<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Equine husbandry is carried out in an environment unnatural to horses, which enforces their adaptation to artificial conditions. Besides housing conditions, the management and human-horse relationship is very important for both human safety and a high level of animal welfare and performance. This would not be possible if horses were not able to learn. For equestrians, independently of the horse’s use (sport, work, recreation, therapy etc.) the performance is of the highest importance. Deep knowledge about learning mechanisms is essential to maintain high level of horses’ welfare and to achieve effective training. Cognition can be influenced by motivation and stress. Motivational mechanisms are based on positive or negative reinforcement but still it is not known what motivates horses more and how food motivation influences learning. It was already shown that a low level of motivation decreases animal performance. The effect of stress is an increasingly popular research topic. It has been shown that acute stress decreases horses’ learning performance, but the exact standard is still unknown. The Yerkes-Dodson law claims that low and too high arousal decreases learning. What is more, the relation between learning and sex, breed and some temperamental traits has been shown in several studies.</abstract>

Motivation, Stress and Learning – Critical Characteristics that Influence the Horses’ Value and Training Method – A Review

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Effect of Housing System on Egg Quality in Laying Hens</title>The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of eggs from hybrids of laying hens of selected Polish breeding strains depending on their housing system. Analysis was made of eggs from KA-62, KA-42, KA-68 and KA-48 hybrids housed in three systems: cage, litter and free range. One hundred eggs, randomly chosen from each experimental group between 34 and 36 weeks of age, were evaluated for a set of physical characteristics such as weight of egg and egg fraction, percentage of main egg fractions, egg shape index, air cell height, albumen height and pH, Haugh units, yolk colour and pH, as well as shell colour, thickness, density and deformation. Caged birds produced the heaviest eggs (61.06 g) with the lowest shape index (77.86%), lightest shell (39.86) and highest percentage of albumen (57.04%) and yolk (29.89%) in the egg. The most favourable quality traits of albumen from the analysed eggs, i.e. greatest height (5.00 mm) and Haugh units (69.70) were characteristic of egg albumen from hens raised on litter. Shell quality analysis showed that the eggs of free-range birds were characterized by the highest weight of shell (5.76 g), which had the greatest thickness (360.14 μm) and density (81.01 mg/cm2). Detailed analysis of the physical characteristics of eggs from the hybrids of laying hens revealed significant (P≤0.05) differences depending on the housing system. The eggs of caged layers showed many characteristics desired by processors. Meanwhile, the eggs of hens kept on litter were characterized by dietetic properties that could meet specific needs of the consumers.</abstract>

Effect of Housing System on Egg Quality in Laying Hens

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, direct-fed microbials, and herbs may improve the production efficiency in ruminants. The beneficial effect of selected specific microbes on animal health is reflected in protection against pathogens, stimulation of immunological response, increased production capacity, and mitigation of stress effects. Phytobiotic plants used in the nutrition of ruminant animals increase feed palatability. This in turn has a positive effect on feed intake and, consequently, increases production performance. Pectins, terpenes, phenols, saponins, and antibioticlike substances contained in phytobiotics prevent irritation, diarrhea, and increase the activity of digestive enzymes. Thanks to the abundance of biologically active substances such as flavonoids, glycosides, coumarins, carotenoids, polyphenols, etc., phytobiotics exhibit immunostimulatory and antioxidant properties as well. Given such a wide range of effects on health status and production parameters in animals, an attempt was made in this review to compile the current knowledge on the possible application of these natural growth stimulants in ruminant nutrition and to demonstrate their potential benefits and/or risks for breeding these animals.</abstract>

Probiotic microorganisms and herbs in ruminant nutrition as natural modulators of health and production efficiency – a review

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> The popularity of plant-based feed additives in livestock production has increased significantly in the last decade. Polyphenols are secondary plant metabolites which contain bioactive components and deliver positive effects for humans and animals. They are renowned for their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-mutagenic effects. Polyphenols have antioxidant properties, and they minimize the negative consequences of oxidative stress. Their antioxidant capacity is comparable to that of the major biological antioxidants: vitamins E and C. Despite those advantages, polyphenols are characterized by low bioavailability, and further research is needed to harness their full potential in livestock farming. This article presents a review of findings from recent studies investigating the efficacy of polyphenols in monogastric nutrition, with special emphasis on their antioxidant properties.</abstract>

