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01 Sep 2022
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Detecting dairy cows' lying behaviour using noisy 3D ultrawide band positioning data

A novel method to monitor lying behaviour of dairy cows by combining noisy spatial positioning data, time-series segmentation based on statistical changepoints and machine learning classification algorithm

Recommended by based on reviews by Kareemah Chopra and John Fredy Ramirez Agudelo

Using on-farm sensors in dairy farming is known to help decision makings and farmer objectives in the monitoring and potential improvement of animal behaviour, health and production performance. However, in indoor positioning systems, data interpretation is complicated by the inaccuracy and noise in the time series, missing data caused not only by sensor failure or the harsh and changing farm environments in which they operate, but also by the animals' specific physiology itself. Thus, working with spatial data has proven challenging mainly due to their enormous heteroscedasticity, which depends on multiple factors such as the cow, the time of the day, the behaviour, factors interfering with the sensor system, etc., for which we cannot account mathematically. Applying purely black-box approaches generally results in insufficient robustness, interpretability and generalisability. 

With this work, Adriaens et al. (2022) developed a relatively simple and new methodology to monitor the lying behaviour of dairy cows by using noisy spatial positioning data, while combining time-series segmentation based on statistical changepoints and a machine learning classification algorithm. The two-step methodology identifies lying behaviour using an ultra-wide band indoor positioning system. Getting-up or lying-down events were indicated by the accelerometers. Overall classification and lying behaviour prediction performance was above 91% in independent test sets, with a very high consistency across cow-days. The robustness of the algorithm was demonstrated by the fact that both the cow identity-based split and the time-based split performed equally well. 

The article represents an original contribution for advancing the state of the art in the automated quantification of lying behaviour in dairy cows, aiming to monitor health or animal welfare issues. Future research must be considered however to validate the performance of the model when using different position-measuring technologies, in other farm settings and over a longer period of time.

 

Reference

Adriaens I, Ouweltjes W, Pastell M, Ellen E, Kamphuis C. 2022. Detecting dairy cows' lying behaviour using noisy 3D ultra-wide band positioning data. Zenodo, 6627251, ver. 3 peer-reviewed and recommended by Peer Community in Animal Science. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6627251 

 

 

Detecting dairy cows' lying behaviour using noisy 3D ultrawide band positioning dataI. Adriaens, W. Ouweltjes, M. Pastell, E. Ellen, C. Kamphuis<p>In precision livestock farming, technology-based solutions are used to monitor and manage<br>livestock and support decisions based on on-farm available data. In this study, we developed<br>a methodology to monitor the lying behaviour of dairy c...Animal behaviour , Mathematical modelling, Precision livestock farmingEliel Gonzalez-Garcia2022-02-28 18:19:37 View
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Preferred livestock interventions for small-scale farmers in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area: a demand-driven and participatory approach

What kind of livestock interventions are relevant for small-scale farmers in Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area?

Recommended by ORCID_LOGO based on reviews by 2 anonymous reviewers

The predominant form of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa is mixed crop and livestock production, typically in extensive systems characterised by low productivity and little input (Tui et al., 2021). Such extensive systems experience many challenges, including access to rangeland and other sources of livestock feed, loss of soil quality, increasingly unpredictable climate but also operational constraints such as access to markets and veterinary care.

The work by Gobvu and collaborators (2025) addresses livestock farming sustainability specifically in the context of a Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA). A TFCA is defined as part of an ecological region reaching across boundaries of two or more countries and in which there are protected areas as well as resource use areas. TFCAs are founded to facilitate collective management of resources for the benefit of biodiversity as well as socio-economic development (SADC, 2025).

Livestock farming in TFCAs face additional challenges arising from the tension between biodiversity protection and resource use, such as wildlife predation on livestock, competition between livestock and wildlife for feed and water as well as spread of infections between livestock and wild animals (Matseketsa et al., 2019; Caron et al., 2013; Cumming, 2011).

The paper reports a study that was part of a larger project (EU-ProSuLi project, Caron et al.,  2022) aiming at promoting local development and well-being of residents in the Great Limpopo TFCA, with focus on the Sengwe Communal Area in Zimbabwe. The specific aim was to test a methodology for identifying interventions that are aligned with the needs of the local stakeholders (demand-driven interventions. Anticipatory scenario building in the context of workshops was used in combination with individual questionnaires.

