf1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (acc1), fatty acid synthase (fasn), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (scd) (<em>P</em> < 0.05), while upregulated the mRNA expression of lipid catabolism genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (pparα), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (cpt1), acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2 (acaa2), adipose triglyceride lipase (atgl), hormone-sensitive lipase (hsl) and corresponding proteins (PPARα, CPT1A, ACAA2) (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Additionally, the HACS group exhibited lower serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities (<em>P</em> < 0.05), improved morphological structure and integrity of hepatocytes, downregulated the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors, including interleukin-8 (il-8), interleukin-1β (il-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α （tnf-α）, and v-rel avian reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog A (nf-κb p65), and upregulated the mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory transforming growth factor-β (tgf-β<em>)</em> (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Collectively, high-amylose diets improve the growth performance of largemouth bass, potentially mediated by increasing intestinal propionate and butyrate levels, enhancing hepatic lipid homeostasis via activating the PPARα/CPT1A/ACAA2 pathway, and alleviating hepatic inflammatory response and damage.</div><
{"title":"Impacts of structurally distinct starches on growth, short-chain fatty acid production, hepatic lipid metabolic homeostasis, and inflammatory response in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)","authors":"Han Huang , Xin Liu , Hao Sun , Yang Xiao , Yuanfa He , Yongjun Chen , Shimei Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116655","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116655","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study compared the effects of structurally distinct starches on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, and liver health in largemouth bass to provide scientific evidence for starch utilization in aquafeeds. Three isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets (47.78 % crude protein, 10.76 % crude fat) containing distinct starch sources were formulated: common corn starch (CS), waxy corn starch (WCS), and high-amylose corn starch (HACS). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish (initial average weight: 8.49 g) in a recirculating aquaculture system for 65 days. The results showed that the HACS group exhibited the highest final body weight (FBW), weight gain rate (WGR), and specific growth rate (SGR), followed by the CS and WCS groups (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Furthermore, compared with the WCS group, the HACS group showed a significant increase in the concentrations of propionate and butyrate in the intestinal digesta (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Additionally, hepatic transcriptome analysis revealed that the differently expressed genes (DEGs) in the HACS and WCS groups were predominantly enriched in Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways related to fatty acid metabolism and inflammatory regulation. Moreover, compared with the WCS group, the HACS group significantly reduced serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels, along with fewer hepatic lipid droplets (<em>P</em> < 0.05). This was accompanied by downregulated the mRNA expression of hepatic lipid synthesis genes including sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (srebf1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (acc1), fatty acid synthase (fasn), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (scd) (<em>P</em> < 0.05), while upregulated the mRNA expression of lipid catabolism genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (pparα), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (cpt1), acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2 (acaa2), adipose triglyceride lipase (atgl), hormone-sensitive lipase (hsl) and corresponding proteins (PPARα, CPT1A, ACAA2) (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Additionally, the HACS group exhibited lower serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities (<em>P</em> < 0.05), improved morphological structure and integrity of hepatocytes, downregulated the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors, including interleukin-8 (il-8), interleukin-1β (il-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α （tnf-α）, and v-rel avian reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog A (nf-κb p65), and upregulated the mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory transforming growth factor-β (tgf-β<em>)</em> (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Collectively, high-amylose diets improve the growth performance of largemouth bass, potentially mediated by increasing intestinal propionate and butyrate levels, enhancing hepatic lipid homeostasis via activating the PPARα/CPT1A/ACAA2 pathway, and alleviating hepatic inflammatory response and damage.