Live Weight Research Articles

Assessment of acute impacts of cadmium chloride exposure on blood sugar level, body and organs weight in male albino Wistar rats and the ameliorative effects of ethanol leaf extracts of Tapinanthus bangwensis and Mangifera indica

Impacts of acute cadmium chloride exposure on blood sugar level, body and organs weights in male albino Wistar rats and the ameliorative effects of ethanol leaf extracts of Tapinanthus bangwensis and Mangifera indica were assessed. Twenty –five animals (125- 285 g) were randomly assigned five groups of five rats each. Groups 1-4 were orally administered with cadmium chloride (30%) below its LD50 each for three times at 2days interval before treatment with the plant extracts. Groups 1 and 2 were later treated with 300 mg/kg of T. bangwensis and M. indica respectively. Group3 were treated with 300 mg/kg of both extracts at 50:50 dosage ratio. Groups 4 and 5 were not treated and they served as negative and normal control respectively. Treatment was done via oral route for 14 days and all animals were allowed free access to commercial rat mash and water. Blood sugar and body weight were assessed at 2days interval after exposing animals to the heavy metal followed by treatment. Organs weights were taken after 14days treatment. The results of the blood sugar level revealed significant increase (P< 0.05) in group 4 (untreated) when compared to the normal control group and the groups treated with leaf extracts. Significant decrease was recorded in body weight of the untreated rats when compared to the treated and normal groups. There was significant decrease (P< 0.05) in the weight of testis and liver in group 4 when compared to groups 1,2,3 and 5, with significant decrease (P< 0.05) in the weight of the kidneys in group 1 when compared to groups 3 and 5. These results implied that cadmium chloride toxicity altered blood sugar levels, body and organs weights in the animals, however, the two plant extracts ameliorated these impacts and regulated the parameters to fall within their normal ranges.

The effect of garlic formulation on some hematological parameters and organ weight of male and female Wister albino rats

The study was conducted to investigate the impact of garlic formulation on certain haematological parameters and organ weights in both male and female rats. Haematological data, including the count of red blood corpuscles (RBC), the volume of packed cells (PCV), the count of white blood corpuscles (WBC), and the count of platelets, were evaluated using a fully automated haematology analyser. The liver, right kidney, left kidney, heart, and spleen of the rats were weighed to determine their respective organ weights. A total of thirty (30) albino Wister rats, consisting of both males and females, were randomly assigned to five groups, with six animals in each group. Group 1 acted as the positive control and was given 100% standard feed. Group II rats were given a mixture of 10% garlic and 90% feed. Group III animals were provided with a diet consisting of 20% garlic and 80% feed. Group IV received a diet containing 40% garlic and 60% feed. The final group, Group V, was fed a diet consisting of 80% garlic and 20% feed daily for a period of 21 days. The feed formulation was assessed at concentrations of 10, 20, 40, and 80 g/dl, based on the weight of the animal. The findings indicated a noteworthy (P<0.05) reduction in white blood cell count (WBC) and lymphocyte count (LYM). There were no statistically significant changes (P>0.05) observed in the levels of haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) when compared to the control group. Furthermore, there was a noteworthy (P<0.05) reduction in HGB, MCV, and MCH when the rats reached a body weight of 80 g/100dl. The results indicated a statistically significant (P<0.05) reduction in the weight of the left kidney, heart, and spleen, as well as in the liver and right kidney weights at 20, 40, and 80 g/dl body weight. There were no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) in the body weight of the liver and right kidney, which were both 10g/dl. Ultimately, the use of garlic formulation in appropriate dosages can impact certain haematological markers and the weights of organs.

