Animal Sciences Commons^™

Relationships Of Beef Cattle Temperament With Feedlot Performance, Jeffrey James Briscoe

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This study determined relationships between beef cattle temperament and their feedlot performance. Thirty-five Angus cross-bred steers and heifers (18 steers and 17 heifers) were placed in the Utah State University feedlot to take part in the feed trial. Cattle temperament was measured by a chute score (CS, ranging from 1 = calm and not moving to 5 = rearing and violently struggling) and flight speed. Flight speed was measured by two observers to determine how long the animal took to travel 12 feet from the exit of the squeeze chute. Feedlot performance was assessed by body weight (BW) measurements, average …

Using Accelerometer Data To Remotely Assess Predation Activity Of Arctic Wolves, Heather Shipp

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Arctic wolves (Canis lupus arctos) play an important role in ecosystems located in the far northern regions of the world; however, unlike the gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park, little information is available about High Arctic wolves and their impacts on prey populations. This research uses data received from two GPS radio-collared Arctic wolves located in the Fosheim Peninsula on Ellesmere Island. Each radio-collar was programmed to record a position every 30-60 minutes, as well as the wolfs activity movement (forwards - backwards and left - right), which was generated by an accelerometer housed within the radio-collar. This …

Nocturnal Foraging Enhanced By Enlarged Secondary Eyes In A Net-Casting Spider, Jay A. Stafstrom, Eileen A. Hebets

Eileen Hebets Publications

Animals that possess extreme sensory structures are predicted to have a related extreme behavioral function. This study focuses on one such extreme sensory structure—the posterior median eyes of the net-casting spider Deinopis spinosa. Although past research has implicated the importance of vision in the nocturnal foraging habits of Deinopis, no direct link between vision in the enlarged eyes and nocturnal foraging has yet been made. To directly test the hypothesis that the enlarged posterior median eyes facilitate visually based nocturnal prey capture, we conducted repeated-measures, visual occlusion trials in both natural and laboratory settings. Our results indicate that D. …

Assessment Of American White Pelican Predation And Reproductive Success Of Walleye In The Tamarac River, Mn, Jake Graham

Biology Graduate Theses

The Tamarac River is a major tributary of the Red Lakes MN, which provides an economically important multispecies fishery. The river experiences spring spawning migrations of northern pike, walleye, and white suckers. However, limited data exists related to reproductive success of fishes in the river. Furthermore, in the previous decade large congregations of American white pelicans (AWPE) have been observed using the Tamarac River as a foraging ground each spring. Assessing reproductive success of fishes in the Tamarac River provides a more holistic understanding of fish ecology in the river and the importance of the Tamarac River to the Red …

The Effect Of Salt Reduction On The Microbial Composition And Quality Characteristics Of Sliced Roast Beef And Turkey, Chad Gary Bower

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study analyzed the effects of salt reduction on microbiological composition and quality characteristics of deli-style turkey breast and roast beef. Turkey breast and roast beef were manufactured with four different salt concentrations: 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.5% on a meat block basis in addition to sugar, phosphate, and water. Samples were cooked, chilled overnight, sliced, and packaged. On the day of slicing, samples were evaluated for water activity, cooking yield, proximate composition and percent salt. Samples were evaluated throughout 18w of refrigerated storage for pH, texture profile analysis, aerobic plate count (APC), and anaerobic plate count. Bacterial communities were …

Genetic Parameters For Docility, Weaning Weight, Yearling Weight And Intramuscular Fat Percentage In Hereford Cattle, José A. Torres-Vazquez

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Temperament in cattle can be described as the reactivity or fear response to human handling, and it is important to beef cattle producers not only from a human safety but also due to potential correlations with other economically traits. Before a docility selection metric can be added to a genetic evaluation, any potential antagonisms with economically relevant traits should be quantified. The objective was to estimate genetic parameters, including genetic correlations, for chute score (CS), weaning weight (WW), yearling weight (YW), and intramuscular fat percentage (IMF) in Hereford cattle. Single-trait and bivariate animal models were used to estimate heritabilities and …

Effects Of Abscisic Acid (Aba) On Germination Rate Of Three Rangeland Species, Turmandakh Badrakh

