Alice Cappucci

Fatty acid composition, oxidation status and volatile organic compounds in “Colonnata” lard from Large White or Cinta Senese pigs as affected by curing time

The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the fatty acid composition, lipolysis, lipid oxidation and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Colonnata lard from Large White (LW) or Cinta Senese (CS) pigs during one-year of curing. CS lard contained higher amounts of unsaturated fatty acids than that from LW, due to the different rearing and feeding systems. Despite higher lipolysis in CS backfat during the curing period, the rate of fatty acid and cholesterol oxidation was higher in LW. The amount of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) significantly decreased after 3 months of curing, regardless of the type of lard. VOCs composition of lard was affected by curing time, but not by breed. While volatile fatty acid oxidation products (mainly aldehydes) were present at the beginning of curing, subsequently other volatile compounds (such as sulphur compounds and terpenes) that derived from ingredients used for lard production, increased in the samples.

Cholesterol and Fatty Acids Oxidation in Meat from Three Muscles of Massese Suckling Lambs Slaughtered at Different Weights

Eighteen Massese male lambs fed mainly with maternal milk were slaughtered at 11, 14 and 17 kg. Samples of Longissimus dorsi (LD), Triceps brachii (TB) and Semimembranosus (Sm) muscles were collected. Total intramuscular lipids were extracted by means of a mixture of chloroform methanol 2/1. Cholesterol content and its oxidation product (COP) were determined by a gas chromatography apparatus equipped with an apolar 30 m column. Fatty acid oxidation was evaluated by means of thio-barbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) extracting the sample with aqueous acidic solution. The effect of slaughter weight on oxidation of intramuscular lipids was found only in TB muscles. In this muscle the cholesterol content showed a decreasing trend, while the content of COPs significantly increased with the age of animals. Among the COPs, the 7-ketocholesterol and 7β-hydroxycholesterol were the most abundant, followed by α- and β-epoxy-cholesterol and cholestan-triol. The content of TBARS did not vary owing to a similar fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat across weight of slaughter. In any case, the values of TBARS did not reach the threshold of the detection of off-flavour in meat.

Effect of different doses of cracked whole soybean on milk fatty acid composition in buffalo

15.30-16.00 Elisabetta Canali, Sara Barbieri, Michela Minero, Valentina Ferrante, Silvana Mattiello, Adroaldo Zanella AWIN project: innovation in animal welfare assessment .......................................................................................................................................C-001 16.00-16.15 Susanna Lolli, Inma Estevez, Lorenzo Ferrari, Tatiane Terumi Negrão Watanabe, Sezen Ozkan, Carlo Tremolada, Valentina Ferrante Protocol development for welfare assessment in commercial turkey farms .....................................................................................................C-002 16.15-16.30 Monica Battini, Sara Barbieri, Guido Bruni, Giorgio Zanatta, Silvana Mattiello Testing the feasibility of a prototype welfare assessment protocol in intensive dairy goat farms ..............................................................C-003 16.30-16.45 Katia Parati, Rossana Capoferri, Livia Moscati, Marco Sensi, Guerino Lombardi, Francesca Battioni, Gianpietro Sandri, Carlo Briani, Andrea Galli The effect of the relaying mode on welfare of the pregnant sow .....................................................................................................................................C-004 16.45-17.00 Marta Brscic, Giulia Vida, Annalisa Scollo, Giulio Cozzi, Flaviana Gottardo Relationship between pig welfare in the pre-slaughter phase and superficial bruises of their carcasses. .................................................C-005 17.00-17.15 Maria Lúcia Pereira Lima, João Alberto Negrão, Claudia Cristina Paro de Paz Corral modification for humane livestock handling can improve cattle behavior and reduce serum cortisol..........................................C-006 17.15-17.30 Isabella Lora, Marta Brscic, Luisa Magrin, Clelia Rumor, Flaviana Gottardo Effects of innovative horizontal fans on beef cattle health, growth and welfare .............................................................................................C-007 17.30-17.45 Miriam Iacurto, Roberto Steri, Germana Capitani, Federico Vincenti Animal welfare in beef cattle: performances and meat quality ............................................................................................................................C-008

Dietary linseed supplementation affects the fatty acid composition of the sn-2 position of triglycerides in sheep milk

