bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
240 Impact of structural traits on semen collection training and lesion characteristics in Duroc boars
Authors: Hartman Ashley R , Weigand Macie C , Grieger David M , Fike Karol E 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Rising incidence of lameness in boar stud contributes to increased morbidity and mortality, affecting longevity and likely semen output. Lameness is not unique to the boar and affects the swine industry as a whole, contributing to millions of dollars in losses every year. Hypothesized contributors to lameness incidence are body, feet, and leg structure. In the boar stud lameness affects the ability of the boar to mount the dummy and can cause pain-related stress which can impact reproductive function. Lameness is also often accompanied by skin lesions or wounds which can lead to infection and further semen production. Our objectives were to evaluate the relationship between boar structural traits and semen collection training traits and determine if structural traits influence presence and severity of skin lesions. Structural traits of developing Duroc boars (n = 82; 190 ± 10.3 d of age) were assessed at arrival to the stud and 6 wk later. Structural traits assessed included front and rear leg set, foot shape, chest width, and hip width (1 = poor; 5 = ideal). An overall structure score for each boar was determined by adding all structural trait scores. Lesions were assessed on a zero to three scale (0 = no lesions; 3 = severe lesions). Based on overall structure score, boars were categorized into one of three groups (poor, intermediate, or ideal) to determine if structural traits affected the presence and severity of lesions. All boars were subjected to semen collection training 1 wk after arriving at the stud and considered trained when successful mounting and ejaculation occurred. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were determined between total structure score, lesion severity, and semen collection training characteristics. The GLIMMIX procedure of SAS was used to assess lesion presence differences between structure groups. Structure score and lesion severity were not significantly correlated (-0.017; P = 0.91) with number of attempts to train, time to mount, or time to collection of ejaculates. Upon arrival at the stud, boars in the poor structure group displayed a greater (P &lt; 0.01) incidence of lesions than intermediate and Ideal structure groups but did not have greater lesion severity (P = 0.74). After 6 wk in the boar stud, there were no differences (P = 0.83) in lesion presence or severity between structure groups, suggesting the lameness issues are more likely caused by housing environment or other factors than structural traits.
241 Immunophysiology and performance of broilers supplemented with macroalgal sulfated polysaccharides during a subclinical necrotic enteritis challenge
Authors: Suarez Maria Garcia , Dalloul Rami , Blue Candice 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of a sulfate polysaccharide extracted from marine algae product on performance, intestinal lesion scores, and mRNA abundance of various tight junction proteins and immune response genes. A total of 600 one-day old male broilers (Ross 708) were allocated to one of four treatment groups (6 replicate floor pens, 25 birds/pen): negative control (NC) group fed a corn-soybean meal diet; positive control (PC) fed NC + 15 ppm Avilamycin and 125 ppm Amprolium, an additive group (AGS) fed NC + Algoguard added at 0.1% of the diet, and (AGH) fed NC + Algoguard added at 0.2% of the diet. To predispose the birds to NE, birds were orally gavaged with 2,000 Eimeria maxima sporulated oocysts on d 14 followed by a dose of approximately 1×108 CFU/mL of C. perfringens on d 19. On d 21, four birds/pen were necropsied for NE lesions and on d 14, 21, and 42 jejunal samples were collected to assess mRNA abundance. Birds and feed were weighed on d 14, 21, 28, and 42 on a per pen basis. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated during each feeding phase and adjusted for daily mortality. The data were analyzed using ANOVA (JMP, Pro 16) and significance (P ≤ 0.05) was determined by the LSD test. During d 14-21, 0-21, 0-28, and 0-42, mortality rate and ADFI were significantly less in AGS, AGH, and PC compared with NC. ADG was greater while FCR was significantly less in PC, AGS, and AGH during d 21-28, 0-28, and 0-42 compared with NC (P ≤ 0.05). Lesion severity was also significantly less in AGS, AGH, and PC compared with NC. On d 14, 21, and 42 there were no toxins present in the tested serum samples. Calprotectin concentration was greater in PC and NC on d 21 and 42 compared with the supplemented groups. C. perfringens toxin was not detected in serum samples of any of the four treatment groups. mRNA abundance of CLDN1, IL1β, IL12B, and IL10 was greater in AGS compared with NC on d 14 and 42. ZO1 was significantly greater on d 21 in PC treatment and was less than both AGS and AGH on d 42 (P ≤ 0.05). Compared with all other treatments, mRNA abundance of OCLDN was greater and those of IFN-γ and ZO2 were less in PC, while that of CLDN3 showing no significant difference among all 4 treatments. To conclude, dietary inclusion of this algal product in broiler diets could be considered as a beneficial alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in the context of this challenge model.
