Impacts of residual feed intake and pre-natal diet on reproductive potential of bulls

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (10) ◽  
pp. 1827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinju Johnson ◽  
Carolyn Fitzsimmons ◽  
Marcos Colazo ◽  
Changxi Li ◽  
John Kastelic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Reproductive Development ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Bull Calves

Our objective was to determine effects of genetic potential for residual feed intake (RFI) and pre-natal diet on post-natal growth and reproductive development of bulls. Twenty-five bull calves with a divergent potential for RFI were produced by mating purebred Angus heifers (60) categorised as high or low RFI and inseminated with semen from high or low RFI bulls. From 30 to 150 days of gestation, half the heifers (balanced for RFI across treatments) in each RFI category were fed to gain 0.7 or 0.5 kg/day (~100% and 75% of recommended feed intake; designated normal- and low-diet, respectively). Birthweights of bull calves (n = 25) did not differ significantly among treatment groups (P ≥ 0.1). However, there was a tendency (P < 0.1) for a maternal diet*time interaction for bull weights, with bulls from low pre-natal diet fed heifers growing faster between 10 and 16 months of age than bulls from normal pre-natal diet fed heifers. Furthermore, high-RFI bulls had a larger scrotal circumference (P < 0.01) and attained puberty (P < 0.05) earlier than low-RFI bulls. Other testes measures, including paired testes volume, epididymal sperm reserves, daily sperm production and total sperm production, were not significantly different among treatment groups (P ≥ 0.1). High RFI bulls tended (P < 0.1) to have better average sperm motility than low RFI bulls. However, sperm morphology, viability and chromatin damage were not different (P ≥ 0.1). In summary, young beef bulls with low RFI had smaller testis, delayed onset of puberty (~1.7 months) and tended to exhibit lower progressive motility compared with high RFI bulls. Pre-natal diet had no direct influence on male reproductive development, nor did it interact with RFI of bulls.

scholarly journals Reproductive development and fertility traits among heifers in different residual feed intake groups1

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S175-S179
Author(s):  
Maggie K Reynolds ◽  
Gwinyai E Chibisa ◽  
Amin Ahmadzadeh ◽  
John B Hall
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Reproductive Development ◽  
Fertility Traits

261 HIGH NUTRITION DURING EARLY LIFE IMPROVES REPRODUCTIVE POTENTIAL OF HOLSTEIN BULLS

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
A. Dance ◽  
J. Thundathil ◽  
R. Wilde ◽  
P. Blondin ◽  
J. Kastelic
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Bull Calves ◽  
Fertilizing Ability ◽  
Holstein Bulls ◽  
Dairy Bull

The objective was to determine effects of early-life nutrition on reproductive potential of Holstein bulls. Twenty-six bull calves were randomly allotted to 3 groups and fed ~70, 100, or 130% of National Research Council recommendations for both energy and protein from 2 to 31 wk; thereafter, all were fed a 100% diet (adequate vitamins and minerals were constantly available) until slaughter (72 wk). Growth rate, scrotal circumference, and paired testis volume were determined every 4 wk during the differential feeding period. Once scrotal circumference reached 26 cm, semen collection was attempted (to confirm puberty). Post-pubertal semen quality was monitored; once bulls were producing 70% morphologically normal sperm, semen was cryopreserved (programmable freezer). These semen samples (3 bulls per group and 3 ejaculates per bull) were used in an IVF system to determine the fertilizing ability of sperm and developmental competence of resulting embryos. In the low-, medium-, and high-nutrition groups, respectively, bulls were 369.3 ± 14.1, 327.4 ± 9.5, and 324.3 ± 11.7 days at puberty; their paired testes weights were 561.6 ± 23.1, 611.1 ± 59.1, and 727 ± 33.0 g; cleavage rates were 68.0 ± 8.7, 77.1 ± 3.5, and 68.7 ± 4.5%; and blastocyst rates were 31.5 ± 5.6, 41.4 ± 4.9, and 33.7 ± 4.6% (no significant differences among the 3 nutrition groups for rates of cleavage or blastocyst formation). We concluded that early-life supplementation of energy and protein hastened puberty (P < 0.05) and increased testicular size (P < 0.05), without compromising sperm fertilizing ability. Therefore, feeding dairy bull calves a high plane of nutrition early in life is recommended as a management strategy to improve their reproductive potential.

