bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
242 Awardee Talk: Dietary supplementation of blends of organic acids and monoglycerides alleviated diarrhea and systemic inflammation of weaned pigs experimentally infected with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F18
Authors: Park Sangwoo , Chen YIng , Wolfenden Ross , Liu Yanhong 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of organic acids, monoglycerides, and combination of both on growth performance, diarrhea, and immune responses of weaned pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) F18. Pigs (n = 40; body weight = 7.81 ± 0.84 kg) were individually housed and randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups (10 replicates/treatment): basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with organic acids blend (formic acid, lactic acid, and sodium formate) at 0.3%, monoglycerides blend at 0.3%, or combination of both the organic acids blend at 0.2% and the monoglycerides blend at 0.2%. The experiment lasted 28 d, with 7 d before and 21 d after the first inoculation (d 0). All pigs were orally inoculated with E. coli F18 (1010 CFU/3 mL) for 3 consecutive days from d 0. Growth performance was measured weekly and daily fecal score was recorded throughout the experiment. Fecal samples were collected on d 0, 2, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 post-inoculation (PI) to confirm the presence of β-hemolytic coliforms in the feces. Whole blood samples were collected on d 0, 5, and 14 PI to perform complete blood count analysis. Porcine Cytokine/Chemokine13-Plex Discovery Assay (Eve Technology, Canada) was also conducted with serum samples from d 0, 5, and 14 PI. All data were analyzed by ANOVA using the PROC MIXED of SAS with a pig as the experimental unit. The frequency of diarrhea was calculated and analyzed by Chi-square test. Supplementation of organic acids, monoglycerides, or the combination of both significantly reduced (P &lt; 0.05) the frequency of diarrhea (25.5 to 29.8%) compared with control (39.3%). E. coli F18 infection increased (P &lt; 0.05) counts of total white blood cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes on d 5 and 14 PI, compared with d 0. Supplementation of the combination of organic acids and monoglycerides reduced (P &lt; 0.05) the counts of total white blood cells, lymphocytes, and the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes, and tended (P &lt; 0.10) to reduce neutrophil count on d 5 PI, compared with control. Pigs fed with monoglycerides had greater (P &lt; 0.05) neutrophil counts than pigs in the control group on d 14 PI. Pigs fed with monoglycerides tended (P &lt; 0.10) to have decreased serum granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -alpha concentrations on d 0, 5, or 14 PI compared with control. However, supplementation of organic acids, monoglycerides, or the combination of both had limited impacts on growth performance throughout the experiment. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of organic acids, monoglycerides, and the combination of both may alleviate diarrhea or systemic inflammation of weaned pigs during E. coli F18 infection by modulating related cytokines.
236 Increased dietary protein supports key metabolic and intestinal tissue functions in weaned pigs, without increasing gastrointestinal pathogen abundance
Authors: Diether Natalie E , Kommadath Arun , Fouhse Janelle , Zijlstra Ruurd T , Stothard Paul , Willing Benjamin 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
A common dietary strategy to prevent diarrhea in weaned pigs is feeding low protein diets in the period immediately following weaning. The goal of this intervention is to decrease dietary protein sufficiently to reduce pathogen proliferation and protein fermentation without negatively impacting growth performance. One potential alternative to low protein diets is provision of dietary fiber. However, many studies examining the role of protein and fiber on gastrointestinal microbiota and post-weaning diarrhea are complicated by the presence of other substrates, including polyphenols and antinutritional factors in complex ingredients. To assess the role of increased protein and fiber on gut microbiota and host metabolism, semi-purified diets differing in crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF) were fed to weaned pigs (n = 40; 28 d of age). Diets with high protein (HP; CP 24.3%, CF 6.4%), high fiber (HF; CP 18.9%, CF 9.4%), or both (HFHP; CP 24.9%, CF 9.5%) were compared with a control (CON; CP 18.1%, CF 6.3%) diet with industry standard crude protein and fiber levels (n = 10/group). Growth performance and diarrhea prevalence were measured alongside gut microbiota composition and metabolites. Pigs fed the HP and HFHP diets had significantly improved feed efficiency compared with both CON and HF diets. Increased protein fermentation, measured through production of biogenic amines, was observed in HP fed animals (P &lt; 0.001). These effects were mitigated by addition of fiber in the HFHP fed pigs. Despite increased markers of protein fermentation, post-weaning diarrhea incidence was not greater in HP fed animals and no increases in gastrointestinal pathogen abundance were detected. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses identified critical alterations in host metabolism and cecal transcriptome in the CON compared with the HP fed animals. While all diets were formulated to meet the dietary requirements of weaned pigs, diets with lower protein levels (CON and HF) induced alteration in transcripts from the serine synthesis pathways (P &lt; 0.001) and integrated stress response (P &lt; 0.001) in cecal tissue alongside increases in metabolic pathways related to lysine degradation (P = 0.005). These results challenge the current practice of low protein feeding following weaning by demonstrating a detrimental effect of low protein diets on intestinal cell function and muscle accretion. This suggests that with careful ingredient selection, increased dietary protein post-weaning could better support pig health and performance compared with current industry standard diets.
