The diversity and composition of the gut microbiota are widely recognized as fundamental factors influencing the well-being and productivity of domestic animals. Advancements in sequencing technologies have revolutionized studies in this research field, allowing for deeper insights into the composition and functionality of microbiota in livestock. Ruminants and monogastric animals exhibit distinct digestive systems and microbiota characteristics: ruminants rely on fermentation, while monogastrics use enzymatic digestion, and monogastric animals have simpler stomach structures, except for horses and rabbits, where both processes coexist. Understanding the gut microbiota’s impact and composition in both animal types is essential for optimizing production efficiency and promoting animal health. Following this perspective, the present manuscript review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the gut microbiota in ruminants (such as cattle, sheep, and goats) and monogastric animals (including horses, pigs, rabbits, and chickens).

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a combined global positioning system (GPS)/heart rate (HR) monitoring system is a valuable tool to assess, step by step, the physiological response of HR and its relationship with speed in healthy horses competing in an official show jumping class. Six mares performing a standardised warm-up and jumping course were monitored using a HR/GPS device. Venous blood lactate (BL), assessed before and after exercise, showed a significant increase (P = 0.0004) following the physical effort. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant changes in HR throughout the experimental period. The analysis of HR data recorded during the warm-up jumping stage showed significantly higher HR (P = 0.001) in the recovery period compared to the related jumping phase. Shifting the fence height from 100 cm to 125 cm during the warm-up jumps was also found to cause a significant increase (P = 0.016) in HR. According to these preliminary results, the simultaneous logging of heart rate and speed has the potential to be a reliable and powerful technique for field testing that can help in the monitoring of the horse’s response to jumping effort during training and competition.

The aim of this study was to establish and compare reference intervals of some haematological and electrophoretic parameters at different ages (1–2, 3–4 and over 5 years) in two Italian goat breeds: Aspromontana and Girgentana. A total of 90 female Aspromontana goats and 95 female Girgentana goats, ranging from 1 to 11 years of age, clinically healthy, were used. Blood samples were collected from each animal and analysed for haematological parameters and serum proteins profile with routine methods. Two-way analysis of variance showed a significant effect of age on white blood cell (WBC, P < 0.0001) in Aspromontana goats and on haematocrit (Hct, P < 0.009) in Girgentana goats. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of age on concentrations of total protein (P < 0.05), albumin (P < 0.01) and on the albumin: globulins (A/G) ratio (P < 0.05) in Aspromontana goats. In Girgentana goats, statistical analysis showed a significant effect of age on concentrations of total protein (P < 0.01), albumin (P < 0.01) α-globulins (P < 0.05), γ-globulins (P < 0.01) and on the A/G ratio (P < 0.01). Age-related effects were not detected in β₁-globulins and β₂-globulins fractions in booth breed. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of breed in the following haematological and electrophoretic parameters: WBC (P < 0.005), Hct (P < 0.0001), mean corpuscular volume (P < 0.0001), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (P < 0.01), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentrations (P < 0.0001), concentrations of total protein (P < 0.03), α-globulins (P < 0.001), β₁-globulins (P < 0.05), β₂-globulins (P < 0.01) fractions and on the A/G ratio (P < 0.05).