Transcriptome shifts triggered by vitamin A and SCD genotype interaction in Duroc pigs

Background The composition of intramuscular fat depends on genetic and environmental factors, including the diet. In pigs, we identified a haplotype of three SNP mutations in the stearoyl-coA desaturase (SCD) gene promoter associated with higher content of monounsaturated fatty acids in intramuscular fat. The second of these three SNPs (rs80912566, C > T) affected a putative retinol response element in the SCD promoter. The effect of dietary vitamin A restriction over intramuscular fat content is controversial as it depends on the pig genetic line and the duration of the restriction. This study aims to investigate changes in the muscle transcriptome in SCD rs80912566 TT and CC pigs fed with and without a vitamin A supplement during the fattening period. Results Vitamin A did not affect carcass traits or intramuscular fat content and fatty acid composition, but we observed an interaction between vitamin A and SCD genotype on the desaturation of fatty acids in muscle. As reported before, the SCD-TT pigs had more monounsaturated fat than the SCD-CC animals. The diet lacking the vitamin A supplement enlarged fatty acid compositional differences between SCD genotypes, partly because vitamin A had a bigger effect on fatty acid desaturation in SCD-CC pigs (positive) than in SCD-TT and SCD-TC animals (negative). The interaction between diet and genotype was also evident at the transcriptome level; the highest number of differentially expressed genes were detected between SCD-TT pigs fed with the two diets. The genes modulated by the diet with the vitamin A supplement belonged to metabolic and signalling pathways related to immunity and inflammation, transport through membrane-bounded vesicles, fat metabolism and transport, reflecting the impact of retinol on a wide range of metabolic processes. Conclusions Restricting dietary vitamin A during the fattening period did not improve intramuscular fat content despite relevant changes in muscle gene expression, both in coding and non-coding genes. Vitamin A activated general pathways of retinol response in a SCD genotype-dependant manner, which affected the monounsaturated fatty acid content, particularly in SCD-CC pigs.

Relationship between rectal temperature measured with a conventional thermometer and the temperature of several body regions measured by infrared thermography in fattening rabbits. Influence of different environmental factors

In clinical examination of rabbits, the temperature is usually recorded with a digital thermometer introduced rectally, an invasive procedure that could cause handling stress. The aim of this study was to assess body temperature using infrared thermography (IRT) in four areas of the rabbit’s anatomy: eye (ETT), outer ear (OETT), inner ear (IETT) and nose (NTT), and then validate it as an alternative measure to rectal temperature (RT) assessed with a conventional thermometer. Temperature samples were taken twice a week from 48 weaned rabbits of Spanish Common Rabbit breed during a 38-d fattening period. The factors considered were: doe from which the rabbits came (8 does), weeks of fattening period (4 to 5 wk), batch (3 periods of the year: April-May, June-July and January-February) and group size (cages with 1 to 7 rabbits). On average, the results were an RT of 38.48±0.02 °C; ETT of 37.31±0.05 °C; OETT of 29.09±0.26°C; IETT of 30.53±0.251 °C, and NTT of 33.29±0.11 °C (mean±se). Moderate, statistically significant positive correlations (PP

Determination of the Optimum Fattening Period and Fattening Performance Slaughter and Carcass Characteristics of Hair Goat and Saanen × Hair Goat (G1) Crossbred Kids Fattened in Different Systems

This research was carried out to investigate the fattening performance and slaughter and carcass characteristics of Hair goat and Saanen × Hair goat (G1) crossbred kids in different fattening systems. Thirty Hair goats and 30 Saanen × Hair goat (G1) crossbred singleton male kids 2.5-3 months old and weaned were used. The kids were fattened in three different systems: intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive. Marginal value analysis was applied to determine the optimum feeding periods of the kids. In order to determine the slaughter and carcass characteristics, all the kids fattened were taken to slaughter after determining their live weight at the end of the fattening. Live weight gains after the intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive fattening were 17.83 kg, 19.39 kg, and 18.29 kg in the Hair goat kids and 17.88 kg, 18.24 kg, and 17.32 kg in the Saanen × Hair goat (G1) crossbred kids, respectively. In the same order, the average concentrate feed consumed by kids for 1 kg live weight gain was 7.55 kg, 7.28 kg, 7.00 kg and 7.07 kg. Hot carcass weights after the intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive fattening were 13.58, 14.06, and 13.02 kg in the Hair goat kids and 14.21, 15.03, and 14.06 kg in the Saanen × Hair goat (G1) crossbred kids. The Saanen × Hair goat (G1) crossbred goats increased more in live weight than the Hair goat kids and the semi-intensive fattened goats increased more in live weight than the intensive and extensive fed goats. Moreover, the optimum fattening times generally varied between the groups, but not between genotypes within the group.

