scholarly journals PSIV-10 Effects of stair-step vs. constant supplementation amount on growth, reproduction, and intravaginal temperature in Bos indicus-influenced beef heifers

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 288-288
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A Palmer ◽  
Rhaiza A Oliveira ◽  
Mario Binelli ◽  
Thiago Martins ◽  
João Vendramini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Estrous Synchronization

Abstract This study investigated growth and reproductive performance of Bos indicus-influenced beef heifers provided a concentrate supplement at either a constant or stair-step supplementation. Sixty-four Brangus heifers were stratified by initial BW and age (255 ± 20 kg; 270 ± 22 d) and assigned to 1 of 16 bahiagrass pastures (4 heifers/pasture). Treatments were randomly assigned to pastures (8 pastures/treatment) and consisted of concentrate DM supplementation at: (1) 1.50% of BW from d 0 to 100 (CON) and (2) 1.05% of BW from d 0 to 49 and 1.95% of BW from d 50 to 100 (STP). Supplementation started on d 0 and continued until start of estrous synchronization on d 100. Intravaginal temperatures (16 heifers/treatment) were collected every 30 minutes from d 25 to 31 (September) and d 85 to 91 (November). All heifers were provided supplement at 1.50% of BW from d 101 to 211. Heifers were bred by AI from d 113 to 115 and Brangus bulls were placed with heifers from d 121 to 211. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with treatment, time, and interaction as fixed effects. From d 0 to 49, ADG did not differ (P = 0.87); however, STP heifers had greater (P = 0.01; 0.73 vs. 0.56 kg/d) ADG from d 50 to 100 compared to CON heifers. Percentage of pubertal heifers, percentage of heifers in estrus, or reproductive tract scores did not differ between treatments (P ≥ 0.40). Intravaginal temperatures were greater (P < 0.0001) for CON vs. STP heifers from d 25 to 31 but did not differ (P = 0.74) from d 85 to 91. Using a stair-step vs. constant supplementation amount (1.05 to 1.95% vs. 1.50% of BW) before the breeding season reduced intravaginal temperatures and increased overall ADG in Bos indicus-influenced beef heifers.

scholarly journals PSV-18 The role of leptin in feed efficiency and behavior attributes of commercial beef heifers

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 162-162
Author(s):  
Nayan Bhowmik ◽  
Kris A Ringwall ◽  
Carl R Dahlen ◽  
Kendall C Swanson ◽  
Jeffrey A Clapper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Frame Size ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Plasma Leptin

Abstract Leptin is a 16-kDa-peptide hormone product of the leptin gene (LEP) that is predominantly synthesized by adipose tissues and has known involvement in regulation of feed intake, energy expenditure, reproduction, and immune functions. The objective was to determine the association of leptin genotype (LEP c.73C >T), leptin diplotype (LEPD) and plasma leptin hormone (LEPH) concentration with growth, feed intake, feed efficiency, and behavior characteristics in developing beef heifers. A total of 336 commercial beef heifers were genotyped for the LEP c.73C >T marker. Four single nucleotide polymorphism markers including LEP c.73C >T, ARS-BFGL-NGS-59298 (intron 1), BovineHD0400026029 (upstream) and BovineHD0400026063 (downstream) of LEP were considered for haplotype analysis. Eleven LEPD were identified for this study using parsimony-based analyses. Circulating levels of LEPH were measured on 333 heifers prior to their first breeding season and used to assign low or high concentration group based on population median. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS for repeated measures, fixed effects of ancestral breed group (n = 4), dam age category (n = 4), frame size group (n = 4), project cycle nested within birth year (n = 6), week of feed trial × year, LEP (n = 3) or LEPD (n = 11) or LEPH (n = 2), as well as week × LEPH (only for LEPH). There were no significant differences between LEP genotypes (P ≥ 0.11) or LEPD (P ≥ 0.33) for any of the studied traits. Heifers with low LEPH ate fewer meals per day (P = 0.02) and had more DMI per meal (P = 0.04) compared to those with high plasma leptin. Further research is needed to better understand plasma LEPH concentration and its role in feeding behavior attributes. However, circulatory LEPH before the breeding season may serve as a predictor for feeding behavior.

