bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
39 Reproductive challenges of cattle adapted to tropical and subtropical environments
Authors: Pohler Ky , Reese Sydney T , Franco Gessica Aruajo , Filho Ramiro Oliveira , Montero Lohana Fernandez , Melo Gabriela Dalmaso de , Moraes Ana
Published: December 2019

In the coming decades, tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including southern United States, southeast Asia, India, parts of Africa and Central and South America, will experience both the greatest increases in population and demands for beef. Potential for expansion of beef production in these areas is considerable due to abundance and low cost of forages that are a non-competitive food source for humans; however, research efforts must emphasize cattle efficiency to maximize sustainability of the cattle industry. Raising tropically adapted cattle in these regions present unique opportunities and challenges that differ from strategies used in production of the predominant B. taurus cattle common in temperate regions of the globe. Despite the physiological differences between B. taurus and B. indicus cattle including reproductive physiology, nutritional requirements, social behavior, digestive system, and body composition, strategies developed in B. taurus cattle are commonly used for B. indicus production. Hence, a fundamental step to meet the increasing global demand for protein while addressing environmental stewardship is to identify these physiological, social and nutrient requirement differences to develop, and disseminate management practices tailored to optimizing production efficiency of B. indicus-influenced cattle reared in subtropical/tropical regions of the planet. From a reproductive management perspective, tropically adapted cattle present several challenges including increased age at puberty, increased postpartum anestrous period and managed in an extensive system. Additionally, reproductive failures post pregnancy establishment are known to be greater in B. indicus cattle in tropical/subtropical regions, although the exact reasons for this outcome have not been identified and addressed. This talk will focus on recent research and strategies aimed at mitigating the impacts of reproductive inefficiency in tropically adapted cattle.
213 Genomic selection of carcass quality traits in crossbred pigs using a reference population
Authors: Bergamaschi Matteo , Maltecca Christian , Schwab Clint , Fix Justin , Tiezzi Francesco
Published: December 2019

The objective of this work was to evaluate the predictive ability of different models applied to carcass traits in crossbred pigs. The pigs were divided in 2 finishing flows: A=36,110 and B=95,041 animals, and were progeny of 386 sires (almost entirely genotyped with the 60k SNP chip). In flow A, individuals were housed into single-sire single-gender pens, and split-marketing on a pen basis was applied. In flow B, individuals were kept in standard commercial conditions and split-marketing on an individuals basis was applied. A dataset containing individual records of three carcass traits: back-fat (BF), loin depth (LD), and carcass daily gain (CACG) was used. Data from flow A were divided into training and validation sets on the basis of contemporary groups (8 in training and 1 in testing). Variance components and solutions were obtained using the BLUPF90 suite of programs. Models included fixed effects (dam line, sow parity, sex, cross fostering, and contemporary group) and random effects (additive genetic, batch, litter, and residual). Models tested were univariate vs multivariate and pedigree vs single-step. The addition of flow B records to the training set was evaluated, by including or excluding these records. Heritabilities were 0.68±0.023 for BF, 0.47±0.018 for LD, and 0.55±0.023 for CACG. CACG gain was correlated with BF (0.43±0.029) and LD (0.39±0.03). Low genetic correlation was found between BF and LD (0.17±0.034). Prediction accuracies were 0.39±0.05, 0.17±0.06, and 0.13±0.03 for BF, LD, and CACG respectively. The mean accuracy of BF, LD, and CG increased (~6%) when records from flow B were included in the training set, whereas the increase of accuracy between models (univariate vs multivariate) was not significant. The inclusion of sire genotypes did not improve prediction accuracy significantly. Based on these results, the prediction of carcass quality traits in crossbred pigs is possible.
221 Effect of age and rut period on the semen quality in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)
Authors: Nikitkina Elena , Musidray Artem , Krutikova Anna , Timofeeva Svetlana , Plemyashov Kirill , Anipchenko Polina , Goncharov Vasilii
Published: December 2019

Reindeer herding is a traditional activity of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic. Assisted reproductive technology in reindeer herding are under development. This is due to the difficulty of collecting reindeer sperm (Rangifer tarandus) in the Arctic. The aim of the work was to study the influence of age and rut period on the quality of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) sperm. Semen was collected in Taimyr in autumn 2017, 2018. Ejaculate volume, total (TM) and progressive motility (PM) and sperm concentration were evaluated. TM, PM and sperm concentration were measured by CASA (computer-assisted semen analysis). Sperm was not found in caudae epididymidae in males at the age of six months. The sperm was collected only from caudae epididymidae from males aged 1.5 and 2.5 years. Collecting of ejaculated semen is possible in males from 3.5 years of age. The volume of ejaculate increased from 0.3±0.09 ml (mean±SD) at the age of 3.5 years to 0.7±0.09 ml at the age of 5.5 years and older (P < 0.05). Concentration of cells increased by 2 times in older males. It is known that reindeer sperm can be collected only during the rut. At the beginning and end of the rut, the collection of sperm by electroejaculation was not always successful, sperm was collected in 3 of 10 cases, while in the middle of the rut in 9 of 10 cases. There was no significant effect of the rut period on the ejaculate volume and sperm concentration. The lowest TM (51.1±2.16%) and PM (33.5±7.90%) were at the beginning of the rut, the highest at the end (73.0±5.02% and 59.0 ± 6,30%) (P < 0.01). Thus, the effect of age and rutting period on the reindeer sperm was observed. Authors acknowledge financial support from Russian Science Foundation, Grant No:17-16-01023.
328 Awardee Talk: The importance of genetic improvement to the sustainability of animal agriculture
Authors: Eenennaam Alison L Van
Published: December 2019