A novel compounded cyproheptadine hydrochloride oral solution: Accelerated stability study and effects on glucose and lipid metabolism in Wistar rats

The present study developed a compounded oral solution (COS) containing an active component cyproheptadine hydrochloride (CY) in association with pharmaceutical adjuvants. The main objective is to demonstrate the stability of this solution and the in vivo effects on serum and liver parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism. After 180 days of analysis the COS showed physicochemical stability (pH and specific gravity) when submitted to different temperatures (24 °C and 40 °C), but the chemical stability, presented by the content of CY (%) in the formulation, showed that the degradation rate of CY increased 20x when submitted to a stress condition (40 °C). Male Wistar rats were treated with IOS 1.5 (industrial oral solution 1.5 mg.kg-1) or saline for 21 days and IOS 5.0 or COS (5 mg.kg-1) or placebo by gavage for 23 days. Treatment with IOS 1.5 increased liver cholesterol by 30 % without changing liver and body weight in this group. In contrast, treatment with IOS and COS (5 mg.kg-1) increased final body weight by 8 % compared to placebo. Interestingly, the COS group had increased liver glycogen accompanied by reduced food intake compared to IOS. However, COS and IOS 5.0 did not induce changes in adipose tissue weight, liver weight, as well as serum glucose, triacylglycerol and cholesterol levels. This work provides us with data that prove the stability of the compound solution at room temperature, as well as inducing an increase in the final body weight of rats with no alteration in glucose and lipid metabolism.

Regulatory Mechanism of Xiaozheng Tongluo Method on Hepatic Lipid Metabolism in ApoE-/- Mice: Insights from the Sterol Regulatory Element-binding Protein-2/3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase/Low-density Lipoprotein Receptor Signaling Pathway

Abstract Objective: The objective of the study was to explore the regulatory mechanism of the Xiaozheng Tongluo method on lipid metabolism in liver tissue based on the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2/(SREBP2)/3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR)/low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) signaling pathway. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were selected as the blank group. The apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice were randomly divided into the model group, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group, and control group. The general condition of the mice was determined by the mouse’s state and liver weight. Liver hematoxylin and eosin staining and Oil Red O staining were used to observe the pathological changes and lipid droplet deposition of the liver. The protein expression levels of SREBP2, HMGCR, and LDLR were detected by Western blotting and polymerase chain reaction. Results: (1) The rats in the model group were in poor condition, and their liver weight increased significantly. Compared with the model group, the condition of the TCM group and the control group improved to varying degrees, and their liver weight decreased significantly. (2) Compared with the normal group, the hepatocytes in the model group were arranged in a disorderly manner, and the red-stained lipids of stem cells increased significantly. Compared with the model group, the degree of liver lesions in the control group and TCM group was reduced, and the red-stained lipid of hepatocytes was significantly reduced. (3) Compared with the blank group, the expression of SREBP2 and HMGCR protein in the model group increased significantly, and the expression of LDLR protein decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression of SREBP2 and HMGCR protein in the TCM group decreased significantly, and the expression of LDLR protein increased significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The method detailed in this paper can increase the expression of SREBP2 and HMGCR protein and decrease the expression of LDLR protein, thus regulating liver cholesterol metabolism and delaying the progression of atherosclerosis.

EFFICIENCY OF FEED ADDITIVE EIMERIX ® FOR NATURAL INFECTION OF BROILER CHICKENS WITH EIMERIA SPP.

The article presents the results of the study of the effectiveness of the feed additive EIMERIX® (powder for oral use, granulated), produced by JSC Biopharm (Ukraine), the active pharmaceutical ingredient of which is the polyester ionophore antibiotic monensin, when used for broiler chickens naturally infected with coccidia of the genus Eimeria. The study was conducted on 17-day-old broiler chickens with clinical signs of coccidiosis. E. tenella and E. maxima were identified from faeces samples of sick broiler chickens. For three weeks (21 days), the sick bird the feed supplement EIMERIX® was added in feed at a dose of 0.5 g per 1 kg of feed, or 100 mg of sodium monensin per 1 kg of feed (experimental group). The control group consisted of broiler chickens suffering from coccidiosis, which were not given the supplement or any other anticoccidial drugs. The main criteria for demonstrating the estimation of the feed additive EIMERIX® were: the number of Eimeria oocysts in feces; mortality and morbidity of poultry associated with coccidiosis. Additional indicators of the effectiveness of the feed additive were: average live weight; average daily increase in live weight of poultry; average daily feed consumption, the ratio of the amount of feed consumed to growth; data of bird health monitoring during the experiment. On the 21st day of the experiment, the excretion of Eimeria oocysts in the feces of broiler chickens with coccidiosis practically stopped (<100 oocysts/g of feces), what was confirmed by the absence of clinical signs of coccidiosis in the birds. Addition of EIMERIX® additive in feed contributed for the reduction of morbidity and mortality among sick birds. More live weight gains and lower feed conversion ratios were observed in Eimeria disease birds treated with a feed additive versus untreated birds. The results of the study showed that the use of EIMERIX® feed additive for broiler chickens with coccidiosis, in the recommended by the manufacturer dosage, causes a decrease of the eimeria infection degree of the bird, reduces its morbidity and mortality, and also contributes to an increase of average daily gains and improvement of feed conversion.

