In vitro effect of nerve growth factor on the main traits of rabbit sperm.

BACKGROUND: The nerve growth factor (NGF), a member of the neurotrophins family, plays an important role not only in the nervous but also in other non-nervous systems such as the reproductive system. The aim of the paper is to study the in vitro effect of NGF on rabbit sperm functions. METHODS: Ten adult rabbit bucks were collected five times, and pooled semen samples have been analysed. NGF was quantified in seminal plasma, and the distribution of NGF receptors (TrKA and p75NTR) in sperm was established. Moreover, the dose-effect of NGF on motility rate and track speed was evaluated. Successively, the effect of the neutralisation of NGF receptors was assessed to verify the specific role of each receptor. Untreated sperm were used as control. RESULTS: Our study identified several interesting results: i) We detected NGF in seminal plasma and TrKA and p75NTR in sperm surface. In particular, TrKA is localised in the head and p75NTR in the midpiece and tail of rabbit sperm. ii) Once the optimal dose of NGF (100 ng/mL) was established, its addition affected both kinetics and other physiological traits (capacitation, apoptosis and necrosis) of rabbit sperm. (iii) The neutralisation of TrKA and p75NTR receptors affected sperm traits differently. In particular, sperm speed, apoptosis and capacitation seemed mainly modulated via p75NTR receptor, whereas motile, live cells, necrosis and acrosome reaction were modulated via TrKA. CONCLUSION: For the first time, we showed the presence of p75NTR in rabbit sperm. NGF affects kinetic and other physiological traits of rabbit sperm. Most of these changes are modulated by the receptors involved (TrKA or p75NTR). Considering that some seminal disorders in human have been correlated with a lower NGF concentration and no studies have been done on the possible involvement of NGF receptors, these findings also provide new insights on human fertility.

Effect of heat- and freeze-drying treatments on phytochemical content and fatty acid profile of alfalfa and flax sprouts.

BACKGROUND: Fresh sprouts are healthy foods, low in fats and high in phytochemicals, but have a short shelf-life, hence the need for processing methods that preserve their nutritional value. This work was aimed at evaluating the effect of heat-drying (HD) and freeze-drying (FD) on the phytochemical and fatty acid profiles of alfalfa and flax sprouts, as compared to fresh material. RESULTS: Both FD and HD reduced the phytochemical contents compared to fresh sprouts. FD better preserved phytoestrogens, phytosterols and total tocols compared to HD. However, phytoestrogen and tocol content remained quite high also in HD. The fatty acid profile was affected only by sprouts species, with higher amounts of α-linolenic acid in flax and linoleic acid in alfalfa sprouts. CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrates that drying does not severely compromise the nutritional value of sprouts and provides a valid support for the choice of the drying method depending on the compound to be preserved, and taking into consideration the different cost of the methods. In addition, sprout powder is easy to handle and, due to its low volume, does not imply a decrease of feed consumption and energy intake, which is relevant in its use as a supplement in human and animal feeding. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

The effects of husbandry system on the grass intake and egg nutritive characteristics of laying hens.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of husbandry system and season on the grass intake and egg quality in laying hens considering that characteristics of organic eggs obtained in a system with no grass in the external area are similar conventional ones. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty Ancona hens were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group (C), with the hens kept in cages under standard housing conditions; the organic group (O), with the hens kept under an organic production system (4 m² per hen) and the organic-plus group (OP), with the hens maintained under organic conditions but with a larger grass paddock availability (10 m² per hen). The estimated intake of forage, carotenoids and flavonoids of the OP hens was very high as the amounts deposited in eggs, mainly in the spring season. The fatty acid composition of the yolk was significantly affected by pasture. The OP eggs showed lower concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) n-6 and a higher percentage of PUFA n-3. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the grass intake was largely affected by the husbandry system and highlighted the seasonal effect of grass availability on the nutritional quality of eggs produced in organic systems.

The Healthy Fatty Index Allows for Deeper Insights into the Lipid Composition of Foods of Animal Origin When Compared with the Atherogenic and Thrombogenicity Indexes.

