Abstract The study aimed to assess the effects of dietary extruded linseed (ELS) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) on performance, carcass traits, immune organ weights, plasma lipoprotein response, and caecal bacteria populations in broiler chickens. A total of 648 one-day-old chicks were divided into six groups in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of three ELS levels (0, 6 and 12%) without

Abstract Milk protein genes are known to be highly polymorphic. Several studies have shown the influence of milk proteins genetic variants and casein haplotypes on milk nutritional and technological properties. From 1990, the analysis of caseins polymorphism gained new attention due to the concern about possible negative effects of CSN2*A1 on human health. As a consequence, the CSN2*A2 variant gained

Abstract With increasing consumer awareness of animal welfare, and also on humanitarian grounds, the search is on to find the possibility of using slow-growing cockerels, which are becoming an alternative for conventional broilers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate slaughter value and meat quality in two new strains of Polish Crested cockerels: CP-11 (40 birds) and CP-22 (40 birds) which

Abstract Limited information is available to evaluate optimal growth in Toy Poodles. This work aimed at comparing three growth curves, proposing centile charts and developing a model to estimate the adult body weight (BW) in Toy Poodles. A total of 65 puppies (male = 30, female = 35) born in the same breeding centre were used. BW at birth and, weekly BW, for 53 weeks, BW of parents, litter size, type

Abstract Mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) stem residue (MSR) is rich with bioactive ingredients. This study aimed to assess the role of mushroom stem residue (MSR) on growth performance, meat quality, antioxidant status, and lipid metabolism of broilers. A total 168 Arbour Acres male broilers were assigned into 3 treatments (7 replications, 8 chicks each) and fed a basal diet as control (CON); 1% mushroom

Abstract Adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP) is a lipid droplet-associated protein that is expressed early during adipose differentiation. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. In this study, the porcine ADRP (pADRP) gene regulatory mechanism and its relationship to intramuscular fat (IMF) content are analysed. We investigated the characteristics of the pADRP gene prompter

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the time budgets of 20 lactating primiparous Italian Holstein cows and to determine the relationships between lying and standing behaviour, milk production and Body Condition Score in the first stage of lactation. Parturition period ranged from 15 September to 31 March and in the first seven lactation days all cows were equipped with individual 3-axes acceleration

Abstract Limousine and Charolais cattle breeds are assuming increasing importance in the Italian beef cattle sector. Indeed, both breeds are involved in a national rural development project. The success of a breeding programme depends heavily not only on the defined breeding objective but also on the selected criteria used to attain it. Data from the Charolais and Limousine Italian Association (born

Abstract To investigate the effects of Selenium (Se) deficiency on testis development and autophagy in chicks. 20 1-day old cocks were randomly divided into two groups, named the control check (CK) group [a basic diet (containing 0.333 mg Se/kg) was fed] and the Se-deficiency (Low Se) group [a selenium deficiency diet (containing 0.033 mg Se/kg) was supplied]. After 30 days, the body and testicle weights

Abstract The aim of our case-control study is to evaluate the effects of a diet integrated with the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL (CECT 4529) on the nutritional status and faecal consistency of healthy dogs belonging to the English Cocker Spaniel (ECS) and Labrador Retriever (LR) breeds. A total of 30 dogs were enrolled in this study, and they were randomly assigned to a Control (CTR,

Abstract An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of citric acid residue (CAR) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on fermentation quality and aerobic stability of alfalfa silage. Alfalfa was treated as follows: (1) control without additive (CON); (2) LAB (L); (3) 12 g/kg CAR (C); (4) 12 g/kg CAR + LAB (CL) and fermented for 3, 6, 9, 15, 30 and 45 days. The residual silages ensiled for 45 days

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of fermented sesame meal (FSM) replacement by soybean meal (SBM) in broilers. In the first experiment, a completely randomised design with 3 × 4 factorial arrangement was used for microorganism comparison [Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) and LA + SC] and fermentation time courses (0, 2, 7, and 12 days)

Abstract The overall objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of 2 carriers (Silica, SIL, and Tween 80, T80) and their interaction with 8 phytochemicals (PCs), on in vitro dry matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibility (DMD, NDFD) of 3 substrates commonly used as feed for dairy cattle (soybean meal, maize meal and total mixed ration –TMR). A total of eight PCs were tested: 4

Abstract The Italian Asinara donkey and the White Austro-Hungarian Baroque donkey share an identical coat colour phenotype which is characterised by unpigmented skin, white hair, white hooves and blue eyes. Whereas for the Asinara donkey the white coat colour phenotype was assigned to a recessive inherited missense mutation in the Tyrosinase gene (TYR), the underlying genetic background in the White

