Animal Science Journal最新文献

The structure of coat hairs in golden takin (Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi) classified into the Bovidae family, living in harsher environmental conditions, is compared with the cattle's coat hair data. Morphological study and structural analysis with WAXD (wideangle X-ray diffraction) measurements were made on the hair samples, and the structural features were investigated. The overcoat hair in takin contained a continuous thick medullated tissue in its center while the undercoat hair was crimped finely and has no medullated tissue. Those morphologies of coat hairs will be effective to keep a vital temperature in harsh winter. The observation of the longitudinal section of the overcoat hair revealed the continuous dendritic framework-structured medullated tissue with air spaces and/or, in some cases, filling the spaces with wax-like granules. In the WAXD measurements of the summer coat hairs, similar α-keratin WAXD peaks were recorded except for the weak arc-shaped scattering peaks at around 2θ = 20.6°, 22.4°, which coincided with the peaks of the β′ crystal form of the fats.

Early prediction of carcass traits, particularly carcass weight and beef marbling score, is critical for optimizing beef production efficiency. We explored prediction models for these carcass traits using plasma free amino acid and related metabolite profiles during the midfattening period (20 months) in female Japanese Black cattle (n = 52). Stepwise multiple regression analysis and leave-one-out cross-validation were used to construct and evaluate the model. However, analyses that included all cattle were unsatisfactory, likely due to data variability and/or insufficient sample size. When cattle were categorized into two fattening durations, conventional (n = 28) and longer term (n = 24), prediction models for both carcass traits were successfully developed and validated, suggesting that differences in the fattening duration influenced the quality of the prediction models. From a total of 24 amino acids and six related metabolites, five to nine amino acids were selected as key predictors, emphasizing the dominant role of amino acids in this study. These findings suggested that plasma free amino acid profiles are potential practical predictors of carcass traits in beef production. Future studies with larger, regionally diverse datasets and varying fattening durations are essential to enable broader industrial applications.

Kyrgyzstan lies at the merge point of two ancient trade routes (the Eurasian Steppe and the Oasis Routes) and represents a key geographic region associated with probable goat propagation. Our study aimed to clarify goat propagation and the relationship between human activity and goats in Asia by investigating the genetic structure of Kyrgyzstan goats. We analyzed the mtDNA hypervariable region 1, the SRY 3′UTR, and genome-wide SNPs of 30 Kyrgyzstan goats. The mtDNA sequences were classified into three haplogroups: A (n = 25/30), D (n = 3/30), and G (n = 2/30), similar to that observed in Central Asia. Haplogroup G, mainly reported in the Middle East but absent in Central Asia, suggested a propagation route into Kyrgyzstan along the Oasis Route. For SRY haplotypes, Y1AB (n = 3/18) and Y2A (n = 15/18) were identified. The haplotype Y2A, largely distributed in Central Asia, implied genetic influence on Kyrgyzstan goats from the Eurasian Steppe Route. Genome-wide SNPs revealed that the Kyrgyzstan population formed a geographic cline extending from Russia to East Asia. Our findings reflect combined influences of the Eurasian Steppe and Oasis Routes on the genetic structure of Kyrgyzstan goats and illuminate their migration process through these routes.

This study evaluated the effects of substituting palm kernel cake (PKC) with spent coffee grounds (SCG) in goat concentrate diets on growth performance, feed utilization, and rumen fermentation. Sixteen male crossbred goats (15.7 ± 1.02 kg body weight) were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design: 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% replacement of PKC with SCG. The substitution significantly influenced body weight gain (BWG), average daily gain (ADG), and feed intake (p < 0.05). Goats fed 0% and 25% SCG showed the highest BWG and ADG, whereas the 75% group exhibited the lowest (p < 0.05). Apparent digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, and acid detergent fiber peaked at 25% and 50% replacement levels (p < 0.05). Total volatile fatty acid concentrations declined with increasing SCG inclusion, showing a cubic response (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that incorporating SCG at up to 50% of the concentrate can enhance digestibility and fermentation without compromising growth. Nonetheless, a 25% replacement level yielded the most favorable economic performance. This study supports the potential of SCG as a cost-effective alternative feed ingredient to promote sustainable goat production.

The understanding and use of plant resources, coupled with the strategic selection of forage species, play crucial roles in biodiversity preservation, enhanced biomass production, nutrient supply, and a reduced ecological footprint. This study aimed to characterize the forage potential of perennial plant species in high Andean ecosystems. Species naturally occurring in livestock production systems were identified and classified based on their botanical and agronomic characteristics. We assessed biomass production, bromatological composition, carbon sequestration, in vitro dry matter digestibility, and methane emissions. Among the 28 identified species, 17 presented optimal characteristics: high biomass, protein (> 7%), gross energy (> 3500 kcal kg⁻¹), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) percentages (< 42% and < 37%, respectively), and in vitro digestibility (> 40%). Plants with relatively high secondary metabolite contents exhibited reduced methane emissions. Carbon uptake varied from 3.27 to 35.41 g C m⁻² or plant. The recognized forage potential of these perennial plant species offers a sustainable option for integration into ruminant feeding systems and silvopastoral practices in the tropical Andes. This strategic integration presents a viable approach for mitigating the impacts of livestock farming in response to climate change.

This study investigated the potential of ISG15, MX1, and MX2 gene expression as early pregnancy biomarkers in Black Bengal goats. Blood samples were collected from does (n = 9) on Days 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 after natural mating for gene expression analysis. Samples were also obtained from non-inseminated, post-partum anestrous does (n = 9) as controls. The expression levels of ISG15, MX1, and MX2 genes were quantified using qPCR, while plasma progesterone concentrations were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test. Relative gene expression values were calculated using the 2^−ΔΔCt analysis. The results showed that mRNA expressions of ISG15 and MX2 were increased significantly in pregnant does compared with non-inseminated controls by Day 20 post-insemination. The MX1 gene expression was significantly higher on Day 15 post-mating compared with controls. Pregnancy status was confirmed by serum progesterone concentrations and ultrasonography. These findings suggest that the expression profiles of ISG15, MX1, and MX2 genes hold potential as biomarkers for the early detection of pregnancy in Black Bengal goats. The MX1 expression may serve as an earlier marker for pregnancy diagnosis in Black Bengal goats compared with ISG15 and MX2.

To investigate what affected the social connections among dairy cows, we conducted social network analyses (SNAs) based on our observations of (i) the social networks (SNW) of dairy cows that visited an automatic milking system (AMS) within the 15-min period from before to after another cow visited the AMS to be milked and (ii) the SNW of formations of pairs of dairy cows lying in adjacent stalls in a free-stall barn. We compared the structures of the AMS SNW and Stall SNW and the relationship of the degree centrality of the cows in the two SNWs with the cows' milk production. The cows' degree centrality within each SNW was significantly and positively correlated with their milk yield, but those in the two SNWs were not correlated with each other, indicating the positions of individual cows differed between the two SNWs. The quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) test revealed a significant correlation of the AMS and Stall SNWs (p < 0.01) in total period, which suggests affirmative relationships between cows might be a common element to connect the same pairs in the two SNWs. The cows' milk yield might have restricted changes in the time intervals of the cows' AMS visits and pair formation.