The function of Gompertz (1825) can be derived from the growth equation of Pütter (1920), using the modified form proposed by Kühleitner et al. (2019). The genetic relative growth rate is derived as RG = dlnW/dt = BG.ln(AG/W). The genetic characteristics are AG, mature weight, and BG, the rate parameter; the state variable is weight, W. The integrated form is W = AG.exp[-exp-(G0 + BG.t)], where G0 = -ln[-ln(W0/AG)] and W = W0 when t = 0. The phenotypic equation is RP = qE.RG, where qE ≤ 1 is a measure of the quality of the environment. This function is consistent with data, collected where qE can reasonably be assumed to be 1, on the post-hatching growth of domestic and wild altricial birds, and with data from both the pre-natal and post-natal growth of domestic mammals. The mean value of the rate parameter, scaled to AG0.27, for mammals and precocial birds unselected by humans, is about 0.037, with considerable variation in avian species. Human selection for growth traits in poultry has nearly doubled the value. The mean value for seven altricial species was found to be nearly three times that for the average precocial species. The Gompertz function is consistent with data collected where the environment is not limiting. It follows logically that any function that is inconsistent with the Gompertz is inconsistent with relevant data, and therefore not a sufficient description of genetic growth. These results indicate that the Gompertz form is not merely a convenient empirical approximation, but a sufficient and biologically grounded description of genetic growth, against which alternative theoretical growth laws can be tested. It has the additional advantages of being simple and beautiful.
Finding suitable animal cell sources for cultured meat production remains a major challenge and continues to attract significant scientific interest, particularly in the development of bovine cultured meat. These cells must demonstrate robust proliferative capacity and the ability to maintain stemness. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the proliferation capacity and morphological alterations of bovine satellite cells (bSCs) derived from the Brown Vietnamese cattle during long-term in vitro expansion. The results showed that bSCs possessed a high proliferative potential, sustaining over 20 passages. These cells retained the expression of Pax7 and Pax3, specific markers for bovine satellite cells, in both early and late passages. Accumulation of bSCs in the G0/G1 phase at late passages indicated cell cycle arrest and reduced proliferation during prolonged culture. Morphological features of cellular senescence were also identified in late passage bSCs, including cytoplasmic enlargement, increased cell and nuclear size, and a decreased nucleocytoplasmic ratio. These findings suggest that bSCs from the Brown Vietnamese cattle represent a promising cell source for cultured meat research, demonstrating initial proliferative capacity and maintenance of cell identity, although proliferation potential declines under extended in vitro conditions due to cellular senescence.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of domestication and the associated rearing system and rearing conditions on the carcass traits of ducks, assessed on the basis of weight and yield parameters, including skinless carcass weight, skinless breast muscle weight, skinless thigh weight, skinless thigh muscle weight, and the corresponding yield parameters. The study included 20 wild mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) living under natural conditions and 20 domesticated Cherry Valley ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) reared under intensive indoor production conditions with controlled lighting, temperature, and feeding regimes. Wild duck group comprised females (DWF; n = 10) and males (DWM; n = 10), whereas Cherry Valley duck group comprised females (DDF; n = 10) and males (DDM; n = 10). Wild ducks were harvested during the hunting season in September. The age of the birds was determined according to standard hunting and ornithological criteria based on the evaluation of morphological characteristics, and all individuals were classified as one-year-old, whereas domesticated ducks were reared to 42 days of age. The results demonstrated that body weight, skinless carcass weight, skinless breast muscle weight, skinless thigh weight, and skinless thigh muscle weight were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in Cherry Valley ducks. This pattern was confirmed in females, males, and in the analysis irrespective of sex. Among the evaluated yield parameters, Cherry Valley ducks exhibited significantly higher skinless thigh yield and skinless thigh muscle yield (P ≤ 0.05). In contrast, wild ducks showed significantly higher carcass yield and skinless breast muscle yield, both in females and males analysed separately and irrespective of sex (P ≤ 0.05). These findings confirm that domestication and intensive rearing have a significant influence on growth performance and carcass traits in ducks.
