Assessing the Variability of Energy Metabolisability in Barley, Rye, and Wheat Varieties for Broiler Diets
Most Predator-Prey Study Density Estimates from Random Encounter Models Are Unreliable
Defining the Role of IgE Against Cross-Reactive Carbohydrates in Dogs
Timing of Maternal Stress Differentially Affects Immune and Stress Phenotypes in Progeny
Assessing Solutions for Resilient Dairy Farming in Europe

Journal Description

Animals

Animals is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal devoted entirely to animals, including zoology and veterinary sciences, published semimonthly online by MDPI. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (ECAWBM), and Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) are affiliated with Animals and their members receive a discount on the article processing charges.

Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubMed, PMC, Embase, PubAg, AGRIS, Animal Science Database, CAB Abstracts, and other databases.
Journal Rank: JCR - Q1 (Veterinary Sciences) / CiteScore - Q1 (General Veterinary )
Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 16.1 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2024).
Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Companion journals for Animals include: Birds, Ruminants and Zoonotic Diseases.

Impact Factor: 2.7 (2023); 5-Year Impact Factor: 3.0 (2023)

Imprint Information Journal Flyer Open Access ISSN: 2076-2615

Latest Articles

28 pages, 21218 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploitation of Key Regulatory Modules and Genes for High-Salt Adaptation in Schizothoracine by Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis

by Luo Lei, Xingxing Deng, Fei Liu, He Gao, Yuting Duan, Junting Li, Suxing Fu, Hejiao Li, Yinhua Zhou, Rongrong Liao, Haiping Liu and Chaowei Zhou

Animals 2025, 15(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010056 (registering DOI) - 29 Dec 2024

Abstract

Schizothoracine fishes in saltwater lakes of the Tibetan Plateau are important models for studying the evolution and uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. Examining their adaptation to the high-salt environment is interesting. In this study, we first assembled the RNA-Seq data of each tissue of G. przewalskii, G. selincuoensis, and G. namensis from Qinghai Lake, Selincuo Lake, and Namtso Lake, respectively, obtained by the group previously. After obtaining reliable results, the adaptation of the gills, kidneys, and livers of the three species to the high-salinity environment was assessed by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Using module eigengenes (ME), 21, 22, and 22 gene modules were identified for G. przewalskii, G. selincuoensis, and G. nemesis, respectively. Functional clustering analysis of genes in the significant association module identified several genes associated with osmolarity-regulated potential KEGG pathways in the gills of three species of Schizothoracine fish. Th17 cell differentiation pathway was up-regulated in the gills of all three species; histocompatibility class 2 II antigen and E alpha (h2-ea) were up-regulated genes in this pathway. Functional clustering analysis of genes in apparently related modules in the kidney unveiled several differential KEGG pathways. The pentose phosphate pathway was up-regulated in the three Schizothoracine fishes, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (g6pd) was an up-regulated gene in this pathway. In the livers of the three Schizothorax species, the propanoate metabolism pathway was up-regulated, and succinate-CoA ligase GDP-forming subunit beta (suclg2) was an up-regulated gene in this pathway. The above analyses provide reference data for the adaptation of Schizothorax to high-salt environments and lay the foundation for future studies on the adaptive mechanism of Schizothorax in the plateau. These results partly fill the void in the knowledge gap in the survival adaptations of Schizothoracine fishes to highland saline lakes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Aquatic Animals)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 5606 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Evolution of the Ovgp1 Gene in the Subfamily Murinae

by Miriam Balastegui-Alarcón, Carla Moros-Nicolás, José Ballesta, Mª José Izquierdo-Rico, Pascale Chevret and Manuel Avilés

Animals 2025, 15(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010055 (registering DOI) - 29 Dec 2024