Community representatives (n=31) were purposefully selected for their expected ability to act as knowledge brokers. A team of 10 facilitators supported the discussion through plenary and group work sessions. The participants were asked to identify factors of change with impact on local community livelihood, and subsequently to vote to select the most influential factors. Different future states for the year 2038, resulting from the impact of the factors of change, were discussed. In a follow-up workshop, participants were asked to propose activities that would support the development towards the most desirable scenario. In addition, a questionnaire was distributed through semi-structured/structured interviews to 126 households in nine villages.

Results were largely similar and complementary between the two approaches. Preferred interventions were: restocking herds with locally adapted breeds, training in livestock management, marketing support, feed development and value addition, loan schemes for investment in livestock production and support for animal health interventions to reduce the heavy disease burden. Whereas the participatory process is time consuming and requires considerable human resources, it is important to ensure locally relevant interventions are chosen, and it is in itself part of the process towards successful implementation of these interventions.

The study is thoughtfully designed based on previous work by the authors. The paper is well written and has been further improved through the reviewer feedback and revision process.

References

Caron, A., Miguel, E., Gomo, C., Makaya, P., Pfukenyi, D.M., Foggin, C., Hove, T. and de Garine-Wichatitsky, M., 2013. Relationship between burden of infection in ungulate populations and wildlife/livestock interfaces. Epidemiology & Infection, 141 (7), pp.1522-1535. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268813000204

Caron, A., Mugabe, P., Bourgeois, R., Delay, E., Bitu, F., Ducrot, R., Fafetine, J., Fynn, R., Guerbois, C., Motsholapheko, M. and Daré, W., 2022. Social-ecological System Health in  Transfrontier Conservation Areas to Promote the Coexistence Between People and Nature. One Health Cases. https://doi.org/10.1079/onehealthcases.2022.0005 

Cumming, D. H. M. 2011. Constraints to conservation and development success at the wildlife-livestock-human interface in southern African transfrontier conservation areas: a preliminary review. Wildlife Conservation Society, New York.  http://www.wcs-ahead.org/workinggrps_kaza.html

Gobvu, V. Ncube, S. Imbayarwo-Chikosi, V.E., Bourgeois, R. Mugabe, P.H. and Caron A. 2025. Preferred livestock interventions for small-scale farmers in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area: a demand-driven and participatory approach. HAL, ver.5 peer-reviewed and recommended by PCI Animal Science. https://hal.science/hal-04060712

Matseketsa, G., Muboko, N., Gandiwa, E., Kombora, D.M. and Chibememe, G., 2019. An assessment of human-wildlife conflicts in local communities bordering the western part of Save Valley Conservancy, Zimbabwe. Global Ecology and Conservation, 20, p.e00737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00737 

Tui, S.H.K., Descheemaeker, K., Valdivia, R.O., Masikati, P., Sisito, G., Moyo, E.N., Crespo, O., Ruane, A.C. and Rosenzweig, C., 2021. Climate change impacts and adaptation for dryland farming systems in Zimbabwe: a stakeholder-driven integrated multi-model assessment. Climatic Change, 168 (1-2), p.10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-021-03151-8 

South African Development Community. 2025. Transfrontier Conservation Areas.  . Consulted 7 January 2025. https://www.sadc.int/pillars/transfrontier-conservation-areas

 

Preferred livestock interventions for small-scale farmers in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area: a demand-driven and participatory approachVimbai Gobvu, Sharai Ncube, Venancio E. Imbayarwo-Chikosi, Robin Bourgeois, Prisca H. Mugabe, Alexandre Caron<p>In southern Africa, residents of Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs), devoted to biodiversity &nbsp;conservation and local development and well-being, practice small-scale farming in semi-arid environments constrained by the presence of pr...Agricultural sustainability, Cattle productionAnna Olsson2023-04-06 12:54:58 View
11 Dec 2023
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Genetic background of body reserves in laying hens through backfat thickness phenotyping

Towards a better optimization of the genetic improvement of chicken breeds: Introduction of simple phenotypic traits related to body composition for easy measurement in the selection programs of laying hens. 

Recommended by ORCID_LOGO based on reviews by 2 anonymous reviewers

In genetic selection, simplistic model of single-trait selection is usually considered, and the response to such approach is estimated using simple models. In practice, however, plant and animal breeders always deal with the selection of several traits, hence making the selection process very complex. Therefore, the simultaneous genetic improvement of several traits has always been one of the goals of livestock, including poultry breeding (Falconer, 1972). Studies that examine the indirect effects of selection on economic traits are eagerly awaited. In this context, the results of the study by Bédère et al., (2023) gives new insights about phenotypic and genotypic relationships between body reserves traits in laying hens. The authors aimed to propose novel data about the genetic architecture of traits related to body fat by measuring a series of phenotypic traits with relatively an easy approach. The authors further aimed to test and validate the phenotyping of backfat thickness as an indicator of the overall fatness of laying hens. Thus, the study allowed providing new evidence regarding the genetic determination of the backfat trait in chicken breeds.

