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McConville J, Allen A, Moyce A, Donaghy A, Clarke J, Guelbenzu-Gonzalo M, Byrne AW, Verner S, Strain S, McInerney B, Holmes E. Genotypic analysis of a localised hotspot of Pestivirus A (BVDV-1) infections in Northern Ireland. Vet Rec 2024:e4150. [PMID: 38693629 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.4150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) is caused by Pestivirus A and Pestivirus B. Northern Ireland (NI) embarked on a compulsory BVD eradication scheme in 2016, which continues to this day, so an understanding of the composition of the pestivirus genotypes in the cattle population of NI is required. METHODS This molecular epidemiology study employed 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) genetic sequencing to examine the pestivirus genotypes circulating in samples taken from a hotspot of BVD outbreaks in the Enniskillen area in 2019. RESULTS Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV)-1e (Pestivirus A) was detected for the first time in Northern Ireland, and at a high frequency, in an infection hotspot in Enniskillen in 2019. There was no evidence of infection with BVDV-2 (Pestivirus B), Border disease virus (pestivirus D) or HoBi-like virus/BVDV-3 (pestivirus H). LIMITATIONS Only 5'UTR sequencing was used, so supplementary sequencing, along with phylogenetic trees that include all BVDV-1 genotype reference strains, would improve accuracy. Examination of farm locations and animal movement/trade is also required. CONCLUSIONS Genotype BVDV-1e was found for the first time in Northern Ireland, indicating an increase in the genetic diversity of BVDV-1, which could have implications for vaccine design and highlights the need for continued pestivirus genotypic surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- James McConville
- Disease Surveillance and Investigations Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, UK
| | - Adrian Allen
- Bacteriology Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, UK
| | - Asa Moyce
- Disease Surveillance and Investigations Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, UK
| | - Aoibheann Donaghy
- Disease Surveillance and Investigations Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, UK
| | - Joe Clarke
- Disease Surveillance and Investigations Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, UK
| | | | - Andrew W Byrne
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sharon Verner
- Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland, Dungannon, UK
| | - Sam Strain
- Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland, Dungannon, UK
| | - Barry McInerney
- Disease Surveillance and Investigations Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, UK
| | - Emma Holmes
- Disease Surveillance and Investigations Branch, Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, UK
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2
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Al-Jawabreh R, Lastik D, McKenzie D, Reynolds K, Suleiman M, Mousley A, Atkinson L, Hunt V. Advancing Strongyloides omics data: bridging the gap with Caenorhabditis elegans. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220437. [PMID: 38008117 PMCID: PMC10676819 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Among nematodes, the free-living model organism Caenorhabditis elegans boasts the most advanced portfolio of high-quality omics data. The resources available for parasitic nematodes, including Strongyloides spp., however, are lagging behind. While C. elegans remains the most tractable nematode and has significantly advanced our understanding of many facets of nematode biology, C. elegans is not suitable as a surrogate system for the study of parasitism and it is important that we improve the omics resources available for parasitic nematode species. Here, we review the omics data available for Strongyloides spp. and compare the available resources to those for C. elegans and other parasitic nematodes. The advancements in C. elegans omics offer a blueprint for improving omics-led research in Strongyloides. We suggest areas of priority for future research that will pave the way for expansions in omics resources and technologies. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Strongyloides: omics to worm-free populations'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Al-Jawabreh
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Dominika Lastik
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | | | - Kieran Reynolds
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Mona Suleiman
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | | | | | - Vicky Hunt
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
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3
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Cunningham EM, O'Kane AP, Ford L, Sheldrake GN, Cuthbert RN, Dick JTA, Maggs CA, Walsh PJ. Temporal patterns of fucoxanthin in four species of European marine brown macroalgae. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22241. [PMID: 38097682 PMCID: PMC10721839 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47274-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Brown seaweeds are a rich source of carotenoids, particularly fucoxanthin, which has a wide range of potential health applications. Fucoxanthin fluctuates within and among seaweeds over time, frustrating efforts to utilise this resource. Thus, we require comprehensive analyses of long- and short-term concentrations across species in field conditions. Here, we used High Performance Liquid Chromatography to compare fucoxanthin content in four brown macroalgae, Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus serratus, Fucus vesiculosus and Saccharina latissima, monthly for 1 year. F. serratus and F. vesiculosus had significantly higher fucoxanthin content (mg/g), which was highest in Spring (0.39 ± 0.04) and Autumn (0.45 ± 0.04) [mean (± SE)]. Two species, A. nodosum and F. serratus, were collected monthly at the same location for a further two non-consecutive years. For both A. nodosum and F. serratus, a significant interaction effect of seasons and years was identified, highlighting that there is variation in fucoxanthin content among and within species over time. We also show that fucoxanthin content differs significantly among months even within seasons. Therefore, it is not sufficient to assess fucoxanthin in single months to represent seasonality. We discuss how weather, nutrients and reproduction may have driven the seasonal variation, and reveal patterns of fucoxanthin concentration that can provide information concerning its availability for many important medical functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eoghan M Cunningham
