Taurus Cattle Research Articles

Comparison of Universal mtDNA Primers in Species Identification of Animals in a Sample with Severely Degraded DNA

Analysis of mitochondrial DNA, specifically the cytochrome b gene (cyt b), has become an essential tool for species identification. In the case of degraded samples, in which DNA is fractionated, universal primers, which are highly effective at amplifying the target region, are necessary. The material analysed in this study was a keychain made of bone, which was secured at a border crossing due to the suspicion that it was made of ivory. Due to processing of the bone and the likelihood of DNA degradation, five pairs of universal primers with different product lengths (from 148 to 990 base pairs) were used for species identification. Fragments of mtDNA from the cyt b and the 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA subunits were analysed. The analysis showed that only one pair of primers (L15601/H15748) enabled identification of the species, which is very common in samples with highly degraded DNA. The material was bone tissue belonging to the species Bos taurus (cattle). Species identification by molecular methods is extremely important in analysis of material when the species cannot be identified on the basis of morphological characteristics.

Mitogenome diversity and evolution of Bos indicus cattle in India.

Mitochondrial DNA has been widely utilized as a valuable tool for studying the evolutionary and demographic history both within and between different livestock speciesover the past three decades. Evaluation of the evolutionary history, population structure and genetic diversity is imperative for their productivity, ecosystem services, and breeding and conservation strategies for effective management. The present study included complete mitogenome of 78 cattle, out of which 33 samples belonged to 6 Bos indicus breeds of India. Mitogenome diversity of zebu cattle within population (π- nucleotide, haplotype diversity) was estimated using DnaSP v6 software and between populations (FST ratio, AMOVA analysis) was estimated using Arlequin 3.5.2.2. Ladakhi breed showed maximum (π = 0.00645) while Gir (π = 0.00042) and Tharparkar (π = 0.00053) showed minimum diversity. The diversity between the breeds of Indian cattle was 16.34 %. There were 13 and 14 haplotypes in each of I1 and I2 halogroups respectively suggesting that the divergence of Bos indicus haplotypes likely occurred within the Indian subcontinent. The Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle lineages separated approximately 0.75 million years ago. The divergence pattern observed in zebu cattle highlighted the probability of a distinct ancestor and supported notion of independent divergence of Bos indicus.

77 Differences in carcass quality and meat quality between cattle of different breed types

Abstract Crossbreeding cattle in the beef industry is a common practice to improve production and increase profitability. Introducing Bos indicus (BI) genetics into cattle herds is one potential method to improve production, as they are able to withstand higher temperatures, are better adapted to nutritional stress, and consume less water than Bos taurus (BT) cattle. However, introduction of BI genetics is known to decrease both carcass and meat quality compared with those from BT cattle. As such, the objective of this study was to determine how crossbreeding commercial Angus cows with Santa Gertrudis bulls to incorporate BI genetics impacts carcass and meat quality of the resultant offspring. This study utilized 38 steers of two different breeds: Angus (AN; n = 29; 100% BT) or Santa Gertrudis influenced (SG; n = 9; 19% BI, 81% BT). All steers were fed the same typical ration and harvested at a commercial facility once industry average body weight and backfat standards were met. Hot carcass weight (HCW), ribeye area (REA), yield grade (YG), and marbling scores were collected at harvest. Individual loins were collected for meat quality analysis. Meat quality data were collected after 14 d of wet aging at 4˚C. Meat color data was collected on d 0, 3, and 7. Statistical analysis was done using the MIXED procedure of SAS to assess the main effect of breed. Color analysis was conducted with day as a repeated measure. Least squares means were separated using Tukey-Kramer adjustments. Angus cattle had an increased (P = 0.009) REA and tended to have a reduced (P = 0.06) YG than SG cattle. However, no differences (P ≥ 0.13) between breeds were observed in HCW or marbling score. Additionally, no differences (P ≥ 0.08) were observed in meat quality (pH, drip loss, cook loss, Warner-Bratzler Shear Force, or Texture Profile Analysis) between breeds. There was not a day x breed (P > 0.65) or breed (P ≥ 0.57) effect for L*, a*, or b* color values. Day affected (P = 0.008) L*, a*, and b*, such that a* and b* both increased on d 3, then decreased on d 7, while L* increased on d 3 and remained consistent until d 7. These results are promising as they indicate there may not be differences in carcass quality and meat quality when utilizing this method to introduce BI genetics into a traditional BT production system. As such, this could be a useful tool in managing production systems in our beef herds. However, future research with a larger sample size will be necessary to gain more conclusive results.

