Computer vision is widely recognized as an influential technology in the field of precision management of animals. Emerging studies have demonstrated the potential to improve pig health and welfare through animal surveillance systems and computer vision (CV) algorithms. However, the lack of benchmark datasets and robust fundamental algorithms restrict CV applications for the commercial use. This study aims to bridge the gap between technology development and commercial applications in pig farming scenarios by introducing a general-purpose dataset (PigLife), comparing benchmark performances of foundational CV algorithms and model development workflows. The PigLife dataset contains video clips and images (38 short video clips, 2K image frames, 22K pig instances) across most pig production phases in a typical commercial pig farm: Breeding and Gestation, Farrow to Wean, Weaning & Nursery, and Growth to Finish. Three detection algorithms (Faster R-CNN, RetinaNet, TridentNet) and three segmentation algorithms (Mask R-CNN, MViTv2, Point-Rend) were trained on the PigLife dataset from scratch. Fine-tuning of pre-trained models (YOLO8-m, Faster-RCNN-r50) and no-training from zero-shot models (CLIP-SAM, Grouddino-HQSAM) were also evaluated to suggest faster CV development workflows for commercial applications in pig farming. This study emphasizes the necessity of a benchmark dataset for evaluating the robustness of algorithms and identifying the remaining difficulties and challenges across various algorithms. Furthermore, developing CV models from pre-trained algorithms or zero-shot models showed better performance and a faster process, which could reduce barriers when developing high-performance CV products in pig production industry.

Acacia fiber is a soluble fiber often used as a processing aid in pet foods. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the fermentation characteristics of acacia fiber, inulin, pectin (positive control), and cellulose (negative control) using an in vitro fermentation system and feline fecal inoculum. Triplicate samples of each fiber were fermented for 0, 6, 12, and 18 h, with short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), pH, and microbiota measured at each time point. Blank-corrected data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS, with significance set at P ≤ 0.05. Significant (P < 0.01) fiber × time interactions were observed for pH change, gas and SCFA production, and microbiota populations. Pectin and inulin had greater (P < 0.01) gas production than acacia fiber and cellulose. Inulin had the greatest pH reduction, followed by pectin, both of which had greater pH reductions (P < 0.01) than acacia fiber and cellulose. Acacia fiber had a small reduction in pH, being lower than cellulose after 12 h. Total SCFA production, including acetate, propionate, and butyrate, was higher (P < 0.01) in pectin and inulin than acacia fiber and cellulose. However, acacia fiber had greater (P < 0.01) total SCFA, acetate, and propionate production than cellulose after 12 h. Bacterial alpha diversity metrics increased (P < 0.01) during acacia fiber fermentation and decreased (P < 0.01) during inulin and pectin fermentation. Bacterial beta diversity shifted over time and showed separate clustering of bacterial communities among the different fiber substrates evaluated. The relative abundances of predominant (% sequences > 1%) bacterial genera were affected by significant fiber × time interactions. Specifically, acacia fiber had a greater (P < 0.01) increase in Bacteroides, Blautia, and Faecalibacterium than other fibers. Inulin had a greater (P < 0.01) increase in Collinsella, Prevotella, Megamonas, Holdemanella, Blautia, and Faecalibacterium, whereas pectin had a greater (P < 0.01) increase in Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Phascolarctobacterium, and Succinivibrio. These results suggest that acacia fiber is moderately fermentable, resulting in low gas and SCFA production, greater bacterial diversity, and microbiota shifts. Although positive responses were observed in vitro, research in live animals is necessary to confirm potential benefits in felines.

