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The Anglo-Arabian horse breed (AA) is the result of crossing between Thoroughbred and Arabian horses renowned for versatility in show-jumping and racing. Southwest France and Sardinia in Italy are considered the historical nucleus of European AA breeding. Since little is known on genetic variability in the AA breed, especially those bred in the Sardinia region, this study investigates: i) inbreeding levels via pedigree and SNP genotyping; ii) runs of homozygosity (ROH) and selection signatures; iii) effective population size; and iv) distinctiveness of AA compared to Arabian and Thoroughbred horses. The ROH revealed an excessive amount of homozygosity, with a high kurtosis value observed in several chromosomes and an average inbreeding based on ROH of 21.1%. This latter value is higher compared to what was found based on pedigree data, highlighting the importance of complete pedigree records when estimating inbreeding based on genealogical data. The genomic inbreeding in AA horses was higher compared to other Italian horse breeds but lower than what was found in pure Thoroughbred and Arabian horses. This result suggests that the selection process for AA horses, may have prioritised racing ability over breed preservation which is the main goal in most local Italian breeds. The reduction in effective population size found in the latest 20 generations corroborates the potential presence of genetic diversity reduction due to selection in the AA breed. Remarkably, a large ROH island was identified on ECA17, which overlapped with two QTLs associated with racing performance.

Alpacas represent an exotic species for Italy, introduced no more than 20–30 years ago. Nevertheless, they are currently the most widespread camelid species reared in this country, highlighting the growing interest in breeding this species. So, it is useful to assess parameters on their growth in relation to the new environment. Thus, body weight and body measures were recorded on 49 healthy alpacas of Huacaya type (27 females, 22 males), along a period of 27 months. Overall, 111 individual observations were made. Data were analysed by ANOVA, as growth curves were estimated by applying the Gompertz’s model. Multiple regression was finally used to estimate body weight from body measures. Body weight and linear measures, except for the distance between iliac crest and the length of the rump, were influenced by the category (calves, yearlings, adults) and by the age class within category (p 0.05). Asymptotic weigh of males was 8.25% higher than females (p

The overall objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of 2 carriers (Silica, SIL, and Tween 80, T80) and their interaction with 8 phytochemicals (PCs), on in vitro dry matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibility (DMD, NDFD) of 3 substrates commonly used as feed for dairy cattle (soybean meal, maize meal and total mixed ration –TMR). A total of eight PCs were tested: 4 essential oils (EO) - cinnamon oil (CIN), clove oil (CLO), thyme oil (THY) and oregano oil (ORE) - and 4 essential oil active compounds (EOAC) - cinnamaldehyde (CIN-AC), eugenol (EUG), thymol (THY-AC) and carvacrol (CAR). A positive control with carrier and no PCs was tested for each substrate (CRR). Each PC was tested at 0.5 mg L−1 of medium on DMD and NDFD in an in vitro batch fermentation system. The incubation was performed twice at the intervals of 4 (DMD4, NDFD4) and 24 (DMD24, NDFD24) h. The PCs effect was significant on maize meal and soybean meal DMD24. The carrier’s effect was significant on soybean meal DMD24, indicating a depressive effect of T80 on soybean meal. The PC-carrier interactions were significant on both DMD and NDFD of the tested substrates, except for maize meal and soybean meal DMD24. The PCs-SIL combinations generally increased digestibility while the combination with T80 exerted positive effect only on maize DMD4. The PC-carrier combinations variably affect digestibility of different substrates and these interactions should be considered both for their scientific and commercial implications.HIGHLIGHTS PC-Carrier interactions affect in vitro digestibility. In general, the PC-SIL combinations increase digestibility while those with Tween 80 exert depressing effect. The PC-Carrier effect is variable depending on the degraded substrate.

The aim of this research is to propose equations to estimate body weight (BW) from body measures (BMs) in the Cornigliese sheep, an endangered breed reared in Italy for meat purpose. BW and BMs were submitted to correlation and multiple regression analyses. Two datasets were used: (i) 303 animals (178 females, 125 males, BW 4.00–117.80 kg), on which BW, height at withers (HW), chest circumference (ChC) and body length (BL) were measured; (ii) 156 animals (109 females, 47 males, BW 5.15–117.80 kg) out of 303 on which croup height (HCr), chest width (ChW), chest depth (ChD) and croup width (CrW) were also considered. On each dataset, two regression models were applied, one containing all variables (models 1 and 3, respectively, for datasets 1 and 2) and the other one comprising groups of variables, selected by means of the stepwise procedure (models 2 and 4, respectively, for datasets 1 and 2). BW resulted correlated with all BMs (from 0.852 for ChW to 0.950 for ChC; p