It is hard to overstate the important impact that food animal breeding programs have had on decreasing the environmental footprint of animal protein production. Genetic improvement, combined with improved nutritional and animal health programs, have resulted in a significant decrease in the current environmental footprint per unit of animal protein production, as compared to 50 years ago. Accelerated rates of genetic change have been enabled by the adoption of technologies such as artificial insemination and genomic selection. To address projected future animal protein demands using less inputs, animal breeders will need to continue to introduce new breeding methods into food animal breeding programs to further improve the rate of genetic change. Genome editing represents one such technique, offering an approach to precisely knock out undesirable traits, and rapidly introgress useful genetic variants in the absence of linkage drag. Although there is great potential for this technology, it comes following a fractious 30-year debate regarding the use of genetic engineering in food production systems. Additionally, FDA’s proposed regulatory approach to treat all “intentional genome alterations” introduced by genome-editing as new animal drugs, makes it unlikely public sector food animal researchers will be able to afford even basic research and development using genome editing reagents. There is a pressing need for animal geneticists to speak out about the opportunity costs of forestalling safe innovation in animal breeding programs. However, this mandate comes at a time when consumers are questioning the need, or desirability, of applying modern molecular technologies to agricultural production systems. This poses a vexing problem to animal geneticists – is the customer always right?, or are there compelling global food security and environmental reasons to advocate for the use of modern molecular techniques to enable the next inflection point in the rate of genetic improvement in food animal breeding programs.
49 Current status of genomic selection
Authors: Misztal Ignacy
Published: December 2019

Early application of genomic selection relied on SNP estimation with phenotypes or de-regressed proofs (DRP). Chips of 50k SNP seemed sufficient. Estimated breeding value was an index with parent average and deduction to eliminate double counting. Use of SNP selection or weighting increased accuracy with small data sets but less or none with large data sets. Use of DRP with female information required ad-hoc modifications. As BLUP is biased by genomic selection, use of DRP under genomic selection required adjustments. Efforts to include potentially causative SNP derived from sequence analysis showed limited or no gain. The genomic selection was greatly simplified using single-step GBLUP (ssGBLUP) because the procedure automatically creates the index, can use any combination of male and female genotypes, and accounts for preselection. ssGBLUP requires careful scaling for compatibility between pedigree and genomic relationships to avoid biases especially under strong selection. Large data computations in ssGBLUP were solved by exploiting limited dimensionality of SNP due to limited effective population size. With such dimensionality ranging from 4k in chicken to about 15k in Holsteins, the inverse of GRM can be created directly (e.g., by the APY algorithm) in linear cost. Due to its simplicity and accuracy ssGBLUP is routinely used for genomic selection by major companies in chicken, pigs and beef. ssGBLUP can be used to derive SNP effects for indirect prediction, and for GWAS, including computations of the P-values. An alternative single-step called ssBR exists that uses SNP effects instead of GRM. As BLUP is affected by pre-selection, there is need for new validation procedures unaffected by selection, and for parameter estimation that accounts for all the genomic data used in selection. Another issue are reduced variances due to the Bulmer effect.
251 Oxidation of energy substrates in tissues of Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
Authors: Li Xinyu , Wu Guoyao
Published: December 2019

Because of growing interest in producing Largemouth bass (HMB) as a source of high-quality protein for human consumption worldwide, it is imperative to understand the metabolism of nutrients (including amino acids and carbohydrate) in this aquatic animal. The present study tested the hypothesis that amino acids are oxidized at a higher rate than carbohydrates (e.g., glucose) and fatty acids (e.g., palmitate) to provide ATP for tissues of LMB fed a 45%-crude protein diet. The liver, intestine, kidney, and skeletal muscle were isolated from juvenile LMB and incubated at 26 °C (the body temperature of LMB) for 2 h in 1 ml of oxygenated Krebs–Henseleit bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.4) containing a mixture of nutrients (2 mM glutamate, 2 mM glutamine, 2 mM aspartate, 2 mM alanine, 2 mM leucine, 5 mM glucose, and 2 mM palmitate). The rate of oxidation of each energy substrate was determined by using [U-14C]-labeled glutamate, glutamine, aspartate, alanine, leucine, glucose, or palmitate and collecting 14CO2 from each tracer. Results indicated that aspartate, glutamate and glutamine were extensively oxidized in all the four tissues and contributed to 67% of total ATP production. Glutamate contributed to more ATP than glutamine in the intestine, whereas similar amounts of ATP were produced from glutamate and glutamine in the liver, kidneys and skeletal muscle. In all the four tissues, rates of oxidation of alanine, leucine, palmitate and glucose were low and each of those nutrients contributed to < 10% of total ATP production. Together, the oxidation of aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, alanine plus leucine provided 82–85% of total ATP for the liver, intestine, kidney, and skeletal muscle. We conclude that amino acids, rather than glucose and long-chain fatty acids, are the primary energy substrates in the major tissues of Largemouth bass.
81 Effects of engineered biocarbons on total gas and methane production, rumen fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in a semi continuous fermentation system (RUSITEC)
Authors: Tamayao Paul , McAllister Tim A , Ominski Kim , Ribeiro Gabriel , Okine Erasmus , Saleem Atef , McGeough Emma
Published: December 2019

