This presentation reports on emerging research at the London School of Economics examining how veterinary institutions and the wider animal welfare science community shape policy and practice in farmed animal welfare and sustainability. Veterinary surgeons hold explicit professional duties to protect animal health and welfare, while animal welfare scientists operate within a mandated scientific field that implicitly carries parallel responsibilities. Yet the extent to which these professional and scientific communities drive, resist, or merely accommodate change within animal agriculture remains insufficiently understood.

Drawing on the first phase of a mixed-methods study, the talk presents early findings from a case study of the British pig veterinary profession, including documentary analysis of welfare standards, policy positions, and the profession’s engagement with sustainability and meat reduction debates. Preliminary international comparisons suggest that major National Veterinary Associations have not adopted science-based dietary or environmental targets aligned with frameworks such as Eat-Lancet or national climate recommendations. The analysis also situates these observations alongside developments in other jurisdictions—for example, policy debates in the United States around Proposition 12 and the positions taken by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The presentation concludes by considering whether multiple forms of alignment and influence between veterinary bodies, animal welfare science institutions, and livestock industries limit the scope for independent professional leadership. It explores how principles from public interest theory and emerging concerns about professional and epistemic capture may apply not only to veterinary organisations but also to the broader animal welfare science community as a global epistemic actor.

This research examines emergent socio-technical practices of memorialization in human–companion-animal relationships by comparing biological cloning of deceased pets and digital “deathbot” reconstruction of their personalities. Amidst intensifying technocapitalist imaginaries around companion-animal life, the study interrogates what is mourned, remembered, and re-enacted when an animal dies. We ask the following: what constitutes the “personhood” of a companion animal, and how do bereavement technologies re-mediate attachment, affect, and memory?

Methodologically, the study integrates (1) semi-structured interviews ($n=14$), (2) computational art methods to critically deconstruct technical assemblages shaping digital animal reconstruction, and (3) autoethnographic practice through developing a prototype animal deathbot. The sample includes eight digital cloning, four biological cloning, and two dual-method interlocutors. With 24 recording hours and interface analysis, the dataset comprises approximately 280,570 words. Analysis combined thematic coding with lexicon-based coding to map the discursive landscape of pet bereavement.

Across transcripts, terms indexing animal personhood included “soul”, “reconnect”, “reunion”, “return”, “I knew it was him/her”, “reborn”, “charisma”, “personality”, and “the attitude”; this lexicon appeared in X/14 interviews. Terms indexing commodification and the transactionalization of remembrance included “price”, “payment”, “subscription”, “down payment”, “spend”, “expensive”, “worth”, “exchange”, “buy”, “priceless”, “lab report”, “report”, and “get it back.” This commodification lexicon appeared in five digital-cloning interviews and all four biological cloning cases.

Preliminary findings indicate that bereavement is anchored in the dissolution of shared routines and intersubjective memory worlds. Biological cloning promises corporeal continuity but foregrounds anxieties about authenticity and the commodification of life. Digital cloning operationalizes memory as data, translating animal subjectivity into algorithmic performance and highlighting the co-constructed nature of animal “personality.” Ultimately, bereavement functions as a technologically mediated negotiation through which companionship is re-engineered and animal personhood becomes relational and computationally reproducible.

Evidence-based welfare audits are essential when assessing the impact of human-managed care on non-human primates living in zoos. Over the years, numerous methodologies have been proposed for evaluating animal welfare, predominantly focusing on either the care inputs provided in the form of housing, nutrition, and veterinary care or the meeting of other needs. However, recent research has increased its focus on animal-based outputs in the form of health and behaviour, while less attention has been placed on the psychological wellbeing of animals, owing to the difficulty of measuring subjective affective states in animals and questioning of whether measuring animal emotion is valuable, valid, and reliable in determining wellbeing.

The present study examines the use of qualitative behaviour assessment (QBA) in saki monkeys (Pithecia pithecia) and ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta). Observers were recruited through an online survey and varied in their familiarity with non-human primate behaviour and the management of primates in captivity. They were instructed to use a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to assess video clips of animals housed at an animal care college and zoo. The same videos were also scored by the author using a traditional quantitative ethogram and then correlated with the generated components from the QBA.

