Health Of Farm Animals Research Articles

Heat stress on dairy cattle

Climate change significantly impacts the production, health, welfare, and survival of farm animals. The prolonged heat stress is a major concern in tropical and subtropical regions. Heat tolerance enables livestock to maintain thermal balance under extreme climatic conditions, thus ensuring productivity and animal welfare. There is a feasibility of genetic selection for heat tolerance to improve production and reproduction traits. This genetic selection may provide enduring advantages in maintaining productive and reproductive performances as heat stress is a heritable trait. To identify and integrate traits associated with thermal tolerance into breeding programs, it is imperative to have a robust animal performance records and meteorological data. Temperature humidity index (THI) is a widely used biomarker for assessing heat stress in dairy cows, as it combines air temperature and relative humidity. In regions with sparse weather station coverage, NASA POWER satellite data is a viable alternative for obtaining meteorological information to calculate THI and evaluate heat stress impacts. There are multiple models for calculating THI and those focusing on humidity being more effective in humid climates. Genetic models, particularly reaction norm models based on random regressions, were introduced for estimating genetic parameters for heat tolerance in cattle. These models help to understand genotype-environment interactions and non-linear relationship between THI and milk yield reduction. The continued genetic selection for milk production without considering heat tolerance traits increases susceptibility to heat stress, emphasizing a need for comprehensive selection objectives. This review underscores the importance of incorporating heat tolerance traits into genetic selection for dairy cattle and highlights various biomarkers and genetic models used to estimate heat tolerance. Incorporating these traits into breeding goals is essential to improve thermotolerance while maintaining productivity, bolstering resilience of cattle to climate change.

Human-computer interactions with farm animals-enhancing welfare through precision livestock farming and artificial intelligence.

While user-centered design approaches stemming from the human-computer interaction (HCI) field have notably improved the welfare of companion, service, and zoo animals, their application in farm animal settings remains limited. This shortfall has catalyzed the emergence of animal-computer interaction (ACI), a discipline extending technology's reach to a multispecies user base involving both animals and humans. Despite significant strides in other sectors, the adaptation of HCI and ACI (collectively HACI) to farm animal welfare-particularly for dairy cows, swine, and poultry-lags behind. Our paper explores the potential of HACI within precision livestock farming (PLF) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance individual animal welfare and address the unique challenges within these settings. It underscores the necessity of transitioning from productivity-focused to animal-centered farming methods, advocating for a paradigm shift that emphasizes welfare as integral to sustainable farming practices. Emphasizing the 'One Welfare' approach, this discussion highlights how integrating animal-centered technologies not only benefits farm animal health, productivity, and overall well-being but also aligns with broader societal, environmental, and economic benefits, considering the pressures farmers face. This perspective is based on insights from a one-day workshop held on June 24, 2024, which focused on advancing HACI technologies for farm animal welfare.

Amino acid requirements of yellow mealworm and black soldier fly larvae

Abstract In order to achieve optimal growth and health of farm animals, a different amount/ratio of essential amino acids in the feed is necessary in each phase of life. Knowledge about which amino acids are essential and in which quantities/proportions they are best administered has already greatly advanced the pig and poultry sector and is still being generated today. For the still young, rapidly developing insect sector, this knowledge could mean a major step forward towards breeding optimization. Therefore, in this research the needs of the 2 most commercially reared insect species, namely mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) (MW) and black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) (BSF), were investigated. The focus was on requirements for lysine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine and tryptophan based on evidence from the literature and those of pigs. Semi-artificial diets based on at least 25% wheat bran (MW) and chicken feed/water (30/70) (BSF) (basic feed important for structure and certain micronutrients) supplemented with sugar and synthetic amino acids were tested. The diets were isoenergetic and isoproteinous. Of the amino acids studied, one was administered in different doses per experiment. The non-essential glutamic acid was used as a substitute at lower doses. Growth, as measured by weight gain, and survival were observed. The following results were for MW and BSF respectively. For lysine from a content of 0.35 g/100 g diet and 0.53 g/100 g diet no extra growth was noticeable. For methionine this was from 0.13 g/100 g and 0.16 g/100 g. Each time more threonine was given, a significant difference could be noticed and the minimum doses were around 0.42 g/100 g and 0.49 g/100 g. With tryptophan, for MW, there were no differences between the different concentrations. At the lowest dose of 0.06 g/100 g the maximum growth was already reached, whereas for BSF this was at 0.13 g/100 g.

