Animal Well-being Research Articles

Cows with diverging haplotypes show differences in differential milk cell count, milk parameters and vaginal temperature after S. aureus challenge but not after E. coli challenge

BackgroundIn dairy cattle, mastitis causes high financial losses and impairs animal well-being. Genetic selection is used to breed cows with reduced mastitis susceptibility. Techniques such as milk cell flow cytometry may improve early mastitis diagnosis. In a highly standardized in vivo infection model, 36 half-sib cows were selected for divergent paternal Bos taurus chromosome 18 haplotypes (Q vs. q) and challenged with Escherichia coli for 24 h or Staphylococcus aureus for 96 h, after which the samples were analyzed at 12 h intervals. Vaginal temperature (VT) was recorded every three minutes. The objective of this study was to compare the differential milk cell count (DMCC), milk parameters (fat %, protein %, lactose %, pH) and VT between favorable (Q) and unfavorable (q) haplotype cows using Bayesian models to evaluate their potential as improved early indicators of differential susceptibility to mastitis.ResultsAfter S. aureus challenge, compared to the Q half-sibship cows, the milk of the q cows exhibited higher PMN levels according to the DMCC (24 h, p < 0.001), a higher SCC (24 h, p < 0.01 and 36 h, p < 0.05), large cells (24 h, p < 0.05) and more dead (36 h, p < 0.001) and live cells (24 h, p < 0.01). The protein % was greater in Q milk than in q milk at 0 h (p = 0.025). In the S. aureus group, Q cows had a greater protein % (60 h, p = 0.048) and fat % (84 h, p = 0.022) than q cows. Initially, the greater VT of S. aureus-challenged q cows (0 and 12–24 h, p < 0.05) reversed to a lower VT in q cows than in Q cows (48–60 h, p < 0.05).Additionally, the following findings emphasized the validity of the model: in the S. aureus group all DMCC subpopulations (24 h-96 h, p < 0.001) and in the E. coli group nearly all DMCC subpopulations (12 h-24 h, p < 0.001) were higher in challenged quarters than in unchallenged quarters. The lactose % was lower in the milk samples of E. coli-challenged quarters than in those of S. aureus-challenged quarters (24 h, p < 0.001). Between 12 and 18 h, the VT was greater in cows challenged with E. coli than in those challenged with S. aureus (3-h interval approach, p < 0.001).ConclusionThis in vivo infection model confirmed specific differences between Q and q cows with respect to the DMCC, milk component analysis results and VT results after S. aureus inoculation but not after E. coli challenge. However, compared with conventional milk cell analysis monitoring, e.g., the global SCC, the DMCC analysis did not provide refined phenotyping of the pathogen response.

A taste of wilderness: supplementary feeding of red deer (Cervus elaphus) increases individual bacterial microbiota diversity but lowers abundance of important gut symbionts

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of animals. It is especially critical for ruminants that depend on this bacterial community for digesting their food. In this study, we investigated the effects of management conditions and supplemental feeding on the gut bacterial microbiota of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in the Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany. Fecal samples were collected from free-ranging deer, deer within winter enclosures, and deer in permanent enclosures. The samples were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing of the 16 S rRNA gene. The results showed that the gut bacterial microbiota differed in diversity, abundance, and heterogeneity within and between the various management groups. Free-ranging deer exhibited lower alpha diversity compared with deer in enclosures, probably because of the food supplementation available to the animals within the enclosures. Free-living individuals also showed the highest beta diversity, indicating greater variability in foraging grounds and plant species selection. Moreover, free-ranging deer had the lowest abundance of potentially pathogenic bacterial taxa, suggesting a healthier gut microbiome. Winter-gated deer, which spent some time in enclosures, exhibited intermediate characteristics between free-ranging and all-year-gated deer. These findings suggest that the winter enclosure management strategy, including supplementary feeding with processed plants and crops, has a significant impact on the gut microbiome composition of red deer. Overall, this study provides important insights into the effects of management conditions, particularly winter enclosure practices, on the gut microbiome of red deer. Understanding these effects is crucial for assessing the potential health implications of management strategies and highlights the value of microbiota investigations as health marker.

Role of copper chelating agents: between old applications and new perspectives in neuroscience.

