Animal Science Journal最新文献

In this study, the genetic parameters of major visceral diseases were estimated using the postmortem inspection records of 9057 fattening Japanese Black cattle in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, and the genetic correlation between visceral diseases and carcass traits was analyzed. There were six visceral diseases with a prevalence of 5% or higher, namely, pleurisy, pneumonia, bovine abdominal fat necrosis (BFN), rumenitis, hemorrhagic hepatitis, and perihepatitis. Variance components were estimated using the Gibbs sampling method, and the heritability of the visceral disease ranged from 0.07 to 0.49 for perihepatitis and BFN, respectively. Significant negative genetic correlations were identified between pleurisy and rib thickness (−0.32), BFN and carcass weight (−0.29), and BFN and rib eye area (−0.22). No significant genetic correlation was observed among the visceral diseases. The least squares analysis of variance suggested that some visceral diseases decrease the value of carcass traits. In particular, carcass weight and rib eye area in individuals with BFN were 11.7 kg and 1.87 cm² lower than those of healthy cattle, respectively. Thus, it was inferred that genetic factors were involved in the visceral diseases of fattening Japanese Black cattle in Shimane Prefecture.

Vitrification is a valuable technology that enables semipermanent preservation and long-distance or international transportation of genetically modified and native animals. In laboratory mice, vitrification maintains and transports embryos, and many institutions and companies sell vitrified embryos. In contrast, despite numerous papers reporting on vitrification in livestock over the past decade, practical implementation has yet to be achieved. However, with advances in genome editing technology, it is anticipated that the number of genetically modified domestic animals will increase, leading to a rise in demand for vitrification of oocytes and embryos. Here, we provide an objective overview of recent advancements in vitrification technology for livestock, drawing a comparison with the current developments in laboratory animals. Additionally, we explore the future prospects for vitrification in livestock, focusing on its potential benefits and drawbacks.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of calf starters with different starch content on rumen and blood properties in calves fed under a high plane of nutrition program. Twenty-seven Holstein calves (14 female, 13 male) were assigned to one of three starter treatment groups in a randomized block design: high-starch (41.8%) (n = 9), H; medium-starch (31.9%) (n = 9), M; low-starch (22.0%) (n = 9), L. Milk replacer on powder basis was fed up to 1.2 kg/day as fed, gradually reduced from 6 weeks of age; calves were weaned at 8 weeks of age. Each starter (up to 3.5 kg/day as fed) and chopped hay were provided ad libitum from 5 days of age. Blood was collected from 4 to 13 weeks of age. Rumen fluid was collected at 6, 8, 10, and 13 weeks of age. Serum urea nitrogen concentration after weaning was the lowest in H. Plasma IGF-1 concentrations were higher in H than in L. Ruminal pH was not different, but the molar proportion of ruminal propionate was higher in H than in L throughout the study period. In summary, a high-starch starter may increase propionate production and microbial protein synthesis in the rumen, inducing higher plasma IGF-1 concentrations.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of milking cessation under different inflammatory conditions on the changes in antimicrobial components in milk and the process of mammary gland involution. Twenty udder halves were divided into two groups: those with (LPS) and without (control) lipopolysaccharide infusion, followed by cessation of milking for 8 weeks. Milk samples were collected weekly. Udder tissue was collected 4 weeks after milking cessation to measure the area of the lobule and connective tissue. After milking cessation, the somatic cell count (SCC) in the control group increased, whereas that in the LPS group did not. Lactoferrin (LF) and cathelicidin (Cath)-2 concentrations increased in both groups, whereas only LF was significantly lower in the LPS group than in the control group at week 4. The Cath-7 and S100A8 concentrations were significantly lower in the LPS group than in the control group. The lobule area was higher, and the connective tissue area was lower in the LPS group than in the control group. These results indicate that inflammation at milking cessation decreased the concentrations of some antimicrobial components and interfered with mammary gland involution. Therefore, animals with mastitis should recover prior to the onset of the dry period.

