bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
207 Awardee Talk: The Impact of Disease on Nutrient and Energy Intake and Utilization to Support Lean Tissue Accretion in Growing Pigs
Authors: Gabler Nicholas K
Published: September 2022

Optimal lean tissue production can be severely compromised by health challenges in nursery-finisher pig production systems. Common pig immune challenges in the U.S. can come from pathogens such as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus, Lawsonia intracellularis, Mycoplasma spp, Coccidia, pathogenic E. coli and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus. The subsequent disease that can manifests in response to these pathogens can lead to mitochondrial damage, impaired capacity to generate sufficient ATP for homeostasis, limited energy availability (exacerbated by disease hypophagia) and compromised cell survival and organ function. Collectively, skeletal muscle hypertrophy is reduced in a trade off to support the energetic and protein synthesis needs of immune system response. In growing pigs, we have reported that sub-clinical and clinical enteric and respiratory disease can significantly impact intestinal function, feed intake, lean tissue accretion and feed efficiency. This has a major economic impact for pork producers, pig welfare and wellbeing. While significant advances in molecular and quantitative genetics, clinical diagnostics and virology have been made to enhance poor performance and heath, we are still unsure on how to best feed and manage poor-health pigs. By understanding the longitudinal impact pathogens on digestibility, metabolism, protein accretion and feed efficiency, insights into nutritional requirements and management strategies can be developed to improve poor-health pig production. This paper will discuss the molecular and physiological impact of sub-clinical and clinical disease on nutrient and energy intake and utilization to support lean tissue accretion in growing pigs.
214 Awardee Talk: Using Nutrition to Improve Immune Competence in Horses
Authors: Warren Lori K
Published: September 2022

Horse owners are increasingly interested in optimizing the health of their animals. In addition to targeted vaccination programs, they desire feeds and supplements that reduce inflammation or strengthen immune competence. Many nutrients and feed additives have widely recognized roles in host defense. Several of these have been evaluated in horses, including select trace minerals (Zn, Se), vitamins (E, C), amino acids (arginine, glutamine), fatty acids (omega-3, omega-6, conjugated linoleic acid), prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and various non-nutritives (resveratrol, butyric acid). Collectively, the impact of these nutrients and feed additives on the status and functional capacity of the immune system have been variable. In most cases, the benefits are not realized in an already healthy horse but are demonstrable in animals under high stress (e.g., intense exercise, transport) or states of immunocompromise (e.g., inflammatory diseases, senior horses, foals). Immunonutrition research in horses is in its infancy compared to work in other livestock and humans. Yet demand from clientele managing and training horses for nutrition that addresses inflammation and gut health in horses is at an all-time high. Continued research in this area is needed but is challenged by reliance on industry funding and support, the need for non-terminal immunological variables that meaningfully reflect the impact of dietary intervention, and development of appropriate models that mimic real-world stressors yet permit greater control of external factors that contribute to variation. Nonetheless, exploration of how diet can modulate immune function remains an important area of research for maintaining the health and performance of horses under a variety of uses. Further, this area of investigation can also facilitate our understanding of nutrient requirements for horses under high levels of stress or those who are immunocompromised so that more targeted nutrition programs can be prescribed for these populations.
220 Effects of Total Equine Grain with Ascophyllum Nodosum Seaweed Extract and Chelated Minerals on Forage Intake, DM, NDF, and ADF Digestibility, in Quarter Horse Mares Under Performance Conditions
Authors: Boyd Jamie A , Lai Kai Yun
Published: September 2022

A study was conducted in fall 2019 at Sul Ross State University to evaluate the effects of Total Equine containing Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed and chelated minerals on intake and cecal digestibility in comparison with a product without Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed or chelated minerals. Six Quarter horse mares (avg 9yrs) were used in a complete randomized block study. Horses were offered an ad libitum Bermuda hay for a 2wk standardization period and then blocked into pairs based on weight, age, and fitness level. Horses were assigned randomly within block to the Ctrl or Trt diets for an 8wk study with ad libitum access to water. Hay was offered 2xd in port-a-grazer tubs to control for waste. Grain was offered at a rate of 0.005% BW (manufacturer suggestions) and divided into 2 equal feedings. Horses were weighed weekly and grain amounts were adjusted weekly. Hay orts were collected 2x daily and hay offered was adjusted daily for a 3% refusal rate. Horses were exercised 6d/wk on a hot-walker for 2hrs. Horses were conditioned prior to the study and speed and duration were increased throughout the study. Horses worked 30min at a walk and 1.5hrs at a trot broken into periods. Feed samples were collected 2xwk and dried for DM and ground for analysis for NDF, ADF, CP, EE, and Ash. A significant difference in total DMI was observed at 13.1 ± 0.14kg Ctrl versus 12.02 ± 0.11kg Trt (P=0.0001). When evaluating forage intake only 10.07 ± 0.13 kg Ctrl versus 9.04 ± 0.11 kg Trt (P=0.0001). DMd and NDFd were not significantly affected by trt (P=0.38). However, tendency horse*diet (P=0.07) was observed. Overall, it appears that the inclusion of the grain product with Ascophyllum nodosum and chelated minerals reduced forage intake and overall DMI without effecting fiber digestibility or animal performance.
226 Proteomic and Metabolomic Profiles are Associated with Fresh Pork Loin Quality Phenotypes
Authors: Johnson Logan , Zhai Chaoyu , Lonergan Elisabeth Huff , Prusa Ken , Prenni Jessica , Chaparro Jacqueline , Edward Steadham , Nair Mahesh , Lonergan Steven M
Published: September 2022

