Cattle Progeny Research Articles

Genotype-by-gestational thermal environment interaction and its impact on the future performance of tropical composite beef cattle offspring.

With global warming, there are growing challenges for raising taurine and composite beef cattle populations in tropical regions, including elevated temperatures, limited forage availability, parasite infestation, and infectious diseases. These environmental factors can trigger specific physiological responses in the developing fetus, which may have long-term implications on its performance. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the influence of naturally induced thermal stress during the gestation period on the subsequent performance of tropical composite beef cattle progeny. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate the impact of genotype-by-gestational thermal environment interaction (G×Eg) on traits under selection pressure in the breeding population. A total of 157,414 animals from 58 farms located in various Brazilian states were recorded for birth weight (BW), preweaning weight gain (PWG), yearling weight (YW), hip height (HH), scrotal circumference (SC), and days to first calving (DFC). We first applied a linear regression model to the BW data, which revealed that the last 40d of gestation were suitable for calculating the mean temperature humidity index (THIg). Subsequent regression analyses revealed that for every 10-unit increase in THIg, detrimental effects of approximately 1.13% to 16.34% are expected for all traits evaluated. Genetic parameters were estimated through a reaction norm model using THIg as the environmental descriptor. The posterior means of heritability estimates (SD) were 0.35 (0.07), 0.25 (0.03), 0.31 (0.03), 0.37 (0.01), 0.29 (0.07), and 0.20 (0.09) for the direct effect of BW, PWG, YW, HH, SC, and DFC, respectively. These estimates varied along the range of THIg values, suggesting a variable response to selection depending on the thermal environment during gestation. Genetic correlation estimates between more divergent THIg values were low or negative for YW, PWG, and DFC, indicating that the best-performing individuals at low THIg values may not perform as well at high THIg values and vice versa. Overall, thermal stress during gestation impacts the future performance of beef cattle offspring. Our results indicate the need for developing effective breeding strategies that take into account G×Eg effects and the re-ranking of breeding animals along the THIg scale, particularly for traits such as DFC that are highly sensitive to thermal stress.

Transcriptome profile in the skeletal muscle of cattle progeny as a function of maternal protein supplementation during mid-gestation

This study aimed to evaluate the differentially expressed genes (DEG), their biological functions, and the main predictor genes in skeletal muscle of the offspring resulting from dams supplemented or not with protein during mid-gestation. From 100 to 200 days of gestation, 10 Tabapuã cows pregnant of males were assigned to one of two treatments: Control [(CON) - supply of basal diet achieving 5.5% of crude protein (CP); n = 6]; or Supplemented [(SUP) - basal diet plus a supplement with 40% of CP provided at the level of 3.5 g/kg of body weight; n = 4]. Muscle samples were collected from the progeny at 260d of postnatal age to RNA-seq, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, and Random Forest (RF) analyses. A total of 310 DEG (q-value < 0.05) were identified for the effect of diet, being 187 and 123 genes down-regulated and up-regulated in the SUP diet, respectively. Within the SUP up-regulated genes, were genes related to insulin receptor signaling pathway (LOC107131843) and apoptosis regulation (KRT18, KRT8 and KRT19). While the enriched GOs terms are implicated in mitochondrial metabolism through the overrepresentation of the GO terms microtubule polymerization or depolymerization (GO:0031109, GO:0046785) and positive regulation of cellular component biogenesis (GO:0044089). Moreover, RF analysis revealed predictor genes related to the skeletal muscle development, including genes that participates in the PI3K/Akt pathways (PITPNA), myoblast proliferation (ALKBH1) and differentiation (CDK5R1 and miR-206). In conclusion, maternal protein supplementation during mid-gestation positively affected the energy metabolism and favored the hypertrophic processes of the skeletal muscle of the offspring.

