Transcriptomic Analysis of Newborn Hanwoo Calves: Effects of Maternal Overnutrition during Mid- to Late Pregnancy on Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue and Liver.

This study investigated the transcriptomic responses of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and liver in newborn Hanwoo calves subjected to maternal overnutrition during mid- to late gestation. Eight Hanwoo cows were randomly assigned to control and treatment groups. The treatment group received a diet of 4.5 kg of concentrate and 6.5 kg of rice straw daily, resulting in intake levels of 8.42 kg DMI, 5.69 kg TDN, and 0.93 kg CP-higher than the control group (6.07 kg DMI, 4.07 kg TDN, and 0.65 kg CP), with respective NEm values of 9.56 Mcal and 6.68 Mcal. Following birth, newly born calves were euthanized humanely as per ethical guidelines, and SAT and liver samples from newborn calves were collected for RNA extraction and analysis. RNA sequencing identified 192 genes that were differentially expressed in the SAT (17 downregulated and 175 upregulated); notably, HSPA6 emerged as the most significantly upregulated gene in the SAT and as the singular upregulated gene in the liver (adj-p value < 0.05). Additionally, differential gene expression analysis highlighted extensive changes across genes associated with adipogenesis, fibrogenesis, and stress response. The functional enrichment pathway and protein-protein interaction (PPI) unraveled the intricate networks and biological processes impacted by overnutrition, including extracellular matrix organization, cell surface receptor signaling, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. These findings underscore maternal overnutrition's substantial influence on developmental pathways, suggesting profound cellular modifications with potential lasting effects on health and productivity. Despite the robust insights that are provided, the study's limitations (sample size) underscore the necessity for further research.

Effect of Lupin Supplementation on the Growth, Carcass, and Meat Characteristics of Late-Fattening Hanwoo Steers.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of lupin flake supplementation on the growth, plasma parameters, carcass characteristics, and meat composition of late-fattening Hanwoo steers. The steers (n = 40) were randomly divided into the four groups with 10 steers each: LP0 (lupin flake 0%), LP3 (lupin flake 3%), LP6 (lupin flake 6%), and LP9 (lupin flake 9%). The total digestible nutriant intake increased as the concentration of lupin increased (linear and quadratic effects; p < 0.05). The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance content in the strip loins decreased as lupin flake supplementation levels increased (linear and quadratic effects; p < 0.05), while carnosine levels increased linearly (p < 0.05). As the lupin flake supplementation level increased, anserine and creatinine contents increased linearly and quadratically (p < 0.05). Similarly, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) content increased with increasing lupin flake supplementation levels in linear and quadratic effects (p < 0.001). Palmitoleic acid content increased significantly with increasing lupin flake supplementation level (linear and quadratic effects; p < 0.05). The content of oleic acid in the strip loin was not significant, but the unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) (p < 0.05) and n-6/n-3 ratio (p < 0.05) increased. The results of this study indicated that although lupin flake supplementation did not markedly affect the growth, carcass characteristics, or meat composition of late-fattening Hanwoo steers, it exerted a positive effect on the flavor, taste profiles (anserine, creatinine, ATP, and AMP), hypotonicity (TBARS), and healthy meat production (UFA and n-6/n-3 ratio) related to beef.

Effects of mid-to-late prepartum feed supplementation in Hanwoo beef cows on their performance, blood metabolites, and the carcass characteristics and metabolites of their neonatal calves.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the implications of supplementary nutrition during the mid-to-late pregnancy on various parameters in Hanwoo cows and their subsequent neonatal calves. Materials and methods: Eight Hanwoo cows in their first parity were divided into two groups. The control group (C, 100%) received 3kg of concentrate and 5kg of rice straw throughout the pregnancy period, while the treatment group (T, 150%) increased their diet during mid-to-late pregnancy. Both performance assessments and blood metabolite analyses were performed for the pregnant cows. Neonatal calves were subjected to morphometric evaluations, blood sampling, and detailed morphometric analyses of carcasses and gastrointestinal components. Results: Performance indices of the cows showed that both Pregnancy Period (PregP) and Body Condition Score (BCS) were significantly improved with supplemental feeding (p <0.05). Improvements in Body Weight (BW) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were not statistically significant. Blood metabolite analysis for the cows revealed decreased levels of triglycerides (TGLate), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFALate), and progesterone (P4Late), with a notable increase in glucose (GluLate) levels (p <0.01). In the neonatal calves, anatomical metrics of the gastrointestinal tissues showed increased Omasum Width (OmasWdth) values in the supplemented group (p =0.053). There was significant increase of papillae and villus lengths in the rumen and small intestine (p <0.01 and p <0.05, respectively). Morphometric evaluations displayed longer body lengths (BLnth) and larger chest width (ChestWdth) in the treated calves (p <0.05 and p <0.01, respectively). Carcass characteristics showed no substantial variations between the groups, while blood analysis in the calves revealed decreased GPT levels in the nutritionally supplemented group (p<0.05). Discussion: The findings indicate that supplementing the diets of Hanwoo cows during mid-to-late pregnancy leads to significant changes in select maternal blood metabolites and influences specific anatomical and morphometric features in neonatal calves, all without significant shifts in carcass attributes.