The objective was to define proteomic and metabolomic profiles associated with premium and poor-quality pork. Fresh pork loins (n=100) were aged 12 to 14 d postmortem before quality evaluation. Chops with a star probe values less than 4.5 kg, and a Hunter L score less than 47 were categorized as Premium (n=10). Chops with star probe values greater than 5.7 kg and Hunter L greater than 49.7 were categorized as Poor (n=10). Proteins soluble in low ionic strength buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.5 and 1 mM EDTA) were extracted, digested with trypsin, and labeled with 11-plex isobaric TMT labels. Peptides were introduced to the Q-Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer and identified and quantified with Proteome Discoverer. Data were normalized to the total ion count from each run, Log2 transformed, and median normalization was performed. Only proteins identified in at least one-half of the samples containing at least two unique peptides were included in the analysis. Non-targeted metabolomic analyses were conducted on extracts (80% methanol) of each sample. Separation was conducted with a TG-5MS column (Thermo Scientific, 30m x 0.25mm x 0.25mm). Masses between 50-620 m/z were scanned at four scans/sec after electron impact ionization operating at 70eV. All data were analyzed in R 4.1.1 using the limma package with a false discovery rate of 0.05. Poor chops contained more sugars, including glucose, glucose-6-phosphate, fructose, and galactose. Premium chops had more amino acids, including leucine, isoleucine, serine, and methionine. Proteins/peptides in greater abundance in the soluble fraction in the Premium chops (n=24 proteins) included titin, filamin, phosphoglycerate mutase, AMP deaminase, heat shock protein 27, and calcium transporting ATPase. Proteins/peptides in greater proportion in the Poor chops (n=12 proteins) included annexin, adenylate kinase, and Maillard deglycase. The results demonstrate that distinct molecular phenotypes are associated with variation in fresh pork quality.
227 Frizzled7 Mediates Lysine-Activated β-Catenin to Promote Satellite Cells in Manipulating Skeletal Muscle Growth
Authors: Jin Cheng-long , Ye Mao , Song Zhi-wen , Gao Chun-qi , Yan Hui-chao , Wang Xiu-qi
Published: September 2022

Wnt/β-catenin pathways have an important role in porcine skeletal muscle growth. Nevertheless, the mechanism for how it respond to environmental stimulations, especially nutrients, has not been well-investigated. In this study, piglets and skeletal muscle satellite cells (MuSCs) were used to investigate the work process of the lysine (Lys) signal transmitted to β-catenin in governing skeletal muscle growth. Briefly, the piglets and MuSCs were divided into the control group, the Lys deficiency group, and the Lys rescue group, taken together with the specific inhibitor and target gene knockdown for further study. We found that the transmembrane frizzled7 (FZD7) receptor displayed the same changes with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and positively correlated with Lys levels in skeletal muscle and MuSCs. Meanwhile, the molecular docking analyses showed that FZD7 and Lys form connections at Gly17, Phe18, Cys19, and Asp84. In contrast, FZD7 specific inhibitor Fz7-21-TFA suppressed Lys rescued MuSC viability (P< 0.05). The distribution of Ki67 and active β-catenin in the Lys rescue group were also decreased by FZD7 inhibitor (P< 0.05). Furthermore, the decreased FZD7 level caused Lys re-activated TCF4/LEF activity and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway suppression (P< 0.05). Additionally, FZD7 knockdown restricted C2C12 viability and proliferation ability (P< 0.05). Besides, FZD7 knockdown inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and Lys deficiency caused much more serious inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway (P< 0.05), and these restrictions fail to be rescued by re-supplemented Lys or Wnt3a (P< 0.05). Moreover, we titrated Lys solution into recombinant pig FZD7 (rpFZD7) protein solution by using isothermal titration calorimetry, and the heat release during titration demonstrated there was an interaction between Lys and rpFZD7. Collectively, these results indicated that Lys is not only a molecular block for protein synthesis, but is also a ligand that binds to FZD7, directly activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to stimulate MuSCs to promote skeletal muscle growth.
228 Metabolite Differences between the Oxygen-Exposed and non-Oxygen Exposed Surfaces of the Longissimus Lumborum Muscle
Authors: Denzer Morgan , Pfeiffer Morgan , Mafi Gretchen G , Ramanathan Ranjith
Published: September 2022

The effects of oxygen exposure on the metabolites present in beef longissimus lumborum have not been evaluated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of oxygen exposure on the color attributes and metabolites present in longissimus lumborum muscle. USDA Low Choice beef strip loins were sliced into steaks (1.91 cm) and packaged in polyvinyl chloride overwrap trays for 3 or 6 days of retail display. The oxygen exposed (OE) surface was considered the display surface during retail, and the non-oxygen exposed (NOE) surface was the intact interior muscle. Instrumental color was evaluated using a HunterLab Miniscan EZ spectrophotometer. To analyze the NOE surface on day 3 and 6, steaks were sliced parallel to the OE surface to expose the NOE surface. Metmyoglobin reducing ability (MRA) was determined by submerging samples in nitrite to induce metmyoglobin reduction. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify metabolites. The least square means were determined using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with significance at a P < 0.05. Metabolites were analyzed using the MetaboAnalyst 5.0. Redness (a* values) of steaks decreased (P < 0.05) with greater display time. MRA was greater (P < 0.05) in the NOE surface compared with the OE surface on days 3 and 6. Upregulation of glucose-1-phosphate and down regulation of gluconic acid, ribose, sedoheptulose-7-phosphate in the NOE surface on day 0 compared with NOE on day 6 indicates a shift from glycolysis to the pentose phosphate pathway. On day 6 of display, the OE surface was upregulated in xanthine and gluconic acid, indicating an increase in purine and pentose phosphate metabolisms, while there was a down regulation of mannitol and malic acid compared with the NOE surface. These results indicate the presence of oxygen can influence metabolite profile and negatively influence MRA and color.
230 Association of Lung Health with Carcass Performance
Authors: Grimes Becca B , Tennant Travis C , Lawrence Ty E
Published: September 2022

