Cows on two separate farms were submitted to a 6 d preference test, repeated four times, consisting of three 2 d phases (3 h d^-1 phase^-1): forced-indoor, forced-outdoor, and free-choice. A majority of cows on both farms chose to be outdoors for at least 1 h. Previous experience may have contributed to outdoor preference.

Fatty acid profile of crossbred beef cattle fed either a diet with corn gluten and protected fat (A) or a control diet (B) was evaluated. Animal’s gender and diet had greater influence on fatty acid profile than genotype. Diet A increased polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids ratio and decreased t11/t10-18:1 ratio and n-6 content.

Wood shavings or chopped straw in American mink dams’ nests did not affect kit survivability (P ≥ 0.51). Straw-housed male kits were lighter at 6 wk (P = 0.01). Shavings nests were better constructed (all P ≤ 0.05); more nest box shavings were lost with juvenile mink (P < 0.01).

Feeding ruminants with Pittosporum undulatum can adversely affect the immune, endocrine, and reproductive systems. The aim of the present study was to evaluate how feeding with P. undulatum alters progesterone levels during the oestrus cycle, and fertilization and development of oocytes after in vitro fertilization (IVF). Heifers were fed a diet containing (n = 4) or not containing (n = 4) this plant. Peripheral blood samples were collected every 3 d and progesterone levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The heifers’ ovaries were recovered after slaughter, and the oocytes were removed, maturated, in vitro fertilized, and cultured for 7 d, during which time their development was evaluated every 2 d. Results indicated that plasma concentrations of progesterone during the oestrus cycle were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the luteal and follicular phases of the animals fed without Pittosporum when compared with those fed with Pittosporum. Statistical differences (P < 0.05) in maturation, cleavage rate, and embryonic development were observed between oocytes belonging to the experimental and control group. Rates of maturation, fertilization, and embryo development in the experimental group were, respectively, 78.3 ± 5.8, 29.92 ± 4.31, and 7.30 ± 3.1 compared with 90.5 ± 3.0, 41.86 ± 5.58, and 21.88 ± 6.85 in the control group. These differences can be explained because compounds from this plant can directly or indirectly inactivate cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which may diminish follicular development through the inhibition of prostaglandins synthesis and oocyte maturation and, consequently, reduce the ability of oocytes to be fertilized and developed.

The Na -dependent neutral amino acid (AA) exchanger ASCT2 (ATB⁰) plays an important role in the apical exchange of large neutral AAs such as glutamine (Gln) and leucine (Leu) and is essential to maintaining gut mucosal growth. The objectives of this study were to investigate expression of the ASCT2/ATB⁰ (SLC1A5) gene and the key mechanistic (mammalian) target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling components in epithelia along the jejunal crypt–villus axis in young pigs fed a liquid milk replacer. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses showed that the ASCT2/ATB⁰ (SLC1A5) gene mRNA abundance was higher (P < 0.05) in the crypt than in the upper villus and the middle villus cells. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in the ASCT2/ATB⁰ protein abundances in the cell homogenate, the intracellular fraction, and the apical membrane among the upper villus, middle villus, and crypt cells. Abundance of phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) protein was higher (P < 0.05) in the middle villus than in the upper villus cells. Phosphorylated p70 S6 kinase protein (p-S6K1) abundance was higher (P < 0.05) in the crypt than in the upper villus cells. Thus, the ASCT2/ATB⁰ (SLC1A5) gene mRNA and protein ATB⁰ and the key mTOR-signaling components, p-mTOR and p-S6K1, were expressed in the epithelia along the entire jejunal crypt–villus axis in the young pigs fed a liquid milk replacer.

We evaluated feeding reduced net energy (NE) levels to growing–finishing pigs. In a 2 × 4 factorial, 1008 pigs (29 kg) housed in 48 pens of 21 barrows or gilts were fed 2.4, 2.3, 2.2, or 2.1 Mcal NE kg^-1 diets over five growth phases resulting in six pens per NE level × gender. For the entire trial, reducing NE by 0.1 Mcal kg^-1 linearly increased (P < 0.001) average daily feed intake by 43 g and linearly decreased (P < 0.001) caloric intake by 0.12 Mcal d^-1 and feed efficiency (G:F) by 0.007 Mcal kg^-1; average daily weight gain was not affected. The proportion of pigs remaining in pens after the start of shipping for slaughter (day 78) was greatest (P < 0.05) for pigs fed 2.1 Mcal NE kg^-1, but days to target slaughter weight (124 kg) did not differ. Carcass backfat, loin depth, lean yield, index, and carcass lean gain were not affected by NE. Reduced NE diets (≤2.3 Mcal NE kg^-1) can therefore be fed to growing–finishing pigs instead of traditional energy levels (≥2.4 Mcal NE kg^-1) as long as pigs can increase feed intake to compensate for reduced NE density.

