Report on a Milking Mule: Milk Qualitative Characteristics during Lactation.

Despite their inability to reproduce naturally, mules can host embryos and be surrogate dams. The aim of this investigation was to increase our knowledge of the qualitative composition of mule's milk and its variations throughout the whole lactation period-namely, from 6 h after foaling to 180 days in milk (DIM). Milk was obtained from a mule dam that had foaled after receiving a mule embryo transfer.

Risk Categorization in On-Farm Welfare in Different-Sized Dairy Sheep Flocks.

The objective of the present work was to categorize the risks in the on-farm welfare of dairy sheep in semi-extensive systems in order to highlight if risks in welfare vary according to the farm size. To the best of our knowledge, this study constitutes one of the few categorizations of the risks in the welfare of dairy sheep reared semi-extensively. The survey was conducted on 12 semi-extensive dairy sheep farms in Tuscany (Central Italy), which were classified according to flock size: <500, from 500 to 1000, and >1000.

Gastrointestinal Parasite Infections and Environmental Sustainability of the Ovine Sector: spp. Infections and Nitrogen and Phosphorus Excretions in Dairy Sheep in Italy.

In sheep farming, gastrointestinal parasites can be responsible for significant reductions in animal health and production. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fecal excretions are the main determining factors for NO emissions from manure management and may pose other environmental problems, such as the acidification and eutrophication of natural habitats. By using the Mini-FLOTAC technique on fecal samples from sheep of different ages and physiological status from 19 dairy sheep farms in Tuscany (central Italy), gastrointestinal parasite infections were evaluated.

Impact of Variability Factors on Hair Cortisol, Blood Count and Milk Production of Donkeys.

The increased interest in donkeys because of their milk has led to changes in their farm management. Little is known about the effect of the farming systems on donkey health and welfare. Measuring hair cortisol concentrations is an emerging method to assess stress in animals.

Top-Down proteomics based on LC-MS combined with cDNA sequencing to characterize multiple proteoforms of Amiata donkey milk proteins.

An in-depth molecular characterization of the main milk proteins, caseins (CNs) and whey proteins, from Amiata donkey combining top-down proteomic analysis (LC-MS) and cDNA sequencing revealed multiple proteoforms arising from complex splicing patterns, including cryptic splice site usage and exon skipping events. Post-translational modifications, in particular phosphorylation, increased the variety and complexity of proteoforms. α-CN perfectly exemplifies such a complexity.

The ClassyFarm System in Tuscan Beef Cattle Farms and the Association between Animal Welfare Level and Productive Performance.

In 2018, the Italian Ministry of Health introduced the ClassyFarm system in order to categorize the level of risk related to animal welfare. The ClassyFarm checklist for beef cattle is divided into four areas: Areas A "Farm management and personnel"; B "Structures and equipment"; C "Animal-based measures"; and "Emergency plan and alert system". Answers contribute to the final Animal Welfare Score (AWS) and to the score of each area.

Effects of the Physiological Status and Diet on Blood Metabolic Parameters in Amiata Dairy Donkeys.

Body weight changes and blood metabolic parameters in jennies feeding two different diets and in three physiological statuses were investigated (maintenance vs. pregnancy; maintenance vs. lactation).

Milk composition, fatty acids profile and fat globule size of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus, Montagu 1821) milk at early lactation.

Research data on milk composition in cetaceans are scattered and fragmentary. This paper analyses the gross and mineral composition, the fatty acids profile and the fat globule size of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) colostrum and milk at early lactation. The milk samplings were carried out on three lactating female of bottlenose dolphins at the 1st, 4-5 and 20- 42 day post partum.

Cyathostomin fecal egg count and milk quality in dairy donkeys.

This study was performed to assess the possible relationship between gastrointestinal strongylid infections and milk quantity and quality in donkeys used for milk production. Individual fecal and milk samples were collected from 16 multiparous lactating jennies of Amiatina breed at their 6th month of lactation. Statistical analysis was carried out between strongylid eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) and milk parameters.

Current Knowledge on Functionality and Potential Therapeutic Uses of Donkey Milk.

The increase of knowledge on the composition of donkey milk has revealed marked similarities to human milk, which led to a growing number of investigations focused on testing the potential effects of donkey milk in vitro and in vivo. This paper examines the scientific evidence regarding the beneficial effects of donkey milk on human health. Most clinical studies report a tolerability of donkey milk in 82.

Apicomplexan Protozoa Responsible for Reproductive Disorders: Occurrence of DNA in Blood and Milk of Donkeys () and Minireview of the Related Literature.

Donkeys may be susceptible to many pathological agents and may act as carriers of pathogens for other animal species and humans. This study evaluated the occurrence of potentially abortifacient apicomplexan protozoa DNA in blood and milk samples collected at different time periods during lactation (1, 6, and 10 months) from 33 healthy dairy jennies. A total of 73 blood and 73 milk samples were used for DNA extraction and analysis.

Intestinal Strongyle Genera in Different Typology of Donkey Farms in Tuscany, Central Italy.

