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Steers
Kinds of Steers Selected AbstractsRole of gender in depressive disorder outcome for individual and group cognitive,behavioral treatment,JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 12 2008Hunna J. Watson Abstract Gender in cognitive,behavioral therapy (CBT) for outcome for depression has been inadequately examined in previous research. Thirty-five men and 55 women diagnosed with a depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) completed individual CBT at an outpatient community mental health clinic and 56 men and 105 women completed group CBT. Depression severity was measured before treatment and at endpoint using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996) along with secondary outcomes of anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory; Beck, Epstein, Brown, & Steer, 1988) and quality of life (Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire; Endicott, Nee, Harrison, & Blumenthal, 1993). Men and women demonstrated equivalent pretreatment and posttreatment illness severity, a comparable gradient of improvement on outcomes, and attainment of clinically meaningful benchmarks. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64:1,15, 2008. [source] Concurrent validity of the Yale,Brown Obsessive,Compulsive Scale,Symptom checklist,JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 12 2008Michael L. Sulkowski Abstract Despite the frequent use of the Yale,Brown Obsessive,Compulsive Scale,Symptom Checklist (Y-BOCS-SC; Goodman et al., 1989a) and the Obsessive,Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R; Foa et al., 2002), there are limited data on the psychometric properties of the two instruments. In the present research, clinician ratings on the Y-BOCS-SC for 112 patients with obsessive,compulsive disorder (OCD) were compared to their self-report ratings on the OCI-R. In addition, Y-BOCS-SC and OCI-R scores were compared to measures of OCD symptom severity and self-report measures of anxiety (State,Trait Anxiety Inventory,Trait Subscale [STAI-T]; Spielberger, Gorusch, & Lushene, 1970) and depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II [BDI-II]; Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996). The six symptom scales of the OCI-R had good internal consistency reliabilities (,s). For the Y-BOCS-SC, three of five scales had good reliabilities (,s >.80), but ,s for symmetry/ordering and sexual/religious symptom scales were inadequate. Total scores for the two instruments were strongly correlated with their corresponding "checking" scales, but no individual symptoms scales were identified as indices of overall OCD symptom presence. Scales assessing washing/contamination, symmetry/ordering, and hoarding from the two OCD instruments correlated well, but lower correlations for the other scales suggested differences in symptom coverage by the two instruments. Most symptom scales from the Y-BOCS-SC and OCI-R had low correlations with the BDI-II and STAI-T, but the OCI-R obsessing scale was well correlated (r=.54) with the STAI-T. These findings reveal some of the strengths and weaknesses of these two OCD instruments, and the results provide guidance for selecting scales that are suitable for measuring OCD symptoms. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64:1,14, 2008. [source] Creativity: Delusions, Realities, Opportunities and ChallengesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ART & DESIGN EDUCATION, Issue 2 2009John Steers This article considers the background and provisions of the New Secondary Curriculum in England. Attention is drawn to the extent of the policy changes by comparing the ten-year old demands of the Swift & Steers ,Manifesto for art in schools' (1999) with the new legislation and guidance. In particular, while there is strong support for overdue recognition of the importance of creativity in the curriculum it is argued that its inclusion remains problematic because the ,risky thinking' involved will be difficult in the many schools that have become risk averse in the face of ever increasing accountability. Nevertheless, there are very significant opportunities for art and design provided a number of key challenges are faced and acted upon. [source] Chronic shedding of Campylobacter species in beef cattleJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2004G.D. Inglis Abstract Aims:, To determine the prevalence of chronic shedding of Campylobacter species by beef cattle, a longitudinal study of shedding patterns was conducted in a cohort of 60 beef steers over a 4-month period. Methods and Results:, Steers were maintained in a simulated feedlot setting but individually in pens to minimize transmission among animals. At each collection time, campylobacters in faeces were detected using conventional PCR. In addition, quantities of Campylobacter jejuni and C. lanienae in faeces were measured using real-time quantitative (RTQ) PCR. All of the steers tested shed Campylobacter species during the course of the study, and overall, 90% of the 299 samples tested were positive for Campylobacter DNA. The majority of the animals (86%) shed campylobacters at ,4 sample times. The most prevalent taxon detected in bovine faeces was C. lanienae (56% of samples) followed by C. jejuni (13%), C. hyointestinalis (8%), and C. fetus (2%). No C. coli was detected, and 13% of the faecal samples contained two or more of the above species. Seven (12%) and 34 (57%) animals shed C. jejuni and C. lanienae at ,3 sample times, respectively. For both C. lanienae and C. jejuni, a substantial number of cells were detected in faeces using RTQ-PCR; 27% of the samples positive for C. jejuni contained populations >104 cells g,1 (maximum of 5 × 105 cells g,1), and 44% of samples positive for C. lanienae possessed populations >106 cells g,1 (maximum of 4 × 108 cells g,1). A significant correlation was observed between shedding of C. lanienae and the severity of liver abscesses. In 27% of the samples, an amplicon was obtained for genus-specific but not for the species-specific primers. Sequencing of the partial 16S rRNA gene suggested the presence of at least two undescribed Campylobacter species but this has yet to be confirmed. Conclusions:, A high percentage of feedlot cattle shed large quantities of Campylobacter species in their faeces over a protracted period of time (ca 112 days). Significance and