Meat Science Commons^™

Microbial Diversity And Activity In The Nematostella Vectensis Holobiont: Insights From 16s Rrna Gene Sequencing, Isolate Genomes, And A Pilot-Scale Survey Of Gene Expression, Jia Y. Har, Tim Helbig, Ju H. Lim, Samodha C. Fernando, Adam M. Reitzel, Kevin Penn, Janelle R. Thompson

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

We have characterized the molecular and genomic diversity of the microbiota of the starlet sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, a cnidarian model for comparative developmental and functional biology and a year-round inhabitant of temperate salt marshes. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries revealed four ribotypes associated with N. vectensis at multiple locations and times. These associates include two novel ribotypes within the ε-Proteobacterial order Campylobacterales and the Spirochetes, respectively, each sharing 99% 16S rRNA identity with Endozoicomonas elysicola and Pseudomonas oleovorans, respectively. Species-specific PCR revealed that these populations persisted in N. vectensis asecually propagated under laboratory …

Effect Of Harvest Method On In Vitro Digestibility Of Corn Residues, Janessa J. Updike, Jana L. Harding, Terry J. Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

New corn residue harvesting methods were evaluated to determine the impacts of altering the proportions of plant part that are composed in a round bale. In vitro techniques were used to assess the organic matter digestibility of corn residue bale harvested with different proportions of stalks, leaves, and husk. As husk comprised a greater proportion of the bale, digestibility appeared to increase when compared with a conventional bale of cornstalks.

Exogenous Administration Of Lipids To Steers Alters Aspects Of The Innate Immune Response To Endotoxin Challenge, Nicole C. Burdick Sanchez, Jeffery A. Carroll, Janet R. Donaldson, Joe O. Buntyn, Ty B. Schmidt

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

This study examined the effects of increasing energy availability from both dextrose and lipid treatments on the proinflammatory response to LPS in Holstein steers. Steers were randomly assigned to one of three groups: saline at 0.5 ml/ kg body weight (Control) or 50% dextrose [0.5 ml/kg body weight (Dextrose) to mimic calm cattle’s response to LPS] administered immediately prior to LPS (0.5 mg/kg body weight at 0 h) or continuous lipid emulsion infusion from –1 to 6 h [Intralipid 20% (Baxter, Deerfield, IL USA); 0.5 ml/kg/hr (Lipid) to mimic temperamental cattle]. Concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were greater in …

Mesh Ora Framework: R/Bioconductor Packages To Support Mesh Over-Representation Analysis, Koki Tsuyuzaki, Gota Morota, Manabu Ishii, Takeru Nakazato, Satoru Miyazaki, Itoshi Nikaido

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Background: In genome-wide studies, over-representation analysis (ORA) against a set of genes is an essential step for biological interpretation. Many gene annotation resources and software platforms for ORA have been proposed. Recently, Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms, which are annotations of PubMed documents, have been used for ORA. MeSH enables the extraction of broader meaning from the gene lists and is expected to become an exhaustive annotation resource for ORA. However, the existing MeSH ORA software platforms are still not sufficient for several reasons.

Results: In this work, we developed an original MeSH ORA framework composed of six types of …

A Cooperative Study On The Standardized Total-Tract Digestible Phosphorus Requirement Of Twenty-Kilogram Pigs, O. Adeola, M. J. Azain, S. D. Carter, T. D. Crenshaw, M. J. Estienne, B. J. Kerr, M. D. Lindemann, C. V. Maxwell, P. S. Miller, M. C. Shannon, E. Van Heugten

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

A cooperative study comprising growth performance, bone mineralization, and nutrient balance experiments was conducted at 11 stations to determine the standardized total-tract digestible (STTD) P requirement of 20-kg pigs using broken-line regression analysis. Monocalcium phosphate and limestone were added to a corn–soybean meal–based diet at the expense of cornstarch to establish 6 concentrations of STTD P from 1.54 to 5.15 g/kg in increments of 0.62 g/kg at a constant Ca:total P of 1.52:1.0. Diets were fed to 936 pigs (average initial BW of 19 kg) in 240 pens for 20 replicate pens of barrows and 20 replicate pens of gilts …

