Effects of level and source of dietary selenium on maternal and fetal body weight, visceral organ mass, cellularity estimates, and jejunal vascularity in pregnant ewe lambs

Pregnant Targhee ewe lambs (n = 32; BW = 45.6 +/- 2.2 kg) were allotted randomly to 1 of 4 treatments in a completely randomized design to examine the effects of level and source of dietary Se on maternal and fetal visceral organ mass, cellularity estimates, and maternal jejunal crypt cell proliferation and vascularity. Diets contained (DM basis) either no added Se (control) or supranutritional Se from high-Se wheat at 3.0 ppm Se (SW) or from sodium selenate at 3 (S3) or 15 (S15) ppm Se. Diets were similar in CP (15.5%) and ME (2.68 Mcal/kg of DM) and were fed to meet or exceed requirements. Treatments were initiated at 50 +/- 5 d of gestation. The control, SW, S3, and S15 treatment diets provided 2.5, 75, 75, and 375 microg of Se/kg of BW, respectively. On d 134 +/- 10 of gestation, ewes were necropsied, and tissues were harvested. Contrasts, including control vs. Se treatments (SW, S3, and S15), SW vs. S3, and S3 vs. S15, were used to evaluate differences among Se levels and sources. There were no differences in ewe initial and final BW. Full viscera and liver mass (g/kg of empty BW and g/kg of maternal BW) and maternal liver protein concentration (mg/g) and content (g) were greater (P < 0.04) in Se-treated compared with control ewes. Maternal liver protein concentration was greater (P = 0.01) in SW vs. S3 ewes, and content was greater (P = 0.01) in S15 compared with S3 ewes. Maternal jejunal mucosal DNA concentration (mg/g) was greater (P = 0.08) in SW compared with S3 ewes. Total number of proliferating cells in maternal jejunal mucosa was greater (P = 0.02) in Se-fed compared with control ewes. Capillary number density within maternal jejunal tissue was greater (P = 0.08) in S3 compared with SW ewes. Selenium treatment resulted in reduced fetal heart girth (P = 0.08). Fetal kidney RNA (P = 0.04) and protein concentrations (mg/g; P = 0.03) were greater in Se-treated compared with control ewes. These results indicate that supranutritional dietary Se increases cell numbers in maternal jejunal mucosa through increased crypt cell proliferation. No indications of toxicity were observed in any of the Se treatments.     

Effect of supranutritional and organically bound selenium on performance, carcass characteristics, and selenium distribution in finishing beef steers

Dietary selenium influences the Se content in edible muscle of beef cattle. Limited data are available to describe the effects that feeds naturally high in Se have on production, carcass characteristics, and Se distribution in terminal tissues. Therefore, 43 crossbred steers (BW = 351 +/- 24 kg) were stratified by BW and assigned to one of four dietary treatments: Se adequate (CON; n = 12), Se provided as high-Se wheat (WHT; n = 9), high-Se hay (HAY; n = 11), or sodium selenate (SEO; n = 11). Daily selenium intake for WHT, HAY, and SEO diets was 65 microg/kg BW, whereas it was 9.5 microg/kg BW for CON. Diets were similar in ingredient composition (25% wheat, 39% corn, 25% grass hay, 5% desugared molasses, and 6% wheat middling-based supplement; DM basis), isonitrogenous and isocaloric (14.0% CP, 2.12 Mcal NEm/kg DM and 1.26 Mcal NEg/ kg DM), and offered once daily (1500) individually to steers in a Calan gate system for 126 d. At the end of the trial, steers were slaughtered; carcass data were recorded; and samples of the liver, kidney, spleen, semitendinosus, and hair were collected for Se analysis. Intake of DM, G:F, and ADG did not differ (P > 0.13). No differences (P > 0.12) were noted for hot carcass weight, organ weights, longissimus muscle area, back-fat thickness, marbling scores, or quality and yield grade. Kidney, pelvic, and heart fat tended to be higher (P = 0.06) in CON and WHT compared with SEO and HAY steers (2.9, 2.4, 2.5, 2.9 +/- 0.2% for CON, SEO, HAY, and WHT, respectively). Selenium concentrations in all tissues collected differed (P < 0.003) due to treatment. Distribution of Se to the kidney, spleen, and hair were similar with CON < SEO < HAY < WHT (8.40, 10.05, 10.86, 12.89 +/- 0.26 ppm for kidney; 2.00, 2.60, 3.82, 5.16 +/- 0.09 ppm for spleen; 1.80, 4.00, 5.93, 10.54 +/- 0.56 ppm for hair; P < 0.01). The distribution of Se in liver and muscle (DM basis) differed from that in other tissues, with CON < HAY < SEO = WHT (2.33, 6.56, 9.91, 10.79 +/- 0.80 ppm; P < 0.01) and CON = SEO < HAY < WHT (1.33, 1.55, 3.32, 4.41 +/- 0.18 ppm; P < 0.01), respectively. When providing dietary Se at supranutritional levels, source of Se did not affect production or carcass characteristics, but it altered the distribution and concentration of Se throughout the tissues of finishing beef steers.     