386 Pregnancy supportive metabolites are enhanced in Brahman cows on day 15 of the estrous cycle

Abstract Bos indicus-influenced cattle are more resilient to pregnancy loss while receiving a restricted nutrient diet compared with Bos taurus cattle, but the mechanism behind this resilience is still unknown. To undercover this mechanism, the present study was designed with Angus (Bos taurus), Brangus (Bos indicus-influenced), and Brahman (Bos indicus) cows randomly assigned (d -30) to either a 100% maintenance diet (n = 22), or a 70% maintenance diet (n = 23) for 45 d. All cows were submitted to a 5-d CO-Synch + CIDR synchronization protocol on d -7 with ovulation induction representing d 0. A cervically navigated foley catheter was placed in the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum on d 15 of the estrous cycle. Approximately 50 mL of phosphate buffered saline was infused into the uterus then recovered for uterine flush analysis. Recovered uterine fluid was subjected to metabolomic analysis by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography - high resolution mass spectrometry. A significant breed by metabolite interaction occurred (P < 0.001). A treatment by metabolite interaction was also observed (P = 0.015) in which maintenance and restricted cows clustered within their respective treatment when plotted in an orthogonal PCA graph. Of the 101 metabolites analyzed, 7 metabolites (aspartate, glutamate, hydroxyphenylacetate, taurine, uric acid, uridine, and xanthine) differed (P < 0.05) among breeds. Brahman cows had the greatest value of all 7 metabolites (P < 0.05) except hydroxyphenylacetate (P > 0.10). Angus and Brangus metabolomic values were similar for aspartate, taurine, and uridine (P > 0.10) but differed for glutamate, hydroxyphenylacetate, uric acid, and xanthine (P < 0.05). Two metabolites that were greatest in Brahman cows (aspartate and glutamate) contribute significantly to the Kreb Cycle, indicating that Brahman cows have the ability to maintain proper amounts of substrates for energy production compared with Angus cows. Both glutamate and aspartate also aid in the removal of toxic ammonium as they are substrates for a-ketoglutarate and oxaloacetate, respectively, which both consume ammonium in their respective reactions. Furthermore, uric acid (which has a precursor of xanthine) was also greatest in Brahman cows and is a potent antioxidant with strong capabilities of scattering reactive oxygen species. Finally, aspartate also aids in the detoxification of ammonium within the urea cycle. Taken together, these four metabolites (aspartate, glutamate, uric acid, and xanthine) are working together but separately with the overall goal to provide more functional energy, while removing unnecessary toxins which may be two mechanisms in how Bos indicus-influenced cows are better able to sustain optimal reproductive efficiency than Angus cows.

