Common and diet-specific metabolic pathways underlying residual feed intake in fattening Charolais yearling bulls

AbstractResidual feed intake (RFI) is one of the preferred traits for feed efficiency animal breeding. However, RFI measurement is expensive and time-consuming and animal ranking may depend on the nature of the diets. We aimed to explore RFI plasma biomarkers and to unravel the underlying metabolic pathways in yearling bulls fed either a corn-silage diet rich in starch (corn diet) or a grass-silage diet rich in fiber (grass diet). Forty-eight extreme RFI animals (Low-RFI, n = 24, versus High-RFI, n = 24, balanced per diet) were selected from a population of 364 Charolais bulls and their plasma was subjected to a targeted LC-MS metabolomic approach together with classical metabolite and hormonal plasma analyses. Greater lean body mass and nitrogen use efficiency, and lower protein turnover were identified as common mechanisms underlying RFI irrespective of the diet. On the other hand, greater adiposity and plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) together with lower insulin sensitivity in High-RFI animals were only observed with corn diet. Conversely, greater plasma concentrations of BCAA and total triglycerides, but similar insulin concentrations were noted in efficient RFI cattle with grass diet. Our data suggest that there are diet-specific mechanisms explaining RFI differences in fattening Charolais yearling bulls.

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RAPID COMMUNICATION: Residual feed intake in beef cattle is associated with differences in protein turnover and nutrient transporters in ruminal epithelium

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz080 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (5) ◽

pp. 2181-2187

Author(s):

Ahmed A Elolimy ◽

Emad Abdel-Hamied ◽

Liangyu Hu ◽

Joshua C McCann ◽

Daniel W Shike ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Protein Degradation ◽

Insulin Signaling ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Protein Turnover ◽

Residual Feed Intake ◽

Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽

Ruminal Epithelium

Abstract Residual feed intake (RFI) is a widely used measure of feed efficiency in cattle. Although the precise biologic mechanisms associated with improved feed efficiency are not well-known, most-efficient steers (i.e., with low RFI coefficient) downregulate abundance of proteins controlling protein degradation in skeletal muscle. Whether cellular mechanisms controlling protein turnover in ruminal tissue differ by RFI classification is unknown. The aim was to investigate associations between RFI and signaling through the mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) and ubiquitin-proteasome pathways in ruminal epithelium. One hundred and forty-nine Red Angus cattle were allocated to 3 contemporary groups according to sex and herd origin. Animals were offered a finishing diet for 70 d to calculate the RFI coefficient for each. Within each group, the 2 most-efficient (n = 6) and least-efficient animals (n = 6) were selected. Compared with least-efficient animals, the most-efficient animals consumed less feed (P < 0.05; 18.36 vs. 23.39 kg/d DMI). At day 70, plasma samples were collected for insulin concentration analysis. Ruminal epithelium was collected immediately after slaughter to determine abundance and phosphorylation status of 29 proteins associated with MTOR, ubiquitin-proteasome, insulin signaling, and glucose and amino acid transport. Among the proteins involved in cellular protein synthesis, most-efficient animals had lower (P ≤ 0.05) abundance of MTOR, p-MTOR, RPS6KB1, EIF2A, EEF2K, AKT1, and RPS6KB1, whereas MAPK3 tended (P = 0.07) to be lower. In contrast, abundance of p-EEF2K, p-EEF2K:EEF2K, and p-EIF2A:EIF2A in most-efficient animals was greater (P ≤ 0.05). Among proteins catalyzing steps required for protein degradation, the abundance of UBA1, NEDD4, and STUB1 was lower (P ≤ 0.05) and MDM2 tended (P = 0.06) to be lower in most-efficient cattle. Plasma insulin and ruminal epithelium insulin signaling proteins did not differ (P > 0.05) between RFI groups. However, abundance of the insulin-responsive glucose transporter SLC2A4 and the amino acid transporters SLC1A3 and SLC1A5 also was lower (P ≤ 0.05) in most-efficient cattle. Overall, the data indicate that differences in signaling mechanisms controlling protein turnover and nutrient transport in ruminal epithelium are components of feed efficiency in beef cattle.

