Risk Awareness and Attitude of German Farmers towards Biosecurity Measures

The implementation of management activities depends on both the attitude of the people performing the work and their understanding of why the work should be performed. In the context of animal husbandry, the implementation of such practices is crucial for the functionality of biosecurity. Therefore, it is important to know how farmers perceive biosecurity as a whole. An anonymous online survey was conducted among German farmers. In addition to general data about their farm, information about their existing concept of biosecurity, as well as about the assessment of possible introduction routes for animal diseases into the farm with regard to their likelihood, was gathered. Furthermore, information on measures to protect their farm against disease introduction were retrieved. Analysis showed that in general, farmers were aware of the importance of biosecurity and consequently had concepts of biosecurity on their farms. However, awareness about dangerous introduction routes for animal diseases into a farm was associated with a lack of knowledge of how to improve the measures in these areas. The role of the veterinarian in the context of biosecurity was highlighted and further problematic areas were indicated. Overall, the high level of commitment from farmers indicated a good implementation of daily practices.

Butyric acid and prospects for creation of new medicines based on its derivatives: a literature review

The widespread use of antimicrobials causes antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The use of butyric acid and its derivatives is an alternative tactic. This review summarizes the literature on the role of butyric acid in the body and provides further prospects for the clinical use of its derivatives and delivery methods to the animal body. Thus far, there is evidence confirming the vital role of butyric acid in the body and the effectiveness of its derivatives when used as animal medicines and growth stimulants. Butyric acid salts stimulate immunomodulatory activity by reducing microbial colonization of the intestine and suppressing inflammation. Extraintestinal effects occur against the background of hemoglobinopathy, hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance, and cerebral ischemia. Butyric acid derivatives inhibit histone deacetylase. Aberrant histone deacetylase activity is associated with the development of certain types of cancer in humans. Feed additives containing butyric acid salts or tributyrin are used widely in animal husbandry. They improve the functional status of the intestine and accelerate animal growth and development. On the other hand, high concentrations of butyric acid stimulate the apoptosis of epithelial cells and disrupt the intestinal barrier function. This review highlights the biological activity and the mechanism of action of butyric acid, its salts, and esters, revealing their role in the treatment of various animal and human diseases. This paper also discussed the possibility of using butyric acid and its derivatives as surface modifiers of enterosorbents to obtain new drugs with bifunctional action.

Applications and Potentials of a Silk Fibroin Nanoparticle Delivery System in Animal Husbandry

Silk fibroin (SF), a unique natural polymeric fibrous protein extracted from Bombyx mori cocoons, accounts for approximately 75% of the total mass of silk. It has great application prospects due to its outstanding biocompatibility, biodegradability, low immunogenicity, and mechanical stability. Additionally, it is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Nanoparticle delivery systems constructed with SF can improve the bioavailability of the carriers, increase the loading rates, control the release behavior of the deliverables, and enhance their action efficiencies. Animal husbandry is an integral part of agriculture and plays a vital role in the development of the rural economy. However, the pillar industry experiences a lot of difficulties, like drug abuse while treating major animal diseases, and serious environmental pollution, restricting sustainable development. Interestingly, the limited use cases of silk fibroin nanoparticle (SF NP) delivery systems in animal husbandry, such as veterinary vaccines and feed additives, have shown great promise. This paper first reviews the SF NP delivery system with regard to its advantages, disadvantages, and applications. Moreover, we describe the application status and developmental prospects of SF NP delivery systems to provide theoretical references for further development in livestock production and promote the high-quality and healthy development of animal husbandry.

Use of Essential Oils to Counteract the Phenomena of Antimicrobial Resistance in Livestock Species

Antimicrobial resistance is an increasingly widespread phenomenon that is of particular concern because of the possible consequences in the years to come. The dynamics leading to the resistance of microbial strains are diverse, but certainly include the incorrect use of veterinary drugs both in terms of dosage and timing of administration. Moreover, the drug is often administered in the absence of a diagnosis. Many active ingredients in pharmaceutical formulations are, therefore, losing their efficacy. In this situation, it is imperative to seek alternative treatment solutions. Essential oils are mixtures of compounds with different pharmacological properties. They have been shown to possess the antibacterial, anti-parasitic, antiviral, and regulatory properties of numerous metabolic processes. The abundance of molecules they contain makes it difficult for treated microbial species to develop pharmacological resistance. Given their natural origin, they are environmentally friendly and show little or no toxicity to higher animals. There are several published studies on the use of essential oils as antimicrobials, but the present literature has not been adequately summarized in a manuscript. This review aims to shed light on the results achieved by the scientific community regarding the use of essential oils to treat the main agents of bacterial infection of veterinary interest in livestock. The Google Scholar, PubMed, SciELO, and SCOPUS databases were used for the search and selection of studies. The manuscript aims to lay the foundations for a new strategy of veterinary drug use that is more environmentally friendly and less prone to the emergence of drug resistance phenomena.

The Potential of Wood Vinegar to Replace Antimicrobials Used in Animal Husbandry-A Review

The indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry can result in various types of environmental contamination. Part of the dose of these products is excreted, still active, in the animals' feces and urine. These excreta are widely used as organic fertilizers, which results in contamination with antimicrobial molecules. The impacts can occur in several compartments, such as soil, groundwater, and surface watercourses. Also, contamination by antimicrobials fed or administrated to pigs, chickens, and cattle can reach the meat, milk, and other animal products, which calls into question the sustainability of using these products as part of eco-friendly practices. Therefore, a search for alternative natural products is required to replace the conventional antimicrobials currently used in animal husbandry, aiming to mitigate environmental contamination. We thus carried out a review addressing this issue, highlighting wood vinegar (WV), also known as pyroligneous acid, as an alternative antimicrobial with good potential to replace conventional products. In this regard, many studies have demonstrated that WV is a promising product. WV is a nontoxic additive widely employed in the food industry to impart a smoked flavor to foods. Studies have shown that, depending on the WV concentration, good results can be achieved using it as an antimicrobial against pathogenic bacteria and fungi and a valuable growth promoter for poultry and pigs.

The physiological function of squalene and its application prospects in animal husbandry

Squalene, which is a natural triterpenoid unsaturated hydrocarbon, is abundant in shark liver and plant seeds. Squalene has various physiological functions such as being anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. This paper reviews the physiological functions of squalene and its application prospects in livestock and poultry production, with a view to providing a theoretical basis for its in-depth application in animal husbandry.

Clicker Training as an Applied Refinement Measure in Chickens

When using chickens in animal studies, the handling of these animals for sample collection or general examinations is considered stressful due to their prey nature. For the study presented here, plasma and salivary corticosterone as well as New Area Test behavior and fecal output were used to evaluate whether it is possible to influence this stress perception using a three-week clicker training program. The results indicate that clicker training seems to be a suitable refinement measure in the sense of cognitive enrichment for the husbandry of this species. However, since it was also shown that three-week training was not sufficient to sustainably reduce the stress perception with regard to prolonged stressor exposure, and since it was also evident that manipulations such as routine blood sampling are perceived as less stressful than assumed, further studies with prolonged training intervals and situations with higher stressor potential are warranted. Also, further parameters for training assessment must be considered. For the general use of training as a supportive measure in animal experiments, its proportionality must be considered, particularly considering the expected stress and adequate training time.

Effects and Mechanisms of Non-Thermal Plasma-Mediated ROS and Its Applications in Animal Husbandry and Biomedicine

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is an ionized gas composed of neutral and charged reactive species, electric fields, and ultraviolet radiation. NTP presents a relatively low discharge temperature because it is characterized by the fact that the temperature values of ions and neutral particles are much lower than that of electrons. Reactive species (atoms, radicals, ions, electrons) are produced in NTP and delivered to biological objects induce a set of biochemical processes in cells or tissues. NTP can mediate reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in an intensity- and time-dependent manner. ROS homeostasis plays an important role in animal health. Relatively low or physiological levels of ROS mediated by NTP promote cell proliferation and differentiation, while high or excessive levels of ROS mediated by NTP cause oxidative stress damage and even cell death. NTP treatment under appropriate conditions not only produces moderate levels of exogenous ROS directly and stimulates intracellular ROS generation, but also can regulate intracellular ROS levels indirectly, which affect the redox state in different cells and tissues of animals. However, the treatment condition of NTP need to be optimized and the potential mechanism of NTP-mediated ROS in different biological targets is still unclear. Over the past ten decades, interest in the application of NTP technology in biology and medical sciences has been rapidly growing. There is significant optimism that NTP can be developed for a wide range of applications such as wound healing, oral treatment, cancer therapy, and biomedical materials because of its safety, non-toxicity, and high efficiency. Moreover, the combined application of NTP with other methods is currently a hot research topic because of more effective effects on sterilization and anti-cancer abilities. Interestingly, NTP technology has presented great application potential in the animal husbandry field in recent years. However, the wide applications of NTP are related to different and complicated mechanisms, and whether NTP-mediated ROS play a critical role in its application need to be clarified. Therefore, this review mainly summarizes the effects of ROS on animal health, the mechanisms of NTP-mediated ROS levels through antioxidant clearance and ROS generation, and the potential applications of NTP-mediated ROS in animal growth and breeding, animal health, animal-derived food safety, and biomedical fields including would healing, oral treatment, cancer therapy, and biomaterials. This will provide a theoretical basis for promoting the healthy development of animal husbandry and the prevention and treatment of diseases in both animals and human beings.

