1,720,996 research outputs found
Mare milk EFA composition and effects in human nutrition
No full textMare’s milk seem to contain alpha-linolenic (ALA) and linoleic (LA) acids amounts respectively precursors of ω-3 and ω-6, higher than in cow’s milk. Most infant formulae contain only the precursor essential fatty acids (EFA), alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid, from which formula- fed infants must respectively synthesize their own docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA). The purpose of our studies concerns the evaluation of mare’s milk quality, since some our current researches seem indicate interesting EFA amounts and variability connected with breed and with administered feedstuff.
Mare milk samples from 22 Haflinger multiparous mares were collected during the first 105 days of lactation, in order to evaluate the fatty acids content’s variation, saturated/unsaturated ratio and, particularly, linoleic/alpha-linolenic ratio. Collection time was 30,60,90,105 days. Linoleic acid amount was 10.89%, as average, on total fatty acids, in 30 days samples, with a significant (p<0.05) decrease until the end of the observation period (8.54%). Alpha-linolenic significantly increased (p<0.05) until 105 days milk samples from 5.56% and 6.66% on total FA. EPA and DHA were present only as traces. Linoleic/alpha-linolenic ratio was about 2:1 in 30 days samples and pointed out a progressive decrease, with an increasing alpha-linolenic acid amounts during lactation. Saturated/unsaturated ratio was favorable to the first ones as a ratio between 1.2:1 and 1.3:1
Pascolo e suini di razza Cinta senese. Effetti sulla qualità dei prodotti
No full textCinta Senese (CS) is currently bred with different rearing and feeding techniques that consequently determine variability in product characteristics. The aim of our paper was to test the effect of grass pasture on tissue composition of sample joint and on physical-chemical traits of meat and subcutaneous fat. Sixteen finishing CS pigs were divided into two groups: 8 animals (P) were reared on pasture with an integration of 1.4 kg/d per head of mixture usually employed by the farmer; 8 animals (C) were reared in confined area and fed exclusively the same mixture (2.6 kg/d/head). Both groups showed appreciable meat tenderness with no significant differences (shear force of 7.26 vs 6.69 kg on raw meat and 7.55 vs 8.05 kg on cooked meat, for P and C respectively). High values of intramuscular fat in Longissimus lumborum (4.1% vs 4.9%) and Psoas major (2.6% vs 3.0%), for P and C respectively, were recorded. Subcutaneous fat of P revealed higher percentages of C18:3 (0.8% vs 0.6%, P=0,004), even if PUFA did not exceed 15%. Results underlined the appreciable characteristics of CS meat fed on pasture and the feasibility of reducing the use of cereals
Animal welfare: critical control points in Chianina breeding
No full textThe present study assessed fifteen Chianina breeding farms, evaluating on-farm animal welfare (housing conditions and stockmanship) using the ANI 35L method. Calves attained 21.9 ANI score, while Cows scored 28.9, due to different rearing techniques. In addition, by means of the ratio value between ANI result in each welfare category (Locomotion, Social interaction, Flooring, Light and air and Stockmanship) and the maximum obtainable ANI score in the same class, “Flooring” and “Stockmanship” showed the lowest values (Calves 0.30-0.50 and Cows 0.34-0.53, respectively), representing critical points for well-being (Gottardo et al., 2003). Therefore, in our study this approach symbolized a valid and simple way to focus on breeding problems in both structure and management, with the aim of improving the lives of animals on farm
Utilizzo dell'iniezione di ferro destrano in suinetti di Cinta Senese allevati all'aperto
No full textIron supplementation is a common husbandry practice in indoor production systems in order to prevent anemia in piglets, while it is not widespread in outdoor ones. The aim of this work is to determine the effects of injecting Cinta Senese piglets with iron-dextran at third day after farrowing. The supplementation has positive effects on productive performances and blood parameters, especially on animals with lower body weigh at day three. Administration of iron resulted in a significant elevation (p<0.05) in piglets blood haemoglobin levels at 28 days, showing a potential support for piglets performances
Zerasca sheep: environment, characteristics and production
Full text linkThe Zeri ewe is an indigenous Italian breed that is spread throughout the homonymous area located in northwest Tuscany.
