Growth Performance Of Progeny Research Articles

Supplementation with Complex Dietary Fiber during Late Pregnancy and Lactation Can Improve Progeny Growth Performance by Regulating Maternal Antioxidant Status and Milk Quality.

This study investigated the nutritional benefits of complex dietary fiber (beta-glucan and fructo-oligosaccharides, CDF) supplementation in sows and piglets during late pregnancy and lactation. Twenty-four sows were randomly divided into two groups: the control group was fed a basal diet (n = 12), and the experimental group was fed a CDF diet (0.25% CDF replaced the same proportion of corn in the basal diet, n = 12). Dietary treatment was given from day 107 of pregnancy to day 25 of lactation. The results of this experiment showed that CDF increased the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of sows during lactation and the weaning body weight (BW) and average daily gain of piglets. Dietary CDF supplementation improved the antioxidant capacity and immune level of sows and decreased the serum zonulin level. Dietary supplementation with CDF increased the levels of antioxidant activity, immunoglobulin, and anti-inflammatory factor interleukin-10 (IL-10) in milk. Meanwhile, piglets in the CDF group had increased serum antioxidant activity, immunoglobulin, and growth-related hormone levels; decreased malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and D-lactic acid (D-LA) levels; and increased fecal short-chain fatty acid content. In addition, the CDF group increased the diversity of microorganisms in sow feces. In conclusion, the supplementation of a diet with CDF in late pregnancy and lactation can alleviate the oxidative stress of sows, improve milk quality, and have significant positive effects on the antioxidant capacity and growth performance of piglets.

PSIV-1 Nutrient Intervention During Gilt Development Leads to Effects on Progeny Growth Responses

Abstract To elucidate the effect of early life dietary nutrient level and vitamin D source during gilt development on progeny growth performance, equal number of weaning age piglets (n = 72) were selected from each of 4 sow treatments group. All pigs were fed a common 3,000 ppm zinc diet for first two weeks postweaning to allow for accommodating the weaning process. At the beginning of week 3, pigs were sorted by sow parity and BW within gender and stratified based on maternal dietary treatments. Dietary treatments during gilt development period included two levels of dietary nutrients (Adeq: optimal growing diet that exceed NRC 2012 recommendation or Low: moderate slow growing diet that SID lys and ME levels were gradually reduced by 0.03% and 0 kcal/kg, 0.15% and 146 kcal/kg, and 0.15% and 150 kcal/kg, respectively) and two sources of vitamin D [StD: 1653 IU cholecalciferol/kg or HyD: 500 IU cholecalciferol/kg + 50 mcg calcifediol (ROVIMIX HY.D DSM Nutritional Products North America)] during development phase 1 (23 to 57 kg), 2 (57 to 91 kg), and 3 (91 until breeding). Dietary nutrient level treatment was withdrawn during gestation and lactation stages, while sows remained on their vitamin D treatments. Progeny were fed with a 6-phase feeding regimen as nursery phase 3 (14 d) and 4 (14 d), grower phase 1 (28 d) and 2 (28 d), and finisher phase 1 (28 d) and 2 (28 d). All pigs were transferred to a commercial processing plant where carcass characteristics were measured. Data were analyzed using Mixed procedure of SAS (Cary, NC) with maternal diet nutrient level, vitamin D source and the interaction as fixed effects. Progeny born from sows fed HyD diets had greater ADG in overall grower/finisher phases (P = 0.04) and during the whole trial (P = 0.03). This weight gain improvement increased the final BW, HCW, and yield percentage over StD derived progeny by 3.19 kg, 3.56 kg and 0.11% (P = 0.04, 0.02 and < 0.01), respectively. Dietary nutrient level had limited effect on progeny ADG and BW during the preslaughter period. The maternal vitamin D source did not affect progeny ADFI but overall G:F tended (P = 0.06) to be greater in pigs sourced from dams fed HyD . A maternal vitamin D by nutrient level interaction was observed for ADFI during grower/finisher phases (P = 0.05) and overall (P = 0.07) because progeny from gilts fed a low nutrient level had greater intake than cohorts from gilts fed an adequate nutrient diet, while ADFI was similar for all offspring from gilts fed HyD diets. These results indicate that manipulating nutrients during gilt development, or feeding HyD rather than StD to reproducing sows, can affect growth of their progeny to slaughter.

Hybridization and Growth Performance of Progeny from Crosses between Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus sp.

