How to Take a Good Clinical History in Cases of Allergic Reactions to Medications.

The clinical history is the cornerstone of the doctor´s work. When assessing patients consulting for a suspected hypersensitivity reaction to a drug, the details collected in the patient´s clinical history are essential when deciding which tests to perform and for making recommendations about which drugs the patient should avoid and which can be taken. This area is especially important today, since many patients are labeled as allergic to drugs, especially penicillins, without this being the case. This article reviews the importance of the clinical history in a patient with a hypersensitivity reaction to a drug and considers which data should be collected. Likewise, a record-based model is proposed to help standardize the clinical history.

How to Take a Good Clinical History in Cases of Allergic Reactions to Medications

The clinical history is the cornerstone of the doctor's work. When assessing patients consulting for a suspected hypersensitivity reactionto a drug, the details collected in the patient's clinical history are essential when deciding which tests to perform and for makingrecommendations about which drugs the patient should avoid and which can be taken. This area is especially important today, since manypatients are labeled as allergic to drugs, especially penicillins, without this being the case. This article reviews the importance of the clinicalhistory in a patient with a hypersensitivity reaction to a drug and considers which data should be collected. Likewise, a record-based modelis proposed to help standardize the clinical history (AU)

La historia clínica es la piedra angular del trabajo del médico. En el estudio de los pacientes que consultan por una supuesta reacción dehipersensibilidad a un fármaco, los detalles recogidos en la historia clínica del paciente son fundamentales para decidir el estudio quehay que realizar y para, al final, dar recomendaciones al paciente sobre los fármacos que debe evitar o que puede tomar. Actualmentecobra especial importancia este tema, dado que hay un elevado porcentaje de la población que, sin serlo, está etiquetada de alergiaa fármacos, sobre todo a las penicilinas. En este artículo se revisa la importancia que tiene la historia clínica ante un paciente con unareacción de hipersensibilidad a un fármaco y qué datos deben ser recogidos. Asimismo, se propone un modelo de ficha que puede ayudara la estandarización de la historia clínica (AU)

Thoroughbred stallion fertility is significantly associated with FKBP6 genotype but not with inbreeding or the contribution of a leading sire.

This is a follow-up study to validate the previously detected association of the FKBP6 gene with stallion subfertility. Using a select cohort of 150 Thoroughbred stallions with detailed breeding records, we confirm significant association (P < 0.0001) between low per-cycle pregnancy rates (≤50%) and a combined A/A-A/A genotype of SNPs chr13:11 353 372G>A and chr13:11 353 436A>C in FKBP6 exon 5. We also show that stallion subfertility and the combined genotype A/A-A/A are not associated with the level of genetic diversity based on 12 autosomal microsatellite markers, or with pedigree-based inbreeding rate, or the extent of contribution of a leading Thoroughbred sire, Northern Dancer, in a stallion's pedigree. We develop a TaqMan allelic discrimination assay for the two SNPs to facilitate accurate and high-throughput genotyping. We determine allele, genotype and combined genotype frequencies of FKBP6 exon 5 SNPs in a global cohort of 518 Thoroughbreds (76% stallions or geldings and 24% mares) and show that the frequency of the A/A-A/A genotype is 4%. Because there is no similar association between the FKBP6 exon 5 genotype and stallion subfertility in Hanoverians, we suggest that the two SNPs are not causative but rather tagging a breed-specific haplotype with genetic variants unique to Thoroughbreds. Further WGS-based research is needed to identify the molecular causes underlying the observed genotype-phenotype association in Thoroughbred stallions.

