Translational Animal Science最新文献

Our objective was to determine the effect of calf-fed (CF) or yearling-fed (YF) finishing systems on performance and carcass characteristics of beef × dairy (DB) crossbred steers compared to native beef (NB) steers. The NB steers (n = 160) were acquired from Capitol Land and Livestock in Schwertner, Texas. The DB steers (n = 184) were acquired from 5-Star Dairy in Hart, Texas. The CF (n = 194) steers were transported directly to a commercial feedyard (Buffalo Feeders, Buffalo, OK) from the source. Steers in the YF system (n = 150) were transported to the Marvin Klemme Research Range, near Bessie, OK, to graze mixed grass prairie for 144-d before finishing. At Buffalo Feeders, steers were sorted by finishing system and breed-type into commercial size pens, so each breed-type  ×  system combination were in a single pen. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 Mixed Procedure (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) with individual steer as the experimental unit. For CF, initial finishing BW did not differ for DB and NB (P = 0.11), while the initial finishing BW of NBYF was greater (P < 0.01) than DBYF due to NBYF steers having greater ADG on pasture. At reimplant, BW of YF steers was greater (P < 0.01) than CF steers. The DBYF steers had the greatest overall ADG (P < 0.01) with NBCF having the least ADG (P < 0.01) with NBYF and DBCF being intermediate. Back-fat thickness (P = 0.03) was greatest in NBCF, and DBYF having the least BFT, while DBCF and NBYF were intermediate. Overall liver abscesses had breed-type (P < 0.01) and finishing system effects (P = 0.01) with DB and YF steers having higher incidence of liver abscesses. Total net return was greatest (P < 0.01) in NBYF followed by DBYF, DBCF, and NBCF, respectively. Grazing beef × dairy steers before feedlot finishing can improve animal performance and certain carcass characteristics, but there is still a high incidence of liver abscesses. Since DB systems had intermediate returns, these animals can be competitive to their NB counterparts, but the higher prevalence of liver abscesses needs to be further researched.

To mitigate the effects of stressors during the preconditioning and feedlot receiving phases of the United States beef industry, producers may opt to utilize trace mineral supplementation in organic (OTM) or inorganic (INR) forms. However, research surrounding the effects of this supplementation on average daily gain (ADG) or morbidity are variable. Therefore, a meta-analysis further analyzing the effects of OTM supplementation compared to INR supplementation on ADG and morbidity with differentiation based on production phase receiving supplementation, apparent risk classification, length of time receiving supplementation, the usage of dietary antibiotics, and year of study was conducted. Studies were collected via two independent literature searches and from Zinpro Corporation utilizing PICOT search parameters relevant to study outcomes of interest, resulting in 20 studies. Data extracted from these studies included treatment means, standard error of the means, standard deviations, P-values, and odds ratios and these data were analyzed within the meta package of R (v. 4.3.2). Overall, supplementation with OTM increased (P = 0.01) ADG while having no effect (P = 0.92) on apparent overall morbidity. Furthermore, no differences in ADG (P = 0.66) were found when comparing OTM vs. INR supplementation during preconditioning or feedlot receiving. Average daily gain was similar (P = 0.35) between low- and high-risk classes, similarly, apparent overall morbidity outcomes were similar (P = 0.18) for both risk classes. Additionally, length of time receiving supplementation, either ≤ 30 d or > 30 d, did not result in differences ADG (P = 0.62) or apparent overall morbidity (P = 0.14). The inclusion of dietary antibiotics had similar results across studies for both ADG (P = 0.27) and apparent overall morbidity (P = 0.27). Finally, ADG was similar (P = 0.91) between class of study date, either current (2005-2024) or previous (prior to 2005). In conclusion, OTM supplementation may increase cattle ADG during stressful periods. However, apparent overall morbidity was not affected by OTM supplementation compared to INR supplementation. Collectively, this study highlights circumstances where supplementing OTM could be more beneficial to animal performance and health.