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268 Administering an appeasing substance to optimize welfare and performance of receiving cattle

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa278.355 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. 193-193

Author(s):

Eduardo Colombo ◽

Reinaldo F Cooke ◽

Alice Brandão ◽

Jacob Wiegand ◽

Kelsey Schubach ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Treatment Effects ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Feedlot Cattle ◽

Skin Area ◽

And Performance ◽

Antimicrobial Treatments ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract This experiment evaluated the impacts of bovine appeasing substance (BAS) administration on performance, health, and physiological responses of feedlot cattle during a 45-d receiving period. A total of 342 recently-weaned Angus-influenced steers, originating from 16 cow-calf operations, were obtained from an auction yard on d -1 and road-transported (12 h) to the feedlot. Upon arrival on d 0, body weight (BW) was recorded and steers were ranked by BW and source and assigned to receive BAS (Nutricorp, Araras, SP, Brazil; n = 171) or placebo (diethylene glycol monoethyl ether; CON; n = 171). Treatments (5 mL) were topically applied to the nuchal skin area of each animal. Within treatment, calves were allocated to 1 of 24 drylot pens (12 pens/treatment) and received a free choice total-mixed ration from d 1 to 45. Calves were assessed for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) signs and feed intake was recorded from each pen daily. Steer BW was again recorded on d 1, 7, 17, 31, and 45, whereas blood samples were collected from 5 steers/pen concurrently with each BW assessment. Average daily gain was greater (P = 0.05) in BAS vs. CON calves, although final BW did not differ (P = 0.36) between treatments. No treatment effects were detected for feed intake (P = 0.95), resulting in greater (P = 0.05) feed efficiency in BAS vs. CON steers. No treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.37) for plasma concentrations of haptoglobin, whereas plasma cortisol concentrations were greater (P = 0.05) in CON vs. BAS steers on d 7 (treatment × day; P = 0.07). Incidence of BRD was greater (P ≤ 0.05) in BAS vs. CON on d 6 to 10 and d 18 to 21 (treatment × day; P < 0.01), although overall BRD incidence did not differ (P = 0.24) between treatments. The number of antimicrobial treatments required per steer diagnosed with BRD symptoms to recover from sickness was greater (P = 0.04) in CON vs. BAS calves. No treatment differences were detected (P ≥ 0.41) for mortality incidence, or proportion of steers removed from the experiment due to extreme sickness. Results from this experiment indicate BAS administration upon feedlot entry improved average daily gain by enhancing feed efficiency. Administration of BAS facilitated earlier detection of BRD and reduced the need for antimicrobial treatments. Collectively, these results suggest BAS administration as a promising strategy to benefit performance and immunocompetence of feedlot receiving cattle.

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146 Survey of residual feed intake in Katahdin and Texel lambs in a feedlot environment

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz397.177 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 75-76

Author(s):

Camren l Maierle ◽

Andrew R Weaver ◽

Eugene Felton ◽

Scott P Greiner ◽

Scott A Bowdridge

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Large Scale ◽

Residual Feed Intake ◽

Production Traits ◽

Meaningful Improvement ◽

Average Intake ◽

Test Population ◽

Feeding Trials ◽

Genetic Evaluations

Abstract Residual feed intake (RFI) is quickly becoming the preferred measurement of efficiency in many species due to its inherent independence of most other important production traits. Making meaningful improvement in feed efficiency of sheep will require a consistent methodology to accurately identify efficient individuals. Due to difficulty in measuring this trait efforts must be made to incorporate efficiency data in large-scale genetic evaluations. The aim of this study was to evaluate lambs in a feedlot with large-scale genetic evaluations for feed efficiency calculated by residual feed intake (RFI) utilizing a Growsafe™ system. RFI was calculated by subtracting expected intake from actual intake. Expected intake was determined by regressing metabolic body size of mid-test weight. Regression determined ADG on actual intake for individuals in the population. Texel (n = 58) and Katahdin (n = 118) lambs were placed in a feedlot and fed in separate feeding trials, a complete pellet ad libitum as the sole source of nutrition. In this environment Texel and Katahdin lambs had expected ADG values (0.27 kg/day, 0.32 kg/day respectively) and actual intake data (2154.17 g/day, 1909.33 g/day respectively. After a period of adaptation, Texel average intake was determined over a period of 27 consecutive days and used to calculate individual RFI within the test population. Observable ranges of RFI (-0.62 – +0.62) were seen in the Texel lambs. At the start of the Katahdin trial lambs were separated by sex and FEC treatment. After a period of adaptation, Katahdin average intake was determined over a period of 42 consecutive days and used to calculate individual RFI within the test population. Observable ranges of RFI (-0.53 – +0.50) were seen in the Katahdin lambs as well. In both feeding trials RFI appeared to be normally distributed. Use of this technology may be useful in identifying superior individuals for feed efficiency.

