1,720,992 research outputs found
Levels of Pb and Cd in Single Feeding Stuffs and Compound Feeds for Poultry
No full textThe assessment of heavy metals in feeds for food-producing animals is of particular importance both for animal and human health. Single feeds can be mixed and offered to animals either crushed or pelleted, and it would be recommendable to assess heavy metal content before mixing. A total of 408 feed samples for poultry were sent to our laboratory by farmers and feed manufacturers from Germany. Single feeding stuffs (cereals and legume seeds, n = 109 and n = 86, respectively) and compound mixed feeds for laying hens (n = 63), broilers (n = 83) and turkeys (n = 67) in the years 2015 to 2018 were processed for Pb and Cd content. Analyses pointed to the lowest Pb contents in cereal feeds (0.031 and 0.101 mg/kg feed). In compound feeds, values ranged between 0.089 (broilers) and 0.181 mg/kg on an as fed basis (laying hens). The highest Pb content of 0.358 mg/kg (as fed) was determined in one sample of mixed feed for turkeys. Cd levels in cereal feeds and compound feeds were similar; Cd in legume seeds turned out to be slightly higher (0.089 mg/kg feed). Results point to differences between cereals and legume seeds as single feeds; however, safe levels were found for both, as well as for compound feeds, below the maximum permitted for Pb 10 mg/kg and Cd 1 mg/kg in feed dry matter (88%)
Albinism and Blood Cell Profile: The Peculiar Case of Asinara Donkeys
No full textThe complete blood cell count (CBC) was screened in a group of 15 donkeys, of which 8 were of Asinara breed (oculocutaneous albinism type 1, OCA1) and 7 of Sardo breed (gray coat). All donkeys were kept under same management and dietary conditions and underwent periodic health monitoring in the month of June 2024, at the peak of the positive photoperiod, at Mediterranean latitudes. One aliquot of whole blood, drawn from each individual into K2-EDTA containing tubes, was analyzed for the complete blood cell count through an automatic analyzer, within two hours of sampling. Data were analyzed and compared by one-way ANOVA, where the breed was an independent variable. All animals appeared clinically healthy, though mild eosinophilia was observed in Sardo donkeys. The red blood cell line showed peculiar traits for Asinara donkeys, which displayed significantly higher circulating red blood cell numbers than gray coat Sardo donkeys (RBC, 5.19 vs. 3.80 1012/mL ± 0.98 pooled-St. Dev, respectively; p = 0.017). RBCs also exhibited a smaller diameter and higher degree of anisocytosis in Asinara donkeys, along with lower hematocrit value, albeit within physiological ranges. Taken all together, such hematological profile depicts a peculiar trait of the red blood cell line in albino donkeys during the positive photoperiod
Beyond digestion: Can animals shape the landscape according to their species–specific salivary secretions?
No full textSeveral functions are acknowledged for saliva secretion in different animal species follow-ing prehension and mastication of feed. Most of such are linked to the specific role of lubrication and softening of the bolus to allow taste perception and easy swallowing. Moreover, enzymatic components are produced in the saliva, some of which are destined to contribute to the digestion of different nutrients (to various extents according to animal species) and to exert antimicrobial activity (lysozyme). In addition, the buffering power and the virtuous recycle of water, electrolytes, and other metabolites are of particular importance for proper digestion and for nutrition–related aspects. Moreover, salivation appears to be involved in a number of other functions. Recent studies on salivary production and roles point to salivary glands as target organs of neuroendocrine regulation in response to many external stimuli coming from the outer world, for which feed still represents the chief external stimulus. Various animal species establish an adaptive strategy when coming into contact with different feeding stuffs and/or dietary substances by modifying both the composition and amount of saliva produced. In the light of recent updates, this review provides a focus on the functional roles of saliva secretions, showing the broad involvement of salivary response in several mechanisms beyond the digestive function and influencing feed selection
Influence of different types of bedding material on the prevalence of pododermatitis in rabbits
No full textResponse of Fattening Rabbits with Acorns (Quercus pubescens Willd.) Combined in the Diet: First Acquaintances on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Perirenal Fatty Acid Profile
No full textThe request for functional and healthy meat presents a challenge to modern animal nutritionists and rabbit meat consumption appears to increase alongside the aging population. Novel functional feeds for food-producing animals gather the interest of the scientific community and acorns appear frequently accounted among non-competitive-with-human feeding sources, above all in slow food production systems. This investigation aimed to assess the response to acorns combined in the diet of 40 fattening rabbits, in respect of growth performance, carcass characteristics and fatty acids composition in perirenal fat. A same commercial fattening diet combined or not with shredded acorns (control, CON = 0 vs. acorn combined diet, ACD = 200 g/kg feed as fed weight, respectively) was administered for six weeks to two groups of Separator rabbits, consisting of 20 animals each. No differences in feed conversion, carcass weight at slaughter and carcass yields (24 h) were found between groups at the end of the experimental feeding. Perirenal fat profile of rabbits from the ACD group pointed to significant differences in ΣPUFA content (25.1 vs. 31.6, as a percentage of total lipids, respectively, p < 0.001) and in the Σ n − 6/n − 3 ratio (5.95 vs. 2.41). In conclusion, acorns can be used as an energy source in mixed feeds for rabbits, especially in slow production systems
