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In buffaloes and other mammalian farm species, the mother provides food and protection to the young, but she is also the main source of behavioral and social learning for the offspring. It is important that mother and young establish a bond based on a learning mechanism defined as “imprinting” early after parturition during the sensitive period, on which the welfare and survival of the offspring will depend. This review aims to summarize and discuss current knowledge regarding the imprinting process, the neurobiological pathways that are triggered during this sensitive period, and the development of the cow–calf bond. Touch, hearing, vision, and smell seem to be the predominant senses involved during imprinting in buffaloes and other mammalian farm species. In buffalo, bonding is very particular due to the expression of specific behaviors, such as allo-suckling and communal rearing. In general, imprinting and the subsequent bond may be affected by the lack of experience of the mothers or dystocic parturitions, which occur most frequently with male calves and in primiparous dams. The main problems in the development of this process include lack of seeking a protected and isolated place to give birth; moving from the birth-site after parturition; insufficient postpartum care; aversion or aggressiveness towards the newborn, or abandonment of the newborn. The process can develop differently according to the species. However, the correct development of the cow–calf relationship represents, regardless of the species, a key factor for their fitness.
Agustín Orihuela; Daniel Mota-Rojas; Ana Strappini; Francesco Serrapica; Ada Braghieri; Patricia Mora-Medina; Fabio Napolitano. Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Cow–Calf Bonding in Buffalo and Other Farm Animals. Animals 2021, 11, 1968 .
AMA StyleAgustín Orihuela, Daniel Mota-Rojas, Ana Strappini, Francesco Serrapica, Ada Braghieri, Patricia Mora-Medina, Fabio Napolitano. Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Cow–Calf Bonding in Buffalo and Other Farm Animals. Animals. 2021; 11 (7):1968.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAgustín Orihuela; Daniel Mota-Rojas; Ana Strappini; Francesco Serrapica; Ada Braghieri; Patricia Mora-Medina; Fabio Napolitano. 2021. "Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Cow–Calf Bonding in Buffalo and Other Farm Animals." Animals 11, no. 7: 1968.
We aimed to verify whether a low number of relevant animal-based indicators was able to discriminate 33 semi-intensive (grazing during the day and confinement during the night with access to an outdoor paddock; S-INT) and 8 intensive farms (permanent confinement with access to an outdoor paddock; INT) located in the Mexican semi-desert. In addition, we implemented the resource-based assessment scheme Animal Needs Index (ANI) with the identified animal-based indicators to compare the overall level of welfare in INT and S-INT. In particular, we used a protocol made up of 2 parts. The first comprised 4 evaluation sheets (locomotion, flooring, environment, management) and resource-based indicators derived from ANI, and the second one comprised a set of validated animal-based measures focusing on physical conditions and clinical signs of disease derived from the Animal Welfare Indicators scheme and reported in 2 additional sheets. The scoring system was also derived from ANI, with partial scores for each sheet to be summed to obtain the total score. A total of 1,116 dairy goats were assessed. All the observations and recordings were performed by an expert veterinarian evaluator assisted by an auxiliary, and longevity was retrieved from the farm records. The prevalence of animals displaying dirtiness, ocular discharge, abscesses, and claw overgrowth were higher in INT than in S-INT. Disbudding was routinely performed in INT only. Therefore, scurs, indicating improper disbudding, were recorded only in INT. In addition, the longevity of goats raised in S-INT was higher than in INT. Conversely, the prevalence of goats affected by anemia (i.e., FAMACHA scores >2) or lean (i.e., body condition score <2) tended to be higher in S-INT than in INT. No significant differences between the 2 groups of farms were detected for wounds, nasal discharge, integument alterations, fecal soiling, uterine prolapse, and subclinical mastitis. The results obtained using only animal-based measures were confirmed when resource-based variables were also included in the assessment, as 3 out of 6 sheets of the evaluation scheme (i.e., flooring, environment, and health-physical conditions) were scored higher in the S-INT than in the INT. As a consequence, the total score was also higher for S-INT than for INT. We conclude that the selected set of validated animal-based measures was able to discriminate between farms from different production systems. In particular, higher welfare levels were observed in S-INT farms, where the animals were allowed to spend most of the day on natural pasture, compared with INT farms, where the animals were constantly confined. Nevertheless, a certain degree of improvement should also be promoted in terms of anemia and body condition in S-INT farms.
Miguel Ángel Silva Salas; Jaime Mondragón-Ancelmo; María Del Rosario Jiménez Badillo; Gabriela Rodríguez Licea; Fabio Napolitano. Assessing dairy goat welfare in intensive or semi-intensive farming conditions in Mexico. Journal of Dairy Science 2021, 104, 6175 -6184.
AMA StyleMiguel Ángel Silva Salas, Jaime Mondragón-Ancelmo, María Del Rosario Jiménez Badillo, Gabriela Rodríguez Licea, Fabio Napolitano. Assessing dairy goat welfare in intensive or semi-intensive farming conditions in Mexico. Journal of Dairy Science. 2021; 104 (5):6175-6184.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMiguel Ángel Silva Salas; Jaime Mondragón-Ancelmo; María Del Rosario Jiménez Badillo; Gabriela Rodríguez Licea; Fabio Napolitano. 2021. "Assessing dairy goat welfare in intensive or semi-intensive farming conditions in Mexico." Journal of Dairy Science 104, no. 5: 6175-6184.
