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Effect Of Reproductive Efficiency In Regards To Workload On Peripheral Circulations Of Blood Cortisol And Leptin In The Open Mare, Michaelle K. Coker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Effect of Reproductive Efficiency in Regards to Workload on Peripheral Circulations of Blood Cortisol and Leptin in the Open Mare

(December, 2016)

Michaelle Kathleen Coker, B.S., Texas A&M University

Thesis Director: Dr. John Michael Mehaffey

Quarter and Paint horse mares (n= 9) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups after being blocked based by expected conception date. Groups consist of mares on no work (NW), light work (LW), and moderate work (MW). Blood was taken weekly via jugular venipuncture prior to first heat cycle from each mare. Additionally, blood was taken at time of ovulation and then weekly …

Understanding The Impact Of Commercial Harvest On White Suckers (Catostomus Commersonii) In Maine, Megan A. Begley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The State of Maine issues an unlimited number of commercial permits for the harvest of White Suckers Catostomus commersonii in Maine’s inland waters. The fishery provides a necessary source of fresh lobster Homarus americanus bait to coastal communities at a time when other bait sources are scarce. The impacts of the increasing number of permits and subsequent numbers of fishermen on the white sucker population is unknown. The Maine Department on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) has closed a number of waters due to concerns that overfishing and incidental catch of other fish species may occur.

In Chapter 1, we …

Social Ecological Food Systems: Sustainability Lessons From Maine Dairy Networks, Julia B. Mcguire

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Milk production has played an integral role in the culture, landscape, and economy of Maine’s agriculture. Maine dairy farmers have faced numerous sustainability challenges to economic, environmental, and social aspects of their industry. Like many other complex social ecological systems, the Maine dairy industry faces a gap between scientific knowledge and actionable management or policy. A cultural dichotomy exists between conventional and organic farming. Shifting the focus from this binary, metrics such as social capital may play a key role in solving sustainability issues. Difficulties arise in the governance of complex social ecological systems when the scales of assessment, management, …

Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser Brevirostrum) Spawning Potential In The Penobscot River, Maine: Considering Dam Removals And Emerging Threats, Catherine Johnston

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dam removals from the Penobscot River in Maine restored access to freshwater habitat critical for the life cycle of endangered shortnose sturgeon. Prior to the dam removals, shortnose sturgeon spawning activity had not been documented. Instead, evidence suggested that individuals emigrated from the Penobscot River to spawn in the Kennebec complex, 140 km away. A central question of this thesis was whether spawning activity would commence in the first two years following dam removal. Consistent with pre-dam removal movement patterns determined using acoustic telemetry, the majority (78%) of tagged individuals emigrated from the Penobscot River at some point over the …

Behavioral Ecology Of Landbird Migrants In A Complex And Changing Flyway System: The Gulf Of Maine, Adrienne J. Leppold

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In and around the Gulf of Maine, over 300 species of birds have been documented during migration, and tens of millions of songbirds may pass through the region on a single autumn night. Shorelines are widely documented as major migration corridors. There is ample evidence that coastal areas concentrate migrants and many species make overwater movements to and from breeding and wintering grounds. Data collected from radar, banding, and ceilometry studies in the northeast have provided us with evidence that birds migrate along the coast and make overwater movements across the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy during both …

Breeding Season Avian Community Composition And Prey Availability In Eucalyptus And Slash Pine Plantations Of Southwestern Louisiana, Elizabeth J. Messick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The increased demand for wood products related to industries such as bioenergy and paper has resulted in a need for a consistent supply of raw materials. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) plantations have the potential to boost wood production for pulpwood and biomass feedstocks. Species characteristics such as rapid, indeterminate growth, coppice regrowth, resistance to disease and insects, and tolerance of a range of environmental conditions make these species successful short-rotation woody crops (SRWCs). Camden white gum (Eucalyptus benthamii), a more cold tolerant species, has made management of eucalyptus plantations viable in southern portions of the United States such …

Exploring The Relationship Between Behaviour And Neurochemistry In The Polyphenic Spider, Anelosimus Studiosus (Araneae: Theridiidae), Jennifer B. Price

