PSVIII-17 Assessment of conformational changes across three parities in sows

Abstract Conformation-based sow selection is performed prior to reaching mature size, yet little is known about how conformation changes as growth continues. To assess conformation changes, 9 conformational traits were objectively measured at 12 discrete time points between 112 d of age and parity 3 weaning on 622 sows in 5 cohorts. The 9 traits included 5 body size traits (body length, body depth at the shoulder and flank, and height at the shoulder and flank) and 4 joint angles (knee, hock, and front and rear pastern). Data were analyzed with a repeated measures model (SAS V 9.4) including cohort and time point as fixed effects, sire as a random effect, and heterogeneous compound symmetry as the covariance structure. Sire variance ranged from 0.16 (body depth shoulder) to 2.00 (body length) cm2 for body size traits and 2.28 (rear pastern) to 4.22 (front pastern) degrees2 for joint angles. Cohort had an effect on all traits (P < 0.05). All traits displayed changes over time (P < 0.001). Size traits increased between 112 d of age and parity 3 weaning (64.16 vs. 107.57 cm, 26.62 vs. 44.14 cm, 23.32 vs. 36.92 cm, 46.10 vs. 73.55 cm, 49.36 vs. 77.47 cm for body length, body depth shoulder and flank, and height shoulder and flank, respectively); however, they fluctuated within parity by increasing during gestation and decreasing at weaning. Knee angle decreased (164.12 vs. 150.72 degrees) while fluctuating within parity by decreasing in the second half of gestation and increasing after weaning. Front and rear pastern angles decreased over time (60.89 vs. 53.74 degrees and 64.64 vs. 55.50 degrees for front and rear pastern, respectively), while biologically negligible change was observed in hock angle (148.63 vs. 147.48 degrees). Sow conformation changes throughout life, and these changes may require consideration when making selection decisions.

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305 Methane Emissions and Apparent Total Tract Nutrient Digestibility of Feedlot Beef Steers Under Intensive Management with or Without an Added Nutritional Packet

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.306 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 166-167

Author(s):

Andrea M Osorio ◽

Kaue T Tonelli Nardi ◽

Igor Gomes Fávero ◽

Kaliu G Scaranto Silva ◽

Kymberly D Coello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Treatment Period ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Block Design ◽

Random Effect ◽

Methane Emissions ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Ch4 Production

Abstract The effects of a nutritional packet were evaluated on CH4 emissions and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility of feedlot beef steers. Thirty Angus-crossbred steers (BW = 542 ± 8.4 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design and allocated into pens equipped with SmartFeed (C-Lock; 15 steers/treatment). Steers were consuming a steam-flaked corn-based diet (88% concentrate DM basis) ad libitum for the last 65 d on feed, and received the following treatments: 1) control and 2) a nutritional packet [0.29% DM basis; live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae; 8.7 Log CFU/g); Vitamin C (5.4 g/kg); Vitamin B1 (13.33 g/kg); NaCl (80 g/kg); KCl (80 g/kg)]. Methane emissions and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility were measured during 3 periods with 5-d of collections each. Gas emissions from steers were measured utilizing the SF6 tracer technique. Feed and fecal samples were collected once and twice (0700 h and 1600 h) daily, respectively, to determine digestibility of nutrients using iNDF as an internal marker. Steer was considered the experimental unit. Data were analyzed as repeated measures using the MIXED procedure of SAS with the fixed effects of treatment, period, and their interaction, and the random effect of block. No treatment × period interactions (P ≥ 0.125) were observed for DMI and any of the CH4 production variables (g/day, g/kg BW0.75, g/nutrient intake, and g/nutrient digested). Moreover, treatments did not affect digestibility of DM, OM, or ADF (P ≥ 0.300); however, digestibility of NDF was increased for treated cattle (P = 0.013), which resulted in a tendency (P = 0.098) to decrease CH4 production in g per kg NDF intake and decreased (P = 0.020) grams CH4 per kg NDF digested. The nutritional packet may be altering ruminal fermentation on intensively managed steers and improving fiber digestibility, which can have benefits on CH4 emission intensity.

