Nuclear Maturation Competence and Pronuclear Formation in Ovine Oocytes Supplemented with L-ergothioneine in Maturation Medium

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of supplementing maturation medium with L-ergothioneine on nuclear maturation competence and pronuclei formation of ovine oocytes in vitro.  In the first study, oocytes were divided into four groups and matured for 24 hours in a maturation medium supplemented with 0 mM (control), 10 mM, 15 mM, and 20 mM LE.  In the second study, oocytes were divided into two groups and matured for 24 hours in a maturation medium supplemented with 0 mM LE (control) and 10 mM LE (optimal dose from the first study), then co-incubated with sperm in a fertilization medium for 12 hours.  The results of the first study showed that the maturation rate of oocytes enriched with LE 10 mM (88.74±1.79%) and 15 mM (87.52±2.30%) in maturation medium was significantly different (P0.05) compared to the control (78.55±1.78%) and LE 20 mM (77.37±1.21%).  Furthermore, the results of the second study revealed that the fertilization rate of oocytes with 10 mM LE (75.55±3.47%) supplementation in maturation medium had a significantly higher percentage of two pronuclei formation than control (63.78±3.49%).  In conclusion, supplementing 10 mM LE in a maturation medium improved oocyte nuclear maturation competence and fertilization rates

Effect of Dietary with Different Energy and Protein Levels on Laying Quails Performance

The performance of quail is a function of several production factors, one of which is feed. However, the optimum metabolizable energy and crude protein for the performance of laying quails currently needs to be revised. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding diets with different metabolizable energy and crude protein levels on the performances of laying quails. Five hundred forty (540) laying quails aged eight weeks were randomly allocated into nine dietary treatments. Each treatment consisted of four replicates with 15 laying quails per replicate. Dietary treatments comprised three metabolizable energy levels (2,700, 2,800, and 2,900 kcal/kg) and three crude protein levels (17, 19, and 21%) in a factorial research methodology arrangement. After one week of the adaptation period, the feeding trial was conducted for five weeks (9-13 weeks old). Interaction between metabolizable energy and crude protein levels was recorded on feed intake (P 0.05). Feed intake was reduced along with the increase in the metabolizable energy when crude protein levels were 17 and 19%. However, the feed intake tended to be improved when high metabolizable energy was combined with high crude protein contents (2,900 kcal/kg and 21%, respectively). No interaction was recorded on the other variables (egg production, egg weight, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio) (P 0.05). Feeding diets with different metabolizable energy levels had a significant effect on feed conversion ratio (P 0.05) but without any significant impact on egg production, egg weight, and egg mass of laying quails (P 0.05). Crude protein as a single factor significantly affects egg production, weight, mass, and feed conversion ratio of laying quails (P 0.05). Linear regression analysis indicated that metabolizable energy intake linearly improved egg production, weight, mass, and feed conversion ratio. Moreover, crude protein intake linearly improved egg production, weight, mass, and feed conversion ratio. Therefore, feeding diets containing 2900 kcal/kg metabolizable energy and 21% crude protein are required to provide optimum performance of laying quails

Quality of Physical and Sensory of Super-native Chicken Breast Marinated with Herbs and Spices with Different Levels of Marination Concentration

Super-native chickens result from crosses between male native chickens and laying hens.  The diversification of processed products from super-native chicken can be developed into ready-to-cook products by marinating them with local herbs and spices.  This research was conducted on the effect of marination concentrations of different local herbs and spices on the hedonic quality of super-native chicken breast.  The research material consisted of super-native chicken breast, chili powder, sugar, salt, pepper, garlic, cinnamon, palm oil, lime juice, monosodium glutamate, and ginger.  The treatment levels of marination concentration were 10, 20, and 30% of the weight of the meat.  Physical quality parameters tested were color, pH value, moisture, cooking loss, water-holding capacity, yield, and hardness.  Each treatment consisted of 3 replications.  In addition, sensory quality was tested by a hedonic quality test by 40 untrained panelists.  The hedonic quality parameters tested were color, flavor, taste, texture, tenderness, and juiciness.  The data from the physical quality test were analyzed by analysis of variance.  The hedonic quality test results were analyzed by non-parametric analysis through the Kruskal-Wallis hedonic test.  If there was a significant difference (P0.05), the test was continued with Duncan's New Multiple Range Test.  The results showed that the concentration level of different local herbs and spices marination could affect the physical quality (redness, pH value, and moisture) and sensory (color and texture) of super-native chicken breast.  The marination concentration of local herbs and spices at 20% level was the best treatment based on hedonic quality with a smooth meat texture and a score of 3.98

