Entire Males Research Articles

Sex differences in the associations of accelerometer-determined physical activity with physical and cognitive function in older adults living in long-term care

Older adults residing in long-term care often experience declines in physical and cognitive functions despite the access to in-house physical activity (PA) programs. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of PA with physical function and global cognitive function in older adults living in long-term care, while examining potential sex differences. A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted, involving 67 participants (34 men, 33 women). PA levels were assessed using tri-axial accelerometers. Physical function, including muscular strength, postural sway, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and cognitive function were measured. Spearman correlation analysis revealed no significant associations between PA metrics and muscular strength, postural sway, or global cognitive function across the entire samples (p ≥ 0.091). Multiple linear regression models were developed for the entire sample, males, and females to examine the associations between PA and physical function measures and global cognitive function. After adjustments for confounders, light PA was significantly associated with higher SPPB sub-scores (gait: β = 0.600, p < 0.001; sit-to-stand: β = 0.574, p < 0.001), faster usual gait speed (β = 0.659, p = 0.012), and shorter sit-to-stand times (β = −0.305, p = 0.041) across the whole sample. Similar significant associations were observed in males between light PA and SPPB scores (total: β = 0.319, p = 0.040; gait: β = 0.532, p < 0.001; sit-to-stand: β = 0.417, p = 0.009), usual gait speed (β = 0.762, p = 0.017), and sit-to-stand times (β = −0.677, p < 0.001). In females, a significant association was found between light PA and global cognitive function (β = 0.319, p = 0.012) after adjusting for confounders. This study highlights sex differences in the association of accelerometer-determined PA with physical and cognitive function in older adults living in long-term care, with LPA showing beneficial effects, especially for physical function in males and for cognitive function in females.

Impacts of carob pulp (Ceratonia siliqua L.) and vitamin E on pork colour, oxidative stability, lipid composition and microbial growth

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the dietary by-product rich in polyphenols (Carob pulp, Cp) and supra-nutritional level of vitamin (Vit) E on pork quality and shelf-life of meat stored in modified atmosphere packaging for 15 days. A total of 44 pigs (entire males and gilts, 170 ± 4.5 days of age and 127.8 ± 3.6 kg of body weight) were randomly selected from a larger group (one pig per pen). Pigs were fed ad libitum with one of four diets in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with two feed inclusion levels each for Cp (0 vs. 20 %) and Vit E (30 (Low) vs. 300 IU/kg of feed (High)) for 40 days. No interactions between Cp and Vit E were detected for most variables assessed. Meat colour attributes evolved regardless of diet or sex, although metmyoglobin formation was preserved until 13 days. The Cp diets did not affect malondialdehyde nor α-tocopherol content in meat. High Vit E limited the malondialdehyde production up to 13 days and increased 1.8-fold the muscle α-tocopherol content compared to Low Vit E. The 20 %-Cp group tended to reduce total aerobic microbial count compared to 0 %-Cp group after 15 days of storage. Including Cp slightly affected the meat fatty acid (FA) profile, whereas Vit E did not modify it. Entire males presented higher content of polyunsaturated FA than gilts. Including 20 % Cp into pigs' diets does not impair meat quality, while High Vit E reduces lipid oxidation but not meat discolouration.

Training Protocol for Nellore Cattle in Respirometry Flow Trials Using Non-Ventilated Facial Mask.

Training is instrumental in identifying and selecting cattle that exhibit greater cooperation with experimental conditions required in flow respirometry assays, like restraint and the use of a valved facial mask. In our study, a tailored training protocol for Nellore cattle facilitated their participation in flow respirometry assays with a valved facial mask. Over 127 days, 30 entire Nellore males, weighing 450 ± 25 kg and averaging 32 ± 2 months, underwent training from May to September 2022. The regimen involved gradually altering the animals' environment and providing positive reinforcement, divided into three phases. Physiological and behavioral responses to containment routines and facial mask use were meticulously assessed. Principal component analyses revealed dissimilarity patterns among the animals. Animals classified as less reactive showed increased acceptance of handling, reduced reactions to weighing, and greater tolerance of the facial mask. In the final phase, the least reactive animals tolerated wearing a valved mask for extended periods without notable changes in respiratory rate. The training protocol effectively identified and selected Nellore cattle displaying enhanced cooperation with restraint and mask use during flow respirometry assays, without apparent behavioral or physiological alterations.