In the human intestine, lipids are absorbed as sn-2 monoglycerides (sn-2, also named β-position), produced mainly by pancreatic lipases, which hydrolysate the triglyceride molecule in positions 1 and 3 (sn-1,3, α-position). The fatty acids esterified in sn-2 are thus preferentially absorbed, which means that the bioavailability of a single fatty acid is affected by its position on the triglyceride. This experiment is carried out with the milk used to make cheese applied in a study with 42 human volunteers. In that study the authors detected an improvement in the blood lipid profile. The aim of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of this kind of cheese in improving human health by studying how linseed supplementation affects the milk fatty acid composition of the 3 different triglyceride positions and thus the fatty acid bioavailability. The sn-2 were obtained by reacting total milk lipids with swine pancreatic lipase. The milk came from 24 sheep fed a control diet and 24 sheep fed a diet containing 200 g of extruded linseed per day. The sn-2 were separated by thin-layer chromatography. The fatty acid composition of total lipids and sn-2 was obtained by a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector apparatus equipped with a high polar 100 m length capillary column. The bioavailability of the fatty acids was evaluated by a putative preferential intestinal absorption index (PPIAi), where PPIAi <0 indicated a disadvantageous nutritional condition and PPIAi >0 indicated a preferential intestinal absorption. With regard to the fatty acid composition of triglycerides, the linseed group showed a significantly higher content of both linolenic acid and rumenic acid compared with the control. As a consequence of linseed supplementation, the linolenic and rumenic acid content esterified in the β-position increased greatly. This was highlighted by the PPIAi. The results of the present study suggest that the linolenic acid and conjugated linoleic acid affinity for lyso-phosphatidic acid acyl-transferase increased with its tissue availability.

Effect of increasing amounts of olive crude phenolic concentrate in the diet of dairy ewes on rumen liquor and milk fatty acid composition

Agro-industrial by-products contain several secondary plant metabolites, such as polyphenols, tannins, saponins, and essential oils. The effects of these compounds on animal metabolism may vary significantly according to the dose, the chemical nature of the molecules, and the overall composition of the diet. In the Mediterranean area, the olive oil extraction is associated with 2 by-products: olive pomace and wastewater, both rich in polyphenols. In particular, wastewater may be further processed to obtain olive crude phenolic concentrate (OCPC). An experiment was carried out aiming to evaluate animal performance, milk fatty acid (FA) profile, diversity of rumen microbial population, and rumen liquor FA profile in dairy ewes fed diets containing extruded linseed (EL) and increasing doses of OCPC. Twenty-eight Comisana ewes in mid lactation were allotted to 4 experimental groups. The experiment lasted 5 wk after 3 wk of adaptation. Diets were characterized by lucerne hay administrated ad libitum and by 800 g/ewe and day of 4 experimental concentrates containing 22% of EL on dry matter and increasing dose of OCPC: 0 (L0), 0.6 (L0.6), 0.8 (L0.8), and 1.2 (L1.2) g of OCPC/kg of dry matter. Milk yield was daily recorded and milk composition was analyzed weekly. At the beginning and at the end of the experiment, samples of rumen liquor were collected to analyze FA profile, changes in rumen microbial population, and dimethylacetal (DMA) composition. The inclusion of OCPC did not affect milk yield and gross composition, whereas milk from L0.8 and L1.2 sheep contained higher concentrations of linoleic (+18%) and α-linolenic acid (+24%) and lower concentration of the rumen biohydrogenation intermediates. A similar pattern was observed for rumen liquor FA composition. No differences were found in the diversity of the rumen microbial population. Total amount of DMA did not differ among treatments, whereas significant differences were found in the concentration of individual DMA; in the diet with a higher amount of OCPC, DMA 13:0, 14:0, 15:0, and 18:0 increased, whereas DMA 16:0 decreased. Probably the presence of polyphenols in the diet induced a rearrangement of bacteria membrane phospholipids as a response to the rumen environment stimulus. Overall, the use of OCPC allowed a significant increase in the polyunsaturated FA content of milk, probably due to a perturbation of the rumen biohydrogenation process. Further studies are needed to understand the correlation between diet composition and the pattern of DMA in rumen liquor.