Yield And Forage Value Of A Dual-Purpose Bmr-12 Sorghum Hybrid, Melinda K. Yerka, Andrea K. Pederson, J. J. Toy, Galen E. Erickson, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, Rob B. Mitchell

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is an important crop for rainfed production systems with 2.7 million ha grown in the United States in 2013. The brown-midrib (bmr) mutations, especially bmr-12, have resulted in low stover lignin and high fiber digestibility without reducing grain yield in some sorghum lines. However, the effect of the bmr trait on beef cattle (Bos taurus) performance when grazing crop residue is unknown. Our objectives were to validate previous small-plot results reporting no grain yield difference between near-isogenic bmr-12 (BMR) and wild-type control (CON) A Wheatland × R

Tx430 …

Cattle With Increased Severity Of Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex Exhibit Decreased Capacity To Protect Against Histone Cytotoxicity, J. A. Matera, B. K. Krehbiel, J. A. Hernandez Gifford, D. L. Step, C. R. Krehbiel, C. A. Gifford

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in feedlot cattle. Significant inflammation and lesions are often observed in lungs of infected cattle. During acute inflammatory responses, histones contribute to mortality in rodents and humans and serum proteins can protect against histone-induced cytotoxicity. We hypothesized that cattle experiencing chronic or fatal cases of BRDC have reduced ability to protect against cytotoxic effects of histones. Serum samples were collected from 66 bull calves at the time of normal feedlot processing procedures. Animals were retrospectively assigned to groups consisting of calves never treated for BRDC (control [CONT]; …

The Effects Of Technology Use In Feedlot Production Systems On Feedlot Performance And Carcass Characteristics, C. L. Maxwell, B. C. Wilson, C. F. O'Neill, B. K. Wilson, C. G. Hixon, C. L. Haviland, A. N. Grimes, M. S. Calvo-Lorenzo, D. L. Vanoverbeke, G. G. Mafi, C. J. Richards, D. L. Step, B. P. Holland, C. R. Krehbiel

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of feedlot production systems with and without the use of a β-adrenergic agonist compared to an all-natural production program on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Crossbred beef steers (n = 336; initial BW = 379 ± 8 kg) were randomized to 1 of 3 treatments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD; 14 steers/pen; 8 pens/treatment). Treatments consisted of an all-natural treatment (NAT), a conventional treatment (CONV), and a conventional treatment with a β-agonist (CONV-Z). All treatments were fed the same basal diet with NAT cattle receiving no growth promoting …

Supplementing Cow-Calf Pairs Grazing Smooth Bromegrass, Jason M. Warner, Annie J. Doerr, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, Rick J. Rasby, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A three-year study evaluated supplementing ethanol co-products mixed with low-quality forage to cow-calf pairs grazing smooth bromegrass as a method to replace grazed forage intake. Supplementing a 30:70 modified distillers grains plus solubles:cornstalks mixture reduced estimated grazed forage intake by approximately 40%. Doubling the stocking rate and supplementing did not impact cow or calf performance. A summer supplementation program designed to reduce grazed forage intake is a viable strategy for increasing stocking rate if forage for grazing is limited.

Effect Of Post-Weaning Management And Age At Weaning On Calf Growing And Finishing Performance, Jason M. Warner, Curtis J. Bittner, Karla H. Jenkins Jenkins, Rick J. Rasby, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The impact of post-weaning management system and calf age at weaning on growing and finishing performance was evaluated. During the growing phase, cattle in the fast-track system had improved intake, gain, and feed conversion. Although initial finishing weight was similar between systems, slow-track cattle had greater intake, gain, final body weight, and carcass weight. While the impact of age at weaning was negligible, the improvement in finishing performance for slow-track cattle demonstrates the value of different management systems.

