1,721,008 research outputs found
Production and behavioural traits of heavy pigs subjected to two illumination periods
No full textAccording to latest EFSA’s recommendations (2007) on the welfare of fattening pigs, the aim of the present trial was to give a contribution to the still debated problem concerning pig requirements in terms of environmental illumination. Forty hybrid pigs (26 kg BW) were homogeneously allocated into two experimental groups (20 animals per group) each containing four replications of five pigs: group LL (Long Lighting) in which pigs were exposed to a 16-hour/day light period and group SL (Short Lighting) in which, in compliance with minimum legislative standard, pigs were subjected to a 8-hour/day light period. For both groups the light intensity was 40 lux, equivalent to the minimum mandatory level. Pigs were fed on the basis of their metabolicBW up to a maximum of 3.3 kg/pig/day. From 100 to 160 kg BW pigs were monthly videotaped over a 24-hour period in order to assess, by scan sampling, their behaviour. Growth parameters and post-mortem outcomes were submitted to analysis of variance (GLM procedure) with lighting duration as the main effect.For non-parametric data (behavioural traits), Mann-Whitney test (NPAR1WAY procedure) was used. During the first phase of the experiment (0-118 days of trial), animals receiving the longer illumination period (LL group) showed a significant (P<0.01)improvement of average daily weight gain and a reduction (P<0.05) of feed conversion rate, leading to a higher (P<0.05) final body weight. At slaughtering, despite similar lean meat yields (assessed by F-o-M), pigs on LL group produced heavier carcasses and heavier hams (P<0.01). With respect to behavioural traits, pigs receiving the longer illumination period were more calm as demonstrated by a higher percent of lying behavior and by a lower incidence of pseudo-rooting behavior (P<0.01). From a general standpoint it can be concluded that a prolonged photoperiod with a low light intensity could have some positive effects both on production and behavioural traits of pigs
Review: The link between feeding dairy cows and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese production area.
No full textAim of the authors is to make a summary of indissoluble relationships between Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and its production area: how to improve the quality of hay and then that of milk destined for making cheese, as well as the yield of cheese. The quality of a cheese product with a designation of origin is the result of a close link between production territory, dairy cow nutrition and human knowledge. The evolution of production processes involving daily agricultural and zootechnical world and the continuous progress of acquisitions in this area, make continuous updates of required operational techniques that are the basis of a correct cattle feeding. Focus will be on nutrition and on feed characteristics, especially forages: the techniques of production, conservation and administration to animals have been widely described as able to positively influence the native lactic microflora of the area that is essential to cheese-making and ripening
Effect of feeding whole soybean and linseed on milk and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese lipid fraction
No full textAim of this study was to assess the effects of feeding whole soybean flakes and whole extruded
linseed to dairy cows on milk lipid fraction and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese produced from it; specifically,
PUFA and CLA contents were evaluated. For 14 weeks, a herd of 145 cows received a diet with a daily supplementation
of 1 kg of whole soybean flakes and 0.3 kg of whole extruded linseed. In the pre-trial period,
cows received an isoproteic ration devoid of both seeds. From 20 cows selected from the herd, individual milk,
bulk morning milk and vat milk samples of the entire herd were taken every 14 days. After 24 months of aging,
cheese samples were taken from twelve cheese wheels, obtained from milk produced at 0, 4, 8, 10, 12 and
14 weeks on the same days as bulk milk and vat milk samples were made. Fatty acid composition of the lipid
fraction was determined in all milk and cheese samples. Feeding whole extruded linseed and soybean flakes
has determined a decrease in short-chain fatty acids content and an increase in total CLA concentration of
the milk. Bulk milk, vat milk and aged cheese analysis samples confirmed a decrease of short-chain fatty acids
content in milk and revealed a decrease in n-6/n-3 fatty acid and in saturated/unsaturated fatty acid ratios. In
conclusion, feeding a ration including whole soybean flakes and extruded linseed can improve the nutritional
characteristics of milk and of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, particularly with respect to their lipid fractions
Betaine Dietary Supplementation: Healthy Aspects in Human and Animal Nutrition
No full textBetaine, a naturally occurring compound primarily derived from sugar beet by-products,
has attracted increasing attention for its multifaceted roles in human and animal nutrition. Acting as both an osmolyte and a methyl group donor, betaine contributes to
cellular hydration, methylation balance, antioxidant defense, and metabolic regulation.
This review provides a comprehensive overview of betaine’s biological functions and its
health-promoting effects across species. In humans, betaine supports hepatic function,
cardiovascular health, renal protection, and physical performance, mainly by modulating
homocysteine metabolism, lipid profiles, and oxidative stress. In animal production systems, it enhances growth, feed efficiency, reproductive performance, and resilience to heat
stress, with species-specific applications in monogastrics, ruminants, aquaculture species,
and companion animals. The review also explores the molecular mechanisms underlying
betaine’s effects, including epigenetic regulation and mitochondrial function, and presents
updated evidence on its biosynthesis, bioavailability, and nutrient interactions. Furthermore, the use of betaine derived from agro-industrial by-products aligns with the principles
of the circular economy, promoting the sustainable reuse of valuable compounds within
the agri-food chain. Despite promising findings, further research is needed to standardize effective dosages and clarify species-specific responses under different physiological
and environmental conditions. Overall, betaine emerges as a promising and sustainable
functional ingredient with wide-ranging applications in nutrition and health
Effects of light intensity on growth, feeding activity and development in common sole (Solea solea L.) larvae in relation to sensory organ ontogeny
Full text linkThe effects of four light intensities (1000 lx, 500 lx, 50 lx, 3 lx) on growth, survival and feeding activity in common sole (Solea solea L.) larvae were studied from 4 to 51 days post hatching (dph). During the pelagic larval stage (4–12 dph), larvae reared at 3 lx showed a lower growth. From 19 onwards, the larvae reared under 3 lx displayed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) higher SGR than the other treatments and a higher final weight compared to 1000 lx and 500 lx. Survival rate was higher under intermediate light intensities (500 and 50 lx). Larvae reared at 3 lx displayed a significant delay in the degree of metamorphosis compared to the other treatments, while at 33 dph metamorphosis was completed under all treatments. Histological examination revealed the importance of vision and light in the first feeding of this species, while after metamorphosis, the full development of other sensory organs indicated that feeding activity is also mediated by chemosensory perception. Results indicate that high light intensity seems to be more suitable during the pelagic larvae, while the opposite would ensure better growth from the onset of metamorphosis to the benthic phas
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
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