scholarly journals 385 Awardee Talk: Impacts of temperament on productive and reproductive responses of Bos taurus and B. indicus females

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 139-139
Author(s):  
Reinaldo F Cooke
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Delayed Puberty ◽  
Exit Velocity ◽  
Breed Type ◽  
Calving Rate

Abstract Temperament is defined as the fear-related behavioral responses of cattle when exposed to human handling. Our group evaluates cattle temperament using: 1) chute score: 1 to 5 scale that increases according to excitable behavior during chute restraining, 2) exit velocity: speed of an animal exiting the squeeze chute, 3) exit score: dividing cattle according to exit velocity into quintiles using a 1 to 5 scale (1 = slowest quintile; 5 = fastest quintile), and 4) temperament score: average of chute and exit scores. Subsequently, cattle are assigned a temperament type; adequate temperament (ADQ; temperament score ≤ 3) or excitable temperament (EXC; temperament score > 3). Our group associated these evaluation criteria with reproductive responses of Bos taurus and B. indicus-influenced females. Cattle classified as EXC had greater (P ≤ 0.04) plasma cortisol vs. ADQ during handling, independent of breed type or parity. Both B. taurus and B. indicus cows classified as EXC had reduced (P ≤ 0.09) annual pregnancy rates vs. ADQ cohorts, resulting in decreased calving rate, weaning rate, and kg of calf weaned/cow exposed to breeding. Bos indicus heifers classified as EXC as yearlings had less (P < 0.01) growth rate and delayed puberty attainment by 15 months of age compared with ADQ heifers. Bos taurus heifers that reached puberty by 12 months of age had less (P ≤ 0.05) temperament score and plasma cortisol concentrations at weaning compared with heifers that did not reach puberty. Acclimating B. indicus-influenced and B. taurus heifers to human handling after weaning improved (P ≤ 0.02) temperament and hastened puberty attainment. Hence, temperament impacts productive and reproductive responses of beef females independent of breed type and parity. Strategies to improve herd temperament are imperative for optimal production efficiency of cow-calf operations based on B. taurus and B. indicus-influenced cattle.

scholarly journals Effects of Temperament on the Reproduction of Beef Cattle

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3325
Author(s):  
Alice Poggi Brandão ◽  
Reinaldo Fernandes Cooke
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Cattle Production ◽  
Behavioral Expression ◽  
Beef Cattle Production ◽  
Calving Rate

Temperament is often defined as the behavioral expression of animals in response to human interaction. Cattle temperament can be evaluated using an association of chute score and exit velocity, with cattle then classified as adequate or excitable temperament. To assess the impacts of temperament on various beef systems, these evaluation criteria were associated with productive and reproductive parameters of Bos taurus and B. indicus-influenced cattle. Consistently across studies, excitable cattle had greater plasma cortisol compared to animals with adequate temperament. Studies also reported that excitable beef females have poorer reproductive performance compared to calmer cohorts, including reduced annual pregnancy rates, decreased calving rate, weaning rate, and kg of calf weaned/cow exposed to breeding. Acclimating B. indicus × B. taurus or B. taurus heifers to human handling improved behavioral expression of temperament and hastened puberty attainment. However, similar benefits were not observed when mature cows were acclimated to human handling. Collectively, temperament of beef females measured via behavioral responses upon human handling impacts their reproductive and productive responses independent of breed type, and should be considered for optimal beef cattle production.

Genetic and environmental effects on the fertility of beef cattle in a tropical environment.

1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 1085 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Mackinnon ◽  
DJS Hetzel ◽  
JF Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Phenotypic Selection ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Breeding Lines ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Filial Generation ◽  
Reciprocal Crossing ◽  
Calving Rate

