The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) on gut health and performance in post-weaning piglets. In total, 40 piglets were divided into two experimental groups and fed a basal diet with (TRT) or without (CON) 0.2% mannan oligosaccharides for 35 days. Growth performance was determined weekly and faecal microbial composition on days 0, 14 and 35. On day 36, histometrical evaluations were performed on duodenal, jejunal, ileal, and colon samples. mRNA gene expression of inflammation-related genes was evaluated in samples of ileal Peyer’s patches (IPP). MOS administration improved feed efficiency in the last two weeks of the trial (p < 0.05), and a decreased clostridia content was found in faeces at day 14 (p = 0.05). TRT piglets showed increased duodenal villi height (p < 0.05), and reduced mRNA levels of Tumour Necrosis Factor α (p < 0.05) and Toll-Like Receptor 4 (p < 0.01) in IPP. Our results suggest beneficial effects of MOS supplementation on gut morphology and the expression of inflammation-related genes in post-weaning piglets, accompanied by increased feed efficiency.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of interaction between total (SCC) and differential somatic cell count (DSCC) on milk yield, composition and coagulation traits from individual dairy cows. A total of 159 224 test‐day records (daily milk yield, composition and coagulation traits) have been collected during a period of 14 months from 12 849 Holstein‐Friesian and 9275 Simmental cows farmed in 223 herds. The interaction between somatic cell traits was highly significant for almost all the evaluated traits. This study showed that the combined use of SCC and DSCC can be employed for assessing the performances of dairy cows and for monitoring the improvement of milk quality.

Nero di Parma is an endangered swine breed reared in the North of Italy which nowadays counts 1603 alive pigs. The aims of this study were (i) to explore the genetic diversity of the breed at pedigree level to determine the actual genetic structure, (ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of the breeding recovery project and (iii) to potentially propose breeding strategies for the coming generations. The pedigree dataset contained 14,485 animals and was used to estimate demographic and genetic parameters. The mean equivalent complete generations was equal to 6.47 in the whole population, and it reached a mean value of 7.94 in the live animals, highlighting the quality of the available data. Average inbreeding was 0.28 in the total population, whereas it reached 0.31 in the alive animals and it decreased to 0.27 if only breeding animals were considered. The rate of inbreeding based on the individual increase in inbreeding was equal to 7%. This study showed the effectiveness of the recovery project of the breed. Nevertheless, we found that inbreeding and genetic diversity have reached alarming levels, therefore novel breeding strategies must be applied to ensure long-term survival of this breed.

The aim of the study was to determine changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS), serum antioxidant capacity (SAC) and oxidative stress index (OSi; ROS/SAC) from dry off to 30 days postpartum in dairy cows. Furthermore, the relationship between indices of oxidative status (ROS, SAC, OSi) and indices related to metabolic disorders (blood free fatty acids, FFA and β-hydroxybutyrate, BHB) and α-tocopherol (α-Τ) was determined. Blood samples were collected from 131 dairy cows belonging to four commercial farms, located in Italy and Greece. Blood samples were collected at dry-off, calving and 30 days postpartum. Results indicated that ROS and OSi were low at dry-off and 30 days postpartum and high at calving. The serum antioxidant capacity followed exactly the opposite trend. There was a negative correlation of ROS (rho: −0.282; p ≤ .01) and OSi (rho: −0.267; p ≤ .05) with α-Τ at all three sampling points, whereas no correlation was found between SAC and α-Τ. Reactive oxygen species were positively correlated with BHB at all three sampling points and with FFA levels only at dry-off. A negative correlation of SAC with FFA was found at dry-off and 30 days postpartum. The oxidative stress index was positively correlated with FFA and BHB at dry-off, with FFA at calving and with BHB at 30 days postpartum. Thus, associations between parameters related to oxidative status and those related to energy balance were found, mainly at dry-off and postpartum. Oxidative stress markers determined at dry off could be useful in preventing metabolic disorders.

Coagulants play a crucial role in cheese production by catalyzing milk curdling, with traditional animal rennet long serving as the primary choice. However, due to cost, availability, and ethical concerns, various substitutes such as microbial coagulants and fermentation-produced chymosin (FPC) have emerged. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 8 commercial coagulants, including 1 bovine rennet, 2 bovine FPC, 1 camel FPC, 3 microbial (i.e., Rhizomucor miehei) coagulants, and 1 bovine FPC variant, on the coagulation properties of bovine milk. The coagulants were tested at 3 different doses (35, 50, and 65 International Milk Clotting Units per liter) across 8 batches of unhomogenized, pasteurized, full-fat, bovine milk purchased from different commercial brands, in 2 replicates, for a total of 384 coagulation analyses (8 milk batches × 8 coagulants × 3 doses × 2 replicates). Specifically, traditional milk coagulation properties and curd firmness at given times were assessed using a lactodynamograph. Key findings indicated significant variations in coagulation patterns across the coagulants. Bovine rennet demonstrated an intermediate coagulation profile among all FPC and microbial coagulants. The bovine and camel FPC exhibited faster coagulation than the bovine animal rennet, with the camel FPC showing the quickest coagulation and curd-firming rates. The microbial coagulants, although exhibiting slower coagulation rates for a given dose, produced curd-firming dynamics different from those of all FPC. The bovine FPC variant exhibited high performance comparable to that of the camel FPC in the coagulation process. Overall, this study highlights the distinct coagulation characteristics of various coagulants, offering insights into their suitability for different cheese-making applications. The coagulant dose significantly affected the coagulation pattern, with a clear linear increase in dose influencing gelation and varying effects on other coagulation traits. These findings can guide producers in selecting the optimal coagulant and dose based on specific cheese production needs.

This study explores the complex relationships among ovine milk minerals (Ca, P, Na, K, Mg, K, Cl, respectively) and different factors employing generalized additive mixed models (GAMM). The GAMM included milk yield (MY), parity, and breed as parametric terms, and casein, fat, lactose, pH, SCS, DIM, and sampling day as smooth functions. The objectives were to investigate how these factors could affect minerals in sheep milk and to assess whether their patterns change over time and across different concentrations of major milk components. The GAMM identified distinct patterns in the mineral concentrations between Comisana and Massese breeds, with the Massese ewes having less P, Mg, K, and Cl compared with the Comisana. Moreover, these minerals were also affected by DIM; Mg, S, and Cl were influenced by parity; and P, K, and Na changed across MY levels. Regarding milk components, all the minerals were affected by casein, fat, and lactose concentrations (excluding P for fat). Milk pH was important for Ca, K, Na, and Cl, whereas SCS affected the variability of all minerals except Ca. This study provided valuable insights on the variability of macro-minerals in sheep milk, by using GAMM and examining the trajectory of each element across factors as breed, MY, parity, and DIM, as well as across various concentrations of major milk components and their interactions. The dynamic nature of milk mineral content was evident through temporal variability, likely driven by dietary changes, environmental fluctuations, and physiological adaptations, as well as synergistic and antagonistic interactions between milk components and fixed factors. These findings enhance understanding of mineral composition in sheep milk, providing a comprehensive framework for future research on milk quality, animal health, and cheesemaking properties.