bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PSI-15 Effects of Melatonin on Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Weaned Beef Calves
Authors: Ogunkunle Nathaniel , Zakari Friday , Samuel Felix , Omontese Bobwealth O 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Weaning is a stressful event often associated with changes in physiological characteristics, increased restlessness, reduced feed intake, and poor performance. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of melatonin on behavioral and physiological responses of weaned beef calves. Angus beef calves (n=36) at 7-mo of age were stratified by dam parity, body weight, calf sex and randomly allocated to receive either 24mg melatonin implants (MEL) or physiological saline (CON). A subset of calves were fitted with accelerometers on the hind leg to monitor activity levels for 7 days after weaning. Blood samples, rectal temperature, chute score and body weight measurements were collected on d 0, 7 and 14 after weaning. Activity of MEL calves was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) lower than CON. The MEL calves had lower (P &lt; 0.05) chute score on d 7 and 14 compared to CON. There was no marked effect of melatonin on rectal temperature and hematological parameters, however, platelet showed significant (P &lt; 0.05) difference with MEL recording higher values compared to CON. Average daily gain (ADG) was 1.67 and 2.35kg/d in CON and MEL, respectively. We concluded that although no differences in ADG, hemogram, and rectal temperature were observed, melatonin treated calves had reduced behavioral stress response associated with weaning.
PSI-1 An Evaluation of Functionality of Cryopreserved Sperm Cells Treated with Heifer-Plus™
Authors: Ruemke Heather R , Runyan Cheyenne L , Waddell Jolena N , Roper David , Poe A Brant , Daigneault Brad 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The commercial beef cattle industry produces calves for replacement or slaughter. Female replacements are important to advance herd genetics, therefore, a tool to influence sex ratios may enhance reproductive efficiency. A commercial semen sexing kit, Heifer-Plus™, used in conjunction with artificial insemination, may alter the sex ratio of offspring by increasing motility of the X chromosome-bearing sperm. The aim of this research was to assess the methodology of Heifer-Plus™ through evaluation of motion patterns and kinematic parameters in conventional semen straws. Four bulls representing Angus, Wagyu, and Holstein breeds were utilized. Six straws of cryopreserved semen from each bull were thawed in a water bath (37.5°C for 35 sec). Three straws from each bull were pooled and treated with Heifer-Plus™ and 3 straws were pooled as the no-treatment control. Post treatment, all samples were aliquoted in microcentrifuge tubes and Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) measurements of motility and kinematic factors were assessed. Semen samples were held at 37.5°C for incubation for three 15-min periods (15-mins, 30-mins, and 45-mins) measuring thermoresistance and longevity of spermatozoa. After incubation, 80 µL of each semen sample were observed on CASA. Data were analyzed using ANOVA method in GraphPad Prism and P-values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. No effect of treatment on motility parameters or rapid velocity were measured, however there was a decrease in total motility (P=0.0045), progressive motility (P=0.0115) and rapid velocity (P =0.0099) across time intervals. Heifer-Plus™ treated cells had higher incidence of static velocity compared to control (P = .0038). Semen samples were clustered into subpopulation threshold-based on sperm average path velocity (VAP) and linearity (LIN) at each time point. Spermatozoa treated with Heifer-Plus™ consistently exhibited a high velocity and variable linearity therefore were categorized consistently into two categories at each time point.