The authors first estimated the effect of selection on the residual feed intake (trait x) on the trait of body reserves (trait y). In fact, divergent selection experiments are a fundamental research tool that allow revealing significant amount of data related to the possible span of genetic improvement for traits of interest. Consequently, by analyzing data from a divergent selection experiment, associations have been estimated between a number of feed-dependent traits that have practical use for chicken breeders. Estimation of the correlations between traits is under question in terms of the theory of genetics and their application in multi-trait selection. As a major finding of the study, the observation of a bimodal distribution of backfat in both lines and the heterogeneity of the variances between families allowed suggesting a possible major gene, which could be investigated in future studies using for instance quantitative genetics. Body composition is continually studied in broilers chicken, but this aspect of chicken genetic is more detailed in laying hens.

The current findings are worthy to validate using several approaches. In fact, one of the limitations of the study can be related to other statistical models that can be built. For example, the study revealed high correlations between egg production and body weight, thus body weight could be considered as a covariate in regression models. Moreover, the principal trait of selection (based on the residual feed intake) could be considered. 

References:

Falconer, D. S. (1972). Introduction to Quantitative Genetics. Publisher: Ronald Press Company. pp 365.

Bédère, N., Dupont, J., Baumard, Y., Staub, C., Gourichon, D., Elleboudt, F., Le Roy, P., Zerjal, T. (2023).  Genetic background of body reserves in laying hens through backfat thickness phenotyping. HAL ver. 3 peer-reviewed and recommended by Peer Community in Animal Science. https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-04172576 

Genetic background of body reserves in laying hens through backfat thickness phenotypingNicolas Bédère, Joëlle Dupont, Yannick Baumard, Christophe Staub, David Gourichon, Frédéric Elleboudt, Pascale Le Roy, Tatiana Zerjal<p>In this study, we pursued three primary objectives: firstly to test and validate the phenotyping of backfat thickness as an indicator of the overall fatness of laying hens; secondly, to estimate genetic parameters for this trait; thirdly, to st...Animal genetics, Poultry, Statistical geneticsSeyed Abbas Rafat2023-07-27 17:09:10 View
20 Aug 2024
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Goats who stare at video screens – assessing behavioural responses of goats towards images of familiar and unfamiliar con- and heterospecifics

Gazing behaviour as a tool to study goat cognition

Recommended by based on reviews by Richard Bon and 1 anonymous reviewer

Many cognitive studies use paradigms based on active decision-making, that require that animals are motivated to participate and interested in the reward (e.g. Rivas-Blanco et al., 2023). By contrast, looking time paradigms, in which the visual attention of an animal to a stimulus is measured, requires little training and little action from the subject, and can be used without reinforcement (e.g. Wilson et al., 2023). 

In this methodological paper, Jana Deutsch and her collaborators investigated the possibility of using a looking time paradigm to study perception and cognition in goats. The advantage of such a paradigm would be that it requires little training and can be used with no reinforcement. Goats were observed in front of two video screens presenting pictures of goats (familiar or not), of humans (familiar or not), or remaining white. The authors hypothesised that goats would pay more attention to pictures than to a white screen, would pay more attention to goats than to humans, and would discriminate familiar vs. unfamiliar beings. The goats had received previous positive contacts with the familiar humans. The goats were extensively habituated to the experimental set-up so that stress did not interfere in responses to testing. The stimuli were presented on the screens in a pseudorandomized and counterbalanced order.

As hypothesised, goats looked longer at screen with pictures, and longer when the picture was that of another goat (familiar or not) than of a human being. Goats however did not seem to discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar being, or were equally motivated by the two types of beings. Ear postures were also recorded but did not show a relation with looking time and were not related to the type of picture shown on screens. Therefore, the authors argue that looking time but not ear posture is considered appropriate to test discrimination abilities or preferences in goats. More studies are needed to check if goats can differentiate familiar vs. unfamiliar beings.

The experimental design is sound. The statistical analyses are rigorous and very relevant.  The paper is clearly written.

I recommend the manuscript for publication for its originality and its quality; In addition, the paper bring findings – that looking time is an adequate paradigm in goats to analyse how they pay attention to stimuli – that have potential impacts on further studies in animal cognition.