Theses and Dissertations

Seeds sown in the fall to restore sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) steppe plant communities could experience high mortality when they germinate and seedlings freeze during the winter. Delaying germination until the risk of frost is past could increase seedling survival. We evaluated the use of abscisic acid (ABA) to delay germination of Elymus elymoides, Pseudoroegneria spicata, and Linum perenne. The following treatments were applied: uncoated seed, seed coated with ABA at 2.2, 4.4, 8.8, 13.2, and 17.6 g of active ingredient kg-1 of seed, and seed coated with no ABA. The influence of seed treatments on germination were tested at five …

Calcium And Magnesium Absorption And Retention By Growing Goats Offered Diets With Different Calcium Sources., Jennifer Long

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Calcium addition is necessary in order to balance the high phosphorus concentrations that are characteristic of high-concentrate ruminant diets. However, calcium sources differ in their bioavailability. Our objective was to determine apparent Ca and Mg absorption and retention in goats offered diets containing different sources of Ca. Spanish-Boer goats (n=18; 19.6 ± 1.88 kg) were stratified by BW and sex and randomized to dietary treatments consisting of Purina Antlermax 16 containing either calcium carbonate (CC), Calmin (CM) or Milk Cal (MC). Goats were adapted to a control, corn-based high-concentrate diet on pasture and then moved to individual 1.0 × 1.5 …

The Mayfly Newsletter, Peter M. Grant

The Mayfly Newsletter

The Mayfly Newsletter is the official newsletter of the Permanent Committee of the International Conferences on Ephemeroptera.

Evaluation Of Seizure Threshold As An Early Behavioral Marker Of Disease Progression In The Mouse Model Of Mucopolysaccharidosis Iiia, Pamela Santiago

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA (MPS IIIA) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by a mutation in the gene that codes for the enzyme heparan sulfamidase. The decreased enzyme activity of heparan sulfamidase results in the accumulation of heparan sulfate (HS). HS accumulation in the brain causes severe central nervous system (CNS) complications, including learning and memory deficits and seizure. MPS IIIA patients have short life expectancies and there currently is no cure for the disease. This thesis work was aimed at identifying an early neurological phenotype in the mouse model of MPS IIIA. The data will aid in the design of an …

Chesapeake Aquaculture, Garth Woodruff

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Use Of Anti-Mullerian Hormone To Select For Fertility In Beef Heifers, Hannah Newberry

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to determine whether concentration of serum Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) at weaning and/or breeding could predict subsequent fertility in beef heifers. Frequency distribution was used to assign serum AMH concentration measured at weaning, breeding, and the change from weaning to breeding, into quartiles. Comparison of heifers based on serum AMH quartiles at weaning failed (P ³ 0.35) to detect any effect of AMH on subsequent heifer cyclicity at breeding, estrous response after synchronization, artificial insemination (AI) pregnancy rate, overall breeding season pregnancy rate, or estimated estrous cycle of the breeding season when conception occurred. Based on …

Development Of A Biofilm Model For Evaluating Poultry Drinking Water Sanitation Procedures, Pramir Maharjan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Enclosed water system has created a minimal sanitation focus leading to biofilm issues which are a source of flock health challenges. A series of in vitro tests were conducted to evaluate biofilm growth on polyvinylchloride (PVC) surfaces when exposed to treated/untreated water sources (test water) that are typically supplied in commercial barns. PVC test coupons (15.16 cm2) were immersed in test water in beakers to grow biofilm. Test water supplies were characterized for microbial, mineral and pH content. Temperature of test water was set at 90 °F (32.2 ᵒC) on d1 and then dropping 1°F each day over 7-day period …

Use Of A Blunt Version Of Meullenet-Owens Razor Shear To Analyze Meat Qualities Of Broilers With Woody Breast Myopathy And Reared To Various Ages, Famous Lue Yang

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Broiler breast meat tenderness is an important meat quality attribute. There has been an increase in incidences of woody breast along with white striping as meat quality defects. These defects have been found to negatively impact meat qualities of broiler breast fillets. Woody breast can be classified by the degree of hardness into normal (NORM) and severe (SEV). The Meullenet-Owens Razor Shear (MORS) method was developed to assess broiler meat tenderness and a blunt version (BMORS) has been reported to be more sensitive at higher degrees of toughness. The present study was intended to determine the effect of age, debone …

Evaluation And Selection Of A Bacillus Based Direct-Fed Microbial Candidate For In Situ Enzyme Production To Improve Gut Health Integrity, Bone Quality And Growth Performance In Poultry, Juan David Latorre Cardenas