Abstract

OGP, encoded by the Ovgp1 gene, is the major non-serum oviductal protein in most mammals. In the genome of Rattus norvegicus, Ovgp1 has been identified as a pseudogene. However, Mus musculus presents a functional gene. As the rat and the mouse belong to the subfamily Murinae, Ovgp1 has probably been lost after their divergence. This study aims to determine when the pseudogenization event occurred and which proteins could replace its function. To attain that, the potential expression of members belonging to the GH18 family is investigated in the rat oviduct by means of molecular and proteomic analyses. Specific Ovgp1 regions are sequenced in different murine rodent species. The analysis reveals the presence of stop codons only in some species of the Rattini tribe, suggesting that the majority of the murine species present a functional gene. Thus, the pseudogenization of Ovgp1 could be dated back to around 10 Mya, after the divergence of the Rattini tribe. The expression of several genes and proteins of the GH18 family, such as Chia, Chit1, Chi3l1, and Chid1, are detected in the rat oviduct. This study opens the door for further research on GH18 family proteins that mimic the OGP functions in species where Ovgp1 is pseudogenized. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mammal Evolution Explained Through Molecular and Morphological Data)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
Multiple alignment of nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the Rattini species analyzed. The functional sequence of Mus musculus was added for comparison. The stop codons are highlighted in yellow. The letter “N” in the nucleotide sequence and the letter “X” in the amino acid sequence appear when the base or amino acid, respectively, could not be determined. The letter “Y” in the nucleotide sequence indicates that the nucleotide at that position may be either C or T. The presence of the symbol “-” indicates the absence of a sequence due to a lack of sequencing or an actual deletion. The symbol “*” indicates a stop codon. Full article ">Figure 1 Cont.
Multiple alignment of nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the Rattini species analyzed. The functional sequence of Mus musculus was added for comparison. The stop codons are highlighted in yellow. The letter “N” in the nucleotide sequence and the letter “X” in the amino acid sequence appear when the base or amino acid, respectively, could not be determined. The letter “Y” in the nucleotide sequence indicates that the nucleotide at that position may be either C or T. The presence of the symbol “-” indicates the absence of a sequence due to a lack of sequencing or an actual deletion. The symbol “*” indicates a stop codon. Full article ">Figure 1 Cont.
Multiple alignment of nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the Rattini species analyzed. The functional sequence of Mus musculus was added for comparison. The stop codons are highlighted in yellow. The letter “N” in the nucleotide sequence and the letter “X” in the amino acid sequence appear when the base or amino acid, respectively, could not be determined. The letter “Y” in the nucleotide sequence indicates that the nucleotide at that position may be either C or T. The presence of the symbol “-” indicates the absence of a sequence due to a lack of sequencing or an actual deletion. The symbol “*” indicates a stop codon. Full article ">Figure 1 Cont.
Multiple alignment of nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the Rattini species analyzed. The functional sequence of Mus musculus was added for comparison. The stop codons are highlighted in yellow. The letter “N” in the nucleotide sequence and the letter “X” in the amino acid sequence appear when the base or amino acid, respectively, could not be determined. The letter “Y” in the nucleotide sequence indicates that the nucleotide at that position may be either C or T. The presence of the symbol “-” indicates the absence of a sequence due to a lack of sequencing or an actual deletion. The symbol “*” indicates a stop codon. Full article ">Figure 2
Phylogenetic relationships with respect to the Ovgp1 gene in different species of murid rodents. The scale indicates the number of substitutions per site. Bootstrap support and posterior probabilities are indicated for each node. “- -” indicates that these nodes are not supported by maximum likelihood or Bayesian methods. Species in which stop codons were observed are colored in red (all belong to the Rattini tribe). Full article ">Figure 3
(A) Immunohistochemical localization of CHID1 in the post-ovulatory rat oviduct. CHID1 labeling was localized to the oviductal epithelium. Bar = 100 µm. (B) No labeling observed in the negative control image (no primary antibody). Bar = 100 µm. (C) Higher magnification of the oviductal epithelium showing that the epithelial cells show more intense punctate labeling in the apical region, with fainter labeling in the basal region. Bar = 20 µm. (D) No labeling observed in the negative control image (no primary antibody). Bar = 20 µm. (E) Immunohistochemical localization of CHI3L1 in the post-ovulatory rat oviduct, with CHI3L1 labeling detected in the subepithelial connective tissue and, more intensely, in the oviductal epithelium. Bar = 100 µm. (F) No labeling observed in the negative control image (no primary antibody). Bar = 100 µm. (G) Higher magnification of the oviductal epithelium revealing that the epithelial cells show intense labeling in the apical zone and fainter labeling in the basal zone. Bar = 20 µm. (H) No labeling observed in the negative control (without primary antibody). Bar = 20 µm. Full article ">

13 pages, 570 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Artificial vs. Natural Rearing on Growth Performance, Thyroid Hormone Levels, Locomotor Activity, Carcass Traits and Meat Quality Characteristics in Chios Lambs

by Panagiotis Simitzis, Georgia Alexopoulou, Eftychis Karampekos, Konstantina Linardopoulou, Anargyros Rigakis, Niki Stamelou, Michael Goliomytis, Iosif Bizelis and Ioannis Bossis

Animals 2025, 15(1), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010054 (registering DOI) - 29 Dec 2024

Abstract

Artificial rearing (AR) of lambs is nowadays a common practice in Mediterranean dairy sheep production systems to enhance the milk available for cheese or yoghurt manufacturing. The sufficient growth of lambs in an AR system is vital for the economic success of dairy sheep farms. However, AR is often associated with negative impacts on the performance and physiology of lambs. Greece is one of the major producers of ovine milk; nevertheless, data concerning the effects of artificial rearing in lambs of Greek autochthonous breeds are not available. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the influence of artificial rearing on growth performance, thyroid hormone levels, locomotor activity, carcass traits and meat quality characteristics in lambs of the Chios breed, which is one of the most well-known Greek dairy sheep breeds. Twenty-one singleton male lambs were assigned into two feeding regimes; natural rearing NR (n = 11) and AR (n = 10). The lambs’ behavior was continuously videotaped until weaning, and their standing percentage was recorded as an activity index. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of lambs on days 3, 10, 17 and 40 after birth to assess thyroid hormone levels. The body weight of lambs was also recorded weekly. At the age of 45 days, lambs were fasted for 12 h, weighed and slaughtered. The weights of the carcass and internal organs were measured, while samples of the longissimus dorsi muscle were used for the determination of meat pH, color, water holding capacity, shear force and oxidative stability values. As indicated, body weight (kg) at birth was greater in NR vs. AR group and this difference was maintained till day 35 (p < 0.05), although body gain (kg) was generally not significantly different between NR and AR lambs, with the exception of the first week, when NR showed a greater value compared with the AR lambs (p < 0.001). On day 42, no significant differences between lamb groups for body weight were observed. Levels for triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and the free form of T3 (FT3) were greater, whereas the standing percentage was lower in NR compared with AR lambs (p < 0.05). The feeding regime of lambs did not affect carcass traits, internal organ and fat tissue weights, except for cold carcass yield which was greater in AR vs. NR lambs. No significant differences were observed between the two lamb groups in meat quality characteristics, such as pH, color, water holding capacity and shear force values, although MDA content was decreased in AR lambs indicating an improved oxidative stability. In conclusion, artificial rearing appears to be a feasible strategy for Chios lamb meat production, since it does not negatively influence carcass traits and meat quality characteristics, while a positive effect in meat oxidative stability is observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Small Ruminants)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

30 pages, 3407 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Relationships of Captive Bachelor Przewalski’s Horses and Their Effect on Daily Activity and Space Use

by Anastasiia Nykonenko, Yevhen Moturnak and Philip Dunstan McLoughlin

Animals 2025, 15(1), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010053 (registering DOI) - 28 Dec 2024

