Gianfranco Gabai

Animal temperament, defined as consistent behavioral and physiological responses to stressors, plays a crucial role in cattle welfare, productivity, and safety during handling. This motivates researchers to identify objective, non-invasive methods for temperament assessment. Infrared thermography (IRT) has emerged as a promising tool to detect superficial temperature changes associated with stress and temperament in cattle. This study aimed to evaluate how superficial temperature variations measured by IRT in fattening bulls are influenced by environmental temperature, humidity, and temperament. The study involved 223 bulls at approximately 7.5 months old, while thermal images of eye and muzzle regions were captured at baseline and during restraint in a squeeze chute. Temperament was assessed using chute score and flight time, and environmental conditions were recorded via a temperature–humidity index (THI). Results showed significant increases in eye and muzzle temperatures during handling. Notably, changes in eye temperature were independent of environmental THI but correlated with flight time, with more temperamental bulls displaying larger temperature increases. In contrast, changes in muzzle temperature were strongly influenced by ambient THI and its variation at handling, consistent with the region’s thermoregulatory function. Temperament explained a small proportion of temperature variation. A follow-up experiment on a subset of 104 bulls around 11 months old showed no significant age effects on the IRT–temperament relationship. These findings indicate that IRT, particularly of the eye region, holds promise as a non-invasive, objective method to assess stress responses related to temperament in cattle. Careful selection of thermal regions and accounting for environmental influences are critical. While IRT alone accounts for limited variability, its integration with other behavioral and physiological measures could enhance temperament evaluation. This approach offers novel opportunities for improving animal welfare and management by identifying highly temperamental individuals without invasive procedures. Future research with higher temporal resolution and varied stressors is warranted to further elucidate temperature dynamics associated with temperament.

Livestock feeds can be contaminated by several fungi. Among these, Fusarium spp. are widespread and produce mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), and fumonisins B1 and B2 (FB1 and FB2). We investigated whether feeding a TMR contaminated with moderate to high concentrations of ZEN, DON, FB1, and FB2 to dairy cows in early lactation alters (1) their feeding behavior and rumination time; (2) milk yield, composition, and quality; (3) plasma metabolic profile and biochemical traits; and (4) postpartum uterine involution and resumption of cyclicity. We tested whether adding a mycotoxin-deactivating product (MDP; Mycofix Plus 5.Z, Biomin Holding GmbH, Tulln, Austria) to the TMR prevents or mitigates such effects. From calving to 56 d in milk, 30 lactating Holstein cows were fed with a TMR that was (1) mildly contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins (control group [CTR]; n = 10; with 55.42, 226.8, 578.79, and 313.60 µg/kg DM of ZEN, DON, FB1, and FB2, respectively); (2) moderately to highly contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins (mycotoxin group [MTX]; n = 10; with 366.63, 1141.54, 613.49, and 338.06 µg/kg DM of ZEN, DON, FB1, and FB2, respectively); and (3) moderately to highly contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins and supplemented with MDP (n = 10; with 319.72, 1,028.42, 559.56, and 282.88 µg/kg DM of ZEN, DON, FB1, and FB2, respectively). Daily DMI, BW, BCS, rumination, and resting time were not influenced by diet, as well as apparent digestibility for NDF, starch, and protein. Milk yield and quality were similar among groups, but milk urea concentration was higher in the MTX compared with CTR and MDP cows; milk from MTX-fed primiparous individuals tended to have the lowest protein concentration. No dietary effect was observed on plasma metabolic profile and on the timing of postpartum uterine clearance. The size of the ovarian reserve was similar among groups, as assessed by serum concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone and number of ovarian antral follicles. The mean number of corpora lutea detected weekly was lower in MTX compared with CTR, and it was intermediate in MDP cows. Mean milk progesterone weekly concentration was higher in CTR versus MDP and MTX cows from wk 4 to 6 of lactation. The proportion of postpartum anestrus cows per week of lactation was lower in CTR than MTX. The first dominant follicle detected postpartum ovulated in 78%, 50%, and 18% of CTR, MDP, and MTX individuals, respectively. These preliminary results indicate that Fusarium mycotoxin contamination could modify the physiological postcalving resumption of ovarian activity. However, the current trial demonstrated MDP product mitigated some of the negative effects of mycotoxins.

