Plasma growth hormone and insulin concentrations in double-muscled and normal bull calves

Blood samples were taken from 19 double-muscled (DM) and 20 normal (N) bull calves at the ages of 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5.5, 6.5 and 9 mo to compare the plasma concentrations of growth hormone and insulin in DM with those in N bull calves and to relate these to differences in growth rate between the two breed groups. Double-muscled bull calves were lighter (P less than .0001) than N calves at all ages and had lower (P less than .001) preweaning and postweaning rates of gain. Double-muscled bull calves had lower (P less than .01) mean growth hormone concentration than N calves. Mean growth hormone concentration was correlated positively with body weight and preweaning rate of gain. The effect of age on growth hormone concentration was linear (P less than .05); however, mean growth hormone concentration fluctuated between ages 1.5 to 4.5 mo but stabilized after 5.5 mo of age in both breed groups. Mean insulin concentration was lower (P less than .01) in DM than in N bull calves. The effect of age on insulin concentration was both linear and quadratic (P less than .0001). Mean insulin concentration generally was constant in both breed groups, at around .75 ng/ml, from 1.5 to 6.5 mo of age but rose sharply to around 1.67 ng/ml after weaning when the bulls were put on a high-energy diet.     

Cow-calf and feedlot performances of Brahman-derivative breeds

A study was conducted to compare Brangus, Beefmaster, Gelbray, and Simbrah breed influences for economically important traits. Brangus (9), Beefmaster (12), Gelbray (10), and Simbrah (7) sires were used in purebred and crossbred (Brahman x Hereford F1 cows) matings to generate calves (326) in eight breed groups. Beefmaster cows were of similar size (448 kg), Brangus and Gelbray cows were 11% heavier (501 and 503 kg), and Simbrah cows were 21% heavier (548 kg) compared to Brahman x Hereford F1 cows (452 kg). Calves sired by Brangus and Beefmaster bulls had lower birth weights (35 vs 38 kg; P < 0.05), preweaning growth rates (0.87 vs 0.91 kg x d(-1); P < 0.01), and weaning weights (206 vs 219 kg; P < 0.01) than Gelbray- and Simbrah-sired calves. Birth weights, preweaning ADG, and weaning weight and hip heights were similar between Brangus- and Beefmaster-sired calves. Simbrah-sired calves had greater preweaning growth rates (0.94 vs 0.88 kg x d(-1); P < 0.05), weaning weights (227 vs 211 kg; P < 0.01), and adjusted 205-d hip heights (126 vs 122 cm; P < 0.05) than Gelbray-sired calves. Straightbred Angus steers were introduced in the postweaning portion of the study. Steer calves were placed on feed at an average age of 14.5 mo. Steers were removed from the feedlot upon attaining a targeted 10 mm of backfat. Feedlot ADG did not differ among sire breeds. Brahman-derivative sired steers required an additional 54 d on feed (P < 0.01) and were 86 kg heavier (P < 0.01) at harvest than Angus steers. Continental-Brahman steers spent an additional 25 d on feed (P < 0.05) and were 35 kg heavier (P < 0.01) at harvest than British-Brahman steers. Simbrah-sired steers were 52 kg heavier (P < 0.01) at harvest than Gelbray-sired steers when fed for a similar number of days (211 vs 203 d). However, straightbred Simbrah steers required an additional 12 d on feed (P < 0.01) and weighed 47 kg more (P < 0.01) than Simbrah-sired crossbred steers. The economic value of the heavier calf weaning weights may be offset by the attendant larger cow size of the Continental-Brahman compared to the British-Brahman breeds. Similarly, the heavier weights of Continental-Brahman compared to British-Brahman steers, when harvested at a prescribed level of fatness may be viewed as a benefit, but the increased number of requisite days in the feedlot is a disadvantage.     

