Bovine mastitis is one of the main causes of reduced production in dairy cows. The infection of the mammary gland is mainly caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, whose resistant strains make the treatment of mastitis with conventional antibiotics very difficult and result in high losses. Therefore, it is important to develop novel therapeutic agents to overcome the resistance of mastitis-causing

Intestinal inflammation is a common and serious health problem in piglet production, especially enteritis caused by pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli). This condition often leads to high mortality, slow weight gain, and significant economic losses. In this study, we isolated an E. coli strain, SKLAN202302, from the colon of diarrheal piglets to create an intestinal inflammation model for evaluating

Climatic and geographic variations have profound effects on the resource utilization of individuals and populations. Evaluating resource use in different environments is crucial for understanding species ecological adaptation strategies and promoting biodiversity conservation. Stable isotopes are widely used to assess trophic niches, providing quantitative indicators of ecological interactions between

Reproduction plays a major role in the production efficiency of livestock species. However, cow-centric reproductive traits tend to be lowly heritable and are not expressed until later in an animal’s lifetime, making phenotypic selection alone inefficient at generating genetic gain. Genetic progress can be accelerated by focusing selection on the predicted genetic component of reproductive traits using

Noasaurus leali is a small (~2 m) carnivorous theropod and the nominal genus of the clade Noasauridae, one of the two radiations of abelisauroid ceratosaurs predominantly present in the Southern Hemisphere during the Mesozoic. This eponymous theropod from the Maastrichtian Lecho Formation of Salta, Argentina, is known from an incomplete skeleton of which the strongly curved manual ungual is the most

The objective was to evaluate the effect of providing dry pelleted starter diet (DPS) or a liquid mixture of milk replacer and starter diet (LMR+S) to suckling pigs housed in farrowing pens of sub-standard or optimal hygiene conditions on pig growth to slaughter, and post-weaning (PW) intestinal parameters. On day (d) 107 of gestation, 87 sows were randomly allocated to one of four treatments in a

Tardigrade taxonomy is undergoing a turbulent phase of reclassifying various species that have previously been gathered within large wastebasket genera, such as Diphascon or Hypsibius. The application of genetic sequencing, paired with detailed analysis of fine morphological features in 3D using scanning electron microscopy, allow for revealing new phenotypic characters used in systematics. At the

Venom is a metabolically expensive secretion used sparingly in a variety of ecological contexts, most notably predation and defence. Accordingly, few animals employ their toxins from a distance, and venom-squirting behaviour is only known from select taxa. In scorpions, species belonging to two genera are known to spray venom when threatened, and previous work in Parabuthus transvaalicus shows that

The differences between the high-starch diet commonly used in rabbit farming and the natural feeding habits of rabbits may pose certain health risks. In our study, we replaced part of the starch in the feed with soybean oil and conducted a four-week feeding trial with weaned Rex rabbits. The results indicated that rabbits fed the oil-supplemented diet had a lower incidence of diarrhea, improved growth

Oxidative stress (OS) is involved in low female fertility by altering multi-omics such as the transcriptome, miRome, and lncRNome in follicular cells and follicular fluid. However, the mechanism by which OS affects multi-omics dynamics remains largely unknown. Here, we report that OS induces lncRNome dynamics in sow granulosa cells (sGCs), which is partially dependent on the transcription factor activity

The Galapagos finches represent a rapid radiation of birds across the remote oceanic archipelago that vary morphologically, behaviourally, and genetically. The level of diversity and rapid rate of speciation have created taxonomic difficulties in resolving phylogenetic relationships. While much of the phylogeny has recently been clarified with modern genomic methods, some of the diversity has been

Organisms in adaptive radiations are able to diversify and colonize multiple environments. Frequently, the evolution of key adaptations enables organisms to confront novel environmental challenges, promoting diversification. Here, we studied desert colonization in the Liolaemus radiation. We assessed the patterns of climatic niche evolution in the L. nigromaculatus section, one Liolaemus clade inhabiting

Dinosaurs arose in the Late Triassic and diversified during the subsequent periods of the Mesozoic Era. The oldest unequivocal dinosaurs come from Carnian deposits of Brazil, Argentina, India, and Zimbabwe, with sauropodomorphs representing the bulk of this record. Saturnalia tupiniquim was described from Brazilian strata in 1999 as the first Carnian member of that group. Although several new species

The neuroendocrine hormone melatonin is associated with circadian rhythms and has antioxidant and vasodilative properties. In cattle, melatonin rescues fetal growth during maternal nutrient restriction in a seasonally dependent manner, but melatonin research in swine is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of dietary melatonin supplementation during mid to late gestation on

