The composition and relative abundances of intestinal microbiota are closely related to animal growth, development and health. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of intestinal fungi in pigs, with a focus on fungal alterations associated with diarrhea. Intestinal digesta from duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon and feces of 8 finishing pigs

Maternal nutrition significantly influences offspring development. This study investigated the effects of maternal or post-weaning cinnamaldehyde (CA) supplementation in sows and their offspring on reproductive performance and health. Sixty sows, selected based on body condition score and parity, were randomly allocated to control or CA (500 mg/kg) diets from d 107 of gestation to d 24 of lactation

Clown beetles (Histeridae) are stable components of carrion communities, but their prey range is poorly recognised. An indirect way to deduce species’ diet is to study the functional morphology of their mandibles. The use of a multimodal approach in the study of Margarinotus brunneus, Margarinotus striola succicola, Saprinus semistriatus, and Saprinus planiusculus revealed a hidden morphological diversity

Gene expression analysis via reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) can be inhibited by various substances, including dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), a chemical commonly used to induce intestinal inflammation in animal models. Ensuring elimination and reduction of qPCR interference in tissues from laboratory animals following oral administration of DSS is critical

Chestnut tannin (CHT) exhibits multiple biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It can modulate the rumen microbiota composition, promoting animal health and improving production performance. This study investigates the effects of CHT on ruminal fermentation, cellulolytic activity, and microbial community of sheep in vivo and in vitro experiments

Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets, often caused by F4+ enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), poses significant challenges in pig production. Traditional solutions like antibiotics and zinc oxide face increasing restrictions due to growing concerns over antibiotic resistance and environmental sustainability. This study investigates the application of bivalent heavy chain variable domain (VHH)

Crocodyliforms are poorly known from the Early Jurassic Lufeng Formation of China, and a new specimen of Platyognathus hsui is by far the most complete specimen yet known. It shares with the missing holotype and the neotype the very unusual features of a dentary caniniform that is polygonal in cross-section and the complete fusion of the dentary symphysis, and the new specimen provides four additional

The genus Zigrasimecia, also known as the iron maiden ant, represents a peculiar lineage spanning most of the Cretaceous period and characterized by armed mouthparts. Despite recent publications that have contributed to our understanding of the past diversity within this genus, its true extent remains underestimated and its morphological variations poorly comprehended. In this study, we introduce two

The protein sources in pig diets strongly rely on soybean meal, but its production has been associated with soil degradation, deforestation and loss of biodiversity. Microalga Spirulina can be a potentially more sustainable alternative to soybean meal, but comprehensive information about its use in growing pigs is still lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of partial to full replacement

Replacing soybean meal (SBM) in broiler diets with only other plant-based protein-rich ingredients or only non-bound amino acids (NBAA) may compromise growth performance in broiler chickens. However, combining both to replace SBM may be feasible while maintaining broiler performance. A 3 × 2 full factorial designed experiment was conducted to include three levels of SBM inclusions (conventional, medium

Reducing nitrogen loss and improving nitrogen utilization efficiency in dairy cows can reduce economic costs and mitigate the environmental impact of nitrogen emissions. Red clover isoflavone, a natural compound derived from plant extract, has the advantage of biological safety. This study aimed to investigate the effects of red clover isoflavone on lactation performance and nitrogen metabolism in

We developed a series of in vitro studies to assess the effects of Bacillus licheniformis 809 (BL) and B. subtilis 810 (BS) on the growth of potentially harmful bacteria. The BL and BS as single strains (Exp. 1) or a 1:1 ratio combination of BL and BS (Exp. 2) were inoculated in treatment samples to an estimated concentration of 5 × 105 CFU/g of cattle feed. The strains of E. coli and S. enterica were

Sows were supplemented with high dietary zinc (Zn) at different times in gestation to determine effects on piglet tissue mineral concentrations and gene expression. Ten sows per treatment were assigned to dietary treatments: 1) Control—sows fed a corn–soybean meal-based diet containing 206 ppm total supplemental zinc supplied by zinc hydroxychloride from mating to farrowing; 2) Breed-to-Farrow—as Control

Neotheropoda is the core clade of predatory dinosaurs that originated in the Triassic and became highly diversified and globally distributed by the Early Jurassic. Currently, six species of Neotheropoda have been described from Early Jurassic localities in Yunnan Province, south-western China. Here we describe a new specimen from the Lufeng Formation in central Yunnan, representing a non-coelophysoid

The genus Scolopendra is a taxonomically complex group, with species displaying intricate evolutionary radiation across Mediterranean islands. The present work aims to explore the diversity patterns of the Mediterranean banded centipede S. cingulata across Sicily, some surrounding islands, and Southern Calabria, investigating its genetic (COI and 28S) and phenotypic variation. Through extensive sampling

