Application of bioelectrical impedance analysis in prediction of light kid carcass and muscle chemical composition

Carcass data were collected from 24 kids (average live weight of 12.5±5.5 kg; range 4.5 to 22.4 kg) of Jarmelista Portuguese native breed, to evaluate bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as a technique for prediction of light kid carcass and muscle chemical composition. Resistance (Rs, Ω) and reactance (Xc, Ω), were measured in the cold carcasses with a single frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer and, together with impedance (Z, Ω), two electrical volume measurements (Vol_A and Vol_B, cm²/Ω), carcass cold weight (CCW), carcass compactness and several carcass linear measurements were fitted as independent variables to predict carcass composition by stepwise regression analysis. The amount of variation explained by Vol_A and Vol_B only reached a significant level (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively) for muscle weight, moisture, protein and fat-free soft tissue content, even so with low accuracy, with Vol_A providing the best results (0.326⩽R²⩽0.366). Quite differently, individual BIA parameters (Rs, Xc and Z) explained a very large amount of variation in dissectible carcass fat weight (0.814⩽R²⩽0.862; P<0.01). These individual BIA parameters also explained a large amount of variation in subcutaneous and intermuscular fat weights (respectively 0.749⩽R²⩽0.793 and 0.718⩽R²⩽0.760; P<0.01), and in muscle chemical fat weight (0.663⩽R²⩽0.684; P<0.01). Still significant but much lower was the variation in muscle, moisture, protein and fat-free soft tissue weights (0.344⩽R²⩽0.393; P<0.01) explained by BIA parameters. Still, the best models for estimation of muscle, moisture, protein and fat-free soft tissue weights included Rs in addition to CCW, and accounted for 97.1% to 99.8% (P<0.01) of the variation observed, with CCW by itself accounting for 97.0% to 99.6% (P<0.01) of that variation. Resistance was the only independent variable selected for the best model predicting subcutaneous fat weight. It was also selected for the best models predicting carcass fat weight (combined with carcass length, CL; R²=0.943; P<0.01) and intermuscular fat weight (combined with CCW; R²=0.945; P<0.01). The best model predicting muscle chemical fat weight combined CCW and Z, explaining 85.6% (P<0.01) of the variation observed. These results indicate BIA as a useful tool for prediction of light kids’ carcass composition.     

Prediction of foal carcass composition and wholesale cut yields by using video image analysis

This work represents the first contribution for the application of the video image analysis (VIA) technology in predicting lean meat and fat composition in the equine species. Images of left sides of the carcass (n=42) were captured from the dorsal, lateral and medial views using a high-resolution digital camera. A total of 41 measurements (angles, lengths, widths and areas) were obtained by VIA. The variation of percentage of lean meat obtained from the forequarter (FQ) and hindquarter (HQ) carcass ranged between 5.86% and 7.83%. However, the percentage of fat (FAT) obtained from the FQ and HQ carcass presented a higher variation (CV between 41.34% and 44.58%). By combining different measurements and using prediction models with cold carcass weight (CCW) and VIA measurement the coefficient of determination (k-fold-R²) were 0.458 and 0.532 for FQ and HQ, respectively. On the other hand, employing the most comprehensive model (CCW plus all VIA measurements), the k-fold-R² increased from 0.494 to 0.887 and 0.513 to 0.878 with respect to the simplest model (only with CCW), while precision increased with the reduction in the root mean square error (2.958 to 0.947 and 1.841 to 0.787) for the hindquarter fat and lean percentage, respectively. With CCW plus VIA measurements is possible to explain the wholesale value cuts yield variation (k-fold-R² between 0.533 and 0.889). Overall, the VIA technology performed in the present study could be considered as an accurate method to assess the horse carcass composition which could have a role in breeding programmes and research studies to assist in the development of a value-based marketing system for horse carcass.     

Effects of time-based feed restriction on morbidity,mortality, performance and meat quality of growing rabbits housed in collective systems

