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Description of the subject. Dietary fiber is largely used in pig production but some contradictions appear in the literature regarding the effects on performance and health. Objectives. This paper aims to contribute to the clarification of the effects of a diet rich in sugar beet pulp on animal behavior, growth performance, carcass quality and gut health of fattening pigs. Method. Two successive batches of 24 fattening pigs were each divided into two groups fed ad libitum either a standard diet based on cereals (STD, 19% NSP [non-starch-polysaccharides]) or a fibrous diet based on 23% sugar beet pulp (HFD, 31% NSP). Results. Pigs activity rate and feeder occupancy duration were increased by 57% and 165% for group fed HFD, respectively (P < 0.05). The fecal bacteria counts showed increases with HFD for Lactobacillus (10.21 vs 9.84 log10 of cfu·g-1 of feces dry matter, P < 0.05) and Bifidobacterium (9.49 vs 8.88, P < 0.01) but decreases for Enterobacteriaceae (4.85 vs 5.97, P < 0.001). Reductions of the average daily gain (788 vs 876 g per day, P < 0.001) and the dressing percentage (75.7 vs 78.9%, P < 0.001) were observed with HFD. Gastric lesion score was decreased with HFD (0.82 vs 1.55, P < 0.05). For pigs fed HFD, the proportion of surface area occupied by goblet cells was increased in the jejunum (10.06 vs 7.99%, P < 0.01) and the number of CD3 lymphocytes was increased in the colon (1.24 vs 0.90·mm-², P < 0.05). Conclusions. HFD contributes to strengthen the gut health of fattening pigs, but it impairs growth performance and carcass traits.

The present study was conducted to develop and validate a specific radioimmunoassay system for measurement of bovine chymosin B (bChyB) concentrations in plasma samples. Bovine ChyB was used for immunization of rabbits and as standard and tracer. Chymosin B concentrations were measured in plasma samples from two groups of calves (Group 1: calves sampled from birth to 24 hours; Group 2: calves sampled from Day 1 to 21 after birth) and from one cow during the peri-partum period. Detection limit of the assay was 9.0 ng/ml. Recovery was higher than 89.3%. Repeatability and reproducibility ranged from 1.52% to 5.23% and from 1.52% to 12.57% respectively. No cross-reaction was found with pepsinogen A from bovine, porcine or human origins. In Group 1, bChyB concentrations increased from 47.3 ± 45.1 ng/ml (5 min after birth) to 325.5 ± 161.2 ng/ml (12 hours after birth), then no significant change was observed till 24 hours after birth (293.0 ± 161.5 ng/ml). In Group 2, concentrations decreased from Day 1 (455.3 ± 191.1 ng/ml) to Day 21 (117.9 ± 85.1 ng/ml). In adult cow, mean concentration was 136.0 ± 32.3 ng/ml. In conclusion, bChyB is able to cross the stomach basal membrane and to reach the blood circulation at detectable levels in both young calves and adult cows.

The pollen of date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) is known for its nutritional value and implications as a health-promoting component. Due to its low cost, date palm pollen crushed with its spadix is more widely commercialized and used in Morocco than pure date palm pollen free of spadix. Thus, this study aimed to assess the physicochemical and phytochemical parameters, biological activities, and nutritional value of the two pollen types: Pure date palm pollen and date palm pollen crushed with its spadix. Various physicochemical parameters were determined, including humidity, water activity ( a w ), total soluble solids, ash content, and color parameters ( L* , a* , b* , C* ab , and h ab ). Additionally, the phenolic compound profiles were analyzed, and the in vitro antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and antidiabetic activities were assessed for both pure date palm pollen and date palm pollen crushed with its spadix. Furthermore, the nutritional value was evaluated by determining protein and carbohydrate contents, and mineral and fatty acid profiles. The results have revealed that pure date palm pollen had higher humidity, a w , L* , and h ab color parameters than date palm pollen crushed with its spadix, but lower total soluble solid and ash contents. The main phenolic compounds in pure date palm pollen were ellagic acid, rutin, fisetin, and quercetin, whereas date palm pollen crushed with its spadix contained mainly catechin, chlorogenic acid, p -coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and rutin. Moreover, pure date palm pollen showed greater in vitro antioxidant activity, while date palm pollen crushed with its spadix had higher enzyme inhibitory and antidiabetic activities. PDPS was the richest source of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and saturated fatty acids, while date palm pollen crushed with its spadix was a better source of unsaturated fatty acids, which are mainly represented by linoleic acid. In conclusion, although date palm pollen crushed with its spadix is the most widely consumed type, its nutritional value is lower than that of pure date palm pollen. Thus, pure date palm pollen could potentially serve as a better source of many bioactive compounds, making it a viable supplement for various health applications., Competing Interests: DECLARATION OF CONFLICTING INTERESTSThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

