Animals最新文献

Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) is widely used to purify oocysts in laboratories. While previous studies have extensively examined its effects on oocyst viability, pathogenicity, and sporulation rate, the impact of NaClO treatment on proteomic profiles remains uncharacterized. Transmission electron microscopy was used in the present study to characterize structural changes in unsporulated oocyst walls of Eimeria tenella treated with NaClO. The results indicated that NaClO treatment destroyed the bilayer wall of unsporulated oocysts, stripping away the outer wall and making the inner layer thicker. Label-free quantitative proteomics was employed to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in NaClO-treated (Et-T) and untreated (Et-C) unsporulated oocysts. Among 2422 identified proteins, 1345 were differentially expressed, with 1210 upregulated and 134 downregulated in Et-T vs. Et-C. Functional analysis revealed that upregulated proteins are predominantly associated with oocyst wall biosynthesis and cellular stress responses, whereas downregulated proteins are involved in outer wall assembly and structural integrity. Notably, 12 proteins-including 9 hypothetical proteins, acid phosphatase, adenylate cyclase, and microneme protein 2-were exclusively detected in the Et-C, indicating their potential essentiality in outer wall formation. These findings reveal the structure and protein composition of the oocyst wall of E. tenella, supporting research on its biosynthesis and environmental resilience.

Diagnosing fractures in hummingbirds is challenging because of their small size. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance and inter-reviewer agreement of four imaging modalities-conventional radiography, dental radiography, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and three-dimensional (3D)-reconstructed images from micro-CT scans-for identifying fractures in 16 ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) admitted to a wildlife hospital. Six independent reviewers, with or in training for a specialty in veterinary radiology or wildlife medicine, assessed randomized image sets. Gross dissection of the carcasses using dermestid beetle larvae established the gold standard. Diagnostic performance metrics-sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios-were calculated for each modality. Inter-reviewer agreement was assessed using Fleiss' kappa. Our results demonstrated that advanced imaging techniques improved diagnostic performance and inter-reviewer agreement compared to traditional radiography. While specificity (>88%) was comparable to other small animal studies, the sensitivity did not exceed 50% across all modalities. This low sensitivity reflects the challenges posed by minimal fracture displacement and hummingbirds' extremely small size. Only 3D images achieved high positive likelihood ratios and superior inter-reviewer agreement, highlighting the unique value of 3D visualization in complex anatomical evaluations. Overall, the minute structures of hummingbirds present inherent diagnostic limitations, underscoring that negative radiographic results must be interpreted cautiously, and the possibility of false negatives should prompt consideration of advanced or follow-up imaging when clinical suspicion persists.

Accurate estimation of live weight is essential for efficient management and precision control in poultry production. This study evaluated the potential of supervised machine learning (ML) algorithms and digital image analysis for non-invasive prediction of live weight in Anadolu-T broilers, a locally developed genotype in Türkiye. A total of 4200 records were collected from 100 broilers (50 males and 50 females) over 42 days, including daily measurements of back length, back width, and live weight. Five ML algorithms-Random Forest (RF), k-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR)-were trained and validated to estimate live weight based on morphometric traits. Among all algorithms, KNN achieved the highest accuracy (R² = 0.982, RMSE = 111.509 g, MAPE = 8.205%), followed by RF and XGB, which also produced stable and reliable predictions. The image-based models using log-transformed regression between body surface pixel area and live weight yielded similar accuracy (R² = 0.989, RMSE = 101.197 g, MAPE = 7.266%), confirming that projected surface area can effectively represent growth progression. The results demonstrate that integrating ML algorithms with digital imaging offers a practical, cost-effective, and non-invasive approach for real-time broiler weight estimation. This approach supports the advancement of precision poultry farming through automated, data-driven growth monitoring.

Cooperative and independently working dog breeds differ in the extent of their reliance on human-given instructions; thus, they are ideal subjects for investigating dog-human interactions in a biologically relevant way. We tested N = 149 dogs from 26 cooperative and 28 independent breeds in a problem-solving scenario that combined asocial and social elements. Dogs had to detour a transparent obstacle, where we also provided a shortcut (either comfortably large or inconveniently small to pass through). Half of the subjects in each condition observed the human demonstration of how to detour the obstacle. Our main questions were whether functional breed selection would affect the body-size awareness-based decision-making, and whether breed types would differently rely on social learning. We found that dogs from both breed types equally relied on body-awareness and social learning. They mainly opted for the detour (instead of using the shortcut) and less often approached the opening directly when the door was small, plus they had observed the demonstrator before. We only found a breed-type effect in observing the demonstration, where cooperative dogs watched the demonstrator for longer. The results indicate that adaptive reliance on both intrinsic (body-awareness) and extrinsic factors (social learning) could contribute to the ubiquitous success of dogs in the anthropogenic environment.

