Meat-producing Animals Research Articles

537 Animal Growth and Development—A Scorecard and Recalibration

Abstract The ASAS Public Policy Committee (PPC) provides updates of Grand Challenges (GCs; www.asas.org/about/public-policy/asas-grand-challenges) to clearly articulate research priorities, to provide science-based information for shaping public policy, and to enhance future funding for research and education programs in animal sciences (AS). In this nexus symposium for 2021, PPC examines previous stated priorities and provides a progress report card and offers additional perspectives and recommendations for research needed to address some of the GCs continuing to face animal agriculture. Among the GC topics is growth and development, a rather broad field of inquiry focused on improving the overall growth efficiency of meat producing animals. The genesis of this discipline and its popularity grew mainly in response to heightened efforts by pharmaceutical companies to identify, develop and adopt novel new growth promotants. This included a myriad of work on the highly heralded technologies involving estrogenic and androgenic implants, somatotropin, and beta-adrenergic agonists. Because the potential application of these technologies was so broad, many disciplines within the animal sciences became involved in the process of creating knowledge around these drivers of productivity. In the process, our understanding of how tissues grow in response to these compounds, under a myriad of other conditions, and our fundamental understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating growth and development, expanded significantly. Areas of significant expansion included but were not restricted to: satellite cell biology and myogenesis, whole body and tissue-specific protein synthesis and degradation, growth factor biology, adipogenesis, and repartitioning of nutrients throughout the body. In our quest to increase productivity and product quality, coupled with advances in scientific techniques, long-existing and emerging genetic mutations with desirable traits were studied and mechanisms undergirding their biology began to develop. Applying the most innovative tools for the detailed manipulation of cellular processes, great strides were made during this time. However, this eclectic area of investigation is perhaps more important than ever given the inevitable replacement of growth promotant technologies with new and emerging genomic technologies. Many biological research challenges lie ahead such as applications of gene editing, RNA control, and epigenetic regulation through fetal programming. This presentation will review some of the significant advances made in the growth and development area and explore where significant gains may be possible in the future.

PSIII-26 The effects of maternal melatonin supplementation during pregnancy on longissimus dorsi muscle morphometrics in bovine fetuses at 240 days of gestation

Abstract Melatonin is a multifunctional hormone that positively impacts postnatal growth and weaning weight in cattle offspring when supplemented to adequately fed dams during gestation. However, it is unclear whether supplemental melatonin is effective as a countermeasure to decrease effects of a nutritionally compromised pregnancy on fetal tissues. The current study evaluated the efficacy of maternal melatonin supplementation during gestation, as a therapeutic in nutrient restricted beef heifers using fetal LM morphometrics for evaluation of carcass tissue growth. On gestational d 160, 25 Brangus heifers were assigned to one of four groups in a 2 x 2 factorial: nutrient restricted (RES-CON: 60% NRC; n = 6), adequate fed (ADQ-CON; 100% NRC; n = 6), nutrient restricted supplemented with 20 mg melatonin (RES-MEL; n = 7), or adequate fed supplemented with 20 mg melatonin (ADQ-MEL; n = 6). Treatments were top-dressed with 2 mL of melatonin dissolved in 100% ethanol (10 mg/mL) or 2 mL of ethanol (control). At gestational d 240, Caesarean sections and fetal necropsies were performed, both fetal LM were dissected to determine weight, length, and midline circumference. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. There was a diet by treatment interaction wherein the mass of the left and right LM was increased (P0.035) by an average of 42.46 g in RES-MEL offspring compared to RES-CON fetuses, but no differences (P0.0812) among ADQ groups. Restricted nutrition decreased left LM circumference (10.21 vs. 10.95 cm; P = 0.0445). Treatment had no effect on LM length (P0.1139). In the present study, maternal melatonin supplementation during the Summer promoted muscle growth and mitigated the adverse effects of a nutritionally compromised pregnancy on LM morphometrics. These data are indicative of the potential for melatonin as a gestational therapeutic for prenatal muscle growth and improved efficiency of meat animal production.