This study investigated the effects of engineered biocarbon on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, total gas and methane (CH4) emissions, and microbial protein synthesis in a rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) fed a barley silage-based TMR. The basal diet consisted of 60% barley silage, 27% barley grain, 10% canola meal and 3% minerals. Three pine-based biocarbon products CP016, CP024 and CP028. were added at 2% of substrate DM. Biocarbons differed in bulk density, surface area, pore volume, pH, but had similar chemical compositions. Treatments were assigned to sixteen vessels (n = 4/treatment) in two RUSITEC apparatuses in a randomized block design. The experiment period was 17 d, with a 10-d adaptation and 7-d sample collection period. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED in SAS, with treatment (T), day (D) and TxD interactions as fixed effects and RUSITEC apparatus and fermenters as random effects. Compared to the control, biocarbon did not affect total gas (P = 0.98), the amount of CH4 produced per unit of DM incubated (P = 0.48) or per unit of DM digested (P = 0.27). Biocarbon treatments averaged 6.5 g of CH4 /g DM incubated and 9.06 g CH4 /g DM digested as compared to 7.1 g of CH4 /g DM incubated and 10.46 g CH4 / g DM digested in the control, respectively. Biocarbon CP024 had the greatest numerical reduction, followed by CP028 then CP016 in all CH4 associated parameters. Biocarbon addition did not affect the disappearance of DM (P = 0.63), OM (P = 0.34), CP (P = 0.48), NDF (P = 0.12), or VFA (P = 0.65) and ammonia N levels (P = 0.99) and protozoal counts (P = 0.72). The amount of bacterial nitrogen (mg/d) associated with feed particles increased (P < 0.003), suggesting that biocarbon may have enhanced colonization. In conclusion, engineered biocarbon did not reduce CH4 emissions in the RUSITEC.
94 Essential oils improve barrier function and attenuate inflammatory responses in porcine intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Hui Qianru , Omonijo Faith , Liu Shangxi , Zhang Hua , Lahaye Ludovic , Bodin Jean-Christophe , Gong Joshua , Nyachoti Martin , Yang Chengbo
Published: December 2019

Thymol has been known as a functional phytochemical isolated from thyme essential oils and possesses antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, an in vitro lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation model using IPEC-J2 cell line was established to evaluate the inflammatory responses after thymol treatment. Cells were pre-treated with thymol for 1 h followed by LPS stimulation. Interleukin 8 (IL-8) secretion, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mRNA abundance of two pro-inflammatory cytokines, nutrient transporters, and tight junction proteins, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and cell permeability were measured. The localization of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and β-actin were also detected by immunofluorescent staining. The results showed that LPS stimulation increased IL-8 secretion, ROS production, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) mRNA abundance (P < 0.05), but the mRNA abundance of sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1), excitatory amino acid transporter 1 (EAAC1) and H+/peptide cotransporter 1 (PepT1) were decreased (P < 0.05). However, thymol blocked ROS production (P < 0.05) and tended to decrease the production of LPS-induced IL-8 secretion (P = 0.0766). The mRNA abundance of IL-8 and TNF-α was reduced by thymol pre-treatment (P < 0.05), but thymol was unable to improve the gene expression of nutrient transporters (P > 0.05). TEER was reduced and cell permeability was increased after LPS stimulation (P < 0.05), but these effects were attenuated by thymol pre-treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, thymol boosted ZO-1 and β-actin staining in the cells, but the mRNA abundance of ZO-1 and occludin-3 was not affected by either LPS or thymol treatments. These results indicated that thymol can enhance gut barrier structure and functions by reducing ROS production and pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in porcine epithelial cells during inflammation. The regulation of barrier function by thymol may be at post-transcriptional or post-translational levels.
98 Effect of engineered biocarbon on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, methane emissions, and rumen microbiota in beef heifers
Authors: Terry Stephanie , Ribeiro Gabriel , Gruninger Robert , Chaves Alex , Beauchemin Karen , Okine Erasmus , McAllister Tim A
Published: December 2019

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of engineered biocarbon (EB) on rumen fermentation, apparent total tract digestibility, methane (CH4) emissions and the rumen and fecal microbiome of Angus × Hereford heifers fed a barley silage-based diet. The experiment was a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square using 8 ruminally cannulated heifers (565 ± 35 kg initial BW). The basal diet contained 60% barley silage, 35% barley grain and 5% mineral supplement with EB added at 0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0%, or 2.0% (DM basis). Each period was 28-d consisting of 14-d adaptation and 14-d of measurements. Samples for profiling of the microbiome in rumen liquid, solids and feces were collected on d-15 before feeding. Rumen samples for fermentation characterization were taken at 0, 3, 6, and 12-h post feeding. Total collection of urine and feces was conducted from d-18 to 22. Heifers were housed in open-circuit respiratory chambers on d-26 to 28 to estimate CH4 emissions. Ruminal pH was recorded at 1-min intervals during CH4 measurements using indwelling pH loggers. Data were analyzed with the fixed effects of dietary treatment and random effects of square, heifer within square and period. Dry matter intake was similar across treatments (P = 0.21). NH3-N concentration and protozoa counts responded quadratically (P = 0.01) to EB. Minimum pH was increased (P = 0.04), and variation of pH was decreased (P = 0.03) by 2.0% EB. Total tract digestibility, N balance and CH4 production were not affected (P ≥ 0.17) by EB. EB affected the relative abundance of Fibrobacter (P = 0.05), Spirochaetaes (P = 0.01), Verrucomicrobia (P = 0.02), Tenericutes (P = 0.01), and Elusimicrobia (P = 0.02). Results suggest that at the examined concentrations, EB was ineffective at decreasing enteric CH4 emissions, however it altered the rumen microbiome.
108 Is there a relationship between future career choices and participation in youth livestock shows?
Authors: Davis Ronald J , Gurung Nar , Johnson Russell
Published: December 2019

