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This study was practical work in a commercial beef cattle enterprise to offer beef producers different options in a total mixed ration (TMR) design. This study was conducted to determine the effects of withdrawing maize silage from TMR during the finishing period on weight gain, carcass yield and beef quality of meat in beef cattle. Fifty-two Holstein Friesian x Belgian Blue crossbred bulls were used in this study for 126 days. These bulls were divided into four feeding methods described as (i) no maize silage in TMR (C1), (ii) maize silage was withdrawn from TMR two months before slaughter (S1), (iii) maize silage was withdrawn from TMR one month before slaughter (S2), and (iv) maize silage was included in TMR until slaughter (C2). Results showed that the fattening performance of experimental bulls was not affected by treatments, except some colour parameters of the muscle. Also, its chemical composition, pH, water holding capacity, drip loss, thawing loss, cooking loss, shear force, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and radical scavenging activity were not affected by treatments. To conclude, the withdrawal of maize silage from TMR did not affect fattening performance and meat quality, suggesting that there is no need to withdraw maize silage from TMR during the finishing period of fattening in beef cattle.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of laying hybrid lines of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus f. domestica) and their age on ejaculate parameters in roosters. Parameters assessed included ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count (TSC), percentage of normal spermatozoa, and sperm motility. Additionally, morphological defects were observed: defects of the acrosome, head, neck, tail, and immature spermatozoa. The study included 120 roosters of the Barred Plymouth Rock, Sussex Light, Rhode Island Red, and Rhode Island White laying lines. Ejaculate was repeatedly evaluated at the ages of 34, 43, and 52 weeks. The average ejaculate volume was 0.52 ml, sperm concentration 2.53 × 10⁹ cm^–3, motility 81.1%, and defect occurrence rates were as follows: acrosome defects 0.7%, head defects 3.0%, neck defects 2.4%, and tail defects 2.9%. A statistically significant effect (P < 0.01) of the line was observed for all parameters except tail defects. Statistically significant differences between age categories were confirmed for volume, sperm concentration, TSC, immature spermatozoa, and normal spermatozoa (P < 0.01), as well as for ejaculate volume, neck, and tail defects (P < 0.05). The volume, concentration and TSC reached significantly higher values at 43 weeks of age. The incidence of normal spermatozoa and immature spermatozoa was significantly lower at 34 weeks of age. The interaction of age and line was significant (P < 0.01) for sperm concentration, TSC, motility, head, tail, and normal spermatozoa. The highest values of volume, concentration, and TSC were observed in the BPR line, which also exhibited the lowest occurrence of head defects and immature spermatozoa. The RIR line showed a higher occurrence of sperm defects. Younger roosters (34 and 43 weeks of age) had higher ejaculate parameter values and a higher occurrence of sperm defects compared to the older ones.

This study evaluated the potential of spent coffee grounds extract (CGE) as an antioxidant supplement in the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Four experimental diets with varying CGE levels were formulated: 0% (CGE0, control), 2% (CGE2), 4% (CGE4), and 6% (CGE6). Nile tilapia (initial mean body weight = 38.65 ± 0.85 g) were cultured in fiberglass tanks at a stocking density of 20 fish/m² under continuous aeration. The fish were fed three times daily at 5% of their total body weight. After an 8-week experimental period, the fish fed CGE-supplemented diets exhibited significantly higher growth rate compared to the control group, with CGE4 showing the most pronounced improvement in final body weight (P = 0.027) and weight gain (P = 0.050). However, no significant differences were observed in average daily growth (P = 0.054), specific growth rate (P = 0.256), survival rate (P = 0.487), and feed conversion ratio (P = 0.105) between the dietary treatments. Fish on the CGE6 diet exhibited the highest total plasma protein (P = 0.001) and immunoglobulin levels (P = 0.000). Moreover, CGE supplementation enhanced superoxide dismutase (P = 0.000) and glutathione peroxidase (P = 0.016) activities relative to the control group. The histopathological analysis showed significantly longer intestinal villi in fish fed CGE-supplemented diets, with the longest villi observed in the CGE6 group (P = 0.000). Fish fillets from the CGE6 group exhibited the highest springiness, while hardness was comparable between CGE6 and CGE4 but significantly higher than in CGE2 and CGE0. Additionally, CGE supplementation significantly influenced the colour expression, increasing lightness (L*) while decreasing redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) values. These findings indicate that 4% CGE supplementation is the most effective concentration, as it significantly promotes growth as evidenced by the highest weight gain, while also enhancing blood biochemical parameters, flesh quality, and antioxidative responses in Nile tilapia.

