Animal

Journal: Animal

Publisher

Elsevier

ISSN

1751-7311
1751-732X

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Publications 1 - 10 of 13

Uniformity of body weight in growing pigs is persistent during growth but affected by sow− and litter−related factors
Hooyberghs, Katrijn; Goethals, Sophie; Gorssen, Wim; et al. (2025)
Animal
Improvements in sow management and selective breeding have substantially increased litter sizes in the past decades. Larger litters are associated with lower average birth weights and lower within-litter BW uniformity. Lightweight piglets (< 1 kg) face many difficulties: they are more vulnerable to cold, have lower colostrum intake, often fail to catch up in growth and are less likely to survive. This observational study investigated (1) whether sow and litter-related factors are associated with within-litter BW uniformity over the pig's lifetime, (2) the associations between piglet, sow and litter-related factors and BW, weaning dip and growth performance and (3) the factors associated with the probability of piglets being classified as lightweight at birth and their survival. Detailed data from 54 litters of hybrid sows that birthed 924 piglets, 860 of which were liveborn, were analysed. Piglets were weighed at various stages to assess within-litter BW uniformity and BW evolution. Strong correlations (r = 0.29–0.80) were found for within-litter BW uniformity at several time points, from weaning (7.6 ± 1.7 kg) to 17 weeks of age (59.9 ± 9.2 kg). Parity, litter size and chest circumference of the sow were positively associated with within-litter BW variation, while the number of functional teats showed a negative association. Individual BW and growth performance were positively influenced by parity, cumulative birth interval, birth weight, percentage of male piglets and relative birth order, but negatively associated with litter size, condition loss of sow during lactation and female sex. Furthermore, higher birth weight (+0.39 per kg), female sex (+0.23 compared to males) and higher weaning age (+0.14 per day) were associated with more postweaning growth deviations. The odds of being lightweight were lowest for piglets from parity 2 sows (odds ratio = 0.14), decreased with longer birth interval (odds ratio = 0.97) and increased with litter size (odds ratio = 1.13) and female sex (odds ratio = 1.97). Survival odds improved with more functional teats (odds ratio = 1.56) and condition loss of the sow during lactation (odds ratio = 1.22), but were negatively influenced by litter size (odds ratio = 0.88) and birth interval (odds ratio = 0.96). These results underscore the complexity of sow-, litter- and piglet-related features influencing litter BW uniformity, BW, piglet survival and growth.
Assessment of lying down behaviour in temporarily crated lactating sows
Goumon, Sébastien; Illmann, Gudrun; Chaloupkovà, Hana (2021)
Animal
Temporary crating may be a more acceptable housing system for lactating sows than permanent crating from an animal welfare point of view. It remains unclear whether opening the crate leads to changes in sow lying down behaviour and piglet activity that may pose an increased risk of injury to piglets. This study aimed to assess whether the lying down behaviour of lactating sows housed in temporary crating changed shortly after removal of confinement, whether it was influenced by piglets' behaviour and age and whether sows preferentially used some support during lying down after crate opening. Sows (n = 13) were crated from 5 days pre partum to 3 days post partum. Their behaviours were recorded on video over a 24-h period both preceding and following crate opening, as well as over a 24-h period on day 25. The following behaviours were analysed: position and activity of the piglets when the sow lie down, duration of the lying down events, use of pen walls or crate bars as support when lying down; and position of the sow in the pen when lying down. Piglet mortality was assessed every day. Data were analysed in SAS using GLM. The duration of lying down events did not differ between the 24-h periods before and after opening the crate but increased on day 25 (P < 0.01). Similarly, the percentage of piglets in the danger zone did not differ between the 24-h periods before and after opening the crate, but increased on day 25 (P < 0.0001). The percentage of piglets in the creep area increased temporarily the day after the crate opening (P < 0.0001). Sows frequently utilised support when lying down, but less over the 24-h period after the crate opening compared to the two other periods (P < 0.001). A higher percentage of piglets in the creep area resulted in longer lying down events where the sow's snout was in contact with piglets located in the creep area (P < 0.05). The present study shows that opening the crate does have an immediate impact on lying down behaviour and piglet behaviour, but it does not pose an increased risk to piglets. Our results also indicate that piglet behaviour changed with age and influenced sow lying down behaviour. Finally, our findings further suggest that some available lying down support may be a very important feature of the pen during the whole lactation period.
