Melanocytic cutaneous lesions in Sus ibericus, are these a cause for meat condemnation?

The Alentejano pig (Sus ibericus) is an autochthonous breed of swine from Portugal phylogenetically close to the Iberian breed that is known to develop melanocytic lesions. In this study, 34 melanocytic skin lesions were identified and collected from Alentejano pigs slaughtered for human consumption for further routine histologic assessment. The samples were classified into 4 age ranges: 1 (1 to 6 months), 2 (7 to 12 months) 3 (13 to 24 months), and 4 (more than 25 months). All the lesions were considered benign after the histopathological assessment, of which 52.9% and 47.1%, were classified as melanosis and melanocytomas, respectively. Regarding the age ranges, a statistical difference between the groups was observed, indicating that the probability of melanosis presentation was higher at the age range 4 and for melanocytomas at the age range 3. While no malignant lesions were observed in this study, it was concluded that benign melanocytic lesions are commonly found in Alentejano pig carcasses. Further research is necessary to accurately distinguish between malignant and benign lesions, which is crucial for official veterinarians to make decisions regarding meat approval or condemnation.

The anti-inflammatory effects of Fuzapladib in an endotoxemic porcine model.

Endotoxemia is a systemic inflammatory condition caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, which produces inflammatory cytokines. Fuzapladib (FZP) inhibits the activation of adhesion molecules found on the surface of inflammatory cells, mitigating inflammation. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of fuzapladib on inflammatory cytokines and cardio-respiratory function using an LPS-induced endotoxemic porcine model. Fifteen pigs were separated into three groups: low-FZP (n=5), high-FZP (n=5), and control (n=5). Pigs were administered LPS under general anesthesia, and complete blood cell count, blood biochemistry, inflammatory cytokines, and cardio-respiratory function were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed-effects model and the Steel-Dwass test, with a significance threshold of P<0.05. During the 4 hr experimental period, one pig in the control group and two pigs in the low-FZP group died due to hypoxemia and hypotension. In the early acute changes following LPS administration, the high-FZP group maintained significantly higher arterial oxygen partial pressure and normal blood pressure compared to the control group. Although interleukin-6 levels increased in all groups during the experiment, they were significantly lower in the high-FZP group compared to the control group. Other parameters showed no clinically significant differences. In conclusion, while high-dose fuzapladib did not reduce organ damage in the porcine endotoxemia model, it suppressed interleukin-6 production, delayed the progression of deterioration, and contributed to a reduction in mortality during the observation period.

Enhancing infection control practices and biosecurity plans on Swedish pig farms: insights, challenges, and strategies.

BACKGROUND: African swine fever (ASF) poses a threat to the global pig industry, leading to significant economic losses and widespread disruptions in pig farming and associated sectors. In September 2023, the first case of ASF in Swedish wild boar triggered immediate responses from authorities, including the establishment of restricted zones and culling measures. A new ASF certification programme for pig herds was initiated to improve biosecurity and proactive disease management. This survey aimed to assess the sentiments and actions of Swedish pig farmers six months post-outbreak, particularly regarding biosecurity measures. Such information is important to improve preparedness for future disease threats. A questionnaire was distributed to members of the Swedish pig producers' organisation. RESULTS: A total of 113 farmers responded (response rate 27%), with the majority considering the risk of ASF reappearing in Sweden as high. The estimated cost for connecting the farms to the ASF certification programme varied greatly, with a majority identifying cost as a substantial hurdle. While many farmers sought biosecurity advice from veterinarians, 43% had not implemented suggested measures. Over one third had not received concrete measures that would fit their farms, and 14% had not received any biosecurity advice from veterinarians at all. Discussions among farmers emphasized concerns about ASF outbreaks, transmission mechanisms, and regulatory compliance, highlighting the importance of ongoing communication and knowledge exchange to address the challenges posed by ASF effectively. Additionally, participants also mentioned the role of dense wild boar populations and shortcomings in municipal food waste management as important risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The responding farmers expressed widespread concern about new ASF outbreaks. A majority identified cost as a substantial hurdle for joining the ASF certification programme. While many farmers consulted veterinarians for advice on biosecurity, a significant number had yet to implement suggested measures and one third had not received specific guidance suitable for their farms. Stakeholder conversations highlighted concerns about ASF outbreaks, transmission, and compliance. They also discussed the role of dense wild boar populations and issues with municipal food waste management as significant risk factors for ASF.