We evaluated whether chabazite/phillipsite dietary supplementation might affect the faecal microbiota, oxidant and antioxidant status of working dogs at rest undergone to a trial test. Forty English Setter dogs were involved in two replicate trials. At each replicate, dogs were divided into two homogeneous groups (10 dogs/group). During a period of 28 days, diet was supplemented (Z group) or not supplemented (C group) with chabazite/phillipsite at the dose of 5 g/head/day. On day 29, dogs were subjected to a trial test. Faecal characteristics were assessed at 0 and 29 days (within two hours from the end of the trial test). Faecal consistency was not affected by dietary supplementation (p > .05). On day 29, Lactobacillus spp. and Enterococcus spp. counts were higher and Enterobacteriaceae were lower in Z than in C group (p .05). Our results suggest that chabazite/phillipsite dietary supplementation, improves the intestinal microbiota ecosystem and may counteract the oxidative damage caused by physical stress in hunting dogs at the beginning of the working season.

This study aimed to investigate the preservability and viability of the rabbit spermatozoa diluted in a new semen extender Formula® in comparison with Lepus® at 17 °C of storage. The main characteristic of the new extender formulation is the use of an enzymatic agent associated to a polysaccharide as energy source precursor, added with gentamycin. During eight trials, ejaculates from 70 bucks were collected and diluted at 1:10 ratio with both the extenders, after 24 h of storage the semen doses were used for the artificial insemination (AI). Aliquots of the semen doses for each trial were stored at 17 °C, the total and progressive motility were checked at 0, 4, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108 h of storage. A total of 1267 and 1525 does were inseminated, respectively with Formula® and Lepus®. During storage the mean total and progressive motility (77.23% and 72.854%, respectively) were significantly higher for Formula® (p

A total of 72 animals from Cornigliese sheep breed were reared under homogeneous conditions, with the aim to assess the effect of sex (males, females) and age-class (heavy lambs, adults) on carcass and meat parameters. A model with fixed effects of herd, sex, slaughtering session, age-class and interaction (sex*age-class) was used; for slaughter data, the carcass weight was used as a covariate. The age-class effect was significant for most of the carcass measurements, indicating a late development in animals. Also, slaughter performance was significantly affected by age-class, with higher values (p

The Authors report the results of a study carried out on 23 pregnant Italian Brown heifers, with the aim to determine the relationships between blood serum ß-lactoglobulin (ß-LG) concentrations during first gestation and subsequent milk production and quality in first lactation, in order to obtain an improved selection method for replacement heifers. At weeks 20, 26 and 32 of gestation, ß-LG concentrations (±SE) were 706±78, 753±66 and 772±63 ng/ml, respectively (P>0.05). High and significant (P≤0.05) correlation coefficients were observed only between ß-LG content at week 32 and total milk and protein yields in first lactation. Prediction equations of milk, fat and protein production in first lactation from log10 ß-LG content at week 32 of gestation, from parent average genetic indexes and from both were calculated by means of multiple regression analysis. When the contribution of both ß-LG content and predicted genetic indexes were considered, the regression equations gave generally a better estimate of the production parameters in first lactation (higher R2, lower SE of estimate) than the above mentioned parameters alone. These results suggest that it is valuable to pre-estimate milk, fat and protein production in Italian Brown first lactating cows by means of the analysis of serum ß-LG content during gestation.

The aim of this study was to estimate the linear and quadratic effects of the proportion of Duroc genes on the characteristicsof seasoned Parma hams by means of a covariance model. The study was carried out on 167 pigs (87 castratedmales, 80 females) from different crosses among Duroc (D), Large White (LW) and Landrace (L) breeds, slaughteredat 300 d of age (live weight 170 kg). All pigs were raised under similar conditions. The curing period was 380 days. Theproportion of Duroc genes was 0% (LWxL; n. 33), 25% [(LWx(DxL); n. 31 and Lx(DxLW); n. 35)] and 50%[Dx(LWx(LWxL)); n. 68]. The increase in the proportion of Duroc genes had a positive linear effect (Pquadratic effect (P=0.01) on the yield of deboned ham while ham fat thickness decreased linearly (P=0.07) andincreased quadratically (P(Pfor lightness (Pfeatured a linear increase in moisture (Pin addition to significant quadratic effects with an increase in the proportion of Duroc genes. In conclusion, crossbreedingwith the Duroc breed (up to 50%) makes it possible to obtain positive quality characteristics of cured Parma ham.