Intestinal strongyles are common helminths of donkeys, in which they may be responsible for disease and poor performance. This study aimed to identify intestinal strongyle genera in 55 naturally infected donkeys from three different farm typologies in Tuscany, central Italy, using morphological and metrical analysis of third stage larvae (L3) obtained from faecal cultures. Larvae were identified using two previous reported morphological identification keys.

Donkey Feeding During Maintenance, Pregnancy, and Lactation: Effects on Body Weight, Milk Production, and Foal Growth.

We evaluated the daily intake in donkeys during maintenance, late pregnancy, and early lactation. The growth curves of the foals in the first eight weeks of life and the milk production in lactating jennies were also investigated. Donkeys were separated into two groups: seven pregnant jennies (group 1: pregnant/lactating) and seven nonpregnant, nonlactating jennies (group 2).

Donkey's Milk in the Management of Children with Cow's Milk protein allergy: nutritional and hygienic aspects.

Background: The therapeutic strategy for children with cow's milk allergy (CMA) consists in the elimination of cow's milk (CM) from their diet. Donkey's milk (DM) has been reported to be an adequate alternative, mainly to his nutritional similarities with human milk (HM) and excellent palatability. The aim of present prospective study was to evaluate the nutritional impact of DM on the diet of children with CMA in term of children growth.

Serological and Molecular Findings of Infection in Healthy Donkeys () from a Canine Leishmaniosis Endemic Focus in Tuscany, Italy: A Preliminary Report.

parasites are considered to be emergent zoonotic pathogens, which is a new concept regarding their epidemiology and the identification of novel animal hosts. The present study is the first in Italy to evaluate anti seroprevalence, and the first in Europe to detect parasite DNA in donkeys' blood. The study was performed on jennies living in a endemic area of Central Italy.

Effects of pasteurization and storage conditions on donkey milk nutritional and hygienic characteristics.

Until now there are only few data on the effects of thermal treatments on the nutritional and hygienic characteristics of donkey milk. This Research Communication aims to provide information on the effects of pasteurization (at +65 °C for 30 min) and prolonged storage at refrigeration and freezing temperatures (21 d at + 3 °C ± 2 °C and up to 90 d at -20 °C ± 5 °C) on some nutritional and hygienic characteristics of Amiata donkey milk. The milk was monitored by chemical and microbiological analysis.

Short communication: Technological and seasonal variations of vitamin D and other nutritional components in donkey milk.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism and also acts as a hormone. Although several studies on the content of vitamin D in bovine milk have been conducted, little information is available regarding donkey milk. In the context of the nutritional assessment of donkey milk, the aim of this study was to assess the vitamin D content in donkey milk and its chemical profile, with particular reference to seasonal and technological modifications after pasteurization.

Amiata Donkey Milk Chain: Animal Health Evaluation and Milk Quality.

This study presents an investigation of Amiata donkey health and quality of milk for human consumption. Thirty-one lactating dairy jennies were examined. The following samples were collected: faecal samples from the rectum of animals for parasitological examination; cervical swabs for the detection of bacteria causing reproductive disorders; and blood samples for serological diagnosis of main zoonotic ( spp.

Dermatophytosis in donkeys (Equus asinus) due to Microsporum racemosum, an unusual geophilic agent.

Reports about ringworm in donkeys are scanty and refer to zoonotic agents such as Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton verrucosum. Seventeen Asino Amiatina donkeys semi-extensively farmed in paddocks showed alopecic nummular, scaling areas mainly on head and neck. Microsporum racemosum cultivated from the lesions was identified by morphology and PCR.

Short communication: Monitoring nutritional quality of Amiata donkey milk: effects of lactation and productive season.

Milk nutritional characteristics are especially interesting when donkey milk is aimed at consumption by children and the elderly. The aim of this study was to monitor the nutritional quality of Amiata donkey milk during lactation and productive season to provide information on the milk characteristics and to study action plans to improve milk yield and quality. Thirty-one pluriparous jennies belonging to the same farm were selected.

The Macrostructure of Milk Lipids: The Fat Globules.

The aim of this review article is to summarize the information available related to milk fat globules (MFGs) in order to highlight their contribution to the nutritional and technological characteristics of milk and dairy products. The macrostructure of milk lipids is composed of globules made up of triglycerides with different melting points, enveloped by a biological membrane from the mammary epithelial cell. In milks of different animal species, there are different-sized MFGs, ranging from diameters of less than 0.

Detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in the blood and milk of naturally infected donkeys (Equus asinus).

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide zoonotic protozoan. Consumption of raw milk from infected animals is considered a risk factor for acquiring toxoplasmosis in humans. Recently, donkey milk has been indicated for therapeutic and nutritional purposes and T.

Effect of forage:concentrate ratio on the quality of ewe's milk, especially on milk fat globules characteristics and fatty acids composition.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the milk quality of Massese ewes receiving diets with different forage:concentrate ratios (FC ratio), specially on milk fat globules characteristics and fatty acids composition. The diet is one of the main environmental factors that influence the lipidic content of milk. A trial was carried out on twenty ewes, which had been subdivided into two homogeneous groups and kept indoors at 25 days post partum.