Maternal supplementation of energy and protein, but not methionine hydroxy analog, enhanced postnatal growth and response to vaccination in Bos indicus-influenced beef offspring

Abstract A 2-yr study evaluated the growth and postvaccination immune response of beef calves born from heifers offered no supplementation or pre- and postpartum supplementation of sugarcane molasses + urea with or without methionine hydroxy analog (MHA). On day 0 of each year (57 ± 5 d prepartum), Brangus crossbred beef heifers (n = 36/yr; 20 to 22 mo of age) were stratified by their initial body weight (BW; 396 ± 24.1 kg) and body condition score (BCS; 5.6 ± 0.43) and randomly allocated into 1 of 12 bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) pastures (3 heifers/pasture). Treatments were randomly assigned to pastures (4 pastures/treatment/yr) and consisted of no supplementation (NOSUP) and supplementation of sugarcane molasses + urea (7.2 kg of DM/heifer/wk) with (MOL+) or without (MOL−) fortification with 105 g/heifer/wk of MHA. Treatments were provided from 57 ± 5 d prepartum until 17 ± 5 d postpartum (day 0 to 74). On day 74, all heifer-calf pairs were combined and managed as a single group until the end of the breeding season (day 237). Calves were early weaned at 89 ± 5 d of age (day 147), limit-fed at 3.5% of BW (DM basis) in drylot until day 201, and vaccinated against respiratory disease pathogens on days 160 and 188. Prepartum BCS on day 44 did not differ (P = 0.26) between MOL+ and MOL− heifers but both groups had greater (P < 0.0001) BCS than NOSUP heifers. Plasma concentrations of l-methionine on day 44 were the greatest (P ≤ 0.04) for MOL+ heifers and did not differ (P = 0.40) between NOSUP vs. MOL− heifers. Calf birth BW did not differ (P = 0.13) among treatments. Calf average daily gain (ADG) from birth to day 201 did not differ (P ≥ 0.17) between MOL+ vs. MOL− calves, but both groups had greater (P ≤ 0.05) ADG from birth to day 201 than NOSUP calves. Calf postvaccination plasma concentrations of glucose, cortisol, and haptoglobin did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.13). However, plasma concentrations of IGF-1 on day 167 and the overall positive vaccine seroconversion did not differ (P ≥ 0.18) between MOL− and MOL+ calves, but both were greater (P ≤ 0.04) compared with NOSUP calves. Hence, maternal supplementation of sugarcane molasses + urea increased BCS at calving and offspring BW gain and response to vaccination against respiratory pathogens compared with no maternal supplementation. MHA inclusion into maternal supplements effectively increased maternal plasma l-methionine concentrations but did not enhance maternal BCS at calving and offspring growth and postvaccination immune response.

Download Full-text

267 Supplementing Ca salts of soybean oil to late-gestating beef cows: Impacts on performance and physiological responses of the offspring

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa278.353 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. 192-192

Author(s):

Alice Brandão ◽

Reinaldo F Cooke ◽

Kelsey Schubach ◽

Bruna Rett ◽

Osvaldo Souza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soybean Oil ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Matter Basis

Abstract This experiment compared performance and physiological responses of the offspring from cows supplemented with Ca salts of soybean oil (CSSO) or prilled saturated fat (CON) during late gestation. Non-lactating, pregnant Angus × Hereford cows (n = 104) that conceived during the same fixed-time artificial insemination protocol, using semen from 2 sires, were used in this experiment. Cows were ranked by pregnancy sire, body weight (BW), and body condition score (BCS). On d 180 of gestation (d -15), cows were randomly assigned to receive (dry matter basis) 415 g of soybean meal per cow daily in addition to 1) 195 g/cow daily of CSSO (n = 52) or 2) 170 g/cow daily of CON (n = 52). Cows were maintained in 2 pastures (26 cows/treatment per pasture), and received daily 12.7 kg/cow (dry matter basis) of grass-alfalfa hay. From d 0 until calving, cows were segregated into 1 of 24 feeding pens thrice weekly and received treatments individually. Cow BW and BCS were recorded, and blood samples were collected on d -15 of the experiment and within 12 h after calving. Calf BW was also recorded and blood sample collected within 12 h of calving. Calves were weaned on d 290 of the experiment, preconditioned for 35 d (d 291 to 325), and transferred to a feedyard where they remained until slaughter. Upon calving, CSSO cows and calves had greater (P < 0.01) plasma concentrations of linoleic acid and total ω - 6 FA compared with CON cohorts. No differences in calf birth BW, weaning BW, and final preconditioning BW were noted (P ≥ 0.36) between treatments. Average daily gain and final BW in the feedlot were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in steers from CSSO cows compared with CON. The incidence of calves diagnosed with BRD that required a second antimicrobial treatment was less (P = 0.03) in calves from CSSO cows, resulting in reduced (P = 0.05) need of treatments to regain health compared with CON (Table 5). Upon slaughter, longissimus muscle area was greater (P = 0.03) in calves from CSSO cows compared with CON. Collectively, these results suggest that supplementing CSSO to late-gestating beef cows stimulated programming effects on postnatal offspring growth and Page 2 of 15 For Peer Review health. Therefore, supplementing late-gestating beef cows with CSSO appears to optimize offspring welfare and productivity in beef production systems.