The aim of this study was to compare emotional excitability in purebred Arabian racehorses trained either with a standard method or with additional off-racetrack training. The study was carried out on 46 horses that were trained for racing in a home stud. The control group (CN, n = 23) was trained only on the training racetrack, whereas for the experimental group (EX, n = 23), the training schedule was alternated between work on the training track and off-racetrack training in a forest. The emotional excitability in horses was determined according to the heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). The measurements (six times every 30 d) were taken at rest, during grooming and saddling, and during mounting and walking with a rider. The behavior of horses was also assessed. Higher activity of the parasympathetic nervous systems was found in EX horses during procedures preceding the training. This effect disappeared and the results paralleled those of CN horses once the training session with a rider began. The tested modification of the race training had a positive impact on the horse behavior of the horse during grooming, saddling, mounting, and walking with a rider. However, the modification influenced the autonomic system activity of horses only at rest and during the procedures preceding training sessions, whereas the effect was not seen during mounting and walking.

Feces from cattle fed 65 different diets were used to develop near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) calibrations to predict fecal composition [organic matter (OM), starch, nitrogen (N), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and ether extract (EE)], and feces from cattle fed 23 different diets were used to predict digestibility [dry matter (DM), OM, starch, crude protein (CP), NDF, ADF, and gross energy (GE)]. The predictions of these parameters in feces collected from cattle fed wheat or barley grain (89% of diet DM) with barley silage (study 1) or barley grain diets containing varying levels of barley silage (study 2) were assessed. Validations for fecal composition displayed moderate to excellent linearity (R²_val ≥ 0.70) for OM, starch, N, NDF, and ADL and poor linearity for ADF and EE (R²_val = 0.25). When both digestibility and feedlot data sets were combined, cross-validation for fecal composition found accurate predictions (R²_CV ≥ 0.90, SECV ≤ 2.42) for all fecal constituents except EE. Accuracy of predicting digestibility was high for starch (R²_CV = 0.84, SECV = 1.06), good to moderate for DM, OM, CP, and GE (R²_CV ≥ 0.62, SECV ≤ 3.63) but poor for NDF and ADF (R²_CV ≤ 0.33, SECV ≥ 7.86). We conclude that fecal NIRS can predict both chemical composition and digestibility of most nutrients in feedlot cattle feces.

The study objectives were to identify factors associated with serum vitamin A and vitamin E concentrations in beef calves less than 1 mo old and to examine associations between vitamin concentrations and health outcomes. Serum vitamin A concentrations were highest in calves more than 4 d old, with serum immunoglobulin G concentrations > 19 g L^-1, from cows without perinatal health problems, and born where precipitation in the previous growing season was ≥200 mm. Serum vitamin E was highest in calves more than 4 d old, born earlier in the calving season, not born to heifers, and that received selenium and vitamin E injections at or shortly after birth. After accounting for other risk factors, calves with serum vitamin A less than 0.14 µg mL^-1 were 2.8 times more likely to die (P = 0.02), and calves with serum vitamin E less than adequate for their age (2–7 d old, <0.8 µg mL^-1; >7 d old, <0.5 µg mL^-1) were 3.2 times more likely to be treated for enteritis than calves with higher concentrations (P = 0.0001). Drought conditions, dam peripartum health problems, and inadequate colostrum intake contribute to low vitamin A and vitamin E concentrations and adverse health outcomes in beef calves.

Universally applicable empirical equations specific for high- and low-forage diets were developed to improve the prediction of enteric methane production (eCH₄) from beef cattle. A database built using treatment means from published beef studies conducted in numerous countries was divided into two datasets: high-forage diet [≥40% forage dry matter (DM), n = 123] and low-forage diet (≤20% forage DM, n = 34). Monte-Carlo techniques were used to overcome the limited numbers of observations in each dataset, and multiple regression analysis and cross validation were used to develop new eCH₄ prediction equations. Precision, accuracy, and analysis of errors were evaluated using concordance correlation (r_c) and root mean square prediction error (RMSPE). The best-fit equations for high and low forage content included the following variables: body weight (kg) and intakes (kg d^-1) of DM, fat, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, crude protein to NDF ratio, and starch to NDF ratio. For high and low forages, best-fit equations had r_c ≥ 0.70 and RMSPE ≤ 40 g eCH₄ d^-1 and r_c ≥ 0.90 and RMSPE ≤ 15 g eCH₄ d^-1, respectively. Use of equations specific to dietary forage proportion reduced the uncertainty of estimating beef cattle eCH₄ emission compared with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Tier 2 methodology.

