bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
215 The effect of a Lactobacillus fermentation postbiotic on nursery pig growth performance after experimental inoculation with F18 Escherichia coli.
Authors: Welch Michael , Johnson Danielle , Parr Eric , Boler Dustin , Pollmann Steve , Stockham John , Yang Sean 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
This study evaluated a Lactobacillus fermentation postbiotic (LFP) in nursery pigs challenged with F18 ETEC. A total of 119 three-week-old barrows and gilts were used in this study. Pigs were acclimated for a period of 7 d upon arrival at the facility before inoculation. Pigs were stocked in mixed-sex pens of 6 pigs in each pen. Four rooms were used and each room had 5 pens. One room of pigs was not challenged with F18 ETEC (NCH). Ninety pigs in the other 3 rooms were intraorally challenged for three consecutive days with F18 ETEC isolate at a concentration of ~1x109 cfu/ml (CH) Pigs in the non-challenge groups were housed in separate airspaces than those receiving ETEC inoculum to avoid contamination. All pigs, regardless of health challenge, were fed a standard two-phase dietary nursery program. Five dietary treatments were evaluated: T1) negative dietary control without feed additives (Carabox, zinc oxide, and added copper), T2) 750 ppm LFP, T3) 1,500 ppm LFP, T4) 2,250 ppm LFP, and T5) positive control (PC) with feed additives. Feces were collected at 0 and 4 d post inoculation (dpi) to evaluate fecal shedding by real time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR). Pig body weights were collected at -7, 0, 7, 14, 21, and 42 dpi to calculate performance. Feed intake was measured at the completion of the two dietary phases at 7 and 42 dpi for calculation of average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain to feed ratio (G:F). All pigs were negative for F18 ETEC on 0 dpi and the non-challenge pigs remained negative by 4 dpi. At 4 dpi, the pigs fed 1,500 and 2,500 ppm LFP had significantly less Cts than pigs fed the positive control (rtPCR &lt; 0.819, P = 0.03). Pigs fed the negative control had significantly greater fecal bacterial load than those fed the positive control averaged across challenge treatments and dpi (Ct ratio = 0.84, P = 0.03). Total E. coli and overall bacterial load were increased at 0 dpi compared with 4 dpi (Ct ratio= 0.90, P &lt; 0.02). Pigs fed the positive control grew significantly faster than those fed the other diets during the acclimation phase (P &lt; 0.01). Pigs in T5 were heavier than those on T1 at 14 and 21 dpi P &lt; 0.02; table 1). End weights, average daily gain (ADG), and ADFI were similar between T1 and T2-4 across dietary phases (P = 0.13) with a tendency for the pigs feed 1,500 ppm to be heavier at d 21 (linear effect, P = 0.15) Pigs fed the positive control were heavier and grew faster at the end of each phase compared with pigs fed the other diets. The F18 challenge was effective in decreasing pig performance. Preliminary evidence suggests lactobacillus fermentation postbiotic may improve nursery performance in the face of an F18 challenge, but further investigation is necessary.
303 What’s next for animal welfare from a legal perspective?
Authors: Rumley Elizabeth 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
California’s “Prop 12” indicated a significant change for animal agriculture generally, but for legally mandated animal welfare standards more specifically. This presentation will outline the general requirements of the law and aspects of the United States Supreme Court opinion finding it to be constitutional. It will also discuss the longer term and more widespread effects of the Supreme Court opinion on potential legislation in the United States. Finally, it will preview another Supreme Court case, heard this year and not yet decided, that may have an impact on the regulation of animal welfare.
