Veterinary Medicine Commons^™

Quantifying Cereal Rye Pastures Biomass With Image Analysis, Pedro Henrique J. Fernandes, Shelby L. Davies-Jenkins, Biquan Zhao, Wei‑Zhen Liang, Mary E. Drewnoski, Yijie Xiong

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

By accurately assessing the amount of forage available, producers can estimate the pasture carrying capacity to make informed decisions on management. To provide producers with a feasible and efficient approach to estimate forage mass, this project evaluated performance of two image analysis tools, Crop Canopy Image Analyzer (CCIA) and Canopeo, in estimating forage mass for cereal rye. Forage mass measured by clipping the forage (areas with 5.625 ft²) was correlated with plant cover analyzed by the two tools using photos of the forage taken 37 in above the ground. Results obtained have supported the feasibility …

Impact Of Constant Versus Variable Inclusions Of Modified Distillers Grains Plus Solubles On Feedlot Cattle Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Paige M. Madison, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Isaque F. Vicci, Joshua R. Benton, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A finishing trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying dietary inclusion of modified distillers grains plus solubles compared to a constant inclusion throughout the entire feeding period on finishing cattle performance. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial with two inclusions of modified distillers grains plus solubles (10% and 25%) that were constant or varying in dietary inclusion, and a corn control (0% modified distillers grains plus solubles). Increasing the inclusion of distillers grains from 0 to 25% increased both DMI and ADG when fed at a constant inclusion of 10 …

Impact Of Full-Fat Wet Distillers Grains Inclusion In Steam-Flaked Corn Based Finishing Diets, Gatlin Hissong, Bill Dicke, Doug Smith, Andrea Watson, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Steam-flaked corn and distillers grains are common feed ingredients in finishing rations, but the interaction between the two is not well understood. A finishing trial at a commercial feedlot using 700 calf-fed heifers was conducted to evaluate cattle performance when fed 18 or 30% (dry matter basis) full-fat wet distillers grains plus solubles in steam-flaked corn based diets with 8% roughage (hay + corn silage). No effects on cattle performance were observed due to distillers grains inclusion in the diet. Final body weight, dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed conversion, and hot carcass weight were not …

Effect Of Feeding Palm Oil On Finishing Cattle Performance, Carcass Characteristics, And Methane Production, Anna M. Kobza, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Mitchell C. Norman, Joshua R. Benton, Long Zou, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Increased demand for biofuel production has increased demand and price of commonly fed supplemental fat sources in beef operations. This finishing study evaluated the effect of feeding palm oil products on performance, carcass characteristics and methane production of feedlot finishing steers. Dietary treatments were feeding no supplemental fat or feeding one of the following fat sources at 4% of diet dry matter: whole palm oil, palm stearin, palm olein, or corn oil. Feeding supplemental fat, regardless of source, increased final body weight, average daily gain, and hot carcass weight. Feeding supplemental fat had no effect on dry …

Effect Of Feeding Two Different Feed Additives (Optipartum C+ And Prime Force) On Finishing Cattle Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Sofia Suarez-Lorences, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Joshua R. Benton, Robert Bondurant, Willard Lemaster, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A feedlot study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding two different natural feed additives, Prime Force and Optipartum C+, on finishing cattle performance and carcass characteristics. Treatments were applied as a 2×2 factorial that included a control diet with no additive; a diet containing Prime Force; a diet containing Optipartum C+; and a diet containing both Prime Force and Optipartum C+ combined. Treatment diets were fed the last 67 d prior to slaughter as designed. Cattle fed Prime Force had greater live final body weight, carcass weight, intake, and average daily gain compared to cattle …