The classification and phylogenetic position of Haplotaxidae, an enigmatic family of clitellate worms, have long been discussed. We estimate the phylogeny for Clitellata as a whole, using a taxon sample adhering to current definitions of Haplotaxidae and including species attributable to Haplotaxis, plus a representation of other clitellates. Sequences of five markers, 4087 bp in total, were analysed

Skin thickness was found to be moderately heritable and genetically associated with lamb survival in a previous study on Romney sheep. The aims of this study were to estimate the heritabilities of skin thickness and skin temperature at around five and 11 months of age, and determine genetic and phenotypic correlations between them and with production traits such as fat depth, loin-eye muscle depth

The effects of supplemental Zn within steroidal implant strategy on performance, carcass characteristics, trace mineral status, and muscle gene expression were tested in a 59-d study using 128 Angus-crossbred steers (492 ± 29 kg) in a 2 × 4 complete randomized design. Implant strategies included no implant (NoIMP) or Component TE-200 (TE200; Elanco, Greenfield, IN) administered on day 0. Zinc was supplemented

The Cyclophoroidea are a group of land snails possessing an operculum that seals the aperture when the snail withdraws its body into the shell. Several groups have developed snorkel-like tubes, which are open at their outer ends, for gas exchange when the operculum closes the aperture. The tube of the cyclophorid subfamily Alycaeinae is, however, closed at its outer end. Recent investigations revealed

Etymology is a key component in zoological nomenclature, often carrying key information for an organism. Greek and Latin languages have been used for centuries in synthesizing zoological names. However, there are surprisingly few studies about each language’s contribution, which is crucial for avoiding misunderstandings around names’ meaning and origin. This study examined the publications that described

Depending on the soybean processing plant, gums and soapstocks may be added back to soybean meal during soybean processing. Despite potential effects on soybean meal quality, there is limited information available on the composition and variation in soybean by-products and the resulting soybean meal if by-products are added back during processing. A total of 36 soybean by-product samples from 14 plants

The evolution of flower-visiting behaviour in pollen wasps remains poorly investigated. The females of oligolectic Celonites species show two fundamentally different behavioural patterns for pollen uptake from Heliotropium flowers with a narrow corolla tube. They remove pollen from the concealed anthers either with their forelegs or with their proboscis. Single-frame video analysis revealed that pollen

Diamesa is a cold-adapted genus of Diptera: Chironomidae colonizing cold freshwaters of the Northern Hemisphere and East Africa. Global warming and glacier shrinkage are threatening their survival. In this work, we aimed to provide new insights into taxonomical gaps and phylogeny of Diamesa species from the Pyrenees, Alps, and Karakorum mountains to understand the colonization processes better and

Subclinical mastitis, the asymptomatic inflammation of the udder often caused by bacterial infection, is an important economic and welfare concern in meat-producing flocks. We conducted a longitudinal observational study to: (1) characterize the etiology, prevalence, incidence, and persistence of intramammary infections during the first 8 weeks of lactation, and (2) to investigate the potential risk

Improving the synchrony between amino acids (AAs) and glucose appearance in the blood can support the growth performance of weaned pigs fed low crude protein (CP) diet. This can be achieved by using a diet with a low amylose to amylopectin ratio (AM/AP). The aim of this experiment was to evaluate whether reducing the AM/AP by using a corn variety characterized by a high amylopectin content, in the

Proteolytic fermentation induces negative effects on gut health and function, which may affect pig performance. The objective was to conduct a meta-analysis to develop an index of dietary indigestible dietary protein (IDP) to investigate growth performance outcomes of mixed-sex weanling pigs (average body weight of 7.59 kg). Eighty-nine articles reporting growth performance variables [average daily

Within armadillos, two clades are currently recognized: Chlamyphoridae and Dasypodidae. Major evolutionary processes of Chlamyphoridae are linked to the main environmental and climatic events that occurred in South America in the Cenozoic. More precisely, the Euphractinae reached a high diversity concomitant with the cooling period of the Late Miocene–Pliocene. One of the largest euphractines is Macrochorobates

Madagascar and the Comoros Archipelago are inhabited by freshwater planarians of the genus Dugesia characterized by a unique morphotype with long and pointed auricles, which were traditionally ascribed to only one species, Dugesia milloti. Collections of new specimens of these long-eared freshwater triclads enabled us to examine these worms in more detail than previously had been possible and, thus

Awareness of pressures on subterranean habitats and their associated groundwater-dependent ecosystems has increased recently. Subterranean fauna provide critical services and can act as bioindicators; however, a significant portion of this diversity is unknown. The family Bathynellidae are neglected taxa of tiny subterranean crustaceans, with only 112 species described in 36 genera and three subfamilies

The microscopic members of the genus Urodasys are easily recognizable due to their exceptionally long tail. There are 17 described species within this iconic genus, each distinguished by various sexual organ arrangements and reproduction modalities, including the sole known ovoviviparous gastrotrich species. The remarkable variety in reproductive characteristics has captured the interest of researchers

