Digital Commons Network^™

Luteinizing Hormone An Progesterone Response To Gnrh Administration At Insemination In Repeat-Breeder Holstein Cows, Robert Joseph Callan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Several studies suggest that the administration of GnRH near the time of insemination improves pregnancy rates in cattle. It has also been reported that there is greater improvement in repeat-breeder animals than at first service. The mechanism for this observation has not been established. Twenty-eight lactating Holstein cows that returned to estrus after one or more inseminations from the USU Caine Dairy were used in the study. Animals were randomly divided into two treatment groups, intramuscular administration of 100 ug GnRH or saline control at the time of insemination. Blood samples were collected at 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and …

Effect Of Feeding A Viable Yeast Culture On Ruminal Fermentation Characteristics, Milk Production Response And Apparent Nutrient Digestibility In Holstein Cattle, Mohamed H. Shokair

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Four barren Holstein cows fitted with ruminal fistulas were assigned to each of two dietary treatments in a replicated 2 x 2 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of a basal ration and a basal ration plus 10g/d of a viable yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Cows were fed treatments for a 21-day adaption followed by a 7-day collection period. Total ruminal bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria and protozoa were unaffected by treatment. Feeding the viable yeast culture significantly increased ruminal acetic acid and acetic/propionic ratio. Molar percentage of propionic, isobutyric, isovaleric and valeric acids and rumen ammonia-N levels were significantly reduced …

Control And Evaluation Of Big Game Browsing Damage To Commercial Fruit Orchards, William E. Stone

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Diversionary feeding, artificial feeding designed to divert animals away from areas where they might cause property damage, was tested for efficacy in reducing fruit orchard browsing by big game animals during two consecutive winters in Utah. Strategically placed attractive feedstuffs lured deer to feed stations and reduced fruit-bud browsing (1st year, P < 0.07; 2nd year, P < 0.01). Blossom and apple numbers were greater (P < 0.05) on trees in the feed (treatment) orchard than in the no feed (control) orchard in each year. However, higher (P < 0.05) apple production on trees where browsing was excluded in the treatment orchards compared to the control orchards indicated that intercept feeding did not increase crop production. Tree periodicity and other factors affecting apple production masked the effect of diversionary feeding on crop yield.

Two independent browsing damage assessment methods, a paired-tree technique and a harvest-inflation technique, predicted that the ratio of apples lost per browsed bud was 0.158 and 0.082, respectively. However, the values of the ratio varied widely with each method of estimation. Browsing damage differed ( …

The Effects Of Forest Harvesting On Small Mammals In Western Newfoundland And Its Significance To Marten, Brian Tucker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The depauperate fauna of Newfoundland provides a limited prey base for marten. Only two small mammal prey species, Microtus pennsylvanicus and Sorex cinereus, were found in any abundance in the old-growth forests of the study area. Of these two, Microtus displayed population fluctuations typical of most microtines. Analysis of marten scats indicated that Microtus is a very important prey item to the marten with other food. items being of lesser importance particularly when Microtus are abundant.

Trapping in various habitats indicated that Sorex densities were three to five times higher in logged areas compared to uncut areas. Unfortunately, the …

Maternal Iron Parameters And Diet: Influence On Infant Iron Parameters And Development, Janet Bradshaw Anderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine and evaluate the dietary intake of pregnant women living in this geographical area, evaluate how their diets related to their iron status, how their nutrient intakes compared with other studies, and how their iron status and diet affected infant iron status and development, as assessed by the Bayley Scale of Infant Development.

The study involved 32 pregnant women who were between 8 to 14 weeks gestation and 20 to 35 years of age. They were followed through pregnancy and their infants were followed until three months of age.

