Health Status Of Animals Research Articles

Assessment of the effect of the probiotic complex «LiquaFid» on the production performance of sows

The intensity of modern pig farming requires a continuous search for methods to maintain and improve the achieved production indicators and the high health status of animals. The use of various forms of feed additives, including probiotic complexes, can partially solve this problem. Some probiotic strains of bacteria are able to have a preventive effect on the occurrence of pathologies of bacterial or viral origin, they also have a positive effect on the course of metabolic processes of the body. In addition, the use of probiotic complexes in one form or another is less expensive than the use of specific antibacterial or antiviral agents.Our goal was to study the effect of various doses of the probiotic «LiquaFid» on the reproductive ability of sows before farrowing and during lactation. «LiquaFid» is a probiotic complex based on unique spore strains of Bacillus megaterium B –4801 and Bacillus subtilis 1-85 microbes, externally it is a well-soluble powder in water. For the experiment, 4 groups of analogues (n=34) from sows were formed. The experiment was carried out at a full-cycle enterprise engaged in industrial pig farming. The duration of the experience is 33 days. The probiotic complex was given to animals through a water supply system common to breeding stock and young animals.Based on the data obtained from the results of the experiment, it was found that the use of the probiotic «LiquaFid» to uterine livestock immediately before farrowing and during lactation reduced the incidence and severity of the course of obstetric pathologies that arose. Thus, the number of postpartum diseases decreased by 5.89% and 14.71% in the experimental groups, and the incidence of mastitis-metritis-agalactia syndrome, against the background of probiotic use, decreased several times. Due to a decrease in the manifestation of symptoms of dysgalactia, the indicator of suckling of sows has also improved. The production indicators of the obtained young animals in the experimental groups also differed in a positive way. The output of "business" piglets increased by 1.34%, 4.69% and 5.53%, while the live weight of piglets by weaning age also increased.

Impact of environmentally relevant concentrations of glyphosate on Boana faber tadpoles exposed in the laboratory: morphological and functional markers.

This study evaluated the effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide on the oxidative balance, energy metabolism, and body condition indices in tadpoles of Boana faber. Anuran spawns were collected, and after hatching and reaching Gosner stage 25, they were acclimated and exposed (168hours) to concentrations of glyphosate (G1: 65, G2: 260, and G3: 520µg/L). The body condition markers revealed a significant decrease in all these biomarkers in G2 and G3. Tadpoles exposed to the highest concentration of glyphosate showed an increase in superoxide dismutase activity and the maintenance of lipoperoxidation levels. Carbonyl proteins of animals of G1 and G2 groups showed a reduction that coincides with increased catalase activity. Glycogen decreased in all exposed groups, indicating that this polysaccharide was used for energy production. The body condition markers established here are a non-invasive and promising way of assessing the health status of animals.

Enzootic Ovine Abortion among small ruminants in Southern Benin.

The advancement of small ruminant farming in Benin has encountered challenges associated with health issues and agricultural practices. This study aimed to provide the initial documentation of the prevalence of enzootic ovine abortion and evaluate the health status of animals concerning various recurring diseases on traditional small ruminant farms in Benin. In 2023, a semi-structured survey of 450 farms was carried out in two agricultural development centers in Benin. Additionally, 385 sera samples (200 sheep and 185 goats) from 77 farms, selected from the 450 surveyed farms, where animals exhibited signs of reproductive loss, underwent testing using the indirect Elisa method for Chlamydia abortus species. Among the 385 sera samples tested, 30 (7.79%) from pole 1 and 25 (6.49%) from pole 2 were positive for Chlamydia abortus. The survey results unveiled that small ruminants were primarily raised for savings and, to a lesser extent, for meat production and socio-cultural reasons, predominantly in Pole 1. During the rainy season, the common practice among farmers is to let their animals run free, although some opt to tie them to a fixed stake or keep them in loose confinement, the latter being more common in pole 2. The primary animal diseases reported by farmers included peste des petits ruminants, scabies, verminous digestive diseases, pasteurellosis, Rift Valley fever, sheep pox, agalactia, and trypanosomosis. The incidence of these diseases varied between the poles. Enzootic Ovine Abortion emerges as a substantial threat to both animal well-being and public health. This research sheds light on the overlooked nature of this perilous disease, aiming to contribute to the enhancement of small ruminant livestock.