Abstract

Understanding social relationships in at-risk species held in captivity is vital for their welfare and potential reintroduction. In social species like the Przewalski’s horse (Equus ferus przewalskii), daily time allocation and space use may be influenced by social structure and, in turn, reflect welfare. Here, we identify social relationships, time budgets, and spatial distribution of a group of nine older (aged 6–21 years) male Przewalski’s horses living in a non-breeding (bachelor) group. We conducted our work at the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve, over 65 h of observation in summer, 2015. Horses formed stronger social bonds with individuals of similar gregariousness and dominance levels. Social-network analysis identified three distinct subgroups with significant differences in locomotion, social behaviour, and foraging. However, resting and vigilance behaviour remained similar across the subgroups. Behavioural synchrony across all activities was higher within subgroups than between. Space use was also affected by subgroup membership, with some horses overusing or underusing critical resource areas like hay and water. These findings suggest opportunities to improve welfare by adjusting space and resource distribution, particularly for more submissive individuals. Our approach may also aid in selecting reintroduction candidates by considering social characteristics alongside health, genetic, and other factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Relevance of Companionship and Social Behaviour for Horses)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

First Detection of Wolbachia in Namibian Bird Ectoparasites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) with a Description of New Quill Mite Species

by Eliza Glowska-Patyniak, Katarzyna Kaszewska-Gilas, Izabella Laniecka, Julia Olechnowicz, Kamila Ostrowska, Wiktoria Dmuchowska, Brian K. Schmidt, Jan Hubert and Artur Trzebny

Animals 2025, 15(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010052 (registering DOI) - 28 Dec 2024

Abstract

Wolbachia is a common intracellular bacterial genus that infects numerous arthropods and filarial nematodes. In arthropods, it typically acts as a reproductive parasite, leading to various phenotypic effects such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, parthenogenesis, feminization, or male-killing. Quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) are a group of bird parasites that have recently attracted increasing interest due to the detection of unique phylogenetic lineages of endosymbiotic bacteria and potentially pathogenic taxa. Our study used an unbiased 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing approach to examine several populations of Namibian quill mites for the presence of bacteria that could affect their biology. We detected Wolbachia in two mite populations collected from two species of larks. However, we did not find any other endosymbiotic bacteria or any that could be of epidemiological importance. Since the mite taxa we tested were previously unknown to science, we conducted comprehensive morphological and molecular systematic analyses on them. Our research revealed two new quill mite species of the genus Syringophilopsis Kethley, 1970 which parasitize three sub-Saharan alaudids, i.e., Syringophilopsis erythrochlamys sp. n. from the dune lark Calendulauda erythrochlamys (Strickland, HE) and S. christinae sp. n. from the Karoo long-billed lark Certhilauda subcoronata (Smith) and spike-heeled lark Chersomanes albofasciata (de Lafresnaye, NFAA). In addition, we provided the African reed warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus (Vieillot, LJP) as a new host for S. acrocephali Skoracki, 1999. Our study expands the knowledge on parasite diversity and provides new insights into Wolbachia infection among quill mites in Africa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Interactions Between Mites and Vertebrates)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
Overview of the bacterial taxa detected in quill mites. Bar plots show the most abundant bacterial taxa. Each stacked bar represents a bacterial community obtained from the mites collected from one bird species. The height of stacks represents the relative abundances of each taxon. Full article ">Figure 2
Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) based on Bray–Curtis distance showing the microbial composition of quill mites. Each point represents a sample and the spatial arrangement reflects the similarity in microbial community structure. Full article ">Figure 3
(A,B) Syringophilopsis erythrochlamys sp. n., female: (A) dorsal view, (B) ventral view. Full article ">Figure 4
(A–C) Syringophilopsis erythrochlamys sp. n., female: (A) hypostomal apex (50 µm), (B) peritremes (50 µm), (C) fan-like setae p′ of leg III (100 µm). Full article ">Figure 5
(A,B) Syringophilopsis erythrochlamys sp. n., male: (A) dorsal view, (B) ventral view. Full article ">Figure 6
(A–C) Syringophilopsis erythrochlamys sp. n., male: (A) hypostomal apex, (B) peritremes, (C) fan-like setae p′ of leg III. Full article ">Figure 7
(A,B) Syringophilopsis christinae sp. n., female: (A) dorsal view, (B) ventral view. Full article ">Figure 8
(A–C) Syringophilopsis christinae sp. n., female: (A) hypostomal apex, (B) peritremes, (C) fan-like setae p′ of leg III. Full article ">

11 pages, 262 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Different Breeding Values Under Uniform Environmental Condition for Milk Production Yield Traits in Holstein-Friesian Cows

by László Bognár, Zsolt Jenő Kőrösi, István Anton, Szabolcs Bene and Ferenc Szabó

Animals 2025, 15(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010051 (registering DOI) - 28 Dec 2024

Abstract

In this study, 1,616,549 Holstein-Friesian females were genotyped for genomic evaluation of genetic merit (BV_Genomic). Genotyping was performed using the EuroGenomics MD v3.0 chipset on the Illumina microarray scanner platform operated by an accredited Illumina laboratory. In addition, international and national reference populations were used for traditional BLUP breeding value (BV) estimation for both individuals (BV_BLUP) and parents (BV_Pedigree). A single-step BLUP animal model was used for this estimation. A sample of 190 first lactation progeny cows from a single herd, reared and kept under consistent environmental conditions, was used to validate the three types of BV estimation methods. Correlation and regression analysis were used to study the association between the phenotypic performance and the results of three different estimation models. The average production of the 305-day standard lactation was 10,910.5 kg milk, 397.86 kg butterfat and 365.33 kg protein. Comparative analyses showed that BV_BLUP had the highest accuracy, followed by BV_Genomic, while BV_Pedigree was the least reliable, R² = 0.37 to 0.48; 0.09 to 0.23; 0.02 to 0.06, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Genetics and Genomics)

16 pages, 602 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling Mastitis Risk Management Effects on Dairy Milk Yield and Global Warming Potential

by Giulia Ferronato, Anna Simonetto, Gianni Gilioli and Alfonso Zecconi

Animals 2025, 15(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010050 (registering DOI) - 28 Dec 2024

