M. A. Colonna

Superovulation in ewes by a single injection of pFSH dissolved in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP): effects of PVP molecular weight, concentration and schedule of treatment

Three experiments were carried out to evaluate induction in ewes of superovulation and embryo production by a single injection of a porcine pituitary extract (pFSH) dissolved in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), investigating the effects of PVP molecular weight and its concentration (Experiment I), time and method of treatment (Experiments II and III). All ewes were synchronized for estrus by vaginal sponges impregnated with fluorogestone acetate (FGA; 30 mg, 9 days) plus PGF(2alpha) (Cloprostenol, 50 microg, 48h before sponge removal - s.r.), and superovulated by 250 IU pFSH. In Experiment I, 60 Gentile di Puglia ewes were subdivided into five experimental groups (n = 12): Group A, the control, received six decreasing intramuscular (i.m.) doses of pFSH, 12 h apart, beginning 48h before s.r.; Groups B and C were given 48 h before s.r. a single i.m. injection of pFSH dissolved in PVP with MW = 10,000, respectively, at concentrations of 15 and 30% w/v; Groups D and E received the same treatments as for B and C using PVP with MW = 40,000. None of the pFSH-PVP treatments were effective in inducing superovulation. In Experiment II, 22 Leccese ewes were subdivided into two groups (n = 11): Group A, control received i.m. four decreasing doses of pFSH, beginning 24 h before s.r., 12h apart; Group B was given a single i.m. injection of pFSH dissolved in PVP (MW = 40,000 at 30% w/v), 24 h before s.r. The pFSH-PVP treatment provided an ovulation rate similar to the control and tended to enhance embryo yield (4.4 versus 2.4, P>0.05). In Experiment III, 60 Leccese ewes were subdivided into six treatment groups (n = 10). Groups A and D served as controls and received i.m. 12 h apart, six doses (from 48 h before s.r.) and four doses (from 24h before s.r.) of pFSH, respectively. Groups B and C were treated by a single injection of pFSH in PVP (MW = 10,000; 30% w/v) 48 h before s.r., respectively by i.m. or subcutaneous (s.c.) administration. Groups E and F received the same treatments as for B and C 24 h before s.r. Intramuscular pFSH-PVP administration 24 h before s.r. provided an ovulation rate (8.1), mean numbers of ova recovered (5.6) and fertilized (4.2) comparable to the six or four dose treatments and significantly higher (P <0.01) compared to the pFSH-PVP treatment carried out i.m. 48 h before s.r. These results show that a single injection of pFSH dissolved in PVP at 30% w/v, performed i.m. 24 h before s.r., is able to induce a superovulatory response comparable to that following multiple injection treatment, regardless of PVP molecular weight.

Some effects of adding p-LH in defined amounts to purified p-FSH to modify FSH LH ratios during the superovulatory treatment of anestrous ewes

Nonlactating Leccese ewes (n = 61) were used during seasonal anestrus to investigate the effects on ovarian response and embryo production of adding defined amounts of p-LH to purified p-FSH as well as decreasing the FSH/LH ratio during treatment. The ewes were synchronized with FGA-impregnated intravaginal pessaries for 9 days and prostaglandin F2 alpha (Cloprostenol) injected on the seventh day. They were divided into six treatment groups in a 3 x 2 factorial design: three amounts of purified p-LH (100, 50 or 25% equivalent to 525, 262 or 131 IU p-LH) x 2 regimen of p-FSH and p-LH administration (constant or decreasing FSH/LH ratio). Each ewe received a total of 525 IU p-FSH at a decreasing dose, twice daily over a 3-day period. Group I (n = 11), Group II (n = 10) and Group III (n = 10) were treated with p-FSH supplemented with p-LH at 100%, 50% and 25%, respectively, of p-FSH dose and a constant FSH/LH ratio throughout the treatment period. Group IV (n = 10), Group V (n = 10) and Group VI (n = 10) were treated with p-FSH supplemented with p-LH at 100%, 50% and 25%, respectively, of p-FSH dose but with a decreasing FSH/LH ratio over the 3 days of the treatment: 1.7-0.86-0.43 for Group IV; 3.4-1.7-0.86 for Group V; 6-3-1.5 for Group VI. Embryos were flushed surgically on Day 6 after estrus. The ovulation rate did not differ among the groups (8-12.8). Superovulation with 100% p-LH and decreasing the FSH/LH ratio (Group IV) resulted in: (i) the highest ova recovery (9.8 +/- 1.7), and this was significantly different (P < 0.05) from the 25% p-LH treated group (Group VI; 5.0 +/- 1.7), (ii) the highest fertilization rate (90.6 +/- 9.2%), with a significant (P < 0.01) difference compared with the constant ratio regimen (Group I; 62.6 +/- 8.3%); (iii) the highest transferable embryo yield (6.4 +/- 1.1), differing significantly (P < 0.01) from Group VI (2.2 +/- 1.1) and Group I (2.7 +/- 1.0). It is concluded that decreasing the amount of p-LH added to purified p-FSH did not improve the superovulatory response of ewes during the anestrous period. Transferable embryo production was significantly improved when ewes were treated with p-LH equivalent to 100% p-FSH, with the FSH/LH ratio decreasing during treatment.