The aim of this research was to validate the effectiveness of the Healthy Fatty Index (HFI) regarding some foods of animal origin (meat, processed, fish, milk products, and eggs) typical of the Western diet and to compare these results with two consolidated indices (atherogenic-AI, and thrombogenic-TI) in the characterization of the nutritional features of their lipids. The fatty acids profile (% of total fatty acids and mg/100 g) of 60 foods, grouped in six subclasses, was used. The AI, TI, and HFI indexes were calculated, and the intraclass correlation coefficients and the degree of agreement were evaluated using different statistical approaches. The results demonstrated that HFI, with respect to AI and TI, seems better able to consider the complexity of the fatty acid profile and the different fat contents. HFI and AI are the two most diverse indices, and they can provide different food classifications. AI and IT exhibit only a fair agreement in regards to food classification, confirming that such indexes are always to be considered indissolubly and never separately, in contrast to the HFI, which can stand alone.

Pro-Atherogenic and Pro-Oxidant Diets Influence Semen and Blood Traits of Rabbit Bucks.

Many dietary factors can affect sperm traits. We compared the effect of diets rich in pro-oxidant (flaxseed oil) and pro-atherogenic (coconut oil) substances without added antioxidants on semen traits, using the rabbit as an animal model. Thirty rabbit bucks (8 months old) were fed three diets for 150 days: CNT (control) a standard diet; HA (high-atherogenic) standard diet + 3% coconut oil, and HO (high-oxidizing) standard diet + 3% flaxseed oil. Semen samples were collected weekly for the evaluation of qualitative traits (kinetics, viability) and the oxidative damage (MDA and cytokines). Blood was collected at the start (T0) and end (T8) of the experimental period for the assessment of the oxidative damage (MDA and isoprostanoids), lipid profile, and testosterone. A worsening of sperm kinetics and viability was recorded in the HA group. Lipid oxidation in seminal plasma, as well as isoprostanoids in blood (F3-IsoPs and F4-NeuroPs), increased in both the HO and HA groups. A high level of TNF-α, a marker of inflammatory status, was recorded in the seminal plasma of the HA group. The resulting outcomes were mainly attributable to the different fatty acid profiles (SFA vs. PUFA) of the diets, which modulated an inflammatory/oxidative response.

Lipid metabolism analysis in liver of different chicken genotypes and impact on nutritionally relevant polyunsaturated fatty acids of meat.

Humans and mammalian species are unable to synthesize significant amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which therefore must be introduced with the diet. In birds, lipogenesis takes place primarily in the liver, whereas adipose tissue serves as the storage site for triacylglycerols (TG, composed by 80-85% esterified fatty acids). However, both the nature (unsaturation level, n-3, or n-6 series) and the allocation (such as constituents of complexed lipids) of PUFA are very important to evaluate their function in lipid metabolism. The objective of the present investigation was to study the liver lipid metabolism, with particular attention to non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), TG, phospholipids (PL), FADS2 gene expression, and Δ6-desaturase activity of three chicken genotypes, Leghorn (Leg), Ross 308 (Ross), and their crossbreed (LxR), by LC/MS analysis. The concentration of single fatty acids in muscle was quantified by GC-FID. The results showed that the Ross has a lipid metabolism related mainly to storage and structural roles, exhibiting higher levels of TG, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) that are largely unsaturated. Meanwhile Leg showed a relevant amount of n-3 NEFA characterized by a higher phosphatidylserine (PS) unsaturation level, FADS2 gene expression and enzyme activity. The LxR seem to have a moderate trend: n-6 and n-3 NEFA showed intermediate values compared with that of the Ross and Leg and the TG trend was similar to that of the Ross, while PE and PC were largely unsaturated (mainly 6 and 7 UNS most of the metabolic energy for storage fatty acids in their tissues (TG) whereas, the Leg birds were characterized by different lipid metabolism showing in their liver a higher content of n-3 NEFA and higher unsaturation level in PS. Furthers details are needed to better attribute the lipid energy to the different metabolic portion.

