Effect of Biscuit Flour and Fermented Defatted "Alperujo" Co-Administration on Intestinal Mucosa Morphology and Productive Performance in Laying Hens.

In this study, the effects of co-administration with biscuit flour and fermented defatted "alperujo" (FDA) on gut health were evaluated in a batch of laying hens (Hy-Line 2015) on a commercial farm. Animals were divided into two groups: control group and treatment group; and histological and morphometric analyses of all sections of the intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and rectum) were performed at 10, 18, 25, 50 and 75 weeks of age. During the whole productive period, a decrease in the mortality rate (p = 0.01) was observed in treated hens, as well as an increase in the number of eggs produced (p < 0.001), their size (p < 0.025), and weight (p < 0.024). In the early and late stages of production (10, 18 and 50 weeks), a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the height and depth of the intestinal villi was observed in the treatment group. Villi height was also significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the treatment group up to week 50 in the cecum, and at weeks 18 and 50 in the rectum. We concluded that an economical and sustainable feeding system with less environmental impact, such as co-supplementation with biscuit flour and FDA, could maintain gut health without negatively impacting laying hens' productive performance.

Morphometric Characterization of the Lidia Cattle Breed.

Morphometric studies in Lidia cattle are scarce due to the challenges of handling and approaching this breed of cattle. For this reason, the first morphological characterization of the Lidia breed was carried out using photogrammetry. In the present work, 264 adult individuals (184 males and 80 females), belonging to 21 different herds, were studied. A total of 20 morphological measurements and five indexes were determined in every individual. There were many positive correlations between the measures, giving the model great morphostructural harmony. Considerable internal variability of the studied parameters was observed. This breed reflected significant sexually dimorphic features and internal morphological differences between the different genetic lines of the breed. Lidia cattle are small and mostly have a sub-concave profile (58.4% males and 69.7% females). The male proportionality indexes and the relative depth of the thorax indicated great muscular development of the anterior third and high thoracic capacity. The phaneroptic information describes a mostly black animal with black mucous and hooves and an outstanding development of the dewlaps and the tail in the males.