Associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the Pygo2 coding sequence with idiopathic oligospermia and azoospermia.

Male infertility is often associated with a decreased sperm count. The Pygo2 gene is expressed in the elongating spermatid during chromatin remodeling; thus impairment in PYGO2 function might lead to spermatogenic arrest, sperm count reduction, and subsequent infertility. The aim of this study was to identify mutations in Pygo2 that might lead to idiopathic oligospermia and azoospermia. DNA was isolated from venous blood from 77 men with normal fertility and 195 men with idiopathic oligospermia or azoospermia. Polymerase chain reaction-sequencing analysis was performed for the three Pygo2 coding regions. Non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected and analyzed using SIFT, Polyphen-2, and Mutation Taster softwares to identify possible changes in protein structure that could affect phenotype. Pygo2 sequencing was successful for 178 patients (30 with mild or moderate oligospermia, 57 with severe oligospermia, and 91 with azoospermia). Three previously reported non-synonymous SNPs were identified in patients with azoospermia or severe oligospermic but not in those with mild or moderate oligozoopermia or normozoospermia. SNPs rs61758740 (M141I) and rs141722381 (N240I) cause the replacement of one hydrophobic or hydrophilic amino acid, respectively, with another, and SNP rs61758741 (K261E) causes the replacement of a basic amino acid with an acidic one. The software predictions demonstrated that SNP rsl41722381 would likely result in disrupted tertiary protein structure and thus could be involved in disease pathogenesis. Overall, this study demonstrated that SNPs in the coding region of Pygo2 might be one of the causative factors in idiopathic oligospermia and azoospermia, resulting in male infertility.

A region on BTA14 that includes the positional candidate genes LYPLA1, XKR4 and TMEM68 is associated with feed intake and growth phenotypes in cattle(1).

Feed cost for beef cattle is the largest expense incurred by cattle producers. The development of genetic markers to enhance selection of more efficient animals that require less feed while still achieving acceptable levels of production has the potential to substantially reduce production costs. A genome-wide marker association approach based on the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip™ was used to identify genomic regions affecting average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG) and residual feed intake traits in a population of 1159 crossbred steers. This approach identified a region on BTA14 from 22.02 to 23.92 Mb containing several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that have significant association with at least one of the traits. Two genes in this region, lysophospholipase 1 (LYPLA1) and transmembrane protein 68 (TMEM68), appeared to be logical positional and functional candidate genes. LYPLA1 deacylates ghrelin, a hormone involved in the regulation of appetite in the rat stomach, while TMEM68 is expressed in bovine rumen, abomasum, intestine and adipose tissue in cattle, and likely affects lipid biosynthetic processes. SNPs lying in or near these two genes were identified by sequencing a subset of animals with extreme phenotypes. A total of 55 SNPs were genotyped and tested for association with the same population of steers. After correction for multiple testing, five markers within 22.79-22.84 Mb, located downstream of TMEM68, and between TMEM68 and the neighbouring gene XKR4, were significant for both ADFI and ADG. Genetic markers predictive of feed intake and weight gain phenotypes in this population of cattle may be useful for the identification and selection of animals that consume less feed, although further evaluation of these markers for effects on other production traits and validation in additional populations will be required.

Genetic markers on BTA14 predictive for residual feed intake in beef steers and their effects on carcass and meat quality traits.