The association of lung abnormalities with carcass performance was evaluated on data from 60,843 carcasses housed in the West Texas A&M University Beef Carcass Research Center database collected from 2010 to 2021 to quantify the relationship of lung health and carcass performance. Lung outcomes were scored as severity of consolidation (N = Normal and free of consolidation, 1 = 5 to 15% consolidation, 2 = 15 to 50% consolidation, 3 = >50% consolidation) and presence of fibrin tags (M = Minor fibrin, E = Extensive fibrin). Lung consolidation had a strong and detrimental effect (P < 0.01) on hot carcass weight, with lung scores of 1, 2, and 3 resulting in 4.2, 13.3, and 29.9 kg less carcass weight compared with carcasses with normal lungs. Minor and extensive fibrin tags (3.5 kg and 7.1 kg), independent of consolidation, resulted in lighter carcasses (P < 0.01) compared with those with normal lungs. Lung score did not have an effect on marbling score. Both lung tissue consolidation and fibrin tags effected 12th rib fat thickness; lung consolidation (-0.09 to -0.21 cm) and fibrin tags (-0.14 to -0.19 cm) resulted in and less (P < 0.01) 12th rib fat thickness compared with carcasses with normal lungs. Similarly, LM area was reduced (P < 0.01) in carcasses with lung consolidation (-1.5 to -5.5 cm2) or presence of fibrin tags (-2.3 to -2.7 cm2) compared with carcasses with normal lungs. Additionally, severity of lung consolidation and presence of fibrin tags reduced (P < 0.01) calculated yield grade; lung consolidation and fibrin tags resulted in a 0.08 to 0.20 and 0.09 to 0.13 reduction in overall yield grade. These data indicate that lung health is an important factor that impacts carcass performance, particularly carcass weight and yield grade parameters.
237 Using Metabolomic Approaches to Understand and Reduce Animal Variation in Meat Quality Traits
Authors: King Andy , Shackelford Steven , Wheeler Tommy L
Published: September 2022

Failure to meet consumer expectations for meat quality attributes such as color, tenderness, and flavor leads to loss of customer satisfaction and market share. Thus, much effort has been dedicated to understanding the biological variation in these traits. However, traditional approaches explained only a limited amount of biological variation. Investigations of the genome, transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome of meat animals has greatly increased the understanding of biochemical processes affecting meat quality attributes. Gene expression in response to environmental factors results in protein production. These proteins, which vary in functionality, are involved in cellular processes which produce metabolites. Thus, the proteome comprises the machinery of cellular functions and provides a great deal of information about genomic expression resulting in the phenotype. However, quantifying the metabolome provides additional information about the functionality of the machinery, and thus, even greater information about the phenotype. Untargeted metabolomic investigations have suggested novel mechanisms influencing meat tenderness, lean color stability, and flavor. Future work with targeted metabolomic approaches should focus on validating these mechanisms and studying these mechanisms under variable production systems. Moreover, future work should integrate metabolomic data with genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data to fully understand the biological basis of meat quality phenotypes.
258 A Survey of Added Vitamin Levels in Diets Utilized in the U.S. Swine Industry
Authors: Faccin Jamil , Tokach Mike D , Goodband Robert D , DeRouchey Joel M , Woodworth Jason C , Gebhardt Jordan T
Published: September 2022

From November, 2021 to February, 2022, swine nutritionists representing 29 production systems and 8 nutrition supplier companies in the United States were surveyed about added vitamin concentration in swine diets. Respondents were asked to provide vitamin premix concentrations, inclusion rates, and weight ranges associated with feeding phases. Survey participants represented 4.38 million sows or 69% of the U.S. industry. Data were compiled into 3 nursery phases (Phase 1, weaning to 7 kg; Phase 2, 7 to 11 kg; and Phase 3, 11 to 23 kg), 3 finishing phases (23 to 55 kg; 55 to 100 kg; 100 to market), gestation, and lactation (Table 1). Vitamin concentrations were, on average, 3.9 times above NRC (2012) recommendations across all nursery diets. Vitamins D and K were the upper extremes, and choline and pyridoxine were the lower. In finishing diets, vitamin concentrations averaged 2.8 times the 2012 NRC recommendations. Vitamins D and K were the upper extremes, and niacin and riboflavin were the lower. Regarding breeding herd diets, vitamin concentrations were 2.9 times the 2012 NRC recommendations on average. In gestation diets, vitamins K and niacin were the upper extreme, and choline and biotin were the lower. Vitamins K and A were the upper extremes for lactation, and choline and biotin were the lower. The use of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 as a source of vitamin D has become more common compared with previous surveys. Its use was reported by 31% of the nutritionists in the nursery, 11% in the finishing, and 40% in gestation and lactation diets. Understanding current supplementation practices may help develop experimental designs to test different vitamin inclusions and provide an industry benchmark of vitamin usage.
274 Effects of Feeding Levels in Early Gestation on PIC Camborough Sows and Litter Performance
Authors: Lu Ning , Estrada Jorge , Hanson Andrea , Vier Carine M , Soto Jose A , Silva Gustavo , Peterson Beau , Parr Eric , Welsch Michael , Dritz Steve , Navales Ron , Cast Wayne R , Orlando Uislei A
Published: September 2022

