bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
72 Seminal Plasma Uterine Priming Reduces Offspring Growth and Alters Uterine Artery Indices of Vascular Resistance in Embryo-Recipient Beef Cows
Authors: Swanson Rebecca M , Messman Riley D , Lemley Caleb O 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Uterine priming with seminal plasma has been shown to alter endometrial gene expression as well as uterine cytokines and chemokines. However, the effects of seminal plasma uterine priming on uterine blood flow, fetal and postnatal offspring growth performance have yet to be elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the effects of pooled seminal plasma uterine priming at estrus on embryo crown-rump length, uterine blood flow, and birth weights. Commercial cows (n = 65) were synchronized, evaluated for standing estrus (day 0), and randomly assigned to treatment groups: seminal plasma or control. Seminal plasma treated cows (n = 27) received 0.5 mL of pooled seminal plasma from commercial bulls mismatched from embryo sire placed in their uterine body via artificial insemination rod2 hours after estrus detection (day 0). Control cows (n = 27) were passed through the chute without receiving treatment. On day 7, cows underwent non-surgical embryo transfer and were confirmed pregnant on day 35 via ultrasonography. Final treatment numbers were n = 9 seminal plasma and n = 7 control. On days 35, 40, and 45 embryo crown-rump length was measured via transrectal ultrasonography. On days 140, 180, 200 and 220, uterine artery hemodynamics were measured via Doppler ultrasonography. Birth weights were collected within 24 hours of birth. Data collected over time were analyzed using repeated measures of ANOVA with fixed effects of treatment, day, and their respective interaction. Birth weights and gestation length were analyzed using ANOVA. Embryo sire and dam, side of pregnancy, and fetal sex were included as covariates if P &lt; 0.10. Covariance structure was selected based on lowest AIC and BIC. Embryo crown-rump length was decreased (P = 0.0483) among seminal plasma treated cows compared with controls. Embryo crown-rump length increased (P &lt; 0.0001) by day. Total uterine blood flow increased (P &lt; 0.0001) as gestation proceeded. Ipsilateral resistance index was increased (P = 0.0431) among seminal plasma treated cows compared with controls. Ipsilateral resistance index was increased (P = 0.0107) on day 180 of gestation compared with days 200 and 220 of gestation. Ipsilateral pulsatility index was decreased (P &lt; 0.0001) on day 220 of gestation compared with days 140 and 180 of gestation. Contralateral blood flow was decreased (P = 0.0037) on day 140 of gestation compared with days 180, 200, and 220 of gestation. There were no differences in contralateral uterine artery blood flow, resistance index, or pulsatility index, or gestation length between treatment groups. Birth weights were decreased (P = 0.0102) among calves from seminal plasma treated cows compared with calves from control cows. In summary, seminal plasma uterine priming reduced offspring growth while increasing uterine artery resistance index, which indicates uterine vascular bed anomalies that persisted into the third trimester of pregnancy.
94 Changes in Vaginal Microbiome of Beef Cows Enrolled in an Estrous Synchronization Protocol
Authors: Dias Nicholas W , Schettini Gustavo , Goncherenko Guillermo , Pancini Stefania , Biase Fernando , Mercadante Vitor R G 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Vaginal pH and microbiome have been reported to influence fertility in women. In cattle, estrous synchronization protocols are a great tool to overcome infertility; however, the effects of the hormones administered in the protocol on vaginal microbiome and pH are unknown. A total of 24 cows were enrolled in the 7-d Co-Synch + controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol and had individual vaginal flushes collected during the handling events of the protocol on days 0, 7 and on day 10 at timed-artificial insemination (TAI). Flushes were used for pH analysis and DNA extraction. Extracted DNA was submitted to analysis by whole genome shotgun sequencing. Pregnancy status was assessed by ultrasonography 35 days after TAI. Firmicutes was the most abundant phylum, followed by Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria for all collection days. Bacteria from the Clostridia genus were the most abundant in all samples. Greater alpha Shannon diversity (within sample diversity) was observed for pregnant animals on day -10 compared with non-pregnant animals at the phylum, class, and order (P &lt; 0.01), as well as family, and genus level (P &lt; 0.001). Overall, Shannon diversity was decreased on day 7 compared with day 0 (P &lt; 0.05 at class and order level; P&lt; 0.01 at genus and family level) and was greater at TAI compared with day 7 (P &lt; 0.01 at the phylum, class, and order level; P &lt; 0.001 at family and genus level). No differences were observed for Shannon diversity between samples from D0 and TAI (P &gt; 0.05). No correlations between Shannon diversity were observed in relation to vaginal pH (P &gt; 0.1). Bray-Curtis analysis (between sample diversity) revealed clustering by day (P &lt; 0.05 at the order, family, and genus level) and a tendency (0.1 &lt; P &lt; 0.05) at the phylum and class level. In conclusion, greater fertility was observed for animals with greater within sample diversity prior to protocol initiation. Furthermore, vaginal bacterial diversity changes throughout the protocol, with decreased diversity observed on day 7 of the protocol, but restored diversity on day0 at TAI.
