DSpace Collection:http://hdl.handle.net/10174/10112024-03-28T12:46:56Z2024-03-28T12:46:56ZEffect of Immunocastration on Culled Sows—A Preliminary Study on Reproductive Tract, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality.Botelho-Fontela, SPaixão, GPereira-Pinto, RVaz-Velho, MPires, MAPayan-Carreira, RPatarata, LLorenzo, JSilva, AEsteves, Ahttp://hdl.handle.net/10174/360052024-01-11T13:05:43Z2023-10-01T23:00:00ZTitle: Effect of Immunocastration on Culled Sows—A Preliminary Study on Reproductive Tract, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality.
Authors: Botelho-Fontela, S; Paixão, G; Pereira-Pinto, R; Vaz-Velho, M; Pires, MA; Payan-Carreira, R; Patarata, L; Lorenzo, J; Silva, A; Esteves, A
Abstract: The Bísaro pig is a Portuguese autochthonous breed greatly appreciated for its meat quality and is mainly reared outdoors. Immunocastration could be a solution to avoid undesirable pregnancies and boar taint in cull sows. The present study tested three immunocastration protocols (with Improvac®) according to their reproductive cycle. The first inoculation was performed two weeks after farrowing (IM1, n = 5), at the beginning of estrus (IM2, n = 5), and one week after the end of estrus (IM3, n = 5), followed by a second administration four weeks apart. A control group (C,n = 5) was also included in the same housing conditions. The sample collection included the reproductive tract for morphometric evaluation, neck fat for the quantification of boar taint compounds, and a portion of the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum for meat quality trait assessment. The reproductive tracts from intact sows (C) were significantly heavier compared to the immunocastrated groups (p < 0.05) (1.403 kg C to 0.508 kg IM1, 0.590 kg IM2, and 0.599 kg IM3), suggesting the regression of the reproductive tract to nonstimulated conditions due to immunization against GnRH. The IM1 group exhibited significantly smaller reproductive tract measurements compared to group C for most of the evaluated segments (p < 0.05). No marked differences were observed in the meat quality traits. Therefore, immunocastration can be used in culling sows to avoid ovarian activity, and it is not detrimental to pork quality traits.2023-10-01T23:00:00ZGene-Based Therapy: A New Approach to Feline Induced Sterilization?Payan Carreira, Ritahttp://hdl.handle.net/10174/359962024-01-11T13:03:57Z2023-12-04T00:00:00ZTitle: Gene-Based Therapy: A New Approach to Feline Induced Sterilization?
Authors: Payan Carreira, Rita
Abstract: Feline population control remains a concern as to whether it is intended for the short or long-term. Induced sterilization of felids is critical in the case of feral, free-roaming cats, or the management of wild populations in Zoos or sanctuaries. This narrative review explores the shifting paradigm in induced sterilization methods, driven by the development of gene editing approaches recently applied to control felid reproductive activity. Although gene therapy approaches have gained attention as alternatives to more traditional methods, their clinical applications remain in the realm of thought. The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and most recent advances in gene-based contraception options, consolidate current research and evidence, and share some considerations on its potential effectiveness, advantages or limitations, and implications for animal welfare and population control strategies. Gene-based contraception therapy tested in felines, targeting the AMH pathway, was unable to suppress the estrous cycle and follicular development. However, at an experimental level, preliminary results hint at the need to change towards different molecular targets. Moreover, their side effects remain largely unknown,and several questions remain unanswered, such as the regularity of treatment applications or cost.2023-12-04T00:00:00ZThe effects of different immunocastration protocols on meat quality traits and boar taint compounds in male Bísaro pigsBotelho-Fontela, SPaixão, GPereira-Pinto, RVaz-Velho, VPires, MAPayan-Carreira, RPatarata, LLorenzo, JMSilva, AEsteves, Ahttp://hdl.handle.net/10174/359942024-01-11T13:03:24Z2023-09-30T23:00:00ZTitle: The effects of different immunocastration protocols on meat quality traits and boar taint compounds in male Bísaro pigs
Authors: Botelho-Fontela, S; Paixão, G; Pereira-Pinto, R; Vaz-Velho, V; Pires, MA; Payan-Carreira, R; Patarata, L; Lorenzo, JM; Silva, A; Esteves, A
Abstract: Immunocastration can be an alternative to surgical castration in Bísaro pigs when there is a need to keep animals on the farm until at least 8 months old. As an autochthonous breed, some particularities must be addressed when doing immunocastration, for which 3 different protocols were tested and two control groups were made with surgically castrated males (SC) and boars (Bo). Two protocols were made in prepubertal pigs, with two (E2) and three inoculations (L3) in the first cycle, and another in adults (A2) with only two inoculations. Physicochemical parameters and boar taint compounds quantification and sensory analysis of the meat from the studied pigs were assessed. Immunocastration provided intermediate values between surgically castrated pigs and entire males, with low levels of boar taint compounds. The L3 group provided closer results to SC, which was also corroborated by the sensory analysis. Although the other two protocols had no significant differences with Bo, there was a positive tendency towards them. As is, the L3 protocol was promising as a good alternative to surgical castration, maintaining the characteristic attributes of the Bísaro pig meat.2023-09-30T23:00:00ZMaternal dietary exposure to mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 promotes intestinal immune alterations and microbiota modifications increasing infection susceptibility in mouse offspringBastos Amador, PatriciaDuarte, Elsa LeclercCaldeira, Ana TeresaSalvador, CatiaAssunção, RicardoAlvito, PaulaFerreira, ManuelaSilva, InesTorres, Juliohttp://hdl.handle.net/10174/349512023-05-04T09:46:48Z2023-03-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Maternal dietary exposure to mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 promotes intestinal immune alterations and microbiota modifications increasing infection susceptibility in mouse offspring
Authors: Bastos Amador, Patricia; Duarte, Elsa Leclerc; Caldeira, Ana Teresa; Salvador, Catia; Assunção, Ricardo; Alvito, Paula; Ferreira, Manuela; Silva, Ines; Torres, Julio
Abstract: Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi occurring in food that are toxic to animals and humans. Early-life mycotoxins exposure has been linked to diverse pathologies. However, how maternal exposure to mycotoxins impacts on the intestinal barrier function of progeny has not been explored. Here, exposure of pregnant and lactating C57Bl/6J female mice to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1; 400 μg/kg body weight/day; 3 times a week) in gelatine pellets, from embryonic day (E)11.5 until weaning (postnatal day 21), led to gut immunological changes in progeny. The results showed an overall increase of lymphocyte number in intestine, a reduction of expression of epithelial genes related to microbial defence, as well as a decrease in cytokine production by intestinal type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2). While susceptibility to chemically induced colitis was not worsened, immune alterations were associated with changes in gut microbiota and with a higher vulnerability to infection by the protozoan Eimeria vermiformis at early-life. Together these results show that maternal dietary exposure to AFB1 can dampen intestinal barrier homeostasis in offspring decreasing their capability to tackle intestinal pathogens. These data provide insights to understand AFB1 potential harmfulness in early-life health in the context of intestinal infections.2023-03-01T00:00:00Z