Mind the Step: An Artificial Intelligence-Based Monitoring Platform for Animal Welfare.

We present an artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced monitoring framework designed to assist personnel in evaluating and maintaining animal welfare using a modular architecture. This framework integrates multiple deep learning models to automatically compute metrics relevant to assessing animal well-being. Using deep learning for AI-based vision adapted from industrial applications and human behavioral analysis, the framework includes modules for markerless animal identification and health status assessment (e.g., locomotion score and body condition score). Methods for behavioral analysis are also included to evaluate how nutritional and rearing conditions impact behaviors. These models are initially trained on public datasets and then fine-tuned on original data. We demonstrate the approach through two use cases: a health monitoring system for dairy cattle and a piglet behavior analysis system. The results indicate that scalable deep learning and edge computing solutions can support precision livestock farming by automating welfare assessments and enabling timely, data-driven interventions.

Improvement of cereal- and legume-derived protein quality with selenium and sulfur for plant food production.

Selenium (Se) is essential for human and animal health and nutritional status. As humans cannot produce Se, it must be obtained from the diet. Adequate Se supplementation improves innate immunity, increases antioxidant capacity and helps prevent various disorders. Sulfur (S) is an indispensable nutrient that affects plant growth, performance and yield. Cereals and legumes are global staple foods, and their proteins are considered sustainable plant-based meat alternatives, which are increasingly popular. Owing to their physicochemical similarities, the crosstalk between Se and S influences cereal and grain-legume derived proteins. Modifications induced by Se and S might improve the protein quality of harvested cereal and legume grains. This timely review not only identifies the knowledge gaps in this research area focusing on Se and S enrichment in cereals and legumes but also emphasizes the potential of this unexplored area for new applications. S enrichment resulted in better quality properties in the bread of wheat flour and stimulated the expression of S-rich globulins and albumins in legumes. Se supplementation enhanced the emulsifying capacity of legumes (e.g. chickpeas). The improvement of protein fractions in cereal and legume grains has the potential to revolutionize protein processing to offer new alternatives to produce an array of S- and Se-enriched cereal and legume products. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Effectiveness of Sanitization Assessment by ATP Bioluminescence Detection System as a Complementary Method in Vivarium: A five-year status report

Sanitization is an important activity performed in the laboratory animal facilities and periodical assessment of sanitization provides confidence in surface cleanliness as well as health status of animals in the vivarium. The primary objective was to evaluate routine disinfection and/or sanitization practices upon verifying the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence method, which further expressed as relative light units (RLU), a relatively easy and rapid method to interpret results within a minute after the swab sampling performed on any surface. A five-year data compilation showed that RLU values were within the in-house acceptable limits of animal rooms sampled from racks, isolators, doors, trolleys, cage changing stations, tables, walls and cage accessories. However, some of the materials such as racks and trolleys of high-traffic areas showed a significant increase in RLU values due to organic matters that might be present on the equipment surfaces but recorded values were well within the limits set by the facility. Additionally, contact plates were also used as confirmatory method to evaluate microbial monitoring in animal rooms including cage accessories and further historical values of RLU provided confidence to increase monthly contact plate sampling interval to a quarterly basis and followed as per the schedule. Moreover, representative samples from incoming animals were screened by microbial monitoring at regular intervals during the quarantine period and active sentinel samples also screened for serology or PCR as part of comprehensive health monitoring program. In conclusion, ATP method can be used to assess the real-time effectiveness of sanitization practices in vivarium as it provides immediate feedback to animal care personnel that enables corrective actions; hence the ATP bioluminescence is continued as one of the complementary methods at our laboratory animal facility.

Alleviation of lipopolysaccharide-induced heart inflammation in poultry treated with carnosic acid via the NF-κB and MAPK pathways.

