1,721,003 research outputs found
Comparison of expression levels of fourteen genes involved in the lipid and energy metabolism in two pig breeds
No full textFat content, fatty acid composition and lean cut weight are important parameters which influence meat and carcass quality in pigs. Up to now, the genes involved in the regulation of the lipid and energy metabolism in porcine skeletal muscle and fat tissue are still relatively unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression levels of fourteen genes (ACACA, ACLY, CES3, ENO3, FASN, INSIG2, LMNA, MTTP, ACVR1C, NAMPT, PLIN1, PLIN2, PLTP and SORT1) mapped on different chromosomes (1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12, 15 and 17) which were chosen for their involvement in lipid or energy metabolism in porcine muscle and backfat tissue. Tissue samples from Italian Large White and Italian Duroc pig breeds were collected at the slaughterhouse and frozen in liquid nitrogen. After extraction, the mRNA was quantified by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the transcription levels of the genes analysed were compared between breeds for each tissue. In the backfat tissue, differences were found for the ACACA, ACLY, and FASN genes whose highest gene expression levels were found in Italian Large White pigs. In addition, a correlation analysis was carried out between the transcription levels of the genes considered in each tissue and breed. Co-expression relationships still relatively unknown were identified, suggesting new associations between genes which in some cases differed between the two breeds. These results suggest differences between Italian Large White and Italian Duroc pig breeds determined at the genome level affecting carcass quality and fat traits
Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identifies molecular pathways and hub genes involved in broiler White Striping and Wooden Breast myopathies
Full text linkIn recent years, the poultry industry has experienced an increased incidence of myopathies affecting breasts of fast-growing broilers, such as White Striping (WS) and Wooden Breast (WB) defects. To explore the molecular mechanisms and genes involved in WS and WB onset, we decided to perform a Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) using the gene expression profile and meat quality parameters of Pectoralis major muscles analysed in our previous study. Among the 212 modules identified by WGCNA, the red, darkred, midnightblue and paleturquoise4 modules were chosen for subsequent analysis. Functional analysis evidenced pathways involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, collagen metabolism, cellular signaling and unfolded protein response. The hub gene analysis showed several genes coding for ECM components as the most interconnected nodes in the gene network (e.g. COL4A1, COL4A2, LAMA2, LAMA4, FBLN5 and FBN1). In this regard, this study suggests that alterations in ECM composition could somehow activate the cascade of biological reactions that result in the growth-related myopathies onset, and the involvement of Collagen IV alterations in activating the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response may be hypothesized. Therefore, our findings provide further and innovative knowledge concerning the molecular mechanisms related to the breast abnormalities occurrence in modern broilers
Factors influencing stress and fear-related behaviour of cats during veterinary examinations
Full text linkThis study documented behaviour of cats during veterinary examinations investigating possible associations between their behaviour and age, gender, temperament, clinical parameters and familiarity with pet carriers, car rides and veterinary clinics. Background information (i.e. temperament and familiarity with pet carriers, car rides and veterinary clinics), signalment, clinical parameters and behaviour were recorded for 95 cats during a veterinary examination. Their behaviour was analysed and a behavioural profile was attributed (alert, anxious, frightened, irritated, agonistic). Aggressive cats tended to exhibit more scratching/attempt to scratch and hard stare behaviour. Half of the cats vocalised and cats vocalised more when they were not familiar with pet carriers (p = .010) and car rides (p = .005). Heart rate was higher than normal and was positively associated with mydriasis (p = .018) shown by the 85% of the cats. Males vocalised more than females (p = .007) who also had a lower total behavioural score (p = .002). Age was associated with the behaviour profile: young cats fell in the anxious profile, and were more likely to try to escape, and elderly cats exhibited a frightened and irritated profile and were more likely to show scratching, tail lashing and piloerection (all p < .05). Whilst cats first experiencing a veterinary examination attempted to escape more, those that were not familiar with car rides had higher behavioural scores (p = .05). Overall, veterinary examination was confirmed to be a stressful situation for cats in particular for those not familiar with pet carriers and car rides
Good housing: camels and their interaction with the environment
No full textCamel farming is undergoing a profound transformation. To date, camels can be reared in many different ways, ranging from traditional nomadic breeding to more technological housing systems, with milking parlours and intensive farming systems similar to those used in dairy cows. The different types of housing systems used for camel farming will be described in this chapter. Improper housing systems and facilities can cause severe welfare issues in camels. The chapter emphasizes how a poor environment may affect camel welfare and provides suggestions for designing facilities in compliance with the welfare principle named “good housing”. In particular, good housing is ensured when camels are reared in an environment and building meeting the welfare criteria of “comfort around resting”, “ease of movement”, and “thermal comfort”. Providing camels with adequate space allowance, clean beddings, shelters and shaded areas, and building facilities following the camels’ behavioural needs for movement and sociability are key points for ensuring farming systems respecting the principle of good housing. Overcrowding, lack of movement, and insufficient social interactions are among the main welfare issues associated with improper housing systems. In addition, concerning the “thermal comfort” criterium, more studies are needed to provide more precise guidance on the temperature and humidity ranges to keep camels within their thermal comfort zone