Assessing boar taint in Portuguese pork: A small-scale study of prevalence and classification via established detection thresholds

Aim of study: To assess the boar taint prevalence in the Portuguese pork industry through an observational study model by measuring skatole and androstenone levels in fat and to compare it with the estimated thresholds for these compounds among Portuguese consumers. Area of study: Portugal. Material and methods: Adipose tissue samples from 140 animals (102 entire males and 38 females) were collected in three Portuguese abattoirs for boar taint quantification. Cut-off limits were determined using best-estimate thresholds (BET) for skatole and androstenone. Main results: Boar taint quantification for the 140 animals revealed levels of 36.0±4.7 ng/g of skatole and 64.5±21.3 ng/g of androstenone, and values were significantly higher in males. Group BET values were 35.4 ng/g and 566.3 ng/g for skatole and androstenone, respectively. BET values were exceeded in 28.8% of the samples for skatole and 0.7% for androstenone. Research highlights: The investigation revealed a generally low level of boar taint in the samples of this small-scale study on skatole and androstenone prevalence in Portugal's pork supply chain. However, occasionally a significantly elevated boar taint levels suggest that relying solely on slaughtering sexually immature males might not fully resolve this issue.

Using poultry by-product meal to replace soybean meal in grower -finisher pig diets

This study investigated the effect of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with poultry by-product meal (PBM) in grower-finisher diets on pig feeding, growth performance, carcass yield and meat quality. The replacement levels were increased from no PBM (PBM0) to 37 g/kg PBM (PBM37), 85 g/kg PBM (PM85) and 111 g/kg PBM (PBM111). All diets met or exceeded nutrient requirements for pigs between 20 – 100 kg live weight (NRC, 2012). Sixty-four entire males (PIC 337 x PIC Camborough 42), at an average live weight (LW) of 27.60 ± 2.48 kg (mean ±SD) were blocked by LW and randomly assigned to 8 pens, with each diet replicated across 2 pens. Pigs had ad libitum access to diets via electronic feeders until they reached approximately 100 kg LW, at which time they were slaughtered. Results showed no significant effect of replacing SBM with PBM on pig feeding behavior parameters and the majority of pig growth performance, carcass yield, and meat quality traits, with the exception of higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) in pigs fed the PBM37 diet. Loin muscles from the group fed the PBM111 diet had significantly lower ultimate pH and a greater cooking loss than the other treatments (P < 0.05). Loin muscles from pigs fed high levels of PBM (PBM85 and PBM111) had greater ash content than those fed the PBM37 and control diets (P = 0.001). Overall, the present research indicated that PBM could be a viable primary protein source in diets for growing-finishing pigs, as it did not appear to have any adverse effects on pig feeding behavior, growth performance and meat quality. In addition, PBM is potentially a good source of calcium and phosphorus for growing–finishing pigs. However, due to the variation in quality and composition of available PBM, it is essential to measure nutritional composition before including PBM in diets for growing-finishing pigs.

144 Bioavailability of calcium salt of hydroxy analogue of methionine relative to DL-methionine to support growth performance of 11 to 20 kg pigs

