Husbandry practices associated with extensification in European pig production and their effects on pork quality.

This review has been developed as part of the mEATquality project with the main objective to examine the types of extensification practices used in European pig husbandry and their effect on intrinsic meat quality. Literature search has resulted in 679 references in total, from which 53 showed a strict compliance with the goals of this review: 1) the use of local European breeds and their crossbreds (22 papers); 2) addition of forage to diet (9 papers); 3) increased space allowance (3 papers); 4) enrichment of environment (19 papers). The evaluation of selected extensification factors showed that not all of them have a clear impact on meat quality, and are often confounded. The most clear differences were observed when comparing autochthonous with commercial breeds, and systems with access to pastures or woodlands vs. indoor housing. Despite many studies focusing on the extensification of husbandry practices, some of the factors cannot be confirmed to have a direct effect on pork intrinsic quality.

Phytase Supplementation of Growing-Finishing Pig Diets with Extruded Soya Seeds and Rapeseed Meal Improves Bone Mineralization and Carcass and Meat Quality.

The aim of this study was to determine how different doses of phytase in diets with extruded soybean seeds and rapeseed meal affected pigs' growth performance, meat quality, bone mineralization, and fatty acid profiles. Sixty pigs were divided into three treatments by sex and body mass. Pigs were divided into starter (25 days), grower (36 days), and finisher (33 days) periods and fed with mash diets. No phytase was used in the control group diet, whereas in Phy1 and Phy2, 100 g and 400 g of phytase per ton of mixture were used, respectively. The feed conversion ratio and meat color were significantly correlated with phytase. Phytase supplementation had no effect on the growth of pigs, but total phosphorus was significantly increased in the bones and meat of the pigs. The enzyme additive reduced the C22:4 n-6 acid content in the meat, whereas other results were not significantly affected. The data suggest that the addition of phytase at a dosage of 100 g/ton to diets with extruded full-fat soya seeds and rapeseed meal can be valuable, as it reduces the FCR and increases the P content in the meat and bones.

Microbial Phytase in a Diet with Lupine and Extruded Full-Fat Soya Seeds Affects the Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality, and Bone Mineralization of Fatteners.

This study aims to determine how different doses of phytase in diets including extruded soya and lupine seeds affect fatteners' performance, meat quality, bone mineralization, and fatty acid profile. Sixty pigs were divided into three treatment groups. The control group was offered a diet without phytase, whereas the Phy100 and Phy400 groups were provided with 100 g and 400 g of phytase per ton of their diet, respectively. The animals from both experimental groups were characterized by a significantly (p < 0.05) higher body weight gain and lower feed efficiency in the starter period than the control group. Unfortunately, their meat had lower (p < 0.05) fat content, gluteal muscle thickness, and water-holding capacity. In the meat, a higher phosphorus content (p < 0.05) was found, and in the bones, a higher calcium (for Phy400) content was found when phytase was added to the pigs' diet. The pigs from the Phy100 group tended to have higher mean backfat thickness and C18:2 n-6 content in their fat, but lower C22:5 n-3 content, than the other groups. A higher dosage of phytase is not necessary for the diets of fatteners with extruded full-fat soya and lupin seeds.

Profile of Selected Mineral Elements in Tibiotarsal Bone of the White-Tailed Sea Eagle in Its Natural Habitat.

Mineral bone composition (dry matter, bones ash, P, Ca, Zn, Mn, Mg, and Cu) and Pb levels of tibiotarsi of seven White-Tailed Sea Eagles were assessed. Lead intoxication in different bird species including waterfowl and raptors is being studied worldwide. The bones were analyzed for Pb by mass spectrometry with excitation in inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS Elan DRC II) and for bone composition by Atomic Emission Spectrometer (Agilent 4100 Microwave Plasma). Pb levels ranging from 3.54 µg/g to 74.6 µg/g DM suggest that some of the investigated birds might have been intoxicated by Pb. Results of this analysis were divided into two groups of bones, with bone Pb levels higher and lower than Pb toxicity levels, and mineral bone compositions of both groups were compared. The present study shows the differentiation of bone mineral composition among seven examined White-Tailed Sea Eagles, considered a specific species in raptors. Pb intoxication may not have a major influence on mineral bone composition in raptors. It also suggests that assessing bone composition of raptor bones may help finding the possible cause of their deaths.

The Effects of Protease Supplementation and Faba Bean Extrusion on Growth, Gastrointestinal Tract Physiology and Selected Blood Indices of Weaned Pigs.