The objective of this study was to determine the associations between bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC) and herd management practices on dairy farms in Western Türkiye. The material of the study consisted of 81 registered dairy farms. The farms were visited at approximately one-month intervals. Somatic cell count was determined electronically in the milk samples. According to the average BTSCC values of the farms, two different BTSCC categories were created (low: ≤400 103 cells/ml with 40 farms and high: >400 103 cells/ml with 41 farms). A questionnaire form was created to determine the herd management practices. The association between herd management practices and BTSCC categories was evaluated using the logistic regression analysis. According to the multivariate analysis, the probability for a farm to belong to the low BTSCC category increased when maintaining the clean resting surface for cows, having a calving pen, applying pre-milking teat disinfection, and shutting off the vacuum to the claw before removing the milking cluster. In addition, the probability for a farm to belong to the low BTSCC tended to be high when not preferring a non-stanchion barn with a hard floor (concrete etc.) as resting surface in milking cow housing. According to the univariate analysis, the probability for a farm to belong to the low BTSCC category was increased significantly when maintaining the cleaner exercise area, cooling the cows, keeping records about udder health, ensuring that the teats are dry while attaching the milking cluster, applying post-milking teat disinfection, and having an automatic cluster remover. Consequently, if improvements are made in these management practices, the incidence of udder health problems and consequently BTSCC will decrease.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of drinking water temperature on growth performance and gastrointestinal microbiota in growing calves. Forty-five weaned male calves were randomly divided into three treatment groups (n = 15 per group). The groups were provided with drinking water at different temperatures: 5-10 °C (FC), 20-25 °C (FM), or 35-40 °C (FW). The experiment lasted for 30 days, during which all calves were housed in individual hutches. Body weight and jugular blood samples were collected on days 0, 15, and 30; body measurements were taken on days 0 and 30. On day 30, rumen fluid and faecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V3-V4 regions. Calves in the FW group showed significantly higher water intake and diarrhoea frequency, along with significantly lower average daily gain (ADG), compared to the other groups. During the first 15 days, the ADG for the FM and FW groups was significantly lower than that of the FC group. Additionally, the FM and FW group maintained higher faecal scores throughout the experimental period. Rumen microbial analysis revealed a higher abundance of the potentially pathogenic genus Pseudoscardovia in the FW group compared to the FC group. In a cold winter environment, providing drinking water at 35-40 °C reduced growth performance, elevated faecal scores, and increased the abundance of harmful microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of growing calves.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of rumen-protected gambir catechins encapsulated using calcium oxide (CaO) and palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) on rumen fermentation profiles, microbial activity, nutrient digestibility, and methane production in vitro. A randomised block design was used, consisting of four treatments and five replicates. The treatments were assigned based on different levels of gambir catechin-CaO-PFAD encapsulate supplementation, namely 0% (A), 5% (B), 10% (C), and 15% (D) in the diet. The results indicated that the treatments significantly affected NH3 concentration, partial VFA profiles, methane production, microbial protein synthesis, degradation, and nutrient digestibility (P < 0.05), but no significant treatment effects were detected for total VFA, pH, or microbial biomass (P > 0.05). Treatment C produced the highest concentrations of propionate, microbial protein synthesis, degradation, and nutrient digestibility, while reducing methane production and the acetate to propionate ratio. The Cao-PFAD-encapsulated gambir catechin supplementation improved rumen fermentation efficiency, as indicated by increased propionate concentration, microbial protein synthesis, nutrient digestibility, and reduced methane production. Thus, gambir catechin-CaO-PFAD encapsulates could be used as a functional feed supplement to improve nutrient utilisation and mitigate enteric methane emissions in ruminant livestock.
Folic acid (FA) plays an important role as a cofactor and coenzyme in animal growth and development, and in the regulation of gene expression and methylation. However, the epigenetic mechanism by which dietary FA supplementation regulates lipid metabolism in broilers remains largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of FA on genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in broiler liver and to identify differentially methylated genes (DMGs) and pathways associated with lipid metabolism. Reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS) was performed to analyse genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in liver tissues of broilers supplemented with 0 (control, C group), 5 (M group) or 10 mg/kg (H group) FA in basal diet for 42 days. The genome-wide methylation analysis showed that the average percentage of each sample of CpG (5'-C-phosphate-G-3') methylation efficiency was 29.47%. A total of 1 402 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were detected between C and M groups, including 745 hyper-DMRs and 657 hypo-DMRs, Compared with the C group, 410 hyper-DMRs and 436 hypo-DMRs were identified in the H group. Additionally, 511 hyper-DMRs and 560 hypo-DMRs were found between the M and H group. Furthermore, a total of 134 DMGs exhibited DMRs in the promoter region across all three comparison groups, including 27 upregulated DMGs and 20 downregulated DMGs. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of DMRs revealed that the associated genes are mainly involved in H3-K4 demethylation, histone lysine demethylation, peptidyl-lysine methylation, histone demethylation, lysine N-methyltransferase activity, fat cell proliferation, cellular lipid metabolic processes, fatty-acyl-CoA binding. In addition, key Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were primarily associated with the Toll-like receptor signalling pathway, fatty acid metabolism, butanoate metabolism, retinol metabolism. Taken together, these results demonstrated that FA supplementation affects genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in the liver of broilers, suggesting an underlying epigenetic mechanism for its regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism.
