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Marzano A, Correddu F, Lunesu MF, Zgheib E, Nudda A, Pulina G. Behaviour Indicators of Animal Welfare in Purebred and Crossbred Yearling Beef Reared in Optimal Environmental Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:712. [PMID: 38473096 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to monitor the behaviour of purebred and crossbred beef cattle reared in the same optimal environmental conditions according to Classyfarm®. Thirty-yearling beef 11.5 months old, including 10 Limousines (LMS), 10 Sardo-Bruna (SRB), and 10 crossbred Limousine × Sardo-Bruna (LMS × SRB), balanced for sex and body weight, were used. Animals were evaluated for five months by two trained operators by SCAN ("sternal resting", "lateral resting", " central or peripheral position in the pen", standing", "walking", "feeding", "drinking", and "ruminating) and FOCUS ("displacement for space", "displacement for feed or water", "play-fighting", "self-grooming", "allo-grooming", "stereotyping", and "mounting") protocols. Feeding behaviour was monitored by a CCTV system. The application of the SCAN sampling evidenced that SRB animals preferred the "standing" activity over the LMS animals, while the LMS × SRB did not differ from them. The "standing" and " ruminating "activities were observed mostly in females than males (p < 0.05). For behaviour parameters assessed by the FOCUS methodology, the n-events of "allo-grooming" were higher (p < 0.05) in SRB than in LMS and LMS × SRB genetic types. Males showed higher (p < 0.05) n-events than females for "play-fighting". For feeding behaviour, the "eating concentrate" activity (expressed as n-events) was higher (p < 0.05) in SRB than LMS × SRB and LMS being intermediate (p < 0.05). The duration of "eating concentrate" (expressed in minutes) was higher (p < 0.05) in females than males. In conclusion, behaviour indicators of animal welfare did not evidence substantial differences among genetic types and between sexes reared in the same "optimal" environmental conditions. Female beef and the autochthon's cattle breed of Sardinia, although typically hardy, showed a wide behavioural repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Marzano
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Fabio Correddu
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Elias Zgheib
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Anna Nudda
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pulina
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Guarnido-Lopez P, Devant M, Llonch L, Marti S, Benaouda M. Multiphase diets may improve feed efficiency in fattening crossbreed Holstein bulls: a retrospective simulation of the economic and environmental impact. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 5:101030. [PMID: 38065781 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.101030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Beef industry needs alternative feeding strategies to enhance both economic and environmental sustainability. Among these strategies, adjusting the diet dynamically according to the change of nutritional requirements (multiphase diet) has demonstrated its economic and environmental benefits in pig production systems. Therefore, this retrospective study aims to assess, through simulation, the theoretical economic and environmental benefits of introducing a multiphase diet for crossbreed bulls feeding (one or more diet changes). For this, individual data of BW, BW gain, and daily intake were recorded from 342 bulls during the last fattening period (112 days). These data were used to estimate individual trajectory of energy and protein requirements, which were subsequently divided by individual intake to calculate the required dietary energy and protein concentrations. The area between two functions (i.e., ƒ1: constant protein concentration in the original diet during fattening and ƒ2: estimated protein concentration requirements) was minimised to identify the optimal moments to adjust the dietary concentration of energy and protein. The results indicated that both energy and protein intake exceeded requirements on average (+16% and +28% respectively, P < 0.001), justifying the adoption of a multiphase diet. Modelling the individual trajectories of required metabolisable protein (MP, g/kg DM) during the fattening period resulted in exponential decay model in relation to BW [32120 × exp(-0.026 × BW) + 59.9], while the dietary net energy concentration followed a slightly quadratic model [2.26-0.0026 × BW + 0.000003 × BW2]. Minimisation of the area between curves showed two optimal moments to adjust the diet: at 312 kg and 385 kg of BW, indicating three diet phases: (a) <312 kg, (b) 312-385 kg, and (c) 385-600 kg. For the second and third phases, the dietary energy and protein concentration should be 70 g MP/kg DM and 1.70 Mcal/kg DM and 61 g MP/kg DM and 1.65 Mcal/kg DM, respectively. These diet adjustments might improve economic profitability by 29 €/animal, reduce estimated nitrogen excretions by 16% (P < 0.001), and maintain similar weight gain (P > 0.16) compared to the commercial diet. However, the decrease in dietary energy concentration led to increased fibre concentration, which in turn increased the estimated CH4 emissions of animals with the multiphase diet (+44%, P < 0.001). Hence, multiphase diet could theoretically reduce feeding cost and nitrogen excretion from fattening cattle. Further in vivo studies should confirm these results and find optimal nutritional strategies to improve economic profitability and environmental impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Guarnido-Lopez
- Institut Agro Dijon, 26 bd Docteur Petitjean, 21079 Dijon, France
| | - M Devant
- Ruminant Production Program, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries, Torre Marimon, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Llonch
- Ruminant Production Program, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries, Torre Marimon, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Marti
- Ruminant Production Program, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries, Torre Marimon, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Benaouda
- Institut Agro Dijon, 26 bd Docteur Petitjean, 21079 Dijon, France.