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Genetic parameters and breed differences for feed efficiency, growth, and body composition traits of young beef bulls

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/a03-085 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 84 (2) ◽

pp. 177-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 124

Author(s):

F. S. Schenkel ◽

S. P. Miller ◽

J. W. Wilton

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Genetic Correlation ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Residual Feed Intake ◽

Backfat Thickness ◽

Daily Weight Gain ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Beef Bulls

Genetic associations between feed efficiency, growth, and live ultrasound measured body composition traits were studied in purebred beef bulls of six breeds in Ontario bull test stations from 1991 to 2000. Feed traits included average daily feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and residual feed intake [feed intake adjusted for production alone (RFIp) or production and backfat thickness (RFIb)]. Growth traits were average daily weight gain (ADG), mid-test metabolic weight (MW), hip height (HH), and scrotal circumference (SC). Body composition traits included ultrasound backfat thickness (BF), longissimus muscle area (LMA), and predicted percentage of intramuscular fat (IFAT). Bulls were measured every 28 d for weight and individual feed intake, and at the end of test for ultrasound body composition traits. Number of records per trait ranged from 2284 (FI) to 13 319 (ADG). Fixed effects of test group, breed and end of test age (within breed), and random effects of animal and herd of origin were modeled using REML bivariate analyses for all traits. Heritability estimates were moderate for all traits (0.30 to 0.55), except for IFAT (0.14). The genetic correlation between RFIp and RFIb was high (0.99) within breeds, but breeds ranked differently with respect to RFIp and RFIb. Genetic correlations of RFIb with ADG and backfat thickness were essentially zero, which indicate that selection on residual feed intake could be implemented to reduce feed intake and improve feed conversion without compromising growth or changing levels of subcutaneous fat. Key words: Central test, genetic correlation, heritability, residual feed intake

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PSIV-2 A comparison of feedlot growth and performance of beef x Holstein crossbred steers and Holstein steers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.548 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 298-299

Author(s):

Bailey L Basiel ◽

Chad D Dechow ◽

Tara L Felix

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Corn Silage ◽

Department Of Agriculture ◽

Feedlot Performance ◽

Performance Variables ◽

Dried Distillers Grains ◽

And Performance ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract Objectives were to compare feedlot performance and carcass traits of F1 beef × Holstein steers and Holstein steers. Angus or Limousin × Holstein crossbred [n = 27; age = 12 ± 3 months; body weight (BW) = 435 ± 8 kg] and Holstein (n = 20; age = 11 ± 2 months; BW = 400 ± 9 kg) steers were fed at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Livestock Evaluation Center for 111 days. Feed intake was recorded using the GrowSafe Feed Intake Monitoring System (Model 4000E, GrowSafe Systems Ltd., Calgary AB, Canada). The diet contained corn silage, dried distillers grains, soybean meal, and cracked corn and was formulated to meet or exceed the requirements of beef cattle (NASEM, 2016). Growth performance variables of interest and carcass measurements were analyzed with the Mixed procedure of SAS (SAS 9.4; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). USDA assigned quality grades (QG) and yield grades (YG) were analyzed the with GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Breed was a fixed effect in all models. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between breeds in average daily gain or feed efficiency. Crossbreds exceeded Holsteins in initial (P < 0.01) and final BW (P = 0.01), dry matter intake (P = 0.03), hot carcass weight (P < 0.01), backfat (P = 0.03), and ribeye area (REA; P < 0.01). Thirty-five percent (35%) of the Holsteins received a QG of Choice or above while 74% of crossbreds graded USDA Choice or above (P = 0.01). However, 75% of Holsteins were YG 2 or lower while only 45% of crossbreds achieved YG 2 or less (P = 0.05). There was no improvement in efficiency when crossbreds were compared to Holsteins; however, carcasses from crossbreds were more likely to grade USDA Choice or above while yielding greater REA and backfat than Holsteins.

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338 Nitrogen Use Efficiency Is Proportionally More Improved When Young Bulls Are Ranked on Residual Body Gain Rather Than on Residual Feed Intake

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.340 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 187-188

Author(s):