Mixed hybridisation trials involving Clarias gariepinus (CG), Heterobranchus longifilis (HL), and Heterobranchus bidorsalis (HB) were carried out with success using Ovulin as inducing agent. The crossing was followed by an early growth trial using post-yolk sac larvae that lasted ten days. Latency periods in the two catfishes differ, with 11 hours in crosses involving female CG and 12 hours in crosses involving female HL. The fertilisation rates of eggs from the females of the two species indicate that there is no significant discernment in fertilisation (p>0.05), with values ranging from 68.38% (CG×HB) to 80.94% (HL×CG). However, rates <80% indicate egg quality problems. The hatching rate was significantly higher (p<0.05) in both C. gariepinus (62.12%) and Heterobranchus sp. (47.75%) line crosses than the hybrids. There is an additive genetic effect due to the combination of pure-line male and female gametes that elicit better growth as against survival in crosses involving C. gariepinus. The genotype for better survival is in the maternal line of H. longifilis. These culminate into heterosis for growth in hybrid CG×HB and survival in hybrid HL×CG.

Effects of Late Gestation Supplements Differing in Fatty Acid Amount and Profile to Beef Cows on Cow Performance, Steer Progeny Growth Performance through Weaning, and Relative mRNA Expression of Genes Associated with Muscle and Adipose Tissue Development.

Strategic supplementation during late gestation has the potential to alter progeny performance. Mature fall-calving Simmental × Angus cows were used to evaluate the effects of late gestation supplementation of fatty acids to beef cows on cow performance, steer progeny growth performance during pre-weaning and backgrounding periods, and relative mRNA expression of genes associated with myogenesis and adipogenesis. Cows (n = 190; 4 pasture groups of cows/treatment) grazed endophyte-infected tall fescue and were supplemented during late gestation with calcium salts of either saturated fatty acid/monounsaturated fatty acid (SFA/MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), or an isocaloric and isonitrogenous control (CON). There were no differences (p ≥ 0.11) in cow body weight (BW) or body condition scores from pre-supplementation to weaning or steer BW at birth, weaning, or at the end of the backgrounding period. Concentrations of C18:2n-6 in plasma were greater (p = 0.01) in SFA/MUFA and PUFA cows compared to CON cows during supplementation. For mRNA expression in the longissimus muscle of steer progeny from birth to weaning: PAX7 decreased to a greater (p < 0.01) extent for SFA/MUFA and PUFA steers; AGPAT1 and CPT1 increased to a greater (p ≤ 0.02) extent for CON steers. The expression of MYH7 mRNA during the pre-weaning period was greater (p = 0.01) in PUFA. In conclusion, late gestation fatty acid supplementation modified plasma relative concentrations of fatty acids for dams and progeny and modified mRNA expression of genes related to myogenesis and adipogenesis but had limited effects on progeny growth performance during pre-weaning and backgrounding periods.

Evaluation of peripartum supplementation of methionine hydroxy analogue on beef cow–calf performance

The objective was to evaluate the effects of peripartum supplementation of a methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA) to primiparous, spring-calving beef females on dam and progeny performance. Angus heifers (n = 60) were blocked by expected parturition date, stratified by body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS), and randomized to 1 of 15 pens. Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: a basal diet supplemented with 0 (M0), 15 (M15), or 30 (M30) g/animal/d of MHA (provided as MFP feed supplement, Novus International Inc., St. Charles, MO). Diets were fed from 45 ± 13 (SD) d pre-calving through 81 ± 13 d postpartum (DPP), after which all cow-calf pairs were managed as a single group on pasture until weaning (199 ± 13 DPP). Dam BW, BCS, and blood samples were taken at 6 predetermined timepoints. Progeny data were collected at birth, 2 intermediate timepoints, and at weaning. Milk samples were collected for composition analysis at 7 ± 2 DPP and at 55 ± 5 DPP. Serial progesterone samples were analyzed to establish resumption of cyclicity, and ultrasonography was performed at 55 ± 5 DPP to evaluate ovarian function. Cows were bred via artificial insemination at 82 ± 13 DPP and subsequently exposed to bulls for a 55-d breeding season. Pen was the experimental unit, and preplanned orthogonal contrasts were tested (linear effect and M0 vs. M15 + M30). Dam BW and BCS were not affected by treatment (P ≥ 0.29) throughout the study. Week 1 milk fat concentration increased linearly (P = 0.05) and total solids tended to increase linearly (P = 0.07) as MHA increased; however, no other milk components were affected (P ≥ 0.16). Treatment did not affect (P ≥ 0.16) dam reproductive parameters or progeny growth from birth until weaning. Post-calving, circulating methionine equivalents tended to linearly increase (P = 0.10) with increasing MHA supplementation. At breeding, plasma urea N linearly decreased (P = 0.03) with increased supplementation of MHA, and plasma non-esterified fatty acids were less (P = 0.04) in MHA-supplemented dams compared with dams receiving no MHA. Maternal circulating glucose, glutathione peroxidase, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were not affected (P ≥ 0.15) by treatment at any point. These data indicate that peripartum supplementation of MHA may increase milk fat composition shortly after calving, but MHA supplementation did not improve progeny growth or dam reproductive performance in the current study.