Wild Mammals in the Economy of Wrocław (Poland) as an Example of a Medieval and Modern Era City in the Light of Interdisciplinary Research

Simple SummaryThe animals that held the greatest importance in the economy of a medieval and early modern city were domesticated species, such as cattle, pigs, goats and sheep. These animals were used as sources of meat, bone, horn and leather in crafting items for daily use; however, skeletal remains belonging to wild animals are also encountered during archaeological research. The purpose of this article was to determine the role of wild animals in the economy of a historical city on the basis of research conducted in Wrocław. The base material consists of bone remains belonging to various species, as well as items manufactured from the leather, horn and bones of wild animals. The collected information was compared with the current state of historical research. It turned out that the analysis confirmed the fact that wild animals played a small but constant role in the economy of medieval and early modern Wrocław from the 11th to the 17th century. The rare use of such materials might indicate occasional breaching of hunting laws and limitations functioning until the 15th c., the characteristics of the local environment with its low amount of wild game and the elite characteristics of wild animal meat and products.The purpose of this article was to determine the role of wild animals in the economy of a historical city on the basis of archaeological and cultural layers of medieval and early modern Wrocław from the 11th to the 17th century. Archaeozoological analyses were applied, mainly encompassing the percentage share of particular animal species and the research of material culture, i.e., items manufactured from bones, antlers and hides of wild animals. The collected data were compared with written sources. As a result of the following analysis, a low but stable frequency of bone remains in urban layers and is evidence for occasional breaching of the medieval hunting laws by burghers, possibly driven by the opportunity to sell meat and other wild animal products on the markets. Moreover, the relatively low amounts of items made from bones, antlers and wild animal leather may indicate low availability or seasonality (shed antler) of the materials, which might have indirectly raised the product price. Additionally, the area around Wrocław did not feature large forest complexes, which are habitats of wild game, thus explaining the low frequency of wild animal remains in the archaeozoological material.

The Opportunities Offered by Nutrition Science and Gastronomy in Vegetarian and Vegan Diets

Good nutrition plays a significant role for maintaining good health. Different diets and eating habits are prevalent globally. Prominent representatives of these forms of nutrition are the vegetarian and vegan diets. Therefore, we explore the possibilities offered by these diets in our manuscript. Furthermore, we present foods with the practical application of the science of gastronomy. These foods are delicious and also effectively meet the need of human body for energy, protein, other macronutrients (carbohydrate and fat), omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals and so on. It can also reduce the susceptibility of people with special dietary needs to diseases (for example: malnutrition, gastrointestinal diseases, anaemia, haemorrhage, vitamin deficiency diseases, chronic weakness, depression, muscle weakness and degeneration, postoperative conditions, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome). We hope to contribute to the maximum intake of macro- and micro-nutrients into the human body without consuming meat or other animal products. In the case of an exclusive plant based diet, the development of complex main meals is also of outstanding importance. Thus, all the essential amino acids can enter the body

An overview of Indian livestock and meat sector

Large livestock wealth coupled with strong consumer base fuels greater prospects for meat production and processing in India. Meat sector in India is growing at 6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and immensely contributes to national food and nutritional security, economy as well as employment generation. Effective interventions like using genetically superior animals for breeding, improved feeding and husbandry management, reducing the mortality rate, linking producers to market, creating better infrastructure for animal welfare, meat production and quality testing, minimizing the post-harvest losses, implementing food safety management system, increased value addition and further processing of meat and byproducts, establishment of traceability and creation of disease free zones and e-marketing will play key roles in the shaping the meat sector development in the country. Effective implementation of both Central and State Government schemes and programmes is expected to enhance quantitative and qualitative improvement in livestock and meat production systems in a sustainable and environment friendly manner. Further, strong public-private-producer partnership by connecting producers, input-suppliers, service providers, financial institutions, retailers and exporters will reduce the risk and ensure prosperity of the meat sector.

Association of DGAT1 With Cattle, Buffalo, Goat, and Sheep Milk and Meat Production Traits.

