In the last years, interest has been increasing in the use of mare’s milk for human nutrition also to find a new exploitation for local equine breeds. In particular mare’s milk is important as possible substitute for cow’s milk or as formulas for allergic children. In fact the mare’s milk composition is quite similar to woman’s milk if compared to cow’s milk Kappa casein is the protein that determines the size and the specific function of milk micelles: its cleavage by chymosin is responsible for milk coagulation. No variants of CSN3 have been discovered in any species belonging to the Equidae family yet. The aim of this study was to asses genetic polymorphism at two linked loci in the exon 1 of the CSN3 gene in Murgese horse breed by PCR-RFLP analysis. The overall frequencies of alleles A and G at CSN3/PstI locus were 0.80 and 0.20 respectively and no GG animals were found in the population. At the CSN3/BseYI locus allelic frequencies were 0.76 and 0.24 for allele C and A respectively and no AA horses were detected. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was verified for both SNPs. Combined genotypic frequencies and possible haplotypes frequencies were also reported.

Pit-1 is a pituitary-specific transcription factor responsible for pituitary development and hormone expression in mammals. Pit-1 is a member of the POU domain containing proteins, a group of transcriptional regulators with a critical role in cell differentiation and proliferation. It was shown that this group of proteins control the transcription of the growth hormone (GH), the prolactin (PRL), the thyroid-stimulating hormone ?-subunit (TSH-?), the GHRH receptor genes and the Pit-1 gene itself. In this study, the Pit-1/HinfI and Pit-1/TaqI loci were investigated using PCR-RFLP approach in a sample of 104 Podolica cattle. All the possible genotypes for both single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. The allelic frequencies at Pit-1/TaqI locus were 0.76 (G) and 0.24 (A), while those at Pit-1/HinfI locus were 0.70 (B) and 0.30 (A). Combined genotypic frequencies and possible haplotypes frequencies were also reported. Moreover, some population genetic indexes, namely: gene heterozygosity (He), gene homozygosity (Ho), effective allele numbers (N e), fixation index (FIS) and polymorphism information content (PIC) were calculated.

The aim of this study is to assess genetic polymorphism at two loci in the exon 1 of the kappa-casein gene (CSN3) in Martina Franca donkey breed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Martina Franca donkey was derived from the Catalan donkey brought to Apulia at the time of the Spanish rule. This donkey is tall and well built and has good temperament. Both considered loci were found to be monomorphic in the considered population. At CSN3/PstI locus, all the animals were genotyped as AA since no AG and GG animals were found in the population. A similar result was found at CSN3/BseYI locus: all the donkeys were monomorphic and genotyped as AA. As a consequence, only one out of nine possible combined genotype (AAAA) was detected.

In mammals, the STAT proteins (signal transducers and activators of transcription) are a family of cytoplasmic transcription factors mediating the actions of many peptide hormones and cytokines within target cells. In particular, STAT5A is a crucial mediator in the lactogenic hormone response being a candidate marker for milk traits in farm animals. In the present paper, the T→C nucleotide polymorphism at position 12743 in exon 16 of the bovine STAT5A gene was analyzed with PCR-RFLP in a sample of Jersey cows. The purposes of this investigation were to determine the frequencies of the variant alleles and the genotypes of this SNP in Jersey cows and to verify its association with some milk production traits. All the three possible genotypes were identified in the studied population. The observed frequencies of C and T alleles were 0.147 and 0.853 repectively. The TT genotype was the most frequent followed by TC and CC ones. No significant differences between the TT and TC genotypes were found considering MY, FY PC and PY. On the other side, the difference concerning the fat content of milk produced by cows belonging to TC and TT groups was found significant at the statistical analysis: in particular, milk from TT animals had a higher fat content in comparison with that of TC ones (4.55 vs. 4.14%, respectively;P<0.05). However it may be necessary to carry out further investigations about this SNP to better clarify its role on milk production traits in cattle.

Two reviews are available in published literature relating to the effects of ascorbic acid on poultry performance. The first review was written by Pardue and Thaxton in 1986 who reviewed the role of ascorbic acid in alleviating the negative effect of heat stress in poultry birds. The second review was presented by Whitehead and Keller in 2003, who detailed the general effects of ascorbic acid in poultry birds, not taking into consideration 'heat stress'. The first review is deficient in the literature published after 1986, while the second review does not describe the effect of ascorbic acid in heat stressed birds. The present review describes the past and present knowledge of ascorbic acid in alleviating heat stress in poultry birds with new aspects. Heat stress is associated with compromised performance and productivity through a decline in feed intake, nutrient utilisation, growth rate, egg production and quality, feed efficiency and immunity. Heat stress is also characterised by a reduced antioxidant status in birds, resulting in increased oxidative stress. Moreover, male fertility is decreased when birds are exposed to heat stress. Supplementation of 250 mg of ascorbic acid per kg of feed has been found to be optimum to improve feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency, egg production and quality, nutrient digestibility, immune response and antioxidant status in poultry birds. This work compiles past and present information about the role of ascorbic acid in heat-stressed poultry.

