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Cyclopropane fatty acids (CPFA) were found in milk fat from cows fed maize silage and suggested to be synthesized by lactic acid bacteria during ensiling. This study aimed to elucidate some gaps of knowledge about the microbial synthesis of CPFA, to strengthen the current authentication method based on their detection in cheese fat and performed for Parmigiano Reggiano (UNI11650), whose Specifications forbid the use of silage. CPFA were screened in different ensiled cows' feeding by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the effect of feed ingredients and ruminal digestion on CPFA microbial production were further examined by in vitro tests. Results showed that solely the environmental conditions developed in silos for specific plant materials (e.g., maize) are essential for the bacterial synthesis of CPFA, whereas rumen activity did not affect CPFA levels in feeds. This supports the suitability of using CPFA as biomarkers of a crop silage-based diet forbidden by certain PDO feedstock regulations.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of Fourier transform mid-infra-red (FT-MIR) spectrometry to analyse blood biochemical parameters of the horse. For this purpose, mid infrared transmission spectra were acquired from plasma samples from 72 healthy horses. Each sample was also analysed using reference clinical chemical methods, and these results were used as calibrating values to develop predictive models by partial least squares method. The validation was carried out using external validation method. The coefficient of determination (R2) and the ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD) showed high values for parameters regarding energy and protein metabolism. Among energy parameters, an excellent prediction model was developed for total cholesterol (R2 = 0.94; RPD = 4.40) and triglycerides (R2 = 0.96; RPD = 5.0) while fair results were obtained for cholesterol fractions (R2 range: 0.75–0.80; RPD range: 2.0–2.3). Among protein metabolism parameters, excellent prediction models were developed for total protein, albumin, globulin (R2 range: 0.96–0.99; RPD range: 5.40–9.30) and good prediction model for urea (R2 = 0.90; RPD = 3.2), confirming previous results with the plasma of dairy cows. Our results highlight that FT-MIR spectrometry offers an accurate measurement of important plasma biomarkers for the evaluation of energy (cholesterol and triglycerides) and protein metabolism (urea), as well as for health status (albumin/globulin ratio). Our results may open an interesting perspective of a more cost-effective approach to monitoring the metabolic status and health conditions of the horse, with the future possibility to predict some blood biomarkers by the practitioner in field.Highlights FT-MIR potential to measure blood parameters in horses was explored; Infra-red spectrometry can be used in horse’s clinical chemistry; Fast and cost-effective metabolic status evaluation in horses; Accurate FT-MIR predictions for plasma protein and lipid fractions in horses.

The increased resistance to disease observed after monensin treatment could reflect a reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress. We hypothesised that if monensin supplementation was given before calving, it would help in controlling inflammation, reduce the susceptibility to disease and increase the performance. Fourteen pregnant heifers (PR) and 24 multiparous cows (ML) were randomly assigned to a treated group (Mon) or a control group (Ctr). The Mon group received 32.4 g of monensin in a controlled-release capsule 21 days before calving (expected release rate, 335 mg/d for 95 days). Their health status, rumination activity, and plasma parameters were monitored from –28 to 56 days from calving. The milk yield (MY), milk composition, and cheese-making properties were also monitored. Rumen samples were collected at 30 days from calving to assess the volatile fatty acids composition and investigate immunological parameters. After calving, the Mon group had fewer clinical diseases, an increased rumination time, and a higher MY. Monensin reduced the infiltration of both T and B cells in rumen fluid. In ML, the Mon group had lower levels of β-hydroxybutyrate in the early postpartum period and a lower level of total reactive oxygen species. Of PR, the Mon group had a tendency for lower levels of nonesterified fatty acids, higher levels of ceruloplasmin after the first month of lactation, a tendency for lower levels of paraoxonase, higher levels of γ-glutamyl transferase and higher levels of total reactive oxygen species. Monensin treatment decreased the cheese-making properties in the milk of PR.HighlightsMonensin improved the performance of all the animals and decreased the disease incidence in all of them.Monensin heightened the inflammatory and oxidative stress status and reduced the cheese-making properties in pregnant heifers.Although different effects were seen in cows with different parity, dairy cows generally beneficed of monensin administration. Monensin improved the performance of all the animals and decreased the disease incidence in all of them. Monensin heightened the inflammatory and oxidative stress status and reduced the cheese-making properties in pregnant heifers. Although different effects were seen in cows with different parity, dairy cows generally beneficed of monensin administration.