Raw cow’s milk is one of the most strictly controlled commodities in the food industry. Besides basic hygienic and nutritional parameters, the presence of inhibitory and contaminant substances plays a critical role in technological quality and safety. While the vast majority of inhibitory residues are represented by antibiotics originating from mastitis prevention and therapy, milk also contains a broad spectrum of naturally occurring native antimicrobial compounds. These include immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, phosphatases, lipases, and proteases acting as integral elements of the innate immune system within the mammary gland. Although these substances are not legislatively regulated, they significantly influence milk processing, starter culture growth, cheese yield, and shelf-life of final dairy products. Their concentration is strongly associated with animal health status, especially mastitis, and may thus also serve as an indirect quality indicator. This review provides a comprehensive overview of native inhibitory compounds in bovine milk, their concentration ranges, biological significance, impact on dairy technology, and the analytical methods currently used for their detection.

This study aimed to estimate heritabilities of piglet birth-weight traits and to investigate the relationships between piglet birth-weight and litter-size traits using field data from Czech Large White and Landrace sows. Data including 86 241 piglets from 5 536 litters were analysed using repeatability, genetic, and genomic models. The investigated piglet-weight traits included arithmetic mean birth weight (MBW), within-litter standard deviation (SDBW), coefficient of variation in birth weight (CVBW), and the proportion of small piglets in the litter (SMALL). Heritability rates of piglet-weight traits were low, with the highest estimates for MBW (0.06–0.10) and SMALL (0.08–0.17), depending on the model used, while the other within-litter variability traits showed heritability rates from 0.03 to 0.05. The heritability rates of litter-size traits, including the number of piglets born alive (NBA) and the number of piglets weaned (NW), were low and ranged from 0.05 to 0.07. The realised accuracies of prediction were moderate to high, ranging from 0.50 to 0.72 for piglet-weight traits and from 0.54 to 0.77 for litter-size traits, with ssGBLUP improving realised accuracy by 4–15% in comparison to BLUP. Genetic correlations estimated using BLUP and ssGBLUP indicated that litter size at birth (NBA) tended to be negatively associated with MBW and positively or weakly associated with piglet-weight variability traits (SDBW, CVBW, and SMALL), whereas NW tended to show positive correlations with MBW and negative correlations with variability traits. However, none of the correlations were statistically significant.

The aim of this study was to analyse the conformation traits and body dimensions of Haflinger mares registered in the Czech Republic studbook. The study focused on the effects of age at studbook entry, year of birth, proportion of Arabian genes, and country of origin on various parameters. Data were collected from 825 mares, including scores obtained during the studbook entry evaluation and body measurements such as withers height measured with a stick (WHS), withers height measured with a tape (WHT), chest girth (CG), and cannon bone circumference (CBC). Based on these data, the bone index (BI) and body massiveness index (MI) were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using multifactor analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Scheffe’s post-hoc testing method. The results showed that the age at studbook entry significantly affected conformation scores, chest girth, cannon bone circumference, and both indices (MI, BI). Mares aged 3–4 years had significantly higher conformation scores compared to mares aged 5–6 years (P = 0.001) and mares aged 7 years and older (P = 0.000). Mares aged 5–6 years and those aged 7 years and older showed higher CG values (P = 0.002, P = 0.000) and CBC values (P = 0.010, P = 0.001). Furthermore, the year of birth had a highly significant impact on all variables studied. The withers height of mares born between 2011 and 2020 was, on average, 3.49 cm higher (144.84 cm) than that of mares born between 1987 and 2000 (141.35 cm) (P < 0.000). Regarding CG, a statistically significant increase was observed in mares born in 1987–2000 and 2001–2010, with chest girth increasing from 180.45 cm to 183.76 cm (P = 0.016). However, a subsequent decrease to 179.91 cm was noted in mares born between 2011 and 2020 (P = 0.002). The influence of the proportion of Arabian genes was significant for WHS, where mares with a higher proportion of Arabian genes (>1.56%) showed lower WHS (141.74 cm) compared to mares with a lower proportion (143.86 cm) or no Arabian genes (143.01 cm). While ANOVA demonstrated a significant effect of Arabian genes on CBC, Scheffe’s post-hoc test did not confirm this finding. No statistically significant differences were observed in other body dimensions based on the proportion of Arabian genes. The influence of the country of origin was statistically significant for all variables except WHS and WHT. Regarding the conformation scores, mares from the Czech Republic scored lower (6.98) than Austrian mares (7.22, P = 0.000). Additionally, CG was significantly lower in Austrian mares (178.58 cm) compared to Czech mares (182.54 cm, P = 0.000). Austrian mares also had significantly lower MI (P = 0.000) and BI (P = 0.040), with Austrian indices at 124.71/13.31 and Czech indices at 127.77/13.41. Based on this empirical evaluation of the current and original population of Haflingers in the Czech Republic, the connections and influence of individual factors during breeding are revealed. The results of our analysis have built an objective scientific basis and they allow the breeding organisation to determine the further breeding process.

The experiment was done on 180 (2 × 90) Cherry Valley ducks that were fattened until 42 days of age with parity of females and males in the group. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of substituting dehulled lupin seed meal, Zulika variety, for soybean meal and its impact on the fatty acid content of breast and thigh muscle fat. Feeding lupin diets resulted in a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in Cherry Valley ducks, as well as significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 (PUFA n-3) in breast and thigh muscle fat. There was no effect of the tested diets on PUFA n-6 content in muscle fat. The results confirm that lupin meal in the diet enhances the dietary value of Cherry Valley duck muscle due to the higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, with respect to the use of duck meat for human consumption.

