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The objective of this paper is to summarize the Italian Animal Genetic Resources (ItAnGR) recorded in the Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS) of FAO. The breed data sheets of ItAnGR were implemented by the Italian National Focal Point (ItNFP) of FAO under the guidance of Prof. Donato Matassino and CONSDABI. The impressive amount of work done is documented by 299 breed data sheets. The average level of completeness of the data sheets is 48%, i.e. a value similar to the average for European Countries, and for half of ItAnGR updating is quite regular. The number of breeds/populations included is very high for cattle (61), sheep (84), goats (54), asses (15), horses (34) and pigs (45), while it is very low for chicken (6) and absent for the other species. The level of risk of ItAnGR described in DAD-IS is worrying as about one fifth of the breeds are yet extinct, one fifth is judged critical, almost one fifth is endangered and about two fifth are not at risk, transboundary breeds included. The priority for next years is to complete and update the existing data sheets, to implement new breed data sheets for avian species, buffaloes and shepherd and hunting dogs, and to implement the new PED (Production Environment Description) module for all breeds/populations. It is evident that complete and updated database of ItAnGR is a prerequisite for the implementing of a sound National Plan of Action for the safeguarding of farm animal biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 8th International Feed Conference 'Present and Future Challenges' took place in Milan, Italy, in October 2023, marking the first time the event was held in Italy. The conference highlighted the importance of animal feed in sustainable food production systems, addressing the increasing global demand for animal proteins. Key topics discussed included circular feed and additives, feed quality, safety, authentication, and traceability. The conference aimed to bring together experts from various fields to share knowledge and discuss innovative solutions for the challenges facing the feed industry. [Extracted from the article]

CD34 is a cell surface glycoprotein expressed by hematopoietic progenitors and endothelial cells. It is widely used in the clinic for isolation of human hematopoietic stem cells. In recent years large animals are gaining increasing importance in biomedical research for the study and therapy of human diseases. Sheep has proved to be an useful experimental model for preclinical trials in transplantation procedures. Unfortunately, the lack of specie-specific monoclonal antibodies (MABS) recognizing hemopoietic progenitor cells hampers the use of this animal in experimental hematology. The aim of this paper was to determine whether commercial monoclonal antibodies specific for human CD34 molecule could cross-react with hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) present in sheep umbilical cord blood (UCB). Six antihuman CD34 MABS, recognizing the three different epitope classes, were tested in flow cytometry on purified mononuclear cells (MNC) isolated from cord blood of both species. None of the MABS used in this trial seemed to be able to identify HPC from sheep UCB. These data suggest that the panel of monoclonal antibodies used for cross reactivity detection has to be expanded with recently produced reagents. Further studies should be directed towards the production of ovine specific anti CD34 MABS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey regarding crop enterprise management, forages cost of production, dairy cattle management including reproductive management, housing, heat abatement, body condition scoring, nutrition, grouping strategies, and income over feed cost performance, was carried out from December 2016 to January 2018 on 50 dairy farms by the Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Piacenza, Italy). A total of 41 herds (82%) completed the survey. Average herd size was 327 ± 162 lactating cows with the average land size of 160 ± 94 ha per farm. Herds were located in the provinces of Cremona (17), Brescia (8), Mantova (7), Piacenza (5), Cuneo (4), Bergamo (3), Lodi (3), Torino (2), and Venezia (1). These farms sold 32.8 ± 2.01 kg of milk/day per cow, had an annual culling rate of 34.0 ± 4.00%, a calving interval of 14.16 ± 0.58 months., and a 21-days pregnancy rate of 17.05 ± 2.58%. Implementing effective management strategies to contrast the damage caused by Ostrinia nubilalis, Diabrotica spp. and Myocastor coypus were identified as the main crop enterprise challenges. Main forages cultivated were alfalfa and corn silage second seeding with a total cost of production of (€/ha) 1968 ± 362 and 2,581 ± 221, with an average yield of 9.61 ± 1.24 and 17.22 ± 2.46 ton of DM per hectare, respectively. Results of this study can provide useful benchmark or reference for dairy management practices, crops and dairy performances, forages production costs on very well-managed North Italian dairy farms at the present time. benchmarks for dairy farms management practices, economic and reproductive performance cost of production of forages in northern Italy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the current study was to evaluate whether oil palm frond (OPF) can be successfully ensiled without or with the additives cellulase or lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Thus, fresh OPF was ensiled either without additives or with cellulase or LAB or their combination. Ensiling was carried out by storing 2 kg samples in airtight glass jars at 25- 30°C for 12 weeks. Thereafter, the silage samples were subjected to proximate analyses, an in vitro digestibility assay and measures on selected indices of fermentation. Fermentation of OPF without additives appeared to be unsuccessful as both pH and ammonia content were too high (4.9 and 9.9%, respectively). In contrast, the use of cellulase or LAB resulted in silages with a pH<4.5 and ammonia fractions <8.4%, but the lowest values were found when both cellulase and LAB were used, i.e. pH=4.1 and ammonia fraction=6.7%. In vitro digestibility of dry matter was significantly higher in the cellulase treated silages. The process of ensiling was associated with both a significant decrease of the fat content of OPF and a significant change of the fatty acid profile. However, the proportions of major fatty acids (C16:0 and C18:2n-6) were not affected by the process of ensiling. In conclusion, the use of cellulase additive appears a practical tool to safeguard the process of fermentation. Using a cellulase enzyme or its combination with LAB improves the fermentation profile and increases the nutritional value of the OPF silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was performed to investigate the influence of probiotics or antibiotic on breast quality characteristics of broiler chickens that were subjected to Salmonella challenge. Two hundred, one-day-old Cobb 500 chicks were allocated in five experimental treatments for 42 d. Ten cages of birds received one of the following treatments: T1=positive control (+CONT), unsupplemented, unchallenged; T2=negative control (-CONT), unsupplemented, challenged; T3=supplemented with antibiotic neoxyval (NEOX), challenged; T4=supplemented with probiotic Toyocerin (TOYO), challenged; and T5=supplemented with probiotic CloSTAT™ (CLOS), challenged. Birds in treatments T2 to T5 were challenged with 3×109 CFU/mL of Salmonella enterica subsp. typhimurium on day 16. Nine birds per treatment were sampled at the end of the trial for breast characteristics. Overall, pH and temperature values of the breast muscle were similar among all groups tested. Cooking loss results indicated that breasts from T3 birds had the highest degree of shrinkage upon cooking while those of the probiotic group had similar control values (P<0.0001). Probiotic supplementation reduced the extent of destruction of myofibrils caused by homogenisation (P<0.0001). Warner-Bratzler shear test and texture profile analysis showed that neither treatments nor Salmonella challenge had any negative impact on texture or sensory attributes of chicken breast. In conclusion, results show that breast characteristics were better when probiotics were supplemented in the diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we analysed the effect of aguamiel (sap from Agave salmiana) on haematic biometry in rabbits as well as its antioxidant activity with the objective of determining its nutritional value. Nine male Landrace 55-day-old rabbits were sorted into three groups of three rabbits each, which had access to fresh aguamiel, boiled aguamiel and water instead of aguamiel. Commercial rabbit food was supplied ad libitum to each experimental unit. Fresh aguamiel promoted weight increases of about 13% by the seventh week. Haemoglobin counts increased by 4.5% and 9% when rabbits were fed with fresh and boiled aguamiel, respectively. Haematocrit counts increased from 2.6% to 5.3%. Mean corpuscular volume did not show a change. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin significantly increased up to 12% above that previously reported on rabbits. Observed Fe (fixed to transferrin), transferrin and ferritin content increased slightly when fresh aguamiel was included in the diet, as compared to the control. In bone, Fe increased 79.3% (boiled aguamiel) while P increased 23.6% (fresh aguamiel). In antioxidant activity determination, the aguamiel showed 20% with respect to that found in coffee and/or grape juice (commercial beverages with a high antioxidant capability), 226.2 μmol gallic acid equivalent and 35.1 mg ascorbic acid in 250 mL, respectively. These results showed that aguamiel is an innocuous beverage to feed animals, conferring some beneficial properties, and it could be considered as a nutraceutical product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to identify the habitat preferences and home range of resident and relocated brown hares during the nohunting period. The trial was carried out in a protected area and in a free-hunting territory (FHT), both located in the Florence province. During the captures, 21 hares were equipped with a necklace radio-tag: seven hares (resident group) were released in the same area of capture and 14 hares (relocated group) were relocated in six different locations within the FHT. The effect of the place of release was analysed by ANOVA and/or nonparametric methods. Results showed that the home ranges of the resident group were characterized by a greater amount of fallow land and shrub land than of the relocated group (P<0.05). Home range sizes and maximum distances from the releasing sites were greater in the relocated group. Resident hares preferred landscape characterized by a higher density of patches (152 vs. 70 n/100 ha), patch richness (43 vs. 12 n/100 ha), and patch area (4703 vs. 8142 m2 ) than the relocated hares (P<0.01). The landscape structure indices, the home range sizes and the maximum distance from the releasing sites suggest that the relocated hares, even if released in suitable habitats, will move from their releasing point to look for better habitats. The landscape with the most complexity is preferred by the resident hares. This result should be considered when a project is programmed to reintroduce this lagomorph into a territory, or when it is necessary to improve the dynamics of a natural population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Country hams are dry-cured products from the Southeastern region of the USA. This high value product requires quality fresh meat to avoid later processing problems. The marker SREBF1 is a transcription factor involved in the regulation of fatty acid synthesis and antioxidative enzyme transcription. The SREBF1 gene and its regulators, SCAP and MBTPS1, were investigated for associations with several meat quality traits in country hams. After single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identification, PCR-RFLP tests were designed for one polymorphism in each of the three investigated genes. Meat quality and physical traits were collected on 299 fresh hams. Significant associations were found with ham yield (MBTPS1, P<0.05 and SREBF1xMBTPS1, P<0.05) and ham circumference (MBTPS1, P<0.05 and SREBF1x MBTPS1, P<0.01), Hunter A colour score on fresh meat (SREBF1, P<0.05), Hunter B colour score on cured meat (MBTPS1, P<0.05 and SREBF1xMBTPS1, P<0.01), moisture (SCAPxMBTPS1, P<0.05) and salt percentage (SREBF1xSCAP, P<0.05). Our findings provide initial evidence that SNPs in SREBF1, SCAP and MBTPS1 are associated with some country ham quality traits. Breeders could use these gene tests to improve their animals, which would in turn improve country ham processing and other desired production goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]