Institut für Nutztierwissenschaften

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Assessing functional properties of diet protein hydrolysate and oil from fish waste on canine immune parameters, cardiac biomarkers, and fecal microbiota
(2024) Cabrita, Ana R. J.; Barroso, Carolina; Fontes-Sousa, Ana Patrícia; Correia, Alexandra; Teixeira, Luzia; Maia, Margarida R. G.; Vilanova, Manuel; Yergaliyev, Timur; Camarinha-Silva, Amélia; Fonseca, António J. M.
Locally produced fish hydrolysate and oil from the agrifood sector comprises a sustainable solution both to the problem of fish waste disposal and to the petfood sector with potential benefits for the animal’s health. This study evaluated the effects of the dietary replacement of mainly imported shrimp hydrolysate (5%) and salmon oil (3%; control diet) with locally produced fish hydrolysate (5%) and oil (3.2%) obtained from fish waste (experimental diet) on systemic inflammation markers, adipokines levels, cardiac function and fecal microbiota of adult dogs. Samples and measurements were taken from a feeding trial conducted according to a crossover design with two diets (control and experimental diets), six adult Beagle dogs per diet and two periods of 6 weeks each. The experimental diet, with higher docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids contents, decreased plasmatic triglycerides and the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme, also tending to decrease total cholesterol. No effects of diet were observed on serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and IL-12/IL-23 p40, and of the serum levels of the anti-inflammatory adipokine adiponectin. Blood pressure, heart rate and echocardiographic measurements were similar between diets with the only exception of left atrial to aorta diameter ratio that was higher in dogs fed the experimental diet, but without clinical relevance. Diet did not significantly affect fecal immunoglobulin A concentration. Regarding fecal microbiome, Megasphaera was the most abundant genus, followed by Bifidobacterium , Fusobacterium , and Prevotella , being the relative abundances of Fusobacterium and Ileibacterium genera positively affected by the experimental diet. Overall, results from the performed short term trial suggest that shrimp hydrolysate and salmon oil can be replaced by protein hydrolysate and oil from fish by-products without affecting systemic inflammatory markers, cardiac structure and function, but potentially benefiting bacterial genera associated with healthy microbiome. Considering the high DHA and EPA contents and the antioxidant properties of fish oil and hydrolysate, it would be worthwhile in the future to assess their long-term effects on inflammatory markers and their role in spontaneous canine cardiac diseases and to perform metabolomic and metagenomics analysis to elucidate the relevance of microbiota changes in the gut.
Investigating the interplay of stressors and health in horses through fecal cortisol metabolite analysis
(2025) Nowak, Aurelia C.; Macho-Maschler, Sabine; Biermann, Nora M.; Palme, Rupert; Dengler, Franziska
Introduction: Horses are highly sensitive to stress, which can affect their wellbeing and lead to various health issues. Effective and objective stress assessment is therefore crucial for improving their care and management. The production of the glucocorticoid cortisol is increased in response to stressful stimuli and its metabolites can be measured non-invasively in feces. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the impact of different environmental and physiological stressors on fecal cortisol metabolite (FCM) concentrations in horses, with a particular focus on the relationship between stress, health, and welfare. We hypothesized that increased FCM levels may be indicative of disease and thus improve early detection and subsequent intervention. Methods: Fresh fecal samples of N = 41 horses (20 geldings and 21 mares) from the same herd were collected once weekly for 1 year. Horses had been housed in the same stable for at least a month and were accustomed to the habitat, daily routine, and social groups. Environmental conditions, health data, and potentially stressful events were recorded. Fecal concentrations of 11,17-dioxoandrostanes were measured via 11-oxoetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay. Results: We showed stable baseline FCM concentrations of 6.3 ng/g feces (range 0.6–28.1 ng/g feces). During the summer months, median FCM concentrations increased significantly ( p < 0.05; One Way RM ANOVA), and this increase correlated with higher ambient temperatures ( p < 0.0001, adj r 2 = 0.669, Pearson Product Moment correlation). Additionally, other factors such as breed, coat color, and housing conditions influenced the FCM concentrations. Stressful events, such as riding exams and some painful conditions, also resulted in elevated FCM levels, although the magnitude of these responses varied across individual horses. However, not all diseases were associated with increased FCMs. Discussion: Our findings emphasize the complexity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in horses, suggesting that while high FCM levels can indicate stress, they may not be reliable biomarkers for early disease detection. Particularly in the light of climate change, the impact of heat stress in the summer months should not be neglected and measures to improve the housing conditions accordingly should become an essential part of equine health management.
