Category Archives: Animal Science Journal

Vascular endothelial growth factor isoforms are expressed in the uterus during estrous cycle of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

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Abstract

We investigated VEGF expression in the uterus during the estrous cycle in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of genes expressed in the uterus revealed the presence of at least three different VEGF isoforms (hamster VEGF188, VEGF164, and VEGF120). They were highly homologous to the respective mouse and human isoforms. Furthermore, VEGF164 and VEGF120 were predominantly expressed in the hamster uterus during the estrous cycle. In situ hybridization revealed that VEGF is expressed only in the luminal and glandular epithelium of the endometrium but not in the stromal cells or myometrium. The positive reaction of luminal and glandular epithelial cells on day 4 of the estrous cycle (day 1 = day of ovulation) was a little stronger than that of other days of the cycle. These findings suggest that VEGF molecules are secreted by endometrial epithelial cells and play an important role in the maintenance of blood vessels in the endometrial stroma. These results also suggest that uterine changes, such as edema, observed from day 4 to day 1 of the estrous cycle, are expected to occur primarily through the action of VEGF secreted by the uterine endometrial epithelium in preparation for subsequent embryo implantation.

Dietary linseed supplementation improves meat quality and flavor of sheep by altering muscle fiber characteristics and antioxidant capacity

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Abstract

Linseed as a common oil crop that has been implicated in regulating the meat quality of animals. The aim of this investigation was to establish the effects of dietary linseed supplementation on carcass traits, meat quality, muscle fiber characteristics, volatile compounds and antioxidant capacity of sheep. Twenty-four Sunit sheep were distributed into 2 groups with different diet: control (CO) fed a standard diet and linseed (LS, 8% of extruded linseed). The results showed that linseed not only increased M. longissimus thoracis (LT) increased the loin-eye area but also decreased pH24h, L* and shear force. Meanwhile, linseed increased mRNA expression of MyHCI and MyHCIIx and decreased in cross-sectional area (CSA) and muscle fiber diameter. In addition, linseed altered the composition of meat volatile flavor compounds, such as Z-10-Pentadecen-1-ol, pentanal, 2-Octenal, (E)-, decanal, butane, and 2-heptanone. Moreover, linseed increased total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) activity, the mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT), decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Overall, the results suggest that linseed is an effective feed additive in improving meat quality and flavor. The underlying mechanisms for its effectiveness may be partly due to a change in muscle fiber characteristics and antioxidant capacity.

The capacity of inspection on farm and at the abattoir to predict post‐mortem outcomes in slaughter pigs: A study at animal level

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate associations between ear, tail, and skin lesions, hernias, bursitis, and rectal prolapses at the abattoir and meat inspection outcomes in slaughter pigs, including carcass condemnations and trimmings, carcass weight, and carcass quality. This was an observational study whereby pigs were managed according to routine practices in a single abattoir. Data were collected from 1816 pigs. The relationship between animal-based welfare and post-mortem outcomes was analyzed using generalized mixed models (Proc Glimmix). Our findings showed that tail lesions were associated with entire carcass condemnations and trimmings (P < 0.001), a reduction in carcass weight (P < 0.05), and a potential to impair carcass quality by reducing muscle pH (P < 0.05), especially in carcasses from male pigs (P < 0.05). Additionally, hernias were associated with viscera condemnation (P < 0.05) and a reduction in carcass weight (P  < 0.05). Therefore, our findings confirm that ante-mortem inspection could be useful to predict post-mortem outcomes in the same pigs, especially in cases of tail lesions and hernia, which might trigger attention of the veterinary inspector in charge of the post-mortem inspection.

Effect of difference in training skills on stress in horses trained by Kazakh trainers

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Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of differences in trainer skills on horse training during the early stages of riding habituation by measuring the levels of stress and changes in stress levels. Among nine untrained horses employed, five in Group A were trained by two low-skilled trainers, whereas the remaining four in Group B were trained by two high-skilled trainers using the traditional Kazakh method. Salivary α-amylase concentration was measured as a biomarker of stress immediately before and after each riding session during the training period. In the duration of riding and mooring times to the total riding habituation time for each horse, no significant difference was observed between the two groups. In contrast, the mean total stress and mean final stress were significantly lower in Group B than in Group A, and the mean total change in stress before and after riding habituation was significantly higher in Group B. Differences in trainer skills were evidenced as differences in training methods to suppress the total stress levels through differences in the application of stress burden during the training of individual horses.