143 Short- and long-term effects of heat stress in cow-calf pairs adapted to tropical and subtropical regions

Abstract Chronic exposure to high temperatures and humidity can limit beef cattle performance in tropical/subtropical environments, regardless of breed. Despite better heat adaptability compared with Bos taurus cattle, heat-stressed Bos indicus cattle also experience an increase in body temperature above the physiological limit. As body temperature increases, cascades of behavioral and physiological events are triggered to lessen heat load but often at the expense of productive outcomes. Contrary to other species and feedlot beef cattle, the effects of heat stress on physiology and performance of grazing cow-calf pairs have not been evaluated in detail, particularly for Bos indicus cattle. Preliminary data showed opposite outcomes to heat stress in Bos indicus vs. Bos taurus cattle, limiting the implications of the existing data generated from studies using beef and dairy Bos taurus cattle. This presentation will share some nutritional and management practices to mitigate heat stress in grazing beef cattle. Practices mentioned herein include altering the timing of body weight (BW) growth pattern (stair-step, SST) and immunomodulatory feed ingredient (IFI) supplementation for replacement beef heifers, and maternal access to shade to reduce heat load. For 100 d before the breeding season, Bos indicus-influenced beef heifers grazing warm-season grasses received a constant supplementation amount or SST strategy (50 d of low then 50 d of high supplementation), with or without IFI. Under severe heat stress conditions, IFI supplementation reduced heifer vaginal temperature but did not increase their growth and reproduction, whereas the SST strategy lowered internal body temperature, enhanced growth performance and pregnancy success compared with a conventional constant supplementation practice. Our group is also focused on the critical need to determine the specific effects of heat stress mitigation during pre- and postnatal phases on physiology and performance of Bos indicus-influenced cow-calf pairs. Study 1 evaluated the impacts of maternal access to artificial shade from 83 d prepartum until 50 d postpartum on body thermoregulation, performance, and physiology of beef heifers and their first offspring. Removing maternal access to shade led to greater maternal respiration rate, vaginal and body surface temperatures and reduced maternal body condition score and calf BW at birth. Nonetheless, offspring born from cows with no access to shade were remarkably heavier during a 60-d post-weaning period and had decreased plasma indicators of inflammation and positive effects to humoral immune response. Study 2 is a multi-year, USDA/NIFA-funded study designed to capitalize on the ability of cattle to reprogram physiological/immunological systems following exposure to stress during gestation. Study 2 combined gestational and postnatal heat abatement to enhance the overall growth/immune/reproductive performance of grazing Bos indicus-influenced cow-calf pairs. Partial data on long-term growth and reproductive performance, physiology, metabolome, and microbiome of both cows and their female offspring will be shared in this presentation.

Human animal relationships in Bos indicus cattle breeds addressed from a Five Domains welfare framework.

The present review has two objectives, the first is to investigate the differences in temperament between Bos indicus and Bos taurus breeds and determining the effects on production due to positive treatment and to compare this with negative HAR, by using the Five Domain Model as framework. The second objective is to discuss potential strategies to achieve better HAR when working with Bos indicus cattle. Bos indicus are more reactive and temperamental than Bos taurus cattle. When human animal relationships (HAR) are evaluated, Bos indicus cattle may react with greater intensity. They may be more likely to develop a negative emotional state, especially in extensively raised Bos indicus cattle that are handled only a few times each year. Bos indicus cattle can have positive emotional states when they have frequent positive interactions with people. Interactions with people, both positive and negative, would be in the fourth Domain of the Five Domains model. Cattle that are more reactive during handling may also have lower weight gain, even when they have abundant feed. This would be in the first Domain of Nutrition. When cattle are handled in races and corrals, injuries may be more likely to occur. Injuries and bruises would be in the third Domain of Health. Injuries could be caused by either poor handling practices by people or poor handling facilities. Yelling or electric prod use would be examples of poor HAR. Second Environmental Domain issues may be broken facilities or slick, slippery floors that are associated with falls.

Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles regulate distinct heat stress response in zebu (Bos indicus) and crossbred (Bos indicus×Bos taurus) cattle.

Epigenetic variations result from long-term adaptation to environmental factors. The Bos indicus (zebu) adapted to tropical conditions, whereas Bos taurusadaptedto temperate conditions; hence native zebu cattle and its crossbred (B indicus×B taurus) show differences in responses to heat stress. The present study evaluated genome-wide DNA methylation profiles of these two breeds of cattle that may explain distinct heat stress responses. Physiological responses to heat stress and estimated values of Iberia heat tolerance coefficient and Benezra's coefficient of adaptability revealed better relative thermotolerance of Hariana compared to the Vrindavani cattle. Genome-wide DNA methylation patterns were different for Hariana and Vrindavani cattle. The comparison between breeds indicated thepresence of 4599 significant differentially methylated CpGs with 756 hypermethylated and 3845 hypomethylated in Hariana compared to the Vrindavani cattle. Further, we found 79 genes that showed both differential methylation and differential expression that are involved in cellular stress response functions. Differential methylations in the microRNA coding sequences also revealed their functions in heat stress responses. Taken together, epigenetic differences represent thepotential regulation of long-term adaptation of Hariana (B indicus) cattle to the tropical environment and relative thermotolerance.