Risk factors for omphalitis in neonatal dairy calves
(2024) Meier, Kim K.; Stock, Annegret; Merle, Roswitha; Arndt, Heidi; Dachrodt, Linda; Hoedemaker, Martina; Kellermann, Laura; Knubben-Schweizer, Gabriela; Volkmann, Maria; Müller, Kerstin-Elisabeth
Knowledge about potential risk factors for animal health is crucial to achieve animal welfare. The aim of this study was to provide practical guidance for farmers to improve the health status of their youngstock by identifying and eliminating risk factors for omphalitis in neonatal calves. A cross-sectional study including 3,445 dairy calves from 567 farms located in three structurally different regions of Germany was performed from December 2016 to July 2019. On each farm calves aged five to 21 days underwent clinical examinations with special consideration of the umbilicus for signs of inflammation. Information regarding animal health, hygiene, and management was obtained via interviews with the farmers. Rearing conditions were recorded following visual inspection using written standard operating procedures. Multifactorial statistical analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors for omphalitis on animal and farm level. The overall omphalitis prevalence in calves aged five to 21 days was 30.9%. Across all regions and farms, every fourth calf per farm exhibited signs of omphalitis (median farm prevalence: 25.0%, interquartile range: 0.0–50.0%). According to the farmers, however, only 4.5% of the calves had been treated for omphalitis in the preceding 12 months. Risk factors for omphalitis identified included the dampness of the lying area in the first 2 weeks of life, a body condition score of the dam after calving outside the optimal range, and the time that calves spent with their dam after birth. Calves on farms providing dry lying areas in the first 2 weeks of life had 0.77 times the risk of omphalitis compared to calves on farms with predominantly damp bedding. When the dams were judged under- or over-conditioned after calving, their offspring had a 1.4 times higher omphalitis risk, respectively, compared to calves from dams optimal conditioned. Calves from farms separating calf and dam beyond 12 h after birth were 0.75 times as likely to develop omphalitis than calves from farms performing immediate separation. These results highlight the complexity of multifactorial diseases such as umbilical infection. The evidence presented can help to establish guidelines for dairy farmers to improve the umbilical health of their calves.
Squid meal and shrimp hydrolysate as novel protein sources for dog food
(2024) Guilherme-Fernandes, Joana; Aires, Tiago; Fonseca, António J. M.; Yergaliyev, Timur; Camarinha-Silva, Amélia; Lima, Sofia A. C.; Maia, Margarida R. G.; Cabrita, Ana R. J.
The world’s growing pet population is raising sustainability and environmental concerns for the petfood industry. Protein-rich marine by-products might contribute to mitigating negative environmental effects, decreasing waste, and improving economic efficiency. The present study evaluated two marine by-products, squid meal and shrimp hydrolysate, as novel protein sources for dog feeding. Along with the analysis of chemical composition and antioxidant activity, palatability was evaluated by comparing a commercial diet (basal diet) and diets with the inclusion of 150 g kg−1 of squid meal or shrimp hydrolysate using 12 Beagle dogs (2.2 ± 0.03 years). Two in vivo digestibility trials were conducted with six dogs, three experimental periods (10 days each) and three dietary inclusion levels (50, 100 and 150 g kg−1) of squid meal or shrimp hydrolysate in place of the basal diet to evaluate effects of inclusion level on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), metabolizable energy content, fecal characteristics, metabolites, and microbiota. Both protein sources presented higher protein and methionine contents than ingredients traditionally used in dog food formulation. Shrimp hydrolysate showed higher antioxidant activity than squid meal. First approach and taste were not affected by the inclusion of protein sources, but animals showed a preference for the basal diet. Effects on nutrient intake reflected the chemical composition of diets, and fecal output and characteristics were not affected by the increasing inclusion levels of both protein sources. The higher ATTD of dry matter, most nutrients and energy of diets with the inclusion of both by-products when compared to the basal diet, suggests their potential to be included in highly digestible diets for dogs. Although not affected by the inclusion level of protein sources, when compared to the basal diet, the inclusion of squid meal decreased butyrate concentration and shrimp hydrolysate increased all volatile fatty acids, except butyrate. Fecal microbiota was not affected by squid meal inclusion, whereas inclusion levels of shrimp hydrolysate significantly affected abundances of Oscillosperaceae (UCG-005), Firmicutes and Lactobacillus. Overall, results suggest that squid meal and shrimp hydrolysate constitute novel and promising protein sources for dog food, but further research is needed to fully evaluate their functional value.

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