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Editor’s Choice Articles

Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.

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14 pages, 11156 KiB  
Article
Chromium Affects Mitochondrial Function, Leading to Apoptosis and Autophagy in Turtle Primary Hepatocytes
by Shuqin Lin, Yunjuan Xiao, Jing Lin, Yue Yuan, Haitao Shi, Meiling Hong and Li Ding
Animals 2024, 14(16), 2403; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14162403 - 19 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1131
Abstract
Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), a pervasive industrial contaminant, is highly toxic to both humans and animals. However, its effects on turtles are largely unexplored. Our study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of Cr(VI) on the Reeves’ turtles (Mauremys reevesii) primary hepatocytes. [...] Read more.
Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), a pervasive industrial contaminant, is highly toxic to both humans and animals. However, its effects on turtles are largely unexplored. Our study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of Cr(VI) on the Reeves’ turtles (Mauremys reevesii) primary hepatocytes. We exposed hepatocytes to two concentrations (25 μM and 50 μM) of Cr(VI) for 24 h. The results showed that compared to controls, Cr(VI)-treated cells showed elevated antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Adenosine triphosphatae (ATP) levels decreased, indicating mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, we found significant changes in mitochondrial dynamics related genes, with downregulation of mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) and silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) and a decrease in sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) and tumor protein 53 (p53) mRNA levels. Annexin V-FITC fluorescence staining-positive cells increased with higher Cr(VI) concentrations, marked by elevated bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (Caspase3) mRNA levels and reduced B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl2) expression. Autophagy-related genes were also affected, with increased microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3-I), microtubule-associated protein light chain 3II (LC3-II), unc-51-like autophagy-activating kinase 1 (ULK1), and sequestosome 1 (p62/SQSTM1) mRNA levels and decreased mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Beclin1 expression. Taken together, Cr(VI) promotes cell apoptosis and autophagy in turtle hepatocytes by inducing oxidative stress and disrupting mitochondrial function. These findings highlight the serious health risks posed by Cr(VI) pollution and emphasize the need for protecting wild turtle populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Animal Medicine and Pathology)
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<p>The primary cell culture and growth curve. (<b>A</b>) After 3 days of culture, it showed a small amount of adherent cell growth. (<b>B</b>) Cells on day 2 after the first passage. (<b>C</b>) Cell morphology after the fifth passage. (<b>D</b>) Cell viability.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>The effects of Cr(VI) on the cytotoxicity and morphology of hepatocytes. (<b>A</b>) Cytotoxic effect of Cr(VI) on <span class="html-italic">Mauremys reevesii</span> liver cells treated for 24 h. Data expressed as the percentage of cell viability. (<b>B</b>–<b>D</b>) The morphological changes of turtle hepatocytes treated with different concentrations of Cr(VI) for 24 h were observed under a microscope (scale: 100 μm).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Effects of Cr(VI) on oxidative stress in turtle hepatocytes. (<b>A</b>) CAT and SOD activity levels. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM. Values not sharing a common superscript letter differ significantly at <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05. (<b>B</b>) Cellular ROS detection.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>The mitochondrial dynamics in turtle hepatocyte. (<b>A</b>) ATP production levels. (<b>B</b>–<b>D</b>) Mitochondrial dynamics-related mRNA level (Mfn2, SIRT1, and SIRT3). Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM. Values not sharing a common superscript letter differ significantly at <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Cr(VI) activates the p53 pathway in turtle hepatocytes. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM. Values not sharing a common superscript letter differ significantly at <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Effect of Cr(VI) on the apoptosis of turtle hepatocytes. (<b>A</b>) Fluorescence staining for apoptosis with Annexin V-FITC. (<b>B</b>) Apoptosis-related gene (Bax, Bcl2 and Caspase3) mRNA levels. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM. Values not sharing a common superscript letter differ significantly at <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Effect of Cr(VI) on the autophagy of turtle hepatocytes. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM. Values not sharing a common superscript letter differ significantly at <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05.</p> Full article ">
11 pages, 1990 KiB  
Article
The Interplay of TLR-NFκB Signalling Pathway and Functional Immune-Related Enzymes in the Inflammatory Response of Ciona robusta
by Luca Bisanti, Claudia La Corte, Mariano Dara, Federica Bertini, Jacopo Vizioli, Maria Giovanna Parisi, Matteo Cammarata and Daniela Parrinello
Animals 2024, 14(15), 2169; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14152169 - 25 Jul 2024
Viewed by 876
Abstract
The close phylogenetic relationship between ascidians (Tunicata) and vertebrates makes them a powerful model for studying the innate immune system. To better understand the nature and dynamics of immune responses and the mechanisms through which bacterial infections are detected and translated into inflammation [...] Read more.
The close phylogenetic relationship between ascidians (Tunicata) and vertebrates makes them a powerful model for studying the innate immune system. To better understand the nature and dynamics of immune responses and the mechanisms through which bacterial infections are detected and translated into inflammation in Ciona robusta, we applied an approach combining in vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, immune-labelling techniques and functional enzymatic analyses. The immunohistochemistry showed that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) were expressed during the inflammatory pharynx response 4 h post-LPS, with the formation of nodules in pharynx vessel lumen. Also, the endothelium vessels were involved in the inflammatory response. Observations of histological sections from naive and buffer-inoculated ascidians confirmed an immuno-positive response. Enzyme immune parameters—which included the activity of phenoloxidase, glutathione peroxidase, lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase and esterase—showed up-modulation 4 h after LPS injection, confirming their participation during ascidian inflammatory response. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the LPS-induced C. robusta response and suggest that a broad innate immune mechanism, as in vertebrates, is involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses. Further findings in this direction are needed to cover knowledge gaps regarding the organized set of molecular and cellular networks involved in universal immune interactions with pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Aquatic Animals)
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<p>Representative sections of <span class="html-italic">C. robusta</span> pharynx at 4 h post-LPS inoculation showing immunohistochemistry with anti-TLR4 and anti-NFκB antibodies. (<b>A</b>,<b>B</b>) Control ascidians (not injected); (<b>C</b>,<b>D</b>) sham-injected ascidians inoculated with MS; (<b>E</b>,<b>F</b>) pharynx vessels at 4 h post-LPS inoculation showing densely populated haemocytes and nodules (nd) marked by the anti-TLR4 and anti-NFκB antibodies, respectively; (<b>G</b>,<b>H</b>) magnification of marked haemocyte nodules and endothelium (end) in the vessels. Scale bar 50 μm.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Quantification of the immune-positive stained areas in pharynx vessels (percentage of stained cells; mean values ± SD) from slides belonging to experimental treatments. The letters indicate statistically significant differences (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) between experimental groups.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Enzymatic response of phenoloxidase (PO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), lysozyme (LYS), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and esterase (EST) in ascidians at 4 h post-inoculation with <span class="html-italic">E. coli</span> LPS. The letters indicate statistically significant differences (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) between experimental groups.</p> Full article ">
23 pages, 6104 KiB  
Article
Maternal Effects and Trophodynamics Drive Interannual Larval Growth Variability of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from the Gulf of Mexico
by José M. Quintanilla, Ricardo Borrego-Santos, Estrella Malca, Rasmus Swalethorp, Michael R. Landry, Trika Gerard, John Lamkin, Alberto García and Raúl Laiz-Carrión
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1319; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091319 - 28 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1039
Abstract
Two cohorts of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) larvae were sampled in 2017 and 2018 during the peak of spawning in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). We examined environmental variables, daily growth, otolith biometry and stable isotopes and found that the [...] Read more.
Two cohorts of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) larvae were sampled in 2017 and 2018 during the peak of spawning in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). We examined environmental variables, daily growth, otolith biometry and stable isotopes and found that the GOM18 cohort grew at faster rates, with larger and wider otoliths. Inter and intra-population analyses (deficient vs. optimal growth groups) were carried out for pre- and post-flexion developmental stages to determine maternal and trophodynamic influences on larval growth variability based on larval isotopic signatures, trophic niche sizes and their overlaps. For the pre-flexion stages in both years, the optimal growth groups had significantly lower δ15N, implying a direct relationship between growth potential and maternal inheritance. Optimal growth groups and stages for both years showed lower C:N ratios, reflecting a greater energy investment in growth. The results of this study illustrate the interannual transgenerational trophic plasticity of a spawning stock and its linkages to growth potential of their offsprings in the GOM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fisheries Larval Ecology and Oceanography)
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<p>Area of larval ABFT tuna sampling stations during the BLOOFINZ surveys 2017 and 2018. Anticyclonic eddies (AG, dashed line) and cyclonic eddies (CG, dotted line) driven by extensions and contractions; the Loop Current (LC) is highlighting the hydrodynamic features of the GOM (Modified from [<a href="#B63-animals-14-01319" class="html-bibr">63</a>]).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Boxplot of (<b>A</b>) C:N, (<b>B</b>) δ<sup>13</sup>C and (<b>C</b>) δ<sup>15</sup>N values of inter (GOM17red, GOM18—blue) and intra-populations (OPT—green, DEF—black).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>(<b>A</b>) δ<sup>15</sup>N vs. δ<sup>13</sup>C maternal values for GOM17 and GOM18. Maternal trophic niches are represented by the ellipse areas. (<b>B</b>) Estimated ellipse areas applying the correction for small sample sizes (SEAc).</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>(<b>A</b>) δ<sup>15</sup>N vs. δ<sup>13</sup>C maternal values OPT (green) and DEF (grey) larvae for GOM17 and GOM18. The ellipses represent areas of maternal trophic niches. (<b>B</b>) Areas of the trophic niches estimated for OPT and DEF groups. The cross represents the size of the ellipse by applying the correction for small sample sizes (SEAc).</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>(<b>A</b>) δ<sup>15</sup>N vs. δ<sup>13</sup>C larval values for post-flexion larvae of GOM17 and GOM18. The ellipses represent the areas of the larval trophic niches estimated for each campaign. (<b>B</b>) Areas of the trophic niches estimated by SIBER of each GOM17 (0.23) and GOM18 (0.58) campaign. The cross represents the size of the ellipse by applying the correction for small sample sizes (SEAc).</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>(<b>A</b>) δ<sup>15</sup>N vs. δ<sup>13</sup>C larval values OPT (green) and DEF (grey) larvae of GOM17 and GOM18 campaigns. Ellipse areas represent larval trophic niches. (<b>B</b>) Trophic niche areas estimated by SIBER with the correction for small sample sizes (SEAc).</p> Full article ">Figure A1
<p>Histogram of frequencies of the different sizes for GOM17 (red) and GOM18 (blue) sampling years.</p> Full article ">Figure A2
<p>Comparison of somatic growth pattern (LOGSL, LOGDW) and biometric of otoliths (LOGRADIO, MIW) between years (GOM17 (red), GOM18 (blue)) versus AGE. The equations coefficients and R<sup>2</sup> are included.</p> Full article ">Figure A3
<p>Comparison of somatic (LOGSL, LOGDW) and otoliths biometrics (LOGRADIO, MIW) versus AGE of pre-flexion larvae according to inter-population (GOM17 in red, GOM18 in blue) and intra-population (OPT in green, DEF in black). The equations coefficients and R<sup>2</sup> are included.</p> Full article ">Figure A4
<p>Comparison of somatic (LOGSL, LOGDW) and otoliths biometric (LOGRADIO, MIW) versus AGE, of post-flexion larvae according to inter-population analysis between years (GOM17 in red, GOM18 in blue) and intra-population (OPT in green, DEF in black). The equations coefficients and R<sup>2</sup> are included.</p> Full article ">
16 pages, 866 KiB  
Article
Effects of Garlic Oil and Cinnamaldehyde on Sheep Rumen Fermentation and Microbial Populations in Rusitec Fermenters in Two Different Sampling Periods
by Jairo García-Rodríguez, Cristina Saro, Iván Mateos, María Dolores Carro and María José Ranilla
Animals 2024, 14(7), 1067; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071067 - 30 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1595
Abstract
Garlic oil (GO) and cinnamaldehyde (CIN) have shown potential to modify rumen fermentation. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of GO and CIN on rumen fermentation, microbial protein synthesis (MPS), and microbial populations in Rusitec fermenters fed a mixed [...] Read more.
Garlic oil (GO) and cinnamaldehyde (CIN) have shown potential to modify rumen fermentation. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of GO and CIN on rumen fermentation, microbial protein synthesis (MPS), and microbial populations in Rusitec fermenters fed a mixed diet (50:50 forage/concentrate), as well as whether these effects were maintained over time. Six fermenters were used in two 15-day incubation runs. Within each run, two fermenters received no additive, 180 mg/L of GO, or 180 mg/L of CIN. Rumen fermentation parameters were assessed in two periods (P1 and P2), and microbial populations were studied after each of these periods. Garlic oil reduced the acetate/propionate ratio and methane production (p < 0.001) in P1 and P2 and decreased protozoal DNA concentration and the relative abundance of fungi and archaea after P1 (p < 0.05). Cinnamaldehyde increased bacterial diversity (p < 0.01) and modified the structure of bacterial communities after P1, decreased bacterial DNA concentration after P2 (p < 0.05), and increased MPS (p < 0.001). The results of this study indicate that 180 mg/L of GO and CIN promoted a more efficient rumen fermentation and increased the protein supply to the animal, respectively, although an apparent adaptive response of microbial populations to GO was observed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)
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<p>Experimental design and sampling procedure carried out in each incubation run. Samples to assess rumen fermentation parameters, diet disappearance, and enzymatic activity were taken in P1 (7 to 9 days of incubation) and P2 (12 to 14 days of incubation), samples to study microbial populations were collected the day after P1 (day 10) and P2 (day 15), and those to determine microbial protein synthesis were taken on the last day of incubation (day 15).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) based on Bray–Curtis distance matrix of the automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) profiles from liquid (circles) and solid (triangles) phases of control fermenters (blue) or those supplemented with garlic oil (red) or cinnamaldehyde (green). (<b>a</b>) Control vs. garlic oil at the end of P1 (day 10); (<b>b</b>) control vs. garlic oil at the end of P2 (day 15); (<b>c</b>) control vs. cinnamaldehyde at the end of P1 (day 10); (<b>d</b>) control vs. cinnamaldehyde at the end of P2 (day 15).</p> Full article ">
19 pages, 3141 KiB  
Systematic Review
Can the Inclusion of Forage Chicory in the Diet of Lactating Dairy Cattle Alter Milk Production and Milk Fatty Acid Composition? Findings of a Multilevel Meta-Analysis
by Mancoba C. Mangwe, Racheal H. Bryant, Antonia Olszewski, Hitihamy Mudiyanselage Gayani P. Herath and Omar Al-Marashdeh
Animals 2024, 14(7), 1002; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071002 - 25 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1434
Abstract
In traditional ryegrass/white clover (Lolium perenne L./Trifolium repens L.) pastoral systems, forage herbs such as chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) present an opportunity to fill feed deficits during late spring and summer. Although multiple research publications have evaluated the efficacy of [...] Read more.
In traditional ryegrass/white clover (Lolium perenne L./Trifolium repens L.) pastoral systems, forage herbs such as chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) present an opportunity to fill feed deficits during late spring and summer. Although multiple research publications have evaluated the efficacy of chicory for enhancing milk production and milk fatty acid (FA) profile, no publication has quantitatively synthesised the body of research. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effect of chicory on milk production and composition, as well as on the milk fatty acid composition of dairy cattle. A total of 29 comparisons from 15 unique research publications involving 597 dairy cattle were used to develop a dataset for analysis. Three-level random-effect and robust variance estimator models were used to account for the hierarchical structure of the data and the dependency of effect sizes within publications. Chicory inclusion increased milk yield when compared to grass-based diets {weighted mean difference (WMD) = 1.07 (95% CI 0.54–1.60) kg/cow/d, p < 0.001}, but it provided a similar milk yield when compared to other forages such as legumes and herbs {dicots; WMD = −0.30, (95% CI −89–0.29) kg/cow/day, p = 0.312}. Increases in milk yield were congruent with differences in DM intake (p = 0.09) and ME intakes (p = 0.003), being similar in chicory-fed and dicot-fed cows but higher than grass-fed cows. Chicory feeding’s effect on milk solids was twice as high during mid lactation {154 days in milk; WMD = 0.13, (95% 0.081–0.175) kg/cow/day, p < 0.001} as during late lactation {219 days in milk; WMD = 0.06, (95% 0.003–0.13) kg/cow/day, p = 0.041}. In line with milk yield, greater and more significant effect sizes were found for alpha linolenic acid {ALA; WMD = 0.20 (95% CI 0.06–0.35) g/100 g FA, p = 0.011} when chicory was compared to grass species only. Comparing chicory with dicots suggests that chicory inclusion did not impact ALA concentrations {WMD = 0.001 (95% CI −0.02–0.2) g/100 g FA, p = 0.99}. There were no differences in conjugated linoleic acid concentration in the milk of cows fed chicory or control diets. The study provides empirical evidence of chicory’s efficacy for improved milk production and milk fatty acid composition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management of Ruminants: Feed Utilization, Nitrogen Dynamics, Physiology, and Metabolism)
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<p>Schematic representation of the selection and screening process of articles included in the meta-analysis.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Ordered forest plot of mean difference in milk yield (kg/cow/day) and 95% confidence intervals from 29 observations in 13 publications {Chapman et al. (2008) [<a href="#B14-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">14</a>], Kalber et al. (2011) [<a href="#B23-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">23</a>], Larsen et al. (2012) [<a href="#B40-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">40</a>], Mangwe et al. (2019) [<a href="#B11-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">11</a>], Mangwe et al. (2020) [<a href="#B41-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">41</a>], Minneé et al. (2017) [<a href="#B8-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">8</a>], Mangwe et al. (2020) [<a href="#B42-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">42</a>], Muir et al. (2015) [<a href="#B21-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">21</a>], Muir et al. (2014) [<a href="#B19-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">19</a>], Minneé et al. (2012) [<a href="#B43-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">43</a>], Roca-Fernández et al. (2016) [<a href="#B44-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">44</a>], Soder et al. (2006) [<a href="#B45-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">45</a>], Waugh et al. (1998) [<a href="#B37-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">37</a>]} investigating effects of including chicory into the diet of dairy cattle on milk production. The diamond represents the pooled effect mean difference from all studies.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Ordered forest plot of mean difference in milk solids (kg/cow/day) and 95% confidence intervals from 23 observations in 9 publications {Chapman et al. (2008) [<a href="#B14-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">14</a>], Mangwe et al. (2019) [<a href="#B11-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">11</a>], Mangwe et al. (2020) [<a href="#B41-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">41</a>], Minneé et al. (2017) [<a href="#B8-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">8</a>], Mangwe et al. (2018) [<a href="#B42-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">42</a>], Minneé et al. (2012) [<a href="#B43-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">43</a>], Roca-Fernández et al. (2016) [<a href="#B44-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">44</a>], Waugh et al. (1998) [<a href="#B37-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">37</a>]} investigating effects of including chicory into the diet of dairy cattle on milk solid production. The diamond represents the pooled effect mean difference from all studies.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Ordered forest plot of mean difference in linoleic acid [C18:2 c9, 12; g/100 g FA] and 95% confidence intervals from 12 observations in 7 publications {Kalber et al. (2011) [<a href="#B23-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">23</a>], Larsen et al. (2012) [<a href="#B40-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">40</a>], Mangwe et al. (2020) [<a href="#B41-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">41</a>], Mangwe et al. (2018) [<a href="#B42-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">42</a>], Muir et al. (2015) [<a href="#B21-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">21</a>], Muir et al. (2014) [<a href="#B19-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">19</a>], Soder et al. (2006) [<a href="#B45-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">45</a>]} investigating effects of including chicory into the diet of dairy cattle on milk fat composition. The diamond represents the pooled effect mean difference from all studies.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Ordered forest plot of mean difference in alpha linolenic acid [C18:3 c9, 12, 15; g/100 g FA] and 95% confidence intervals from 12 observations in 7 publications {Kalber et al. (2011) [<a href="#B23-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">23</a>], Larsen et al. (2012) [<a href="#B40-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">40</a>], Mangwe et al. (2020) [<a href="#B41-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">41</a>], Mangwe et al. (2018) [<a href="#B42-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">42</a>], Muir et al. (2015) [<a href="#B21-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">21</a>], Muir et al. (2014) [<a href="#B19-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">19</a>], Soder et al. (2006) [<a href="#B45-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">45</a>]} investigating effects of including chicory into the diet of dairy cattle on milk fat composition. The diamond represents the pooled effect mean difference from all studies.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Ordered forest plot of mean difference in conjugated linoleic acid [18:2 cis-9, trans-11; g/100 g FA] and 95% confidence intervals from 11 observations in 6 publications {Kalber et al. (2011) [<a href="#B23-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">23</a>], Mangwe et al. (2020) [<a href="#B41-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">41</a>], Mangwe et al. (2018) [<a href="#B42-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">42</a>], Muir et al. (2015) [<a href="#B21-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">21</a>], Muir et al. (2014) [<a href="#B19-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">19</a>], Soder et al. (2006) [<a href="#B45-animals-14-01002" class="html-bibr">45</a>]} investigating effects of including chicory into the diet of dairy cattle on milk fat composition. The diamond represents the pooled effect mean difference from all studies.</p> Full article ">
10 pages, 289 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Two Species of Macroalgae from Azores Sea as Potential Reducers of Ruminal Methane Production: In Vitro Ruminal Assay
by Helder P. B. Nunes, Cristiana S. A. M. Maduro Dias, Nuno V. Álvaro and Alfredo E. S. Borba
Animals 2024, 14(6), 967; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14060967 - 20 Mar 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1718
Abstract
The utilisation of seaweeds as feed supplements has been investigated for their potential to mitigate enteric methane emissions from ruminants. Enteric methane emissions are the primary source of direct greenhouse gas emissions in livestock and significantly contribute to anthropogenic methane emissions worldwide. The [...] Read more.
