Abstract: Digital twin technology is widely promoted as a transformative step for precision live-stock farming, yet no fully realized, engineering-grade digital twins are deployed in commercial dairy or poultry systems today. Existing platforms are better described as near-digital-twin systems with partial sensing and modelling, digital-twin-inspired prototypes, simulation frameworks or decision-support tools that are often labelled as twins despite lacking continuous synchronization and closed-loop control. This distinction matters because the empirical foundation supporting many claims remains limited. Three critical gaps emerge: lifecycle carbon impacts of digital infrastructures are rarely quantified even as sustainability benefits are frequently asserted; field-validated improvements in feed efficiency, particularly in poultry feed conversion ratio, are scarce and inconsistent; and systematic reporting of failure rates, downtime and technology abandonment is almost absent, leaving uncertainties about long-term reliability. Adoption barriers persist across technical, economic and social dimensions, including rural connectivity limitations, sensor durability challenges, capital and operating costs, and farmer concerns regarding data rights, transparency and trust. Progress for cows and chickens will require rigorous validation in commercial environments, integration of mechanistic and statistical modelling, open and modular architectures and governance structures that support biological, economic and environmental accountability whilst ensuring that system intelligence is worth its material and energy cost.

Abstract:

The indiscriminate and excessive use of antimicrobial agents in livestock production constitutes a significant contributor to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), posing substantial threats to global public health. Despite this critical concern, the genetic diversity and antibiotic resistance patterns of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in regional ecosystems remain insufficiently characterized. This study investigated the prevalence of antibiotic resistance, transmission mechanisms, and molecular epidemiology of E. coli strains isolated from swine farms in Hubei Province, China, while simultaneously analyzing their clonal and genetic diversity. A total of 148 E. coli isolates were collected from porcine sources in central China, revealing distinct regional variations in genetic diversity. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis identified 38 sequence types (STs) distributed across 7 clonal complexes (CCs) and several unassigned clones. ST46 emerged as the predominant sequence type (19.6% prevalence), followed by ST23 and ST10. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated universal resistance to lincosamides and sulfonamides, with all isolates exhibiting multidrug resistance (MDR) to ≥9 antimicrobial classes. Genetic characterization detected 16 resistance determinants, with individual isolates carrying 5-7 resistance genes on average. The resistance profile included:Seven β-lactamase genes: blaTEM (61.5%), blaCTX-M-1G (57.4%), blaDHA (46.6%), blaSHV (39.2%), blaCTX-M-9G (24.3%), blaOXA (13.5%), and blaCMY-2 (1.4%). Eight aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes, polymyxin resistance gene mcr-1 (7.4%).Virulence factor screening through PCR detected nine associated genes, with EAST1, fyuA, STa, K88, STb, Irp2, and LT-1 present in 95.3% of isolates, while K99 and 987P were absent in all specimens. This investigation documents alarmingly high antimicrobial resistance rates in swine-derived E. coli populations while elucidating their genetic diversity. The findings suggest that intensive antibiotic use in porcine production systems has driven the evolution of extensively drug-resistant bacterial strains. These results emphasize the urgent need for implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs in livestock management to mitigate AMR proliferation.

Abstract:

Approximately a third (1.3 billion tons) of the food that is generated globally is lost each year, and it accounts for over 20% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. Most of this loss is by-products generated during post-harvest and food processing, which account for 30–50% of raw materials, including shells, skins, pulp, stems, and seeds. While generally wasted, such by-products contain precious bioactive molecules such as phenolic acids, bioactive peptides, carotenoids, fibers, and secondary metabolites (e.g., terpenes, polyphenols, alkaloids) and minerals, amino acids, and vitamins. This review outlines how these high value agrifood by-products can be utilized towards achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). It encompasses extraction methods, characterization, and potential uses of such active compounds in the food, pharmaceutical, packaging, and cosmetic sectors. Moreover, it examines the interaction between valuing agrifood by-products and key SDGs like eliminating hunger (SDG 2), ensuring good health and well-being (SDG 3), promoting affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), promoting economic growth and decent work (SDG 8), ensuring responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and tackling climate action (SDG 13). These approaches have high potential to improve food security and economic sustainability of the world's food systems.

