Animal Science Journal最新文献

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.

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.