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The importance of social behaviour is evident in human society, but there are both costs and benefits associated with cooperation and sociality throughout the animal kingdom. At what point do the benefits outweigh the costs, and when do selective pressures favour sociality and colonization over solitude and independence? To investigate these questions, we have focused on an anomalous species of spider, Anelosimus studiosus, also known now as the northern social spider. Throughout its broad range, A. studiosus is solitary and aggressive, but recently, colonies of cooperative and social individuals have been observed at northern latitudes. This leads to two …

Assessment Of A Hatchery Based Rainbow Smelt Supplementation Effort, Andrew O'Malley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) are an important fish distributed throughout northeastern North America with both anadromous and landlocked populations. Abundance, size at age, and maximum size vary widely among populations and life histories. In order to compare anadromous and landlocked populations, we collected spawning adults in 2014 from four anadromous and three landlocked populations. Scales and otoliths from the anadromous fish were examined and compared for estimates of bias and precision in ageing. Analysis of both scales and otoliths provided age estimates that were acceptable, but estimates from scales were more precise and had less bias. Otoliths were …

Description Of Cranial Elements And Ontogenetic Change Within Tropidolaemus Wagleri (Serpentes: Crotalinae)., Nicolette L. Hill

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tropidolaemus wagleri is a species of Asian pitviper with a geographic range including Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Bruniei, parts of Indonesia, and the hilippines. Tropidolaemus is a member of the Crotalinae subfamily, within Viperidae. The genus Tropidolaemus includes five species, and was once included within the genus Trimeresurus. While some osteologic characteristics have been noted a comprehensive description of cranial elements has not been produced for T. wagleri. An in-depth description of the cranial skeleton of Tropidolaemus wagleri lays the foundation for future projects to compare and contrast other taxa within Crotalinae and Viperidae. The chosen reference specimen …

Sources Of Ecologically Important Trait Variation In Mosquitofish (Gambusia Affinis And Gambusia Holbrooki), Heather Ann Arnett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study of contemporary evolution and eco-evolutionary dynamics is classically defined in terms of genetic evolution, but the actual suite of processes driving contemporary trait change is likely much more complex than often credited. This dissertation considers additional mechanisms of trait change that might be important to an emerging model system for study of contemporary evolution and eco-evolutionary dynamics. Specifically, the research focuses on phenotypically plastic and demographic trait variation in Eastern and Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis and G. holbrooki) facing the major ecological gradient of predation risk. Plasticity experiments employed a common-garden rearing design to manipulate fish …

Effects Of Small Intestinal Starch Digestion And Dietary Lipid On Efficiency Of Nitrogen Use In Cattle, Ethan J. Blom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of increases in energy available for gain from increased small intestinal starch digestion (SISD) and dietary lipid source and amount on the efficiency of N use in cattle. Five ruminally, duodenally, and ileally cannulated steers were placed in a 5 × 5 Latin square. Each received duodenal infusion of 1.5 ± 0.08 kg/d raw cornstarch and either 0, 30.9 ± 0.59, 62.4 ± 1.16, or 120.4 ± 3.39 g/d Glu, or 387.9 ± 17.47 g/d casein. Casein increased (P = 0.05) SISD. Similarly, greater duodenal Glu linearly (P = 0.02) …

The Effects Of Preovulatory Estradiol On The Uterine Environment And Conceptus Survival From Fertilization To Maternal Recognition Of Pregnancy, Emmalee J. Northrop

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Preovulatory estradiol has been reported to play a critical role in pregnancy establishment and embryonic survival, but the mechanism by which estradiol exerts its effects has not been well characterized. The objective of this thesis is to determine the effects of preovulatory estradiol on the uterine environment and conceptus survival from fertilization to maternal recognition of pregnancy. Beef cows/heifers were synchronized with the CO-Synch protocol and AIed (d 0). Cows were classified by estrus expression (estrus and no estrus), and uteri were flushed to collect d16 conceptuses nonsurgically (Rep 1; n = 29), or following slaughter (Rep 2; n = …

Assessing Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) In South Dakota And Identifying Drivers Of Assemblage Variation, Kaylee L. Faltys

