Influence of tree cover on carcass detection and consumption by facultative vertebrate scavengers.

Scavenging mammals and vultures can exploit and deplete carcasses much faster than other birds and invertebrates. Vultures are strongly influenced by habitat type, e.g. tree cover, since they rely on their eyesight to detect carcasses. It remains unclear whether and how facultative scavengers - both other birds and mammals - are influenced by tree cover and how that affect carcass decomposition time, which in turn affects biodiversity and ecological processes, including the cycle of energy and nutrients. We studied whether the carcass detection and consumption, hence carcass decomposition speed, by facultative avian and mammalian scavengers varies with tree cover in areas without vultures. Fresh mammal carcasses were placed in different landscapes across the Netherlands at locations that widely varied in tree cover. Camera traps were used to record carcass exploitation by facultative avian and mammalian scavengers and to estimate carcass decomposition time. We found that carcass detection and consumption by birds, wild boar, and other mammals varied between locations. Carcass decomposition speed indeed increased with carcass detection and exploitation by mammals, especially by wild boar. However, this variation was not related to tree cover. We conclude that tree cover is not a major determinant of carcass exploitation by facultative scavengers in areas without obligate scavengers and large carnivores.

Xylanase Supplementation in Energy-deficient Corn-based Diets: Impact on Broiler Growth, Nutrient Digestibility, Chyme Viscosity and Carcass Proximates.

Objective: The goal of the current study was to investigate the impact of various concentrations of xylanase in energy-deficient corn-based diets on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility, and digesta viscosity in broilers from 7 to 35 days of age. Methods: A total of 280 seven-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly allocated to one of the five dietary treatments following a completely randomized design with 8 replicates and 7 birds per cage. The treatments were: i) positive control (PC, without xylanase); ii) NC-1 (80 kcal/kg ME reduced from PC); iii) NC-2 (100 kcal/kg ME reduced from PC); iv) NCX-1 (NC-1 + 2000 U/kg xylanase); and v) NCX-2 (NC-2 + 3000 U/kg xylanase). Body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were determined weekly to evaluate growth performance. One bird per pen was sacrificed for ileal digesta collection to determine the viscosity and digestibility of energy, dry matter, crude protein on days 24 and 35, however breast and leg meat samples were obtained for proximate analysis (moisture, crude protein, fat, and ash) on day 35. Results: Birds fed diets supplemented with xylanase regardless of the amount had higher (p<0.05) body weights, daily gains, and improved feed efficiency compared to NC diets all throughout the experimental period. Feed intake was not affected (p>0.05) by the addition of xylanase. Moreover, lowered (p<0.05) viscosity of the ileal digesta were observed upon xylanase inclusion in the diets compared to the birds fed NC diets on day 24. Ileal nutrient digestibility and meat proximate composition were not affected (p>0.05) by xylanase. Conclusion: The present study indicated that the xylanase at 2,000 U/kg and 3,000 U/kg levels compensates for the 80 kcal/kg and 100 kcal/kg dietary energy levels, respectively, without having adverse effects on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility, and digesta viscosity of broilers.

