Article
Genetics & Heredity
Julio M. Florez, Kyra Martins, Staci Solin, Jonathan R. Bostrom, Paula Rodriguez-Villamil, Felipe Ongaratto, Sabreena A. Larson, Uyanga Ganbaatar, Alexander W. Coutts, Doug Kern, Thomas W. Murphy, Eui-Soo Kim, Daniel F. Carlson, Abe Huisman, Tad S. Sonstegard, Clay A. Lents
Summary: Most male pigs are surgically castrated to prevent the puberty-derived boar taint and aggressiveness. However, this surgical intervention raises welfare concerns. Disrupting the KISS1 gene in pigs is hypothesized to delay or abolish puberty by inducing hypogonadotropism, thus eliminating the need for castration.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liu Yang, Lei Huang, Yulian Mu, Kui Li
Summary: Long-term high-energy intake has detrimental effects on pig health and elevates the risk of metabolic disease. In this study, we profiled the A-to-I editing in three tissues and six gut segments of model pigs and characterized their functional aspect in relation to metabolic disorders. We detected a large number of A-to-I editing sites across the pig genome, with highest editing levels in the abdominal aorta. The significant difference in editing levels between high-energy induced and control pigs was found in multiple tissues and gut segments. Our work provides valuable knowledge of A-to-I editing sites functionally involved in the development of metabolic disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maki Hirata, Manita Wittayarat, Zhao Namula, Quynh Anh Le, Qingyi Lin, Koki Takebayashi, Chommanart Thongkittidilok, Taro Mito, Sayuri Tomonari, Fuminori Tanihara, Takeshige Otoi
Summary: The study developed a novel lipofection-mediated RNP transfection technique for generating gene-edited pigs without the need for specialized equipment, producing no detectable off-target events. Despite the need for improvements in editing efficiency, this practical method for rapid and large-scale gene editing in pigs has important agricultural and biomedical applications.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Montserrat Paniagua, Sandra Villagomez-Estrada, Francisco Javier Crespo, Jose Francisco Perez, Anna Aris, Maria Devant, David Sola-Oriol
Summary: Weaning is a challenging period for pigs, resulting in digestive disturbances and hindered growth. The traditional use of zinc oxide and antibiotics to prevent gastrointestinal problems during this phase has been restricted due to concerns about the environment and bacterial resistance. This study explores the potential alternative of supplementing citrus flavonoids and a single antibiotic (amoxicillin) to minimize the use of multiple antibiotics and zinc oxide in weaned pigs. The results show that citrus flavonoids plus amoxicillin significantly improve growth performance, gut health, and gastrointestinal barrier function without detrimental effects on performance.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Hamish A. Salvesen, Timothy J. Byrne, C. Bruce A. Whitelaw, Fiona S. Hely
Summary: The development of swine Influenza A Virus resistance through genetic technologies is important for improving pig production and welfare. Simulation modeling shows that the length and efficiency of the gene-editing program negatively affect genetic progress in commercial pigs, while genetic mosaicism has a greater impact on herd genetic progress.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Carolina Cecchetti, Elisabetta Belardinelli, Paola Dionese, Rita Teglia, Roberta Fazzeri, M. Rosaria D' Apice, Amanda Vestito, Uberto Pagotto, Alessandra Gambineri
Summary: This study highlights the importance of a well-structured low-fat diet in the management of Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy (BSCL) and demonstrates that dietary intervention alone can be an effective treatment for this disease.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gou Takahashi, Daiki Kondo, Minato Maeda, Yuji Morishita, Yuichiro Miyaoka
Summary: This study utilized the Single Particle isolation System to analyze genome editing outcomes in individual human cultured cells, revealing a binary nature of genome editing induction and providing a new strategy for analyzing genome editing outcomes in single cells.