scholarly journals Effects of reproductive tract development and hormonal treatment on estrous synchronization in heifers

2020 ◽  
pp. 198
Author(s):  
Jorge Alonso Peralta-Torres ◽  
Jesús Ricardo Aké-López ◽  
Carlos Luna-Palomera ◽  
José Candelario Segura-Correa ◽  
Oswaldo Margarito Torres-Chablé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Hormonal Treatment ◽  
Hormone Treatment ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Estradiol Benzoate ◽  
Visual Observation ◽  
Estrous Synchronization ◽  
Tropical Conditions

Evaluation of the reproductive tract development (RTD) is a criterion rarely used when heifers are included in estrous synchronization programs. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of RTD (mature and immature) and hormonal treatment (EC and EB) on estrous expression rate and pregnancy rate in Bos indicus heifers under tropical conditions. RTD was evaluated with an ultrasound and classified as mature (n=99) or immature (n=101). Heifers received an intravaginal device (DIB®; day 0), 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) and 250 µg of cloprostenol (PGF2α). The DIB was removed on day 7 post insertion, and 250 µg of PGF2α was applied and heifers were divided into two groups: One group of heifers received 0.5 mg of estradiol cypionate (EC group), and on day 8, a second group of heifers received 1 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB group). Estrus was detected by visual observation, and all heifers were inseminated at a fixed-time (FTAI). Fifteen days after insemination, bulls were introduced to the treatment groups. Data were analyzed using general modeling and binary logistic regression procedures. The percentage of estrus was similar for both mature and immature heifers (P>0.05), however, the heifers treated with EB had 17% animals in estrus, than the heifers that received EC (P <0.05). The pregnancy rate after FTAI (74.8%) and total pregnancy (FTAI + natural mating = 91.9%) was greater for the group of heifers with a mature reproductive tract (P<0.05). The hormone treatment had not effect (P>0.05) on the pregnancy rate. In conclusion, the heifers with mature reproductive tracts had the highest pregnancy rate after artificial insemination and total pregnancy. Hormonal treatment did not influence the pregnancy rate.

scholarly journals Immune and metabolic responses of beef heifers supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae to a combined viral-bacterial respiratory disease challenge

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa B Word ◽  
P Rand Broadway ◽  
Nicole C Burdick Sanchez ◽  
Shelby L Roberts ◽  
John T Richeson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Metabolic Responses ◽  
Total Leukocyte Count ◽  
Average Dose ◽  
Recording Device ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Vaginal Temperature

Abstract Two treatments were evaluated in heifers to determine the effects of a yeast supplement on immune and metabolic responses to a combined (tandem viral-bacterial) respiratory disease challenge. Thirty-two beef heifers (325 ± 20.1 kg BW) were selected from a larger population previously assigned to one of two treatments: Control (CON), receiving no yeast supplement in the diet, or yeast (YST), CON diet plus a combination live yeast (2.5 g·heifer−1·d−1) and yeast cell wall (2.5 g·heifer−1·d−1) supplement (Phileo Lesaffre Animal Care, Milwaukee, WI). Heifers were maintained on treatments for 31 d prior to the challenge. On day −3 all heifers were fitted with an indwelling vaginal temperature recording device, received an intranasal challenge with 2 × 108 plaque-forming units of bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1), and placed in outdoor pens. On day 0, all heifers were fitted with an indwelling jugular catheter, challenged intratracheally with an average dose of 3.0 × 107 colony-forming units (cfu) of Mannheimia haemolytica in 100 mL media, and were transferred into individual stanchions in an enclosed, environmentally controlled barn. Whole blood samples were collected at −72 h and at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h (hematology) and at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h (serum isolation) relative to M. haemolytica challenge (0 h). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS specific for repeated measures with fixed effects of treatment, time, and the treatment × time interaction. Vaginal temperature and cortisol concentrations were similar between treatments (P ≥ 0.39). Although total leukocyte count following BHV-1 challenge was similar between treatments (P = 0.21), there was a tendency (P = 0.07) for CON heifers to have greater neutrophil counts than YST heifers. Serum haptoglobin concentration was similar between treatments (P = 0.13). Heifers in the YST treatment had similar serum glucose concentrations (P = 0.25) and decreased serum concentrations of urea nitrogen compared to CON (P = 0.03). Dietary treatment did not affect serum nonesterified fatty acid concentrations (P = 0.37). Nasal lesion score severity (0–4) tended (P = 0.07) to be decreased in YST compared to CON (2.5 vs. 3.19 ± 0.26), while water intake tended to be increased in YST (P = 0.06). Feeding a yeast supplement had little effect on the acute-phase response but improved metabolic outcomes in heifers during a respiratory disease challenge.

