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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Defining A Haplotype Encompassing The Lcorl-Ncapg Locus Associated With Increased Lean Growth In Beef Cattle, Leif E. Majeres May 2024

Defining A Haplotype Encompassing The Lcorl-Ncapg Locus Associated With Increased Lean Growth In Beef Cattle, Leif E. Majeres

Masters Theses

Numerous studies have shown genetic variation at the LCORL-NCAPG locus is strongly associated with growth traits in beef cattle. However, a causative molecular variant has yet to be identified. To define all possible candidate variants, 34 Charolais-sired calves were whole genome sequenced including 17 homozygous for a long-range haplotype associated with increased growth (QQ), and 17 homozygous for potential ancestral haplotypes for this region (qq). The Q haplotype was refined to an 814-kb region between chr6:37,199,897-38,014,080 and contained 218 variants not found in qq individuals. These variants include an insertion in an intron of NCAPG, …


Pregnancy Influences On The Rumen Environment Of Angus Heifers Differing In Feed Efficiency, Miranda Gabrielle Martin Aug 2023

Pregnancy Influences On The Rumen Environment Of Angus Heifers Differing In Feed Efficiency, Miranda Gabrielle Martin

Masters Theses

With an expected increase in population by 2050, the demand for more animal protein will increase. To improve the sustainability of US cattle production, producers and researchers have historically focused on improving the feed efficiency of steers, producing a more marketable beef product. However, without a successful pregnancy, there would be no marketable animal to feed. The objective of this study was to examine the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and their impact on the rumen microbial communities and the correlation to feed efficiency status in Angus heifers. Utilizing 17 cannulated Angus heifers, feed efficiency data was previously collected …


Surveillance Of Ticks Parasitizing Tennessee Beef Cattle And Investigations Into The Microbial Communities Of Cattle Associated And Questing Amblyomma Maculatum, David Paul Theuret Dec 2017

Surveillance Of Ticks Parasitizing Tennessee Beef Cattle And Investigations Into The Microbial Communities Of Cattle Associated And Questing Amblyomma Maculatum, David Paul Theuret

Masters Theses

Despite the risks that ticks and tick-borne disease pose to the beef cattle industry, many Tennessee producers are unaware of the dangers they represent. This mindset could facilitate the invasion and establishment of exotic ticks and pathogens that would devastate the cattle industry. Current control practices rely on chemical methods, which are not effective long-term; therefore, investigations into creating an integrated approach to control would create more sustainable methods. This study aims to address this through two objectives: The first is to determine the species composition, seasonal prevalence, geographic distribution and diversity of ticks on Tennessee cattle. The second is …


Impact Of Milk Production Level On Beef Cow-Calf Productivity In Tennessee, Sarah Rebecca Edwards Dec 2015

Impact Of Milk Production Level On Beef Cow-Calf Productivity In Tennessee, Sarah Rebecca Edwards

Masters Theses

The beef cattle industry tends to focus on selecting production traits with the purpose of maximizing cow-calf performance. One such trait is milking ability, which is considered the primary influence on weaning weight of the calf. But, it can also have a negative effect on cow reproductive efficiency and cost of production. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of actual milk yield on reproductive performance, circulating blood metabolites, and calf performance in beef cows in Tennessee. Data were collected from 239, 3- to 9-yr-old Angus sired beef cows from 3 research centers across Tennessee. On …