含25-羟基维生素D_3日粮中植酸酶对21~42日龄肉鸡生长性能、骨骼矿化和钙磷利用的影响

为研究植酸酶对21~42日龄罗斯308肉鸡生长性能、骨骼矿化和钙磷利用的影响,本试验将120只前期(1~21日龄)采食相同日粮的21日龄罗斯308肉鸡随机分为3组,每组4个重复。设计3种日粮,在基础日粮[0.90%Ca、0.20%非植酸磷(NPP)、25μg/kg 25-羟基维生素D3]中添加3个不同水平植酸酶(0、1000、10000 U/kg)。结果显示:日粮中添加植酸酶可改善21~42日龄肉鸡胫骨和股骨强度,增加胫骨、股骨和跖骨磷含量,提高跖骨灰分和钙含量,增加血浆磷含量,改善总磷利用率,但未改善肉鸡生产性能;基础日粮中添加1000 U/kg和10000 U/kg植酸酶对肉鸡生长影响差异不显著。结果表明:在本试验条件下,含25-羟基维生素D3日粮中添加1000 U/kg植酸酶可改善21~42日龄肉鸡的胫骨、股骨、跖骨的矿化,提高日粮磷利用率及血浆磷水平。     

玉米-豆粕型日粮中添加高剂量植酸酶对肉鸡养分利用率的影响

本试验研究了玉米-豆粕型日粮中添加高剂量不同水平的植酸酶对0~3和4~6周肉鸡养分利用率的影响。选用1日龄AA肉鸡公雏576只,随机分为6组,每组8个重复,每个重复12只。试验日粮分0~3和4~6周两个阶段,6个处理组:正对照组(前期为总磷0.69%,0.45% NPP;后期为总磷0.59%,0.35% NPP);负对照组(前期总磷0.60%,0.35% NPP;后期为总磷0.49%,0.25% NPP);4个试验组在负对照日粮中分别添加500、2000、8000和32000 FTU/kg 4种植酸酶水平。结果显示:①日粮添加高剂量不同水平的植酸酶显著影响生长前期(17~21日龄)肉鸡的钙、磷的消化利用率(P<0.05),随着植酸酶添加水平增加,钙的消化利用率显著增加(P＜0.05)。②日粮添加高剂量不同水平的植酸酶显著影响38~42日龄肉鸡磷的消化利用率(P＜0.05)。在负对照组日粮中随着植酸酶水平添加的提高,钙的消化利用率呈现先增加后降低的趋势,磷的养分利用率反而显著减少。③日粮添加高剂量不同水平植酸酶显著增加生长前期(17~21日龄)肉鸡的粗蛋白质的消化利用率和表观代谢能(P＜0.05),在生长后期(38~42日龄)对肉鸡的粗蛋白质的消化利用率和表观代谢能提高达到显著水平(P ＜0.05)。因此,高剂量不同水平的植酸酶显著提高肉鸡AME和粗蛋白质、钙、磷的消化利用率,添加高水平植酸酶可以适当调低日粮能量和蛋白质水平,日粮中总磷(tP)水平应低于NRC标准,减少无机磷和钙的添加量,以提高钙、磷在体内的存留量。     