In the present study, cytotoxic effects of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benzo[a] pyrene (B[a]P) were investigated in Sparus aurata hepatocytes primary cultures after acute and chronic exposure. Cells were treated with a wide range of B[a]P doses (1 pg/mL to 100 µg/mL) for 24, 48 and 72 h. B[a]P toxicity was quantified in sea bream hepatocytes by MTT assay and immunofluorescence analysis of apoptosis after the various exposure periods, in order to evaluate the hepatic damage and toxicity range. Results showed three cytotoxic responses: B[a]P cell death for primary necrosis after exposure to high concentrations for short times, apoptosis induction with the use of sublethal doses and cell proliferation allied with neoplastic foci formation after exposure to low concentrations for long times. This responses provided an interesting correlation between the damage caused on hepatocytes and the metabolism of this toxic compound, to date mainly studied in vivo. Additionally, the statistical analysis revealed that the effects of time and dose were significant for both parameters and especially the time was extremely significant (P<0.0001), in fact B[a]P induced damage that increased over time. Our findings demonstrated and confirmed that S. aurata is a very sensitive species to B[a]P exposure since adverse effects were found at all tested doses. Furthermore, the new in vitro animal model can be considered a useful tool for studying the cellular effects induced by any contaminant harmful for farmed fish.

Two group of kids (“Safflower cake” and “Control”) were fed ad libitum with pelleted total mixed rations. After a 7-days adaptation period, the diet of the “Safflower cake” group were supplemented with 20% of safflower cake. The kids were slaughtered at 96 days of age. Dietary safflower cake did not affect the growth traits of kids. In addition, kids fed experimental diet showed a lower feed intake and consequently a better feed conversion ratio in comparison to the “Control” group. The use of safflower decreased the level of SFA and increased the level of MUFA in kid meat. The level of PUFA was higher in lipid extracted from animals feeding “Control“ diet even if the UFA level was lower. Furthermore, lipid extracted from animals feeding control diet contained more ω6 fatty acids in comparison to kids feeding experimental diet while the opposite trend was observed for the level of ω3 fatty acids. The ω6 to ω3 ratio was significantly affected by diet and in particular this ratio decreased in meat of kids fed experimental diet. Our results indicate that intramuscular fatty acid composition of kid meat can be improved from a human health perspective by inclusion of safflower cake in the diet.

Two groups of Comisana lambs (“Safflower cake” and “Control”) were fed ad libitum with pelleted total mixed rations. After a 7-days adaptation period, the diet of the “Safflower cake” group were supplemented with 20% of safflower cake. All the lambs were slaughtered at 96 days of age. Dietary safflower cake did not affect feed intake and growth traits of lambs. The use of safflower ignificantly modify (P&lt;0.05) the fatty acids profile of meat: in particular safflower cake decreased the level of saturated fatty acids (46.74 vs 48.50% respectively for “Safflower cake” and “Control” group) and increased the level of unsaturated fatty acids (53.26 vs 51.40% respectively for “Safflower cake” and “Control” group) in lamb meat. Furthermore, the safflower cake supplementation affected atherogenic index, thrombogenic index and cholesterol level. All these values were significantly lower in meat of lambs fed “Safflower cake“ diet (atherogenic index 0.93 vs 1.02%, P&lt;0.01; thrombogenic index 1.56 vs 1.69%; P&lt;0.05; cholesterol 68.62 vs 77.30 mg/100 g; P&lt;0,05). Results indicate that safflower cake may be successfully used in lamb rations to obtain meat with improved quality in order to protect the consumer health.