The use of miniaturized NIR spectrometers is spreading over the scientific literature with a particular focus on developing methods as rapid and easy-to-use as possible and following the philosophy of green analytical chemistry. Several applications and studies are typically presented by comparing results obtained with benchtop instrumentation even when the analytical strategies are substantially different. Indeed, analytical applications that include the use of miniaturized instrumentation are subject to several sources of variability that need to be known at the time of method development. In this study, different statistical strategies were employed to understand the features and limitations of handheld NIR instruments. Because of the high interest in real applications, a common type of hygroscopic powder sample was selected: forages. A step-by-step methodology is presented to statistically address the different issues to consider in order to obtain realistic models when using miniaturized NIR spectrometers. We demonstrate how a careful evaluation of the sources of variability related to an experiment can help in the understanding of the system under study in order to obtain a more reliable development of the method and consciously choose the analytical parameters and strategies of analysis. The results were also compared with those achieved on the same dataset from a benchtop system in order to provide references analogous with those in the literature.

The expected future demand for highly nutrient animal food products will push the animal production system to search for new sources of high-quality protein feedstuffs. In this scenario, economic and environmental issues will have to be considered while reducing the competition with the plant-based human food chains. Legume grains and some oilseed cakes, by-products from the oil industry, are the main protein sources for ruminants and terrestrial monogastrics such as pigs and poultry. Their relevant role will hold in the next decades, but it is necessary to increase the diversification of sources that can be grown profitably throughout the world, including European countries. Microalgae are a promising source of protein and other nutrients for animal feeding. However, an amazing richness of biologically active substances makes these organisms very interesting as feed ingredients, as their role go far beyond the supply of nutrients. Due to the limited usage of microalgae as human foodstuffs or food ingredients, low competition between microalgae-based feed and food chains is predictable. This review aims to synthesise current knowledge on minor pulses and other protein-rich plant products and microalgae, as alternative ingredients to the conventional animal protein sources, focussing on their production, availability, and nutritional values. Points of strength, weakness, opportunity and threat related to the use of these protein sources in animal feeding are separately analysed through a SWOT approach to underlie future needs in terms of research and/or technological development that could help valorise these nutrient sources as feed ingredients.

Little is known about the effects of commonly found levels of Fusarium mycotoxins on the performance, metabolism, and immunity of dairy cattle. We investigated the effects of regular contamination levels, meaning contamination levels that can be commonly detected in dairy feeds, of deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisins (FB) in total mixed ration (TMR) on the performance, diet digestibility, milk quality, and plasma liver enzymes in dairy cows. This trial examined 12 lactating Holstein dairy cows using a 3-period × 3-treatment Latin square design. The experimental period was 21 d of mycotoxin exposure followed by 14 d of washout. During treatment periods, cows received one of 3 diets: (1) CTR (control) diet of TMR contaminated with 340.5 µg of DON/kg of dry matter (DM) and 127.9 µg FB/kg of DM; (2) MTX diet of TMR contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins at levels higher than CTR but below US and European Union guidelines (i.e., 733.0 µg of DON/kg of DM and 994.4 µg of FB/kg of DM); or (3) MDP diet, which was MTX diet supplemented with a mycotoxin deactivator product (i.e., 897.3 µg of DON/kg of DM and 1,247.1 µg of FB/kg of DM; Mycofix, 35 g/animal per day). During washout, all animals were fed the same CTR diet. Body weight, body condition score, DM intake, dietary nutrient digestibility, milk production, milk composition and rennet coagulation properties, somatic cell count, blood serum chemistry, hematology, serum immunoglobulin concentrations, and expression of multiple genes in circulating leucocytes were measured. Milk production was significantly greater in the CTR group (37.73 kg/d) than in the MTX (36.39 kg/d) and the MDP (36.55 kg/d) groups. Curd firmness and curd firming time were negatively affected by the MTX diet compared with the other 2 diets. Furthermore, DM and neutral detergent fiber digestibility were lower after the MTX diet than after the CTR diet (67.3 vs. 71.0% and 42.8 vs. 52.3%). The MDP diet had the highest digestibility coefficients for DM (72.4%) and neutral detergent fiber (53.6%) compared with the other 2 diets. The activities of plasma liver transaminases were higher after the MTX diet than after the CTR and MDP diets. Compared with the CTR diet, the MTX diet led to slightly lower expression of genes related to immune and inflammatory functions, indicating that Fusarium mycotoxins had an immunosuppressive effect. Our results indicated that feed contaminated with regular levels of Fusarium mycotoxins adversely affected the performance, milk quality, diet digestibility, metabolic variables, and immunity of dairy cows, and that supplementation with mycotoxin deactivator product counteracted most of these negative effects.

