Background and Aim: Early pregnancy is a critical period for embryo implantation and rapid placental development. Dietary protein plays a key role in sow reproductive efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different dietary protein levels during early pregnancy on reproductive performance, oxidative stress, and placental nutrient transport in multiparous sows.
Materials and Methods: A total of 45 multiparous Landrace × Large White sows were randomly assigned to three groups. From day 0 to day 30 of gestation, the sows were fed 2.5kg/d diets containing 12% (low protein, LP), 13.5% (medium protein, MP), or 15% (high protein, HP) crude protein. After that, all sows were fed the same gestation diet. Blood samples were collected from sows at day 30 of gestation (GD 30), and placentas were collected at farrowing. Total litter size, number of live piglets, and number of mummified fetuses were recorded.
Results: The results showed no significant effect on total litter size, number of live piglets, number of mummified fetuses or survival rate. And there has no effect on serum hormone level. However, sows in HP group exhibited increased hepatic stress and oxidative stress on GD 30. Serum amino acid profiling revealed higher levels of valine, isoleucine, leucine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine in HP group. Moreover, maternal protein intake during early pregnancy did not affect placental nutrient transport function.
Conclusion: In summary, maternal protein level of 12%-15% in early gestation didn’t affect the reproductive performance in multiparous sows. However, higher protein intake during early pregnancy may disturb maternal metabolism and redox balance on GD 30, whereas lower protein levels observed better maternal metabolic health and oxidative homeostasis.

High biosecurity standards are essential in poultry farms, where cleaning and disinfection are key to maintaining hygiene and animal health. Evaluating these procedures requires rapid and reliable detection methods. Plate cultivation remains the gold standard but is time-consuming and limited to culturable microorganisms, while luminometers mainly detect organic contamination. This study evaluated the potential of a mobile flow cytometer for hygiene monitoring on a broiler farm. The device (CytoQuant, Romer Labs) uses impedance and alternating current at multiple frequencies to detect and quantify intact cells and particles without optical systems. This study was conducted on a commercial broiler farm. Samples were collected during sanitation from three sites (drinker, concrete wall, and metal wall) by swabbing 100 cm² surfaces. Measurements followed the manufacturer’s protocol. Plate cultivation determined total microbial counts (TMCs) at 22 °C (plate count agar, PCA) and 36 °C (blood agar, BA). Correlations were assessed using the Spearman correlation coefficient (rSp). Significant correlations were found for the metal wall (BA: rSp = 0.8117, p < 0.01; PCA: rSp = 0.8333, p < 0.01) and the concrete wall (BA: rSp = 0.8000, p < 0.01; PCA: rSp = 0.7667, p < 0.05), but not for drinkers. The cytometer detected higher microbial counts than cultivation, by 1.13–2.26 log CFU on BA and 0.76–1.02 log CFU on PCA (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon test). This difference reflects enumeration of all intact cells, unlike plate methods, which detect only culturable ones. Environmental hygiene is crucial for broiler health, welfare, and productivity. The mobile flow cytometer demonstrated strong potential for assessing sanitation efficiency and may complement plate methods. Unlike luminometry, the results are unaffected by disinfectant residues. Flow cytometry provides a rapid, practical tool for hygiene monitoring, enhancing biosecurity and supporting One Health strategies by reducing microbial loads and optimizing disinfectant use.

In Ethiopia, most livestock keeping is carried out by smallholder families, where animals are not just for work but part of culture, heritage and everyday life. Kids grow up herding animals, sometimes even missing school, to support families in farming and animal care. Knowledge about how to manage and treat livestock is passed down by word of mouth, and communities have built up their own indigenous ways of coping with challenges, even when modern veterinary services are limited.

But things are changing. Land shortage, population pressure, conflict and the hope for a better life in towns are pushing people to migrate. Young people spend more time in school and less time with animals, and when they move to urban areas, they do not learn livestock-keeping skills. In cities, working equids face tougher conditions than in rural areas. They lose their close bond with owners, resources like feed and water are short, and the environment is unnatural and stressful.

Many migrants start manual jobs, then buy a donkey or mule to run a small transport business. Unlike rural pack animals, urban equids are mostly used for cart pulling, often with poor equipment and by handlers who don’t have proper experience. Animals change hands many times, are rented or sold, and often suffer from beating, neglect and accidents on busy roads. The informal nature of the business, social problems of handlers, and lack of training make things worse.

As a result, working equids in urban Ethiopia experience serious welfare problems. Many end up abandoned when they cannot work anymore. This paper looks at how rural-to-urban migration is reshaping human–animal relations, changing the use of equids, and creating a welfare crisis. It calls for urgent action to preserve indigenous knowledge, improve human–animal interaction, and adapt welfare-friendly practices to fit the realities of urban life.

The quality of meat from fattening pigs is determined by numerous factors related to the production system, housing conditions, and feeding practices. Modern consumers perceive organic products as safer for human health than conventionally produced food and as aligning with the strategy of a sustainable, low-emission economy. The aim of this study was to compare the technological properties, basic chemical composition, and fatty acid profiles of pork derived from organic and conventional production systems.

