scholarly journals 304 Transgenerational influence of prenatal stress on temperament, birth weight, and weaning weight of Brahman calves

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 3-3
Author(s):  
Brittni P Littlejohn ◽  
David G Riley ◽  
Don A Neuendorff ◽  
Charles R Long ◽  
Thomas H Welsh ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the transgenerational influence of prenatal transportation stress (PNS) on temperament, birth weight, and weaning weight in Brahman calves. Dams were derived from multiparous cows that were transported for 2 h at 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 d of gestation (n = 48) or maintained as Controls (n = 48). Heifers born to Transported or Control cows were followed through maturity and their calves (n = 79; 35 calves born to Control dams and 44 to PNS dams) studied across multiple years. Calf birth and weaning weights were recorded. Calf temperament at weaning was evaluated utilizing pen score (PS; 1=calm and 5=excitable), exit velocity (EV; m/sec), and temperament score (TS; (PS+EV)/2). Data were analyzed using mixed linear models. Fixed effects included dam treatment, calf sex, and birth season nested within birth year (season nested within year was identified as an efficient parameterization). Calf sire was a random effect. Birth weight was not affected by dam treatment, calf sex, or season nested within year (P > 0.1). Weaning weight was greater in males than females (P < 0.01). Weaning weight was affected by season nested within year (P < 0.01). DOA at weaning was a covariate for weaning weight (0.74±0.09 kg; P < 0.01), but not PS, EV, or TS (P < 0.1). Weaning weight was not affected by dam treatment (P > 0.1). TS was affected by season nested within year (P = 0.04) but not dam treatment or calf sex (P > 0.1). EV was not affected by dam treatment, calf sex, or season nested within year (P > 0.1). PS was affected by season nested within year (P < 0.01) but not calf sex (P > 0.1). Calves born to PNS dams had greater (P = 0.02) PS than calves born to Controls (3.17±0.20 and 2.58±0.22, respectively). There was a transgenerational influence of PNS on temperament but not birth or weaning weight.

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 457-457
Author(s):  
Erin Massender ◽  
Luiz Brito ◽  
Angela Cánovas ◽  
Delma Kennedy ◽  
Flavio Schenkel

Abstract The profitability of meat lamb production is strongly dependent on growth and carcass trait performance of market lambs. The objective of this research was to test the significance of non-genetic factors on growth, ultrasound, and carcass traits of Canadian heavy lambs. Hot carcass weight (HCW, kg), fat depth at the GR site (FATGR, mm), average carcass conformation score (CONF, points), and total carcass value (PRICE, $CAD) were measured for 8,865 purebred lambs marketed through Quebec’s Heavy Lamb Sales Agency. Corresponding management information and growth trait records for over 19,000 animals with carcass records and their relatives were extracted from the Canadian Sheep Genetic Evaluation System. Single-trait mixed linear models in SAS were used to test the significance (P < 0.05) of various non-genetic effects, after a Scheffe adjustment for multiple comparisons. All models included categorical fixed effects of sex (male or female), breed (Hampshire, HA; Suffolk, SU; Canadian Arcott, CD; Polled Dorset, DP; Rideau Arcott, RI; Polypay, PO), dam age at parity (1 to 7+ years), and birth and rearing type (born as single, twin, or triplet and more, and reared as single or multiple), and a random effect of contemporary group. Linear covariates of slaughter age or carcass weight were included in the carcass trait models, while a scanning weight covariate was used for ultrasound trait models. Male lambs were found to be significantly heavier during growth, had greater HCW and PRICE, and lower FATGR and CONF than female lambs. As expected, terminal breeds (HA, SU, CD) tended to have greater growth, greater HCW and PRICE, and lower FATGR than maternal (DP, RI, RV, PO) breeds. This information could be utilized by Canadian sheep producers to manage their flocks to maximize the revenue of lambs marketed through price grid classification systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 2-3
Author(s):  
Katherine Vande Pol ◽  
Andres Tolosa ◽  
Michael Ellis ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
Katie Brown ◽  
...  