In rabbit farms, quantitative feed restriction in the post-weaning period is widely used with the aim of reducing the impact of digestive diseases, whereas less information is available about feed restriction strategies based on the reduction of access time to feeders in different housing systems. This study compared morbidity, mortality, growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of 368 crossbred rabbits fed ad libitum (L) or subjected to a time-based feed restriction programme (R) and housed from 31 to 73 days of age in cages or pens with different dimensions and group sizes, that is, eight conventional cages (0.33 m², six rabbits/cage), eight small open-top pens (0.50 m², eight rabbits/pen), eight medium open-top pens (1.00 m², 16 rabbits/pen) and four large open-top pens (2.00 m², 32 rabbits/pen). Feed restriction was attained by progressively reducing the access time to feeders in the 1st week from 14 to 8 h/day, maintaining 8 h in the 2nd week and then by increasing access time by 1 h/day during the 3rd and 4th week up to 24 h/day. In the first 2 weeks, R rabbits showed a lower (P ≤ 0.001) daily weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion as compared with L rabbits. During the 3rd and 4th weeks, R rabbits exhibited a greater daily weight gain and better feed conversion (P ≤ 0.001). In the last 2 weeks of trial, daily weight gain tended (P = 0.06) to be greater in the R than L rabbits. In the whole trial, R rabbits manifested a lower daily weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion, as well as lower final live weight and the carcass dressing percentage at slaughter (0.05 ≤ P ≤ 0.01). During feed restriction, R rabbits did not show digestive problems, which, however, appeared in the following 2 weeks of refeeding. Thus, R rabbits had a higher health risk index in the whole trial as compared with L rabbits (P ≤ 0.05). The housing system did not affect growth performance, characteristics at slaughter, and carcass and meat quality. Mortality tended to increase with group size (P = 0.06). In conclusion, the time-based feed restriction significantly improved feed efficiency of growing rabbits housed collectively but had somewhat negative effects on characteristics at slaughter and on morbidity and mortality rate.     

Dried artichoke bracts in rabbits nutrition: effects on the carcass characteristics,meat quality and fatty-acid composition

In this study, the effects of the inclusion of artichoke bracts (AB) in rabbit diets on the carcass characteristics and rabbit meat quality were studied. A total of 120 rabbits aged 38 days were used and divided into three groups that were fed with different isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets supplemented with AB at 0%, 5% and 10%. The animals were single housed in wire cages at a temperature of 22±2°C and had free access to clean drinking water. At 96 days of age, 12 rabbits/group were slaughtered in an experimental slaughterhouse without fasting. The carcass was weighed and the weights of the skin and full gastrointestinal tract were recorded. Carcasses were chilled at +4°C for 24 h in a refrigerated room. The chilled carcass weight (CCW), dressing out percentage (CCW as percentage of slaughter weight), and the ratio of the head and liver were determined as a percentage of CCW. The reference carcass weight was also calculated. Carcasses were halved and the two longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles were excised. The left LD muscle was divided into two parts. The fore part was used to measure pH, colour and cooking losses. The hind part of the left LD was vacuum-packed, frozen at –20°C and then freeze-dried. Proximate composition, fatty-acid profile and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances values were determined on freeze-dried samples. Results showed that carcass characteristics, LD muscle traits and its oxidative status were not affected by the AB supplementation, except for the meat ether extract content that increased from 0.68% to 0.94% on fresh matter basis with the increase of the AB supplementation (P<0.01). The α-linolenic acid proportion decreased with the increase of the AB supplementation from 3.58% to 2.59% in the LD muscle and from 4.74% to 3.62% in the perirenal fat, whereas the n-6/n-3 ratio increased significantly with increasing AB inclusion from 7.15 to 10.20 in the LD muscle and from 6.68 to 9.35 in the perirenal fat (P<0.01). Furthermore, no significant difference was found in preference among meat samples from each group. The enrichment of the rabbit’s diet with AB allows the production of rabbit meat with a good degree of unsaturation and low saturation, even if the n-6/n-3 ratio was slightly worse.     

Effect of high contents of dietary animal-derived protein or carbohydrates on canine faecal microbiota

Background

Few equations have been developed in veterinary medicine compared to human medicine to predict body composition. The present study was done to evaluate the influence of weight loss on biometry (BIO), bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and ultrasonography (US) in cats, proposing equations to estimate fat (FM) and lean (LM) body mass, as compared to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the referenced method. For this were used 16 gonadectomized obese cats (8 males and 8 females) in a weight loss program. DXA, BIO, BIA and US were performed in the obese state (T0; obese animals), after 10% of weight loss (T1) and after 20% of weight loss (T2). Stepwise regression was used to analyze the relationship between the dependent variables (FM, LM) determined by DXA and the independent variables obtained by BIO, BIA and US. The better models chosen were evaluated by a simple regression analysis and means predicted vs. determined by DXA were compared to verify the accuracy of the equations.

Results

The independent variables determined by BIO, BIA and US that best correlated (p?<?0.005) with the dependent variables (FM and LM) were BW (body weight), TC (thoracic circumference), PC (pelvic circumference), R (resistance) and SFLT (subcutaneous fat layer thickness). Using Mallows??Cp statistics, p value and r ² , 19 equations were selected (12 for FM, 7 for LM); however, only 7 equations accurately predicted FM and one LM of cats.

