Siti Rani Ayuti

Background and Aim: Improving growth performance and meat quality is a major objective in genetic improvement programs for indigenous poultry breeds. Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan (KUB) chickens are an improved Indonesian native breed with considerable potential for sustainable tropical poultry production. Transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGFβ2) plays an important role in regulating skeletal muscle development, cell proliferation, and tissue remodeling; however, its genetic variation and association with economically important traits in KUB chickens remain unknown. This study aimed to characterize TGFβ2 gene polymorphisms and evaluate their associations with growth performance and meat quality traits in KUB chickens receiving dietary multienzyme supplementation. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five one-day-old male KUB chickens were assigned to five dietary treatments containing different combinations of phytase and protease and reared for 90 days. Growth performance was assessed using feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass weight (CW). Meat quality traits, including pH, texture, cooking loss (CL), water holding capacity, and color characteristics (L*, a*, and b*), were evaluated after slaughter. Genomic DNA extracted from muscle tissue was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing to identify TGFβ2 polymorphisms. Functional enrichment of differentially expressed genes was investigated using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses. Results: Three TGFβ2 genotypes (CC, TC, and TT) were identified, with allele frequencies of 0.48 (C) and 0.52 (T). The TGFβ2 genotype was significantly associated with BW, CW, and FCR (p < 0.05), whereas FI was unaffected. Multienzyme supplementation significantly reduced CL, improved water holding capacity, and enhanced meat color characteristics without affecting pH or texture. Two exon single nucleotide polymorphisms, c.103C>T and c.99G>A, were identified, representing novel variants in KUB chickens. Functional enrichment analyses demonstrated significant involvement of extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, metabolic pathways, and biological processes related to muscle development and cell proliferation, supporting a nutrigenetic interaction between TGFβ2 polymorphism and enzyme supplementation. Conclusion: This study provides the first characterization of TGFβ2 polymorphisms in KUB chickens and demonstrates their association with growth performance and meat quality traits under multienzyme supplementation. The identified polymorphisms represent promising molecular markers for marker-assisted selection and precision nutrition strategies to improve productivity in indigenous tropical chicken populations. Keywords: body weight, feed conversion ratio, Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan chicken, marker-assisted selection, meat quality, multienzyme supplementation, TGFβ2 gene, tropical poultry genetics.

The use of natural feed additives as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters has gained increasing attention. However, evidence regarding their specific effects on carcass traits and fat deposition in broilers is limited and inconsistent. This study provides new evidence of the role of Sauropus androgynus leaf flour in modulating growth performance and lipid distribution in broiler chickens. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Katuk leaf flour on carcass characteristics and fat deposition. A total of 75 broiler chicks were reared for 28 days and randomly assigned to five dietary treatments, with five replicates per treatment and three birds per replicate: a control diet and diets supplemented with 40, 60, 80, and 100 g/kg of Katuk leaf flour. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, followed by Duncan’s multiple range test. The results showed that Katuk leaf flour supplementation significantly increased slaughter and carcass weights (P0.05). Notably, abdominal and breast fat deposition was significantly reduced (P<0.05), indicating improved lipid utilization and more efficient energy partitioning. In conclusion, supplementation with Katuk leaf flour at 80-100 g/kg has strong potential as a natural feed additive to enhance broiler productivity and carcass quality by reducing excessive fat deposition without compromising carcass yield.