Arginine (Arg) is an essential amino acid that can improve the reproductive capacity, intestinal development, and growth performance of pigs. N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) and N-acetylglutamate (NAG) can activate carbamyl phosphate synthetase I and the Δ1 pyrrolin 5 carboxylate synthetase in mitochondria, promoting the synthesis of citrulline from glutamine and proline, citrulline is the main precursors for the synthesis of Arg, and subsequently increasing the endogenous synthesis of Arg to produce nitric oxide (NO) and polyamines. Compared with Arg, NCG has a longer half-life and does not inhibit the absorption of basic amino acids such as histidine or lysine; thus, it has been developed as a feed additive. This paper reviews the application of NCG as a feed additive in pig production and its possible theoretical mechanism.
In vitro embryo production (IVP) is a valuable technique for advancing cattle breeding and reproductive biotechnology. Nevertheless, embryos produced in vitro often display reduced developmental competence and cryotolerance compared with their in vivo counterparts. Vitamin D is known to regulate many cellular functions, including growth and antioxidant defence. This study evaluated the impact of vitamin D supplementation during in vitro culture on bovine embryo development and post-thaw recovery. Oocytes were matured and fertilised in vitro and presumptive zygotes were cultured with 0 (control), 25, or 50 ng/ml of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Supplementation of 25 ng/ml vitamin D did not significantly alter cleavage or blastocyst rates; however, it increased the expression of IGF2R and SOD2. In contrast, 50 ng/ml impaired embryonic development. the VD/VD group showed higher blastocyst hatching rates, lower mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, increased IGF2R expression and reduced BAX expression and BAX/BCL2L1 ratio (P < 0.05). Overall, these findings suggest that the low-dose vitamin D supplementation may support embryonic recovery from cryo-induced stress, potentially through the modulation of the oxidative balance and growth-related pathways, rather than by enhancing the pre-freezing developmental competence.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the dietary effect of condensed tannins (CT) from red quebracho (Schinopsis lorentzii) and broiler age on the physicochemical properties, mineral composition, and amino acid content in the meat of broilers challenged with Eimeria spp. Broilers were randomly assigned to four dietary groups: CT1 and CT2 received 10 and 20 g CT/kg, respectively; the control (C) group received a basal diet; and the R group received a basal diet with a coccidiostat. Meat quality indicators were assessed at 35 and 42 days of age. Supplementation with the higher CT level (2%) reduced carcass weight, particularly at 42 days (P < 0.05), and affected physical meat quality indicators, including cooking loss, pH, and shear force, although the relationships among individual indicators were not fully consistent. Broiler age significantly influenced most of the physical traits, with older birds showing higher cooking loss and shear force in breast meat and altered meat colour (P < 0.05). Both CT and age modified mineral composition, with significant differences in macro-and microelements depending on muscle type and fattening duration (P < 0.05; P < 0.01). CT supplementation consistently increased total essential (EAA) and non-essential amino acids (NEAA) in leg meat (P < 0.05), whereas in breast meat, a significant effect was observed only for NEAA in the CT1 group at 42 days of age. Extending fattening from 35 to 42 days did not affect total EAA or NEAA in either muscle (P > 0.05), although minor age-related differences were detected for several individual amino acids (P < 0.05; P < 0.01). Overall, dietary CT supplementation and broiler age significantly influenced meat quality, including mineral content, amino acid composition, and functional physical properties.