Abstract

Mastitis represents a significant challenge for dairy farming, resulting in economic losses and environmental impacts. This study assesses a model for the evaluation of the impact of mastitis on dairy productivity and Global Warming Potential (GWP) under diverse management scenarios. The model considers a range of factors, including bedding materials, milking systems, health surveillance, and overcrowding. The results of the simulation demonstrate that effective management, encompassing the utilization of sand bedding, and the presence of an annual herd health monitoring plan have the potential to reduce the prevalence of mastitis and enhance milk yield by up to 10% in milking parlors and 7% in automatic milking systems. At the herd level, the GWP ranged from 1.37 to 1.78 kg CO₂eq/kg Fat- and Protein-Corrected Milk (FPCM), with the use of sand bedding resulting in a 14% reduction in GWP, while the utilization of non-composted manure-based materials led to an increase of 12%. The occurrence of overcrowding and a lack of adequate cleanliness in resting areas were found to have a markedly detrimental impact on both productivity and the environmental performance of cows. These findings illustrate the dual benefits of enhanced mastitis management, namely improved milk production and reduced environmental impact. They offer valuable insights for farmers and policymakers alike. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal System and Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 956 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sexual Offspring Production by Acorn Ant Temnothorax crassispinus Colonies Is Associated with the Colony Size but Not with the Volume of the Nest Cavity

by Mateusz Rolski, Anna Gruszka, Mariia Marczak and Sławomir Mitrus

Animals 2025, 15(1), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010049 (registering DOI) - 28 Dec 2024

Abstract

Nest sites are important for ants, as the nests provide refuge against enemies and ensure optimal conditions for the brood development. As the construction of a nest is a time and energy consuming activity, many ant species dwell in ready-for-use cavities. For them, choosing a good nest site is important, as the quality of nest site could affect factors such as the energy allocation and production of sexual individuals. Ants of genus Temnothorax inhabit cavities in, e.g., acorns and twigs, and these ant colonies prefer larger cavities as nest sites. It was previously shown that colonies inhabiting more durable nest sites invested more resources in sexual production. The aim of this study was to find out whether the volume of a nest cavity influences the sexual offspring production of acorn ant Temnothorax crassispinus colonies. For this purpose, a three-month long laboratory experiment was performed. Colonies of the Temnothorax ant were kept in artificial nest cavities differing in volume. It was found that there was no correlation between the productivity per capita and the colony size. More populous colonies produced more sexual individuals; however, we found no statistical difference in the production of sexual individuals between the colonies that inhabited cavities of different volumes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Human-Animal Interactions, Animal Behaviour and Emotion)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3249 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Economic Viability of the Production of Peruvian Grunt (Anisotremus scapularis) in RAS on the Peruvian–Chilean Desert Coast

by Pablo Presa, Yolanda Leonor Perca Cruz, Jordan I. Huanacuni, Renzo Pepe-Victoriano and Luis A. Espinoza-Ramos

Animals 2025, 15(1), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010048 (registering DOI) - 28 Dec 2024

Abstract

The Peruvian grunt Anisotremus scapularis is one of the most appreciated fish in Peruvian national markets. However, its reduced and irregular fishery is a paradigm of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU) in the Peruvian–Chilean coastal region. An important technological advancement has been achieved in the last decade in capture, management, nutrition, and broodstock maintenance to boost pilot experiences on the aquaculture of this species. Therefore, it is pertinent to evaluate the economic viability of this candidate species to identify cultivation bottlenecks, optimize the process, and assess the transfer feasibility of the technical know-how to interest groups. In this study, we performed a sensitivity analysis to assess how market price and production size should make its commercialization profitable. We show that the use of photovoltaic solar panels and a raw production cycle of 15 months enables profitability at a ~400 k unit farm size at a commercial market price of 6.67 USD/kg, i.e., B/C = USD 1.14. Both, time to market and market price exerted the highest influence on the value of grunt farms; whereas, a reduction of the production cycle to 12 months by seed selection, optimized rearing conditions, and nutritional diets also provides a profitable investment, i.e., NPV = USD 287,054 with an IRR = 23.71% at a discount rate of 10% and B/C = USD 1.15. These scenarios pave the way for the transfer of technological know-how to entrepreneurial initiatives in the economically depressed coastal region of the Atacama Desert. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Fish Production: Practices on Nutritional Management and Novel Farming Systems Application)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
Adult specimen (60 cm in length) of the Peruvian grunt Anisotremus scapularis. Full article ">Figure 2
Distribution of Anisotremus scapularis [Tschudi, 1846, <a href="https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=279622" target="_blank">https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=279622</a> (accessed on 5 August 2024)] in the Pacific south. Full article ">Figure 3
The environmental setup and location of the Coastal Marine Laboratory of Vila—Vila (Tacna, Peru) (Source: Coastal Marine Laboratory Satellite View [<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Vila+Vila+Beach/@-18.1144445,-70.7278606,810m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x91453fd7f507c05b:0x6bf8ebfcbdca8f6c!8m2!3d-18.1172591!4d-70.7264604?hl=es-ES" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/maps/place/Vila+Vila+Beach/@-18.1144445,-70.7278606,810m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x91453fd7f507c05b:0x6bf8ebfcbdca8f6c!8m2!3d-18.1172591!4d-70.7264604?hl=es-ES</a> (accessed on 7 July 2024)]. Full article ">Figure 4
Aggregated cost of production per grunt unit as a function of farm size (annual sales). Full article ">Figure 5
Sensitivity analysis indicating the break-even point of grunt production (B/C = 1) at 397,540 grunt units. Full article ">Figure 6
Net present value (USD; 10-year horizon) per market price (USD/kg) for a farm size of 160 K (blue), 200 K (orange), and 400 K (green) grunt units. Full article ">

