Multivariate Analysis of Hematological Stress Biomarkers and Welfare Domains in Organic and Intensive Pig Farming in Italy: A Pilot Study Dorotea Ippolito, Talal Hassan, Antonio Marco Maisano, Stefania Bergagna, Cecilia Guasco, et al. Animal Research and One Health, 2026 Consumers are increasingly favoring ethically produced animal products due to concerns about animal welfare and farming practices. Pigs raised in intensive systems are often exposed to stressors that may affect their health, whereas organic farming is expected to offer better welfare conditions. However, evidence linking on‐site welfare assessments to physiological stress markers remains limited in pigs. This study aims to fill this gap and to compare welfare in organic and intensive farms through field evaluations and laboratory analyses. Four intensive farms and one organic farm were assessed using ClassyFarm, a system introduced by the Italian Ministry of Health in 2019, which evaluates farms through a structured checklist. Hematological and serum stress biomarkers were measured in 21 pigs from intensive farms and 22 from the organic farm. Data were analyzed using factor analysis and linear mixed models to explore correlations between ClassyFarm scores and physiological biomarkers. Welfare‐related biomarker levels were also compared between the farming systems. ClassyFarm results showed good welfare standards across all farms, though critical issues were observed in intensive systems. Conversely, the organic farm achieved optimal scores in all areas. Factor analysis grouped welfare indicators into five domains, displaying variable correlations with hematological markers, emphasizing the complex relationship between management, health, and welfare. Organic pigs showed improved immune responses, including higher leukocyte counts and complement activity, whereas pigs from intensive farms showed stress‐related immune alterations. The study confirms strong associations between ClassyFarm welfare scores and physiological biomarkers, suggesting that organic practices may enhance immune health and overall welfare.
Housing systems and slaughter age: key factors in productivity, health, and some meat quality parameters of an autochthonous Grigio di Carmagnola rabbit breed Stefano Sartore, Maria Teresa Capucchio, Edoardo Fiorilla, Valentina Tafuro, Daniele Pattono, et al. Frontiers in Animal Science, 2025 Housing systems strongly influence the welfare, growth performance, and meat quality of farmed rabbits, particularly in local slow-growing breeds requiring specific management. This study assessed the effects of different housing systems on Grigio di Carmagnola rabbits, aiming to identify solutions balancing welfare and productivity. Three housing systems—single cage (S), group colony (G), and mixed pilot (M)—were compared using 300 weaned rabbits evenly distributed among treatments. Due to aggression and high mortality, the G group was excluded at 100 days of age, before reaching the commercial slaughter ages of 120 and 150 days. Growth traits, haematological and intestinal parameters, carcass composition, and meat quality were evaluated. Growth performance did not differ significantly between S and M groups, while slaughter age influenced weight gain, feed conversion, and carcass composition. Lymphocyte counts increased with age, indicating immune maturation. The M group showed higher jejunal villus height, and gastrointestinal muscularis thickness decreased with age. Meat fat content increased with age but was unaffected by housing system. The M system fostered early socialization and reduced post-pubertal aggression. The mixed pilot system provided a balance between welfare and performance, combining social contact with manageable behavior. Appropriate housing strategies tailored to the physiology and growth rate of autochthonous breeds are crucial to maintain productivity, biodiversity, and sustainable local farming. Further research should explore housing designs and enrichment to enhance ethical rabbit production.
Swinepox virus: an unusual outbreak in free-range pig farms in Sicily (Italy) Vincenzo Di Marco Lo Presti, Dorotea Ippolito, Giusy Cardeti, Antonella Cersini, Luigi Bertolotti, et al. Porcine Health Management, 2024 Background Two outbreaks of swinepox were investigated in free-range domestic pig farms located in the northeastern side of Sicily, Italy. The disease is generally self-limiting with a low mortality rate, but morbidity can reach high rates in case of poor sanitary conditions, improper husbandry practices and ectoparasitic infestation. The presented cases are the first ever reported on the island and part of the few cases reported in domestic pigs. Case presentation Carcasses condemned at the slaughterhouse and deceased pigs from Farm A and Farm B respectively, were referred for post-mortem examination and further investigations, with a strong suspect of SwinePox virus (SWPV) infection. Twelve deceased pigs were examined in total, showing poor body condition and pustular lesions scattered all over the cutaneous surfaces. Moreover, pigs from Farm B showed ocular lesions classified from Grade I to IV (from mild conjunctivitis to severe keratoconjunctivitis with corneal oedema, opacity, and ulcers). Final diagnosis was pursued by the microscopic assessment of skin lesions in both farms, which revealed the typical SWPV-lesion appearance, such as severe and disseminated ulcerative dermatitis and suspected inclusion bodies multifocally observed in the epidermis. Moreover, negative staining Electron Microscopy (nsEM) was performed on skin lesions and ocular swabs from Farm B, revealing in two samples the presence of brick-shaped viral particles, 220 nm long and 160 nm wide, with irregularly arranged surface tubules, identified as SWPV. The gene encoding the 482-bp fragment of the virus late transcription factor–3 was detected by PCR and sequencing revealed 99.79% identity and 100% query-cover with a strain previously isolated in Germany. Field clinical assessment was then performed in Farm B, revealing high overcrowding, poor sanitary conditions and improper husbandry practices, which are relevant risk factors for SWPV transmission. Conclusions The present is the first case report of SWPV in free-range pigs raised in Sicily, an island of the Southern coast of Italy, and wants to raise awareness on a neglected disease, and cause of animal health and welfare issues.
