bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PSV-17 Pinpointing Differences between Significant QTL of Carcass Traits in Yorkshire and Landrace Pig Populations
Authors: Wackel Hanna , Gondro Cedric , Shin Donghyun
Published: November 2020

The identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) within different breeds of a species is important for polygenic traits such as meat quality and reproductive traits. If different breeds are selected for the same phenotype, the genetic regions that ultimately undergo positive selection will not necessarily be the same. One of the most common ways to identify these QTL is through genome wide association studies (GWAS). Outlining differences in significant QTL of complex traits can give insights into selection in one breed by using information from another. The objective of this study was to estimate heritabilities, identify QTL within purebred Yorkshire (YK) and Landrace (LR) populations by use of GWAS and to compare significant SNP between the breeds. 8,202 animals in total (5,053 Yorkshire and 3,149 Landrace) were genotyped with a 50k Illumina SNP chip, then phased and imputed to correct for any missing SNP calls using EAGLE and MINIMAC. The R package gwaR was used to estimate variance components by using a GBLUP model with fixed effects of parity, a contemporary group and sex. The response variables considered were carcass traits, specifically, meat percent (MP), backfat average (BFA), backfat depth (BFD), daily weight (DW) and day-90 weight (DW90) and were assessed per breed. Heritability estimates of each trait can be found in Table 1 and were in-line with previous studies. Significant SNP of each trait were compared between the two breeds by estimating the p-value of each SNP using gwaR. The breeds showed similar significant signals, but differences arose within BFD with additional significant peaks in LR. This could be due to real genotypic differences or could be an effect of the difference in sample size. The comparison between these two breeds can lead to insights in other pig breeds as well guide more informed selection decisions in the future.
PSV-13 Genetic parameters and quantitative trait loci for heat stress related traits in sheep
Authors: Jacobs Devin R , Silvera-Rojas Claudia E , Bormann Jennifer M , Gipson Terry A , Goetsch Arthur L , Weaber Robert L , Rolf Megan M
Published: November 2020

Greater selection emphasis has been placed on efficiency than on fitness in livestock populations over the last several decades. Heat stress is a concern in production systems due to the negative effects on production, reproduction, and immunity. The objective of the study was to estimate variance components and identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for heat stress related traits in sheep. A total of 125 Dorper, Katahdin, and St. Croix ewes originating from four regions of the United States were selected for the experiment. Animals were separated into four trials due to facility limitations. Data were collected for each trial over four consecutive two-week periods in an environmentally controlled facility with targeted heat load index (HLI) for daytime/nighttime of 70/70, 85/77, 90/77, and 95/81. Body weight was collected three times per week and rectal temperature was collected weekly. Black globe temperature and humidity were measured every 15 minutes. Animals were genotyped using the Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip. After quality control, 49,396 effective single nucleotide polymorphisms were included in the univariate analysis performed with the BLUPF90 suite of programs. Fixed effects in the models included region of origin, breed, trial, and age as a covariate. Traits analyzed included rectal temperature at 95 HLI (RT95), feed intake at 95 HLI (FI95), and average daily gain for the period for HLI between 90 and 95 (ADG). Heritabilities for RT95, FI95, and ADG were 0.35, 0.10, and 0.10, respectively. Largest effect QTL were identified on chromosomes 23, 9, and 6 for RT95, chromosomes 9, 2, and 20 for FI95, and chromosomes 6, 1, and 5 for ADG. Many of the regions identified have also been associated with weight and carcass traits in other studies, but few had obvious connections to the heat stress related response. In conclusion, results suggest selection could improve heat tolerance in sheep.
PSVII-8 miRNAs explain the variation in muscle and blood transcriptomes of beef calves born from dams with or without energy restriction during late gestation
Authors: Carvalho Elisa B , Sanglard Letícia P , Nascimento Moysés , Moriel Philipe , Sommer Jeffrey , Merrill Melissa , Poore Matthew , Duarte Marcio , Serão Nick
Published: November 2020

Maternal energy restriction during late gestation affects the expression of genes related to energy metabolism in muscle and immune response in blood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. The aim of this study was to identify potentials miRNA involved in the expression of differentially expressed genes (DEG) in muscle and blood following exposure to maternal gestational energy restriction. Forty days before the expected calving date, cows were assigned to one of two diets: 100% (CTRL) or 70% (REST) of the daily energy requirement. For RNA-seq analysis, muscle samples were collected from 12 heifers and 12 steers, and blood samples were collected from 12 steers. miRNAs were identified from the RNA-seq data based on the bovine genome annotation, with 38 and 10 miRNAs identified in blood and muscle, respectively. The expression of the miRNAs and the previously identified 160 and 450 DEGs in muscle and blood, respectively, was pre-adjusted for fixed effects before final analyses. A stepwise selection (P-value < 0.05) was used to identify miRNAs (dependent variables) explaining variation in DEGs, for each DEG at a time, and analyses performed separately for blood and muscle. The R2 of selected models ranged from 0.88 to 0.99 in muscle and 0.92 to 0.99 in blood. Of the most selected miRNA in muscle, MiR-133a and MiR-1 are known to be related to muscle hypertrophy, and MiR-143 and bta-let-7i promote adipocyte differentiation. Of the most selected miRNA in blood, MiR-21 regulates immune system by different pathways. Using RNA-seq data, we identified miRNAs explaining a large amount of the variation of DEGs, with the identification of important miRNAs related to muscle development and immune system.
PSVII-4 Effect of Green Grass supplementation of swine diet on pork quality characteristics
Authors: Furbeck Rebecca , Knapp Josh P , Trenhaile-Grannemann Melanie D , Burkey Thomas , Fernando Samodha , Sullivan Gary , Miller Phillip
Published: November 2020

This objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a swine feed additive (GREEN GRASS, GG Sunseo Omega 3, Seoul, South Korea) on pork meat quality attributes. Thirty-six individually fed barrows were assigned one of four dietary treatments: moderately complex diet devoid of GG (CTRL;NRC 2012); CTRL with 10% GG (GG10) , CTRL with 20% GG (GG20), or CTRL with 17% dried-distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). Following slaughter, carcass and primal weights, LM area, 10th and last-rib backfat, and belly flop distance were measured. Physicochemical measures on the LM were instrumental color (L*, a*, b*), pH, proximate composition, drip loss, and shear force. Consumer panelists (n=112) evaluated loin samples for juiciness, pork flavor, off-flavor, tenderness, and overall liking. Belly and LM sample fatty acid composition was evaluated. Data were analyzed via PROC GLIMMIX of SAS with animal as the experimental unit. Panelist was considered a random effect. Diet treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on weights, physicochemical measures, or panelist off-flavor rating. The GG20 treatment had less 10th rib backfat (P = 0.0178) than CTRL and GG10. DDGS and GG20 had the smallest (P = 0.026) belly flop values; CTRL and GG10 diets had the greatest. Belly and loin GG samples had greater (P < 0.001) total ω3, C18:3ω3, and C22:5 compared to CTRL and DDGS samples. Bellies from barrows fed DDGS had the greatest (P = 0.001) amount of C18:2 (linoleic acid), and bellies from the DDGS and GG treatments had greater (P = 0.001) overall PUFA than CTRL. Pork chops from the CTRL group were among the highest rated for all sensory attributes, and the GG20 treatment was more similar (P > 0.05) to the CTRL than GG10. These data suggest that feeding GG preferentially alters fatty acid composition without compromising quality attributes.
PSII-20 Evaluation of Different Vitamin Concentrations in a Commercial Wean-to-Finish Program
Authors: Thompson Robyn , Knopf Brandon , Vier Carine , Lu Ning , Cast Wayne , Orlando Uislei
Published: November 2020

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of different vitamin concentrations on growth performance of wean-to-finish pigs under commercial conditions. A total of 900 barrows and gilts (PIC337×Camborough; initially 5.34±0.13 kg) were used in a 136-d growth trial with 25 pigs per pen and 12 pens per treatment in a randomized complete block design. Experimental diets were fed in 3 phases during nursery (5-6, 6-13, and 13-26 kg) and 5 phases during grow-finish (26-44, 44-65, 65-87, 87-108, and 108-128 kg). Dietary treatments consisted of: 1) NRC: vitamin concentrations following NRC (2012) recommendations; 2) PIC: vitamin concentrations following PIC (2016) recommendations; 3) Low-PIC: vitamin concentrations that ranged from 0 to 91% of PIC recommendations. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with pen as the experimental unit. During the nursery period, pigs fed PIC and Low-PIC diets had greater (P< 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared to pigs fed NRC diets. There was no evidence (P >0.10) for differences in average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (G:F). During the grow-finish period, there was no evidence (P >0.10) for differences in growth performance. During the overall wean-to-finish period, pigs fed PIC diets had lower (P< 0.05) ADG and final body weight compared to pigs fed NRC and Low-PIC diets. There was no evidence (P >0.10) for differences in ADFI or G:F. Pigs fed PIC diets had the greatest serum vitamin D3 at the end of nursery and finish periods (P< 0.05) and the greatest serum Vitamin E at the end of nursery period (P< 0.05). In summary, pigs fed PIC and Low-PIC diets had greater nursery feed intake and serum vitamin E and D3 concentrations compared to pigs fed NRC diets. Data from this study have demonstrated that pigs fed diets with reduced vitamin concentrations compared to PIC (2016) recommendations had improved wean-to-finish growth rate.
PSII-19 Effect of inclusion level of synthetic lysine, threonine, methionine, and tryptophan in corn-soybean meal and DDGS based diets for grow-finish pigs on growth performance and carcass characteristics
Authors: Grohmann Caleb J , Ellis Michael , Mendoza Omarh F , Shull Caleb M
Published: November 2020

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increasing dietary synthetic amino acids L-Lysine HCl, L-Threonine, Alimet®, and L-Tryptophan inclusion level at the expense of soybean meal on growth performance during the grow-finish period (46.2 ± 0.55 to 127.4 ± 0.83 kg BW) and carcass characteristics of pigs reared under commercial conditions. The study used a RCBD with 2 dietary treatments: 1). Control: 0.309, 0.029, 0.028, and 0.000 g/kg of synthetic lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan, respectively; 2). High Inclusion: 0.422, 0.069, 0.047, and 0.014 g/kg, respectively. Diets were corn-soybean meal based with DDGS (20.6% for both diets) formulated to be isocaloric and to the same SID amino acid levels but varied in soybean meal inclusion (14.1 and 10.2%, for the Control and High Inclusion, respectively) and crude protein content (17.7 and 16.4%, respectively). A total of 3,520 barrows and gilts were used, housed in single-sex pens of 32 (22 replicates) at a floor space of 0.67 m2/pig. Pigs had ad libitum access to feed and water throughout the study. Pen was the experimental unit and data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS; the model accounted for fixed effect of dietary treatment and the random effect of block. There was no effect of dietary treatment on final live weight, overall ADFI, hot carcass weight, backfat depth, or longissimus muscle depth. However, the High Inclusion treatment had lower overall ADG (P ≤ 0.01) and overall G:F (P ≤ 0.05), but greater (P ≤ 0.01) carcass yield than the Control treatment. These results suggest that increasing the inclusion of synthetic amino acids in corn-soybean and DDGS based diets for growing-finishing pigs to the levels evaluated negatively impacted growth rate and feed efficiency but increased carcass yield.
PSIV-18 Effects on performance and market weight of DNA 600 Duroc sired pigs when fed diets with a blend of phytonutrients (Lean Fuel) in combination with Narasin (Skycis)
Authors: Ochoa Luis , Bible Megan , Soltwedel Kevin , Sandberg Fredrik
Published: November 2020