238 Effect of electronically controlled floor cooling pad on semen performance of Duroc boars during the summer heat stress
Authors: Licuan Daphne , Schinckel Allan P , Hundley Jamie , Nepomuceno R J , Robins Matt , Crasto Randolph , Didion Bradley A , Kleve-Feld Michael , Stewart Kara R 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of using electronically controlled floor cooling pad (ECP) on boar semen production during the summer season in a boar stud in Scottsville, Kentucky. Sixty boars (526.26 ± 188.69 d old) were placed in two rows of pens (2.06 x 0.66 m) in a 350 head tunnel ventilated boar barn and were randomly assigned to either CONTROL (n = 30; no ECP) or PAD (n = 30) treatments. The ECP had 4.25 L cold water flushed through a group of 5 pads connected to each other, when temperature sensors reached 27°C or every 4 mins for sensors placed on 5th pad and 24°C or every 4 mins for sensors placed on 1st pad. Boars experienced natural summer heat stress (daily temperature, humidity and dewpoint: Mean = 24.03°C, 87.9%, 21.7°C, hourly mean high = 28.9°C, 83.4%, 25.8°C) for a period of 30 d from July 15, 2023 to August 14, 2023 wherein the cooling pad remained on and were flushing based on the set points mentioned above. Semen was collected from each boar at least once each week and semen samples were diluted in a commercial semen extender and analyzed for motility using a CASA system, volume using a gram scale, and concentration using a spermiodensimeter. A semen sample was also stained using Hancock stain and evaluated at 100x oil immersion to assess sperm morphology (100 sperm cells analyzed as normal or having retained cytoplasmic droplets, distal midpiece reflex or other head/tail abnormalities). Total sperm production, percentage of morphologically normal sperm, percentage of motile sperm were calculated and used to determine whether the ejaculate met threshold for use in an artificial insemination program or whether the ejaculate was trashed. Data were evaluated using PROC MIXED for repeated measures in SAS (v.9.4) with the main effects of treatment and week, using the age of the boar, and the number of days between collections as covariates, and boar nested within treatment as a random effect. There were no differences between CONTROL and PAD boars for semen production measures (P &gt; 0.05). PAD boars had greater morphologically normal sperm compared with CONTROL boars using Hancock stain (P = 0.0362); however, this effect was lost when the percentage of total normal sperm for the entire ejaculate was calculated (P = 0.56). Overall, maintaining boars on floor cooling pads during the summer months had minimal impacts on semen production and reduced the presence of morphologically abnormal sperm.
