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In view of the peculiar nutritional demands of the growing foal, the concentration of selected circulating parameters may display to mirror the metabolic activity of developing tissues across growth stages, following yields of mass and size, over time. This study aimed to evaluate the possible change of selected serum biochemical parameters in foals at different growth stages and to target these parameters as potential biomarkers of body development. Twelve Anglo-Arab spring-born foals were screened from weaning to 18 months of age. Live weight and gains were analyzed according to respective growth stage and correlated with biochemical parameters. Individual double whole blood samples were collected before and after weaning and when the foals were 12 and 18 months old. Body mass and wither heights (WH of yearlings) were concomitantly recorded. Foals appeared healthy throughout the trial and showed significantly different ( P

In compliance with EU Reg. 21/2004, the individual electronic identification (EID) of sheep is mandatory in EU Countries since the 1st of January 2008. However, the impact of innovation within animal identification systems has not yet been carried out to quantify benefits during common fieldwork in real dairy sheep flocks. In particular, systematic milk production record represents a fundament to monitor real time performance of each single ewe, before a cumulative datum about flock output. The rational management of dairy ewes should rely on technological tools to create sub-groups according to production performance in a quick and reliable way. This trial aimed to investigate efficacy, reliability and efficiency associate to two different identification systems for monitoring individual milk production throughout the lactation in sheep flocks. Qualitative and quantitative indicators for each criterion, were useful for the assessment of activities and output correctness. Experimental activities were carried in two different farms of Sardinia. In both farms, animals were individually identified by means of an endoruminal ceramic bolus (transponder HDX 134.2 kHz, according to ISO Standards 11784–11785) and by conventional plastic ear tag. In both farms, during milking, groups of ewes were monitored (24 animals per round) by 2 trained technicians. In EID ewes, equipment to check individual transponder’s code and data recording consisted of a handy reader (Gesimpex Com. S.L., Barcelona, Spain); in ET ewes, individual ET code and milk production were visually inspected and typed on a handy data store equipment (ABB Immediate Business System PLC – Radix). Time needed for accomplishment of activities was taken for the two identification systems with a chronometer. In the two farms, a total of 553 animals were monitored for five times (controls were scheduled monthly) throughout the lactation period. Average time for reading and recording individual code and production for EID vs. ET resulted 6″/sheep vs. 11″/sheep. Transponder’s code resulted correctly checked and repeatedly associated in 100% of readings. EID system of diary ewes shows to improve production recording and data transfer in comparison with conventional ET system with advantageous technical relationships between fieldwork activities.

It was hypothesized that a successful prevention of pathogen contamination of small intestine should integrate an efficient functioning of the ileocecal valve. To prevent the backflow of pathogens commonly hosted in the large bowel, this investigation focused on the diet effect modulation of adaptive morphological traits of terminal ileum (TI) and ileocecal valve (IV) in the growing pig. One same diet was ground at different intensities (roller vs . hummer mill) and compactions (raw meal vs . pelleting 80 °C, vs . extrusion 105 °C). Four dietary treatments, identical except for physical form and compaction, were obtained and administered to 32 pigs for 4 weeks. After euthanasia, tissue samples of TI and IV were analyzed for microscopic assessment. Samples of digesta from ileum and caecum were analyzed for pH value, particle size distribution and moisture content. The morphological traits of the TI ( villus height and density) varied according to the dietary treatment. The coarse/raw diet turned out to induce the shortest average length of IV (19.3 ± 1.25 mm), whereas the fine/pelleted diet led to the longest average length IV (22.2 ± 1.12 mm). Differences ( p sphincter ilei ) of the IV depended on the dietary treatment. In case of different grinding intensities and heating/pressure used to process one diet, adaptive morphological changes in the TI and in the sphincter of the IV could be obtained. Such modifications point to the physiological activities of TI and IV, both involved in the prevention of small bowel retrograde contamination by pathogens from the hindgut, through an adapted contractile tone of the smooth muscle layers.