Milk fatty acids are essential for many dairy product productions, while intramuscular fat (IMF) is associated with the quality of meat. The triacylglycerols (TAGs) are the major components of IMF and milk fat. Therefore, understanding the polymorphisms and genes linked to fat synthesis is important for animal production. Identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and genes associated with milk and meat production traits has been the objective of various mapping studies in the last decade. Consistently, the QTLs on chromosomes 14, 15, and 9 have been found to be associated with milk and meat production traits in cattle, goat, and buffalo and sheep, respectively. Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) gene has been reported on chromosomes 14, 15, and 9 in cattle, goat, and buffalo and sheep, respectively. Being a key role in fat metabolism and TAG synthesis, the DGAT1 has obtained considerable attention especially in animal milk production. In addition to milk production, DGAT1 has also been a subject of interest in animal meat production. Several polymorphisms have been documented in DGAT1 in various animal species including cattle, buffalo, goat, and sheep for their association with milk production traits. In addition, the DGAT1 has also been studied for their role in meat production traits in cattle, sheep, and goat. However, very limited studies have been conducted in cattle for association of DGAT1 with meat production traits in cattle. Moreover, not a single study reported the association of DGAT1 with meat production traits in buffalo; thus, further studies are warranted to fulfill this huge gap. Keeping in view the important role of DGAT1 in animal production, the current review article was designed to highlight the major development and new insights on DGAT1 effect on milk and meat production traits in cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goat. Moreover, we have also highlighted the possible future contributions of DGAT1 for the studied species.

Circular PPP1R13B RNA Promotes Chicken Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cell Proliferation and Differentiation via Targeting miR-9-5p.

Simple SummaryThe skeletal muscle of livestock is the main resource of proteins for human beings. Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating the growth and development of skeletal muscle is important in breeding high yield quality muscle animals. In this study, we evaluated the expression of a novel circular RNA circPPP1R13B in fast muscle growing broilers and slow muscle growing layers, and the results showed that circular RNA circPPP1R13B was highly expressed in fast muscle growing broilers compared to the slow muscle growing layers. It was also revealed in this study that circPPP1R13B promote the proliferation and differentiation of chicken skeletal muscle satellite cells via targeting miR-9-5p. Therefore, the results obtained in this study indicate that circPPP1R13B may be a regulatory factor for promoting skeletal muscle growth and development in broilers, and possibly as a potential target for molecular breeding.Skeletal muscle plays important roles in animal locomotion, metabolism, and meat production in farm animals. Current studies showed that non-coding RNAs, especially the circular RNA (circRNA) play an indispensable role in skeletal muscle development. Our previous study revealed that several differentially expressed circRNAs among fast muscle growing broilers (FMGB) and slow muscle growing layers (SMGL) may regulate muscle development in the chicken. In this study, a novel differentially expressed circPPP1R13B was identified. Molecular mechanism analysis indicated that circPPP1R13B targets miR-9-5p and negatively regulates the expression of miR-9-5p, which was previously reported to be an inhibitor of skeletal muscle development. In addition, circPPP1R13B positively regulated the expression of miR-9-5p target gene insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) and further activated the downstream insulin like growth factors (IGF)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT) signaling pathway. The results also showed that the knockdown of circPPP1R13B inhibits chicken skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) proliferation and differentiation, and the overexpression of circPPP1R13B promotes the proliferation and differentiation of chicken SMSCs. Furthermore, the overexpression of circPPP1R13B could block the inhibitory effect of miR-9-5p on chicken SMSC proliferation and differentiation. In summary, our results suggested that circPPP1R13B promotes chicken SMSC proliferation and differentiation by targeting miR-9-5p and activating IGF/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

A review on lab-grown meat: Advantages and disadvantages

Meat is an important protein source for humans obtained from slaughtering a living animal. Rearing an animal requires land, water, and other resources, which is challenging to feed the growing population in the world. Therefore, lab-grown meat is one of the optional replacements for farmed animal meat production. Tissue engineering-based cellular agriculture is adopted for production, where bioreactors are used for the cellular harvest. Ample beneficial aspects bring cultured meat to the frontline in the food industry. Cell-based meats are environment friendly in the context of greenhouse gas production, less prone to contamination of infectious pathogens compared with livestock animals. The nutritional content of cultured meat can be regulated, which made it unique. There are disadvantageous aspects too. Cell-based meat is expected to consume higher energy and produce more carbon dioxide than potent methane, impacting the environment. There are ethical questions and religious issues raised by the communities to use Bovine foetal blood as a cultured ingredient. Effects of growth factors are required to observe the long-term effect on humans. Lab-grown meat may be a game-changer for the growing demand for meat. Still, several challenges such as financial, environmental, cultural, and health-related effects need to be considered before large-scale production.