Enhancing Animal Nutritional Security Through Biofortification in Forage Crops: A Comprehensive Review

Livestock nutrition is crucial for sustaining the health and productivity of farm animals, which are a cornerstone of the global food supply. Proper nutrition ensures that animals receive the necessary nutrients for essential bodily functions, growth, reproduction and lactation. Tailored, balanced diets that cater to the specific nutritional needs of different livestock species and their developmental stages also boost reproductive performance, leading to higher birth rates and healthier offspring. Conversely, inadequate nutrition can lead to stunted growth, diminished productivity, and increased vulnerability to diseases, ultimately resulting in significant economic losses. Nutritional imbalances among animals, especially in dairy goats and cattle, pose a significant challenge in livestock management. These disorders result from inadequate or imbalanced nutrient intake, leading to a range of metabolic and health issues. Fodders are essential to livestock nutrition, providing a balanced diet that supports overall animal health, growth and productivity. They are primary sources of energy, with grasses and cereals supplying carbohydrates needed for maintenance and production activities. Leguminous fodders like alfalfa and clover are rich in protein and crucial for muscle development, milk production and growth. Additionally, green fodders offer vital vitamins (A, D, E, K) and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, which are necessary for various metabolic functions. The high fibre content in fodders aids in proper digestion and prevents digestive disorders. Overall, the review highlights the impact of various nutrient deficiencies on livestock, including the effects of anti-nutritional factors and the mechanisms of nitrate, oxalate and prussic acid toxicity in animals. It underscores the importance of agronomic bio fortification as a promising strategy to enhance the nutritional quality of fodder crops, thereby improving animal health and welfare, while also contributing to food security and sustainable agriculture.

Association between perinatal mortality and the management of cows before and at calving in large dairy herds

Stillbirths account for a relevant proportion of total calf mortality on dairy farms. In addition, the stillbirth rate is an important criterion for assessing animal welfare. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the stillbirth rate and aspects concerning the management of cows ante partum and during the calving period in larger dairy herds. In 97 dairy farms with an average herd size of 550 cattle (≥24 months old), data concerning farm management and animal health were collected as part of a farm inspection using a questionnaire. The stillbirth rate of the respective farms was determined based on the farm's own data on the milk yield test and analyzed for possible correlations with farm management using a multivariable factor analysis. A higher stillbirth rate was found on farms with particularly lean and overconditioned transit cows in the herd. A positive association to the stillbirth rate was also found for farms using a special birth monitoring system for heifers and those with more than 20% assisted calvings. There was no association with herd size. Regardless of herd size, factors that are related to the stillbirth rate may be determined by analyzing the farm management. The body condition of the cows is a key parameter. The introduction of special birth monitoring for heifers can probably be interpreted as a reaction to increased stillbirths in the herd. Conditioning cows before calving is an important field of action for herd managers in order to avoid stillbirths. The cows should not approach the calving period in an overly lean or over-conditioned state. When in such state, however, it is advisable for these cows to be monitored more closely in order to allow for professional assistance at the pertinent time period. Integration of body condition scoring of cows at dry-off, calving and the end of the high-yielding period, assessment of calving conditions and training of staff involved in obstetrics into veterinary herd management is warranted.

Effect of Group Mixing and Available Space on Performance, Feeding Behavior, and Fecal Microbiota Composition during the Growth Period of Pigs.