The nutrient-nutrient interactions within a food matrix may alter the postprandial stimulation of myofibrillar protein synthesis rates (MPS). We have previously shown that a protein- and lipid-rich food matrix has greater anabolic potential compared to the ingestion of a low-fat, protein-rich food matrix. Objectives: Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of consuming a high-fat pork (HFP) compared to low-fat pork (LFP) product and a carbohydrate control drink (CHO) on postexercise stimulation of MPS. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the ingestion of HFP and LFP would increase MPS compared to CHO. We further hypothesize that the ingestion of HFP will further potentiate the stimulation of MPS than the LFP condition. Methods: In a semi-crossover design, 16 physically-active adults (25±5; BMI: 25.0 ± 2.3 kg·m -2 ; 12M, 4 F) underwent primed constant infusions of L-[ ring - 13 C 6 ]phenylalanine and performed an acute bout of resistance exercise. Following resistance exercise, participants ingested either HFP (81% lean; 266 kcal, 20 g protein, and 20.6 g fat), LFP (95% lean; 120 kcal, 20 g protein, 4.4 g fat), or CHO (266 kcal, 0 g protein, 0 g fat, 73.3 g carbohydrate; Gatorade). During their second trial, participants were randomly assigned to one of the two remaining conditions in a counterbalanced fashion (resulting in n = 10 per condition). Repeated blood and muscle samples were collected at rest and throughout the 5 h postexercise recovery period for measurement of plasma amino acid concentrations and MPS. Data were analyzed using linear fixed effects models with time and group as fixed factors and Bonferroni post hoc analysis when significant ( P < 0.05) differences were detected. Results: Plasma essential amino acid (EAA) and leucine concentrations increased after ingestion of HFP and LFP (both P < 0.001), with greater peak plasma EAA and leucine concentrations in LFP treatment compared to HFP ( P = 0.018 and P = 0.027, respectively) and CHO (both P < 0.001). Incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for plasma EAA and leucine concentrations did not differ between LFP and HFP ( P = 0.350 and P = 0.361, respectively), however, both conditions resulted in significantly higher iAUC as compared to CHO treatment (both P < 0.001). Both HFP and LFP stimulated MPS above resting values ( P = 0.028 and P < 0.001, respectively). Postexercise MPS was significantly greater in LFP (0.095 ± 0.029 %·h -1 ) compared to HFP (0.065 ± 0.024 %·h -1 ; P = 0.030) and CHO (0.052 ± 0.033 %/h -1 ; P < 0.001). Conclusions: LFP ingestion immediately after resistance exercise results in greater stimulation of MPS than HFP and CHO. Our findings indicate that the nutrient profile of protein-rich foods uniquely modulates postexercise muscle anabolism compared to the protein content alone in healthy adults. This study was funded by the National Pork Board (project no. #22-040). This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2025 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.

Soybeans have long been used as an important component of production animal diets, particularly in the form of soybean meal (SBM), and serve as a high-quality source of protein with a nearly complete amino acid profile. Outside of its primary nutritive fractions, SBM contains a multitude of minor bioactive components that have variable effects on animal health. Soy saponins are one such component that were previously lumped into the category of anti-nutritional factors found in SBM but have more recently been investigated for their potential anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Challenges with their isolation have limited research to in vitro or rodent models, which only require small quantities of purified saponins. However, these studies are less applicable to understanding how saponins are affecting larger production animals that are the primary consumers of SBM. In this research, a process for creating greater quantities of saponins was evaluated for its practicality and effectiveness. A total of 10 kg SBM was used as the starting material for the extraction protocol, which initially contained 5.30 mg total saponins/g SBM. The saponin profile of the meal was predominantly made up of group B saponins, at 57.6% of total saponins, with limited quantities of group A saponins at only 7.17% of the total. The SBM was subjected to two consecutive rounds of mixing with 75% undenatured ethanol at 40℃ for 24 hr. After these mixes, remaining SBM solids were removed and ethanol was evaporated to obtain 12.4 kg of a soy molasses product consisting of the carbohydrate, isoflavone, and saponin fractions of the original SBM. This molasses product was then acidified under elevated temperatures (40℃) using concentrated hydrochloric acid to a pH of 3.05. Under these conditions, a precipitate formed and was recovered via centrifugation to obtain 494 g of precipitated solids likely consisting of isoflavones and saponins. This precipitate was combined with 80% American Chemical Society grade acetone at a 10:1 ratio. The pH of the solution was elevated to 6.00 using sodium hydroxide and the solution was heated to reflux at 56℃ for 90 min. The solution was chilled to 4℃ at which time a precipitate formed and was recovered using vacuum filtration. Analyses are currently being performed to determine the total saponin and isoflavone content as well as the saponin profile of this final product to ensure that saponins were adequately extracted from the initial SBM and isolated from other bioactive components like isoflavones. Pending these results, this large-scale saponin extraction protocol may be utilized to create a saponin-enriched product that can be used in future live animal trials using larger production animals.

