Animal Science Papers and Reports Feed

Immune and lipid metabolism gene expression relationships in the liver of castrated Polish White Improved bucks supplemented with Curcuma longa and Rosmarinus officinalis extract

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Clarifying the relationships between cytokines, acute phase proteins (APPs), cathelicidins (CATHs), defensins, cytolytic proteins, and the proteins involved in lipid metabolism in the liver may improve existing immunotherapeutic strategies for various diseases or establish new ones. This study aimed to determine the effect of supplementation with dry turmeric-rosemary extracts on the relationships between lipid metabolism and immune system gene expression in the liver of young castrated Polish White Improved (PWI) goat bucks. The cytokine genes correlated both with those of other cytokines and with beta defensin 1 (GBD1), as well as some CATH and APP genes.Most relationships were strong and positive. More associations were observed in the treated group than in the control group. Our results may mean that the tested supplementation may reduce the risk of hypertriglyceridemia and improve immunity against specific pathogens, its effect on the immune system is still unclear. Moreover, the used dose of the turmeric-rosemary mixture was too high and caused sensitization or the beginning of allergic inflammation. Further studies should include different doses of the supplement and confirm or reject our supposition.

Effect of enzymatic pretreatment on yield and quality of animal fats obtained by low-temperature rendering

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The growing demand for sustainable utilisation of animal by-products has increased interest in technologies that improve fat recovery while preserving the nutritional and physicochemical quality of rendered fats. The growing interest in the sustainable utilisation of animal by-products is associated with the need to reduce waste generated by the meat industry, improve resource efficiency and implement circular-economy strategies in food production. This study evaluated the effect of enzymatic pre-treatment with papain and bromelain on the efficiency of low-temperature vacuum rendering of pork and beef subcutaneous adipose tissues. Adipose tissues were incubated with papain (30 and 50 mg kg⁻¹) or bromelain (30 mg kg⁻¹) prior to rendering at 95±2°C under reduced pressure (200 mbar). The rendered fats were evaluated for rendering yield, fat-to-crackling ratio, physicochemical quality (acid, saponification, iodine and peroxide values), instrumental colour (CIELAB) and fatty acid composition. Enzymatic pre-treatment significantly improved rendering efficiency (p < 0.05). The highest rendering yield (66.85%) and fat-to-crackling ratio (2.91) were obtained for beef adipose tissue treated with 30 mg kg⁻¹ papain, whereas untreated pork adipose tissue showed the lowest values (57.98% and 1.95, respectively). Despite these improvements, acid and peroxide values remained low in all treatments, indicating limited hydrolytic and oxidative deterioration under low-temperature vacuum rendering conditions. Bromelain treatment produced the greatest changes in colour, significantly increasing yellowness (b*), chroma and hue angle, while papain preserved the colour characteristics of beef fat close to those of the untreated control. Fatty acid composition was determined primarily by animal species rather than enzymatic treatment. Beef-derived fats contained significantly higher proportions of saturated fatty acids, stearic acid, vaccenic acid and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), whereas pork-derived fats were characterised by higher levels of oleic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Enzymatic pre-treatment did not substantially alter the nutritional fatty acid profile of the rendered fats. These findings demonstrate that proteolytic pre-treatment, particularly with papain, is an effective strategy for increasing fat recovery during low-temperature vacuum rendering while maintaining the physicochemical quality, oxidative stability and characteristic fatty acid composition of rendered animal fats. The proposed approach offers considerable potential for industrial production of high-quality edible rendered fats with improved process efficiency.

