scholarly journals Consequence of epigenetic processes on animal health and productivity: is additional level of regulation of relevance?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 7-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eveline M Ibeagha-Awemu ◽  
Ying Yu
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Additional Level ◽  
Epigenetic Processes

scholarly journals Impacts of Epigenetic Processes on the Health and Productivity of Livestock

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengqi Wang ◽  
Eveline M. Ibeagha-Awemu
Keyword(s):  
Health Management ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Research Knowledge ◽  
Phenotype Diversity ◽  
Epigenetic Processes

The dynamic changes in the epigenome resulting from the intricate interactions of genetic and environmental factors play crucial roles in individual growth and development. Numerous studies in plants, rodents, and humans have provided evidence of the regulatory roles of epigenetic processes in health and disease. There is increasing pressure to increase livestock production in light of increasing food needs of an expanding human population and environment challenges, but there is limited related epigenetic data on livestock to complement genomic information and support advances in improvement breeding and health management. This review examines the recent discoveries on epigenetic processes due to DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling and their impacts on health and production traits in farm animals, including bovine, swine, sheep, goat, and poultry species. Most of the reports focused on epigenome profiling at the genome-wide or specific genic regions in response to developmental processes, environmental stressors, nutrition, and disease pathogens. The bulk of available data mainly characterized the epigenetic markers in tissues/organs or in relation to traits and detection of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying livestock phenotype diversity. However, available data is inadequate to support gainful exploitation of epigenetic processes for improved animal health and productivity management. Increased research effort, which is vital to elucidate how epigenetic mechanisms affect the health and productivity of livestock, is currently limited due to several factors including lack of adequate analytical tools. In this review, we (1) summarize available evidence of the impacts of epigenetic processes on livestock production and health traits, (2) discuss the application of epigenetics data in livestock production, and (3) present gaps in livestock epigenetics research. Knowledge of the epigenetic factors influencing livestock health and productivity is vital for the management and improvement of livestock productivity.

Biosecurity: tools, behaviours and concepts

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-452
Author(s):  
Alan MacLeod ◽  
Nicola Spence
Keyword(s):  
Plant Protection ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Surveillance Programs ◽  
Harmful Organisms ◽  
The One ◽  
Biosecurity Practices

COVID 19 has raised the profile of biosecurity. However, biosecurity is not only about protecting human life. This issue brings together mini-reviews examining recent developments and thinking around some of the tools, behaviours and concepts around biosecurity. They illustrate the multi-disciplinary nature of the subject, demonstrating the interface between research and policy. Biosecurity practices aim to prevent the spread of harmful organisms; recognising that 2020 is the International Year of Plant Health, several focus on plant biosecurity although invasive species and animal health concerns are also captured. The reviews show progress in developing early warning systems and that plant protection organisations are increasingly using tools that compare multiple pest threats to prioritise responses. The bespoke modelling of threats can inform risk management responses and synergies between meteorology and biosecurity provide opportunities for increased collaboration. There is scope to develop more generic models, increasing their accessibility to policy makers. Recent research can improve pest surveillance programs accounting for real-world constraints. Social science examining individual farmer behaviours has informed biosecurity policy; taking a broader socio-cultural approach to better understand farming networks has the potential to change behaviours in a new way. When encouraging public recreationists to adopt positive biosecurity behaviours communications must align with their values. Bringing together the human, animal, plant and environmental health sectors to address biosecurity risks in a common and systematic manner within the One Biosecurity concept can be achieved through multi-disciplinary working involving the life, physical and social sciences with the support of legislative bodies and the public.

THE PERFORMANCE OF 'GRASSLANDS MATUA' PRAIRIE GRASS IN THE SOUTHERN NORTH ISLAND

1977 ◽  
pp. 148-155
Author(s):  
G.J.Rys I.M. Ritchie ◽  
R.G. Smith ◽  
N.A. Thomson ◽  
G. Crouchley ◽  
W. Stiefel
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Annual Production ◽  
Lower Yield ◽  
Prairie Grass

The performance of 'Grasslands Matua' prairie grass (Bromus catharticus) was compared with perennial ryegrasses under mowing or grazing in three trials conducted in the southern North Island. Production of Matua under mowing at Flock House and Waimate West was 13% and 19% greater than G.4708 and Nui ryegrass, respectively, with the extra production contributed in summer and winter. At Masterton no difference between Matua and Ariki ryegrass production occurred under grazing. A 31% increase in annual production was recorded for both Matua and G.4708 swards receiving N, compared with those sown with white clover, with the annual yield of G.4708 receiving N similar to Matua receiving no N. Less frequent defoliation increased production of Matua swards by 17% and the Matua component by 38%. Production of Nui in comparison with Matua swards was 14% lower under frequent and 9% lower under infrequent defoliation. Similar production was recorded from red clover under frequent, and infrequent defoliation for both Nui and Matua swards. A 48% lower yield of white clover occurred under infrequent defoliation of Matua swards. At Masterton a higher incidence of goitre in newborn lambs, accompanied by a 12% lower lamb liveweight at weaning, occurred on Matua- compared with Ariki-based swards. Aspects of seasonal production, fertility response, management, and animal health are discussed.