Abstract The appearance of white striations over the breast of chicken and turkey meat is considered as a recent emerging and growing problem. The aim of this research is to investigate the ability of visible-near infra-red (VIS/NIR) spectroscopy to predict the quality traits of different levels of white striping (thickness of white striations, moderate < 1 mm and severe ≥ 1 mm) defects in turkey breast

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the effects of diet supplementation of laying hens with Ligustrum lucidum (LL) on egg production, egg quality and caecal microbiota. A total of 360 72-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were divided into three groups with four replicates of 30 birds each. The laying hens were fed with basal diet (control group), basal diet + 1% LL (group I) and basal diet

Abstract The combined use of somatic cell count (SCC) and differential somatic cell count (DSCC), which is the ratio of neutrophils plus lymphocytes to total milk SCC, represents a novel approach to define cow’s udder health status, as it allows to identify healthy animals (those with low SCC and DSCC), cows susceptible to mastitis (those where an immune response has begun, so that there is an increase

Abstract The present experiment was conducted to examine the effects of threonine supplementation in low-protein diets on growth performance, jejunum morphology, and mucin-2 gene expression in meat-type Japanese quails. A total of 800 broiler quails were assigned to 8 dietary treatments based on a factorial arrangement (2 × 4) across 1-35-day period. Experimental treatments consisted diets with 180 g/kg

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of adding an essential fatty acid mixture (EOM; Eucalyptus globulus Labill, thymus vulgaris, Cymbopogon nardus, and Syzygium aromaticum) to the drinking water in the heat stress broilers on the adipokine (Apelin, BDNF) response, the histopathologic changes in liver and intestines, and some biochemical parameters. This study lasted for a total

Abstract Rabbit meat is highly appreciated for its high nutritional and dietetic quality, which could be enhanced by natural additives. Therefore, in this study, the effect of bacteriocinogenic and probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium EF9a isolated from Pannon White rabbits was checked on growth and meat quality (pH, colour, water holding capacity (WHC) , protein, fat and energy content) of broiler

(2020). How to avoid the ‘Jesus multiplying bread and fish’ myth and ‘Münchausen baron bootstrap’ legend in individual bibliometric indices: a simple bimedian method applied to Italian ASPA academic members. Italian Journal of Animal Science: Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 644-649.

Abstract In view of the important progress made in veterinary science and the increasing availability of new reproductive technologies in the 21st century, demand for canine artificial insemination (CAI) for medical and/or breeding management reasons is growing worldwide resulting in raising some legal and ethical concerns. Currently, imported chilled and frozen semen from European countries can be

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate whether green tea powder (GTP) addition could affect egg quality and egg storage. Eggs were collected after 12 weeks of feeding from control and GTP treatment groups of Huainan partridge hens. Egg quality, radical scavenging capacity, albumen viscosity, lysozyme content and activity were compared between the two groups during egg storage. Eggs from hens

Abstract Excessive production of nitric oxide (NO) during the lactation period of cows leads to oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. Chitosan has enhanced effects on antioxidant and immune function, but the mechanism of this effect is unclear. The current study investigated the underlying mechanism of the protective effect chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) exert against oxidative damage of peripheral

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different roughage associated with pseudostem hay of banana trees on nutrients intake, chemical composition of milk and cheese and the fatty acid profile of F1 Holstein x Zebu cows. Eight cows F1 Holstein x Zebu were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, each composed of four animals, four treatments and four experimental periods

Abstract This study was aimed to investigate the effect of feed supplemented with betaine on broiler chickens’ growth and slaughter performance, breast muscle histomorphometric and physicochemical properties, oxidative status and amino acid content. A total of 1000 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were divided into four treatments. Control group chickens were fed with standard compound diet (SCD)

Abstract Native goat breeds play an important role both in the safeguarding of biodiversity and the development of local economy. This study aimed to evaluate milk coagulation properties (MCP) of local (Garganica, Girgentana, Maltese, Mediterranean Red) and cosmopolitan (Saanen) goat breeds. From May to August 2018, 46 goats were sampled monthly in an experimental farm; milk samples were analysed for

Abstract Previously, we found there were significant differences in the development of skeletal muscle, myofiber characteristics between Chinese pig breed Dapulian and Landrace. Furthermore, the development of skeletal muscle is related to the proliferation of satellite cells (SCs). Thus, our aim was to compare the differences of proliferative abilities and expression of key genes related to proliferation

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.