Calving data recorded over a 28-year period were analysed for the effects of breed, filial generation, lactational status, cow liveweight at mating and year of mating. The herd comprised six distinct breeding lines ('breeds') and analysis was performed both within and across breeds. The least fertile breeds were the high grade (314-718) Africander (A) and high grade (718-purebred) Brahman (B) cows which had average calving rates of 56% and 55%, respectively. Crossing these with a Hereford- Shorthorn line, which had an average calving rate of 6O%, resulted in 19% heterosis (in absolute calving percentage units) in the F1 Africander-cross (AX) and 16% heterosis in the F1 Brahman-cross (BX). In subsequent generations, 13% residual heterosis remained in the AX, while in the BX only 1% remained. Reciprocal crossing of the AX and BX lines generated 6% heterosis in the Fl AXBX, and all of this was maintained in subsequent generations. In the F2 et seq. generations of the AXBX, the line of animals carrying the Bos indicus Y chromosome was similarly fertile (P> 0.05) to the line carrying the Bos taurus Y chromosome. Lactating mature (3 5-year-old) cows were on average 15% less fertile than non-lactating cows. This lactation effect was larger in younger cows. There was a curvilinear response in fertility to increasing liveweight at mating which was most pronounced in 2-year-old heifers. Breed appeared to react differently to the effects of environmental stress where the AX and HS cows were limited more by liveweight, and the BX and AXBX were more limited by lactation effects per se. Lactating cows that also lactated in the previous year were 6% more fertile than lactating cows that were dry the previous year, suggesting that calving records are moderately repeatable and therefore that permanent differences in fertility could be established by phenotypic selection.

scholarly journals Plasma Cortisol in Bos taurus and Bos indicus Heifers in Seasonal Tropical Climate

1981 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 1586-1592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oyewole Adeyemo ◽  
E. Heath ◽  
B.K. Adadevoh ◽  
J. Steinbach
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Tropical Climate

315 IVF-DERIVED CROSSBRED EMBRYOS PRODUCED WITH SEXED SEMEN AND TRANSFERRED IN PAIRS TO BOS TAURUS × BOS INDICUS COWS AND HEIFERS

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 246
Author(s):  
S. Romo ◽  
S. Castañeda ◽  
C. A. Hernandez ◽  
J. H. Mendoza ◽  
F. J. Trejo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Fisher's Exact Test ◽  
Follicular Aspiration ◽  
Fisher’S Exact Test ◽  
Sexed Semen ◽  
Rectal Palpation

Biotechnology has continued to evolve rapidly, allowing the development of techniques to increase reproductive efficiency and contribute to the genetic improvement of cattle. Some of these techniques include the in vitro maturation (IVM) and IVF of oocytes, sperm sexing and embryo transfer (ET) to recipient females to obtain pregnancies and offspring. These modern assisted-reproduction techniques (ART) can help produce twin pregnancies and calving of a pre-determined sex. The aim of this study was to produce a high proportion of female bovine embryos in vitro using X-chromosome-selected sexed semen and to transfer them in pairs to recipient females, in order to evaluate the efficiency of transferring two female embryos in both cows and heifers. Cebu-cross ovaries were obtained from a local slaughterhouse and transported to a nearby laboratory in Chiapas, Mexico, to obtain cumulus-oocyte complexes by follicular aspiration and culture in maturation medium for 24 h. For IVF, frozen X-sorted semen (Milking Gyr and Holstein breeds, 90% purity, Sexing Technologies, Navasota, TX, USA) was used. Gametes were co-incubated for 22 h, then moved to embryo development medium and cultured for 7 days. Recipient Cebu-cross commercial cows (n = 98) and heifers (n = 50) were synchronized, using intravaginal devices impregnated with progesterone, administering eCG and prostaglandin at withdrawal. Seven days after heat, 88 recipients were subjected to non-surgical ET (59 cows and 29 heifers). Embryo transfers were performed in Tamaulipas and Veracruz, Mexico, and were divided into 2 groups: A) cows, and B) heifers. Only grade-1 embryos were selected for ET. Two embryos were loaded in a single 0.25 mL French straw and transferred to the uterine horn ipsilateral to the ovary with a corpus luteum. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasound or rectal palpation 60 days after ET. A Fisher's exact test (SPSS v. 16.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used to determine statistical differences (α = 0.05). Of IVF oocytes, 176/180 (98%) and 242/300 (81%) were fertilized, producing 96/180 (53.3%) Milking Gyr (semen)-Cebu (oocytes) and 92/300 (30.7%) Holstein (semen)-Cebu (oocytes) grade-1 embryos, respectively. Of the 88 recipients, 33 were pregnant (37.5%), however, it was not possible (at that time) to determine the number and sex of fetuses developing in utero. Overall, 8 of the 29 heifers were pregnant (27.6%), compared to 25 pregnancies in 59 cows (42.4%). For heifers, the pregnancy results for transferring Milking Gyr-Cebu embryos (4/11) versus Holstein-Cebu embryos (4/18) were not significantly different (P = 0.433, two-tailed Fisher's exact test). A similar comparison could not be made for cows given smaller sample sizes due to the extra variable of having taken place on several different ranches (n = 11). The concept herein is that smaller twin female crossbred calves may reduce issues associated with freemartinism and dystocia while still maintaining the vigor of crossbred offspring. Results from this research can help contribute to the study and development of ART for increasing cattle production efficiency.