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Native freshwater mussels (Family: Unionidae) are among the most threatened groups of freshwater fauna on Earth. Approximately 35 species have gone extinct since the 1900s and 72% of remaining species are considered endangered, threatened, or species of special concern. Unionid research can begin by establishing species presence and distributions via surveys. Objectives for this study were to 1) implement the first comprehensive unionid survey for South Dakota to assess distribution, composition, and decline, 2) estimate assemblage density and determine local versus broad scale habitat drivers of assemblage variation, and 3) determine areas of unionid conservation priority in South Dakota. Mussels …

Effects Of Visitors And Enrichments On Behavior Of Captive Red Wolves’ (Canis Rufus) At The Great Plains Zoo, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Kylee S. Shotkoski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Red wolves (Canis rufus) are the first animals to maintain a wild population from captive, released individuals. A captive breeding program for red wolves was started before complete extirpation, and 4 breeding pairs were released in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (North Carolina) in 1987 and a small wild population still exists there. Currently, there are several captive breeding facilities for red wolves within the Species Survival Plan (SSP) program. The Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota participates in the SSP program. My study was initiated to create a natural history background and evaluate interaction between …

Current Status Of Falcon Populations In Saudi Arabia, Albara M. Binothman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Falcons (Falco spp.) are widely used for falconry in the countries of the Middle East. During the 2015 breeding season, we surveyed historic and active nest sites of Barbary (Falco pelegrinoides pelegrinoides) and Lanner (F. biarmicus) Falcons in Saudi Arabia. Field and questionnaire surveys were conducted and personal contact with falconers was made to document the current distribution and price changes for Lanner Falcons, Barbary Falcons, Saker Falcons (F. cherrug), Peregrine Falcons (F. peregrinus), Gyrfalcons (F. rusticolus), and Hybrid Falcons in Saudi Arabia. We categorized our survey into three geographic groups; southwest (A), northwest (B), and central (C) regions of …

Effects Of Bran Treatment On Rheology And Sensory Quality Of Whole Wheat Flat Bread, Jigyasha Mishra

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to study the differences in the quality of 100% whole wheat flour (WWF) when the bran fraction was subjected to mild solvent treatment before reconstitution with the endosperm. The bran treatments included water washing and washing with ethanol solutions (50% and 100%). WWF prepared with untreated bran served as the control. Effects of these treatments on particle size, chemical composition, color, dough rheology, product formulation, and sensory characteristics of 100% whole wheat flour were studied. Grains of five HRSW cultivars (Advance, Prevail, Select, Brick and Forefront) were milled using a Quadrumat Senior mill. Gluten …

Study Of The Effect Of Feeding Highly Digestible Corn Based Calf Starter On The Growth Performance Of Calves, Shruti Srivastava

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

New corn hybrids have been developed by Masters Choice (MC) that vary in energy density and starch digestibility. These MC hybrids have lower starch densities due to an altered starch structure, which allows for greater ruminal and intestinal starch digestion. The altered starch structure of these new hybrids results in reduced feed manufacturing costs (i.e., grinding). Thirty (30) 1 to 3 d old (40.6 ± 1.72 kg) Holstein heifer calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 calf starters to measure growth performance of Holstein heifer calves through 8 weeks of age. Treatments were: 1) Hard starch (HS) corn calf …

Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization, And Metabolic Profile Of Dairy Heifers Fed Diets High In Distillers Grains With Different Forage To Concentrate Ratios, Angela Kristia Manthey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of limit-feeding heifers distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) with varying forage to concentrate ratios. The effects on growth, feed efficiency, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, metabolic profile and onset of puberty, as well as post trial performance were investigated. First, a 16-wk feeding trial was conducted using 48 Holstein heifers to evaluate effects of dietary treatment on dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), growth performance, rumen fermentation, and nutrient digestibility. Treatments were 1) 30% DDGS, with the diet fed at 2.65% of body weight (BW) (30DG), 2) 40% DDGS, with the …