Evaluation of Growth Performance of Grade-2 Brahman Crossbred Progeny in a Farmers’ Participatory Beef Breeding Program

The study was carried out to compare the growth performance of grade-2 Brahman crossbreds to other available cattle genotypes in Bangladesh. Growth traits were birth weight, weight at 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-month of age and average daily weight gain from birth to 12-month of age. The birth, weight at 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month were 19.87±0.06, 52.01±0.49, 85.03±0.62, 127.12±0.81 and 171.19±1.20 kg, respectively. The average daily weight gain of calves was 426.00±4.99 g. Area and sex had significant effect (p&lt;0.01) on the birth weight, body weight at 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month of age and average daily weight gain of Brahman calves. Growth performance results on indigenous, Red Chittagong, Pabna, and crosses of Holstein-Frisian, Jersey, Sahiwal and Sindhi cattle were also collected from published literatures, which were compared with 25% Brahman cross calves. Birth weight (19.87±0.87 kg) and yearling or 12-month weight (171.19±17.9 kg) was highest in Brahman cross calves, whereas birth weight (14.81±2.50 kg) was lowest in indigenous calves and yearling weight (92.28±1.73 kg) was in lowest in Sahiwal cross calves. Average daily weight gain was highest (426.00±4.99 g) in Brahman and lowest (146.78±91.96 g) in Indigenous calves. Thus, it may be concluded that growth performance of Brahman cross calves was better than other existing cattle genotypes of Bangladesh. However, further study with large number of samples at different management systems would help to draw a final conclusion. J. of Sci. and Tech. Res. 3(1): 85-94, 2021

Maternal supplementation of different trace mineral sources on broiler breeder production and progeny growth and gut health.

Trace mineral minerals Zn, Cu, and Mn play important roles in breeder production and progeny performance. The objective of this study was to determine maternal supplementation of trace mineral minerals on breeder production and progeny growth and development. A total of 540 broiler breeders, Cobb 500 (Slow feathering; 0–66 weeks old) were assigned to one of three treatment groups with the same basal diet and three different supplemental trace minerals: ITM–inorganic trace minerals in sulfates: 100, 16, and 100 ppm of Zn, Cu, and Mn respectively; MMHAC -mineral methionine hydroxy analog chelate: 50, 8, and 50 ppm of bis-chelated MINTREX®Zn, Cu and Mn (Novus International, Inc.), and TMAAC - trace minerals amino acid complex: 50, 8, and 50 ppm of Zn, Cu, and Mn. At 28 weeks of age, eggs from breeder treatments were hatched for progeny trial, 10 pens with 6 males and 6 female birds per pen were fed a common diet with ITM for 45 days. Breeder production, egg quality, progeny growth performance, mRNA expression of gut health associated genes in breeder and progeny chicks were measured. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA; means were separated by Fisher’s protected LSD test. A p-Value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically different and 0.1 was considered numerical trend. Breeders on ITM treatment had higher (p < 0.05) body weight (BW), weight gain and lower (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) from 0 to 10 weeks, when compared to birds fed MMHAC. MMHAC significantly improved egg mass by 3 g (p < 0.05) and FCR by 34 points (0.05 < p < 0.1) throughout the reproductive period (26–66 weeks) in comparison to ITM. MMHAC improved (p < 0.01) egg yolk color versus (vs.) ITM and TMAAC in all periods, except 28 weeks, increased (p < 0.01) eggshell thickness and resistance vs. TMAAC at 58 weeks, and reduced (p < 0.05) jejunal NF-κB gene expression vs. TMAAC at 24 weeks. There was a significant reduction in tibial dry matter weight, Seedor index and resistance for the breeders that received MMHAC and/or TMAAC when compared to ITM at 18 weeks. Lower seedor index but numerically wider tibial circumference was seen in hens fed MMHAC at 24 weeks, and wider tibial circumference but lower tibial resistance in hens fed TMAAC at 66 weeks. Maternal supplementation of MMHAC in breeder hens increased (p < 0.0001) BW vs. ITM and TMAAC at hatching, reduced (p < 0.05) feed intake vs. ITM at d14 and d28, and improved (p < 0.01) FCR and performance index vs. TMAAC at d28, reduced (p < 0.01) NF-κB gene expression and increased (p < 0.05) A20 gene expression vs. TMAAC on d0 and vs. ITM on d14, reduced (p < 0.05) TLR2 gene expression vs. ITM on d0 and vs. TMAAC on d14, increased (p < 0.05) MUC2 gene expression vs. both ITM and TMAAC on d45 in progeny jejunum. Overall, these results suggest that supplementation with lower levels of MHA-chelated trace minerals improved breeder production and egg quality and reduced breeder jejunal inflammation while maintaining tibial development in comparison to those receiving higher inorganic mineral supplementation, and it also carried over the benefits to progeny with better growth performance, less jejunal inflammation and better innate immune response and gut barrier function in comparison to ITM and/or TMAAC.

