The growing challenge of drug-resistant microbes emerging from increased antibiotic use in livestock production has prompted bans and intensified research into natural feed additives for sustainable and improved animal production. While probiotics (live bacteria) have been commonly used to enhance animal health and growth, heightened concerns about probiotic stability and propensity to transfer the antibiotic resistance gene, limit their efficiency and viability. Currently, postbiotics are emerging as the more stable and natural alternative gut health promoters, in the light of their potential to increase nutrient intake, absorption, growth, fertility, and carcass quality. Postbiotics are beneficial left-over wastes (by-products and compounds) from the metabolism and digestion of probiotics and prebiotics (substrates for live bacteria) in the gut. Postbiotics include antimicrobial peptides that slow down the growth of harmful bacteria, short-chain fatty acids that help healthy bacteria flourish, amino acids, microbial cell fragments, extracellular polysaccharides, and vitamins B and K. Emerging evidence suggests that postbiotics may offer environmental benefits in mitigating microplastic contamination and reducing methane emissions in livestock production. This review examines existing gaps in the light of current knowledge on postbiotics and their impact on animal health, milk production, carcass quality, and reproductive outcomes in livestock, and proposes future research direction to foster a better understanding of the role of postbiotics in enhancing sustainable monogastric and ruminant livestock production.

Objective assessment methods are essential to assess the effects of anaesthesia on rabbits’ gastrointestinal function. In this prospective case series, the digestive function of four pet rabbits undergoing general anaesthesia for elective orchiectomy was assessed using both abdominal ultrasonography (60 minutes pre-anaesthesia and 45-75 minutes post-anaesthesia) and quantification of their food intake and faecal output. The ultrasonographic outcome measures were duodenal and pyloric contractions, counted from a three-minute video recording for each site. A peristaltic contraction was defined as either unidirectional motion of luminal contents (sagittal plane) or a single rhythmic dilation and contraction of the lumen (transverse plane) lasting one to two seconds. Postoperative food intake was calculated by weighing the offered food using a precision scale. The faeces collected during the observation period were also weighed. Only one out of the four rabbits ate during the elapsed observation period from the end of the anaesthetic to abdominal ultrasonography, and none of them produced any faeces during this time. Abdominal ultrasonographic assessment could be completed within 15 minutes and was feasible with gentle restraint of the rabbits in sternal recumbency. Duodenal contractions were subjectively found to be more consistent and easier to detect and monitor than pyloric contractions. Based on the pilot findings of this case series, ultrasonographic assessment of duodenal contractions, together with monitoring of postoperative food intake and faecal output, may be a useful tool for the early detection of post-anaesthetic digestive dysfunction in rabbits, and potential identification of rabbits at higher risk of developing postoperative ileus.

This study evaluated the effects of replacing wheat bran (WB) with deoiled rice bran (DORB) in concentrate diets on growth performance, nutrient utilisation, carcass characteristics, and economic returns in Sokoto Gudali bulls. Twenty-five bulls (18 months old; 210 ± 0.4 kg) were randomly assigned to five diets in which WB was substituted with DORB at 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100%. Concentrate was fed at 2% of body weight, while Digitaria smutsii hay was provided ad libitum for 70 days. Data on intake, weight gain, digestibility, serum metabolites, carcass traits, and economics were analysed using one-way ANOVA. Bulls fed the 50% DORB diet had significantly higher final body weight (278.7 kg), average daily gain (984 g/day), and total dry matter intake (10.68 kg/day), along with the most efficient feed conversion ratio (10.85). Serum glucose, total protein, albumin, and urea remained within normal physiological ranges across all treatments. Carcass characteristics differed significantly with the 50% DORB group recording the highest hot carcass weight and rib-eye area. Economic analysis showed that the 50% DORB diet generated the greatest net profit ($144.11), lowest feed cost per kilogram of gain ($12.48), and highest benefit-cost ratio (1.17). Overall, a 50% replacement of wheat bran with deoiled rice bran produced the most favourable biological and economic outcomes under the conditions of this study, indicating potential for efficient utilisation of DORB in feedlot diets for Sokoto Gudali bulls.

Growth Hormone (GH), Pituitary-specific Transcription factor (PIT), and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), are critical regulators of growth and productivity in poultry. This study aimed to compare the sex-specific expression of these three genes in the hypothalamus, liver, and breast muscle of Normal feather indigenous chickens from South-Western Nigeria, a valuable but underutilised genetic resource. Using RT-qPCR techniques, tissue samples were analysed from a cohort of male and female birds at 8 weeks of age. Our findings reveal significant sex-specific differences in gene expression across these tissues. Specifically, GH and PIT expression levels were consistently higher in males, particularly in the breast muscle, while IGF-1 expression was significantly more pronounced in females in the hypothalamus and liver. GH expression in the male hypothalamus was significantly higher than in the female (p < 0.001), and PIT expression in the male breast muscle was also highly significantly higher (p < 0.001). These results indicate that growth-related gene expression in indigenous chickens is shaped by both genetic and sex-linked factors. This study provides foundational molecular insights into the sexual dimorphism of growth in Nigeria’s indigenous chicken breed, suggesting that GH and PIT expression could be explored as targets for improving muscle development in male lines.

