The aim of this work was to study, using Wood's model, the lactation curve in Italian Heavy Draft horse (IHDH) mares, both for milk yield and composition. Interest in mare's milk has grown for use in human nutrition, as a substitute for human and cow milk for premature newborns and allergic children. For this study, 7 IHDH mares were used. Milk yield was evaluated from d 15 to 180 postpartum (every 15 d). Wood's lactation model was used to describe milk yield, fat, protein, and lactose lactation curves in the first 180 d in milk (DIM), with a prediction to 210 DIM. Mean values recorded across the considered lactation period for milk yield and constituents were 16.11 kg of milk/d, 11.38 g of fat/kg, 15.54 g of protein/kg, and 69.72 g of lactose/kg. The lactation curve showed a peak at 69 DIM, with a persistence index of 6.26. Fat (g/kg) and protein (g/kg) lactation curves decreased during the lactation period; instead, the lactose (g/kg) curve increased from the first to the last DIM. The coefficient of determination values indicated a good model fit by Wood's model application to IHDH mare lactation. The research showed good aptitude of a heavy horse breed, such as IHDH, for milk production.

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest on donkey milk production, on its characteristics, and also on breeding techniques. Donkey milk is characterized by high economic value, although the productive level of jennies is poor. During the milking process, foals are usually separated from their dams, allowing the milk collection in the mammary gland of jennies before milking session. This takes 8 h per day of fastening period for lactating donkey foals. During this period, it could be possible to apply a partial artificial suckling system (artificial suckling during daytime and natural suckling during the night). The aim of the work is the evaluation of the effect of this innovative technique on in vivo performances and on meat production traits of Martina Franca donkey foals. Forty Martina Franca jennies with their foals were used for the trial. After colostrum assumption, 20 foals were partially artificially suckled (AS) during each day, and 20 foals were naturally suckled (NS). From 8.00 to 20.00, both groups were separated from their mothers in order to allow the milking procedures of the jennies. The AS group was in a stall equipped with an automatic calf-suckling machine. For each group, 10 foals were slaughtered at 12 months and 10 foals at 18 months. Artificial suckling system positively affected the growth rate of donkey foals, particularly in the first 6 months from birth, with higher weekly weight gain (P < 0.01), higher final live weight (P < 0.001), and carcass weight (P < 0.01), but no effects were observed on carcass dressing percentage (P > 0.05). Artificial suckling system permitted to extend the time of foal separation from their mothers increasing milk collection time per day, awarding fastening periods in foals.

The aim of the present work was to investigate how chromatic properties of foal meat can vary after thawing out in relation to the slaughtering age of the horses and to the post-thawing time. Eighteen Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHDH) foals were used for the trial. They were subdivided in three groups according to their slaughtering age (6, 11 and 18 months). Two different surfaces were investigated for each sample: daily renewed cutting surface (DRCS) and not-renewed cutting surface (NRCS). The redness of both the investigated surfaces increased with slaughtering age (P < 0.01). Moreover, this parameter decreased during post-thawing time (P < 0.01) only on the NRCS, probably for the myoglobin oxidation processes. Bearing in mind that the consumer prefers meat that is light and with a low redness intensity, from a chromatic perspective the thawed meat of IHDH foals slaughtered at 6 and 11 months proved to be that which best meets the market requirements.

This study assessed the effect of age (L: less than 27 months old, M: from 27 to 42 months old and H: 43 months and older) on fatty acid profile, cholesterol content, amino acid composition and mineral content of 150 Iberian wild red deer meat samples.

