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Metabolic profile and leptin presence and expression of receptor in the ovary of 8 queens were analyzed. All queens were assessed for nutritional state and underwent ovariectomy in accordance with Italian law for the control of stray cats and dogs. Three queens were at early gestation, three prepubescent and two non-pregnant. All animals appeared healthy but underweight. Haemogram and biochemical profile did not show to be of prognostic value. On microscopy, granulosa cells of secondary follicles tested positive to leptin in pregnant queens, while testing negative in non-pregnant ones. Muscular layer of vessels of the ovary in non-pregnant queens tested positive to receptor, but negative in those found pregnant. Results suggest that leptin is produced and receptor expressed in the different tissues of the ovary in underweight queens. Additionally, the expression of receptor did not necessarily imply local leptin production and clearly displayed to vary according to the reproduction phase. Taken altogether, these findings allow to conclude that the expression of receptor can be interpreted as the pillar bridging ovary tissues as target sites of circulating leptin produced elsewhere. Arguably, ovary removal may affect hormonal cross-talk at the systemic level, likely affecting different systemic functions, including the nutritional status.

Physical properties and chemical composition of caecum chyme, with particular regard to starch pre-caecal disappearance and volatile fatty acid (VFA, C2-C5) content, were determined in 16 growing pigs fed raw acorns in the diet. Pigs were singly housed and divided into two experimental feeding groups (each n = 8). The control group was fed a conventional complete diet for pigs (pelleted, 890 g dry matter (DM)/kg, 435 g starch/kg DM, based on cereals and soybean extraction meal). The acorn-fed group was offered a combined diet, 70% of ripe whole shredded acorns (695 g DM/kg, 447 g starch/kg DM) and 30% of the control diet. After one week, all 16 animals were slaughtered, and contents of the caudal ileum and caecum were analyzed for dry matter, crude ash, and starch. Fresh caecum chyme was analyzed for VFA content and molar proportion of acetic, propionic, n-butyric, n-valeric acid were determined. VFA per kg of organic matter (OM) in the caecum differed significantly between groups (p = 0.047). Pre-caecal disappearance (pCD) of acorn native starch turned out to be high (&gt, 95%). Estimated VFA content in caecum in the acorn combined diet resulted in 8.72 g per kg of OM, and the relationship based on molar proportion between acetic:propionic:n-butyric:n-valeric acid was 1:0.2:0.1:0.04, which pointed to higher proportions of n-valeric acid when hulled shredded acorns are fed to pigs.

Retrograde backflow of cecum chyme and consequent ascendent colonization of the foregut may occur via the ileocecal valve (IV) under predisposing circumstances. The Peyer's patches (PPs) in the terminal ileum (TI) play a crucial role in targeting antigens and act as a first line of blockage of pathogens in the small intestine. In view of the established impact of the physical form of the diet (grinding and compaction of ingredients) on the physicochemical and microbiological composition of digesta throughout the different gastrointestinal tracts, special attention was paid to PP reaction following different dietary treatments. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of different physical forms of one diet (identical for botanical and chemical composition) administered to growing pigs on macro- and microscopic morphology of PPs in the last 3 cm of the TI, as a region of interest immediately close to the IV involved in the prevention of retrograde contamination of the small intestine. The diet effect was tested after 4 weeks of experimental feeding on PPs of 32 growing pigs, fed with four dietary treatments differing for the physical form: FP-finely ground pelleted diet (dMEAN, 0.463 mm); CM-coarsely ground meal diet (dMEAN, 0.880 mm); CP-coarsely ground pelleted diet (dMEAN, 0.836); and CE-coarsely ground extruded diet (dMEAN, 0.659). A higher prevalence of subluminal focal liquefactive necrosis (FLN) in the last 3 cm of the TI was observed in pigs fed with the CE and the FP diet (n. 3/8 or 37.5% and n. = 1/8 or 12.5%, respectively) (p = 0.076). FLN negatively and significantly correlated with the pH value of digesta of the last part of the small intestine (ρ = -0.361; p = 0.026). All animals enrolled appeared clinically healthy throughout the trial. Growth performance were not affected by the different dietary treatments, but fecal dry matter and pH values were affected in a significant way. Results about the morphology of PPs assessed in this trial can be suggestive of the physical form of the diet as a contributing factor to the onset of different antigenic potentials of the intestinal chyme.

