Use of Embryo Transfer to Induce Twinning in Beef Cattle: Embryo Survival Rate, Gestation Length, Birth Weight and Weaning Weight of Calves

Growth traits of purebred calves of six beef breeds (Aberdeen Angus – AA, Blonde d’Aquitaine – BA, Charolais – CH,Hereford – HE, Limousine – LI and Beef Simmental – BS) born from 1998 to 2002 were analysed. Traits under study were birth weight (BW), weight at 120 days (W120), weight at 210 days – weaning weight (WW), weight at 365 days – yearling weight (YW) and average daily gains from birth to 120 days (ADG1), from birth to 210 days (ADG2), from birth to 365 days (ADG3), from 120 to 210 days (ADG4). General linear model with class effects of breed, dam’s age at calving, sex, herd-year-season (HYS) and covariation of age at weighing was used for analyses. All effects significantly affected both weight and gain traits except for dam’s age that was significant for BW, W120, YW and ADG3, and age at weighing that was significant for W120, WW, YW, ADG2, ADG3, ADG4. Estimated least squares means of growth traits were compared using Scheffe’s multiple-range tests. Highest BW (40.57 kg) and W120 (172.43 kg) were found for BA calves. BS calves had highest WW (260.30 kg), YW (424.07 kg), ADG1 (1 154 g), ADG2 (1 053 g), ADG3 (1 054 g) and ADG4 (1 098 g). Highest BW, YW, ADG3 and ADG4 were found for males-singles. Males-twins had highest W120, WW, ADG1 and ADG2. Calves descending from 5–7 years old dams had highest BW, W120, WW, ADG1, ADG2 and ADG4. The proportion of variability of growth traits explained by HYS effect (42.96–71.69%) was high, whereas proportions of variability explained by SEX effect (2.03–5.77%), age of dam (1.02–2.24%) and breed (1.05–2.21%) were low. Residuals accounted for 23.71 up to 53.79% of total variance.  

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Bayesian analysis of selection for greater weaning weight while maintaining birth weight in beef cattle

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/jas.2009-1801 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 87 (10) ◽

pp. 3089-3096 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

L. M. Melucci ◽

A. N. Birchmeier ◽

E. P. Cappa ◽

R. J. C. Cantet

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Bayesian Analysis ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Selection For

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EFFECTS OF YEARLING WEIGHT SELECTION IN SHORTHORN BEEF CATTLE ON AGE-OF-DAM ADJUSTMENT FACTORS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas90-116 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 70 (3) ◽

pp. 963-965

Author(s):

J. C. OLTHOFF ◽

G. H. CROW ◽

G. W. RAHNEFELD

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Key Words ◽

Selection Line ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Performance Change ◽

Adjustment Factors ◽

Over Time

Lines within a breed which differ in their level of performance may require different age-of-dam adjustment factors in the same way that different breeds do. Age-of-dam adjustments calculated from a control and a yearling weight selection line indicated lower values in the selected line for calf birth weight, weaning weight and yearling weight for 2- and 4-yr-old dams. Trends for adjustment factors in each line over time were generally not significant but tended to diverge. Age-of-dam adjustment factors within a breed may need to be reevaluated at intervals as levels of performance change. Key words: Beef cattle, age of dam adjustment, selection, yearling weight

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Sublethal exposure to corynetoxins affects production of grazing sheep

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9960649 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 36 (6) ◽

pp. 649 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

SC Davies ◽

CL White ◽

IH Williams ◽

JG Allen ◽

KP Croker

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Liver Damage ◽

Fibre Diameter ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Wool Fibre ◽

Embryo Survival ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Wool Growth ◽

Low Levels ◽

Production Losses

This paper reports the production losses resulting from treating sheep with sublethal doses of corynetoxins, the causal agent of annual ryegrass toxicity. Merino ewes were given 3 levels of corynetoxins twice weekly for 11 weeks from 26 days before the start of joining to day 51 of pregnancy, giving a cumulative dose of 0 , 0.4 or 0.8 mg/kg liveweight. The effect on ovulation, pregnancy, lamb birth weight, lamb survival and weaning weight were measured along with the liveweight and wool growth of the ewes. Corynetoxin treatment depressed (P<0.005) the activity of uridine diphospho-N-acetylglucosamine: dolichol-phosphate N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase and liver damage was detected in ewes on the high toxin treatment (P<0.05). Ewe liveweight was unaffected by treatment but wool growth and wool fibre diameter were reduced by 10 and 7%, respectively (P<0.05). Corynetoxin treatment appeared to increase ovulation (P<0.05) and, as there was no effect on conception and embryo survival, this resulted in a 30-35% increase in the number of lambs weaned. Lamb birth weight and survival were not affected by treatment but weaning weight of the low toxin group was depressed (P<0.05). While reproduction was not adversely affected, the sheep in this trial were exposed to extremely low levels of corynetoxins which did not accumulate to levels capable of causing detectable liver damage until 23 days after joining. Even at these levels of intake, well below those required to show clinical signs (3-5 mg/kg liveweight), wool growth was reduced, suggesting that sheep grazed on mildly toxic pasture experience wool production losses in the absence of signs of the clinical disease.