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Long-Term Testosterone Therapy Improves Cardiometabolic Function and Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Men with Hypogonadism

Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics ◽

10.1177/1074248417691136 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 414-433 ◽

Cited By ~ 65

Author(s):

Abdulmaged M. Traish ◽

Ahmad Haider ◽

Karim Sultan Haider ◽

Gheorghe Doros ◽

Farid Saad

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Random Effect ◽

Treated Group ◽

Myocardial Infarctions ◽

Control Group ◽

Cv Disease ◽

High Level ◽

Changes Over Time

Objectives: In the absence of large, prospective, placebo-controlled studies of longer duration, substantial evidence regarding the safety and risk of testosterone (T) therapy (TTh) with regard to cardiovascular (CV) outcomes can only be gleaned from observational studies. To date, there are limited studies comparing the effects of long-term TTh in men with hypogonadism who were treated or remained untreated with T, for obvious reasons. We have established a registry to assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of T in men in a urological setting. Here, we sought to compare the effects of T on a host of parameters considered to contribute to CV risk in treated and untreated men with hypogonadism (control group). Patients and Methods: Observational, prospective, cumulative registry study in 656 men (age: 60.7 ± 7.2 years) with total T levels ≤12.1 nmol/L and symptoms of hypogonadism. In the treatment group, men (n = 360) received parenteral T undecanoate (TU) 1000 mg/12 weeks following an initial 6-week interval for up to 10 years. Men (n = 296) who had opted against TTh served as controls. Median follow-up in both groups was 7 years. Measurements were taken at least twice a year, and 8-year data were analyzed. Mean changes over time between the 2 groups were compared by means of a mixed-effects model for repeated measures, with a random effect for intercept and fixed effects for time, group, and their interaction. To account for baseline differences between the 2 groups, changes were adjusted for age, weight, waist circumference, fasting glucose, blood pressure, and lipids. Results: There were 2 deaths in the T-treated group, none was related to CV events. There were 21 deaths in the untreated (control) group, 19 of which were related to CV events. The incidence of death in 10 patient-years was 0.1145 in the control group (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0746-0.1756; P < .000) and 0.0092 in the T-treated group (95% CI: 0.0023-0.0368; P < .000); the estimated difference between groups was 0.0804 (95% CI: 0.0189-0.3431; P < .001). The estimated reduction in mortality for the T-group was between 66% and 92%. There were also 30 nonfatal strokes and 26 nonfatal myocardial infarctions in the control group and none in the T-treated group. Conclusion: Long-term TU was well tolerated with excellent adherence suggesting a high level of patient satisfaction. Mortality related to CV disease was significantly reduced in the T-group.

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Variation of Efficacy of Filtering Face Pieces Respirators over Time in a Dental Setting: A Pilot Study

Dentistry Journal ◽

10.3390/dj9040036 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 36

Author(s):

Vittorio Checchi ◽

Marco Montevecchi ◽

Luigi Checchi

Keyword(s):

Fixed Effects ◽

Random Effect ◽

Wilcoxon Test ◽

Linear Mixed Effect Model ◽

Clinical Activity ◽

Time Data ◽

Paired Data ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Protective Function ◽

Over Time

Since aerosol continuously persists in dental settings, where different procedures and patients come in succession, the use of oronasal masks is highly recommended. Among them, respirators known as Filtering Face Pieces (FFP) show a protective superiority compared to surgical masks. Even concerning respirators classified as non-reusable, it is not known how many hours of use are necessary to compromise their filtering capacity. The aim of this study is to investigate the variations of filtering capacity of an FFP2 respirator over time, in order to safely optimize the timing of its use. Five respirators were worn by the same operator during clinical activity for different usage times (8, 16, 24, 32, 40 h), and one respirator was kept unused. All respirators underwent a bacterial filtration efficacy (BFE) test. T-test for paired data with Bootstrap technique and Wilcoxon test for paired data compared BFE values of the five tested FFP2s respectively at each time, and the areas with the corresponding values of the control respirator (FFp2-F). A generalized linear mixed effect model (GLM) was applied considering type of respirator and time as fixed effects and intercept as random effect. No significant statistical differences were present in the BFE of each time. Data obtained by the present study highlight the important ability of FFP2s to maintain their BFE over time, suggesting a long lasting protective function.