Estimation Of British- And Continental-Specific Heterosis Effects For Birth, Weaning, And Yearling Weight In Cattle, Lauren N. Schiermiester, R. Mark Thallman, Larry A. Kuehn Kuehn, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Heterosis, assumed proportional to expected breed heterozygosity, was calculated for 6,834 individuals with birth, weaning, and yearling weight records from Cycle VII of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center Germplasm Evaluation Program. Heterosis was further estimated by proportions of British x British (BxB), British x Continental (BxC), and Continental x Continental (CxC) crosses. Estimates of BxB, BxC, and CxC heterosis were significant for weaning and yearling weight. This study illustrated that differences among biological types exist and provide an opportunity to utilize specific breeds and exploit heterosis in a crossbreeding system to achieve production goals.

The Effects Of Source And Amount Of Nitrite On Quality Characteristics Of All-Beef Frankfurters, Eric Miller, Chad G. Bower, Amy L. Redfield Redfield, Gary A. Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

In an effort to meet consumers’ demand for foods with more natural ingredients, processors have begun manufacturing meat products cured with natural nitrite sources. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality characteristics of all-beef frankfurters cured with traditional or alternative sources of nitrite and using equivalent amounts of nitrite. Frankfurters cured with alternative sources of nitrite had a slightly darker, less red exterior and slightly more yellow interior than those containing sodium nitrite. No differences were observed for pH or water activity. Both curing methods can be used to manufacture all-beef frankfurters with similar characteristics when using …

Stocking Rate Effects On Forage Nutrient Composition In Early Summer Pastures, Jared V. Judy, Jacki A. Musgrave, L. Aaron Stalker Stalker, K. H. Jenkins, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Nebraska Sandhills upland range pastures were used to measure the effectsof stocking rate on forage nutrient content in early summer pastures. Stocked pastures had lower CP, in vitroorganic matter digestibility, forage availability, and higher NDF compared with ungrazed pastures. Clipped samples of current year growth had greater CP and in vitro organic matter digestibility than diet samples. Observed results indicate early season grazing decreasesdiet nutrient content and forage availability compared with ungrazed pastures, suggesting that cattle were consuming both current and previous year growth.

Comparison Of Commercial Lick Tubs To Distillers Grains Supplementation For Calves Grazing Corn Residue, Mandi Jones, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Kathleen R. Brooks, Dirk B. Burken, Robby Bondurant, Andrea K. Watson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Steer calves grazing irrigated corn residue were supplemented dried distillers grains plus solubles (DGS) or allowedcontinuous access to a commercial lick tub. Dried DGS was fed at 2.94 lb/steer/day and the lick tubs were consumed at 2.04 lb/steer/day (DM basis). Gain was greater for cattle supplemented with dried DGS (1.36 lb/day) compared to those with access to lick tubs (0.83 lb/day). Supplement efficiency varied between calves receiving dried DGS (46%) and those with continuous access to the lick tub (43%) when expressed on a DM basis. Values for dried DGS supplementation (48%) were not different for supplement efficiencyon an OM …

Nutrient Digestibility And Ruminal Ph Of Finishing Diets Containing Dry Milling Byproducts With And Without Oil Extraction, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt, Adam L. Shreck, Jana L. Harding Harding, James C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A metabolism trial was conducted to determine the effects of corn oil removal in condensed distillers solubles (CDS) and modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) on nutrient digestibility and ruminal pH. Oil removal had no impact on DM, OM, or NDF digestibility in steers fed CDS or MDGS. However, steers fed de-oiled CDS had a lower fat digestibility than steers fed normal CDS. Average ruminal pH was lower for steers fed de-oiled MDGS than for steers fed normal MDGS, however no difference within CDS was observed.

Effect Of Distillers Grains Plus Solubles And Monensin Supplementation On Grazing Steers, Tyler L. Hasenauer, Terry J. Klopfenstein, James C. Macdonald Donald, Robby G. Bondurant, Dirk B. Burken

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Yearling steers rotationally grazing smooth bromegrass were individually supplemented monensin at 0 or 200 mg with modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) at .05, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8% BW. Cannulated steers continuously grazing smooth bromegrass were assigned randomly to one of two treatments: 0.4% BW MDGS supplementation with 0 or 200 mg monensin. Monensin did not affect ADG of steers supplemented MDGS ≥ 0.4% BW. Steers supplemented with monensin had a decreasein estimated average forage intakefrom 16.16 lb to 14.75 lb/OM daily.

