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Emergency abdominal surgery carries high morbidity and mortality rates in human medicine; however, there is less evidence characterizing the outcome of these surgeries as a single group in dogs. The aim of the study was to characterize the clinical course, associated complications and outcome of dogs undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. A retrospective study was conducted. Dogs undergoing emergency laparotomy were included in the study. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify variables correlated with death and complications. Eighty-two dogs were included in the study. The most common reason for surgery was gastrointestinal foreign body. Overall 15-day mortality rate was 20.7% (17/82). Median (range) length of hospitalization was 3 (0.5 - 15) days. Of the 82 patients, 24 (29.3%) developed major complications and 66 (80.5%) minor complications. Perioperative factors significantly associated with death included tachycardia (P < 0.001), hypothermia (P < 0.001), lactate acidosis (P < 0.001), shock index > 1 (P < 0.001), leukopenia (P < 0.001), thrombocytopenia (P < 0.001) at admission; intraoperative hypotension (P < 0.001) and perioperative use of blood products (P < 0.001). The results of this study suggest that mortality and morbidity rates after emergency abdominal surgery in dogs are high.
Aida Fages; Carme Soler; Nuria Fernández-Salesa; Giuseppe Conte; Massimiliano Degani; Angela Briganti. Perioperative Outcome in Dogs Undergoing Emergency Abdominal Surgery: A Retrospective Study on 82 Cases (2018-2020). 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleAida Fages, Carme Soler, Nuria Fernández-Salesa, Giuseppe Conte, Massimiliano Degani, Angela Briganti. Perioperative Outcome in Dogs Undergoing Emergency Abdominal Surgery: A Retrospective Study on 82 Cases (2018-2020). . 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAida Fages; Carme Soler; Nuria Fernández-Salesa; Giuseppe Conte; Massimiliano Degani; Angela Briganti. 2021. "Perioperative Outcome in Dogs Undergoing Emergency Abdominal Surgery: A Retrospective Study on 82 Cases (2018-2020)." , no. : 1.
Colic horses show systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) clinical signs. Procalcitonin (PCT) showed increased circulating levels in sick horses. This study compares plasma PCT concentrations in healthy vs. SIRS negative/positive colic horses over time, and evaluates PCT and SIRS score potential correlation, to verify the usefulness of PCT for the evaluation of SIRS severity. Ninety-one horses were included; 43/91 were healthy, on basis of physical examination, blood work and SIRS score (score = 0), while 48/91 were sick colic horses, classified as SIRS-negative (score < 2) and positive (score ≥ 2). Moreover, a 0–6 point-scale SIRS score was calculated (assessing mucous membrane color and blood lactate concentration). PCT was evaluated at admission, and at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, using a commercial kit for equine species. We verified by the ANOVA test PCT differences between healthy vs. colic horses, healthy vs. SIRS-negative or SIRS-positive colic horses, at all sampling times, and the correlation between the SIRS score at admission with the SIRS score. Statistically significant differences were detected between healthy vs. all colic horses and between healthy vs. SIRS-positive or negative horses at all sampling times. No correlation was observed between the SIRS score at admission and PCT values. PCT was statistically higher in colic horses compared to the healthy ones, suggesting a role as a biomarker for colic.
Irene Nocera; Francesca Bonelli; Valentina Vitale; Valentina Meucci; Giuseppe Conte; Eduard Jose-Cunilleras; Luis Gracia-Calvo; Micaela Sgorbini. Evaluation of Plasmatic Procalcitonin in Healthy, and in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) Negative or Positive Colic Horses. Animals 2021, 11, 2015 .
AMA StyleIrene Nocera, Francesca Bonelli, Valentina Vitale, Valentina Meucci, Giuseppe Conte, Eduard Jose-Cunilleras, Luis Gracia-Calvo, Micaela Sgorbini. Evaluation of Plasmatic Procalcitonin in Healthy, and in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) Negative or Positive Colic Horses. Animals. 2021; 11 (7):2015.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIrene Nocera; Francesca Bonelli; Valentina Vitale; Valentina Meucci; Giuseppe Conte; Eduard Jose-Cunilleras; Luis Gracia-Calvo; Micaela Sgorbini. 2021. "Evaluation of Plasmatic Procalcitonin in Healthy, and in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) Negative or Positive Colic Horses." Animals 11, no. 7: 2015.
Body measurements could be used to estimate body weight (BW) with no need for a scale. The aim was to estimate heifers weight based on their body dimension characteristics. Twenty-five Holstein heifers represent the study group (SG); another 13 animals were evaluated as a validation group (VG). All the heifers were weighed (BW) and their wither height (WH), shin circumference (SC), heart girth circumference (HG), body length (BL), hip width (HW) and body condition score (BCS) were measured immediately after birth, and then weekly until 2 months and monthly until 15 months old. Equations were built with a stepwise regression in order to estimate the BW at each time using body measures for the SG. A linear regression was applied to evaluate the relationship between the estimated BW and the real BW. Equations found were to be statistically significant (r2 = 0.688 to 0.894; p< 0.0001). Three variables or fewer were needed for BW estimation a total of 11/23 times. Regression analysis indicated that the use of HG was promising in all the equations built for BW estimation. These models were feasible in the field; further studies will evaluate possible modifications to our equations based on different growing rate targets.
Luca Turini; Giuseppe Conte; Francesca Bonelli; Alessio Madrigali; Brenno Marani; Micaela Sgorbini; Marcello Mele. Designing Statistical Models for Holstein Rearing Heifers’ Weight Estimation from Birth to 15 Months Old Using Body Measurements. Animals 2021, 11, 1846 .
