bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PSLBII-13 Bioinformatics of rumen fluid from steers fed alfalfa-bermudagrass mixtures in the Deep South
Authors: Blinson Mason , Zessin Peyton , Dillard S Leanne L , Mullenix Kimberly 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
When harvesting high-quality, high-water content forages like legumes, there is often a greater percentage of nutritive loss due to the drying process. Alternative feeding strategies like baleage provide a way to mitigate these losses. However, there is not much adoption of baleage in the Deep South. Therefore, our objective was to assess the influence of conserved forage type on rumen metabolomes of beef cattle systems in the Deep South. Three treatments including bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) baleage, and alfalfa-bermudagrass baleage were supplied to four fistulated steers with a calculated daily forage allowance based on intake, body weight, and feed refusals. Each diet was allocated to one of three periods in which all four animals received the same diet due to potential feed spoilage. Each period had a 21-d adaptation period followed by a 5-d collection period to analyze rumen fluid, total fecal weight, feed intake, feed refusal, and total urine. This study integrated 16S RNA sequencing and LC-MS-based metabolomics to evaluate rumen bacterial diversity and metabolome of beef steers. Sequencing data from the rumen fluid samples were then analyzed using QIIME2. Bermudagrass hay had a reduced alpha diversity compared with alfalfa baleage (Shannon: H = 5.19, P = 0.02). Additionally, we saw a change in beta diversity (P &lt; 0.001), measured using the unweighted UniFrac distance, between conserved forage types and distinct clustering in the PCoA analysis. The most abundant taxa in all microbial communities were from the orders Lachnospirales, Bacteroidales, and Oscillospirales. Previous analysis in this study evidenced that baleage had an increased dry matter digestibility (DMD; P = 0.02). The increase in DMD was associated with the increase in diversity of the metabolome which could influence animal health and performance. Thus, baleage can serve as a beneficial conserved forage type that mitigates the losses of high-quality forages and diversifies the gut microbiome of ruminant animals.
PSXI-30 Economic impact of pre-training on dairy cattle automatic milking system acclimation
Authors: Whitehead Landon W , Martinez Charles , Eckelkamp Elizabeth 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Pre-training in automatic milking systems (AMS) has the potential to increase milk production and milk quality. In a recent study, cows that experienced pre-training (TRT; i.e. intentional training access with an AMS prior to first AMS milking) had greater milk yield and fat percentages compared with no pre-training (38.4 vs. 37.6 ± 0.2 kg/d; 4.75 vs. 4.38 ± 0.06%; P &lt; 0.01, and &lt; 0.01 respectively). Similarly, cows without pre-training had greater somatic cell count (SCC; 298,860 vs. 188,220 ± 10,700 cells/mL; P &lt; 0.001). The time required for pre-training could be a limiting factor (40 ± 10 h/wk), and the economic implications of labor versus long-term benefits must be examined. To that end, a stochastic simulation tool was developed to consider the increased costs of labor and the potential benefits of improved milk yield, milk fat percentage, and decreased somatic cell count. The GRKS distribution with minimum, mean, and maximum values was used to model increases in milk yield (0, 1.4, 1.8 kg), fat percentage (0, 3.5%, 4.5%), and labor cost ($0.0011, $0.0016, $0.0020 per h) and decreases in SCC (0, 120, 130 x 103 cells/mL) per hundredweight of milk produced. Baseline values for milk production ranged from 14.7 to 59.2 kg/cow/d in 4.4 kg increments with fat percentage of 3.5% and SCC of 312,000 cells/mL. The model assumed a minimum increase across milk yield, fat, and SCC of 0 (no change). The Simetar add-on in Microsoft Excel simulated 500 iterations across three herd size scenarios (60, 120, and 480 cows) and calculated the marginal return on investment across a 90-d period for all milk production ranges. Regardless of starting milk production level, pre-training had a positive economic impact across all levels (30 to 50 h) and herd sizes (Table 1). Financial impact per cow per d with input of 30, 40, and 50 h ranged from $0.58 to $0.73, $0.56 to $0.71, and $0.54 to $0.70. The majority of simulations returned a positive marginal impact for pre-training. If pre-training resulted in a loss, it ranged from $242 to $1,937, $323 to $2,585, $405 to $3,246, across 30, 40, and 50 hours, respectively. Based on these results, the investment in pre-training time was consistently beneficial for simulated herds.