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

A viable tool for the monitoring of the systemic condition of the pregnant jenny may be the determination of serum protein fraction (SPF) levels, including metabolic profiling. Tissue development and composition of the growing fetus requires the mother to provide adequate nutrients to its body parts and organs. In this regard, body fluid distribution and strategic molecule transportation can be screened using SPF electropherograms and analysis of intermediate metabolites. The nutritional and health status of 12 jennies (age: 5–8 years, BW at the start: 135–138 kg, Body Condition Score, BCS [1 to 5 points] = 2.25–2.50, 4th month of gestation) were monitored throughout gestation (approximate gestation period 350–356 d). All animals were pasture-fed and were offered hay ad libitum. Individual blood samples were collected within the 4th, 7th, and 10th month following conception (ultrasound scanning). Serum biochemistry, in particular, the analysis of 6 fractions of serum proteins was carried out. The significant decrease in circulating albumin in jennies from mid- to late-gestation (p &lt, 0.001) suggests a considerable role of dietary amino acids in the synthesis of protein for fetal tissue formation as well as body fluid distribution and blood pressure control of the jenny in those stages. Moreover, α1-globulin decreased significantly in late gestation (p &lt, 0.047), corresponding to major organ development in the terminal fetus and supported by lipid transportation in the bloodstream of the jenny. Similarly, α2-globulin decreased in late gestation (p &lt, 0.054) as haptoglobin, an important component for the transport of free circulating hemoglobin, is likely used for fetal synthesis. Mid-gestation, appears to be a crucial moment for adequate dietary nutrient supplementation in order to prevent homeostasis perturbation of jennies, as observed in this trial.

Foot health represents an issue in wild avifauna breeding practices. In particular, prevalence of digital ulceration (DU) and foot pad dermatitis (FPD) are valid indicators of welfare in wildlife conservation centres and may be interpreted as to fitness for bird's reintroduction into the wild. This study meant to test the effects of raising practices on foot pad health in captive Sardinian partridges (Alectoris barbara barbara Bonnaterre, 1790) reared for biodiversity conservation, to assess welfare and fitness to reintroduction into nature. A total of 22 couples were allotted into two experimental groups. In one group, 10 couples were housed in 10 cages for breeding partridges, consisting of two animals each, with metal wire flooring system, above trays where droppings were collected. The remaining 12 couples were housed in six aviaries, consisting of four animals each, on natural (earth and stones) ground. In both groups, partridges were fed identical diets. No significant differences of food pad scoring were found between birds housed in cages (2.3 ± 0.4) and those reared in aviaries on natural ground (2.5 ± 0.6). Moreover, scores of male foot pads for both groups (2.4 ± 0.6) had no significant differences in comparison with female foot pads, independently on housing (2.5 ± 0.4). Body mass (BM) was higher (+4.36%) than average BM reported for wild Sardinian partridges. Digital ulceration was found in the 20% of females, exclusively from the cage group. Body mass of females in cages with metal wire flooring appeared to be significantly (p

Trace element status and metabolic milieu are sometimes overlooked in common veterinary clinical practice across animal species. The evaluation of requirements of trace elements, in fact, may be useful to prevent the perturbation of tissue-specific metabolic impair. In particular, essential trace elements in the diet play key roles within sub-cellular metabolic patterns with macro effects at the systemic level, like blood cell stability and semen quality. This effect was studied in breeding stallions, in which semen quality and haemogram are important for reproduction. A case-control feeding trial involved 40 stallions (age: 8–21 years; body weight, BW: 510–531 kg) of one stud centre, allotted to two experimental groups (n = 20 control, CON vs. n = 20 supplemented, SUPPL100), following a matched-pairs approach based on age. Supplemented stallions (SUPPL100) received a mixed mineral and vitamin supplement of Zn/Se and α-tocopherol (α-TOH) (100 g/day stallion) to compound feed, fed as control diet to horses of the control group (CON). Horses resulted deficient in circulating α-TOH and Zn at the start, though clinically healthy. After supplementation, different plasmatic levels of α-TOH, Zn and Se were found between groups. Circulating basophils (BASO) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were affected by the dietary treatment (p 13 years marginal circulating levels of α-TOH (p = 0.04). Ameliorating the micromineral status showed to improve the haemogram of stallions in view of circulating levels of Cu. Semen quality appeared to be strongly dependent on animal effects.