Changes in gene expression of glucose transporters in lactating and nonlactating cows

Glucose delivery and uptake by the mammary gland are a rate-limiting step in milk synthesis. It is thought that insulin-independent glucose uptake decreases in tissues, except for the mammary gland, and insulin resistance in the whole body increases following the onset of lactation. To study glucose metabolism in peak-, late-, and nonlactating cows, the expression of erythrocyte-type glucose transporter (GLUT1) and the insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT4) in the mammary gland, adipose tissue, and muscle were assessed by Western blotting and real-time PCR. Our results demonstrated that the mammary gland of lactating cows expressed a large amount of GLUT1, whereas the mammary gland of nonlactating cows did not (P < 0.05). On the other hand, adipose tissue of late and nonlactating cows expressed a large amount of GLUT1, whereas the adipose tissue of peak-lactating cows did not (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the abundance of GLUT4 mRNA in adipose tissue and muscle, whereas GLUT4 mRNA was not detected in the mammary gland. The plasma insulin concentration was greater (P < 0.05) in nonlactating cows than in peak- and late-lactating cows. The results of the present study indicate that in lactation, GLUT1 expression in the mammary gland and adipose tissue is a major factor for insulin-independent glucose metabolism, and the expression of GLUT4 in muscle and adipose tissue is not an important factor in insulin resistance in lactation; however, the plasma insulin concentration may play a role in insulin-dependent glucose metabolism. Factors other than GLUT4 may be involved in insulin resistance.     

The effect of milk intake on forage intake and growth of nursing calves

Thirty-nine Holstein steer calves were assigned to one of five treatments at birth and individually fed for 200 d with milk replacer reconstituted to equal the fat and protein concentration of beef cow milk. Treatment levels were the quantities of reconstituted milk fed per day based on lactation curves, which were based on peak milk levels (PML) of 2.72, 5.44, 8.16, 10.88, and 13.6 kg/d, respectively. In addition to reconstituted milk, chopped alfalfa hay was offered ad libitum to allow for maximal voluntary forage consumption. All calves were fed a high-energy diet postweaning until they reached a similar degree of fatness in the 12th rib (4 to 5% chemical fat) as determined by ultrasound. There were differences (P < 0.05) among groups in weaning weight, preweaning ADG, age, and weight at slaughter. During the preweaning phase, there was a linear relationship (P < 0.01) for daily milk and forage DE intake; however, DE intake per unit of BW did not differ across treatments (P = 0.06). Increasing PML resulted in a linear (P < 0.01) decrease in alfalfa hay intake in the preweaning phase, and G:F increased quadratically (P < 0.01). During the postweaning phase, preweaning milk intake had no meaningful effect on postweaning ADG, but overall ADG had a linear relationship (P < 0.01) with preweaning milk level. There was no effect of PML on the 12th-rib lipid percent, marbling score, or quality grade, but protein and fat concentration in the carcass and empty BW increased linearly (P < 0.01) with PML. The group fed at 2.72 kg/d PML was 58 kg lighter (P = 0.03) and required 34 d more (P < 0.01) to reach the predetermined degree of fatness at slaughter than the group fed at 13.6 kg/d PML, suggesting that increased milk production by the dam can decrease the number of days to the slaughter weight at which a similar rib lipid concentration is reached.     