157 Comparison of Reproductive and Early Growth Performance of an F1 Usda Prime Yield Grade one Carcass Clone Sire and an Industry-Leading Purebred Sire in the Beef x Dairy Production System

Abstract The objectives of this research were to determine if an F1 USDA Prime, yield grade 1 sire produced from the WTAMU PrimeOne Project (Sire A) was a competitive sire for producing dairy composites when compared to a purebred Angus sire (Sire B), and to evaluate any subsequent reproductive impact of sire on dam. Dairy cows (n = 1,930) were artificially inseminated resulting in 763 pregnancies with 564 births and 536 live calves. Data was collected at a large commercial dairy and analyzed using SAS 9.4 with sire as fixed effect; lactation, breeding technician and services per conception were random effects. Individual animal was experimental unit (n = 536). Conception rates were 40% for Sire A and 31% for Sire B (P ≤ 0.01). Average gestation length (GL) was 284-d and 280-d for Sire A and B, respectively (P ≤ 0.01). Calves by Sire B reported lower average birth weight (BW) than those by Sire A (P ≤ 0.01) with no difference in calving ease score (CE) (P = 0.24). There was no difference in 60-d (P = 0.58) or 120-d calf weights (P = 0.47). However, calves by Sire B reported higher average daily gains at both 60- (0.61 and 0.58 kg; P ≤ 0.01) and 120-d (0.70 and 0.67 kg; P = 0.03). Sire had no effect on morbidity (P = 0.62) or mortality (P = 0.25). Post-partum interval (PPI) and time from first estrus to conception were not different between sires (P = 0.19; P = 0.14). BW and CE did not affect PPI or time from first estrus to conception. Data from this trial indicates the cloned progeny sire increased conception rates, but the purebred Angus sire was more favorable for GL, BW and progeny growth performance. Neither sire negatively impacted subsequent reproductive performance of the dam.

Influence of Maternal Carbohydrate Source (Concentrate-Based vs. Forage-Based) on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality of Progeny.

The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of maternal prepartum dietary carbohydrate source on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of offspring. Angus-based cows were assigned to either a concentrate-based diet or forage-based diet during mid- and late-gestation. A subset of calves was selected for evaluation of progeny performance. Dry matter intake (DMI), body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), gain to feed (G:F), and ultrasound measurements (muscle depth, back fat thickness, and intramuscular fat) were assessed during the feeding period. Carcass measurements were recorded, and striploins were collected for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), trained sensory panel, crude fat determination and fatty acid profile. Maternal dietary treatment did not influence (p > 0.05) offspring BW, DMI, ultrasound measurements, percent moisture, crude fat, WBSF, or consumer sensory responses. The forage treatment tended to have decreased (p = 0.06) 12th rib backfat compared to the concentrate treatment and tended to have lower (p = 0.08) yield grades. The concentrate treatment had increased (p < 0.05) a* and b* values compared to the forage treatment. These data suggest variation in maternal diets applied in this study during mid- and late-gestation has limited influence on progeny performance.

Compensatory feeding during early gestation for sows with a high weight loss after a summer lactation increased piglet birth weight but reduced litter size.