This study investigated the effects of music therapy (MT), a nonpharmacological therapy, on cognitive, behavioral, and physiological outcomes in older adults with mild-to-moderate cognitive decline residing in care home settings. A randomized controlled trial design was employed, with 42 care home residents (Mage = 86.25 years) randomly assigned to either a one-to-one 16-week MT intervention or an active control group receiving storytelling. Experimental and control activities were matched on key aspects, and groups were equivalent at baseline concerning demographic factors, general health, cognitive-behavioral characteristics, and cognitive reserve levels. Pre/postintervention neuropsychological and behavioral measures were collected, alongside saliva samples for cortisol/dehydroepiandrosterone ratio and respiratory sinus arrhythmia analysis as indicators of overall stress and autonomic regulation. The MT group exhibited benefits in cognitive, behavioral, and physiological domains, suggesting potential advantages in maintaining cognitive functioning and reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms. Biomarkers indicated possible mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of MT. The 16 one-to-one interactive MT sessions-delivered over 5 months-had a positive impact on older adults with mild-to-moderate cognitive decline living in care home settings. The implications of these findings for healthy aging and suggestions for future research are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The hypothalamus-pituitary–adrenal axis response to a challenge was proposed for genetic selection of robust and resilient animals. As ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) test and hormone measurements in blood may result impractical, it may be useful to measure salivary hormones in response to natural stressors, after an accurate biological validation, to control factors that could contribute to the response. We evaluated whether animal handling during performance test affects salivary HC and DHEA secretion and could be used for selection. We tested the effects of habituation to repeated handling and THI as putative bias. Bull calves (N = 273) undergoing performance test were sampled at 8–9 and 11–13 months (N = 101), 8–9 months (N = 131), or 11–13 months (N = 41). On each test day (D0), calves were isolated, conducted to a squeeze chute and immobilized for 6 min. Saliva samples were collected in the morning after feed administration (T0), and after 6 min immobilization in the squeeze chute (T1) for HC and DHEA measurement. Environmental temperature and relative humidity were recorded every hour from 1:00 h to 24:00 h during the 6 days before the performance test and on D0. Salivary HC and DHEA concentrations were higher in T1 (p < 0.01), although a clear individual positive response to handling could be observed in less than 10% of subjects. The mixed model revealed: (i) HC and HC/DHEA were higher in Young bulls (p < 0.05). (ii) The time of T0 sample collection significantly affected DHEA (p < 0.01) and HC/DHEA (p < 0.05). (iii) THI affected both steroids (p < 0.001) but not HC/DHEA. Spearman correlations suggested that THI weakly affected salivary HC at T0 only (ρ = 0.150, p < 0.01), while moderate statistically significant correlations were found between DHEA and THI at T0 (ρ = 0.316, p < 0.001), and T1 (ρ = 0.353, p < 0.001). Salivary HC and DHEA in response to handling procedures might identify subpopulations of subjects with sensitive HPA axis. Habituation to repeated handling played a role, as the hormone response was lower in older animals. Chronic exposure to high THI had a minor effect on salivary HC visible at T0. A more intense THI effect was observed on salivary DHEA concentrations at both T0 and T1, which should be worth of further investigations.

This study aimed at evaluating the relationship between biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS) in seminal plasma and sperm motility in bulls before and after cryopreservation. Three ejaculates per bull were collected from 20 young bulls. Each ejaculate was analyzed for motility before and after cryopreservation (by CASA), and the SP concentration of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPP), thiols, and carbonyl groups (CT) were examined. Then, based on their motility, the ejaculates were grouped into: high motility fresh (HMF), low motility fresh (LMF), high motility thawed (HMT), and low motility thawed (LMT) groups. Higher AOPP and thiol concentrations on SP were related (p < 0.05) to the higher LIN and BCF and lower ALH of fresh semen. In addition, AOPP and thiols were significantly higher in HMF than LMF. As a confirmation of this, the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that AOPP and thiol concentrations in SP were able to discriminate between HMF and LMF ejaculates (Area Under the Curve of 71.67% and 72.04%, respectively). These observations give an alternative perspective on the relationship between sperm motility and the OS parameters of SP, which need further investigations.

Clay minerals are naturally occurring rock and soil materials primarily composed of fine-grained aluminosilicate minerals, characterized by high hygroscopicity. In animal production, clays are often mixed with feed and, due to their high binding capacity towards organic molecules, used to limit animal absorption of feed contaminants, such as mycotoxins and other toxicants. Binding capacity of clays is not specific and these minerals can form complexes with different compounds, such as nutrients and pharmaceuticals, thus possibly affecting the intestinal absorption of important substances. Indeed, clays cannot be considered a completely inert feed additive, as they can interfere with gastro-intestinal (GI) metabolism, with possible consequences on animal physiology. Moreover, clays may contain impurities, constituted of inorganic micronutrients and/or toxic trace elements, and their ingestion can affect animal health. Furthermore, clays may also have effects on the GI mucosa, possibly modifying nutrient digestibility and animal microbiome. Finally, clays may directly interact with GI cells and, depending on their mineral grain size, shape, superficial charge and hydrophilicity, can elicit an inflammatory response. As in the near future due to climate change the presence of mycotoxins in feedstuffs will probably become a major problem, the use of clays in feedstuff, given their physico-chemical properties, low cost, apparent low toxicity and eco-compatibility, is expected to increase. The present review focuses on the characteristics and properties of clays as feed additives, evidencing pros and cons. Aims of future studies are suggested, evidencing that, in particular, possible interferences of these minerals with animal microbiome, nutrient absorption and drug delivery should be assessed. Finally, the fate of clay particles during their transit within the GI system and their long-term administration/accumulation should be clarified.

In the present case report a show jumping 10-year-old Sella Italiano gelding, presented with severe lameness, swelling and pain at palpation of the mid-metacarpal region of the left forelimb. Clinical and ultrasound examination diagnosed a chronic tendonitis of the central region of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT). The lesion was a reoccurrence since it developed from a previously healed injury. The horse had to stop competing and was unresponsive to gold-standard treatments as Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and conservative management after 6 months of therapy. The animal was subjected to repeated intralesional injections of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) combined with autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The combined treatment was administered twice in a 1-month interval. The healing process was assessed through clinical examination, ultrasound imaging and quantification of oxidative stress products and inflammatory mediators in blood plasma. After 2 weeks from first injection, a reduction of concentration of oxidative-derived products was observed, together with an increase of anti-inflammatory cytokines and pro-mitotic growth factors. These results were reflected clinically as the horse showed a reduction of lameness along with swelling and pain after 4 weeks. At the 1-year follow-up, the horse showed no signs of lameness and swelling. The ultrasonographic examination highlighted a compact fiber alignment with a normal echogenic tendon as observed in the sound contralateral limb. Moreover, the horse went back to the previous level of competition. Our results suggest the positive effects of a repeated intralesional injection of AD-MSCs and PRP for the treatment of a chronic tendonitis with long-term effects and an improvement for both equine quality of life and athletic performance.

Editorial: One Health: The Parameters of an Eco-Sustainable Farm