Iberian Pigs Research Articles

Use of Lupinus albus as a Local Protein Source in the Production of High-Quality Iberian Pig Products.

The replacement of soybean meal with sweet white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) seeds was investigated in the diets of Iberian pigs during the growing and fattening phases, evaluating its effects on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality. Iberian pigs (n = 50) were divided into two dietary groups (n = 25 per group), receiving either a lupin-based concentrate or a soybean meal-based concentrate. The data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with a significance level of p < 0.05. The results showed that lupin substitution had no adverse effect on body weight, average daily gain, or carcass characteristics. No significant differences were observed in meat quality parameters such as pH, colour, and texture. However, significantly (p = 0.007) lower levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) content were found in the intramuscular fat of pre-finishing (primor) pigs fed lupin-based diets. In addition, these pigs had lower plasma triglyceride levels at the end of the growing phase. Overall, the results suggest that sweet white lupin is a viable alternative protein source in Iberian pig production, offering potential health benefits in line with consumer preferences for sustainably produced, healthier meat products, without compromising production efficiency or product quality.

A field comparison study of two vaccine protocols against Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in two types of swine breeds in Spain

Erysipelas still causes large economic losses to pig industry. Maternal immunity is critical to prevent erysipelas in young animals, thus, intensive vaccination protocols or practices focused on the improvement of the maternally derived immunity could provide substantial benefits. The present study evaluates potential changes in antibodies levels in sows and their offspring using two types of tests (commercial ELISA, Ingenasa or rSpaA415 ELISA) when two different vaccination programs (before farrowing or after farrowing) against Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae were applied to sows from Iberian (A) or conventional Large White-Landrace (B) pig farms. The results showed a statistical correlation between titers found in sows and their one-week old piglets in both tests. The overall mean of (log) antibody titers in farm B measured by the commercial ELISA test was significantly higher in pre-farrowing vaccinated sows compared to the post-farrowing vaccine protocol (p = 0.0278). Additionally, using the rSpaA415 ELISA test, the overall mean of (log) antibody titers was significantly higher in pre-farrowing sows (p = 0.0056) compared to sows following post-farrowing vaccine protocol (p = 0.0003) or non- vaccinated sows. None of the above-mentioned differences were found in farm A. The overall mean of (log) antibody titers in piglets from the pre-farrowing vaccination protocol was significantly higher than piglets from the post-farrowing vaccination protocol in farm A (p = 0.0059; rSpaA415 ELISA) and farm B (p = 0.0168 and p = 0.0098 for the commercial and rSpaA415 ELISA data, respectively). Additionally, higher proportion of piglets from pre-farrowing vaccinated sows remained seropositive during the post-weaning period (days 42 to 84) compared to piglets from non-vaccinated or post-farrowing vaccinated groups in both farms A and B.

Genome-wide diversity, linkage disequilibrium, and admixture in the main Colombian Creole pig breeds

Colombian Creole pigs have adapted to tropical conditions for over 500 years. They have been modified by natural and artificial selection in different regions. At present, the diversity and current introgression status are unknown. The objective was to estimate the genomic diversity, linkage disequilibrium, population structure, and admixture of four Colombian pig breeds and their relationship with other breeds worldwide. Three Colombian pig breeds (SPE-San Pedreño, 11 samples; ZUN-Zungo, 11 samples; CM-Casco de Mula, ten samples) from the conservation nucleus and one biotype not recognized as a breed (CCH-Criollo Chocoano, seven samples) were genotyped using the Illumina GGP-Porcine80K chip. Open-access data from seven international breeds were also included. Colombian Creole pigs showed moderate genetic differentiation (FST 0.14) globally, but several groups of animals separated, suggesting local clustering due to geographical isolation or different founding effects. Colombian Creole pigs showed breed imprinting and specific grouping in all analyses except for CCH, which, like the Ecuadorian Creole, was a cluster of admixtures. The Colombian Creole pigs revealed a significant relationship with the Iberian pig and some other breeds to varying degrees. However, good maintenance of the conservation nucleus was evidenced. Potential adaptive genes, mainly related to immunological functions, were found, according to FST and pcadapt analyses. This study provides a foundation and scientific data for policy decisions on zoogenetic resources.