Testicular blood flow and haemodynamics play a critical role in maintaining spermatogenesis and thermoregulation in bulls. The assessment of the testicular blood flow provides detailed insights into the reproductive function in male animals. This study aimed to characterise the testicular perfusion pattern using pulse wave Doppler ultrasonography in the Shweta Kapila breed of indigenous cattle reared in their native habitat on the Indian west coast. Healthy Shweta Kapila bulls (n = 8) maintained under semi-intensive systems were examined. A digital Pulse Wave Doppler ultrasound system equipped with a linear array probe was used to assess peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) along the spermatic cord part of the testicular artery (sTA), marginal region (mTA), and intra-testicular branches (iTA) of the testicular artery. Mean PSV ranged from 4.93 cm/s to 12.32 cm/s, EDV ranged from 3.63 cm/s to 5.14 cm/s, RI ranged from 0.23 to 0.58 and PI ranged from 0.68 to 1.05 across different arterial segments. Significantly higher mean PSV values (P < 0.05) were recorded in the proximal sTA compared to distal arterial segments. RI demonstrated low within-bull variability and repeatability suggesting its potential as a reliable indicator of testicular perfusion. The stable and low intra-testicular RI values also suggest enhanced vascular adaptation and thermoregulatory efficiency. These findings establish the first baseline reference values for testicular perfusion and haemodynamics in native Shweta Kapila cattle. Pulse wave Doppler ultrasonography provides a reliable, non-invasive and real-time tool for evaluating vascular function and reproductive soundness in indigenous cattle reared under coastal tropical climate.
The increasing demand for natural alternatives to chemical preservatives and antibiotics has intensified interest in probiotic microorganisms with intrinsic antimicrobial properties. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, a well-characterised species within the family Lactobacillaceae, is widely recognised for its broad‑spectrum antibacterial activity and its long history of safe use in fermented foods. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of recent advances in the antimicrobial functionality of L. plantarum, covering its taxonomic classification, genomic features, and the diverse array of antimicrobial metabolites it produces, including bacteriocins, organic acids, hydrogen peroxide, lysozyme, siderophores, and short‑chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The mechanisms of action of these compounds, strain‑specific variability in antimicrobial efficacy, the role of biofilm formation, and synergistic interactions among different metabolites are discussed in detail. Key application domains, such as food preservation, medical therapy, and agricultural biocontrol, are critically evaluated. The primary objective of this review is to systematically consolidate current knowledge, identify core scientific questions and technical bottlenecks, and provide a theoretical foundation for the development of safe and effective natural antimicrobial agents based on L. plantarum. Furthermore, the review outlines strategies to bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial implementation, thereby facilitating the translation of this probiotic into practical applications.
Decision Support Systems (DSS) streamline dairy farm management by addressing challenges in productivity, animal welfare, sustainability, and economics. Yet, their precise impact on dairy cattle farm operations remains unclear. This scoping review systematically analyses DSS applications in dairy farming using studies from Scopus and Web of Science published between 2005 and June 2025, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. From 1 112 identified records, 84 studies were included, after deduplication and screening, and classified into four mutually exclusive primary categories, namely data-, model- and knowledge-driven and other specialised DSS. The findings revealed that DSS complexity increased over time, with model-driven systems dominating (40.5%), followed by data- (38.1%) and knowledge-driven (15.5%) DSS, while other specialised systems accounted for the remaining 6.0%. Temporal multi-label analysis also highlighted trends towards integrated methodologies, with 20 DSS combining data- and model-driven approaches. DSS are mainly applied in Animal Health and Welfare (48% model- and 32% data-driven) and in Farm Business and Management (54.5% model- and 22.7% data-driven). Consequently, the top data inputs are Animal Health & Performance (28.0%), Farm & Business (22.4%), and Environmental & Spatial Data (21.3%). The most commonly applied models are Mathematical/Deterministic (22.7%) and Simulation (13.6%) models, increasingly alongside ML techniques. Key challenges include data integration, real-farm validation, model interpretability, bias reduction, and practical usability. Bridging these gaps will enhance DSS effectiveness and strengthen their potential to optimise dairy farming.