Effects of Condensed and Hydrolyzable Tannins on Rumen Metabolism with Emphasis on the Biohydrogenation of Unsaturated Fatty Acids

The hypothesis that condensed tannins have higher inhibitory effect on ruminal biohydrogenation than hydrolyzable tannins was tested. Condensed tannin extract from mimosa (CT) and hydrolyzable tannin extract from chestnut (HT) or their mixture (MIX) were incorporated (10%) into oil supplemented diets and fed to rumen fistulated sheep. Fatty acid and dimethyl acetal composition of rumen contents and bacterial biomass were determined. Selected rumen bacteria were analyzed by quantitative real time PCR. Lower ( P < 0.05) rumen volatile fatty acids concentrations were observed with CT compared to HT. Moreover, lower concentration ( P < 0.05) of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Ruminococcus albus, and Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus were observed with CT compared to HT. The extension of biohydrogenation of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 did not differ among treatments but was much more variable with CT and MIX than with HT. The trans-/ cis-18:1 ratio in bacterial biomass was higher ( P < 0.05) with HT than CT. Thus, mimosa condensed tannins had a higher inhibitory effect on ruminal metabolism and biohydrogenation than chestnut hydrolyzable tannins.

Histological Characteristics, Fatty Acid Composition of Lipid Fractions, and Cholesterol Content of Semimembranosus and Triceps Brachii Muscles in Maremmana and Limousine Bovine Breeds

This study examined the histological properties of Semimembranosus and Triceps brachii muscle in two different bovine breeds, Maremmana (Ma) (an autochthonous breed from Tuscany, Italy) and Limousine (Lm). The animals were grazed in two adjoining pastures, received the same feed supplementation, and were weighed monthly. The experimental period lasted from weaning (6 months old) to slaughter (19 months old). Muscle samples were collected immediately after slaughter, before carcass cooling. Regarding the histological properties, the number of muscle fibers (TNF), mean sarcolemma perimeter (MSP), cross-sectional area, and total sarcolemma perimeter (TSP) were determined. Samples were also analyzed for proximate composition, fatty acid profile of total lipids (TLs), phospholipids (PLs), and neutral lipids (NLs), and for total cholesterol content. Breed was a significant variation factor for the performance parameter and histological muscle fiber properties. Interestingly, despite that Ma being a less extensively genetically improved breed than Lm, it showed higher weight at slaughter (+18%) and daily weight gain (+19%). Ma also showed smaller muscle fibers than Lm and, consequently, the TSP was higher. This difference affected the lipid fraction distribution (Lm was higher in PLs and lower in NLs than Ma) and, consequently, the fatty acid composition of TLs (Lm was high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, while Ma was high in monounsaturated fatty acids). The results of this experiment highlight the importance of environmental and management conditions on the full expression of genotypic potential.

Effect of Dietary Chestnut or quebracho tannin supplementation on microbial community and fatty acid profile in the rumen of dairy ewes.

Ruminants derived products have a prominent role in diets and economy worldwide; therefore, the capability to control the rumen microbial ecosystem, for ameliorating their quality, is of fundamental importance in the livestock sector. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with chestnut and quebracho tannins on microbial community and fatty acid profile, in the rumen fluid of dairy ewes. Multivariate analysis of PCR-DGGE profiles of rumen microbial communities showed a correlation among the presence of chestnut or quebracho in the diet, the specific Butyrivibrio group DGGE profiles, the increase in 18:3 cis9, cis12, and cis15; 18:2 cis9 and cis12; 18:2 cis9 and trans11; 18:2 trans11 and cis15; and 18:1 trans11 content, and the decrease in 18:0 concentration. Phylogenetic analysis of DGGE band sequences revealed the presence of bacteria representatives related to the genera Hungatella, Ruminococcus, and Eubacterium and unclassified Lachnospiraceae family members, suggesting that these taxa could be affected by tannins presence in the diets. The results of this study showed that tannins from chestnut and quebracho can reduce the biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids through changes in rumen microbial communities.

Methane Emission from Enteric Fermentation: Methanogenesis and Fermentation

Rumen fermentation of carbohydrates plays a fundamental role in ruminant metabolism as the main source of energy. Acetic, propionic and butyric acids (namely, volatile fatty acids, VFA) are the main products of the rumen fermentation of structural and nonstructural carbohydrates contained in the ruminant’s diet. The metabolic pathways involved in VFA production are strictly linked to methane emission, because hydrogen is actively produced during the fermentation of structural carbohydrates, and it is rapidly metabolised by methanogens, in order to maintain the optimal thermodynamic condition for the metabolism of the microbe consortium in the rumen. Hydrogen plays also a fundamental role in the maintenance of the equilibrium among VFA pathways and in their interconversion. In this chapter, after a brief chemical description of dietary carbohydrates, individual VFA pathways are described in order to put in evidence the thermodynamic control points of each pathway and the production of energy and reductive equivalent. Then, the relationship between hydrogen, VFA and methane production has been reviewed, considering the role of some dietary factors, the substrate competition between different metabolic pathways and the models of VFA estimation.