The impact of incorporating dried cafeteria leftover food on growing APRI rabbits productivity, profitability and meat quality.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dried cafeteria leftover food (DCLF) incorporation in growing APRI rabbit diets on nutrient digestibility, live body weight, body weight gain, carcass traits, meat quality, blood parameters, and economic efficiency. Thirty-six APRI rabbits (6 weeks of age), after weaning, were randomly divided into three groups (12 rabbits/group, 613 ± 5 g). During the experiment, rabbits aged 6-14 weeks participated in the experiment. An approximate isocaloric and isonitrogenous composition was achieved in three pelleted experimental diets. For the rabbit groups D1 (as the control), D2, and D3, DCLF was added at doses of 0%, 17.5%, and 35%, respectively. Digestibility trails were carried out at the end of the feeding experiment to evaluate the nutritional and feeding values of the experimental diets. To examine the characteristics of the carcasses, the quality of the meat, the histopathological analysis, and the blood plasma parameters, three rabbits were slaughtered from each group. The results showed that the feeding values (TDN and DE), which had the greatest values, as well as the digesting coefficients for dry matter, organic matter, crude fiber, and ether extract between the D1 and D3 groups were significantly different (p < 0.05). On the contrary, the curde protein, nitrogen-free extract, and digestible crude protein of the examined diets showed no signifcant differences compared with the control diet. The level of DCLF incorporation in diets significantly (p < 0.05) increased the live body weight at 14 weeks; with D3 recording the highest values (2130.9 g) when compared to the D1 and D2 groups. A similar pattern was observed for both daily increase and total body gain (6-14 weeks). Feed conversion recorded insignificant differences among the experimental diets respecting the period 6-14 weeks of age. DCLF levels had a significant effect on dressing and giblet percentages. The chemical composition and color parameters of rabbit meat were similar (p > 0.05), except for fat%, which had the highest value in the D3 group (p < 0.05) compared to the D1 and D2 groups. Economic efficiency was improved by using DLCF up to 35% in terms of gross margin and feed cost/kg gain. In conclusion, using DCLF in the feeding system of rabbits could enhance productive performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and physiological function, as well as improve economic efficiency.

Flooding, season and habitat interact to drive changes in vertebrate scavenging and carcass persistence rates.

Scavenging dynamics are influenced by many abiotic and biotic factors, but there is little knowledge of how scavengers respond to extreme weather events. As carrion is a major driver of the organisation and structure of food webs within ecological communities, understanding the response of scavengers to extreme weather events is critical in a world that is increasingly subject to climate change. In this study, vertebrate scavenging and carcass persistence rates were quantified in the Simpson Desert of central Australia; a system that experiences major fluctuations and extremes in weather conditions. Specifically, a total of 80 adult red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) carcasses were placed on the landscape and monitored using remote sensor cameras. This included 40 carcasses monitored before and then 40 carcasses monitored after a major flooding event. The carcasses were monitored equally before and after the flood across different seasons (warm and cool) and in dune and interdune habitats. Overall, a total of 8124 scavenging events for 97,976 visitation minutes were recorded for 11 vertebrate species within 30 days of carcass placement pre- and post-flood. Vertebrate scavenging increased post-flood in the warm season, especially by corvids which quadrupled their scavenging events during this time. There was little difference in carcass persistence between habitats, but carcasses persisted 5.3-fold longer post-flood in warm seasons despite increased vertebrate scavenging. The results demonstrate that a flood event can influence scavenging dynamics and suggest a need to further understand how seasons, habitats and extreme weather events can drive changes in carrion-based food webs.

Associations between the rumen microbiota and carcass merit and meat quality in beef cattle.

The rumen microbiota is important for energy and nutrient acquisition in cattle, and therefore its composition may also affect carcass merit and meat quality attributes. In this study, we examined the associations between archaeal and bacterial taxa in the rumen microbiota of beef cattle and 12 different attributes, including hot carcass weight (HCW), dressing percentage, ribeye area (REA), intramuscular fat content, marbling score, fat thickness, yield grade, moisture content, purge loss, and shear force. There were significant correlations between the relative abundance of certain archaeal and bacterial genera and these attributes. Notably, Selenomonas spp. were positively correlated with live weight and HCW, while also being negatively correlated with purge loss. Members of the Christensenellaceae R-7, Moryella, and Prevotella genera exhibited positive and significant correlations with various attributes, such as dressing percentage and intramuscular fat content. Ruminococcaceae UCG-001 was negatively correlated with live weight, HCW, and dressing percentage, while Acidaminococcus and Succinivibrionaceae UCG-001 were negatively correlated with intramuscular fat content, moisture content, and marbling score. Overall, our findings suggest that specific changes in the rumen microbiota could be a valuable tool to improve beef carcass merit and meat quality attributes. Additional research is required to better understand the relationship between the rumen microbiota and these attributes, with the potential to develop microbiome-targeted strategies for enhancing beef production. KEY POINTS: • Certain rumen bacteria were associated with carcass merit and meat quality • Moryella was positively correlated with intramuscular fat in beef carcasses • Acidaminococcus spp. was negatively correlated with marbling and intramuscular fat.

