Study on the suitability of life cycle assessment for the estimation of donkey milk environmental impact.

In the last decades, western Countries increased their interest in innovative products like donkey milk and other activities carried out with donkeys (onotherapy, onotourism). Donkey milk is considered a high-added-value food and is very similar to human breast milk. It is also used as an ingredient in cosmetics. The growing public interest suggests the need for a pilot study on the sustainability of donkey milk production, according to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) criteria. Milk was used as the Declared Functional Unit (DFU) and two different models were described, a Real Scenario Model (RSM, i.e. a farm with its declared milk yield), and an Increased Milk Production Model (IMPM, i.e., the same farm with theoretically increased milk yield). Allocation was applied both in RSM and IMPM; thus, different values of impact categories, i.e., Global Warming Potential (GWP, kg CO2 equivalents), Acidification Potential (ACP, g SO2 equivalents) and Eutrophication Potential (EUP, g PO43-) were observed. GWP improved after mass allocation and showed the lowest equivalents in IMPM, compared to economic and reference allocation criterion (P < 0.05). In RSM, allocations affected GWP in a different way: the smaller size of the DFU resulted in the largest estimation of CO2 equivalents (P < 0.05) for reference allocation, whereas the mass allocation estimates were lower than with economic allocation (P < 0.05). ACP and EUP followed the same trends. No differences were found in IMPM results across the three allocation methods used. Moreover, mass allocation values recorded in RSM did not significantly differ from IMPM. ACP and EUP of RSM improved after economic allocation, although they were less sustainable (P < 0.05) than all IMPM values and RSM equivalents after mass allocation (P < 0.05). As expected, the theoretical model with increased milk yield improved the sustainability of the system. Both scenarios were affected by allocation criteria. In RSM, the economic and mass allocations described a representative scenario where donkey meat contributed to subtracting equivalents from milk (the main product). The present paper is a pilot study estimating for the first time the environmental impact of donkey milk production, with the aim to stimulate further research.

Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) Response to Drought Stress during Early Vegetative Stage.

Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) is a Mediterranean biannual anthelmintic forage. Due to its high productivity, nutraceutical value, and suitability for harsh environments, interest in this crop is growing. Under the current scenario of climate change and water scarcity, it is important to evaluate crop drought tolerance, especially for newly bred materials. Drought stress and well-watered conditions (50 vs. 80% of the field capacity) were applied in a pot experiment to compare responses of the widespread commercial variety Bellante with those of a recently released variety named 'Centauro', currently registered in the Italian national register of plant varieties but not yet available on the market. Compared to the well-watered treatment, drought-stressed plants showed lower values of fresh biomass (-69%), number of leaves (-68%), and root length (-49%). The Centauro cv. showed a different architecture to Bellante with more shoots (+43% P < 0.05) and a trend for more leaves (+25% P = 0.08). These traits are possibly related to its superior palatability. Centauro also developed a higher root length (+70%, P < 0.05) across irrigation levels. Drought stress affected condensed tannin (CT) content. A significant genotype × environment interaction was found with Centauro displaying more (+50%) and less (-35%) CT than Bellante under drought stress and well-watered conditions, respectively. The higher constitutive root length density of Centauro may be exploited in breeding programs aimed at improving the root sink, given the role of this trait in resource acquisition capacity and root-derived ecosystem services.

Valorization of Olive Mill Byproducts: Recovery of Biophenol Compounds and Application in Animal Feed.