This article presents the history and evolution of Zerasca sheep, describes the breed’s characteristics in terms of somatic and
productive traits, managerial and health practices, meat quality; moreover it underlines its contribution to the preservation of
the rural land and population of the Zeri district. First documentation on this breed dates back to the 19th Century (Antonelli,
1845). Zerasca breed has a medium-large size with white fleece. Males present horns while in females can be absent. Currently
Zerasca ovine population totals more than 2,000 heads. Sheep husbandry is currently predominant in Zeri area thanks
to the great availability of woody vegetation (oak, chestnut, hazel, alder and beech trees), meadows and pastures. Animals’ nutrition
depends mostly on grazing pastures, infact flocks are generally supported only with a little nutritional supplementation.
The first typical production is the heavy lamb that is gaining more and more relevance thanks to its excellent meat quality, unique
in taste; infact, Zeri lamb is included in the list of Slow Food Presidia, reflecting the recognized quality of this product in
the world.Most of shepherds jointed in a consortium for the valorization and safeguarding of Zerasca sheep and lambs, whose
regulation points towards the implementation of extensive farming systems with an optimal exploitation of local pasture resources.
One of the most important problem that Zerasca sheep farmers often complain is represented by gastrointestinal parasitism,
almost endemic in sheep husbandry and particularly in sheep raised under extensive systems. Today, “Zeri lamb” has
a considerable economic impact on its territory, ensuring increasing profits for shepherds. The aim of this review is to collect
information about a native breed in endangered status that it is gaining importance thanks to the high-quality of products
Fat composition of mare's milk with reference to human nutrition
No full textSUMMARY Dietary fat is a very important factor influencing human condition, particularly in cardiovascular diseases. The quality of health would really be improved not only by a general reduction in fat dietary intake, but with a change in saturated/unsaturated fatty acids ratio, favourable to the second ones. Mare milk seems to summarize all these peculiarities. Milk samples from 22 Haflinger multiparous mares, belonging to the same studfarm, were collected at 30, 60, 90 and 105 days of lactation in order to evaluate the fatty acids content’s variation, saturated/unsaturated ratio and, particularly, linoleic/- linolenic ratio. Palmitic, oleic and linoleic fatty acids showed highest amounts during lactation. Linoleic acid was 10.89% on total fatty acids in 30 days samples, with a not significative increase at 60 (11.21%) and significative decrease at 90 (8.35%) and 105 days (8.54%). The other essential fatty acid, -linolenic, significantly increased from 5.56% on total FA in the first month until 6.29% at 60 days, 6.26% at 90, and 6.66% at 105 days. Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were present only as traces. Linoleic/-linolenic ratio was about 2:1 in 30 days samples and pointed out a progressive decrease, with a light increasing linolenic acid amounts during lactation. Saturated/unsaturated ratio was slightly favourable to the first ones as a ratio between 1.2:1 and 1.3:1 Summarising, linoleic/-linolenic ratio in our samples could be interesting for human nutrition, specially in low EFA content diets, and ideal for pre-term infant’s diets, suggesting also an application in the adult man. RIASSUNTO La ricerca è stata condotta su campioni di latte provenienti da 22 cavalle pluripare di razza Avelignese e prelevati nella prima fase di lattazione (105 giorni). Lo scopo è stato quello di esaminare i contenuti in acidi grassi, il rapporto acidi grassi saturi/insaturi ed in particolare i contenuti ed il rapporto tra livelli di acido linoleico (LA) e -linolenico (ALA). La quota di acido linoleico è risultata di 10,89% sulla totalità degli acidi grassi nei campioni relativi al trentesimo giorno di lattazione, mentre abbiamo assistito ad un leggero decremento verso la fine del periodo di osservazione. L’ALA è aumentato significativamente fino ai prelievi operati a 105 giorni. EPA (acido eicosapentaenoico) e DHA (acido docosaesaenoico) sono stati rilevati solo in tracce in tutte le campionature. Il rapporto LA/ALA è risultato di circa 2:1 nei campioni relativi al prelievo iniziale (30 giorni) e si è ridotto progressivamente, prevalentemente a causa dell’aumento quantitativo del secondo, durante il corso della lattazione. La proporzione tra acidi grassi saturi ed insaturi è leggermente favorevole ai primi con un rapporto oscillante tra 1.2:1 e 1.3:1