15 pages, 990 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of MSTN Gene Editing on Meat Quality and Metabolomics: A Comparative Study Among Three Breeds of MSTN-Edited and Non-Edited Cattle

by Shan Luo, Yuanqing Liu, Lige Bu, Dezheng Wang, Zhaoyu Wen, Yuqing Yang, Yanan Xu, Di Wu, Guangpeng Li and Lei Yang

Animals 2025, 15(1), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010047 (registering DOI) - 27 Dec 2024

Abstract

Myostatin (MSTN) serves as a negative regulatory factor for muscle development. A reduction in MSTN gene expression can enhance muscle mass and increase meat production. However, whether it will impact meat quality traits remains one of the major concerns in the cattle breeding industry. To explore the meat quality traits of MSTN gene-edited cattle, this study compared the meat quality traits of three MSTN gene-edited cattle breeds with those of non-gene-edited cattle, including Luxi, Angus, and Mongolian cattle, and further conducted an analysis in combination with metabolomics. We found that MSTN gene-edited cattle were superior to non-gene-edited cattle in terms of meat pH, shear force, and intramuscular fat content. However, no significant differences were observed in water-holding capacity, water content, and protein content of the meat. Metabolomics analysis revealed three upregulated differential metabolites common to MSTN gene-edited and non-gene-edited cattle across three breeds, namely lactoyl-valine, 3-phenylactic acid, and lactoyl-methionine. Some studies have indicated that these metabolites can improve the meat’s flavor. In this study, we compared the meat quality traits and metabolomics data between MSTN gene-edited and non-gene-edited cattle, and found that the meat quality of MSTN gene-edited cattle was superior to that of non-gene-edited cattle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Cattle)

13 pages, 700 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Overexpression of miR-192 Inhibits In Vitro Porcine Embryo Development by Inducing Oxidative Stress Damage and Impairing Mitochondrial Function

by Fan He, Mingguo Li, Fan Chen, Rong Zhou, Mengfan Qi, Binbin Fu, Huapeng Zhang, Qingchun Li, Yanzhen Bi and Tao Huang

Animals 2025, 15(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010046 (registering DOI) - 27 Dec 2024

Abstract

Early embryonic development relies on intricately regulated gene expression, and miRNAs influence zygotic genome activation (ZGA), cleavage, and cell fate determination through post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. miR-192 is expressed in early pig embryos and participates in various reproductive processes. However, its role in pre-implantation pig embryo development remains poorly understood. In this study, we microinjected the miR-192 agonist (miR-192 agomir) into parthenogenetically activated pig embryos to evaluate its effects on early pig embryo development. Our findings indicate that compared to the control group (agomir NC), miR-192 agomir impairs the developmental capacity of parthenogenetic pig embryos to reach the 2-cell, 4-cell, and blastocyst stages. This impairment leads to imbalances in the oxidative–reductive system and abnormalities in mitochondrial function during the 4-cell stage, resulting in the significant accumulation of ROS, notable decreases in the expression of antioxidant enzymes CAT and SOD1 mRNA, reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential, and induction of apoptosis in pig blastocysts. Additionally, the overexpression of miR-192 inhibits the expression of its target genes YY1 and the pluripotency factor NANOG mRNA. In conclusion, this study reveals that the overexpression of miR-192 adversely affects early pig embryo development, providing new evidence for understanding the role miR-192 plays in reproduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pigs)

12 pages, 602 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Endoparasites in Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) By-Caught in Latvian Commercial Coastal Fishery

by Maija Selezņova, Aivars Cīrulis, Maira Mateusa, Ēriks Krūze, Loreta Rozenfelde, Inga Pigiņka-Vjačeslalova, Lilija Geine-Romanova, Didzis Ustups and Gunita Deksne

Animals 2025, 15(1), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010045 (registering DOI) - 27 Dec 2024

Abstract

The grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) is a fish-eating mammal and an apex predator in the Baltic Sea. It serves as the definitive host for several parasite species that utilize fish as intermediate or paratenic hosts. This study aimed to determine the endoparasite fauna of grey seals by-caught in the Latvian commercial coastal fishery and to analyze the impact of parasites on the seals’ nutritional status. A total of 59 grey seals were collected for parasitological analysis. Six parasite species were identified, with all seals infected by Contracaecum sp. and Corynosoma semerme. High prevalence rates were observed for Corynosoma strumosum (69.4%), Parafilaroides gymnurus (44.8%), and Pseudamphistomum truncatum (27.1%). Giardia duodenalis was detected in two animals, marking its first report in the Baltic Sea grey seals. A significant negative correlation was found between the infection intensity of C. semerme (Rs = −0.324, p = 0.013) and the nutritional status of the grey seals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Aquatic Animals)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 634 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Brush Use in Lot-Fed Cattle Shows Continued Use and Positive Behaviour

by Emma J. Dunston-Clarke, Catherine Stockman, Josie Sinclair and Teresa Collins

Animals 2025, 15(1), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010044 (registering DOI) - 27 Dec 2024

Abstract

Feedlot cattle were assessed for the consistency of enrichment brush use, higher incidence of natural behaviour, and less agonistic or abnormal behaviour compared to cattle without the brush. Cattle were assigned to one of two treatment pens, (1) access to a vertical grooming brush (EB; n = 89) or (2) no access control (CON; n = 80), for a period of 107 days. A Principal Component (PC) analysis was used on pen-side demeanour scores. Statistical analysis on pen-side behaviour and demeanour PCs tested for impact of treatment, day, and time. Frequency of brush use and the duration of each cow–brush interaction did not decrease over the assessment period. Self-grooming and allogrooming did not differ between treatments and were similar in frequency to brush grooming, resulting in total grooming being higher in the EB treatment group (p < 0.05). Cattle in the EB pen were scored as more content (PC 2; p < 0.05) and sociable (PC 3; p < 0.01), while CON cattle were scored as more anxious (PC 3; p < 0.05). Overall, this study suggests that the provision of a brush for enrichment enhanced lot-fed cattle wellbeing and permitted prolonged engagement, making it an effective enrichment device. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Welfare of Animals in Livestock Production Systems and at Slaughter)