Lipidomic and transcriptomic characteristics of boar seminal plasma extracellular vesicles associated with sperm motility.

Seminal plasma extracellular vesicles (SPEVs) play an important role in regulating sperm motility by delivering various cargoes, such as miRNAs, mRNAs, proteins and metabolites. However, information on the lipid compositions of SPEVs and their roles in semen quality is limited. Here, we performed high-throughput transcriptomic and lipidomic analysis on SPEVs isolated from 20 boars with high or low sperm motility. Then, we evaluated the lipid composition and gene expression characteristics of SPEVs and identified the specific lipids and genes related to sperm motility. As a result, a total of 26 lipid classes were identified in SPEVs, and five subclasses, CerG2, CerG3, LPE, LPS and TG, were significantly different in boars with high and low sperm motility. In addition, 195 important lipids and 334 important genes were identified by weighted gene coexpression analysis (WGCNA) and differential expression analysis. We observed that several important genes and lipids in SPEVs potentially influence sperm motility via glycerophospholipid metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, the sphingolipid signaling pathway and the ferroptosis pathway. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between the content of 22 lipids and the expression levels of 67 genes (|cor| > 0.8, P < 0.05). Moreover, we observed that three important gene-lipid linkages (CerG1 (d22:0/24:0) - RCAN3, Cer (d18:1/24:0) - SCFD2 and CerG1 (d18:0/24:1) - SCFD2) were strongly correlated with sperm motility. Based on the results, some genes and lipids in SPEVs may play important roles in sperm motility by interacting with sperm through important pathways.

A review on the effect of soy bioactive components on growth and health outcomes in pigs and broiler chickens.

While soy products have long been included in animal diets for their macronutrient fractions, more recent work has focused on the immunomodulatory potential of bioactive components of this feedstuff. This comprehensive review aims to identify the current state of knowledge on minor soy fractions and their impact on the health and growth of pigs and broiler chickens to better direct future research. A total of 7,683 publications were screened, yet only 151 were included in the review after exclusion criteria were applied, with the majority (n = 87) of these studies conducted in pigs. In both species, antinutritional factors and carbohydrates, like stachyose and raffinose, were the most frequently studied categories of bioactive components. For both categories, most publications were evaluating ways to decrease the prevalence of the examined components in soy products, especially when fed at earlier ages. Overall, most studies evaluated the effect of the bioactive component on performance-related outcomes (n = 137), followed by microbial analysis (n = 38) and intestinal structure and integrity measures (n = 37). As they were analyzed in the majority of publications, antinutritional factors were also the most frequently investigated category in relation to each specific outcome. This trend did not hold true for microbiota- or antioxidant-associated outcomes, which were most often studied with carbohydrates or polyphenols, respectively. Changes to the host microbiota have the potential to modulate the immune system, feed intake, and social behaviors through the microbiota-gut-brain axis, though few publications measured behavior and brain characteristics as an outcome. Other identified gaps in research included the study of soy saponins, as most research focused on saponins derived from other plants, the study of phytosterols outside of their role in cardiovascular or reproductive outcomes, and the general examination of bioactive peptides. Overall, given soy's popularity as a current constituent of animal feed, additional research into these bioactive components may serve to define the value of soy products through their potential ability to support the productivity, health, and well-being of animals.

Molecular survey of Toxoplasma gondii B1 gene in pigs from various localities in Korea.

