The early lactation phase in dairy cows is characterised by significant metabolic and inflammatory changes. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs), a marker of negative energy balance (NEB), and serum amyloid A (SAA), an indicator of systemic inflammation. Blood samples were collected from 71 Holstein cows during the transition period 17 (±3) DIM, and serum concentrations of NEFAs and SAA were measured. The results revealed a significant negative correlation between NEFAs and SAA (r = −0.441, p < 0.001), suggesting that increased fat mobilisation may suppress the inflammatory response, thereby increasing the susceptibility to metabolic and infectious diseases. The emerging research indicates a negative association between SAA levels and milk fat-to-protein ratio in dairy cows, particularly under inflammatory conditions. The research indicates that elevated levels of SAA, which is an inflammatory biomarker, are frequently associated with alterations in milk composition, including a reduced fat-to-protein ratio. This study examined the correlations among serum NEFAs, SAA, milk composition, and dairy cattle health. A strong positive correlation was identified between serum NEFAs and milk fat content (r = 0.459, p < 0.001), as well as between serum NEFAs and the milk fat-to-protein ratio (r = 0.516, p < 0.001). Cows with elevated serum NEFA levels (classified as II-NEFA) exhibited significantly higher milk fat content (4.20%) and milk fat-to-protein ratios (1.33) compared to cows with lower serum NEFA levels (I-NEFA class; 3.81% and 1.17, respectively). The data indicate that elevated serum NEFA levels are associated with an increased milk fat synthesis, likely driven by enhanced fat mobilisation during NEB. A significant negative correlation was observed between SAA and both milk fat content (r = −0.426, p < 0.001) and the milk fat-to-protein ratio (r = −0.535, p < 0.001), indicating that inflammation may impair milk fat production. Elevated SAA levels were also associated with increased cow activity (r = 0.382, p < 0.001), suggesting that inflammation may lead to behavioural changes driven by discomfort. Our findings suggest that milk composition reflects the metabolic and inflammatory status of dairy cows and could serve as a non-invasive alternative to blood sampling for assessing energy balance and health. NEB, which typifies early lactation, promotes fat mobilisation, resulting in elevated serum NEFA levels and an increased risk of metabolic disorders such as fatty liver syndrome and ketosis. Moreover, high serum NEFA levels adversely affect immune function, increasing vulnerability to infections such as mastitis. Monitoring milk composition may enable the early detection of NEB and inflammatory conditions, thereby supporting proactive health management. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the role of NEFAs and inflammation in the development of metabolic diseases in cattle.

Assessing canine semen quality helps to detect infertility in males, but identifying factors that influence canine semen quality is a complicated task. The objective of this study was the assessment of the potential influence of bacteria found in canine semen samples on the characteristics of dogs’ semen. In this study, semen samples were collected manually from 30 dogs and subjected to a comprehensive examination. The results of sperm motility, concentration, viability, and morphology were statistically analysed in relation to the number of bacteria in the semen (CFUs/mL) and the seminal microbiota. Samples with an increased bacterial count per millilitre were associated with lower-quality sperm motility (p < 0.05). The most frequently isolated bacterial genera from the analysed semen samples were Staphylococcus spp. (26.0%), Corynebacterium spp. (17.8%), and Streptococcus spp. (16.4%). The presence of β-haemolytic Escherichia coli bacteria was linked to suboptimal semen samples, characterised by significantly reduced semen viability and a lower proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa (p < 0.05). Corynebacterium spp. was associated with reduced bacterial load and superior semen quality (p < 0.01). These findings highlight the importance of bacterial cell counts and microbiota diversity in relation to various factors influencing canine semen quality, providing a more comprehensive understanding of canine reproductive well-being.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of progesterone concentration (P4) and ovarian structure models before initiation of different synchronization programmes on pregnancy outcomes per artificial insemination (AI) (P/AI) in beef cattle. Cattle were randomly assigned to one of three different synchronization programes (8-d PRID+7PGF&TAI, PGF 7-d Select Synch+PRID&TAI and 7-d PRID+6PGF & TAI); blood sampling and ultrasound examinations were performed before (day -7) and at initiation (day 0) of synchronizations, and during the experiment. The models were designed based on the turnover in P4 and ovarian structures at day -7 and day 0: groups of Model 1 were based on P4 (= 4 ng/ml); groups of Model 2 were based on P4 (= 1 ng/ml) and referred to the phase of the oestrus cycle; groups of Model 3 were based on follicle (F) diameter (absent, = 10 mm); groups of Model 4 were based on corpus luteum (CL) diameter (absent, = 21 mm). It was indicated that P/AI for heifers and cows were 54.6 and 55.3% in the 1st, 61.5 and 60.6% in the 2nd and 36.1% (only cows) in the 3rd synchronizations (P < 0.05), respectively. Significant effect on P/AI of Model 1 in the LH, HL, HM, HH groups (P < 0.05) was found in 2nd and of Model 4 in MA, MM, HH, LA in 1st (P < 0.05) synchronizations. So, the presence of higher P4 concentration (Model 1) and CL (Model 4) before initiation of synchronizations improves P/AI in beef cattle.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nine different biological compounds to reduce mycotoxins concentrations. The hypothesis of this study was that a static in vitro gastrointestinal tract model, as an initial screening tool, can be used to simulate the efficacy of Geotrichum fermentans, Rhodotorula rubra, Kluyveromyce marxiamus yeast cell walls and their polysaccharides, red and white clay minerals, and walnuts nutshells claiming to detoxify AFB1, ZEA, DON, and T-2 toxin mycotoxins. Mycotoxin concentrations were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescent (FLD) and ultraviolet detectors (UV). The greatest effects on reducing mycotoxin concentrations were determined as follows: for AFB1, inserted G. fermentans cell wall polysaccharides and walnut nutshells; for ZEA, inserted R. rubra and G. fermentans cell walls and red clay minerals; for DON, R. rubra cell wall polysaccharides and red clay minerals; and for T-2 toxin, R. rubra cell walls, K. marxianus, and G. fermentans cell wall polysaccharides and walnut nutshells. The present study indicated that selected mycotoxin-detoxifying biological compounds can be used to decrease mycotoxin concentrations.

