Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
N. Browne, C. D. Hudson, R. E. Crossley, K. Sugrue, J. N. Huxley, M. Conneely
Summary: This study aims to investigate the causes and risk factors for lameness in partly housed, pasture-based dairy cows, and found that noninfectious lesions are more prevalent than infectious lesions, while also identifying correlations between different types of lesions.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
C. Grelet, V. Vanden Dries, J. Leblois, J. Wavreille, L. Mirabito, H. Soyeurt, S. Franceschini, N. Gengler, Y. Brostaux, F. Dehareng
Summary: Stress in dairy herds can have significant impacts on cows' emotional state, health, immunity, fertility, and milk production. This study compared and evaluated potential biomarkers for chronic stress through inducing stress over a period of 4 weeks. The results showed that milk loss, activity heterogeneity, rumination, and heart rate could serve as indicators of chronic stress while salivary cortisol, blood glucose, β-endorphin, thyroxine, and leucocyte profile did not show any differences. Blood fructosamine and hair cortisol concentrations showed promise as indicators for assessing chronic stress in commercial farms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena A. Sizova, Sergey A. Miroshnikov, Svetlana V. Notova, Alexey A. Tinkov, Anatoly V. Skalny
Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of trace elements and minerals in the serum of cows transitioning from feedlot diets to grazing. Blood samples were collected from 30 healthy cows of the Red Steppe breed at the end of the feedlot period and during the pasture period. Serum levels of essential trace elements and minerals were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results demonstrated significant differences in the levels of various elements and minerals between the two feeding periods, indicating that feedlot and pasture rations have a significant impact on trace element and mineral metabolism in dairy cows.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Maarit K. Koskinen, Anna Aatsinki, Susanna Kortesluoma, Paula Mustonen, Eveliina Munukka, Minna Lukkarinen, Laura Perasto, Anniina Keskitalo, Hasse Karlsson, Linnea Karlsson
Summary: Animal research suggests bidirectional communication between gut microbiota and the HPA axis, but limited human data, especially in early childhood, exist. In a study of 135 healthy 2.5-year-old toddlers, long-term HPA axis activity was found to be related to gut bacterial genus abundances, but not to microbial diversity or composition. Further research is needed to understand the implications of these findings on child health and development.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Margit Bak Jensen, Laura E. Webb, Mette Vaarst, Eddie A. M. Bokkers
Summary: This study investigated the behavior of dairy cows during calving under spacious outdoor conditions and the effects of artificial hides on their selection of calving location. The results showed that primiparous cows tended to distance themselves further from the herd during calving and preferred to isolate themselves through distance rather than seeking artificial cover.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Nadine Skoluda, Isabell Piroth, Wei Gao, Urs M. Nater
Summary: The study found that hair samples collected by trained research staff showed higher quality compared to samples collected by instructed laypersons. However, these differences might be negligible, considering the high correlation between hair steroid concentrations collected by laypersons and research staff. The characteristics of the layperson or collection circumstances had a minor impact on hair steroids and hair sample quality.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
S. H. Evers, L. Delaby, K. M. Pierce, B. McCarthy, E. L. Coffey, B. Horan
Summary: The study evaluates the effects of individual animal characteristics on cost-effective production efficiency parameter for dairy cows. It finds that dairy cow breed, genetic potential, milk production, body weight, daily total dry matter intake, and energy balance significantly affect production efficiency. Animals with higher efficiency produce more milk, have higher intake levels, and lower body weight.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
N. Browne, C. D. Hudson, R. E. Crossley, K. Sugrue, E. Kennedy, J. N. Huxley, M. Conneely
Summary: This observational study aimed to identify cow-level and herd-level risk factors for lameness in a pasture-based system, based on predictors from the housing and grazing periods. Important risk factors for increased lameness prevalence were age and genetic predicted transmitting ability for lameness at the cow-level, and farm and herd size, infrastructure factors, presence of digital dermatitis, and farmers' perception of lameness as a problem at the herd-level. The findings provide valuable insights for future randomized clinical trials.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Manami Sano, Akira Togashi, Tomomi Tanaka, Natsumi Endo
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between periparturient stress and calving difficulty and health status in dairy cows and their calves. Hair cortisol concentration was used as a measure of stress. The study found that cows with oversized calves or twin births had higher hair cortisol levels at calving, and cows with clinical disease after calving had higher hair cortisol levels one month after calving. Calves with clinical disease at birth also tended to have higher hair cortisol levels.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Heather W. Neave, Christine L. Sumner, Roxanne J. T. Henwood, Gosia Zobel, Katie Saunders, Helen Thoday, Trevor Watson, James R. Webster
Summary: The study examined the views of New Zealand dairy farmers toward providing cow-calf contact, with concerns including animal welfare, labor and stress on staff, and system-level changes required. Small-scale farmers providing longer cow-calf contact emphasized the importance of animal welfare and health in their systems, while some conventional farmers expressed cognitive dissonance towards adopting such practices.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Frank J. C. M. van Eerdenburg, Tessa Hof, Benthe Doeve, Lars Ravesloot, Elly C. Zeinstra, Rebecca E. Nordquist, Franz Josef van der Staay
