Effects of loading methods on rabbit welfare and meat quality

The effects of different loading methods on the welfare, carcass characteristics and meat quality traits of hybrid commercial rabbits were investigated. 384 male rabbits, 82 days old, were transported from the farm to the slaughterhouse. At the farm, 192 rabbits were loaded onto the truck smoothly (S) and 192 rabbits were loaded roughly (R). The S loading method consisted of carefully placing each rabbit into the transport crates. In the R method, the loading was hurriedly and carelessly executed by the transport operator, throwing each animal into the crates fixed on the truck. Live weight before and after transport as well as slaughter data were recorded for each rabbit, and a subset of 80 carcasses were evaluated for meat quality. Blood samples from 80 rabbits were analysed for haematological and biochemical parameters. A significant neutrophilia (P < 0.001), lymphocytopaenia (P < 0.001) and an increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P < 0.01), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P < 0.001) and creatine kinase (CK) activities (P < 0.001) were recorded in all rabbits after transport, independent of the loading method. A twofold increase in serum corticosterone concentration (6.23 vs. 14.88 ng/mL; P = 0.001) was observed in all rabbits following transport. Results suggest that the stress parameters analysed were more influenced by transport and handling itself rather than by the different loading methods. The results showed that there was no adverse effect of loading method on carcass traits. Furthermore, the stress condition evidenced by haematological and biochemical parameters prior to slaughter did not affect meat quality

Maternal and Neonatal Behaviour in Italian Mediterranean Buffaloes

The aim of this study was to describe the neonatal and maternal behaviour of Italian Mediterranean buffaloes. Thirty primiparous buffaloes were moved into individual pens 12.5 (±2.5) days before calving. Maternal and neonatal behaviours were recorded for 48 h after calving and the analysis was performed in continuous sampling with the software BORIS. Calves’ clinical evaluations (temperature, weight, and heart and respiratory rates) were performed at different time intervals and correlated with behavioural data from the dam. Data were analysed with parametric and non-parametric methods after controlling their distribution. The maternal behavioural pattern found highlighted buffaloes’ priorities during the post-partum period: firstly, they stand and start grooming to ensure proper care for the calf; it is only after this that they dedicate time to maintenance behaviours (feeding and lying). The dams mainly groomed the calf during the first six hours after calving (average time in the 1–6-h interval: 7.7 ± 2.5 min., F = (2.5, 60.2) = 75.0; p < 0.001) to ensure the formation of the mother–infant bond; thereafter, the behaviour decreased over time. As reported in the literature, inexperienced mothers could sometimes delay the calf’s first suckling with aggressive or rejection behaviours. In this regard, 16 buffalo dams showed at least one maternal rejection behaviour, which was found to negatively correlate with calves’ daily weight gain (DWG) at 14 (rs = −0.5, p = 0.02) and 21 days (rs = −0.7, p < 0.001). The calves took on average 212.0 ± 110.0 min to suckle, and this behaviour was mainly shown during the first six hours. Overall, suckling behaviour was correlated with standing: (rs = 0.6, p < 0.001) and walking (rs = 0.9, p < 0.001). The calves’ live weight and DWG were consistently higher than the values reported in the literature. Our results present a detailed description of maternal and neonatal behaviour in the early post-partum period in Italian Mediterranean buffaloes. We also found that maternal rejection behaviours can negatively influence the calves’ growth. Finally, we think that such results can improve the management of buffaloes during the period around parturition

Evaluation of biogenic amines in wine: Determination by an improved HPLC-PDA method.

An improved, simple and sensitive method to quantify the biogenic amines ethanolamine, methylamine, ethylamine, isoamylamine and the usually investigated b-phenylethylamine, putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, tyramine, spermidine, spermine has been developed and validated in red and white wines. The analyses were derivatised with dansyl chloride and separated by HPLC coupled with PDA detector. The calibration curves showed good linearity (r>0.9990) and biogenic amines recovery varied from 72 to 97%. The repeatability ranged from 1 to 8% for red wine and from 1 to 5% for white wine. The detection and quantification limits were from 0.02 to 0.10 mg/L and from 0.08 to 0.30 mg/L, respectively. The method was successfully applied to detect and quantify biogenic amines in Italian red and white wines from Abruzzo Region. The proposed method is suitable for simultaneous detection and for accurate and precise quantification of eleven biogenic amines in wines

Effects of 00-rapeseed meal inclusion in Parmigiano Reggiano hay-based ration on dairy cows’ production, reticular pH and fibre digestibility