The present work describes the effect of nutritive level on horse carcass traits and on meat quality. Eighteen male Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHDH) breed foals were employed in the study. Soon after foaling they were randomly subdivided into three groups according to three nutritive level classes: 150%, 180% and 200% of maintenance requirements. Live weight, hot carcass weight and dressing percentage of each animal were recorded. After slaughtering, meat samples were collected from Longissimus dorsi muscle. The right half carcass of each animal was then divided into cuts. Each one was subdivided into lean, fat and bones. Live weight, carcass weight and dressing percentage were not affected by nutritive level (P>0.05). Horses fed with the lower nutritive level showed a higher incidence of lean and a lower incidence of fat (P<0.01). Moreover, fatty acid profile was not affected by nutritive level (P>0.05). Probably the tendency of IHDH foals to concentrate adipogenesis in the subcutaneous district could explain the lack of influence of nutritive level on meat quality parameters and its influence on carcass and cut composition, which tend to be richer in fat. © 2014 The Authors. Animal Science Journal published by Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd on behalf of Japanese Society of Animal Science.

The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of two different packaging materials on some oxidative and rehological parameters. For the trial were used 8 Fresian veal calves. Sixteen samples of Longissimus dorsi were taken from the right half of each veal calf, packed with two commercial films with different chemical and physical properties. Eight samples were packed with Cryovac® film (25 μm thick) and eight were packed with Weegal® film (45 μm thick). In both the packagings was used the same gas mixture (O2 46%, CO2 23%, N2 31%) and stored at 4±0.5°C until the analysis that were performed at the following post-packaging times: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 days post-packaging. Chromatic parameters, drip loss, cooking loss, water holding capacity, protein oxidation, Tbars and hydroperoxides production were measured at each time and in both the packaging thesis. Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA for repeated measures and to Tukey test, considering as independent variables the packaging material, the postpackaging time and their binary interaction. All the investigated parameters showed to be highly influenced by the packaging material and time (P<0.001). Veal calf meat packed with lower gas permeability film (Weegal®) showed lower oxidation of fat and proteins (P<0.001), lower chromatic indexes (P<0.001) and an higher water holding capacity (P<0.001). Moreover, oxidative parameters increased during storage (P<0.001), instead water holding capacity decreased (P<0.001). Meat oxidation influenced chromatic parameters. In fact, b* values increased during storage time (P<0.001) and a* values increased until 4th day, due to myoglobin oxygenation, and decreased for its oxidation (P<0.01). The material characterized by higher thickness, and by lower O2 and CO2 permeability, revealed to be the better film in veal calves fresh meat packaging because of its effect in reducing chromatic, chemical and physical degradation processes.

he aim of the work is to evaluate the effect of diet (goat milk, warm milk replacer or acidified milk replacer) on the growth, slaughtering performances, meat quality and fat composition of suckling kids of the Saanen breed. A total of 120 Saanen kids were used for the trial. They were born within 48 h from 60 goats that had the twin parturition. They were randomly divided into three treatment experimental group, each made up of 40 animals, of both sex, and housed in three different pens. One group was fed with natural milk by their dams, and kids remained with their mothers until 45 days of life. One group was fed with a milk replacer and one group was fed with an acid milk replacer. Live weight, hot and cold carcass weight, dressing percentage, chemical composition and fatty acids profile and meat colorimetric parameters were investigated. No effects were observed on live weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage and carcass composition. Fatty acid profile was affected by feeding system. Kids fed with goat milk showed meat richer in some saturated fatty acids as C10:0, C17:0 (P<0.05), C14:0, C16:0 (P<0.01). Meat of kids fed with acid milk replacer showed lower concentration of total SFA (P<0.01) and higher concentration of total MUFA, PUFA (P<0.05) and UFA (P<0.01). Moreover, meat color seems to be affected by warm milk replacer, in fact meat was characterized by lower lightness and higher yellowness and hue. Artificial suckling seems to improve the FA quality of kids meat, improving the PUFA quantity. In fact, the increased consumption of foods with low level of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), containing a low n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio correlates with favorable human health conditions. Moreover, artificial feeding could improve milk quantity destined to market in order to improve its profitability.

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of two different packaging films on some chemical, physical and microbiological parameters in veal calf meat. Slices from the right half carcass were sampled from each calf: 8 were packaged with Cryovac® 30 film (25 μm thick) and 8 were packaged with Weegal® 31 film (45 μm thick). In both the packagings the same gas mixture were blown. The samples were analyzed at the following post-packaging times: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 e 14 days. Chromatic patterns, water holding capacity, cooking loss, drip loss, protein oxidation, and hydroperoxides concentration were influenced by the packaging type (P < 0.001). Moreover, during the post-packaging time the WHC decreased, while oxidative reactions increased (P < 0.001). The film that showed better characteristics in packaging of veal calf meat was the one characterized by lower gas permeability due to its ability to reduce and delay chemical and physical alterative processes.