Livestock shows allow youth to get firsthand experience in handling and taking care of animals, and other life skills such as responsibility, time management, hard work, and leadership. However, the relationship between participation in livestock shows and future career choices has not been clearly established. A questionnaire survey was developed to gather information from students, agriculturists, and agricultural professionals in an attempt to answer the above question. The questionnaire reached 14 land-grant universities, five animal agriculture-related companies, and over 27,000 people on social media. 516 respondents competed the 19-question survey. Respondents were divided into four regions (Southern 1; Northeast, 2; Mid-west, 3 and West, 4). Data collected on binomial variables were analyzed using Probit analysis to determine regional and gender differences. Chi square tests of independence were used to test the association of selected categorical variables. All analyses were conducted using SAS (SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC). Significantly, more females (48.2%) considered community outreach as a benefit out of participating in youth livestock shows compared to males (31.9%). Fewer individuals in the southern region (24.1%) viewed financial management as a strength of participation compared to other regions (≈ 38%). Males were much more frequently members of Future Farmers of America (70.1%) compared to females (53.3%). The regions 2, 3, and 4 showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels of participation in 4-H (90%) compared to region 1 (69%). The results provided much useful information related to youth livestock shows but did not demonstrate a clear relationship between participation in livestock shows and future career choices.
261 Prescribed burning of endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures: Effects on forage production, ergot alkaloid concentrations, and stand composition
Authors: Meng Kevin , Bailey Eric , Allen Hannah , Brake Derek
Published: December 2019

Prescribed fire may be a non-chemical alternative for seedhead suppression in endophyte-infected tall fescue forage systems. A study was conducted to observe the effects of a single prescribed burn on seed head production, ergot alkaloid concentration, forage production, forage quality, and stand composition in K31 tall fescue plots (endophyte infection=96%). Treatments of an undisturbed control (CON), March mow (MOW), March burn (EARLY), and April burn (LATE) were randomly applied to 56 square meter plots with ten replicates per treatment. Plots were sampled for forage quality and ergot alkaloid concentrations monthly from May to October. Forage production and species composition was recorded in June and October. Fescue seedhead count was conducted in May. After June sampling, plots were clipped to a height of 10 cm and litter was removed to simulate spring grazing. CON had greater (P < 0.01) total forage production in June than other treatments. MOW had greater (P < 0.01) forage production (≤107 kg/ha) than EARLY and LATE in June. There was no effect (P = 0.30) of treatments on forage production in October. LATE burn reduced (month × trt; P = 0.02) ergovaline concentration in June but all treatments were above the established threshold (150 ppb) for fescue toxicosis. Fescue seed head frequency was decreased (P < 0.01) by 50% in LATE plots. There was no treatment effect (P ≥ 0.22) on forb and non-fescue grass frequency in May, but warm season grass frequency was greater (P < 0.01) in LATE plots in October. Crude protein in LATE was greater than other treatments in May and both LATE and CON were greater than other treatments in June (P < 0.01). Neutral detergent fiber for LATE was less than other treatments in May and June (P < 0.01). Under conditions of this experiment, prescribed fire decreased seed head count and ergot alkaloid concentration, with a modest reduction in forage production.
255 Determining the optimal dose of microbial enzyme to enhance fiber digestion
Authors: Althaber Colton , Coffey K P , Compart Devan Paulus , Shelby Sarah , Hays Melanie , Niyigena Valens , Bignar John
Published: December 2019

Certain enzymes may enhance fiber digestion, but the optimum dosage for ruminants consuming bermudagrass hay is not known. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal dosage of a combination of a protease with Aspergillus oryzae and A. niger fermentation extract blend on fiber digestion and rumen fermentation of bermudagrass hay by sheep. Twenty ewes (30.3 ± 5.29 kg BW) were allocated randomly to 1 of 5 diets (n = 4/treatment). Bermudagrass hay was chopped and offered for ad libitum consumption to ewes housed individually in 1 × 1.5-m pens with plastic-coated grate flooring. Diets were supplemented with 0.25% BW of soybean meal and either no enzyme or 1.5, 3, 4.5, or 6 g of a mixture of a protease with A. oryzae and A. niger fermentation extracts in a calcium carbonate carrier. A 14-d dietary adaptation was followed by 7 d of total fecal collection. On d 21, 3 rumen samples per ewe were taken at 4 h intervals for analysis of pH and VFA concentrations. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS and orthogonal linear and quadratic contrasts were used to assess enzyme dosage effects. Dry matter and ADF digestibility increased quadratically (P < 0.05), and NDF and OM digestibility tended (P ≤ 0.07) to increase quadratically across dosages. Ruminal acetate concentrations decreased quadratically and ruminal propionate increased quadratically (P < 0.05) with increasing enzyme dosage (P < 0.05). Total VFA concentrations were not affected by dosage (P = 0.71), but the acetate:propionate ratio decreased quadratically (P < 0.05) with increasing enzyme dosage. In conclusion, a protease and A. oryzae and A. niger fermentation extract blend increased fiber digestion, but dosages over 3 g of enzyme did not further enhance DMD or DMI.
348 An aggressive implant strategy altered non-carcass components in long-fed Jersey steers
Authors: Pillmore Sierra L , Kirkpatrick Tylo J , Wesley Kaitlyn , Cooper Kimberly , Tennant Travis , Lawrence Ty
Published: December 2019