Hierarchical clustering analysis based on metabolite levels in the hemolymph of different genetic strains of silkworm (Bombyx mori L., 1758) with regard to cocoon shell to cocoon weight ratio
No full textIndustry 4.0 and Precision Livestock Farming (PLF): An up to Date Overview across Animal Productions
Full text linkPrecision livestock farming (PLF) has spread to various countries worldwide since its inception in 2003, though it has yet to be widely adopted. Additionally, the advent of Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT) have enabled a continued advancement and development of PLF. This modern technological approach to animal farming and production encompasses ethical, economic and logistical aspects. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of PLF and Industry 4.0, to identify current applications of this rather novel approach in different farming systems for food producing animals, and to present up to date knowledge on the subject. Current scientific literature regarding the spread and application of PLF and IoT shows how efficient farm animal management systems are destined to become. Everyday farming practices (feeding and production performance) coupled with continuous and real-time monitoring of animal parameters can have significant impacts on welfare and health assessment, which are current themes of public interest. In the context of feeding a rising global population, the agri-food industry and industry 4.0 technologies may represent key features for successful and sustainable development
Vegetable and animal food sorts found in the gastric content of Sardinian Wild Boar (Sus scrofa meridionalis)
No full textAuthors report results emerging from gastric content analysis from n. 96 wild boars hunted in Sardinia isle, during the hunting tide (2001-2005), from November to January. Mean pH of the gastric content was 3.77 +/- 0.69. Mean total capacity (TC) of each stomach was 1702 +/- 680 g. Mean Stuff ratio (CW/TC) between the content weight (CW) and stomachs TC was 0.45. Food categories found in animal stomachs were: 19 categories of vegetal species (Allium spp., Arbutus unedo, Arisarum vulgare, Avena fatua, Avena sativa, Castanea sativa, Ceratonia siliqua, Chamaerops umilis, Cichorium intybus, Hordeum sativum, Juniperus oxycedrus, Myrtus communis, Olea europea, Pirus amygdaliformis, Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus spp., Rhamnus alaternus, Triticum durum, Zea mais); 11 categories of animal species (Agriotes lineatus, Apodemus sylvaticus dicrurus, Chalcides chalcides, Chalcides ocellatus tiligugu, Crematogaster scutellaris, Forficula auricularia, Helix aspersa, Lumbricus terrestris, Ovis aries, Podarcis tiliguerta tiliguerta, Scolopendra cingulata); three categories were identified in general terms (insects larvae, hairs of mammals, feathers of birds). Food categories found in the stomach contents of Sus scrofa meridionalis confirm observations by other researchers who report the prevalence of vegetables in spite of animal food sorts in the wild boar diet in Italian regions
Economic assessment of a smart traceability system (RFID+DNA) for origin and brand protection of the pork product labelled “suinetto di Sardegna”
No full textComposition of the gastrointestinal contents (including counts of E. coli in growing pigs fed high tannins diet base on shred acorns from Downy Oak (Quercus pubescens)
No full textObjectives: Reference differently report antibacterial properties of dietary tannins on several bacterial strains of intestinal microflora in different animal species. Preliminary results from an experimental combined diet based on ripe acorns (high tannins content starchy kernels, used for feeding pigs in the Mediterranean basin) shred, are reported with regards to E. coli count in the gut.
Methods: A total of 10 growing pigs, after an adaptation diet (8 days), were housed individually and divided into 2 groups: n=6 represented the tannins fed groups (T) receiving a high tannins combined diet based on ripe hulled shred acorns (70% acorns shred and 30% complete diet, DM: 695 g/kg; starch: 447 g/kg DM; Tannic Acid Equivalent: 36.1 g/kg DM); n=4 represented the control group (C) receiving a soybean and cereal based complete diet (DM: 890 g/kg; starch: 435 g/kg DM; TAE: n. d.). After 8 d of experimental feeding, at dissection, ingesta samples of stomach, ileum and caecum were analysed as DM, starch and pH. Furthermore, counts of E. coli on pooled digesta of small intestine and on samples of caecum were carried out.
Results: Chemical composition and pH of chyme of alimentary tracts from carcasses of the 2 experimental groups of pigs are reported below.
Conclusions: The combined diet with 70% of shred acorns didn’t affect the intestinal content of E. coli after 1 week of exposure to tannins from Downy Oak acorns
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