Download Full-text

158 Provision of artificial shade before weaning influences performance of Angus and Brangus cow-calf pairs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa278.237 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. 129-130

Author(s):

Gleise Medeiros da Silva ◽

Tessa M Schulmeister ◽

Federico Podversich ◽

Federico Tarnonsky ◽

Maria E Zamora ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Condition Score ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Paspalum Notatum ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Condition Score ◽

The Impact

Abstract A completely randomized design study with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments evaluated the impact of artificial shade (SHADE or NO SHADE) and breed (ANGUS vs. BRANGUS) on performance of cows, nursing calves, and subsequent offspring. Twenty-four Angus and 24 Brangus black-hided pregnant cows (579 ± 8 kg BW; 6.5 yr; approximately 85 d of gestation) and their nursing calves were randomly allocated to 12 ‘Pensacola’ bahiagrass pastures (Paspalum notatum Flüggé; 1.3 ha; n = 4 pairs/pasture), with or without access to artificial shade (NO SHADE BRANGUS [NSB], NO SHADE ANGUS [NSA], SHADE BRANGUS [SB], and SHADE ANGUS [SA]) for 56 d during summer. Body condition score (BCS) of cows and BW of pairs were obtained on d -1, 0, 55, and 56 (weaning weight). Following weaning, calves were randomly allocated to 4 pens (n = 12/pen) equipped with GrowSafe feed bunks for 14 d to measure feed intake (DMI) and efficiency (G:F). A shade × breed interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for average daily gain (ADG) and BCS of cows, with SB being greatest (P ≤ 0.05). Pre-weaning calf ADG tended to be greater (P = 0.10) for SHADE vs. NO SHADE. Weaning weight and BW 14-d post-weaning were lesser for NSB vs. NSA, SA, and SB, whereas no differences in DMI, ADG, or G:F were observed (P > 0.11). Gestation length was greater for SHADE vs. NO SHADE cows (292 vs. 274; P = 0.02), but calf birth weight was not different. Providing artificial shade to pregnant-lactating beef cows positively impacted the growth of Brangus but not Angus cows. However, weaning BW of calves from Angus cows regardless of shade access did not differ from that of Brangus calves with shade. Further research should investigate the potential long-term effects of shade on the subsequent offspring.

Download Full-text

97 Awardee Talk: Feeding Essential Fatty Acids to Late-gestating Beef Cows Optimizes Performance and Health Responses of the Offspring

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.092 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 51-52

Author(s):

Alice Brandão

Keyword(s):

Fetal Programming ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Essential Fatty Acids ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Antimicrobial Treatment ◽