Longitudinal survey of hepatitis E virus in extensively raised pigs in Spain

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic virus of public health concern, of which pigs, wild boar and red deer are the main reservoirs. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently prioritized the development of monitoring programs of HEV at different stages of the pig food chain, including outdoor pig farming. Pigs managed under these extensive production systems frequently share habitat and natural resources with wild boar and red deer during fattening stages and cross-species transmission of HEV among these species has previously been suggested. In this context, we aimed to (I) to evaluate the risk of HEV circulation within the production phases of extensively raised pigs and at the domestic-wildlife interface, and (II) to identify the genotypes circulating within these hosts. A total of 1452 pigs from seven different pig farms were longitudinally sampled during the breeding, rearing, and fattening production phases. In addition, 138 and 252 sympatric wild boar and red deer, respectively, were analysed. Anti-HEV antibodies were found in 1245 (85.7 %) out of the 1452 Iberian pigs sampled. The seroprevalence was 30.4 % in the breeding phase, 95.4 % in the rearing phase and 97.0 % in the fattening phase. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were found among the three production phases. The seroprevalence was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in fattening pigs compared to those found in sympatric wild boar (31.9 %) and red deer (2.0 %). Three (1.0 %) out of the 293 serum pools analysed were positive for viral RNA. One of them was identified in pigs at the rearing phase (genotype 3 f) and two in wild boar (genotypes 3 f and 3 m). The high seroprevalence detected in extensively raised pigs, together with the detection of the zoonotic HEV-3 f and HEV-3 m subtypes in sympatric domestic and wild swine, highlights the risk of zoonotic transmission and the need to establish surveillance programs and control measures, particularly in breeding and rearing phase, in these epidemiological scenarios.

Melanocytic cutaneous lesions inSus ibericus, are these acause for meat condemnation?

The Alentejano pig (Sus ibericus) isan autochthonous breed ofswine from Portugal phylogenetically close tothe Iberian breed that isknown todevelop melanocytic lesions. Inthis study, 34melanocytic skin lesions were identified and collected from Alentejano pigs slaughtered for human consumption for further routine histologic assessment. The samples were classified into 4age ranges: 1 (1to 6months), 2 (7to 12months) 3(13to24months), and 4 (more than 25months). All the lesions were considered benign after the histopathological assessment, ofwhich 52.9% and 47.1%, were classified asmelanosis and melanocytomas, respectively. Regarding the age ranges, astatistical difference between the groups was observed, indicating that the probability ofmelanosis presentation was higher atthe age range4 and for melanocytomas atthe age range3. While nomalignant lesions were observed inthis study, itwas concluded that benign melanocytic lesions are commonly found inAlentejano pig carcasses. Further research isnecessary toaccurately distinguish between malignant and benign lesions, which iscrucial for official veterinarians tomake decisions regarding meat approval orcondemnation.

Heat Production of Iberian Pig Exposed to High Temperature and Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Betaine or Zinc.

The effect of heat, and dietary betaine or zinc on the heat production (HP) of Iberian pigs was studied. Thirty barrows (44 kg) were individually housed for 28 days and assigned to one of five treatments: (1) thermoneutrality (20 °C) and fed a control diet (TN-CON) ad libitum; (2) hot (30 °C) and fed a control diet (HT-CON) ad libitum; (3) thermoneutrality and pair fed a control diet (TN-CON-PF) to HT-CON; (4) hot and fed a betaine-supplemented (0.5%) diet (HT-BET) ad libitum; and (5) hot and fed a zinc-supplemented (0.012%) diet (HT-ZN) ad libitum. On the 18th day, pigs were moved to a respirometry chamber (two chambers) under their respective treatment. The metabolizable energy (ME) intake, HP and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured over 24 h. No differences (p > 0.05) were found in HP and RE between treatments. For RQ, TN-CON was greater (p < 0.01) than HT treatments, except for HT-BET. All RQs indicated an overall lipogenesis where betaine supplementation showed an intermediate value, indicating that it may have a positive effect on lipogenesis and overall growth. At 30 °C, betaine or zinc had no effect on HP and RE; ME intake was not reduced, indicating a genetic adaptation of Iberian pigs to heat.

