Search Results (20,190)

Detecting estrus in sows is important for improving pig reproductive performance and pig farm production efficiency levels. Traditional estrus detection methods are highly subjective and inaccurate, making it difficult to meet the demands of modern farming. This research developed a multimodal feature fusion method that combines audio and thermal infrared image data to enhance the accuracy and robustness of estrus monitoring in breeding pigs. We designed the Adaptive-PIG-OESTUS-CNN-ViT model, which uses thermal infrared images and audio as inputs for a network model. By integrating the Vision Transformer and convolutional neural networks, the model extracted and fused features from multimodal data. An adaptive cross-attention mechanism was employed to automatically learn feature vectors representing the combined thermal infrared and audio data, which were then fed into an improved DenseNet network to identify estrus and non-estrus states in breeding pigs. The model achieved an accuracy of 98.92%, a recall rate of 98.92%, and an F1-score of 97.35%, effectively performing non-destructive estrus detection in breeding pigs. Compared with traditional estrus detection methods, this approach more accurately integrated data from different modalities to distinguish the estrus state of breeding pigs, providing an efficient, objective, and non-destructive means for sow estrus detection. Full article

This study investigated the effects of high dietary organic copper supplementation on growth performance, mineral metabolism and organ histology in male Awassi lambs. Fifteen lambs with similar body weight (16 ± 1.53 kg) were assigned to three groups: a control group (T1) receiving a basal diet, and two treatment groups (T2 and T3) supplemented with 0.5 g and 1 g of organic copper per kg DM, respectively. The total dietary copper concentrations were 6.18, 81.68 and 156.75 ppm in T1, T2, and T3 groups, respectively. The basal diet, composed of soybeans, wheat, and barley, provided 2.4 Mcal/kg metabolizable energy and 14% crude protein. High dietary copper supplementation had no significant impact on growth performance and body biometric measurements. Testicular length was increased in T3 lambs. Mineral analysis showed increased hepatic copper concentrations in T2 and T3 lambs. Kidney copper levels remained within normal ranges, while renal zinc concentrations declined in T2 and T3 lambs. Gene expression analysis demonstrated upregulation of ATP7A and ATP7B genes in T3 lambs, indicating a cellular adaptation to elevated copper levels, while IGF1 expression remained unchanged. Histological assessments, however, revealed hepatic and renal changes in T3 lambs. Overall, high dietary organic copper supplementation, particularly at 1 g Cu/kg DM, increases copper retention and may support reproductive health in Awassi lambs. However, excessive intake poses risks of liver and kidney damage, highlighting the need for careful dietary management. Full article

This study unveils the unique origins, evolution, and genetic variations of the Yangba cattle, an endangered breed in China, through a comparative genomic analysis involving 202 individuals from 21 domestic and international breeds. Genetic component analysis revealed that the Yangba cattle comprise four ancestral lineages: Eurasian taurine (18%), East Asian taurine (26%), Chinese indicine (39%), and Indian indicine (17%). Their high genetic diversity and low inbreeding coefficient set them apart significantly from mainstream commercial breeds. Gene introgression analysis indicated that the influx of genetic material from East Asian taurine has enhanced the Yangba cattle’s adaptability to environmental stress, while the introgression from Chinese indicine has endowed them with unique advantages in muscle development and tissue repair. A genome-wide selection scan identified strong positive selection signals for genes such as ABCC2, which is involved in immune regulation, and NCOA3, which plays a role in growth regulation, in the Yangba cattle. This study systematically elucidates, for the first time, the composite ancestral composition and mechanisms of adaptive evolution in Yangba cattle. These findings offer critical insights into the conservation and sustainable utilization of endangered cattle resources and underscore the importance of implementing effective breeding programs. Full article

The rapid growth and high nutrient density in modern broiler production have led to issues like woody breast myopathy (WBM), footpad dermatitis, and fat accumulation, affecting welfare and profitability. This study evaluated the effects of amino acid (AA) and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) reductions on organ development, carcass yield, WBM incidence, and economic returns in Cobb 700 and Ross 708 broilers. Two trials were conducted, one per strain, using a factorial design with 12 treatments (four AA × three AME). Each trial included 864 broilers, randomly assigned to six replicate blocks, with 12 pens per block (six males and six females per pen). Diets contained 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of digestible AA and 84%, 92%, or 100% AME based on breeder recommendations. A 30% AA reduction increased fat pad weight, promoted proventriculus and jejunum development (day 58), reduced carcass and tenderloin weights, lowered moderate/severe WBM incidence (day 47), and shortened footpad dermatitis. A 16% AME reduction decreased fat pad weight, improved muscle production and returns, but reduced normal breast percentage (days 40 and 47). The recommended protein–energy ratio (g/MJ) for optimal economic returns was as follows: 19.78 (0–10 d), 17.51 (11–24 d), 16.03 (25–39 d), and 15.25 (40–63 d). Full article