PSIII-9 Hempseed Meal as an Effective Protein Supplement for Finishing Wethers
Authors: Butts Mercer , Hallmark Harrison D , Murray Roderick Gonzalez , Lente Leeroy , de Bisneto Octavio Almeida Guimaraes , Garcia Gabriel , Thorndyke Meghan P , Dillon Jasmine A , Archibeque Shawn L 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
As our global agriculture landscape continues to change it has become more important than ever to find sustainable alternatives to feed livestock. Hempseed and its derivatives may provide alternative sources of nutrients for inclusion in livestock diets, however, due to the paucity of research on hemp and its byproducts, there is no authorization of the inclusion of these products in food animal diets. We hypothesized that the digestibility and use of hempseed meal would be similar to other livestock protein sources. Forty Western White-Faced wethers were used in a completely randomized block design with 5 treatments. These treatments included diets formulated to be near isonitrogenous with 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20% of diet DM as hemp seed meal, primarily as a substitute for dried distillers grains with solubles. Wethers were fed the diets individually for 90 d, which was followed by a 5 d balance trial with a total collection of urine and feces. There were no differences in DM intake (P = 0.44) or average daily gain (P= .16) between treatments. There were no differences in DM digestibility (P = 0.86) or N digestibility (P = 0.29) between treatments, although there was a slight increase in P digestibility as hemp meal inclusion increased until it represented 15% of the dietary DM (P = 0.02). There were no differences in the digestibility of Ca (P=0.44), Mg (P = 0.10), K (P = 0.85), or Na (P = 0.54). There were no differences in urinary N excretion (P=0.33) or urinary urea excretion (P=0.34) between treatments. Additionally, blood chemistry constituents were also not affected by treatment (P ≥ 0.10). Based on these data, it is concluded that hemp seed meal is a comparable protein supplement for sheep with no identified deleterious effects.
PSIV-A-6 Computer Vision System to Predict Famacha© Degree in Sheep from Ocular Conjunctiva Images
Authors: Freitas Luara , Ferreira Rafael , Savegnago Rodrigo , Dorea Joao R , Rosa Guilherme J J M , Paz Claudia 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The Famacha© method has been created for detecting sheep unable to cope with the infection by Haemonchus contortus, through visual assessment of ocular conjunctiva coloration. The objective of this study was to develop a computer vision system (CVS) for prediction of Famacha© degree (FAM) from ocular conjunctiva images. The dataset consisted of 475 ocular conjunctiva images from animals in two farms. A Random Forest (RF) approach was used to segment the images, i.e. to select the pixels that belong to the ocular conjunctiva. After segmentation, the quantiles (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) of color intensity in each channel (red, blue, and green) were determined and used in multinomial logistic regression and RF models to classify the animals according to FAM. The classification methods were fitted using the information of quantiles, and the FAM (scores 1 to 5, non-anemic to severely anemic, respectively) as the target classes to be predicted. The RF presented the best performance in predicting degrees 1 to 4, with an F1 score, that represents the balance between the precision and the recall, of 50.0% for degree 1, 72.7% for degree 2, 75.4% for degree 3, and 62.2% for degree 4, where degrees 3 and 4 refer to animals that need treatment. None of the two prediction approaches were able to satisfactorily classify degree 5 animals. The results suggest that it is feasible to adequately predict the FAM in real-time from images of the conjunctiva ocular in sheep, providing key information for management decisions on the farm. Nonetheless, further studies and larger datasets may be needed to increase the classification accuracy of degree 5 animals. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that it is possible to successfully predict degrees of Famacha 1 to 4 in sheep via CVS using images collected in farm conditions.Supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) grants #2020/03575-8, #2018/01540-2 and #2016/14522-7, Brazil
PSX-B-19 Producers’ Perception of Utilization of Reproductive Technologies in Small Cattle Herds
Authors: Williams Paige 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
A multitude of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are available to producers for the use of improving their herds production and optimizing efficiency. Nonetheless, current utilization of ART is less than 50% among cattle producers and even less amongst producers with less than 100 head of cattle. The objective of this study was to investigate what reproductive technologies small beef herd producers in Texas currently use and what affects their decision not to utilize available technologies. A 19-question survey was populated using Qualtrics. A population was asked to complete the survey via a link connected to a QR code. The survey comprised questions regarding producer demographics, herd demographics, use of reproductive technologies, and perception of available pregnancy detection methods. A total of 152 surveys were collected with a final of 122 being evaluated. Survey answers were recorded in Qualtrics. Means and frequencies of responses were calculated for each question. The usage of ART within herds, including currently implemented breeding technologies, pregnancy detection methods, and factors affecting the decision to use technologies was investigated. Of producers surveyed, 66.3% do not utilize any form of breeding technologies within their herd and instead rely on natural cover of the bull. For pregnancy detection methods, 44.35% utilize palpation while 34.68% use no form of detection. There was a numerically similar distribution of reasons for not utilizing available technologies with time (12.10%), money (8.87%), and the combination of the two (11.29%), standing above other reasons such as access to technology and information available. The results of this investigation will be utilized to implement a series of workshops available to producers. The goal of these workshops is to create an opportunity for producers to continue their education and establish a working relationship with Tarleton State University.