Distomatosi in un allevamento di pecora zerasca
No full textRIASSUNTO Nel presente studio è stata eseguita una indagine sulle distomatosi (fasciolosi, dicroceliosi e paramfistomosi) in un allevamento di pecora Zerasca, una razza ovina autoctona mai considerata prima in studi parassitologici. Oltre a valutare la presenza di queste infezioni, è stato eseguito uno studio sistematico sulla loro variabilità nel corso dell’anno sia al fine di operare un confronto con quanto riportato in letteratura riguardo altre razze ovine italiane, che di valutare la necessità di interventi di controllo terapeutici e profilattici. A tal fine, sono stati sottoposti ad analisi parassitologiche campioni fecali individuali di 40 soggetti non trattati, con cadenza mensile e per un periodo di un anno. Le percentuali di positività mensile e stagionale riscontrate nel caso della dicroceliosi e della paramfistomosi sono risultate elevate, dimostrando che l’allevamento si trova in un’area fortemente contaminata ed a rischio di perdite produttive. L’andamento di queste due parassitosi è risultato coerente con quanto riscontrato precedentemente in Italia su altre razze, mostrando un calo estivo nel caso della dicroceliosi, una flessione in autunno ed un aumento in primavera nel caso della paramfistomosi. La prevalenza della fasciolosi nell’allevamento è risultata decisamente inferiore a quella delle altre specie considerate e non è stata costante nelle diverse stagioni; ciononostante i valori raggiunti in alcuni periodi (40%) indicano un rischio produttivo da non sottovalutare. Dai dati ottenuti emerge la necessità di eseguire interventi terapeutici e profilattici per il controllo di queste infezioni che, per risultare veramente efficaci, devono coinvolgere tutte le aziende che utilizzano gli stessi pascoli. Parole chiave: Fasciola hepatica; Dicrocoelium dendriticum; Paramfistomidi; pecora Zerasca. SUMMARY Flukes (Fasciola hepatica, Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Paramphistomidae) of a Zerasca flock were considered in the present study. Zerasca represents one of the most important native italian ovine breed in endangered status and it was never considered previously in parasitological studies. The aim of this work was the evaluation of the presence of these parasites in the flock and their monthly fluctuation, in order to determine the need of therapeutic and prophylactic measures. To this end, parasitological analysis were performed during a period of one year on individual faecal samples collected monthly from 40 sheep untreated against these parasites. Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Paramphistomidae prevalence was high during all the year (mean values 97.3% and 71.2% respectively), showing that sheep grazed in extremely contaminated pastures. Their seasonal fluctuation was in accordance with previous studies on other italian sheep breeds, confirming a summer decrease for D. dendriticum and a spring rise and an autumn decrease for Paramphistomidae. The prevalence found for these flukes could be linked with productive performance losses. If compared with the other species, the prevalence of F. hepatica resulted lower, and it was not constant during the year. However, in autumn it reached high mean value (40%), whose productive risks must not be underestimated. In conclusion, this work underline the need of therapeutic and prophylactic measures in order to control Zerasca flukes. On the other hand, they could be effective only if all the flocks grazing in the same pastures are involved in a proper control plan
Essential fatty acids (EFA) in haflinger and thoroughbreed mare’s milk
No full textSUMMARY Mare milk EFA amounts from Thoroughbreed and Haflinger mares from different lactation period in the first 4 months were evaluated. In Thoroughbreed’s milk samples linoleic acid was 22.77% on total fatty acids in colostrum, with a significative decrease at 10 (16.94%), 20 (15.15%) and 30 days (15.06%) increasing at 60 (17.82%); α- linolenic significantly increased from 4.56% on total FA in colostrum samples, until 8.20% at 30 days, 9.11% at 60 days and 10.58% in 90 days milk samples. LA/ALA ratio decreased from 4.99 in presuckle samples until 1.63 in 3rd month’s. In Haflinger mare’s milk LA amounts were 10.35% on total fatty acids at 30 days, about 1/3 less than corresponding Thoroughbreed samples amounts, with not significative decrease