Stress significantly affects the health, welfare, and productivity of farm animals. We performed a longitudinal study to evaluate stress's effects on pig performance, feeding behavior, and fecal microbiota composition. This study involved 64 Duroc pigs during the fattening period, divided into two experimental groups: a stress group (n = 32) and a control group (n = 32). Stressed groups had less space and were mixed twice during the experiment. We monitored body weight, feed efficiency, feeding behavior, and fecal microbiota composition. Compared to the control group, the stressed pigs exhibited reduced body weight, feed efficiency, fewer feeder visits, and longer meal durations. In the fecal microbiota, resilience was observed, with greater differences between groups when sampling was closer to the stressful stimulus. Stressed pigs showed an increase in opportunistic bacteria, such as Streptococcus, Treponema and members of the Erysipelotrichaceae family, while control pigs had more butyrate- and propionate-producing genera like Anaerobutyricum, Coprococcus and HUN007. Our findings confirm that prolonged stress negatively impacts porcine welfare, behavior, and performance, and alters their gut microbiota. Specific microorganisms identified could serve as non-invasive biomarkers for stress, potentially informing both animal welfare and similar gut-brain axis mechanisms relevant to human research.

Escherichia coli from healthy farm animals: Antimicrobial resistance, resistance genes andmobile genetic elements.

The use of antibiotics in agriculture and subsequent environmental pollution are associated with the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria including Escherichia coli. The aim of this study was to detect antimicrobial resistance, resistance genes and mobile genetic elements of 72 E. coli strains isolated from faeces of healthy farm animals. Disk diffusion test showed resistance to ampicillin (59.7%), tetracycline (48.6%), chloramphenicol (16.7%), cefoperazone and ceftriaxone (13.9%), cefepime and aztreonam (12.5%), norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin (8.3%), levofloxacin (6.9%), gentamicin and amikacin (2.8%) among the studied strains. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were detected by polymerase chain reaction: the prevalence of blaTEM was the highest (59.7% of all strains), followed by tetA (30.6%), blaCTX-M (11.1%), catA1 (9.7%), less than 5% strains contained blaSHV, cmlA, floR, qnrB, qnrS, tetM. 26.4% of E. coli strains had a MDR phenotype. MDR E. coli more often contained class 1 integrons, bacteriophages, conjugative F-like plasmids, than non-MDR strains. ARGs were successfully transferred from faecalE. colistrains into theE. coliNissle 1917 N4i strain by conjugation. Conjugation frequencies varied from (1.0 ± 0.1) * 10-5 to (7.9 ± 2.6) * 10-4 per recipient. Monitoring mobile genetic elements of E. coli for antibiotic resistance is important for farm animal health, as well as for public health and food safety.

The relationship between nutrition and intestinal health in newborn lambs

Abstract As with all animals, the period in their lives when lambs are most vulnerable is the period before and immediately after birth. Because this period (the suckling period) is the period of clinging to life in an environment open to microorganism contamination after the sterile uterine environment. It is very important that this difficulty can be reduced with good care and feeding practices that must be applied during this period and that the puppy lamb can have a healthy and highly productive life during this risky period and in the future. Regulation and enhancement of the intestinal microbiome is a crucial aspect for optimizing the health and performance of farm animals. This is mainly because diet and management practices greatly affect the intestinal microbiota, resulting in changes in nutrient utilization and the immune system. The intestinal health of newborn lambs is affected by feeding manipulations, as in other ruminants. In this review, the suckling period and digestive system development in newborn lambs are mentioned. Additionally, this review discusses some practices to manipulate intestinal development and microbial colonization in order to improve the production and health of newborn lambs at an early age when they are most susceptible to enteric diseases.