</div><","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 116655"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146036309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The objective of this study was to assess whether maternal guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplementation, with or without rumen-protected methionine (RP-Met), during late gestation affects performance, uteroplacental vascular indicators, and metabolic responses in beef cows. From gestation day 202 until parturition, thirty-six pregnant Nellore cows (502 ± 12.8 kg), each carrying a female fetus, were assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial design: control (no GAA or RP-Met), RP-Met (0.02 g/kg BW), GAA (0.12 g/kg BW), or GAA + RP-Met (0.12 g/kg BW GAA + 0.02 g/kg BW RP-Met). No GAA × RP-Met interaction was detected for nutrient intake or performance variables (P > 0.05), and neither GAA nor RP-Met affected nutrient intake (P > 0.05). However, GAA supplementation increased final body weight (P = 0.01), average daily gain (P = 0.01), shrunk body weight gain (P = 0.01), and estimated empty body weight gain (P = 0.02), whereas RP-Met had no effect on cow performance (P > 0.05). No GAA x RP-Met interaction was observed for placental measurements (P > 0.05). Control cows exhibited a greater uterine artery pulsatility index than cows supplemented with GAA or GAA + RP-Met, with intermediate values for RP-Met (P = 0.04). Neither GAA nor RP-Met affected placental cotyledon number or placental weight (P > 0.05). GAA supplementation, alone or in combination with RP-Met, increased plasma arginine, citrulline, and ornithine concentrations (P ≤ 0.05), while RP-Met increased plasma methionine concentrations (P < 0.01). A GAA × RP-Met interaction was observed for plasma homocysteine, with greater concentrations in cows receiving GAA + RP-Met (P = 0.01). Serum creatine, nitric oxide, and urinary creatinine concentrations were not affected by treatment. Cows supplemented with GAA had lower urinary 3-methylhistidine:creatinine ratio (P = 0.01), indicating reduced skeletal muscle protein mobilization. In the liver, GAA supplementation reduced arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT) abundance (P = 0.03), whereas guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT) abundance was not affected. In conclusion, GAA supplementation during late gestation improved maternal performance, altered amino acid metabolism, reduced muscle protein mobilization, and modified uteroplacental vascular indicators independent of changes in feed intake. The absence of additive performance responses to RP-Met suggests that the primary physiological effects of GAA were driven by arginine-sparing and creatine-related metabolic mechanisms rather than methyl group limitation.
{"title":"Supplementation of guanidinoacetic acid with or without rumen-protected methionine during late gestation affect metabolism and performance of pregnant beef cows","authors":"L.J.M. Motta , L.V. Kladt , L.Y.P. Toma , L.H.L. Chalfun , L.N. Rennó , M.M. Santos , T.C. Costa , M.M. Lopes , T.L. Resende , C.B. Sampaio , M.P. Gionbelli , M.S. Duarte","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116654","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116654","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this study was to assess whether maternal guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplementation, with or without rumen-protected methionine (RP-Met), during late gestation affects performance, uteroplacental vascular indicators, and metabolic responses in beef cows. From gestation day 202 until parturition, thirty-six pregnant Nellore cows (502 ± 12.8 kg), each carrying a female fetus, were assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial design: control (no GAA or RP-Met), RP-Met (0.02 g/kg BW), GAA (0.12 g/kg BW), or GAA + RP-Met (0.12 g/kg BW GAA + 0.02 g/kg BW RP-Met). No GAA × RP-Met interaction was detected for nutrient intake or performance variables (<em>P</em> > 0.05), and neither GAA nor RP-Met affected nutrient intake (<em>P</em> > 0.05). However, GAA supplementation increased final body weight (<em>P</em> = 0.01), average daily gain (<em>P</em> = 0.01), shrunk body weight gain (<em>P</em> = 0.01), and estimated empty body weight gain (<em>P</em> = 0.02), whereas RP-Met had no effect on cow performance (<em>P</em> > 0.05). No GAA x R<em>P</em>-Met interaction was observed for placental measurements (<em>P</em> > 0.05). Control cows exhibited a greater uterine artery pulsatility index than cows supplemented with GAA or GAA + RP-Met, with intermediate values for RP-Met (<em>P</em> = 0.04). Neither GAA nor RP-Met affected placental cotyledon number or placental weight (P > 0.05). GAA supplementation, alone or in combination with RP-Met, increased plasma arginine, citrulline, and ornithine concentrations (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.05), while RP-Met increased plasma methionine concentrations (<em>P</em> < 0.01). A GAA × RP-Met interaction was observed for plasma homocysteine, with greater concentrations in cows receiving GAA + RP-Met (<em>P</em> = 0.01). Serum creatine, nitric oxide, and urinary creatinine concentrations were not affected by treatment. Cows supplemented with GAA had lower urinary 3-methylhistidine:creatinine ratio (<em>P</em> = 0.01), indicating reduced skeletal muscle protein mobilization. In the liver, GAA supplementation reduced arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT) abundance (<em>P</em> = 0.03), whereas guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT) abundance was not affected. In conclusion, GAA supplementation during late gestation improved maternal performance, altered amino acid metabolism, reduced muscle protein mobilization, and modified uteroplacental vascular indicators independent of changes in feed intake. The absence of additive performance responses to RP-Met suggests that the primary physiological effects of GAA were driven by arginine-sparing and creatine-related metabolic mechanisms rather than methyl group limitation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 116654"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146036282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116642
M. Myers , N. Tomkins , S. Payne , Mozumder I , A. Singh , M.J. Callaghan