The role of copper element has been an increasingly relevant topic in recent years in the fields of human and animal health, for both the study of new drugs and innovative food and feed supplements. This metal plays an important role in the central nervous system, where it is associated with glutamatergic signaling, and it is widely involved in inflammatory processes. Thus, diseases involving copper (II) dyshomeostasis often have neurological symptoms, as exemplified by Alzheimer's and other diseases (such as Parkinson's and Wilson's diseases). Moreover, imbalanced copper ion concentrations have also been associated with diabetes and certain types of cancer, including glioma. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive overview of recent results that show the importance of these metal ions in several pathologies, mainly Alzheimer's disease, through the lens of the development and use of copper chelators as research compounds and potential therapeutics if included in multi-target hybrid drugs. Seeing how copper homeostasis is important for the well-being of animals as well as humans, we shortly describe the state of the art regarding the effects of copper and its chelators in agriculture, livestock rearing, and aquaculture, as ingredients for the formulation of feed supplements as well as to prevent the effects of pollution on animal productions.

Advances in Drug Treatments for Companion Animal Obesity.

Companion animal obesity has emerged as a significant veterinary health concern globally, with escalating rates posing challenges for preventive and therapeutic interventions. Obesity not only leads to immediate health problems but also contributes to various comorbidities affecting animal well-being and longevity, with consequent emotional and financial burdens on owners. While past treatment strategies have shown limited success, recent breakthroughs in human medicine present new opportunities for addressing this complex issue in companion animals. Here, we discuss the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists, specifically semaglutide and tirzepatide, already approved for human use, for addressing companion animal obesity. These drugs, originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes in humans and subsequently repurposed to treat obesity, have demonstrated remarkable weight loss effects in rodents, non-human primates and people. Additionally, newer drug combinations have shown even more promising results in clinical trials. Despite current cost and supply challenges, advancements in oral and/or extended-release formulations and increased production may make these drugs more accessible for veterinary use. Thus, these drugs may have utility in companion animal weight management, and future feasibility studies exploring their efficacy and safety in treating companion animal obesity are warranted.

Beyond the Spectrum: Unleashing the Potential of Infrared Radiation in Poultry Industry Advancements.

The poultry industry is dynamically advancing production by focusing on nutrition, management practices, and technology to enhance productivity by improving feed conversion ratios, disease control, lighting management, and exploring antibiotic alternatives. Infrared (IR) radiation is utilized to improve the well-being of humans, animals, and poultry through various operations. IR radiation occurs via electromagnetic waves with wavelengths ranging from 760 to 10,000 nm. The biological applications of IR radiation are gaining significant attention and its utilization is expanding rapidly across multiple sectors. Various IR applications, such as IR heating, IR spectroscopy, IR thermography, IR beak trimming, and IR in computer vision, have proven to be beneficial in enhancing the well-being of humans, animals, and birds within mechanical systems. IR radiation offers a wide array of health benefits, including improved skin health, therapeutic effects, anticancer properties, wound healing capabilities, enhanced digestive and endothelial function, and improved mitochondrial function and gene expression. In the realm of poultry production, IR radiation has demonstrated numerous positive impacts, including enhanced growth performance, gut health, blood profiles, immunological response, food safety measures, economic advantages, the mitigation of hazardous gases, and improved heating systems. Despite the exceptional benefits of IR radiation, its applications in poultry production are still limited. This comprehensive review provides compelling evidence supporting the advantages of IR radiation and advocates for its wider adoption in poultry production practices.

Caregiver impact on cattle health, performance and well-being

Animal well-being is founded on positive interactions and building trusting relationships between caregivers and cattle. Trusting relationships between animals and caregivers result in positive performance levels providing the foundation for a holistic system which benefits the whole internal supply chain i.e., from conception to harvest. The positive effect of handling livestock with methods based on handler understanding of cattle behavior inclusive of accli­mation and exercise techniques is seen predominately in quali­tative measures resulting in quantitative results in health and performance. Every human intervention such as calving, processing, wean­ing, pasture rotation, transportation and address change is an opportunity to build cattle confidence, health, performance and well-being.