237 Disrupted insulin signaling due to an acute immune response in swine
Authors: Markley Grace I , Stahl Chad H , Cooper Elizabeth , Palou Rousset 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Insulin is an anabolic hormone involved in glucose uptake and synthesis of fats, proteins, and glycogen. Altered insulin signaling can occur due to metabolic state, pathogen exposure, and autoimmune disorders. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin secreted produced by gram-negative bacteria, can induce a severe, systemic immune response. In pigs, chronic LPS exposure has induced insulin resistance. However, the effects of acute exposure to LPS on insulin signaling and resistance have not been elucidated. Crossbred nursery pigs [n = 58, initial body weight (BW) = 12.1 kg ± 0.23 kg] were randomly assigned into two experimental subsets, where 10 animals were designated for repeated blood sampling and 48 animals underwent timed euthanasia for tissue collection. For repeated blood sampling, jugular catheters were placed under anesthesia and the animals were given 48 h to recover before being randomly assigned to treatments. These treatments were an intraperitoneal injection of either 15µg/kg BW LPS or an equal volume of 0.9% Saline (n = 5 pigs/treatment). Blood was collected for 48 h followed by euthanasia. The other 48 pigs were randomly assigned to the same treatments, and then randomly assigned to euthanasia timepoints of 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 or 48 h post injection for tissue collection. Among the catheterized pigs, 2-h post LPS challenge there was a decrease in serum insulin concentration (P &lt; 0.05) and mild hyperglycemia (P &lt; 0.05) post challenge. At 12- and 24-h post LPS challenge there was a decrease in insulin (P &lt; 0.05) and a trend hyperglycemia was also apparent at 24 h (P = 0.063). In liver tissue, insulin related genes exhibited alterations post LPS injection. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (pi3k) and insulin receptor substrate 1 (irs1) expression were decreased at 3 and 6 h (p&lt; 0.05) and protein kinase b (akt) expression were decreased at 3 h (P &lt; 0.05) post challenge. The expression of insulin inhibitor growth factor receptor bound protein 10 (grb10) was decreased at 6-, 12-, and 24-h after challenge (P &lt; 0.05). Fructose-1-6-bisphosphatase (f16bp) expression was reduced at 3-, 6-, and 12-h (P &lt; 0.05) in the liver while phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (pepck) expression was decreased at 3- and 6-h (P &lt; 0.01) post challenge. Other metabolic genes were decreased at 3-, 6-, and 12-h post LPS challenge, including fatty acid synthase (fas; P &lt; 0.05), carbohydrate response element binding protein (chrebp; P &lt; 0.05), and acetyl CoA carboxylase (acc; P &lt; 0.05). Protein abundance of Akt 3 h after LPS injection was decreased in the liver (P &lt; 0.05). In skeletal muscle 6 h post LPS injection, insulin receptor (insr), insulin-like growth factor receptor (igfr) and fas were all increased (P &lt; 0.05) These results indicate disrupted insulin signaling at various levels after an acute immune response.
1 The role of gut microbiota on regulation of growth and metabolism by branched-chain amino acids
Authors: Pezeshki Adel 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) including leucine, isoleucine and valine are essential amino acids, which are involved in energy homeostasis and regulation of many physiological paradigms including growth. The BCAA serve not only as an essential substrate in the synthesis of body proteins, but also have an important role in regulation of protein turnover. The effects of BCAA on growth and metabolism are likely mediated through different pathways including shifts in metabolic profile in peripheral organs, oxidative capacity of muscle, gut development, and protein metabolism in muscle. Although it has not been appropriately studied or fully dissected, the impact of BCAA on growth and metabolism is thought to lie in the alteration of gut microbiota by BCAA. It has long been believed that gut microbiota, more specifically, the activity of the microbiome and its metabolic products, directly influence a variety of aspects in metazoan physiology. For example, deregulation of bacterial community structure has been linked with host longevity and stress resistance, the pathogenesis of several disorders, regulation of appetite. Multiple studies have demonstrated that modulation of dietary BCAA levels could elicit clear shifts in gut microbial community structure. As part of “Physiology Symposium: The Microbiome and the Host: Functional Role in Metabolism, Immunity, and Gut-Brain Axis”, the possible involvement of intestinal microbiota on regulatory roles of BCAA on growth and metabolism will be discussed.
4 Nutrition and gut microbial ecology in companion animals
Authors: Badri Dayakar V 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
The gut microbiome, considered an organ harboring trillions of microbes, is a complex and diverse ecosystem through its collective metabolic activities and host interactions that influences host physiology and disease susceptibilities. The advancement from traditional culturable techniques to next generation sequencing technologies allows nutritionists and clinicians to enhance the understanding of microbiomes and their beneficial role in the host-microbe ecosystem. Compared with the research and resource developments in the human microbiome space, the gut microbiome of companion animals is relatively underexplored despite its relevance to animal and pet owner health. More than a decade ago, Hill’s Pet Nutrition developed deep microbiome expertise to improve the overall health and wellbeing for dogs and cats through nutrition. This presentation will focus on two aspects: how Hill’s harnesses the gut microbiome through nutrition to benefit the health of the pet, and the efforts underway to build the “One Health Microbiome Resource (OHMR).” The OHMR resource is a reference database encompassing both human and companion animal metagenomes that will improve the understanding of how microbiomes overlap in shaping the health of pets and pet owners in the context of infectious diseases, immune modulation, and specific genetic elements such as antibiotic resistance genes.