Prediction of the Fatty Acid Profiles of Iberian Pig Products by Near Infrared Spectroscopy: A Comparison Between Multiple Regression Tools and Artificial Neural Networks

AbstractIn this study, the feasibility of predicting the lipid profiles of Iberian ham and shoulder samples by using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was evaluated. Gas chromatography analysis was the reference method used. The muscles analyzed and recorded by NIR spectroscopy were 76 Biceps femoris for Iberian hams and 72 Brachiocephalicus for Iberian shoulders. NIR calibrations were carried out by using two methods: modified partial least squares regression (MPLS) and artificial neural networks (ANN). With the MPLS method, it was possible to obtain equations with regression’s coefficients (RSQ) of &gt; 0.5 for 5 individual fatty acids and 3 summations: polyunsaturated fatty acids, n3 and n6. The use of neural networks made it possible to find equations with RSQ of &gt; 0.5 for 10 individual fatty acids, all of which are present in over 90% of the samples, and 5 summations of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (SFA, MUFA, PUFA), n3 and n6, finding that the calibration curves of the fatty acids C18:1, C18:2n6, and C18:3n3 presented RSQ’s of &gt; 0.7. The results obtained indicate that NIR spectroscopy could be a very useful technology for the quality control of cured products as it allows estimating the main fatty constituents quickly and without using reagents.

Explorando la genética de tres poblaciones de la raza Cerdo Pelón en México

The objective of this research was to carry out a molecular genetic characterization of three Hairless Pig (HP) breed populations located in México in the states of Nayarit, Oaxaca and Yucatán to identify variations, selection effects and population genetic relationships. From blood samples, a total of 163 animals from three populations of HP were successfully genotyped. Genotyped SNP data was employed to compute genetic diversity, population structure and landscape genetic analysis. The parameters of minor allele frequency (MAF), observed heterozygosity (Ho) and Wright’s fixation index (FIS) pointed out that the population of Nayarit is the one with the greatest genetic diversity (MAF: 0.362, Ho: 0.336, FIS: 0.061). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and a Neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree analysis showed diversification among the three HP populations and pointed out a closer genetic relationship between the HP populations and the Iberian pig breed. The Admixture analysis showed as well common ancestry shared from commercial and Iberian breeds in the HP populations in different gradients. For the analysis of the relationships between geographic and genetic distances, Mantel test was computed and the results described a distribution pattern of the geographical locations along the genetic distances similar to the clustering pattern of the PCA and Neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree analysis. The results obtained manage to present the HP poor conservation state and the need to stablish a genetic conservation program meaning an effort to prevent the loss of a significant cultural, natural and genetic resource. Keywords: genetic diversity, landscape genetics, native breeds, genetic resources.

Outbreak of large skin wounds and necrotising soft tissue infection in Iberian pigs affected by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis

AbstractStreptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis is an emerging pathogen in animals and humans. Herein, we describe an outbreak of S. dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis infection in Iberian pigs with large skin ulcerations and necrotising soft tissue. Postmortem examination was performed on two animals that had larger chronic lesions and secondary myiasis. Swabs from the edges of wounds from animals with more acute injuries were collected. The β‐haemolytic colonies obtained from the skin wounds and lymph nodes were identified as S. dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis. The isolate had low minimum inhibitory concentrations for β‐lactams. Stress due to the change of groups and the consequent increase in fights for the establishment of a new hierarchical order could be the reason why pigs that carry the bacteria in their gingival mucosa transmit them to other individuals through bites. This stressful situation could cause a certain immunosuppression, potentially favouring the exacerbation of S. dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis and the development of the lesions observed.