African swine fever (ASF) continues to pose a major threat to pig production in Vietnam, highlighting the critical role of farm-level biosecurity. This study aimed to evaluate the biosecurity status of large-scale commercial pig fattening farms in Central Vietnam using a standardised digital assessment tool. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on five commercial pig farms (≥300 livestock units) using the Food & Agriculture Organisation’s framework based PigHealth Security-X software, which comprises 165 questions grouped into eight biosecurity vectors. Biosecurity performance was quantified on a scale from 0 to 100%. Overall, all surveyed farms were classified as having an excellent level of biosecurity, with a mean score of 91.3%. Nevertheless, three vectors showed comparatively lower scores: Good husbandry practices (83.4%), transportation (85.0%), and structural location (85.6%). Major non-compliant indicators included high stocking density, frequent entry of external vehicles, insufficient vehicle disinfection time, and the absence of off-site disinfection facilities. These findings indicated that despite high overall biosecurity scores, specific operational weaknesses that may increase the risk of pathogen introduction and spread remained. Regular biosecurity assessments using digital tools such as PigHealth Security-X can support farm managers in identifying critical control points and implementing targeted improvements to strengthen disease prevention and control in commercial pig production systems.

In the context of globalisation and digital transformation in higher education, enhancing English for Specific Purposes (ESP) skills among students in agricultural sciences, particularly in Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, has become increasingly essential. However, the absence of specialised and contextually relevant learning tools poses a significant barrier to accessing international academic resources. This paper presents the development process, technical features, and application potential of the Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine (ASVM) Dictionary, a bilingual digital glossary designed and implemented by a research team at Can Tho University. With over 10,000 English–Vietnamese terms, including pronunciation, illustrative images, and real-time search functionality, the ASVM Dictionary not only facilitates accurate terminology acquisition but also promotes self-directed learning and digital engagement. Results indicate that there were more than 80,000 website visits and 2,000 app downloads, reflecting high practical interest and adoption. The paper also compares the ASVM Dictionary with traditional reference materials, analyses its integration into current ESP curricula, and proposes future development directions, such as incorporating artificial intelligence and expanding interdisciplinary applications.

Heterobranchus longifilis is a hardy fish species known for its ability to withstand stress in aquaculture, resistant to diseases, gives high yields, exhibits high fecundity and grows fast in cultured enclosures. For Clariid species to thrive in enclosures, periodic tank washing and salt application are mandatory. Low levels of salt used to wash fry tanks are reported to be beneficial for growth and survival of fish through minimising stress and eliminating ectoparasites. This study aimed to demonstrate that regular application of salt and tank washing improve hatchery output. Using a factorial experimental design, six thousand Heterobranchus longifilis fry were allocated to the following four treatments in triplicates: 1) Neither washing nor salting, 2) washing and salting only, 3) washing only, and 4) salting only. The experimental duration was thirty-five days. Twelve fry plastic tanks measuring 0.8 x 0.8 x 1.1m ² were used. Stocking was five hundred fry per tank, each with an initial average body weight of 352 g. Results showed that final weights ranged from 409 to 516 g. Percentage survival rates were 80 in the washing and salting treatment, 71in the washing only treatment, 51in the salting only treatment and 45 in the neither washing nor salting treatment. Condition factor ranged from 1.1 to 1.5, an indication of fish wellness. Water quality parameters were within expected normal range. This study concludes that periodic washing and salt application significantly improve water quality, prevent diseases, minimise stress and support growth and survivability of fish in cultured enclosures.

Evaluating the distribution of animal disease burden across the value chain and its impact on the economy informs relevant policy development and facilitates targeted investment in sustainable livestock production. The Nigerian agricultural sector contributes about 24% to the GDP and employs 34% of the national workforce. However, animal diseases threaten this sector due to weak veterinary infrastructure, fragmented vaccination campaigns, inconsistent surveillance, and reactive responses to disease outbreaks. Whilst the threats of animal diseases to the profitability and sustainability of the livestock sector is worldwide, in Nigeria, these threats emanate from both the negative economic impacts and weak preventive measures taken to minimise the introduction or spread of animal diseases. Designing a robust national control plan remains limited due to the lack of systemic and locally contextualised evidence. This review aimed to access, retrieve, critically synthesise, and assess scattered reports of animal diseases in Nigeria to provide a comprehensive information that is essential for the development of relevant evidence-based disease control policies. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, BASE, AJOL, and ARTOAJ databases to identify relevant publications from 2000-2025 based on data availability.  Articles were included if they clearly quantified economic losses from animal diseases in Nigeria. Articles were excluded if they were not in English, not focused on Nigeria, or if the full text was unavailable. A total of 2318 articles were screened, 50 were sought for retrieval and 27 were included in the review. Losses ranged from USD 15.87 (5,005.85 Nigerian Naira) to USD 456,905,311.00 (700,304,123,857.00 Nigerian Naira). The review also highlights the need for the use of economic models to capture invisible losses across the value chain, providing further insight into the impact of livestock diseases in Nigeria.