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Chun Wang, Cuiting Yang, Yutian Zeng, Ming Zhang
Summary: Traditional methods of castration in animals have welfare issues, while GnRH immunocastration, as an animal-friendly alternative, effectively addresses these issues. This review systematically summarizes the principles, development, current applications, and challenges of GnRH immunocastration, offering insights into its role in promoting animal welfare.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Md. Sekendar Ali, Eon-Bee Lee, Walter H. H. Hsu, Kyoungho Suk, Syed Al Jawad Sayem, H. M. Arif Ullah, Seung-Jin Lee, Seung-Chun Park
Summary: Probiotics are used as an alternative to antibiotics in feed/food supplements. They have been shown to provide various health benefits such as preventing diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and immunomodulation. Besides live probiotics, there is growing interest in using inactivated probiotics in pigs, with studies showing that both forms can boost immunity, improve growth performance, and decrease the incidence of diarrhea.
Article
Microbiology
Jie Liang, Xianhui Fu, Chaofeng Hao, Zhuyun Bian, Huiquan Liu, Jin-Rong Xu, Guanghui Wang
Summary: The study reveals that FgBUD14 plays crucial roles in ascus development during sexual reproduction in Fusarium graminearum, with both alternative splicing and RNA editing specifically occurring in its transcripts.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Honghui Li, Wenmin Cheng, Bowei Chen, Shaoxia Pu, Ninglin Fan, Xiaolin Zhang, Deling Jiao, Dejia Shi, Jianxiong Guo, Zhuo Li, Yubo Qing, Baoyu Jia, Hong-Ye Zhao, Hong-Jiang Wei
Summary: The BE3 system utilizes CRISPR molecules to edit the pig P53 gene, obtaining a pig model with a P53 point mutation for further research on the mechanism of tumorigenesis and improvement in tumor diagnosis and treatment.
Article
Cell Biology
Xiao Li, Fei Li, Fei Ye, Haotian Guo, Wentao Chen, Jia Jin, Yiran Wang, Pengfei Dai, Huili Shi, Hongru Tao, Wenzhen Dang, Yiluan Ding, Mingchen Wang, Hualiang Jiang, Kaixian Chen, Naixia Zhang, Dong Gao, Yuanyuan Zhang, Cheng Luo
Summary: In castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), the limited response to androgen receptor (AR) antagonists is mainly attributed to the expression of AR-variants and restored AR signaling. We demonstrate that the metabolite spermine inhibits AR-FL and AR-V7 signaling and suppresses CRPC cell proliferation by directly binding and inhibiting PRMT1. Additionally, spermine supplementation restrains CRPC growth in vivo. Thus, spermine and PRMT1 inhibition may be powerful strategies for overcoming the limitations of current AR-based therapies in CRPC.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
V. Kalidasan, Kumitaa Theva Das
Summary: The development of gene editing technology has directly impacted the public health system, but has also raised concerns about risks and uncertainties among the public. Malaysia faces challenges in how to best regulate gene editing in terms of regulations, biosafety, and biosecurity. Although biosafety regulations have been established, there is still a need to address the potential of genetically modified organisms as bioweapons.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shang Wang, Yuqing Li, Li Zhong, Kai Wu, Ruhua Zhang, Tiebang Kang, Song Wu, Yuanzhong Wu
Summary: The group has developed GEIS as an improved HDR gene editing technology that can achieve a DsRed positive rate as high as 87.5%. The method has the potential to edit approximately 97% of gene editing targets in human and mouse cells, and may be useful for introducing multiple DNA variations in cells.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Katarzyna Niescierowicz, Leszek Pryszcz, Cristina Navarrete, Eugeniusz Tralle, Agata Sulej, Karim Abu Nahia, Marta Elzbieta Kasprzyk, Katarzyna Misztal, Abhishek Pateria, Adrianna Pakula, Matthias Bochtler, Cecilia Winata
Summary: Adenosine deaminases (ADARs) play important roles in early zebrafish development, affecting antero-posterior and dorso-ventral patterning. Genome-wide editing discovery reveals widespread A-to-I editing in zebrafish transcripts, with multiple editing sites found in transcripts involved in embryonic patterning. Adar also regulates the innate immune response in zebrafish.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Dayane Lemos Teixeira, Laura C. Salazar, Rafael Larrain, Laura A. Boyle
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between various lesions in slaughter pigs and meat inspection outcomes. Tail lesions were found to be associated with carcass condemnations, reduction in carcass weight, and impaired carcass quality. Hernias were also found to be associated with viscera condemnation and reduced carcass weight. These findings highlight the potential usefulness of ante-mortem inspection in predicting post-mortem outcomes.
ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Biophysics
Matheus Deniz, Karolini Tenffen De-Sousa, Frederico Marcio Correa Vieira, Marcos Martinez do Vale, Joao Ricardo Dittrich, Ruan Rolnei Daros, Maria Jose Hotzel
Summary: This article conducts a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles written in English, evaluating the effects of silvopastoral systems on the thermal environment, behavior, and physiology of dairy cows. The study finds that silvopastoral systems provide a more comfortable thermal environment compared to treeless pastures and increase feeding behaviors, while reducing drinking events, surface temperature, and respiratory rate. However, the results of studies on nine variables related to cow behavior and physiology responses are unclear.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Karolini Tenffen De-Sousa, Matheus Deniz, Joao Ari Gualberto Hill, Joao Ricardo Dittrich, Maria Jose Hotzel
Summary: The choice of tree arrangement is crucial for the success of a silvopastoral system. A study was conducted in southern Brazil to examine the knowledge and attitudes of livestock advisors towards different tree arrangements and their perception of the system's benefits. The majority of participants showed a positive attitude towards the single-row tree arrangement and recognized it as the most suitable from ecological, economical, and animal welfare perspectives. Woodland and scattered tree arrangements were considered less economically viable.
AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Valentina Mansky de la Fuente, Daniel Enriquez-Hidalgo, Dayane Lemos Teixeira, Rafael Larrain, Maria Jose Hotzel
Summary: This study aimed to explore Chilean citizens' attitudes towards beef production systems and found that people have more favorable attitudes towards pasture-based systems than indoor housing due to concerns with animal welfare and environmental impacts.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dayane Lemos Teixeira, Laura C. Salazar, Daniel Enriquez-Hidalgo, Maria Jose Hotzel
Summary: The aim of this study was to gain insights into the perceptions of pig farm and abattoir workers as well as lay citizens regarding sentience and attributes of pigs. The study found that female and lay citizens were more likely to attribute pigs with higher capacity to experience feelings compared to male participants and workers. Lay citizens and workers recruited on farm described pigs as more intelligent and friendly than those recruited at the abattoir.
Review
Microbiology
Patrizia Ana Bricarello, Cibele Longo, Raquel Abdallah da Rocha, Maria Jose Hotzel
Summary: Grazing systems have the potential to improve animal welfare, but also pose risks to animals. Gastrointestinal nematode diseases have a significant impact on animal health and welfare in grazing systems, leading to economic losses. Conventional control methods are becoming less effective due to drug resistance and potential contamination. It is important to develop management strategies based on understanding parasite biology and host behavior to ensure the sustainability of livestock production and improve animal welfare.
Editorial Material
Veterinary Sciences
Jeremy N. Marchant, Rebecca E. Doyle, Maria Jose Hotzel, Oluwaseun S. Iyasere, Michelle Sinclair
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Leticia Santos Mauricio, Denise Pereira Leme, Maria Jose Hotzel
Summary: Stabled horses often experience negative emotions due to inappropriate living conditions. Identifying and understanding the emotions of horses can be difficult, but indicators such as hormone concentrations, body language, and cognitive bias tests can provide valuable information. Evaluating and assessing emotions can help guide horse owners and caretakers to create a better living environment for the horses. Developing new indicators in positive and negative contexts can further contribute to these efforts.
JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Matias Javier Hargreaves-Mendez, Maria Jose Hotzel
Summary: The welfare of animals in food-production systems is a concern, and regenerative agriculture proposes to improve degraded ecosystems beyond sustainability. However, the impact of regenerative agriculture on animal welfare is not well-defined. Research needs to expand focus on animal welfare within regenerative agriculture principles.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Michelle Sinclair, Maria Jose Hotzel, Natasha Y. P. Lee, Maria Catalina T. de Luna, Arvind Sharma, Musadiq Idris, Mohammad Ariful Islam, Oluwaseun S. Iyasere, Grisel Navarro, Abdelkareem A. Ahmed, Georgette Leah Burns, Michael Curry, Jeremy N. Marchant
Summary: Most people worldwide consume meat, resulting in the slaughter of billions of animals annually. Eating meat is deeply rooted in tradition and cuisine, but it raises ethical and practical concerns. Cultural and religious beliefs influence attitudes towards animal welfare during slaughter, while the desire to reduce animal suffering is universally shared. The findings highlight the need for continuous improvement in animal welfare practices in the meat industry to meet evolving public sentiment.
FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Dayane Lemos Teixeira, Laura C. Salazar, Laura A. Boyle
Summary: The study examines the relationship between severe ear, tail, and skin lesions, hernias, bursitis, and rectal prolapses and meat inspection findings in slaughter pigs. The data was collected from 13,296 pigs in 116 batches from a single abattoir. The results indicate that welfare issues in pigs not only impact carcass condemnations but also lead to financial losses for producers.
ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Karolini Tenffen De-Sousa, Matheus Deniz, Joao Ricardo Dittrich, Maria Jose Hotzel
Summary: This review provides a critical evaluation of the effect of tree arrangements in the silvopasture system on cattle's thermal environment, behavior, and performance. A total of 37 articles were selected from a larger sample, and the evidence shows that regardless of tree arrangement, the silvopasture system improves the thermal environment for cattle, although the effects on behavior and performance are inconclusive.
ANNALS OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Michelle Sinclair, Natasha Y. P. Lee, Maria Jose Hotzel, Maria Catalina T. de Luna, Arvind Sharma, Musadiq Idris, Mohammad Ariful Islam, Oluwaseun S. Iyasere, Grisel Navarro, Abdelkareem A. Ahmed, Michael Curry, Georgette Leah Burns, Jeremy N. Marchant
Summary: Global egg production has seen exponential growth in the past 50 years along with the increase in human population. The intensive egg production systems, particularly conventional cages, have contributed to this growth. However, the limitations of conventional cages have led to challenges in many countries, with some regions like the European Union implementing regulatory reforms driven by animal advocacy groups and consumer attitudes. This study surveyed over 4,000 individuals from 14 countries to gain insight into consumer attitudes and knowledge regarding egg production and found that most participants across all countries eat eggs and care about hen welfare. Majority of participants, except in Nigeria, would prefer to purchase eggs from hens not kept in cages. However, there were regional differences in participant knowledge and preferences, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies in different geopolitical regions.
FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Michelle Sinclair, Natasha Y. P. Lee, Maria Jose Hotzel, Maria Catalina T. de Luna, Arvind Sharma, Musadiq Idris, Tessa Derkley, Congcong Li, Mohammad Ariful Islam, Oluwaseun S. Iyasere, Grisel Navarro, Abdelkareem A. Ahmed, Chanadda Khruapradab, Michael Curry, Georgette Leah Burns, Jeremy N. Marchant
Summary: Our perceptions shape our behavior and reality, and also impact the lives and welfare of other animals. Cultural differences are an important factor in determining attitudes towards animals and their welfare in different countries. The study found that the welfare of both farmed animals and companion animals is important to the general public in many countries, but there are differences in the level of importance placed on animal welfare across different countries.
FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Patrizia Ana Bricarello, Leticia Rodrigues Costa, Cibele Longo, Jaqueline Seugling, Cesar Cristiano Basseto, Alessandro Francisco Talamini do Amarante, Maria Jose Hotzel
Summary: This study evaluated the relationship between foraging distance, parasitological and physiological factors in Crioula Lanada lambs. The results showed that animals approached the dung more frequently when radiation and temperature were higher. Paddock entry/exit, IgG and infective larvae quantity influenced the foraging distance over time. On the other hand, infective larvae quantity was influenced by infection level, fecal egg count, and corpuscular volume.
REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA
(2022)