Longissimus Muscle ◽

To Receive

Abstract Option 1, Fetal Programming Only: Non-lactating, pregnant, multiparous Angus × Hereford cows (n = 104) were ranked by pregnancy sire (1 of 2 sires), body weight (BW), and body condition score (BCS) on d -15 of the experiment (d 180 of gestation). Cows were then assigned to receive: (1) 195 g/cow daily of CSSO (n = 52) or 2) 170 g/cow daily of CON (n = 52). Cows received treatments individually from d 0 to calving. Calves were weaned on d 290 of the experiment, preconditioned for 35 d, and placed in a feedyard until slaughter (d 514). Cows receiving CSSO and their calves had greater (P < 0.01) plasma concentrations ω-6 PUFA compared with CON after calving. Colostrum IgG and calf plasma IgG concentrations 24 h after birth were greater (P ≤ 0.02) in CSSO vs. CON cattle. Calves from CSSO cows had greater (P ≤ 0.05) expression of adipogenic and myogenic genes in the longissimus muscle compared with CON. No treatments differences in birth BW, weaning BW, and final preconditioning BW were noted (P ≥ 0.36). Average daily gain and final BW in the feedyard were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in steers from CSSO cows compared with CON. The incidence of calves diagnosed with BRD that required a second antimicrobial treatment was less (P = 0.03) in calves from CSSO cows, resulting in reduced (P = 0.05) need of treatments to regain health compared with CON. Upon slaughter, LM area was greater (P = 0.03) in calves from CSSO cows compared with CON. Collectively, these results are indicative of programming effects on postnatal offspring growth and health resultant from CSSO supplementation to late-gestating cows. Hence, supplementing CSSO to beef cows during pregnancy might be a feasible alternative to optimize offspring productivity and welfare. Option 2, Fetal Programming and Fat Tubs: Two experiments were conducted to evaluate: (1) effects of calcium salts of soybean oil (CSSO) supplementation to late gestating beef cows on the performance of the offspring; (2) the viability of utilizing low-moisture molasses-based blocks (LMB) as a delivery method for CSSO supplementation. In experiment 1, non-lactating, pregnant, multiparous Angus × Hereford cows were assigned to receive: (1) 195 g/cow daily of CSSO (n = 52) or (2) 170 g/cow daily of CON (n = 52) from d 195 of gestation until calving. CSSO cattle had greater (P < 0.01) plasma concentrations ω-6 PUFA; greater (P ≤ 0.02) colostrum and calf plasma IgG concentrations; greater (P ≤ 0.05) expression of adipogenic and myogenic genes in the longissimus muscle (LM); required fewer microbial treatments for BRD (P = 0.05) and had greater LM area compared to CON cohorts. In experiment 2, non-lactating, non-pregnant, multiparous beef cows were allocated to 1 of 9 pens (n = 9 pens; 4 cows/pen) and each pen was assigned to receive: 1) NOSUPP, hay only diet; 2) LMB, self-fed LMB supplement containing 24.7% DM CSSO; 3) CONC, hand-fed supplement identical to LMB. The design was a replicated 3 x 2 Latin square with 2 periods of 42 d, and a 21-d washout interval. Supplement DM intake did not differ (P = 0.39) between LMB and CONC cows from d 14 to 42 as designed, despite a greater variation in daily intake of LMB vs. CONC (treatment × day interaction; P < 0.01). No treatments effects were noted (P ≥ 0.40) for hay intake, BCS, and BW. From d 14 to 42, plasma concentrations of, ω-6 PUFA (P < 0.01) in CONC and LMB vs. NOSUPP cows. Hence, the use of self-fed LMB appears to be a valid strategy to provide CSSO to forage-fed beef cattle.

Download Full-text

Effects of maternal gestational diet, with or without methionine, on muscle transcriptome of Bos indicus-influenced beef calves following a vaccine-induced immunological challenge

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0253810 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. e0253810

Author(s):

Elizabeth A. Palmer ◽

Francisco Peñagaricano ◽

Marcelo Vedovatto ◽

Rhaiza A. Oliveira ◽

Sena L. Field ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Rna Sequencing ◽

Intracellular Signaling ◽

Muscle Development ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Post Vaccination ◽