Abstract:

This study investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the CAPN1 316, CAPN1 4751, and CAST 2959 markers using high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis to predict meat tenderness in crossbred beef cattle. Tenderness was assessed using the Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) test, with results expressed in grams (g), representing the force required to shear muscle fibers. Significant differences in phenotypic data were observed among the genotypic groups. The finding showed that polymorphisms at CAPN1 316, CAPN1 4751, and CAST 2959 exert interactive effects on meat quality traits. Notably, the TT genotype at CAPN1 4751 increased the adjusted WBSF (aWBSF) by approximately 792 g, indicating that TT was an unfavorable variant for tenderness. These results support the use of marker-assisted selection strategies in which the TT genotype is managed to minimize its frequency while other relevant markers are concurrently monitored, thereby enhancing genetic progress in meat tenderness across commercial cattle populations. This study demonstrated that CAPN1 4751 could serve as an effective marker for genetic selection in crossbred beef cattle and confirmed the efficiency of HRM analysis as a molecular tool for SNPs genotyping. In conclusion, the findings provided an alternative approach for SNPs detection in livestock breeding programs and represented an important step toward improving meat quality, meeting consumer expectations, and supporting the long-term sustainability of Thailand’s beef industry. The results highlighted the polygenic nature of meat tenderness and emphasized the importance of integrating multiple SNPs markers to accurately assess the genetic potential for meat quality traits in cattle.

Abstract: The Temperature-Size Rule; a widely accepted bio-ecological principle, posits that ectothermic organisms mature at a smaller body size in warmer steady state conditions. However, pelagic cnidarians such as jellyfish and siphonophores consistently present an exception to this rule. This paradox is observed with such cnidarians exhibiting neutral or even positive size responses to warming conditions in both field and laboratory studies. This not only challenges the universality of the Temperature-Size Rule but also conflicts with established endometric scaling models which prioritize body mass as the primary determinant of metabolic rate. This paper seeks to propose a new model that resolves the "jellyfish paradox" with an updated exometric framework, whereby environmental properties, specifically those integrated by the thermohaline regime, act as primary modulators of physiological changes. This perspective positions thermohaline regime density as a quasi-master dial; a physical variable that concurrently determines the effects of temperature and salinity on the degree of development of the aqueous medium. Furthermore, in rooting the framework in thermohaline regime density we are able to integrate established principles of quantum biology, wherein processes such as proton tunneling and coherent energy transfer in mitochondrial electron transport chains are not only temperature-invariant but are also exometrically sensitive to their immediate aqueous environment. We synthesize these concepts into a novel Quantum-Exometric Scaling (QES) model. This QES model predicts that the optimal body size for pelagic cnidarians is not a simple inverse function of temperature but is determined by the synergistic effects of temperature and salinity on water density, viscosity, and ionic strength, which in turn alter the quantum efficiency of core metabolic processes. We hypothesize that the sign and magnitude of the temperature-size relationship in these organisms are conditional upon thermohaline density, providing a predictive framework that reconciles their anomalous responses within a broader biophysical context.

Abstract:

Camel milk is highly favored by consumers for its high nutritional value and health benefits in preventing various diseases. However, camel farming is still mainly extensive, making it difficult to control the quality of camel milk. This experiment investigated the effects of adding sodium diacetate and kojimabase, feed additives, on the quality of camel milk from lactating Bactrian camels. The results of this experiment show that adding sodium diacetate can effectively increase the content of vitamin E and vitamin C in camel milk and can also effectively increase the content of unsaturated fatty acids in camel milk, thus effectively improving the nutritional quality of camel milk. The fecal microbial analysis results showed that there was no significant impact on the microbial community among the groups, but the addition of SDA significantly increased the number of Melanocarpus fungi. This demonstrates that adding 1000 mg of sodium diacetate per kilogram to the camel diet can effectively improve the quality of camel milk, providing a technical reference and demonstration for stabilizing camel milk quality through nutritional regulation.

Abstract: Dairy herd decisions about replacement, herd size, reproduction and capital investments have long-lasting consequences for herd structure and farm cash flow. Yet most planning tools emphasize static budgets rather than the dynamic evolution of animal numbers and cash availability. The Dairy Herd Structure Simulation and Cash Flow tool is a web-based decision support system, available through the Dairy Management Decision Support Tools website, designed to simulate these dynamics under alternative management strategies. The model operates in monthly time steps using a Markov-chain framework in which transition probabilities among animal states are driven by user-specified parameters such as culling, reproduction and heifer management. Calves, heifers and cows are tracked by age and lactation group, and starting conditions can be entered as herd-level summaries or via individual-animal spreadsheets. Economic components include milk income, variable costs, cull-cow income, heifer purchases or sales, miscellaneous costs and loan amortization. For each scenario, the tool projects monthly cash flow and income over variable cost per cow, together with graphical summaries of herd structure. An example application compares a baseline steady-state herd with a heifers-driven herd growth scenario, illustrating how replacement strategies influence herd composition and net cash flow, supporting more informed dairy herd planning and risk management.