The antimicrobial properties of spider silk have been a topic of scientific intrigue since ancient times. Despite extensive research, the question remains unresolved due to conflicting findings and methodological challenges. This work revisits and synthesizes current knowledge, proposing that spider cocoons, rather than other spider products, serve as a particularly promising focus for investigating

Cathelicidin 3 (CATHL3), a member of the cathelicidin family, exhibits potent resistance against a spectrum of microorganisms. Despite its importance, the expression pattern and regulatory mechanisms of CATHL3 in inflamed dairy mammary glands remain elusive. For this purpose, healthy (n = 3) and inflamed (n = 3) mammary gland tissues were subjected to high-throughput transcriptome sequencing and RT-qPCR

Therian mammals possess numerous unique morphological features in their auditory system. Many of these have been well studied in attempts to understand their functional importance, and some aspects of cochlear morphology have been shown to correlate with hearing ability across taxa. Among the unique features of the therian inner ear is the presence of bony structures supporting the sensory epithelia

Allosaurus fragilis was first described in the Upper Jurassic of Portugal in 1999 based on a set of postcranial remains collected at the Andrés fossil site in Pombal. The description of a second species, Allosaurus europaeus, based on a posterior part of an articulated skull and a sequence of cervical vertebrae (ML 415) collected at Praia de Vale Frades in Lourinhã, has been controversial, and its

Cavefish are of considerable interest owing to the remarkable adaptations for surviving in harsh subterranean conditions. These adaptations, often described as constructive traits or regressive features, reflect trade-offs in metabolic requirements and energy utilization in response to life in darkness. In this study, we describe two new cavefish species, Triplophysa yangi sp. nov. and Triplophysa

This review aims to summarize the current practices producers can use to improve feed and nutrient utilization with a focus on providing critical information for use within future life cycle assessments of the swine industry. Nutrient utilization by pigs can be improved by closely meeting the nutrient requirements for maintenance, growth, and reproduction, which reduces nutrient excretion. For example

Breeding programs in pigs primarily aim to reduce the cost of production but, because of the strong parallel effects of traits on the cost of production and environmental impacts, current breeding programs also substantially reduce the environmental impacts of pork production, although these reductions may be overestimated if the possible use of manure as a source of fertilizer is not accounted for

The increased attention towards the role of the gut microbiome in health and disease for both animals and humans has fuelled the demand for more relevant and accurate research models. In this study, we present an overview of biochemical and microbial parameters measured throughout the digestive tract of ten TopigsNorsvin x German Piétrain piglets to better understand the in vivo dynamics of digestive

Intestinal inflammation is an energy-consuming process that may alter energy supply and demand in poultry. During inflammation, the intestinal energy metabolic profile and the patterns of energy partitioning remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of intestinal inflammation on energy intake, heat production (HP), retained energy (RE) and intestinal energy metabolites in layer pullets. After

Amphibians are the most globally threatened vertebrates, facing a particularly high risk of extinction in some regions, such as the Mediterranean basin. Within this region, the genus Salamandrina, comprising two species of notable conservation concerns, managed to persist throughout historical climate changes exclusively along the Italian peninsula. Among the main threats to this genus are habitat

Prediction models for estimating voluntary feed intake (VFI) or metabolizable energy intake (MEI) of pigs are available in the literature. During the recent two decades, quite a few data have been reported to address the influence of heat stress on feed intake of pigs. The present study aimed to validate the accuracy of previous prediction equations for estimating VFI and MEI of pigs using data from

A subset of mammalian genes undergoes genomic imprinting, and parent-of-origin-dependent expression of imprinted genes is required for normal development. Although around 40 imprinted genes have been documented in pigs, more detailed investigations into imprinted domains are needed to uncover the imprinting of uncharacterized porcine long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Our study objectives were to investigate

Increasing lamb growth rates directly from pasture and reducing enteric methane (CH4) emissions are key drivers to enhancing production efficiency and achieving more sustainable lamb finishing systems. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of binary sward mixtures of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) plus a companion forage on growth performance, enteric CH4 output, reticulo-rumen

Higher embryonic mortality, especially in aged breeding hens, is associated with insufficient hepatic functionality in maintaining redox homeostasis. Our previous study demonstrated that egg exosome-derived miRNAs may play a key role in modulating embryonic oxidation-reduction process, whereas the exact function and mechanism were still poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the

Yeast has been used in animal systems to modulate the immune response and support gut health. Certain amino acids (AA) are reported to also exert positive effects on the gut, supporting the intestinal barrier and restoring mucosal immune homeostasis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of brewers yeast on postprandial serum AA appearance in dogs. Nineteen privately-owned domestic

Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) remains a major problem for some pork producers, exacerbated by restrictions or bans on the use of antimicrobial compounds. Acetylated high amylose maize starch (HAMSA) delivers acetate to the large bowel and may reduce the severity of enteric infections, including those caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli). This study examined the effects of HAMSA and zinc oxide (ZnO) supplementation