Dietary supplementation of garlic and rosemary: effects on colour stability and lipid oxidation in lamb meat

Riassunto Integrazione alimentare con aglio e rosmarino: effetti sul colore e sull’ossidazione lipidica della carne di agnello. Agnelli di razza Gentile di Puglia sono stati alimentati con un mangime di base (Controllo) o integrato con aglio fresco (3,5 g kg-1), estratto di aglio (500 mg kg-1), estratto di rosmarino (500 o 1000 mg kg-1) o con vitamina E (500 mg kg-1 α-tocoferolo acetato). Sono stati costituiti due sottogruppi di agnelli macellati rispettivamente a 80 o 110 giorni. Nei giorni 1, 3, 5 e 7 successivi alla macellazione sono stati valutati il colore e l’ossidazione lipidica mediante TBARS test sul muscolo Longissimus lumborum. Il colore della carne è stato migliorato dagli antiossidanti naturali, ma soprattutto dalla vit. E (P<0,05). Il TBARS test ha evidenziato una diminuzione dell’ossidazione lipidica nei gruppi vit. E e aglio estratto (P<0,01), seguiti dal gruppo rosmarino 1000 (P<0,05). A 110 giorni si sono attenuate le differenze tra i trattamenti alimentari, ma la vit. E e l’aglio estratto hanno confermato il loro effetto antiossidante (P<0,05).

Effect of goat production systems on meat quality and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) content in suckling kids

Abstract The effect of goat production systems was evaluated on the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in meat obtained from suckling kids. Twenty male Ionica suckling kids fed only on maternal milk were subdivided into two groups of 10 subjects each according to their dams’ feeding treatment: kids in Group I were raised under dams reared by an intensive production system, while those of Group E were raised under dams grazing on pasture. Kids were slaughtered when 45 days old. The goat production system had no effect on kids’ growth rates, slaughtering yield and on the percentages of lean, fat and bone of the lumbar region and pelvic limb cuts. The pH value of the Longissimus lumborum (Ll) muscle 45 min after slaughter was higher in Group I (6.73 vs 6.54; P<0.05). Meat colour of Group E kids was lighter (50.63 vs 48.86) and showed greater (P<0.05) yellowness (13.42 vs 11.93) and Chroma values (14.92 vs 13.45). Cooking loss was higher in Group E (31.51 vs 26.98%; P<0.05), but meat tenderness of the Ll muscle was better (peak force of 2.86 vs 3.58 kg/cm2; P<0.05). Meat chemical composition did not differ between the two groups for either raw or cooked samples. On the whole, suckling kids raised under grazing goats showed a higher total CLA concentration in both raw (2.57 vs 2.25% on total fatty acids) and cooked meat (1.85 vs 1.44%), although the differences were not significant.

Effect of dietary rosemary oil on growth performance and flesh quality of farmed seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Abstract In order to assess the effect of a diet integrated with rosemary oil on growth performance and flesh quality of farmed Dicentrarchus labrax, a feeding trial was carried out. Seabass were fed with two different diets for 200 days, after that they were caught and stored in ice in a refrigerator cell (0-2°C) for 17 days. Then they were examinated on 1, 3, 10 and 17 day for sensory evaluation (fresh whole fish and cooked fillet) according to QIM and Torry Scheme. Specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were calculated, fillets were subjected to proximate analysis. No statistical differences were found in the final average body weight for both diets as well as SGR and FCR means. The sensory score (QIM) increased linearly with storage time. No significant difference was noticed between two diets. As for cooked fillet, Torry Scheme score decreased with storage time. At day 10 significant differences were displayed between the diets (7.44 vs. 8.67; P<0.05). Overall sensory acceptability for consuming farmed seabass stored in ice was set in corrispondence of day 13 for control diet and day 14 for experimental diet. No difference was showed in the chemical composition.

Chromosome instability in lymphocytes of Friesian cows naturally exposed to dioxins being raised close to a metallurgic factory area in southern Italy

Abstract Dioxins (PCDDs, PCDFs and DL-PCBs) are a large family of congeners that are considered highly toxic and are reported to be teratogenic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, immunotoxic and hepatotoxic, also affecting the nervous and reproductive systems. Farm animals are particularly exposed to these chemicals when they are fed with grass produced close to polluted areas such as those located in vicinity of metallurgic factories. Cytogenetic tests can be very useful to check genetic damage occurring to domestic animal cells exposed to these chemicals. Fifty-two randomly selected Italian Friesian cows (Bos taurus, 2n = 60) from two farms located in the vicinity of and (as a control) far from the a metallurgic industrial area underwent cytogenetic investigations to ascertain possible differences in their chromosome fragility. One farm was under legal sequestration due to the presence in the milk mass of higher mean values of dioxins (24.78 ± 3.19 pg g−1 of fat as sum of PCDD + PCDF + DL-PCBs as WHO-TEQ (World Health Organization-Toxic Equivalent Quantity), with DL-PCBs being the main chemical component) than those permitted (5.5 pg g−1 of fat as WHO-TEQ). Cytogenetic analyses, performed by using both the chromosome abnormality (CA) test (chromosome and chromatid breaks) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test, revealed a significantly (p < 0.01) higher chromosome fragility in cells of exposed cows (26 cows) compared to those of the control (23 cows).