304 What does Prop 12 mean for the swine industry
Authors: Horback Kristina 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
California’s Proposition 12, also known as the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative, has been fully implemented as of January 1st, 2024. This measure regulates the minimum space requirements for egg-laying hens, dairy calves raised for veal, and breeding pigs in order for the associated products to be sold within the state of California. Suppliers of these covered products need to be accredited by specific, third-party certifying agents to be certified as ‘Prop 12 compliant’. For the swine industry, the spotlight is on the housing of any female breeding pig over the age of 6 mo. These animals must be in an enclosure that allows them to lie down, stand up, turn around, and fully extend their limbs without touching the sides of their stalls or another animal (24 square feet of floor space per animal). These regulations also limit the duration of time producers can house animals in closed crates before farrowing to 5 d. While these housing regulations do not apply during the nursing phase, research contexts, during veterinary treatment or immediately before slaughter, they do apply in the post-weaning phase. This means that the animals cannot be confined for heat-checking or breeding to be considered ‘Prop 12 compliant’. These housing standards have no minimum herd size and apply to those in commercial or private farms if there will be products produced and sold. With any change to the standard operating procedures of animal husbandry, there will be some growing pains. These issues can be addressed when considerations are given to the group composition (age and size of sows), pen mixing practices (pre or post breeding), feeding schedule [collective (trough, floor fed) or individual (electronic sow feeding, free access stalls)], and, pen structural quality (flooring, enrichment). This measure will have considerable economic and ethical implications related to barn renovations, animal care staff training, and husbandry practices for the swine industry.
115 Gene editing: Where are we on campus and where can it go?
Authors: Prather Randall S 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Editing the genome of livestock provides solutions to otherwise intractable problems and can provide a tool to better understand the role of specific proteins during development. The potential benefit for production agriculture is so great that the USDA Agricultural Research Service has invested in 4 positions now located in a research unit at the University of Missouri with a focus currently on swine and poultry. Genome editing can result in introducing alleles from divergent populations or novel alleles to produce animals that have new proteins, modified proteins or animals that no longer produce a protein. Applications of genome editing include improving disease resistance (viral and bacterial), improving digestion, disseminating valuable genetics, improved thermoregulation, changing the body/milk composition, and creating hypoallergenic meat. Changes in these animals will improve animal welfare, animal productivity and the sustainability of animal agriculture. In addition to improving animal agriculture, gene editing has enabled a new understanding of maternal recognition of pregnancy in the pig and a better understanding of molecules involved in growth and development of pigs. With new developments in editing of just somatic cells [somatic cell gene editing (SCGE), rather than germline editing], it will be possible to edit some cells in existing animals and thus change their phenotype. SCGE technologies such as this are being developed via the biomedical community as models to lead to human clinical applications. One such application is to correct cells in the lungs that produce the CFTR protein. Correction of just 10% of the cells in the lungs is estimated to correct the lung symptoms associated with cystic fibrosis. Similar applications in production agriculture might produce animals that have novel phenotypes of an altered carcass composition or better use of nutrients. Application of genetic engineering technologies such as genome editing is limited by biology and the imagination of the investigator.
117 Gene editing on the farm: Current status and future prospects
Authors: Beaton Benjamin 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Livestock with enhanced disease resistance genes offer both health advantages to animals and economic opportunities for farmers aiming to meet the rising demand for affordable, high-quality protein. This study builds upon prior research that utilized gene editing to modify the porcine CD163 gene, demonstrating resistance to the RNA virus responsible for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). To amplify the impact of this disease resistance trait, it is crucial for it to be present in commercially significant breeding populations, facilitating the widespread production and distribution of resistant pigs. In pursuit of this objective, a groundbreaking gene editing program was implemented, leveraging CRISPR-Cas technology, next-generation DNA sequencing, in vitro and in vivo off-target analyses, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and a simplified breeding strategy. This innovative approach aimed to introduce a single modified CD163 allele into four genetically elite and diverse porcine lines, rendering the cells and animals resistant to PRRS virus (PRRSV) infection. The resulting founder population is currently undergoing large-scale phenotype testing, multiplication through classical breeding methods, ongoing genetic refinement, and poised for commercialization pending regulatory approvals. This presentation will provide insights into the process and data associated with this scaled production, marking a significant stride towards the realization of commercially elite PRRS virus resistant pigs.