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

During the last decade, the increasing interest in renewable energy sources has been changing the distribution of corn utilization from human and animal consumption to biofuel production, leading to a continuous rise in feed costs of livestock diets. Therefore, alternative feed ingredients such as distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), as well as cereals like wheat, barley, and sorghum have become part of the feed matrix to maintain or reduce production costs. However, these raw materials often contain a higher concentration of antinutritional factors in comparison to corn, including non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) which increase digesta viscosity and reduce nutrient absorption …

Cfd Model For Ventilation In Broiler Holding Sheds, Christian Heymsfield

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Broiler production in Arkansas was valued at over $3.6 billion in 2013 (University of Arkansas Extension of Agriculture). Consequently, improvement in any phase of the production process can have significant economic impact and animal welfare implications. From the time poultry leave the farm and until they are slaughtered, they can be exposed to harsh environmental conditions, both in winter and in summer. After road transportation, birds are left to wait in holding sheds once they arrive at the processing plant, for periods of approximately 30 minutes to two hours. This project was interested in this holding shed waiting time during …

The Use Of Marine Aquaculture Solid Waste For Nursery Production Of The Salt Marsh Plants Spartina Alterniflora And Juncus Roemerianus, Heather M. Joesting, Reginald B. Blaylock, Patrick Biber, Andrew Ray

Faculty Publications

Recent technological advances in marine shrimp and finfish aquaculture alleviate many of the environmental risks associated with traditional aquaculture, but challenges remain in cost-effective waste management. Liquid effluent from freshwater aquaculture systems has been shown to be effective in agricultural crop production (i.e., aquaponics), but few studies have explored the potential for reuse of marine aquaculture effluent, particularly the solid fraction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of marine aquaculture solid waste as a nutrient source for the nursery production of two salt tolerant plants commonly used in coastal salt marsh restoration, Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) …

Stopover Ecology Of Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus Colubris) During Autumn Migration, Theodore Joseph Zenzal Jr

Dissertations

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is one of the smallest Nearctic-Neotropical migrants and the only species of hummingbird that breeds in Eastern North America, yet few studies have investigated the biology of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds when they stopover during migration. Given their small size, high metabolism, aggression, and specialized diet, hummingbirds may represent a migrant that operates on the physiological edge. Therefore it is important to understand the factors that influence their stopover as well as the decision to resume migration. Towards this end, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were captured during autumn migration along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico to …

Epigenetic Regulation Of Gene Expression During Spermatogenesis, Karishma Nayak

Senior Honors Projects

In the US livestock production industry, improving reproductive efficiency will improve animal welfare and maintain reasonable costs of meat and milk for consumers. In recent research, abnormalities in epigenetic markers in sperm during spermatogenesis, has been linked to male subfertility in many species. Epigenetics is the study of changes in organisms caused by modifications of gene expression, including DNA methylation, rather than alteration of the genetic code itself. When this process is disturbed, it can negatively impact semen therefore decreasing its fertility. Through further research on how DNA methylation influences gene expression during spermatogenesis and its impact on sperm quality, …

News Of The Department Of Animal Science, Department Of Animal Science

Animal Science Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Grazing Method Effects On Forage Production, Utilization, Animal Performance And Animal Activity On Nebraska Sandhills Meadow, Torie Lindsey

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

A study was conducted on a subirrigated meadow in the Nebraska Sandhills to determine differences in aboveground plant production, utilization, trampling, harvest efficiency, ground cover, plant functional group composition and animal performance among four grazing treatments. Grazing treatments included ultrahigh stocking density, four-pasture rotation with one occupation (4-PR-1), and four-pasture rotation with two occupations (4-PR-2). Pastures were grazed from May to August in 2014 and 2015 at equal stocking rates within years but varied among years. Stocking densities were 225,000 kg ha^-1 for ultrahigh stocking density, 7,000 kg ha^-1 for 4-PR-1, and 5,000 kg ha^-1 for 4-PR-2. …

Pheomelanin Pigment Is Not An Indicator Of Feather Corticosterone Content In Diurnal Migratory Raptors In Idaho, Christopher Porterfield

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

In some cases, pigmentation can be used as an indicator of measures of condition. In this study, I tested the relationship between reddish pheomelanin pigmentation and the amount of corticosterone, a hormone associated with stress, sequestered in the feathers. I predicted that with higher corticosterone in feathers individuals would exhibit increased brightness and reduced saturation of pheomelanin pigments in their feathers. I collected spectral data from feathers from American Kestrels (Falco sparverius), Cooper’s Hawks (Accipiter cooperii), and Sharp-shinned Hawks (A. striatus) during migration in southwestern Idaho over two years (2010-2011). After extracting corticosterone from …