Toxoplasma gondii, a common protozoan parasite, poses significant public health risks due to its potential to cause toxoplasmosis in humans and can be contracted from pigs, which are considered its critical intermediate host. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of T. gondii in slaughtered pigs for human consumption, emphasizing the zoonotic implications and the need for improved biosecurity and monitoring practices in pig farming. A total of 1,526 pig samples (1,051 whole blood samples and 384 lung tissue samples from the local slaughterhouse and 91 aborted fetus samples from local farms) were collected throughout the whole country of Korea in 2020. Among them, 6 (0.4%) were found to be infected with T. gondii by nested PCR. When compared by sample type, the prevalence of T. gondii was significantly higher in the aborted fetus samples (2.2%, 2/91) than in the blood (0.3%, 3/1,051) and lung tissue samples (0.3%, 1/384). The B1 gene sequence of T. gondii was similar (97.9-99.8%) to that of the other T. gondii isolates. This study represents the first molecular genotyping survey of T. gondii in the lung tissue of fattening pigs and aborted fetuses in Korea. Our findings indicated the importance of adopting preventive measures including the implementation of rigorous farm hygiene protocols and the promotion of public awareness about the risks of consuming undercooked pork. By addressing the gaps in current control strategies and encouraging the One Health approach, this study contributes to the development of more effective strategies to mitigate the transmission of T. gondii from pigs to humans, ultimately safeguarding public health.

Whole-genome analysis of resilience based on the stability of reproduction performance during a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus outbreak in sows.

The Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) is a very prevalent viral pathogen that can induce reproductive failure in infected sows. PRRSV infection can result in smaller litters, foetal death, late-term abortions and retarded growth of infected piglets. Not all sows respond equally to the infection partly due to genetic factors. In this study, we aimed to characterise the genetic variability of pig resilience to PRRSV infection by using a stability reproductive performance (SRP) index as a proxy of resilience. By comparing reproductive data from 183 sows, we selected 48 sows with extreme SRP values, measured as the difference in piglets lost at farrowings before and during a PRRSV outbreak. Short-read DNA fragments were sequenced from selected sows using an Illumina platform. The analysis of whole-genome sequencing information identified 16 genome regions associated with the SRP classification (cut-off P-value < 10-6). Functional evaluation of the positional candidates by gene-ontology identifiers and their participation in biological pathways were used to identify genes involved in virus entry and replication (vimentin, RAC1 and OAZ2) but also in immune responses from the host (IRF1, and IL4, IL5 and IL13). Importantly, genes related to chemokines, extracellular proteins and cell-to-cell junction integrity might contribute to placental microseparations, facilitating the trafficking of viral particles from sow to foetus that takes place during the pathogenesis of transplacental PRRSV infection. However, given the small number of animals in the study, these results shall need to be validated in larger populations.

Whole-genome de novo sequencing reveals genomic variants associated with differences of sex development in SRY negative pigs.