IMPROVED SELECTION AND BREEDING PARAMETERS OF THE OBROSHYN GRAY BREED GROUP OF GEESE

The results of the improvement of the selection and genetic parameters of the goose population obtained by purebred linear breeding and geese with blood transfusion of the large gray breed (IV generation) of Obroshyn breeding are given. The research was conducted on geese of the Obroshyn gray breed group with the aim of increasing the selection and breeding nucleus of geese with high-performance indicators. As a result of the selection and breeding work carried out in 2022, the effectiveness of the introductory crossbreeding of Obroshyn gray geese with great gray geese was proven. Improvement of productive qualities of Obroshyn gray geese was achieved with the infusion of large gray breed blood (IV generation) and preservation of the main qualities of this breed group: good adaptability to local conditions of feeding and maintenance, exterior, quality of meat and feather and down raw materials. Productivity indicators of Obroshyn gray geese (I group) were: laying capacity – 38,4 pcs.; egg weight – 164,0 g; fertilization of eggs – 86,3 %; hatching of goslings – 76,4 %; live weight of geese at the age of 9 weeks - males 4310 g, females - 3800 g; preservation – 95,0 %. Obroshyn gray geese of the 4th generation obtained by transfusion of large gray breed blood (group II) were characterized by correspondingly higher indicators: in terms of laying by 3,1 %, however, fertilization was lower by 5,8 % and hatching was lower by 4.4%. The preservation of geese in this group was higher by 3,2 %, and the live weight at the age of 9 weeks was 4.4% higher in males and 3.2% higher in females. The geese of the II experimental group were superior to their peers from the I group in terms of meat quality, in terms of the weight of the uncut and cut carcass, and the yield of edible parts. Geese of experimental group II were also characterized by better meat productivity at the age of 9 weeks, in which the mass of pectoral muscles was 7.0% higher in males and 1,4 % higher in females, and the mass of thigh muscles was higher in males and females - by 4,0 and 4,8 %, respectively, than in geese of the I group. Geese of experimental group II were also characterized by better meat productivity at the age of 9 weeks, in which the mass of pectoral muscles was 7.0% higher in males and 1.4% higher in females, and the mass of thigh muscles was higher in males and females - by 4.0 and 4.8%, respectively, than in geese of the I group.

Soil aggregation and surface‐soil properties under grazed pastures and other conservation land uses in Virginia

AbstractGrazed pastures supporting ruminant livestock have not been well characterized for soil health condition. However, growing interest in holistic management of compromised watersheds suggests that grazing lands deserve more attention for their capacity to provide ecosystem services. Relatively little is known about how grazing management affects soil aggregation and other surface‐soil properties on private lands in the eastern United States. This study investigated the effects of land use (conventional‐till cropland, no‐till cropland, grassland, and woodland) and pasture management characteristics on soil aggregation, bulk density, sieved soil density, total soil N, and soil‐test biological activity on 31 private farms distributed across the western half of Virginia. Soil stability index followed the order (p < 0.05): conventional‐till cropland (0.60 mm mm−1) < no‐till cropland (0.78 mm mm−1) < woodland (0.85 mm mm−1) = grassland (0.89 mm mm−1). Surface soil characteristics improved with pasture age due to organic matter recycling from residual forage mass and animal excreta. Increases in total soil N and soil‐test biological activity helped create water‐stable aggregation and reduce soil bulk density. Soil stability index was optimized with moderate stocking rate of 0.5–1.1 Mg live weight ha−1. Stocking method did not affect soil aggregation or bulk density. Soil stability index declined with increasing N fertilization rate. Soil aggregation characteristics were generally not affected by organic amendment, quantity of hay fed on farm, or occasional hay harvest from pastures, likely because aggregation was high across management variables. Well‐managed grazed pastures in Virginia are creating desirable conservation agricultural land uses to protect watershed quality.

