bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
452 The importance of animals to food security and agricultural sustainability
Authors: Reynolds Lawrence
Published: December 2019

Worldwide nearly a billion people are estimated to be malnourished, including 140 million children under age 5, leading to permanent impairment of their physical and cognitive development (WHO; http://www.unscn.org/layout/modules/resources/files/rwns5.pdf). In addition, 1 in 9 humans worldwide do not have regular access to clean, healthy drinking water, and 1 in 4 use a drinking water source contaminated with feces [WHO (World Health Organization); https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water]. Providing adequate food and water will become an even bigger challenge during the remainder of this century given the projected nearly 50% increase in the world’s population [from its current 7.6 to 11.2 billion by 2100; Garland, Science 346:234–7, 2014 and World Population Prospects, UN, 2015 (the U.S. is projected to experience a similar increase in population; https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2014/demo/popproj/2014-summary-tables.html)]. These problems are why the top 2 of the United Nation’s 17 current “Sustainable Development Goals” are to “End poverty in all its forms everywhere” (Goal 1) and to “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture” (Goal 2). Because most arable land worldwide is already in use, and water and energy also are limiting, increased production of food will require a substantial increase in efficiency (Reynolds et al., Journal of Nutrition 145:1377–9, 2015). This talk will discuss how animal-sourced foods, when consumed in appropriate amounts as part of a balanced diet, provide essential nutrients for humans and are important to a healthy diet. In addition, we will discuss how animals are critical to continuation of the “Green Revolution,” which will be key to the sustainability of agricultural systems. In addition, addressing various potential problems associated with production of food animals, including water availability and quality, greenhouse gas emissions, animal welfare, overgrazing, food waste, and complexity of the food system(s), will require highly motivated and well-trained animal scientists.
180 How dual-purpose chickens can help African smallholder farmers
Authors: Duijvesteijn Naomi , Perrault Louis
Published: December 2019

Poultry constitutes an important economic activity for the rural poor in many African countries. Additionally in many rural families, poultry provides the family with a low cost, highly efficient and nutritious protein. Unfortunately, the smallholder farmers in rural areas often do not have access to these improved genetics. The access to an improved low-input and dual-purpose chicken to supplement the local indigenous breeds could transform the rural poultry enterprise. In some countries, investments are made to support the African Poultry Multiplication Initiative (APMI) or other comparable structures. The APMI generally operates through capable local private companies to establish a parent stock (PS) and hatchery operation for the supply of improved dual purpose chicken breeds to farmers in their communities. The day-old-chicks from the PS farm are transported to so called “Brooder Units” who will specialize in the brooding, feeding, and proper vaccination process for the first 30–40 days of the chicks life. Through this system, local smallholder farmers have access to improved genetics and the chickens have a high chance to survive due to their good start. Recently Hendrix Genetics received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to further enhance the use of improved poultry genetics in rural Africa. The program named “Sustainable Access to Poultry Parent Stock for Africa (SAPPSA)” aims to 1) secure access of poultry parent stock, 2) grow the APMI-like initiatives within and across countries and 3) improve the dual purpose better breeds for African smallholder farmers. By securing access to high quality PS and improving the breeding program of dual-purpose breeds under African conditions, the APMI can be better implemented in African countries. It will result in 1) increase poultry production and productivity, 2) increase rural household income 3) improved household nutrition and 4) empowerment of women.
PSXI-41 Investigating the relationship between life history factors, live animal auction price, and carcass quality of cull dairy cows
Authors: Moreira Ligia da Cunha , Passafaro Tiago L , Rosa Guilherme J M
Published: December 2019

High production efficiency is crucial for the competitiveness and sustainability of the dairy industry. To maintain high production, maximize profitability, and allow an accelerated genetic improvement, it is recommended that between 25–30% of dairy herds be renewed each year. Cull dairy cows contribute for approximately 10% of the total beef produced in the United States, being significantly important as a beef source for the meat industry. Furthermore, cull cows provide an important additional income to dairy farmers. However, culling decisions should be carefully made, taking into consideration herd replacement rate, cow performance, milk and beef prices, and the potential price that each cow might be paid for. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between life history factors, live animal auction price, and carcass quality of cull dairy cows. Data from three Wisconsin herds were collected using DairyComp software, from January 2018 to January 2019. Hundredweight (cwt) prices paid for each cow (n = 84) were obtained from a marketing auction, and their carcass traits were provided by a commercial meat packing plant. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to investigate the dependencies between variables. Results indicate that lactation number and days in milk significantly affect cow live weight and that these three variables together with season of the year and farm provide a good predictor of cwt price (adj R2 = 71.7%). Moreover, there were also significant and moderately strong correlations between cwt price and some carcass quality indicators such as dressing (r = 0.57, P < 0.001), trimming losses (r = -0.25, P < 0.05), and grade (r = -0.58, P < 0.001). In conclusion, cull cow cwt price and carcass quality can be improved by taking into account cows life history factors when making culling decisions.
PSIII-11 Effect of dietary lactic acid bacteria level on reproductive performance and plasma indices in lactating sows
Authors: yang can , tang xiaowu , li fengna , huang Ruilin , Yin Yulong , liu jian , su wenxuan
Published: December 2019

