Effect of Suckling Management and Ewe Concentrate Level on Methane-Related Carbon Footprint of Lamb Meat in Sardinian Dairy Sheep Farming

The aim of this study was to estimate the methane-linked carbon footprint (CF) of the suckling lamb meat of Mediterranean dairy sheep. Ninety-six Sarda dairy ewes, divided into four groups of 24 animals each, were assigned to 2 × 2 factorial design. The experiment included the suckling lamb feeding system: traditional (TS), in which lambs followed their mothers on pasture during grazing time, vs. separated (SS), in which lambs remained indoors, separated from their mothers during the grazing time. Each group was divided into high (HS) and low (LS) supplemented ewes (600 g/d vs. 200 g/d of concentrate). The estimated CH4 emission of the ewes, calculated per kg of body weight (BW) gain of the lamb during the suckling period, was then converted to CO2eq with multiplying factor of 25. The TS lambs showed lower methane-linked emissions than SS ones (p < 0.05). The sex of lambs affected their methane-linked CF, with males having lower (p < 0.05) values than females. Twins displayed much lower methane-linked CF than singles (4.56 vs. 7.30 kg of CO2eq per kg of BW gained), whereas the level of supplementation did not affect greenhouse gases (GHG) emission. Interaction displayed lower and not-different GHG emissions for both indoor- and outdoor-reared twins. In conclusion, the methane-linked CF of the suckling lamb meat can be reduced by maintaining the traditional lamb rearing system and by improving flock prolificacy.

Kittens That Nurse 7 Weeks or Longer Are Less Likely to Become Overweight Adult Cats

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the suckling period length (SPL) on weight status among adult cats while taking into account putative risk factors. To this end, the body fat percentage of 69 client-owned cats was determined. A body fat percentage of >30% was used for overweight classification. Cat owners were interviewed using a standardised questionnaire to collect information about the SPL, age, breed, sex, feeding amount and frequency, daily playing and outdoor access. SPL was categorized into four groups (0–6, 7–11, 12–16, 17–24 weeks). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between overweight and SPL after adjusting for identified risk factors. Of the 69 cats, 37 were overweight. The odds for overweight was three times lower in cats with a SPL > 6 weeks (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.10−0.99). This study identified a possible novel, modifiable early life risk factor for overweight in cats; the SPL. The results of this study indicate that allowing cats to nurse longer than 12 weeks might be a simple intervention to improve cat health and welfare.

Prevention of transport stress in the realization of the adaptive potential of pigs

The article presents the results of research on the realization of the adaptive, productive and reproductive potential of pigs by immunoprophylaxis of transport stress with Pigstim preparations. The transport stress prevention for replacement gilts with immunotropic drugs PigStim-C and PigStim-M contributed to their adaptive and reproductive potential realization by reducing the age of first insemination by 7.7-9.0 days and increasing its fertility, increasing the number of liveborns by 6.8-8.5% and reducing the number of stillborn piglets by 50 and 25%, increasing the viability by 1.72-3.32% and growth rate of piglets during the suckling period by 2.9- 4.0% and reducing the weaning-to-insemination period by 6.4 and 8.5%. The immunoprophylaxis of transport stress in weaned pigs ensured their adaptive and productive potential in long-term growing completion and store feeding period by increasing the live weight of stores by the end of growing completion by 1.66 and 2.55 kg and feeding period by 1.23 and 3.17 kg, reducing the incidence by 5.0 and 4.0% and increasing the viability of the livestock by 2.0%, increasing the effectiveness of therapeutic measures.

The Effect of Feeding Liquid or Dry Creep Feed on Growth Performance, Feed Disappearance, Enzyme Activity and Number of Eaters in Suckling Piglets

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two dietary treatments (liquid creep feed (LCF) and dry creep feed (DCF)) offered during the suckling period on feed disappearance, number of eaters, and intestinal enzymatic development at weaning in an on-farm study with 347 piglets. Piglets were allocated to either the DCF or LCF treatment from day 10 to day 24 postpartum for 9 h a day. Red ferric oxide (1%) was added to the diet to categorize piglets into eating categories (good eaters, moderate eaters, or non-eaters) via faecal swabs. At weaning, 40 piglets were sampled for intestinal enzymatic development. The LCF treatment increased the dry matter disappearance from day 10–18 (p < 0.001). The percentage of good eaters, moderate eaters and non-eaters did not differ between treatments (p > 0.05). The DCF pigs displayed greater average daily gain (ADG) pre-weaning (p = 0.024), and a greater body weight (BW) at day 61 (p < 0.001). The activity of lactase, maltase and sucrase in the proximal part of the small intestine were greatest (p < 0.001) in the DCF pigs.