This study aimed to understand feeding strategies used by small ruminant farmers to cope with climatic change in the five contrasting agroecological zones (AEZ) of the Benin Republic and to identify the determinants of adopting these strategies. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to conduct interviews with 400 smallholder farmers in the rural areas of Benin. Data was collected on production system characteristics, farmers' perception of climatic changes' impacts on livestock production, and their coping strategies. Cross tabulations with Chi 2 statistic and the non-parametric Kruskal Wallis test were used to compare farmers' perceptions and coping strategies between the five AEZ. Then, the binomial logistic regression was used to identify determinants of using a particular adaptive feeding strategy. The farmers perceived climatic changes as rainfall delays, increasing rainfall, less frequent drought periods during the rainy season, no change in sunshine duration, and no change in temperature. These changes negatively affected grassland biomass production (86.3 %, 86.3 % and 77.5 % of farmers in South Borgou, Plateau, Atacora chain AEZ, respectively) and water availability (100 %, 93.7 %, and 85 % of farmers in Oueme Valley, Plateau and Mekrou-penjari AEZ, respectively). Consequently, farmers mentioned decreased animal growth (58.8 % and 45 % of farmers in Plateau and South Borgou AEZ, respectively) and increased animal mortalities (43.8 % in Plateau AEZ). Farmers' current and future coping strategies varied significantly (p<0.05) among AEZ. These strategies included more diversification of feed resources used, more free wandering of animals, feeding intensification with supplements as current strategies, and new feed resource exploration and forage cultivation as future strategies. Logistic regression results showed that gender, education level, main activity, and the climatic and agroecological zones where the farm is located influenced the strategies used. The study showed that farmers understood climate change and its impact on production systems. In response, the common climate-smart feeding strategies adopted were mainly diversifying feed resources. Feed resources use strategies, and limitations to adopting these strategies, could be assessed in future studies., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