PSVII-22 Age-related transcriptome changes associated with beef quality in longissimus thoracis muscle of Hanwoo steer
Authors: Kim Sang Yeob , Lee Jaesung , Baik Myunggi 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Understanding age-associated transcriptome changes in longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle is important for determining beef quality and yield characteristics. We investigated age-related transcriptome changes in LT of Hanwoo (Korean cattle) steers. Hanwoo steers [n = 11; initial body weight (BW) = 354 ± 5.53 kg; age, 12 ± 0.28 mo] were used. The LT samples were biopsied between the 11th and 12th ribs at 12, 18, and 24 mo of age. Steers were slaughtered at 31 mo of age (789 ± 17.7 kg) and LT samples were collected. For transcriptome analysis, six LT samples from steers at each of the four ages were selected based on initial BW, carcass weight, rib eye area, carcass quantity, and beef quality grades. Transcriptomic profiles at various ages were measured by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). A total of 13,753 transcriptomes were identified, and a total of 2,522 differentially expressed genes (DEGs: 743 up-regulated and 1088 down-regulated genes) between 12 mo and 31 mo of age were identified (false discovery rate &lt; 0.05 and |fold change| ≥ 2). Gene ontology annotation analysis of these DEGs showed several significant (P &lt; 0.05) terms including blood vessel morphogenesis, external encapsulating structure, and cell adhesion molecule binding. Pathway analysis of these DEGs revealed several significant (P &lt; 0.05) Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways including pathways in cancer, MAPK signaling pathway, and cell adhesion molecules. Transcriptomic expression patterns of the up-regulated and the down-regulated genes of the significant functional annotation terms between 12 mo and 31 mo were validated using all animals by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Protein expression patterns of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1, coagulation factor II thrombin receptor, and growth arrest and DNA damage inducible alpha genes were validated by Western analyses. In conclusion, age-related gene expression changes suggest that pathways involved in the regulation of vascular morphogenesis and cell adhesion molecules provide novel insights into understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for beef quality and carcass weight in beef cattle.
PSI-28 Effect of supplementing a Bacillus spp.-based probiotic on intestinal tight junction proteins expression and abundance of selected microorganisms in heat stressed pigs
Authors: González Fernanda , Morales Adriana , Morales Angélica , Valle Alan , Mendoza S María S , Htoo John K , Cervantes Miguel 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The maintenance of small intestine epithelial barrier function, depending in part on tight junction proteins (TJP), prevents the system from invasion of undesired materials but may become altered in heat stressed pigs. Heat stress (HS) also appears to modify the composition of intestinal microbiota that, combined with a weak barrier, may cause health deterioration of pigs. Probiotics, in contrast, can help animals to maintain a healthy intestinal environment. A study, conducted with pigs [n = 80; body weight (BW) = 21.6 ± 3.4 kg], analyzed the effect of HS and the supplementation of a Bacillus spp-based probiotic on gene expression of the TJP occludin, claudins, and TJP1 in jejunum and ileum. Abundance of Lactobacillus sp., Bifidobacterium sp., Bacillus subtilis and E. coli in ileal content was also analyzed. Treatments were thermal neutral (TN) pigs fed a control diet without probiotic (TN-C) or with 0.05% probiotic (TN-P), and HS pigs fed a control without probiotic (HS-C) or with 0.05% probiotic (HS-P). The control diet was based on wheat and soybean meal, added with free Lys, Thr, Met, and Val. Feed and water were freely available during the 21-d study. At termination, six pigs per treatment were sacrificed and samples from jejunum and ileum tissue were collected to analyze TJP gene expression; ileal content was collected to analyze abundance of intestinal microorganisms. Ambient temperature inside TN and HS rooms ranged from 19 to 25°C and 30 to 38.5°C, respectively. In jejunum, claudin2 expression was greater in TN-P than in TN-C (P = 0.05) but there was no effect of HS. In ileum, HS increased claudin3 but decreased occludin gene expression (P &lt; 0.05). HS did not affect TJP1gene expression (P &gt; 0.10). Probiotic supplementation did not affect gene expression of TJP (P &gt; 0.10). Relative to TN-C pigs, abundance of Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. tended to decrease in HS-C pigs (P &lt; 0.10), and that of Bifidobacterium sp. decreased in HS-P pigs (P &lt; 0.05). Abundance of E. coli tended to be greater (P &lt; 0.10) in both HS-C and HS-P pigs, than in the TN-C pigs. Abundance of Bacillus sp. was greater (P &lt; 0.01) in HS pigs fed the diet supplemented with the probiotic, compared with the TN-C (P &lt; 0.01) and HS-C (P &lt; 0.05) pigs. In conclusion, these data indicate that HS affects TJP gene expression and composition of intestinal microbiota, but supplementing 0.05% of a probiotic based on Bacillus spp. did not affect the abundance of measured microbiota except for Bacillus sp. under HS conditions.