Effects Of Processing Treated Corn Stover And Distillers Grains On Performance Of Growing Cattle, Jana L. Harding, Curtis J. Bittner, Dirk B. Burken Burken, Galen E. Erickson, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A study evaluated the effects of replacinga diet consisting of 60% corn stover, 18% solubles, and 18% distillers grains with a complete pelleted feed containing calcium oxide (CaO) treated corn stover and distillers grains on growing cattle performance. The pelleted feed was either pair-fed to the control treatment or fed ad libitum. There were no differences in ending BW, ADG, or F:G between the control and pair-fed treatment. Feeding the pellet ad libitum resulted in greater DMI and ADG; however, the cattle had greater F:G. The pellet has 98% the feeding value of the control treatment.

Effects Of Replacing Corn With A Pelleted Treated Corn Stover And Distillers Grains On Intake And Total Tract Digestibility Of Finishing Diets, Jana L. Harding, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, James C. Macdonald

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A digestion study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing dry-rolled corn (DRC) with a pelleted feed containing treated corn stover, solubles, and distillers grains (DDG). Replacing DRC with the pelleted feed had no effect on intakes. Similarly, total tract digestibilities of DM, OM, or NDF were not affected by dietary treatment. There was a tendency for differences in average ruminalpH between treatments; however, proportions of acetate, propionate, and butyrate were not impacted. It was concluded that the DRC could be replacedwith a pelleted stover and distillers in the finishing diet without altering total tract digestion.

Effect Of 300 Or 400 Mg Daily Of Ractopamine Hydrochloride On Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Finishing Steers During The Last 14, 28, Or 42 Days, Curtis J. Bittner, Dirk B. Burken, Adam L. Shreck Shreck, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson, Nathan A. Pyatt

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (Optaflexx®) dosage (0, 300, and 400 mg/head/day) and duration (14, 28, or 42 days) on growth performance were evaluated in feedlot finishing diets. Feeding 300 mg of Optaflexx for 28 or 42 days increased live final BW by 13 and 29 lb, while feeding Optaflexx at 400 mg resulted in 27 or 24 lb increases relative to 0 mg steers, respectively. Feeding 300 mg of Optaflexx for 28 or 42 days would suggest 11.1 or 16.6 lb improvements in HCW, while feeding 400 mg of Optaflexx would suggest 19.7 or 20.7 lb heavier carcasses compared …

Genetic Parameter Estimates For Calving Difficulty And Birth Weight In A Multibreed Population, Cashley M. Ahlberg, Larry A. Kuehn, R. Mark Thallman Thallman, Stephen D. Kachman, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Eighteen breeds were utilized to estimate genetic parameters for birth weight and calving difficulty on first-parity females. Birth weight and calving difficulty were moderately heritable allowing for genetic selection to decrease calving difficulty. Genetic correlation estimates were positive between direct effects for birth weight and calving difficulty. This work will serve as the foundation for estimating across-breed EPD for calving difficulty in the U.S.

Effect Of Lysozyme Or Antibiotics On Faecal Zoonotic Pathogens In Nursery Pigs, J E. Wells, E. D. Berry, N Kalchayanand, L A. Rampel, M Kim, W. T. Oliver

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Aims: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of lysozyme and antibiotics on zoonotic pathogen shedding in faeces from nursery pigs housed without and with an indirect disease challenge. Methods and Results: Two replicates of approximately 650 pigs each were weaned and randomly assigned to one of 24 pens in either a nursery room that had been fully disinfected or a nursery room left unclean. Pigs were randomly assigned to control diet (Control), control diet + antibiotics (Antibiotic; chlortetracycline and tiamulin), or control diet + lysozyme (Lysozyme; 100 mg kg ^-1 diet). Rectal swab samples were collected …