Previous works on albinism form of Asinara white donkeys (Equus asinus) identified the mutation leading to the peculiar phenotype spread to all specimens of the breed. Inbreeding naturally occurred under geographic isolation, on Asinara Island, in the Mediterranean Sea. Albino individuals can be more susceptible to develop health problems when exposed to natural sun radiation. Alternative metabolic pathways involved in photoprotection were explored in this trial. Nutrition‐related metabolites are believed to contribute to the conservation of Asinara donkeys, in which melanin, guaranteeing photoprotection, is lacking. Biochemical profiles with particular focus on blood serum β‐carotene and retinol levels were monitored. Identical natural grazing conditions for both Asinara (albino) and Sardo (pigmented) donkey breeds were assured on same natural pastures throughout the experimental period. A comparative metabolic screening, with emphasis on circulating retinol and nutrient‐related metabolites between the two breeds, was carried out over one year. Potential intra‐ and interspecimen fluctuations of metabolites involved in photoprotection were monitored, both during negative and positive photoperiods. Differences (p = .064) between blood serum concentrations of retinol from Asinara versus Sardo breed donkeys (0.630 vs. 0.490 μg/ml, respectively) were found. Retinol levels of blood serum turned out to be similar in the two groups (0.523 vs. 0.493 μg/ml, respectively, p = .051) during the negative photoperiod, but markedly differed during the positive one (0.738 vs. 0.486, respectively, p = .016). Blood serum β‐carotene levels displayed to be constantly around the limit of sensitivity in all animals of both breeds. Variations in blood serum concentrations of retinol in Asinara white donkeys can reflect the need to cope with seasonal exposure to daylight at Mediterranean latitudes, as an alternative to the lack of melanin. These results may suggest that a pulsed mobilization of retinol from body stores occurs to increase circulating levels during positive photoperiod.

Wildlife protection and management are important priorities for landscape identity and biodiversity preservation. Feeding practices of fauna confined in facilities during temporary captivity are fundamental to support animal health and natural behavior. Appropriate provision of feedstuffs appears to be necessary to support the best practices in respect of animal species-specific natural diet. This investigation explored the variation of the metabolic profile by means of selected metabolite and respective circulating levels in a group feral Giara horses undergoing the change of the diet, moving from natural free grazing in the wild to temporary captivity. Six Giara horses (4 mares and 2 stallions; estimated age: 2.5-3 years; body weight: 163-170 kg) were captured to monitor the serological reaction to equine infectious anemia (EIA; screening at Coggins test). Animals were sheltered in a wildlife rescue center for a duration of 4 weeks, and all received the same hay-based diet (ad libitum). On 0 and 28 days of captivity, blood serum alpha-tocopherol (α-TOH) concentration was determined alongside selected metabolites (liver enzymes, total protein and fractions, cholesterol, triglycerides, and macrominerals and trace elements). Comparative feces quality and composition were also assessed. Both serum samples (0 vs. 28 days) displayed α-TOH levels below (2 μg/mL) adequacy established for the domestic horse. Initial levels markedly (P = .020) decreased after the 4 weeks of captivity (Δ = -32.5%). Vitamin E status and ALT levels varied significantly, but serum protein fractions did not point to significant variations before and after captivity. All horses tested negative to EIA. Monitoring of vitamin E status of wild and feral herbivores may be recommendable in the context of adequate feeding practices during captivity to prevent potential deficiency or excessive depletion.

