Animal Science Journal最新文献

Polish traditional sausages are widely recognized, with wild boar sausage particularly valued as a delicacy. Game meat sausages traditionally contain pork backfat, which is nutritionally suboptimal due to its high saturated fat content. This study evaluated the feasibility of partially substituting pork backfat with black cumin (Nigella sativa) oil to enhance the nutritional profile and stability of wild boar sausages. Fatty acid composition, pH, lipid oxidation, antioxidant activity, texture, color, and consumer desirability were analyzed. N. sativa oil improved the fatty acid profile by increasing unsaturated fatty acids and enhancing antioxidant properties, contributing to better oxidative stability and shelf life. However, higher substitution levels negatively affected sensory attributes, particularly flavor and texture. A 10% substitution level was identified as optimal, balancing improved nutritional properties with sensory acceptability. These findings suggest that N. sativa oil is a promising functional ingredient for reformulating traditional meat products, offering both health benefits and product stability.

The technical efficiencies of transhumance goat farms were evaluated using a non-parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) model under constant returns to scale (CRS) and variable returns to scale (VRS) assumptions. Data were collected from 37 transhumance goat farms in Mersin province, Turkey. The analysis revealed mean efficiency scores of 0.64 under CRS and 0.82 under VRS, indicating suboptimal input utilization across the majority of farms. Specifically, the findings suggest that input usage could be reduced by 36% under CRS and 18% under VRS without compromising output levels. The use of both models enabled the separation of scale-related inefficiencies from pure technical inefficiency, providing a more nuanced view of farm performance. Given the structural heterogeneity and scale constraints of transhumant systems, the VRS model is more reflective of real-world conditions. These findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions—such as farmer education programs, grazing optimization, and infrastructure support—to enhance technical efficiency and farm viability. The study contributes valuable insights for policy development aimed at improving productivity and sustainability in traditional livestock systems.

This study explored the association between blood amino acid (AA) levels at ovum pick-up (OPU) and bovine embryo formation. The oocytes from each heifer were harvested, matured in vitro for 24 h, and fertilized independently. The heifers were divided into two groups based on blastocyst formation: those that produced at least one blastocyst (the blastocyst group, n = 35) and those that did not (the failed group, n = 25). The concentrations of ornithine (p = 0.034), phenylalanine (p = 0.032), tryptophan (p = 0.038), tyrosine (p = 0.041), and lysine (p = 0.033) were lower in the blastocyst group than in the failed group. Compared with the failed group, the blastocyst group had higher blood threonine levels (p = 0.024). Using Spearman correlation, we found that threonine levels were the factor most associated (without causation) with blastocyst formation (r = 0.41, p = 0.012). Network analysis revealed an association (without causation) between blood threonine levels and successful blastocyst formation. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis showed that blood threonine levels (0.69) followed by lysine (0.68) were associated with blastocyst formation. These data indicated an association between blood AA levels in heifers at the time of OPU and in vitro blastocyst formation. Notably, the findings are associative rather than causative and should be interpreted with caution.

We investigated the effects of supplementing lactating cows with 1% pellets of calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFAS) rich in unsaturated fatty acids on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, ruminal fermentation, estimated methane (CH₄) emissions, and plasma metabolites in lactating cows. Ten lactating Holstein cows were used in a 2 × 2 crossover design with two dietary treatments: with (FA treatment) or without (CON treatment) CSFAs. The cows were fed an experimental partial mixed ration (PMR) ad libitum plus 0.9 kg dry matter (DM)/day of concentrates at milking. The DMI of cows in the FA treatment (21.8 kg/day) tended to be higher (p < 0.10) than that of cows in the CON treatment (21.2 kg/day). Dietary treatment did not affect milk yield or milk fat, protein, or lactose concentrations. The ruminal propionic acid proportion of the FA treatment was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the CON treatment. The ruminal nonglucogenic/glucogenic short-chain fatty acid ratio in the FA treatment was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in the CON treatment. The estimated CH₄ emissions per DMI of the FA treatment, measured using the sniffer method, tended to be lower (p < 0.10) than those of the CON treatment.

The present study aimed to identify stable internal control miRNAs in the bovine uterine EVs studies, resolving a critical gap in extracellular vesicle research. During follicular, luteal, and pregnancy stages, uterine fluids were collected from cows (n = 5 per stage), and EVs were isolated via sequential centrifugation and a commercial kit. Small RNA sequencing detected 464, 429, and 434 miRNAs in follicular, luteal, and pregnancy stages, respectively. Candidate miRNAs within 25% of the mean TPM value were selected (miR-200c, let-7d, miR-125b, miR-93, miR-223, and miR-224), and U6 was added to them, then analyzed by qPCR. Stability was evaluated using NormFinder, geNorm, BestKeeper, and ΔCt algorithms. After ranking in each analysis, the Geometric Mean was calculated to get the final rank. The miRNA with the best stability ranking was miR-200c (1.41), followed by let-7d (2.12), and the lowest was U6 (7.00). This is the first study to validate miR-200c and let-7d as reliable internal controls for miRNA quantification in bovine uterine EVs, addressing the absence of standardized references. These findings enhance accuracy in future research on EVs miRNAs regulating bovine reproductive functions.

Heat stress affects cattle production and suppresses immune function in cows. However, the effects of heat stress on myeloid lineage cells are unexplored. In this study, we aimed to identify genes affected by heat stress. We established three immortalized bovine myeloid cell lines and performed RNA sequencing to investigate their potential target genes. We identified 765 differentially expressed genes. We performed real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis on the top three upregulated genes, C-C motif chemokine ligand 17, CD1e molecule, and beta-carotene oxygenase 2, as well as the downregulated genes, RNA-binding motif protein 3, HD domain containing 2, and solute carrier family 25 member 12, to validate the RNA sequencing results. Our analysis revealed that heat stress affected 14 Gene Ontology processes and 13 molecular pathways. Our study provides a comprehensive gene expression profile of bovine myeloid cells under heat-stress conditions.

The takin is an endangered animal native to Asia, uniquely distinguished by its combined bovine and caprine physiognomy. Due to human activities like hunting and habitat loss, takin populations have significantly decreased, making conservation efforts crucial. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multilineage cells with self-renewal capabilities and can differentiate into various cell types, making them useful for conservation efforts. This study aimed to isolate and characterize MSCs from the takin. MSCs were obtained from the bone marrow of the femur. Karyotype analysis was conducted to assess the chromosomes of the MSCs. MSC-specific surface markers were detected by flow cytometry. Multilineage differentiation was performed and osteo-, adipo-, as well as chondrogenesis-related gene expression was assessed by qRT-PCR. The results showed that MSCs exhibited a spindle-shaped morphology, along with notable proliferative capacity. Karyotype analysis determined that MSCs of the takin were diploid with 52 chromosomes. Flow cytometry demonstrates that MSCs from the takin exhibited cell surface marker expression consistent with other MSCs. MSCs from the takin were differentiated into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes, with increased expression of genes associated with osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes. In conclusion, MSCs were successfully isolated from the takin, helping preserve the endangered animal resources.