A total of 144 crossbred pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an initial body weight (BW) of 25.7 ± 2.3 kg were used in a 16-wk study to evaluate the effects of xylanase supplementation in growing–finishing pigs. Treatments were as follows: control diet (CON); low-energy diet (LX) 0.01% xylanase; and alternative diet (AX) 0.01% xylanase. From weeks 0 to 6, pigs in the AX treatment had greater (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI) than those in the CON treatment. On the sixth week, higher (P < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy was observed in the AX treatment compared with the CON treatment. Pigs fed the AX diet had the lowest (P < 0.05) ATTD of energy among all of the treatments on week 12. At the end of the experiment, the ATTD of dry matter (DM) of pigs in the LX treatment was higher (P < 0.05) than those in the AX and CON treatments. The redness values in the LX and AX treatments were higher (P < 0.05) than that in the CON treatment. In conclusion, our results indicated that dietary inclusion of 0.01% xylanase supplement could improve ADFI during weeks 0–6, ATTD of DM at week 16 and energy at weeks 6 and 12, and the redness color of meat in growing–finishing pigs.

Myofiber characteristics, R values, and eating quality were studied in Longissimus thoracis (LT), Psoas major (PM), and Semitendinosus (ST) muscles that had been excised from 10 Chinese Simmental bulls. The diameters of type I, IIA, and IIB fibers in PM are the smallest, and the percentage of type I, IIA, and IIB fibers is highest in PM, LT, and ST, respectively. R₂₄₈ and R₂₅₀ values are higher in PM than in LT and ST. R₂₄₈ and R₂₅₈ are negatively correlated to the proportion of type IIA fibers and positively correlated to the area percentage of type I fibers. PM has a lower Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and hardness values compared with LT and ST. Semitendinosus has a higher L* value than PM. WBSF, hardness, and h values are positively correlated with the diameter of all three fiber types. Warner–Bratzler shear force has a negative relationship with the percentage of type I fibers, while WBSF and hardness are positively correlated with the area percentage of type IIB fibers. The results demonstrate that the muscle fiber type influences postmortem metabolic rate and meat quality of Chinese Simmental cattle. An increase in the percentage of type I fibers and a decrease in the percentage of type IIB fibers correspond to an improvement in meat quality.

This research investigates and evaluates different management systems, based on experiences of professional pig farmers to assist pig farmers in their choice for an appropriate management system. Flemish (Belgian) pig farmers were asked to complete a survey concerning the characteristics of their farm and the applied batch management system (BMS). Hence, advantages and disadvantages of all management systems could be investigated. Results indicate that labour efficiency seems to be the major reason for applying a BMS compared with the continuous management system. The results also reveal a significant association (P < 0.05) between the type of BMS applied and the number of sows at the farm. Furthermore, the weaning age of piglets depends significantly on the applied BMS. Finally, results pointed out that, in general, a 4 wk BMS (4-BMS) is indicated by the farmers as a labour efficient and profitable management system, although farmers perceived a reduced biological performance when applying a 4-BMS because piglets are weaned early. More research is required to solve current disadvantages of a 4-BMS, such as early weaning, and to confirm the perception of the pig breeders by analysing economic and technical data of the farm in such a way that BMS can further develop and improve.

The purpose of this study was to determine the repeatability of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from beef cattle using GreenFeed emissions monitoring (GEM) system and as affected by sampling frequency and measurement periods. Twenty-eight crossbred replacement beef heifers were monitored using the GEM system over 59 d to collect their CH₄ and CO₂ emissions data. Heifers’ feed intake was recorded by eight automated feeding stations. The standardized dry matter intake (SDMI), CH₄ and CO₂ emission and yield (g kg^-1 SDMI) were averaged over 1, 3, 7, and 14 d periods. On average, animals emitted 204.7 g d^-1 (SD = 36 g d^-1) and 6408 g d^-1 (SD = 780 g d^-1) of CH₄ and CO₂, respectively. Between-animal coefficients of variation for all variables decreased with an increasing averaging period (from 1 to 14 d). The coefficient of determination (R²) between CH₄ emission and SDMI was increased from 0.25 to 0.73 as averaging period increased from 1 to 14 d. Similarly, the R² between CO₂ emission and SDMI increased from 0.39 to 0.79 as averaging period increased from 1 to 14 d. It was determined that averaging over 7 to 14 d with minimum of 20 spot samples was needed to produce repeatable and reliable averaged CH₄ and CO₂ emissions and correlated with SDMI.