Beekeeping plays a key role within animal productions since millennia. Honey bee colonies consist mainly out of worker bees which, besides based on their behavioural roles, are divided according to seasonal appearance. In this manner, a distinction is made between classical summer bees and long lived winter or “diutinus” bees. Seasonal transition into their winter form allows honey bee colonies to survive harsh winter conditions through in-hive thermoregulation and by initiating brood rearing for the new cycle. Vitellogenin, the main bee nutritional storage molecule, is central in winter bee physiology and accounts for the typical features associated with diutinus bees (high hemolymph and fat body lipid and protein contents, hypertrophied hypopharyngeal glands and longevity). Overall, transition into the winter bee state can be explained by extension of the mechanisms regulating juvenile hormone metabolism and worker bee age based division of labour, namely; changes in bee nutrient stores, brood microclimate and colony age demography. Furthermore, substantial evidence has been produced indicating the arrival of winter bees to be strongly correlated to decreasing brood rearing activity in fall. Subsequently, factors regulating the brood rearing pattern of honey bees can be considered key triggers in the appearance of winter bees. In this way, the arrival of winter bees is mainly linked to plummeting pollen supplies in fall. The effect of other triggers have either been categorised as lesser, indirect or their involvement remains unclear. The current knowledge regarding the functionality of the seasonal transition of honey bee colonies has led to the description of an elegant system controlled by a multitude of internal and external factors. Regardless, certain aspects of this phenomenon still remain unknown and especially the transition back from winter to summer bees still represents an open question.

Health of transition goats can be explored through the assessment of the metabolic profile. Selected circulating parameters of clinical importance may be used for indicating homeostasis perturbations during the transition period. The present study aimed to characterize the metabolic profile of transition dairy goats raised under a pasture-based system to determine whether the conceptus number (single vs. twin gestation) influences circulating concentrations of different parameters in the bloodstream, including nutrient- and fluid-related metabolites for health assessment. Sarda dairy goats diagnosed for single (n = 5) or twin gestation (n = 6) were selected out of a flock of 156 heads and sampled for blood weekly, throughout one month before and one month after kidding. Significantly (p

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.

We explored the expression and cell type distribution of cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptors type 2 (CB2) in the mandibular glands of pigs in relation to different physical forms of the diet. Thirty-two crossbred growing pigs (ages 5-6 weeks) were randomly allotted to four experimental groups (eight pigs/group) and fed four different physical types of the same diet for 4 weeks: finely ground pellet (FP), coarsely ground meal (CM), coarsely ground pellet (CP) and coarsely ground extruded (CE) with dMEAN of 0.46, 0.88, 0.84 and 0.66 mm respectively. At the end of the feeding trial, the pigs were euthanized and the mandibular gland was collected after dissection. By immunohistochemistry, positive signals for CB1 were found in the cytoplasm of duct epithelial cells of pigs fed CP, FP and CE diets and in the serous cells of mixed acini in pigs fed the coarser CM diet. Positive signals for CB2 were detected in duct epithelial cells and in neurons of ganglia close to major secretory ducts of all pigs. The differential expression and localization of these receptors in response to variable chewing activity due to the type of diet suggest that endocannabinoids may influence the functional activity of the mandibular gland by modifying qualitative and/or quantitative aspects of salivary secretion.

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.

The individual electronic identification (EID) of cattle based on RFID technology (134.2 kHz ISO standard 11784) will definitely enter into force in European countries as an official means of animal identification from July 2019. Integrating EID with 3D digital images of the animal would lead to the creation of a virtual archive of breeding animals for the evaluation and promotion of morphology associated with economic traits, strategic in beef cattle production. The genetically-encoded morphology of bulls and cows together with the expression in the phenotype were the main drivers of omic technologies of beef cattle production. The evaluation of bulls raised for reproduction is mainly based on the conformation and heritability of traits, which culminates in muscle mass and optimized carcass traits in the offspring destined to be slaughtered. A bottom-up approach by way of SWOT analysis of the current morphological and functional evaluation process for bulls revealed a technological gap. The innovation of the process through the use of smart technologies was tested in the field. The conventional 2D scoring system based on visual inspection by breed experts was carried out on a 3D model of the live animal, which was found to be a faithful reproduction of live animal morphology, thanks to the non significant variance (p > 0.05) of means of the somatic measures determined on the virtual 3D model and on the real bull. The four main groups composing the scoring system of bull morphology can easily be carried out on the 3D model. These are as follows: (1) Muscular condition; (2) Skeletal development; (3) Functional traits; (4) Breed traits. The 3D-Bull model derived from the Structure from Motion (SfM) algorithm displays a high tech profile for the evaluation of animal morphology in an upgraded system.