Acacia fiber is a soluble fiber often used as a processing aid in pet foods. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the fermentation characteristics of acacia fiber, inulin, pectin (positive control), and cellulose (negative control) using an in vitro fermentation system and feline fecal inoculum. Triplicate samples of each fiber were fermented for 0, 6, 12, and 18 h, with short-chain fatty

The aim of this study was to develop an equation model for predicting individual water intake (WI) in Holstein growing cattle by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) incorporating reticulorumen temperature from a wireless bolus sensor. A total of 21 female Holstein growing cattle aged 11.3 ± 2.06 months and weighing 346 ± 5.2 kg were used in this study. Bolus sensors were fitted to all animals

Surgically castrated male pigs, which are commonly produced in pork production systems, have slightly lower production efficiency, compared to intact female pigs (gilts). This is mainly due to an unfavorable feed conversion rate and fatter carcasses. These differences influenced by physiological and genetic factors can be identified through metabolomics, which describes metabolic profiles. In this

Abrupt changes of diet can result in gastrointestinal upset in dogs but, although undesirable in households, they might represent a research tool to induce a mild state of transitory dysbiosis. Therefore, this type of dietary intervention could serve as a model for assessing the effect of feed additives aimed at promoting a more resilient gut ecosystem. In the current study, we examined the effects

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) risks animal and human health, and the liver is considered the most crucial detoxification organ. Phlorotannin (PT) is a polyhydroxy phenol that has a wide range of biological activities, including anti-oxidation and hepatoprotection, which can promote the ability of liver detoxification. This study aimed to elucidate the protective effect of PT on AFB1-induced liver damage in broilers

Compelling evidence has established a strong link between the gut microbiota and host reproductive health. However, the specific regulatory roles of individual bacterial species on reproductive performance are not well-understood. In the present study, Jinhua sows with varying reproductive performances under the same diet and management conditions were selected to explore potential mechanisms on the

Pigs fed diets with different ingredients but identical nutritional levels show significant differences in growth performance, indicating that growth may also be influenced by the synchronicity of dietary carbon and nitrogen supply. Therefore, this study aimed to determine glucose release kinetics of various feed ingredients, to investigate a glucose release pattern that is conducive to synchronized

The actual diversity of Hygromia land snails is unknown. Typically, three or four species were recognized based on morphology. Here, we applied an integrative taxonomic approach to assess species limits through combined analyses of shell and genital morphology, including love darts, as well as genetic data in 205 specimens from 90 localities across Europe. The results revealed two monophyletic groups

Mitophagy is an essential cellular autophagic process which maintains mitochondrial homeostasis, but its role in high fat diet (HFD)-induced lipid accumulation is unclear in the yellow catfish. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate mechanism of mitochondria mediating HFD-induced hepatic fat accumulation. In the present study, yellow catfish were fed three diets with dietary fat at 6.31% (low fat; LFD

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection poses a significant challenge to the swine industry, with limited effective control measures available. Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCP) is the primary active ingredient of Poria cocos, and has been demonstrated to show beneficial effects on intestinal damage in previous studies. However, its mechanism has not been fully understood. In the present study

This study evaluated the effect of incorporating a Bentonite (Proteck a bioactive mineral-based feed additive, manufactured by Elanco, Greenfield, IN) into the finisher diet and its impact on pig performance in a commercial farm setting. Previous research has demonstrated that Proteck can enhance both performance and gut microbiota in pigs (Rong et al., 2019, 2021). In this study, Bentonite was added

A total of 933 mixed-parity sows (Line 1050, PIC) and their litters were used to evaluate the effect of calcium administration protocols around farrowing on sow performance. Sows were blocked by parity category and past stillbirth record then allotted to 1 of 3 treatments with 310-312 replications per treatment. Treatments included: 1) Control in which sows received no intervention; 2) calcium chloride

The present study was designed to assess the efficacy of Oats (Avena sativa) fodder as a supplementation along with concentrate feed for determining egg quality, meat color and texture, pH, drip loss, cooking loss, and water holding capacity (WHC) of Bangladeshi White and Gray geese varieties. A total of 60 adult geese from White and Grey varieties were reared in a semi-intensive production system

Objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of substituting DDGS with soybean meal (SBM) on nutrient and amino acid (AA) intake, flow, and digestibility. Red Angus steers (n = 4; BW = 360 ± 9 kg) with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square. Diets consisted of dry-rolled corn (70%), hay (10%), liquid supplement (5%), and test ingredients (15%). Treatments were

Chemical mitigants have been found to decrease virus concentrations in swine feed. Continued research is needed to identify the appropriate inclusion levels and application time for different viruses in this matrix. The objective was to evaluate different inclusion levels of a synergistic blend of phytochemicals and carboxylic acid (PCA) when applied either before virus inoculation (pre-inoculation)