BACKGROUND: Differences of sex development (DSD) are congenital conditions in which chromosomal, gonadal, or phenotypic sex is atypical. In more than 50% of human DSD cases, a molecular diagnosis is not available. In intensively farmed pig populations, the incidence of XX DSD pigs is relatively high, leading to economic losses for pig breeders. Interestingly, in the majority of 38, XX DSD pigs, gonads still develop into testis-like structures or ovotestes despite the absence of the testis-determining gene (SRY). However, the current understanding of the molecular background of XX DSD pigs remains limited. METHODS: Anatomical and histological characteristics of XX DSD pigs were analysed using necropsy and HE staining. We employed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) with 10× Genomics technology and used de novo assembly methodology to study normal female and XX DSD pigs. Finally, the identified variants were validated in 32 XX DSD pigs, and the expression levels of the candidate variants in the gonads of XX DSD pigs were further examined. RESULTS: XX DSD pigs are characterised by the intersex reproductive organs and the absence of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules of the gonads. We identified 4,950 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from non-synonymous mutations in XX DSD pigs. Cohort validation results highlighted two specific SNPs, "c.218T > C" in the "Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 gene (IFITM1)" and "c.1043C > G" in the "Newborn ovary homeobox gene (NOBOX)", which were found exclusively in XX DSD pigs. Moreover, we verified 14 candidate structural variants (SVs) from 1,474 SVs, identifying a 70 bp deletion fragment in intron 5 of the WW domain-containing oxidoreductase gene (WWOX) in 62.5% of XX DSD pigs. The expression levels of these three candidate genes in the gonads of XX DSD pigs were significantly different from those of normal female pigs. CONCLUSION: The nucleotide changes of IFITM1 (c.218T > C), NOBOX (c.1043 C > G), and a 70 bp deletion fragment of the WWOX were the most dominant variants among XX DSD pigs. This study provides a theoretical basis for better understanding the molecular background of XX DSD pigs. DSD are conditions affecting development of the gonads or genitalia. These disorders can happen in many different types of animals, including pigs, goats, dogs, and people. In people, DSD happens in about 0.02-0.13% of births, and in pigs, the rate is between 0.08% and 0.75%. Pigs have a common type of DSD where the animal has female chromosomes (38, XX) but no SRY gene, which is usually found on the Y chromosome in males. XX DSD pigs may look like both males and females on the outside and have testis-like or ovotestis (a mix of ovary and testis) gonads inside. XX DSD pigs often lead to not being able to have piglets, slower growth, lower chance of survival, and poorer meat quality. Here, we used a method called whole-genome de novo sequencing to look for variants in the DNA of XX DSD pigs. We then checked these differences in a larger group of pigs. Our results reveal the nucleotide changes in IFITM1 (c.218T > C), NOBOX (c.1043 C > G), and a 70 bp deletion fragment in intron 5 of the WWOX, all linked to XX DSD pigs. The expression levels of these three genes were also different in the gonads of XX DSD pigs compared to normal female pigs. These variants are expected to serve as valuable molecular markers for XX DSD pigs. Because pigs are a lot like humans in their genes, physiology, and body structure, this research could help us learn more about what causes DSD in people.

Unraveling the impact of hyperleptinemia on female reproduction: insights from transgenic pig model.

BACKGROUND: Infertility is a growing global health concern affecting millions of couples worldwide. Among several factors, an extreme body weight adversely affects reproductive functions. Leptin is a well-known adipokine that serves as an endocrine signal between adiposity and fertility. However, the exact mechanisms underlying the effects of high leptin level on female reproduction remain unclear. METHODS: Transgenic pigs overexpressing leptin (♀) were produced by backcrossing and screened for leptin overexpression. The growth curve, fat deposition, reproductive performance, apoptosis, serum hormones and cholesterol production, RNA sequencing, and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) of the leptin-overexpressing pigs and wild-type group were evaluated. RESULTS: Transgenic pigs overexpressing leptin (♀) were obtained, which exhibited significantly reduced body weight, body size, and back fat thickness. These pigs manifested a late onset of puberty (330 ± 54.3 vs. 155 ± 14.7 days), irregular estrous behavior characterized by increased inter-estrous interval (29.2 ± 0 vs. 21.3 ± 0.7 days), and more number of matings until pregnancy (at least 3 times). This reproductive impairment in leptin pigs was related to hormonal imbalances characterized by increased levels of FSH, LH, prolactin, E2, P4, and TSH, altered steroidogenesis such as increased levels of serum cholesterol esters along with steroidogenic markers (StAR, CYP19A), and ovarian dysfunctions manifested by neutrophilic infiltration and low expression of caspase-3 positive cells in the ovaries. Moreover, bulk RNA sequencing of the ovaries also revealed neutrophilic infiltration followed by upregulation of inflammation-related genes. Furthermore, snRNA-seq reflected that leptin overexpression triggered immune response, suppressed follicle development and luteinization, resulting in metabolic dysfunction and hormone imbalance in the ovary. CONCLUSIONS: Low body weight in leptin overexpressing pigs adversely affects the reproductive performance, causing delayed puberty, irregular estrous cycles, and reduced breeding efficiency. This is linked to metabolic imbalances, an increased immune response, and altered ovarian functions. This study provides a theoretical basis for the complex mechanisms underlying leptin, and infertility by employing leptin-overexpressing female pigs.