This experiment was designed to systematically evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of water extract of Artemisia annua L. (WEAA) on sheep, both in vivo and in vitro, and to determine the involvement of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in mediating these effects. In experiment 1, 32 female sheep (Dorper × Han, 3 months old, 24 ± 0.09 kg each) were designated to 4 groups, with each group receiving a basal diet supplemented with, respectively, 0 (control group), 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg WEAA. The serum, liver, and spleen immune indicators and related gene expressions were measured. In experiment 2, the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were processed with WEAA (0, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 μg/mL), with six replicates assigned to each concentration group, then the cell viability, immune function, and related gene expressions were measured, and the optimal concentration of WEAA was determined. In experiment 3, the experimental groups consisted of PBLs subjected to treatments with or without PDTC (NF-κB inhibitor) and with or without WEAA, forming four distinct treatment groups (six replicates/group): PDTC(-)/WEAA(-) group, PDTC(-)/WEAA(+) group, PDTC(+)/WEAA(-) group and PDTC(+)/WEAA(+) group. The immune indexes and TLR4/NFκB pathway related indexes were determined. The results were as follows: WEAA dose-dependently enhanced the content of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4) in the serum, liver, and spleen tissues, among which IgA, IgG, and IL-4 were the most significantly affected core indicators (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, WEAA dose-dependently upregulated the expression of TLR4/NF-κB pathway-related genes (TLR4, IKKβ, IκBα, NF-κBp65) and their downstream cytokine-related genes (IL-1β, IL-4) in liver and spleen tissues (p < 0.05). Of these genes, liver IL-4, IκBα, and spleen IL-4 were the most prominently regulated core genes (p < 0.05), The optimal supplementary dose of WEAA was determined to be 1000 mg/kg. In addition, adding 100 μg/mL WEAA to the culture medium of PBLs significantly enhanced immune function and cell viability. The underlying mechanism involved the TLR4/NF-κB pathway; that is to say, WEAA enhanced sheep's immune indicators by upregulating TLR4/NF-κB pathway genes, thereby coordinately regulating humoral and innate immunity, thereby improving the immune indices of sheep. This study provided compelling experimental support for the prospective utilization of WEAA as a functional feed supplement in intensive meat-type sheep production systems.

To ensure an accurate homogeneity test, animal feed manufacturers should apply standardised techniques and procedures, which aim to guarantee the product quality. Our objective was to propose a new protocol for performing concentrate ration homogeneity tests in commercial feed mills, based on three main points: the suitability of different minerals as markers; establishing a simplified and reliable sampling protocol; and developing a simplified statistical approach for evaluating marker dispersion among increments. Four horizontal commercially available mixers were used. Increments were collected sequentially during the mixer-emptying time over five consecutive days, totalling 200 increments, in which nine potential mineral markers were evaluated. The minerals potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) were considered suitable, as they simultaneously exhibited low variability among batches, among mixers, and among increments. Based on the variation patterns of K and Mg, the new protocol for homogeneity testing in feed mill concentrate rations is based on the following additional key points: two increments must be collected per ration batch, taken during the mixer-emptying operation-specifically at the second and eight tenths of the mixer-emptying time, and a concentrate ration mixture is considered homogeneous when the ratio between the highest and lowest marker contents in the increments is lower than 1.26.