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.

Summary Housing and feeding practices of wild birds for conservation management of biodiversity or restocking play a crucial role in determining the survival rates of animals when released into nature. Failure in coping with the environment might be one of the main flaws captive animals can experience when put into natural habitat. The present investigation aimed at exploring feeding habits and related morphometric traits of gizzard with respective content from wild partridges in comparison with captive ones. A total of 52 hunted wild Sardinian adult partridges (Alectoris barbara barbara Bonnaterre, 1790) were used. By comparison, 42 captive adult partridges reared in cages were enrolled. From each animal, the morphology of gizzard was investigated and respective content analysed for gross composition and taxonomical determination of fractions. Wet sieving analysis of each gizzard content was carried out (four-sieve towers with different mesh sizes: 1 mm, 500 μm, 250 μm and 125 μm), and relative and absolute weight of fresh filled and empty gizzards were recorded. Thickness of muscular layer of gizzard wall was measured by stereomicroscope. Carcass weight significantly (p

The investigation aimed at exploring whether 1) high contents of natural polyphenols from the diet can induce pigment accumulation in lymph nodes (LNs); 2) if so, whether polyphenolic compounds and derivates can be used as biological markers; 3) and whether a lymph node from a specific anatomical region can be univocally identified, so as to be con sidered as a sentinel for the identification of the dietary origin of pigments. A paired match approach was used to switch 20 pigs (range of initial body weight, BW: 113 - 121 kg) to two experimental diets, for four weeks: ten pigs (pair housed) were fed with an experimental acorn based diet (acorns: 50% in the diet, as fed; total polyphenols, 78.1 g TP/Kg DM in the diet; tannic acid equivalent, 25.8 g TAE/kg DM); the remainder ten, received a pelleted complete diet for finishers (0% acorns in the diet). Daily feed intake in the last two weeks of the experimental feeding was recorded per pair of pigs in both groups of animals, showing an average intake of 610 mg TAE/kg BW/d. At an average final BW of between 127 to 137 kg, all pigs were slaughtered and LNs from different anatomical regions of the carcass were removed and analysed. At gross inspection, LNs from both groups displayed different grades of intensity and diffusion of pigmentation: a partial and incidental pigmentation was randomly detected in renal or sub-iliac LNs in the control group; a constant and uniform pigmentation of LNs was observed in acorns fed pigs: a dark brown staining diffused to the whole LN associated with a brownish colour of the muscles was found systematically. At light microscope intracytoplasmic granules were found in macrophages and dendritic cells from both groups, but, at confocal laser analysis, an intense auto-fluorescence was observed in medial-iliac LNs from the carcasses of acorn-fed pigs (green emission). However, intracellular sources of blue and green fluorescence at different wavelengths, likely due to tryptophan, indoleamine and derivates were also found in medial-iliac and inguinal LNs from the control group. A dietary origin was attributed to the different discoloration of LNs between the carcasses of the two groups: such acquired pigmentation is relevant in the left sub-iliac LN, but the confocal laser microscopic test to elicit auto-fluorescence of polyphenolic compounds (biological markers) displayed a 76.9% specificity, despite a 100% of sensitivity for the univocal identification of the carcass from acorn-fed pigs. Cranial sternal LNs resulted to suit the sentinel role in the distinction of carcass from acorns fed pigs at confocal laser microscopic analysis.

The physical form of the diet plays an important role for morphological adaptations of organs in the gastrointestinal tract. It was hypothesized that different physical forms of one diet could exert extra-enteric effects, under local and systemic neuroendocrine regulation. Gross morphology, fresh mass and cytoarchitecture of mandibular glands (MG) were studied in growing pigs fed with one diet processed under four different physical forms. Four dietary treatments were offered for 4 weeks to 32 growing pigs (initial BW: 8.30 ± 0.83 kg) allotted into 4 experimental groups: FP, finely ground pellet (dMean, 0.46 mm); CM, coarsely ground meal (dMean, 0.88 mm); CP, coarsely ground pellet (dMean, 0.84); CE, coarsely ground extruded (dMean, 0.66). Conventional and immuonohistochemical techniques were used to immunolocalize, in particular, leptin (Ob) and its receptor (ObR). A significant effect was observed on the relative mass of the MG, depending on the diet (p

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.