Association between ihha and shha gene downregulation and swim bladder inflation impairment in zebrafish exposed to the combination of morphine and disulfiram

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Recent evidence suggests that disulfiram may serve as a useful adjunct in chronic morphine treatment by mitigating opioid-induced hyperalgesia, withdrawal, and dependence. However, exposure to disulfiram produces abnormalities in swim bladder inflation in zebrafish, which points to the possibility of interference with Hedgehog signaling - a key regulator of swim bladder formation. Therefore, this study aimed to find the association between the expression of markers present in the developing zebrafish swim bladder (sox2, fgf10a, pbx1a, acta2, anxa5) and the Hedgehog pathway genes (ptch1, ptch2, smo, ihha, and shha) in zebrafish embryos treated with the morphine-disulfiram combination. For this purpose, zebrafish were treated for 54 or 117h with disulfiram alone or in combination with morphine. Swim bladder inflation was assessed under a light microscope, and gene expression was quantified with RT-qPCR assay using SYBRGreen dye. Morphine alone upregulated ptch2, smo, and all of the other markers present in the swim bladder except for the ihha gene; while disulfiram alone downregulated all Hh pathway genes in the zebrafish embryos along with fgf10a and pbx1a markers. When combined with morphine, the expression of shha and ihha further decreased, while ptch1 increased considerably. An upregulation of sox2 and fgf10a swim bladder markers was also present. Our investigation has shown that the synergistic disruption in swim bladder inflation in zebrafish treated with the morphine-disulfiram combination could be associated with ihha and shha downregulation, triggering a compensatory upregulation of acta2 and anxa5 expression.

Absence of inter-horn migration validates bilateral embryo transfer as a within-dam experimental design in mice

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Embryo transfer (ET) is a foundational technique in mouse reproductive biology. Bilateral ET, in which embryos of different genotypes are placed in opposite uterine horns of a single recipient, offers strict control over maternal variables but requires that embryos remain in the horn to which they were transferred. Here, we tested this assumption directly by transferring BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) and C57BL/6J (B6) blastocysts into opposite horns and genotyping mid-gestation fetuses by strain-specific PCR. Across four experiments varying embryo load, recipient strain, and donor-recipient synchrony, no genotype-discordant fetus was detected contralaterally. These findings validate bilateral co-transfer of genotypically distinct embryos as a methodologically safe design that halves the number of recipient females while providing rigorous within-dam experimental control.

Modulation of intestinal histology and immune functions using prebiotic and organic acid supplementation with stocking density in local quails

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The research examined the impact of prebiotic and organic acid additives, along with high stocking density, on the growth performance, biochemical parameters, histological characteristics, and immune function of local quail. A total of 276 one-day-old local quails were randomly assigned to five treatment groups, with three replicates per group and housed in boxes for 42 days. The dietary treatments were designed as follows: A negative control (12 birds/replicate), positive control (20 birds/replicate), group with 1% prebiotic (Jerusalem artichoke) additive at a high stocking density of 20 birds/replicate, group with 0.1% organic acid additive with high stocking density and a group with a combination of 0.5% prebiotic and 0.05% organic acid additives with high stocking density. The results showed that quails receiving prebiotic alone or a combination of prebiotic and organic acid supplements with high stocking density performed best compared to both control groups. The cholesterol and blood sugar levels were reduced in both the prebiotic alone and when combined with organic acid. The lactic acid bacteria count in the caecum digesta were significantly higher in the prebiotic alone and in combination with organic acid compared to both controls. The jejunum villus height was significantly increased with prebiotic alone and with prebiotic mixed with organic acid compared with both controls. All additives significantly enhanced the size of the Fabricius follicles. In summary, supplementing quail diets with prebiotics, alone or in combination with organic acids, under high stocking density conditions improved production performance, biochemical parameters, jejunum histology, and immune function in local quails.