Ursolic acid: biological functions and application in animal husbandry

Ursolic acid (UA) is a plant-derived pentacyclic triterpenoid with 30 carbon atoms. UA has anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antimicrobial, hepato-protective, anticancer, and other biological activities. Most studies on the biological functions of UA have been performed in mammalian cell (in vitro) and rodent (in vivo) models. UA is used in animal husbandry as an anti-inflammatory and antiviral agent, as well as for enhancing the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Although UA has been shown to have significant in vitro bacteriostatic effects, it is rarely used in animal nutrition. The use of UA as a substitute for oral antibiotics or as a novel feed additive in animal husbandry should be considered. This review summarizes the available data on the biological functions of UA and its applications in animal husbandry.

Age-Related Change in the Association Choices of Two Species of Juvenile Flamingos

Flamingos are colonial species commonly kept in zoos, well known for their bright plumage and elaborate courtship displays. This project aimed to determine the differences in flock position and association preferences of juvenile Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) and Caribbean Flamingos (P. ruber) housed in the same zoological collection. Little research has been conducted on the association preferences of juvenile flamingos, especially in captive flocks, and therefore this study collected data using photographs taken throughout 2014 and 2015 to further understand association patterns. Data were collected on the age category of each juvenile flamingo observed, the age of their nearest neighbour and their position within the flock, and the location within an enclosure zone at different times of the day. The results showed that Greater Flamingo juveniles mainly associated with individuals of their own age and were most likely positioned at the periphery of their flock significantly more of the time until approximately 24 months of age. Sub-adult Greater Flamingos spent significantly more time associating with adult flamingos at the centre of the flock. In contrast, data collected on Caribbean Flamingos indicated that juveniles did not segregate themselves from the adults as distinctively. Birds aged 13-24 months were observed significantly more at the centre of the flock and had more associations with adult flamingos, in a similar manner to that observed in Greater Flamingos. Due to population management needs, juvenile Caribbean Flamingos were removed from the flock at the start of 2015 and this may have influenced the association and location preferences of the remaining young flamingos. In conclusion, these results indicated that captive juvenile flamingos were often seen away from adult birds and that sub-adult flamingos returned to the heart of their natal flock to associate significantly more with other adult individuals, potentially preparing for mate selection and breeding. Captive enclosure should therefore be spacious enough to enable young flamingos to remove themselves from adult birds so that behavioural development can be unaffected by artificially high rates of aggression.

Validation of complementary non-invasive tools for stress assessment in spotted paca (Cuniculus paca)

Monitoring the concentration of glucocorticoid metabolites (GCMs) in faecal samples is a non-invasive tool for physiological stress evaluation, particularly useful when studying wild species. However, both negative and positive stimuli (distress and eustress, respectively) can lead to a rise in glucocorticoids. Thus, besides validating whether GCM concentration in faeces reflects endogenous adrenal activity, we also need to identify behavioural indicators of distress to avoid misinterpretation. Therefore, we submitted four adult male spotted pacas (Cuniculus paca) to an exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge-test in a Latin square design (4 × 4) to monitor changes in the GCM concentration in faeces. We also aimed to describe behaviours potentially indicative of distress. We collected excreted faeces and video-recorded the animals' behaviours for five consecutive days, one day before and four days after application of the following four treatments: 1st control (no-handling); 2nd control (intra-muscular [IM] injection of saline solution); low-dose ACTH (IM injection of 0.18 ml ACTH); and high-dose ACTH (IM injection of 0.37 ml ACTH). There was a peak in the concentration of GCM in faeces collected 24 h after the injection of the high-dose ACTH treatment. Additionally, independent of the treatments, spotted pacas spent less time on exploration and feeding states, while spending more time in the inactive but awake (IBA) state following the treatment application (challenge day). The use of GCM concentration in faecal samples together with the behavioural changes (less exploration and feeding, and more IBA) showed to be efficient as a non-invasive tool for welfare assessment of farmed spotted paca.

Gut microbiomes of captive primates show phylosymbiosis, respond to dietary sugar reduction, and select for host-specific dietary microbes

Host-associated microbiomes are influenced by evolutionary history and proximate factors such as diet and environment. Zoos house animals in relatively standardized and manipulatable environments, making zoo populations valuable for studying microbiomes. Using a small population of five closely related primate species housed under nearly identical environments, we investigated gut microbiome variation regarding (a) congruence between host evolutionary history and gut bacterial composition (i.e. phylosymbiosis), (b) a longitudinal reduction in dietary sugar intake, and (c) ingestion of bacteria from dietary sources. We found that the primate gut microbiomes varied across individuals and showed phylosymbiosis. When animals were fed diets with reduced sugar and increased fiber, we found host-specific changes in taxonomically distinct microbes (Phascolarctobacterium, Megasphaera, and Sharpea). Yet, these bacterial genera share similar functional potential (fiber degradation), indicating that the distinct bacterial communities may fulfill similar functions. Although all individuals received the same diet, the diet-associated bacteria in primate gut microbiomes were distinct across individuals of different species, suggesting a mechanism that selects for unique dietary microbes to persist in animal guts. Our findings show that the microbiomes of a small, captive primate population housed under uniform environmental conditions still show patterns congruent with combined influences of evolutionary history and diet.

Supporting advancement of lab animal welfare and scientific integrity in developing countries: ACURET Cage Consortium (ACCON) Project

Research involving animals remains an essential tool to increase our understanding of how human and animal bodies work; how diseases affect them and the safety assessment of chemicals, such as pesticides, for their possible effects on human health or the environment; and how diseases can be prevented or treated via developing and testing medicines and vaccines for humans or animals. To achieve high quality science based on animal manipulations and experimentations from developing countries, adequate welfare of the lab animals needs to become sine qua non for all concerned.ACURET.ORG is in the forefront of promoting humane animal care and use for scientific purposes in developing countries, with focus on Africa, seeking to aid and facilitate aspects of Institutional Lab Animal programmes in addition to its training and education programmes in the last 11 years since its inception and incorporation eight years ago. ACURET has embarked upon a project tagged 'ACURET Cage Consortium Project', the provision of re-usable 'open-top' cages for mice and rats in place of the many varied artificial housing materials being used to hold such animals in many facilities in Africa. ACURET is seeking old but functional cages and accessories, still 'fit for purpose'; other animal husbandry and research equipment, as donations from institutions and industry for distribution to institutions in Africa who require them to improve their lab animal welfare programme.With a phased funding support from Laboratory Animal Ltd., ACURET will be responsible for the collection of donated items from locations, re-package them for sea-shipping to NIMR in Lagos, from where they will be distributed to successful applying institutional animal facilities, on a 'first come, first served' basis.At the heart of the ACURET Cage Consortium Project is the enablement of researchers in Africa to engage in the essence of their research when the welfare of the laboratory animals they care for and use has been affirmed. Ultimately, we anticipate that the project will support raising the bar on Africans skilled in humane animal care and use for scientific purposes in developing countries.

Efficiency of round bale feeders: comparison of Tombstone versus Hay Saver

Hay wastage when feeding round bales due to contamination, deterioration, and animal refusal can accrue large financial losses for farmers. The present study investigated the efficiency of the conventional Tombstone-style feeder system compared to the Hay Saver feeder system to reduce hay wastage in feeding round hay bales. Mares were distributed equally into two groups, Tombstone and Hay Saver, and fed six bales per group over 48 days. Hay wastage was collected daily, dried, and weighed, while the mares were weighed weekly. Overall, the Hay Saver feeder showed less hay wastage, higher mean mare weight, and higher consumption rate per horse. The results of this study indicated that the Hay Saver feeder system had higher efficiency compared to the Tombstone feeder system.