Divergent effects of 3-nitrooxypropanol on enteric methane emissions in Holstein and Brown Swiss cows, and its lack of synergy with acacia tannin extract
Islam, Md Zakirul; Räisänen, Susanna; He, Tengfei; et al. (2025)
Animal
Enteric methane (CH4), the major contributor to on-farm greenhouse gas emissions, is a key mitigation target due to its high short-term global warming potential. The objectives of this study were to investigate the combined effects of 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) and Acacia mearnsii tannin extract (TAN), and their interactions with dairy cattle breed [Brown Swiss (BS) vs Holstein Friesian (HF)] on lactational performance and CH4 emissions. Sixteen multiparous mid-lactation cows, including 8 BS and 8 HF cows, were used in a split-plot design, with breed as the main plot. Cows within each subplot were arranged in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments across four 24-d periods, including 3-d of sampling. The experimental diets were: (1) CON (basal total mixed ration), (2) 3-NOP (60 mg/kg DM), (3) TAN (3% of DM), and (4) 3-NOP + TAN. Spot samples of urine, faeces, and gas emissions (via GreenFeed) were collected at the end of each period 8 times over 3 days. No 3-NOP × TAN × Breed interactions were observed for DM intake (DMI), milk production, or enteric gas emissions, except for CH4 yield (g/kg DMI) and CO2 production. Breed influenced DMI, milk production, and component yields, with HF cows consuming 3.7 kg/d more DMI, producing 9.3 kg/d more milk, and achieving greater feed efficiency and higher milk component yields than BS cows. Milk yield and energy-corrected milk (ECM) tended to increase in HF but tended to decrease in BS cows by 3-NOP. Cows fed TAN had 1 kg/d lower DMI with the tendency for 3-NOP × TAN that showed greater reduction when TAN was fed alone, but milk yield, ECM, and feed efficiency remained unchanged. Cows fed TAN exhibited 18% lower milk urea nitrogen (N) concentration and 23.0% lower urinary N but 36.7% greater faecal N excretions as a percentage of daily N intake. A 3-NOP × Breed interaction was observed in CH4 production (g/d), with a 21.7% reduction in HF, and a 13.0% reduction in BS. Similarly, there were 3-NOP × Breed tendencies in CH4 yield and intensity (g/kg ECM), with reductions in HF cows of 21.8 and 23.4%, respectively, compared to 11.0 and 10.8% in BS cows. In conclusion, there were no synergistic or additive effects between 3-NOP and TAN on enteric CH4 mitigation. The enteric CH4 emission mitigating effect of 3-NOP was more pronounced in HF cows than in BS cows. Further research is needed to understand breed-specific responses and to optimise CH4 mitigation strategies for inclusion in national greenhouse gas inventories.
Review: A journey into the black soldier fly digestive system: From current knowledge to applied perspectives
Bruno , Daniele; Casartelli , Morena; De Smet , Jeroen; et al. (2025)
Animal
Recent literature on the black soldier fly (BSF) confirms the deep interest in this species for the bioconversion of organic waste, including challenging substrates that contain recalcitrant macromolecules, and highlights the growing trend in new applications for this insect. While protein meal remains the most prominent use of BSF larvae, emerging research is increasingly exploring alternative applications of biomolecules derived from these larvae, including proteins, lipids, chitin, and antimicrobial peptides. Moreover, the high feeding versatility of this insect is being recognised in fields beyond animal feed, such as bioremediation, where its potential ability to degrade contaminants can present significant ecological benefits. Although there is now widespread agreement that a thorough understanding of BSF biology is essential to enlarge the range of applications in which this insect may offer new sustainable solutions, studies on the digestive system are still limited and we are far from having a whole comprehension of the functional features of this complex structure. In fact, the gut is not only the core of the bioconversion process but also represents the first defence barrier against ingested pathogens, and due to the presence of a highly versatile gut microbiota, it may be a potential source of novel microbes and enzymes that could find application in various biotechnological sectors. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on the BSF midgut −the central region of the gut responsible for nutrient digestion and absorption- in both larvae and adults, together with information about mouthparts and the organisation of the alimentary canal. Moreover, starting from the most recent studies on the midgut and its microbiota, we discuss implications for improving larval production, exploiting challenging substrates, and mitigating pollutants in contaminated biomasses.
Review: Peer social bonds in farm animals
Goumon , Sebastien; Jowett , Sarah; Khatiwada, Sunil; et al. (2025)