The effects of antibiotic type and extender storage method on sperm quality and antibacterial effectiveness in fresh and cooled-stored stallion semen.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of antibiotic-containing extender of on sperm quality and control of bacterial growth. In Experiment 1, ejaculates were diluted in extender containing no antibiotics, potassium penicillin G-amikacin disulfate (PEN-AMIK), ticarcillin disodium-potassium clavulanate (TICAR-CLAV), piperacillin sodium/tazobactam sodium (PIP-TAZ), or meropenem (MERO). In freshly extended semen, only slight differences were detected among some antibiotic treatments for total sperm motility, curvilinear velocity, and viable acrosome-intact sperm (P < 0.05). In cool-stored semen, slight differences were also detected among certain antibiotic treatments for curvilinear velocity and chromatin integrity (P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, ejaculates were diluted in extender and subjected to no bacterial spiking, or inoculated with lower or higher doses of K. pneumoniae or P. aeruginosa. Following cooled storage of semen, colony forming units/ml (CFU/mL) were less in PEN-AMIK (706 ±â€¯244) and MERO (1576 ±â€¯1076) treatment groups than in TICAR-CLAV (4678 ±â€¯1388) or PIP-TAZ (8108 ±â€¯3198) treatment groups (P < 0.05). The CFU/mL were lower in all antibiotic-containing treatment groups than the control group (18478 ±â€¯4374; P < 0.05). The percentage of culture plates containing no bacterial growth in unspiked semen was greater in PEN-AMIK (75%) than PIP-TAZ (15%) or TICAR-CLAV (20%; P < 0.05). The percentages of culture plates containing no bacterial growth in semen spiked with a lower doses of K. pneumoniae or P. aeruginosa were higher in PEN-AMIK (70% and 50%, respectively) then in all other treatment groups (0-40% and 0-15% for K. pneumonia and P. aeruginosa, respectively; P < 0.05); however, complete control of bacterial load was only modest even with PEN-AMIK. In both experiments, freezing and thawing extender prior to use did not have any appreciable detrimental effect on sperm quality or antibiotic efficacy. In summary, all antibiotics tested had minimal effects on measures of sperm quality in fresh or cool-stored semen extenders; however, PEN-AMIK, followed by MERO, yielded the best results in terms of antimicrobial efficacy. None of the antibiotic types controlled bacterial growth, in comparison with the antibiotic-free control group, when extended semen was spiked with a high concentration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Cooled storage of extended semen reduced bacterial growth in comparison with freshly extended semen.

Relevance of age at slaughter on meat quality of turkeys stunned with CO2.

1. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of slaughter age and stunning method on the quality of turkey meat from poultry processing plants. 2. One hundred B.U.T. Premium turkeys were divided into 4 groups of 25 animals according to slaughter age (15 or 17 weeks) and CO2 stunning procedure (G1 stepwise: step1: 30% CO2, 15 s; step 2: 55% CO2, 40 s; step 3: 70% CO2, 45 s; G2: progressive increase of the CO2 concentration at a rate of 0.8% per s for 100 s). The quality of the breast meat was determined in fillets taken at different post-mortem times. 3. There were differences between the stunning groups for several variables (pH: 6.01 ± 0.01 and 5.95 ± 0.02; a*: -1.84 ± 0.05 and -2.21 ± 0.04; b*: 4.99 ± 0.15 and 4.68 ± 0.16; drip loss: 0.85 ± 0.02 and 0.71 ± 0.02 for G1 and G2, respectively), while no significant differences were found for L*, cooking loss and texture analysed with a Warner Bratzler Shear Force cell (WBSF). 4. Slaughter age had a significant effect on all the parameters studied (pH: 6.01 ± 0.01 and 5.95 ± 0.01; a*: -2.21 ± 0.05 and -1.88 ± 0.05, b*: 5.50 ± 0.17 and 4.42 ± 0.15; drip loss: 0.71 ± 0.02 and 0.86 ± 0.02, cooking loss: 12.56 ± 0.22 and 14.69 ± 0.16 for turkeys slaughtered at 15 and 17 w, respectively) except on L* and WBSF. 5. The ageing of the meat affected pH, colour values, drip loss and WBSF, with differing degrees of evolution: mean values of L* (39.36 ± 0.35. 45.77 ± 0.20 and 46.30 ± 0.24, for 20 min, 24 h and 7 d post mortem, respectively) and drip loss (0.75 ± 0.03 and 0.84 ± 0.02 for 24 h and 7 d post mortem, respectively) increased, those of a* (-1.77 ± 0.08, -1.94 ± 0.07 and -2.22 ± 0.05 for 20 min, 24 h and 7 d post mortem, respectively) and WBSF decreased (3.73 ± 0.06 and 2.63 ± 0.04 for 24 h and 7 d post mortem, respectively), those of pH decreased in the first 24 h and remained stable for the next 6 d (6.19 ± 0.02, 5.87 ± 0.01 and 5.88 ± 0.01), and those of b* increased in the first 24 h post-mortem and remained stable for the next 6 d (3.26 ± 0.31, 5.86 ± 0.16 and 5.47 ± 0.08). 6. The results revealed no critical differences between stunning methods, and suggest that animals slaughtered at 15 weeks present higher quality meat than those slaughtered at 17 weeks.

