Effect of Consuming Beef with Varying Fatty Acid Compositions as a Major Source of Protein in Volunteers under a Personalized Nutritional Program.

Beef is an excellent source of nutrients; unfortunately, most nutritional recommendations suggest limiting or even avoiding it. Studies have shown that the fatty acid composition of meat influences weight loss. This randomized controlled clinical trial evaluated the anthropometric and serum lipid changes after a food intervention that included frequent beef consumption (120 g consumed four days/week for four weeks). Volunteers were randomly assigned to the commercial or Wagyu-Cross beef groups, with the latter beef possessing higher fat and MUFA contents. Both groups exhibited reductions in body measurements and lipid profiles; however, the Wagyu-Cross group exhibited greater changes in weight (-3.75 vs. -2.90 kg) and BMI (-1.49 vs. -1.03) than the commercial group, without a significant difference between them. No significant group differences in lipid profiles were observed; however, the Wagyu-Cross group exhibited a more favorable change in decreasing the TC concentration (-7.00 mg/dL) and LDL-C concentration (-12.5 mg/dL). We suggest that high MUFA beef could be included in weight-loss programs since it does not affect weight loss and hasn't a negative influence on lipid metabolism.

Improvement of serum lipid parameters in consumers of Mexican Wagyu-Cross beef: A randomized controlled trial.

Beef is considered an excellent source of high-quality protein and micronutrients. The high saturated fatty acid (SFA) composition of beef has been associated with cardiovascular diseases; however, this is a controversial issue because at present, no evidence has scientifically proven such an association. Wagyu cattle have been used as an option to generate high-quality fatty acids (FAs) in beef and have been crossed with local beef cattle (Wagyu-Cross). In Mexico, Wagyu-Cross is marketed assuming the same quality as purebred Wagyu meat without scientific support. This study aimed to determine whether the differences in the FA composition of Wagyu-Cross and commercial beef affected lipid metabolism in frequent consumers of beef. The study is a randomized, controlled, double-blinded phase IV clinical trial. Thirty-four volunteers completed treatments in which 120 g ground beef was consumed 3 days per week for 2 weeks. Volunteers were randomized to the "A" (commercial meat) or "B" (Wagyu-Cross meat) groups. The beef fat content was 87% higher, the SFA content was 2.3% lower, and the monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) C18:1 n-9 concentrations were higher in Wagyu-Cross beef than in commercial beef. The B group exhibited a significantly larger change from baseline in the serum lipid profile in total cholesterol (TC) (-4.7% versus +6.9%), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (-4.1% versus +10.0%), nonhigh-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) (-6.1% versus +4.9%), and the ratio of three atherogenic indexes-TC/HDL (-3.5% versus +6.4%), LDL/HDL (-2.8% versus +14.6%), and non-HDL/HDL (-4.7% versus +9.3%)-than the A group. This result confirms that meat FA composition is a key point for redirecting cattle breeding strategies and promotes beef as a healthful protein source. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Here, we found new evidence based on a clinical trial that beef with a favorable fatty acid composition (i.e., monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid content) is a key factor in improving parameters associated with consumer health. This information will support the design of cattle breeding strategies as an option to promote beef consumption as a healthier protein source and create opportunities for the development of the functional food industry.

Novel genes involved in the genetic architecture of temperament in Brahman cattle.

