Effect of quantitative feed restriction and sex class on sheep skin quality.

The aim was to evaluate the quality of the sheep skin of different sex classes submitted to different levels of feed restriction. Sheep without defined racial pattern of different sex classes (15 non-castrated males, 15 castrated males and 15 females), with initial body weight of 18.1 ± 0.4 kg and mean age of 90 days were distributed in a factorial 3 × 3, with three sex classes and 3 levels of feed restriction (ad libitum intake and restricted intake at 70 and 80%), with 5 repetitions. After slaughter, the skins were collected for physical-mechanical tests. The effect of the sex classes x levels of dietary restriction interaction was observed for transverse thickness and longitudinal rupture elongation (p < 0.05). Animals fed ad libitum had greater longitudinal transverse thickness (p < 0.05). Animals fed ad libitum and 70% feed restriction showed greater transverse elongation at break (p < 0.05). As for the difference between sex classes in the transverse thickness variable for tearing strength, the interaction sex classes x levels of feed restriction for transverse thickness, longitudinal thickness, transverse tearing strength and longitudinal tearing strength occurred (p < 0.05). Feed restriction reduces the physical quality of the skin of sheep of different sex classes, and the use of castrated male sheep in positive energy balance is recommended to obtain leather with greater thickness, longitudinal rupture elongation and transverse tear strength.

Regression models from portable NIR spectra for predicting the carcass traits and meat quality of beef cattle.

The aims of this study were to predict carcass and meat traits, as well as the chemical composition of the 9th to 11th rib sections of beef cattle from portable NIR spectra. The 9th to 11th rib section was obtained from 60 Nellore bulls and cull cows. NIR spectra were acquired at: P1 -center of Longissimus muscle; and P2 -subcutaneous fat cap. The models accurately estimated (P ≥ 0.083) all carcass and meat quality traits, except those for predicting red (a*) and yellow (b*) intensity from P1, and 12th-rib fat from P2. However, precision was highly variable among the models; those for the prediction of carcass pHu, 12th rib fat, toughness from P1, and those for 12th rib fat, a* and b* from P2 presented high precision (R2 ≥ 0.65 or CCC ≥ 0.63), whereas all other models evaluated presented moderate to low precision (R2 ≤ 0.39). Models built from P1 and P2 accurately estimated (P ≥ 0.066) the chemical composition of the meat plus fat, bones and, meat plus fat plus bones, except those for predicting the ether extract (EE) and crude protein (CP) of bones and the EE of Meat plus bones fraction from P2. However, precision was highly variable among the models (-0.08 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.86) of the 9th and 11th rib section. Those models for the prediction of dry matter (DM) and EE of the bones from P1; of EE from P1; and of EE, mineral matter (MM), CP from P2 of meat plus fat plus bones presented high precision (R2 ≥ 0.76 or CCC ≥ 0.62), whereas all other models evaluated presented moderate to low precision (R2 ≤ 0.45). Thus, models built from portable NIR spectra acquired at different points of the 9th to 11th rib section were recommended for predicting carcass and muscle quality traits as well as for predicting the chemical composition of this section of beef cattle. However, it is noteworthy, that the small sample size was one of the limitations of this study.

Characteristics of intramuscular collagen in calf-fed Nellore bulls and steers throughout the finishing phase.

This study evaluated collagen solubility and gene expression of biomarkers for intramuscular collagen (IMCT) deposition and remodeling in the Longissimus muscle of bulls and steers through the finishing phase. Thirty-six Nellore calves were used (18 bulls and 18 steers), and six of each sexual condition were randomly assigned to be harvested at 0, 100, or 200 days on feed (DOF) to evaluate collagen characteristics in different time points throughout the finishing phase. Bulls showed a greater collagen solubility than steers (P = 0.03). The gene expression of fibrogenic markers (TGFß1, COL1A1, and COL3A1) and IMCT remodeling mediators (MMPII, TIMPII, and LOX) were not affected by sexual condition or DOF (P > 0.05). Our data indicate that young Nellore bulls have a higher percentage of soluble intramuscular collagen, possibly due to higher collagen remodeling associated with a faster growth rate and muscle hypertrophy. Moreover, castration and DOF did not modify mRNA levels of fibrogenic and collagen remodeling markers.