We pose, based on a neurobiological examination, that events that occur around the time of slaughter have the potential to intensify the pain response, through the processes of sensitisation and enhanced transmission. Sensitisation, or an enhanced response to painful stimuli, is a well-discussed phenomenon in the human medical literature, which can arise from previous injury to an area, inflammatory reactions, or previous overstimulation of the stress axes. A number of events that occur prior to arrival at, or in the slaughterhouse, may lead to presence of these factors. This includes previous on-farm pathology, injuries arising from transport and handling and lack of habituation to humans. Whilst there is limited evidence of a direct effect of these on the processes of sensitisation in animals at slaughter, by analogy with the human neurobiology literature the connection seems plausible. In this review a neurobiological approach is taken to discuss this hypothesis in the light of basic science, and extrapolations from existing literature on the slaughter of ruminants. To confirm the postulated link between events at slaughter, and processes of hypersensitisation, further dedicated study is required.
Daniel Mota-Rojas; Fabio Napolitano; Ana Strappini; Agustín Orihuela; Marcelo Ghezzi; Ismael Hernández-Ávalos; Patricia Mora-Medina; Alexandra Whittaker. Pain at the Slaughterhouse in Ruminants with a Focus on the Neurobiology of Sensitisation. Animals 2021, 11, 1085 .
AMA StyleDaniel Mota-Rojas, Fabio Napolitano, Ana Strappini, Agustín Orihuela, Marcelo Ghezzi, Ismael Hernández-Ávalos, Patricia Mora-Medina, Alexandra Whittaker. Pain at the Slaughterhouse in Ruminants with a Focus on the Neurobiology of Sensitisation. Animals. 2021; 11 (4):1085.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniel Mota-Rojas; Fabio Napolitano; Ana Strappini; Agustín Orihuela; Marcelo Ghezzi; Ismael Hernández-Ávalos; Patricia Mora-Medina; Alexandra Whittaker. 2021. "Pain at the Slaughterhouse in Ruminants with a Focus on the Neurobiology of Sensitisation." Animals 11, no. 4: 1085.
Placentophagia is a common mammalian behavior, and the first scientific study of the potential effects of human maternal placentophagia on lactation was in 1917. More recently, in the 1970s, human placentophagia was reported in North America with a trend toward increased consumption. There are different hypotheses about the women and nonhuman mammals’ motivation towards placentophagia, but few have been subject to hypotheses testing. In women, the controversy continues; on the one hand, researchers attribute benefits like increased breast milk, weight gain in newborns, decreased postpartum depression and fatigue, and improved mothers’ mood. In contrast, bacterial or viral infections, hormonal, or trace elements that could become toxic for both the mother and baby are reported as possible health risks. Other reports argue a lack of scientific rigor to support the self-reported benefits of placentophagia. Also, the way the placenta is prepared (raw, cooked, dehydrated, processed, or encapsulated) alters its components, and thus the desired effects. This review provides relevant information and the different hypotheses and points of view around placentophagia. However, there are still questions to be resolved, and more studies are needed to confirm or reject the data generated so far about placentophagia in humans and nonhuman mammals.
Daniel Mota-Rojas; Agustín Orihuela; Ana Strappini; Dina Villanueva-García; Fabio Napolitano; Patricia Mora-Medina; Hugo B. Barrios-García; Yuridia Herrera; Eunice LaValle; Julio Martínez-Burnes. Consumption of Maternal Placenta in Humans and Nonhuman Mammals: Beneficial and Adverse Effects. Animals 2020, 10, 2398 .
AMA StyleDaniel Mota-Rojas, Agustín Orihuela, Ana Strappini, Dina Villanueva-García, Fabio Napolitano, Patricia Mora-Medina, Hugo B. Barrios-García, Yuridia Herrera, Eunice LaValle, Julio Martínez-Burnes. Consumption of Maternal Placenta in Humans and Nonhuman Mammals: Beneficial and Adverse Effects. Animals. 2020; 10 (12):2398.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniel Mota-Rojas; Agustín Orihuela; Ana Strappini; Dina Villanueva-García; Fabio Napolitano; Patricia Mora-Medina; Hugo B. Barrios-García; Yuridia Herrera; Eunice LaValle; Julio Martínez-Burnes. 2020. "Consumption of Maternal Placenta in Humans and Nonhuman Mammals: Beneficial and Adverse Effects." Animals 10, no. 12: 2398.
This study aims to assess the compositional traits and sensory characteristics of a traditional pecorino cheese associated with management and feeding system seasonality. The study was carried out on two mountain dairy farms using an outdoor, pasture-based system from April to October (OutS), and an indoor system (InS) during the rest of the year. Outdoor-produced milk had higher fat content and a tendency for protein and somatic cell count to be higher. The OutS cheeses showed higher dry matter and fat content, higher percentages of unsaturated fatty acids, C18:3, cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid, and trans-11 C18:1, and lower percentages of C14:0 and C16:0. These modifications in fatty acid composition determined the reduction of the atherogenic index. The OutS cheeses also displayed higher intensity of almost all sensory attributes, including odor, flavor, taste, and texture descriptors. The outdoor system partly reduced the liking of consumers for pecorino. However, changes in the productive process leading to an increment in the water content and softness of the cheeses (i.e., controlled humidity and temperature during ripening) may increase the overall liking of pasture-based products, thus promoting the consumption of healthier foods.
Francesco Serrapica; Felicia Masucci; Antonio Di Francia; Fabio Napolitano; Ada Braghieri; Giulia Esposito; Raffaele Romano. Seasonal Variation of Chemical Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, and Sensory Properties of a Mountain Pecorino Cheese. Foods 2020, 9, 1091 .