This experiment was conducted to research the effects of different dietary levels of lactic acid bacterial (LAB) in sows’ diet during lactation on piglet growth performance, serum biochemical indices and amino acid of sows. 40 late gestation (110 d) sows with parity 3 or 4 were randomly divided into 5 groups with 8 sows per group. 0, 50, 100, 200, 300 mL Lactobacillus liquid (live LAB concentration was ≥1 *109 CFU/mL) was fed per sow per day for experimental groups L0, L50, L100, L200, L300, respectively. The durations of the test were 35 days. Results showed that, litter weight at weaning from group C grew slower than piglets from groups of L100, L200, L300 (P < 0. 05). Average piglet weight gain from day 1 to 21 of lactation was higher in L200 compared with groups C and L50 (P < 0. 05). Number of weaned pigs increased linearly with dietary LAB level (P = 0.037, r2 = 0.146, y=8.335 + 0.005x). Total litter weight gain from day 0 to 21 increased linearly with the dietary LAB level (P = 0.005, r2 = 0.288, y=15.797 + 0.040x). Serum GLU concentration was smaller in group L50 compared with other groups (P < 0.05). Serum TC concentration was higher in group L100 and lower in groups L200 and L300 (P < 0.05).The values of those amino acids such as leucine, lysine, valine, arginine, cysteine, ornithine were all higher in the sows fed 50 mL LAB than other groups (P < 0.05).In summary, our results have revealed the ability of addition of LAB in sows’ diet during lactation significantly modify piglet growth. Addition of 200 mL LAB liquid seems to be more effective in elevating weight of weaning piglets.
PSIII-12 Effect of PRRSV infection during gestation on sickness behaviors in the piglets after immune challenge
Authors: Rymut Haley E , Houser Alexandra K , Sizemore Courtni R , Rund Laurie A , Johnson Rodney W , Rodriguez-Zas Sandra L
Published: December 2019

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) costs the U.S. pork industry millions of dollars yearly due to production losses and management costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of maternal immune activation (MIA) elicited by PRRSV infection during gestation on the behavioral response of the offspring to subsequent immune challenge. On gestational day 76, PRRSV negative Camborough gilts (n = 6) were either inoculated with PRRSV or saline intranasally. Nineteen female and male piglets from these PRRSV positive and Control gilts were weaned at day 21 and subsequently housed in groups. At day 60, piglets were randomized by sex to receive either saline or an intraperitoneal injection of Poly(I:C) to represent immune challenge. Poly(I:C) is a synthetic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid that mimics double-stranded RNA that activates host defense similar to viral infections by stimulating the release of cytotoxic cytokines and inducing interferon-gamma production. Post injection, binary laying, eating, vomiting, panting, and overall sickness behaviors were collected by instantaneous scan sampling at 1.5-minute intervals for 60 minutes by a trained experimenter blinded to the experimental design. Fisher’s exact test and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistics were used to test the effects of gilt treatment, piglet challenge, and sex within and across factor levels. Male piglets from PRRSV-treated gilts exhibited significantly (P < 0.0455) fewer sickness behaviors than piglets from control gilts between 31 and 45 minutes post-challenge. Significant associations between gilt treatment and both panting (P < 0.0162) and overall sickness behavior (P < 0.0245), while controlling for sex and piglet challenge, were observed. This study characterized the MIA and sex-dependent nature of the effect Poly(I:C) immune challenge on behavior. Our results indicate that MIA is correlated to increased behavioral response to secondary viral infection in male offspring. This study is supported by USDA NIFA AFRI, grant number 2018-67015-27413.
PSIII-1 Characterization of eating pattern and animal behavior according to productive system of intensive beef fattening fed high-concentrate diets
Authors: Verdú Marçal , Cucurull Jordi , Marti Sonia , Devant Maria
Published: December 2019

Eating pattern and animal behavior of three different intensive beef fattening systems, combining cattle breed, gender, and fattening days were studied under the same commercial farming conditions. A total of 120 animals were allocated in 6 pens (two per treatment), and each pen was assigned to 1 of 3 treatments according to productive system: 1) Holstein bulls, slaughtered at 11.5 months of age (142 ± 3.3 days of age and 176 ± 5.5 kg of initial BW), 2) crossbred heifers at 10 months (141 ± 3.3 days of age and 165 ± 5.5 kg of initial BW), and, 3) crossbred Angus bulls at 12.5 months (154 ± 3.3 days of age and 192 ± 5.5 kg of initial BW). Each pen had two separate feeders for concentrate and straw, and a water trough. Eating pattern was recorded per day and animal, and animal behavior was analyzed fortnightly by scan pen sampling. Data were analyzed using a mixed-effects model with repeated measures. Most relevant interaction revealed that around 215 days of age (onset of puberty) heifers visited less frequently the feeder (7.5 vs 8.1 ± 0.23) and devoted more time to eat (7.5 vs 6.5 ± 0.22 min), decreasing eating rate (153.8 vs 177.4 ± 4.97 g/min) compared with bulls. Regardless of age, heifers tended (P < 0.10) to exhibit more frequently non-agonistic (20.4 vs 13.0 ± 1.53 n/15 min), less agonistic (1.2 vs 3.8 ± 0.92 n/15 min) and sexual (1.3 vs 5.5 ± 1.65 n/15 min) behaviors, and more stereotypies (1.5 vs 0.3 ± 0.08 n/15 min) compared with bulls. In conclusion, when animals spent time performing agonistic and sexual behaviors, the time devoted to eat was reduced, identifying a gender effect. This finding could have implications in terms of feeder design, number of feeding spaces, and feeder access.
PSVI-16 Fecal microbiome of nursery pigs fed phytogenics and antibiotics
Authors: Tran Huyen , Johnson Timothy J
Published: December 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of feeding two phytogenic products (PHY1 and PHY2; blends of essential oils and plant extracts) in diets with or without antibiotics (AureoMix S 10-10; AB) on fecal microbiome of nursery pigs. A total of 400 nursery pigs (6.8 kg BW; 20 d of age) were fed one of the six dietary treatments (9 pens/treatment), including: control (0% AB; 0% phytogenics), 0.5% AB, phytogenics (0.02% PHY1 or 0.03% PHY2) or the combination of phytogenic and AB (PHY1 x AB or PHY2 x AB). On d 46 postweaning, 48 fecal samples were collected (1 pig/pen; 7–9 pigs/treatment) and were subjected to the analyses of microbial communities by using 16S rRNA V4 amplicon sequencing with Illumina MiSeq. The sequence data were analyzed by using Qiime and the rarefied OTU table was submitted to Calypso to evaluate the alpha and beta diversity, taxonomic classification, and the differential taxa associated to the dietary treatments. There were differences among treatments on alpha diversity, where the control and PHY2 pigs had lower OTU richness (P = 0.05) and chao1 index (P < 0.10) compared to pigs fed AB alone or AB with phytogenics. There were also differences among treatments on microbial beta diversity of pigs (P < 0.01). The most abundant phyla included Firmicute, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Tenericutes, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetes, and TM7. At family level, pigs fed AB had greater Ruminococcaceae compared to the control, but lower Coriobacteriaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae compared to PHY1 or PHY2 group (P < 0.05). Feature selection by LEfSe indicated that dominant genus associated to AB treatment was Unclassified RF39, while dominant genera associated to PHY2 treatment were Cantenibacterium, unclassified Coriobacteriaceae, Blautia, Eubacterium, and Collinsella. In conclusion, feeding AB and phytogenic products had different impacts on the fecal bacteria of nursery pigs.
PSVI-28 Effects of Chinese herbal medicine and probiotics on the physicochemical properties of chicken
Authors: Chen Xiaofei , Zhu Yunfen , Yang Yongkang , Xiang Jiqian , Yin Hongqing , Ma Jin , Tan Dejun , Li Rong
Published: December 2019