Correlation between birth season and litter size in Maine Coon cats

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The domestic cat is classified as a seasonally polyestrous species whose reproductive cycles are influenced by increasing daylight duration. However, in many pedigree cat catteries, where cats coexist closely with humans, exposure to artificial light sources can substantially diminish their dependence on photoperiod cues, making them continuously polyestrous animals.The present study aimed to evaluate the presence of natural reproductive seasonality in domesticated purebred cats in contemporary breeding systems. This analysis utilized data extracted from litter records (born between 2010 and 2023) registered with the Polish Feline Association, originating from Maine Coon queens.The obtained data were divided into four periods: (1) queens mated during the short-day period (November to January) and gave birth in January to March; (2) queens mated during the period of increasing day length (February to April) and gave birth in April to June; (3) queens mated during the long-day period (May to July) and gave birth in July to September; and (4) queens mated during the period of decreasing day length (August to October) and gave birth in October to December. The results showed that Maine Coon queens give birth to and rear an average of five kittens per litter. The conception period had no effect on reproductive success (p = 0.40). No correlation was observed between season of the year and litter size (r = -0.017; p = 0.869), between the season in which the queen gave birth for the first time and mean lifetime litter size (r = -0.103; p = 0.311), and between litter size in the first litter and mean lifetime litter size (r = 0.185; p = 0.0684). In summary, there is no association between the breeding season and reproductive success in MCO cats.

The use of exosomes in dermatology – current knowledge and future perspective – a review

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The field of dermatological research has witnessed a rapid surge in interest surrounding exosomes – nanoscale extracellular vesicles with multifaceted biological functions. This bibliometric analysis, based on 171 publications extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection, explores the evolving landscape of exosome research in dermatology. Using VOSviewer software, we visualized term cooccurrence networks, identified key contributors, and mapped thematic clusters, revealing that exosome-related research has expanded significantly since 2018, with exponential growth in both publication output and citation frequency. China and the United States emerged as dominant contributors, while Europe and Oceania showed growing engagement. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology led in publication volume and citation impact, reflecting its central role in disseminating high-quality research in this domain. Keyword mapping highlighted critical research themes such as skin regeneration, wound healing, immune modulation, and therapeutic applications in chronic and inflammatory skin conditions. High-impact terms – including melanocyte, angiogenesis, mesenchymal stem cells, and microRNAs – reflect both foundational molecular mechanisms and translational relevance. Furthermore, emerging trends suggest increasing interest in plant-derived exosomes and their potential integration with technologies like laser therapy for enhanced transdermal delivery. Despite their promise in diagnostics, therapeutics, and cosmetic applications, challenges remain in standardisation, scalability, and regulatory validation. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future directions of exosome research in dermatology, offering valuable insights to guide future interdisciplinary innovations and clinical translation.

Digital technologies in life sciences: advances and opportunities

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Digital advances are fundamentally reshaping the life sciences, with emerging technologies redefining research, diagnostics, agriculture, and biotechnology. This review provides an integrated overview of the key digital innovations shaping the field, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, Internet of Things-based sensing, blockchain, bioinformatics, big data analytics, digital twins, robotics, and social media-driven digital communication. These tools are examined across animal science, medical science, and biotechnology to enable precision agriculture, intelligent disease diagnosis, omics-based discovery, laboratory automation, and continuous real-time monitoring. Through the analysis of recent case studies, it is demonstrated how the combination of sensing, computation, and automation is driving more predictive, efficient, and data-centered life science systems. The review also addresses major challenges related to data governance, interoperability, ethics, and implementation. To identify relevant literature, a structured search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, covering peer-reviewed publications from 2014 to 2026, with emphasis on articles published from 2020 onward. Search terms combined technology-specific concepts (e.g., artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, blockchain, bioinformatics, digital twin, and robotics) with life science application domains (e.g., animal science, medical science, biotechnology, precision livestock farming, and drug discovery). Studies were included if they reported primary findings, systematic reviews, or substantive conceptual analyses relevant to the application of digital technologies in life sciences; non-peer-reviewed sources were incorporated only when they represented major policy or institutional reports. Overall, this synthesis highlights both the transformative potential and the practical constraints of digital technologies in life sciences, offering a forward-looking perspective on the next generation of innovation in biologically informed digital systems.