The phenotypic costs of captivity

The breeding of threatened species in captivity for release is a central tool in conservation biology. Given gloomy predictions for biodiversity trends in the Anthropocene, captive breeding will play an increasingly important role in preventing future extinctions. Relative to the wild, captive environments drastically alter selection pressures on animals. Phenotypic change in captive animals in response to these altered selection pressures can incur fitness costs post-release, jeopardising their potential contribution to population recovery. We explore the ways in which captive environments can hinder the expression of wild phenotypes. We also stress that the phenotypes of captive-bred animals differ from their wild counterparts in multiple ways that remain poorly understood. We propose five new research questions relating to the impact of captive phenotypes on reintroduction biology. With better use of monitoring and experimental reintroductions, a more robust evidence base should help inform adaptive management and minimise the phenotypic costs of captivity, improving the success of animal reintroductions.

Longitudinal assessment of the impact of aging on wastage, productivity and welfare of ewes

Retention of aging ewes is a strategy producers may use to maintain or increase flock size. Older ewes can have a higher risk of mortality and health issues, but these may be minimised with early intervention and culling. This retrospective study examined the incidence and causes of mortality and culling in a flock of Merino ewes as they aged from 4.5 to 5.5 until 9.5 to 10.5 years. The annual rate of ewe mortality ranged from 6.2% to 9.9%, with lambing complications being the major source of reported loss. Annual culling rates ranged from 1.6% to 42.8%, the larger rates reflecting opportunistic replacement with younger ewes rather than essential culling to maintain welfare and productivity. The major reasons for culling were low condition score, worn or missing teeth or faulty udders. The incidence of other faults was low. Only 18.3% of ewes remained when aged 9.5-10.5 years and these were fertile (89% pregnant) with a high proportion of multiple fetuses (52%) in their final year, although fleece weight had declined. Younger ewes born in 2004/2005 tended to have lower annual mortality rates than the aged ewes, but 8%-12% were still culled annually. It is concluded that an annual inspection pre-joining of all ewes and preventative culling for health issues is necessary to minimise any increase in mortality and risk to ewe welfare from retaining aging ewes. More frequent inspection will be required as potential health issues develop during the year, as these may not be evident pre-joining.

Defining Short-Term Accommodation for Animals

The terms short-term, temporary, and transitional are related but can have different contexts and meanings for animal husbandry. The definitions and use of these terms can be pivotal to animal housing and welfare. We conducted three separate literature searches using Google Scholar for relevant reports regarding short-term, temporary, or transitional animal husbandry, and analysed key publications that stipulate relevant periods of accommodation. English Government guidance regarding acceptable short-term, temporary, or transitional accommodation for animals varies widely from <1 day to 3 months; whereas independent scientific criteria and guidance use typical periods of hours to several days. Stipulations regarding acceptable short-term, temporary, or transitional accommodation, notably among English Government guidance, which we focused on in this study, were highly inconsistent and lacked scientific rationale. The definitions and use of terms for both formal and other guidance should be limited to precautionary time frames within one circadian cycle, i.e., periods of <24 h. At ≥24 h, all animals at all facilities should be accommodated in conditions that are consistent with long-term housing, husbandry, and best practices.

Framework for defining pesticide maximum residue levels in feed: applications to cattle and sheep

BACKGROUND

Pesticide residues in animal feed can endanger animal health and compromise the safety of livestock products for human consumption. Even though policymakers such as the European Union and the World Health Organization have established maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides in both human food and animal feed, there is no systematic management of pesticides in animal feed that considers the entire supply chain. In response, we propose a framework for defining consistent MRLs for pesticides in animal feed that assesses the impact of defined MRLs on upstream (e.g., MRLs in feed crops) and downstream (e.g., MRLs in livestock products) sectors of the livestock-product supply chain.

RESULTS

The MRLs determined for the selected pesticides in the feed of cattle and sheep as case study animals indicate that lipophilic pesticides tend to have lower MRLs than hydrophilic pesticides, primarily due to the relatively high toxicity and biotransfer factors of lipophilic pesticides. In addition, we observe that, primarily for lipophilic pesticides, upstream and downstream regulations are not aligned in terms of defining MRLs in feed using current MRLs in crops with relevance to feed and foods of animal origin.

CONCLUSION

Some of the current pesticide regulations in the livestock-product supply chain need to be re-evaluated to ensure that MRLs in the upstream sector (i.e., crops) do not result in unacceptable residues in the downstream sector (i.e., MRLs in livestock products affecting animal and human health). Finally, we provide recommendations for optimizing the derivation of MRLs in feed, including the evaluation of residue fate during feed and food manufacturing processes. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

The emerging roles of circRNAs in traits associated with livestock breeding

Many indicators can be used to evaluate the productivity and quality of livestock, such as meat and milk production as well as fat deposition. Meat and milk production are measures of livestock performance, while fat deposition affects the taste and flavor of the meat. The circRNAs, are non-coding RNAs, that are involved in the regulation of all these three traits. We review the functions and mechanisms of circRNAs in muscle and fat development as well as lactation to provide a theoretical basis for circRNA research in animal husbandry. Various phenotypic changes presented in livestock may be produced by different circRNAs. Our current concern is how to use the roles played by circRNAs to our advantage to produce the best possible livestock. Hence, we describe the advantages and disadvantages of knockout techniques for circRNAs. In addition, we also put forward our thoughts regarding the mechanism and network of circRNAs to provide researchers with novel ideas of how molecular biology can help us advance our goals in animal farming. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Recognition RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes.

Glucocorticoids in relation to behavior, morphology, and physiology as proxy indicators for the assessment of animal welfare. A systematic mapping review

Translating theoretical concepts of animal welfare into quantitative assessment protocols is an ongoing challenge. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are frequently used as physiological measure in welfare assessment. The interpretation of levels of GCs and especially their relation to welfare, however, is not as straightforward, questioning the informative power of GCs. The aim of this systematic mapping review was therefore to provide an overview of the relevant literature to identify global patterns in studies using GCs as proxy for the assessment of welfare of vertebrate species. Following a systematic protocol and a-priory inclusion criteria, 509 studies with 517 experiments were selected for data extraction. The outcome of the experiments was categorized based on whether the intervention significantly affected levels of GCs, and whether these effects were accompanied by changes in behavior, morphology and physiology. Additional information, such as animal species, type of intervention, experimental set up and sample type used for GC determination was extracted, as well. Given the broad scope and large variation in included experiments, meta-analyses were not performed, but outcomes are presented to encourage further, in-depth analyses of the data set. The interventions did not consistently lead to changes in GCs with respect to the original authors hypothesis. Changes in GCs were not consistently paralleled by changes in additional assessment parameter on behavior, morphology and physiology. The minority of experiment quantified GCs in less invasive sample matrices compared to blood. Interventions showed a large variability, and species such as fish were underrepresented, especially in the assessment of behavior. The inconclusive effects on GCs and additional assessment parameter urges for further validation of techniques and welfare proxies. Several conceptual and technical challenges need to be met to create standardized and robust welfare assessment protocols and to determine the role of GCs herein.

A comprehensive review on natural phenolic compounds as alternatives to in-feed antibiotics

Intensive livestock and poultry farming in China largely relied on the use of in-feed antibiotics until July 2020. The consequences of antibiotic overuse in animal feed include accumulation in animal products and the development of bacterial antibiotic resistance, both of which threaten food safety and human health. China has now completely banned the circulation of commercial feed containing growth-promoting drug additives (except Chinese herbal medicine). Therefore, alternatives to in-feed antibiotics in animal production are greatly needed. Natural phenolic compounds (NPCs) exist widely in plants and are non-toxic, non-polluting, highly reproducible, and leave little residue. Many natural flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, and stilbenes have polyphenol chemical structures and exhibit great potential as alternatives to antibiotics. In this review we delineate the characteristics of plant-derived NPCs and summarize their current applications as alternatives to in-feed antibiotics, aiming to provide new strategies for antibiotic-free feeding and promote the development of more sustainable animal husbandry practices.