The impact of sire breed on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of beef × Holstein steers.

Dairy herds are mating a portion of cows to beef cattle semen to create a value-added calf. Objectives of this study were to compare the feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of beef × Holstein steers by breed when sires represented bulls with commercially available semen. Three groups of single-born, male calves (n = 262) born to Holstein dams on 10 Pennsylvania dairies were sourced during 3 yr. Steers were sired by seven beef breeds: Angus, Charolais, Limousin, Hereford, Red Angus, Simmental, and Wagyu. Steers were picked up within a week of age and raised at two preweaned calf facilities until weaning (8 ±â€…1 wk of age) under similar health and management protocols. Steers were then transported to a commercial calf growing facility where they were managed as a single group until 10 ±â€…2 mo of age when they were moved to be finished at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Livestock Evaluation Center feedlot. Groups of steers were selected for slaughter based on body weight. Carcass characteristics were evaluated by trained personnel and a three-rib section of the longissimus muscle (LM) was collected from each carcass for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) evaluation and intramuscular fat determination. Steers sired by all sire breeds except for Limousin had greater average daily gain (ADG; 1.62 to 1.76 kg/d) than Wagyu × Holstein steers (1.39 kg/d; P < 0.05). Angus-sired steers had an 8.6% greater ADG than Red Angus-sired steers (P < 0.05). Angus, Charolais (1.73 kg/d), and Simmental-sired steers (1.68 kg/d) also had greater ADG than Limousin-sired steers (1.55 kg/d; P < 0.05). Wagyu × Holstein steers spent 5 to 26 more days on feed (P < 0.05) than Limousin × Holstein, Simmental × Holstein, Angus × Holstein, and Charolais × Holstein steers. Angus and Charolais-sired steers were also on feed for 19 and 21 d fewer, respectively, than Limousin-sired steers (P < 0.05). Red Angus-sired steers had greater marbling scores than Simmental and Limousin-sired steers and Angus and Charolais-sired steers had greater marbling scores than Limousin-sired steers (P < 0.05). Angus, Limousin, and Hereford-sired steers produced the most tender LM as evaluated by WBSF; Angus-sired carcasses (3.82 kg) were more tender than Charolais (4.30 kg) and Simmental-sired carcasses (4.51 kg; P < 0.05). Limousin and Hereford-sired steers (3.70 and 3.83 kg, respectively) also had more tender steaks than Simmental-sired steers.

Effects of season, catching method, and thinning on carcass quality and production parameters in 4 different broiler production systems in the Netherlands.

In the Netherlands, poultry meat production has been evolving in recent years toward broiler production systems with slow-growing broilers. In this study the effects of season, catching method, and thinning on carcass quality and production parameters in four different broiler production systems in the Netherlands was evaluated. The data for this study were collected from slaughterhouse data in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and contained information about four different broiler production systems: conventional (fast growing) broilers (CONV), 2 different indoor slow-growing broilers (SGB1 and SGB2), and Better Life 1 Star (BLS) concept with slow-growing broilers. The data set consisted of 14,976, 1,730, 3,713, and 1,121 records (flocks) for CONV, SGB1, SGB2, and BLS, respectively. All three production systems with slow-growing broilers had a lower slaughter weight, average daily gain (ADG), first-week mortality, and total mortality than CONV (no-thinning). ADG of SGB2 and BLS was lower than that of SGB1. Slaughter weight and ADG were the lowest when day-old chicks were placed in March/April and the highest when they were placed in September/October. All slow-growing broiler production systems had a lower footpad lesion score and a lower incidence of hock burns, leg hematomas, breast hematomas, dead-on-arrival chickens (DOA), and total rejects than CONV. Autumn flocks had more hock burns, a higher footpad lesion score, and more wing hematomas than spring flocks. More scabby hips and fewer total rejects were found during the summer months than during the winter months. Thinning flocks had more scabby hips, ammonia burns, and DOAs and fewer hock burns, footpad lesions, wing hematomas, leg hematomas, breast hematomas, and total rejects than no-thinning flocks. Mechanically caught flocks had more ammonia burns, DOAs, and total rejects than manually caught flocks. In conclusion, this study showed that all three production systems with slow-growing broilers had a lower first-week mortality and total mortality and better scores on most carcass quality parameters and welfare indicators than CONV.