Impact of the Study:, This is the first study of longitudinal shedding patterns of campylobacters in beef cattle using PCR-detection methods. In addition, this is the first use of RTQ-PCR to directly quantify C. jejuni or C. lanienae in faeces. The results of the study show that a large number of cattle (>85%) chronically shed campylobacters in feedlots. [source] The effect of dietary ratios of corn silage and alfalfa hay on carbohydrate digestion and retention time of feed particles in the gastrointestinal tract of steersANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2009Taketo OBITSU ABSTRACT Four Holstein steers fitted with duodenal cannula were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to investigate the effect of the combination of corn silage (CS) and alfalfa hay (AH) in different ratios on the ruminal and intestinal digestion of carbohydrates and feed particle passage rate. Steers were fed mixed diets containing both CS and AH in ratios of 80:20, 60:40, 40:60 and 20:80 on a dry matter basis at 95% of ad libitum feed intake. The increase of AH proportion in diets increased dry matter intake and ruminal digestion of dry matter, non-fiber carbohydrate, neutral and acid detergent fiber linearly. Ruminal digestibility of neutral detergent fiber showed a quadratic response, and total digestibility increased linearly with increasing AH proportion. Digestibility of acid detergent fiber in the rumen was not affected by the dietary treatments, but the total tract digestibility increased as the AH proportion increased. Mean retention time of feed particles in total compartment increased when the AH proportion increased from 20% to 60%, but decreased with further increase of the AH proportion. These results indicate that moderate combinations of CS and AH have an associative effect on ruminal fiber digestion, modifying particle movement in the rumen. [source] Feminism Spoken Here: Epistemologies for Interdisciplinary Development ResearchDEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE, Issue 3 2006Cecile Jackson Development studies is a field characterized by an unusual degree of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research, and therefore is constantly subject both to pressures for the reproduction of disciplines as autonomous and self-sufficient, and to an increasing steer from public funders of research for interdisciplinary work which is valued for its problem-solving character and more apparent relevance, in an era greatly exercised by accountability. At a moment when the need to renew disciplinary interchange has intensified it is therefore instructive to consider the social relations which facilitate interdisciplinarity. This article does this through an argument that feminist cross-disciplinary research shows how important shared values are to motivate and sustain these kinds of learning, and that an explicit focus on social justice as the core of development research can be the basis of such a renewal. If feminist interactions and solidarity provide the motivation, feminist epistemologies provide arguments for why socially engaged research is not ,biased', but stronger than research with narrower ideas of objectivity; why reflexivities and subjectivities are crucial to the conduct of research; and how these, and the convergence of concepts of individuals and persons favoured within different disciplines, might build the common ground required for greater disciplinary interchange. [source] Understanding intention of movement from electroencephalogramsEXPERT SYSTEMS, Issue 5 2007Heba Lakany Abstract: In this paper, we propose a new framework for understanding intention of movement that can be used in developing non-invasive brain,computer interfaces. The proposed method is based on extracting salient features from brain signals recorded whilst the subject is actually (or imagining) performing a wrist movement in different directions. Our method focuses on analysing the brain signals at the time preceding wrist movement, i.e. while the subject is preparing (or intending) to perform the movement. Feature selection and classification of the direction is done using a wrapper method based on support vector machines (SVMs). The classification results show that we are able to discriminate the directions using features extracted from brain signals prior to movement. We then extract rules from the SVM classifiers to compare the features extracted for real and imaginary movements in an attempt to understand the mechanisms of intention of movement. Our new approach could be potentially useful in building brain,computer interfaces where a paralysed person could communicate with a wheelchair and steer it to the desired direction using a rule-based knowledge system based on understanding of the subject's intention to move through his/her brain signals. [source] A systematic review of controlled trials evaluating interventions in adult literacy and numeracyJOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN READING, Issue 2 2005Carole Torgerson This paper reports a systematic review of the quasi-experimental literature in the field of adult literacy and numeracy, published between 1980 and 2002. We included 27 controlled trials (CTs) that evaluated strategies and pedagogies designed to increase adult literacy and numeracy: 18 CTs with no effect sizes (incomplete data) and 9 CTs with full data. These nine trials are examined in detail for this paper. Of these nine trials, six evaluated interventions in literacy and three evaluated interventions in literacy and numeracy. Three of the nine trials showed a positive effect for the interventions, five trials showed no difference and one trial showed a positive effect for the control treatment. The quality of the trials was variable, but many of them had some methodological problems. There was no evidence of publication bias in the review. There have been few attempts to expose common adult literacy or numeracy programmes to rigorous evaluation and therefore in terms of policy and practice it is difficult to make any recommendations as to the type of adult education that should be supported. In contrast, however, the review does provide a strong steer for the direction to be taken by educational researchers: because of the present inadequate evidence base rigorously designed randomised controlled trials and quasi-experiments are required as a matter of urgency. [source] Characterization of bovine neutrophil ,2 -adrenergic receptor functionJOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2010T. P. LaBRANCHE LaBranche, T. P., Ehrich, M. F., Eyre, P. Characterization of bovine neutrophil ,2 -adrenergic receptor function. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.2009.01143.x. This study compares bovine leukocyte ,-adrenergic receptor densities to that of the rat, demonstrates for the first time a functional ,2 -adrenergic receptor signaling pathway in steer neutrophils, and investigates the effect of an inflammatory stimulus on that signaling pathway. The ,1 -/,2 -adrenergic antagonist [3H]CGP-12177 demonstrated that rat lymphocyte specific binding-site density was highest, followed by steer and dairy cow lymphocytes, and lastly steer and dairy cow neutrophils. The ,2 -adrenergic agonist terbutaline stimulated steer neutrophil adenosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production, an effect increased by inclusion of ,1 × 10,8 m phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C. Both terbutaline and the nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) independently decreased steer neutrophil superoxide anion production in a concentration-dependent manner, with 1 × 10,4 m IBMX enhancing both the potency and efficacy of the terbutaline effect (up to 74% reduction in superoxide anion production). Superoxide anion production was also reduced by the synthetic cAMP analog 8-bromo-cAMP, which increased the potency of the IBMX effect on superoxide anion production. Taken together, these data demonstrate the presence of a ,2 -adrenergic receptor signaling pathway in bovine neutrophils much like that described in other animal species, as well as the potential for an inflammatory stimulus to alter its function. [source] Mineral solubility of Panicum maximum with four herbaceous forage legume mixtures incubated in the rumen of N' Dama steersANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2009Festus T. AJAYI ABSTRACT This study was designed to determine the mineral concentration and bioavailability of iron (Fe), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na) of mixtures of Panicum maximum (Panicum) with Lablab purpureus (Lablab), Centrosema pubescens (Centro), Stylosanthes guianensis (Stylo), and Aeschynomene histrix (Histrix) in a fistulated N'Dama steer. The solubility of minerals was determined by an in sacco method by incubating ground samples of these forages in the rumen at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. The mineral solubility characteristics of the forages were evaluated using the equation PD = a + b (1 , e,ct). The result showed that Panicum intercropped with legumes had better crude protein (CP) (av. 9.22% DM) and ash content (av. 2.22% DM) than sole Panicum which gave 7.63% DM and 1.84% DM for CP and ash contents respectively. The highest value of CP of 23.29% DM and ash content (3.96% DM) was obtained for Lablab. The mineral content values of the intercrop were higher than the sole Panicum. Higher mineral content values were obtained in the sole legumes. Iron solubility values of b and potential degradation (PD) which were 58.71% and 87.92% respectively were for Panicum/Histrix mixtures. Calcium solubility values ranged from 30.0% in Panicum to 46.0% in Panicum/Lablab mixture for b fraction. P solubility ranged from 28.0% and 46.0% for b and PD fractions in Panicum to 43.0% and 71.0% in Panicum/Centro mixture respectively. The solubility of the legumes was higher in Na for b fraction (av. 42.0%) and PD fraction (av. 60.0%). Higher values of b (av. 38.0%) and PD (av. 52.0%) were obtained for the mixtures than for sole Panicum. This study revealed that intercropping Panicum with either of the herbaceous forage legumes used for this experiment would increase the Ca, P, Na and Fe contents of the grass. [source] Nitrate-nitrite toxicity in cattle and sheep grazing Dactyloctenium radulans (button grass) in stockyardsAUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 10 2004RA McKENZIE Hungry cattle and sheep introduced to stockyards containing a dominant or pure growth of Dactyloctenium radulans (button grass) suffered acute nitrate-nitrite toxicity in four incidents in inland Queensland between 1993 and 2001. Deaths ranged from 16 to 44%. Methaemoglobinaemia was noted at necropsies in all incidents. An aqueous humour sample from one dead steer contained 75 mg nitrate/L and from one dead sheep contained 100 mg nitrate and 50 mg nitrite/L (normal = ca 5 mg nitrate/L). Both lush and dry button grass were toxic. The nitrate content of button grass from within the stockyards ranged from 4.0 to 12.9% as potassium nitrate equivalent in dry matter and from outside the stockyards ranged from <0.2 to 0.4%. These data suggest that urine and faeces in stockyard soil may boost the nitrate content of button grass to a concentration hazardous to hungry ruminants. [source] Linkage of microbial ecology to phenotype: correlation of rumen microbial ecology to cattle's feed efficiencyFEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 1 2008Le Luo Guan Abstract Linkage of rumen microbial structure to host phenotypical traits may enhance the understanding of host,microbial interactions in livestock species. This study used culture-independent PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) to investigate the microbial profiles in the rumen of cattle differing in feed efficiency. The analysis of detectable bacterial PCR-DGGE profiles showed that the profiles generated from efficient steers clustered together and were clearly separated from those obtained from inefficient steers, indicating that specific bacterial groups may only inhabit in efficient steers. In addition, the bacterial profiles were more likely clustered within a certain breed, suggesting that host genetics may play an important role in rumen microbial structure. The correlations between the concentrations of volatile fatty acids and feed efficiency traits were also observed. Significantly higher concentrations of butyrate (P<0.001) and valerate (P=0.006) were detected in the efficient steers. Our results revealed potential associations between the detectable rumen microbiota and its fermentation parameters with the feed efficiency of cattle. [source] Intake, liveweight gain and feed preference by steers fed combinations of lucerne and Westerwolds ryegrass silagesGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 1 2002E. Charmley Nutritive value and voluntary intake of legumes are generally considered to be higher than those of grasses when ensiled at similar digestibility, although high levels of soluble protein can result in low N utilization by animals and high losses to the environment. The objectives of this experiment were to describe the optimum combination of Westerwolds ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cv. Aubade) and lucerne (Medicago sativa L. cv. AC Caribou) silages to maximize liveweight gain of steers fed silage, determine chemical components that are important and ascertain whether steers selected the optimum mixture when given a choice. Both silages contained similar concentrations of dry matter (DM), acid-detergent fibre (ADF) and organic acids, but lucerne silage had higher concentrations of N, soluble-N and ammonia-N. Westerwolds ryegrass silage contained more neutral-detergent fibre (NDF). In a 12-week experiment, voluntary intake by Hereford steers was not influenced when the proportion of the two silages was changed from 1 to 0 in 0·25 increments. However, liveweight gain and feed efficiency increased linearly (P < 0·001) as the proportion of ryegrass silage fed was increased. When preconditioned to either of the two silages, steers showed a significant preference for ryegrass over lucerne (P < 0·05). When conditioned to a mixture of both silages, no preference was elicited. It is suggested that extensive solubilization and deamination of protein in the lucerne silage may have caused the preference for Westerwolds ryegrass silage and the higher liveweight gains on diets containing higher proportions of Westerwolds ryegrass silage. [source] Acoustic measurement of intake and grazing behaviour of cattleGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 2 2000Acoustic analysis of grazing behaviour was found to allow accurate identification of chewing and biting, and estimation of intake by cattle. Four steers grazed six types of turves, three were short (14, 16 and 20 cm tall), leafy turves from mowed Setaria lutescens with high application of N fertilizer, and three were tall (36, 49 and 62 cm tall), mature turves from uncut areas with low application of N fertilizer. Each animal grazed ten bites from each turf type while behaviour was videotaped and grazing sounds were recorded with a wireless microphone taped to the animal's forehead. The intake was measured by the difference in pre- and post-grazing turf weight, corrected for water loss. Chews and bites differed in acoustic characteristics, with bites producing more output in the 3,8 kHz frequency band. Discriminant analysis of the acoustic characteristics correctly classified chews and bites with 94% accuracy. Intake was predicted with a high degree of accuracy by total energy flux density (fJ m,2) in chewing sounds (EFDC), EFDC per chew and average intensity of chewing sound in the 1,2 and 2,3 kHz bands (R2=0·90, CV=3·6%). Although bite mass ranged from 1·37 to 4·50 g, EFDC per g of intake (CV=0·015) was not affected by treatments or animals. Chewing sounds carried more information about intake than biting sounds and chews per bite. Analysis of grazing sounds has the potential to overcome many of the problems associated with the measurement of grazing intake. [source] Chronic shedding of Campylobacter species in beef cattleJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2004G.D. Inglis Abstract Aims:, To determine the prevalence of chronic shedding of Campylobacter species by beef cattle, a longitudinal study of shedding patterns was conducted in a cohort of 60 beef steers over a 4-month period. Methods and Results:, Steers were maintained in a simulated feedlot setting but individually in pens to minimize transmission among animals. At each collection time, campylobacters in faeces were detected using conventional PCR. In addition, quantities of Campylobacter jejuni and C. lanienae in faeces were measured using real-time quantitative (RTQ) PCR. All of the steers tested shed Campylobacter species during the course of the study, and overall, 90% of the 299 samples tested were positive for Campylobacter DNA. The majority of the animals (86%) shed campylobacters at ,4 sample times. The most prevalent taxon detected in bovine faeces was C. lanienae (56% of samples) followed by C. jejuni (13%), C. hyointestinalis (8%), and C. fetus (2%). No C. coli was detected, and 13% of the faecal samples contained two or more of the above species. Seven (12%) and 34 (57%) animals shed C. jejuni and C. lanienae at ,3 sample times, respectively. For both C. lanienae and C. jejuni, a substantial number of cells were detected in faeces using RTQ-PCR; 27% of the samples positive for C. jejuni contained populations >104 cells g,1 (maximum of 5 × 105 cells g,1), and 44% of samples positive for C. lanienae possessed populations >106 cells g,1 (maximum of 4 × 108 cells g,1). A significant correlation was observed between shedding of C. lanienae and the severity of liver abscesses. In 27% of the samples, an amplicon was obtained for genus-specific but not for the species-specific primers. Sequencing of the partial 16S rRNA gene suggested the presence of at least two undescribed Campylobacter species but this has yet to be confirmed. Conclusions:, A high percentage of feedlot cattle shed large quantities of Campylobacter species in their faeces over a protracted period of time (ca 112 days). Significance and Impact of the Study:, This is the first study of longitudinal shedding patterns of campylobacters in beef cattle using PCR-detection methods. In addition, this is the first use of RTQ-PCR to directly quantify C. jejuni or C. lanienae in faeces. The results of the study show that a large number of cattle (>85%) chronically shed campylobacters in feedlots. [source] Associations of polymorphisms in the promoter I of bovine acetyl-CoA carboxylase- , gene with beef fatty acid compositionANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2010S. Zhang Summary The objectives of this study were to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter I (PI) region of the bovine acetyl-CoA carboxylase-, (ACACA) gene and to evaluate the extent to which they were associated with lipid-related traits. Eight novel SNPs were identified, which were AJ276223:g.2064T>A (SNP1), g.2155C>T (SNP2), g.2203G>T (SNP3), g.2268T>C (SNP4), g.2274G>A (SNP5), g.2340A>G (SNP6), g.2350T>C (SNP7) and g.2370A>G (SNP8). Complete linkage disequilibrium was observed among SNP1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8. Phenotypic data were collected from 573 cross-bred steers with six sire breeds, including Hereford, Angus, Brangus, Beefmaster, Bonsmara and Romosinuano. The genotypes of SNP1/2/4/5/6/8 were significantly associated with adjusted backfat thickness. The genotypes of SNP3 were significantly associated with triacylglycerol (TAG) content and fatty acid composition of longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) in Brangus-, Romosinuano- and Bonsmara-sired cattle. Cattle with g.2203GG genotype had greater concentrations of TAG, total lipid, total saturated fatty acid and total monounsaturated fatty acid than did cattle with g.2203GT genotype. The genotypes of SNP7 were significantly associated with fatty acid composition of LM. Cattle with genotype g.2350TC had greater amounts of several fatty acids in LM than did cattle with genotype g.2350CC. Our results suggested that the SNPs in the PI region of ACACA gene are associated with variations in the fatty acid contents in LM. [source] Genetic polymorphisms of the bovine Fatty acid binding protein 4 gene are significantly associated with marbling and carcass weight in Hanwoo (Korean Cattle)ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2010S. H. Lee Summary The objective of this study was to investigate an association between polymorphisms in the FABP4 gene and phenotypic variation for marbling and carcass weight (CWT) in a population of Hanwoo steers. We re-sequenced 4.3 kb of the FABP4 gene region in 24 Hanwoo bulls and identified 16 SNPs and 1 microsatellite polymorphism. Of these 16 SNPs, three SNPs [g.2774G>C (intron I), g.3473A>T (intron II) and g.3631G>A (exon III, creating a p.Met >Val amino acid substitution)] were genotyped in 583 steers to assess their association with carcass traits. The g.3473A allele showed a significant increasing effect on CWT (P = 0.01) and the g.3631G allele was associated with higher marbling score (P = 0.006). One haplotype of these three SNPs (CAG) was significantly associated with CWT (P = 0.02) and marbling score (P = 0.05) and could potentially be of value for marker assisted selection in Hanwoo cattle. The CAG haplotype effect for CWT was larger (11.14 ± 5.03 kg) than the largest single locus effect of g.3473A>T (5.01 ± 2.2 kg). [source] Quantitative trait loci for live animal and carcass composition traits in Jersey and Limousin back-cross cattle finished on pasture or feedlotANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 5 2009C. A. Morris Summary A quantitative trait locus (QTL) study was carried out in two countries, recording live animal and carcass composition traits. Back-cross calves (385 heifers and 398 steers) were generated, with Jersey and Limousin breed backgrounds. The New Zealand cattle were reared on pasture to carcass weights averaging 229 kg, whilst the Australian cattle were reared on grass and finished on grain (for at least 180 days) to carcass weights averaging 335 kg. From 11 live animal traits and 31 carcass composition traits respectively, 5 and 22 QTL were detected in combined-sire analyses, which were significant (P < 0.05) on a genome-wise basis. Fourteen significant traits for carcass composition QTL were on chromosome 2 and these were traits associated with muscling and fatness. This chromosome carried a variant myostatin allele (F94L), segregating from the Limousin ancestry. Despite very different cattle management systems between the two countries, the two populations had a large number of QTL in common. Of the 18 traits which were common to both countries, and which had significant QTL at the genome-wise level, eight were significant in both countries. [source] Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the corticotrophin - releasing hormone and pro - opiomelancortin genes are associated with growth and carcass yield in beef cattleANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 2 2005F. C. Buchanan Summary A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the corticotrophin - releasing hormone gene (CRH C22G) alters the fourth amino acid in the signal sequence from proline to arginine. Two other SNPs (CRH A145G and C240G) occur in the propeptide region at residue positions 45 and 77, respectively, that result in serine/asparagine and histidine/aspartic acid substitutions respectively. These SNPs, as well as SNPs in pro - opiomelancortin (POMC), leptin (LEP) and melanocortin - 4 receptor (MC4R), were evaluated for associations with average daily gain, end-of-test rib-eye area, shipping weight and hot carcass weight in a group of 256 steers using a general linear model. The CRH C22G SNP was associated with end-of-test rib-eye area (P < 0.034) and hot carcass weight (P < 0.0015). The SNP in POMC was associated with shipping weight (P < 0.0078) and hot carcass weight (P = 0.006) while it approached significance for average daily gain (P < 0.07). The SNP in MC4R approached significance for hot carcass weight (P < 0.085) while no significance was observed between the leptin SNP and the above listed traits. Because both CRH and POMC regulate appetite, potential interaction effects between these two genes were assessed. The absence of an interaction effect between CRH and POMC with hot carcass weight suggests that these genes act independently to increase carcass yield. These gene effects used singularly or together could result in an economic benefit to the beef industry. [source] The effects of urea-treated potato pulp (PP) ensiled with beet pulp or wheat bran pellets to reduce moisture of PP and flake density of corn grain supplemented with the PP silage on digestibility and ruminal fermentation in beef steersANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010Masahito SUGIMOTO ABSTRACT The effects of adding beet pulp or wheat bran to urea-treated potato pulp (PP) in order to reduce moisture of PP silage and flake density of corn grain on digestibility and ruminal fermentation in beef steers were studied in a split-plot design experiment. The whole-plot treatments were PP silage mixed with 0% added pellets (CON), 9% (as-fed basis) beet pulp pellets (BP) or 9% (as-fed basis) wheat bran pellets (WB) as water-absorbing materials. The subplot treatments consisted of supplements formulated to contain either high-density