Occurrence of beta-casein allele A1 in Bovidae species

In the last two decades bovine beta-casein variant A1 has attracted attention in the dairy industry as a source of beta-casomorphin-7 opioid-like peptide with potentially harmful effects on human health. Because the origin of this variant is unknown, the aim of the study was to investigate its occurrence in different species of the Bovidae family. Blood samples were taken from 137 animals belonging to 17 Bovidae species. All animals were genotyped in beta-casein locus by Illumina Bovine MDv2 Chip. The results shown that allele A1 was present in Bos taurus cattle, including primitive cattle (Watusi and Ukraine) and in a modern dairy breed (Holstein). In Dahomey cattle, two heterozygous A1A2 individuals were found. In all remaining species, no animal carrying allele A1 of beta-casein was identified. It may be concluded that allele A2 is ancestral to allele A1 and was spread especially within modern dairy cattle

Current population size and risk status of the indigenous endangered Sheko cattle breed in south-west Ethiopia

This study assessed the current population size and risk status of the indigenous endangered Sheko cattle breed in four zones of South West Ethiopia. The Sheko cattle breed, known as the last remnants of Africa’s original Bos taurus cattle and the only trypanotolerant breed in Ethiopia, is facing a decline in their effective population size. The estimated population size of Sheko cattle is approximately 7252, with varying levels of genetic purity based on physical observations. The distribution of genetic purity levels of Sheko cattle indicates that there are approximately 4073, 2934, and 1145 individuals at the 1st (>80% pure), 2nd (>60% pure), and 3rd (>40% pure) levels, respectively. The breed is at risk due to factors such as aggressive behavior, interbreeding with zebu breeds, lack of pure Sheko bulls, and lack of awareness creation. To conserve the Sheko cattle breed, measures such as backcrossing to purebreds, genetic monitoring and evaluation, molecular characterization, assessment of genetic admixture and inbreeding, and collaboration among stakeholders are essential. Overall, this research emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated efforts to safeguard the genetic diversity and population size of the Sheko cattle breed.

Nilgai antelope display no signs of infection upon experimental challenge with a virulent Babesia bovis strain

BackgroundBovine babesiosis is caused by infection with the protozoal parasite Babesia bovis, which is transmitted by Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp. It can cause mortality rates up to 90% in immunologically naive Bos taurus cattle. In south Texas, R. (B.) microplus is known to infest nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus); however, their susceptibility to infection with B. bovis and their role in the transmission of the parasite remain unknown. In this study, we challenged nilgai antelope with B. bovis and evaluated their susceptibility to infection.MethodsNilgai were needle inoculated with ≈108B. bovis-parasitized erythrocytes (merozoites) or a homogenate of B. bovis-infected larval ticks (sporozoite) delivered intravenously. Bos taurus beef calves were inoculated in parallel, as this strain of B. bovis is lethal to cattle. Temperature and hematocrit were monitored daily over the course of each study, and whole blood was collected for molecular [polymerase chain reaction (PCR)] and serological [indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)] diagnostic evaluation. Histological sections of nilgai cerebral tissue were examined for evidence of infection. Recipient bovine calves were sub-inoculated with blood from nilgai challenged with either stage of the parasite, and they were monitored for clinical signs of infection and evaluated by a PCR diagnostic assay. Red blood cells (RBCs) from prechallenged nilgai and B. taurus beef cattle were cultured with an in vitro B. bovis merozoite culture to examine colonization of the RBCs by the parasite.ResultsNilgai did not display clinical signs of infection upon inoculation with either the merozoite or sporozoite stage of B. bovis. All nilgai were PCR-negative for the parasite, and they did not develop antibodies to B. bovis. No evidence of infection was detected in histological sections of nilgai tissues, and in vitro culture analysis indicated that the nilgai RBCs were not colonized by B. bovis merozoites. Cattle subinoculated with blood from challenged nilgai did not display clinical signs of infection, and they were PCR-negative up to 45 days after transfer.ConclusionsNilgai do not appear to be susceptible to infection with a strain of B. bovis that is lethal to cattle. Tick control on these alternative hosts remains a critical priority, especially given their potential to disseminate ticks over long distances.Graphical