Cattle temperament is a complex and economically relevant trait. The objective of this study was to identify genomic regions and genes associated with cattle temperament. From a Brahman cattle population of 1,370 animals evaluated for temperament traits (Exit velocity-EV, Pen Score-PS, Temperament Score-TS), two groups of temperament-contrasting animals were identified based on their EV-average values ±1/2 standard deviation (SD). To be considered in the calm group, the EV of females ranged between 0.16-1.82 m/s (n = 50) and the EV of males ranged between 0.4-1.56 m/s (n = 48). Females were classified as temperamental if their EV ranged between 3.13-7.66 m/s (n = 46) and males were classified as temperamental if their EV ranged between 3.05-10.83 m/s (n = 45). Selected animals were genotyped using a total of 139,376 SNPs (GGP-HD-150K), evaluated for their association with EV. The Genome-Wide Association analysis (GWAS) identified fourteen SNPs: rs135340276, rs134895560, rs110190635, rs42949831, rs135982573, rs109393235, rs109531929, rs135087545, rs41839733, rs42486577, rs136661522, rs110882543, rs110864071, rs109722627, (P<8.1E-05), nine of them were located on intergenic regions, harboring seventeen genes, of which only ACER3, VRK2, FANCL and SLCO3A1 were considered candidate associated with bovine temperament due to their reported biological functions. Five SNPs were located at introns of the NRXN3, EXOC4, CACNG4 and SLC9A4 genes. The indicated candidate genes are implicated in a wide range of behavioural phenotypes and complex cognitive functions. The association of the fourteen SNPs on bovine temperament traits (EV, PS and TS) was evaluated; all these SNPs were significant for EV; only some were associated with PS and TS. Fourteen SNPs were associated with EV which allowed the identification of twenty-one candidate genes for Brahman temperament. From a functional point of view, the five intronic SNPs identified in this study, are candidates to address control of bovine temperament, further investigation will probe their role in expression of this trait.

Influence of genetic markers on the feeding behavior of yearling bulls / Influencia de los marcadores genéticos en el comportamiento alimentario de toretes de un año / Influência de marcadores genéticos no comportamento alimentar de touros de um ano

Abstract Background: The search for gene and marker effects on economically important traits is aimed not only to understanding the genetic architecture of complex traits but also to applying the information to breeding schemes. Objective: To analyze the effect of two temperament-related SNPs (rs109576799 located in the DRD3 gene, and rs43696138 in the HTR2A gene) on feeding performance of Mexican beef cattle. Methods: One hundred and thirty-six young beef bulls were included in a centralized feed efficiency performance test based on residual feed intake (RFI), with 20 d for adaptation and 70 d of feed efficiency testing. In addition to feeding traits, temperament was assessed at the beginning of the trial using pen score (PS) and exit velocity (EV). All animals were genotyped with two markers located in the HTR2A and DRD3 genes, and an association analysis was conducted between these genotypes and the measured traits. Results: For Brangus breed, a significant association was obtained between average daily gain (ADG; p=0.019), and the rs43696138 marker, resulting in higher gains for homozygous genotype GG (1.69 ± 0.04 kg), when compared to the heterozygous genotype GA (1.54 ± 0.04 kg). Conclusion: The previously reported association of these markers with temperament was not confirmed in the evaluated breeds; however, the rs43696138 marker showed an effect on a feeding performance trait. Further studies are needed to determine the effect of this and other markers on both RFI and temperament.

Resumen Antecedentes: La búsqueda de efectos genéticos y marcadores de rasgos económicamente relevantes no solo se basa en el interés biológico de comprender la arquitectura genética de rasgos complejos, sino también en aplicar la información en los esquemas prácticos de mejoramiento. Objetivo: Analizar el efecto de dos SNPs relacionados con el temperamento (rs109576799 localizado en el gen DRD3, y rs43696138 localizado en el gen HTR2A) sobre la eficiencia alimenticia en el ganado bovino mexicano. Métodos: Ciento treinta y seis toretes de carne jóvenes fueron sometidos a una prueba de comportamiento alimenticio basada en el consumo residual de alimento (RFI), con 20 d de adaptación y 70 d de prueba para la eficiencia alimenticia. Además de los rasgos de comportamiento alimenticio, se evaluó el temperamento de los animales al inicio de la prueba, mediante la evaluacion de comportamiento en el corral (PS), y la velocidad de salida (EV). Todas las muestras se tipificaron con dos marcadores localizados en los genes DRD3 y HTR2A para posteriormente realizar un análisis de asociación de los genotipos con los rasgos evaluados. Resultados: En la raza Brangus, se observó una asociación significativa de la media de ganancia diaria de peso (ADG, p=0,019) con el marcador rs43696138, localizado en el gen HTR2A, resultando en mayores ganancias para el genotipo GG (1,69 ± 0,04 kg) en comparación con los toros heterocigóticos GA (1,54 ± 0,04 kg). Conclusión: No se confirmó la asociación de estos marcadores previamente reportados con el temperamento en las razas evaluadas; sin embargo, el marcador rs43696138 mostró efecto en un rasgo de comportamiento alimenticio. Se necesitan más estudios para determinar el efecto de éste y otros marcadores en el consumo residual de alimento (RFI) y el temperamento.