Acorns (fruits of the Genus Quercus ) are widely used in some Mediterranean countries as feed for pigs raised under extensive conditions. Despite the traditional use of acorns for fattening pigs, little is known about the digestibility coefficients of nutrients of this feed source. A feeding trial was carried out to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of crude nutrients in growing pigs fed with an acorn-based diet (70% raw hulled shredded acorns combined with a complete pelleted diet for pigs, as fed). The acorns were observed to contain about 510 g of digestible organic matter per 1 kg DM, a value lower than predicted from the fibre content (CFi) in raw acorns ( y = 92 − 1.68 × CFi in DM). The digestible organic matter was found to be based on starch mainly, and to a lesser extent, on digestible fibre and digestible fat. On calculation, the metabolizable energy content (MJ ME/kg DM), based on the results of the digestibility of raw acorns, was observed to be 9.5 MJ ME/kg DM, making it comparable to sugar beet pulp or to about 70% of the energy density of cereals such as wheat, or to about 75% compared to barley. A negative value for crude protein ATTD (−30%) was highlighted: the high nitrogen faecal losses observed, perhaps due to the high tannin contents (51.2 g tannic acid equivalents/kg DM in raw acorns), can reasonably be considered to be due to the bacterial proteins synthesized during the increased microbial fermentation in the hindgut, then shed via faecal material. Due to the digestibility coefficients of nutrients, acorns may well be more suitable for use in combined diets for fattening pigs, rather than in diets for growers.

Polyphenolic compounds, namely dietary tannins, are biologically active substances capable to induce an increased proline rich proteins (PRPs) content in the salivary secretions of the parotid gland, in different animal species and in man. In general terms, a pulsed increased secretion of salivary PRPs could be observed mainly in browsing animal species and to a lesser extent in grazers, which rely on an evolutionary adaptation to cope with seasonal feeding stuffs, varying in tannin content. Therefore, PRPs secretion might appear to be a first line of defense from severe intoxications, which can occur in animals incapable to code for tannin binding proteins (TBP) in the saliva. Pigs appeared to be tolerant to high intake of raw acorns, known to be rich in hydrolysable tannins. The parotid gland (PG) response to an experimental acorn combined diet (50% inclusion of raw shredded acorns in the diet, as fed, high in hydrolysable tannins: 25 g tannic acid equivalents TAE/kg dry matter in the diet) offered to pigs (growing vs. finishing pigs) was studied and compared to the morphometry and functional activity of the PG in pigs fed on a control conventional diet (0% acorns in the diet). A total of 32 cross-bred pigs were involved in two feeding trials (1 vs . 4 weeks of experimental feeding) and divided into groups according to the experimental diets (0% vs . 50% acorns included in the diet). The bilateral parotidomegaly (hypertrophy of the parotid gland) occurred constantly and significantly ( p vs . finishers, 1.30–1.40 folds of the respective control PG, either after an exposure of 1 or 4 weeks. No statistic significance could be pointed out after 1 week vs . 4 weeks of experimental feeding, testing on a tannin concentration of 25 g TAE/kg DM from acorns in the diet offered, either to growers and to finishers. The morphometry and functionality of the PG is more strongly stimulated in the growing pigs than observed in the finishing pigs, independently of the duration of consumption of the acorn combined diet, rich in hydrolysable tannins.

Animal health and welfare together with technical aspects relating to the RFID based electronic identification (EID) of a total of 114,857 small ruminants, reared in 268 semi-extensive farms, were assessed in Sarda ewes, Sarda and Sarda × Maltese goats, over a period of six years (2006–2011). A multi-purpose investigation was carried out to: (1) monitor the effects on the health and welfare of electronically identified (EID) sheep and goats in farms; (2) support technicians and veterinary practitioners, during fieldwork (decision making) should problems arise relating to EID small ruminants, on a large scale. A coded manual of operations for EID problem solving was drawn up to support an experimental help desk service (HDS). The HDS relied on the technological breakthrough due to the improvement of radiological analysis (digital X-ray): such technology was used to check the performance of the RFID bolus (composed of a RFID device: transponder, and a ceramic case) directly on farms, in relation to its retention and the functioning of the transponder (carrier of the electronic individual code, EIC) in the animal body. The occurrences of administration accidents of the bolus were recorded; undetectable EICs in relation to the different types of devices deployed were listed as: loss, breakage, malfunctioning, doubled code/device fraud. The ceramic boluses currently in use were seen to vary considerably in terms of dimensions (length and width) and mass, as follows (in descending order): 70 mm × 21 mm, 72 g; 70 mm × 18 mm, 70 g; 66 mm × 18 mm, 50 g; 58 mm × 12 mm, 20 g. All kinds of ceramic bolus held an inner transponder (32.5 mm × 3.8 mm, 134.2 kHz), according to ISO standard 11784. Digital X-ray in the field was a useful tool to assess the localization of the transponder/bolus or both in the animals’ body, after ectopic detection or un-detection of the transponder's EIC. Accidents in bolus administration took place in 0.093% of cases, ranging in severity from mild (0.075%: bolus stopped in the oro-pharynx or in the naso-pharynx, X-ray checks are useful in the latter occurrence) to lethal (0.011%: bolus in trachea; 0.007%: oesophageal rupture, found at necropsy). A significant ( p p

