Tropical Animal Health and Production This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Seasonal variations of physiological responses, milk production, and fatty acid profile of local crossbred cows in Tunisia
AbstractThe study investigates the seasonal variations of physiological responses, milk yield, milk composition, and milk fatty acid profile of local crossbred cows (Friesian × Brown Atlas) in northwestern Tunisia. A total of 80 multiparous cows from smallholder farmers were sampled between 2018 and 2019. The cows were feed the same diet ad libitum and exposed to the same Mediterranean climatic conditions. Weekly rectal temperature (RT; °C), respiratory rate (RR; rpm), and heart rate (HR; bpm) were measured per cow in each season. Individual milk yield and samples were recorded bi-weekly and collected in duplicate for ch...
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - December 14, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Response of growth performance and cecum microbial community to cyclic heat stress in broilers
This study was conducted to examine the changes in growth performance and cecal microbiotal community in cyclic heat stress (CHS) –treated broilers. A total of 200 twenty-eight-day-old female Arbor Acres (AA) broilers were equally allotted into neutral ambient temperature group (TN group, 24 ± 1°C, 24 h/day) and CHS group (33 ± 1°C, 8 h/day) with five replicates of 10 broilers each, respectively. Growth performance, cecu m microbial diversity, flora composition, and community structure were analyzed on days 35 and 42. The decreased average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and the increased feed/gai...
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - December 12, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Therapeutic efficacy of Citrus aurantifolia (lime) juice in experimental Eimeria tenella –infected broiler chickens
AbstractThe purpose of the present experiment was to explore the therapeutic effect of the crude fruit juice ofCitrus aurantifolia (CAJ) onEimeria tenella disorder in chickens. One hundred twenty 3-week-old Ross 308 broilers of equal sexes were assigned to six experimental groups of 20 birds each. Groups A, B, C, D, and E were experimentally infected with 20,000 sporulatedEimeria tenella oocysts. Broilers in groups A, B, and C were infected and allocated to three treatment-graded doses ofC. aurantifolia fruit juice (20, 10, and 5 mL/kg body weight, respectively) which were administered orally for 7 consecutive days of the ...
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - December 11, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Impact of heat stress on genetic evaluation of oocyte and embryo production in Gir dairy cattle
AbstractIdentifying and selecting genotypes tolerant to heat stress might improve reproductive traits in dairy cattle, including oocyte and embryo production. The temperature-humidity index (THI) was used, via random regression models, to investigate the impact of heat stress on genetic parameters and breeding values of oocyte and embryo production in Gir dairy cattle. We evaluated records of total oocytes (TO), viable oocytes (VO), cleaved embryos (CE), and viable embryos (VE) from dairy Gir donors. Twenty-four models were tested, considering age at ovum pick-up (AOPU) and THI means as a regressor in the genetic evaluatio...
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - December 8, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Multi-criteria decision analysis for supporting the selection of subclinical mastitis screening tests to use in large- and small-scale dairy farms in T ürkiye
In conclusion, multi-criteria decision-making methods not only pro vide a systematic approach that may assist both veterinarians and farmers in deciding on the best choice among the different tests available for the screening of subclinical mastitis but also offer potential benefits to policymakers, researchers, and other industry stakeholders. (Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production)
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - December 7, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Short milking tube thermogram analysis: an indicator of mastitis in Murrah buffaloes
AbstractIn the present study, thermal images of the short milking tube of the milking machine representing four udder quarters independently attached to a milking animal, along with pre-milking and post-milking udder and teat thermograms, were taken using a hand-held digital infrared thermal camera (DarviDTL007) during morning milking of lactating Murrah buffaloes (n = 132) to assess the mastitis status. California mastitis test (CMT) and somatic cell count (SCC) of milk samples were carried out to screen the udder quarters as healthy, subclinical (SCM), and clinical mastitis (CM). The thermograms revealed an increase ...
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - December 6, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Reproductive seasonality of hair rams under tropical conditions: an alternative for non-seasonal lamb production?
AbstractReproductive seasonality limits the periods of breeding on the year and, therefore, productive output. However, some breeds appear as probably non-seasonal. The aim of the study was to characterize the seasonal pattern of Santa In ês rams, including an ultrasound characterization of the reproductive tract, testosterone concentrations, and semen characteristics. Fifteen Santa Inês rams remained in a grazing system with concentrate supplementation, and measurements of the reproductive tract and ultrasound evaluation (biometri cs and pixel intensity) of the testicles and accessory sex glands were monthly recorded. C...