Supplementation of Ampelopsis grossedentata extract contributes to the improvement of intestinal health in swine.

Introduction: Ampelopsis grossedentata (vine tea), a high polyphenol content antioxidant plant resource, is renowned for its medicinal benefits. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Ampelopsis grossedentata extract (AGE) on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ability, enhancement of intestinal immunity, improvement of intestinal structure, and regulation of gut microbiota in swine. Methods: A total of 135 weaned piglets were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a low-dose group, and a high-dose group. Pigs were weighed and blood was collected on days 36, 85, and 154. The feed intake was recorded daily to calculate growth performance parameters. On day 154, five to six pigs in each group were randomly selected and euthanized to obtain a small intestine to investigate the effects of AGE on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities and gut microbiota. Results: The results showed that 500 mg/kg AGE increased the expression of anti-inflammatory and immune cytokines (IL-10, IgG, and IgA) (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) and decreased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß) (p < 0.05) in serum. Additionally, 500 mg/kg AGE enhanced the antioxidant capacity by increasing the GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Discussion: A total of 500 mg/kg AGE significantly increased the abundance of gut microbiota, enhanced the gut barrier, and modulated gut immunity. During the piglet phase, 500 mg/kg AGE increased the relative abundance of Prevotella (p < 0.05). During the growing-finishing phase, 500 mg/kg AGE increased the relative abundance of unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae and Bacteroides (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Overall, we recommended 500 mg/kg AGE as a routine addition dose for swine to improve porcine growth performance and intestinal health.

Over a century of progress on Trichinella research in pigs at the United States Department of Agriculture: Challenges and solutions.

Trichinellosis, caused by 13 species/subspecies/genotypes in the nematode genus Trichinella, is a worldwide zoonosis. In the United States, trichinellosis was of historical and economic significance because of European restrictions on the import of U.S. pork. Before the advent of effective protective measures, most cases of trichinellosis were derived from consumption of undercooked or inadequately processed, infected pork. Research conducted at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) since 1891, and policies established by USDA regulatory agencies, have helped to reduce Trichinella infections in commercially raised domestic pigs to negligible levels. Here, we review the history of this scientific progress, placing special emphasis on research conducted at the USDA's Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.

Development and method validation of a sampling technique for a reproducible detection of synthetic cannabinoids in exhaled breath using an in vitro pig lung model.

Alternative matrices, especially exhaled breath (EB), have gained increasing attention for a few years. To interpret toxicological findings, knowledge on the toxicokinetic (TK) properties of a substance in EB is indispensable. Whilst such data are already accessible for various drugs (e.g. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol), they are still not available for new psychoactive substances, particularly synthetic cannabinoids (SCs). As SCs raise a high public health concern, the aim of this study was to assess these data in future TK studies in pigs. For this purpose, an in vitro sampling technique of EB was initially developed, being prospectively applied to anesthetized and ventilated pigs for the detection of SCs in a controlled and reproducible manner as exemplified by cumyl-5F-P7AICA. Furthermore, a method for the qualitative and quantitative detection of cumyl-5F-P7AICA in EB using glass fiber filters (GFF) was established und fully validated. Therefore, cumyl-5F-P7AICA (0.5 mg/mL in ethanol abs.) was initially nebulized using a ventilation machine and a breathing tube, as they are also used in surgeries. The aerosol was delivered into a simulated pig lung. To collect EB, a pump was connected to that part of the breathing tube, that contains EB (expiratory limb), and sampling was performed repeatedly (n=6) for 15 min (2 L EB/min) each using GFF. For extraction of the substance, the GFF were macerated with acetone and the remaining experimental components were rinsed with ethanol. After sample preparation, the extracts were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. In the complete experimental setup, about 40% of the initially nebulized cumyl-5F-P7AICA dose was found with 3.6 ± 1.3% being detected in the GFF. Regarding the comparably high loss of substance, the open ventilation system and a conceivable adsorption of the SC in the ventilator have to be considered. However, the herein introduced approach is promising to determine the TK properties of cumyl-5F-P7AICA in EB.

