Explore the vast range of titles available.

Although olfaction is the main sensory domain in dogs and urinary markings are crucial behavioral patterns involved in canids’ communication, the scientific literature on this topic is quite scarce. In the present work, we investigated the relationship between male dogs marking behavior (scored throughout different facial expression, marking distance from the target odor etc.) and physiological response (urine concentrations of the hormones mainly involved in the physiological responses to social stressors: cortisol, oxytocin, adrenaline, testosterone; and the neurotransmitters most responsible for cognitive flexibility: norepinephrine and dopamine) to different emotional odors. Specifically, the odour stimuli were urine odors collected from (1) an unfamiliar female in estrus, which were expected to increase male dogs’ arousal level due to sexual interest; and of (2) an unfamiliar intact male showing overt agonistic behaviors toward conspecific males, which were expected to elicit the arousal level in the tested subjects representing a potential threat. Although preliminarily, our data would indicate a relationship between differences in the type of marking behavior of male dogs and both hormonal and neurotransmitters levels in their urines, suggesting a modulation in canine cognitive strategy during marking.

Peptides are currently vital components in nutrition with physiological advantages beyond a basic diet. This systematic review aims to explain their significance in metabolic, behavioral, and musculoskeletal health, focusing on their therapeutic benefits, molecular mechanisms, and bioactivities. This systematic review analyzed clinical trials from PubMed and Scopus databases in the time range of 2019 to 2024, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards, that investigated the role of peptides in human nutrition. Eight randomized clinical trials (RCTs) met the predefined metabolic, behavioral, and musculoskeletal health inclusion criteria. Peptides are derived from various sources, including milk, fish, and plants, and show various bioactive characteristics such as anti-inflammatory effect, improved muscle protein synthesis, and immune modulation. Some important findings emphasize their potential to govern metabolic processes, defend against chronic diseases, and enhance gut health. For instance, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) controls taste perception and appetite stimulation, and collagen peptides strengthen the musculoskeletal system. Peptides display intriguing potential as nutrients for addressing global health challenges, including behavioral responses, aging, and metabolic syndrome. Future investigations would focus on bioavailability, optimizing dosage, and demographic-specific treatments.

Microplastics are a ubiquitous pollutant whose spreading is a growing concern worldwide. They can pose a threat to food safety and consumer health as they are ingested through various foods. Bivalves are considered the most contaminated, as they filter large amounts of seawater and enter consumers’ diet ingested whole. The aim of this study was to detect, quantify, identify and classify microplastics in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) marketed in fishery stores in Bari and its surroundings (Apulia, Italy). A total of 5077 particles were isolated from our samples, with an average value of 1.59 ± 0.95 MPs/g and 6.51 ± 4.32 MPs/individual. Blue fragments, sized 10–500 µm, were the prevalent findings; most of them belonged to Polyamide (PA) polymers. The results of this study help to show that mussels represent a source of microplastics for consumers and a direct risk to their health, even considering that they may contain many chemical compounds and microorganisms that may or may not be pathogenic to humans. Further research is needed to assess the role of commercialization in bivalve molluscs contamination.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by fungi species belonging to the genera Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. The proliferation of OTA-producing fungal species may occur due to inadequate practices during both the pre-harvest and post-harvest stages of feed. Consequently, poultry species may be exposed to high concentrations of this mycotoxin that can be transferred to animal tissues due to its carry-over, reaching dangerous concentrations in meat and meat products. Therefore, this review aims to propose a comprehensive overview of the effects of OTA on human health, along with data from global studies on the prevalence and concentrations of this mycotoxin in avian feeds, as well as in poultry meat, edible offal, and eggs. Moreover, the review examines significant gross and histopathological lesions in the kidneys and livers of poultry linked to OTA exposure. Finally, the key methods for OTA prevention and decontamination of feed are described.

Considering that the authentication of food contents is one of the most important issues for the food quality sector, and given the increasing demand for transparency in the meat industry followed the horsemeat scandal in Europe, this study investigates processed-meat products from Italian markets and supermarkets using the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene qualitative PCR identification system in order to verify any species substitution or mislabeling. The results revealed a high substitution rate among the meat products, highlighting a mislabeling rate of 57 %, and consequently, considerable discordance with the indications on the labels, which raises significant food-safety and consumer-protection concerns.

This study investigated whether dietary supplementation with a multi-strain probiotic mixture (Slab51®, Sivomixx®) modulates systemic and seminal redox status and improves semen quality in healthy breeding dogs. Fourteen dogs were randomly assigned to receive either a control diet or the same diet supplemented with 400 billion CFU of lyophilized bacteria for 70 days, covering a complete spermatogenic cycle. Serum biochemical parameters and systemic antioxidant defences were evaluated at baseline and day 70. Semen was collected prior to supplementation and after 35 and 70 days of treatment. Probiotic supplementation significantly increased sperm concentration ( < 0.001) and improved key kinematic parameters, including average path velocity (VAP, < 0.05), straight-line velocity (VSL, < 0.05), curvilinear velocity (VCL, < 0.01), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH, < 0.05), and linearity (LIN, < 0.001), whereas beat-cross frequency (BCF), straightness (STR), and static sperm percentage remained unchanged. These improvements were accompanied by a marked reduction in seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a significant increase in biological antioxidant potential (BAP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), indicating enhanced seminal antioxidant capacity. Systemically, probiotic-treated dogs exhibited reduced blood urea nitrogen, triglycerides, and total cholesterol, together with significantly increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities, and TAC ( < 0.001). In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that multi-strain probiotic supplementation enhances systemic and seminal antioxidant defences and promotes functional improvements in semen quality in healthy dogs, highlighting the biological relevance and practical implications for breeders and clinicians. However, further studies are ongoing to deeply elucidate the effects of probiotics on semen parameters and the relationship between probiotic-induced modulation of the gut microbiota and semen characteristics, with the aim of clarifying the role of the gut-testis axis in canine fertility and reproductive health.