This study aimed to recover the phenols from olive oil mill wastewater, a major pollutant of the oil industry, by using spray-drying technology to produce a new feed with a nutraceutical value for animal feed supplementation and to evaluate its effect on the productivity and nutritional quality of ewe milk. Forty-five Sarda ewes in late lactation (150 ± 2 d) and with homogeneous live weight (52 ± 1.5 kg) were randomly allotted into three groups and fed with three dietary treatments containing increasing levels of polyphenols: 0% (C), 0.1% (T0.1), and 0.2% (T0.2) of dry matter. No effect of the dietary treatments was found on the milk yield and composition. Interestingly, milk urea content (p < 0.0001) and somatic cell counts (p < 0.001) decreased as the level of polyphenols inclusion in the diet increased. The inclusion of phenols (0.2% of dry matter) in the diet of sheep was effective in increasing the vaccenic (C18:1 trans-11) and rumenic acid (C18: cis-9 trans-11) levels, which are beneficial for human health. Finally, the recovery of polyphenols via spray-drying technology and their incorporation into a new fortified feed can be a valid strategy for naturally improving the nutritional value of milk while valorizing an oil industry byproduct, reducing environmental impact, and promoting waste reuse that is in line with circular economy principles.

Efficacy and Safety of Neem Oil for the Topical Treatment of Bloodsucking Lice Linognathus stenopsis in Goats under Field Conditions.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neem oil on caprine pediculosis and on kids' growth performances. The neem (Azadirachta indica) belongs to the Meliaceae family, and in Eastern countries it is mainly considered for the insecticidal activities of the kernel oil. The neem seeds contain bioactive principles, such as azadirachtin A, salannin, nimbin, and nimbolide. The trial was carried out on 24 kids, 120 days old, maintained in open yards. Animals were divided in 4 homogeneous groups (n = 6 animals/group) based on age, louse count, body condition score (BCS) and live body weight: Control Group (C, saline NaCl, 0.9%), Neem Group 1 (NO-100, 100 mL of neem oil per 10 kg), Neem Group 2 (NO-200, 200 mL/10 kg), Neem Group 3 (NO-300, 300 mL/10 kg). The treatments were performed by spraying the insecticide on the goat's body. The study lasted 56 days, and weekly, the kids underwent louse count, BCS and body weight determination, and FAMACHA score. Data were analyzed by ANOVA for repeated measures. The species of lice identified was Linognathus stenopsis. Kids belonging to NO-200 and NO-300 showed a stronger reduction of louse count throughout the study (>95%). The daily weight gain recorded was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in NO-300 than C. No differences were found for BCS and FAMACHA scores. The results of this trial showed that the administration of neem oil to control caprine pediculosis caused by sucking lice represents an alternative to synthetic compounds.

Polymorphism at the CSN1S1 Locus and Energy Intake Level Affect Milk Traits and Casein Profiles in Rossa Mediterranea Goats.

A total of twenty-seven Rossa Mediterranea lactating goats, consisting of nine homozygous for strong alleles (AA), twelve heterozygous (AF) and six homozygous for weak alleles (FF) at the CSN1S1 locus, were used to evaluate the effect of genotype, diet and genotype × diet interaction on goat milk traits and casein profile. The goats were used in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments, with three genotypes (AA, AF and FF) and three different energy intake levels: high (H), medium (M) and low (L). The diets supplied a complete pelleted feed containing 65% of alfalfa hay, respectively, at 150%, 100% and 70% of the total energy requirements. Milk yield was significantly affected by the genotype and diet: Lower levels were found in FF goats than in AA and AF genotypes (673.7 vs. 934.5 and 879.8 d/g, respectively; p = 0.002) as well as in goats fed with the L diet (651.5 vs. 1041 and 852.9 g/d for H and M diet, respectively, p < 0.001). The genotype influenced the casein profile. Specifically, AA goat milk exhibited higher concentrations of total casein and αs1-casein compared to AF and FF genotypes (for total casein and αs1-casein, respectively: 24.9 vs. 20.4 and 19.8 g/kg, p = 0.001; 7.2 vs. 3.7 and 0.7 g/kg, p < 0.001), while the FF genotype showed higher values for αs2-casein concentrations compared to homozygous AA and heterozygous AF goats (3.1 vs. 2.4 and 2.5 g/kg, respectively, p < 0.001). A significant genotype x diet interaction occurred for αs2-casein levels (g/kg) (p = 0.034) and αs1-casein yields (p = 0.027): The αs2-casein level was not affected by the diet in AA goats, whereas it increased with energy intake in AF and FF genotypes. Conversely, the αs1-casein yield gradually increased with energy intake in AA and AF groups, whereas the diet in FF goats did not modify it. The results demonstrated that high energy input, as well as the strong allele at the CSN1S1 locus, enhanced milk production and casein concentrations. Furthermore, they confirmed the existence of an interaction between αs1-casein polymorphism and diets, influencing the milk casein composition and yield.