Objective: In this study, we estimate the effects of probiotics, Chinese herbal medicine and antibiotics on chicken protein, fat, ash, some kind of amino acids and fatty acids, tenderness and other physical and chemical properties. Method: 240 hens were divided into six groups, including blank control group, probiotic group, antibiotic group, Chinese herbal medicine group (Three parallel groups were set in the Chinese herbal medicine group: 0.3%, 0.6% and 1%). Hens were fed on restricted diets for more than 120 days. Collecting six breast samples from each group randomly and assaying those items described in the objective. In this study, we performed some determination methods, such as HPLC, GC, Kjeldahl and Soxhelt Method. Data were collected by Excel and analyzed by SPSS18.0 software. The results were expressed as the mean ± SD. One-way ANOVA followed by Duncan’s test was performed to determine statistical significance. ResultThe results showed that the contents of protein, fat, amino acid and fatty acid in chicken were not different significantly among these groups (P > 0.05). So did the value of shear (P > 0.05). Inosine acid content in 0.6% & 1% Chinese herbal medicine group was increased significantly (P < 0.05). The ash value was decreased significantly in 1% Chinese herbal medicine group (P < 0.05). Significance and Innovation: There are many alternatives of antibiotics in livestock and poultry breeding based on Chinese herbal medicine in China. Our study helps to illustrate the positive effect of Chinese herbal medicine on animal feeding and lay a foundation for the future rational application of Chinese herbal medicine in non-antibiotic feeding. Meanwhile, similar reports have not been found internationally. Conclusion Adding proper amount of Chinese herbal medicine in diet can promote the production of inosine acid and enhance the taste of meat, reduce the ash content similarly.
PSII-38 The effect of clitoral stimulation post fixed-time insemination in Bos indicus beef cattle
Authors: Filho Ramiro Oliveira , Mello Gustavo Azevedo de , Pereira Victor Mendonça , Vasconcelos Jose Luiz Moraes , Cooke Reinaldo F , Pohler Ky
Published: December 2019

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of clitoral stimulation post-insemination on pregnancy rates in Bos indicus beef cattle. A total of 1186 multiparous Nelore cows were assigned to an estradiol-based estrus synchronization + timed-AI protocol (FTAI, d 0), and randomly assigned to receive either 2 to 5 seconds of clitoral stimulation or no clitoral stimulation after artificial insemination. Estrus expression prior to AI was evaluated based on patch activation (estrus, ≥ 50% activated; no estrus, < 50% activated) using Estrotect Heat Detector and chute exit velocity after AI was evaluated. Individual exit score was calculated within each group by dividing exit velocity into quintiles and assigning cows with a score from 1 to 5 (1 = slowest; 5 = fastest). Artificial insemination was performed by 7 different technicians. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 30 days after FTAI via transrectal ultrasonography. Overall pregnancy rate at day 30 was 46.0% (545/1186). Clitoral stimulation had no beneficial effect (P = 0.42) on pregnancy rate of multiparous cows when compared to those not stimulated (47.5% ± 4.6 vs. 44.3% ± 4.6). Cows that expressed heat at d 0 (n = 602) had a greater (P < 0.01) pregnancy rate compared to no heat expression (37.6% ± 4.7 vs. 60.6% ± 4.6), but no effect of the clitoral stimulation was observed on pregnancy rate in cows that did or did not express heat (P > 0.05). Furthermore, clitoral stimulation did not affect exit score (P = 0.67) of cows after FTAI. No effect of the technician was observed on pregnancy rate when clitoral stimulation was applied or not (P = 0.21). In summary, clitoral stimulation was not a useful managerial tool to improve pregnancy rate in multiparous Bos indicus cows submitted to FTAI using estradiol-based protocols.
PSIV-20 TAS2R genes in sheep and cattle compared to humans
Authors: Henslee Dillan , Ellison Melinda , Murdoch Brenda , Taylor J Bret , Yelich Joel
Published: December 2019

