Shaping future professionals: the role of mentoring in graduate education and career development.

Graduate students play a pivotal role in advancing science, education, and extension, particularly in the field of animal and dairy sciences. As expectations on faculty productivity rise, effective mentoring becomes crucial for shaping future professionals and supporting institutional goals. This article emphasizes the distinction between academic advisors and mentors, arguing that while advisors guide short-term academic objectives, mentors foster long-term personal and career development.

Effects of on in vitro ruminal fermentation and methane production.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a proprietary strain of a on in vitro ruminal fermentation and methane production in batch culture serum bottles. One hundred forty-nine batch culture bottles were used in a complete randomized block design. The arrangement of treatments was a 3 × 3 × 4 factorial to evaluate the effects of inoculum, time, diet, and their respective interactions.

Effects of supplementing cassava root silage to grazing dairy cows on nutrient utilization, milk production and composition in the tropics.

The current study evaluated the effects of supplementing cassava root silage (CRS) to dairy cows grazing on Megathyrsus maximus cv Mombasa on nutrient intake and digestibility, as well as on milk production and composition. Ten primiparous Girolando cows with average body weight ± (SEM) of 373.45 ± (63.

Effects of monensin and cashew nut-shell extract on bacterial community composition in a dual-flow continuous culture system.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of including monensin and two doses of CNSE in a high producing dairy cow diet on ruminal bacterial communities. A dual-flow continuous culture system was used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square design. A basal diet was formulated to meet the requirements of a cow producing 45 kg of milk per d (17% crude protein and 27% starch).

Megasphaera and as direct fed microbials and their impact on ruminal microbiome during an acute acidosis challenge in continuous culture.

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of combinations of and as direct-fed microbials (DFM) on ruminal microbiome during an acute acidosis challenge in a continuous culture system. Treatments provided a DFM dose of 1 × 10 colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL, as follows: control (no DFM), YM1 ( and strain 1), YM2 ( and strain 2), and YMM ( and half of the doses of strains 1 and 2). We conducted four experimental periods of 11 d, which consisted of non-acidotic days (1 to 8) and acidotic challenge days (9 to 11) to establish acute ruminal acidosis conditions with a common basal diet containing 12% neutral detergent fiber and 58% starch.

In vitro evaluation of microencapsulated organic acids and pure botanicals as a supplement in lactating dairy cows diet on in vitro ruminal fermentation.

The utilization of microencapsulated organic acids and pure botanicals () is widely used in the monogastric livestock industry as an alternative to antibiotics; in addition, it can have gut immunomodulatory functions. More recently, an interest in applying those compounds in the ruminant industry has increased; thus, we evaluated the effects of mOAPB on ruminal fermentation kinetics and metabolite production in an in vitro dual-flow continuous-culture system. For this study, two ruminal cannulated lactating dairy Holstein cows were used as ruminal content donors, and the inoculum was incubated in eight fermenters arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design.

Can dietary magnesium sources and buffer change the ruminal microbiota composition and fermentation of lactating dairy cows?

Magnesium oxide (MgO) is one of the most used Mg supplements in livestock. However, to avoid relying upon only one Mg source, it is important to have alternative Mg sources. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the interaction of two Mg sources with buffer use on the ruminal microbiota composition, ruminal fermentation, and nutrient digestibility in lactating dairy cows.

Effects of starch sources varying in particle sizes on ruminal fermentation, nutrient flow, starch digestibility, and lactation performance of dairy cows.

Cereal grains are the predominant starch source (SS) for dairy cows; however, starch digestibility varies greatly depending on source, grain processing, and potentially interactions between these factors. The objective was to study the effects of the interactions between SS, and particle sizes (PS) on ruminal fermentation, nutrient flow, starch digestibility, and lactation performance of dairy cows. Four ruminally cannulated multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments.

The Effects of Incremental Doses of Aflatoxin B on In Vitro Ruminal Nutrient Digestibility and Fermentation Profile of a Lactating Dairy Cow Diet in a Dual-Flow Continuous Culture System.

Aflatoxin B (AFB) is a mycotoxin known to impair human and animal health. It is also believed to have a deleterious effect on ruminal nutrient digestibility under in vitro batch culture systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing the dose of AFB on ruminal dry matter and nutrient digestibility, fermentation profile, and N flows using a dual-flow continuous culture system fed a diet formulated for lactating dairy cows.