Genetic parameters on Bali cattle progeny test population

Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) is Indonesian indigenous cattle with having superior genetics potential on fitness traits in tropical environment and low feed quality. Bali Cattle Breeding Center Pulukan Indonesia conducted progeny test per annum in order to select bulls using offspring’s phenotype. This paper aimed to estimate the genetic parameters of yearling weight in Bali cattle progeny test populations and to observe the variation between periods in the above breeding center. Data were collected from the year of 2013 to 2014. There were four bulls (3 tests, 1 AI control) in 2013 and five bulls (4 tests, 1 AI) in 2014. Thirty breeding females were allocated per paddock per bull and allowed to mate naturally. In total 80 and 104 offspring’s records were obtained from 2013 and 2014 data, respectively. We built half-sib family model to estimate the additive genetic variance due to the sire and later estimate the breeding value (EBV) of each sire. Results showed that in 2013 the heritability (h2) for yearling weight was 0.19 while in 2014 was 0.79. In both years, tested bulls had higher EBV compared to the control bulls. The remarkable difference of heritability between years was due to the variations among bull candidates which might differ every year with regards to their origins. The fact that the EBV of tested bulls were higher than the control bulls gave us insight that despite the conservation policy and the continuous departure of Bali cattle bulls outside the Island, the population could still maintain its genetic quality.

129 Maternal plane of nutrition during mid-gestation affects the skeletal muscle transcriptome in beef cattle progeny

129 Maternal plane of nutrition during mid-gestation affects the skeletal muscle transcriptome in beef cattle progeny

Genetic, Phenotypic and Environmental Trend for Milk Yield and Production Efficiency Traits in Gir Cattle

The first lactation records of 1450 Gir cattle progeny of 290 dams and 41 sires maintained over the period from 1987 to 2010 at Cattle Breeding Farm, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat were used to estimate the phenotypic, genetic and environmental trends of traits viz. first lactation total milk yield (FLTMY), first lactation total milk yield per day of first calving interval (FLTMY/FCI), first lactation total milk yield per day of first lactation length (FLTMY/FLL). The phenotypic trends were estimated as: 90.70 ± 6.44 kg, 0.24 ± 0.01 kg and 0.32 ± 0.02 kg for FLTMY, FLTMY/FCI and FLTMY/FLL respectively. The genetic trends were compared by five methods as Smith method1 (SM1), Smith method 2(SM2), Powell and Freeman method 1 (PM1), Powell and Freeman method 2 (PM2) and BLUP. The annual genetic trends for FLTMY were found to be positive by SM1 (2.88 ± 39.58 kg), PM1 (2.21 ± 37.34 kg) and BLUP (9.17 ± 1.94 kg). The annual genetic trends for FLMY/FCI were positive by SM1 (0.43 ± 0.03 kg), SM2 (2.69 ± 0.03 kg), PM1 (0.38 ± 0.02 kg) and PM2 (2.06 ± 0.02kg) while negative by BLUP (-0.05 ± 0.01 kg). The annual genetic trends for FLMY/FLL were found to be positive by SM1 (0.51 ± 0.06 kg) and PM1 (0.45 ± 0.03 kg) methods while negative by SM2 (-2.37 ± 0.05 kg), PM2 (-1.79 ± 0.03 kg) and BLUP (-0.06 ± 0.01 kg). However, the estimates obtained by BLUP method had the lowest standard errors and were more reliable compared to other methods.

The influence of maternal energy status during mid-gestation on growth, cattle performance, and the immune response in the resultant beef progeny

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of cow energy status during mid-gestation on progeny growth performance and health. To alter maternal energy status, cows (n = 151) were either fed to achieve or maintain BCS 5.0 to 5.5 (positive energy status) or fed at 80% of the energy requirements for BW maintenance (negative energy status) over the ensuing 91-d period of mid-gestation. Cows were managed as a common group beginning with the third trimester of gestation through subsequent weaning. Weaned calves (n = 71 steers and 61 heifers) were allotted to pens according to cow energy status during gestation and sex and stratified by BW to allow for live cattle performance evaluation. A subsample (n = 30) of calves was subjected to an ovalbumin challenge 19 d after entering the feedlot to compare antibody titer response. Mid-gestation dam energy status did not affect (P > 0.05) birth weight, weaning weight, or adjusted 205-d weaning weight of progeny. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed between treatments during the feeding period on ADG, DMI, and G:F. Ovalbumin results showed no interactions (P > 0.05) between treatments, days, or sexes, as well as no sex main effects. However, progeny of negative energy status cows had lower (P < 0.05) antibody titers in response to the ovalbumin challenge during the receiving period. These results suggest that differences in cow energy status applied during mid-gestation in this experiment will not affect BW or growth performance differences throughout the postnatal period in beef cattle progeny but may have an effect on the adaptive immune response during their receiving period in calves.