Our objective was to observe the effects of milk fat substrates (MFS) [acetate combined with long-chain fatty acid (FA)] supplementation on lactation performance and milk FA composition of cows fed an energy- and nutrient-deficient diet. Eight Holstein cows (99 ± 11 d) were averagely assigned to two diets based on either corn stover (CS) or mixed forages (MFs). Experiment included two stages and each lasted for 27 d with a 21 d preliminary and a 6 d infusion. Cows with CS diet [NE_L = 1.35 Mcal kg^-1 of dry matter (DM)] received carrier at the first 3 d and MFS at the following 3 d of infusion period. Cows with MF diet (NE_L = 1.66 Mcal kg^-1 of DM) received carrier during the 6 d infusion period. The differences in milk production, milk yields of fat, and protein between the two diet groups were compensated by MFS infusion (from -3.5 to -1.3, -0.19 to -0.08, and -0.13 to -0.07 kg d^-1, respectively). Infusion of MFS increased the concentrations of 18:2 and 18:3 in milk fat. The results suggested that supplement of MFS could influence milk fat synthesis and lactation performance in cows fed an energy- and nutrient-deficient diet.

The effects of live yeast (LY) on immune responses and intestinal morphological structure in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenged broilers were investigated. A total of 480 one-day-old male broilers were divided into six groups following a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (eight replicates) with three dietary LY dosages (0%, 0.05%, or 0.50%) and two immune treatments (injection of saline or LPS) given at an interval of 48 h between 21 and 27 d of age. Blood was sampled on days 21 and 27, while intestine were collected on day 28. Results showed that LPS damaged (P ≤ 0.05) intestinal histomorphology, and tended to reduce (P=0.071) serum anti-Newcastle disease virus (NDV) titers on day 21, but increase (P=0.089) jejunal maltase activity. Supplemental LY at 0.05% elevated (P ≤ 0.05) ileal villus width and villus surface area, and serum anti-NDV titers on day 21. The addition at 0.50% increased (P ≤ 0.05) jejunal and ileal villus height to crypt depth ratio, reduced (P ≤ 0.05) jejunal maltase activity and crypt depth, and attenuated (P ≤ 0.05) LPS-induced increase (P ≤ 0.05) in serum diamine oxidase activity on day 21. Collectively, supplemental LY at 0.05% improved antibody response and the addition at 0.50% alleviated LPS-induced intestinal damage in broilers.

To determine effects of pregnancy (experiment 1) and plane of nutrition during pregnancy (experiment 2) on pancreatic digestive enzymes and morphology of insulin-containing cell clusters, beef cows were slaughtered, and the pancreas collected 4 wk before parturition (if pregnant or similar time on feed for nonpregnant cows). In experiment 1, mature, nonlactating cows [717 ± 70 kg; nine pregnant (PREG) and nine nonpregnant (OPEN)] were used. In experiment 2, nonlactating, pregnant cows (639 ± 68 kg) were fed at 85% (n = 11; LOW) or 140% (n = 11; HIGH) of net energy (NE) requirements. Concentration (U g^-1) and content (U kg^-1 BW) of α-amylase and trypsin activities were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in OPEN than PREG cows. Pregnant cows had greater (P ≤ 0.03) insulin-cell cluster size and proportion of large insulin-containing cell clusters than OPEN cows. Concentration and content of α-amylase activity were greater (P ≤ 0.04) in HIGH than LOW cows. These data indicate that pregnancy status (PREG vs. OPEN) impacts pancreatic exocrine and endocrine functions and that plane of nutrition (85% vs. 140% of NE requirements) of pregnant cows may not greatly impact pancreatic exocrine and endocrine functions.

A total of one hundred and twenty-six 20-wk-old Yaffa brown pullets were administered extract of Lagenaria breviflora Robert at three levels: 0 (conventional medication; control), 200, and 300 g fresh weight per 4 L of water; deep litter (DL) and deep litter with run (DLR) with each treatment were subdivided into three replicates of seven birds each. Data obtained on haematological indices, serum metabolites, and excreta analysis at determined periods (5, 10, and 16 wk in lay) were arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial layout in a completely randomized design. Birds dosed 200 g L. breviflora had higher packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), and red blood cell (RBC) compared with 0 and 300 g dosed birds. Increased L. breviflora administration resulted in increased serum glucose except at 16 wk in lay. Housing systems had no effect on lymphocytes and heterophils except at 16 wk in lay, with birds on DLR and DL having higher values, respectively. The total protein concentration in the different housing systems differed significantly through the entire production cycle except at 16 wk in lay. Lagenaria breviflora administration had an effect on (P < 0.05) excreta oocyte per gram only at 5 wk in lay, likewise the interaction of both factors. Rearing of egg-type birds on both modified and administered L. breviflora up to 300 g had no negative effect and greatly improved health status.