Antimicrobials in Animal Agriculture in the United States: A Multidisciplinary Overview of Regulation and Utilization to Foster Collaboration: On Behalf Of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists

Given the complexity of antimicrobial resistance and the dire implications of misusing antimicrobials, it is imperative to identify accurate and meaningful ways to understand and communicate the realities, challenges, and opportunities associated with antimicrobial utilization and measurement in all sectors, including in animal agriculture. The objectives of this article are to (i) describe how antimicrobials are regulated and used in US animal agriculture and (ii) highlight realities, challenges, and opportunities to foster multidisciplinary understanding of the common goal of responsible antimicrobial use. Recognition of the realities of medicine, practice, and policy in the agricultural setting is critical to identify realistic opportunities for improvement and collaboration.

Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on the Dissemination of ARGs in the Environment-A Review

Over the past few decades, due to the excessive consumption of drugs in human and veterinary medicine, the antimicrobial resistance (AR) of microorganisms has risen considerably across the world, and this trend is predicted to intensify. Many worrying research results indicate the occurrence of pools of AR, both directly related to human activity and environmental factors. The increase of AR in the natural environment is mainly associated with the anthropogenic activity. The dissemination of AR is significantly stimulated by the operation of municipal facilities, such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) or landfills, as well as biogas plants, agriculture and farming practices, including animal production and land application of manure. These activities entail a risk to public health by spreading bacteria resistant to antimicrobial products (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Furthermore, subinhibitory concentrations of antimicrobial substances additionally predispose microbial consortia and resistomes to changes in particular environments that are permeated by these micropollutants. The current state of knowledge on the fate of ARGs, their dissemination and the complexity of the AR phenomenon in relation to anthropogenic activity is inadequate. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art knowledge on AR in the environment, in particular focusing on AR spread in an anthropogenically altered environment and related environmental consequences.

Risks of SARS-CoV-2 transmission between free-ranging animals and captive mink in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, 69 of the 126 (55%) mink farms in total became infected with SARS-CoV-2 in 2020. Despite strict biosecurity measures and extensive epidemiological investigations, the main transmission route remained unclear. A better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 transmission between mink farms is of relevance for countries where mink farming is still common practice and can be used as a case study to improve future emerging disease preparedness. We assessed whether SARS-CoV-2 spilled over from mink to free-ranging animals, and whether free-ranging animals may have played a role in farm-to-farm transmission in the Netherlands. The study encompassed farm visits, farm questionnaires, expert workshops and SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibody testing of samples from target animal species (bats, birds and free-ranging carnivores). In this study, we show that the open housing system of mink allowed access to birds, bats and most free-ranging carnivores, and that direct and indirect contact with mink was likely after entry, especially for free-ranging carnivores and birds. This allowed SARS-CoV-2 exposure to animals entering the mink farm, and subsequent infection or mechanical carriage by the target animal species. Moreover, mink can escape farms in some cases, and two SARS-CoV-2-positive mink were found outside farm premises. No other SARS-CoV-2-RNA-positive free-ranging animals were detected, suggesting there was no abundant circulation in the species tested during the study period. To investigate previous SARS-CoV-2 infections, SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection using lung extracts of carcasses was set up and validated. One tested beech marten did have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, but the closest SARS-CoV-2-infected mink farm was outside of its home range, making infection at a mink farm unlikely. Knowing that virus exchange between different species and the formation of animal reservoirs affects SARS-CoV-2 evolution, continued vigilance and monitoring of mink farms and surrounding wildlife remains vital.

Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal the Differential Regulatory Mechanisms of Compound Material on the Responses of Brassica campestris to Saline and Alkaline Stresses

Oilseed rape not only has the function of improve saline and alkaline soils, but also alleviate the local feed shortage. However, medium- and high-degree soil salinization and alkalinization always inhibit the growth of oilseed rape. Studies have shown that compound material can improve the tolerance to saline and alkaline stress of crops, but the difference in the regulation mechanism of compound material on oilseed rape in saline and alkaline soils is not clear. This study explored the difference through determining the leaf ion contents, physiological indexes, transcriptomics, and metabolomics of oilseed rape in salinized soil (NaCl 8 g kg^-1) and alkalinized soil (Na₂CO₃ 8 g kg^-1) at full flowering stage, respectively after the application of compound material. The results showed that in salinized and alkalinized soil, the compound material upregulated the genes related to the regulation of potassium ion transport, and changed the amino acid metabolic pathway, which reduced the contents of Na⁺, malondialdehyde (MDA), and relative conductivity (REC) in leaves, and increased the contents of K⁺ and Mg²⁺ and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). However, there were differences in the regulation mechanism of compound material in salinized and alkalinized soil. In salinized soil, the compound material improved the tolerance of oilseed rape to saline stress by upregulating transcription factors mannose-1-phosphate guanylyltransferase (GPMM) and Glutamine--fructose-6-phosphate transaminase (GFPT) and downregulating phosphomannomutase (PMM) to change nucleotide metabolism pathway and lipid metabolism pathway. In alkalized soil, the compound material improved the tolerance of oilseed rape to alkaline stress by upregulating transcription factors Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) to change the biosynthesis pathway of other secondary metabolites. Therefore, the compound material can improve the tolerance of oilseed rape to saline and alkaline stress by regulating the genetic adaptability and apparent plasticity, but the mechanisms were different. This study provides a practical method for the ecological environment restoration and the development of animal husbandry.

Settlement of a stable wolf pack in a highly anthropic area of Pisan hills: Relationship with animal husbandry and hunting in a human-wolf coexistence perspective

Anthropic areas play a pivot role for main wolf conservation challenges. Wolf presence in the higher Pisan hills has been well documented while wolf settlement in the lower Pisan hills is still uncertain. In this study, long-term information on wolf presence in a highly anthropic area of the lower Pisan hills was collected by using non-invasive monitoring techniques. Furthermore, both the relationship of this predator with human activity and the impact of hunting on wolf presence have been investigated. The results obtained indicate the presence of a stable and reproductive wolf pack composed by both Italian wolf and hybrids individuals in the municipalities of Crespina Lorenzana and Casciana Terme Lari. A high impact of wolf on livestock was recorded in this area since no prevention systems were adopted by farmers. Wolf appears not to have a negative impact on wild boar population. Similarly, wild boar drive hunting does not appear to affect the wolf pack presence in the area. Thereby wolf may play a key role as controller of wild population. Prevention strategies improvement becomes instrumental to promote wolf-human coexistence. Further investigation to monitor pack hybridization level and turnover and to assess the impact of packs on wild population and livestock in anthropic areas is desirable.

Multifarious Trajectories in Plant-Based Ethnoveterinary Knowledge in Northern and Southern Eastern Europe

Over the last century in the European context, animal production has been transformed by the dynamics of centralization and decentralization due to political and economic factors. These processes have influenced knowledge related to healing and ensuring the welfare of domestic animals. Therefore, our study aimed to document and compare current and past ethnoveterinary practices, and to identify trajectories in ethnoveterinary knowledge in study regions from both northern and southern Eastern Europe. In the summers of 2018 and 2019, we conducted 476 interviews, recording the use of 94 plant taxa, 67 of which were wild and 24 were cultivated. We documented 452 use reports, 24 of which were related to the improvement of the quality or quantity of meat and milk, while the other 428 involved ethnoveterinary practices for treating 10 domestic animal taxa. Cattle were the most mentioned target of ethnoveterinary treatments across all the study areas, representing about 70% of all use reports. Only four plant species were reported in five or more countries (Artemisia absinthium, Hypericum spp., Linum usitatissimum, Quercus robur). The four study regions located in Northern and Southern Eastern Europe did not present similar ethnoveterinary knowledge trajectories. Bukovinian mountain areas appeared to hold a living reservoir of ethnoveterinary knowledge, unlike the other regions. Setomaa (especially Estonian Setomaa) and Dzukija showed an erosion of ethnoveterinary knowledge with many uses reported in the past but no longer in use. The current richness of ethnoveterinary knowledge reported in Bukovina could have been developed and maintained through its peculiar geographical location in the Carpathian Mountains and fostered by the intrinsic relationship between the mountains and local pastoralists and by its unbroken continuity of management even during the Soviet era. Finally, our results show some patterns common to several countries and to the veterinary medicine promoted during the time of the Soviet Union. However, the Soviet Union and its centralized animal breeding system, resulted in a decline of ethnoveterinary knowledge as highly specialized veterinary doctors worked in almost every village. Future research should examine the complex networks of sources from where farmers derive their ethnoveterinary knowledge.