Effect of linseed supplementation on fatty acid composition and lipid oxidation of Maremmana beef

Whether cattle grazing in nature reserves in temperate summers ought to be provided with artificial shelter (man-made), in addition to natural shelter (vegetation), is a topic of debate. We have investigated the effect of heat-load on the use of natural versus artificial shelter (with a roof and three walls) by cattle in eight nature reserves in Belgium. GPS collars were used to monitor use of open area, natural and artificial shelter during one or two summers (per 30 min). Cattle location data were coupled to same-time values of climatic ‘heat-stress indices’ calculated from local weather stations’ measurements of air temperature, air humidity, solar radiation and wind speed. Use of open area decreased as heat-load increased. The strength of the effect, and whether the cattle sought natural or artificial shelter, were associated with the amount and spatial distribution of natural shelter in the reserve. When natural shelter was sparse, a more scattered distribution tempered the increased use of shelter with increasing heat-load. If sufficiently available, cattle preferred natural to artificial shelter. When little natural shelter was available, cattle did use the artificial shelter and especially so with increasing heat-load. Microclimatic measurements indicated that solar radiation was blocked by vegetation at least as well as by artificial shelter, and allowed more evaporative cooling. In conclusion, we found no evidence for the added value of additional artificial shelter to protect cattle from heat-load in temperate nature reserves, as long as adequate natural shelter is available.Trabajo presentado al 65th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) (Copenhagen, Denmark, 25 al 28 de agosto, 2014).Trabajo presentado al 65th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) (Copenhagen, Denmark, 25 al 28 de agosto, 2014).Intramuscular fat content (IMF) influences important qualitative traits of meat as tenderness, juiciness and flavour, and technological characteristics. This trait is difficult to measure in vivo and is not included in the breeding programs, despite its medium heritability. Furthermore, IMF is a complex quantitative trait determined by several biochemical and metabolic processes influencing fat deposition in muscles. Indeed QTL affecting this trait have been already reported and some candidate genes were investigated in the last years, but relevant causative mutations have not been so far detected. Recently, thanks to the sequencing of the porcine genome and to the development of a high throughput genotyping porcine chip, it is possible to perform genome wide association (GWA) studies and put in light markers associated to this trait. With the aim to identify genes and markers associated to IMF we performed GWA using the Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip and 889 Italian Large White pigs included in the Sib Test genetic evaluation program of the Italian Association of Pig Breeders (ANAS). The association analyses were conducted using linear mixed model implemented in GenABEL. The results of GWA analysis allowed to detect seven markers significantly associated with IMF (P-value <10) mapped on chromosomes 1, 3, 8 and 12. A validation study on selected markers was performed using a mixed model procedure of SAS software. Markers identified, once confirmed, could be applied as candidate genes to improve meat quality traits in Italian Large White pigs.The constantly growing yearly demand for meat, dairy products and eggs has important implications for agricultural production methods. Nowadays livestock/crop production is becoming increasingly industrialised worldwide, shifting from extensive, small-scale, subsistence production systems towards more intensive, large-scale, geographicallyconcentrated, specialised and commercially oriented ones. The shift in livestock farming methods from extensive to intensive poses a number of significant challenges for animal welfare, environmental sustainability and food security. The indicators to assess animals health and welfare status, have been increased during the last years, and the importance of this discipline is now widely known worldwide. Thanks to the welfare quality ® protocol the procedure to assess the animal health and welfare has become more and more clear, precise and accurate since the project ended in 2009. Furthermore this procedure to assess animal welfare status is time consuming and requires manpower and accurate planning.Bearing in mind the objectives of this study to investigate the Barbary sheep fertility under our climatic conditions and to evaluate the efficiency of the prostaglandin f2α(pgf2α)injections in induction of fertile estrus in different seasons. For these objectives, some experiments were performed during the period from July,2008 to March, 2009. A total number of 300 Libyan Barbary ewes(3-6 years old, weighing 40-60 kg) was used in this experiment. Ewes were kept in privet farms, fed and managed similarly. Ewes were divided to four season groups(summer, autumn, winter and spring groups). Each season group was divided into treated and control. Animals in the treated groups were injected with double injections of 125 μg of prostaglandin f2α intramuscularly(i/m), 11 days apart. While those in control groups