Use of multi-agent systems and the Internet of Things to monitor the environment of commercial broiler poultry houses through specific air enthalpy

The intensive production system for broilers requires the availability of an environment (aviary) that promotes an artificial microclimate that favors both animal well-being and productive performance; therefore, monitoring this environment is critical for production success, especially in tropical countries. This criticality opens up a range of research opportunities for monitoring because of the currently available technologies, especially in the areas of the Internet of Things and Expert Systems. Thus, this study presents a proposal for the environmental monitoring of an aviary using an Internet of Things technological apparatus combined with multi-agent systems to monitor climatic variables with the guidance of thermal comfort indicators. The experiment took place in a Cobb broiler aviary located in the countryside of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. With this objective in mind, the production period of Cobb broilers was analyzed through the construction of an Internet of Things system to collect air temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure variables combined with a data transfer mechanism for cloud recording. These variables were then analyzed by computational agents using the Java programming language with the Jade framework, which generated animal comfort indicators. The results showed that real-time monitoring of environmental variables is possible with the combination of the Internet of Things with agents that can determine animal comfort conditions according to the specific enthalpy of the air through the orchestration of a deliberative agent and with the participation of several reactive agents.

Development of Magnetic Solid Phase Micro-Extraction (MSPE) Method for the Extraction and Preconcentration of the Selected β-Blockers in the Environmental Wastewaters

Emerging organic pollutants s have always been the greatest environmental concern due to their ubiquity and distinguished adverse effects. These are mostly water-bone pollutants flagged as endocrine disruptors and can greatly inconvenience the ecosystem. Among others, β-blockers have also been detected in the environment at various concentrations that threaten the well-being of humans and animals. In this work, NH2-MIL-101(Cr) doped magnetic nanoparticles nanocomposite was successfully synthesised and characterised using analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Fe3O4@NH2-MIL-101(Cr) was then used as an adsorbent to extract the selected β-blockers in the environmental wastewater. The selected β-blockers were quantified using a high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Parameters affecting the extraction were screened and optimised using fractional factorial design (FFD) and central composite design (CCD), respectively. Under optimum conditions, the LODs were 0.057 and 0.065 µg L− 1, and LOQs were 0.19 and 0.22 µg L− 1 for acebutolol (ACE) and metoprolol (MET), respectively. The calibration curve exhibited the linearity range of 0.2–1200 µg L− 1 with correlation coefficients of 0.9987 and 0.9968 for ACE and MET, respectively. Repeatability studies demonstrated the %RSD of 0.63 and 0.74% for MET and ACE. At the same time, reproducibility studies displayed the %RSD of 1.057 and 1.178% for MET and ACE, respectively. Spike recovery experiments were carried out to assess the performance of MSPE in real samples, and over 88% of both analytes were recovered. This indicated that the MSPE method could enrich various organic pollutants from different environmental matrices.

Gas Chromatography Based Analysis of Fatty Acid Profiles in Poultry Byproduct-Based Pet Foods: Implications for Nutritional Quality and Health Optimization

The nutritional quality of pet foods plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and well-being of companion animals. In this study, we investigated the fatty acid compositions of various pet foods, including chicken powder, poultry byproducts incorporated vegetables, byproducts incorporated with ragi, and boiled mash Potato, to assess their scientific significance and potential implications for pet nutrition. Our analysis revealed diverse fatty acid profiles across the different pet foods, with each food exhibiting unique compositions and proportions of fatty acids. Notable findings include the identification of common fatty acids shared among multiple pet foods, as well as variations in the abundance of specific fatty acids across different formulations. Additionally, certain pet foods are characterized by the presence of rare or unusual fatty acids, highlighting the importance of exploring their sources and potential health benefits. By correlating the fatty acid compositions of pet foods with metabolic pathways and health implications, we elucidated the nutritional significance of these dietary components for pets. Furthermore, we identified areas for further research, including the impact of processing methods on fatty acid profiles and the development of novel formulations optimized for pet nutrition and well-being. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into the scientific understanding of pet nutrition and underscores the importance of considering fatty acid compositions in formulating balanced and nutritious diets for companion animals.

180 Dietary milk fat globule membrane alters intestinal microbiota of neonatal piglet following lipopolysaccharide challenge and marker of neuroinflammation