Influence of carbon dioxide stunning procedure on quality of turkey meat.

1. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sex and gas stunning on quality attributes of turkey breast meat. 2. One hundred B.U.T. Premium turkeys (50 males and 50 females) were divided into four groups of 25 animals and subjected to one of two CO2 stunning procedures: G1 stepwise (step 1: 30% CO2, 15 s; step 2: 55% CO2, 40 s; step 3: 70% CO2, 45 s) or G2 fixed concentration (80% CO2, 100 s). The pH and meat colour at 20 min post-mortem, and pH, colour (L*, a*, b*), water holding capacity (WHC), drip loss (DL), cooking loss (CL) and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) in breast samples at 24 h and 7 d post-mortem were assessed. 3. There were significant differences between stunning groups for pH, meat colour and CL, whereas no significant differences were found for DL and WBSF. Sex had a significant effect on pH and b* and ageing of meat affected pH, colour coordinates, DL and WBSF. 4. It was concluded that the G2 treatment affected negatively the pH value and colour coordinates. However, G2 stunning affected positively the WHC parameters. Female turkeys had better results than males for pH, and the colour of female turkey breast meat was less yellow than male breast meat.

Distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis using screw and non-absorbable filament for the treatment of idiopathic genu valgum. Preliminary results of 12 knees.

INTRODUCTION: Different techniques for gradual correction of angular deformities of lower limbs exist. Screws and nonabsorbable filament has been described as an effective alternative for transitory hemiepiphysiodesis in New Zealand rabbits. HYPOTHESIS: Hemiepiphysiodesis using screws and non-absorbable filament is effective in pediatric population, for correction of genu valgum. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation, 12 knees in 6 patients younger than 15 years (3 female), operated because of genu valgum. An anchoring system with two 4.0mm cancellous screw with metal washer joined by FiberWire #2.0 filament. Initial and final intermalleolar distance (IMD) and mechanical lateral distal femoral angle were compared, recording complications. Mann-Whitney test was used for statistics, with significance value <0.05. RESULTS: All patients achieved the expected correction. IMD and mLDFA were significatively improved. Only one patient presents a minor perioperative complication. DISCUSSION: Lateral distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis with screws and nonabsorbable filament resulted to be an effective alternative for genu valgum gradual correction in pediatric population. This is the first article that proposes this model, as an efficient and simple alternative for the treatment of genu valgum in pediatric patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective study, Level IV.

Efficacy and safety of withholding antimicrobial treatment in children with cancer, fever and neutropenia, with a demonstrated viral respiratory infection: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine efficacy and safety of withholding antimicrobials in children with cancer, fever and neutropenia (FN) with a demonstrated respiratory viral infection. METHODS: Prospective, multicentre, randomized study in children presenting with FN at five hospitals in Santiago, Chile, evaluated at admission for diagnosis of bacterial and viral pathogens including PCR-microarray for 17 respiratory viruses. Children positive for a respiratory virus, negative for a bacterial pathogen and with a favourable evolution after 48 h of antimicrobial therapy were randomized to either maintain or withhold antimicrobials. Primary endpoint was percentage of episodes with uneventful resolution. Secondary endpoints were days of fever/hospitalization, bacterial infection, sepsis, admission to paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and death. RESULTS: A total of 319 of 951 children with FN episodes recruited between July 2012 and December 2015 had a respiratory virus as a unique identified microorganism, of which 176 were randomized, 92 to maintain antimicrobials and 84 to withdraw. Median duration of antimicrobial use was 7 days (range 7-9 days) versus 3 days (range 3-4 days), with similar frequency of uneventful resolution (89/92 (97%) and 80/84 (95%), respectively, not significant; OR 1.48; 95% CI 0.32-6.83, p 0.61), and similar number of days of fever (2 versus 1), days of hospitalization (6 versus 6) and bacterial infections throughout the episode (2%-1%), with one case of sepsis requiring admission to PICU in the group that maintained antimicrobials, without any deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of antimicrobials in children with FN and respiratory viral infections, based on clinical and microbiological/molecular diagnostic criteria, should favour the adoption of evidence-based management strategies in this population.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Hypersensitivity Reactions to Contrast Media.