Canine steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) is a systemic, immune-mediated, inflammatory disease which occasionally leads to spontaneous haemorrhage, both within and outside the central nervous system, as a possible complication. No previous studies have investigated the haemostatic profile in a cohort of dogs with SRMA using viscoelastic monitoring. The aim of this study was to assess haemostatic function in a cohort of dogs affected by SRMA using the Entegrion VCM (Viscoelastic Coagulation Monitor) Vet™ device. This was a multicentre prospective study conducted between April 2023 and April 2025 recruiting dogs with SRMA from four veterinary referral hospitals in the United Kingdom. All four research centres used the Entegrion VCM Vet™ device for evaluation of haemostasis. Twenty dogs were included in the study. One dog had a hypercoagulable VCM result, and two dogs were considered hyperfibrinolytic based on their VCM results. No dogs had any clinical signs of vascular complications (ischaemic and/or haemorrhagic stroke, haematomas, or haemorrhages). Although the pathophysiology of vascular events in dogs with SRMA remains unclear, the results of this study suggest that further investigations into the fibrinolytic system and endothelial structure in dogs affected by SRMA are warranted.

Diet and living environments exert a profound influence on gut microbiota composition. This study presents the first comprehensive characterization of fecal bacteria, fungi, and protozoa in wild (WA) (n = 10) and captive (DA) (n = 11) wapiti (Cervus canadensis) in China. Results reveal distinct microbial profiles between the two groups. In wild wapiti, Escherichia-Shigella and UCG-005 were the dominant bacterial genera, while Succinivibrio and Treponema predominated in captive individuals. Among fungi, Agaricus and Preussia were most abundant in wild wapiti, whereas Xeromyces was identified in captive ones. For protozoa, Heteromita was the primary genus in wild wapiti, while Heteromita, Entamoeba, and Eimeria were the main genera in captive wapiti. Functional predictions further underscored these differences. In wild wapiti, bacterial and fungal functions were primarily associated with carbon metabolism and the pyruvate cycle, with mutualistic interactions prevailing among bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Conversely, captive wapiti exhibited functional profiles centered on lipopolysaccharide and amino acid metabolism, also characterized by mutualistic coexistence among microbial communities. These findings highlight the significant impact of dietary composition on the gut microbiome. In summary, wild wapiti appear to possess a superior capacity for plant fiber utilization. These findings provide valuable data for the health management of farmed wapiti and their adaptability in natural habitats.

Swine Inflammation and Necrosis Syndrome (SINS) is a highly prevalent, predominantly endogenous condition that compromises tissue integrity and animal welfare across different life stages in pigs. Increasing evidence suggests that early-life SINS lesions may predispose pigs to tail damage later in life; however, longitudinal data remain scarce. This study investigated the association between SINS-related clinical signs in suckling piglets and weaners and subsequent tail integrity during fattening and at slaughter. In a longitudinal study, 352 piglets from two Italian farms producing Parma ham were followed from the suckling phase to slaughter. Although SINS signs were generally mild, pigs affected during the weaner phase showed a 3.5-fold increased risk of developing short tails during fattening. Furthermore, the probability of reduced tail length at slaughter increased from 33.5% to 65.8% in pigs with a history of SINS. Early-life SINS was significantly associated with impaired tail integrity both at the onset of fattening and at slaughter. These new findings highlight endogenous inflammation and necrosis in early life as important yet underrecognized welfare risk factors and suggest that SINS can be utilised as a point of care and early preventive strategies may substantially improve tail integrity and welfare outcomes at slaughter.

Domesticated cats have evolved from the obligate carnivore Felis silvestris. The instinct to eat small frequent meals and a crepuscular feeding rhythm was conserved during domestication. Declining senses, cognitive impairment, and poor oral health decrease food intake in aging cats. Combined with metabolic and physiological changes, they are at risk of sarcopenia and general body condition impairment. Aging cats may, therefore, benefit from modified nutritional strategies to achieve their metabolic energy requirements; however, little is known about feeding patterns in aging cats and influence of food format. This in-home study of 134 aging cats (≥7 years) assessed ad libitum dry, wet, and wet/dry ('mixed') feeding regimens to compare 24 h feeding frequency and caloric intakes. Feeding frequency was significantly different between wet and dry (p = 0.02) and mixed and dry diets (p < 0.001), with cats consuming 6.0 (dry), 6.9 (wet), or 7.2 meals (mixed) per day. Mean caloric intakes were significantly higher for dry (262.6 kcal/d) and mixed (222.6 kcal/d) regimens (both p < 0.001) versus wet (138.1 kcal/d). In conclusion, healthy aging cats eat small frequent meals, with feeding frequency and caloric intake influenced by dietary format. These findings support development of evidence-based feeding guidelines for aging cats.