References

Deutsch, J., Lebing, S., Eggert, A., Nawroth, C. (2024). Goats who stare at video screens – assessing behavioural responses of goats towards images of familiar and unfamiliar con- and heterospecifics. OSF, ver.4 peer-reviewed and recommended by Peer Community In Animal Science. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/d4nzk

Rivas-Blanco, D., Monteiro, T., Virányi, Z., Range, F. (2024). Going back to “basics”: Harlow’s learning set task with wolves and dogs. Learning & Behavior. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13420-024-00631-6 

Wilson, V. A. D., Bethell, E. J., Nawroth, C. (2023). The use of gaze to study cognition: limitations, solutions, and applications to animal welfare. Frontiers in Psychology, 14:1147278. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1147278 

 

Goats who stare at video screens – assessing behavioural responses of goats towards images of familiar and unfamiliar con- and heterospecificsJana Deutsch, Steve Lebing, Anja Eggert, Christian Nawroth<p>Many cognitive paradigms rely on active decision-making, creating participation biases (e.g. subjects may lack motivation to participate in the training) and once-learned contingencies may bias the outcomes of subsequent similar tests. We here ...Animal behaviour , Animal cognition, Animal welfare, Small ruminantsIsabelle Veissier2023-12-05 13:07:18 View
05 Jul 2022
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Impact of pre-breeding feeding practices on rabbit mammary gland development at mid-pregnancy.

Managing the feeding of rabbits to improve metabolic efficiency

Recommended by based on reviews by Marion Boutinaud, Davi Savietto and 1 anonymous reviewer

A correct execution of feeding plan for growing rabbit decreases the possibility of post-weaning digestive disorders, thus enhancing the feed efficiency in the animals. However, a limitation of feed daily quantity is required between 10 weeks of age and the first artificial insemination. This limitation causes energy deficiency with a consequent reduction in fertility. Beauvais et al. (2022) studied the impact of feed restriction strategies in female rabbits. Four feed restriction strategies were applied in two distinct periods (post-weaning and puberty) and evaluated by different physiological parameters (growth rate, metabolic profiles, reproductive parameters and mammary gland development). In the first part of the paper, the authors evaluated the association between weight slopes and feeding strategies in the late post-weaning and peripartum period in the four groups. As revealed by the authors, a significant difference was observed during the late post-weaning period, which remained significant between the pubertal and fattening phases. Probably these differences are related to the restriction feeding pattern. The results indicated that restrictive feeding changes in the first step of post-weaning period is associated with a significant difference in body weight. This difference occurs from the third week of diet, highlighting the high sensitivity of growing rabbit to nutrition during the post-weaning period.

In the second part of the paper, the authors evaluated the expression of genes involved in the lipid metabolism. During the mid-pregnancy, was revealed a significant higher expression of lipogenic genes, which may be considered as useful markers for the mammary epithelial development in less restrictive strategies during early life period.

The results proposed by Beauvais et al. (2022) enlighten the important role played by the feeding conditions of young female rabbits in the early life rearing. In particular, this activity provides specific recommendations for optimizing lactation and thus preventing neonatal mortality of the offspring. Moreover, the authors provide indications about the effect of feeding strategies on the mammary development and gene expression with absolute consequences on the development of offspring. Mammary lipid metabolism affects the milk profile and therefore the growth performance of the young animals.

Reference

 

Hue-Beauvais C, Bebin K, Robert R, Gardan-Salmon D, Maupin M, Brun N, Aujean E, Jaffrezic F, Simon S, Charlier M, Le Provost F (2022). Impact of pre-breeding feeding practices on rabbit mammary gland development at mid-pregnancy. biorXiv, 2022.01.17.476562, ver. 3 peer-reviewed and recommended by Peer Community in Animal Science. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.01.17.476562 

Impact of pre-breeding feeding practices on rabbit mammary gland development at mid-pregnancy.Cathy Hue-Beauvais, Karine Bebin, Raphael Robert, Delphine Gardan-Salmon, Mickael Maupin, Nicolas Brun, Etienne Aujean, Florence Jaffrezic, Steve Simon, Madia Charlier, Fabienne Le Provost<p>Optimizing rabbit does preparation during early life to improve reproductive potential is a major challenge for breeders. Does selected for reproduction have specific nutritional needs, which may not be supplied with the common practice of feed...Animal nutrition modellingGiuseppe Conte2022-01-19 14:44:30 View
06 Jan 2025
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Understanding the implementation of antimicrobial resistance policies in Vietnam: a multilayer analysis of the veterinary drug value chain

Bridging the gap in antibiotic regulation within Vietnam's livestock sector

Recommended by ORCID_LOGO based on reviews by Rebecca Hibbard and 1 anonymous reviewer

The reduction of antibiotic use in livestock production, for the different species, has become a critical focus in national action plans across many countries, underscoring the urgent need to tackle this issue to preserve public health and combat antibiotic resistance (Xu et al., 2022; Jacobsen et al., 2023; Bava et al., 2024). Among these efforts, Vietnam's ambitious 2017 livestock plan is notable for its comprehensive regulatory framework aimed at controlling antibiotic use. This framework includes a phased ban on prophylactic antibiotics in animal feed and requires mandatory prescriptions for antibiotic access.