Polyphenols in Monogastric Nutrition – A Review

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Weather conditions (temperature, humidity, solar radiation, air pressure, wind strength, wind direction and precipitation) have a significant impact on the behaviour of farm animals. Pigs have developed a wide range of thermoregulatory behaviours that are particular for this species. With increases in temperature the most characteristic behaviour for pigs is decreased activity and increased wallowing in wet surfaces. In addition to this, rooting and wallowing are highly influenced by temperature and humidity. The lack of possibility to express these behaviours leads to development of stereotypies. Interestingly, low temperatures do not increase the use of shelter if not in combination with wind or precipitation. Furthermore, wild pigs build stronger nests in severe conditions. Also, resting behaviour and reproduction may be disturbed by high temperatures. There is a negative impact of foehn wind on boars’ libido and semen parameters.</abstract>

Pig behaviour in relation to weather conditions – a review

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Over the years, due to genetic selection, improvement of the characteristics of laying and meat poultry with less feed consumption per kilogram of body weight gain has been achieved (FCR). As the productivity of poultry increased, the demand of embryos for nutrients changed. However, the chemical composition of an egg has remained practically unchanged, and therefore, it began providing the embryos with suitable substances with the help of <italic>in ovo</italic> technology. Improvements in hatching were achieved through the administration of fructose, sucrose and grape seed extract (GSE), while the weight of a one-day-old chick is affected by the injection of amino acids with glucose and magnesium. In addition, amino acids and carbohydrates applied to an egg have contributed to an increase in the activity of digestive enzymes and maturation of the intestine. In connection with early stimulation of the intestinal tract of broiler chicks, they obtained higher weight gain. Supplementation with vitamins positively affects the increase of birds’ immunity and body weight at the end of breeding. On the other hand, the injection of an insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) influenced the growth and development of muscle tissue during the first weeks of life.</abstract>

<italic>In ovo</italic> Feeding – Technology of the Future – A Review

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Investigating alternative protein sources for ruminants in tropical regions is crucial due to distinct climatic conditions and limited resources. Scientists, acknowledging the challenges, are exploring locally accessible alternatives to develop cost-effective and sustainable protein supplements for ruminant nutrition, emphasizing the importance of understanding the nutritional composition for advancing livestock husbandry sustainability. The aim of this research is to elucidate alternative local protein sources for ruminants in tropical areas and assess their effectiveness in promoting sustainable production and enhancing ruminant nutrition. Protein feed sources are essential for providing amino acids to animals and producing animal products such as meat, milk, and wool. Inadequate protein in animal feed may have a detrimental impact on rumen fermentation and animal output. Therefore, alternative protein sources have received increased attention in order to replace the main protein source. The alternative protein sources in this review were divided into five categories: agricultural biomass, fodder shrubs, biological protein and plant weeds, insect protein and agro-industry biomass. Furthermore, plant secondary compounds found in alternative protein sources might be used to modulate rumen fermentation and improve animal performance. By focusing on regional sources of protein, feed costs are reduced while availability is raised. Based on this analysis, it can be concluded that there are a number of alternative protein sources that might be used in place of primary protein sources and that they could support ruminant production in the face of several animal feed crises. However, the potential use of any protein source should be assessed in light of the country’s availability and animal production practices.
</abstract>