Bromoform is a well-documented anti-methanogenic compound delivering direct abatement in ruminant production systems. However, the inherent volatility of bromoform creates challenges for use as a feed additive. This study has demonstrated the utility of an inert carrier, namely activated carbon (AC), for bromoform to achieve significant (P < 0.0001) methane mitigation in vitro. An exponential decay model has described the reduction in methane yield over time. Of the three AC sources assessed across two bromoform concentrations (low 1.5 µM and high 2.5 µM), one AC source reduced methanogenesis by 50.3 %/d without affecting total gas (mL/24 h) or total VFA production (mmol/L). The corresponding molar % increase in propionate and decrease in acetate for this AC at the low dose resulted in a A:P of 2.2, which was significantly different (P < 0.001) to the control. Aqueous isotherm data demonstrated that the same AC source had strong binding affinity to bromoform. In addition, this AC source retained bromoform at temperatures up to 80°C and displayed desorption characteristics in aqueous solution necessary for suitability as an anti-methanogenic feed additive. This binding affinity to bromoform and validation of chemical and thermal stability mitigates the health and safety risks associated with exposure to feed additives containing bromoform. Incomplete physicochemical information of the commercial AC sources limited the mechanistic understanding of the binding and release of bromoform. This study has demonstrated that application of AC as an alternative carrier for bromoform at 10–15 % (w/w) loading, can be highly advantageous in the feed additive supply chain and has potential for achieving direct methane mitigation in vivo.
{"title":"Activated carbon stabilises bromoform and is an effective carrier for methane mitigation in vitro","authors":"M. Myers , N. Tomkins , S. Payne , Mozumder I , A. Singh , M.J. Callaghan","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116642","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116642","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bromoform is a well-documented anti-methanogenic compound delivering direct abatement in ruminant production systems. However, the inherent volatility of bromoform creates challenges for use as a feed additive. This study has demonstrated the utility of an inert carrier, namely activated carbon (AC), for bromoform to achieve significant (P < 0.0001) methane mitigation <em>in vitro</em>. An exponential decay model has described the reduction in methane yield over time. Of the three AC sources assessed across two bromoform concentrations (low 1.5 µM and high 2.5 µM), one AC source reduced methanogenesis by 50.3 %/d without affecting total gas (mL/24 h) or total VFA production (mmol/L). The corresponding molar % increase in propionate and decrease in acetate for this AC at the low dose resulted in a A:P of 2.2, which was significantly different (P < 0.001) to the control. Aqueous isotherm data demonstrated that the same AC source had strong binding affinity to bromoform. In addition, this AC source retained bromoform at temperatures up to 80°C and displayed desorption characteristics in aqueous solution necessary for suitability as an anti-methanogenic feed additive. This binding affinity to bromoform and validation of chemical and thermal stability mitigates the health and safety risks associated with exposure to feed additives containing bromoform. Incomplete physicochemical information of the commercial AC sources limited the mechanistic understanding of the binding and release of bromoform. This study has demonstrated that application of AC as an alternative carrier for bromoform at 10–15 % (w/w) loading, can be highly advantageous in the feed additive supply chain and has potential for achieving direct methane mitigation <em>in vivo</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 116642"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146036280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116645
O. Hamungalu , M.R. Abdollahi , P.C.H. Morel , S. Liu , T.J. Wester
The aim of the present study was to determine standardised ileal digestibility (SID) of nitrogen (N) and amino acids (AA) of faba bean, lupin, lentil, chickpea, field pea and soybean meal (SBM) for growing male broilers. Grain legumes were incorporated into experimental diets either raw or after being steam-conditioned at 80°C for 30 s. The assay diets were formulated to contain 150 g/kg crude protein with the test ingredient as the only source of protein. Meanwhile, basal endogenous AA loss was measured by using a N-free diet to estimate SID. From 21–24 days post-hatch, each diet was randomly allocated to four replicate cages (eight birds per cage) with a total of 384 Ross 308 male broiler chickens. On day 24, all birds were euthanised and ileal contents collected to determine SID. No effect (P>0.05) was observed for heat treatment on SID of AA for lentil, lupin and field pea, but variable effects were observed in chickpea and faba bean (P<0.05). The SID of N and all AA in SBM were not different (P>0.05) to that of raw lentil, but were greater (P<0.05) than that of raw field pea. No differences (P>0.05) were observed for SID of N and AA between raw lupin and SBM, apart from arginine, cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine which were greater (P<0.05) in lupin. In raw chickpea, only SID of isoleucine, leucine, methionine, alanine and tyrosine were lower (P<0.05) than that of SBM. This study suggested that the AA digestibility coefficients of raw lupin, lentil and chickpea were not different from SBM and may be used as a replacement. However, due to their lower AA content, an additional protein source or non-bound amino acids may be needed to form a balanced diet.