Abstract Methionine (Met) is typically the third limiting AA in commercial swine diets and is commonly supplied as dry DL-Met (99% pure) or DL-Met hydroxy analogue. Data on the relative bioavailability (RBV) of calcium salt of hydroxy analogue of DL-Met (MHA-Ca; 84%) compared with DL-Met in weaned pigs is scarce. The objective of the experiment was to determine the RBV of MHA-Ca compared with DL-Met to support growth performance of 11 to 20 kg pigs. A total of 504 piglets [DNA x Pietrain pigs; approximately 42 d of age and 11 kg body weight (BW)] were used in two blocks of 252 pigs each with 6 pigs (3 entire males and 3 gilts) per pen and 12 replicate pens per treatment. Within each block, pigs were randomly allotted to 7 diets for 21 d. A basal diet (BD) was formulated to be adequate in all essential nutrients except for Met (0.22% standardized ileal digestible Met), which was 61% of the SID Met requirement of 0.36% recommended by NRC (2012) for 10 to 25 kg pigs. The Met-deficient BD was then supplemented with 3 graded levels of DL-Met (0.05, 0.10, and 0.15%) or MHA-Ca (0.077, 0.154, and 0.231%) at the expense of corn. Pigs had ad libitum access to feed (mash) and water. Individual pigs and pen feed disappearance were weighed on d 0 and d 21 to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion rate (FCR). On d 21, blood samples were collected from 1 pig per pen after 8 h fasting to determine total protein, albumin and glucose. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using GLM procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc.). Orthogonal-polynomial contrasts were used to determine linear and quadratic effects of increasing levels of DL-Met and MHA-Ca, and the effect of Met sources. The final BW at d 21 and overall average daily gain (ADG; 375, 401, 429, 430, 402, 431, and 428 g/d for diets 1 to 7, respectively) increased linearly (P &amp;lt; 0.01) by graded additions with both Met sources. The ADFI was not different but the overall FCR (1.64, 1.55, 1.51, 1.45, 1.59, 1.46, and 1.50 for diets 1 to 7, respectively) improved linearly (P &amp;lt; 0.01) by supplementation with DL-Met or MHA-Ca. Pig performance responses (ADG, ADFI and FCR) was not different (P ≥ 0.15) when Met was supplemented in the Met-deficient diet at a DL-Met to MHA-Ca ratio of 65:100 on a product basis. Plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin and glucose on d 21 were not affected (P &amp;gt;0.05) by dietary treatments or Met sources. Based on ADG as a response of Met supplementation level, the linear and exponential regressions estimated the RBV of 64 and 65%, respectively for MHA-Ca relative to DL-Met (product-to-product basis) in 11 to 20 kg pigs.

143 Effect of increasing dietary net energy content at a constant lysine on feed intake and performance of 7 to 11 kg and 11 to 20 kg pigs

Abstract Information about NE requirements for nursery pigs is still limited. Therefore, 2 experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary NE contents on growth performance of 7 to 11 kg pigs (Exp. 1) and 11 to 20 kg pigs (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, mixed-sex pigs (n = 192; PIC; initial body weight (BW) of 7.8 ± 1.07 kg] were assigned to 4 diets for 14 d. Diets 1 to 4 were formulated to contain 4 levels of NE (9.8, 10.1, 10.4 and 10.7 MJ/kg) and adequate in all AA with standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys being constant at 1.42%. In Exp. 2, mixed-sex pigs (n = 192; PIC; initial BW of 11.2 ± 1.54 kg) were assigned to 4 diets for 21 d. Diets 1 to 4 contained 4 levels of NE (9.6, 9.9, 10.2 and 10.5 MJ/kg) and adequate in all AA (1.32% SID Lys). For both studies, there were 6 pen replicates (4 entire males and 4 gilts/pen) per treatment, and diets were based on corn, soybean meal, whey powder, wheat bran and soy oil. Pigs had ad libitum access to feed (mash) and water. Individual pigs and pen feed disappearance were weighed weekly to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed efficiency gain to feed ratio (G:F). Data were analyzed by ANOVA using the GLM procedure of SAS with pen as the experimental unit. In Exp. 1, ADFI tended to decrease (quadratic; P ≤ 0.08) with increasing NE levels during d 0 to 7 and d 8 to 14. The ADG during d 0 to 7 tended to be greater (158, 192, 187 and 152 g for diets 1 to 4; quadratic; P = 0.08) at 10.1 MJ/kg NE; however, the overall ADG (d 0 to 14) was not affected by the NE levels. Although not significant, G:F, Lys utilization efficiency were greatest at 10.1 MJ/kg NE for the overall period. In Exp. 2, ADFI decreased (827, 783, 768 and 749 g for diets 1 to 4; linear; P = 0.05) with increasing NE levels during d 15 to 21 but was not affected (P &amp;gt; 0.05) for other periods. The ADG (d 8 to 14) tended to be greater at 9.6 MJ/kg NE (quadratic; P = 0.06) and G:F (d 15 to 21) tended to be greater at a dietary NE of 10.2 MJ/kg (linear; P = 0.10). However, the overall (d 0 to 21) ADG and G:F were not affected (P &amp;gt; 0.05) by NE levels. Although not significant, G:F and Lys utilization efficiency were greatest at a dietary NE of 10.2 MJ/kg for the overall period. These results indicate that G:F of 7 to 11 kg pigs and 11 to 20 kg pigs maximized at a dietary NE content of 10.1 MJ/kg and 10.2 MJ/kg, which correspond to 1.41 and 1.29 g SID Lys/MJ NE, respectively.