AMA StyleLuca Turini, Giuseppe Conte, Francesca Bonelli, Alessio Madrigali, Brenno Marani, Micaela Sgorbini, Marcello Mele. Designing Statistical Models for Holstein Rearing Heifers’ Weight Estimation from Birth to 15 Months Old Using Body Measurements. Animals. 2021; 11 (7):1846.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuca Turini; Giuseppe Conte; Francesca Bonelli; Alessio Madrigali; Brenno Marani; Micaela Sgorbini; Marcello Mele. 2021. "Designing Statistical Models for Holstein Rearing Heifers’ Weight Estimation from Birth to 15 Months Old Using Body Measurements." Animals 11, no. 7: 1846.
Background Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) and Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone agonists (GnRHa) are routinely used to induce ovulation in mares. However, GnRHa efficacy in transitional mares has been suggested to be low. Objectives The aims of this study were as follows: (a) to compare the efficacy of hCG and GnRHa in inducing the first ovulation of the breeding season and (b) to evaluate the correlation between ovulatory response, uterine oedema and teasing score at the time of treatment during the early or late transitional phase. Study design Randomised controlled superiority trial. Methods Mares in winter anoestrus were treated with sulpiride when at least two follicles reached a diameter of 25 mm. The day after the follicle reached 35 mm in diameter, mares in oestrus were treated with GnRHa buserelin (N = 29) or hCG (N = 33) and checked daily for ovulation. Results More mares (30/33, 90.1%) ovulated when the first ovulation after winter anoestrus was induced with hCG, than with GnRHa, (11/29, 38.0%) (P = .0001). Ovulation rate was lower in mares that did not show uterine oedema and full acceptance of the teaser stallion for at least three days before the treatment (32/41, 78% vs 9/21, 42.9%) P = .01. Main limitations Plasma LH and oestrogen concentrations were not performed. Conclusions These results demonstrate that hCG was more effective than GnRHa for inducing ovulation in the first cycle after winter anoestrus. Uterine oedema and behavioural signs of oestrus, for at least three days before the treatment, were predictors for a positive response to ovulation induction.
Diana Fanelli; Matteo Tesi; Alessandra Rota; Massimiliano Beltramo; Giuseppe Conte; Mario Giorgi; Giovanni Barsotti; Francesco Camillo; Duccio Panzani. hCG is more effective than the GnRH agonist buserelin for inducing the first ovulation of the breeding season in mares. Equine Veterinary Journal 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleDiana Fanelli, Matteo Tesi, Alessandra Rota, Massimiliano Beltramo, Giuseppe Conte, Mario Giorgi, Giovanni Barsotti, Francesco Camillo, Duccio Panzani. hCG is more effective than the GnRH agonist buserelin for inducing the first ovulation of the breeding season in mares. Equine Veterinary Journal. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDiana Fanelli; Matteo Tesi; Alessandra Rota; Massimiliano Beltramo; Giuseppe Conte; Mario Giorgi; Giovanni Barsotti; Francesco Camillo; Duccio Panzani. 2021. "hCG is more effective than the GnRH agonist buserelin for inducing the first ovulation of the breeding season in mares." Equine Veterinary Journal , no. : 1.
This study aimed to characterise the fibre composition of Triceps brachii (TB) and Semimembranosus (SM) muscles from 20 Maremmana (MA) and 20 Aubrac (AU) steers, and the effect of grazing activity in comparison with feedlot system. The histochemical method was performed with the m-ATPase method with an acid pre-incubation, thus allowing to distinguish type I, IIA, and IIB fibres. Additionally, on total RNA extracted from SM muscle, the expressions of atp1a1, mt-atp6, and capn1 genes were evaluated, in order to find potential associations with muscle fibre histochemical characteristics. In SM muscle, the MA steers had the greater frequency of oxidative fibres (type I and IIA) and the higher atp1a1 expression, in comparison to AU steers. Conversely, AU steers had a greater frequency of type IIB fibres, and the higher capn1 expression. A similar histochemical pattern was observed in TB muscle. The grazing activity was probably insufficient to determine differences both for fibre proportion and size, and gene expressions, except for mt-atp6 expression that was surprisingly highest in feedlot MA in comparison to other steers. These findings further the knowledge of muscle properties belonging to these breeds, and the effect of voluntary physical activity since few studies were available in this regard.
Giulia Foggi; Francesca Ciucci; Maria Conte; Laura Casarosa; Andrea Serra; Elisabetta Giannessi; Carla Lenzi; Stefano Salvioli; Giuseppe Conte; Marcello Mele. Histochemical Characterisation and Gene Expression Analysis of Skeletal Muscles from Maremmana and Aubrac Steers Reared on Grazing and Feedlot Systems. Animals 2021, 11, 656 .
AMA StyleGiulia Foggi, Francesca Ciucci, Maria Conte, Laura Casarosa, Andrea Serra, Elisabetta Giannessi, Carla Lenzi, Stefano Salvioli, Giuseppe Conte, Marcello Mele. Histochemical Characterisation and Gene Expression Analysis of Skeletal Muscles from Maremmana and Aubrac Steers Reared on Grazing and Feedlot Systems. Animals. 2021; 11 (3):656.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiulia Foggi; Francesca Ciucci; Maria Conte; Laura Casarosa; Andrea Serra; Elisabetta Giannessi; Carla Lenzi; Stefano Salvioli; Giuseppe Conte; Marcello Mele. 2021. "Histochemical Characterisation and Gene Expression Analysis of Skeletal Muscles from Maremmana and Aubrac Steers Reared on Grazing and Feedlot Systems." Animals 11, no. 3: 656.