Health risk assessment of mercury exposure from freshwater fish consumption across socioeconomic groups in Poland: a toxicological analysis of specific consumption scenarios

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

This study aimed to assess the health risk associated with mercury (Hg) exposure resulting from the consumption of freshwater fish in Poland. The analysis focuses on differentiating risks between socioeconomic groups and a vulnerable population (children) using specific consumption scenarios. Total mercury (THg) concentrations in wild species (e.g., Esox lucius, Sander lucioperca) and farmed fish (e.g., Cyprinus carpio) were analyzed against European and global data. Dietary patterns were derived from the 2023 report by Statistics Poland (GUS), stratified by socioeconomic status (retirees, farmers, employees). The health risk was estimated using the Hazard Quotient (HQ) for chronic exposure and the percentage of Tolerable Weekly Intake (%TWI) for three consumption scenarios (S1: 150 g, S2: 300 g, S3: 450 g/week). Hg levels in Polish freshwater fish are comparable to European averages, with predatory species showing the highest bioaccumulation (Esox lucius: up to 0.45 mg/kg). Socioeconomic analysis revealed that retirees have the highest fish consumption (0.40 kg/month), resulting in the highest HQ (0.381), remaining below the safety threshold (HQ <1). However, the scenario-based analysis demonstrated that for children, even moderate consumption (S1) of predatory fish (pike, perch, zander) results in exceeding the TWI by 115–231%. While the general adult population in Poland remains at low risk of Hg toxicity, targeted dietary recommendations are urgently required for children, emphasizing the avoidance of predatory freshwater fish in favor of low-trophic species such as carp or bream.

Quantifying enteric methane from ruminants: a critical review of group-based measurement approaches

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Enteric methane (CH4) from ruminants is a significant contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and represents a energy loss to the animal. Accurate and scalable quantification is therefore essential for mitigation strategies, national inventory refinement, and evaluation of genetic or nutritional interventions. While individual-animal techniques (e.g. respiration chambers, GreenFeed, SF6 tracer) provide high precision, their application is often constrained under commercial or grazing conditions.This review critically evaluates group-based approaches that estimate CH4 emissions at herd-paddock-, or facility-scale, including mass balance, eddy covariance, flux gradient, inverse dispersion modelling, and tracer ratio methods. For each technique, we outline measurement principles, spatial scale, typical deployment scenarios, and dominant sources of uncertainty related to atmospheric variability, source geometry, instrumentation, and model assumptions. We propose minimum reporting standards to improve transparency and comparability across studies and discuss trade-offs between precision, scalability, cost, and logistical complexity. Integration of complementary techniques and greater methodological standardisation will enhance the robustness and policy relevance of herd- and farm-scale methane estimates.

Glucocorticoid exposure before and after birth alters blood profiles in piglets

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Elevated maternal glucocorticoid levels during pregnancy may influence fetal development and postnatal physiology of offspring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of prenatal and neonatal dexamethasone exposure on hematological parameters in piglets. The experiment was conducted on 24 clinically healthy Large White Polish sows randomly assigned to two prenatal treatment groups: dexamethasone-treated (DEX) or physiological saline-treated controls (PhS). Piglets were subsequently allocated to four experimental groups according to prenatal and neonatal exposure (PhS/PhS, PhS/DEX, DEX/PhS, DEX/DEX) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Blood samples were collected from six piglets per treatment group at each sampling time point (postnatal days 3, 14, and 30).Significant main effects of prenatal and neonatal dexamethasone exposure were observed in several erythrocyte parameters. On day 3, both prenatal and neonatal dexamethasone significantly increased RBC (p<0.001) and decreased MCV and MCH (p<0.001), with a significant interaction between factors. On day 14, neonatal dexamethasone increased RBC, HCT, and Hb values (p≤0.030), whereas prenatal exposure significantly affected MCHC and MCH (p≤0.010). By day 30, dexamethasone exposure was associated with lower Hb, HCT, MCH, and MCHC values (p≤0.010), indicating microcytic and hypochromic erythrocyte changes. White blood cell counts were not consistently affected by the treatments.These findings demonstrate that prenatal and neonatal glucocorticoid exposure modifies early erythropoietic development in piglets and influences hematological adaptation during the suckling period.