PSIX-1 Canadian Vytelle technology for determining residual feed intake in raising Qazaq Aqbas bull calves

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 444-445
Author(s):  
Assel Tilepova ◽  
Dauren Matakbayev ◽  
Anuarbek T Bissembayev
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Pedigree Data ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Bull Calves ◽  
Numerical Rating ◽  
Feed Costs ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Abstract Selection for residual feed intake (RFI) allows you to reduce feed costs and increase productivity of beef cattle. An increase in feed productivity by 10% can lead to an increase in profits by 43%, raising livestock with a low RFI can reduce feed intake by 12%, reduce methane emissions by 30%, and manure reduction by 17%. To obtain reliable trial results when determining the RFI, it is necessary to ensure the following conditions: 1) the same age of animals 2) the exchange of pedigree data between users of the system, which makes it possible to compare the EPDs within Vytelle Systems. Objects of research:QazaqAqbas bull calves (n = 46) at the age of 10–12 months in ZhanaBerekeLLP in Akmola region of Kazakhstan. Trial results confirm that residual feed intake in group 1 varied from -0.81 to 1.11, in group 2 - from -0.80 to 1.09. The RFI Rank was higher in group 1 (12.5). RADG in group 1 was at the level of -0.57 ... 0.58, in group 2 - -0.58 ... 1.13. According to the numerical rating of the animal (RADG Rank), the average value in group 1 was 12.5, in group 2 - 11.5. The average live weight at the beginning (START WT.) and end (END WT.) in the first group was 254.16 and 287.62 kg, in the second group 239.99 and 273.09 kg. The ADG in two groups was at the same level - 0.70 and 0.69 kg. The average Dry Matter Intake per day by animals during the trial was higher in the first group - 4.15, in the second group it was 3.65. For the first time in Kazakhstan national QazaqAqbas breed is tested for RFI, RADG, ADG, DMI, Raw F:G, Adj F:G.

PSVII-21 Canadian Vytelle technology for determining residual feed intake epdsin raising Qazaq Aqbas bull calves

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 447-448
Author(s):  
Dauren Matakbayev ◽  
Assel Tilepova ◽  
Anuarbek T Bissembayev
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Effective Work ◽  
Bull Calves ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Group 1

Abstract The Abstract reviews the experience of implementing Vytelle technology in ZhanaBereke LLP, Akmola region in Kazakhstan. The trial objects are Qazaq Aqbas bull calves: group 1 aged 10–11 months (n = 22), group 2 aged 11–12 months (n = 24). Data analysis showed that more reliable Residual Feed Intake calculated for each individual animal on the basis of their phenotypes and information on pedigree, were found in group 1. The average RFI EPD for group 1 is -0.0607, for group 2 is -0.0297. The RFI% Rank in terms of RFI EPD for both trial groups varied within 4 ... 96%. However, the average RFI% Rank was lower in the first group (45%) compared to the second group (56%). From which it follows that the RFI EPD is higher in group 1. Average Daily Gain EPDs (ADG EPD) higher in group 1 -0.0018. A higher ADG EPDs indicate a more cost-effective metric. The ADG% Rank in terms of ADG EPD for group 1 varied within 1 ... 62%, for group 2: 1 ... 63%. The average ADG% Rank was slightly lower in the first group (30%) compared to the second group (33%). From the presented data, it follows that the breeding valueaccording to the ADG EPD is higher in group 1. The average Dry Matter Intake by animals per day during the trial (DMI EPD) is equal to -0,0600 in the first group, and -0,0292 in the second group. The DMI% RANK in terms of DMI EPD for group 1 varied within 31 ... 93%, for group 2: 38 ... 96%. The DMI% RANK was lower in the first group (60%) compared to the second group (67%). Summarizing the above, we can conclude that selection for this characteristic is less effective, work will continue to increase this indicator.

Genetic potential for residual feed intake and diet fed during early- to mid-gestation influences post-natal DNA methylation of imprinted genes in muscle and liver tissues in beef cattle

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Devos ◽  
Amir Behrouzi ◽  
Francois Paradis ◽  
Christina Straathof ◽  
Changxi Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Imprinted Genes ◽  
Restricted Diet ◽  
Genetic Potential