An overview of alternative protein sources for ruminants in the tropical area

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The aim of this study was to evaluate the practical application of the Transect Walk (TW) method on a commercial farm, focusing on different ages of Orvia ST5 Pekin ducks. The study was conducted in four flocks of Orvia ST5 ducks, reared in two identical buildings. Flocks 1 and 3 were housed in Building 1, while flocks 2 and 4 occupied Building 2. A total of 8,000 ducklings were allocated to rearing, with 2,000 in each flock. The welfare of the ducks was assessed at 5, 6, and 7 weeks of age using the TW method, which involved assessing indicators such as immobility, lameness, dirtiness, small size, head wounds, back wounds, tail wounds, feather loss, illness, terminal illness, being flipped, or being deceased. Information regarding factors contributing to reduced carcass quality was gathered from the slaughterhouse. It was observed that all welfare indicators, except for head and tail wounds, were equally effective in assessing duck welfare and accounted for up to 82.13% of the variation in welfare. Lameness emerged as the most prevalent factor associated with reduced welfare, showing a strong correlation with immobility. Both indicators exhibited a significant interaction with age and flock (P = 0.001 and P = 0.029, respectively). Feather loss emerged as another crucial indicator of reduced welfare in the examined flocks. The percentage of featherless ducks varied from 0.29% to 3.50% and was significantly influenced by both duck age and flock (both P&lt;0.001). Additionally, it showed a significant and positive correlation with immobility (P&lt;0.05). The primary issues identified during duck culling were associated with skin problems and leg and joint issues. Statistically significant variations were noted among flocks concerning the frequency of indicators linked to reduced welfare. This variance was attributed to the specific building where the ducks were raised. The findings of this study suggest the incorporation of the TW method in future welfare assessments, utilizing the 10 welfare indicators employed while excluding head and tail wounds.
</abstract>

Assessment of welfare of Pekin ducks reared in intensive production system in Poland using transect method

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study aimed to investigate the effects of varying levels of dried fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) on the nutrient digestibility and antioxidant efficacy in piglets. The experiment was conducted on 300 piglets, starting at 18 days of age. The primary experimental factor was the inclusion of FRSM in the diet, substituting mainly for post-extraction soybean meal and wheat. Two control groups were established: a positive control (PC) supplemented with 2500 ppm zinc oxide, and a negative control (NC) without additives. Additionally, four experimental groups were designated based on FRSM inclusion levels: FR-8 (8% FRSM), FR-12 (12% FRSM), FR-15 (15% FRSM), and FR-25 (25% FRSM). Results indicated a positive impact on nutrient absorption and redox processes, characterized by reduced efficiency of lipid peroxidation products such as malondialdehyde and lipid hydroperoxide in both blood and organs like the liver and intestines. From this perspective, the recommended inclusion of fermented rapeseed meal in piglet feed appears to be within the range of 8–12%
</abstract>

Enhancing nutrient digestibility and antioxidant efficacy in piglets: The impact of fermented rapeseed meal supplementation on biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Aquaculture has experienced significant global expansion and is considered one of the fastest-growing sectors in food production. However, there exist additional challenges that restrict the capacity to achieve maximum efficiency in aquaculture systems, such as issues over water quality and shortages of appropriate live feeds. Intensive aquaculture systems involve the use of protein-rich prepared feed for feeding the cultured animals. This may give rise to the discharge of nitrogenous compounds into the water, which can pose a risk to the environment when present in excessive quantities beyond the acceptable levels. In recent years, an innovative method called biofloc technology (BFT) has become a practical solution to this issue. Undoubtedly, BFT offers a groundbreaking method for nutrient disposal that eradicates the requirement for excessive water use or equipment maintenance. Three primary types of microorganisms are crucial in alleviating the adverse impacts of nitrogen compounds in this technique. Photoautotrophs participate in the processes of removal and absorption, whereas chemoautotrophs promote nitrification and conversion. Heterotrophs contribute to the absorption process. Biofloc predominantly consists of heterotrophic bacteria, alongside algae, protozoa, rotifers, and nematodes. While there have been reviews carried out on multiple aspects of biofloc technology, there exists a lack of literature that tackles this particular field of research progress. This article discusses every aspect and techniques of biological management used for removing nitrogenous waste compounds in biofloc aquaculture systems.
</abstract>

Biological removal of nitrogenous waste compounds in the biofloc aquaculture system: a review