PSII-25 Cysteine utilization for liver taurine and intestinal glutathione production is affected by weaning in pigs
Authors: Rudar Marko , Gachman Alexandra M , Outlaw Alex , Newell Brooke , Bartosh Julia 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Cysteine is a sulfur amino acid with key roles in pig production but how cysteine metabolism and requirements are affected by acute nutritional stress at weaning is unclear. The objective of this study was to determine weaning-induced changes in the abundance and activity of enzymes involved in cysteine utilization in the liver and small intestine. Pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 7.23 ± 0.68 kg] were either weaned at 21 d age and euthanized at 23 d age (W; n = 9) or remained with the sow and euthanized at 23 d age (NW; n = 9). Weaned pigs were fasted to replicate an acute nutritional stress but had free access to water. At euthanasia, liver, jejunum, and ileum tissues were collected. Liver abundance of cysteine dioxygenase 1 (CDO1) and cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase (CSAD), enzymes needed for cysteine oxidation to taurine, were determined by immunoblot. Reaction products of GCL and GSS, enzymes needed for glutathione (GSH) production, and CDO1 (liver only) were determined by HPLC. Tissue taurine and GSH concentrations were determined by HPLC. Liver CDO1 activity (0.31 versus 0.52 ± 0.10 nmol cysteine sulfinic acid/mgּ proteinּ min-1); P = 0.14), CDO1 abundance (3.98 versus 7.47 ± 1.96 AU; P = 0.22), and CSAD abundance (1.50 versus 1.54 ± 0.16 AU; P = 0.88) were not different between W and NW pigs. Liver GCL activity (2.49 versus 4.15 ± 0.25 nmol γ-glutamylcysteine/(mgּ proteinּ min-1); P &lt; 0.001) and GSS activity (1.54 versus 1.92 nmol GSH/(mgּ proteinּ min-1); P &lt; 0.001) were less in W compared with NW pigs. Liver taurine concentration increased in W compared with NW pigs (2,250 versus 4,726 ± 471 nmol/g; P &lt; 0.01), whereas liver GSH concentration was not different between W and NW pigs (2,825 versus 2,921 ± 245 nmol/g; P &gt; 0.10). Jejunum GCL activity was not different between W and NW pigs (0.56 versus 0.39 ± 0.07 nmol γ-glutamylcysteine/(mg proteinּ min-1); P = 0.10), whereas GSS activity tended to be lower in W compared with NW pigs (1.11 versus 1.38 ± 0.10 nmol GSH/(mg proteinּ min-1); P = 0.07). Ileum GCL (0.36 versus 0.32 ± 0.07 nmol γ-glutamylcysteine/(mg proteinּ min-1) and GSS activities (1.04 versus 1.02 ± 0.07 nmol GSH/(mg proteinּ min-1) were not different between W and NW pigs (P &gt; 0.10). However, both jejunum (1,379 versus 1,720 ± 70 nmol/g) and ileum (1,497 versus 1,740 ± 74 nmol/g) GSH concentrations were less in W compared with NW pigs (P &lt; 0.05). Despite limited feed intake, liver oxidation of cysteine to taurine was maintained in pigs after weaning. These findings imply that excess endogenous cysteine is oxidized to taurine rather than utilized for gut GSH production.