Animal
Peer social bonds may be defined as relationships involving frequent and non-random (i.e. preferential) mutual affiliative associations and interactions between peers (excluding parental and sexual relationships) that are consistent across a biologically relevant time frame and behavioural states, and lead to stress modulation. Hence, these bonds can be defined based on the following four criteria: (1) social preference, (2) consistency of preferences, (3) stress modulation, and (4) symmetry or reciprocity of behaviours. These have been studied in wild animals, particularly primates, and shown to provide fitness benefits. In farm animals, behavioural studies increasingly report social bonds. Yet, it is unclear whether there is sound evidence to draw such conclusions. This systematic review aims to discuss the current knowledge of peer social bonds in farm animals, further assessing the evidential robustness of the literature. We also identify key knowledge gaps and provide recommendations for future studies. The retrieved literature included 47 papers covering a range of species including cows (n = 18), pigs (n = 9), sheep (n = 6), horses (n = 4), donkeys (n = 1), goats (n = 3), chickens (n = 3), and quails (n = 3). In some farm animal species (pigs, cows, horses), there is evidence of variation in strength (e.g. frequency) and/or non-randomness of interactions and associations between dyads, potentially representing peer bonds. However, there is currently insufficient research on the other criteria to draw conclusions on the existence of peer social bonds under farm conditions. Overall, studies face methodological challenges in the assessment of social bonds, which is further complicated by housing and husbandry conditions on commercial farms. This review shows that various methods have been used to assess social relationships, but that many of these have shortcomings, and lack the nuance to make conclusions on peer social bonds. Hence, we provide recommendations to address the identified methodological gaps. Research on peer social bonds in farm animals is in its infancy, and we hope this work inspires other scientists to address this important topic diligently, while taking into consideration the implications of research conclusions on animal management in practice.
Nitrogen and energy losses and methane emissions from beef cattle fed diets with gradual replacement of maize silage and concentrate with grass silage and corn-cob mix
Keller, Magdalena; Scheurer, Andreas; Reidy, Beat; et al. (2023)
Animal
Diets based on large proportions of grassland-based feed are uncommon in forage-based intensive beef production, thus contradicting governmental or commercial strategies to promote the use of grassland-based feed in ruminant production systems. Compared with typical maize silage/concentrate diets, grassland-based diets are associated with impaired nitrogen (N) and energy utilisation because of the comparably lower energy and higher CP content of these feeds. However, quantitative studies concerning the effects of increased dietary proportions of grassland-derived feeds on N and energy losses and utilisation and on methane emissions are missing and the compensation potential of using a limited proportion of an energy-rich forage is unknown. Therefore, we tested five diets with varying types and proportions of forage and concentrate. Three diets consisted of grass silage, maize silage, and concentrate in ratios of, g/kg DM, 100:600:300 (G100; control), 300:500:200 (G300), and 500:300:200 (G500), respectively. Two diets were composed of grass silage, corn-cob mix (CCM), and concentrate in ratios of, g/kg DM, 500:300:200 (G500CCM), and 750:150:100 (G750CCM), respectively. A high-protein concentrate (270 g CP/kg DM) was fed to G100, whereas a low-protein concentrate (140 g CP/kg DM) was used in the remaining diets. Diets were fed throughout the entire fattening period to groups of six Limousincrossbred bulls each. When weighing 246 ± 18 kg, each animal underwent a 7-day total daily faeces and urine collection, which was followed by measuring methane emissions in respiration chambers for 48 h. Total DM intake was similar across all diets, whereas the N intake varied (P < 0.05). Urinary N loss (g/day) was the highest for G750CCM (28.2) and G100 (26.6) and lowest for G500CCM (15.2) and G300 (16.9) (P < 0.001). Energy utilisation was comparable among all groups. Metabolisable energy intake decreased numerically only with increasing proportions of grass silage in the diet. Substituting maize silage with CCM counteracted the loss in metabolisable energy intake. Absolute methane emissions were not different across the groups, but methane emission intensity (mg/g body protein retention) varied (P < 0.05), being numerically lower for G100 (349) and G500CCM (401) compared with the other groups (488 on average). In conclusion, the results show that the grass silage proportion in beef cattle diets can be substantially increased when strategically combined with energy-dense forages, such as CCM. This also limits the need for concentrate and additional protein sources; in addition, the associated urinary N emissions, which are potentially noxious to the environment, are avoided.