Indexing of Fatty Acids in Poultry Meat for Its Characterization in Healthy Human Nutrition: A Comprehensive Application of the Scientific Literature and New Proposals.

Chicken meat is becoming the most consumed in the world for both economic and nutritional reasons; regarding the latter, the lipid profile may play positive or negative roles in the prevention and treatment of diseases. In this study, we define the state of the art of lipid-based nutritional indexes and used the lipid content and fatty acid profile (both qualitative and quantitative) of breast meat of two poultry genotypes with different growth rates and meat traits. Further, we summarize and review the definitions, implications, and applications of nutritional indexes used in recent years and others of our own design to provide a useful tool to researchers working in the field of meat quality (not only in poultry) to select the most appropriate index for their own scientific purposes. All indexes show advantages and disadvantages; hence, a rational choice should be applied to consider the nutritional effect of meat on human health and for a possible assessment of the most suitable rearing systems (genotype, feeding, farming system or postmortem handling).

Validation of a behavior observation form for geese reared in agroforestry systems.

Agroforestry systems, which are based on the integration of trees and animals, represent a useful practice for implementing the "One Welfare" concept. Geese could adapt well to these systems due to their kinetic and grazing abilities. However, the lack of specific ethograms and animal-based measures have not yet allowed a deep assessment of their welfare and behavior. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a protocol to evaluate the behavior of geese reared in two agroforestry systems (i.e., apple orchard and vineyard). Thus, a behavior observation form (BOF) including a specific ethogram was proposed, and its interobserver reliability, content, criterion and construct validity were determined. Moreover, the influence of the time of day and type of agroforestry system on geese's behavior was also investigated. Agreement and principal component analyses, as well as the comparison between data collected through direct observation by the BOF and indirect observation by a computerized system, supported the reliability and validity of the proposed protocol. While the BOF also highlighted differences in the behavior expressed by the geese according to the time of day and the environmental context, both the vineyard and apple orchard systems seem to meet their biological and behavioral needs.

Poultry Meat and Eggs as an Alternative Source of n-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids for Human Nutrition.

The beneficial effects of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) on human health are widely known. Humans are rather inefficient in synthesizing n-3 LC-PUFA; thus, these compounds should be supplemented in the diet. However, most Western human diets have unbalanced n-6/n-3 ratios resulting from eating habits and the fact that fish sources (rich in n-3 LC-PUFA) are not sufficient (worldwide deficit ~347,956 t/y) to meet the world requirements. In this context, it is necessary to find new and sustainable sources of n-3 LC-PUFA. Poultry products can provide humans n-3 LC-PUFA due to physiological characteristics and the wide consumption of meat and eggs. The present work aims to provide a general overview of the main strategies that should be adopted during rearing and postproduction to enrich and preserve n-3 LC-PUFA in poultry products. The strategies include dietary supplementation of α-Linolenic acid (ALA) or n-3 LC-PUFA, or enhancing n-3 LC-PUFA by improving the LA (Linoleic acid)/ALA ratio and antioxidant concentrations. Moreover, factors such as genotype, rearing system, transport, and cooking processes can impact the n-3 LC-PUFA in poultry products. The use of a multifactorial view in the entire production chain allows the relevant enrichment and preservation of n-3 LC-PUFA in poultry products.

The Effect of Interaction NGF/p75NTR in Sperm Cells: A Rabbit Model.

BACKGROUND: Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) plays an important role in the reproductive system through its receptor's interaction (p75NTR). This paper aims to analyze the impact of NGF p75NTR in epididymal and ejaculated rabbit semen during in vitro sperm storage. METHODS: Semen samples from 10 adult rabbit bucks were collected four times (n = 40) and analyzed. NGF was quantified in seminal plasma, and the basal expression of p75NTR in sperm was established (time 0). Moreover, we evaluated p75NTR, the apoptotic rates, and the main sperm parameters, at times 2-4 and 6 h with or without the administration of exogenous NGF. RESULTS: Based on the level of p75NTR, we defined the threshold value (25.6%), and sperm were divided into High (H) and Normal (N). During sperm storage, p75NTR of H samples significantly modulated some relevant sperm parameters. Specifically, comparing H samples with N ones, we observed a reduction in motility and non-capacitated cell number, together with an increased percentage of dead and apoptotic cells. Notably, the N group showed a reduction in dead and apoptotic cells after NGF treatment. Conversely, the NGF administration on H sperm did not change either the percentage of dead cells or the apoptotic rate. CONCLUSION: The concentration of p75NTR on ejaculated sperm modulates many semen outcomes (motility, apoptosis, viability) through NGF interaction affecting the senescence of sperm.