Sows mated in summer produce a greater proportion of born-light piglets (<1.1 kg) which contributes to increased carcass fatness in the progeny population. The reasons for the low birth weight of these piglets remain unclear, and there have been few successful mitigation strategies identified. We hypothesized that: 1) the low birth weight of progeny born to sows mated in summer may be associated with weight loss during the previous summer lactation; and 2) increasing early gestation feed allowance for the sows with high lactational weight loss in summer can help weight recovery and improve progeny birth weight. Sows were classified as having either low (av. 1%) or high (av. 7%) lactational weight loss in their summer lactation. All the sows with low lactational weight loss (LLStd) and half of the sows with high lactational weight loss received a standard gestation feeding regime (HLStd) (2.6 kg/d; day 0-30 gestation), whereas the rest of the sows with high lactational weight loss received a compensatory feed allowance (HLComp) (3.5 kg/d; day 0-30 gestation). A comparison of LLStd (n = 75) versus HLStd sows (n = 78) showed that this magnitude of weight loss over summer lactation did not affect the average piglet or litter birth weight, but such results may be influenced by the higher litter size (P = 0.030) observed in LLStd sows. A comparison of HLStd versus HLComp (n = 81) sows showed that the compensatory feeding increased (P = 0.021) weight gain of gestating sows by 6 kg, increased (P = 0.009) average piglet birth weight by 0.12 kg, tended to reduce (P = 0.054) the percentage of born-light piglets from 23.5% to 17.1% but reduced the litter size by 1.4 (P = 0.014). A subgroup of progeny stratified as born-light (0.8-1.1 kg) or -normal (1.3-1.7 kg) from each sow treatment were monitored for growth performance from weaning until 100 kg weight. The growth performance and carcass backfat of progeny were not affected by sow treatments. Born-light progeny had lower feed intake, lower growth rate, higher G:F, and higher carcass backfat than born-normal progeny (all P < 0.05). In summary, compensatory feeding from day 0 to 30 gestation in the sows with high weight loss during summer lactation reduced the percentage of born-light progeny at the cost of a lower litter size, which should improve growth rate and carcass leanness in the progeny population born to sows with high lactational weight loss.

Effects of maternal late-gestation nutrition on dam and subsequent progeny growth and performance of beef cattle

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of forage type and supplementation level on dam and subsequent progeny growth and progeny reproductive performance in heifers. Multiparous, May-calving cows (n = 652) were managed over 6 production cycles and arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial. They were assigned to 1 of 2 forage types: subirrigated meadow (M) or upland range (R) for 116 ± 2 d, and then 1 of 2 supplementation groups: no supplement (NoSp) or 0.45 kg/d of 33% CP (DM) supplement (Sp) for 85 ± 2 d. Body weight gain was greatest for MSp cows and intermediate for MNoSp cows, followed by RSp and then RNoSp cows ( P = 0.02). Treatment-period BCS gain was increased ( P < 0.01) in Sp cows. Sex-specific differences in postnatal progeny BW through development were detected ( P ≤ 0.05). Heifer progeny increased ( P = 0.01) percent mature BW at breeding. Pregnancy rate as a primiparous cow was increased ( P = 0.02) by maternal meadow grazing. Heifer progeny’s first calf BW ( P = 0.04) and risk of dystocia was increased ( P = 0.04) by dam supplementation. These results suggest differences in maternal late-gestation diet composition due to differences in supplementation and forage specie type and growth result in altered postnatal phenotypes of both female and male progeny.

Effect of dam parity on the reproductive performance of Nigeria indigenous sows and progeny survivability rates in Enugu State, South Eastern Nigeria

The effects of parity on the reproductive performance of Nigerian indigenous sow breed, progeny survivability and mortality in a commercial breeding farm in Enugu State Nigeria were investigated in this study. One hundred apparently healthy third trimester pregnant sows were randomly assigned to four treatment groups of twenty five sows per group in a completely randomized design (CRD) according to their reproductive parities as groups I, II, III and IV representing the first (P1), second (P2), third (P3) and fourth (P4) parities respectively. This study lasted for two years. The mean number of piglets born alive (NBA) of P1 (6.00±0.71 Head) and P2 (6.00±0.71 Head) were significantly decreased when compared to P4 (8.50±0.65 Head) but showed no significant difference when compared to P3 (7.50±0.50 Head). Second parity sows recorded the highest number of piglets’ deaths after birth while P1 and P3 litters recorded the lowest deaths after birth. Mean pre-weaning survival of progenies was highest in P3 (91.43±5.09 %) and lowest in P2 (84.38±11.83 %) while mean piglet mortality was highest in P2 (15.63±11.83 %) but lowest in P3 (8.57±5.09 %). It can be concluded from this research work that PIII sows provided adequate requirements necessary for their litter nourishment, growth and survival more than the other parities. Therefore progeny growth performance was best at third parity of reproduction.