Abstract Discovery of epigenetic modifications associated with feed efficiency or other economically important traits would increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these traits. In combination with known genetic markers, this would provide opportunity to improve genomic selection accuracy in cattle breeding programs. It would also allow cattle to be managed to improve favorable gene expression. The objective of this study was to identify variation in DNA methylation between beef cattle of differential pre-natal nutrition and divergent genetic potential for residual feed intake (RFI). Purebred Angus offspring with the genetic potential for either high (HRFI) or low (LRFI) RFI, were prenatally exposed to either a restricted maternal diet of 0.5 kg/d average daily gain (ADG) or a moderate maternal diet of 0.7 kg/d ADG from 30 to 150 days of gestation. We performed DNA methylation analysis of differentially methylated regions (DMR) of imprinted genes (Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) DMR2, IGF2/H19 imprinting control region (ICR) and IGF2 receptor (IGF2R) DMR2) using post-natal samples of longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle taken from male and female calves at birth and weaning, and of LD muscle, semimembranosus (SM) muscle and liver samples collected from steers at slaughter (17 months of age). Interestingly, for all three DMR investigated in liver, LRFI steers had higher levels of methylation than HRFI steers. In LD muscle, IGF2/H19 ICR methylation differences for heifers at birth were due to pre-natal diet, while for steers at birth they were mostly the result of genetic potential for RFI with LRFI steers again having higher levels of methylation than HRFI steers. While results from repeated measures analysis of DNA methylation in steers grouped by RFI revealed few differences, in steers grouped by diet, we found higher methylation levels of IGF2 DMR2 and IGF2R DMR2 in LD muscle of restricted diet steers at weaning and slaughter than at birth, as well as increased methylation in LD muscle of restricted diet steers compared to moderate diet steers at weaning and/or slaughter. Our results suggest that differential pre-natal nutrition, and divergent genetic potential for RFI, induces tissue- and sex-specific alterations in post-natal IGF2 and IGF2R methylation patterns and that these patterns can vary with age in Angus beef cattle.

scholarly journals PSI-36 Phenotypic Relationship of Feed Efficiency and Fertility in Angus and Red Angus Bulls

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 474-475
Author(s):  
Taylor Lacey ◽  
Stephen Doyle ◽  
Kasey DeAtley
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Red Angus

Abstract Recent advances in measuring feed intake improve selection for efficient beef bulls; however, such selection must not decrease bull fertility. Objectives herein were to determine the phenotypic relationship between feed efficiency and fertility traits in growing Angus (n = 14) and Red Angus (n = 14) bulls. Two feeding trials were conducted at the CSU, Chico University Farm in 2017 (87 d) and 2018 (84 d). Each year, bulls were randomly assigned to 7 x 18 m pens equipped with GrowSafe feed intake units and allowed ad libitum access to water and feed (CP: 15.6%, TDN: 56.22%, NDF: 52%, DM basis). Performance traits included: feed conversion ratio (FCR) and residual feed intake [RFI; measured as the difference between predicted dry matter intake (PDMI) and actual dry matter intake (DMI)], start weight (SWT), end weight (EWT), metabolic mid-weight (MMWT), residual gain and average daily gain (ADG). Breeding soundness exams (BSE) were conducted at 18 mo of age and included traits: scrotal circumference (SC), motility (MT), and morphology (MP). Residual feed intake was calculated by regressing DMI on ADG and MMWT. The RFI group was categorized as low (0.5 SD above the RFI mean), marginal (± 0.5 SD about the RFI mean), and high (0.5 SD above the RFI mean) by year. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, blocking on year-pen and fitting breed and RFI group as independent factors. Tukey pairwise contrasts were run. Motility among breeds and RFI group were analyzed using chi-square. Pearson correlations were calculated between growth, feed efficiency, and BSE measures of SC and MP. There were no differences (P &gt; 0.05) among breeds nor RFI groups for SWT, EWT, MMWT, residual gain, SC, and MT. No interaction was detected between breed and RFI group with exception of MP (P = 0.049); specifically, low RFI Red Angus bulls had poor MP compared to marginal and high RFI groups (66.94 ± 6.87 vs. 87.43 ± 3.77 and 93.74 ± 5.48 %, respectively). Angus bulls were superior to Red Angus bulls in ADG (1.23 ± 0.04 vs. 1.06 ± 0.05 kg/d; P = 0.01), FCR (7.98 ± 0.31 vs. 9.18 ± 0.38; P = 0.04), and RFI (-0.24 ± 0.09 vs. 0.09 ± 0.11 kg DMI/d; P = 0.04). High and marginal RFI groups had greater DMI compared to low RFI group (10.40 ± 0.26 and 9.64 ± 0.18 kg/d vs. 8.31 ± 0.32 kg/d; P &lt; 0.001). There were no significant phenotypic correlations between growth and efficiency measures with SC and MP (P &gt; 0.05). Cumulatively, results indicate that SC and MT were not affected in efficient bulls.