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Bimonthly assessment of magnetization transfer magnetic resonance imaging parameters in multiple sclerosis: a 14-month, multicentre, follow-up study

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458509358713 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 325-331 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

S. Mesaros ◽

MA Rocca ◽

MP Sormani ◽

P. Valsasina ◽

C. Markowitz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Treatment Effect ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Magnetization Transfer ◽

Random Effect ◽

Lesion Volume ◽

Sample Sizes ◽

Double Blind ◽

Over Time

This study was performed to assess the temporal evolution of damage within lesions and the normal-appearing white matter, measured using frequent magnetization transfer (MT) MRI, in relapsing—remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The relationship of MT ratio (MTR) changes with measures of lesion burden, and the sample sizes needed to demonstrate a treatment effect on MTR metrics in placebo-controlled MS trials were also investigated. Bimonthly brain conventional and MT MRI scans were acquired from 42 patients with RRMS enrolled in the placebo arm of a 14-month, double-blind trial. Longitudinal MRI changes were evaluated using a random effect linear model accounting for repeated measures, and adjusted for centre effects. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score remained stable over the study period. A weak, but not statistically significant, decrease over time was detected for normal-appearing brain tissue (NABT) average MTR (—0.02% per visit; p = 0.14), and MTR peak height (—0.15 per visit; p = 0.17), while average lesion MTR showed a significant decrease over the study period (—0.07% per visit; p = 0.03). At each visit, all MTR variables were significantly correlated with T2 lesion volume (LV) (average coefficients of correlation ranging from —0.54 to —0.28, and p-values from <0.001 to 0.02). At each visit, NABT average MTR was also significantly correlated with T1-hypointense LV (average coefficient of correlation = —0.57, p < 0.001). The estimation of the sample sizes required to demonstrate a reduction of average lesion MTR (the only parameter with a significant decrease over the follow-up) ranged from 101 to 154 patients to detect a treatment effect of 50% in a 1-year trial with a power of 90%. The steady correlation observed between conventional and MT MRI measures over time supports the hypothesis of axonal degeneration of fibres passing through focal lesions as one of the factors contributing to the overall MS burden.

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197 The use of photostimulation to enhance oocyte cytoplasmic maturation

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv32n2ab197 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 227

Author(s):

C. M. Checura ◽

S. L. Pratt ◽

L. V. Campbell ◽

K. Farmer ◽

G. Loughlin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Embryonic Development ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Culture Medium ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Random Effect ◽

Monochromatic Light ◽

High Humidity ◽

Stage Of Development ◽

Cytoplasmic Maturation

Phototherapy uses monochromatic light from low-power lasers and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to modulate biological processes. It has been proposed that the red-to-near infrared optical region (~600-1000nm) enhances cellular metabolic activity by activation of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. However, photostimulation induces the generation of oxide free radicals and could create oxidative stress in exposed cells. The main objective was to use photostimulation to affect the cumulus-oocyte complex metabolic state, aiming to enhance cytoplasmic maturation rates and subsequent embryonic development. A secondary objective was to determine the toxicity of the proposed photostimulation protocol. Abattoir-derived ovaries were used. All media was from IVF Biosciences (Falmouth, Cornwall, UK). Follicles 2 to 6mm in diameter were aspirated. Oocytes with compact cumulus and homogeneous cytoplasm were selected, and 50 oocytes/well were placed in invitro maturation medium (0h) and incubated at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 in air with high humidity in the presence (treatment=exposure for 2min to super-bright LED 1 and 2h after the beginning of maturation; LED wavelength of 660-665 nm; NTE30041; NTE Electronics Inc.) or absence (Control) of light. After maturation (22h), oocytes were split into two wells (25 oocytes/well) and subjected to IVF with semen from two different bulls for 18 to 20h. Cumulus cells were separated by vortexing, zygotes were placed in invitro culture medium, and incubated at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 in air with high humidity. Culture medium was renewed every 48h. Cleavage, morula, and blastocyst rates were recorded as a percentage of the number of oocytes subjected to IVF per treatment. The experiment was replicated 4 times. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mixed procedure (SAS 9.4, SAS Institute Inc.) with repeated-measures and autoregressive covariance. The model's random effect was well within treatment. Fixed effects were bull, stage of development, and treatment. There was no difference (P=0.8) between treatments for any stage of development measured (cleavage: 76.4±2.7 vs. 74.8±4.1; morula: 36.1±4.8 vs. 35.9±5.8; blastocyst: 20.8±3.2 vs. 20.6±4.4 for control and treatment respectively; mean±s.e.). Sire affected development: bull 1 had a greater percentage (P<0.05) cleavage (82.9±0.02 vs. 68.3±0.02), morula (42.6±0.05 vs. 29.4±0.04), and blastocyst (27.8±0.04 vs. 13.6±0.01) development than bull 2. There was no treatment×bull interaction (P=0.9). In conclusion, there were no stimulatory or toxic effects of this preliminary photostimulation protocol. Further research is needed to develop an optimal protocol that shows a metabolic effect and, potentially, an enhancement of invitro cytoplasmic maturation rates and subsequent embryonic development.