The objective was to determine effects on performance from using Narasin (Skycis, Elanco) or a phytonutrient blend (Lean Fuel, Furst-McNess Company), or used in combination. 856 pigs (40.7±3.1 kg BW) were used in the experiment and pens were blocked by nursery feeding program within block to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2x2 factorial arrangement with 8 pens per treatment: 1) Basal Diet met NRC2012 requirements (C), 2) Basal diet + 13.6 g/ton of Narasin throughout the study (Nar), 3) Basal diet + 1.25 kg of Lean Fuel from day 50 of the study to market (LF) and 4) Basal diet + 13.6 g/ton Narasin throughout the study + 1.25 kg of Lean Fuel from day 50 of the study to market (LF+Nar). Carcass data were collected by 3 market cuts (d 78, 92 and 106 of study) shipping 1/3 of pigs from every pen on each cut. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Inc., Cray, NC) from Day 0 to 50, and as a 2x2 factorial arrangement from Day 50 to market and initial BW was used as covariate. No statistical differences in performance from Day 0 to 50. No difference in mortality: 1.34%, 1.32%, 1.36% and 0% of C, Nar, LF and Nar+LF, respectively. From Day 50 to market, main effect of Narasin improved ADG (1043 g/d vs 1025 g/d, P=0.02), and there was a trend for an interaction with LF (P=0.076), where LF+Nar had the greatest ADG 1055 g/d. Numerical increase in carcass weight for LF (94.92 vs 94.29 kg, P=0.19). Nar and Nar+LF had greater carcass weight for Cut 1 (P=0.072) and Cut 2 (P=0.01) as compared to the other treatments with no difference for Cut 3 and the results are given in Table 1. The results of this trial show improved performance from feeding Nar, and interactive effects on ADG and additive effects on carcass weight when using Nar and LF in combination.
PSIX-10 Effects of SID Lysine:Calorie NE ratio on the Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of DNA 600 Sired Pigs
Authors: Carrender Brittany , Williams Hayden E , Gerhart Mandy , Coble Kyle , DeRouchey Joel M , Tokach Mike D , Dritz Steve S , Woodworth Jason C , Goodband Robert D
Published: November 2020

A total of 2,673 mixed sex pigs (DNA 600 × PIC 1050; initially 21.4 kg BW) were used in a 117-d study to evaluate the effects of increasing SID Lysine:Calorie NE ratio on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of DNA sired pigs. Pens of pigs (30 pigs/pen) were blocked by BW and location and allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments with 18 pens per treatment. Treatments were 90%, 95%, 100%, or 105% of the 2016 PIC recommended SID Lysine:Calorie NE ratio for finishing gilts. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete-block design with pen as the experimental unit. Overall (d 0-117), increasing Lysine:Calorie NE tended to improve ADG (Linear; P = 0.077) and G:F (Linear; P = 0.053). Although there was an increase in ADG with increasing SID Lysine:Calorie NE, there was no evidence for a difference (P > 0.100) in final BW. The lack of BW response is most likely due to the lower (Quadratic; P < 0.008) removal rate as SID Lysine:Calorie NE increased. Carcass ADG (Linear; P < 0.064) tended to improve as SID Lysine: Calorie NE increased. An improvement in carcass G:F (Quadratic; P < 0.004) was observed as SID Lysine:Calorie NE increased to 100% PIC (2016) recommendations, with little improvement observed thereafter. No significant differences were observed in carcass yield, loin depth, back fat, or % lean. These results suggests that DNA sired pigs fed increasing SID Lysine:Calorie NE ratios tended to have improved growth performance with no impact on carcass quality.
PSIX-2 Amino acid digestibility and digestible indispensable amino acid scores of a few protein isolates and concentrates derived from cereal grains, plant proteins, or dairy proteins
Authors: Bailey Hannah M , Stein Hans H
Published: November 2020

