Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that can regulate target gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. It has been reported that bta-miR-145 shows differential expression between the different lactation stages of bovine mammary glands, but the function of bta-miR-145 in normal mammary glands remains unknown. The overexpression of bta-miR-145 significantly decreased the proliferation

Abstract The present study aims to measure the sarcomere lengths in normal broiler muscles and in non-lesion sites of breast muscles focally affected by Wooden Breast (WB). For this purpose, twenty Pectoralis major muscles (10 unaffected and 10 WB-focally affected cases) were sampled and used to measure sarcomere length by laser diffraction method. When compared with their unaffected counterpart, WB

Abstract To prepare broad-spectrum and specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against deoxynivalenol (DON), DON-BSA was synthesised by the carbonyl diimidazole method as an artificial antigen to immunise Balb/C mice, and the coated DON-OVA was synthesised by the carbodiimide method to detect anti-DON antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies were screened by indirect ELISA and indirect competitive ELISA. A hybridoma

Abstract The differences of emulsion properties between normal colour chicken livers (NCCLs) and discolouration chicken livers (DCCLs) were evaluated. Compared with NCCLs, the L* and b*-value of DCCLs were extremely higher (p < .05), but the a*-value, cooking loss and emulsification stability were lower (p < .05). The elasticity and cohesiveness of two kinds of livers had significant difference (p < 

Abstract High-intensity ultrasound has been reported as a novel technology applied to improve tenderness in beef, pork, lamb and poultry. Its potential benefit has been studied mostly in individual muscles. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of high-intensity ultrasound (HIU, 24 kHz, 12 W/cm2 for 15 min) on quality traits of whole rabbit carcases. Twenty rabbit carcases were longitudinally split

Abstract The effects of stocking density and environmental conditions on performance, economic profit, carcase characteristics, immunity, and blood plasma parameters of Cobb 500 strain of broiler chickens were evaluated. The 4 climate regions (mild and humid, semi-arid, alpine, hot and dry) and 4 densities (10, 15, 17 and 20 chicks/m2) were carried out as a completely randomised design with 4 × 4 factorial

Abstract Foods of animal origin are controlled for antibiotic and coccidiostat residues. The rapid residue detection is possible using reliable broad-spectrum screening tests. This study’s objective using four microbial inhibition tests for the detection and identification of antibiotic and coccidiostat residues in different foods of animal origin: Premi®Test, EXP Ampulle test, Milchtest and Screening

Abstract The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of the dietary use of different doses of Moringa oleifera essential oil (MOEO) on performance parameters, internal organ weights and meat quality in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to Heat Stress (HS). For this purpose, 320 male day-old quail chicks were used. Seven days of preliminary (physical exercise) and a 35-day

Abstract Forty pregnant dairy goats were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to evaluate the effects of prepartum supplementation of selenium (Se) and iodine (I) as slow-release boluses. The boluses were administered four weeks prior to the expected kidding time to supply daily amounts of (1) 0 mg Se and 0 mg I, (2) 0 mg Se and 0.40 mg I, (3) 0.25 mg Se and 0 mg I and (4) 0.25 mg Se

Abstract The effects of two stunning methods (carbon monoxide asphyxia, CO, and electroshock, E) on blood plasma parameters, rigor index, fillet pH and shape changes, ATP breakdown and Adenylate Energy Charge (AEC) in muscle immediately post mortem were investigated in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) kept in tanks containing water set at 8 °C or 12 °C. Both the methods here adopted induced a stress-response

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of small non-protein-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression in plants and animals. Skin colour is an important economic consideration in chicken production, and chickens with black skin have high market value. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted on miRNA regulation of melanogenesis in chicken skin. In this study, we sampled the dorsal

Abstract The objective was to study the effect of the partial substitution of soybean meal and oil with full-fat silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) meal (SWM) in the diet of growing chickens, on their growth and meat quality traits. A total of 195 1-day-old chicks of both sexes were allocated to 15 littered floor pens and assigned to three dietary treatments (5 replicates/treatments) until 8 weeks of age: a

Abstract The aim of this work was to estimate the effects of eight non-genetic factors (sex, type of coat, pigmentation, type of the trial, the number of the judges in the jury, the location where the competition took place, the subjectivity of the judge and the breeders) on the assessment of seven hunting traits (morphology, the breed style, search, approach, find, pursuit and voice) for the short-haired

Abstract This study was conducted to compare the broiler chicks responses to raw sesame meal (RSM), either processed by microbial fermentation or enzyme supplementation. A total of 420-day-old boiler chicks (Ross 308®) were allocated to a completely randomised design experiment with 7 treatments and 5 replicates (12chicks/replicate). Treatments include: basal diet based on soybean meal (SBM), SBM substitution