Herbicides compromise biological control of ragwort

2002 ◽  
pp. 147-152
Author(s):  
K. Betteridge ◽  
D. Costall
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Flea Beetle ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Senecio Jacobaea ◽  
Longitarsus Jacobaeae ◽  
High Ester ◽  
Low Levels

In spite of ragwort flea beetle (RFB) being present on a Dannevirke dairy farm, pastures were sprayed each winter to reduce ragwort density and limit the risk of ragwort poisoning of stock. The trial on this farm from June 1999 - October 2001, aimed to determine whether herbicide (H) impacted on RFB and how H and RFB each impacted on ragwort growth and persistence. RFBfree areas were created by spraying with insecticide (I). Effects of ragwort on animal health are also reported. High ester 2,4-D (H) boom-sprayed once only, in June 1999, killed most ragwort plants and reduced RFB larvae densities to low levels before the plants died. Once new ragwort established in treatment H, the plants became infested with RFB larvae. RFB larvae were suppressed by I resulting in ragwort density declining more slowly than in treatments where RFB were not suppressed. Insecticide treatments were stopped after 15 months and, at 24 months, ragwort could not be found within the trial area. Ragwort control was attributed to the cessation of herbicide spraying allowing the RFB population to reach a sufficient density to kill both small and large ragwort plants. Sub-clinical ragwort poisoning was found in livers of culled cows that had grazed on ragwort-dense pastures. Keywords: animal health, biological control, Longitarsus jacobaeae, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, ragwort, ragwort flea beetle, Senecio jacobaea

THE ELABORATION OF ANIMAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE REGULATIONS FOR POULTRY PROCESSING AND EGG PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 32-35
Author(s):  
S.S. Kozak ◽  
◽  
N.L. Dogadova ◽  
Yu.A. Kozak ◽  
N.A. Gorodnaya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Manufacturing Enterprises ◽  
Egg Products ◽  
Poultry Processing

Оrganic Meat Production of Broiler Chickens Hubbard Redbro Cross

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
Poultry Meat ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Environmentally Safe ◽  
The Impact

This article presents the results of studying the impact of housing and feeding conditions on broiler chickens of Hubbard RedBro cross, as well as the quality of products obtained when using floor and cage content, in a farm. It established that when receiving a mixed feed of own production using feed raw materials grown on a farm without the use of pesticides, a statistically significant decrease in potentially dangerous substances for animal health is recorded. Compared with factory feed, it has reduced the content of pesticides by 14 times, and mercury and arsenic by 24 times, cadmium by five times, and lead by ten times. The results of the study of economic indicators of growing Hubbard RedBro cross broiler chickens, as well as the chemical composition and quality of carcasses, indicated that there was no significant difference between the floor and cell conditions of keeping. Still, the use of a diet based on eco-feeds contributed to a statistically significant decrease in the concentration of toxic metals in the muscles of the poultry of the experimental groups. As a result, it found that the use of the studied compound feed in the diets of broiler chickens increased the indicators of Biosafety and ensured the production of environmentally safe ("organic") poultry meat products.

Effect of Bismuth Subnitrate Teat Canal Sealant with Ampicillin-Cloxacillin Combination in Control of Bovine Mastitis in Selected Farms in Kenya

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Bacterial Pathogens ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Bovine Mastitis ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽  
Bismuth Subnitrate ◽  
Teat Canal

This study presents the results of effect of a combination of bismuth subnitrate teat canal sealant (Boviseal® -Bimeda® Animal Health, Ireland) and the antibiotic Ampicillin & Cloxacillin (Bovaclox® DC-Norbrook Laboratories Ltd-UK) when used during the dry period on occurrence of mastitis 100 days post-calving. The objectives of this study were: to determine the effect of Boviseal® teat canal sealant in combination with Bovaclox® DC in control of dairy cow mastitis 100 days after calving; to determine bacterial pathogens causing mastitis in the selected farms and to determine risk factors for occurrence of dairy mastitis in the selected farms. This controlled field trial was carried out in two Kenyan dairy farms: Chemusian Farm in Nakuru County and Gicheha Farm in Kiambu County. 156 dairy cows were used in the study. Healthy cows with no history of mastitis in their current lactation were recruited. They were randomly placed into either of the two study groups: the control and the test group. The Control group received Bovaclox® DC while the Test group received the Bovaclox® DC followed by Boviseal®. The cows were followed during the entire dry period and 100 days post-calving monitoring for mastitis occurrence. Cows in the control group were more susceptible to mastitis 100 days post-calving compared to cows in the treatment group (P<0.001, RR=4.4, OR=17.7). Of the bacterial pathogens, coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS) were the most common pathogens isolated from mastitic milk at 34.6 % followed by Micrococcus spp. (9.0%). Other bacteria isolated were Streptococcus agalactiae (3.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (1.9%); Escherichia coli (0.6%) and various bacterial mixtures. Results of logistic regressions at P≤0.05 showed that farm, position of the quarter, type of barn floor and type of treatment were significantly associated with occurrence of mastitis. Cows in Gicheha farm whose barn floor was earthen, those cows in the control group and hindquarters were risk factors for mastitis (RR=1.5, 4.4 and 1.18 respectively). The results of this study showed that Bovaclox® DC + Boviseal® teat canal sealant combination applied during the dry period is more effective in controlling bovine mastitis 100 days post-calving compared to the use of Bovaclox® DC alone. The study thus recommends the use of Bovaclox® DC + Boviseal® dry cow combination for control of bovine mastitis.

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