Effect of Dietary Ensiled Olive Cake Supplementation on Performance and Meat Quality of Apulo-Calabrese Pigs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of different amounts of ensiled olive cake, a major pollutant from olive oil production, in the fattening diets of 30 Apulo-Calabrese pigs as a strategy to partially substitute the traditional cereal-based diet and improve animal performance and meat fatty acid composition. The animals, during a fattening period of 120 days, were fed with three dietary treatments containing increasing levels of ensiled olive cake: 0% (C), 20% (OC20) and 40% (OC40) on dry matter. No effect of the dietary treatment was found on the animal performance and proximate meat analysis results. The inclusion of ensiled olive cake in the diet led to differences in the fatty acid (FA) profile of intramuscular fat, with a higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA; p < 0.001) and oleic acid (C8:1n-9, p < 0.001) and a lower concentration of polyunsaturated (PUFA, p < 0.001) and linoleic acid (C18:2n-6, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the supplementation of ensiled olive cake at up to 40% in the diets of fattening pigs could represent a useful strategy in Mediterranean areas to naturally improve the nutritional value of meat and valorise a by-product of the olive industry, reducing its environmental impact and promoting the exploitation of this local feed resource according to the principles of the circular economy.

Metagenomic, microbiological, chemical and sensory profiling of Caciocavallo Podolico Lucano cheese.

In this study, Caciocavallo Podolico Lucano (CPL) cheese was deeply characterized for its bacterial community, chemical composition and sensory aspects. The entire cheese making process (from milk collection to ripened cheese) was performed by strictly applying the traditional protocol for CPL production in four dairy factories (A-D) representative of the production area. The vat made of wood represents the main transformation tool for CPL cheese production and the biofilms hosted onto the internal surfaces of all vats analyzed in this study were dominated by lactic acid bacteria. Total mesophilic microorganisms present in bulk milk (4.7-5.0 log CFU/ml) increased consistently after contact with the wooden vat surfaces (5.4-6.4 log CFU/ml). The application of Illumina sequencing technology identified barely 18 taxonomic groups among processed samples; streptococci and lactobacilli constituted the major groups of the wooden vat biofilms [94.74-99.70 % of relative abundance (RA)], while lactobacilli dominated almost entirely (94.19-100 % of total RA) the bacterial community of ripened cheeses. Except coagulase positive staphylococci, undesirable bacteria were undetectable. Among chemical parameters, significant variations were registered for unsaturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant properties (significantly lower for CPL cheeses produced in factory B). The cheeses from factories A, C and D were characterized by a higher lactic acid and persistence smell attributes than factory B. This work indicated that the strict application of CPL cheese making protocol harmonized the main microbiological, physicochemical and sensory parameters of the final cheeses produced in the four factories investigated.

Caciocavallo Podolico Cheese, a Traditional Agri-Food Product of the Region of Basilicata, Italy: Comparison of the Cheese's Nutritional, Health and Organoleptic Properties at 6 and 12 Months of Ripening, and Its Digital Communication.