The taste receptor gene family has been extensively studied in human and some genes have been linked to food preferences and addiction; however, research in foraging ruminants is limited. Identification of taste receptor genes in the sheep genome may provide insight regarding individual dietary range plant preferences. Bitter taste has been a large focus of research since Arthur Fox accidentally discovered the bitter tasting compound phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and observed that bitter taste perception in humans is a variable trait. In theory, individuals who are sensitive to bitter taste will likely consume less bitter tasting foods, which are often antioxidant rich, and be more prone to disease and illness. The objective of this study was to examine known taste receptor genes in sheep and cattle and compare them with humans to determine similarities and differences. Type 2 taste receptors (T2R’s) are the only receptor of the taste gene family to perceive bitterness in foods. Using NCBI genome data viewer, the taste genes were identified on the human (GRCh38.p12), cattle (ARS-UCD1.2), and sheep (Oar_4.0; OORI1) genomes. All 3 species have one T2R gene cluster in common, which includes T2R genes 3, 4, 5, 38, 39, 40, 60, and 41. The span of this cluster is similar for humans (1,457,940 bp), sheep (1,541,593 bp), and cattle (1,594,610 bp). One gene in particular (T2R38) has been associated with PTC sensitivity and linked to aversion of some bitter tasting food in humans. Previous research on T2R38 identified 5 haplotypes, each expressing aversion to bitter taste differently. There is another T2R gene cluster which contains 10 annotated genes in sheep and cattle genomes; however, this region contains an additional 10 genes annotated in the human genome. Understanding genetic variation in TAS2R genes may translate to dietary preferences of sheep grazing on rangelands.
PSIV-15 Effects of Bacillus subtilis PB6 and/or chromium propionate supplementation on health, performance, and blood parameters of high-risk cattle during the feedlot receiving period
Authors: Smock Taylor M , Samuelson Kendall , Seiver Hannah A , Hergenreder Jerilyn , Rounds Whitney
Published: December 2019

The objective was to determine the effects of Bacillus subtilis PB6 and/or chromium propionate supplementation on health, performance, and blood parameters in high-risk beef calves during a 56-day receiving period. Four truckload blocks of crossbred beef calves (n = 384; BW=220±16.2 kg) were assigned randomly to treatments arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial. The generalized complete block design consisted of 12 pen replications per treatment with pen as the experimental unit. Treatments were: 1) placebo control (CON); 2) 13 g/animal/d Bacillus subtilis PB6 (CLOSTAT®, Kemin Industries; CST); 3) 1 g/animal/d Cr propionate (KemTRACE® Chromium, Kemin Industries; CHR); and 4) CST+CHR. Treatments were top dressed in feed bunks daily using 0.45 kg/animal/d ground corn carrier. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 14, 28, and 56 for analysis of serum chemistry and complete blood count variables from a pen subset (n = 2/pen). Data were analyzed using MIXED and GLIMMIX procedures of SAS. The DMI was increased for CST during each interim period (P ≤ 0.03) and overall DMI was increased by 0.78 lb/animal/d for CST (P = 0.01). The CST supplemented cattle had greater BW on days 14, 28, and 56 (P ≤ 0.06). Likewise, ADG was improved for CST from day 0 to 14 (P = 0.04) and for the overall receiving period (P = 0.04). Main effects of CST (P = 0.02) and CHR (P = 0.03) decreased the percentage of calves treated for bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Morbidity was 28.0 and 39.9% for cattle with and without CST supplementation and 28.6 and 39.3% for cattle with and without CHR supplementation, respectively. Cattle fed CHR had increased (P ≤ 0.04) total leukocytes, neutrophils, serum aspartate aminotransferase and less (P = 0.02) serum calcium. Performance was improved by CST and BRD morbidity was less for CST and CHR.
PSII-4 Changes in body temperature of lot-fed Bos taurus and Bos indicus steers during a heat wave
Authors: Sammes Stephanie L , Lees Angela M , Cawdell-Smith Judy A , Gaughan John B
Published: December 2019

Body temperature (BT) is a reliable method for evaluating the thermal status of cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate the regulation of BT in B. indicus and B. taurus steers during a heat wave event. Thirty-five steers (466.30±10.2kg) of mixed genotypes (B. taurus, n = 18; B. indicus, n = 17) were used in a larger 100-d study. Cattle were housed in six un-shaded pens at a commercial feedlot. Body temperature data for this were obtained at 1 h intervals over a 3-d heat wave event using in situ abdominal data loggers. Data were analysed using a repeated measures model, using residual maximum likelihood estimation. The model included genotype (B. taurus; B. indicus) and animal ID as random effects and hour as a fixed effect. Mean maximum BT occurred at 1500 h for B. taurus (40.52±0.03ºC) and 0400 h for B. indicus (40.48±0.31ºC). The BT of B. indicus decreased between 0400 h and 0700 h, and then increased to 1100 h (+0.10±0.01ºC/h), before decreasing again. The BT of B. taurus decreased between 0500 h and 0600 h, and then slowly increased (+0.04±0.01ºC/h) to 1500 h. Mean minimum BT occurred at 2100 h for B. taurus (40.12±0.11ºC) and 0700 h for B. indicus (40.00±0.22ºC). B. taurus maintained lower BT (40.21±0.05ºC) between 1900 h and 2200 h compared to B. indicus (40.27±0.05ºC) which may be due to disrupted heat loss mechanisms during the day, highlighting the importance of night time cooling. In response to increasing heat load, BT in B. taurus had slower increases but retained heat for longer, whilst B. indicus BT responded by a series of rapid increases and decreases. Developing an understanding of the differences in BT regulation in B. indicus and B. taurus will allow for more effective heat load management strategies during heat waves to be established.
PSII-1 Blood metabolomics for biomarker discovery and the diagnosis of Bovine Respiratory Disease
Authors: Blakebrough-Hall claudia R , Dona Anthony , D’occhio Michael , McMeniman Joe , Gonzalez Luciano
Published: December 2019