On the Issue of Cattle Necrobacteriosis in Lenkoran Farms

The study of various epizootological conditions for necrobacteriosis and the factors that cause it is relevant. The research was carried out on the basis of the Department of Veterinary and Agricultural Disciplines of Lenkoran State University in disadvantaged livestock farms. Microscopic studies have established that the main causative agent of hoof disease in cows is Bacterium necrophorum. As experimental observations have shown, recovered animals remain carriers of the pathogen for a long time. In an experiment on two experimental subjects and one control group, it was proven that for the manifestation of clinical signs and relapses of necrobacteriosis, a necessary condition was an increase in skin looseness, making it susceptible to Fusobacterium necrophorum. This is possible with high humidity and injury, as well as in the absence of preventive treatments for the hooves. Swelling of the corolla associated with aseptic osteitis manifested itself against the background of a concentrated type of feeding. Such changes in the hooves are characteristic of an increased intake of histamine into the body, which is abundant in the shells of grains. For treatment, the use of the antibacterial drug Amoxicillin-150, at the rate of 1 ml per 10 kg of live weight, once intramuscularly or subcutaneously, is advisable and cost-effective.

Microelements Effect on the General Sheep Performance

Our research shows that the content of microelements (cobalt, copper, iodine) in local feed (alfalfa grass, corn silage, barley and wheat straw, etc.) is very low, and in some cases completely absent. This negatively affects animal productivity. Taking this into account, in 2022-2023 we studied the effect of microelements cobalt, iodine and copper on the overall productivity of sheep. During the experiments, each head of sheep was given daily 10 mg of cobalt chloride, 10 mg of potassium iodide and 10 mg of copper sulfate. The results of a 120-day experiment and our observations show that sheep receiving these microelements had 5,7% more wool and 10,3% greater lamb birth rate compared to sheep that did not receive microelements. Microelements had a positive effect on sheep wool yield, wool length, live weight of the animal, and the development of the lamb in the womb. In the sheep of the experimental group that received micronutrient nutrition, the wool yield was 78 g, and the length of the wool was 0,8 cm longer than in the control group. The live weight of sheep and lambs receiving micronutrients was 3,92 kg at birth and 26,55 kg at weaning, and the live weight of sheep lambs not receiving micronutrients was 3,70 kg and 24,65 kg. Thus, in the conditions of Nakhchivan AR, it is considered advisable to widely use microelements to increase the overall productivity of sheep.

Evaluation of Carcass, Growth Performance, Hematological and Biochemical Parameters of Broiler Chickens Fed Additive of Onion Bulb Peel Powder

The study evaluated the effect of the powder of onion bulb peel waste (Allium cepa) as feed additives on growth performance, blood profile and carcass features of broiler chickens. A total of 150-day old Arbo acre strains of broiler chicks were randomly allocated into five treatments group with 30 birds in each treatment with three replicates of 10 birds each. The birds were reared on the floor of a pen partitioned into experimental units. The study was conducted in two phases; starter phase (0-28 day) and finisher phase (28-56 day). A basal experimental diet was formulated for the broiler chickens and varying levels of onion bulb peel powder was added as a supplement at 0mg/kg (control), 25mg/kg, 50mg/kg, 75mg/kg and 100mg/kg in diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The results obtained in this study revealed that there was significant difference (p<0.05) in feed intake, body weight, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, hematological and bio-chemical parameters, carcass weight, non-carcass weight, percentage of carcass cut-part relative to the dressed weight and percentage non carcass relative to live weight between treatment diets. Onion bulb peel powder at 100mg/kg enhanced growth performance, reduced total blood cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein, increased the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and improved carcass yield of the birds. Since the feeding of onion bulb peel powder up to 100mg/kg as feed additives did not constitute nutritional disorder or any adverse effect on heamatological parameters of broiler chickens, it can be concluded that onion bulb peel powder at this level of inclusion is good for broiler chicken production.

