A study was conducted to evaluate the biological properties of milk from different animals and breeds such as cows, goats (Prisca, Ionica or Saanen breeds) and donkeys (Martina Franca breed). Methods included in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo experiments to evaluate the activity of milks on platelet aggregation and antioxidant capacity. The in vitro trials results demonstrated the highest total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in goats’ milk, especially from Prisca breed. Ex vivo trials showed that Prisca goats’ milk inhibits platelet aggregation at lower amounts than milk from other species. Consumption for 40 days of 0.6 L day1 of Prisca goats’ milk significantly increased TAC in healthy volunteers. This study contributes to defining the biological properties of milk from these animals/breeds. Goats’ milk from the autochthonous Greek breed (Prisca) provided the best antioxidant capacity and inhibitory properties on platelet aggregation of the milk samples tested.

Casein and whey proteins have various functionalities on human health. These are expressed mainly through the peptides that are rereased when these proteins are digested and include antithrombotic & antihypertasive action, positive effects on human nervous system and stimulative effect on human immune system, antimicrobial action and controlling effects on chronic diseases. Furthermore, an intensive research effort has come up to use casein and whey proteins for the production of functional peptides usefull for human health. This contribution reviews the discovered effects of casein and whey proteins on human health and the techniques used to isolate bioactive peptides from them.

In a group of 14 healthy aged subjects, donkey and goat milk was administered respectively, for a period of one month. Cytokine profile [interleukin (IL)-12, IL-10, IL-1, IL-8, IL-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-] was assessed before and after milk intake by means of a cytometric bead array test. Data demonstrated that IL-12 was undetectable, while IL-10, IL-1 and TNF- were released in very low amounts. Quite interestingly, IL-8 was increased by donkey milk administration, while same cytokine was dramatically decreased following goat milk intake. Same pattern of response was noted with IL-6 even if levels of these cytokine were lower than those detectable in the case of IL-8. Taken together, these findings indicate that administration of donkey milk in the aged host is able to upregulate the immune response, while goat milk seems to reduce the exaggerated acute phase response in elde

The effects of the slaughter season (winter and spring) and the age at slaughter (45 and60 days) on the carcass characteristics and physico-chemical quality of meat were inves-tigated on 40 Leccese lambs. In each season, 20 lambs were subdivided into two groupscorresponding to the experimental ages. All lambs received maternal milk and a supple-mentation of hay and commercial concentrate from 30 days to slaughter. The ewes werefed a basal mixed diet (unifeed) and commercial concentrate and were allowed to graze for5 h a day on polyphytic cultivated grassland. The increase of the lambs’ slaughter age from45 to 60 days resulted in an improvement in live weight, some commercial cuts (shoulderand loin), the majority of the carcass measurements, adiposity and conformation of shoul-der and leg and the muscle/fat ratio. Intramuscular collagen properties were also affectedby slaughter age. Considering the slaughter seasons, the best results have been obtained inspring and have been maximised in lambs slaughtered at 60 days that showed the greatestlive weight (16 kg), good percentages of commercial cuts and carcass measurements, thegreater levels of adiposity and better conformations of shoulder and leg and the lowestWarner–Bratzler (WB) shear force, without substantial difference in relation to colorimet-ric indices of meat. In conclusion, age and season of slaughter should be considered for thetraditional production of light lambs. Lambs slaughtered in spring at 60 days of age showedthe better characteristics of the carcasses and quality of meat.

Background: Oxidative damage of tissues and cellular components is a primary or secondary cause of many human diseases and is associated with the welfare and productivity of farm animals. Natural antioxidants have gained attention for the prevention of oxidative damage-related diseases. Aim of the Study: To determine the effects of dietary supplementation with a natural polyphenol (verbascoside, VB) on the serum lipid profile, the hepatic functionality and oxidative status of jennies and their suckling foals. Results: Supplementation with VB over 30 days decreased in jennies the serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, bilirubin, AST and ALT, and it increased the HDL cholesterol. As markers of the oxidative status, a decrease of ROMs and TBARs, and an increase in vitamin E levels were observed. Interestingly, the suckling foals showed the same trends in the blood parameters and oxidative status. Conclusions: Supplementation with VB influenced the lipidic and hepatic profiles, and oxidative status of jennies and the suckling foals, and may represent a potentially novel strategy for improving the functional properties of donkey’s milk for human diet and for improving the welfare of young animals.