Comparative performance of straightbred and crossbred (F1) sires

The first phase of this study was the production of contemporary straightbred (SB) and reciprocal crossbred (F1) bulls by mating Angus (A) bulls to A and Santa Gertrudis (SG) cows and SG bulls to SG and A cows. Of the bulls produced during the 4-yr period, those used for breeding included 15 A, 15 SG, 8 A X SG and 8 SG X A. For 205-d weight and weight/day of age (W/DA) postweaning, A X SG had higher (P less than .05) performance than SG X A bulls and SG had higher (P less than .05) performance than A bulls. There was no difference (P greater than .05) between SG and A X SG for 205-d weight, postweaning average daily gain (ADG) or postweaning W/DA. Heterosis estimates were 5.2 (P less than .10), 9.9 (P less than .01) and 5.8% (P less than .01) for 205-d weight, postweaning ADG and W/DA, respectively. The second phase of this study was the comparison of SB and F1 bulls for reproductive and progeny performance by exposing them as yearlings to 25 Polled Hereford cows each. There were no differences (P greater than .05) among the four sire groups for proportion of cows exposed that had a calf, had a live calf or weaned a calf. Reproductive performance of sires also was evaluated in terms of number of days (NOD) from the beginning of the breeding period until calves were born. The NOD for calves by SG was greater (P less than .05) than for calves by A or F1 sires. Compared with calves from SB sires, the NOD for calves from A X SG and SG X A sires were 5.0 and 10.6 d (P less than .05) lower. Differences among sires within year and breeding of sire were significant for all preweaning traits and for W/DA postweaning of their progeny. The SG-sired calves were heavier (P less than .05) for birth and 205-d weight and had higher (P less than .05) postweaning ADG than A-sired calves. Mean performance of calves by reciprocal F1 sires did not deviate (P greater than .05) from the mean performance of those by SB sires. Calves by A X SG sires had higher (P less than .05) 205-d weight, postweaning ADG and W/DA than calves by SG X A sires. Results indicated that the primary genetic effects responsible for differences in performance of calves sired by F1 vs SB bulls were mean transmitted and mean heterotic effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Relation of growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing hormone before weaning and postweaning growth performance in beef calves

Previously, GH response to GHRH challenge at weaning has been shown to be indicative of ADG during a standard postweaning growth performance test in Angus cattle. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that GH response to GHRH before weaning would predict postweaning ADG. Bulls with the highest and lowest GH responses to GHRH over a 3-yr period, relative to their contemporaries, were used as sires, to allow for examination of the persistence of GH response to GHRH through selection. The selected calves in this study were sired by one of four Angus bulls chosen based on their GH response to GHRH (high response, n = 2; low response, n = 2). Forty-nine Angus calves (bulls, n = 24; heifers, n = 25) were challenged with GHRH at approximately 60, 105, and 150 d of age and at weaning (219 d; SD = 25). Blood samples were taken immediately prior to and 10 min following an i.v. clearance dose of 4.5 microg of GHRH/100 kg BW and, 2 h later, immediately prior to and 10 min following a challenge dose of either 1.5 or 4.5 microg of GHRH/100 kg BW. Two hours later, the procedure was repeated, with each calf receiving the other challenge dose. Body weight was measured every 28 d and ADG was calculated over a 140-d growth performance test (heifers and bulls maintained separately). Data were log-transformed for statistical analyses. In the selected bulls and heifers, response of GH to 1.5 microg of GHRH/100 kg BW at 60 and 105 d of age was positively related (P < 0.05) to postweaning ADG. Response to 4.5 microg of GHRH/100 kg BW at 105 d of age and at weaning was positively related (P < 0.01) to postweaning ADG. Inclusion of sire in the analysis improved the relationship between GH response and ADG for calves of sires with high GH responses from R2 = 0.18 (P = 0.01) to R2 = 0.33 (P = 0.02). When the GH response to GHRH of the unselected calves at weaning was added to the data from the selected animals and analyzed, the GH response of the bulls was related to postweaning ADG (R2 = 0.09; P = 0.04). In conclusion, GH response to GHRH as early as 60 d of age is indicative of postweaning ADG in beef cattle. In addition, the relationship between GH response to GHRH and postweaning ADG is improved with selection for greater GH response to GHRH.     

Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase gene expression during growth in adipose tissue from obese and crossbred pigs.