Three-day dietary records, a …

The Bioavailability Of Iron From Meat, Spinach, Soy Protein Isolate, Meat:Spinach And Meat:Spi Mixtures Fed To Anemic And Healthy Rats, Dejia Zhang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Two Experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of iron status and iron source on iron bioavailability using the rat model. Beef was proportionally mixed with spinach (Experiment I) or soy protein isolate (Experiment II) to test if meat enhances the absorption of iron from spinach or SPI. Five diets with the iron from meat:spinach (or SPI) ratios of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100 were prepared and fed to rats. FeS04 was used as a reference. Two trials of rats were used in Experiment I. In trial I, half of the rats were made severely iron deficient (Hb 6.3 …

Evaluation Of Frogurt: A New Product Prepared By Fermentation Of Ice Cream Mix, Morteza Mashayekh

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Ice cream mix was fermented with yogurt cultures of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus to four different pH's then frozen in a batch ice cream freezer. A consumer panel of 120 people tasted samples of strawberry flavored product with pH's of 4.4, 4.7, 5.1, and 5.4 and commercial frozen yogurt as a standard. Results from the panel were used to predict a preferred pH of 4.9. Another panel of 181 people compared product at pH 4.9 with 10, 15 and 20% strawberry flavoring. There was not a statistically significant difference among levels of flavoring.

Starter culture populations and lactase activity …

Measurement Of Proteins In Milk And Dairy Products, Marie K. Walsh

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to develop a short, easy procedure to measure five major proteins in milk and to detect concentrations of added protein to dairy products. Combinations of casein or whey protein with nonfat-dry milk were made with concentration ratios from 0:10 to 10:0. Similar mixtures of defatted goat milk with defatted cow milk were prepared. Samples were hydrolyzed in 6 N HCl at 145°C for 4 h and analyzed for amino acid composition. Multiple regression equations were derived to estimate the relative content of whey protein or casein added to nonfat-dry milk and goat milk added …

Using Adaptive Conjoint Analysis And Market Simulations To Determine The Effect And Usefulness Of Nutrition Label Information In Consumer Purchase Decisions, Constance J. Geiger

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Nutrition labeling research suggests consumers want nutrition information on the label; however, many do not comprehend it. The purpose of Phase I was to determine the effect of: 1. two levels of nutrition label formats; 2. three levels of nutrition information load on consumers' preference for product choice using adaptive conjoint analysis. A computer interactive interview was conducted on 252 consumers in Crossroads Mall, Salt Lake City, Utah. label alternatives were printed on soup cans to realistically portray the information. The conjoint analysis compared the attributes, nutrition information format, and nutrition information load in addition to brand and price and …

The Effects Of Participation In A Development Group Upon The Psychological Adjustment Of Pregnant Adolescents And Adolescent Mothers, Bernard E. Wazlavek

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers are a population at risk to a variety of negative social, economic, and psychological consequences. Numerous group interventions have been designed to improve the psychological adjustment of pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers. However, there has been a paucity of research evaluating the efficacy of these interventions. This research was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the development group intervention. The primary objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of this intervention upon the psychological adjustment of the participants.

Thirty-two subjects (16 experimental and 16 comparison) enrolled in two alternative public high schools in …

The Effects Of Prey Vulnerability, Density, And Patch Replenishment In An Operant Analogue Of Foraging, Michael James Dewulf

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Foraging behavior has recently become a popular area of research with which ethologists, behavioral ecologists, and experimental psychologists converge their traditionally separate disciplines into a more multidisciplinary framework. Ethologists and behavioral ecologists usually study foraging as it occurs in the natural environment or the "field," while experimental psychologists contrive laboratory simulations of foraging and make the assumption, sometimes incorrectly, that generalization occurs across settings, situations, and species. Scientific advances are now beginning to occur in the ability of laboratory researchers to better simulate foraging as it occurs in the field. Field researchers are also becoming more willing to accept these …

Problems Of Data Collection For Economic Research In Small Farmer Agriculture: Some Experience In Somalia, Aden Abdullahi Aw-Hassan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purposes of this thesis are twofold. The first is to show problems encountered in collecting and analyzing data on small-holder agriculture. The second is to describe the role of data in supporting research and rationalization of alternatives for sustaining agricultural strategies in development.