Marinade injection of pork as a possible technological strategy to reduce boar taint: Response and attitude of the consumer

Sensory evaluation by consumers allows validation of a solution for the food industry to overcome boar taint and market entire male pork with high levels of boar taint considered “unfit for human consumption”. One possible technological strategy for improvement is the injection marination of entire male pork to help minimise the impact of boar taint and improve its marketability. The responses of 120 regular pork consumers, to entire males with high levels of boar taint and castrated pork, both injection-marinated, were evaluated. The results showed a similar response between entire and castrated male pork regardless of sex, and the detection of unpleasant odours and flavours (as farm/animal), thus offering a new alternative to the pork sector to mask the boar taint and revalue this pork. However, it was observed that consumer information on castration and animal welfare of entire male pork is scarce, and it is important to increase their knowledge so that they can place a value on this technological strategy with entire male pork and thus increase their purchase intention.

Phenotypic characterisation and production system of the Nordestino horse from a multivariate perspective

Zootechnical data is a big challenge in the extensive rearing system of Brazilian locally adapted breeds once smallholdings with limited resources and funds rear them. So, information on Brazil's breeding system of locally adapted breeds is still scarce; this situation is more challenging for equine breeds. The present study aimed to describe the local rearing systems and the phenotypic profile of the Nordestino horse breed in Paraíba state and contribute to breed conservation. Data from males (entire and castrated) and females from 50 municipalities in Paraíba state were used. Two hundred sixty-nine animals (111 females, 121 castrated males, and 37 entire males) from 129 breeders were analyzed. A questionnaire consisting of direct and objective questions was applied to understand the breeding system adopted. There was a predominance of the extensive breeding system (85%), which reflects the adaptation of the Nordestino Horse to the region's natural conditions. The lower frequency of use of cultivated pastures may be related to issues of economic viability since the maintenance of cultivated pastures may require additional investments compared to the use of natural pastures. Entire males had a minimum withers height (WH) of 135 cm. Of the 11 morphometric measurements, only five were considered discriminating by the stepwise analysis. The remaining Nordestino horses have morphological characteristics within the breed standard.

Níveis de gordura inerte de palma na ração para cabritos – avaliação de desempenho produtivo e comportamento ingestivo

Fat sources represent an important component in ruminant feed, as they provide 2.25 times more energy than carbohydrates, and new sources, such as inert fats from rumen degradation, are a good option due to their fatty acid profile. The objective was to evaluate the performance and ingestive behavior of goats fed increasing levels of inert palm fat in the diet. Sixteen goats were used, distributed in an entirely randomized design, dairy crossbred, entire males, with initial ages of 60 days and 18.66 kg of live weight. The experiment was conducted in an entirely randomized design with repeated measures in time, with four treatments: 0, 25, 50 and 75 grams of inert palm fat per head and four repetitions per treatment. Dry matter (DM), mineral matter (MML) and organic matter (OML) intake was evaluated, and morphometric measurements of treatments and periods were compared by regression study (P&lt;0.05). The evaluations of weight gain were done weekly and the biometric measures, ECC and evaluation of ingestive behavior, fortnightly until the end of the experiment, which lasted 60 days. Only the treatment with the lowest inclusion of inert palm fat kept the DMC below the recommended by the NRC (2007). There was no statistical difference (P&gt;0.05) for average daily gain, weight gain, biometric variables and ingestive behavior as palm inert fat was included in the diet of goats. For the presented ECC data it is noted that it was significant (P&lt;0.05) and increasing keeping within the range for the category. Therefore, it is noted that the use of inert palm fat supplied at different levels did not promote deleterious changes in dry matter intake, morphometric measurements and ingestive behavior.