The aims of the present study were to evaluate the correlation between IgG Serum Radial Immunodiffusion (SRID), Electrophoresis Gamma Globulins (EGG), Electrophoresis Total Protein (ETP) and the serum total protein (TP) analyzed by refractometry and by a dry chemistry analyzer (Biuret) and to estimate serum IgG concentrations using serum TP. A total of 36 samples collected at four different times (birth, 6, 12, 24 hours after birth) from nine Amiata donkey foals were evaluated with SRID, EGG, ETP, serum TP Biuret and refractometry. SRID IgG concentration increased significantly over time until T12. Serum TP analyzed with refractometry, electrophoresis and Biuret showed a statistically significant difference between T0 and T6 vs T12 and T24. A good or strong correlation was found between different tests performed. Equations to quantify serum IgG were created and can be used for estimating the donkey foals’ serum IgG in the first day of life. Serum TP refractometry showed a high correlation with SRID IgG (0.91) which may be a particularly useful and economic instrument to estimate the transfer of immunity in donkey foals during the first day of life. Further studies evaluating a high number of animals are needed in order to set specific cut-off values.
Luca Turini; Francesca Bonelli; Irene Nocera; Valentina Meucci; Giuseppe Conte; Micaela Sgorbini. Evaluation of Different Methods to Estimate the Transfer of Immunity in Donkey Foals Fed with Colostrum of Good IgG Quality: A Preliminary Study. Animals 2021, 11, 507 .
AMA StyleLuca Turini, Francesca Bonelli, Irene Nocera, Valentina Meucci, Giuseppe Conte, Micaela Sgorbini. Evaluation of Different Methods to Estimate the Transfer of Immunity in Donkey Foals Fed with Colostrum of Good IgG Quality: A Preliminary Study. Animals. 2021; 11 (2):507.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuca Turini; Francesca Bonelli; Irene Nocera; Valentina Meucci; Giuseppe Conte; Micaela Sgorbini. 2021. "Evaluation of Different Methods to Estimate the Transfer of Immunity in Donkey Foals Fed with Colostrum of Good IgG Quality: A Preliminary Study." Animals 11, no. 2: 507.
We evaluated the preventive effects of the oral administration of chestnut tannins (Castanea sativa) together with its potential metabolic effect on calf diarrhoea. Forty Italian Friesian female calves were included and divided into Group C (control group) and Group T (tannin-treated group). From the third day of life (T0) for the following 56 days (T56), calves from Group C received 2 L of warm water, while 10 g of chestnut tannin powder extract were added to Group T. Calves were weighed at birth and at T56. Daily faecal score evaluation was performed according to the literature. The age at diarrhoea onset (TDE) and the duration of the diarrhoeic episode were recorded. Blood methaemoglobin and liver enzymes were evaluated weekly starting from T0 to T56 by spectrophotometer and clinical chemistry analysis, respectively. The t-Student and chi-square tests were performed. The TDE was higher (p = .04) in Group T than in Group C (12.0 ± 8.2 and 7.7 ± 3.8 days, respectively). There were no differences for ADG between the groups. Group C spent 24.4% of the whole period with diarrhoea, whereas Group T experienced diarrhoea for 18.9% of the period (p = .001). All the blood and serum analytes were within physiological values. The administration of tannins in calves from the third day of life seemed to delay the onset of diarrhoea by almost four days, suggesting effective preventive action of chestnut tannins.
Francesca Bonelli; Luca Turini; Aurora Paganelli; Giuseppe Conte; Valentina Meucci; Micaela Sgorbini; Arianna Buccioni; Marcello Mele. Evaluation of oral administration of chestnut tannins in preventing calf diarrhoea. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2021, 20, 640 -649.
AMA StyleFrancesca Bonelli, Luca Turini, Aurora Paganelli, Giuseppe Conte, Valentina Meucci, Micaela Sgorbini, Arianna Buccioni, Marcello Mele. Evaluation of oral administration of chestnut tannins in preventing calf diarrhoea. Italian Journal of Animal Science. 2021; 20 (1):640-649.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesca Bonelli; Luca Turini; Aurora Paganelli; Giuseppe Conte; Valentina Meucci; Micaela Sgorbini; Arianna Buccioni; Marcello Mele. 2021. "Evaluation of oral administration of chestnut tannins in preventing calf diarrhoea." Italian Journal of Animal Science 20, no. 1: 640-649.
Alice Cappucci; Alberto Mantino; Arianna Buccioni; Laura Casarosa; Giuseppe Conte; Andrea Serra; Federica Mannelli; Giuseppe Luciano; Giulia Foggi; Marcello Mele. Diets supplemented with condensed and hydrolysable tannins affected rumen fatty acid profile and plasmalogen lipids, ammonia and methane production in an in vitro study. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2021, 20, 935 -946.
AMA StyleAlice Cappucci, Alberto Mantino, Arianna Buccioni, Laura Casarosa, Giuseppe Conte, Andrea Serra, Federica Mannelli, Giuseppe Luciano, Giulia Foggi, Marcello Mele. Diets supplemented with condensed and hydrolysable tannins affected rumen fatty acid profile and plasmalogen lipids, ammonia and methane production in an in vitro study. Italian Journal of Animal Science. 2021; 20 (1):935-946.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlice Cappucci; Alberto Mantino; Arianna Buccioni; Laura Casarosa; Giuseppe Conte; Andrea Serra; Federica Mannelli; Giuseppe Luciano; Giulia Foggi; Marcello Mele. 2021. "Diets supplemented with condensed and hydrolysable tannins affected rumen fatty acid profile and plasmalogen lipids, ammonia and methane production in an in vitro study." Italian Journal of Animal Science 20, no. 1: 935-946.