Knowledge of pet-related zoonotic diseases and pet care in Hong Kong, a heavily crowded urban setting

BACKGROUND

With the rapid expansion of pet animal populations worldwide, pet-related zoonotic diseases are becoming an important issue in public health. Hong Kong (HK), located in southern China, is one of the most crowded urban centres in the world. The population of pets, especially exotic pets, in HK has grown significantly in recent decades, potentially elevating the risk of pet-related zoonotic diseases. However, no studies have been conducted to explore the knowledge of HK public towards pet-related zoonotic diseases and animal husbandry practices.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the level of awareness among the HK public of pet-related zoonotic diseases and their understanding of proper animal husbandry practices.

METHODS

The study was carried out in HK from June-August 2019 using both online and paper versions of a questionnaire. A total of 362 completed questionnaires (74.3% return rate) were collected and the responses analysed.

RESULTS

Sixty percent of the participants were current or past pet owners or planned on becoming pet owners in the coming 2 years, irrespective of their income or size of their living space. Among the participants, pet owners (including those who planned pet ownership) had a relatively higher level of awareness of pet-related zoonotic disease. However, the overall awareness of zoonotic diseases among both pet and non-pet owners was low with a knowledge score of <50%. A similar trend was observed for knowledge about proper animal husbandry practices.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that the HK public was generally not familiar with pet-related zoonotic diseases and proper pet care. These knowledge gaps could potentially increase the risk of disease transmission. Further studies focusing on specific pet species and on people of different social-economic backgrounds are needed to provide future direction of efforts to reduce the risk of pet-related zoonotic diseases and to enhance pet-related animal and human welfare.

Incidence of Tetracycline and Erythromycin Resistance in Meat-Associated Bacteria: Impact of Different Livestock Management Strategies

The extensive use of antibiotics as growth promoters, or their continued abusive misuse to cure or prevent the onset of bacterial infections as occurs in the intensive farming, may have played a pivotal role in the spread of reservoirs of antibiotic resistance (AR) among food-associated bacteria including pathogens representing risks to human health. The present study compares the incidence of tetracycline and erythromycin resistances in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) from fermented products manufacturing using meat from intensive animal husbandry (industrialized manufacturing Italian salami) and from extensive farms (artisanal sausages facilities pork and llama Argentinean sausages). A higher incidence of tetracycline resistance (TET-R) compared to erythromycin resistance (ERY-R) was observed among the 205 isolates. Unlike CNS strains, the LAB showed a significant correlation between the TET-R and the ERY-R phenotypes. Genotypic assessment shows a high correlation with tetK and tetM for the TET-R strains and with ermB and ermC for the ERY-R strains. Multiple correspondence analyses have highlighted the association between AR phenotypes and CNS species isolated from Italian salami, while the susceptible phenotypes were associated with the LAB species from Argentinean sausages. Since antibiotic resistance in meat-associated bacteria is a very complex phenomenon, the assessment of bacterial resistance in different environmental contexts with diverse farming practices and food production technologies will help in monitoring the factors influencing AR emergence and spread in animal production.

Global distribution of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance mcr gene in Salmonella: A systematic review

This systematic review focuses on obtaining the most relevant information from multiple studies that detected a mobilized colistin resistance mcr gene in Salmonella for a better comprehension of its global distribution. A group of strategic and systematic keywords were combined to retrieve research data on the detection frequency of the mcr gene globally from four database platforms (Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed and Scielo). Forty-eight studies attended all the eligibility criteria and were selected. China was the country with the highest frequency of Salmonella strains with the mcr gene, and Europe exhibited a wide diversity of countries with positive mcr strains. In addition, animals and humans carried the highest frequency of positive strains for the mcr gene. Salmonella Typhimurium was the most frequent serovar carrying the mcr gene. Apparently, colistin overuse in animal husbandry has increased the selective pressure of antimicrobial resistance, resulting in the emergence of a plasmid-mediated colistin resistance mcr gene in China. The mcr-positive Salmonella strains are recently predominant worldwide, which is probably due to the capacity of this gene to be swiftly horizontally transmissible. The transmission ability of mcr-positive Salmonella strains to humans through the consumption of contaminated animal-based food is a public health concern.

A survey of producer practices and reproductive performance of containment and supplementary fed ewes

Containment feeding, where ewes are fed complete rations, is used to maintain flock numbers in periods of inadequate pasture supply. Producer practices influence both the reproductive performance of ewes and the risk of health challenges. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive, feeding and health management practices of producers using containment or supplementary feeding, and quantify any associations between practice and reproductive performance. An online survey of Australian producers was conducted in 2020. The number of responses (n = 43) allowed benchmarking but was insufficient to determine correlations between practice and performance. The reported pregnancy rate of adult Merino ewes was variable between respondents (78%-95%; n = 11), and lambs marked per ewe joined ranged from 60% to 110% (n = 9). In non-Merino flocks, lambs marked ranged from 82% to 161% (n = 4). Most respondents (9/11) fed cereal grain with hay or straw, either daily or two or three times a week. However, some respondents fed grain only or roughage only, such that the percentage of roughage in diets ranged from 0% to 100%. Ewes were most frequently separated into age groups for feeding, and shy feeders were only removed by 25% of respondents. Although generally the reported reproductive rate was high, wide variation indicates potential for improvement. Best practice management for containment remains unclear and requires further research given the diverse practices used. Veterinary practitioners should be aware that some of the practices used may contribute to reduced productivity or health issues in ewes.

Individualized Target Training Facilitated Transfer of Group Housed Capuchin Monkeys (Sapajus apella) to Test Cubicles and Discrimination of Targets on Computer Touch Screens

Simple Summary

Coercion and non-voluntary procedures can cause fear, anxiety and maladaptive behaviors for captive animals, which makes animal husbandry and care more difficult and reduces animal welfare overall. Positive reinforcement training (i.e., using rewards for desired behaviors rather than punishment for undesirable behaviors) is shown to be beneficial in reducing animals’ fear responses and in encouraging voluntary cooperation across a wide range of species. This paper outlines two experiments in positive reinforcement training to understand the importance of individualized targets in facilitating the voluntary transfer of captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella) from their group enclosure to individual test cubicles. Experiment 1, which assigned different colored and geometric targets to each animal, rewarded animals for touching and following their assigned target into their test cubicle. The animals rapidly acquired the ability to identify their target, ultimately allowing them to cooperate by moving from one space to another voluntarily. Experiment 2 rewarded animals for spontaneously identifying their assigned target among other animals’ targets and novel targets. The animals chose their target more often than predicted by chance, although they did make some errors.

Abstract

Animals in captivity often experience fear, anxiety and aggression during non-voluntary procedures, leading to adverse behaviors and ineffective outcomes for both animals and caretakers. Negative reinforcement and punishment, often due to ignorance regarding animal learning, can hurt animal welfare. However, voluntary participation through positive reinforcement training (PRT) can decrease stress related to these procedures and increase desired behaviors. Our goal was to demonstrate the positive effects of “target training” on animal welfare by training 10 captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella) in two experiments designed to facilitate movement from a group home enclosure to a test cubicle. In Experiment 1, each monkey was assigned an individualized target (a unique shape/color combination). In daily training sessions, the animal was rewarded with a click-sounding stimulus and a food reinforcer for (a) touching the target, (b) following the respective target into a test cubicle, and (c) touching progressively smaller targets until progressing to digitized images on a computer touch screen. All 10 animals learned to approach and touch their individual physical target in one or two sessions and were able to successfully transition this behavior to an image of their target on a touch screen, although they made more errors with the touch screen. In Experiment 2, the animals were presented with other animals’ targets and novel targets. The seven animals in this experiment all touched their target at higher-than-chance rates in Trial 1 without explicit discrimination training, but only five reached the learning criteria for the task (>83% correct for three consecutive testing days. These results demonstrate that target training can make voluntary movement from group housing to test cubicles easier and benefit future animal care and procedures.

Health and Welfare Survey of 30 Dairy Goat Farms in the Midwestern United States

Simple Summary

There appears to be a rapid expansion of dairy goat farming in the United States and the information available to producers on health, welfare, and production applicable to those in the Midwestern US is limited. This study intended to survey 30 dairy goat farms in the Midwestern US to provide insight into husbandry practices pertaining to health, welfare, and production, and to identify areas of future research. Pain relief for disbudding and castration, education and training programs, early kid management, and hoof trimming were identified as potential areas of future research. This study provided insight into the husbandry practices carried out on 30 dairy goat farms in the Midwestern US and areas of research to improve health and welfare.