Postpartum uterine diseases, mainly metritis, are very common in dairy cows which exhibit sickness, reduced milk yield and reproductive disorders. Puerperal metritis causes severe economical loss due to costs for treatment, milk withdrawal, reduced fertility and premature culling. Early detection of animals at risk for metritis remains a challenge for veterinarians. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between variation of haematochemical and metabolic parameters and postpartum metritis in order to evaluate if some parameters could be used as predicting factors. Fifty Italian Fresian cows of an intensive dairy farm were submitted to blood sampling on d -45 ~ (Dry period), d -15 ~ (Close-up period) and d +15 ~ (Postpartum period) for determination of haematochemical profile, serum protein profile, Non-Esterified Fatty Acids (NEFA) and β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Immediately after delivery 4 cows died thus were not considered in the study. All cows were daily examined and divided into 2 Groups according to puerperal discharge: presence of normal and odorless lochia (healthy=19); presence of fetid red-brown or white purulent discharge with or without signs of systemic illness (sick=27). All data were statistically analysed (P<0.01) using the General Linear Model (SAS®, Cary, NC, USA). No significant difference (P>0.05) between the 2 Groups in Dry period was detected. Considering the Close-up period, significant differences between the 2 Groups (healthy vs sick) as regards Hb (g/dl) (10.24±0.19vs11.17±0.13, P<0.01); HCTm (%) (28.40±0.57vs30.86±0.40, P<0.01); HCT (%) (28.60±0.54vs31.45±0.38, P<0.01); α1 globulins (%) (8.34±0.39vs6.06±0.28, P<0.01); WBC (103/μl) (6.99±0.51vs8.77±0.36, P<0.01) and NEFA (mEq/lt) (0.13±0.06vs0.35±0.04; P<0.01), were found. In the postpartum period significant differences were found as regards α2 globulins (%) (7.62±0.26vs8.52±0.18; P<0.01) and NEFA (mEq/lt) (0.39±0.08vs0.66±0.06; P<0.01). These observations underline the importance of nutrition in modulating the innate immune system, in transition period, which in turn could play a role on the emergence of uterine diseases. Our results indicate that monitoring some defined parameters in transitional cows could be useful to early detection of animals at risk for postpartum uterine diseases.

The aim of this study was to assess genetic polymorphism at two loci in the exon 1 of the CSN3 gene in Murgese horse breed by PCR-RFLP analysis. The overall frequencies of alleles A and G at c.-66A >G locus were 0.80 and 0.20, respectively, and no GG animals were found in the population. At the c.-36C > A locus allelic frequencies were 0.74 and 0.26 for allele C and A, respectively, and no AA animals were detected. Population genetic indexes, namely gene heterozygosity, gene homozygosity, effective allele numbers, fixation index, and polymorphism information index were calculated. Combined genotypic frequencies and possible haplotypes frequencies were also reported. Only three out of nine possible genotypic combinations were found in the studied population. The most frequent genotype was AACC (0.49) while the frequency of AGCA was 0.40. Only five animals were genotyped as AACA (11%). Consequently, the most frequent haplotype in the population was AC (0.744), followed by GA (0.200) and AA (0.056).

Little scientific information is available that has evaluated safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) cake as a sub-stitute to conventional ingredients in small ruminants diet. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of feeding safflower cake in total mixed rations (TMRs) on lamb and kid growth rates, carcass traits and meat fatty acid composition. Two consecutive trials were conducted using Comisana breed lambs and Garganica breed kids. Animals were randomly allocated to two isocaloric and sonitrogenous TMRs formu-lated to meet or exceed nutritional requirements, and consisted of the control diet and an experimental diet contained safflower cake. Animals were slaughtered after the feeding trial which lasted 50 days and the carcass traits and meat quality were evaluated. In both slaughter trials, none of the arameters studied were (P>0.05) influenced by dietary treatments except for slaughter weight and cold-carcass dressing that were improved in lambs fed safflower. Feeding the safflower diet resulted in significantly lower saturated fatty acid (SFA) content in meat, as well as the n-6 / n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio and saturation, atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes, while total PUFA and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) as well as the indices related to human health increased. These results suggest that including safflower cake in diet for small ruminants can produce meat with an improved meat lipid profile. As result, safflower maintained carcass yields with no detrimental effect on meat quality.

Emmer (Triticum dicoccum Schu¨ bler) and spelt (Triticum spelta L.) are two ancient cereal crops which have been traditionally grown in the semiarid areas of the Mediterranean basin. The renewed interest in these species has its origin in favorable quality parameters of grain. Unfortunately, there is a lack of information on hulled wheat characteristics when a whole plant is used as forage. Therefore, a field trial was carried out in southern Italy during 2010-2011 to evaluate the effect of N applications (0, 40, and 80 kg ha-1) and harvest period (cut at boots just swollen and cut at early dough) on forage yield and quality of two emmer varieties (‘‘Padre Pio’’ and ‘‘Giovanni Paolo’’) and one of spelt (‘‘Altamura’’) on their biomass yield and nutritional traits as well as carbohydrates fractionation. Data indicated that the harvest stage and genotype affected forage yield and quality significantly, while N fertilization has influenced some qualitative parameters. Old wheat cultivars tested had considerable yield and forage quality, and they seem to be adapted to marginal lands in the absence of N fertilization. Therefore, from our findings we can conclude that the emmer could be recommended for hay production harvested at booting stage given its valuable nutritional characteristics, whereas spelt results to be more adaptable for silage production when harvested at the early dough stage.