ELEMENT OF SELECTION – STATE BOOKS OF BREEDING ANIMALS IN UKRAINE FOR THE PERIOD 2002–2010 YEARS

The issue of registration of breeding animals of different breeds is dealt with by organizations that keep state books of breeding animals. In Ukraine, the functions of keeping state books of breeding animals in cattle breeding, pig breeding, sheep breeding and horse breeding belong to the powers of the minister, which ensures the formation of state policy in the field of animal husbandry. The issue of animal breeding books is relevant because it is an ongoing process that requires a set of measures aimed at registration, maintenance and promotion of domestic breeding livestock.
 The purpose of research. To monitor the state books of breeding animals (SBBA) in dairy and meat cattle breeding, sheep breeding and pig breeding for the period 2002–2010. Also, establish the number of potential females that could be entered in the stud books.
 Materials and methods of research. The material for the study was data on the presence of breeding cows of dairy and meat production, sows and ewes of breeds registered in the State Register of Breeding Subjects in Animal Husbandry (until 2009, the State Breeding Register, SBR) during 2002–2019.
 The results of research. According to the SBR, 15 dairy breeds of cattle have been registered in Ukraine. During the study period, 15 volumes of SBBA of four breeds of dairy cattle were published in Ukraine, which included information on 12331 breeding animals, including 11477 cows. The largest number of recorded breeding animals of the Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy cattle, of which 144 breeding bulls and 4989 cows, are concentrated in six volumes. In second place is the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy cattle, namely 4554 animals. Then there is the Simmental with 871 animals, of which 809 cows, and the red steppe 1773 heads, including 1609 cows.
 It is established that 48.7% of breeding animals were born in the period from 1990 to 1999. A small proportion, namely 0.3%, are animals born before 1979, and only 24% after 2000. Younger animals are recorded in the breeding books of Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy cattle and Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy cattle, and older – in the books of the red steppe.
 Of the 14 meat breeds used in Ukraine, only 5 have breeding animals that are registered with the SBBA. The total number of meat-producing animals recorded in the SBBA is 5586, including 4649 cows.
 Of the twelve breeds of pigs bred in Ukraine, only seven breeds, namely the Ukrainian white steppe (1451 heads) and Ukrainian spotted steppe (974), Myrhorod breed (123), Great Black (181), Landrace (727), Poltava meat breed (290) and Ukrainian meat breed (300) during the study period were published state pedigree books. Half (50.7%) of all recorded breeding pigs have a year of birth before 2000. Young (born in 2000) animals are recorded in the breeding books of the Landrace breed and the Ukrainian white steppe, Ukrainian meat breed and Poltava meat breed, where their share varies from 64 to 98%.
 During the study period, 9 volumes of state books of breeding sheep were published. In addition to Tsigai (884 goals), Askanian Karakul (700), fine-wool (1168), meat-wool with crossbred wool (1917) and Sokol (443), in 2003, 2004 and 2009 3 volumes of SBBA sheep of the Prekos breed were published.
 The calculation of potential females that could be recorded in the state breeding books revealed the presence of 1251102 breeding animals, including 100796 ewes, 70678 sows, 71341 beef cows and 1008287 dairy cows.
 The largest number of potential females of different breeds in cattle breeding, sheep breeding and pig breeding in the regions of Ukraine showed a certain pattern, namely the centers for dairy cattle breeding – Vinnytsia (83395 heads), Kyiv (111650), Khmelnytsky (64667), Cherkasy (68035) regions, beef cattle breeding – Volyn (13.466 head), Chernihiv (10.907 head), sheep breeding – Kherson (13.837), Odessa (19078) and pig breeding – Dnipropetrovsk (6452), Poltava (4621).
 The main goal for calculating potential females was to try to determine the size of the breed in dairy and beef cattle, sheep breeding and pigs breeding. Because the more animals included in the breeding model, the better the results of genetic improvement. In addition, it is possible to address the dynamics of the development of breeding traits, identify successful methods of selection and selection, assessment of population and genetic parameters over time and the creation of breeding programs with breeds of farm animals.
 Conclusion. State books of breeding animals are an important element of selection. Animal information databases help to estimate the populations of domestic and transboundary breeds in general by a set of characteristics, to determine the population-genetic parameters over time and to develop programs for the improvement of farm animals. Studies have identified a significant number (1251102 heads) of breeding cows, ewes and sows, which at one time could be recorded in the breeding books of the respective breeds.