This investigation addressed the hypothesis that, as a marker of adipocyte differentiation, stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase (SCD) gene expression would be greater during growth in obese pigs than in crossbred, contemporary pigs. Suckled pigs from a single litter were removed from the sow for sampling at 0, 3, 10, and 17 d. The number of litters at 0, 3, 10, and 17 d of age was zero, two, three, and three (obese sows) and four, two, three, and three (crossbred sows), respectively. Postweaning pigs were removed from the sow at 14 d of age. One set of postweaning pigs was fed a high-fat, milk-based diet from d 28 to 49; pigs were killed on d 28 and 49 for sampling. The grain-fed pigs were switched to a pelleted, grain-based grower diet at d 28, and samples were obtained at 31, 35, or 49 d of age. Adipose tissue from all pigs in a litter for preweaning and postweaning pigs was pooled for the measurement of cellularity and SCD mRNA. There were significant genetic and age effects for adipocyte diameter and volume; overall, adipocytes from obese pigs were larger than those from crossbred pigs. Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase mRNA was barely detectable at 0 d of age and increased (P < .01) by 20-fold by 49 d of age. There was a significant genetic x age interaction (P = .026); there was more SCD mRNA in adipose tissue from obese pigs than in that from crossbred pigs during the suckling period, whereas crossbred pigs exhibited greater SCD gene expression than obese pigs during the postweaning period. The lesser SCD gene expression in postweaning obese pigs was caused by a strong depression in SCD gene expression in the grain-fed obese pigs. The data indicate that SCD gene expression provides a marker for terminal differentiation, especially in preweaning pigs. Furthermore, these results provide additional evidence that SCD gene expression is up-regulated by diets high in saturated fatty acids.     

Postweaning performance of calves from Angus, Brahman, and reciprocal-cross cows grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue or common bermudagrass

Data from 403 Polled Hereford-sired calves from Angus, Brahman, and reciprocal-cross cows were used to evaluate the effects of preweaning forage environment on postweaning performance. Calves were spring-born in 1991 to 1994 and managed on either endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+) or common bermudagrass (BG) during the preweaning phase. After weaning, calves were shipped to the Grazinglands Research Laboratory, El Reno, OK and stratified to one of two winter stocker treatments by breed and preweaning forage; stocker treatments were winter wheat pasture (WW) or native range plus supplemental CP (NR). Each stocker treatment was terminated in March, calves grazed cool-season grasses, and calves were then moved to a feedlot phase in June. In the feedlot phase, calves were fed to approximately 10 mm fat over the 12th rib and averaged approximately 115 d on feed. When finished, calves were weighed and shipped to Amarillo, TX for slaughter. Averaged over calf breed group, calves from E+ gained faster during the stocker phase (P<.10), had lighter starting and finished weights on feed (P< .01), lighter carcass weights (P<.01), and smaller longissimus muscle areas (P<.05) than calves from BG. Calves from E+ were similar to calves from BG in feedlot ADG, percentage kidney, heart, and pelvic fat, fat thickness over 12th rib, yield grade, marbling score, and dressing percentage. Maternal heterosis was larger in calves from E+ for starting weight on feed (P<.01), finished weight (P<.10), and carcass weight (P<.16). These data suggest that few carryover effects from tall fescue preweaning environments exist, other than lighter, but acceptable, weights through slaughter. These data further suggest that the tolerance to E+ in calves from reciprocal-cross cows, expressed in weaning weights, moderated postweaning weight differences between E+ and BG compared to similar comparisons in calves from purebred cows.     

Effects of early- to mid-gestational undernutrition with or without protein supplementation on offspring growth, carcass characteristics, and adipocyte size in beef cattle