Efficacy of different doses of phytase on performance, nutrient digestibility and tibia mineralization in broiler chickens

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

This study evaluated the effects of different phytase supplementation levels on performance, nutrient digestibility, bone mineralization, and carcass characteristics in broilers fed diets with reduced available phosphorus (P). A total of 840 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly allocated to six dietary treatments: T1, positive control (PC; adequate P and Ca); T2, negative control (NC; low P and Ca); T3, NC + 167 FTU/kg phytase; T4, NC + 500 FTU/kg; T5, NC + 1,500 FTU/kg; and T6, NC + 4,500 FTU/kg (high dose). The trial lasted 35 days. Body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded, while apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter (DM), Ca, and P, as well as tibia ash and carcass traits, were assessed. Phytase supplementation significantly improved BW, ADG, and FCR compared with the NC. The highest BW, ADG, and lowest FCR were observed in the T6 group, followed by T5, whereas the NC birds showed the poorest performance. Phytase enhanced P digestibility at all application rates, and DM digestibility at the high inclusion level. Tibia ash content increased linearly with phytase dose, indicating improved bone mineralization. The NC group exhibited elevated Footpad Dermatitis Index values and reduced carcass yield, which were mitigated by the addition of phytase. Overall, phytase supplementation improved performance and nutrient digestibility. Dosing phytase at 1,500 and 4,500 FTU/kg fully compensated for P deficiency, improved performance and skeletal integrity, and reduced environmental P impact, supporting its use as a nutritional strategy in broiler production.

Animal models in ovarian aging research – an updated review

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Ovarian aging represents a multifactorial biological process characterized by progressive depletion of the follicular reserve, endocrine dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, genomic instability, stromal remodeling, and chronic inflammation. While clinical studies in women provide essential insights, mechanistic dissection of ovarian senescence depends largely on animal models. This review presents a comparative and evolutionary synthesis of ovarian aging across invertebrate and vertebrate species, from Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster to rodents, livestock, equine, and non-human primate models. We integrate conserved and divergent mechanisms, including telomere dynamics, oxidative stress, DNA damage repair, fibrosis, metabolic decline, immune activation, and endocrine transitions. We critically evaluate translational relevance, genetic manipulability, physiological similarity to humans, and suitability for longitudinal and interventional studies. Finally, we discuss emerging alternatives such as ovarian organoids, ovary-on-chip systems, and cross-species single-cell omics approaches. This integrative framework aims to guide rational model selection for mechanistic, translational, and therapeutic research in ovarian aging.

Trends in the showing of selected breeds of cats in Poland

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The development of modern felinology has been influenced by the formation of federations bringing together lovers of purebred cats and the growth of the cat show industry, which has also led to the emergence of many new cat breeds. These breeds arose mainly as a result of single-point mutations and the deliberate crossbreeding of domestic cats with wild felines, which are referred to as hybrid breeds. Among the breeds resulting from mutations are Devon Rex (DRX) cats, and among the hybrid breeds are Bengal (BEN) cats.The aim of this study was to analyze the exhibition history of selected purebred cat breeds (BRI, BEN, RUS, and DRX) at cat shows in Poland organized under the auspices of The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) - to compare the exhibition history of breeds with a long-standing history (BRI and RUS) with breeds that emerged in the 20th century as a result of point mutations (DRX) and a hybrid breed (BEN).The analysis was based on show catalogs from the two federations (TICA and FIFe) covering the period 2012-2024. The analysis considered the presence of individual breeds at international purebred cat shows, gender distribution, show classes and categories, and the frequency of specific coat colors. The analysis accounted for the time factor (2012-2024), federations (TICA and FIFe), and their interaction on the specific traits analyzed.A stable presence was demonstrated for breeds with a long-standing breeding tradition (BRI) and a new hybrid breed (BEN), alongside a clear increase in the exhibition of DRX cats (P<0.05). In 2020, there was a sharp decline in the exhibition of purebred cats, which was associated with restrictions on organizing mass events during the Covid-19 pandemic. In terms of gender distribution, female cats are exhibited more frequently than male cats, reflecting the natural structure of purebred cat breeding. The influence of the factors considered on the prevalence of most age categories, gender distribution, and specific coat colors was demonstrated (P<0.05).

