Behavioral, productive, and reproductive aspects of the water buffalo in Mexico

Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) production in Mexico has generated particular interest in understanding the bases of the development of this species. As a result, alliances have emerged between scientific, governmental, industrial, and productive sectors and other organisms involved with this species nationally and internationally. We must recognize that thanks to specific anatomical characteristics, water buffaloes present a low incidence of complications during calving, though they are not exempt from obstetric and perinatological problems that can end in morbidity and mortality for mother and/or offspring, with losses for both branches of dual-purpose production systems: calves-milk and meat, and draft animals. This article analyzes scientific advances related to water buffalo production in Mexico, including productivity, thermoregulation, behavior, and physiology, and key subthemes like obstetric and perinatological handling, imprinting, milking, and dual-purpose production systems. It highlights features inherent to milk production and the neurophysiological and metabolic processes involved in obtaining meat and milk. Finally, it presents a brief overview of current legislation and summarizes key areas of opportunity.(AU)

Thermal biology in river buffalo in the humid tropics: neurophysiological and behavioral responses assessed by infrared thermography

The present review aims to analyze the effect of extremely hot climates on the neurophysiological responses of thermal control and behavior in the river buffalo. Understanding thermal neuromodulation and its effects on the buffalo's behavior is of central importance, for this will allow us to make better decisions in terms of improving the level of welfare of buffaloes living in environments characterized by extreme heat, such as the humid tropics. The thermoregulation process involves a complex mechanism that begins with the integration of peripheral signals that are sent to the lateral parabrachial nucleus of the brainstem and then to the preoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus to generate physiological variations such as vasodilatation to dissipate heat under conditions of thermal stress, or vasoconstriction to conserve heat upon the perception of cold stimuli. The thermal biology of the river buffalo is based on several different adaptation mechanisms. The infrared thermography (IRT) technique will be of great help in this area because it permits the detection of vascular microcirculation changes in different thermal windows under adverse climatic conditions. Although buffaloes are classified as rustic animals, it is important to take into account their morpho-physiology and thermoregulation mechanisms to prevent thermal stress and the resulting poor welfare and reduced productivity. However, if appropriate thermoregulation facilities are provided (i.e., ponds, pools, potholes, or swampy areas), buffaloes can properly thermoregulate and tolerate high ambient temperatures. Therefore, they may represent a good option and an appropriate animal-based enterprise under climate change and global warming conditions.(AU)

Thermal biology in river buffalo in the humid tropics: neurophysiological and behavioral responses assessed by infrared thermography

The present review aims to analyze the effect of extremely hot climates on the neurophysiological responses of thermal control and behavior in the river buffalo. Understanding thermal neuromodulation and its effects on the buffalo's behavior is of central importance, for this will allow us to make better decisions in terms of improving the level of welfare of buffaloes living in environments characterized by extreme heat, such as the humid tropics. The thermoregulation process involves a complex mechanism that begins with the integration of peripheral signals that are sent to the lateral parabrachial nucleus of the brainstem and then to the preoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus to generate physiological variations such as vasodilatation to dissipate heat under conditions of thermal stress, or vasoconstriction to conserve heat upon the perception of cold stimuli. The thermal biology of the river buffalo is based on several different adaptation mechanisms. The infrared thermography (IRT) technique will be of great help in this area because it permits the detection of vascular microcirculation changes in different thermal windows under adverse climatic conditions. Although buffaloes are classified as rustic animals, it is important to take into account their morpho-physiology and thermoregulation mechanisms to prevent thermal stress and the resulting poor welfare and reduced productivity. However, if appropriate thermoregulation facilities are provided (i.e., ponds, pools, potholes, or swampy areas), buffaloes can properly thermoregulate and tolerate high ambient temperatures. Therefore, they may represent a good option and an appropriate animal-based enterprise under climate change and global warming conditions.