Vitality in relation to litter size of crossbred pigs and the effect of the terminal sire line

Context Most research on sire lines is linked to growth and carcass traits. Only a limited number of field trials explore the effect of sire line on piglet vitality, litter size and the interactions between these traits. Aim The aim of this study was to examine the effect of sire line on the growth performance and vitality of progeny from birth to weaning and to evaluate the lines with respect to their impact on litter size. Methods Data included 150 litters of a Synthetic sire line (A) and 154 of a Piétrain sire line (B), with 4209 piglets born alive, which resulted from matings to 337 dams (Camborough PIC). The numbers of total born and born alive piglets per litter were recorded. Within 24 h after birth, piglet individual birthweight (BWbirth), sex (male/female) and body temperature (BT) were also recorded. At weaning, mortality rates and weaned pigs per sow were registered. At the day of weaning, 665 randomly chosen pigs were individually weighed. Weaning weights (WW) were used to calculate the weaning average daily gain (WADG). Key results Sire line significantly affected number of total born (P &lt; 0.0001), number born alive (P &lt; 0.01) and number of weaned pigs per sow (P &lt; 0.01). Across lines, each additional piglet per litter resulted in a 31.2 g decline in BWbirth (P &lt; 0.001). Larger litter sizes, higher BWbirth (P &lt; 0.01) and piglets with a lower BT (P &lt; 0.0001) were detected in litters of Sire line B compared with litters of Sire line A. No differences between lines were detected for WADG, WW and pre-weaning mortality (P &gt; 0.05). A positive correlation between birthweight and WW resulted in a correspondingly higher WADG (P &lt; 0.0001). Overall, heavier BWbirth piglets had a higher BT (P &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions The present study indicates that Sire line B would offer a possibility to maintain litter size at a high level and, simultaneously, achieve higher BWbirth, with consequently more vital piglets. Implication It is important to emphasise that further selection for litter size in dam lines is not indicated in terms of animal welfare but also production efficiency. Instead, it seems feasible to follow the above strategy and stabilise litter size at a high level, while at the same time breeding for vitality and survivability in sire lines.

High broodstock fads2 expression combined with nutritional programing through broodstock diet improves the use of low fishmeal and low fish oil diets in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) progeny

One of the factors that limits the replacement of fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO) by plant ingredients in diets for marine fish, is their lack of long chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA). LC-PUFA are essential fatty acids for these fish species, which lack sufficient fatty acyl desaturase 2 (Fads2) activity to synthesize them. Nutritional programing or the use of broodstock with a higher Fads2 activity could improve marine fish ability to synthesize LC-PUFA and their ability to use low FM and FO diets. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of gilthead seabream broodstock with inherently high or inherently low fads2 gene expression and nutritional programing with broodstock diets rich in FO or rapeseed oil (RO) on the progeny growth performance, liver morphology, biochemical composition and expression of selected genes. Sea bream juveniles (2.31± 0.01 g initial body weight, mean ± SD) obtained from broodstock with either high (H) or low (L) fads2 expression and fed a broodstock diet based on FO or RO were randomly distributed into 12 × 250 L tanks and nutritionally challenged for 45 days with a diet containing only 7.5% FM and no FO. The highest growth was found in juveniles from broodstock with a high fads2 expression and fed the RO diet, whereas the lowest growth was obtained in those from broodstock with a low fads2 expression and fed the RO diet. Juveniles from broodstock with high fads2 expression showed significantly higher fads2 expression in liver and increased PUFA contents in liver and muscle. Replacement of FO by RO in broodstock diets led to a significantly increased hepatic 18:3n-6/18:2n-6 ratio and reduction in the viscerosomatic index of the progeny juveniles, the hepatocyte size and the ghr-1/ghr-2 expression in muscle. Overall, the results showed significant trans-generational effects of both the broodstock fads2 expression and the type of lipid in the broodstock diet on the metabolism and performance of the juvenile progeny challenged with a diet low in FM and FO.

225 Effects of late gestation Calcium salts of fatty acids supplementation to beef cows on offspring pre-weaning growth performance and gene expression

