Silages of agro-industrial by-products in lamb diets : effct on growth performance, carcass, meat quality and in vitro methane emissions

Research Areas: AgricultureABSTRACT - The use of agro-industrial by-products in animal feed is an opportunity to reduce imports, food waste and promote a clean and circular economy, turning worthless raw materials into high -quality and low-cost animal feeds, which does not compete with human food. This study aims to produce silages with by-products of carrot, sweet potato, potato, and tomato pomace and integrate them in lamb diets, replacing 50% of dry matter (DM) of a concentrate-based diet. Effects on growth performance, meat quality and methane production were evaluated. Three silages were produced using 350 g/kg tomato pomace, 200 g/kg wheat bran, 150 g/kg alfalfa hay and 300 g/kg potato (Psil) or 300 g/kg sweet potato (SPsil) or 300 g/kg carrot (Csil). Thirty-two lambs were housed individually and divided into four groups (8 animals/group) on the following diets: Control -850 g/kg concentrate and 150 g/kg hay; P -500 g/kg concentrate and 500 g/kg Psil in DM; SP - 500 g/kg concentrate and 500 g/kg SPsil in DM; C - 500 g/kg concentrate and 500 g/kg Csil in DM. The trial lasted 6 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. Methane production was assessed in vitro by the Ankom system, using as inoculum rumen content samples collected individually from 6 lambs on each diet at slaughter. Diet had no effect on DM intake, average daily gain and DM conversion ratio, averaging 1055 +/- 248 g, 320 +/- 61.1 g and 3.35 +/- 0.600, respectively. Also, carcass characteristics were not affected by the diet except for the lightness of subcutaneous fat which was increased by the silage diets (L* value, P = 0.016). The meat pa-rameters, pH, intramuscular fat, shear force, cooking losses and sensory attributes, were not affected by the diet. In meat color, the parameters a* and Chroma were highest in animals fed diet C, have an intermediate value with Control diet and are lowest with diets P and SP (P = 0.027 and P = 0.012, respectively). Diets had no impact on total methane emissions. The costs of the silage diets per kg live weight gain were lower than those of Control diet (P = 0.018). In summary, by-product silage can be a good option to replace concentrated feed in lamb diets without altering the growth performance and meat quality or methane production and thus contributing to the sustainability of livestock farms and the environment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Composição da carcaça e caracterização físico-química de músculo de porco Alentejano acabado em montanheira – resultados preliminares

O porco Alentejano é uma raça suína autóctone do sul de Portugal, tradicionalmente acabada em regime de montanheira. Durante o período de engorda, que ocorre nos meses de outono e inverno, os animais são alimentados com os recursos naturais do Montado, como bolota/lande e pastagem, sendo abatidos com cerca de 120-150 Kg de peso vivo e com 18-24 meses de idade (Freitas et al., 2007). O porco Alentejano é caracterizado por apresentar baixas taxas de crescimento e elevada atividade lipogénica nas fases iniciais de desenvolvimento (Neves et al., 2012). Como consequência da composição em ácidos gordos dos recursos alimentares disponíveis, a gordura intramuscular dos porcos acabados em Montanheira apresentam elevada quantidade de ácido oleico (18:1 cis-9) (Lopez-Bote, 1998). Dadas estas particularidades, a carne e a gordura destes animais são utilizadas para o fabrico de diversos produtos de alta qualidade, existindo neste momento uma elevada gama de produtos com Denominação de Origem Protegida (DOP) ou Indicação Geográfica Protegida (IGP) com origem no Porco Alentejano. Apesar do impacto económico e na qualidade do produto final, a composição da carcaça e as propriedades físico-químicas da carne dos porcos Alentejanos utilizados para o fabrico destes produtos ainda estão pouco caracterizadas. Assim, neste trabalho procedeu-se à avaliação da composição da carcaça e à caracterização físico-química do músculo Longissimus lumborum de porco Alentejano acabado em regime de montanheira. Este trabalho faz parte de um conjunto alargado de estudos que compõem o projeto “SeletcPorAl - Seleção e melhoramento genómico de características produtivas do porco Alentejano”, que visa a identificação e validação de marcadores moleculares associados a características fenotípicas de interesse económico para o Porco Alentejano, como a composição da carcaça e a qualidade da carn