Due to the long courtship needed to attain excitation and erection, donkey semen collection can take up to 90 min. ProstaglandinF2α (PGF2α) has been reported to hasten the onset of erection and ejaculation in domesticated mammals, presumably by inducing smooth muscle contractions in the internal genitalia. However, while it has been anecdotally used in donkeys, it has yet to be critically evaluated. This study aimed to compare behavioral and semen parameters in Catalan, Balearic, Amiata, and Miranda jacks treated with the PGF2α analogue cloprostenol sodium immediately prior to exposure to an estrus jenny. Nineteen donkeys were assigned in a crossover design to receive cloprostenol sodium (125µg, i.m.; n = 53 collections) or saline (1 mL, i.m.; n = 53 collections). There were no differences for erection (52/53 vs. 52/53) or ejaculation (52/53 vs. 48/53) for collection attempts assigned to saline or cloprostenol sodium, respectively. Cloprostenol sodium significantly hastened treatment-to-erection and treatment-to-ejaculation times from 12.0 ± 1.6 to 6.0 ± 1.6 min and from 14.0 ± 1.4 to 9.6 ± 1.4 min, respectively. Significant effects of breed and age were observed in behavioral and parameters, but there were no effects of cloprostenol sodium administration on semen parameters. In conclusion, cloprostenol sodium administration immediately prior to semen collection hastened time to collect semen in donkeys with no detrimental effects on semen quality and can be used by practitioners to circumvent long delays in donkey semen collection.
Duccio Panzani; Miguel Quaresma; Diana Fanelli; Francesco Camillo; Rebecca Moroni; Alessandra Rota; Ana Martins-Bessa; Miguel Nóvoa; Jaime Catalán; Igor F. Canisso; Giuseppe Conte; Jordi Mirò. Hastening Time to Ejaculation in Donkey Jacks Treated with the PGF2α Analog, Cloprostenol Sodium. Animals 2020, 10, 2231 .
AMA StyleDuccio Panzani, Miguel Quaresma, Diana Fanelli, Francesco Camillo, Rebecca Moroni, Alessandra Rota, Ana Martins-Bessa, Miguel Nóvoa, Jaime Catalán, Igor F. Canisso, Giuseppe Conte, Jordi Mirò. Hastening Time to Ejaculation in Donkey Jacks Treated with the PGF2α Analog, Cloprostenol Sodium. Animals. 2020; 10 (12):2231.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDuccio Panzani; Miguel Quaresma; Diana Fanelli; Francesco Camillo; Rebecca Moroni; Alessandra Rota; Ana Martins-Bessa; Miguel Nóvoa; Jaime Catalán; Igor F. Canisso; Giuseppe Conte; Jordi Mirò. 2020. "Hastening Time to Ejaculation in Donkey Jacks Treated with the PGF2α Analog, Cloprostenol Sodium." Animals 10, no. 12: 2231.
The omega‐3 fatty acid (FA) enrichment of yolk is a key means one of the main objectives to improve the nutraceutical properties of eggs. We evaluated the effect of the dietary inclusion of extruded linseed fed to laying hens on the fatty acid composition of the polar and non‐polar lipid classes of the eggs. Two groups of 36 Lohmann White Leghorn layers (65 weeks old) were each fed one of two different diets for a period of 12 weeks. The two diets consisted of a conventional cereal‐based diet concentrate (C) and a diet concentrate containing 5% linseed (L). The inclusion of linseed in the diet increased the content of α‐linolenic (C18:3n‐3), eicosapentaenoic (C20:5n‐3) and docosahexaenoic (C22:6n‐3) acids in neutral lipids, while a concomitant decrease in arachidonic acid (C20:4n‐6) was observed. As regards the polar fraction, the fatty acid composition was slightly affected by the dietary treatments except for C18:0 (+1.14 fold), C18:2n‐6 (+1.23 fold), C18:3n‐3 (+2.8 fold) and C22:6n‐3 (+1.41 fold). Principal component analysis demonstrated that very long‐chain FAs were more representative of polar lipids, except for C20:5n‐3, while neutral lipids were characterized by dietary n‐3 FA (C18:3n‐3).
Leonor Corrales‐Retana; Francesca Ciucci; Giuseppe Conte; Laura Casarosa; Marcello Mele; Andrea Serra. Profile of fatty acid lipid fractions of omega‐3 fatty acid‐enriched table eggs. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 2020, 105, 326 -335.
AMA StyleLeonor Corrales‐Retana, Francesca Ciucci, Giuseppe Conte, Laura Casarosa, Marcello Mele, Andrea Serra. Profile of fatty acid lipid fractions of omega‐3 fatty acid‐enriched table eggs. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. 2020; 105 (2):326-335.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeonor Corrales‐Retana; Francesca Ciucci; Giuseppe Conte; Laura Casarosa; Marcello Mele; Andrea Serra. 2020. "Profile of fatty acid lipid fractions of omega‐3 fatty acid‐enriched table eggs." Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 105, no. 2: 326-335.
