Differential expression of miRNAs associated with pectoral myopathies in young broilers: insights from a comparative transcriptome analysis.

Introduction: White Striping (WS) and Wooden Breast (WB) pectoral myopathies are relevant disorders for contemporary broiler production worldwide. Several studies aimed to elucidate the genetic components associated with the occurrence of these myopathies. However, epigenetic factors that trigger or differentiate these two conditions are still unclear.

Interaction between live vaccines for coccidiosis and phytogenic compounds in the diet of broilers.

This study aimed to determine whether live vaccines alone or associated with phytogenic compounds supplied via feed could improve performance, intestinal health, serum biochemistry, and coccidiostatic action in broilers up to 42 days of age, challenged with Eimeria spp., compared with a traditional anticoccidial program. We used 800 birds divided into five treatments of eight repetitions each (n = 20): NC - Negative control (absence of additives in the feed and without coccidian challenge); PC - Positive control (absence of additives and with coccidian challenge at 21 days); AAP - Anticoccidial additives program, including salinomycin and nicarbazine, with coccidian challenge at 21 days of life; VAC - Vaccination on day 1 of life (Hipracox HIPRA®) against coccidiosis and subsequent coccidian challenge at 21 days; VAC + BPC - Vaccination (day 1 of life), the addition of 200 ppm of blend phytogenic compound (BPC) based on carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde to the diet, with coccidian challenge at 21 days of life.

Ease of Handling and Physiological Parameters of Stress, Carcasses, and Pork Quality of Pigs Handled in Different Group Sizes.

The effect of different group sizes of pigs (3, 5, and 10 pigs) during handling on physiological parameters, carcasses, and pork quality traits at the farm and slaughterhouse were evaluated in 360 pigs from five farms (four repetitions or group/treatment/farms). Data was analyzed as a factorial of 3 × 5 (3 treatments × 5 farms) to check effects of treatments by analysis of variance in ANOVA. Ease of handling decreased as the group size increased.

Post-weaning piglets fed with different levels of fungal mycotoxins and spray-dried porcine plasma have improved weight gain, feed intake and reduced diarrhea incidence.

Mycotoxins are responsible for economic losses in the swine production industry, especially during post-weaning, when piglets are physiologically immature. Spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP), added to pig diets, may help reduce losses due to mycotoxins. This work investigates the effects of SDPP in post-weaning piglets fed with diets containing natural contaminants or with more contaminants (co-contamination by mycotoxins).