A new antimicrobial food peptide: characteristics, properties and effectiveness evaluation

Promising candidates as antibacterial drugs are antimicrobial peptides (AMP) present in cow colostrum. The aim of the research is to isolate, theoretically substantiate and confirm the biological activity of a new AMP from pepsin hydrolysate of cow colostrum with the amino acid sequence EKLAKNKLARGLKRK. According to the Protein NCBI database, the isolated AMP is identified as AW655195.1 105840 MARC 1BOV/ Bos taurus (cattle). When identifying AMP from the database of antimicrobial peptides APD, it was not found. When identifying AMP using the DRAMP database, the object under study is missing, but its characteristics belong to the antimicrobial class. The total hydrophobic ratio of the peptide determined by APD is 33%. The total net charge is +6, the molecular weight is 1753.151 Da. Protein binding potential (Boman index) at 3.44 kcal/mol. The selected AMP is close in characteristics to the known ones included in the APD database. AMP belongs to the cationic hydrophobic α-helical, which suggests its antimicrobial activity. As a result of in vitro experiments, the antimicrobial and antitumor activity of the peptide has been proven.

Acute death as a result of poisoning tropical (Bos taurus indicus) but not temperate (Bos taurus taurus) cattle after oral dosing with Lupinus leucophyllus (velvet lupine)

Due to climate change and increasing summer temperatures, tropical cattle may graze where temperate cattle have grazed, exposing tropical cattle to toxic plants they may be unfamiliar with. This work compared the toxicity of Lupinus leucophyllus (velvet lupine) in temperate and tropical cattle. Orally dosed velvet lupine in tropical cattle caused death. If producers opt to graze tropical cattle, additional care must be taken on rangelands where toxic lupines like velvet lupine grow.

Understanding Circular RNAs in Health, Welfare, and Productive Traits of Cattle, Goats, and Sheep.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are unique noncoding RNA molecules, notable for their covalent closed-loop structures, which play a crucial role in regulating gene expression across a variety of biological processes. This review comprehensively synthesizes the existing knowledge of circRNAs in three key livestock species: Bos taurus (cattle), Ovis aries (sheep), and Capra hircus (goats). It focuses on their functional importance and emerging potential as biomarkers for disease detection, stress response, and overall physiological health. Specifically, it delves into the expression and functionality of circRNAs in these species, paying special attention to traits critical to livestock productivity such as milk production, meat quality, muscle development, wool production, immune responses, etc. We also address the current challenges faced in circRNA research, including the need for standardized methodologies and broader studies. By providing insights into the molecular mechanisms regulated by circRNAs, this review underscores their scientific and economic relevance in the livestock industry. The potential of circRNAs to improve animal health management and the quality of animal-derived products aligns with growing consumer concerns for animal welfare and sustainability. Thus, this paper aims to guide future research directions while supporting the development of innovative strategies in livestock management and breeding.

Assessments of some animal bones biochar as paddy protectants against rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae L. [Coleoptera: Curculionidae]

The main insect pest of stored paddy is Sitophilus oryzae (rice weevil). Huge amounts of rice are produced by peasant farmers each year, but the bulk of it is wasted due to insufficient storage facilities and insect pest attacks brought on by careless handling. In this study, the insecticidal effects of biochar on S. oryzae were assessed in femurs from Sus scrofa (pig), Gallus gallus (chicken), and Bos taurus (cattle). Adult mortality, adult emergence, weight loss, seed damage, and weevil perforation index are among the indicators evaluated. To apply the biochar, different dosages were used: 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 g/20 g of paddy rice. In this work, the population of adult S. oryzae on paddy rice was dramatically reduced by all animal bones biochar tested for insecticidal activity (p < 0.05). The animal bone biochar became more effective with increasing dosage. After 24 h of treatment, pig biochar induced a 36.67 % mortality rate of adult S. oryzae, followed by cow biochar's 20 % mortality rate of rice weevils. The fatal dose of cattle, pig, and chicken biochar at which 50 % (LD50) of the population of adult S. oryzae responded after 24 h of treatment were 0.83g, 0.43g, and 0.90g, respectively. It should be encouraged to utilize biochar made from animal bones to combat the S. oryzae in stored paddy. They could be utilized as a green control measure to lessen the risk brought on by the usage of synthetic chemical insecticides in the environment.