Many production diseases of dairy cows are related to digestive troubles. The rumen subacute acidosis is the most relevant one, albeit not easily recognized. Recent studies suggest that forestomachs can perform regulatory actions at both regional and systemic levels, since forestomach walls express immune receptors and cytokines, and the rumen liquor is infiltrated by leukocytes. Therefore, the rumen fluid could be conveniently collected for investigating metabolic production diseases. Thus, we investigated the origin of the leukocytes of the rumen fluid and demonstrated that they partly derive from saliva. Next, we carried out a field survey of innate immunity in rumen fluids of 128 cows from 12 dairy farms, along with clinical inspections, assessment of milk yield, rumen pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and major inflammo-metabolic parameters. Significant statistical correlations were found between immune markers in rumen fluids and biochemical parameters. A significant negative correlation was found in rumen between CD45 gene expression (leukocyte infiltration) and pH level. B cells were the most frequent mononuclear leukocyte population in the rumen liquor and their infiltration was negatively affected by low ruminal pH and high concentrations of VFA. Moreover, total Ig and IgM in rumen fluids were negatively correlated with ruminal pH and positively correlated with uremia. Our data suggest that forestomach immune responses could be directed to "dangers" arising within the forestomach environment. The immune markers could integrate consolidated diagnostic parameters (e.g. rumen pH) and contribute to robust, early diagnosis of tricky digestive troubles of cattle.

The multipurpose cardoon crop (Cynara cardunculus var. altilis) is also exploited to produce bio-intermediates for biorefinery; the press cake composed by partially defatted seed residue after oil extraction represents an important byproduct. This research was addressed at elucidating feeding value and traits of cardoon press cake to be exploited as a novel supplement for feeding ruminants. Specific aims were: to (i) determine the nutritional profile of press cake and (ii) evaluate the effect of anti-tannic agents on methane production, ammonia level, ruminal volatile fatty acids profile, ruminal biohydrogenation of linoleic and linolenic acids, crude protein (CP) degradation and fiber (NDF) digestion. Cardoon press cake shows moderate level of CP (18.5%) and fat (7.9%) with high level of NDF, and represents a valuable source of both essential amino acids and n-6 fatty acids. The content of phenolics reached 32.7 mg g−1 and could positively affect the transfer of n-6 unsaturated fatty acids (−50% of biohydrogenation) in milk and meat ruminant products without negative effects for CP degradability and NDF digestibility. In addition, it is able to modulate the methane release, in particular 48 h after incubation. A moderate level of the polyphenol oxidase was also detected. In vitro results indicate that cardoon press cake is suitable for animal feeding and for improving their performances and products with potential benefits for human consumers, due to its content of unsaturated fatty acids with a proper amount of phenolic compounds.

Cow genes dictate environmentally friendly microbiomes: a step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions., A 1000-cow study across four European countries was undertaken to understand to what extent ruminant microbiomes can be controlled by the host animal and to identify characteristics of the host rumen microbiome axis that determine productivity and methane emissions. A core rumen microbiome, phylogenetically linked and with a preserved hierarchical structure, was identified. A 39-member subset of the core formed hubs in co-occurrence networks linking microbiome structure to host genetics and phenotype (methane emissions, rumen and blood metabolites, and milk production efficiency). These phenotypes can be predicted from the core microbiome using machine learning algorithms. The heritable core microbes, therefore, present primary targets for rumen manipulation toward sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.

Production diseases are a huge problem for high-yielding dairy cows, especially during the post-calving period when a negative energy balance is present and the animals are unable to achieve enough feed energy intake to match their high requests. Correct management of production diseases demands an early diagnostic approach and prognostic parameters. In ruminants, metabolic stress greatly influences forestomach physiology, including immune responses. Therefore a proper evaluation of production diseases in ruminants should also include markers of the innate immune response to metabolic stress. New studies suggest that forestomach immune responses could be focused to 'dangers' arising in the rumen (diet unbalance, abnormal fermentations), but also arise as reporter system of disease conditions elsewhere in the body. This means that ruminal fluids could be useful diagnostic specimens, and their immune markers could integrate consolidated diagnostic parameters (e.g. rumen pH and volatile fatty acids, milk cell counts, blood, faecal analytes) and contribute to robust, early diagnosis of production diseases in dairy cattle.