The nutritional benefits of mare milk are attracting increasing consumer interest. Limited availability due to low yield poses a challenge for widespread adoption. Although lysine and threonine are often used to enhance protein synthesis and muscle mass in horses, their impact on mare milk yield and nutrient composition remains underexplored. This study investigated the effects of lysine and threonine supplementation on 24 healthy Yili mares, mares at day 30 of lactation, over a 120-day period. The mares were divided into control and three experimental groups (six mares each) under pure grazing conditions. The control group received no amino acid supplementation, while experimental groups received varying daily doses of lysine and threonine: Group I (40 g lysine + 20 g threonine), Group II (60 g lysine + 40 g threonine), and Group III (80 g lysine + 60 g threonine). Supplementation in Group II notably increased milk yield, while Groups I and II showed higher milk fat percentages, and all experimental groups exhibited improved milk protein percentages. Additionally, blood levels of total protein, albumin, triglycerides, and glucose were reduced. Detailed analyses from Group II at peak lactation (day 60) included targeted metabolomics and microbial sequencing of milk, blood, and fecal samples. Amino acid metabolomics assessed amino acid content in mare milk and serum, while 16S rRNA gene sequencing evaluated rectal microbial composition. The results indicated that lysine and threonine supplementation significantly increased levels of threonine and creatine in the blood, and lysine, threonine, glutamine, and alanine in mare milk. Microbial analysis revealed a higher prevalence of certain bacterial families and genera, including Prevotellaceae, p&#95;251&#95;o5, and Rikenellaceae at the family level, and unclassified&#95;p&#95; 251 &#95;o5, Prevotellaceae&#95;UCG &#95;001, and Rikenellaceae &#95;RC9&#95; gut&#95;group at the genus level. Multi-omics analysis showed positive correlations between specific fecal genera and amino acids in mare milk. For instance, Prevotellaceae&#95;UCG&#95; 003, unclassified Bacteroidetes&#95; BS11 &#95;gut&#95;group , and Corynebacterium were positively correlated with lysine, while unclassified Prevotellaceae was positively correlated with alanine and threonine, and Unclassified&#95;Bacteroidales&#95;BS11&#95;gut&#95;group was positively correlated with glutamine. In summary, lysine and threonine supplementation in grazing lactating mares enhanced milk production and improved milk protein and fat quality. It is recommended that herders, veterinarians, and technicians consider amino acid content in the diet of lactating mares. The optimal supplementation levels under grazing conditions for Yili horses were determined to be 60 g lysine and 40 g threonine per day. Future research should explore the molecular mechanisms by which these amino acids influence milk protein and lipid synthesis in mare mammary epithelial cells., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Lin, Jing, Wang, Lucien-Cabaraux, Yang, Liu and Li.)

Two surveys were conducted to assess the prevalence and risk factors of ovine caseous lymphadenitis (CL) and explore the association between its superficial and visceral forms in Sardi sheep in Settat province, Morocco. A total of 1521 sheep, including 318 lambs < 6 months, 572 young sheep aged 6-24 months, and 631 adult sheep > 24 months, were examined from 57 flocks. Superficial CL prevalence levels were as follows: 69/318 in lambs, 292/572 in young sheep, and 114/631 in adult sheep. Additionally, 2124 sheep, including 1813 young and 311 adult sheep, were inspected in slaughterhouses ante- and post-mortem. Among all infected animals, the prevalence of visceral abscesses was notably higher in adult sheep (83%, OR = 9.8, 95% CI = 5.5-17.2) compared to young sheep (35%). Data on flock size, sex, age, body condition score, rearing methods, and hygienic measures were collected. Suspected CL cases were confirmed using quadruplex-PCR. Poor barn ventilation, lack of abscess control, and younger age were identified as key risk factors for CL. Additionally, a high percentage (89%) of animals with thoracic abscesses did not display superficial lesions. While age and abscess control have been reported in previous studies, barn ventilation appears to be a new, but important, risk factor. In conclusion, the identified risk factors in Settat province are linked to breeding management practices. Implementing regular abscess control measures and improving barn ventilation are essential for CL prevention.

Sorghum Bicolor is a cereal used for grains as feed and food, mainly cultivated in dry areas. To study the possibilities of increasing its cultivation for feed purposes, ecological, morpho-agronomical, and bromatological characterization of some local ecotypes was conducted as the first steps toward selecting better cultivars. Indeed, twenty-one ecotypes were collected from farms in Northern Morocco in 2018. The edapho-climatic parameters of the collection sites were evaluated. The ecotypes were cultivated in 2019 in an experimental field with a randomized complete block design with three replicates. At the maturity stage, plants were evaluated for agro-morphological parameters, and grains and straw (leaves and stems) were harvested and analyzed. The results indicated significant variations between ecotypes for almost all parameters and an interesting grain yield of 3.5 T/ha with a 176% yield variation. The nutritive value of grains was interesting compared to straw, especially for mean protein contents (10.5% DM) and organic matter digestibility (81.4%). The calculated genetic parameters emphasized the possibility of selecting highly productive and nutritive cultivars. Multivariate analysis clustered the ecotypes into five groups based on agro-morphological, bromatological, and antioxidant activity parameters; the third group was characterized by high grain-yielding ecotypes, and the fifth one by high nutritive ecotypes. The E21 ecotype, belonging to this last group, was a promising selection candidate as it combines both. No significant correlation link between agro-morphological and bromatological traits of grains and geographical distances was discerned. Sorghum bicolor could thus be improved only according to the researched agro-morphological and bromatological traits., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