AMA StyleFrancesco Serrapica, Felicia Masucci, Antonio Di Francia, Fabio Napolitano, Ada Braghieri, Giulia Esposito, Raffaele Romano. Seasonal Variation of Chemical Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, and Sensory Properties of a Mountain Pecorino Cheese. Foods. 2020; 9 (8):1091.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesco Serrapica; Felicia Masucci; Antonio Di Francia; Fabio Napolitano; Ada Braghieri; Giulia Esposito; Raffaele Romano. 2020. "Seasonal Variation of Chemical Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, and Sensory Properties of a Mountain Pecorino Cheese." Foods 9, no. 8: 1091.
The present study aims to identify margins for the improvement of dairy animal welfare and production based on the quality of the human−animal relationship (HAR). The main tool proposed to improve the quality of HAR in dairy animals is training of stock-people by targeting their attitude and behaviour. Given that a good quality HAR may benefit the welfare of dairy animals and productivity, new technologies, by monitoring the handling routine on farm, may be more effective in promoting good practices. In particular, the implementation of new technologies may allow identification of specific inappropriate behaviours to be targeted at stockperson level, thus increasing the efficacy of training. However, an issue related to the introduction of new technologies in the farms, particularly in those that follow traditional farming practices, is the resistance to innovation which may be encountered.
Fabio Napolitano; Andrea Bragaglio; Emilio Sabia; Francesco Serrapica; Ada Braghieri; Giuseppe De Rosa. The human−animal relationship in dairy animals. Journal of Dairy Research 2020, 87, 47 -52.
AMA StyleFabio Napolitano, Andrea Bragaglio, Emilio Sabia, Francesco Serrapica, Ada Braghieri, Giuseppe De Rosa. The human−animal relationship in dairy animals. Journal of Dairy Research. 2020; 87 (S1):47-52.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFabio Napolitano; Andrea Bragaglio; Emilio Sabia; Francesco Serrapica; Ada Braghieri; Giuseppe De Rosa. 2020. "The human−animal relationship in dairy animals." Journal of Dairy Research 87, no. S1: 47-52.
We aimed to assess whether the environmental impacts in terms of global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), and land occupation (LO) of beef can be decreased when ecosystem and cultural/provisioning services are included in the evaluation. We used four Italian production systems: Fat, with beef imported calves kept in confinement; CoCaI, with beef cows and calves kept in confinement; SpEx, with beef cows and calves kept on pasture and finishing conducted in confinement; and Pod, with Podolian cows and calves kept on pasture and finishing conducted in confinement. After the economic allocation, the GWP of system Pod decreased considerably and showed values lower than those computed for systems CoCaI and SpEx (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). System Pod showed the lowest AP and EP as compared with all the other systems (P < 0.01). Systems Fat and CoCaI showed the smallest LO, with values lower than systems Pod (P < 0.05) and SpEx (P < 0.001). We conclude that the environmental impacts of extensive and local beef production systems in terms of GWP, AP, and EP was markedly reduced when the provision of accessory services was included in the calculation. Conversely, LO did not markedly change due to the high absolute values needed to allow pasture-based feeding. The estimation of additional positive aspects linked to the use of natural pastures, such as removal of carbon dioxide, increased biodiversity, and exploitation of feeds nonedible by humans, may allow a further reduction of LO.
Andrea Bragaglio; Ada Braghieri; Corrado Pacelli; Fabio Napolitano. Environmental Impacts of Beef as Corrected for the Provision of Ecosystem Services. Sustainability 2020, 12, 3828 .
AMA StyleAndrea Bragaglio, Ada Braghieri, Corrado Pacelli, Fabio Napolitano. Environmental Impacts of Beef as Corrected for the Provision of Ecosystem Services. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (9):3828.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndrea Bragaglio; Ada Braghieri; Corrado Pacelli; Fabio Napolitano. 2020. "Environmental Impacts of Beef as Corrected for the Provision of Ecosystem Services." Sustainability 12, no. 9: 3828.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the use of chickpea meal in substitution of soybean meal on plasma metabolites, reproductive response, milk yield and composition and milk coagulation traits of primiparous buffaloes in early lactation. Eighteen primiparous buffaloes were blocked by age, body weight and days in milk and equally allotted to two experimental groups from 10 to 100 days of lactation. The experimental diets consisted of the same forage integrated with two different isonitrogenous and isoenergetic concentrates containing either 210 g/kg of soybean meal or 371 g/kg chickpea. The use of chickpea meal had no negative effects on dry matter intake (p = 0.69), body condition score (p = 0.33) and milk yield (p = 0.15). Neither milk composition nor blood metabolites were influenced by dietary treatments (p > 0.05), but an increment of urea concentrations in milk (p < 0.05) and blood plasma (p < 0.001) were observed in buffaloes fed chickpeas. Moreover, no effect (p > 0.05) of the dietary treatment was highlighted on milk coagulation traits as well as buffalo reproductive responses. We concluded that soybean meal can be replaced by chickpea meal in the diet for primiparous dairy buffaloes in the early lactation period without impairing their productive and reproductive performance.
Francesco Serrapica; Felicia Masucci; Raffaele Romano; Fabio Napolitano; Emilio Sabia; Alessandra Aiello; Antonio Di Francia. Effects of Chickpea in Substitution of Soybean Meal on Milk Production, Blood Profile and Reproductive Response of Primiparous Buffaloes in Early Lactation. Animals 2020, 10, 515 .