The growth curves of “Nero di Parma” pigs were studied by applying the Gompertz equation to 1069 body weight (BW) records from 285 pigs (156 females, 129 castrated males) born in 11 outdoor and 5 indoor herds; pigs were fed commercial complete feeds offered ad libitum and, on a limited basis in the outdoor system, diets were integrated with pasture. The parameters of the Gompertz equation were compared with reference to sex and season of birth. Mature BW for castrated males (229.0 kg) was 3.5% greater than that for females (221.3 kg) (P180 kg).

The relationship between β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) serum concentration in sows during the last 8 weeks of gestation and subsequentpiglet performance was investigated in 10 Dunel gilts. Two classes of gilts were identified with low (or high (>150 ng/ml) average serum β-LG content. For both low and high content groups, equations were calculated todescribe trends in serum β-LG content, respectively y1=10.07e0.0237x (R2=0.3122) and y2=69.00e0.0201x (R2=0.6959), wherex is the number of days of gestation. Differences in serum β-LG content between the two groups were highly significantat all weeks (P(P>0.05) between groups were shown for total number of piglets born, born alive, stillborn or mummified and piglet survivalrates up until d 21 after farrowing. The group with high serum β-LG content during gestation showed higher litterweights at d 5 (Presults indicate that serum β-LG content during the final weeks of gestation could be used as an early indicator of reproductiveefficiency, and that gilts with high content could be selected to improve herd productivity.

By means of the application of covariance models, the linear effects of the proportion of Duroc genes were evaluated with respect to growth (from 6 to 170 kg live weight) and feed/gain ratios, as well as carcass (lean cuts, adipose cuts, linear measures, backfat thickness, loin area and lean percentage) and meat quality (L* a* b* colour, reflectance, electrical conductivity, pH) in 167 heavy pigs (87 castrated males, 80 females) from different crosses of Duroc (D), Large White (LW) and Landrace (L) breeds, from 25 to approximately 300 d of age. The pigs were weighed at 25, 105, 170, 235 d and at the end of the trial (298 ± 6 d of age), and were raised under the same conditions. The proportion of Duroc genes was 0% (LWxL; no. 33), 25% [(LWx(DxL); n. 31 and Lx(DxLW); n. 35)] and 50% [Dx(LWx(LWxL)); n. 68]. The increase in the proportion of Duroc genes negatively affected the live weight at the different ages (P0.10). In fact, during the final phase (from 120 to 170 kg l.w.) the effect of the Duroc breed on daily gain became positive (P=0.08), and the feed/gain ratios were significantly lower (P=0.02). The carcass composition was not significantly influenced by the increase in the proportion of Duroc genes, with the exception of a rise in the weight of neck (P

The aims of the study were to identify microbial flora in boar semen under field conditions in northern Italy, to investigate antibiotic resistance and sensitivity of isolated bacteria, and to evaluate elimination of bacteria after storage in two types of extenders added with different antibiotics (amikacin vs gentamicin). A total of 60 boars were collected in 13 pig farms. Bacteriological and mycological investigations were performed immediately on raw semen samples, then at 48 and 120 h of storage on semen diluted randomly in a new short-term modified extender (ME-S) or in a commercial one (CRONOSTM). Bacterial contamination was found in 63% of raw semen samples and different bacterial species were isolated: E.coli, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus epidermidis and aureus, Proteus spp., Streptococcus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. E. coli was the most isolated contaminant (53%); Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found only in one semen sample. The analysis of variance of factors affecting contamination levels was significant for the farm of origin (P

The growth curves of 280 “Nero di Parma” pigs from birth to maturity were calculated by applying nine different models (regressions from 1st to 4th degree and nonlinear regressions following the Brody, Logistic, Janoschek, Bertalannfy and Gompertz models) to 1109 individual records of body weight (BW) from two different data sets. The goodness of fit of experimental data was calculated by means of Residual Variance, Akaike Information Criterion, Residual Standard Deviation and R2. The best fit was obtained by Gompertz equation, as follows: BW(kg)= 240.2±2.4 * esp (-exp (-0.0069±0.0001*(age(d)–213.5±3.1))). Regardless to the model, all correlations between actual and estimated BW were highly significant (P