ЭКОЛОГО-ЭПИЗООТОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА АНОПЛОЦЕФАЛИДОЗОВ МЕЛКОГО РОГАТОГО СКОТА В ФЕРМЕРСКИХ ХОЗЯЙСТВАХ АЛТАЙСКОГО КРАЯ

The purpose of the study is to identify in the Altay Region the most pathogenic helminths among small livestock that threaten the health of farm animals, and their harmfulness and extent of spread. Using the coprooscopic method, fecal samples from sheep of 3 groups were examined: up to one year, from 1 to 2 years and over 2 years. Using the method of complete helminthological autopsies, 18 heads of sheep were opened on farms, of which 11 were aged from 1 to 2 years and 7 heads were older than 2 years. We studied the timing of infection in lambs by monthly examination of the same animals, starting from two months of age until they reach two years of age. All lambs were from the same farm; no anticestodal measures were carried out, so the natural course of the invasion was not disturbed. The survey began at the end of May 2020 with a group of lambs that reached two months of age in the amount of 26 heads. The number of oribatid mites was studied by collecting oribatid mites using a special technique. From the class of cestodes among sheep, 5 species are most often recorded with an average level of extensive infestation from 0.5 to 44.4 %. Anoplocephalid eggs were first discovered in lambs of the current year of birth in July. Moniesia were found throughout the year in young animals from one to two years of age. In March, April, and May they were recorded in single animals in this group of sheep. The seasonal dynamics of the number of oribatid ticks is directly dependent on natural and climatic conditions: significantly fewer ticks were recorded in the steppe zone than in the forest-steppe and floodplain zones. The results of the study show that monieziosis in young lambs kept on pasture is detected coprologically in the conditions of the Altai Region no earlier than July. Two peaks of activity of the intermediate hosts of moniesia, oribatid mites, have been recorded: spring and autumn.

Antioxidant capacity and peptidomic analysis of in vitro digested Camelina sativa L. Crantz and Cynara cardunculus co-products

In recent decades, the food system has been faced with the significant problem of increasing food waste. Therefore, the feed industry, supported by scientific research, is attempting to valorise the use of discarded biomass as co-products for the livestock sector, in line with EU objectives. In parallel, the search for functional products that can ensure animal health and performances is a common fundamental goal for both animal husbandry and feeding. In this context, camelina cake (CAMC), cardoon cake (CC) and cardoon meal (CM), due valuable nutritional profile, represent prospective alternatives. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the antioxidant activity of CAMC, CC and CM following in vitro digestion using 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. Total phenolic content (TPC) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, actively involved in modulating antioxidant properties, were also studied. Further, a peptidomic analysis was adopted to substantiate the presence of bioactive peptides after in vitro digestion. The results obtained confirmed an interesting nutritional profile of CAMC, CC and CM and relevant antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activities. In particular, considering antioxidant profile, CM and CC revealed a significantly higher (10969.80 ± 18.93 mg TE/100 g and 10451.40 ± 149.17 mg TE/100 g, respectively; p < 0.05) ABTS value than CAMC (9511.18 ± 315.29 mg TE/100 g); a trend also confirmed with the FRAP assay (306.74 ± 5.68 mg FeSO4/100 g; 272.84 ± 11.02 mg FeSO4/100 g; 103.84 ± 3.27 mg FeSO4/100 g, for CC, CM and CAMC, respectively). Similar results were obtained for TPC, demonstrating the involvement of phenols in modulating antioxidant activity. Finally, CAMC was found to have a higher ACE inhibitory activity (40.34 ± 10.11%) than the other matrices. Furthermore, potentially bioactive peptides associated with ACE inhibitory, anti-hypertensive, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, antithrombotic, DPP-IV inhibitory and PEP-inhibitory activities were identified in CAMC. This profile was broader than that of CC and CM. The presence of such peptides corroborates the antioxidant and ACE profile of the sample. Although the data obtained report the important antioxidant profile of CAMC, CC, and CM and support their possible use, future investigations, particularly in vivo trials will be critical to evaluate and further investigate their effects on the health and performance of farm animals.