With the high cost of feed for animal production, genetic selection for animals that metabolize feed more efficiently could result in substantial cost savings for cattle producers. The purpose of this study was to identify DNA markers predictive for differences among cattle for traits associated with feed efficiency. Crossbred steers were fed a high-corn diet for 140 days and average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and residual feed intake (RFI) phenotypes were obtained. A region on chromosome 14 was previously associated with RFI in this population of animals. To develop markers with the highest utility for predicting an animal's genetic potential for RFI, we genotyped additional markers within this chromosomal region. These polymorphisms were genotyped on the same animals (n = 1066) and tested for association with ADFI, ADG and RFI. Six markers within this region were associated with RFI (P ≤ 0.05). After conservative correction for multiple testing, one marker at 25.09 Mb remained significant (P = 0.02) and is responsible for 3.6% of the RFI phenotypic variation in this population of animals. Several of these markers were also significant for ADG, although none were significant after correction. Marker alleles with positive effects on ADG corresponded to lower RFI, suggesting an effect increasing growth without increasing feed intake. All markers were also assessed for their effects on meat quality and carcass traits. All of the markers associated with RFI were associated with adjusted fat thickness (AFT, P ≤ 0.009) and three were also associated with hot carcass weight (HCW, P ≤ 0.003). Marker alleles associated with lower RFI were also associated with reduced AFT, and if they were associated for HCW, the effect was an increase in weight. These markers may be useful as prediction tools for animals that utilize feed more efficiently; however, validation with additional populations of cattle is required.

The role of miRNAs in male human reproduction: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The presence of miRNAs in human reproductive tissue is intriguing and suggests the possibility that these important regulatory molecules play a role in reproductive function. However, the regulatory role of miRNAs in reproductive tissue remains poorly understood with a significant amount of controversial and contradicting data. OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the high-quality studies published to date investigating miRNAs associated with male human reproduction in order to describe their roles and relations with infertility and update the knowledge in the field. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive systematic review of the published literature in MEDLINE-PubMed and EMBASE databases from the earliest available online indexing year until June 2018 (complimentary search until July 2019) was performed, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. We have included descriptive, case-control, cross-sectional, and observational prospective and retrospective studies in which fertile/infertile men were well-defined. The primary outcome was the miRNA expression in testis, epididymis, sperm cells, seminal plasma, and extracellular vesicles (i.e., exosomes and microvesicles). RESULTS: We identified 25,204 articles, of which 42 were selected for qualitative analysis. Of the 42 articles included, 15 evaluated the miRNAs in testis, five in epididymis, 13 in spermatozoa, and 11 in seminal plasma and/or extracellular vesicles. Two studies tackled more than one sub-group. As far as miRNA presence and content, the results of this systematic review indicated that every tissue/cell contains a well-defined and stable population of miRNAs that could be potentially related to spermatogenesis and embryogenesis. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our systematic review of descriptive and observational studies shows a consistent relationship between aberrant miRNA expression and infertility. Therefore, it seems reasonable that measuring the expression of particular miRNAs might be useful not only as infertility biomarkers, but also for developing therapeutic strategies.

Cigarette smoking significantly alters sperm DNA methylation patterns.

Numerous health consequences of tobacco smoke exposure have been characterized, and the effects of smoking on traditional measures of male fertility are well described. However, a growing body of data indicates that pre-conception paternal smoking also confers increased risk for a number of morbidities on offspring. The mechanism for this increased risk has not been elucidated, but it is likely mediated, at least in part, through epigenetic modifications transmitted through spermatozoa. In this study, we investigated the impact of cigarette smoke exposure on sperm DNA methylation patterns in 78 men who smoke and 78 never-smokers using the Infinium Human Methylation 450 beadchip. We investigated two models of DNA methylation alterations: (i) consistently altered methylation at specific CpGs or within specific genomic regions and (ii) stochastic DNA methylation alterations manifest as increased variability in genome-wide methylation patterns in men who smoke. We identified 141 significantly differentially methylated CpGs associated with smoking. In addition, we identified a trend toward increased variance in methylation patterns genome-wide in sperm DNA from men who smoke compared with never-smokers. These findings of widespread DNA methylation alterations are consistent with the broad range of offspring heath disparities associated with pre-conception paternal smoke exposure and warrant further investigation to identify the specific mechanism by which sperm DNA methylation perturbation confers risk to offspring health and whether these changes can be transmitted to offspring and transgenerationally.

Teratozoospermia and asthenozoospermia are associated with specific epigenetic signatures.