Effective treatment with afoxolaner (NexGard) of Trixacarus caviae in a pet guinea pig.

Trixacarus caviae is a sarcoptic mange mite infesting guinea pigs. Infestation in immunosuppressed animals produces severe dermatological problems, including alopecia, intense pruritus, hyperkeratosis and non-dermatological issues (e.g., seizures). Treatment options are limited and include topical application of macrocyclic lactones or amitraz or injectable administration of ivermectin or doramectin. Considering the severity of the disease and the challenging treatment, the present paper aimed to determine the efficacy of oral afoxolaner in a severe case of infestation with T. caviae in a pet guinea pig. One female guinea pig was referred to the New Companion Animal Clinic due to severe dermatological problems. A clinical evaluation was done, and skin scrapings were collected and examined under the microscope. Small mites were detected and morphologically identified as T. caviae. The animal was treated with a single oral dose of 2.50 mg/kg afoxolaner, and the lesions, presence/absence of mites and intensity of pruritus were evaluated periodically until 2 months post-treatment. A week after the medication, the lesions were milder, but pruritus was still present and was attributed to the healing process. Further examinations showed significant improvement with the complete remission of clinical signs and no mites at the microscopic examination after 4 weeks. Afoxolaner was safe and effective in this guinea pig for the treatment of T. caviae mange with no repetition needed.

Why is welfare pork so expensive?

Specialty (niche) pork products may provide societal benefits in terms of e.g. higher animal welfare, reduced use of antibiotics, and lower environmental impact. At the same time, they offer a business opportunity for farmers, slaughterhouses, meat processers, and retailers, who can capitalise on consumer segments willing to pay a price premium. However, the added cost of delivering niche products and a limited willingness among consumers to pay the higher prices may negate the benefits of this approach, particularly as niche products typically have high substitutability with standard pork. One way to ensure the success of the niche pork products is to drive down costs across all parts of the value chain. Inspired by data from the Danish pork market, the present study seeks to identify cost drivers in the value chain. We found two promising approaches to reduce the costs associated with niche products. First, the pricing strategy can be altered so that mainstream pork is replaced entirely by specialty pork products in the chiller section, thereby making niche the new standard. Second, with improved carcass balance, the price premium paid to farmers can be assigned to a larger proportion of the pig, thus enabling the retail price to be lowered. For example, we found that improved carcass balance had the potential to halve the necessary retail price increase, regardless of the pricing strategy employed. The conclusion is that it is possible to drive down costs across all parts of the value chain to enable further production and profitable sale of welfare pork.

Optimization of degradation conditions for sulfachlorpyridazine by Bacillus sp. DLY-11 and analysis of biodegradation mechanisms.

Sulfachloropyridazine (SCP) is a common sulfonamide antibiotic pollutant found in animal excreta. Finding highly efficient degrading bacterial strains is an important measure to reduce SCP antibiotic pollution. Although some strains with degradation capabilities have been screened, the degradation pathways and biotransformation mechanisms of SCP during bacterial growth are still unclear. In this study, a strain capable of efficiently degrading SCP, named Bacillus sp. DLY-11, was isolated from pig manure aerobic compost. Under optimized conditions (5 % Vaccination dose, 51.5 â„ƒ reaction temperature, pH=7.92 and 0.5 g/L MgSO4), this strain was able to degrade 97.7 % of 20 mg/L SCP within 48 h. Through the analysis of nine possible degradation products (including a new product of 1,4-benzoquinone with increased toxicity), three potential biodegradation pathways were proposed. The biodegradation reactions include S-N bond cleavage, dechlorination, hydroxylation, deamination, methylation, sulfur dioxide release, and oxidation reactions. This discovery not only provides a new efficient SCP-degrading bacterial strain but also expands our understanding of the mechanisms of bacterial degradation of SCP, filling a knowledge gap. It offers important reference for the bioremediation of antibiotic pollutants in livestock and poultry farming.