Abstract Objectives were to investigate the effects of supplementing Ca salts of fatty acids to beef cows during late gestation on the pre-weaning growth performance and gene expression of steer progeny. Ninety-six fall-calving, Angus x Simmental cows (BW = 601±76 kg) were randomly assigned into 8 pastures (4 pastures/treatment; 12 cows/pasture), supplemented soyhulls mixed with 80 g/cow/d Strata + 80 g/cow/d Prequel (PUFA, rich in linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid) or 155 g/cow/d EnerGII (SFA/MUFA, rich in palmitic and oleic acids) for 76.5±6.0 d prepartum. Cow/calf pairs were comingled after calving. Biopsies of Longissimus dorsi (LD) and subcutaneous adipose were taken at birth and 3 wk before weaning (186±6 d). The data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Supplementing PUFA increased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) cow plasma eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid at midpoint of supplementation. At birth, PUFA steers had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) plasma EPA and lower (P &amp;lt; 0.01) plasma linolenic acid and oleic acid than SFA/MUFA steers. Weaning BW and pre-weaning ADG of the SFA/MUFA steers tended (P &amp;lt; 0.07) to be greater than PUFA steers. SFA/MUFA steers had increased (P = 0.04) expression of Zfp423 in adipose. There tended to be a treatment×time interaction (P = 0.06) for expression of Myf5 in LD; expression of Myf5 was greatest in SFA/MUFA steers at birth. There was a treatment×time interaction (P = 0.05) for expression of Pax7; expression was greater in SFA/MUFA steers at birth than any treatment at weaning. There were treatment×time interactions (P &amp;lt; 0.01) for expression of Myh7 and C/EBPβ in LD; expressions were greatest in PUFA steers at weaning. Supplementing Ca salts of PUFA to beef cows during late gestation altered plasma fatty acid profile of cow and calf, affected gene expression, and decreased offspring growth performance.

PSIV-8 Effects of Late Gestation Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids Supplementation to Beef Cows on Offspring Finishing Phase Performance and Carcass Characteristics

Abstract The objective was to investigate the effects of late-gestation supplementation of Ca salts of fatty acids to beef cows on the finishing phase growth performance and carcass characteristics of the steer progeny. Ninety-six multiparous, fall-calving, Angus × Simmental cows (BW = 601 ± 76 kg) were stratified by BW, BCS, and age and randomly allotted into 8 endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures with 12 cows/pasture. Cows were supplemented with soybean hulls mixed with either 155 g/cow/d of EnerGII (SFA/MUFA; enriched with palmitic and oleic acids) or 80 g/cow/d of Prequel + 80 g/cow/d of Strata (PUFA; enriched with linoleic acid, EPA, and DHA) for the last 77 ± 6 d of gestation. Steer progeny (n = 70) were weaned at 186 ± 6 d of age and transported to feedlot. Steers were fed receiving diets for 3 weeks and transitioned to finishing diets and adapted to GrowSafe feed bunks for individual daily feed intake measurement. Steers were weighed every 28 d during the finishing phase. Steers were slaughtered at commercial abattoir at 432 ± 6 d of age, and carcass data were obtained from USDA camera grading system. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, and repeated measure was used for BW. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.13) for BW, ADG, DMI, or feed conversion during the finishing phase. There was no differences (P ≥ 0.22) observed in hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, 12th rib fat thickness, yield grade, ribeye area, marbling score, or KPH fat. In conclusion, maternal supplementation of Ca salts of fatty acids during late gestation did not affect steer progeny growth performance during the finishing phase or carcass characteristics.

Milk yield and composition and body weight of offsprings of mixed-breed goats on semi-arid rangelands with different rainfall.

The objective was to characterize milk yield and composition from mixed-breed goats kidding in winter and grazing rangelands with 221 (n = 15), 334 (n = 20), or 441 (n = 12) mm of annual rainfall in northern Mexico (22-25°N). Weekly milk yield and composition were recorded and progeny growth performance assessed. Body weight loss during lactation was the highest (6.4kg) for goats on rangeland with 441mm of rainfall than goats on 221mm (1.6kg), or 334mm (1.8kg; P < 0.01). The highest daily milk yield was for goats on 221mm (498mL; P < 0.01). There was not an evident peak of lactation and milk yield increased uninterruptedly at the end of lactation. Milk fat was negatively related to milk yield and goats on rangeland with 334mm had the greatest milk fat content (P < 0.001). Milk protein and lactose content were higher in goats on rangeland with 221mm (P < 0.01). Goat kids on rangelands with 221 and 441mm grew faster and were heavier (P < 0.001) at weaning than kids reared in other rangelands. Weaning weight was positively related to milk yield (P< 0.001); but not milk components (P > 0.05). In conclusion, moderate milk yield of mixed-breed goats on rangeland is feasible with parturitions in winter, and milk yield is not affected by reduced annual precipitation in rangelands of northern Mexico. Offspring growth performance depends on maternal milk yield, but not milk composition. Nevertheless, slow growth to weaning of offspring had adverse effects on time to reach adequate market weight.