Conclusions

The equations with two variables are better to use because they are effective and will be an alternative method to estimate body composition in the clinical routine. For estimated lean mass the equations using body weight associated with biometrics measures can be proposed. For estimated fat mass the equations using body weight associated with bioimpedance analysis can be proposed.     

The Meat Standards Australia Index indicates beef carcass quality

A simple index that reflects the potential eating quality of beef carcasses is very important for producer feedback. The Meat Standards Australia (MSA) Index reflects variation in carcass quality due to factors that are influenced by producers (hot carcass weight, rib fat depth, hump height, marbling and ossification scores along with milk fed veal category, direct or saleyard consignment, hormonal growth promotant status and sex). In addition, processor impacts on meat quality are standardised so that the MSA Index could be compared across time, breed and geographical regions. Hence, the MSA Index was calculated using achilles hung carcasses, aged for 5 days postmortem. Muscle pH can be impacted by production, transport, lairage or processing factors, hence the MSA Index assumes a constant pH of 5.6 and loin temperature of 7^oC for all carcasses. To quantify the cut weight distribution of the 39 MSA cuts in the carcass, 40 Angus steers were sourced from the low (n=13), high (n=15) and myostatin (n=12) muscling selection lines. The left side of each carcass was processed down to the 39 trimmed MSA cuts. There was no difference in MSA cut distribution between the low and high muscling lines (P>0.05), although there were differences with nine cuts from the myostatin line (P<0.05). There was no difference in the MSA Index calculated using actual muscle percentages and using the average from the low and high muscling lines (R²=0.99). Different cooking methods impacted via a constant offset between eating quality and carcass input traits (R²=1). The MSA Index calculated for the four most commercially important cuts was highly related to the index calculated using all 39 MSA cuts (R²=0.98), whilst the accuracy was lower for an index calculated using the striploin (R²=0.82). Therefore, the MSA Index was calculated as the sum of the 39 eating quality scores predicted at 5 days ageing, based on their most common cooking method, weighted by the proportions of the individual cut relative to total weight of all cuts. The MSA Index provides producers with a tool to assess the impact of management and genetic changes on the predicted eating quality of the carcass. The MSA Index could also be utilised for benchmarking and to track eating quality trends at farm, supply chain, regional, state or national levels.     

Continuous production of chiral 1,3-butanediol using immobilized biocatalysts in a packed bed reactor: promising biocatalysis method with an asymmetric hydrogen-transfer bioreduction

An asymmetric hydrogen-transfer biocatalyst consisting of mutated Rhodococcus phenylacetaldehyde reductase (PAR) or Leifsonia alcohol dehydrogenase (LSADH) was applied for some water-soluble ketone substrates. Among them, 4-hydroxy-2-butanone was reduced to (S)/(R)-1,3-butanediol, a useful intermediate for pharmaceuticals, with a high yield and stereoselectivity. Intact Escherichia coli cells overexpressing mutated PAR (Sar268) or LSADH were directly immobilized with polyethyleneimine or 1,6-diaminehexane and glutaraldehyde and evaluated in a batch reaction. This system produced (S)-1,3-butanediol [87% enantiomeric excess (e.e.)] with a space time yield (STY) of 12.5 mg h⁻¹ ml⁻¹ catalyst or (R)-1,3-butanediol (99% e.e.) with an STY of 60.3 mg h⁻¹ ml⁻¹ catalyst, respectively. The immobilized cells in a packed bed reactor continuously produced (R)-1,3-butanediol with a yield of 99% (about 49.5 g/l) from 5% (w/v) 4-hydroxy-2-butanoate over 500 h.     

Effect of age and carcass weight on quality traits of m. rectus abdominis from Charolais heifers