were injected with two injections of 1.0 ml of 0.9% NACL saline solution simultaneously with the treated ewes. At the same day (day 11) rams wearing painted sponges on their briskets regions were introduced for natural mating. Treated groups showed shorter estrus response time than control groups in all seasons(P<0.05). Estrus duration was longer in winter and spring than in summer and autumn (P<0.001),but no difference was found between treated and control groups inside seasons. Treated group showed higher pregnancy rate(P<0.001) in winter season than control group. Percentage of ewes lambed in winter was significantly high (P<0.001) among treated ewes than control (80 vs 38%). Lambing rate differed significantly (P<0.001) among treated groups in all seasons. Data were collected and calculated statistically using SPSS system for percentages, means, standard deviation(mean ± sd) analysis of variance (anova), Chi square and Dunacan’s test were used accordingly. Other values were measured, calculated and analyzed similarly. Adoption of technology in sheep farms of La Mancha, Spain J. Rivas1, C. De Pablos2, J. Perea1, C. Barba1, R. Dios-Palomares1, M. Morantes1 and A. García1 1Universidad de Córdoba, Campus Rabanales, 14014, Córdoba, Spain, 2Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Paseo de los Artilleros, 28034, Madrid, Spain; pa1gamaa@uco.es Recently in Spain the milk production coming from sheep farms shows higher degrees of specialization based on the adoption of technologies. The aim of this research is to examine the pattern of adoption of technologies in sheep farms of La Mancha. Based on previous researches, from 77 questions, only 38 questions were selected by using qualitative and participatory methods; the chosen variables were grouped into six technology packages (TP): management, feeding, animal health and milk quality, pasture and land use, equipment and facilities, and reproduction and breeding program. The survey was applied to a sample of 157 farms. Using descriptive statistics each TP was characterized and the pattern of adoption was determined. The average of technologies adopted was of 18.4±6.0 (48.3%). TP showing higher degrees of implementation are animal health and milk quality (67.8%), feeding (56.0%) and management (55.7%), but their adoption is not sequential or responds to independent events. This research facilitates the identification of a number of technologies that must be implemented from an organizational strategy point of view. Moreover, all technologies are seeking a dynamic balance system that allows firms migrate to more efficient processes without losing their main attributes. As a technological challenge, an andrologic evaluation of ram, gynecologic evaluation of ewes prior to mating, early detection of non-productive animals are proposed; and a better use of productive records for the decision-making; aspects are recommended. The results of this analysis will have an impact on future research that attempts to improve the use of subproducts, forage reserves and improved rangeland management and hygiene control system, taking the quality milk as an strategic asset, so further research is necessary to assess the impact of each technology on the operating of the mixed system in the Mancha region. Session 40 Poster 20 Session 40 Poster 19The present paper focuses on evaluating the Interobserver Reliability of the Animal Welfare Assessment Protocol for Growing Pigs. The protocol for growing pigs consists of a Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA), direct Behaviour Observations (BO), carried out by instantaneous scan sampling, a Human Animal Relationship Test (HAR) and checks for different Individual Parameters (IP), e.g. presence of tail biting, wounds and bursitis. Three trained observers collected the data by performing 29 combined assessments, which were done at the same time and on the same animals; but they were carried out completely independent of each other. The findings were compared by the calculation of Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficients (RS), Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), Smallest Detectable Changes (SDC) and Limits of Agreements (LoA). There was no agreement found concerning the adjectives belonging to the QBA (e.g. active: RS: 0.50, ICC: 0.30, SDC: 0.38, LoA: -0.05-0.45; fearful: RS: 0.06, ICC: 0.0, SDC: 0.26, LoA: -0.20-0.30). In contrast, the BO showed good agreement (e.g. social behaviour: RS: 0.45, ICC: 0.50, SDC: 0.09, LoA: -0.09-0.03 use of enrichment material: RS: 0.75, ICC: 0.68, SDC: 0.06, LoA: -0.03-0.03). The rather low agreement of the HAR (RS: 0.38, ICC: 0.54, SDC: 0.34, LoA: -0.40-0.27) can be explained by the fact that the observers entered the pens one after the other to minimise mutual interference which influenced the reaction towards the second intruder. Overall, observers agreed well in the IP, e.g. tail biting (RS: 0.52, ICC: 0.88; SDC: 0.05, LoA: -0.01-0.02) and wounds (RS: 0.43, ICC: 0.59, SDC: 0.10, LoA: -0.09-0.10). The parameter bursitis, however, showed great differences (RS: 0.10, ICC: 0.0, SDC: 0.35, LoA: -0.37-0.40), which can be explained by difficulties in the assessment when the animals moved around quickly or their legs were soiled. In conclusion, the Interobserver Reliability was good in the BO and most individual IP, but not for the parameter bursitis and the QBA.