Abstract

Dairy goat production in the Midwestern United States is increasing at a rapid rate and information on dairy goat husbandry practices applicable for producers in this region is limited. The objective of this study was to survey 30 dairy goat farms in the Midwestern US to provide insight into husbandry practices pertaining to health, welfare, and production, and to identify areas of future research. A questionnaire was developed and comprised 163 questions that were organized into categories including information on the producer (e.g., farming experience), staff, and goats (e.g., herd size, breed), housing, feeding and nutrition, milking practices and production, kid management, husbandry practices (e.g., disbudding, castration, hoof trimming), and health. Areas of future research that can improve goat health, production and welfare include pain relief for husbandry practices such as disbudding and castration, early kid management during birth to prevent illness/disease or mortality (e.g., warm and dry areas for kid rearing), eradication programs for common contagious diseases, training programs and education for claw trimming, disbudding, and udder health. In conclusion, this study provided insight into the husbandry practices carried out on 30 dairy goat farms in the Midwestern US and areas of research to improve health and welfare.

An Investigation into the Perceptions of Veterinarians towards Perioperative Pain Management in Calves

Simple Summary

Despite developments in animal welfare science regarding perioperative pain management in calves (Bos taurus), there are concerns that current knowledge has not been adopted in practice. Given that the perceptions of veterinarians have implications for how the welfare needs of calves are assessed and managed in practice, this study sought to quantify veterinary perceptions towards perioperative pain management in calves, including barriers to its use and whether demographic differences may influence those perceptions. A nationwide survey was electronically distributed to veterinarians registered with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand. Veterinarians largely associated multimodal pain management with the greatest reduction in perioperative pain. Most veterinarians also perceived that postprocedural pain persists beyond 24 h for disbudding and castration and did not support the use of differential treatment based on developmental age. Despite this, certain barriers were identified for their potential to inhibit the use of pain management on-farm. While demographic differences were found to influence veterinary perceptions towards perioperative pain management, the findings revealed considerable support among veterinarians for improving pain mitigation in calves. Given the opportunity, veterinarians in New Zealand would likely support strengthening the minimum provisions afforded to calves in practice and policy.

Abstract

While veterinarians are instrumental to the welfare of calves (Bos taurus), limited knowledge exists concerning veterinary perceptions towards perioperative pain management in calves. As a part of a larger, nationwide study investigating the perceptions of veterinarians towards calf welfare, the current work sought to quantify veterinary perceptions towards perioperative pain management, including barriers to its use, and investigate demographic influences affecting those perceptions. An electronic mixed-methods survey was completed by 104 veterinarians registered with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand. The current work revealed that most veterinarians considered a multimodal approach as the most effective method for ameliorating perioperative pain in calves, rejected the practice of differential treatment based on developmental age, and perceived that postprocedural pain persists beyond 24 h for the majority of procedures included in the survey. Despite this, veterinarians identified certain barriers that may inhibit the provision of pain mitigation on-farm, including costs, inadequate recognition of pain, and ingrained farming practices. Certain demographic effects were found to influence perceptions towards perioperative pain management, including gender, the number of years since graduation, and species emphasis. Nevertheless, the current work demonstrated considerable support among veterinarians to improve pain management protocols during routine husbandry procedures. The asymmetries that exist between the current minimum provisions of perioperative pain management and veterinary perspectives suggest that substantive improvements are necessary in order to reconcile New Zealand’s existing regulatory regime with developments in scientific knowledge.

Genomic and Micro-Evolutionary Features of Mammalian 2 orthobornavirus (Variegated Squirrel Bornavirus 1, VSBV-1)

Mammalian 2 orthobornavirus (VSBV-1) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen discovered in several exotic squirrel species and associated with fatal human encephalitis. The dynamics of VSBV-1 spread and evolution in its presumed natural hosts are unknown. Here, we present the phylogeny, micro-evolution, cross-species transmission and spread of VSBV-1 at a temporal and spatial resolution within the limits of animal husbandry. The results showed that VSBV-1 can be classified into six distinct groups and that the most recent common ancestor of the known German strains emerged at least 20 years ago. We here demonstrate that the genetic diversity of the VSBV-1 groups is shaped primarily by in situ evolution and most of the amino acid changes are deleterious polymorphisms removed by purifying selection. Evidence of adaptive evolution has been found in the G and L genes which might have an influence on transmission fitness. Furthermore, there was also evidence for some form of adaptive changes in the glycoprotein which suggests that many sites might be subjected to positive pressure evolving under episodic directional selection, indicating past occurrence of positive selection. Host switching events were detected as dominant evolutionary mechanisms driving the virus-host associations. Virus spread by animal trade followed by subsequent local micro-evolution in zoos and holdings is responsible for diversifying strains. Time-resolved phylogeny indicated that Prevost’s squirrels might be the original squirrel species carrying and seeding the virus in Germany. This study provides the first insight into the ecology and micro-evolutionary dynamics of this novel viral pathogen in the captive exotic squirrel population under artificial ecological conditions (zoos and animal husbandry) and co-housing of different squirrel species.

Welfare Assessment of 30 Dairy Goat Farms in the Midwestern United States

Dairy goat animal welfare assessment protocols have been developed and conducted in Europe and the United Kingdom for dairy goats; however, there are no published reports of large-scale welfare assessment for dairy goats on farms in the Midwestern United States (US). Therefore, the objective of this study was to perform welfare assessment of lactating dairy goats and identify the most prevalent welfare issues on 30 farms across the Midwestern US. Thirty dairy goat farms (self-selected) were enrolled in the study if they shipped milk for human consumption (regardless of herd size). The number of lactating does on each farm ranged from 34 to 6,500 goats, with a median number of 158 lactating does (mean ± SD: 602 ± 1,708 lactating does). The protocol used was developed from available literature on goat welfare assessment but modified for use in the Midwestern US. Observations were made without handling the animals and included 22 animal-based indicators evaluated at the group- and individual-level. The observations were conducted during ~3-5 h during a milking session (either morning or afternoon) and time in the home pen. Principal components analysis (PCA) was carried out on the welfare assessment data from each farm. The first two dimensions of the PCA explained 34.8% of the variation. The PCA biplot indicated correlations between indicators. The most prevalent conditions observed across the 30 farms included any knee calluses (80.9%), any claw overgrowth (51.4%), poor hygiene (14.9%), skin lesions (8.9%), poor hair coat condition (8.3%) and any ear pathology (8.0%). These results are the first to provide the Midwestern US dairy goat industry with information to improve commercial dairy goat welfare.

Topical Application of Lidocaine and Bupivacaine to Disbudding Wounds in Dairy Calves: Safety, Toxicology and Wound Healing

Simple Summary

Disbudding is a common, but painful procedure performed on calves to prevent horn growth. Tri-Solfen^® is a combination local anaesthetic and antiseptic formulation which, applied topically to the disbudding wound, is reported to reduce calf pain. Applied in this manner, the local anaesthetics in Tri-Solfen^®, lidocaine and bupivacaine, are reported to be poorly absorbed, resulting in low risk of neurological or cardiotoxic effects. The potential impacts on other blood, urine and tissue parameters and on wound healing when used in this manner, and/or accidental overdose situations are unknown, however. We performed experiments investigating (i) the safety of Tri-Solfen^® (including overdose situations) and (ii) the impact of Tri-Solfen^® on disbudding wound healing under field conditions. No adverse health effects were observed in Tri-Solfen^®-treated animals, even those receiving 5× the recommended dose, with no clinically significant differences in measured parameters between placebo and Tri-Solfen^® groups. No negative impacts on wound healing were noted. Conversely, lower levels of bacterial wound colonisation were evident, and there was reduced incidence of abnormal wounds at days 11–12 in Tri-Solfen^®-treated animals.