In this study, the effect of different drying processes (freeze-drying (FD), microwave-assisted drying (MWD) and classic hot air drying (HAD)) on the polyphenols, flavonoids, and amino acids content was investigated on bee-collected chestnut, willow and ivy pollen for human consumption. Furthermore, the pollen chemical properties were monitored after three and six months of storage, and then analyzed using a multivariate approach. Chestnut pollen was the richest source of polyphenols, flavonoids, and rutin, while ivy pollen contained the highest amount of total and free amino acids, and total and free proline. Drying and storage affected pollen chemical composition with species-dependent effects. MWD allowed the best retention of flavonoids in chestnut pollen for up to six months of storage. All drying techniques led to a depletion of flavonoids in willow pollen; however, MWD ensured the highest flavonoids content after six months. FD and MWD did not lead to flavonoids depletion in ivy pollen during storage. Additionally, storage did not affect the rutin content, which was highest in FD willow samples after six months. Notably, both FD and MWD techniques are efficient in preserving amino acids-related quality of bee pollen up to six months of storage.
Antonella Castagna; Giovanni Benelli; Giuseppe Conte; Cristina Sgherri; Francesca Signorini; Cristiano Nicolella; Annamaria Ranieri; Angelo Canale. Drying Techniques and Storage: Do They Affect the Nutritional Value of Bee-Collected Pollen? Molecules 2020, 25, 4925 .
AMA StyleAntonella Castagna, Giovanni Benelli, Giuseppe Conte, Cristina Sgherri, Francesca Signorini, Cristiano Nicolella, Annamaria Ranieri, Angelo Canale. Drying Techniques and Storage: Do They Affect the Nutritional Value of Bee-Collected Pollen? Molecules. 2020; 25 (21):4925.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonella Castagna; Giovanni Benelli; Giuseppe Conte; Cristina Sgherri; Francesca Signorini; Cristiano Nicolella; Annamaria Ranieri; Angelo Canale. 2020. "Drying Techniques and Storage: Do They Affect the Nutritional Value of Bee-Collected Pollen?" Molecules 25, no. 21: 4925.
Climate change has the potential to adversely affect the health of livestock, with consequences to animal welfare, greenhouse gas emissions, productivity, human health and livelihoods. Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of a genotype to produce different phenotypes, depending on environmental, biotic or abiotic conditions; it is a factor influencing and modifying the genes of animal and plant organisms, to adaptation to climate change. Among the various climate variables, heat stress has been reported to be the most detrimental factor to the economy of the livestock industry. There are a number of candidate genes that are associated with adaptation of ruminants, monogastric and poultry to heat stress. For instance, the genes encoding leptin, thyroid hormone receptor, insulin growth factor-1, growth hormone receptor, are associated with the impacts of heat stress on the physiological pathways of domestic animals such as dairy cows, beef cattle, buffaloes, poultry, pigs and horses. This review aims to highlight genes and traits that are involved with thermo-tolerance of domestic animals to sustain production and to cope with climate change. Selection and experimental evolution approaches have shown that plasticity is a trait that can evolve when under direct selection and has a correlated response to some specific traits. Therefore, new breeding goals should be defined for the potential of livestock species to acquire plasticity for adaptation to the current climate changing conditions.
Giacomo Rovelli; Simone Ceccobelli; Francesco Perini; Eymen Demir; Salvatore Mastrangelo; Giuseppe Conte; Fabio Abeni; Donata Marletta; Roberta Ciampolini; Martino Cassandro; Umberto Bernabucci; Emiliano Lasagna. The genetics of phenotypic plasticity in livestock in the era of climate change: a review. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2020, 19, 997 -1014.
AMA StyleGiacomo Rovelli, Simone Ceccobelli, Francesco Perini, Eymen Demir, Salvatore Mastrangelo, Giuseppe Conte, Fabio Abeni, Donata Marletta, Roberta Ciampolini, Martino Cassandro, Umberto Bernabucci, Emiliano Lasagna. The genetics of phenotypic plasticity in livestock in the era of climate change: a review. Italian Journal of Animal Science. 2020; 19 (1):997-1014.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiacomo Rovelli; Simone Ceccobelli; Francesco Perini; Eymen Demir; Salvatore Mastrangelo; Giuseppe Conte; Fabio Abeni; Donata Marletta; Roberta Ciampolini; Martino Cassandro; Umberto Bernabucci; Emiliano Lasagna. 2020. "The genetics of phenotypic plasticity in livestock in the era of climate change: a review." Italian Journal of Animal Science 19, no. 1: 997-1014.
The present study investigated whether the fatty acid composition of milk changes in relation to an increase in the milk somatic cell count (SCC) of separate udder quarters. We investigated the potential of multivariate factor analysis to extract metabolic evidence from data on the quantity and quality of milk of quarters characterized by different SCC levels. We collected data from individual milk samples taken from single quarters of 49 Italian Holstein cows from the same dairy farm. Factor analysis was carried out on 64 individual fatty acids. In line with a previous study on multivariate factor analysis, a variable was considered to be associated with a specific factor if the absolute value of its correlation with the factor was ≥0.60. Seven factors were extracted that explained the following groups of fatty acids or functions: de novo synthesis, energy balance, uptake of dietary fatty acids, biohydrogenation, short-chain fatty acids, very long chain fatty acids, and odd- and branched-chain fatty acids. An ANOVA of factor scores highlighted the significant effects of the SCC level on de novo fatty acids and biohydrogenation. The de novo fatty acid factor decreased significantly with a high level of SCC, from just 10,000 cells/mL, whereas the biohydrogenation factor showed a significantly higher level in quarters with SCC levels greater than 400,000 cells/mL. This statistical approach enabled us to reduce the number of variables to a few latent factors with biological significance and to represent groups of fatty acids with a common origin and function. Multivariate factor analysis could therefore be key to studying the influence of SCC on the lipid metabolism of single quarters. This approach also demonstrated the metabolic differences between quarters of the same animal showing a different level of SCC.