PSXII-15 Impacts of Forage Maturity and Apple Cider Vinegar Supplementation on Fermentation Parameters Using Ruminal Batch Culture
Authors: Snider Miriam A , Ziegler Sara E , Darby Heather M , Kraft Jana , Greenwood Sabrina L 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Grassfed dairy production systems often rely on alternative diet supplements such as apple cider vinegar (ACV) to improve productivity. The objectives of this study were to 1) compare rumen fermentative patterns resulting from diets consisting of forages harvested at mature and vegetative stages, and 2) evaluate the effects of ACV supplementation on fermentation metrics of vegetative forage mixtures using ruminal batch culture, performed as two different experiments. In each experiment, treatments were arranged as a randomized design with three periods per experiment. In experiment 1, 15 mL tubes were supplemented with 1.0 g DM of either vegetative 50% red clover + 50% orchardgrass (VEG) or mature 50% red clover + 50% orchardgrass (MAT). Tubes were inoculated with a 3:1 buffer: rumen fluid mixture (12 mL) and incubated at 39ºC under anerobic conditions for 48 h. In experiment 2, tubes received either 1.0 g DM VEG substrate only or 1.0 g DM VEG substrate + 0.125 mL ACV. Samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, 24, and 48 h, pooled, and analyzed for carbohydrates (WSC), pH, in vitro DM disappearance (IVDMD), methane (CH4), and ammonia N (NH3-N). Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS at P ≤ 0.05. The VEG treatment produced more CH4 than the MAT treatment (4.98 mg/ dL v. 2.87 mg/ dL; P &lt; 0.0001); however, CH4 from the VEG treatment was not affected by ACV. Tubes receiving VEG had greater WSC (2.39 mg/mL v. 1.56 mg/mL; P ≤ 0.05), IVDMD (81.7% v. 77.3%; P ≤ 0.05), and mean pH compared with those receiving MAT. Tubes receiving MAT had greater concentrations of NH3-N (P &lt; 0.01) compared with tubes receiving VEG. Fermentation metrics of VEG tubes were not affected by ACV; however, considerations need to be made for forage maturity.
PSXII-13 Impact of Intensification on the Ratio between Carbon Emission per Human-Edible Protein Produced of Nellore Young Bulls in Tropical Production Systems
Authors: Lima Lais , Ongaratto Fernando , Fernandes Marcia H , Vyas Diwakar , Malheiros Euclides 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Pasture-fed beef cattle production has been often criticized as a source of greenhouse gas emissions. However, ruminants efficiently convert foods of low nutritional value to humans (e.g., pasture and by-products) into beef, a high-quality food. The present study aimed assessing the ratio between carbon emission per human-edible protein produced (HePp) of Nellore young bulls under three levels of beef cattle intensification systems: lenient, semi-intensive, and intensive. During backgrounding, all animals were raised in marandu palisadegrass pastures managed in continuous stocking with variable stocking rate and fertilized with 0, 75, and 150 kg N/ha, as ammonium nitrate (32% N) for lenient, semi-intensive, and intensive systems, respectively. During the finishing phase, bulls from lenient system remained in the pasture, while animals from semi-intensive and intensive systems were moved to a feedlot barn. The total carbon emission was represented by the total GHG emissions converted to CO2 equivalent (CO2e). Human-edible protein produced was calculated for each production phase and for the entire production system based on animal body protein minus the inedible fraction of empty body weight. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED procedures of SAS. During the backgrounding phase, the ratio CO2e/kg HePp of semi-intensive did not differ from other systems; however, the intensive system presented the greatest ratio (P&lt; 0.05). During the finishing phase, the ratio was greater for the more intensive systems (P&lt; 0.05). For the entire period, the ratio was greater for the intensified systems (P&lt; 0.05). Although the HePp of bulls from the intensified systems was greater than the lenient system (P&lt; 0.05), the gain was insufficient to offset the CO2e production. Our results suggest that cattle ranching intensification acquired by improvements in grazing management is the most powerful tool to mitigate environmental impact of grazing systems. The authors acknowledge the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP #2017/18750-7; #2018/26492-0).