91Ex Vivo Fermentation of Corn and hay by Rumen Bacteria from Sheep and Cattle
Authors: Weinert-Nelson Jennifer R , Ely Donald , Flythe Michael D , Hamilton Tracy , Ferrell Jessica , Hamilton Matthew , Jacks LeeAnn , Harlow Brittany 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Data from cattle and sheep studies are often utilized interchangeably to make inferences regarding ruminant nutrition and physiology, but few studies have directly compared rumen microbiological responses. The objective of this study was to evaluate species differences in ex vivo fermentation of concentrates and forages. Rumen fluid was obtained via oral intubation from Holstein steers (n = 3; age: 212 ± 8 d) and Polypay ram lambs (n = 3; age; 34 ± d) fed a 100% tall fescue (TF) hay diet ad libitum. Mixed bacterial cell suspensions in buffered media contained the following feed substrate treatments (3% wt/vol): TF hay (HY), 2:1 TF hay-to-corn (HC), 2:1 corn-to-TF hay (CH), and corn (CN). Samples were collected after 2, 4, 8, and 24 h of incubation (39°C) for analysis of pH and lactate. Data were analyzed by PROC MIXED in SAS (v. 9.4, SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). The pH differed by species (P = 0.004), treatment (P = 0.005), and time (P &lt; 0.001), with a species by treatment by time interaction (P = 0.001). The pH at 2 h was 6.61 ± 0.02 regardless of species or treatment, and pH declined by 24 h for both steer and ram rumen cell suspensions in all treatments (P &lt; 0.001). Final pH at 24 h did not differ between species for HY (6.15 ± 0.03), but for all treatments including corn, pH was lower in steer rumen cell suspensions (HC: steer – 5.86, ram – 6.06; CH: steer – 5.59, ram – 5.98; CN: steer – 5.26, ram – 5.91 ± 0.05; P ≤ 0.004). Lactate accumulation differed by species (P = 0.038), treatment (P = 0.048), and time (P &lt; 0.0001), with a species by treatment by time interaction (P &lt; 0.001). Lactate at 8 h did not differ between species for HY (steer:3.06, ram: 9.22 ±.84 mmolּ L-1), but was greater in steer than in ram cell suspensions fermenting HC (steer: 12.64; ram: 6.39 ±.84 mmolּ L-1), CH (steer: 13.44; ram: 3.21 ±.84 mmolּ L-1), and CN (steer:3.63; ram:.10 ±.84 mmolּ L-1; P ≤ 0.023). By 24 h, lactate accumulation was minimal for HY, HC, and CH (≤ 1.50 mmolּ L-1) and did not differ between species (P ≥ 0.657). However, lactate at 24 h was greater in steer rumen cell suspensions fermenting CN (steer: 25.78; ram: 182 ± 1.84 mmolּ L-1; P &lt; 0.001). These results indicate that the rumen microbial community of sheep and cattle may differ both in composition and function resulting in different capacities to utilize common dietary feed ingredients.