Choline is vital in a variety of physiological processes that influence brain development, growth, and carcass characteristics in birds and mammals. In this study, we investigated the influence of graded supplemental choline chloride on growth performance, carcass quality, and liver characteristics in grow-finish pigs. Pigs (672 barrows and 588 gilts) were obtained from a commercial nursery facility at 8 weeks of age and assigned to treatment based on body weight and sex, with 21 same-sex pigs comprising a replicate pen. Each dietary treatment was provided to 15 replicate pens, with 8 pens of barrows and 7 pens of gilts per each of 4 dietary treatments, which included: 1) C0, basal diet containing 0% of supplemental choline chloride; 2) C300, C0 + 0.06% supplemental choline chloride, to provide 300 mg/kg of choline ions; 3) C600, C0 + 0.12% supplemental choline chloride, to provide 600 mg/kg of choline ions; and 4) C900, C0 + 0.17% supplemental choline chloride, to provide 900 mg/kg of choline ions. Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the study, and pigs were managed using standard commercial practices. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA using the MIXED procedure of SAS, with factors including dietary treatment and sex. There was no dietary impact (P > 0.05) on growth performance. Pigs receiving intermediate levels of supplemental choline had higher (P < 0.05) tenderloin weights compared with other dietary treatments. Furthermore, and as expected, sex differences were denoted in both growth performance and carcass characteristics. Overall, graded supplementation of choline chloride did not significantly alter growth performance or carcass characteristics of pigs raised in a commercial setting.

Metronidazole is a potent antibiotic often prescribed to treat gastrointestinal enteropathies, but is known to induce loose stools, negatively alter the fecal microbiome, and affect fecal metabolites. Dietary intervention may aid in the recovery following antibiotic cessation, but little research has been conducted regarding the potential of fiber utilization for microbial recovery in canines. Using an in vitro fermentation assay, the objective of this study was to investigate the fermentation characteristics of dietary fibers using fecal inocula from dogs treated with metronidazole. Four healthy male beagles were fed a commercial kibble diet for 2 weeks, then administered metronidazole (20 mg/kg body weight twice a day) for 2 weeks. Fresh fecal samples were collected at weeks 2 and 4, stabilized in a 20

Early-life pig growth is influenced by protein synthesis facilitated by sow milk intake. However, factors such as teat disorders, timing of milk letdown, and seasonal fluctuations can limit milk intake, leading to slower growth and higher mortality rates. Artificial rearing systems allow precise regulation of milk intake, providing a valuable platform for researchers to investigate various feeding strategies, such as ad libitum or weight-based feeding and their impacts on behavior, growth, and health. In our study on feeding style in an artificial rearing system, pigs (85 boars) were removed from the sow on postnatal day (PND) 2 and allotted to treatment based on litter of origin and body weight (BW). Pigs were reared in 4 cohorts across 2 trials over a 15-d feeding period. Experimental treatments included: AD, nutritionally adequate milk replacer provided ad libitum or PRE, nutritionally adequate milk replacer delivered at a prescribed basis according to individual pig BW, which was provided once per hour throughout a 20 h daily feeding cycle. Home-cage tracking and growth performance were measured throughout the study. On PND 6 and 14 an ethogram-based video analysis was performed, spanning the 20-h feeding cycle, to assess home-cage behavioral outcomes. Insulin responsivity was measured near the study conclusion utilizing a feeding-stimulated method and static blood collection time-points. In the study conclusion, pigs were euthanized and underwent body composition analysis. Data were analyzed via a repeated measures or 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with significance accepted at an alpha level of 0.05. Pigs in the AD group exhibited increased (P < 0.05) intake and BW gain but decreased feed efficiency when compared with the PRE group. Additionally, feeding style increased (P < 0.05) serum insulin concentrations 0.5 h after the first feeding in AD pigs when compared with PRE pigs. Feeding style altered (P < 0.05) spatial preference in trial 1 with PRE pigs spending relatively more time in the home-cage quadrant that housed the milk bowl compared with AD pigs. Moreover, PRE pigs spent more (P < 0.05) time visiting the feeding bowl and performing milk consumption behaviors at the bowl than AD pigs. Lastly, the relative proportion of water within soft tissue was increased (P < 0.05) in PRE pigs compared with AD pigs. In conclusion, feeding style impacted growth performance, insulin concentrations, spatial preference, and behavior of artificially-reared pigs.