379 Application of an energy and nutrient matrix to a diet supplemented with a novel phytase achieved a production and sustainability benefit in pigs
Authors: Velayudhan Deepak E E , Remus Janet C , Dersjant-Li Yueming , Vinyeta Ester 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The capacity of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant (PhyG) to maintain growth performance and production benefits of pigs when added to an energy and nutrient-reduced mixed cereal diet was assessed. Two experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1 (wean to finish), weaned pigs [n = 192; initial body weight (BW) 7.18 ± 0.38 kg] were randomized to 4 treatments from weaning until market weight. Diets were provided in 5 phases. Treatments included: 1) a nutritionally sufficient positive control (PC); 2) a negative control (NC1) without added inorganic phosphate, reduced (based on specific PhyG dose) in net energy (NE), calcium (Ca), digestible amino acids (AA) and sodium (Na) vs. PC, supplemented with PhyG at 1,000, 1,000, 750, 500 and 500 FTU/kg in each phase, respectively (NC1+low PhyG); 3) a negative control (NC2) as NC1 supplemented with PhyG at 2,000, 2,000, 1,000, 750 and 750 FTU/kg in each phase and further reduced in energy and nutrient based on specific PhyG dose (NC2+high PhyG), and; 4) a negative control (NC3) as 2) and supplemented with xylanase–β-glucanase (XB) to provide 2,400 U/kg xylanase and 304 U/kg β-glucanase, with additional reduction in NE and digestible AA based on the contribution of XB (NC3+low PhyG + XB). In Exp. 2 (nursery), weaned pigs (n = 360; initial BW 8.40 ± 0.78 kg) were assigned to 3 dietary treatments from weaning up to 35 d. Diets were offered in 2 phases. Treatments included a nutritionally adequate positive control (PC) and 2 PhyG-supplemented diets, reduced in digestible phosphorus, Ca, Na, NE and digestible AA vs. PC, according to the expected contribution of PhyG added at 1,000 FTU/kg (NC1) or 2,000 FTU/kg (NC2), respectively. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Means separation was by Tukey’s HSD test. In Exp. 1, overall growth performance (114 d) in all enzyme-supplemented diets was maintained or improved compared with PC. Compared with PC, feed cost per kg BW gain was significantly reduced by 7.3% and total carbon footprint (CFP; CO2 eq. g/kg BW gain) was reduced by 6.8% with PhyG + XB combination. In Exp.2, overall growth performance (35 d), in all PhyG-supplemented, nutrient-reduced, treatments, were either not different from, or were improved, vs. PC. Total feed costs and estimated CFP per kg BW gain were reduced in all PhyG-supplemented, nutrient- and NE-reduced treatments vs. PC. In conclusion, the application of a full energy and nutrient matrix maintained the overall growth of pigs in both 114- and 35-d studies with the novel phytase. The addition of XB further improved the overall growth of market pigs. Moreover, full matrix application with PhyG achieved reductions in total feed cost and carbon footprint in both studies.