Effects of a breeding scheme combined by genomic pre‐selection and progeny testing on annual genetic gain in a dairy cattle population

The effectiveness of the incorporation of genomic pre-selection into dairy cattle progeny testing (GS-PT) was compared with that of progeny testing (PT) where the fraction of dam to breed bull (DB) selected was 0.01. When the fraction of sires to breed bulls (SB) selected without being progeny tested to produce young bulls (YB) in the next generation was 0.2, the annual genetic gain from GS-PT was 13% to 43% greater when h(2) = 0.3 and 16% to 53% greater when h(2) = 0.1 compared with that from PT. Given h(2) = 0.3, a selection accuracy of 0.8 for both YB and DB, and selected fractions of 0.117 for YB and 0.04 for DB, GS-PT produced 40% to 43% greater annual genetic gain than PT. Given h(2) = 0.1, a selection accuracy of 0.6 for both YB and DB, and selected fractions of 0.117 for YB and 0.04 for DB, annual genetic gain from GS-PT was 48% to 53% greater than that from PT. When h(2) = 0.3, progeny testing capacity had little effect on annual genetic gain from GS-PT. However, when h(2) = 0.1, annual genetic gain from GS-PT increased with increasing progeny testing capacity.

Influence of Sire Breed on the Interplay among Rumen Microbial Populations Inhabiting the Rumen Liquid of the Progeny in Beef Cattle

This study aimed to evaluate whether the host genetic background impact the ruminal microbial communities of the progeny of sires from three different breeds under different diets. Eighty five bacterial and twenty eight methanogen phylotypes from 49 individuals of diverging sire breed (Angus, ANG; Charolais, CHA; and Hybrid, HYB), fed high energy density (HE) and low energy density (LE) diets were determined and correlated with breed, rumen fermentation and phenotypic variables, using multivariate statistical approaches. When bacterial phylotypes were compared between diets, ANG offspring showed the lowest number of diet-associated phylotypes, whereas CHA and HYB progenies had seventeen and twenty-three diet-associated phylotypes, respectively. For the methanogen phylotypes, there were no sire breed-associated phylotypes; however, seven phylotypes were significantly different among breeds on either diet (P<0.05). Sire breed did not influence the metabolic variables measured when high energy diet was fed. A correlation matrix of all pairwise comparisons among frequencies of bacterial and methanogen phylotypes uncovered their relationships with sire breed. A cluster containing methanogen phylotypes M16 (Methanobrevibacter gottschalkii) and M20 (Methanobrevibacter smithii), and bacterial phylotype B62 (Robinsoniella sp.) in Angus offspring fed low energy diet reflected the metabolic interactions among microbial consortia. The clustering of the phylotype frequencies from the three breeds indicated that phylotypes detected in CHA and HYB progenies are more similar among them, compared to ANG animals. Our results revealed that the frequency of particular microbial phylotypes in the progeny of cattle may be influenced by the sire breed when different diets are fed and ultimately further impact host metabolic functions, such as feed efficiency.

Analyzes of genome-wide association follow-up study for calving traits in dairy cattle.