The effectiveness of FSH/LH in superovulatory treatment and embryo cryopreservation by different methods was studied in goats. Forty-five goats were synchronized for oestrus and subdivided into three superovulatory treatment groups (N 15) with p-FSH (250 IU, over 3 days), corresponding to different doses of purified FSH and LH giving FSH/LH ratios of: (A) control, FSH/LH = 1:1, constant during the treatment; (B) FSH/LH = 2:1, constant; (C) FSH/LH = 2:1, decreasing in the three days of the treatment (FSH/LH = 3.4:1.7:0.8, respectively). Embryo production was assessed at 7th d after oestrus. Mean number of transferable embryos of Group C (6.9) was similar to Group A (8.2) and higher (P < 0.05) than in Group B (3.8). On the produced morulae (N 113) and blastocysts (N 144), four freezing methods were evaluated: CF1, slow-freezing in 1.5 M ethylene glycol (EG); CF2, slow-freezing in 3.0 M methanol; QF, quick-freezing in EG 3.0 M, exposure at N2 vapor and plunging into liquid N2; V3, vitrification in three-step-process at increasing GLY and EG concentrations and direct plunging in liquid N2. At thawing, the morphological viability rates of embryos with V3, and QF, methods were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than with CF1 and CF2. Survival rates of blastocysts through Day 45 of pregnancy were 70% (7/10), 66.7% (6/9), 44.4% (4/9) and 28.6% (2/7), for embryos cryopreserved with V3, QF, CF1 and CF2, respectively (P > 0.05). In conclusion, a satisfactory superovulatory response occurs using treatment A. QF and V3 methods resulted more suitable for the cryopreservation of embryos in goats.

The objective of this study was to asses the effectiveness of short term protocols (5–7 days) for the synchronization of oestrus in lactating ewes during the non-breeding season, using combinations of GnRH, PGF2 and estradiol benzoate treatments. One hundred and six adult cross-bred Altamurana ewes were divided into the following six treatment groups: (i) Group NT (N= 30), which served as the control, was exposed to fertile rams for a 20 days period; (ii) Group Fe (N= 15) received FGA intravaginal sponges (14 days) + eCG i.m. (Day 14); (iii) Group GP (N= 15) received a GnRH agonist (Day 0) and PGF2 (Day 5) i.m. treatment; (iv) Group GPG (N= 15) received a GnRH (Day 0), PGF2 (Day 5) and a second dose of GnRH (Day 7) i.m.; (v) Group GPE ewes (N= 16) treated with GnRH (Day 0), PGF2 (Day 5) and estradiol benzoate (EB; Day 6, 24 h after PGF2) i.m. treatment; (vi) Group EPE (N= 15) treated with EB (Day 0), PGF2 (Day 5) and EB (Day 6, 24 h after PGF2) i.m. treatment. Ewes were checked for oestrus and hand mated using fertile rams. Upon return to service the ewes were mated again. A definite effect of the treatments on the occurrence of oestrus was recorded, with a higher percentage of ewes (P < 0.01) exhibiting oestrus in the Fe (93.3%) and EPE (100%) groups, compared to the GPG (33.3%), GP (46.7%) and GPE (62.5%) groups. The interval to oestrus was shorter and more synchronized in the long term treated Fe group (P < 0.01). The fertility rates recorded were 36.7% (11/30) in the NT or control ewes, and 60.0% (9/15), 33.3% (5/15) and 26.7% (4/15) (not significant) in the Fe, GP and GPG groups, respectively. In the GPG group the fertility and prolificacy rates recorded were higher (80% and 175%), than in any of the other treatment groups. In the GPE group, 10 of the 16 ewes (62.5%) exhibited oestrus, but the fertility rate was significantly lower (20%, P < 0.01), compared to the other groups (GPG, 80%; GP, 71.4%; Fe, 64.3%). In Group EPE, despite having the highest percentage of ewes exhibiting oestrus (100%), none of the ewes lambed. The fertility achieved in all the short term treatment groups following natural service and oestrous synchronization indicate that the protocols used do not seem to interfere with the ewes natural cycle or with their fertility. Results indicate that between the short term treatments studied, the GP and GPG methods offer a potential alternative to the conventional long term protocol (Fe) for oestrous synchronization in dairy ewes. Further research is required regarding the use of estradiol benzoate to synchronize oestrus.