Abstract Piglets are susceptible to chilling early after birth, which is a major pre-disposing factor for pre-weaning mortality (PWM). This study evaluated the effect of drying and warming piglets at birth on PWM at a commercial facility. A CRD was used with 802 sows (litters), allotted at start of farrowing to 2 treatments (applied at birth): Control (no treatment); Dried+Warmed (dried with a cellulose-based desiccant and warmed in a heated box for 30 min). Piglets were weighed at birth and weaning; PWM was recorded. The effects of farrowing room temperature on PWM were evaluated by classifying litters as being born under Cool or Warm conditions (< 25° C and ≥ 25°C, respectively). Similarly, effects of birth weight on PWM were evaluated by classifying piglets into 3 Birth Weight Categories (BWC; < 1.0 kg, 1.0-1.5 kg, or > 1.5 kg). PROC GLIMMIX and MIXED of SAS were used to analyze PWM and other data, respectively. Litter was the experimental unit; piglet a subsample of litter. The model included fixed effects of treatment, and farrowing room temperature or BWC as appropriate, and the random effect of piglet within litter. Rectal temperature at 30 min after birth, measured on a sub-sample of 10% of litters, was greater (P < 0.05) for the Dried+Warmed than the Control treatment. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of drying and warming piglets on weaning weight or overall PWM. Additionally, PWM was similar across treatments within each BWC. However, the Dried+Warmed treatment reduced (P < 0.05) PWM compared to the Control under Cool but not Warm farrowing room temperatures. In conclusion, this suggests that drying and warming piglets at birth increases rectal temperature and may be an effective method to reduce piglet PWM under cooler farrowing room temperatures. This research was funded by the National Pork Board.


Author(s):  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Andres F Tolosa ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
Catherine B Brown ◽  
Stephan A S Alencar ◽  
...  

Abstract Piglets experience a decline in body temperature immediately after birth, and both drying and warming piglets at birth reduces this. However, these interventions may have less effective at higher farrowing room temperatures. This study was carried out at a commercial facility to compare the effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth on postnatal rectal temperature (RT) under relatively warm farrowing room temperatures (26.6 ± 2.09°C). Forty-five sows/litters were used in a completely randomized design to compare three Intervention Treatments (applied at birth): Control (no treatment); Warming (piglets placed in a plastic box under a heat lamp for 30 min); Drying+Warming (piglets dried with desiccant and warmed as above). Temperatures in the warming boxes over the study period averaged 37.7 ± 2.75°C. At birth, piglets were weighed; RT temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1440 min after birth. Blood samples were collected at 24 h after birth from a subsample of one piglet from each birth weight quartile within each litter to measure plasma immunocrit concentration. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with litter as the experimental unit; and piglet a subsample of litter. The model for analysis of piglet rectal temperature included fixed effects of treatment, measurement time (repeated measure), the interaction, and the random effect of sow. Compared to the Control, piglet RT were higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Warming treatment between 10 and 60 min, and higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming treatment between 10 and 120 min after birth. Rectal temperatures were higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming than the Warming treatment between 20 and 120 min. Responses to drying and/or warming were greater for low birth weight piglets (< 1.0 kg) than heavier littermates, but were generally less than observed in previous experiments with similar treatments carried out under cooler temperatures. Piglet immunocrit values were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming treatment compared to the other treatments, which were similar (P > 0.05). Immunocrit values tended (P = 0.10) to be lower for light (< 1.0 kg) compared to heavier birth weight piglets. In conclusion, drying and warming piglets at birth was more effective for reducing piglet RT decline after birth than warming alone, though the effect was less than observed in previous studies carried out under cooler farrowing room temperatures.


2021 ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
Afees Abiola Ajasa ◽  
Imre Füller ◽  
Barnabás Vágó ◽  
István Komlósi ◽  
János Posta

The aim of the current research was to estimate variance components and genetic parameters of weaning weight in Hungarian Simmental cattle. Weaning weight records were obtained from the Association of Hungarian Simmental Breeders. The dataset comprised of 44,278 animals born from 1975 to 2020. The data was analyzed using the restricted maximum likelihood methodology of the Wombat software. We fitted a total of six models to the weaning weight data of Hungarian Simmental cattle. Models ranged from a simple model with animals as the only random effect to a model that had maternal environmental effects as additional random effects as well as direct maternal genetic covariance. Fixed effects in the model comprised of herd, birth year, calving order and sex. Likelihood ratio test was used to determine the best fit model for the data. Results indicated that allowing for direct-maternal genetic covariance increases the direct and maternal effect dramatically. The best fit model had direct and maternal genetic effects as the only random effect with non-zero direct-maternal genetic correlation. Direct heritability, maternal heritability and direct maternal correlation of the best fit model was 0.57, 0.16 and -0.78 respectively. The result indicates that problem of (co-)sampling variation occurs when attempting to partition additive genetic variance into direct and maternal components.