The utilisation of seaweeds as feed supplements has been investigated for their potential to mitigate enteric methane emissions from ruminants. Enteric methane emissions are the primary source of direct greenhouse gas emissions in livestock and significantly contribute to anthropogenic methane emissions worldwide. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the nutritional role and the in vitro effect on cumulative gas and methane production of Asparagopsis taxiformis (native species) and Asparagopsis armata (invasive species), two species of red algae from the Azorean Sea, as well as the ability to reduce biogas production when incubated with single pasture (Lolium perenne and Trifollium repens) as substrate. Four levels of concentrations marine algae were used (1.25%, 2.25%, 5%, and 10% DM) and added to the substrate to evaluate ruminal fermentation using the in vitro gas production technique. The total amount of gas and methane produced by the treatment incubation was recorded during 72 h of incubation. The results indicate that both algae species under investigation contain relatively high levels of protein (22.69% and 24.23%, respectively, for Asparagopsis taxiformis and Asparagopsis armata) and significant amounts of minerals, namely magnesium (1.15% DM), sodium (8.6% DM), and iron (2851 ppm). Concerning in vitro ruminal fermentation, it was observed that A. taxiformis can reduce enteric methane production by approximately 86%, during the first 24 h when 5% is added. In the same period and at the same concentration, A. armata reduced methane production by 34%. Thus, it can be concluded that Asparagopsis species from the Azorean Sea have high potential as a protein and mineral supplement, in addition to enabling a reduction in methane production from rumen fermentation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Algae in Animal Nutrition)
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<p>Schematic of the experimental design used in this experiment. Samples of rumen fluid were gathered from animals slaughtered at a local abattoir, while pasture samples were collected and subjected to analysis to serve as substrate. Ruminal liquid with substrate was added to each fermenter and different amounts of algae (1.25%; 2.5%; 5%; and 10%), replacing part of the initial substrate. Each fermenter was connected to a flow meter, measuring the volume of gas produced.</p> Full article ">
10 pages, 947 KiB  
Article
Effects of Sugarcane-Derived Polyphenol Supplementation on Methane Production and Rumen Microbial Diversity of Second-Cross Lambs
by Pragna Prathap, Surinder S. Chauhan, Matthew Flavel, Shane Mitchell, Jeremy J. Cottrell, Brian J. Leury and Frank R. Dunshea
Animals 2024, 14(6), 905; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14060905 - 14 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1805
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding sugarcane-derived polyphenolic supplement (Polygain, The Product Makers Australia, Keysborough, VIC, Australia) on enteric methane (CH4) emission, rumen microbiota, and performance of second-cross lambs. For this purpose, 24 Poll Dorset [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding sugarcane-derived polyphenolic supplement (Polygain, The Product Makers Australia, Keysborough, VIC, Australia) on enteric methane (CH4) emission, rumen microbiota, and performance of second-cross lambs. For this purpose, 24 Poll Dorset × (Border Leicester × Merino) lambs were allocated to 3 different treatments: Control (C), 0.25% Polygain (0.25 PG), and 1% Polygain (1 PG) diets with a uniform basal feed (25% cracked wheat grain, 25% cracked barley grain, 25% oaten chaff, 25% lucerne chaff). Both doses of Polygain reduced the total CH4 production (g/day; p = 0.006), CH4 yield (CH4, g/kg of dry matter intake; p = 0.003) and CH4 intensity (CH4, g/kg of BW; p = 0.003). Dry matter intake tended to be greater (p = 0.08) in sheep fed 1 PG compared to the C group, with the 0.25 PG group being intermediate. The average daily gain of the lambs was improved (p = 0.03) with 1% Polygain supplementation. The relative abundance of genera Methanobrevibacter_unidentified, Methanomethylophilaceae_uncultured, Methanogenic archaeon mixed culture ISO4-G1, Methanosphaera uncultured rumen methanogen, Methanogenic archaeon ISO4-H5, and Methanobrevibacter boviskoreani JH1 were reduced with Polygain supplementation. In conclusion, feeding Polygain reduced lambs’ enteric CH4 emissions, altered the rumen microbiome, and improved the growth performance of lambs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)
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<p>Instrumental setup for the enteric methane estimation from the sheep.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Effect of different concentrations of Polygain on the rumen microbial composition of second-cross lambs. Treatments: C—control group, 0.25 PG—0.25% Polygain supplemented group, 1 PG—1% Polygain supplemented group.</p> Full article ">
14 pages, 2035 KiB  
Article
Influence of Different Plant Extracts on CYP-Mediated Skatole and Indole Degradation in Pigs
by Philipp Marro, Raffael Wesoly and Volker Stefanski
Animals 2024, 14(6), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14060888 - 13 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1336
Abstract
One of the primary substances responsible for the unpleasant odor in boar meat is skatole. Enzymes belonging to the cytochrome P450 (CYP) family play a pivotal role in the hepatic clearance of skatole. This study aimed to investigate the impact of oregano essential [...] Read more.
One of the primary substances responsible for the unpleasant odor in boar meat is skatole. Enzymes belonging to the cytochrome P450 (CYP) family play a pivotal role in the hepatic clearance of skatole. This study aimed to investigate the impact of oregano essential oil (OEO), Schisandra chinensis extract (SC), and garlic essential oil (GEO) on hepatic CYP2E1 and CYP2A activity in pigs. In three consecutive trials, cannulated castrated male pigs were provided with a diet containing 0.2–0.3% of one of these plant extracts. Following a 14-day feeding period, the animals were slaughtered, and liver and fat samples were collected. The findings indicate that the activities of CYP2E1 were unaffected by any treatment. However, GEO treatment demonstrated a significant reduction in CYP2A activity (p < 0.05). Pigs treated with GEO also exhibited a notable increase in skatole concentrations in both plasma and adipose tissue. In contrast, animals fed SC displayed elevated skatole concentrations in plasma but not in fat tissue. OEO did not influence skatole concentrations in either blood or fat. Furthermore, the study revealed that a supplementation of 6 g GEO per animal per day induced a significant increase in skatole concentrations in blood plasma within 24 h. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Extracts as Feed Additives in Animal Nutrition and Health)
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<p>Means ± SEMs of plasma concentrations of skatole (<b>a</b>) and indole (<b>b</b>) throughout the experimental period. From day 1 to day 14 (period 1), all animals received the same standard diet. From day 15 to day 29 (period 2), the animals received one of the plant additives, <span class="html-italic">Schisandra chinensis</span> (SC; <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 7), oregano essential oil (OEO; <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 9), or garlic essential oil (GEO; <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 6), in addition to their standard diet, or received food without additives (CON; <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 3). ANOVA and paired <span class="html-italic">t</span>-test, * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 is considered significant in comparison to CON.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>CYP activity (mean ± SEM) of the control (CON; <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 10), <span class="html-italic">Schisandra chinensis</span> extract (SC; <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 7), oregano essential oil (OEO; <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 9), and garlic essential oil (GEO; <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 5) groups after 14 days of supplementation; one-way ANOVA, * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 is considered significant in comparison to CON; °Ɨ = non-responder and excluded from statistical evaluation.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Skatole and indole concentrations in back fat (means ± SEMs) of control animals (CON; <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 10) and animals fed either <span class="html-italic">Schisandra chinensis</span> extract (SC; <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 7), oregano essential oil (OEO; <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 9), or garlic essential oil (GEO; <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 6); one-way ANOVA, * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 is considered significant in comparison to CON.</p> Full article ">Figure A1
<p>Means ± SEMs pf plasma skatole and indole concentrations of animals treated with garlic essential oil (GEO) (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 6); the arrows indicate the starting point of treatment with GEO; the grey lines are the individual plasma concentrations of the animals; statistics: days 15 and 16: paired <span class="html-italic">t</span>-test, * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05 is considered significant in comparison to CON.</p> Full article ">
13 pages, 233 KiB  
Article
Estimation of Protein and Amino Acid Requirements in Layer Chicks Depending on Dynamic Model
by Miao Liu, Zhi-Yuan Xia, Hong-Lin Li, Yu-Xuan Huang, Alainaa Refaie, Zhang-Chao Deng and Lv-Hui Sun
Animals 2024, 14(5), 764; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050764 - 29 Feb 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1712
Abstract
Four trials were conducted to establish a protein and amino acid requirement model for layer chicks over 0–6 weeks by using the analytical factorization method. In trial 1, a total of 90 one-day-old Jing Tint 6 chicks with similar body weight were selected [...] Read more.
Four trials were conducted to establish a protein and amino acid requirement model for layer chicks over 0–6 weeks by using the analytical factorization method. In trial 1, a total of 90 one-day-old Jing Tint 6 chicks with similar body weight were selected to determine the growth curve, carcass and feather protein deposition, and amino acid patterns of carcass and feather proteins. In trials 2 and 3, 24 seven-day-old and 24 thirty-five-day-old Jing Tint 6 chicks were selected to determine the protein maintenance requirements, amino acid pattern, and net protein utilization rate. In trial 4, 24 ten-day-old and 24 thirty-eight-day-old Jing Tint 6 chicks were selected to determine the standard terminal ileal digestibility of amino acids. The chicks were fed either a corn–soybean basal diet, a low nitrogen diet, or a nitrogen-free diet throughout the different trials. The Gompertz equation showed that there is a functional relationship between body weight and age, described as BWt(g) = 2669.317 × exp(−4.337 × exp(−0.019t)). Integration of the test results gave a comprehensive dynamic model equation that could accurately calculate the weekly protein and amino acid requirements of the layer chicks. By applying the model, it was found that the protein requirements for Jing Tint 6 chicks during the 6-week period were 21.15, 20.54, 18.26, 18.77, 17.79, and 16.51, respectively. The model-predicted amino acid requirements for Jing Tint 6 chicks during the 6-week period were as follows: Aspartic acid (0.992–1.284), Threonine (0.601–0.750), Serine (0.984–1.542), Glutamic acid (1.661–1.925), Glycine (0.992–1.227), Alanine (0.909–0.961), Valine (0.773–1.121), Cystine (0.843–1.347), Methionine (0.210–0.267), Isoleucine (0.590–0.715), Leucine (0.977–1.208), Tyrosine (0.362–0.504), Phenylalanine (0.584–0.786), Histidine (0.169–0.250), Lysine (0.3999–0.500), Arginine (0.824–1.147), Proline (1.114–1.684), and Tryptophan (0.063–0.098). In conclusion, this study constructed a dynamic model for the protein and amino acid requirements of Jing Tint 6 chicks during the brooding period, providing an important insight to improve precise feeding for layer chicks through this dynamic model calculation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Amino Acid Nutrition in Poultry)
24 pages, 319 KiB  
Article
A Reexamination of the Relationship between Training Practices and Welfare in the Management of Ambassador Animals
by Steve Martin, Grey Stafford and David S. Miller
Animals 2024, 14(5), 736; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050736 - 27 Feb 2024
Viewed by 4705
Abstract
There is an ethical need to document and develop best practices for meeting ambassador animals’ welfare needs within the context of meeting zoo and aquarium program objectives. This is because ambassador animals experience direct and frequent contact with humans. This paper rigorously synthesizes [...] Read more.
There is an ethical need to document and develop best practices for meeting ambassador animals’ welfare needs within the context of meeting zoo and aquarium program objectives. This is because ambassador animals experience direct and frequent contact with humans. This paper rigorously synthesizes behavioral research and theory, contemporary practices, and personal experiences to offer key concepts that can be applied to meet ambassador animal welfare needs. These key concepts include addressing an animal’s recognition of choice and control, the use of the most positive and least intrusive effective interventions when training animals to participate in programming, and an overall reduction in aversive strategy use. Our model for increasing ambassador animal welfare focuses on seven main areas of concern, including the following: choosing the most suitable animal for the program; choosing the human with the right skills and knowledge for the program; using the most positive, least intrusive, effective training methods; developing a strong trusting relationship between trainer and animal; developing a comprehensive enrichment program; the need for institutional support; and creating opportunities for animals to practice species-appropriate behaviors. Our model will provide guidelines for improved ambassador animal welfare that can be refined with future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoo and Aquarium Welfare, Ethics, Behavior)
23 pages, 3187 KiB  
Article
Dietary Protein Quality Affects the Interplay between Gut Microbiota and Host Performance in Nile Tilapia
by Gabriella do Vale Pereira, Carla Teixeira, José Couto, Jorge Dias, Paulo Rema and Ana Teresa Gonçalves
Animals 2024, 14(5), 714; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050714 - 24 Feb 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2216
Abstract
Dietary protein quality plays a key role in maintaining intestinal mucosal integrity, but also modulates the growth of luminal microorganisms. This work assessed the effect of dietary protein sources on the performance, gut morphology, and microbiome in Nile tilapia. Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic [...] Read more.
Dietary protein quality plays a key role in maintaining intestinal mucosal integrity, but also modulates the growth of luminal microorganisms. This work assessed the effect of dietary protein sources on the performance, gut morphology, and microbiome in Nile tilapia. Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets comprising equivalent amounts of the protein supply derived from either PLANT, ANIMAL, INSECT, or BACTERIAL (bacterial biomass) sources were fed to triplicate groups of fish (IBW: 12 g) for 46 days. Fish fed the ANIMAL and BACTERIAL diets showed significantly higher weight gains than those fed the PLANT and INSECT diets (p < 0.05). Relative abundance at the phylum level showed that Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, and Proteobacteria were the more abundant phyla in tilapia’s intestine, while Cetobacterium was the most representative genus in all treatments. Interesting patterns were observed in the correlation between amino acid intake and genus and species abundance. Metabolism prediction analysis showed that BACTERIAL amine and polyamine degradation pathways are modulated depending on diets. In conclusion, different protein sources modulate the relationship between bacteria functional pathways and amino acid intake. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feed Ingredients and Fish Mucosal Health)
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<p>Intake of essential amino acids (EAAs; <b>above</b>) and non-essential amino acid (NEEA; <b>below</b>) profiles of experimental diets, expressed as a percentage relative to the amino acid composition of the ANIMAL diet.</p> Full article ">Figure 1 Cont.
<p>Intake of essential amino acids (EAAs; <b>above</b>) and non-essential amino acid (NEEA; <b>below</b>) profiles of experimental diets, expressed as a percentage relative to the amino acid composition of the ANIMAL diet.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Percentage of relative abundance at the genus level for tilapia fed diets containing different protein sources. Legend represents the most abundant genus for each treatment. Others represent the genera with an abundance &lt;0.3% in at least one treatment.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Genera with differential abundance among the experimental groups based on DeSeq2 (adjusted <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value &lt; 0.05).</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Score plots of the PCA at the genus level showing the distribution of abundance among samples of fish intestine fed diets containing different protein sources: ANIMAL, INSECT, PLANT, and BACTERIAL.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Correlation between non-essential amino acid (NEAA) intake and abundance of genera and species groups in different treatments in the intestine of tilapia (<span class="html-italic">O. niloticus</span>).</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Correlation between essential amino acid (EAA) intake and abundance of genera and species groups in different treatments in the intestine of tilapia (<span class="html-italic">O. niloticus</span>).</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Percentage of essential amino acid (EAA) intake in correlation with an increase or reduction in prediction pathways relative to the ANIMAL diet.</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Percentage of non-essential amino acid (NEAA) intake in correlation with an increase or reduction in prediction pathways relative to the ANIMAL diet.</p> Full article ">
32 pages, 1417 KiB  
Article
Dolphin-WET—Development of a Welfare Evaluation Tool for Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) under Human Care
by Katrin Baumgartner, Tim Hüttner, Isabella L. K. Clegg, Manuel Garcia Hartmann, Daniel Garcia-Párraga, Xavier Manteca, Birgitta Mercera, Tania Monreal-Pawlowsky, Cristina Pilenga, Kerstin Ternes, Oriol Tallo-Parra, Ruta Vaicekauskaite, Lorenzo von Fersen, Lisa Yon and Fabienne Delfour
Animals 2024, 14(5), 701; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050701 - 23 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3942
Abstract
Ensuring high standards of animal welfare is not only an ethical duty for zoos and aquariums, but it is also essential to achieve their conservation, education, and research goals. While for some species, animal welfare assessment frameworks are already in place, little has [...] Read more.
Ensuring high standards of animal welfare is not only an ethical duty for zoos and aquariums, but it is also essential to achieve their conservation, education, and research goals. While for some species, animal welfare assessment frameworks are already in place, little has been done for marine animals under human care. Responding to this demand, the welfare committee of the European Association for Aquatic Mammals (EAAM) set up a group of experts on welfare science, cetacean biology, and zoo animal medicine across Europe. Their objective was to develop a comprehensive tool to evaluate the welfare of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), named Dolphin-WET. The tool encompasses 49 indicators that were either validated through peer review or management-based expertise. The first of its kind, the Dolphin-WET is a species-specific welfare assessment tool that provides a holistic approach to evaluating dolphin welfare. Inspired by Mellor’s Five Domains Model and the Welfare Quality®, its hierarchical structure allows for detailed assessments from overall welfare down to specific indicators. Through combining 37 animal-based and 12 resource-based indicators that are evaluated based on a two- or three-level scoring, the protocol offers a detailed evaluation of individual dolphins. This approach allows for regular internal monitoring and targeted welfare management, enabling caretakers to address specific welfare concerns effectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Marine Mammal Cognition and Cognitive Welfare)
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<p>Dolphin Welfare Evaluation Tool (Dolphin-WET) development timeline. The initial framework was created by the European Association for Aquatic Mammals (EAAM) Welfare Committee and a selected group of experts in 2018. Literature research, research projects, and other activities led to the creation of a proposed framework in 2022 that was then applied in different dolphinaria for the first time. Using the information from the first application, the tool was finalised in 2023.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Structure of the Dolphin Welfare Evaluation Tool (Dolphin-WET) using the example of the indicator <span class="html-italic">Forced expiration test</span> within the principal <span class="html-italic">Health</span> to evaluate the condition of the respiratory tract.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Audiogram of a bottlenose dolphin [<a href="#B90-animals-14-00701" class="html-bibr">90</a>] and the proposed limit of 40 dB above the hearing threshold as described in the “German Expert Opinion on Minimum Requirements for the Keeping of Mammals” (BMEL, 2014).</p> Full article ">
19 pages, 9714 KiB  
Article
Exploration of Toxins from a Marine Annelid: An Analysis of Phyllotoxins and Accompanying Bioactives
by Ana P. Rodrigo, Inês Moutinho Cabral, António Alexandre and Pedro M. Costa
Animals 2024, 14(4), 635; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14040635 - 16 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1773
Abstract
Proteinaceous toxins are peptides or proteins that hold great biotechnological value, evidenced by their ecological role, whether as defense or predation mechanisms. Bioprospecting using bioinformatics and omics may render screening for novel bioactives more expeditious, especially considering the immense diversity of toxin-secreting marine [...] Read more.
Proteinaceous toxins are peptides or proteins that hold great biotechnological value, evidenced by their ecological role, whether as defense or predation mechanisms. Bioprospecting using bioinformatics and omics may render screening for novel bioactives more expeditious, especially considering the immense diversity of toxin-secreting marine organisms. Eulalia sp. (Annelida: Phyllodocidae), a toxin bearing marine annelid, was recently shown to secrete cysteine-rich protein (Crisp) toxins (hitherto referred to as ‘phyllotoxins’) that can immobilize its prey. By analyzing and validating transcriptomic data, we narrowed the list of isolated full coding sequences of transcripts of the most abundant toxins or accompanying bioactives secreted by the species (the phyllotoxin Crisp, hyaluronidase, serine protease, and peptidases M12A, M13, and M12B). Through homology matching with human proteins, the biotechnological potential of the marine annelid’s toxins and related proteins was tentatively associated with coagulative and anti-inflammatory responses for the peptidases PepM12A, SePr, PepM12B, and PepM13, and with the neurotoxic activity of Crisp, and finally, hyaluronidase was inferred to bear properties of an permeabilizing agent. The in silico analysis succeeded by validation by PCR and Sanger sequencing enabled us to retrieve cDNAs can may be used for the heterologous expression of these toxins. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Invertebrates: From Ecological Traits to Biotechnological Clues)
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<p>Identification of the transcripts of interest using raw RNA-seq data produced by Rodrigo et al. [<a href="#B21-animals-14-00635" class="html-bibr">21</a>]. Subsequent narrowing process of the best transcript per proteinaceous toxin with biotechnological interest using several constraints.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Crisp interaction pathways for the best homologs matches in humans. (<b>a</b>) Protein–protein interaction network obtained by STRING software for CRISP2; (<b>b</b>) protein–protein interaction network obtained by STRING software for CRISP3; (<b>c</b>) human interactome from the HuRI for CRISP3. The confidence cut-off for showing interaction links was set to medium (0.400). A1BG—alpha-1-B glycoprotein; AKAP4—A-kinase anchor protein 4; CATSPER1—cation channel sperm-associated protein 1; CRISP2—cysteine-rich secretory protein 2; CRISP3—cysteine-rich secretory protein 3; GART—trifunctional purine biosynthetic protein adenosine-3; GGNBP2—gametogenetin-binding protein 2; GPR152—G protein-coupled receptor 152; IL4I1—L-amino-acid oxidase; LCN2—neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin; LTA4H—leukotriene A-4 hydrolase; MMP8—neutrophil collagenase; MTDH—protein LYRIC; OLFM4—olfactomedin-4; PATE1—prostate and testis expressed 1; PGK2—phosphoglycerate kinase 2; PLB1—phospholipase B1, membrane-associated.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Hyal interaction pathways for the best homologs matches in humans. (<b>a</b>) Protein–protein interaction network obtained by STRING software for HYAL2; (<b>b</b>) protein–protein interaction network obtained by STRING software for HYAL1; (<b>c</b>) protein–protein interaction network obtained by STRING software for HYAL4; (<b>d</b>) human interactome from the HuRI for HYAL2. The confidence cut-off for showing interaction links was set to medium (0.400). ARSB—arylsulfatase B; CEMIP—cell-migration-inducing and hyaluronan-binding protein; CD44—CD44 antigen; CFTR—cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator; CYSRT1—cysteine-rich tail 1; FHL3—four-and-a-half LIM Domains 3; GRM8—metabotropic glutamate receptor 8; GUSB—beta-glucuronidase; HAS1—hyaluronan synthase 1; HAS2—hyaluronan synthase 2; HAS3—hyaluronan synthase 3; HMMR—hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor; HYAL1—hyaluronidase-1; HYAL2—hyaluronidase-2; HYAL4—hyaluronidase-4; IDUA—alpha-L-iduronidase; ITSN1—intersectin-1; ITSN2—intersectin-2; KRT31—keratin 31; KRT34—keratin 34; KRTAP3-2—keratin-associated protein 3-2; KRTAP1-1—keratin-associated protein 1-1; KRTAP6-2—keratin-associated protein 6-2; KRTAP6-3—keratin-associated protein 6-3; MST1R—macrophage-stimulating protein receptor alpha chain; PELI2—E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase pellino homolog 2; SPAG9—C-Jun-amino-terminal kinase-interacting protein 4; TGFB1—transforming growth factor beta-1 proprotein; WWOX—WW domain-containing oxidoreductase.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>SePr interaction pathway for the best homolog match in humans using the protein–protein interaction network obtained by STRING software for KLKB1. Protein–protein interaction networks obtained by STRING software (colored networks) and the HuRI (grey network) for the best matching homologs in humans in the case of serine protease (KLKB1). The confidence cut-off for showing interaction links was set to medium (0.400). A2M—alpha-2-macroglobulin; ACPP—prostatic acid phosphatase; F12—coagulation factor XII; F3—tissue factor; IGHV3-16—probable non-functional immunoglobulin heavy variable 3-16; KLKB1—plasma kallikrein heavy chain; KNG1—kininogen-1; PLG—plasminogen; SERPINA5—plasma serine protease inhibitor; SERPING1—plasma protease C1 inhibitor; SLC45A3—solute carrier family 45 member 3.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>PepM12A interaction pathways for the best homolog matches in humans. (<b>a</b>) Protein–protein interaction network obtained by STRING software for TLL1; (<b>b</b>) protein–protein interaction network obtained by STRING software for TLL2. The confidence cut-off for showing interaction links was set to medium (0.400). BMP1—bone morphogenetic protein 1; CHRD—chordin; COL1A1—collagen alpha-1(I) chain; COL1A2—collagen alpha-2(I) chain; COL27A1—collagen alpha-1(XXVII) chain; CSH1—chorionic somatomammotropin hormone 1; CSH2—chorionic somatomammotropin hormone 2; LAMA3—laminin subunit alpha-3; LAMA4—laminin subunit alpha-4; LAMC2—laminin subunit gamma-2; MBL2—mannose-binding protein C; PCOLCE—procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer 1; PRTFDC1—phosphoribosyltransferase domain-containing protein 1; TBX20—T-box transcription factor TBX20; TLL1—tolloid-like protein 1; TLL2—tolloid-like protein 2.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>PepM13 interaction pathways for the best homolog matches in humans. (<b>a</b>) Human interactome from HuRI for ECE2; (<b>b</b>) protein–protein interaction network obtained by STRING software for ECE2. The confidence cut-off for showing interaction links was set to medium (0.400). ACE—angiotensin-converting enzyme, soluble form; APP—gamma-secretase C-terminal fragment 50; CD53—leukocyte surface antigen CD53; ECE2—endothelin-converting enzyme 2; EDN1—endothelin-1; EDN2—endothelin-2; EDN3—endothelin-3; EDNRA—endothelin receptor type a; EDNRB—endothelin receptor type B; EEF1AKMT4—EEF1A lysine methyltransferase 4; IDE—insulin-degrading enzyme; KNG1—kininogen-1; SYNE4—nesprin-4.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>PepM12B interaction pathways for the best homolog matches in humans. (<b>a</b>) Protein–protein interaction network obtained by STRING software for ADAMTS13; (<b>b</b>) human interactome from the HuRI for ADAMTS13; (<b>c</b>) protein–protein interaction network obtained by STRING software for ADAMTS20. The confidence cut-off for showing interaction links was set to medium (0.400). ACAN—aggrecan core protein 2; ADAMTS13—disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 13; ADAMTS20—disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 20; ADAMTSL2—ADAMTS-like protein 2; B3GLCT—beta-1,3-glucosyltransferase; C3—complement C3c alpha’ chain fragment 1; CD36—leukocyte surface antigen; CFI—complement factor I heavy chain; CFH—complement factor H; CFHR1—complement factor H-related protein 1; CFHR3—complement factor H-related protein 3; DGKE—diacylglycerol kinase epsilon; FURIN—Furin; F8—factor VIIIa heavy chain, 200 kDa isoform; GP1BA—platelet glycoprotein Ib alpha chain; HP—haptoglobin alpha chain; KITLG—soluble KIT ligand; POFUT2—GDP-fucose protein O-fructosyltransferases 2; SCARB1—scavenger receptor class B member 1; SCARB2—scavenger receptor class B member 2; SLC45A2—membrane-associated transporter protein; SSBP2—single-stranded DNA binding protein 2; VWF—Von Willebrand factor.</p> Full article ">
29 pages, 7110 KiB  
Systematic Review
A Review of Potential Feed Additives Intended for Carbon Footprint Reduction through Methane Abatement in Dairy Cattle
by Ian Hodge, Patrick Quille and Shane O’Connell
Animals 2024, 14(4), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14040568 - 8 Feb 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4318
Abstract
Eight rumen additives were chosen for an enteric methane-mitigating comparison study including garlic oil (GO), nitrate, Ascophyllum nodosum (AN), Asparagopsis (ASP), Lactobacillus plantarum (LAB), chitosan (CHI), essential oils (EOs) and 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP). Dose-dependent analysis was carried out on selected feed additives using a [...] Read more.