Black soldier fly larvae: a one health approach to investigate gut, and organ health and meat quality response in slow-growing chickens Edoardo Fiorilla, Ilario Ferrocino, Marta Gariglio, Francesco Gai, Valeria Zambotto, et al. BMC Veterinary Research, 2024 Background The inclusion of sustainable protein sources in poultry feed has become essential for improving animal welfare in livestock production. Black soldier fly larvae are a promising solution due to their high protein content and sustainable production. However, most research has focused on fast-growing poultry breeds, while the effects on native breeds, such as the Bianca di Saluzzo, are less explored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of BSFL supplementation in the diet of slow-growing chickens, with a focus on growth, intestinal health and meat quality for final consumers. Results The study demonstrated that Black soldier fly larvae supplementation, both in dehydrated and live form, improved growth performance, with an increase in final weights compared to the control group. No significant differences were found in feed conversion ratio, liver and spleen weight or histomorphometry between groups. Black soldier fly larvae supplementation did not negatively affect immune function or liver metabolism. Higher production propionic acid was detected in the black soldier fly larvae fed groups compared to the control, suggesting an effect on volatile fatty acid production. Gut microbiota analysis showed an increase in beneficial bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium, in the live larvae group. Furthermore, the meat fatty acid profile and atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices did not undergo significant changes, implying a low potential risk to consumers’ cardiovascular health. Conclusions Black soldier fly larvae supplementation in the diet of Bianca di Saluzzo improved growth without compromising animal health or meat quality. Moreover, the increase in beneficial volatile fatty acids and the modulation of gut microbiota suggest a positive impact on gut health. Finally, the absence of negative effects on meat lipid profiles confirms nutritional safety for consumers, making black soldier fly larvae a valid alternative in poultry feed. These results offer new perspectives for the use of Black soldier fly larvae in the nutrition of local breeds, contributing to sustainability in line with the One Health approach.
Comparative Study of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis In Vitro Infection in Bovine Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages: Preliminary Results Benedetta Amato, Dorotea Ippolito, Maria Vitale, Rosa Alduina, Paola Galluzzo, et al. Microorganisms, 2024 Bovine tuberculosis and paratuberculosis are endemic in many areas worldwide. This work aims to study cytokines production and gene expression profiles of bovine macrophages infected with Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis subsp. avium (MAP) strains to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers. Bovine bone marrow stem cells were differentiated into macrophages and subsequently infected in vitro with different spoligotypes of M. bovis and MAP field strains (as single infections and coinfections), using different multiplicity of infection. Supernatant and cell pellets were collected 24 h, 48 h, and one week post-infection. Preliminarily, gene expression on cell pellets of IL-1β, IL-2, INFγ, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and TNFα was assessed by qRT-PCR one week p.i. Subsequently, IL-1β and IL-6 were measured by ELISA and qRT-PCR to investigated their production retrospectively 24 h and 48 h p.i. A variability in macrophages response related to the concentration of mycobacteria, the coinfection with MAP, and M. bovis spoligotypes was identified. An early and constant IL-6 increase was observed in the M. bovis infection. A lower increase in IL-1β was also detected at the highest concentration of the two M. bovis spoligotypes one week post-infection. IL-6 and IL-1 β production was reduced and differently expressed in the MAP infection. IL-6 appeared to be the earliest cytokines produced by bovine macrophages infected with M. bovis.
Large-scale serological survey on Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection in sheep and goat herds in Sicily, Southern Italy Vincenzo Di Marco Lo Presti, Dorotea Ippolito, Sergio Migliore, Marco Tolone, Sebastian Alessandro Mignacca, et al. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2024 IntroductionParatuberculosis (PTB) is a worldwide chronic, contagious enteric disease caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) mainly affecting ruminant species. PTB is a WOAH-listed disease with direct and indirect economic losses in the livestock sector, negative impact on animal welfare and significant public health concerns. In spite of this, MAP prevalence in small ruminants is still unknown and the prevalence appears to be underestimated in many countries. The aim of this study is providing a first large-scale serological survey on MAP infection in small ruminants in Sicily, a region of Southern Italy with the 11.3 and 8.9% Italian national heritage of sheep and goats, respectively.MethodsFor this purpose, we analyzed a total of 48,643 animals reared in 439 flocks throughout Sicily. MAP seroprevalence was estimated both at herd-level and animal-level within breeds reared in all the nine sampled provinces.ResultsOur results revealed a high overall apparent prevalence at herd-level of 71.8% in sheep and 60.8% in goat farms with an animal-level prevalence of 4.5 and 5.1% in sheep and goats, respectively. Significant statistical differences were found between the provinces and within the breeds both in sheep and goats.DiscussionOur study provides the first large-scale serological survey on PTB infection in small ruminants in Sicily and showed a high prevalence of disease depending to the species, breed and province. This study represents the first step to better understand the MAP epidemiology in a typical Mediterranean breeding context, suggesting the need of in-depth study on the herds risk factors, including the eventual presence of candidate genes for resistance/susceptibility to PTB in native breeds.