Our objective was to determine the effects of increasing feeding levels for PIC Camborough sows during early gestation on sow and litter performance. A total of 636 sows (PIC Camborough) were randomly assigned at weaning to 1 of 4 treatments that were balanced for weight and caliper scores within parity categories. Treatments consisted of feeding sows with daily feed allowances to meet 85, 115, 145, or 175% of the NRC (2012) maintenance metabolizable energy (MEm) requirement calculated as MEm, kcal/d = 100 × (body weight, kg)0.75. A common corn-soybean meal-distillers dried grains with solubles-based diet with 3,092 kcal of ME/kg and 0.64% standardized ileal digestible lysine was used. Treatments were applied from d 6 to 35 of gestation, after which sows were moved to gestation pens and fed according to body condition through an electronic sow feeder until moved to the farrowing room. Sow was the experimental unit and data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models with the lmer and glmer functions of R. On average, females were ideal condition at weaning across treatment as determined by the caliper scores. Average feed allowances were 1.6, 2.1, 2.6, and 3.2 kg/day for the 85, 115, 145, and 175% treatments, respectively. Increasing feed allowances reduced (linear, P< 0.05) body weight loss (-13.8, -10.3, -4.7 and -0.5 kg, respectively) and increased caliper score gain (-0.43, -0.03, 0.64, 0.76 units, respectively) from weaning to d 35 of gestation. There was no evidence for treatment effects on farrowing rate, total born, stillborn rate, average litter weight, piglet throughput, or subsequent reproductive performance. In summary, increasing feed allowances to meet 85 to 175% of the MEm requirements during early gestation on Camborough sows resulted in a reduction in body weight loss and an improvement in caliper gain until d 35 of gestation without evidence of impact in reproductive performance.
273 Awardee Talk: A Perspective on Calcium and Phosphorus Nutrition: Where we are and the Opportunities Ahead
Authors: Adeola Layi
Published: September 2022

Quantifying dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) that can be used in the body of the animal is important for formulating nutritionally adequate diet and for efficient production of animal products. Historically, utilizable Ca and P in feedstuffs have been determined using the slope-ratio bioassays. The relative available Ca or P obtained from the assay is highly dependent on, among others, the available Ca or P in the reference source and the response criterion; and the measure is not usually additive in mixed feeds. The most common response criteria are bone ash and mineral concentration, or breaking strength, which tend to be labor-intensive and expensive, and very importantly do not provide estimates of mineral quantities voided by animals. The use of digestible in place of relative available overcomes some of the issues listed. For the formulation of diets that more accurately match requirement with dietary supply as well as proper quantification of excretion of P for environmental considerations, the use of relative available phosphorus as a currency is nebulous. Because colonic secretion or absorption of Ca has been shown in previous studies, it was important to, first, answer the question on whether there is a difference between Ca digestibility determined by the ileal cannulation technique or the total tract digestibility method. Unlike in poultry where urine P contributes to excreta in total tract, there is no difference between ileal and total tract digestibility of P in swine. The prominence of literature on utilization of Ca and P has provided more clarity in the understanding of the intricate interactions among Ca, P, and phytase. Issues of variation require more investigation into method standardization as well as additivity of digestible Ca and P values in mixed diet.
239 Increasing Dietary Soybean Meal Level Improves Growth and Feed Conversion Efficiency in Healthy Pigs and Reduces GHG Emissions
Authors: Boyd R Dean , Rosero David S , Elsbernd Amanda
Published: September 2022

The objective of this study was to determine the growth response to increasing soybean meal (SBM) dose (low, medium, high) compared to a high-energy, low SBM reference diet (HE L-SBM). A total of 2283 PIC terminal pigs (initial BW=44.25+1.14 kg) were used in a fixed time assay (ca. 133.63+1.23 kg). Pigs were placed in 96 mixed-sex pens (23-25 pigs/pen; 0.75 m2/pig), blocked by pen BW and allotted to 4 diets (HE L-SBM, L-SBM, M-SBM, H-SBM), which were fed in 4 phases beginning at 40.8, 59.0, 86.2, 104.4 kg BW. Dietary level of SBM corresponded to 19.0, 19.0, 24.5, and 30.0% respectively (phase 1); 14.0, 14.0, 18.0, and 22.0% (phase 2); 9.5, 9.5, 13.0, and 16.5% (phase 3) and 7.5, 7.5, 10.5, and 13.0% (phase 4). The HE L-SBM diet contained 20% DDGS, SBM equal to L-SBM diet, amino acids, 3.0% CWG. Diets exceeded NRC (2012) recommendations for nutrients, were iso-nutrient and SID Lysine:NE ratio was kept constant within dietary phase. The HE L-SBM diet had ca. 52 kcal NE/kg advantage to L, M, H-SBM diets (isocaloric). Early growth (phase 1) tended to be greatest for H-SBM (0.917, 0.919, 0.938 kg/d, P=0.118); each exceeding the summer reference diet (HE L-SBM 0.883, P< 0.001). In phase 2, pigs fed SBM diets grew similarly at each level (0.902, 0.920, 0.917 kg/d); HE L-SBM was inferior (0.883, P< 0.010). All diets performed similar for growth in phases 3, 4 (0.932, 0.736 kg/d). Carcass weight was the greatest for M-SBM, L-SBM diets (98.5, 98.6 kg) compared to HE L-SBM (97.1, P< 0.072). Whole-body G:F was greater for H-SBM vs L-SBM, M-SBM (0.354, 0.346, 0.339; P< 0.116, P< 0.005) and equal to HE L-SBM (0.355). Thus, early growth benefitted from H-SBM; DDGS reduced gain despite fat addition. Caloric efficiency favored H-SBM (9.466 Mcal/kg gain) over HE L-SBM (10.098), as did predicted GHG emission (< 4.6%).
279 Identification of Potential Biomarkers of Reproductive Development in Vaginal Gene Expression Associated with Serum Concentrations of Reproductive Hormones at key Periods in Gilt Development
Authors: Dierking Shannon L , Morton Jodi , Pinilla Juan Carlos , Gonda Michael , Rekabdarkolaee Hossein , Clapper Jeffrey A , Levesque Crystal L
Published: September 2022