玉米-豆粕型日粮中添加高剂量植酸酶对 肉鸡生长性能和血清生化指标的影响

本试验研究了玉米—豆粕型日粮中添加高剂量不同水平的植酸酶对0~3和3~6周肉鸡生长性能和血清生化指标的影响。选用1日龄AA肉公雏576只,随机分为6组,每组8个重复,每个重复12只。试验日粮分0~3和3~6周两个阶段,6个处理组分别为:正对照组(前期总磷0.69%,0.45% NPP;后期总磷0.59%,0.35% NPP);负对照组(前期总磷0.60%,0.35% NPP;后期总磷0.49%,0.25% NPP);4个试验组在负对照日粮中分别添加500、2000、8000和32000 FTU/kg 4种水平的植酸酶。结果显示,①日粮添加植酸酶水平显著影响前期(1~21日龄)平均日增重(P＜0.05),对采食量和饲料转化效率(F∶G)影响差异不显著(P＞0.05)。②日粮添加植酸酶水平对后期(22~42日龄)平均日增重和饲料转化效率(F∶G)影响差异显著(P＜0.05),添加植酸酶水平对采食量影响差异不显著(P＞0.05)。③在低磷日粮中添加高水平植酸酶8000 FTU/kg时,饲料转化效率最高。④随着植酸酶水平增加,21日龄肉鸡血清钙水平有降低趋势,血清磷水平显著增加(P＜0.05),血清碱性磷酸酶活性显著降低(P＜0.05),对总蛋白影响差异不显著(P＞0.05)。植酸酶添加水平影响42日龄肉鸡血清钙水平、总蛋白水平和血清碱性磷酸酶活性,对血清磷水平影响显著(P＜0.05)。因此,在低磷日粮中添加高剂量不同水平的植酸酶肉鸡的生长性显著增加,碱性磷酸酶的活性显著降低,添加8000 FTU/kg效果优于500、2000和32000 FTU/kg。     

低钙磷饲粮添加大剂量植酸酶和维生素D_3对肉鸡生产性能、胫骨灰分和血清指标的影响

研究了低钙磷饲粮中添加大剂量植酸酶和维生素D_3 (VD_3)对肉鸡生产性能、胫骨灰分和血清指标的影响。1日龄罗斯308肉鸡随机分为5组,对照组饲粮的植酸酶为1 000 FTU/kg,VD_3为1 000 IU/kg,钙和总磷的相对含量(与其他试验组)为100%。其余4个试验组的植酸酶均提高至5 000 FTU/kg,饲粮钙磷的相对含量(与对照组)及VD_3水平依次为80%、2 000 IU/kg (80-2 000组),80%、4 000 IU/kg (80-4 000组),70%、2 000 IU/kg (70-2 000组),70%、4 000 IU/kg (70-4 000组)。结果表明,80-2 000组的体重、日增重、料重比和存活率与对照组均无显著差异(P0.05),粪磷含量显著低于对照组(P0.05),21日龄时体重显著高于80-4 000和70-2 000组(P0.05),胫骨灰分和血清钙显著高于70-2 000组、70-4 000组及对照组(P0.05);42日龄时体重虽然与其他各组无显著差异,但在5个处理中最高(P0.05)。结果提示,80-2 000组(植酸酶5 000 FTU/kg、80%钙磷和VD_3 2 000 IU/kg)的营养最为适宜,可满足肉鸡良好生长和骨骼发育需要,并且肉鸡1～42日龄磷酸氢钙消耗量可比对照组降低大约74.62%。     

含1α-羟基维生素D_3日粮中非植酸磷水平对肉鸡生长性能和骨骼质量的影响

本试验旨在研究含1α-羟基维生素D3(1α-OH D3)日粮中非植酸磷(NPP)水平对1~42日龄肉鸡生长性能和骨骼质量的影响。将300只1日龄罗斯308肉鸡公雏随机分为6个处理,每处理5个重复,每重复10只,分别饲喂6种日粮,非植酸磷水平分别为0.20%、0.25%、0.30%、0.35%、0.40%和0.45%。6种日粮含有相同的Ca(0.52%)和1α-OH D3(5μg/kg),试验期为42 d。结果显示:(1)肉鸡体增重和采食量均随日粮NPP水平增加呈二次曲线形式提高(P0.01),在NPP水平为0.35%时达到最大值。(2)日粮NPP水平对肉鸡肌肉(胴体率、胸肉率和腿肉率)产量、内脏器官(肝脏、心脏和肾脏)相对重量、血浆钙和无机磷含量无显著影响(P0.05)。(3)肉鸡胫骨灰分、钙和磷含量均在NPP水平为0.25%时达最大值。结果表明,在本试验条件下,1~42日龄肉鸡在NPP水平为0.35%时达到最佳生长性能,但在NPP水平为0.25%时胫骨灰分含量达到最大值。     