Effects of partially replacing dietary corn with sugars in a dual-flow continuous culture system on the ruminal microbiome.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding sugars as a replacement for starch on the ruminal microbiome using a dual-flow continuous culture system. Four periods of 10 days each were conducted with 8 fermenters in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design. Treatments included: 1) control with corn-CON, 2) molasses-MOL, 3) untreated condensed whey permeate-CWP, and 4) CWP treated with a caustic agent-TCWP as a partial substitute for corn.

Unraveling the pros and cons of various in vitro methodologies for ruminant nutrition: a review.

To decrease the time and cost of experiments as well as the use of animals in nutrition research, in vitro methodologies have become more commonplace in the field of ruminant nutrition. Therefore, the objectives of this review are 1) to describe the development of different in vitro methodologies, 2) to discuss the application, utilization, and advantages of in vitro methodologies, 3) to discuss shortcomings of in vitro methodologies, and 4) to describe the potential developments that may be able to improve in vitro methods. Having been used for decades, some in vitro methodologies such as pure, batch, and continuous cultures have been very well documented and utilized to investigate a wide array of different aspects of nutrition, including the effects of different dietary compositions, individual fermentation end products, and impacts on the microbiome of the rumen.

Effects of ruminal lipopolysaccharides on growth and fermentation end products of pure cultured bacteria.

Elevated levels of ruminal lipopolysaccharides (LPS) have been linked to ruminal acidosis; however, they result in reduced endotoxicity compared to LPS derived from species like Escherichia coli. Additionally, there is a knowledge gap on the potential effect of LPS derived from ruminal microbiome on ruminal bacteria species whose abundance is associated with ruminal acidosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of LPS-free anaerobic water (CTRL), E.

Effects of calcium-magnesium carbonate and calcium-magnesium hydroxide as supplemental sources of magnesium on ruminal microbiome.

Our objective was to evaluate the inclusion of calcium-magnesium carbonate [CaMg(CO)] and calcium-magnesium hydroxide [CaMg(OH)] in corn silage-based diets and their impact on ruminal microbiome. Our previous work showed a lower pH and molar proportion of butyrate from diets supplemented with [CaMg(CO)] compared to [CaMg(OH)]; therefore, we hypothesized that ruminal microbiome would be affected by Mg source. Four continuous culture fermenters were arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square with the following treatments defined by the supplemental source of Mg: 1) (100% MgO, plus sodium sesquicarbonate as a buffer); 2) [100% CaMg(CO)]; 3) [100% CaMg(OH)]; and 4) [50% Mg from CaMg(CO), 50% Mg from CaMg(OH)].

Megasphaera elsdenii and Saccharomyces Cerevisiae as direct fed microbials during an in vitro acute ruminal acidosis challenge.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Megasphaera elsdenii as direct fed microbials (DFM) in beef cattle finishing diets to alleviate acute ruminal lactic acidosis in vitro. A dual-flow continuous culture system was used. Treatments were a Control, no DFM; YM1, S.

The effects of course format, sex, semester, and institution on student performance in an undergraduate animal science course.

The transition of courses from in-person to an online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic could have potentially affected overall student performance in lecture-based courses. The objective of this case study was to determine the impact of course format, as well as the effects of student sex, time of year at which the course was taken, and the institution it was taken at on student performance in an undergraduate animal science course. The course used for this study was taught at two institutions (University of Florida; UF and University of Nevada, Reno; UNR) over 7 yr (2014-2017 at UNR and 2018-2021 at UF).

Ruminal Phages - A Review.

The rumen ecosystem is a complex and dynamic environment, which hosts microorganisms including archaea, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. These microorganisms interact with each other, altering the ruminal environment and substrates that will be available for the host digestion and metabolism. Viruses can infect the host and other microorganisms, which can drive changes in microorganisms' lysis rate, substrate availability, nutrient recycling, and population structure.

The effect of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriforms infection on the ruminal microbiome of lambs.

We evaluated Haemonchus contortus (HC) and Trichostrongylus colubriformis (TC) infection on the ruminal microbial community of Santa Ines lambs to better understand the pathophysiology of parasite infections and the interactions among gastrointestinal nematodes and gut resident microbiota. In this study, 18 six months of age lambs were maintained for 34 days in individual pens divided into three treatments that included animals infected with HC and TC, and control (infection-free). Haematological, ruminal parameter and microbial nitrogen absorbed by pune derivatives, as well as enteric methane emission (CH), were analysed, and the rumen microbial taxonomic and functional profile assessed by shotgun metagenomics.