Early puberty in gilts is associated with long-term reproductive performance. The ability to predict who will achieve early puberty is limited to intensive and invasive collection of serial blood samples to assess reproductive hormones, which is not practical for on-farm use. The objective of this pilot study was to characterize changes in gene expression in the vaginal epithelium related to reproduction during key periods in pubertal development. Pre-pubertal gilts (n =13) in 2 cohorts were followed from 70 d of age until first estrus or 213-215 d of age. Blood and vaginal epithelia were collected at five key timepoints during reproductive development (d70/77, d100/110, d130, d160 and first estrus or end of trial). Total RNA were isolated from vaginal epithelia and relative gene expression of two toll-like receptors (TLR-4 and TLR-5), tacykinin precursor-3 (TAC-3), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha was quantified by real time RT-PCR, relative to the expression of RPLP0. Of the 13 gilts, 3 exhibited estrus early (d169 to 174), 3 were average (d194 to 195), 2 were late (d203 to 213), 3 were deemed anestrus and 2 had a silent estrus (one prior to d160 and one after d200). Statistical analysis of relative expression of each gene relative to 70 d was performed using the PCR package in RStudio (version 1.2.5025). Analysis of gene expression utilized Fisher’s exact t-test for genes TLR-4, TLR-5 and TAC-3, and ANOVA for genes ER-alpha, IGF-1. Expression of IGF-1 and TAC-3 were up-regulated 9-fold and 7-fold, at the start of boar exposure (d 160; P < 0.05). Expression of ER-alpha tended to be upregulated 3-fold at 100 d of age (P = 0.08). Expression of TLR-4 and TLR-5 was not detected for most samples until standing estrus. These transcripts may be putative biomarkers for early estrus detection.
282 Metabolic and Endocrine Changes in Dairy Cows fed Different Diets at dry-off
Authors: Jermann Pascaline , Fritsche Dominik , Wagner Lea , Wellnitz Olga , Bruckmaier Rupert M , Gross Josef J
Published: September 2022

Concentrate withdrawal and feed restriction reduce milk production to facilitate dry-off. We investigated the impact of feed rations providing different amounts of nutrients in combination with feed restriction on performance, endocrine, and metabolic responses before and after abrupt dry-off. Forty-three cows were studied from d 12 before until d 6 after dry-off (56 d before scheduled calving). Cows were fed experimental concentrates rich in either crude protein (nitrogenic, n=14), glucogenic precursors (glucogenic, n=14), or lipids (lipogenic, n=15). On d 3 before dry-off, total feed allowance was restricted to 50 % in one-half of the animals of each dietary group whereas feed allowance remained unchanged in the other animals. Statistical analysis (SAS, version 9.4) was carried out using a mixed model with dietary group, time, and diet×time interaction as fixed effects (Significance assumed at P< 0.05). Feed restriction immediately resulted in a negative energy balance (NEB) and decreased milk production (P< 0.05). Concomitantly, concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) increased, whereas insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and glucagon decreased (P< 0.05). After dry-off, energy balance turned positive and plasma NEFA decreased again. Plasma glucose, insulin, and IGF-1 concentrations increased in all groups after dry-off. Glucose, insulin, and glucagon concentrations in plasma were greater in non-restricted compared with restricted animals after dry-off (P< 0.05). Milk and plasma urea concentrations were increased in cows fed the nitrogenic concentrate (P< 0.05). Overall, metabolic and endocrine adaptations supporting milk synthesis were continued during the first days after dry-off despite cessation of milking. Thus, the abrupt dry-off resulted in a short-term increase of glucose and triglyceride concentrations, with a delayed endocrine response to re-establish nutrient homeostasis in blood.
289 Sperm Quality Assessments Using Flow Cytometry do not Differ between Angus and Charolais Breeds of Yearling Bulls Meeting Breeding Soundness Exam Threshold Requirements
Authors: Hartman Ashley R , Batey Ian E , Rathbun Theresa J , Zezeski Abby L , Geary Tom W , Grieger David M , Fike Karol E
Published: September 2022