In practice cattle may be slaughtered at different combinations of age and weight. As each of these factors could affect meat quality traits, the present work aimed to identify which combination can be expected to increase overall meat quality of m. rectus abdominis of Charolais heifers. Totally, 40 heifers were slaughtered either at 26±1 or at 36±1 months of age. Young heifers were sampled at two different carcass weights (349±12 and 394±8 kg). Old heifers were also sampled at two different carcass weights (397±6 and 451±9 kg). The m. rectus abdominis was excised 24 h postmortem to determine metabolic enzyme activities, myosin heavy-chain isoform proportions, lipid contents, collagen content and collagen solubility. Shear force measurements were evaluated on raw and broiled meat after 14 days of ageing. Meat quality traits scored between 0 and 10 by sensory analysis. Increasing slaughter age from 26 to 36 months had no impact on either raw/broiled shear force (0.31⩽P⩽0.47) and/or meat quality traits (0.62⩽P⩽0.91) or on physicochemical properties of heifer’s meat samples. Increasing carcass weight for a similar slaughter age of 26 months had also impact neither on meat quality traits (0.52⩽P⩽0.91) nor on muscular properties. On the contrary, increasing carcass weight for a similar slaughter age of 36 months had induced a decrease of muscular shear force (raw muscle; P=0.009) and a concomitant decrease of total collagen content (P=0.03). Nevertheless, no significant impact on meat quality traits was revealed by the sensorial panel (0.13⩽P⩽0.49). Metabolic enzyme activities (0.13⩽P⩽0.86) and myosin heavy-chain proportions (0.13⩽P⩽0.96) were not significantly impacted by slaughter age and carcass weight. Thus, the impact of increasing carcass weight and/or slaughter age in young Charolais heifers has a limited impact on meat quality traits and associated muscular characteristics. Modulating heifer’s cycles (age and/or carcass weight in the studied range) appears to be a way to answer to the numerous marketing chains, without penalising meat quality traits.     

Variation in reproductive output of marine turtles

Most marine turtle species are non-annual breeders and show variation in both the number of eggs laid per clutch and the number of clutches laid in a season. Large levels of inter-annual variation in the number of nesting females have been well documented in green turtle nesting populations and may be linked to environmental conditions. Other species of marine turtle exhibit less variation in nesting numbers. This inter-specific difference is thought to be linked to trophic status. To examine whether individual reproductive output is more variable in the herbivorous green turtle (Chelonia mydas Linneaeus 1758) than the carnivorous loggerhead (Caretta caretta Linneaeus 1758), we examined the nesting of both species in Cyprus over nine seasons. Green turtles showed slower annual growth rates (0.11 cm year⁻¹ curved carapace length (CCL) and 0.27 cm year⁻¹ curved carapace width (CCW)) than loggerhead turtles (0.36 cm year⁻¹ CCL, 0.51 cm year⁻¹ CCW). CCL was highly correlated to mean clutch size in both green (R²=0.51) and loggerhead turtles (R²=0.61) and maximal clutch size of green turtles (R²=0.58). Larger females did not lay a greater number of clutches or have a shorter remigration interval than smaller females of either species. On average, the size of green turtle clutches increased and that of loggerhead turtles decreased as the season progressed. Individual green turtles, however, produced more eggs per clutch through the season to a maximum in the third or fourth clutch. In loggerhead turtles, clutches 1-4 were very similar in size but the fifth clutch was 38% smaller than the first. No individuals of either species were recorded laying more than five clutches. Green turtles may not be able to achieve their maximum reproductive output with respect to clutch size throughout the season, whereas only loggerhead turtles laying five clutches (n=5) appear to become resource depleted. Green turtles nesting in years when large numbers of nests were recorded laid a greater number of clutches than females nesting in years with lower levels of nesting.     

Extracellular Water and Blood Pressure in Adults with Growth Hormone (GH) Deficiency: A Genotype-Phenotype Association Study

Objectives

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults is associated with decreased extracellular water volume (ECW). In response to GH replacement therapy (GHRT), ECW increases and blood pressure (BP) reduces or remains unchanged. Our primary aim was to study the association between polymorphisms in genes related to renal tubular function with ECW and BP before and 1 year after GHRT. The ECW measures using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) were validated against a reference method, the sodium bromide dilution method (Br⁻).

Design and Methods

Using a candidate gene approach, fifteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nine genes with known impact on renal tubular function (AGT, SCNN1A, SCNN1G, SLC12A1, SLC12A3, KCNJ1, STK39, WNK1 and CASR) were genotyped and analyzed for associations with ECW and BP at baseline and with their changes after 1 year of GHRT in 311 adult GHD patients. ECW was measured with the Br⁻, BIA, and BIS.

Results

Both BIA and BIS measurements demonstrated similar ECW results as the reference method. At baseline, after adjustment for sex and BMI, SNP rs2291340 in the SLC12A1 gene was associated with ECW volume in GHD patients (p = 0.039). None of the SNPs influenced the ECW response to GHRT. One SNP in the SLC12A3 gene (rs11643718; p = 0.024) and three SNPs in the SCNN1G gene [rs5723 (p = 0.02), rs5729 (p = 0.016) and rs13331086 (p = 0.035)] were associated with the inter-individual differences in BP levels at baseline. A polymorphism in the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) gene (rs1965357) was associated with changes in systolic BP after GHRT (p = 0.036). None of these associations remained statistically significant when corrected for multiple testing.