corn (HDC) or low-density corn (LDC). BP steers consumed more (BP vs WB, P = 0.011) concentrate than did WB steers, whereas hay intake did not differ between the treatments. Dry matter (BP vs WB, P = 0.023) and organic matter (BP vs WB, P = 0.029) digestibility were higher for BP steers than for WB steers. Starch digestibility was higher (P = 0.006) for LDC than for HDC. There were no differences in the concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen among the treatments. Molar proportions of ruminal acetate were higher for BP steers than for WB steers (BP vs WB, P = 0.030). Conversely, molar proportions of propionate were lower for BP steers than for WB steers (BP vs WB, P = 0.044). Flake density of corn did not affect ruminal characteristics. In conclusion, from the viewpoint of feed intake and digestibility, BP is superior to WB as a moisture control material for urea-treated PP silage, and flake density of corn supplemented with urea-treated PP silage does not alter ruminal fermentation. [source] Effects of starch and protein sources on starch disappearance in the gastrointestinal tract of Hanwoo (Korean native) steersANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010Kyoung Hoon KIM ABSTRACT Hanwoo (Korean native) steers (274.8 ± 4.6 kg) with ruminal and duodenal cannulae were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment to examine the effects of dietary treatments on starch disappearance in the gastrointestinal tract. Dietary treatments consisted of concentrate that were based on ground corn with soybean meal (C-SBM), ground corn with corn gluten meal (C-CGM), ground barley with soybean meal (B-SBM) and ground barley with corn gluten meal (B-CGM). Although the intakes of starch and protein for steers fed experimental diets were different, it did not change ruminal pH and total volatile fatty acid concentrations. Average duodenal CP flow and quantity of CP apparently digested post-ruminally was higher (P = 0.001) for CGM-based diets than SBM-based diets. There were increases in quantity (P < 0.001) and percentage (P < 0.001) of corn starch digested post-ruminally compared to barley starch. Synchronized diets showed higher percentages (P = 0.03) of starch apparently digested post-ruminally than asynchronization. Hanwoo steers fed a corn-based diet with a large quantity of starch reaching the duodenum and fed C-CGM supplying great amounts of protein to the small intestine may have contributed to increased post-ruminal starch digestion. [source] Effects of dietary protein level in the early fattening period on free amino acids and dipeptides in the blood and Longissimus thoracis muscle in Japanese Black steersANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010Eiji IWAMOTO ABSTRACT The effects of crude protein (CP) concentration in feed using soybean meal as its source in the early fattening period on the levels of free amino acids (FAAs) and dipeptides in the blood, and the levels in the M. longissimus thoracis after slaughter were studied in Japanese Black steers. Sixteen steers were divided into four groups and given feed with a CP content of 12, 14, 16, or 18% of dry matter (DM) from 10 to 20 months old, and they were fed with the same level of CP (13.5,13.9% of DM) until slaughter at 30 months of age. There was no significant difference in the weight gain, carcass weight or marbling score between the groups. Concerning the serum FAA and dipeptide contents at 20 months of age, the alanine, tyrosine and tryptophan levels decreased, while the carnosine (Car) level increased, with increases in the CP level in the feed. Although there were no significant differences in the FAA contents of the Longissimus thoracis muscle between the groups, the Car content decreased with increases in the feed protein level. [source] The effect of dietary ratios of corn silage and alfalfa hay on carbohydrate digestion and retention time of feed particles in the gastrointestinal tract of steersANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2009Taketo OBITSU ABSTRACT Four Holstein steers fitted with duodenal cannula were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to investigate the effect of the combination of corn silage (CS) and alfalfa hay (AH) in different ratios on the ruminal and intestinal digestion of carbohydrates and feed particle passage rate. Steers were fed mixed diets containing both CS and AH in ratios of 80:20, 60:40, 40:60 and 20:80 on a dry matter basis at 95% of ad libitum feed intake. The increase of AH proportion in diets increased dry matter intake and ruminal digestion of dry matter, non-fiber carbohydrate, neutral and acid detergent fiber linearly. Ruminal digestibility of neutral detergent fiber showed a quadratic response, and total digestibility increased linearly with increasing AH proportion. Digestibility of acid detergent fiber in the rumen was not affected by the dietary treatments, but the total tract digestibility increased as the AH proportion increased. Mean retention time of feed particles in total compartment increased when the AH proportion increased from 20% to 60%, but decreased with further increase of the AH proportion. These results indicate that moderate combinations of CS and AH have an associative effect on ruminal fiber digestion, modifying particle movement in the rumen. [source] Increased blood concentration of isopropanol in ketotic dairy cows and isopropanol production from acetone in the rumenANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009Hiroshi SATO ABSTRACT To evaluate acetone and isopropanol metabolism in bovine ketosis, the blood concentrations of isopropanol, acetone, plasma 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB) and other metabolites were analyzed in 12 healthy controls and 15 ketotic dairy cows including fatty liver and inferior prognosis after laparotomy for displaced abomasum. In ruminal fluid taken from 6 ketotic cows, ruminal isopropanol and acetone were also analyzed. Ketotic cows showed higher concentrations of isopropanol, acetone, 3-HB and nonesterified fatty acid, and higher activities of aspartate transaminase and ,-glutamyl transferase than control cows. Blood samples had higher concentration of isopropanol accompanied by increased acetone. In the ketotic cows, acetone was detected not only in blood but also in ruminal fluid, while higher ruminal isopropanol did not necessarily accompany its elevation in