Flow cytometry has been used as a reliable and objective tool for bull sperm quality assessments and identification of sub-fertility. Our objective was to determine if breed differences exist in sperm quality assessments using flow cytometry when evaluating semen from yearling Angus and Charolais bulls that passed breeding soundness exam (BSE) semen evaluation thresholds. Ejaculates were collected via electroejaculation on one of three consecutive days from yearling (403.15 ± 11.19 d age) Charolais (n=23) and Angus (n=23) bulls as part of a BSE. BSEs were conducted by one veterinarian and all bulls met all requirements as set by the Society for Theriogenology. An additional sperm motility analysis was conducted with the iSperm analyzer. Ejaculates were diluted in BoviFree to 70 million cells/mL and sent overnight for flow cytometry analyses. Sperm flow cytometry analyses included: acrosome and cell membrane integrity, mitochondrial energy potential, and oxidation status. The GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with bull as experimental unit, bull breed as the main effect and collection date as a random variable was used to assess potential differences in sperm quality variables. Neither iSperm (P = 0.26) nor visual assessment (P = 0.66) of sperm motility differed among breeds. Bull breed did not influence (P = 0.83) total percentage of viable cells, nor percentage of viable cells with intact acrosomes (P = 0.83). When evaluating oxidation status by measuring reactive oxygen species, bull breed did not influence (P = 0.92) percentage of live sperm cells with positive reactive oxygen species status. There was a tendency (P = 0.10) for a greater percentage of sperm from Charolais bulls (31.1% ± 3.35) to have positive mitochondrial energy potential as compared with Angus bulls (17.6% ± 3.35). Bull breed appears to have little influence on sperm quality assessments among yearling bulls meeting threshold requirements for passing BSEs.
290 Effects of Exogenous Follicle Stimulating Hormone Prior to Embryo Transfer on Beef cow Recipients
Authors: Larson Jamie E , Carter Bryan , Johnson Tate , Swanson Rebecca M , Messman Riley D , Lemley Caleb O
Published: September 2022

Objectives were to evaluate characteristics of corpora lutea (CL) and concentrations of progesterone (P4) in beef recipient cows stimulated with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) prior to embryo transfer. Forty suckled beef cows received the CO-Synch+CIDR protocol and were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) exogenous FSH (FSH; 1.0 mL im 2x/d on d -4 and -3, 0.5 mL 2x/d on d -2 and -1) or 2) no treatment (CON). Estrous behavior was observed for 48 hr; d 0 = expected estrus. Frozen-thawed embryos were transferred (d 7) into the 36 females observed in estrus. Transrectal ultrasonography was used to measure number of CL and size of the largest CL, blood perfusion of luteal tissue, and pregnancy (d 35). Ultrasonography and blood samples were collected on d 7, 14, 21, and 28. Data were analyzed using repeated measures of ANOVA with significance declared at P ≤ 0.05. LSMeans and SEM are presented. On d 21 and 28, cows in the FSH group had decreased (P < 0.05) size of the largest CL compared with CON (d 21 = 1.81±0.309 vs 3.20±0.293 cm2 and d 28 = 1.88±0.332 vs 2.84±0.322 cm2). Area of blood perfusion was similar between FSH and CON groups (P > 0.05), but on d 21 and 28 it was greater in pregnant cows compared with non-pregnant cows (9.78±2.109 vs 22.43±1.995 and 4.42±2.607 vs 26.38±2.533, P < 0.0001). On d 7, 14, and 21, FSH group had greater concentrations of P4 and number of CL (P ≤ 0.05). Additionally, on d 28, concentrations of P4 and number of CL were greater in FSH-pregnant cows compared to all others (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, FSH decreased size of the largest CL but increased number of CL and P4 on most days; it did not affect blood perfusion.
291 Synchronization and Seasonality Effects on Follicular Development, Estrus Expression, and Pregnancy in Brahman Females
Authors: Quail Lacey K , Epperson Kaitlin M , Ketchum Jaclyn N , Guy Chloey , Long Chalies , Perry George A
Published: September 2022

Control of follicular development is essential for estrous synchronization. This experiment determined differences in follicular development during synchronization in Brahman females. Cows (n=219) and heifers (n=90) in Fall (n=170) and Spring (n=139) were synchronized with a CIDR insert and administration of GnRH or PG treatment on d0 (1/2GnRH: n=106, GnRH: n=103, PG: n=100), and CIDR removal and PG administration on d6 followed by estrus detection and AI for 96h. Blood samples were collected on d0, d6, and d8 and/or AI to determine circulating progesterone (P4) concentrations. Transrectal ovarian ultrasonography occurred daily. Cows were grouped by CL presence (d0CL, d6CL) and P4 concentrations (d0P4, d6P4, d8P4, Low< 1 ng/mL, High≥1 ng/mL) on d0 and d6. The GLIMMIX procedure of SAS was used to analyze follicular wave initiation, wave emergence day, estrus expression, and pregnancy success. There were significant interactions of treatment by d0CL (P=0.0237), and season by d0P4 (P=0.0118) on wave initiation. Cows receiving 1/2GnRH with a CL on d0 (97±2%) and Fall cows having High d0P4 (96±3%) had the greatest probability of wave initiation. Age significantly impacted wave initiation (P=0.0213; heifers: 93±4%, cows: 79±5%). Interactions of treatment by season (P=0.0405) and treatment by d0CL (P=0.0379) significantly impacted wave emergence timing. Season (P< 0.0001; Fall: 23±5%, Spring: 65±6%), and the interactions of treatment by d0P4 (P=0.0291) and new wave by d0P4 (P=0.0357) influenced estrus expression. Cows receiving 1/2GnRH with High d0P4 and cows with High d0P4 that initiated a new wave had the greatest probability of estrus expression. Pregnancy rate differed by estrus expression (P=0.0055; no estrus=25±6%, estrus=54±8%) and semen type (P=0.0105; conventional=52±9%, sexed=26±6%), and tended to differ by d8P4 (P=0.0570; Low=30±7%, High=48±8%). These results suggest that differences in follicular development and behavioral estrus in synchronized Brahman females may be due to seasonality and endogenous progesterone production.
298 Late Gestational Nutrient Restriction of Primiparous Beef Heifers Decreases Neonatal Calf Body Weight and Organ Mass
Authors: Redifer Colby A , Rathert-Williams Abigail R , Davies Shelby L , Johnson Remie M , Adkins Pamela R , Meyer Allison M
Published: September 2022