119 Bentley Lecture: Gene editing: A Japanese perspective
Authors: Funahashi Hiroaki 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Development of useful gene editing technologies, such as ZFN, TALEN and CRISPR/Cas9 systems, has made it possible to efficiently produce knock-out and knock-in mammals, including domestic animals. In particular, the number of scientific papers on gene editing by using the CRISPR/Cas9 system has increased rapidly since 2013, although it has begun to decline from 2022. Among those researchers, the contribution of Japanese scientists accounts for 5 to 10% of the total number of published papers in many species, including laboratory and domestic animals, while those in rats account for nearly 20 % of the total. Whereas research results in rodents, such as mice and rats, have been published from many Japanese institutions, those in domestic animals, such as pigs, appears to be from only limited numbers. With regard to the application of gene editing technology to livestock species, only pigs have different objectives compared with other species, and are used for xenotransplantation and disease models rather than for industrial applications. Whereas this trend is also true for research in Japan, publications on the attempts of new methodologies seem to stand out. A distinctive feature of Japanese research on mammalian gene editing may be the development of methods to introduce gene editors into oocytes with electroporation, for example, GEEP and iGonad, and the applications. These methods seem to be used to generate knock-out animals efficiently, and production of pigs with simultaneous knockout of two or three genes has been reported. To produce knock-in pigs, however, it seems that cloned animals still need to be produced by nuclear transplantation of somatic cells in which the interested gene has been previously modified. Although the attempts to introduce editing tools directly into zygotes by microinjection, which is much simpler than somatic cell nuclear transplantation, have been reported, it has not been controlled yet to reduce the occurrence of mosaics, and it would be necessary to wait for further improvement. In addition, some methods for gene editing chemically or by lipofection have also been attempted, but the efficiencies may still need to be improved. Arrangements for the proper handling of gene-edited animals and food products by Japanese government, especially whether or not such animals and food products are genetically modified organisms, etc. as defined by law, will have a significant impact on the direction and promotion of research on gene editing in Japan.
36 Effects of grinding method on ileal digestibility of amino acids in different short-season corn cultivars fed to growing pigs
Authors: Lee Jinyoung , Nyachoti Martin 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Decreased corn production was previously observed in Manitoba due to the low climatic temperatures; however, corn production has increased by developing corn hybrids that require low corn heat units, and therefore can grow in areas with decreased heat units. Milling technology affects feed particle size and shape, which may affect the digestibility of nutrients and growth performance of pigs. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of grinding methods on the apparent (AID) and standardized (SID) ileal digestibility of amino acids (AA) in selected short-season corn cultivars fed to growing pigs. A total of 18 ileal cannulated barrows (56.8 ± 2.9 kg) were assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a triplicate 6 × 2 incomplete Latin square design with 6 diets and 2 periods to give 6 observations per treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial design with three different corn cultivars [two Manitoba-origin short-season corns (A or B) or a US-origin corn] and two grinding methods [hammer mill or roller mill]. Each ingredient was included as the sole source of protein in the diets. All diets contained 0.3% titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker. Each experimental period lasted 7 d including the first 5 d for adaptation and the last 2 d for ileal digesta collection. After feeding the experimental diets, all pigs were fed a low-protein diet for 7 d to quantify endogenous losses of N and AA for determining the SID of N and AA. Pigs were fed the diets at 2.8 times the maintenance energy requirement based on their body weight at the beginning of each period. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED of SAS. The statistical model included diet as fixed effect and replication, animal within replication, and period within replication as random effects. The AID of Arg, Ala, Ser, and Gly were greater (P &lt; 0.05) in short-season corn B compared with US-origin corn. The AID and SID of His in both short-season corns were greater (P &lt; 0.05) than in US-origin corn. The AID of His and SID of Thr in hammer-milled corns were greater (P &lt; 0.05) than in roller-milled corns. A significant interaction was found whereby AID of Ile in hammer-milled corn was not different between short-season corn B cultivar and US-origin corn but in roller-milled corn, short-season corn B cultivar had a greater (P &lt; 0.05) digestibility than US corn. In conclusion, the digestibility of AA was greater in short-season corn than in US corn, and pigs had greater digestibility of AA in hammer-milled corn than roller-milled corn.