Resumo Antecedentes: A busca de efeitos genéticos e marcadores de características economicamente relevantes não se baseia apenas no interesse biológico de compreender a arquitetura genética de traços complexos, mas também na aplicação da informação nos esquemas práticos de melhoria. Objetivo: Analisar o efeito de dois SNPs relacionados ao temperamento (rs109576799 localizado no gene DRD3 e rs43696138 localizado no gene HTR2A) sobre a eficiência nutricional no gado mexicano. Métodos: Cento e trinta e seis touros jovens foram submetidos a um teste de comportamento alimentar com base na entrada de alimentação residual (RFI), com 20 d de adaptação e 70 d de teste para eficiência de alimentação. Além dos traços de comportamento alimentar, o temperamento dos animais foi avaliado no início do teste, através da avaliação do comportamento na caneta (PS) e da velocidade de saída (EV). Todas as amostras foram digitadas com dois marcadores localizados nos genes DRD3 e HTR2A para posteriormente realizar uma análise de associação dos genótipos com os traços avaliados. Resultados: Na raça Brangus, observou-se uma associação significativa do ganho diário médio (ADG, p = 0,019) com o marcador rs43696138, localizado no gene HTR2A, resultando em maiores ganhos para o genótipo GG (1,69 ± 0,04 kg), em comparação com os touros heterozigóticos GA (1,54 ± 0,04 kg). Conclusão: A associação destes marcadores previamente relatados com o temperamento nas raças avaliadas não foi confirmada; no entanto, o marcador rs43696138 mostrou um efeito sobre uma característica de comportamento alimentar. Mais estudos são necessários para determinar o efeito deste e outros marcadores com ingestão alimentar residual (RFI) e temperamento.

Genetic diversity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine ß-hydroxylase (DBH) genes in cattle breeds.

DNA from four cattle breeds was used to re-sequence all of the exons and 56% of the introns of the bovine tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene and 97% and 13% of the bovine dopamine ß-hydroxylase (DBH) coding and non-coding sequences, respectively. Two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a microsatellite motif were found in the TH sequences. The DBH sequences contained 62 nucleotide changes, including eight non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) that are of particular interest because they may alter protein function and therefore affect the phenotype. These DBH nsSNPs resulted in amino acid substitutions that were predicted to destabilize the protein structure. Six SNPs (one from TH and five from DBH non-synonymous SNPs) were genotyped in 140 animals; all of them were polymorphic and had a minor allele frequency of > 9%. There were significant differences in the intra- and inter-population haplotype distributions. The haplotype differences between Brahman cattle and the three B. t. taurus breeds (Charolais, Holstein and Lidia) were interesting from a behavioural point of view because of the differences in temperament between these breeds.

Importancia de la verificación-asignación de progenitores en sistemas extensivos de pie de cría / Importance of parentage verification-assignment in extensive multiple-sired breeding herds

Se aplicó un panel de nueve marcadores microsatélites para estructurar la genealogía de un hato de ganado Braford manejado bajo empadre múltiple y destinado a pié de cría, para evaluar las repercusiones de la adecuada asignación de progenitores, así como las implicaciones en su mejoramiento genético. Se logró la asignación de paternidad en el 100% de la progenie, mientras que en los ensayos de verificación de maternidad se estimó un porcentaje de error de asignación de aproximadamente 90%. Los resultados encontrados apoyan el uso de la asignación de paternidad para verificar la estructura genealógica (paternidad y maternidad) de hatos cuya certeza en el pedigrí es crítica para el mejoramiento genético de su raza, y en donde el sistema de manejo extensivo y empadre múltiple limitan el registro adecuado de la progenie al momento del parto.