We hypothesized that late gestational nutrient restriction (NR) would decrease organ mass in neonatal calves. Fall-calving crossbred beef heifers (BW: 466 ± 30 [SD] kg; BCS: 5.4 ± 0.5) bred to a single sire were individually fed 100% (control; n = 10) or 70% (nutrient restricted; NR; n = 12) of NASEM metabolizable energy and metabolizable protein requirements for maintenance, pregnancy, and growth from d 160 of gestation to calving. Diets were based on chopped sorghum sudan hay and supplemented to meet targeted nutritional planes. Calves were removed immediately post-calving and fed colostrum and milk replacer relative to BW until euthanasia (48.7 ± 0.4 h of age) for organ mass determination. Nutritional plane was a fixed effect, and maternal sire, calf sex (when P < 0.25), and date of study initiation were covariates. Post-calving, NR dams were 62 kg BW and 2.1 BCS less (P < 0.001) than controls. Calf BW, liver, large intestine, omental/mesenteric fat, kidney, and heart weights were less (P ≤ 0.05) and carcass, rumen/reticulum/omasum, stomach complex, and total gastrointestinal tract weights tended to be less (P ≤ 0.09) in offspring from NR dams. Maternal nutrient restriction did not affect (P ≥ 0.11) weights of the small intestine, pancreas, abomasum, spleen, perirenal fat, adrenals, lungs, femur, and brain. Expressed per BW, lung weight was greater (P = 0.05), and brain and femur weight tended to be greater (P ≤ 0.10) in calves from NR dams, but other organ masses were unaffected (P ≥ 0.15). Expressed relative to brain weight, liver and large intestine weights were less (P ≤ 0.04) and carcass, total gastrointestinal tract, omental/mesenteric fat, and kidney weights tended to be less (P ≤ 0.08) in NR. In summary, late gestational NR decreased some organ masses in neonatal calves while sparing other tissues via asymmetric growth.
301 Effect of Maternal Supplementation of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae var. Boulardii During Late-Gestation and Lactation on Progeny Immune Status from Birth to 35 Days-of-age
Authors: Hernandez Lily P , Reddout Cassidy C , Salak-Johnson Janeen L
Published: September 2022

The use of probiotics in swine production may be an alternative to antibiotics for both disease prevention and growth promotion. Limited data exist on their potential to modulate offspring immune function when fed solely to the dam. A study was designed to assess the potential immunomodulatory effect of maternal supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii (scb) from gestational day 84 until the end of lactation (21-d period) on the immune status of the progeny in short- and long-term. A total of 84 female piglets born to 18 sows (n = 9/treatment) fed two boluses at 0600 h of either Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii CMCN-1079 (probiotic; PRO) or sugar (control; CON) were randomly selected at farrowing (n = 42/sow treatment). Blood samples were taken at birth (0), 1, 7, 14, 21 (weaning), 28, and 35 days-of-age to assess cortisol and descriptive and functional measures of the immune system of the progeny. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 with repeated measures. At birth, pigs born to CON-sows had greater (P< 0.001) plasma cortisol and % lymphocytes, but pigs born to PRO-sows had greater % neutrophils (P< 0.001). Progeny from PRO-sows had a greater (P< 0.001) percent natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity at 14 days-of-age, whereas progeny from CON-sows had greater (P< 0.001) concanavalin-A induced proliferation index at 21 days-of-age. Despite limited treatment x age effects, overall treatment effects with PRO progeny had greater (P< 0.001) C5a- and IL-8 neutrophil chemotaxis than CON. Conversely, progeny from PRO-sows had greater (P< 0.001) NK cytotoxicity and lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation index than CON. These data imply that there are few short- and long-term effects of scb on the immune status of the progeny, and maternal supplementation may be an opportunity to modulate the immune status of the progeny up to 35 days-of-age.
305 Awardee Talk: Application of on-Animal Sensors and Precision Livestock Management on Extensive Cattle and Sheep Ranches
Authors: Bailey Derek , Trotter Mark G , Tobin Colin , Nelson Kelsey , Wade Caroline , Oltjen Cory , Thomas Milton G , Hernandez Gifford Jennifer A
Published: September 2022

Monitoring livestock and forage conditions on extensive rangelands is labor intensive and expensive, and often observations occur infrequently. Technological advancements have made real-time remote monitoring more feasible and less costly. Global positioning system (GPS) tracking data can be transferred from livestock to the internet using cellular phone technologies, low range wide area networks (LoRaWan) and satellite transmissions. With good coverage, cellular-based real time tracking systems work well. Rugged terrain and extensive pastures increase the cost of LoRaWan. Additional LoRaWan gateway towers are needed for data transmission, because these systems rely upon line-of-sight signals. Satellite systems are expensive but hold great potential for rugged terrain. Accelerometers can be used to monitor animal activity, and after on-device summarization the data summary can be transmitted to the internet. Changes in behavior from normal patterns are useful for detecting illness and wellbeing. Bovine ephemeral fever in heifers and perennial ryegrass staggers in sheep were identified by a decrease in activity during the morning and evening grazing bouts using accelerometers. In pen settings, accelerometers were able to detect the timing of lambing and illness associated with unexpected feeding of moldy silage. Continued congregation of livestock at water tanks may indicate water system failures. Normally, animals move away from water to rest after drinking. Tracking is a valuable tool to identify locations where new water developments can improve distribution. Tracking also has potential to notify managers where livestock are congregating and potentially overgrazing, but prediction of forage utilization at light levels is not exact. Tracking systems would also facilitate genetic selection for grazing distribution by providing terrain use phenotypes. Improvements in technology and associated cost reductions of sensors as well as development of algorithms and software potentially gives ranchers mechanisms to remotely monitor livestock wellbeing and rangeland conditions and allow them to respond promptly.
307 Effects of Incorporating Malted Barley in a Finishing Ration on Intake, Performance, and Enteric Methane Emission of Beef Steers
Authors: Beck Matthew R , Proctor Jarret , Kasuske Zachery , Smith Jason K , Gouvêa Vinicius , Lockard Catherine , Min Byeng , Brauer David
Published: September 2022