{"title":"Standardised ileal amino acid digestibility of grain legumes is comparable to soybean meal for broiler chickens","authors":"O. Hamungalu , M.R. Abdollahi , P.C.H. Morel , S. Liu , T.J. Wester","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116645","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116645","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of the present study was to determine standardised ileal digestibility (SID) of nitrogen (N) and amino acids (AA) of faba bean, lupin, lentil, chickpea, field pea and soybean meal (SBM) for growing male broilers. Grain legumes were incorporated into experimental diets either raw or after being steam-conditioned at 80°C for 30 s. The assay diets were formulated to contain 150 g/kg crude protein with the test ingredient as the only source of protein. Meanwhile, basal endogenous AA loss was measured by using a N-free diet to estimate SID. From 21–24 days post-hatch, each diet was randomly allocated to four replicate cages (eight birds per cage) with a total of 384 Ross 308 male broiler chickens. On day 24, all birds were euthanised and ileal contents collected to determine SID. No effect (<em>P></em>0.05) was observed for heat treatment on SID of AA for lentil, lupin and field pea, but variable effects were observed in chickpea and faba bean (<em>P<</em>0.05). The SID of N and all AA in SBM were not different (P>0.05) to that of raw lentil, but were greater (P<0.05) than that of raw field pea. No differences (P>0.05) were observed for SID of N and AA between raw lupin and SBM, apart from arginine, cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine which were greater (P<0.05) in lupin. In raw chickpea, only SID of isoleucine, leucine, methionine, alanine and tyrosine were lower (P<0.05) than that of SBM. This study suggested that the AA digestibility coefficients of raw lupin, lentil and chickpea were not different from SBM and may be used as a replacement. However, due to their lower AA content, an additional protein source or non-bound amino acids may be needed to form a balanced diet.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 116645"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146036308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116637
C.R. Monteiro , E. Magnani , M.H. Signor , K.E. Loregian , F. Rigon , G.W. Meurer , A.S. Mallmann , F.S. Dalolio , R.H. Branco , M.A.C. Danes , P.D.B. Benedeti , E.M. Paula
Two experiments aimed to evaluate the effects of low-level tannin inclusion in beef cattle diets on ruminal fermentation using a dual-flow continuous culture system (Exp 1) and an in vitro gas production (GP) system (Exp 2). In both experiments, five treatments tested the inclusion of condensed tannin extracted from Acacia mearnsii at 0.0, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, and 6.4 g/kg DM in a finishing beef diet. For Experiment 1 (Exp 1), ten fermenters (1223 ± 21 mL) were arranged in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square design over five 10-day periods, with 7 days for diet adaptation and 3 days for sample collection. In Experiment 2 (Exp 2), a 36-bottle automated in vitro GP system was used. The same treatments of Exp 1 were evaluated using a completely randomized design across two 48-hour fermentation batch, yielding six replicates per treatment and six blanks. In Exp 1, tannin levels did not affect digestibility parameters (P > 0.21). Ammonia-N concentration and flow decreased linearly with higher tannin levels (P = 0.03). Total GP after 24 and 48 h were not affected by treatments (P > 0.28). There was a quadradic effect for total VFA, CH4 and CO2 where the tannin level of 3.2 g/kg DM shower greater VFA concentration and lower CH4 and CO2 compared to the other treatments. Furthermore, tannin inclusion caused a quadratic increase in propionate (P = 0.03) and butyrate (P < 0.01) concentrations, peaking at 3.2 g/kg. These findings suggest that tannin levels of 3.2 g/kg DM may be a viable strategy to modulate rumen fermentation and reduce CH4 production. This approach could represent a possible alternative from both sustainability and energy efficiency perspectives.