Effects of selenium supply and dietary restriction on maternal and fetal body weight, visceral organ mass and cellularity estimates, and jejunal vascularity in pregnant ewe lambs

To examine effects of nutrient restriction and dietary Se on maternal and fetal visceral tissues, 36 pregnant Targhee-cross ewe lambs were allotted randomly to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Treatments were plane of nutrition [control, 100% of requirements vs. restricted, 60% of controls] and dietary Se [adequate Se, ASe (6 microg/kg of BW) vs. high Se, HSe (80 microg/kg of BW)] from Se-enriched yeast. Selenium treatments were initiated 21 d before breeding and dietary restriction began on d 64 of gestation. Diets contained 16% CP and 2.12 Mcal/kg of ME (DM basis) and differing amounts were fed to control and restricted groups. On d 135 +/- 5 (mean +/- range) of gestation, ewes were slaughtered and visceral tissues were harvested. There was a nutrition x Se interaction (P = 0.02) for maternal jejunal RNA:DNA; no other interactions were detected for maternal measurements. Maternal BW, stomach complex, small intestine, large intestine, liver, and kidney mass were less (P < or = 0.01) in restricted than control ewes. Lung mass (g/kg of empty BW) was greater (P = 0.09) in restricted than control ewes and for HSe compared with ASe ewes. Maternal jejunal protein content and protein:DNA were less (P < or = 0.002) in restricted than control ewes. Maternal jejunal DNA and RNA concentrations and total proliferating jejunal cells were not affected (P > or = 0.11) by treatment. Total jejunal and mucosal vascularity (mL) were less (P < or = 0.01) in restricted than control ewes. Fetuses from restricted ewes had less BW (P = 0.06), empty carcass weight (P = 0.06), crown-rump length (P = 0.03), liver (P = 0.01), pancreas (P = 0.07), perirenal fat (P = 0.02), small intestine (P = 0.007), and spleen weights (P = 0.03) compared with controls. Fetuses from HSe ewes had heavier (P < or = 0.09) BW, and empty carcass, heart, lung, spleen, total viscera, and large intestine weights compared with ASe ewes. Nutrient restriction resulted in less protein content (mg, P = 0.01) and protein:DNA (P = 0.06) in fetal jejunum. Fetal muscle DNA (nutrition by Se interaction, P = 0.04) concentration was greater (P < 0.05) in restricted ewes fed HSe compared with other treatments. Fetal muscle RNA concentration (P = 0.01) and heart RNA content (P = 0.04) were greater in HSe vs. ASe ewes. These data indicate that maternal dietary Se may alter fetal responses, as noted by greater fetal heart, lung, spleen, and BW.     