Number and population size of local chicken breeds in Italy is considered to be critical. Molecular data can be used to provide reliable insight into the diversity of chicken breeds. The first aim of this study was to investigate the maternal genetic origin of five Italian local chicken breeds (Ancona, Livorno, Modenese, Romagnola and Valdarnese bianca) based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) information. Secondly, the extent of the genetic diversity, population structure and the genetic relationships among these chicken populations, by using 27 microsatellite markers, were assessed. To achieve these targets, a 506 bp fragment of the D-loop region was sequenced in 50 chickens of the five breeds. Eighteen variable sites were observed which defined 12 haplotypes. They were assigned to three clades and two maternal lineages. Results indicated that 90% of the haplotypes are related to clade E, which has been described to originate from the Indian subcontinent. For the microsatellite analysis, 137 individual blood samples from the five Italian breeds were included. A total of 147 alleles were detected at 27 microsatellite loci. The five Italian breeds showed a slightly higher degree of inbreeding (FIS=0.08) than the commercial populations that served as reference. Structure analysis showed a separation of the Italian breeds from the reference populations. A further sub-clustering allowed discriminating among the five different Italian breeds. This research provides insight into population structure, relatedness and variability of the five studied breeds.

Aim of the study was to achieve scientific information about body measures and milk production of Cabannina cattle, a local breed reared in northern Italy. Fourteen body measures and five morphologic indexes were recorded from 86 heads enrolled in the herd book. Low differences between males and females of the same age-class were shown. Body measures were generally greater than those reported in previous studies, probably due to recent crosses. With reference to milk production, 991 test-day records from 128 lactations of 59 cows were analysed. Average milk daily production was 8 kg/d in 1st lactation to 10.61 in 3rd (P0.75 showed a standard curve, with low persistence (7.7%), high value of d at peak (103 d) and peak production of 20.18 kg of milk. Moreover, 100 milk samples (40 to 220 d of lactation) were submitted to a granulometric survey by laser scatter technique in order to evaluate the dimensions of fat globules; then milk fat was analyzed by gas chromatography, and desaturase indexes were determined. Cabannina cows showed small fat globules with high specific surface. Furthermore mean diameter of milk fat globules decreased during lactation then rose. Milk fat contained high levels of cis-MUFA, and high desaturase indexes. In conclusion, the low size of Cabannina cattle orients for a limited meat production. Instead milk production has a higher economic potential, aimed at cheese production and human nutrition.

The aim of this study was to evaluate milk production and lactation curve parameters of Bianca Val Padana (BVP) and Italian Friesian (IF) cattle reared in the same herds in relation to different housing-feeding systems. Therefore, 8488 test-day records of 103 BVP and 367 IF cows from 7 herds were used; 2 herds had free stalls and total mixed ration feeding (FS-TMR group) and 5 had tie stalls and traditional feeding (TS-TF group). Data for milk production (kg), fat, protein, lactose production (kg) and content (%), and somatic cell score (SCS) were submitted to analysis by ANOVA, using a model with breed, housingfeeding type, test day, herd within housingfeeding type, season of calving, lactation number, class of days in milk, and two- and threeway interactions as fixed factors. A mixed model according to Wood’s equation in linear form was also performed. Interactions between breed and type of housing-feeding were always significant (P

Digestive and metabolic disorders in the horse were previously associated with hydrolyzable and nonhydrolyzable but rapidly fermentable components of nonstructural carbohydrates, particularly fructans. Aim of the study was to assess the contribution of the carbohydrate fractions to the composition of pastures in specific areas of Italy ordinarily designed for horses feeding. Seventy-seven samples from 11 pastures differing for floristic composition were collected across two growing seasons from April 18th 2008 to May 10th 2009 in the foothills (380 m a.s.l.) of the province of Parma (Italy). All samples were collected during the vegetative growth phase. To identify the bioclimatologic conditions of the growth, the average fortnightly thermohygrometric index (THI) was used. Slow fermentable carbohydrates mean concentration (NDF: 510.6, ADF: 274.7, ADL: 31.5 g/kg DM) reflected the typical chemical composition of high-quality grass and grass-legume mixtures. Among the nonstructual carbohydrates (NSC 199.9 g/kg DM), hydrlolyzable carbohydrates content accounted for about the 18%. Nonhydrolyzable but rapidly fermentable carbohydrates were constituted for about the 23% by fructans (37.7 g/kg DM, range 15.5 to 138.2). The environmental conditions significantly affected the carbohydrate concentration in forages. Between NSC, fructans concentration in pastures was affected by bioclimatologic conditions (P