The genetics of cow growth and body composition at first calving in two tropical beef genotypes

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Wolcott ◽  
D. J. Johnston ◽  
S. A. Barwick ◽  
N. J. Corbet ◽  
P. J. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Condition Score

The genetics of cow growth and body composition traits, measured before first calving (pre-calving: in females before calving following their first 3-month annual mating period, at an average age of 34 months) and at the start of the subsequent mating period (Mating 2: on average 109 days later), were evaluated in 1016 Brahman (BRAH) and 1094 Tropical Composite (TCOMP) cows. Measurements analysed were liveweight, ultrasound-scanned measurements of P8 and 12/13th rib fat depth and eye muscle area, body condition score and hip height. Traits describing the change in these from pre-calving to Mating 2 were also included in the analysis. The maternal genetic component of weaning weight was estimated from weaning-weight records on these cows, their steer half-sibs and their progeny generated from up to six matings (n = 12 528). Within pregnant cows at pre-calving, BRAH were significantly lighter, leaner at the P8 site and taller than their TCOMP contemporaries, and these differences were also significant at Mating 2. There was a genetic basis for variation in growth and body composition traits measured at pre-calving and Mating 2 in BRAH (h2 = 0.27–0.67) and TCOMP (h2 = 0.25–0.87). Traits describing the change from pre- calving to Mating 2 were also moderately heritable for both genotypes (h2 = 0.17–0.54), except for change in hip height (h2 = 0.00 and 0.10 for BRAH and TCOMP, respectively). Genetic correlations between measurements of the same trait at pre-calving and Mating 2 were consistently positive and strong (rg = 0.75–0.98) and similar for both genotypes. In lactating cows, genetic correlations of growth and body composition traits with their change from pre-calving to Mating 2 showed that when animals had low levels of P8 and rib fat at Mating 2, change in eye muscle area was an important descriptor of genetic body condition score (rg = 0.63). This was supported by moderate genetic relationships, which suggested that lactating cows that were genetically predisposed to lose less eye muscle area were those that ended the period with higher P8 fat (rg = 0.66), rib fat (rg = 0.72) and body condition score (rg = 0.61). Change in liveweight, body condition score and, in particular, eye muscle area was significantly related to the maternal genetic component of weaning weight (rg = from –0.40 to –0.85) in both genotypes, suggesting that cows with higher genetic milk-production potential were those with the propensity for greater loss of these traits over the period from pre-calving to Mating 2. These results showed that for tropically adapted cows, the change in eye muscle area from pre-calving to Mating 2 was a more important descriptor of body condition at Mating 2 than was change in fat depth, and that higher genetic milk-production potential, measured as maternal weaning weight, was genetically related to higher mobilisation of muscle, and therefore body condition, over this period.

Maternal body composition in seedstock herds. 4. Genetic parameters for body composition of Angus and Hereford cows

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 145 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Donoghue ◽  
S. J. Lee ◽  
P. F. Parnell ◽  
W. S. Pitchford
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Life Traits ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Over Time

The genetics of body composition traits measured before calving and at weaning in the first and second parities were evaluated in 5975 Angus and 1785 Hereford cows. Traits measured were liveweight, body condition score and hip height and ultrasound scanned measurements of subcutaneous P8 and 12/13th rib fat depth, loin eye muscle area and intramuscular fat percentage. Corresponding yearling measures on these animals were obtained for analyses of relationships between yearling information with later-in-life traits. There was moderate genetic variation in all body composition traits measured at pre-calving and weaning in Angus (h2 = 0.14–0.59) and Hereford (h2 = 0.14–0.64) cows. Genetic correlations between measurements of the same trait at pre-calving and weaning were consistently positive and high in both parities for both breeds, indicating animals were ranking similarly for the same trait measured over time. Genetic correlations between measurements of different traits were generally consistent over time (pre-calving and weaning) in both breeds, indicating genetic relationships between traits were not changing significantly over time. Genetic correlations with corresponding yearling measures of body composition were consistently positive and high for the first parity, and lower for the second parity. The results of this study indicate that genetic improvement in body composition traits in cows is possible, and that body composition information recorded at yearling age is a reasonably good predictor of later in life performance for these traits.

