Economic and environmental assessments of combined genetics and nutrition optimization strategies to improve the efficiency of sustainable pork production

We evaluated the economic and environmental impacts of strategies that incorporated selection for pig feed efficiency and dietary optimization based on a single or multiple objectives tailored to meet the population nutritional requirements, with the goal to optimize sustainable farm feed efficiency. The economic and environmental features of the strategy were evaluated using life cycle assessment (LCA) and bio-economic models. An individual trait-based LCA model was applied to evaluate global warming potential, terrestrial acidification potential, freshwater eutrophication potential (EP), and land occupation of the combined genetics and nutrition optimization to produce 1 kg of live pig weighing 120 kg at the farm gate. A parametric individual trait-based bio-economic model was developed and applied to determine the cost breakdown, revenue, and profit to be gained from a 120-kg live pig at the farm gate. Data from two genetic lines with contrasted levels of feed efficiency were used to apply the combined genetics and nutrition optimization: accounting for the average nutritional requirements for each line, the individual pig responses to diets formulated for least cost, least environmental impacts, or minimum combination of costs and environmental impacts objectives were predicted with INRAPorc. Significant differences in the environmental impacts (P < 0.0001) and profit (P < 0.05) between lines predicted with the same reference diet showed that selection for feed efficiency (residual feed intake) in pigs improves pig production sustainability. When pig responses were simulated with their line-optimized diets, except for EP, all the line environmental impacts were lower (P < 0.05) than with the reference diet. The high correlations of feed conversion ratio with the environmental impacts (> 0.82) and the profit (< −0.88) in both lines underlined the importance of feed efficiency as a lever for the sustainability of pig production systems. Implementing combined genetics and nutrition optimization, the inherent profit and environmental differences between the genetic lines were predicted to be reduced from 23.4% with the reference diet to 7.6% with the diet optimized jointly for economic and environmental objectives (joint diet). Consequently, for increased pig sustainability, diet optimization for sustainability objectives should be applied to cover the specific nutritional requirements arising in the herd from the pigs genetic level.     

Pancreatic atrophy due to zinc toxicosis in two African ostriches (Struthio camelus)

Two of three captive adult African ostriches exhibited inappetance and weakness. In spite of treatment, the two birds were euthanized because of lack of clinical improvement. Postmortem examination demonstrated exocrine pancreatic degeneration, necrosis, and atrophy. Grossly, one ostrich had a markedly diminished pancreatic mass. Histologically, there was massive pancreatic acinar (exocrine) atrophy, marked interstitial fibrosis, and tubular complex formation in one animal, and the second ostrich had active pancreatic acinar necrosis. Toxicologic testing revealed markedly elevated liver zinc levels in the first two birds, whereas the third ostrich had normal serum levels of zinc and continues without apparent disease. This form of zinc toxicosis, while previously reported in different avian species, has been only rarely described in ratites.     

Variation in Root Morphological and Physiological Traits and Nutrient Uptake of Chickpea Genotypes

ABSTRACT

Plant nutrients such as potassium (K), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) mostly remain fixed in soils and their bio-availability to plant roots is diffusion-limited. Hence, superior root traits, that can enhance their dissolution and capture from the soils, can play a central role in its productivity. Root morphological (root length and root hairs) and physiological traits (root exudation of protons and phosphatase enzymes) of ten selected varieties/breeding lines of chickpea (Bari-chhola-3, Bari-chhola-4, Bari-chhola-5, Bari-chhola-6, Bari-chhola-7, Bari-chhola-8, BGM-E7, ICCV-98926, ICCV-94924, and ICCV-98916) were studied and related them to the uptake of the nutrients in a pot experiment.

There were significant (P < 0.05) genotypic differences in root length (RL) and root hair length (RHL). The RL ranged between 70 m plant^{? 1} and 140 m plant^{? 1}. The variation in RHL was significant (P < 0.05) and it ranged between 0.58 ± 0.09 mm (Bari-chhola-5) and 0.26 ± 0.09 mm. The root hair density (RHD, number mm^{? 1}root) varied between 13 ± 2 and 21 ± 3 among the genotypes. The presence of root hairs increased the effective root surface area (e.g., Bari-chhola-5) up to twelve times. The genotypes differed in their ability to acidify the rooting media in laboratory agar studies, with Bari-chhola-5 inducing most acidification followed by Bari-chhola-3. The ability of Bari-chhola-5 to acidify the rhizosphere was also confirmed by embedding in situ roots in the field in an agar-agar solution containing pH indicator dye Bromocresol purple. The genotypes did not differ for induction of acid phosphatase activity (Aptase) in the rooting media. The genotypes inducing greater acidification and possessing prolific root hairs (Bari-chhola-3 and Bari-chhola-5) absorbed significantly higher amounts of the nutrients K, P, Fe, Mn, and Zn, whose availability in soils is usually low. The results suggest that a collective effect of superior morphological and physiological root traits confers better nutrition of chickpea genotypes in low-nutrient soils.     

Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) after intravenous and intramuscular administration

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, pharmacokinetic information to establish suitable therapeutic plans for freshwater crocodiles is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify the pharmacokinetic characteristics of enrofloxacin (ENR) in freshwater crocodiles, Crocodylus siamensis, following single intravenous and intramuscular administration at a dosage of 5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Blood samples were collected at assigned times up to 168 hr. The plasma concentrations of ENR and its metabolite ciprofloxacin (CIP) were measured by liquid chromatography tandem–mass spectrometry. The concentrations of ENR and CIP in the plasma were quantified up to 144 hr after both the administrations. The half-life was long (43–44 hr) and similar after both administrations. The absolute i.m. bioavailability was 82.65% and the binding percentage of ENR to plasma protein ranged from 9% to 18% with an average of 10.6%. Percentage of CIP (plasma concentrations) was 15.9% and 19.9% after i.v. and i.m. administration, respectively. Based on the pharmacokinetic data, susceptibility break point and PK-PD indexes, i.m. single administration of ENR at a dosage of 5 mg/kg b.w. might be appropriate for treatment of susceptible bacteria (MIC > 1 μg/mL) in freshwater crocodiles, C. siamensis.     

Real‐time spatial management approaches to reduce bycatch and discards: experiences from Europe and the United States

Spatial management measures are currently being used to manage bycatch and discards, given the spatial heterogeneity of fish distributions. However, permanent fishing closures are often poorly implemented, unresponsive to stock dynamics and do not achieve their management objectives. Recently, real‐time spatial management tools for managing bycatch and discards implemented under either a comanagement or self‐governance approach have been introduced in Europe and the US. Real‐time catch and discard information is shared among fishers to incentivise and encourage vessels to leave areas of high bycatch. Here, the similarities and differences, in governance, implementation and management of ten real‐time spatial management systems from across Europe and the US are reviewed. A framework is developed to characterize the attributes associated with voluntary, private and regulatory real‐time spatial management tools. Challenges and management practices in the different case studies are reviewed providing insights for designing these spatial management tools. The results illustrate that real‐time spatial management approaches can create incentives for fishers to develop, use and share information and technology to avoid undesired catch. Compared with Europe, the US has developed spatial management tools with more truly real‐time mechanisms and with greater involvement of the fishing industry in designing and operating the tools.