445 Effects of feed restriction on growth, blood chemistry and reproductive performance in replacement gilts
Authors: Holanda Debora M , Stephens Sarah , Lei Huaigang , Sanchez-Osorio Jonatan R , Moroni Julia L , Zak Louisa J , Knol Egbert F , Nyachoti C Martin 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The practical application of embryo transfer in pigs could benefit from using embryo donors for multiple cycles. Thus, raising the need to investigate feeding strategies for donors which will not be required to recover body condition lost during previous lactation. The objective was to evaluate the effects of temporary feed restriction, from d 6 to 14 of the estrous cycle, on growth, blood variables and reproductive performance in replacement gilts. Replacement gilts (n = 20; TN70, Topigs Norsvin, Oak Bluff, Canada) were assigned equally across 2 feeding regimens following a randomized complete block design where the block was backfat thickness. The feeding regimens were based on the first day of the estrous cycle: CON, recommended feeding levels from d 0 to 14 and a flush feeding (25% above recommended levels) from d 15 until d 21; or RES, CON but with restricted feeding (25% below recommended levels) from d 6 to 14. The CON treatment was based on the recommendations of the Feed Manual TN70 (Topigs Norsvin, 2015). On d 0, 5, 14 and 20 of the cycle, body weight and backfat thickness were measured. On d 21 (detected estrus), gilts were inseminated and on d 27 they were euthanized to collect embryos, ovaries and uterus. The uterus and ovaries were weighed whereas corpora lutea were counted and weighed. Blood serum was collected on d 14, and 20 for chemical analyses. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS where each gilt was the experimental unit. Feeding regimens were considered as the fixed effect and backfat block as the random effect. Means were obtained with the LSMEANS statement. No differences (P &gt; 0.05) were observed on growth performance among feeding regimens. However, when comparing the average daily gain (ADG) within feeding regimens between feeding periods, no differences (P &gt; 0.05) were observed among gilts fed CON whereas gilts fed RES showed a decreased (P &lt; 0.05) ADG during d 6 to 14 compared with d 0 to 5 and d 15 to 21. Regarding blood serum variables, gilts fed RES had greater (P &lt; 0.05) total protein and potassium but less (P &lt; 0.05) sodium-to-potassium ratio than gilts fed CON on d 14. On d 20, Gilts fed RES had greater (P &lt; 0.05) cholesterol values than gilts fed CON. No differences (P &gt; 0.05) were observed on the number of corpora lutea, number of embryos collected or on collection efficiency. Similarly, no differences (P &gt; 0.05) were observed on the weight of reproductive organs or on measurements of ovaries among feeding regimens. In conclusion, restricting feed intake of replacement gilts by 25% of the recommendation from d 6 to 14 of the estrous cycle reduced ADG without compromising their reproductive performance.
49 Crossing-talk between micronutrient and macronutrient metabolism: Implication in health and disease
Authors: Lei Xin Gen 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Recent goals of swine ration formulation have evolved from preventing nutritional deficiency diseases and maximizing growth performance to optimizing immune function and disease resistance with least climate impact. Thus, certain micronutrients such as selenium (Se) are widely considered to be health beneficial at dietary concentrations above nutrient requirements. During the past decade, we have conducted a number of experiments to determine impacts and mechanisms of dietary Se concentrations (0.03 to 1 or 3 mg/kg) on metabolism of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein in pigs from growing to finishing. Strikingly, pigs fed high-Se diets developed hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. Those pigs also had increased lipid, protein, saturated fatty acids (myristic, palmitic, stearic, and behenic acids), and aspartic acid, glutamine, and alanine and decreased polyunsaturated fatty acids (dihomo-γ-linolenic, oleic, α-linolenic, and eicosatrienoic acids) in the liver and(or) adipose tissues. The high-Se diets increased and decreased amounts of 5 and 2 selenoproteins, respectively, in tissues of pigs. These effects were associated with down-regulated insulin signaling (INSR and AKT), glycolysis (glucokinase) and gluconeogenesis (PEPCK) and up-regulated lipogenesis (FOXO1, SREBP1, ACC and FAS), and protein synthesis (mTOR and RPS6/S6). In contrast, high dietary fat intakes up- or down-regulated expressions of all selenoproteins except for TXNRD2 and TXNRD3 and showed a strong effect on expressions of DIO2, GPX6, and SELENOK. These induced selenogenome expression changes were associated with increased serum malondialdehyde and plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6, along with risk of obesity and chronic inflammation. Altogether, metabolisms of micronutrients and macronutrients in pigs are coordinated through interdependent and mutually regulated crossing talks at tissue, cellular, biochemical, and signal levels.