In intensive poultry farming, environmental stress, pathogen infections, and noise can negatively impact growth or cause sudden death, leading to economic losses. The prevalent use of antibiotics as feed additives to prevent diseases in broilers has raised concerns about antibiotic resistance and highlighted the need for safer and more effective alternatives. Carnosic acid (CA), a bioactive compound derived from rosemary, exhibits notable pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study investigates CA's efficacy in mitigating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced heart inflammation in broilers. Broilers were pretreated with CA at varying doses (20, 40, and 80mg/kg) for 7 days then exposed to LPS (200mg/kg) for 24h to induce an inflammatory response. LPS treatment increased the levels of the cardiac damage markers creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), but these effects were markedly decreased in CA-pretreated poultry. Histopathological analysis indicated that CA mitigated myocardial fiber rupture and inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunohistochemistry showed that CA sustained high expression levels of the protective protein crystallin alpha B (CRYAB), the expression of which was reduced by LPS. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that CA regulates key inflammatory signaling pathways via inhibiting LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) by reducing the phosphorylation of p65 and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B alpha (IκBα). Additionally, CA attenuated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation, as evidenced by decreased phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and p38 in the CA-treated groups compared to the LPS-only groups. These findings suggest that CA exerts a protective effect against LPS-induced cardiac inflammation by enhancing CRYAB expression and modulating the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. Importantly, the findings emphasize CA's potential as a natural feed additive to enhance cardiac health in poultry and present a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics in livestock management. Further research is needed to investigate its broader applications in animal health and other inflammatory conditions.

Rapid warning system to predict chemical hazards in wild European eel (Anguilla anguilla): Transcriptomic approach in food risk assessment

Heavy metals present in fish muscle pose a risk to consumers. Biomarkers could reveal the accumulation of these toxic contaminants early without having to resort to muscle analysis. In this study, a specific objective was pursued: to identify biomarkers to be proposed as sensitive tools in risk assessment analyzes using European eels as sentinel animals, captured from four rivers in Salerno province (southern Italy). Among the four genes chosen for this analysis, that of Acyl-Peptide Hydrolase 2 (APEH2) seems to qualify as an excellent biomarker, whose transcriptional profile responds well even to small levels of toxic metals. Statistical analyses (ANOVA, PCA) have shown that variations in the expression of the APEH2 gene, both in the liver and in the gills of eels, could provide important information on the health status of the aquatic animal, on possible exposure to toxic heavy metals and on the quality and safety of the meat.

Endoparasite survey in Amazonian manatees (Trichechus inunguis) under rehabilitation in the Peruvian Amazon

Manatee populations are declining worldwide, and all currently existing species are considered vulnerable by the IUCN. The most common problems during nurturing young Amazonian manatees, Trichechus inunguis, in rescue centres are of gastrointestinal nature leading to inappetence, diarrhoea, cachexia and even death. Endoparasites play an important role in the well-being of wildlife in captivity as well as in the wild, though information about relevant protozoan and metazoan endoparasites in Amazonian manatees is still scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to find endoparasites in T. inunguis by analyzing faecal samples from 23 Amazonian manatees which were kept in rescue centres in the Peruvian Amazon. The samples were screened for protozoan and metazoan parasites using coproscopical analysis and molecular tools. Out of twenty juvenile animals eleven were positive for at least one Eimeriidae. Two morphologically different, not yet genetically described Eimeria species were identified. One of them seems to be Eimeria trichechi which has only been described once in 1984 in Amazonian manatees from Brazil. It was not found to lead to clinical symptoms of coccidiosis in this study. The second, Eimeria sp. Type B was associated with clinical coccidiosis in a young Amazonian manatee, which showed gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhoea, inappetence and cachexia. No other protozoan or metazoan parasite were detected in any of the samples. The present study is the first to investigate endoparasites in Amazonian manatees using molecular tools and is the first to identify an Eimeria species that could be associated with clinical symptoms in T. inunguis. With information from our study rescue centres can improve monitoring of parasites more effectively to reduce morbidity and mortality rates among rehabilitated manatees as well as improve the health status and fitness of animals for a successful release back into the wild.