New Approaches To Corn Silage Use In Beef Cattle Finishing Diets, Dirk B. Burken

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

Cattle feeders are considering alternative feedstuffs to replace expensive corn grain and decrease rations costs. Feeding corn silage allows cattle feeders to take advantage of the entire corn plant at a time of maximum quality and tonnage as well as secure substantial quantities of roughage and grain inventory. Distiller’s grains have proven to be economical and are now a commonplace ingredient in feedlot finishing diets. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding increased concentrations of corn silage in replacement of corn grain in finishing diets containing distillers grains. Feedlot gains and gain:feed ratios were reduced as corn silage …

Effects Of Feeding Distillers Grains Throughout A Yearling Heifer Beef Production System On Meat Quality Attributes And Effects Of Omnigen-Af With Ractopamine Hydrochloride On Animal Performance And Beef Carcass Characteristics Of Feedlot Steers, Kelby M. Sudbeck

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

Heifers (n = 229; 225 kg ± 2) were used in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial to determine the effects of longterm exposure to corn distillers grains plus solubles (DGS) on meat quality characteristics. Factors included supplementing 0.91 kg (LW) or 2.3 kg (HW) modified DGS (MDGS) while grazing corn stalks; 0.6% BW dry DGS (SS) daily or none (NS) during summer grazing; and finishing diet containing 40% wet corn gluten feed (CGF) or 40% MDGS (DGF) on a DM basis. An interaction was observed within CGF for discoloration, with SS increasing discoloration 30%; but no differences between …

Effects Of Stocking Rate On Forage Nutrient Composition Of Nebraska Sandhills Upland Range When Grazed In Early Summer And The Effects Of Grazing On Nebraska Sandhills Meadow Forage Nutrient Composition, Jared Vern Judy

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

The objectives of this research were to 1) evaluate the effects of stocking rate on forage nutrient quality 2) quantify the relative proportions of current vs. previous year growth being consumed in early summer upland range pastures and 3) determine how grazing effects forage nutrient quality in subirrigated meadows in the Nebraska Sandhills. Experiment 1 was a two year study conducted on the experimental upland range paddocks at Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory. Twelve 2-hectare paddocks were assigned one of three treatments stocked at 0 (control), 0.57 (light), and 0.85 (heavy) AUM/ha. Ten 0.25 m² quadrats were clipped per paddock during …

Genetic Parameter Estimates And Breed Effects For Calving Difficulty And Birth Weight In A Multi-Breed Population, Cashley Ahlberg

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

There are multiple breeds of beef cattle available to utilize in breeding systems to maximize production and economics. Calving difficulty (dystocia) is a significant cost to beef production and is more prevalent in first-calf heifers. The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters and breed differences for calving difficulty and birth weight as a first step towards the development of across-breed adjustment factors for calving difficulty.

Two models were employed to analyze birth weight (BWT) and calving difficulty (CD) recorded on 4,579 first parity females from the Germplasm Evaluation program at the United States Meat Animal Research Center …

Changes In Corn Residue Quality Throughout The Grazing Period And Effect Of Supplementation Of Calves Grazing Corn Residue, Amanda J. Burken

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

Corn residue is an abundant feed source in Nebraska that can be utilized as an alternative winter feed. Calves were backgrounded on corn residue in order to determine gain and estimate forage intake when supplemented with distillers grains (DGS). Calves grazing the non-irrigated field gained more (1.03 kg/calf daily) when compared to those grazing the irrigated field (0.90 kg/calf daily; P < 0.01). In year 1, a quadratic effect for intake of DGS was present (P < 0.01) while year 2 observed a linear effect for increasing level of DGS (P < 0.01). The nutritional quality of corn residue was evaluated over time in order to determine changes in blade/sheath, cob, husk/shank and stem. Minimal changes in DM of the forage components occurred was grain reached 15.5% moisture. Digestibility of the blade/sheath declined linearly over time (P < 0.01) while the husk remained constant (P = 0.40). Cob digestibility decreased quadratically (P < 0.01) throughout the sampling period with few changes once grain reached 15.5% moisture. Differences observed in the digestibility of the blade/sheath were attributed to the effects of weathering. A third set of trials was conducted to evaluate the effects of by-product supplementation of calves grazing irrigated corn residue and supplemented with DGS or continuous access to lick tubs. The DGS treatment gained more (0.62 kg/calf daily) than the lick tub treatment (0.38 kg/calf daily; P < 0.01). Calves offered DGS consumed more supplement as a percentage of BW (0.52%) when compared with calves offered lick tubs (0.36%; P < 0.01) on a DM basis. Calves supplemented with DGS had a higher supplement efficiency (46.3% to 42.9%, DM basis) although no differences were present between treatments (P = 0.49). When analyzed on an OM basis, however, calves offered lick tubs had a numerically higher supplement efficiency (50.4%) in comparison to calves …