The present research aimed to evaluate the effects of the continuative dietary administration of a hemp oil extract containing cannabinoids (cannabidiol, CBD) on the macroscopic morphology, morphometry, and enzymatic activity of different intestinal tracts as well as on the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the cecum of growing rabbits. The research was performed on 16 rabbits randomly

Two experiments were conducted to assess the effects of feeding whole-plant sorghum silage (WPSS) with different kernel processing techniques (KP). Exp. 1 contrasted KP for WPSS on intake and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) in beef heifers (n = 24, 13 ± 1 mo, 267 ± 10.9 kg of initial body weight [BW]) housed in individual pens (36 m2). Grain sorghum was harvested at hard dough, switching

Milk contains microRNAs (miRNA) that are shielded by small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). Beyond variations among individuals, many factors including nutrition play a role in shaping miRNA expression profiles. This study is to explore milk-derived sEVs-miRNA variations induced by inulin supplementation in sub-clinical mastitis-suffering cows. Fourteen lactating cows diagnosed with sub-clinical mastitis

The rumen plays an essential role in the physiology and health of ruminants. The rumen undergoes substantial changes in size and function from birth to adulthood. The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these changes are not clear. This study was aimed to identify the transcription factors and signaling pathways mediating these changes in cattle. We found that the ratios of the emptied rumen

In intensive poultry farming, environmental stress, pathogen infections, and noise can negatively impact growth or cause sudden death, leading to economic losses. The prevalent use of antibiotics as feed additives to prevent diseases in broilers has raised concerns about antibiotic resistance and highlighted the need for safer and more effective alternatives. Carnosic acid (CA), a bioactive compound

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of a second iron injection for suckling pigs fed diets with different dietary iron levels in the nursery period on growth performance, hematological parameters, serum and liver trace mineral content, fecal score, microbiome, and metabolites. A total of 70 newborn pigs from 7 litters were assigned to either one or two iron injections within litter

The objectives of this study were to investigate the in vitro immune-modulatory effects of monoglycerides and zinc glycinate with porcine alveolar macrophages (PAM) and their impact on epithelial barrier integrity using the intestinal porcine enterocyte cell line (IPEC-J2). Cell viability was assessed using a Vybrant MTT assay to determine the appropriate dose range of monoglyceride blend (C4, C8,

Feeding order of forage and concentrate might affect gastric emptying and subsequently digestion in horses. The objective of this study was to measure gastric emptying in combination with metabolic and digestive responses in the plasma and caecum, respectively, when changing the feeding order of oats (O) and hay (H) (oats first then hay: O-H vs. hay first then oats: H-O). Four caecum cannulated horses

Soybean isoflavone (SIF) in soybeans are natural phytoestrogens, which is functioned as an estrogen agonistic or antagonistic. SIF regulates the capacity of animals to synthesize triacylglycerols by directly utilizing long-chain fatty acids. However, few studies have focused on its regulatory lipid metabolism in lactating dairy goats. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of

As the global population continues to expand, the demand for broiler chicken production to supply safe and high-quality meat is increasing. To meet this ever-growing demand, broiler chickens with enhanced growth performance are being developed, but they often face challenges related to oxidative stress, which can adversely affect gut health. Phytobiotics, which are plant-derived feed additives known

Granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis, ferroptosis, and other programmed cell death processes are markers of follicular aging. Quercetin has been shown to reduce ferroptosis, however, its effects on ferroptosis in poultry remains unexplored. Our preliminary study identified ferroptosis in aging ovaries. Therefore, in the present study, 540-day-old Mountain Plum-blossom chickens were fed with quercetin supplementation

Hatch weight (HW) affects broiler growth and low HW (LHW) often leads to suboptimal performance. Sodium butyrate (SB) has been shown to promote growth through enhanced intestinal health. This study investigated how broilers with different HW responded to in ovo SB injection and whether SB could enhance gut health and performance in LHW chicks. Ross 308 broiler eggs were injected on incubation d 12

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-022-00787-z.

Tibetan sheep, economically important animals on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, have diversified into numerous local breeds with unique characteristics through prolonged environmental adaptation and selective breeding. However, most current research focuses on one or two breeds, and lacks a comprehensive representation of the genetic diversity across multiple Tibetan sheep breeds. This study aims to fill

Energy deficiency is a leading cause of the high pre-weaning mortality of neonatal piglets in the swine industry. Thus, optimal energy metabolism is of crucial importance for improving the survivability of neonatal piglets. The effective utilization of milk fat as primary energy is indispensably required. Pregnant sows (n = 27) were randomly assigned into 3 treatments. Each treatment received a standard