The objective of this experiment was to determine standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acid (AA) and digestible indispensable amino acid scores (DIAAS) for brown rice protein concentrate (BRPC), pea protein concentrate (PPC), two rapeseed protein isolates (RSP-1 and RSP-2), soy protein isolate (SPI), and whey protein isolate (WPI). Seven cannulated barrows (36.51 ± 1.61 kg) were randomly allotted to a 7 × 7 Latin square design and fed a diet containing each protein as the sole source of AA. A nitrogen-free diet was also used. The DIAAS was calculated for children from 6-mo to 3-yr and persons >3-yr. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS in a randomized complete block design with pigs as the experimental unit. Among proteins, WPI had the greatest (P < 0.05) SID of all indispensable AA (IAA), except Lys and Thr, and RSP-1 had the least (P < 0.05) SID of most IAA. The SID of all AA, except Leu and Met, did not differ between RSP-2 and SPI, and the SID of all IAA, except Arg and Lys, was greater (P < 0.05) for RSP-2 than for PPC and BRPC. For DIAAS (Table 1), RSP-2 was the only protein with a DIAAS greater than 100 for children 6-mo to 3-yr, and both RSP-2 and WPI had a DIAAS greater than 100 for persons >3-yr. For both reference patterns, the DIAAS for RSP-2 and WPI was greater (P < 0.05) than for SPI. The DIAAS for RSP-1 was less (P < 0.05) than for SPI and greater (P < 0.05) than for PPC, which had a DIAAS greater (P < 0.05) than BRPC. In conclusion, RSP-2 resulted in an excellent quality protein for persons >6-mo, and WPI is an excellent quality protein for persons >3-yr.
PSVI-2 Dietary supplementation of Bacillus licheniformis derived-protease increased the digestibility of dry matter and crude protein in post-weaned and growing pigs
Authors: Seok Woo Jung , Cheng Lei , Palanisamy Thanapal , Fu Xiangting , Kim In Ho
Published: November 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplemental Bacillus licheniformis derived-protease in diets on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), and fecal microbial shedding in post-weaned growing pigs. In total, 90 crossbred (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) weaner pigs with an initial average BW of 6.61 ± 1.73 kg were randomly allotted into 2 treatments with 9 replicate pens of 5 pigs for a 4-phase feeding trial (0 to 1, 1 to 3, 3 to 6, and 6 to 11 weeks). The treatments were: CON, corn-soybean meal based basal diet; PROT, basal diet + 0.05% protease. The basal diet contained 16.32, 15.91, 15.49, and 14.91 MJ/kg digestibility energy respectively and 1.50, 1.40, 1.30, and 1.00% lysine respectively for phase 1, 2, 3, and 4. All data were statistically analyzed by Student’s t-test of SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Variability in the data was expressed as mean ± standard deviation, differences with P < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. During phase 3, average daily gain, and gain: feed ratio was increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed PROT diet compared with those fed CON diet. Pigs fed PROT diet had higher (P < 0.05) ATTD of dry matter and crude protein than pigs fed CON diet. No differences were observed in fecal microflora counts between CON and PROT groups. Dietary supplementation of Bacillus licheniformis derived-protease increased growth performance at phase 3 and increased the digestibility) of dry matter and crude protein (insert mean values for both Con vs Treat) in growing pigs.
PSVII-21 Impacts of various farrowing induction protocols on attended farrowings
Authors: Sharp Katharine G , Mills Kayla M , Shirley Larissa , Garcia Ricardo , Stewart Kara R
Published: November 2020

Genetic selection has resulted in increased number of piglets born accompanied by an increase in pre-weaning mortality. Attending farrowings to assist sows is effective at reducing mortality in piglets. Inducing sows to farrow may help to ensure that labor is present for the farrowing process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate farrowing induction protocols on the farrowing process. Primiparious and multiparious sows (n=58) were assigned to one of the following treatments: no induction (NO, n=24), 2cc of Lutalyse on d114 followed by 1cc Oxytocin 24 hours later (OXY24, n=13), 2cc of Lutalyse on d114 followed by 0.5cc Oxytocin 6 and 12 hours later (OXY6, n=21). Details of the farrowing process were recorded in addition to sow blood glucose and hemoglobin levels at four intervals: piglet 1, piglet 6, 2 hours after piglet 1, and end of farrowing. Seventy-seven percent (10/13) of the OXY24 sows farrowed within 36 hours of induction compared to 62% (13/21) of the OXY6 sows. The length of the farrowing process was not different among treatments (NO = 3.55 ± 0.3, OXY24 = 4.76 ± 1.13, OXY6 = 3.86 ± 0.5, P=0.22) or parity groups (P=0.58). Across all treatments, total born averaged 13.2 piglets with 5.5% stillborns and 4.5% mummies. Induction had no effect on piglets born alive (NO = 11.9, OXY24 = 12.4, OXY6 = 11.4, P=0.42), stillborns (NO = 0.71, OXY24 = 0.70, OXY6 =1.76, P=0.73) or mummies (NO = 0.54, OXY24 = 0.70, OXY6 = 0.71, P=0.84). Number of piglets that were pulled from the sow did not differ among treatments (P=0.89) or by parity (P=0.18). Blood glucose and hemoglobin at the end of the farrowing process was not different among treatments (P=0.75 and P=0.83, respectively). These current results indicate farrowing induction protocols have no negative impacts on attended farrowings.
PSVII-13 Effect of polyunsaturated fatty acid and methionine supplementation during late gestation on offspring duodenal amino acid and peptides transporters in sheep
Authors: Rosa-Velazquez Milca , Batistel Fernanda , Relling Alejandro E
Published: November 2020