L-tyrosine (L-Tyr) is a conditionally indispensable amino acid for Equids. The biologic role of L-Tyr is ubiquitous, being involved in the production of hair and skin pigments. The white donkeys of Asinara island display a peculiar white coat, with life-long hypopigmentation of skin, hairs and eyes. Our results underline how the white phenotype is due to a disorder of melanin biosynthesis, detected in skin biopsies and on hair bulbs through immunohistochemical and enzymatic assays. The metabolic pathway of L-Tyr is compatible with the clinical frame of ocular-cutaneous albinism (OCA). The enzymatic activity in hair bulbs for the conversion of L-Tyr to L-3,4-dihydroxyphenilalanine (L-DOPA) tested negative, but positive for L-DOPA conversion into eumelanin in the 100% of the Asinara’s white donkey. This is the case of a negative-tyrosinase albinism, which contemporarily excludes dietary deficiencies of phenylalanine (Phe) or L-Tyr and potential incapability of Tyr intestinal uptake or Tyr conversion from Phe. The tyrosinase (TYR) residual activity positively and significantly (P=0.012) correlates (P=0.897) with the albino phenotype of the Asinara’s white donkey. These results definitely point to the fact that Asinara’s white donkey population owes its phenotype to TYR residual activity, thus on genetic basis. From a comparative point of view, the albino form of the Asinara’s white donkeys is similar to the human OCA type 1, from which however differs for positively testing to L-DOPA conversion, upon incubation of hair bulbs in L-DOPA solutions.

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.

Nowadays there is an increasing interest towards breeding systems, also for rabbit meat production, that are more mindful of animal welfare through an attenuation of the productive cycles intensity. These particular rearing techniques provide a delaying of the weaning age to reduce young rabbits stress. The present experiment is part of a wider research (Pinna et al., 2004; Marongiu et al., 2004) conducted in a sardinian farm in which rabbits are usually weaned at about 60 days of age. Surely this managerial choice could be considered rather questionable but from a scientific point of view could also represent the occasion to examine the productive performance of rabbits submitted to such a late weaning. The final part of the survey, regarding the carcass composition and the meat chemical-nutritional characteristics, was carried out through the comparison of two groups of rabbits weaned at 28 and at 63 days of age respectively.

The structure and composition of starch play an important role as co-factors affecting raw starch digestibility: such features were investigated in raw acorn starch from the most diffused oak trees in the Mediterranean basin. A total of 620 whole ripe acorns from Holm (Quercus ilex L., n = 198), Downy (Quercus pubescens Willd., n = 207) and Cork (Quercus suber L., n = 215) oaks sampled on the Sardinia Isle (40° 56' 0'' N; 9° 4' 0'' E; 545 m above the mean sea level) in the same geographical area, were analyzed for their chemical composition. The starch contents ranged between 51.2% and 53.5% of dry matter. The starch granules displayed a spheroid/ovoid and cylindrical shape; on scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analyses, a bimodal distribution of starch granule size was observed both for Holm and Cork oak acorns, whereas the starch granules of Downy oak acorns showed diameters between 10.2 and 13.8 μm. The specific amylose to amylopectin ratio of acorn starch was 25.8%, 19.5% and 34.0% in the Holm, Downy and Cork oaks, respectively. The (13)C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) signal analysis displayed a pivotal spectrum for the identification of the amylose peaks in raw acorn starch, as a basis for the amylose to amylopectin ratio determination.