Validation Of The Use Of Doubly Labeled Water For Measuring Metabolic Rate In Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Horridus), Caitlin Hirsh

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The doubly labeled water method is an isotopic technique for measuring field metabolic rate and water flux rates of free-living animals. We present a validation of the use doubly labeled water for measuring metabolic rate and water loss in Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus). For this study seven animals of varying body size were used with masses ranging from 148 to 650 grams. Prior to dosing, blood samples were taken to establish background isotope levels for each animal. Snakes were injected with water enriched with isotopes of oxygen (18O) and hydrogen (2H, deuterium). The injected isotopes were then allowed to equilibrate …

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 …

Relationships Between Texas Tortoise Carapace Length, Home Range Size, And Habitat Selection At Sites With Invasive Grass, Kiley V. Briggs

Theses and Dissertations

Invasive grasses in south Texas have the potential to negatively impact the threatened Texas tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri) by reducing the availability of preferred foods (forbs) and may cause tortoises to travel farther, lead to reduced carapace length, and reduce the availability of refugia from heat stress. I used compositional analysis, regression, and ANOVA to explore relationships between invasive grasses and habitat use, home range size, and carapace length, as well as compared daily maximum temperatures between tussocks of an invasive and native grass. Forbs were ranked higher in use over invasive grasses in compositional analysis, but not strongly so (p …

Influence Of Disturbance On Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Selection In Southern Utah, Erica P. Hansen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) is a species of conservation concern that occupies sagebrush-dominated (Artemisia spp.) landscapes across the western United States and southern Canada. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reviewed the status of the sage-grouse in September 2015 and determined that it did not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act due to collaborative efforts between numerous public and private stakeholders. However, this decision hinged on federal and state commitments to continue science-based management of sagebrush habitats. As human development increases across the west, there is an increasing need for understanding …

Effect Of Chronic Administration Of Oxytocin On Corpus Luteum Function In Cycling Mares, Katherine Clissold Parkinson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Undesirable and variable behavior in mares related to the reproductive cycle is a common issue reported in the equine industry, especially for female horses in a performance setting. These behaviors can interfere with and decrease, overall performance. The objective of this study was to determine if administration of 60 units of the hormone oxytocin once daily for 29 days, regardless of when treatment was initiated during the estrous cycle, would induce prolonged corpus luteum function in cycling mares. Mares were randomly assigned to two groups: 1) saline-treated control (n=7) and 2) oxytocin-treated (n=9). Control mares received 3 cc saline and …

Effects Of Feeding High-Moisture Corn Grain With Slow-Release Urea In Dairy Diets On Lactational Performance, Energy And Nitrogen Utilization, And Ruminal Fermentation Profiles By Lactating Cows, Braden M. Tye

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objective of this experiment was to determine if nutrient utilization and energy partitioning by lactating dairy cows would differ in response to dietary corn grain (CG) types [steam-flaked corn (SFC) vs. high-moisture corn (HMC)] and to test if the types of CG would interact with slow-release urea (SRU) on lactational performance and energy utilization. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (32 ± 8.2 days-in-milk) were used in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square with one square consisting of ruminally cannulated cows. A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was used to test 4 dietary treatments: SFC without SRU, SFC with SRU, …

Amelioration Of Chikungunya Through Inhibition Of The Inflammatory Response, Ashley L. Dagley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

CHIK is an emerging viral disease that is rapidly spreading around the world and causing significant illness in infected people. This virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of disease include high fever, rash, joint pain and arthritis-like symptoms. This disease has recently been reported in the United States, mainly as a result of importation from vacationers to areas affected by this disease. The purpose of this research was to model the disease in mice in order to identify intervention strategies that reduce disease in the hope that it will be useful in the treatment of …

Plants, Prions And Possibilities: Current Understanding And Significance Of Prion Uptake Into Plants, Tracy A. Nichols

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an infectious, neurodegenerative disease of deer (white-tailed and mule), elk, moose, sika deer and muntjac caused by a misfolded version of a normally occurring protein. The notion that CWD could be spread indirectly via the environment has been documented and accepted in the scientific community for quite some time. Deer and elk consume soil, inhale dust and lick objects that have infectious material on them, resulting in chronic, low dose exposure. Surface contamination of plants with urine or feces is likely an additional source of exposure via ingestion and has been modeled in the laboratory …