2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Alfredo Martínez ◽  
Juan Esteban Pérez ◽  
Teófilo Herazo

<p>Se establecieron componentes de varianza, así como parámetros fenotípicos y genéticos, respecto de las variables ‘peso al nacimiento’, ‘peso al destete’ (ajustado a los 270 días) y ‘peso a los 480 días’ en un hato del ganado criollo colombiano Costeño con Cuernos. Se analizaron 2.281 registros de pesos al nacer, 1.722 de pesos al destete  y 1.086 de pesos ajustados a los 480 días utilizando la metodología de máxima verosimilitud restringida (DFREML). También se ajustó un modelo animal que incluyó efectos genéticos directos, maternos y de ambiente permanente, asumiendo como efectos fijos el año de nacimiento, el sexo del ternero y el número de partos de la madre; finalmente, se estimaron los parámetros genéticos ‘heredabilidad’, ‘repetibilildad’ y se establecieron correlaciones genéticas y fenotípicas. Se reportan bajas estimaciones de heredabilidad de los efectos directos, que varían entre 0,17 ± 0,001 y 0,21 ± 0,074 para los pesos al nacer y al destete, respectivamente; así mismo, fue baja la heredabilidad de los efectos genéticos maternos con relación al peso al nacimiento, aunque estos estimados aumentaron respecto de los pesos al nacer y al destete. Las correlaciones entre efectos directos y maternos fueron negativas, pero el mayor valor se encontró para el peso al nacimiento (-0,89). La contribución del ambiente permanente como proporción de la varianza fenotípica total fue baja y disminuyó a medida que aumentó la edad del animal.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Genetic and phenotypic evaluation to characterize growth traits of the native Colombian breed Costeño con Cuernos</strong></p><p>For a herd of native Colombian breed of cattle -Costeño con Cuernos (CCC)- estimates of variance components for phenotypic and genetic parameters were obtained for birth weight, weight at weaning (adjusted to 270 days) and weight at 480 days. Using the restricted maximum likelihood (REMI) methodology, 2281 birth weight records (PN), 1722 weaning weight records and 1086 weight records adjusted to 480 days were analyze by fitting a model which included direct and maternal genetics effects as well as permanent environmental effects, assuming that fixed effects were year of birth weight, calf gender and the mother number of births. The genetic parameters for heritability, repeatability, genetic and phenotypic correlation were estimated and genotypic and phenotypic correlation was established. Heritability estimates for direct effects are low and range from 0.17 ± 0.001 and 0.21 ± 0.074 for birth and weaning weight respectively; while estimates for maternal genetics effects were also low for PN, they were higher for weaning weight and weight at 480 days. There was a negative correlation between direct and maternal effects, and the higher value was for PN (-0.89). The contribution of the variable permanent environment measured as the contribution of the phenotypic variance was low and diminished as animal age increased.</p>


2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 197 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Fischer-Brown ◽  
R. Monson ◽  
D. Northey ◽  
T. Kuhlka ◽  
J. Rutledge

Developmental aberrations following transfer of in vitro-produced bovine embryos can result in early gestational losses and offspring abnormalities. An ongoing study tests the hypothesis that such aberrations occur with equal frequency among commonly employed culture systems. In year 1, embryos were produced using oocytes from abattoir-derived ovaries (breed unspecified) and a proven Angus bull selected for low birth weight. IVC treatments were 2×2 factorial for medium (KSOMaa or SOFaa) and oxygen concentration (5% or 20%). Angus recipients (n=61; 32 cows, 29 heifers) were randomly allotted to treatments for Day 7 transfers. Pregnancy was diagnosed with ultrasound several times during gestation (Table 1). At parturition calf weight, shoulder height, chest circumference, crown-rump length, and humeral and femoral length data were collected. Statistical analyses (Statistical Analysis System, Cary, NC) were logistic regression with a binomial distribution for pregnancy rate, and the general linear models procedure for calf measurements; included were fixed effects of medium, oxygen, and their interaction, with additional fixed effects of dam parity and calf sex where appropriate. No significant effects of medium or oxygen were found for pregnancy rate or calf measurements other than birth weight. Mean birth weight was higher in the KSOM, 20% oxygen treatment (Table 1), and medium-oxygen interaction for calf weight was also significant (P&lt;0.01). In year 2 embryos were produced using the same Angus bull and Angus oocytes. Angus recipients (n=38; 32 cows, 6 heifers) were randomly allotted to treatments. Fetal crown-rump lengths were measured by ultrasound weekly from Days 33 to 54 and were analyzed as repeated measures using the mixed procedure. Pregnancy outcome and LS means for crown-rump lengths are included in Table 1. Though insufficient recipient numbers preclude determination of statistical significance, of interest is the relatively small fetal size in early gestation and large birth weights in the KSOM, 20% oxygen treatment. This treatment also contained a Day 33 pregnancy, subsequently lost by Day 40, in which the fetus was too small to obtain an accurate measurement. Fetal growth will continue to be monitored throughout gestation. Data will be collected at parturition as in year 1, and pooled analyses will be done. Table 1