Forages dry matter (DM) could vary among batches and in particular when silages are fed. These variations could modify nutrients composition of total mixed ration and affect cows performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of application of a precision feeding system (PFS) based on a near infra-red scanner, on metabolic conditions and milk yield in lactating dairy cows. The study was performed in 7 farms where PFS was installed on feed mixer to perform a weight-adjustment of DM measured in real time on feeds. A cross-over (14 weeks periods) was applied, PFS was switched on (PF-ON) in three herds and off in the other four (PF-OFF) during 1st period, and vice versa in 2nd period. At the end of two periods, in each herd 7 early and 7 mid lactation cows, for a total of 196 cows, were checked for: blood parameters, milk yield and composition. During the study deviation of DM of target diet (calculated on amount of feed in recipe and applying the DM determined in laboratory) and diets really distributed to cows tended to be lower with PF-ON vs. PF-OFF (0.06 vs 0.12 kg, p = .12). In early lactating cows, lower blood urea (4.63 vs 4.88 mmol/L, p = .115) indicated a better feed protein utilisation in PF-ON vs. PF-OFF. Milk yield and composition were not affected. The use of PFS meliorated the consistency of TMR, which could determine a better efficiency of nutrients utilisation and a reduction of production costs.Highlights Near infra-red (NIR) technology can be advantageously applied at farm level within a precision feeding system for dairy cows. The system allowed a more constant daily supply of nutrients with a reduction of metabolic alterations and a higher efficiency of feed protein utilisation. Utilization of NIR technology at farm level can be economically sustainable.

This study investigated the potential application of Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy (FT-MIR) for the determination of titratable acidity (TA) in cow's milk. The prediction model was developed on 201 samples collected from cows in early and late lactation, and was successively used to predict TA on samples collected from cows in early lactation and in samples with high somatic cell count. The root mean square error of cross-validation of the model by using external validation dataset was 0.09 °Soxhlet-Henkel/50 mL. Applying the model on milk samples from cows in early lactation or with high somatic cell count, the root mean square error of prediction was 0.163 °Soxhlet-Henkel/50 mL, with a RER and RPD of 23.9 and 5.1, respectively. Our results seem to indicate that FT-MIR can be used in individual milk samples to accurately predict TA, and has the potential to be adopted to measure routinely the TA of milk.

J. Dairy Sci. 101:4437–4447 https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13693 - 2018. Effect of hot season on blood parameters, fecal fermentative parameters, and occurrence of Clostridium tyrobutyricum spores in feces of lactating dairy cows L. Calamari,* P. Morera,† P. Bani,* A. Minuti,*1 L. Basiricò,† A. Vitali,‡ and U. Bernabucci† *Istituto di Zootecnica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense, 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy †Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali (DAFNE), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, via S. Camillo De Lellis, s.n.c, 01100 Viterbo, Italy ‡Facoltà di Bioscienze e Tecnologie Agroalimentari ed Ambientali, Università di Teramo, Via R. Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy High temperature influences rumen and gut health, passage rate, and diet digestibility, with effects on fermentative processes. The main aim of the study was to investigate the effect of hot season on hindgut fermentation, the occurrence of Clostridium tyrobutyricum spores in bovine feces, and on their relationship with metabolic conditions in dairy cows producing milk used for Grana Padano cheese. The study was carried out on 7 dairy farms located in the Po Valley (Italy), involving 1,950 Italian Friesian dairy cows. The study was carried out from November 2013 till the end of July 2014. Temperature and relative humidity were recorded daily by weather stations. Constant management conditions were maintained during the experimental period. Feed and diet characteristics, metabolic conditions, and fecal characteristics were recorded in winter (from late November 2013 to the end of January 2014), spring (from April to May 2014), and summer (July 2014) season. In each season, blood samples were collected from 14 multiparous lactating dairy cows per herd to measure biochemical indices related to energy, protein, and mineral metabolism, as well as markers of inflammation and some enzyme activities. Fecal samples were also collected and measurements of moisture, pH and volatile fatty acids (VFA) were performed. The DNA extracted and purified from fecal samples was used to detect Clostridium tyrobutyricum spores in a quantitative real-time PCR assay. The daily mean temperaturehumidity index was 40.7 ± 4.6 (range 25 to 55), 61.2 ± 3.7 (range 39 to 77), and 70.8 ± 3.2 (range 54 to 83) in winter, spring, and summer, respectively. Total VFA concentration in feces progressively decreased from winter to summer. The seasonal changes of acetate and propionate followed the same trend of total VFA; conversely, butyrate did not show any difference between seasons, and its molar proportion was greater in summer compared with winter. A greater occurrence of Cl. tyrobutyricum spores in summer compared with the other seasons was observed. The plasma concentrations of glucose, urea, albumin, Ca, Mg, Cl, Zn, and alkaline phosphatase activity were lower in summer compared with winter, whereas the opposite occurred for bilirubin and Na. Our results show that summer season, through direct and indirect effect of heat stress, affected fecal fermentative parameters and hindgut buffering capacity, and was responsible for the increasing occurrence of Cl. tyrobutyricum spores in feces.