Assessing dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry prediction of intramuscular fat content in beef longissimus steaks.

This study assessed the capability of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to predict intramuscular fat (IMF) content of beef longissimus steaks against chemical IMF as the gold standard. DEXA performance of fat% prediction was assessed using a leave-one-out cross validation method among Angus and Nellore steaks, which generated a chemical fat% range of 14.05-36.82% and 2.46-7.84%, respectively, and using pooled data. There was a significant positive association between DEXA predicted fat and chemical fat content. However, higher precision was found for pooled data (R2 = 0.95, RMSECV = 1.95) and Angus (R2 = 0.75, RMSECV = 2.39) than Nellore (R2 = 0.15, RMSECV = 1.22) group. Accuracy also had the same response with average slope values close to 1 for pooled data and Angus and a lower value (0.42) for Nellore group. DEXA precisely predicts IMF content across a wide range of fat content. However, its precision and accuracy of prediction within low-fat content samples are lower than in high-fat content.

Intramuscular collagen characteristics and expression of related genes in skeletal muscle of cull cows receiving a high-energy diet.

We aimed to investigate differences in the synthesis and metabolism of intramuscular collagen in the Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle between heifers and cull-cows fed high-energy diet. Ten cull-cows, (74.9 ± 3.2 months age, weighing 536 ± 14.55 kg) and ten heifers (18.4 ± 3.2 months age, weighting 310.5 ± 14.5 kg) were fed with high-energy diets for 150 days. The total collagen content did not differ between treatments. Greater collagen solubility was observed in heifers than cull-cows, although no differences in lysyl oxidase activity were observed between treatments. No differences were observed for mRNA expression of CO1A1, MMP2, MMP9 and TIMP2 between treatments. However, cull-cows presented greater mRNA expression of COL3A1, TIMP1 and TIMP3 than heifers. Our data give no indication that feeding a high-energy diet to cull-cows decreases the concentration of intramuscular collagen in the LT muscle or increases its solubility in respect to the collagen solubility in LT muscles from heifers on the same diet.

Nutrient requirements and evaluation of equations to predict chemical body composition of dairy crossbred steers.

OBJECTIVE: Objectives were to estimate energy and protein requirements of dairy crossbred steers, as well as to evaluate equations previously described in the literature (HH46 and CS16) to predict the carcass and empty body chemical composition of crossbred dairy cattle. METHODS: Thirty-three Holstein × Zebu steers, aged 19 ± 1 months old, with an initial shrunk body weight of 324 ± 7.7 kg, were randomly divided into three groups: reference group (n = 5), maintenance level (1.17% BW; n = 4), and the remaining 24 steers were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatments. Treatments were: intake restricted to 85% of ad libitum feed intake for either 0, 28, 42, or 84 d of an 84-d finishing period. RESULTS: The net energy and the metabolizable protein requirements for maintenance were 0.083 Mcal/EBW0.75/d and 4.40 g/EBW0.75, respectively. The net energy (NEG) and protein (NPG) requirements for growth can be estimated with the following equations: NEG (Mcal/kg EBG) = 0.2973(± 0.1212) × EBW0.4336(± 0.1002) and NPG (g/d) = 183.6(± 22.5333) × EBG - 2.0693(± 4.7254) × RE, where EBW = empty body weight, EBG = empty body gain, and RE = retained energy. Crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) chemical contents in carcass, and all the chemical components in the empty body were precisely and accurately estimated by CS16 equations. However, water content in carcass was better predicted by HH46 equation. CONCLUSION: The equations proposed in this study can be used for estimating the energy and protein requirements of crossbred dairy steers. The CS16 equations were the best estimator for CP and EE chemical contents in carcass, and all chemical components in the empty body of crossbred dairy steers, whereas water in carcass was better estimated using the HH46 equations.

