Luca Sardi

Carcass quality, meat chemical and fatty acid composition of lambs fed diets containing extruded soybeans and sunflower seeds

The effects of extruded soybeans (ESB) and sunflower seeds (SFS) on in vivo parameters, slaughter performances, the composition of the lumbar region and hind leg and on the fatty acid composition of these cuts of meat were evaluated in thirty male Sarda lambs divided into six experimental groups, each comprising five members. The six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets contained corn, barley, soybean meal and 50% lucerne hay, while ESB and/or SFS were present in the six diets in different proportions: (1) 0–0; (2) 15–0; (3) 7.5–0; (4) 0–10; (5) 0–20; (6) 7.5–10. The trial was carried out on all groups for 90 days (55–145 of age). The lambs were kept in individual pens and fed ad libitum. The lambs were slaughtered and, after being stored for 24xa0h at 2–4xa0°C, each right half-carcass was jointed in commercial cuts. The lumbar region and a slice of the hind leg were separated in order to determine the percentages of tissue components. Cooking losses, meat colour and chemical and fatty acid composition of muscles were likewise evaluated. All the results concerning feed intake, live weight gain, feed conversion ratio and slaughter parameters were similar in the six groups and comparable to other findings reported in the literature. The percentages of lean, fat and bone were not affected by diet, except for fat of hind leg in groups 15–0 and 0–20. The chemical composition of lean was different only between the lumbar regions of 15–0 and 7.5–10 groups. Statistically significant differences (P<0.01) were found in the fatty acid composition of muscles, in particular as regards C18:0, and saturated fatty acids were lower in groups 0–20 and 7.5–10. C18:2 and C18:3 and total PUFA contents were significantly higher (P<0.05) or showed an upward trend in the same groups. In hind leg muscles in particular, the C18:2 increased when at least 10% oilseeds was included in the diet.

Protein and energy retention in pigs fed diets containing sepiolite

Abstract Forty-two castrated male hybrid (Hypor) pigs body weight (12xa0kg BW) were used to investigate the effects of the dietary inclusion of sepiolite at the level of 20xa0gxa0kg −1 of sepiolite on protein and energy balance of growing pigs. Six pigs were slaughtered at the start of the test to determine the initial dry matter, protein, lipid, ash, and energy content of the empty body. The remaining 36 pigs were split into two groups: a control group was fed a basal diet and a sepiolite group was fed the basal diet with 20xa0gxa0kg −1 added sepiolite (Exal ® ). Six pigs from each treatment were killed at 35 and at 100xa0kg body weight (BW) to determine dry matter, protein, lipids, ash and energy content of the carcasses. The inclusion of sepiolite did not influence, either average daily gain or feed conversion ratio. During the 12 to 35xa0kg BW phase, pigs on the sepiolite diet had improved ( P −1 sepiolite during the overall trial improved protein and energy retention by 6.1% and energy retention by 5.3% compared with the control group.

The effects of clinoptilolite on piglet and heavy pig production

Abstract To evaluate the effects of clinoptilolite on piglet and heavy pig production two separated trials have been performed. In the first trial 40 pigs of the initial body weight of 55 kg were used. Animals were homogeneously allocated to two groups: a control group traditionally fed and a clinoptilolite group in which feed contained the additive at 2%. Pigs were slaughtered at about 160 kg body weight. Blood samples were taken to determine blood urea nitrogen (BUN). In the second trial a total of 116 piglets from 12 litters was used. Six litters were fed from the 7th day of life a diet containing clinoptilolite at 2%. According to the dietary treatment of the suckling period, 84 weaned piglets were homogeneously allocated to two groups fed up to 33 kg body weight a diet containing or not clinoptilolite at 2%. In both trials daily weight gain, feed intake and pigs’ health were regularly recorded. The dietary inclusion of clinoptilolite at 2% did not resulted in any modification either of growing performances or of uraemia. Piglets on clinoptilolite diet showed a significant (P<0.05) improvement of faecal dry matter content. At slaughtering the dietary inclusion of clinoptilolite resulted in a trend towards an improvement of lean cuts yield and in a significant increase (P<0.05) of the ratio between lean and fat cuts. From our data it is suggested that clinoptilolite does not impair pig growing performances, determines a higher dry matter content of piglet faeces and improves carcass quality of heavy pigs with particular regard to lean cuts yield and lean to fat cuts ratio.