The aim of the study was to compare the muscle protein quality in the m. longissimus, pars thoracis of bulls of the Aberdeen Angus (AA) and Czech Fleckvieh (CF) breeds reared under identical conditions within an extensive pasture-based system. The CF breed exhibited a higher crude protein content (887 +/- 87.4 g/kg of dry matter) compared to AA (812 +/- 59.3 g/kg of dry matter); P <= 0.05. A higher content of non-essential amino acids was recorded in CF (390 +/- 37.9 g/kg of dry matter) compared to AA (364 +/- 44.5 g/kg of dry matter); P <= 0.05, as well as higher contents of essential amino acids (CF 406 +/- 38.9 g/kg of dry matter, AA 382 +/- 41.0 g/kg of dry matter; P <= 0.05) and total analysed amino acids (CF 796 +/- 74.8 g/kg of dry matter, AA 746 +/- 82.7 g/kg of dry matter; P <= 0.05). Breed-related differences were observed in the content of most analysed amino acids (P <= 0.05), except for tyrosine and phenylalanine, for which no effect of breed was found (P > 0.05). Lysine showed the highest content among essential amino acids (AA 73.4 +/- 8.23 g/kg of dry matter, CF 76.6 +/- 8.87 g/kg of dry matter; P <= 0.05), while glutamic acid was dominant among non-essential amino acids (AA 109 +/- 14.4 g/kg of dry matter, CF 119 +/- 12.5 g/kg of dry matter; P <= 0.05). The ratio of essential to non-essential amino acids (EAA/NEAA) did not differ between breeds (AA 1.05 +/- 0.08, CF 1.04 +/- 0.05; P > 0.05). The results indicate that cattle breed affects the content of crude protein and the content of most analysed amino acids in the muscle tissue of AA and CF breeds; however, the EAA/NEAA ratio remains unaffected by breed.
This study examines methods for detecting illegal manipulation of raw cow's milk aimed at artificially reducing the somatic cell count (SCC) through centrifugation. This practice, motivated by economic gain, compromises the authenticity of the raw material and masks the true health status of the mammary gland. An experimental analysis of 68 samples demonstrated that centrifugation reduces somatic cell count by an average of 45.9 +/- 11.6%. The MALDI-TOF MS method was used to identify changes in the peptide profile in the 500-4 000 Da range. Although no unique peaks specific to adulterated samples were detected, Pearson's correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between the intensity of specific peptides and SCC values. The strongest positive correlation was identified for peaks in the m/z 2 922 Da region (r = 0.69). Other relevant markers include fragments with m/z 1 768 Da (r = 0.51) and 901 Da (r = 0.49). The results confirm that monitoring quantitative changes in the intensity of specific peptides using mass spectrometry is a promising tool for identifying changes in the milk peptidome associated with variations in SCC, including those induced by technological manipulation.
In this study, different strains were used to ferment single/mixed cottonseed meal (cottonseed meal, corn flour, bran ratio of 7 : 2 : 1) substrates, and their feeding value was evaluated by an in vitro fermentation trial, to select suitable fermentation strains for cottonseed meal. For this purpose, two experiments (Exp.) were conducted. Exp. 1: Evaluation of the effect of fermentation of single cottonseed meal by different strains, which consisted of ten treatment groups: control (CON), Saccharomyces No. 1 (T1), Saccharomyces Fubon (T2), Sacsubtilis 10089 (T7), Aspergillus niger (T8), and Monascus purpureus Went (T9). Exp. 2: Evaluation of the effect of fermentation of mixed cottonseed meal by different strains. The treatment groups were the same as in Exp. 1, numbered CON, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, and M9. The results showed that in both the single cottonseed meal group and the mixed cottonseed meal group free gossypol (FG) and methane (CH4) were significantly reduced and the gas production, total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), and in vitro digestibility of nutrients (P < 0.05) significantly increased, with Saccharomyces No. 1 showing the optimal effect. This study provides a theoretical basis for screening the suitable strains for fermenting cottonseed meal.
The aim of the study was to verify whether differences in intramuscular fat quality, evaluation based on fatty acid profile and ratios, occur between cattle genotypes - the combined performance cattle breed Czech Fleckvieh and the beef breed Aberdeen Angus - under identical rearing conditions (same pasture location and nutritional management) with extensive grazing. The results of observation show the difference in the quality of intramuscular fat of bulls with combined performance and bulls with meat performance in extensive pastoral farming. Breed differences were reflected by a statistically significantly higher mean intramuscular fat (P <_ 0.05) in the beef cattle breed (149 +/- 60.1 g/kg dry matter) compared to the combined performance breed (120 +/- 51.8 g/kg dry matter). A higher saturated fatty acid (SFA) value of 53.4 +/- 22.2 g/kg dry matter was observed in the beef cattle breed compared to SFA 40.8 +/- 18.9 g/kg dry matter (P <_ 0.05) in the combined performance cattle breed; a higher monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) value of 43.8 +/- 26.3 g/kg dry matter compared to a MUFA value of 42.3 +/- 20.8 g/kg dry matter (P > 0.05); and a higher value of polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 (PUFA n-3) 0.76 +/- 0.33 g/kg dry matter (P <_ 0.05) compared to PUFA n-3 0.48 +/- 0.21 g/kg dry matter in combined performance cattle breed. A higher value of polyunsaturated fatty acids n-6 (PUFA n-6) 3.66 +/- 1.39 g/kg dry matter was found in the combined performance cattle breed compared to the meat cattle breed with PUFA n-6 3.54 +/- 0.96 g/kg dry matter (P > 0.05). A more favourable n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio was observed in the Aberdeen Angus (P <_ 0.05). The results suggest that the different genotypes of the bull breeds studied, reared on extensively used pasture, may influence the amount of intramuscular fat and its quality.
