The Effects of Animal, Collection Time, and Interval on the Microbiota Structure, Metabolism, and Degradative Potential of Rumen Fluid Inoculum Collected by Esophageal Probe from Hay-Fed Cows.

Rumen fluid (RF) is the greatest source of uncontrolled inter-assay variations in in vitro digestibility tests. This study aimed to investigate the effect of donor cow (DC) individual variability, time relative to feeding, and weekly sampling intervals on RF microbiota structure and metabolism, and on its degradative capacity expressed as enzymatic activity (EA). RF was collected using an esophageal probe from 4 Holstein hay-fed DCs before feeding, and 4 and 8 h post-feeding, over 3 days with one-week intervals, for a total of 3 weeks.

Stage of lactation, parity, breed, milk composition, and minerals affect the nonenzymatic antioxidant activity of sheep milk.

The aims of this study were to (1) characterize sheep milk for nonenzymatic antioxidant activity via 2 different assays, namely the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), and (2) investigate the effect of milk composition and animal-related parameters on these 2 assays by using the generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) approach. A total of 740 ewes belonging to the Massese and Comisana breeds were sampled once during the morning milking across 11 sampling sessions. All milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein, CN, and lactose, SCS, and minerals (Ca, Mg, Na, and Cl).

The Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Probiotic and Postbiotic Yeast Products on Ewes Milk Performance and Immune Oxidative Status.

The administration of yeast products as feed additives has been proven to beneficially affect animal productivity through energy, oxidative, and immune status improvement. This study evaluated a combination of live yeast (LY) with yeast postbiotics (rich in mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) and beta-glucans) and selenium (Se)-enriched yeast on ewes' milk performance and milk quality, energy and oxidative status, and gene expression related to their immune system during the peripartum period. Ewes were fed a basal diet (BD; F:C = 58:42 prepartum and 41:59 postpartum) including inorganic Se (CON; = 27), the BD supplemented with a LY product, and inorganic Se (AC; = 29), as well as the combination of the LY, a product of yeast fraction rich in MOS and beta-glucans, and organic-Se-enriched yeast (ACMAN; = 26) from 6 weeks prepartum to 6 weeks postpartum.

Microalgae as a Sustainable Source of Antioxidants in Animal Nutrition, Health and Livestock Development.

Microalgae are a renewable and sustainable source of bioactive compounds, such as essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidant compounds, that have been documented to have beneficial effects on nutrition and health. Among these natural products, the demand for natural antioxidants, as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants, has increased. The antioxidant activity of microalgae significantly varies between species and depends on growth conditions.

Compositional Differences of Greek Cheeses of Limited Production.

Greece has a long tradition in cheesemaking, with 22 cheeses registered as protected designation of origin (PDO), 1 as protected geographical indication (PGI), and 1 applied for PGI. Several other cheeses are produced locally without any registration, which significantly contribute to the local economy. The present study investigated the composition (moisture, fat, salt, ash, and protein content), color parameters, and oxidative stability of cheeses that do not have a PDO/PGI certification, purchased from a Greek market.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation in Modifying the Rumen Microbiota of Ewes.

Supplementing ruminant diets with microalgae, may prove an effective nutritional strategy to manipulate rumen microbiota. Forty-eight ewes were divided into four homogenous groups ( = 12) according to their fat-corrected milk yield (6%), body weight, age, and days in milk, and were fed individually with concentrate, alfalfa hay, and wheat straw. The concentrate of the control group (CON) had no supplementation, while in the treated groups 5 (SP5), 10 (SP10), and 15 g (SP15) of were supplemented as an additive in the concentrate.

spp. Dietary Supplementation Modulates Immune-Oxidative Transcriptional Signatures in Monocytes and Neutrophils of Dairy Goats.

The high propensity of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to oxidation can induce a cascade of cellular immune-oxidative imbalances. On the other hand, PUFA, namely docosapentaenoic acid (ω6-DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can exert immunomodulatory effects by suppressing a pro-inflammatory response. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with spp.

Inclusion of Seeds in Ewes' Diet Modifies Rumen Microbiota.