The present work was part of assessing wild genetic plant resources of forage interest in Northern Morocco and aimed to study the agro-morphology and nutritional value of Sulla flexuosa (L.) Medik. (Hedysarum flexuosum L.) ecotypes. The seeds of twenty-one wild S. flexuosa (L.) Medik. ecotypes were collected from 21 sites. The edaphic and climatic characteristics of the collection sites were studied and testified to the remarkable adaptability of S. flexuosa (L.) Medik. These 21 ecotypes were cultivated in three complete randomized blocks design for two consecutive years. Statistical analysis showed substantial variability between the collected ecotypes. Principal component analysis and heatmap analysis allowed to distinguish four groups of ecotypes mainly based on nutritional parameters (fiber content and digestibility), forage production (dry matter yield, number of leaves per plant, and total number of branches), and reproduction (number of inflorescences per plant and, weight of thousand seeds and seeds per plant). Furthermore, the present study pointed out the value of ecotype 1, which was dual purpose with its high productivity, nutritional value, and reproductive parameters. Ecotype 4 was also highlighted as having late flowering but intermediate productivity, which can be used mainly for haymaking as the drying period could coincide with the last rainfall in the region., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Sulla flexuosa ( Hedysarum flexuosum L.) is an endemic legume growing in some Mediterranean areas in rainfed and cold mountainous conditions. It could be used in goat diets as an alternative protein source instead of alfalfa to supplement forest rangeland. This study aimed to test the effects of incorporating Sulla flexuosa (SF) hay in the diet of Beni Arouss goats on their milk production and quality. The hay was introduced at two levels, i.e., 35 or 70% (SF70), on a DM basis; it partially or totally replaced the alfalfa hay of the control diet. Sulla flexuosa incorporation did not affect milk production or physicochemical composition. However, milk FA content varied in proportion to the percentage of SF incorporation. The SF70 diet was associated with increased milk levels in C18:1n-9, C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, and C22:6n-3 and total monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and n-3 fatty acids. As a consequence, atherogenic and thrombogenic indices were improved. Additionally, better antioxidant capacity was observed in SF70.

The recent development of advanced electronic sensors to monitor and record animal grazing activity provides a real opportunity to facilitate understanding of their behavioral responses. This study aimed to characterize the grazing activity and protein−energy requirements of grazing dairy goats in a Mediterranean woodland in northern Morocco by combining two sensors, the Global Positioning System (GPS) and three axis accelerometers. An experiment was conducted in a representative woodland with eight dairy goats. Measurements were undertaken during the three main grazing seasons (spring, summer, and autumn) for two consecutive and contrasting years. Grazing activity parameters were assessed using GPS collars and leg position sensors. The results showed that grazing time was higher in spring (57% and 59%) than in summer (39% and 36%) and autumn (41% and 45%), respectively, for the dry and wet years (p < 0.001). During the two studied years, the daily horizontal distance traveled by the goats increased from spring (about 4.5 km) to summer (about 6.5 km) and autumn (about 7.4 km), while greater daily vertical distances were recorded over similar distances during summer−autumn. Several protein−energy intakes that were insufficient to cover the requirements of the grazing goats were recorded, especially in summer. The combination of GPS collars and accelerometers contributed to a better understanding of the grazing activities of dairy goats in the studied Mediterranean woodland. These findings provide useful data on the protein−energy balances of dairy goats and offer additional information that could be useful for herders and managers to enhance goat-feeding strategies and guarantee high-performance in the semi-extensive traditional goat farming system.