To assess the implications of parentage assignation on herds-genetic improvement nine microsatellite markers were used in order to structure the genealogy of a multisired Braford herd. All progeny (100%) had satisfactory paternity assignment, conversely the maternity verification analysis showed assignation errors up to 90%. Our results support the use of molecular tools to verify the pedigree structure in those herds with management systems that limit the proper registration of progeny at calving.

Tipifi cación de tres marcadores genéticos de caracteresde importancia comercial en ganado Charolais: implicaciones en la ganadería para carne en México / Tipificação de três marcadores genéticos de importância comercial em gado Charolês: implicações no gado de corte no México / Three commercial-trait-related genetic markers typification in Charolais cattle: implications for mexican beef cattle production

Fueron obtenidas muestras de toros Charolais de registro (N=130) candidatos a sementales para hatospie de cría manejados en un centro de pruebas de comportamiento productivo, con la finalidad de estimarlas frecuencias genotípicas y alélicas de tres marcadores simples de un solo nucleótido que han sidoasociados con características de calidad de la carne en ganado bovino. Se analizaron dos polimorfismosen el gen Calpaína, CAPN316 y CAPN4751, y la mutación Q204X, privada de la raza Charolais, en el genMiostatina. Se encontró alta frecuencia del alelo normal en CAPN316 (f=0.85) y frecuencia similares delos alelos normal y mutado para el marcador CAPN4751 (f= 0.58 y 0.48, respectivamente). Se analizó lafrecuencia de la mutación Q204X del gen Miostatina, encontrándose baja frecuencia (f= 0.03) atribuiblea la selección negativa para la característica de doble musculatura en los últimos 30 años. Se discutenlas implicaciones del estudio y validación del efecto de estos marcadores en el sistema de productor decarne bovina. La implementación del uso de estos marcadores podría ayudar a incentivar el desarrollo delsistema, el fomento de nichos de mercado para la calidad de la carne y sobre aumentar la rentabilidad delos sistemas de producción de carne actuales.

Samples from registered Charolais sire candidate bulls for breeding herds and managed in aperformance test station (N=130) were analyzed in order to estimate genotypic and allelic frequencies ofthree single nucleotide polymorphisms associated to beef quality traits. Two Calpain gene SNP markers,CAPN316 and CAPN4751, and the Charolais private mutation Q204X associated to double-musclingphenotype, were assessed. High frequency of normal allele was observed in CAPN316 (f=0.85) and similarfrequencies for normal and favorable alleles in CAPN4751 (f=0.58 and 0.42, respectively). For Q204X,a low prevalence for the double muscling promoter allele was observed (f=0.03) attributable to negativeselection criterion over this trait in the last 30 years. Implication and validation effects of the marker effectson the beef production system are discussed. Implementation of marker assisted management could helpsystem development, support creation of quality meat niches and facilitate the increasing profitability forcurrent beef production industry.

Foram obtidas amostras de machos da raça Charolês registrado (N=130) candidatos a seremreprodutores para fazendas de cria, manejados em una central de teste de desempenho, com a finalidadede estimar as freqüências genotípicas e gênicas de três marcadores de um só nucleótido, associados comcaracterísticas de qualidade da carne bovina. Foram analisados os polimorfismos do gen da Calpaína,CAPN316 e CAPN4751, e a mutação Q204X, privada da raza charolês, no gen da Miostatina. Foramencontradas freqüências altas do alelo normal na CAPN316 (f= 0.85) e freqüências similares dos alelosnormal e mutado para o marcador CAPN4751 (f=0.58 e 0.48, respectivamente). Foi encontrada baixafreqüência da mutação Q204X do gen Miostatina (f=0.03) devido à seleção negativa para a característicade dupla musculatura nos últimos 30 anos. O uso destes marcadores poderia ajudar a incentivar odesenvolvimento e fomento de mercados específicos para qualidade de carne e aumentar a rentabilidadedos sistemas de produção de carne atuais.