Adalberto Falaschini

Evaluation of the digestibility of Lathyrus sativus in growing pigs

Abstract The EU ban on meals of animal origin and the rejection by some States, including Italy, of genetically modified organisms (e.g. soybean), have resulted in the need for novel protein sources. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the digestibility of rations where soybean was partially replaced with Lathyrus sativus L. Twelve hybrid growing pigs were fed three diets formulated to be isoenergetic and isoproteic according to a Latin square design, each for 22 days. In the two experimental diets soybean was replaced by 10% or 20% L. sativus. Subjects were about 78 kg live weight at baseline. After 10 days of adaptation to each diet, faeces samples were collected from the rectum at the same time of day for 3 days. At the end of the administration of each diet, animals were weighed and blood was collected to determine some protein metabolism parameters. Feed and faeces were analysed for nutrients and AIA in order to calculate the coefficients of digestible utilisation of nutrients. Results were analysed by ANOVA using JMP (SAS system). The growth performance data (ADG and FCR) did not demonstrate differences attributable to the substitution of soybean with L. sativus. The coefficients of digestible utilisation indicate that soybean can be replaced with this legume seed. Low plasma urea in animals receiving 20% L. sativus confirmed the good metabolic efficiency of protein.

Influence of diet and rearing system on heavy pig performance, carcass and meat quality

Abstract Identifying alternative dietary protein sources and new types of outdoor rearing techniques that enhance animal welfare, thus optimising costs and production performance, are among the main objectives of nutritionists and breeders. The aim of this study was to compare two types of rations where pea and potato concentrate completely substituted soybean in intensively and extensively bred swine. Forty Large White × Duroc piglets weighing about 40 kg were divided into 4 groups of 10 sex- and weight-matched individuals: Indoor rearing + Control diet, Indoor rearing + Experimental diet, Outdoor rearing + Control diet, Outdoor rearing + Experimental diet. Different diets were formulated for the growing phase (40-100 kg) and the fattening period (100-slaughter); pigs, weighed individually every 40 days to estimate the average daily gain and feed conversion rate, were slaughtered when they reached the weight for Italian ham production. The following measurements were obtained: carcass weight, slaughtered yield, weight of lean cuts, pH 45 minutes and 24 hours post mortem. 40 semimembranosus muscle samples were analysed for colour parameters (L*, a* and b*), moisture, fat, protein and ash while the energy values were calculated. Semimembranosus intramuscular fat and ham backfat were analysed for fatty acid profile. Statistical analysis of performances data was conducted using design with repeated measures and the slaughterhouse, meat and fat composition data were subjected to ANOVA. The results show that soybean can be completely substituted with other protein crops. Rearing and slaughterhouse performances were not affected by the diet, whereas significant differences emerged with the rearing system. Diet composition significantly affected lean meat proportion (50.0 vs 48.2) and fat thickness of 3/4 Thoracic Vertebra (25.3 vs 28.3 mm), while the rearing system significantly affected all carcass quality measures. Some parameters were better in outdoorthan indoor-subjects. Meat colour was also significantly influenced by the rearing effect, being less light and yellow in the former subjects (L* 49.9 vs 37.3; b* 3.7 vs 2.3). Chemical analysis demonstrated that the meat of outdoor-reared subjects was leaner (1.96% vs 1.38% fat) and had a lower water content (72.8% vs 71.8%). The complete replacement of soybean is thus compatible with a strong characterization and an enhancement of the value of swine products. In addition, the rearing system can result in distinctive quality features, such as ham colour and fat content, allowing products from outdoor rearing to be clearly recognized from those obtained from intensive rearing.

Pre-foaling period in Trotter mares – 2: variations of protein fractions in pre-colostrum secretion

Riassunto Il pre-parto in fattrici di razza Trottatore – 2: variazioni delle frazioni proteiche nella secrezione pre-colostrale. Sono state valutate le frazioni proteiche del pre-colostro e colostro in fattrici di razza Trottatore. I campioni sono stati raccolti dal 6° giorno precedente il parto fino al giorno successivo la nascita del puledro, e sottoposti ad SDS-Page. L’elettroforesi ha evidenziato una specifica dinamica nelle variazioni delle varie frazioni proteiche ed in particolare delle Immunoglobuline che, dal 6° giorno precedente il parto, aumentano in maniera significativa fino alla nascita del puledro. In particolare per le immunoglobuline l’aumento più considerevole è stato registrato tra il 4° ed il 2° giorno precedenti il parto. Inoltre è stata riscontrata una correlazione negativa tra il contenuto ematico di β-globuline e γ-globuline ed il contenuto pre-colostrale e colostrale di Ig (r=-0,33 e -0,34 rispettivamente).

Effect of β-carotene Supplementation on Italian Trotter Mare Peripartum

When the mare’s estrous cycle resumes in winter, the β-carotene content of hay is depleted. Sixty Italian trotter mares were randomly assigned to a Control or a Treated Group. Treated Group received 1g/d synthetic β-carotene for 15 days from parturition. Blood samples collected at parturition and on days 5, 10 and 15 after partum were analysed for β-carotene, vitamins A, progesterone, 17 β-estradiol, the energy parameters (glucose, cholesterol, NEFA), the protein profile (total protein, albumin, urea) and LDH. Some changes in these measures were attributable to treatment, which significantly affected β-carotene and 17 β-estradiol concentrations. A significant effect was also found on the resumption of estrous activity (χ2 test=P<0.052).

