Factors Influencing Productivity and Sustainability of Small-Scale Beef Farms in Thailand

Over the past few decades, Thailand has witnessed a decline in production from small-scale beef cattle farming, accompanied by a reduced interest from younger generations in continuing family farming. The present study aimed to determine the state of these farms based on good agricultural practices (GAP) and explored factors influencing beef herd productivity and the willingness of the next generation to sustain the family business. Data from 1,175 questionnaires from 34 provinces was analyzed using SPSS. Beef herds with higher calving rates (CR ≥ 60%) had better herd, reproductive, and health management scores compared with the lower CR (<60%) group. Results from a negative binomial regression showed that factors, i.e., prediction of calving date and routine deworming positively impacted CR, while others like feeding types, mineral supplements, vaccination and hormonal estrus synchronization negatively correlated with CR. Expert opinions (N = 83) highlighted the importance of recording systems, heat detection programs, pregnancy diagnosis, feeding type, sufficient qualified water supply and mineral supplements. The use of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and GLM analysis also noted that farm potential score, farmer gender, and occupations were pivotal for the sustainability of beef farming. This research aids in strategizing for enhanced sustainable beef production in Thailand

Smart sensors in Thai dairy reproduction: A case study

Background and Aim: Movement activity sensors are known for their potential to boost the reproductive performance of dairy cows. This study evaluated the effectiveness of these sensors on three Thai dairy farms (MK, NF, and CC), each using different sensor brands. We focused on reproductive performance at these farms and expanded our evaluation to include farmer satisfaction with sensor technology on five farms (MK, NF, CC, AP, and IP), allowing for a thorough analysis of both operational outcomes and user feedback. Materials and Methods: A total of 298 lactation records and interviewing five experienced farm owners with over a year of sensor usage were our research methods. To measure the effect on the first service timing and post-parturition pregnancy rates, Cox regression models were utilized for sensor usage. Results: Biosensors’ implementation enhanced data precision while quickening the first service within 100 days and pregnancy within 200 days. The MK and NF farms showed significant progress. Within 100 and 200 days post-implementation, the overall improvement was 30%–34% in the first service rate and 39%–67% in the conception rate across all assessed farms. Farmers acknowledged improved reproductive performance from the sensors, overcoming language barriers. Conclusion: The study highlighted the advantages of using movement activity sensors in enhancing both cattle reproductive success and farmers’ satisfaction on Thai dairy farms. These sensors led to more accurate management decisions, increasing overall farm productivity

De novo reconstruction of a functional in vivo-like equine endometrium using collagen-based tissue engineering

To better understand molecular aspects of equine endometrial function, there is a need for advanced in vitro culture systems that more closely imitate the intricate 3-dimensional (3D) in vivo endometrial structure than current techniques. However, development of a 3D in vitro model of this complex tissue is challenging. This study aimed to develop an in vitro 3D endometrial tissue (3D-ET) with an epithelial cell phenotype optimized by treatment with a Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. Equine endometrial epithelial (eECs) and mesenchymal stromal (eMSCs) cells were isolated separately, and eECs cultured in various concentrations of Rock inhibitor (0, 5, 10 µmol) in epithelial medium (EC-medium) containing 10% knock-out serum replacement (KSR). The optimal concentration of Rock inhibitor for enhancing eEC proliferation and viability was 10 µM. However, 10 µM Rock inhibitor in the 10% KSR EC-medium was able to maintain mucin1 (Muc1) gene expression for only a short period. In contrast, fetal bovine serum (FBS) was able to maintain Muc1 gene expression for longer culture durations. An in vitro 3D-ET was successfully constructed using a collagen-based scaffold to support the eECs and eMSCs. The 3D-ET closely mimicked in vivo endometrium by displaying gland-like eEC-derived structures positive for the endometrial gland marker, Fork headbox A2 (FOXA2), and by mimicking the 3D morphology of the stromal compartment. In addition, the 3D-ET expressed the secretory protein MUC1 on its glandular epithelial surface and responded to LPS challenge by upregulating the expression of the interleukin-6 (IL6) and prostaglandin F synthase (PGFS) genes (P < 0.01), along with an increase in their secretory products, IL-6 (P < 0.01) and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2α) (P < 0.001) respectively. In the future, this culture system can be used to study both normal physiology and pathological processes of the equine endometrium