The effects of different immunocastration protocols on meat quality traits and boar taint compounds in male Bísaro pigs

Immunocastration can be an alternative to surgical castration in Bísaro pigs when there is a need to keep animals on the farm until at least 8 months old. As an autochthonous breed, some particularities must be addressed when doing immunocastration, for which 3 different protocols were tested and two control groups were made with surgically castrated males (SC) and boars (Bo). Two protocols were made in prepubertal pigs, with two (E2) and three inoculations (L3) in the first cycle, and another in adults (A2) with only two inoculations. Physicochemical parameters and boar taint compounds quantification and sensory analysis of the meat from the studied pigs were assessed. Immunocastration provided intermediate values between surgically castrated pigs and entire males, with low levels of boar taint compounds. The L3 group provided closer results to SC, which was also corroborated by the sensory analysis. Although the other two protocols had no significant differences with Bo, there was a positive tendency towards them. As is, the L3 protocol was promising as a good alternative to surgical castration, maintaining the characteristic attributes of the Bísaro pig meat.

Bodyweight and body condition scores of Australian British shorthaired cats, 2008-2017.

Obesity is the most common nutritional problem in companion animals today, and Australian British shorthair (BSH) cats have been shown to have a greater likelihood of being overweight relative to other cat breeds. The objectives of this research were to quantify bodyweight (BW) and body condition scores (BCSs) of BSH cats attending first opinion practice in Australia for the period 2008-2017 and to determine if: (1) being classified as overweight was associated with geographical location (urban versus rural and socio-economic index); and (2) BW recorded in the first 12 months of life was associated with length of life beyond 12 months. Electronic medical records from BSH cats were obtained from VetCompass Australia and used for BW and BCS analysis. Desexed males ( = 971) had the highest mean BW followed by entire males ( = 79), desexed females ( = 815), and entire females ( = 82). The desexed males, desexed females, and entire females had a mean BCS classified as overweight using a 1-to-9 point BCS scale. The entire male population was the only group with a mean BCS classified as ideal. No statistically significant association between BW and urban-rural status and no consistent trend between BW and socioeconomic deprivation was found. For cats with at least one BW measurement in the first 12 months of life that was ≤3.3 kg, the age when 20 percent of the group had died or were euthanised was 12.3 (95% CI 11.7 to 13.1) years. For cats with at least one BW measurement in the first 12 months of life that was ≥3.3 kg age, the age when 20 percent of the group had died or were euthanised was 6.6 (95% CI 5.2 to 6.6) years. This was a substantial clinical difference in survival. The study concluded that a large proportion of BSH cats attending first opinion veterinary clinics in Australia between 2008 and 2017 (48%) were classified as overweight. Cats less than 12 months of age that were greater than 3.3 kg had a shortened lifespan beyond 12 months of age compared with cats that were less than 3.3 kg.

The effect of immunocastration of male and female Duroc pigs on the morphological, mechanical and compositional characteristics of pork belly