The comparison of the bacterial profile of intracellular (iDNA) and extracellular DNA (eDNA) isolated from cow rumen content stored under different conditions was conducted. The influence of rumen fluid treatment (cheesecloth squeezed, centrifuged, filtered), storage temperature (RT, -80 °C) and cryoprotectants (PBS-glycerol, ethanol) on quality and quantity parameters of extracted DNA was evaluated by bacterial DGGE analysis, real-time PCR quantification and metabarcoding approach using high-throughput sequencing. Samples clustered according to the type of extracted DNA due to considerable differences between iDNA and eDNA bacterial profiles, while storage temperature and cryoprotectants additives had little effect on sample clustering. The numbers of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were lower (P 0.01) in eDNA samples. The qPCR indicated significantly higher amount of Firmicutes in iDNA sample frozen with glycerol (P 0.01). Deep sequencing analysis of iDNA samples revealed the prevalence of Bacteroidetes and similarity of samples frozen with and without cryoprotectants, which differed from sample stored with ethanol at room temperature. Centrifugation and consequent filtration of rumen fluid subjected to the eDNA isolation procedure considerably changed the ratio of molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Intracellular DNA extraction using bead-beating method from cheesecloth sieved rumen content mixed with PBS-glycerol and stored at -80 °C was found as the optimal method to study ruminal bacterial profile.

Acute acidosis was induced in sheep, and gastrointestinal permeability was assessed by using lactulose as a permeability marker. Metabolism was evaluated by monitoring blood metabolites. Four rams (72.5 ± 4.6 kg BW) were used in a 2 × 2 changeover design experiment. The experimental period lasted 96 h from -24 to 72 h. After 24 h of fasting (from -24 to 0 h) for both controls and acidosis-induced rams (ACID), 0.5 kg of wheat flour was orally dosed at 0 and 12 h of the experimental period to ACID, while the basal diet (grass hay, ad libitum) was restored to control. At 24 h, a lactulose solution (30 g of lactulose in 200 mL of water) was orally administered. Blood samples were collected at -24, 0, 24, 48, and 72 h of the experimental periods for the analysis of metabolic profiles and during the 10 h after lactulose dosage to monitor lactulose changes in blood. In addition, rumen and fecal samples were collected at 24 h of the experimental period. The acidotic challenge markedly reduced (P < 0.01) rumen pH and VFA but increased rumen d- and l-lactic acid (P < 0.01). Concurrently, a decrease of fecal pH and VFA occurred in ACID (P < 0.01), together with an abrupt increase (P < 0.01) of lactate and fecal alkaline phosphatase. Blood lactulose was significantly increased in ACID peaking 2 h after lactulose dosage. Blood glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, Ca, K, Mg, and alkaline phosphatase showed a significant reduction (P < 0.05) at 24 h, whereas urea and NEFA declined (P < 0.05) from 48 to 72 h. A strong inflammatory acute phase response with oxidative stress in ACID group was observed from 24 to 72 h; higher values of haptoglobin (P < 0.01) were measured from 24 to 72 h and of ceruloplasmin from 48 (P < 0.05) to 72 h (P < 0.01). Among the negative acute phase reactants, plasma albumin, cholesterol, paraoxonase, and Zn concentration also decreased (P < 0.05) in ACID at different time points between 24 and 72 h after acidotic challenge start. A rise (P < 0.05) of reactive oxygen metabolites and a drop of vitamin E (P < 0.01) between 24 and 72 h were indicative of oxidative stress in ACID. The perturbation of these blood metabolites suggests that acute acidosis was effectively induced by our model. The increase of lactulose in blood in ACID indicates that gastrointestinal permeability for the marker increased and the large increment after 2 h from dosage suggests that most of the passage occurred through the rumen or abomasal walls.

