The Professional Animal Scientist最新文献

{"title":"Review: Sperm: Comparative morphology and function related to altered reproductive strategies and fertility in mammals","authors":"Shannon Kate Thompson ,&nbsp;Naseer A. Kutchy ,&nbsp;Samantha Kwok ,&nbsp;Zulfi N.A. Rosyada ,&nbsp;Ikhide G. Imumorin ,&nbsp;Bambang Purwantara ,&nbsp;Erdogan Memili","doi":"10.15232/pas.2018-01748","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15232/pas.2018-01748","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Reproduction and development are fascinating processes that exhibit significant differences among mammals. Successful propagation of species depends on male fertility and the ability of the sperm to fertilize and activate the egg and support early development. Remarkably, the specifics of how sperm structure and function have evolved and their crucial roles in fertility remain largely unknown. This synthesis provides a concise review of comparative anatomy and physiology of mammalian sperm structure and how inevitable changes regulate fertility.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":22841,"journal":{"name":"The Professional Animal Scientist","volume":"34 6","pages":"Pages 558-565"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.15232/pas.2018-01748","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91744537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Invited Review: Detection and management of pregnancy loss in the cow herd1","authors":"S.L. Speckhart ,&nbsp;S.T. Reese ,&nbsp;G.A. Franco ,&nbsp;T.B. Ault ,&nbsp;R.V. Oliveira Filho ,&nbsp;A.P. Oliveira ,&nbsp;J.A. Green ,&nbsp;J.L.M. Vasconcelos ,&nbsp;K.G. Pohler","doi":"10.15232/pas.2018-01772","DOIUrl":"10.15232/pas.2018-01772","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Various methods and tools have been developed to detect and manage pregnancy loss in cattle to maximize reproductive efficiency<span> by increasing pregnancy rates and decreasing pregnancy loss. Embryonic mortality constitutes the majority of pregnancy loss in cattle and can be divided into 2 periods: early embryonic mortality (&lt;28 d of gestation) and late embryonic mortality/early fetal mortality (≥28 d of gestation). Much research has revolved around elucidating causes of early embryonic mortality; although little is known about the mechanisms contributing to late embryonic mortality/early fetal mortality, its effects can have significant economic consequences. Current pregnancy diagnostic tools in cattle vary in accuracy until about d 28 of gestation. Refinement of current pregnancy diagnostic tests, with the ability to be accurate at approximately the third week of gestation, or the development of new methods that are able to assess embryonic viability would both decrease the financial ramifications linked to embryonic mortality and increase the reproductive efficiency of the herd. The following review will highlight some techniques that have been reported to detect and predict pregnancy loss and some of the potential management strategies that might mitigate these losses.</span></p></div>","PeriodicalId":22841,"journal":{"name":"The Professional Animal Scientist","volume":"34 6","pages":"Pages 544-557"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.15232/pas.2018-01772","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76242613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of injectable trace minerals on reproductive performance of beef heifers in adequate trace mineral status","authors":"S. Springman, J. Maddux, M. Drewnoski, R. Funston","doi":"10.15232/PAS.2018-01752","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15232/PAS.2018-01752","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Red Angus–based, May-born heifers (n = 799) at 2 locations (Maddux Ranches, Wauneta, NE) were used to evaluate an injectable trace mineral on reproductive performance. Following October weaning, heifers were backgrounded in a feedlot until reaching a BW of 295 kg and then moved to native range at location 1 (n = 125) or location 2 (n = 286) in early March. Additional heifers (n = 388) grazed corn residue with cows, weaned in April, and were backgrounded until reaching 295 kg and then transported to locations 1 and 2 by early June. Free-choice mineral was available at both locations. Initial liver mineral status before treatment (n = 22; 307 kg) was adequate and not different (P > 0.26) among winter locations (copper = 146 μg/g, manganese = 9.22 μg/g, selenium = 1.54 μg/g, and zinc = 115 μg/g). Heifers were synchronized with a 14-d controlled internal drug-release (CIDR) timed-AI protocol and injected with a trace mineral (5 mL, Multimin 90; MM, n = 399) or not (CON, n = 400) at CIDR insertion. Bulls were with heifers on range 60 d following AI. The proportion of heifers pregnant within the first 21 d was not different (P = 0.32; 69 vs. 62 ± 3%; CON vs. MM) nor