Intake of nutrients (polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocols, and carotenes) and storage efficiency in different slow-growing chickens genotypes reared in extensive systems.

An extensive rearing system (ERS) for poultry requires an outdoor run, which enhances the foraging activity of chickens. Slow-growing (SG) strains are more adapted to ERS than fast-growing (FG); and generally, have higher levels of bioactive compounds in their meat. The aim of this paper was to assess the storage efficiency of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), tocols and carotenes in the meat of seven commercial SG genotypes (SG1-7). One hundred SG chicks/strain of both sexes were included and their walking activity (High- or Low-W) was classified: SG1-4, HW comprised more than 10% of the time budget, and SG5-7, less than 10% (LW). Chickens were reared in pens (4 pens/strain) with indoor (0.10 m2/bird) and outdoor (4 m2/bird) areas, and they were fed the same diet ad libitum (starter feed for 1-21 d, grower feed from 22 d to slaughter at 81 d). The chickens were weighed weekly; feed consumption and grass intake were also estimated. At 81 days of age, 32 chickens/genotype were selected on the basis of the average weight (1:1, M:F) and slaughtered. The breast, thigh and drumstick meat were excised from 30 carcasses/genotype, sampled and stored at -20°C until analysis. Nutrients (e.g., n-3, n-6, carotenes and tocols) of feed, grass and meat were analyzed. The storage efficiency of nutrients was estimated as the ratio between the amount deposited in the body muscles (OUT) and the dietary intake (feed and grass, IN). The genotype affected chickens foraging behavior and the intake of nutrients. For SG1, SG2 and SG3, more than 50% of the intake of n-3 came from grass, whereas in the other genotypes, less than 20%. Accordingly, chickens that foraged more showed better meat nutritional profiles (less fat, more n-3 and antioxidants), which, in ERS, was ascribed to grass ingestion. However, the storage efficiency of nutrients into meat was inversely correlated with the grass intake: strains with higher grass intake (SG1, SG2, and SG3) had lower storage rates. Several hypotheses were proposed to explain these trends.

Dietary Freeze-Dried Flaxseed and Alfalfa Sprouts as Additional Ingredients to Improve the Bioactive Compounds and Reduce the Cholesterol Content of Hen Eggs.

Eggs are a complete food with high-quality proteins; a 2:1 ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acid (SFA); and a good amount of minerals, as well as vitamins or antioxidant compounds. Seeds or mature plants were usually added to the feed to improve egg quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of alfalfa and flax freeze-dried sprouts supplementation in diets of laying hens on egg oxidative status and key bioactive compounds. Thirty Sassò hens were fed with three different diets: standard, standard + 3% freeze-dried alfalfa sprouts, or flaxseed sprouts. Ten pools of 10 egg yolks per group were collected at 0, 4, and 8 weeks and analyzed. Supplementation with sprouts enriched the phytosterols, phytoestrogens, tocols, carotenes, vitamin D, and n-3 fatty acid contents in the eggs. Cholesterol content was lower in both sprout-supplemented groups, and a decrease in its oxidative products was also observed. It was found that a 3% freeze-dried sprouts supplementation of approximately 56 days improves the egg quality. Further studies are necessary to verify higher supplementing doses and the applicability of this strategy in the commercial egg production chain.

Expression of genes and localization of enzymes involved in polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis in rabbit testis and epididymis.

The metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) plays an important role in male reproduction. Linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids need to be provided in the diet and they are converted into long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids by steps of elongation and desaturation, exerted by elongases 2 (ELOVL2) and 5 (ELOVL5) and Δ5- (FADS1) and Δ6-desaturase (FADS2). This study aims to assess the gene expression and localization of enzymes involved in the synthesis of n-3 and n-6 long-chain PUFAs in control rabbits and those fed diets containing 10% extruded flaxseed. Enzyme and PUFA localization were assessed in the testes and epididymis by immunofluorescence. Testes showed high gene expression of FADS2, ELOVL2 and ELOVL5 and low expression of FADS1. Intermediate metabolites, enzymes and final products were differently found in Leydig, Sertoli and germinal cells. FADS2 was localized in interstitial cells and elongated spermatids; ELOVL5 in meiotic cells; FADS1 was evident in interstitial tissue, Sertoli cells and elongated spermatids; ELOVL2 in interstitial cells. Epididymal vesicles were positive for FADS1, ELOVL2 and ELOVL5 as well as docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic, and arachidonic acids. This knowledge of fatty acids (FA) metabolism in spermatogenesis and the influence of diet on FA profile could help identify causes of male infertility, suggesting new personalized therapy.

A Dynamic Model for Estimating the Interaction of ROS-PUFA-Antioxidants in Rabbit.

Defining optimal nutrition in animals and humans remains a main scientific challenge. The objective of the work was to develop a dynamic model of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-antioxidant homeostasis using the rabbit as a model. The problem entity was to evaluate the main metabolites generated from interactions between traits included in the conceptual model and identified by three main sub-models: (i) ROS generation, (ii) PUFA oxidation and (iii) antioxidant defence. A mathematical model (VENSIM software) that consisted of molecular stocks (INPUTs, OUTPUTs), exchange flows (intermediate OUTPUTs) and process rates was developed. The calibration was performed by using standard experimental data (Experiment 1), whereas the validation was carried out in Experiments 2 and 3 by using supra-nutritional dietary inputs (VIT E+ and PUFA+). The accuracy of the models was measured using 95% confidence intervals. Analytical OUTPUTs (ROS, PUFA, Vit E, Ascorbic acid, Iso-/NeuroProstanes, Aldehydes) were well described by the standard model. There was also good accuracy for the VIT E+ scenario, whereas some compensatory rates (Kc1-Kc4) were added to assess body compensation when high levels of dietary PUFA were administered (Experiment 3). In conclusion, the model can be very useful for predicting the effects of dietary treatments on the redox homeostasis of rabbits.

Could Dietary Supplementation with Different Sources of N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Modify the Rabbit Gut Microbiota?

The present study evaluated the effects of feed supplemented with two dietary sources of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; fish oil and extruded flaxseed) on the gut microbiota, caecal fermentations, gastrointestinal histology, and histochemistry in rabbits. Fifteen male New Zealand White rabbits were divided into three groups (n = 5/group) and fed with different diets from weaning (35 days of age) until slaughtering (90 days of age): C group, fed with a commercial diet; F group, supplemented with 10% of extruded flaxseed; and O group, supplemented with 3.5% of fish oil. At slaughter, the content of the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum, and colon was collected and analyzed by Next Generation 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Tissue samples of the same tracts were evaluated with histological and histochemical analysis. Ammonia and lactic acid in the caecum were also quantified. Twenty-nine operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were significantly different between groups. Groups receiving n-3 PUFAs supplementation showed an increase in Bacteroidetes and Lachnospiraceae in several gastrointestinal tracts, while Bacilli abundance, as well as Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, were reduced compared to the control group (for all p < 0.05). Caecal ammonia was lower in the F than C group (p < 0.032), whereas no difference was found for lactic acid. Finally, histological evaluations revealed a mild hemorrhagic infiltration and vessels ectasia in the stomach mucosa of both F and O groups, but no effect of nutritional treatment was evidenced by the histochemical analyses. In conclusion, n-3 PUFAs supplementation could modify the rabbit gut microbiota and fermentation. The increase in beneficial bacterial populations may, at least partially, explain the positive effects of n-3 PUFAs diet supplementation on human and animals' health, although the appropriate dosage should be established.