Estimation in vivo of the chemical composition of the bodies of mature cows

1984 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
A. J. F. Russel
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Deuterium Oxide ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Ultrasonic Measurements ◽  
Condition Score

ABSTRACTA number of possible indices of body composition (live weight, skeletal size, total body water as estimated by deuterium oxide dilution, blood and red cell volumes as estimated by Evans Blue dilution, ultrasonic measurements of subcutaneous fat depth and eye-muscle area, and body condition scoring) was examined using 73 non-pregnant, non-lactating, mature cows of Hereford × Friesian, Blue-Grey, British Friesian, Galloway and Luing genotypes, ranging in body condition score from 0·75 to 4·5. Direct measurements of body composition in terms of water, fat, protein and ash were made following slaughter.Live weight, deuterium oxide dilution, ultrasonic measurements of subcutaneous fat depth and eyemuscle area, and body condition score were all considered to be potentially useful predictors of body composition. Combinations of techniques offered better predictions than did any single index. Using a combination of measurements it was possible to predict body fat and protein with a residual s.d. of 13·1 kg and 3·15 kg respectively. Breed differences in the partition of fat among the main adipose tissue depots necessitated the development of specific prediction equations for body fat based on condition score and subcutaneous fat depth for different breeds. Equations remain to be developed for predicting body composition in cows in different physiological states.

Genetic relationships of female reproduction with growth, body composition, maternal weaning weight and tropical adaptation in two tropical beef genotypes

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Wolcott ◽  
D. J. Johnston ◽  
S. A. Barwick
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Female Reproduction ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Igf I ◽  
Age At Puberty ◽  
Tropical Adaptation

The genetic relationships of female reproduction with growth and body composition, tropical adaptation traits and maternal weaning weight (descriptive of genetic potential milk production) were estimated in 1027 Brahman (BRAH) and 1132 Tropical Composite (TCOMP) females. Female reproduction was evaluated at puberty, as outcomes of the first and second annual mating periods (Mating 1 and Mating 2, which commenced when females averaged 27 and 39 months of age, respectively), as well as annual averages over up to six matings. Traits evaluated included age at puberty, Mating 1 and 2 pregnancy rate, weaning rate and days to calving, and lifetime annual calving and weaning rate. Traits describing growth and body composition (liveweight, hip height, ultrasound-scanned P8 fat depth and eye muscle area, subjective body condition score and blood IGF-I concentration) were measured in the animals as heifers (at ~18 months of age), and again at the start of Mating 2. Traits describing tropical adaptation included coat-length scores in both genotypes and, in BRAH, buffalo fly lesion scores. Previously reported analyses of these data identified heifer IGF-I and coat and buffalo-fly-lesion scores as potential genetic indicators for age at puberty in BRAH. The results of the present study found that exploiting these relationships would have no unfavourable genetic consequences for later female reproduction and, in some cases, may be indicators of female reproduction, when evaluated as outcomes of Matings 1 or 2, or as lifetime annual calving or weaning rates. For BRAH, heifer liveweight was a genetic indicator for Mating 1 weaning rate (rg = 0.70), and, while standard errors were high, there were also positive genetic correlations of heifer hip height, eye muscle area and blood IGF-I concentration with Mating 1 weaning rate (rg = 0.61, 0.58 and 0.43, respectively). For TCOMP, significant genetic relationships of heifer growth, body composition and tropical adaptation traits with female reproduction were virtually absent, suggesting that there is less opportunity to identify earlier in life measures as genetic indicators of reproduction for this genotype. Higher maternal weaning weight was significantly genetically related to lower lifetime annual weaning rate (rg = –0.50) in BRAH, and with lower Mating 2 calving and weaning rate (rg = –0.72 and –0.59, respectively) in TCOMP, which will need to be considered when making selection decisions that affect genetic milk in these genotypes. Importantly, the results presented revealed no strong genetic antagonisms of heifer growth and body composition traits with female reproduction, suggesting that selection could be undertaken to improve these simultaneously.

scholarly journals Liveweight prediction from hip height, condition score, fetal age and breed in tropical female cattle

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffry Fordyce ◽  
Angela Anderson ◽  
Kieren McCosker ◽  
Paul J. Williams ◽  
Richard G. Holroyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Validation Population ◽  
Accuracy Of Measurements ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Female Cattle