Background and Aim: Efficient livestock production depends on integrating genetic, nutritional, and management strategies to improve growth, feed efficiency, and product quality. Among genes linked to growth regulation, the insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene has become a key molecular regulator affecting muscle development, nutrient metabolism, carcass composition, and overall production efficiency across various livestock species. This review summarizes current knowledge about the biological roles, genetic regulation, nutritional influences, and biotechnological uses of IGF2 in livestock systems. IGF2 plays a key role in prenatal and early postnatal growth by promoting myoblast proliferation, muscle fiber differentiation, and protein synthesis through major signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK. Genetic polymorphisms in regulatory regions of IGF2 have consistently been linked to economically important traits such as increased body weight, improved feed conversion ratio, higher lean meat yield, and less fat deposition in cattle, pigs, poultry, and small ruminants. These findings support using IGF2 as a molecular marker in marker-assisted and genomic selection programs aimed at boosting livestock productivity. Along with genetic factors, IGF2 expression is heavily affected by nutritional status, environmental conditions, and epigenetic regulation. Maintaining a balanced intake of dietary energy and protein, proper management, and reducing stress levels can boost IGF2 activity, leading to improved growth efficiency and metabolic performance. Recent advancements in biotechnology, such as genome editing, epigenetic modulation, and transcriptomic techniques, offer new ways to control IGF2 expression for developing high-performance livestock while preserving product quality and animal welfare. However, excessive or uncontrolled modulation of IGF2 may disrupt metabolic balance, immune function, and physiological homeostasis, highlighting the need for careful regulation and ethical consideration in genetic improvement programs. Overall, IGF2 represents a crucial molecular link between genetics, nutrition, and physiology, and its integrated application in breeding, feeding, and biotechnology strategies offers promising prospects for sustainable and efficient livestock production. Keywords: animal growth, feed efficiency, gene polymorphism, genomic selection, IGF2, livestock production, muscle development, nutrient metabolism.

The incorporation of agro-industrial by-products into poultry feed offers a sustainable strategy for reducing reliance on conventional grains while diversifying nutritional inputs. However, the high content of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), particularly arabinoxylans and cellulose, limits nutrient utilization in monogastric animals due to increased digesta viscosity and structural barriers to nutrient release. Xylanase and cellulase are two widely studied exogenous enzymes that target these polysaccharides, enhancing nutrient accessibility in high-fiber poultry diets. This review aimed to synthesize evidence on the functional roles of xylanase and cellulase in degrading plant cell wall components and improving feed utilization. The present review synthesizes current evidence on the functional mechanisms of xylanase and cellulase in degrading plant cell-wall polysaccharides and enhancing feed utilization, with particular attention to the application of xylanase and cellulase in diets formulated with wheat pollard, rice bran, and other NSP-rich ingredients. Although numerous studies reported improved feed efficiency, digestibility, and growth performance following xylanase and cellulase enzyme supplementation, proximate analyses often indicated minimal or no changes in crude protein, fiber, or fat contents of enzyme-treated diets. The lack of compositional change, hereafter referred to as proximate compositional stability, has received limited attention as a potential indicator of enzymatic bio-efficacy. By integrating biochemical, nutritional, and physiological evidence, the present study highlights the interpretive gap between chemical composition and biological function in feed evaluation. The review further proposes that proximate compositional stability in an enzyme-supplemented diet does not indicate a lack of enzyme activity; rather, it represents a baseline condition confirming enhanced nutrient utilization. Recognizing this distinction is critical to developing function-oriented evaluation frameworks that support the effective use of fibrous by-products in poultry nutrition, aligned with broader goals of sustainable and resource-efficient animal production.

Kampung Unggul Balitbangtan (KUB) chicken is a superior Indonesian native breed with high adaptability, good growth potential, and desirable meat quality. Nutritional strategies such as multienzyme supplementation are increasingly applied to improve productivity and meat quality without altering basal diet composition. This study investigated the effects of dietary multienzyme supplementation, consisting of phytase and protease, on growth performance, carcass characteristics, organ development, meat quality, and muscle‐related gene expression in KUB chickens. Sixteen one‐day‐old male KUB chicks were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments: a control diet without multienzymes and three diets supplemented with phytase (200 mg/kg) combined with protease at 300, 500, or 700 mg/kg of feed. Growth performance parameters were measured up to 45 days of age, followed by carcass evaluation, organ weight analysis, meat quality assessment, and transcriptomic and quantitative real‐time PCR analyses of breast muscle tissue. Multienzyme supplementation significantly improved final body weight and feed conversion ratio, particularly during the finisher phase, while reducing feed intake at higher enzyme inclusion levels. Carcass percentage and breast weight were enhanced in multienzyme‐treated groups, accompanied by favorable changes in digestive and immune organ development. Meat quality analysis showed increased water‐holding capacity, reduced cooking loss, and improved color characteristics, notably higher redness and lower yellowness values. Transcriptomic profiling and gene expression analysis revealed significant modulation of key muscle growth‐related genes, including ACTA1, MYBPC1, TGFβ2, IGF2, and MYH9, indicating adaptive transcriptional responses associated with improved nutrient utilization rather than direct structural muscle alterations. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with a combination of phytase and protease effectively enhances growth performance, feed efficiency, carcass traits, and meat quality in KUB chickens while modulating growth‐related gene expression. Multienzyme inclusion represents a promising and cost‐effective nutritional strategy for improving productivity and meat quality in native chicken production systems.