the blood. Using 2 steers with rumen cannula, all ruminal content was emptied and then substituted with artificial saliva to evaluate the importance of ruminal microbes in isopropanol production. Under each condition of intact and emptied rumen, acetone was infused into the rumen and blood isopropanol was analyzed. The elevation in the blood isopropanol concentration after acetone infusion was markedly inhibited by the emptying. Here, increased blood concentrations of isopropanol and acetone were observed in ketotic cows, and the importance of ruminal microbes in isopropanol production was confirmed. [source] Effects of the fattening period on the fatty acid composition of fat deposits and free amino acid and inosinic acid contents of the longissimus muscle in carcasses of Japanese Black steersANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009Eiji IWAMOTO ABSTRACT The effects of the fattening period on carcass characteristics, fatty acid composition of fat deposits, and muscle free amino acid (FAA) and inosinic acid (IMP) contents were evaluated in Japanese Black steers. Ten castrated, 10-month-old calves derived from the same sire were divided into five to be slaughtered at the age of 30 months after a 20-month fattening period (20-month group) and five to be slaughtered at the age of 34 months after a 24-month fattening period (24-month group). Concerning the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat, the percentage of palmitoleic acid was higher (P < 0.05) in the 24- than in the 20-month group, but no difference was noted in any other fatty acids. For intermuscular fat, no difference was observed in any fatty acids. The percentages of oleic acid and total monounsaturated fatty acid of intramuscular and perinephric fat were higher (P < 0.05) in the 24- than in the 20-month group. Of the FAAs in the longissimus thoracis muscle, the threonine and tyrosine contents were lower (P < 0.05) in the 24- than in the 20-month group. The IMP content was higher (P < 0.05) in the 24- than in the 20-month group, suggesting an effect of prolongation of the fattening period. [source] Variety diversity effect on the chemical composition and dry matter degradation characteristics of residue and by-products of oil palm fruitsANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2009Musibau Adungbe BAMIKOLE ABSTRACT The materials palm press fibre (PPF), palm calyx (PCL) and palm oil sludge (POS) obtained from three varieties of oil palm: dura, oleifera and tenera were investigated for the effect of variety on their nutritive value. Analysis of proximate composition, cell wall fractions, some mineral concentration as well as in-situ dry matter degradation in the rumen of steers were carried out. Significant effects of materials (i.e. PPF, PCL and POS) as well as variety (i.e. dura, oleifera and tenera) were noticed in all the parameters studied except sodium (Na) and organic matter (OM) components. Crude protein (CP) values in all the varieties were lowest in PCL (3.15,5.48%) and highest in POS (9.02,10.02%), while crude fibre (CF) values were highest in PCL (33.00,46.19%) and lowest in POS (3.15,5.48%). The upper and lower values respectively for CP and CF in the materials were in most cases for the tenera variety. The cell wall fractions (NDF, ADF, Lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose) were all higher in PCL and lowest in POS. In the three varieties, POS had highest concentration of Mg (0.117,0.231 g/100 g), K (1.21,2.33 g/100 g) and Cu (75.07,87.34 mg/kg) but lowest content of Ca (0.016,0.089 g/100 g) while PPF had lowest concentration of Mg (0.031,0.039 g/100 g) and Cu (20.96,22.28 mg/kg). Iron (Fe, mg/kg) values were generally high, but highest in PCL (2015.41,4042.16). Dry matter degradability and effective degradability values were best in POS irrespective of the variety and least in PCL. Among the three varieties, dry matter degradation characteristics of tenera were the best and oleifera the least. Generally the residue and by-products irrespective of the variety of oil palm they are obtained from can be ranked for their nutritive value as POS > PPF > PCL, while nutritive ranking based on variety is tenera > dura > oleifera. Conclusively, POS and PPF from any variety of oil palm could be adopted directly as feed resources for ruminant livestock, while PCL will require hydrolytic nutritive value enhancement treatment. Ruminant livestock will however be at an advantage if materials from tenera variety are fed. [source] Mineral solubility of Panicum maximum with four herbaceous forage legume mixtures incubated in the rumen of N' Dama steersANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2009Festus T. AJAYI ABSTRACT This study was designed to determine the mineral concentration and bioavailability of iron (Fe), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na) of mixtures of Panicum maximum (Panicum) with Lablab purpureus (Lablab), Centrosema pubescens (Centro), Stylosanthes guianensis (Stylo), and Aeschynomene histrix (Histrix) in a fistulated N'Dama steer. The solubility of minerals was determined by an in sacco method by incubating ground samples of these forages in the rumen at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. The mineral solubility characteristics of the forages were evaluated using the equation PD = a + b (1 , e,ct). The result showed that Panicum intercropped with legumes had better crude protein (CP) (av. 9.22% DM) and ash content (av. 2.22% DM) than sole Panicum which gave 7.63% DM and 1.84% DM for CP and ash contents respectively. The highest value of CP of 23.29% DM and ash content (3.96% DM) was obtained for Lablab. The mineral content values of the intercrop were higher than the sole Panicum. Higher mineral content values were obtained in the sole legumes. Iron solubility values of b and potential degradation (PD) which were 58.71% and 87.92% respectively were for Panicum/Histrix mixtures. Calcium solubility values ranged from 30.0% in Panicum to 46.0% in Panicum/Lablab mixture for b fraction. P solubility ranged from 28.0% and 46.0% for b and PD fractions in Panicum to 43.0% and 71.0% in Panicum/Centro mixture respectively. The solubility of the legumes was higher in Na for b fraction (av. 42.0%) and PD fraction (av. 60.0%). Higher values of b (av. 38.0%) and PD (av. 52.0%) were obtained for the mixtures than for sole Panicum. This study revealed that intercropping Panicum