Data collected from six villages of the Lower Shebelle Region of Somalia are taken as a case study to show the difficulties encountered in procurement and analysis of that data. The thesis discusses data collection methods that ensure gathering adequate data that can be used to undertake production economics and farm management research. The thesis also …

Effect Of Bacterial Inoculant On Alfalfa Haylage: Ensiling Characteristics And Milk Production Response When Fed To Dairy Cows In Early Lactation, Barb Kent

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Third-cutting alfalfa hay harvested at bud stage in each of 2 yrs, treated with a live bacterial inoculant, packed in polyethylene-bonded bags and allowed to ensile. In both years, treated haylage had a lower pH, and a period effect was found for pH and mold count, regardless of treatment. In year 1, there was a period effect found for acid detergent fiber. In year 2, mean lactic-acid-producing bacteria numbers (log 10) were significantly higher for treated haylage (9.69 and 10.36) for control and treated haylage, respectively). Regardless of treatment, lactic-acid-producing bacteria numbers and water soluble carbohydrates significantly declined through time. …

Nitrogen And Energy Budgets Of Production Ewes On Summer Range In Southwestern Utah, John W. Halpop

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Nitrogen (N) and energy budgets for free-roaming ewes were quantified on mountain summer range in southwestern Utah in 1986 and 1987. Diet quality (%N), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and energy were estimated with the use of five esophageally fistulated ewes. Excretion rates of N and energy to feces and urine were measured by total collection from five nonfistualted ewes.

Total intake N(gN/(MBW*d^-1) tracked intraseasonal changes of dietary N percent but was apparently buffered by fluctuations in dry matter intake. In each year, total urine N was closely related to dietary N concentration, r²=0.97 (1986) …

Gambel Oak For Spanish Goats: A Digestion-Balance Evaluation Of Nutrient Availability, Brian L. Dick

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Fresh-harvested Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) browse was mixed with chopped alfalfa hay to formulate six diets, varying in oak content at two phenological stages. Diets included juvenile oak (65,80,95%), mature oak (40,80%), and an alfalfa control. Diets were evaluated for goats using a series of total-collection digestion balance trials. Dry matter intake was highest for animals on mature oak diets, and lowest on diets containing a high percentage of juvenile oak, possibly due to differences in diet dry matter content. Apparent digestibility of dry matter and cell wall components was lowest for mature oak diets, and highest for …

Nutrient And Water Interrelationships Between Crested Wheatgrass And Two Shrub Species, Paul B. Baker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

When crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum) grows in mixture with sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), its production declines. Its production increases when grown in mixture with fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), according to previous reports. This study investigated soil water extraction and potassium (K) nutrition of the two shrubs to identify possible causes of the differential responses of crested wheatgrass.

Crested wheatgrass had reduced, rather than increased, nitrogen (N) and K yield in mixture with fourwing saltbush. No differences in N and phosphorous (P) concentrations were observed between sagebrush and fourwing saltbush, but fourwing saltbush had a much …

Acquisition Of Forgaging Skills By Lambs Eating Grass Or Shrub, Enrique R. Flores

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

I studied the acquisition of foraging skills by lambs eating shrub or grass in three experiments. The general approach was to isolate those skills involved in prehending forage from those related to the acceptance of novel foods. Treatment lambs received 15 times more exposure to grass or shrub than did control lambs. Lambs were tested in 2.5 x 2.5 meter monocultures of shrub or grass 5 min/d, on two separate occasions. Height, bulk density and spatial arrangement of plant material were controlled during testing.

In Experiment 1, I studied the acquisition of foraging skills by lambs on monocultures of shrubs. …

A Model Of Energy Expenditure In White-Tailed Jackrabbits (Lepus Townsendii) Based On Integrated Studies Of Energetics And Field Ecology, Gordon L. Rogowitz

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Field and laboratory studies were conducted to develop a model of energy expenditure in a population of white-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus townsendii). Field work in southwestern Wyoming during 1985-87 showed that the breeding season commenced at snowmelt and ceased during late- July drought. Adult females reproduced relatively synchronously and produced a mean of three litters annually. Greatest fetal production occurred in the second litter period. Collections indicated a 1:1 sex ratio, few jackrabbits >2 years-old, and a density of 7 animals / km² in the population. Postnatal growth was sigmoidal, culminating in heavier adult females than males. Using …

Effect Of Fertilization On Woody Plant Chemistry: The Role In Diet Selection By Goats, Amanuel Gobena

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Lack of forage quantity and quality limit livestock production during the dry season in northeast Brazil. Coppice produced following cutting of tree species in this area has the potential to increase forage quantity and quality during the dry season, because trees that coppice retain green foliage throughout most of the dry season. However, the palatability of coppice is often low.