The objective of these guidelines is to ensure efficient and effective clinical practice. The panel of experts who produced this consensus document developed a research protocol based on a review of the literature. The prevalence of allergic reactions to iodinated contrast media (ICM) is estimated to be 1:170 000, that is, 0.05%-0.1% of patients undergoing radiologic studies with ICM (more than 75 million examinations per year worldwide). Hypersensitivity reactions can appear within the first hour after administration (immediate reactions) or from more than 1 hour to several days after administration (nonimmediate or delayed reactions). The risk factors for immediate reactions include poorly controlled bronchial asthma, concomitant medication (eg, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, ß-blockers, and proton-pump inhibitors), rapid administration of the ICM, mastocytosis, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections. The most common symptoms of immediate reactions are erythema and urticaria with or without angioedema, which appear in more than 70% of patients. Maculopapular rash is the most common skin feature of nonimmediate reactions (30%-90%). Skin and in vitro tests should be performed for diagnosis of both immediate and nonimmediate reactions. The ICM to be administered will therefore be chosen depending on the results of these tests, the ICM that induced the reaction (when known), the severity of the reaction, the availability of alternative ICM, and the information available on potential ICM cross-reactivity. Another type of contrast media, gadolinium derivatives, is used used for magnetic resonance imaging. Although rare, IgE-mediated reactions to gadolinium derivatives have been reported.

Clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and management of hypersensitivity reactions to contrast media

The objective of these guidelines is to ensure efficient and effective clinical practice. The panel of experts who produced this consensus document developed a research protocol based on a review of the literature. The prevalence of allergic reactions to iodinated contrast media (ICM) is estimated to be 1:170 000, that is, 0.05%-0.1% of patients undergoing radiologic studies with ICM (more than 75 million examinations per year worldwide). Hypersensitivity reactions can appear within the first hour after administration (immediate reactions) or from more than 1 hour to several days after administration (nonimmediate or delayed reactions). The risk factors for immediate reactions include poorly controlled bronchial asthma, concomitant medication (eg, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, ß-blockers, and proton-pump inhibitors), rapid administration of the ICM, mastocytosis, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections. The most common symptoms of immediate reactions are erythema and urticaria with or without angioedema, which appear in more than 70% of patients. Maculopapular rash is the most common skin feature of nonimmediate reactions (30%-90%). Skin and in vitro tests should be performed for diagnosis of both immediate and nonimmediate reactions. The ICM to be administered will therefore be chosen depending on the results of these tests, the ICM that induced the reaction (when known), the severity of the reaction, the availability of alternative ICM, and the information available on potential ICM cross-reactivity. Another type of contrast media, gadolinium derivatives, is used used for magnetic resonance imaging. Although rare, IgE-mediated reactions to gadolinium derivatives have been reported (AU)