Jersey cattle are recognized for superior marbling, however, feeding Jerseys to market potential is typically uneconomical due to slow-maturation and excessive internal fat accretion. Growth-promoting agents have been used to improve growth and may improve the efficiency of Jersey steers. Our study was designed to evaluate by-product yields of Jersey steers in response to an aggressive implant program. Jersey steers (n = 12) were fed over a 420-d period and were randomly allocated to one of two treatments in a completely randomized design; control (CON) or implant (IMP). Control steers received no implant, whereas IMP steers received a Revalor-200 (200mg trenbolone acetate/20mg estradiol) implant in alternating ears every 70 d, totaling 6 implants per animal. Non-carcass components were weighed during harvest and results were analyzed using an independent t-test. A 19 and 30% reduction (P ≤ 0.02) in total internal fat (66.41 vs 81.66 kg) and cod fat (4.01 vs 5.70 kg) was observed for IMP vs CON steers. Aggressive implanting increased (P < 0.01) penis weight by 51% (0.71 vs 0.35 kg) and decreased (P < 0.05) skull thickness (12.06 vs 20.96 mm) and tail switch (0.36 vs 0.49 kg) of steers. When expressed on an empty body weight basis (g/kg EBW), cod fat and KPH decreased (P ≤ 0.05) from 11.09 and 50.88 g/kg EBW in CON to 7.70 and 37.74 g/kg EBW in IMP steers, and a 20% reduction (P ≤ 0.01, 126.60 vs 158.90 g/kg EBW) of total internal fat was observed for IMP vs CON steers. Implantation also increased (P ≤ 0.01; 0.67 to 1.35 g/kg EBW) penis and decreased (P = 0.04; 0.96 vs 0.67 g/kg EBW) tail switch weight on an EBW basis. These results suggest a shift in energy partitioning away from internal fat accumulation in aggressively implanted Jersey steers.
350 The effect of early intervention with fecal microbiota transplantation combined C. butyricum and S. boulardii on weaning stress of piglets
Authors: Xiang Quanhang , Peng Jian
Published: December 2019

This study was designed to determine the effect of early intervention with fecal microbiota transplantation combined C. butyricum and S. boulardii on anti-weaning stress capacity of piglets. 22 pregnant sows were selected in this study, 10 sows were divided into control group (CON), and 12 sows were divided into treatment group (FMT combined C. butyricum and S. boulardii, FMT+C+S). Piglets in CON were gavaged with placebo and piglets in treatment group were gavaged with bacterial solution once daily for the first 3 days after birth. Piglets were weaned at age of 28-day. To explore the effects of early intervention on weaning stress in piglets, after weaning, each group selected 65 healthy piglets to continue feeding for 4 weeks. The growth performance was measured by weekly individual weighing. ADFI during post-weaning period were measured daily. The blood biochemical markers for immunity function, intestinal barrier, and inflammation levels were determined by ELISA kits, and the indices of antioxidant ability were examined using the commercial assay kit. Isolated DNA from fecal were used for 16s rRNA amplicon sequencing to determine microbiota composition. FMT+C+S improved growth rate and decreased diarrhea rate both in sucking and post-weaning period in piglets. FMT+C+S significantly increased immunity function, intestinal barrier function, antioxidant capacity, and reduced inflammation levels in weaned piglets. FMT+C+S significantly increased the abundance of Firmicutes in feces before and after weaning (P < 0.01). In addition, at the genus level, several beneficial bacteria, such as Phascolarctobacterium, Oscillospira, Faecalibacterium, etc. were significantly enriched (P < 0.05) before weaning, and Lactobacillus, Lachnospira, Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, etc. were enriched significantly (P < 0.05) after weaning. These results suggested that early intervention with fecal microbiota transplantation combined C. butyricum and S. boulardii may be a effectively method to promote piglets growth and protect piglets from weaning stress, and even disease, through regulating gut microbiota composition.
276 Effects of Hermetia illucens larvae meal on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality in finishing pigs
Authors: Ma Xianyong , Yu Miao , Li Zhenming , Deng Dun , Rong Ting
Published: December 2019