AMA StyleFrancesco Serrapica, Felicia Masucci, Raffaele Romano, Fabio Napolitano, Emilio Sabia, Alessandra Aiello, Antonio Di Francia. Effects of Chickpea in Substitution of Soybean Meal on Milk Production, Blood Profile and Reproductive Response of Primiparous Buffaloes in Early Lactation. Animals. 2020; 10 (3):515.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesco Serrapica; Felicia Masucci; Raffaele Romano; Fabio Napolitano; Emilio Sabia; Alessandra Aiello; Antonio Di Francia. 2020. "Effects of Chickpea in Substitution of Soybean Meal on Milk Production, Blood Profile and Reproductive Response of Primiparous Buffaloes in Early Lactation." Animals 10, no. 3: 515.
Sheep milk production is an important livestock sector for the European Mediterranean countries including the regions of southern Italy. The main objective of this study was to investigate the carbon footprint and the related damages generated by dairy sheep farming by using a simplified LCA approach based on the ReCiPe End-point method. We used 1 kg of Fat and Protein Corrected Milk (FPCM) as functional unit (FU). The average flock size was about 400 animals and the average farm size was about 66 ha. In addition to milk all farms produced meat and wool. Therefore, we performed an economic allocation by dividing all inputs and outputs among milk and the other two co-products (meat and wool), based on farm financial statements. The CF impact determined by 1 kg of FPCM was 3.78 kg CO2-eq. The highest CF impact was mainly due to the enteric fermentation, producing biogenic CH4 as the prevalent chemical compound, followed by the production of meadow hay. Based on the ReCiPe End-point method the impact of 1 kg of FPCM from dairy sheep farming was 7.35 E-06 Disability Adjusted Life Years, whereas the Damage to Ecosystem Diversity was 3.29 E-07 Species*year and the value of the Damage to Resource Availability 0.025 $. In conclusion, the environmental management and sustainability of sheep farms should be constantly controlled with the aim of minimizing their impacts without compromising the competitiveness of this productive sector.
Emilio Sabia; Matthias Gauly; Fabio Napolitano; Francesco Serrapica; Giulia Francesca Cifuni; Salvatore Claps. Dairy sheep carbon footprint and ReCiPe end-point study. Small Ruminant Research 2020, 185, 106085 .
AMA StyleEmilio Sabia, Matthias Gauly, Fabio Napolitano, Francesco Serrapica, Giulia Francesca Cifuni, Salvatore Claps. Dairy sheep carbon footprint and ReCiPe end-point study. Small Ruminant Research. 2020; 185 ():106085.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEmilio Sabia; Matthias Gauly; Fabio Napolitano; Francesco Serrapica; Giulia Francesca Cifuni; Salvatore Claps. 2020. "Dairy sheep carbon footprint and ReCiPe end-point study." Small Ruminant Research 185, no. : 106085.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the forage preservation method (silage vs. hay) on volatile compounds and sensory properties of a traditional Caciocavallo cheese during ripening. A brown-midrib sudangrass hybrid was cultivated on a 7-ha field and at harvesting it was half ensiled in plastic silo bags and half dried to hay. Forty-four lactating cows were equally allotted into 2 groups fed a isonitrogenous and isoenergetic total mixed ration containing as the sole forage either sorghum hay (H group) or sorghum silage (S group). Milk from the 2 groups was used to produce 3 batches/diet of Caciocavallo ripened for 30, 60, and 90 d. Milk yield and composition as well as cheese chemical and fatty acid composition were not markedly affected by the diet treatment and ripening time. By contrast, ripening induced increased levels of the appearance attribute "yellowness," along with the "overall flavor," the odor/flavor attributes "butter" and "hay," the "salty," "bitter," and "umami" tastes, and the texture attribute "oiliness," whereas the appearance attribute "uniformity" and the texture attribute "elasticity" were reduced. The silage-based diet induced higher perceived intensities of several attributes such as "yellowness"; "overall flavor"; "butter"; "grass" and "hay" odor/flavors; "salty," "bitter," and "umami" tastes; and "tenderness" and "oiliness" textures. In S cheese we also observed higher amounts of ketones and fatty acids. Conversely, H cheese showed the terpene α-pinene, which was not detected in S cheese, and a higher intensity of the appearance attribute "uniformity." These differences allowed the trained panel to discriminate the products, determined an increased consumer liking for 90-d ripened cheese, and tended to increase consumer liking for hay cheese.
F. Serrapica; P. Uzun; F. Masucci; F. Napolitano; A. Braghieri; A. Genovese; R. Sacchi; Raffaele Romano; C.M.A. Barone; A. Di Francia. Hay or silage? How the forage preservation method changes the volatile compounds and sensory properties of Caciocavallo cheese. Journal of Dairy Science 2020, 103, 1391 -1403.
AMA StyleF. Serrapica, P. Uzun, F. Masucci, F. Napolitano, A. Braghieri, A. Genovese, R. Sacchi, Raffaele Romano, C.M.A. Barone, A. Di Francia. Hay or silage? How the forage preservation method changes the volatile compounds and sensory properties of Caciocavallo cheese. Journal of Dairy Science. 2020; 103 (2):1391-1403.
Chicago/Turabian StyleF. Serrapica; P. Uzun; F. Masucci; F. Napolitano; A. Braghieri; A. Genovese; R. Sacchi; Raffaele Romano; C.M.A. Barone; A. Di Francia. 2020. "Hay or silage? How the forage preservation method changes the volatile compounds and sensory properties of Caciocavallo cheese." Journal of Dairy Science 103, no. 2: 1391-1403.