Assessing the impact of biosecurity practices and animal welfare in small-scale mountain dairy farming

This study estimates the association between the level of biosecurity, animal welfare, milk quality, and economic performance on 2291 mountain dairy farms which largely differs in management and structure from large dairy operations in the lowlands mainly due to climatic and topographic constraints in mountain areas. The dairy industry’s increasing emphasis on biosecurity is crucial for ensuring animal health, productivity, and disease mitigation. Therefore, in the present study the biosecurity and animal welfare status of mountain dairy farms were assessed considering the official welfare protocol for dairy cows of the Italian ClassyFarm system. Our findings reveal a suboptimal adoption of biosecurity measures, attributed to structural limitations in mountain farms and farmers’ awareness gaps. Despite these challenges, the economic significance of biosecurity adoption is evident, emphasizing potential benefits for farm viability and animal health. Conversely, the study indicates a moderate to good welfare status in assessed farms, reflecting farmers’ awareness of the importance of high welfare standards for dairy cows. Improved welfare positively correlates with milk sales and productivity, highlighting the economic advantages of prioritizing animal well-being. Challenges persist, particularly regarding animal housing deficiencies and related consumer concerns about animal welfare in dairy production. Therefore, targeted interventions and educational initiatives are crucial to empower farmers and promote best practices in biosecurity and animal welfare management. However, addressing resultant production cost increases necessitates society’s willingness to pay more for animal-based food, emphasizing the importance of aligning economic incentives with sustainable farming practices.

AFB1 Toxicity in Human Food and Animal Feed Consumption: A Review of Experimental Treatments and Preventive Measures.

The current review aims to outline and summarize the latest research on aflatoxin, with research studies describing natural, herbal and chemical compound applications in animal (pig) models and in vitro cellular studies. Aflatoxin, a carcinogenic toxin metabolite, is produced by Aspergillus flavus in humid environments, posing a threat to human health and crop production. The current treatment involves the prevention of exposure to aflatoxin and counteracting its harmful toxic effects, enabling survival and research studies on an antidote for aflatoxin. To summarize current research prospects and to outline the influence of aflatoxin on animal forage in farm production, food and crop processing. The research application of remedies to treat aflatoxin is undergoing development to pinpoint biochemical pathways responsible for aflatoxin effects transmission and actions of treatment. To underline the environmental stress of aflatoxin on meat and dairy products; to describe clinical syndromes associated with aflatoxicosis on human health that are counteracted with proposed treatment and preventive interventions. To understand how to improve the health of farm animals with feed conditions.

Porcine Circovirus Type 3 (PCV3) in Poland: Prevalence in Wild Boar Population in Connection with African Swine Fever (ASF).

Human health is dependent on food safety and, therefore, on the health of farm animals. One of the most significant threats in regard to swine diseases is African swine fever (ASF). Infections caused by porcine circoviruses (PCVs) represent another important swine disease. Due to the ubiquitous nature of PCV2, it is not surprising that this virus has been detected in ASFV-affected pigs. However, recent data indicate that coinfection of PCV3 and ASFV also occurs. It is still unclear whether PCV infection plays a role in ASFV infection, and that subject requires further analysis. The aim of this study was to assess whether PCV3 and PCV4 are present in the wild boar population in Poland (real-time PCR). The analysis was performed on wild boar samples collected for routine ASF surveillance in Poland, between 2018 and 2021. By extension, the obtained data were compared in regard to ASFV presence in these samples, thus investigating the odds of ASFV infection on the grounds of the PCV carrier state in free-ranging Suidae in Poland. In addition, sequencing of PCV3 and phylogenetic analysis were performed, based on a full genome and a capsid gene. In the current study, we demonstrated the high prevalence of PCV3 in the wild boar population in Poland; meanwhile, PCV4 was not detected. The odds of ASFV infection on the grounds of the PCV3 carrier state in free-ranging Suidae in Poland was more than twice as high. Ten full genome sequences of PCV3 were obtained, all of them belonging to clade 3a. The similarity between them was in the range of 98.78-99.80%.

Low Doses of Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone Alone or in Combination with a Mycotoxin Binder Affect ABCB1 mRNA and ABCC2 mRNA Expression in the Intestines of Pigs.