{"title":"Incorporating low levels of tannins from Acacia mearnsii can enhance in vitro rumen fermentation and reduce methane emissions without compromising nutrients digestibility","authors":"C.R. Monteiro , E. Magnani , M.H. Signor , K.E. Loregian , F. Rigon , G.W. Meurer , A.S. Mallmann , F.S. Dalolio , R.H. Branco , M.A.C. Danes , P.D.B. Benedeti , E.M. Paula","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116637","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116637","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Two experiments aimed to evaluate the effects of low-level tannin inclusion in beef cattle diets on ruminal fermentation using a dual-flow continuous culture system (Exp 1) and an <em>in vitro</em> gas production (GP) system (Exp 2). In both experiments, five treatments tested the inclusion of condensed tannin extracted from <em>Acacia mearnsii</em> at 0.0, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, and 6.4 g/kg DM in a finishing beef diet. For Experiment 1 (Exp 1), ten fermenters (1223 ± 21 mL) were arranged in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square design over five 10-day periods, with 7 days for diet adaptation and 3 days for sample collection. In Experiment 2 (Exp 2), a 36-bottle automated <em>in vitro</em> GP system was used. The same treatments of Exp 1 were evaluated using a completely randomized design across two 48-hour fermentation batch, yielding six replicates per treatment and six blanks. In Exp 1, tannin levels did not affect digestibility parameters (P > 0.21). Ammonia-N concentration and flow decreased linearly with higher tannin levels (P = 0.03). Total GP after 24 and 48 h were not affected by treatments (P > 0.28). There was a quadradic effect for total VFA, CH<sub>4</sub> and CO<sub>2</sub> where the tannin level of 3.2 g/kg DM shower greater VFA concentration and lower CH<sub>4</sub> and CO<sub>2</sub> compared to the other treatments. Furthermore, tannin inclusion caused a quadratic increase in propionate (P = 0.03) and butyrate (P < 0.01) concentrations, peaking at 3.2 g/kg. These findings suggest that tannin levels of 3.2 g/kg DM may be a viable strategy to modulate rumen fermentation and reduce CH<sub>4</sub> production. This approach could represent a possible alternative from both sustainability and energy efficiency perspectives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 116637"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146036373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116635
Saira Romero-Sanchez , Román David Castañeda-Serrano , Carlos F. Prada Quiroga
The use of natural extracts is a promising alternative to antibiotic feed additives in ruminant nutrition. Bioactive compounds such as tannins and flavonoids are known to modulate ruminal microbiota. This study evaluated the effects of a Senna spectabilis (SE) and Tithonia diversifolia (TD) extract supplemention on the rumen microbiota of Hair Lambs. Sixteen male crossbred hair lambs were randomly assigned to four treatments (n = 4): control (CG), monensin (MG), SE, and TD. Microbial diversity and composition were assessed using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Bacterial richness was reduced in the MG group, while SE and TD had no significant effect on overall microbial community structure (p > 0.05). The rumen microbiota was dominated by Firmicutes (38.87 %), Bacteroidota (37.86 %), and Proteobacteria (17.52 %), with Prevotella as the most abundant genus (24.87 %). Prevotella abundance was significantly higher in MG compared to other treatments (p = 0.019), although the difference between MG (35.39 %) and SE (27.02 %) was not significant (p > 0.05). Ruminobacter was more abundant in CG (7.30 %) and significantly lower in SE (0.78 %) (p = 0.0227). Average abundances in MG and TD were 2.26 % and 2.76 %, respectively. TD supplementation resulted in lower animal performance and limited microbial modulation. Overall, these findings provide a detailed characterization of the ruminal microbiota in hair lambs and suggest that Senna spectabilis extract may serve as a natural alternative to monensin for modulating rumen microbial communities and potentially improving animal productivity.