Glucose Significantly Enhances Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli Adherence To Intestinal Epithelial Cells Through Its Effects On Heat-Labile Enterotoxin Production, Prageeth Wijemanne, Rodney A. Moxley

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The present study tested whether exposure of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) to glucose at different concentrations in the media results in increased bacterial adherence to host cells through increased heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) production, thereby suggesting the effects are physiological. Porcine-origin ETEC strains grown in Casamino acid yeast extract medium containing different concentrations of glucose were washed and inoculated onto IPEC-J2 porcine intestinal epithelial cells to test for effects on adherence and host cell cAMP concentrations. Consistent with previous studies, all LT+ strains had higher ETEC adherence to IPEC-J2 cells than did LT2 strains. Adherence of the LT2 but not the …

Volatile Organic Compound Flux From Manure Of Cattle Fed Diets Differing In Grain Processing Method And Co-Product Inclusion, Kristin Hales, David B. Parker, N. Andy Cole

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center: Reports

Odor emissions from livestock production have become increasingly important in the past decade. Odors derived from animal feeding operations are caused by odorous VOC emitted from the mixture of feces and urine, as well as feed and silage which may be experiencing microbial fermentation. Distillers grains are a by-product of corn grain fermentation used to produce fuel ethanol, and this industry has grown rapidly throughout the U.S. in past years. Therefore, the use of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) in feedlot cattle diets has also increased. The objective of this research was to determine specific VOC emissions from feces …

Altered Theca And Cumulus Oocyte Complex Gene Expression, Follicular Arrest And Reduced Fertility In Cows With Dominant Follicle Follicular Fluid Androgen Excess, Adam F. Summers, William E. Pohlmeier, Kevin M. Sargent, Brizett D. Cole, Rebecca J. Vinton, Scott G. Kurz, Renee M. Mcfee, Robert A. Cushman, Andrea S. Cupp, Jennifer R. Wood

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Aspiration of bovine follicles 12–36 hours after induced corpus luteum lysis serendipitously identified two populations of cows, one with High androstenedione (A4; >40 ng/ml; mean = 102) and another with Low A4 (/ml; mean = 9) in follicular fluid. We hypothesized that the steroid excess in follicular fluid of dominant follicles in High A4 cows would result in reduced fertility through altered follicle development and oocyte maternal RNA abundance. To test this hypothesis, estrous cycles of cows were synchronized and ovariectomy was performed 36 hours later. HPLC MS/MS analysis of follicular fluid showed increased dehydroepiandrosterone (6-fold), A4 (158-fold) and testosterone …

Kernel-Based Whole-Genome Prediction Of Complex Traits: A Review, Gota Morota, Daniel Penagaricano

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Prediction of genetic values has been a focus of applied quantitative genetics since the beginning of the 20th century, with renewed interest following the advent of the era of whole genome-enabled prediction. Opportunities offered by the emergence of high-dimensional genomic data fueled by post-Sanger sequencing technologies, especially molecular markers, have driven researchers to extend Ronald Fisher and Sewall Wright’s models to confront new challenges. Inparticular, kernel methods are gaining consideration as a regression method of choice for genome-enabled prediction. Complex traits are presumably influenced by many genomic regions working in concert with others (clearly so when considering pathways), thus generating …