PSIII-A-2 Administering Anti-Inflammatory Dexamethasone or Fish oil Mitigated Components of the Inflammatory Response to Chronic Heat Stress and Improved Average Daily Gain in Whether Lambs
Authors: Grijalva Pablo C , Yates Dustin T , Most Micah S , Gibbs Rachel L , Hicks Zena M , Lacey Taylor , Beer Haley N , Petersen Jessica L , Schmidt Ty B 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Heat-stressed livestock exhibit systemic inflammation, which likely contributes to poor growth and metabolism even when nutritional effects are controlled by pair feeding. Thus, heat stress-induced deficits in growth, metabolism, and well-being may be improved by moderating heightened inflammation. Our objective was to determine whether targeting inflammation by administering anti-inflammatory dexamethasone or fish oil would mitigate blood indicators of inflammation and improve average daily gain (ADG) in heat-stressed lambs. Wether lambs were randomly assigned to 30d of heat stress (40°C, THI=88) or thermoneutral (pair-fed controls; 25°C, THI=70; n=11) conditions. Heat-stressed lambs were randomly assigned to receive no intervention (HS; n=11), oral boluses of fish oil (HS+FO; 360mg; n=11) twice daily, or IM injection of dexamethasone (HS+DEX; 0.15mg/kg; n=11) every 72h. Throughout the study, rectal temperatures and respiration rates were greater (P&lt; 0.05) for HS, HS+DEX, and HS+FO than for controls. Plasma TNFα was greater (P&lt; 0.05) for HS lambs (528±31pg/ml) than for controls (341±28pg/ml), HS+DEX (423±39pg/ml), or HS+FO lambs (376±38pg/ml). Total white blood cells and monocytes were greater (P&lt; 0.05) for HS, HS+DEX, and HS+FO lambs than for controls. Granulocytes and granulocyte:lymphocyte were greater (P&lt; 0.05) for HS and HS+DEX but not HS+FO than for controls. Lymphocytes did not differ among groups and platelets were less (P&lt; 0.05) for HS+FO than for other groups. Blood pH was greater (P&lt; 0.05) for HS, HS+DEX, and HS+FO than for controls early in the study but did not differ by d 30. Blood HCO3 was less (P&lt; 0.05) for HS but not HS+DEX or HS+FO lambs than for controls throughout the study. ADG was reduced (P&lt; 0.05) by 22% for HS lambs but not for HS+DEX or HS+FO lambs compared to controls. These data indicate that supplementing anti-inflammatory agents to chronically heat-stressed lambs improved growth by reducing components of the inflammatory response.
PSIII-A-4 Analysis of Galectin Gene Variants from Diverse Sheep and Goat Populations Genotyped with the Illumina Beadchip
Authors: Uzzaman Md Rasel , Edea Zewdu , Islam Rabiul , Kim Kwan-Suk , Mulumebet Worku 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Galectins are a highly conserved family of β-galactoside binding lectins encoded by lectin, galactosidebinding soluble genes (LGALS). They are found on a variety of cells and tissues of vertebrates and invertebrates. Understanding the roles of galectins in host–pathogen interaction and activation of host innate, and adaptive immunity has become an important research question. Galectins are known to play a role in parasitic infection in small ruminants. However, little is known about LGALS variants in sheep and goat breeds across the world. In this study, we investigated galectin single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants on five distinct sheep breeds from different geographical regions of Ethiopia. A total of 88 sheep (Arsi-Bale=12, Horro=24, Menz=18, Wolayita=18 and Blackhead Somali=16) were genotyped with Ovine Infinium HD SNP BeadChip (600K). An In Silico approach with Ensembl database (https://useast.ensembl.org/index.html) and SNP BeadChip (perfect matched reference SNP along with their genomic position) identified a total of nineteen SNPs from LGALS-1, -2, -3, -4, -7, -8, -9, -11 and -12 with a consequence of upstream, downstream, and missense gene variant. For all these variants, a highly variable minor allele frequency (MAF) was observed across five sheep populations. We also investigated a total of 308 Chinese goat (Qinggeli=48, Nanjiang=48, Luoping=48, Liaoning=116, and Guangfeng=48) genotyped with Illumina Goat 50K BeadChip. The goat chip only contained a SNP from LGal-4 (rs268252010) which was also found at variable MAF level across the said populations. These results have implications for animal health and production and warrant further investigation using targeted sequencing of galectin genes across different local and international sheep and goat breeds.