Summary: Multiple welfare assessment protocols were compared in this study, but most showed no correlation with hair cortisol levels, suggesting that these protocols may not be valid indicators of cow welfare.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Emmet T. Kelly, Conor G. McAloon, Luke O'Grady, J. Furlong, Mark A. Crowe, Marijke E. Beltman
Summary: The study found that in seasonal calving pasture-based systems, the accuracy of estrus detection was lower at first insemination but higher at repeat insemination. Factors such as absence of mounting abrasion may increase the risk of inaccurate estrus detection.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohammed A. A. AlSarhan, Reham N. N. AlJasser, Saleh AlOraini, Syed Rashid Habib, Rawan Ahmad Alayoub, Lulwah Tawfiq Almutib, Haya Dokhi Aldokhi, Heyam Humood AlKhalaf
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the level of cortisol variation in hair and saliva among dental students of both genders. Saliva and hair samples were collected from 151 students, and the levels of cortisol were measured using ELISA. The results showed significant differences in cortisol levels between saliva and hair, as well as between male and female students.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
B. Lahart, L. Shalloo, J. Herron, D. O'Brien, R. Fitzgerald, T. M. Boland, F. Buckley
Summary: Breeding for increased Economic Breeding Index (EBI) improves greenhouse gas emissions per unit of product and nitrogen efficiency. Additionally, reducing concentrate supplementation decreases greenhouse gas emissions and increases nitrogen efficiency in pasture-based dairy production.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Arthur G. Schwartz
Summary: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has shown potential in preventing and treating age-related diseases in animal studies, but clinical trials have not provided clear evidence of its benefits in humans. A DHEA analog with enhanced potency and lacking androgenic and estrogenic action is currently in clinical trials and may offer a better understanding of DHEA's therapeutic utility.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alberto Romanzin, Lorenzo Degano, Daniele Vicario, Mauro Spanghero
Summary: This study evaluated the variability of residual feed intake in young Simmental bulls and the potential use of feeding behavioral traits as indicators of feed efficiency. The Low and High RFI groups showed significant differences in feed efficiency, with behavioral traits having only a small effect on the DMI prediction model.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Rocio Rosa Garcia, Tanja Peric, Vasco Cadavez, Andreas Gess, Joaquim Orlando Lima Cerqueira, Ursula Gonzales-Barron, Mario Baratta
Summary: This study evaluated foliage arthropods, vegetation cover, flower numbers, and plant species richness in sheep grazed lands from 5 EU countries, finding that more extensively managed farms had higher total arthropod abundance, sward height, and plant species richness. The composition of the arthropod and pollinator communities varied between management strategies and vegetation types, with more diverse groups linked to areas under extensive management.
SMALL RUMINANT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Eleonora Lauteri, Jole Mariella, Francesca Beccati, Ellen Roelfsema, Carolina Castagnetti, Marco Pepe, Tanja Peric, Olimpia Barbato, Marta Montillo, Stefanie Rouge, Francesca Freccero
Summary: The study compared adrenal gland ultrasound measurements and hormone concentrations in healthy newborn Thoroughbred and Standardbred foals, finding differences between the two breeds in adrenal gland measurements, cortisol, and adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
C. Fabro, A. Romanzin, M. Spanghero
Summary: This study analyzed the impact of using hemp products on the fatty acid profiles of eggs produced by laying hens. The results showed that supplementing hen diets with hempseed products increased the polyunsaturated fatty acid content in eggs while decreasing the monounsaturated fatty acid content.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Tiziana Nardin, Roberto Larcher, Chiara Barnaba, Daniela Bertoldi, Davide Pasut, Alberto Romanzin, Edi Piasentier
Summary: This study characterized the alkaloid profiles of herbaceous plants collected from alpine pastures in northeastern Italy. A total of 118 alkaloids were provisionally identified using a homemade database and suspect screening approach. Six plant species were quantitatively analyzed and showed concentrations ranging from 6 to about 100 μg/kg for certain alkaloids. Herbaceous plants belonging to Poaceae, Asteraceae, and Lamiaceae displayed distinct and characteristic alkaloid profiles and were correctly classified with an average accuracy of 85% using Partial Least Squares - Discriminant Analysis.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Aliai Lanci, Jole Mariella, Nicola Ellero, Alice Faoro, Tanja Peric, Alberto Prandi, Francesca Freccero, Carolina Castagnetti
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate hormone concentrations in the hair of mares and foals in relation to their clinical parameters. The results showed that mare's endocrine setting influences hormone concentrations in foal's hair, and foals with different clinical conditions have different hormone concentrations. Furthermore, hormone concentrations in the hair of mares hospitalized for attended parturition did not differ from those at the breeding farm.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mauro Spanghero, Matteo Braidot, Carla Fabro, Alberto Romanzin
Summary: This meta-analysis examines the relationship between changes in protozoa population and methane yield and rumen fermentation parameters in in vitro rumen batch experiments. The results show that reducing protozoa numbers significantly decreases methane production and is related to the concentration of certain volatile fatty acids.