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study investigated the impact of heat stress (HS) on meat quality, antioxidant ability, and immunity in normal and dwarf-size chickens. A total of 144 chickens, with 72 from the normal yellow chicken (NYC) strain and 72 from the dwarf yellow chicken (DYC) strain, were equally divided into groups exposed to heat stress (35±1°C for 8 hours daily) and those kept at 28±1°C as the control group. After seven days of treatment, meat color parameters, including lightness (L*-value), redness (a*-value), and yellowness (b*-value), were assessed. Histopathological examination was conducted on spleen tissues to assess structural changes. Gene expression analysis determined the expression levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6, and liver catalase (CAT) related to immune response and antioxidant capacity. HS significantly affected meat color parameters, with an increase in lightness (L*-value) (P&lt;0.01) and a decrease in redness (a*-value) (P&lt;0.01) observed in breast and thigh muscles. Furthermore, HS led to increased drip loss (P&lt;0.05), cooking loss (P&lt;0.05), and shear force (P&lt;0.01) in breast muscles. Histopathological examination of spleen tissues revealed varying degrees of lymphoid depletion, necrosis, fibrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration in response to HS. Gene expression analysis showed that HS upregulated the expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-6 in the spleen of NYC (P&lt;0.05) but not in DYC. Additionally, HS reduced the expression of liver catalase (CAT) in NYC (P&lt;0.05) but had no significant effect on DYC. These findings indicate that HS adversely affects meat quality, immune response, and antioxidant capacity in broilers, with normal-sized chickens being more susceptible to these effects compared to dwarf chickens. The results provide valuable insights into the differential responses of chicken strains to HS and underscore the importance of considering genetic factors in mitigating the negative impacts of heat stress on poultry production.
</abstract>

Differential responses to heat stress in normal and dwarf chickens: implications for meat quality and immune function

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Currently, studies conducted on animal models provide new insight into the aetiology and course of various pathological conditions in humans. Due to the cause of disease, animal models can be divided into two categories: natural models, such as nude mice, and induced models, such as transgenic pigs. This article discusses several examples of animal models and their contributions to the development of effective therapies for human diseases such as muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, and atherosclerosis. In addition, we presented the latest news on gene therapy, xenotransplantation, and drug trials in humans and animals.
</abstract>

Animal models for the treatment of human diseases

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> A probiotic is a culture of live microorganisms that can manipulate and maintain a beneficial microflora in the gut. Prebiotics are nondigestible feed ingredients that can positively affect the animal organism by stimulating the activity and growth of beneficial native bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and eliminate the pathogenic ones. Some studies have shown their beneficial effects when they have been used separately or simultaneously in the form of synbiotics, to obtain enhanced mutual effect. These supplements were proposed with success as alternatives to antibiotic growth-promoting feed additives but further studies are needed to better understand their mode of action and effects. This review article presents growing interest in using these antibiotic alternatives, the potential mechanism of their action in the live organism, and discusses some recent data on the effects of these supplements in poultry nutrition.</abstract>

The Usefulness of Prebiotics and Probiotics in Modern Poultry Nutrition: a Review / Przydatność prebiotyków i probiotyków w nowoczesnym żywieniu drobiu – przegląd

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Methionine (Met) plays many important metabolic functions in humans and animals, and therefore may be classified as a functional amino acid (AA). Functional AAs are defined as those AAs that participate in and regulate key metabolic pathways to improve health, survival, growth, development, and reproduction of organisms. As the first-limiting AA in poultry diets, Met affects poultry production parameters such as body weight gains, feed conversion ratio and carcass quality. The results of many experiments on chickens fed diets with different levels of Met (from 0.3 to 1.2% in the starter period, and from 0.3 to 0.9% in the grower period) indicate that commercial broiler chickens do not require more than 0.50 and 0.38% Met in starter and grower diets, respectively, for optimum growth and feed efficiency, whereas higher inclusion rates of Met are needed to stimulate immune responses. The results of recent experiments on chickens are insufficient to define the optimal dietary levels of Met, which has been shown to exert immunostimulatory activity. A few experiments on layer hens have demonstrated that Met requirements for immune competence are higher than for optimum production, but the inclusion levels of this AA needed to stimulate the immune system of birds have not been defined. In the absence of such research, it remains unknown whether feeding growing turkeys diets supplemented with Met above NCR recommendations, as suggested by B.U.T. (British United Turkeys), stimulates the immune system of birds.</abstract>

Department of Poultry Science, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland

Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland

Nutritional and immunomodulatory function of methionine in poultry diets – a review

