Long-Term Feeding of Dairy Goats with 40% Artichoke by-Product Silage Preserves Milk Yield, Nutritional Composition and Animal Health Status.

The aim of this work is to study the effect of 40% inclusion of artichoke by-product silage (AB) in dairy goat diets on milk yield, composition and animal health status during a full lactation period compared to an isoenergetic and isoproteic mixed ration based on alfalfa hay and a cereal and legume mixture. Milk yield was not affected by the dietary treatments, and neither was body weight. AB treatment reduced whey protein (0.38 vs. 0.42%, p < 0.05) and milk urea concentrations (687 vs. 773 mg/L, respectively, p < 0.001), and did not affect total true protein (3.22 vs. 3.24% p > 0.05) or other macro-composition variables. AB treatment showed higher milk concentrations of Ca (p < 0.05), Mn (p < 0.01), Cu (p < 0.01) and Zn (p < 0.001) compared to the control group (C). Slight differences were observed in milk fatty acid profile without any negative effects (p > 0.05) on the blood cholesterol and glucose of goats. The AB group reduced blood urea due to its high dietary total phenol content. However, it had a positive effect on ß-hydroxybutyrate (p < 0.05) and nonesterified fatty acids (p > 0.05). It was concluded that 40% artichoke by-product inclusion in dairy goat feed for the whole lactation period (23 weeks) is a sustainable solution, reducing feeding cost by 12.5% per kg of dry matter, contributing to a better circular economy without any negative repercussions on the productivity and health of Murciano-Granadina dairy goats.

Effect of the Onset of Intramammary Infection on the Electrical Conductivity of Ewe's Milk and Study of Various Algorithms for Its On-Line Detection.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the onset of intramammary infection (IMI) on the electrical conductivity (EC) of ewe milk and assess the detection capability of various algorithms based on daily glandular milk EC measurement. An experiment was carried out with 26 Manchega sheep located at the farm of the Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain. The variables in milk from the gland (production, EC) were monitored daily for 2 weeks during the morning and evening milking; once infection was established in the gland, the variables were measured for a further 4 weeks. In addition, the SCC, sodium, potassium, chloride and milk macro-compositions were analysed. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values for IMI detection of different algorithms were calculated using the EC variable. It was observed that the onset of IMI resulted in an increase in SCC and a significant decrease in yield, and EC rose significantly when infection occurred bilaterally. The best results for IMI detection were obtained with the algorithm that detected deviations greater than 3σ of the conductivity ratio between collateral glands with respect to a moving average calculated with a time horizon of 10 days (50% sensitivity and 100% specificity).

Quality and Functional Parameters of Fermented Milk Obtained from Goat Milk Fed with Broccoli and Artichoke Plant By-Products.

Large amount of vegetal by-products are generated during production and processing steps. Introducing silage from vegetable by-products into dairy goat feed would be of great interest from the point of view of reducing costs and supporting the circular economy. The aim of this research was to study the effect of 40% inclusion of silage broccoli by-products and artichoke plant by-products in the diet of Murciano-Granadina goats throughout the lactation to establish milk suitability for fermented milks production. The novelty of this study is the use of milk from goats fed for a long term with a high inclusion of silages from artichoke plant and broccoli by-products, being the first one on broccoli inclusion. Two starter cultures thermophilic (YO-MIXTM300), and, mesophilic (MA400) were used and fermented milks were analyzed at two storage times after fermentation. Fermentation enhances antioxidant properties of fermented milks from all diets (p < 0.05), especially when mesophilic starter cultures are used. The main findings are that long term inclusion of 40% silage from broccoli and artichoke plant by-products in balanced diets of dairy goats yields milk suitable for fermentation by yogurt and cheese cultures, the inclusion of broccoli silage enhances antioxidant properties (p < 0.05), and, the inclusion of plant artichoke enhances fatty acids health indexes (p < 0.05).

Asynchrony between in vivo and in vitro rabbit embryos

Background: Comparative features of embryos developed under in vitro and in vivo conditions are particularly important in designing embryo transfer procedures that fulfil embryo-recipient synchronization requirements. Objective: To determine the degree of asynchrony in rabbit embryo development between cultured and in vivo embryos. Methods: A total of 55 non- lactating multiparous female rabbits were used. Embryos were classified as 16-cells or early morulae at 48 hours post-coitum (hpc). Embryos were cultured during 30 or 32 h and embryo development was compared with in vivo embryos of 72 hpc. In vitro and in vivo embryos at 72 hpc were classified as early or compacted morulae. Bayesian statistics was used. Difference between in vivo and in vitro embryos and the actual probability of the difference between the in vivo and in vitro embryo higher than zero (P) was estimated. Results: The percentage of compacted morulae was higher in in vivo embryos than in in vitro embryos with +6 h of asynchrony (73.5 and 32.8%, P=1.00). But the percentage of compacted morulae was similar with +8 h asynchrony. Conclusions: In vitro embryos delay their development by + 8 hours compared to in vivo embryos.

