Can IMTA System Improve the Productivity and Quality Traits of Aquatic Organisms Produced at Different Trophic Levels? The Benefits of IMTA-Not Only for the Ecosystem.

IMTA is one of the most innovative and sustainable farming systems, exhibiting the best technique available in rearing aquatic organisms belonging to different positions along the trophic levels. In the literature and in legislation, the environmental benefits of IMTA protocols have been extensively recognized, mainly for its capability to reduce the ecological footprint of intensive aquaculture systems and concretely address the Sustainable Development Goal no. 14 (SDG 14).

Selection of Male Donors in Local Chicken Breeds to Implement the Italian Semen Cryobank: Variability in Semen Quality, Freezability and Fertility.

Native breed conservation is an important component of poultry biodiversity. The aim of this work is to describe different steps that lead to donor selection for the implementation of the Italian Semen Cryobank of Autochthonous Chicken and Turkey Breeds. The variability within and between breeds was evaluated, and the stored semen reproductive capacity was in vivo tested using artificial insemination.

Cryopreserving Rabbit Semen: Impact of Varying Sperm Concentrations on Quality and the Standardization of Protocol.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of sperm concentrations on the in vitro quality of cryopreserved rabbit semen. The semen pools ( = 8, from 80 donors) were split into five aliquots with final sperm concentrations of 15, 25, 35, 55, and 75 × 10 per straw. The sperm motility parameters (CASA system) and membrane integrity (flow cytometric analysis) were both evaluated at various stages of the cryopreservation process: fresh semen dilution, cooling, equilibration, and immediately after and 30 min post-thawing.

Liquid semen storage-induced alteration in the protein composition of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) spermatozoa.

Liquid storage of turkey semen without the loss of fertilizing ability is of practical interest to the poultry industry. However, fertility rates from liquid-stored turkey semen decline within a few hours. A clear cause of the decline in spermatozoa quality remains unidentified.

Strategies to improve the postharvest management of flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) from aquaculture using the short-term storage and package in an innovative closed-circuit system.

This study aimed to improve postharvest management of flat oysters reared in a longline system in the mid Adriatic Sea, using short-term storage and package in an innovative closed-circuit system. For the trial, 870 oysters were employed, divided into three experimental groups (A, B, and C), N = 270 oysters each group, whereas the remaining 60 oysters were used for the 2 controls. Each group differed in relation to the time spent in the depuration tank and the time of packaging: group A was packed and immediately transferred to the cell; group B was depurated in a tank for 48 h, then packed and transferred to the cell; group C was depurated in a tank for 48 h and then packed, depurated for another 24 h and transferred to a cell.

The Use of Ovarian Fluid as Natural Fertilization Medium for Cryopreserved Semen in Mediterranean Brown Trout: The Effects on Sperm Swimming Performance.

D-532 fertilization solution is generally used to replace the water or ovarian fluid during artificial reproductive practices in salmonids due to its ability to boost sperm motility and increase fertilization rates compared with natural activation media. However, the maintenance of ovarian fluid in a reproductive microenvironment gives it the advantage of protecting the eggs from potential harmful factors from the external environment and simplifying the field operations related to its removal when D-532 is used alone. In light of this, the aim of the present study was to investigate in vitro, for the first time, the effect of ovarian fluid (OF 100%) on post-thaw sperm swimming performance of Mediterranean trout, comparing it with D-532 and a mixed solution of 50% D-532 and 50% ovarian fluid (OF 50%).

Effects of Dietary Red Grape Extract on the Quality Traits in Juvenile European Sea Bass ( L.).

Intensive fish farming is responsible for the occurrence of various stressors that negatively affect the health of cultured animals. Polyphenols are plant-derived compounds with biological activities and positive influences on the performances and immunity of fish. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of a polyphenol extract obtained from Nero di Troia red grape on the quality of farmed sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fillets.

Identification of Ancestry Informative Markers in Mediterranean Trout Populations of Molise (Italy): A Multi-Methodological Approach with Machine Learning.

Brown trout (), like many other freshwater species, is threated by the release in its natural environment of alien species and the restocking with allochthonous conspecific stocks. Many conservation projects are ongoing and several morphological and genetic tools have been proposed to support activities aimed to restore genetic integrity status of native populations. Nevertheless, due to the complexity of degree of introgression reached up after many generations of crossing, the use of dichotomous key and molecular markers, such as mtDNA, * and microsatellites, are often not sufficient to discriminate native and admixed specimens at individual level.

Proteomic analysis of rabbit fresh and cryopreserved semen provides an important insight into molecular mechanisms of cryoinjuries to spermatozoa.

Cryoinjury and protein changes are a consequence of cryopreservation and may have a negative impact on sperm quality regarding motility, viability and fertilizing ability. However, potential proteomic changes in rabbit semen throughout the cryopreservation process have never been previously investigated. The aim of the present study was to compare the whole proteome of fresh and cryopreserved rabbit semen (spermatozoa and extracellular fluid), to examine the effects of freeze-thawing on proteins changes in semen.

The Effect of Semen Cryopreservation Process on Metabolomic Profiles of Turkey Sperm as Assessed by NMR Analysis.

Semen cryopreservation represents the main tool for preservation of biodiversity; however, in avian species, the freezing−thawing process results in a sharp reduction in sperm quality and consequently fertility. Thus, to gain a first insight into the molecular basis of the cryopreservation of turkey sperm, the NMR-assessed metabolite profiles of fresh and frozen−thawed samples were herein investigated and compared with sperm qualitative parameters. Cryopreservation decreased the sperm viability, mobility, and osmotic tolerance of frozen−thawed samples.