were those pregnant within 33 d (P = 0.57; 86 vs. 77 ± 2%; CON vs. MM) or overall pregnancy rates (P = 0.38; 95 vs. 93 ± 1%; CON vs. MM). Injectable trace mineral 33 d before AI did not influence reproductive performance in heifers with adequate trace mineral status.","PeriodicalId":22841,"journal":{"name":"The Professional Animal Scientist","volume":"52 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85773772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Case Study: Assessment of human-conditioned sorting behavior in dairy cows in farm research trials","authors":"D. Manriquez, Liang Chen, Gabriel Albornoz, J. Velez, P. Pinedo","doi":"10.15232/PAS.2018-01749","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15232/PAS.2018-01749","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Cow–human interactions influence and modulate group and individual behaviors of dairy cows. The objective was to test the effectiveness of human sorting on separating subgroups of dairy cows in on-farm studies and to assess the level of conditioning to this activity. Three sorting methods were compared: (1) human active sorting at the pen gate (AS); (2) human presence as passive sorting (PS); and (3) nonhuman gate sorting (GS). Holstein cows (n = 176) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 subgroups (A = 91 animals and B = 85 animals) to be sequentially separated by 3 sorting methods. Each method was applied once per day after the morning milking during 5 d, and the proportions of cows correctly allocated in each group were recorded and compared. Additionally, an individual error index rate (number of errors per number of days observed) was calculated for each individual cow. When AS was applied, the total proportion of animals correctly sorted was 99.8%, whereas PS had 94.8% of total sorting accuracy. Cows lost the self-sorting behavior when exposed to nonhuman GS. The daily average of animals correctly placed was greater for AS when compared with PS (175 ± 1.7 vs. 166.6 ± 3.5; P = 0.005). Cows in the group that had longer walking distances to their subpen had greater individual error rate, especially when PS was applied. After a period of training, lactating dairy cows became conditioned to human sorting, which represents an opportunity to perform animal separation without intense human labor or stress for the animals.","PeriodicalId":22841,"journal":{"name":"The Professional Animal Scientist","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89460360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the safety of an algal biomass as an ingredient for finishing cattle","authors":"Mitch M. Norman, Z. Carlson, F. H. Hilscher, G. Erickson, B. Brodersen, J. D. Loy, J. Wilson, C. Rabe, A. Watson","doi":"10.15232/PAS.2018-01774","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15232/PAS.2018-01774","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Coproducts of n-3 fatty acid production from algae are a potential feed resource for cattle. A study was conducted evaluating feeding algal biomass to cattle. Crossbred cattle (20 steers and 20 heifers, 255 kg initial BW, SD = 14) were individually fed 4 inclusions of condensed algal residue solubles (CARS; 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5% of diet DM) displacing dry-rolled corn in the finishing diet for a minimum of 97 d. Increasing CARS inclusion in the diet quadratically increased DMI and ADG (P ≤ 0.01) and linearly increased G:F (P","PeriodicalId":22841,"journal":{"name":"The Professional Animal Scientist","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80854802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adoption of management practices and breed types by US grass-fed beef producers1","authors":"I. Sitienei ,&nbsp;J. Gillespie ,&nbsp;G. Scaglia PAS","doi":"10.15232/pas.2018-01711","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15232/pas.2018-01711","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Using data from a 2013 survey, adoption rates of 14 farm operations and management practices, as well as frequencies of breed types adopted by US grass-fed beef producers, are provided. The management practices are classified into 3 broad groups or categories: general management (access to shade during summer, castration, animal identification system, vaccination, deworming, and insect control), reproductive (defined breeding season, breeding records, pregnancy checking, bull test, and AI), and technological or informational (searching the internet for grass-fed beef information, keeping individual animal records, and testing the quality of forage). Multivariate probit and joint Poisson models were used to analyze determinants of adoption of the management practices. A summary of breeds used by producers is provided. Results indicate that larger-scale producers who were involved in the cow-calf segment and sold grass-fed beef as meat were the more likely adopters of most of the management practices. The Angus breed and Angus crosses were the most heavily used animals. The results provide insight for research and extension personnel in determining the predominant structure of grass-fed beef farms and the practices used and, hence, in developing research and educational programs to further assist the grass-fed beef segment.