Abstract This experiment was conducted to study the effects of γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) on growth performance, blood biochemical indices and intestinal morphology of yellow-feathered broilers exposed to a high temperature environment. One hundred and forty four, 28-day-old male yellow-feathered broilers were separated into 2 groups with 6 replicates and 12 birds per replicate. The two experimental

Abstract The type of starch and fibre in the diet affects several parameters, including glycaemic and insulin response, that are involved in pig growth performance. Four experimental diets for growing pigs differing for carbohydrates source (corn, barley, faba bean and pea) were tested. The diets were analysed in vitro to assess the carbohydrates characteristics, and they were administered to 56 crossbreed

Abstract The modern consumer is now more attentive towards animal welfare practices and this represents an important factor when purchasing meat, whereby ethical, sociological and economic implications are evaluated. In addition, the socio-demographic characteristics of consumers evidence different sensitivities with regard to selection patterns and consumption styles. This study aims to explore the

Abstract Due to a series of problems, such as drug resistance and tissue residue caused by adding antibiotics to feed, this research aimed to study the effects of Artemisia annua L. aqueous extract (AAE) as an alternative to antibiotics on growth performance and antioxidant capacity of broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old mixed-sex Arbour Acres broilers were randomly allotted into six groups with five

Abstract Domestic turkey production generally utilises only a few genetically improved lines, and local breeds are severely endangered as a result. Furthermore, the genetic resources of domestic turkeys have not been properly investigated, which could, ultimately, lead to the extinction of local breeds and negatively affect their corresponding genetic diversity and environmental adaptation. Although

Abstract Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been essentially involved in all kinds of important biological processes, such as cell differentiation and development. In this study, we comprehensively profiled genome-wide lncRNAs of bovine skeletal muscle in two Chinese cattle breeds using RNA-seq approach. The longissimus dorsi samples were collected from three Charolais (CH) and three Tongjiang (TJ)

Abstract Seaweeds are considered novel feed ingredients, nutraceutical compounds and source of pigments and proteins. They appear to possess bioactive properties, such as hypolipidemic, antioxidant and immune-stimulative actions; furthermore, their proteins are considered just as nutritious as terrestrial vegetables. In the present work, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) was fed for 95 days

Abstract This paper reviews current knowledge on two feedstuffs, that is, insect meal and fish by-products, as alternatives to conventional animal protein sources. After an introductory part that highlights the need for sustainable development of animal production, the alternative protein sources are discussed. In particular, after providing some indications on their production and supply focussing

Abstract A 2 × 3 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of silymarin-nanohydrogle (0, 500 free; 500 nano) and a mycotoxin (0; 2.2 mg/kg), silymarin contaminated diet on productive performance and certain serum biochemical parameters using 72 Japanese quail chicks in days 7–35 of age. Six experimental treatments consisting inclusion of 0 or 2.2 mg/kg aflatoxins in a basal diet

Abstract The present study aims to evaluate beef cattle welfare with an integrated approach as housing conditions and management practices change and to investigate the relationship between the adopted parameters and their applicability. A total of 15 Piemontese breed bulls reared in a tied stall housing system and 15 Piemontese, 15 Blonde d’Aquitaine and 15 cross-breed from Ireland reared in group-pen

Abstract Arginine plays an important role during reproduction, however, the amount of supplementation in sow diet is still uncertain. The aim of the study was to verify the efficacy of a gestating diet enriched or not with a low dose of L-arginine (Arg) on sow productive performance in terms of numbers and weight of piglets at birth and at weaning, frequency of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of facility comfort level on animal-based welfare indicators as well as on productive and reproductive parameters of 187 dairy farms in the northwest of Spain. Fifty-eight facility-based parameters, which included both housing facilities and management parameters, were evaluated in each farm and used to classify the 187 farms in 5 groups

Abstract A feeding trial was run to assess the effect of olive cake (OC) in pelleted diets at 0, 10 and 15% with or without 500 FTU/kg diet of a bacterial E. coli phytase (BECP) for broiler chickens during early growth phase period (7–28 days of age). The experimental set up including six treatments as 3 OC levels × 2 supplementations (no enzyme and 500 FTU of BECP). Each treatment was replicated eight

Abstract The objective was to determine optimal thresholds of blood variables that are associated with liver lipid and glycogen content in dairy cows. Liver specimens of 15 Holstein dairy cows were taken 2 weeks postpartum (PP) and used for determination of lipid and glycogen content, respectively. Blood samples were collected weekly, starting from week 2 antepartum (AP) up to week 2 PP. Selected blood

(2020). Correction. Italian Journal of Animal Science: Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 302-302.