5 Rumen microbiome and metabolome in dairy cattle performance
Authors: Guan Leluo L 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Cattle rumen microbiome converts fibrous feed to nutrients that directly influence cattle’s growth and performance. Recent research has revealed the composition and function of rumen microbiome can affect many economically important traits in cattle such as feed efficiency, milk/meat yield and quality, methane emission, metabolic health and so on. In this presentation, the research on the assessment of to what extent the rumen microbiome and its metabolites, as well as host metabolites contribute to milk production and quality traits will be focused and discussed. It has been evident that some dairy cows can produce large amounts of milk under the same nutritional and management conditions. Recent research has revealed that in addition to host genetics and diet, parity and days in milk of dairy cows can affect the rumen microbiota, and both core and pan rumen bacteriome can potentially contribute to variations of milk production traits. Additionally, the analysis of rumen metagenomics and metabolomics of dairy cows with varied milk production yield showed that some key bacterial taxa (for example, Prevotella species), and their functions (such as branched-chain amino acids biosynthesis, methanogenesis), some rumen microbial metabolites (mainly amino acids, carboxylic acids, and fatty acids) significantly differed between high and low production cows. Further integrated analysis with serum metabolomics of the cos revealed the varied contributions of rumen microbial composition, functions, metabolites, and the serum metabolites to the milk protein yield of a dairy cow, a potential new trait that can be used for high-quality milk production, respectively. The fundamental understanding of the role of rumen microbiome and its metabolome contributing to milk yield and protein yield traits can provide novel insights into future manipulation of rumen microbiome to enhance milk production and quality.
60 Effects of phase feeding rolled hybrid rye on feedlot performance in backgrounded beef steers
Authors: Leeson Riley , DeHaan Erin R , Delver Justin , Francis Forest L , Francis Becca Grimes , Ribeiro Thiago , Smith Zachary K , Rusche Warren C 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of phase-fed rolled hybrid rye on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of finishing steers. Backgrounded steers [n = 110; initial shrunk (4% of body weight; BW) = 391 ± 1.3 kg] were assigned to 1 of 14 pens at the Southeast Research Farm, Beresford, SD in a randomized complete block design. Pens were blocked by location with four blocks of dirt-surfaced, outside pens (8 pens; 10 steers/pen) and three blocks of concrete-surfaced, partially covered pens (6 pens; 5 steers/pen). Pens were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments (7 pens/treatment): dry rolled corn (DRC) included at 66% diet dry matter (DM) or rolled hybrid rye (RRYE) included at 66% diet DM for the initial 46 d of the experiment followed by the DRC diet from d 47 to trial completion on d 144. One steer was removed from the study because of lameness. During the rye feeding period (d1 to d 46), RRYE decreased average daily gain (ADG) by 13% (P = 0.01; 1.59 and 1.83 kg, respectively) and DMI by 18% (P = 0.01; 8.45 and 10.30 kg, respectively) with no effect (P = 0.15) on gain to feed ratio (G:F) compared with DRC. Negative effects of RRYE were more pronounced during the first 20 d of the experiment with ADG reduced by 29% (P = 0.01; 1.13 and 1.60 kg, respectively), DMI by 15% (P = 0.01; 8.20 and 9.61 kg, respectively), and G:F by 17% (P = 0.01; 0.139 and 0.167, respectively). Dietary net energy values for RRYE were increased (P ≤ 0.03) from d 1 to 46. Feeding rye reduced BW on d 46 by 10 kg compared with DRC (P = 0.01; 474 and 464 kg, respectively). From d 47 to 144 when all steers were fed a common diet there were no differences (P ≥ 0.38) in any growth performance responses or measures of dietary net energy utilization. When measured over the entire experiment, DMI tended to be less (P = 0.08) for RRYE compared with DRC with no effect on ADG or G:F (P ≥ 0.19). Final BW was numerically reduced in the RRYE treatment compared with DRC (P = 0.21; 614 and 623 kg, respectively). Cumulative observed-to-expected ratios for NEm and NEg were increased (P = 0.05) for RRYE compared with DRC. Dietary treatments did not affect (P ≥ 0.29) carcass characteristics, distribution of USDA yield or quality grades, or liver abscess incidence or severity. Feeding rolled rye decreased ADG, DMI, and G:F during the first 46 DOF with similar growth performance when fed a DRC-based diet for the final 98 d.
