A preliminary study of the effects of organic farming on oocyte quality in ewe lambs

This study tested whether feeding Rasa Aragonesa ewes certified organic feed, from 15 days before mating until lamb weaning, improved oocyte quality and in vitro maturation (IVM) and fertilization (IVF) performances of the offspring. In a second experiment, ovaries from ewe lambs that were bred on an organic farm and were of the same breed were compared with those from conventionally bred animals. The number (± standard error of the mean) of healthy oocytes per ewe lamb did not differ significantly between organic (12.2 ± 3.3) and conventionally (13.6 ± 4.0) fed ewes. Ovaries from ewe lambs born on an organic farm had significantly (P < 0.0001) more healthy oocytes per ewe lamb (39.6 ± 5.2) than did those born on a conventional farm (25.0 ± 4.2), and higher IVM (76.5% vs. 53.1%, P < 0.0001) and IVF (97.3 vs. 91%, P < 0.05) rates. In conclusion, this preliminary approach to the study of the effect of organic procedures on the sheep oocyte quality indicates that the total integration in the complete organic system improved the oocyte quality of ewe lambs, although organic feeding alone was insufficient to improve quality

Propiedades biológicas de matrices porosas y no porosas de PCL/PFIP

Actualmente existe un alto interés en el estudio de polímeros sintéticos biodegradables para su aplicación como andamiajes biocompatibles en distintas áreas de ingeniería de tejidos. Poli(e-caprolactona) (PCL) y poli(diisopropilfumarato) (PDIPF) han demostrado ser buenos sustratos para la adhesión, el crecimiento y la diferenciación de dos líneas de células osteoblásticas, MC3T3E1 derivadas de células de calvaria ratón y UMR106 osteosarcoma de rata, sugiriendo que estos polímeros pueden ser útiles en la regeneración de tejido óseo. Para obtener un material con buenas propiedades mecánicas y una tasa de degradación intermedia entre ambos homopolímeros se ha preparado una mezcla de PCL y PDIPF compatibilizada por ultrasonido de alta intensidad. Esta mezcla ha demostrado poseer mejores propiedades mecánicas y mayor biocompatibilidad que los homopolímeros correspondientes. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar la actividad de células UMR106 frente a matrices porosas y no porosas de la mezcla de PCL-PFIP compatibilizadas. Las matrices porosas se obtuvieron mediante electrospraying de una solución de la mezcla en cloroformo. Las matrices no porosas se obtuvieron por casting de una solución en cloroformo. Las películas obtenidas se evaluaron por SEM y microscopia óptica, usando el software “Image J” para caracterizarlas morfológicamente. En ambas matrices se realizaron ensayos de adhesión (a 1h), proliferación (a 24 h) y actividad de Fosfatasa Alcalina (ALP) (a 24 y 48 h, control: superficie de placa de cultivo). La técnica de electrospraying permitió la obtención de matrices porosas formadas por microgotas tal como se observa mediante SEM. La adhesión y proliferación y la actividad de ALP de las células crecidas sobre las películas aumento significativamente sobre la matriz porosa respecto a la matriz no porosa. El aumento del área superficial proporcionada por la estructura porosa incrementó los marcadores de actividad celular

Daily rhythms of body temperature around lambing in sheep measured non-invasively

Fifteen ewes had data-loggers affixed under the tail, programmed to record temperature (T) every 5 min, storing up to 72 h of data. Ewes were monitored to identify time of lambing (time 0). Lambing period lasted 5 d; thereafter seven ewes which yielded data for 24 h before and after lambing were selected. Mean T (±S.E.M.) was 39.03±0.02°C. Mean T in the 24 h preceding lambing (38.68±0.02°C) was lower than it was in the 24 h following parturition (39.38±0.03°C) (P< 0.0001). T was lower in the 12 h preceding lamb birth (38.56±0.10°C) than it was in the previous 12 h (-24 to -12, 38.76±0.02°C) (P<0.0001); thereafter, T was lowest precisely at parturition (mean T = 38.18±0.03°C) and increases rapidly and peaked (mean T = 39.70±0.04°C) 2 h after lambing. In the 12 h following delivery (39.28±0.02°C), T increased, especially in the window +12 to +24 h (39.51±0.03°C). In conclusion, T of ewes changed around parturition, with a reduction 12 h before lambing, followed by a rapid increase in the hours following parturition. The data-loggers used proved a high degree of sensitivity to detect physiological T changes, which confirmed that they are appropriate for use in sheep studies