Beef Calves ◽

Collagen Formation ◽

Maternal Supplementation

Maternal nutrition during gestation can cause epigenetic effects that translate to alterations in gene expression in offspring. This 2-year study employed RNA-sequencing technology to evaluate the pre- and post-vaccination muscle transcriptome of early-weaned Bos indicus-influenced beef calves born from dams offered different supplementation strategies from 57 ± 5 d prepartum until 17 ± 5 d postpartum. Seventy-two Brangus heifers (36 heifers/yr) were stratified by body weight and body condition score and assigned to bahiagrass pastures (3 heifers/pasture/yr). Treatments were randomly assigned to pastures and consisted of (i) no pre- or postpartum supplementation (NOSUP), (ii) pre- and postpartum supplementation of protein and energy using 7.2 kg of dry matter/heifer/wk of molasses + urea (MOL), or (iii) MOL fortified with 105 g/heifer/wk of methionine hydroxy analog (MOLMET). Calves were weaned on d 147 of the study. On d 154, 24 calves/yr (8 calves/treatment) were randomly selected and individually limit-fed a high-concentrate diet until d 201. Calves were vaccinated on d 160. Muscle biopsies were collected from the same calves (4 calves/treatment/day/yr) on d 154 (pre-vaccination) and 201 (post-vaccination) for gene expression analysis using RNA sequencing. Molasses maternal supplementation led to a downregulation of genes associated with muscle cell differentiation and development along with intracellular signaling pathways (e.g., Wnt and TGF-β signaling pathway) compared to no maternal supplementation. Maternal fortification with methionine altered functional gene-sets involved in amino acid transport and metabolism and the one-carbon cycle. In addition, muscle transcriptome was impacted by vaccination with a total of 2,396 differentially expressed genes (FDR ≤ 0.05) on d 201 vs. d 154. Genes involved in cell cycle progression, extracellular matrix, and collagen formation were upregulated after vaccination. This study demonstrated that maternal supplementation of energy and protein, with or without, methionine has long-term implications on the muscle transcriptome of offspring and potentially influence postnatal muscle development.

Download Full-text

Performance of growing beef cattle consuming bahiagrass hay treated with calcium oxide and molasses

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txab195 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Francine M Ciriaco ◽

Darren D Henry ◽

Carla D Sanford ◽

Luara B Canal ◽

Jose C B Dubeux Jr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Cottonseed Meal ◽

Calcium Oxide ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Protein Supplementation ◽

Paspalum Notatum ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Block Designs

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of Pensacola bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) hay treated with calcium oxide (CaO) and molasses on performance of growing beef cattle supplemented or not with cottonseed meal. In Exp. 1, growing Bos indicus influenced heifers [n = 59; 250 ± 29 kg body weight (BW)] and steers (n = 37; 256 ± 45 kg BW) were used. In Exp. 2, heifers (n = 56; 249 ± 26 kg BW) and steers (n = 8; 249 ± 20 kg BW) from Exp. 1 were used. Both experiments were randomized complete block designs and consisted of 56-d periods in which cattle were weighed every 14 d. On d 0, cattle were weighed after a 16-h water and feed withdrawal, stratified by sex, breed, and BW, and blocked by initial BW. Cattle were allotted to 24 and 16 dormant bahiagrass pastures (1.34 ha each) in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively. Pastures were located in two different areas within 0.52 km of each other and were stratified by location and randomly assigned (n = 8 pastures/treatment) to treatment. In Exp. 1 treatments were: 1) untreated dry hay (DH); 2) hay treated with 10% molasses [dry matter (DM) basis] + water (to 65% DM; MOL); or 3) hay treated with 5% CaO (DM basis) + 10% molasses (DM basis) + water (to 65% DM; CAO). In Exp. 2 only treatments MOL and CAO were applied, and cottonseed meal was provided at 0.3% of cattle BW/d (as fed basis). In both experiments, data were analyzed using pasture as the experimental unit. The model included the fixed effects of treatment, sex, and their interaction (Exp. 1). Location and block were included as random effects. In both experiments, initial and final BW were not affected by treatment (P ≥ 0.362 and P ≥ 0.283, respectively) or sex (P ≥ 0.512 and P ≥ 0.495, respectively) and no treatment × sex interaction was observed in Exp. 1 (P > 0.05). Additionally, no effects of treatment (P ≥ 0.515), sex (P ≥ 0.285), or treatment × sex interaction (Exp. 1; P = 0.582) were observed on average daily gain (average of -0.03 kg in Exp. 1 and 0.537 kg in Exp.2). Bahiagrass hay treated with molasses alone or in combination with CaO failed to improve performance of growing beef cattle. However, when protein supplementation via cottonseed meal was provided, cattle did not experience weight loss.