Milk coagulation is based on a series of physico- chemical changes at the casein micelle level, resulting in formation of a gel. Milk coagulation properties (MCP) are relevant for cheese quality and yield, important fac- tors for the dairy industry. They are also evaluated in herd bulk milk to reward or penalize producers of Protected Designation of Origin cheeses. The economic importance of improving MCP justifies the need to account for this trait in the selection process. A pilot study was carried out to determine the feasibility of including MCP in the selection schemes of the Italian Holstein. The MCP were predicted in 1,055 individual milk samples collected in 16 herds (66 ± 24 cows per herd) located in Brescia province (northeastern Italy) by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The coefficient of determination of prediction models indicated moderate predictions for milk rennet coagulation time (RCT = 0.65) and curd firmness (a30 = 0.68), and poor predictions for curd-firming time (k20 = 0.49), whereas the range error ratio (8.9, 6.9, and 9.5 for RCT, k20, and a30, respectively) indicated good practical utility of the predictive models for all param- eters. Milk proteins were genotyped and casein haplotypes (?S1-, ?-, ?S2-, and ?-casein) were reconstructed. Data from 51 half-sib families (19.9 ± 16.4 daughters per sire) were analyzed by an animal model to estimate (1) the genetic parameters of predicted RCT, k20, and a30; (2) the breeding values for these predicted clotting variables; and (3) the effect of milk protein genotypes and casein haplotypes on predicted MCP (pMCP). This is the first study to estimate both genetic parameters and breeding values of pMCP, together with the effects of milk protein genotypes and casein haplotypes, that also considered k20, probably the most important parameter for the dairy industry (because it indicates the time for the beginning of curd-cutting). Heritability of predicted RCT (0.26) and k20 (0.31) were close to the average heritability described in literature, whereas the heritability of a30 was higher (0.52 vs. 0.27). The effects of milk proteins were statistically significant and similar to those obtained on measured MCP. In particular, haplotypes including uncommon variants showed positive (B-I-A-B) or negative (B-A1-A-E) effects. Based on these findings, FTIR spectroscopy- pMCP is proposed as a potential selection criterion for the Italian Holstein.

The aim of the study was to assess the small intestine permeability by using lactulose as a sugar probe and blood metabolites in sheep after a challenge with repeated indomethacin injections. According to a changeover design, 7 adult sheep (4 males and 3 females) were subjected to 4 intramuscular injections (every 12 h) of saline [control (CRT); 7 animals] or indomethacin (INDO; 7 animals). Two hours after the last injection, 30 g of lactulose were administered orally to both CTR and INDO. Blood samples were collected daily for the analysis of the metabolic profile and 5 samples were collected at 2-h intervals following lactulose ingestion to monitor changes in blood levels of lactulose as an index of intestinal permeability. The INDO challenge induced clinical symptoms such as lack of appetite, dullness, weakness, depression, and diarrhea with traces of blood in the feces. In INDO group, haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin increased (P < 0.01) after INDO challenge whereas a decrease (P < 0.05) of negative acute phase reactants (e.g., cholesterol, albumin, and paraoxonase) was observed. Reactive oxygen metabolites increased (P < 0.01) from 60 to 204 h after the INDO challenge start, with a decrease of vitamin E concentration from 12 (P < 0.01) to 132 h (P < 0.05). Blood lactulose concentrations were increased (P < 0.05) in INDO animals and the highest mean values (17.67 µg/mL in INDO vs. 0.17 µg/mL in CRT; P < 0.01) were observed 6 h after oral dosage of lactulose. These changes indicate that the INDO challenge led to severe inflammatory responses with oxidative stress by enhancing small intestinal permeability in sheep that allowed lactulose to enter in blood. The results of this experiment demonstrate that lactulose can be used as a probe to assess gastrointestinal permeability in adult ruminants to test the consequences of stressing conditions on animal welfare. For this purpose, the most suitable time for blood sampling is between 2 and 8 h after the oral dosage of lactulose.

The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic and biochemical changes in plasma that occur in the reproductive rabbit doe close to the parturition, as well as if the number of offspring affects the metabolism and the health status of the doe. At −3, 4 and 12 days from parturition (–D3, D4, and D12, respectively) nine rabbit does at their third parity from a commercial hybrid line (HYPLUS PS 19) selected for high prolificacy were weighted and blood was collected for a wide inflammometabolic profile. According to the number of offspring the does were retrospectively divided in two groups: high litter size group (HI; n=5) and low litter size group (LO; n=4). BW was higher (P