In Senegal, sheep breeds have adapted to their environment and play a key socio-economic role. This study aimed to explore the genetic diversity and structure of four Senegalese sheep breeds (Peul-peul, Djallonke, Touabire, and Ladoum) and their relationships with global sheep breeds. To that end, forty-seven sheep were genotyped using the OvineSNP50 BeadChip, and these genotypic data were analysed with those of 73 sheep breeds representative of worldwide ovine diversity (2729 animals). The average observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.293 in Djallonke sheep to 0.339 in Touabire sheep. The estimated Fis values were low, ranging from 0.019 for Ladoum to 0.034 for Peul-peul sheep. The estimated Fst values were low (0.003-0.044) among the trypanosusceptible breeds (Peul-peul, Touabire, and Ladoum) but high between the previous breeds and the trypanotolerant Djallonke breed (0.075-0.116), indicating better genetic conservation of the Djallonke sheep. A principal component analysis revealed clustering of the Senegalese sheep breeds according to their geographic distribution. However, owing to genetic improvement practices, the introgression of Touabire sheep blood seems to have reshaped the genetic landscape of the trypanosusceptible sheep breeds in Senegal. The Senegalese sheep breeds showed lower genetic diversity than their presumed ancestral sheep breeds of the Middle East. They also presented some relatedness with Caribbean sheep breeds, which reveals their contribution to the global genetic diversity and to the development of Caribbean sheep breeds.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) and sensors technologies are increasingly used to study the grazing behavior of animals. This work was conducted to understand the grazing behavior and energy balance of goats browsing in forest rangeland using GPS and sensors technologies. Forage availability was estimated using the quadrat method during three grazing seasons. Simultaneously, eight indigenous goats were selected to explore their feeding behavior, grazing activities, and energy requirements. The experimental goats were fitted with GPS collars and leg sensors to monitor their grazing activities. At the same time, direct observation was used as a method to study their feeding behavior. Forage availability was higher during spring compared to the summer and autumn seasons. Goats recorded the highest biting rate during summer and autumn (about 22 bites/min). The highest intake rate was recorded during spring (5.6 g DM/min). During spring, goats spent most of their time on grazing (48%) in contrast to the summer and autumn (<31%; p < 0.001). They prolonged their lying down time in summer at the expense of standing duration. The time devoted exclusively to grazing (eating) was longer in spring. Walking time in summer and autumn was longer than in spring ( p < 0.001). During summer and autumn, the energy balance of goats under grazing conditions was in deficit. Using GPS collars and leg sensors appears to be a useful and easily replicable method to explore and understand the seasonal changes in the grazing areas and activities of goats in a mountainous region. The results could help goat herders and managers to develop feeding and grazing systems while increasing the performance of goats in the Mediterranean forest rangeland.

The olive cake (OC) and the cactus cladodes (CC) are two alternative feed resources widely available in the southern Mediterranean region that could be used in ruminants' diet. Their impact on the rumen bacterial ecosystem is unknown. This work aims to evaluate their effects on the microbial community and meat fatty acids of goat's kids. Forty-four goat kids were divided into four groups receiving diets with conventional concentrate, or 35% OC, or 30% CC, or 15% OC, and 15% CC. After 3 months, these animals were slaughtered, and the rumen liquor and longissimus dorsi and semimembranosus muscles samples were collected. Animals receiving a control diet had rumen liquor with high acidity than test groups ( p < 0.001). Test rumen liquor was more adapted to digest efficiently their matching diet than control liquor ( p < 0.05). These feedstuffs did not affect rumen bacteria abundance and alpha diversity (richness, evenness, and reciprocal Simpson indexes), and these results were confirmed by beta-diversity tests (NMDS plot, HOMOVA, PERMANOVA). The test diets slightly affected the individual fatty acids of meat ( p < 0.05) without effect on fatty acids summaries, indexes, and ratios. Thus, these alternative feed resources could take place in goat kids' diet to diversify their feed and to reduce feed costs.