Mapping the global digital discourse on nutraceuticals: a two-year hashtag analysis of the X platform (formerly T witter)

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Engagement with nutritional health information through digital platforms has become increasingly important for market trends and public health communication. This study examined posts containing the terms “nutraceutical” or “nutraceuticals” shared on X (formerly Twitter) over a 24-month period from 1 August 2023 to 1 August 2025. Data collection and analysis were conducted using the Fedica platform analytics, completed on 22 August 2025. The dataset comprises 82,804 individual posts from 61,527 unique user accounts, with a total of 19,348,499 impressions. Posts originated from 170 countries, with the USA contributing 55.93% of the activity, followed by India (20.01%), and Canada (4.03%). Lexical analysis identified stem cells, peptides, and psychedelics as the most prevalent terms, whereas hashtag co-occurrence analysis highlighted key themes related to health, wellness, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and nutritional content. Discussions about nutraceuticals have focused on specific compounds, such as cannabidiol (CBD; n=1,211), nattokinase (n=923), and protein extracts (n=596). The posts demonstrated a high potential for amplification, averaging 234 impressions per post, indicating a strong capacity for information dissemination. This analysis reveals that discussions on the X platform on nutraceutical products form a globally distributed communication network with concentrated user participation from economically developed regions and major emerging markets. The findings underscore the role of the X platform as a key channel for exchanging dietary supplement information and emphasise considerations for stakeholders in nutritional product marketing, health communication, and regulatory oversight.

Three-dimensional culture of heart tissue constructs from heart progenitor cells on a polycaprolactone scaffold - optimization

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Myocardial damage resulting from ischemia leads to the irreversible loss of cardiac function. Consequently, there is a critical need to develop effective therapies capable of regenerating damaged heart muscle. Tissue engineering (TE) enables the creation of functional tissues in vitro using cells, biologically active molecules, and scaffolding methods. To advance research on heart tissue culture on polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds, it is important to optimize culture methods to ensure adequate nutrient supply. In this study, different sera and various concentrations of heart tissue extracts were evaluated for their ability to support cardiac pseudo-tissue formation on PCL scaffolds using progenitor cells at different stages of differentiation. The results confirm the biocompatibility of PCL with cardiac progenitor cells. Cardiac progenitors, collected on the 8th embryonic day (8 ED), demonstrated the greatest potential for forming heart pseudo-tissue constructs when cultured with horse serum (HS) and an extract from homogenized hearts of 14-day-old chicken embryos as an additive to the culture medium. Cardiac progenitor cells collected on 12 ED exhibited the highest potential for creating pseudo-heart tissue constructs in the presence of HS, even without the addition of homogenized heart extract. Moreover, a high concentration of the extract reduced their ability to form structured tissue constructs. Overall, HS promoted more intensive cell proliferation in both 2D, and 3D cultures compared to foetal bovine serum (FBS). The absence of a vascular-like system limits the development of large tissue constructs, leading to nutritional deficiency and subsequent tissue degradation.

Energy and nutrient utilisation of laying hens fed fibre rich diet containing graded levels of supplementary fungal xylanase

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The effect of graded levels of exogenous xylanase (XYL) at 0, 1500, 2000 or 2500 xylanase units (XU/kg) in laying hen diet containing 300 g/kg wheat distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was examined. A total of 72, twenty-two-week-old, Hy-Line Brown laying hens were allocated to 24 cages, three birds in a cage. Each diet was fed for nine days to six cages following randomisation. Supplementing diets with 2500 XU, the highest XYL level, increased (p<0.05) dietary apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and nitrogen corrected AME (AMEn) in a linear pattern (L<0.05), and nitrogen retention coefficient (p<0.05) following quadratic response (Q<0.05). For every 100 XU, dietary AME and AMEn increased by 0.013 MJ and 0.012 MJ, respectively. There were no differences observed in bird growth or egg production variables. Further research is warranted to study the impact of greater XYL activities in laying hen diets formulated to contain greater DDGS inclusion rates.