BackgroundThere is often a pronounced disagreement between results obtained from different genome-wide association studies in cattle. There are multiple reasons for this disagreement. Particularly the presence of false positives leads to a need to validate detected QTL before they are optimally incorporated or weighted in selection decisions or further studied for causal gene. In dairy cattle progeny testing scheme new data is routinely accumulated which can be used to validate previously discovered associations. However, the data is not an independent sample and the sample size may not be sufficient to have enough power to validate previous discoveries. Here we compared two strategies to validate previously detected QTL when new data is added from the same study population. We compare analyzing a combined dataset (COMB) including all data presently available to only analyzing a validation dataset (VAL) i.e. a new dataset not previously analyzed as an independent replication. Secondly, we confirm SNP detected in the Reference population (REF) (i.e. previously analyzed dataset consists of older bulls) in the VAL dataset.ResultsClearly the results from the combined (COMB) dataset which had nearly twice the sample size of other two subsets allowed the detection of far more significant associations than the two smaller subsets. The number of significant SNPs in REF (older bulls) was about four times higher compare to VAL (younger bulls) though both had similar sample sizes, 2,219 and 2,039 respectively. A total of 424 SNP-trait combinations on 22 chromosomes showed genome-wide significant association involving 284 unique SNPs in the COMB dataset. In the REF data set 101 associations (73 unique SNPs) and in the VAL 24 associations (18 unique SNPs) were found genome-wide significant. Sixty-eight percent of the SNPs in the REF dataset could be confirmed in the VAL dataset. Out of 469 unique SNPs showing chromosome-wide significant association with calving traits in the REF dataset 321 could be confirmed in the VAL dataset at P < 0.05.ConclusionsThe follow-up study for GWAS in cattle will depend on the aim of the study. If the aim is to discover novel QTL, analyses of the COMB dataset is recommended, while in case of identification of the causal mutation underlying a QTL, confirmation of the discovered SNPs are necessary to avoid following a false positive.

Effect of calving distribution on beef cattle progeny performance

Records collected between 1997 and 2010 were used to determine the effect of calving period on heifer (n = 1,019) and steer (n = 771) progeny from the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, Whitman, NE. Progeny were classified as being born in the first, second, or third 21-d period of the spring calving season within year. Heifer birth BW was lightest (P < 0.01) for heifers born in the first period. Birth to weaning ADG tended (P = 0.10) to be least for heifers born in the first calving period; however, weaning BW decreased (P = 0.03) with advancing calving period. Weaning to prebreeding ADG tended (P = 0.07) to be least for heifers born in the first period; however, prebreeding BW was greatest (P < 0.01) for calves born in the first period. Heifer ADG from the beginning of the breeding season to pregnancy diagnosis was greater (P = 0.03) for heifers born in the third vs. first calving period. Heifers cycling at the beginning of the breeding season decreased (P < 0.01) with advancing calving date (70, 58, and 39%, respectively) and 45 d pregnancy rates were lowest (P = 0.02) for heifers born in the third calving period (90, 86, and 78%, respectively). Birth date of the first calf of the heifer and birth BW decreased (P < 0.01) if the heifer was born in the first calving period. First calf progeny had the greatest (P ≤ 0.10) weaning BW if born to a heifer born in the first calving period. As steer calving period advanced, weaning BW decreased (P < 0.01). Calving period did not affect (P = 0.81) feedlot ADG. As calving period advanced, HCW, marbling score, and yield grade decreased (P < 0.01). The percentage of steers grading USDA small marbling was not affected (P = 0.13) by calving period; however, the percentage of steers grading USDA modest marbling or greater and the total carcass value declined (P ≤ 0.01) as calving period advanced. Heifer calves born during the first 21 d of the spring calving season had greater weaning, prebreeding, and precalving BW; greater percent cycling before breeding; and greater pregnancy rates compared with heifers born in the third period. First calf progeny also had an earlier birth date and greater weaning BW. Steer calves born during the first 21 d of the calving season had greater weaning, final, and carcass weights; greater marbling scores; a greater percentage grading USDA modest or greater; and greater carcass value. Calving period of progeny significantly impacts performance.