Uncovering the architecture of selection in two Bos taurus cattle breeds.

Directional selection alters the genome via hard sweeps, soft sweeps, and polygenic selection. However, mapping polygenic selection is difficult because it does not leave clear signatures on the genome like a selective sweep. In populations with temporally stratified genotypes, the Generation Proxy Selection Mapping (GPSM) method identifies variants associated with generation number (or appropriate proxy) and thus variants undergoing directional allele frequency changes. Here, we use GPSM on two large datasets of beef cattle to detect associations between an animal's generation and 11 million imputed SNPs. Using these datasets with high power and dense mapping resolution, GPSM detected a total of 294 unique loci actively under selection in two cattle breeds. We observed that GPSM has a high power to detect selection in the very recent past (<10 years), even when allele frequency changes are small. Variants identified by GPSM reside in genomic regions associated with known breed-specific selection objectives, such as fertility and maternal ability in Red Angus, and carcass merit and coat color in Simmental. Over 60% of the selected loci reside in or near (<50 kb) annotated genes. Using haplotype-based and composite selective sweep statistics, we identify hundreds of putative selective sweeps that likely occurred earlier in the evolution of these breeds; however, these sweeps have little overlap with recent polygenic selection. This makes GPSM a complementary approach to sweep detection methods when temporal genotype data are available. The selected loci that we identify across methods demonstrate the complex architecture of selection in domesticated cattle.

MicroRNA breed and parent-of-origin effects provide insights into biological pathways differentiating cattle subspecies in fetal liver.

Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in regulating gene expression during key developmental processes, including fetal development. Brahman (Bos taurus indicus) and Angus (Bos taurus taurus) cattle breeds represent two major cattle subspecies with strikingly different phenotypes. Methods: We analyzed miRNA expression in liver samples of purebred and reciprocal crosses of Angus and Brahman to investigate breed and parent-of-origin effects at the onset of accelerated fetal growth. Results: We identified eight novel miRNAs in fetal liver samples and 14 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) between purebred samples. Correlation of gene expression modules and miRNAs by breed and parent-of-origin effects revealed an enrichment of genes associated with breed-specific differences in traits such as heat tolerance (Brahman) and fat deposition (Angus). We demonstrate that genes predicted to be targets of DEMs were more likely to be differentially expressed than non-targets (p-value < 0.05). We identified several miRNAs (bta-miR-187, bta-miR-216b, bta-miR-2284c, bta-miR-2285c, bta-miR-2285cp, bta-miR-2419-3p, bta-miR-2419-5p, and bta-miR-11984) that showed similar correlation patterns as bta-miR-2355-3p, which has been associated with the glutamatergic synapse pathway, a key facilitator of heat tolerance. Furthermore, we report Angus-breed-specific miRNAs (bta-miR-2313-5p, btamiR-490, bta-miR-2316, and bta-miR-11990) that may be involved in fat deposition. Finally, we showed that the DEMs identified in fetal liver are involved in Rap1, MAPK, and Ras signalling pathways, which are important for fetal development, muscle development and metabolic traits such as fat metabolism. Conclusion: Our work sheds light on the miRNA expression patterns that contribute to gene expression differences driving phenotypic differences in indicine and taurine cattle.

128 Embryo transfer in Brangus (Bos indicus × Bos taurus) cattle recipients: effects of sire on pregnancy rate using in vitro-produced embryos

128 Embryo transfer in Brangus (Bos indicus × Bos taurus) cattle recipients: effects of sire on pregnancy rate using in vitro-produced embryos

191 Anti-Müllerian hormone: how early can it be used as a biomarker for future in vitro embryo production in Bos taurus cattle?

191 Anti-Müllerian hormone: how early can it be used as a biomarker for future in vitro embryo production in Bos taurus cattle?

