Dexamethasone has profound influence on the energy metabolism of porcine blood leukocytes and prevents the LPS-induced glycolytic switch.

In farm animals, little is known about the relationship between energy metabolism of immune cells and their activation state. Moreover, there has recently been evidence that dexamethasone, a powerful glucocorticoid-based drug, can exert its anti-inflammatory effects by interfering with the energy metabolism of immune cells, but the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. To address these knowledge gaps, we explored the connection between the energy metabolism of porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and their response to pro- and anti-inflammatory stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and dexamethasone (DEX) .

Influence of genotype and environment on piglet vitality and metabolic state during the suckling period of divergent birth weight classes.

The high mortality rate of suckling piglets in commercial farms is a cause for concern and requires the adoption of innovative breeding and management approaches for effective mitigation. Piglets are particularly vulnerable during the first days of life, which concerns especially neonates with a low birth weight. In this study, neonatal adaptation was analysed regarding genotype and housing conditions following hormonally induced farrowing.

Technical Note: Optimizing and Validating an RP-HPLC Method to Determine Lactoferrin in Porcine Colostrum and Milk.

This Technical Note provides a detailed description of a sample preparation procedure, along with the validation of a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for quantitatively determining lactoferrin (LF) in porcine colostrum and milk. The analysis of native milk samples is a challenging process due to the complex composition of the sample. Raw milk is an emulsion and colloid of fat globules in a water-based liquid containing dissolved carbohydrates and protein aggregates with minerals.

Genetic regulation and variation of fetal plasma metabolome in the context of sex, paternal breeds and variable fetal weight.

Metabolic processes in fetuses can significantly influence piglet weight at birth. Understanding the genetic determinants of systemic metabolism is crucial for uncovering how genetic and molecular pathways impact biological mechanisms, particularly during the fetal phase. We present data on 1112 plasma metabolites using untargeted ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods, of 260 backcross (BC) fetuses from two sires' breeds at 63 days post-conception.

A Similarity Matrix for Preserving Haplotype Diversity Amongst Parents in Genomic Selection.

In genomic selection, balancing genetic gain with the preservation of genetic diversity is a critical challenge, requiring innovative approaches to parent selection. Traditional methods risk losing valuable genetic diversity by not fully accounting for the complex patterns of haplotype distribution. To address this, we developed a novel haplotype similarity measure that estimates the genetic similarity amongst offspring from parent pairs by analysing segregating marker patterns and the covariance of additive genetic effects between potential parental gametes.

The parturition-relevant hormone profile in hyper-prolific sows under different housing conditions.

Aim was to characterize birth-relevant hormone profiles of reproductively productive hybrid sows in the peripartum period. It was examined whether there are deviations in the hormone profile depending on the birth process (eutocia:dystocia) and the type of housing (box stall BS vs. farrowing pen FP vs.

Changes in Protein Metabolism and Early Development of Sarcopenia in Mice With Cholestatic Liver Disease.

Background: Sarcopenia is a frequent complication of liver cirrhosis. Here, we chose a mouse model of cholestatic liver disease (CLD) to gain mechanistic insights into the development of sarcopenia from the earliest stages of chronic liver injury. Particular attention was paid to protein metabolism, metabolite profiles, and mediators of CLD-induced muscle wasting.

Innovations in aging biology: highlights from the ARDD emerging science & technologies workshop.

The field of biogerontology has established itself through significant lines of research in recent decades. However, despite early breakthroughs, progress in understanding the aging process has been slow. To push the field forward, new methodologies and technologies are likely needed to unravel the complexity of aging.

Exploring the effect of play on heart rate variability as a measure of positive emotional states in pigs.

Play behaviour has been suggested to be inherently rewarding for animals, inducing positive emotional states. The psychophysiological effect of emotions can be assessed through heart rate variability (HRV), serving as a proxy measure of sympathovagal balance. This study investigated how the performance of play influences heart rate (HR) and HRV parameters (RMSSD, SDNN) in pigs.

Microbial profiling of black soldier fly larvae reared on substrates supplemented with different mineral sources originating from phosphorus recycling technologies.

Background: Innovations to establish agricultural value chains utilising side streams and their reintegration into the feed and food supply are of great importance. Recyclates derived from biomass and waste are therefore becoming increasingly important as sources of nutrients. The larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens) demonstrate considerable potential as livestock feed due to their ability to utilise a wide range of organic substrates.

Effects of a transient lack of dietary mineral phosphorus on renal gene expression and plasma metabolites in two high-yielding laying hen strains.

Background: There is an emerging body of evidence that current poultry feed is formulated in excess for phosphorus (P), which results in unnecessarily high P excretions. Sustainable concepts for agricultural P flows should trigger animal-intrinsic mechanisms for efficient P utilization. In the current study, Lohmann Brown (LB) and Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL) laying hens were fed either a high P diet (P+) with 1 g/kg mineral P supplement or a low P diet (P-) with 0 g/kg mineral P supplement for a period of 4 weeks prior to sampling.

Widespread environmental contamination from relic munitions in the southwestern Baltic Sea.

Relic munitions from warfare and intentional dumping contaminate coastal waters worldwide, with an estimated 300,000 tons in the German Baltic Sea alone. These contain toxic conventional explosive chemicals, including 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), and 1,3-dinitrobenzene (DNB). Corrosion of metal munition housings in seawater releases these munition chemicals (MCs) to the marine environment.

Advances in Stem Cell Research-Insights from the Special Issue "Stem Cells in Health and Disease 2.0".

Significant progress in stem cell research over the last few decades has opened up new avenues for exploring human physiology and pathophysiology [...

Lower Plasma Lactate Concentrations After Training Support the Hypothesis of Improved Metabolic Flexibility in Male Long-Term Selected Marathon Mice Compared to Unselected Controls.