Background and Aims: Milk contains numerous nutrients. The content of n-3 fatty acids, the n-6/n-3 ratio, and short- and medium-chain fatty acids may promote positive health effects. In Western societies, cow’s milk fat is perceived as a risk factor for health because it is a source of a high fraction of saturated fatty acids. Recently, there has been increasing interest in donkey’s milk. In this work, the fat and energetic value and acidic composition of donkey’s milk, with reference to human nutrition, and their variations during lactation, were investigated. We also discuss the implications of the acidic profile of donkey’s milk on human nutrition. Methods: Individual milk samples from lactating jennies were collected 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 days after foaling, for the analysis of fat, proteins and lactose, which was achieved using an infrared milk analyser, and fatty acids composition by gas chromatography. Results: The donkey’s milk was characterised by low fat and energetic (1719.2 kJ•kg-1) values, a high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content of mainly -linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA), a low n-6 to n-3 FA ratio or LA/ALA ratio, and advantageous values of atherogenic and thrombogenic indices. Among the minor PUFA, docosahesaenoic (DHA), eicosapentanoic (EPA), and arachidonic (AA) acids were present in very small amounts (<1%). In addition, the AA/EPA ratio was low (0.18). The fat and energetic values decreased (P<0.01) during lactation. The fatty acid patterns were affected by the lactation stage and showed a decrease (P<0.01) in saturated fatty acids content and an increase (P<0.01) in the unsaturated fatty acids content. The n-6 to n-3 ratio and the LA/ALA ratio were approximately 2:1, with values <1 during the last period of lactation, suggesting the more optimal use of milk during this period. Conclusions: The high level of unsaturated/saturated fatty acids and PUFA-n3 content and the low n-6/n-3 ratio suggest the use of donkey’s milk as a functional food for human nutrition and its potential utilisation for infant nutrition as well as adult diets, particular for the elderly.

The effects of two lambs rearing systems – suckling from stall-fed (hay and concentrate) or pasture-fed mothers – on carcass characteristics, meat quality, fatty acids composition, vitamin E content and collagen characteristics, were studied in eighteen lambs. The effect of consumer knowledge about the lamb-rearing system on the hedonic ratings of meat was also assessed through consumer testing. Lambs subdivided into two experimental groups (No. 9) of different maternal feeding system received exclusively maternal milk and were slaughtered at 45 days of age. A higher leg weight with a higher proportion of fat and a lower proportion of lean resulted from the lambs of pasture-fed mothers, while total muscle protein content was higher in lambs of stall-fed mothers. Intramuscular saturated fatty acids (SFA) were lower in lambs from pasture-fed mothers, while polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), linolenic acid (18:3 n-3), and n-3 fatty acids were higher, displaying more favourable indexes for human health (n-6/n-3, SFA/PUFA, thrombogenic index). Maternal pasture feeding also caused higher -tocopherol content and different collagen characteristics. The consumer test showed that when information on the animal rearing system was provided, the meat from lambs of pasture-fed mothers was preferred to meat from lambs of stall-fed mothers. In conclusion, this study has shown that maternal feeding system in the stall or in pasture affects the nutritional value of suckling lamb meat and consumer acceptability after they are given information on the production system.