Do Camels (Camelus dromedarius) Need Shaded Areas? A Case Study of the Camel Market in Doha
Full text linkThis study aimed at documenting whether dromedary camels have a preference for shade and how their behavior would change depending on the presence of shade and variable space allowance. A total of 421 animals kept in 76 pens (66 with shelter (Group 1), and 10 without shelter (Group 2)) at the camel market in Doha (Qatar) were recorded for 1 min around 11:00 a.m. when the temperature was above 40 °C. The number of animals in the sun and shade and their behaviors were analyzed using an ad libitum sampling method and an ad hoc ethogram. The results of a chi-square test indicated that camels in Group 1 had a clear preference for shade (p < 0.001). The majority of Group 1 camels were indeed observed in the shade (312/421; 74.11%). These camels spent more time in recumbency and ruminating, while standing, walking, and self-grooming were more commonly expressed by the camels in the sun (p < 0.001). Moreover, locomotory stereotypic behaviors (i.e., pacing) increased as space allowance decreased (p = 0.002). Based on the findings of this pilot study, camels demonstrated a preference for shade; shade seemed to promote positive welfare, while overcrowding seemed to trigger stereotypy and poor welfare. Overall, our preliminary results are novel and provide evidence that shaded areas are of paramount importance for camel welfare. Further research, involving designed studies at multiple locations is needed to confirm these results
Effects of Reduced Space Allowance and Heat Stress on Behavior and Eye Temperature in Unweaned Lambs: A Pilot Study
Full text linkCurrent European animal transportation law contains only a few and vague indications concerning how to move lambs of less than 26 kg. Moreover, little information is available in the literature about factors affecting these lambs’ welfare. We investigated the effect of space allowance and ambient temperature on the welfare of unweaned Lacaune lambs during a simulation of long-distance transportation (19 h). Three groups of lambs (N = 130) were housed in equally sized pens for 19 h, Control (C; n = 39; 0.27 m2 per head), Low Space Allowance (LSA; n = 52; 0.20 m2 per head), and Heat Stress (HS; n = 39; 0.27 m2 per head) groups. LSA lambs had lower space allowance than C but were tested at the same temperature, within their Thermoneutral zone (range = 12–18 °C). The HS lambs were, instead, subjected to higher temperatures (range = 19–30 °C). Scan sampling of behavior was conducted, eye temperature and body weight were also recorded. LSA and HS lambs showed more discomfort behaviors (p < 0.05) and higher eye temperatures (p < 0.001) compared to C lambs, while HS lambs additionally showed a decrease in body weight over the experimental period (p < 0.001). This study indicates that lower space allowances and higher temperatures impact negatively the welfare of lambs transported for slaughter suggesting that the regulation should be implemented taking these factors into account
Application of a Protocol to Assess Camel Welfare: Scoring System of Collected Measures, Aggregated Assessment Indices, and Criteria to Classify a Pen
Full text linkThis study aimed to apply a protocol for assessing camel welfare, to develop a scoring system for the welfare measures, to produce overall assessment indices, and to classify the animal units (i.e., pens) according to their welfare level. A total of 105 measures were collected at Herd level from 76 pens at a market in Qatar. The pens held 528 camels, 132 of which were evaluated at a deeper level (i.e., Animal level). Out of the 105 measures, 71 were selected, scored, and aggregated to reach a Total Welfare Index (TWI) for each pen. The TWI ranged from 46.2 to 69.8. The Good Feeding index, including measures related to prolonged thirst and prolonged hunger, was the most critical (p < 0.001), while the Good Health index, including measures related to the absence of injuries, disease and pain, was the less problematic (p < 0.001). However, most of the pens were classified as “unsatisfactory” (61.8%) and none as “excellent”. Body Condition Score (BCS), Thirst Index, disease and physical injuries, presence of a shelter, and cleanliness of bedding were the measures which influenced the pens’ classification the most (p < 0.05). The proposed model seems useful in the identification of camel welfare issues. Further applications, as well as the involvement of many scientists and stakeholders, are needed to refine and validate the protocol and its indices
Investigating differences of Pectoralis major muscle vimentin and desmin gene expression between broilers selected for different growth-rates
No full textA gene and protein expression study on four porcine genes related to intramuscular fat deposition
Full text linkIntramuscular fat (IMF) content has a prominent role in meat quality, affecting sensory attributes such as flavour and texture. In the present research, we studied in samples of porcine Semimembranosus muscle four genes related to lipid metabolism and whose gene expressions have been associated to IMF deposition: FASN, SCD, LIPE and LPL. We analysed both mRNA and protein expressions in two groups of Italian Large White pigs divergent for Semimembranosus IMF deposition, with the aim of comparing the levels of four genes and enzymes between the two groups and identifying possible coexpression links. The obtained results suggest a prominent role of LIPE enzyme in IMF hydrolysis, as the samples with low IMF deposition show a significantly higher amount of this lipase. Finally, a poorly known correlation was found between LIPE and FASN enzymes only in female individuals. These results provide new information for the understanding of IMF deposition
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