The decision to neuter pet dogs remains a significant and ongoing debate from ethical, animal health, and animal welfare perspectives. Millions of dogs worldwide are considered integral family members, and their behavior, as well as the bond they form with their owners, play a key role in the decision to keep them as pets. When behavioral problems arise, neutering is often viewed as a potential solution. However, by removing the source of sexual hormones, neutering creates the potential for both beneficial and harmful effects on a dog’s health and behavior. It is crucial for society to rely on professionals to provide informed advice about whether and when the procedure should be performed on a pet, taking into account the unique risks and benefits of each individual case. Instead, the conclusions drawn from existing research—both in terms of behavior and health aspects—remain inconclusive and sometimes conflicting. Studies have reported higher risks for developing reproductive, urinary, metabolic, and musculoskeletal disorders in neutered dogs. Additionally, some studies suggest increases in stress, fear, anxiety, and even certain types of aggression following neutering. The limitations of current research, the subjectivity of pet owners’ evaluations of their dogs’ behaviors, the influence of various demographic factors, and the complex relationships between sex hormones and other hormones or neurotransmitters all contribute to the challenges in this field of study. Despite these complexities, they also offer promising avenues for future research. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the various effects of neutering on dogs, with a particular focus on behavioral outcomes. Full article

The diversity of skin colors observed in reptiles is indicative of their adaptation to different ecological niches, with these color variations playing essential roles in survival and reproduction. The present study focused on two closely related species (Lycodon rufozonatus and Lycodon rosozonatus) within the Lycodon genus that exhibit the closest color and morphological similarities. We performed RNA sequencing on the scales of both species and obtained 350,346,591 and 331,537,523 clean reads, respectively. A comparative analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) databases revealed that the scales of the two species exhibited similar patterns of gene enrichment. Nevertheless, the results of the PCA and the t-SNE analysis demonstrated notable differences between the scales in the diverse color variations observed in the two species. Concurrently, we conducted a comparative analysis of the skin color-related genes and the differentially expressed genes, which revealed three genes exhibiting notable disparities: RU_DN1145_c3_g2 (mreg), RU_DN10511_c0_g1 (notch1), and Unigene11172 (notch1). In light of the aforementioned results, we hypothesize that the discrepancy in the scale color between the two species is attributable to alterations in specific gene loci and variations in expression levels. The data presented herein provide a molecular basis for future studies on the genetic and habitat adaptation functions of scale color differences in reptiles. Full article

An automated non-contact weight measurement method for ducks is beneficial for preventing the stress response of ducks and, thus, promoting their healthy development. We propose a two-stream bidirectional interaction network that depends on RGB-D pictures to accurately determine the weight of ducks. We developed two-stream branches in the encoder to extract texture appearance information and spatial structure information from RGB images and depth images, respectively. Besides, we employed a cross-modality feature supplement module in the encoder to facilitate mutual learning and complementarity between these two modalities. Finally, a decoder is designed to combine the multi-scale characteristics of these two modalities and feed the fused features into the regression module to determine the final weight of the duck. For the experimental analysis of this study, we built a new dataset of RGB-D duck images consisting of 2865 pairs of RGB-D images captured from the bird-eye view. The comparative experimental results show that the proposed method could effectively estimate the duck weight with an MAE of only 0.1550, outperforming all the comparison methods on this dataset. This automated, non-contact weight measurement method can eliminate stress responses caused by human intervention. This method enables the automated collection of growth data, supporting precision feeding and health management decisions. It drives the digital and welfare-oriented transformation of the livestock industry, enhancing production efficiency while promoting animal welfare and sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

Pancreatitis in cats ranges from mild forms with low mortality to severe cases with poor prognosis, and early identification of high-risk patients remains a challenge. The prognostic significance of hyperlactatemia and metabolic acidosis in feline pancreatitis is not well established. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors in hospitalized cats with pancreatitis and assess the predictive value of hyperlactatemia and metabolic acidosis. A retrospective study of 142 cats diagnosed between January 2020 and December 2023 was conducted, analyzing signalment, clinical signs, and clinicopathological findings. Diagnosis was based on clinical signs, abnormal feline pancreatic lipase assay, and abdominal sonography. Multivariate analysis identified jaundice (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.7–12.7), renal disease (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.05–5.40), hypoalbuminemia (OR, 3.91; 95% CI, 1.70–9.01), increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (OR, 4.76; 95% CI, 1.96–11.53), and neutrophil cytoplasmic toxic change (OR, 10.54; 95% CI, 4.17–26.7) as independent prognostic indicators. The combination of renal disease and jaundice increased the mortality risk 12-fold, while hypoalbuminemia and neutrophil toxic changes increased it 120-fold. However, hyperlactatemia and metabolic acidosis upon admission were not predictive of outcomes. These findings suggest that jaundice, renal disease, hypoalbuminemia, increased BUN, and neutrophil toxic changes are significant prognostic indicators in feline pancreatitis, whereas hyperlactatemia and metabolic acidosis do not predict mortality. Full article