219 Managing Beef Cattle Growth Amidst a Global Pandemic: Lessons Learned from 2020 and Strategies for the Future

The coronavirus disease-19 related events of 2020 had severe detrimental effects on meat animal production in the United State. Due to harvest facility slowdowns and shutdowns, many market animals, including beef cattle, were on feed greater than 60 d past their optimal endpoint. These dramatic changes caused many changes in feeding and growth technologies management. The two major growth enhancing compounds used in feedlot cattle production are steroidal implants (IMP) and β-adrenergic agonists (β-AA). Implementation of β-AA during the pandemic was extremely difficult due to the lack of knowledge on exact shipping dates. The β-AA are fed the last 28 to 42 d on feed. Ractopamine was approved for cattle with essential a 12-h withdrawal. Many questions arose about the maximum length of withdrawal on ractopamine before losing any of the added growth response in both the live animal and carcass. Many feedlot operators relied on IMP administration to achieve added growth response in cattle held for longer days on feed. With zero-day withdrawal on implants, it was a cost-effective means to hold cattle in an efficient manner. Many producers simply could not manage β-AA feeding during the pandemic period and used other management technologies to enhance growth and efficiency during the end of the feeding period.

Difference in developmental dynamics between subcutaneous and abdominal adipose tissues in goose (Anser Cygnoides)

Goose (Anas cygnoides), as a typical species domesticated from a migratory bird, has maintained the capability of depositing excess lipid and preferentially accumulating fat within the abdomen and subcutaneous, which not only leads to decrease in yield of meat product, but also affects the feed conversion rate. Here, an experiment was conducted to examine the difference in developmental dynamics between subcutaneous (SAT) and abdominal adipose tissues (AAT) in goose. The results showed that SAT could be clearly observed at embryonic days (E) 15, whereas AAT were clearer until E20. Although the weights of SAT and AAT showed a significant rising with advancing age (P < 0.05), their gains were not completely uniform, and more adipose deposited preferentially toward AAT after birth (P < 0.05). Additionally, a clear expansion in adipocyte size was observed in AAT and SAT during embryonic stages (P < 0.05). The average adipocyte area in AAT continued to increase after birth (P < 0.05), while the cell areas in SAT were relatively invariable (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the expression levels of FABP4/aP2, ACSL1 and PPARγ were much higher in SAT than in AAT, whereas relative higher expression level of IL-6 was observed in the AAT during embryonic stages. After birth, the more expression of LPL and PPARα were detected in AAT than did in SAT (P < 0.05), whereas greater ATGL expression was in SAT (P < 0.05). Taken together, these findings suggest that AAT may display greater fat storage capacity than SAT accompanied by changes in cell area and lipogenic capacity. Considering that there is disparity in the individual adipose tissues, we suggested that careful consideration for the precise interventions used to control SAT or AAT deposition in meat-producing animals to improve feed efficiency.

Profiling of transcriptional biomarkers in FFPE liver samples: PLS-DA applications for detection of illicit administration of sex steroids and clenbuterol in veal calves

Administering growth promoters to meat-producing animals is strictly regulated within the European Community to preserve consumers’ safety. Nevertheless, illicit misuse of steroids and other veterinary drugs to increase animal production has still been found by National Residues Control Plans (NRCPs), mainly based on expensive targeted multi-class/multi-residue analytical methods, used for confirming quantification analysis of these residues in tissues and biological fluids. The setup of complementary novel diagnostic methods, based on indirect biomarkers of exposure to anabolic substances is, therefore, needed to update current tests available in NRCPs at the screening level, where cheaper, sensitive and untargeted methods are required. Biological effects of illicit treatment transcriptomic analysis has reached a good grade of standardization, identified by microarray and RNAseq technologies of large panels of differentially expressed gene targets (DEG) related to abuse of different classes of anabolic molecules (e.g. sex steroids, thyreostats, β2-agonists, glucocorticoids, etc.). The aim of the work was to identify a minimum set of molecular markers able to detect illicit administration of two of the most recurrent classes of growth promoters (sex steroids and B2-agonists) on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues, being a potentially straightforward sampling strategy at the slaughterhouse level. A PCR array to allow quantitative profiling of 48 genetic targets was, therefore, developed on FFPE liver samples from veal calves. Conventional univariate and alternative approaches based on multivariate classification methods were considered for gene expression profiling of 92 samples collected from different animal trials, where effects of nandrolone, estradiol, their combination, and clenbuterol were studied.The developed Partial Least Squares – Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) models show the successful setup of a novel screening strategy based on multiple transcriptional biomarkers, able to expand tested sample sizes, and consequently strengthen current NRCPs.