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the effect of nucleotides administration on growth performance and immune response in post-weaning piglets. Twenty-eight male weaned piglets, homogeneous for age and weight were randomly allocated to two experimental treatments. Treated group (T) was daily orally administered 0.8 g/head of a mixture of nucleotides suspended in 2.1 mL water solution; while

Abstract Shrimp farming is supported by fast-growth and high-resistance genotypes. Protein requirement is important for shrimp perfomance. Fishmeal is the main source, but their limited production increase feed formulation costs for aquaculture. This study evaluated the effect of genotype and protein source on performance of two shrimp genotypes. Shrimps with fast-growth (FG) and high-resistance (HR)

(2020). Correction. Italian Journal of Animal Science: Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 288-288.

Abstract Practice of layer poultry farming and commercial egg production relies on the optimal use and improvement of the welfare and genetically determined functional abilities of laying hens, their efficient intake of feed and its components, adaptation to housing conditions and resistance to infectious diseases including salmonellosis. Previous studies were focussed on relationships of chicken performance

Abstract The present experiment was conducted to investigate effects of Tenebrio molitor (TM) as a replacement for fish meal on egg productive and qualitative traits, serum biochemical parameters, haematology and interferon-ɣ gene expression in laying quails. A total of 250 laying Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica), at 74 days of age were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments in a completely

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the associative effect of monensin and tannins on intake, feeding behaviour, digestibility, rumen kinetics, microbial protein synthesis and nitrogen balance. In a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement, 8 rumen cannulated Nellore cows were distributed in 2 contemporary 4 × 4 Latin squares and received 8 diets that differed in the level of tannins (0.00, 0.75, 1.50 and 2.25%

Abstract The aim was to determine the absence of gluten in pet food samples marked as ‘grain-free’ and ‘gluten-free’ diets, to assess the reliability of manufacturer labelling of such products. A total of 15 diets labelled as grain- or gluten-free and 2 commercial diets containing wheat were sampled. An analytical procedure using high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry with

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the production system on growth performances and meat quality of suckling Messinese goat kids. At birth, 102 suckling kids were divided into two homogeneous groups for sex and body weight (3.4 kg); animals of the SES group were fed exclusively with spontaneous pasture and kept in the stable during the evening; animals of the ES group were

Abstract This experiment was conducted to examine the effects of substituting mixed silage (fresh ramie: dry rice straw = 80: 20; kg: kg) composed of fresh forage ramie, also known as ‘China grass’, Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud (a nettle native to Asia) and rice straw for corn silage and alfalfa hay on the production performance, milk components, rumen fermentation parameters, and nutrient digestion in

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the fermentation parameters, chemical composition and in situ degradability of sesame silage in comparison to usual silages. The losses, fermentation quality and chemical composition of the forages and silages were evaluated using a completely randomised design with four treatments (sesame, corn, millet and sunflower) and four replicates per treatment, the silages

Abstract The study aims to simulate the alternative methods of simplifying weight recording of Tunisian local kids and assesses the impact of their use from a genetic point of view to set up the basis for the future improvement of this important component of efficient production. A total of 13,095 weight records of 945 kids, progeny of 285 females and 19 males were collected over a period of 16 years

Abstract In order to determine the current status of milking characteristics, hygiene and health protection practices in Saanen goat farms in Turkey, data were obtained from 92 farms through surveys in Çanakkale province. The farms are grouped according to the number of animals as small-scale (25–75 heads), medium-scale (76–150 heads) and large-scale (151 and overheads). As a result of the data observed

Abstract This study aimed at estimating the trace minerals net requirements for maintenance and growth of Dorper × Hu ram lambs using the comparative slaughter techniques in 35 lambs of 35–50 kg body weight (BW). Seven lambs were slaughtered at the initial BW (34.93 ± 0.37 kg) to determine the basal whole-body composition. Another seven lambs were fed ad libitum (AL) and then slaughtered when it reached

Abstract Four different palm kernel cake (PKC) including untreated PKC, enzyme fermented PKC (EPKC), extruded PKC (XPKC) and lactic acid bacteria fermented PKC (LPKC) were compared for their passage (ROP), apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and apparent ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility in broilers under the hot and humid tropical climate. The various PKC diets were formulated by replacing 25% of

Abstract Yeast cell wall are a source of prebiotics in animal nutrition, able to improve microbial function in the large intestine. The purpose of this paper was to compare the fermentability of six Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) cell wall obtained from three production processes (alcoholic, brewers and bakers). For each production process the two aliquots characterised by the highest the lowest carbohydrate

Abstract Authentication of dairy systems is of growing interest for the dairy industry and we investigated the potentiality of using volatile fingerprinting of ripened cheeses by proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A total of 1,075 individual model cheeses made from milk of individual Brown Swiss cows of 72 farms were analysed. Using a linear discriminant analysis, cows and herds

Abstract For breeding schemes based on a diversity of production systems, there is a growing challenge in combining standardised tools for the collective genetic improvement of a breed and the selection of a flock able to respond to the specific constraints of the farm and the farmer’s objectives. In order to progress on this question, it is necessary to gain better knowledge of how farmers who use