Data on 657 lactation from 163 Maltese goat, collected over a 5-year period were analyzed by a mixed model to estimate the variance components for heritability. The considered lactation traits were: milk yield (MY) and lactation length (LL). Year, parity and type of birth (single or twin) were significant sources of variation for lactation length; on the other hand milk yield was significantly influenced only by the year. The average MY was 352.34 kg and the average LL was 230 days. Estimates of heritability were 0.21 and 0.15 for MY and LL respectively. These values suggest there is low correlation between genotype and phenotype so it may be difficult to evaluate animals directly on phenotype. So, the genetic improvement of this breed may be quite slow without the support of progeny test aimed to select Maltese breeders.

The following investigation arose out of the observation of a high mortality rate in lambs belonging to a "closed" flock of Leccese sheep reared in Apulia region. The most common cause of death in the flock (34 out of 42 lambs) was enterotoxaemia caused by Clostridum perfringens. Due to the high inbreeding level in this population, the aim of this study was to determine whether inbreeding in Leccese lambs decreases their resistance to clostridial enterotoxaemia. All the animals were initially grouped into two classes (outbred, inbred) on the basis of their inbreeding coefficient. The percentage of dead lambs in outbred class was significantly different if compared to that found in inbred class (7.14% vs 71.43% respectively, P<0.001). No significant difference was observed by comparing animals with different inbreeding coefficient (F< 10% vs F? 10%).

Modern commercial broilers appear to have compromised immunocompetence, higher mortality and lower resistance to stressors. To overcome these, dietary manipulation seems to be the easiest approach, and this has been supported by research investigations conducted over the last few decades. The goal of enhancing the immune system of broilers is laudable for both economic and welfare reasons. Vitamin E (VE) is now well accepted as nature's most effective lipid-soluble, chain-breaking antioxidant. This antioxidant vitamin has been shown to improve both cell-mediated and humoral immunity in broiler chicks. However, the effect of this vitamin depends upon dose, age and genetics of the broiler chicks. Several mechanisms have been postulated for the beneficial effects of this vitamin. In this review, several aspects of the immunomodulatory effects of VE are reviewed.

Three closed flocks of Leccese sheep reared in southern Italy were used to study the effects of inbreeding on productive and reproductive performances. All the animals were grouped into three classes according to the inbreeding coefficients obtained by their pedigree: the first class included non-inbred animals (F = 0%); and the second and third classes included inbred animals (0 < F < 10% and F ? 10%, respectively). Birth and weaning (40 ± 3 days) live weights of 531 ewe lambs born throughout 2003-2005 were recorded and were investigated throughout 2004-2006 for their fertility, prolificacy and fecundity amounting 1282 observations. Live weights at birth (BW) of lambs in first class (F = 0) and in second class were statistically not different from each other but these were heavier (P < 0.01) than those included in third class (F ? 10). The same pattern was observed in live weights at weaning (WW) but the relative values were statistically different only for P < 0.05. Likewise all reproductive traits investigated showed strong decreases related to the increasing inbreeding rate.

Sheep is the second most important dairy species after cow all over the world, especially in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions. In some countries, the hard environmental conditions require a peculiar adaptation and in these contexts, sheep are able to provide higher quality protein than cattle. In least developed countries, the number of dairy sheep and ovine milk production is progressively increasing. In order to improve dairy productions, in particular those with local connotation, it is necessary to deepen the current acquisitions on milk quality and rheological properties. The genetic polymorphisms of milk proteins are often associated to quantitative and qualitative parameters in milk being potential candidate markers that should be included in breeding strategies similarly to as experienced already in cattle. Due to the current and growing interest on this topic and considering the large number of new information, the aim of this study was to review the literature on sheep milk protein polymorphisms with a particular emphasis to recent findings to give scientists an useful support. Moreover, the effects of different protein variants on milk yield and composition were discussed.