Equine obesity currently represents a significant welfare concern, with its development influenced by seasonal changes in the nutritional value of pasture, which substantially affect the animals' energy balance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seasonal dynamics of pasture nutritional composition, assess the balance between energy requirements and actual intake of horses during the grazing season, and determine the impact of these factors on body weight and body condition. Pasture was analysed across three seasonal periods: T1 (May), T2 (July), and T3 (September). The highest concentration of digestible energy in pasture was recorded in T1 (10.81 MJ/kg DM), while the lowest was observed in T2 (9.67 MJ/kg DM). In T1, digestible energy intake (DEi; 98.02 MJ/day) was markedly higher than the energy requirement (61.94 MJ/day), resulting in a positive energy balance (36.08 MJ/day). This surplus was accompanied by a significant increase in body weight from 444.6 kg to 534.7 kg (P = 0.006 1) and an increase in body condition score (BCS) from 5.1 to 6.7 (P = 0.000 1). In the subsequent periods (T2 and T3), when the energy balance was close to equilibrium (-0.02 and 0.14 MJ/day), no further significant changes were observed in body weight (534.7 vs 535.0 kg; P > 0.05) or BCS (6.7 vs 6.6; P > 0.05). Changes in BCS showed a strong positive relationship with the difference between DE intake and requirement (r = 0.696 1; P = 0.000 7). The results confirm that seasonal energy surplus, particularly at the beginning of the grazing season, represents a significant risk factor for body fat accumulation in adult horses maintained on ad libitum pasture.
This study evaluated the effects of dietary yeast culture (YC) supplementation on lamb growth performance and meat quality. After 14 days of acclimation, 20 three-month-old lambs (30.46 +/- 1.77 kg) were randomly assigned to the control (CON, basal diet) or YC-supplemented group (0.625 g/kg DM) for 50 days. While YC induced no significant improvements in growth parameters (average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed to gain ratio; P > 0.05), it enhanced the longissimus thoracis (LT) meat quality by elevating the L* (lightness) and a* (redness) values (P < 0.05), reducing shear force (P < 0.05), increasing intramuscular fat (EE, P < 0.05), and decreasing crude protein (P < 0.05). YC modified fatty acid profiles by reducing atherogenic saturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) and elevating C16:1 (P < 0.05). Transcriptional analysis revealed the depot-specific regulation: YC suppressed subcutaneous adipogenesis via downregulation of PPAR gamma/SREBP-1/HSL and upregulation of LPL and promoted intramuscular fat deposition in LT through the coordinated activation of PPAR gamma/SREBP-1/FAS/ACC and inhibition of LPL (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate the capacity of YC to optimise meat sensory attributes and lipid healthfulness through tissue-specific metabolic modulation, supporting its application as a functional feed additive in precision lamb production.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including omega-3, are known to yield health benefits to mammals, including bulls and human beings. This meta-analysis was done to determine the influence of omega-3 fatty acids (OMFA) on bull semen quality. The research question formulated for this meta-analysis was centred on the Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome (PICO) framework. To determine the influence of omega-3 fatty acids on semen quality, a meta-analysis was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The different effects were analysed using a random effects model. The variations among the included studies were tested using heterogeneity (I2). Semen volume (MD = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.13; 0.44), sperm concentration (MD = 71.12, 95% CI: 15.97; 126.26), live sperm (MD = 11.93; 95% CI: 7.30; 16.55), sperm motility (MD = 9.24, 95% CI: 7.39; 11.09) and plasma membrane integrity (MD = 11.60, 95% CI: 6.30; 16.89) increased dramatically in the omega-3 fatty acid-supplemented group. Notably, the progressive motility (MD = 1.19, 95% CI: -3.24; 5.61) was the only sperm parameter showing a non-significant influence when omega-3 fatty acids were supplemented. It was then concluded that the omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can be used to improve most of the semen parameters in bulls.