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Australian feedlot cattle. Diagnosis for BRD is based on visual scoring of illness and the use of rectal temperature above a defined level to trigger treatment protocols. These methods often have a low accuracy at diagnosing BRD. Blood metabolomics monitors alterations in small metabolites in the body and can be used to indicate the presence of disease. The aim of the current study was to search for biomarkers for BRD and develop alternate diagnosis methods for BRD using the blood metabolome profile of feedlot steers. Visually BRD affected (n = 148) and visually healthy (n = 152) steers were removed from their group pens for clinical assessment and blood sampling for metabolomics analysis. Lung lesions indicative of BRD were scored for all trial animals upon slaughter. A non-targeted metabolomics approach based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry was used to search for blood biomarkers using classification and regression trees. The data were split into training and validation datasets for model development. Visual diagnosis (VD), visual + clinical diagnosis (VCD; visually sick and elevated rectal temperature or lung auscultation score), and lung lesion diagnosis (LLD; lung consolidation ≥ 10% or pleurisy score ≥ 2) were used as reference diagnosis methods for BRD. Metabolomics demonstrated a high accuracy at detecting BRD in the validation dataset when using the VD (Acc=0.85, Se=0.82, SP = 0.87) and VCD (Acc=0.81, Se=0.88, SP = 0.74), but was less accurate at detecting animals defined as sick using the LLD (Acc=0.74, Se=0.38, SP = 0.89) (Table 1). The models selected nine metabolites important in differentiating sick and healthy animals. The results suggest the blood metabolome is a useful indicator of BRD status and could therefore be used for confirmation of BRD in feedlot cattle.
PSII-18 Awardee Poster: Direct fed microbial supplementation on apparent nutrient digestibility, visualization of the top three fecal microbial isolates, and blood metabolites in the moderately exercised horse
Authors: Heaton Courtney P , Cavinder Clay A , Smith Trent
Published: December 2019

Performance horses subjected to intensive training and competition are exposed to elevated physiological stress. Decreased blood cortisol has been reported with direct fed microbial (DFM) supplementation. Eight stock-type horses (8.13 ± 1.31 yr; 489.77 ± 19 kg) were used in a completely randomized design to determine the effect of DFM on the apparent digestibility of nutrients, fecal microbial profile, and blood metabolites in moderately exercised horses. Diets were 1.5% BW/d of a 50/50 bermudagrass and alfalfa hay with 0.5% BW/d of control (CON) grain or grain with DFM. The DFM contained Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Enterococcus faecium, and Saccharomyces cervisiae at a rate of 25.1 x 109 cfu/g of grain, averaging 61.5 x 1012 cfu/d. After a 21-d washout period, horses were transitioned to 1 of 2 diets for a 21-d treatment. Horses were moderately exercised 3 d/wk for 1 h. Blood was collected pre-and post-exercise and fresh per rectum fecal samples were collected to determine the top 3 microbial isolates. A total fecal collection was performed the last 72 h of the treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with horse within diet as a random block effect and as a subject of repeated measures. There were tendencies for increases in apparent ADF digestibility (P = 0.064) and mean HR (P = 0.075) for DFM. Resting lactate was decreased (P = 0.036) with DFM and post exercise cortisol was not affected (P = 0.944). Of the top 3 isolates identified, Escherichia coli (EC) and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus accounted for 90% of isolated bacteria. A heat map was created to assess fecal bacteria shifts, which found clustering dependent on sex, with mares excreting more EC than geldings. Results indicate DFM may have an impact on nutrient digestibility and microbial populations in exercise-stressed horses.
PSII-42 Kinetics of methanogenesis and acetogenesis under normal rumen conditions
Authors: Scott Jarvis , Kohn Richard
Published: December 2019

Researchers are investigating numerous methods to reduce enteric methane emissions and improve the sustainability of US animal agriculture. Methane emissions from the rumen depend on principles of kinetics, where the profile of fermentation products depends on relative rates of competing reactions, substrate concentrations or enzymatic activities. We investigated the kinetics of methanogenesis and related VFA production under increasing concentrations of infused hydrogen. The H2 (0, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 mL) was added to Hungate tubes containing 10 mL of rumen fluid with 10 mL of CO2 headspace gas. Then H2, CH4 and CO2, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were measured after 0 and 1 h incubation at 39 °C. Data were fit to a non-linear Michaelis-Menten (M-M) model to estimate Vmaxand Km. For initial rumen fluid without added H2gas, there was an increase in CH4, slight decrease in H2, and disappearance of acetate and propionate. When H2was added, H2disappearance increased linearly, and methane, acetate and propionate increased non-linearly. For example, methanogenesis Vmax was 0.209 mM 10mL-1minute-1 with Km of 67.2 mM (RMSPE = 0.09, n = 9). The ratio of appearance of CH4 to disappearance of H2 was 0.15, showing 60% of H2 disappearance was accounted for by methanogenesis. The H2 addition shifted fermentation from VFA degradation to synthesis via saturable pathways (e.g. at Vmax). Results show that rumen fluid has enzyme activity such that as H2 gas is made available to rumen fluid, most H2is used for methane and VFA synthesis, and rates and proportions of H2 utilization for different pathways can be measured in vitro.
PSII-29 Identification of serum proteins that interact with extracellular histones in feedlot cattle
Authors: Flores Victor V , Gifford Jennifer A Hernandez , Matera Julia , Hartson Steven , Wilson Blake K , Byrum Stephanie D , Gifford Craig A
Published: December 2019