Reproductive performance in pig production has gained genetic momentum resulting in large litters. Several strategies have been used to raise the number of piglets to address the challenge of a large litter size. This review provides a rationale for employing the nurse sow system as a biological way of handling large litters, exploring its step-by-step processes and its selected impacts. By exposing these steps, pig farmers will use the information to pinpoint their weak points in the chain and customize the procedures to meet their farm-specific goals for improved productivity. The nurse sow system helps to maximize pre-weaning survival by boosting the overall worth of low birth weight piglets. When piglets weaned per sow/year are used as a performance benchmark, nurse sows weaning double litters become economically advantageous. Extended time in lactation for nurse sows gives them an ample time for their uterus to involute before the next pregnancy. However, nurse sows lose their body reserves reflected in backfat thickness from high milk production. Prolonged confinement in lactation deteriorates the physical condition of nurse sows, resulting in leg ulcers and teat damage. Additionally, piglets are more distressed when taken away from their biological sow to a new sow.

The aim of the study was to prepare and test the effect of diets with 50% and 100% replacement of soybean meal with dehulled seeds of white lupin (Lupinus albus) variety Zulika. One hundred and eighty Cherry Valley duckling were divided to control group (C) and two experimental groups E₅₀ (50% replacement of soybean meal with dehulled white lupin meal) and E₁₀₀ (100% replacement of soybean meal with dehulled white lupin meal). There were evaluated the production parameters and the amino acid spectrum of breast and thigh muscles up to 42 days of age. The effect of diets containing lupin meal had no negative effect on the yield of duckling. In particular, positively can be evaluated higher growth rate in the experimental groups compared to the control (C 3.22 ± 0.28 kg, E₅₀ 3.40 ± 0.27 kg, E₁₀₀ 3.48 ± 0.28 kg), at the same time significantly lower mortality in the experimental groups compared to the control (C 5.88%, E₅₀ 1.47%, E₁₀₀ 1.49%) and, except for E₁₀₀, minimal differences in feed conversion ratio (C 2.33 kg/kg, E₅₀ 2.27 kg/kg, E₁₀₀ 2.71 kg/kg). Feeding diets based on lupin meal resulted in the reduction of most essential and non-essential amino acids (P ≤ 0.05) in the dry matter content of both breast and thigh muscle (E₅₀, E₁₀₀). Lupine meal-based diets positively influenced ducks’ health, which was reflected by lower mortality rate in the experimental groups. Therefore, the results show that diets based on lupin meal had a positive effect on the health and welfare of intensively fattened ducks and that they affected positively the economic aspect of breeding.

At present, the low post-thaw quality of poultry semen presents a challenge to develop new strategies for its cryopreservation. The purpose of this research was to assess the impact of kaempferol (KAE) on post-thaw turkey sperm characteristics (motility, membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial function), oxidative and microbial profile. Turkey semen (n = 40) was diluted and cryopreserved in modified Beltsville extender with 5, 10, and 25 µM of KAE or without it (cryopreserved control – Ctrl_C), while fresh semen served as negative control (Ctrl_N). Following thawing, parameters were evaluated including sperm motility, membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial functionality, DNA fragmentation index, apoptosis status, global reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein oxidation. Bacterial identification was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry. Our data suggest that motility, membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial activity continuously increased correspondingly to KAE concentration versus Ctrl_C (P < 0.05) while cell apoptosis, ROS generation, LPO and protein oxidation were significantly decreased in KAE treated groups versus Ctrl_C (P < 0.05). Bacterial growth was suppressed in all KAE-treated groups, which acted synergistically with penicillin to eradicate most bacterial strains from cryopreserved samples versus Ctrl_N. Finally, our results suggest that KAE possesses strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which may be used to improve commercially available extenders for more effective preservation of turkey spermatozoa.

Assessments of routine ejaculated samples were used to evaluate the conventional semen variables (sperm motility, semen volume, sperm concentration) as initial decision-making criteria to freeze or not to freeze. However, the association of these attributes to the cryotolerance of ram sperm has not been adequately studied yet. The aim of this study was therefore to analyse if the semen volume, sperm motility and concentration can be used to predict post-thaw ram sperm motility. Additionally, in the present study we tested if the order of ejaculate sampling (first versus second, within a single collection session) and the breed of rams influenced cryopreservation outcomes.