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5GA, Northern Ireland, UK
- Queen's University Marine Laboratory, Queen's University Belfast, 12-13 The Strand, Portaferry, BT22 1PF, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Aaron P O'Kane
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5GA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Lauren Ford
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Gary N Sheldrake
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5GA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Ross N Cuthbert
- Queen's University Marine Laboratory, Queen's University Belfast, 12-13 The Strand, Portaferry, BT22 1PF, Northern Ireland, UK
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Jaimie T A Dick
- Queen's University Marine Laboratory, Queen's University Belfast, 12-13 The Strand, Portaferry, BT22 1PF, Northern Ireland, UK
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Christine A Maggs
- Queen's University Marine Laboratory, Queen's University Belfast, 12-13 The Strand, Portaferry, BT22 1PF, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Pamela J Walsh
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5GA, Northern Ireland, UK.
- Queen's University Marine Laboratory, Queen's University Belfast, 12-13 The Strand, Portaferry, BT22 1PF, Northern Ireland, UK.
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4
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Davies KP, Gibney ER, O'Sullivan AM. Moving towards more sustainable diets: Is there potential for a personalised approach in practice? J Hum Nutr Diet 2023; 36:2256-2267. [PMID: 37545042 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Discourse on the relationship between food production, healthy eating and sustainability has become increasingly prominent and controversial in recent years. Research groups often take one perspective when reporting on sustainable diets, and several often neglect considerations for the multiple aspects that make a diet truly sustainable, such as cultural acceptability, differences in nutritional requirements amongst the population and the efficiency of long-term dietary change. Plant-based diets are associated with lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) and have been linked with better health outcomes, including lower risk of diet-related chronic disease. However, foods associated with higher GHGE, such as lean red meat, fish and dairy, have beneficial nutritional profiles and contribute significantly to micronutrient intakes. Some research has shown that diets associated with lower GHGE can be less nutritionally adequate. Several countries now include sustainability recommendations in dietary guidelines but use vague language such as "increase" or "consume regularly" when referring to plant-based foods. General population-based nutrition advice has poor adherence and does not consider differences in nutritional needs. Although modelling studies show potential to significantly reduce environmental impact with dietary changes, personalising such dietary recommendations has not been studied. Adapting recommendations to the individual through reproducible methods of personalised nutrition has been shown to lead to more favourable and longer-lasting dietary changes compared to population-based nutrition advice. When considering sustainable healthy dietary guidelines, personalised feedback may increase the acceptability, effectiveness and nutritional adequacy of the diet. A personalised approach has the potential for delivering a new structure of more sustainable healthy food-based dietary guidelines. This review evaluates the potential to develop personalised sustainable healthy food-based dietary guidelines and discusses potential implications for policy and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie P Davies
- UCD Institute of Food and Health, School of Agriculture and Food Science, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eileen R Gibney
- UCD Institute of Food and Health, School of Agriculture and Food Science, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aifric M O'Sullivan
- UCD Institute of Food and Health, School of Agriculture and Food Science, Dublin, Ireland
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5
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Irvine A, Huws SA, Atkinson LE, Mousley A. Exploring the antimicrobial peptidome of nematodes through phylum-spanning in silico analyses highlights novel opportunities for pathogen control. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011618. [PMID: 37672536 PMCID: PMC10506718 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) are key constituents of the invertebrate innate immune system and provide critical protection against microbial threat. Nematodes display diverse life strategies where they are exposed to heterogenous, microbe rich, environments highlighting their need for an innate immune system. Within the Ecdysozoa, arthropod AMPs have been well characterised, however nematode-derived AMP knowledge is limited. In this study the distribution and abundance of putative AMP-encoding genes was examined in 134 nematode genomes providing the most comprehensive profile of AMP candidates within phylum Nematoda. Through genome and transcriptome analyses we reveal that phylum Nematoda is a rich source of putative AMP diversity and demonstrate (i) putative AMP group profiles that are influenced by nematode lifestyle where free-living nematodes appear to display enriched putative AMP profiles relative to parasitic species; (ii) major differences in the putative AMP profiles between nematode clades where Clade 9/V and 10/IV species possess expanded putative AMP repertoires; (iii) AMP groups with highly restricted profiles (e.g. Cecropins and Diapausins) and others [e.g. Nemapores and Glycine Rich Secreted Peptides (GRSPs)] which are more widely distributed; (iv) complexity in the distribution and abundance of CSαβ subgroup members; and (v) that putative AMPs are expressed in host-facing life stages and biofluids of key nematode parasites. These data indicate that phylum Nematoda displays diversity in putative AMPs and underscores the need for functional characterisation to reveal their role and importance to nematode biology and host-nematode-microbiome interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allister Irvine
