Effects of maternal subnutrition during early pregnancy on cow hematological profiles and offspring physiology and vitality in two beef breeds

This experiment evaluated the effects of subnutrition during early gestation on hematology in cows (Bos Taurus) and on hematological, metabolic, endocrine, and vitality parameters in their calves. Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica dams were inseminated and assigned to either a control (CONTROL, 100% requirements) or a nutrient‐restricted group (SUBNUT, 65%) during the first third of gestation. Dam blood samples were collected on days 20 and 253 of gestation, and calf samples were obtained during the first days of life. Pirenaica dams presented higher red series parameters than Parda de Montaña dams, both in the first and the last months of gestation. During early pregnancy, granulocyte numbers and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were lower in Pirenaica‐SUBNUT than in Pirenaica‐CONTROL cows. Calves from the SUBNUT cows did not show a physiological reduction in red series values in early life, suggesting later maturation of the hematopoietic system. Poor maternal nutrition affected calf endocrine parameters. Newborns from dystocic parturitions showed lower NEFA concentrations and weaker vitality responses. In conclusion, maternal nutrition had short‐term effects on cow hematology, Pirenaica cows showing a higher susceptibility to undernutrition; and a long‐term effect on their offspring endocrinology, SUBNUT newborns showing lower levels of IGF‐1 and higher levels of cortisol.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Business and the European Union Regional Development Funds (INIA RTA 2013‐00059‐C02 and INIA RZP 2015‐001) and the Government of Aragon under the Grant Research Group Funds (A14_17R). A. Noya received a PhD grant from INIA‐Government of Aragon

Gut microbiota in canine idiopathic epilepsy: Effects of disease and treatment

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in humans and dogs. The structure and composition of gut microbiome associated to this disorder has not yet been analyzed in depth but there is evidence that suggests a possible influence of gut bacteria in controlling seizures. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in gut microbiota associated to canine idiopathic epilepsy (IE) and the possible influence of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on the modulation of this microbiota. Faecal microbiota composition was analyzed using sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA gene in a group of healthy controls (n = 12) and a group of epileptic dogs both before (n = 10) and after a 30-day single treatment with phenobarbital or imepitoin (n = 9). Epileptic dogs showed significantly reduced abundance of GABA (Pseudomonadales, Pseudomonadaceae, Pseudomonas and Pseudomona_graminis) and SCFAs-producing bacteria (Peptococcaceae, Ruminococcaceae and Anaerotruncus) as well as bacteria associated with reduced risk for brain disease (Prevotellaceae) than control dogs. The administration of AEDs during 30 days did not modify the gut microbiota composition. These results are expected to contribute to the understanding of canine idiopathic epilepsy and open up the possibility of studying new therapeutic approaches for this disorder, including probiotic intervention to restore gut microbiota in epileptic individuals. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

The effect of transport time, season and position on the truck on stress response in rabbits

[EN] The present study analyzed the effect of transport time, season and position on the truck on physiological stress response of commercial rabbits in Aragón (Spain). A total of 156 animals were sampled in a 2x2x3 factorial design testing two transport times: short, 1 hour (1hT) and long, 7 hours (7hT), in two different seasons: hot, during summer (HT) and cold during winter (CT), and three different positions on the truck: upper, middle or lower decks in multi-floor cages on rolling stands (MFRS-top, MFRS-middle and MFRS-bottom). Three replicates were performed per treatment. Blood samples were taken at sticking during slaughter to compare hematocrite, corticosterone, glucose, lactate and Creatine Kinase (CK) levels as well as the ultimate pH of the carcass (pH24). Corticosterone and CK levels were highest in 1hT rabbits. With respect to season, colder temperatures increased corticosterone, while warmer temperatures increased CK (P<0.001). Regarding position on the truck, MFRS-middle and bottom rabbits had higher levels of glucose, corticosterone and CK. The pH24 values were within normal ranges for all treatments but slightly higher for animals transported in winter. In general, transport time and season were significant stressors for commercial rabbits, due to the effects on their physiological states. Position on the truck seems to have an effect on stress response to transport in rabbits. However, pH24, which is considered one of the main parameters of welfare measurements, was not affected by transport time or position on the truck.Our project was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology (CICYT AGL-2002-01346). The authors wish to thank CUIN S.L. in Villanueva de Gállego and the associations MADECUN and ASESCU for their collaboration.Liste, M.; María, GA.; García-Belenguer, S.; Chacón, G.; Gazzola, P.; Villarroel, M. (2008). The effect of transport time, season and position on the truck on stress response in rabbits. World Rabbit Science. 16(4). doi:10.4995/wrs.2008.618SWORD16