Object: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Hermetia illucens larvae meal on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of finishing pigs. Methods: Seventy-two crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Large White) pigs (76.0 ± 0.52 kg) were randomly allocated to three experimental treatments, and fed the diet with supplementation of 0%, 4%, or 8% Hermetia illucens larvae meal (HILM), respectively. The experiment lasted 42 days. Results: The average daily gain (ADG) of pigs in 4% HILM group was higher, and the feed gain ratio (F/G) was lower than the control and 8% HILM group (P < 0.05). The loin-eye area, marbling scores, and inosine monophosphate (IMP) content of Longissimus thoracis muscle (LM) in 4% and 8% HILM group were higher than the control group (P < 0.05). There were no diffenences on backfat thickness, pH value, meat color, drip loss among three groups. Compared with the control, 4% HILM significantly increased the content of intramuscular fat (IMF) (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the mRNA expression level of fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl CoA carboxylase α (ACCα), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and MyHC-IIa in the LM was higher in 4% HILM group than that in 8% Hermetia illucens larvae meal and the control group (P < 0.05). The abundance of Lactobacillus, Pseudobutyrivibrio, Roseburia, Oribacterium, and Faecalibacterium was higher in 4% Hermetia illucens larvae meal group than the control group (P < 0.05); The abundance of Streptococcus was lower and Peptococcus was higher in 4% HILM group than 8% HILM group. Conclusion: HILM can be used as an effective feed ingredient in finishing pig’ diet up to 4% level, which was beneficial for the growth performance, carcass trait, and meat quality of pigs, and the underlying mechanism maybe due to the altered lipogenic potential, myofiber characteristics and the microbial composition regulated by HILM.
426 Awardee Talk: growing the quantity and quality of undergraduate research experiences in animal science
Authors: Jones Cassandra K
Published: December 2019

Undergraduate research is known to be one of experiential learning methods that helps animal science students gain critical thinking skills. There is high demand for these opportunities. For example, 77.9% of incoming freshmen in the Department of Animal Sciences & Industry at Kansas State University from 2016–2018 planned to conduct research sometime during their undergraduate career (225 of 289 students). Conventional 1:1 faculty:undergraduate mentoring methods in the Department were only serving 1.7% of the undergraduate population (21 of 1,212 students). This creates a unique challenge of increasing the number of undergraduate research opportunities, while maintaining the impact of individualized experiential learning. One method to address this challenge is the incorporation of a course-based research program. In this model, research projects are conducted during a conventional semester during scheduled classroom hours, with project components divided into three 5-week sections: 1) research preparation, including compliance requirements, hypothesis testing, experimental design, and protocol development; 2) data collection; and 3) data interpretation and dissemination. Students collect data as a team, but individually develop their own research abstract and poster to maintain a high level of experiential learning. By teaching multiples sections of this course per semester and incorporating the concepts into existing laboratories, 13.3% of students in the Department completed undergraduate research in the 2018–2019 academic year (159 of 1,197 students). To monitor the quality of these experiences, student critical thinking ability was assessed using the online Critical Thinking Basic Concepts & Understanding Test (Foundation for Critical Thinking, Tomales, CA). The type of research experience did not influence assessed skills (P > 0.10). Thus, course-based undergraduate research experiences may be an option for growing the quantity and quality of undergraduate research experience in animal science.
126 Evaluation of true ileal amino acid digestibility of fermented soybean meal fed to nursery pigs
Authors: Jang Kibeom , Cheng Y C , Kim S W
Published: December 2019

Fermented soybean meal (FSBM) has smaller peptides and reduced anti-nutritional factors compared with those in conventional SBM. Apparent and true ileal digestibilities (AID and TID) of AA in FSBM were measured using both a direct method and a substitution method. Forty eight (24 barrows and 24 gilts) pigs at 7 kg BW were allotted to 4 dietary treatments (n = 12) based on a randomized complete block design with sex and initial body weight as blocks. Treatments includes NFD (semi-purified N free diet to measure endogenous AA loss), NFSB (NFD with 20% FSBM; Genebiotech Co., Ltd. and Nutraferma, Inc), CBD (corn basal diet), and CBSB (CBD at 80% and FSBM at 20%). NFD and NFSB were used to directly measure AID and TID AA of FSBM, whereas NFD, CBD, and CBSB were used to indirectly calculate AID and TID AA of FSBM using a substitution method. Experimental diets included TiO2 (0.4%). Pigs were fed experimental diets for 10 days. Feed allowance was based on 0.09 x BW0.75 kg per day. All pigs were euthanized at the end of the experiments to collect ileal digesta. Diets and ileal digesta were used to quantify TiO2 and AA. Data were analyzed using Mixed Procedure of SAS 9.4. Dietary treatment was the main effect and blocks were random effects. Endogenous AA loss was 2.48 g. When measured by a direct method, AID and TID of Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp were 72.1 and 89.8%, 74.9 and 92.1%, 61.0 and 88.5%, and 72.2 and 92.2%, respectively. When measured by a substitution method, AID and TID of Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp were 64.7 and 84.4%, 60.5 and 77.9%, 36.2 and 57.0%, and 58.2 and 81.0%, respectively. Overall, a direct method showed higher AID and TID AA in FSBM than those measured by a substitution method.
130 Comparison of amino acid digestibility in fish meal, porcine plasma, porcine red blood cell, and blood meal between broiler chickens and young pigs
Authors: Park Chan Sol , Naranjo Victor , Htoo John K , Adeola Olayiwola
Published: December 2019