Regression Models for In Vivo Discrimination of the Iberian Pig Feeding Regime after Near Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis of Faeces.

The Iberian pig is a native breed of the Iberian Peninsula, which holds an international reputation due to the superior quality and the added value of its products. Different rearing practices and feeding regimes are regulated, resulting in different labelling schemes. However, there is no official analytical methodology that is standardised for certification purposes in the sector. Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is a technology that provides information about the physicochemical composition of a sample, with several advantages that have enabled its implementation in different fields. Although it has already been successfully used for the analysis of Iberian pig's final products, samples evaluated with NIRS technology are characterised by a postmortem collection. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential of NIRS analysis of faeces for in vivo discrimination of the Iberian pig feeding regime, using the spectral information per se for the development of modified partial least squares regressions. Faecal samples were used due to their easy collection, especially in extensive systems where pig handling is difficult. A total of 166 individual samples were collected from 12 farms, where the three different feeding regimes available in the sector were ensured. Although slight differences were detected depending on the chemometric approach, the best models obtained a classification success and a prediction accuracy of over 94% for feeding regime discrimination. The results are considered very satisfactory and suggest NIRS analysis of faeces as a promising approach for the in vivo discrimination of the Iberian pigs' diet, and its implementation during field inspections, a significative achievement for the sector.

Epidemiologic Survey of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Suids, Spain.

We conducted a cross-sectional study in wild boar and extensively managed Iberian pig populations in a hotspot area of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in Spain. We tested for antibodies against CCHFV by using 2 ELISAs in parallel. We assessed the presence of CCHFV RNA by means of reverse transcription quantitative PCR protocol, which detects all genotypes. A total of 113 (21.8%) of 518 suids sampled showed antibodies against CCHFV by ELISA. By species, 106 (39.7%) of 267 wild boars and 7 (2.8%) of 251 Iberian pigs analyzed were seropositive. Of the 231 Iberian pigs and 231 wild boars analyzed, none tested positive for CCHFV RNA. These findings indicate high CCHFV exposure in wild boar populations in endemic areas and confirm the susceptibility of extensively reared pigs to CCHFV, even though they may only play a limited role in the enzootic cycle.

Increased Farnesoid X Receptor agonism in frontal cortex is associated with neuronal loss in a pig model of pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Clinical studies suggest a link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and neurodegeneration, but the mechanisms connecting both pathologies remain unknown. Rodent models of liver failure have shown neurological decline to be associated with increased bile acid (BA) levels and BA-activated farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling in the brain, which may disrupt brain’s cholesterol metabolism and promote neuronal death. We have previously established a pediatric animal model of NAFLD by feeding juvenile Iberian pigs a diet high in fat and fructose (HFF) for 10 weeks. The aim of this study was to determine whether BAs and FXR gene expression were increased in the frontal cortex (FC) of NAFLD pigs, and whether these changes were associated with neuronal loss. Eighteen 15-day-old Iberian pigs were assigned to receive for 10 weeks either a control (CON) or a HFF diet. FC was collected for immunohistochemistry, metabolomics, and transcriptomics analyses. Functional enrichment analyses were performed on differentially expressed genes to identify Gene Ontology (GO) terms using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery. All HFF-fed pigs developed NAFLD. Immunostaining of mature neurons with NeuN was lower in FC of HFF compared with CON (P ≤ 0.05), whereas total BA levels increased (P ≤ 0.05) in FC of HFF-fed pigs. Brain levels of cholic and conjugated deoxycholic acids, which are FXR agonists, increased ( P ≤ 0.05) in HFF compared with CON. Conversely, tauroursodeoxycholic acid, which has strong FXR-antagonistic effect and has been shown to exert neuroprotective functions, was decreased (P ≤ 0.001) in HFF and was positively correlated with NeuN staining intensity (R2 = 0.623; P ≤ 0.001). Expression of FC genes encoding FXR, BA synthetic enzymes sterol 24- and 27-hydroxylases, and BA transporters Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide, organic anion transporting polypeptide, and organic solute transporters alpha and beta did not differ between groups. GO terms associated with Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which promotes neuronal survival and neurogenesis, were downregulated in HFF-fed pigs ( P ≤ 0.05), whereas mitochondrial respiratory chain complex and mitochondrion increased in HFF compared with CON ( P ≤ 0.01). In conclusion, increased BA levels and FXR agonism in frontal cortex of NAFLD pigs was associated with dysregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and neuronal loss. California State University Agriculture Research Institute (grants 58873 and 58913), California Polytechnic State University internal funding programs Baker/Koob, RSCA, Frost, BiOWiSH Technologies, Hilmar Ingredients, and Acorn Seekers. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Classification of raw cuts from Iberian and Celta pigs based on lipid analysis and chemometrics