Effects of neutral detergent fiber digestibility estimation method on calculated energy concentration of canola meals from 12 Canadian processing plants.

Our aim was to determine whether the method used to estimate truly digestible neutral detergent fiber (tdNDF) affects calculated concentrations of total digestible nutrients (TDN1x) and net energy of lactation (NEL3x) of canola meal (CM). Samples were collected from 12 CM processing plants in Canada over 4 yr (2011 to 2014, n = 47) and analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin (ADL), and neutral detergent insoluble CP (NDICP). Ruminal in situ incubation of CM samples was performed at 0, 24, 48, 96, and 288 h to determine NDF fractions (A, B, and C), effective ruminal NDF digestibility (ERNDFD), and indigestible NDF (iNDF) of CM.

Effects of lignocellulolytic enzymes on the fermentation profile, chemical composition, and in situ ruminal disappearance of whole-plant corn silage.

The objective of this study was to examine the enzyme activities of an enzymatic complex produced by Pleurotus ostreatus in different pH and the effects of adding increased application rates of this enzymatic complex on the fermentation profile, chemical composition, and in situ ruminal disappearance of whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) at the onset of fermentation and 30 d after ensiling. The lignocellulolytic enzymatic complex was obtained through in vitro cultivation of P. ostreatus.

Adaptation of in vitro methodologies to estimate the intestinal digestion of lipids in ruminants.

The objective of this study was to adapt existing in vitro methodologies to determine the extent of intestinal digestion of corn oil (CO), canola oil (CA), and beef tallow (BT) via manipulation of incubation length and concentrations of lipase, bile, and calcium within a buffer solution. Unless otherwise stated, 0.5 g of each lipid source were incubated separately and in triplicate, with triplicate batch culture runs for each treatment in 40 mL of 0.

Effects of dietary inclusion of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) extract on lamb muscle metabolomics and physicochemical properties in meat.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) extract (YME) on muscle metabolomics and physicochemical properties of lamb meat. Thirty-six uncastrated male lambs (90 d old) were fed experimental diets, which treatments consisted of 0%, 1%, 2%, and 4% inclusion of YME. Animals were fed for 50 d before slaughter.

Ruminal Lipopolysaccharides Analysis: Uncharted Waters with Promising Signs.

The objective of this review is to present the need for the development of a comprehensive ruminal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extraction, purification and analysis protocol and state hypotheses that could contribute to planning novel strategies against ruminal acidosis. Lipopolysaccharide is an immunostimulatory molecule of Gram-negative bacterial outer membranes and has been reported to contribute to ruminal acidosis in cattle. Bacterial death and lysis are normal processes, and thus LPS is normally present in ruminal fluid.

Ruminal acidosis, bacterial changes, and lipopolysaccharides.

Acute and subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) are common nutritional problems in both beef and dairy cattle. Therefore, the objective of this review is to describe how ruminal Gram-negative bacteria could contribute to the pathogenesis of ruminal acidoses, by releasing lipopolysaccharides (LPS; a component of their cell wall) in the ruminal fluid. When cattle consume excessive amounts of highly fermentable carbohydrates without prior adaptation, normal fermentation become disrupted.

Effects of Flaxseed Oil and Vitamin E Supplementation on Digestibility and Milk Fatty Composition and Antioxidant Capacity in Water Buffaloes.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the supplementation of flaxseed oil and/or vitamin E on dry matter (DM) and nutrient digestibility, milk composition, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant capacity in buffalo milk. Four crossbred female dairy water buffaloes (97 ± 22 days in milk; 6.57 ± 2.

In vitro evaluation of as direct-fed microbials in high-producing dairy cows diets.

The objectives of this study were: 1) to compare the effects of live yeast (LY), yeast fermentation product (YFP), a mix of (MLP), and included as additives in dairy cows' diets on in vitro ruminal fermentation and gas production (GP); and 2) to evaluate the effects of as direct-fed microbials (DFM) in dairy cows' diets on in vitro ruminal fermentation, GP, nutrient digestibility, and N metabolism. Three experiments were carried out: Exp. 1 had the objective to compare all additives regarding ruminal fermentation parameters: an Ankom GP system was used in a completely randomized design, consisting of four 48 h incubations, and eight replications per treatment.