Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Audrey L. Earnhardt-San, Kent A. Gray, Mark T. Knauer
Summary: The use of genetic selection in livestock has improved the sustainability of animal farming. Geneticists have selected for sows with larger litters, reducing feed requirements per piglet produced. To enhance piglet survival, genetic selection for increased sow teat number is suggested. However, more data are needed to confirm associations between sow teat traits and piglet weaning traits.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Reza Rezaei, Ana San Gabriel, Guoyao Wu
Summary: This study found that dietary supplementation with high concentrations of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) can increase milk production by lactating sows and promote the growth and survival of their piglets.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Christina Bradshaw, Aridany Suarez Trujillo, Sarah M. Luecke, Lea D. Logan, Rodrigo Mohallem, Uma K. Aryal, Kara R. Stewart, Theresa M. Casey, Radiah C. Minor
Summary: The composition of milk in swine lactation changes significantly across the three phases, with the highest levels of fat and lactose in the early transitional period, and a significant decrease in protein content in colostrum. Proteomic analysis reveals specific proteins that vary in abundance throughout lactation, potentially reflecting mammary function and developmental needs of the neonate.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Xinyan Ma, Yiyan Cui, Zhimei Tian, Miao Yu
Summary: The study revealed that soybean isoflavones (ISO) can promote the proliferation of sow mammary gland cells by regulating the expression of cyclins and function genes in the cell proliferation signaling pathway. This finding may contribute to improving the lactation capacity and lactation performance of sows.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reza Rezaei, Ana San Gabriel, Guoyao Wu
Summary: This study investigated the effects of increasing dietary content of glutamate through the addition of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on milk production by lactating sows and the growth of their offspring. The results showed that dietary supplementation with 1-2% MSG enhanced milk production, as well as the milk intake and daily weight gains of the piglets. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation with MSG can support the growth of sow-reared piglets by promoting milk production.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhiyun Hao, Yuzhu Luo, Jiqing Wang, Jon G. H. Hickford, Huitong Zhou, Jiang Hu, Xiu Liu, Shaobin Li, Jiyuan Shen, Na Ke, Weiwei Liang, Zhaochun Huang
Summary: The study demonstrated that miR-432 inhibits the proliferation of OMECs by targeting the genes SCD and LPL involved in milk fat synthesis. Transfection with miR-432 mimic reduced the expression of milk fat synthesis marker genes and triglyceride content in OMECs, while miR-432 inhibitor had the opposite effect. This study provides insights into the biological mechanisms of miR-432 in inhibiting milk fat synthesis in sheep.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
J. Y. Dourmad, J. J. Matte
Summary: During lactation, the mammary gland in sows adapts its metabolism quickly in response to short-term changes in nutrient availability, demonstrating a rapid ability to adjust nutrient uptake and modify metabolism according to the nutrients in the bloodstream.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
G. F. Bomfim, G. K. F. Merighe, S. A. de Oliveira, J. A. Negrao
Summary: The study found that CORT can promote mammary development and milk yield in lactating goats, but excessive CORT added in vitro may have a negative impact on apoptosis of mammary epithelial cells.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Doreen Becker, Rosemarie Weikard, Frieder Hadlich, Christa Kuehn
Summary: The analysis of single-cell RNA datasets from bovine milk cells and pbMECs revealed distinct clusters within each population, indicating heterogeneity between the populations. These datasets provide a molecular cell atlas for future studies of milk cell composition and gene expression.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Uffe Krogh, Helene Quesnel, Nathalie Le Floch, Aude Simongiovanni, Jaap van Milgen
Summary: The study integrated physiological and empirical knowledge to establish a dynamic model for quantifying parameters controlling mammary gland output in sows. By modifying and extending a cattle mammary gland model, the production process of milk in sow mammary glands during lactation was successfully simulated.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Cathy Hue-Beauvais, Yannick Faulconnier, Madia Charlier, Christine Leroux
Summary: This review article discusses the impact of nutrition on mammary development and milk synthesis in mammals, highlighting the importance of nutrition on milk quality and quantity. It also explores the effects of dietary alterations during lactation and the implications for gene expression involved in milk biosynthesis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jie Cai, Jie Peng, Xinwei Zang, Juan Feng, Ruocheng Li, Peng Ren, Bingzhu Zheng, Jiaying Wang, Juan Wang, Mi Yan, Jianxin Liu, Renren Deng, Diming Wang
Summary: This study investigates the transport and metabolism of nanoparticles in the mammary gland during lactation. It shows that iron oxide nanoparticles can enhance the delivery of iron to the mammary gland and increase iron secretion into breast milk through an unconventional leukocyte-assisted iron secretion pathway. This provides a new approach for nutrient delivery and metabolism regulation in neonates.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Syed Mudasir Ahmad, Basharat Bhat, Zainab Manzoor, Mashooq Ahmad Dar, Qamar Taban, Eveline M. Ibeagha-Awemu, Nadeem Shabir, Mohd Isfaqul Hussain, Riaz A. Shah, Nazir A. Ganai
Summary: Research has found that circRNAs are associated with the development of mammary gland and lactation. Comparative analysis of circRNAs in two different cattle breeds revealed their important roles in milk synthesis and their conservation across species.