Abstract Early life stress exposure can increase morbidity and reduce animal wellbeing throughout life. Dysregulated gut function has been associated with neurological changes, and neurological changes affect gut homeostasis. Maternal milk is the gold-standard for yielding developmental benefits to offspring. Identification of milk components has led to an understanding of the bioactive nutrients important in neonatal development. Components of the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) contribute immensely to neonatal gut health and neurodevelopment. However, mechanisms of actions are still being defined. The objective is to understand how dietary MFGM modulates the gut microbiota, blood-brain barrier tight junctions, and brain inflammatory markers following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Piglets (n = 24, one-d-old) were assigned to soy (CON) or MFGM phospholipid supplemented diet (0.75% wt/wt) ± LPS (100 µg/kg body weight) in a 2 × 2 factorial design (n = 6 animals•diet-1•challenge-1.). Piglets were fed for 21 d and 6 animals/diet received saline or LPS injections 4 h before euthanasia. Colonic microbiota was characterized through 16s rRNA gene sequencing, while hypothalamus samples were collected to evaluate brain barrier function and inflammation-related genes using RT-qPCR. Microbiota data were processed using QIIME2 with DADA2 plugin and analyzed for alpha-diversity, beta-diversity, and differential abundance in R software. Gene transcription data were analyzed by a 2 × 2 experimental factorial design using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS. Principal coordinates analysis indicated that MFGM-fed groups exhibited an observable separation from CON-fed groups in terms of microbial community structures (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Firmicutes_A, Bacteroidota, and Firmicutes_D were the predominant phyla across all treatments, with average proportions to be 52.21 %, 24.36 %, and 18.46 %, respectively. At genus level, MFGM + Saline group down-regulated Corynebacterium by 88.00 % (q &amp;lt; 0.05) and Unclassified Muribaculaceae by 73.33 % (0.050.05). However, there was an MFGM × LPS interaction (P &amp;lt; 0.05) observed for nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells inhibitor alpha, in which MFGM attenuated the LPS-induced increase in mRNA relative abundance (3.62 and 2.39 ± 0.38). In conclusion, dietary MFGM altered neonatal piglet intestinal microbiota and an important signaling molecule of the neuroinflammatory response following LPS challenge.

255 Anchor Talk: Consider intrinsic factors that regulate homeostasis to optimize sustainability of mineral supplements for swine

Abstract Decades of research has focused on methodologies to improve the efficiency of mineral use while assuring sufficient intake to meet animal well-being and production needs. A primary focus of these efforts is P, as P is the third most expensive category of nutrients supplemented in swine diets. Bioavailability of P is more variable than other nutrients in feed ingredients commonly fed to swine. Due to complexities involved in assessments of P bioavailability efforts shifted to defining P digestibilities for each ingredient. Efforts to refine P digestibilities, based on intake and fecal excretion, even with corrections for endogenous losses, have failed to provide a constant coefficient for feed ingredients that can be included in diet formulations, as the digestibility estimates vary with animal age, production phases and inclusion of enzymes such as phytase. An under-appreciated contribution to inaccuracies of digestible P relates to intrinsic regulation of Ca and P homeostasis by the animal. Regulation of Ca and P homeostasis by PTH and 1,25(OH)2D3, must now include a third mineralotropic hormone, FGF23. Applying insights for intrinsic roles of FGF23 will allow more efficient use of nutrients, especially P and vitamin D. FGF23 regulates activation of vitamin D and controls renal P excretion. Over-supplementation of P signals osteocytes (bone cells embedded in a mineralized matrix) to release intact FGF23 which targets the kidney to block reabsorption of P for maintenance of soft tissue homeostasis, resulting in an inefficient use of dietary P. Intact FGF23 also inhibits hydroxylation of 25-OH D3 to form 1,25(OH)2D3. These endocrine pathways illustrate major roles provided by kidneys and bone to allow adaptation to variable Ca and P inputs, thus maintaining homeostasis. Recent efforts to assess P requirements of sows during gestation and lactation illustrate the sensitivity of using renal excretion of Ca and P to assess requirements. Based on 24-h collections, urine Ca:P ratios &amp;gt; 1.5 were consistent with deficient P intake, ratios from 0.5 to 1.5 reflected P adequacy, and ratios &amp;lt; 0.5 indicated excessive P intake. As a practical method, spot urine samples collected at variable times throughout the day reliably predicted Ca:P ratios in 24-h urine collections. Thus, a simplified approach using Ca to P ratio in spot urine samples can be used to assess P intake adequacy. This practical approach can be applied in commercial sow herd to allow herd-based assessment of P status. In conclusion, within herd assessments, based on urine Ca:P ratios, can be used to determine if P supplements are deficient, adequate, and excessive. As such, significant progress can be made to provide a balance between the need to adequately meet animal need with efforts to minimize negative environmental impacts from over-supplementation of P.