61 Effects of botanical composition on grazing system management, forage quality, forage availability, and ewe performance
Authors: Prybylski Emma G , Brown Alyssa , Neuleib Lauren , McCann Joshua C , Heller Nicholas , Earing Jennifer E 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
The objective was to compare the effects of two forage mixtures utilized in a rotational grazing system on ewe performance, forage quality, and forage availability. Dorset-Suffolk crossbred ewes [n = 48; body weight (BW) = 187 ± 20 kg] were stratified by BW, body condition score (BCS), and age, then allotted to six groups. Groups were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: forage mixture 1 (FM1; 47% orchard grass, 30% white clover, 14% brome grass, and 9% ryegrass) and forage mixture 2 (FM2; 44% ryegrass, 33% white clover, and 23% red clover). There were 18 paddocks (30.5 m x 22 m) for each treatment, each group was rotated between one of six paddocks; the rotation of each group was determined by the reduction of forage height to approximately 10 cm. Ewe BW and BCS were collected on d 0, 14, and 28. Forage heights were measured using meter sticks upon the groups entering and exiting each paddock. Forage heights were used to calculate forage availability, and the difference between pre-grazing and post-grazing forage availability was assumed to be forage disappearance. Five pre-grazing forage samples from each paddock were clipped at 10 cm using the forage square (0.0625 m²) to determine fiber content. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS 9.4. No effects on ewe BW or BCS were observed (P = 0.4134) between treatments. Ewes grazing FM2 spent more time grazing each paddock (P &lt; 0.01) compared with ewes grazing FM1. Pre-grazing forage ground cover (P &lt; 0.01) was greater in FM2 compared with FM1; however, grazed forage mass disappearance was not different (P = 0.44) between treatments. The NDF and ADF values were greater for FM1 than FM2 (P &lt; 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively) indicating that more forage is needed to meet ewe energy requirements. Results suggest that neither forage mixture had a significant impact on ewe BW or BCS; however, ewes grazing FM2 maintained themselves on a smaller land area during growing season, making it a more feasible option for rotational grazing management.
204 Detecting subclinical mastitis in meat-breed ewes using infrared thermography
Authors: Peckler Gretchen , Adcock Sarah J J 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Mastitis, the inflammation of the mammary gland most commonly due to bacterial infection, is an important welfare concern in meat-breed sheep. The objective of our study was to evaluate udder surface temperature obtained from infrared thermography as a diagnostic tool for subclinical mastitis. We predicted that udder halves with subclinical mastitis would have greater surface temperatures than healthy udder halves. We enrolled 39 meat-breed ewes (10 Hampshire, 24 Polypay, 5 Targhee; 2 to 9 yr of age) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison sheep unit. All procedures were approved by the UW-Madison Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Milk samples from each udder half were collected in duplicate weekly beginning 2 to 4 d postpartum until 8 wk postpartum. Immediately before milk sampling, the udder was photographed from the rear using a thermal camera. A sample was considered a true infection if at least 100 CFU/mL of a bacterial species were isolated. From each photo, we obtained values for minimum, maximum, and mean skin surface temperature for the right and left udders. Three linear mixed models were fit using minimum, maximum, and mean temperatures as the response variables. Fixed effects were infection status (infected or not), weeks postpartum (wk 1-8), and ambient temperature, with a random effect of udder half nested within animal ID. Contrary to our predictions, infection status did not predict udder skin surface temperature (P &gt; 0.12). Healthy udder halves had a mean temperature of 35.5 ± 0.1°C (mean ± SE), minimum temperature of 29.9 ± 0.3°C, and maximum temperature of 37.8 ± 0.1°C. Infected udder halves had a mean temperature of 35.4 ± 0.1°C, minimum temperature of 30.5 ± 0.3°C, and maximum temperature of 37.7 ± 0.1°C. Our results contradict findings in dairy cows, and suggest more research is needed to evaluate the relationship between udder surface temperature and subclinical mastitis in sheep.