scholarly journals 151 Timing of concentrate supplementation during late gestation impacts calf pre-weaning growth, but not reproductive performance of Bos indicus-influenced cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 49-49
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Palmer ◽  
Marcelo Vedovatto ◽  
Juliana Ranches ◽  
Miguel Miranda ◽  
Vinícius Gouvêa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Distillers Grains ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Dried Distillers Grains ◽  
Cow Calf

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of timing of dried distillers grains (DDG) supplementation during late-gestation on performance of Bos indicus-influenced cow-calf pairs. At about 84 d before calving (d 0), 84 mature Brangus cows were stratified by BW and BCS (422 ±42 kg; BCS = 5.0 ± 0.14) and assigned randomly to bahiagrass pastures (14 cows/pasture). Treatments were assigned randomly to pastures (2 pastures/treatment) and consisted of no prepartum supplementation (CON), 1 kg/d of DDG from d 0 to 84 (LATE84; 84 kg of DM/cow); or 2 kg/d of DDG from d 0 to 42 (LATE42; 84 kg of DM/cow). The respective weekly supplement amount was divided and offered into 3 feeding events (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). Cow BCS were assessed on d 0, 45, 84 (calving), 140 and 224 (start and end of breeding season, respectively). Calf BW was collected at birth and weaning (d 346). Growth and reproductive data were analyzed using SAS MIXED and GLIMMIX procedures, respectively. Cow BCS from d 45 to 224 did not differ between LATE84 and LATE42 cows (P ≥ 0.20) but was always the least (P ≤ 0.05) for CON cows. Calving date, calf birth BW, and percentage of pregnant cows on d 283 did not differ (P ≥ 0.19) among treatments. Calf pre-weaning ADG and BW at weaning did not differ (P ≥ 0.58) between LATE42 and CON calves, but LATE84 calves tended to have the greatest pre-weaning ADG (P = 0.10; 0.88, 0.83 and 0.82 ± 0.02 kg/d, respectively) and BW at weaning (P = 0.10; 263, 254 and 252 ± 4.4 kg, respectively). Therefore, timing of prepartum DDG supplementation did not impact cow reproductive performance. However, calf pre-weaning growth tended to be enhanced when cows received longer vs. shorter or no periods of prepartum DDG supplementation

scholarly journals Evaluation of pre-breeding reproductive tract scoring as a predictor of long term reproductive performance in beef heifers

2015 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.E. Holm ◽  
M. Nielen ◽  
R. Jorritsma ◽  
P.C. Irons ◽  
P.N. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Beef Heifers

The effect of winter and summer nutritional levels on the reproductive performance of beef heifers bred at 2 years of age

1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. van Niekerk ◽  
R. Kernick ◽  
A. W. Lishman
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Original Hypothesis ◽  
Different Levels

