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Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals

Animal Production Science

Animal Production Science

Animal Production Science is an international journal publishing original research and reviews on the production of food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Wayne Bryden

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Animal Production Science has moved to a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 15 March 2024

AN22405Morphometry of newborn piglets and its relevance at weaning: new approach

Lucas Melo e Silva 0000-0003-3105-4020, Pedro Henrique da Silva Fidelis 0000-0002-1760-6311, Lígia Vanessa Leandro Gomes 0000-0001-7914-1356, Gleyson Araújo dos Santos 0000-0003-2132-4779, Rodrigo Fortunato de Oliveira 0000-0001-9608-5827, Amanda Medeiros Araújo de Oliveira 0000-0001-7349-5559, Elias Silva de Medeiros 0000-0002-9694-4019, Marcelle Santana de Araújo 0000-0002-5195-4256 and Rennan Herculano Rufino Moreira 0000-0001-7144-5750
 

Search for tools to improve the productivity of the pig herds has been the subject of many studies. Development of suckling piglets influences their subsequent post-weaning performance, influencing the nursery, growth and finishing phases, and, consequently, the yield and quality of the swine carcass. Use of morphometric parameters to predict the probability of each weight class occurring at weaning can help manage piglets to increase the probability of their reaching a heavy weight class.

Published online 15 March 2024

AN23322Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene: molecular characterisation of complete coding sequence and expression profile in Tarim red deer (Cervus hanglu yarkandensis) antlers

Chuan Lin 0000-0002-6761-8775, Miao Wang 0000-0001-8890-7253, Xue Rui 0000-0002-1668-4270, Hong Chen 0000-0002-1623-507X, Hao Lv 0000-0003-1804-8865, Fei Huang 0000-0002-2611-0617, Qinghua Gao 0000-0003-4746-7700 and Chunmei Han 0000-0002-6470-7414
 

In this study, researchers successfully obtained the full-length cDNA sequence of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene and examined the expression profile of HGF and its receptor c-Met in different antler tissues. The results showed that HGF and its receptor c-Met were expressed in all antler tissues, with the highest expression in the velvet skin. The findings provide foundational data for understanding the potential role of HGF in regulating antler growth and development.

Published online 07 March 2024

AN23269Similar feed-intake levels yield no differences in energy utilisation between beef heifers identified as low (efficient) and high (inefficient) for residual feed intake

T. P. Vining 0009-0003-9981-4089, P. A. Lancaster 0000-0002-2871-6065, N. DiLorenzo, G. C. Lamb and J. M. B. Vendramini
 

The resources needed to produce feed account for the largest variable cost in livestock production. The ability to identify animals that maintain adequate levels of production but consume less feed could lead to greater conservation of feed resources and improved herd profitability. Residual feed intake, a commonly used trait to select for improved feed efficiency, could increase maintenance-energy requirements. Therefore, cattle selected for improved performance on the basis of RFI may not demonstrate expected gains in energetic efficiency.

Published online 07 March 2024

AN22455Geographic distribution of a missense mutation in the KRT38 gene in Chinese indigenous cattle breeds

Jialei Chen, Xin Liu, Jianyong Liu, Jicai Zhang, Bizhi Huang 0000-0003-4308-2838 and Chuzhao Lei 0000-0003-1647-1037
 

China has an extensive area across many temperature zones and a variety of cattle breeds, which are ideal models to study their adaptability to different environments. We successfully obtained the frequency of a single-nucleotide polymorphism in three groups of cattle in China. The frequency of allele A decreased gradually from north to south, whereas that of allele G showed the opposite trend. Our study will contribute to evaluating it as a genetic marker of heat tolerance for cattle breeding and genetics.

Published online 07 March 2024

AN23378The influence of loading, road transport, unloading and time in lairage on body temperature in finished feedlot steers

S. L. Bonner, I. D. Loxton, A. Lisle, R. J. Lawrence, A. M. Lees 0000-0003-4898-2843 and J. B. Gaughan 0000-0001-5395-6901
 

Road transport has long been recognised as a stressor for cattle. However, investigation into heat stress during road transport and within trailer microclimates has received limited attention. Here cattle body temperatures are shown to increase during handling and loading. In addition, cattle positioned on the upper deck had higher body temperatures when compared with cattle on the lower deck. External climatic conditions were a greater driver of microclimate for the upper and lower decks.

