Featured Articles

  • Jan
    17
    Interpretive Summary: Effect of litter management systems on incidence and severity of footpad dermatitis among broilers at finisher stage


    Pododermatitis (FPD) is the inflammation of the paw of chickens affecting some performance characteristics of chickens negatively. To assess the impact of different litter management systems on the incidence and severity of pododermatitis on broiler finishers raised in a humid tropical environment, an experiment was conducted using 180 male broilers divided among 3 groups.

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  • Jan
    17
    Interpretive Summary: Copper metabolism and its implications for canine nutrition


    Copper nutriture of the dog has recently received increased attention in the USA and European Union due to reports of apparent copper-associated hepatitis (CAH). Recent trends in canine nutrition have led to new questions regarding proper dietary copper concentrations in canine diets.

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  • Jan
    17
    Interpretive Summary: Effects of monensin and cashew nut-shell extract on bacterial community composition in a dual-flow continuous culture system


    Methane emissions from ruminants constitute an important environmental concern to society and hold particular relevance within the dairy industry. Antibiotics such as monensin and secondary plant metabolites such as cashew nut-shell extract (CNSE) are used to manipulate the ruminal microbiome to improve energy efficiency and to reduce methane emissions from ruminants.

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  • Jan
    17
    Steve and Patty Armbruster's Story


    Having grown up on a wheat and beef cattle operation near Burlington, Oklahoma, animal agriculture has always held a special place in my heart. With a passion for making a positive impact on the world, for animals and humans, my career was shaped by diverse experiences. Throughout my career, I have experienced the inestimable benefits of ASAS membership, and I want to ensure that others have the same privileges and opportunities.

    Supporting ASAS in perpetuity was a natural and important decision for Patty and me, as it has been an integral part of my life since graduate school. However, when I was asked to share the "story" of why we included ASAS in our estate plan, I found it difficult to express my thoughts meaningfully in writing. In my search for the right words, I returned to the ASAS website, where I had previously reflected on the evolution, mission, and vision of our organization. I was also able to read about the countless members whose lives have been transformed because of charitable contributions to the Foundation.

    If you are seeking to articulate your passion for ASAS and leave a lasting impact, perhaps this exercise will help you as it did me. It is with great pride that we are ASAS Foundation 1908 Society members. Together, we can share the journey and shape the future.

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  • Jan
    11
    Interpretive Summary: Amino acid standardized ileal digestibility together with concentrations of digestible and metabolizable energy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and soybean meal for gestating sows


    Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (SCY) is commonly used as an additive in feed (<1% of the formulation), but there is a limited amount of available information about its function as a promising source of proteins for pig diets, and especially, the nutritive value of yeast protein for gestating sows remains to be clarified.

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  • Jan
    11
    Interpretive Summary: Unveiling the influence of adaptation time on xylanase and arabinoxylan-oligosaccharide efficacy


    This study investigated the effects of xylanase and arabinoxylan-oligosaccharide supplementation on viscosity, nutrient and energy digestibility in growing pigs fed a high-fiber diet mainly composed of corn over three time periods. Twenty pigs were surgically fitted with cannula in their jejunum and ileum for sample collection.

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  • Jan
    11
    Interpretive Summary: Minimum methionine requirement in adult cats as determined by indicator amino acid oxidation


    The objective of this study was to determine the minimum Met requirement, when Cys was provided in excess, of adult cats using a highly sensitive and noninvasive technique, the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO). Six adult cats were fed experimental diets with varying levels of methionine for 2 d prior to each IAAO study day.

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  • Jan
    11
    Interpretive Summary: Effects of dietary supplementation of different levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid on reproductive performance, glucose intolerance, and placental development of gilts


    Glucose homeostasis and placental development are two key factors influencing reproductive performance of sows. Some studies have reported that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can improve glucose intolerance and cerebral angiogenesis in mice.

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  • Jan
    11
    Interpretive Summary: Preweaning piglet survival on commercial farms


    Sow prolificacy and preweaning piglet mortality have increased parallelly on commercial farms. This loss of piglets is a concern of efficiency and animal welfare, and it requires the improvement of piglet survival by reducing the number of stillborn piglets and piglet mortality during lactation, paying particular attention to hyperprolific sows (≥15 total piglets born per litter).

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  • Jan
    11
    Interpretive Summary: Ageratina adenophora damages the rumen epithelium via inducing the expression of inflammatory factors in goats


    The article aims to investigate the toxic effects of Ageratina adenophora, an invasive plant on the integrity of the rumen epithelium by measuring the changes in the expression of inflammatory factors and tight junction proteins after the consumption of A. adenophora in goats.