Detrimental effects due to high intake of dietary tannins are described in the literature in different animal species after acorn (fruit of Genus Quercus) ingestion. By contrast, pigs seem to tolerate dietary regimes with considerable amounts of acorns. This study investigates whether the esophageal mucosa (pars non glandularis) of the stomach might be a susceptible target for the onset of injuries and whether salivary proline rich proteins (PRPs) can be a valid defense to preserve its integrity, when a large amount of ripe shredded acorns (Quercus pubescens Willd.) is combined in the diet for growing pigs. A matched pair approach was used to divide a total of 16 crossbred growing pigs (14.2–27.6 kg BW) into 2 groups (n=4 in each, homogeneous for BW) for 8 days of experimental feeding (two replicates): the control group was fed with a conventional complete diet for pigs (pelleted; 890 g DM/kg; based on cereals and soybean meal). The acorn-fed group was offered a combined diet, 70% of ripe shredded acorns (612 g DM/kg of fresh matter; Tannic Acid Equivalent, 0.516 g TAE/kg DM) and 30% of the complete pelleted diet, as fed. Stomach ingesta were analyzed for chemical composition and proline content; on gross inspection, the gastric mucosa was exteriorized and scored (on a 0–5 point scale) for prevalence and severity of injuries. A sort of “tanning effect” underlined the edges of the cardiac gland region (CGR) in all the stomachs from the acorn-fed group, inducing to consider the high affinity of acorn tannins for PRP, such as gastric mucins. No signs of injury could be identified after both dietary treatments. The differential between the dietary proline intake and proline content in the stomach constantly showed a negative value (−46.1±9.72%) in the acorn-fed group, in contrast to the positive disappearance of proline in control group (39.3±25.4%). Therefore, endogenous proline for “buffering” purposes was considered to be a defense mechanism, either as a salivary or gastric mucus component.

The amounts and composition of saliva produced in parotid glands can be influenced by dietary biologically active substances. Among phenolic compounds naturally present in some feedstuffs, particularly condensed tannins and hydrolysable tannins and derivates appear to play a role for the induction of Proline Rich Protein secretion in the parotid saliva of some animal species: this might be considered as a first evolutionary defence mechanism against the protein precipitating activity of tannins, preferably bond to proline and histatins in saliva. This is the first paper to report the preliminary results on the effects of full ripe acorns ( Q. pubescens ) polyphenols measured as Tannic Acid Equivalents on the parotid gland of growing pigs. A total of 8 growing pigs were divided into 2 experimental groups (each n = 4): the control group was fed a conventional complete diet for pigs (pelleted; 890 g DM/kg; based on cereals and soybean extraction meal). The acorn-fed group was offered a combined diet, 70% of ripe whole acorns shred (612 g DM/kg of fresh matter, 0.516 g TAE/kg DM) and 30% of the complete diet. One additional pig was fed the experimental diet for 24 h only. All 8 animals from the 2 experimental groups were sacrificed at 1 week after consumption, the additional pig, 24 h after consumption. Both parotid glands of each pig were removed and weighed. Maximum length and width were measured and the right parotids were used in toto to determine dry matter, crude protein and total proline content. Each left parotid gland was processed for microscopic check. Increased size (+ 53.8% length; + 19.9% width), mass (+ 68.5% fresh weight) and proline content (+ 33.8% based on DM) were observed in animals fed the 70% acorns diet after 7 days. These results inspire to perform further investigations on the rapid adaption of pigs to counteract the effects of tannins in whole acorns as found after only one day of exposure.