Eight rumen additives were chosen for an enteric methane-mitigating comparison study including garlic oil (GO), nitrate, Ascophyllum nodosum (AN), Asparagopsis (ASP), Lactobacillus plantarum (LAB), chitosan (CHI), essential oils (EOs) and 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP). Dose-dependent analysis was carried out on selected feed additives using a meta-analysis approach to determine effectiveness in live subjects or potential efficacy in live animal trials with particular attention given to enteric gas, volatile fatty acid concentrations, and rumen microbial counts. All meta-analysis involving additives GO, nitrates, LAB, CHI, EOs, and 3-NOP revealed a reduction in methane production, while individual studies for AN and ASP displayed ruminal bacterial community improvement and a reduction in enteric CH4. Rumen protozoal depression was observed with GO and AN supplementation as well as an increase in propionate production with GO, LAB, ASP, CHI, and 3-NOP rumen fluid inoculation. GO, AN, ASP, and LAB demonstrated mechanisms in vitro as feed additives to improve rumen function and act as enteric methane mitigators. Enzyme inhibitor 3-NOP displays the greatest in vivo CH4 mitigating capabilities compared to essential oil commercial products. Furthermore, this meta-analysis study revealed that in vitro studies in general displayed a greater level of methane mitigation with these compounds than was seen in vivo, emphasising the importance of in vivo trials for final verification of use. While in vitro gas production systems predict in vivo methane production and fermentation trends with reasonable accuracy, it is necessary to confirm feed additive rumen influence in vivo before practical application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Strategies to Control Enteric Methane Production of Ruminants)
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<p>Hydrogenotrophic and methylotrophic pathways producing CH<sub>4</sub> product from H<sub>2</sub>/CO<sub>2</sub>, methanol, methylamines, methyl sulphides as substrates for methanogenesis. Feed additive methods of CH<sub>4</sub> mitigation include (<b>1.</b>) H<sub>2</sub> scavenging of H<sub>2</sub> oxidation to H<sup>+</sup> in the hydrogenotrophic pathway and H<sub>2</sub> accumulation from the methylotrophic pathway; (<b>2.</b>) inhibiting 3–hydroxy–3–methyl–glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG–CoA); and (<b>3.</b>) targeting membranes of ciliate protozoa hosting dependant methanogens. Figure adapted from Kracker et al. [<a href="#B21-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">21</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>PRISMA flow diagram of published papers received from the Scopus search engine and included in the meta-analysis.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Forest plot representation of garlic oil (250–300 mg/L culture fluid) meta-analysis in vitro. C.I.—confidence interval; std. error—standard error; Het. <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value—heterogeneity <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value. References included [<a href="#B6-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">6</a>,<a href="#B9-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">9</a>,<a href="#B43-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">43</a>,<a href="#B44-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">44</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>OpenMeta analysis of essential oil blends (0.04–2.5 g/kg DM) in in vivo studies over 12–96 h data collection periods. C.I.—confidence interval; std. error—standard error; Het. <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value—heterogeneity <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value. References included [<a href="#B86-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">86</a>,<a href="#B87-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">87</a>,<a href="#B88-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">88</a>,<a href="#B89-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">89</a>,<a href="#B90-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">90</a>,<a href="#B91-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">91</a>,<a href="#B106-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">106</a>,<a href="#B107-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">107</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Forest plot representation of nitrate (20–23 g/kg DMI) CH<sub>4</sub> gas collection meta-analysis in vivo. C.I.—confidence interval; std. error—standard error; Het. <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value—heterogeneity <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value. References included [<a href="#B10-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">10</a>,<a href="#B48-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">48</a>,<a href="#B108-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">108</a>,<a href="#B109-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">109</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>OpenMeta analysis of chitosan (16–50 mg/g DM) for CH4 mitigation after 24 h and Rusitec incubation in vitro. C.I.—confidence interval; std. error—standard error; Het. <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value—heterogeneity <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value. References included [<a href="#B61-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">61</a>,<a href="#B110-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">110</a>,<a href="#B111-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">111</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Meta-analysis investigating the 3-NOP lower-dose range of 60–75 mg/kg DMI in vivo. C.I.—confidence interval; std. error—standard error; Het. <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value—heterogeneity <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value. References included [<a href="#B95-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">95</a>,<a href="#B96-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">96</a>,<a href="#B99-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">99</a>,<a href="#B100-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">100</a>,<a href="#B101-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">101</a>,<a href="#B102-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">102</a>,<a href="#B112-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">112</a>,<a href="#B113-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">113</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Meta-analysis investigating the 3-NOP higher-dose range of 100–183 mg/kg DMI in vivo. C.I.—confidence interval; std. error—standard error; Het. <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value—heterogeneity <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value. References included [<a href="#B8-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">8</a>,<a href="#B96-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">96</a>,<a href="#B97-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">97</a>,<a href="#B98-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">98</a>,<a href="#B102-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">102</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p>OpenMeta analysis of L. plantarum (6–9 log CFU/mL) CH<sub>4</sub> production after 48–72 h of in vitro incubation. C.I.—confidence interval; std. error—standard error; Het. <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value—heterogeneity <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value. References included [<a href="#B71-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">71</a>,<a href="#B76-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">76</a>,<a href="#B120-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">120</a>,<a href="#B121-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">121</a>,<a href="#B122-animals-14-00568" class="html-bibr">122</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 10
<p>Pooled estimate of meta-analysis results relative to standardised mean difference (SMD) from in vitro studies identified by orange diamonds (<span class="html-fig-inline" id="animals-14-00568-i001"><img alt="Animals 14 00568 i001" src="/animals/animals-14-00568/article_deploy/html/images/animals-14-00568-i001.png"/></span>) including garlic oil (GO), L. plantarum (LAB), chi-tosan (CHI), and in vivo studies identified by blue diamonds (<span class="html-fig-inline" id="animals-14-00568-i002"><img alt="Animals 14 00568 i002" src="/animals/animals-14-00568/article_deploy/html/images/animals-14-00568-i002.png"/></span>) including nitrate, essential oil blends (EOs), and 3-nitrooxypropanol at high (3-NOP High), and low doses (3-NOP Low).</p> Full article ">
23 pages, 2057 KiB  
Article
Alternatives to Carbon Dioxide in Two Phases for the Improvement of Broiler Chickens’ Welfare during Stunning
by Daniel Santiago Rucinque, Antonio Velarde, Aida Xercavins, Aranzazu Varvaró-Porter, Troy John Gibson, Virginie Michel and Alexandra Contreras-Jodar
Animals 2024, 14(3), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14030486 - 1 Feb 2024
Viewed by 2300
Abstract
This study evaluated the exposure to gas mixtures of carbon dioxide (CO2) associated with nitrogen (N2) as alternatives to CO2 in two phases to improve the welfare of broiler chickens at slaughter. Broilers were exposed to one of [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the exposure to gas mixtures of carbon dioxide (CO2) associated with nitrogen (N2) as alternatives to CO2 in two phases to improve the welfare of broiler chickens at slaughter. Broilers were exposed to one of three treatments: 40C90C (1st phase: <40% CO2 for 2 min; 2nd phase: >90% CO2 and <2% O2 for 2 min, n = 92), 40C60N (40% CO2, 60% N2, and <2% O2 for 4 min, n = 79), or 20C80N (20% CO2, 80% N2, and <2% O2 for 4 min, n = 72). Brain activity (EEG) was assessed to determine the onset of loss of consciousness (LOC) and death. Behavioural assessment allowed for characterisation of an aversive response to the treatments and confirmed loss of posture (LOP) and motionlessness as behavioural proxies of LOC and brain death in 40C60N and 20N80C. However, the lack of quality of the EEG traces obtained in 40C90C did not allow us to determine the onset of LOC and brain death for this treatment. The onset of LOC in 40C60N was found at 19 s [14–30 s] and in 20C80N at 21 s [16–37 s], whereas a LOP was seen at 53 s [26–156 s] in 40C90C. Birds showed brain death in 40C60N at 64 s [43–108 s] and in 20C80N at 70 s [45–88 s]), while they became motionless in 40C90C at 177 s [89–212 s]. The 40C90C birds not only experienced more events of aversive behaviours related to mucosal irritation, dyspnoea, and breathlessness during induction to unconsciousness but were at risk of remaining conscious when the CO2 concentration was increased in the 2nd phase (known to cause severe pain). From an animal welfare point of view, 40C60N proved to be the least aversive of the three treatments tested, followed by 20C80N and 40C90C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Stress and Welfare During Transport and Slaughtering)
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Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Representation of the distribution of broiler chickens in the pit-type gas stunning system per stunning cycle (dips into the pit). In each cycle, four birds were stunned, one bird had its brain activity recorded via electroencephalography (bird highlighted in black) and three birds were recorded with video cameras to assess their behaviour (birds highlighted in red). The bird whose brain activity was assessed was separated from the rest of the chickens by a transparent methacrylate wall.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Representation of needle electrodes’ positions for brain activity assessment via electroencephalography in feather-shaved broiler chickens with an (1) active electrode, (2) reference electrode, and (3) ground electrode.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Behavioural plot of broiler chickens (<span class="html-italic">n =</span> 100) exposed to atmospheric air in a pit-type gas stunning system. The graphical plot shows the behaviour of the birds in 1 s bins. Segments of 10s appear as horizontal dashed lines, whereas cycles (dips into the pit) are displayed as vertical lines. Four birds were used per cycle and each bird’s behaviour is represented by coloured vertical segments based on the colour coding shown in the legend.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Behavioural plot of a sample of broiler chickens exposed to different gas stunning treatments: (<b>A</b>) CO<sub>2</sub> in two phases, the 1st phase with &lt;40% CO<sub>2</sub> by volume in air for 2 min and 2nd phase with &gt;90% CO<sub>2</sub> for 2 min (<span class="html-italic">n =</span> 30); (<b>B</b>) gas mixture of 40% CO<sub>2</sub> and 60% nitrogen (N<sub>2</sub>) with less than 2% O<sub>2</sub> for 4 min (<span class="html-italic">n =</span> 30); and (<b>C</b>) gas mixture of 20% CO<sub>2</sub> and 80% N<sub>2</sub> with less than 2% O<sub>2</sub> for 4 min in a pit-type gas stunning system (<span class="html-italic">n =</span> 27). The graphical plot shows the behaviour of the birds in 1 s bins. Segments of 10s appear as horizontal dashed lines whereas cycles (dips into the pit) are displayed as vertical lines. Three birds were used per cycle and each bird’s behaviour is represented by coloured vertical segments based on the colour coding shown in the legend.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Boxplot of time to the onset of the different behaviours in broiler chickens before loss of posture, in sequence, after the exposure to different gas mixtures. Blue line represents median time to loss of posture, dotted red line means the second phase of 40C90C treatment, and red line indicates end of the period of exposure. (<b>A</b>) 40C90C: CO<sub>2</sub> in two phases, the first phase with &lt;40% CO<sub>2</sub> by volume in air for 2 min and the second phase with &gt;90% CO<sub>2</sub> for 2 min (<span class="html-italic">n =</span> 76, stunned in groups of three except for two times that birds were stunned in groups of two). (<b>B</b>) 40C60N: gas mixture of 40% CO<sub>2</sub> and 60% N<sub>2</sub> with less than 2% O<sub>2</sub> for 4 min (<span class="html-italic">n =</span> 63, stunned in threes). (<b>C</b>) 20C80N: gas mixture of 20% CO<sub>2</sub> and 80% N<sub>2</sub> with less than 2% O<sub>2</sub> for 4 min (<span class="html-italic">n =</span> 54, stunned in threes).</p> Full article ">Figure 5 Cont.
<p>Boxplot of time to the onset of the different behaviours in broiler chickens before loss of posture, in sequence, after the exposure to different gas mixtures. Blue line represents median time to loss of posture, dotted red line means the second phase of 40C90C treatment, and red line indicates end of the period of exposure. (<b>A</b>) 40C90C: CO<sub>2</sub> in two phases, the first phase with &lt;40% CO<sub>2</sub> by volume in air for 2 min and the second phase with &gt;90% CO<sub>2</sub> for 2 min (<span class="html-italic">n =</span> 76, stunned in groups of three except for two times that birds were stunned in groups of two). (<b>B</b>) 40C60N: gas mixture of 40% CO<sub>2</sub> and 60% N<sub>2</sub> with less than 2% O<sub>2</sub> for 4 min (<span class="html-italic">n =</span> 63, stunned in threes). (<b>C</b>) 20C80N: gas mixture of 20% CO<sub>2</sub> and 80% N<sub>2</sub> with less than 2% O<sub>2</sub> for 4 min (<span class="html-italic">n =</span> 54, stunned in threes).</p> Full article ">
11 pages, 250 KiB  
Article
Effects of Dietary Crude Protein Level of Concentrate Mix on Growth Performance, Rumen Characteristics, Blood Metabolites, and Methane Emissions in Fattening Hanwoo Steers
by Joonpyo Oh, Hyunjin Cho, Sinyong Jeong, Kyewon Kang, Mingyung Lee, Seoyoung Jeon, Hamin Kang and Seongwon Seo
Animals 2024, 14(3), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14030469 - 31 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1476
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of varying levels of dietary crude protein (CP) on growth performance, rumen characteristics, blood metabolites, and methane emissions in fattening Hanwoo steers. Twenty-four steers, weighing 504 ± 33.0 kg (16 months old), were assigned to four [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the effect of varying levels of dietary crude protein (CP) on growth performance, rumen characteristics, blood metabolites, and methane emissions in fattening Hanwoo steers. Twenty-four steers, weighing 504 ± 33.0 kg (16 months old), were assigned to four dietary treatments with different CP concentrations (15, 18, 19, and 21% of CP on a dry matter (DM) basis). A linear increasing trend in the average daily gain (ADG) was observed (p = 0.066). With increased dietary CP levels, the rumen ammonia concentration significantly increased (p < 0.001), while the propionate proportion linearly decreased (p = 0.004) and the proportions of butyrate and valerate linearly increased (p ≤ 0.003). The blood urea exhibited a linear increase (p < 0.001), whereas the blood non-esterified fatty acids and cholesterol showed a linear decrease (p ≤ 0.003) with increasing dietary CP. The methane concentration from eructation per intake (ppm/kg), forage neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake, total NDF intake, and ADG exhibited linear decreases (p ≤ 0.014) across the treatments. In conclusion, increasing the dietary CP up to 21% in concentrates demonstrated a tendency to linearly increase the ADG and significantly decrease the propionate while increasing the butyrate. The methane concentration from eructation exhibited a tendency to linearly decrease with increasing dietary CP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)
13 pages, 2622 KiB  
Technical Note
Computed Tomography Evaluation of Frozen or Glycerinated Bradypus variegatus Cadavers: A Comprehensive View with Emphasis on Anatomical Aspects
by Michel Santos e Cunha, Rodrigo dos Santos Albuquerque, José Gonçalo Monteiro Campos, Francisco Décio de Oliveira Monteiro, Kayan da Cunha Rossy, Thiago da Silva Cardoso, Lucas Santos Carvalho, Luisa Pucci Bueno Borges, Sheyla Farhayldes Souza Domingues, Roberto Thiesen, Roberta Martins Crivelaro Thiesen and Pedro Paulo Maia Teixeira
Animals 2024, 14(3), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14030355 - 23 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1458
Abstract
Bradypus variegatus has unique anatomical characteristics, and many of its vascular and digestive tract aspects have yet to be clearly understood. This lack of information makes clinical diagnoses and surgical procedures difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical aspects [...] Read more.
Bradypus variegatus has unique anatomical characteristics, and many of its vascular and digestive tract aspects have yet to be clearly understood. This lack of information makes clinical diagnoses and surgical procedures difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical aspects of frozen and glycerinated corpses of B. variegatus using computed tomography (CT), emphasizing vascular and digestive contrast studies. Nine corpses that died during routine hospital were examined via CT in the supine position with scanning in the craniocaudal direction. In frozen cadavers, the contrast was injected into a cephalic vein after thawing and, subsequently, was administered orally. In addition to bone structures, CT allowed the identification of organs, soft tissues, and vascular structures in specimens. Visualization of soft tissues was better after contrast been administered intravenously and orally, even without active vascularization. Furthermore, the surfaces of the organs were highlighted by the glycerination method. With this technique, it was possible to describe part of the vascularization of the brachial, cervical, thoracic, and abdominal regions, in addition to highlighting the esophagus and part of the stomach. CT can be another tool for the evaluation of B. variegatus cadavers by anatomists or pathologists, contributing to the identification of anatomical structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mammals)
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Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Tomographic image that highlights the bony structures of <span class="html-italic">Bradypus variegatus</span>.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Contrasted image that highlights the soft tissue of <span class="html-italic">Bradypus variegatus</span>. (<b>A</b>) Topographic location of the right axillary (AV), cranial vena cava (CV), and right external jugular (JV) veins demonstrated by intravenous contrast. (<b>B</b>) Topographic location of the hepatic vasculature evidenced by contrast. (<b>C</b>) Topographic location of the vascularization of organs and systems evidenced by intravenous contrast. (<b>D</b>) Topographic location of the vascularization of organs and systems in the thoracic region evidenced by intravenous contrast. (<b>E</b>) Topographic location of organ and system vascularization in the abdominal region evidenced by intravenous contrast. (<b>F</b>) Topographic location of the renal vasculature evidenced by intravenous contrast.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Schematic drawings of the organs and tissues of <span class="html-italic">Bradypus variegatus</span>. (<b>A</b>) Schematic demonstration of the right cephalic (AV) and axillary veins (AV), cranial vena cava (CV) and right external jugular vein (JV). (<b>B</b>) Schematic demonstration of the liver vasculature. (<b>C</b>) General view schematically demonstrating the organs and their respective vasculature. (<b>D</b>) Schematic demonstration of the topographic location of the esophagus and stomach. (<b>E</b>) Schematic demonstration of the renal vasculature.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Tomographic images of cadavers from <span class="html-italic">Bradypus variegatus</span> preserved in glycerin. Tomographic image enhancing bony tissue.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Tomographic image demonstrating the stomach and esophagus contrasted by glycerin.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Vascularization of the thoracic region. (<b>A</b>) Vascularization starts from the cephalic vein, advancing to the right and left vertebral veins, progresses to the heart until the beginning of the pulmonary artery. (<b>B</b>) The contrast penetrated until it fully completed the pulmonary parenchyma. (<b>C</b>) Schematic drawing showing the path of the contrast starting in the cephalic vein, enhancing the cardiac and pulmonary tissue.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>(<b>A</b>) Tomographic image showing the contrast progressing through the cranial vena cava, marking the cardiac area, partially showing the right atrium and ventricle, advancing to the vena cava and hepatic veins, fulfilling the whole hepatic parenchyma. (<b>B</b>) Schematic drawing showing the path of the contrast through the cranial and caudal. (<b>C</b>) Schematic drawing showing the vascularization of the liver.</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Renal vascularization. (<b>A</b>) Tomographic image showing the enhancement of contrast in renal structures by means of the vena cava caudal, which ramified into the right and left renal veins, as well as the disposition of the internal and external iliac veins. (<b>B</b>) Schematic drawing presenting renal vascularization demonstrating the kidneys and their location.</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Topographic location of the stomach. (<b>A</b>) Tomographic image revealing, after oral contrast, the cranial, thoracic, and abdominal portions of the esophagus, then advancing to the stomach, delimitating its parts. (<b>B</b>) Schematic drawing showing the esophagus and stomach, as well as their location.</p> Full article ">
44 pages, 4601 KiB  
Article
Impacts of Puppy Early Life Experiences, Puppy-Purchasing Practices, and Owner Characteristics on Owner-Reported Problem Behaviours in a UK Pandemic Puppies Cohort at 21 Months of Age
by Claire L. Brand, Dan G. O’Neill, Zoe Belshaw, Fiona C. Dale, Bree L. Merritt, Kathryn N. Clover, Mi-Xue Michelle Tay, Camilla L. Pegram and Rowena M. A. Packer
Animals 2024, 14(2), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020336 - 22 Jan 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 6096
Abstract
Problem behaviours are a leading cause of relinquishment and euthanasia of young dogs. Previous research has identified associations between owner-reported problem behaviours and risk factors, including how dogs were acquired as puppies, early socialisation experiences, and owners’ experience levels. Puppies acquired during the [...] Read more.