Whole Genome Analysis of Alentejano Pigs with Contrasting Meat Quality Phenotypes

The Alentejano is a Mediterranean pig breed, found in southern Portugal, reared under extensive conditions and finished on grass and acorns during the fall and winter months. From these animals a variety of dry-cured meat products of great economic importance are generated. A total of 541 pigs were studied during the 2017 slaughter campaign. Phenotypic records for carcass and meat quality were collected and subsequently analyzed to identify the groups of animals that displayed the most contrasting phenotypes. Two groups comprising 13 animals each were selected, based on pH, water loss, total lipids, total protein, total collagen and pigments content. All samples were re-sequenced to a 23x coverage. The reads were aligned to the pig genome and SNPs and structural variants identified between the two groups of animals. A total of 13,418,254 SNPs were identified, of which 6,851,475 and 6,566,779 were located in the genic and intergenic genomic regions, respectively. The number of SNPs for which at least 25 samples were present comprised 88.7%. The set of genic SNPs included 43,405 exonic non-synonymous SNPs and 60,750 exonic synonymous SNPs. The remaining SNPs were located in introns and ncRNA regions. Interestingly, SNPs with markedly different allele frequencies between the groups were also identified (a total of 230 SNPs with allele frequency differences between the groups of at least 30% or 70%). This study represents the first major characterization of Alentejano pigs at the genome level, and identified a significant number of SNPs potentially associated with meat quality

Alone at the Playground

Algorithms and the Foundations of Software technolog

A new analysis of the GJ581 extrasolar planetary system

We have done a new analysis of the available observations for the GJ581 exoplanetary system. Today this system is controversial due to choices that can be done in the orbital determination. The main ones are the ocurrence of aliases and the additional bodies - the planets f and g - announced in Vogt et al. 2010. Any dynamical study of exoplanets requires the good knowledge of the orbital elements and the investigations involving the planet g are particularly interesting, since this body would lie in the Habitable Zone (HZ) of the star GJ581. This region,for this system, is very attractive of the dynamical point of view due to several resonances of two and three bodies present there. In this work, we investigate the conditions under which the planet g may exist. We stress the fact that the planet g is intimately related with the orbital elements of the planet d; more precisely, we conclude that it is not possible to disconnect its existence from the determination of the eccentricity of the planet d. Concerning the planet f, we have found one solution with period $\approx 450$ days, but we are judicious about any affirmation concernig this body because its signal is in the threshold of detection and the high period is in a spectral region where the ocorruence of aliases is very common. Besides, we outline some dynamical features of the habitable zone with the dynamical map and point out the role played by some resonances laying there.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figure