Download Full-text

Effects of supplement or fertiliser on forage quality, and performance of stocker cattle grazing warm-season pastures

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an15197 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 116 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. D. Rivera ◽

M. L. Gipson ◽

R. G. Gipson ◽

R. W. Lemus

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Cynodon Dactylon ◽

Bos Taurus ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Forage Quality ◽

Warm Season ◽

Paspalum Notatum ◽

Experimental Unit

Crossbred (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) beef steers (BW = 232.8 ± 14.6 kg; n = 90) were used over 3 years to examine the efficacy of N fertiliser compared with feed supplementation on forage quality, and animal production. Each year a new group of steers were weighed (unshrunk), and assigned to graze mixed warm-season perennial pastures (Cynodon dactylon and Paspalum notatum Flugge). Paddocks were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: no fertiliser and no supplement (NONE); supplement of 1.1 kg of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) per steer (DM basis) and no fertiliser (DDGS); or fertiliser (134 kg/ha of N applied in split applications) and no supplement (FERT). Cattle were individually weighed at Days 0, 56, 84, and at Day 126, Day 140, Day 93 for Years 1, 2 and 3, respectively). Data were analysed as a mixed model, treatment being used as a fixed effect, year and block as random effects and pasture as the experimental unit. No differences were noted in BW at any point of the study. Greater total average daily gain (ADG) for the grazing period was noted with FERT and DDGS having greatest ADG compared with NONE. Input costs differed (P = 0.001) among all treatments with FERT having the highest input costs, followed by DDGS and NONE. A tendency (P = 0.11) for lowest return was noted with steers in the FERT group returning the least amount of money. No differences (P > 0.10) were noted in forage biomass (kg/ha) at any point of the study. At Day 56, FERT had least ADF (P = 0.03), greatest (P = 0.01) crude protein, and the greatest (P = 0.01) total digestible nutrients (TDN) compared with DDGS and NONE. At Day 84, similar effects existed with FERT having greater crude protein and TDN compared with DDGS and NONE (P ≤ 0.04). No effects (P > 0.10) existed for the last day of sampling for ADF and TDN, however there was a tendency increase in final crude protein (P = 0.07) associated with FERT and DDGS compared with NONE. Results indicate that similar beef cattle performance might be expected if either DDGS or FERT were used, with FERT increasing forage quality at variable points within the study.

Download Full-text

52 Young Scholar Presentation: Maternal supply of methionine during late-pregnancy alters in utero and neonatal development, hepatic one-carbon metabolism,and innate immune response in Holstein calves

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz122.049 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 26-27

Author(s):

A S Alharti ◽

Juan Loor ◽

Fernanda Batistel ◽

Michael A Ballou ◽

Claudia Parys ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Innate Immune Response ◽

Carbon Metabolism ◽

Liver Tissue ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Late Pregnancy ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Metabolism Enzymes ◽

Transsulfuration Pathway

Abstract Pregnancy and early life are critical periods of plasticity during which the fetus and neonate may be influenced by environmental factors such as nutrition. Objectives were to investigate if increasing methionine (Met) supply during late-pregnancy affects developmental, metabolic, and immune parameters of the calf at birth and during the neonatal period. Calves born to Holstein cows individually-fed a basal control (CON; 1.47 Mcal/kg dry matter [DM] and 15.3% crude protein) diet with no added Met or CON plus rumen-protected Met (MET; Mepron® at 0.09% of diet DM) during the last 28±2 d of pregnancy were used. Liver biopsies were harvested at 4, 14, 28, and 50 d of age and used for metabolomics via GS-MS and activity of hepatic 1-carbon metabolism enzymes. Blood for biomarker analyses and innate immune function assays was harvested at birth (before colostrum feeding), 7, 21, 42 and 50 d of age. Whole blood was challenged with enteropathogenic bacteria (E. coli 0118:H8), and phagocytosis and oxidative burst of neutrophils and monocytes quantified by flow cytometry. At birth, MET calves had greater (P≤0.05) body weight (BW, 44.1 vs. 42.1±0.70 kg), hip height (HH, 81.3 vs. 79.6±0.53 cm), and wither height (WH, 77.8 vs. 75.9±0.47 cm). Differences persisted through 9 wk of age, resulting in average responses of +3.1 kg BW, +1.9 cm HH, and+1.8 cm WH in MET compared with CON. Average daily gain during the 9 wk was (P<0.05) 0.72±0.02 kg/d in MET and 0.67±0.02 kg/d in CON calves. Despite similar rates of daily DMI, maternal supplementation with Met led to greater (P ≤ 0.05) overall hepatic concentrations of the 1-carbon metabolism intermediates adenosine, betaine, choline, glycine, and N,N-dimethylglycine in liver tissue. Among transsulfuration pathway metabolites, concentrations of cystathionine, cysteinesulfinic acid, hypotaurine, serine, and taurine were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in MET calves. There was a treatment × day effect for activity of betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT), methionine synthase (MTR) and cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) in liver tissue. Activity of BHMT and CBS increased in MET calves between d 4 and 14, with a peak at 28 d. Despite a linear increase from d 4 to 28, activity of MTR in MET calves was lower on d 4 and 50. Plasma concentrations of haptoglobin and activity of myeloperoxidase in both maternal groups increased (P ≤ 0.05) markedly between 0 and 7 d of age followed by a decrease to baseline at d 21 with responses being lower in MET compared with CON calves. In vitro phagocytosis in stimulated neutrophils was greater overall (P ≤ 0.05) in MET calves. Overall, data indicate that increasing the maternal supply of Met during late-pregnancy benefits calf growth in part through alterations in hepatic metabolism and innate immune response.