In order to study the metabolic profile of ostriches in relation to diet, 40 animals of both sexes were divided equally into two groups and fed two diets ad libitum consisting, on a dry matter basis, of the same commercial concentrate (60%) for the two groups and of corn silage (group A) or alfalfa hay (group B). In the morning, after about 12 h of fasting, blood was collected from the wing vein. The following haematological parameters were determined with an automatic system (Ektachem 250 analyser, Kodak): glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, lactate (LAC), total protein (TP), uric acid, total bilirubin (Tbil), creatinine (CREA), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl−), iron (Fe), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), cholinesterase (ChE), α-amylase (Amyl), lipase (LIP) and γ-glutamyltrasferase (GGT). Diet significantly affected some parameters of the metabolic profile. Indeed, owing to the presence of alfalfa hay in the diet, group B showed, in comparison to group A, significantly higher values of uric acid (222.5 vs 387.5 mmol/L, p < 0.01), GGT (8.50 vs 11.3 U/L, p < 0.05), Tbil (8.50 vs 10.7 mmol/L, p < 0.05), Ca (2.41 vs 2.83 μmol/L, p < 0.01), Mg (1.01 vs 1.18 μmol/L, p < 0.05) and K (2.71 vs 3.16 μmol/L, p < 0.01). The levels of creatinine (27.3 vs 32.6 mmol/L, p < 0.05) and AST (344.9 vs 461.4 U/l, p < 0.01) were also higher for group B.

The serum metabolic profile of ostriches was studied in relation to the blood collection site (jugular vs. wing vein) and age (1 vs. 2 years) on 20 male birds. Blood was collected from the birds in the morning, after 12 h of fasting. Different collection site did not affect the examined parameters, but some statistically significant differences were observed between the age groups. However, all the parameters agreed with the data reported in the literature and contribute to our knowledge of the metabolic profile of ostriches. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 35(4) 2005: 268-272

BIOGEOGRAPHIA — vol. XVIII — 1995 (Pubblicato II 31 ottobre 1996) Le piccole lsole Circumsarde e il loro significato Biogeografico Andamento demografico e principali patologie degli asinelli bianchi nell’isola dell’Asinara durante il quinquennio 1989~1993 WALTER PINNA (q“), GIUSEPPE MASSIMO VACCA (qq), GIOVANNI MARIA CUBEDDU (“I e GIANPAOLO PINTORI (“I (q9 Istitzzto dz’ Pr0duzz'0m' A/1z'm'cz[z' ( Ixtitz/to dz’ CZz'm'az Medica Vez‘erz'mzrz'a U/2z've/*rz'z‘:i degli Stzzdf dz’ Sczxszzri Key words: White donkeys, demographic trends, pathologies. SUMMARY Demographic trends in the population of \vhite donkeys on the island of Asinara during the study period showed an average fertility rate of 35%, much lower than the mean value of the species. The average mortality rate was 6% over the whole population but 17% in subjects in the first year of life. The number of animals in this distinctive population in its original ecosystem is directly influenced by the low fertility rate and the susceptibility of the young donkeys to parasitic diseases. On the whole, the adult donkeys appeared fairly resistant and well-adjusted to their environment. Diseases most frequently found were: parasitic infestations, colic syndromes, abortions and complica- tions in parturition. Prevalence of these diseases is also affected by the nutritional state ‘of the animals depen- ding on the availability of natural pastures. During the mating season, traumatic lesions were observed. Of particular interest was the pathology caused by photosensibilization, noted in the eyes and skin, which is typical of the breed. 1 PREMESSA Gli asinelli bianchi rappresentano un’importante ed originale componente biologica del paesaggio dell’isola dell’Asinara (Fig. 1), ma la ridotta entita numerica e le scarse conoscenze di carattere fisio—patologico della razza-popo— lazione pongono diverse problematiche concernenti la gestione di questa carat- teristica risorsa genetica animale (4, 9). Nella pin ampia prospettiva di salvaguardia e conservazione della biodiver- sita animale la razza-popolazione asinina dell’Asinara e stata inserita tra le popolazioni equine riconducibili a gruppi etnici locali (3), pertanto ad integra- zione di precedenti indagini descrittive (1, 6, 7, 8) abbiamo condotto, nel quin- quennio 1989-1993, una approfondita analisi demografica corredata dai princi- pali quadri anatomo—clinici riscontrati sugli anirnali. Lavoro eseguito con Contr. Finanziario CNR 92.01451.06

The aims of the current study were to establish: i) a species-specific approach for nutritional assessment during clinical checks on Sarda breed adult donkeys, and ii) a suitable equation for body weight prediction, which at present is lacking. A total of 18 adult donkeys were sampled and the following criteria were recorded: body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), muscular mass index (MMI), along with somatometric measures (height at withers; chest girth) and metabolic profiles of each individual. The species-specific nutritional assessment based on the integrated approach turned out to correlate significantly (P