Published online 23 February 2024

AN23235Does the immune stimulant Amplimune® modulate humoral and cytokine responses to commercial bovine respiratory disease vaccines in cattle?

A. L. Alexander 0000-0003-1238-6783, E. K. Doyle 0000-0002-5255-2187, A. B. Ingham 0000-0001-8006-9443, I. G. Colditz 0000-0001-9497-5148, N. M. Andronicos 0000-0001-5881-2296, B. C. Hine 0000-0001-5037-4703 and T. J. Mahony 0000-0003-4573-7906
 

Most vaccines do not confer immediate protection in the host; however, concurrent administration of immune stimulants may enhance or impair immune responses to those vaccines. Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is costly for Australian cattle and, in this trial, concurrent vaccination against BRD with the stimulant Amplimune was investigated and found to have no detrimental effect on immune responses. These findings warrant further examination of the effect of Amplimune on morbidities and mortalities in feedlots.

Published online 20 February 2024

AN23129An initial investigation into the use of machine learning methods for prediction of carcass component yields in F2 broiler chickens

Hossein Bani Saadat 0000-0001-9034-0372, Rasoul Vaez Torshizi 0000-0003-2781-7558, Ghader Manafiazar 0000-0003-4681-8214, Ali Akbar Masoudi 0000-0002-3935-0476, Alireza Ehsani 0000-0001-6933-3469 and Saleh Shahinfar 0000-0003-0730-7577
 

Evaluation of carcass component yields is costly and time consuming, thus models for the prediction of broiler carcass yields are useful. Three advanced predictive models were applied to predict carcass component yields, and benchmarked against the classical linear regression. Random forest had the best performance among machine learning methods, suggesting that it may be considered as an alternative to conventional linear models for prediction of carcass yields in broiler chickens. In all of the predictive model tested in this study, inclusion of single-nucleotide polymorphisms as predictor features lowered the predictive performance of the model.

Published online 16 February 2024

AN23176Milk composition and health status of quarters adjacent to an on-farm protocol-treated clinical-mastitis gland

Marcel Gomes Paixão 0000-0001-6800-3716, Renata Golin Bueno Costa, Guilherme Nunes de Souza, Sandra Maria Pinto and Luiz Ronaldo de Abreu
 

Bovine mastitis is the disease that causes the most economical losses to dairy farmers, including veterinary expenses, milk disposal, loss of production and reduction of animal pregnancies. The milk composition of mammary quarter affected by mastitis is not the only one compromised, as the milk quality of entire udder is also affected. A period of 20 days is not enough for animals to fully recover from a case of udder inflammation. Mastitis is more costly to producers and industry than has been previously reported.

Published online 16 February 2024

AN23207Genetic parameters for milk production and body-conformation traits in Dairy Gir cattle

P. Dominguez-Castaño 0000-0002-5675-7702, M. Fortes 0000-0002-7254-1960, A. M. Toro-Ospina and J. A. II. V. Silva
 

Body-conformation traits in dairy cattle have been associated with health, welfare, and cow longevity, thus affecting herd productivity. The heritability estimates of this study indicated that body-conformations traits could respond to selection. Moreover, the correlations between these traits and milk yield highlighted the importance of considering the correlated response to selection, synergies, and trade-offs between body conformation traits and milk production in Gir cattle. This information is relevant for selective breeding in Gir cattle to enhance tropical milk production.

Published online 13 February 2024

AN23181Effect of heat stress on the reproductive performance of sows: comparison of different thermal-comfort indices in a temperate climate

Abel Villa-Mancera 0000-0002-5997-5641, Maricela Méndez-Rosas 0000-0003-1672-5295 and Juan Cruz-Aviña 0000-0002-0905-9370
 

It is important for those of us responsible for animal welfare and health to improve pig production and avoid economic loss. We used data such as environmental temperature and humidity to determine the best time for a sow to get pregnant with the finest animal-welfare conditions. This information is useful to reduce sow and piglet stress.