The intestine plays a crucial role in nutrient digestion and absorption, and its function is critical for animal growth and health. However, the effect of maternal nutrition on offspring’s intestine is not well documented. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), methionine (M) or both to ewes during late gestation on offspring duodenal amino acid (AA) and peptides transporters. Twenty-four post-weaned lambs (6/treatment) born from ewes supplemented from day 100 (d100) gestation until lambing were used. Dam supplementation was: 1) no PUFA or M supplementation (CONT, NFA-NM); 2) supplementation with PUFA (PUFA-NM, 1 % StrataG113); 3) a source of M (NFA-MET, 0.1 % rumen protected methionine, Smartamine); and 4) PUFA and MET (PUFA-MET). At weaning (60 days of age) lambs were placed in 24 pens and fed a common finishing diet for 56 days. On d56, lambs were harvested and samples of the duodenum were collected to quantified amino acid (AA) and peptides transporters. Protein quantification of amino acid transporters was performed using Simple Western System. Offspring data was analyzed as a 2x2x2 factorial (FA, M, and sex). No triple interaction was found (P > 0.15). Dam supplementation did not affect SLC38A2 and SLC38A10 expression. A trend was observed in MET*Sex interaction (P = 0.1), M-ewes and NM-wethers had a greater SLC6A19 expression compared with NM-ewes and M-wethers. Furthermore, SLC7A5 protein expression tended to decrease (P = 0.1) in M-ewes and NM-wethers when compared with M-wethers. There was an effect of FA supplementation, PUFA born animals had a greater SLC38A1 protein expression when compared to NFA born offspring. Maternal supplementation of M or PUFA led to a modification in the protein expression of duodenal AA transporters, and this modification could be influenced by the sex of the offspring.
PSVI-18 Effects of rumen-protected lysine on performance and plasma amino acid metabolism in early lactation Holstein cows
Authors: Carney Geoffrey , Cardoso Phil , Doane Perry
Published: November 2020

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of rumen-protected lysine (RPL) supplementation on performance and plasma amino acids in Holstein cows. A total of 40, primi- and multiparous Holstein cows (DIM 49 ± 13) were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments in a randomized complete block design consisting of 20 blocks. Total length of the experiment was 49 d. From d1 to d7 cows were not fed RPL (adaptation phase; covariate) and from d8 to d49 (experimental phase) cows received the treatments that were top-dressed. Treatments were as follow: cows fed a basal TMR + 300 g of dried ground molasses (CON); and basal TMR + RPL (NPL; ADM, Decatur, IL) at 0.41% of the TMR DM. Blood samples were taken from the coccygeal vein or artery, on d 7, 14, 28, 42, 45, and 49 of each period from each cow. Statistical analysis was performed using the MIXED procedure in SAS (v9.4). There was no difference for DMI in cows in CON and NPL (P > 0.21). Cows in NPL had a tendency for lower BCS (3.22 ± 0.04) than CON (3.32 ± 0.03) (P = 0.06). There were no treatment differences for BW (P = 0.30) and milk protein [CON (2.94 % ± 0.04) and NPL (2.93 % ± 0.05) (P = 0.85)]. Cows in CON (64.35µM/L ± 2.06) had lower (P = 0.03) Lys plasma concentration then NPL (71.14 µM/L ± 2.11). Cows in CON (64.52 µM/L ± 1.35) had tendency for lower (P = 0.08) Arg concentration than NPL (67.98 µM/L ± 1.38). In conclusion, NPL did not improve nor decreased DMI, milk yield and components; but increased plasma Lys and Arg, concentrations in early lactation Holstein cows.
PSI-6 Effects of rest period prior to processing on vaccine response and blood metabolites in feedlot heifers
Authors: Reeb Macie , Tarpoff A J , Theurer Miles , Jones Tom , Jones Cassandra K
Published: November 2020

It is common for feedyards to rest cattle after transport and prior to administration of their receiving vaccinations in an attempt to minimize transport stress and optimize vaccine efficacy and subsequent growth and performance. This study aimed to test how time of rest after feedlot heifer arrival impacts vaccine titer and blood metabolites indicating cattle health. Eighty mixed-breed heifers (250 ± 4.2 kg BW) were purchased at live auction in Oklahoma City, OK and transported to the Kansas State University in Manhattan. Heifers were allotted in a completely randomized design to one of four treatments processed at 0, 6, 24, or 48 hours after arrival. At the time of processing (d 0) and again on d 35, serum samples were collected and analyzed for infectious bovine rhinotrachitis (IBR) titer, large animal chemistry panel, and hepatic profile by the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. There were time × treatment interactions (P < 0.02) for serum IBR titer, glucose, urea nitrogen, and bicarbonate. Specifically, heifers had greater (P < 0.05) IBR titer on d 35 than d 0, as expected because they were vaccinated upon arrival. Upon arrival, cattle held for 48 hours prior to processing had significantly greater (P < 0.05) glucose than those held for 24 hours (108 vs. 68 mg/dL, respectively), with no differences in processing treatment by d 35. Urea nitrogen levels in cattle held for 6, 24, or 48 hr prior to processing were greater (P < 0.05) than those held for 0 hours on d 0 or for any length of time by d 35. Finally, cattle held for 0 or 48 hr prior to processing had lower (P < 0.05) bicarbonate levels on d 0 than those held for 6 or 24 hours by d 35. These data show that while initial rest may be helpful to normalize blood metabolites, cattle should be placed within 24 hours of arrival. However, most blood metabolite levels normalize within 35 days.
PSIII-2 Considering a large creep pellet as a means to improve suckling and early weaned pig performance
Authors: Mahal Shannen T , Morton Jodi M , Perez-Palencia Jorge Y , Levesque Crystal L , Groenewegen Paul
Published: November 2020