PSVI-25 The benefits of probiotics (L. plantarum and L. acidophilus) supplement in growth, nutrient absorption, gas emission, and gut microbiome diversity in weaning pigs
Authors: Lim Chai Bin , Cho Sungbo , Jeong Youn Jae , Kim In Ho 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Antibiotics are widely used as growth promoters (AGPs) in livestock production to improve animal performance and health. However, pig producers today face the prohibition of in-feed antimicrobials and have to find safe and effective alternatives. Lactobacillus species are active microorganisms that convey multiple beneficial effects to the host and are one of the most promising AGPs replacements. Herein, we aimed to comprehensively assess the effects of Lactobacillus spp. (L. plantarum and L. acidophilus) supplementation on growth, nutrient absorption, gas emission, and gut microbiota diversity in weaning pigs. Weaning pigs (n = 160) were randomly allocated into four groups and allowed to be fed four different diets. The test treatments were basal diet (TRT1), basal + 0.25% antibiotic (TRT2), basal + 0.1% probiotics (TRT3), and basal + 0.2% probiotics (TRT4). Our results demonstrated that the inclusion of 0.2% Lactobacillus spp. supplementation significantly improved (P &lt; 0.05) the growth performance and blood lymphocytes and reduced (P &lt; 0.05) fecal ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emission. In microbiome analysis, Shannon index, Simpson index, and Bray-Curtis showed that probiotics enhanced (P &lt; 0.05) microbial richness and diversity, indicating a unique microbial profile induced by probiotic supplementation. In conclusion, our findings provide concrete evidence of the growth-promoting effects of Lactobacillus spp. supplementation in piglets and a better understanding of the potential of Lactobacillus-based probiotics as AGPs alternatives in pig production.
PSXIII-18 Prenatal transportation differentially affects the adrenal cortical and adrenomedullary transcriptomes of Brahman bull calves
Authors: Welsh Thomas H , Cardoso Rodolfo C , Hairgrove Thomas B , Long Charles R , Perry George A , Riley David R , Randel Ronald D 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Prenatal stress (PNS) and early life adversity have been linked to epigenetic changes in the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems in various species. Previously, we reported that PNS calves had greater serum concentrations of ACTH and cortisol, were more temperamental, and had differential methylation of leukocyte DNA. The purpose of this study was to determine whether prenatal transportation stress differentially affected gene expression in the adrenal gland of calves. Mature Brahman cows inseminated to a single Brahman sire were assigned to either Control (n = 35; not transported) or PNS (n = 37; 2 h of transportation at 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 ± 5 d of gestation) group. From some of these cows, 8 Control and 8 PNS bull calves were humanely euthanized at 25 ± 2 d of age. Adrenal glands were obtained, separated into the cortical (AC) and medullary (AM) components, placed into cryovials, snap frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at -80°C. Frozen samples (200 mg) were submitted to Novogene Corporation for RNA sequencing analysis on an Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform to generate 150 bp paired-end reads. The reference genome was Bos taurus ARS-UCD1.2. The DESeq2 R package was used for differential gene expression analysis (DEG) and DEGs (P ≤ 0.05, log2FC ≥ 1) were evaluated for gene ontology (GO) subclass terms and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment pathways. For the AC DEG comparison, a total of 899 genes were identified, with 641 upregulated and 258 downregulated in PNS calves. The AC DEGs were in the cellular component, molecular function and biological process GO subclasses related to circadian rhythm, lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine regulation, muscle development, and lipid metabolism. The KEGG enrichment analysis identified nitrogen metabolism, cytokine signaling, and circadian rhythm pathways associated with DEG of the AC. For the AM DEG comparison, a total of 1,245 genes were identified, with 745 upregulated and 500 downregulated in the PNS calves. The AM DEGs were in GO subclasses related to skeletal muscle development, antigen processing, and neural crest development. The KEGG enrichment analysis identified cell adhesion, viral infection, cytokine signaling, and amphetamine pathways associated with DEG of the AM. These early results suggest that prenatal stress differentially affects expression of genes of the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla, which may affect health and growth of calves.Support: USDA NIFA Award No. 2019-67015-29573
PSXIII-16 Kinematics and viability of spermatozoa from Criollo and Angus bulls in a low-input system