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Supplementing Citrus aurantium Flavonoid Extract in High-Fat Finishing Diets Improves Animal Behavior and Rumen Health and Modifies Rumen and Duodenum Epithelium Gene Expression in Holstein Bulls. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12151972. [PMID: 35953962 PMCID: PMC9367586 DOI: 10.3390/ani12151972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
One hundred and forty-six bulls (178.2 ± 6.64 kg BW and 146.0 ± 0.60 d of age) were randomly allocated to one of eight pens and assigned to control (C) or citrus flavonoid (BF) treatments (Citrus aurantium, Bioflavex CA, HTBA, S.L.U., Barcelona, Spain, 0.4 kg per ton of Bioflavex CA). At the finishing phase, the dietary fat content of the concentrate was increased (58 to 84 g/kg DM). Concentrate intake was recorded daily, and BW and animal behavior by visual scan, fortnightly. After 168 d, bulls were slaughtered, carcass data were recorded, and rumen and duodenum epithelium samples were collected. Performance data were not affected by treatment, except for the growing phase where concentrate intake (p < 0.05) was lesser in the BF compared with the C bulls. Agonistic and sexual behaviors were more frequent (p < 0.01) in the C than in the BF bulls. In the rumen epithelium, in contrast to duodenum, gene expression of some bitter taste receptors (7, 16, 39) and other genes related to behavior and inflammation was higher (p < 0.05) in the BF compared with the C bulls. Supplementing citrus flavonoids in high-fat finishing diets to Holstein bulls reduces growing concentrate consumption and improves animal welfare.
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Metabolic and endocrine responses to short-term nutrient imbalances in the feed ration of mid-lactation dairy cows. Animal 2021; 15:100306. [PMID: 34182225 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Short-term imbalances of dietary nutrients occur during natural fluctuations in roughage quality (e.g. on pasture) or temporal shortages of supplementary feed components. In contrast to a deficiency, macronutrients (i.e. carbohydrates, proteins, lipids) beyond the adequate supply with other nutrients may, for instance, alter milk composition, increase BW or result in a greater excretion of nitrogen. Especially dairy cows with a moderate performance, in mid- or late lactation, or in extensive farming systems may be exposed to imbalanced rations. A better understanding of metabolic and endocrine responses depending on macronutrient supply may help to precisely feed dairy cows. The present study investigated short-term metabolic and endocrine responses to different levels of concentrates formulated to particularly provide one major macronutrient source (carbohydrates, proteins or lipids). Based on parity number, lactational stage, milk yield and BW, nine mid-lactating cows (211 ± 19 days in milk) were grouped into three blocks of three animals each. Concentrates (aminogenic: rich in CP and nitrogen sources; glucogenic: high content of carbohydrates and glucogenic precursors; lipogenic: high lipid content) were fed in addition to hay in a factorial arrangement at increasing levels from 2.5 to 7.5 kg/d during 9 d. Milk yield, BW and feed intake were recorded daily. Blood and milk were sampled every 3 d at the end of each concentrate level. Milk fat, protein, lactose and urea contents were determined. In blood, concentrations of various metabolites, endocrine factors and enzyme activities (e.g. glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), β-hydroxybutyrate, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, glucagon, aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and glutamate dehydrogenase activity (GLDH)) were measured. Milk yield, milk composition and BW were not affected by type and level of concentrates. Feed intake increased in cows with greater amounts of the aminogenic and lipogenic concentrate compared with the glucogenic concentrate. Milk and plasma urea concentrations were elevated in the aminogenic and to a lesser extent in the lipogenic treatment compared with the glucogenic treatment. Glucose concentrations in plasma were not affected by treatments, whereas insulin and glucagon increased, and NEFA concentrations decreased only in cows fed 7.5 kg/d aminogenic concentrate compared with the glucogenic and lipogenic treatment. Activities of ASAT, GGT and GLDH as well as the total antioxidant capacity were not affected by diets. In conclusion, immediate metabolic and endocrine responses were observed due to the short-term dietary changes. Particularly, a surplus of nitrogen supply via the aminogenic diet affected metabolic responses and stimulated insulin and glucagon secretion.
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Marti S, Medinya C, Pérez A, Verdú M, Solé A, Quintana B, Devant M. Effects of a progressive or an abrupt increase of hours of light exposition in fall-winter months in finishing Holstein bulls fed high-concentrate diets. Livest Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Paniagua M, Crespo J, Arís A, Devant M. Citrus aurantium flavonoid extract improves concentrate efficiency, animal behavior, and reduces rumen inflammation of Holstein bulls fed high-concentrate diets. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2019.114304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Boschetti E, Hernández-Castellano LE, Righetti PG. Progress in farm animal proteomics: The contribution of combinatorial peptide ligand libraries. J Proteomics 2019; 197:1-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Paniagua M, Crespo J, Bach A, Devant M. Effects of flavonoids extracted from Citrus aurantium on performance, eating and animal behavior, rumen health, and carcass quality in Holstein bulls fed high-concentrate diets. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Verdú M, Bach A, Devant M. Effect of feeder design and concentrate presentation form on performance, carcass characteristics, and behavior of fattening Holstein bulls fed high-concentrate diets. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Verdú M, Bach A, Devant M. Effect of concentrate presentation form on concentrate wastage, eating pattern, and concentrate preference in Holstein bulls fed a finishing high-concentrate diet. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2016.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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