Article
Immunology
Yusaku Tsugami, Rika Harada, Takahiro Nii, Naoki Suzuki, Naoki Isobe
Summary: This study investigated the effect of frequent teat stimulation on the concentrations of antimicrobial components in milk of lactating Shiba goats. It was found that lactoferrin concentration decreased while IgA and S100A7 concentrations increased with frequent teat stimulation. IL-22 concentration was also increased, which may upregulate S100A7 production. These findings suggest that frequent teat stimulation may be useful for preventing and treating mastitis in ruminants.
VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
C. Farmer, M. -f. Palin
Summary: The present study investigates the endocrine and metabolic control of sow lactation. By increasing prolactin concentrations through the use of a dopamine receptor antagonist, the study finds that oral administration of domperidone during the third week of lactation positively affects piglet performance.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Luigi Faucitano, Sabine Conte, Candido Pomar, Diovani Paiano, Yan Duan, Pengfei Zhang, Genevieve Drouin, Su Rina, Frederic Guay, Nicolas Devillers
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Nicolas Devillers, Xiaojie Yan, Kristopher J. Dick, Qiang Zhang, Laurie Connor
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jerome Theau, Etienne Lauzier-Hudon, Lydiane Aube, Nicolas Devillers
Summary: Grasslands are widespread and degraded ecosystems, with monitoring traditionally relying on incomplete field measurements. This study tested and compared three UAV-based approaches for estimating forage biomass or vegetation cover in grasslands. The approaches included a volumetric-based biomass estimation model, a regression biomass prediction model, and a vegetation cover classification model based on GNDVI values. Each approach had its strengths and limitations, providing complementary tools for grassland characterization.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Sabine Conte, Candido Pomar, Diovani Paiano, Yan Duan, Pengfei Zhang, Janie Levesque, Frederic Guay, Nicolas Devillers, Luigi Faucitano
Summary: This study fed pigs with different feeding strategies but found no significant effects on pig growth and meat quality. The inefficiency of the dietary treatments applied may be attributed to the low ratio of fat to digestible carbohydrate in the diets and the mild pre-slaughter stress conditions encountered by the pigs.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lydiane Aube, Frederic Guay, Renee Bergeron, Jerome Theau, Nicolas Devillers
Summary: The study investigated the impact of concentrate feed restriction on gestating sows' foraging behavior and vegetation cover. It found that higher concentrate restriction promoted grazing behavior in pregnant sows, leading to disappearance of high vegetation while lower concentrate restriction increased rooting activity, causing greater damage to vegetation cover. Additionally, the study showed that reducing concentrate feed level of gestating sows on pasture did not have adverse effects on pasture vegetation cover.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xiaojie Yan, Qiang Zhang, Laurie Connor, Nicolas Devillers, Kristopher Dick
Summary: This study focused on the surface roughness and friction of concrete floors in pig operations, indicating a sharp decline in the dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) after two weeks of floor usage due to manure sticking in the pores. No significant differences in roughness and DCOF were found among different areas or floor configurations in the first 21 weeks of floor usage.