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47 A New Device and Method for Successful Vitrification of In Vitro-Produced Ovine Embryos

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv30n1ab47 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 163

Author(s):

S. Ledda ◽

J. M. Kelly ◽

S. K. Walker ◽

Y. Natan ◽

A. Arav

Keyword(s):

Survival Rate ◽

Embryo Transfer ◽

Blastocyst Stage ◽

Embryo Cryopreservation ◽

Control Group ◽

Hatching Rate ◽

High Survival ◽

Embryo Survival ◽

New Device

To advance the use of embryo vitrification technology in veterinary practice, we developed a system in which embryo vitrification, warming, and dilution can be performed within a straw. An in-straw embryo cryopreservation method reduces the need for equipment and technical skills and can facilitate direct embryo transfer to the uterus. This study proposes the use of a new device named “Sarah” that is designed to permit all in-straw embryo cryopreservation procedures. Ovine in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos were vitrified at either early blastocyst stage (EB, n = 65, 6 days post-IVF) or fully expanded blastocyst stage (FB, n = 168, 7 days post-IVF). The vitrification procedure using Sarah constituted a 0.25-mL straw with a capsule having 50-µm pores inserted at one end. Embryos at each stage (EB and FB) were divided into 2 subgroups and vitrified by 1 of 2 methods: (1) multi-step (MS) group-a straw containing 2 embryos was sequentially loaded vertically into 1.5-mL tubes containing 6 different vitrification solutions: 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100% ES (with 100% ES being 7.5% DMSO +7.5% EG + 20% FCS in TCM-199; 90 s each step) followed by 30 s each in 75 and 100% VS (100% VS being 18% DMSO +18% EG + 0.5 M trehalose + BSA in TCM-199); and (2) two-step (TS) group-the straw (2 embryos/straw) was loaded with 100% of ES (5 min), followed by 100% VS solution for 30 s. For both methods, at the end of the preparation steps, the straws were plunged directly into liquid N2. Non-vitrified embryos were maintained in in vitro culture as a control group (n = 102). The warming procedure consisted of placing the straws directly into 5-mL tubes containing 100, 50, 25% WS (WS = 1 M sucrose in TCM-199+ 20% FCS) at 38.6°C (for first solution) and at room temperature for all the rest (5 min each), before being placed into the holding medium. Embryos were recovered from the straws, incubated at 38.6 C in 5% CO2 in air in TCM 199 + 5% FCS, and evaluated for blastocoel re-expansion, embryo survival, and hatching rate at 2, 14, 48 h post-warming. Blastocyst re-expansion (2 h) after warming increased as the developmental stage progressed and was not affected by the vitrification method. In fact, it was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for FB vitrified in the MS and TS methods (77.90% and 71.25%, respectively) compared with the EB method (62.5% and 48.50%, respectively). At 24 h, survival rate of vitrified FB was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the MS system (95.35%) compared with those in TS (86.25%). Survival rates of FB embryos for both methods (MS and TS) were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than EB embryos vitrified in MS (56.25%) and TS (56.55) methods. After 48 h of culture, the hatching rate for FB vitrified in the MS system (87.21%) was comparable with TS (77.5%) and control (85.3%) groups but significantly higher (P < 0.001) than vitrified EB in MS (43.75%) and TS (36.36%). In conclusion, we showed that a high survival rate of IVP embryos can be achieved by this new in-straw vitrification and warming device (“Sarah”), with hatching rates in vitro comparable with that of control fresh embryos. This method has the potential for use in direct embryo transfer in field conditions.