169 OVUM PICK-UP, IN VITRO EMBRYO PRODUCTION, AND EMBRYO TRANSFER IN CATTLE IN TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL MEXICO

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
S. Castañeda ◽  
S. Romo ◽  
M. E. Kjelland
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Transfer ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Hormonal Treatment ◽  
Cleavage Rate ◽  
Embryo Production ◽  
Sexed Semen ◽  
In Vitro Embryo Production

Biotechnology continues to evolve rapidly, allowing the development of artificial reproductive techniques (ART) to increase reproductive efficiency and contribute to the genetic improvement of domestic animals. The present study examines the results obtained after 30 months of starting a commercial practice for ovum pickup (OPU) in vitro embryo production (IVP) and embryo transfer (ET) in cattle in tropical and subtropical Mexico. This research was conducted from 2013–2015 in beef and dairy cattle kept under different environmental and management conditions in 6 states (Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Yucatan). Oocytes were collected by OPU, without hormonal treatment, from 10 donor cows: 2 Bos taurus (Bt), 5 Bos indicus (Bi), and 3 Bt × Bi. A total of 98 oocyte recovery sessions were performed on 756 cows and produced 12 524 viable oocytes (1349 GI, 3383 GII, 7792 GIII), which were sent to a central laboratory for IVP. Both conventional and sexed semen were used for IVF, from 9 breeds: 2 Bt, 5 Bi and 2 Bt × Bi. The overall cleavage rate was 69% (8587/12 524). The embryo production efficiency rate was 31% (3905/12 524). Fresh sexed and conventional embryos were transferred to recipients synchronised with the following protocol: Day 0, application of an intravaginal device (ID) with progesterone and 2 mg of oestradiol benzoate IM; Day 8, removal of the ID, 400 IU eCG IM, 0.5 mg cloprostenol sodium IM, and 0.5 mg oestradiol cipionate IM. Day 10 was considered the day of oestrus. Pregnancy rate after ET was 38% (945/3905). The average number of viable oocytes per donor cow was 16.57; the average number of transferred embryos per donor cow was 5.17, and the average number of pregnancies per donor cow was 1.25. The OPU-IVP were successful in producing pregnancies even under several adverse conditions, such as a tropical environment, many donors being prepuberal females and the majority of the adult cows having a previous non-productive history due to hormonal mishandling in superovulation programs or because of overfeeding for show purposes. The consequences of these factors can be observed in the lower overall cleavage rate obtained (69%), compared to the expected (75%). Some variables require further analysis (e.g. different OPU and ET technicians, time of year, cow age, cow breed, and use of conventional and sexed semen). A successful IVP practice has to face and overcome multiple problems that may arise in some geographic locations but, perhaps, not in others. It is interesting to note the use of sexed versus conventional embryos, of the 98 ET sessions, 25 involved sexed embryos versus 73 for conventional embryos. The use of sexed semen for OPU-IVP and ET in this region of Mexico continues to expand. We thank Genemex Internacional and the ranch owners that were involved with this research.

11 Effect of breed type on production of bovine embryos: Experience in Paraguay

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
C. Arreseigor ◽  
F. Arza-Spinzi ◽  
P. Sanchez ◽  
J. A. Berdugo ◽  
J. L. Konrad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Embryo Production ◽  
Production Program ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Breed Type ◽  
Bull Semen ◽  
Follicular Aspiration ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Post Hoc