Pablo Guarnido Lopez ◽

Isabelle Ortigues Marty ◽

Cantalapiedra-Hijar Gonzalo

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Linear Models ◽

Residual Feed Intake ◽

Residual Body ◽

Nitrogen Use ◽

N Metabolism ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Δ 15N ◽

Positive Correlations

Abstract Animals with superior feed efficiency (FE) may also have an improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), which would be beneficial to economic profitability while reducing environmental impacts. When genetically selecting animals on FE, it is preferable to use residual traits [e.g. residual feed intake (RFI) or residual body gain (RG)] rather than ratios because of their predictable genetic outcomes. We studied the relationship of RFI and RG with NUE, estimated from the validated 15N abundance in plasma, across two contrasted diets based on corn or grass silages. We evaluated FE of 588 (half by diet) Charolais bulls (545 ± 57 kg BW) from 12 experimental cohorts (different farms and periods) over 200 days. Before the end of the FE test, plasma was sampled and analyzed for δ 15N. NUE was related to FE through simple-linear models with variables previously corrected for the cohort and diet effects. The models’ slopes were standardized according to FE deviation in order to compare the response of NUE to FE between indices. Higher NUE was related to higher FE (P < 0.001), showing positive correlations with RG (r=-0.40) and negative with RFI (r=0.29). However, the standardized slope of NUE to RG was significantly higher (+28%; P < 0.05) than that of NUE to RFI. This stronger NUE relation to RG compared to RFI could reflect a higher potential of RG animals to deposit N as compared to a more conservational N metabolism in RFI individuals. Regarding diets, and despite the correction of NUE and FE for this effect, the slopes of NUE to FE were numerically (P > 0.05) higher (-16% and +36%; for RG and RFI) in corn-based diets, which agrees with superior NUE observed in corn-vs-grass diets. Results suggested that superior RG animals may present proportionally higher NUE than superior RFI animals, with even better results in corn-vs-grass diets.

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Claw health and feed efficiency as new selection criteria in the Czech Holstein cattle Krupová Z., Wolfová M., Krupa E., Přibyl J., Zavadilová L.

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/44/2018-cjas ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 63 (No. 10) ◽

pp. 408-418 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Z. Krupová ◽

M. Wolfová ◽

E. Krupa ◽

J. Přibyl ◽

L. Zavadilová

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Disease Incidence ◽

Selection Index ◽

Residual Feed Intake ◽

Selection Response ◽

Holstein Cattle ◽

Breeding Objective ◽

Economic Weights ◽

The Impact

The objective of this study was to calculate economic weights for ten current breeding objective traits and for four new traits characterising claw health and feed efficiency in Czech Holstein cattle and to investigate the impact of different selection indices on the genetic responses for these traits. Economic weights were estimated using a bio-economic model, while applying actual (2017) and predicted (2025) production and economic circumstances. For the actual situation, the economic weights of claw disease incidence were –100.1 € per case, and those of daily residual feed intake in cows, breeding heifers, and fattened animals were –79.37, –37.16, and –6.33 €/kg dry matter intake per day, respectively. In the predicted situation, the marginal economic weights for claw disease and feed efficiency traits increased on average by 38% and 20%, respectively. The new traits, claw disease incidence and daily residual feed intake, were gradually added to the 17 current Holstein selection index traits to improve the new traits. Constructing a comprehensive index with 21 traits and applying the general principles of the selection index theory, a favourable annual genetic selection response was obtained for the new traits (–0.008 cases of claw disease incidence and –0.006 kg of daily residual feed intake across all cattle categories), keeping the annual selection response of the most important current breeding objective traits at a satisfactory level (e.g., 73 kg of milk yield per lactation, 0.016% of milk fat). Claw health and feed efficiency should be defined as new breeding objectives and new selection index traits of local dairy population.

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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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Spectral analysis of feeding patterns of steers divergent in residual feed intake

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea08021 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 48 (7) ◽

pp. 843 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Robin Dobos ◽

Robert Herd

Keyword(s):

Spectral Analysis ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Feeding Behaviour ◽

Feeding Rate ◽

Residual Feed Intake ◽

Selection Line ◽

Feeding Patterns ◽

Time Spent Feeding ◽

Efficient Selection

Spectral analysis was used to quantify differences in feeding patterns of Angus steers genetically divergent in residual feed intake (RFI). Forty-two low RFI (more efficient) and 28 high RFI (less efficient) selection line steers were fed a feedlot diet through electronic feeders for 72 days. Mean (±s.e.) daily feed intake was 11.9 ± 0.076 and 12.7 ± 0.095 kg dry matter/day over the 72-day feeding period for low and high RFI steers, respectively. The high RFI steers exhibited different temporal cycles to the low RFI steers in daily feed intake and time spent feeding. However, patterns of number of eating sessions, feeding rate, the time spent eating and the number of eating sessions were similar. Further analysis of daily (24 h) feeding behaviour is required to help improve our understanding of the association between feeding behaviour and feed efficiency.

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