This study evaluated the effects of feeding European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) that developed from the fingerling to juvenile stage a diet supplemented with a blend of Padina sp. and GroBiotic^®-A over a 12-week period. A total of 480 fish (initial weight: 2.08 ± 0.06 g) were randomly allocated to four groups, each comprising three replicates. The fish were fed to satiation with diets containing varying proportions of Padina sp. and GroBiotic^®-A: 0% Padina sp. and 0% GroBiotic^®-A (0P0G), 1% Padina sp. and 1% GroBiotic^®-A (1P1G), 2% Padina sp. and 1% GroBiotic^®-A (2P1G), and 4% Padina sp. and 1% GroBiotic^®-A (4P1G). The 4P1G group demonstrated significant improvements in growth performance parameters, including final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found in other parameters including feed conversion ratio, visceral somatic index, and survival rate (P > 0.05). Histological analysis of liver and intestinal tissues showed no pathological alterations (P > 0.05); more likely, only adaptive and non-pathological morphological changes such as moderate lipid vacuolisation and preserved mucosal structure were noted. Furthermore, dietary supplementation of the Padina sp. and GroBiotic^®-A blend significantly upregulated the expression of growth-related genes, specifically growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the combination of Padina sp. and GroBiotic^®-A has a synergistic potential to enhance the growth performance without inducing digestive disturbances. Nevertheless, further studies are recommended to assess its effects on fish grown to market size before commercial application.

This study investigated the effects of slaughter weight and breed on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and technological properties in purebred Balkan and F1 crossbred (Balkan × Saanen) male goats. A total of 48 animals, divided into four slaughter weight groups (10, 15, 18, and 22 kg), were analysed for carcass composition, muscle traits, and fat distribution. ANOVA and multivariate analyses (PCA and HCA) revealed significant effects of weight and breed on key carcass and meat quality parameters. Heavier animals exhibited higher intramuscular fat and primal cut yields with superior water-holding capacity (WHC), while lighter goats had leaner carcasses with less muscle pigment. Crossbred F1 goats demonstrated a more balanced muscle-to-fat ratio, whereas pure Balkan goats tended to accumulate fat more rapidly at higher weights. These findings indicate that optimal slaughter weight selection should align with market demands, such as producing leaner meat in lighter Balkan goats, or achieving increased marbling and better economic returns in heavier crossbred animals. Future research should explore genetic effects on muscle and fat deposition and assess consumer preferences to refine breeding and production strategies.

The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of feed consumed by pigs when they had the choice to meet their nutrient requirements offering a low (LND) or a high (HND) nutrient dense diet on animal performance and feeding behaviour. In total 120 barrows and gilts were allotted to three dietary treatments (LND, HND and a feed choice group, FC). Diets were calculated to keep a constant ratio of megajoule net energy (MJ NE) to nutrient standardised ileal digestible (SID) lysine, SID methionine and cysteine, SID threonine, SID tryptophan, Ca, available P and Na. Pigs of the feed choice treatment that could choose between LND and HND chose an energy content between 13.3 and 13.6 MJ ME or rather 10.1 and 10.4 MJ NE. The ratio between LND and HND changed during the growing period to a higher percentage of HND (26.2% : 73.8% in the starter, 22.0% : 78.0% in the grower and 20.0% : 80.0% in the finisher phase). No differences between barrows and gilts were detected regarding the selected diet. As a result, similar zootechnical performance data were observed for HND and FC, whereas LND led to a declined (P < 0.05) performance. Regarding the feeding behaviour no differences in the parameters meal size and daily feeder visits between LND and HND (P > 0.1) were observed. However, within the FC treatment more and greater meals were consumed (P < 0.05) at the HND feeder compared to the LND feeder. Pigs of modern genetics still have the ability to cover their nutrient requirements choosing between diets differing in nutrient density without impairing performance. Furthermore, the results give no indication for the necessity of different energy levels in diets for sexed pigs.

The development of intelligent systems for the tracking of free-range livestock is a challenge to both information and communication technology (ICT) scientists and those in the animal sciences. Cyber-physical systems make it possible to track and control processes involving intelligent objects from the physical and virtual worlds. In the case of free-range grazing, it is necessary to manage processes in two domains ‒ that of the intelligent pasture management and that of the animals. Due to the differences in the conditions of different types of pastures – plain or high land and the characteristics of the cattle breeds, ready-made models cannot be used, but it is necessary to build a specific multi-aspect model for the behaviour and life cycle of cows. Our team organised their research on cows from two different breeds (Rhodope Shorthorn Cattle and Bulgarian Rhodope Cattle) raised in similar technologies, grazed on two different types of pasture. The aim of the study is to develop a comprehensive model for determining cattle behavioural activities on pastures using sensor groups, by incorporating physical observations and appropriate statistical models.