Mycotoxin binders, in combination with enzymes degrading some mycotoxins, contribute to feed detoxification. Their use reduces economic losses and the negative impacts of mycotoxins on animal health and productivity in farm animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a mycotoxin detoxifier on the expression of the ATP-binding cassette efflux transporters ABCB1 mRNA and ABCC2 mRNA, which transport xenobiotics and thus have a barrier function, in the tissues of pigs exposed to low doses of deoxynivalenol (DON, 1 mg/kg feed) and zearalenone (ZEN, 0.4 mg/kg feed) for 37 days. The levels of expression were determined by an RT-PCR, and the effect of the mycotoxin detoxifier (Mycofix Plus3.E) was evaluated by a comparison of results between healthy pigs (n = 6), animals treated with DON and ZEN (n = 6), and a group that received both mycotoxins and the detoxifier (n = 6). A significant downregulation of ABCB1 mRNA and ABCC2 mRNA was observed in the jejunum (p < 0.05). A tendencies toward the downregulation of ABCB1 mRNA and ABCC2 mRNA were found in the ileum and duodenum, respectively. The mycotoxin detoxifier restored the expression of ABCB1 mRNA to the level found in healthy animals but did not restore that of ABCC2 mRNA to the level of healthy animals in the jejunum.

Threat to Human and Animal Health Caused by Mycotoxins and Masked Mycotoxins Occurring in Food and Feed

Fungi, and especially mold fungi, play a very important role in natural environments, as well as in the food industry for the production of many specialized products. However, many of them, under favorable conditions, are capable of producing toxic compounds called mycotoxins. Many of them have an adverse effect on the growth and development of all groups of organisms, including humans. Mycotoxins can appear in all food products and animal feed. Mycotoxins accumulated in food of plant and animal origin and consumed by humans can accumulate in various tissues and organs, which results in disorders in their functioning and may cause cancer. Plants have the ability to defend themselves against mycotoxins by neutralizing them as a result of the glycosidation process. Mycotoxins neutralized in this way are called “masked mycotoxins”, which are not toxic to plants, but after entering the body of animals or humans in the digestive tract, they return back to their original toxic form. Let’s appeal and spread knowledge about mycotoxins because they pose a constant threat to the health of people and farm animals.

Livestock Workshops: eradication of disease

In this online workshop Dr Neil Paton, Lecturer in Farm Animal Health and Production at the Royal Veterinary College and Technical Director of the Gwaredu BVD and Gwaredu Sacb programmes, discussed the eradication of disease on farm, with a focus on bovine viral diarrhoea and sheep scab.

OPTIMIZATION OF LIVESTOCK MONITORING SYSTEM IN OUTDOOR BASED ON INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT)

Livestock businesses are often underestimated by the public because they are associated with less hygienic working environments. However, the demand for livestock products such as meat and milk is increasing, providing significant business opportunities. Several obstacles, such as livestock loss and the capital required for cage construction, are barriers to starting a livestock business. Livestock losses, especially in outdoor farms, often occur because of the lack of proper monitoring and data collection. Therefore, technology is required to overcome this problem. The application of IoT technology is an effective solution for overcoming this problem. By utilizing sensors, such as GPS, temperature, and heart rate, farmers can monitor farm animals remotely using Android applications. In this study, a U-blox Neo6m GPS sensor was used to track the location of farm animals, a temperature sensor was used to monitor the temperature conditions of farm animals, and a heart rate sensor was used to determine the health of farm animals that had been tested. The use of a 1500 mAh LI-ION LITHIUM battery as a power source proved to be sufficient for 7 h. The results showed that this IoT-based Outdoor Livestock Monitoring System can provide information on the last location of livestock as well as real-time heart rate and temperature data in the database. This innovation opens opportunities for farmers to improve livestock management and monitoring efficiently, minimize losses, and increase the productivity of their livestock business

Heme Oxygenase-1 Regulates Zearalenone-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Sheep Follicular Granulosa Cells.