17 pages, 1585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrating Genomic Selection and a Genome-Wide Association Study to Improve Days Open in Thai Dairy Holstein Cattle: A Comprehensive Genetic Analysis

by Akhmad Fathoni, Wuttigrai Boonkum, Vibuntita Chankitisakul, Sayan Buaban and Monchai Duangjinda

Animals 2025, 15(1), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010043 (registering DOI) - 27 Dec 2024

Abstract

Days open (DO) is a critical economic and reproductive trait that is commonly employed in genetic selection. Making improvements using conventional genetic techniques is exceedingly challenging. Therefore, new techniques are required to improve the accuracy of genetic selection using genomic data. This study examined the genetic approaches of traditional AIREML and single-step genomic AIREML (ssGAIREML) to assess genetic parameters and the accuracy of estimated breeding values while also investigating SNP regions associated with DO and identifying candidate genes through a genome-wide association study (GWAS). The dataset included 59415 DO records from 36368 Thai–Holstein crossbred cows and 882 genotyped animals. The cows were classified according to their Holstein genetic proportion (breed group, BG) as follows: BG1 (>93.7% Holstein genetics), BG2 (87.5% to 93.6% Holstein genetics), and BG3 (<87.5% Holstein genetics). AIREML was utilized to estimate genetic parameters and variance components. The results of this study reveal that the average DO values for BG1, BG2, and BG3 were 97.64, 97.25, and 96.23 days, respectively. The heritability values were estimated to be 0.02 and 0.03 for the traditional AIREML and ssGAIREML approaches, respectively. Depending on the dataset, the ssGAIREML method produced more accurate estimated breeding values than the traditional AIREML method, ranging from 40.5 to 45.6%. The highest values were found in the top 20% of the dam dataset. For the GWAS, we found 12 potential candidate genes (DYRK1A, CALCR, MIR489, MIR653, SLC36A1, GNA14, GNAQ, TRNAC-GCA, XYLB, ACVR2B, SLC22A14, and EXOC2) that are believed to have a significant influence on days open. In summary, the ssGAIREML method has the potential to enhance the accuracy and heritability of reproductive values compared to those obtained using conventional AIREML. Consequently, it is a viable alternative for transitioning from conventional methodologies to the ssGAIREML method in the breeding program for dairy cattle in Thailand. Moreover, the 12 identified potential candidate genes can be utilized in future studies to select markers for days open in regard to dairy cattle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Advances in Cattle Breeding, Genetics and Genomics)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Dietary Resveratrol and Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Meal Supplements on Quail Egg Production, Quality, and Consumer Acceptance

by Violeta Razmaitė, Artūras Šiukščius, Vidmantas Pileckas and Saulius Bliznikas

Animals 2025, 15(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010042 (registering DOI) - 27 Dec 2024

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effects of supplementing a basal diet with resveratrol and black soldier fly (Hermetiaillucens) larvae meal on Manchurian Golden quail egg production and quality as well as consumer attitudes towards the quail eggs and their acceptability. Quail were allotted three treatments for a laying period of 3 months. The dietary treatment groups were those of a basal diet, a basal diet with 250 mg/kg resveratrol pliusACE, and a diet supplemented with 10% black soldier fly larvae meal (BSF). The BSF larvae meal supplement increased the live weight of the quail, but the differences in the mean egg production and egg external parameters between the experimental groups were insignificant. The egg yolk from the quail fed with resveratrol and BSF supplementation demonstrated lower (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01) pH compared with the quail fed a basal diet. Egg yolk colour showed lower (p < 0.05) lightness and lower (p < 0.01) yellowness and colour saturation in the group of quail fed with resveratrol supplement compared with BSF supplement. Resveratrol inclusion in the basal diet resulted in increased (p < 0.001) protein content in the yolk. BSF inclusion in the diet showed the effect by increasing (p < 0.001) dry matter in albumen. The total monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and cholesterol content were not affected by the dietary treatment. The inclusion of BSF larvae meal in the diet increased the proportion of total saturated fatty acids and lowered the proportion of total trans fatty acids in yolk lipids and demonstrated less favourable ratios of fatty acids and nutritional indices, except for the peroxidisability index, and showed higher oxidative status (p < 0.05), flavour score, and overall egg acceptance compared with the quail fed on a basal diet. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Product Excellence in Poultry: Key Factors Influencing Egg and Meat Quality)

26 pages, 73296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Leveraging Thermal Infrared Imaging for Pig Ear Detection Research: The TIRPigEar Dataset and Performances of Deep Learning Models

by Weihong Ma, Xingmeng Wang, Simon X. Yang, Lepeng Song and Qifeng Li

Animals 2025, 15(1), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010041 - 27 Dec 2024

Abstract

The stable physiological structure and rich vascular network of pig ears contribute to distinct thermal characteristics, which can reflect temperature variations. While the temperature of the pig ear does not directly represent core body temperature due to the ear’s role in thermoregulation, thermal infrared imaging offers a feasible approach to analyzing individual pig status. Based on this background, a dataset comprising 23,189 thermal infrared images of pig ears (TIRPigEar) was established. The TIRPigEar dataset was obtained through a pig house inspection robot equipped with an infrared thermal imaging device, with post-processing conducted via manual annotation. By labeling pig ears within these images, a total of 69,567 labeled files were generated, which can be directly used for training pig ear detection models and enabling the analysis of pig temperature information by integrating the corresponding thermal imaging data. To validate the dataset’s utility, it was evaluated across various object detection algorithms. Experimental results show that the dataset achieves the highest precision, recall, and mAP50 on the YOLOv9m model, reaching 97.35%, 98.1%, and 98.6%, respectively. Overall, the TIRPigEar dataset demonstrates optimal performance when applied to the YOLOv9m algorithm. Utilizing thermal infrared imaging technology to detect pig ear information provides a non-contact, rapid, and effective method. Establishing the TIRPigEar dataset is highly significant, as it allows for a valuable resource for AI and precision livestock farming researchers to validate and improve their algorithms. This dataset will support many researchers in advancing precision livestock farming by enabling an efficient way for pig ear temperature analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modeling and Computer Vision in Animal Activity or Behavior: 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 6946 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification and Functional Analysis of miRNAs in Extracellular Vesicles of Semen Plasma from High- and Low-Fertility Boars

by Weidong Chen, Yanshe Xie, Zhiqian Xu, Yijun Shang, Wenzheng Yang, Pengyao Wang, Zhenfang Wu, Gengyuan Cai and Linjun Hong