Development of meat powder from beef byproduct as value-added food ingredient

Food waste accounts for $161 billion in loss in the US. Meat animal waste and meat products are major contributors to food loss. This study was designed to develop and optimize the process of spray-drying method and evaluate the potential of beef tongue powder as a value-added, multi-purpose food ingredient. To develop and optimize the process of spray-drying, beef tongue was skinned, chopped, micronized, filtered to generate a homogeneous meat slurry. After spray drying, the meat powder properties were characterized for proximate composition, lipid composition, and proteomic profile were evaluated. Our findings indicate that beef tongue powder can be developed by spray-drying and that the beef tongue powder retains both protein and fat content from the raw tongue. Additionally, the results show the presence of native proteins and the retention of unsaturated fatty acids, an abundance of unsaturated fatty acids, and other nutritional elements that could make it a high-quality functional food ingredient. The beef tongue powder will provide a sustainable solution for a meat byproduct to be converted into a value-added food ingredient with potential nutritional and functional application.

Improvement of Pork Quality at Different Values of Pig Productivity

This article examines how to increase pork meat productivity and quality indicators through the use of crossbreeding. The aim is to increase the meat productivity of animals; reduce losses during production and processing; and improve the criteria for assessing the quality of meat and the organization of its rational use. The purpose of our research is to study the productive quality of the steppe type of pigs, used in the Rostov region in breeding and crossing systems, and the complex of biological and internal indicators in connection with the defects in the quality of pork. Four groups with 16 animals in each were formed: the first group – with the intensive cultivation technology, included pigs of the DM-1 breed, the second – SM-1, the third – the SM-1 × DM-1 crossbreed, the fourth – the DM-1 × SM-1 crossbreed. Analysis of the raw meat showed that the pork had a good ability to emulsify and gel, and had a high nutritional value. The toxicity index in the muscle and fat tissue samples corresponded to the first permissible toxicity group. The study shows the advantages of crossbred individuals over purebred ones, which can be explained by the consequences of heterosis. According to the research results, the use of pig breeding in the industrial production of pork can be recommended in order to improve feedstock and meat productivity, biological and interior indicators, as well as the quality of raw meat.&#x0D; Keywords: pork, crossbreeding, meat productivity, meat quality, steppe type of pigs, interior indicators, fattening qualities, biological and nutritional value of pork

Synopses of Cochrane Reviews from Cochrane Library Issue 12 2020 Through Issue 3 2021.

Synopses of Cochrane Reviews from Cochrane Library Issue 12 2020 Through Issue 3 2021.

A review: achievements and new obstacles in China’s food security revealed by grain and animal meat production

Food security represents that everyone is able to purchase and afford enough food necessary for survival and health at any time, which closely connects with harmonious society, stable policies and sustainable economic growth and plays a significant role in heavily populated countries such as China. Currently, while providing 1.4 billion people with adequate food, China has greatly enhanced people’s nutrition and living quality. However, as economy develops, Chinese people are no longer satisfied with fulling up. In this research, China’s achievements in food security are reviewed, including yields of grain and meat, food consumption and poverty elimination. Additionally, the strategies to safeguard food security in China are identified, including safeguarding the quantity and quality of arable land, farmers’ interests, meat production and food reserves. Finally, major obstacles in China’s food security revealed by grain and meat production in the new era are analyzed. Meanwhile, it is argued that the food security will not disappear as a permanent topic because food is enough temporarily; therefore, some implementation suggestions are put forward based on current situation and trend of food security.

Regucalcin expression profiles in veal calf testis: validation of histological and molecular tests to detect sex steroids illicit administration.