Abstract

Tri-Solfen^® is a combination topical anaesthetic and antiseptic solution containing lidocaine, bupivacaine, adrenaline and cetrimide. Applied to wounds, it is reported to reduce the pain experienced by calves following thermocautery disbudding. While lidocaine and bupivacaine are widely used in medicine, conflicting data exist on the impact of these compounds when applied directly to the surgical wound. To investigate the safety of Tri-Solfen^® applied to thermocautery disbudding wounds of calves, experiments were performed to measure (i) the safety of Tri-Solfen^® (including in overdose situations); and (ii) the impact of Tri-Solfen^® application at recommended doses on disbudding wound healing under field conditions. Haematological, biochemical and urinalysis parameters did not show clinically significant differences between placebo and Tri-Solfen^® groups (1×, 3× and 5× dose). No adverse health impacts were reported. Histopathological analysis of wounds noted a reduction in bacterial colonies in Tri-Solfen^®-treated wounds. Under field conditions, no negative impacts on wound healing were noted. Conversely, there was reduced incidence of abnormal wounds, with an associated trend toward improved average daily gain at days 11–12 in Tri-Solfen^®-treated animals. These data are considered to support the safety of topical anaesthesia, as formulated in Tri-Solfen^®, to the thermocautery disbudding wound in calves.

From Farm-to-Fork: E. Coli from an Intensive Pig Production System in South Africa Shows High Resistance to Critically Important Antibiotics for Human and Animal Use

Antibiotic resistance profiles of Escherichia coli were investigated in an intensive pig production system in the uMgungundlovu District, South Africa, using the 'farm-to-fork' approach. Four hundred seventeen (417) samples were collected from pig and pig products at different points (farm, transport, and abattoir). E. coli was isolated and enumerated using the Colilert^® 18/Quanti-Tray^® 2000 system. Ten isolates from each Quanti-tray were selected randomly and putatively identified on eosin methylene blue agar. Real-time PCR targeting the uidA gene was used to confirm isolates to the genus level. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used to determine the isolates' antibiotic susceptibility profiles against 20 antibiotics. A total of 1044 confirmed E. coli isolates were obtained across the three critical points in the food chain. Resistance was observed to all the antibiotics tested with the highest and lowest rates obtained against tetracycline (88.5%) and meropenem (0.2%), respectively. Resistance was also observed to chloramphenicol (71.4%), ampicillin (71.1%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (61.3%), amoxicillin-clavulanate (43.8%), cephalexin (34.3%), azithromycin (23.9%), nalidixic acid (22.1%), cefoxitin (21.1%), ceftriaxone (18.9%), ciprofloxacin (17.3%), cefotaxime (16.9%), gentamicin (15.5%), cefepime (13.8%), ceftazidime (9.8%), amikacin (3.4%), piperacillin-tazobactam (1.2%), tigecycline (0.9%), and imipenem (0.3%). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed in 71.2% of the resistant isolates with an overall multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of 0.25, indicating exposure to high antibiotic use environments at the farm level. A high percentage of resistance was observed to growth promoters and antibiotics approved for veterinary medicine in South Africa. Of concern was resistance to critically important antibiotics for animal and human use and the watch and reserve categories of antibiotics. This could have adverse animal and human health consequences from a food safety perspective, necessitating efficient antibiotic stewardship and guidelines to streamline antibiotic use in the food-animal production chain.

Occurrence of plasmid mediated fluoroquinolone resistance genes amongst enteric bacteria isolated from human and animal sources in Delta State, Nigeria

Plasmid mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) is a public health challenge arising among other things, from indiscriminate use of the floroquinolones (FQr) prophylactically in animal husbandry. This study examines the occurrence of PMQR genes amongst enteric bacteria isolated from human and animal sources. A total of 720 (360 stool and 360 fish pond water/poultry litter) samples were examined for fluoroquinolone resistant (FQr) bacteria. Percentage FQr was generally higher among human isolates than isolates from animals. Proportion of PMQR amongst FQr isolates were (1.05 and 4.32) % for E. coli from human and animal sources. For Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Klebsiella spp. and Aeromonas spp., percentages PMQR were 0.00 & 6.93, 0.00 & 6.38, 4.26 & 5.26 and 0.00 &3.03 for human and animal sources respectively, for the isolates. The PMQR genes: qnrA, qnr B, qnr S and qep A were 11, 15, 7 and 1 amongst a total of 1018 FQr and 29 PMQR isolates respectively. The aac (6')-Ib-cr gene was not detected in this study. Approximate Plasmid bands of PCR amplicon for qnr A, qnr B, qnr S and qep A respectively were established. The proportion of PMQR genes especially among isolates from animal sources is of public health concern due to the higher possibility of a horizontal FQ resistance transfer to humans.

Insights into German Consumers' Perceptions of Virtual Fencing in Grassland-Based Beef and Dairy Systems: Recommendations for Communication

Simple Summary

Pasture-raised beef and dairy products are valued by consumers for their taste and higher animal welfare standards. Pasture grazing can be optimized using virtual fencing technology. The use of virtual fencing to guide cattle on pasture can contribute to biodiversity conservation by protecting environmentally sensitive areas. Concerns exist about consumers’ acceptance of virtual fencing in beef and dairy production. To explore consumers’ perception of virtual fencing, German consumers’ responses to information material about virtual fencing were analyzed. The results showed respondents’ uncertainty about the implementation of the technology with regard to its effects on animal welfare and possible social impact. Respondents showed readiness to support pasture grazing with their purchase decisions, yet struggled to see their personal advantages from the use of a specific grazing management practice. Thus, practitioners should consider keeping the focus in communication with consumers not on the technology but on tangible benefits, such as quality of pasture-raised products. Furthermore, state support is argued to be necessary to encourage livestock practitioners to adopt virtual fencing in cattle grazing for biodiversity conservation.

Abstract

The share of cattle grazing on grassland is decreasing in many European countries. While the production costs of intensive stall-based beef and dairy systems are usually lower per kg product, grazing-based systems provide more ecosystem services that are valued by consumers. Innovative grazing systems that apply virtual fencing technology can improve animal welfare, optimize grassland use as pasture, and contribute to biodiversity conservation. Although consumer demand for pasture-raised products could promote animal-friendly practices, consumer perception of virtual fencing remains unknown. To address this gap in research, this study developed information brochures with different lines of argumentation and tested the responses of German consumers using concurrent think aloud protocols. The results demonstrated ambivalence in consumers’ attitudes to virtual fencing. The participants supported the idea of cattle pasturing to promote animal welfare and foster biodiversity declaring a willingness to contribute not only by paying price premiums for pasture-raised products but also through seeking other possibilities of action and participation. However, participants raised concerns about the effects on animal welfare and the social ramifications of the technology. The study offers recommendations for addressing these issues in communication and further contributes to the understanding of consumers’ perceptions of innovation in animal production.

Comparison between Single- and Group-housed Pregnant Sows for Direct and Indirect Physiological, Reproductive, Welfare Indicators and Gene Expression Profiling

Single- and group-housed pregnant sows were assessed during 8 weeks (4th and 8th to 14th) with regard to physiological, reproductive, welfare indicators and gene expression profiling. Compared to single-housed sows, group-housed sows had decreased non-return to estrus at 56 days after artificial insemination (AI) (83% vs 92%) and farrowing rate (78% vs 88%), respectively. Furthermore, group-housed sows showed a higher degree (p < 0.01) of advantageous physiological indicators, such as albumin (odds ratio [OR] = 4.4), alkaline phosphatase (OR = 1.5), bactericidal (OR = 3.2) and complement (OR = 24.3), and disadvantageous for alanine amino transferase (OR = 0.5), bilirubin (OR = 0.4), lysozyme (OR = 0.3) and C-reactive protein compared to single-housed. Eighty-seven genes related to immune response were underexpressed (log fold change ≤ 1.5; p < 0.05) during the 8th to 14th weeks in the group compared to single-housed sows, which in turn showed an immunomodulatory reduction on the expression of 43 genes during the 11th to 14th compared to the 4th week. Overall, the results were interpreted as indicative of greater comfort state of the group compared to single-housed sows.

Genetic Analysis and Characterization of a Bacteriophage ØCJ19 Active against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the major pathogenic E. coli that causes diarrhea and edema in post-weaning piglets. In this study, we describe the morphology and characteristics of ØCJ19, a bacteriophage that infects ETEC, and performed genetic analysis. Phage ØCJ19 belongs to the family Myoviridae. One-step growth curve showed a latent phase of 5 min and burst size of approximately 20 phage particles/infected cell. Phage infectivity was stable for 2 h between 4°C and 55°C, and the phage was stable between pH 3 and 11. Genetic analysis revealed that phage ØCJ19 has a total of 49,567 bases and 79 open reading frames (ORFs). The full genomic sequence of phage ØCJ19 showed the most similarity to an Escherichia phage, vB_EcoS_ESCO41. There were no genes encoding lysogeny, toxins, virulence factors, or antibiotic resistance in this phage, suggesting that this phage can be used safely as a biological agent to control ETEC. Comparative genomic analysis in terms of the tail fiber proteins could provide genetic insight into host recognition and the relationship with other coliphages. These results showed the possibility to improve food safety by applying phage ØCJ19 to foods of animal origin contaminated with ETEC and suggests that it could be the basis for establishing a safety management system in the animal husbandry.