Effects Of Replacing Wet Corn Distillers Grains With A Purefield Distillers Grains® At 15% And 30% (Dm Basis) In Feedlot Diets, Sofia A. Canafoglia, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A 2×2 +1 factorial experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of replacing wet corn distillers grain (WCDGS) with PureField distillers grains, a proprietary blend of wet distillers grains plus wheat middlings (Purefield LLC, Kansas, United States) at 15% or 30% of the diet (DM basis), on finishing performance and carcass characteristics. The inclusion of either byproduct resulted in improved steer performance, and carcass characteristics when compared to the treatment without the byproduct inclusion. No interactions between byproduct and inclusion level were observed for steer performance or carcass characteristics. A tendency for higher average daily gains was …

2025 Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cow-calf Nutrition, Reproduction, and Management

Artificial Insemination of Beef Heifers with Multi-sire Semen, Dempster M. Christenson, Jordan M. Thomas, Daniel J. Kelly, Rick N. Funston

Impact of Overwinter Gain on Growth and Reproductive Performance in March- born Heifers, Josie N. Crouch, J. Travis Mulliniks, Jacki A. Musgrave, Kacie L. McCarthy

Impact of Pre- and Post-breeding Supplementation on Performance of May-born Heifers, Josie N. Crouch, J. Travis. Mulliniks, Jacki A. Musgrave, Kacie L. McCarthy

Growing Calf and Yearling Management

Effects of Allocation Frequency on Cattle Performance and Forage Utilization when Swath Grazing a Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrid in Eastern Nebraska, Thomas E. Aquino, …

Effect Of Using Whole Soybeans, Roasted Soybeans, Or Soybean Meal In Finishing Cattle Diets, Melissa K. Bausch, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson, Pablo L. Loza

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

A feedlot study compared the effect of using whole or roasted soybeans at two inclusion rates (12% and 16% of diet dry matter), soybean meal, distillers grains, or a dry-rolled corn with urea control in finishing cattle diets. Steers fed the diet with the 16% inclusion of roasted soybeans had better average daily gain, feed conversion, and hot carcass weight. All other diets resulted in similar performance to the dry-rolled corn and distillers grains treatments. Roasted soybeans fed at a 16% inclusion improved F:G over the 12% roasted soybeans as compared to the whole soybeans which were …

Defining An Irrelevant Plasma Concentration For Trichlormethiazide In Racing Horses – A Case Report And Analysis, Kimberly Brewer, Justin C. Holmes, Clara Fenger, Abelardo Morales-Briceño, Andreas F. Lehner, George A. Maylin, Robert Holland, Levent Dirikolu, Thomas Tobin

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

This communication reviews the matter of the clinical, pharmacological, and regulatory significance of a 4.95 nanogram/ml identification of trichlormethiazide in urine from a horse six days after administration of a compounded trichlormethiazide/ dexamethasone preparation. This combination of dexamethasone and trichlormethiazide has historically been widely used in bovine and equine medicine to reduce local inflammation and edema. The horse was administered an oral formulation of trichlormethiazide 400 mg /dexamethasone 10 mg per packet under veterinary supervision on days 7 and 6 before the race in question. Following the race, the post-race urine sample from the horse tested “positive” for trichlormethiazide at …

Trace Level Identifications Of N-Ethylnicotinamide In Racing Horses Associated With A Vitamin B3 Supplement: Case Reports And Analysis, Clara Fenger, Kimberly Brewer, Abelardo Morales-Briceño, Andreas F. Lehner, George A. Maylin, Robert Holland, Levent Dirikolu, Thomas Tobin

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

Nikethamide, N,N-diethyl-3-pyridinecarboxamide (Coramine®) is a central nervous system stimulant at one time used therapeutically in human medicine but no longer marketed in the US. Nikethamide is classified a Drug Class 1, Penalty Class A substance by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) and as a Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) SO or banned Stimulant that lacks FDA approval. Identifications of Nikethamide or its metabolite N-Ethylnicotinamide in racing samples can result in significant penalties in horse racing. Nikethamide is rapidly metabolized to N-Ethylnicotinamide, which remains detectable in plasma and urine leading to its use as a regulatory “marker” of …