Problem behaviours are a leading cause of relinquishment and euthanasia of young dogs. Previous research has identified associations between owner-reported problem behaviours and risk factors, including how dogs were acquired as puppies, early socialisation experiences, and owners’ experience levels. Puppies acquired during the 2020 phase of the UK COVID-19 pandemic (“Pandemic Puppies”) were more likely to be exposed to many of these risk factors compared to puppies acquired in 2019; however, consequences for their adult behaviour are, as yet, unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the impact of these early-life and provenance-based risk factors, in addition to owner management strategies (including training methods) into early adulthood, upon adult dog behaviour aged 21 months. An online longitudinal cohort study of n = 985 Pandemic Puppies was conducted, recruited from a cohort of n = 4369 puppies originally surveyed in November–December 2020, which included data on how and why they were acquired and their socialisation/habituation experiences <16 weeks of age. Nearly all owners (96.7%) reported that their dog had exhibited at least one problem behaviour up to 21 months of age (median: 5; IQR: 3–7). Almost one third of dogs (30.9%) were reported to have displayed separation-related behaviours. Multivariable linear regression modelling revealed that owners reporting more problem behaviours were more likely to use multiple aversive training techniques (e.g., physical punishment), the use of which was notably high in this population (82.3%) compared to previous studies. Attendance at online puppy classes was the sole protective factor against owner use of aversive training methods. Almost one third of owners had underestimated how hard training their dog would be; this view was more likely among first-time owners. Urgent efforts are required to support this vulnerable population of dogs, including providing owner education regarding humane training techniques, to improve canine emotional health and avoid future relinquishment and/or behavioural euthanasia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Companion Animals)
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<p>Schematic representation of the 21-month survey structure used for owners of UK Pandemic Puppies acquired &lt;16 weeks of age between 1 July and 31 December 2020. Branching logic and filter questions gave owners a personalised survey experience. A brief survey option was available for owners who no longer had their dogs, including those dogs that had been rehomed or died, to encourage participation. An option to opt-out of the current survey and/or all future surveys was also provided. Owners indicating they were happy to take part were directed to the full survey.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Distribution of the number of problem behaviours per dog since the last survey, reported by owners when their dog was 21 months of age, from a cohort of UK Pandemic Puppies acquired &lt;16 weeks of age between 1 July and 31 December 2020 (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 788).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Owner response to their dogs’ separation-related behaviours upon returning to the home, as reported by their owners at 21 months old in a cohort of UK Pandemic Puppies acquired &lt;16 weeks of age between 1 July and 31 December 2020 (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 285).</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Distribution of the longest stretch of time dogs were left alone at 21 months of age in a cohort of UK Pandemic Puppies acquired &lt;16 weeks of age between 1 July and 31 December 2020 (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 897).</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Location dogs were left alone at 21 months of age in a cohort of UK Pandemic Puppies acquired &lt;16 weeks of age between 1 July and 31 December 2020 (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 859).</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Change in time dogs were left alone between acquisition in 2020 (aged &lt;16 weeks) and aged 21 months of age in a cohort of UK Pandemic Puppies acquired &lt;16 weeks of age between 1 July and 31 December 2020 (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 868).</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Frequency of different aversive and rewards-based training methods/aids used in the first 21 months of ownership in a cohort of UK Pandemic Puppies acquired &lt;16 weeks of age between 1 July and 31 December 2020 (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 758). N.B. Only data from owners who responded yes/no to all MCQ options presented (except harness, due to its ambiguity) are included.</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Distribution of the total number out of 26 potential options of different aversive (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 898 total respondents) and rewards-based methods/aids (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 925 total respondents) used per dog during the first 21 months of ownership in a cohort of UK Pandemic Puppies acquired &lt;16 weeks of age between 1 July and 31 December 2020.</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Distribution of advice sources used by owners for dogs displaying problem behaviours up to 21 months of age in a cohort of UK Pandemic Puppies acquired &lt;16 weeks of age between 1 July and 31 December 2020. Advice sources used by owners who responded that their dog displayed the behaviours comprising the seven behaviour types [<a href="#B4-animals-14-00336" class="html-bibr">4</a>] in addition to those uncategorised: (<b>a</b>) control behaviours; (<b>b</b>) attention-seeking behaviours; (<b>c</b>) aggressive behaviours; (<b>d</b>) fear/avoidance behaviours; (<b>e</b>) reaction to dogs’ behaviours; (<b>f</b>) reaction to familiar people behaviours; (<b>g</b>) reaction to unfamiliar people behaviours; and (<b>h</b>) uncategorised behaviours. Note that some behaviours in (<b>c</b>,<b>d</b>) are repeated in (<b>e</b>–<b>g</b>).</p> Full article ">Figure 9 Cont.
<p>Distribution of advice sources used by owners for dogs displaying problem behaviours up to 21 months of age in a cohort of UK Pandemic Puppies acquired &lt;16 weeks of age between 1 July and 31 December 2020. Advice sources used by owners who responded that their dog displayed the behaviours comprising the seven behaviour types [<a href="#B4-animals-14-00336" class="html-bibr">4</a>] in addition to those uncategorised: (<b>a</b>) control behaviours; (<b>b</b>) attention-seeking behaviours; (<b>c</b>) aggressive behaviours; (<b>d</b>) fear/avoidance behaviours; (<b>e</b>) reaction to dogs’ behaviours; (<b>f</b>) reaction to familiar people behaviours; (<b>g</b>) reaction to unfamiliar people behaviours; and (<b>h</b>) uncategorised behaviours. Note that some behaviours in (<b>c</b>,<b>d</b>) are repeated in (<b>e</b>–<b>g</b>).</p> Full article ">Figure 9 Cont.
<p>Distribution of advice sources used by owners for dogs displaying problem behaviours up to 21 months of age in a cohort of UK Pandemic Puppies acquired &lt;16 weeks of age between 1 July and 31 December 2020. Advice sources used by owners who responded that their dog displayed the behaviours comprising the seven behaviour types [<a href="#B4-animals-14-00336" class="html-bibr">4</a>] in addition to those uncategorised: (<b>a</b>) control behaviours; (<b>b</b>) attention-seeking behaviours; (<b>c</b>) aggressive behaviours; (<b>d</b>) fear/avoidance behaviours; (<b>e</b>) reaction to dogs’ behaviours; (<b>f</b>) reaction to familiar people behaviours; (<b>g</b>) reaction to unfamiliar people behaviours; and (<b>h</b>) uncategorised behaviours. Note that some behaviours in (<b>c</b>,<b>d</b>) are repeated in (<b>e</b>–<b>g</b>).</p> Full article ">Figure 9 Cont.
<p>Distribution of advice sources used by owners for dogs displaying problem behaviours up to 21 months of age in a cohort of UK Pandemic Puppies acquired &lt;16 weeks of age between 1 July and 31 December 2020. Advice sources used by owners who responded that their dog displayed the behaviours comprising the seven behaviour types [<a href="#B4-animals-14-00336" class="html-bibr">4</a>] in addition to those uncategorised: (<b>a</b>) control behaviours; (<b>b</b>) attention-seeking behaviours; (<b>c</b>) aggressive behaviours; (<b>d</b>) fear/avoidance behaviours; (<b>e</b>) reaction to dogs’ behaviours; (<b>f</b>) reaction to familiar people behaviours; (<b>g</b>) reaction to unfamiliar people behaviours; and (<b>h</b>) uncategorised behaviours. Note that some behaviours in (<b>c</b>,<b>d</b>) are repeated in (<b>e</b>–<b>g</b>).</p> Full article ">
12 pages, 1382 KiB  
Article
An Influx of Non-Native Bird Species into the Natural Environment Owing to the Accidental Release of Pet Birds in Japan
by Sumiko Nishida and Wataru Kitamura
Animals 2024, 14(2), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020221 - 10 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2986
Abstract
The escape of pet birds into the wild raises concerns about the introduction of invasive avian species. This study investigated the impact of escaped pet birds on the introduction of non-native species in Japan. Data sourced from four lost-and-found pet websites between January [...] Read more.
The escape of pet birds into the wild raises concerns about the introduction of invasive avian species. This study investigated the impact of escaped pet birds on the introduction of non-native species in Japan. Data sourced from four lost-and-found pet websites between January 2018 and December 2021 revealed 12,125 recorded escapes exhibiting both daily occurrences and seasonal fluctuations. Statistical modeling identified the monthly average temperature (positively correlated) and maximum electricity demand (negatively correlated) as influential factors. Text analysis revealed “window” and “open” as frequently cited reasons for escapes. Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) accounted for 76% of the total escape, suggesting a low perceived risk of establishment in nonnative environments. Interestingly, two globally established invasive species, the Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) and Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), were among the escaped birds. While the Rose-ringed Parakeet is locally naturalized in Tokyo and its adjacent prefectures, the Monk Parakeet failed to establish itself in Japan. Despite the limited number of escaped Monk Parakeets, ongoing efforts are crucial for preventing the potential re-establishment of species with such capabilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Invasive Birds: New Advances and Perspectives)
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<p>Geographic variation in the frequency of pet bird escape in Japan.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Temporal variations in number of escapes per day.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Species of pet birds most frequently reported as escaped.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>The appearance frequency of the most frequently appearing words in the texts posted by owners related to the cause of escape; (<b>a</b>) “window (mado)”; and (<b>b</b>) “to open (akeru)”.</p> Full article ">
12 pages, 3766 KiB  
Article
Cultivable Gut Microbiota in Synanthropic Bats: Shifts of Its Composition and Diversity Associated with Hibernation
by Igor V. Popov, Iraida S. Berezinskaia, Ilia V. Popov, Irina B. Martiusheva, Elizaveta V. Tkacheva, Vladislav E. Gorobets, Iuliia A. Tikhmeneva, Anna V. Aleshukina, Tatiana I. Tverdokhlebova, Michael L. Chikindas, Koen Venema and Alexey M. Ermakov
Animals 2023, 13(23), 3658; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13233658 - 26 Nov 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2097
Abstract
The role of bats in the global microbial ecology no doubt is significant due to their unique immune responses, ability to fly, and long lifespan, all contributing to pathogen spread. Some of these animals hibernate during winter, which results in the altering of [...] Read more.
The role of bats in the global microbial ecology no doubt is significant due to their unique immune responses, ability to fly, and long lifespan, all contributing to pathogen spread. Some of these animals hibernate during winter, which results in the altering of their physiology. However, gut microbiota shifts during hibernation is little studied. In this research, we studied cultivable gut microbiota composition and diversity of Nyctalus noctula before, during, and after hibernation in a bat rehabilitation center. Gut microorganisms were isolated on a broad spectrum of culture media, counted, and identified with mass spectrometry. Linear modeling was used to investigate associations between microorganism abundance and N. noctula physiological status, and alpha- and beta-diversity indexes were used to explore diversity changes. As a result, most notable changes were observed in Serratia liquefaciens, Hafnia alvei, Staphylococcus sciuri, and Staphylococcus xylosus, which were significantly more highly abundant in hibernating bats, while Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella oxytoca, Providencia rettgeri, Citrobacter braakii, and Pedicoccus pentosaceus were more abundant in active bats before hibernation. The alpha-diversity was the lowest in hibernating bats, while the beta-diversity differed significantly among all studied periods. Overall, this study shows that hibernation contributes to changes in bat cultivable gut microbiota composition and diversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bats of Europe: Current Research on Diversity, Ecology and Conservation Needs)
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<p>Alpha- and beta-diversity metrics in fecal samples obtained before, during, and after hibernation of Nyctalus noctula. Jitter plots show differences in alpha-diversity based on (<b>A</b>) Shannon index, (<b>B</b>) Chao1 index, and (<b>C</b>) Pielou’s evenness. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) plot (<b>D</b>) illustrates differences in beta-diversity based on the Bray–Curtis distance matrix. <span class="html-italic">Q</span>-values for alpha-diversity indexes were calculated with the Benjamini–Hochberg adjustment for the Kruskal–Wallis overall comparison and for the Mann–Whitney test for pairwise comparisons. <span class="html-italic">Q</span>-values for beta-diversity differences were calculated with the PERMANOVA test following the Benjamini–Hochberg adjustment for pairwise comparisons; the number of permutations was set to 1000.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Stacked bar charts representing cultivable gut microbiota composition (as relative abundance (RA) of bacterial species) in fecal samples obtained before, during, and after the hibernation of <span class="html-italic">Nyctalus noctula</span>. Taxa in the legends are ordered from the most abundant to the least among all three studied groups. The category “other” contains species that mean RA among all groups less than 2%.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Volcano plot illustrating the results of the differential abundance analysis of bacterial species isolated from fecal samples of <span class="html-italic">Nyctalus noctula</span> before, during, and after hibernation. Microbial composition during hibernation was used as a reference for the linear model analysis. Blue, yellow, and red dots on the plot show bacteria, the abundance of which had significant associations with studied physiological statuses related to hibernation. Blue dots represent bacteria whose abundance was significantly lower in bats before hibernation in comparison with the reference. Yellow dots represent bacteria whose abundance was significantly lower in bats after hibernation in comparison with the reference. Red dots represent bacteria whose abundance was significantly higher in bats before hibernation in comparison with the reference.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Box plots illustrating the abundance of identified species in the form of colony-forming units per gram (CFU/g) that differ significantly in active bats before and after hibernation in comparison with hibernating bats: (<b>A</b>) <span class="html-italic">Serratia liquefaciens</span>, (<b>B</b>) <span class="html-italic">Hafnia alvei</span>, (<b>C</b>) <span class="html-italic">Staphylococcus sciuri</span>, (<b>D</b>) <span class="html-italic">Staphylococcus xylosus</span>, (<b>E</b>) <span class="html-italic">Citrobacter braakii</span>, (<b>F</b>) <span class="html-italic">Klebsiella oxytoca</span>, (<b>G</b>) <span class="html-italic">Providencia rettgeri</span>, (<b>H</b>) <span class="html-italic">Citrobacter braakii</span>, and (<b>I</b>) <span class="html-italic">Pedicoccus pentosaceus</span>. <span class="html-italic">Q</span>-values were calculated with MaAsLin2 linear model (LM) analysis following Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate correction.</p> Full article ">
18 pages, 2195 KiB  
Article
Understanding the Factors Influencing Cat Containment: Identifying Opportunities for Behaviour Change
by Gemma C. Ma and Lynette J. McLeod
Animals 2023, 13(10), 1630; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13101630 - 12 May 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2977
Abstract
There are over 5 million pet cats in Australia managed on a spectrum from fully indoors to completely outdoor free roaming. Roaming cats threaten biodiversity, can create a nuisance and are at risk of accidents and injury. Hence, there is substantial interest in [...] Read more.
There are over 5 million pet cats in Australia managed on a spectrum from fully indoors to completely outdoor free roaming. Roaming cats threaten biodiversity, can create a nuisance and are at risk of accidents and injury. Hence, there is substantial interest in behaviour change interventions to increase cat containment. An online questionnaire collected information on cat owner demographics, the number of cats owned, current containment behaviours and an agreement with 15 capability, opportunity and motivation (COM) items. Responses were received from 4482 cat owners. More than half (65%) indicated that they currently keep their cat(s) fully contained. Another 24% practiced a night curfew. Owners’ psychological capability had the greatest influence on containment behaviour. Motivation (community- and cat welfare-framed), living in an apartment and renting were also associated with a greater likelihood of containment. Cat owners not currently containing their cats could be divided into six profiles who differed on agreement with COM themes, age, future intentions, current behaviour, location and gender. Understanding differences between cat owner segments can assist with designing behaviour change interventions. Increasing cat owners’ psychological capability to contain their cats and encouraging the adoption of a night curfew as a first step towards 24 h containment are recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Companion Animals)
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<p>Estimate of time spent outside by cat owners who currently practice a night curfew or let their cats 24 h roam.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Likelihood of future intentions to (<b>a</b>) prevent their cat from roaming more often and (<b>b</b>) keep their cat 24 h contained by cat owners who either currently practice a night curfew or let their cats 24 h roam.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Average agreement of cat owners (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 4482) on ratings to COM themes, of their current cat containment behaviour (24 h contain, night curfew or 24 h roam).</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Main factors considered by cat owners when deciding to allow their cat to roam freely.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Average agreement scores of the Capability, Social opportunity and Motivation themes across the six identified profiles.</p> Full article ">
12 pages, 872 KiB  
Article
Multimodal Communication in the Human–Cat Relationship: A Pilot Study
by Charlotte de Mouzon and Gérard Leboucher
Animals 2023, 13(9), 1528; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13091528 - 3 May 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 18530
Abstract
Across all species, communication implies that an emitter sends signals to a receiver, through one or more channels. Cats can integrate visual and auditory signals sent by humans and modulate their behaviour according to the valence of the emotion perceived. However, the specific [...] Read more.
Across all species, communication implies that an emitter sends signals to a receiver, through one or more channels. Cats can integrate visual and auditory signals sent by humans and modulate their behaviour according to the valence of the emotion perceived. However, the specific patterns and channels governing cat-to-human communication are poorly understood. This study addresses whether, in an extraspecific interaction, cats are sensitive to the communication channel used by their human interlocutor. We examined three types of interactions—vocal, visual, and bimodal—by coding video clips of 12 cats living in cat cafés. In a fourth (control) condition, the human interlocutor refrained from emitting any communication signal. We found that the modality of communication had a significant effect on the latency in the time taken for cats to approach the human experimenter. Cats interacted significantly faster to visual and bimodal communication compared to the “no communication” pattern, as well as to vocal communication. In addition, communication modality had a significant effect on tail-wagging behaviour. Cats displayed significantly more tail wagging when the experimenter engaged in no communication (control condition) compared to visual and bimodal communication modes, indicating that they were less comfortable in this control condition. Cats also displayed more tail wagging in response to vocal communication compared to the bimodal communication. Overall, our data suggest that cats display a marked preference for both visual and bimodal cues addressed by non-familiar humans compared to vocal cues only. Results arising from the present study may serve as a basis for practical recommendations to navigate the codes of human–cat interactions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Companion Animals)
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<p>Experimental setup.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Latency in time taken for cats to approach the experimenter according to each testing condition. Median, lower and upper quartiles of the data are given; error bars represent the 10th and 90th percentiles; <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 12. The letters in brackets (a,b) indicate significant differences: visual (c) and bimodal (d) are different from “no communication” (a) and from vocal (b), (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Behaviour duration according to each testing condition for cats displaying tail wagging. Behaviour durations were adjusted to observation durations. Median, lower and upper quartiles of the data are given; error bars represent the 10th and 90th percentiles; dots represent outliers; <span class="html-italic">n</span> = 12. The letters in brackets indicate significant differences: visual and bimodal are different from (a) “no communication”, bimodal is different from (b) vocal, (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05).</p> Full article ">
23 pages, 5672 KiB  
Article
Taurine Supplementation to Plant-Based Diets Improves Lipid Metabolism in Senegalese Sole
by Cláudia Aragão, Rita Teodósio, Rita Colen, Nadège Richard, Ivar Rønnestad, Jorge Dias, Luís E. C. Conceição and Laura Ribeiro
Animals 2023, 13(9), 1501; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13091501 - 28 Apr 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4003
Abstract
Taurine is a sulphur-containing amino acid with important physiological roles and a key compound for the synthesis of bile salts, which are essential for the emulsion and absorption of dietary lipids. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of taurine supplementation to low-fishmeal [...] Read more.