The effect of neck strap positioning relative to dairy cow body size on rising, lying down, and defecation behaviour in lying cubicles
Brouwers, Stijn P.; Schug, A.F.E.; Simmler, Michael; et al. (2025)
Animal
In cubicle housing systems for dairy cows, neck rails/straps/chains are used to limit bedding soiling by faeces and urine. Flexible neck straps are an alternative to rigid neck rails, which are associated with animal welfare issues such as painful collisions, injuries, and atypical behaviours. However, no literature exists on the positioning of flexible neck straps in relation to their effectiveness in limiting soiling of the bedding material and their effect on cow behaviour. In a research barn with 40 cows, we experimentally investigated how neck strap positioning relative to cow body size affects rising and lying down behaviours, general lying behaviour, and defecation behaviour in lying cubicles. To expand the range of body-relative positioning beyond that resulting from the herd's variation in body size, we varied the neck strap height (105, 120, and 135 cm) and its distance from the curb (155 and 170 cm) in two experiments. The resulting ratios of neck strap height to withers height (NSH ratio) ranged from 0.65 to 0.96, and the ratios of neck strap distance from the curb to diagonal body length (NSD ratio) ranged from 0.85 to 1.11. With the exception of sideways head lunging, atypical rising and lying down behaviours were rare throughout the study. A higher (less restrictive) NSH ratio was associated with a reduced probability of crawling backwards on the carpal joints during rising. We found no statistical support for an effect of neck strap positioning relative to cow body size on the probabilities of other atypical rising and lying down behaviours, or daily lying time and frequency. For defecations within a 120 s time window around rising events while in the lying cubicle, a higher (less restrictive) NSH ratio was associated with a higher probability of faeces landing in the cubicle. This probability also increased with a higher (less restrictive) NSD ratio. Overall, our results indicate that the positioning of flexible neck straps relative to cow body size, as tested in this study, does not considerably affect dairy cow behaviour, suggesting that flexible straps can accommodate cows of different sizes. The effectiveness of positioning cows in the lying cubicle in such a way that limits soiling of the bedding around rising events increased with a lower (more restrictive) NSH ratio. Thus, flexible neck straps can be a viable alternative to rigid neck rails by limiting soiling of lying cubicles around rising events without considerably impeding dairy cow movements during rising and lying down.
Modeling the effect of ambient temperature on reticulorumen temperature, and drinking and eating behaviors of late-lactation dairy cows during colder seasons
Serviento, Aira Maye; He, Tengfei; Ma, Xiaoqi; et al. (2024)
Animal
Dairy cows may suffer thermal stress during the colder seasons especially due to their open-air housing systems. Free water temperature (FWT) and feed temperature (FT) are dependent on ambient temperature (AT) and can be critical for maintaining body and reticulorumen temperature (RT) in cold conditions. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of FWT and FT on RT fluctuations, and of AT on RT and drinking and eating behaviors in late-lactation cows during cold exposure. Data were collected from 16 multiparous lactating cows for four 6-d periods during the autumn and winter seasons. The cows (224 ± 36 days in milk; mean ± SD) had an average milk yield (MY) of 24.8 ± 4.97 kg/d and RT of 38.84 ± 0.163 °C. Daily average AT ranged from 4.38 to 17.25 °C. The effects of the temperature and amount of the ingested water or feed on RT change and recovery time, and the effect of the daily AT on RT, feed and water intake, and drinking, eating, and rumination behaviors were analyzed using the generalized additive mixed model framework. Reticulorumen temperature change and recovery time were affected by FWT (+0.0596 °C/°C and −1.27 min/°C, respectively), but not by FT. The amount of the ingested free water and feed affected RT change (−0.108 °C/kg drink size and −0.150 °C/kg meal size, respectively), and RT recovery time (+2.13 min/kg drink size and + 3.71 min/kg meal size, respectively). Colder AT decreased RT by 0.0151 °C/°C between 9.91 and 17.25 °C AT. Cows increased DM intake (DMI) by 0.365 kg/d per 1 °C drop in AT below 10.63 °C, but with no increase in MY. In fact, MY:DMI decreased by 0.0106/°C as AT dropped from 17.25 to 4.38 °C. Free water intake (FWI) was reduced by 0.0856 FWI:DMI/°C as AT decreased from 17.25 to 8.27 °C. Cold exposure influenced animal behavior with fewer drink and meal bouts (−0.432 and −0.290 bouts/d, respectively), larger drink sizes (+0.100 kg/bout), and shorter rumination time (−5.31 min/d) per 1 °C decrease in AT from 17.25 °C to 8.77, 12.53, 4.38, and 10.32 °C, respectively. In conclusion, exposure to low AT increased feed intake, reduced water intake, and changes in eating, drinking and rumination behaviors of dairy cows in late lactation. Additionally, the consequences of cold exposure on cows may be aggravated by ingestion of feed and free water at temperatures lower than the body, potentially impacting feed efficiency due to the extra energetic cost of thermoregulation.
