Bayesian Recursive and Structural Equation Models to Infer Causal Links Among Gait Visual Scores on Campolina Horses.

Gait visual scores are widely applied to horse breeding because they are a fast and easy phenotyping strategy, allowing the numeric interpretation of a complex biological process such as gait quality. However, they may suffer from subjectivity or high environmental influence. We aimed to investigate potential causal relationships among six visual gait scores in Campolina horses.

Effect of access to natural shade on scrotal thermoregulatory capacity, integrity of the testicular parenchyma and sperm morphology of Nelore (Bos indicus) and Canchim (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) bulls.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of using naturally shaded pastures on scrotal thermoregulatory capacity, testicular echotexture, and sperm morphology of Nelore (Bos indicus) and Canchim (5/8 Bos taurus x 3/8 Bos indicus) bulls in a tropical climate region. Sixty-four adult Nelore and Canchim bulls were used, equally allocated in Full Sun (FS, n = 32) or Crop-Livestock-Forestry (CLF, n = 32) pasture systems. During five consecutive climate seasons, the bulls underwent monthly breeding soundness evaluations and the biometeorological variables in the systems were continuously monitored.

Lipidome and metabolome profiling of longissimus lumborum beef with different ultimate pH and postmortem aging.

The objective of this exploratory study was to assess the changes on lipidome and metabolome profiling of Longissimus lumborum bull muscle with different ultimate pH (pHu) and aging periods. The bull muscles classified as normal, intermediate, or high pHu were collected from a Brazilian commercial slaughterhouse, cut into steaks, individually vacuum-packaged, and aged for 3 days (3-d) or 21 days (21-d) at 2 °C. Muscle extracts were analyzed for the profiles of both lipids, by mass spectrometry (via direct flow-injection), and metabolites, by nuclear magnetic resonance, with downstream multivariate data analysis.

The effect of succinate on color stability of Bos indicus bull meat: pH-dependent effects during the 14-day aging period.

Bos taurus indicus bulls are very susceptible to pre-slaughter stress, which directly impacts the decline in muscle pH, leading to darker meat. The aim was to investigate the effect of succinate and atmosphere on the color stability of Nellore (Bos taurus indicus) Longissimus lumborum steaks classified by ultimate pH (pHu): normal pHu (5.40 ≤ pHu ≤ 5.

Transcriptome profile of skeletal muscle using different sources of dietary fatty acids in male pigs.

Pork is of great importance in world trade and represents the largest source of fatty acids in the human diet. Lipid sources such as soybean oil (SOY), canola (CO), and fish oil (FO) are used in pig diets and influence blood parameters and the ratio of deposited fatty acids. In this study, the main objective was to evaluate changes in gene expression in porcine skeletal muscle tissue resulting from the dietary oil sources and to identify metabolic pathways and biological process networks through RNA-Seq.

Brain fatty acid and transcriptome profiles of pig fed diets with different levels of soybean oil.

Background: The high similarity in anatomical and neurophysiological processes between pigs and humans make pigs an excellent model for metabolic diseases and neurological disorders. Lipids are essential for brain structure and function, and the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have anti-inflammatory and positive effects against cognitive dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. Nutrigenomics studies involving pigs and fatty acids (FA) may help us in better understanding important biological processes.

Differential Gene Expression Associated with Soybean Oil Level in the Diet of Pigs.

The aim of this study was to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEG) from the skeletal muscle and liver samples of animal models for metabolic diseases in humans. To perform the study, the fatty acid (FA) profile and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data of 35 samples of liver tissue (SOY1.5, = 17 and SOY3.

Weight-loss in obese dogs promotes important shifts in fecal microbiota profile to the extent of resembling microbiota of lean dogs.

Background: Among the undesirable changes associated with obesity, one possibility recently raised is dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota. Studies have shown changes in microbiota in obese rats and humans, but there are still few studies that characterize and compare the fecal microbiota of lean, obese and dogs after weight loss. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of a weight loss program (WLP) in fecal microbiota of dogs in addition to comparing them with those of lean dogs.

Evaluation of Serum and Urine Amino Acids in Dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease and Healthy Dogs Fed a Renal Diet.

This observational study aimed to evaluate serum and urinary amino acid (AA) concentrations in healthy dogs and dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD) fed a commercial therapeutic renal diet with reduced protein and phosphorus levels. Ten dogs with CKD stages 3 or 4 composed the study group and received the renal diet for 180 days (RG T180). A control group (CG T30) composed of seven healthy dogs was fed a renal diet for 30 days.

Influence of number of ingredients, use of supplement and vegetarian or vegan preparation on the composition of homemade diets for dogs and cats.

Background: Homemade diets are a worldwide trend, and many recipes are currently available on websites but may not be considered balanced. This study aimed to evaluate if the number of ingredients, supplement, or vegetarian/vegan-only ingredients included in a recipe influence the nutrient content of homemade diets for dogs and cats. Chemical analyses were performed on 75 diets for dogs and 25 for cats prepared according to websites' recipes, and minerals were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).

Toxic element levels in ingredients and commercial pet foods.

Nowadays, there is a growing concern about contamination of toxic metals (TM) in pet food due to the great potential for health risks of these elements. TM concentrations in commercial pet foods (n = 100) as well as in ingredients used in their composition (n = 100) were analyzed and compared to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maximum tolerable level (MTL), and the TM concentrations found in the different sources of carbohydrate, protein, and fat were compared. The TM concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma with optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).

