Effect of Three Commercially Available Extenders Containing Phospholipids of Different Sources on Skopelos Buck Liquid-Stored Sperm Quality.

The effect of four extenders on buck semen quality parameters was examined during a 48 h liquid storage. Semen was collected from six Skopelos bucks and diluted in the following extenders, containing: soy lecithin (SL, OviXcell), plant phospholipids (PP, AndroMed), egg yolk lecithin (EY, Steridyl), or no phospholipids (basic extender). Samples were stored at 5 °C for 48 h and assessed at 0, 24 and 48 h for viability (eosin-nigrosin), acrosome integrity (SpermBlue), membrane functional integrity (HOST), mitochondrial function (Rhodamine 123/SYBR-14/PI) and motility parameters (CASA).

Nutritional Strategies to Alleviate Stress and Improve Welfare in Dairy Ruminants.

Dairy ruminants provide a major part of the livestock and agriculture sectors. Due to the increase in world population and the subsequent increase in dairy product demands, the dairy sector has been intensified. Dairy farming intensification and the subsequent increase in animal nutritional demands and the increase in the average global temperature as well have subjected animals to various stress conditions that impact their health and welfare.

Alternative Approaches to Feeding Small Ruminants and Their Potential Benefits.

Small ruminants, such as sheep () and goats (), contribute to approximately 475 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCOe) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for approximately 6.5% of the global emissions in the agriculture sector. Crop residues, silage, grasses, hay, browse, plant leaves, shrubs, agro-industrial by-products, poultry litter, and other alternative feed sources are frequently utilized for small ruminant production.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Essential Oils, Lysozyme, and Vitamins' Blend on Layer Hen Performance, Viral Vaccinal Response, and Egg Quality Characteristics.

Maintaining respiratory tract health is crucial for layers, impacting gut health, laying performance, and egg quality. Viral diseases and standard vaccinations can compromise tracheal epithelium function, leading to oxidative stress. This study assessed the impact of a blend of feed additives, predominantly lysozyme (L), essential oils (EO), and vitamins (VIT) (referred to as L + EO + VIT), on young layers during an oral vaccination schedule.

Effect of Farming System and Season on Proximate Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, Antioxidant Activity, and Physicochemical Properties of Retail Cow Milk.

Consumers differentiate milk-quality characteristics in relation to the production system, but data on retail milk composition are limited. This study investigated how farming methods and seasons affect proximate composition, fatty acid profile, antioxidant activity, and physicochemical characteristics of commercial cow's milk. Milk samples, both conventional ( = 84, 7 manufacturers) and organic ( = 24, 2 manufacturers), were collected monthly over a year.

Variations in Composition, Antioxidant Profile, and Physical Traits of Goat Milk within the Semi-Intensive Production System in Mountainous Areas during the Post-Weaning to End-of-Lactation Period.

Dairy products from mountain-origin milk are known for their superior composition and quality. This study aimed to examine changes in composition, nutritional quality, and antioxidant properties of milk from semi-intensively managed goats in mountainous regions during the post-weaning to end-of-lactation period. Bulk tank milk samples from 10 farms were collected bi-weekly in the period from March to September.

Effect of Milking Vacuum and the Supplementation of Vitamin E and Se in Milk Quantity, Quality, and Hygiene of Mammary gland in Mountainous Greek Sheep.

The aim of this research was to study the effect of two machine milking vacuum levels on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of milk and mammary gland hygiene of ewes, when vitamin E and Se were administrated supplementarily. The experiment was conducted at the Vlasti Research Station in the Greek province of West Macedonia. Ninety-six ewes of the Mountainous Greek sheep breed were used.

Dietary Supplementation with Pomegranate and Onion Affects Lipid and Protein Oxidation in the Breast Meat, Thigh, and Liver, Cellular Stress Protein Responses, and Gene Expression of Liver Enzymes Involved in Protein Synthesis in Broilers.

The present study examined the effects of dietary supplementation with extracts of pomegranate () and onion (), either encapsulated in cyclodextrin (POMALCD group) or in an aqueous (POMALAQ group) form, on breast meat, thigh meat, and liver composition, oxidative stability, cellular signaling pathways, and the gene expression of certain hepatic genes. The results showed that breast and thigh meat contained significantly ( < 0.05) higher moisture content in the group with the aqueous extract, compared to the control and POMALCD groups.

Signatures of Admixture and Genetic Uniqueness in the Autochthonous Greek Black Pig Breed Deduced from Gene Polymorphisms Affecting Domestication-Derived Traits.

The Greek Black Pig (or Greek Pig) is the only recognized autochthonous pig breed raised in Greece, usually in extensive or semi-extensive production systems. According to its name, the characteristic breed coat color is solid black. In this study, with the aim to start a systematic genetic characterization of the Greek Black Pig breed, we investigated polymorphisms in major genes well known to affect exterior and production traits (, , , and ) and compared these data with population genetic information available in other Mediterranean and Western Balkan pig breeds and wild boars.

Meat Quality in Katerini and Podolian Young Bulls Raised on Pasture: A Comparison between Organic Production Systems in Greek and Italian Environments.

Local and typical agri-food products (TAP) are receiving increasing interest from consumers, since they are perceived as genuine, healthy and tasty because they are produced under environmentally friendly farming systems. This has aroused a renewed interest among breeders from the inner regions of Italy and Greece toward autochthonous animal populations, such as Greek Katerini and Italian Podolian cattle. Twenty animals were used, divided into two homogeneous groups of ten subjects per each genotype.

Dietary Supplementation with Oregano and Linseed in Autochthonous "Facciuta Lucana" Goats: Effects on Meat Quality Traits in Suckling Kids.

