Animal Science Journal最新文献

This study investigates the relationships between subclinical mastitis and milk quality with selected microRNAs in cow milk. California Mastitis Test (CMT)-positive (n = 20) and negative (n = 20) samples were compared (Experiment I). Additionally, samples with CMT-positive but microbiological-negative, as well as positive for only Staphylococcus subspecies (Staph spp.) and only Streptococcus subspecies (Strep spp.) were examined (Experiment II). Four groups were formed in Experiment II: Group I (CMT and microbiological-negative) (n = 20), Group II (CMT-positive but microbiological-negative) (n = 10), Group III (Staph spp.) (n = 5), Group IV (Strep spp.) (n = 5). While electrical conductivity, somatic cell count (SCC), malondialdehyde (MDA) increased, miR-27a-3p and miR-223 upregulated and miR-125b downregulated in the CMT-positive group in Experiment I. SCC and MDA were higher in CMT-positive groups. miR-27a-3p and miR-223 upregulated in Groups III and IV. While miR-155 is upregulated, miR-125b downregulated in Group IV. Milk fat is positively correlated with miR-148a and miR-223. As miR-27a-3p positively correlated with SCC and MDA, miR-125b negatively correlated with electrical conductivity and SCC. miR-148a and MDA were positively correlated. miR-155 was correlated with fat-free dry matter, protein, lactose, and freezing point. miR-223 was positively correlated with SCC and miR-148a. Results particularly highlight miR-27a-3p and miR-223 as potential biomarkers in subclinical mastitis, especially those caused by Staph spp. and Strep spp., while miR-148a, miR-155, and miR-223 stand out in determining milk quality.

The utilization of polyphenol-modified starch in ruminants has not undergone extensive exploration. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the complex formed between starch and Melastoma candidum D. Don fruit extract on physicochemical properties, phenol release kinetics in various buffers simulating the gastrointestinal tract, methane production, and post-rumen digestibility. The interaction between starch and M. candidum D. Don fruit extract significantly (p < 0.001) increased resistant starch and particle size diameter. The maximum phenolic release from complex between starch and M. candidum D. Don fruit extract, due to gastrointestinal tract-simulated buffers, ranged from 22.96 to 34.60 mg/100 mg tannic acid equivalent. However, rumen and abomasum-simulated buffers released more phenolic content, whereas the intestine-simulated buffer showed higher antioxidant activity (ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power). Furthermore, complex between starch and M. candidum D. Don fruit extract significantly decreased dry matter rumen digestibility (p < 0.001) and maximum methane gas production (p < 0.001).

Excess moisture content in cow manure inhibits the process of composting. This study examined the effects of introducing a slatted frame on temperature development, organic matter degradation, and moisture content during high-moisture composting. Twelve tons of cow manure was piled individually, and an iron slatted frame with a pipe and a plain frame filled inside with styrofoam was introduced in the treatment and control piles, respectively. Two hours after the start, running leachate via the pipe in the treatment pile was observed, but not in the control pile. The maximum temperatures as well as durations of the temperatures above 55°C of the treatment piles at all seven positions were higher than those of the control piles. In particular, four of the seven positions in the treatment pile exhibited more than twice the duration. Installing the slatted frame improved the organic matter degradation; the values of organic matter loss in the control and treatment were 48.0% and 58.4%, respectively. The final moisture content in the treated compost was 5% lower than that in the control. Overall, the introduction of a slatted frame generated higher temperatures and produced relatively dried and well-degraded compost.

Intramuscular fat (IMF) is a crucial determinant of meat quality and is influenced by various regulatory factors. Despite the growing recognition of the important role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in IMF deposition, the mechanisms underlying buffalo IMF deposition remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified and characterized a lncRNA, lncFABP4, which is transcribed from the antisense strand of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4). lncFABP4 inhibited cell proliferation in buffalo intramuscular preadipocytes. Moreover, lncFABP4 significantly increased intramuscular preadipocyte differentiation, as indicated by an increase in the expression of the adipogenic markers peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), and FABP4. Mechanistically, lncFABP4 was found to have the potential to regulate downstream gene expression by participating in protein–protein interaction pathways. These findings contribute to further understanding of the intricate mechanisms through which lncRNAs modulate intramuscular adipogenesis in buffaloes.

Defatted Lagenaria siceraria seed flour (DLSSF) was obtained from defatted seed cake, dried, and ground through a sieve of 500 μm and characterized. A 2 × 4 factorial design (two flour hydration rates and four fat substitution rates) was used to produce a low-fat beef patty by replacing fat with DLSSF. Beef kidney fat was used to formulate the control sample. Chemical, physical, technological, sensory, and nutritional characteristics of low-fat beef patties manufactured were evaluated. DLSSF contains mainly protein. As fat replacers, DLSSF induces a significant increase in the pH of the raw and cooked patty, the moisture and protein contents, the cooking yield, the cohesion, chewiness, springiness, and lightness of the cooked beef patty with fat substitution rate. There is a decrease in fat content, total calories, water retention capacity, hardness, and redness of the cooked patty with a fat substitution rate. From the sensory analysis, the substitution of fat improves the acceptability of samples. Based on the overall parameters analyzed, DLSSF containing 60% water can be used to produce low-fat beef patty by replacing fat at 100%. From these results, hydrated DLSSF could be an effective method to solve the problems of noncommunicable diseases related to animal fat consumption.