166 Maternal Versus Environmental Contributions to the Piglet Pioneer Microbiome
Authors: Eldridge Landon , Hickman-Brown Kyle J , McAnally Brooke E , Smith Molly S , Poole Rebecca K , Wiegert Jeffrey G 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The pioneer microbiome is the initial and foundational colonization of microbiological organisms within the neonatal animal and has lifelong implications for health and performance. The objective of this project was to quantify various maternal and environmental sources contributing to the pioneer microbiome of the piglet. Five pregnant gilts farrowed at the Texas A&M University Swine Center in April 2022. Litters were a Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire composite and averaged 13.4 total number born and 11.4 number weaned. At birth, all piglets were individually identified and weighed and 5 piglets per litter weighing ≥1,200 grams were selected for microbiome analysis. Sterile swabs were used to collect, in duplicate, samples from the farrowing crate before gilt introduction (EMPTYCRATE) and after gilts were moved in (FULLCRATE), from the birth canal during farrowing (BIRTHCANAL), and from the rectum of the piglet on days 0 (prior to suckling), 3, and 10 post-farrowing and at weaning (21.6 ±.0 days post-farrowing). Colostrum was collected from each gilt during farrowing from a representative sample of teats into a single sterile collection cup (COLOSTRUM). Swabs and colostrum were stored in sterile microcentrifuge tubes at -80°C until sequencing. Bacterial DNA was extracted, and sequencing targeted the V4 hypervariable region of the6S rRNA gene. Statistical analyses were conducted using PROC GLM and PROC REG in SAS 9.4. The phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were not different between maternal (BIRTHCANAL, COLOSTRUM) and environmental (EMPTYCRATE, FULLCRATE) sources (Table 1). The piglet microbiome shifted from birth to weaning. The relative abundance of phylum Firmicutes was less on day 3 compared with day 0 and at weaning but did not differ from day0 (Table 1). Within the phylum Firmicutes, Lactobacillus and Clostridium genera were greater on day 3 compared with day 0, 10, and at weaning (Table 1). The relative abundance of phylum Proteobacteria, and the relative abundance of genus Escherichia within phylum Proteobacteria, were greater on day 3 compared with day 0, 10, and at weaning (Table 1). Multiple regression analyses indicated that BIRTHCANAL explained 51.6% of the variation observed in piglet day 0 microbiome (P &lt; 0.0001), and 6.5% of the variation in the piglet day 10 microbiome (P = 0.01). The piglet day 0 (pre-suckle) microbiome explained 10.0% of the variation observed in day 3 microbiome and 15.6% of the day 10 microbiome (P &lt; 0.05). Finally, day 10 microbiome explained 58.6% of the variation observed in the piglet microbiome at weaning (P &lt; 0.0001). The microbiome of COLOSTRUM and the farrowing crate did not impact piglet microbiome (P &gt; 0.10). Results indicate that the piglet pioneer microbiome is largely influenced by the microbiome of the birth canal and that the microbiome of the animal at weaning may be largely established by 10 days of age.
98 Utilizing gas Flux from an Automated Head Chamber System to Estimate Dietary Energy Values in Cattle Fed a Finishing Diet
Authors: Proctor Jarret A , Smith Jason K , Gunter Stacey A , Beck Matthew R 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Automated head chamber systems (AHCS; GreenFeed, C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD) provide estimates of daily flux of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and oxygen (O2) from free roaming cattle. This provides the opportunity to conduct energetic research from cattle in their production environment. One opportunity is to evaluate agreement between performance-estimated (P) net energy [Mcal×(kg DMI)-1] for maintenance (NEm) and gain (NEg; pNEm and pNEg, respectively) and gas-estimated (G) NEm and NEg (gNEm and gNEg, respectively). To assess this, yearling steers (n = 54; initial BW = 484.1 ± 26.0 kg) were assigned to one of two pens containing an AHCS and feed bunks designed to measure individual feed intake (Calan Gate; American