Abstract:

Spiders are among the most ecologically diverse arachnids, yet their nutritional physiology remains poorly characterized despite their importance in both natural ecosystems and experimental settings. In captivity, whether in research facilities, zoos, or private collection feeding practices are often generalized and overlook the specific metabolic demands of spider biology. This has limited our understanding of how suboptimal nutrition influences growth, reproduction, and overall health. Recent advances in arachnid physiology and lipid metabolism highlight the need to reassess current husbandry standards. Arachidonic acid (ARA), an omega-6 fatty acid and precursor to eicosanoid signaling molecules, appears to play key roles in reproduction, molting, immune function, and neural regulation. While these pathways are well described in vertebrates, their mechanisms in spiders remain insufficiently defined, underscoring a critical gap in arachnid nutritional research. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the metabolic roles, dietary sources, and physiological significance of ARA within the broader framework of spider nutrition. Essential lipids such as ARA support reproductive success, cuticular integrity, and overall metabolic resilience, whereas deficiencies may contribute to stress, impaired development, and reduced fecundity—conditions commonly seen in captive populations. To address these challenges, the article proposes integrating lipidomic profiling into nutritional assessment and husbandry planning. Such an approach can guide the development of species-appropriate diets that better reflect natural metabolic needs. By incorporating lipid-focused analyses into captive management, this framework aims to improve spider welfare, enhance research reliability, and promote more refined, evidence-based feeding strategies for diverse arachnid species.

Abstract:

Abstract: Regular health screenings has not yet been widely recognized among pet owners. Thus, we aimed to establish clinical health diagnostic criteria for cats and develop objective, easy-to-use methods for calculating the obesity index and assessing body composition. This review focuses on body composition measurement techniques and introduces evaluation methods for animals. The Body and Muscle Condition Score were used to assess nutritional status. Although easy to measure, these techniques are subjective and dependent on the operator’s skills. Although objective methods for assessing obe-sity and body fat percentage, such as several body mass index and bioelectrical im-pedance analysis, have been established, they have not been widely adopted owing to complexity. The gold standard for body composition evaluation includes several tech-niques; however, their invasiveness and cost make them challenging to use in clinical settings. Consequently, we established a method for assessing body fat percentage and muscle mass using feline body mass index (fBMI) based on skeletal zoometry meas-urements, subcutaneous fat and specific muscle thickness measured by ultrasonogra-phy was established. These techniques are objective obesity evaluation methods that can be easily and stably used in clinical veterinary practice.

Abstract:

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) remains one of the most consequential health and economic challenges in U.S. beef production, particularly within integrated systems where microbial, environmental, and management factors intersect. This review synthesizes contemporary epidemiological insights, emphasizing BRD’s multifactorial pathogenesis driven by dynamic host-pathogen-environment interactions involving agents such as Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Mycoplasma bovis, alongside stressors from transportation, weaning, and commingling. BRD imposes annual losses exceeding two billion dollars through diminished feed efficiency, reduced carcass yield, increased treatment costs, and mortality. Despite progress in vaccination, biosecurity, and therapeutic interventions, BRD persists due to diagnostic subjectivity and limitations of traditional control measures. The review underscores emerging innovations, including precision livestock technologies, AI-enabled surveillance, and metabolomic biomarkers as transformative tools for early detection and targeted mitigation, while noting barriers related to cost, data harmonization, and scalability. The rising threat of antimicrobial resistance further highlights the need for stewardship frameworks that balance therapeutic effectiveness and public health priorities. Additionally, the paper analyzes policy and economic considerations, arguing for coordinated efforts among producers, veterinarians, researchers, and regulators. BRD is reframed as a systems-level challenge requiring integrated scientific, operational, and regulatory strategies to enhance resilience and sustainability across U.S. beef production.