Animals 2025, 15(1), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010040 - 27 Dec 2024

Abstract

Artificial insemination (AI), as an efficient assisted reproduction technology, can help the livestock industry to improve livestock and poultry breeds, optimize production performance and improve reproductive efficiency. AI technology has been widely used in pig production in China, but boar fertility affects the effectiveness of AI, and more and more studies have shown that there are significant differences in the fertility of boars with similar semen quality indicators. Therefore, this study aimed to identify biomarker molecules that indicate the level of boar fertility, which is important for improving the efficiency of AI. In this study, we collected 40 mL of ejaculates per boar used for extracellular vesicle (EV) characterization in 20 boars and identified 53 differentially expressed miRNAs by small RNA sequencing, of which 44 miRNAs were up-regulated in the high-fertility seminal EVs compared with low-fertility seminal EVs, and nine miRNAs were down-regulated. miR-26a was most significantly down-regulated in the high-fertility group compared to the low-fertility group, and it was hypothesized that this miRNA could be used as a biomolecular marker of semen reproductive performance. To further determine the effect of miR-26a on sperm function, we successfully established a miR-26a overexpression model and found that miR-26a reduced sperm viability, motility, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity and ATP levels. Bioinformatics analysis and dual luciferase reporter analysis revealed that miR-26a directly targets High mobility group A1 (HMGA1). In conclusion, miR-26a can be used as a biomarker to identify high and low fertility in boar semen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Reproduction)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
Characterization of high-fertility and low-fertility seminal EVs. (A) Transmission electron micrographs analysis revealed that seminal EVs possess typical cup-shaped vesicle structures. Scale bar = 100 nm. (B) Nanoparticle tracking analysis of particle size distribution profiles from high-fertility and low-fertility seminal EVs; most particle sizes range from 50 to 300 nm, consistent with the characteristics of EVs. (C) Western blotting detected EV protein markers TSG101 and CD9 in the seminal EVs from high-fertility and low-fertility boars. The cytoplasmic marker was only detected in the sperm. HF, high fertility; LF, low fertility. Full article ">Figure 2
Overview of the sequence data. (A) Length distribution of clean reads from two libraries. The length distribution peaked at 20 nt. HF, high fertility; LF, low fertility. (B) Relative abundance of different classes of RNA in high-fertility and low-fertility seminal EVs. (C) Volcano plots of differentially expressed miRNAs. The X-axis denotes the value of log2 (Fold change) and the Y-axis refers to the p value (−log 10). Full article ">Figure 3
Validation of the expression of miRNAs by using RT-qPCR. The relative expression level of DEMs was consistent with the sequencing data. HF, high fertility; LF, low fertility. * p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant; ** p < 0.01 was considered especially significant. Values are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 5). Full article ">Figure 4
Functional annotations of differentially expressed miRNAs. (A) GO analysis of the target predicted genes of DEMs. (B) KEGG pathway analysis of the target predicted genes of DEMs. Full article ">Figure 5
miR-26a could be transported to sperm via seminal plasma extracellular vesicles (SPEVs). (A) Internalization of SPEVs carrying miR-26a by sperm was observed by confocal microscopy. (B) RT-qPCR detected significant up-regulation of miR-26a expression in sperm after co-incubation with EVs. miR-26a mimic (M), miR-26a negative control (NC), miR-26a inhibitor (I), miR-26a inhibitor negative control (IC). The following experiments all follow this grouping. Values are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 3). *** p < 0.001. Full article ">Figure 6
Effect of mIR-26a on sperm in vitro. (A,B) Detection of sperm viability by CASA at 24 h and 48 h after transfection with miR-26a. (C,D) Detection of sperm motility by CASA at 24 h and 48 h after transfection with miR-26a. (E) ATP levels of transfected sperm were detected using an ATP assay kit, and the results were counted by a multifunctional enzyme labeling instrument. Values are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 5). * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001. Full article ">Figure 7
miR-26a may affect sperm function through the AMPK pathway. (A) Western blot assays were used to evaluate the total protein levels of the phosphorylation levels of AMPK in sperm incubated with miR-26a mimic (M), miR-26a negative control (NC), miR-26a inhibitor (I) and miR-26a inhibitor negative control (IC). (B) Values are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 3),*** p < 0.001; ns: p > 0.05. Full article ">Figure 8
Detection of sperm acrosome integrity by FITC-PNA. (A) Sperm acrosome integrity was assessed by fluorescence microscopy, and sunken, non-smooth acrosomes were considered incomplete. Scale bars: 100 µm. Magnification: 400×. (B) Values are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 5), * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. Full article ">Figure 9
Detection of sperm plasma membrane integrity by dual fluorescent labelling method. (A) Sperm plasma membrane was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Scale bars: 100 µm. Magnification: 200×. (B) Values are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 3), ** p < 0.01. Full article ">Figure 10
miR-26a targets and regulates the HMGA1 gene in sperm. (A) The target genes of miR-26a as predicted by miRanda, RNAhybrid and Pita databases. (B) Prediction of binding sites and mutation sites of miR-26a to the 3′UTR of porcine HMGA1 gene. (C) Relative active expression of luciferase after co-transfection of miR-26a mimics with wild-type (WT) HMGA1 3′UTR and mutant (Mut) HMGA1 3′UTR, respectively. (D,E) Protein blotting showed a significant increase in HMGA1 protein expression levels in the transfected miR-26a inhibitor group compared to the miR-26a mimic group. Values are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 3), * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01. Full article ">