The aim of the study was to investigate how the extrusion of faba bean seeds (var. Albus) and/or the addition of protease to pigs' diets affected the animals' growth parameters, digestibility of nutrients, selected physiological parameters of the digestive tract, and biochemical blood parameters. A 28-day experiment was conducted on 32 pigs weighing 9 ± 0.2 kg. The animals were allocated to four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with the main effects of extrusion (raw or extruded) and effects of protease supplementation (0 and 0.05%). Extrusion reduced the levels of neutral detergent fibre, trypsin inhibitor, phytate-P, and resistant starch but did not improve the digestibility of protein and dry matter in faba bean seeds. The pigs' growth performance, ileal digestibility, enzyme activity, and morphometric parameters of the ileum were not significantly affected by extrusion, except for a higher feed intake between the 15th and 28th day of the experiment. The protease supplementation gave comparable results as the diet without protease, except the feed conversion ratio (in the periods of 15-28th day and 0-28th day), which was higher than in the groups without protease. The extrusion and protease increased acetate and acetoacetate contents in the cecal digesta, but propionate, butyrate, and isovalerate concentrations in the digesta of the pigs in this group were lower. Thanks to protease supplementation, protein and oil levels in the diet were reduced, which cut the cost of feed mixtures. The extrusion and protease additive combined together did not improve the pigs' growth performance in this experiment.

The Shape of the Nasal Cavity and Adaptations to Sniffing in the Dog (Canis familiaris) Compared to Other Domesticated Mammals: A Review Article.

Dogs are a good starting point for the description and anatomical analysis of turbinates of the nose. This work aimed at summing up the state of knowledge on the shape of the nasal cavity and airflow in these domestic animals and dealt with the brachycephalic syndrome (BOAS) and anatomical changes in the initial airway area in dogs with a short and widened skull. As a result of artificial selection and breeding concepts, the dog population grew very quickly. Modern dog breeds are characterized by a great variety of their anatomical shape. Craniological changes also had a significant impact on the structure and physiology of the respiratory system in mammals. The shape of the nasal cavity is particularly distinctive in dogs. Numerous studies have established that dogs and their olfactory ability are of great importance in searching for lost people, detecting explosives or drugs as well as signaling disease in the human body. The manuscript describes the structure of the initial part of the respiratory system, including the nasal turbinates, and compares representatives of various animal species. It provides information on the anatomy of brachycephalic dogs and BOAS. The studies suggest that further characterization and studies of nasal turbinates and their hypertrophy are important.

The Effect of Yeast Fermentation of Two Lupine Species on the Digestibility of Protein and Amino Acids, Microflora Composition and Metabolites Production in the Ileum of Growing Pigs.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of raw and Candida utilis-fermented yellow (YL) and narrow-leaved lupine (NL) seeds on the apparent ileal digestibility coefficients (AID) of protein and amino acids in pigs and the metabolic activity of their intestinal microflora. Five cross-bred castrated 25-kg barrows were surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and housed individually in metabolic cages. They were fed five semi-synthetic diets containing only one source of protein: soybean meal (SBM), raw or fermented yellow lupine seeds (RYL or FYL), raw or fermented narrow-leaved lupine seeds (RNL or FNL). The study period consisted of six-day adaptation to the diet and one-day collection of digesta, which was sampled for microbial and chemical analyses. The AID coefficients of protein and amino acids were calculated with the marker method with TiO2. One-way (feed effect) and two-way (variety effect, fermentation effect) analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Duncan's test at p < 0.05 were applied. The digesta from the SBM and FNL variants had significantly higher (p < 0.05) AID coefficients of protein, asparagine, threonine, serine, isoleucine, leucine, histidine, and tyrosine, whereas the SBM variant was characterized by the lowest AID of cystine and the highest AID of alanine and methionine (p < 0.05). The ileal digesta of the pigs fed with FYL contained more bacteria, whereas the count of yeast was higher in the FNL variant. The digesta of the pigs from the FNL and RYL variants had the highest count of moulds (p < 0.05), whereas the digesta in the FYL, SBM, and RNL variants had almost no moulds at all. The ileal dry matter content was significantly lower in SBM group. The lowest pH was noted in the RYL variant (p < 0.05). The content of ammonia and total volatile fatty acids in the ileal digesta of the SBM variant was the lowest (p < 0.05). Fermentation significantly improved the AID of protein, asparagine, threonine, tyrosine, histidine, and arginine, increased the counts of total bacteria and yeast, the pH value, and isobutyrate and isovalerate concentrations, but decreased the dry matter and ammonia content (p < 0.05). The digesta of the NL variants was characterized by higher AID of asparagine, threonine, serine, alanine, valine, isoleucine, and arginine, and higher counts of LAB and moulds but lower total bacteria count than in the YL variants. The ileal pH was lower in the YL variants, where higher isobutyrate and butyrate concentrations (p < 0.05) were observed. To sum up, fermentation increased the counts of the ileal microbiota and improved the digestibility coefficients of protein and some amino acids. The narrow-leaved lupine seeds resulted in more positive changes in the digesta of growing pigs than yellow lupine.