维生素A对肉鸡生长性能、免疫及抗氧化功能的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加不同水平维生素A对肉鸡生长性能、免疫及抗氧化功能的影响。采用单因子完全随机试验设计,选用1日龄健康爱拔益加(AA)肉鸡240只(公母各占1/2),随机分为5个组(在玉米-豆粕型饲粮中分别添加3 000、6 000、15 000、30 000和45 000 IU/kg维生素A),每个组6个重复,每个重复8只鸡,试验期42 d。结果表明:1)饲粮中添加不同水平维生素A对22~42日龄肉鸡的平均日增重(ADG)、平均日采食量(ADFI)及1~42日龄肉鸡的ADFI均有显著影响(P<0.05),对22~42日龄肉鸡的料重比(F/G)的影响有显著的趋势(0.05≤P<0.10),且22~42日龄和1~42日龄肉鸡的ADFI以及1~42日龄肉鸡的F/G随饲粮维生素A添加水平的增加均呈线性升高(P<0.05或0.05≤P<0.10),3 000 IU/kg组肉鸡增重效果较差,6 000和15 000 IU/kg组肉鸡增重高且F/G低,30 000和45 000 IU/kg组肉鸡ADFI较高、F/G不同程度升高。2)饲粮添加不同水平维生素A对21日龄血清白细胞介素-1(IL-1)和42日龄血清IL-1、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)含量有显著影响(P<0.05),对42日龄血清白细胞介素-2(IL-2)含量的影响有显著的趋势(0.05≤P<0.10),其中3 000、6 000和45 000 IU/kg组血清免疫因子含量较低,15 000 IU/kg组较高。3)饲粮添加不同水平维生素A对21日龄血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性和42日龄血清GSH-Px、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性有显著影响(P<0.05),且21日龄血清丙二醛(M DA)含量随饲粮维生素A添加水平的增加呈线性升高趋势(0.05≤P<0.10),42日龄血清MDA含量、总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性随饲粮维生素A添加水平的增加分别呈显著的一次线性和二次曲线升高(P<0.05),其中45 000 IU/kg组血清MDA含量较高且T-SOD活性较低。综上,本试验条件下添加6 000和15 000 IU/kg的维生素A可使肉鸡获得较好的生长性能,且15 000 IU/kg维生素A可满足肉鸡免疫和抗氧化需要,而添加水平增至30 000和45 000 IU/kg时肉鸡生长性能和免疫抗氧化机能均有降低趋势。     

钙和非植酸磷浓度对肉仔鸡利用植酸酶效果的影响

通过比较在添加植酸酶(试验1)和不添加植酸酶(试验2)时的生产性能和骨骼质量参数的表观回归曲线,研究不同水平C a和非植酸磷(NPP)的日粮中添加植酸酶的效果。在这2个试验中,0~16日龄的Cobb×Cobb肉仔鸡饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础日粮。试验1采用4×4因子设计,钙水平分别为:0.38%、0.58%、0.78%和0.98%,NPP水平分别为:0.2%、0.3%、0.4%和0.5%。试验2采用混合循环试验设计,日粮中C a水平为0.38%、0.47%、0.68%、0.89%和0.98%,NPP水平为0.20%、0.24%、0.35%、0.46%和0.50%。需要指出的是,设计中同时含有一个最低水平的C a和NPP(0.38%C a和0.20%NPP)组合。所有C a和NPP的组合均添加657U/kg的N atuphos 5000植酸酶,此外,其中的4个组合(0.38%C a和0.20%NPP,0.47%C a和0.24%NPP,0.68%C a和0.35%NPP及0.89%C a和0.46%NPP)不添加植酸酶,用以确定试验中多个表观回归曲线间比较特殊变量的可行性。通过比较添加与不添加植酸酶的表观曲线,结果显示:在高C a低NPP条件下,植酸酶对生长性能和骨质量的影响最明显,但当C a水平降低或NPP水平提高的情况下,植酸酶的影响程度有所下降。第3个试验证明了在高C a低NPP比低C a低NPP时,植酸酶更能发挥其功效。以上数据说明,在添加植酸酶时,不能仅以单独的NPP等价量来确定其添加量。     