One of the parameters that has the most influence on invitro embryo production programs is the number of oocytes obtained in each follicular aspiration session (ovum pickup; OPU). A significant impact of the breed of the donor on this parameter has been reported. The objective of this work was to compare the parameters of an invitro embryo production program of cows of different breeds in Paraguay. A total of 4811 OPU sessions were performed between 2016 and 2019 in cows classified according to breed and type. Beef-type breeds: Nelore (Bos indicus): n=1569; Aberdeen Angus (Bos taurus): n=1276; and Brangus (Cross): n=182 OPU, and Gyr (Bos indicus): n=1086; dairy breeds: Holstein (Bos taurus): n=401, and Girolando (Cross): n=297. The oocytes were aspirated and transported to the same laboratory located in Asunción, Paraguay. The invitro embryo production protocol was similar in all types. Bull semen tested for IVF was used. The number of oocytes, percentage viability, and percentage embryo production were evaluated. Additionally, the mean and standard deviation of the variables were calculated to show the efficiency of the processes, according to the production aptitude of the donors (meat or milk) and the breed type (Bos indicus, Bos taurus, or crosses). Continuous data were analysed with ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc comparisons. Categorical data were analysed using Chi-squared at a significance level of 0.05. In this work, the production aptitude had no significant effect over the studied variables. However, some significant differences were found considering the breed type of the oocyte donor cow, as shown in Table 1. When crosses with the pure breeds are compared with their crosses, we found that Brangus produced more pregnancies and a greater number of oocytes/OPU compared with Angus (P<0.05). When the same comparison was made between Girolando and Holstein, no significant differences were found. The results show that Bos indicus breeds and their crosses have a greater capacity to produce more oocytes and embryos and that Bos indicus and crossbreeds were more efficient in producing pregnancies (2-fold) per OPU session than Bos taurus breeds. Additionally, crossing with meat indicus breeds generates better quality embryos and increases efficiency in the system of embryo production. Table 1. Comparison of embryo production parameters Item Breed type Bos indicus Cross Bos taurus Oocytes/OPU (mean±SD) 29.8±2.7a 26.3±7.8a 14.6±1.4b Viable oocytes, % 64.7±3a 64.6±3.4a 60.1±3.1a Embryo produced/OPU, % 35.2±4.7a 32.8±9.4a 26.2±4a Embryo/OPU 6.9±1.7a 5.4±1.7a 2.3±0.4b Pregnancy rate, % 29.6±5.5a 33.1±6.3a 25.3±5a Pregnancies/OPU 2.1±0.9a 1.9±1a 0.6±0.2b a,bValues within a row different letters differ (P<0.05).

scholarly journals Genome-wide identification of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) genes affecting adipocyte differentiation in cattle

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cuili Pan ◽  
Zhaoxiong Lei ◽  
Shuzhe Wang ◽  
Xingping Wang ◽  
Dawei Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Family ◽  
Expression Analysis ◽  
Adipocyte Differentiation ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Adipogenic Differentiation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
A Genome

Abstract Background Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are protein kinases regulating important cellular processes such as cell cycle and transcription. Many CDK genes also play a critical role during adipogenic differentiation, but the role of CDK gene family in regulating bovine adipocyte differentiation has not been studied. Therefore, the present study aims to characterize the CDK gene family in bovine and study their expression pattern during adipocyte differentiation. Results We performed a genome-wide analysis and identified a number of CDK genes in several bovine species. The CDK genes were classified into 8 subfamilies through phylogenetic analysis. We found that 25 bovine CDK genes were distributed in 16 different chromosomes. Collinearity analysis revealed that the CDK gene family in Bos taurus is homologous with Bos indicus, Hybrid-Bos taurus, Hybrid Bos indicus, Bos grunniens and Bubalus bubalis. Several CDK genes had higher expression levels in preadipocytes than in differentiated adipocytes, as shown by RNA-seq analysis and qPCR, suggesting a role in the growth of emerging lipid droplets. Conclusion In this research, 185 CDK genes were identified and grouped into eight distinct clades in Bovidae, showing extensively homology. Global expression analysis of different bovine tissues and specific expression analysis during adipocytes differentiation revealed CDK4, CDK7, CDK8, CDK9 and CDK14 may be involved in bovine adipocyte differentiation. The results provide a basis for further study to determine the roles of CDK gene family in regulating adipocyte differentiation, which is beneficial for beef quality improvement.