Effects of Raw and Fermented Rapeseed Cake on Growth Performance, Methane Production, and Breast Meat Fatty Acid Composition in Broiler Chickens.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of soybean meal (SBM) by 15% raw or fermented rapeseed cake (RRC or FRC) to broilers' diets on growth performance, nutrient utilization, methane emission, and breast muscle fatty acid (FA) composition. A total of 420 one-day-old female Ros 308 broilers were used in three independent experiments (300 birds in the first experiment and 60 in the second and third experiments). In each trial, three treatments were set up: a control group (without rapeseed), and diets replaced soybean meal with 15% addition of RRC or FRC. Birds fed the FRC diet experienced no effect (p > 0.05) on performance or nutrients utilization. Methane emission and total methanogen population in the ceca was decreased (p < 0.05) with the FRC diet. The concentrations of n-3 and n-6 FAs in the breast tissue of fourteen-day-old birds were not affected (p > 0.05) by FRC. However, the n-6/n-3 ratio in the breast muscle of 28-day-old birds was reduced (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the replacement of SBM by FRC in the broiler diets did not show any unfavorable effects on performance or nutrient utilization. Furthermore, the breast meat FA profile was improved, methanogen counts significantly decreased, and methane emission was limited.

Growth Performance, Gut Environment and Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Weaned Piglets Fed a Diet Supplemented with Raw and Fermented Narrow-Leafed Lupine Seeds.

The aim of this study was to: (1) provide controlled fermentation of narrow-leafed lupine seeds; (2) monitor seed composition, and (3) determine the influence of fermentation on the performance, gut environment and physiology, and selected blood metabolic parameters, in young pigs. Firstly, the effect of 24 h lupine seed fermentation by bacteria and yeast on seed chemical composition was determined. It increased contents of crude protein, crude fiber and ash, but reduced nitrogen-free extractive levels. The amino acid profile of fermented lupine (FL) was similar to that of raw lupine (RL) seeds, whereas the contents of oligosaccharides and P-phytate decreased significantly, in contrast to alkaloids. In fermented feed, pH dropped from 5.5 to 3.9. In the 28-day experiment, 24 male pigs were divided into three groups. The control group was fed a soybean meal diet (SBM), whereas in the experimental diets, 50% of SBM protein was replaced by RL or FL. Afterwards, eight pigs from each group were euthanized and their digesta and blood samples were collected. The FL use did not affect pigs' performance, nor their metabolic, microbial and most gastrointestinal tract parameters, but influenced crypt depth. Fermentation affected concentrations of short chain fatty acids and p-cresole in the proximal colon segment. In the small intestine, the levels of acetate and butyrate decreased, and, in the caecum, the propionate level decreased. Fermentation significantly lowered the pH of the middle colon digesta and ammonia contents compared to RL. A part of SBM may be successfully replaced by RL and FL in young pigs' diets.

A Comparison of the Composition and Contamination of Soybean Cultivated in Europe and Limitation of Raw Soy Seed Content in Weaned Pigs' Diets.

The aim of this study was to compare the chemical composition of European soy seeds. A mycological and toxigenic screening was carried out on 18 varieties of soy seeds harvested in Poland. Moreover, the level of soybean meal (SBM) substitution by raw soybean seeds was analysed in terms of its effect on young pigs' performance (body weight gain, feed intake, feed utilisation) along with apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter and crude protein in the diets. In a 28-day trial, 48 male pigs were tested using a marker method with TiO2. In their diets, SBM was replaced by soy seeds in the amounts of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%. In the last 3 days of the experiment, samples of excreta from each animal separately were collected three times per day. The chemical composition of soybean seeds differed in terms of their contents of crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fibre and raffinose family oligosaccharides, as well as the trypsin inhibitor activity. Seeds were also contaminated with fungi, yeast and mycotoxins, mainly zearalenone and deoxynivalenol. The ATTD of crude protein ranged from 70.6% to 77.6% and that of dry matter from 93.5% to 94.6%, with no differences between the groups being found (p > 0.05). Pigs' performance parameters were reduced strongly with increasing amounts of raw seeds in the diets (p < 0.05). The results indicate that only a 5% addition of raw soy seeds in pigs' diet is recommended.

Effect of Phytase Derived from the E. coli AppA Gene on Weaned Piglet Performance, Apparent Total Tract Digestibility and Bone Mineralization.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of novel appAT1 and appAT2 phytase inclusion at 250 phytase units (FTU)/kg on weaned piglet performance, the apparent total tract digestibility of P and Ca, and bone mineralization. Piglets (48 males) were randomly divided into four treatment groups: a positive control (PC), with recommended levels of phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca), a negative control (NC) deficient in P and Ca, and two experimental groups with NC diets supplemented with phytase derived from the appA gene of Escherichia coli. Diets fed in a mashed form were divided into prestarter (0-21 days) and starter (22-42 days) periods. During the whole period of the study, the experimental diets improved (p < 0.05) the body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the NC diet. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of the dry matter and crude protein was not significantly different among the diets. Phytase-supplemented diets improved the ATTD of P (p < 0.05) and the ATTD of Ca (p < 0.05). Bone ash content in the third metacarpal and P and Ca content were improved among the phytase supplemented diets compared to the NC diet.