Semen analysis is commonly used as a tool to assess the fertility potential of a male, despite its relatively low predictive power. In this study, we have assessed associations between semen analysis findings (low count, low motility, low viability, poor sperm penetration assay results, poor morphology, and increased DNA damage) and DNA methylation patterns in mature spermatozoa. DNA methylation patterns in the mature spermatozoa are thought to be indicative of patterns in the adult germline stem cells and may offer insight into potential perturbations to cellular pathways involved in spermatogenesis. In this study, sperm DNA methylation at >480,000 CpGs was assessed in 94 men using the Illumina 450k HumanMethylation Array and compared to standard measures of sperm quality. We did not identify any global changes to methylation profiles that were associated with reduced semen parameters. Similarly, we found no significant difference in methylation variability that was associated with any abnormal semen analysis parameter, although sperm displaying abnormal parameters tended to have an increased coefficient of variability, suggesting that, in some samples, this may be a contributing factor. Analysis of methylation at single CpGs and genomic regions did identify associations for low viability and low motility, and to a smaller extent, low count. Interestingly, based on GO Term analysis, differentially methylated regions associated with low viability were over-represented in regions important in meiosis, spermatogenesis, and genomic imprinting. These results suggest that while there are not global alterations to the sperm methylome associated with semen abnormalites, some viability associated regional alterations do exist that may be indicative of perturbed cellular pathways during spermatogenesis.

Postweaning performance and carcass characteristics of crossbred ewe lambs produced in accelerated or annual lambing systems.

Weaning, postweaning and carcass characteristics of ewe lambs were analyzed to determine if significant interactions occurred among management options. Management options considered were type of lambing system, choice of maternal and terminal sire lines and month of birth within lambing system. In general, significant interactions were not observed, suggesting production (output) characterizations for the postweaning period can be extended across management options. The experimental protocol associated with the types of lambing system resulted in a highly significant effect of lambing system upon all characteristics, especially in relation to age, weight and feed consumption characteristics prior to slaughter. Suffolk-sired lambs tended to be heavier for most weight characteristics, fatter and have higher carcass quality and leg conformation scores relative to Columbia-sired lambs. Differences of fraction of Finn sheep (Finn, .50 vs .25) of the dam were not noted, with the exception of weaning weight (21.2 +/- .28 and 22.2 +/- .27 kg, respectively) and carcass quality and leg conformation scores. Within the annual lambing season, lambs born in March and April were heavier at weaning, consumed less feed and required less weight gain to attain market weight than lambs born in May. Lambs from the May lambing had significantly higher gross feed efficiency ratios. Within the accelerated lambing system, the lambs born in January to February period tended to be heavier than lambs from the other lambing periods. Observed differences among month of lambing within lambing system for other characteristics were not consistent.

Feeding behavior characteristics of intact male lambs as affected by number of lambs in a pen with restricted access to the feed stall.

To investigate the effect of number of animals housed in a pen upon feed intake, 72 intact male lambs were randomly assigned to treatments consisting of 3, 7, 11 or 15 animals/pen in each of two trials. For each animal's feeding event, length of feeding (s) and feed consumption (g) were recorded through use of an automatic feeding system. This system allows one animal to feed at a time. Pens were treated as experimental units with observations repeated daily for 21 d. Response variables were feed consumption (g), time (s) and rate of feed consumed (g/s) per visit and feed consumption (g), average time (s) and number of visits per animal daily. Number of animals/pen was significant for most feeding behavior characteristics. As number of lambs within a pen increased, feed consumption/visit increased linearly in both trials. For Exp. 1, rate of feed consumption/visit increased at a decreasing rate, while in Exp. 2 only the linear effect of lamb numbers on this trait was significant. Daily feed consumption/lamb was greatest for intermediate lamb numbers, and the number of visits and time spent feeding/lamb decreased as the number of lambs within a pen increased. Results suggest that the feeding behavior of ram lambs with restricted access to a feeding stall can be modified by the number of lambs housed in a pen.

Relationships among various body components of mature cows.