The development of primary cultures and cell lines from aquatic organisms is a valuable tool for a wide range of research activities applied to aquaculture. Despite several efforts, derivation and long-term culturing of primary hepatocytes from marine vertebrates are still rare and unsuccessful. This is the first report to fully characterize long-term cultures of primary hepatocytes from the European seabream, Sparus aurata L. (Osteichthyes, Sparidae) (SaHePs). In this new model, hepatocyte cells were long-term viable, active proliferating, and fully retained liver function up to 3 weeks. SaHePs expressed a differentiated phenotype, owing to the reacquisition of the peculiar cytoarchitecture with the complete assembly of cytoskeletal and junctional network, as shown by the production and immunolocalization of several polarity markers and cytoskeletal proteins (MDR1, ZO-2, C-CAM1, Vimentin, Cadherin, beta-Tubulin, beta-Catenin, beta-Actin). Cytostructural analysis to identify polarized expression and bile canaliculi formation was performed by immunofluorescence and contrast phase microscopy. Long cultured SaHePs also demonstrated evidence of Albumin, alpha 1-Antitrypsin (AAT) and alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) synthesis, expression of the detoxifying metabolic enzyme cytochrome P-4501A (CYP 1A), and production of hepatocyte specific cytoskeleton proteins, such as Cytokeratin 8 (CK8) and Cytokeratin 18 (CK 18). The presence of specific markers for hepatic phenotype, detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis, is suggestive of the full maintenance of a highly differentiated phenotype and hepatic maturation. These data demonstrate that SaHePs can be long cultured without losing the hepatic functionality. This study provides a useful tool for innovative research applications in fish toxicological, pathological, and physiological studies, as one of the few hepatic, functionally active, in vitro model from marine fish.

The paper investigates the effect of two different gas mixtures on chemical, physical and microbiological quality of veal meat packed in modified atmosphere during chill storage. Experimental gas atmospheres tested were O246 (46% O2, 31% N2 and 23% CO2) and O270 (70% O2, 8% N2 and 22% CO2). Samples were stored at 4°C for 14 days and tested at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 days after packaging. The different O2 concentration influenced many parameters. Lower O2 concentration showed a greater increase of a* values (P<0.01) from the 2nd to the 8th packaging day, and a lower increase in drip loss values, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein oxidation (P<0.001). Total aerobic mesophilic and psychrophilic count showed a gradual increase in bacterial load over storage time in both the experimental treatments. Results obtained showed that O246 is better than O270 in calf meat packaging because of a belated decline of meat quality, particularly about oxidative parameters.

