Maternal versus environmental contributions to the piglet pioneer microbiome.

The pioneer microbiome is the initial colonization and establishment of microorganisms within the neonate. The objective of this project was to quantify maternal and environmental contributions to the piglet's pioneer microbiome. Sterile swabs were used to collect samples from the gilt's rectum, the farrowing crate before and after gilts were moved in, the gilt's birth canal during farrowing, and the piglet's rectum on days 0 (prior to suckling), 3, and 10 post-farrowing and at weaning (21.

Design thinking for engaged learning in animal science: lessons from five semesters of a senior capstone course.

This study presents a design-based research approach involving five iterations (semester) of implementing design thinking for engaged learning (DTEL) in an animal science capstone course. DTEL scaffolds design thinking into 10 stages for collaborative project-based learning to foster skills like problem solving and teamwork. Across five semesters (spring 2021 to spring 2023), student reflections ( = 276) were analyzed to identify aspects that worked well or were challenging.

Characterization of boar semen microbiome and association with sperm quality parameters.

Elevated levels of bacteria within fresh extended boar semen are associated with decreased sperm longevity, therefore reducing the fertility of a semen dose. The objective of this study was to characterize the bacterial communities using 16S rRNA sequencing in freshly extended boar semen samples and relate the prevalence and diversity of the microbial population to sperm quality parameters 1) between studs, 2) between pooled and single-sire doses, and 3) over a 5-day period. Eight single-sire (n = 4 per stud) and eight pooled (n = 4 per stud) non-frozen extended semen doses were obtained from two boar studs (A and B).