This study explores the fatty acid (FA) profiles of four distinct raw cuts sourced from Iberian and Celta pigs, two prominent and commercially significant autochthonous breeds of the Iberian Peninsula. Significant variations in FA profiles were observed among cuts. Livers exhibited the highest lipid content and concentrations of linoleic and arachidonic acids. In contrast, cheek, presa, and loin were characterised by increased monounsaturated FA, primarily oleic acid. Differences were also found between breeds, albeit less pronounced. Palmitoleic acid was more prevalent in Iberian pigs, with the exception of livers, where no significant differences were found. Conversely, Celta pigs displayed higher levels of linoleic and arachidonic acids, except for livers, where arachidonic acid was higher in Iberian pork. A chemometric study successfully distinguishes between Iberian and Celta pig samples using a PLS-DA model. Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) analysis reveals that linoleic, arachidonic, α-linolenic, eicosenoic and palmitoleic acids, along with some minor FA, are key variables for accurate breed classification in each cut, highlighting the importance of comprehensive FA profile analyses that go beyond major fatty acids or unsaturation levels.

Evaluation of Different Thawing Protocols on Iberian Boar Sperm Preserved for 10 Years at Different Liquid Nitrogen Levels.

The conservation of genetic resources in pig breeds, notably the Iberian pig, is crucial for genetic improvement and sustainable production. Prolonged storage in liquid nitrogen (LN2) is recognized for preserving genetic diversity, but potential adverse effects on seminal quality remain debated. This study aims to assess the impact of ten years of storage at different LN2 levels and to optimize thawing protocols for Iberian pig sperm. Sperm samples from 53 boars were cryopreserved and stored at varying LN2 levels and, a decade later, the samples were thawed at 37 °C for 20 s or at 70 °C for 8 s. Sperm motility, membrane integrity, acrosome status, and DNA fragmentation were evaluated in year 0 and year 10. Overall, no significant differences were observed in post-thaw sperm quality between storage levels in year 0 or year 10. But thawing at 70 °C 8 s showed significant improvements, particularly in samples that were always stored in LN2, in all analyzed parameters except fragmentation, which was not affected by cryostorage. This study suggests that the long-term preservation of Iberian pig sperm does not affect quality over time, regardless of whether the samples were fully submerged in LN2. Furthermore, it is determined that thawing at 70 °C for 8 s maximizes post-thaw sperm quality, especially in those samples stored constantly submerged in LN2.

