The present study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of previous equations for estimating gross energy (GE) in feed ingredients and to develop the novel equations. A total of 2,279 ingredient samples consisted of barley (n = 58), corn (n = 319), corn distillers dried grains with solubles (n = 13), corn gluten feed (n = 583), copra expellers (n = 156), copra meal (n = 234), cottonseed meal (n = 12), palm kernel expellers (n = 504), rapeseed meal (n = 114), soybean meal (n = 138), wheat (n = 70), and wheat bran (n = 78) were analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber, ash, and GE. The 2,279 ingredient samples were used for evaluating the previous equations and developing novel equations. Using data from 62 ingredients in the swine NRC (2012), the old equations and the novel equations were evaluated. Based on the evaluation using 2,279 samples, the equation developed by Ewan (1989) underestimates GE by 218 kcal/kg DM (standard error = 4 and p<0.001) on average and underestimates more for low-GE ingredients (linear bias = -0.121; standard error = 0.025 and p<0.001). The equation reported by Sauvant et al. (2004) also underestimates GE by 135 kcal/kg DM (standard error = 4 and p<0.001) on average. Novel equations for estimating GE concentration (kcal/kg DM) in feeds were developed: GE = 4,299+7×CP+53×EE, with R2 = 0.342 and p<0.001; GE = 4,341+11×CP+54×EE-24×ash, with R2 = 0.372 and p<0.001, where all independent variables are in % DM. In the validation using 62 feed ingredients in the NRC publication, the equations developed in the present study were accurate whereas the previous equations were not. The novel equations developed in the present study fairly accurately estimate gross energy concentrations in concentrate feeds.

This study aimed to develop an enhanced model for predicting pork freshness by integrating hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and chemometric analysis. A total of 30 Longissimus thoracis samples from three sows were stored under vacuum conditions at 4°C±2°C for 27 days to acquire data. The freshness prediction model for pork loin employed partial least squares regression (PLSR) with Monte Carlo data augmentation. Total bacterial count (TBC) and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), which exhibited increases correlating with metabolite changes during storage, were designated as freshness indicators. Metabolic contents of the sample were quantified using nuclear magnetic resonance. A total of 64 metabolites were identified, with 34 and 35 showing high correlations with TBC and VBN, respectively. Lysine and malate for TBC (R2 = 0.886) and methionine and niacinamide for VBN (R2 = 0.909) were identified as the main metabolites in each indicator by Model 1. Model 2 predicted main metabolites using HSI spectral data. Model 3, which predicted freshness indicators with HSI spectral data, demonstrated high prediction coefficients; TBC R2p = 0.7220 and VBN R2p = 0.8392. Furthermore, the combination model (Model 4), utilizing HSI spectral data and predicted metabolites from Model 2 to predict freshness indicators, improved the prediction coefficients compared to Model 3; TBC R2p = 0.7583 and VBN R2p = 0.8441. Combining HSI spectral data with metabolites correlated to the meat freshness may elucidate why certain HSI spectra indicate meat freshness and prove to be more effective in predicting the freshness state of pork loin compared to using only HSI spectral data.

Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) is an aminotransferase responsible for the biosynthesis of aspartate by using aspartic acid and glutamine. ASNS is highly expressed in fast-growing broilers, but few studies have reported the regulatory role of ASNS in muscle development. To explore the function of ASNS in chicken muscle development, the expression of ASNS in different chicken breeds and tissues were first performed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Then, using real-time quantitative RT-PCR, western blot, EdU assay, cell cycle assay and immunofluorescence, the effects of ASNS on the proliferation and differentiation of chicken skeletal muscle satellite cell (SMSC) were investigated. Finally, potential mechanisms by which ASNS influences chicken muscle fiber differentiation were identified through RNA-Seq. The mRNA expression pattern of ASNS in muscles mirrors trends in muscle fiber cross-sectional area, average daily weight gain, and muscle weight across different breeds. ASNS knockdown inhibited SMSC proliferation, while overexpression showed the opposite. Moreover, ASNS attenuated SMSC differentiation by activating the adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. Additionally, 5-aminoimidazole4-carboxamide1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR) treatment suppressed the cell differentiation induced by siRNA-ASNS. RNA-Seq identified 1,968 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) during chicken SMSC differentiation when overexpression ASNS. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that these DEGs primarily participated in 8 biological processes, 8 cellular components, and 4 molecular functions. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis identified several significantly enriched signaling pathways, such as the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. ASNS promotes proliferation while inhibits the differentiation of chicken SMSCs. This study provides a theoretical basis for studying the role of ASNS in muscle development.