The aim is for the findings of this research to indicate whether there are potential associations between the identified dimensions of emotionality in non-human primates and traditional quantitative methods of measuring behaviour, even when rated by laypersons.

Introduction: High-drive working dogs often struggle to disengage or down-regulate arousal between tasks, creating operational challenges and welfare concerns. Fast-acting, non-sedative autonomic-modulating nootropics, formulations designed to transiently reduce arousal and promote behavioral calming, may offer a viable alternative to traditional sedatives or anxiolytics. Thus, this study examined the acute behavioral, cognitive, and task-engagement effects of a fast-acting autonomic-modulating nootropic in working dogs. Methods: Ten high-drive working dogs completed two test sessions: baseline (CTRL) and a day receiving a fast-acting autonomic-modulating nootropic (CALM®). Dogs performed (1) sustained-attention focus-hold trials at 30, 60, and 90 s with preferred and non-preferred stimuli; (2) puzzle-solving tasks (Levels 1–2); and (3) behavioral intensity ratings (1–5 scale). All duration-based outcomes were converted to percentage of maximal possible time. Within-dog differences between CTRL and CALM® were analyzed using paired t-tests with Cohen’s d_z effect sizes, and cap-hit frequencies were summarized descriptively. Results: CALM® significantly reduced sustained attention across all non-preferred durations (p = 0.023–0.038; dz = –0.77 to –0.87) and at the 90 s preferred interval (p = 0.004; dz = –1.22), with similar nonsignificant trends at 30–60 s (p ≥ 0.070; dz = –0.63 to –0.65). Puzzle-solving times showed small-to-moderate nonsignificant slowing (dz = –0.36 to –0.51), with more unsolved Level 2 puzzle items under CALM® (1 CTRL vs 4 CALM®). Dogs that encountered an impasse during CALM® testing frequently disengaged or sought handler cues. Behavioral intensity decreased across both focus-hold and puzzle tasks (dz = –0.24 to –0.80), consistent with reduced arousal. Conclusions: CALM® produced a coherent down-regulation of arousal and engagement intensity without impairing cognition, consistent with its autonomic-modulating formulation. These preliminary findings suggest utility for helping high-drive dogs disengage in overstimulating environments, and they support the need for larger controlled trials across diverse working-dog and handler populations.

Sustainable dairy goat production requires strategies that support animal welfare, efficient resource use, and long-term genetic improvement. In the Netherlands, Saanen goats are frequently maintained in extended lactations of 2-4 years, and at the end of their productive lifespan, their reproductive tissues remain a potentially valuable source of genetic material. Integrating post-mortem ovary recovery into in vitro embryo production (IVP) systems offers a circular approach to utilizing these resources while avoiding additional interventions in live animals. Furthermore, the distribution of cryopreserved embryos rather than livestock provides a welfare-friendly and biosecure genetic dissemination, reducing transport-related stress and disease risks. This preliminary study evaluates the feasibility of producing transferable embryos from elderly, long-lactation Saanen goats within a circular and welfare-oriented reproductive framework.

From October 2024 to November 2025, ovaries were collected from 12 Saanen goats aged 8-11 years at a certified slaughterhouse operating in compliance with Article 148 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2625 and Regulation (EU) 2016/429. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were aspirated, matured in vitro, and fertilized with either fresh (n = 2) or cryopreserved semen (n = 10). Zygotes were cultured to Day 8 using standard IVP protocols. All viable embryos were cryopreserved for future non-surgical transfer within the Netherlands.

A total of 354 oocytes were recovered (30 ± 7.6 per goat). Fertilization resulted in 308 zygotes (26 ± 6.3 per goat). In total, 41 embryos developed (3 ± 1.9 per goat): 24 on Day 6, 12 on Day 7, and 5 on Day 8. Blastocyst rates were 31.8% for fresh semen and 10.7% for cryopreserved semen. All embryos were cryopreserved.

These results demonstrate that post-mortem ovaries from elderly Saanen goats can produce viable embryos via IVP. This approach supports circular economy principles, reduces biological waste, preserves valuable genetics, and enhances animal welfare through embryo shipment instead of live-animal transport.