Estimation of in vivo body composition of Iberian pigs using bioelectric impedance and ultrasonography techniques

Iberian pigs are renowned for their high-quality products and distinctive characteristics, including high fat accumulation, low protein deposition rate, and a long productive cycle. The study aimed to assess in vivo body composition of purebred Iberian pigs using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and ultrasonography. Accurate estimation of body composition in live animals is crucial for adopting decisions at the farm level. The experiment involved three groups of pure male Iberian pigs differing in body weight (BW; 60, 80 and 100 kg) with the same nutritional management. Body measurements, BIA and back fat and loin thickness (measured by ultrasonography) were obtained before slaughter. After slaughter pig carcasses were chemically analysed. A strong correlation between BIA measurements, specifically resistance (Rs) values, and body chemical parameters (total protein, lipids, ash, and water contents; p < 0.001 for all) was found. Reactance values (Xc), however, did not exhibit significant correlations. Regression analyses were conducted to predict carcass composition based on BIA measurements, BW, ultrasonography and linear corporal measurements. The prediction models achieved high R2 values for lipids, protein, total ash, water, and lean tissue (0.957, 0.968, 0.936, 0.961 and 0.976, respectively, p < 0.001 for all), indicating strong predictive power. These findings demonstrate the potential of non-invasive techniques such as BIA for estimating body chemical composition and quality of pig carcasses. However, it is important to acknowledge that the prediction models developed may not be applicable to other pig populations, as they were based on a specific sample of pigs.

Effect of dietary fat on proximal composition, sensorial analysis and shelf life of a traditional Spanish cooked pork product "Lomo de Sajonia" from Iberian pork.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of different dietary fat sources on the quality of a Spanish-cooked meat product Lomo de Sajonia (LSA) and its shelf-life. Forty loins were selected from Iberian pigs fed four dietary treatments containing pork fat (G-1), Greedy-Grass Olive® (GGO) (enriched oleic-acid oil) (G-2), G-2 and high oleic sunflower (G-3), and G-3 plus a mixture of commercial organic acids (Bioll®) (G-4). Loins were manufactured to obtain LSA, and the quality and sensorial attributes were assessed. The shelf life was established according to microbial count and sensorial analysis, which was packed in a modified atmosphere and stored under retail conditions. All meat quality parameters of LSA remained stable in all groups, except fat content and overall liking, which showed the highest values for G-2 LSA. Regarding the shelf life, sensorial attributes remained acceptable in all groups during storage time, while a delay in microbial growth was recorded for the LSA of G-3. According to the results, including GGO in Iberian pig diets could enhance LSA traits, possibly linked to increased assimilation compared with conventional fat sources. However, adding organic acids to the diet did not have the expected effect on improving the shelf life of the LSA.

A stacking ensemble learning for Iberian pigs activity prediction: a time series forecasting approach

&lt;abstract&gt;&lt;p&gt;Automatic determination of abnormal animal activities can be helpful for the timely detection of signs of health and welfare problems. Usually, this problem is addressed as a classification problem, which typically requires manual annotation of behaviors. This manual annotation can introduce noise into the data and may not always be possible. This motivated us to address the problem as a time-series forecasting problem in which the activity of an animal can be predicted. In this work, different machine learning techniques were tested to obtain activity patterns for Iberian pigs. In particular, we propose a novel stacking ensemble learning approach that combines base learners with meta-learners to obtain the final predictive model. Results confirm the superior performance of the proposed method relative to the other tested strategies. We also explored the possibility of using predictive models trained on an animal to predict the activity of different animals on the same farm. As expected, the predictive performance degrades in this case, but it remains acceptable. The proposed method could be integrated into a monitoring system that may have the potential to transform the way farm animals are monitored, improving their health and welfare conditions, for example, by allowing the early detection of a possible health problem.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/abstract&gt;