Data from 1731 Gentile di Puglia lambs, sired by 65 rams over a 5-year period were analyzed by a mixed model to estimate the variance components for heritability. The considered growth traits were: birth weight (BW), weight at 30 days of age (W30) and average daily gain from birth to 30 days of age (DG). Year of birth, sex of lamb, type of birth (single or twin), dam age at lambing and farm were significant sources of variation for all the considered growth traits. The average lamb weights were 3.85±0.16 kg at birth, 9.57±0.91 kg at 30 days of age and the average daily gain was 191±14 g. Estimates of heritability were 0.33±0.05, 0.41±0.06 and 0.16±0.05 respectively for the same traits. These values suggest there is a good opportunity to improve Gentile di Puglia lambs by selecting animals for growth traits.

In this study the STAT5A/AvaI polymorphism was investigated with PCR-RFLP in a sample of 126 Jersey cattle reared in southern Italy. This polymorphism is localized in the coding region of the bovine STAT5A gene. It is a substitution C→T at position 6853 within the exon 7. Only two out of three possible genotypes for the C/T SNP were identified. The overall frequencies of alleles C and T were 0.76 and 0.24 respectively. In order to study the relationship between STAT5A/AvaI polymorphism and milk performance traits, the data for a 305-day milk production that include milk yield (MY), protein and fat yield (PY and FY respectively), fat and protein percentage (FC and PC respectively) were used. Significant differences between the two genotypes were found in MY, FY and PY (P&lt;0.01). The CC cows produced more milk than CT ones (6218.09 vs. 5751.72 kg). Moreover CC cows yielded more fat and protein than CT. No significant difference was found in fat and protein content.

In mammals, the STAT proteins (signal transducers and activators of transcription) are a group of cytoplasmic transcription factors that mediate the actions of many peptide hormones and cytokines within target cells. In this study, the STAT5A/AvaI polymorphism was investigated with the PCR-RFLP technique in a sample of 191 Jersey cows reared in southern Italy. This polymorphism is localized in the coding region of the bovine STAT5A gene. It is a substitution C? T at position 6853 within the exon 7. All the possible genotypes for the C/T polymorphism were identified. The overall frequencies of alleles C and T were 0.75 and 0.25 respectively. In order to study the relationship between this SNP and milk production traits, data for 305-day milk production were used. Significant differences between CC and CT genotypes were found in milk yield (MY), fat yield (FY), solids not fat (SNF) yield, total solids (TS) yield (P<0.01) and protein yield (PY) (P<0.05). In particular the CC cows produced more milk than CT ones (6196.07 vs. 5744.66 kg) without differences in protein and fat content. As a consequence, CC cows yielded more fat, protein, solids not fat and total solids than CT. As far as concerns lactose and ash contents and the fat/protein ratio, no significant difference was found between the two genotypes. Even if further studies should be carry out to assess the role of this SNP on production traits, it is possible to conclude that STAT5A/AvaI polymorphism seems to be a promising indirect marker to improve milk production traits in cattle.

Growth hormone gene was examined as a candidate gene because of its essential role on growth processes becoming a perfect candidate marker associated with somatotropic axis. The aim of this work were to assess the genetic variability in young bulls of Charolais and Podolica breed, traditionally reared for meat production and to study the relationship between GH-AluI polymorphism and growth performance traits. Blood samples for DNA genotyping were obtained from 22 Charolais and 48 Podolica unrelated bulls belonging to different farms located in Southern Italy. Animals were genotyped for the Leu/Val polymorphism in the GH gene. Allelic frequencies of L and V were 0.72 and 0.28 and 0.85 and 0.15 respectively for Charolais and Podolica bulls. The weights were measured at different age (W180, W270 and W360) and average daily gains (ADG) were calculated in three different periods (ADG180-270, ADG270- 360 and ADG180-360). Charolais LL homozygotes had higher live weights (248.47 kg, 368.13 kg, 490.46 kg vs 243.50 kg, 360.28 kg and 479.88 kg) compared to the LV heterozygotes; Podolica LV heterozygotes had higher live weights (219.45 kg vs 217.54 kg) compared to the LL homozygotes only in the first 180days while at the last check (BW360) the LL showed the higher live weight (323.96 kg vs 321.96 kg); nevertheless all these differences were found not significant. Finally ADG was higher in the Charolais and Podolica LL animals compared to the LV bulls.

There is growing interest in developing natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in order to maintain both birds' performance and health. In the last decade, Turmeric has been extensively used in poultry diets. Turmeric is a natural herb of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. Wide range medicinal properties of this plant have been advocated. In poultry feed, Turmeric has been extensively used in different concentrations, dosages and durations. In this review, the beneficial effects of this plant on growth, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, ameliorative effect on liver health, immunomodulatory and antioxidative effects are reviewed.