Angus × Gelbvieh cows with 2 to 3 previous pregnancies were used to evaluate effects of maternal nutrient restriction on offspring adipose tissue morphology at standard production endpoints. At 45 d after AI to a single sire, pregnancy was confirmed and cows randomly allotted into groups and fed a control (Con, 100% of NRC recommendations), nutrient-restricted (NR, 70% of Con diet), or nutrient-restricted + protein-supplemented (NRP, 70% of Con + essential AA supply to the small intestine equal to Con) diet. At d 185 of gestation, cows were commingled and received the Con diet thereafter. Bull calves were castrated at 2 mo of age. Calves were weaned at 210 d, backgrounded for 28 d, and then placed in the feedlot for 195 d. Steers and heifers were slaughtered at an average 12th-rib fat thickness of 7.6 mm. Adipose tissue from selected depots was collected for adipocyte size analysis. There was no significant difference in BW or BCS between Con, NRP, and NR cows at d 45 of gestation, which averaged 489.7 ± 17.7 kg and 5.35 ± 0.13, respectively. At d 185 of gestation, Con and NRP groups had similar BW (566.1 ± 14.8 and 550.2 ± 14.8 kg) and BCS (6.34 ± 0.27 and 5.59 ± 0.27), but NR cows exhibited reduced (P < 0.05) BW (517.9 ± 14.8 kg) and BCS (4.81 ± 0.27). Among offspring (steers and heifers) at slaughter, there were no significant differences in BW or organ weights among treatment groups. Yield grade was reduced (P < 0.05) and semitendinosus weight/HCW tended (P = 0.09) to be reduced in NR offspring compared with Con and NRP offspring. Average adipocyte diameter was increased (P < 0.05) in subcutaneous, mesenteric, and omental adipose tissue and tended (P = 0.09) to increase in perirenal adipose tissue in NR compared with Con offspring with NRP offspring adipocyte diameter being either intermediate or similar to Con calves. The adipocyte size alterations observed in NR offspring were confirmed by DNA concentration of the adipose tissue depots. There also was an increased mRNA expression (P < 0.05) of fatty acid transporter 1 in subcutaneous adipose tissue from NR offspring compared with Con and NRP offspring. Nutritional restriction during early and mid gestation increased or tended to increase (P < 0.09) adipocyte diameter in all adipose tissue depots in finished steer and heifer calves.     

Molecular cloning and tissue expression of chicken AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 complementary deoxyribonucleic acids

AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 belong to a novel class of transmembrane receptors that mediate the effects of adiponectin. We have cloned the chicken AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 complementary deoxyribonucleic acids (cDNA) and determined their expression in various tissues. We also investigated the effect of feed deprivation on the expression of AdipoR1 or AdipoR2 mRNA in the chicken diencephalon, liver, anterior pituitary gland, and adipose tissue. The chicken AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 cDNA sequences were 76-83% identical to the respective mammalian sequences. A hydrophobicity analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of chicken AdipoR1/AdipoR2 revealed seven distinct hydrophobic regions representing seven transmembrane domains. By RT-PCR, we detected AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 mRNA in adipose tissue, liver, anterior pituitary gland, diencephalon, skeletal muscle, kidney, spleen, ovary, and blood. AdipoR1 or AdipoR2 mRNA expression in various tissues was quantified by real-time quantitative PCR, and AdipoR1 mRNA expression was the highest in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and diencephalon, followed by kidney, ovary, liver, anterior pituitary gland, and spleen. AdipoR2 mRNA expression was the highest in adipose tissue followed by skeletal muscle, liver, ovary, diencephalon, anterior pituitary gland, kidney, and spleen. We also found that a 48 h feed deprivation significantly decreased AdipoR1 mRNA quantity in the chicken pituitary gland, while AdipoR2 mRNA quantity was significantly increased in adipose tissue (P<0.05). We conclude that the AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 genes are ubiquitously expressed in chicken tissues and that their expression is altered by feed deprivation in the anterior pituitary gland and adipose tissue.     

Circulating ghrelin and leptin concentrations and growth hormone secretagogue receptor abundance in liver, muscle, and adipose tissue of beef cattle exhibiting differences in composition of gain