The research material consisted of 24 samples of the longissimus thoracis muscle from Puławska × Polish Large White fatteners reared under conventional (n = 12) and organic (n = 12) production systems. Physical and chemical parameters as well as the fatty acid profile of the meat were evaluated. Each sample was analysed in triplicate. When analyzing the technological properties of the muscles, statistically significant differences in pH₁ and pH₂₄ were observed. Significantly higher values of these parameters were recorded in organic loin (pH₁ = 6.25; pH₂₄ = 5.57) compared to conventional loin (6.07 and 5.40, respectively). Lower pH values contributed to reduced water-holding capacity and greater muscle juice exudation (drip loss) during storage in conventional loin compared to organic loin (21.41% vs. 18.5% and 5.53% vs. 3.04%, respectively). Organic loin, compared to conventional loin, was characterised by a significantly darker meat colour, as indicated by a lower L* value (49.5 vs. 53.1). Conventional loin contained more intramuscular fat (3.5%), whereas organic loin contained less IMF (2.6%). Organic meat exhibited a significantly lower proportion of saturated fatty acids and a higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids compared to conventional loin (39.75% vs. 42.56% and 48.60% vs. 45.4%, respectively). The information on loin quality obtained in this study is undoubtedly relevant from a consumer perspective and is also of significance to the meat-processing industry.

The supply of grains associated with protein supplements ensures a better balance between energy and protein, promoting productive gains. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and physiological parameters of lambs fed diets based on whole corn with extruded protein supplements containing different protein levels. The project was approved by the Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals of the Federal University of Uberlândia (protocol no. 092/16). Twenty-two crossbred lambs (Dorper × Santa Inês) with an initial body weight (BW) of 21.46 ± 6.36 kg and 3 ± 1 months of age were used and were randomly distributed according to age, BW, and body condition score. The animals were housed in group pens for 62 days in a randomized block design and distributed into four experimental groups differing in the protein content of the extruded supplements (20, 24, 28, and 32% crude protein). Feeding was carried out three times a day at 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 4:00 PM. The animals were weighed weekly and evaluated for average daily gain (ADG) and final weight (FW). Heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (RT), and ruminal movements (RM) were measured at 2:00 PM on days 0 (start), 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, and 60. The data were tested for variance assumptions using SAS software, and the means were compared using Tukey's test at a significance level of 5%. The protein level did not influence the variables ADG (0.284 kg day^-1), PF (39.40 kg), HR (72.57 bpm^-1), TR (39.35 °C), and MR (two movements per 5 min^-1) (p>0.05). It was concluded that lambs fed high-grain diets based on whole corn and supplemented with extruded protein sources containing varying crude protein levels maintain satisfactory growth performance and stable physiological parameters, demonstrating effective metabolic adaptation and homeostatic regulation under high-concentrate feeding systems.

Metabolic responses in animals during the intense physical activity have an intricate link to nutritional aspects. This study focused on examining the changes in blood metabolite concentration in Hararghe highland bulls during draught service, with the objective of evaluating their nutritional implications. Twelve intact bulls were randomly assigned to three groups of four animals each, with each group working for three draught hours (0, 4, or 6 hours). The Cobas Integra 400 Plus machine was used for the laboratory serum analyses. Data was analysed using a mixed model procedure with covariates in SAS-JMP-pro-17. The study results reveal that, except for phosphorus (P, mmol), the concentrations of glucose (GLU, mg/dL), total protein (TP, g/dL), blood urea nitrogen (BUN, mg/dL), and calcium (Ca, mmol) were significantly affected by their respective initial concentrations (IN¹) (p < 0.05), while dry matter intake (kg DMI/d) did not have an effect except on GLU and P (p < 0.05). Draught work hours did not influence GLU, TP, and BUN concentrations (p > 0.05), regardless of IN¹ and kg DMI/d, but did influence Ca and P. Therefore, it is important to monitor the level of Ca and P concentration in the blood of the bulls engaged in draught service to ensure their well-being.

Suprelorin^TM, a subcutaneous contraceptive implant for dogs, cats and ferrets, has been registered in the European Union since 2007. It is administered using a specific device. To enhance user-friendliness and align with the increasing number of women in the veterinary profession in Europe, the original actuator has been modified. These improvements include the addition of ergonomic wings, a spring and a sensitive indicator for implant administration. This product test survey aimed to collect user feedback on these changes.

Twenty-five veterinary practitioners from France (n=10) and Germany (n=15), who currently use Suprelorin^TM, were given both the original actuator and the prototype, along with a silicone pouch and placebo implants. They evaluated the ease of use and visual aspect of a modified Suprelorin^TM actuator prototype.

Women represented over half of the participants (13/25). Veterinarians rated the current actuator at 6/10 for both ease of use and visual appeal. The prototype actuator scored 7/10 for both criteria. Notably, for veterinarians with small hand sizes (n=9), the prototype's ease of use improved to 8/10, compared to 5/10 for the current actuator, achieving the highest overall score. Veterinarians expressed strong interest (7/10) in an indicator for correct implant administration, with a preference for a "click” sound.

