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AbstractCortisol is the primary biomarker associated with the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. This research aimed at assessing the predictive potential and the relationship of cortisol concentrations in four media (blood, milk, whey and hair) with parity, lactation stage and productive classes. Multiparous (n = 30) and primiparous (n = 38) Italian Mediterranean buffaloes were used and assigned to four productive classes (based on percentiles of mature equivalent milk yield (EMY) and mature equivalent energy corrected milk (eECM)), and cortisol concentrations were measured using a in house radioimmunoassay (RIA) method. Parity did not show a significant effect on cortisol concentrations of the four media. The catabolic stage of lactation (up to 90 d in milk (DIM)) was characterised by higher cortisol concentrations compared to the second anabolic stage (beyond 150 DIM) in milk formulations. The plasmatic concentrations of cortisol were higher at the catabolic and the first anabolic stage (91–150 DIM) compared to the second anabolic (p = 0.022 and p = 0.009, respectively). Buffaloes beyond 150 DIM differed from those below 90 DIM (p < 0.001) and between 91 and 150 DIM (p < 0.05) in hair. Finally, hair cortisol concentrations were negatively correlated to EMY, mature equivalent protein content (EPC) (p < 0.01) and eECM (p < 0.05). The whey showed a potential to predict the concentrations of cortisol in whole extracted milk (R2 = 0.31). Hence the development of a real-time automated cortisol measurement in milk could be a valuable tool in Italian Mediterranean Buffalo farming.

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to determine the effect of including green forage in the diet of Italian Mediterranean dairy buffaloes on the ruminal microbiota, CAZymes profile, functional biomolecules and total antioxidant activity in bulk milk. Sixteen buffaloes were randomly assigned according to lactation number and daily milk production to two homogeneous groups, and for 60 days received each: Group 1, a standard total mixed ration (TMR) or group 2, TMR + ryegrass green forage (30% of diet). The diets of the two groups were iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic and differed only in the proportion of green forage. Buffaloes that received TMR + green feed had a higher (p < .01) representation of bacteria belonging to the orders Veillonellales, Selenomonadalesand Bradymonadalescompared with buffaloes that received TMR. The former buffaloes also had a greater (p < .01) abundance of CAZymes of the GT class (GHT4, GT14, GT20, GT26, GT39) and AA class (AA1, AA3, AA6). The milk of buffaloes that received TMR + green feed had a higher (p < .01) antioxidant capacity and greater (p < .01) amounts of the functional biomolecules l-carnitine, propionyl-l-carnitine, acetyl-l-carnitine and δ-valerobetaine. The findings have provided evidence for metabolic and biosynthetic pathways that link green forage with rumen bacteria, CAZymes and the synthesis of amino acids and functional biomolecule in buffaloes.

AbstractThe aim of this work was to study the effects of red orange and lemon extract (RLE) inclusion on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and sensory profile of lamb meat aged seven days. A total of 44 Merino lambs were randomly divided into two experimental groups: one that received the RLE (n = 22) and the control group (CON; n = 22). The RLE extract was orally and individually administered (90 mg/kg of live weight) to each lamb every day from colostrum assumption until slaughter (40 ± 1 days). Longissimus lumborummuscle was sampled and dry aged at 4 °C for seven days. The VOC and sensorial analyses were carried out at 1, 3 and 7 days. A total of 65 VOCs were detected. Aldehyde family was the most abundant, followed by ketones and alcohols in both groups. Extending ageing period, content of aldehydes and thiols increased only in control group (p < 0.01), but no differences were observed 24 h after slaughtering (p > 0.05). Regardless of dietary treatment, sensory evaluation, tenderness and juiciness showed a similar trend in both groups. Along ageing days, a significant improvement in these patterns was observed (p < 0.05). Our results showed that RLE inclusion did not have effects on both volatile compounds and sensory profile after slaughtering; ageing improves some sensory characteristics of lamb meat and the inclusion of RLE also seems to have a positive effect on the production of VOCs and on sensory properties such as meaty odour and overall liking.

AbstractBuffalo is a rustic animal; it can adapt and survive in various environments with different topography, climate and vegetation, and has a greater longevity than cattle. The high resistance to parasites, as well as the ability to improve the efficiency of feed consumption in case of forage shortage, means that even in marshy territories, where any other type of livestock or agricultural activity is impossible, buffalo farming can develop an economy. This review aims to present the key research topics, the evolution and geographic distribution of literature on buffalo welfare, and to underscore potentiality and existing knowledge gaps. A comprehensive search on the Scopus bibliometric database was carried out using various welfare-related keywords such as: ‘buffalo welfare’, ‘buffalo calf welfare’ and ‘buffalo heifers’ welfare’. The research identified 308 papers published in English from January 1992 to December 2023 that, after filtering, became 148 eligible records. Descriptive statistics revealed a significant exponential increase in studies on buffalo welfare since 2020, particularly in Italy, followed by Brazil. Text mining and topic analysis revealed that the most frequently mentioned terms were ‘milk’, ‘water’, ‘behaviour’, ‘farm’ and ‘stun’, confirming the role and the importance of this species in dairy production. Nine identified topics span diverse subject areas such as ‘slaughter process’, ‘dairy production’, ‘general welfare’, ‘housing system’, ‘heat stress’, ‘reproduction performance’, ‘health status’ ‘breeding management’, and ‘stress evaluation’. Although academia shows an increasing interest in buffalo behaviour and welfare, continued research is necessary to fully comprehend how to ensure the welfare of this important species.