ObjectiveIn this study, we investigated the effects of heat stress (HS) on rumen fermentation, blood parameters, and ruminal microbial communities in mid-lactating Holstein dairy cows in Korea.MethodsOur study involved 12 mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows aged 55.54 months with 2.5±0.65 parities and 100 to 200 days in milking (DIM), fed a total mixed ratio diet. Samples were collected during HS (temperature-humidity index [THI] = 81.69) and recovery (RC) period (THI 69.84). The samples were analyzed for rumen fermentation, blood parameters, heat shock proteins, and microbial communities in dairy cows.ResultsThe milk yield, milk fat, milk protein, and milk urea nitrogen levels differed significantly between two-time points (p<0.05). Rumen pH and volatile fatty acid concentrations, the pH was not significantly different (p = 0.619) between HS and RC periods; however, the ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) levels increased during HS period ), however, there was no significant difference (p>0.05). Blood total protein significantly increased during HS period compared with that during RC period (p<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in other parameters between the two periods. HSP27, HSP70, and HSP90 increased in dairy cows under HS conditions compared with those during the RC period. Taxonomic classification revealed that Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes dominated the bacterial community. PERMANOVA and PERMDISP showed significant differences in rumen bacterial diversity between HS and RC periods, based on Unifrac metrics (p = 0.044 and p = 0.015, respectively), indicating taxonomic variations. Microbial networks with correlations of >0.8 (p<0.05) showed a complex structure with equal positive and negative connections, indicating Anaerohabdus furcosa and Ruminiclostridium cellobioparum as key species during the HS and RC periods respectively.ConclusionHS significantly impacts Holstein dairy cows’ physiological and metabolic processes, altering rumen fermentation, blood biochemistry, and gut microbiota during mid-lactation.

Green nanotechnology is an emerging field of research in recent decades with rapidly growing interest. This integrates green chemistry with green engineering to avoid using toxic chemicals in the synthesis of organic nanomaterials. Green nanotechnology would create a huge potential for the use of nanoparticles for more sustainable utilization in improving animal health. Nanoparticles can be synthesised by physical, chemical and biological processes. Traditional methods for physical and chemical synthesis of nanoparticles are toxic to humans, animals and environmental health, which limits their usefulness. Green synthesis of nanoparticles via biological processes and their application in animal health could maximize the benefits of nanotechnology in terms of enhancing food animal health and production as well as minimize the undesirable impacts on Planetary Health. Recent advances in nanotechnology have meant different nanomaterials, especially those from metal sources, are now available for use in nanomedicine. Metal nanoparticles are one of the most widely researched in green nanotechnology, and the number of articles on this subject in food animal production is growing. Therefore, research on metal nanoparticles using green technologies have utmost importance. In this review, we report the recent advancement of green synthesized metal nanoparticles in terms of their utilization in monogastric animal health, elucidate the research gap in this field and provide recommendations for future prospects.

ObjectiveThis study evaluated the effects of dietary sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) supplementation on eggshell quality, uterine ion transportation, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis.MethodsA total of 432 48-wk-old Hy-line Brown laying hens were randomly divided into 6 dietary treatments with 8 replicates of 9 birds each. The experimental laying hens were fed the corn-soybean meal diets (containing 0.15% NaCl) supplemented with 0.22%, 0.37%, 0.52%, 0.68%, 0.83%, or 0.99% Na2SO4 for 12 weeks.ResultsResults showed that the eggshell breaking strength and eggshell ratio significantly increased in the 0.68% Na2SO4 group at the end of wk 56 and wk 60 (p<0.05). In addition, eggshell thickness and weight significantly increased in the 0.68% Na2SO4 group at the end of wk 60 (p<0.05). Eggshell calcium content in the 0.68% Na2SO4 group was higher than that of 0.22% and 0.99% groups (p<0.001). The concentrations of K+ and Ca2+ in the uterine fluid were significantly greater in the 0.68% group than in the other groups (p<0.05). Dietary Na2SO4 increased the gene expression of SLC8A1, SCNN1A, ATP1B1, and KCNMA1 quadratically in the uterus (p<0.05), and higher values were observed in 0.68% group. Additionally, the GAG contents of the eggshell, and ATP-sulfurylase, sulfotransferase, chondroitin sulfate, and dermatan sulfate contents of the isthmus increased linearly with the increment of dietary Na2SO4 (p<0.05). There was a remarkable reduction in mammillary knob width, mammillary thickness, and the percentage of the mammillary layer (p<0.05), and an increment in mammillary knob density, effective thickness, and total thickness in the 0.68% group compared with the 0.22% and 0.99% groups (p<0.05).ConclusionOverall, there was no dose-related difference with the increment of dietary Na2SO4 levels. The addition of 0.68% Na2SO4 in the corn-soybean basal diet (0.15% Cl) regulated uterine ion transport, increased GAG contents of eggshell, and improved eggshell ultrastructure and quality.