While veterinarians were generally satisfied with the current actuator, their positive feedback on the prototype suggests that the new design could improve Suprelorin^TM implant administration and better fit with the current veterinarian profile.

The quality of semen in pig farms is a key factor for the efficiency of artificial insemination programs. Semen quality is influenced by genetic, environmental, and management factors that affect parameters such as sperm motility, viability, or morphology. However, boar selection for semen collection is usually based on the technician’s experience. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence-based model to predict ejaculate quality and support data-driven decision-making. A database comprising 6,899 semen samples collected from 78 Duroc boars was used, including information on animal (age), handling during collection and semen preparation, sperm quality parameters, season, and environmental conditions (temperature and humidity). A Big Additive Model (BAM) was applied to capture nonlinear relationships and temporal trends. The model was used to predict the “number of good sperm” in an ejaculate, calculated from sperm concentration (spz/mL), ejaculate volume (mL), and the percentage of motile and morphologically normal sperm (divided by 100). Additionally, semen samples were categorized into four quality groups (low, medium–low, medium–high, and high) to evaluate the model’s ability to predict boar semen quality. The model achieved a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.485, with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 17730.56 and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 13832.95, indicating moderate predictive performance. In the categorical classification, the BAM showed an overall accuracy of 48.79%, with greater consistency in the extreme categories (low—58.38% and high—63.59%). Interestingly, the model reached an accuracy of 88.87% when classifying medium–high/high semen samples and 86.03% for low/medium–low samples. In conclusion, the BAM achieved moderate predictive accuracy but high reliability in distinguishing two categories of semen quality. This study forms part of the Agroalnext programme and was supported by MCIU with funding from European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1) and by Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia - Fundación Séneca.

Canine behavioral disorders frequently necessitate long-term treatment, making the ease of product administration a crucial factor in selecting the most appropriate therapeutic approach. Palatability can significantly contribute to the ease of administration. This study was designed to investigate the ease of intake of ClomicalmTM (Virbac, France), clomipramine-based tablets formulated with an artificial meat flavor, indicated as an aid in managing separation-related disorders or anxieties and stereotypes in dogs, depending on the country.

To benchmark the obtained results, AnxitaneTM (Virbac, France) was selected as a reference. AnxitaneTM is a supplement with Green tea concentrate containing L-theanine, which is recognized in the field for its established high ease of intake.

This study involved eighteen adult Beagle dogs in experimental conditions. An assessment of the initial intake and overall consumption of tablets was performed by careful observation of the dogs.

The results of this study demonstrate similar initial intake rates, with no statistically significant differences between the two products. Specifically, 83% and 89% of dogs readily took ClomicalmTM and AnxitaneTM, respectively. Notably, assisted intake of ClomicalmTM was only required for one dog, indicating a high degree of voluntary acceptance. A minority of dogs did not take the tablets at all (three for ClomicalmTM and two for AnxitaneTM). Among the dogs that did take the tablets, the consumption rates were also similar, with 60% and 62% fully consuming the ClomicalmTM tablet and the AnxitaneTM tablet, respectively. Only two dogs half-consumed the ClomicalmTM tablet.

In conclusion, this study provides evidence that ClomicalmTM and AnxitaneTM are comparably easy to administer, with both having a high intake rate (> 80%). This finding is significant for veterinarians and pet owners when considering long-term treatment options for canine behavioral disorders.

The aim of this study was to compare within-horse changes and between-horse differences in selected metabolic parameters for twenty cold-blooded mares, of which ten belonged to a group with a history of laminitis (LG) and ten formed the control group (CG). Measurements were conducted during four seasonal sampling periods in March (S0), May (S1), July (S2), and September (S3). Changes within individual horses over the season were determined using the coefficient of variation (CV) for each animal and differences between groups were evaluated using the t-test or Mann–Whitney test, depending on normality. LG showed a significantly higher insulin CV (LG 20.06% vs. CG 7.52%; p = 0.023). For fructosamines, the CV was higher in CG (26.61% vs. 20.09%; p = 0.0312), whereas glucose (p = 0.279) and body weight (p = 0.0576) showed no group differences. Variability between horse groups within samples was analyzed using the F-test. In S0, no differences were observed for glucose (p = 0.607) or insulin (p = 0.980), and fructosamines showed borderline significance (p = 0.05). Body weight variability was higher in LG (p = 0.010). In S1, greater dispersion in LG was found for fructosamines (p = 0.016) and insulin (p = 0.0329), while glucose (p = 0.952) and body weight (p = 0.0981) did not differ. In S2, LG showed markedly higher CV for glucose (p < 0.0001) and insulin (p = 0.0007), whereas fructosamines (p = 0.282) and body weight (p = 0.7418) remained comparable. In S3, no differences were detected for glucose (p = 0.512), fructosamines (p = 0.147) or insulin (p = 0.872), while body weight variability was again higher in LG (p = 0.0046). Overall, laminitic horses displayed greater seasonal fluctuations in metabolic parameters and, in several periods, more pronounced between-horse variability, suggesting a less stable metabolic response to seasonal conditions.