Gastrointestinal parasite infections represent a major welfare problem in small ruminants reared in extensive systems, which may be exacerbated by anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, we aimed to study the efficacy of albendazole and ivermectin in sheep. Eighty-six animals were selected from commercial farms in the temperate area of the State of Mexico at the age of seven months. These animals were randomly distributed into three groups: Group A, treated with albendazole, Group I, treated with ivermectin and Group C, left untreated. Faecal samples were collected before the anthelmintic was administered and 15 days post-treatment. Both Group A and Group I displayed a significant decrease of faecal egg counts when pre- and post-treatment values were compared (p = 0.003 and p = 0.049, respectively), and a significantly lower faecal egg count when compared with Group C after the treatment (p < 0.05). However, the faecal egg count reduction test showed that gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) developed anthelmintic resistance to both albendazole and ivermectin. The results of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allowed the identification of Cooperia spp., and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. The allele-specific PCR results confirmed that T. colubriformis was resistant to albendazole. In conclusion, this study showed the presence of resistant GIN to albendazole and ivermectin in sheep reared in Mexican temperate zones. Therefore, nematode infections should be systematically monitored in order to implement integrated management strategies to prevent the spread of anthelmintic resistance.
Jaime Mondragon; Agustín Olmedo-Juárez; David Emanuel Reyes-Guerrero; Gabriel Ramírez-Vargas; Amairany Emithziry Ariza-Román; María Eugenia López-Arellano; Pedro Mendoza De Gives; Fabio Napolitano. Detection of Gastrointestinal Nematode Populations Resistant to Albendazole and Ivermectin in Sheep. Animals 2019, 9, 775 .
AMA StyleJaime Mondragon, Agustín Olmedo-Juárez, David Emanuel Reyes-Guerrero, Gabriel Ramírez-Vargas, Amairany Emithziry Ariza-Román, María Eugenia López-Arellano, Pedro Mendoza De Gives, Fabio Napolitano. Detection of Gastrointestinal Nematode Populations Resistant to Albendazole and Ivermectin in Sheep. Animals. 2019; 9 (10):775.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJaime Mondragon; Agustín Olmedo-Juárez; David Emanuel Reyes-Guerrero; Gabriel Ramírez-Vargas; Amairany Emithziry Ariza-Román; María Eugenia López-Arellano; Pedro Mendoza De Gives; Fabio Napolitano. 2019. "Detection of Gastrointestinal Nematode Populations Resistant to Albendazole and Ivermectin in Sheep." Animals 9, no. 10: 775.
Until now, most research has focused on the development of indicators of negative welfare, and relatively few studies provide information on valid, reliable, and feasible indicators addressing positive aspects of animal welfare. However, a lack of suffering does not guarantee that animals are experiencing a positive welfare state. The aim of the present review is to identify promising valid and reliable animal-based indicators for the assessment of positive welfare that might be included in welfare assessment protocols for ruminants, and to discuss them in the light of the five domains model, highlighting possible gaps to be filled by future research. Based on the existing literature in the main databases, each indicator was evaluated in terms of its validity, reliability, and on-farm feasibility. Some valid indicators were identified, but a lot of the validity evidence is based on their absence when a negative situation is present; furthermore, only a few indicators are available in the domains of Nutrition and Health. Reliability has been seldom addressed. On-farm feasibility could be increased by developing specific sampling strategies and/or relying on the use of video- or automatic-recording devices. In conclusion, several indicators are potentially available (e.g., synchronisation of lying and feeding, coat or fleece condition, qualitative behaviour assessment), but further research is required.
Silvana Mattiello; Monica Battini; Giuseppe De Rosa; Fabio Napolitano; Cathy Dwyer. How Can We Assess Positive Welfare in Ruminants? Animals 2019, 9, 758 .
AMA StyleSilvana Mattiello, Monica Battini, Giuseppe De Rosa, Fabio Napolitano, Cathy Dwyer. How Can We Assess Positive Welfare in Ruminants? Animals. 2019; 9 (10):758.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilvana Mattiello; Monica Battini; Giuseppe De Rosa; Fabio Napolitano; Cathy Dwyer. 2019. "How Can We Assess Positive Welfare in Ruminants?" Animals 9, no. 10: 758.
Con el fin de evaluar los principios (alimentación, instalaciones, salud y comportamiento) de bienestar de los ovinos en pequeñas unidades productivas (PUP) se aplicó el protocolo de Indicadores de Bienestar Animal (Animal Welfare Indicators, AWIN por sus siglas en inglés) modificado para las condiciones de PUP del noroeste del Estado de México. Se evaluaron 10 PUP con un total de 217 ovinos. Los resultados arrojan un índice de bienestar animal bueno (2.34) en las PUP evaluadas. Este valor fue afectado por los indicadores condición corporal, mortalidad, suciedad de la lana, mutilación de la cola, anemia producida por parasitosis interna evaluada por el método FAMACHA (apócope de François Malan Chart) y zona de fuga. Para validar y generalizar la herramienta generada en este estudio, futuros trabajos deberán ampliar la muestra de PUP y de ovinos participantes.
Jaime Mondragón-Ancelmo; Patricia García-Hernández; Germán Gómez-Tenorio; Marcia Del Campo-Gigena; Fabio Napolitano. Indicadores de bienestar animal: Acercamiento desde pequeñas unidades de producción de ovinos bajo un sistema semiintensivo. Investigación y Ciencia de la Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes 2019, 5 -13.