Two experiments were carried out on Ionica dairy goats in order to test the efficiency of: 1) short 14 term-5day combined progestogen-PGF2α-GnRH treatments on induction/ synchronization of 15 oestrus and fertility after natural mating in lactating goats and during the transition period 16 (Experiment 1); 2) short term- 9day FGA-PGF2α-eCG treatments on synchronizing oestrus and 17 ovulation (Experiment 2.1) and artificial insemination (AI) fixed time system in synchronized does 18 (Experiment 2.2), during the breeding season. In Experiment 1, four treatment groups (N ═ 24) were considered: 1) FPe-11d - control, FGA intravaginal sponges (11 days) + PGF2α (9th19 d) + eCG (11th d); 2) FPe-5d, FGA (5 days) + PGF2α (5thd) + eCG (5th 20 d); 3) PFe-5d, PGF2α (D0) + FGA (5 days) + eCG (5th d); 4) GPe-5d, GnRH (D0) + PGF2α (5th d)+ eCG (5th 21 d). Goats were checked for 22 oestrus and naturally mated. The occurrence of oestrus were 75.0, 78.3, 86.4, and 58.3% for groups 23 1 to 4, respectively, with significant differences (P<0.05) between groups 3 and 4. Interval to 24 oestrus was earlier (P<0.05) in GPE-5d than in FPe-11d control group. There were no differences 25 between the groups (P>0.05) in fertility or in prolificacy. In Experiment 2.1, twenty-two goats were subdivided into 2 treatment groups (N ═ 11): T1) FPe-11d (control), FGA (11 days) + PGF2α (9th 26 *Manuscript 2 d) + eCG (11th d); T2) FPe-9d, FGA (9 days) + PGF2α (727 th d) + eCG (9th d). Oestrus and ovulation 28 times were monitored every 4 h; ovulation rate was also determined. The induction of oestrus 29 ranged from 91 to 100% and all goats ovulated. Intervals to oestrus, from the onset of oestrus to 30 ovulation, from sponge removal to ovulation, and ovulation rates were 28.2±4.9 and 26.0 ± 4.0 h, 31 25.3±9.2 and 28.9 ± 7.4 h, 53.5±7.6 and 54.9 ± 7.1 h, 3.7 ± 1.6 and 2.4 ± 1.4 corpora lutea (P<0.05) 32 for T1 and T2, respectively. In T2 a great abnormal ovulatory response was observed. In 33 Experiment 2.2, forty-eight goats were synchronized with FPe-9d treatment and subjected to AI, 34 performed 50 h after s.r. with frozen semen, and subdivided into 2 AI system groups (N ═ 24): T3, exocervical AI (100x106 Spz/doe); T4, intrauterine AI (20x106 35 Spz/doe). Fertility rate was higher 36 (P<0.05) in T3. It seems that short term-5-day combined progestogen- PGF2α-GnRH-eCG 37 treatments need to be investigated for AI fixed time.

Three experiments were conducted on Martina Franca jennies. Experiment 1 tested Wood’s model for evaluating the lactation curve. Data from the entire lactation period of 12 jennies were used. The results showed that Wood’s model was able to recognize the shape of the lactation curve from pooled data (r2 = 0.11; P < 0.01), with the lactation peak occurring at 48 d. Individual curves showed wide variability. Experiment 2 aimed to evaluate the effects of the daily number of milkings (1, 3, or 6) and the interval between the separation of foals from dams and milking (2 or 3 h) on milk yield and udder health. Four groups of jennies (n = 5) were considered: 1 × 3H, milked once per day (1×) with a 3-h interval from the time of foal removal (3H) from the dams to mechanical milking (3-h interval); 3 × 3H, milked 3 times per day with 3-h intervals; 3 × 2H, milked 3 times per day with 2-h intervals; and 6 × 2H, milked 6 times per day with 2-h intervals. The milk somatic cell count (SCC) was monitored. Better efficiency was observed for 3 vs. 1 milking per day and for 3-h vs. 2-h intervals. The regimen of 6 daily milkings at 2-h intervals did not increase milk yield and was related to an increase in the SCC compared with 3 daily milkings. In Exp. 3, the effects of the interval from foal removal to milking (3, 5, or 8 h) on yield, gross chemical composition, organoleptic characteristics of the milk, and udder health of the jennies were evaluated. The effects of milking time were also evaluated. Twenty jennies milked twice daily (2×) were subdivided into 4 groups (n = 5): 2 × 3H, with milkings at 1200 h and 1900 h and an interval of 3 h; 2 × 5H, milked at 1200 h and 1900 h with a 5-h interval; 2 × 8H1, milked at 1200 h and 2200 h with an 8-h interval; and 2 × 8H2, milked at 0700 h and 1900 h with an 8-h interval. Milk yield was greater by 28.4% when an 8-h interval was used compared with a 3-h interval and at the morning vs. the evening milking. The milk yield per milking was greatest at 0700 h, indicating the existence of a circadian rhythm in milk secretion processes. Intervals of 5 and 8 h caused significant decreases in the fat and lactose content and organoleptic characteristics of the milk, whereas an 8-h interval led to an increase in the SCC. In conclusion, a milking regimen of twice-daily milking at 0700 h and 1900 h with an 8-h interval provided the maximum yield per day. In terms of milk quality, a 3-h interval yielded the best results.

