A pre- and postnatal immune challenge influences muscle growth and metabolism in weaned pigs.

The in utero environment is key to both fetal and postnatal growth and development. The objective of this study was to determine if administration of an acute low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to gestating sows during mid to late gestation and postweaning would alter the offsprings metabolomic profile of the longissimus dorsi (LD) and muscle ultrastructure. Pregnant Camborough sows were randomly assigned to receive LPS (LPS; n = 7) at a dose of 2.

Effects of bacterial direct-fed microbial combinations on beef cattle growth performance, feeding behavior, nutrient digestibility, ruminal morphology, and carcass characteristics.

The effects of the dietary inclusion of a mixture of bacterial direct-fed microbial (DFM) on feedlot beef cattle growth performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility, feeding behavior, and ruminal papillae morphology were evaluated. Crossbred-Angus steers (n = 192; initial body weight (BW) = 409 kg ± 8 kg) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned into 48 pens (4 steers/pen and 16 pens/treatment) following a randomized complete block design. A steam-flaked corn-based fishing diet was offered to ad libitum intake once daily for 153 d containing the following treatments: (1) Control (no DFM, lactose carrier only); (2) treat-A (Lactobacillus animalis, Propionibacterium freudenreichii, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus licheniformis), at 1:1:1:3 ratio, respectively; totaling 6 × 109 CFU (50 mg)/animal-daily minimum; and (3) treat-B, the same DFM combination, but with doses at 1:1:3:1 ratio.

Effects of bacterial direct-fed microbial mixtures offered to beef cattle consuming finishing diets on intake, nutrient digestibility, feeding behavior, and ruminal kinetics/fermentation profile.

Effects of bacterial direct-fed microbial (DFM) mixtures on intake, nutrient digestibility, feeding behavior, ruminal fermentation profile, and ruminal degradation kinetics of beef steers were evaluated. Crossbred Angus ruminally cannulated steers (n = 6; body weight [BW] = 520 ± 30 kg) were used in a duplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design and offered a steam-flaked corn-based finisher diet to ad libitum intake for 3, 28-d periods. Treatments were 1) Control (no DFM, lactose carrier only); 2) Treat-A (Lactobacillus animalis, Propionibacterium freudenreichii, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus licheniformis), at 1:1:1:3 ratio, respectively; totaling 6 × 109 CFU (50 mg)/animal-daily minimum; and 3) Treat-B, the same DFM combination, but doses at 1:1:3:1 ratio.

Body, carcass, and steak dimensions of straightbred Holstein calves and Angus-sired calves from Holstein, Jersey, and crossbred beef dams.

Beef genetics are used with increasing frequency on commercial dairies. Although use of beef genetics improves calf value, variability has been reported in beef × dairy calf phenotype for traits related to muscularity and carcass composition. The objective of this study was to characterize morphometric and compositional differences between beef, beef × dairy, and dairy-fed cattle.

Beef embryos in dairy cows: calfhood growth of Angus-sired calves from Holstein, Jersey, and crossbred beef dams.

Improved reproductive management has allowed dairy cow pregnancies to be optimized for beef production. The objective of this sire-controlled study was to characterize the effects of beef or dairy maternal genetics and the dairy management system on calf growth. Pregnancies were created with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of dam breed (Holstein or Jersey) and mating type (artificial insemination or implantation of an in vitro produced embryo from a commercial beef cow oocyte).

Effects of the F94L myostatin gene mutation in beef × dairy crossed cattle on muscle fiber type, live performance, carcass characteristics, and boxed beef and retail cut yields.

Producer live performance data and carcasses from steers (n = 116) resulting from the mating of four Limousin/Angus sires heterozygous for the F94L myostatin mutation to Jersey/Holstein dams were utilized to evaluate the effects of one copy of the F94L allele on live performance, carcass traits and USDA grades, and boxed beef and retail yields. Slaughter data were collected at time of harvest and carcass data were collected 48 hours postmortem. One side from each of the 58 carcasses was fabricated into boxed beef and retail cuts by experienced lab personnel 5-8 d postmortem.

GPR120 Gene expression and activity in subcutaneous and intramuscular adipose tissues of Angus crossbred steers.

We hypothesized that media long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) would more greatly depress cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), glycerol, and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations in subcutaneous (s.c.) adipose tissue than in intramuscular (i.