Herbage utilisation method affects rumen fluid and milk fatty acid profile in Holstein and Montbéliarde cows
Manzocchi, Elisa; Ferlay, Anne; Farizon, Yves; et al. (2022)
Animal
Compared with maize silage- and concentrate-based diets, herbage-based diets were repeatedly shown to favourably influence the milk fatty acid (FA) profile. However, it is unclear how the herbage feeding mode (grazing vs indoor green-feeding) and conservation (fresh herbage vs hay vs silage) modify the milk FA profile. Therefore, the aim of the present experiment was to investigate the effect of different herbage utilisation methods (including herbage feeding mode and herbage conservation method) on the ruminal biohydrogenation of dietary FA and the consequences on the milk FA composition in cows of two breeds (Holstein and Montbéliarde). Concomitant effects of botanical composition and phenological stage of the herbage on milk FA profile were controlled for by harvesting barn-dried hay and silage simultaneously as first cut from the same ryegrass-dominated grassland in a semi-mountainous region. Seven weeks later, the first regrowth of the same plot was used as fresh herbage, either grazed or fed indoor (indoor green-feeding). Twenty-four Montbéliarde and 24 Holstein cows were randomly allocated to four groups of 12 cows balanced by breed, parity, and milk yield. In a free-stall barn, three groups were given ad libitum access to hay, silage, or fresh herbage, respectively. The fourth group was strip-grazing. All cows were supplemented with 3 kg DM/day of the same energy-rich concentrate. After 2 weeks of adaptation to the forage, samples of forage, concentrate, milk, blood, and rumen fluid were collected. Fatty acid composition of forages, rumen fluid, and milk was analysed by gas chromatography. Haymaking reduced total FA content of the herbage, in particular that of linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA). Still, rumen fluid lipids of hay-fed cows had the highest proportion of rumenic acid, LA, ALA, and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Milk fat from hay-fed cows had the highest proportion of LA, and the apparent transfer rates from feed to milk of LA and ALA were higher in hay-fed cows than in silage-fed cows. The proportion of PUFAs was highest in milk fat from grazing and indoor green-fed Montbéliarde cows and lowest in silage-fed cows of both breeds. In conclusion, the herbage utilisation method affects the ruminal biohydrogenation of LA and ALA, whereby herbage drying particularly increases their transfer from herbage to milk.
Review: Genetic mutations affecting bull fertility
Pausch, Hubert; Mapel, Xena Marie (2023)
Animal
Cattle are a well-suited “model organism” to study the genetic underpinnings of variation in male reproductive performance. The adoption of artificial insemination and genomic prediction in many cattle breeds provide access to microarray-derived genotypes and repeated measurements for semen quality and insemination success in several thousand bulls. Similar-sized mapping cohorts with phenotypes for male fertility are not available for most other species precluding powerful association testing. The repeated measurements of the artificial insemination bulls’ semen quality enable the differentiation between transient and biologically relevant trait fluctuations, and thus, are an ideal source of phenotypes for variance components estimation and genome-wide association testing. Genome-wide case-control association testing involving bulls with either aberrant sperm quality or low insemination success revealed several causal recessive loss-of-function alleles underpinning monogenic reproductive disorders. These variants are routinely monitored with customised genotyping arrays in the male selection candidates to avoid the use of subfertile or infertile bulls for artificial insemination and natural service. Genome-wide association studies with quantitative measurements of semen quality and insemination success revealed quantitative trait loci for male fertility, but the underlying causal variants remain largely unknown. Moreover, these loci explain only a small part of the heritability of male fertility. Integrating genome-wide association studies with gene expression and other omics data from male reproductive tissues is required for the fine-mapping of candidate causal variants underlying variation in male reproductive performance in cattle.

Publications 1 - 10 of 13

Journal: Animal

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