Data from species other than cattle indicate that ghrelin and GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) could play a key role in fat deposition, energy homeostasis, or glucose metabolism by directly affecting liver and adipose tissue metabolism. Beef steers (n = 72) were used to test the hypothesis that plasma ghrelin and leptin concentrations and abundance of the GHS-R in liver, muscle, and adipose tissues differ in steers exhibiting differences in composition of gain. At trial initiation (d 0), 8 steers were slaughtered for initial carcass composition. The remaining 64 steers were stratified by BW, allotted to pen, and treatment was assigned randomly to pen. Steers were not implanted with anabolic steroids. Treatments were 1) a low-energy (LE) diet fed during the growing period (0 to 111 d) followed by a high-energy (HE) diet during the finishing period (112 to 209 d; LE-HE) or 2) the HE diet for the duration of the trial (1 to 209 d; HE-HE). Eight steers per treatment were slaughtered on d 88, 111, 160, and 209. Carcass ninth, tenth, and eleventh rib sections were dissected for chemical composition and regression equations were developed to predict compositional gain. Liver, muscle, and subcutaneous adipose tissues were frozen in liquid nitrogen for subsequent Western blotting for GHS-R. Replicate blood samples collected before each slaughter were assayed for ghrelin and leptin concentrations. When compared at a common compositional fat end-point, the rate of carcass fat accretion (g·kg of shrunk BW(-1)) was greater (P < 0.001) in HE-HE steers whereas the rate of carcass protein accretion (g·kg of shrunk BW(-1)) was less (P < 0.001) compared with LE-HE steers. When compared at a common compositional fat end-point, plasma leptin, ghrelin, and insulin concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) for HE-HE compared with LE-HE steers. Abundance of the GHS-R, to which ghrelin binds, increased over time in liver and adipose tissue but did not differ as a result of treatment. Plasma ghrelin concentrations were increased for cattle continuously fed the HE diet as they became increasingly fatter; however, abundance of the GHS-R in liver, muscle, and subcutaneous adipose tissue was not different between treatment groups. The role of ghrelin in cattle metabolism warrants further investigation as it could have a significant effect on composition of BW gain, feed efficiency, and metabolic disorders such as ketosis and fatty liver.     

Postnatal development of stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase gene expression and adiposity in bovine subcutaneous adipose tissue

This investigation addressed the hypothesis that stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase (SCD) gene expression would serve as a postnatal marker of adipocyte differentiation in bovine s.c. adipose tissue. Samples of tailhead s.c. adipose tissue were obtained by biopsy from preweaning steer calves 2.5 wk, 5 mo, and 7.5 mo of age and from yearling steers 12 mo of age. Samples also were obtained at slaughter when the steers were 18 mo of age. The steers sampled as yearlings were fed native pasture from weaning until 12 mo of age, and the steers sampled at slaughter were fed a high-concentrate diet from 12 to 18 mo of age. Major peak adipocyte volumes for the 2.5-wk-, 5-mo-, and 7.5-mo-old steers were 14, 270, and 700 pL, respectively (P < .001). The steers did not gain weight during pasture feeding, and at 12 mo of age peak adipocyte volume had decreased (P = .009) to 270 pL. At this time, a second, smaller population of adipocytes had appeared with a peak volume of 115 pL. At slaughter, adjusted fat thickness of the steers was 1.60 +/- .13 cm, the USDA yield grade of the carcasses was 3.51 +/- .31, and peak adipocyte volume had increased (P = .01) to over 2,500 pL. The number of adipocytes per 100 mg of adipose tissue doubled (P = .006) between 2.5 wk and 5 mo of age, concurrent with the nearly 20-fold increase in peak adipocyte volume, indicating that this was a period of apparent adipocyte hyperplasia. Uncoupling protein mRNA was undetectable at all stages of postnatal growth, indicating that differentiating tailhead s.c. adipocytes do not acquire brown adipocyte characteristics postnatally. Lipogenesis expressed on a cellular basis was low in all preweaning samples and increased significantly above preweaning values only in the 18-mo-old steers. Stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase mRNA concentration also was low in all preweaning samples, but it peaked (P = .07) at 12 mo of age. Because the peak in SCD mRNA concentration preceded a significant rise in lipogenesis and lipid filling, we conclude that the level SCD gene expression may be indicative of the extent of terminal differentiation in bovine tailhead s.c. adipose tissue.     