An Empirical Evaluation of Policy Options for Increasing Dairy Production in Indonesia: A System Dynamics Approach

Domestic dairy production in Indonesia grows slower than consumption, resulting in an excess demand that imports must fulfill.  Accelerating dairy production can no longer be solved partially; a holistic system approach is required.  This study aims to empirically evaluate the policy options for accelerating dairy production in Indonesia.  The data used in this study were secondary data from Badan Pusat Statistik, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Industry, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, Bank Indonesia, and FAO.  A system dynamics approach was used to construct the model and describe the short-, medium-, and long-term impacts based on policy scenario options.  The empirical results showed that the calf rearing program policy, increased female dairy cattle imports, higher conception rates, and import tariffs all positively impacted the share of domestic dairy production to dairy demand.  On the other hand, a policy of increasing dairy consumption, if not accompanied by an increase in domestic dairy production, harms the domestic dairy production share.  Except for the policy of increasing dairy consumption, all policy scenarios increased the long-term share of domestic dairy production more than the short- and medium-term.  It is concluded that an optimistic policy through calf rearing, increased import of female cows, conception rate, and maintaining import tariffs was the best policy with the highest impact on increasing the share of domestic dairy production compared to pessimistic and moderate policies

Production Performance and Sperm Characteristics of Quail (Coturnix-coturnix japonica) with Different Concentrations of Yolk Immunoglobulin

Quails are classified according to their immunity to different IgY concentrations. Quail IgY concentrations range from 0 to 1200 µg ml-1, and these IgY concentrations may affect production and reproductive performance. This study aimed to analyze IgY concentrations in male quail and to compare production and reproductive performance at different IgY concentrations. Forty-two male quail at five weeks of age participated in the study, including 29 quail with low IgY concentration (210-393 µg ml-1)   and, 13 with intermediate IgY concentration (403-564 µg ml-1). The observed productive performances were feed intake, initial body weight, final body weight, weight gain, feed conversion, morbidity, and mortality. In addition, this study observed testicular weight and macroscopic and microscopic semen quality for reproductive traits. Differences in production and reproductive performance of each group were analyzed using an independent-sample t-test. The result showed that male quail with different IgY concentrations were equal in all productive traits (P0.05). This means that male quail with low IgY and medium IgY concentrations are equally good. Testicular weight, semen color and pH were identical at different IgY concentrations. Quails with low IgY concentrations have better sperm consistency, which is related to the weight of the testes, which are heavier in quails with low IgY concentrations than in those with moderate IgY concentrations. This consistency is related to the concentration of sperm in the semen. The result concludes IgY concentrations in male quail did not affect production performance. Quails with low IgY concentration had thicker sperm consistency and higher sperm concentration

Influence of Sperm Number and Antioxidant Melatonin in Extender on the Quality of Post-Thawing Sheep Spermatozoa

This study aimed to examine the effect of spermatozoa concentration and the effectiveness of melatonin supplementation in diluent on the quality of post-thawing semen.  Ejaculated semen was collected using the artificial vaginal method (MVB).  The study was carried out in two stages, firstly semen was frozen in andromed diluent with different concentrations in one straw (50, 100, 200 million per straw), and the second was frozen semen in diluent supplemented with melatonin with different doses (0, 0,5, 1, 0 and 1.5 mM melatonin).  Parameters observed were the movement of spermatozoa using Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis, membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity.  Data were analyzed using ANOVA and further tested using Duncan's test.  The results showed no significant difference in the quality and movement pattern of sheep semen when frozen at concentrations of 50, 100, or 200 million per straw (P 0.05).  Furthermore, adding melatonin to the diluent in this study affected spermatozoa's total motility and progressive motility at a concentration of 1.0 mM (P0.05) but did not significantly affect the percentage of spermatozoa motility pattern characteristics.  From the results, it can be concluded that the concentration of per straw spermatozoa does not affect the quality of sheep semen, and melatonin supplementation in diluent can reduce the effects of the frozen-thawed process on motility, acrosome cap, and plasma membrane integrity in sheep semen.  Melatonin supplementation with a concentration of 1 mM in the extender was the highest quality concentration in this study

Strategy For Development Of Superior Sheep Breed In Increasing Income Of Rural Farmers