Traditional grain kefir is produced from the fermentation of milk with yeast- and bacteria-containing cultures. To maintain consistency and adhere to food safety guidelines, commercial kefir products are based on starter bacterial cultures. Bacterial profiles of starter vs. grain kefirs differ, and their influence on health effects is unknown. Our objectives were to determine the in vitro fermentation characteristics of common dietary fibers using fecal inoculum from dogs supplemented with kefir or kefir bacterial culture as inoculum. Healthy adult dogs were allotted to one of 3 treatments and supplemented for 14 d (n = 4/treatment): 1) 2% reduced-fat milk treated with lactase (CNTL), 2) starter kefir (S-Kefir), or 3) grain kefir (G-Kefir). After 14 d, fresh fecal samples were collected and frozen in a 20% glycerol solution. For the in vitro experiment, fecal samples were thawed, diluted in an anaerobic diluting solution, and used to inoculate tubes containing semi-defined medium and either cellulose (CEL), pectin (PC), beet pulp (BP), or chicory pulp (CP). Tubes were incubated for 0, 6, 12, or 18 h, with short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), pH, and microbiota measured at each time point. A second in vitro experiment was conducted using similar methods and measurements but with S-Kefir and G-Kefir as inoculum sources. Effects of treatment (inoculum), time, and treatment*time interactions within the fiber source were analyzed statistically using Mixed Models and repeated measures, with P < 0.05 being significant. Using fecal inoculum, BP and PC were rapidly fermented, leading to large pH reductions, SCFA increases, and microbiota shifts. pH change was of greater (P < 0.05) magnitude (PC) and higher (P < 0.05) kinetic rate (CP) when using feces from dogs fed S-Kefir or G-Kefir than controls. Butyrate increases were greater (P < 0.05) in tubes inoculated with G-Kefir feces than in S-Kefir or control feces. When PC and BP were fermented, tubes with S-Kefir feces had greater (P < 0.05) acetate, propionate, and total SCFA increases than G-Kefir or control feces. Fermentations were slower when using kefir cultures as inoculum, but some differences were noted. Bacterial beta diversity and relative abundances shifted over time within each substrate and were unique to the inoculum source. Our data suggest that the activity of kefir bacterial populations differs and that kefir consumption changes the abundance and activity of the fecal microbiota of dogs, justifying in vivo investigation.

The objective of this study was to validate equipment and procedures involved in implementing the novel object recognition (NOR) paradigm with young pigs. Two experiments were run with the intent of determining improvements to the original, high-throughput NOR paradigm design. The focus of these experiments was the impact of confounding factors on the main cognitive outcome, recognition index (RI). Experiment 1 utilized 13 pigs that all performed the NOR task following the original paradigm with the addition of 2 extra testing days. Results from this experiment indicated that one test day is sufficient for producing RI values that differ (p < 0.05) from chance performance, which was set at 0.50 given the use of two objects. Results also indicated that pigs may habituate to the task itself after 1 day of testing as RI values were not different (p > 0.05) from that of chance on test days 2 or 3. Experiment 2 utilized 13 male and 16 female pigs to determine sex differences in paradigm outcomes in addition to introducing home-cage enrichment. Results indicated sex differences in investigative behaviors despite both sexes producing RI values different from that of chance. The impact of home-cage enrichment was less discernable, but evidence suggests a lack of influence. Overall, the modifications to the NOR paradigm described herein reduced variability in the primary outcome, RI, and thereby improved sensitivity of the behavioral assay compared with the original paradigm.

Computer vision offers a promising approach to automating the observation of animal behavior, thereby contributing to improved animal welfare and precision livestock management. However, the absence of standardized behavioral definitions limits the accuracy and generalizability of artificial intelligence models used for behavior recognition. This study applied natural language processing techniques to analyze 655 behavior definitions related to feeding, drinking, resting, and moving, as reported in the livestock research literature published between 2000 and 2023. Clustering and structural analyses revealed consistent semantic patterns across behavior categories. Feeding and drinking behaviors were concisely defined in 6–10 words, including the semantic elements of body parts, actions, and action objects. Resting and moving behaviors were described in 6–15 words. Resting behavior was defined by actions and action objects, while moving behaviors were characterized by action words only. By integrating these structured definitions into prompts, ChatGPT-4o achieved an average correspondence score of 4.53 out of 5 in an image-based piglet behavior annotation task. These findings highlight the value of standardized behavior definitions in supporting more accurate and generalizable behavior recognition models for precision livestock farming.