Applicability of cryopreserved insemination doses is dependent on the quality of the semen after thawing. The aim of the study was to check the options of new markers for the assessment of sperm quality to predict their fertilisation ability. In five bulls of the Pinzgau breed, the sperm fertilising ability was determined using the in vitro fertilisation. Bulls were divided according to the achieved blastocyst rate: bulls with good fertilising ability (NOB – 38.6%, KAZ – 28.9%, GAL – 29.3%) and bulls with low fertilising ability (LOH – 19.4%, NUS – 22.1%). In addition to the sperm motility and morphology, we monitored common physiological sperm characteristics: viability, apoptosis, acrosomal status, capacitation, mitochondrial activity and generation of reactive oxygen species using the flow cytometry procedure. Novel fertility-related biomarkers, such as ubiquitination, overexpression of MKRN1, SPTRX-3 and PAWP proteins or histone modification (H3K4me2), were also analysed by flow cytometry. From all monitored parameters, more proper characteristics of impaired in vitro fertilising ability proved to be high incidence of apoptotic markers (YO-PRO, Caspase 3/7) and higher counts of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa. Although the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) test can be an advantageous method for evaluating the sperm fertilising ability, there are still differences between the in vivo and in vitro fertilisation processes, which must be considered for example, when evaluating the sperm capacitation status.

Optimising the feed composition, especially the forage choice, and reducing costs are essential for improving dairy production efficiency. Different forage sources and proportions were used to formulate rations containing equal energy and protein, and their effects on rumen microbiota and milk production performance of dairy cows were evaluated in two experiments. In experiment 1, thirty lactating cows (235 ±13 d postpartum; milk production 29.1 ± 1.0 kg/day) were divided into Pangola and Bermuda groups. In experiment 2, twenty lactating cows (79.9 ± 8.1 d postpartum; milk production 34.7 ± 0.6 kg/day) were divided into Pangola and oat groups. In experiment 1, the Simpson index for rumen microbiota of the Pangola group was significantly higher than in the Bermuda group (P < 0.05). Analysis of the weighted unique fraction (UniFrac) distances indicated significant differences in the beta diversity of the community composition of rumen microbiota between Pangola, Bermuda and oat groups in both experiments (P < 0.001). The relative abundance of Prevotella brevis was significantly higher in the Pangola group than in the oat group in experiment 2 (P < 0.05). The somatic cell counts (SCCs), C18:0, and C18:1 in milk were significantly higher in the Bermuda group than in the Pangola group (P < 0.05) in experiment 1. On the other hand, milk crude protein (CP) and solids-not-fat (SNF) were significantly higher in the Oat group than in the Pangola group (P < 0.05) in experiment 2; however, milk urea nitrogen (MUN) was significantly higher in the Pangola group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, a switch of forage (Pangola vs Bermuda) at a lower proportion of the diet under the high forage level condition (experiment 1) caused only minor changes in rumen microbiota diversity (Simpson index, beta diversity) and milk production performance (milk SCCs, C18:0 and C18:1). On the other hand, a switch of forage (Pangola vs oat) at a higher proportion of the diet under the low forage level condition (experiment 2) resulted in greater changes in rumen microbiota diversity (beta diversity, relative abundances of bacterial taxa, P. brevis relative abundance) and milk production performance (milk CP, SNF, and MUN).

Growth traits belong to the most important economic traits in livestock. One of the genes involved in vertebrate growth and development is insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1). Therefore, in our study we hypothesised that within the sequence of rabbit IGF1 gene it is possible to identify a polymorphism that may influence growth, carcass or meat traits in rabbits. We identified 6 polymorphisms (g.89259430T>C; g.89259338C>G; g.89259328T>C; 89210029A>G; 89210349C>G and g.89194199C>T) within introns of the IGF1 gene. One polymorphism, g.89194199C>T, was analysed using polymerase chain reaction high-resolution melting (PCR-HRM). We performed the association analysis on 370 animals (males to females 1 : 1) of different breeds: New Zealand White × Flemish Giant crossbreds (NZW × FG), Termond White (TW) and Flemish Giant (FG). Results showed that for growth and slaughter traits in TW populations a significant association (P = 0.003) was found for slaughter weight (SW) when CT genotypes showed significantly higher values compared to CC genotypes (2 878.0 g ± 107.0 and 2 678.0 g ± 34.0, respectively). For TW rabbits we found a significant association (P = 0.009) for dissected bone weight in hind leg (HB) when CT genotypes (127.0 g ± 5.8) had significantly higher values compared to CC genotypes (112.0 g ± 2.4). For carcass traits and physical characteristics of meat we found for musculus longissimus lumborum in TW rabbits that the b* parameter value 45 min after slaughter was significantly higher (P = 0.001) for CT genotypes (1.88 ± 0.05) compared to CC genotypes (0.05 ± 0.02). We conclude that the use of identified SNP in breeding may be limited to some breeds.

This research explores the addition of mangrove (Sonneratia alba) fruit to reduce the production of methane and the total population of protozoa. The dosage for adding mangrove fruit is 0% (without addition), 1.5%, 3%, and 4.5% in sugarcane tops-based feed. Results include ruminal product fermentation, gas and methane emissions, total protozoa, microbial protein production, microbial biomass, and nutrient digestibility. The research findings showed that an additional 1.5% to 4.5% dose can reduce methane gas emissions and the total number of protozoa. The total number of protozoa at 4.5% (T3) reached 9.89 × 10⁴ cells/ml and methane gas was 56.1 ml/g DM (dry matter); 8.41 ml/g OM (organic matter). This effect is attributed to the tannin content in mangrove fruit, which exhibits antimicrobial properties. However, increasing doses also reduced nutrient digestibility. The findings suggest that incorporating 1.5–4.5% mangrove (Sonnetaria alba) fruit as a source of tannins causes a positive impact which reduces protozoa populations and methane production without changing the ruminal fermentation product. However, the addition of mangrove fruit in this study caused also reduced nutrient digestibility.