Weaning is an unavoidable stressor for dairy and beef calves. Maternal bovine appeasing substance (MBAS) is a naturally secreted pheromone that induces an appeasing effect on nursing offspring. Our objective was to determine if a single topical dose of synthetic MBAS analog would lower cortisol concentrations, improve performance, and alter behavior outcomes of beef-dairy calves during weaning. Twenty-six individually housed male beef-dairy (Angus-Holstein cross) calves were blocked by weight (72 ± 6 kg) and randomized to either saline (CONT) or MBAS (MBAS; FerAppease, Fera D&B, College Station, TX). Calves received a single 10 mL dose of the designated treatment (5 mL on the poll, 5 mL on the muzzle) on day 0 prior to 3-d step-down weaning. Blood was collected on days 0, 1, 3, and 10. Calf starter intake and refusals were weighed and recorded daily. Body weights (BW) were collected every other day for 10 d following weaning. Average daily gain (ADG) and gain-to-feed (G:F) were calculated. Behavior was assessed using cameras, microphones, and accelerometers. Linear mixed models with effects of time, treatment and interaction were used to analyze cortisol, performance, and behavior variables with block and calf as random effects. Cortisol concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) lower for CONT than MBAS. There were no treatment effects on BW or G:F between CONT and MBAS. Several treatment × time interactions (P < 0.05) were found for behaviors, with CONT having more lying bouts than MBAS on day 0. Additionally, CONT exhibited more nutritive oral behaviors (P = 0.01), defined as calf ingesting feed with their head over the feed bucket, post-treatment than MBAS. Vocalizations did not differ between treatments (P > 0.32) at any time during the trial. This research demonstrates that MBAS altered behavior during weaning, but it did not improve performance or blood cortisol compared to CONT.

With the continued increase of fertilizer prices, stocker cattle producers may utilize alternative management strategies to mitigate costs and extend the grazing season to achieve better utilization of a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop. One potential strategy is to reduce pasture nitrogen (N) fertilization rates combined with animal dietary supplementation. In this 3-year (yr) study, wheat pastures (1.62-hectare (ha)) were stocked at fixed rates of 2.47 and 4.94 steer/ha in the fall and spring respectively. Nitrogen was applied as urea to experimental pastures at three different rates: 1) 100.9 (100N), 2) 134.5 (135N), and 3) 168.1 kg N/ha (168N). These pastures were compared to pastures with a N application rate of 100.9 kg N/ha stocked with steer calves supplemented dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) at 1.0% body weight (BW; 100S). In the spring, 100S pastures produced greater (P ≤ 0.05) mean and final forage mass (FM), as well as the greatest slope change in FM. Fall average daily gain (ADG) was decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in 168N pastures, while 100S produced greater (P ≤ 0.001) spring grazing days (d), weight gain/ha, and final BW. Both 100S and 168N produced a greater (P ≤ 0.05) number of combined grazing d, with 100S yielding an additional 13 d. Additionally, steers assigned to the 100S treatment produced greater (P ≤ 0.001) combined weight gain/ha. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations on D28 were greater (P ≤ 0.001) for steers on 100S pastures and were slightly in excess of the range for maximized growth. Total spring income/ha was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for 100S and 168N, with 100S making an extra $82.38/ha compared to 100N. Calf management and feed costs were greater (P ≤ 0.001) for 100S and resulted in an increase of costs $514.60/ha above 100N. Net returns were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for 100N and 135N, with 100N netting the greatest returns, which averaged $361.00/ha more than the net return for 100S due to feed costs. Due to a substitution effect, an additional 525 kg dry matter (DM)/ha of FM was available, indicating that pastures could be stocked with an additional steer for every 2.81 ha increase in 100S pasture size, potentially providing additional economic benefits. Results from this study indicate that while DDGS supplementation provided benefits to steer and pasture performance in the spring, it was not beneficial to overall economics within the scope of the research scale production system.