Stressors are factors that disrupt homeostasis, in pigs this includes challenges in sow management, human interaction, and weaning. These stressors typically occur in the first month of life, compromising welfare and leading to decreased growth and increased mortality. This study aimed to investigate the impact of early-life stressors on pig growth, immune response, and the ability to cope with these stressors. The study was conducted as a 2 x 2 factorial design with factors including rearing environment [2 levels; sow-reared (SR) or artificially-reared (AR)] and handling (2 levels; handled for 2 minutes per day or handled once a week). Therefore, 72 pigs (38 gilts and 34 boars) were allotted to 1 of 4 treatments on postnatal day (PND) 2 based on their litter of origin and body weight (BW): 1) SR-D (sow-reared, daily handling); 2) SR-W (sow-reared, weekly handling); 3) AR-D (artificially-reared, daily handling); and 4) AR-W (artificially-reared, weekly handling). Artificially-reared pigs were housed individually and had ad libitum access to reconstituted milk replacer, while sow-reared pigs were group-housed with their littermates and received all nutrients from the sow. On PND 21, rearing environment and handling interventions ended, and all pigs were transferred to nursery pens according to their original treatment groups. From PND 2-21, BW was recorded depending on the assigned handling treatment. From PND 21-35, BW was recorded weekly, and growth performance was assessed on a pen basis. On PND 35, all pigs were euthanized, and the study was terminated. Data were analyzed using a 2-way ANOVA with the MIXED procedure of SAS. Pigs that were AR exhibited higher (P < 0.05) average daily gain from PND 2-21. Subsequently, AR pigs had the heaviest (P < 0.05) BW on PND 21 and 35 compared with SR pigs. However, SR pigs exhibited higher (P < 0.05) feed efficiency during PND 21-35 compared with AR. During a tonic-immobility test assessing stress resiliency, AR-W pigs had the longest (P < 0.05) latency to first escape attempt compared with all other treatments, indicating greater stress-coping abilities. Furthermore, pigs that underwent daily handling exhibited more (P < 0.05) total escape attempts and time spent performing escape attempts. As a classic marker of stress, fecal secretory IgA concentrations were highest (P <0.05) in SR pigs when compared with AR pigs on PND 21. On PND 28, AR-W pigs had increased (P < 0.05) cortisol concentrations compared with all other treatments. Furthermore, there was a main effect of rearing with AR pigs experiencing increased (P < 0.05) cortisol on PND 7 and 28, but decreased (P < 0.05) cortisol on PND 22, compared with SR pigs. In conclusion, early-life rearing environment and handling influenced growth and stress response metrics, but did not impact intestinal health.

Stressors are factors that disrupt homeostasis; in pigs this includes challenges in sow management, human interaction, and weaning. These typically occur in the first month of life, compromising welfare and decreasing growth and increasing mortality. This study investigated the impact of early-life stressors on pig growth, immune response, and coping ability. The study utilized a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with factors including rearing environment [2 levels; sow-reared (SR) or artificially-reared (AR)] and handling (2 levels; handled for 2 min daily or weekly). Therefore, 72 pigs (38 gilts and 34 boars) were allotted to 1 of 4 treatments on postnatal day (PND) 2 based on their litter of origin and body weight (BW): 1) SR-W (sow-reared, weekly-handled); 2) SR-D (sow-reared, daily-handled); 3) AR-W (artificially-reared, weekly-handed); and 4) AR-D (artificially-reared, daily-handled). AR pigs were housed individually with ad libitum access to reconstituted milk replacer, while SR pigs were group housed and received all nutrients from the sow. On PND 21, rearing environment and handling interventions ended, and pigs were transferred to group nursery pens according to their original treatment assignment. One week later, on PND 28, all pigs received a 5ug/kg of BW injection of lipopolysaccharide to stimulate an innate immune response. On PND 35, all pigs were euthanized to permit sample collection. Data were analyzed using a 2-way ANOVA via the MIXED procedure of SAS. During PND 2-21, AR pigs had greater (P < 0.05) BW gain than SR pigs. Consequently, AR pigs had the heaviest (P < 0.05) BW on PND 21 and 35 compared with SR pigs. However, SR pigs exhibited higher (P < 0.05) feed efficiency during PND 21-35 compared with AR pigs. As a classic marker of stress, fecal secretory immunoglobulin A concentrations were highest (P < 0.05) in SR pigs compared with AR pigs on PND 21. On PND 35, daily-handled pigs exhibited longer (P < 0.05) small intestinal tract length than weekly-handled pigs. Furthermore, SR pigs had increased (P < 0.05) absolute and relative ileal weights, but lower (P < 0.05) absolute duodenal mass compared with AR pigs. Lastly, daily-handled pigs displayed increased (P < 0.05) TNF-α, IL-1β, and occludin mRNA expression relative to weekly-handled pigs, while AR pigs had increased (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of IFN-γ and IL-1β compared with SR pigs. In conclusion, early-life rearing environment and handling frequency influenced growth, immune and stress response, clinical indicators, and intestinal health.