Camelina sativa can be identified as a promising oilseed crop due to its short growth cycle, tolerance to drought and frost, low-input requirements, resistance to pests and diseases, feed, and non-feed applications. Compared to other Brassicaceae family plants, camelina is mainly distinguished by high levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant content. However, camelina contains secondary plant metabolites, such as glucosinolates, phytic acid, sinapine, etc., and their presence limits the use of camelina by-products (oil, seed or cake) in poultry feeding. The breakdown of these compounds forms complexes that can inhibit digestive enzymes, reduce the absorption of nutrients, and ultimately modify product quality. The content of these anti-nutritional compounds and plant seed quality can be modified by various techniques: hybridisation, mutation induction, gene engineering, etc. Moreover, methods such as infrared irradiation, multi-enzyme and copper supplementation, etc., can counter or mitigate the effect of plant secondary metabolites present in camelina seed or cake. In general, dietary inclusion of camelina seed or cake at high inclusion levels (> 10%) worsened the nutrient digestibility and thus reduced growth performances. However, carcass traits and meat proximate composition were comparable in birds-fed diets containing camelina by-products. The fatty acid profile of meat cuts and abdominal fat was significantly higher in alpha-linolenic acid and lower n-6/n-3 ratio, thus promoting the healthiness of products for human consumption. Also, the dietary inclusion of camelina did not modify the sensory profile of the products. The present article is a comprehensive and critical review of research carried out to improve the quality of camelina and its by-products to be used in broiler poultry feeding. This review gives information on the feeding value of camelina by-products, as well as a survey of the literature on their use in poultry diets to evaluate digestibility, performance, carcass traits, and meat quality.

This study investigates the impact of supplementing extruded flaxseed to the diet of yearling bulls during the indoor fattening on beef carcass quality, meat composition, and fatty acid profile. Twenty male crossbred calves (Holstein × Simmental) were divided into two groups: control group and flaxseed-supplemented group, each with 10 calves. The control group received a conventional diet, while the flaxseed group was fed the same diet enriched with 5% extruded flaxseed on a dry-matter basis. The study revealed no significant differences in growth performance, carcass weight, or yield between the two groups. However, the flaxseed-supplemented group exhibited a higher intramuscular fat content, which was likely due to the increased energy intake from the flaxseed lipid content. Additionally, flaxseed supplementation improved the fatty acid profile of beef by increasing the percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and reducing the saturated fatty acid (SFA) percentage and the n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio. Despite these improvements, the study did not reveal any significant increase in the proportion of n-3 fatty acids in the meat. These findings suggest that while flaxseed supplementation enhances the nutritional profile of beef, further research is needed to optimise the balance of energy intake to maximise the increase in n-3 fatty acids.

Seasonal heat stress and metabolic disorders during mid-lactation are the main factors limiting production in Holstein cows, and several proteins and molecules involved in metabolic pathways are altered in response to stress. We investigated the effects of heat stress on the milk yield, milk composition, serum oxidative status, and metabolites in Holstein cows during mid-lactation to identify biomarkers associated with heat stress in serum and milk. Holstein cows with similar body condition scores (3.0 ± 0.25), parity (2.5 ± 0.5), and lactation days (115 ± 5 days) were selected in August (heat stress, HS, n = 20) 2017 and March 2018 (non-heat stress, NHS, n = 20). Milk yield was recorded daily and serum was collected on days 1, 31, and 61. Serum and milk metabolites were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry on day 1. The results showed a significantly lower average daily milk yield in the HS group than in the NHS group (P < 0.05). The milk compositions of fat (%), lactoprotein, lactose yield, and milk solid-not-fat in the HS group were significantly lower than in the NHS group on days 1, 31, and 61 (P < 0.05). The levels of  malondialdehyde were higher, whereas those of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were lower in the serum of the HS group (P < 0.05) than that of the NHS group. The serum concentrations of d-glucose, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, and d-lactose were significantly higher in  the NHS group than in the HS group (P < 0.05). The concentrations of lactic acid and milk urea nitrogen in the NHS group were lower than those in the HS group (P < 0.05). The present data suggest that metabolic biomarkers are closely associated with heat stress in the serum and milk, which provides a basis for evaluating indicators of heat stress occurrence in mid-lactation cows.