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a common non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin found in a range of animal feeds and poses a serious threat to the reproductive health of farm animals and humans. However, the mechanism underlying ZEA-induced reproductive toxicity in sheep remains unknown. Granulosa cells are crucial for egg maturation and the fertility of female sheep. In this study, we aimed to examine the impact of different ZEA concentrations on sheep follicular granulosa cells and to elucidate the potential molecular mechanism underlying ZEA-induced toxicity using transcriptome sequencing and molecular biological approaches. Treating primary sheep follicular granulosa cells with different concentrations of ZEA promoted the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased lipid peroxidation products, led to cellular oxidative stress, decreased antioxidant enzyme activities, and induced cell apoptosis. Using transcriptome approaches, 1395 differentially expressed genes were obtained from sheep follicular granulosa cells cultured in vitro after ZEA treatment. Among them, heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) was involved in 11 biological processes. The protein interaction network indicated interactions between HMOX1 and oxidative and apoptotic proteins. In addition, N-acetylcysteine pretreatment effectively reduced the ZEA-induced increase in the expression of HMOX1 and Caspase3 by eliminating ROS. Hence, we suggest that HMOX1 is a key differential gene involved in the regulation of ZEA-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in follicular granulosa cells. These findings provide novel insights into the prevention and control of mycotoxins in livestock.

Role of dietary fats in reproductive, health, and nutritional benefits in farm animals: A review

Abstract Dietary fats serve a multitude of purposes in both humans and animals. They are a component of membranes and support the regulation of cellular influx and egress. They aid in the production of hormones, milk, embryonic, and foetal development, movement, and storage of energy, as well as absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. The objective of this review is to describe how dietary fats contribute to improved livestock reproductive performance. Data for this review study were acquired from recently published works in different journals. Databases were accessed using electronic data sources such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Research Gate, Web of Science, and the Directory of Open Access Journals. It is believed that dietary fats added to animal diets enhance animal reproduction by boosting the quantity and size of ovarian follicles and concentration of hormone progesterone plasma, declining the production of prostaglandin metabolites and increasing the lifespan of corpus luteum, which is also crucial for semen maturation, motility, and acrosomal reactions in addition to reproductive hormones. Therefore, it is important to employ dietary fats effectively to boost livestock reproduction and maximise animal output, which will achieve the relevant Sustainable Development Goals and food security.

Why has animal science not led to improved farm animal health and welfare?

To sustain the economic viability of a livestock farm in a global market, characterised by a price undercutting competition, farmers are forced to adapt to what the market demands. At the same time, they have to care for the functionality of the farm system as a whole and of the subsystems, such as the farm animals, so that they for their part they can contribute to an economic success. Now, that animal health and welfare (AHW) has become an increasingly important issue for citizens and consumers, not only the decision makers but also the disciplines of animal science are challenged to improve an unsatisfying AHW level that has been neglected for long. However, to reduce AHW problems requires a quite different approach than to increase productive efficiency. A common sense can be assumed concerning the need to strive for an optimal cost-to-benefit ratio while balancing positive and negative impacts of production processes on economic and AHW target figures. However, what is often not adequately considered is the fact that economic and biological demands have to be balanced within a living system, e.g. in the individual animal and farm system. These function as the relevant reference systems in all cases where measures to reduce AHW problems are considered. Furthermore, there is a large gap of scientific knowledge, however, not in the traditional sense. While the predominant approaches, scientists generate context-invariant, and thus generalisable disposal knowledge in diversified subdisciplines, problem solving requires contextualisation, orientation and action-guiding knowledge within transdisciplinary approaches. The reason is that AHW problems are highly context-sensitive as well as multifactorial. They develop within the farm specific interconnectedness of manifold and highly varying factors, emerging a complexity that does not allow predictive statements via inductive approaches but requires an iterative procedure to approach to a farm specific AHW level, which is balanced with the overarching goal of economic viability. Recommended action guiding knowledge has to be of high external and ecological validity, before farmers might consider it to be implemented in farm practice. From the reflection about the discrepancy between the knowledge needed to reduce AHW problems and what is offered by animal science, it is concluded that not only the farm systems but also the predominant approaches of animal science have to be transformed. Otherwise, there is not a big chance to considerably reduce AHW problems in farm animals.