Sunflower cake in the diet of Quarter Horses in activity

Abstract The increased availability of sunflower cake, a by-product of oilseed extraction for biodiesel production, prompted us to test the scope of its utilization in the diet of Quarter Horses employed in equestrian shows. We substituted 600 and 1200 g of feed with 300 and 600 g of sunflower cake, respectively, so as to obtain isoproteic and isoenergetic diets. Digestibility evaluation by the AIA method evidenced generally improved nutrient utilization with the lower cake diet (300 g sunflower). The higher cake diet was associated with a reduction in organic matter, protein and ether extract digestibility coefficients. In particular, the trend of the protein coefficients (88.5 - 91.5 - 87.7 for control, 300 and 600 g sunflower cake, respectively) was confirmed by higher plasma urea levels.

Influence of L-Carnitine on fitness and oxidative stress parameters in Trotter Horses subjected to Laval's test

Abstract In the last few years, in addition to grain, the high energy requirements of racehorses have been met with dietary supplements of vegetable oil, which may, however, represent an easily oxidisable substrate. Carnitine can be used to improve lipid metabolism. We evaluated the changes in performance and oxidative stress parameters measured in 4 trotters receiving a diet containing soybean oil and L-Carnitine and subjected to two Standardized Exercise Tests (SET) according to Laval’s protocol (3 hits at increasing speed) at an interval of 30 days. Blood samples were taken at rest, just after each of the three hits, and at 10, 20 and 40 min after each test to determine lactic acid, glucose, Non-Esterified Fatty Acid (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate, Reactive Oxygen metabolites (ROMs), Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). L-Carnitine influenced ROMs and SOD and resulted in a reduction in the oxidative stress parameters. Some indices of the fitness status also improved.

Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck: influence of collection month and culture area on morphometric and quality characteristics

Abstract Aquaculture is a very ancient activity: carp breeding appears to date back to 2500 BC. Mollusc culture is an important production activity carried out in marine or lake zones with suitable microbiological, chemical and physical water characteristics and abundant plankton, in which mussels have a prominent role. The study was directed at evaluating the morphometric and quality characteristics of commercial Mytilus galloprovincialis from two culture areas in the mid Adriatic: Ancona (natural and artificial open water cultured area) and Bellaria (only artificial cultured area). Seven samples per area, each weighing 3kg, were collected from June to December. Specimens were examined for size (length, width, thickness, maximum longitudinal and transverse circumference) and weight (total, flesh, shell). The flesh was analyzed to determine its content in moisture, protein, fat, ash, fatty acids and crude energy. ANOVA and χ2 test were applied. Specimens were divided into three length categories (<5cm; 5-7cm; >7cm). The mean values measured in the whole sample (n=2300) were: length 5.83±0.86 cm, width 2.93±0.39cm, transverse circumference 7.72±1.02cm, total weight 14.22±6.83g, flesh 4.79±2.36g. Given a variability of 14-15% of the morphometric data, the variation coefficient of weight parameters is around 50%. With reference to the commercial categories (5-7 and >7cm), significant differences were found for all months except August and November, most consistently for the two classes >5 in the samples from Bellaria compared with Ancona, where from June to October cultured as well as naturally growing mussels are collected. As regards quality, there were no differences related to the area of collection, whereas variations in dry matter, which tended to diminish, and in protein, which increased, were noted from June to December. In conclusion, the characteristics of mussels are strongly influenced by the culture area and by environmental factors (month of collection). The better characteristics of the product collected in the summer confirm a greater metabolic activity of the molluscs at this time of year and its favourable influence on the flesh chemical composition.

Pre-foaling period in Trotter mares – 1: variations in some plasma and precolostrum’s parameters

Riassunto Il preparto nella fattrice di razza trottatore: variazioni di alcuni parametri del plasma e del precolostro. Anche per la fattrice l’ultimo periodo di gravidanza costituisce un momento particolarmente importante in quanto si completa lo sviluppo del feto, si avvia l’attività della mammella con la produzione del precolostro e può anche condizionare la manifestazione del calore post partum. Per valutare l’evoluzione metabolica di questa fase, su 8 fattrici di razza Trottatore Italiano, sono stati effettuati prelievi di sangue e di precolostro a -6, -4, -2, -1, 0 (parto), +1 d dal parto. Il plasma è stato analizzato per: Proteine Totali, LDH, frazioni elettroforetiche delle proteine, Vit. A, Vit. E e β-carotene. Sul precolostro sono state valutate le vitamine e le proteine totali. I risultati ottenuti offrono interessanti informazioni sull’evoluzione di questi parametri, in particolare va messa in evidenza l’evoluzione delle vitamine nei rapporti sangue-colostro che richiama l’attenzione sugli apporti alimentari delle stesse.