98 Differential gene expression of the endocannabinoid system in bovine tissues
Authors: Kent-Dennis Coral , Klotz James L 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Because of the association with intake and metabolism, there is interest in the endocannabinoid system and how it may be manipulated to benefit livestock. With the recent interest in using industrial hemp as a feedstuff in ruminants, understanding the interaction between phytocannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system is necessary. However, the endocannabinoid system has not been specifically characterized in cattle, especially the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The objective of this study was to characterize the distribution and transcriptional abundance of genes associated with the endocannabinoid system in cattle. Tissues including brain, spleen, thyroid, lung, liver, kidney, mesenteric vein, tongue, sublingual mucosa, rumen, omasum, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon were collected from 10-mo old Holstein steers (n = 6). Total RNA was extracted, and gene expression was measured using absolute quantification real time qPCR. Gene expression of endocannabinoid receptors CNR1 and CNR2, synthesis enzymes DAGLA, DAGLB and NAPEPLD, degradation enzymes MGLL and FAAH, and transient receptor potential vanilloids TRPV3 and TRPV6 was measured. Data were analyzed in R using a Kruskal-Wallis followed by a Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results are reported as the median copy number/20 ng of equivalent cDNA (CN) with interquartile range (IQR). The greatest expression of CNR1 and CNR2 was in the brain and spleen, respectively. Expression of either receptor was not detected in any GIT tissues; however, there was a tendency (P = 0.095) for CNR2 to be expressed above background in rumen. Expression of endocannabinoid synthesis and degradation enzymes varied greatly across tissues. Brain tissue had the greatest expression at 641 CN (IQR 52; P ≤ 0.05) of DAGLA; however, expression in liver and most of the GIT tissues was below the limit of detection. DAGLB was detected in all tissues, with brain and spleen having the greatest expression (P ≤ 0.05). Expression of NAPEPLD in the GIT was least in tongue and sublingual mucosal. There was no difference in expression between hindgut tissues; however, these tissues collectively had 592% greater expression than rumen and omasum (P ≤ 0.05). While MGLL was found to be expressed in all tissues, expression of FAAH was only above the limit of detection in brain, liver, kidney, jejunum and ileum. TRPV3 was expressed above background in tongue, rumen, omasum and colon, with rumen having the greatest expression (198 CN, IQR 13.3; P = 0.02). Although not difference from each other, thyroid and duodenum had the greatest expression of TRPV6, with 285 (IQR 164) and 563 (IQR 467) CN compared with all other tissues (P &lt; 0.05). These data demonstrate the complex distribution of the endocannabinoid system in cattle. Expression levels suggest that regulatory functions of this system are tissue dependent, providing initial insight into potential target tissues for manipulation of the endocannabinoid system.