The objective of the study was to investigate how creep feed pellet size and diet complexity influenced piglets' pre-weaning feed consumption and eating behavior, as well as pre- and post-weaning (PW) growth performance. In total, 180 litters were allocated to one of six dietary treatments: positive control (commercial crumble feed, PCON; n=30 litters), negative control (no creep feed provided; NCON: n=30 litters), high complexity large pellets (HCLP; n=30 litters), low complexity small pellets (LCSP; n=30 litters), low complexity large pellets (LCLP; n=30 litters), or bakery meal large pellets (BMLP; n=30 litters) offered from day 8 in the lactation period until weaning. Large pellets (LP) had a diameter of 12 mm and a length of 10-40 mm, whereas small pellets (SP) had a diameter of 2 mm and a length of 5-15 mm. The term "high or low complexity" of diets refers to the choice of ingredients included; both diets were wheat-based, but the high-complexity diet included more digestible protein sources and functional additives such as aromas and probiotics. Piglets from 36 litters (PCON; n=6 litters, NCON; n=6 litters, HCLP; n=6 litters, LCSP; n=6 litters, LCLP; n=6 litters, and BMLP; n=6 litters) were recorded individually during the lactation period until 15 days PW. The litters and piglets were weighed on days 0, 8, and 15 of lactation and at weaning on day 21. In addition, the individually monitored piglets were also weighed at days 9 and 15 PW. Creep feed disappearance was measured in litters with individually monitored piglets during the entire creep feeding period, as were behavioral observations (on days 9, 16, and 19 of lactation), to assess how many piglets in each litter had their head in the feeder or feed items in their mouth. Dietary treatment had no effect on pre-weaning BW, BW gain, or ADG (P>0.05). However, piglets fed large pellets (HCLP, LCLP, and BMLP) showed a significantly (P<.0001) higher feed disappearance than piglets fed PCON and LCSP, which was supported by a higher number of piglets observed eating on days 16 and 20 of lactation for these treatments (P=0.001 and <0.001, respectively). Post-weaning, piglets fed PCON had a 40% numerically higher ADG compared with piglets fed NCON. In conclusion, the physical form of the creep feed affected the piglets' feeding activity, although this was not reflected in their growth performance. Also, diet complexity did not seem to impact growth performance when the piglets were weaned on day 21 of lactation.

During disease, there may be increased local demands for zinc (Zn) and vitamin A to support pathogen response. This study evaluates the effects of intranasal Zn and vitamin A treatments on steers experimentally infected with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) pathogens, bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and Mannheimia haemolytica, hypothesizing that steers treated with Zn and vitamin A (VA) will have improved recovery to BRD challenge. Forty-eight Angus crossbred steers (333 ± 4.2 kg) were utilized in two groups with identical challenge timelines. The day prior to challenge (d -1), steers were shipped for 6 hours. On d 0, steers were administered an aerosol inoculation with ~10⁴ TCID₅₀/mL BRSV strain 375 followed by an intratracheal inoculation with M. haemolytica (1.42 × 10⁸ CFU strain D153, serotype A1) on d 5. On d 4, steers received intranasal treatments: zinc (IN ZN; 50 mg Zn oxide nanoparticles), vitamin A (IN VA; 200,000 IU as retinyl palmitate), a combination of zinc (50 mg) and vitamin A (200,000 IU; IN VA + ZN) or no treatment (CON). Statistics were analyzed using the Mixed procedure of SAS 9.4 (Cary, NC) and contrast statements were utilized to determine the effects of Zn, VA and intranasal treatment. Disease challenge resulted in mostly mild, subclinical signs of disease. There was an interaction for plasma VA (TRT × Day P < 0.01) where VA treated steers (IN VA and IN VA + ZN) had sustained plasma VA concentrations on d 5, when ZN and CON had decreased plasma VA. After challenge (d 19), liver VA concentrations were increased in IN VA (IN VA P = 0.03) and IN ZN (IN ZN P = 0.05) treated steers. Zn treated steers (ZN and ZN + VA) tended to have increased gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (P = 0.06) on d 5 and cellular retinol binding protein 1 (P = 0.08) on d 7 in cells collected from nasopharyngeal swabs. Additionally, immune cell populations from bronchoalveolar lavage were altered with increased CD11b expression on neutrophils (IN VA P = 0.01) and CD11c on macrophages (IN ZN P = 0.08) on d 7. During a mild disease challenge, intranasal Zn and VA treatments impacted lung inflammatory environment and nutritional immunity, suggesting potential benefits in mild or deficient nutritional statuses.