Organic fertilizer integrated with marine waste derived CaCO3 nanocarrier system: A focus on enhanced yield and quality in tomato cultivation

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid and other mineral sources including phosphorus, potassium, zinc, magnesium and iron. Major constraints in tomato cultivation were high cost, poor cultivation due to adverse weather conditions, pest attacks, microbial infections and nutritional deficiency complications. Conventional fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and growth regulators are effective at higher concentration, which induces specific toxic effects on soil fertility, plant yield and also affects the health status of humans, animals and soil associated microbes. The use of organic fertilizers to meet the soil nutrient demand increases the acidity of soil affecting plant growth, which turned the focus of researchers towards nanofertilizer. The present study focuses on synthesis of marine waste derived CaCO3 nanoparticles formulated with azadirachtin and panchakavya emulsion to develop a CaCO3 nanofertilizer. CaCO3 nanofertilizer developed through this study was investigated for its material properties and behavioral traits. Further, the in-vitro antifungal impact of the CaCO3 nanofertilizer was examined, and it was sprayed on tomato plants via foliar spray. CaCO3 nanofertilizer effectively inhibited fusarium wilt causing plant fungal pathogen and also exhibited enhanced growth and yield of tomatoes against pest attack and nutritional deficiency with effect to foliar treatment. Also, CaCO3 nanofertilizer enhanced the total carotenoid level and essential nutritional minerals in fruit yield of tomatoes. Overall, fabricated CaCO3 nanofertilizer exhibits synergistic role of fertilizer, pesticide, fungicide and growth regulator in tomato cultivation. It suggests that, CaCO3 nanofertilizer generated from renewable biowaste will become the innovative platform for sustainable agriculture.

Zinc oxide nanoparticle biofortification of lentil seedlings enhances plant growth and zinc bioavailability in rats

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in the biofortification of lentil seedlings and subsequently improve the Zn status in rats. In the first phase of the study, the effects of various ZnO NPs concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 ppm) on the lentil growth, Zn accumulation, and other physiological parameters were investigated. Subsequently, the rats were fed ZnO NP-biofortified lentil seedlings (20 and 160 ppm) to assess their impact on animal health and Zn status. The results highlighted a concentration-dependent response of lentil seedlings to ZnO NPs, with optimal growth observed at 20 ppm, whereas higher concentrations inhibited lentil growth. Pigment and biochemical analyses revealed a complex interplay between chlorophyll, carotenoids, soluble sugars, and proteins with distinct responses to nanoparticle concentrations. Elevated levels of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde of lentil seedlings at high concentrations of ZnO NPs suggest oxidative stress, countered by the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes and increased phenolic compounds. On the other hand. animal studies have showed that ZnO NP-biofortified lentil seedlings enhance serum zinc and magnesium levels in rats without affecting body weight. While serum triglyceride levels of rats decreased in both treatment groups, an elevation in creatinine and a marked increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were observed at a higher ZnO NP concentration (160 ppm), indicative of potential kidney and liver stress. Paradoxically, serum iron levels were lower in all groups consuming lentil seedlings than in the control group, suggesting a potential interaction between lentil components and iron metabolism. These findings suggest that ZnO NP-biofortified lentils may be a promising approach to enhance Zn nutrition; however, further investigation is needed to optimize ZnO NPs concentration and assess long-term safety.

Paper immobilized BSA-decorated gold nanoclusters for single-step optical sensing of glucose and cholesterol without cross-reactivity

Minimally invasive methods for detecting glucose, cholesterol and hydrogen peroxide are crucial for monitoring the nutritional and health status of humans and animals. The peroxidase mimetic activity by nanozymes is one of the versatile methods for detecting glucose, cholesterol, hydrogen peroxide, and other biomolecules. However, the strict requirement of acidic pH limits their sensing and interfacing ability with natural enzymes. The present study developed bovine serum albumin (BSA) coated gold nanoclusters (AuNC) immobilized on paper fabric to enable single-step visual detection of glucose, cholesterol and hydrogen peroxide in complex biological fluids like serum and milk. The BSA-AuNC suspension and immobilized paper fabric synergistically interface with the natural oxidative enzymes, glucose oxidase or cholesterol oxidase, at physiological pH. The concomitant loss in the fluorescent intensity of BSA-AuNC-loaded paper fabric exposed to the generated hydrogen peroxide (glucose/glucose oxidase or cholesterol/cholesterol oxidase) was directly proportional to the concentration of glucose or cholesterol. These reactions enabled simple visual detection as well as quantification of hydrogen peroxide, glucose and cholesterol using Image-J software and common smartphone-based mobile applications. The detection ability of BSA-AuNC-embedded paper fabric is specific and remains unaltered in the presence of similar oxidase enzymes or similar substrate analogues. With these unique features, the BSA-AuNC embedded paper fabric stands out as a prominent analytical device with enormous potential as a simple, user-friendly detection tool for monitoring biomolecules that are important to health, nutrition, and environmental safeguarding.