{"title":"Effects of a Tithonia diversifolia and Senna spectabilis extract supplement on rumen microbiota of Hair Lambs","authors":"Saira Romero-Sanchez , Román David Castañeda-Serrano , Carlos F. Prada Quiroga","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of natural extracts is a promising alternative to antibiotic feed additives in ruminant nutrition. Bioactive compounds such as tannins and flavonoids are known to modulate ruminal microbiota. This study evaluated the effects of a <em>Senna spectabilis</em> (SE) and <em>Tithonia diversifolia</em> (TD) extract supplemention on the rumen microbiota of Hair Lambs. Sixteen male crossbred hair lambs were randomly assigned to four treatments (n = 4): control (CG), monensin (MG), SE, and TD. Microbial diversity and composition were assessed using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Bacterial richness was reduced in the MG group, while SE and TD had no significant effect on overall microbial community structure (p > 0.05). The rumen microbiota was dominated by Firmicutes (38.87 %), Bacteroidota (37.86 %), and Proteobacteria (17.52 %), with Prevotella as the most abundant genus (24.87 %). <em>Prevotella</em> abundance was significantly higher in MG compared to other treatments (p = 0.019), although the difference between MG (35.39 %) and SE (27.02 %) was not significant (p > 0.05). <em>Ruminobacter</em> was more abundant in CG (7.30 %) and significantly lower in SE (0.78 %) (p = 0.0227). Average abundances in MG and TD were 2.26 % and 2.76 %, respectively. TD supplementation resulted in lower animal performance and limited microbial modulation. Overall, these findings provide a detailed characterization of the ruminal microbiota in hair lambs and suggest that <em>Senna spectabilis</em> extract may serve as a natural alternative to monensin for modulating rumen microbial communities and potentially improving animal productivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"333 ","pages":"Article 116635"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146034386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116653
Gabriele Rocchetti , Antonio Gallo
Metabolomics is increasingly recognized as a powerful approach to decode the biochemical complexity of dairy systems. In this review, we propose a novel integrative framework, F3-metabolomics, that systematically connects feed metabolomics (here described as the metabolomic profiling of different feedstuffs), fluid metabolomics (here newly defined as the metabolomic analysis of animal biofluids), and food metabolomics (the characterization of dairy products as a food category). This feed-fluid-food axis could enable researchers to trace the metabolic fate of nutrients, bioactive compounds, and environmental outputs from the ration, through the animal’s systemic metabolism, to the final product. By formally introducing fluid metabolomics as the central analytical node, encompassing saliva, rumen fluid, blood, urine, milk, and feces, we highlight its role as a dynamic interface linking nutritional strategies to phenotypic and compositional outcomes. Anchored in this structured continuum, the F3-metabolomics framework provides a high-throughput basis to explore animal performance, feed efficiency, and product functionality, with a special focus on milk quality parameters. We critically evaluate recent methodological developments across each metabolomic layer, examine integrated case studies, and discuss practical applications in precision livestock farming, sustainability, and food traceability. Finally, we address current challenges in data harmonization, annotation confidence, and multi-omics integration, proposing a roadmap to accelerate the adoption of F3-metabolomics as a next-generation systems-level paradigm for dairy science.
{"title":"F3-metabolomics: Integrating feed, fluid, and food metabolomics in dairy production","authors":"Gabriele Rocchetti , Antonio Gallo","doi":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116653","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116653","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Metabolomics is increasingly recognized as a powerful approach to decode the biochemical complexity of dairy systems. In this review, we propose a novel integrative framework, F3-metabolomics, that systematically connects feed metabolomics (here described as the metabolomic profiling of different feedstuffs), fluid metabolomics (here newly defined as the metabolomic analysis of animal biofluids), and food metabolomics (the characterization of dairy products as a food category). This feed-fluid-food axis could enable researchers to trace the metabolic fate of nutrients, bioactive compounds, and environmental outputs from the ration, through the animal’s systemic metabolism, to the final product. By formally introducing fluid metabolomics as the central analytical node, encompassing saliva, rumen fluid, blood, urine, milk, and feces, we highlight its role as a dynamic interface linking nutritional strategies to phenotypic and compositional outcomes. Anchored in this structured continuum, the F3-metabolomics framework provides a high-throughput basis to explore animal performance, feed efficiency, and product functionality, with a special focus on milk quality parameters. We critically evaluate recent methodological developments across each metabolomic layer, examine integrated case studies, and discuss practical applications in precision livestock farming, sustainability, and food traceability. Finally, we address current challenges in data harmonization, annotation confidence, and multi-omics integration, proposing a roadmap to accelerate the adoption of F3-metabolomics as a next-generation systems-level paradigm for dairy science.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7861,"journal":{"name":"Animal Feed Science and Technology","volume":"334 ","pages":"Article 116653"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146036372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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