Taurine is a sulphur-containing amino acid with important physiological roles and a key compound for the synthesis of bile salts, which are essential for the emulsion and absorption of dietary lipids. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of taurine supplementation to low-fishmeal diets on the metabolism of taurine, bile acids, and lipids of Senegalese sole. A fishmeal (FM) and a plant-protein-based (PP0) diet were formulated, and the latter was supplemented with taurine at 0.5 and 1.5% (diets PP0.5 and PP1.5). Diets were assigned to triplicate tanks containing 35 fish (initial weight ~14 g) for 6 weeks. Fish from the PP0 treatment presented lower taurine and bile-acid concentrations compared with the FM treatment, and a downregulation of cyp7a1 and abcb11 was observed. Triolein catabolism decreased in PP0-fed fish, resulting in increased hepatic fat content and plasma triglycerides, while no effects on plasma cholesterol were observed. Taurine supplementation to plant-based diets resulted in a higher taurine accumulation in fish tissues, increased bile-acid concentration, and upregulation of cyp7a1 and abcb11. Hepatic fat content and plasma triglycerides decreased with increasing dietary taurine supplementation. Taurine supplementation mitigated part of the negative effects of plant-based diets, leading to better lipid utilisation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Amino Acid Supplementation in Fish Nutrition and Welfare)
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<p>Hepatosomatic (<b>a—HSI</b>) and viscerosomatic (<b>b—VSI</b>) indexes of Senegalese sole juveniles fed a fishmeal (FM), a plant-based (PP0), or a PP diet supplemented with 0.5% (PP0.5) or 1.5% (PP1.5) of taurine. Values are means + standard deviation (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 6). Different letters indicate significant differences (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) among dietary treatments.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Fat content in the liver (<b>a</b>) and viscera (<b>b</b>) of Senegalese sole juveniles fed a fishmeal (FM), a plant-based (PP0), or a PP diet supplemented with 0.5% (PP0.5) or 1.5% (PP1.5) of taurine. Values are means + standard deviation (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 3). Different letters indicate significant differences (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) among dietary treatments. DM = dry matter.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Histological sections (H&amp;E staining) of the liver of Senegalese sole juveniles fed a fishmeal (<b>FM—a</b>), a plant-based (<b>PP—b</b>), or a PP diet supplemented with 0.5% (<b>PP0.5—c</b>) or 1.5% (<b>PP1.5—d</b>) of taurine.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Taurine content in the liver (filled bars) and body (shaded bars) of Senegalese sole juveniles fed a fishmeal (FM), a plant-based (PP0), or a PP diet supplemented with 0.5% (PP0.5) or 1.5% (PP1.5) of taurine. Values are means + standard deviation (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 3). Different letters indicate significant differences (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) among dietary treatments. DM = dry matter.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Bile-acid concentration in the bile of Senegalese sole juveniles fed a fishmeal (FM), a plant-based (PP0), or a PP diet supplemented with 0.5% (PP0.5) or 1.5% (PP1.5) of taurine. Values are means + standard deviation (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 3). Different letters indicate significant differences (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) among dietary treatments.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Triglycerides (<b>a</b>) and total cholesterol (<b>b</b>) concentration in plasma of Senegalese sole juveniles fed a fishmeal (FM), a plant-based (PP), or a PP diet supplemented with 0.5% (PP0.5) or 1.5% (PP1.5) of taurine. Values are means + standard deviation (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 9). Different letters indicate significant differences (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) among dietary treatments. The absence of letters indicates no significant differences.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Relative mRNA expression of genes involved in bile-acid metabolism (<b>a</b>): <span class="html-italic">cyp7a1</span> (cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1), <span class="html-italic">taut</span> (solute carrier family 6 member 6), <span class="html-italic">abcc2</span> (ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 2), and <span class="html-italic">abcb11</span> (ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 11); or in lipid metabolism (<b>b</b>): <span class="html-italic">apoa1</span> (apolipoprotein A1), <span class="html-italic">apoa4</span> (apolipoprotein A4), <span class="html-italic">apob100</span> (apolipoprotein B100), <span class="html-italic">mtp</span> (microsomal triacylglycerol transfer protein), <span class="html-italic">vldlr</span> (very-low-density lipoprotein receptor), and <span class="html-italic">plin2</span> (perilipin 2) of Senegalese sole juveniles fed a fishmeal (FM), a plant-based (PP0), or a PP diet supplemented with 0.5% (PP0.5) or 1.5% (PP1.5) of taurine. Values are means + standard deviation (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 7–9). Different letters indicate significant differences (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) among dietary treatments. The absence of letters indicates no significant differences.</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Principal component analysis (PCA) of the relative mRNA expression data in the liver of Senegalese sole juveniles fed the different experimental diets (FM, PP, PP0.5, and PP1.5). Each point represents the projection of an individual sample in the PC1 and PC2 axes. The ellipses represent 95% confidence intervals around the centroid (larger point) of each data cluster.</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p><sup>14</sup>C-Triolein evacuation (<b>a</b>), catabolism (<b>b</b>), and retention in the liver (<b>c</b>), viscera (<b>d</b>), and body (<b>e</b>) of Senegalese sole juveniles fed a fishmeal (FM), a plant-based (PP0), or a PP diet supplemented with 0.5% (PP0.5) or 1.5% (PP1.5) of taurine. Values are means + standard deviation (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 6). Different letters indicate significant differences (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) among dietary treatments. The absence of letters indicates no significant differences. DPM = disintegrations per minute.</p> Full article ">Figure 9 Cont.
<p><sup>14</sup>C-Triolein evacuation (<b>a</b>), catabolism (<b>b</b>), and retention in the liver (<b>c</b>), viscera (<b>d</b>), and body (<b>e</b>) of Senegalese sole juveniles fed a fishmeal (FM), a plant-based (PP0), or a PP diet supplemented with 0.5% (PP0.5) or 1.5% (PP1.5) of taurine. Values are means + standard deviation (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 6). Different letters indicate significant differences (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) among dietary treatments. The absence of letters indicates no significant differences. DPM = disintegrations per minute.</p> Full article ">
17 pages, 2294 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Effect of Functional Diets Containing Phytobiotic Compounds in Whiteleg Shrimp Health: Resistance to Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrotic Disease Caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus
by Carla Hernández-Cabanyero, Esther Carrascosa, Silvia Jiménez and Belén Fouz
Animals 2023, 13(8), 1354; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13081354 - 15 Apr 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4207
Abstract
Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis (AHPND) is an emerging severe disease caused by strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VpAHPND) in whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Mitigating its negative impact, and at the same time minimizing antibiotics treatments, is the major challenge in [...] Read more.
Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis (AHPND) is an emerging severe disease caused by strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VpAHPND) in whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Mitigating its negative impact, and at the same time minimizing antibiotics treatments, is the major challenge in shrimp aquaculture. A sustainable strategy could be to include immunostimulants in diet. Phytobiotics, harmless plant extracts with immunostimulatory and biocidal activities, are promising candidates. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of two diets (E and F) supplemented with phytobiotics (functional diets) in terms of protecting shrimp against AHPND. For this purpose, groups of animals were fed functional or control diets for 4 and 5 weeks and, subsequently, they were challenged with VpAHPND by immersion. We compared the mortality in infected groups and estimated the percentage of carriers by using a specific qPCR in hepatopancreas tissue. The results showed that mortality was significantly lower in the group fed functional diet E and, after a 5-week feeding schedule. This group also showed the lowest percentage of carriers. The pathological effects were also reduced with diet F. Thus, feeding shrimp with phytobiotic-enriched diets in critical periods will be highly beneficial because it increases the host’s resistance to AHPND pathology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Feeds to Improve Shrimp and Fish Aquaculture)
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<p>Overview of the experimental design of this study. Created with BioRender.com.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p><span class="html-italic">Vp</span> qPCR sensitivity and detection limit. <span class="html-italic">Vp</span> qPCR sensitivity was tested using both purified DNA and bacterial cells and the detection limits were established. The figure shows the standard curves built from the CT values obtained in <span class="html-italic">Vp</span> qPCR of samples with different concentrations of DNA (left) and bacterial cells (right) of the <span class="html-italic">Vp</span><sub>AHPND</sub> strain.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Cumulative mortalities and percentage of survival in shrimps fed functional diets E and F or control diet G (for 4 or 5 weeks) and challenged with <span class="html-italic">Vibrio parahaemolyticus</span> (<span class="html-italic">Vp</span><sub>AHPND</sub> strain).</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Average percentage of mortality in shrimps fed functional diets (for 4 or 5 weeks) and challenged with <span class="html-italic">Vibrio parahaemolyticus</span> (<span class="html-italic">Vp</span><sub>AHPND</sub> strain). *: significant differences in mortality (logistic regression analysis). The “casualty” and “survivor” data of the shrimp fed control diet G in challenge 1 (G1 tank) were used as reference for comparison, with the mortality of this group represented in the intercept of the model.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Average percentage of carrier animals among survivors fed functional diets (for 4 or 5 weeks) and challenged with <span class="html-italic">Vibrio parahaemolyticus</span> (<span class="html-italic">Vp</span><sub>AHPND</sub> strain). *: significant differences in mortality in group fed functional diet vs. group fed control diet (diet G).</p> Full article ">
16 pages, 4922 KiB  
Article
Red Sea Bream Iridovirus Kinetics, Tissue Tropism, and Interspecies Horizontal Transmission in Flathead Grey Mullets (Mugil cephalus)
by Kyung-Ho Kim, Gyoungsik Kang, Won-Sik Woo, Min-Young Sohn, Ha-Jeong Son, Mun-Gyeong Kwon, Jae-Ok Kim and Chan-Il Park
Animals 2023, 13(8), 1341; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13081341 - 13 Apr 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2519
Abstract
Red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) causes significant economic losses in the aquaculture industry. We analyzed the pathogenicity of RSIV in flathead grey mullets (Mugil cephalus), the correlation of histopathological lesions, and interspecies horizontal transmission, through immersion infection and cohabitation challenges. Flathead [...] Read more.
Red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) causes significant economic losses in the aquaculture industry. We analyzed the pathogenicity of RSIV in flathead grey mullets (Mugil cephalus), the correlation of histopathological lesions, and interspecies horizontal transmission, through immersion infection and cohabitation challenges. Flathead grey mullets, which were challenged by immersion infection, exhibited mortality at 14 and 24 days after RSIV exposure. Viral shedding in seawater peaked 2–3 days before or after the observed mortality. Specific lesions of RSIV were observed in the spleen and kidney, and the correlation between histopathological grade and viral load was the highest in the spleen. In a cohabitation challenge, flathead grey mullets were the donors, and healthy rock bream, red sea bream, and flathead grey mullets were the recipients. Viral shedding in seawater was the highest in flathead grey mullet and rock bream at 25 °C, with 106.0 RSIV copies L/g at 14 dpi. No mortality was observed in any group challenged at 15 °C, and no RSIV was detected in seawater after 30 dpi. The virus shed from RSIV-infected flathead grey mullets caused horizontal transmission through seawater. These findings suggest that rapid decision-making is warranted when managing disease in fish farms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Aquatic Animals)
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<p>(<b>A</b>) Cumulative mortality of flathead grey mullet (<span class="html-italic">Mugil cephalus</span>) infection by immersion with red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) at three concentrations (final concentrations 10<sup>5</sup>, 10<sup>3</sup>, and 10<sup>1</sup> RSIV copies/mL) at 25 °C and 15 °C. The control group did not receive any treatment. (<b>B</b>) RSIV tissue distribution in flathead grey mullets that died due to RSIV. The bars represent the mean viral copy numbers (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 5). Asterisks indicate significant differences (** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01) compared with the muscle.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Viral load in various tissues (whole blood, eye, gill, skin, liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and brain) and RSIV shedding ratio in seawater after red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) immersion infection in flathead grey mullets (<span class="html-italic">Mugil cephalus</span>) at (<b>A</b>) 25 °C and (<b>B</b>) 15 °C at three concentrations (final concentrations 10<sup>5</sup>, 10<sup>3</sup>, and 10<sup>1</sup> RSIV copies/mL). The RSIV shedding ratio (viral genome copies L/g) was determined based on the total weight (g) of the fish remaining in the tank and the number of viral copies detected in the rearing seawater. Copy numbers of RSIV were analyzed in three fish and seawater per sampling interval. Significant differences were determined using one-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test (* <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05; *** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001; **** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Histopathological grade results after immersion infection of flathead grey mullet (<span class="html-italic">Mugil cephalus</span>) with red sea bream iridovirus at three concentrations (final concentrations 10<sup>5</sup>, 10<sup>3</sup>, and 10<sup>1</sup> RSIV copies/mL) at (<b>A</b>) 25 °C and (<b>B</b>) 15 °C. Each box represents the average of three fish.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Correlations between the RSIV viral load and histopathological infection grade in the spleen and kidney of flathead grey mullets (<span class="html-italic">Mugil cephalus</span>) infected by RSIV immersion at (<b>A</b>,<b>B</b>) 25 °C and (<b>C</b>,<b>D</b>) 15 °C. Statistical significance was determined using Pearson correlation coefficients (** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01; *** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001; **** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001).</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Cumulative mortality after red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) cohabitation challenge between rock bream (<span class="html-italic">Oplegnathus fasciatus</span>), red sea bream (<span class="html-italic">Pagrus major</span>), and flathead grey mullet (<span class="html-italic">Mugil cephalus</span>) at 25 °C. (<b>A</b>) Cumulative mortality after cohabitation of naïve rock bream (recipient) with flathead grey mullet (donor) intraperitoneally (IP) injected with RSIV (10<sup>6</sup> RSIV copies/fish) at 25 °C. (<b>B</b>) Naïve red sea bream. (<b>C</b>) Naïve flathead grey mullet: cumulative mortality after cohabitation with IP-injected flathead grey mullet (donor). The control group (donor) was IP injected with 100 uL of L-15 medium (virus-free), and the recipient was untreated. Mortality was not observed at 15 °C.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>(<b>A</b>–<b>F</b>) Viral kinetics after cohabitation challenges involving naïve rock bream (<span class="html-italic">Oplegnathus fasciatus</span>), red sea bream (<span class="html-italic">Pagrus major</span>), and flathead grey mullet (<span class="html-italic">Mugil cephalus</span>) post red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) intraperitoneal injection (10<sup>6</sup> RSIV copies/fish) in flathead grey mullet at 25 °C and 15 °C. Viral load in fish was measured in the spleen and kidney, and virus shed from fish into rearing seawater was expressed as RSIV shedding ratio. The RSIV shedding ratio (viral genome copies L/g) was determined based on the total weight (g) of the fish remaining in the tank and the number of viral copies detected in the rearing seawater. Copy numbers of RSIV were analyzed in three fish and seawater per sampling interval. Significant differences were determined using one-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test (* <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05; ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01; *** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001; **** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.0001).</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>(<b>A</b>–<b>F</b>) Histopathological grade results after red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) cohabitation challenge involving rock bream (<span class="html-italic">Oplegnathus fasciatus</span>), red sea bream (<span class="html-italic">Pagrus major</span>), and flathead grey mullet (<span class="html-italic">Mugil cephalus</span>) at 25 °C and 15 °C. The experiment was repeated thrice, and the analysis was not performed because all fish died due to RSIV infection, as seen in the gray box of (<b>A</b>).</p> Full article ">
35 pages, 3599 KiB  
Review
Past, Present, and Future of Naturally Occurring Antimicrobials Related to Snake Venoms
by Nancy Oguiura, Leonardo Sanches, Priscila V. Duarte, Marcos A. Sulca-López and Maria Terêsa Machini
Animals 2023, 13(4), 744; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040744 - 19 Feb 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3727
Abstract
This review focuses on proteins and peptides with antimicrobial activity because these biopolymers can be useful in the fight against infectious diseases and to overcome the critical problem of microbial resistance to antibiotics. In fact, snakes show the highest diversification among reptiles, surviving [...] Read more.
This review focuses on proteins and peptides with antimicrobial activity because these biopolymers can be useful in the fight against infectious diseases and to overcome the critical problem of microbial resistance to antibiotics. In fact, snakes show the highest diversification among reptiles, surviving in various environments; their innate immunity is similar to mammals and the response of their plasma to bacteria and fungi has been explored mainly in ecological studies. Snake venoms are a rich source of components that have a variety of biological functions. Among them are proteins like lectins, metalloproteinases, serine proteinases, L-amino acid oxidases, phospholipases type A2, cysteine-rich secretory proteins, as well as many oligopeptides, such as waprins, cardiotoxins, cathelicidins, and β-defensins. In vitro, these biomolecules were shown to be active against bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses that are pathogenic to humans. Not only cathelicidins, but all other proteins and oligopeptides from snake venom have been proteolyzed to provide short antimicrobial peptides, or for use as templates for developing a variety of short unnatural sequences based on their structures. In addition to organizing and discussing an expressive amount of information, this review also describes new β-defensin sequences of Sistrurus miliarius that can lead to novel peptide-based antimicrobial agents, using a multidisciplinary approach that includes sequence phylogeny. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reptile Evolution and Genetics - Special Issue Dedicated to the Memory of Prof. Teresa Capriglione)
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<p>Structural organization of snake β-defensin genes. Crotamine sequence (<span class="html-italic">C.d.t.</span>, GenBank AF223947 [<a href="#B149-animals-13-00744" class="html-bibr">149</a>]), crotamine-like sequences of Brazilian pit vipers [<a href="#B146-animals-13-00744" class="html-bibr">146</a>], β-defensin-like sequences of Colubrides (<span class="html-italic">Phalotris mertensi</span>, <span class="html-italic">Thamnodynastes hypoconia</span>, and <span class="html-italic">T. strigatus</span> [<a href="#B145-animals-13-00744" class="html-bibr">145</a>], and crotamine-like sequences of <span class="html-italic">S. miliarius</span> (GenBank MT024631-024638). Only exons and introns are represented.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Amino acid sequences of snake β-defensins. Alignment used MUSCLE [<a href="#B150-animals-13-00744" class="html-bibr">150</a>]), and the figure edition employed BioEdit [<a href="#B151-animals-13-00744" class="html-bibr">151</a>] and the BioRender was used to create the art. Non-polar amino acid residues are in green, positively charged amino acid residues in blue, and the polar amino acid residues, including cysteines, glycines, and prolines, in brown.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Phylogenetic tree of snake β-defensins. The tree was estimated using translated sequences and maximum likelihood [<a href="#B153-animals-13-00744" class="html-bibr">153</a>]. The Edge LR-ELW support is shown in each node [<a href="#B154-animals-13-00744" class="html-bibr">154</a>]. Details are described in the <a href="#app1-animals-13-00744" class="html-app">Supplementary Materials</a>.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Phylogenetic tree of snake cathelicidins. The tree was estimated based on maximum likelihood [<a href="#B153-animals-13-00744" class="html-bibr">153</a>], and the Edge Support LR-ELW is shown in each node [<a href="#B154-animals-13-00744" class="html-bibr">154</a>]. Details are described in the <a href="#app1-animals-13-00744" class="html-app">Supplementary Materials</a>. Branches in green indicated sequences with antimicrobial activity, purple branches indicate no activity, and black ones were not tested. Sequence names in purple indicate net charge &lt; 5, in green 5 &lt; 10, red &gt; 10, and black, not determined, except XP007442673, which shows −4 as net charge at pH 7.</p> Full article ">
14 pages, 1240 KiB  
Article
Acoustic Monitoring Confirms Significant Poaching Pressure of European Turtle Doves (Streptopelia turtur) during Spring Migration across the Ionian Islands, Greece
by Christos Astaras, Zoi-Antigoni Sideri-Manoka, Manolia Vougioukalou, Despina Migli, Ioakim Vasiliadis, Sotirios Sidiropoulos, Christos Barboutis, Aris Manolopoulos, Michalis Vafeiadis and Savas Kazantzidis
Animals 2023, 13(4), 687; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040687 - 16 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3805
Abstract
The European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) is an Afro-Palearctic migrant whose populations have declined by 79% from 1980 to 2014. In 2018, the International Single Species Action Plan for the Turtle Dove (ISSAP) was developed with the goal of enabling, by [...] Read more.
The European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) is an Afro-Palearctic migrant whose populations have declined by 79% from 1980 to 2014. In 2018, the International Single Species Action Plan for the Turtle Dove (ISSAP) was developed with the goal of enabling, by 2028, an increase in turtle dove numbers along each of the three migration flyways (western, central, eastern). To achieve this, the illegal killing of turtle doves, a critical threat to the species, has to be eradicated. The Ionian Islands off the west coast of Greece lie on the eastern flyway and are considered a major turtle dove poaching hot-spot during spring migration. Quantifying wildlife crime, however, is challenging. In the absence of a reliable protocol for monitoring spring poaching levels, the agencies tasked with tackling the problem have no means of assessing the effectiveness of the anti-poaching measures and adapting them if required. Using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) methods, we recorded gun hunting intensity at known turtle dove poaching sites during the 2019–2022 spring migrations (2–10 sites/season) with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. Based on published gunshot to killed/injured bird ratio for similar species (corroborated with discussions with local hunters) and an estimate of the proportion of hunting sites monitored by our PAM grid (using gunshot detection range estimates from control gunshots), we estimated that in 2021, up to 57,095 turtle doves were killed or injured across five Ionian Islands (Zakynthos, Paxi, Antipaxi, Othoni, and Mathraki). The 2022 estimate was almost half, but it is unclear as to whether the change is due to a decline in poachers or turtle doves. We propose ways of improving confidence in future estimates, and call for a temporary moratorium of autumn turtle dove hunting in Greece—as per ISSAP recommendation—until spring poaching is eradicated and the eastern flyway population shows signs of a full recovery. Finally, we hope our findings will pave the way for the development of PAM grids at turtle dove poaching hot-spots across all migration flyways, contributing to the global conservation of the species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Birds)
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<p>Location, name, and years of operation of the passive acoustic monitoring grid sensors in the Ionian Islands.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Daily variation in total poaching activity at the Keri and Vasilikos (Zakynthos Island) sites during the 2019 (23 April to 31 May) and 2020 (15 March to 31 May) spring migrations.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Daily variation in the total poaching activity at nine sites during the 2021 and 2022 (15 March to 31 May) spring migrations. Data from the Kalipado (Zakynthos) acoustic sensor are not included for the sake of comparison, as that sensor malfunctioned in 2022. Almost all the gunshots in March were recorded at the Vasilikos (Zakynthos) site.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Weekly poaching pattern during the 2019–2022 spring migrations (n = 54,014).</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Diel poaching pattern during the 2019–2022 spring migrations (n = 54,014). Data were only recorded from 7 am to 10 pm.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Fitted logistic regression of the probability of a gunshot being detected using the DTD 1.5.6 gunshot detection algorithm with threshold 0.4, plotted as a function of the acoustic sensor’s (SWIFT rugged model) distance to the gunshot.</p> Full article ">
10 pages, 291 KiB  
Article
Dental Disease in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Its Risk Factors—A Private Practice Study in the Metropolitan Region of Chile
by Tamara Palma-Medel, Daniela Marcone and Raúl Alegría-Morán
Animals 2023, 13(4), 676; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040676 - 15 Feb 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3195
Abstract
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have elodont dentition, a characteristic that predisposes them to the development of Acquired Dental Disease (ADD), which is a multifactorial disease. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for ADD in domestic pet rabbits. [...] Read more.
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have elodont dentition, a characteristic that predisposes them to the development of Acquired Dental Disease (ADD), which is a multifactorial disease. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for ADD in domestic pet rabbits. To do this, a retrospective analysis of 1420 rabbits treated at a private practice during 2018–2021 was performed. For this, several variables were retrieved from clinical records, in addition to signology at the time of diagnosis. ADD was found on 25.4% of rabbits, mostly on their cheek teeth. In addition, age (OR = 1.029; 95% CI = 1.023–1.035; p < 0.001) and sex (male) (OR = 1.591; 95% CI = 1.226–2.064; p < 0.001) were found to be significant risk factors for ADD. In contrast, a free lifestyle (OR = 0.565; 95% CI = 0.362–0.882; p = 0.012) and consuming hay in the diet (OR = 0.323; 95% CI = 0.220–0.473; p < 0.001) were protective factors. In conclusion, ADD has a high prevalence and is usually underdiagnosed, highlighting the need for an exhaustive evaluation of patients during the clinical examination. This study improves our knowledge of ADD and its prevention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Clinical Studies)
17 pages, 569 KiB  
Systematic Review
A Systematic Literature Review of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine: Laser Therapy
by Darryl L. Millis and Anna Bergh
Animals 2023, 13(4), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040667 - 14 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 7449
Abstract
Light therapy, or photobiomodulation, is a collective name for methods where tissue is irradiated with different types of light, with the aim of stimulating healing. Despite being frequently used, there is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment protocols for light therapy, nor its [...] Read more.