Prospects and Application of Solid-State Fermentation in Animal Feed Production – A Review

Abstract Animal feed production has recently received significant attention in the food and livestock sectors due to its high nutritional value and substantial environmental potential. Extensive studies have been conducted to explore the effects of solid fermented feeds on different growth stages of animals but also on the health status of animals, the quality of animal products, and the composition of intestinal micro-flora to replace non-fermented feed production. The purpose of this review is to provide up-to-date existing trends, recent developments, and prospects of solid-state fermentation (SSF) practices for the production of animal feeds. Studies on enhancing nutritional factors by increasing the crude protein content, enzymes, and antioxidant activity of feed using physical processing methods on agro-industrial waste such as rapeseed meal, cottonseed, wheat bran, soybean meal, and legumes by mainly SSF are reviewed and discussed thoroughly.

Whole genome characteristics of hedgehog coronaviruses from Poland and analysis of the evolution of the Spike protein for its interspecies transmission potential

BackgroundThe hedgehogs have been recently identified as possible reservoir of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus like (MERS-CoV-like). These viruses were classified as a distinct Betacoronavirus erinacei (BCoV-Eri) species within the MerBCoV-Eriirus subgenus. As coronaviruses are known for their ability to jump between different hosts, including humans, this can pose a particular threat to people in direct contact with hedgehogs, such as those working at animal asylums. Our previous studies have shown the presence of BCoV-Eri strains in animals collected in the wildlife rehabilitation centre. This study aimed to investigate the presence of CoV in subsequent hedgehogs collected from the urban area of Poland and their molecular characteristics.ResultsMonitoring for the presence of coronavirus infection in hedgehogs revealed five positive individuals. The presence of BCoV-Eri was found in a total of 20% of animals tested. Our analyses revealed no correlation between CoVs positivity and animal health conditions but a higher probability of such infection in juveniles and females. The whole genome of two Polish Hedgehog coronavirus 1 strains were sequenced and compared with available counterparts from European and Asian countries. Phylogenetic analysis showed that both CoV strains formed common cluster with other similar MerBCoV-Eriirus, but they were also found to be genetically variable and most changes in the S protein were identified. Our analysis revealed that some S protein sites of the Hedgehog coronavirus 1 strains evolved under positive selection pressure and of five such sites, three are in the S1 region while the other two in the S2 region of the Spike.ConclusionsBCoV-Eri is to some extent prevalent in wildlife asylums in Poland. Given that the S protein of BCoVs-Eri is highly variable and that some sites of this protein evolve under positive selection pressure, these strains could potentially acquire a favourable feature for cross-species transmission. Consequently, the threat to humans working in such asylums is particularly high. Adequate biosecurity safeguards, but also human awareness of such risks, are therefore essential.

PSIII-29 Evaluating the efficacy of bioelectrical impedance analysis using machine learning models for the classification of parasitized goats

Abstract Rapid identification and evaluation of animal health condition is one of the most important concerns when it comes to livestock productivity, particularly for small ruminants susceptible to infection from blood-feeding gastrointestinal nematodes, like Haemonchus contortus. The present study was designed to optimize the process of differentiating parasite infected goats from healthy goats. This study used male intact Spanish goats (n = 65), aiming to establish a proof of concept for the efficacy of bioelectrical impedance, specifically through the metrics of Resistance, and Reactance, in identifying the health status of goats. The research involved the development and comparative analysis of seven machine learning (ML) models, divided into four classification-based models and three regression models, to assess their capabilities in accurately classifying goats based on bioelectrical properties. The data for this study were gathered from live animals using CQR 3.0 (Sea food analytics), with measurements taken from both ear and tail ends to ensure comprehensive and reliable bioelectrical readings. Among the classification models evaluated, the Random Forest Classification model emerged as the most effective, demonstrating a validation accuracy of 71.8% and a testing accuracy of 77.1%. This was closely followed by the K-NN Classification model, which showed a promising testing accuracy of 86.7%. Conversely, the Support Vector Machines and Boosting Classification models displayed decreased accuracies, indicating variability in the performance of classification models in this context. The regression models, evaluated through metrics such as Mean Squared Error (MSE) and R-square, revealed the K-NN Regression model as the most proficient, with the least Test MSE of 0.13 and an R-square of 0.482. This suggests a moderate correlation and predictive capability in determining the health status of goats based on bioelectrical impedance measurements. The Decision Tree Regression and Support Vector Regressor models showed varying degrees of effectiveness, with the latter indicating a minimal R-square value, highlighting the challenges in applying regression models to this domain. The conducted proof of concept research not only underscores the potential of bioelectrical impedance analysis in veterinary diagnostics, but also opens avenues for further refinement of ML algorithms in classifying and predicting the health status of farm animals. The outcomes of this study could significantly influence management strategies for small ruminants, offering a non-invasive, rapid, and potentially cost-effective tool for early detection of parasitism, thereby enhancing animal welfare and productivity in the agricultural sector.

HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY PROFILE OF GROWING RABBITS FED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ALLIGATOR PEPPER (AFRAMOMUM MELEGUETA) SEED MEAL

The ban on the use of antibiotics in livestock production has necessitated the use of alternatives such as plant materials (herbs and spices) to increase feed conversion, enhance growth rate, nutritive value and health status of farm animals. Thirty six rabbits were used to evaluate the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of rabbit fed diets supplemented with Aframomum melegueta. There were four dietary treatments consisting of 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5% Aframomum melegueta, and the experiment lasted for 49 days. The experiment was performed in three replicates with three per replicate. The rabbits were balanced for weight and complete randomized design (CRD) was used. Parameters measured for this study include Packed cell volume, Red blood cells, mean corspuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, White blood cells, haemoglobin, granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, Total protein, albumin, globulin, Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, creatinine and cholesterol. The result revealed that the MCHC and monocytes were significantly influenced (P<0.05) by the dietary treatment in the blood parameters investigated. Of all the serum metabolite parameters measured only the total protein, creatinine and cholesterol were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the dietary treatment. It was concluded that the addition of Aframomum melegueta to diets of rabbit does not pose any adverse effect on the blood parameters of the rabbit and could be an indication that their addition enhances optimum nutrient intake by the rabbits.

Lessons Learned and Outcomes from Risk-Based Modernisation of Post-Mortem Inspection and Disposition Criteria of Beef, Sheep, Goat, and Pig Carcasses in Australia.

The lessons learned from reviewing national risk assessments to modernise the Australian Standard for the post-mortem inspection and disposition judgement of beef, sheep, goat, and pig carcases are discussed. The initial risk profiles identified priorities for quantitative assessments. Broadly, the main difficulty encountered was the paucity of quantified performance for the current inspection. Resolving this involved acquiring gross abnormality data representing regional production/proportional abattoir volumes, the range of gross abnormalities appearing nationally, proportional occurrence at carcase sites, and seasonality to enable the comparison of procedures. The methodologies followed the Codex Alimentarius Commission's risk assessment guidelines and are fully documented in the associated publications. The evidence and discussion are provided for the associated challenges experienced, including preventing contamination, the use of food chain information to support amendment, inspection as a part of industry Quality Assurance programmes, and opportunities to improve inspector training. The criteria considered by the Competent Authority for the determination of the equivalence of alternative post-mortem inspection techniques included comparisons of public health risk, non-detection rates for gross abnormalities, and microbial contamination resulting from inspection activities, as appropriate. Most of the gross abnormalities detected arose from animal health and welfare conditions affecting wholesomeness and did not present as food safety hazards. The non-detection rates between the current and alternative inspection (observation) were negligible. A quantitative risk assessment for Cysticercus bovis was conducted. Carcases with multiple gross abnormalities predominantly reflected historic infections (prior septicaemia), where trimming achieved wholesomeness unless they were cachexic.