Mature (9-yr-old), nonpregnant, nonlactating Angus X Hereford and the reciprocal cross (AHX, 12), Charolais X Angus or Hereford (CX, 11), Jersey X Angus or Hereford (JX, 11) and Simmental X Angus or Hereford (SX, 12) cows that had been fed either a low (112 kcal X kg-.75 X d-1), medium (178 kcal X kg-.75 X d-1) or high (ad libitum) level of metabolizable energy (ME) intake for 140 d were used to evaluate relationships among various body components. Live weight, hip height, backfat and condition score were determined on d 140. Before slaughter, each cow was infused with deuterium oxide (D2O; .25 g/kg live weight) and serial blood samples were taken. Traits evaluated after slaughter were hot weight of each carcass half, hide weight, viscera weight, longissimus muscle area, fat thickness, kidney, pelvic and heart fat percentage and marbling score. Offal and carcass chemical compositions were determined and empty body composition was calculated. Moderate to high (R2 = .82 to .97) coefficients of determination were obtained when weight of empty body chemical components were regressed on live animal or carcass cooler measures. Correlations between percentage carcass or empty body water and percentage of fat, fat-free organic matter or energy, or between amount of carcass or empty body water and amount of fat-free organic matter were high (R2 = .83 to .99). Weight of carcass or empty body water was not highly related (R2 = .05 to .22) to the total amount of fat or energy. Similar results were obtained when amount of empty body components were regressed on D2O spaces alone. Inclusion of empty body weight (or live weight) in equations relating D2O spaces to weight of the empty body or chemical components resulted in R2 values of .86 to .99. Carcass composition, as expected, was more highly related to empty body composition than was offal composition. Empty body composition was not highly related to empty body weight.

Energy utilization by mature, nonpregnant, nonlactating cows of different types.

Four types of crossbred cows were used in each of two studies designed to estimate the metabolizable energy (ME) required to maintain weight or energy equilibrium of mature (9-yr-old), nonpregnant, nonlactating cows. The four cow types were chosen to represent cow types having moderate mature size-moderate milk production potential (Angus X Hereford, Hereford X Angus; AHX), large mature size-moderate milk production potential (Charolais X Angus or Hereford; CX), small mature size-high milk production potential (Jersey X Angus or Hereford; JX) and large mature size-high milk production potential (Simmental X Angus or Hereford; SX). In each of two consecutive years, four cows of each type were assigned randomly and fed individually either a low (113 kcal ME X kg-.75 X d-1), medium (178 kcal ME X kg-.75 X d-1) or a high (ad libitum) level of a corn silage-based diet for 140 d. Body composition of each cow was estimated by deuterium oxide dilution techniques at d 0 and 140 of each study and gains were calculated. The ME required to maintain weight or energy equilibrium was estimated for each type of cow. Estimates of ME required to maintain energy equilibrium (from the regression of log heat production, kcal X kg-.75 X d-1 on ME intake kcal X kg-.75 X d-1) were 130, 129, 145 and 160 kcal X kg-.75 X d-1 for AHX, CX, JX, and SX cows, respectively. Similar trends were observed when other models were used. Cow types with higher milk production potential had higher maintenance (kcal X kg-.75 X d-1) than cows with lower milk production potential. Cows of larger size had maintenance requirements (kcal X kg-.75 X d-1) similar to those of smaller size. Possible reasons for these differences as well as their potential impact on cow efficiency are discussed.

Effects of alternative lamb production systems, maternal line, and culling strategy on flock age structure.