不同能量和非植酸磷水平下植酸酶对肉仔鸡生产性能和胫骨矿化的影响

试验选用640只1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉仔鸡公雏,采用2×2×2因子设计,通过在不同能量水平(11.90、11.70 MJ/kg)和非植酸磷(NPP)水平(0~3周0.35%,0.25%;3~6周0.30%,0.20%)的肉鸡饲粮中添加植酸酶0、500 FTU/kg,考察了植酸酶对肉鸡生产性能和胫骨矿化的影响。试验共8个处理,每个处理8个重复,每个重复10只鸡,试验期42 d。结果表明:(1)饲粮添加植酸酶降低了肉仔鸡前期的平均日采食量(ADFI)和全期的料重比(F/G)(P<0.05),分别下降2.52%、1.81%;降低了前期胫骨灰分(P<0.05)、后期胫骨Ca(P<0.05)和P含量(P<0.01);但对日增重无显著影响(P>0.05)。(2)植酸酶与饲粮能量和NPP水平对生产性能没有显著的交互作用(P>0.05);植酸酶和能量对前期胫骨Ca、P和后期胫骨Ca含量存在极显著的交互作用(P<0.01),表现为低能加酶组前后期胫骨Ca含量极显著高于低能组,但前期胫骨P含量极显著低于低能组。结论:以生产性能为标识,本试验条件下低磷或低能或低磷低能日粮添加植酸酶可以获得和对照组相似的生产性能。     

高剂量植酸酶对肉鸡生长性能和消化率的影响

文章旨在研究植酸酶对1~42日龄肉鸡生长发育的影响。采用完全随机试验设计,试验共分为5组,每组6个重复,每个重复24只鸡,各组分别为阳性对照组、负对照、负对照日粮+1000、2000和3000IU/kg植酸酶,试验结束后测定各组对骨功能、骨质量和血液矿物质的影响。随着日粮植酸酶添加水平的升高,显著改善了1~21d肉鸡日增重、采食量和料比(P<0.05),而1~42d肉鸡生长性能表现为显著二次曲线效应(P<0.05),其中负对照组肉鸡日增重和采食量最低(P<0.05),料比最高(P<0.05)。对照组较负对照组显著提高了42d肉鸡胫骨干物质含量(P<0.05)。随着植酸酶添加水平的升高,21d肉鸡血钙浓度表现为显著线性降低(P<0.05),而血磷浓度先升高后降低,负对照日粮+1000IU/kg植酸酶组最高(P<0.05)。42d肉鸡血磷浓度随日粮植酸酶水平的升高表现为二次曲线效应。对照组和负对照组较处理组显著提高了42d肉鸡血钙浓度(P<0.05)。与对照和负对照组相比,负对照添加植酸酶组显著降低了矿物质回肠表观消化系数(P<0.05),而负对照组+3000IU/kg植酸酶较对照组显著降低了能量回肠表观消化系数(P<0.05)。植酸酶在回归分析的基础上提高了肉鸡生长性能,添加高剂量植酸酶3000IU/kg显著提高21d肉鸡日增重。试验为期42d,日粮添加2000IU/kg植酸酶对肉鸡的增重和饲料转化率效果较好。     

不同水平25-羟基维生素D_3对肉仔鸡生长性能和骨骼矿化的影响

试验旨在研究不同水平25-羟基维生素D_3(25-OH-D_3)对1~42日龄罗斯308肉仔鸡生长性能和骨骼矿化的影响。将240只1日龄肉仔鸡(公鸡)随机分为4个处理组,每个处理6个重复,每重复10只鸡。正对照组日粮中维生素D_3(维生素D_3)添加水平为1 000 IU/kg,3个试验组日粮中25-OH-D_3添加水平分别为500、1 000和2 760 IU/kg。结果显示,与对照组相比,25-OH-D_3水平为500、1 000和2 760 IU/kg时,肉仔鸡体增质量、采食量和料重比无显著差异(P0.05);与对照组相比,25-OH-D_3水平为500、1 000和2 760 IU/kg时,肉仔鸡股骨、胫骨和跖骨的质量、长度、直径、灰分质量与含量、钙含量和磷含量(除股骨钙含量外)无显著差异(P0.05)。综上所述,日粮中添加500 IU/kg的25-OH-D_3能够满足1~42日龄肉鸡生长性能和骨骼矿化对维生素D的需要。     

