Associations of blood parameters with age, feed efficiency and sampling routine in young beef bulls

Bourgon, SL; Amorim, Mariana Diel de; Miller, Stephen; Montanholi, Y. R.

doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2016.11.003

Cited by 34 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…A thorough study of all possible processes related to this variation, if it does not lead to an efficient early selection, at least would be useful for deducing genotypes selectively for RFI/FCE. Blood metabolic markers associated with feed conversion efficiency were earlier used to enhance profitability ( 7 , 8 ) of yearling beef bulls ( 9 ) and crossbred heifers ( 10 ), wherein the level of FCE was extrapolated on the scale of energy substrates as blood metabolite(s), i.e., glucose, triglycerides, urea, creatine phosphokinase as protein metabolite, total plasma protein, and aspartate aminotransferase, which in turn are influenced by the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis ( 11 , 12 ). Several types of potential proxies for RFI, using energy metabolism ( 13 ), hepatic mitochondrial function ( 14 ), and visceral organ metabolism ( 15 ), have been identified to monitor feed efficiency in other species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inferring Relationship of Blood Metabolic Changes and Average Daily Gain With Feed Conversion Efficiency in Murrah Heifers: Machine Learning Approach

et al. 2020

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Machine learning algorithms were employed for predicting the feed conversion efficiency (FCE), using the blood parameters and average daily gain (ADG) as predictor variables in buffalo heifers. It was observed that isotonic regression outperformed other machine learning algorithms used in study. Further, we also achieved the best performance evaluation metrics model with additive regression as the meta learner and isotonic regression as the base learner on 10-fold cross-validation and leaving-one-out cross-validation tests. Further, we created three separate partial least square regression (PLSR) models using all 14 parameters of blood and ADG as independent (explanatory) variables and FCE as the dependent variable, to understand the interactions of blood parameters, ADG with FCE each by inclusion of all FCE values (i), only higher FCE values (negative RFI) (ii), and inclusion of only lower FCE (positive RFI) values (iii). The PLSR model including only the higher FCE values was concluded the best, based on performance evaluation metrics as compared to PLSR models developed by inclusion of the lower FCE values and all types of FCE values. IGF1 and its interactions with the other blood parameters were found highly influential for higher FCE measures. The strength of the estimated interaction effects of the blood parameter in relation to FCE may facilitate understanding of intricate dynamics of blood parameters for growth.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inferring Relationship of Blood Metabolic Changes and Average Daily Gain With Feed Conversion Efficiency in Murrah Heifers: Machine Learning Approach

et al. 2020

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“…Studies have identified potential proxies for RFI using traits associated with energy metabolism, including body heat dissipation [ 3 ], hepatic mitochondrial function [ 4 ] and visceral organ metabolism [ 5 ]. Research has also identified blood analytes as potential proxies for feed efficiency [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. However, there is a need to further evaluate this broad class of assessments in replacement heifers across developmental stages, where animal selection for efficiency would provide timely information to cattlemen.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, ions related to cellular potential and acid/base status [ 20 ], and energy metabolism, including phosphorus, are associated with differences in feed efficiency [ 21 ]. Additionally, lower concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) have been related to greater feed efficiency in beef cows [ 22 ], whereas in beef bulls, Bourgon et al [ 6 ] observed an interaction between age and feed efficiency classes in the relationship between T3 and the efficiency of feed utilization.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations of Blood Analysis with Feed Efficiency and Developmental Stage in Grass-Fed Beef Heifers