BACKGROUND:There is considerable variation in the anabolic action of ingesting protein-dense foods on the stimulation of postprandial myofibrillar protein synthesis rates (MPS) despite ingesting similar amounts of protein and essential amino acids (EAA). OBJECTIVES:This study aims to determine the effects of consuming high-fat pork (HFP), low-fat pork (LFP), or a carbohydrate control (CHO) on the MPS response. METHODS:In a semicrossover design, 16 physically active adults (25 ± 5 y; 25.0 ± 2.3 kg/m2; 12M, 4F) received primed-constant infusions of L-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine and performed an acute bout of resistance exercise. Following exercise, participants ingested either HFP (266 kcal, 20 g protein, 20.6 g fat), LFP (120 kcal, 20 g protein, 4.4 g fat), or CHO (266 kcal, 0 g protein, 0 g fat, 73.3 g carbohydrate). Repeated blood and muscle samples were collected at rest and throughout 0-5 h postexercise recovery to measure plasma variables and MPS. Linear mixed-effects models with time and condition as fixed factors were used to detect differences. RESULTS:Both HFP and LFP conditions increased MPS above postabsorptive values (P = 0.028 and P < 0.001, respectively), with LFP eliciting a greater postexercise MPS {0.106 ± 0.026 %/h [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.088, 0.118]} than HFP [0.072 ± 0.027 %/h (95% CI: 0.057, 0.087); P = 0.030] and CHO [0.056 ± 0.035 %/h (95% CI: 0.41, 0.71); P < 0.001]. The absolute change in MPS from basal was significantly correlated with peak EAA and leucine concentrations (r = 0.4638, P = 0.017; r = 0.4211, P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS:LFP stimulated MPS more than HFP or CHO conditions. Our work demonstrated that other nutrients in the food matrix, beyond total ingested protein or EAAs, can impact the regulation of MPS in healthy adults. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05876299.

Blueberries provide dietary polyphenols and are often included in dog and cat kibble as a source of antioxidants. For this study, we investigated the polyphenol content in commercial dog and cat extruded food that lists blueberries on their ingredient deck. We sampled 40 bags of kibble (18 cat and 22 dog) from four pet food stores in Guelph, Canada. High-performance liquid chromatography was employed for the determination of quercetin, free phenolics (caffeic acid; cinnamic acid; ferulic acid; gallic acid; hesperetin; naringin; p-coumaric acid; p-hydroxybenzaldehyde; protocatechuic acid; syringaldehyde; syringic acid; vanillic acid; vanillin), and antioxidant-protected alkali-labile phenolics (caffeic acid; chlorohenic acid; cinnamic acid; ferulic acid; gallic acid; hesperetin; naringin; p-coumaric acid; p-hydroxybenzaldehyde; protocatechuic acid; sinapic acid; syringaldehyde; syringic acid; vanillic acid; vanillin). Mean concentration ± SE was calculated for all assessed polyphenol types. The ANOVA procedure was used to determine if the intended species (cat or dog) affected quercetin and antioxidant-protected alkali-labile polyphenol concentrations. Quercetin concentrations were found at 5.05 ± 4.32 µg/g across all bags. Cat kibble had lower average concentrations of quercetin and alkali-labile phenolics compared to dog kibble, which is likely linked to the quantity of added fruits and vegetables. Concentrations of free phenolics were minimal to nonexistent for all kibble types. Dog and cat kibble containing blueberries do not provide significant amounts of dietary polyphenols and, therefore, do not contribute to enhanced sources of antioxidants and anti-inflammation. Future research should assess optimal polyphenol doses in healthy cats and dogs to determine the target doses to achieve physiological benefits.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2025.1484497.].