El contenido y las pautas recomendadas en este documento están dirigidas a lograr una práctica clínica más eficiente y eficaz. El panel de expertos que participó en esta guía de consenso desarrolló un protocolo para revisar lo publicado sobre el tema. La prevalencia de las reacciones alérgicas a medios de contraste iodados (MCI) se estima en 1:170.000, lo que representa un 0,05% -0,1% de los pacientes sometidos a estudios radiológicos con MCI (más de 75 millones de administraciones por año en todo el mundo). Las reacciones alérgicas por hipersensibilidad pueden aparecer dentro de la primera hora tras la administración (reacciones inmediatas) o en un rango de tiempo desde una hora hasta varios días después de la administración (reacciones no inmediatas o tardías). Existen factores de riesgo para las reacciones inmediatas tales como: mal control previo del asma bronquial, uso concomitante de inhibidores de la ECA, beta bloqueantes o inhibidores de la bomba de protones, administración rápida del fármaco, antecedente de mastocitosis, coexistencia de enfermedades autoinmunes o de infecciones virales. Los síntomas más comunes de las reacciones inmediatas son eritema y urticaria con o sin angioedema, apareciendo en más de un 70% de los pacientes que sufrieron reacciones. Las reacciones no inmediatas más comunes son las erupciones maculopapulares (30-90%). Para el diagnóstico de reacciones tanto inmediatas como no inmediatas se deben realizar pruebas cutáneas y pruebas in vitro. Para elegir el MCI que posteriormente puede ser administrado se tendrán en cuenta los resultados de las pruebas cutáneas e in vitro realizadas, el MCI que indujo la reacción (si se conoce), la gravedad de la misma, la disponibilidad de otros MCIs alternativos y la información disponible sobre la potencial reactividad cruzada entre los distintos MCIs. Otro tipo de medios de contraste, son los utilizados en la resonancia magnética (RMN), que son derivados de gadolinio. Aunque infrecuentes, se han descrito reacciones mediadas por IgE a estos medios de contraste (AU)

Effect of feeding system and breed on growth performance, and carcass and meat quality traits in two continental beef breeds.

A total of 100 young bulls were allotted a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine the effect of the feeding system (concentrate and wheat straw: T; total mixed ration comprised of the same concentrate, maize silage and wheat straw: TMR) and breed (Limousine: LI; Retinta: RE) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality. The diets were administrated ad libitum for 193 days. The average daily weight gain was similar (P > 0.05) for both diets, while the LI bulls grew significantly (P < 0.05) more than RE. T bulls showed higher L*, a* and rib bone percentage. TMR bulls showed higher carcass yield, conformation and fatness, and greater changes in ultrasound measurements, except Δ UGMD and rib fat percentage. Instrumental meat quality, except shear force at 1 and 21 days of ageing, was not affected (P > 0.05) by the diets. Breed significantly affected most of the analyzed characteristics.

Association between functional candidate genes and organoleptic meat traits in intensively-fed beef.

The aim of this study was to assess the associations between the single nucleotide polymorphisms in CAPN1, CAST, DGAT1, FABP4, LEP, RORC and SCD1 genes and the sensory meat quality in an intensively fed commercial population (Charolais, Limousin and Retinta breed). This work carried out analyses on a common Spanish population and evaluated the association between the markers and sensory traits. A total of 161 bulls were allocated to two different feedlots with two different finishing diets. Steaks aged for 7 and 21 days were assessed by both untrained and trained sensory panels. A significant association and allelic substitution effect were observed for markers UoG-CAST, LEP: g.73C>T and SCD1: g.878T>C on different descriptors evaluated by a consumer panel (tenderness and overall acceptability). There are no precedents of these kinds of association studies in a Spanish commercial population. The study suggested that CAST, LEP and SCD1 genes have a potential effect on the different measurements of sensory meat quality.

Association study between a SNP in bovine SCD1 gene with fatty acid composition in a Spanish commercial population fed with two different diets.

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1 gene) is an enzyme responsible for the endogenous conversion of saturated fatty acid into monounsaturated fatty acids. The objective of this study was to assess the association of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the SCD1 gene with the fatty acid composition of beef intramuscular fat of a Spanish commercial bull population (n = 155) finished with two different diets. The results suggested that the marker could be used as a candidate gene to obtain a healthier final product.

Monitoring changes in the demographic and genealogical structure of the main Spanish local beef breeds.