Cônsolo

Munro²,

Bourgon

et al. 2018

Animals

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Simple SummaryIndividual cattle of identical developmental stage vary in their efficiency of feed utilization to achieve a similar productive performance in terms of growth rate and body composition upon accounting for breed, age and gestation stage. Technical issues to measure individual feed intake on the farm limits the identification of feed-efficient cattle. This creates a demand for indirect approaches to infer feed efficiency, such as blood parameters. Our study revealed differences in blood parameters when comparing grass-fed heifers classified as either efficient or inefficient. These differences were also influenced by the developmental stage of the heifers; some blood analytes had distinct relevance to infer about feed efficiency when comparing younger non-pregnant heifers with older and pregnant heifers. In general, improved feed efficiency seems to relate to a lower oxygen carrying capacity. We also provide evidence of associations between indicators of the immune system, blood enzymes and ions and feed efficiency. Additionally, blood analysis presented metabolic differences between non-pregnant heifers with older and pregnant heifers. Blood analysis as a practical measure for feed efficiency has relevance in the nutritional management and genetic improvement of beef cattle, which will contribute to the broad sustainability of beef farming.AbstractProxies for feed efficiency, such as blood-based indicators, applicable across heifers varying in genetic makeup and developmental state are needed. Assessments of blood analytes and performance were made in heifer calves and pregnant heifers. Residual feed intake, a measure of feed efficiency, was used to categorize each population of heifers as either efficient or inefficient. Efficient heifer calves had lower mean cell hemoglobin, greater lymphocyte count, and fewer segmented neutrophils at the end of the test compared to inefficient calves. Efficient pregnant heifers had greater counts of lymphocytes with fewer segmented neutrophils at the end than inefficient pregnant heifers. Efficient heifer calves exhibited higher specific immunoglobulin M than inefficient calves. Throughout the test, efficient heifer calves had elevated potassium and phosphorus, and reduced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared to inefficient heifers. Efficient pregnant heifers showed greater ALP, non-esterified fatty acids and creatinine, but lower cholesterol and globulin than inefficient pregnant heifers. Levels of red and white blood cells, creatine kinase, cholesterol, glucose, potassium and phosphorus were higher in heifer calves compared with pregnant heifers. There is potential for blood analytes as proxies for feed efficiency; however, it is necessary to consider the inherent associations with feed efficiency and heifers’ developmental stage.

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“…In the two contrasts, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signaling was predicted to be activated by the interaction of sperm miRNA and maternal targets in 2-cell embryos generated from sperm from younger bulls (10 and 12 months), compared to 16-month-old bulls. Insulin-like growth factor 1 levels are higher in younger growing animals and possibly involved in metabolic programming [40][41][42]. The addition of physiological concentrations of IGF1 (10-100 ng/mL) improved the developmental competence of bovine early embryos in vitro [43][44][45].…”

Section: Metabolism Related Pathways In Early Embryo Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm miRNAs— potential mediators of bull age and early embryo development

Blondin

Vigneault

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Sperm miRNAs were reported to regulate spermatogenesis and early embryonic development in some mammals including bovine. The dairy cattle breeding industry now tends to collect semen from younger bulls under high selection pressure at a time when semen quality may be suboptimal compared to adult bulls. Whether the patterns of spermatic miRNAs are affected by paternal age and/or impact early embryogenesis is not clear. Hence, we generated small non-coding RNA libraries of sperm collected from same bulls at 10, 12, and 16 months of age, using 16 months as control for differential expression and functional analysis. Results: We firstly excluded all miRNAs present in measurable quantity in oocytes according to the literature. Of the remaining miRNAs, ten sperm-borne miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in younger bulls (four in the 10 vs 16 months contrast and six in the 12 vs 16 months contrast). Targets of miRNAs were identified and compared to the transcriptomic database of two-cell embryos, to genes related to two-cell competence, and to the transcriptomic database of blastocysts. Ingenuity pathway analysis of the targets of these miRNAs suggested potential influence on the developmental competence of two-cell embryos and on metabolism and protein synthesis in blastocysts. Conclusions: The results showed that miRNA patterns in sperm are affected by the age of the bull and may mediate the effects of paternal age on early embryonic development.

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Associations of blood parameters with age, feed efficiency and sampling routine in young beef bulls

Cited by 34 publications

References 55 publications

Inferring Relationship of Blood Metabolic Changes and Average Daily Gain With Feed Conversion Efficiency in Murrah Heifers: Machine Learning Approach

Inferring Relationship of Blood Metabolic Changes and Average Daily Gain With Feed Conversion Efficiency in Murrah Heifers: Machine Learning Approach

Associations of Blood Analysis with Feed Efficiency and Developmental Stage in Grass-Fed Beef Heifers

Sperm miRNAs— potential mediators of bull age and early embryo development

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