Conclusion

The BIA and BIS are as accurate as Br⁻ to measure ECW in GHD adults before and during GHRT. Our study provides the first evidence that individual polymorphisms may have clinically relevant effects on ECW and BP in GHD adults.     

Growth,meat and feed efficiency traits of lambs born to ewes submitted to energy restriction during mid-gestation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the energy restriction of gestation of adult ewes from day 45 to day 115 on lamb live performance parameters, carcass and meat traits. In experiment I, dietary energy was restricted at 70% of the metabolizable energy (ME) requirements, after which ewes were re-fed ad libitum until lambing. In experiment II, dietary energy was restricted at 60% of the ME requirements, and ewes were re-fed to ME requirements until lambing. All ewes grazed together from the end of the restriction periods to weaning. Lambs were weaned and lot fed until slaughter. Feed intake, weight gain and feed efficiency were recorded, and body fat thickness and ribeye area (REA) were measured in the longissimus thoracis muscle. After slaughter, carcass weight and yield, fat depth, carcass and leg length, and frenched rack and leg weights and yields were determined. Muscle fiber type composition, Warner-Bratzler shear force, pH and color were determined in the longissimus lumborum muscle. In experiment I, energy restriction followed by ad libitum feeding affected lamb birth weight (P<0.05); however, no effects (P>0.05) were observed on later BW, REA, BF or carcass traits. Lambs born to non-restricted-fed ewes had higher (P<0.05) weight and yield of the frenched rack cut and their meat tended (P=0.11) to be tender compared with that of lambs from restricted ewes. The percentage of oxidative muscle fibers was lower for lambs born to non-restricted ewes (P<0.05); however, no effects of ewe treatment were observed on other muscle fiber types. For experiment II, energy restriction followed by ME requirements feeding, affected (P<0.01) pre-weaning live weight gain, weaning and final weights. Lambs from restricted ewes had higher (P<0.05) feed intake as % of leg weight and a trend to be less efficient (P=0.16) than lambs from unrestricted dams. Ribeye area and BF were not influenced by treatment. Treatment significantly affected slaughter weight, but had no effects on carcass yield and traits or on meat traits. The results obtained in both experiments indicate submitting ewes to energy restriction during gestation affects the performance of their progeny but the final outcome would depend on the ewe’s re-feeding level during late gestation and the capacity of the offspring to compensate the in utero restriction after birth.     

The ability of video image analysis to predict lean meat yield and EUROP score of lamb carcasses

A total of 862 lamb carcasses that were evaluated by both the VIAscan® and the current EUROP classification system were deboned and the actual yield was measured. Models were derived for predicting lean meat yield of the legs (Leg%), loin (Loin%) and shoulder (Shldr%) using the best VIAscan® variables selected by stepwise regression analysis of a calibration data set (n=603). The equations were tested on validation data set (n=259). The results showed that the VIAscan® predicted lean meat yield in the leg, loin and shoulder with an R² of 0.60, 0.31 and 0.47, respectively, whereas the current EUROP system predicted lean yield with an R² of 0.57, 0.32 and 0.37, respectively, for the three carcass parts. The VIAscan® also predicted the EUROP score of the trial carcasses, using a model derived from an earlier trial. The EUROP classification from VIAscan® and the current system were compared for their ability to explain the variation in lean yield of the whole carcass (LMY%) and trimmed fat (FAT%). The predicted EUROP scores from the VIAscan® explained 36% of the variation in LMY% and 60% of the variation in FAT%, compared with the current EUROP system that explained 49% and 72%, respectively. The EUROP classification obtained by the VIAscan® was tested against a panel of three expert classifiers (n=696). The VIAscan® classification agreed with 82% of conformation and 73% of the fat classes assigned by a panel of expert classifiers. It was concluded that VIAscan® provides a technology that can directly predict LMY% of lamb carcasses with more accuracy than the current EUROP classification system. The VIAscan® is also capable of classifying lamb carcasses into EUROP classes with an accuracy that fulfils minimum demands for the Icelandic sheep industry. Although the VIAscan® prediction of the Loin% is low, it is comparable to the current EUROP system, and should not hinder the adoption of the technology to estimate the yield of Icelandic lambs as it delivered a more accurate prediction for the Leg%, Shldr% and overall LMY% with negligible prediction bias.     