Demographic and pedigree analyses describe the structure and dynamics of livestock populations. We studied information recorded in the herdbooks of Asturiana de los Valles (AV; N = 458,806), Avileña-Negra Ibérica (ANI; N = 204,623), Bruna dels Pirineus (BP; N = 62,138), Morucha (Mo; N = 65,350), Pirenaica (Pi; N = 217,428), Retinta (Re; N = 135,300), and Rubia Gallega (RG; N = 235,511) beef breeds from their creation until 2009. All breeds have increased in the number of registered cows in recent years. In all breeds, herds do not behave as isolated entities and a high rate of exchange of breeding males between herds exists. A percentage of herds (12-52%) make some type of selection and sell bulls to other herds. There were large differences in average number of progeny per bull, ranging from 15.6 (AV) to 373.7 animals (RG, with a high incidence of AI). Generation interval estimates ranged from 4.7 (AV) to 7.6 (RG) yr in the sire pathway and from 5.95 (AV) to 7.8 (Mo) yr in the dam pathway. Density of pedigrees varied among breeds, with Pi, ANI, and Re having the more dense pedigrees, with average completeness indexes of more than 96% in the first generation and 80% when 6 generations were considered. A general increase in average inbreeding was observed in all breeds in the years analyzed. For animals born in 2009, average inbreeding coefficients ranged from 0.6 (BP) to 7.2% (Re) when all animals were considered and from 3.6 (Pi) to 17.6% (BP) when only inbred animals were considered. Due to the lack of completeness of pedigrees in most populations, inbreeding coefficients may be considered as a lower bound of the true parameters. The proportion of inbred animals tended to increase in the periods analyzed in all breeds. Differences between inbreeding and coancestry rates (except in RG) suggest the presence of population structure. Effective population size (Ne) based on the inbreeding rate estimated by regression ranged from 43 to 378 for Re and BP, whereas Ne estimates based on coancestry were greater, with a range of 100 for RG to 9,985 for BP. These facts suggest that an adequate mating policy can help to monitor inbreeding so as not to lose genetic variability. Effective number of ancestors in 2009 for 6 of the breeds ranged from 42 (RG) to 220 (AV), with BP having much a greater value, and was lower than was the effective number of founders in all breeds, suggesting the existence of bottlenecks.

Effects of stress by unfamiliar sounds on carcass and meat traits in bulls from three continental beef cattle breeds at different ageing times.

One-hundred-and-twenty-four young bulls of three Continental beef cattle breeds were used to study the effect of pre-slaughter stress by unfamiliar sounds on carcass traits and quality characteristics of beef aged for three different periods. Stress due to unfamiliar noises had a moderately negative effect on carcass and meat quality. Carcasses from group Stressed had higher (P<0.05) values of pH0, pH24, a*, and Warner-Bratzler shear force, and lower (P<0.05) values of L*, b* and pressure losses than from Unstressed animals. There were significant differences (P<0.05) among breeds in L*, a* and pressure losses. The ageing time had a significant effect on chromatic variables, WBSF and pressure losses. The cooking losses were not significantly affected by any of the three factors discussed. These results emphasize the importance of implementing appropriate management practices during pre-slaughter handling of cattle in order to reduce any possible risk factor for stress, as well as the different sensitivity of the breeds to similar stimuli.

Use of serial ultrasound measures in the study of growth- and breed-related changes of ultrasonic measurements and relationship with carcass measurements in lean cattle breeds.

The growth and breed-related changes of rib and rump characteristics in lean beef cattle and the ability of ultrasound to predict carcass traits were investigated. Three hundred bulls from three breeds were scanned monthly (6-7 times) using real-time ultrasound with final scans taken <7 days prior to harvest. The rib and rump ultrasound measurements, except intramuscular fat content, increased (P<0.05) with live weight. Breed affected most of traits. The 12th rib ultrasound measurements showed a weak to high positive correlation (0.131 to 0.976, P>0.05 to P<0.001) with 12th rib measurements in the carcass. Regression equations developed with the ultrasound measurements, explained 97% of the variation in longissimus muscle area, 88% of the variation in fat thickness and 57% of the variation in intramuscular fat content. When last ultrasound scan measurements were excluded from prediction equations, the R(2) significantly decreased. Ultrasound measures "in vivo" are viable options for assessing carcass attributes of lean cattle.

Direct and maternal genetic effects for preweaning growth in Retinta cattle estimated by a longitudinal approach throughout the calving trajectory of the cow.