Administering the maternal appeasing substance before slaughter to improve carcass characteristics of finishing cattle.

Two experiments evaluated carcass characteristics of finishing steers administered the maternal bovine appeasing substance (mBAS) prior to slaughter. In Exp. 1, 954 Angus-influenced finishing steers housed in 6 original pens were used. Each original pen was split into a pair of experimental pens 14.3 d ±â€…3 d prior to slaughter, in a manner that number of steers and average pen body weight (BW; 636 ±â€…4 kg) were similar. An oiler containing mBAS (Ferappease Finish Cattle 5%; FERA Diagnostics and Biologicals; College Station, TX) was added to one of the experimental pens 7 d prior to slaughter (n = 6), whereas the other pen did not contain an oiler (CON; n = 6). The oiler delivered 120 mL of mBAS/steer during a 7-d period. Steer BW was recorded 7 d prior to and during loading (final BW) to the packing plant. No treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.51) for BW gain, final BW, and proportion of carcasses that graded Choice or Prime. Carcass dressing percentage was greater (P = 0.02) in mBAS compared with CON steers (65.9% vs. 64.2%; SEM = 0.5), which was not sufficient to impact hot carcass weight (HCW; P = 0.29). Incidence of dark-cutting carcasses did not differ between treatments (P = 0.23). In Exp. 2, 80 Angus-influenced finishing steers housed in 16 pens (5 steers/pen; 600 ±â€…4 kg of BW) were used. Pens were arranged in 4 rows of 4 pens/row, and rows were alternately assigned to receive an oiler containing mBAS (n = 8) or mineral oil (CON+; n = 8) 7 d prior to slaughter. Oilers were designed to deliver 120 mL/steer of mBAS or mineral oil during the 7-d period. Steer BW was recorded as in Exp. 1, and a blood sample was collected during exsanguination. No treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.20) for BW parameters, carcass marbling score, backfat thickness, Longissimus muscle area, yield grade, and proportion of carcasses that graded Choice or Prime. Carcass dressing was greater (P = 0.02) in mBAS steers compared with CON + (60.6 vs. 59.6%; SEM = 0.3) but HCW did not differ (P = 0.47) between treatments. Plasma cortisol concentration was less (P < 0.01) in mBAS steers compared with CON + (11.7 vs. 20.8 ng/mL; SEM = 1.6). Incidence of dark-cutting carcasses did not differ (P = 0.53) between treatments. In summary, mBAS administration to finishing cattle using oilers during the last 7 d on feed alleviated the adrenocortical stress response elicited by the process of slaughter, which likely resulted in increased carcass dressing.

Dietary replacement of maggot meal for soybean meal: implication on performance indices, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilisation and carcass characteristics of grower rabbits.