Concentrations of strontium,barium, cadmium,copper, zinc,manganese, chromium,antimony, selenium,and lead in the liver and kidneys of dogs according to age,gender, and the occurrence of chronic kidney disease

This study was conducted to measure the concentrations of strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), antimony (Sb), selenium (Se), and lead (Pb) in canine liver, renal cortex, and renal medulla, and the association of these concentrations with age, gender, and occurrence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Tissues from 50 dogs were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Cu, Zn, and Mn levels were highest in the liver followed by the renal cortex and renal medulla. The highest Sr, Cd, and Se concentrations were measured in the renal cortex while lower levels were found in the renal medulla and liver. Female dogs had higher tissue concentrations of Sr (liver and renal medulla), Cd (liver), Zn (liver and renal cortex), Cr (liver, renal cortex, and renal medulla), and Pb (liver) than male animals. Except for Mn and Sb, age-dependent variations were observed for all element concentrations in the canine tissues. Hepatic Cd and Cr concentrations were higher in dogs with CKD. In conclusion, the present results provide new knowledge about the storage of specific elements in canine liver and kidneys, and can be considered important reference data for diagnostic methods and further investigations.     

Antibacterial action of combinations of oxytetracycline, dimethyl sulfoxide, and EDTA-tromethamine on Proteus, Salmonella, and Aeromonas

Antibacterial effects against Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhimurium, and Aeromonas hydrophila were obtained with subminimal inhibitory concentrations of oxytetracycline and EDTA-tromethamine. Antibacterial effects were not observed with subminimal inhibitory concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide plus oxytetracycline or with dimethyl sulfoxide plus EDTA-tromethamine. Using a 2-dimensional Microtiter checkerboard technique, inhibitory activities of the various combinations of solutions were studied, and isobolograms were plotted. A synergistic effect was seen with combinations of oxytetracycline and EDTA-tromethamine. The greatest synergistic effect was observed when the mixture was caused to react with P mirabilis. These findings were confirmed by kinetic studies of microbial death, using one-fourth minimal inhibitory concentrations of these preparations.     

Echocardiography, electrocardiography, and radiography of cats with dilatation cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and hyperthyroidism

The echocardiographic, ECG, and radiographic findings of sequentially examined cats with dilatation cardiomyopathy (DCM, n = 7), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, n = 8), and hyperthyroidism (HT, n = 20) were compared with those of healthy control cats (n = 11). Cats with DCM were easily differentiated from healthy cats by echocardiography and from cats with HCM and HT by a dilated left ventricle at end-diastole with a mean +/- SD of 2.20 +/- 0.36 cm, reduced fractional shortening (2.9% +/- 3.7%), reduced aortic amplitude (0.07 +/- 0.05 cm), reduced left ventricular wall amplitude (0.09 +/- 0.09 cm), and increased E-point septal separation (0.83 +/- 0.29 cm). The cats with HCM were most consistently recognized echocardiographically by increased left ventricular wall thickness at end-diastole (0.75 +/- 0.12 cm). Some cats with HT had abnormal echocardiograms with left ventricular wall hypertrophy. These cats could usually be differentiated from the cats with HCM because of normal or increased ventricular wall amplitude, aortic amplitude, or percentage of thickening of the left ventricular wall and interventricular septum. Left atrial enlargement (left atrial diameter greater than 1.57 cm or left atrium/aorta greater than 1.75) was commonly detected by the echocardiogram in cats with DCM, HCM, or HT. The echocardiogram was helpful in differentiating the type of cardiomyopathy (DCM, HCM, or HT) when plain thoracic radiographs indicated that cardiomegaly existed. The ECG may have indicated incorrectly that there was left ventricular enlargement in some cats with HT, and it did not indicate consistently that left ventricular enlargement existed when present in cats with DCM or HCM. The ECG was a poor indicator of left atrial enlargement in all cats.     