Despite these promising regulations, their actual implementation poses significant challenges, with limited data available on their practical application. A recent study led by Batie and collaborators attempts to fill this knowledge gap by examining how these regulations are understood, accepted, and applied by stakeholders in the veterinary drug value chain in both northern and southern Vietnam (Batie et al., 2024).

The study employed an interesting iterative stakeholder mapping and analysis approach, organizing a focus group in Hanoi with 12 participants and conducting 39 in-depth semi-structured interviews with a diverse range of stakeholders. These included government authorities, national research bodies, international partners, and private sector representatives. The qualitative analysis aimed to map the veterinary drug value chain, assess stakeholders' technical and social capital regarding regulations, and identify key factors influencing regulatory compliance.

This research convincingly unveiled a complex network of 30 stakeholder categories and identified ten crucial factors that affect the implementation of regulations. These factors include stakeholders’ perceptions and understanding of the regulations, the availability of technical guidance, economic conflicts of interest, management inconsistencies, and hurdles such as technical and financial constraints, informal distribution channels, international influence, and consumer demand for safety. Additionally, the collective drive to reduce antibiotic resistance emerged as an influential factor.

The comprehensive analysis reveals a pressing insight: although Vietnam's regulatory measures are essential for reducing antibiotic usage, their effectiveness is compromised by barriers such as inadequate local stakeholder involvement and various resource limitations. The study emphasizes the necessity for deeper engagement of local stakeholders in developing and refining these regulations. Furthermore, incorporating innovations from small producers into mainstream practices could be vital in overcoming current challenges.

Nonetheless, the study acknowledges several limitations. Most interviews were conducted online owing to the health crisis—a much-needed format for time and budget constraints, albeit with some drawbacks such as reduced direct observations and potential information loss (Namey et al., 2019). The sensitivity of the subject may have led participants to withhold their true opinions, although the researchers attempted to mitigate this bias by interviewing multiple respondents from each category and gathering diverse perspectives. Notably, the study struggled to engage informal stakeholders, which could have enriched the description of the informal value chain. Constraints of time and resources meant that only a single representative from some stakeholder categories was interviewed, suggesting that interviewing additional parties, such as another veterinary district station, might have clarified roles within the drug value chain. The stakeholder identification was initially influenced by the researchers’ familiarity with the Vietnamese context; however, the iterative process helped address this limitation by recruiting new participants based on existing participants' knowledge. Additionally, translation issues may have introduced misunderstandings, potentially leading to an incomplete representation of the veterinary drug value chain, which reflects the situation as of data collection in 2021.

For Vietnam to meet its policy objectives and contribute to the global endeavor against antibiotic resistance, it is crucial to reconcile stakeholder discrepancies and promote collaborative innovation. By fostering an inclusive environment for all parties, Vietnam can not only enhance regulatory adherence but also strengthen its commitment to sustainable and responsible livestock farming practices.

The study is thoughtfully designed and skillfully executed. Additionally, the authors have made further improvements based on feedback from the journal. Readers will find the article both informative and engaging, providing valuable insights. I highly recommend this original article on the regulatory framework for controlling antibiotic use in Vietnam's livestock production systems.

References

Batie, C., Duy, N. V., Khue, N. T. M., Peyre, M., Bordier, M., Dien, N. T., et al. (2024). Understanding the implementation of antimicrobial resistance policies in Vietnam: a multilayer analysis of the veterinary drug value chain. medRxiv, 2024.06.27.24309573, ver. 2 peer-reviewed and recommended by Peer Community in Animal Science. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.06.27.24309573   

Bava, R., Castagna, F., Lupia, C., Poerio, G., Liguori, G., Lombardi, R., et al. (2024). Antimicrobial Resistance in Livestock: A Serious Threat to Public Health. Antibiotics 13, 551. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13060551

Jacobsen, A. B. J. E., Ogden, J., and Ekiri, A. B. (2023). Antimicrobial resistance interventions in the animal sector: scoping review. Front. Antibiot. 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/frabi.2023.1233698 