RALGRO® IMPLANTS FOR INTACT MALE CALVES

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 441-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. RICHARDS ◽  
D. N. MOWAT ◽  
J. W. WILTON
Keyword(s):  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Morbidity Rate ◽  
Testicular Development ◽  
Live Performance ◽  
Intact Male ◽  
Feedlot Performance ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Bull Calves ◽  
Breed Group

Forty-eight spring-born bulls (representing early-, medium- and late-maturing breed groups) and 30 fall-born bulls (representing medium- and late-maturing breed groups) were randomly assigned to either a control or treatment group within each breed group. Treated bull calves were initially implanted with Ralgro® at approximately 55 d of age and reimplanted every 84 d for a total of four implants. All bulls were weaned after 140 d on trial at an average age of 195 d, placed into a feedlot in pens of three or four within breed and treatment groups and gradually adjusted to a high grain ration. Bulls were slaughtered when they reached approximately 7 mm of backfat over the 12/13th ribs, determined ultrasonically. Weaning weights and daily gain to weaning were increased slightly, but not significantly, by implanting in both calving groups. Effects tended to be more pronounced with the earlier (medium) maturing breed groups. No effect of implanting on feedlot performance was observed in either the spring- or fall-born bulls. A reduction in the morbidity rate of the spring-born implanted bulls tended to occur during a period of disease outbreak shortly after weaning. Testicular weights were reduced (P < 0.05) with the use of implants in both calving groups. Scrotal circumference was decreased (P < 0.05) by implanting in the spring-born bulls only. For both of these traits, effects were also more pronounced in the early- and medium-maturing breed groups. Effects of implanting on carcass characteristics were slight. Key words: Ralgro®, bulls, live performance, carcass characteristics, testicular development

scholarly journals RAPID COMMUNICATION: Residual feed intake in beef cattle is associated with differences in protein turnover and nutrient transporters in ruminal epithelium

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 2181-2187
Author(s):  
Ahmed A Elolimy ◽  
Emad Abdel-Hamied ◽  
Liangyu Hu ◽  
Joshua C McCann ◽  
Daniel W Shike ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Protein Degradation ◽  
Insulin Signaling ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Protein Turnover ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Ruminal Epithelium

Abstract Residual feed intake (RFI) is a widely used measure of feed efficiency in cattle. Although the precise biologic mechanisms associated with improved feed efficiency are not well-known, most-efficient steers (i.e., with low RFI coefficient) downregulate abundance of proteins controlling protein degradation in skeletal muscle. Whether cellular mechanisms controlling protein turnover in ruminal tissue differ by RFI classification is unknown. The aim was to investigate associations between RFI and signaling through the mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) and ubiquitin-proteasome pathways in ruminal epithelium. One hundred and forty-nine Red Angus cattle were allocated to 3 contemporary groups according to sex and herd origin. Animals were offered a finishing diet for 70 d to calculate the RFI coefficient for each. Within each group, the 2 most-efficient (n = 6) and least-efficient animals (n = 6) were selected. Compared with least-efficient animals, the most-efficient animals consumed less feed (P &lt; 0.05; 18.36 vs. 23.39 kg/d DMI). At day 70, plasma samples were collected for insulin concentration analysis. Ruminal epithelium was collected immediately after slaughter to determine abundance and phosphorylation status of 29 proteins associated with MTOR, ubiquitin-proteasome, insulin signaling, and glucose and amino acid transport. Among the proteins involved in cellular protein synthesis, most-efficient animals had lower (P ≤ 0.05) abundance of MTOR, p-MTOR, RPS6KB1, EIF2A, EEF2K, AKT1, and RPS6KB1, whereas MAPK3 tended (P = 0.07) to be lower. In contrast, abundance of p-EEF2K, p-EEF2K:EEF2K, and p-EIF2A:EIF2A in most-efficient animals was greater (P ≤ 0.05). Among proteins catalyzing steps required for protein degradation, the abundance of UBA1, NEDD4, and STUB1 was lower (P ≤ 0.05) and MDM2 tended (P = 0.06) to be lower in most-efficient cattle. Plasma insulin and ruminal epithelium insulin signaling proteins did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) between RFI groups. However, abundance of the insulin-responsive glucose transporter SLC2A4 and the amino acid transporters SLC1A3 and SLC1A5 also was lower (P ≤ 0.05) in most-efficient cattle. Overall, the data indicate that differences in signaling mechanisms controlling protein turnover and nutrient transport in ruminal epithelium are components of feed efficiency in beef cattle.

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