California net energy system for Bos taurus indicus.

The California net energy system (CNES) was the reference for the development of most energy requirement systems worldwide, such as Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle (NASEM, Nutrient requirements of beef cattle, 8th Revised ed, 2016) and Brazilian Nutrient Requirements of Zebu and Crossbred Cattle (Valadares Filho, S. C., L. F. C. Silva, M. P. Gionbelli, P. P. Rotta, M. I. Marcondes, M. L. Chizzotti, and L. F. Prados, BR-CORTE: nutrient requirements of zebu and crossbred cattle, 3rd ed, 2016). This review aimed to compare methods used by NASEM and BR-CORTE to estimate the energy requirements for beef cattle. The net energy requirements for maintenance (NEm) of BR-CORTE is based on empty body weight (EBW), whereas NASEM uses shrunk body weight (SBW), but the Bos taurus indicus presents 10% to 8% lower NEm than Bos taurus taurus. We have compared animals with different EBW and SBW but with same equivalent empty body weight/standard reference weight ratio (0.75), as both systems have suggested different mature weights. Both systems predicted similar net energy requirements for gain (NEg) for animals with 1.8 kg of daily gain. However, estimated empty body gain was lower for NASEM estimations when the same metabolizable energy for gain is available. For pregnancy and lactation of beef cows, the NEm and net energy requirements for pregnancy (NEp) of a Zebu cow estimated by BR-CORTE were lower than the values estimated by NASEM. Furthermore, the magnitude of differences between these systems regarding NEp increased as pregnancy days increase. The NASEM and BR-CORTE systems have presented similar values for energy requirement for lactation (0.72 and 0.75 Mcal/kg milk, respectively).

Differences in Beef Quality between Angus (Bos taurus taurus) and Nellore (Bos taurus indicus) Cattle through a Proteomic and Phosphoproteomic Approach.

Proteins are the major constituents of muscle and are key molecules regulating the metabolic changes during conversion of muscle to meat. Brazil is one of the largest exporters of beef and most Brazilian cattle are composed by zebu (Nellore) genotype. Bos indicus beef is generally leaner and tougher than Bos taurus such as Angus. The aim of this study was to compare the muscle proteomic and phosphoproteomic profile of Angus and Nellore. Seven animals of each breed previously subjected the same growth management were confined for 84 days. Proteins were extracted from Longissimus lumborum samples collected immediately after slaughter and separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Pro-Q Diamond stain was used in phosphoproteomics. Proteins identification was performed using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Tropomyosin alpha-1 chain, troponin-T, myosin light chain-1 fragment, cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase, alpha-enolase and 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein were more abundant in Nellore, while myosin light chain 3, prohibitin, mitochondrial stress-70 protein and heat shock 70 kDa protein 6 were more abundant in Angus (P<0.05). Nellore had higher phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain-2, alpha actin-1, triosephosphate isomerase and 14-3-3 protein epsilon. However, Angus had greater phosphorylation of phosphoglucomutase-1 and troponin-T (P<0.05). Therefore, proteins involved in contraction and muscle organization, myofilaments expressed in fast or slow-twitch fibers and heat shock proteins localized in mitochondria or sarcoplasmic reticulum and involved in cell flux of calcium and apoptosis might be associated with differences in beef quality between Angus and Nellore. Furthermore, prohibitin appears to be a potential biomarker of intramuscular fat in cattle. Additionally, differences in phosphorylation of myofilaments and glycolytic enzymes could be involved with differences in muscle contraction force, susceptibility to calpain, apoptosis and postmortem glycolysis, which might also be related to differences in beef quality among Angus and Nellore.