Namey, E., Guest, G., O’Regan, A., Godwin, C. L., Taylor, J., and Martinez, A. (2019). How Does Mode of Qualitative Data Collection Affect Data and Cost? Findings from a Quasi-experimental Study. Field Methods. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X19886839 

Xu, C., Kong, L., Gao, H., Cheng, X., and Wang, X. (2022). A Review of Current Bacterial Resistance to Antibiotics in Food Animals. Front Microbiol 13, 822689. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.822689 

 

Understanding the implementation of antimicrobial resistance policies in Vietnam: a multilayer analysis of the veterinary drug value chainChloé Bâtie, Nguyen Van Duy, Nguyen Thi Minh Khue, Marisa Peyre, Marion Bordier, Nguyen Thi Dien, Vu Dinh Ton, Flavie Goutard<p>Reducing antibiotic use in livestock production has been a target for national action plans worldwide. The Vietnamese livestock plan issued in 2017 has, among other objectives, strengthened the regulatory framework for antibiotic use. While a p...Animal epidemiology, Animal health, Farming systems, Veterinary epidemiology , Veterinary scienceFrançois Meurens2024-07-15 10:47:33 View
09 Apr 2022
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The impact of housing conditions on porcine mesenchymal stromal/stem cell populations differ between adipose tissue and skeletal muscle

Housing conditions affect cell populations in adipose and muscle tissues of pigs

Recommended by based on reviews by 2 anonymous reviewers

The adaptability of livestock to changing environments is based in particular on their genetic characteristics but also on the farming conditions to which they are subjected. However, this last point is poorly documented and little is known about its contribution to environmental challenges. The study by Quéméner and colleagues [1] addresses this question by assessing the effect of two hygiene conditions (good vs poor) on the distribution of cell populations present in adipose and muscle tissues of pigs divergently selected for feed efficiency [2].

The working hypothesis is that degraded housing conditions would be at the origin of an hyper stimulation of the immune system that can influence the homeostasis of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle and consequently modulate the cellular content of these tissues. Cellular compositions are thus interesting intermediate phenotypes for quantifying complex traits. The study uses pigs divergently selected for residual feed intake (RFI+ and RFI-) to assess whether there is a genetic effect associated with the observed phenotypes. 

The study characterized different stromal cell populations based on the expression of surface markers: CD45 to separate hematopoietic lineages and markers associated with the stem properties of mesenchymal cells: CD56, CD34, CD38 and CD140a. The authors observed that certain subpopulations are differentially enriched according to the hygiene condition (good vs poor) in adipose and skeletal tissue (CD45-CD56-) sometimes with an associated (genetic) lineage effect. This pioneering study validates a number of tools for characterizing cell subpopulations present in porcine adipose and muscle tissue. It confirms that housing conditions can have an effect on intermediate phenotypes such as intra-tissue cell populations. This pioneering work will pave the way to better understand the effects of livestock systems on tissue biology and animal phenotypes and to characterize the nature and function of progenitor cells present in muscle and adipose tissue.

[1] Quéméner A, Dessauge F, Perruchot MH, Le Floc’h N, Louveau I. 2022. The impact of housing conditions on porcine mesenchymal stromal/stem cell populations differ between adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. bioRxiv 2021.06.08.447546, ver. 3 peer-reviewed and recommended by Peer Community in Animal Science. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.06.08.447546 

[2] Gilbert H, Bidanel J-P, Gruand J, Caritez J-C, Billon Y, Guillouet P, Lagant H, Noblet J, Sellier P. 2007. Genetic parameters for residual feed intake in growing pigs, with emphasis on genetic relationships with carcass and meat quality traits. Journal of Animal Science 85:3182–3188. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2006-590.

The impact of housing conditions on porcine mesenchymal stromal/stem cell populations differ between adipose tissue and skeletal muscleAudrey Quéméner, Frédéric Dessauge, Marie-Hélène Perruchot, Nathalie Le Floc’h, Isabelle Louveau<p><strong>Background.</strong> In pigs, the ratio between lean mass and fat mass in the carcass determines production efficiency and is strongly influenced by the number and size of cells in tissues. During growth, the increase in the number of c...Monogastrics, Physiology, Veterinary scienceHervé Acloque2021-06-08 17:34:54 View
15 Dec 2020
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Accuracy of predicting chemical body composition of growing pigs using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

Accurate predictions of chemical composition of pigs for a wide range of body weights: no longer a myth!