The sheep farming system is still a side business in addition to farming in rural areas so it is not optimal. The breed factor is a major problem in the community with low body weight performance (small type). Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) (cq. Indonesian Research for Animal Production/IRIAP) has designed a superior breed of sheep with the name "Composite Sheep" which is directed at body weight performance and has a large type, namely through a cross breeding program of local sheep with imported sheep. The sheep that are formed have a greater body weight which are prepared as sheep export and are able to adapt to the tropical environment. In an effort to accelerate the existence of the population of superior sheep, source breeds management unit have carried out propagation in the laboratory and in breeders or farmer  livestock groups, so as to accelerate the management of superior breed, including efforts to maintain their purity. To accelerate population development, it is directed to collaboration with breeders/groups that are ready to be disseminated to the farmer. It is hoped that the spread of composite superior breeds can improve the business performance of farmers in rural areas, as well as be able to increase the farmer income in the community, with a higher selling value because they have a greater body weight than local sheep in rural areas

Polymorphism of Melanocortin-4 Receptor Gene and Its Association with Growth Traits in Bali Cattle

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is a gene that controls growth traits.  This gene is embedded in the leptin-melanocortin pathway and regulates body weight.  Previous studies have successfully identified the genetic diversity of the MC4R associated with growth traits.  However, studies on Bali cattle are limited.  This study aimed to identify the SNP markers of the MC4R gene and its effect on birth body weight, weaning body weight, weaning chest girth, weaning withers height, weaning body length, yearling body weight, yearling chest girth, yearling withers height, and yearling body length in Bali cattle (n=43).  The MC4R genotype was identified by sequencing and aligned using BioEdit v.7.2.5.  The association between genotype and growth traits was analyzed using the GLM procedure and DMRT in RStudio program v.2022.02. Four SNPs were identified in the exon region:  g.355GT, g.394CT, g.463GA, and g.682GA.  Based on the Chi-square test, the population was fitted with HWE (p0.05).  Genotype-phenotype association based on SNPs showed no significant result (p0.05) where the g.682GA (AG) locus had values of WB (104.33+17.15 kg), WCG (112.83+3.66 kg), WBL (89.50+3.94 kg), YB (124.17+22.44 kg), YCG (120.50+5.50 kg), and YBL (92.83+4.31 kg) higher than the other genotypes.  Association based on haplotype type showed significant results (p0.05) in BB, where haplotype 2 had the highest BB (21.17+0.75 kg).  In conclusion, the SNP markers found in this study were polymorphic but did not affect growth traits in Bali cattle

Fatty Acid Synthase Polymorphism of Awassi Sheep and its Impact on Fatty Acid Composition

Livestock intramuscular fat content is determined by fatty acid synthase (FASN).  The fatty acid profile of the fat is of relevance to human health.  Thus, this study explores the relationship between the polymorphism of the FASN gene in Awassi sheep and its impact on fatty acid composition.  The study used 100 Awassi rams, ranging in age from 1 to 2.5 years.  Molecular DNA was isolated from each blood sample; genotyping, sequencing reactions, and in silico tools were subsequently used to confirm the variants in amplified fragments.  The results revealed two genotypes (GG and GA) of the ovine FASN gene (exon 2).  The novel missense c.186 GA was identified in the genotype GA.  The GA genotype had significantly (P0.05) increased intramuscular fat, higher unsaturated fatty acid content, and lower saturated fatty acid content than the GG genotype.  Cumulative in silico analysis indicated a detrimental effect of the SNP c.186 GA on FASN activity.  The intramuscular GA genotype of Awassi sheep had a low saturated content relative to unsaturated fats.  The result confirmed that the c.186 GA SNP in ovine FASN gene variation is potentially helpful in assessing carcass traits, and this might lead to a more efficient selection of animals with healthier fatty acid profiles, resulting in higher-quality meat

The uniqueness of bats as natural host of viruses and their implication to global health

Bats are the natural host of several highly pathogenic viruses for human, such as SARS-CoV, Marburg, rabies, Hendra, Nipah, and ebola viruses. Bats did not show any clinical symptoms after infection with those highly pathogenic viruses. In addition, excessive inflammation and viremia were not developed in bats after viral infection. The absence of excessive inflammation is the compensation of their evolution as the only flying mammals. Their flight evolution also drives several unique features in their immune response that enable them to control the viral infection. This article summarizes current understandings about the uniqueness of bats as viral reservoir, the viral diversity in bats, the viral spillover from bats to human, and how to prevent the pandemic caused by emerging bat-borne viral zoonoses in the future. The understanding of how the antiviral response in bats work may provide valuable insights to control viral infection in human and domestic animals