High-yielding dairy cows experience substantial metabolic stress from early lactation, potentially impairing reproductive performance; however, lactation curve characteristics have not been comprehensively evaluated within a single analytical framework as predictors of conception outcomes at first artificial insemination (AI). This study analyzed 270 clinically healthy multiparous Holstein cows managed under a standardized reproductive program on a commercial Lithuanian farm. Peak milk yield, days to peak, and absolute milk yield decline from peak to artificial insemination were derived from DairyPlan C21 records, and pregnancy was diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography. Associations with conception outcomes at first AI were assessed using multivariable logistic regression and chi-square tests. After adjustment for milk yield at AI, days to peak, and lactation number, peak milk yield was negatively associated in Model A (milk at AI model) with conception outcomes at first AI (OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.82–0.95, P = 0.001), although this association was not evident in unadjusted analysis (OR = 0.95, P = 0.342). Each additional day to peak was associated with approximately 2.2% lower odds of conception (OR = 0.978, 95% CI 0.961–0.994, P < 0.01). Post-peak decline had the strongest effect, with each 1-kg increase associated with a 12.6% decrease in the odds of conception (OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.81–0.94, P < 0.001) and conception rates decreasing across decline categories. These findings suggest that lactation curve traits, particularly post-peak decline (ΔMilk), represent the strongest variable associated with conception outcomes at first AI in high-yielding cows and may support exploratory decision-making regarding optimal artificial insemination timing using routinely collected milk data, pending validation in independent multi-herd studies.

The postpartum period in beef cows is characterized by complex physiological and reproductive changes that may influence the postpartum reproductive changes and estrus expression. This exploratory pilot study evaluated postpartum reproductive responses in Angus cows receiving grape extract supplementation while investigating associations among thermographic, behavioral, hormonal, and reticulorumen temperature indicators associated with estrus expression. Nineteen Angus cows were assigned to a control group (C; n = 10) or a treatment group receiving slow-release grape extract boluses (T; n = 9). From calving until artificial insemination, ocular and vulvar thermographic images, blood samples, and physiological measurements were obtained weekly between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Reticulorumen temperature and activity data were continuously recorded using intraruminal sensors. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis demonstrated an earlier onset of postpartum estrus in supplemented cows compared with controls (p = 0.010). Mean time to first estrus was 23.88 ± 1.86 days in the T group and 39.82 ± 5.05 days in the C group. No significant differences were observed between groups for most individual physiological or hormonal variables. Exploratory correlation analysis revealed moderate associations among vulvar temperature, ocular temperature, activity, estrus index, and reticulorumen temperature indicators. However, because diagnostic accuracy was not evaluated, these findings should not be interpreted as validation of estrus detection performance. The results suggest that multimodal physiological monitoring may provide complementary information related to postpartum estrus expression in beef cows, while grape extract supplementation may be associated with earlier postpartum reproductive recovery. Due to the exploratory study design and limited sample size, further studies are required to validate these preliminary observations.