Effects of selenium supply and dietary restriction on maternal and fetal metabolic hormones in pregnant ewe lambs

The objective of these studies was to evaluate the effects of dietary restriction and Se on maternal and fetal metabolic hormones. In Exp. 1, pregnant ewe lambs (n = 32; BW = 45.6 +/- 2.3 kg) were allotted randomly to 1 of 4 treatments. Diets contained (DM basis) either no added Se (control), or supranutritional Se added as high-Se wheat at 3.0 mg/kg (Se-wheat), or sodium selenate at 3 (Se3) and 15 (Se15) mg/kg of Se. Diets (DM basis) were similar in CP (15.5%) and ME (2.68 Mcal/kg). Treatments were initiated at 50 +/- 5 d of gestation. The control, Se-wheat, Se3, and Se15 treatments provided 2.5, 75, 75, and 375 microg/kg of BW of Se, respectively. Ewe jugular blood samples were collected at 50, 64, 78, 92, 106, 120, and 134 d of gestation. Fetal serum samples were collected at necropsy on d 134. In Exp. 2, pregnant ewe lambs (n = 36; BW 53.8 +/- 1.3 kg) were allotted randomly to treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Factors were nutrition (control, 100% of requirements vs. restricted nutrition, 60% of control) and dietary Se (adequate Se, 6 microg/kg of BW vs. high Se, 80 microg/kg of BW). Selenium treatments were initiated 21 d before breeding, and nutritional treatments were initiated on d 64 of gestation. Diets were 16% CP and 2.12 Mcal/kg of ME (DM basis). Blood samples were collected from the ewes at 62, 76, 90, 104, 118, 132, and 135 d of gestation. Fetal blood was collected at necropsy on d 135. In Exp.1, dietary Se source and concentration had no effect (P > 0.17) on maternal and fetal serum IGF-I, triiodothyronine (T(3)), or thyroxine (T(4)) concentrations. Selenium supplementation increased (P = 0.06) the T(4):T(3) ratio vs. controls. In Exp. 2, dietary Se had no impact (P > 0.33) on main effect means for maternal and fetal serum IGF-I, T(3), or T(4) concentrations from d 62 to 132; however, at d 135, high-Se ewes had lower (P = 0.01) serum T(4) concentrations than adequate-Se ewes. A nutrition by Se interaction (P = 0.06) was detected for the T(4):T(3) ratios; ewes fed restricted and adequate-Se diets had greater (P = 0.10) T(4):T(3) ratios compared with the other treatments. Nutrient-restricted ewes had lower (P < 0.05) serum IGF-I, T(3), and T(4) concentrations. Fetal serum IGF-I concentrations were lower (P = 0.01) in restricted-vs. control-fed ewes; however, fetal T(3) and T(4) concentrations were unaffected (P > 0.13) by dietary Se or maternal plane of nutrition. These data indicate that dietary Se may alter maternal T(4):T(3) ratios. In addition, nutrient restriction during gestation reduces maternal IGF-I, T(3), and T(4) and fetal IGF-I concentrations.     

Time-dependent influence of supranutritional organically bound selenium on selenium accumulation in growing wether lambs

Crossbred wethers (n = 36; BW = 36.0 kg; SD = 3.4) were used to assess the time-dependent influence of supranutritional organically bound Se on Se accumulation. Four wethers were slaughtered before the trial began (d 0). The remaining wethers were fed diets containing adequate (0.2 microg of Se/g of DM) or supranutritional Se (2.9 microg of Se/g of DM; in the form of high-Se wheat grain) for 14, 28, 42, or 56 d before slaughter (four wethers per Se treatment at each slaughter day). The DMI was set at 3.1% of BW and adjusted weekly based on a targeted ADG of 150 g. Daily Se intake by wethers fed the adequate and supra-nutritional Se diets ranged from 5.3 to 5.9, and 79.0 to 95.0 microg of Se/kg of BW, respectively, and did not differ (P = 0.84 to 0.99) between slaughter day groups within Se treatment. Neither Se treatment nor Se treatment x slaughter day interactions were significant for BW, G:F, or liver, kidneys, and spleen weights (P = 0.06 to 0.84). Within the supranutritional Se treatment, Se contents of most organs and tissues from wethers slaughtered on d 14, 28, 42, and 56 were nearly twice the concentrations (P < 0.01) of wethers slaughtered on d 0. When regressed against the number of days the wethers were fed supranutritional Se, Se concentrations increased (P < 0.001) cubically in kidneys and plasma, quadratically in duodenum, lung, liver, and spleen, and linearly in heart, muscle, and wool. For total Se in kidneys, liver, and spleen, the response was quadratic (P < 0.03). Excluding skeletal muscle, heart, and wool, Se in other organs and tissues reached apparent steady-state concentrations 14 to 28 d after commencement of supranutritional Se diets. Selenium concentrations in skeletal muscle accumulated in a linear manner (P < 0.001) throughout the 56-d feeding period. High-Se grains can be used strategically to deliver supranutritional Se and rapidly enhance Se depots in sheep, a task that does not seem attainable with Se salts. Furthermore, a 100-g portion of uncooked loin (LM) from the wethers fed supranutritional Se contained 196 to 250% of the recommended Se requirement for humans.     