Traditional agri-food products (TAPs) are closely linked to the peculiarities of the territory of origin and are strategic tools for preserving culture and traditions; nutritional and organoleptic peculiarities also differentiate these products on the market. One such product is Caciocavallo Podolico Lucano (CPL), a stretched curd cheese made exclusively from raw milk from Podolian cows, reared under extensive conditions. The objective of this study was to characterise CPL and evaluate the effects of ripening (6 vs. 12 months) on the quality and organoleptic properties, using the technological "artificial senses" platform, of CPL produced and sold in the region of Basilicata, Italy. Additionally, this study represents the first analysis of cheese-related digital communication and trends online. The study found no significant differences between 6-month- and 12-month-ripened cheese, except for a slight increase in cholesterol levels in the latter. CPL aged for 6 and 12 months is naturally lactose-free, rich in bioactive components, and high in vitamin A and antioxidants and has a low PUFA-n6/n3 ratio. The "artificial sensory profile" was able to discriminate the organoleptic fingerprints of 6-month- and 12-month-ripened cheese. The application of a socio-semiotic methodology enabled us to identify the best drivers to create effective communication for this product. The researchers recommend focusing on creating a certification mark linked to the territory for future protection.

The Quality of Five Natural, Historical Italian Cheeses Produced in Different Months: Gross Composition, Fat-Soluble Vitamins, Fatty Acids, Total Phenols, Antioxidant Capacity, and Health Index.

Five natural historic cheeses of Southern Italy were investigated-Caciocavallo Palermitano (CP), Casizolu del Montiferru (CdM), Vastedda della Valle del Belìce (VVB), Pecorino Siciliano (PS), and Caprino Nicastrese (CN)-which are produced with raw milk and with traditional techniques and tools, from autochthonous breeds reared under an extensive system. The effects of the month of production on gross composition, MUFA, PUFA, PUFA-ω6, PUFA-ω3, α-tocopherol, retinol, cholesterol, TPC, TEAC, and GHIC were evaluated. In CP, CLA, TPC, and GHIC were higher in April than in February. CdM showed higher values in terms of fat, saturated fatty acids, PUFA-ω3, α-tocopherol, TEAC, and GHIC in May than in February and September, while low values in terms of protein, moisture, and CLA were found. In VVB, MUFA, PUFA-ω6, and α-tocopherol increased in June compared with April; conversely, protein, FRAP, and TEAC were higher in April. In PS, protein, CLA, PUFA, PUFA-ω3, α-tocopherol, and GHIC increased in May compared with January; on the contrary, moisture, NaCl, and TEAC showed high values in January. CN showed higher values in terms of PUFA, PUFA-ω6, PUFA-ω3, TPC, TEAC, and GHIC in April and June compared with January. It is shown that each cheese is unique and closely linked to the production area. Cheeses produced in the spring months showed a high nutritional quality due to the greatest presence of healthy compounds originating from an extensive feeding system.

Dried Destoned Virgin Olive Pomace: A Promising New By-Product from Pomace Extraction Process.

At present the olive oil industry produces large amounts of secondary products once considered waste or by-products. In this paper, we present, for the first time, a new interesting olive by-product named "dried destoned virgin olive pomace" (DDVOP), produced by the pomace oil industry. The production of DDVOP is possible thanks to the use of a new system that differs from the traditional ones by having the dryer set at a lower temperature value, 350 °C instead of 550 °C, and by avoiding the solvent extraction phase. In order to evaluate if DDVOP may be suitable as a new innovative feeding integrator for animal feed, its chemical characteristics were investigated. Results demonstrated that DDVOP is a good source of raw protein and precious fiber; that it is consistent in total phenols (6156 mg/kg); rich in oleic (72.29%), linoleic (8.37%) acids and tocopherols (8.80 mg/kg). A feeding trial was, therefore, carried out on sheep with the scope of investigating the influence of the diet on the quality of milk obtained from sheep fed with DDVOP-enriched feed. The resulting milk was enriched in polyunsaturated (0.21%) and unsaturated (2.42%) fatty acids; and had increased levels of phenols (10.35 mg/kg) and tocopherols (1.03 mg/kg).

NETosis of Peripheral Neutrophils Isolated From Dairy Cows Fed Olive Pomace.