Síndrome de disfunción cognitiva en el perro geriátrico

El Síndrome de disfunción cognitiva es una enfermedad degenerativa, relativamente frecuente en el perro geriátrico, que cursa con una amplia constelación de alteraciones del comportamiento. El diagnóstico precoz, junto con la instauración de un protocolo terapéutico adecuado para cada animal, puede mejorar en gran medida la calidad de vida de estos pacientes así como la relación con sus propietarios

Partially defatted olive cake in finishing pig diets: implications on performance, faecal microbiota, carcass quality, slurry composition and gas emission

[EN] One of the key factors to improve swine production sustainability is the use of agro-industrial by-products in feeds, such as olive by-products. However, it is necessary to assess its effects on the overall production process, including the animal and the environment. With this aim, an experiment was conducted to determine the effects of including a partially defatted olive cake (PDOC) in pig diets on growth performance, faecal microbiota, carcass quality and gas emission from the slurry. Two finishing diets were formulated, a control (C) diet and a diet with PDOC included at 120 g/kg. Eighty finishing male pigs Duroc-Danbred x (Landrace x Large White) of 60.4 +/- 7.00 kg BW were divided between these two treatments. During the finishing period (60 to 110 kg BW, 55 days) average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were recorded. Faecal samples from the rectum of 16 animals per treatment were incubated for bacteria enumeration. At the end of finishing period, backfat thickness and loin depth (LD) were measured. Animals were slaughtered to obtain carcass weight and carcass composition parameters, and subcutaneous fat was sampled to analyse the fatty acid (FA) profile. In addition greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions were measured during pig slurry storage using the methodology of dynamic flux chambers. An initial slurry characterisation and biochemical methane potential (B-0) were also determined. No significant differences between treatments were found in performance, carcass quality and microbial counts with the exception of LD, which was lower in PDOC compared with C animals (45.5 v. 47.5 mm, SEM: 0.62; P = 0.020). The FA profile of the subcutaneous fat did not differ between treatments, but the monounsaturated FA (MUFA) concentration was higher and the polyunsaturated FA was lower in the animals fed PDOC (50.9 v. 48.3, SEM: 0.48, P < 0.001; 17.6 v. 19.3, SEM: 0.30, P < 0.001 in mg/100 g of Total FA, for PDOC and C animals, respectively). The initial pig slurry characterisation only showed differences in ADF concentration that was higher (P < 0.05) in the slurry from PDOC treatment. Regarding gas emission, slurries from both treatments emitted similar amounts of ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), as well as B-0 values. The results obtained suggest that PDOC may be included in balanced pig diets at rates of up to 120 g/kg without negative effects on performance, carcass quality, gut microflora and slurry gas emission, while improving the MUFA concentration of subcutaneous fat.This project was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (AGL2014-56653). Preliminary results from this work have been published in an abstract form (Ferrer et al., 2017). Acknowledgements are also expressed to DCOOP for providing PDCO.Ferrer Riera, P.; Calvet, S.; García-Rebollar, P.; De Blas, C.; Jiménez Belenguer, AI.; Hernández, P.; Piquer, O.... (2020). Partially defatted olive cake in finishing pig diets: implications on performance, faecal microbiota, carcass quality, slurry composition and gas emission. Animal. 14(2):426-434. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731119002040S426434142Abo Omar, J. M., Daya, R., & Ghaleb, A. (2012). Effects of different forms of olive cake on the performance and carcass quality of Awassi lambs. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 171(2-4), 167-172. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2011.11.002Alburquerque, J. (2004). Agrochemical characterisation of «alperujo», a solid by-product of the two-phase centrifugation method for olive oil extraction. Bioresource Technology, 91(2), 195-200. doi:10.1016/s0960-8524(03)00177-9Bach Knudsen, K. E., & Hansen, I. (1991). Gastrointestinal implications in pigs of wheat and oat fractions. British Journal of Nutrition, 65(2), 217-232. doi:10.1079/bjn19910082Beccaccia, A., Calvet, S., Cerisuelo, A., Ferrer, P., García-Rebollar, P., & De Blas, C. (2015). Effects of nutrition on digestion efficiency and gaseous emissions from slurry in growing-finishing pigs. I. Influence of the inclusion of two levels of orange pulp and carob meal in isofibrous diets. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 208, 158-169. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2015.07.008Calvet, S., Hunt, J., & Misselbrook, T. H. (2017). Low frequency aeration of pig slurry affects slurry characteristics and emissions of greenhouse gases and ammonia. Biosystems Engineering, 159, 121-132. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2017.04.011Cámara, L., Berrocoso, J. D., Coma, J., López-Bote, C. J., & Mateos, G. G. (2016). Growth performance and carcass quality of crossbreds pigs from two Pietrain sire lines fed isoproteic diets varying in energy concentration. Meat Science, 114, 69-74. doi:10.1016/j.meatsci.2015.12.013Canh, T. T., Verstegen, M. W., Aarnink, A. J., & Schrama, J. W. (1997). Influence of dietary factors on nitrogen partitioning and composition of urine and feces of fattening pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 75(3), 700. doi:10.2527/1997.753700xCardona, F., Andrés-Lacueva, C., Tulipani, S., Tinahones, F. J., & Queipo-Ortuño, M. I. (2013). Benefits of polyphenols on gut microbiota and implications in human health. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 24(8), 1415-1422. doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2013.05.001Cava, R., Ruiz, J., López-Bote, C., Martín, L., García, C., Ventanas, J., & Antequera, T. (1997). Influence of finishing diet on fatty acid profiles of intramuscular lipids, triglycerides and phospholipids in muscles of the Iberian pig. Meat Science, 45(2), 263-270. doi:10.1016/s0309-1740(96)00102-7Cerisuelo, A., Castelló, L., Moset, V., Martínez, M., Hernández, P., Piquer, O., … Lainez, M. (2010). The inclusion of ensiled citrus pulp in diets for growing pigs: Effects on voluntary intake, growth performance, gut microbiology and meat quality. Livestock Science, 134(1-3), 180-182. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2010.06.135Chamorro, S., Viveros, A., Alvarez, I., Vega, E., & Brenes, A. (2012). Changes in polyphenol and polysaccharide content of grape seed extract and grape pomace after enzymatic treatment. Food Chemistry, 133(2), 308-314. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.01.031De Blas, J. C., Rodriguez, C. A., Bacha, F., Fernandez, R., & Abad-Guamán, R. (2015). Nutritive value of co-products derived from olivecake in rabbit feeding. World Rabbit Science, 23(4), 255. doi:10.4995/wrs.2015.4036FAOSTAT, 2017. Production quantities by country, 2014. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved on 26 June 2018, from http://faostat3.fao.org/home/FEDNA 2010. Tablas FEDNA de composición y valor nutritivo de alimentos para la fabricación de piensos compuestos, 3ª edición. (ed. C de Blas, GG Mateos, P García-Rebollar), pp 310–311. Fundación Española para el Desarrollo de la Nutrición Animal, Madrid, Spain.Ferrer P, Calvet S, Piquer O, García-Rebollar P, de Blas C, Bonet J, Coma J and Cerisuelo A 2017. Olive cake in pigs feeding: effects on growth performance, carcass quality and gas emission from slurry. In Proceedings of the 2nd World Conference of Innovative Animal Nutrition and Feeding, 18–20 October 2017, Budapest, Hungary, pp. 63–64.Ferrer, P., García-Rebollar, P., Cerisuelo, A., Ibáñez, M. A., Rodríguez, C. A., Calvet, S., & De Blas, C. (2018). Nutritional value of crude and partially defatted olive cake in finishing pigs and effects on nitrogen balance and gaseous emissions. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 236, 131-140. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2017.12.014García-González, D. L., & Aparicio, R. (2010). Research in Olive Oil: Challenges for the Near Future. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58(24), 12569-12577. doi:10.1021/jf102735nGonzález, E., Hernández-Matamoros, A., & Tejeda, J. F. (2012). Two by-products of the olive oil extraction industry as oleic acid supplement source for Iberian pigs: effect on the meat’s chemical composition and induced lipoperoxidation. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 92(12), 2543-2551. doi:10.1002/jsfa.5669Jarrett, S., & Ashworth, C. J. (2018). The role of dietary fibre in pig production, with a particular emphasis on reproduction. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 9(1). doi:10.1186/s40104-018-0270-0Joven, M., Pintos, E., Latorre, M. A., Suárez-Belloch, J., Guada, J. A., & Fondevila, M. (2014). Effect of replacing barley by increasing levels of olive cake in the diet of finishing pigs: Growth performances, digestibility, carcass, meat and fat quality. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 197, 185-193. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2014.08.007Leouifoudi, I., Harnafi, H., & Zyad, A. (2015). Olive Mill Waste Extracts: Polyphenols Content, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities. Advances in Pharmacological Sciences, 2015, 1-11. doi:10.1155/2015/714138Licitra, G., Hernandez, T. M., & Van Soest, P. J. (1996). Standardization of procedures for nitrogen fractionation of ruminant feeds. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 57(4), 347-358. doi:10.1016/0377-8401(95)00837-3Marín, L., Miguélez, E. M., Villar, C. J., & Lombó, F. (2015). Bioavailability of Dietary Polyphenols and Gut Microbiota Metabolism: Antimicrobial Properties. BioMed Research International, 2015, 1-18. doi:10.1155/2015/905215Mas, G., Llavall, M., Coll, D., Roca, R., Diaz, I., Gispert, M., … Realini, C. E. (2010). Carcass and meat quality characteristics and fatty acid composition of tissues from Pietrain-crossed barrows and gilts fed an elevated monounsaturated fat diet. Meat Science, 85(4), 707-714. doi:10.1016/j.meatsci.2010.03.028Molina-Alcaide, E., & Yáñez-Ruiz, D. R. (2008). Potential use of olive by-products in ruminant feeding: A review. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 147(1-3), 247-264. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2007.09.021Morazán, H., Alvarez-Rodriguez, J., Seradj, A. R., Balcells, J., & Babot, D. (2015). Trade-offs among growth performance, nutrient digestion and carcass traits when feeding low protein and/or high neutral-detergent fiber diets to growing-finishing pigs. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 207, 168-180. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2015.06.003O’Fallon, J. V., Busboom, J. R., Nelson, M. L., & Gaskins, C. T. (2007). A direct method for fatty acid methyl ester synthesis: Application to wet meat tissues, oils, and feedstuffs. Journal of Animal Science, 85(6), 1511-1521. doi:10.2527/jas.2006-491Pieper, R., Vahjen, W., & Zentek, J. (2015). Dietary fibre and crude protein: impact on gastrointestinal microbial fermentation characteristics and host response. Animal Production Science, 55(12), 1367. doi:10.1071/an15278Rosenvold, K., & Andersen, H. J. (2003). Factors of significance for pork quality—a review. Meat Science, 64(3), 219-237. doi:10.1016/s0309-1740(02)00186-9Serra, A., Conte, G., Giovannetti, M., Casarosa, L., Agnolucci, M., Ciucci, F., … Mele, M. (2017). Olive Pomace in Diet Limits Lipid Peroxidation of Sausages from Cinta Senese Swine. European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology, 120(1), 1700236. doi:10.1002/ejlt.201700236Torres-Pitarch, A., Moset, V., Ferrer, P., Cambra-López, M., Hernández, P., Coma, J., … Cerisuelo, A. (2014). The inclusion of rapeseed meal in fattening pig diets, as a partial replacer of soybean meal, alters nutrient digestion, faecal composition and biochemical methane potential from faeces. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 198, 215-223. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2014.09.017Van Soest, P. J., Robertson, J. B., & Lewis, B. A. (1991). Methods for Dietary Fiber, Neutral Detergent Fiber, and Nonstarch Polysaccharides in Relation to Animal Nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science, 74(10), 3583-3597. doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(91)78551-2Yemm, E. W., & Willis, A. J. (1954). The estimation of carbohydrates in plant extracts by anthrone. Biochemical Journal, 57(3), 508-514. doi:10.1042/bj0570508Zhao, P. Y., Wang, J. P., & Kim, I. H. (2013). Evaluation of dietary fructan supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, fecal microbial flora, and fecal noxious gas emission in finishing pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 91(11), 5280-5286. doi:10.2527/jas.2012-539