Effects of restricted and ad libitum intake of diets containing wheat middlings on site and extent of digestion in steers

A 5 x 5 Latin square design was used to determine the effects of restricted and ad libitum intake of diets containing wheat middlings on the site and extent of digestion compared to ad libitum intake of a corn-based diet and ad libitum intake of chopped alfalfa hay. Five ruminally and duodenally cannulated Angus steers (519 +/- 41.5 kg BW) were used to compare five dietary treatments. The five treatments were as follows: ad libitum access to a corn-based finishing diet (control), the control diet with 25 percentage units of the corn and soybean meal replaced with wheat middlings offered ad libitum (WM), the WM diet restricted to 75% of predicted ad libitum intake (RWM), the RWM diet with wheat middlings replaced with ammoniated wheat middlings (RNWM), and ad libitum access to a chopped alfalfa hay diet. Although RWM steers were fed to consume 75% of ad libitum intake, RWM steers consumed 15.5% less DM than WM. Steers fed ad libitum hay consumed 28.6, 31.7, and 37.2% less (P < 0.01) DM, OM, and nitrogen than RWM steers. No differences in apparent or true ruminal digestibility were observed among steers fed the control vs WM, WM vs RWM, RWM vs RNWM, or RWM vs hay diets. However, the steers fed the hay diet had 32.5, 33.4, and 36.9% lower (P < 0.01) apparent total tract digestibilities of DM, OM, and N than those fed the RWM diet. Average ruminal pH was lower (P < 0.01) for control steers than those fed the WM diet and for those fed RWM compared to the hay diet. The acetate:propionate ratio was higher for cattle fed hay vs the RWM diet. Microbial DM and OM flow to the small intestine was higher (P < 0.02) for steers fed the RWM diet than those fed the hay diet. In addition, bacterial N flow to the small intestine was higher (P < 0.01) for cattle receiving the RWM diet than the hay diet. Feeding diets containing 25 percentage units of wheat middlings at 75% ad libitum intake had no effect on ruminal digestibility.     

Rice mill feed as a replacement for broiler litter in diets for growing beef cattle