Background and Aim: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli in poultry poses a critical threat to food safety and public health. While studies have assessed resistance at the farm level, limited attention has been given to informal market envi­ronments that connect animals, humans, and surfaces. This study applied a One Health triangulation sampling approach to investigate the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of E. coli isolated from broiler chickens and associ­ated environments in traditional markets in Aceh Besar District and Banda Aceh City, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three traditional markets (Lambaro, Al-Mahirah, and Seutui). A total of 174 samples were collected, comprising fecal swabs (n = 54), chicken meat swabs (n = 54), poultry sellers’ hand swabs (n = 48), and chicken display table swabs (n = 18). Isolation of E. coli was performed using culture and biochem­ical confirmation. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method against 11 antibiotics commonly used in veterinary and human medicine. Results: Overall, E. coli was isolated from 31.03% (54/174) of samples. Contamination was highest in fecal samples (13.79%), followed by chicken meat (8.62%), sellers’ hands (4.60%), and display tables (4.02%). Market-level prevalence was highest at Al-Mahirah (13.2%), followed by Lambaro (11.49%) and Seutui (6.32%). All isolates exhibited MDR phenotypes. Resistance was uniformly high to erythromycin (100%), tetracycline (94.6%), ampicillin (87.0%), and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (83.3%), while lower resistance was observed to ciprofloxacin (23.8%) and gentamicin (20.2%). Distinct variation in resis­tance profiles was observed between markets and sample types. Conclusion: Traditional poultry markets represent critical hotspots for AMR dissemination at the human–animal–environment interface. Findings highlight the combined influence of unregulated antibiotic use in poultry production and inadequate hygiene practices on sustaining MDR E. coli. The triangulated One Health design demonstrates the added value of integrat­ing animal, human, and environmental sampling for AMR surveillance. Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship, upgrading market hygiene infrastructure, and expanding integrated surveillance into national AMR monitoring frameworks are essen­tial steps to mitigate public health risks. Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, broiler chicken, Escherichia coli, Indonesia, One Health, traditional markets.

Background and Aim: Bluetongue (BT) is an economically important viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants, caused by the bluetongue virus (BTV), and transmitted primarily by Culicoides midges. The virus has at least 28 known serotypes and several emerg­ing strains, with its distribution expanding beyond traditional endemic zones due to climate change and global trade. This review summarizes recent developments in the epidemiology, molecular characterization, diagnostics, vaccines, and con­trol of BT, with an emphasis on its implications within the One Health framework. A comprehensive literature search cov­ering studies from 2000 to 2025 revealed significant outbreaks in Europe (2024–2025) involving BTV-3 and BTV-12, as well as the emergence of novel serotypes in Asia and Africa. Global economic losses exceed USD 3 billion annually due to mortality, production losses, and trade restrictions. Advances in molecular diagnostics, such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, whole-genome sequencing, and rapid field assays like loop-mediated isothermal amplification and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats -based platforms, have improved surveillance and serotype identification. Although vaccination remains the cornerstone of BT control, current live and inactivated vaccines are lim­ited by serotype specificity and reassortment risks, highlighting the need for new-generation virus-like particle, recombi­nant, DNA, and mRNA-based vaccines. Persistent challenges include the absence of differentiating infected from vaccinated animals -compatible polyvalent vaccines, incomplete knowledge of wildlife reservoirs, and uneven surveillance capacities worldwide. Strengthening integrated vector management, genomic monitoring, and climate-informed control strategies through a coordinated One Health approach will be vital to reduce the global burden of bluetongue. Keywords: bluetongue virus, Culicoides vectors, diagnostics, epidemiology, livestock disease control, One Health, vaccination.