Supplementing ruminant diets with unconventional feedstuffs ( seeds; CS) rich in bioactive molecules such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, may prove a potential eco-efficient strategy to manipulate rumen microbiome towards efficiency. Forty-eight ewes were divided into four homogenous groups ( = 12) according to their fat-corrected milk yield (6%), body weight, and age, and were fed individually with concentrate, alfalfa hay, and wheat straw. The concentrate of the control group (CON) had no CS inclusion, whereas the treated groups were supplemented with CS at 60 (CS6), 110 (CS11), and 160 (CS16) g·kg of concentrate, respectively.

Effects of PUFA-Rich Dietary Strategies on Ruminants' Mammary Gland Gene Network: A Nutrigenomics Review.

Although the inclusion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in ruminants' diets appears to be a well-documented strategy to enrich milk with PUFAs, several gene networks that regulate milk synthesis and mammary gland homeostasis could be impaired. The objective of this literature review is to assess the effects of nutritional strategies focused on enriching milk with PUFAs on gene networks regulating mammary gland function and lipogenesis, as well as the impact of feed additives and bioactive compounds with prominent antioxidant potential on immune-oxidative transcriptional profiling, as a part of mammary gland homeostasis and health. The findings support the conclusion that PUFAs' inclusion in ruminants' diets more strongly downregulate the stearoyl-CoA desaturase () gene compared to other key genes involved in de novo fatty acid synthesis in the mammary gland.

The Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Microalgae spp. on Ewes' Milk Quality and Oxidative Status.

An unprecedented challenge for nutritionists arises during the 21st century in order to produce highly nutritious and functional food which promotes human health. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that are highly contained in microalgae have broadly been confirmed for preventing cardiovascular diseases and regulating immune-oxidative status. However, their optimum dietary inclusion level needs to be defined since PUFA are prone to oxidation.

Consumer attitudes toward dairy products from sheep and goats: A cross-continental perspective.

This study aimed to assess consumer knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions toward dairy products from sheep and goats. A web-based survey was conducted in Latin America (Mexico and Chile), Europe (Italy, Spain, Greece, and Denmark), and Asia (Bangladesh). From March to June 2021, adult participants answered an online survey available in 5 languages.

The amino acid profile of Camelina sativa seeds correlates with the strongest immune response in dairy ewes.

Camelina sativa is an alternative protein source (with a specific amino acid profile) rich also in bioactive compounds (such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants), which have immunomodulatory properties. This study aimed to assess the impact of the dietary inclusion level of Camelina seeds, on the expression levels of key genes involved in ewes' innate immunity. Forty-eight dairy ewes were assigned into four homogenous groups of 12 animals that were fed individually with alfalfa hay, wheat straw, and concentrate.

Long-term administration of a commercial supplement enriched with bioactive compounds does not affect feed intake, health status, and growth performances in beef cattle.

Feed additives including natural bioactive compounds (BCs) in combination with vitamin E (VitE) and organic Se could mitigate animal stress associated with intensive livestock farming due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Yeast and yeast derivate are included in feed additives as probiotic products and digestion promoters. is a source of bioactive compounds and has been tested in monogastrics, exhibiting many immunostimulating and hepato-protective activities.

Effect of a Carotenoid Extract from By-Products on the Immune-Oxidative Status of Broilers.

Although carotenoids generally possess antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, the in vivo synergistic action of carotenoid blends derived from plant-based by-products has not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, the carotenoid characterization and antimicrobial potential of extract as well as the impact of this carotenoid-rich extract (CCE) dietary supplementation on the performance, meat quality, and immune-oxidative status of broiler chickens were determined. One hundred and twenty one-day-old hatched chicks (Ross 308) were allocated to two dietary groups, with four replicate pens of 15 birds each.

Immune-Related Gene Expression Profiling of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Supplemented with Vinification Byproducts: A Valorization Approach II.

The valorization of vinification byproducts portrays a promising bioprocess for the enrichment of animals' diet with bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, which could regulate the immune response. Therefore, the impact of dietary grounded grape pomace (GGP), wine lees extract (WYC), and grape stem extract (PE) on the relative transcript level of immune related genes of broiler chickens were examined. Two hundred forty, one-day-old as hatched (male/female) chicks (Ross 308) were allocated to four dietary groups, with four replicate pens each with 15 birds.