Bovine respiratory disease complex remains the largest challenge facing the cattle industry. Extracellular histones, which are released during disease, have a pathological role in death associated with acute sepsis or respiratory distress syndrome. Treatment against histone cytotoxicity improves survivability of mice suffering from sepsis and respiratory disease. Previously, we demonstrated calves with severe or lethal cases of bovine respiratory disease had an impaired capacity to protect against histone cytotoxicity. However, the mechanism or component of the serum which modulates histone cytotoxicity is unclear. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to identify components in serum which interact with extracellular histones. To achieve this objective serum proteins that interact with histones were precipitated by the addition and incubation of exogenous histones (2.5μg/μL; 1 h; 23°C). Serum protective capacity was determined pre- and post-precipitation, using our novel in-vitro assay and cell viability was estimated using resazurin. Fluorescent values were analyzed using GLM procedure of SAS and means were separated using PDIFF function. Fluorescent values decreased (P < 0.05) after precipitation, indicating interacting proteins were effectively precipitated. Protein from the precipitate was then separated using SDS-PAGE. Proteomes, excluding IgG and BSA, were analyzed by LC-MS/MS using a label-free data-dependent “shotgun” mass spectrometry approach. Proteins were identified and quantified by searching UniProtKB database (restricted to Bos taurus; 32,967 entries) using Andromeda search engine in MaxQuant. Seven of the top twenty candidate proteins identified were associated with the complement system. Results in the literature suggest that histones play a role in controlling activation of the complement system through binding of complement associated proteins. Results from the current study extend those findings and suggest the complement system may interact with extracellular histones to minimize histone cytotoxicity, indicating aberrant regulation of the complement system or extracellular histones can lead to increased tissue damage during disease.
PSI-25 Effects of restricted maternal nutrition and realimentation during gestation on the fetal progenitor cell population in semitendinosus muscle of sheep
Authors: Mitchell Michaela , Liefeld Amanda E , Govoni Kristen E , Vonnahme Kimberly A , Grazul-Bilska Anna T , Swanson Kendall C , Zinn Steven A , Reed Sarah A
Published: December 2019

Satellite cells are muscle stem cells that contribute to postnatal growth. The satellite cell population is established during fetal muscle development, through the retention of Pax7-expressing myogenic progenitor cells. We hypothesized that realimentation during late gestation would ameliorate the negative effect of poor maternal nutrition during mid-gestation on the fetal myogenic progenitor cell population. To test this hypothesis, 47 ewes pregnant with singletons were fed a control diet of 100% of National Research Council (NRC) requirements (CON) starting at day 25 of gestation. At day 50 of gestation, six ewes were euthanized and the remainder were randomly assigned to one of two diets: CON or 60% of CON (RES). On day 90 of gestation, a subset of ewes were euthanized (n = 7 per treatment) and fetal semitendinosus samples were collected. The remaining ewes were maintained on the current diet (CON-CON, RES-RES) or switched to the alternative diet (CON-RES, RES-CON). On day 130 of gestation, all ewes were euthanized for fetal sample collection (n = 6–7 per treatment). Fetal semitendinosus was cryosectioned and immunostained for detection of Pax7(+) cells followed by image analysis. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS. Semitendinosus from RES lambs had a greater number of Pax7(+) cells but similar total cell numbers to CON offspring, resulting in a greater percentage of Pax7(+) cells at d90 of gestation (CON: 13.22 ± 0.74%; RES: 16.01 ± 0.74%, P = 0.01). At day 130, there was no difference in the percentage of Pax7(+) cells between dietary treatment groups (CON-CON: 7.88 ± 0.80%; CON-RES: 6.34 ± 0.74%; RES-RES: 7.82 ± 0.74%; RES-CON: 6.87 ± 0.74%; P > 0.17). The percentage of Pax7(+) cells decreased from day 90 to day 130, regardless of dietary treatment (P < 0.0001). In summary, restricted maternal nutrition may delay progenitor cell differentiation at mid-gestation.
PSI-38 Evaluation of increasing oat groats in nursery pig diets
Authors: Chance Jenna , Lerner Annie , DeRouchey Joel , Woodworth Jason , Tokach Mike , Goodband Robert
Published: December 2019