Abstract:
Introduction: The gastrointestinal microbiome in companion animals is increasingly recognized as a complex, metabolically active organ with profound systemic influence. A functional imbalance, or dysbiosis, is now strongly implicated in a spectrum of extra-intestinal diseases. This review introduces and explores the concept of a unified "Gut–Systemic Axis", a comprehensive framework connecting the gut to distant organs, including the brain, liver, and adipose tissue. This axis is often mediated by shared mechanisms, including altered intestinal permeability, metabolic endotoxemia, and chronic systemic inflammation.

Methods: This review synthesizes and critically evaluates the current body of scientific literature elucidating the role of the canine and feline gut microbiome in disease. We systematically examined the evidence linking gut microbiota alterations to the pathophysiology of major metabolic disorders (obesity, diabetes mellitus, hepatobiliary disease) and behavioral/neurological conditions (anxiety, aggression, and Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome), with a focus on species-specific differences.

Results: Our synthesis identifies distinct dysbiotic signatures associated with disease. Metabolic findings highlight a unique decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in obese cats, in contrast to dogs and humans, and a profound depletion of butyrate-producing bacteria in feline Type 2-like diabetes. Behavioral findings link gut–brain axis disruption to anxiety and aggression, the latter associated with altered host serotonin metabolism. We also highlight evidence positioning Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome as a high-fidelity spontaneous model for human Alzheimer's disease, driven by a "leaky gut, leaky brain" inflammatory cascade.

Conclusions: The gut microbiome is a central and targetable factor in the pathophysiology of numerous canine and feline systemic diseases. The "Gut–Systemic Axis" provides a critical framework for diagnosis and treatment. The therapeutic strategies reviewed, including nutritional interventions, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), show significant promise for managing these complex conditions. This research also champions a "One Health" perspective, underscoring the interconnected microbial health of companion animals and their human cohabitants.

The intersection of digital technology and animal welfare science is creating a new paradigm: precision welfare monitoring. This systematic review explores the latest digital tools used to assess, predict, and improve animal welfare in livestock systems. A comprehensive literature search across Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect (2015–2025) identified 142 peer-reviewed studies that met the inclusion criteria.

Findings show a clear shift from traditional, human-based welfare assessments toward automated, sensor-driven systems that allow continuous, non-invasive observation. The leading technologies include computer vision (for behavior and posture analysis), wearable biosensors (for physiological monitoring), and acoustic sensors (for stress and health detection). Increasingly, AI and machine learning are being used to interpret complex data streams, enabling early detection of welfare issues such as lameness, heat stress, or aggression.

However, several critical gaps remain—particularly around data integration, algorithm transparency, and ethical governance. While precision monitoring holds great promise for improving welfare and sustainability, it also raises important ethical questions about animal privacy, data ownership, and the potential detachment of human caretakers.

Future research should focus on ethical AI frameworks, cross-species validation, and education for farmers and caretakers to ensure that technology enhances welfare rather than merely improving efficiency. Overall, digital and precision welfare monitoring represent a transformative step toward data-driven, ethically responsible, and sustainable animal production systems.

Marine leeches (Annelida: Hirudinida) are typically fish parasites, yet little is known about species associated with invertebrates. Cochimibdella mexicana, parasitizing the two-spot octopus Octopus bimaculatus, in Baja California, México, represents a unique ecological association. This study characterizes the reproduction, development, feeding behavior, and fasting survival of the leech. Between February and April 2025, live leeches (n = 143) were collected from the mantle and arms of wild O. bimaculatus and maintained under laboratory conditions. Mating occurred within 24 hours via hypodermic insemination. Three days post-copulation, leeches deposited circular, flattened cocoons (~1.4 mm diameter) containing a single embryo. Cocoons were divided into two experimental groups (18° C and 14º C). Embryonic development lasted 36 days at 14º C and 21 days at 18° C. Cleavage, gastrulation, and organogenesis followed patterns typical of aquatic leeches, with fully formed juveniles hatching with functional sensory structures and immediate attachment behavior. In feeding trials, both hatched juveniles and adults consistently refused to feed on invertebrate prey and fed exclusively on blood from fish hosts. Hatchlings (2.1 ± 0.5 mm) initiated hematophagy within 24–72 h and survived up to 31 days unfed. Our findings provide, for the first time, key life-history traits of C. mexicana, revealing a complex ecological interaction where an invertebrate acts as a substrate and mechanical vector for a parasite that requires a vertebrate (fish) for trophic sustenance. These observations contribute to understanding the life cycle and transmission dynamics of C. mexicana within benthic–pelagic food webs.