The effects of pressed sugar beet pulp silage (PBPS) and dairy whey on heavy pig production

Abstract The effects of pressed beet pulp silage (PBPS) replacing barley for 10% and 20% (DM basis) were studied on heavy pigs fed dairy whey-diluted diets. 60 Hypor pigs (average initial weight of 28 kg), 30 barrows and 30 gilts, were homogeneously allocated to three experimental groups: T1 (control) in which pigs were fed a traditional sweet whey-diluted diet (the ratio between whey and dry matter was 4.5/1); T2 in which PBPS replaced barley for 10% (DM basis) during a first period (from the beginning to the 133rd day of trial) and thereafter for 20% (DM basis); T3 in which PBPS replaced barley for 20% (DM basis) throughout the experimental period. In diets T2 and T3 feed was dairy whey-diluted as in group T1. No significant (P>0.05) differences were observed concerning growth parameters (ADG and FCR). Pigs on diets containing PBPS showed significantly higher (<0.05) percentages of lean cuts and lower percentages of fat cuts. On the whole, ham weight losses during seasoning were moderate but significantly (P<0.05) more marked for PBPS-fed pigs as a probable consequence of their lower adiposity degree. Fatty acid composition of ham fat was unaffected by diets. With regard to m. Semimembranosus colour, pigs receiving PBPS showed lower (P<0.05) “L”, “a” and “Chroma” values. From an economical point of view it can be concluded that the use of PBPS (partially replacing barley) and dairy whey in heavy pig production could be of particular interest in areas where both these by products are readily available.

Tissue distribution of ochratoxin A in pigs after administration of two-levels contaminated diets

The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of ochratoxin A (OTA) in pigs experimentally exposed to this mycotoxin and to evaluate if bile may be used to assess exposure to OTA. Twelve hybrid pigs were divided into 3 equal groups, a control group D0, and 2 experimental groups, D1 fed with 50 µg OTA/kg diet, and D2 fed with 500 µg OTA/kg diet for 15 days. At the end of the test, the animals were euthanized and samples of different tissues and biological fluids were analysed by HPLC-fluorescence detection for the presence of OTA. Samples of unconventional edible tissues such as lung and heart were also taken for analysis because they are used in typical Italian regional dishes. The Italian guidance value for OTA of 1 µg/kg established for pork meat and derived products has been exceeded in all the matrices from both the experimental groups. The comparison between OTA levels detected in D1 and D2 groups showed clearly a linear dose-response relationship. Based on the mean values measured, OTA di...

Enrichments For Pigs: Improving Animal-Environment Relations

This paper provides a brief introduction on the welfare of pigs in the European Union (with special emphasis on their specific exploratory need). After describing the requirements of legislation and the main welfare challenges for the swine specie, we will explore the case of Italian heavy pigs intended for dry-cured Parma ham production, and describe the peculiar welfare issues in this production system. Lastly, we will address the directions in which we see potential collaboration with technology and design experts, both for application in behavioural research and for on-farm animal welfare assessment and monitoring. The possibility to create technologic (digital?) enrichments, or to integrate technology in manipulable substrates appears promising, although its effects on animal welfare and its applicability on a large scale should be further investigated.

Evaluation of pre-slaughter losses of Italian heavy pigs

A retrospective observational study evaluated the risk factors for pre-slaughter losses (i.e. animal deaths occurring during transport and lairage) and their economic impact in Italian heavy pigs (~160 kg bodyweight). Of the 3u2009344u2009730 pigs transported, 1780 (0.053%) died before slaughter, with most losses occurring during transport (56.6%). The estimated economic impact was of 424u2009000 €. The percentage of batches with at least one animal lost pre-slaughter increased during summer (P < 0.001). The proportion of pre-slaughter losses was higher when journey lasted more than 90 min (P < 0.001) and was positively correlated with transport duration (P < 0.01). Losses were higher (P < 0.01) in batches transported at low stocking densities (i.e. when heavier pigs were transported). Batches with lower slaughtering order (i.e. longer lairage time) had higher proportions of losses (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of a given batch to have at least one animal lost pre-slaughter were 1.32 times higher for batches slaughtered in summer, 1.54 times higher if journey durations exceeded 90 min, 1.25 times higher for batches with low slaughtering order, and not significantly influenced by stocking density during transport.