Effectt of feeding extruded linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) and oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) on meat production and quality in Jonica kids

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

Nutritive value of cereals grown in Apulian places

Abstract The new EU Common Agricultural Policy by the de-coupling measure provides the same subsidy for any crop which respects good economic and environmental conditions; hence the need to identify crop systems which give a better yield in relation to the soil fertility, climatic conditions and species adaptability. The aim of the study was to evaluate the chemical composition and the nutritive value of cereals such as spelt (cultivar Davide), durum wheat (cultivar Portobello), rye (cultivar Askari) and two cultivars of barley, Dasio and Otis. The cereals were grown in 3 Apulian places: Gravina di Puglia (BA), Monopoli (BA) and Monteroni (LE), very different among each other for the climatic conditions and pedological features of soil (fertility, texture and composition). In vitro gas production was assessed by the Menke and Steingass (1988) technique, checked until 72 h and expressed as ml/g DM. The metabolizable energy (ME; MJ/kg DM) was calculated as: 1.06 + 0.157GP + 0.084CP + 0.22CF - 0.081CA, where GP is 24 h net gas production (ml/g DM), CP, CF and CA are crude protein, fat and ash (% DM), respectively. Data were processed by ANOVA according to a 5 (cereals tested) x 3 (cultivation places) experimental model. Student’s t test was used to compare differences between means. The CP content of all the cereals tested was higher in crops grown in Gravina compared to Monopoli and Monteroni, with particular regards to durum wheat (13.60 vs 10.97 and 10.35, P<0.01), rye (14.27 vs 7.83 and 7.75, P<0.01) and spelt (13.25 vs 12.16, P<0.05; vs 11.87, P<0.01). The CP content of both the cultivars of barley was significantly lower in Monopoli (Dasio: 11.40 vs 13.16 and 12.75, respectively for Gravina and Monteroni, P<0.01; Otis: 8.20 vs 12.61 and 11.34, P<0.01). Temperatures above 30 ºC and dry winds during late Spring may have affected final kernel weight by reducing the duration of grain filling, due to the suppression of current photosynthesis and by inhibition of starch synthesis in the endosperm. Thus, kernels remain thin and show a lower hectolitre weight and a higher CP percentage as a consequence of the greater incidence of the pericarp on the total kernel weight. This is a typical situation that occurs in South Italy areas, due also to the features of the marginal lands. Indeed, the occurrence of a reduced production of starch may be hypothesised since a lower amount of GP was found, especially for barley (Dasio) and rye grown in Gravina, characterised by poor soils. The ME of durum wheat and rye did not differ among places, while barley cultivars displayed a different trend: the ME of the Dasio cultivar grown in Gravina was significantly lower compared to Monopoli and Monteroni (12.23 vs 13.33 and 13.22, P<0.01). On the other hand the ME of the Otis cultivar grown in Gravina (13.26) was similar to that of Monteroni (13.23) but significantly greater compared to Monopoli (12.54, P<0.05). For spelt the best ME was recorded in Gravina (12.36 vs 11.52, P<0.05), despite the hostile conditions of this place. Therefore, it may be assumed that the greater rusticity of this cereal allows a better adaptability to marginal areas and its use as a convenient ingredient for the ruminant diet.

Extruded linseed and linseed oil as alternative to soybean meal and soybean oil in diets for fattening lambs.

Abstract The study evaluated the effects of replacing soybean meal and soybean oil respectively with extruded linseed and linseed oil on the productive performances and meat quality traits in lambs slaughtered at 90 days. Lambs weaned at 40 days were divided into 3 groups (N.=10) fed ad libitum for 6 weeks as follows: C (control, commercial feed containing soybean meal and soybean oil); LO (feed con taining linseed oil instead of soybean oil); EL (feed containing extruded linseed). Meat quality traits were evaluated on the Longissimus lumborum (Ll) and Semimembranosus (Sm) muscles. The lambs’ growth performances and the slaughtering and sectioning data did not differ between groups. The redness of meat was significantly higher (P<0.05) for the LO and EL groups compared to the control for both the muscles tested. Ll meat samples of the EL group showed a greater cooking loss compared to LO (P<0.01) and to the control (P<0.05). The amount of linoleic acid in raw Ll meat samples was significantly (P<0.01) lower in both LO and EL groups with respect to control. The concentration of α-linolenic acid was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the EL group and this positively affected the total content of ω3 as well as the ω6/ω3 ratio.