Heat tolerance or extensive ability to acclimate

Heat thermal stress is a major concern environmental stress for dairy cattle, it limits animal growth, metabolism, and productivity. Taken this, the joint selection for productivity and adaptability should be considered in the actual dairy farms programs. This study aimed to evaluate the seasonal acclimatization process of cows with different milk yield potential. From a dairy farm located in Alentejo, Portugal, 13 Holstein-Friesian cows were chosen, 7 with high milk yield potential (HMP), ≥9,000 kg of milk at 305 days of lactation, and 6 with low milk yield potential (LMP), <9,000 kg. The trail was separated in 3 periods: (P1) Summer: acclimated cows in heat stress; (P2) Summer: acclimated cows in thermoneutrality; (P3) Winter: acclimated cows in thermoneutrality. Respiratory frequency (RF), rectal temperature (RT) milk composition and plasma triiodothyronine levels (T3) were collected. No differences were found in RF and RT between HMP and LMP cows in any of the periods. RF and RT values were significantly higher in P1 (64.13±12.78 mov./min. and 38.82±0.68 °C) than in P3 (36.13±7.67 mov./min. and 38.06±0.52 °C). Although, in P1, some HMP cows had RT values that indicated heat stress. We found no differences between groups in the lactose, protein, fat, β-Hydroxybutyric acid and somatic cell count. Urea was significantly higher in P1 in the HMP (293.62±35.97 mg/kg) than in LMP (253.69±33.81 mg/kg). T3, in both groups, gradually increased from P1 to P3 (P1-142.00±13.77; P2 – 157.36±10.72; P3 – 170.69±17.78 ng/dl). During summer, HMP had T3 values significantly lower than the LMP cows (P1: HMP-133.33±8.14, LMP-152.40±11.97; P2: HMP-146.50±7.64; LMP-170.40±12.29 ng/dl). Despite these results had revealed that HMP and LMP cows did not show significant differences in RF and RT variables, ongoing the acclimatization process, the HMP presented a lower metabolic activity as well a change in the nitrogen metabolic pathways

Evaluation of salivary proteins as potential biomarkers of milk production in hot climates

Evaluation of salivary proteins as potential biomarkers of milk production in hot climates Ana CAPM Geraldo1, Cristina Conceição 1,2, Liliana Cachucho2, Flávio Silva2, Catarina Matos2, Elsa Lamy1, Fernando Capela e Silva 1,3, and Alfredo Pereira 1,2 1 Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Evora, Portugal; 2 Department of Zootechnics, University of Évora, Portugal; 3 Department of Biology, University of Evora, Portugal [email protected] Dairy cattle are particularly sensitive to high temperatures, lowering milk output as well as milk quality (fat, solid, lactose and protein). Given the trend of global warming, the joint selection for productivity and adaptability is an objective, i.e. greater heat loss without lowering the metabolism. So, to search and validate the xistence of non"invasive biomarkers that could allow selection of the animals best adapted is crucial to achieve such an objective. The interest of saliva as a source of biomarkers starts to increase in animal production. Salivary ortisol has been used in some studies, but it presents some limitations for thermal stress, which can be circumvent by salivary proteins. The hypothesis that cows presenting high potential for milk production under adverse thermal conditions also present differences in salivary protein profiles comparatively to the ones less productive, is actually being tested at ICAAM"University of Évora, Portugal, by our research team. The experiment was design to identify salivary proteins whose expression levels can be related to the potential for milk production under unfavourable thermal conditions. Twelve animals (6 high and 6 low milk potential production) were analysed for salivary protein composition at three different acclimation time points: first, during summer, under hot temperatures; second, under thermoneutrality; and third, during winter, under low temperatures. Whole saliva was collected directly from cow mouth, using cotton rolls (salivettes). At each time point, collection was performed in two different days, to avoid bias due to particular variations due to environment. One and two"dimensional electrophoresis are being performed to compare salivary proteomes from animals with different milk production potential, and to assess how differences between these groups are maintained through the different acclimation periods.COST FA1308- Dairy Care; ICAA

The acclimatisation process in dairy cows with different milk yield potential - searching for reliable biomarkers