GnRH-agonist implantation of prepubertal male cats affects their reproductive performance and testicular LH receptor and FSH receptor expression

Show less https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.10.031Get rights and content Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the effect of GnRH-agonist implantation in prepubertal tomcats on sexual behavior, reproductive performance, and expression of testicular LH receptor (LHR) and FSH receptor (FSHR) and also to compare the testicular characteristics, LHR and FSHR expression between prepubertal and adult tomcats. In experiment 1, 3-month-old tomcats (n = 6/group) were either treated with or left without 4.7 mg deslorelin implants. Semen collection and evaluation were performed just before castration at 48 weeks after treatment; removed testes were analyzed for mRNA and protein expression of LHR and FSHR. We were able to collect semen from six non-treated cats, whereas in treated cats, semen was uncollectable. The results revealed that sexual behavior was absent in the implanted cats throughout the study period. Testicular volume was found to decrease from 30 weeks after treatment onward in the implanted cats compared to the controls (P < 0.05). Semen production was found only in non-implanted cats. Testicular tissue score, seminiferous tubule diameter, and LHR protein expression were found lower in the implanted cats (P < 0.05), but no differences were observed in mRNA expression of LHR and protein expression of FSHR between groups. The mRNA expression of FSHR was higher in the implanted (P < 0.05) compared to control cats. In experiment 2, testes from prepubertal (n = 6) and adult (n = 6) male cats were collected after castration and analyzed for mRNA and protein expression of LHR and FSHR. No differences were observed in the protein expression of LHR and FSHR between the two groups, whereas mRNA expression of FSHR was higher in prepubertal cats (P < 0.05). Testicular and epididymal weight, diameter of seminiferous tubules, and the testicular grade were higher in the adult compared to prepubertal cats (P < 0.05). In conclusion, deslorelin implants suppressed protein expression of LHR and enhanced mRNA expression of FSHR along with suppression of reproductive function without any adverse effects for at least 48 weeks in male cats

Influence of energy balance on the antimicrobial peptides S100A8 and S100A9 in the endometrium of the postpartum dairy cow

Uterine inflammation occurs after calving in association with extensive endometrial remodelling and bacterial contamination. If the inflammation persists, it leads to reduced fertility. Chronic endometritis is highly prevalent in high-yielding cows that experience negative energy balance (NEB) in early lactation. This study investigated the effect of NEB on the antimicrobial peptides S100A8 and S100A9 in involuting uteri collected 2 weeks post partum. Holstein-Friesian cows (six per treatment) were randomly allocated to two interventions designed to produce mild or severe NEB (MNEB and SNEB) status. Endometrial samples were examined histologically, and the presence of neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes and natural killer cells was confirmed using haematoxylin and eosin and immunostaining. SNEB cows had greater signs of uterine inflammation. Samples of previously gravid uterine horn were used to localise S100A8 and S100A9 by immunohistochemistry. Both S100 proteins were present in bovine endometrium with strong staining in epithelial and stromal cells and in infiltrated leucocytes. Immunostaining was significantly higher in SNEB cows along with increased numbers of segmented neutrophils. These results suggest that the metabolic changes of a post-partum cow suffering from NEB delay uterine involution and promote a chronic state of inflammation. We show that upregulation of S100A8 and S100A9 is clearly a key component of the early endometrial response to uterine infection. Further studies are warranted to link the extent of this response after calving to the likelihood of cows developing endometritis and to their subsequent fertility