Background and Purpose — The role of mild hyperhomocysteinemia as a risk factor for cerebral ischemia may depend on stroke subtype. To test this hypothesis, we undertook a prospective case-control study of a group of patients with spontaneous cervical artery dissection (sCAD), a group of patients with atherothrombotic stroke (non-CAD), and a group of control subjects. Methods — Fasting total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) concentration, C677T MTHFR genotype, and 844ins68bp CBS genotype were determined in 25 patients with sCAD, 31 patients Results — Median tHcy levels were significantly higher in patients with sCAD (13.2 μmol/L; range, 7 to 32.8 μmol/L) compared with control subjects (8.9 μmol/L; range, 5 to 17.3 μmol/L; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.52; P =0.006). Cases with tHcy concentration above the cutoff level of 12 μmol/L were significantly more represented in the group of patients with sCAD compared with control subjects (64% versus 13.9%; 95% CI, 2.25 to 44.23; P =0.003); a significant association between the MTHFR TT genotype and sCAD was also observed (36% versus 11.1%; 95% CI, 1.10 to 19.23; P =0.045). No significant difference in tHcy levels and in the prevalence of thermolabile MTHFR was found between patients with non-CAD ischemic stroke and control subjects and between patients with sCAD and non-CAD ischemic stroke. The distribution of the 844ins68bp CBS genotype and the prevalence of subjects carrying both the TT MTHFR and 844ins68bp CBS genotypes were not significantly different among the 3 groups. Conclusions — Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that increased plasma homocysteine levels and the TT MTHFR genotype may represent risk factors for sCAD. In contrast, their role in atherothrombotic strokes remains a contentious issue.

This study aimed to evaluate the influences of hybrids (HYB) and maturity stage (SAMP) on in vitro rumen digestibility of immature corn grain. Four HYB (Gigantic, Y43, Klips and 9575) from the FAO group 700 were grown under identical agronomic conditions. First sampling (T1) was done after 95 days from seedling and then 4, 8, 13, 18 and 27 days later (T2 to T6). In vitro starch digestibility (STD_7h) and gas production (72 h) were measured. Whole plant and grain dry matter (WP_DM and GR_DM, respectively) and zein content were significantly affected (P

Estimation of individual intakes in dairy cows would be beneficial to select animals according to efficiency of milk production. The n-alkanes technique has been used to estimate intake by dairy cows in free stall barns, limiting faecal samples to one or two per day, but diurnal variation in the ratio of dosed to natural alkanes in faeces represents a source of error. We aimed to adapt this technique to estimate feed intake on a large number of lactating dairy cows housed on commercial dairy farms. Using a change-over design, six lactating cows fed a TMR diet were given a dose of 0.5 g/day of C32 n-alkane administered once a day as a drench (DRE) or top fed (TP). Feed offered and refused were weighed daily. After the lead-in phases, faeces were collected at 0700 hours, 1400 hours and 1900 hours on the last 5 days of each dosing period. Dry matter intake (DMI) was estimated from C31, C33 and C32 concentrations in feeds and in faeces for each dosing system and sampling time. DMI estimated from C31 : C32 ratio was better correlated with measured individual DMI than estimates from C33 : C32 ratio. For DRE, the best correlation was for sampling at 1400 hours (R2 = 0.96, P < 0.001), but estimated DMI for the 1400 hours sampling was much higher than the actual DMI. For TP, the best correlation was for sampling at 0700 hours (R2 = 0.83, P < 0.001). Feeding C32 n-alkane and collecting faeces once a day at the same time (0700 hours) represents a valuable protocol to measure individual intake on a large number of animals.

RiassuntoVariazioni stagionali di alcune attivita enzimatiche del latte bovino. La ricerca e stata condotta presso un allevamento commerciale di bovine Frisone italiane. La prova e iniziata in marzo ed e terminata nel febbraio dell’anno successivo. I controlli hanno riguardato il latte di massa (ogni 15 giorni) ed il latte individuale (ogni mese) di 21 bovine equamente distribuite in tre diverse fasi della lattazione (30-60, 80-120 e 150-200 giorni di lattazione). Le analisi sul latte hanno riguardato i macrocomponenti, le cellule somatiche, il pH e l’acidita titolabile, l’affioramento del grasso, la lattodinamometria, la velocita di acidificazione, i tiocianati, l’attivita di lattoperossidasi, GOT, GGT e LDH. Per tutti i parametri controllati, con eccezione di grasso e lattoperossidasi, si sono osservate variazioni stagionali significative. Nella stagione estiva, oltre alle note variazioni nei macrocomponenti, acidita e parametri reologici, si sono osservati valori significativamente piu bassi di tiocian...

Field pea meals exposed to different treatments (flaking, extrusion, expansion, dry heating at 150°C/15’ or 30’, dry heating at 150°C/30’ after addition of 1% of xylose, 4% NaOH addition, microwave irradiation at 800 W for 6’ or 9’) were controlled for their 6 and 24 hours in vitro fermentability by the gas production (GP) technique. Flaking and extrusion accelerated initial fermentation but tended to reduce 24h GP, whereas dry heating and microwaves mainly improved final gas volume, but NaOH had the opposite effect. Apparent dry matter digestion at 6h was lowered by dry heating, NaOH addition and the shorter microwave irradiation. Xylose addition did not substantially change the effects of dry heating, but lowered the initial disappearance. Ammonia concentration was in general lowered by the treatments, suggesting a reduction in protein degradability but also a possible higher microbial uptake for protein synthesis. Microwave irradiation had limited effects on all the parameters. Dry heating, with or without xylose addition, seems interesting to increase rumen escaping protein fraction without accelerating starch fermentation that could expose to higher risks of rumen acidosis.