Recommended by based on reviews by Mathieu Monziols and 1 anonymous reviewer

Assessing body or carcass composition in growing pigs is essential to refine nutritional models, select for specific traits and evaluate pork products. The gold standard methods are dissection and chemical measurements, which are time-consuming and invasive ways to obtain the data. Different teams have tested dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), especially for determining total and regional body composition of fat, soft lean tissues and bone minerals [1-3]. The DEXA measurements are quick, non-invasive, precise, and operator independent. However, the instruments from different manufacturers are unique in implementation so that it is difficult to obtain and share generalized equations. In addition, the validity and accuracy of the measures when applied to pigs having very different composition have been scarcely addressed.

 

The present manuscript shows that carcass analysis by DEXA can be used to predict empty body chemical composition, and it provides accuracy values for the content in single nutrients (protein, lipids, Ca, P). The body weight range used to generate differences in body composition is very large (20 to 100 kg), which is important when studying pigs along growth. Moreover, regression equations within weight classes (20, 60 and 100 kg) show no important biases, with the exception for body fat especially at the earliest growth stages. Limitations of the technique are the needs of anesthesia when applied to living pigs, and of standardizing the positions of body, carcass and cuts when applied to living or dissected pigs. Another originality of the manuscript is the comparison of the obtained calibrations with previously published prediction models, showing that the differences do not preclude the possibility to use a single model when built from a meta-analysis of the different data. Taken together, this work offers good perspectives to refine nutritional models by inputs from rapidly analyzed body chemical composition and to monitor body and carcass composition in several pigs for genetics applications.

 

References

[1] Mitchell AD., Scholz AM., Pursel VG., and Evock-Clover CM. (1998). Composition analysis of pork carcasses by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Journal of Animal Science. 76(8), 2104-14. https://doi.org/10.2527/1998.7682104x

[2] Marcoux M., Bernier JF., and Pomar C. (2003). Estimation of Canadian and European lean yields and composition of pig carcasses by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Meat Science. 63(3), 359-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(02)00094-3

[3] Kipper M., Marcoux M., Andretta I., and Pomar C. (2018). Repeatability and reproducibility of measurements obtained by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry on pig carcasses. Journal of Animal Science, 96(5), 2027-2037. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skx046 "

Accuracy of predicting chemical body composition of growing pigs using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometryClaudia Kasper, Patrick Schlegel, Isabel Ruiz-Ascacibar, Peter Stoll, Giuseppe Bee<p>Studies in animal science assessing nutrient and energy efficiency or determining nutrient requirements necessitate gathering exact measurements of body composition or body nutrient contents. Wet chemical analysis methods or standardized dissec...Agricultural sustainability, Animal nutrition modelling, Monogastrics, Physiology, Pig nutritionFlorence Gondret2020-09-17 10:44:58 View
24 Mar 2023
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The use of pigs vocalisation structure to assess the quality of human-pig relationship

Qualitative aspects of grunts vary with pigs' mental states

Recommended by based on reviews by Matteo Chincarini and 1 anonymous reviewer

Villain et al., (2023) investigated the structure of vocalisations in piglets in relation to human-animal-relationship. They first established a positive relationship by habituating piglets to be positively handled at weaning or later on after weaning. They then compared the reactions of piglets previously positively handled at weaning to that of non-handled piglets during tests in presence of a human (interacting or not), and also before and after the conditioning period when all piglets received positive contacts. They showed that the duration and frequency of grunts emitted in the presence of the human depends on previous contacts. More specifically, grunts are shorter and higher pitched in pigs that have been positively handled, in line with a positive human-animal relationship which is also observed through proximity of the piglets with the human. The authors concluded that the structure of pig vocalisation can reflect the quality of their relationship with humans. 

The authors also showed that not only the response to humans is modified by positive contacts but also the general mood of piglets, with piglets positively handled at weaning emitting shorter grunts than non-handled piglets, whatever the context. 

Another interesting finding is the temporality of behaviour of pigs habituated to positive contacts: during the first tests, they stay close to the human, probably being reassured by the proximity of the human. Then, when tests are repeated, they explore more the test room, using the human as an exploratory basis as already reported in the literature. 

The hypotheses of the study are clear. The methods are reported in details so that the work is reproducible. The interpretation of results is sound. The manuscript is clearly written. 

This paper brings new and original knowledge in the field of animals’ emotional responses and human-animal relationship: on the structure of grunts in relation to positive affects (positive emotion, positive mood) and on the temporality of the responses to human presence.

I recommend this manuscript for its originality and quality.