Effects of Suckling on the Udder Health of Foster Cows

In a foster cow system, one or more calves are reared by a foster cow. With regard to the growing rejection towards the early separation of cow and calf after calving, such alternative rearing methods with prolonged cow–calf contact are coming more into focus. Nevertheless, there is a lack of recent studies investigating the effects of suckling multiple calves on the udder health of a foster cow. The present study aimed to initially describe the status and development of the udder condition and the microbial colonisation during the foster period. Thereby, the objectives were to determine whether suckling multiple calves was associated with an increase in intramammary infections (IMI) and a deterioration of udder constitution. A total of 99 Holstein Friesian foster cows from a large organic dairy farm in eastern Germany were included in this pilot study. Each foster cow was suckled by 3–4 calves and not additionally milked. Quarter milk samples were taken for cytomicrobiological examination at the beginning and end of the approximately 3.5 months suckling period. At the same time, the udders of 91 of these foster cows were clinically examined by visual assessment and manual palpation. In both the first and second examination (E1 and E2, respectively), Corynebacterium ssp. and non-aureus staphylococci (NaS) constituted the most frequently detected pathogen species in the 385 examined udder quarters. Classifying the quarters into mastitis categories was significantly different between the two examinations (p = 0.001). The number of quarters considered as healthy increased from E1 to E2 by 8.5%. At the same time, the number of quarters with mastitis decreased by 2.6%, the number of quarters with non-specific mastitis by 11.4% and the number of quarters with a latent infection increased by 5.4%. In total, 69.4% of the 121 infected udder quarters in E1 were bacteriologically cured in E2. A cytological cure was achieved in 28.1% of the 385 quarters. Both the bacteriological and cytological cure rate were spontaneous. A new infection occurred in 23.1% of the 385 examined udder quarters and was mainly attributable to infections with Corynebacterium spp. and NaS. During the suckling period, mainly new infections occurred and amounted to 73% in relation to presumed persistent infections (18.9%). The new infections were mainly attributable to infections with Corynebacterium spp. and NaS. Pasteurella spp. were also found in high percentages. A total of 10.1% of the quarters showed an increase in somatic cell count (SCC) above the threshold of 100,000 cells/mL from E1 to E2, indicating a new subclinical mastitis. Regarding udder condition, significant changes during the foster period were an increase in udder skin and teat lesions, a decrease in udder oedema, an increased amount of udder quarters with a consistency considered as normal and an increase in the number of udders showing no sign of udder cleft dermatitis. Moreover, teat length, circumference, and diameter increased significantly (p < 0.05). In conclusion, there is a possibility that suckling multiple calves improves udder health in terms of mastitis but leads to an increased pathogen transmission at the same time, resulting in an increase in latent infections. Additionally, pathogens as Pasteurella spp., which are usually located in the upper respiratory system, could be detected in the mammary gland. The changes concerning the udder condition were manifold. However, it has not yet been conclusively clarified whether all these changes are exclusively due to calf suckling. Further investigations with a non-suckled control group are required.

Author Correction: Ascorbic acid during the suckling period is required for proper DNA demethylation in the liver

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Supplementing Docosahexaenoic Acid and Arachidonic Acid During Suckling Period Is Beneficial for Developing Tolerance to Egg Protein in Allergy Prone Brown Norway Rats

Objectives We aimed to study the effect of supplementing arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during suckling (through Suckling Diet, SD) and weaning (through weaning diet, WD) on oral tolerance (OT) development in allergy susceptible Brown Norway rats. Methods Dams were assigned to consume either ARA+DHA (0.4% ARA, 0.8% DHA w/w total fat) SD or control SD (0% ARA, DHA) for 21d during the pups’ suckling period. At 21d, pups from each SD group were randomized to receive ARA + DHA WD (0.5% ARA, 0.5% DHA w/w total fat) or control WD (0% ARA, DHA) until 8wk. Between 21–25 d, pups from each of the 4 diet groups were randomized to receive ovalbumin (Ova, 3 mg) or a placebo (8% sucrose) for OT induction. At 7 wk, pups received an Ova + alum injection IP to induce systemic immunization. In necropsy, plasma was collected and splenocytes were isolated to determine immune cell types and ex-vivo cytokine production to phorbol myristate acetate + ionomycin (PMAi). Results Although higher DHA levels in dams’ breastmilk were seen with ARA+DHA SD, this SD effect was not seen in the 8wk pups. At 8wks, ARA+DHA WD resulted in significantly higher DHA level in (1.5x) plasma phospholipids (PL) and (2x) splenocytes. ARA composition in pups’ plasma and splenocytes PL was not different among SD and WD groups. OT development was confirmed by a significantly lower plasma level of Ova-IgG1 and Ova-IgE in Ova OT groups. Further, SD ARA+DHA supplementation also had 30% lower plasma Ova-IgG1 than control SD (P = 0.02) but the SD had no effect on production of IL2, IL4, IL10, IFNg, TNFα and IL13 by PMAi stimulated splenocytes. However, pups from Ova group that received ARA+DHA SD and control WD produced more TGFβ than control for SD and WD (P = 0.05). Pups from sucrose OT groups, when supplemented with ARA+DHA SD had 50% higher T regulatory cells (CD3+CD4+CD25+FoxP3+, Tregs) than controls SD in spleen. In pups that received control SD groups, the Ova group had lower activated T helper (CD3+CD4+CD28+) than sucrose, however, when pups received ARA+DHA SD, OT effect was absent. Conclusions ARA and DHA in WD increased DHA status without affecting ARA status in plasma. ARA and DHA provided in SD was beneficial for OT development shown by lowered ova-IgG1, which may be due to higher Tregs and TGFβ produced by splenocytes in brown Norway offspring. Funding Sources NSERC, AGES-ALES (Patel).