Using actual and ultrasound carcass information in beef genetic evaluation programs

Increased movement toward alliances and grid pricing in the U.S. has led to an increase interest in genetic values for carcass traits. The literature suggests that carcass genetic values are an effective tool to enhance selection for carcass traits, and that it is possible to select sires within a breed that can increase marbling score without adversely affecting external fat thickness or percent retail product relative to the breed mean. Ultrasound has been investigated as a cheaper means of collecting carcass information. The literature indicates that carcass traits measured via ultrasound on yearling seedstock will respond to selection. Although the literature is variable on the subject, there are reported genetic correlation (r g) estimates between live animal ultrasound and actual carcass attributes that are greater than .70 for all ultrasonically measured carcass traits. When r g between seedstock ultrasound and slaughter cattle carcass measures are &gt; 0.70, similar or greater genetic progress in finished cattle carcass merit could be achieved by using ultrasound information entirely compared to using typical carcass progeny information; however, the maximum accuracy of prediction using ultrasound information in lieu of finished cattle carcass information would be r g. Therefore both actual and live animal, ultrasonically measured carcass traits should be included in genetic evaluation programs, which will allow for an increase in the accuracy of prediction of carcass genetic values on young seedstock animals due to the inclusion of ultrasound information, and will also allow for the possible production of high accuracy sires based on finished cattle progeny carcass information. Multi-breed models are being developed to allow for the prediction of genetic values for carcass traits in populations composed of animals of varying breed composition.

Heterogeneity of variance components for production traits in large‐scale dairy farms

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters applying fixed regression and random regression test day models for protein yield using subsets stratified by herd size, average production level of herds in test day protein yield, and average age at first calving within herds. The data consisted of 64,394 Holstein cows located in one region in Eastern Germany including 690,553 first lactation test day production records. Estimates of variance components revealed heterogeneity of genetic variances across subsets and the highest additive genetic variances and heritabilities were found in larger herds with high production level and low age at first calving. Special cooperator herds for dairy cattle progeny testing programs will be a common practice in the near future. Suitable selection criteria for cooperator herds should consider genetic parameters, e.g. genetic variances and heritabilities within herds or subsets, to identify genetically superior sires as accurately as possible. As shown in the present study, the two‐step cluster analysis is an appropriate method to combine all desirable effects of herd parameters for a final selection of cooperator herds. One cluster included 44 large‐scale dairy farms with an average of 638 cows per farm and was also characterised by the highest protein yield, the lowest age at first calving, the highest heritability, and the highest additive genetic variance for test day protein yield within herds. A cluster analysis can be implemented in the work routine of dairy cattle breeding programs and delivers results in acceptable time. Rank correlations of estimated breeding values of bulls in different subsets as well as in different clusters were greater than 0.90, and therefore disprove any concerns for possible genotype by environment interaction between the test and the production environment. The permanent environment variance was slightly increased in strata indicating a better environment, whereas the residual variance component was similar for all subsets. There were no remarkable differences in genetic correlations between individual test days and test days 25 and 150, when analysing different subsets.

The US FDA and animal cloning: Risk and regulatory approach

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Center for Veterinary Medicine issued a voluntary request to producers of livestock clones not to introduce food from clones or their progeny into commerce until the agency had assessed whether production of cattle, swine, sheep, or goats by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) posed any unique risks to the animal(s) involved in the process, humans, or other animals by consuming food from those animals, compared with any other assisted reproductive technology (ART) currently in use. Following a comprehensive review, no anomalies were observed in animals produced by cloning that have not also been observed in animals produced by other ARTs and natural mating. Further systematic review on the health of, and composition of meat and milk from, cattle, swine, and goat clones and the progeny of cattle and sheep did not result in the identification of any food-consumption hazards. The agency therefore concluded that food from cattle, swine, and goat clones was as safe to eat as food from animals of those species derived by conventional means. The agency also concluded that food from the progeny of the clone of any species normally consumed for food is as safe to eat as those animals. The article also describes the methodology used by the agency to analyze data and draw these conclusions, the plans the agency has proposed to manage any identified risks, and the risk communication approaches the agency has used.

Fertility investigations in the F1 hybrid and backcross progeny of cattle (Bos taurus) and yak (B. grunniens) in Mongolia.