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with maggot meal (MM) in growing rabbits' diets on their performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass characteristics. In the 56 days feeding trials, sixty unsexed mixed breeds (New Zealand White x California) rabbits were allotted on a weight equalization basis into five dietary treatments where a standard corn-soybean meal based diet (0% of maggot meal) (MM0 diet) served as the while other diets had soybean meal replaced with MM at graded levels of 25, 50, 75 and 100% to give MM25, MM50, MM75, and MM100 diets respectively. Each treatment comprises of four replicates having three rabbits each (12 rabbits per treatment). Growth performance parameters were monitored and recorded weekly, carcass and organ weights evaluation was conducted on day 56. Nutrient digestibility commenced on the 56th day and lasted for 6 days. Feed and water were offered to the rabbits ad-libitum throughout the experimental period. All the performance parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by MM inclusion in the diet of rabbits. Rabbits fed MM100 diet had the highest (P < 0.05) final weight (FW), total weight gain (TWG), and the best feed conversion ratio (FCR). The feed cost reduced (P < 0.05) with inclusion of MM in rabbit's diet. Feed cost per kg live weight (FC/LW) (1110.79 ₦/kg) and feed cost per kg weight gain (FC/WG) (1110.62 ₦/kg) was lowest (P < 0.05) for rabbits fed MM100 diet. Crude protein digestibility (CPD) (74.05%) was highest (P < 0.05) for rabbits fed the MM100 diet. The feeding of MM75 and MM100 diets to rabbits resulted in increased (P < 0.05) dry matter digestibility (DMD) (68.22 and 69.34%), nitrogen free extract digestibility (NFED) (65.52 and 65.22%) and neutral detergent fibre digestibility (NDFD) (70.05 and 69.58%). The highest (P < 0.05) nitrogen retained (NR) (2.10 g/d) occurred in rabbits fed the MM100 diet. The dressing percentage (DP) (71.01%) increased (P < 0.05) for rabbits fed the MM100 diet. The weight of forelimbs (10.48 and 10.45%) and hind limbs (17.42 and 18.07%) were highest (P < 0.05) for rabbits fed MM50 and MM100 diets respectively. Total gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and liver weight were highest (P < 0.05) for rabbits fed MM0 and MM100 diets respectively. It was concluded that MM can conveniently replace SBM in the diets of rabbits up to 100% for improved growth performance and increased nutrient digestibility. In addition, it can enhance DP and increase the carcass yield of rabbits.

Effect of feeding Bengal gram residual forage-based pelleted total mixed ration on growth performance, nutrient availability, carcass traits and composition in finisher Barbari kids.

The study aimed to assess the impact of feeding Bengal gram residual forage-based pelleted Total Mixed Ration (TMR) with varying concentrate (C) to roughage (R) ratios on feed intake, nutrient utilization, growth, and carcass characteristics in Barbari kids. Sixteen weaned male Barbari kids (av. age, 233 ± 11 days; weight, 13.86 ± 0.76 kg) were divided into two groups (T1 and T2), each receiving different pelleted diets (TMR) with distinct concentrate to roughage ratios (T1 with 60:40; T2 with 40:60). The kids were fed for 133 days, and a digestion trial was conducted at the end of the study. After completion, all kids were slaughtered. Although, kids under T1 consumed higher (P < 0.001) amount of dry matter, and crude protein compared to T2, which was due to a higher concentrate to roughage ratio in T1. But, the average daily body weight gain (ADG) of finisher kids was 88.53, and 79.83 g/d/kid in T1 and T2, respectively; however, the difference was non-significant. Digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, and total carbohydrate was also greater in T1 compared to T2. Total digestible nutrients intake was higher (P < 0.001) in T1; similarly intake of digestible energy, and metabolizable energy were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in T1 compared to T2. Concentrations of volatile fatty acids and NH3-nitrogen were also enhanced (P < 0.05) in T1 compared to T2. We observed similar carcass weight, and dressing percentage in both groups, and carcass composition remained unaffected. The pelleted diet containing greater ratio of concentrate: roughage (60:40) had no additional benefits in terms of ADG, and carcass traits in finisher kids. Therefore, it may be concluded that the Bengal gram residual forage-based pelleted TMR diet containing C40: R60 (TDN 57.13%, DCP 7.64%, ME 9.11MJ/kg feed) is suitable for optimizing growth performance with desirable carcass traits, and meat composition in finisher Barbari kids reared under the intensive system.

Effects of Reducing Sugars on Colour, Amino Acids, and Volatile Flavour Compounds in Thermally Treated Minced Chicken Carcass Hydrolysate.

