Provision of choline chloride to the bovine preimplantation embryo alters postnatal body size and DNA methylation†.

Choline is a vital micronutrient. In this study, we aimed to confirm, and expand on previous findings, how choline impacts embryos from the first 7 days of development to affect postnatal phenotype. Bos indicus embryos were cultured in a choline-free medium (termed vehicle) or medium supplemented with 1.

Physiological responses of Holstein calves and heifers carrying the SLICK1 allele to heat stress in California and Florida dairy farms.

Inheritance of the SLICK1 allele of the prolactin receptor gene improves thermotolerance of lactating Holstein cows under humid heat stress conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pre- and postweaning Holstein heifers carrying the SLICK1 allele would show physiological responses indicative of higher tolerance to heat stress in high- and low-humidity climates. A total of 101 heifer calves of two age groups heterozygous for the SLICK1 allele and 103 wild-type half-siblings were evaluated during July 2020 in 3 dairy farms in central California and 2 in south Florida.