Perfiles de identidad en ovinos de raza Chamarita

publishedTomo I . Sección: Sistemas Ganaderos-Economía y Gestión. Sesión: Economía II. Ponencia nº 1

Spatial preferences and behavioural patterns of lambs during fattening in straw enriched pens

The study analyses spatial preferences and behavioural patterns of lambs during fattening in straw enriched pens. Lambs were allocated in three replicates with 12 lambs each and housed in 6x6 m pens partially divided in two equal areas with and without straw bedding. Each pen was video-recorded continuously from 8 am to 8 pm on days 1, 5, 7, 14, 21 and 28. The use of different pen areas and the behaviour of the lambs were evaluated and analysed. The use of the space was significantly higher (p<0.05) for the straw area, where there was also more resting and affiliative interactions (p<0.05). In the areas without straw, animals walked more, remained standing longer periods (p<0.05) and had more stereotypic and aggressive behaviour (p<0.05). The study demonstrated that, when given the choice between two areas with similar resources, lambs prefer straw bedding. Straw is suggested to promote affiliation improving the adaptation to the feedlot. This could be useful to convince system managers that the availability of straw is beneficial to lamb welfare

Revisiting cattle temperament in beef cow-calf systems: Insights from farmers’ perceptions about an autochthonous breed

Understanding temperament is an important part of cattle production since undesirable temperament may cause serious problems associated with aggression, maternal care, and human safety. However, little is known about how farmers define or assess temperament, especially in autochthonous cattle breeds. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of farmers about the temperament of the Pyrenean cattle breed with special attention to beef cow-calf systems in Spain. The methodology used to obtain the information was focus group discussions (FGD). Farmers defined temperament as a behavioural response to challenging situations imposed by human handling. Specific terms used were related to active or passive reactions to fear (e.g., “strong”, “aggressive”, “nervous”, “fearful”). The speed of response to stimuli was also important. Female temperament was thought to become more docile with age while bull temperament was more variable. Maternal aggressiveness was highlighted as a potential human safety problem, but also desirable in an extensively bred animal who may need to defend calves against predators. Anatomical characteristics were seen as unreliable predictors of temperament, while behavioural indicators were more widely used, such as “alertness”, which was a general trait of the breed, and “gaze”, which, when associated with an alert expression, suggests a potential threat. Sensory acuity, such as sight and smell, were thought to be related with temperament in some FGDs but there was no overall agreement as to whether different behavioural responses were due to differences in sensory acuity. The results from the study could be useful during training programs or in the development of new genetic selection schemes and evaluation protocols involving cattle temperament

Effect of dietary grape pomace on fattening rabbit performance, fatty acid composition, and shelf life of meat

The use of agroindustry by-products in animal diets allows the use of residues that are not fit for human consumption. In this study, it was investigated whether fattening commercial rabbits during 30 days with a non-medicated feed, with 20% addition of grape pomace (GPD), affected production traits and the fatty acid composition, antioxidants properties, and the shelf life of the meat compared to a conventional strategy (CON). Furthermore, it was tested, by chromatographic analysis, whether this alternative diet allowed the transfer of phenolic compounds to the meat. Thirty-six weaned rabbits were allotted to the two treatments. In each treatment, 18 rabbits were fattened in three indoor cages, each housing three males and three female rabbits. No significant differences were found in live weights (p > 0.05), but the feed conversion rate and carcass weight and yield were found to be impaired in the GPD group (p = 0.05). The GPD group had a higher intramuscular fat percentage (2.01 vs. 1.54), improved polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids ratio (0.75 vs. 0.66), and better atherogenicity (0.71 vs. 0.83) and thrombogenicity (1.14 vs. 1.24) indexes, while the n-6/n-3 ratio was higher (25.4 vs. 20.3). Total volatile basic nitrogen in meat was lower in the GPD group (p = 0.01), suggesting a delayed spoilage. However, no improvements in total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, reducing power, and lipid oxidation (p > 0.05) were found in the meat. Even though the GPD pellets offered to the animals had several grape-derived phenolic compounds, and higher antioxidant properties compared to the CON diet, none of the phenolic compounds detected in feeds were detected in the meat samples. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

¿Afecta el copago sanitario a la equidad?