This study investigated the changes in colour, amino acids, and volatile flavour compounds in the enzymatic hydrolysates of chicken carcasses containing different types and amounts of reducing sugars (xylose, arabinose, glucose, and fructose), so as to develop a chicken-based flavouring agent. Before heat treatment at 100 °C for 60 min, the chosen reducing sugars were separately added to the chicken carcass hydrolysate at its natural pH. Pentoses decreased pH more significantly than hexoses in the chicken carcass hydrolysate. The browning degree followed the pattern of pH decline, as pentoses caused more intense browning than hexoses, with xylose dosage having the greatest effect on the colour changes (ΔE). Fructose addition notably reduced free amino acids (FAAs) and cystine contents. Furthermore, phenylalanine decreased with increasing dosages of arabinose, xylose, and fructose. Glutamic acid content decreased significantly with fructose addition but showed insignificant changes with xylose. At the same dosage, the addition of pentoses resulted in the production of more sulphur-containing volatile compounds like methional, 2-[(methylthio) methyl] furan, and dimethyl disulphide than hexoses. Methional and furfural, which provide a roasted, savoury flavour, were produced by adding more xylose. Heat treatment with xylose also removed hexanal, the main off-odourant.

Effect of dietary inclusion of Pennisetum purpureum (Napier) grass on growth performance, rumen fermentation and meat quality of feedlot sussex red steers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth performance, fermentation indices and meat quality of Sussex steers fed totally mixed rations that composed of graded inclusion levels of Napier grass (NP). Three experimental diets designated as diet 1 (0.0 g kg-1 NP: Control), diet 2 (300 g kg-1 NP grass) and diet 3 (600 g kg-1 NP) were formulated. Twenty-four male steers aged 8 months with an average body weight of 185.0 ± 30 kg were used. In a completely randomized design, the animals were allocated to the diets and fed for 120 days. Dietary NP inclusion reduced (P < 0.05) the animals' average daily gain and increased the feed efficiency. The steers' daily feed intake and final body weight decreased (P < 0.05) with a 600 g kg-1 inclusion level. The fermentation indices were not affected (P > 0.05) by the inclusion. While the inclusion reduced (P < 0.05) warm muscle temperature, it had no effect (P > 0.05) on carcass dressing percentage, warm and cold initial and ultimate pH. However, 600 g kg-1 inclusion level reduced (P > 0.05) warm and cold carcass weights. Meat physical attributes, moisture characteristics and tenderness were not affected (P > 0.05) by dietary treatments, except for the 7-days aged meat thaw loss, which increased at 600 g kg-1 inclusion level. Inclusion of 300 g kg-1 increased meat protein and fat, but dry and organic matter contents decreased with increasing inclusion levels. Dietary inclusion of NP grass up to 300 g kg-1 in steers' diets improved feed intake, carcass traits and yielded meat high in protein and fat.

Assessment of some toxic elements (Co, Cr, Mn, Se, and As) in muscle, offal, hair, and blood of camels (Camelus dromedaries) and their risk assessment.

Background: Camel meat tainted with heavy metals or trace elements may pose a health risk to consumers. Heavy metal contamination poses a severe danger due to both their toxicity and bioaccumulation in the food chain. Aim: To estimate the residual levels of heavy metals (Co, Cr, Mn, Se, and As) in muscle, liver, kidney, hair, and serum of three camel breeds (Magaheem, Maghateer, and Wadha) collected from Al-Omran abattoir, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A total of 225 tissue samples (muscles, liver, kidney, serum, and hair) were taken and analyzed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Health risk assessment was assessed using the guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Results: Camel breed significantly (p < 0.05) influences Co, Cr, Mn, and Se accumulation and distribution in organs and muscle; however, arsenic accumulation was not significantly affected (p < 0.05) by camel breeds. The highest values of Co, Cr, Se, and Mn in all examined samples were detected in the liver samples of Maghateer and Magaheem breeds. Furthermore, significant strong positive correlation between serum and liver cobalt, chromium, manganese, and arsenic. The estimated daily intake owing to camel meat consumption was less than the tolerated daily intake. Conclusion: Heavy metals were distributed among different breeds of camel. Trace elements (Pb and Cd) in meat and offal were below the international maximum permissible limit. The correlation between samples reflects the role of hair as a good tool for the identification of heavy metal pollution.

Fluctuations and disparity in broiler and carcass price before during and after covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia.