Beef embryos in dairy cows: feedlot performance, mechanistic responses, and carcass characteristics of straightbred Holstein calves and Angus-sired calves from Holstein, Jersey, or crossbred beef dams.

Improved reproductive management has allowed dairy cow pregnancies to be optimized for beef production. The objective of this sire-controlled study was to test the feedlot performance of straightbred beef calves raised on a calf ranch and to compare finishing growth performance, carcass characteristics, and mechanistic responses relative to beef × dairy crossbreds and straightbred beef cattle raised in a traditional beef cow/calf system. Tested treatment groups included straightbred beef steers and heifers reared on range (A × B; n = 14), straightbred beef steers and heifers born following embryo transfer to Holstein dams (H ET; n = 15) and Jersey dams (J ET; n = 16) The finishing trial began when cattle weighed 301 ± 32.

Semi-automated technique for bovine skeletal muscle fiber cross-sectional area and myosin heavy chain determination.

Myosin heavy chain (MyHC) type and muscle fiber size are informative but time-consuming variables of interest for livestock growth, muscle biology, and meat science. The objective of this study was to validate a semi-automated protocol for determining MyHC type and size of muscle fibers. Muscle fibers obtained from the longissimus and semitendinosus of fed beef carcasses were embedded and frozen within 45 min of harvest.

Cecal microbiota of feedlot cattle fed a four-species Bacillus supplement.

As commercial fed cattle consume large amounts of concentrate feedstuffs, hindgut health can be challenged. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a commercially available Bacillus feed additive on cattle health outcomes and cecal microbiota of fed cattle at the time of harvest. Commercial cattle from a single feedlot were identified for characterization of cecal microbial communities using 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene sequencing.

Effects of bismuth subsalicylate and encapsulated calcium-ammonium nitrate on feedlot beef cattle production.

Two experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) and calcium-ammonium nitrate (CAN) on in vitro ruminal fermentation, growth, apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, liver mineral concentration, and carcass quality of beef cattle. In Exp. 1, four ruminally cannulated steers (520 ± 30 kg body weight [BW]) were used as donors to perform a batch culture and an in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) procedure.

Comparison of beta-ligands used in cattle production: structures, safety, and biological effects.

Technologies that increase the efficiency and sustainability of food animal production to provide meat for a growing population are necessary and must be used in a manner consistent with good veterinary practices, approved labeled use, and environmental stewardship. Compounds that bind to beta-adrenergic receptors (β-AR), termed beta-adrenergic receptor ligands (β-ligands), are one such technology and have been in use globally for many years. Though all β-ligands share some similarities in structure and function, the significance of their structural and pharmacological differences is sometimes overlooked.

Effects of Encapsulated Methionine on Skeletal Muscle Growth and Development and Subsequent Feedlot Performance and Carcass Characteristics in Beef Steers.

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of encapsulated methionine on live performance, carcass characteristics, and skeletal muscle development in feedlot steers. In Experiment 1, 128 crossbred steers (body weight [BW] = 341 ± 36.7 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design and supplemented with 0, 4, 8, or 12 g/(head day [d]) of ruminally protected methionine (0MET, 4MET, 8MET, and 12MET, respectively) for 111 d or 139 d.

Influence of Cane Molasses Inclusion to Dairy Cow Diets during the Transition Period on Rumen Epithelial Development.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the addition of cane molasses during a 60 day dry period on performance and metabolism of Holstein cows during prepartum and postpartum periods. For experiment 1, 26 primiparous and 28 multiparous cows were used. Upon freshening, all cows were offered a common lactation diet.

Evidence for functional G-coupled protein receptors 43 and 120 in subcutaneous and intramuscular adipose tissue of Angus crossbred steers.

We conducted 3 independent experiments to demonstrate functional G-coupled protein receptor 43 (GPR43) and GPR120 in bovine intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.

Evaluation of vitamin A status on myogenic gene expression and muscle fiber characteristics.

A randomized complete block design experiment with 30 yearling crossbred steers (average BW = 436.3 ± 39.8 kg) fed a steam-flaked corn-based diet was used to evaluate the effects dietary vitamin A (Rovimix A 1000; DSM Nutritional Products Ltd.

Calcium salts of fatty acids with varying fatty acid profiles in diets of feedlot-finished Bos indicus bulls: impacts on intake, digestibility, performance, and carcass and meat characteristics.