En un entorno de crisis económica y signos de agotamiento financiero del sistema sanitario, analizamos una de las medidas que con mayor insistencia se propone para su sostenibilidad: el copago, y estudiamos si su implantación afecta a los principios de bioética, en particular a la equidad, comprendida en el principio de justicia. Hemos encontrado relación causa/efecto entre la medida y la lesión de la equidad, sin que, por otra parte quede claro que el copago puede convertirse en un instrumento de peso para el mantenimiento financiero del sistema. Además, de todo lo estudiado y observado, no parece evidente que el sistema nacional de salud español esté en quiebra ya que sus dificultades financieras son solventables sin tener que renunciar a los beneficios para la población de un modelo público que ha contribuido –y lo hará, seguro, en el futuro- de forma innegable a la mejora de la salud de los ciudadanos de nuestro país.Considering the current environment of economic crisis and signs of financial exhaustion of the Spanish health system, it has been analyzed one of the most insistently proposed measure for economic sustainability: the copayment. It has been studied whether its implementation affects the bioethical principles, particularly equity, within the principle of social justice. A cause and effect relationship between the co-payment measure and equity damage has been found. However, it is clear that copayment can become an appropriate instrument for the financial sustainability of the health system. Furthermore, from our study it can be concluded that the Spanish national health system is not in bankrupt and that its financial difficulties can be solved without having to give up the social benefits of a public health model for the population. This health system has contributed-and will, sure, in future, continue to improving the health of the citizens of the country

Changes in hypothalamic expression of the Lin28/let-7 system and related MicroRNAs during postnatal maturation and after experimental manipulations of puberty

[Abstract] Lin28 and Lin28b are related RNA-binding proteins that inhibit the maturation of miRNAs of the let-7 family and participate in the control of cellular stemness and early embryonic development. Considerable interest has arisen recently concerning other physiological roles of the Lin28/let-7 axis, including its potential involvement in the control of puberty, as suggested by genome-wide association studies and functional genomics. We report herein the expression profiles of Lin28 and let-7 members in the rat hypothalamus during postnatal maturation and in selected models of altered puberty. The expression patterns of c-Myc (upstream positive regulator of Lin28), mir-145 (negative regulator of c-Myc), and mir-132 and mir-9 (putative miRNA repressors of Lin28, predicted by bioinformatic algorithms) were also explored. In male and female rats, Lin28, Lin28b, and c-Myc mRNAs displayed very high hypothalamic expression during the neonatal period, markedly decreased during the infantile-to-juvenile transition and reached minimal levels before/around puberty. A similar puberty-related decline was observed for Lin28b in monkey hypothalamus but not in the rat cortex, suggesting species conservation and tissue specificity. Conversely, let-7a, let-7b, mir-132, and mir-145, but not mir-9, showed opposite expression profiles. Perturbation of brain sex differentiation and puberty, by neonatal treatment with estrogen or androgen, altered the expression ratios of Lin28/let-7 at the time of puberty. Changes in the c-Myc/Lin28b/let-7 pathway were also detected in models of delayed puberty linked to early photoperiod manipulation and, to a lesser extent, postnatal underfeeding or chronic subnutrition. Altogether, our data are the first to document dramatic changes in the expression of the Lin28/let-7 axis in the rat hypothalamus during the postnatal maturation and after different manipulations that disturb puberty, thus suggesting the potential involvement of developmental changes in hypothalamic Lin28/let-7 expression in the mechanisms permitting/leading to puberty onset.Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad; BFU 2008-00984Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad; BFU 2011-25021Junta de Andalucía; P08-CVI-03788United States. National Institutes of Health HD025123-ARRAUnited States. National Science Foundation; IOS1121691Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI10/00088Xunta de Galicia; IN845B-2010/187Xunta de Galicia; 10CSA916014P