Effect of age and severity of cognitive dysfunction on spontaneous activity in pet dogs - Part 1: Locomotor and exploratory behaviour

Age-related cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) has been reported in dogs and it is considered a natural model for Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Changes in spontaneous activity (including locomotor and exploratory behaviour) and social responsiveness have been related to the age and cognitive status of kennel-reared Beagle dogs. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of age and severity of CDS on locomotor and exploratory behaviour of privately owned dogs. This is the first part of a two-part report on spontaneous activity in pet dogs. An open-field (OF) test and a curiosity test were administered at baseline and 6 months later to young (1–4 years, n = 9), middle-aged (5–8 years, n = 9), cognitively unimpaired aged (⩾9 years, n = 31), and cognitively impaired aged (⩾9 years, n = 36) animals. Classification of cognitive status was carried out using an owner-based observational questionnaire, and in the cognitively impaired group, the dogs were categorised as having either mild or severe cognitive impairment. Dogs were recorded during sessions in the testing room and the video-recordings were subsequently analysed. The severity of CDS (but not age) influenced locomotion and exploratory behaviour so that the more severe the impairment, the higher the locomotor activity and frequency of corner-directed (aimless) behaviours, and the lower the frequency of door-aimed activities. Curiosity directed toward novel stimuli exhibited an age-dependent decline although severely affected animals displayed more sniffing episodes directed towards the objects. OF activity did not change after 6 months. Testing aged pet dogs for spontaneous behaviour might help to better characterise cognitively affected individuals

Estrategias emocionales para promover la excelencia del alumnado

[ES] Esta comunicación describe el trabajo desarrollado en el último año por el Equipo de Innovación y Calidad Educativa (EICE) GRIPAU en la UPV. Este es un equipo multidisciplinar de profesores tiene como uno de sus principales objetivos desarrollar estrategias que favorezcan la motivación del alumnado como herramienta para que estos alcancen un aprendizaje significativo, y en última instancia, la excelencia en su aprendizaje. Esta excelencia se define no solo considerando el aprendizaje de contenidos teóricos, sino también mediante el desarrollo de competencias y habilidades, sensibilización con el entorno, y desarrollo del pensamiento crítico. En primer lugar, se han definido una serie de estrategias que potencialmente pueden permitir este aprendizaje significativo, estableciendo unas líneas comunes de actuación. Estas estrategias han sido aplicadas en ocho asignaturas de áreas de conocimiento muy dispares, y evaluadas mediante una metodología común que consiste en el seguimiento de resultados objetivos y el análisis encuestas pasadas a los alumnos al principio y al final de la asignatura. En general, las metodologías utilizadas han sido valoradas positivamente por parte de los alumnos y se ha observado una tendencia a mejorar el desarrollo de determinadas competencias transversales en función de las metodologías empleadas. Puede concluirse que favorecer la reflexión del alumno acerca de su propio aprendizaje es una estrategia de motivación que favorece un aprendizaje profundo[Otros] This paper describes the work developed during the last year by the Team in Education Innovation and Quality GRIPAU in the UPV. To this multidisciplinary team of professors, developing strategies to enhance student¿s motivation is one of the main goals. These strategies may allow students a significant learning, and thus the excellence in their learning. An excellent learning may be defined not only considering theoretical contents, but also the development of certain capabilities, sensitization with their environment or development of critical thinking. To this aim, a series of strategies potentially enhancing this learning have been defined. These strategies have been applied in eight subjects belonging to very different areas of knowledge and evaluated using a common methodology consisting in surveys to students at the beginning and at the end of the course. In general, the methodologies used in this study were positively rated by students and a tendency to improve the development of certain cross competences was detected. It can be concluded that enhancing student¿s reflection on his own learning is an effective strategy to motivate students and promote an excellent learning.Rodríguez León, A.; Martínez García, A.; Jiménez Belenguer, AI.; Moreno-Ramón, H.; Guillén Guillamón, IE.; Cabedo Fabres, M.; Calvet, S.... (2014). Estrategias emocionales para promover la excelencia del alumnado. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1012-1025. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/168755S1012102