AMA StyleJaime Mondragón-Ancelmo, Patricia García-Hernández, Germán Gómez-Tenorio, Marcia Del Campo-Gigena, Fabio Napolitano. Indicadores de bienestar animal: Acercamiento desde pequeñas unidades de producción de ovinos bajo un sistema semiintensivo. Investigación y Ciencia de la Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes. 2019; (78):5-13.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJaime Mondragón-Ancelmo; Patricia García-Hernández; Germán Gómez-Tenorio; Marcia Del Campo-Gigena; Fabio Napolitano. 2019. "Indicadores de bienestar animal: Acercamiento desde pequeñas unidades de producción de ovinos bajo un sistema semiintensivo." Investigación y Ciencia de la Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes , no. 78: 5-13.
As different animal welfare assessment schemes are based on different assumptions but all have similar welfare claims, we studied the degree of agreement among three systems, two mainly based on resource-based measures: Animal Needs Index (ANI) and Lombardy Extension Service Index (IBS) and one mainly based on animal based-measures (i.e. Welfare Quality®). Thirty-three dairy cattle farms were assessed by one trained assessor. In order to make the welfare categories of the different welfare assessment systems comparable with one another the first three welfare categories of the ANI scheme were merged into a not acceptable category so that a score scale with 4 welfare categories was obtained. Then, we calculated the Cohen's weighted kappa (k) to assess the degree of agreement between the three welfare assessment systems in terms of welfare categories. In addition, the correlation between pair of systems in terms of total scores (the mean of the four principles of the Welfare Quality® was used for this calculation) was calculated using the Spearman correlation coefficient (rs). Our results showed that only few farms were scored in the same welfare category of different welfare assessment systems as only 12.1% of the farms were scored as enhanced and 3% of the farms were scored as acceptable according to all three welfare assessment systems. Based on k statistics, the degree of agreement in terms of welfare categories was not significant for the pairs IBS – ANI (k=0.128; P=0.130) and WQ – ANI (k=0.014; P=0.850), whereas it tended to be significant for the pair WQ - IBS (k=0.256; P=0.070). The Spearman correlation coefficient of the total scores confirmed the low agreement among the three systems. In particular, the correlation coefficients between ANI-IBS, IBS-WQ and ANI-WQ were rs= 0.022, 0.208 and -0,068, respectively, and none of them was significant (P= 0.905, P= 0.246 and P= 0.707, respectively). Significant correlations were only observed between the Welfare Quality® principle “Good health” and the somatic cell counts (rs=-0.500; P=0.003), the number of lactating animals (rs=-0.360; P=0.040), the total number of cows per herd (rs=-0.339; P=0.053), whereas the correlation of the same principle with mortality (rs=-0.315; P=0.074) and calving interval ((rs=-0.330; P=0.070) tended to be significant. We conclude that different schemes based on different assessment criteria yield different results albeit making similar welfare claims.
G. De Rosa; R. Di Palo; R. Serafini; F. Grasso; A. Bragaglio; A. Braghieri; Fabio Napolitano. Different assessment systems fail to agree on the evaluation of dairy cattle welfare at farm level. Livestock Science 2019, 229, 145 -149.
AMA StyleG. De Rosa, R. Di Palo, R. Serafini, F. Grasso, A. Bragaglio, A. Braghieri, Fabio Napolitano. Different assessment systems fail to agree on the evaluation of dairy cattle welfare at farm level. Livestock Science. 2019; 229 ():145-149.
Chicago/Turabian StyleG. De Rosa; R. Di Palo; R. Serafini; F. Grasso; A. Bragaglio; A. Braghieri; Fabio Napolitano. 2019. "Different assessment systems fail to agree on the evaluation of dairy cattle welfare at farm level." Livestock Science 229, no. : 145-149.
Plant phenolics are powerful antioxidants and free radical scavengers that can contribute to the healthy functional properties of plant-based food and beverages. Thus, dietary behaviours rich in plant-based food and beverages are encouraged. However, it is well-known that the bitter taste and other low-appealing sensory properties that characterize vegetables and some other plant-based foods act as an innate barrier for their acceptance. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of psychological traits and PROP status (the responsiveness to bitter taste of 6-n- propylthiouracil) on the choice of and familiarity with phenol-rich vegetables and beverages varying in recalled level of bitterness and astringency. Study 1 aimed at assessing the variations of the sensory properties of vegetable and coffee/tea items with two check-all-that-apply (CATA) questionnaires (n = 201 and n = 188 individuals, respectively). Study 2 aimed at investigating how sensitivity to punishment, to reward, and to disgust, food neophobia, private body consciousness, alexithymia, and PROP responsiveness affect choice and familiarity with phenol-rich foods (n = 1200 individuals). A Choice Index was calculated for vegetables (CV) and coffee/tea (CC) as a mean of the choices of the more bitter/astringent option of the pairs and four Familiarity Indices were computed for vegetables (FV) and coffee/tea (FC), higher (+) or lower (-) in bitterness and astringency. Subjects higher in food neophobia, sensitivity to punishment or sensitivity to disgust reported significantly lower choice indices than individuals lower in these traits, meaning that they systematically opted for the least bitter/astringent option within the pairs. Familiarity with vegetables was lower in individuals high in sensitivity to punishment, in food neophobia and in alexithymia, irrespective of their sensory properties. The Familiarity Index with coffee/tea characterized by higher bitterness and astringency was lower in individuals high in food neophobia, sensitivity to disgust, and alexithymia. No significant effect of PROP was found on any indices. The proposed approach based on product grouping according to differences in bitterness and astringency allowed the investigation of the role of individual differences in chemosensory perception and of psychological traits as modulators of phenol-rich foods preference and consumption.