Microplastics (MPs) are a relevant threat to food safety because they are ingested by humans through various foods. Bivalves are at high risk of microplastic contamition due to their filter-feeding mechanism and pose a risk to consumers as they are ingested whole. In this work, microplastics were detected, quantified, identified, and classified in samples of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) marketed in the Apulia region. The total number of plastic debris was 789 particles in the mussel samples and 270 particles in the oyster samples, with size ranging from 10 to 7350 µm. Fragments with size within the category of 5-500 µm were the predomint findings in both species, with blue as the predomint color in mussels and transparent in oysters; most of the debris was polyamide and nylon polymers in the mussels and chlorited polypropylene in the oysters. These results show that mussel and oyster samples purchased at fish markets are contamited with microplastics. The sources may be diverse and further studies are needed to assess the impact of the marketing stage on microplastic contamition in bivalves to better define the human risk assessment associated with microplastic exposure from bivalves consumption.

Background/Objectives: High concentration of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the predominant cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease progression and coronary heart disease. Nutraceutical combination together with a cholesterol-lowering action provides an alternative to pharmacotherapy in patients reporting intolerance to statins and in subjects with low cardiovascular risk. The effects on lipid parameters were evaluated over 6 months for a food supplement containing aqueous extract of Berberis aristata and Olea europea, fenugreek seed extract, water/ethanol extract of artichoke leaf and phytosterols from sunflower seeds (Ritmon Colesystem®). Methods: Laboratory data were obtained at baseline from 44 otherwise healthy subjects (33 males, mean 50 ± 11 years) without cardiovascular disease having LDL-C in the range 115 to 190 mg/dL pharmacologically untreated for hypercholesterolemia. Subjects were re-evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 months during which they took one tablet of Ritmon Colesystem® after dinner. Results: At baseline, the mean values were 151 ± 21 mg/dL for LDL-C, 223 ± 24 mg/dL for total cholesterol (T-C), 52 ± 14 mg/dL for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and 124 ± 58 mg/dL for triglycerides. A significant reduction in LDL-C was observed; 9 mg/dL (95% confidence interval 3–14), 10 (4–17) and 7 (1–14) at 1, 3 and 6 months. A similar significant trend was detected for T-C while triglycerides did not show significant changes and HDL-C had lower values only at 3 months. Conclusions: These nutraceuticals in individuals with sub-optimal blood cholesterol levels at intermediate–low cardiovascular risk reduced LDL-C and T-C over 6 months contributing to the improvement of cholesterol control by dietary supplements.

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the relationship between journey duration, deck level and activation patterns of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis (HPA) and sympathetic adrenal medullary system (SAM) in pigs. A total of 90 pigs were examined. The animals came from three different Italian farms associated with the same slaughterhouse located in Bari (Apulia region-Italy). A group of thirty animals was transported from Pordenone (11 h journey); a second group was transported from Terni (6.5 h journey); a third group was transported from Benevento (3 h journey). The animals were transported in the same vehicle, which complied with the structural characteristics indicated in the Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005. The truck was composed of a lorry and a trailer, each one divided into three decks. Only the animals transported in the trailer were tested for the study. Before transportation, blood samples were collected on each farm, at 6:00 a.m., from 30 pigs randomly selected out of 135 pigs ready to be transported. Blood samples were also collected during slaughter to evaluate plasma cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine, around 6:00 a.m. A journey duration of 11 h was associated with significantly higher plasma concentrations of stress hormones compared with shorter journeys. This increase was proportional to the journey duration, with the pigs travelling for 6.5 h displaying intermediate concentrations between those noticed after 3 h and 11 h journeys. The interaction between deck and journey distance was not significant on epinephrine, norepinephrine or cortisol levels collected at arrival. There was a significant effect of deck level on norepinephrine levels (p < 0.0001), a tendency to influence epinephrine levels (p = 0.073) but no effect on cortisol levels (p = 0.945). Overall, we observed that an 11 h-long journey seemed to impact negatively on pigs’ HPA-SAM activity, likely requiring the animals to spend more time in the lairage facilities to recover.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with fennel seeds powder (FSP) on dairy goats. Twenty goats, homogeneous in terms of body weight (BW), days in milk (DIM), daily milk yield (DMY), and parity, were randomly assigned into two groups (CON: control; FEN: fennel). Both groups were fed alfalfa hay and corn in the barn, with the treated group (FEN) receiving an additional 15 g/head/day of FSP. From findings, no significant differences were detected in milk yield or milk chemical composition, although some fatty acids showed variations between the groups. Additionally, a gene expression analysis was conducted on candidate genes related to milk production, lipid metabolism and the antioxidant system without revealing any differences. However, this field of research appears promising, and further studies are needed to standardize the optimal dosage to achieve positive effects on yield and genomic activation.