Heterospermic inseminations are widely used in the swine industry due to their ability to maximize conception rates from mixing semen from various sires. The use of heterospermic insemination presents an opportunity to further examine the relative fertility of boars through subsequent paternity testing on offspring produced from heterospermic inseminations. The objective of this investigation was to

The microbiome located on the mucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract is essential for nutrient exchange and host communication. Understanding the presence of the microbiome and its relationship to the host gene expression is essential to fully understand nutrient uptake and ingredient utilization. High inclusions of industrial corn co-products in grow-finish diets may affect gastrointestinal tissue

The objective was to test the null hypothesis that there are no differences in net energy (NE), greenhouse gas emission, and N balance in pigs fed diets containing soybean meal (SBM), canola meal (CM), and corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Three dies contained corn and one of the three feed ingredients (i.e., SBM, CM, or DDGS). A total of 24 growing pigs (initial weight = 46.84 ± 2

A total of 300 pigs (initially 6.1 kg) were used to evaluate dietary acidifiers in low acid-binding capacity-4 (ABC-4) diets on nursery pig performance and fecal dry matter (DM). At weaning, pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments. There were 5 pigs per pen and 10 replications per treatment. Pigs were fed experimental diets in two phases with phase 1 fed from d 0 to 10 post-weaning

The objective was to compare the in vitro fermentation characteristics of ruminal and cecal contents from feedlot cattle after slaughter. Evaluating ruminal and cecal fermentation can further develop an understanding of nutrient digestibility and microbial activity that are critical to cattle health and nutrition. Historically, ruminal fermentation has been studied more in depth compared with the cecum

Skeletal muscle can be susceptible to environmental stress stimuli, causing shifts in molecular responses. This study elucidated the degree of molecular response in bovine myocytes by measuring exome-wide transcriptome abundance following temporal heat stress. Bovine satellite cells (BSCs) were extracted from Holstein calves (n=3, BW: 77.10 ± 2.02 kg). Following myogenic differentiation, confluent

This project aimed to study the effect of high zinc oxide (ZO) and fiber supplementation from lignocellulose (LIGCEL) on the fecal microbiota of weaned piglets. At weaning (21 days), 150 piglets (6.39 ± 0.28 kg) were transferred to a nursery farm, and divided into 30 pens of 5 piglets each according to their weaning weight. Each pen was assigned to one of the following treatments: Control (CON, 150

Phytase is commonly used in pig feed to improve the availability of phosphorus (P) and other minerals such as calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na). However, a phytase that can break down phytate quickly and completely in the early gut, can also reduce the anti-nutritional effect of phytate, resulting in an improved amino acid (AA) and energy digestibility. Recent studies demonstrated that a consensus bacterial

The objective of this presentation is to review gilt characteristics associated with enhanced lifetime productivity and discuss their possible incorporation into management programs. The last 40 days of gestation is a crucial period of reproductive organ development. As a result, there is a positive relationship between birthweight and adult reproductive performance with most studies reporting decreased

Dramatic changes to the external environment during the post-weaning period impose significant stress upon the gastrointestinal tract of pigs. This effect is most evident in the small intestine, where antinutritional, allergenic, antigenic, and pathogenic components from dietary sources cause alteration of the bacterial populations in the lumen, as well as in the mucosal tissue. The mucosal microbiota

Replacement of DDGS with soybean meal (SBM) and soy hulls at various inclusion rates may effect the performance and nutrient output of manure in wean-to-market pigs. The protein and nutrient composition of SBM combined with soy hulls diets may be better utilized by pigs when compared to DDGS-containing diets. The increased demand for Midwest-grown soybeans, driven by new soybean crushing plants, may

Copper plays a significant role in the growth performance of pigs, influencing feed efficiency and nutrient retention. Recent studies indicate that the source and concentration of copper can markedly affect growth metrics such as average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratios. A total of 1,144 newly weaned pigs (initial body weight (BW) 5.9 ± 1.2 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of copper

Borrelia burgdorferi infection, also commonly called Lyme disease, has been attributed as the causative factor for many symptoms in animals and humans, including fever, joint pain, muscle pain, stiffness, rash, and neck pain. Borrelia burgdorferi seroprevalence in horses in southwest Virginia was last evaluated in 2003-2004. Since other areas have seen increased seroprevalence rates, the hypothesis

A trubs, hops, and yeast mixture (THYM) generated as a co-product of craft brewing contains high levels of hop acids and yeast cells, bioactive compounds that could positively influence health and growth in pigs. These co-products have a high moisture content and must be dried to facilitate transport and mixing into diets. Drying methods utilizing heat can cause the loss of functional volatile compounds