Investigations conducted in Mongolia into the sterility of the male khainag, an F1 hybrid animal resulting from crossing cattle (Bos taurus, 2n = 60) with yaks (B. grunniens, 2n = 60), are reported. Reduced numbers of spermatogonia appear to characterise the testicular tubules of the khainag, and despite the identical cytological appearance of the two parental karyotypes, synaptic anomalies are seen at meiotic prophase in primary spermatocytes. The female khainag is fertile and can be backcrossed to cattle or yak bulls to produce a B1 backcross animal, the ortoom. Further backcrossing of ortoom females to cattle or yaks will yield a B2 backcross animal, the usanguzee. The impression is gained of better meiotic pairing in the backcross animals than in the khainag. The "Haldane Rule" is followed perfectly by the cattle x yak hybrid; namely, sterility is confined to the male.

The value of daughters of bull dams in dairy cattle progeny testing schemes

In dairy cattle progeny testing schemes, bull dams of high genetic merit are identified and bred to produce young bulls. Females will also be produced and any of them may themselves become bull dams. The impact of these (daughters of bull dams (DBD)) on genetic gain has been underestimated in the past. The predicted rate of genetic gain increased by 2%, when the DBD were included in the calculations for a conventional progeny testing scheme. When MOET (multiple ovulation and embryo transfer) was used on bull dams to produce 10 offspring dam −1 year −1, this difference was 7%. When accounting for preferential treatment of bull dams by limiting the accuracy of selection or the selective intensity, including DBD increased genetic gain by 2–11%.

Breeding Australian Illawarra Shorthorn cattle for resistance to Boophilus microplus. I. Factors affecting resistance

Selection and breeding for tick resistance in an Australian Illawarra Shorthorn (AIS) herd was undertaken from 1966 to 1971. Mating of half the AIS herd with a Brahman bull in 1968–69 provided a comparison of tick resistance in selected Bos taurus and crossbred B. taurus x B. indicus cattle. Parent cows and their progeny were ranked for resistance to ticks, infestations of which were acquired as a result of grazing infested pastures, and from periodical artificial infestation with cohorts of c. 20,000 larvae of Boophilus microplus. Ranking and assessment of resistance levels were based on counts of semi-engorged female ticks on the right side. Parent cows selected for high resistance consistently carried fewer ticks than cows selected for low resistance. Mating of cattle selected for high resistance produced progeny that were significantly more resistant than the progeny of cattle selected for low resistance. However, the Brahman bull, which had slightly lower resistance than the AIS bull, produced progeny with higher resistance, even when mated with AIS COWS selected for low resistance. Pregnant cows were significantly less resistant than non-pregnant cows, and lactating cows were very much less resistant than non-lactating cows. Young cows were more resistant than older cows. Calves at foot carried fewer ticks than their dams when grazing infested pastures, but after weaning they were less resistant than their parents when resistance was determined from artificial infestations. Female calves carried fewer ticks than males on almost all occasions, but differences were not significant in winter. Significant seasonal changes in resistance were demonstrated in AIS and Brahman x AIS weaner and yearling cattle. All cattle were less resistant in winter. Changes were greatest in Brahman x AN females, on which the average numbers of female ticks that matured following artificial infestations in January 1970 (summer), July 1970 (winter) and January 1971 (summer) were 151, 1046 and 95 respectively.

A study of factors affecting the efficiency of feed conversion in Red Danish heifers

SUMMARYData from 692 daughters of 38 Red Danish bulls, tested as heifers in the Danish cattle progeny testing stations 1963–64, were analysed to provide information on the efficiency of feed utilization by dairy cows. The results showed that because of, the feeding system adopted, efficiency measured as FCM per food unit was automatically closely related to FCM yield.Analysis based on pooled, within-bull, values showed that (a) both efficiency and FCM were negatively associated with body-weight gain during lactation, suggesting that feed allowances per unit FCM were low in relation to those for maintenance, (b) weight measured after calving was positively associated with efficiency and FCM yield whereas the association of these latter variables with weight at the end of the winter period was negative, and (c) the gain in weight during lactation was much lower in cows heavy at calving and higher in those heavy at the end of the winter.The between-bull correlations, although less reliable than the within-bull values, clearly indicated that the selection for FCM yield would result in increased cow weight.It is suggested that the selection of dairy cattle should not be based solely on milk yield but that suitable adjustments should be made so that selection for efficiency is safeguarded. Quantitative assessment of such adjustments would necessitate changing feeding procedures at central testing stations.