Two experiments were conducted to test the effect of added dietary oat groats on nursery pig performance (Exp. 1) and diet palatability (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, a total of 225 pigs (initially 6.3 kg) were used in a 14-d study. Pigs were fed a starter diet for 7 d prior to the start of the experiment. Pens were assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments in a RCBD by BW with 4 or 5 pigs/pen and 10 pens/treatment. Dietary treatments consisted of 0, 7.5, 15, 22.5, or 30% oat groats added as a replacement for corn. Treatments were fed for 14 d with pig weights and feed disappearance collected weekly. Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX. For the experimental period, increasing added oat groats resulted in no evidence for differences (P > 0.05) in ADG, ADFI, G:F, or d 14 BW. In Exp. 2, a 7-d preference study was conducted to evaluate the response when given the choice between 0% oat groats to either 7.5% groats or 30% groats. A total of 48 pigs were used with 4 pigs/pen and 6 replications/comparison. Pigs were weighed on d 0 and 7, and feeders weighed and position rotated within the pen daily to determine ADFI of each diet offered. When given the choice, there was no evidence for difference (P > 0.05) in ADFI or percentage of diet consumed between the 0% and 7.5% oat groat diets. When given the choice between the 0% or 30% groat diets, pigs had increased (P = 0.001) ADFI (0.05 vs. 0.29 kg, respectively; SEM=0.020) and feed consumed (16.3 vs. 83.7%, respectively; SEM=3.61) with the 30% oat groat treatment. In conclusion, increasing dietary oat groats did not improve performance; however, when given the choice, pigs preferred the 30% oat groat diet compared to diets without oat groats.
PSI-17 Late season sorghum produced for silage in Southwest Louisiana
Authors: Storer William A , Crawford Karlye , Billeaudeaux Luke
Published: December 2019

Three varieties of sorghum [Dynagrow: 705F (MED), F73FS10, (TALL) and F72FS25BMR (BMR)] were evaluated for their potential as a late season silage crop as part of a corn/sorghum/annual ryegrass crop rotation program. The experiment was conducted in Kinder, LA. After harvesting of corn silage in August, the field was planted (d 0) at 4 kg/ha in early September. Atrazine (1 L/ha) and Parallel (1 L/ha) were applied pre-plant for weed control. Liquid urea ammonium nitrate (32% N, 33.6 kg/ha) was side-dressed on d 30. Two applications of insecticide (Kendo, 18.7 L/ha) were applied on d 14 and 30. Three adjacent 4 ha plots were each planted with a single variety of sorghum. On d 90, 3 samples (2.7 m X 1.5 m) from each plot were evaluated for plant population, yield, stalk diameter, and plant height. Three 3.8 L plastic bags were filled with a homogenized sample of each variety of sorghum and analyzed (Agri-King Nutrition, Inc., Fulton, IL) for plant composition and digestibility. At harvest, the BMR variety was the most mature (hard dough stage) with MED and TALL varieties in milk to soft dough stage. The BMR variety had the lowest yield (P < 0.05). Crude protein content was greatest (P < 0.05) in the MED variety. Plant maturity negatively influenced the CP content of the BMR variety. Although yield was greatest (P < 0.05) in the TALL variety, the resulting plant height increased the susceptibility to lodging. Lodging was exclusive to the TALL variety with approximately 15% (based on visual appraisal) slightly or completely laid down. The MED variety produced nearly equal yield and was the greatest (P < 0.05) in percentages of CP, starch, and fat content. The BMR variety was greatest (P < 0.05) in digestibility and lowest (P < 0.05) in lignin content.
PSIII-33 A new approach to resynchronize beef cows and perform two Timed Artificial Inseminations 24 days apart
Authors: Colli Marcos A , Cline Garrett , Walker Josh , Forrest David , Baruselli Pietro S , Looney Charles
Published: December 2019

We aimed to compare the pregnancy rate from 1stTAI and 2ndTAI performed 24 days apart and pregnancy between cows that showed or not estrous on the end of 2nd TAI protocol. Were used 190 lactating cows (Angus: 114; Brangus: 53 and Santa Gertrudis: 23). On the first day of synchronization (D0), insertion of a new CIDR® (Zoetis) plus the 100µg of Cystorrelin®(Merial) treatment, on D7 25mg of Lutalyse® (Zoetis) and CIDR withdrawal. 72 hours after CIDR removal 1stTAI was performed plus GnRH treatment. After 14 days from 1stTAI, all the cows received an one time used CIDR. The pregnancy diagnosis was performed 22 days after 1stTAI, using a subjective visual evaluation of CL blood flow (BF). Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography Color Doppler (MicroMaxx®). Cows with an area of CL≥3cm² and/or ≥25% CL BF were diagnosed as pregnant and underwent CIDR removal without further treatment. Those diagnosed as non-pregnant underwent CIDR removal and received one Estrotect™ (Rockway-Inc.), 25mg of Lutalyse treatment and submitted to 2nd TAI 48h after CIDR removal (D24) plus the 100µg of Cystorrelin. On D31 considered pregnant cows on D22 were examined by US B-mode D31 to verify false positive and effective pregnancies. On D55, cows were submitted to US B-mode to verify the 2ndTAI pregnancy rate. Statistical analysis were performed using GLIMMIX procedure from SAS. The pregnancy on D22 was 48.5% (87/190) and the false positives were 14.9% (13/87). There was no difference on pregnancy 31 days after 1stTAI (38.9%; 74/190) vs. 2nd TAI (32.0%; 33/103; P = 0.24). Cows were more likely to be pregnant on D55 compared to cows that: showed Estrous: 42.9% (21/49) vs. No Estrous: 22.2% (12/54; P = 0.03). In conclusion, the pregnancy rates were the same at 1st to 2ndTAI. And cows that showed estrous had more pregnancy at 2ndTAI.
PSVIII-38 Genomic prediction for tick resistance in Angus cattle
Authors: Campos Gabriel , Cardoso Fernando F , Gulias-Gomes Claudia Cristina , Domingues Robert , Regitano Luciana , Oliveira Marcia Sena de , Oliveira Henrique Nunes de , Carvalheiro Roberto , Albuquerque Lucia Galvão , Lourenco Daniela
Published: December 2019