This study aimed to examine the impact of cupric citrate on broilers and compare it with the copper sulfate groups and a control group. A total of 360 1-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned into 5 groups, each with 6 replicates of 12 broilers per treatment. The control group was fed a basal diet without any copper supplementation. In contrast, the other groups received basal diets supplemented with either 50 mg/kg (CS-50) or 100 mg/kg (CS-100) of copper in the form of copper sulfate, or 50 mg/kg (CC-50) or 100 mg/kg (CC-100) of copper in the form of cupric citrate, for a period of 42 days. The results showed that copper supplementation affected the average daily gain (ADG) from day 1 to 21 (p = 0.026) and day 1 to 42 (p = 0.025) in a source-dependent manner. Copper source also influenced the energy digestibility (p = 0.004), with the CC-100 being the most effective treatment. Notably, birds in the CC-100 groups had significantly reduced concentrations of Escherichia coli (p<0.05) in the cecum, and the Lactobacillus in the ileum, compared to the control group. Dietary copper supplementation also increased the pH in the duodenum (p<0.05) irrespective of the sources and levels. In addition, the source of copper affected the activities of ceruloplasmin (p = 0.014) and CuZn superoxide dismutase (p = 0.025) in the serum, with the CC-100 group showing the highest levels of both enzymes. Copper supplementation generally improves the growth, nutrient utilization, intestinal microflora, gastrointestinal pH, and antioxidant defences of broilers. Moreover, cupric citrate is as effective as copper sulfate even at equal or lower concentrations.

ObjectiveThe objective of this research was to identify the metabolite compounds and health-promoting properties of goat meat fermented sausages containing different amounts of fig and pineapple powder (0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5%), which are presented by F1, F2, F3 and P1, P2, P3, separately.MethodsFermented sausages were manufactured from the lean meat of female goats. The samples extracted from the goat meat fermented sausages were evaluated for their metabolite compounds, antioxidants, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity.ResultsThe results showed that the diphenyl picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity were the highest in F3 (p<0.05), whereas the hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity was the highest in P3 (p<0.05). In addition, F3 and F2 showed the highest superoxide anion radical scavenging activity (p<0.05), whereas F3 and P3 showed the highest copper chelating activity (p<0.05). Based on the metabolite compounds, hydrophobic amino acids, aromatic amino acids, and bitter amino acids were abundant in F3. Both F3 and P3 contained high concentrations of umami-producing compounds.ConclusionThe incorporation of 0.5% fig powder into goat meat fermented sausage showed improved biological activities based on metabolite compounds.

Genomic studies of diseases can be divided into two types: i) analyses that reveal causal genes by focusing on linkage disequilibrium between observed and causal variants and ii) those that simultaneously assess numerous genetic markers to estimate the polygenic effects of a particular genomic region or entire genome. The field of human genetics has emphasized the discovery of causal genes, but these represent only a fraction of the total genetic variance. Therefore, alternative approaches, such as the polygenic risk score, which estimates the genetic risk for a given trait or disease based on all genetic markers (rather than on known causal variants only), have begun to garner attention. In many respects, these human genetic methods are similar to those originally developed for the estimation of breeding values (i.e., total additive genetic effects) in livestock. However, despite these similarities in methods, the fields of human and animal genetics still differ markedly in terms of research objectives, target populations, and other characteristics. For example, livestock populations have continually been selected and inbred throughout their history; consequently, their effective population size has shrunk and preferred genes (such as those influencing disease resistance and production traits) have accumulated in the modern breeding populations. By examining the characteristics of these two fields, particularly from the perspectives of disease and disease resistance, this review aims to improve understanding of the intrinsic differences between genomic studies using human compared with livestock populations.

ObjectiveThe remarkable adaptability to the environment, high growth rate, meat with good taste and aroma, and ornamental appearance of the Pradu Hang Dam (PDH) and Samae Dam (SD) chickens make them valuable for improvement of poultry production to enhance food security. However, despite their close phenotypic similarity, distinct classification of PDH and SD chickens remains controversial. Thus, this study aimed to clarify genetic origins and variation between PDH and SD chickens, genetic diversity and structures of PDH and SD chickens.MethodsThis study analyzed 5 populations of PDH and 2 populations of SD chickens using 28 microsatellite markers and compared with those of other indigenous and local chicken breeds using Thailand’s “The Siam Chicken Bioresource Project” database.ResultsConsiderably high genetic variability was observed within PDH (370 total alleles; 4.086±0.312 alleles/locus) and SD chickens (179 total alleles; 3.607±0.349 alleles/locus). A partial overlap of gene pools was observed between SD chickens from the Department of Livestock, Uthai Thani (SD1) and PDH chickens, suggesting a potentially close relationship between the two chicken breeds. A gene pool that partially overlapped with that of the red junglefowl was observed in the SD chicken population from the Sanhawat Farm Uthai Thani population (SD2). Distinct subclusters were observed within SD chickens, indicating the possibility that genetic differentiation occurred early in the process of establishment of SD chickens.ConclusionThese findings could offer valuable insights into genetic verification of Thai local chicken breeds and their sustainable conservation and utilization.