Effects of l-carnitine supplementation to suckling piglets on carcass and meat quality at market age

In a previous study, carnitine supplementation to piglets during the suckling period resulted in an increased total muscle fibre number at weaning in piglets of low birth weight. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether this effect is maintained until market age and whether this would attenuate the negative consequences of low birth weight on carcass and meat quality. Using a split-plot design with litter as block, sex as whole plot and treatment as subplot, the effects of early-postnatal l-carnitine supplementation on female and castrated male piglets of low birth weight were investigated on a total of 56 German Landrace piglets from 14 litters. From days 7 to 27 of age piglets were orally supplemented once daily with 400 mg of l-carnitine dissolved in 1 ml of water or received an equal volume of water without carnitine. From weaning (day 28) until slaughter (day 166 of age) all pigs were fed standard diets. At weaning, carnitine-supplemented piglets had a twofold increased concentration of free carnitine (P < 0.001) and a lower concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (P < 0.05) in blood plasma indicating that carnitine became bioavailable and increased fatty acid utilization during the period of supplementation. Growth performance was not influenced by treatment in any growth period. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry revealed no differences in body composition between groups in weeks 12, 16 and 20 of age. LW at slaughter, carcass weight, measures of meat yield and fat accretion, as well as body composition by chemical analyses and dissection of primal cuts did not differ between treatments. No differences between control and carnitine-treated pigs in total fibre number (P = 0.85) and fibre cross-sectional area (P = 0.68) in m. semitendinosus (ST) measured at slaughter could be observed. The carnitine group tended to exhibit a smaller proportion of slow-twitch oxidative fibres (P = 0.08), a greater proportion of fast-twitch glycolytic fibres (P = 0.11), and increased specific lactate dehydrogenase activity (P = 0.09) in ST indicating a more glycolytic muscle metabolism. Compared with the controls, a lower pH₂₄ value was observed (P = 0.05) in ST muscle of carnitine-supplemented pigs, which – in castrates only – was associated with an increased drip loss (P < 0.01). Meat quality traits in m. longissimus were not influenced by treatment. In conclusion, our hypothesis that early-postnatal carnitine supplementation to piglets of low birth weight permanently increases myofibre number and improves later carcass and meat quality could not be confirmed by this experiment.     

Inhibition of inflammation-induced alterations in rat small intestine by the herbal preparations STW 5 and STW 6

Inflammation is a common mechanism of many gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, it is interesting to know, whether complex phytopharmaceuticals known to modulate gastrointestinal motor function reveal also anti-inflammatory properties. We tested the fixed herbal combination product STW 5 (Iberogast^®) and its main component Iberis amara fresh plant extract (STW 6) to characterize their protective potential in an experimental inflammation model in vitro. The test system consisted of ileum/jejunum segments from male Wistar rats. Inflammation was evoked by intraluminal instillation of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) for 30 min. Preincubation of TNBS together with STW 5 and STW 6 prevented the TNBS-induced inhibition of ACh-induced contractions. No differences were found between water-dissolved and ethanol-dissolved extracts. STW 5 and STW 6 reduced morphological changes induced by TNBS in mucosal and muscle layers. The IL-10 mRNA measured by qRT-PCR was not influenced by TNBS but increased by STW 5 and STW 6. The TNBS-induced increase in the TNFα-mRNA expression was suppressed by STW 5 but not by STW 6. Additionally, STW 5 decreased TNFα release in LPS-stimulated human monocytes. STW 6 influenced neither the TNFα-mRNA nor the TNFα release. These findings demonstrate that STW 5 reduced inflammation-induced alterations in ileum/jejunum segments. The effects were associated with a restoration of the disturbed ACh-induced contraction, pathohistological protection and inhibition of TNFα. STW 6 may contribute to the protective effect of STW 5 mainly by increasing IL-10 pathway but not by influencing TNFα.     

Predicting the carcass chemical composition and describing its growth in live pigs of different sexes using computed tomographys