EGCG alleviates heat-stress-induced fat deposition by targeting HSP70 through activation of AMPK-SIRT1-PGC-1α in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes

Obesity has emerged as a prominent global health concern, with heat stress posing a significant challenge to both human health and animal well-being. Despite a growing interest in environmental determinants of obesity, very few studies have examined the associations between heat stress-related environmental factors and adiposity. Consequently, there exists a clear need to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the obesogenic effects of heat stress and to formulate preventive strategies. This study focused on culturing porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes at 41.5 ℃ to induce heat stress, revealing that this stressor triggered apoptosis and fat deposition. Analysis demonstrated an upregulation in the expression of HSP70, BAX, adipogenesis-related genes (PPARγ, AP2, CEBPα and FAS), the p-AMPK/AMPK ratio and SIRT1, PGC-1α in the heat stress group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conversely, the expression of lipid lysis-related genes (ATGL, HSL and LPL) and Bcl-2 decreased in the heat stress group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, subsequent activator and/or inhibitor experiments validated that heat stress modulated HSP70 and AMPK signalling pathways to enhance lipogenesis and inhibit lipolysis in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes. Importantly, this study reveals, for the first time, that EGCG mitigates heat-stress-induced fat deposition by targeting HSP70 through the activation of AMPK-SIRT1-PGC-1α in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes. These findings elucidate the molecular mechanisms contributing to heat stress-induced obesity and provide a foundation for the potential clinical utilisation of EGCG as a preventive measure against both heat stress and obesity.

Male elephant management in AZA institutions: Current status and priorities for the future.

Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) and African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) populations collectively managed by ex-situ facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)face sustainability challenges. Among the priorities to strengthen animal wellbeing and population sustainability is male elephant management. We conducted a survey of AZA facilities currently housing male elephants to assess the status, challenges, and priorities in three areas of male elephant management: musth, socialization, and semen collection. Surveys were administered to elephant care teams at AZA-accredited institutions between November 2022 and February 2023, and we received responses from 34 institutions (91.9% of AZA-accredited facilities holding adult male elephants), housing 32 adult male Asians and 26 adult male Africans. Most facilities prioritized breeding and male socialization over musth management and semen collection (although most facilities acknowledged that all these efforts are important), citing leadership support and staffing as most important to achieve male management goals. Behaviors most commonly accompanying musth included reduced appetite, difficulty training or shifting, human-directed aggression, and interest in females. Musth timing was variable between males and facilities. Most males were well-socialized with females and/or other males, though elephant compatibility and facility design were limiting factors in managing socialization. Although 60.6% of facilities collected semen or were training for semen collection, very few male elephants could reliably provide viable semen samples, challenging assisted reproductive efforts that could bolster population sustainability in both species. Together, our results provide a better understanding of the state of male elephant management, offering specific areas deserving of research and development to enhance wellbeing and sustainability.

Betaine Alter SCFA-Producing Bacteria Population in Laying Pullet Reared in Tropical Climate

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are crucial products of microbial fermentation in the gut, known to play a significant role in maintaining gastrointestinal health and the overall well-being of animals. Betaine, a naturally occurring compound found in various plant and animal sources, has been widely used as a feed additive in poultry production due to its potential benefits, including improved growth, osmoregulation, and liver function. This study examines the possible effects of betaine supplementation on SCFA-producing bacteria in laying pullets raised in tropical climates, mainly focusing on SCFA-producing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species. In total, 96 laying hens strain Lohmann aged three weeks were assigned to two dietary treatments. Dietary treatments included a basal diet (control) and a basal diet supplemented with 1.2 g.kg-1 betaine. The next-generation sequencing method of the 16S rRNA gene region V3–V4 was applied to view the bacteria abundance. Betaine supplementation showed significantly higher population levels of Lactobacillus_agilis, Lactobacillus_aviarius, Lactobacillus_ingluviei, Lactobacillus_johnsonii, and Lactobacillus_saerimneri compared to the control group (P<0.05). In Bifidobacterium_pullorum bacteria, betaine administration shows insignificant results compared to control. In conclusion, betaine supplementation appears to have a positive impact on promoting the growth of certain beneficial Lactobacillus species in laying pullets reared in tropical climates.

Feasibility of a Sprague???Dawley Rat Model for Investigating the Effects of Seated Whole-body Vibration.