Hip height, body condition, subcutaneous fat, eye muscle area, percentage Bos taurus, fetal age and diet digestibility data were collected at 17 372 assessments on 2181 Brahman and tropical composite (average 28% Brahman) female cattle aged between 0.5 and 7.5 years of age at five sites across Queensland. The study validated the subtraction of previously published estimates of gravid uterine weight to correct liveweight to the non-pregnant status. Hip height and liveweight were linearly related (Brahman: P < 0.001, R2 = 58%; tropical composite P < 0.001, R2 = 67%). Liveweight varied by 12–14% per body condition score (5-point scale) as cows differed from moderate condition (P < 0.01). Parallel effects were also found due to subcutaneous rump fat depth and eye muscle area, which were highly correlated with each other and body condition score (r = 0.7–0.8). Liveweight differed from average by 1.65–1.66% per mm of rump fat depth and 0.71–0.76% per cm2 of eye muscle area (P < 0.01). Estimated dry matter digestibility of pasture consumed had no consistent effect in predicting liveweight and was therefore excluded from final models. A method developed to estimate full liveweight of post-weaning age female beef cattle from the other measures taken predicted liveweight to within 10 and 23% of that recorded for 65 and 95% of cases, respectively. For a 95% chance of predicted group average liveweight (body condition score used) being within 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1% of actual group average liveweight required 23, 36, 62, 137 and 521 females, respectively, if precision and accuracy of measurements matches that used in the research. Non-pregnant Bos taurus female cattle were calculated to be 10–40% heavier than Brahmans at the same hip height and body condition, indicating a substantial conformational difference. The liveweight prediction method was applied to a validation population of 83 unrelated groups of cattle weighed in extensive commercial situations on 119 days over 18 months (20 917 assessments). Liveweight prediction in the validation population exceeded average recorded liveweight for weigh groups by an average of 19 kg (~6%) demonstrating the difficulty of achieving accurate and precise animal measurements under extensive commercial grazing conditions.

scholarly journals 148 Effects of managing mature beef bulls on divergent planes of nutrition on body composition and concentrations of hormones and metabolites

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 117-118
Author(s):  
Carl R Dahlen ◽  
Sarah R Underdahl ◽  
Matthew S Crouse ◽  
Kacie L McCarthy ◽  
Cierrah J Kassetas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Intramuscular Fat ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Beef Bulls

Abstract Fifteen mature beef bulls (BW = 800.4 ± 17.4 kg) were used in a 112-d experiment to evaluate effects of divergent planes of nutrition on body composition and concentrations of hormones and metabolites. Bulls were ranked by BW and randomly assigned to one of two treatments; 1) managed on a positive plane of nutrition (POS, n = 8), or 2) managed on a negative plane of nutrition (NEG, n = 7). Bulls were fed a common diet with deliveries into Insentec feeders adjusted biweekly to achieve targeted weight loss or gain (~12.5% of original BW). Blood samples were collected on d 0, 56, and 112. By design, bull BW was influenced by a treatment × day interaction (P &lt; 0.0001), and POS bulls gained 1.27 ± 0.08 kg/d while NEG lost 0.93 ± 0.08 kg/d. Body condition score and scrotal circumference were similarly impacted by treatment × day interactions (P &lt; 0.0001), both starting similar among treatments, then greater for POS than NEG thereafter. To achieve targeted weight divergence POS bulls (13.8 ± 0.45 kg/d) ate more (P &lt; 0.0001) than NEG (5.1 ± 0.45 kg/d). Body composition was impacted (P ≤ 0.02), with rump fat, rib fat, loin muscle area, and intramuscular fat each increasing in POS and decreasing in NEG. Concentrations of NEFA in serum were greater in NEG bulls at d 56 and 112 compared with POS (treatment × day; P &lt; 0.0001), concentrations of glucose (treatment × day; P = 0.02) were greater for POS bulls, and concentrations of urea were not impacted (P = 0.60). Additionally, concentrations of T3 and T4 on d 112 were greater (P ≤ 0.004) for POS. Our model resulted in altered body composition and profiles of hormones and metabolites which could influence semen on functional, morphological, and molecular levels.

Examining the impacts of red deer hind body condition score and pasture forage mass on calf weaning weight

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 466 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Stevens ◽  
B. R. Thompson ◽  
G. W. Asher ◽  
I. C. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Total Milk ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Average Body

The effect of pre-calving hind body condition and the interaction with pasture forage mass during lactation on calf growth and intake to weaning were investigated. Two-hundred and forty red deer hinds (Cervus elaphus scoticus × hippelaphus) of average body condition score (BCS) 3.5 were subjected to either ad libitum or restricted feeding for the 4 weeks before the expected start of calving (31 October) to create hinds of low (2.5) or high (3.5) BCS. The hinds were then grazed continuously on pasture of either low (<1200 kg DM/ha) or high (>2400 kg DM/ha) forage mass during lactation (29 October–25 March). In a 2 × 2 crossover design liveweight, liveweight gain and pasture intake were measured in both hinds and calves. Low hind body condition score (BCS 2.5) at the onset of lactation resulted in low calf weaning weight (46.9 kg) when forage mass was low, but not when forage mass was high (57.3 kg). High BCS (3.5) in hinds resulted in intermediate calf weaning weight when on low forage mass (51.2 kg) and high calf weaning weight when forage mass was high (56.6 kg). Both BCS and forage mass influenced calculated total milk production.

scholarly journals PSX-11 Effects of nutritional plane before breeding on body condition score, mass indexes, and chemical composition of hair sheep