From a theoretical standpoint, woody plants with inherently slow growth rate should be less palatable to herbivores than plants with inherently fast growth rates, because plants that grow slowly allocate more carbon to compounds such as tannins and resins that …

Alfalfa Weevil, Hypera Postica (Gyllenhal), (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Response To Environmental Factors In Alfalfa Fields In Northern Utah, Larry Edward Jech

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Economic damage to forage alfalfa by the alfalfa weevil occurs frequently enough in northern Utah to warrant applications of an insecticide in some years but not all. Currently a five to ten day period is available to recognize injurious populations then make applications.

Sticky boards, pitfall traps, Berlese funnels sweep samples, stem bouquets, climatic variation and marking techniques were evaluated for alfalfa weevil population predictions. The prevailing climate was the most important factor controlling early adult activities. Early adult feeding and sexual development was the key to forecasting later larval populations. Regional surveys were not adequate for local control recommendations. …

Characterization Of Esterases And Glutathione S-Transferases In A Solitary Bee, Megachile Rotundata (Fab.): Variability, Developmental Multiplicity, Substrate Specificity, And Inhibition, Donald R. Frohlich

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The esterases and glutathione S-transferases of a solitary bee, Megachile rotundata (Fab.) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), the alfalfa leafcutting bee, were characterized by electrophoresis, substrate specificity, and inhibition studies. Comparisons were made between ages, sexes, and life stages for several classes of substrates and their isomers: aromatic, aliphatic, and thio-esters. Two esterases were found to be allozymes and variable between individuals and sexes. Adults typically possess an esterase that hydrolyzes fluorescent substrates, an organophosphate insensitive esterase, and a series of type 'B' esterases that are very sensitive to organophosphate inhibition. Electrophoretic patterns are different between adults and immatures and are probably …

A Simple Model To Predict Optimal Harvest Time Of Alfalfa Using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy, Environmental, Morphological, And Growth Parameters, Jody A. Gale

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Knowledge of relationships between nutrient levels, yield, maturity, and environmental influences on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) are necessary to estimate when to harvest alfalfa to maximize quality and yield. Objectives were to document the change in nutrient content, yield, and growth stage of alfalfa grown in Utah as it matures and to develop a simple model to predict optimal harvest date. The study involved three locations in major alfalfa producing regions in Utah. Samples were collected from three commonly grown alfalfa varieties between 26 April and 26 September in 1987. Maximum and minimum levels of crude protein (CP) observed were …

Zinc Deficiency: Specific Scalp Hair Defects Seen By Scanning Electron Microscopy May Provide A Valuable New Test, D. W. Gregory, L. Stankler

Scanning Microscopy

Zinc deficiency in man results in multisystem disease. It may be acquired or hereditary; the latter can be fatal if left untreated. Premature babies are particularly susceptible to zinc deficiency. Unfortunately no simple, reliable test for zinc status exists at present.

Short, newly-emerging scalp hair samples from 3 classical cases of zinc deficiency all showed the same characteristic abnormalities when examined by scanning electron microscopy, i.e. straight, blunt tips bearing scales, unusually thick cuticular scales with jagged free-edges, and very fine longitudinal corrugations in individual scales. These abnormal features occurring together appear to be specific for zinc deficiency; they also …

Eat A Healthful Diet- An Absolute Cure, Georgia C. Lauritzen Ph.D

Archived Food and Health Publications

Publication gives tips and suggestions for eating a healthful diet.

Utah Science Vol. 49 No. 1, Spring 1988

Utah Science

2 THE BLUE ORCHARD BEE: AN ALTERNATIVE POLLINATOR OF APPLES P. Torchio The blue orchard bee could be the answer to a threatened honeybee shortage.