Pork belly is an important and heterogeneous cut, characterized by its fat content. Immunocastration is an alternative to surgical castration that can modify the composition of carcasses and cuts and it can affect at its processing. This work compares the morphological, mechanical and compositional characteristics of pork belly of (1) pure Duroc pigs from surgically castrated males (CM), entire females (EF) and immunocastrated females (IF), and (2) Duroc crossbreed pigs from immunocastrated males (IM) and entire males (EM). Two trials were carried out: Trial 1, in which 36 bellies were evaluated, 12 from each sexual type, CM, EF and IF; and Trial 2, where 30 bellies were used, 15 from each sexual type, IM and EM. Results show few differences in bellies from EF and IF, while those from CM were fatter and firmer and with lower polyunsaturated fat. Bellies from IM were longer and firmer than those from EM, and their skin was thinner. IM bellies had higher saturated and lower polyunsaturated fat than those from EM. To conclude, the sex of the pigs affects belly characteristics and this could be a criterion for determining the destination of the bellies in the cutting plant. Immunocastration of pure Duroc females had a lower effect on the belly characteristics when compared to those from entire females, but some differences could be found in the fat distribution. Immunocastration of Duroc crossbred males produces firmer and thicker bellies, with a thinner skin, that could be advantageous for slicing and further processing.

Male Reproductive Organ Weight: Criteria for Detection of Androstenone-Positive Carcasses in Immunocastrated and Entire Male Pigs.

Immunocastration and rearing of entire males (EMs) are sustainable alternatives to surgical castration. However, these animal carcasses have variable risk of boar taint and should be identified at the slaughter line. We aimed to identify a simple and reliable indicator of androstenone-related boar taint by evaluating pelvic urogenital tract weight as a marker of boar-taint animals at the slaughter line. The pelvic urogenital tract, testes, and accessory sex glands of EMs and immunocastrates (ICs) were collected, dissected, and weighed, before colorimetric measurements of testicular tissue. Additionally, GnRH antibody titers and testosterone, androstenone, and skatole levels were determined. Our results showed that 81.8% of EMs had androstenone levels above the risk threshold (>0.5 µg/g fat; EM/Ahigh subgroup), whereas in ICs, the C/Ahigh subgroup with androstenone >0.5 µg/g fat accounted for only 4.3%. Androstenone levels correlated negatively with GnRH antibody titers and positively with testosterone levels and reproductive organ weights. Identification of ICs with androstenone levels above the threshold (IC/Ahigh subgroup) may be achieved via testes or pelvic urogenital tract weight measurements. However, in EMs, the latter is a more reliable parameter. A principal component analysis based on these variables and hierarchical clustering also distinguished the Ahigh from the Alow subgroup, irrespective of IC/EM. The findings highlight the possible use of pelvic urogenital tract weight along with testes weight as a simple, reliable, and efficient morphometric indicator for identifying androstenone-positive carcasses of different sex categories.

National participation levels in the 2017-2018 Australian thoroughbred racing season.

The social licence of the Australian thoroughbred (TB) industry relies on the general public's perception of how they manage the animal in their care. This study examines the horse, race and activity records for the 37,704 horses racing and training in Australia from 1 August 2017 to 31 July 2018. Three-quarters (75%, n=28,184) of TBs started in one of the 180, 933 race starts that occurred during the 2017-2018 Australian racing season. Horses participating in the 2017-2018 Australian racing season had a median age of 4 years, with geldings more likely to be aged 5 years and older. The majority of the TB racehorse population were geldings (51%, n=19,210), with 44% (n=16,617) females and only 5% (n=1877) entire males. Horses aged 2 years were three times more likely to not start in a race in that year compared with older horses. At the end of the 2017-2018 racing season, 34% of the population had an inactive status recorded. Horses aged 2 years (median two starts) and 3 years (median five starts) had fewer starts than older horses (median seven starts). Eighty-eight percent (n=158,339) of race starts were over distances of 1700 metres or less. Race starts by horses aged 2 years (46%, 3264 of 7100) were more likely to have occurred at a metropolitan meeting compared with starts by older horses. This study provides a national overview of the racing and training activities and TBs participating in the 2017-2018 Australian racing season.