Antecedentes: El desarrollo comparativo de embriones producidos in vitro e in vivo es particularmente importante para el diseño de procedimientos de transferencia de embriones cuando se requiere sincronización entre el embrión y la hembra receptora. Objetivo: Determinar el grado de asincronía en el desarrollo embrionario entre embriones in vivo y cultivados. Métodos: Un total de 55 conejas multiparas no lactantes fueron utilizadas. Los embriones se clasificaron en 16 células o mórulas tempranas a las 48 horas después del coito (hpc). Los embriones se cultivaron durante 30 ó 32 horas y el desarrollo embrionario se comparó con embriones de 72 hpc obtenidos in vivo. Los embriones in vitro e in vivo a 72 hpc se clasificaron como mórulas tempranas o compactas. Se utilizó estadística bayesiana. Se estimó la diferencia entre embriones in vivo e in vitro y la probabilidad de que la diferencia sea superior a cero (P). Resultados: El porcentaje de mórulas compactas fue mayor en embriones in vivo que en embriones in vitro con +6 horas de asincronía (73,5 y 32,8%, P=1,00), pero el porcentaje de mórulas compactas fue similar con asincronía de +8 horas. Conclusión: Los embriones cultivados retrasan +8 horas su desarrollo en comparación con los embriones in vivo.

Antecedentes: A aquisição do desenvolvimento de embriões produzidos in vitro e in vivo é particularmente importante na concepção de procedimentos de transferência de embriões em que a sincronização entre o embrião e a fêmea receptora é necessária. Objetivo: Determinar o grau de assincronia no desenvolvimento embrionário entre embriões cultivados e in vivo. Métodos: Um total de 55 coelhos multíparos não lactantes foram usados. Os embriões foram classificados em 16 células ou mórulas iniciais 48 horas de gestação (hpc). Os embriões foram cultivados por 30 ou 32 horas e o desenvolvimento embrionário foi comparado com embriões de 72 hpc obtidos in vivo. Embriões in vitro e in vivo a 72 hpc foram classificados como mórulas precoces ou compactadas. Estatísticas bayesianas foram usadas. A diferença entre embriões in vivo e in vitro e a probabilidade de que a diferença seja maior que zero (P) foi estimada. Resultados: A porcentagem de mórulas compactadas foi maior em embriões in vivo do que em embriões in vitro com +6 horas de assincronia (73,5 e 32,8%, P=1,00). Mas a porcentagem de mórulas compactadas foi semelhante com assincronia de +8 horas. Conclusão: Embriões cultivados atrasam seu desenvolvimento em +8 horas em comparação com embriões in vivo.

Relationship between Prenatal Characteristics and Body Condition and Endocrine Profile in Rabbits.

This study evaluated the relationship between prenatal characteristics and body condition and endocrine profile. A total of 25 non-lactating multiparous females were used. Body condition, measured as body weight and perirenal fat thickness, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), leptin, progesterone and 17ß-estradiol were recorded at mating and 12 d of gestation. Ovulation rate, number of foetuses, ovary and foetal weight, length and weight of uterine horn, available space per foetus and maternal and foetal placental morphometry were recorded at 12 d of gestation. Ovulation rate showed a positive linear relationship with number of foetuses, ovary weight and NEFA. A negative linear relationship between ovulation rate and perirenal fat thickness and leptin was obtained. Ovulation rate was maximum when body weight and 17ß-estradiol were 4.4 kg and 22.7 pg/mL, respectively. Foetal weight showed a positive relationship with perirenal fat thickness and a negative relationship with leptin. An increase in progesterone and NEFA concentration was related to a positive linear increase in number of foetuses and in uterine horn weight. Space available per foetus was affected both by the number of vessels that reach the implantation site and by position of the foetus in the uterine horn. In conclusion, body condition during mating and early gestation should be maintained within an optimal range to ensure the best prenatal characteristics. While 17ß-estradiol, NEFA and leptin affected the ovulation rate, progesterone and NEFA affected foetal development. The number of vessels that reach the implantation site determines early foetal survival.

Long-Term Feeding of Dairy Goats with Broccoli By-Product and Artichoke Plant Silages: Milk Yield, Quality and Composition.

The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of a 40% inclusion of broccoli by-product (BB) and artichoke plant (AP) silages in dairy goat diets on the milk yield, composition and animal health status during a full lactation. Feed consumption was lower in AP and BB animals due to their composition and higher moisture content, and BB animals showed a significant reduction in body weight. Milk from the BB treatment had the highest fat content, total solids and useful dry matter content (5.02, 13.9 and 8.39%, respectively). The Se level was slightly lower in AP and BB animals; however, the milk of these treatments was the lowest in Na and, in the case of BB animals, the richest in Ca (1267 mg/kg). Control and AP milk showed a similar fatty acid profile, although AP had a more beneficial aptitude for human health (lower ratio of n6/n3, 12.5). Plasma components, as metabolic parameters, were adequate for goats. It was concluded that a 40% inclusion of AP is an adequate solution to reduce the cost of feeding without harming the animals' health or performance and to improve the nutritional milk quality. It is necessary to lower the BB level of inclusion to increase feed consumption.