Download Full-text

Supplementation frequency and amount modulate postweaning growth and reproductive performance of Bos indicus-influenced beef heifers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa236 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (8) ◽

Author(s):

Philipe Moriel ◽

Elizabeth Palmer ◽

Marcelo Vedovatto ◽

Matheus B Piccolo ◽

Juliana Ranches ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutritive Value ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Prostaglandin F2α ◽

Beef Heifers ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Concentrate Supplementation ◽

Supplementation Frequency ◽

Calving Season

Abstract This 2-yr study evaluated the growth and puberty attainment of Bos indicus-influenced beef heifers offered 2 different postweaning concentrate supplementation amounts and delivery frequencies. On day 0 of each year, 64 Brangus crossbred heifers were stratified by initial body weight (BW) and age (mean = 244 ± 22 kg; 314 ± 17 d) and assigned into 1 of 16 bahiagrass pastures (4 heifers/pasture/yr). Treatments were randomly assigned to pastures in a 2 × 2 factorial design (4 pastures/treatment/yr) and consisted of concentrate dry matter (DM) supplementation at 1.25% or 1.75% of BW which were offered either daily (7×) or 3 times weekly (3×) for 168 d. On day 56 of each year, heifers were assigned to an estrus synchronization protocol consisting of intravaginal controlled internal drug release (CIDR) insertion on day 56, CIDR removal on day 70, i.m. injection of 25 mg of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) on day 86, and i.m. injection of 100 µg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and timed-AI at 66 h after PGF2α injection (day 89). Heifers were exposed to Angus bulls from day 89 to 168 (1 bull/pasture). Pregnancy diagnosis was assessed on day 213 of each year. Supplementation amount × frequency effects were not detected (P ≥ 0.12) for any variable, except for plasma concentrations of glucose (P = 0.10) and urea nitrogen (PUN; P = 0.01). Herbage mass, herbage allowance, and nutritive value did not differ (P ≥ 0.12) among treatments. Increasing supplementation DM amount from 1.25% to 1.75% of BW increased (P ≤ 0.05) plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), overall average daily gain (ADG), final BW, percentage of pubertal heifers on day 89, pregnancy and calving percentages, and percentage of heifers calving within the first 21 d of the calving season. However, reducing the supplementation frequency from daily to 3× weekly, regardless of supplementation amount, did not impact overall pregnancy and calving percentages (P ≥ 0.42), but caused (P ≤ 0.05) fluctuations in plasma concentrations of insulin and IGF-1 and decreased (P ≤ 0.03) overall ADG, final BW, puberty attainment on days 56, 89, and 168, and percentage of heifers calving during the first 21 d of the calving season. Hence, increasing the supplement DM amount did not prevent the negative effects of reducing the frequency of supplementation (3× vs. 7× weekly) on growth and reproduction of replacement Bos indicus-influenced beef heifers.

Download Full-text

Supplementing organic-complexed or inorganic Co, Cu, Mn, and Zn to beef cows during gestation: post-weaning responses of offspring reared as replacement heifers or feeder cattle

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab082 ◽

2021 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kelsey M Harvey ◽

Reinaldo F Cooke ◽

Eduardo A Colombo ◽

Bruna Rett ◽

Osvaldo A de Sousa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Treatment Effects ◽