Effect of pre- and postweaning management system on the performance on Brahman crossbred feeder calves

During a 3-yr period (1986 through 1988), 117 calves (57 steers and 60 heifers) from the same genetic base and reared under four distinct preweaning management systems were weaned in the fall and transported from Uvalde, TX to El Reno, OK (800 km). Weaning weight and transportation shrink varied more from year to year than among preweaning treatments. Postweaning performance was not affected by preweaning treatment. After a 28- to 32-d receiving period the calves were blocked by sex and previous preweaning treatment, then randomly assigned within block to graze winter wheat forage (WHEAT) or dormant tall-grass native range (GRASS). The WHEAT group gained more (P less than .01) weight than the GRASS group during the winter (November to March), but when both groups were allowed to graze spring wheat pasture (March to June) the GRASS group gained more (P less than .01) weight than the WHEAT calves. During the subsequent finishing phase the GRASS calves were more (P less than .01) efficient than the WHEAT calves in converting DM to gain. Because cattle were slaughtered at the same degree of finish, no differences were noted in carcass characteristics among the pre- or postweaning treatments. Feeder calves exposed to a restrictive period of growth during the postweaning period gained weight more rapidly in a subsequent forage-based stockering system and were more efficient in a grain-based finishing system than nonrestricted calves.     

Influence of bovine growth hormone and growth hormone-releasing factor on messenger RNA abundance of lipoprotein lipase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase in the bovine mammary gland and adipose tissue

Our objective was to determine the influence of bovine growth hormone (bGH) and bovine growth hormone-releasing factor (bGRF) administration on the mRNA abundance of lipoprotein lipase (LpL) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD). Primiparous Holstein cows received bGH, bGRF, or no treatment from 118 to 181+/-1 d postpartum. We hypothesized that bGH and bGRF treatment would increase the mRNA abundance of both SCD and LpL in the mammary gland with a corresponding reduction in adipose tissue. Milk yield significantly increased but milk fat percentage did not change as a result of bGH or bGRF treatment. Short-, medium-, and long-chain fatty acid concentrations in milk were not affected by either bGH or bGRF treatments, with the exception of a modest, but significant, increase in C16:1 and C18:1 following bGH treatment. Analysis was conducted on the genes encoding LpL (E.C. 3.3.1.34), a key enzyme involved in the uptake of fatty acids into tissues, and SCD (E.C. 1.14.99.5), which is the enzyme responsible for introducing delta9 double bonds in fatty acids of 16 and 18 carbons in length. In adipose tissue, treatment with bGH and bGRF reduced the mRNA abundance of LpL to 14.6 and 25.7% respectively, of that observed for control animals. Similarly, these treatments reduced the SCD mRNA abundance to undetectable levels in adipose tissue. In mammary gland, bGH and bGRF had no significant impact on LpL mRNA abundance. Bovine GH did not significantly affect SCD mRNA abundance in the mammary gland, and bGRF reduced SCD mRNA abundance. From this study to examine the role of bGH and bGRF on the expression of the genes encoding these key lipogenic enzymes in cattle, we conclude that the increased substrate required for enhanced milk fatty acid yield may have been provided through redirection of nutrients to the mammary gland away from adipose tissue and through overall increased metabolism in the mammary gland.     

Cysteamine improves growth performance and gastric ghrelin expression in preweaning piglets

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of cysteamine on growth performance of preweaning piglets and gastric expression of ghrelin mRNA in vivo and in vitro. Twelve litters of newborn piglets were allocated randomly to control and treatment groups. From 15 d of age, piglets in the control group were fed basal creep diet, whereas the treatment group received basal diet supplemented with 120 mg cysteamine per kg of diet until weaning on 35 d of age. Body weight gain, creep feed consumption, and diarrhea rates were recorded, and gastric mucosal tissues were collected for quantifying mRNA expression. To evaluate the direct effect of cysteamine on gastric ghrelin expression, primary cultures of gastric mucosal cells isolated from 35-d-old piglets were exposed to cysteamine for 20 h at 0, 1, 10, and 100 μg/mL, respectively. Dietary cysteamine increased (P < 0.05) average daily creep feed consumption and BW gain in preweaning pigs, which was accompanied by reduction in diarrhea rates. At 35 d of age, piglets treated with cysteamine showed increased (P < 0.05) ghrelin and gastrin and decreased (P < 0.05) somatostatin mRNA expression in gastric mucosa. Moreover, dietary cysteamine treatment increased serum concentration of gastrin (P < 0.05). In vitro, cysteamine significantly increased ghrelin mRNA expression in gastric mucosal cells at the concentration of 10 μg/mL. In conclusion, dietary cysteamine is effective in improving the growth performance and health condition of preweaning piglets, which is associated with its stimulatory effects on gastric ghrelin mRNA expression both in vivo and in vitro.     