The objective of this study was to compare the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA in fish meal (FM), porcine plasma (PP), porcine red blood cell (RBC), and blood meal (BM) between broiler chickens and pigs. Five diets were prepared for both species including 4 diets containing test ingredients and a nitrogen-free diet. In Exp. 1, 416 male broiler chickens (initial BW = 705 ± 100.0 g) at d 18 post hatching were assigned to diets in a randomized complete block design with BW as a blocking factor. After 5 d of feeding, birds were euthanized for collection of ileal digesta. In Exp. 2, 10 barrows (initial BW = 22.1 ± 1.54 kg) surgically fitted with T-cannulas at the distal ileum were allotted to duplicate 5 × 4 incomplete Latin square design with 5 diets and 4 periods. Each experimental period consisted of 5-d adaptation and 2-d ileal digesta collection periods. Data for Exp. 1 and 2 were considered together as a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement with the effects of species (i.e., broiler chickens and pigs) and four diets (i.e., FM, PP, RBC, and BM). There were interactions (P < 0.05) between species and diets on the SID of AA except for Pro. The SID of Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp in FM, PP, and RBC for broiler chickens were not different from values for pigs; however, the SID of respective AA in BM for broiler chickens were less than values for pigs. The SID of indispensable AA in BM were less than in FM, PP, or RBC within each species, but the SID of indispensable AA in BM for broiler chickens was less than values for pigs. In conclusion, utilization of AA in animal protein ingredients containing high concentration of CP varies between broiler chickens and pigs.
291 Effects of replacing inorganic trace minerals with low level of organic trace minerals on growth performance, tissue mineral deposition and mineral excretion in piglets
Authors: pei xun , liu lujie , wang geng , wang minqi , huai Minyan
Published: December 2019

This study was conducted to investigate effects of inorganic trace mineral (ITMs) replacement with low level organic trace minerals (glycine complex minerals, GCMs; proteolytic complex minerals, PCMs) on growth, tissue mineral retention and mineral excretion in piglets. A total of 128 weaned piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Largewhite, 14.37 ± 0.32kg BW) aged 40d were randomly divided into 4 dietary treatments and fed for 28 days, with 4 replicates of 8 piglets per treatment. Dietary treatments were:(T1) basal + ITMs (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn, sulfate) at 100% commercial level;(T2) basal + ITMs at 50% commercial level + GCMs at 50% commercial level;(T3) basal + GCMs at 50% commercial level;(T4) basal + PCMs at 50% commercial level respectively. On day 29, six piglets from each group were slaughtered to collect serum, muscle and organ samples. The results showed that ADG of T1, T2 and T3 was higher than that of T4 (P < 0.05), FCR of T1, T2 and T3 was lower than that of T4 (P < 0.01). The retention of trace minerals in tissues and serum is significantly correlated with the supplemental level and source of trace minerals. When 50% commercial level ITMs replaced with GCMs, Cu in serum, heart, liver and pancreas, Fe in liver and muscle was increased (P < 0.05), and liver Zn, Mn in heart, liver and muscle was increased (P < 0.01) respectively. Muscle Zn in T3 was higher than that from T4 (P < 0.05) with same level of organic minerals. Zn, Fe, Mn excreted from urine in pigs fed T2 diet was less than that from T1 (P < 0.05), and urine Zn in T3 treatment is lower than that from T4 (P < 0.05). This study indicated that dietary ITMs replacement with GCMs resulted in higher tissue minerals deposition, and organic trace minerals from GCMs exhibited higher bioavailability than those from PCMs.
295 Awardee Talk: Novel regulation of growth hormone by kisspeptin
Authors: Sartin James , Daniel Jay A , Foradori Chad , Whitlock Brian
Published: December 2019

Kisspeptin (KP) is critical regulator of reproductive function through it’s potent stimulation of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). In addition there has been inconclusive evidence to suggest intravenous KP can stimulate growth hormone (GH). Studies in 24 h fasted (but not fed) sheep determined that ICV injection of Kp-10 can increase plasma GH concentrations. This led to questions about the mechanism linking KP and GH. Since fasting is a critical requirement for the Kp effect on GH, studies were focused on factors that are linked to fasting within the hypothalamus and are known regulators of GH. Fasting causes a major upregulation of neuropeptide Y (NPY), a potent appetite regulator and in ruminants, a stimulator of GH. Pretreatment of BIBO 3304, an NPY receptor antagonist, blocked the effect of KP to increase GH and implicated NPY as a mediator of the KP effect. Indeed, KP injected ICV upregulated cFOS in NPY and GH Releasing Hormone (GHRH) cells in the arcuate nucleus and reduced cFOS in Somatostatin (SS) cells in the periventricular nucleus. Another factor, altered by fasting and capable of regulating GH, is Ghrelin. Both blockage of Ghrelin release and central blockade of Ghrelin receptors reduced or blocked release of GH after KP treatment. These experiments suggest an hypothesis that fasting upregulates central Ghrelin and NPY expression permitting the activation of NPY by KP. NPY in turn activates GHRH and inhibits SS to release GH.
374 Effects of maternal nutrition on secretion of leptin in the neonatal heifer and interaction of maternal and postnatal nutrition on age at puberty and postpubertal secretion of luteinizing hormone
Authors: O’Neil Meaghan M , West Sarah M , Maia Tatiane S , Cardoso Rodolfo C , Williams Gary L
Published: December 2019