Neutrophils represent primary mobile phagocytes recruited to the site of infection, and their functions are essential to enhance animals' health performance. Neutrophils have an essential role in innate immunity and are able to kill the pathogens via the synthesis of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The objective of the present work was the study of the in vitro NETosis of peripheral neutrophils isolated from dairy cows supplemented with olive pomace. Dairy cows (n = 16) balanced for parity (3.67 ± 1.5 for CON, 3.67 ± 1.9 for OP), milk yield (24.3 ± 4.5 kg d-1for CON and 24.9 ± 1.7 kg d-1 for OP), the number of days in milk (109 ± 83.5 for CON and 196 ± 51 for OP), and body weight (647 ± 44.3 kg for CON and 675 ± 70.7 kg for OP) were divided into two experimental groups fed with a control diet (CON) and supplemented with 6% of olive pomace (OP). Peripheral blood neutrophils were isolated and stimulated in vitro with phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA) as a marker for activation and reactivity of the neutrophils. After isolation, both the viability and CD11b expression were analyzed by flow cytometry. Both NETosis by neutrophil elastase-DNA complex system and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were evaluated by ELISA. The specific antibodies against MPO and citrullination of Histone-H1 were used for investigating NETosis by immunofluorescence microscopy. The neutrophil elastase-DNA complexes produced during NETosis and MPO activity of neutrophil extracts were affected by OP supplementation. Furthermore, results from immunofluorescence analysis of NETosis depicted a similar result found by ELISA showing a higher expression of MPO and citrullination of Histone-H1 in OP than the CON neutrophils. In addition, all data showed that the OP diet resulted in a better response of neutrophils to PMA stimulation than the CON diet, which did not support the neutrophils' responses to PMA stimulation. Our results demonstrated that OP supplementation can enhance the neutrophil function in dairy cows leading to udder defense and inflammation response especially when an immunosuppression state can occur.

Evaluation of Different Test-Day Milk Recording Protocols by Wood's Model Application for the Estimation of Dairy Goat Milk and Milk Constituent Yield.

Goats have important social and economic roles in many countries because of their ability to survive and be productive in marginal areas. The overarching aim of this study was to compare the application of Wood's model to different test-day milk recording protocols for estimation of total milk, fat, and protein yield in dairy goats. A total of 465 goats were used (Garganica, 78; Girgentana, 81; Jonica, 76; Maltese, 77; Red Mediterranean, 76; Saanen, 77). Milk yield was recorded every 15 days throughout lactation of 210 days, for a total of 14 collection days, during both morning and afternoon milking sessions. Milk samples were collected and analyzed for protein and fat. The fat-corrected milk was standardized at 35g fat/kg of milk. Wood models showed high R2 values, and thus good fitting, in all the considered breeds. Wood model applied to first, second, fourth, and sixth month recordings (C) and ICAR estimation showed total milk yield very close to Wood's model applied to all 14 recordings (A) (p > 0.38). Differently, Wood's model applied to the first, second, third, and fourth month recording (B) estimation showed great differences (p < 0.01). This could be applied for farms that had the necessity to synchronize flock groups for kidding in order to produce kid meat. In farms that apply the estrus induction and/or synchronization for kidding, it would be possible to perform only four test-day milk recordings and to apply the Wood's model on them in order to obtain the estimation of total milk, fat, and protein yield during lactation for animals inscribed, or to be inscribed, to the genealogical book.

Productive Performance and Meat Characteristics of Kids Fed a Red Orange and Lemon Extract.