Authors: Ramírez-Sosa René A , Martinez-Quintana Jose A A , Álvarez-Gallardo Horacio , Urbán-Duarte David , Rodríguez-Almeida Felipe A , Antillón-Ruiz Javier 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The Chihuahuan Criollo cattle is a genetic resource with special adaptive characteristics to rough, arid and semi-arid ecosystems. There is a great interest in incorporating such adaptations into beef production systems as one of the strategies for sustainable production to face the climate change challenge. Reproductive success is determinant to achieve sustainability in animal production systems. Most research efforts to improve reproductive efficiency have focused on the study of females. However, it has been shown that much of the economic losses caused by embryonic deaths are due to the bull. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of thawed semen from Angus and Criollo bulls kept in a low-input system. Thirteen healthy bulls (n = 7 Angus and 6 = Chihuahuan Criollo), with an average age of 4.3 ± 0.48 yr, grazing in the same rangeland and subjected to natural pasture conditions, were studied. Semen obtained by electroejaculation, were frozen and subsequently thawed for analyses. Characteristics of motility, vitality (V), morphology (M) and plasma membrane integrity (PMI) were evaluated in fresh and thawed semen, whereas movement kinetics (MK) and acrosome reaction (AR) were evaluated in thawed semen. Statistical analysis was performed using the PROC GLM of SAS Studio 2022 including the fixed effects of breed, semen condition and their interaction for variables of progressive motility (PM), V, M, PMI and the effect of breed for variables of MK and AR. As expected, PM and V were less (P &lt; 0.05) in thawed (57.93 ± 4.1 and 53.69 ± 2.7) compared with fresh (72.64 ± 3.9 and 74.98 ± 2.6) semen, whereas no differences (P &gt; 0.05) were found in M. However, the interaction between semen condition and breed for PMI tended to the significance (P = 0.08) with a PMI of 68.95 ± 4.6 and 58.98 ± 4.3 for Criollo and Angus, respectively, in fresh semen, whereas in thawed semen this difference was inverted (52.08 ± 4.6 and 58.40 ± 4.6). It is important to note that the semen retained quality traits with values above the minimum accepted for use in artificial insemination, despite the scarcity of resources of the system in which the animals were kept. There were no differences by breed in the main MK variables; however, AR reported as live unreacted sperm was less (P &lt; 0.05) in Criollo (40.49 ± 4.49) compared with Angus bulls (58.48 ± 4.49). In conclusion, it is important to incorporate the assessment of membrane integrity and acrosome reaction in thawed semen evaluation to obtain a more accurate prediction of the potential fertility of samples, even if motility parameters appear to be optimal.
PSXIII-13 Evaluation of physiological functions and performance in laying hens in different housing systems
Authors: Shoji Gaku , Tochinai Ryota , Sekizawa Shin-ichi , Kuwahara Masayoshi 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Egg production faces many challenges of economics, disease control and animal welfare concerns. Therefore, investigation of physiological characteristics in laying hens should be required for further discussion on such issues from a scientific point of view. In this study, we evaluated physiological functions and production parameters of hens raised in three different housing systems, conventional battery cage (CC), enriched cage (EC) and aviary system (AV). Lohmann Selected Leghorn Lite laying hens (n = 251) were used. At first, all the pullets were housed in CC. Then, a telemetric transmitter was implanted to randomly selected 18 hens on d 171 after birth to record electrocardiograms (ECGs), heart rate (HR), body temperature (BT) and locomotor activity (LA). Heart rate variability (HRV), which was analyzed using ECG, has been established as a suitable method for investigating autonomic nervous functions, and to assess stress and well-being of housing systems. On d 200 after birth, some of the hens were randomly selected and transferred to EC or AV (CC; n = 88, EC; n = 72, AV; n = 91), including hens implanted a transmitter (6 hens in each group). All parameters at 10 d before and 1 wk after the group division were compared. Egg laying rate (ELR), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and shell deformation were evaluated for egg production parameters. Hens were basically housed under the same management condition, and a constant light-dark cycle (light-on from 0300 to 1930 h). Feeding was conducted during light-phase, and water was supplied ad libitum. Statistical significance was defined as P &lt; 0.05. Comparing the physiological parameter, HR during dark-phase and LA during light-phase after transferred to EC or AV were greater than those in CC. However, there was no significant difference in HR during light-phase or LA during dark-phase between CC and the other two groups. The high frequency (HF) power of HRV, which reflects parasympathetic nervous function, was high during the dark-phase (7.59 ± 1.56) and low during the light-phase (6.04 ± 0.78) in CC. This diurnal variation disappeared in EC or AV because the HF power during the dark-phase decreased. As for production, ELR, FCR and shell deformation were decreased after moved to AV, which were not found in other two groups after the group division. This study was conducted to clarify the effects of housing systems on the physiological functions and productivity of laying hens, and these results suggest that CC might provide hens with parasympathetic dominance with greater quality of rest in dark-phase, and AV causes the reduction of egg production. However, we cannot completely rule out the possibility that these results are influenced by movement to a different housing system. Therefore, further analysis should be performed to assess the relations between physiological functions, management and egg production.