Effect of pre-slaughter confinement stress on physicochemical parameters of chicken meat / Efeito do estresse no confinamento pré-abate sobre os parâmetros físico-químicos da carne de frango

The effect of pre-slaughter lairage stress on biogenic amines, pH, and color with the CIELab system (where three variables L*, a*, b* are estimated: L* for lightness, a* defines redness, and b* defines yellowness) in chicken breast meat was investigated. Before slaughtering, 25 broilers were selected and divided into five groups according to lairage holding time (30 min or 3 h), day/night schedule (daylight or nighttime) and control (no lairage). After slaughtering, breasts (M. Pectoralis major) were removed, stored for 9 days at 4 °C, and analyzed every 3 days. The results showed a pH decrease during nighttime holding. Also, a three-hour pre-slaughter holding (daytime or night) resulted in high biogenic amine concentration, increase in lightness (L*), and reduction in redness (a*) during storage. Cadaverine concentration showed a rapid increase from day 6 onward. The time and schedule of chicken lairage is a pre-slaughter stress factor that affects meat quality. Based on these observations, it is recommended to slaughter chickens immediately on arrival at the processing plants.

Foi avaliado o efeito do estresse produzido pelo tempo de espera pré-abate sobre a produção de aminas biogênicas, pH e cor pelo sistema CIELab (onde três variáveis L*, a*, b* foram determinadas: L* indica a luminosidade, a* indica o vermelho e b* determina o amarelo) na carne de peito de frango. Antes do abate 25 frangos de carne foram selecionados e divididos em cinco grupos conforme o tempo de espera pré-abate (30 min ou 3 h), programação dia/noite (diurno ou noturno) e controle (sem tempo de espera). Após abate, os peitos (M. Pectoralis major) foram separados, estocados por 9 dias a 4°C, e analisados cada 3 dias. Os resultados evidenciaram uma redução do pH nas aves que aguardaram o abate na noite. Além disso durante a estocagem incrementou-se os valores de aminas biogênicas e da luminosidade (L*) e houve redução dos teores de vermelhos (a*) no tempo de espera de três horas (diurno ou noturno). As concentrações da cadaverina incrementaram-se a partir do dia 6 de estocagem. O tempo e horário de espera em frangos de carne pode é um fator de estresse pré-abate que afeta a qualidade da carne. Contudo, é recomendável realizar o abate dos frangos imediatamente após de sua chegada ao centro de abate.

Effect of pre-slaughter confinement stress on physicochemical parameters of chicken meat / Efeito do estresse no confinamento pré-abate sobre os parâmetros físico-químicos da carne de frango

The effect of pre-slaughter lairage stress on biogenic amines, pH, and color with the CIELab system (where three variables L*, a*, b* are estimated: L* for lightness, a* defines redness, and b* defines yellowness) in chicken breast meat was investigated. Before slaughtering, 25 broilers were selected and divided into five groups according to lairage holding time (30 min or 3 h), day/night schedule (daylight or nighttime) and control (no lairage). After slaughtering, breasts (M. Pectoralis major) were removed, stored for 9 days at 4 °C, and analyzed every 3 days. The results showed a pH decrease during nighttime holding. Also, a three-hour pre-slaughter holding (daytime or night) resulted in high biogenic amine concentration, increase in lightness (L*), and reduction in redness (a*) during storage. Cadaverine concentration showed a rapid increase from day 6 onward. The time and schedule of chicken lairage is a pre-slaughter stress factor that affects meat quality. Based on these observations, it is recommended to slaughter chickens immediately on arrival at the processing plants.(AU)

Foi avaliado o efeito do estresse produzido pelo tempo de espera pré-abate sobre a produção de aminas biogênicas, pH e cor pelo sistema CIELab (onde três variáveis L*, a*, b* foram determinadas: L* indica a luminosidade, a* indica o vermelho e b* determina o amarelo) na carne de peito de frango. Antes do abate 25 frangos de carne foram selecionados e divididos em cinco grupos conforme o tempo de espera pré-abate (30 min ou 3 h), programação dia/noite (diurno ou noturno) e controle (sem tempo de espera). Após abate, os peitos (M. Pectoralis major) foram separados, estocados por 9 dias a 4°C, e analisados cada 3 dias. Os resultados evidenciaram uma redução do pH nas aves que aguardaram o abate na noite. Além disso durante a estocagem incrementou-se os valores de aminas biogênicas e da luminosidade (L*) e houve redução dos teores de vermelhos (a*) no tempo de espera de três horas (diurno ou noturno). As concentrações da cadaverina incrementaram-se a partir do dia 6 de estocagem. O tempo e horário de espera em frangos de carne pode é um fator de estresse pré-abate que afeta a qualidade da carne. Contudo, é recomendável realizar o abate dos frangos imediatamente após de sua chegada ao centro de abate.(AU)