Assessment of glucocorticoids, sex steroids, and innate immunity in wild red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans)

When access to resources is limited, organisms must shift energy investment among physiological processes to survive, reproduce, and respond to unpredictable events. The shifting of these limited resources among processes may result in physiological tradeoffs, often mediated by glucocorticoids. We assessed relationships among the physiological processes of immunity, reproduction, and the stress response in wild adult red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans). Red-eared sliders exhibit a multi-clutching reproductive strategy that requires high energetic investment in reproduction at the beginning of the nesting season in females. Males mate in spring and undergo spermatogenesis and mating in late summer/early fall. We expected to observe tradeoffs when investment toward reproductive processes was particularly demanding. To test this, we subjected 123 individuals to a standardized acute stressor and collected blood to measure innate immunocompetence and circulating steroid hormone concentrations. Tradeoffs between female reproduction and immunocompetence occurred early in the nesting season. This high reproductive investment was evident by heightened circulating progesterone and reduced baseline innate immunity. Corticosterone (CORT) was also high during this period, indicating a role in facilitating allocation of energy. Tradeoffs were not as evident in males, though males upregulated innate immune function, baseline CORT, and testosterone prior to fall spermatogenesis and mating. Throughout the entire sampling period, both males and females increased CORT and immunocompetence following the acute standardized stressor. Taken together, we concluded that reproduction requires shifts in energy allocation in during the highest reproductive period for females but all individuals in this population remain able to respond to the standardized stressor even during increased reproductive investment. These findings reinforce the continuing evidence that physiological relationships are context-dependent and resource demands are dynamic across the reproductive season.

Examine sex differences in autism spectrum disorder in school-aged children and adolescents with fluent language.

There are noteworthy sex disparities in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), while findings regarding the sex differences in core symptoms are inconsistent. There are few relevant studies on sex differences in mainland China. This study was dedicated to a deeper understanding of the impact of sex differences on the clinical presentation of ASD with fluent language. We retrospectively studied 301 children with ASD (58 females) and utilized raw scores from the ADI-R and ADOS and the intelligence quotient (IQ) to measure symptomatology. Based on the Full-Scale IQ (FS-IQ), a binary split of average, above-average IQ (high-IQ), and below-average IQ (low IQ) occurs at 85. Across the entire sample, males and females are comparable in the FS-IQ, while males scored higher in the Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI) (F = 7.812, p = 0.006). ADI-R did not find any statistically significant sex differences in the diagnostic cutoff score satisfaction or the raw domain scores. While a significant effect of sex on ADOS social affect domain scores was found in the total sample [λ = 0.970, partial η2 = 0.030, F (3,295) = 3.019, p = 0.030]. Tests of between-subjects effects revealed that males scored higher than females mainly in the ADOS reciprocal social interaction subcategory (partial η2 = 0.022, F = 6.563, p = 0.011). Stratified analysis revealed that the effect of sex on ADOS reciprocal social interaction subcategory scores only significant in the low-IQ children with ASD (partial η2 = 0.092, F = 10.088, p = 0.002). In general, overall cognitive functioning is similar across males and females with ASD, while males have a higher perceptual reasoning ability. Females with ASD are more likely to have comorbid intellectual impairment than males, and they could require additional intervention support. Autistic children with low IQs are more likely to exhibit sex differences in their core symptoms than children with high IQs. Intelligence plays a key role in sex-based differences in the core symptoms of ASD.

Eating Quality of Pork from Entire Male Pigs after Dietary Supplementation with Hydrolysable Tannins.