Introduction:Colitis, a chronic intestinal disorder that causes inflammation of the colonic mucosa, has been linked with structural brain abnormalities. To combat intestinal inflammation, researchers have investigated how nutritional supplementation, such as butyric acid, may ameliorate untoward effects. By encapsulating and using conjugates of butyrate, such as butyrate glycerides (i.e., tributyrin), slower release to the lower portions of the gastrointestinal tract can be achieved. Additionally, butyrate supplementation has been linked with supporting brain function and regulating integrity. Methods:In the present study, a total of 24 intact male pigs were artificially reared and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment conditions: (1) a control milk replacer (CON), (2) control plus oral dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to induce colitis, or (3) control supplemented with 9.0 mM of gamma-cyclodextrin encapsulated tributyrin (TBCD) plus oral DSS (TBCD+DSS). Pigs were orally administered DSS treatments daily from postnatal day (PND) 14-18. Continuous video recording began on PND 3 and ceased on PND 27 or 28, with videos processed and analyzed for home-cage tracking behavior. On PND 26 or 27, pigs underwent neuroimaging procedures to assess overall brain anatomy (MPRAGE), microstructure (DTI), and myelin (MWF). Results and discussion:Home-cage spatial preference was not altered prior to DSS dosing or during the overall study period. However, TBCD+DSS pigs spent less (p < 0.05) time within quadrant 4 when compared with CON pigs. Across almost all 29 brain regions assessed, absolute volumes were observed to be smaller in the TBCD+DSS group compared with CON and DSS groups. However, once individual volumes were assessed relative to the whole brain, most treatment effects dissipated other than for gray matter volume (p = 0.041). Diffusivity was found to be altered in several regions across treatment groups, thereby indicating differences in fiber organization. In areas like the hippocampus and thalamus, when fractional anisotropy (FA) values were highest for a given treatment, in the other diffusion metrics (mean, radial, axial diffusivity) values were lowest for that same treatment, indicating more organized cellular structure. Several other diffusion trends and differences were observed across various regions. Lastly, myelin water fraction (MWF) values were lowest in DSS-treated groups compared with CON (p < 0.05) for the whole brain and left/right cortices. Conclusion:Overall, fiber organization and myelination were observed to be altered by experimentally induced colitis and contrary to expectations, tributyrin supplementation did not ameliorate these effects. Future work is warranted to investigate other protective nutritional mechanisms for colitis.

IntroductionIn the developmental field, sex differences can alter brain growth and development. Across the literature, sex differences have been reported in overall brain volume, white matter, gray matter and numerous other regions and tracts captured through non-invasive neuroimaging. Growing evidence suggests that sex differences appear at birth and continue through childhood. However, limited work has been completed in translational animal models, such as the domestic pig. Additionally, when using neuroimaging, uncertainties remain about which method best depicts microstructural changes, such as myelination.Materials and methodsTo address this gap, the present study utilized a total of 24 pigs (11 intact males or boars; 13 females or gilts) that underwent neuroimaging at postnatal day (PND) 29 or 30 to assess overall brain structural anatomy (MPRAGE), microstructural differences using diffusion (DTI), and an estimation of myelin content via myelin water fraction (MWF). On PND 32, brains were collected from all pigs, with the left hippocampus isolated, sectioned, and stained using the Gallyas silver impregnation method to quantify myelin density.ResultsMinimal sex differences were observed across neuroimaging modalities, with only myelin content exhibiting sex differences in the hippocampus (P = 0.022). In the left hippocampus (P = 0.038), females had a higher MWF value compared with males. This was supported by histologically derived myelin density as assessed by positive pixel percentage, but differences were isolated to one anatomical plane of the hippocampus (P = 0.024) and not the combined mean value (P = 0.333). Further regression analysis determined that axial (P = 0.01) and mean (P = 0.048) diffusivity measures, but not fractional anisotropy or MWF, were positively correlated with histologically derived myelin density in the left hippocampus, independent of sex.DiscussionThese findings suggest that at 4 weeks of age, axial and mean diffusivity may better reflect myelin density. Further investigation is required to confirm underlying mechanisms. Overall, minimal sex differences were observed in 4-week-old domestic pigs, indicating similar brain structure at this early stage of development.

BACKGROUND:Body weight is an important indicator of the overall health and production efficiency in broiler chickens. In broiler houses, body weight of chicks is variable despite the same genetics, hatching and feeding practices within a production system. The objective of this study was to investigate the intestinal microbiota and bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity in slow and fast growing broiler chickens, which belonged to the 10th and 90th percentile body weight groups, respectively. METHODS:A total of 300 Ross 308 broiler chickens (100 per cohort from three independent cohorts) were selected and mucosal samples from the jejunum, ileum, and cecum were collected at day of arrival, 11 and 25 (n = 450). Then, bacterial counts, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, species specific real-time qPCR, as well as BSH activity were analyzed. RESULTS:Results of bacterial counts showed no significant difference between slow and fast growing cohorts (P > 0.05), but they tended to be higher in the slow growing chickens in all measured bacterial groups in cecum. The 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed higher relative abundance of E. coli-Shigella (71.3%-79.8%) at day of arrival, while the most abundant microorganisms at d 25 was Candidatus Arthromitus (slow: 44.5%; fast: 27.4%) in small intestine. qPCR results indicated significant differences in bacterial populations between the slow and fast growing chickens, especially higher total bacteria, Enterococcus, and Clostridium cluster I in the slow growing chickens at d 25. BSH activity was higher in the slow growing chickens than the fast growing chickens [slow: 0.476 ΔOD/protein (μg/mL); fast: 0.258 ΔOD/protein (μg/mL); P < 0.0001], and correlation analysis highlighted associations between BSH activity, body weight, feed intake, body weight gain, and bacterial counts. CONCLUSIONS:We postulate that high total bacteria and Enterococcus abundance are associated with high BSH activity, impacting low feed intake and body weight gain, ultimately resulting in separation into slow and fast growing birds. The findings of this study contribute to understanding the relationship between gut microbiota, BSH activity, and host physiology in broiler chickens, with potential implications for poultry production.