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - December 5, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Maternal and neonatal factors affecting neonatal behaviour in West African Dwarf goats
AbstractThere is a paucity of information on neonatal behaviour of tropical livestock species despite its adaptive value. One hundred and ninety West African Dwarf (WAD) kids and their mothers were studied to establish the influence of neonatal and maternal factors on neonatal behaviour. Environmental temperatures and relative humidity (RH) at birth were also recorded. Single born kids and those dropped by older and multiparous mothers sucked earlier (p <  0.05). Vigour levels were higher (p <  0.05) in kids dropped by multiparous does and those whose grooming commenced earlier than those dropped by primiparo...
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - December 5, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Substitution of concentrate mixture with dried brewery spent grains improved biological and economical performance of 50% Dorper  × Menz crossbred sheep
AbstractThe study aimed to investigate the potential of dried brewery spent grains (DBG) to substitute concentrate mixture (CM) in a diet of growing 50% Dorper  × Menz crossbred ram lamb. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used for this study, and experimental animals were stratified into 7 blocks based on their initial body weight and age. Ram lambs from each block were randomly assigned to one of the five treatments. Native pasture hay (NPH ) was fed to all experimental animals as a basal diet (ad libtum at 20% refusal) and supplemented with 400  g CM (T1) or 300  g DBG + 100 g CM (T2) or 200  g DBG...
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - December 5, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

The effect of increasing extruded linseed level on nutrient digestibility, growth, carcass characteristics, and non-carcass components of lambs from two genotypes
AbstractThis research aimed to study the effect of extruded linseed level on digestibility, growth, carcass, and non-carcass components of two genotypes ’ lambs. For this, 36 lambs, with an average body weight (BW) of 21.3 ± 3.4 for Queue Fine de l’Ouest (QF) and 17.8 ± 2.9 kg for the cross QF × D’man (QF × D), were randomly divided into three groups of 12 lambs each (six per genotype) in a 12-week experiment. Sheep in eac h group received individually oat hay ad libitum and one of three concentrates containing 0% (control), 15% (L15), and 30% (L30) of extruded linseed on a dry matter basis. All ...
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - December 4, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Genome-wide association study for reproduction traits in Colombian Creole Blanco Orejinegro cattle
AbstractThe profitability of the beef cattle production system relies heavily on reproductive traits. Unfortunately, certain traits, such as age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), and gestation length (GL), can pose challenges in traditional breeding programs because of their low heritability (0.01 –0.12) and sex-limited characteristics. Another important aspect is the conservation of the genetic resources of animals adapted to the Colombian regions, which implies the preservation and rational use of the creole breeds in the country market. Therefore, this study aimed to identify genomic reg ions in the creol...
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - December 4, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Sweet potato flour (Ipomoea batatas) as natural antioxidant on carcass yield and meat physicochemical characteristics of Creole chickens of Mexico and Cobb 500
In conclusion, Cobb 500 chickens present a higher carcass yield and its components, in addition to a less acid pH; however, CChM offer a higher nutritional contribution, whereas the 500 and 1000 mg addition of SPF increases the skin yellowness, which makes it an alterorganic as a pi gment on broiler chicken production. (Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production)
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - December 4, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Prediction models of carcass characteristics from non ‑castrated Nellore cattle finished in the feedlot system under tropical conditions
AbstractOur objective was to use measures of intake and productive performance to adjust prediction models for the carcass traits of non-castrated Nellore cattle finished in a feedlot. Individual data from 168 non-castrated male Nellore steers finished in feedlot between the years 2016 –2021 were used. Descriptive statistical analyzes and Pearson correlation coefficients were performed. The outliers were tested by evaluating the studentized residuals in relation to the values predicted by the equations. Residues that were outside the range of -2.5 to 2.5 were removed. The goodne ss of fit of the developed equations was e...
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - December 2, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Tryptophan alleviates chronic heat stress –induced impairment of antioxidant capacities, inflammatory response, and mitochondrial function in broilers
AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary tryptophan (Trp) supplementation on serum biochemical indices, antioxidant indices, cytokine levels, mitochondrial biosynthesis, and mitochondrial morphology of heat-stressed broilers. A total of 180 female Arbor Acres broilers (18-day-old) were randomly allocated into three groups with six replicates of 10 broilers each. Broilers in thermoneutral (TN) (23 ± 1 °C) group were fed a basal diet; the other two groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0 or 0.18% Trp under heat stress (HS) (34 ± 1 °C for 8 h/day (h/day) and 23 ± 1°C for the rema...
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - November 30, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Genetic diversity in creole pigs in south central Peru
In conclusion, the genetic diversity was mostly due to the intrapopulation variance (91%). Some individuals from Ayacucho shared similar alleles with those from Apurimac. This latter result may be due to their geographic proximity and the introduction of the same new exotic breeds. This is the first research on the genetic diversity of creole pigs in south central Peru. In fact, this study could serve as a basis for conservation strategies and actions in this region. (Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production)
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - November 30, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research