Anabolic Properties Of The Progestin Altrenogest And Its Regulation As An Environmental Substance In Horse Racing – Review And Analysis, Andreas F. Lehner, Levent Dirikolu, Sarah Jacob, Kimberly Brewer, Abelardo Morales Briceñoe, Robert Holland, George Maylin, Clara Fenger, Thomas Tobin

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

Altrenogest is a progestogen substance used in equine medicine for the synchronization of ovulation during the spring breeding season and the control of estrus in mares. It accomplishes its actions by down-regulation of endometrial progesterone receptors and repression of estrogen receptor transcriptional activation. However, various groups have also measured androgen receptor binding activity for altrenogest in vitro; these findings combined with androgenic and anabolic properties roughly 1/20 in potency of testosterone and its structural similarity to the anabolic steroid trenbolone have created concerns among racing authorities of altrenogest’s potential abilities to alter the outcome of equine athletic performance, even though …

Antibiotic Alternatives And Next-Generation Therapeutics For Salmonella Control: A One Health Approach To Combating Antimicrobial Resistance, Mohamed Saleh, Ashutosh Verma, Khaled A. Shaaban, Yosra A. Helmy

Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

The growing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance has significantly compromised the efficacy of conventional antibiotic-based interventions in controlling Salmonella infections across human and veterinary settings. This growing challenge necessitates a strategic rethinking of pathogen control, prompting the integration of next-generation therapeutics capable of disrupting Salmonella pathogenesis through novel, antibiotic-sparing mechanisms. In this context, a diverse array of emerging alternatives, including bacteriophages, antimicrobial peptides, probiotics, prebiotics, short-chain fatty acids, nanoparticles, and host-directed immunomodulators, have gained prominence as a promising frontier in non-antibiotic therapeutics. These modalities offer targeted approaches to inhibit Salmonella colonization, virulence expression, and persistence, while minimizing collateral damage to the …

Immunoinformatics-Based Design And In Vitro Expression Analysis Of A Multi-Epitope Vaccine Against African Swine Fever Virus, Dhithya Venkateswaran

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

African swine fever (ASF) is a lethal haemorrhagic disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, causing severe economic losses globally. The absence of an effective vaccine has hindered ASF control, as traditional approaches are challenged by the virus’s genetic complexity and immune evasion mechanisms. In this study, we employed immunoinformatics to design a multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) against African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV), targeting conserved viral proteins—B646L (p72), CP204L (p30), E183L (p54), and EP402R (CD2v). Antigenic and non-allergenic BL and HL epitopes were selected and assembled with appropriate adjuvant and linkers to construct the MEV. No CTL epitopes were included, as they …

Canine Uterine Fibrosis Associated With Age And Pyometra, Maulida Selma Hanim

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigated whether aging and uterine pathology drive fibrosis in the canine uterus by quantifying collagen deposition in endometrial and myometrial compartments. Uterine samples from 55 small-sized, intact, nulliparous bitches were classified into five groups according to age and pathological conditions. Healthy group divided into juvenile, young adult, old adult, and the pathological group included cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH), and pyometra. Fibrosis was assessed using Masson’s trichrome staining; collagen proportion was quantified with ImageJ and analysed in SAS. Across healthy age groups, collagen proportions in the endometrial stroma, circular myometrium, and longitudinal myometrium did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). …

Expression Of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha In Feline Mammary Carcinomas, Ngoc Anh Van Pham

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study aimed to investigate the expression patterns of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) in normal tissue and feline mammary carcinomas. Thirty feline mammary carcinomas (FMCs) and eight normal mammary tissues were used in this study. In the same FMC cats, tissues were collected from 2 regions which are the neoplastic tissue and the adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. The study was composed of three parts: (1) clinical data collection and histopathological diagnosis; (2) Immunohistochemistry (IHC) evaluation of PPARα, Ki-67, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA); and (3) Western blot analysis of PPARα isoforms. The results revealed no significant differences in PPARα …