This study was done to investigate which components of rice bran (RB) are involved in the inhibition of methanogenesis by fractionating the rice bran and adding it to a rumen in vitro culture system. The RB extract obtained using ethanol and water was screened in an in vitro fermentation system. The experimental treatment conditions were as follows: a control group containing a substrate without supplements; substrates with 0.06 g of RB; 0.6 mL of ethanol; 0.6 mL of distilled water (DW); 0.6 mL of ethanol-soluble fraction (ESF); 0.06 g of ethanol-insoluble rice bran (EIRB); 0.6 mL of water-soluble fraction (WSF); and 0.06 g of water-insoluble rice bran (WIRB). Based on the result of the analysis, the addition of ESF significantly decreased CH₄ and CH₄/g dry matter digested, methanogen population (p < 0.05), while gas and dry matter digestibility (DMD) were comparable with the control group. Total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), and proportion of propionate were reduced, and the proportion of butyrate was increased by the addition of ethanol and ESF (p < 0.05). This result suggests that the supplementation of 10% ESF can substantially reduce methane production in vitro without a negative effect on substrate digestibility.

In this study, we investigated whether monitoring the ventral tail base surface temperature (ST) using a wearable wireless sensor could be effective for fever detection in calves with experimentally induced pneumonia after inoculation with Histophilus somni strain 2336. We found a significant difference in the changes in ST values between the control and H. somni-inoculated groups after 24 h of inoculation and detected fever; however, the rectal temperature showed a significant difference between the groups after 12 h of inoculation. When a significant difference in the ST between the two groups was observed, serum haptoglobin concentration and exacerbation of clinical score increased in the H. somni-inoculated group compared with those in the control group. Pneumonia was observed in the H. somni-inoculated group at necropsy, indicating that the changes in ST may reflect fever with inflammation caused by H. somni infection. Our results demonstrated that monitoring ST using a sensor attached to the ventral tail base can detect fever in calves and may be a useful and labor-saving tool for the health management of calves.

Allicin is a sulfur-containing compound extracted from raw garlic (Allium sativum L.). We compared the effect of allicin addition on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, and rumen microbiota of goats compared to monensin. Twenty-four Anhui white goats were assigned randomly to one of three dietary treatments: 1) a basal diet (CON); 2) the basal diet with allicin addition at 750 mg per head per day (AC); 3) the basal diet with monensin addition at 30 mg per kg of diet (MS). Animals were fed for 8 weeks. Results showed the average daily gain, and feed efficiency was increased with allicin and monensin addition. Serum levels of IgG, total superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were higher in the AC group than those in the CON and MS groups. The microbiota analysis revealed that monensin addition mainly affected genera related to carbohydrate and protein metabolism, and allicin mainly affected genera related to energy metabolism and intestinal health. In conclusion, allicin could improve growth performance and have advantages over monensin in improving the antioxidant capacity and immune function of goats. Allicin may be a potential alternative to monensin.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) from soybean oil in diets with different levels of rumen degradable protein (RDP) on bio-hydrogenation extent, and fatty acid (FA) profile intake, omasal digesta, rumen bacteria, and milk fat. Eight Holstein lactating cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design with two CSFA levels (0 or 33.2 g/kg DM of CSFA) and two RDP levels (98.0 or 110 g/kg DM). There was RDP and CSFA interaction effect on the omasal flow of total FA and some specific FA. Only in −CSFA diets, the higher RDP level increased omasal flow of total FA. Dietary RDP levels did not affect the FA profile of bacteria and milk fat. Feeding CSFA reduced or tended to reduce the bacterial proportion of C15:0, C16:0, C16:1, C17:0, and C18:0 FA and decreased the concentrations of short- and medium-chain FA (<18C) and increased the concentrations of unsaturated and long-chain FA (≥18C) in milk fat. Feeding CSFA of soybean oil increases the intake and omasal flow of FA and augments unsaturated FA content in bacteria pellets and milk fat.

To improve the eating quality of chicken, the physicochemical properties were examined, which serve as indicators for breeding. Thigh meat was collected from 384 chickens from seven and nine types of the jidori (free-range local traditional pedigree chickens) or broiler chickens, respectively. The principal component analysis of the physicochemical values of the jidori and broilers were arranged as different groups in the score plot. The results of multiple regression analysis of the sensory characteristics and physicochemical properties of thigh meat indicated that the tenderness decreased with the higher crude protein content and cooking loss in the jidori and increased with lower cooking loss and higher moisture and ether extract content in the broiler. The juiciness of the jidori decreased as the moisture content decreased, and that of the broiler decreased as the cooking loss and crude protein content increased. The umami of both the jidori and broiler was improved by increasing the 5′-inosinic acid content. Therefore, it was suggested that the physicochemical properties, which serve as indicators of the eating quality of chicken, differed between the jidori and broiler, and that the general biochemical components, cooking loss and 5′-inosinic acid content may serve as breeding indicators.