Dry matter intake (DMI) estimation in ruminants is important for providing a balanced diet, increasing animal performance, and reducing nutrient excretion. Gas flux (CO ₂ and CH ₄ production) is related to DMI; however, there is limited information regarding the use of gas flux production when estimating DMI in growing steers. This study aimed to 1) determine the relationship of animal growth performance and gas flux variables with DMI of growing steers fed a backgrounding diet, and 2) evaluate the DMI accuracy of eight equations to predict DMI from growing steers fed a forage-based diet. The relationship between DMI, animal growth performance, and gas flux variables was evaluated in 130 backgrounding steers, and two equations were generated to predict DMI. Then, six retrieved equations from the literature and the two new equations were used to determine the prediction accuracy using an independent dataset. Models were compared based on the mean square prediction error (MSPE), the decomposition of the root MSPE (RMSPE), and the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). In backgrounding steers, DMI had a positive and significant relationship (P < 0.01) with shrunk body weight (SBW), average daily gain, and CO₂ and CH₄ production. The production of CO₂ and CH₄ independently explained 48.1% and 40.9% of the observed DMI in growing steers, respectively. One equation retrieved from the literature had an excellent agreement with the observed DMI, with a CCC value of 0.93 and an RMSPE of 0.19 kg/d, representing 2.5% of the average DMI. That equation used SBW and dietary energy concentration. The use of CO₂ production had adequate agreement with the observed DMI, with a CCC value of 0.73 and an RMSPE of 0.45 kg/d, representing 6% of the average DMI. Other equations had null to moderate agreement with the observed DMI, with CCC values ranging from 0.00 to 0.47 and an RMSPE from 0.51 to 4.40 kg/d. In conclusion, there is a positive relationship between DMI, animal growth performance, and gas flux in growing steers fed a backgrounding diet. In addition, CO₂ production has the potential to be used to predict DMI in growing steers fed a forage-based diet. Future research is required to evaluate the relationship between CO₂ production and DMI, especially under grazing conditions.

The association of lung abnormalities with carcass performance was evaluated on data from 60,843 carcasses. Lung outcomes were scored for severity of consolidation (N = Normal and < 5% consolidation, 1 = 5 to 15% consolidation, 2 = 15 to 50% consolidation, 3 = > 50% consolidation) and presence of fibrin tags (N = None, M = Minor fibrin, E = Extensive fibrin). Lung consolidation had a strong and detrimental effect (P < 0.01) on hot carcass weight, with lung scores of 1, 2, and 3 resulting in 4.2, 13.2, and 29.9 kg less carcass weight compared to carcasses with normal lungs. Minor and extensive fibrin tags, independent of consolidation, also resulted in lighter carcasses (P < 0.01; 3.5 kg and 7 kg, respectively). Presence of both lung tissue consolidation and fibrin tags resulted in less (P < 0.01) 12th rib fat thickness compared to carcasses with healthy lungs. Similarly, LM area was reduced (P < 0.01) in carcasses with lung consolidation (-1.5 to -5.5 cm²) or presence of fibrin tags (-2.3 to -2.7 cm²) compared to carcasses with healthy lungs. Additionally, severity of lung consolidation and presence of fibrin tags reduced (P < 0.01) calculated yield grade values. The greatest proportion of carcasses exhibited edible livers and did not exhibit lung consolidation or fibrin tags (47.67 and 48.88%). A much lower proportion of carcasses (1.12 and 1.89%) exhibited a lung consolidation score of 3 and extensive prevalence of fibrin tags with a major abscess outcome. Within the edible, minor and major abscess category, as lung consolidation increased from normal to 3 and presence of fibrin tags increased from normal to extensive, a decrease in carcass weight (21.5 to 50.1 kg; 5.4 to 7.4 kg), LM area (3.9 to 6.3 cm²; 1.6 to 3.1 cm²), and 12^th rib fat thickness (0.02 to 0.18 cm; 0.12 to 0.30 cm) was observed. Carcasses with an edible liver and lung consolidation scores of 1, 2, and 3, were valued $17.08, $72.27, and $140.59 less than carcasses without lung consolidation based on detriment to carcass weight. This was more pronounced in carcasses exhibiting minor and major liver abscesses in addition to presence of lung consolidation, resulting in -$19.71 to -$222.71 and -$65.70 to -$394.84 less carcass value, respectfully, compared to a carcass with an edible liver and lung. These data indicate that lung and liver health is an important factor that impacts carcass performance and value, particularly carcass weight, muscling and yield grade outcomes.