Maternal energy status during late gestation: Effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of steers progeny

The objetive of the current study was to determine the effect of maternal energy status during late gestation on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of steer progeny. At 180 ± 4 d of gestation 56 multiparous Angus cows were blocked by BW and expected calving date and asigned to three levels of nutrition energy: SR (severe restricted; 50% of NRC requirement), MR (moderate restricted; 75% of requirement) and NR (no restricted; 100% of requirement). After parturition, all cows were managed in a single group during lactation. A total of 25 male calves (SR = 8 calves; MR = 9 calves; NR = 8 calves) were born from pregnant cows and all pens had at least one male calf. After weaning, male calves were separated of female calves and were stockered on native range until 24 ± 0.1 months of age then placed into a feedlot for 104 d before harvest. Cow BW and BCS decreased linearly (P < .01) as nutritional energy restriction increased. Calves from SR dams were lighter (P = .04) than calves from MR and NR dams at parturition, however, at weaning and harvest BW was similar for SR and NR steers and decreased in MR steers. Steers from SR dams demonstrated catch-up growth with a tendecy to increased ADG from birth to harvest compared to MR and NR steers (P = .06). Hot carcass weigth was similar in SR and NR steers and increased in MR steers (P = .01). Longissimus muscle area was not affected (P > .10) by maternal energy status, however, 12 rib fat thickness was greater in SR and MR compared to NR steers (P < .01). Tenderness of Longissimus muscle was decreased in MR compared to SR and NR steers after 3d of aging. No treatment differences (P > .10) were observed in sarchomere length or collagen content. Adipocyte diameter was similar (P > .10) between treatments suggesting that decreased 12th rib fat thicness in MR steers could be due to decreased fat tissue hyperplasia. These results indicate that level of energy restriction during late gestation does no have linear response on growth performance and carcass quality of steers progeny.

Effect of including n-3/ n-6 fatty acid feed sources in diet on fertility and hatchability of broiler breeders and post-hatch performance and carcass parameters of progeny.

ObjectiveThe present trial was conducted to determine the influence of different dietary fatty acid (omega-3 and omega-6) sources on reproductive performance of female broiler breeders and growth performance and carcass traits of their progeny.MethodsTwo hundred and twenty, 25 weeks old Ross-308 male (20) and female (200) broiler breeders were used in the experiment for the period of 6 weeks. All birds were randomly divided into four dietary treatments (containing 2% soybean oil, 2% sunflower oil, 2% flaxseed oil, and 2% fish oil) each with five replicates of one male and ten females. Throughout this experiment hatching performance of broiler breeders, progeny growth performance and carcass parameters were recorded.ResultsThe results showed that the inclusion of different fatty acid sources in female broiler breeders diet had no significant effects (p>0.05) on number of fertile eggs, post-hatch mortality, and fertility rate. The soybean oil supplemented group had significantly (p<0.05) higher late embryonic mortality compared to other three treatments.ConclusionIt was concluded that inclusion of 2% of different sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (especially 2% flax seed oil) in broiler breeders’ diet can reduce late embryonic mortality. The other reproductive characteristics of parents and growth and carcass characteristics of progeny remained unaltered by dietary sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

The influence of protein restriction during mid- to late gestation on beef offspring growth, carcass characteristic and meat quality

The objective of this study was to determine whether crude protein intake during the last three months of gestation affects growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of steer progeny. At 134 ± 14 d of gestation, 68 multiparous Angus cows were blocked by BW and expected calving date and randomly assigned to diets that contained either low or high dietary crude protein concentrations and were allotted in 12 pens per treatment. After calving, cows were managed together on improved pastures during lactation. After weaning at 219 ± 13 d of age, steers calves were stockered on natural pastures until 687 ± 13 d of age then placed into a feedlot for 83d before slaughter. Maternal dietary protein concentration had no influence on offspring body weight and growth rate during rearing or finishing phases (P > .10). Rib fat thickness of steers was not affected (P = .38) by maternal nutrition treatments, however, LM area was greater in HP steers than LP steers at entrance into the feedlot (P = .01) and end of finishing phase (P = .04). Hot carcass weight was similar between treatments (P = .69), however dressing percentage was increased in HP relative to LP steers (P = .01). Tenderness of Longissimus muscle was increased in HP compared to LP steers after 3 and 14d (P < .001) of aging. No treatment differences in troponin-t degradation (P = .77) and collagen content (P = .58) were observed. Muscle fiber diameter was similar in LP and HP steers (P = .20), suggesting that increase of LM area in HP steers could be due to muscle hyperplasia. These data indicated that level of protein during mid to late gestation does not affect offspring growth but has impacts on carcass composition and meat quality of steer progeny.