This study aims to analyze fluctuations and disparity in broiler and carcass prices before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic in five broiler-producing regions in Indonesia, including North Sumatra, West Java, Central Java, East Java, and South Sulawesi. Weekly data series were used to analyze fluctuations and disparity before (2017-February 2020), during (March 2020-2022), and after (January-June 2023) COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, Coefficient of variation (CV) and convergence models were also used during the analysis. The results showed that broiler price fluctuations in the five study areas were categorized as "medium" before and during pandemic. After pandemic, the majority of the areas were in the "low" category, except for South Sulawesi province, where CV was 10.02%. Carcass price fluctuations were categorized as "low" and "moderate" before and during COVID-19 pandemic. After the viral outbreak, all the provinces investigated in this study were classified as "low". This indicated that the variability in carcass price decreased across all provinces after pandemic. The coefficient value of ß1 was less than 1 indicating that broiler and carcass price did not show significant disparity between regions at all periods. The primary drivers of fluctuations and disparity were related to production and availability factors, and the government played a role in maintaining stability in producing areas.

Carrion ecology in inland aquatic ecosystems: a systematic review.

Carrion ecology, i.e. the decomposition and recycling of dead animals, has traditionally been neglected as a key process in ecosystem functioning. Similarly, despite the large threats that inland aquatic ecosystems (hereafter, aquatic ecosystems) face, the scientific literature is still largely biased towards terrestrial ecosystems. However, there has been an increasing number of studies on carrion ecology in aquatic ecosystems in the last two decades, highlighting their key role in nutrient recirculation and disease control. Thus, a global assessment of the ecological role of scavengers and carrion in aquatic ecosystems is timely. Here, we systematically reviewed scientific articles on carrion ecology in aquatic ecosystems to describe current knowledge, identify research gaps, and promote future studies that will deepen our understanding in this field. We found 206 relevant studies, which were highly biased towards North America, especially in lotic ecosystems, covering short time periods, and overlooking seasonality, a crucial factor in scavenging dynamics. Despite the low number of studies on scavenger assemblages, we recorded 55 orders of invertebrates from 179 families, with Diptera and Coleoptera being the most frequent orders. For vertebrates, we recorded 114 species from 40 families, with birds and mammals being the most common. Our results emphasise the significance of scavengers in stabilising food webs and facilitating nutrient cycling within aquatic ecosystems. Studies were strongly biased towards the assessment of the ecosystem effects of carrion, particularly of salmon carcasses in North America. The second most common research topic was the foraging ecology of vertebrates, which was mostly evaluated through sporadic observations of carrion in the diet. Articles assessing scavenger assemblages were scarce, and only a limited number of these studies evaluated carrion consumption patterns, which serve as a proxy for the role of scavengers in the ecosystem. The ecological functions performed by carrion and scavengers in aquatic ecosystems were diverse. The main ecological functions were carrion as food source and the role of scavengers in nutrient cycling, which appeared in 52.4% (N = 108) and 46.1% (N = 95) of publications, respectively. Ecosystem threats associated with carrion ecology were also identified, the most common being water eutrophication and carrion as source of pathogens (2.4%; N = 5 each). Regarding the effects of carrion on ecosystems, we found studies spanning all ecosystem components (N = 85), from soil or the water column to terrestrial vertebrates, with a particular focus on aquatic invertebrates and fish. Most of these articles found positive effects of carrion on ecosystems (e.g. higher species richness, abundance or fitness; 84.7%; N = 72), while a minority found negative effects, changes in community composition, or even no effects. Enhancing our understanding of scavengers and carrion in aquatic ecosystems is crucial to assessing their current and future roles amidst global change, mainly for water-land nutrient transport, due to changes in the amount and speed of nutrient movement, and for disease control and impact mitigation, due to the predicted increase in occurrence and magnitude of mortality events in aquatic ecosystems.

The impact of ultrasound treatment on glycolytic enzymes when applied to crude extracts from early post-mortem bovine muscle.