Age dynamics of reproductive qualities of sows depending on the duration of the suckling period

The article studied the influence of sows' age on their reproductive qualities at the traditional - 28 days and shortened - 21 days duration of the suckling period. It was found that the total number of piglets born increased from the second reproductive cycle to the sixth inclusive. With the traditional duration of the suckling period, the most significant growth was observed during the third, fourth and fifth farrowing (8.0-8.6%), while with a reduced duration of the suckling period, it was significantly lower (3.8-4.9%). and lasted from the third to the fifth reproductive cycle. As sows' reproductive age increased, their fertility increased. Its highest growth in both terms of weaning of piglets was on the third farrowing and then gradually decreased. Sows with a reduced suckling period had a lower increase in fertility throughout reproductive life. The nest weight of piglets at birth increased until the third farrowing and then gradually decreased. With the traditional duration of the suckling period, the intensity of the increase in the nest weight of piglets born at the age of sows is higher compared to analogues in which the lactation period was reduced. Preservation of piglets in sows' nests deteriorated with increasing reproductive age. It worsened less intensely in sows with a reduced suckling period. The number of weaned piglets depended to a greater extent on the age of the sows and to a lesser extent on the length of the suckling period. From the third farrowing, it constantly decreases with increasing age of the sow, regardless of the length of the suckling period. The average weight of one piglet increases with the age of sows from the third farrowing, and its growth is more intense with a reduced duration of lactation. The increase in the weight of the nest of piglets at weaning is most significant for 3-5 farrowings, after which there was a decrease in this indicator for both periods of weaning piglets. A comprehensive assessment of the reproductive quality of sows using indices confirms the increase in sow productivity during the second - fourth reproductive cycle with a gradual decrease during the fifth to sixth farrowing, both in the traditional and reduced duration of the suckling period. It is proved that the sow age factor determines the probable influence on the number of piglets at weaning (9.43 %), their safety (5.56 %), the weight of the nest of piglets at weaning (1.87 %) and fertility (1.65 % ). While the suckling period factor affected the nest weight of piglets at weaning with a force of 28.49 %, the number of piglets at weaning with a force of 0.62 %, the safety of piglets before weaning at 0.19 % and did not affect the fertility of sows. Key words: sow, reproductive cycle, duration of lactation, fertility, safety, piglet.

Estimation of genetic parameters for horn traits and essential economic traits in Inner Mongolia Cashmere goats

This experiment aims to study the effects of dietary fat level during the suckling period on growth performance and meat characteristics in twin lambs. Thirty pairs of male twin Hu lambs were divided into two groups, namely high fat (HF) and normal fat (NF). Lambs in HF group were fed milk replacer and starter containing 26.89% and 5.07% of fat, whereas those in NF group were fed milk replacer and starter containing 15.15% and 2.80% of fat, respectively, from eight to 60 days of age. From 60 to 120 days of age, all lambs were fed a starter feed containing 2.80% fat. The results showed that lambs fed HF diet had higher body weight (12.78 kg versus 11.63 kg, P = 0.020), average daily gain (162.4 g/day versus 141.1 g/day, P = 0.019), apparent digestibility of organic matter (P = 0.018) and gross energy (P &lt; 0.001). No difference was observed between HF and NF group in slaughter performance during eight to 60 days of age. Lambs fed HF diet had higher body weight at 120 days of age (P = 0.035). However, no difference was observed in nutrient digestibility, slaughter performance or meat quality at 120 days of age. In summary, HF diet in the suckling period showed long-lasting beneficial effects on the growth performance of lambs.

Effect of fat levels in early phase on growthperformance and meat characteristics in twin lambs

This experiment aims to study the effects of dietary fat level during the suckling period on growth<br />performance and meat characteristics in twin lambs. Thirty pairs of male twin Hu lambs were divided into two<br />groups, namely high fat (HF) and normal fat (NF). Lambs in HF group were fed milk replacer and starter containing<br />26.89% and 5.07% of fat, whereas those in NF group, were fed milk replacer and starter containing 15.15% and<br />2.80% of fat, respectively, from eight to 60 days of age. From 60 to 120 days of age, all lambs were fed a starter feed<br />containing 2.80% fat. The results showed that lambs fed HF diet had higher body weight (12.78 kg versus 11.63 kg,<br />P = 0.020), average daily gain (162.4 g/day versus 141.1 g/day, P = 0.019), apparent digestibility of organic matter<br />(P = 0.018) and gross energy (P &lt; 0.001). No difference was observed between HF and NF group in slaughter performance<br />during eight to 60 days of age. Lambs fed HF diet had higher body weight at 120 days of age (P = 0.035).<br />However, no difference was observed in nutrient digestibility, slaughter performance or meat quality at 120 days<br />of age. In summary, HF diet in the suckling period showed long-lasting beneficial effects on the growth performance