100 Impact of luteal blood perfusion and estrus expression on pregnancy rates of beef cows exposed to embryo transfer
Authors: Goncalves Lucas Melo , Burato Samir , Walker Madison , Clements Greg , Morgan Shane , Neira Lucas , Fontes Pedro 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of luteal blood perfusion and estrus expression on pregnancy rates of beef cows exposed to fixed-timed embryo transfer (FTET). Postpartum beef cows (n = 763) from 22 locations were exposed to a 7-d Select Synch + controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) and breeding indicator patches were affixed upon CIDR removal. Estrus expression was assessed twice daily for 72 h and a 100-µg injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone was administered to cows that failed to express estrus 72 h after CIDR removal. Brightness mode ultrasonography of the corpus luteum (CL) was conducted to select recipients for FTET 9 d after CIDR removal. Suitable recipients were assigned to receive a single fresh or frozen embryo derived from either in vitro (IVF) or in vivo (IVD) method. After embryo recipient selection, CL morphometries and blood perfusion (BP) were then assessed at the time of embryo transfer via transrectal ultrasonography. Embryo recipients were categorized according to CL area [small (&lt; 3 cm²), medium (3 to 4 cm²), or large (&gt; 4 cm²)] and based on the percentage of luteal area with blood perfusion signals [low (&lt; 25%), medium (25 to 45%), or high (&gt; 45%)]. Pregnancy diagnoses were performed between d 60 and 90 of gestation. Cows that failed to express estrus prior FTET had decreased (P ≤ 0.02) luteal area, luteal diameter, and pregnancy rates compared with cows that expressed estrus. Luteal area category had no effect (P = 0.61) on pregnancy rates. Embryo recipients that expressed estrus had similar (P = 0.12) luteal blood perfusion compared with recipients that failed to express estrus. Embryo recipients with high (P = 0.02) and medium (P = 0.05) BP had greater pregnancy rates compared with embryo recipients with low BP. There was no interaction between estrus expression and luteal BP (P = 0.84). In summary, estrus expression and luteal BP positively impacted pregnancy rates to embryo transfer and may be used to facilitate embryo recipient selection.
104 Non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis in Holstein dairy cows using computer vision analysis of thermal images
Authors: Marquez Hector Javier Perez , Schaefer Allan , Bench Clover 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Thermal visualization of Holstein dairy cattle skin can be indicative of the pregnancy state (cyclic or pregnant) of the cow by observing the size and shape of skin thermal patterns. However, visual assessment of skin thermal patterns can be subjective and laborious. Further, infrared thermography implementation on-farm requires automated analysis to be feasible for dairy producers. The objectives of this study were to implement a machine learning convolutional neural network (CNN) to detect features in thermal images associated with pregnant (Pregnant) and non-pregnant (Cyclic) and to evaluate the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cows. A total of 938 images from 18 Pregnant cows and 982 images from 18 Cyclic were used to build the CNN model, and 120 images from Pregnant (60 images) and Cyclic (60 images) dairy cows were used to validate the model. Pregnant cows were confirmed to be pregnant 90 d after insemination via transrectal ultrasonography. Cyclic cows were confirmed to be non-pregnant using follicular dynamics and corpora lutea presence via transrectal ultrasonography. Images were recorded using a T620s infrared camera at 640 × 480 (307,200) to train the CNN model and images from an E40 FLIR camera at 320 x 240 (76,800 pixels) were used for the validation test. The CNN model was created using TensorFlow in Google Colab to binary classify images into Pregnant or Cyclic using a single output neuron (1: Pregnant and 0: Cyclic) with different Epochs (10, 25, and 100). The diagnosis accuracy (acc) was 0.72 with a validation accuracy (val_acc) of 0.41 for 10 Epochs, acc 0.76 with val_acc 0.37 for 25 Epochs, and acc 0.80 with val_acc 0.63. The acc and val_acc of the training model and validation test were optimized when using images from the T620s exclusively (Epochs 10: acc = 0.70 and val_acc = 0.64; Epoch 25: acc = 0.74 and val_acc = 0.70; Epoch 100: acc = 0.81 and val_acc = 0.80). Greater resolution of thermal images was proven to increase the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis (307,200 compared with 76,800 pixels) and the greater number of Epoch used to train the model. Machine learning algorithms can diagnose pregnancy using thermal images with an acceptable evaluation accuracy (&gt; 0.70).