Gene expression of the immunoinflammatory and immunological status of obese dogs before and after weight loss.

Obesity is characterized by a low degree of chronic inflammation state that, along with metabolic modifications, promotes important changes in the animal's organism. Adipose tissue actively participates in inflammation and immunity, and several defense cells of the organism may, therefore, be involved in the diversity found between obese and ideal weight individuals. Studies regarding this subject have shown immune cell changes in humans and rats, however, the literature is scarce in relation to dogs.

Galactoligosaccharide and a prebiotic blend improve colonic health and immunity of adult dogs.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two prebiotics in different concentrations on nutrient digestibility, fermentative products and immunological variables in adult dogs. Twenty-four adult dogs were randomly divided into six blocks according to their metabolic body weights (BW0.75); within these groups, dogs were randomized to four treatments: control without prebiotics (CO); inclusion of 0.

Genetic analysis of in-vitro embryo production traits in Dairy Gir cattle.

The potential of dams as oocyte donors can be a selection criterion for animal breeding programs, but also an involuntary driver of the process. In both cases, it is important to determine genetic components influencing the outcome of in vitro embryo production (IVEP). The objective of the present study was to perform a detailed genetic analysis for in vitro embryo production traits in Dairy Gir cows.

Concentrations of macronutrients, minerals and heavy metals in home-prepared diets for adult dogs and cats.

Pet owners often don't acknowledge the need for home-prepared diet formulation by a trained professional and may use recipes from sources such as the internet. Macronutrient and mineral composition of home-prepared diets were analyzed and compared to NRC and FEDIAF recommendations, and heavy metal concentrations were analyzed and compared to FDA maximum tolerable levels (MTL) for dogs and cats. Recipes of home-prepared diets for adult dogs (n = 75) and cats (n = 25) were evaluated.

Gender status effect on carcass and meat quality traits of feedlot Angus × Nellore cattle.

The study evaluated the effect of gender status on carcass and meat quality of feedlot Angus × Nellore cattle. A total of 176 cattle, 20 months old, were confined for 190-days and assigned to four treatments: bulls, immunocastrated, steers, and heifers. Bulls had greater rib eye area and HCW (p = 0.

Effects of different sources and levels of copper on lipid metabolism in Merino × Texel lambs.

The study was conducted with 40 lambs Merino × Texel in order to determine the effects of 10 or 30 mg of Cu/kg DM of copper sulphate and copper-methionine on the lipid and cholesterol metabolism. The lambs were randomly distributed into 5 treatments, with 8 animals each. The treatments were: control, without cooper additions; 10 or 30 mg of Cu/kg DM in the form of copper sulphate; 10 or 30 mg of Cu/kg DM in the form of copper-methionine.

Influence of post-thawing thermal environment on bovine sperm characteristics and in vitro fertility.

Our aim was to evaluate the effects of three thermal environments over time on kinetics, functionality and in vitro fertility of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa. Four ejaculates from five bulls (n = 20) were cryopreserved. After thawing, semen was evaluated (0 hr), incubated for 4 hr in T36.

Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis reveals muscle contraction and metabolism proteins linked to ultimate pH in bovine skeletal muscle.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the causes and consequences of pHu variations in beef cattle. A group of 176 Nellore beef cattle was evaluated and classified into two different pHu groups: High (≥6.0, N = 17) and Normal (<5.

Uterine lavage is efficient to recover endometrial cytology sample and does not interfere with fertility rate after artificial insemination in cows.

Productivity rates directly depend on the fertility of a herd, which in turn can be influenced by many factors. Semen deposited in the female reproductive tract is foreign to the body and, in response to this invasion, produces an inflammatory reaction, which is characterized by rapid infusion of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells. Techniques to obtain an endometrial sample are usually invasive and can mask the true inflammatory response.

Heat shock and structural proteins associated with meat tenderness in Nellore beef cattle, a Bos indicus breed.

Nellore beef cattle, a Bos indicus (Zebu) breed, is well adapted to tropical conditions and has allowed Brazil to become one of the largest producers of red meat. Nevertheless, B. indicus breeds are reported to have less tender meat than Bos taurus.

Differential gene expression and developmental competence in in vitro produced bovine embryos.

The embryonic developmental block occurs at the 8-cell stage in cattle and is characterized by a lengthening of the cell cycle and an increased number of embryos that stop development. The maternal-embryonic transition arises at the same stage resulting in the transcription of many genes. Gene expression studies during this stage may contribute to the understanding of the physiological mechanisms involved in the maternal-embryonic transition.

Ooplast-mediated developmental rescue of bovine oocytes exposed to ethidium bromide.

Ooplasm transfer has been used successfully to treat infertility in women with ooplasmic insufficiency and has culminated in the birth of healthy babies. To investigate whether mitochondrial dysfunction is a factor in ooplasmic insufficiency, bovine oocytes were exposed to ethidium bromide, an inhibitor of mitochondrial DNA replication and transcription, during in-vitro maturation (IVM). Exposure of immature oocytes to ethidium bromide for 24h during IVM hampered meiotic resumption and the migration of cortical granules.