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Sharon A. Huws
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Louise E. Atkinson
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Mousley
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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6
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Irvine A, McKenzie D, McCoy CJ, Graham RLJ, Graham C, Huws SA, Atkinson LE, Mousley A. Novel integrated computational AMP discovery approaches highlight diversity in the helminth AMP repertoire. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011508. [PMID: 37523405 PMCID: PMC10414684 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) are immune effectors that are key components of the invertebrate innate immune system providing protection against pathogenic microbes. Parasitic helminths (phylum Nematoda and phylum Platyhelminthes) share complex interactions with their hosts and closely associated microbiota that are likely regulated by a diverse portfolio of antimicrobial immune effectors including AMPs. Knowledge of helminth AMPs has largely been derived from nematodes, whereas the flatworm AMP repertoire has not been described. This study highlights limitations in the homology-based approaches, used to identify putative nematode AMPs, for the characterisation of flatworm AMPs, and reveals that innovative algorithmic AMP prediction approaches provide an alternative strategy for novel helminth AMP discovery. The data presented here: (i) reveal that flatworms do not encode traditional lophotrochozoan AMP groups (Big Defensin, CSαβ peptides and Myticalin); (ii) describe a unique integrated computational pipeline for the discovery of novel helminth AMPs; (iii) reveal >16,000 putative AMP-like peptides across 127 helminth species; (iv) highlight that cysteine-rich peptides dominate helminth AMP-like peptide profiles; (v) uncover eight novel helminth AMP-like peptides with diverse antibacterial activities, and (vi) demonstrate the detection of AMP-like peptides from Ascaris suum biofluid. These data represent a significant advance in our understanding of the putative helminth AMP repertoire and underscore a potential untapped source of antimicrobial diversity which may provide opportunities for the discovery of novel antimicrobials. Further, unravelling the role of endogenous worm-derived antimicrobials and their potential to influence host-worm-microbiome interactions may be exploited for the development of unique helminth control approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allister Irvine
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Darrin McKenzie
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Ciaran J. McCoy
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Robert L. J. Graham
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Ciaren Graham
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Sharon A. Huws
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Louise E. Atkinson
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Mousley
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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7
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Robb E, McCammick EM, Wells D, McVeigh P, Gardiner E, Armstrong R, McCusker P, Mousley A, Clarke N, Marks NJ, Maule AG. Transcriptomic analysis supports a role for the nervous system in regulating growth and development of Fasciola hepatica juveniles. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010854. [PMCID: PMC9639813 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Fasciola spp. liver flukes have significant impacts in veterinary and human medicine. The absence of a vaccine and increasing anthelmintic resistance threaten sustainable control and underscore the need for novel flukicides. Functional genomic approaches underpinned by in vitro culture of juvenile Fasciola hepatica facilitate control target validation in the most pathogenic life stage. Comparative transcriptomics of in vitro and in vivo maintained 21 day old F. hepatica finds that 86% of genes are expressed at similar levels across maintenance treatments suggesting commonality in core biological functioning within these juveniles. Phenotypic comparisons revealed higher cell proliferation and growth rates in the in vivo juveniles compared to their in vitro counterparts. These phenotypic differences were consistent with the upregulation of neoblast-like stem cell and cell-cycle associated genes in in vivo maintained worms. The more rapid growth/development of in vivo juveniles was further evidenced by a switch in cathepsin protease expression profiles, dominated by cathepsin B in in vitro juveniles and by cathepsin L in in vivo juveniles. Coincident with more rapid growth/development was the marked downregulation of both classical and peptidergic neuronal signalling components in in vivo maintained juveniles, supporting a role for the nervous system in regulating liver fluke growth and development. Differences in the miRNA complements of in vivo and in vitro juveniles identified 31 differentially expressed miRNAs, including fhe-let-7a-5p, fhe-mir-124-3p and miRNAs predicted to target Wnt-signalling, which supports a key role for miRNAs in driving the growth/developmental differences in the in vitro and in vivo maintained juvenile liver fluke. Widespread differences in the expression of neuronal genes in juvenile fluke grown in vitro and in vivo expose significant interplay between neuronal signalling and the rate of growth/development, encouraging consideration of neuronal targets in efforts to dysregulate growth/development for parasite control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Robb