L. Turini; G. Conte; F. Bonelli; A. Serra; M. Sgorbini; M. Mele. Multivariate factor analysis of milk fatty acid composition in relation to the somatic cell count of single udder quarters. Journal of Dairy Science 2020, 103, 7392 -7406.
AMA StyleL. Turini, G. Conte, F. Bonelli, A. Serra, M. Sgorbini, M. Mele. Multivariate factor analysis of milk fatty acid composition in relation to the somatic cell count of single udder quarters. Journal of Dairy Science. 2020; 103 (8):7392-7406.
Chicago/Turabian StyleL. Turini; G. Conte; F. Bonelli; A. Serra; M. Sgorbini; M. Mele. 2020. "Multivariate factor analysis of milk fatty acid composition in relation to the somatic cell count of single udder quarters." Journal of Dairy Science 103, no. 8: 7392-7406.
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by some filamentous fungi, which can cause toxicity in animal species, including humans. Because of their high toxicological impacts, mycotoxins have received significant consideration, leading to the definition of strict legislative thresholds and limits in many areas of the world. Mycotoxins can reduce farm profits not only through reduced crop quality and product refusal, but also through a reduction in animal productivity and health. This paper briefly addresses the impacts of mycotoxin contamination of feed and food on animal and human health, and describes the main pre- and post-harvest systems to control their levels, including genetic, agronomic, biological, chemical, and physical methods. It so highlights (i) the lack of effective and straightforward solutions to control mycotoxin contamination in the field, at pre-harvest, as well as later post-harvest; and (ii) the increasing demand for novel methods to control mycotoxin infections, intoxications, and diseases, without leaving toxic chemical residues in the food and feed chain. Thus, the broad objective of the present study was to review the literature on the use of ozone for mycotoxin decontamination, proposing this gaseous air pollutant as a powerful tool to detoxify mycotoxins from feed and food.
Giuseppe Conte; Marco Fontanelli; Francesca Galli; Lorenzo Cotrozzi; Lorenzo Pagni; Elisa Pellegrini. Mycotoxins in Feed and Food and the Role of Ozone in Their Detoxification and Degradation: An Update. Toxins 2020, 12, 486 .
AMA StyleGiuseppe Conte, Marco Fontanelli, Francesca Galli, Lorenzo Cotrozzi, Lorenzo Pagni, Elisa Pellegrini. Mycotoxins in Feed and Food and the Role of Ozone in Their Detoxification and Degradation: An Update. Toxins. 2020; 12 (8):486.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppe Conte; Marco Fontanelli; Francesca Galli; Lorenzo Cotrozzi; Lorenzo Pagni; Elisa Pellegrini. 2020. "Mycotoxins in Feed and Food and the Role of Ozone in Their Detoxification and Degradation: An Update." Toxins 12, no. 8: 486.
Health and well-being improvement is currently driving innovation in bread, using a wide variety of value-added compounds as extra ingredients, including food industry by-products in a circular economy concept. In this context, this research aimed at evaluating the effect of the fortification of bread with different percentages of flaxseed cake, comparing two leavening agents: sourdough and baker’s yeast. Sensorial, physicochemical, and nutritional properties, including pH, the main fermentative metabolites, fatty acids, total phenols, antioxidant capacity, and volatile organic compounds were determined for fortified bread. The results showed a significant improvement of nutraceutical profile of the bread fortified with flaxseed cake in a dose-dependent manner. Regardless of the leavening agent, the fortification determined a decrease of n-6:n-3 ratio, reaching the recommended value (<3) already at the 7.5% level. Furthermore, under the same fortification level, sourdough breads showed a higher level of total phenols and antiradical activity than baker’s yeast breads. Sensory profiles were instead deeply influenced by both the fortification percentage and the leavening agents. In conclusion, considering both nutritional and sensory results, the best formulation as a function of leavening agent utilized was defined as 5% and 7.5% when sourdough and baker’s yeast were used, respectively.
Isabella Taglieri; Chiara Sanmartin; Francesca Venturi; Monica Macaluso; Angela Zinnai; Silvia Tavarini; Andrea Serra; Giuseppe Conte; Guido Flamini; Luciana G. Angelini. Effect of the Leavening Agent on the Compositional and Sensorial Characteristics of Bread Fortified with Flaxseed Cake. Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 5235 .
AMA StyleIsabella Taglieri, Chiara Sanmartin, Francesca Venturi, Monica Macaluso, Angela Zinnai, Silvia Tavarini, Andrea Serra, Giuseppe Conte, Guido Flamini, Luciana G. Angelini. Effect of the Leavening Agent on the Compositional and Sensorial Characteristics of Bread Fortified with Flaxseed Cake. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (15):5235.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIsabella Taglieri; Chiara Sanmartin; Francesca Venturi; Monica Macaluso; Angela Zinnai; Silvia Tavarini; Andrea Serra; Giuseppe Conte; Guido Flamini; Luciana G. Angelini. 2020. "Effect of the Leavening Agent on the Compositional and Sensorial Characteristics of Bread Fortified with Flaxseed Cake." Applied Sciences 10, no. 15: 5235.
