Alessandra Favole, Camilla Testori, Stefania Bergagna, Maria Silvia Gennero, Francesco Ingravalle, Barbara Costa, Sara Barresi, Piercarlo Curti, Francesco Barberis, Sandra Ganio, Riccardo Orusa, Elena Vallino Costassa, Elena Berrone, Marco Vernè, Massimo Scaglia, Claudia Palmitessa, Marina Gallo, Carlotta Tessarolo, Sabina Pederiva, Alessio Ferrari, Valentina Lorenzi, Francesca Fusi, Laura Brunelli, Roberta Pastorelli, Giulia Cagnotti, Cristina Casalone, Maria Caramelli, Cristiano Corona
Complete animal welfare evaluation in intensive farming is challenging. With this study, we investigate new biomarkers for animal physical and mental health by comparing plasma expression of biochemical indicators in dairy cows reared in three different systems: (A) semi-intensive free-stall, (B) non-intensive tie-stall, and (C) intensive free-stall. Additionally, protein levels of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) and its precursor form (proBDNF) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) specific activity were evaluated in brain samples collected from 12 cattle culled between 73 and 138 months of age...
March 25, 2023: Animals: An Open Access Journal From MDPI