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 84-84
Author(s):  
Jared E Decker ◽  
David J Patterson ◽  
Brian Arisman ◽  
Troy N Rowan ◽  
Jordan M Thomas ◽  
...  

Abstract One of the goals of the National Center of Applied Reproduction and Genomics (NCARG) is to demonstrate in real-world settings the potential of new technologies. To this end, we evaluated the predictive ability of the Zoetis GeneMax Advantage genomic prediction. The GeneMax Advantage test analyzes tens of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) to predict the genetic potential of a commercial Angus female. Genetic predictions are provided for Calving Ease Maternal, Weaning Weight, Heifer Pregnancy, Milk, Mature Weight, Dry Matter Intake, Carcass Weight, Marbling, and Yield. Indices of economically important traits are estimated on an index score (1–100 scale) and are reported in three indices; Cow Advantage Index, Feeder Advantage Index, and Total Advantage Index. Producers can use the scores and indices to make selection, culling, and mating decisions. To measure the accuracy of the trait predictions, data from commercial Angus females and their progeny at the University of Missouri Thompson Research Center was utilized to analyze Weaning Weight, Milk, Marbling, Fat Thickness, Ribeye Area and Carcass Weight. Progeny phenotypic data was matched to the respective dam, and the genomic predictions were then compared to the phenotypic data using correlation and linear models in R software. Linear models accounted for differences in sex, birth year, and the random effect of sire. Interestingly, all genomic predictions had correlations with progeny phenotypes that were significantly different from zero (P-value &lt; 0.05). Likewise in the linear models, genomic predictions for all analyzed traits were significantly associated with calf performance (Table 1). Academics, farmers and ranchers, and extension professionals can trust the effectiveness of GeneMax Advantage genomic predictions in commercial Angus cattle.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 701-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco J. Konings ◽  
Florentina J. Hettinga

Purpose: In real-life competitive situations, athletes are required to continuously make decisions about how and when to invest their available energy resources. This study attempted to identify how different competitive environments invite elite short-track speed skaters to modify their pacing behavior during head-to-head competition. Methods: Lap times of elite 500-, 1000- and 1500-m short-track speed skating competitions between 2011 and 2016 (N = 34,095 races) were collected. Log-transformed lap and finishing times were analyzed with mixed linear models. The fixed effects in the model were sex, season, stage of competition, start position, competition importance, event number per tournament, number of competitors per race, altitude, and time qualification. The random effects of the model were athlete identity and the residual (within-athlete race-to-race variation). Separate analyses were performed for each event. Results: Several competitive environments, such as the number of competitors in a race (a higher number of competitors evoked most likely a faster initial pace; coefficient of variation [CV] = 1.9–9.3%), the stage of competition (likely to most likely, a slower initial pace was demonstrated in finals; CV = −1.4% to 2.0%), the possibility of time qualification (most likely a faster initial pace; CV = 2.6–5.0%), and competition importance (most likely faster races at the Olympics; CV = 1.3–3.5%), altered the pacing decisions of elite skaters in 1000- and 1500-m events. Stage of competition and start position affected 500-m pacing behavior. Conclusions: As demonstrated in this study, different competitive environments evoked modifications in pacing behavior, in particular in the initial phase of the race, emphasizing the importance of athlete–environment interactions, especially during head-to-head competitions.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document