Vehicular whole-body vibration (WBV) can have long-term adverse effects on human quality of life. Animal models can be used to study pathophysiologic effects of vibration. The goal of this study was to assess animal cooperation and well-being to determine the feasibility of a novel seated rat model for investigating the effects of WBV on biologic systems. Twenty-four male Sprague???Dawley rats were used. The experiment consisted of an acclimation phase, 2 training phases (TrP1 and TrP2), and a testing phase (TeP), including weekly radiographic imaging. During acclimation, rats were housed in pairs in standard cages without vibration. First, experimental (EG; n = 18) and control group 1 (C1; n = 3) rats were placed in a vibration apparatus without vibration, with increasing duration over 5 d during TrP1. EG rats were exposed to vertical random WBV that was increased in magnitude over 5 d during TrP2 until reaching the vibration signal used during TeP (15min, 0.7m??s-2 root mean square, unweighted). C1 rats were placed in the vibration apparatus but received no vibration during any phase. Control group 2 (C2; n = 3) rats remained in the home cages. Cooperation was evaluated with regard to rat-apparatus interactions and position compliance. Behavior, weight, and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations (fGCM) were used to evaluate animal well-being. We observed good cooperation and no behavioral patterns or weight loss between phases, indicating little or no animal stress. The differences in fGCM concentration between groups indicated that the EG rats had lower stress levels than the control rats in all phases except TrP1. Thus, this model elicited little or no stress in the conscious, unrestrained, seated rats.

Utilization and application of bioactive compounds generated from Fish waste and by product as Functional Food Ingredient: A review

The quest for novel functional food ingredients from natural sources is one of the most important discuss in food science and technology. Food industries dispose their valuable waste and some food industries re-process their wastes and used them as functional food ingredients, thereby developed their economy to survive in the neck cutting competition of the market. Enormous volumes of food processing by-products (FPBs) are produced from food manufacturing industries, accounting it as the second-largest quota of food waste generation. Fish known as ‘rich food for poor people,’ supplies good quality of fats, minerals vitamins and proteins to billions of populaces across the globe. However, the fish processing industry on daily basis generates huge wastes leading to the quest for management of these wastes. These wastes which can be referred to as by-products are generated during removal of head; gutting of the fish and during other secondary processing carried out either onboard in fishing vessels or at processing plants on the shores. Over the years there are bids for utilization of fish wastes and by products for production of functional food ingredients using bioactive compounds produced from them. This was aimed at reduction of processing waste, creation of sustainable economic boost, environmental safety while formulating value added functional food which could be of importance to human and animal health or wellbeing. By-products from fish processing such as blood, fleshy chunks of fatty fish, tails, liver from white lean fish, Fish heads, offal, viscera (gut, intestines, etc.), skin and shells have potentials utilization as raw materials for production of value-added functional food ingredients. Bioactive peptides isolated from various fish protein hydrolysates have reported to have several bioactivities such as immunomodulatory, antioxidative antihypertensive, antithrombotic, anticoagulant activities among others Hence from the review, the recovery of bioactive compound and utilization of these by-products are untapped sources for functional ingredients which can be applied in several aspects of food processing for the benefit of manufactures, supply series of nourishments, and consequently advancing the usefulness of the fish waste in consumers’ health and economic benefits of all stakeholders.

Goat-CNN: A lightweight convolutional neural network for pose-independent body condition score estimation in goats

Modern livestock farming systems face the challenge of meeting the growing demand for dairy and meat products while ensuring the well-being of animals. Body Condition Scoring serves as a vital process for assessing the body reserves in animals, impacting their health, welfare, and productivity. However, traditional body condition score (BCS) evaluation methods via observation and palpation of specific anatomical regions are labor-intensive and subjective, hindering their widespread adoption. To address this issue, Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) techniques, particularly those involving Internet of Things (IoT) devices and artificial intelligence (AI), have emerged as promising solutions. In this work, we explore the use of AI, specifically Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), to automate the assessment of BCS in goats utilizing imagery data. Our model was trained on 5000 images illustrating the dorsal view of the backside of goats achieving an overall accuracy of 97.94 % which was the highest compared to other popular deep learning architectures from literature (e.g. VGG16, ResNet34, ResNet50, DenseNet, GoogleNet). The proposed custom CNN model for goat-specific BCS estimation overcomes the limitations of manual sketching, providing automatic region identification for BCS assessment. Moreover, it is a lightweight model specifically designed for seamless integration with IoT devices, allowing for efficient on-board processing via cameras. The model's pose-independent nature and adaptability to environmental constraints make it a valuable tool for efficient and sustainable goat farming. This research advances the application of AI as a precision livestock farming tool, contributing to the reinforcement of the animal welfare and productivity, and supporting evidence-based decision-making processes to increase farms' resilience.