Background: Digestibility is a primary factor in determining the quality of dietary protein. Microbial protease supplementation may be a strategy for improving protein digestion and subsequent postprandial plasma amino acid availability. Objectives: To assess the effect of co-ingesting a microbial protease mixture with pea protein on postprandial plasma amino acid concentrations. Design: A mixture of 3 microbial protease preparations (P3) was tested for proteolytic ef fi cacy in an in vitro static simulation of gastrointestinal digestion. Subsequently, in a randomized, double -blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 24 healthy adults (27 +/- 4 y; 12 females, 12 males) ingested 25 g pea protein isolate (20 g protein, 2.2 g fat) with either P3 or maltodextrin placebo (PLA). Blood samples were collected at baseline and throughout a 0 - 5 h postprandial period and both the early (0 - 2 h) iAUC and total (0 - 5 h) iAUC were examined. Results: Plasma glucose concentrations decreased in both conditions ( P < 0.001), with higher concentrations after P3 ingestion compared with PLA ( P < 0.001). Plasma insulin concentrations increased for both conditions ( P < 0.001) with no difference between conditions ( P = 0.331). Plasma total amino acid (TAA) concentrations increased over time ( P < 0.001) with higher concentrations observed for P3 compared with PLA ( P = 0.010) during the 0 - 5 h period. There was a trend for elevated essential amino acid (EAA) concentrations for P3 compared with PLA ( P = 0.099) during the 0 - 5 h postprandial period but not for leucine ( P = 0.282) or branched-chain amino acids (BCAA, P = 0.410). The early net exposure (0 - 2 h iAUC) to amino acids (leucine, BCAA, EAA, and TAA) was higher for P3 compared with PLA (all, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Microbial protease co-ingestion increases plasma TAA concentrations (0 - 5 h) and leucine, BCAA, EAA, and TAA availability in the early postprandial period (0 - 2 h) compared with ingesting pea protein with placebo in healthy adults.

Broilers are commonly exposed to coccidiosis infections, and the use of dietary strategies to reduce losses in growth performance has practical implications for the poultry industry. Methionine (Met) is typically the first limiting amino acid for broilers and is involved in metabolic and immunological pathways; however, literature is conflicting on how dietary Met requirements are affected by environmental stressors. Our objective was to assess how the Met requirement changes during coccidiosis based on results of growth performance, carcass traits, and health outcomes. Two trials were conducted using 780 male Ross 308 broiler chicks in floor pens randomly assigned to 1 of 12 experimental treatments. All birds received common starter (d 0-10) and finisher (d 24-35, Trial 2 only) diets, and only differed based on their assigned experimental grower diet (d 10-24). Trial 1 experimental grower diets ranged from 2.61 to 6.21 g/kg digestible Met. Trial 2 experimental grower diets were formulated to contain 15% below, at, or 15% above the Met requirement determined in Trial 1. Birds were exposed to a coccidiosis challenge on d 11, with blood and tissue collection (1 bird/pen) on d 18 and carcass processing on d 35 (2 birds/pen) in Trial 2. Data were analyzed using a 1- or 2-way ANOVA. A non-linear regression analysis was conducted in Trial 1 to determine the Met requirement of 4.32 g of digestible Met/kg of diet using BW gain. Coccidiosis infection reduced (P < 0.05) growth performance during the experimental grower and overall study periods in Trial 2. Increasing dietary Met from below requirement to meeting requirement during the grower period improved (P < 0.001) BW gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR), but this effect was only significant between treatments below and above the requirement for the overall study period. There was an interactive effect (P = 0.038) on FCR for the overall study period. These findings provide evidence that the Met requirement is likely increased during coccidiosis based on growth performance outcomes.