Boar taint is an unpleasant odour and flavour released during heat treatment of pork from uncastrated male pigs. The two main compounds responsible for boar taint are androstenone and skatole. Androstenone is a steroid hormone formed in the testis during sexual maturity. Skatole is a product of microbial degradation of the amino acid tryptophan in the hindgut of pigs. Both of these compounds are lipophilic, which means that they can be deposited in adipose tissue. Several studies have reported heritability estimates for their deposition from medium (skatole) to high magnitudes (androstenone). In addition to efforts to influence boar taint through genetic selection, much attention has also been paid to reducing its incidence using various feeding strategies. From this point of view, research has focused especially on the reduction in skatole content by supplementation of feed additives into the nutrition of entire male pigs. Promising results have been achieved using hydrolysable tannins in the diet. To date, most studies have investigated the effects of tannins on the production and accumulation of skatole in adipose tissue, intestinal microbiota, growth rate, carcasses and pork quality. Thus, the objective of this study was, in addition to determining the effects of tannins on androstenone and skatole accumulation, to assess the effects of tannins on the sensory traits of meat from entire males. The experiment was performed on 80 young boars-progeny of several hybrid sire lines. Animals were randomly assigned to one control and four experimental groups (each numbering 16). The control group (T0) received a standard diet without any tannin supplementation. Experimental groups were supplemented with 1% (T1), 2% (T2), 3% (T3) or 4% (T4) SCWE (sweet chestnut wood extract) rich in hydrolysable tannins (Farmatan). Pigs received this supplement for 40 days prior to slaughter. Subsequently, the pigs were slaughtered, and sensory analysis was applied to evaluate the odour, flavour, tenderness and juiciness of the pork. The results showed a significant effect of tannins on skatole accumulation in adipose tissue (p = 0.052-0.055). The odour and flavour of the pork were not affected by tannins. However, juiciness and tenderness were reduced by higher tannin supplementation (T3-T4) compared to the controls (p < 0.05), but these results were sex-dependent (in favour of men compared to women). Generally, women rated tenderness and juiciness worse than men regardless of the type of diet.

A matter of body weight and sex type: Pig carcass chemical composition and pork quality

This study compares minced carcass chemical composition and meat quality of castrated (CM), immunocastrated (IM) and entire male (EM), and female (FE) pigs at 70, 100 and 120 kg target body weights (TBW) (n = 80; 20 per sex). Sex affected fat, protein, and moisture content of the minced carcasses. Carcass fatty acid (FA) composition was affected by sex, with higher saturated and monounsaturated FA content in CM than in FE, IM and EM, and higher polyunsaturated FA in CM than in EM, with FE and IM in between. Except for intramuscular fat, which was higher in CM than in FE and EM, no significant differences between sexes were found in meat quality. TBW affected carcass chemical composition and some meat quality traits. An interaction between sex and TBW was found with IM approaching EM or CM depending on TBW.

Electrocardiographic Findings and Cardiac Troponin I Assay in Dogs with SIRS Diagnosis.

Several studies performed in humans have demonstrated that the onset of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) represents a high risk condition to develop myocardial damage and arrhythmias. Therefore, we also hypothesized cardiac involment for dogs affected by SIRS. To assess this hypothesis, 24 dogs with a diagnosis of SIRS (13 entire males, 7 entire females, and 4 spayed females) with an age ranging from 4 to 11 years (mean 5.6 years) and an average weight of 24 kg (range from 5 to 47 kg) were enrolled. The dogs were divided into two groups according to their prognosis: Survivors (G1) and not survivors (G2), composed by 13 and 11 dogs, respectively. Moreover, healthy dogs were included as the control group (CTR). All the dogs with a history of cardiac or renal disease were excluded. At the inclusion, each patient underwent a physical examination and a complete cell count, and a biochemistry panel (including electrolyte profile) was performed; moreover, the blood cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) was measured. For each clinical variable indicative of SIRS, a score between 0 (absence) and 1 (presence) was applied. Furthermore, an electrocardiographic examination was recorded. Seventeen out of 24 (70.8%) dogs with SIRS showed arrhythmias, of which n. 6 belonged to the G1, while n. 11 belonged to the G2. Most represented findings were sinus tachycardia (7/17; 41.1%), followed by monomorphic premature ventricular beats (6/17; 35.3%), less common were first-degree atrioventricular block (2/17; 11.7%) and sinus bradycardia 1/17; 5.8%). Notably, in G1 dogs, only sinus tachycardia and premature ventricular beats were observed. G2 dogs presented a number of total and banded leukocytes significantly higher than those of G1 (p = 0.002 and 0.049), in the same manner, the clinical score suggestive of SIRS (3 vs. 2.1) was significantly higher in G2 than in G1 dogs (p = 0.01). Moreover, a significantly higher value of cTnI was observed in the G2 group compared to the G1 group (p = 0.006). Data presented here suggested a cardiac involvement in dogs with SIRS, analogously to humans, that may significantly influence the patient's prognosis.