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":22841,"journal":{"name":"The Professional Animal Scientist","volume":"34 6","pages":"Pages 571-580"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.15232/pas.2018-01711","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91744536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Invited Review: Effect of early-life nutrition on the molecular and physiological regulation of puberty onset in the bull1","authors":"D.A. Kenny ,&nbsp;K. Keogh ,&nbsp;C.J. Byrne","doi":"10.15232/pas.2018-01788","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15232/pas.2018-01788","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><span>The advent of genomic selection<span><span> has accentuated interest in procuring saleable semen from young genetically elite bulls as early in life as possible. However, the timing of availability of semen for commercial use will be determined by the age at which these young animals reach puberty and subsequent sexual maturity. Enhancing early-life nutrition stimulates the functionality of the hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis, mediated through complex biochemical interplay between metabolic and neuroendocrine signals and culminating in enhanced testicular growth, steroidogenesis, </span>spermatogenesis<span><span><span>, and ultimately, earlier onset of sexual maturation. Indeed, recent evidence indicates that the timing of sexual precocity, which is dictated by an early gonadotropin rise (8–20 wk of age) in the bull, is determined by prevailing metabolic status during calfhood and is not compensable even where prior undernutrition is followed by dietary augmentation. However, despite this, the precise neuronal mechanisms regulating these developmental processes remain to be elucidated for the bull. Although early-life nutrition clearly affects the sexual maturation process, there is little evidence for latent effects on postpubertal semen characteristics. Equally, postpubertal fertility, measured as </span>in vitro fertilization and early </span>embryogenesis<span>, is not influenced by nutritional status during early life. Current efforts employing high throughput nucleic acid and </span></span></span></span>proteomic sequencing and targeted immunofluorescence coupled with systems biology–based gene network analyses can provide further insight on how nutrition may mediate the biochemical interaction between neuroendocrine and testicular cellular processes. Such information can be harnessed to identify potential genomic targets as part of genomically assisted breeding programs as well as facilitate development of strategic nutritional regimens to optimize sexual maturation and subsequent semen availability from genetically elite young bulls.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":22841,"journal":{"name":"The Professional Animal Scientist","volume":"34 6","pages":"Pages 533-543"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.15232/pas.2018-01788","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91744539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Grazing of Delphinium occidentale (duncecap larkspur) by susceptible and resistant cattle","authors":"J. Pfister, B. Green, D. Gardner, K. Welch, D. Cook, C. Stonecipher","doi":"10.15232/PAS.2018-01775","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15232/PAS.2018-01775","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Delphinium spp. (larkspurs) often fatally poison grazing cattle. Angus cattle differing in susceptibility to larkspur poisoning were used to assess selection of larkspur (Delphinium occidentale) while grazing. During July 2015, 2016, and 2017, diet selection of 12 cattle (6 susceptible, 6 resistant) was determined for 2 to 3 wk. During 2015 resistant steers ate 6% of their diets as total larkspur compared with 7% (P > 0.34) for susceptible steers. During 2016 there was a treatment × date interaction (P = 0.02) for total larkspur consumption; resistant steers consumed more larkspur on 5 trial days than did susceptible steers. Overall, resistant steers ate 6% of their diets as larkspur compared with 3% for susceptible steers. During 2017 there was a treatment × date interaction (P = 0.03) for total larkspur consumption; resistant heifers consumed more larkspur on 2 trial days than did susceptible heifers. Overall, during 2017 resistant heifers ate 7% of their diets as larkspur compared with 3% for susceptible heifers. The average serum concentration