Inflammatory Correlated Response in Two Lines of Rabbit Selected Divergently for Litter Size Environmental Variability.

A divergent selection experiment for environmental variance of litter size variance was carried out in rabbits over thirteen generations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory response in the two lines of the experiment, in order to analyse the effect of selection on susceptibility to diseases after challenging to stressful situations, such as 24 h after the first delivery. A total of 78 females were used in this study, 39 from each line. The line selected for litter size heterogeneity (the high line) showed lower white blood leukocyte count (WBC; -0.87 × 103/µL), lower percentage of basophils (-0.11%), higher concentration of TNF-α (+13.8 pg/mL), and greater concentration of CRP (+38.1 µg/mL) than the line selected for litter size homogeneity (the low line). The high line had also higher concentrations of bilirubin, cholesterol, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared to the low line (difference between lines were +0.08 µmol/L, +0.14 µmol/L, +0.35 U/L and +2.4 U/L, respectively). The high line showed higher inflammatory response than the low line, in accordance with a larger susceptibility to infectious disorders. In conclusion, the line selected to increase litter size environmental variability seems to have poor capacity coping with environmental stressors. Therefore, selection for litter size environmental variability can be a useful way to improve animal welfare.

Ensiling Process in Commercial Bales of Horticultural By-products from Artichoke and Broccoli.

Wastes from artichoke and broccoli crops and cannery industries represent an environmental problem. A viable option to this problem is ensiling them for use as ruminants feed. The aim of this study was to characterise the ensiling process of broccoli and artichoke by-products and assess their suitability to be part of the ruminant diet, as well their minimum shelf life. Twenty-one commercial round bale silos (300 kg and 0.64 m3) of each by-product were made. Samples were analysed at days 0, 7, 15, 30, 60, and 200 to determine microbial populations, fermentation metabolites, nutritional components, and phytosanitary residues. Feedstuffs showed good suitability for ensiling, and stabilisation was achieved on day 30. The variables with the greatest significant differences among sampling times were microbial populations and fermentative components. There were no important dry matter losses, and some significant differences were observed in the nutritional composition, especially in crude protein and fibrous fractions, but they were not relevant for the loss of nutritional quality of silages. The phytosanitary residues determined on day 200 were below the maximum residue limits set by European legislation. So, ensiling these by-products in commercial round bale silos is a suitable and profitable technique that allows their preservation for a long time (200 days).

Milk Technological Properties as Affected by Including Artichoke By-Products Silages in the Diet of Dairy Goats.

Traditional farming practices include the use of local agricultural by-products in the diet of ruminants. Artichoke harvesting and transformation yield high amounts of by-products that, if properly used, may reduce farming costs and the environmental impact of farming. The present study tests the inclusion of silages from artichoke by-products (plant and outer bracts) in the diet of dairy goats (0%, 12.5% and 25% inclusion) on the technological and sensory properties of milk during a five-month study. Milk composition, color, stability, coagulation and fermentation properties remained unaffected by diet changes. Panelists were not able to differentiate among yogurts obtained from those milks by discriminant triangular sensory tests. Silages of artichoke by-products can be included in isoproteic and isoenergetic diets for dairy goats, up to a 25% (feed dry matter), without negatively affecting milk technological and sensory properties whereas reducing feeding costs.

Relationship between cortisol and acute phase protein concentrations in female rabbits.

Rabbit meat production in Europe is usually based on a semi-intensive system, in which lactation and gestation overlap. The demands of lactation and pregnancy are likely to be relatively stressful for female rabbits and may compromise the immune system and reproductive performance. The present study was designed to characterise circulating levels of cortisol, haptoglobin (Hp), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum amyloid A (SAA) in non-lactating and lactating female rabbits at first and second mating, and to determine whether any relationship exists between these biomarkers and litter size. Serum cortisol concentrations were at their greatest (mean ± SEM = 39.5 ± 3.9 nmol/L) in animals at the end of lactation. However, after weaning, cortisol concentrations were not significantly different compared to nulliparous females (19.9 ± 3.6 vs. 16.3 ± 2.2 nmol/L, respectively). The highest concentrations of circulating Hp (0.14 ± 0.01 g/L) were seen in early lactating primiparous females, and lower in nulliparous females and in rabbits after weaning. In contrast, nulliparous female rabbits showed the highest plasma CRP values (13.1 ± 1.1 mg/L). No significant differences were found for SAA. Nulliparous females had smaller litter sizes than early lactating and non-lactating primiparous female rabbits. CRP and SAA showed a positive correlation (r = +0.24, P = 0.011) and were negatively related to litter size (r = -0.23, P = 0.017 and P = 0.032, respectively). Cortisol and Hp were not related to CRP, SAA, nor to litter size. These results suggest a closer association between the mechanisms that regulate release of CRP and SAA, compared to those that regulate Hp production. Thus, lactation is associated with changes in several stress biomarkers. CRP and SAA might be more useful for evaluating animal welfare and for predicting subsequent reproductive performance of female rabbits.