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (ER); (EMM); (AGM)
| | - Erin M. McCammick
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (ER); (EMM); (AGM)
| | - Duncan Wells
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Paul McVeigh
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Erica Gardiner
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Armstrong
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Paul McCusker
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Mousley
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Nathan Clarke
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Nikki J. Marks
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron G. Maule
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (ER); (EMM); (AGM)
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8
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Brown AJ, Scoley G, O’Connell N, Robertson J, Browne A, Morrison S. Pre-Weaned Calf Rearing on Northern Irish Dairy Farms: Part 1. A Description of Calf Management and Housing Design. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1954. [PMID: 34208877 PMCID: PMC8300315 DOI: 10.3390/ani11071954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The first few months of life are of great importance to the longevity and lifetime performance of dairy cows. The nutrition, environment and healthcare management of heifer calves must be sufficient to minimise exposure to stress and disease and enable them to perform to their genetic potential. Lack of reporting of farm management practices in Northern Ireland (NI) makes it difficult to understand where issues impacting health, welfare and performance may occur in the rearing process. The objective of this study was to investigate housing design and management practices of calves on 66 dairy farms across NI over a 3-month period and also identify areas that may cause high risk of poor health and performance in dairy calves. An initial survey was used to detail housing and management practices, with two subsequent visits to each farm used to collect animal and housing-based measurements linked to hygiene management, animal health and performance. Large variations in key elements such as weaning criteria and method, calf grouping method used, nutritional feed plane, and routine hygiene management were identified. The specification of housing, in particular ventilation and stocking density, was highlighted as a potential limiting factor for calf health and performance. Lack of measurement of nutritional inputs, hygiene management practices and calf performance was observed. This poses a risk to farmers' ability to ensure the effectiveness of key management strategies and recognise poor calf performance and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J Brown
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Hillsborough BT26 6DR, UK; (G.S.); (S.M.)
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK;
| | - Gillian Scoley
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Hillsborough BT26 6DR, UK; (G.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Niamh O’Connell
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK;
| | | | - Amanda Browne
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK;
| | - Steven Morrison
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Hillsborough BT26 6DR, UK; (G.S.); (S.M.)
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9
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Rutherford NH, Gordon AW, Arnott G, Lively FO. The Effect of Beef Production System on the Health, Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality of Holstein Bulls. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1922. [PMID: 33086745 PMCID: PMC7589087 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of production system on the health, performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of autumn born (AB) and spring born (SB) Holstein bulls. The study involved a total of 224 Holstein bulls and was conducted over two years (2017/18, 2018/19). The four production system treatments differed during the grower period and consisted of: (i) grazed with no concentrate supplementation (G), (ii) grazed with 2 kg concentrate supplementation per day (G2), (iii) grazed with ad libitum access to concentrates (GA) and (iv) housed with ad libitum access to concentrates and grass silage (HA). All bulls were finished on ad libitum concentrates and grass silage and were slaughtered at a mean age of 15.5 months. Total grower dry matter intake (DMI) (p < 0.001) and total finishing DMI (p < 0.001) differed between production systems for both AB and SB bulls, with that of GA bulls being the greatest in both cases. Average daily gain (ADG) during the grower period was greatest (p < 0.001) for the HA production system in the AB bulls and the GA and HA production systems for the SB bulls. However, during the finishing period, G bulls had the greatest (p < 0.001) ADG of the AB bulls, while that of the SB bulls was from the G2 production system (p < 0.001). For both AB and SB, bulls on the GA and HA production systems produced heavier cold carcass weights than the G and G2 bulls (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in health, carcass conformation, fat classification, or meat quality between production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi H Rutherford
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Large Park, Hillsborough, Co Down BT 26 6DR, Northern Ireland, UK
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Alan W Gordon
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Gareth Arnott
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Francis O Lively
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Large Park, Hillsborough, Co Down BT 26 6DR, Northern Ireland, UK
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