The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the ability of computed tomography (CT) to predict the chemical composition of live pigs and carcasses, (2) to compare the chemical composition of four different sex types at a commercial slaughter weight and (3) to model and evaluate the chemical component growth of these sex types. A total of 92 pigs (24 entire males (EM), 24 surgically castrated males (CM), 20 immunocastrated males (IM) and 24 females (FE)) was used. A total of 48 pigs (12 per sex type) were scanned repeatedly in vivo using CT at 30, 70, 100 and 120 kg and slaughtered at the end of the experiment. The remaining 44 were CT scanned in vivo and slaughtered immediately: 12 pigs (4 EM, 4 CM and 4 FE) at 30 kg and 16 pigs each at 70 kg and 100 kg (4 per sex type). The left carcasses were CT scanned, and the right carcasses were minced and analysed for protein, fat, moisture, ash, Ca and P content. Prediction equations for the chemical composition were developed using Partial Least Square regression. Allometric growth equations for the chemical components were modelled. By using live animal and carcass CT images, accurate prediction equations were obtained for the fat (with a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP_CV) of 1.31 and 1.34, respectively, and R²=0.91 for both cases) and moisture relative content (g/100 g) (RMSEP_CV=1.19 and 1.38 and R²=0.94 and 0.93, respectively) and were less accurate for the protein (RMSEP_CV=0.65 and 0.67 and R²=0.54 and 0.63, respectively) and mineral content (RMSEP_CV from 0.28 to 1.83 and R² from 0.09 to 0.62). Better equations were developed for the absolute amounts of protein, fat, moisture and ash (kg) (RMSEP_CV from 0.26 to 1.14 and R² from 0.91 to 0.99) as well as Ca and P (g) (RMSEP_CV=144 and 71, and R²=0.76 to 0.66, respectively). At 120 kg, CM had a higher fat and lower moisture content than EM. For protein, CM and IM had lower values than FE and EM. The ash content was higher in EM and IM than in FE and CM, while IM had a higher Ca and P content than the others. The castrated animals showed a higher allometric coefficient for fat and a lower one for moisture, with IM having intermediate values. However, for the Ca and P models, IM presented higher coefficients than EM and FE, and CM were intermediate.     

The effects of weather on beef carcass and growth traits

To predict the impact of climate change on our beef animals and systems, we need a better understanding of how beef cattle traits are affected by varying weather and frequency of extreme events. We analysed the effect of minimum and maximum temperatures and average daily precipitation on a range of important carcass traits, including age at slaughter, cold carcass weight, carcass growth rate and conformation and fat score (N = >1.6 million), as well as calf 200-day live weight and growth rate (N = >270 000), using data from abattoirs across Britain (carcass traits) and calves in Scottish suckler beef herds (live weights and growth). Animals which experienced higher daily maximum and minimum temperatures had slower carcass and calf growth rates. Increased precipitation also led to poorer cold carcass weights, conformation scores, calf 200-day weights and calf growth. We also analysed the effect of frequency of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, cold waves, and dry and wet days. The frequency of heatwaves, dry and wet days were shown to have significant negative effects on almost all traits considered, for example, predicting that an increase in the frequency of heatwaves by 1 day per 100 days of life would reduce cold carcass weights by about 200 g and increase age at slaughter by about 3 days. Results show that varying weather and frequency of extreme weather, across the lifetime of a beef animal, influences traits which affect the potential profit for a beef farmer. These effects may be due to several factors, including direct effects on the animal, as well as feed availability and management decisions made by the farmer. However, there is potential to mitigate negative effects through a range of animal management strategies.     

Performance,carcass traits and serum metabolomic profile of Nellore males with different genetic potential for post-weaning growth

The BW has been largely used as a selection criterion in genetic selection programmes; however, increases in BW can affect animal metabolism and metabolites. The knowledge of how genetic potential for growth affects the metabolites can give a footprint of growth metabolism. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of genetic potential for post-weaning growth (GG) on performance, carcass traits and serum metabolome of non-castrated Nellore males during the finishing phase. Forty-eight Nellore non-castrated males, with divergent potential for post-weaning growth, were selected and divided into two groups: high potential for post-weaning growth (HG; n = 24) and low potential for post-weaning growth (LG; n = 24). Animals were kept and fed for 90 days where performance and ultrasound carcass traits were evaluated. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of feeding period to analyse serum metabolites concentration. The hot carcass weight and dressing percentage were recorded at slaughter. The feedlot performance and carcass traits were not affected by genetic potential. The HG animals had a lower glucose (P = 0.039), glutamate (P = 0.038), glutamine (P = 0.004), greater betaine (P = 0.039) and pyruvate (P = 0.039) compared to the LG group at the beginning of feedlot. In addition, higher creatine phosphate concentrations were observed at the beginning of feeding period, compared to final, for both groups (P = 0.039). In conclusion, the genetic potential for post-weaning growth does not affect performance and carcass traits during the finishing period. Differences in metabolite concentrations can be better found at the beginning of feedlot, providing a footprint of growth metabolism, but similar metabolite concentration at the end of finishing period.     