Extruded linseed () in ruminant diets has been investigated as a strategy to improve the nutritional value and healthiness of meat fat; however, increased polyunsaturated fatty acids may limit the shelf-life of meat. Oregano () has a documented antioxidant activity. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with extruded linseed and oregano on goat milk quality and whether the characteristics of goat milk affect the physical and chemical features, fatty acid profile, meat lipid oxidation, and sensory properties of meat from suckling kids.

Post-Thaw Parameters of Buck Semen Quality after Soy Lecithin Extender Supplementation with Fumaric Acid.

The supplementation of cryopreservation media with antioxidants improves the post-thaw quality and fertilizing ability of spermatozoa. To maximize the fertility of frozen-thawed buck spermatozoa, further research is required to overcome obstacles that have yielded controversial results and standardize protocols. In the present work, the effect of adding fumaric acid (a well-described antioxidant) to a soy lecithin semen extender on certain quality parameters of spermatozoa following freezing and thawing was examined for the first time.

Association of MTNR1A and GDF9 gene allelles with the reproductive performance, response to oestrus induction treatments and prolificacy, in improved and non-improved local indigenous sheep breeds.

Sheep farming plays a crucial role for Mediterranean countries, wherefrom a plethora of dairy products is produced. Yet, numerous indigenous sheep breeds in temperate latitudes such as the Mediterranean present a serious drawback that milk production is impaired by the seasonality of reproduction. Towards the efforts for reduction of this phenomenon, the purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare different oestrus synchronization treatments, as well as to associate two genes alleles', namely the MTNR1A and the GDF9, with the response to those treatments.

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.

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.

Indigenous Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Raw Graviera Cheese and Evaluation of Their Most Important Technological Properties.

The aim of the present study was to characterize LAB isolates from raw-milk cheeses, to evaluate some of their technological properties and to select a few 'wild' LAB strains that could potentially be used as starter cultures. LAB strains were isolated and identified from raw milk, curd, and cheese at 30, 60, and 90 days of ripening. A total of 100 strains were isolated, 20 from each phase of ripening.

Genetic Parameters and Genotype × Diet Interaction for Body Weight Performance and Fat in Gilthead Seabream.

There has been thorough research on the genotype by diet interaction and the extent of its impact on the genetic evaluation, using a partly replaced marine animal protein on the gilthead seabream. To do that, 8356 individuals were gathered from two batches and followed different diets: a high-plant-protein diet containing 85% plant proteins and a standard commercial one containing 30% marine animal protein. During the experiment, body weight, growth and fat content were recorded.

Trace elements in edible tissues of elasmobranchs from the North Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean) and potential risks from consumption.

Trace elements have the potential to bioaccumulate in marine organisms and to biomagnify towards the upper levels of marine trophic webs, resulting in a range of negative effects on organisms. Elasmobranchs are highly susceptible to bioaccumulation of trace metals, while their consumption by humans is increasing worldwide. Therefore, it is important to monitor the trace metal content in the edible tissues of elasmobranchs.

Hygiene and Safety of Hard Cheese Made from Raw Cows' Milk.

This study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological status of cheese made from unpasteurized cows' milk, to examine the safety of the cheese and to observe the changes that occurred in its microbial community during ripening and storage. Furthermore, the pH, the moisture and salt concentration were also monitored throughout processing, ripening and storage. Seven cheesemaking trials took place along with the microbiological and physicochemical analysis of the milk, curd and cheese produced.

Effects of Production Systems and Seasons on Retail-Goat-Milk Fatty-Acid Composition and Nutritional Indices in Greece.

An increased consumer interest in goat milk has been registered in recent years due to its health-related benefits. This study aimed to investigate the effects of production systems and seasons on fatty-acid composition and nutritional indices for the healthy fat consumption of retail goat milk. The study lasted one year, and milk samples ( = 160) from 14 brands (10 conventional and 4 organic) were collected on a monthly basis.

Evaluation of a Numerical, Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging Model for the Prediction of Litter Size in Pregnant Sows, with Machine Learning.

The present study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of a numerical model, quantifying real-time ultrasonographic (RTU) images of pregnant sows, to predict litter size. The time of the test with the least error was also considered. A number of 4165 pregnancies in Farm 1 and 438 in Farm 2 were diagnosed twice, with the quality of the RTU images translated into rated-scale values (RSV1 and RSV2).

Determination of Heavy Metal Levels and Health Risk Assessment of Raw Cow Milk in Guelma Region, Algeria.

During the recent decades, adverse effects of unexpected contaminants, such as heavy metals on raw cow milk quality, have threatened human health. The objective of this study was to determine heavy metal levels in raw milk collected from autochthonous bovine breeds in the eastern region of Algeria. Eighty-eight pooled milk samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry for Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Fe, and Zn, and dietary risks were estimated for infants, children, and adults with minimum, average, and maximum milk consumption scenarios.

Genetic diversity and substructuring of the Hungarian merino sheep breed using microsatellite markers.

The Hungarian Merino sheep breed () is the most significant animal resource of the Hungarian sheep sector which, unfortunately, has gone through a huge reduction in number during the last decades and became endangered in 2014. A modern molecular genetic survey is now becoming more than necessary in order to characterize the within-breed genetic diversity and structure. For that reason, six Hungarian Merino flocks were genotyped in 16 microsatellite markers.

Genomic Selection and Genome-Wide Association Analysis for Stress Response, Disease Resistance and Body Weight in European Seabass.

The majority of the genetic studies in aquaculture breeding programs focus on commercial traits such as body weight, morphology, and resistance against diseases. However, studying stress response in European seabass may contribute to the understanding of the genetic component of stress and its future use to select broodstock whose offspring may potentially be less affected by handling. A total of 865 European seabass offspring were used to measure body weight and stress response.