Simona Mattioli

Effect of dietary supplementation with olive pomaces on the performance and meat quality of growing rabbits

The aim was to investigate the effects of three types (A, B and C) of stoned and dehydrated olive pomaces (OPs), differing in olive cultivar, on productive performance and meat quality of growing rabbits. The inclusion of OPs (5%) negatively affected the performance of rabbits as it reduced the feed intake, growth rate, carcass weight and dressing out percentage (P<0.05). Compared with the control, the meat of OP rabbits had a greater amount of monounsaturated and a lower amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (P<0.05), independent of the type of OP used. Oxidative processes in the meat of OPA and OPB were higher (P<0.05), whereas OPC showed the same levels as the control group. This was due to the higher total polyphenol concentration and to the concomitant lower peroxide value of OPC. These results recommend the use of OP in rabbit diet with caution, taking into account the quality of the by-product in terms of oxidative status.

Fatty acid composition of meat and estimated indices of lipid metabolism in different poultry genotypes reared under organic system

According to EC regulation 889/08, different European countries should draw up a list of slow-growing strains adapted to an organic system, and in the meantime, provide this information to operators and the European Union commission. Thus, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of poultry genotype on fatty acid composition and lipid indices of poultry meat. Six poultry genotypes (100 birds each), each with a different growth rate (slow-growing: Leghorn, Ancona, Cornish×Leghorn; medium-growing: Kabir, Naked neck; fast-growing: Ross), were reared under an organic system. Breast meat fatness, fatty acid composition, and indices were largely related to genotype, as slow-growing strains had higher elongase, thioesterase, and Δ5/Δ6 desaturase indices accompanied by a lower Δ9. Differences in the fatty acid profiles were observed by varying contents of total saturated fatty acids, with a higher value seen in Leghorn chickens and a lower value seen in commercial lines. On the contrary, Leghorn and Ancona chickens exhibited higher amounts of stearic acid and total polyunsaturated fatty acids compared with commercial genotypes, both in the total content and in the different fractions (total n-3 and total n-6). Despite the increased consumption of fresh forage, the lower linolenic acid in meat of the slow-growing strain could be explained by the higher conversion of this fatty acid to its long-chain derivatives.

Effect of dietary supplementation of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) on rabbit meat appearance, oxidative stability and fatty acid profile during retail display

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Spirulina and Thyme supplementation on rabbit meat during retail display. At weaning 294 rabbits were allocated to 7 different treatments (42 rabbits/treatment). Rabbits of the control group (C) received a diet without any supplementation throughout the experiment (5-11 weeks of age). The other groups were fed diets containing 5% Spirulina (S), 3% Thyme (T) or both supplements (ST) for the whole trial (5-11 weeks; treatments S, T and ST), or for a part of the growing period (8-11 weeks; treatments C-S, C-T and C-ST). Colour parameters, pH, water holding capacity and drip loss were determined on fresh and stored Longissimus dorsi muscle of 5 rabbits/treatment. Spirulina- and Thyme-supplemented diets had a significant effect on redness and yellowness of Longissimus dorsi. Drip loss was significantly reduced in C-T and T groups that also showed the highest content of α-tocopherol and n-3 fatty acids content and the lower lipid oxidation.

Long-term effects of silver nanoparticles on reproductive activity of rabbit buck.

Abstract Using the rabbit as an animal model, this study evaluated the long-term effect of silver nanoparticles (NPs) administered intravenously (0.6 mg/kg bw) on reproductive activity and sperm quality. Semen analysis was performed by optical microscopy and sperm motility evaluation by computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA). Mitochondria oxygen consumption, light and transmission electron microscopy of rabbit testis and ejaculated sperm were also carried out. Throughout the experiment NP-treated rabbits showed higher seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS), less motile sperm, and lower curvilinear velocity and oxygen consumption than control animals. In contrast, libido, serum testosterone, sperm concentration, and semen volume were hardly affected by NPs. Transmission electron microscopy analysis did not show any evident morphological damage in testes; however, Ag NPs are visible in spermatids and ejaculated sperm. These preliminary results show that Ag NPs can reach the testes, compromising sperm motility, sperm speed, and acrosome and mitochondria shape and function.

Effect of dietary alfalfa on the fatty acid composition and indexes of lipid metabolism of rabbit meat

The objective of the study was to analyse and increase the quality of rabbit meat by increasing the levels of natural bioactive compounds through providing fresh alfalfa to rabbits as complementary feed. At 50 days of age, forty rabbits were divided into two homogeneous groups and fed pelleted feed (control group) or pelleted feed plus fresh alfalfa (alfalfa group). The lipid content of meat was significantly higher in the control group likely due to the higher feed consumption observed in this group. The same trend was observed in the contents of myristic, palmitoleic, oleic and linoleic acid. On the contrary, the supplementation of fresh alfalfa increased the stearic, linolenic, eicosatrienoic, eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic and total polyunsaturated fatty acid contents; also the total monounsaturated fatty acids and the α- and γ-tocopherol content was significantly lower. Moreover, alfalfa ingestion decreased the n-6 content, n-6/n-3 ratio and thrombogenicity index.