The purpose of this study is to reassess our previously reported findings on the diminished pregnancy rate of embryo transfer (ET) in summer for repeat-breeder (RB) cows compared with other seasons, with a focus on oxidative stress and energy balance. The study involved Japanese Black cattle, including 224 heifers (aged <3 years) and 278 (aged <9 years) cows with one or more deliveries, defined as RB animals. Evaluation of the effects of season on pregnancy rates revealed significantly lower rates in RB cows during summer compared with spring and autumn. Moreover, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in RB cows during summer was significantly higher than in winter, with no difference in RB heifers. Seasonal effects on serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration in both RB heifers and RB cows showed no significant differences. However, median MDA and NEFA concentrations in RB cows were significantly elevated compared with RB heifers, suggesting that factors contributing to low fertility should consider parity. Furthermore, our study indicated that RB cows were under oxidative stress, as demonstrated by significantly elevated MDA concentrations compared with normally reproducing cows in summer. Further investigation is necessary to gain a better understanding of these observations in the future.

Sheep are typically considered as industrial animals that provide wool and meals. However, they play a significant role in medical research in addition to their conventional use. Notably, sheep fetuses are resistant to surgical invasions and can endure numerous manipulations, such as needle puncture and cell transplantation, and surgical operations requiring exposure beyond the uterus. Based on these distinguishing characteristics, we established a chimeric sheep model capable of producing human/monkey pluripotent cell-derived blood cells via the fetal liver. Furthermore, sheep have become crucial as human fetal models, acting as platforms for developing and improving techniques for intrauterine surgery to address congenital disorders and clarifying the complex pharmacokinetic interactions between mothers and their fetuses. This study emphasizes the significant contributions of fetal sheep to advancing human disease understanding and treatment strategies, highlighting their unique characteristics that are not present in other animals.

This study explored the effects of a Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus acidophilus mixture containing the co-fermented products of the two probiotics on growth performance, serum immunity and cecal microbiota of Cherry Valley ducks. This study included 480 one-day-old Cherry Valley ducks divided into four feeding groups: basal diet (control group) and basal diet supplemented with 300, 500, or 700 mg/kg of the probiotic powder; the ducks were raised for 42 days. Compared with the control group, body weight on day 42 and the average daily gain on days 15–42 significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the feed conversion rate significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the experimental groups. Furthermore, the serum immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG, IgM, and interleukin (IL)-4 levels increased significantly (p < 0.05), and IL-1β, IL-2, and tumor necrosis factor-α decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the experimental groups. Finally, Sellimonas, Prevotellaceae NK3B31 group, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group and Butyricoccus played an important role in the cecal microbiota of the experimental group. Thus, the probiotic powder has impacts on the growth performance, serum immunity and cecal microbiota of Cherry Valley Ducks.

We compared nucleic acid-extracted torula yeast (NTY) with soybean meal (SBM) to evaluate NTY as a potential protein feed for ruminants in a metabolic trial using four castrated male goats. NTY was replaced isonitrogenously with SBM at a 25% crude protein (CP) level on a dry matter (DM) basis. NTY has 55% CP and 74% total digestive nutrients on DM. Absorbed N was lower on the NTY diet, but since the urinary N excretion was lower on the NTY diet, no significant between-diet difference in retained N was observed. The efficiency of N utilization (retained N/absorbed N) was significantly higher on the NTY diet. The Lys and Met contents (presumed limiting amino acids for dairy cattle) were higher in NTY than SBM, which may be why N utilization efficiency was higher for the NTY diet. Ruminal ammonia-N and blood serum N were lower on the NTY diet, suggesting that NTY has more rumen undegradable protein than SBM. There was no significant between-diet difference in the visceral disorder indicators or antioxidant activities. Our results indicate that NTY is a safe protein feed with a high CP ratio and high-quality amino acid profile for ruminants that is equivalent to SBM.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of different dietary fat sources on the quality of a Spanish-cooked meat product Lomo de Sajonia (LSA) and its shelf-life. Forty loins were selected from Iberian pigs fed four dietary treatments containing pork fat (G-1), Greedy-Grass Olive® (GGO) (enriched oleic-acid oil) (G-2), G-2 and high oleic sunflower (G-3), and G-3 plus a mixture of commercial organic acids (Bioll®) (G-4). Loins were manufactured to obtain LSA, and the quality and sensorial attributes were assessed. The shelf life was established according to microbial count and sensorial analysis, which was packed in a modified atmosphere and stored under retail conditions. All meat quality parameters of LSA remained stable in all groups, except fat content and overall liking, which showed the highest values for G-2 LSA. Regarding the shelf life, sensorial attributes remained acceptable in all groups during storage time, while a delay in microbial growth was recorded for the LSA of G-3. According to the results, including GGO in Iberian pig diets could enhance LSA traits, possibly linked to increased assimilation compared with conventional fat sources. However, adding organic acids to the diet did not have the expected effect on improving the shelf life of the LSA.