Hay-based diets are typically used in Parmigiano Reggiano cheese production. Parmigiano Reggiano feeding regulation prohibits 00-rapeseed dietary inclusion. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of substituting soybean-meal with different levels of 00-rapeseed-meal in dairy cows’ diets, to evaluate the possibility to include it in Parmigiano Reggiano regulation. The study had a Latin square design with 8 tie stall dairy cows. The isoenergetic and isoproteic dietary treatments differed in protein source (% of DM): S (0.0% 00-rapeseed-meal, 9.3% of soybean-meal), LR (3.8% 00-rapeseed-meal, 6.8% of soybean-meal), MR (8.5% 00-rapeseed-meal, 3.4% of soybean-meal), and HR (13.2% 00-rapeseed-meal, 0.0% of soybean-meal). DMI, milk production and composition, rumination and reticular-pH were recorded daily. Dietary fibre digestibility was evaluated by in vitro fermentation and milk gointrin content was quantified by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Statistical analysis was performed by mixed model. Milk yield, protein and casein content increased for incremental 00-rapeseed-meal dietary levels. MR treatment compared to the others resulted in higher daily reticular-pH (5.92), and fewer minutes with pH below 5.8 (467) and 5.5 (72). Goitrin was detectable in milk when 00-rapeseed-meal was included in the diet. Overall, the inclusion of 00-rapeseed-meal in the Parmigiano Reggiano type ratio did not compromise the performances of cows pointing to it as a reliable substitute for soybean-meal. Our results suggest that 00-rapeseed-meal should be tested in feeding studies to determine its effects on milk organoleptic characteristics and cheese production and quality to see if it can be included in the Italian PDO cheese regulation

Evaluation of Sheep Anticipatory Response to a Food Reward by Means of Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Anticipatory behaviour to an oncoming food reward can be triggered via classical conditioning, implies the activation of neural networks, and may serve to study the emotional state of animals. The aim of this study was to investigate how the anticipatory response to a food reward affects the cerebral cortex activity in sheep. Eight ewes from the same flock were trained to associate a neutral auditory stimulus (water bubble) to the presence of a food reward (maize grains). Once conditioned, sheep were trained to wait 15 s behind a gate before accessing a bucket with food (anticipation phase). For 6 days, sheep were submitted to two sessions of six consecutive trials each. Behavioural reaction was filmed and changes in cortical oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin concentration ([ΔO2Hb] and [ΔHHb] respectively) following neuronal activation were recorded by functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Compared to baseline, during the anticipation phase sheep increased their active behaviour, kept the head oriented to the gate (Wilcoxon’s signed rank test; p ≤ 0.001), and showed more asymmetric ear posture (Wilcoxon’s signed rank test; p ≤ 0.01), most likely reflecting a learnt association and an increased arousal. Results of trial-averaged [ΔO2Hb] and [ΔHHb] within individual sheep showed in almost every sheep a cortical activation during the anticipation phase (Student T-test; p ≤ 0.05). The sheep showed a greater response of the right hemisphere compared to the left hemisphere, possibly indicating a negative affective state, such as frustration. Behavioural and cortical changes observed during anticipation of a food reward reflect a learnt association and an increased arousal, but no clear emotional valence of the sheep subjective experience. Future work should take into consideration possible factors affecting the accurateness of measures, such as probe’s location and scalp vascularization

effects of three different diets on the fatty acid profile and sensory properties of fresh pecorino cheese primo sale

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Il controllo del bilancio energetico per il contenimento delle patologie mammarie nella bovina ad inizio lattazione

Il bilancio fra la quantità di energia apportata dalla razionee fabbisogni di produzione è di fondamentale importanza per prevenire l’insorgenza di numerosi eventi morbosi che minano la salute ed il benessere della bovina da latte.Le tecniche più diffuse di razionamento solo di rado soddisfano questa esigenza: più di frequente, all’interno dello stesso allevamento, si hanno animali per i quali gli apportisono eccedenti, oppure inferiori rispetto alle necessità di mantenimento e di produzione. Nel primo caso l’energia viene accumulata di preferenza nel tessuto adiposo e la bovinarecupera peso e condizione corporea; nella seconda evenienza le riserve sono mobilitate anche con intensità e, nei casi estremi, la stessa sopravvivenza può essere messa in pericolo. [...

Effects of extruded linseed dietary supplementation on milk yield, milk quality and lipid metabolism of dairy cows

Twenty Italian Friesian dairy cows were used in an experimental trial to study the effects ofextruded linseed dietary supplementation on milk production, milk quality and fatty acid (FA) percentages of milkfat and total plasma lipids and plasma phospholipids. Control cows were fed a corn silage based total mixed ration(TMR) while treated animals also received 700g/head/d of extruded linseed supplementation. Feed intake was similarbetween groups. Milk yields was tendentially greater for cows fed extruded linseed. Milk urea content (P<0.05)were reduced by treatment. Results showed a significant increase n-3 FA concentration (particularly alpha linolenicacid) and a significant reduction of n-6/n-3 FA ratio in milk fat, total plasma lipids and plasma phospholipids(P<0.001); moreover a reduction trend (P<0.1) of arachidonic acid concentrations was observed in milk fat, totalplasma lipids and plasma phospholipids. At last, treatment enhanced milk fat conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) percentage(P<0.05).[...