PSXIV-20 Genetic Differences Related to Beef Production Traits in Bos Taurus Or Bos Indicus Influenced Cattle

Abstract Global climate change has had, and will continue to have, a negative impact on cattle production. With the global population expected to exceed 9 billion people by 2050, improving production efficiency is imperative to optimizing use of available land and natural resources. One potential method of doing so is to increase the percentage of Bos indicus (BI) genetics in the US beef herd. Compared with Bos taurus (BT) cattle, BI influenced cattle are better adapted to nutritional stress, consume less water, are more heat resistant, and have increased resistance to parasites. The objective of this study was to examine the phenotypic and genotypic outcomes of introducing BI genetics into a BT herd in a temperate climate setting. This study included a live animal trial that utilized a total of 115 steers of two different breeds: Angus (AN; n = 83; 100% BT) or Santa Gertrudis influenced (SG; n = 32; 19% BI, 81% BT). All steers were fed a typical feedlot ration for the area in pens equipped with Vytelle units, weighed every 28 d throughout the trial, and harvested at a commercial facility once industry backfat standards were achieved. Breed did not have an effect (P &amp;gt;0.10) on dry matter intake, average daily gain, gain to feed, ribeye fat thickness, hot carcass weight, or USDA yield grade. Intramuscular fat was increased (P = 0.002) in AN steers, and there was a tendency (P = 0.09) for SG steers to spend more time with their heads down during bunk visits. To better examine the genomic differences between the two beef breeds, DNA from 88 (AN = 58, SG = 30) of the 115 steers was isolated. A Bovine GGP 100k assay was completed commercially, and data were analyzed using Excel and the Multi-Locus Mixed Model of SVS. The traits that were analyzed include average daily gain, gain to feed, dry matter intake, hot carcass weight, marbling score, cold camera ribeye size, ribeye fat thickness, and cold camera yield grade. For each trait, further evaluation was done on SNP markers with the greatest P-values. Differences in allelic combinations that contributed to statistical significance was observed in data attained from dry matter intake, hot carcass weight, marbling score, and cold camera yield grade. Further analysis suggested a potential breed effect on marbling score, cold camera yield grade, and cold camera ribeye size. Additional research is warranted to better understand the relationship between genetics and the observed phenotypic traits, as well as conducting similar analysis on feeding behavior characteristics.

83 Eating and Nutritional Quality of Meats from Water Buffalo Versus Cattle. a Review

Abstract Worldwide, water buffalo [Bubalis bubalis (Buffalo)] is commonly raised as a dual-purpose animal (intentionally for dairy production because their meat quality has been generally perceived as poor). Breeding for milk production, hunting, exhibition, or novelty ownership has been the primary use of Buffalo in United States and Canada. A scientific review was conducted to examine the effect of species (Buffalo vs. cattle) on meat sensory and nutritional quality. Compilation of this type of comparative studies is a necessary exercise to inform all segments of the meat value chain, particularly, final consumers. According to a bibliometric analysis it can be estimated that in the last twenty years the Web of Science database has recorded over 500 publications about Buffalo breeding. Unfortunately, the vast majority of studies comparing quality- or chemical-related trails between these bovid species did not plan adequately in the experimental design to raise or fatten them under the same environmental conditions and (or) made comparisons at a given (fair) endpoint [e.g.., same average age or body weight). Furthermore, most literature reviews on the topic made inferences by making use of observational studies and (or) tabulated findings of different researchers that did not include both species in the same experiment or did not use exclusion criteria to minimize the bias of the interspecific alleged contrasts. This presentation will discuss results from selected controlled experiments reporting quality and nutrient composition of meats from cattle vs. Buffalo. Very few controlled studies could be retrieved on comparison of meat quality (n = 13) and nutrient composition (n = 8) between Buffalo versus indicine (Bos indicus) or European (Bos taurus) cattle. Results from four out of thirteen comparative studies reporting sensory and (or) textural quality traits favored beef; however, three of these experiments only considered textural variables; one of them only included 16 animals older than 50 months of age whereas in the second companion study one half of the experimental group (n = 8) consisted on animals aged 48 to 54 months. According to the survey on proximal/nutrient composition there are minor differences between meats from both species. The results presented herein reveal the potential of young buffaloes to produce comparable or higher-quality meat than cattle counterparts, even under free-range conditions.