Effect of apple pomace degraded by Pleurotus ostreatus on growth and meat quality parameters of broiler chickens

The objective of this work was to compare the growth and physicochemical parameters of the meat of broiler chickens (Gallus gallus), fed with a supplemented diet (SD) consisting of 3% pleurotin, compared to those obtained when using a traditional diet (CD). Pleurotin is the remaining material from the biodegradation of substrates such as apple pomace used to cultivate the Pleurotus ostreatus fungus. The experience lasted 48 days and in the first eight days, the birds were divided into two groups of 24 individuals, one group for each treatment. On day 12, each initial group was subdivided into four experimental units (replicates) of 6 chickens each. The growth parameters measured were total weight gain (TWG), final live weight (FLW), carcass weight (CW), average daily gain (ADG) in weight, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Physicochemical parameters such as pH, water content (WC), CIE color, total fat (TF), and fatty acid composition (FAC) were also measured. Statistical analysis was carried out through the t-Student independent samples test. FLW was on average 7.6% significantly higher with SD than with CD, however, no difference was detected in CW. The total ADG was 7.4%, significantly higher with SD while the FCR was 32.0% lower with SD than with CD. No significant differences were found in any of the meat quality parameters measured for the same piece. Despite these latest results in terms of meat quality, it is concluded that the increase found in total ADG and FLW, and an improvement in FCR values with SD favor the use of this amendment in chicken rearing. In addition, the introduction of the by-product of the juice industries of the Río Negro Valley in other production cycles, such as edible mushrooms production and a supplement for bird diets (pleurotin), promotes a circular bioeconomic mechanism.

Cord Blood Proteomic Profiles, Birth Weight, and Early Life Growth Trajectories

The cord blood proteome, a repository of proteins derived from both mother and fetus, might offer valuable insights into the physiological and pathological state of the fetus. However, its association with birth weight and growth trajectories early in life remains unexplored. To identify cord blood proteins associated with birth weight and the birth weight ratio (BWR) and to evaluate the associations of these cord blood proteins with early growth trajectories. This cohort study included 288 mother-child pairs from the ongoing prospective Environmental Influence on Early Aging birth cohort study. Newborns were recruited from East-Limburg Hospital in Genk, Belgium, between February 2010 and November 2017 and followed up until ages 4 to 6 years. Data were analyzed from February 2022 to September 2023. The outcome of interest was the associations of 368 inflammatory-related cord blood proteins with birth weight or BWR and with early life growth trajectories (ie, rapid growth at age 12 months and weight, body mass index [BMI] z score, waist circumference, and overweight at age 4-6 years) using multiple linear regression models. The BWR was calculated by dividing the birth weight by the median birth weight of the population-specific reference growth curve, considering parity, sex, and gestational age. Results are presented as estimates or odds ratios (ORs) for each doubling in proteins. The sample included 288 infants (125 [43.4%] male; mean [SD] gestation age, 277.2 [11.6] days). The mean (SD) age of the child at the follow-up examination was 4.6 (0.4) years old. After multiple testing correction, there were significant associations of birth weight and BWR with 7 proteins: 2 positive associations: afamin (birth weight: coefficient, 341.16 [95% CI, 192.76 to 489.50]) and secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4; birth weight: coefficient, 242.60 [95% CI, 142.77 to 342.43]; BWR: coefficient, 0.07 [95% CI, 0.04 to 0.10]) and 5 negative associations: cadherin EGF LAG 7-pass G-type receptor 2 (CELSR2; birth weight: coefficient, -237.52 [95% CI, -343.15 to -131.89]), ephrin type-A receptor 4 (EPHA4; birth weight: coefficient, -342.78 [95% CI, -463.10 to -222.47]; BWR: coefficient, -0.11 [95% CI, -0.14 to -0.07]), SLIT and NTRK-like protein 1 (SLITRK1; birth weight: coefficient, -366.32 [95% CI, -476.66 to -255.97]; BWR: coefficient, -0.11 [95% CI, -0.15 to -0.08]), transcobalamin-1 (TCN1; birth weight: coefficient, -208.75 [95% CI, -305.23 to -112.26]), and unc-5 netrin receptor D (UNC5D; birth weight: coefficient, -209.27 [95% CI, -295.14 to -123.40]; BWR: coefficient, -0.07 [95% CI, -0.09 to -0.04]). Further evaluation showed that 2 proteins were still associated with rapid growth at age 12 months (afamin: OR, 0.32 [95% CI, 0.11-0.88]; TCN1: OR, 2.44 [95% CI, 1.26-4.80]). At age 4 to 6 years, CELSR2, EPHA4, SLITRK1, and UNC5D were negatively associated with weight (coefficients, -1.33 to -0.68 kg) and body mass index z score (coefficients, -0.41 to -0.23), and EPHA4, SLITRK1, and UNC5D were negatively associated with waist circumference (coefficients, -1.98 to -0.87 cm). At ages 4 to 6 years, afamin (OR, 0.19 [95% CI, 0.05-0.70]) and SLITRK1 (OR, 0.32 [95% CI, 0.10-0.99]) were associated with lower odds for overweight. This cohort study found 7 cord blood proteins associated with birth weight and growth trajectories early in life. Overall, these findings suggest that stressors that could affect the cord blood proteome during pregnancy might have long-lasting associations with weight and body anthropometrics.

