Articles publicats (Ciència Animal)

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    Open Access
    The contribution of whole-genome sequence data to genome-wide association studies in livestock: outcomes and perspectives
    (Elsevier, 2024) Ros Freixedes, Roger
    Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in livestock are a powerful method for pursuing deeper insights into the biological mechanisms that control complex traits, often with sights set on the improvement of productive efficiency. There has been a wide uptake of whole-genome sequence (WGS) data for GWAS across the main livestock species. In this review, we aim to provide a critical survey of the contribution of WGS-based GWAS in livestock, by spotlighting the outcomes of some of the most representative efforts. First, we review the empirical results on the efficacy of WGS data for GWAS compared to marker arrays, and what strategies are currently being applied to increase the detection power of WGS-based GWAS. Then, we review the contribution of WGS-based GWAS to our understanding of the genetic architecture of complex traits, and how data structure but also our own practices hinder the fine-mapping of causal variants. We also provide a perspective on our own biases in identifying candidate genes and variants, the practical relevance of GWAS results, and data sharing. There is a need to apply better GWAS practices as the availability of WGS data continues to grow in the future.
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    Open Access
    Characterization of biosecurity practices among cattle transport drivers in Spain
    (Elsevier, 2024) Duarte, Fernando; Allepuz, Alberto; Casal, Jordi; Armengol Gelonch, Ramon; Mateu, Enric; Castellà, Joaquim; Heras, Javier; Ciaravino, Giovanna
    Transmission of pathogens between farms via animal transport vehicles is a potential concern; however, the available information on driver routines and biosecurity measures implemented during transport is limited. Given the above, the aim of this study was to describe and characterize the prevailing practices and biosecurity measures adopted by cattle transport drivers in Spain. Eighty-two drivers were surveyed via face-to-face or remotely. The survey included questions on general characteristics of the drivers (type of journeys and vehicles) together with biosecurity practices implemented during cattle transport and vehicle hygiene practices. Results showed that several risky practices are performed quite frequently such as visiting different premises with different levels of risk (e.g., breeder and fattening farms); entering the farm premises to load/unload animals, passing by several farms to load and unload animals, or not always cleaning and disinfecting the vehicle between travels, among others. To explore similarities among the drivers and identify groups sharing specific practices, hierarchical clustering on principal components (HCPC) was computed on the results of multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). The first three MCA dimensions (out of 13) were retained in the agglomerative clustering and four different clusters were identified. Clusters 1 and Cluster 4 accounted for 39.5% and 29.6% of respondents, respectively. The clusters were mainly differentiated by practices in the loading/unloading of cattle, such as the frequency of contact with animals remaining on the farm, and the frequency of the vehicle's disinfection between farms. Cluster 2 and Cluster 3 were of similar size, about 15% of respondents each. Cluster 2 consisted of drivers who mainly made journeys to slaughterhouse, while drivers in Cluster 3 were characterised by the use of working clothes and boots. Based on these findings, it is advisable to increase awareness on the role that animal transport can have in the spread of pathogens between cattle farms and the importance of biosecurity in preventing such transmission. There is also a need to support animal transport professionals in such task, not only through the development of initiatives to increase awareness, but also through the investment in improving cleaning and disinfection facilities and to consider the economic cost associated with some practices to not compromise the economic viability of the sector.
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    Open Access
    A Preliminary Evaluation of Sex and Dietary Field Pea Effects on Sensory Characteristics of Dry-Cured Loins
    (MDPI, 2024-02-27) Argemí i Armengol, Immaculada; Álvarez Rodríguez, Javier; Tor i Naudí, Marc; Salada, Laura; Leite, Ana; Vasconcelos, Lia; Teixeira, A.; Rodrigues, Sandra Sofia Quinteiro
    Two of the main issues related to cured meat products are castration to avoid boar taint and the hefty reliance on soybean meal to feed pigs. However, data on the effects of immunocastration in pigs and alternative crop protein feeds on the sensory traits and consumers' acceptance of drycured loin are still limited. A preliminary study was conducted on the effect of sex type (surgical castrated male pigs and immunocastrated male and female pigs, at approximately 140 kg in weight and 7 months of age) and animal diet (pea vs. soya) on dry-cured loins. The study involved a sensory evaluation of six treatments, with a 3 × 2 factorial design, conducted by trained panellists and untrained consumers in Spain (n = 126) and Portugal (n = 80). The consumers were also checked for their skatole sensitivity using a pure substance. The results showed that the pea-based diet was significantly different (p < 0.001) from the soy-based diet, as determined by a trained panel of surgically castrated male pigs, although the immunocastration treatments were not split. Dry-cured loin from immunocastrated male pigs fed with peas was considered tenderer and juicier (p < 0.05) than those fed soya-based diets. The untrained consumer panel scored higher on the sensory traits (flavour, juiciness, and overall liking) from the loin samples of surgically castrated male pigs fed a pea diet. All consumers scored similarly in boar taint detection. This study demonstrates the applicability of the pea-based diet for the feeding of pigs destined for cured meat and highlights immunocastration as a tool that does not compromise the skatole detection score.
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    Open Access
    Impacto ecológico de los peces continentales introducidos en la penísula ibérica
    (Asociación Española de Ecología Terrestre, 2015-03-30) García-Berthou, Emili; Almeida, David; Benejam, Lluís; Magellan, Kit; Bae, Mi-Jung; Casals i Martí, Frederic; Merciai, Roberto
    La península ibérica goza de una rica fauna de peces continentales, muchos de ellos endémicos y amenazados. Una de las causas de su declive es la introducción de especies exóticas o la translocación de algunas nativas a nuevas cuencas. En este trabajo, revisamos los impactos ecológicos de estas introducciones, desde los niveles genético e individual a los de comunidad y global, basándonos principalmente en trabajos de la península. Aunque la evidencia acumulada es considerable, el impacto ecológico de la mayoría de especies e introducciones apenas ha sido estudiado y seguramente es mucho mayor del que se conoce.
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    Open Access
    Why and when do freshwater fish migrate? Observations of migration patterns of the native fishes from the Iberian Peninsula (SW Europe)
    (Asociación Ibérica de Limnología, 2024-01-11) Ordeix Rigo, Marc; Casals i Martí, Frederic
    We reviewed information on Iberian freshwater fish to characterize their migratory status and identify migration reasons and periods. Most species migrate (87.3 %; 62 species from 15 families). A large number are potamodromous species (45 species from 6 families) but diadromous species (17 species from 11 families) also exist, including anadromous (9 species) and catadromous (8 species). The spawning period is a primary driver of fish migration but feeding and refuge-associated migrations also take place. Sexual maturity is the most important cue triggering fish migration, and other important factors include water temperature, river flow, currents, salinity and photoperiod. Spawning and migrating periods are in general prolonged and vary among years, as a response to the environmental variability of Mediterranean river systems, which are the most frequent in the Iberian Peninsula. Migratory movements of the various native species of each site cover almost the whole or the whole year. Therefore, to allow fish migration, Iberian freshwaters should always be connected, or their fish passes should be permanently, or practically always, in operation.