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 455-455
Author(s):  
Raquel V Lourencon ◽  
Lionel J Dawson ◽  
Ryszard Puchala ◽  
Luana P Ribeiro ◽  
Terry A Gipson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Soybean Meal ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Hair Sheep ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Ground Corn

Abstract Twenty-five Dorper (D), 27 Katahdin (K), and 33 St. Croix (S) ewes were used to characterize changes in BW, body condition score (BCS), body mass index (BMI), and body composition with different nutritional planes before breeding. Supplement treatments were soybean meal fed at 0.16% BW and 25% soybean meal and 75% ground corn at 0.8% BW (DM; L and H, respectively). There were two animal groups and pens per breed and supplement treatment. Shrunk BW (20 h without feed and water), BCS (1–5), linear measures including wither height and length from the point of the shoulder to pin bone, and body composition via urea space were determined after 0, 4, and 8 wk. Initial values were 62.10, 59.99, 61.57, 62.25, 50.23, and 52.98 kg shrunk BW (SEM=3.601); 35.82, 34.81, 35.57, 36.41, 33.77, and 34.09% fat (SEM=1.043); 17.06, 16.72, 16.98, 17.27, 16.38, and 16.49 MJ/kg energy (SEM=0.357); 3.29, 3.41, 3.29, 3.29, 2.99, and 3.18 BCS (SEM=0.139); and 13.72, 14.22, 12.69, 12.81, 11.53, and 11.50 g/cm2 BMI (BW/(height×length); SEM=0.463) for D-L, D-H, K-L, K-H, S-L, and S-H, respectively. Change from wk 0 to 8 was -0.80, 2.90, -2.74, 3.33, -2.02, and 3.36 kg shrunk BW (SEM=0.842); -0.14, 2.03, -1.45, 1.70, -0.85, and 2.10 kg fat (SEM=0.862); -8.4, 83.7, -62.5, 73.8, -38.4, and 88.1 MJ energy (SEM=33.30); -0.02, 0.20, 0.04, 0.29, -0.08, and 0.17 BCS (SEM=0.070); and -0.265, 0.297, -0.185, 0.491, -0.571, and 0.587 g/cm2 BMI (SEM=0.488) for D-L, D-H, K-L, K-H, S-L, and S-H, respectively. Correlation coefficients between change in BCS and mass of water, fat, and energy were 0.35 and 0.44 (P ≤ 0.004), and those for BMI were 0.54 and 0.56, respectively (P &lt; 0.001). In conclusion, a BMI can be more highly related to and predictive of change in body composition of hair sheep resulting from different nutritional planes compared with BCS.

scholarly journals Genetics of heifer puberty in two tropical beef genotypes in northern Australia and associations with heifer- and steer-production traits

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 399 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Johnston ◽  
S. A. Barwick ◽  
N. J. Corbet ◽  
G. Fordyce ◽  
R. G. Holroyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Marbling Score ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Age At Puberty

A total of 2115 heifers from two tropical genotypes (1007 Brahman and 1108 Tropical Composite) raised in four locations in northern Australia were ovarian-scanned every 4–6 weeks to determine the age at the first-observed corpus luteum (CL) and this was used to define the age at puberty for each heifer. Other traits recorded at each time of ovarian scanning were liveweight, fat depths and body condition score. Reproductive tract size was measured close to the start of the first joining period. Results showed significant effects of location and birth month on the age at first CL and associated puberty traits. Genotypes did not differ significantly for the age or weight at first CL; however, Brahman were fatter at first CL and had a small reproductive tract size compared with that of Tropical Composite. Genetic analyses estimated the age at first CL to be moderately to highly heritable for Brahman (0.57) and Tropical Composite (0.52). The associated traits were also moderately heritable, except for reproductive tract size in Brahmans (0.03) and for Tropical Composite, the presence of an observed CL on the scanning day closest to the start of joining (0.07). Genetic correlations among puberty traits were mostly moderate to high and generally larger in magnitude for Brahman than for Tropical Composite. Genetic correlations between the age at CL and heifer- and steer-production traits showed important genotype differences. For Tropical Composite, the age at CL was negatively correlated with the heifer growth rate in their first postweaning wet season (–0.40) and carcass marbling score (–0.49), but was positively correlated with carcass P8 fat depth (0.43). For Brahman, the age at CL was moderately negatively genetically correlated with heifer measures of bodyweight, fatness, body condition score and IGF-I, in both their first postweaning wet and second dry seasons, but was positively correlated with the dry-season growth rate. For Brahman, genetic correlations between the age at CL and steer traits showed possible antagonisms with feedlot residual feed intake (–0.60) and meat colour (0.73). Selection can be used to change the heifer age at puberty in both genotypes, with few major antagonisms with steer- and heifer-production traits.

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