Mobile element variants (MEVs) have a significant and complex impact on genomic diversity and phenotypic traits. However, the quantity, distribution, and relationship with gene expression and complex traits of MEVs in the pig genome remain poorly understood. We constructed the most comprehensive porcine MEV library based on high-depth whole genome sequencing (WGS) data from 747 pigs across 59 breeds

The subfamily Seirinae (Collembola: Entomobryidae) is among the most diverse suprageneric taxa of epedaphic springtails and is particularly abundant and species-rich in tropical and subtropical regions. Numerous studies have investigated its internal and external phylogenetic relationships, enhancing our understanding on Seirinae systematics. Recent taxonomic efforts have also advanced our knowledge

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of necroptosis in deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced liver injury and inflammation in weaned piglets. In Exp. 1, 12 weaned piglets were divided into 2 groups including pigs fed basal diet and pigs fed diet contaminated with 4 mg/kg DON for 21 d. In Exp. 2, 12 weaned piglets were divided into 2 groups including control piglets and piglets given a gavage of

It has been found that thymol (Thy) and rosmarinic acid (Ros-A) improve the growth performance of piglets and relieve intestinal inflammation in animals. The effects of Thy and Ros-A separately or in combination (Thy×Ros-A) on the intestinal function and health of piglets challenged with Escherichia coli K88 (E. coli K88) were investigated. A total of 30 piglets aged 21 d were assigned to 5 groups

Genetic selection for traits that have direct impact on profitability, such as productive longevity (PL), which blends cow longevity with regular reproductive performance, is fundamental for the economic success of beef cow-calf operations. The purpose of this study was to develop data screening strategy and a statistical model to predict genetic merit for PL in a multibreed beef cattle population

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-020-0426-6.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin that severely pollutes feed ingredients, and methods for reducing DON toxicity have become a significant research direction. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is an active polyphenol found in some plants, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and a protective effect on animal intestinal health. The effects of CGA on DON-induced pyroptosis in the intestinal

Heat stress (HS) incidence is associated with the accumulation of reactive substances, which might be associated with bone loss. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) exhibits strong antioxidants due to its sulfhydryl group and being as the precursor for endogenous glutathione synthesis. Therefore, interplay between oxidative stress and bone turnover of broilers and the effects of dietary NAC inclusion on antioxidant

Maternal proline (Pro) supplementation enhances fetal survival and placental development in mice. However, the effect of Pro on fetal and placental development in gilts remains to be investigated, particularly in the context of obesity-induced impaired pregnancy. Here, we investigated the effect of dietary Pro on fetal and placental development in obese gilts. Exp.1: On day 60 of gestation, forty-eight

Correction: J Animal Sci Biotechnol 15, 145 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-024-01106-4 Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported an error in authors’ affiliations due to typesetting error, where the 3rd and 4th institutions are the same. Also, a full stop was erroneously added to author Seung II Kim’s name. The full list of authors and affiliations is changed from:

This study evaluated the effects of different sources (sulfate vs. hydroxychloride) of Cu, Mn, and Zn during feed restriction and high-starch diet on heifer growth performance. On day 0, Nelore heifers (n = 40) were stratified by body weight (BW = 238 ± 38 kg) and age (21 ± 1 mo), and individually allocated into 1 of 40 drylot pens. The study was divided into periods of pen acclimation (day 0 to 27)

Correction: J Animal Sci Biotechnol 15, 133 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-024-01090-9 Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported errors in the legend of Fig. 7 and the P value of Fig. 8G (0.66 should be corrected to 0.066). The originally published legend of Fig. 7 was: Effect of PTE on milk composition, antioxidant capacity, inflammatory factors and immunoglobulins

Combining breeding populations that have diverged at some point is a conventional practice, particularly in the poultry industry, where generation intervals are short and genetic evaluations should be frequently available. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of combining large, distantly genetically connected broiler populations into a single genomic evaluation within the single-step GBLUP framework

The length of ewe productive life (LPL), defined as the number of days between the first and last lambing, is a key indicator of ewe longevity and is directly related to the sustainability of the sheep industry. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to investigate systematic effects influencing LPL in Katahdin sheep. The LPL of 10,474 Katahdin ewes (69.5% with uncensored and 30.5% with

Tibetan sheep are indigenous to the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Owing to the harsh hypoxic environment in this plateau, the hemoglobin (Hb) protein in Tibetan sheep has undergone adaptive changes over time. Hb is primarily responsible for transporting O2 and CO2 between the lungs and other tissues of the body. The α subunit of Hb, encoded by the HBA gene, is a crucial component of the protein. However

Dogs are utilized in forensic science for their extensive scent detection capabilities. They are often considered the “gold standard” in field detection for targets such as illicit drugs and explosives. Despite their prevalence in the field, relatively little is known about how dogs interact with and transport volatile organic compounds through their olfactory system. In this study, two groups of dogs