Expression of candidate genes for residual feed intake in tropically adapted Bos taurus and Bos indicus bulls under thermoneutral and heat stress environmental conditions

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to investigate the relationship between residual feed intake (RFI) and parameters associated with reproductive efficiency in growing beef heifers. One hundred and seventy-nine replacement beef heifers (Bos taurus and Bos indicus-influenced) were enrolled in a retrospective cohort design. Heifers were assigned to a 70-d feed efficiency test, and results were utilized to retrospectively classify heifers into low (n = 51), medium (n = 66), or high (n = 62) RFI groups based on their individual RFI values. Blood samples were collected weekly throughout the feed efficiency test and breeding season, which were analyzed for plasma concentration of progesterone to determine age at puberty (PUB). By design, residual feed intake differed among RFI groups where high (1.21 ± 0.08 kg/d) had greater (P < 0.01) RFI than medium (0.00 ± 0.08 kg/d) and low RFI groups (–1.49 ± 0.09 kg/d), and medium had greater (P < 0.01) RFI than low RFI heifers. Yet, no differences were observed between breed types for RFI (P = 0.53). Average daily gain (ADG) differed between breed types where Bos taurus heifers had greater ADG (P = 0.02) than B. indicus-influenced heifers. Furthermore, ADG tended (P = 0.08) to differ among RFI groups, where medium RFI heifers tended to have reduced ADG compared with low and high RFI heifers. No differences were determined between breed types for gain-to-feed ratio (G:F; P = 0.20; however, G:F differed among RFI groups and was greater (P < 0.01) in low vs. high, and low vs. medium RFI heifers. The percentage of cycling heifers by the start of the breeding season differed (P = 0.03) by RFI group, where a greater percentage of low RFI heifers were cycling compared with high RFI heifers. A difference was determined on PUB between breed types (P = 0.03), where Bos taurus (393.40 ± 4.64 d) heifers had a reduced PUB compared with B. indicus-influenced (406.90 ± 5.07 d) heifers. In addition, PUB differed by RFI group where low (385.96 ± 6.20 d; P < 0.01) and medium (398.47 ± 5.47 d; P = 0.02) RFI heifers had a reduced PUB compared with High RFI heifers (416.03 ± 5.58 d). In conclusion, more feed efficient heifers attained PUB earlier than less feed efficient heifers. Therefore, selection of heifers for feed efficiency may positively impact reproductive performance of replacement beef heifers.

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Bos indicus cattle can maintain feed intake and fat reserves in response to heat stress better than Bos taurus cattle

Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences ◽

10.22358/jafs/74068/2004 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 13 (Suppl. 1) ◽

pp. 619-622 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

D. Beatty ◽

A. Barnes ◽

D. Pethick ◽

E. Taylor ◽

F. Dunshea

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Bos Taurus ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Fat Reserves ◽

Better Than

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PSIX-39 Supplementing an immunomodulatory feed ingredient to improve thermoregulation and performance in finishing beef cattle under heat stress conditions

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.781 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 392-392

Author(s):

Eduardo Colombo ◽

Reinaldo F Cooke ◽

Kelsey Schubach ◽

Bruna Rett ◽

Alice Brandão

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Treatment Effects ◽

Bos Taurus ◽

Animal Health ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Stress Conditions ◽

Finishing Cattle

Abstract This experiment compared physiological and productive parameters in finishing cattle managed under heat stress conditions, and supplemented or not with Omnigen-AF (Phibro Animal Health, Teaneck, NJ). Crossbred cattle (Bos taurus × B. indicus; 64 heifers and 64 steers) were ranked by initial body weight (BW; 440 ± 3 kg) and sex, and allocated to 1 of 16 pens (8 heifers or steers/pen). Pens within sex were randomly assigned to receive (OMN; n = 8) or not (CON; n = 8) Omnigen-AF at 56 g/cow daily (as-fed basis). Cattle received a total-mixed ration during the experimental period (d 0 to 107), and Omnigen-AF was offered daily as a top-dress to OMN. Cattle were shipped on d 107 to a commercial packing facility for slaughter. Cattle BW was recorded and samples of blood and tail-switch hair collected on d 0, 28, 56, 84, and 106. Feed intake was evaluated biweekly from each pen, and feed efficiency calculated according to total feed intake and BW gain of each pen. From d 0 to 7, 28 to 42, and 84 to 98, heifer intravaginal temperature was recorded hourly (iButton temperature loggers DS1922L, Maxim Integrated, San Jose, CA). Environmental temperature humidity index (THI) was also recorded hourly throughout the experiment, and averaged 79.8 ± 0.6. Heifers receiving OMN had less (P < 0.05) vaginal temperature from 1500 to 1900h (39.05 vs. 39.19 °C), when THI ranged from 85.3 to 90.1. No treatment effects were detected (P > 0.20) for BW gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, and carcass traits. No treatment effects were also detected (P > 0.17) for plasma concentrations of cortisol and haptoglobin, and cortisol concentrations in tail-switch hair. Hence, OMN ameliorated hyperthermia in finishing cattle exposed to heat stress conditions, but such benefit was not sufficient to improve productive and physiological responses.