Forest rangelands contribute largely to goat diets in the Mediterranean area. Information about browsed plant quality is essential for adequate feeding management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temporal changes in chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of the main plant species selected by goats in the Southern Mediterranean forest rangeland during two consecutive years; these were very contrasted (dry and wet). The browsed species were composed of herbaceous, eleven shrubs, and four tree species. Overall, large variability in chemical composition, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and metabolizable energy (ME) was observed among species, grazing season (spring, summer, and autumn), and years within each species. Crude protein (CP) content varied from 60 to 240 g/kg dry matter (DM). The fiber fractions, except for Quercus suber , increased significantly by advancing maturity. Due to the water stress, the lignin level presented a higher value during the spring of the dry year. Condensed tannin (CT) content varied from 2 to 184 g/kg DM. CP, IVOMD, and ME showed a negative correlation with lignin and CT. Based on the results presented herein, it is concluded that the nutritive value of the browsed plant species was highest in the spring and lowest during the summer and autumn of both studied years. With a good grazing management strategy, the selected plant species by goats could guarantee high-quality feeding resources throughout the year.

This study aimed to compare digestive and metabolic characteristics in Sahelian (S) and Majorera (M) goat breeds. Six lactating females from each breed, with an average weight 27.0 ± 1.93 and 23.7 ± 1.27 kg, respectively, were used. Cowpea hay, variety 58/74, was offered as sole feed ingredient, at a rate of 2 kg of fresh matter per animal per day. The animals were placed in metabolic cages and a digestibility test was conducted according to an adaptation period of 15 days and a collection period of 7 days. The daily chemical components offered and refused and recovered faeces, urine and milk were measured in order to assess energy and nitrogen utilization. The M and S goats had similar levels of dry matter (DM) intake as well as nutrient digestibility. On a metabolic weight basis, dry matter intake, gross energy intake, metabolizable and energy intake, digestible energy and energy lost as methane production were significantly higher ( p < 0.01) in M than in S goats. Urinary energy excretion was similar ( p = 0.9) between breeds, while faecal energy output was higher in M than in S goats. The milk energy output from the M goats was higher than that the S goats ( p < 0.05). However, metabolizable to net energy conversion efficiency (klm) was not affected by breed ( p = 0.37), while N intake, milk N yield and faecal N losses, relative to metabolic weight, were significantly higher ( p < 0.05) in M than in S goats. Similarly, the percentage of dietary N intake excreted in urine (UNIN) was higher in S than in M breeds. The breed factor had no effect on N retained, N digestibility, urinary N and N use efficiency. In conclusion, the M and S goats were similar in terms of energy and nitrogen use efficiency, despite higher daily milk production and DM consumption in the M goat. This suggests that the M breed is possibly more dependent on a dense nutrition diet than the S breed but requires less maintenance nitrogen.

Mediterranean forest rangelands offer an important feed source for goats. Concerns about grazing strategies and management schemes in order to ensure the rangeland sustainability of Southern Mediterranean forest have revived interest in the foraging behavior of goats. This study was conducted to investigate the seasonal changes of feeding behavior of grazing goats in the Southern Mediterranean forest rangeland of Northern Morocco during two consecutive years beginning in 2016. The direct observation method was used to compare diet composition, intake rate, and diet selectivity of goats during three seasons (spring, summer, and fall). Bite mass of each plant species selected by goats was estimated using hand-plucked simulation. The optimal foraging theory was used as a tool to explain the goats foraging decisions. Bite mass range was extremely wide and varied seasonally. The goats' diet was largely composed of Cistus spp., Lavandula stoechas , Quercus spp., and Myrtus communis . The result shows that the smaller the bite mass, the higher the biting rate, leading to increased short term intake rates. The selection of various plant species during fall and summer enlarged the diet diversity of goats. As expected, goats preferred trees and some shrubs despite their low availability. Consequently, the most available species is not necessarily the most positively selected. Particular high and positive selection of Quercus suber was observed over seasons. The outcomes confirm the high adaptability and ability of goats to select a woody species across seasons. Knowledge about forage availability and the feeding behavior of goats could be used as the first guide for rangeland managers to ensure herd and forest sustainability., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