Reduced Stocking Density and Provision of Straw in a Rack Improve Pig Welfare on Commercial Fattening Farms

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of reduced stocking density in combination with provision of additional enrichment material on pig welfare on-farm. On three growing-finishing farms in Austria, in total 974, 413, and 70 pigs were kept at 1 m2/pig and straw or hay in a rack as additional enrichment material (improved pens, IP; n = 6–38 pens per farm) or in pens complying with the minimum legal requirements of 0.7 m2/pig (control pens, CP; n = 6–37 pens per farm). Behavior as well as skin, tail and ear lesions and pig soiling were assessed at the beginning and in the middle of the fattening period, while performance data were recorded at the end of the fattening period. Data analysis was performed for each farm separately using generalized linear and linear mixed models or Mann-Whitney U-Test. Pigs in IP less frequently manipulated pen mates' ears (Farm 1: Ptreatment*assessment = 0.002; Farm 2: P = 0.002) and body (Farm 1: P = 0.021; Farm 2: P = 0.015) than in CP. Prevalence of skin, tail and ear lesions and soiled pigs did not differ between treatments. In only one farm, average daily weight gain was higher in IP than in CP (Farm 1: P = 0.003). Our findings indicate that increased space allowance and provision of substrate can improve aspects of animal welfare within existing pig fattening systems, without requiring irreversible constructional modifications to the system.

Effect of different fattening period duration on meat productivity of domestic quails

The study was conducted with 224 domestic quails from the specialized meat-type WG line. The duration of fattening period and sex on productive traits, slaughter traits and meat quality of quails was evaluated. The study has shown that the longer duration of the fattening period in quails from the meat-type line WG was associated with lower production efficiency, with more reduction after the 35th day of life. The production efficiency in male quails was lower compared to that in females. The dispersion analysis demonstrated that the determination of 72.2% and 69.6% of dressed carcass weight and deboned meat weight, respectively, depended on fattening period duration (p<0.001). When fattening increased from 28 to 42 days, the amount of feed necessary for one bird increased by 73% and 87%, corresponding to increased costs by 64.5% and 77%. For production of 1 kg dressed quail carcasses, the necessary feed increased by 42.3-45.8% on a weight basis and by 35-37.7% on a cost basis. For production of 1 kg deboned quail meat, corresponding increases are by 42.1-49.5% and 34.8-41.2%, respectively. The period between 28 and 35 days of age was the most appropriate for planning slaughter of WG quails. During that period, the economic efficiency, although already declining, was still within acceptable limits and the increase in quantitative traits in both sexes – still relevant, making the produce more attractive for consumers. With age, the changes in colour characteristics of M. pectoralis superficialis result in darkening of meat (p<0.001). Thus, it assumes nuances specific rather for game meat. This effect is desirable, as it improves the commercial presentation of domestic quail meat in line with consumers’ attitudes.