Abstract: This study evaluated the use of cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) to mitigate cryo-damage, aiming to enhance sperm cryo-survivability and reduce cryo-capacitation. Different CLC levels were tested, and post-thaw motility was higher (p < 0.05) at 1.5-2 mg/mL CLC added to extended semen containing 120 million sperm/mL. Subsequent investigations compared untreated and 2 mg/mL CLC-treated bovine sperm (n=5) and assessed membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial potential, and capacitation status using flow cytometry. Moreover, this study is the first to quantify the post-thaw binding ability of CLC-treated bovine sperm and evaluate their capacitation window using an IVF approach. CLC-treated sperm showed no differences in flow cytometric results. CLC treatment significantly (p < 0.0001) increased the number of viable bound sperm cells to oviduct cells (1.65 × 10⁶ µm²) from 118 ± 15 to 267 ± 15 after three hours, and from 70 ± 15 to 127 ± 15 after seven hours (p < 0.05) of coincubation. When equal numbers of motile sperm were incubated with oocytes, CLC-treated sperm showed penetration and pronuclei formation rates comparable to the control, indicating a similar capacitation window. In conclusion, CLC addition significantly improved post-thaw sperm motility and binding ability, while maintaining sperm capacitation and fertilizing ability.

Abstract: Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) represents one of the largest causes of economic loss and animal morbidity in the global cattle industry, second only to neonatal diarrhea. Its etiology is complex, originating from a multifactorial combination of host susceptibility, environmental stressors, viral infections, and secondary bacterial pathogens. Although viruses are often the initial cause of disease, suppressing the host's respiratory defense mechanisms, most of the severe pneumonic damage and clinical signs can be attributed to bacterial infections. This review provides an overview of the primary bacterial agents identified within the BRD complex, including Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma bovis. We discuss their role as commensals that then become opportunistic pathogens, and further how they interact in a synergistic relationship with a primary viral insult, leading to the resulting pathogenesis and the development of pneumonia. This manuscript discusses in further detail some of the challenges in BRD management, such as the limitations of current diagnostic methodologies, overreliance on antimicrobial therapy, and the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance. Lastly, the need for integrated approaches in management, better husbandry and biosecurity, coupled with the development of novel therapeutic alternatives, is underlined as a means of assuring a sustainable control of this serious syndrome.

Abstract:

Background/Objectives: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli resistant to third-generation cephalosporins are a growing One Health concern, but data on extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) from wildlife in North Africa remain scarce. We aimed to characterize ESBL/AmpC-producing ExPEC from captive wild mammals in Tunisia and to situate these isolates in a global genomic context. Methods: In 2018, 30 fecal samples from 14 captive wild mammals in a private farm were screened on cefotaxime agar. Four resistant E. coli were recovered from a llama, lion, hyena and tiger. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and Illumina whole-genome sequencing were combined with in silico typing, resistome and virulome profiling, plasmid and mobile element analysis, human pathogenicity prediction and core-genome MLST-based minimum-spanning trees. Results: All isolates were MDR but remained susceptible to carbapenems, colistin and tigecycline. Two ST162/B1 isolates from the llama and tiger carried bla_CMY-2, whereas two ST69/D isolates from the lion and hyena harbored bla_CTX-M-15 and qnrS1. Genomes encoded 61–68 antimicrobial resistance genes and 114–131 virulence-associated genes, together with IncF-, IncI1- and IncY-type plasmids and IS26-rich insertion sequence profiles. PathogenFinder predicted a ≥0.93 probability of human pathogenicity for all isolates. cgMLST-based trees showed that Tunisian ST69 and ST162 clustered within internationally disseminated lineages containing human, animal and food isolates, rather than forming wildlife-restricted branches. Conclusions: Captive wild mammals in Tunisia can harbor high-risk ExPEC lineages combining ESBL/AmpC production, multidrug resistance and extensive virulence and mobility gene repertoires. These findings highlight captive wildlife as potential reservoirs and sentinels of clinically relevant E. coli and underscore the need for integrated WGS-based One Health surveillance at the human–animal–environment interface in North Africa.

Abstract: The combination of intensive poultry production and certain environmental factors in poultry houses can sometimes lead to poor indoor air quality and pollutant emissions. Gases present in the indoor air of poultry houses, such as ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide (CO2) but also dust, are of particular importance given their adverse effects on production performance and poultry health.The gases originate from biodegradation of fecal matter accumulated under anaerobic conditions inside poultry houses. Regular assessment of indoor air quality allows for planning waste disposal and thus ensures clean air for poultry and workers.In today context, all operations carried out to optimize environment in poultry farms are of capital importance to guarantee the welfare and poultry health.