Decreased FXR Agonism in the Bile Acid Pool Is Associated with Impaired FXR Signaling in a Pig Model of Pediatric NAFLD.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether the impairment of farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) signaling in juvenile pigs with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with changes in the composition of the enterohepatic bile acid pool. Eighteen 15-day-old Iberian pigs, pair-housed in pens, were allocated to receive either a control (CON) or high-fructose, high-fat (HFF) diet. Animals were euthanized in week 10, and liver, blood, and distal ileum (DI) samples were collected. HFF-fed pigs developed NAFLD and had decreased FGF19 expression in the DI and lower FGF19 levels in the blood. Compared with the CON, the HFF diet increased the total cholic acid (CA) and the CA to chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) ratio in the liver, DI, and blood. CA and CDCA levels in the DI were negatively and positively correlated with ileal FGF19 expression, respectively, and blood levels of FGF19 decreased with an increasing ileal CA to CDCA ratio. Compared with the CON, the HFF diet increased the gene expression of hepatic 12-alpha-hydrolase, which catalyzes the synthesis of CA in the liver. Since CA species are weaker FXR ligands than CDCA, our results suggest that impairment of FXR-FGF19 signaling in NAFLD pigs is associated with a decrease in FXR agonism in the bile acid pool.

Organic Ingredients as Alternative Protein Sources in the Diet of Juvenile Organic Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

The use of organic ingredients as a source of protein in aquaculture diets has gained significant attention due to the growing demand for organic seafood products. This study aimed to evaluate the potential for the use of organic ingredients as protein sources in the diet of juvenile organic seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). A total of 486 juvenile seabass with an average weight of 90 g were fed six diets containing varied organic proteins. The control group (CON) was fed a diet with conventional fishmeal from sustainable fisheries as the primary protein source. The other five groups were fed diets with different compositions: organic Iberian pig meal byproduct (IB diet), a combination of organic Iberian pig meal byproduct and insect meal (IB-IN diet), a mix of organic Iberian pig meal byproduct and organic rainbow trout meal byproduct (IB-TR diet), a blend of organic rainbow trout meal byproduct and insect meal (TR-IN), and a mixed diet containing all of these protein sources (MIX diet). Over a 125-day feeding trial, growth performance, feed utilisation, feed digestibility, and histological parameters were assessed. The results showed that the fish fed the control diet had the highest final weight and specific growth rate, followed by the fish fed the TR-IN and IB-TR diets. The IB-TR diet had the highest apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) for protein, while the TR-IN diet had the lowest. Histological analysis revealed that fish fed the control diet had the largest nucleus diameter and hepatocyte diameter. Use of IN seems to penalise performance in several ways. Fish fed diets containing insect meal grew less, and those diets had lower digestibility. Fish fed the TR and IB diets grew at rates near that of the control, and the feed had acceptable digestibility.

Serosurveillance of Trichinella sp. in wild boar and Iberian domestic suids in Mediterranean ecosystems of southwestern Spain.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Trichinella spp. exposure in wild boar and Iberian domestic pigs from Mediterranean ecosystems of southwestern Spain. Serum samples from 1360 wild boar and 439 Iberian domestic pigs were obtained during 2015-2020, from regions where Iberian pigs are raised under extensive conditions, hence sharing habitat with wild boar. Seropositivity was found in 7.4% (100/1360; 95% CI: 6.1-8.9) of the wild boar analysed. In this species, the individual seroprevalence ranged from 3.6% (8/223) (hunting season 2016-2017) to 11.4% (37/326) (2018-2019). A significant higher seropositivity was observed during the hunting season 2018-2019 (p < 0.009: OR = 3.07; 95% CI = 1.32-7.18) and one statistically significant cluster was detected within the studied area, in south central Andalusia [Relative Risk (RR) = 2.9; p = 0.037]. Females showed a significantly higher seroprevalence than males (8.7% vs. 5.8%) (p < 0.001: OR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.08-2.32). No seropositivity to Trichinella spp. was detected in Iberian domestic pigs (0.0%; 95% CI: 0.0-0.9). Although wild boar play an important role as a reservoir of Trichinella sp. in the Mediterranean ecosystems of southwestern Spain, our results suggest that the wild boar production system does not seem to pose a risk of Trichinella exposure to domestic pigs, despite sharing habitats in these ecosystems.