This study evaluates the animal performance and meat characteristics of 60 Saanen suckling kids daily fed a red orange and lemon extract (RLE), rich in anthocyanins. In our methodology, after colostrum administration, animals are randomly assigned to two treatments: Treatment group (Group RLE; n = 30) that received RLE (90 mg/kg live body weight) as oral food additive, and a control group (Group CON; n = 30) that received a standard diet. Animals are slaughtered after 40 days. The RLE administration did not influence daily weight gain, carcass measurements, or incidences (expressed as a percentage) of different anatomical regions on the whole carcass weight. On the contrary, RLE supplementation significantly improved the oxidative profile of the meat seven days after slaughtering, as demonstrated by the reduced levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS; p < 0.01) and hydroperoxides (p < 0.01) in Group RLE compared to Group CON. A significant influence of RLE administration is observed on day 7 for yellowness (p < 0.01). There are also lower saturated and higher monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids concentration in Group RLE meat (p < 0.01), which also shows lower atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes (p < 0.01) compared to Group CON. The study demonstrates that the supplementation of a diet with RLE rich in anthocyanins is effective to improve the meat quality.

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Phenolic Compounds in Spray-Dried Olive Mill Wastewater.

The processing of olives for oil production generates the most abundant agro-industrial by-products in the Mediterranean area. The three-phase olive oil extraction process requires the addition of a large amount of water to the system, which is difficult to dispose of for its load of toxic pollutants. On the other hand, olive mill wastewater is a rich source of bioactive substances with various biological properties that can be used as ingredients in the food industry for obtaining functional and nutraceutical foods as well as in the pharmaceutical industry. In this study, we present the results relative to the phenolic compounds detected in dried olive mill wastewaters obtained using a spray dryer. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were obtained by high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). In particular, the compounds here discussed are: apigenin (9.55 mg/kg dry weight), caffeic acid (2.89 mg/kg dry weight), catecol (6.12 mg/kg dry weight), p-cumaric acid (5.01 mg/kg dry weight), diosmetin (3.58 mg/kg dry weight), hydroxytyrosol (1.481 mg/kg dry weight), hydroxytyrosyl oleate (564 mg/kg dry weight), luteolin (62.38 mg/kg dry weight), luteolin-7-O-glucoside (88.55 mg/kg dry weight), luteolin-4-O-glucoside (11.48 mg/kg dry weight), oleuropein (103 mg/kg dry weight), rutin (48.52 mg/kg dry weight), tyrosol (2043 mg/kg dry weight), vanillin (27.70 mg/kg dry weight), and verbascoside (700 mg/kg dry weight). The results obtained highlighted that the use of dehumidified air as a drying medium, with the addition of maltodextrin, appears to be an effective way to produce a phenol-rich powder to be included in food formulations as well as in pharmaceutical preparations having different biological properties.

Local Small Ruminant Grazing in the Monti Foy Area (Italy): The Relationship Between Grassland Biodiversity Maintenance and Added-Value Dairy Products.

The literature indicates that grazing small ruminants, when adequately managed, contributes to grassland biodiversity maintenance. On the other hand, milk and cheese from grazing animals show higher nutritional and aromatic quality than those from stall-fed animals. The relationship between the two issues has rarely been addressed. This article provides information for a discussion of this relationship. First, two case studies are reported. Local breeds of small ruminants fed by grazing on pastures within the Special Area of Conservation "Monti Foy" in the Northwestern Basilicata region (Italy), with a stocking rate of 4.0 LU ha-1 year-1, showed the best effectiveness for the maintenance of grassland botanical biodiversity. Milk and cheese from pasture-fed goats showed higher contents of beneficial fatty acids, phenols, and vitamins A and E; higher degree of antioxidant protection; and richer volatile compound profiles, in particular for terpenes content. Finally, some recommendations for the management of grazing systems in similar mountain areas are offered, including a viable approach for land managers to preserve the grassland biodiversity of pastures and provide high-quality products that are valuable both for their nutritional quality and for their contribution to the economic sustainability of mountain communities.

Crocin Improves the Quality of Cryopreserved Goat Semen in Different Breeds.