In poultry, feed based on maggots, like larvae of black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens ) is an attractive option to substitute current ingredients which are expensive and often in direct or indirect competition with human food. Little information is currently available on the utility of these larvae in poultry feed, so goals of this study were to determine whether larvae could be reared on horse manure under traditional farming conditions and to evaluate the growth performances of a local poultry fed these larvae and the fatty acids profiles of their meat. After freezing and thawing, larvae were introduced in the feed of Ardennaise chickens between 30 and 80 days of age. Birds in the control group received a commercial standard feed, while those in the treatment group received the same commercial feed in which 8% was substituted with whole fresh larvae corresponding to 2% on a dry matter basis. Means ± standard errors of larval length and weight were 20.67 ± 2.21 mm and 0.14 ± 0.02 g, respectively. Mean larval percentages of dry matter and of substances extractable in diethyl ether were 24.6% and 23.1%, respectively. Larval fatty acids profiles were predominantly composed of lauric acid (28.1%) and palmitic acid (22.0%). Least squares means of weekly weights of chicken, adjusted for the effects of sex, replication and initial weights, were significantly higher ( P  < 0.05) by 77.03 ± 53.37 g in larvae-fed than in control chickens. All other measurements were not statistically different between larvae-fed and control chicken, including fatty acid profiles, protein content and ω6/ω3 ratio.

According to EU legislation, group-housed gestating sows must have a minimum of 2.25 m2 floor area per sow with at least 1.3 m2 of continuous solid floor of which a maximum of 15% is reserved for drainage openings. The aim of the experiment was to quantify the impact of different drainage openings on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions. Three successive batches of 10 gestating sows were used. Each batch was divided into two groups kept separately in two identical rooms with similar volume and surface. The solid part of the floor presented 15% drainage openings in the first room and 2.5% in the second room. The gas emissions (ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour (H2O)) were measured three times during 6 consecutive days. Gaseous emissions were significantly lower with 15% drainage openings with reductions of 19% for NH3 (12.77 v. 15.83 g/day per sow), 15% for CH4 (10.15 v. 11.91 g/day per sow), 10% for N2O (0.47 v. 0.52 g/day per sow), 9% for CO2 (2.41 v. 2.66 kg/day per sow) and 13% for H2O (3.25 v. 3.75 kg/day per sow). This trial showed the advantage, in an environmental point of view, to use 15% drainage openings on the solid part of partly slatted floors in pens for group-housed gestating sows.

In the European Union, the group-housed pregnant sows have to have a minimal legal available area of 2.25 m2/sow. However, it has been observed that an increased space allowance reduces agonistic behaviour and consecutive wounds and thus induces better welfare conditions. But, what about the environmental impacts of this greater available area? Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify pollutant gases emissions (nitrous oxide, N2O, methane, CH4, carbon dioxide, CO2 and ammonia, NH3), according to the space allowance in the raising of gestating sows group-housed on a straw-based deep litter. Four successive batches of 10 gestating sows were each divided into two homogeneous groups and randomly allocated to a treatment: 2.5 v. 3.0 m2/sow. The groups were separately kept in two identical rooms. A restricted conventional cereals based diet was provided once a day in individual feeding stalls available only during the feeding time. Rooms were automatically ventilated. The gas emissions were measured by infra red photoacoustic detection during six consecutive days at the 6th, 9th and 12th weeks of gestation. Sows performance (body weight gain, backfat thickness, number and weight of piglets) was not significantly different according to the space allowance. In the room with 3.0 m2/sow and compared with the room with 2.5 m2/sow, gaseous emissions were significantly greater for NH3 (6.29 v. 5.37 g NH3-N/day per sow; P < 0.01) and significantly lower for N2O (1.78 v. 2.48 g N2O-N/day per sow; P < 0.01), CH4 (10.15 v. 15.21 g/day per sow; P < 0.001), CO2 equivalents (1.11 v. 1.55 kg/day per sow; P < 0.001), CO2 (2.12 v. 2.41 kg/day per sow; P < 0.001) and H2O (3.10 v. 3.68 kg/day per sow; P < 0.001). In conclusion, an increase of the available area for group-housed gestating sow kept on straw-based deep litter seems to be ambiguous on an environmental impacts point of view. Compared with a conventional and legal available area, it favoured NH3 emissions, probably due to an increased emitting surface. However, about greenhouse gases, it decreased N2O, CH4 and CO2 emissions, probably due to reduced anaerobic conditions required for their synthesis, and led to a reduction of CO2 equivalents emissions.