The direct and maternal genetic effects were estimated for the preweaning growth of Retinta calves with a multitrait model across parities, using a longitudinal approach with random regression models (RRM). The 120 (P120) and 180 days (P180) weights (5972 calves) were considered as different traits in each calving. The heritability of direct effect across parities was on average 0.37 for P120 and 0.58 for P180, slightly higher than the estimates by univariate (0.30 and 0.56) and bivariate models (0.30 and 0.51, respectively). The heritability for maternal effects was 0.16 for P120 and 0.26 for P180 and very similar by uni- (0.16 and 0.23) and multivariate model (0.16 and 0.22, respectively). The correlation between direct and maternal effects by RRM showed a pronounced antagonism -0.64 for P120 and -0.78 for P180), likewise uni- (-0.62 and -0.72) and multivariate case (-0.64 and -0.74, respectively). The preweaning weights should be considered as different traits across parities, because the genetic correlations were different from unity. The RRM also allowed us to estimate all the parameters throughout the calving trajectory of the cow. The use of multiple traits RRM across parities can provide very useful information for the breeding programmes.

Associations between DGAT1, FABP4, LEP, RORC, and SCD1 gene polymorphisms and fat deposition in Spanish commercial beef.

The objective of the present study was to assess the frequency distribution of markers in the diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT1), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), leptin (LEP), retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor C (RORC), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1) genes in a Spanish commercial crossbred population (n = 286) produced in southwest Spain. We have also evaluated the association of these 5 major SNP with backfat thickness (BFT) and intramuscular fat (IMF) to use them routinely in the industry (if the associations are confirmed) due to their ease of use. The KK genotype of the DGAT1 gene was associated (P = 0.046) with the greatest BFT value. Bulls presenting the GG genotype for SNP in the FABP4 gene showed greater values for the percentage of IMF (P = 0.030), which means an increase of 0.155% IMF per copy of the G allele of this marker (P = 0.009). A significant association was found between the RORC: g.3290T > G marker and the percentage of IMF. The GG genotype of the RORC: g.3290T > G marker showed the lowest IMF percentage (P = 0.025). The specific associations found in this study not only provide information about the involvement of these genes in the fat deposition at different levels in the southwestern Spain cattle population, but can also serve as a tool to improve certain meat quality attributes through Marker Assisted Selection. However, sensory studies are needed to explore further the usefulness of these genes in meat quality and the impact on the actual palatability of the beef.

Marbling in the longissimus thoracis muscle from lean cattle breeds. Computer image analysis of fresh versus stained meat samples.

One hundred eighty ribeye steaks from Charolais, Limousin and Retinta bulls were used to describe and compare the marbling fat between fresh and stained samples. Image analysis overestimated the intramuscular fat content (P<0.05) in relation to chemical analysis. Staining had a significant effect (P<0.05) on most of the marbling fleck traits, showing an increase in the number of marbling flecks and the proportion of marbling fleck area in the whole and in the ventral half of the longissimus m., and a decrease in the size, length and width of marbling flecks. Breed had a significant influence (P<0.05) on some quantity traits of marbling, but not in the distribution and structure of marbling flecks (P>0.05). Retinta breed was leaner than French breeds and showed fewer and smaller marbling flecks (P<0.05). The results showed a positive correlation (r=0.183 to 0.465) between USDA marbling score, and intramuscular fat by image and chemical analysis.

Use of image analysis of cross-sectional cuts to estimate the composition of the 10th-11th-12th rib-cut of European lean beef bulls.

Data from 180 bulls from Charolais, Limousine and Retinta breeds were used to evaluate image analysis of cross-sections as method of predicting the physical composition of the 10th-11th-12th rib-cut. The site along the longissimus thoracis muscle (between either the 9th and10th ribs or the 12th and 13th ribs), and the breed had significant influence on most of the variables analyzed. The correlation coefficients between the rib composition obtained by image analysis and by dissection were low to moderate (r=0.18-0.59, P<0.01-P<0.001). The R(2) values of the composition components of the 12th-13th rib cross-section to 10th-11th-12th rib-cut composition were higher than those recorded from the 9th-10th rib cross-section (R(2)=0.535 to 0.759 vs. 0.148 to 0.502). The accuracy of the predictions of lean, longissimus thoracis m. and bone percentages improved significantly with the addition of carcass weight. Results indicate that image analysis can predict rib composition in lean cattle with moderate accuracy and precision.