Energy and protein requirements of young Holstein calves in tropical condition.

Our objective was to estimate the energy and protein requirements of Holstein young calves up to 87 days old. Forty-two Holstein calves aged 4 days were used. From these, ten were randomly selected and slaughtered to compose the baseline slaughter (BS) group. The remaining calves were randomly assigned to eight treatments in a 4 × 2 factorial using a completely randomized design. The treatments were 2, 4, 6, and 8 kg/day of milk (297 g/kg CP; 319 g/kg of fat) fed twice daily, and then harvested at 59 or 87 days of age. Calves were fed a starter (193 g/kg CP; 133 g/kg NDF) ad libitum in all treatments. The calves slaughtered at 87 days of age had milk replaced by Coast-cross (Cynodoon sp.) hay (125 g/kg CP; 728 g/kg NDF). The net requirement of energy for maintenance (NEm) was 0.36 MJ/kg EBWG, with efficiency of utilization of energy for maintenance (k m) of 59.4 %. The equation obtained to estimate the net requirement of energy for gain (NEg; MJ/d) was 4.40 × EBW(0.099), with the efficiency of utilization of energy for gain (k g) equal to 46.5 %. The observed requirements of net and metabolizable protein for maintenance (NPm and MPm) were 3.67 and 3.88 g/kg BW(0.75), respectively. The efficiency of use of metabolizable protein for maintenance (k pm ) was 94.6 %. The predicted requirements were higher than those observed in the literature, and this study demonstrated that the requirements of newborn calves are higher than the recommended.

Net requirements of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and sulphur for growth of non-descript breed hair lambs of different sex classes in the Brazilian semiarid conditions.

The aim of this study was to determine the net requirements of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and sulphur (S) for weight gain of non-descript breed hair lambs (NDBL) of different sex classes reared under Brazilian semiarid conditions. Sixty NDBL (20 intact males, 20 castrated males, and 20 females), with an average initial body weight of 18.1 ± 0.4 kg and average age of 5 months were used. The macromineral requirements were determined by the differences in body composition through comparative slaughter direct method. The animals were confined for 58 days, and the average fasting body weight (FBW) and average daily gain (ADG) of lambs fed ad libitum were 29.2 ± 0.6 and 0.19 ± 0.01 kg, respectively. The net requirements of macrominerals for gain of NDBL did not differ between sex classes (P > 0.05), and ranged from 1.83 to 1.46 g/day of Ca, 1.21 to 1.01 g/day of P, 37 to 30 mg/day of Mg, and 0.31 to 0.28 g/day of S, for lambs with an ADG of 0.200 kg and 15 or 30 kg of FBW, respectively (P < 0.05). The N to S net ratio reduced and increased, respectively, as the body weight and ADG increase. The net requirements of Ca, P, Mg, and S for gain of NDBL slaughtered young and at the same age did not differ between sex classes and decreased as the body weight increased. The net requirements for gain of Ca and P were similar to those recommended by NRC (2007).

Energy and protein requirements of non-descript breed hair lambs of different sex classes in the semiarid region of Brazil.

The aim of this study was to determine the energy and protein requirements of non-descript breed hair lambs (NDB) reared under Brazilian semiarid conditions. Sixty animals from three sex classes (20 intact males, 20 castrated males, and 20 females) with an average initial body weight of 18.1 ± 0.4 kg and an average age of 5 months were used. The nutritional requirements were estimated using the comparative slaughter. The animals in the final slaughter group were distributed in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 3 factorial scheme (three sex classes and three feeding levels: ad libitum feeding (positive energy balance), 70% feed restriction (maintenance level), and 80% feed restriction (negative energy balance)). The net energy requirement for maintenance (NEm) did not differ between sex classes (P > 0.05) and it was 68 kcal/kg of metabolic empty body weight (EBW(0.75))/day (P < 0.05). The coefficients for the nonlinear regression of retained energy (RE) on the empty body weight gain (EBWG) were not different among the different sex classes (P > 0.05). The net energy requirement for weight gain (NEg) was estimated by NEg (Mcal/day) = 0.29 × EBW(0.75) × EBWG(0.86) for all sex classes (P < 0.05). The net protein requirement for weight gain (NPg) was estimated by NPg (g/day) = 224.45 × EBWG - 0.025 × RE for all sex classes (P < 0.05). The NEg increased and the NPg decreased with the increase in body weight of NDB lambs.