Grafting is a widely utilized agronomical technique to improve yield, disease resistance, and quality of fruit and vegetables. This work aims to assess the effect of grafting and fruit ripening on the production, physico-chemical characteristics, and nutritional quality of fruit from Spanish local pepper landraces. Landraces “Cuerno,” “Sueca,” and “Valencia” were used as scions, and “NIBER®” as the rootstock. Two ripening stages of the fruits were sampled: green and red. Grafting improved the yield and marketable quality and did not negatively influence the physico-chemical and nutritional characteristics of the fruit. It was noteworthy that the bioactive compound contents and antioxidant capacity were more related to maturity stage and genotype, and red fruit had a higher antioxidant capacity than green fruit. However, in all the scions, grafting significantly enhanced lycopene content in both red and green fruit. Another important effect of grafting was the volatile compound composition evidenced by discriminant analyses, which was characterized for the first time in the fruit of these landraces. The rootstock and scion combination could be a way to improve not only the production, but also the fruit quality of peppers.
Ramón Gisbert-Mullor; Costanza Ceccanti; Yaiza Gara Padilla; Salvador Lopez; Ángeles Calatayud; Giuseppe Conte; Lucia Guidi. Effect of Grafting on the Production, Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Nutritional Quality of Fruit from Pepper Landraces. Antioxidants 2020, 9, 501 .
AMA StyleRamón Gisbert-Mullor, Costanza Ceccanti, Yaiza Gara Padilla, Salvador Lopez, Ángeles Calatayud, Giuseppe Conte, Lucia Guidi. Effect of Grafting on the Production, Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Nutritional Quality of Fruit from Pepper Landraces. Antioxidants. 2020; 9 (6):501.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRamón Gisbert-Mullor; Costanza Ceccanti; Yaiza Gara Padilla; Salvador Lopez; Ángeles Calatayud; Giuseppe Conte; Lucia Guidi. 2020. "Effect of Grafting on the Production, Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Nutritional Quality of Fruit from Pepper Landraces." Antioxidants 9, no. 6: 501.
Kiwifruit is an interesting alternative to chymosin for milk coagulation. Although the clotting properties of actinidin (the proteolytic agent present in kiwi) have been widely investigated, little is known about the nutraceutical and organoleptic effects of kiwifruit on the characteristics of cheese. We investigated kiwifruit pulp, compared to calf rennet, in cheesemaking using sheep and buffalo milk. Although the kiwifruit extract showed a longer coagulation and syneresis time than calf rennet, it could nevertheless be exploited as a plant coagulant due to its positive effect on the nutraceutical properties. In fact, the sheep and buffalo cheese were higher in polyphenols and phytosterols than the cheese obtained using calf rennet. In addition, the nutraceutical properties were enhanced, with just a slight effect on the aroma of the cheese.
Andrea Serra; Giuseppe Conte; Leonor Corrales-Retana; Laura Casarosa; Francesca Ciucci; Marcello Mele. Nutraceutical and Technological Properties of Buffalo and Sheep Cheese Produced by the Addition of Kiwi Juice as a Coagulant. Foods 2020, 9, 637 .
AMA StyleAndrea Serra, Giuseppe Conte, Leonor Corrales-Retana, Laura Casarosa, Francesca Ciucci, Marcello Mele. Nutraceutical and Technological Properties of Buffalo and Sheep Cheese Produced by the Addition of Kiwi Juice as a Coagulant. Foods. 2020; 9 (5):637.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndrea Serra; Giuseppe Conte; Leonor Corrales-Retana; Laura Casarosa; Francesca Ciucci; Marcello Mele. 2020. "Nutraceutical and Technological Properties of Buffalo and Sheep Cheese Produced by the Addition of Kiwi Juice as a Coagulant." Foods 9, no. 5: 637.
Flaxseed has been recently studied for the formulation of healthy functional foods that are also useful for the prevention of chronic diseases. In this context, the production of sourdough bread fortified with different percentages of flaxseed cake was performed and the interactions among the bioactive compounds derived from both sourdough and flaxseed cake were investigated. The organoleptic properties as well as nutraceutical and chemical characteristics regarding pH, ethanol, lactic and acetic acid content, fatty acids profile, the concentration of total polyphenols, antioxidant capacity, and aroma volatile organic compounds were determined to evaluate the efficacy of leavening in the different matrices in comparison with the traditional bread. The results obtained demonstrated that flaxseed cake-enriched sourdough bread can represent a potential vehicle for bioactive compounds with the possibility of obtaining high-quality products with improved nutritional profiles and desired health attributes. Furthermore, the bread obtained with the addition of 7.5% of flaxseed cake was individuated as the best formulation to produce sourdough bread fortified with flaxseed cake by the overlap between three series of information coming from physical-chemical, nutritional, and sensorial analyses. In conclusion, in the operating conditions adopted, the use of flaxseed cake could represent a viable alternative for the production of fortified bread based on sourdough technology.
Chiara Sanmartin; Isabella Taglieri; Francesca Venturi; Monica Macaluso; Angela Zinnai; Silvia Tavarini; Asia Botto; Andrea Serra; Giuseppe Conte; Guido Flamini; Luciana G. Angelini. Flaxseed Cake as a Tool for the Improvement of Nutraceutical and Sensorial Features of Sourdough Bread. Foods 2020, 9, 204 .