Published online 08 February 2024

AN23049Effect of animal and diet parameters on methane emissions for pasture-fed cattle

Stefan Muetzel 0000-0003-4856-3497, Rina Hannaford 0000-0002-0737-3630 and Arjan Jonker 0000-0002-6756-8616
 

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and one of the major fermentation products of ruminants. Accurate measurements of methane emissions and the factors modifying them in pasture-fed animals are very scarce because it requires fresh-pasture feeding indoors. This paper describes the effect of pasture composition and what effects animal factors such as physiological stage, age and sex have on methane emissions from cattle.

Published online 06 February 2024

AN23286Symbiotic can replace zinc bacitracin in diets for layer-type chicks

D. A. Silva 0000-0001-6243-3969, C. B. V. Rabello 0000-0002-5912-162X, M. J. B. Santos 0000-0002-6023-3426, J. C. S. Nascimento 0000-0003-3107-5876, A. G. Ribeiro 0000-0001-6730-0209, E. S. R. Soares 0000-0001-8271-8056, H. E. C. C. C. Manso 0000-0002-4128-3831, L. F. A. Souza 0000-0002-0142-664X, W. R. L. Medeiros-Ventura 0000-0001-5796-2321, R. V. Silva Junior 0000-0002-0208-1065 and M. F. Andrade 0000-0003-4337-4590
 

The use of antibiotics as an additive growth promoter is being prohibited, because it can cause bacterial resistance. Symbiotics are a viable alternative to antibiotics, because they have constituents (probiotics and prebiotics) that modulate the intestinal microbiota, and promote better results in the use of nutrients and health of the birds, and consequently better productive performance.

Published online 05 February 2024

AN23395A novel production profile classification system for incoming calves that predicts feedlot growth performance

Andreas H. R. Hentzen and Dietmar E. Holm 0000-0002-9340-6573
 

Previous studies have demonstrated the association of certain phenotypic traits of incoming feeder calves with feedlot production; however, a well-defined classification system does not currently exist for this purpose. We developed a subjective classification system of production potential for incoming feeder calves and demonstrated its ability to predict feedlot growth performance after adjusting for the calf’s starting weight and gender. This classification system opens the way to precision feeding practices in beef feedlots based on the production potential of individual calves.

Published online 01 February 2024

AN23335Meta-analysis of prevalence and associated risk factors for lameness in dairy cattle across tropical Asian nations

Priyanka Patoliya, Mukund A. Kataktalware 0000-0001-8802-5197, Muniandy Sivaram, Letha Devi G., Sakhtivel Jeyakumar, Anjumoni Mech, Ayyasamy Manimaran 0000-0001-9063-2711 and Kerekoppa P. Ramesha
 

Lameness remains a critical concern in dairy herds worldwide, exerting detrimental impacts on animal well-being, milk yields, and farm profitability. This study endeavours to comprehensively assess the prevalence of lameness in major tropical Asian countries and identify the primary risk factors via a rigorous meta-analysis. The findings emphasise the prevalence of lameness in dairy herds across tropical Asian nations and highlight the potential for reducing its occurrence through enhanced management practices, particularly in relation to factors such as housing, flooring, hygiene, and animal nutrition.

Published online 22 January 2024

AN22471Weaning causes imbalanced T lymphocyte distribution and impaired intestinal immune barrier function in piglets

Li Dong, Mengxuan Wang 0000-0001-6081-9569, Zhong Peng, Hongmin Li, Hongrong Wang, Tao Qin, Yinyan Yin and Lihuai Yu
 

Weaning decreased bodyweight, imbalanced T lymphocyte distribution, lowered concentration of sIgA and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and increased concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in piglets. The impairment of intestinal immune barrier function, which might be associated with the Notch2 signalling, was more severe 3 days post-weaning than at 7 days post-weaning.

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