High environmental temperature induces physiological stress in rabbits leading to production losses, also because of their quite poor thermoregulation ability. Some consequences of heat stress affect digestive system functions, with impaired appetite, growth and feed conversion, but also with increased disease incidence. These effects can also reflect on the levels of some blood metabolites. Relatively few experimental works are available on the effects of high environmental temperature on the rabbit metabolic profile reared in commercial farms. The aim of this study was to study, in separate experiments, the effects of “fresh” spring and of “hot” summer temperatures on rabbits performance with particular attention to the behaviour of some metabolic parameters and of some aspects of the functionality of the digestive system.

With the aim to study the effect on milk yield and its traits of 2 different levels of fermentable carbohydrates (LS: 25.5%, and HS: 29.5% DM) combined with 2 protein levels (LP: 15.5% and HP: 16.5% DM), 4 Italian Friesian dairy cows in early lactation housed in a tied stall were used. The experimental diets were obtained adjusting in 4 supplements the proportion of high energy fibrous (beet pulp, soybean hull) or starchy (corn meal) feeds and of meal protein more (soybean meal) or less (Soy-Pass®: xylose-treated soybean meal) degradable. The highest DMI was observed in HSHP which showed also a low content of NDF. Milk yield resulted over 45 kg/d throughout the study and higher when HSHP diet was fed (46.1 kg). Milk fat was always at high level and the lowest value (3.89%) with HSHP and the highest (4.08%) with LSLP were observed. The diets did not modified milk protein (their average levels resulted of 3.25%) and lactose content. Milk acidity and renneting traits were higher when HSLP was fed, and resulted at adequate levels when all the diets were fed. When the diets for dairy cow are formulated to cover the animal requirements and respect their digestion physiology, it is possible to reach high milk yield level and maintaining, at the same time, a high milk quality .

Soluble sugars are thought to play an important role in the fermentation processes of the rumen but their actual fermentation rate has not been fully assessed. Some sugars are also used as markers to assess gut permeability in monogastrics but their use in ruminants can be compromised by the hydrolytic activity of rumen microflora. This study aimed to evaluate the fermentability of some naturally occurring and synthetic soluble sugars. The synthetic soluble sugars were included to verify their possible use as markers for studies of gut permeability in ruminants. In vitro gas and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production from glucose, fructose, xylose, galactose, sucrose, lactose, arabinose mannitol, lactulose and sucralose were measured in a 24 h-incubation trial using ruminal fluid from heifers adapted or not-adapted to additional sugars in the diet, and with caecal content as inocula. Gas production from the same sugars was further evaluated in a 72 h-incubation trial with not-adapted rumen fluid only. Gas and VFA production were not affected by feeding additional sugars, but significant effects of inocula (ruminal vs caecal), sugars and their interaction were observed. Caecal inoculum produced less gas but higher VFA than ruminal inocula. Fructose and glucose had the highest rates of gas production (10.57% h-1 and 10.42% h-1, respectively), and lactulose and mannitol the lowest (3.47% h-1 and 4.63% h-1, respectively) when fermented with ruminal fluid. Sucralose seemed to have a negative effect on microbial fermentations. Our results indicate that lactulose and mannitol might largely escape rumen fermentation, suggesting their possible use as markers to test gut permeability also in ruminants. This needs to be verified in vivo.

Effects of different periods of exposure to hot environments on rumen function, diet digestibility and digesta passage rate were studied in four adult notpregnant Sardinian ewes housed in a climatic chamber. The ewes were kept in individual metabolic cages. The trial lasted 83 days; 17 days were spent under thermal comfort conditions (TC) [temperature-humidity index (THI)=65.0±2.0], followed by 49 days under elevated THI (ETHI: THI=82.0±2.5) and 17 days under thermal comfort (TC; THI=65.0±1.0). Five digestibility and passage rate trials were carried out during the 83 days. Trials 1 and 5 were carried out under TC; trials 2, 3 and 4 were carried out under ETHI. Values of rectal temperatures (39.7±0.3°C) and respiratory rate (118.4±31.8 breaths/min) indicated that sheep under ETHI were heat-stressed. Heat stress caused an increase (P