Authors report results emerging from gastric content analysis from n. 96 wild boars hunted in Sardinia isle, during the hunting tide (2001-2005), from November to January. Mean pH of the gastric content was 3.77 +/- 0.69. Mean total capacity (TC) of each stomach was 1702 +/- 680 g. Mean Stuff ratio (CW/TC) between the content weight (CW) and stomachs TC was 0.45. Food categories found in animal stomachs were: 19 categories of vegetal species (Allium spp., Arbutus unedo, Arisarum vulgare, Avena fatua, Avena sativa, Castanea sativa, Ceratonia siliqua, Chamaerops umilis, Cichorium intybus, Hordeum sativum, Juniperus oxycedrus, Myrtus communis, Olea europea, Pirus amygdaliformis, Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus spp., Rhamnus alaternus, Triticum durum, Zea mais); 11 categories of animal species (Agriotes lineatus, Apodemus sylvaticus dicrurus, Chalcides chalcides, Chalcides ocellatus tiligugu, Crematogaster scutellaris, Forficula auricularia, Helix aspersa, Lumbricus terrestris, Ovis aries, Podarcis tiliguerta tiliguerta, Scolopendra cingulata); three categories were identified in general terms (insects larvae, hairs of mammals, feathers of birds). Food categories found in the stomach contents of Sus scrofa meridionalis confirm observations by other researchers who report the prevalence of vegetables in spite of animal food sorts in the wild boar diet in Italian regions.

Ruminal bolus for electronic identification of Sarda goats under extensive farm conditions and the retention rate and health effects of ceramic boluses (70 mm × 21 mm, 75 g) enclosing passive transponders half-duplex (32.5 mm × 3.8 mm) were evaluated. A metallic balling gun was used in order to insert 1411 boluses into goats (1132 adults and 279 kids) and the effect on health and retention rate were determined over 8 months. The location of boluses in reticulum after the administration was checked with a hand-held reader. To verify the readability and the retention rate of bolus used as control readings at 1, 7, 30 and 210 days were recorded under dynamic conditions in a race-way, using a fixed reader with a frame antenna (94 cm × 52 cm). Health status was not affected by boluses in the control and the retention rate of boluses after the 8 months was 99.6% with six boluses lost. The ruminal boluses, when retained, showed a 100% readability in static conditions (restrained animals) with the hand-held reader. Farmers expressed satisfaction and interest in the electronic identification system. The use of the ceramic bolus is recommended as a safe and tamper-proof method for electronic identification of goats. This can improve the reliability for identification and management of goats within the extensive conditions in the Sardinia island.

Background: Gastric ulcers in fattening pigs from intensive pork production can cause sudden deaths on farm and the grinding intensity of the diet appears to be among the risk factors. The objective of this work is to adopt the latest laboratory tests and thresholds for the ulcerogenic risk assessment of diets from experimental reports and verify the class of risk in relation to gastric lesion prevalence in reared finishers. Results: Specificity and accuracy of feed safety tests based on the ulcerogenic risk of feed associated with the particle size distribution of diets were calculated on the occurrence of gastric lesions observed at a slaughterhouse: 41 lard-type hogs, fed with two diets [pelleted (n = 21 pigs) vs. mixed meal (n = 20 pigs)], analyzed at the laboratory of our Institute, were involved. Gross inspection at the abattoir allowed the identification of the development of macroscopic gastric lesions in the pigs (13/21) fed with a pelleted complete diet, ranked in Class 1 (high ulcerogenic risk) on laboratory assessment. Breakdown of gastric lesion severity: hyperkeratosis (13/13), mucosal erosions (11/13) and bleeding ulcers (2/13). This occurrence was compared to the morphology of stomach mucosa from 20 finishers fed with a mixed meal diet, ranked in Class 3 (low ulcerogenic risk), in which no gastric lesions were observed. Very fine particle (VFP) mass (36%) for the safety ranking of diets, showed: 100% positive predictive value (PPV); 100% specificity; 88.1% accuracy; 72.2% sensitivity. Conclusions: Three factors emerged: the elevated mass (42.6%) of