The effect of crocin in the semen extender before cryopreservation was evaluated on sperm parameters of 20 bucks of five different breeds: Garganica (GA), Jonica (JO), Maltese (MA), Mediterranean Red (MR) and Saanen (SA). Semen samples were centrifuged, to remove seminal plasma, divided in two aliquots and diluted with Tris-egg-yolk-based extender, containing 0 (control group) and 1 mM crocin. Crocin concentration was established after a preliminary dose trial. On fresh and frozen-thawed sperm, motility, viability, morphology, membrane integrity, DNA fragmentation and ROS levels were evaluated. The freezing process led to a decrease (p < 0.05) in all the sperm parameters recorded, confirming the deleterious effect of cryopreservation on goat semen. The most interesting result regarding the inclusion of crocin in the extender before cryopreservation was as follows: Crocin significantly improved (p < 0.05) sperm motility in all breeds, except for Mediterranean Red, compared to the control group. Furthermore, 1 mM crocin reduced percentage of spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation with a marked decrement (p < 0.05) in Garganica and Saanen, as compared to the control group. Finally, intracellular ROS decreased (p < 0.01) in the crocin-treated sperm of all breeds, as compared to the control. In conclusion, supplementation of 1 mM crocin in the extender decreased oxidative stress, improving sperm motility and the DNA integrity of frozen-thawed sperm in different breeds.

Comparison of Mineral, Metabolic, and Oxidative Profile of Saanen Goat during Lactation with Different Mediterranean Breed Clusters under the Same Environmental Conditions.

This study aimed to describe metabolic, oxidative, and mineral blood profiles of Saanen does through lactation compared with Mediterranean breed clusters (Maltese and Rossa Mediterranea, and Jonica, Garganica, and Girgentana). Milk and blood samples of 57 dairy goats (9-10 goats per breed) were collected from the 2nd to the 30th week of lactation every 2-3 weeks. Saanen showed greater milk yield and somatic cell score, and lower fat and protein percentage through lactation (p < 0.05) than the Mediterranean breed clusters. Blood analysis revealed that stage of lactation had a greater impact than breed cluster, except for uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, and aspartate aminotransferase. Plasmatic non-esterified fatty acids indicated a greater negative energy balance in Saanen than the other breed clusters during early and medium lactation stages (p < 0.05). Serum Cl, Mg, and Ca increased in all the breed clusters from early to the following stages of lactation (p < 0.05). No significant prooxidant/antioxidant imbalances were detected in any of the three clusters during the entire lactation. In conclusion, Mediterranean breeds tended to recover earlier from negative energy balance than Saanen, but effects of breed or stage of lactation on long-term oxidative stress indicators were not evident.

Autochthonous dairy goat breeds showed better milk quality than Saanen under the same environmental conditions.

Studies on goat milk have mainly focused on cosmopolitan breeds and very limited information is available on local breeds, which is important for biodiversity preservation and local cheese production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the breed effect on milk yield, composition and somatic cell score (SCS) of five local Italian goat breeds (Garganica, Girgentana, Jonica, Maltese and Mediterranean Red) compared with a cosmopolitan specialized dairy breed (Saanen). A total of 60 goats (10 per breed) from an experimental farm were enrolled in the study. Milk yield, composition and SCS were recorded and analyzed every 2 weeks during the entire lactation. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures. Saanen yielded between 0.27 and 0.62 kg day - 1 more milk than the local breeds. Among local breeds, Maltese and Jonica were the most productive, with an average of 1.28 and 1.25 kg day - 1 , respectively, while Mediterranean Red, Garganica and Girgentana produced ≤ 1  kg day - 1 . Saanen had the highest SCS (6.81) and the lowest fat content (3.26 %). In relation to protein, Garganica showed the greatest content (3.71 %), and Saanen had a similar content to other local breeds (3.42 %) except for Maltese, which was lower (3.11 %). Saanen and Garganica had the lowest lactose percentage (4.28 % and 4.26 %, respectively). All breeds followed a similar pattern across lactation: SCS and fat and protein content peaked at the end of the lactation, whereas lactose percentage was highest at the beginning of the lactation. Differences between Saanen and the local breeds for milk yield, composition and SCS were consistent across lactation. In conclusion, local breeds produced less milk but with lower SCS and greater fat and lactose content than the Saanen cosmopolitan breed, suggesting a better milk quality.