BackgroundSex steroids administration in meat producing animals is forbidden within the EU to preserve consumers’ safety, but continuous monitoring to identify resurgence of their misuse is needed. Among biomarkers related to sex steroids abuse in veal calves the regucalcin (RGN) mRNA perturbations in testis have been described in RNAlater samples. To setup novel diagnostic method, to update current tests available in National Residue Control Plans (NRCPs) and in legal dispute when illicit practices on farm animals are suspected, the reliability of RGN profiling was assessed by histological and molecular techniques.MethodsFormalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) testis samples, chosen being the most effective preservation strategy adopted by histological NRCPs and allowing easier retrospective analysis if required by legal disputes, were analyzed from veal calves treated with nandrolone, 17β-estradiol and a cocktail of the two hormones. RGN levels were determined by quantitative Real Time PCR and Immunohistochemistry assays. Test performances were assessed and compared by multiple ROC curves.ResultsBoth tests resulted sensitive and specific, allowing to enrich, in future field investigation, novel integrated diagnostic protocols needed to unveil sex steroid abuse.DiscussionDeveloped RT-qPCR and IHC methods confirmed RGN as a useful and robust biomarker to detect illegal administration of sex steroid hormones in veal calves. The developed methods, successfully applied to ten years old FFPE blocks, could allow both retrospective analysis, when supplementary investigations are requested by authorities, and future implementation of current NRCPs.

Recent advances in molecular characterization of Sarcocystis species in some meat producing animals: an updated review

Recent advances in molecular characterization of Sarcocystis species in some meat producing animals: an updated review

Social and Economic Opportunities and Challenges of Plant-Based and Cultured Meat for Rural Producers in the US

Animal agriculture presents major sustainability challenges. Alternative meat (alt-meat) products (e.g., plant-based and cultured meat) are substitutes for animal meat products, made using innovative food technologies. The potential environmental impacts of plant-based and cultured meat have been well-explored but the social and economic impacts of alt-meat have received less attention, particularly as they relate to rural communities. This paper addresses the research question: What are social and economic opportunities and challenges of cultured and plant-based meat for rural producers in the US? We conducted semi-structured interviews with 37 expert informants, including representatives of cultured meat companies, plant-based meat companies, non-profit organizations, funding agencies, governmental agencies, and the beef, soy, and pea sectors, as well as researchers and farmers. Our interviews revealed a range of ways in which alt-meat sectors might present opportunities or threats for rural producers in the US. Opportunities included growing crops as ingredients for plant-based meat or feedstock for cultured meat; raising animals for genetic material for cultured meat; producing cultured meat in bioreactors at the farm level; transitioning into new sectors; new market opportunities for blended and hybrid animal- and alt-meat products; and new value around regenerative or high-animal welfare farming. Threats included loss of livelihood or income for ranchers and livestock producers and for farmers growing crops for animal feed; barriers to transitioning into emerging alt-meat sectors; and the possibility of exclusion from those sectors. Interviewees also identified a range of roles for universities and research organizations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations that could help to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks from emerging alt-meat sectors. Finally, most interviewees thought it likely that alt-meat would form an additional form of protein that captured some or all of the anticipated growing demand for protein rather than one that displaced animal meat entirely. As such, the emergence of alt-meat sectors alongside animal agriculture may offer more choices for rural producers in terms of which markets they sell to and what forms of production they adopt or pursue. This paper identifies numerous research gaps, to which natural and social scientists could usefully apply their attention.

Evaluation and Optimization of Antibiotics Resistance Profile against Clostridium perfringens from Buffalo and Cattle in Pakistan.

Clostridium perfringens is a serious threat to successful bovine farming. It causes severe damage to the buffalo and cattle health causing a drastic reduction in milk and meat production. In Pakistan, C. perfringens is a constant threat, and for its management, antibiotics are mostly used. Most bovine farmers use a single antibiotic to suppress the bacterial infection which in turn, increases the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) against the particular antibiotic. To reduce the resistance, the administration of multiple antibiotics in their standard doses at different times can be a possible remedy to manage the AMR and reduce their viability. This study aims to evaluate the effect of 11 commonly used antibiotics at their standard concentrations for inhibiting 33 strains of C. perfringens from five districts of Punjab province in Pakistan. Based on the zone of inhibition, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, and cefotaxime (CAC) at their standard concentrations effectively inhibited the bacterium. These antibiotics showed appropriate significance statistically, i.e., correlation, Chi-square test, and cluster analysis. Optimization of these antibiotics using response surface methodology (RSM) revealed that the selected antibiotics from medium to high range not only reduce the bacterial propagation but also their population up to a considerable extent. Hence, the health of milk- and meat-producing large animals could be improved, which will be cost-effective and less harmful to the animal, human health, and the environment. Moreover, optimized administration of the selected antibiotics would reduce the impact of drug-resistant superbugs.