Lo studio dei fondi sintetici di cuccetta (materassini e tappetini) finora affrontato ha preso in considerazione la ricerca del comfort animale attraverso la scelta che essi effettuano in relazione alle caratteristiche fisico-chimiche dei materiali che li costituiscono. La massima attenzione andrebbe posta anche alle eventuali valutazioni che la bovina esegue in relazione alle caratteristiche climatiche ambientali e alle situazioni che da esse derivano fino alle estreme situazioni di stress termico, da elevate o da basse temperature. La letteratura risulta abbastanza parca sull’argomento e le risultanze delle sperimentazioni effettuate dai pochi Autori sono tra di loro spesso contrastanti. Secondo Thorenson et al. (2000), in estate i bovini preferiscono per il decubito soprattutto la sabbia rispetto ai materassini e ai tappetini; al contrario nel periodo invernale la scelta cade più frequentemente sui materassini. Per Manninen et al. (2002), la preferenza in tutte le stagioni va soprattutto alla paglia e ai materassini, questi ultimi specialmente in inverno. Per lo stesso Autore la sabbia comunque è evitata dai bovini in accordo con Shim et al. (1998) e con Tucker et al. (2000). Le motivazioni potrebbero risiedere nella difficoltà dei bovini nel potersi muovere su piani instabili (Ekelund et al., 1998). Per Wagner et al. (2003), i materassini in propilene isolano più della sabbia il fondo della cuccetta quando le temperature sono o troppo alte o troppo basse, mentre Gebremedhin et al. (1981), trovano che, sia in inverno che in estate, i bovini preferiscono i tappetini in gomma rispetto al cemento nudo. Nella stagione invernale, le bovine da latte preferiscono sul pavimento nudo, uno strato di paglia di almeno 15 cm di spessore (Gebremedhin et al., 1985). La paglia, infatti, isola dal pavimento, riducendo la dissipazione termica per contatto (Nilsson, 1988). L’uso dei materiali sintetici per il fondo delle cuccette si è ampiamente diffuso nelle aree temperate o fredde dell’Europa settentrionale. Questo ha spinto il mondo della ricerca ad interessarsi all’argomento principalmente nelle aree continentali e settentrionali dell’Europa, oltre che negli USA. I risultati ottenuti nei lavori pubblicati, quindi, fanno riferimento a condizioni climatologiche molto lontane dalle realtà del Bacino del Mediterraneo e delle aree sub-tropicali. La presente tesi, nasce quindi dall’esigenza di conoscere da un lato la valenza dei materiali utilizzati come fondo di cuccette in aree più temperate rispetto alla bibliografia consultata sull’argomento. D’altro canto si è voluto valutare se le modificazioni climatiche nella medesima area fossero causa di modificazioni nel comfort o nell’igiene forniti dai diversi materiali.

The present work aims to investigate if the variation of each parameter in Longissimus lumborum muscle could correspond to the same or to a similar variation of the parameter in the other muscles. The work presents results of Pearson’s correlations between Longissimus lumborum samples and other muscle samples, such as Biceps femoris, Rectus femoris, Semimembranosus, Supraspinatus and Semitendinosus in horse meat. A total of 27 male IHDH (Italian Heavy Draught Horse) breed foals were employed. They were slaughtered at 11 months of age and the above-mentioned muscles were sampled. The Longissimus lumborum muscle showed to be representative of other muscles and of the whole carcass for some chemical parameters (moisture, protein and ash) and for some fatty acids profile patterns such as C12:0, C14:0, total monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid, but poor correlations were recorded for intramuscular fat concentration, rheological and colorimetric parameters. Although almost all the qualitative parameters in meat are affected by the anatomical site and by the muscle, the Longissimus lumborum is often not representative in horse meat with regard to modifications of this parameters.

Twenty-four dogs naturally infected by Leishmania spp. were treated with four different protocols using meglumine antimoniate (aNm) and allopurinol in combination or in monotherapy. Aiming to compare the efficacy of the different treatments the reverse to normal of clinico-pathological findings and the disease free interval time (DFIT) were evaluated. Treated dogs were monitored for one year and, in absence of relapses, the DFIT was postponed to the last available follow-up. Seven dogs treated with aNm alone showed relapses during the year of observation. In the group of dogs treated with the combination of aNm (50 mg/kg/SC 12 hourly up to clinico-pathological recovery) and allopurinol (15 mg/kg/PO 12 hourly administered for 6 months) no relapses were registered in the year of monitoring and the DFIT reached up to 65 months. Our results showed that this combination represents the best choice to treat canine leishmaniosis compared to other protocols.