The aim of the study was to determine if cattle breeds differing in their carcass characteristics also differ in the profiles of their leptin and metabolic hormones. Three breeds, Belgian Blue (BB) (n=12), Limousin (L) (n=12) and Aberdeen Angus (AA) (n=12) with varying ability to deposit fat and protein were compared. Blood, muscle and subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissue were sampled. Animal performance, carcass and meat characteristics were determined as well as plasma leptin concentration, leptin gene expression in SC adipose tissue, leptin-receptor gene expression in SC adipose tissue and plasma concentration of insulin, tri-iodothyronin (T3), thyroxin (T4) and cortisol. The BB bulls showed the lowest values of leptin gene expression (P<0.05). Values of plasma leptin concentration and of leptin-receptor gene expression tended to be lower in BB than in the other breeds. For a similar amount of adipose tissue (after normalisation), BB bulls showed a higher ratio of plasma leptin (P<0.05), whereas normalised leptin gene and leptin-receptor gene expressions did not significantly differ between breeds. Belgian Blue bulls also differed in their metabolic hormone profile, tending to show lower values of insulin, T3 and T4 than the two other breeds. Cortisol levels were significantly lower (P<0.05) in BB than in L and AA animals.

Thirty-six young finishing bulls from three breeds (Belgian Blue, Limousin and Aberdeen Angus) were fattened over five months with finishing diets based either on sugar-beet pulp or on cereals. Nutritional quality traits of meat - fat content and fatty acid composition with emphasis on the n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids - along with some organoleptic quality traits were measured. The Belgian Blue bulls had the lowest intramuscular fat content associated with lower saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid contents. The polyunsaturated fatty acid content did not differ to a large extent between the breeds, the Aberdeen Angus bulls showing slightly higher values. Relative to energy intake, the overall contribution of meat to the n-3 fatty acid recommended intake was small, whatever the breed. By contrast, the contribution of meat to daily fat intake was of greater importance, especially for the Aberdeen Angus bulls. The quality traits of meat varied also according to the breed: compared to the Aberdeen Angus, the Belgian Blue bull meat had the stablest colour, the highest drip and the lowest cooking losses. The meat of Limousin bulls had intermediate characteristics for all the parameters.

The changes over time in plasma parameters and nitrogen metabolism were studied in finishing Belgian Blue double-muscled females offered a maize silage based diet. When compared with literature data, plasma glucose along with triglycerides concentrations was low while non-esterifled fatty acids were high and rich in polyunsaturated forms. The concentrations in thyroid hormones, insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin were also low and plasma insulin decreased with time. Growth hormone concentration, by contrast, increased with time. On average, the females retained 44 g nitrogen per day from an intake of 210 g but the efficiency of retention decreased with time. The fractional rates of accretion and synthesis of muscle protein were also affected by time. The dry matter content in muscle biopsies was close to 22% and increased with the finishing, as did the diameter of the tailhead adipocytes.