10 BEATING THE ODDS-IDENTICAL TWINS FOR CA TILE RESEARCH C. W. Arave, T. D. Bunch, C. H. Mickelsen and D. Purcell Methods of splitting embryos to obtain more identical twin calves will facilitate research and may eventually lead to techniques to clone embryos on a commercial scale.

17 IRON DEFICIENCY IN PLANTS: GENOTYPIC MODIFICATION OF SOIL FERTILITY J. H. Bennett, N. J. Chatterton, P. A. Harrison and W. R. Thornely A review of recent research …

Scanning Electron Microscopy Of The Spermatheca Of Plethodon Larselli (Amphibia: Plethodontidae): Changes In The Surface Morphology Of The Spermathecal Tubule Prior To Ovulation, Christine M. Davitt, John H. Larsen Jr.

Scanning Microscopy

Spermathecae from eight mature female Larch Mountain salamanders (Plethodon larselli) were used to study cellular changes accompanying the administration of ovulation-inducing pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). Animals injected daily with 25 IU of PMSG were sacrificed on day 2 or day 4. Ultrastructural alterations of the spermathecal tubules include an increase in the synthesis and release of product into the lumen and hypertrophy of two epithelial cell types by day 4. One cell type exhibits apocrine blebs and is covered with microvilli; the other contains large spherical vesicles and has only a few, short microvilli on its surface. These changes …

Microscopic Effects Of Predator Digestion On The Surfaces Of Bones And Teeth, John M. Rensberger, Hartmut B. Krentz

Scanning Microscopy

Concentrations of small fossil mammals are frequently encountered in Cenozoic deposits, but the causes for such accumulations have seldom been determined. In many cases the tooth, jaw, and limb fragments appear to be well-preserved under light microscopy, and it is difficult to differentiate damage due to predator digestion from breakage and abrasion due to physical agents. In order to find more specific evidence of predator digestion, we used a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to examine the surface microstructure of bones and teeth consumed by Bubo virginianus (great horned owl) and Canis latrans (coyote), which prey upon similar species. Effects …

Solute Exclusion By Polymer And Protein-Dominated Water: Correlation With Results Of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (Nmr) And Calorimetric Studies And Their Significance For The Understanding Of The Physical State Of Water In Living Cells, G. N. Ling

Scanning Microscopy

According to the polarized multilayer (PM) theory of cell water proteins with their back-bones fully extended and their NHCO groups directly exposed to bulk water, polarize water in multilayers. Experimental testing of the theory led to a new understanding of the uniqueness of gelatin, due to its permanently maintained fully extended conformation and its ability to polarize the bulk phase water in multilayers with reduced solubilities for solutes in a size dependent manner ("size rule"). Other models which behave like gelatin are urea-denatured proteins, synthetic polymers like polyethylene oxide (PEO), and polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP), but not native proteins. NMR studies showed …

The Vascularization Of The Peripheral Nerve Of Chicken And Rat, M. A. Konerding, M. Lehmann, M. Blank

Scanning Microscopy

The vascular system of the sciatic nerve of chicken and rats was examined by means of the microcorrosion casting technique and freeze-broken specimens.

The main epineural vessels form two lateral and interfascicular vascular bundles which anastomose with one another and also with the peri -and endoneural plexuses. On epi- and perineural vessels one can find morphological correlates for regulative means such as sphincters. Even the endoneural vessels depict numerous anastomoses.

The proximity of the vessels as well as the great number of anastomoses suggests a considerable compensatory potential with an adaptable perfusion rate in case of a partial breakdown of …

Changes In Quality Of Bone Mineral On Aging And In Disease, M. D. Grynpas, D. Holmyard

Scanning Microscopy

This paper reviews the changes in the quality of bone mineral with age and in disease. After a brief review of morphological changes with aging in mammalian bones, microradiography is compared to backscattered electron imaging and their use in bringing out subtle changes in bone mineralization outlined.

Changes in the quality of bone with disease is described using osteoporosis as an example. Chemical changes in the skeleton are then discussed and related to morphological changes. Finally, some examples of localized and generalized changes in bone mineral are given. This paper emphasizes that understanding the nature of the mineral phase in …