Abstract: Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are often extrapolated from horses to don-keys, despite poorer fertility outcomes in jennies, highlighting the need to identify spe-cies-specific traits to optimize ARTs in donkeys. This study compared, through histo-morphometry, the endometrium of jennies and mares. Endometrial biopsies were taken from reproductively sound jennies (n = 6) and mares (n = 6) in estrus. Histomorpho-metric analysis evaluated luminal (LE, µm) and glandular epithelium height (GE, µm), glandular lumen diameter (LD, µm), glandular area (GA, µm²), number of glands (#G), and glandular tissue percentage (GT, %), measured in the stratum compactum (SC) and spongiosum (SS). Results were statistically compared between species (jennies vs. mares), parity status (maiden vs. foaling), and stratum (SC vs. SS). Jennies exhibited higher (P < 0.05) values than mares for LE, LD-SC, GA-SC, and GT-SC. Greater glan-dular size and density in mares have been linked to susceptibility to endometritis, in-trauterine fluid accumulation, aging, and poorer reproductive outcomes in mares. These findings suggest that the histomorphometric features observed in reproductively sound jennies reflect anatomical differences that might contribute to a distinctive en-dometrial inflammatory response compared to mares. In conclusion, histomorphome-try revealed significant endometrial differences between mares and jennies, the latter displaying larger luminal epithelium, greater glandular size, and density than mares.

Abstract:

Sphingomonas spp. are ubiquitously distributed free-living microorganisms in the natural environment. One of the representatives of the family called Sphingomonas paucimobilis is known as an opportunistic pathogen in humans responsible for bone and soft tissue infections. In January 2024, signs of drooling, tongue rolling and local oedema in the pharyngeal region were observed in a male beef-dairy cross. Clinical examination revealed several ulcerative lesions on the tongue. The bull was not treated with antibiotics due to the impending slaughter of the entire lot of cattle. During the slaughter of 14 dairy-beef bulls, it was found that 13 of them had necrotic ulcerative lesions on the dorsal surface of the tongue. Bacteriological studies conducted on tongue samples from two of the bulls successfully isolated and identified a strain of Sphingomonas paucimobilis. Increasing reports of this organism highlight its potential as a pathogen in animals, with possible health and economic implications for livestock production. In addition, Sphingomonas spp. have been reported to have reduced susceptibility to several classes of antimicrobial agents, and some species exhibit inherent resistance to agents such as colistin/polymyxins. Although the clinical significance of resistance in veterinary isolates remains poorly understood, the combination of ubiquity in the environment, opportunistic pathogenicity, and variable antimicrobial susceptibility underscores the need for continued surveillance and careful interpretation of susceptibility results. Addressing these concerns is crucial for protecting both human and animal health.

Abstract: In vitro fertilization (IVF) has long been a cornerstone of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in animals, widely used in livestock breeding, endangered species conservation, and biomedical research. Traditional IVF techniques, while effective, often rely on trial-and-error protocols and are influenced by various biological and environmental factors. Recent innovations in biotechnology are revolutionizing this field. The integration of CRISPR-based genome editing, artificial intelligence (AI), and multi-omics technologies is propelling animal IVF into a new era of precision, efficiency, and predictability. In this review, the potential and recent researches of IVF in animals advancing with CRISPR, AI and omics were discussed before including future directions of this valuable field.

Abstract: Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common acquired cardiac disease in dogs and a leading cause of congestive heart failure. Over the past three decades, clinical trials and translational studies have generated a substantial evidence base supporting specific medical therapies, particularly drugs that modulate hemodynamics or target the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS). At the same time, gaps remain in our knowledge, and areas of clinical practice are guided more by expert consensus or extrapolation from human medicine than by robust veterinary data. This review summarizes current evidence for pharmacologic interventions in MMVD, including established therapies such as ACE inhibitors, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, diuretics, and inodilators, as well as emerging drug classes such as angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitors and SGLT-2 inhibitors. For each, we highlight the existing data, discuss limitations of prior studies, and note areas where additional research is needed to guide optimal clinical use.

Abstract:

Emerging antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in companion animals represents a global health concern as they serve as potential reservoirs for multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, which can be transmitted to humans. Herein, we provide comprehensive surveillance data on resistance patterns in veterinary hospital settings, focusing on urinary tract infection. A total of 23 bacterial strains were isolated from urine specimens of hospitalized companion animals suspected of UTI between 2022 and 2024. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that Escherichia coli (47.8%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.7%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.7%) were predominant uropathogens. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration tests were employed to analyze AMR patterns across different classes of antibiotics. Moreover, antimicrobial susceptibility test exhibited 73.91% MDR according to the standard definition given by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M100 guidelines. Most Gram-negative bacteria have been shown to be resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, especially carbapenems. Notably, an E. coli strain was confirmed to possess the bla_NDM-1 gene encoding the carbapenemase New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase. These findings support the implementation of targeted infection control measures and evidence-based treatment protocols to preserve antimicrobial efficacy in companion animal medicine to minimize potential public health risks through the One Health approach.