Pastoral production is associated with increased peste des petits ruminants seroprevalence in northern Tanzania across sheep, goats and cattle

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) causes a contagious disease of high morbidity and mortality in small ruminant populations globally. Using cross-sectional serosurvey data collected in 2016, our study investigated PPRV seroprevalence and risk factors among sheep, goats and cattle in 20 agropastoral (AP) and pastoral (P) villages in northern Tanzania. Overall observed seroprevalence was 21.1% (95% exact confidence interval (CI) 20.1-22.0) with 5.8% seroprevalence among agropastoral (95% CI 5.0-6.7) and 30.7% among pastoral villages (95% CI 29.3-32.0). Seropositivity varied significantly by management (production) system. Our study applied the catalytic framework to estimate the force of infection. The associated reproductive numbers (R0) were estimated at 1.36 (95% CI 1.32-1.39), 1.40 (95% CI 1.37-1.44) and 1.13 (95% CI 1.11-1.14) for sheep, goats and cattle, respectively. For sheep and goats, these R0 values are likely underestimates due to infection-associated mortality. Spatial heterogeneity in risk among pairs of species across 20 villages was significantly positively correlated (R2: 0.59-0.69), suggesting either cross-species transmission or common, external risk factors affecting all species. The non-negligible seroconversion in cattle may represent spillover or cattle-to-cattle transmission and must be investigated further to understand the role of cattle in PPRV transmission ahead of upcoming eradication efforts.

Applying the 3Rs: A Case Study on Evidence and Perceptions Relating to Rat Cage Height in the UK

This article investigates the barriers to implementing higher caging in animal research establishments in the UK. The use of animals in research and testing in the UK is regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which sets out how animal experiments must be licensed and regulated. Within this, the Code of Practice currently allows laboratory rats to be housed in cages that are 20 cm high, even though adults can rear up to 30 cm. Most adult rats therefore cannot stand upright in 'standard' cages. We found that the main factors hindering the implementation of higher caging were classified into five different groups; health and safety, financial, animal welfare, scientific, and 'human'. Suggestions to overcome these barriers are provided, as well as alternative animal welfare changes that can be put into place. We conclude that much of the desired evidence for moving to higher cages is already available, and therefore the focus should be on education and improving access to the existing evidence, in order to encourage facilities to work around existing financial and health and safety concerns.

Research and Technological Advances Regarding the Study of the Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes and Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Related to Animal Husbandry

The extensive use of antimicrobials in animal farms poses serious safety hazards to both the environment and public health, and this trend is likely to continue. Antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) are a class of emerging pollutants that are difficult to remove once introduced. Understanding the environmental transfer of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) and ARGs is pivotal for creating control measures. In this review, we summarize the research progress on the spread and detection of ARB and ARG pollution related to animal husbandry. Molecular methods such as high-throughput sequencing have greatly enriched the information about ARB communities. However, it remains challenging to delineate mechanisms regarding ARG induction, transmission, and tempo-spatial changes in the whole process, from animal husbandry to multiple ecosystems. As a result, future research should be more focused on the mechanisms of ARG induction, transmission, and control. We also expect that future research will rely more heavily on metagenomic -analysis, metatranscriptomic sequencing, and multi-omics technologies

Agricultural Animals as Biomedical Models: Occupational Health and Safety Considerations

The use of agricultural animals in biomedical research is increasing. Their overall size and metabolic rate, organ size, longer gestation period, and other physiological similarities make them good candidates for animal models of human disease. There are a number of special considerations for use of traditional farm animals for biomedical research. Differences in physical plant infrastructure, handling equipment, training of personnel, and potential zoonoses are some of the important considerations when traditional farm animals are used in biomedical research. This article provides an overview of some of the special considerations for using traditional agricultural animals in biomedical research. With the growing need for improved translational research, it is reasonable to predict significant growth in these animal models.

Innovative pain management solutions in animals may provide improved wound pain reduction during debridement in humans: An opinion informed by veterinary literature

Painful animal husbandry procedures are routinely performed in a range of livestock species without analgesia. Recently, innovative strategies have been developed to address wound pain in these animals. In particular, a farmer-applied "spray and stay" approach that is administered directly to open wounds was developed (Tri-Solfen® Medical Ethics Pty Ltd., Melbourne, Victoria, Australia). This strategy anaesthetises the wounds immediately upon their formation, with long-lasting effect. This development, described as a "pain management revolution," has become firmly established in the Australian livestock industries and has global potential. The positive outcomes of this approach provide insights and highlight potential benefits that may be accrued from its use in human wound care, providing rapid-onset wound analgesia and/or anaesthetising wounds prior to cleansing and debridement procedures. If these benefits are realised from a clinician and patient perspective for wound debridement as an initial indication, it could provide new horizons in pain management for a spectrum of wound-related procedures. Evidence from use in animal husbandry does support the concept that multimodal anaesthesia holds great potential in the field of wound management across many procedures.

Assessing the Impact of Animal Husbandry and Capture on Anemia among Women and Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Animal husbandry and capture (AHC) may mitigate anemia among women and children by supplying a source of micronutrient-rich animal source foods (ASF), yet may concurrently increase exposure to anemia-inducing pathogens such as Plasmodium spp., helminths, and enteropathogens. We conducted a systematic literature review to assess the relation between AHC and anemia among women of reproductive age, school-aged children, and children aged <5 y in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We used a 2-stage screening process, in which 1 reviewer searched 4 databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Global Health) with predetermined search terms for relevant articles. Two reviewers then independently screened studies using a priori exclusion criteria, yielding a total of 23 articles included in the final review. We evaluated evidence from observational studies assessing animal-dependent livelihoods and livestock ownership, and interventions that promoted livestock and fish production. We found little consistency in anemia outcomes across the several AHC exposures and population groups. Poultry production interventions had modest benefits on anemia among women and children, although whether these improvements were a result of increased ASF consumption, or a result of the combined treatment study design could not be determined. Observational studies identified chicken ownership, and no other livestock species, as a risk factor for anemia among young children. However, there was limited evidence to evaluate pathways underlying these associations. Studies tended to rely on self-reported fever and diarrhea to assess illness, and no study directly assessed linkages between AHC, pathogen burden, and anemia. Thus, there is insufficient evidence to conclude whether AHC improves or worsens anemia among women and children in LMICs. Given the current interest in promoting animal production among low-income households, future studies with robust measures of livestock ownership, ASF consumption, pathogen burden, and anemia status are needed to understand the nuances of this complex and potentially contradictory relation.

Antibiotic resistance: A cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude, and practices among veterinarians of Haryana state in India

Aim:

The current study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices pertaining to antibiotic usage among the field veterinarians who serve as nodal officers playing a crucial role in disseminating knowledge to the farmers regarding livestock management practices in India.

Materials and Methods:

A pilot study was conducted in which 106 of the 173 field veterinarians of Haryana, India, agreed to contribute through their valuable participation in the study. The collected data were critically analyzed by simple descriptive statistics, and the responses were ranked using Garrett’s ranking method.

Results:

Our study found that most of the clinicians were aware of the fundamental clinical aspects of antibiotic resistance (AR), i.e., the general causes and transmission of resistance, response during treatment failure, and safe disposal of hospital waste. Further, implementation of “antibiotic stewardship” (rational/responsible use of antibiotics) and interruption of AR transmission by means of cross-kingdom pathogens are two ways to restrict the spread of resistant pathogens which were not in the clinical purview of majority of the clinicians. This highlights a lack of awareness and scope of improving clinician’s knowledge pertaining to AR. Moreover, we got to know the methodology adopted by farmers for disposal of infected milk from diseased udders as well as their attitude toward diseased and unproductive animals.

Conclusion:

This study provides snippets of the current animal husbandry practices prevalent at the field level which would assist to plug in the gaps of knowledge regarding AR among the veterinarians as well as the general public and serve to reduce its deleterious impacts in Indian animal farming as well as in the world through the concept of “One World, One Health.”