With the growing demand for sustainable and cost-effective poultry production, optimizing nutrient utilization is crucial. Exogenous proteases enhance protein digestibility, reduce nitrogen excretion, and improve feed efficiency, but their interaction with additives like copper sulfate (CuSO₄) and formaldehyde remains unclear. This study evaluated the combined effects of protease with these additives on amino acid digestibility, performance, and bone quality in broilers. A total of 500 broilers were assigned to seven dietary treatments, each replicated 10 times (six birds per cage) over 21 days (14 days of adaptation and 7 days of evaluation). Treatments included a reference diet (RD), RD + CuSO₄ (600 g/ton, 150 mg Cu/kg), RD + formaldehyde (2000 g/ton), with or without protease supplementation (30,000 NFP/kg), and a protein-free diet. Protease improved protein digestibility (2.50%) and amino acid digestibility (essential: 2.64%; non-essential: 2.52%) in diets with CuSO₄ or formaldehyde (p < 0.05). CuSO₄ alone had no effect, but its combination with protease significantly enhanced crude protein digestibility (4.63%). Formaldehyde reduced amino acid digestibility, but protease mitigated this negative effect (−4.68% vs. −1.81%). Protease also improved feed conversion and bone strength. These findings demonstrate that protease combined with CuSO₄ or formaldehyde optimizes nutrient digestibility, enhances broiler performance, and supports sustainable poultry production. Full article

The hen harrier, Circus cyaneus, is a migratory raptor that relies on open grasslands as key winter habitats in Central Europe, where it predominantly preys on common voles, Microtus arvalis. However, habitat loss due to agricultural intensification, land use change, and human disturbances increasingly threatens these landscapes. Using the framework of conservation behavior, this study examines how hen harriers respond to human-induced environmental changes, how behavior-based habitat management can support conservation, and how behavioral indicators such as territoriality inform conservation planning. Based on 278 h of field observations, we analyzed space use, foraging ecology, time and energy budgets, and territoriality of wintering hen harriers. Our results indicate that non-territorial females require ~20% more energy intake than territorial females, reflecting the advantage of defending vole-rich habitats. This corresponds to an estimated daily intake of up to 8 voles for non-territorial females, compared to 4–6 voles for territorial ones. Winter territory establishment was primarily driven by vole availability, and habitat degradation due to grassland loss impaired territory formation, influencing energy allocation and conservation prospects. Our findings highlight the role of territory establishment as a quantifiable behavioral indicator for habitat quality and conservation planning. At a landscape scale, habitat alteration and loss, anthropogenic disturbances and top-down effects further shape hen harrier distribution, emphasizing the need to account for these factors in conservation strategies. Finally, we identify open research questions, especially regarding large-scale environmental pressures and cross-seasonal effects. Full article

Information describing forces applied to the horse are needed to inform regulatory decisions regarding equine health and wellbeing. This study compares forces exerted beneath the noseband and headpiece of a snaffle bridle (SB) and a double bridle (DB). Horses were fitted with the same type of SB and DB. Forces were measured by pressure mats under the noseband (nasal/mandibular) and headpiece (occipital) of the bridle and by force sensors inserted bilaterally between the bit(s) and reins. The noseband was adjusted to 2 finger-equivalents using a tightness gauge. Data were recorded for eleven high-level dressage horses ridden in SB and DB in random order at collected walk, trot (sitting), and canter. The noseband pressures were similar between bridle types. Minimal, maximal, and mean occipital force and pressure were significantly higher for DB at walk, trot, and canter (all p ≤ 0.01), except minimal force for collected canter (p = 0.04). The rein tension for the bridoon bit alone and for the combined bridoon and curb bits was significantly lower than for the snaffle bit. Similar forces occur when ridden in SB and DB except that occipital force and pressure are higher due to the greater weight of the DB, and rein tension is lower for the DB. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and sensitivity of real-time video capsule endoscopy (RT-VCE) when detecting surgical and nonsurgical gastric lesions in dogs that presented with acute vomiting. Additionally, the patient tolerance and the utility of the RT-VCE data for clinical decision-making were assessed. Eleven client-owned dogs with an acute onset of vomiting were included. Each dog received an antiemetic and antacid before undergoing an RT-VCE (MC1200, MiroCam^®, Intromedic, Seoul, Republic of Korea). We independently reviewed the RT-VCE images to assess the image quality, detect gastric lesions, and make clinical decisions. The time taken to reach a diagnosis and the inter-clinician agreement were evaluated. RT-VCEs were successfully completed in all the dogs, with a mean time to diagnosis of 21.82 ± 15.26 min (range: 1–48 min). Both clinicians reached unanimous agreement on the RT-VCE findings. Five dogs were diagnosed with gastric foreign bodies and underwent surgical removal, while the remaining six were diagnosed with gastritis, a gastric ulcer or erosion, or hemorrhages, which were managed medically. No adverse effects, including vomiting, were observed after the capsule administration. RT-VCE proved to be an effective, accurate, and well-tolerated diagnostic method for evaluating gastric conditions in dogs with acute vomiting. Its rapid diagnostic capability and non-invasive nature make it a valuable modality in emergency veterinary settings. Full article