Pedigree analysis: estimation of genetic parameters and the effect of inbreeding on dairy traits in Simmental cattle

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the level of inbreeding by estimating inbreeding coefficients and (2) to estimate the effect of inbreeding on lactational milk traits in Polish Simmental cows. Two reference populations were defined for pedigree analysis: animals born between 1984 and 2009 (dataset A, n=20,827) and animals born between 2010 and 2020 (dataset B, n=19,554). Mean inbreeding coefficients for the analysed cows were generally low in both reference populations, however, approximately 72% of the inbred cows were born in the second studied decade. Notably, an increased number of ancestors did not result in an increase in genetic diversity. 7 founders exhibited the highest gene contribution. The principal ancestors with the highest gene contribution were 11 sires in dataset A and 15 animals in dataset B. The coefficients of regression on inbreeding were low and negative for milk yield and fat or protein content for all three lactations, whereas positive effects were observed for fat or protein percentage. Overall, the genetic variability of Polish Simmental cows is at a satisfactory level, nevertheless in young cows an increase in the number of inbred individuals is observed. Analysis of ancestral gene contributions indicates significant changes in the composition of ancestors in this younger population.

Transdermal drug delivery: a bibliometric analysis of global trends and emerging device-assisted techniques

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Transdermal drug delivery has evolved from conventional topical formulations to advanced approaches designed to overcome the barrier function of the stratum corneum. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of transdermal drug delivery research, with particular attention to emerging device-assisted techniques, including laser-assisted delivery and pneumatic needle-free injection systems. Bibliometric data were retrieved from the Web of Science using a systematic search strategy, yielding 15,865 publications between 1977 and 2025. The dataset was analyzed using VOSviewer to visualize recurring research themes, collaboration networks, and citation impact. The results demonstrate a marked growth in scientific output since the early 2000s, with original research articles representing the predominant publication type. The United States and China were the leading contributors to the field, while Ryan F. Donnelly (Queen’s University Belfast) was identified as the most productive author. Among the most frequently studied transdermal drug delivery approaches were microneedles, iontophoresis, and lipid-based carriers, reflecting sustained interest in minimally invasive and formulation-driven strategies. Although laser-assisted techniques and needle-free injection were less represented in terms of publication volume, needle-free injection demonstrated a high citation impact. Laser-assisted drug delivery was less frequently represented in the dataset, likely reflecting its later emergence and methodological heterogeneity rather than a lack of scientific interest. Overall, transdermal drug delivery research is rapidly expanding across pharmacology, biomaterials science, and biomedical engineering, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of innovation in this field.

Fattening performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of pigs from DanBred sows and Topigs Norsvin boars

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The study evaluated fatteners produced by crossing DanBred Yorkshire-Landrace (YL) sows with purebred Landrace, Pietrain, and Duroc boars from Topigs Norsvin. Approximately 200 pigs were assessed per crossbred group. From each group, 60 carcasses were analysed for lean meat content using the AutoFom device, and longissimus lumborum (LL) muscles from 30 carcasses were collected for meat quality evaluation. Pigs sired by Duroc boars exhibited significantly higher average daily gain (ADG) than Pietrain-sired pigs, while feed intake and feed conversion efficiency did not differ among groups. Carcasses from Landrace- and Pietrain-sired pigs contained more lean meat than those from Duroc-sired pigs. Across individual cuts (ham, loin, shoulder, and belly), Pietrain-sired pigs showed the highest lean meat content, followed by Landrace, with the lowest values observed in the Duroc group. Meat quality traits were most favourable in Duroc-sired pigs, as indicated by higher pH values and lower drip and thawing losses in both fresh and frozen meat. Their LL muscles also contained higher dry matter and intramuscular fat (IMF) levels compared with those of Landraceand Pietrain-sired pigs. These attributes translated into superior sensory quality, reflected in higher scores for aroma, tenderness, juiciness, and flavour, as well as lower shear force values.