Calan, Northwood, NH). Steers were transitioned to one of three finishing diets and were then fed for 80 days. Paired day initial and final unshrunk BW were measured on day 0 and 1, and on day 79 and 80, respectively. Following the feeding period, steers were transported to a commercial abattoir where carcass data were collected. Average daily gas flux was utilized to calculate heat production (HP), ignoring the energy losses from urinary nitrogen. Empty body weight (EBW) and empty body gain (EBG) were calculated and used to estimate retained energy (RE). The estimates of RE and HP were used to calculate ME intake and DMI was used to quantify dietary ME content. Through previously established cubic models, gNEm and gNEg were calculated. Ultimately, gNEm and gNEg were estimated from gas flux, DMI, ADG, and initial and final BW. A previously established quadratic model was used to estimate pNEm and pNEg using calculated energy requirements and available carcass parameters. Statistical analyses to compare the P and G energy values were conducted utilizing R (v.4.1.0) to assess precision (Pearson Correlation; r), method agreement (Lin’s Concordance Coefficient Correlation; CCC), Root Mean Square Error of Prediction (RMSEP), and Relative Prediction Error (RPE; RMSEP as a % of average performance estimated values). On average, P provided greater estimates of NEm [0.074 Mcal×(kg DMI)-1] and NEg [0.070 Mcal×(kg DMI)-1] relative to G. The G and P provided values which were highly correlated and had excellent agreement (r = 0.92, P &lt; 0.01; CCC ≥ 0.87) for both NEm and NEg. Additionally, predictive capability was high for NEm (RMSEP = 0.12; RPE = 5.3%) and NEg (RMSEP = 0.11; RPE = 6.8%) between P and G values. The excellent agreement between P and G derived NEm and NEg values suggest that researchers can utilize AHCS to conduct energetic studies with cattle in their production environment. Moreover, the G methodology provides an alternative method for retrospective assessment of animal energetic efficiency.
102 A Comparison of Deworming Protocols Using Eprinomectin and Fenbendazole in Grazing Beef Steers
Authors: Wray Eva M , Tucker Chris , Reynolds Jana L , Shoulders Benjamin P , Midkiff Kirsten A , Powell Jeremy G 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Many generic anthelmintics are commercially available; however, very little information exists regarding effectiveness of these products compared with pioneer brands. Therefore, the objective of this study was to conduct a fecal egg count reduction test comparing generic eprinomectin (Eprizero) to pioneer eprinomectin (Eprinex), as well as to fenbendazole in grazing beef steers. Naturally infected steers (n = 40; BW = 212±5 kg) were allocated into five treatment groups based on ranked fecal egg counts:. Eprinex (EX), 2. Eprizero (EZ), 3. Safeguard (SG), 4. Eprinex + Safeguard (XS), or 5. Control/No treatment (NT). Fecal samples were collected on days -7, 0, 14, and 29, and body weights were recorded on days -14 and 29. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. At day 14 post-treatments, the EX treatment group demonstrated a 50% fecal egg count reduction (FECR), while EZ treatment group had a 79% FECR. Both the SG and XS treatment groups showed a 98% and 100% FECR, respectively. At day 29 post-treatment, EX and EZ treatment groups demonstrated a1% and 5% FECR, while the SG and XS treatment groups displayed a 94% and 89% FECR. The coproculture data indicated that Cooperia punctata, Cooperia oncophora and Ostertagia ostertagi all persisted and comprised at least 90% of the larvae recovered from both the EX and EZ coprocultures performed on days 14 and 29. Haemonchus spp. was recovered from EZ coprocultures on days 14 and 29 (10% and 1%, respectively, of recovered larvae), as well as from the EX coprocultures (4% and%, respectively). Interestingly, the proportions of C. punctata and C. oncophora essentially demonstrated a post-treatment reversal in the both the SG and XS treatment groups when comparing days 0 and 29, possibly indicating a greater efficacy of fenbendazole against than C. punctata. There were no significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) in average daily gains between the treatment groups.