PSIII-A-11 Effects of Maternal Nutrition and Selenium Status on Postnatal Muscle Growth and Meat Quality
Authors: Siomka Alexis M , Carlin Kasey Maddock , Keller Wanda , Reynolds Lawrence P , Caton Joel S , Vonnahme Kimberly A 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
To investigate the effects of maternal nutritional plane and selenium (Se) level on offspring muscle development in first parity ewes, Rambouillet ewes (n = 84) were stratified by BW and randomized to receive diets formulated to contain adequate Se (ASe) or high Se (HSe) initiated at breeding. On d 40 of gestation, ewes were assigned randomly within Se treatments supply 60% (RES), 100% (CON), or 140% (HI) of NRC requirements. Offspring were slaughtered at 180 ± 2.2 d of age. Psoas major (PM), longissimuss dorsi (LD), and semimembranosus (SM) samples were snap frozen and analyzed for fiber diameter and type, celluarity, calpain 1 autolysis, and calpastatin expression. Within the PM RNA was increased (P=0.04) in HSe vs. ASe and CON vs. HI. Protein was greater (P=0.05) in ASe than HSe within HI. RES had greater (P=0.09) protein than CON. Calpain 1 had more autolysis in HSe vs. ASe (P≤0.03) in CON and HI. Calpastatin with lower molecular weights was greater (P≤0.01) in the Ase than HSe from CON. Within the SM, ASe had greater (P≤0.05) DNA and RNA concentrations than HSe within HI. Calpastatin immunoreactivity was less (P=0.04) for RES-ASe than all treatments except CON-HSe. Within the LD, calpain 1 had more (P≤0.01) autolytic degradation in CON-ASe than other treatments. Maternal diet did not influence fiber type or diameter. The influence of treatments on skeletal muscle cellularity and calpain system activation is not consistent between muscle types. The PM was most influenced by selenium in the HI group. Conversely, the LD showed more activation of calpain in the CON-ASe. Maternal diet and selenium possibly changed muscle development in offspring which could result in altered quality and yield of lamb produced.
PSIII-A-10 Effect of Grain Type and wet-Aging Time on Lamb Meat
Authors: Villaverde María S , Menghini Mariano , Bravo Rodrigo D , Chamadoira María D , Martínez Marcela F , Arelovich Hugo M 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Visual appearance is critical for the consumer perception of meat quality. Color, as well as juiciness are key factors in determining consumer choice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of grain type and different wet-aging periods on lamb meat. Eighteen castrated Merino x Corriedale lambs (± 40 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: 60% corn grain (CG), 60% oats grain (OG) or all fescue hay (Control); diets were isonitrogenous (13% CP). After slaughter, pieces of Longissimus thoracis muscle from each animal were aged during 1, 4, 8 and 16 d. Treatments were arranged as a 3x4 factorial experiment, and color and water-holding variables were measured. No interactions were found (p &gt; 0.05) between type of grain and aging time. Meat from CG showed the highest values for lightness, redness and yellowness (p= 0.0240, 0.0119, 0.0077, respectively), while meat from OG had the lowest values for redness and yellowness. Expressible juice was lowest (p= 0.0307) for Control, intermediate for CG and higher for OG. Meat cooking loss (p= 0.0157) resulted highest for Control, intermediate for OG and lowest for CG. Cooking loss, drip loss (48h) and expressible juice showed differences among aging periods (p= 0.002, 0.0001, 0.0015, respectively); the highest loss was found for 1d-aging, but no differences were detected for the other aging periods. The effect of aging period was greater than type of grain for cooking loss (F: 7.82, 4.48) and expressible juice (F: 5.88, 3.71) respectively. Purge-thaw loss showed no differences for diet type (p &gt; 0.16) or aging period (p &gt; 0.11). A more intense color developed by CG than OG might favor consumer perception of meat quality. Additionally, water-loss seems to be independent of these diets, showing that a longer aging period would be more relevant to get juicier lamb meat.