According to current literature, donkey’s milk has been suggested as a hypoallergenic substitute in children affected by cow’s milk protein allergy as well as a promising nutraceutical for aged people. However, the biologically active components of donkey’s milk have not yet completely elucidated. In this framework this study is aimed at measuring α-lactalbumin (α-LA), β-lactoglobulin (β-LG), and lysozyme (LYS), the principal whey proteins in donkey’s milk, in relation to lactation stage and production season. Analysis were performed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. α-LA, β-LG, and LYS resulted to be affected by lactation stage (P &lt; 0.01) and production season (P &lt; 0.01). Overall, the protein content was higher (0.01 &gt; P &lt; 0.05) during the first four lactation’s months and decreased until the month 8. The β-LG was the major protein (1.75 mg mL−1 as mean; peak 2.24 ± 0.09 mg mL−1), while the α-LA had a mean concentration of 1.32 mg mL−1 and peaked at month 1 (1.57 ± 0.09 mg mL−1) and LYS (0.66 mg mL−1 as mean) showed the highest value equal to 0.76 ± 0.03 mg mL−1. The highest (P &lt; 0.01) concentration of all proteins was recorded at spring (α-LA: 1.69 mL−1; β-LG: 2.07 mL−1; LYS: 0.76 mL−1).

Two experiments were conducted in ewes in order to develop an oestrus–ovulation short time synchronization protocol based on combined FGA, PGF2, GnRH, eCG treatments, for use in dairy sheep before natural service (Experiment 1) or for fixed-time artificial insemination (Experiment 2), during the breeding season. In Experiment 1 seventy-five non-lactating dairy ewes were subdivided into 5 treatment groups (N= 15): (1) Group Fe – control, which received FGA vaginal sponges (14 days) + eCG (Day 14); (2) Group FPe, FGA (5 days) + PGF2 (Day 5) + eCG (Day 5); (3) Group PFe, PGF2 (Day 0) + FGA (5 days) + eCG (Day 5); (4) Group PFG, PGF2 (Day 0) + FGA (5 days) +GnRH (30 h after sponge removal, s.r.); (5) Group GPe, GnRH(Day 0) + PGF2 (Day 5) + eCG(Day 5).Eweswere checked for oestrus and hand-mated. Time of ovulation was recorded by laparoscopy for 10 animals from each treatment. The percentages of female in oestrus and the interval to oestrus (h after treatment), fertility and prolificacy rate were recorded. There were no treatment differences in the percentage of females in oestrus. The interval to oestrus was earlier in Fe Group and delayed in FPe Group (P < 0.01). Ovulation time was earlier in GPe Group compared to FPe Group (P < 0.05). Fertility rates were significantly different (P < 0.05) between the PFe and the FPeG Groups compared with the PFG Group. No significant differences were observed in prolificacy among the treatments. In Experiment 2, sixty dry ewes were subdivided (N= 20) into the following three experimental treatment groups: (1) Group FP, FGA (5 days) + PGF2 (Day 5); (2) Group FPG, FGA (5 days) + PGF2 (Day 5) +GnRH (30 h s.r.); (3) Group FPeG, FGA (5 days) + PGF2 (Day 5) + eCG (Day 5) +GnRH (30 h s.r.). These were further subdivided into two groups (N= 10) corresponding to 52 and 60 h s.r. fixed-time insemination. Laparoscopic intrauterine insemination was performed with frozen semen (80×106 spermatozoa/dose) and ovulation time was recorded in a subgroup (N= 10). GnRH resulted in an earlier ovulation time (P < 0.05) in FPG and FPeG Groups (53.0 h vs 61.6 h). Fertility rate was higher in FPeG treated ewes inseminated at 60 h s.r. (60%, 6/10). In FP and FPG Groups fertility rates were higher following insemination at 52 h s.r. (50.0 and 40.0%).