Diagnostic Approaches And Therapeutic Evaluation In Canine Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: An Integrated Analysis Of Prostatic Volume, Serum Canine Prostatic Specific Esterase (Cpse) Levels, And Proteomic Profiles, Panthipa Borikappakul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a highly prevalent condition in intact male dogs. However, its diagnosis and clinical management remain limited by the lack of clear thresholds for clinically significant prostatic enlargement, insufficient biomarkers to monitor treatment response, and an incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving disease progression. To address these gaps, this thesis integrated ultrasonographic, biochemical, and proteomic approaches across three complementary studies. First, the actual to expected normal prostatic volume ratio was evaluated to establish a clinically meaningful cutoff distinguishing subclinical from clinical BPH, providing an imaging-based indicator for early recognition of clinically relevant enlargement. Building on …

Community Ecology Of Domestic Animals And Wildlife At Solid Waste Disposal Sites Near Dong Phayayen – Khaoyai Forest Complex And Its Impacts On Zoonotic Diseases, Paisin Lekcharoen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Solid waste disposal sites (SWS) at forest edges represent critical zoonotic transmission hotspots where wildlife, domestic animals, and humans converge. This study characterized host community structure, pathogen circulation, and network topology at SWS adjacent to the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, Thailand. Three study phases (2021-2023) comprised: (1) camera trapping at five SWS (3,907 trap-nights); (2) small mammal trapping across four habitats (1,420 individuals, 12 species), ectoparasite collection (20,560 chiggers, 14 species), and molecular pathogen detection; and (3) network analysis of connectivity among habitat, host, chigger, and pathogen. Domestic dogs dominated communities (88.3%), creating simplified assemblages. Potential transmission operated through …

Optimization Of Artificial Insemination In Swine Through Gnrh Agonist Application In Boar Semen With Special Emphasis On Epithelial Penetration And Pharmacokinetics, Preechaphon Taechamaeteekul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Induction of ovulation in pigs is a widely applied technique in commercial swine farms, using hormonal treatments to improve reproductive efficiency and productivity. The GnRH agonist buserelin acetate is widely used to induce ovulation and can be administered via intramuscular or intravaginal routes. However, the success of ovulation induction via the intravaginal route still depends on several factors, and information regarding the pharmacokinetics and tissue permeation of buserelin remains limited. This thesis aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetic profile, endometrial permeability, and reproductive effects of buserelin to develop an effective and practical ovulation control strategy for commercial swine production. This thesis …

Surveillance And Genetic Characterization Of Atypical Porcine Pestivirus (Appv) In Central Thailand, Sana Shahid

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Atypical Porcine Pestivirus (APPV) is an emerging swine pathogen associated with congenital tremor (CT) Type A-II, a neurological condition characterized by tremors of the head, body, and limbs, as well as poor growth in piglets. From September 2023 to August 2025, nasal and blood samples were collected from 181 pigs from four commercial pig farms in Central Thailand, and APPV was detected in 17 samples. Notably, all APPV-positive samples come from one farm. A follow-up study was conducted at the infected farm to assess APPV persistence and its association with age groups and clinical signs. In total, 275 pigs were …

Genomic Characterization Of Streptococcus Agalactiae And Streptococcus Suis Isolated From Diseased Snakeskin Gourami (Trichopodus Pectoralis), Surawit Chueahiran

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates severe, recurrent mortality outbreaks in farmed snakeskin gourami (Trichopodus pectoralis) in central Thailand between 2021 and 2023. Characterized by exophthalmos and systemic hemorrhage, these incidents prompted an investigation to identify causative agents, assess antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and explore genomic adaptation. Bacterial isolates from moribund fish in Samut Sakhon province were identified via MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA sequencing, followed by whole-genome sequencing (Illumina HiSeq) and comparative pan-genomic analysis. Two primary pathogens, Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus suis, were confirmed as causative agents of acute bacterial septicemia, occurring in both single and co-infections. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that S. suis …