Rethinking core affect: the role of dominance in animal behaviour and welfare research

This paper critically examines the philosophical underpinnings of current experimental investigation into animal affect-related decision-making. Animals’ affective states are standardly operationalised by linking positively valenced states with “approach” behaviours and negatively valenced states with “avoidance” behaviours. While this operationalisation has provided a helpful starting point to investigate the ecological role of animals’ internal states, there is extensive evidence that valenced and motivational states do not always neatly align, namely, instances where “liking” does not entail “wanting” (and vice versa). To address this limitation, this paper proposes the (re-)integration of dominance as a dimension of affect. In particular, I argue that dominance, construed as a measure of organisms’ self-assessed behavioural control, can provide the necessary nuance to understand animal affect-related decision-making. Thus, after addressing the theoretical and methodological challenges related to incorporating dominance into a definition of “core affect”, this paper introduces the “Valence-Arousal-Dominance” model of animal affect. This model is explored for its potential applications in two domains. Firstly, in the study of animal affect-related decision-making under predation risk, and secondly, in the study of animal wellbeing. Through these applications, this model aims to bring experimental paradigms of animal affect-related behaviour closer to ecologically relevant scenarios.

Combining traditional and spiking neural networks for energy-efficient detection of Eimeria parasites

The detection of bacterial and viral microbes is pivotal for both human and animal well-being in the public health services and for veterinary care. Even in a laboratory, the isolation of microorganisms requires time-consuming procedures and expert technicians. However, the rise of Machine Learning and Deep Learning has seen a surge in the application of techniques that can be applied outside the laboratory to classify microorganisms using microscopy images. Yet, despite their success in various domains, Deep Learning approaches tend to have high energy demands, which can in some contexts limit their application, increasing both costs and environmental concerns. In this study, a novel hybrid methodology was proposed in which an Artificial Neural Network was combined with a Spiking Neural Network. A quality measure was proposed to assess the effectiveness of the hybrid models, in which their energy efficiency, energy consumption patterns, performance levels and accuracy were all considered. The synergy of both methods markedly reduced the energy footprint of deep-learning models programmed to detect microorganisms, increasing their environmental sustainability and the feasibility of their use in places with little or no electricity supply. The efficacy of our model was demonstrated through the detection and the classification of different species of the Eimeria parasite on chicken and rabbit farms.

An autosomal recessive variant in PYGM causes myophosphorylase deficiency in Red Angus composite cattle

BackgroundBetween 2020 and 2022, eight calves in a Nebraska herd (composite Simmental, Red Angus, Gelbvieh) displayed exercise intolerance during forced activity. In some cases, the calves collapsed and did not recover. Available sire pedigrees contained a paternal ancestor within 2–4 generations in all affected calves. Pedigrees of the calves’ dams were unavailable, however, the cows were ranch-raised and retained from prior breeding seasons, where bulls used for breeding occasionally had a common ancestor. Therefore, it was hypothesized that a de novo autosomal recessive variant was causative of exercise intolerance in these calves.ResultsA genome-wide association analysis utilizing SNP data from 6 affected calves and 715 herd mates, followed by whole-genome sequencing of 2 affected calves led to the identification of a variant in the gene PYGM (BTA29:g.42989581G > A). The variant, confirmed to be present in the skeletal muscle transcriptome, was predicted to produce a premature stop codon (p.Arg650*). The protein product of PYGM, myophosphorylase, breaks down glycogen in skeletal muscle. Glycogen concentrations were fluorometrically assayed as glucose residues demonstrating significantly elevated glycogen concentrations in affected calves compared to cattle carrying the variant and to wild-type controls. The absence of the PYGM protein product in skeletal muscle was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and label-free quantitative proteomics analysis; muscle degeneration was confirmed in biopsy and necropsy samples. Elevated skeletal muscle glycogen persisted after harvest, resulting in a high pH and dark-cutting beef, which is negatively perceived by consumers and results in an economic loss to the industry. Carriers of the variant did not exhibit differences in meat quality or any measures of animal well-being.ConclusionsMyophosphorylase deficiency poses welfare concerns for affected animals and negatively impacts the final product. The association of the recessive genotype with dark-cutting beef further demonstrates the importance of genetics to not only animal health but to the quality of their product. Although cattle heterozygous for the variant may not immediately affect the beef industry, identifying carriers will enable selection and breeding strategies to prevent the production of affected calves.