Alessandra De Toffoli; Sara Spinelli; Erminio Monteleone; Elena Arena; Rossella Di Monaco; Isabella Endrizzi; Tullia Gallina Toschi; Monica Laureati; Fabio Napolitano; Luisa Torri; Caterina Dinnella. Influences of Psychological Traits and PROP Taster Status on Familiarity with and Choice of Phenol-Rich Foods and Beverages. Nutrients 2019, 11, 1329 .
AMA StyleAlessandra De Toffoli, Sara Spinelli, Erminio Monteleone, Elena Arena, Rossella Di Monaco, Isabella Endrizzi, Tullia Gallina Toschi, Monica Laureati, Fabio Napolitano, Luisa Torri, Caterina Dinnella. Influences of Psychological Traits and PROP Taster Status on Familiarity with and Choice of Phenol-Rich Foods and Beverages. Nutrients. 2019; 11 (6):1329.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessandra De Toffoli; Sara Spinelli; Erminio Monteleone; Elena Arena; Rossella Di Monaco; Isabella Endrizzi; Tullia Gallina Toschi; Monica Laureati; Fabio Napolitano; Luisa Torri; Caterina Dinnella. 2019. "Influences of Psychological Traits and PROP Taster Status on Familiarity with and Choice of Phenol-Rich Foods and Beverages." Nutrients 11, no. 6: 1329.
In order to assess the level of sheep welfare in small traditional farms as compared with farms of increased size we evaluated several animal-based parameters and applied a modified Animal Needs Index (ANI) protocol in farms located in the North-East of the country. We selected ten sheep farms: 5 farms had less than 20 ewes per flock (Group L20), whereas 5 farms had more than 20 ewes per flock (Group M20). Based on the recordings performed using the ANI scheme Group L20 constantly showed higher scores as compared with Group M20. In Group M20 a higher proportion of animals was affected by skin and wool damages, low body condition, tail mutilation, ocular discharge, nasal discharge, diarrhoea (P < 0.05) and lameness (P < 0.01). We observed a higher percentage of non-anaemic animals in group L20 and a higher percentage of anaemic animals in Group M20 (P < 0.01). Although based on a small sample, our results showed that several animal-based measures were able to discriminate the two groups of farms with higher levels of animal welfare detected in small flocks.
Jaime Mondragon; Patricia García Hernández; Rolando Rojo Rubio; Ignacio Arturo Domínguez Vara; Marcia Del Campo Gigena; Fabio Napolitano. Small Flocks Show Higher Levels of Welfare in Mexican Semi-Intensive Sheep Farming Systems. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 2019, 23, 348 -355.
AMA StyleJaime Mondragon, Patricia García Hernández, Rolando Rojo Rubio, Ignacio Arturo Domínguez Vara, Marcia Del Campo Gigena, Fabio Napolitano. Small Flocks Show Higher Levels of Welfare in Mexican Semi-Intensive Sheep Farming Systems. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. 2019; 23 (3):348-355.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJaime Mondragon; Patricia García Hernández; Rolando Rojo Rubio; Ignacio Arturo Domínguez Vara; Marcia Del Campo Gigena; Fabio Napolitano. 2019. "Small Flocks Show Higher Levels of Welfare in Mexican Semi-Intensive Sheep Farming Systems." Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 23, no. 3: 348-355.
This study aimed to assess the relationship between stockperson behavior and buffalo behavior. The research was carried out in 27 buffalo farms. The behavior of stockpeople and animals during milking and the avoidance distance at the feeding place were recorded. Recordings were repeated within one month to assess test-retest reliability. A high degree of test-retest reliability was observed for all the variables with Spearman rank correlation coefficients (rs) ranging from 0.578 (p = 0.002, df = 25) for the number of kicks performed during milking to 0.937 (p < 0.001, df = 25) for the percentage of animals moving when approached by ≤ 0.5 m. The number of negative stockperson interactions correlated positively with the number of kicks during milking (rs = 0.421, p < 0.028, df = 25) and the percentage of animals injected with oxytocin (rs = 0.424, p < 0.027), whereas the percentage of negative stockperson interactions correlated positively with the percentage of buffaloes moving when approached at a distance >1 m (rs = 0.415, p < 0.031, df = 25). In a subsample of 14 farms, milk yield was correlated positively with the number of positive interactions (rs = 0.588, p < 0.027, df = 12) and correlated negatively with the number of steps performed by the animals during milking (rs = -0.820, p < 0.001, df = 12). This study showed that the quality of stockpeople interactions may affect buffalo behavior and production.
Fabio Napolitano; Francesco Serrapica; Ada Braghieri; Felicia Masucci; Emilio Sabia; Giuseppe De Rosa. Human-Animal Interactions in Dairy Buffalo Farms. Animals 2019, 9, 246 .
AMA StyleFabio Napolitano, Francesco Serrapica, Ada Braghieri, Felicia Masucci, Emilio Sabia, Giuseppe De Rosa. Human-Animal Interactions in Dairy Buffalo Farms. Animals. 2019; 9 (5):246.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFabio Napolitano; Francesco Serrapica; Ada Braghieri; Felicia Masucci; Emilio Sabia; Giuseppe De Rosa. 2019. "Human-Animal Interactions in Dairy Buffalo Farms." Animals 9, no. 5: 246.