A case-study on profiling Italian consumers of animal-friendly foods

Abstract Our research is based on 335 consumer interviews, conducted near and within supermarkets and hypermarkets in Bologna (North-Italy) and in its province. A multiple correspondence analysis followed by a cluster analysis were carried out in order to profile consumers based on their knowledge of farming conditions, their knowledge of “animal friendly” products and their willingness to pay for them. The analysis identified four groups of consumers (clusters). Groups were called: (1) “sensible and aware consumers” (36%); (2) “unconcerned consumers” (33%); (3) “the insiders” (6%) and (4) “uninvolved consumers” (25%). The first group represents an important market segment for “animal friendly” products. However, a diffused lack of knowledge was observed towards the issues of animal welfare and animal protection. These results urge a reflection on the needs and the risks that may underlie the creation of a shared European label for animal-friendly foods in order to minimize the risk of a failure of the certification scheme.

Enrichment devices for undocked heavy pigs: effects on animal welfare, blood parameters and production traits

Abstract Two independent trials were carried out to test the effectiveness of different environmental enrichments in improving Italian heavy pigs’ welfare. Eighty undocked Landraceu2009×u2009Large White barrows (body weight range: 27.1–158.4u2009kg) were used. In Trial 1, group C1 received a metal chain and group WL wooden logs (placed inside a specifically designed metal rack). In trial two, the enrichments proposed were a hanging chain (C2), and a vegetal edible block (EB) inside the metal rack. General health, animal behaviour, hair cortisol, blood parameters and growth performance were recorded. In Trial 1, WL pigs interacted with the enrichment at a lower extent than C1 (pu2009<u2009.01) and walked less (pu2009<u2009.05). In Trial 2, EB pigs spent less time in lateral recumbency and rooting/exploring the pen floor (pu2009<u2009.05 and pu2009<u2009.01, respectively), and interacted more with the enrichment (pu2009<u2009.001) than C2. Motivation to explore both WL and EB was maintained over time, conversely to what happened to C1 and C2. No differences were observed in hair cortisol concentration, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, skin lesions and growth parameters. Tail lesions were higher in WL than in C1 (pu2009<u2009.05) Minor, transient differences were found in plasma biomarkers. Overall, WL had limited effect on behaviour, whereas EB might have reduced floor over-exploration when compared to the chains. It is concluded that, although from an animal behaviour standpoint EB might be promising, regardless of the device used (C, WL or EB), all experimental groups showed similar welfare parameters levels, stimulating the necessity for wider research on enrichment design and function.

Enrichment tools for undocked heavy pigs: effects on body and gastric lesions and carcase and meat quality parameters

Abstract Two independent trials were carried out to assess the effect of two enrichment tools on the prevalence of skin and tail lesions recorded prior of slaughtering, lesions of the pars oesophagea (OGL) of the stomach, and on carcase and meat quality traits in Italian heavy pigs (body weight range: 25–160u2009kg). Eighty undocked barrows (Landraceu2009×u2009Large White) were used in two trials (20 pigs/experimental group, 5 pigs/pen). In Trial 1, the control group received a hanging metal chain (C1), while the other group received wood logs (WL) placed inside a metal rack. In Trial 2, the control group was provided with hanging chain (C2), while the pen of the other group was enriched with a vegetal edible block (EB) placed inside the metal rack. In both trials, no differences were observed in the prevalence and severity of skin, tail and gastric lesions (pu2009>u2009.05). In Trial 1, WL pigs presented lower backfat (pu2009=u2009.01), higher lean meat percentage (pu2009=u2009.03) and higher drip loss in the loin muscle (pu2009=u2009.02) than C1 pigs. Tail score and gastric lesions showed a moderate correlation (ru2009=u20090.42; pu2009=u2009.01) in Trial 1. Treatments had no effect on carcase or meat quality traits in Trial 2 (pu2009>u2009.05). In conclusion, the two enrichments provided did not affect body and gastric lesions, carcase and meat quality of Italian heavy pigs, if compared to the metal chains.