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The aim of the study was to determine the effect of age of slow-growing broiler chickens on growth performance and meat quality. Subjects were hybrids between Hubbard meat-type cockerels and Yellowleg Partridge Polish native hens. Chickens were raised indoors to 56, 70 or 84 days of age on deep litter under the same environmental conditions and fed <italic>ad litibum </italic>complete starter, grower and finisher diets containing 20, 18, 15 CP and 2825, 2825 and 2740 ME/kg feed, respectively. At the end of the experiment, 5 cockerels and 5 pullets were selected for slaughter from each age group and subjected to a simplified carcass analysis. Breast muscles and leg muscles were evaluated for technological properties such as pH, colour, water holding capacity, drip loss, cooking loss and shear force. The results were analysed statistically using analysis of variance and Duncan’s multiple range test. The duration of rearing had an effect on carcass and meat quality. The highest, statistically significant differences in the analysed traits were found between chickens slaughtered at 56 and 84 days of age. The highest dressing percentage was obtained in birds raised until 84 days of age. Youngest birds were characterized by the poorest muscle content of the carcass and the least favourable technological properties of meat. The highest growth efficiency was obtained when the hybrids were raised to 70 days of age. </abstract>

Effect of slaughter age on performance and meat quality of slow-growing broiler chickens

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the administration of a species-specific probiotic (Lactobacillus animalis SB310, Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei SB137 and Bacillus coagulans SB117 in a 30:35:35 ratio, respectively; 1.8 × 1010 CFU/g of powder) on gut microbial balance, immune response and growth performance of Holstein female calves during the first month of life. Twenty-two calves were divided into two experimental groups from 2 to 28 days of life: control (C), fed with milk replacer and concentrate as a basal diet, and treatment (T), fed C diet plus 1 g/calf/day of probiotic powder for the first month of age. Faecal and blood samples were individually collected and analysed weekly. Individual faecal score was recorded daily and general health score was calculated at the end of the trial. Cell-mediated immune response was evaluated by skin test at 7 and 28 days of life. Milk replacer and concentrate intake were recorded daily, while body weight and biometrical parameters were recorded at 2, 8, 14, 21 and 28 days of life, thus average daily gain and feed conversion rate were calculated. During the first week of treatment, lower blood eosinophil percentage (0.05% vs. 0.22%; P≤0.01) was found in T group, while basophils were higher in T than C group at the end of the trial (0.21% vs. 0.16%; P≤0.05). Higher faecal lactic acid bacteria (LAB)/E. coli ratio on day 28 of life (3.73 log CFU/g vs. 2.02 log CFU/g; P≤0.05) and lower incidence of diarrhoea were found in the treated group (63.30% vs. 70.71%; P=0.05). Body weight (48.92 kg vs. 46.92 kg; P≤0.05), total concentrate intake (14.77 kg vs. 12.56 kg on dry matter basis; P≤0.05), and heart girth (81.16 cm vs. 78.49 cm; P≤0.05) were significantly higher in T group. The administration of the probiotic during the first month of life improved gut microbiota and increased the growth performance and some biometric parameters of calves.</abstract>

Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety

Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, I-20133 Milan, Italy

Effects of species-specific probiotic addition to milk replacer on calf health and performance during the first month of life

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Mastitis is one of the most important mammary gland diseases impacting lactating animals. Resistance to this disease could be improved by breeding. There are several selection methods for mastitis resistance. To improve the natural genetic resistance of cows in succeeding generations, current breeding programmes use somatic cell count and clinical mastitis cases as resistance traits. However, these methods of selection have met with limited success. This is partly due to the complex nature of the disease. The limited progress in improving udder health by conventional selection procedures requires applying information on molecular markers of mastitis susceptibility in marker-assisted selection schemes. Mastitis is under polygenic control, so there are many genes that control this trait in many loci. This review briefly describes genome-wide association studies which have been carried out to identify quantitative trait loci associated with mastitis resistance in dairy cattle worldwide. It also characterizes the candidate gene approach focus on identifying genes that are strong candidates for the mastitis resistance trait. In the conclusion of the paper we focus our attention on future research which should be conducted in the field of the resistance to mastitis.</abstract>

Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt

Genetic Basis of Mastitis Resistance in Dairy Cattle – A Review / Podstawy Genetyczne Odporności Krów Mlecznych Na Zapalenie Wymienia – Artykuł Przeglądowy

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Annals of Animal Science

The Journal of National Research Institute of Animal Production

 Online ISSN: 2300-8733   Annals of Animal Science accepts original papers and reviews from the different topics of animal science: genetic and farm animal breeding, the biology, physiology...

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 Online ISSN: 2300-8733   Annals of Animal Science accepts original papers and reviews from the different topics of animal science: genetic and farm...

Annals of Animal Science

The Journal of National Research Institute of Animal Production

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