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Genetics of steer daily and residual feed intake in two tropical beef genotypes, and relationships among intake, body composition, growth and other post-weaning measures

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/ea08249 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 49 (6) ◽

pp. 351 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

S. A. Barwick ◽

M. L. Wolcott ◽

D. J. Johnston ◽

H. M. Burrow ◽

M. T. Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Bos Taurus ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Serum Insulin ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Residual Feed Intake ◽

Genetic Evaluation ◽

Igf I

Genetic parameters for Brahman (BRAH) and Tropical Composite (TCOMP) cattle were estimated for steer production traits recorded at weaning (WEAN), 80 days post-weaning (POSTW), feedlot entry (ENTRY) and after ∼120 days feedlot finishing (EXIT). The TCOMP was 50% Bos indicus, African Sanga or other tropically adapted Bos taurus, and 50% non-tropically adapted Bos taurus. Data involved 2216 steers, comprising 1007 BRAH by 53 sires and 1209 TCOMP by 50 sires. Individual daily feed intake (DFI) and residual feed intake (RFI) were assessed on 680 BRAH and 783 TCOMP steers over an ~70-day feedlot test. Other traits were liveweight (LWT), average daily gain (ADG), ultrasonically scanned rump (SP8) fat depth, rib (SRIB) fat depth, M. longissimus area (SEMA) and intra-muscular fat % (SIMF), body condition score (CS), hip height (HH), flight time (FT) and serum insulin-like growth factor-I concentration (IGF-I). BRAH were significantly (P < 0.05) lighter at ENTRY and EXIT, and had lower DFI (10.8 v. 13.2 kg/day) and RFI (–0.30 v. 0.17 kg/day), greater SP8 (5.8 v. 5.1 mm) but similar SRIB at ENTRY, lower SRIB (8.2 v. 8.9 mm) but similar SP8 at EXIT, and greater HH than TCOMP. Heritabilities for DFI, RFI, LWT, ADG, scanned body composition, HH and IGF-I measures, across measurement times, were generally in the 20 to 60% range for both genotypes. Genetic variance for RFI was 0.19 (kg/day)2 in BRAH and 0.41 (kg/day)2 in TCOMP, suggesting a clear potential to genetically change RFI in both genotypes. Trait variances and genetic correlations often differed between the genotypes, supporting the use of genotype-specific parameters in genetic evaluation. The genotype differences may be associated with evolutionary changes that have occurred in B. indicus as a part of their adaptation to tropical environments. Measures with potential to be used as genetic indicators of DFI were LWT measures in BRAH and TCOMP, ADG at ENTRY in TCOMP, and SP8 and SIMF at ENTRY in BRAH. Measures with potential to be genetic indicators of RFI were HH and ADG at ENTRY in BRAH, and IGF-I in both genotypes. Taller and faster-growing BRAH steers at ENTRY had genetically lower RFI. IGF-I was negatively genetically correlated with RFI whether IGF-I was measured at POSTW, ENTRY or EXIT. SRIB fatness at EXIT was strongly positively genetically correlated with RFI in TCOMP but only lowly correlated in BRAH. Fatness at ENTRY was lowly and negatively genetically correlated with RFI. The results emphasise the need for a population-specific understanding of trait relationships and of trait differences between measurement times if genetic indicator traits are to be utilised in genetic evaluation of RFI.

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Effects of heat stress on development, quality and survival of Bos indicus and Bos taurus embryos produced in vitro

Theriogenology ◽

10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.10.003 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 79 (2) ◽

pp. 351-357 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

C.F. Silva ◽

E.S. Sartorelli ◽

A.C.S. Castilho ◽

R.A. Satrapa ◽

R.Z. Puelker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Bos Taurus ◽

Bos Indicus

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Heat stress and spermatogenesis in Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1966.21.6.1784 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 1784-1790 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

J. D. Skinner ◽

G. N. Louw

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Bos Taurus ◽

Bos Indicus

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Behavioural effects of yearling grain-finished heifers exposed to differing environmental conditions and growth-promoting agents

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea07385 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 48 (9) ◽

pp. 1155 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

T. L. Mader ◽

J. B. Gaughan ◽

W. M. Kreikemeier ◽

A. M. Parkhurst

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Cold Stress ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Feedlot Cattle ◽

Trenbolone Acetate ◽

Growth Promoting ◽

Adverse Environmental Conditions ◽

Growth Promotants

Two groups of 108 Angus cross yearling heifers were utilised to determine the effects of growth-promoting agents on behaviour, when utilised under thermoneutral, hot and cold environmental conditions. Pens of heifers were observed throughout the day for feed intake pattern via bunk score, panting (hot), degree of bunching and shivering (cold). For cattle that were exposed to cold stress, feed intake was greater earlier in the day, with the majority of the feed consumed by 1500 hours and little or no feed consumed at night, while the opposite trend occurred under heat stress. Nearly 46% of the pens containing heat-stressed heifers had greater than 50% of their feed remaining in the bunk at 1900 hours. Pens of heifers exposed to thermoneutral conditions had a tendency to show elevated panting scores at 0700 hours, while heifers exposed to hot conditions did not, indicating some acclimation to heat stress had already taken place for the heifers exposed to hot conditions. Panting score did not appear to be affected by growth-promoting treatment. Under cold stress, 100% of the cattle displayed bunching behaviour throughout the day, while under hot and thermoneutral conditions, maximum bunching (25 to 30%) occurred at 1500 hours. Within an environmental condition, trenbolone acetate cattle tended to bunch more under thermoneutral and hot conditions, particularly in the morning, when compared with other treatment groups; control and oestrogen-treated cattle tended to bunch less under the same conditions, regardless of the time of day. Although data were inconclusive as to overall effects of growth promotants on mitigating cold stress, shivering scores were increased with a more aggressive growth-promoting treatment (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that if growth promotants, which are used in feedlot cattle, impact cattle exposed to adverse environmental conditions, then they tend to be more effective at mitigating heat stress than cold stress.

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