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Safety profile of ripretinib, including impact of alopecia, and Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia Syndrome (PPES) on patient-reported outcomes (PROs), in ≥ fourth-line advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): Analyses from INVICTUS.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.11539 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 11539-11539

Author(s):

Suzanne George ◽

Michael C. Heinrich ◽

John Raymond Zalcberg ◽

Sebastian Bauer ◽

Hans Gelderblom ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Safety Profile ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

P Value ◽

Tolerability Profile ◽

Patient Reported ◽

The Impact ◽

Advanced Gist ◽

Over Time

11539 Background: Ripretinib is a novel switch-control TKI that broadly inhibits KIT and PDGFRA kinase signaling. In INVICTUS (NCT03353753), a randomized, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled trial of ripretinib in ≥4th-line advanced GIST, ripretinib reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 85% vs PBO with a favorable overall safety profile. Common ( > 20%) adverse events (AEs) included, but were not limited to, alopecia and PPES. Exploratory analyses evaluated the impact of alopecia and PPES on quality of life (QoL). Methods: Patients (pts) with advanced GIST previously treated with at least imatinib, sunitinib, and regorafenib were randomized (2:1) to ripretinib 150 mg QD or PBO. AEs were graded using CTCAE v4 and PROs collected using EQ-5D-5L (EQ5D) and EORTC QLQ-C30 (C30). Repeated measures (RM) models assessed the impact of alopecia and PPES on 5 PROs (EQ5D visual analogue scale; and C30 physical functioning, role functioning, and the overall health and overall QoL questions) within the ripretinib arm. Fixed effects were sex, alopecia/PPES, and ECOG scores at baseline. Results: 128/129 randomized pts received treatment (85 ripretinib 150 mg QD; 43 PBO). Alopecia, regardless of causality, occurred in 44 (51.8%) on ripretinib (34 [40.0%] grade 1; 10 [11.8%] grade 2) and 2 (4.7%) on PBO (both grade 1). PPES occurred in 18 (21.2%) on ripretinib (11 [12.9%] grade 1; 7 [8.2%] grade 2); none on PBO. The median times in days to first occurrence and worst severity grade with ripretinib were 57.0 and 62.5 for alopecia; 56.5 and 57.0 for PPES. The RM models showed a slight trend towards improvement in PRO score over time for pts with alopecia; the only association reaching a P-value of < 0.05 was between alopecia and increased overall QoL. None of the associations between PPES and PRO scores reach P < 0.05. All PRO p-values are nominal, and no statistical significance is being claimed. Conclusions: Ripretinib had a favorable overall safety and tolerability profile. When stratified by alopecia and PPES, patient-reported assessments of function, overall health, and overall QoL were maintained over time. For both alopecia and PPES, onset and maximum severity occurred almost simultaneously, indicating that these events generally did not progressively worsen. These results suggest that alopecia and PPES are manageable and do not have a negative effect on function, overall health, and QoL. Clinical trial information: NCT03353753 .