with either of the herbaceous forage legumes used for this experiment would increase the Ca, P, Na and Fe contents of the grass. [source] Seasonal and sex differences in area preference and behavior of young cattle just after long distance transportANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2008Toshie ISHIWATA ABSTRACT To determine seasonal and sex differences in behavioral motivation of cattle just after long transport, 54 Japanese Black × Holstein cattle were observed at 5 min intervals for 2 h just after 25-h transport by road and ferry. The stocking pen (12.0 × 9.5 m) consisted of an eating area (near a feeding alley), a drinking area (near water bowls) and a resting area (all areas except for other two areas). First, the effect of season was determined with heifers in summer (n = 12: 7.9 ± 0.6 months of age; 292.0 ± 18.5 kg) and autumn (n = 19: 8.2 ± 0.6 months of age; 295.8 ± 15.5 kg). The mean temperature on the observation day was 28.5 (max: 34.5, min: 24.5)°C in summer and 20.3 (max: 26.5, min: 16.4)°C in autumn. Percentage of cattle staying in each area was different by season (,2 = 22.0; P < 0.01). In summer, the percentage of cattle staying in the drinking area (26.7%) was greater than the expected percentage (16.7%). Percentage of cattle staying in the eating area was greater in both seasons (31.3% in summer and 53.6% in autumn) than the expected percentage (16.7%). However, the mean percentage of cattle performing each behavior was not significantly different by season. Secondly, the effect of sex was determined with steers (n = 23: 7.6 ± 0.6 months of age; 301.9 ± 20.7 kg) and heifers (n = 19: same as above) in autumn. Although the percentage of cattle staying in each area was different by sex (,2 = 20.2; P < 0.01), the percentages of steers (25.5%) and heifers (53.6%) staying in the eating area were both greater than the expected percentage (16.7%). However, percentage of animals performing each behavior was not different by sex. These results recommend to stockpersons that they should install additional troughs for hay and water into a pen just after long distance transport, since the number of cattle that can eat and drink at the same time was limited. [source] Steer stress levels during long distance transport throughout the year in JapanANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2008Toshie ISHIWATA ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate transportation conditions and behavioral and physiological responses of beef steers to long distance commercial transport throughout the year Japan. Japanese Black × Holstein steers (7.9 ± 0.6 months of age; 320.0 ± 19.0 kg) were transported by truck in spring (n = 8), summer (n = 5), autumn (n = 8) and winter (n = 5). Transport distances (time) were 1020.6 km (25 h including lairage periods): 615.4 km (6.4 h) on expressways, 163.2 km (3.7 h) on arterial roads and 242.0 km (10.5 h) by ferry. The space allowance of the truck was about 1.6 m2/head in all seasons. Internal temperatures of the truck were 14.7 ± 4.7°C in spring, 27.9 ± 2.6°C in summer, 24.4 ± 2.8°C in autumn and 9.2 ± 4.3°C in winter. Although internal noise and airflow velocity of the truck were louder and greater while moving on expressways (101.1 ± 8.3 dB and 1.50 ± 1.50 m/s) than on arterial roads (92.0 ± 15.2 dB and 1.32 ± 1.41 m/s) (both P < 0.05), more steers lay down while moving on expressways (P < 0.001). Blood glucose, plasma cortisol, and serum triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations and ALT activity were higher in spring (all P < 0.05). This could be explained by that vibration acceleration (m/s2) of the truck in the longitudinal direction was greater in spring (,0.19 ± 0.43) than in the other seasons (,0.14 ± 0.09 in summer, ,0.15 ± 0.20 in autumn and ,0.15 ± 0.13 in winter) (all P < 0.05). Heart rate, serum concentrations of T3, total cholesterol, total protein, and AST and ALT activities were higher just after transport than 1 week after transport (all P < 0.05). However, transport stress should be not severe, since no difference between before and after transport was shown on concentrations of plasma cortisol, blood lactate and serum NEFA, serum triglyceride and serum pH and liveweight. [source] Effects of urea treatment of potato pulp and inclusion levels of potato pulp silage in supplements on digestibility and ruminal fermentation in beef steersANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 6 2007Masahito SUGIMOTO ABSTRACT Six Wagyu (Japanese Black) steers fitted with a ruminal cannula were used in a split-plot design experiment comprising a 3 × 3 Latin square design (whole plot) and a randomized blocks design (subplot) to determine the effect of the treatment of potato pulp (PP) with urea and the effect of inclusion levels of PP silage in feed supplement on digestibility, ruminal in situ degradation and ruminal fermentation. The whole plot consisted of 20%, 50% and 80% PP silage (dry matter (DM) basis), with PP silage replacing formula feed. The subplot included untreated or 0.5% (on an as-fed basis) urea-treated PP. The treatment of PP with urea showed no effect on DM intake and digestibility. The percentage of the rapidly degradable DM fraction of the urea-treated PP silage was higher (P < 0.01) and the percentage of its slowly degradable DM fraction was lower (P < 0.01) than for the untreated PP silage. Ruminal ammonia concentration was greater (P < 0.01) for steers fed urea-treated PP silage than that for steers fed the untreated PP silage. The treatment of PP with urea caused a decrease in the molar proportion of acetate and an increase in the proportion of propionate in ruminal fluid after feeding. The rate of DM degradations in hay (linear, P < 0.01) and in PP silage decreased (linear, P < 0.01) as the inclusion level of PP silage increased. Increasing the inclusion level of PP silage in supplement decreased the effective degradability of DM in hay (linear, P < 0.05) and in PP silage (linear, P < 0.05). An increase in the amount of PP silage increased the molar proportion of acetate (linear, P < 0.01) and decreased the butyrate proportion (linear, P < 0.05) in ruminal fluid. The results suggest that urea treatment of PP facilitates microbial access to starch of PP silage in the rumen and that surplus level of PP silage in supplement have adverse effect on ruminal digestion. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||