Abstract In this study, the effects of hormones (prolactin, insulin, and growth hormone) on triglyceride (TG) content and the mRNA expression of genes involved in hormone receptor and milk component synthesis were evaluated in bovine mammary epithelial cells that were cultured in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) systems. TG content was measured with a TG determination kit, and expression

Abstract The study aimed to assess the effect of two management housing system on breeding horse welfare. An adapted version of the assessment protocol for horses was used for that purposed to this study, with the focus on the animal-based measures section. This includes individual animal scoring of good feeding, good health and appropriate behaviour. The study was conducted in a professional Equine

Abstract This study was aimed to probe broiler responses to the maintenance of adequate level of glycine plus serine in low crude protein (CP) diets by glycine (Gly) addition from 8 to 42 days of age. A total of 1152 7-d-old birds were divided into 8 groups and fed with one of the following diets: (I) normal CP diet; (II, III vIV V) diets with 1.5%, 3%, 4.5% and 6% points less CP than normal diet,

Abstract In the present study we estimated the genetic parameters of enteric methane emissions (EME) traits predicted from milk fatty acid profile (FA) and those of their predictors in 1,091 Brown Swiss cows reared on 85 farms in order to assess the potential of using EME-related phenotypes in selective breeding. Univariate and bivariate genetic models were fitted in a Bayesian framework. The means

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity, the antimicrobial proprieties of algae Ascophyllum nodosum and Schizochytrium spp. against one of major swine enteric pathogen Escherichia coli O138 by broth macro-dilution method in Luria–Bertani (LB) medium. The antimicrobial effect of the algal extracts at supplementation of 0.12%, 0.06% and 0.03% (v/v) on E. coli O138, genetically

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) and metabolisable energy (ME) of raw soybeans (RSB) in extruded diets for dogs by three methods (difference, regression and substitution). We also evaluated the urease and trypsin inhibitor (TI) activity, CTTAD, ME and faecal characteristics of adult dogs fed diets containing increasing RSB levels

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of breed and heterosis on the estimates of genetic parameters of 305-day milk yield (305MY), by fitting milk yield data to the Wood, Mixed Log, Morgan, and Wilmink non-linear models. A total of 258,891 test-day milk yield records of 37,965 Holstein (H), Gyr (G), and Girolando (1/2 H, 1/4 H, 3/4 H, 3/8 H, 5/8 H and 7/8 H genetic groups)

Abstract In this study, the effects of different levels of dietary guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplementation (0, 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 g/kg) in laying quails was evaluated in a completely randomised design comprised of four dietary treatments of six replicates each, from 56 to 154 d of age. The highest laying rate was obtained with 1.8 g/kg of GAA, but the optimum egg weight, egg mass, shell and yolk weight

Abstract Data on the prevalence of major contagious pathogens in bulk tank milk (BTM) in Italy are generally not available. The availability of Real-Time PCR procedures (qPCR) to perform BTM analysis by represents an important step to define herd health status. Therefore, a cross-sectional epidemiological study was designed to assess the prevalence of contagious pathogens and Prototheca spp in BTM

Abstract Our study investigates metabolic changes occurring at dry-off and the contribution of milk yield (MY) in such alterations. Thirteen Holsteins were dried off at 55 days from expected calving day (assumed as 0 days from dry-off, DFD) and divided in two groups according to their average daily MY in the last week of lactation, assuming a cut-off of 15 kg·d−1: low MY (7 cows) and high MY (6 cows)

Abstract Dairy mountain farms are economically disadvantaged due to small farm size and high production costs. However, these farms are of importance for the preservation of traditional landscapes and biodiversity, especially when they are managed extensively. The present study compares the economic situation of mountain dairy farms in South Tyrol that differ with respect to the amount of concentrates

Abstract The study evaluated the effects of eCG treatment prior to ovum pick up (OPU) on follicular population, oocyte and embryo yields in summer and autumn in Podolic cattle. The effects of repeated OPU on cattle wellbeing was also documented. Twenty-six animals were used, and split into two groups, treatment (OPU; n = 18) and control (CG; n = 8). The OPU cattle were subsequently split into two subgroups

Abstract The aim of this research is to propose equations to estimate body weight (BW) from body measures (BMs) in the Cornigliese sheep, an endangered breed reared in Italy for meat purpose. BW and BMs were submitted to correlation and multiple regression analyses. Two datasets were used: (i) 303 animals (178 females, 125 males, BW 4.00–117.80 kg), on which BW, height at withers (HW), chest circumference

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with unfermented and microbially fermented yellow wine lees (YWL) mix on the in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics of substrate mixtures. Both types consisting of YWL at 400 g/kg were included in the mixtures at different ratios (1:0, 1:1, 1:2, 1:5 and 0:1, w/w) to replace SBM. Microbial fermentation of