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Cortisol is the primary biomarker associated with the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. This research aimed at assessing the predictive potential and the relationship of cortisol concentrations in four media (blood, milk, whey and hair) with parity, lactation stage and productive classes. Multiparous (n = 30) and primiparous (n = 38) Italian Mediterranean buffaloes were used and assigned to four productive classes (based on percentiles of mature equivalent milk yield (EMY) and mature equivalent energy corrected milk (eECM)), and cortisol concentrations were measured using a in house radioimmunoassay (RIA) method. Parity did not show a significant effect on cortisol concentrations of the four media. The catabolic stage of lactation (up to 90 d in milk (DIM)) was characterised by higher cortisol concentrations compared to the second anabolic stage (beyond 150 DIM) in milk formulations. The plasmatic concentrations of cortisol were higher at the catabolic and the first anabolic stage (91–150 DIM) compared to the second anabolic (p = 0.022 and p = 0.009, respectively). Buffaloes beyond 150 DIM differed from those below 90 DIM (p < 0.001) and between 91 and 150 DIM (p < 0.05) in hair. Finally, hair cortisol concentrations were negatively correlated to EMY, mature equivalent protein content (EPC) (p < 0.01) and eECM (p < 0.05). The whey showed a potential to predict the concentrations of cortisol in whole extracted milk (R2 = 0.31). Hence the development of a real-time automated cortisol measurement in milk could be a valuable tool in Italian Mediterranean Buffalo farming. HIGHLIGHTS: The lactation stage significantly influences plasma, hair and milk cortisol concentrations. Hair cortisol concentrations are negatively correlated to milk quality parameters. The whey is a potential predictor of the cortisol concentrations in whole extracted milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to study the effects of red orange and lemon extract (RLE) inclusion on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and sensory profile of lamb meat aged seven days. A total of 44 Merino lambs were randomly divided into two experimental groups: one that received the RLE (n = 22) and the control group (CON; n = 22). The RLE extract was orally and individually administered (90 mg/kg of live weight) to each lamb every day from colostrum assumption until slaughter (40 ± 1 days). Longissimus lumborum muscle was sampled and dry aged at 4 °C for seven days. The VOC and sensorial analyses were carried out at 1, 3 and 7 days. A total of 65 VOCs were detected. Aldehyde family was the most abundant, followed by ketones and alcohols in both groups. Extending ageing period, content of aldehydes and thiols increased only in control group (p < 0.01), but no differences were observed 24 h after slaughtering (p > 0.05). Regardless of dietary treatment, sensory evaluation, tenderness and juiciness showed a similar trend in both groups. Along ageing days, a significant improvement in these patterns was observed (p < 0.05). Our results showed that RLE inclusion did not have effects on both volatile compounds and sensory profile after slaughtering; ageing improves some sensory characteristics of lamb meat and the inclusion of RLE also seems to have a positive effect on the production of VOCs and on sensory properties such as meaty odour and overall liking. Highlights: Anthocyanins extracted from red orange and lemon extract have antioxidant properties. Red orange and lemon extract is reported to exert antioxidant effect as feed additive in ruminants. Anthocyanins affect volatile compounds (VOCs) of meat only after some ageing days. Anthocyanins can improve VOCs and sensory profile of lamb meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays climate change is affecting the planet's biodiversity, and livestock practices must adapt themselves to improve production without affecting animal welfare. This work investigates the influence that some climatic parameters such as Environment Temperature, Relative Humidity, Thermal excursion and Temperature–Humidity Index (THI), can have on milk quantity and quality in two different dairy species (buffaloes and cows) raised on the same farm. A further aim was to understand if THI threshold used for cows could also be used for buffaloes. The climatic parameters were recorded daily through a meteorological station located inside the farm. Milk quantity (converted into ECM) and quality (Fat Percentage—FP; Protein Percentage—PP; Somatic Cell Count—SCC) were measured. Data were analyzed with Spearman's correlation index, separately for buffaloes and cows. The results indicate a greater sensitivity of cows to heat stress and a strong negative correlation of the ECM with meteorological data (p < 0.01). The results of this study may stimulate the use of integrated technologies (sensors, software) in the dairy sector, since the IoT (sensors, software) helps to enhance animal well-being and to optimize process costs, with a precision livestock farming approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Cientifica de la Facultade de Veterinaria is the property of Universidad del Zulia, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Cientifica de la Facultade de Veterinaria is the property of Universidad del Zulia, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)