Response Of Soil And Water Quality To Winter Manure Application From Small Agricultural Watersheds In South Dakota, Shikha Singh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The extreme winter conditions prevailing in the state of South Dakota make it difficult for the livestock producers to manage the manure generated at the farm. The South Dakota Department of Environmental and Natural Resources does not recommend manure application in the state during the winter months when the ground is frozen. Thus, producers are left with the options such as storing the manure over a longer period until summer or spreading on snow or frozen ground. Storing manure for longer duration leads to increased risks of concentrated spills into the streams. Thus, it is important to develop management strategies …

The Effect Of Copper And Zinc Source On Pre-Weaning Performance Of Cows, Health And Performance Of Suckling Calves, And Post-Weaning Feedlot Performance, Carcass Composition, And Meat Quality Of Calves, Jesse Fulton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

During gestation an elevated level of nutrient intake is required by the cow in order to meet the requirements of the maturing fetus and if these requirements are not met, changes in fetal development can occur. However, little is understood about the effects of gestational manipulation of specific nutrients, such as minerals, on progeny growth, performance and carcass traits. Previous research supports the hypothesis that minerals provided in an organic form should be more soluble and readily available to the body for absorption. Therefore the objectives of this study were to determine if source of gestational and post-natal Cu and …

Three Overlooked Issues: Water Quality, Forage Quality, And Forage Blends Impacting The Feed Efficiency Of Dairy Cows, Ishwary Prasad Acharya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The overall objectives of the six studies were to increase the feed efficiency in lactating dairy cows. The first study evaluated the efficacy of different water sources and treatment systems on ruminal parameters using an in vitro gas production system. Outcomes of the study suggested that the source and nutrient quality of water can affect rate of ruminal fermentation. Thus, use of real farm water being offered to the cow to conduct in vitro gas production measurements may accurately predict the ruminal fermentation, digestibility and total gas production. The second study evaluated two recently developed leafy-floury corn silage hybrids against …

Evaluation Of Bison (Bison Bison) Ecology At The Olson’S Bison Conservation Ranches, Pine River Ranch, Manitoba, Canada, Joshua L. Leonard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bison (Bison bison), the largest mammalian species in North America, historically numbering in the tens of millions (Roe 1970, McHugh 1972, Dary 1989, Shaw 1995), was nearly extirpated at the turn of the 19th century (Knapp et al. 1999; Gates et al. 2010). At the time, estimates of less than 1,000 bison remaining in North America are widely accepted (Hornaday 1889; Seton 1927; Gates et al. 2010). The decline of bison includes factors such as disease (Flores 1991; Isenberg 2000), sport hunting (Danz 1997; Dary 1989; Hewitt 1919; Isenberg 2000; McHugh 1972), and unofficially funded commercial hunting by the U.S. …

Manufacture, Concentration, And Functionality Of Micellar Casein Concentrate, Dustin Grossbier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research has been structured into 3 major parts. The first part evaluates a centrifugal evaporator to concentrate micellar casein concentrate (MCC). The second part evaluates a wiped film evaporator (WFE) to concentrate MCC. The third part evaluates heat stability of the high concentration MCC produced by WFE. In part 1, the primary objective was to achieve >25% total solids (TS) without a loss of water removal rate associated with high solids materials. This is of importance, industrially, as this could reduce processing costs or eliminate drying all together. The major finding was that it did not offer any benefits …

Ecology Of Largemouth Bass In An Aging Reservoir: Implications For Creating A Trophy Largemouth Bass Fishery, Jason Breeggemann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There are an estimated 3-9 million small reservoirs and nearly 1,000 large reservoirs in the United States. Most of these reservoirs were built several decades ago and are experiencing symptoms of reservoir aging, including loss of habitat, sedimentation, and decreased fishery production. Furthermore, over the last several decades, there has been an increasing interest among anglers for high quality, trophy fisheries. However, little is known about exactly how the reservoir aging process affects the ecology and especially growth potential of Largemouth Bass, particularly under potential climate change scenarios. Grand Lake in TX is a 45ha ageing reservoir that was built …