This study examines the sustainability and economic viability of intensive common carp (Cyprinus carpio) production in recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) in Hungary. Using a deterministic model, the research identifies production costs, profitability, and the critical factors influencing economic efficiency. It also evaluates the impact of key variables, such as the feed purchase price, the market-sized common carp sales price, the specific gross yield, the electricity price, and electricity consumption, on economic performance by using a sensitivity analysis. Primary data were collected from an experimental trial conducted under controlled conditions in Hungary, dividing the production process into three phases: pre-rearing, post-rearing, and market-sized fish production. The unit production cost of market-sized common carp in 2024 was 5.47 EUR/kg, with energy (47.01%) and feed (24.18%) as the main cost drivers. While the sales price covered variable costs, it failed to offset fixed costs, resulting in a loss of 0.41 EUR/kg. The results reveal that while RAS technology offers high productivity and efficient resource utilization, its economic viability is challenged by high initial investment and operational costs. Nevertheless, the study identifies optimization opportunities in feed management, water usage, and electricity efficiency to enhance sustainability and profitability. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating economic, environmental, and technological considerations to advance intensive aquaculture practices. Full article

The accurate prediction of body mass (BM) in cattle is crucial for herd monitoring, assessing biological efficiency, and optimizing nutritional management. This study evaluated BM prediction models using morphological data from 465 lactating Holstein cows, including the dorsal length (DL), thoracic width (TW), abdominal width (AW), rump width (RW), hip height (HH), body depth (BD), thoracic perimeter (TP), and abdominal perimeter (AP). Spearman’s correlation analysis identified TP (r = 0.89), AP (r = 0.88), and RW (r = 0.80) as the strongest predictors. Simple and multiple linear regression models, artificial neural networks (ANNs), and Support Vector Regression (SVR) were tested. The dataset was split into 90% for training (419 samples), 5% for validation (23 samples), and 5% for testing (23 samples). The best simple model, using only TP, achieved an R² of 0.7763 and an RMSE of 43.69 kg. A multiple regression model with TP, AP, and RW improved performance (R² = 0.9067, RMSE = 28.00 kg). The ANN outperformed all of the models (R² = 0.9125, RMSE = 25.86 kg), and was followed by SVR (R² = 0.9046, RMSE = 27.41 kg). As an indication of the evaluation of the results obtained, it is observed that, although regression models are effective, the ANNs and SVR provide greater accuracy, reinforcing their potential for herd management. However, simpler models remain viable alternatives for practical on-farm application. Full article

In order to optimize diets for Bengal tiger cubs and improve their health condition and survival rates, we conducted microbiota and metabolomics analyses on fecal samples from Bengal tiger cubs fed goat and dog milk replacer formulae. The results showed that there were significant differences in fecal microorganisms and metabolites between the two groups. At the phylum level, the major components of the microbial composition in the feces of cubs were Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota and Fusobacteriota. In addition, the abundance of gut microbiota varied significantly between the two groups of tiger cubs. The fecal microbiota of the tiger cubs fed dog milk replacer powder exhibited an increase in probiotic bacteria (Anaerostipes and Clostridium_scindens) (p < 0.05), and the microbial community tended to be more balanced. Metabolomics data further elucidated that feeding different milk formulae significantly affected the fecal metabolites and metabolic pathways in the Bengal tiger cubs. In the dog milk replacer powder group, 76 metabolites were up-regulated (p < 0.05), and 278 metabolites were down-regulated (p < 0.05), particularly affecting the metabolism of vitamin D3, vitamin B5, isoleucine, valine, phenylalanine and oleic acid. At the same time, 19 metabolic pathways were affected (p < 0.05), including the amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and nucleotide metabolism pathways. In conclusion, this study confirms that milk formula composition affects the gut microbiota and metabolism of Bengal tiger cubs. These findings may provide new insights into how different milk powder formulae and dietary strategies influence the regulation of gut microbiota and overall health in Bengal tiger cubs. Full article