Nutrition during gestation and early postnatally can program developmental changes in the offspring that persist until adult life. Here we tested the hypotheses that maternal nutritional during the second and third trimesters of gestation 1) affects neonatal secretion of leptin in heifer offspring, and 2) interacts with dietary energy intake during the juvenile period to affect age at puberty and postpubertal pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) in heifers. Bos indicus-influenced beef cows (n = 108) in 3 replicates bearing heifer fetuses were assigned randomly to receive low (L), moderate (M), or high energy (H) diets to achieve body condition scores (BCS) of 3–3.5 (thin; n = 36), 5.5–6 (moderate; n = 36), or 7.5–8 (obese; n = 36) by the second trimester of gestation until calving. Heifer offspring were weaned at 3–3.5 months of age and assigned randomly to either a high- (H; 1 kg/day) or low-gain (L; 0.5 kg/day) diet for 5 months. Blood samples from a subgroup of 30 heifers (Exp. 1) from cows in each maternal treatment (n = 10/treatment) were collected once every 2–3 days for 2 weeks after birth. In Exp. 2, 18 heifers representing 3 of the maternal × postnatal groups (HH, MH and LL) were ovariectomized and received estradiol replacement (OVX+E) after puberty. Pulsatile secretion of LH was evaluated for 5.5 hours. Maternal nutrition did not affect postnatal circulating leptin. Based on two replicates (n = 61), postnatal diets had the greatest effect on age at puberty (L > H; P < 0.001), with a lesser maternal diet effect (P < 0.10), although LL > HH by 99 days. None of the characteristics of pulsatile LH secretion differed among treatments in OVX + E heifers. Dietary effects on age at puberty were not associated with hormonal characteristics evaluated in these initial studies.
390 Effects of dietary-induced pH changes on feed digestion, nitrogen metabolism, fermentation, and biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in dual-flow continuous culture fermenters
Authors: Zeltwanger Joshua M , DiCostanzo Alfredo , Larson-Johnson Haley , Stern Marshall
Published: December 2019

Ruminal pH decreases as greater concentrations of grain are consumed, and as a result, reduces biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty-acids. Our objective was to investigate effects of diet on pH and biohydrogenation activity in vitro. Eight dual-flow, continuous culture fermenters were blocked by side of the room and randomly assigned, within block, to 1 of 4 treatments. Treatments consisted of 100:0 roughage-to-concentrate (Grass), 50:50 roughage-to-concentrate plus flax oil supplement (Mix+F), 10:90 roughage-to-concentrate plus corn oil supplement (Con+C), or 10:90 roughage-to-concentrate plus flax oil supplement (Con+F). Fermenter pH, area under the curve, and maximum pH were lowest for Con+C and Con+F (P < 0.05). Apparent and true DM, OM, and NDF digestibility were greater with grain inclusion (P < 0.05) while ADF digestibility was not affected by treatment (P > 0.10). Protein degradation was lowered as grain inclusion increased (P < 0.05). Total VFA concentrations were lowest for Grass, highest for Con+C and Con+F, and intermediate for Mix+F (P < 0.05). Acetate-to-propionate was lowest for Con treatments (P < 0.05). Biohydrogenation of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 fatty-acids were reduced (P < 0.01) with inclusion of concentrate regardless of roughage-to-concentrate ratio. Concentrations of stearic acid recovered from effluent were greatest for Grass, intermediate for Mix+F, and lowest for both Con+C and Con+F (P < 0.05). Linoleic acid proportions in effluent were greatest for Con+C and Con+F and intermediate for Mix+F (P < 0.05), and inclusion of concentrate, regardless of amount, increased the amount linoleic acid recovered from fermenter overflow (P < 0.01). Between Con+C and Con+F concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) was greater when flax oil was supplemented (P < 0.01). Proportions of ALA in effluent was similar (P > 0.10) between Grass and Con+C; however, between Mix+F and Con+F ALA concentrations tended (P = 0.06) to be greater for Con+F. Omega6-to-omega3 ratios were similar across Grass, Mix+F, and Con+F (P > 0.10) and greatest for Con+C (P < 0.05).
396 Effect of zinc amino acid complexes on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef steers fed with or without ractopamine hydrochloride- a nine study pooled analysis
Authors: Reinhardt Christopher , Millican Allison , Wickersham Tryon , Larson Connie , Branine Mark
Published: December 2019

A nine-study retrospective pooled analysis was conducted to evaluate supplemental Zn provided as an amino acid complex (ZnAA) on growth performance, carcass quality and yield in finishing beef steers fed with or without ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) prior to slaughter. Data from nine well-controlled studies conducted at university and commercial feedlot research facilities in AB, IA, KS, OK and TX were evaluated using 249 pens ranging from 6 to 275 steers /pen (Total number=14,096 animals.; initial BW = 340± 6.2 kg). Treatments evaluated were: (1) Control (CON) =basal diet with 0 to 11 mg-1·kg-1 DM ZnAA and no RAC; (2) RAC = 200 to 320 mg RAC ∙hd-1∙d-1 fed 28 to 42 d prior to slaughter; (3) ZnAA only =30 to 120 mg-1·kg-1 DM fed throughout finishing period; (4) ZnAA + RAC. Main effects of feeding RAC, ZnAA and RAC × ZnAA interaction were determined for growth performance and carcass data with pen as experimental unit and initial BW as covariate. Combined analyses indicated no RAC × ZnAA interactions (P ≥ 0.23). RAC main effect improved carcass-adjusted growth performance and increased HCW and ribeye area (P ≤ 0.01). Main effect ZnAA increased carcass-adjusted final BW, ADG, and HCW (P ≤ 0.01); improved carcass-adjusted Gain: DM feed ratio (P = 0.06), dressing percentage (P = 0.02), and increased calculated yield grade, backfat thickness and percentage of carcass internal fat (P ≤ 0.10). A RAC × ZnAA interaction (P ≤ 0.10) was observed for USDA quality and yield grade distribution of carcasses. Incidence and severity of liver abscesses were reduced (P ≤ 0.05) by feeding either ZnAA or RAC. Feeding ZnAA and RAC to finishing cattle separately or in combination were additive for producing incremental improvements in production and carcass traits of economic importance.