The rate of pH decline post - mortem and its interaction with temperature influences the final tenderness of meat, and therefore, the manipulation of the rate of pH decline is a strategy of interest in order to obtain consistent high quality meat. Ultrasound is a potential early post - mortem carcass intervention, which may alter the rate of glycolysis based on its ability to alter enzyme activity. In this study, homogenates (prepared from early post-mortem Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle) were subjected to different ultrasound intensities (0 %/60 %/100 % amp) and treatment durations (15/ 30 min). The effect of these treatments on the inherent activity of the glycolytic enzymes was investigated using an in vitro glycolytic buffer model system. It was found that ultrasound treatment intensity and duration had a significant interactive effect on the rate of pH decline, and on reducing sugars and lactic acid concentrations, specifically following the 100 % amp ultrasound for 30 min treatment and between 30 and 240 min incubation. No significant differences in pH or metabolites content were observed between treatments after 1440 min of incubation. No effect of ultrasound intensity or treatment duration was observed on the degradation of glycogen. Under the reported conditions of this trial, it can be concluded that the application of ultrasound has limited potential to have an impact on the glycolytic pathways in bovine muscle.

Genetic architecture of body weight, carcass, and internal organs traits of Ghanaian local chickens.

Information on the genetic architecture of the production traits of indigenous African chicken is limited. We performed a genome-wide association study using imputed Affymetrix Axiom® 600K SNP-chip genotypes on 1,113 chickens from three agroecological zones of Ghana. After quality control, a total of 382,240 SNPs remained. Variance components and heritabilities for some growth, carcass and internal organ traits were estimated. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among these traits were also estimated. The estimated heritabilities of body weight at week 22 (BW22), average daily gain (ADG), dressed weight, breast weight, thigh weight, wing weight, drumstick weight, and neck weight were high and ranged from 0.50 to 0.69. Estimates of heritabilities for head weight, shank weight, and gizzard weight were moderate (0.31-0.35) while those of liver weight, back weight, dressing percentage, and heart weight were low (0.13-0.21). The estimated heritabilities of dressed weight, breast weight, wing weight, drumstick weight, neck weight, shank weight, and gizzard weight, corrected for BW22, were moderate (0.29-0.38), while the remaining traits had low heritability estimates (0.13-0.21). A total of 58 1-Mb SNP windows on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 18, and 33 each explained more than 1% of the genetic variance for at least one of these traits. These genomic regions contained many genes previously reported to have effects on growth, carcass, and internal organ traits of chickens, including EMX2, CALCUL1, ACVR1B, CACNB1, RB1, MLNR, FOXO1, NCARPG, LCORL, LAP3, LDB2, KPNA3, and CAB39L. The moderate to high heritability estimates and high positive genetic correlations suggest that BW22, ADG, dressed weight, breast weight, thigh weight, wing weight, drumstick weight, and neck weight could be improved through selective breeding.

Wildlife parasitology: sample collection and processing, diagnostic constraints, and methodological challenges in terrestrial carnivores.

Wild terrestrial carnivores play a crucial role as reservoir, maintenance, and spillover hosts for a wide parasite variety. They may harbor, shed, and transmit zoonotic parasites and parasites of veterinary importance for domestic hosts. Although wild carnivores are globally distributed and comprise many different species, some living in close proximity to human settlements, only a few studies have investigated parasites of wild terrestrial carnivores using non-specific techniques. Access to samples of wild carnivores may be challenging as some species are protected, and others are secretive, possibly explaining the data paucity. Considering the importance of wild carnivores' health and ecological role, combined with the lack of specific diagnostic methodologies, this review aims to offer an overview of the diagnostic methods for parasite investigation in wild terrestrial carnivores, providing the precise techniques for collection and analysis of fecal, blood, and tissue samples, the environmental impact on said samples, and the limitations researchers currently face in analyzing samples of wild terrestrial carnivores. In addition, this paper offers some crucial information on how different environmental factors affect parasite detection postmortem and how insects can be used to estimate the time of death with a specific highlight on insect larvae. The paper contains a literature review of available procedures and emphasizes the need for diagnostic method standardization in wild terrestrial carnivores.