Effect of Cooking Techniques on the in vitro Protein Digestibility, Fatty Acid Profile, and Oxidative Status of Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor).

Tenebrio molitor (T. molitor) (mealworm) larvae are one of the most promising insects for feed-food purposes. Mealworms are rich in several macro and micro nutritional elements and can be practically reared on side stream substrates. In this study, the effects of seven different cooking techniques were tested on the nutritional value of mealworms focusing the attention on protein digestibility, fatty acid (FA) profile, and oxidative status. Uncooked larvae (UC) were used as control and compared to two combinations of temperature/time in oven cooking (70°C for 30 min, OC70-30, 150°C for 10 min, OC150-10), two methods of frying (mealworms fried in sunflower oil as deep fry, DF, or pan fry, PF), microwaving (MW), boiling (in plastic bag under vacuum, BO), and steaming (ST). Proximate composition, in vitro digestibility (gastric and duodenal), FA profile, and oxidative status (tocopherol and tocotrienol, carbonyl, and lipid oxidation) were then tested. Cooking technique affected all the tested parameters. As expected, cooking affected proximate composition in relation to the method applied (dry matter increased after oven cooking and frying; lipids increased by frying). In vitro digestion revealed the highest value for the OC70-30 method, followed by UC and ST. Deep frying revealed the worst digestibility percentage. FA profile was deeply affected by the cooking technique, with general decrease in SFA and MUFA. The highest modifications in FA profile were revealed in ST larvae with an increased percentage of linoleic acid linked to the lowering of SFA and MUFA contents. Furthermore, deep frying larvae in sunflower oil increased the relative abundance of PUFAs. Tocols values were higher in DF and MW groups than PF (about 6-fold more) and all other groups (7-fold more). Carbonyls increased with oven cooking (OC150-10 and OC70-30), whereas the values were lower with frying and similar to ST and UC. Lipid oxidation was highest as well in OC150-10 but similar to frying methods (DF and PF). Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that mealworm larvae surely meet human nutritional requirements, but the cooking method must be carefully chosen to maintain a high nutritional value.

Extensive Rearing Systems in Poultry Production: The Right Chicken for the Right Farming System. A Review of Twenty Years of Scientific Research in Perugia University, Italy.

The demand for poultry meat, being cheaper than red meat, will drive worldwide production of this product. Accordingly, an increase in production up to 16% is expected in 2025, most of which will occur in developing countries. Most poultry meat production is realized with intensive production systems, and extensive rearing systems (ERS) of poultry (organic, free-range, and low-input) represent only a small portion of poultry production in the EU (about 5%). However, there is an increasing interest in such rearing systems to maintain the good image of product and environmental sustainability, improved animal welfare, and meat quality with an annual trend of growth of about 10%. The aims of this work were to summarize the activities and the viewpoint of the researchers of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science of the University of Perugia (Italy). One of the most important goals of the research unit was the challenge of identifying the best poultry genotypes for ERS, which are important not only for the food industry but also for the improvement of human nutrition. Only the definition of the best genotypes adapted to ERS through the measurement of a wide panel of traits-genetic, physiologic, and behavior-and not only relying on daily weight gain will allow us to achieve this goal.

Dietary Supplementation of Olive Mill Waste Water Polyphenols in Rabbits: Evaluation of the Potential Effects on Hepatic Apoptosis, Inflammation and Metabolism through RT-qPCR Approach.