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The influence of proportion of Hereford breeding in a multibreed synthetic beef cattle population on birth weight and weaning weight

South African Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4314/sajas.v30i4.3939 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

Author(s):

H. Skrypzeck ◽

S.J. Schoeman ◽

G.F. Jordaan

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Cattle Population ◽

Weaning Weight

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INFLUENCE OF CALF GENETIC TYPE ON PREWEANING TRAITS UNDER COMMERCIAL BEEF CATTLE CONDITIONS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas82-029 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 62 (1) ◽

pp. 287-290

Author(s):

D. K. AARON ◽

F. A. THRIFT

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Key Words ◽

Genetic Type ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Genetic Types ◽

Weight Data

Birth and weaning weight data were evaluated on 1/2 Simmental (SH, SA), 1/2 Maine-Anjou (MH, MA), 3/4 Simmental (S.SH, S.SA) and 3/4 Maine-Anjou (M.MH, M.MA) calves. For birth weight, 1/2 Simmental calves were lighter (P < 0.01) than 1/2 Maine-Anjou calves, and calves from Hereford cows were heavier (P < 0.01) than calves from Angus cows. Also, S.SH calves were heavier (P < 0.01) than S.SA calves. For weaning weight, 3/4 Simmental calves were heavier (P < 0.01) than 3/4 Maine-Anjou calves, and 1/2 Simmental and Maine-Anjou calves were lighter (P < 0.01) than 3/4 Simmental and Maine-Anjou calves. Key words: Calf genetic types, grading-up, beef cattle

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MASS SELECTION FOR POST-WEANING GROWTH IN SWINE. V. CORRELATED RESPONSE OF REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS AND PRE-WEANING GROWTH

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas76-096 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 56 (4) ◽

pp. 791-801

Author(s):

I. GARNETT ◽

G. W. RAHNEFELD

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Correlated Response ◽

Mass Selection ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Control Line ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Selection For ◽

Daily Gain

Female reproductive performance and pre-weaning survival and growth were examined in a population of swine over 11 generations of selection for post-weaning average daily gain (ADG). Three separate breeding groups were used: (1) a Lacombe (L) line selected each generation for ADG, (2) a Yorkshire control (Y) line, and (3) a crossbred Lacombe × Yorkshire group (LY) generated each generation from the L and Y lines. Breeding group differences were evident for litter size, perinatal mortality, pre-weaning mortality, gestation length, birth weight, pre-weaning average daily gain (PreADG) and weaning weight. Selection did not affect number born, number born alive, number weaned or birth weight. When the values for the L line were expressed as a deviation from the control, pre-weaning mortality showed an increase. The increase appeared to be due to a decrease in the control rather than an increase in the L line. Gestation length showed a negative response to selection. As in the case of pre-weaning mortality, the response appeared to be a reflection of the instability of the control line. Genetic gains in PreADG of 0.004 kg/day/generation were realized in both the L line and LY group. Correspondingly, responses of 0.18 and 0.19 kg/generation were realized for weaning weight in the L line and LY group.

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Performance of Booroola Merino and Finnsheep crossbred lambs and ewes

Agricultural and Food Science ◽

10.23986/afsci.72329 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 60 (6) ◽

pp. 492-499 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

L. D. Young ◽

G. E. Dickerson

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Survival Rate ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Litter Size ◽

Conception Rate ◽

Embryo Survival ◽

Ewe Lambs ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Kidney Fat ◽

The Difference

Booroola Merino (B, n= 18) and Finnsheep (F, n =31) rams were mated to F ewes and C3 ewes (1/2 Columbia, 1/4 Suffolk, 1/4 Hampshire). Progeny of these matings were evaluated for performance traits including ewe reproduction through 3 years of age. Averaged over dam breeds, there was no significant difference between B and F sires for conception rate (CR), litter size (LS) at birth or weaning or for lamb mortality to weaning. The difference among sire breeds was not large or significant for birth weight but F sired lambs were significantly heavier than B sired lambs at 63 and 147 days of age. Relative to F sired lambs, B sired lambs had a higher dressing percentage and less fat at the 12th rib but equal estimated percentage kidney fat. A significantly smaller percentage of B-C3 than F, F-C3 or B-F ewe lambs reached puberty by the end of their first breeding season. Ovulation rate at first mating was higher but embryo survival rate tended to be lower for B sired ewes than for F sired ewes. At 2 years of age, B sired ewes produced about 1 kg more wool than F sired ewes. With the exception of the very poor CR of B-C3 ewes at first parity, the differences between the four ewe genotypes were not large or significant for CR at first, second and third parity. The difference between B and F sired ewes in LS at birth was not significant at first parity but B sired ewes were more prolific at second and third parities. However, differences in lamb mortality reduced, and in some cases removed, the differences in LS by weaning time. Relative use of these breeds in commercial U.S. production schemes is discussed.

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