Investigating the cecal microbiota in broiler poultry farms and its potential relationships with animal welfare.

The present study assessed the modulation of cecal microbiota and correlations with Campylobacter colonization and animal welfare status. For these purposes, we conducted a cross sectional study of the cecal microbiota from 187 broilers reared in 13 batches from 10 poultry farms by performing 16S rRNA sequencing (regions V3-4). The welfare of each batch was assessed using a simplified Welfare Quality® protocol, scoring higher in organic batches, compared to both antibiotic-free and conventional batches.

Hippocampal monoamine changes in the Flinders sensitive line rat: A case for the possible use of selective α-AR-antagonists in stress and anxiety disorders in companion animals.

Non-selective α-adrenoreceptor (AR) stimulation delivers favourable sedative, analgesic, muscle relaxant and anxiolytic actions in companion animals, but is associated with cardiovascular and respiratory side effects. Anxiety conditions underscore monoamine disturbances amenable to α-AR modulation. We investigated sub-chronic (14 day s.