Evaluation Of Bobcat (Lynx Rufus) Survival, Harvest, And Population Size In The West-Central Region Of South Dakota, Brandon M. Tycz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent concern regarding bobcat (Lynx rufus) population status has prompted researchers and managers to gather additional information about bobcats in South Dakota. From 2012–2015, we assessed population dynamics of bobcats occupying the west-central region of South Dakota. Our objectives were to: 1) estimate annual survival rates; 2) determine cause-specific mortality; 3) estimate a population size for the western prairie region of South Dakota; 4) estimate home range size of individually marked bobcats; 5) evaluate reproductive status; and 6) build a population model. We captured and radio-collared 51 (24 male, 27 female) bobcats with VHF collars. Annual survival was 65.1% (95% …

Immune And Endocrine Modulations Associated With Enhanced Plant-Based Protein Diets Within Freshwater Fish Species, Timothy J. Bruce

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The incorporation of bioprocessed soybean meals (BSBMs) as a protein replacement for marine-derived fish meal (MDFM) has gained momentum with the potential for aquafeed cost reduction, improved growth performance, and reducing exploitation on wild fish stocks. Further, potential health benefits and optimized production performance resulting from bioprocessed feed ingredients have led to research on the nutraceutical benefits of plant-based ingredients. A novel proprietary MBBM has been developed using a microbial conversion of carbohydrates into digestible protein and additional cellular components that have immunogenic potential. A series of five finfish feeding trials were conducted to investigate immunomodulation induced by the BSBM …

A Physiological Assessment Of Wetland Habitats For Spring-Migrating Ducks In The Agricultural Landscapes Of The Southern Prairie Pothole Region, Adam K. Janke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The conversion of grassland and wetland ecosystems in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) has been a pervasive challenge for conservationists dating back to the early 1900s. The legacy of ever-increasing agricultural intensity in the southern portions of the PPR, including eastern South Dakota, has left many wetland ecosystems in a matrix of intensive agricultural production. With little surrounding nesting cover, these wetlands are thought to have limited potential for waterfowl reproduction but may still play an important role facilitating migration of waterfowl en route to northern breeding areas during spring. My research sought to understand the contributions of wetlands in …

Improving Feed Efficiency Through Forage Strategies For Increasing Dairy Profitability And Sustainability, Jon Patrick Pretz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Three studies were conducted to determine production parameters and study specific hypothesis in regard to improving feed efficiency through various forage utilization strategies with or without the inclusion of various supplemented products. The first study evaluated the supplementation of a cobalt-lactate product and its effects on fiber digestibility and milk production parameters when fed to cows consuming a 70% forage diet. Treatments included: 1) CONTROL diet containing 12.5 mg/cow/d of cobalt (carbonate carbonate) and 2) TEST diet being the same basal diet but including an additional 50 mg/cow/d of cobalt via a 1% Co-lactate product (Co-Max®). In a feeding trial …

Survival, Abundance, And Relative Predation Of Wild Rainbow Trout In The Deerfield Reservoir System, South Dakota, Jeremy L. Kientz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss are routinely stocked in Black Hills streams and reservoirs to enhance angling opportunities for the public, however in most cases, hatchery-reared Rainbow Trout do not successfully recruit to establish natural populations. One exception is the Deerfield Reservoir system, where it is estimated that up to 25% of the Rainbow Trout population consists of naturally produced, wild Rainbow Trout. While recruitment of wild Rainbow Trout to the Deerfield Reservoir fishery does occur, annual stockings of 12,000 hatchery Rainbow Trout have continued. In recent years, adipose fin clips were used to identify hatchery Rainbow Trout stocked into Deerfield …

Evaluation Of The Hypothalamic Kisspeptin System Throughout The Estrous Cycle And During The Attainment Of Puberty In Gilts, Eric Steven Jolitz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Kisspeptin has been demonstrated to affect reproductive cyclicity and the attainment of puberty in multiple species, presumably through its actions on GnRH and LH, as demonstrated in other species. Kisspeptin administration causes increased plasma concentrations of LH in pigs, sheep, and rats. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate 1) the hypothalamic kisspeptin system throughout various days of the estrous cycle and 2) the hypothalamic kisspeptin system during the peripubertal period in gilts. In experiment 1, 40 crossbred gilts (191 d, 121 kg) were administered an intramuscular injection of PG600. Twelve days after the administration of PG600, gilts were fed 15 …