This study evaluated the benefit of creep feeding with large pellets (10mm diameter, Masterfeeds, London, ON, Canada) on pre- and post-weaning pig performance. Litters from two farrowing groups were assigned to one of 2 treatments: Control (no creep n= 25 litters) and Creep (large creep pellets n = 24) during the suckling phase. Pellets were provided beginning 7 d after the first sow farrowed within a group until weaning at 21 d. Pellets were placed in shallow plastic feeders three times/day (100-150 g at a time as needed) to ensure access to fresh feed. Creep pellets contained 2500 ppm zinc and ferric oxide-dyed biscuit crumbles were added at 5% inclusion in Phase 1 nursery diet. Therefore, fecal zinc concentration at 2 to 3d prior to weaning and red fecal coloration 2 to 4d after weaning were used to identify “eaters” from “non-eaters”. Pigs were weaned at 21 ± 2 d into pens based on suckling treatment. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block with the sows as a random effect (PROC MIXED, SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC). Post-weaning fecal swabs data were analyzed by frequency test using the PROC FREQ procedure in SAS. There was no difference in pig weight prior to creep pellets. At weaning, Control pigs were heavier due to greater daily gain (P < 0.01; Table 1) than Creep pigs. However, there was no difference in d34 BW due to greater (P < 0.05) daily gain of Creep pigs in the post-weaning period. A greater proportion of Creep pigs were identified as “eaters” on d2 post-weaning (43 vs 33%, □ 2 = 0.004; Figure 1). Lighter weight at weaning in Creep pigs may be due to temporary distraction from suckling; however, exposure to large creep feed pellets pre-weaning improved pig feed intake and growth post-weaning.
PSIII-5 Effects of ingredient composition of oral drenches in small piglets post-farrowing on average daily gain and pre-wean mortality
Authors: Harrison Olivia , Tauer Samantha , Frederick Brent
Published: November 2020

Number of pigs born alive has been a key factor of the increasing efficiency of the U.S. swine industry. However, with increased pigs in the uterus, birth weight has been negatively impacted, with more small or at-risk pigs being born per litter. In order to overcome these changes, a study testing three commercial oral drenches against a control to determine which would increase average daily gain and decrease preweaning mortality. In a completely randomized design, 877 one-day-old suckling pigs from a high-health farm were selected for the experiment if they appeared to be in the bottom 20% of bodyweight compared to their contemporaries. Selected pigs were given one of four drenching treatments: 1) none (control), 2) bioactive proteins (BP), 3) high energy sugars (HES), and 4) immunoglobulins (IgY). Pigs were weighed on d 1 and d 19 of age (weaning), with mortality tracked during the suckling period. Data were analyzed using SAS v 9.4 (Cary, NC), with pig as the experimental unit and an accepted alpha of 0.05. Treatment had no detected effect on birth weight, weaning weight, ADG, or mortality (P = 0.79, 0.96, 0.86, 0.38 respectively). Likewise, statistical contrasts were used to determine there was no detected impact (P > 0.10) of drench, regardless of type, compared to the control in any measured response criteria. Interesting, pigs drenched with BP or IgY had numerically lower preweaning mortality (11.2 and 11.5% respectively), than those administered the control or HES (15.4 and 15.2%, respectively). In conclusion, this experiment showed no significant difference in the performance between piglets given no product vs. those drenched with bioactive proteins, high energy sugars, or immunoglobulins. However, additional research is warranted with greater replication or disease stressors to better understand if oral drenches may improve preweaning performance or mortality in different situations.
45 A permutation test for validation of genomic estimated breeding values
Authors: Karimi Zahra , Sullivan Brian , Jafarikia Mohsen
Published: November 2020

Previous studies have shown that the accuracy of Genomic Estimated Breeding Value (GEBV) as a predictor of future performance is higher than the traditional Estimated Breeding Value (EBV). The purpose of this study was to estimate the potential advantage of selection on GEBV for litter size (LS) compared to selection on EBV in the Canadian swine dam line breeds. The study included 236 Landrace and 210 Yorkshire gilts born in 2017 which had their first farrowing after 2017. GEBV and EBV for LS were calculated with data that was available at the end of 2017 (GEBV2017 and EBV2017, respectively). De-regressed EBV for LS in July 2019 (dEBV2019) was used as an adjusted phenotype. The average dEBV2019 for the top 40% of sows based on GEBV2017 was compared to the average dEBV2019 for the top 40% of sows based on EBV2017. The standard error of the estimated difference for each breed was estimated by comparing the average dEBV2019 for repeated random samples of two sets of 40% of the gilts. In comparison to the top 40% ranked based on EBV2017, ranking based on GEBV2017 resulted in an extra 0.45 (±0.29) and 0.37 (±0.25) piglets born per litter in Landrace and Yorkshire replacement gilts, respectively. The estimated Type I errors of the GEBV2017 gain over EBV2017 were 6% and 7% in Landrace and Yorkshire, respectively. Considering selection of both replacement boars and replacement gilts using GEBV instead of EBV can translate into increased annual genetic gain of 0.3 extra piglets per litter, which would more than double the rate of gain observed from typical EBV based selection. The permutation test for validation used in this study appears effective with relatively small data sets and could be applied to other traits, other species and other prediction methods.
40 PRLR and PCCA variants associated with hair length in Brangus heifers
Authors: Davila Kaitlyn M Sarlo , Howell Alyssa , Nunez Andrea , Orelien Arseia , Roe Victoria , Rodriguez David , Rodriguez Eduardo , Dikmen Serdal , Mateescu Raluca G
Published: November 2020