The objective of this study was to assess how sow and litter performance and nutrient utilization were affected by dietary probiotic supplementation in gestation and lactation diets that contained high levels of canola meal. Seventy-five sows were allotted to one of three treatment diets, starting on d 80 of gestation. The experimental diets included a control diet (CTRL) composed of corn and soybean meal, or a modified CTRL diet where soybean meal was substituted with 300 g/kg of canola meal, provided either with (CCM-P) or without (CCM) Saccharomyces cerevisiae product supplementation. On d 80 and d 111 of pregnancy, as well as on d 1 and d 21 following farrowing, the sow body weight (BW) and backfat thickness were recorded. Piglet weights were measured on d 1 and d 19 after birth. Milk and blood samples from sows were collected on d 1 and d 19 post-farrowing to measure nutrient composition. Additionally, fecal samples were gathered on d 110 of gestation and d 19 of lactation to analyze apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) with titanium dioxide as an indicator. Data were analyzed through the PROC MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4, following a randomized complete block design. Results indicated that the inclusion of CCM in sow diets had no significant effect on sow or litter growth performance, as well as plasma urea N levels. However, in contrast to gestating sows fed the CTRL diet, those fed the CCM diet had lower (P < 0.05) ATTD of gross energy, dry matter, and crude protein. In contrast, the CCM-P diet led to increased (P < 0.05) ATTD of phosphorus and tended to increase (P = 0.08) ATTD of calcium relative to the CCM group. Furthermore, lactating sows fed CCM diets demonstrated higher (P < 0.05) ATTD of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) compared to the CTRL group. Milk fat content was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in sows consuming CCM diets than those fed the CTRL diet. In conclusion, incorporating 300 g/kg canola meal into sow diets during late gestation and lactation maintained similar reproductive and litter performance compared to the control diet but negatively impacted nutrient digestibility in late gestating sows. Supplementing the canola meal diet with S. cerevisiae product improved phosphorus digestibility and milk fat content, suggesting that probiotics may mitigate some negative effects of canola meal in sow nutrition.

There has been a growing interest in insect meals as a sustainable alternative protein source for animal food and feed. In parallel, insect hydrolysates have been investigated in vitro for their bioactive properties, but the impact of dietary inclusion on dog's nutritional parameters needs to be elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and bioactive properties of four insect hydrolysates obtained from the enzymatic hydrolysis of Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens using ALCALASE 2.5L and Corolase PP enzymes and investigate the effects of their dietary inclusion on diet palatability, digestibility, and fecal characteristics and metabolites of adult Beagle dogs. Four two-bowl tests were performed using 12 adult Beagle dogs to assess palatability by the pairwise comparison between the control diet (a commercial diet with 3% of shrimp hydrolysate) and each of the four experimental diets (control diet with the replacement of 3% (w/w) of shrimp hydrolysate by 3% of each insect protein hydrolysate). A digestibility trial designed according to a replicated Latin square 5 × 5 design, with ten adult dogs, five periods of 10 d each, and five diets was performed to evaluate the effects on food intake, fecal characteristics and metabolites, apparent total tract digestibility, and estimated metabolizable energy content of the control and experimental diets. Chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant and antihypertensive activities of insect hydrolysates depended on the insect species and enzyme used. No differences were observed in the first diet approached or tasted, but the inclusion of hydrolysates of T. molitor obtained from Corolase PP hydrolysis showed a greater intake ratio (P = 0.032). Food intake, diet digestibility and fecal characteristics were not different between diets, except for an increased fecal caproate concentration in dogs fed the control diet (P = 0.024). The dietary inclusion of insect hydrolysates did not affect nutritional parameters, and further investigation is needed to evaluate their health-promoting properties for pet foods and supplements.