Incorporations of malted barley (MB), as an exogenous source of α-amylase, demonstrated the potential to reduce methane (CH4) emissions in an in vitro experiment. However, this finding had not been confirmed in vivo. Forty-two mixed breed (predominately Bos taurus) influenced yearling steers (initial BW = 521.7 ± 31.4 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design experiment. Steers were blocked by BW and assigned to one of two pens, each containing an automated head chamber system (GreenFeed; C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD). Each steer was assigned to an individual feed bunk with Calan gates (American Calan, Northwood, NH) and fed a finishing ration for 92 days. Within each block, animals were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments based on MB inclusion level (DM basis): 0% MB (CON), 10% MB (10MB), or 20% MB (20MB), which were formulated to be iso-nitrogenous and energetic. All data were analyzed using orthogonal polynomial contrasts. There was no significant effect of MB inclusion on DMI or ADG (P ≥ 0.20); however, due to numerical differences, there was a linear reduction (P = 0.02) in feed efficiency with increasing MB inclusion. Further, there was a significant (P = 0.05) quadratic increase in CH4 production (g CH4/d) with increasing MB inclusion, such that MB fed steers had, on average, 7% greater CH4 emissions compared with the CON steers. Increasing MB did not affect CH4 yield (P ≥ 0.13; g CH4/kg DMI), but there was a tendency for a linear increase in emission intensity (g CH4/kg ADG; P = 0.09) with increasing MB inclusion. We speculate that the discrepancy between the previous in vitro experiment and the current experiment may be related to grain processing (diets ground for in vitro vs. MB not processed in current experiment); highlighting the need for further research.
313 Estimating Body Condition Score of Dairy Cows from Color Depth Images Using a Mobile Device
Authors: Moreira Ligia Cunha , Bresolin Tiago , Dorea Joao R , Rosa Guilherme J J M
Published: September 2022

Body condition score (BCS) is a commonly used tool to monitor body tissue mobilization in dairy cows and manage potential health issues associated with negative energy balance. However, BCS is a subjective measurement that requires a trained evaluator and is time-consuming. Consequently, the development of a computer vision system to assess BCS in real-time can have a crucial role to optimize management decisions. Recently, smartphones started to be equipped with depth sensors, which allow the acquisition and analysis of depth images in real-time. In this study, our objective was to estimate BCS of dairy cows using color depth images collected from a mobile device. A total of 276 images were collected from 31 Holstein dairy cows containing, acquired at the UW-Madison Dairy Cattle Research Center (Madison, WI). The images were collected with an iPhone 13 Pro using the advanced Dual-camera system from a rear view of the animal. The distance between the animal and the evaluator was kept constant. Two trained evaluators were asked to assess BCS of each cow. The score provided by each evaluator was used to train a deep learning algorithm. The analysis was implemented in Python, and Keras and TensorFlow were used to train the deep neural network. A pre-trained network based on the Xception architecture was used, and transfer learning was adopted by extracting the weights trained on Imagenet. A leave-one-out cross-validation strategy was used to split the data into training and testing sets. Our results showed that the model presented an average accuracy of 60% and 40% for color and color depth images, respectively, in the testing set. Our results indicate that it is possible to use a mobile device to develop computer vision tools to predict BCS of dairy cows.
316 Sustainability in Practice at the Dairy Farm Sector
Authors: Tricarico Juan
Published: September 2022

The United States dairy sector collectively commits to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality, optimize water use while maximizing recycling, and improve water quality by optimizing utilization of manure and nutrients by 2050. These 2050 Environmental Stewardship Goals encompass the field, dairy farm and processing stages of the supply chain. Representative leadership across the dairy value chain, including farmers, cooperatives, processors, retailers and other stakeholders, led the goals development process, which included an extensive stakeholder and public comment period and was built on a decades-long commitment to producing nutritious dairy foods that can sustainably feed a growing global population. The farm and field strategy to achieve these goals is termed the Net Zero Initiative. This initiative is an industry-wide collaboration with key value-chain stakeholders with the intention to address barriers and invest in research and partnerships for farms of all sizes and geographies to adopt practices and technologies that can provide environmental benefits on the farm, in the field and within the broader community. On-farm pilots within the Dairy Scale for Good workstream will contribute to Net Zero Initiative efforts by partnering with commercial operating dairies to demonstrate the ability to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve water quality and quantity, while increasing and diversifying on-farm revenue. Enteric methane mitigation is the key area of focus for the 2050 Environmental Stewardship Goals, Net Zero Initiative, and Dairy Scale for Good that is relevant to the dairy nutrition field. Practicing dairy nutritionists can make valuable contributions to these efforts by formulating balanced rations within solid feeding programs, understanding the important factors required to properly evaluate nutritional interventions to mitigate enteric methane, and understanding and articulating the environmental value feed ingredients provide in addition to nutritional contributions and cost savings.