ABSTRACTReproductive data of 139 Simmentaler heifers, previously subjected to different levels of winter and summer nutrition, over a 3-year period, were analysed. Pregnancy rates of 77% and 96% were achieved during the first and second seasons for the two groups of heifers, respectively. Winter and summer nutritional levels affected the number of heifers culled, but had little effect on conception. There were no significant differences in the weight at mating between the heifers that conceived and those that failed to conceive. Mean date of conception was within 30 days and 20 days of the commencement of the breeding season for the first and second season, respectively. Post-weaning nutrition played a relatively minor role in affecting the time of conception. Birth weights of the progeny were not affected by treatment. Calf birth weight was however, significantly (P < 0·05) correlated with the weight of the dam at mating. Sixty-three % of the heifers produced three calves in 3 years, 35% produced two calves in 3 years and only two heifers produced one calf in 3 years. The data supported the original hypothesis that the emphasis, when heifers are bred at 2 years of age, should be shifted away from a physiological base to one where management and grazing strategy are more important in rendering the enterprise economically viable.

Effects of short-term oilseed supplementation on reproductive performance in beef heifers

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Scholljegerdes ◽  
L. A. Lekatz ◽  
K. A. Vonnahme
Keyword(s):  
Linolenic Acid ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Estrous Synchronization ◽  
Prostaglandin F ◽  
Estrous Behavior

Scholljegerdes, E. J., Lekatz, L. A. and Vonnahme, K. A. 2011. Effects of short-term oilseed supplementation on reproductive performance in beef heifers. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 221–229. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the role of a short-term increase in linolenic acid around the timed artificial insemination (TAI) on plasma fatty acid concentrations, estrous behavior, and pregnancy. Therefore, 96 cross-bred heifers (Initial BW=394±18.1 kg) fed chopped grass hay were allotted to one of three dietary treatments: no supplement (CON); 1.8 kg head−1 d−1 (DM basis) of a soybean-based pellet (SOY) high in linoleic acid (C18:2n-6); or 1.5 kg head−1 d−1 (DM basis) of a flaxseed-based pellet (FLX) high in linolenic acid (C18:3n-3). On day −9, relative to TAI, supplementation began, and heifers received a controlled internal drug-releasing (CIDR) device and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH; 100 µg). On day −2, CIDRs were removed and heifers received 25 mg prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). Heifers were bred by TAI (day 0) 54 h after CIDR removal and received GnRH. Estrous behavior was monitored throughout the feeding period by radiotelemetry. Supplementation ended on day 18 relative to TAI. Plasma concentrations of C18:2n-6 were greater by day 0 and day 18 (P<0.001) above that of CON for both SOY and FLX with SOY being greater than (P<0.001) FLX. Likewise, C18:3n-3 was also greater for supplemented heifers by day 0 and day 18 (P<0.001). The number of heifers that did not respond to estrous synchronization was not affected by dietary treatment (P=0.61). Conception to AI was not affected by treatment (P=0.24). Overall pregnancy rates tended to be lower for FLX (P=0.08) than SOY. Conception to a TAI program was not enhanced when oilseeds were fed to beef heifers during estrous synchronization and continuing past day 18 relative to artificial insemination.

497 Effects of post-weaning plane of nutrition and estrus synchronization on reproductive performance of Bos indicus-influenced beef heifers

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (suppl_4) ◽  
pp. 242-243
Author(s):  
P. Moriel ◽  
M. Piccolo ◽  
P. A. Lancaster ◽  
G. C. Lamb ◽  
J. Vendramini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Estrus Synchronization ◽  
Beef Heifers

scholarly journals Relationships between feed efficiency and puberty in Bos taurus and Bos indicus-influenced replacement beef heifers

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luara B Canal ◽  
Pedro L P Fontes ◽  
Carla D Sanford ◽  
Vitor R G Mercadante ◽  
Nicolas DiLorenzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Efficiency Test

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

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