at 105 (8.59%). Alpha-linolenic acid amounts increased between 5.46% at 30 days and 6.01% at 60, until 6.50% at 105. LA/ALA ratio decreased between 1.84 in 30 days samples until 1.29 in 105 days ones. In spite of Thoroughbreed samples, where unsaturated FA prevailed over saturated (sat/unsat 0.57-0.94), in Haflinger samples sat/unsat FA ratio ranged between 1.16-1.39. RIASSUNTO La ricerca ha preso in esame i contenuti in acidi grassi essenziali (EFA) del latte di fattrici Purosangue Inglese ed Avelignese a tempi diversi di lattazione durante i primi 4 mesi. Il contenuto medio di acido linoleico nei campioni di colostro provenienti dai soggetti PSI è risultato pari a 22,77% (sul totale degli acidi grassi), ha presentato un significativo decremento nei prelievi effettuati a 10 giorni di lattazione (16,94%), a 20 (15,15%), a 30 (15,06%), aumentando nei campioni di latte raccolti a 60 giorni (17,82%). L’acido α-linolenico ha evidenziato una costante e significativa tendenza all’aumento, passando da valori di 4,56% nei campioni colostrali a 8,20% in quelli rela- tivi al primo mese, 9,11% a 60 giorni e 10,58% al terzo mese. Il rapporto LA/ALA ha subìto un progressivo decremento da 4,99 nei campioni presuckle a 1,63 nei campioni relativi al terzo mese. Nei campioni di latte delle fattrici di razza Avelignese il contenuto in acido linoleico è risultato pari a 10,35% (circa 1/3 in meno del valore individuato nei corrispondenti campioni raccolti dalle cavalle PSI) ed ha evidenziato un progressivo decremento fino a raggiungere un valore di 8,59% nei campioni di 105 giorni. L’acido α-linolenico si è innalzato da valori di 5,46% nelle campionature del primo mese a 6,01% in quelle del secondo ed a 6,50% a 105 giorni. Il rapporto LA/ALA è diminuito da 1,84 nei campioni di 30 giorni a 1,29 a 105. A differenza dei campioni di soggetti PSI nei quali prevalevano gli acidi grassi insaturi (sat/insat 0,57-0,94), negli Avelignesi tale rapporto è risultato a favore dei saturi (sat/insat 1,16-1,39)
Zerasca
No full textSono riportati i cenni storici, la zona di allevamento, la consistenza numerica della popolazione Zerasca. Vengono inoltre illustrati i caratteri morfologici e biometrici. Alcuni cenni
sulla tipologia di allevamento e sulle attitudini produttive e riproduttive concludono il capitolo
The interconnection of hierarchy, affiliative behaviours, and social play shapes social dynamics in Maremmana beef cattle
Full text linkDominance hierarchies can be interconnected with behaviours that are essential to manage social living, such as affiliative behaviours and social play, whose importance can already emerge in the early phases of life. Here, we carried out an observational study (all occurrences sampling) to investigate the possible interconnection between these three behavioural categories in a group of Maremmana beef cattle (n = 44, 6–21 months of age) in an extensive breeding system. We found that a clearly linear hierarchy is present in the group, and that the age of the animals positively correlated with their hierarchical ranks. Affiliative behaviours were directed up to the hierarchy: dominants received more affiliative behaviours and subordinates were generally starting the sessions, suggesting that affiliative behaviours may be used by subordinates to bond with dominants for possibly gaining some benefits. Social play mainly consisted of play fighting and dominant subjects played with the highest frequency. However, playful modality was independent from playmates’ relative rank position, with longer-lasting sessions being characterized by unbalanced and unreciprocated patterns. This indicates that play fighting in cattle has a competitive rather than cooperative nature and that it may be used as physical training to develop competitive skills in all groupmates. When play fighting was punctuated by affiliative behaviours, the playful sessions lasted longer. In this view, affiliative behaviours can have a communicative value useful in downgrading the competition emerging during play fighting. In conclusion, under naturalistic conditions young animals of beef cattle express all the behavioural repertoire typical of adulthood and their agonistic, affiliative, and playful behaviours are strongly interconnected in shaping social dynamics. Thus, our study suggests that extensive farming conditions are ideal to study the behavioural strategies domestic animals enact to form cohesive social groups. Such information is needed to enhance management and welfare of domestic ungulates
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