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  • Jan
    05
    Deana Hancock's Animal Science "Family Tree" Story


    ASAS has been a constant presence in my family's life, opening doors and providing opportunities for three generations. It all began with my father-in-law, Gerald Hancock, as an undergraduate student at MU, where he had the privilege of taking Dr. Preston's classes. Then, I pursued my Ph.D. at Texas Tech, also studying under Dr. Preston. And now, the legacy continues with my daughter, Sydney Schnur, who recently graduated with a degree in animal science from Purdue and completed her Ph.D. in Veterinary ImmunoPathobiology at Kansas State under the guidance of a former student of Dr. Preston, Dan Thomson, Ph.D./DVM.



    ASAS has been more than just an organization to us. It has been a second family, a source of support, and a catalyst for our growth and success. I am grateful for the doors it has opened for my family and for the countless opportunities it continues to provide.

    Deana Hancock, Ph.D. | Director, Global Applied Research and Technology | Novus International

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  • Jan
    03
    Interpretive Summary: Designing an early selection morphological traits index for reproductive efficiency in Pura Raza Española mares


    Historically in livestock production, employing combinations of traits as selection criteria for indirect selection of related traits has been a challenging task, particularly when this implies selection for reproductive traits based on the animal morphology. However, if the decision about animal selection is based on morphological traits that are quick and easy to obtain, in addition to early reproductive traits, selection responses can be improved and made earlier.

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  • Jan
    03
    Interpretive Summary: Long-stranded non-coding RNAs temporal-specific expression profiles reveal longissimus dorsi muscle development and intramuscular fat deposition in Tianzhu white yak


    In-depth analysis of the molecular regulatory mechanisms involved in the development of yak skeletal muscle can aid in the identification of crucial functional genes that may enhance the quality of yak meat in the future. Our research is the first to investigate the expression of long-stranded non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) during muscle development and intramuscular fat deposition in Tianzhu white yaks at different ages (6, 30, and 54 mo).

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  • Jan
    03
    Interpretive Summary: Effects of the central melanocortin system on feed intake, metabolic hormones and insulin action in the sheep


    Highly productive ruminants face short-term nutritional deficits during demanding phases of their life cycle. They remain productive and healthy during these periods through a series of metabolic adaptations. Current models in ruminant biology attribute the coordination of these adaptations to circulating hormones and bioactive metabolites but have not considered the possibility that the central nervous system (CNS) is also involved.

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  • Jan
    03
    Interpretive Summary: Effect of the supplementation with a combination of plant extracts on sow and piglet performance and physiology during lactation and around weaning


    Weaning is a critical period for piglets. Some plant extracts, known to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or antibacterial properties, may improve piglets’ robustness at weaning. This study investigated the effects of a maternal and/or a direct supplementation of piglets with a combination of plant extracts on sow and piglet metabolic, immune, inflammatory, and oxidative status during lactation and around weaning.

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  • Jan
    03
    Interpretive Summary: Variability of sialic acids in meat from alternative species to beef and pork


    High consumption of red meat is associated with increased risk of human cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, meat is also considered important for human diet by providing intake of essential compounds.

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  • Dec
    28
    Interpretive Summary: Evaluation of multienzyme supplementation and fiber levels on nutrient and energy digestibility of diets fed to gestating sows and growing pigs


    Fiber-degrading enzymes have been extensively studied in growing pigs with minimal studies focusing on gestating sows; however, commercial gestating sow diets often contain more fiber than grower pig diets to stimulate the sensation of satiety without influencing weight gain. A challenge with dietary fiber is its hindrance on digestibility of nutrients.

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  • Dec
    28
    Interpretive Summary: Dietary glycine supplementation improves the growth performance of 110- to 240-g (phase II) hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis ♀× Morone chrysops ♂) fed soybean meal-based diets


    Glycine is the simplest but the most abundant amino acid in the bodies of animals including fish and pigs. The content of glycine in plant-sourced feedstuffs (e.g., soybean meal) is generally low. Glycine can be synthesized de novo in all animals and, therefore, has traditionally been classified as a nutritionally nonessential amino acid for fish and mammals.

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  • Dec
    28
    Interpretive Summary: Influence of fiber type and carbohydrase supplementation on nutrient digestibility, energy and nitrogen balance, and physiology of sows at mid and late gestation


    This study evaluated the effects and mechanisms of supplementing multicarbohydrases to gestating sow diets containing either corn-dried distiller grains or sugar beet pulp fibrous co-products. Findings revealed significant energy, dry matter, and fiber digestibility enhancements with carbohydrase supplementation, irrespective of adaptation time.

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  • Dec
    28
    Interpretive Summary: Associations of automated body condition scores at dry-off and through early lactation with milk yield of Holstein cows


    The objective of this study was to analyze the associations of body condition score (BCS) and BCS change (∆BCS) during the dry period and the first 100 d of lactation with daily milk yield. The involvement of health status in these associations was also evaluated.

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