Thermal stress limits beef cattle production and results in a loss of $370 million in the U.S. annually due to reduced animal performance. A shorter hair coat is a key thermoregulative adaptation that allows cattle to lose heat more efficiently through conductive, convective, and evaporative cooling at the hair-skin interface. The objective of this study was to identify genetic variants associated with the length of the topcoat and undercoat of cattle. Hair samples were collected from the shoulder, 4 inches down from the spine from 2,161 heifers in 2016, 2017 and 2018. ImageJ software was used to measure hair length. The length of the topcoat and undercoat were evaluated for each individual by averaging five long and five short hairs, respectively. DNA was extracted from blood samples and genotyped with the Bovine GGP F250 array. After quality control, 132,225 SNP were available for association analyses using Golden Helix SVS. Year of collection was fitted as a fixed effect and the genomic relationship matrix was fitted to account for the genetic covariance among animals. To correct for multiple tests, the Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate was constrained to 0.1. Four SNP in the PRLR gene were significantly associated with topcoat length, including a missense mutation that explained 4% of the variation in topcoat length. PRLR has previously been demonstrated to significantly impact hair length in cattle. Seven SNP in the PCCA gene were significantly associated with undercoat length. PCCA belongs to the biotin transport and metabolism pathway. Biotin deficiency has been reported to cause hair loss. These genetic variants may contribute to a shorter hair coat and more thermotolerant animals.
29 Conditional GWAS using sequence-based genotypes for susceptibility to Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis infection in Canadian Holstein
Authors: Bissonnette Nathalie , Marete Andrew , Kelton Dave , Schenkel Flavio , Ibeagha-Awemu Eveline M , Fecteau Gilles , Miglior Filippo
Published: November 2020

Paratuberculosis is an incurable disease caused by Mycobacterium avium spp. paratuberculosis (MAP). Variability in the definition of a true infection could explain the lack of consensus in published results on host genetic susceptibility to MAP. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for susceptibility to paratuberculosis in Canadian Holstein with an accurately defined status. Cows with known parentage were recruited from 23 Canadian dairy herds and enrolled in a longitudinal study. Blood and feces were collected semi-annually over a 3-5-yr period. Serum samples were analyzed by ELISA (IDEXX) and feces by qPCR. Cows were labelled based on positive ELISA (> 45%) and on at least two consecutive fecal excretion of MAP (n = 382). Control cows (n = 669) did not excrete MAP nor have MAP antibodies (< 10%) over the 3–5 year period. Their genotypes (GGP Bovine 50K chip) were imputed to HD-SNP (within-breed), then to WGS using FImpute software and Run6 of 1,000 Bulls’ genome project as a multi-breed reference. Using GCTA software, heritability (h2) was estimated and conditional GWAS was performed to define multiple true causal mutations in QTL regions from those caused by linkage disequilibrium. The h2(se) was 0.52 (0.01) and after FDR correction, 1,357 variants presented significant effects (-log10 P > 6), grouped within 7 QTL located on chromosome BTA7, BTA16, BTA20, and BTA23. The most significant variant was on BTA20 (-log10 P =12.39). Functional annotation showed that 76% of all the variants of the QTL were intergenic, with the rest being mostly intronic. Of interest was variant located on BTA7 with effect size (se) of -0.77 (0.02). In conclusion, using accurate phenotypes, chromosomal regions and candidate genes that could be functionally related to MAP infection were uncovered. The significant variants found in this study could contribute to the enhancement of genomic evaluation for MAP resistance.
12 Genetic and phenotypic parameters for Aleutian disease tests and their correlations with growth and pelt quality traits in American mink
Authors: Hu Guoyu , Do Duy Ngoc , Gray Janine , Karimi Karim , Miar Younes
Published: November 2020

Aleutian disease brings tremendous financial losses to the mink industry. The ineffective immunoprophylaxis, medication, and culling strategies have urged the mink industry to select mink with low quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (qELISA) score or negative counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) test result. However, little is known about the heritabilities of qELISA and CEIP as well as their relationships with growth and pelt quality traits. The traits, including qELISA, CIEP, body length at harvest (HLEN), the size of dried pelt (SIZE), the overall quality of dried pelt (QUA), and the nap length of dried pelt (NAP), were measured on 1,683 American mink from the Canadian Center for Fur Animal Research (Nova Scotia, Canada) and Millbank Fur Farm (Ontario, Canada). Significance (P < 0.05) of fixed effects (sex, farm, age, and color) and random effects (common litter, permanent environment, and dam) were determined by univariate analyses, while genetic and phenotypic parameters for all traits were estimated under bivariate analyses using ASREML 4.1. Estimated heritabilities (±SE) were 0.41±0.07 for qELISA, 0.06±0.06 for CIEP, 0.39±0.06 for HLEN, 0.46±0.07 for SIZE, 0.25±0.06 for QUA, and 0.46±0.08 for NAP. The qELISA showed non-significant (P > 0.05) genetic correlations with HLEN (0.05±0.13) and dried pelt traits (0.02±0.18 with SIZE, -0.21±0.20 with QUA, and -0.13±0.16 with NAP). The CIEP only showed a significant (P < 0.05) negative genetic correlation with SIZE (-0.85±0.33). The moderate-to-high heritabilities of qELISA, HLEN, SIZE, QUA, and NAP indicated that these traits can be genetically improved through a genetic/genomic selection. The low and non-significant heritability of CIEP indicated the ineffectiveness of direct selection for this trait. The estimated genetic parameters for qELISA suggested that selection for lower qELISA scores may not interfere with the selection of pelt size and quality in the genetic improvement programs of American mink.
296 Awardee Talk: The Genetics of Sow Longevity
Authors: Stalder Kenneth J
Published: November 2020