Effects of Partial Substitution of Conventional Protein Sources with Duckweed () Meal in the Feeding of Rainbow Trout () on Growth Performances and the Quality Product.

Duckweed (Lemna minor) meal was included in the formulation of three experimental feeds (L1, L2, L3) for rainbow trout at 10%, 20%, 28% of the protein source, respectively. Increasing the duckweed inclusion, the other protein sources were adjusted to get isonitrogenous (41%) and isolipidic (20%) diets, as the control diet (LC). 540 fish (mean body weight 124.

Concentration dependent effect of dimethylacetamide and N-methylacetamide on the quality and fertility of cryopreserved chicken semen.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two permeant-cryoprotectants, dimethylacetamide (DMA) and N-methylacetamide (NMA) used at different concentrations (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%) on the quality and fertility of post-thaw rooster semen. Ejaculates were processed in 7 treatments: Lake pre-freezing+0.1 M trehalose (LPF-T) (control treatment), LPF-T+2% DMA, LPF-T+4% DMA, LPF-T+6% DMA, LPF-T+2% NMA, LPF-T+4% NMA, LPF-T+6% NMA.

Genetic Diversity of 17 Autochthonous Italian Chicken Breeds and Their Extinction Risk Status.

The preservation of genetic variability of autochthonous poultry breeds is crucial in global biodiversity. A recent report revealed small breed size and potential risk of extinction of all native Italian poultry breeds; therefore, a correct assessment of their genetic diversity is necessary for a suitable management of their preservation. In this work, we provided an overview of the contribution to poultry biodiversity of some Italian autochthonous breeds reared in conservation centers devoted to local biodiversity preservation.

Optimization of a Protocol for the Cryopreservation of Sperm in Pellets for the Common Pheasant ().

The sperm of each avian species and breed have unique characteristics that render them more or less susceptible to the freezing-thawing process; therefore, a suitable cryopreservation protocol that is specific for the sperm of each type of bird is needed. In this context, little information about the common pheasant's sperm is available. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test different parameters at each step of the process of freezing into pellets and thawing to detect the least deleterious parameter settings.

Presence of Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Intestinal Tract of the Mediterranean Trout () in Its Natural Environment.

Knowledge of the composition of the gut microbiota in freshwater fish living in their natural habitat has taxonomic and ecological importance. Few reports have been produced on the composition of the gut microbiota and on the presence of LAB in the intestines of freshwater fish that inhabit river environments. In this study, we investigated the LAB community that was present in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of Mediterranean trout () that colonized the Biferno and Volturno rivers of the Molise region (Italy).

Overview of Native Chicken Breeds in Italy: Small Scale Production and Marketing.

The intensive use of high-performing strains in poultry production has led to the extinction of several autochthonous chicken breeds and, consequently, loss of genetic variability. Interest in saving biodiversity is growing rapidly and has become a major objective worldwide. The aim of this study was to shed light on the production trends of native Italian poultry breeds and the related market.

Overview of Native Chicken Breeds in Italy: Conservation Status and Rearing Systems in Use.

The most reared species of farm animal around the world is the chicken. However, the intensification of livestock systems has led to a gradual increase in the concentration of a limited number of breeds, resulting in substantial erosion to the genetic pool. The initial step of an 'animal conservation program' entails establishing the actual conservation statuses of the breeds concerned in a defined area; in this case, in Italy.

Validation of the Turkey Semen Cryopreservation by Evaluating the Effect of Two Diluents and the Inseminating Doses.

This study was designed to test the fertilizing ability of cryopreserved turkey semen, and here, two experiments were performed: an in vitro analysis to assess the effects of Tselutin and Lake diluents and an in vivo test to determine the fertility and hatching rates by also studying the feat of three insemination doses (250, 400 and 600 × 10 sperm/hen). Pooled semen samples were diluted with Tselutin or Lake extender which contained 20% of dimethylsulfoxide and 1 mM of Ficoll at final sperm concentration of 3 × 10 sperm/mL. Thereafter, semen was packaged into straws and frozen on liquid nitrogen.

Evaluation of Long Sea Snail (Gastropod) from the Middle Adriatic Sea as a Possible Alternative for Human Consumption.

In mid Adriatic Sea the common sea snail is the habitual snail eaten, but over the years fishermen started to capture also the long sea snail, a possible alternative for human consumption. This study aims to compare the quality traits of the edible fraction in the common and long sea snails. In this study, common and long sea snail samples were provided by fishermen in November 2018 and March 2019.

Effect of N-Methylacetamide Concentration and Thawing Rate on Chicken Sperm Quality after Cryopreservation.

In seeking alternative cryoprotectants to glycerol for a reference chicken semen freezing procedure, the aim of the present study was to compare the effect of two concentrations of N-Methylacetamide (MA) and two thawing rates on the quality of frozen-thawed semen. Semen samples were diluted in Lake pre-freezing extender, including 0.1 M trehalose in presence of 6% or 9% MA, loaded into straws, frozen in nitrogen vapors, and stored in liquid nitrogen.

Finding an Effective Freezing Protocol for Turkey Semen: Benefits of Ficoll as Non-Permeant Cryoprotectant and 1:4 as Dilution Rate.

The present study aimed to find an effective cryopreservation protocol for turkey semen through the combined use of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and three non-permeant cryoprotectants (NP-CPAs), sucrose, trehalose, and Ficoll 70. In addition, the action of two dilution rates (1:2 and 1:4) were also investigated. Semen was processed according to two final dilution rates and the following treatments: Tselutin extender (TE)/DMSO (control), TE/DMSO + sucrose or trehalose 50, 100, 200, or 400 mM, and TE/DMSO + Ficoll 0.