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

2021 ◽  
pp. 102998
Author(s):  
Bianca Vilela Pires ◽  
Nedenia Bonvino Stafuzza ◽  
Luara Afonso de Freitas ◽  
Maria Eugênia Zerlotti Mercadante ◽  
Ester Silveira Ramos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Residual Feed Intake

scholarly journals Differences in copper and selenium metabolism between Angus (Bos taurus) and Brahman (Bos indicus) cattle

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Ranches ◽  
R Alves ◽  
M Vedovatto ◽  
E Anne Palmer ◽  
P Moriel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
University Of Florida ◽  
Brahman Cattle ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
The University ◽  
Se Status

Abstract A two-year study was conducted at the University of Florida – IFAS, Range Cattle Research and Education Center (Ona, FL) to evaluate differences in the metabolism of Cu and Se of Angus (Bos taurus) and Brahman (Bos indicus) cattle. Thirty-two pregnant beef cows (n = 8 Brahman and 8 Angus/year) were enrolled in the study in the first trimester of gestation. The study consisted of 3 phases: (1) restriction (d 0 to d 90); (2) supplementation (d 91 to 150), and (3) calving. During all 3 phases, cows were individually fed and housed in partially covered drylot pens. During the restriction and supplementation phases cows were provided a 1.5 kg/d of a grain-based concentrate supplement, which was fortified with flowers of S (50 g of supplemental S/cow daily; restriction phase) or Cu and Se (100 and 3 mg/d of Cu and Se, respectively; supplementation phase). Blood and liver samples were collected from all cows on 30 d intervals and from both cows and calves within 24 h of calving. Colostrum and milk samples were collected at calving and 7 d after birth. All data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, where cow and calf were the experimental unit. During the restriction phase, a breed × day effect (P = 0.03) was observed where Brahman had greater liver Cu concentration than Angus cows in all sampling days. For liver Se concentration, a tendency (P = 0.07) for a breed effect was observed where Angus cows tended to have greater liver Se concentration than Brahman. During the supplementation phase, breed (P < 0.001) and day (P < 0.01) effects were observed, where Brahman cows had greater liver Cu concentration than Angus. For liver Se concentration, a day effect (P < 0.001) was observed, where liver Se concentration increased (P < 0.001) from d 90 to 120 and remained unchanged (P = 0.86) until d 150. At calving no effects of breed (P = 0.34) were observed for liver Cu concentration of cows, however, Brahman calves tended (P = 0.09) to have greater liver Cu concentration than Angus calves. For Se liver concentration at calving, Angus cows tended (P = 0.07) to have greater liver Se concentration than Brahman cows, however no breed differences (P = 0.70) were observed for liver Se concentration of calves at birth. In summary substantial differences in multiple indicators of Cu and Se status were observed between Angus and Brahman cattle, implying that Angus and Brahman cattle possibly have different mechanisms to maintain adequate Cu and Se status.

scholarly journals Production performance of cows raised with different post-weaning growth patterns

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey C Freetly ◽  
Robert A Cushman ◽  
Gary L Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Growth Pattern ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Genetic Population ◽  
Breed Type ◽  
Genetic Types ◽  
Period 2 ◽  
Step Growth

Abstract The period of heifer development is a relatively small fraction of a cow’s life; however, her pattern of growth may have permanent effects on her productivity as a cow. We hypothesized that altering the growth pattern during the peri-pubertal period would increase life-time productivity across genetic types of Bos taurus cows. The objective was to determine the stayability, calf production, and weight of calf weaned across six calf crops. Heifers (n = 685) were placed on one of two developmental programs at 256 ± 1 d of age. Control heifers received a diet that provided 228 kcal ME·(BW, kg) -0.75 daily, and Stair-Step heifers were allocated 157 kcal ME·(BW, kg) -0.75 daily for 84 or 85 d, and then the daily allocation was increased to 277 kcal ME·(BW, kg) -0.75. Stair-Step heifers (0.33 ± 0.02 kg/d) had a lower ADG than Control heifers (0.78 ± 0.02 kg/d; P < 0.001) during Period 1, and Stair-Step heifers (0.93 ± 0.03 kg/d) had a greater ADG than Controls (0.70 ± 0.03 kg/d; P < 0.001) during Period 2. There were no treatment (P = 0.28) or breed type differences (P = 0.42) for the proportion of cows weaning a calf; however, the proportion of cows weaning a calf decreased with cow age (P < 0.001). Calves from Stair-Step dams had heavier weaning weights (193 ± 1 kg) compared to Control calves (191 ± 1 kg; P = 0.007). There was not a treatment (P = 0.25) or breed type differences in cumulative BW weaned (P = 0.59). A diverse genetic population of cattle within Bos taurus was tested and responses in calf production did not differ between Stair-Step growth pattern and a more constant non-obese growth pattern.

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