Sow longevity is a key productivity indicator trait that has real economic and welfare importance for commercial swine farms globally. The average parity at culling is 3.8 parities. Reports indicate that it takes 3 to 4 parities before a sow “pays for herself.” Research groups around the world have reported heritabilities estimates for sow longevity traits ranging from 0.05 to 0.35. Estimate differences result from the animal population under evaluation, the trait being evaluated, and the methodology employed to obtain the genetic parameter estimate. Because sow longevity is measured at the end of the sow’s productive life, indicator traits like age at first farrowing, leg conformation, and other traits are utilized in gilt selection programs. The genetic correlations between sow longevity and lifetime production traits range have been reported to range from 0.64 to 0.94, suggesting that selection will improve sow longevity. Genetic markers have been identified that affect both sow longevity and other indicator traits. Selection to improved sow longevity still requires phenotypes. Future technologies, e.g. CT scans, digital images, and automated disease detection, will provide additional phenotypes. Continued hardware, software, and molecular developments will improve selection accuracy for sow longevity traits and related traits. Research is needed to evaluate the impact that non-additive genetic effects have on sow longevity and other fitness-related traits. Sow longevity seems to be an ideal trait to employ genomic selection in order to make more rapid trait improvements because it is measured late in life, it is sex-limited, and the trait is not directly measured on nucleus animals. In conclusion, sow longevity and related traits have sufficient heritability and variation to improve through traditional and genomic enhanced selection methods. Selection programs employing effective genomic selection programs will be more effective in improving sow longevity trait and related traits and ultimately economical return.
299 Genetic analysis of temperament and its correlation with production, reproduction, type, health and longevity in Chinese Holstein
Authors: Chang Yao , Wang Yachun
Published: November 2020

The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for temperament via three approaches and to examine associations of temperament with other economically important traits in Chinese Holstein. Records for temperament score (TS) on 6,586 lactating cows from 2015 to 2017 were obtained. Temperament assessed during rectal temperature measurements was recorded on a 3-point scale (1 = quiet; 2 = average; 3 = nervous). TS was treated as a ternary trait or a binary trait in different scenarios. The genetic parameters were estimated by: 1) a linear model using AI-REML; 2) a Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM); or 3) a Bayesian threshold model via Gibbs sampling. Each record was partitioned into the fixed effects of herd-scorer and parity, an additive genetic effect and a residual effect. Then approximate genetic correlation between TS with production traits [milk yield (MY), fat and protein percentage (FP and PP)], fertility traits [age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), stillbirth (SB)], overall type, health traits [somatic cell score (SCS), udder diseases (UD) claw and leg diseases (CLD) metabolic disorders (MD)] and productive life (PL) were estimated. Estimates of heritability and accuracy of EBV for TS were listed in Table 1. Low to moderate genetic correlation between TS and above-mentioned traits were found. There was a favorable genetic correlation between TS and FP (-0.35), PP (-0.42), AFC (0.31), UD (0.58) and PL (-0.24); however, undesirable genetic correlation existed between TS and the other traits (-0.43~0.27). Current results suggested that a Bayesian threshold model can be the most recommended algorithm for analyzing temperament since it brought a relatively higher heritability and consequently EBV with higher accuracy, and selection for calmer individuals will translate into increased fat and protein yields, a lower age at first calving, better resistance to udder diseases and a longer functional longevity.
300 ASAS-EAAP Talk: Towards an increasing number and complexity of breeding goal traits in dairy cattle
Authors: Krattenmacher Nina , Seidel Anita , Thaller Georg
Published: November 2020

Worldwide, dairy cattle breeding companies and farmers face several challenges, including concerns about climatic impact of milk production, increasing scarcity of natural resources and feed, and concerns about animal welfare and health. The recording of accurate and comprehensive phenotypic data for these new issues is important for both management and breeding. Technological developments play a key role in this context. An increasing spectrum of traits with relevance to the breeding goal has become available (e.g. behavioral traits from sensor-derived activity patterns, milk metabolites reflecting the metabolic status, direct or indirect measurements of methane emissions). The biological background and genetic architecture of many of the evolving novel traits as well as their relationship with other traits of interest is not yet well understood, which hinders appropriate implementation in breeding programs. Especially for traits that are difficult or expensive to measure, such as feed intake or methane emissions, phenotypes are scarce. Interdisciplinary research and across-country data pooling can be enormously helpful to ensure a fast progress. Hence, the development of universal guidelines for recording is a crucial step, also with regard to a successful application of genomic selection, which enables the improvement of difficult-to-measure traits by transferring genomic knowledge from estimates within comparatively small reference populations to the population level. Furthermore, some traits (e.g. feed intake) show a lactation-stage specific genetic architecture. This highlights the importance of repeated measurements as well as knowledge on genetic correlations among all relevant traits across days in milk, the latter being an important prerequisite for designing balanced breeding strategies. With more traits, especially more complex traits, increasing data sources and volumes, setting up reasonable breeding goals becomes much more sophisticated and often requires innovative approaches.