The 5-yr attrition of 1/4 (n = 411) or 1/2 (n = 403) Finnsheep (Finn) ewes exposed to terminal sire breeds in either an accelerated or semi-intensive annual lambing system was recorded to test the effects of system and percentage Finn on flock age structure at equilibrium. Ewes were culled for discernible ailments and failure to lamb after two consecutive non-spring exposures in yr 3, 4, or 5 only. Additionally, four progressively more intensive culling strategies for nonconception were practiced in retrospect. Flock productivity (kilograms of lamb weaned per ewe maintained per year) at age structure equilibrium was estimated for all culling strategies. The majority of all systems (cull strategy x lambing system x percentage Finn combination) were composed of ewes less than or equal to 3 yr old. Replacement requirements ranged from 24 to 38% in the accelerated system and 22 to 26% in the annual system. Quarter-Finns yielded greater replacement needs and shorter productive lives in accelerated lambing but fewer replacement requirements and longer productive lives than 1/2 Finns in annual lambing. Replacement requirements greatly increased with culling intensity in accelerated lambing (up to 54% above original levels) but only slightly in annual lambing (up to 8% above original levels). Mean (reproductive) lifetime estimated from fitted Weibull survival curves ranged from 3.1 to 5.1 yr in accelerated lambing and 4.5 to 5.4 yr in annual lambing. Increased culling for non-lambing decreased productivity at flock age structure equilibrium in accelerated lambing but did not change productivity in annual lambing. Repeatability of ewe effects on conception was generally low. Overall, system, percentage Finn, and culling strategy interact to influence system productivity through flock age structure. Intensive culling for non-lambing and replacement with ewe lambs of equal genetic merit should not be practiced in accelerated lambing systems.

Lactation characteristics of nine breeds of cattle fed various quantities of dietary energy.

Milk yield data were collected by weigh-suckle-weigh procedures at approximately 14, 28, 56, 84, 112, 138, 156, 184, and 212 d postpartum for mature Angus, Braunvieh, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Red Poll, Pinzgauer, and Simmental cows over a 4-yr period. Individual cows were fed at one of four energy intake levels. Parameters characterizing lactation curves for 431 lactations from 179 cows were estimated by nonlinear regression. Differences due to breed, level of energy intake, and the two-factor interaction between breed and level of ME allowance for scale and shape parameters of lactation curves and derived estimates for time of peak lactation, yield at time of peak lactation, and for total yield for a 210-d lactation period were evaluated. Breed and energy intake level were significant sources of variation for all traits. Pooled over energy levels, daily yields at time of peak lactation of Braunvieh, Gelbvieh, and Pinzgauer were greater (P less than .05) than those of Angus, Charolais, Hereford, and Limousin. Simmental and Red Poll were intermediate. Total lactation yield of the Braunvieh exceeded (P less than .05) that of all other breeds with the exception of Gelbvieh. Hereford produced less milk than (P less than .05) the other breeds. The response in yields at time of peak lactation as energy allowances increased for Braunvieh, Charolis, Gelbvieh, Limousin, and Pinzgauer cows were linear and resulted in higher yields at this time. Linear increases in total 210-d yield and times of peak lactation were observed for all breeds with the exception of Hereford.

A dynamic model of metabolizable energy utilization in growing and mature cattle. I. Metabolizable energy utilization for maintenance and support metabolism.

Models to predict heat production attributable to maintenance and support metabolism in growing and mature cattle were developed on the basis of three concepts. The first concept is that animals fed fixed amounts of the same diet achieve weight equilibrium over an extended feeding period, and that the ME consumed at weight equilibrium is the maintenance requirement. The second concept is that a part of the heat production resulting from ME consumed above the maintenance requirement is associated with an elevation of vital functions (support metabolism), and this heat production can be modeled as a function of the level of feeding. The third concept is that previous levels of nutrition affect current estimates of heat production, and that this impact can be modeled as a delayed response in heat production associated with support metabolism. Experimental data on feed consumption showed that maintenance requirements varied in simple proportion to BW, not only for different breeds of mature cattle at BW equilibrium, but also for calves and growing steers held at BW stasis. Experimental data in which different breeds of cattle achieved weight equilibrium when fed fixed amounts of a specific diet were used to estimate breed parameters associated with maintenance for 21 breeds of cattle and 15 biological types of crossbred cattle. Level of feeding was estimated as a multiple of the maintenance intake and used to model heat production associated with support metabolism. Other experimental data on growing cattle were used to estimate breed parameters for predicting heat production associated with support metabolism for 21 breeds of cattle and 15 biological types of crossbred cattle. A distributed lag function was used to model the delayed response in heat production associated with support metabolism with changes in plane of nutrition. The models were tested by simulating experimental data for three breeds of weaned steers finished on high-energy diets. Results for the total heat production associated with maintenance and support metabolism expressed on a unit BW basis showed a similar response with stage of maturity when compared with other experimental data.