Indirect methods for predicting body composition of Boer crossbreds and indigenous goats from the Brazilian semiarid.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation and to develop regression equations between the body composition obtained by the comparative slaughter and the neck composition and the ultrasound ribeye area (REAu) in goats from the Brazilian semiarid region. Forty-five intact male goats from three genetic groups were used: 15 Canindé, 15 Moxotó, and 15 F1 Boer x non-descript breed. Animals were randomly assigned to three feeding levels (ad libitum, 25 and 50% restriction) aimed to result in different slaughter weights and body composition, to fit the regression equations. The REAu was assessed between the 12th and 13th ribs with a 7.5 MHz linear transducer. The values of crude protein, ether extract, and water in the empty body showed high positive correlation (P < 0.01) with REAu and with the same values measured in the neck for all genetic groups. In addition, body composition was well predicted (R(2) > 0.80) from the REAu and from the neck composition.

Carcass and non-carcass component yields of crossbred Boer and Brazilian semiarid indigenous goats subjected to different feeding levels.

The effect of different feeding levels (ad libitum, 25 and 50 % restriction) and genotypes (½ Boer × ½ nondescript breed goats, Canindé, and Moxotó) on carcass quantitative characteristics and non-carcass components (NCC) were evaluated. Forty-five intact male goats were distributed in a 3 × 3 factorial design with five replicates. There was no effect of genotype on carcass weights and yields and retail cuts weights and yields (P > 0.05). Compared to Moxotó, ½ Boer presented better carcass conformation and higher weights (P < 0.01) and yields of viscera from gastrointestinal tract (P < 0.05), and compared to the other genotypes (P < 0.01), ½ Boer presented larger carcass compactness. Carcass weights and yields, retail cuts weights and NCC, and soft tissues yields were higher (P < 0.01) in goats fed ad libitum. The two restriction levels did not differ (P > 0.05) for these variables. There were interactions of genotype and feeding level. At ad libitum feeding, ½ Boer had higher weights of breast and shank, leg, soft tissues, and gastrointestinal viscera compared to the Moxotó (P < 0.05). The crossing of nondescript breed goats with Boer may be a strategy for increasing the efficiency of goat meat production in the Brazilian semiarid. Moreover, in times of feed scarcity, farmers may use higher feed restriction levels to keep animals, since for most of the parameters evaluated, there were no differences between the restriction levels.

Mango tree pruning hay in substitution of elephant grass in cattle diet.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of substitution (0, 33.3, 66.7, and 100 %) of elephant grass by hay of mango tree pruning (HMTP) on intake and digestibility in cattle and on the in vitro gas production. Moreover, the effect of tannin in HMTP on the gas production and in vitro degradability of the dry matter was evaluated, using polyethylene glycol (PEG). The intake and digestibility were evaluated in a double 4 × 4 square Latin design, using eight Holstein intact bulls. To evaluate the gas production and degradability, in vitro semi-automated gas production technique was used. The substitution of elephant grass by HMTP decreased the intake (P<0.05) and the digestibility (P<0.05) of the nutrients and also the gas production (P<0.05). Furthermore, the utilization of PEG as a tannin-complexing agent increased the gas production and degradability of the HMTP (P<0.05). It was concluded that the high cell wall lignification and the presence of tannin limit the use of HMTP as the only source of roughage in cattle diets.