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of single-step genomic BLUP (ssGBLUP) for genetic evaluation of tick resistance in Angus cattle in Brazil. Additionally, we investigated population parameters, namely effect population size (Ne) and inbreeding (F) based on pedigree (PED) and genomic (GEN) information. Half-body tick counts were recorded up to three times in the same animal, totaling 2291 records. To normalize the distribution, records were log-transformed prior to the analysis. From 7073 animals in the pedigree, 1299 were genotyped with 3 different SNP chips of density 50k, 77k, and 150k. After imputation and quality control, 61,066 SNP remained. A repeatability animal model was used to estimate variance components, traditional EBV, and genomic EBV (GEBV). Validation was carried out for young genotyped animals, with no phenotypes in the reduced data but at least one record in the complete data, using two different approaches: 1) predictive ability as the correlation between phenotypes adjusted for fixed effects and (G)EBV; 2) a method based on linear regressions that is called LR, which uses correlations between (G)EBV in the complete and reduced data as a measure of consistency between subsequent evaluations. Heritability for tick counts was 0.18 ± 0.03. Based on PED and GEN, Ne was 254 and 199, whereas F was 0.016 and 0.003, respectively. Predictive ability for tick counts was 0.11 for EBV and 0.14 for GEBV, which is considered low. Conversely, when LR validation was used, the relative increase in accuracy by adding extra phenotypic information was 0.49 for EBV and 0.61 for GEBV. Even though tick counts has low heritability, our study indicates that genomic selection can help to improve prediction accuracy and, therefore, to increase tick resistance in this Angus population.
PSVIII-36 Polymorphisms at the 5’ region flanking the ovine IGF-1 gene affect mRNA levels in dorper lambs
Authors: Encinas Luis Angel Flores , Quintana José alfredo Martínez , almeida Felipe Alonso rodriguez , Felix-Portillo Monserrath , Martínez Francisco Joel Jahuey
Published: December 2019

The insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays a key role in muscle development and has been described in several studies as a candidate marker gene for growth traits in farm animals. The aim of the study was to investigate IGF-1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the 5’ flanking region and their association with gene expression levels and phenotypic characteristics in lambs. The experiment was executed in two phases. First, a 265 bp-long region of gDNA localized up-stream of the IGF-1 gene was scanned for SNPs by sequencing. Sequence analysis revealed that animals with low IGF-1 plasm concentration had nucleotide changes from Guanine (G) to Cytosine (C) at position 85 (85G >C), and from G to Adenine (A) at position 87 (87G >A). A PCR-RFLP protocol was set up to accomplish allelic discrimination in 22 lambs sired by Dorper rams. The frequency of the variant-carrier lambs was 50 %. The statistical analysis showed differences (P < 0.05) between carrier and non-carrier female lambs for IGF-1 concentration at 13 d (168.76 ± 15.01 vs 229.95 ± 16.78), 41 d (191.02 ± 38.28 vs 324.50 ± 42.80) and 69 d (209.18 ± 30.63 vs 375.87 ± 34.2) of the feeding trial. Statistical differences (P < 0.05) were also found for total weight gain (22.16 ± 1.07 vs 26.75 ± 1.2). In a second phase, 55 Dorper females were genotyped, then 2 homozygotes, 5 heterozygotes and 5 wild-type for the variant were randomly selected for IGF-1 qPCR gene expression analysis. Gene expression was higher (fold-change 2.6) in non-carrier animals (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, daily weight gain and weight at 150 d were not statistically significant. The variant for the IGF-1 gene here reported has lower levels of gene expression. However, additional experiments are needed to measure phenotypic characteristics such as carcass traits, diameter and density of muscle fibers.
PSVIII-19 Meta-analysis of genetic parameter estimates for feed efficiency traits in dairy cattle
Authors: Oliveira Hinayah , Schenkel Flavio , Richardson Caeli M R , Miglior Filippo , Brito Luiz
Published: December 2019

Over 60% of the production costs in dairy cattle are related to feeding. Genetic selection for improved feed efficiency (FE) is a very promising alternative to reduce feeding costs, increase the industry profitability, and reduce the industry environmental footprints. The success of genetic selection relies in part on the heritability (h2) of the indicator traits included in the breeding programs. Several studies have reported h2 estimates for different FE indicator traits, with a broad range of estimates. To obtain more consistent h2 estimates across studies and populations, we performed a meta-analysis of published h2 estimates using four different groups of FE indicator traits commonly used in dairy cattle: 1) energy intake (EI); 2) residual feed intake (RFI); 3) feed (dry-matter) intake (FI); and 4) feed conversion efficiency (FCE). A comprehensive literature review identified 148 h2 estimates across 39 scientific papers from 13 different countries, published between 1991 and 2019. Thereafter, a meta-analysis based on random-effects model was used to summarize and address the variability of the parameter estimates. Our study confirmed that FE indicator traits in dairy cattle are under moderate genetic control. The h2 estimates were 0.18±0.02, 0.19±0.02, 0.29±0.01, and 0.19±0.03 for EI, RFI, FI, and FCE, respectively. In addition, our findings showed that h2 estimates for FE indicator traits in different studies have significant heterogeneity (I2 index estimated for EI, RFI, FI and FCE was 80.5%, 59.8%, 81.7%, and 55.7%, respectively). Among the possible sources of variation that contributed to the heterogeneity across studies are country, type of housing, life stage, and diet. The results reported here summarize the overall level of genetic control of FE in dairy cattle, which are useful for genetic evaluations when reliable h2 estimates for FE are not available in the studied dairy cattle population.