A dynamic model of metabolizable energy utilization in growing and mature cattle. II. Metabolizable energy utilization for gain.

Component models were developed to predict the net efficiency of ME utilization for gain in cattle and to predict daily gain using recovered energy as the input. These models were integrated into a single model to predict daily gain from ME available for gain. One component model predicts the net efficiency of ME utilization for gain using constant partial net efficiencies of 0.2 and 0.75 for ME retention as protein and fat, respectively. This model predicts net efficiency of ME utilization for gain as a function of the ratio of the energy recovered in protein to the total energy recovered. The other component model predicts daily gain as a function of recovered energy and is represented by a system of ordinary differential equations that are numerically integrated on a daily basis. This model was developed by reformulating the equations in a published body composition model that uses daily gain to predict composition of gain since recovered energy is a function of gain and composition of gain. The equations in the two component models interact in that net efficiency is used to predict recovered energy from ME for gain, and in turn, recovered energy is used to predict gain in empty BW, which determines net efficiency through composition of gain. The numeric integration procedure provides an iterative solution for net efficiency. Simulated response of net efficiency for Hereford x Angus steers at 400 kg of empty BW decreased from 0.57 to 0.52 on diets with ME densities of 3.1 and 2.6 Mcal/kg of DM, and restricting the lower-quality diet to 75% of ad libitum intake resulted in a simulated net efficiency of 0.47. These responses in net efficiency were shown to be a result of composition of gain, with leaner gains resulting in lower net efficiencies.

A dynamic model of metabolizable energy utilization in growing and mature cattle. III. Model evaluation.

Component models of heat production identified in a proposed system of partitioning ME intake and a dynamic systems model that predicts gain in empty BW in cattle resulting from a known intake of ME were evaluated. Evaluations were done in four main areas: 1) net efficiency of ME utilization for gain, 2) relationship between recovered energy and ME intake, 3) predicting gain in empty BW from recovered energy, and 4) predicting gain in empty BW from ME intake. An analysis of published data showed that the net partial efficiencies of ME utilization for protein and fat gain were approximately 0.2 and 0.75, respectively, and that the net efficiency of ME utilization for gain could be estimated using these net partial efficiencies and the fraction of recovered energy that is contained in protein. Analyses of published sheep and cattle experimental data showed a significant linear relationship between recovered energy and ME intake, with no evidence for a nonlinear relationship. Growth and body composition of Hereford x Angus steers simulated from weaning to slaughter showed that over the finishing period, 20.8% of ME intake was recovered in gain. These results were similar to observed data and comparable to feedlot data of 26.5% for a shorter finishing period with a higher-quality diet. The component model to predict gain in empty BW from recovered energy was evaluated with growth and body composition data of five steer genotypes on two levels of nutrition. Linear regression of observed on predicted values for empty BW resulted in an intercept and slope that were not different (P < 0.05) from 0 and 1, respectively. Evaluations of the dynamic systems model to predict gain in empty BW using ME intake as the input showed close agreement between predicted and observed final empty BW for steers that were finished on high-energy diets, and the model accurately predicted growth patterns for Angus, Charolais, and Simmental reproducing females from 10 mo to 7 yr of age.

Changes in proportions of empty body depots and constituents for nine breeds of cattle under various feed availabilities.