Intranasal insulin treatment ameliorates spatial memory, muscular strength, and frailty deficits in 5xFAD mice

The 5xFAD mouse model shows age-related weight loss as well as cognitive and motor deficits. Metabolic dysregulation, especially impaired insulin signaling, is also present in AD. This study examined whether intranasal delivery of insulin (INI) at low (0.875 U) or high (1.750 U) doses would ameliorate these deficits compared to saline in 10-month-old female 5xFAD and B6SJL wildtype (WT) mice. INI increased forelimb grip strength in the wire hang test in 5xFAD mice in a dose-dependent manner but did not improve the performance of 5xFAD mice on the balance beam. High INI doses reduced frailty scores in 5xFAD mice and improved spatial memory in both acquisition and reversal probe trials in the Morris water maze. INI increased swim speed in 5xFAD mice but had no effect on object recognition memory or working memory in the spontaneous alternation task, nor did it improve memory in the contextual or cued fear memory tasks. High doses of insulin increased the liver, spleen, and kidney weights and reduced brown adipose tissue weights. P-Akt signaling in the hippocampus was increased by insulin in a dose-dependent manner. Altogether, INI increased strength, reduced frailty scores, and improved visual spatial memory. Hypoglycemia was not present after INI, however alterations in tissue and organ weights were present. These results are novel and important as they indicate that intra-nasal insulin can reverse cognitive, motor and frailty deficits found in this mouse model of AD.

Рост и развитие бычков лимузинской породы различных генотипов в постнатальном онтогенезе

The purpose of research is to study the growth and development of Limousin bulls of various genotypes in postnatal ontogenesis. Objectives: to study of weight growth, absolute, average daily gains in live weight and relative growth rate of young animals by age periods and for the entire period of growing and fattening; to study of the linear growth of bulls in postnatal ontogenesis based on the dynamics of body measurements and body composition indices. The objects of the study are bulls of the Limousin breed of various genotypes obtained from the mating of cows of French, Australian and local selection with bulls of local reproduction. The scientific and economic experiment was carried out in 2021–2022 at LLC Meat Union of Bashkir Producers, located in the Kuyurgazinsky District of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Indicators of live weight dynamics, live weight gain, relative growth rate, body measurements and body composition indices in the age aspect were studied. Research of the weight growth of young animals of various genotypes made it possible to identify significant differences in terms of absolute and average daily gain in live weight for the entire period of growing and fattening between bulls of the 1st and 2nd experimental groups, respectively, by 32.5 kg and 59.7 g (in both cases – by 6.2 %). The highest values of measurements, indicating the formation of meat qualities and body shape, were noted in bulls of the 1st group compared with peers of the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups. Breeding animals for a long period under different housing and feeding technologies influences the characteristics of the growth and development of the descendants of local reproduction of Limousin breed cattle.