Study on the rumen fermentation, growth performance and carcass characteristics according to the supplementation of lupin flake in Hanwoo steers.

This study was conducted to determine the rumen fermentation dynamics of lupin flakes and elucidate the effects of lupin flake supplementation on the growth performance, blood metabolites, and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo steers. In vitro and in situ trials of lupin grains and lupin flakes were conducted using three Hanwoo cows with rumen fistulas. The feeding trial included 40 early-fattening Hanwoo steers randomly divided into four groups: control, T1, T2, and T3. Their formula feed contained 0%, 3%, 6%, and 9% lupin flakes, respectively. In vitro rumen pH and ammonia concentrations were lower in the lupin flake group than in the lupin grain group after 6 and 24 h of incubation, respectively (p < 0.05). Concentrations of propionate, butyrate, and total volatile fatty acids were higher in the lupin flake group than in the lupin grain group after 12 h of incubation (p < 0.05), as was the crude protein disappearance rate at 9 and 12 h of rumen fermentation (p < 0.05). Supplementation with lupin flakes did not affect the average daily gain. Compared to that in the control group, dry matter intake was lower in the lupin flake-supplemented groups (p < 0.05); the feed conversion ratio was lower in T2 and T3 (p < 0.05); and plasma total protein concentration in 29-month-old steers was lower in T1 and T3 (p < 0.05). Plasma triglyceride concentration was lower in the lupin flake-supplemented groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). The incidence rate of yield grade A was higher in T1 and T2 than in the control group; the incidence rate of meat quality 1+ grade or higher was highest in T2. The carcass auction price was higher in T2 than in the other groups. Overall, compared to whole lupin grains, lupin flakes seem to more substantially affect rumen ammonia concentrations and crude protein disappearance rate. Additionally, we suggest that supplementation with 6% lupin flake formula feed exerts positive effects on the feed conversion ratio, yield grade, and quality grade of Hanwoo steers.

Effect of ionized calcium on bacteria contamination in chicken carcass under slaughter process.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ionized calcium on bacteria cross contamination on chicken carcass and meat during the slaughter process. Compared to the control group, colony of E. coli was not observed on medium containing 0.5% ionized calcium. Cross contamination of bacteria on carcass surface of fresh chicken was increased as the number of scalding was increased. Cross contamination of bacteria on carcass surface of fresh chicken was lower in the 0.5% ionized calcium scalding treatment group than that in the control group. Bacteria colony count on chicken meat surface after cooling water treatment was increased as the storage period was increased. Bacteria colony count was lower in the 0.5% ionized calcium treatment group than that in the control group.

Effect of stocking density on behavioral traits, blood biochemical parameters and immune responses in meat ducks exposed to heat stress.

High stocking density (HSD) and heat stress (HS) caused by climate change can lower blood homeostasis and negatively impact the behavioral traits of animals. The objective of this study was to explore the influence of stocking densities on behavioral traits, blood parameters, immune responses, and stress hormones in meat ducks (Cherry valley, Anas platyrhynchos) exposed to HS. A total of 320 meat ducks were assigned to four groups with different stocking densities using a randomized complete block design. The ducks were then reared for 42 days. The assigned density groups were as follows: (1) control group (CON, three birds m - 2 , normal environmental heat conditions); (2) low stocking density (LSD, three birds m - 2 , heat stress conditions); (3) medium stocking density (MSD, four birds m - 2 , heat stress conditions); and (4) high stocking density (HSD, six birds m - 2 , heat stress conditions). To induce HS, the environment of the poultry house was set to a temperature of 34 ± 2 ∘ C with a relative humidity of 70 % from 11:00 to 16:00 for the finisher period (from day 22 to day 42 of the rearing period). Concentrations of blood triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were higher in the HS groups compared with the CON group, with HSD showing the highest levels ( P < 0.05 ). The concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and glucose were lower in the HSD groups than in the CON group ( P < 0.05 ). Red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) counts were lower in HS groups compared with the CON group, with the HSD group displaying the lowest counts ( P < 0.05 ). Blood pH values were also higher in the HS groups than in the CON group, with the highest values observed in the HSD group ( P < 0.05 ). Concentrations of blood p CO 2 , HCO 3 , and T CO 2 were higher in the HS groups than in the CON group, with HSD showing the lowest levels ( P < 0.05 ). The concentration of PO 2 was higher in CON than in any of the HS groups, with the lowest levels found in the HSD group ( P < 0.05 ). The concentrations of blood IgG and corticosterone were increased in the HS groups compared with the CON group ( P < 0.05 ). Animal behavioral trait scores were also higher in HS groups than in the CON group ( P < 0.05 ); these scores were the highest in the HSD group. Overall, animal behavioral traits, blood biochemical parameters, and immune responses in meat ducks exposed to heat stress were highest in the HSD group, but not significantly different between the LSD or MSD groups.