Metabolic flexibility describes the capability to switch between oxidative fuels depending on their availability during diet or exercise. In a previous study, we demonstrated that in response to training, marathon (DUhTP) mice, paternally selected for high treadmill performance, are metabolically more flexible than unselected control (DUC) mice. Since exercise-associated metabolic flexibility can be assessed by indirect calorimetry or partially by circulating lactate concentrations, we investigated these parameters in DUhTP and DUC mice.

infection alters the intestinal mucosa transcriptome in neonatal calves: impacts on epithelial barriers and transcellular transport systems.

Introduction: is the most prevalent enteric protozoan parasite causing infectious diarrhea in neonatal calves worldwide with a direct negative impact on their health and welfare. This study utilized next-generation sequencing (NGS) to deepen our understanding of intestinal epithelial barriers and transport mechanisms in the pathophysiology of infectious diarrhea in neonatal calves, which could potentially unveil novel solutions for treatment.

Methods: At day 1 of life, male Holstein-Friesian calves were either orally infected (n = 5) or not (control group, n = 5) with oocysts (in-house strain LE-01-Cp-15).

Sodium butyrate is incorporated into central metabolism in fly head while inducing oxygen consumption increase.

Butyrate has been proposed as a drug therapy by acting as a lysine deacetylase (KDAC) inhibitor and elevating protein acetylation, in particular on histones. Nonetheless, recent studies suggest that tissues such as the gut can utilize butyrate as a metabolite. We have previously shown that the addition of butyrate induces a rapid increase of oxygen consumption in whole Drosophila melanogaster heads.

Transcriptional signature of a hypersensitive glucocorticoid receptor variant in the neuroendocrine system suggests enhanced vulnerability to brain disorders.

The natural substitution Ala610Val in the porcine glucocorticoid receptor (GR) leads to a profound compensatory downregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in early ontogeny. In this study, we leveraged this unique animal model to explore mechanisms of HPA axis regulation and consequences of its genetically-based persistent hypoactivity. To this end, we examined transcriptional signature of GR in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala and adrenal gland in resting conditions (i.

The effect of feeding order of forage and oats on metabolic and digestive responses related to gastric emptying in horses.

Feeding order of forage and concentrate might affect gastric emptying and subsequently digestion in horses. The objective of this study was to measure gastric emptying in combination with metabolic and digestive responses in the plasma and cecum, respectively, when changing the feeding order of oats (O) and hay (H) (oats first, then hay: O-H vs. hay first, then oats: H-O).

Modulatory effects of in ovo delivery of galactooligosaccharide and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on antioxidant capacity, gene expression, and selected plasma metabolite parameters of broiler chickens.

A stable gut microbiota promotes a healthy gut and enhances immune function, antioxidant status, and metabolic activities in chickens. The present research work aimed to investigate the modulatory impacts of in ovo delivery of prebiotic and probiotic on oxidative stress, the intestinal transcriptome, and various plasma metabolites in chickens. Fertilized Ross 308 eggs were administered in ovo either with galactooligosaccharide (GOS) (3.

Adult neurogenesis and the microbiota-gut-brain axis in farm animals: underestimated and understudied parameters for improving welfare in livestock farming.

Welfare in commercial livestock farming is becoming increasingly important in current agriculture research. Unfortunately, there is a lack of understanding about the neuronal mechanisms that underlie well-being on an individual level. Neuroplasticity in the hippocampus, the subventricular zone (SVZ), the olfactory bulb (OB) and the hypothalamus may be essential regulatory components in the context of farm animal behaviour and welfare that may be altered by providing environmental enrichment (EE).

Hepatic Transcriptomics of Broilers with Low and High Feed Conversion in Response to Caloric Restriction.

Background: In broiler chickens, the efficient utilization of macro- and micronutrients is influenced by various metabolic pathways that are closely linked to feed efficiency (FE), a critical metric in poultry industry, with residual feed intake (RFI) as the preferred proxy. Feed restriction is considered an approach to address the underlying molecular mechanisms of feed conversion. We hypothesized that broiler chickens with divergent RFI subjected to quantitative feed restriction differ in their pattern of molecular pathways for efficient nutrient utilization in liver as post-absorptive tissue.

Effects of myo-inositol supplementation in the diet on myo-inositol concentrations in the intestine, blood, eggs, and excreta of laying hens.

The objectives of this study were to investigate whether an increased dietary myo-inositol (MI) supply translates into changes in MI concentrations and endogenous mucosal phosphatase activities in the intestine of laying hens and whether different laying hen strains respond differently to MI supplementation. The diets were corn-soybean meal-based and supplemented without (MI0) or with 1 (MI1), 2 (MI2), or 3 (MI3) g MI/kg feed. Ten hens per strain (Lohmann Brown-classic (LB) and Lohmann LSL-classic (LSL)) and diet were sacrificed at the age of 30 wk following a 4-wk stay in a metabolic unit.

Transcriptional responses to diets without mineral phosphorus supplementation in the jejunum of two high-yielding laying hen strains.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential mineral for all forms of life including laying hens, playing a crucial role in growth and efficient egg production. Recent studies suggest that current P recommendations might exceed the physiological demand, leading to unnecessarily high P excretions. This study on Lohmann Brown (LB) and Lohmann Selected Leghorn (LSL) laying hens (n=80; 10 replicates per strain, production period, and dietary group) investigates transcriptional changes in the jejunum, a critical intestinal segment for mineral absorption, in response to a diet either without (P-) or with (P+) a mineral supplement from monocalcium phosphate, administered over a 4-week period during the transition (15-19 weeks) or onset of laying (20-24 weeks).