Measurements of fiducial and differential cross sections for Higgs boson production in the diphoton decay channel at s√=8 TeV with ATLAS

Measurements of fiducial and differential cross sections are presented for Higgs boson production in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of s√=8 TeV. The analysis is performed in the H → γγ decay channel using 20.3 fb−1 of data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The signal is extracted using a fit to the diphoton invariant mass spectrum assuming that the width of the resonance is much smaller than the experimental resolution. The signal yields are corrected for the effects of detector inefficiency and resolution. The pp → H → γγ fiducial cross section is measured to be 43.2 ±9.4(stat.) − 2.9 + 3.2 (syst.) ±1.2(lumi)fb for a Higgs boson of mass 125.4GeV decaying to two isolated photons that have transverse momentum greater than 35% and 25% of the diphoton invariant mass and each with absolute pseudorapidity less than 2.37. Four additional fiducial cross sections and two cross-section limits are presented in phase space regions that test the theoretical modelling of different Higgs boson production mechanisms, or are sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model. Differential cross sections are also presented, as a function of variables related to the diphoton kinematics and the jet activity produced in the Higgs boson events. The observed spectra are statistically limited but broadly in line with the theoretical expectations

Measurement of χ c1 and χ c2 production with s√ = 7 TeV pp collisions at ATLAS

The prompt and non-prompt production cross-sections for the χ c1 and χ c2 charmonium states are measured in pp collisions at s√ = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC using 4.5 fb−1 of integrated luminosity. The χ c states are reconstructed through the radiative decay χ c → J/ψγ (with J/ψ → μ + μ −) where photons are reconstructed from γ → e + e − conversions. The production rate of the χ c2 state relative to the χ c1 state is measured for prompt and non-prompt χ c as a function of J/ψ transverse momentum. The prompt χ c cross-sections are combined with existing measurements of prompt J/ψ production to derive the fraction of prompt J/ψ produced in feed-down from χ c decays. The fractions of χ c1 and χ c2 produced in b-hadron decays are also measured

Measurement of the production of a W boson in association with a charm quark in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

The production of a W boson in association with a single charm quark is studied using 4.6 fb−1 of pp collision data at s√ = 7 TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. In events in which a W boson decays to an electron or muon, the charm quark is tagged either by its semileptonic decay to a muon or by the presence of a charmed meson. The integrated and differential cross sections as a function of the pseudorapidity of the lepton from the W-boson decay are measured. Results are compared to the predictions of next-to-leading-order QCD calculations obtained from various parton distribution function parameterisations. The ratio of the strange-to-down sea-quark distributions is determined to be 0.96+0.26−0.30 at Q 2 = 1.9 GeV2, which supports the hypothesis of an SU(3)-symmetric composition of the light-quark sea. Additionally, the cross-section ratio σ(W + +c¯¯)/σ(W − + c) is compared to the predictions obtained using parton distribution function parameterisations with different assumptions about the s−s¯¯¯ quark asymmetry