Isabelle Veissier

Villain, A.S., Guérin, C., Tallet, C., 2023. The use of pigs vocalisation structure to assess the quality of human-pig relationship. bioRxiv 2022.03.15.484457, ver. 5 peer-reviewed and recommended by Peer Community in Animal Science. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.03.15.484457

The use of pigs vocalisation structure to assess the quality of human-pig relationshipAvelyne S Villain, Carole Guérin, Céline Tallet<p>Studying human-animal interactions in domestic species and how they affect the establishment of a positive Human-Animal Relationship (HAR) may help us improve animal welfare and better understand the evolution of interspecific interactions asso...Animal behaviour , Animal cognition, Animal welfareIsabelle Veissier2022-03-23 09:34:45 View
27 Jul 2023
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Combining several indicators to assess the effectiveness of tailor-made health plans in pig farms

Evaluating tailor-made health plans in pig farms: a multiple complementary indicators approach

Recommended by ORCID_LOGO based on reviews by Carla Gomes and 1 anonymous reviewer

Tailor-made health plans for farming animals, including pigs, are highly beneficial due to their customized nature, addressing the unique needs of each farm and promoting efficient husbandry practices. However, assessing the effectiveness of individualized approaches can be challenging. Levallois et al. (1) tackled this challenge by evaluating the effectiveness of tailor-made health plans of pig farms based on a systematic biosecurity and herd health audit. The study involved twenty farrow-to-finish pig farms, each receiving specific plans tailored to their specific needs. Compliance with the recommendations was monitored over an eight-month period. In the literature, various studies have delved into specific issues in detail, such as disease incidence (e.g., (2)). However, the authors of this research applied a comprehensive approach through an integrative analysis of multiple complementary indicators to provide an effective evaluation of the changes and health disorders.

The authors' holistic approach to measuring the effectiveness of tailor-made health plans is noteworthy. They employed up to seven methods to identify advantages and limitations, providing valuable insights for applied research and practitioners in the field of farm animals. Additionally, the study's inclusion of diverse farms, ranging from conventional to antibiotic-free and varying in sow breeding numbers (from 70 to 800), demonstrates the flexibility of the proposed approach, accommodating different farming systems.

The study revealed three crucial considerations for future evaluations of tailor-made health plans. Firstly, placing compliance as the primary assessment indicator is a priority. Secondly, it is essential to tailor outcome indicators and monitoring periods according to each farm's specific health disorder. Lastly, a comprehensive understanding of the health disorder's evolution can be achieved through the amalgamation of multiple indicators.

While the study does have limitations, such as the relatively short time window for assessment, the methodological framework and results are promising. Further, the discussion of the results raises several areas worthy of future investigation to improve compliance and address farmers' hesitations towards action (i.e., lack of willingness). More research in this context will be beneficial for veterinarians and practitioners, enhancing their understanding and positively impacting both farmers and animals.

In conclusion, the study underscores the significant impact of tailor-made health plans on promoting positive changes in farm management. Assessing the effectiveness of these plans enables the refinement of new strategies and enhances the overall quality of work in animal production. The study by Levallois et al (1) sheds valuable light on the challenges and potentials of such plans, providing essential insights for pig farming practices. While further research and improvements are necessary, the study strongly emphasizes the pivotal role of individualized approaches in attaining improved farm management and enhancing animal welfare.

 
References:

1.     Levallois P, Leblanc-Maridor M, Scollo A, Ferrari P, Belloc C, Fourichon C. (2023). Combining several indicators to assess the effectiveness of tailor-made health plans in pig farms. Zenodo, 7789634. ver. 3 peer-reviewed and recommended by Peer Community in Animal Science. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7789634 

2.   Collineau L, Rojo-Gimeno C, Léger A, Backhans A, Loesken S, Nielsen EO, Postma M, Emanuelson U, grosse Beilage E, Sjölund M, Wauters E, Stärk KDC, Dewulf J, Belloc C, Krebs S. (2017). Herd-specific interventions to reduce antimicrobial usage in pig production without jeopardising technical and economic performance. Preventive veterinary medicine, 144:167-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.05.023 

Combining several indicators to assess the effectiveness of tailor-made health plans in pig farmsLevallois Pierre, Leblanc-Maridor Mily, Scollo Annalisa, Ferrari Paolo, Belloc Catherine, Fourichon Christine<p style="text-align: justify;">A tailor-made health plan is a set of recommendations for a farmer to achieve and maintain a high health and welfare status. Tailored to each farm, it is intended to be an effective way of triggering change. This st...Animal health, Veterinary scienceMatteo Chincarini2023-03-31 19:02:35 View