Influence of preweaning nutrition on growth of Angus calves provided a postweaning nutritional system resulting in discontinuous growth

Postweaning growth patterns and preweaning milk and forage intake were observed over a 4-yr period for 137 Angus calves allowed either fescue-legume or fescue pastures preweaning. After weaning, calves grazed fescue pasture until spring for a slow growth phase and then fescue, orchard grass, bluegrass and ladino clover pastures for 4 mo. Following this period, the calves were confined and fed shelled corn and a 36% crude protein supplement until they reached 12 mm of fat over the 12th rib. The spring growing period and the finishing period were classified as a rapid growth phase. Calves that were fatter at weaning lost more fat, but gained more in wither height during the slow growth phase, than those that were thinner at weaning. Apparently, fatter calves were more capable of continuous skeletal growth on a low plane of nutrition because they could retrieve fat energy for this growth. In spring, calves that had been relatively fat at weaning held no advantage in fatness, but had larger frames. Therefore, during the rapid growth phase, they were able to fatten more rapidly than those that were thinner at weaning. Also, calves that were more efficient in preweaning growth had more capacity for rapid postweaning growth when restricted to relatively low quality pasture. Preweaning pasture type influenced pattern of postweaning growth. Part of this influence was associated with differences detected at weaning. An additional part was associated with efficiency of forage and milk utilization during the preweaning phase.     

Influence of estradiol,progesterone, and nutrition on concentrations of gonadotropins and GnRH receptors,and abundance of mRNA for GnRH receptors and gonadotropin subunits in pituitary glands of beef cows

Nutritionally induced anovulatory cows (n = 28) were used to determine the effect of steroids on regulation of synthesis and secretion of gonadotropins. Anovulatory cows were ovariectomized and received intravaginal inserts containing estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), E2 and P4 (E2P4), or a sham intravaginal insert (C) for 7 d. Concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were quantified in serum and E2 and P4 were quantified in plasma. Cows were exsanguinated within 1 to 2 h after removal of intravaginal inserts and pituitary glands were collected and stored at -80 degrees C until messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R) and gonadotropin subunits, pituitary content of GnRH-R, and LH and FSH were quantified. Pituitary glands from five proestrous cows were harvested to compare gonadotropin characteristics between ovariectomized, anovulatory cows and intact cows. Plasma concentrations of E2 were greater (P < 0.05) in E2-treated cows than in sham-treated cows. Concentrations of P4 were greater (P < 0.05) in cows treated with P4 than in sham-treated cows. Mean serum concentrations of LH and FSH were not significantly influenced by steroid treatments. However, frequency of LH pulses of ovariectomized, nutritionally induced anovulatory cows was increased (P < 0.05) by treatment with E2 and amplitude of LH pulses was greater (P < 0.05) in cows treated with E2 or P4 than in cows treated with E2P4 or sham-treated. Quantity of mRNA for LHbeta in the pituitary gland was greater when cows were treated with P4. Concentrations of LH in the pituitary gland were not affected by steroid treatments; however, pituitary concentrations of FSH were less (P < 0.1) in E2 cows than in sham-treated cows. The number of GnRH-R was increased (P < 0.05) in cows treated with E2, but P4 treatment did not influence the number of GnRH-R. Abundance of mRNA for GnRH-R, common alpha-subunit, and FSHbeta were not affected by treatments. Pituitary concentrations of LH were greater (P < 0.05) and concentrations of FSH were less (P < 0.05) in proestrous cows than in ovariectomized, anovulatory cows treated with or without steroids. Abundance of mRNA for GnRH-R, common alpha-subunit, LHbeta and FSHbeta were similar for proestrous and anovulatory cows. We conclude that treatment of nutritionally induced anovulatory cows with progesterone and estradiol may cause pulsatile secretion of LH.