AMA StyleChiara Sanmartin, Isabella Taglieri, Francesca Venturi, Monica Macaluso, Angela Zinnai, Silvia Tavarini, Asia Botto, Andrea Serra, Giuseppe Conte, Guido Flamini, Luciana G. Angelini. Flaxseed Cake as a Tool for the Improvement of Nutraceutical and Sensorial Features of Sourdough Bread. Foods. 2020; 9 (2):204.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChiara Sanmartin; Isabella Taglieri; Francesca Venturi; Monica Macaluso; Angela Zinnai; Silvia Tavarini; Asia Botto; Andrea Serra; Giuseppe Conte; Guido Flamini; Luciana G. Angelini. 2020. "Flaxseed Cake as a Tool for the Improvement of Nutraceutical and Sensorial Features of Sourdough Bread." Foods 9, no. 2: 204.
The assessment of the behavior and physiological parameters of neonatal foals is essential in the detection of early signs of illness. Modified Apgar scoring systems from human medicine exist and have been validated in foals as a guide for assessing neonatal viability after birth. This study evaluated the viability of 44 Amiata donkey foals at birth, by assessing the Apgar score and comparing the relationship between viability and various physical parameters. A total of 44 Amiata donkey foals and 27 jennies were enrolled in this study. An expert operator examined each foal within 5 minutes of birth. A complete physical examination was performed, along with an existing four-parameter Apgar score. The presence of the suckling reflex was evaluated. The interval time needed to acquire sternal recumbency and quadrupedal position, as well as nurse from the mare, were recorded. In addition, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and rectal body temperature (BT) were measured. Results were expressed as medianstandard error, minimum and maximum values. The effects of the Apgar score on time to reach sternal position and quadrupedal standing, time to nurse from the mare, RR, HR, and BT were estimated along with the differences related to Apgar scoring and gender. Differences between female and male donkey foals regarding the time to acquire sternal position and quadrupedal standing, time to nurse from the mare, RR, HR, and BT were also assessed. Differences between female and male donkey foals regarding the Apgar score was evaluated using a chi-Square test. Finally, the reference values for Amiata donkeys were also calculated. Twenty/44 (45.4%) foals were colts and 24/44 (54.5%) were fillies born from 27 jennies. None of the foals showed an Apgar score lower than 6. Twenty-nine out of 44 foals showed an Apgar score of 8/8, 10/44 a score of 7/8, while 5 foals (11.3%) showed a score of 6/8. No differences between fillies and colts in relation to the Apgar score were obtained.
Francesca Bonelli; Irene Nocera; Giuseppe Conte; Duccio Panzani; Micaela Sgorbini. Relation between Apgar scoring and physical parameters in 44 newborn Amiata donkey foals at birth. Theriogenology 2019, 142, 310 -314.
AMA StyleFrancesca Bonelli, Irene Nocera, Giuseppe Conte, Duccio Panzani, Micaela Sgorbini. Relation between Apgar scoring and physical parameters in 44 newborn Amiata donkey foals at birth. Theriogenology. 2019; 142 ():310-314.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesca Bonelli; Irene Nocera; Giuseppe Conte; Duccio Panzani; Micaela Sgorbini. 2019. "Relation between Apgar scoring and physical parameters in 44 newborn Amiata donkey foals at birth." Theriogenology 142, no. : 310-314.
Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is becoming more and more important in the health food market as a functional food, since its seeds and oil represent a rich source of bioactive compounds. Its chemical composition is strongly correlated with, and dependent on, genetic characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variation in seed yield, oil content, fatty acid composition and secondary metabolite profiles between a low-linolenic linseed variety, belonging to the Solin-type group (Solal), and a high-linolenic traditional one (Bethune), cultivated, both as spring crops, in open field conditions of Central Italy. The achieved results pointed out the different behavior of the two varieties in terms of growth cycle, oil content, and some important yield components, such as capsule number per plant and thousand seed weight. There were also significant differences in seed composition regarding total phenols, total flavonoids, antioxidant activities as well as in carotenoid, tocopherol, and tocotrienol profiles between the two varieties. In particular, Solal was characterized by the greatest contents of oil, phenols, flavonoids, α- and δ- tocotrienol, together with the highest antioxidant activity. Bethune, on the contrary, showed the highest amounts of carotenoids (lutein and β-carotene). These results indicate a clear effect of the genetic characteristics on the biosynthesis of these secondary metabolites and, consequently, on the related antioxidant activity. Our findings suggest that the mutation process, responsible for the selection of the low-linolenic cultivar, is able to modify the biosynthetic pathways of carotenoids and phenolics.
Silvia Tavarini; Antonella Castagna; Giuseppe Conte; Lara Foschi; Chiara Sanmartin; Luca Incrocci; Annamaria Ranieri; Andrea Serra; Luciana G. Angelini. Evaluation of Chemical Composition of Two Linseed Varieties as Sources of Health-Beneficial Substances. Molecules 2019, 24, 3729 .
AMA StyleSilvia Tavarini, Antonella Castagna, Giuseppe Conte, Lara Foschi, Chiara Sanmartin, Luca Incrocci, Annamaria Ranieri, Andrea Serra, Luciana G. Angelini. Evaluation of Chemical Composition of Two Linseed Varieties as Sources of Health-Beneficial Substances. Molecules. 2019; 24 (20):3729.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilvia Tavarini; Antonella Castagna; Giuseppe Conte; Lara Foschi; Chiara Sanmartin; Luca Incrocci; Annamaria Ranieri; Andrea Serra; Luciana G. Angelini. 2019. "Evaluation of Chemical Composition of Two Linseed Varieties as Sources of Health-Beneficial Substances." Molecules 24, no. 20: 3729.