Light therapy, or photobiomodulation, is a collective name for methods where tissue is irradiated with different types of light, with the aim of stimulating healing. Despite being frequently used, there is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment protocols for light therapy, nor its clinical efficacy. A systematic literature review was conducted, searching the relevant literature regarding light therapy in three databases, published between 1980–2020. The risk of bias in each article was evaluated. Forty-five articles met the inclusion criteria; 24 articles were regarding dogs, 1 was regarding cats, and the rest were regarding horses. The indications for treatment were musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions, skin disease and wounds, and pain. The literature review showed conflicting study results and unclear application for clinical use. This can be explained by the wide variety of treatment parameters used in the searched studies, such as wavelength, laser class, dose, and effect, as well as the frequency and duration of treatment. Although some beneficial effects were reported for light therapy, the studies also had limited scientific quality regarding these therapies, with a high or moderate risk of bias. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Veterinary Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine)
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<p>Flow diagram of the stages of the selection process used for identification of studies eligible for final analysis.</p> Full article ">
33 pages, 2738 KiB  
Review
Genome Evolution and the Future of Phylogenomics of Non-Avian Reptiles
by Daren C. Card, W. Bryan Jennings and Scott V. Edwards
Animals 2023, 13(3), 471; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030471 - 29 Jan 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 9427
Abstract
Non-avian reptiles comprise a large proportion of amniote vertebrate diversity, with squamate reptiles—lizards and snakes—recently overtaking birds as the most species-rich tetrapod radiation. Despite displaying an extraordinary diversity of phenotypic and genomic traits, genomic resources in non-avian reptiles have accumulated more slowly than [...] Read more.
Non-avian reptiles comprise a large proportion of amniote vertebrate diversity, with squamate reptiles—lizards and snakes—recently overtaking birds as the most species-rich tetrapod radiation. Despite displaying an extraordinary diversity of phenotypic and genomic traits, genomic resources in non-avian reptiles have accumulated more slowly than they have in mammals and birds, the remaining amniotes. Here we review the remarkable natural history of non-avian reptiles, with a focus on the physical traits, genomic characteristics, and sequence compositional patterns that comprise key axes of variation across amniotes. We argue that the high evolutionary diversity of non-avian reptiles can fuel a new generation of whole-genome phylogenomic analyses. A survey of phylogenetic investigations in non-avian reptiles shows that sequence capture-based approaches are the most commonly used, with studies of markers known as ultraconserved elements (UCEs) especially well represented. However, many other types of markers exist and are increasingly being mined from genome assemblies in silico, including some with greater information potential than UCEs for certain investigations. We discuss the importance of high-quality genomic resources and methods for bioinformatically extracting a range of marker sets from genome assemblies. Finally, we encourage herpetologists working in genomics, genetics, evolutionary biology, and other fields to work collectively towards building genomic resources for non-avian reptiles, especially squamates, that rival those already in place for mammals and birds. Overall, the development of this cross-amniote phylogenomic tree of life will contribute to illuminate interesting dimensions of biodiversity across non-avian reptiles and broader amniotes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reptile Evolution and Genetics - Special Issue Dedicated to the Memory of Prof. Teresa Capriglione)
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Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract
Full article ">Figure 1
<p>Overview of the natural history of amniotes, including non-avian reptiles, in a phylogenetic context. The width of clades on the phylogeny is proportional to species diversity, which are noted for each clade. For sex determination, GSD is denoted by the male and female symbols for male and female heterogamety, respectively, and TSD is denoted by the thermometer symbol [<a href="#B8-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">8</a>,<a href="#B9-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">9</a>]. Reproductive mode is indicated with an egg (oviparity), a lizard (viviparity), and a budding yeast symbol (parthenogenesis) [<a href="#B8-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">8</a>,<a href="#B10-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">10</a>,<a href="#B11-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">11</a>,<a href="#B12-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">12</a>]. Note the small egg for mammals that reflects the oviparous Monotremata (5 extant species). For genome size (C-value), data from the Animal Genome Size Database [<a href="#B13-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">13</a>] were averaged per species and the clade-wise average was calculated as the mean of these species estimates. Karyotype is reported as the mean number of haploid chromosome counts per clade based on the ACC database (<a href="https://cromanpa94.github.io/ACC/" target="_blank">https://cromanpa94.github.io/ACC/</a> (accessed on 1 December 2022)) and lineages with microchromosomes present are indicated with a symbol near the mean chromosome count. Sex chromosome data were gathered from the Tree of Sex database [<a href="#B14-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">14</a>]: the proportions of homomorphic, XY, XO, and ZW sex chromosome systems for each clade are indicated with the total species sample size per clade. The small number of squamates with homomorphic sex chromosomes (N = 6) and mammals with XO sex chromosomes (N = 3) are noted, and for counting purposes, complex XY and ZW systems were set to XY and ZW systems, respectively. For repeat content (reported as percentage of the total genome), data from the literature (see [<a href="#B15-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">15</a>,<a href="#B16-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">16</a>,<a href="#B17-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">17</a>,<a href="#B18-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">18</a>,<a href="#B19-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">19</a>,<a href="#B20-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">20</a>,<a href="#B21-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">21</a>] and references therein) were averaged per clade. For GC content (reported as percentage of the total genome), data retrieved from the NCBI Genome Assembly database [<a href="#B22-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">22</a>] were averaged per species and the clade-wise average was calculated as the mean of these species estimates. Clades with isochore structure are indicated with symbols below the GC estimate [<a href="#B23-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">23</a>,<a href="#B24-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">24</a>,<a href="#B25-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">25</a>,<a href="#B26-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">26</a>,<a href="#B27-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">27</a>,<a href="#B28-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">28</a>,<a href="#B29-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">29</a>,<a href="#B30-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">30</a>,<a href="#B31-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">31</a>] and the isochore symbol for Squamata has a broken border and faded color to indicate the partial loss of isochores in some proportion of species in that lineage. Bars behind the data points are standard deviation. Data gathered from databases were retrieved on 1 December 2022. This figure was inspired by Janes et al. [<a href="#B32-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">32</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Temporal accumulation of genomes available on NCBI for major amniote clades (data retrieved 1 December 2022). Inset: Details of the growth in the number of available genomes for non-avian reptiles. Note: The counts from this dataset represent a subset of the full non-avian reptile genomes dataset presented in <a href="#animals-13-00471-f003" class="html-fig">Figure 3</a>, as many genomes are available from sources other than NCBI. This figure was inspired by Bravo et al. [<a href="#B148-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">148</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Phylogenetic summary of available reference genomes for non-avian reptiles. The topology and divergence times were gathered from the TimeTree database (accessed 1 December 2022) [<a href="#B4-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">4</a>,<a href="#B5-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">5</a>]. For taxa that were not already included in TimeTree, we used existing studies of <span class="html-italic">Gehyra</span> [<a href="#B149-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">149</a>,<a href="#B150-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">150</a>,<a href="#B151-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">151</a>,<a href="#B152-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">152</a>], <span class="html-italic">Heloderma</span> [<a href="#B153-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">153</a>], <span class="html-italic">Physignathus</span> [<a href="#B154-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">154</a>], <span class="html-italic">Gopherus</span> [<a href="#B155-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">155</a>,<a href="#B156-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">156</a>], <span class="html-italic">Actinemys</span> [<a href="#B157-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">157</a>], <span class="html-italic">Cuora</span> [<a href="#B158-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">158</a>,<a href="#B159-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">159</a>], and <span class="html-italic">Myanophis</span> [<a href="#B160-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">160</a>,<a href="#B161-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">161</a>] to place taxa and determine the approximate divergence time. Horizontal bars delineate the major clades: Squamata, Rhyncocephalia (“R”), Testudines, and Crocodylia (“Croc”). The colored bars to the right of each panel indicate each clade and aid in visualization. Publicly-available and announced genomes were collated from NCBI, the Genome10K/VGP/EBGP GenomeArk website (<a href="https://genomeark.github.io/genomeark-all/" target="_blank">https://genomeark.github.io/genomeark-all/</a> (accessed on 1 December 2022)), the DNAZoo website (<a href="https://www.dnazoo.org/assemblies" target="_blank">https://www.dnazoo.org/assemblies</a> (accessed on 1 December 2022)), the Australian Amphibian and Reptile Genomics (AusARG) initiative website (<a href="https://ausargenomics.com/" target="_blank">https://ausargenomics.com/</a> (accessed on 1 December 2022)), the California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP) website (<a href="https://www.ccgproject.org/reptiles" target="_blank">https://www.ccgproject.org/reptiles</a> (accessed on 1 December 2022)), and other locations noted in the literature. For each assembly, we gathered the release date, total assembly length and number of ambiguous (N) bases, and calculated scaffold N50 and contig N50 after breaking scaffolds at runs of &gt;25 Ns. We also ran BUSCO v. 5.4.2 [<a href="#B162-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">162</a>] in ‘genome’ mode with the tetrapoda_odb10 dataset to assess the completeness of genomes based on 5310 generally conserved, single-copy tetrapod genes and used bedtools v. 2.29.0 [<a href="#B163-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">163</a>] and seqtk v. 1.3-r106 (<a href="https://github.com/lh3/seqtk" target="_blank">https://github.com/lh3/seqtk</a> (accessed on 1 December 2022)) to calculate GC content in 500 kb genomic windows (where a minimum of 250 kb of non-N bases were present). Some genomes were not contiguous enough for GC content distributions to be estimated. Where multiple assemblies were available for a species, we plotted the release date and source of each assembly but only quantify genomic characteristic and quality metrics for the primary assembly with the highest-quality assembly based on contiguity and BUSCO results, most of which were designated as the primary assembly on NCBI. Secondary assemblies are those additional assemblies for a given species and future assemblies reflect forthcoming genomes for species that were publicly announced where data are not yet available.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Graphical overview of various reduced representation approaches used in phylogenomics investigations. Alternative depictions are presented for different methods of enriching for particular loci in the genome: two kinds of target capture (targeting UCEs and AHEs or exons), RAD-seq (also known as GBS), and transcriptomics. In each case, the color indicates the location of phylogenetically informative signal in the locus, which typically comprises the whole extent of the target locus, except in the case of UCEs, where this signal is found in the regions flanking the locus. These classes of loci, or markers, are depicted along a diploid genome for a single sample, with heterozygous variation in the form of two alleles at each locus indicated with alternative shading. Although only a single sample is indicated, these approaches would be applied to all samples of interest in parallel, ultimately resulting in sequencing for all samples (e.g., N = 3 samples depicted below). For target capture, the genome is fragmented, and oligonucleotide probes are used to enrich for the target loci. For RAD-seq and transcriptomics, regions of interest are isolated and enriched simultaneously by restriction enzymes and cellular RNA polymerase transcription activity followed by in vitro reverse transcription, respectively. Importantly, of the three general methods, only target capture requires a priori sequencing data and knowledge to construct oligonucleotide probes. After this isolation and enrichment step, all methods proceed generally the same way with standard library preparation and sequencing steps. The resulting sequencing data are also generally analyzed similarly by bioinformatically parsing data to recover sample-specific sequences (three samples are indicated) and clustering sequences by similarity to enable consensus calling (not shown), although a reference genome can aid in this process. Variation across loci is ideally phased to recover the original heterozygous state—two phased alleles per sample are depicted. Phased sequence data for each sample and locus can then be aligned and used for phylogenetic inference.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>The ALFIE software pipeline for in silico extraction of anonymous loci sequences from complete genome sequences and assembling ready-to-analyze data sets. The user first inputs genome sequences in FASTA format, one of which must be a reference genome with a GFF (general features format) file of genomic annotations, namely protein-coding genes, and regulatory regions. The program then maps the presumably neutral intergenic or “anonymous” regions by applying a user-specified physical distance threshold (in base pairs [bp]). This filter discards all chromosomal regions that contain known functional elements and their flanking sequences (up to the threshold distance), thereby helping to ensure that retained anonymous regions are unaffected by natural selection (e.g., background selection). The anonymous regions are then split into user-specific locus lengths (in bp), which are referred to as “candidate anonymous loci.” In the final steps (not shown), the program uses candidate anonymous loci as query sequences to conduct BLAST searches against all input genomes, keeping only single-copy loci in all genomes, before saving them to a FASTA file. Next, the program conducts multiple sequence alignments for all loci before using a second user-defined distance threshold (in bp) to retain loci that are spaced far enough from other sampled loci that they likely meet the independent gene tree assumption. Lastly, the program outputs the dataset in NEXUS, PHYLIP, and FASTA formats, and can use other included modules to find in automated fashion the best DNA substitution model and gene tree for each locus (figure modified after <a href="#animals-13-00471-f001" class="html-fig">Figure 1</a> in Costa et al. [<a href="#B193-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">193</a>]). See also Jennings [<a href="#B189-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">189</a>] for further explanation and extensions of physical distance threshold theory. Reprinted with permission from Costa et al. [<a href="#B193-animals-13-00471" class="html-bibr">193</a>].</p> Full article ">
9 pages, 3139 KiB  
Communication
Assessment of Ventral Tail Base Surface Temperature for the Early Detection of Japanese Black Calves with Fever
by Yosuke Sasaki, Yoshihiro Iki, Tomoaki Anan, Jun Hayashi and Mizuho Uematsu
Animals 2023, 13(3), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030469 - 29 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2060
Abstract
The objective in the present study was to assess the ventral tail base surface temperature (ST) for the early detection of Japanese Black calves with fever. This study collected data from a backgrounding operation in Miyazaki, Japan, that included 153 calves aged 3–4 [...] Read more.
The objective in the present study was to assess the ventral tail base surface temperature (ST) for the early detection of Japanese Black calves with fever. This study collected data from a backgrounding operation in Miyazaki, Japan, that included 153 calves aged 3–4 months. A wearable wireless ST sensor was attached to the surface of the ventral tail base of each calf at its introduction to the farm. The ventral tail base ST was measured every 10 min for one month. The present study conducted an experiment to detect calves with fever using the estimated residual ST (rST), calculated as the estimated rST minus the mean estimated rST for the same time on the previous 3 days, which was obtained using machine learning algorithms. Fever was defined as an increase of ≥1.0 °C for the estimated rST of a calf for 4 consecutive hours. The machine learning algorithm that applied was a random forest, and 15 features were included. The variable importance scores that represented the most important predictors for the detection of calves with fever were the minimum and maximum values during the last 3 h and the difference between the current value and 24- and 48-h minimum. For this prediction model, accuracy, precision, and sensitivity were 98.8%, 72.1%, and 88.1%, respectively. The present study indicated that the early detection of calves with fever can be predicted by monitoring the ventral tail base ST using a wearable wireless sensor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applied to Animal Health and Welfare)
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<p>(<b>a</b>) Wearable wireless ST sensor; and (<b>b</b>) materials that attached the sensor to the tail surface.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Sensor attachment area. Yellow square in the picture on the left indicates the sensor attachment area and the picture on the right shows the sensor unit wrapped with elastic medical bandages.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Temporal change in the mean ventral tail base surface temperature. Black arrows indicate the time of feeding, whereas yellow arrows indicate the time in which rectal temperature (RT) was taken.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Associations of actual rectal temperatures with the four measurements: (<b>a</b>) raw surface temperature (ST) values; (<b>b</b>) estimated ST; (<b>c</b>) residual ST (rST); and (<b>d</b>) estimated rST.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Variable importance obtained using a random forest. Variables are ordered by their importance as estimated by the random forest model. P indicates positive and N indicates negative. The terms h3min, h6min, h12min, h24min, and h48min denote the minimum value of surface temperature (ST) during the last 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h, respectively. The terms h3max, h6max, h12max, h24max, and h48max denote the maximum value of ST during the last 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h, respectively. The terms h3mindiff, h6mindiff, h12mindiff, h24mindiff, and h48mindiff denote the difference between the current minimum ST and past minimum ST during the last 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h, respectively. The terms h3maxdiff, h6maxdiff, h12maxdiff, h24maxdiff, and h48maxdiff denote the difference between the current maximum ST and past maximum ST during the last 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h, respectively.</p> Full article ">
12 pages, 2371 KiB  
Article
Comparative Metabolome Analyses of Ivermectin-Resistant and -Susceptible Strains of Haemonchus contortus
by Waresi Tuersong, Xin Liu, Yifan Wang, Simin Wu, Peixi Qin, Shengnang Zhu, Feng Liu, Chunqun Wang and Min Hu
Animals 2023, 13(3), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030456 - 28 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2286
Abstract
Resistance to anthelmintics such as ivermectin (IVM) is currently a major problem in the treatment of Haemonchus contortus, an important parasitic nematode of small ruminants. Although many advances have been made in understanding the IVM resistance mechanism, its exact mechanism remains unclear [...] Read more.
Resistance to anthelmintics such as ivermectin (IVM) is currently a major problem in the treatment of Haemonchus contortus, an important parasitic nematode of small ruminants. Although many advances have been made in understanding the IVM resistance mechanism, its exact mechanism remains unclear for H. contortus. Therefore, understanding the resistance mechanism becomes increasingly important for controlling haemonchosis. Recent research showed that the metabolic state of bacteria influences their susceptibility to antibiotics. However, little information is available on the roles of metabolites and metabolic pathways in IVM resistance of H. contortus. In this study, comparative analyses of the metabolomics of IVM-susceptible and -resistant adult H. contortus worms were carried out to explore the role of H. contortus metabolism in IVM resistance. In total, 705 metabolites belonging to 42 categories were detected, and 86 differential metabolites (17 upregulated and 69 downregulated) were identified in the IVM-resistant strain compared to the susceptible one. A KEGG pathway analysis showed that these 86 differential metabolites were enriched in 42 pathways that mainly included purine metabolism; the biosynthesis of amino acids; glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; and cysteine and methionine metabolism. These results showed that amino acid metabolism may be mediated by the uptake of IVM and related with IVM resistance in H. contortus. This study contributes to our understanding of the mechanisms of IVM resistance and may provide effective approaches to manage infection by resistant strains of H. contortus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Diagnosis of Parasitic Infections in Animals)
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<p>QC sample total ion flow diagrams and Pearson correlations. (<b>A</b>) Negative ion mode. (<b>B</b>) Positive ion mode. (<b>C</b>) Pearson correlations between QC samples.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>The graphs of the PCA and PLS-DA analyses for the total samples. (<b>A</b>) PCA analysis of the IVM-susceptible and -resistant strains. Red circles, susceptible strain; green circles, resistant strain; blue circles, QC samples. (<b>B</b>) PLS-DA analysis for the total samples.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Differential metabolite volcano map and ROC curve of differential metabolites in the IVM-resistant strain compared to the susceptible strain. (<b>A</b>) Differential metabolite volcano map of the IVM-susceptible and -resistant strains. Red circles-upregulated metabolites, green circles- downregulated metabolites, dark blue circles-no change metabolites. (<b>B</b>) ROC curve of differential metabolites in the IVM-resistant strain compared to the susceptible strain.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Cluster heat map showing the relative abundance of differential metabolites between the ivermectin (IVM)-resistant and -susceptible strains of <span class="html-italic">Haemonchus contortus</span>. R1–3 represent samples from IVM-resistant strains; S1–3 represent samples from IVM-susceptible strains.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>KEGG enrichment analysis of differential metabolites between ivermectin-resistant and -susceptible strains of <span class="html-italic">Haemonchus contortus</span>. The <span class="html-italic">x</span> and <span class="html-italic">y</span> axes represents the enrichment ratio and pathways, respectively. The sizes and colors of the circles represent the number of metabolites and the <span class="html-italic">p</span> value, respectively.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Proposed mechanism for ivermectin resistance in <span class="html-italic">Haemonchus contortus</span>.</p> Full article ">
11 pages, 1952 KiB  
Article
Conservation of Major Satellite DNAs in Snake Heterochromatin
by Artem Lisachov, Alexander Rumyantsev, Dmitry Prokopov, Malcolm Ferguson-Smith and Vladimir Trifonov
Animals 2023, 13(3), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030334 - 17 Jan 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2522
Abstract
Repetitive DNA sequences constitute a sizeable portion of animal genomes, and tandemly organized satellite DNAs are a major part of them. They are usually located in constitutive heterochromatin clusters in or near the centromeres or telomeres, and less frequently in the interstitial parts [...] Read more.
Repetitive DNA sequences constitute a sizeable portion of animal genomes, and tandemly organized satellite DNAs are a major part of them. They are usually located in constitutive heterochromatin clusters in or near the centromeres or telomeres, and less frequently in the interstitial parts of chromosome arms. They are also frequently accumulated in sex chromosomes. The function of these clusters is to sustain the architecture of the chromosomes and the nucleus, and to regulate chromosome behavior during mitosis and meiosis. The study of satellite DNA diversity is important for understanding sex chromosome evolution, interspecific hybridization, and speciation. In this work, we identified four satellite DNA families in the genomes of two snakes from different families: Daboia russelii (Viperidae) and Pantherophis guttatus (Colubridae) and determine their chromosomal localization. We found that one family is localized in the centromeres of both species, whereas the others form clusters in certain chromosomes or subsets of chromosomes. BLAST with snake genome assemblies showed the conservation of such clusters, as well as a subtle presence of the satellites in the interspersed manner outside the clusters. Overall, our results show high conservation of satellite DNA in snakes and confirm the “library” model of satellite DNA evolution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reptile Evolution and Genetics - Special Issue Dedicated to the Memory of Prof. Teresa Capriglione)
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<p>Localization of the satellites PGU-Sat-1 and PGU-Sat-2 in the chromosomes of <span class="html-italic">P. guttatus.</span> mi: the PGU-Sat-2 bearing microchromosome; ac: the acrocentric macrochromosome with both PGU-Sat-1 and PGU-Sat-2 signals; W: the W chromosome. (<b>a</b>) Merged image; (<b>b</b>) DAPI channel. Scale bar: 10 μm.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Localization of the satellites PGU-Sat-2 and PGU-Sat-3 in the chromosomes of <span class="html-italic">P. guttatus.</span> mi: the PGU-Sat-2 bearing microchromosome; ac: the acrocentric macrochromosome with both PGU-Sat-2 and PGU-Sat-3 signals; 2: chromosome 2; W: the W chromosome. (<b>a</b>,<b>b</b>) Merged images; (<b>c</b>,<b>d</b>) DAPI channel. Scale bar: 10 μm.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Localization of the satellites DRU-Sat-1 and DRU-Sat-2 in the chromosomes of <span class="html-italic">D. russelii.</span> 1: chromosome 1; 2: chromosome 2. (<b>a</b>) Merged image; (<b>b</b>) DAPI channel. Scale bar: 10 μm.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Localization of the satellite DRU-Sat-3 in the chromosomes of <span class="html-italic">D. russelii.</span> Scale: 10 μm.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Localization of the satellite DRU-Sat-5 in the chromosomes of <span class="html-italic">D. russelii</span>. W: the W chromosome. (<b>a</b>) Merged image; (<b>b</b>) DAPI channel. Scale bar: 10 μm.</p> Full article ">
22 pages, 1438 KiB  
Article
Characterization of the Fecal and Mucosa-Associated Microbiota in Dogs with Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy
by David Díaz-Regañón, Mercedes García-Sancho, Alejandra Villaescusa, Ángel Sainz, Beatriz Agulla, Mariana Reyes-Prieto, Antonio Rodríguez-Bertos and Fernando Rodríguez-Franco
Animals 2023, 13(3), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030326 - 17 Jan 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3275
Abstract
Canine chronic inflammatory enteropathy implicates multifactorial pathogenesis where immunological dysregulation and gut microbiota changes have a central role. Most sequencing-based taxonomic studies have been focused on the fecal microbiota. However, the analysis of these samples does not provide complete information regarding the composition [...] Read more.