Bos Taurus ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Single Group ◽

Female Progeny ◽

Feeder Cattle ◽

To Receive

Abstract One hundred and ninety non-lactating, pregnant beef cows (¾ Bos taurus and ¼ Bos indicus; 138 multiparous and 52 primiparous) were assigned to this experiment at 117 ± 2.2 d of gestation (d 0). Cows were ranked by parity, pregnancy type (artificial insemination = 102, natural service = 88), body weight (BW) and body condition score, and assigned to receive a supplement containing: 1) sulfate sources of Cu, Co, Mn, and Zn (INR; n = 95) or 2) an organic complexed source of Cu, Mn, Co, and Zn (AAC; Availa®4; Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN; n = 95). The INR and AAC provided the same daily amount of Cu, Co, Mn, and Zn, based on 7 g of the AAC source. From d 0 to calving, cows were maintained in a single pasture and segregated three times weekly into 1 of 24 individual feeding pens to receive treatments. Calves were weaned on d 367 (200 ± 2 d of age), managed as a single group for a 45-d preconditioning period (d 367 to 412), and transferred to a single oat (Avena sativa L.) pasture on d 412. Heifer calves were moved to an adjacent oat pasture on d 437, where they remained until d 620. Heifer puberty status was verified weekly (d 437 to d 619) based on plasma progesterone concentrations. Steer calves were shipped to a commercial feedlot on d 493, where they were managed as a single group until slaughter (d 724). Plasma cortisol concentration was greater (P = 0.05) in AAC calves at weaning but tended to be less (P = 0.10) on d 370 compared with INR calves. Mean plasma haptoglobin concentration was greater (P = 0.03) in INR vs. AAC calves during preconditioning, and no treatment effects were noted (P = 0.76) for preconditioning average daily gain (ADG). Puberty attainment was hastened in AAC heifers during the experiment (treatment × day; P < 0.01), despite similar (P = 0.39) ADG between treatments from d 412 to 620. Expression of myogenin mRNA in the longissimus muscle was greater (P = 0.05) in INR vs. AAC heifers on d 584. No treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.24) for steer ADG from d 412 until slaughter, nor for carcass quality traits. Hepatic mRNA expression of metallothionein 1A was greater (P = 0.02) in INR vs. AAC steers on d 586. In summary, supplementing Co, Cu, Zn, and Mn as organic complexed instead of sulfate sources to beef cows during the last 5 mo of gestation did not improve performance and physiological responses of the steer progeny until slaughter, but hastened puberty attainment in the female progeny reared as replacement heifers.

Download Full-text

Effects of Rocket Seed Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, and Their Mixture on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, Digestibility, Redox Status, and Meat Fatty Acid Profile of Growing Rabbits

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11070662 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 662

Author(s):

Sabrin Abdelrahman Morshedy ◽

Ahmed M. Abdelmodather ◽

Mohamed M. Basyony ◽

Soliman A. Zahran ◽

Mohamed A. Hassan

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Wheat Germ ◽

Seed Oil ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Feed Utilization ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Control Group ◽

Wheat Germ Oil

Vegetable oils are a source of natural antioxidants, including tocopherols, sterols, phenolic compounds, coenzymes, and polyunsaturated fatty acids that provide nutritional value, organoleptic properties, and significantly delay or prevent lipid oxidation. Eighty-four V-line rabbits at 5 weeks of age with an initial body weight (BW) of 535.60 ± 13.48 g were assigned randomly to four experimental groups (seven replicates in each group with three rabbits each). The first group served as a control and received 0.3 mL/kg BW of distilled water (CON), while the second and third groups received 0.3 mL/kg BW of rocket seed oil (RSO) and wheat germ oil (WGO), respectively. The fourth group received a mixture of oils consisting of 0.15 mL of RSO and 0.15 mL of WGO/kg BW (MOs). The experiment lasted 7 weeks. The study investigated the effects of RSO, WGO, and their mixture on growth performance, feed utilization, antioxidant status, and immune response of growing rabbits. The results indicated that the rabbits that were administered orally with RSO and WGO or their mixture had higher (p ≤ 0.05) final BW, weight gain, and average daily gain when compared to the control group. In addition, the feed conversion ratio improved significantly with RSO, WGO, and MOs treatments. Different oil treatments improved nutrient digestibility, nutritive value, and nitrogen balance. Moreover, the rabbits that received RSO, WGO, and their mixture had an improvement the meat fatty acid composition compared to the control rabbits. Oral administration of RSO, WGO, and their mixture significantly improved serum protein fractions, decreased blood urea nitrogen, and had a positive effect on serum total lipids, HDL-c, and LDL-c. Furthermore, the treatments of RSO, WGO, and MOs had a significant improvement in the antioxidative status and immune response.

Download Full-text