In dairy cattle, heat thermal stress is a major concern environmental stress that limits animal growth, metabolism, and productivity. Facing global warming tendency, the current increased environmental temperatures, the joint selection for productivity and adaptability should be an objective for dairy farms. This study aimed to evaluate the acclimatisation process of cows with different milk yield potential during summer and winter periods. 13 Holstein-Friesian cows were chosen from a dairy farm located in Alentejo, Portugal, 7 of those with high milk yield potential (HMP) and 6 with low milk yield potential (LMP). All cows were evaluated during summer and winter periods in respiratory frequency (RF), sweating rate (SR) and rectal temperature (RT) as well as milk, blood and saliva parameters. RF, SR and RT values were significantly higher in summer (64.13±12.78 mov./min., 76,89±46.77 g/m2 /h and 38.82±0.68 °C) than in winter (36.13±7.67 mov./min., 24.69±7.30 g/m2 /h and 38.06±0.52 °C), without differences between the two groups (HMP and LMP). Haematocrit and triiodothyronine levels were significantly lower in summer (23.80±9.39 % and 142.00±13.77 ng/dL) than in winter (30.70±5.00 % and 170.69±17.78 ng/dL) for both groups. However, in summer, HMP cows presented triiodothyronine blood concentrations (133.33±8.14 ng/dL) significantly lower than the LMP (152.40±11.97 ng/dL). Concerning salivary parameters, only HMP cows showed higher HSP70 concentrations during summer, without major changes in cortisol. Regarding milk analysis, urea levels were the only milk compound significantly different between groups (P<0.05): during summer the HMP group (293.62±35.97 mg/kg) had milk urea levels higher than LMP (253.69±33.81 mg/kg). These results showed that although HMP cows did not differed significantly in the first responses to heat (RF, SR and RT) from LMP cows, with the acclimatisation process, they showed higher physiological modifications, decreasing the metabolism, increasing HSP expression and changing milk composition. These results seem to indicate the potential use of HSP70 in saliva and urea in milk as potential biomarkers of heat stress

Characterization of carcass composition and meat quality traits of Alentejano pigs finished under free-range conditions - Preliminary results

The Alentejano pig is an autochthonous fatty breed from the south of Portugal, traditionally finished under free-range conditions. During fattening, which occurs in fall/winter months, pigs are fed with acorns and grass, being slaughtered at high body weight (≈150kg). Meat and fat of this breed are used to manufacture high quality meat products, including several with the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) labels. Despite the impact on final product quality and on productive efficiency, carcass and meat quality of pigs available for manufacture of these products is still poorly characterized. In this work the carcass composition and physicochemical characteristics of meat from Alentejano pigs raised under free-range conditions was evaluated. In February/March 2017, 541 carcasses of Alentejano pigs (254 males and 287 females) from 11 farms located in the Alentejo region, southern Portugal, were studied. For each animal, the weight of carcass, loins, hams and forelegs, as well as backfat thickness, were recorded. Longissimus lumborum muscle samples were collected for physicochemical analysis. A high variation was detected for the various carcass and meat quality parameters analysed. Carcass weight varied between 108.1-194.4kg, with heavier carcasses in males than in females (P<0.001; 126.6 ± 12.5 vs. 122.3 ± 10.1kg, mean ± SD). The weights of loins, hams, and forelegs averaged 3.71 ± 0.52, 26.5 ± 2.5 and 17.5 ± 1.6kg, respectively. The weights of hams and forelegs were higher in males than in females (P<0.001), but the loins and hams weight proportion in relation to the carcass did not differ between sexes. The backfat thickness was 5.97 ± 0.84cm. Regarding meat physicochemical parameters, the moisture and ashes were 67.8 ± 2.3 and 1.10 ± 0.11%, respectively. The pH and water loss were 5.70 ± 0.20 and 13.2 ± 3.7%, respectively. Meat colour parameters averaged 40.4 ± 2.9, 13.6 ± 1.8, 7.0 ± 1.3, 27.2 ± 3.0 and 15.3 ± 2.2, for L*, a*, b*, hue angle and chroma, respectively. Saturation index was 0.38 ± 0.05. Total pigments and myoglobin were respectively 55.3 ± 17.1μg/g and 1.43 ± 0.44mg/g. Meat from females showed lower moisture content and water loss (P<0.05) than those from males. Work performed under the project SelectPorAl – Marker development for genomic selection in the Alentejano pig breed (ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-000032) funded by Alentejo2020 program through the FEDER

Fatty acids composition of Longissimus lumborum muscle from Alentejano pigs finished under free-range conditions

Fatty acids composition of Longissimus lumborum muscle from Alentejano pigs finished under free-range condition