33 1-Carbon metabolism: Methionine and more
Authors: Van Milgen Jaap 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Methionine, via S-adenosylmethionine, has an important role in the post-translational methylation of Arg, Lys, and His in proteins, methylation of DNA and RNA, and methylation of serotonin (to melatonin), noradrenaline (to adrenaline), and guanidinoacetate (to creatine). After the methyl-group of Met is transferred to an acceptor, the resulting homocysteine can transfer its sulfur group to Ser yielding Cys. Homocysteine can also be remethylated back to Met in the so-called Met salvage pathway, which requires betaine or N5-methyl tetrahydrofolate (THF) as a 1-carbon donor. Methionine is, thus, not necessarily the dietary source of 1-carbon in methylation reactions. N5-methyl THF is one of the “1-carbon flavors” of THF and the catabolism of Ser, Gly, His, and formate (e.g., from Trp catabolism) results in the formation of 1-carbon metabolites linked to THF. These amino acids (and choline and betaine) are thus potential dietary sources of 1-carbon groups, of which only Ser and Gly can be synthesized de novo. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the role of Ser and Gly in 1-carbon metabolism. Glycine has the unique property that it is able to accept and donate 1-carbon groups and the high concentration of Gly in plasma may be indicative for its 1-carbon buffering capacity. Glycine is also one of the few non-essential amino acids for which the retention (e.g., for collagen synthesis) largely exceeds the dietary intake. However, the de novo synthesis of Gly has been considered “a weak link in metabolism” because it is always associated with the synthesis of a 1-carbon group, and the capacity of the animal to dispose of excess 1-carbon groups may be limited. An excess supply of 1-carbon groups may therefore lead to a dietary requirement for Gly.
34 DPP Lecture: Evidence of methionine effects on health and immune response of animals
Authors: Columbus Daniel A 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Methionine is an essential amino acid that is commonly supplemented in livestock diets, including for swine and poultry. As with other amino acids, requirements for methionine have largely been based on maximizing growth performance; however, there is evidence that nutrient requirements, including for sulfur amino acids, are altered by immune status of the animal. As such, there has been significant interest in exploring the non-proteinogenic functions of amino acids and how these work to support animal health in addition to growth performance. While methionine has a key role in protein synthesis, it is involved in numerous biological functions, including participation in transsulfuration and transmethylation pathways, as a precursor of intermediates in metabolic pathways (e.g., carnitine, cystine), and in components of the immune response (e.g., acute-phase proteins), and in antioxidant status (i.e. glutathione, taurine). While undersupply and oversupply of methionine can lead to deficiency and toxicity, respectively, it is likely that supplementation with methionine above the current recommendations for growth would be beneficial for animal health, especially during times of stress or immune stimulation.