Assessing the Optimum Level of Supplementation with Camelina Seeds in Ewes' Diets to Improve Milk Quality.

Camelina sativa seeds are rich in bioactive compounds such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and antioxidants, thus, their supplementation in ewes' diets, may be an effective way to develop high nutritional dairy products. Therefore, the present study investigates the effect of the dietary inclusion of Camelina sativa seeds in ewes' oxidative status and milk quality. Forty-eight dairy Chios ewes were divided into four homogenous groups and were fed individually.

The Effect of Forage-to-Concentrate Ratio on spp.-Supplemented Goats: Modifying Rumen Microbiota.

The inclusion of feed additives and the implementation of various nutritional strategies are studied to modify the rumen microbiome and consequently its function. Nevertheless, rumen enzymatic activity and its intermediate products are not always matched with the microbiome structure. To further elucidate such differences a two-phase trial using twenty-two dairy goats was carried out.

Plant Feed Additives as Natural Alternatives to the Use of Synthetic Antioxidant Vitamins on Livestock Mammals' Performances, Health, and Oxidative Status: A Review of the Literature in the Last 20 Years.

In the last two decades, the interest in natural plant feed additives (PFA) as alternatives to synthetic vitamins in livestock nutrition has increased. After a systematic review, a total of 19 peer-reviewed papers published between 2000 and 2020 were retained to evaluate the antioxidant effects of PFA compared to synthetic antioxidant vitamins (mainly vitamin E; VitE) in livestock nutrition. These studies demonstrated that PFAs could be as efficient as VitE in counteracting oxidative stress in pigs, rabbits, and ruminants.

Antioxidant Status of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Supplemented with Vinification By-Products: A Valorization Approach.

Vinification by-products display great potential for utilization as feed additives rich in antioxidant compounds. Thus, the effect of dietary ground grape pomace (GGP), wine lees extract rich in yeast cell walls (WYC), and grape stem extracts (PE) on the relative expression of several genes involved in liver oxidative mechanisms and the oxidative status of the blood and breast muscle of broiler chickens was investigated. In total, 240 one-day-old as hatched chicks (Ross 308) were assigned to four treatments, with four replicate pens and 15 birds in each pen.

Schizochytrium sp. Dietary supplementation modify Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) transcriptional regulation in monocytes and neutrophils of dairy goats.

Animals protect themselves against pathogens or abiotic factors by innate or adaptive mechanisms. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3) of microalgae modify both human and mice' immune systems resulting in a beneficial balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways. However, scarce information exists on their impact on lactating animals' immunity.

Changes in the Rumen Bacteriome Structure and Enzymatic Activities of Goats in Response to Dietary Supplementation with spp.

With the aim to produce functional dairy products enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) by using feed supplements, radical changes could occur in the rumen microbiome. This work investigated the alterations of the rumen bacteriome of goats fed with PUFA-rich marine microalgae spp. For the trial, twenty-four goats were divided into four homogenous clusters (six goats/treatment) according to their fat-corrected (4%) milk yield, body weight, and age; they were individually fed with alfalfa hay and a concentrate (F/C = 50/50).

Effects of Inclusion of spp. and Forage-to-Concentrate Ratios on Goats' Milk Quality and Oxidative Status.

Although the dietary inclusion level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the forage: concentrate (F:C) ratio affect milk quality, their interaction has not been broadly studied. To address such gaps and limitations a two-phase trial using twenty-two dairy goats was carried out. During the first phase, both groups (20 HF = 11; high forage and 20 HG = 11; high grain) were supplemented with 20 g spp.

Effects of Supplementing Rumen-Protected Methionine and Lysine on Milk Performance and Oxidative Status of Dairy Ewes.

There is limited information on the impact of dietary supplementation with separate rumen-protected (RP) amino acids (AA), or with their combination, on ewes' oxidative status. Sixty ewes were divided into five groups; C: basal diet (control); M: basal diet + 6 g/ewe RP methionine; L: basal diet + 5 g/ewe RP lysine; LML: basal diet + 6 g methionine and 5 g lysine/ewe; and HML: basal diet + 12 g methionine + 5 g lysine/ewe. Milk's fat content increased in RP-AA fed ewes, while that of protein in M and L only.