Canine chronic inflammatory enteropathy implicates multifactorial pathogenesis where immunological dysregulation and gut microbiota changes have a central role. Most sequencing-based taxonomic studies have been focused on the fecal microbiota. However, the analysis of these samples does not provide complete information regarding the composition of the small intestine affected by this canine disease. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to characterize the intestinal bacterial microbiota in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (n = 34) by means of duodenal biopsies and fecal samples collected at the time of the diagnosis and to compare those to a group of healthy dogs (n = 12) using the 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene-targeted sequencing (Illumina MiSeq platform). Our study showed that IBD dogs presented differences in the fecal bacterial communities when compared with healthy dogs, with a lower relative abundance of Prevotellaceae (p = 0.005), Prevotella (p = 0.002), and Prevotellaceae Ga6A1 group (0.006); Erysipelotrichales (p = 0.019), Candidatus Stoquefichus (p < 0.001), Erysipelotrichaceae (p = 0.011), and Allobaculum (p = 0.003); Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group (p = 0.015), Sellimonas (p = 0.042), Oscillospirales (p = 0.037), Oscillospiraceae UCG–005 (p < 0.001), Faecalibacterium (p = 0.028), and Fournierella (p = 0.034); Acidaminococcales, Acidaminococcaceae, and Phascolarctobacterium (p = 0.001); Aeromonadales (p = 0.026), Succinivibrionaceae (p = 0.037), and Succinivibrio (p = 0.031). On the other hand, a higher relative abundance of Enterococcaceae (Enterococcus; p = 0.003), Streptococcaceae (Streptococcus, p = 0.021), Enterobacterales (p = 0.027), Enterobacteriaceae (p = 0.008), and Escherichia–Shigella (p = 0.011) was detected. Moreover, when evaluating α–diversity, the dogs with IBD showed lower diversity in terms of richness and abundance of species (observed species [p = 0.031] and Shannon index [p = 0.039]). Furthermore, fecal microbiota in dogs with IBD was significantly different from healthy dogs (p = 0.006). However, only a few taxa relative abundance shifts (lower Rubrobacteria, Rubrobacterales, Rubrobacteriaceae, and Rubrobacter [p = 0.002]; Cyanobacteria [p = 0.010], Vampirivibrionia, Obscuribacterales, and Obscuribacteraceae [p = 0.005]; Neisseriaceae [p = 0.004] and Conchiformibius [p = 0.003]) were observed when assessing duodenal-associated microbiota of dogs with IBD. Thus, even if the bowel inflammation mainly affects the small intestine in the IBD-affected dogs of the study, fecal specimens may constitute a better sample due not only to their easy availability but also in terms of searching for bacterial taxa as biomarkers for canine IBD. The use of different diets in the study can also have a partial influence on the microbiota composition. Future studies encompassing multi-omics approaches should evaluate the functionality in both levels to unravel the pathophysiology of canine IBD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbiome and Resistome in Companion Animals and at the Animal–Human Interface)
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<p>Bacterial diversity measures of duodenal samples: The dimensional representation of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) plots of (<b>A</b>) unweighted and (<b>B</b>) weighted UniFrac distances of 16S rRNA genes. Duodenal biopsy specimens from dogs with IBD were not separated from those obtained from healthy dogs (PERMANOVA, <span class="html-italic">p</span> = 0.358; pseudo–F: 1.07). (<b>C</b>) Comparisons of α–diversity: observed species (<span class="html-italic">p</span> = 0.600), Shannon index (<span class="html-italic">p</span> = 0.684), and inverse Simpson index (<span class="html-italic">p</span> = 0.742). Red lines represent the median for each measure. HC, healthy control dogs; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease dogs.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Bacterial diversity measures of fecal samples: The dimensional representation of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) plots of (<b>A</b>) unweighted and (<b>B</b>) weighted UniFrac distances of 16S rRNA genes. Fecal samples from dogs with IBD were separated from those obtained from healthy dogs (PERMANOVA, <span class="html-italic">p</span> = 0.006; pseudo–F: 4.83). (<b>C</b>) Comparisons of α-diversity: observed species (<span class="html-italic">p</span> = 0.031), Shannon index (<span class="html-italic">p</span> = 0.039), and inverse Simpson index (<span class="html-italic">p</span> = 0.140). Red lines represent the median for each measure. HC, healthy control dogs; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease dogs; * <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>The dimensional representation of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) plots of weighted UniFrac distances of 16S rRNA genes. Fecal samples were separated from duodenal samples (PERMANOVA, <span class="html-italic">p</span> = 0.001, pseudo–F: 17.39).</p> Full article ">
13 pages, 684 KiB  
Article
When and Why Cats Are Returned to Shelters
by Vivian Mundschau and Malini Suchak
Animals 2023, 13(2), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020243 - 9 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4446
Abstract
There is considerable research on why cats are initially relinquished to shelters, but much less attention has been given to returns, despite the significant implications for shelter capacity and cat welfare. Furthermore, the structure of many databases fails to account for cats who [...] Read more.
There is considerable research on why cats are initially relinquished to shelters, but much less attention has been given to returns, despite the significant implications for shelter capacity and cat welfare. Furthermore, the structure of many databases fails to account for cats who are returned beyond 30 days, despite this making up a substantial portion of returns. In the current study, we examined common risk factors and reasons for return in a population of 2642 shelter cats. We found that cats who were older at the time of adoption or had a bite history had an increased risk of return, whereas cats that were in foster care prior to adoption had a decreased risk of return. We divided the returns by the time to return (<30 days: short term, >30 days: long term) to examine whether time to return had an impact. Approximately half the cats were returned in the short term. Cats were more likely to be returned for reasons, such as behavior, unwanted, and other pet in the short term and personal reasons, cost, euthanasia, and stray in the long-term return. Strategies to reduce returns should consider different solutions for short and long returns to maximize effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Companion Animals)
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Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract
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<p>Number of cats returned to the shelter over time.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Proportion of cats returned and not returned by whether they were classified as a bite case while at the shelter. Significantly more cats with a history of biting were returned as compared to cats without a bite history.</p> Full article ">
17 pages, 554 KiB  
Article
Radiographic Diagnosis of Hip Laxity in Rottweilers: Interobserver Agreement at Eight- and Twelve-Months of Age
by Masoud Aghapour, Barbara Bockstahler, Sibylle Kneissl, Aldo Vezzoni, Michaela Gumpenberger, Harald Hechinger, Alexander Tichy and Britta Vidoni
Animals 2023, 13(2), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020231 - 8 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2270
Abstract
Hip laxity is one of the predisposing factors of canine hip dysplasia. The early diagnosis of hip laxity allows veterinarians to prevent the participation of dysplastic dogs in breeding programs, which could lower the disease’s prevalence due to its genetic background. Furthermore, it [...] Read more.
Hip laxity is one of the predisposing factors of canine hip dysplasia. The early diagnosis of hip laxity allows veterinarians to prevent the participation of dysplastic dogs in breeding programs, which could lower the disease’s prevalence due to its genetic background. Furthermore, it allows them to plan preventive/therapeutic procedures for mild/near-normal hips to reduce the symptoms of the disease at older ages. A reliable screening program must be repeatable and reproducible, and intra- and inter-observer studies can help us to determine the best methods. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the radiographic parameters used for the early diagnosis of hip dysplasia in Rottweilers at 8 and 12 months of age with five observers to assess the interobserver agreements. According to our findings, there were high interobserver agreements at both ages for the quantitative values, such as the center edge angle (CEA), dorsal acetabular rim slope (DARS), distraction index (DI), and Norberg angle (NA), whereas we recorded from poor to moderate agreements for the qualitative values, such as the grading of the dorsal acetabular rim (GDAR), grading of the degenerative joint disease (GDJD), location of the center of the femoral head (LCFH), and sclerosis of the cranial acetabular rim (SCAR). Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Clinical Studies)
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<p>Illustration of intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of quantitative parameters at 4 [<a href="#B29-animals-13-00231" class="html-bibr">29</a>], 8, and 12 months of age.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Percentages of results of interobserver agreements (Cohen’s kappa coefficient) for sclerosis of cranial acetabular rim (SCAR) at 4 [<a href="#B29-animals-13-00231" class="html-bibr">29</a>], 8, and 12 months of age.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Percentages of results of interobserver agreements (Cohen’s kappa coefficient) for location of center of femoral head (LCFH) at 4 [<a href="#B29-animals-13-00231" class="html-bibr">29</a>], 8, and 12 months of age.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Percentages of results of interobserver agreements (Cohen’s kappa coefficient) for grading of degenerative joint disease (GDJD) at 4 [<a href="#B29-animals-13-00231" class="html-bibr">29</a>], 8, and 12 months of age.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Percentages of results of interobserver agreements (Cohen’s kappa coefficient) for grading of dorsal acetabular rim (GDAR) at 4 [<a href="#B29-animals-13-00231" class="html-bibr">29</a>], 8, and 12 months of age.</p> Full article ">
17 pages, 2070 KiB  
Article
Population Genetic Structure of Anisakis simplex Infecting the European Hake from North East Atlantic Fishing Grounds
by Andrea Ramilo, Helena Rodríguez, Santiago Pascual, Ángel F. González and Elvira Abollo
Animals 2023, 13(2), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020197 - 4 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2775
Abstract
The European hake, one of the most commercially valuable species in ICES fishing areas, is considered an important neglected source of zoonotic risk by nematode parasites belonging to the genus Anisakis. Merluccius merluccius is, by far, the most important host of Anisakis [...] Read more.
The European hake, one of the most commercially valuable species in ICES fishing areas, is considered an important neglected source of zoonotic risk by nematode parasites belonging to the genus Anisakis. Merluccius merluccius is, by far, the most important host of Anisakis spp. at the European fishing grounds, in terms of demographic infection values, and carries the highest parasite burden. These high parasite population densities within an individual fish host offer a chance to explore new sources of variations for the genetic structure of Anisakis spp. populations. A total of 873 Anisakis spp. third-stage larvae, originally sampled from viscera and muscular sections of hake collected at ten fishing grounds, were primarily identified using ITS rDNA region as molecular marker. After that, we used mtDNA cox2 gene to reveal the high haplotype diversity and the lack of genetic structure for A. simplex. Dominant haplotypes were shared among the different fishing areas and fish sections analyzed. Results indicate a clear connection of A. simplex from European hake along the Northern North Sea to the Portuguese coast, constituting a single genetic population but revealing a certain level of genetic sub-structuring on the Northwest coast of Scotland. This study also provides useful information to advance the understanding of parasite speciation to different fish host tissues or microenvironments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Identification, Taxonomy and Genetic Variation of Parasite in Animals)
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<p>Sampling areas (*) according to ICES Division Areas: IVa (Northern North Sea); VIa (Northwest Coast of Scotland and North Ireland); VIIb (West of Ireland); VIIc (Porcupine Bank); VIIh (Celtic Sea/South); VIIj (Southwest of Ireland/East); VIIIa (Bay of Biscay/North); VIIIc (Bay of Biscay/South); VIIId (Bay of Biscay/ Offshore); and IXa (Portuguese Waters/East).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Median-joining haplotype network of <span class="html-italic">A. simplex</span> mtDNA cox2 sequences obtained from European hake from 10 ICES division areas. Circles’ size represents the frequency of each haplotype. Hatch marks show the number of mutations distinguishing the haplotypes. Majority haplotypes (including more than 10 sequences) are reported. Black points indicate missing haplotypes.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Median-joining haplotype network of <span class="html-italic">A. simplex</span> mtDNA cox2 sequences obtained of muscular sections from European hake: belly flaps (BF), loins (LO) and tails (TA). Circles’ size represents the frequency of each haplotype. Hatch marks show the number of mutations distinguishing the haplotypes. Haplotypes shared for the three sections are reported. Black points indicate missing haplotypes.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Median-joining haplotype network of <span class="html-italic">A. simplex</span> mtDNA cox2 sequences obtained from viscera (VI) and muscle (MUS) of European hake. Circles’ size represents the frequency of each haplotype. Hatch marks show the number of mutations distinguishing the haplotypes. Haplotypes shared for VIS and MUS are reported. Black points indicate missing haplotypes.</p> Full article ">
10 pages, 1750 KiB  
Case Report
Investigation and Management of an Outbreak of Lead Intoxication in an Extensively Managed Beef Herd
by Meghan M. Scrivens, David Frith, Ben Wood, Brian Burren, Andrew J. Doust and Michael R. McGowan
Animals 2023, 13(1), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010174 - 2 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1979
Abstract
Fifteen hundred 12–15-month-old tropically adapted heifers inadvertently grazed a paddock which had a refuse dump in it containing burnt out vehicle batteries. The cattle grazed this paddock for approximately seven days. Subsequently these cattle were managed as two cohorts (cull and potential replacement [...] Read more.
Fifteen hundred 12–15-month-old tropically adapted heifers inadvertently grazed a paddock which had a refuse dump in it containing burnt out vehicle batteries. The cattle grazed this paddock for approximately seven days. Subsequently these cattle were managed as two cohorts (cull and potential replacement breeding animals). Deaths commenced in the cull heifer group approximately 18 days after initial exposure to the refuse dump during relocation to a feedlot. Mortalities continued for 12 days, with other heifers showing clinical signs of marked central nervous system dysfunction requiring euthanasia. Necropsy of several clinically affected cattle plus blood sampling for lead analysis confirmed a diagnosis of lead intoxication. The crude mortality rate in the cull heifers was 6.6% (n = 685). Following confirmation of the diagnosis most of the potential replacement heifers (second cohort) were also relocated to the feedlot. The estimated crude mortality rate in this cohort was 5.8% (n = 815). All possible lead intoxication deaths occurred within 34 days of initial exposure, and apparently after day 16 at the feedlot no further heifers showed any clinical signs which could be attributed to lead intoxication. Longitudinal monitoring of blood lead concentrations was used to identify cattle suitable for slaughter. Overall, 70% of heifers initially blood sampled (n = 1408) had no detectable lead in their blood, however 16% had markedly elevated blood lead concentrations (> 0.7µmol/L) which persisted, and 2% had above the maximum normal threshold 1.5 years later. These latter cattle were subsequently euthanized, and necropsy revealed that visible pieces of lead were still present in the reticulum of several animals. At no time did any of these heifers with persistently high blood lead concentrations show clinical signs of lead intoxication. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ruminants Disease Prevention and Control)
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<p>Pieces of lead (red arrows) trapped in mucosa of reticulum.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Pieces of lead removed from rumen of necropsied heifer.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Summary of lead intoxication investigation and management.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Depletion curve for blood lead concentration over 561 d for the 14 heifers.</p> Full article ">
9 pages, 845 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the Efficacy of Pyrantel Pamoate, Mebendazole, Albendazole, and Ivermectin against Baylisascaris schroederi in Captive Giant Pandas
by Yaxian Lu, Linhua Deng, Zhiwei Peng, Mengchao Zhou, Chengdong Wang, Lei Han, Shan Huang, Ming Wei, Rongping Wei, Lihong Tian, Desheng Li and Zhijun Hou
Animals 2023, 13(1), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010142 - 29 Dec 2022
Viewed by 2887
Abstract
Baylisascaris schroederi is one of the main health risks threatening both wild and captive giant pandas. The administration of anthelmintics is a common method to effectively control B. schroederi infection, but there is a notable risk of anthelmintic resistance (AR) after long-term, constant [...] Read more.
Baylisascaris schroederi is one of the main health risks threatening both wild and captive giant pandas. The administration of anthelmintics is a common method to effectively control B. schroederi infection, but there is a notable risk of anthelmintic resistance (AR) after long-term, constant use of anthelmintics. Four anthelmintics—pyrantel pamoate (PYR), mebendazole (MBZ), albendazole (ABZ), and ivermectin (IVM)—were each administered separately at intervals of 2 months to 22 enrolled giant pandas. The fecal egg count reduction (FECR) proportions were calculated by both the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) Bayesian mathematical model and the arithmetic mean. AR was assessed based on the criteria recommended by the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP). The estimated prevalence of B. schroederi infection was 34.1%. After treatment with PYR, MBZ, ABZ, and IVM, it was determined that MBZ, ABZ, and IVM were efficacious against B. schroederi, while nematodes were suspected to be resistant to PYR according to the fecal egg count reduction (FECR) proportions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Parasitology: Epidemiology, Control and Prevention Strategies)
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<p>Infection rate, mean EPG, and number of adult worms.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Mean number of worms expelled by different sexes of giant pandas after administration of four anthelmintics.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Sex ratio of expelled worms.</p> Full article ">
14 pages, 680 KiB  
Review
One Health: Animal Models of Heritable Human Bleeding Diseases
by W. Jean Dodds
Animals 2023, 13(1), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010087 - 26 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2752
Abstract
Animal models of human and animal diseases have long been used as the lynchpin of experimental and clinical research. With the discovery and implementation of novel molecular and nano-technologies, cellular research now has advanced to assessing signal transduction pathways, gene editing, and gene [...] Read more.
Animal models of human and animal diseases have long been used as the lynchpin of experimental and clinical research. With the discovery and implementation of novel molecular and nano-technologies, cellular research now has advanced to assessing signal transduction pathways, gene editing, and gene therapies. The contribution of heritable animal models to human and animal health as related to hemostasis is reviewed and updated with the advent of gene editing, recombinant and gene therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Clinical Studies)
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<p>The Author and technician, the late Joanne Kull, with hemophilic dogs at Griffin Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, 1975 [<a href="#B39-animals-13-00087" class="html-bibr">39</a>].</p> Full article ">
12 pages, 1354 KiB  
Article
Role of Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus) Raised as Livestock in Ecuadorian Andes as Reservoirs of Zoonotic Yeasts
by Lenys Buela, Mercy Cuenca, Jéssica Sarmiento, Diana Peláez, Ana Yolanda Mendoza, Erika Judith Cabrera and Luis Andrés Yarzábal
Animals 2022, 12(24), 3449; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12243449 - 7 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3887
Abstract
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) have been reared for centuries in the Andean region for ceremonial purposes or as the main ingredient of traditional foods. The animals are kept in close proximity of households and interact closely with humans; this also occurs in [...] Read more.
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) have been reared for centuries in the Andean region for ceremonial purposes or as the main ingredient of traditional foods. The animals are kept in close proximity of households and interact closely with humans; this also occurs in western countries, where guinea pigs are considered pets. Even though it is acknowledged that domestic animals carry pathogenic yeasts in their tissues and organs that can cause human diseases, almost nothing is known in the case of guinea pigs. In this work we used traditional microbiological approaches and molecular biology techniques to isolate, identify, and characterize potentially zoonotic yeasts colonizing the nasal duct of guinea pigs raised as livestock in Southern Ecuador (Cañar Province). Our results show that 44% of the 100 animals studied were colonized in their nasal mucosa by at least eleven yeast species, belonging to eight genera: Wickerhamomyces, Diutina, Meyerozyma, Candida, Pichia, Rhodotorula, Galactomyces, and Cryptococcus. Noticeably, several isolates were insensitive toward several antifungal drugs of therapeutic use, including fluconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, and caspofungin. Together, our results emphasize the threat posed by these potentially zoonotic yeasts to the farmers, their families, the final consumers, and, in general, to public and animal health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Veterinary Microbiology in Farm Animals)
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<p>Location and map of Biblián Municipality (Cañar Province, Ecuador). (<b>A</b>) Ecuador in the South American context (in red); (<b>B</b>) Location of Cañar Province in Ecuador (in red). (<b>C</b>) Biblián Municipality (in red) (reproduced from Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licenses 3.0 and 4.0).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Isolation of yeasts from the nasal mucosa of guinea pigs. (<b>a</b>) Primary isolation cultures, showing pigmented colonies after 48–72 h growth at 30 °C on Hi-Crome Candida Differential Agar. (<b>b</b>) Pure isolates after re-streaking. (<b>c</b>,<b>d</b>) Microscopic view at 400× magnification of two pure isolates (isolates F2.3 and G3.1, respectively).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Colonization of guinea pigs’ nasal mucosa by potentially zoonotic yeasts. <b>Up</b>: Photographs of animals reared in ground pits and fed with natural fodder (<b>a</b>), or in metallic cages and fed with a mixture of fodder and cereal concentrate (<b>b</b>). <b>Down</b>: Percentage of animals colonized by yeasts in their nasal mucosa in each one of the ten farms included in this study. The number of animals actually colonized by yeasts in their nasal mucosa (as shown by cultivation in Hi-Crome Candida Differential Agar) versus the number of animals tested in each farm and of the animals is presented on top of each bar, between parentheses.</p> Full article ">
11 pages, 1038 KiB  
Case Report
Bayesian Decision Analysis: An Underutilized Tool in Veterinary Medicine
by Charles O. Cummings, Mark A. Mitchell, Sean M. Perry, Nicholas Fleissner, Jörg Mayer, Angela M. Lennox and Cathy A. Johnson-Delaney
Animals 2022, 12(23), 3414; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233414 - 4 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2787
Abstract
Bayesian inference and decision analysis can be used to identify the most probable differential diagnosis and use those probabilities to identify the best choice of diagnostic or treatment among several alternatives. In this retrospective case analysis, we surveyed three experts on the prior [...] Read more.