1 Challenges in the Pasture
Authors: Poore Matthew H 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Cow-calf farms are abundant across the southeastern US and there is a wide diversity of farm sizes and types of farmers. Farms include small-scale part-time farms, and large commercial-scale farms, often integrated with other farm enterprises. Many farmers have full-time employment off the farm and little if any hired labor, such that there is little time to devote to farming activities. In contrast, large farms often have access to labor, equipment and other inputs that may not be available to small farms. The diversity of farms and farmer demographics makes extension programming challenging as motivational factors vary considerably. Many pasture management practices proven by research have very low levels of adoption including active grazing management, pasture renovation, hay testing, etc. We assume that all farmers are focused on profitability, but this is clearly not the case especially with small part-time farmers. Other motivations may be enjoyment of spending time with animals, time spent with family, improving animal welfare, interest in machinery and “gadgets”, and other non-farm interests including using a cow-calf enterprise to hold land in some kind of agriculture for future development. New management practices may make sense from a profitability perspective but might require the development of new skills that the farmer does not have. Additionally, there may be other barriers including access to necessary equipment, conflicting information provided by advisers, and expertise in simple practices such as planting and spraying. As an example, novel endophyte tall fescue (NETF) has potential to eliminate the negative aspects of endophyte infected tall fescue while maintaining the desirable agronomic characteristics. While NETF technology is research proven and has been available to producers for over two decades, adoption has been very slow. The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is a multi-state private/public collaborative formed to promote the appropriate adoption of NETF. The Alliance conducts workshops to teach farmers and their advisors about how to best implement the NETF technology. The collaborative effort provides a more uniform set of recommendations than was formerly available through each member state. Through workshop evaluations we found several important factors that limit adoption including 1) the balance of cost and benefit is unclear, 2) farmers have limited financial resources, 3) the land is rented or unsuitable for renovation, and 4) farmers lack of knowledge, and 5) farm forage reserves are limiting. Many of these pasture management practices are difficult to adopt because they require many sequential steps that must be completed in a timely way. This may leave the farmer hesitant to take the first step in the process. For practices that are very different than standard management, use of on-farm demonstrations and hands-on learning have proven valuable.
125 Residual Effects of Creep Feed Management on Reproductive Performance of Meat Goat does Across Multiple Years
Authors: Hayes Emily G , Stevens Lauren , Thomas Shaneqwa , Hillin Kaylee , Browning Richard 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Creep feeding is a management practice used to improve the weaning weights of livestock including meat goats. The effects of creep feeding on replacement doe performance have received little attention. This study examined creep feeding effects on fitness traits of replacement does over their first five years in the breeding herd. Doelings that were either creep-fed (CF; n = 79) from 30 days of age until weaning (90 days of age) or not creep-fed (NC; n = 71) entered the breeding herd at 18 months of age and remained until death or failure to wean offspring in a second year. Doe body weights, packed cell volume (PCV), and fecal egg counts (FEC) were recorded each year at breeding. Cumulative totals for survivability to 6 years of age (SURV), kids weaned (TKW), weight weaned (TWW), and weaning rate (TWR) were analyzed for each doe. Doe body weights, PCV, FEC, TKW, TWW and TWR were analyzed using SAS MIXED models. Treatment group along with the sire breed, litter type, and dam age as traits of the doe were used as model terms. SURV was tested using SAS GLIMMIX models. Treatment, sire breed, litter type, and dam age of the doe were used as main effects. For sire breed, does were either Kiko-, Spanish-, Myotonic-, or Savanna-sired. There was no weight advantage (P &gt; 0.05) observed in CF does (CF = 34.8 ± 0.9 kg vs. NC = 34.1 ± 0.9 kg) at breeding. A previous study on the same group of did show a weight advantage for CF at weaning and at 1 year of age, but that significance was lost by entry into the breeding herd. However, sire breed (P &lt; 0.05) did impact body weights. Kiko-sired does were the heaviest (P &lt; 0.05) and Myotonic-sired does were the lightest (P &lt; 0.05) at breeding. Creep feed did not (P &gt; 0.05) impact TKW (CF = 2.8 ± 0.3 kids vs. NC = 2.4 ± 0.3 kids) or TWW (CF = 35.7 ± 3.8 kg vs. NC = 32.7 ± 4.0 kg). Sire breed impacted (P &lt; 0.05) TWW. Kiko-sired does weaned more (P = 0.02) weight than Savanna-sired does (43.4 ± 4.7 kg vs. 21.8 ± 4.8 kg, respectively). TWR, SURV, FEC, and PCV were not affected (P &gt; 0.05) by treatment group. Preliminary assessment suggested that creep feeding doelings did not affect their reproductive performance as adults under the conditions of this study.