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
R. Krobel, E. C. Stephens, M. A. Gorzelak, M-N Thivierge, F. Akhter, J. Nyiraneza, S. D. Singer, C. M. Geddes, A. J. Glenn, N. Devillers, A. W. Alemu, M. St. Luce, D. Giardetti
Summary: The agricultural sector in Canada has historically played a significant role in the economy, society, and culture, with a production value exceeding $100 billion and employing 2.3 million people. Public investment in agricultural science has supported steady growth in production, enabling Canadian agricultural goods to be available both domestically and for export, strengthening integration into global markets. Policy makers and agricultural scientists in Canada are increasingly focused on managing environmental externalities associated with agriculture to achieve sustainable intensification.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sophie Brajon, Jamie Ahloy-Dallaire, Nicolas Devillers, Frederic Guay
Summary: The social status and previous experience of sows in a group can impact their well-being, especially during mixing periods. Lower-ranking sows are more vulnerable to negative effects during mixing and may have higher body lesion scores in the long term. New sows, especially those with low social status, are at higher risk throughout gestation and may indicate non-optimal conditions in the group.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
L. Aube, F. Guay, R. Bergeron, G. Belanger, G. F. Tremblay, S. A. Edwards, J. H. Guy, N. Devillers
Summary: The study found that moderate feed restriction during gestation can be partially compensated for by providing forage intake, but sows fed with only 40% of concentrate feed did not fully maintain their body condition compared to those fed with 90% of concentrate feed.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sarah Baert, Lydiane Aube, Derek B. Haley, Renee Bergeron, Nicolas Devillers
Summary: The objective of this study was to determine important behaviors for thermoregulation in gestating and lactating sows housed outdoors in Quebec, Canada during the summer. The study found that in gestation, sows spent a significant amount of time in the wallow, while in lactation, they prioritized the farrowing huts. The differences in behavior between gestation and lactation suggest a conflict of motivation between thermoregulatory and maternal behaviors.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lydia Conrad, Lydiane Aube, Emma Heuchan, Sabine Conte, Renee Bergeron, Nicolas Devillers
Summary: This study investigated the effect of three different farrowing huts on the behavior of outdoor housed sows and piglets in Eastern Canada during summer. The study found that the Metal hut showed the best compromise in terms of thermal environment, behavior, and litter survival. However, further research is needed to reduce crushing risks in hut designs for farrowing sows on pasture.
APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Kyle A. T. Moak, Renee Bergeron, Sabine Conte, Benjamin M. Bohrer, Aitor Arrazola, Nicolas Devillers, Luigi Faucitano
Summary: This study compared the effects of different trailer types on the environmental conditions and physiological indicators of pigs during summer transportation. The results showed that the modified triple-deck pot-belly and advanced flat-deck trailers had lower temperature and temperature-humidity-index compared to the standard pot-belly trailer. Additionally, different compartments in the standard pot-belly trailer had different effects on the blood indicators and muscle quality of pigs. Although the advanced flat-deck trailer provided a better microclimate for pigs, it only slightly reduced stress in pigs during summer transportation.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Sarah Baert, Lydiane Aube, Derek B. Haley, Renee Bergeron, Nicolas Devillers
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the physiological response of gestating and lactating sows to environmental conditions during the summer in Quebec, Canada. The results showed that lactating sows had higher and more variable body temperatures compared to gestating sows, and there was a positive association between temperature humidity index (THI) and sow body temperature during lactation. Factors such as THI and mud cover were found to affect the respiratory rate and body temperature of sows during lactation. The study also suggested that spending time in the farrowing hut may increase the risk of heat stress for lactating sows.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xiaojie Yan, Qiang Zhang, Laurie Connor, Nicolas Devillers, Kristopher Dick
Summary: A 2D stick model was developed to simulate sow walking on concrete floors. Video images of sows walking on concrete floors were analyzed and translated into a 2D coordinate dataset. The motion of each landmark was calculated, and a step of walking was modeled as three consecutive phases of motion. The joint coordinates at each time step were used to calculate characteristic gait parameters for lameness detection with an accuracy greater than 92%.
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Kyle A. T. Moak, Renee Bergeron, Sabine Conte, Benjamin M. Bohrer, Guilherme Agostini Ferreira, Jessica Goncalves Vero, Gizella Aboagye, Aitor Arrazola, Nicolas Devillers, Luigi Faucitano
Summary: Based on the research findings, these three trailer models can be used interchangeably for short-distance transportation in winter conditions in Canada as they have no significant impact on animal welfare and meat quality.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2022)