Identification of the complete coding cDNAs and expression analysis of B4GALT1, LALBA, ST3GAL5, ST6GAL1 in the colostrum and milk of the Garganica and Maltese goat breeds to reveal possible implications for oligosaccharide biosynthesis.

BACKGROUND: Milk sialylated oligosaccharides (SOS) play crucial roles in many biological processes. The most abundant free SOS in goat's milk are 3'sialyllactose (3'-SL), 6'sialyllactose (6'-SL) and disialyllactose (DSL). The production of these molecules is determined genetically by the expression of glycosyltransferases and by the availability of nucleotide sugar substrates, but the precise mechanisms regulating the differential patterns of milk oligosaccharides are not known. We aimed to identify the complete cDNAs of candidate genes implicated in SOS biosynthesis (B4GALT1, LALBA, ST3GAL5, ST6GAL1) and to analyse their expression during lactation in the Garganica and Maltese goat breeds. Moreover, we analysed the colostrum and milk contents of 3'-SL, 6'-SL and disialyllactose (DSL) and the possible correlations between expressed genes and SOS. RESULTS: We identified the complete coding cDNAs of B4GALT1 (HQ700335.1), ST3GAL5 (KF055858.2), and ST6GAL1 (HQ709167.1), the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) of these genes and 2 splicing variants of the ST6GAL1 cDNA. RT-qPCR analysis showed that LALBA and ST6GAL1 were the genes with the highest and lowest expression in both breeds, respectively. The interaction effects of the breeds and sampling times were associated with higher levels of B4GALT1 and ST3GAL5 gene expression in Garganica than in Maltese goats at kidding. B4GALT1, LALBA, and ST3GAL5 gene expression changed from kidding to 60 and 120 days in Maltese goats, while in Garganica goats, a difference was observed only for the LALBA gene. Breed and lactation effects were also found for SOS contents. Positive correlations of B4GALT1, LALBA, ST3GAL5, and ST6GAL1 with 3'-SL/6'SL and DSL were found. CONCLUSIONS: The genetic effect on the oligosaccharide content of milk was previously highlighted in bovines, and this study is the first to investigate this effect in two goat breeds (Garganica and Maltese) during lactation. The genetic variability of candidate genes involved in SOS biosynthesis highlights their potential role in affecting gene expression and ultimately biological function. The investigation of gene regulatory regions as well as the examination of other sialyltransferase genes will be needed to identify the genetic pattern leading to a higher SOS content in the autochtonous Garganica breed and to protect it using a focused breeding strategy.

Effects of Breed and Stage of Lactation on Milk Fatty Acid Composition of Italian Goat Breeds.

Fatty acid (FA) profile plays an important role on human health and on sensory quality of dairy products. There is few information about breed influence on milk FA profile of local goat breeds. This study aimed to characterize and compare the milk FA profile of 5 local endangered goat breeds (Garganica, Girgentana, Jonica, Maltese, and Mediterranean Red) and a cosmopolitan breed (Saanen) reared in the same farm during a complete lactation. A total of 252 milk samples were collected monthly from 42 goats (7 goats per breed) and analyzed for gross composition and FA profile. Individual FA was determined using gas-chromatography. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures with breed and week of lactation as fixed effects. Results showed that the FA profile was significantly affected by week of lactation and only few FA by breed effect (p < 0.05). Overall, the main differences were found between Saanen and local breeds. This study contributed to the characterization of goat milk FA profile, and it may be of interest for the valorization of milk from local goat breeds which seem to have a healthier profile than milk of the cosmopolitan breed.