of methyllycaconitine in severely intoxicated, susceptible animals was approximately 700 ng/mL compared with approximately 1,000 ng/mL for severely intoxicated, resistant animals. The only fatalities (2) were in susceptible animals. The diet selection and comparative responses of resistant and susceptible animals on rangeland appear to validate the phenotyping done in the laboratory but must be verified in a controlled setting. Selecting resistant cattle to graze larkspur-infested rangelands may reduce losses; however, further research is required to develop genetic biomarkers to identify such animals.","PeriodicalId":22841,"journal":{"name":"The Professional Animal Scientist","volume":"78 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90876845","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adoption of management practices and breed types by US grass-fed beef producers","authors":"Isaac Sitienei, J. Gillespie, G. Scaglia","doi":"10.15232/PAS.2018-01711","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15232/PAS.2018-01711","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Using data from a 2013 survey, adoption rates of 14 farm operations and management practices, as well as frequencies of breed types adopted by US grass-fed beef producers, are provided. The management practices are classified into 3 broad groups or categories: general management (access to shade during summer, castration, animal identification system, vaccination, deworming, and insect control), reproductive (defined breeding season, breeding records, pregnancy checking, bull test, and AI), and technological or informational (searching the internet for grass-fed beef information, keeping individual animal records, and testing the quality of forage). Multivariate probit and joint Poisson models were used to analyze determinants of adoption of the management practices. A summary of breeds used by producers is provided. Results indicate that larger-scale producers who were involved in the cow-calf segment and sold grass-fed beef as meat were the more likely adopters of most of the management practices. The Angus breed and Angus crosses were the most heavily used animals. The results provide insight for research and extension personnel in determining the predominant structure of grass-fed beef farms and the practices used and, hence, in developing research and educational programs to further assist the grass-fed beef segment.","PeriodicalId":22841,"journal":{"name":"The Professional Animal Scientist","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79509705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Benchmarking technical and economic performance of beef cow-calf to finishing production systems in Ireland","authors":"R.F. Taylor ,&nbsp;P. Crosson ,&nbsp;A.K. Kelly ,&nbsp;M. McGee","doi":"10.15232/pas.2017-01709","DOIUrl":"10.15232/pas.2017-01709","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><span>The objectives of this study were, for cow-calf to finishing production systems, to benchmark animal and financial performance of Irish “national average” farms (AVE) and farms participating in a farm improvement program (IMP) with experimental research farm systems finishing male progeny as steers (RES-S) or bulls (RES-B), and to identify key technical characteristics and financial drivers within these 3 farm categories. Stocking rate, BW output per livestock unit, and carcass weight per day were less on AVE and IMP compared with RES-S/RES-B. Age at first calving was 31.5, 28.9, and 24.0 mo on AVE, IMP, and RES-S/RES-B, respectively. </span>Calving rate and weaning rate were less on AVE than on IMP, and these rates were less on IMP than on RES-S/RES-B. Gross output value and costs per hectare were least on AVE and greatest on RES-S/RES-B. Feed-related costs accounted for 36, 50, 47, and 58% of total costs per hectare on AVE, IMP, RES-S, and RES-B, respectively. Fixed costs accounted for the largest proportion of AVE total costs. Costs of production per kilogram of beef BW equated to $4.73 (€4.04), $2.26 (€1.93), $1.78 (€1.52), and $2.04 (€1.74) on AVE, IMP, RES-S, and RES-B, respectively. A negative net profit per hectare of −$897 (−€767) was achieved by AVE; IMP, RES-S, and RES-B attained net profits per hectare of $208 (€178), $587 (€502), and $405 (€346), respectively. Key performance indicators underpinning profitable beef cow-calf to finishing systems include high individual animal performance (cow reproduction and progeny growth), optimal stocking rates, and low fixed and purchased feed costs.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":22841,"journal":{"name":"The Professional Animal Scientist","volume":"34 5","pages":"Pages 421-434"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.15232/pas.2017-01709","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80898430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}