We applied the Interbull validation methodology, a widely accepted method in animal breeding, to assess novel weighted and nonweighted repeatability models for the prediction of breeding values for longevity in Czech Holstein cattle. The population included in the estimation also contained 58 704 animals with genotypes. Performance records from 1 055 814 cows in the full dataset and from 831 995 cows in the trimmed dataset were used for evaluation. Both linear models included effects of herd-year-period, animal, permanent environment, and correction for milk production of individual cows in relation to herd average lactation curve, differing only in the use of weighs. The average reliability of the validation bulls increased in the full dataset from 0.85 without weight to 0.91 in the model with weight. This increase was also apparent in the trimmed dataset (from 0.42 to 0.50). Both models showed considerable inflation of genomic breeding values (GEBVs) by Interbull validation and did not manifest distinct benefits supporting their use in the routine evaluation of Czech Holstein cattle in the Czech Republic.

Post-ruminally infused casein has increased milk and milk protein yield in post-partum cows. We theorised top dressing (TD) higher amounts of soybean meal (SBM) might mimic these effects. Fifty-one multiparous Holstein cows 1 day after calving were assigned to 3 dietary treatments: a base total mixed ration (CON) with 196 g/kg crude protein and 329 g/kg neutral detergent fibre; 17 cows TD with l kg of SBM (SBM1); and 17 cows TD with 2 kg of SBM (SBM2) for 30 days. Milk and milk components were measured at days 9, 18, and 27. Rumen and urine samples were collected on day 27; blood samples were obtained on day 30. Statistical inference was by JMP software (Version 10.0.2, 2012) with production variables analysed as a repeated measures design. Cows fed SBM increased milk yield (P = 0.02; 35.4, 36.6, and 42.6 kg/day for CON, SBM1, and SBM2, respectively). Yield of milk true protein was not different among treatments. Cows fed SBM had lower serum non esterified fatty acids concentrations at day 30 (1.35, 1.13, and 0.59 mM/l; P < 0.01). We conclude that SBM TD beginning immediately after calving may increase milk yield rapidly and decrease dependence on fatty acids for energy.

Oestrus detection is currently at the top of the factors limiting the success of artificial insemination in dairy herds. This limitation becomes more pronounced as milk production increases because of higher metabolic clearance rates of steroid hormones leading to low circulating oestradiol concentration near oestrus. The standard OvSynch has overcome this problem by enabling fixed-time artificial insemination, for it synchronises follicular wave emergence, luteolysis, and ovulation. However, it did not improve fertility compared to cycles with spontaneous ovulation, which motivated the development of “fertility programs”. These later are nothing but improved OvSynch protocol. This article explains what went wrong with the original OvSynch protocol, discusses the improvements made by “fertility programs”, and highlights the advantages and limits of the newly tested molecules.

The aim of the study was to prepare and test the effect of diets with 50% and 100% replacement of soybean meal with dehulled seeds of white lupin (Lupinus albus) variety Zulika. Two hundred and forty ROSS 308 broiler chickens were divided into control group (C) and two experimental groups E₅₀ (50% replacement of soybean meal with dehulled white lupin meal) and E₁₀₀ (100% replacement of soybean meal with dehulled white lupin meal). The production parameters and the amino acid spectrum of breast and thigh muscles were evaluated up to 34 days of age. Final live weight of broiler chickens was not significantly affected by the substitution of soybean meal in starter, grower and finisher diets (C 2.3 ± 0.3 kg, E₅₀ 2.4 ± 0.3 kg, E₁₀₀ 2.4 ± 0.3 kg). Lupine meal-based diets positively influenced chicken health, which was reflected in a lower mortality rate in the experimental groups (E₅₀ 5.0 %, E₁₀₀ 2.5 %) compared to the control group (C 7.5 %). Differences in feed conversion were minimal (C 1.47 kg/kg, E₅₀ 1.48 kg/kg, E₁₀₀ 1.45 kg/kg). When evaluating the total amino acid content in the breast and thigh muscle of broiler chickens of the experimental groups (E₅₀, E₁₀₀), it can be noted that compared to the C group, the total contents of both essential and non-essential amino acids were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower in the dry matter of thigh muscle.

Cattle identification systems are advancing to meet the growing demands of precision livestock management, traceability, and ethical animal treatment. This study investigates three methods: body texture recognition, QR code collars, and numerical labelling, implemented using the YOLOv8 convolutional neural network. Each method was evaluated in terms of accuracy, scalability, adaptability to dynamic herd changes, and operational efficiency under various environmental conditions. Body texture recognition, while leveraging unique natural patterns and achieving a mean Average Precision (mAP50–95) of 0.78 proved limited by its reliance on frequent dataset retraining to accommodate changes in herd composition and susceptibility to misidentification in larger herds. QR code collars demonstrated adaptability in dynamic herds by enabling pre-trained convolutional neural networks to assign reserved codes to new animals without retraining, while removing animals involves simply deleting their codes from the system. This approach also achieved an mAP50–95 of 0.71, which was lower than the body texture-based approach, but offered greater flexibility in herd management. Despite this adaptability, this method demonstrated significant challenges in real-world environments. Occlusion caused by feeders, barriers, or animal movements, along with low-resolution imaging and poor lighting conditions, can compromise detection accuracy, particularly in larger herds with obstructive barn layouts. The numerical labelling method emerged as the most effective solution to dynamic cattle identification, achieving the highest mAP50–95 of 0.84. It provided a scalable and highly accurate approach that integrates seamlessly with automated systems. Unlike traditional body marking techniques such as ear notching and branding, numerical labelling is less invasive, painless, and highly scalable, aligning with ethical livestock management practices while maintaining consistent accuracy across diverse environmental conditions.