Adaptation to organic rearing system of eight different chicken genotypes: behaviour, welfare and performance

Abstract The aim of the study was to define poultry adaptability to organic system, through the assessment of several endpoints. Eight hundred male birds of slow-growing birds (Ancona: A, Leghorn: L, crossbreed Cornish × Leghorn: CL), medium-growing (Gaina: G, Robusta Maculata: RM, Kabir: K, Naked Neck: NN) and fast-growing strains (Ross: R) were organically reared. A and L genotypes displayed a quicker reaction time when submitted to tonic immobility test, and a great variety of behaviour and exploiting all the pasture area. Concerning feather conditions L, A, CL G and RM showed the best values for all considered body regions, as well as the absolute absence of foot pad and breast blister lesions. Static behaviour of R and G chickens did not produce a significant oxidative burst whereas, the active behaviour of A, slow-growing birds, increased the oxygen demand. Plasma α-tocopherol followed the trend of kinetic and foraging activity being higher in slow-, intermediate in medium- and lower in fast-growing birds. The adaptability index showed the best result of slow-growing strains with intermediate results in medium-growing and the worst in fast-growing ones. There is a negative linear correlation between adaptation and daily weight gain. However, within the same sub-group (slow, medium and fast), there is no correlation between daily weight gain and adaptation to an organic system. Even if R chickens had the highest productive performance, they appeared no adapted to the organic system. Daily weight gain (<50 g/d) is a prerequisite for chicken adaptation, but even birds with similar weight gains showed wide variations in the adaptation.

The effects of husbandry system on the grass intake and egg nutritive characteristics of laying hens

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the effect of husbandry system and season on the grass intake and egg quality in laying hens considering that characteristics of organic eggs obtained in a system with no grass in the external area are similar conventional ones. RESULTS Three hundred and sixty Ancona hens were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group (C), with the hens kept in cages under standard housing conditions; the organic group (O), with the hens kept under an organic production system (4 m² per hen) and the organic-plus group (OP), with the hens maintained under organic conditions but with a larger grass paddock availability (10 m² per hen). The estimated intake of forage, carotenoids and flavonoids of the OP hens was very high as the amounts deposited in eggs, mainly in the spring season. The fatty acid composition of the yolk was significantly affected by pasture. The OP eggs showed lower concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) n-6 and a higher percentage of PUFA n-3. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that the grass intake was largely affected by the husbandry system and highlighted the seasonal effect of grass availability on the nutritional quality of eggs produced in organic systems.

Role of rabbit prostate granules on sperm viability and acrosome reaction evaluated with different methods

In the present study, the role of rabbit seminal granules was observed. Their influence on motility, capacitation and acrosome reaction, as well as the presence of apoptosis and the morphology of rabbit sperm, were compared in different conditions. Ejaculated sperm from five mature New Zealand White rabbit bucks during three series of collections were studied, comparing raw semen, Percoll-selected sperm and Percoll-selected sperm plus prostate granules. We observed sperm motility kinetic traits by computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA) analysis in each sample. Acrosome status was evaluated by FITC-labeled Pisum sativum Agglutinin staining and chlortetracycline fluorescence assay, phosphatidylserine translocation was determined by AnnexinV/Propidium iodide assay and sperm morphology was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All traits were observed after 30 min incubation at 37 °C in 5% CO(2). Data showed that sperm motility and viability markedly improved in the presence of prostate granules, whereas capacitation, acrosome reaction and phosphatidylserine translocation were lowered. TEM confirmed these results. In conclusion, the role of granules was confirmed in synchronizing sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction with egg availability; indeed, rabbit ovulation occurs only 6 to 10 h after mating.

Effect of faba bean (Vicia faba var. minor) inclusion in starter and growing diet on performance, carcass and meat characteristics of organic slow-growing chickens

This paper assesses the effect of faba bean (Vicia Faba minor), in partial substitution of soybean, on productive performance, carcass and meat traits of slow-growing chickens readed under the organic method. Faba bean was used in both starter (1-21 d) and growing/finisher diets (22-120 d). One thousand birds were fed two different diets containing respectively, soybean or faba bean as the main protein source for the entire rearing period. The birds of each group were slaughtered at 120 d of age. The productive performance of group F was the worst, with a higher mortality rate, indicating that faba bean diets are not able to cover the nutritional requirements of birds mainly in the first rearing period. The main carcass and meat qualitative traits, were not affected by the treatment, whereas minor modification regards saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.

The time-dependent effects of prostate granules and seminal plasma on the capacitation, acrosome reaction, and motility of rabbit sperm.

The present study investigated the role of rabbit seminal plasma and prostate granules on capacitation, the acrosomal reaction (AR), and sperm motility. Semen ejaculates obtained from five mature New Zealand White rabbit bucks in three collection series were used in the study. Raw semen, Percoll-selected sperm alone and in presence of either seminal plasma or prostate granules were incubated for 120min in capacitation medium. Chlortetracycline fluorescence (reflecting capacitation and the acrosome reaction) and sperm kinetic traits were analysed in each sample. All traits were observed from 0 to 120min of incubation at 37°C in 5% CO2. Both seminal plasma and prostatic granules markedly improved the sperm motility but seminal plasma mainly inhibited the capacitation progress whereas prostatic granules inhibited the AR. In conclusion, prostatic granules and seminal plasma have specific roles in synchronising sperm capacitation and the AR with egg availability.