30 pages, 25793 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Safety: Pathological and Biochemical Responses of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to Parasitological Infestation and Heavy Metals Pollution in Aquaculture System, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

by Muslimah N. Alsulami, Sarah Khaled Baowidan, Rabab M. Aljarari, Haleema H. Albohiri, Samar A. Khan and Elham Ali Elkhawass

Animals 2025, 15(1), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010039 - 27 Dec 2024

Abstract

Objective: The study aims to assess the overall safety of cultured tilapias in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia by assessing the impact of infection and anthropogenic pollution on farmed tilapias based on fish sex, body weight, length, and heavy metals contamination. Materials and methods: A total of 111 fish were collected from an aquaculture farm in Hada Al-Sham, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Physicochemical parameters of water from the culture system were evaluated. Both ecto- and endoparasites were checked. Haematological, biochemical and histopathological investigations were evaluated. In addition, heavy metals, namely, cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were evaluated in different fish tissues and water samples from the aquaculture system. Results: The study revealed stressed aquaculture system. Tilapias were infested by both ectoparasites including Trichodina, Icthyophthirius multifiliis, Dactylogrus, and Cichlidogyrus, and endoparasites as Icthyophonus hoferi, the nematode Capillaria and coccidian protozoa. The study showed that male tilapias had greater infestation rates than females and longer and heavier male fish tended to be more susceptible to Dactylogyrus infection. Infected fish showed altered biochemical markers with subsequent increases in inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. The post-mortem lesion in the skin, gill lamellae, intestine, spleen, and liver showed significant pathological remarks. All investigated fish tissues revealed higher rates of heavy metals bioaccumulation compared to the surrounding waters. On the other hand, infected Nile tilapia tissues showed higher rate of metals accumulation compared to non-infected ones. Metals accumulated at a higher rate in the liver followed by kidney, intestine, gills, and muscles, respectively. Conclusions: This study is recognized as the first to address the food safety of farmed tilapias in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The results emphasized a significant relation between parasites and heavy metal in disrupting fish defense systems and harming fish’s physiological homeostasis and the histological state of tissues. The parasitized and polluted farmed fish pose health risk to humans due to possible zoonosis from parasitic infections and its subsequent bacterial infections with long-term exposure to toxic chemicals. Addressing the need for a combination of improved aquaculture practices, and stringent regulatory oversight. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Aquatic Animals)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 1235 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Links Between Variation in Movement-Based Visual Signals and Social Communication Complexity in an Asian Agamid Lizard Phrynocephalus vlangalii

by Jian Liu, Qiaohan Hu and Yin Qi

Animals 2025, 15(1), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010038 - 27 Dec 2024

Abstract

The social complexity hypothesis suggests that complex social interactions drive the evolution of sophisticated communicative signals. While the relationship between social communication and the complexity of sound and color signals has been extensively studied, the correlation between social communication and movement-based visual signal complexity remains underexplored. In this study, we selected the Asian agamid lizard, Phrynocephalus vlangalii, as our model system. Through a combination of controlled experiments, behavioral observations, and signal quantification, we examined the relationship between social communications and variation in movement-based visual signals and tested our social complexity hypothesis. Our experiments revealed that males significantly decreased the tail coil duration during the mating season to deal with high social interaction. Conversely, females significantly increased the tail display duration and variation in mean tail coil amplitude in line with the intensity of parental care, and tail display duration showed a significant and positive correlation with female reproductive investment. These findings suggest that social communication plays an important role in shaping the changes in movement-based visual signals, providing new evidence for the social complexity hypothesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Herpetology)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 614 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Medium- and Short-Chain Fatty Acids on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Gut Microbiota and Immune Function in Weaned Piglets

by Shuang Dong, Nan Zhang, Jihua Wang, Yu Cao, Lee J. Johnston and Yongxi Ma

Animals 2025, 15(1), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010037 - 26 Dec 2024

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the combination effects of α-glycerol monolaurate (GML) and glyceryl tributyrate (TB) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut microbiota, and immune function in weaned piglets. A total of 120 weaned piglets with an average body weight (BW) of 6.88 kg were randomly allocated to one of the three dietary treatments: (1) CON: a basal diet; (2) 0.1%: a basal diet with 0.1% MSCFA (GML/TB = 1:1); (3) 0.2%: a basal diet with 0.2% MSCFA (GML/TB = 1:1). The experiment lasted 28 days. There were no differences on average daily growth (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Supplementation with 0.1% MSCFA increased apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of crude protein (CP) and gross energy (GE, p < 0.05) on d 14 and increased GE (p < 0.05) on d 28 compared with the CON group. The ATTD of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) of piglets supplemented with 0.1% MSCFA was higher (p < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, supplementation with 0.1% MSCFA increased immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentration, decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6) content (p < 0.05) on d 14 and decreased malonaldehyde (MDA), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-6 concentrations (p < 0.05) on d 28. Supplementation with 0.1% MSCFA increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) concentration (p < 0.05), decreased GSH-Px, MDA content (p < 0.05) in jejunum compared with the CON group. Moreover, supplementation with MSCFA increased the activity of duodenal lipase (p < 0.05) and the abundance of firmicutes and decreased the abundance of proteobacteria compared with the CON group. Overall, supplementation with MSCFA can improve nutrient digestibility, enhance immunity and antioxidant capacity, and improve the intestinal health of piglets. The combined use of MSCFA is a nutrition regulation strategy worthy of further exploration in modern animal husbandry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pigs)

► Show Figures

Figure 1