Cardoon Meal as Alternative Protein Source to Soybean Meal for Limousine Bulls Fattening Period: Effects on Growth Performances and Meat Quality Traits

Soybean meal is the most important protein source in beef cattle feeding. The research of alternative protein sources to replace soy use, avoiding negative effects on in vivo performance and on the product’s quality, is an important issue. In this context, cardoon represents a non-OGM resilient crop that can be cultivated in marginal lands for extracting its seed oil (utilized for biodiesel and biodegradable bioplastic production) and whose and the residual meal from its seed oil (utilized for biodiesel and biodegradable bioplastic production) could be a suitable by-product for animal feeding, due to its fairly high protein content. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using cardoon meal as an innovative protein source during the Limousine bulls’ fattening period. Thirty-two bulls were divided into two groups and fed with a diet containing soybean meal (SG) or partially replacing soybean meal with cardoon meal as a protein source (CG), respectively. The feeding trial lasted about 11 months. Growth performances and meat physical–chemical traits were evaluated. No statistical differences in feed efficiency, average daily gain, or in the main meat quality indicators, as well as in fatty acid profiles were found among the groups. Therefore, cardoon meal could be considered as an alternative to soybean meal in fattening Limousine bulls in order to enhance the sustainability of the farming system.

​Effects of Rumen-protected Glucose Supplementation on Growth Performance, Body Measurements and Plasma Biochemical Indices of Fattening Chinese Simmental Bulls

Background: The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of rumen-protected glucose (RPG) supplementation on growth performance, body measurements and plasma biochemical indices of Simmental bulls in Northeast China during the fattening period. Methods: A 90 d feedlot study was conducted using thirty Simmental bulls (body weight = 444.3±26.9 kg). Bulls were randomly allocated into three groups to receive a basal total mixed ration (TMR) supplemented daily with 0 g RPG (control, Con), 100 g RPG (RPG100) or 300 g RPG (RPG300) per bull. Growth performance, body measurements and plasma biochemical indices were evaluated. Result: The greater ADG (P less than 0.05) and lower feed efficiency value (P less than 0.01) were found for bulls fed RPG compared to CON diet. Bulls fed RPG had increased body height and chest girth growth compared with CON diet (P less than 0.05). The plasma glucose (GLC) concentration was higher for bulls fed RPG300 diet than CON and RPG100 diets (P less than 0.01). Nonestesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was lower for RPG compared with CON treatment (P less than 0.05). Our analysis suggests that a daily supplement of 300 g RPG is an effective way to increase the body’s total GLC provision and thus improve the growth performance of Simmental bulls during the fattening period.

Effects of Using Corn Dried Distillers’ Grains with Solubles (cDDGS) as a Partial Replacement for Soybean Meal on the Outcomes of Pig Fattening, Pork Slaughter Value and Quality

The present study set out to determine the effects of incorporating cDDGS into starter, grower, and finisher diets (containing 5%, 10%, and 15% of cDDGS, respectively) on growth performance, carcass and meat quality, and cost effectiveness of pig fattening. Sixty-four pigs (mean body weight of 15.0 ± 2.1 kg) were divided into two groups (n = 32) and fed a control diet (cereal–soybean meal-based) or cDGGS-containing diets (with soybean meal partially replaced with cDDGS). Live weights of pigs as well as weight gains/daily weight gains across all fattening phases did not differ between the two groups of fattener pigs studied (p > 0.05). Addition of cDDGS decreased feed intake per pig during the grower (p < 0.05) and finisher (p < 0.01) phases, and, as a result, throughout the entire fattening period (254 vs. 245 kg for control and cDDGS groups, respectively; p < 0.01). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) for the entire fattening period was significantly less for cDDGS-fed fatteners (2.77) than for controls (2.91; p < 0.05). Carcass weights, fat thickness, and meatiness did not vary between the two groups of animals (p > 0.05). Loin depth was greater in the cDDGS group by ~5 mm (p < 0.05). Slaughter value was higher for the cDDGS group (76.1% vs. 77.0%, p < 0.05). The total cost of fattening and total cost of 1 kg of body weight decreased in cDDGS compared with the control subset of fatteners by ~7% and 8% during the grower and finisher phases, respectively (p < 0.01). The simplified direct surplus per pig was approximately 63% higher for the cDDGS group. Our results indicate that even moderate inclusion of cDDGS to concentrate mixtures (or a partial replacement of soybean meal with cDDGS) may improve FCR without any substantial changes in meat and back fat characteristics as well as significantly decrease the cost of feeding and increase the profitability of pig production.