Composition, Bioactivities, Microbiome, Safety Concerns, and Impact of Essential Oils on the Health Status of Domestic Animals

Essential oils (EOs) are highly concentrated and volatile blends of nonpolar substances that are derived from aromatic plant components and comprise terpenes, terpenoids, and phenylpropanoids, exhibiting diverse biological and pharmacological properties. The burgeoning pet industry is interested in EOs as a potential solution for common health issues in domestic animals, particularly in addressing antimicrobial resistance. The present literature review summarizes the composition, properties, benefits, safety considerations, and effects of EOs on domestic animals. The applications of EOs range from antimicrobial effects to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, etc. The chemical constituents of EOs, exemplified by eucalyptus EO and rosemary EO, highlight their distinct aromatic profiles and potential benefits. Nevertheless, understanding the chemical makeup of EOs is fundamental to assessing their potential impacts on biological systems. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in regulating various metabolic processes in the host, including energy homeostasis, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism. Safety considerations, including potential toxicity risk awareness, are essential when incorporating EOs into animal care routines. The feed additives incorporating EOs have shown promise in influencing gut microbiota balance, reducing inflammation, and acting as antioxidants. However, considering the potential risks associated with high doses or multiple administrations, cautious application is paramount. Preliminary studies suggest low toxicity levels, but further research is required to evaluate the safety of EOs. Though studies have reported the beneficial effects of EOs on pets and animals, further research is needed to validate the findings in real-world conditions. The paper also discussed the regulatory considerations and future perspectives on applying EOs in veterinary medicine.

Fecal image-based starch digestibility estimation in fattening cattle using deep learning

Estimating starch digestibility in cattle can be facilitated by examining starch content in their feces. Nonetheless, the chemical analysis of fecal starch content, which typically involves enzymatic reactions and colorimetry, is time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this study, we aimed to formulate a fecal image-based system to assess starch digestibility in fattening cattle. Images of the feces, including undigested corn particles, were taken with a smartphone’s color camera. The image dataset utilized in our experiments encompassed 4,570 images derived from 154 fecal samples obtained from six farms dedicated to fattening cattle. To assess the adaptability of our models, we conducted evaluations based on data from fecal samples originating from an external farm—one that was not included in the initial training set. Estimating fecal starch content involved utilizing three distinct models: EfficientNetV2, YOLOv8, and random forests. These models were built upon information about fecal water content, corn area, and the number of corns present. Subsequently, starch digestibility was derived from the estimated fecal starch content using an equation based on chemical analysis, as established in a previous study. Our proposed system exhibited an R2 and an RMSE of the estimated fecal starch content of 0.589 and 5.49% of dry matter, respectively. Furthermore, the RMSE of the estimated starch digestibility was 2.36%. These findings underscore the practicality of our starch digestibility estimation system when applied to fecal image analysis. This system holds promise in contributing to the real-time monitoring of the digestive system’s health status in individual farm animals.

Blood smears analysis: a valuable tool for profiling circulating erythrocytes and leukocytes in mouse model of leishmaniasis

Although blood smear analysis can yield valuable insights into the health status of laboratory animals, it is not frequently performed in studies involving mouse models of leishmaniasis. Thus, to underscore its importance, we conducted microscopic evaluation of blood smears prepared from 10 µL of blood from L. (L.) amazonensis-infected BALB/c mice. Subsequently, we explored potential correlations between the identified hematological alterations, clinical evaluation data, and serum levels of total proteins (TP), albumin (Alb), globulins (Glob), IL-17A, and IL-10. Our findings revealed that infected mice exhibited an increased erythrocyte count, alongside a higher prevalence of microcytic and hypochromic erythrocytes. Moreover, it was observed elevated relative and absolute numbers of neutrophils and monocytes and reduced relative and absolute numbers of lymphocytes. A significant proportion of monocytes and lymphocytes in infected animals displayed reactive features. The relative number of lymphocytes was negatively correlated with the serum levels of Glob. Furthermore, the frequency of reactive lymphocytes was positively correlated with the serum levels of Glob and IL-17A. There was also a positive correlation between the absolute number of neutrophils and the serum levels of IL-17A and the frequency of reactive monocytes and the serum levels of Glob. Therefore, these findings, collectively, underscore the importance of blood smear analysis for elucidating both the quantitative and qualitative hematological changes experimentally induced by Leishmania infection. Integration of this technique into research protocols involving different mouse models of leishmaniasis holds immense potential for advancing our knowledge of this infectious disease and enhancing clinical management strategies.