The horned spider-tailed viper (Pseudocerastes urarachnoides), a Near Threatened venomous species of the family Viperidae endemic to the Zagros Mountains in western Iran, is renowned for its unique caudal luring adaptation that mimics a spider to attract prey; the species was studied and described as the spider-tailed viper Pseudocerastes urarachnoides by Bostanchi, Anderson, Kami, and Papenfuss in 2006. This study reports previously undocumented low-elevation habitats of P. urarachnoides in Kermanshah Province, western Iran, where field surveys recorded geographic coordinates, elevation, slope via GPS, and environmental parameters (e.g., temperature) using thermometers, with specimens safely handled using hooks and tongs. These new sites differ markedly from previously reported localities: vegetation is sparse and dominated by annual herbaceous plants and scattered low shrubs with a complete absence of oak trees; substrates consist exclusively of limestone sediments; elevations range from approximately 650–700 meters above sea level (substantially lower than most known records); and slopes are extremely steep, reaching up to 90° (near-vertical rocky mountain faces). Observations were made between 09:00 and 11:00 under an ambient temperature of 27 °C, aligning with the species' activity patterns during warmer morning hours. These findings significantly expand the known ecological and elevational range of P. urarachnoides, highlighting its greater adaptability than previously assumed; the open structure, light-colored limestone substrate, sparse vegetation, and, particularly, the steep-to-vertical slopes likely optimize caudal luring efficacy for ambush predation while enhancing camouflage against visually oriented predators and prey. However, these vulnerable low-elevation habitats face severe threats, primarily from road construction, which causes direct habitat destruction, ecosystem fragmentation, and restricted resource access, potentially accelerating local population declines. This study underscores the urgent need for targeted conservation measures, including protection and monitoring of these newly discovered steep-slope, low-elevation populations in Kermanshah Province.

The ultrastructural study of spermatozoa in parasitic platyhelminths provides a set of characters whose usefulness for interpretating phylogenetic relationships has been demonstrated repeatedly in monogeneans, digeneans, and cestodes. Currently, ultrastructural spermatological data for the family Opecoelidae are available for thirteen species across five subfamilies: three Hamacreadiinae, two Helicometrinae, three Opecoelinae, three Opistholebetinae, and two Plagioporinae. The present study provides the first ultrastructural data for the genus Opegaster (Opecoelinae).

Digeneans were collected from a brackish-water fish, giant mudskipper Periophthalmodon schlosseri (Pallas, 1770) (Gobiformes: Oxudercidae), in Chumphon Province, Thailand. Live worms were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer (pH 7.4), rinsed in the same buffer, postfixed in 1% osmium tetroxide in the same buffer, rinsed in MilliQ water, dehydrated in an ethanol series and propylene oxide, embedded in Spurr’s resin, and finally polymerized at 60ºC. Ultrathin sections mounted on copper and gold grids were double-stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and examined using a JEOL 1010 transmission electron microscope.

Sperm cells of Opegaster are filiform and sharpened at both extremities. They display ultrastructural characteristics that are usually observed in most digeneans, including two axonemes of different length presenting the trepaxonematan 9+'1' pattern, parallel cortical microtubules, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane, spine-like bodies, mitochondria, and a nucleus; lateral expansion is absent.

The organization and distribution of these characters along the spermatozoon are generally consistent with those observed in other opecoelids. However, some discrepancies arise when comparing the available data among subfamilies. Within the Opecoelinae, the male gamete of Opegaster corresponds to the type III sperm pattern of Bakhoum et al., as also found in the three previously studied species: Labracetabulum gephyroberici, Opecoeloides furcatus, and Poracanthium furcatum.