Mature cows (146) representing Angus, Braunvieh, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Pinzgauer, Red Poll, and Simmental breeds were slaughtered to contribute to the investigation of the effect of various feed availabilities on body composition. Weights recorded when cows were placed on feed were used to set daily diets at four rates of intake within each breed (55, 76, 96, and 111 g DM/[kg wt.75.d]). Cows remained on their assigned daily feed allotment throughout the study (3 to 5 yr). On the day of slaughter, shrunk live weights were recorded. Chemical determinations of protein (nitrogen x 6.25), ether extractable lipid, ash of dry matter, and moisture for hide and offal were obtained for all cows. Chemical determinations of these same constituents were obtained for the carcass soft tissue of 98 cows. Relationships among estimator traits carcass ash, warm carcass weight, resistive impedance, and carcass water from the 97 carcasses were used to predict the carcass constituents for the remaining 49 cows. Within breed, relationships between proportions of fat and empty body (sum of fat, ash, water, and protein from the three body pools of hide, offal, and carcass) were used to estimate empty body weight at 251 g fat/kg (standard reference body weight) for each of the nine breeds. Proportions of offal, carcass, hide, chemical constituents, and selected abdominal and thoracic organs relative to empty body weight from cows that attained weight stasis were regressed on one minus the ratio of individual actual empty body weight to breed standard reference weight. Among mature cows attaining weight stasis at various feeding rates, the proportion of offal remained constant, proportions of fat in carcass, hide, and offal increased with increasing feed level, and proportions of water and protein decreased. Significant variation (P < .01) attributable to breed in proportions of carcass, offal, hide, chemical constituents of the hide and offal, water, and protein of the carcass and selected organs was observed.

A computer model to predict composition of empty body weight changes in cattle at all stages of maturity.

We developed methods to integrate two published models that partitioned gains in empty body weight (EBW) to fat and fat-free matter. These models were based on separate mathematical formulations for growing and mature cattle. We assumed that as cattle grow from birth to maturity a transition would occur at some point in the life cycle from the growing to the mature mathematical formulation. This transition point and the rate at which the transition occurs between the two mechanisms were estimated from published data. Evaluation results with data on steers that were full-fed to grow from birth to 815 kg EBW showed that the methods used to integrate the two models provided an accurate prediction of empty body composition at final slaughter. Evaluation results with full-fed growing cattle that were slaughtered at market weights suggest that partitioning of EBW gains can be fully described by the mathematical formulation used for growing cattle. However, for cattle that were restricted in growth, then realimented, the results showed that a model with a transition to the mathematical formulation for mature cattle, during the realimentation phase, accurately predicted the observed final composition. These results suggest that the integrated model would accurately predict the changes in body composition of cattle of all ages, under different systems of nutritional management.

Effects of alternative lamb production systems, terminal sire breed, and maternal line on ewe productivity and its components.

The 4 yr productivity of 25% (QF; n = 533) and 50% (HF; n = 531) Finnsheep ewes exposed to either Suffolk or Columbia rams in one of three production systems was monitored to test the effects of system, terminal sire breed, maternal line, and their interactions on annual market lamb production. Ewe lambs and yearlings were randomly assigned to either a high-input accelerated lambing system (HIGH), a high-input annual system (MED), or a low-input annual system (LOW). Nursery facilities were available for weak lambs or those born in triplet or more births for the HIGH and MED but not for the LOW systems. Accelerated lambing protocol required early weaning. Sex-adjusted lamb weaning weights were corrected to within-system mean ages of 42 d for HIGH and 70 d for MED and LOW. The HIGH ewes weaned 1.55 lambs per year compared with 1.46 for MED and 1.18 for LOW (P less than .01). However, because of early weaning, HIGH yielded the lowest weight of weaned lamb per year. The MED ewes weaned 5.9 and 11.1 more kilograms of lamb per year than the LOW and HIGH ewes, respectively (P less than .01). The HIGH system may be economically feasible if young lambs could be inexpensively grown to feeder or market lamb weight. The HIGH ewes did not, however, increase lamb numbers in proportion to increased exposures compared with the annual systems. Breed-group effects for ewe productivity (kilogram of lamb weaned per ewe per year) were consistent across management systems, although some interactions among breed group and system were present for components of productivity. Suffolk rams yielded an advantage of 1.6 kg of weaned lamb per exposure over Columbia rams (P less than .05) due to a 3% better lamb survival (P less than .01) and heavier weaning weight, especially in the LOW system. The HF ewes weaned .1 more lambs per exposure than QF ewes (P less than .01); .06 of the lambs were nursery-reared. However, lambs from HF ewes had a 2% lower survival rate (P less than .05) and were 1.4 kg lighter at weaning (P less than .01), so overall productivity among HF and QF ewes was similar.