35 Role and mechanism of supplemental methionine in metabolic stress of broilers raised at high ambient temperature or stock density
Authors: Lei Xingen 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Current poultry production practices may render fast-growing broilers prone to metabolic stresses induced by high ambient temperatures and(or) high stocking densities. As the first limiting amino acid of broilers fed corn-soy diets, methionine also serves as a free radical scavenger. Our laboratory has explored metabolic effects and biochemical mechanisms of supplemental methionine in grower and finisher diets for broilers raised at high temperature or high stock density. In Experiment 1, a total of 360 male, 1 d-old Cornish cockerel chicks were fed four diets (10 pens/treatment, 9 chicks/pen): 100 or 130% required methionine in the diets as DL-methionine (DL-MET) or 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoate (HMTBA). The room was maintained at 4 to 13oC above the suggested thermoneutral temperature. The 130% DL-MET and HMTBA diets enhanced (P &lt; 0.05) hepatic GSH concentrations of growers and plasma ferric reducing ability of finishers than the 100% diets. The DL-MET-fed growers had greater (P &lt; 0.05%) muscle GSH and hepatic unsaturated fatty acid concentrations than those fed HMTBA. The methionine form and concentration exerted an interaction effect (P &lt; 0.05) on the expression of inflammation-related genes in the liver of finishers. In Experiment 2, we determined if 30% extra DL-MET alleviated adverse effects of a greater stocking density on broilers. A total of 560 male, 1 d-old Cornish cockerels were housed at two stocking densities (9 and 12 birds/m2) and fed two concentrations of DL-MET (grower: 2.90 or 3.77 g/kg and finisher: 2.60 or 3.38 g/kg). The high stocking density decreased (P &lt; 0.05) body weight and growth performance of growers and(or) finishers. Those differences were largely removed or attenuated by the 130% DL-MET diet. There were interaction effects (P &lt; 0.05) between dietary DL-MET concentrations and stocking densities on activities of glutathione S-transferase in the liver of growers and the breast, thigh, and adipose tissue of finishers as well as on activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in the thigh of growers. The 130% DL-MET diet decreased (P &lt; 0.05) hepatic gene expression of heat shock protein 90 (18%) and malondialdehyde concentrations in the thigh and breast of finishers (35%). In summary, the high ambient temperature-induced metabolic responses of broilers were mediated by the extra methionine supplementation. That function varied with the chicken age and(or) tissue and the methionine form. Meanwhile, the 30% extra DL-MET addition partially reversed adverse effects caused by the greater stocking density, partially via improving tissue redox status. (This research was supported in part by Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbH, and was published: J. Anim. Sci. 97:4883-4894; J. Anim. Sci. 98:skaa092. doi: 10.1093/jas/skaa092).
299 Building and maintaining an engaged undergraduate equine research team
Authors: Staniar W Burton 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
An objective of the equine science program at Penn State is to provide the training and knowledge students need to solve problems in their lives and careers. The Equine Research Team at Penn State (PSERT) is a novel approach to meeting this objective, inspired by Dr. Max Kleiber’s “Tracer Team”, a group of faculty and graduate students that successfully studied kinetics of phosphorus and calcium metabolism in dairy cows at the University of California, Davis in the 1950s and 60s. The team allows us to address several objectives that are not easily approached using more traditional teaching environments found in the classroom or laboratory. These include 1) satisfying the demand for research experience from a large number of students, who come to research with an enormous range of ability and enthusiasm, 2) providing the hand on practice utilizing the scientific method to solve problems in the equine industry, 3) building a sense of personal responsibility and simultaneously cooperation by approaching research as a team, 4) creating an environment of academic and creative achievement outside the traditional grading system, and 5) blurring the lines that traditionally separate academic and social life at a university to create an environment much closer to what students will experience as graduates. In spring 2008, 10 undergraduate students sought formal research experience opportunities in the area of equine science. Students were organized into a team that met biweekly. Project leaders registered for independent study course credits and conducted 3 research studies in yr 1, while the rest of the team participated as volunteers. Fourteen years later, the team is still an important student organization with between 40 to 60 members on an annual basis. Over the years, the team has traveled to universities and important equine industry locations throughout the United States. Members have conceived, conducted, analyzed and presented research studies on a wide range of topics within the sphere of equine science. The team has two faculty advisors, an executive committee analogous to most student organizations, a group of research project leaders, and approximately 60 dues paying student members. The biweekly meeting is organized and led by the executive committee and generally contains the following components: update of activities, seminar provided by an outside speaker from industry or academia who has expertise in the area of equine research, presentation by one of the research project leaders, and group discussion of the project, planning of future research projects. This Equine Research Team has been and continues to be a model that can be utilized by others to successfully facilitate undergraduate student engagement in research.