The work described in this Research Communication addressed the hypothesis that it is possible to produce cheese from donkey milk by appropriate adjusting of the cheesemaking parameters. A series of coagulation trials were performed on donkey milk, alone or fortified with goat milk (85/ 15 and 70/30, v/v), using calf rennet under different technological conditions. The parameters that changed were pH and concentration of soluble calcium, amount of rennet added and temperature of coagulation. Donkey milk gave rise to sufficiently firm curd only at ‘extreme’ technological conditions and, as expected, addition of goat milk improved coagulation. A cheesemaking protocol was developed for producing fresh cheese prototypes, which were checked for microbiological safety, chemical composition and sensory characteristics. Pure donkey milk gave 5·9% yield, cheese having 6·12 pH, 32·4%dry matter, 2·1% fat and 18·5% protein. The electrophoretic analysis ascertained that β-casein was the most abundant compound in donkey cheese, but whey proteins were also present in non-negligible amounts. Finally, the sensory evaluation demonstrated that all cheeses were acceptable and provided detailed description of their flavour characteristics.

Twenty lamb meat’s habitual consumers (eight females and twelve males, from 25 to 62 yrs of age) took part in a central location test, organised to assess consumers’ expectations generated by information on animal feeding system, lambs fed with maternal milk from mothers reared on grass (T1) versus lambs fed with maternal milk from mothers reared on stall (T2) and to assess the effect of this knowledge on the hedonic ratings of lamb meat from the Leccese breed. Using a none-point hedonic scale, first blind and then informed scores were collected on two types of Leccese meat. The blind test provided information which was different from informed test; in fact, T2 meat receiving higher hedonic scores than T1 meat. On the contrary, with the label information on animal feeding system, meat from T1 lambs was liked more than meat from T2 lambs. The lamb meat’s habitual consumers showed a higher interest in extrinsic quality attributes which referred to the origin or production system.

The present study investigated the volatile organic compound (VOC) profile in the milk of ewes grazing at pasture compared with ewes fed concentrate and hay and in the meat of suckling lambs. Fourteen Leccese pregnant ewes were divided into two groups: group P (n=7) was allowed to graze a natural pasture from 08:00 to 18:00. Group S (n=7) was housed in a pen and was offered vetch and oat hay (1.6kgday−1 per head) and a commercial concentrate (0.5kgday−1 per head). The male offspring lambs (n=7 for the P group and n=7 for the S group) received exclusively maternal milk. 45 days after lambing the ewes’ milk was sampled, the lambs were slaughtered and the longissimus dorsi muscle was sampled. Both the milk and meat were subjected to SPME/GC/MS VOC analysis. The milk of the P ewes contained greater (P<0.05) amounts of 2,3-octanedione and of alpha pinene and p-cymene than the milk from the S ewes. These compounds can be considered grass-feeding tracers. Conversely, we did not find significant differences in the accumulation of the VOC between the P and the S groups in the meat of the suckling lambs, though it was found that the meat of the P lambs contained higher (P<0.05) levels of xylene, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol and hexane 3-methyl than the S lambs.