Agro-industrial processing for the production of food or non-food products generates a wide range of by-products and residues rich in bioactive compounds including polyphenols. The concentration of these by-products is sometimes higher than in the original raw material as in the case of olive mill waste water (OMWW), one of the main by-products of olive oil extraction. Polyphenols are secondary plant metabolites that regulate the expression of specific inflammatory genes, transcriptional factors and pro/anti-apoptotic molecules, thus modulating the signaling pathways essential for cell health and homeostasis. The liver plays a key role in regulating homeostasis by responding to dietary changes in order to maintain nutritional and physiological states. In this study a nutrigenomic approach was adopted, which focuses on the effects of diet-health-gene interactions and the modulation of cellular processes, in order to evaluate the expression of the genes (AGER, BAX, COX2, IL1B, PPARA, PPARG, SIRT1, TNFA) involved in these interactions in the livers of rabbits fed with a diet supplemented with OMWW (POL) or without supplements (control, CTR). The RT-qPCR analysis showed the down-regulation of SIRT1, TNFA, AGER, BAX and PPARA transcripts in the POL group compared to the CTR group. These results show that OMWW dietary supplementation prevents cell death and tissue deterioration in rabbits.

The Assessment of a Multifactorial Score for the Adaptability Evaluation of Six Poultry Genotypes to the Organic System.

This study aimed to develop an adaptability score (AS) for chicken strains, which includes behavioral, plumage conditions, and body lesion indicators through a multifactorial approach. A total of 600 male chickens from 6 poultry genotypes-Ranger Classic (R1), Ranger Gold (R2), Rowan Ranger (R3), Hubbard Red JA (A), CY Gen 5 × JA87 (CY), and M22 × JA87 (M)-were reared under organic conditions, fed ad libitum, and individually weighed weekly to calculate the daily weight gain (DWG). The behavioral observations consisted of the explorative attitude (EA), recorded at 21 days, and the behavioral patterns (BPs) recorded the week before the slaughter. The AS was established by a principal component analysis, and the AS of these genotypes was compared. Moreover, the effect of DWG and genotype on the AS was evaluated by univariable and multivariable regression models. Although the DWG and genotype were strictly dependent, genotype was the most important factor affecting the AS. In fact, its effect was significant both in univariable (p < 0.001) and multivariable models (p < 0.001). Conversely, the DWG was significant only in the univariable and lost significance when the effect of genotype was introduced in the model.

How the kinetic behavior of organic chickens affects productive performance and blood and meat oxidative status: a study of six poultry genotypes.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the kinetic behavior, carcass characteristics, oxidative status (blood and meat), and meat fatty acid profiles of 6 organically reared slower growing chicken genotypes (SrG). One hundred male chickens of 6 SrG were used: Ranger Classic (RC), Ranger Gold (RG), Rowan Ranger (RR), RedJA (RJ), CY Gen 5 JA87 (CY), and M22 × JA87 (M). Twenty chickens/genotype were selected to analyze behavior, while, 15 individuals were slaughtered and different traits were analyzed in the blood and drumstick meat. The variables were grouped into different principal components: kinetic activity (PC1, with explorative attitude as the highest score), productive performance (PC2, carcass and head/feet yields), blood (PC3, carbonyls, and TBARS) and meat (PC6, thiols, and TBARS) markers, technological traits (PC4, pH, and color), proximate meat composition (PCA5, moisture, lipids, protein, and ash), fatty acid profile, and nutritional indexes (PC7, IP, and PUFAn-3). Uni- and bivariate analyses showed a strong positive association between kinetic behaviors and blood and meat oxidation and a medium positive association with fatty acid profile and nutritional indexes, whereas a negative association was found between productive performance loads and the technological traits of meat. Generalized linear models showed that all PCs were influenced by genotype. In particular, CY and M resulted as less active genotypes; conversely, RR showed more kinetic activity, whereas RJ, RG, and RC exhibited intermediate levels of activity. Cluster analysis of kinetic behavior and blood or meat oxidative status highlighted 2 groups: nonwalking (NW: CY and M) and walking (W: RC, RG, RR, and RJ) animals. However, in the W group, another was visualized, constituted by genotypes with high kinetic activity resulting in the worst oxidative balance (Walking not trained-genotypes, Wnt: RR and RJ). The present results confirmed that the kinetic behavior of SrG genotypes is negatively correlated with productive performance. Furthermore, a significant association between kinetic behavior and blood (positively correlated) or meat (negatively correlated) oxidative status was noted. Such differences are mainly due to the intrinsic response of the genotypes used (i.e., training-walking capacity).