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Efficacy of parent-mediated communication-focused treatment in toddlers with autism (PACT) delivered via videoconferencing: a randomised controlled trial study protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044669 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. e044669

Author(s):

Lucie Jurek ◽

Pauline Occelli ◽

Angelique Denis ◽

Anouck Amestoy ◽

Thierry Maffre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Random Effect ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Health Priorities ◽

Preschool Period ◽

Randomised Controlled

IntroductionIntervention in the preschool period is currently recommended for autism spectrum disorder. Therapies delivered by parents are particularly suitable for young children. Preschool Autism Communication Trial (PACT) is a parent-mediated therapy that has shown a significant and sustained impact on autism symptom reduction. However, access to such evidence-based therapies for families is limited due to autism centres located in large urban areas. Using videoconferencing to deliver PACT training to parents may improve accessibility for families living in underserved areas.Methods and analysisThis single-blind randomised controlled trial, involving six sites in France, will investigate the efficacy of a telehealth, videoconferencing-based, parent-mediated PACT therapy on autism symptoms, over a 12-month period. It will compare PACT plus treatment as usual (TAU) against TAU only in a cohort of 238 toddlers (119 per group) aged 18–36 months at inclusion and living with their families more than 40 min away from the specialist centres for autism. Primary outcome will include change of overall autism score on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes will measure change in child skills, child functioning, impact on parents (stress, health, priorities) and implementation characteristics. Repeated measures analyses will be used to test the effect of PACT intervention on the overall ADOS module 1 score over the 12-month study period. Linear mixed models will be used with time, treatment allocation and the interaction between treatment and time as fixed effects and individual variation as random effect.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol (V.5, date: 25 October 2019) is approved by the French National Review Board (reference no 2018-A02516-49). The results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journalsTrial registration numberNCT04244721.

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Effect of bupivacaine liposome suspension administered as a local anesthetic block on indicators of pain and distress during and after surgical castration in dairy calves

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab378 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Miriam S Martin ◽

Michael D Kleinhenz ◽

Abbie V Viscardi ◽

Andrew K Curtis ◽

Blaine T Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gait Analysis ◽

Local Anesthetic ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Random Effect ◽

Serum Cortisol ◽

Nerve Blocks ◽

Liposome Suspension ◽

Long Acting

Abstract Castration is a routine procedure performed on beef and dairy operations in the U.S. All methods of castration cause behavioral, physiologic, and neuroendocrine changes associated with pain. The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners recommend that anesthesia and analgesia be administered at castration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of bupivacaine liposome suspension a novel, long-acting, local anesthetic administered as a nerve block at castration. The authors chose to investigate this novel formulation as an alternative to current industry standards using lidocaine nerve blocks alone, or in combination with meloxicam. Thirty male Holstein calves, 16-20 weeks of age, were enrolled and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups prior to surgical castration: 1) bupivacaine liposome suspension block + oral placebo (BUP); 2) lidocaine block + oral placebo (LID); 3) lidocaine block + oral meloxicam (1 mg/kg) (LID + MEL); and 4) saline block + oral placebo (CON). Biomarkers were collected at -24 h and from 0 to 120 hours post-castration and included infrared thermography, pressure mat gait analysis, chute defense and behavior scoring (pain and activity), and blood sampling for serum cortisol and prostaglandin E2 metabolites (PGEM). Responses were analyzed using repeated measures, with calf nested in treatment as a random effect, and treatment, time, and their interaction designated as fixed effects. Results from pressure mat gait analysis show the CON had a shorter front limb stance time from baseline (-8.73%; 95% CI: -24.84 to 7.37%) compared to BUP and LID + MEL (> 5.70%; 95% CI: -22.91 to 23.79%) (P < 0.03). The CON tended to have an increase in front limb force from baseline (6.31%; 95% CI: -1.79 to 14.41%) compared to BUP, LID, and LID + MEL (< -5.06%; 95% CI: -14.22 to 0.95%) (P < 0.04). The CON displayed higher counts of hunched standing (2.00; 95% CI: 1.68 to 2.32) compared to LID + MEL (1.43; 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.72) (P = 0.05). The CON had higher cortisol concentrations at 24 h (7.70 ng/mL; 95% CI: 1.52 to 13.87 ng/mL) relative to BUP (3.11 ng/mL; 95% CI: -2.56 to 8.79 ng/mL) (P = 0.002). At 4 and 24 h, LID + MEL had lower PGEM concentrations from baseline (-32.42% and -47.84%; 95% CI: -78.45 to -1.80%) compared with CON (27.86% and 47.63%; 95% CI: 7.49 to 82.98%) (P < 0.02). Administration of bupivacaine liposome suspension as a local anesthetic block at the time of castration was as effective at controlling pain as a multi-modal approach of lidocaine and meloxicam.