From February to August 2007 the effect of rearing system (confined (C) v. free ranging (FR)) and season (spring v. summer) was evaluated on behaviour, immune and blood parameters and beef production (experiment 1). From February to August 2008, the effect of rearing system was only evaluated on beef production (experiment 2). A total of 12 Podolian young bulls were used each year. They were slaughtered at 18 and 15 months of age in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Herbage mass and pasture composition were monitored during the 2 years. Pasture availability, in terms of herbage mass and composition, as well as its seasonal development, was similar in the 2 years. In the first experiment, FR animals spent more time walking (P < 0.05), feeding (P < 0.001) and standing (P < 0.01) and showed a lower number of agonistic (P < 0.05) and non-agonistic social interaction than C animals (P < 0.01). Significant lower concentrations of serum urea nitrogen (P < 0.001) and creatinine (P < 0.10) in FR animals indicated a lower protein nutritional status due to inadequate protein availability at pasture. As a consequence, average daily gains (P < 0.05), slaughter weight (P < 0.05) and body condition score (P < 0.01) were lower in grazing animals as compared with C bulls. Cellular immune responsiveness was higher in FR animals (P < 0.05). Similarly, antibody titre to keyhole limpet hemocyanin was higher in FR bulls at the 2nd and 3rd month after antigen injection (P < 0.05), whereas it tended to be higher at the 4th month (P < 0.10). In both experiments, grazing negatively affected meat colour in terms of lightness. Eighteen-month-old bulls also showed lower final weight, weight gain and body conditions when kept outdoor: a possible consequence of nutrient deficits, as suggested by the metabolic status of FR animals. The same animals, however, benefited from FR in terms of natural behaviour expression and immune responsiveness. When the experiment was replicated the subsequent year, on animals slaughtered at 15 months of age, no differences between the performances of FR and C animals were detected. The earlier slaughter age system was also proportionally less dependent on external inputs as grazing was not extended to the dry season when herbage mass availability was lower.

The aim of the present work was to investigate how chromatic properties of foal meat can vary after thawing out in relation to the feeding level of 11 months old horses and to the post-thawing time. Thirty-six Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHDH) foals were used for the trial. They were subdivided in three groups according feeding level: low = 150%, medium = 180%, and high = 200% of the energy maintenance requirements. Two different surfaces were investigated for each sample: daily renewed cutting surface (DRCS) and not-renewed cutting surface (NRCS). Lightness was fell on both surfaces with the increasing of feeding level (P < 0.01). The redness of both the investigated surfaces increased with feeding level (P < 0.01), while yellowness decreased (P < 0.05). Because consumers prefer meat that is light and has a low intensity of redness, from a chromatic perspective the thawed meat of IHDH foals fed with a low feeding level proved to be that which best meets the market requirements.

Thirty lactating Comisana breed ewes were used for the trial, and were subdivided in two experimental groups. Both experimental groups were placed on pasture during daylight hours and reared in two equal indoor pens during nighttime. The indoor pen was provided with an outdoor area allowing 2.5 m2/head, and was always available during nighttime housing. During the experiment, the density of indoor pens varied weekly, while the outdoor area did not change. The indoor stocking densities tested were: low stocking density (LD) (1.5 m2/ewe), medium stocking density (MD) (1.0 m2/ewe) and high stocking density (HD) (0.5 m2/ewe). Throughout the trial period, indoor experimental pens were provided with unlimited access to water anda consistent number of feeding places at troughs equal to the number of ewes in the penEach density test was lasted seven days. The first five days were used to allow adaptation to experimental conditions. During the last two nights (sixth and seventh day) we recorded behavioral patterns. Jugular vein blood samples were taken to determine the hematological and biochemical profile. Ewe milk yield was recorded on the seventh day and individual milk samples were analyzed for milk composition, renneting properties and somatic cell count (SCC). All the experimental activities were performed during winter and summer seasons to evaluate the effect of both season and space allowance on all parameters considered. No effect of space allowance and season was observed on hematological and biochemical parameters (P > 0.05). During summer, animals spent more time in external areas, and this time increased with the reduction of space allowance. Ewes spent more time standing (P < 0.001) and less time in lying down (P < 0.001) during the summer. During winter, in contrast, ewes did not use external area, but they spent more time standing and less time lying down in the indoor pens (P < 0.001). Milk production was poorly affected by stocking density. However, these results suggested that behavioral measurements seem to be more sensitive for the detection of stressful conditions as compared to other commonly used measures like endocrine, biochemical or productive indicators of welfare in short term stocking increasing.