Bayesian inference and decision analysis can be used to identify the most probable differential diagnosis and use those probabilities to identify the best choice of diagnostic or treatment among several alternatives. In this retrospective case analysis, we surveyed three experts on the prior probability of several differential diagnoses, given the signalment and history of a ferret presenting for lethargy and anorexia, and the conditional probability of different clinical findings (physical, bloodwork, imaging, etc.), given a diagnosis. Using these data and utility estimates provided by other clinicians, we constructed a decision tree to retrospectively identify the optimal treatment choice between exploratory laparotomy and medical management. We identified medical management as the optimal choice, in contrast to the original clinical team which performed an exploratory laparotomy. We discuss the potential cognitive biases of the original clinical team. We also discuss the strengths, e.g., shared decision making, and limitations of a Bayesian decision analysis in the veterinary clinic. Bayesian decision analysis can be a useful tool for retrospective case analysis and prospective decision making, especially for deciding on invasive interventions or end-of-life care. The dissimilarity of expert-derived probability estimates makes Bayesian decision analysis somewhat challenging to apply, particularly in wide-ranging specialties like zoological medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Clinical Studies)
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<p>Each of seven differential diagnosis probabilities for a 1-year-old castrated male ferret that presented to a veterinary teaching hospital following two days of lethargy and inappetence, and one day of diarrhea. The cumulative composite posterior probabilities for each differential diagnosis change as each new piece of diagnostic evidence is incorporated into the clinical picture.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Decision tree for the clinical case of a ferret with a possible gastrointestinal foreign body (GI FB). The square node represents a decision to be made by the clinician, while the oval nodes, called chance nodes, represent the different outcomes dictated by diagnosis probability. The numbers in the oval nodes represent expected values (∑ (utility × diagnosis probability)) of each choice. For example, the composite probability of a GI FB at time of surgery (0.31) was multiplied by the utility value of the surgery + GI FB outcome (83.3) to equal 25.8; then the probability of not having a GI FB (1 − 0.31 = 0.69) was multiplied by the utility value of the surgery + no GI FB outcome (60) to equal 41.4. When 41.4 and 25.8 were added together and rounded to the nearest whole number, the expected value of surgery was revealed to be 67. This process was repeated for the “no surgery” choice to reveal an expected value of 76. In this case, the “no surgery” choice provides greater value.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Template for using Bayes’ theorem to think probabilistically in diagnosis. Differential diagnoses should be exhaustive and mutually exclusive, meaning they should cover the realm of possibilities and that only one is the true primary cause of disease. If necessary, inclusion of an “other” category, consisting of aggregated low probability diagnoses, may be considered. Conditional probabilities may come from literature, expert opinion, or in the case of certain diagnostic assays, data from the manufacturer or lab. Any probability, prior or conditional, of 0 will result in that diagnosis having a posterior probability of 0, so it is important to consider whether a diagnosis or a diagnostic finding is possible, i.e., has a probability &gt; 0, rather than simply unlikely. Posterior probability in this template is expressed as a percentage, rather than on a 0 to 1 scale. An interactive spreadsheet formulation has been included in the <a href="#app1-animals-12-03414" class="html-app">supplementary material (Table S4)</a> to allow easier application of this tool.</p> Full article ">
11 pages, 1434 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of a Novel Infrared Thermography Projection to Assess Udder Health in Primigravid Dairy Heifers
by Patrícia B. A. Simões, Lorenzo Viora, Pieter T. Pepler, Timothy Geraghty, Dominic J. McCafferty and Ruth N. Zadoks
Animals 2022, 12(23), 3410; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233410 - 3 Dec 2022
Viewed by 2232
Abstract
Heifer mastitis in early lactation impacts negatively on animal welfare, milk production and longevity. A major challenge for the prevention and control of mastitis in dairy heifers is to establish when intramammary infection occurs because pre-partum secretum sampling is risky. We evaluated a [...] Read more.
Heifer mastitis in early lactation impacts negatively on animal welfare, milk production and longevity. A major challenge for the prevention and control of mastitis in dairy heifers is to establish when intramammary infection occurs because pre-partum secretum sampling is risky. We evaluated a ventrodorsal projection to capture thermal images of the entire udder of primigravid and compared results against caudocranial projection, which is used in lactating cattle. Based on the analysis of 119 heifers and images taken at 2 months and 2 weeks pre-partum, a very strong positive correlation (r = 0.91 and r = 0.96, respectively) was shown between caudocranial and ventrodorsal projections of hind quarters. Quarter maximum gradient temperatures were consistently greater on ventrodorsal projection than on caudocranial projection, and less variable than minimum gradient temperatures. The collection of ventrodorsal images is a simple one-step method involving the imaging of the entire udder in a manner safe for both the cattle and handlers. Together, these results demonstrate that a single projection can be used to scan the entire udder of primigravid dairy heifers in commercial farm conditions, with the potential to implement this as a routine method for the early detection of intramammary infection based on udder surface temperature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Imaging Applied to the Internal Medicine of Ruminants)
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<p>IRT projections and IRT image analysis (grey palette): (<b>a</b>,<b>c</b>) Cd-Cr—caudocranial projection; (<b>b</b>,<b>d</b>) Vt-Dr—ventrodorsal projection. AR—area defined by polygons tool; LI—line defined by lines tool. Colour area (quarter) and line (teat): blue—back left; black—front left; red—back right; green—front right.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Scatterplots summarizing Pearson’s correlation (<span class="html-italic">r</span>) between projections (left side) and Bland–Altman plots (right side) for quarters (top row—(<b>a</b>,<b>b</b>)) and teats (bottom row—(<b>c</b>,<b>d</b>)) at 1st IRT. Cd-Cr—caudocranial projection; Vt-Dr—ventrodorsal projection; dT—temperature gradient; ∈—‘min’ temperature gradient; o—‘max’ temperature gradient.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Scatterplots summarizing Pearson’s correlation (<span class="html-italic">r</span>) between projections (left side) and Bland–Altman plots (right side) for quarters (top row—(<b>a</b>,<b>b</b>)) and teats (bottom row—(<b>c</b>,<b>d</b>)) at 2nd IRT. Cd-Cr—caudocranial projection; Vt-Dr—ventrodorsal projection; dT—temperature gradient; ∈—‘min’ temperature gradient; o—‘max’ temperature gradient.</p> Full article ">
13 pages, 2054 KiB  
Article
Effects of Paratuberculosis Vaccination at Different Ages in a Dairy Goat Herd: A 2-Year Follow-Up
by Miguel Fernández, Marcos Royo, Miguel Fuertes, Noive Arteche-Villasol, M. Carmen Ferreras, Julio Benavides and Valentín Pérez
Animals 2022, 12(22), 3135; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12223135 - 14 Nov 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2129
Abstract
Vaccination could be considered as an effective method for paratuberculosis control, although controversial, with a need for investigation in some aspects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of vaccination, depending on the age of the animals, on their immune [...] Read more.
Vaccination could be considered as an effective method for paratuberculosis control, although controversial, with a need for investigation in some aspects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of vaccination, depending on the age of the animals, on their immune response, the reduction of paratuberculosis cases, mortality and culled animals in a commercial dairy herd. Goats from three different ages were immunized with the inactivated Gudair® vaccine. Peripheral antibody and IFN-γ output were evaluated for 21 months post-vaccination (mpv) and intradermal skin tests (IDSTs) for tuberculosis, with avian- and bovine-purified protein derivatives (PPD), were carried out at 6 and at 18 mpv to evaluate the humoral and cellular immune peripheral responses, respectively. The number of dead or culled animals, regardless of the reason, was also monitored and the causes of death determined by pathological examination. A significant increase in the production of IFN-γ was observed in all the vaccinated groups when the blood samples were stimulated with avian PPD, from 3 mpv to 18 mpv, and with bovine PPD, between 3 and 21 mpv. Moreover, serum antibody levels increased between 3 and 21 mpv in all vaccinated groups. The highest levels were found in animals vaccinated at 5 months, and the lowest in adult individuals. No positive reactants to tuberculosis were found by intradermal skin test. No animal losses associated with clinical paratuberculosis were detected in any of the groups. The number of total culled animals was significantly lower in the vaccinated than in the unvaccinated groups, especially on 1.5-month-old vaccinated kids. These results suggest that vaccination of paratuberculosis, especially in young animals, could induce heterologous protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Clinical Studies)
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<p>Schedule of the study design and blood sampling times (S0 to S7). S: sampling; mpv: months post vaccination. V: vaccinated; NV: non-vaccinated.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Granulomatous lesions associated with paratuberculosis infection found in the necropsied goats. (<b>A</b>): focal lesion, formed by small granulomas (*) located exclusively in the interfollicular area of the Peyer’s patches. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) (<b>B</b>): multifocal lesion, composed of granulomas (*) located both in the interfollicular area on the Peyer’s patches and related lamina propria. HE. Inset: small numbers of acid-fast bacilli (arrows) seen in the lesion located in the lamina propria. Ziehl–Neelsen stain (inset).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Evolution in the INF-γ production after stimulation of blood with avian PPD according to each experimental group. AdultsV: vaccinated at more than 1.5 years; AdultsNV: not vaccinated at more than 1.5 years; 5 MV: vaccinated at 5 months; 5 MNV: not vaccinated at 5 months; 1.5 MV: vaccinated at 1.5 months; 1.5 MNV: not vaccinated at 1.5 months; mpv: months post vaccination; * significant differences (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) among vaccinated and not vaccinated groups. Results were expressed as a quotient between the mean O.D. of the avian PPD-stimulated plasma and the mean O.D. of the same plasma incubated with PBS.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Evolution in the INF-γ production after stimulation of blood with bovine PPD according to each experimental group. AdultsV: vaccinated at more than 1.5 years; AdultsNV: not vaccinated at more than 1.5 years; 5 MV: vaccinated at 5 months; 5 MNV: not vaccinated at 5 months; 1.5 MV: vaccinated at 1.5 months; 1.5 MNV: not vaccinated at 1.5 months; mpv: months post vaccination; * significant differences (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) among vaccinated and not vaccinated groups. Results were expressed as a quotient between the mean O.D. of the bovine PPD-stimulated plasma and the mean O.D. of the same plasma incubated with PBS.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Evolution of antibodies production against MAP according to each experimental group. AdultsV: vaccinated at more than 1.5 years; AdultsNV: not vaccinated at more than 1.5 years; 5 MV: vaccinated at 5 months; 5 MNV: not vaccinated at 5 months; 1.5 MV: vaccinated at 1.5 months; 1.5 MNV: not vaccinated at 1.5 months; mpv: months post vaccination; * significant differences (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05) among vaccinated and not vaccinated groups.</p> Full article ">
17 pages, 2235 KiB  
Article
Protective Effect of Litchi chinensis Peel Extract-Prepared Nanoparticles on Rabbits Experimentally Infected with Eimeria stiedae
by Dina M. Metwally, Afrah F. Alkhuriji, Ibrahim A. H. Barakat, Hanadi B. Baghdadi, Manal F. El-Khadragy, Wafa Abdullah I. Al-Megrin, Abdullah D. Alanazi and Fatemah E. Alajmi
Animals 2022, 12(22), 3098; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12223098 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2564
Abstract
The present study used Litchi chinensis peel extract to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This technique is eco-friendly and can be performed in a single step; thus, it has attracted great attention for NPs biosynthesis. Herein, we biosynthesized AgNPs with L. chinensis peel extract [...] Read more.
The present study used Litchi chinensis peel extract to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This technique is eco-friendly and can be performed in a single step; thus, it has attracted great attention for NPs biosynthesis. Herein, we biosynthesized AgNPs with L. chinensis peel extract and examined their anticoccidial activity in rabbit hepatic coccidiosis induced by E. stiedae infection. Thirty-five rabbits were allocated into seven groups: a healthy group (G1), an infected control group (G2), four groups infected before treatment with 10 mg/kg L. chinensis peel extract-biosynthesized AgNPs (G3, G5) or 50 mg/kg amprolium (G4, G6), and rabbits infected after two weeks of pretreatment with 10 mg/kg L. chinensis eel extract-biosynthesized AgNPs (G7). In this study, both pre-and post-treatment with AgNPs produced a substantial reduction in fecal oocyst output, liver enzyme levels, and histopathological hepatic lesions relative to the infected group. In conclusion, L. chinensis peel extract-prepared AgNPs should be considered harmless and efficient in the cure of hepatic coccidiosis in rabbits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Clinical Studies)
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<p>A Zetasizer was used to determine the average size of the AgNPs biosynthesized with <span class="html-italic">L. chinensis</span> extract.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>TEM image of the resulting AgNPs.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Domestic rabbits infected with hepatic coccidiosis (G2): (<b>a</b>) rough coat; (<b>b</b>) diarrhea (black arrow); (<b>c</b>) irregular yellowish–white nodules of variable sizes on the surface of the liver tissue (white arrow).</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Hepatic histopathology: (<b>a</b>) normal hepatocyte, portal area, and bile duct tissue structures on day 28 PI (G1); (<b>b</b>) <span class="html-italic">E. stiedae</span> developmental stages [macrogametocytes (white arrow), microgametocytes (black arrow), and oocysts (blue arrow)] begin to form posterior to the nuclei of the epithelial cells in G2; (<b>c</b>) <span class="html-italic">E. stiedae</span> developmental stages [trophozoite (white arrow) and microgametes (blue arrows)] are displayed; (<b>d</b>) eosinophilia (white arrow) in the subepithelial cells and healthy epithelial lining (G3); (<b>e</b>) hyperplasia (white arrows) and no <span class="html-italic">E. stiedae</span> developmental stages are present (G3); (<b>f</b>) infiltration with an <span class="html-italic">E. stiedae</span> developmental stage (trophozoites) (white arrows) posterior to the nuclei of epithelial lining, desquamation of some epithelial cells, and eosinophilic infiltration in the subepithelial cells (G4); (<b>g</b>) few numbers of <span class="html-italic">E. stiedae</span> developmental stages (trophozoite) (white arrows) (G4); (<b>h</b>) hyperplasia (white arrows) and no <span class="html-italic">E. stiedae</span> developmental stages are present (G5); (<b>i</b>) few <span class="html-italic">E. stiedae</span> developmental stages (trophozoites) (white arrows) are present posterior to the nuclei, with eosinophilic infiltration (black arrow) in the subepithelial cells and healthy epithelial cells (G6); (<b>j</b>) few eosinophilic infiltrations in the subepithelial cells (white arrow) and epithelial cells appear healthy (G7).</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Histograms showing the effects of the nanoparticles on serum transaminases in the control and experimental groups infected with <span class="html-italic">E. stiedae</span>. Values are the means ± SEMs (n = 7). (<b>a</b>) Significant difference at <span class="html-italic">p &lt;</span> 0.05 concerning the negative control group (a,b). (<b>b</b>) Significant difference at <span class="html-italic">p &lt;</span> 0.05 concerning the positive control group.</p> Full article ">
19 pages, 670 KiB  
Article
Nutritional Composition and Untargeted Metabolomics Reveal the Potential of Tetradesmus obliquus, Chlorella vulgaris and Nannochloropsis oceanica as Valuable Nutrient Sources for Dogs
by Ana R. J. Cabrita, Joana Guilherme-Fernandes, Inês M. Valente, Agostinho Almeida, Sofia A. C. Lima, António J. M. Fonseca and Margarida R. G. Maia
Animals 2022, 12(19), 2643; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192643 - 1 Oct 2022
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3804
Abstract
The growing pet population is questioning the sustainability of the pet food system. Although microalgae may constitute a more sustainable food resource, the assessment of their potential for canine diets is almost non-existent. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of three [...] Read more.
The growing pet population is questioning the sustainability of the pet food system. Although microalgae may constitute a more sustainable food resource, the assessment of their potential for canine diets is almost non-existent. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of three microalgae species (Tetradesmus obliquus, Chlorella vulgaris and Nannochloropsis oceanica) grown locally in industrial photobioreactors as alternative food resources for dogs. A detailed characterization of their nutritional composition and metabolomic profile was carried out and related to the nutritional requirements of dogs. Overall, the essential amino acid content exceeded the amounts required for dogs at all life stages, except methionine and cysteine. The three microalgae were deficient in linoleic acid, N. oceanica presented a linolenic acid content below requirements and T. obliquus and C. vulgaris were deficient in arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids. The fiber was mainly composed of insoluble dietary fiber. The mineral profile varied greatly with the microalgae species, demonstrating their different potential for dog feeding. Untargeted metabolomics highlighted glycolipids, glycerolipids and phospholipids as the most discriminating compounds between microalgae species. Overall, the results support the potential of T. obliquus, C. vulgaris and N. oceanica as valuable macro- and micro-nutrients sources for dog feeding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection The Role of Nutrition in Maintaining Well-Being and Health of Dogs and Cats)
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<p>Heatmap showing the distribution of metabolites in the studied microalgae species constructed using the top 25 metabolites resulting from the Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis, based on the variable importance in the projection score.</p> Full article ">
16 pages, 662 KiB  
Article
Air Quality, Management Practices and Calf Health in Italian Dairy Cattle Farms
by Serena Bonizzi, Giulia Gislon, Milena Brasca, Stefano Morandi, Anna Sandrucci and Maddalena Zucali
Animals 2022, 12(17), 2286; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12172286 - 3 Sep 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3999
Abstract
Among factors that can affect calf health, microbial quality of the pen air is poorly studied. In 25 Italian dairy farms, data concerning air quality in the calf pens, hygiene of pens and equipment, microclimatic conditions, calf health and management were collected during [...] Read more.
Among factors that can affect calf health, microbial quality of the pen air is poorly studied. In 25 Italian dairy farms, data concerning air quality in the calf pens, hygiene of pens and equipment, microclimatic conditions, calf health and management were collected during the winter season (January-March 2020 and December-March 2021). The average air Standard Plate Count (SPC) of 85 pens was 4.51 (SD = 0.52) log10 cfu/m3 whereas the average air ammonia concentration was 0.66 (SD = 0.53) ppm. Positive correlations were found between average Temperature Humidity Index (THI) in the pen and air SPC, night maximum THI and air SPC and between SPC and yeast, mould and ammonia concentration in the pen air. The concentrations of E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae and yeasts in the pen air were higher and calf cough increased as the renewal interval of bedding material became longer. High bedding dry matter and low THI were associated with low air SPC, good calf health scores and low mortality. Maintaining low bedding humidity and controlling microclimatic conditions can contribute to enhancing air microbiological quality in the pen and reduce calf diseases and mortality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal System and Management)
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<p>Effect of frequency of bedding renewal on calf health scores. Score 0 corresponds to normal condition. Different letters between bars of the same colour mean <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Multiple Correspondence Analysis highlighting the relationships among microclimate variables, pen area, pen hygiene, air microbial contamination, calf health scores and mortality. SPC = Standard Plate Count. THI = Temperature Humidity Index. DM = Dry Matter. SPC = Standard Plate Count.</p> Full article ">
10 pages, 607 KiB  
Article
Microplastics in Internal Tissues of Companion Animals from Urban Environments
by Joana C. Prata, Ana L. Patrício Silva, João P. da Costa, Patrícia Dias-Pereira, Alexandre Carvalho, António José Silva Fernandes, Florinda Mendes da Costa, Armando C. Duarte and Teresa Rocha-Santos
Animals 2022, 12(15), 1979; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12151979 - 4 Aug 2022
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5441
Abstract
Companion animals living in urban areas are exposed to environmental contaminants, which may include microplastics. A preliminary study was conducted by collecting postmortem samples from the internal tissue (lungs, ileum, liver, kidney, and blood clots) of 25 dogs (Canis familiaris) and [...] Read more.
Companion animals living in urban areas are exposed to environmental contaminants, which may include microplastics. A preliminary study was conducted by collecting postmortem samples from the internal tissue (lungs, ileum, liver, kidney, and blood clots) of 25 dogs (Canis familiaris) and 24 cats (Felis catus) living in an urban environment in Porto metropolitan area, Portugal. Suspected microplastics were found in 80 samples from 35 animals (18 cats and 17 dogs), often occurring in more than one tissue of the same animal (71.4%), primarily under small sizes (50.3% as 1–10 µm). Micro-Raman spectroscopy confirmed a fraction of particles as common polymer types (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate). However, the number of particles was very low. This study highlights the possibilities of the internalization and distribution of microplastics in the internal tissues of terrestrial vertebrates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Companion Animals)
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Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract
Full article ">Figure 1
<p>Raman spectra of microplastics found in the filters of samples of internal tissues of different companion animals: (<bold>A</bold>,<bold>B</bold>) polypropylene particle in cat liver; (<bold>C</bold>) polyethylene terephthalate particle in cat ileum; (<bold>D</bold>) polyethylene terephthalate in cat blood clot; (<bold>E</bold>) polypropylene particle in dog lung; (<bold>F</bold>) polyethylene terephthalate particle in dog lung. Edited in Adobe Photoshop CS6 to improve brightness and contrast by 50 and 30, respectively. Original colors can be found in <xref ref-type="app" rid="app1-animals-12-01979">Figure S2, Supplementary Materials</xref>.</p> Full article ">
8 pages, 224 KiB  
Article
Influence of Heifer Post-Weaning Voluntary Feed Intake Classification on Lifetime Productivity in Black Angus Beef Females
by Krista R. Wellnitz, Cory T. Parsons, Julia M. Dafoe, Darrin L. Boss, Samuel A. Wyffels, Timothy DelCurto and Megan L. Van Emon
Animals 2022, 12(13), 1687; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12131687 - 30 Jun 2022
Viewed by 1852
Abstract
This study evaluated heifer post-weaning voluntary feed intake (g/kg BW) classification on performance and reproductive measures, as well as impacts on lifetime productivity of 519 commercial Angus beef females. Heifer post-weaning voluntary feed intake (g/kg BW) was calculated over 80 test days following [...] Read more.
This study evaluated heifer post-weaning voluntary feed intake (g/kg BW) classification on performance and reproductive measures, as well as impacts on lifetime productivity of 519 commercial Angus beef females. Heifer post-weaning voluntary feed intake (g/kg BW) was calculated over 80 test days following weaning using GrowSafe units. Heifers were categorized based on voluntary feed intake (g/kg BW) as either low (<−0.50 SD from the mean), average (±0.50 SD from the mean), or high (>0.50 SD from the mean) within year. Cow body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) at breeding displayed an age effect (p < 0.001), with 2- and 3-year-old cows having lighter BW and lower BCS than 4-yr-old and older cows. Cow BW at weaning showed significance for age and intake (p < 0.001) with younger cows being lighter than older cows, while low intake classified females had greater BW at weaning compared to average and high intake females. Additionally, calf 205-d weights and calf weaning weights (p < 0.01) were significant for age with calves born from older cows weighing more than younger cows. Weaning weight ratio displayed a linear increase with increasing intake classification (p < 0.01). Heifer yearling BW was significant for intake (p < 0.01) with low and average intake heifer classifications having greater heifer yearling BW than cows that had high intake classification as a heifer. Age and intake classification did not impact (p ≥ 0.22) pregnancy status or AI conception. In summary, heifer post-weaning feed intake classification had only minor impacts compared to age effects on lifetime productivity of Angus beef females. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)
17 pages, 335 KiB  
Article
Disenfranchised Guilt—Pet Owners’ Burden
by Lori R. Kogan, Cori Bussolari, Jennifer Currin-McCulloch, Wendy Packman and Phyllis Erdman
Animals 2022, 12(13), 1690; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12131690 - 30 Jun 2022
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5894
Abstract
Guilt refers to an unpleasant emotional state associated with one’s behaviors, thoughts, or intentions, and it is based on the possibility that one may be in the wrong or that others may have this perception. Parental guilt is one common subtype and is [...] Read more.
Guilt refers to an unpleasant emotional state associated with one’s behaviors, thoughts, or intentions, and it is based on the possibility that one may be in the wrong or that others may have this perception. Parental guilt is one common subtype and is often associated with work–family conflict (WFC). WFC and related guilt have been found to be associated with depression and anxiety. Through an online anonymous survey, the current study was designed to explore dog owners’ guilt surrounding their dogs. Results suggest that dog owners’ guilt and WFC associated with their dog are at levels similar to those reported in human family studies. Additionally, the relationship between dog owners’ guilt and discrepancy between participants’ actual and ideal self, in regard to the role of a dog owner, also mirrored human-only family research. Because pet-related guilt is unrecognized, acknowledged, or supported, we suggest it is disenfranchised. As people return to work, in this period of post-COVID-19 pandemic time, it is paramount that companies and communities acknowledge pet owner guilt and WFC and help owners find practical, effective solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Companion Animals)
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