We hypothesized that the inclusion of calcium salts of fatty acid (CSFA) into the diets and the fatty acid (FA) profile of the supplements would impact performance and meat characteristics of Bos indicus bulls. Hence, the objective was to evaluate the effects of CSFA profiles on intake, body weight (BW), carcass, and meat characteristics of feedlot-finished B indicus bulls. Fifty-three Nellore bulls [initial BW 315 ± 5.

Chromium propionate supplementation alters animal growth performance, carcass characteristics, and skeletal muscle properties in feedlot steers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing concentrations of Cr propionate (CrP) on feedlot performance, blood parameters, carcass characteristics, and skeletal muscle fiber properties in feedlot steers. Crossbred steers ( = 32; 367 ± 2.5 kg; 16 pens; 2 hd/pen) were blocked by body weight (BW), and treatment was randomly assigned to pen: (1) 0 mg added Cr/kg diet dry matter (DM) (control), (2) 0.

Evaluation of the dietary vitamin A requirement of finishing steers via systematic depletion and repletion, and its effects on performance and carcass characteristics.

A randomized complete block design experiment with 30 yearling crossbred steers (initial average body weight [BW] = 297.6 ± 32.8 kg) fed a steam-flaked corn-based diet was used to evaluate finishing performance and carcass characteristics when provided with different concentrations of vitamin A (Rovimix A 1000; DSM Nutritional Products Ltd.

A pooled analysis of six large-pen feedlot studies: effects of a noncoated initial and terminal implant compared with a single initial and delayed-release implant on arrival in feedlot heifers.

Randomized complete block design experiments ( = 6 experiments) evaluating steroidal implants (all from Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ) were conducted in large-pen feedlot research facilities between 2015 and 2018 comparing an 80 mg trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 8 mg estradiol-17β (E) initial implant (Revalor-IH) and reimplanted with 200 mg TBA and 20 mg E (Revalor-200; REPEATED) to a single 80 mg TBA and 8 mg E uncoated; 120 mg TBA and 12 mg E coated implant (Revalor-XH) at arrival (SINGLE) on growth and carcass responses in finishing heifers. Experiments occurred in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Washington, and Texas. Similar arrival processing was used across experiments where 17,675 heifers [initial body weight = 333 kg SEM (4.

The influence of on rumen morphometrics of cull cows immediately stepped up to a high-energy finishing diet.

Forty-five beef cull cows [body weight () = 503 ± 58 kg; body condition score () = 2.1 ± 0.6] were randomized into two treatments to compare the effects of oral drenching of no probiotic vs.

Influence of dietary roughage level and on feedlot performance and carcass composition of thin cull beef cows fed for a lean market.

One hundred forty-four cull cows (body condition score = 2.10 ± 0.61; BW = 456 ± 47 kg) were organized into a 2 2 factorial design (48 pens, 12 pens/treatment, and 3 cows/pen) to evaluate the effect of dietary roughage level and oral drenching of NCIMB 41125 ( culture; Lactipro Advance; MS Biotec Inc.

Effects of a single initial and delayed release implant on arrival compared with a non-coated initial implant and a non-coated terminal implant in heifers fed across various days on feed.

Two experiments evaluated the effect of implant number, type, and total steroidal dose on live animal performance and carcass traits in heifers fed for three different days on feed (DOF). In experiment 1, heifers ( = 3,780; 70 heifers/pen and 9 pens/treatment; initial body weight [BW] = 309 kg) were used in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors were as follows: 1) implant (all from Merck Animal Health, De Soto, KS): 200 mg trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 20 mg estradiol-17β (E) administered on arrival (SINGLE), or 80 mg TBA and 8 mg E administered on arrival followed by 200 mg TBA and 20 mg E after approximately 90 d (REPEATED) and 2) duration of DOF: harvested after approximately 172, 193, and 214.

Effects of zinc propionate supplementation on growth performance, skeletal muscle fiber, and receptor characteristics in beef steers.

A randomized complete block design experiment with 32 yearling crossbred steers (average body weight [BW] = 442 ± 17.0 kg) fed a steam-flaked corn-based diet was used to evaluate the effects of dietary Zn (KemTRACE Zn propionate 27; Kemin Industries, Inc., Des Moines, IA) supplementation on live growth performance, skeletal muscle fiber, and beta-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) characteristics during the finishing phase.