Impact of lowering nitrogen content in pig manure through low crude protein diets on anaerobic digestion process stability, biogas yields, and digestate composition.

Lowering crude protein in pig diets can reduce nitrogen (N) excretion and alter manure characteristics. Anaerobic digestion (AD) offers potential for converting pig manure into biogas and bio-based fertilizers (i.e., digestate). However, limited research exists on the effects of N content in pig manure on AD when pigs are fed diets with varying crude protein levels. This study investigated how lowering N content in pig manure through low crude protein diets may affect AD process stability, biogas generation, and digestate properties. Manures from different dietary treatments, named as control (CON), low N (LN), and very low N (VLN), with Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen concentrations of 5.87, 5.42, and 5.15 g/L, respectively, were investigated. Daily biogas production, composition (CH4, CO2, and H2S), and digestate properties were monitored over 13 fed-batch cycles (25 ± 4 days per cycle). The experiment was conducted at 20 ± 1 °C, a condition suited for milder climate regions, using six single-stage digesters operated in sequencing fed-batch mode. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using PROC MIXED with repeated measures. Results showed that the differences in N content in pig manure due to the three dietary treatments had a limited impact on biogas generation, with specific methane yields remaining similar over time. CH4 concentrations remained stable between 60 and 65 %, ensuring high-quality biogas despite dietary variations. Differences between treatments became more pronounced with increased organic loading rates (OLRs) due to variations in the amount of volatile solids fed. AD also remained stable (Total Volatile Fatty Acids/Total Alkalinity <0.25) even at an OLR of 2.15 g of chemical oxygen demand L-1 day-1, highlighting AD's robustness at lower temperatures. Digestate samples contained essential minerals beneficial for plant growth. More research is needed to explore varied manure compositions and feeding strategies to better understand the interactions of animal nutrition with AD.

Control of swine dysentery at national level in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Swine dysentery, caused by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, is a severe pig disease. Resistance to tylosins is common and resistance to tiamulin has been reported since the 1990s. Still, dysentery is not notifiable to authorities. The disease therefore escapes control from an overall population perspective. In Sweden, a program that aimed to control dysentery at national level was initiated in 2020, mainly due to the unexpected diagnosis of tiamulin resistant Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in 2016. RESULTS: Through joint efforts of a network including farmers, government, animal health organisations and abattoirs it was concluded that outbreaks of dysentery had taken place in 25 herds between 2016 and 2019. By 1 January 2020, nine of these herds were still not declared free from the disease. From that date, the network decided that Brachyspira hyodysenteriae was to be cultured whenever dysentery could be suspected. Thus, 148, 157 and 124 herds were scrutinised for Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively, whereof five, three and two new herds were confirmed positive. By 31 December 2022, four herds were judged as impossible to sanitise. However, they posed no problem since they were identified by the network, pigs to and from these enterprises could be transported without jeopardising other herds. When Brachyspira hyodysenteriae was diagnosed in fattening herds purchasing growers, Brachyspira hyodysenteriae could not be detected in the delivering herds. That result, together with other observations, indicated that Brachyspira hyodysenteriae ought to be regarded as ubiquitous, although at a low level in healthy pigs. CONCLUSIONS: Eradication of dysentery contributed to substantial welfare and financial improvements in affected herds. Dysentery was controlled successfully at national level through the united efforts from competing stake holders, such as different abattoirs and animal health organisations. However, as Brachyspira hyodysenteriae was assumed to be ubiquitous, although at a low level in healthy pigs, the duration of the successful control of dysentery was concluded to only be transient. Without permanent monitoring for Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, the knowledge of the national status will rapidly decline to the level prior to the initiation of the control program.