Immunocastrated male pigs: effect of 4 v. 6 weeks time post second injection on performance,carcass quality and meat quality

Immunocastration or vaccination against boar taint can be used as alternative for surgical castration of male piglets. The vaccine is administrated twice. After the second vaccination (V2), the pigs behave like barrows instead of boars and their feed intake increases which may result in a lower lean meat percentage. The timing of V2 is therefore crucial to find the right balance between the advantages of entire males and barrows. In this study, we evaluated the effect of time post second injection within the advised time frame (4 v. 6 weeks before slaughter) on behaviour, performance, carcass and meat quality of immunocastrated male pigs. In total, 180 animals (hybrid sow×Piétrain): 60 gilts, 60 male pigs vaccinated 6 weeks before slaughter (IM-6) and 60 male pigs vaccinated 4 weeks before slaughter (IM-4), all slaughtered at comparable slaughter weights. After 20 weeks of age, IM-6 showed more inactive behaviour at the expense of playing and aggressive behaviour. Daily feed intake (DFI), daily gain (DG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) did not differ significantly between IM-6 and IM-4. Gilts had a lower DFI and DG in the late finishing phase and a higher FCR overall compared with both IM groups. Gilts showed a higher lean meat content compared with both IM groups. Earlier vaccination increased dressing percentage, which could partly be explained by the lower weight of the gastrointestinal tract, but not by testes weight. Meat quality traits and palatability did not differ significantly between IM-6 and IM-4. Vaccination of immunocastrates at 6 compared with 4 weeks before slaughter improved the calmness in the stable and the dressing percentage, while maintaining performance and carcass characteristics.     

The effect of sex and slaughter weight on performance,carcass quality and gross margin,assessed on three commercial pig farms

Economic margins on pig farms are small, and changing slaughter weights may increase farm profitability. However, one can question if the optimal slaughter weight is the same for each sex. On three farms, crossbred pigs (n = 1128) were used to determine the effect of sex and slaughter weight on performance, carcass quality and gross margin per pig place per year. On each farm, an equal number of entire males (EMs), barrows (BAs), immunocastrates (IC) and gilts (GIs) were housed separately in group pens. Pens were randomly divided into three categories of different slaughter weights: 105, 117 and 130 kg BW. In BA, the high average daily feed intake (ADFI) and the lower capacity to gain muscle led to a higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) and lower lean meat percentage in comparison to EM and IC. In all sexes, ADFI and FCR increased with an increasing slaughter weight but the effect of slaughter weight on carcass quality varied between sexes. In BA and GI, slaughter weight had no effect on carcass quality, but in EM and IC, carcass quality improved at higher slaughter weights. Gross margin per pig place per year was calculated as gross margin per pig × barn turnover per year, taking into account fixed costs per round, feed costs and output price per pig. The slaughter weight that gained the highest gross margin per year differed between sexes. Slaughtering BA and GI at 130 kg BW, compared to 105 or 117 kg BW, decreased the gross margin per pig place per year due to the lower margin per pig and barn turnover at higher weights. In IC and EM, no difference in gross margin per pig place per year could be demonstrated between slaughtering at 105, 117 or 130 kg BW. In IC, the increasing gross margin per pig with increasing slaughter weights counteracted with the lower barn turnover. In EM, gross margin per pig did not differ between slaughter weights, but the effect of barn turnover was too small to demonstrate significant differences between slaughter weights on gross margin per pig place per year. In conclusion, slaughter weight has an impact on profitability in BA and GI: they should not be slaughtered at 130 kg BW but at lower weights, but no effect could be demonstrated in EM and IC.     

Maximum sustainable yield estimates of spiny lobster fishery in Pakistan using non-equilibrium CEDA package

Maximum sustainable yield estimates of spiny lobster fishery were analyzed using catch effort data analysis (CEDA) computer programme. The major parameters of this package are: Maximum sustainable yield (MSY), catchability coefficient (q) carrying capacity (K), intrinsic growth rate (r), Replacement yield and Final population. CEDA has ability to assess the parameters of Fox, Schaefer and Pella-Tomlinson models. In addition it has an ability to estimate three error assumptions i.e. normal, log normal and gamma. In this study, the Maximum sustainable yield outputs of three models of Fox, Schaefer and Pella-Tomlinson are: 828 t, 970 t and 970 t respectively. The outputs of error assumption of normal and log normal are 983 t (R ² = 0.57) and 950 t (R ² = 0.53) in Schaefer and Pella-Tomlinson models respectively. MSY outputs of normal error assumption of Fox are 817 t (R ² = 0.56). All the gamma error assumptions are (790 t) similar. The coefficient of variation (cv) of the estimated MSY was about 0.7 and the larger value (1.0) whereas lowest (0.5) were recorded. The Fox model output are more conservative hence the best fits and is close to the annual average landings of the spiny lobster fishery in Pakistan.