ANIMAL FEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Matteo Braidot, Chiara Sarnataro, Alberto Romanzin, Mauro Spanghero
Summary: A new rumen batch fermentation system that allows continuous measurement of total gas and methane production was evaluated in this study. The results showed that the system generated methane data comparable to those reported in the literature. The study also found that soybean hulls had the highest methane production, while alfalfa hay had the lowest production. Additionally, the methane concentration in the gas increased rapidly at the beginning of fermentation and reached a plateau after approximately 8-12 hours.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND ANIMAL NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jasmine Fusi, Maria Cristina Veronesi, Alberto Prandi, Tea Meloni, Massimo Faustini, Tanja Peric
Summary: This study investigated the DHEA concentrations in the claws and hair of dead newborn puppies, finding higher DHEA levels in the claws of premature puppies. The results provide valuable information about the canine perinatal period.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Tanja Peric, Claudio Mazzoni, Francesca Quai, Alessio Cotticelli, Isabella Pividori, Mirco Corazzin, Antonella Comin, Carla Bresciani, Alberto Prandi
Summary: This study evaluated hair cortisol (HC), hair DHEA (HDHEA), and their ratio (HC/HDHEA ratio) as biomarkers of allostatic load and resilience in sows around farrowing. The study found that the HC/HDHEA ratio in collective pens (ST1) was not lower than that in individual crates (ST2), indicating an aggregate effect of different stressors on sows that exhausts their ability to cope with adverse events.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Alessio Cotticelli, Luigi Navas, Alfonso Calabria, Giovanna Bifulco, Giuseppe Campanile, Tanja Peric, Alberto Prandi, Michael J. D'Occhio, Marco Russo
Summary: Bulls' subfertility significantly affects cattle enterprises' production efficiency and profitability. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive index of indicative fertility in bulls by incorporating testicular ultrasonography and hormonal status in the bull breeding soundness evaluation (BBSE). Bulls with homogeneous testicular parenchyma exhibited a higher percentage of motile sperm after thawing compared to bulls with heterogeneous parenchyma. Furthermore, in bulls with homogeneous parenchyma, the percentage of motile sperm, progressively motile sperm, and motility yield were positively correlated with hair DHEA-S concentration. Therefore, the integration of testicular ultrasonography and DHEA-S status in the BBSE can provide a more comprehensive assessment of bulls' potential fertility.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Eleonora Florit, Alberto Romanzin, Mirco Corazzin, Mauro Spanghero
Summary: The association between daily eating times (ET) of dairy cows and diet composition, feeding practices, and performance was investigated using wearable sensors. The study found that lower ET was associated with higher digestibility of certain nutrients, while a higher frequency of feed pushing per day increased ET. Cows with longer ET showed better performance and had lower levels of urea, somatic cells, and body condition score. Differences in ET were also observed between different breeds.
ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alessio Cotticelli, Maria Teresa Verde, Roberta Matera, Isabella Pividori, Alberto Prandi, Gianluca Neglia, Tanja Peric
Summary: This study validated a radioimmunoassay method to measure cortisol levels in buffalo milk, which can be used to assess the welfare and stress levels of dairy ruminants. The results showed that the method had good precision, sensitivity, and specificity, making it suitable for cortisol measurement in buffalo milk. The described ranges can be employed in calibrating biosensing technologies integrated directly into milking parlour systems.
ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alberto Romanzin, Eleonora Florit, Lorenzo Degano, Mauro Spanghero
Summary: This study characterized the feed efficiency and behavior of the main Italian dual-purpose breeds. The results showed that RE and AG bulls were more efficient compared to IS bulls. In terms of feeding behavior, IS and AG had more feeding events than RE, but the feeding time was similar. Overall, the AG breed was particularly efficient despite its high feeding activity. In Experiment 2, VR and VB strains had similar growth capacities, but VR was more efficient.
ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mirco Corazzin, Alberto Romanzin, Vinicius Foletto, Carla Fabro, Francesco Da Borso, Mario Baldini, Stefano Bovolenta, Edi Piasentier
Summary: The study revealed that heat stress significantly affected the feeding behavior of dairy cows, reducing rumination time and chews, and leading to fewer eating chews. However, cooling with a sprinkler system increased rumination and eating time, and enhanced the number of rumination and eating chews.
ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2021)