Toxicology of selected pesticides, drugs, and chemicals. Anticoagulant, cholecalciferol, and bromethalin-based rodenticides

The control of rodent pests is a continuing goal of mankind. To this end, a multitude of rodenticides have been produced, each designed to kill rodents by exerting their toxic effects on various body systems. As examples, veterinarians have had to manage companion animal poisonings due to anticoagulant, sodium fluoroacetate (compound 1080), thallium, barium carbonate, and zinc phosphide-based rodenticides. Many of these rodenticides were introduced because of their anticipated safety in relation to nontarget species; unfortunately, this has not been the case. Veterinarians must attempt to identify the specific rodenticide involved in poisoning cases. Therapeutic success in these poisonings is often more dependent upon symptomatic and supportive care rather than the use of antidotal therapy.     

Comparative cardiovascular, analgesic, and sedative effects of medetomidine, medetomidine-hydromorphone, and medetomidine-butorphanol in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To compare sedative, analgesic, and cardiopulmonary effects after IV administration of medetomidine (20 microg/kg), medetomidine-hydromorphone (20 microg of medetomidine/kg and 0.1 mg of hydromorphone/kg), and medetomidine-butorphanol (20 microg of medetomidine/kg and 0.2 mg of butorphanol tartrate/kg) in dogs. ANIMALS: 6 dogs healthy mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURE: Instruments were surgically inserted, and heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic arterial pressure (SAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), central venous pressure (CVP), core body temperature, and cardiac output (CO) were measured 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after injection. Cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV), stroke index (SI), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were calculated. Arterial samples for blood gas analysis were collected 0, 15, and 45 minutes after injection. Intensity of analgesia, degree of sedation, and degree of muscle relaxation were evaluated at aforementioned time points and 75, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 minutes after injection. RESULTS: Administration of medetomidine, medetomidine-hydromorphone, and medetomidine-butorphanol was associated with increases in SAP, MAP, DAP, MPAP, PCWP, CVP, SVR, PVR, core body temperature, and PaCO2 and decreases in HR, CO, CI, SV, SI, RR, pH, and PaO2. Clinically important differences were not detected among treatments. Medetomidine-hydromorphone and medetomidine-butorphanol provided a longer duration of sedation and better quality of analgesia, compared with medetomidine alone. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Medetomidine-hydromorphone or medetomidine-butorphanol is associated with improved analgesia and sedation but has cardiopulmonary effects comparable to those for medetomidine alone.     

Weaning,yearling, and preharvest ultrasound measures of fat and muscle area in steers,bulls, and heifers

Longissimus muscle area and fat thickness were measured following weaning, at yearling, and prior to harvest using real-time ultrasound, and corresponding carcass measurements were recorded 3 to 7 d following the preharvest scan in composite steers (n = 116, 447 +/- 19 d), bulls (n = 224, 521 +/- 11 d), and heifers (n = 257,532 +/- 12 d). Although fat deposition was limited in bulls and heifers from weaning to yearling, coefficients of variation ranged from 8.46 to 13.46% for muscle area, and from 27.55 to 38.95% for fat thickness, indicating that significant phenotypic variance exists across genders. Residual correlations, adjusted for the effects of year of birth, gender, and age at measurement, were high and ranged from 0.79 to 0.87 among ultrasound and carcass measures of muscle area. Residual correlations among ultrasound and carcass measures of fat thickness were also high, ranging from 0.64 to 0.86. Weaning and/or yearling ultrasound muscle area yielded similarly accurate predictions of carcass muscle area. Yearling ultrasound fat thickness accounted for 13% more of the observed variance in carcass fat thickness than the weaning ultrasound measure in single-trait prediction models. When both weaning and yearling ultrasound measures were used to predict carcass fat thickness, partial R2 values were 0.15 and 0.61 for weaning and yearling ultrasound fat thickness, respectively. The difference between predicted and carcass measures with respect to muscle area (fat thickness) was less than 6.45 cm2 (2.5 mm) for 80.2 to 88.9% (90.3 to 95%) of animals. Preharvest ultrasound measures yielded standard errors of prediction of less than 4.95 cm2 for muscle area and 1.51 mm or less for fat thickness. These results indicate that ultrasound measures taken between weaning and yearling provide accurate predictors of corresponding carcass traits in steers, bulls, and heifers.