Does Scaling Up Pig Farming Promote Carbon Neutrality Among Pig Farmers?

Pig farming is a major source of carbon emissions in China's livestock industry, and the promotion and application of carbon neutral technologies dedicated to carbon reduction and sequestration is a key measure to promote the realization of carbon neutrality in pig farming industry. In the absence of a system for carbon emission reduction in agriculture, it is important to explore whether large-scale pig farming can spontaneously promote the application of carbon neutral technologies by pig farmers. Combined with the technical background of carbon neutrality in pig farming industry and using the field survey data of 468 pig farmers in Shandong Province, this paper empirically analyzed the effect of large-scale pig farming on the carbon neutral behavior of pig farmers. The findings are threefold. Firstly, because of the effect of economies of scale in the application of carbon neutral technologies, large-scale pig farming can promote the carbon neutral behavior of pig farmers. However, the effect of economies of scale in the application of carbon neutral technologies has a boundary, and the annual output of pigs should be maintained at 3000 to 4999. Secondly, among the effects of pig breeding scale on the application and its degree of composting project, state of planting and breeding cycle has no regulating effect. Thirdly, among the effects of pig breeding scale on the application and its degree of biogas engineering, both state of planting and breeding cycle and subsidy for construction of biogas digester have negative regulating effects. In this paper, the pig farming industry is taken as a typical example to reveal the endogenous incentive mechanism of promoting agricultural carbon emission reduction, which provides theoretical reference and experience enlightenment for the formulation of effective policies to promote agricultural carbon neutrality, which are different from industrial industries.

A genome-wide association study reveals candidate genes and regulatory regions associated with birth weight in pigs.

Piglet birth weight is associated with preweaning survival, and its related traits have been included in the breeding program. Thus, understanding its genetic basis is essential. This study identified four birth weight-associated genomic regions on chromosomes 2, 4, 5, and 7 through genome-wide association study analysis in 7286 pigs from three different pure breeds using the FarmCPU model. The genetic and phenotypic variance explained by the four candidate regions is 8.42% and 1.85%, respectively. Twenty-eight candidate genes were detected, of which APPL2, TGFBI, MACROH2A1, and SEC22B have been reported to affect body growth or development. In addition, 21 H3K4me3-enriched peaks overlapped with the birth weight-associated genomic regions were identified by integrating the genome-wide association study results with our previous ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data generated in the pig placenta, a fetal organ relevant to birth weight, and three of the regulatory regions influence TGFBI, MACROH2A1, and SEC22B expression. This study provides new insights into understanding the mechanisms for birth weight. Further investigating the variants in the regulatory regions would help identify the functional variants for birth weight in pigs.

Conserved B cell signaling, activation, and differentiation in porcine jejunal and ileal Peyer's patches despite distinct immune landscapes.

Peyer's patches (PPs) are B cell-rich sites of intestinal immune induction, yet PP-associated B cell signaling, activation, and differentiation are poorly defined. Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics were completed to study B cells from porcine jejunum and ileum containing PPs. Intestinal locations had distinct immune landscapes, including more follicular B cells in ileum and increased MHC-II-encoding gene expression in jejunal B cells. Despite distinct landscapes, conserved B cell dynamics were detected across intestinal locations, including B cell signaling to CD4+ macrophages that are putative phagocytic, cytotoxic, effector cells and deduced routes of B cell activation/differentiation, including resting B cells migrating into follicles to replicate/divide or differentiate into antibody-secreting cells residing in intestinal crypts. A six-biomarker panel recapitulated transcriptomics findings of B cell phenotypes, frequencies, and spatial locations via ex vivo and in situ staining. Findings convey conserved B cell dynamics across intestinal locations containing PPs, despite location-specific immune environments. Results establish a benchmark of B cell dynamics for understanding intestinal immune induction important to promoting gut/overall health.