Soybean pulp and brown rice flour have a high protein content to increase the nutrients of Pekingese duck feed. The experimental research method used a Factorial Design with 5 treatments and 5 replicates, the details of the treatment were as follows: Control (a0r0), addition of brown rice flour (a1, a2, a3 and a4), and soybean pulp (r1, r2, r3 and r4). Soybean pulp 3-12% and brown rice flour 4-16% respectively. The parameters observed were feed consumption, live weight, feed conversion, carcass weight, carcass percentage, abdominal fat percentage, and meat fat content. The data obtained were processed according to the complete random design diversity analysis. Duncan's Multiple Range Test tested the values of different parameters between treatments at a 95% confidence level. The results showed that the addition of 3-12% soybean meal and 4-16% brown rice flour did not have a significant effect (P0.05) on feed consumption, live weight, feed conversion, weight and carcass percentage, except for the percentage of abdominal fat and fat content of Peking ducks. The addition of 12% soybean meal and 16% brown rice flour (a4r4) was able to reduce the percentage of abdominal fat by 47.5% and the content of meat fat by 55.2% compared to the control. This study concludes that the addition of 12% (r4) soybean pulp and 16% (a4) brown rice flour per kg of feed can reduce the percentage of abdominal fat and fat content of Peking ducks.

Trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma evansi is a major protozoan illness that affects animals worldwide. It is also referred to as “surra” and affects a variety if wild and domestic animals such as sheep, cattle, goats, dogs, buffaloes, pigs, elephants, amongst others. In preparing this review, relevant scientific articles were searched on PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases using the keyword “Trypanosoma evansi AND animals”. T. evansi are carried by a vast number of hematophagous flies and are found in the extracellular and internal fluids of certain hosts. Trypanosomosis is mostly characterized by anemia, and the degree of anemia can typically be used as a gauge for the disease's severity. Trypanosomiasis compromises the host animal's immune system and its diagnosis is dependent on a number of factors such as thorough clinical examination, suitable sample collection, sample size, suitable diagnostic test performance, and logical interpretation of test results. The clinical manifestations of trypanosomiasis vary widely in both appearance and severity, ranging from neurological disturbances and skin plaques to vaginal enlargement. Hematophagous biting flies, including Tabanus, Haematopota, Glossina, Chrysops, Lyperosia, Stomoxys, and Hippobusca flies, contribute to the spread of trypanosomiasis. Four medications are primarily used to treat trypanosomiasis: quinapyramine, karetin, diminazene aceturate (Berenil), and melarsomine (cymelarsan). An efficient vaccination program is an additional technique for managing infectious diseases in addition to treatment. The most important step in curtailing the spread of trypanosomiasis caused by T. evansi is to stop its transmission by flies via physical and chemical methods.

Background: The KUB chicken industry faces several problems in early growth and active biological activity. One thing that needs to be done is the addition of phytase and protease enzymes to livestock feed. One effort to increase other livestock production is through molecular or genetic markers. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of adding phytase and protease enzymes to the ration on the performance of KUB chickens, as well as to determine the expression of the MSTN gene on KUB chicken carcass production. Methods: A total of 35 blood samples were taken from superior Balitnak (KUB) native chickens, consisting of 8 blood samples from groups of male chickens with the same variety, age with feed added with phytase enzyme, samples were taken from male chickens with the same body weight given feed with a mixture of protease enzymes. The following methods were used to calculate body weight increase, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Amplification of the myostatin gene (MSTN) in KUB chickens was carried out using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. Result: Phytase and protease enzyme supplementation did not show a significant effect (P greater than 0.05) on the relative weight of chicken internal organs, but has the potential to increase digestive efficiency and metabolic function. Enzyme activity in the digestive tract is considered an important factor that can affect gut health and nutrient digestibility. MSTN gene transcript expression was detected in all enzyme doses investigated in this study. Myostatin (MSTN) gene expression in KUB chickens was associated with muscle development, growth rate, organ composition and body weight.