The production of biogas from anaerobic digestion (AD) of residual agro-food biomasses represents an opportunity for alternative production of energy from renewable sources, according to the European Union legislation on renewable energy. This review provides an overview of the various aspects involved in this process with a focus on the best process conditions to be used for AD-based biogas production from residual agro-food biomasses. After a schematic description of the AD phases, the biogas plants with advanced technologies were described, pointing out the strengths and the weaknesses of the different digester technologies and indicating the main parameters and operating conditions to be monitored. Subsequently, a brief analysis of the factors affecting methane yield from manure AD was conducted and the AD of fruit and vegetables waste was examined. Particular attention was given to studies on co-digestion and pre-treatments as strategies to improve biogas yield. Finally, the selection of specific microorganisms and the genetic manipulation of anaerobic bacteria to speed up the AD process was illustrated. The open challenges concern the achievement of the highest renewable energy yields reusing agro-food waste with the lowest environmental impact and an increment of competitiveness of the agricultural sector in the perspective of a circular economy.
Marisa Carmela Caruso; Ada Braghieri; Angela Capece; Fabio Napolitano; Patrizia Romano; Fernanda Galgano; Giuseppe Altieri; Francesco Genovese. Recent Updates on the Use of Agro-Food Waste for Biogas Production. Applied Sciences 2019, 9, 1217 .
AMA StyleMarisa Carmela Caruso, Ada Braghieri, Angela Capece, Fabio Napolitano, Patrizia Romano, Fernanda Galgano, Giuseppe Altieri, Francesco Genovese. Recent Updates on the Use of Agro-Food Waste for Biogas Production. Applied Sciences. 2019; 9 (6):1217.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarisa Carmela Caruso; Ada Braghieri; Angela Capece; Fabio Napolitano; Patrizia Romano; Fernanda Galgano; Giuseppe Altieri; Francesco Genovese. 2019. "Recent Updates on the Use of Agro-Food Waste for Biogas Production." Applied Sciences 9, no. 6: 1217.
A holistic approach was set up to first identify the main dimensions affecting consumer decisions for purchasing mozzarella cheese and then modulate these aspects to meet consumer expectations. As sensory properties and absence of preservatives were identified through a preliminary food choice questionnaire, we compared two starters (commercial versus natural) and two preservation liquids (traditional versus inoculated solution) to evaluate their effects on sensory profile and shelf-life. Based on partial least squares regression, the largest subgroup of consumers preferred mozzarella made by natural starter, whereas there was no significant difference between the liking scores for the two preservation liquids studied. Lower counts of Enterobacteriaceae and psychrotrophs were observed in the product kept in the inoculated preservation solution. Therefore, the combination of the natural starter with the inoculated preservation liquid may represent the best option to meet the expectations of the consumers of mozzarella in terms of sensory characteristics and absence of preservatives.
Ada Braghieri; Teresa Zotta; Giuseppe Morone; Nicoletta Piazzolla; Majid Majlesi; Fabio Napolitano. Starter cultures and preservation liquids modulate consumer liking and shelf life of mozzarella cheese. International Dairy Journal 2018, 85, 254 -262.
AMA StyleAda Braghieri, Teresa Zotta, Giuseppe Morone, Nicoletta Piazzolla, Majid Majlesi, Fabio Napolitano. Starter cultures and preservation liquids modulate consumer liking and shelf life of mozzarella cheese. International Dairy Journal. 2018; 85 ():254-262.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAda Braghieri; Teresa Zotta; Giuseppe Morone; Nicoletta Piazzolla; Majid Majlesi; Fabio Napolitano. 2018. "Starter cultures and preservation liquids modulate consumer liking and shelf life of mozzarella cheese." International Dairy Journal 85, no. : 254-262.
We aimed to verify whether Continuous Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (10 observers used a list of six qualitative descriptors) paired with Temporal Dominant Behavioural Expression (the same observers were asked to select the dominant descriptor and to score its intensity level) was able to monitor fluctuations of animal behaviour expression over time. We applied these techniques to three groups of juvenile goats either weaned (group C), or un-weaned (groups WOM and WM). Each animal was separated from its group, moved to group C and tested for 30 min either while their mothers were at pasture, or while their mothers were in an adjacent pen (group WOM and WM, respectively). Animals from group C were separated from their group and immediately reintroduced to it. TDBE duration and score of each descriptor of behavioural expression were able to detect differences among groups but were unable to describe how the behaviour of the goats changed as the time progressed. TDBE curves described the evolution of each behavioural expression of each animal over time but were unable to detect differences among groups. The χ2 test conducted on peaks of dominance, albeit displaying the variations of the behavioural expression over time and allowing the assessment of differences among groups, focussed on occurrences of higher agreement between observers while neglecting most of the information concerning the descriptors above the level of significance. Conversely, based on mixed analysis of variance with the fixed effects of group, test interval and group x test interval (animal nested into group and observer were considered to be random), most of the descriptors were able to discriminate the three experimental groups while preserving the information on the fluctuations of the behavioural expression of the animals during the test.
Fabio Napolitano; Maria Serrapica; Ada Braghieri; Salvatore Claps; Francesco Serrapica; Giuseppe De Rosa. Can we monitor adaptation of juvenile goats to a new social environment through continuous qualitative behaviour assessment? PLOS ONE 2018, 13, e0200165 .
AMA StyleFabio Napolitano, Maria Serrapica, Ada Braghieri, Salvatore Claps, Francesco Serrapica, Giuseppe De Rosa. Can we monitor adaptation of juvenile goats to a new social environment through continuous qualitative behaviour assessment? PLOS ONE. 2018; 13 (7):e0200165.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFabio Napolitano; Maria Serrapica; Ada Braghieri; Salvatore Claps; Francesco Serrapica; Giuseppe De Rosa. 2018. "Can we monitor adaptation of juvenile goats to a new social environment through continuous qualitative behaviour assessment?" PLOS ONE 13, no. 7: e0200165.