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Spatial and Temporal Variation of Mortality and Deprivation 2: Statistical Modelling

Environment and Planning A Economy and Space ◽

10.1068/a301815 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 30 (10) ◽

pp. 1815-1834 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

M L Senior ◽

H C W L Williams ◽

G Higgs

Keyword(s):

Cross Sections ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Linear Models ◽

Nonlinear Effects ◽

Statistical Modelling ◽

Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽

Fixed Effects Model ◽

Poisson Models ◽

Over Time

Building on the tabular analyses exemplified in our first paper and widely used in the medical literature, we use generalised linear models to provide a formal, statistical approach to the analysis of mortality and deprivation relationships, and their change over time. Three types of fixed effects model are specified and estimated with the same ward-level data sets for Wales examined in our first paper. They are: Poisson models for analysing mortality and deprivation at a single cross section in time; repeated-measures Poisson models for analysing mortality–deprivation relations, not only at cross sections in time, but also their changes over time; and logit models focusing on temporal changes in mortality–deprivation relationships. Nonlinear effects of deprivation on mortality have been explored by using dummy variables representing deprivation categories to establish the connection between formal statistical models and the tabular approach.

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Evaluation of Brassica carinata meal as a protein supplement for growing beef heifers1,2

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz280 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (10) ◽

pp. 4334-4340

Author(s):

Tessa M Schulmeister ◽

Martin Ruiz-Moreno ◽

Gleise M Silva ◽

M Garcia-Ascolani ◽

Francine M Ciriaco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Day Treatment ◽

Block Design ◽

Random Effect ◽

Brassica Carinata ◽

Protein Supplement ◽

Oilseed Crop ◽

Beef Heifers ◽

Effect Of Treatment

Abstract Brassica carinata is a new oilseed crop in Florida with the potential of producing high-quality jet biofuel. A high-protein meal (~40% crude protein; CP) is obtained as a byproduct of oil extraction; however, limited research is available on the utilization of this meal as a protein supplement for beef cattle. A generalized randomized block design was used to evaluate the effects of supplementation with B. carinata meal pellets on performance and attainment of puberty in growing beef heifers consuming bermudagrass hay (Cynodon dactylon) ad libitum. Sixty-four Angus crossbred heifers (240 ± 39 kg initial body weight; BW) were stratified and blocked (2 blocks: light and heavy) by initial BW and randomly allocated into 18 pens over 2 consecutive years (10 in year 1 and 8 in year 2). Within block, pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 0 (CTL) or 0.3% of BW/d (as fed) of B. carinata meal pellets (BCM). Blood samples and BW were collected weekly for 70 d, before daily supplementation. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with repeated measures. Model included the fixed effects of treatment, day, treatment × day interactions, block, and block × treatment interactions, with the random effect of year. Plasma was analyzed for concentrations of progesterone, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and haptoglobin (Hp). An effect of treatment was observed (P ˂ 0.01) for ADG between CTL (0.14 kg) and BCM (0.42 kg). There was no treatment or block (P > 0.05) effect for concentrations of T3, T4, or Hp; however, there was an effect of day (P < 0.01) for T3, T4, and Cp. An effect of treatment (P ˂ 0.01) was observed for Cp, with CTL having greater concentrations compared with BCM. Time to attainment of puberty did not differ (P = 0.93) between treatments. Feeding B. carinata meal as a protein supplement at 0.3% of BW/d is a viable option for increasing ADG of growing beef heifers, without affecting attainment of puberty, thyroid hormone status, or eliciting an acute phase response.

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