Environmental impacts of Australian pork in 2020 and 2022 determined using lifecycle assessments

Context The Australian pork industry is highly efficient, with a history of ongoing productivity and environmental improvement. The introduction of economy-wide environmental targets require delivering and tracking performance improvement. Aims This study determined carbon footprint (greenhouse gas [GHG] and land use [LU] and direct land use change [dLUC] emissions, reported as kg CO2-e), fossil energy (MJ), freshwater consumption (L), water stress (L H2O-e), land occupation (m2) and eutrophication potential (nitrogen and phosphorus) for Australian pork for 2020 and 2022. Variability between housing, manure management systems, and regions were identified, and systems analysed to determine new options for low-impact pork. Methods In the largest Australian study of its kind, data for ~70% of pigs produced were collected using a stratified design. Using attributional life cycle assessment, impacts were reported per kilogram of liveweight (LW), post-processed, retail, and boneless, fat-corrected pork. Results are presented as industry averages ± 2 × s.d. Key results Key results were 3.0 ± 0.1 and 3.0 ± 0.1 kg CO2-e GHG, 0.4 ± 0.07 and 0.3 ± 0.03 kg CO2-e LU and dLUC, 12.9 ± 0.5 and 13.4 ± 0.5 MJ, 93.8 ± 9.6 and 52.5 ± 3.6 L, 68.4 ± 6.7 and 43.2 ± 3.3 L H2O-e, and 12.0 ± 0.9 and 12.7 ± 0.9 m2/kg LW in 2020 and 2022, respectively. Due to industry growth, total emissions were higher in 2022. Eutrophication potential for Australian pork (2.2 × 10−4 ± 3.0 × 10−5 kg phosphorus and 8.7 × 10−3 ± 3.5 × 10−4 kg nitrogen/kg LW), reported for the first time, was low compared with grazing systems and European piggeries. Conclusions Industry has demonstrated long-term performance improvement, though the rate slowed between 2020 and 2022. Ongoing interventions are required to return to trend. Covered pond, deep litter, and outdoor systems produce lower carbon footprint pork and can provide other environmental benefits from renewable energy, and reduced fossil energy demand. Implications There is potential to further reduce environmental impacts through practice change. If industry is to meet formal targets, investment and proactive policy settings are required to overcome barriers to adoption of existing technology and support the techno-economic case for novel strategies.

Особенности гормональной регуляции индуцированного полового цикла овцематок

The purpose of the study is to identify patterns of changes in the content of progesterone, FSH, LH and free estriol under various options for inducing the reproductive cycle of ewes with hormonal drugs. Objectives: during the period of spring anaphrodisia, to stimulate sexual oestrus in ewes using a double injection of estrofan; during the same period, to stimulate sexual estrus in ewes according to the follimag-progestamag, surfagon scheme; to study the nature of changes in the content of sex hormones in the blood serum of ewes during the implementation of the specified schemes for stimulating sexual heat; to identify the pattern of dynamics of sex hormones in ewes during an induced sexual cycle. The study was conducted in the Orenburg Region in April 2022 on Romanov breed ewes. Three groups of ewes of 12 heads each were formed. The age of the sheep is 3–5 years, live weight is 30–35 kg. The experiment was carried out against the background of fortification of sheep with E-selenium. In groups I (control) and II, animals were administered E-selenium on the 1st and 11th days of the experiment, in group III – on the 1st and 8th days. Hormonal stimulants were not used in the control; in group II, sheep were administered estrofan on days 1 and 11 and surfagon on the 13th day of the experiment; in group III, follimag was used on the 1st day, progestamag and surfagon on the 8th day. To determine the hormone content, blood was taken from the jugular vein from all animals on the 1st, 8th, 11th, 13th, and 14th days of the experiment. When stimulating sexual heat in ewes during seasonal anaphrodisia, the most pronounced hormonal response was obtained using injections of follimag and progestamag with surfagon at weekly intervals. When using this regimen, the levels of free estriol and LH reached their maximum values by the 11th day from the start of stimulation, creating optimal conditions for ovulation. After stimulating sexual heat in ewes, it is advisable to begin mating or insemination on the 10th–11th day.

Heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Shinshu N-07 exerts antiobesity effects in western diet-induced obese mice.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiobesity effects of heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Shinshu N-07 (N-07) isolated from fermented Brassica rapa L. Male mice were divided into three groups (n=10/group); normal diet, western diet (WD), or WD+N-07 (N-07) group and administered each diet for 56 days. The N-07 group showed significant suppression of body weight gain and epididymal fat, perirenal fat, and liver weights compared with the WD group. Higher levels of fecal total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and free fatty acid (FFA) were observed in the N-07 group than in the WD group. The mRNA expression of the cholesterol transporter ATP-binding cassette transporter G5 (ABCG5) was significantly increased in the small intestine of N-07-fed mice compared with WD-fed mice. Moreover, N-07 supplementation significantly increased the mRNA expression of ABCG5 and ABCG8 in Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, the TG- and FFA-removal ability of N-07 was confirmed to evaluate its soybean oil- and oleic acid-binding capacities in in vitro experiments. The antiobesity effects of N-07 might be due to its ability to promote lipid excretion by regulating cholesterol transporter expression and lipid-binding ability.

Prediction of Live Bulb Weight for Field Vegetables Using Functional Regression Models and Machine Learning Methods

Prediction of Live Bulb Weight for Field Vegetables Using Functional Regression Models and Machine Learning Methods

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНЫЕ ОЦЕНКИ ПЕРСПЕКТИВНЫХ КАПЕЛЬНЫХ ПОИЛОК ДЛЯ СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННЫХ ПТИЦ

The problem of watering poultry with water is analyzed. The aim of the study is to choose the design of a nipple drinker for poultry when they are with cage kept. In accordance with this, in order to develop a modern nipple drinker for poultry that meets the sanitary and technical requirements of the poultry housing, a comparative analysis of existing nipple drinker designs is carried out. A nipple drinker for poultry of cage keeping is developed. The tests conducted on broilers show that the nipple drinker meets the physiological needs of poultry in water and is reliable in operation while reducing the cost of its preventive maintenance. The nipple drinker has a low water consumption during batch feeding, is hygienic in use, improves the sanitary condition of the poultry room, increases the live weight of broilers by 3...5%. The developed nipple drinker for poultry in comparison with its closest analogues has a simple design, low labor intensity of manufacture, the possibility of self-purification from salt deposits on the inner surface of the device regulating the flow of water, increases reliability in operation and reduces water losses by its portion supply, improves the sanitary condition of the room for keeping poultry.

Large-scale transcriptomic and genomic analyses reveal a novel functional gene SERPINB6 for chicken carcass traits

BackgroundCarcass traits are crucial indicators of meat production efficiency. However, the molecular regulatory mechanisms associated with these traits remain unclear.ResultsIn this study, we conducted comprehensive transcriptomic and genomic analyses on 399 Tiannong partridge chickens to identify key genes and variants associated with carcass traits and to elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Based on association analyses with the elastic net (EN) model, we identified 12 candidate genes (AMY1A, AP3B2, CEBPG, EEF2, EIF4EBP1, FGFR1, FOXD3, GOLM1, LOC107052698, PABPC1, SERPINB6 and TBC1D16) for 4 carcass-related traits, namely live weight, dressed weight, eviscerated weight, and breast muscle weight. SERPINB6 was identified as the only overlapping gene by 3 analyses, EN model analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis and differential expression analysis. Cell-level experiments confirmed that SERPINB6 promotes the proliferation of chicken DF1 cells and primary myoblasts. Further expression genome-wide association study and association analysis indicated that rs317934171 is the critical site that enhances SERPINB6 expression. Furthermore, a dual-luciferase reporter assay proved that gga-miR-1615 targets the 3′UTR of SERPINB6.ConclusionsCollectively, our findings reveal that SERPINB6 serves as a novel gene for chicken carcass traits by promoting fibroblast and myoblast proliferation. Additionally, the downstream variant rs317934171 regulates SERPINB6 expression. These results identify a new target gene and molecular marker for the molecular mechanisms of chicken carcass traits.