Individual differences in behaviour and gut bacteria are associated in collared peccary (Mammalia, Tayassuidae).

Aims: We tested the hypothesis that the behaviour of an individual is associated with the diversity of its gut bacteria, using the collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) as a model.

Methods And Results: In all, 24 adult male collared peccaries received either low- (n = 12) or high-fibre diet (n = 12) to induce contrasting gut fermentation profiles. They were submitted to three short-term challenges, allowing us to rate the animals in a coping-style dimension named 'calmness'.

Individual differences in behavior affect total tract fiber digestibility: the example of collared peccary.

Differences in how individuals cope with stressful conditions (e.g. novel/unfamiliar environment, social isolation and increases in human contact) can explain the variability in data collection from nutrient digestibility trials.

Effects of dietary supplementation of red pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) essential oil on performance, small intestinal morphology and microbial counts of weanling pigs.

Background: Many strategies, such as the antibiotic growth promoters, have been developed to improve intestinal health and performance of newly weaned piglets. Natural products such as essential oils have been scientifically recognized as growth enhancer feed additives for weanling pigs, replacing the antibiotics. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that Brazilian red pepper could replace performance-enhancing antibiotics also in weanling pig diets.

Magnetic field exposure enhances mRNA expression of sigma 32 in E. coli.

The mechanism of interaction between weak electromagnetic fields and cells is not understood. As a result, the health effect(s) induced by exposure to these fields remains unclear. In addition to questions relating to the site of initial magnetic field (MF) interactions, the nature of the cell's response to these perturbations is also unclear.