Amino acids have positive regulatory effects on the function of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), but in the field of animal nutrition, research on the regulatory effects of amino acids on IEC is still in the initial stages. This study aims to explore the effects of Gly, Gly-Gly, and Gly-Leu on IEC proliferation and their possible mechanisms. Chicken small intestinal epithelial cells were separated using the tissue block method, and other miscellaneous cells were removed for digestion and passage culture. The IEC were cultured in the medium containing 20 nmol/l Gly, Gly-Gly and Gly-Leu for 24 h, and the expression of enterokinase and cytokeratin in cells, the growth curve and activity of IEC, cell cycle, differentially expressed genes, mRNA expression, and protein expression levels of p-mTOR and p-S6K1 in IEC were detected. Enterokinase and cytokeratin were expressed specifically in IEC. The results of growth curve and MTT revealed that the cell viability of IEC was significantly increased after treatment with Gly, Gly-Gly and Gly-Leu. The cell cycle results showed that compared with the control group, Gly, Gly-Gly and Gly-Leu intervention could increase the proportion of IEC in G1 phase, and the proportion in S phase of IEC was decreased. Transcriptome sequencing showed that compared with the control group, there were 54, 28 and 30 differential genes in Gly group, Gly-Gly group and Gly-Leu group, respectively. These genes were mainly enriched in nitric oxide synthesis and protein kinase B signalling, PI3K signal and cellular amino acid biosynthesis and transport signal pathways. RT-PCR results showed that the mRNA expression levels of PCYT2, SPP1, EMC6, GRIA2 and PKD2 were consistent with the sequencing results. Western blot results showed that compared with the control group, the protein expression of p-mTOR and p-S6K1 in Gly group, Gly-Gly group and Gly-Leu group was significantly increased. Gly-Leu can promote the protein synthesis in IEC by activating protein synthesis of mTOR signalling pathway in chicken IEC.

Dairy cows enter the negative energy balance in the early post-partum period, which negatively affects milk yield, health status and reproduction. This study aimed to determine if milk yield (MY) and fat/protein (F/P) ratio could be used as reliable indicators for predicting the quality of aspirated oocytes and their further use for in vitro fertilisation. A secondary goal was to compare different periods before oocyte aspiration to determine which period had the most significant impact on the oocyte development in donor cows. All tested Holstein cows were at their first lactation (n = 68). The first ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration in donor cows was done on average at 58.7 days in milk (DIM). Usually, a second aspiration followed a week later if no problems were detected. In total, 102 aspirations were performed. Three model equations with different F/P ratio distributions and variants of MY production were tested in statistical evaluation. On average, 3.6 oocytes were retrieved per donor per aspiration, with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 12. The maturation rate was 62.2%, with a high probability of reaching metaphase II (90.45%). The highest number of oocytes was obtained from low-yielding cows with a low F/P ratio in all evaluated periods (P < 0.01). The quality and expansion of cumulus-oocyte complexes were unaffected by the metabolic status. However, a tendency for better quality oocytes in donors with lower MY and F/P ratios was observed in all models. Our preliminary results showed that the prediction of oocyte quality in a homogeneous group of the first-lactation cows was related to the chosen data acquisition model. Data about milk yield and F/P ratio obtained from on-farm systems provide a valuable source of information for the selection of oocyte donors.

Sows are selected for their prolificacy. Therefore, assessing difficulties that can be associated with large litters is crucial. This review aims to highlight the factors that can affect reproductive performance such as breed, parity, litter size, environment, and nutrition. Understanding these factors can help producers make informed decisions about sow management and other aspects. Higher within-litter variation is the result of  a  high number of piglets born. It has been determined that large litter sizes pose a risk to animal welfare in the pig industry. Moreover, large litters bring more piglets with low birth weight leading to high pre-weaning losses. Lighter littermates struggle to get enough colostrum due to the competition with heavy littermates, which lowers their chances of survival causing high mortality. Larger litters may cause greater stress and discomfort of the sow. Therefore, applying stress-free environment and treating the sow with anti-inflammatory compounds may enhance the sow performance and consequent survival of piglets. The litter size is positively correlated with the variation in birth weight within a litter, while the average weight at birth is negatively related to litter size. Producers should therefore focus on potential management strategies that can improve piglet performance, survival and welfare such as proper supervision and adequate colostrum intake. This review highlights the historical development of the pig industry and literature on the variation in piglet weight at birth within a litter, factors influencing weight at birth, and the potential effects on the piglet performance before weaning. Also, the difficulties amongst large litters and possible strategies for managing survival in large litters were also reviewed.