The efficacy of replacing broiler litter with rice mill feed was evaluated in four experiments. In Exp. 1, 40 predominantly Angus steers (initial BW = 277+/-18.2 kg) were fed four dietary treatments for 112 d (five steers per pen; two pens per diet). Dietary treatments (DM basis) were as follows: 1) 47% broiler litter:53% corn; 2) 60% rice mill feed:40% corn; 3) 50% rice mill feed:50% corn; and 4) 40% rice mill feed:60% corn. All diets, along with bermudagrass hay, were fed free choice. Daily gains were faster (P < 0.10) for the 50:50 and 40:60 diets (1.26 and 1.30 kg/d, respectively) than for the broiler litter diet (0.89 kg/d). Daily DMI was less (P < 0.10) by steers consuming rice mill feed-based diets than by those consuming broiler litter-based diets. In Exp. 2, 16 Angus x Charolais steers (initial BW = 277+/-22.7 kg) were fed the same four diets used in Exp. 1 while housed in individual metabolism stalls for determination of nutrient digestibility. Daily DMI was not different (P > 0.10) among diets. Nutrient digestibilities did not differ among diets (P > 0.10). In Exp. 3, 40 Continental cross steers (initial BW = 257+/-21.3 kg) were fed one of four dietary treatments for 112 d (five steers per pen; two pens per diet). On a DM basis, diets were as follows: 1) 47% broiler litter:53% soyhulls; 2) 70% rice mill feed:30% soyhulls; 3) 60% rice mill feed:40% soyhulls; and 4) 50% rice mill feed:50% soyhulls. All diets, along with bermudagrass hay, were fed free choice. Daily gains were less (P < 0.05) for the broiler litter diet than for the 60:40 and 50:50 diets (1.05, 1.16, and 1.28 kg/d, respectively), and steers fed the broiler litter diet consumed less DM than did steers fed the varying rice mill feed-based diets (P < 0.10). In Exp. 4, 16 Angus x Charolais steers (initial BW = 292+/-21.1 kg) were fed the same four diets as in Exp. 3 while housed in individual metabolism stalls for determination of nutrient digestibility. Daily DMI was less (P < 0.01) for the broiler litter diet (5.0 kg/d) than for the 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50 diets (7.8, 7.9, and 7.9 kg/ d, respectively). Digestibilities for DM, OM, and ADF did not differ (P > 0.10) among treatments; however, CP digestibility was greatest (P < 0.10) for the 60:40 diet, and NDF digestibility was least (P < 0.10) for the 70:30 diet. Rice mill feed can be used to replace broiler litter to formulate low-cost diets for stocker calves. Soyhulls and corn can be blended with rice mill feed to produce acceptable backgrounding diets for growing beef calves.     

Effects of concentrated separator by-product (desugared molasses) on intake, site of digestion, microbial efficiency, and nitrogen balance in ruminants fed forage-based diets

In Exp. 1, 4 ruminally and duodenally cannulated beef steers (444.0 +/- 9.8 kg) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square with a 2 x 2 factorial treatment arrangement to evaluate the effects of forage type (alfalfa or corn stover) and concentrated separator byproduct (CSB) supplementation (0 or 10% of dietary DM) on intake, site of digestion, and microbial efficiency. In Exp. 2, 5 wethers (44 +/- 1.5 kg) were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square to evaluate the effects of CSB on intake, digestion, and N balance. Treatments were 0, 10, and 20% CSB (DM basis) mixed with forage; 10% CSB offered separately from the forage; and a urea control, in which urea was added to the forage at equal N compared with the 10% CSB treatment. In Exp. 1, intakes of OM and N (g/kg of BW) were greater (P < 0.01) for steers fed alfalfa compared with corn stover. Steers fed 10% CSB had greater (P < 0.08) OM and N intakes (g/kg of BW) compared with 0% CSB-fed steers. Total duodenal, microbial, and nonmicrobial flows of OM and N were greater (P < 0.01) for steers fed alfalfa compared with corn stover. Steers fed 10% CSB had increased (P = 0.02) duodenal microbial flow (N and OM) compared with 0% CSB-fed steers. Forage x CSB interactions (P < 0.01) existed for total tract N digestibility; alfalfa with or without CSB was similar (67.4 vs. 69.5), whereas corn stover with CSB was greater than corn stover without CSB (31.9 vs. -23.9%). True ruminal OM digestion was greater (P < 0.09) in steers fed alfalfa vs. corn stover (73.0 vs. 63.1%) and in steers fed 10 vs. 0% CSB (70.3 vs. 65.8%). Microbial efficiency was unaffected (P > 0.25) by forage type or CSB supplementation. In Exp. 2, forage and total intake increased (linear; P < 0.01) as CSB increased and were greater (P < 0.04) in 10% CSB mixed with forage compared with 10% CSB fed separately. Feeding 10% CSB separately resulted in similar DM and OM apparent total tract digestibility compared with 10% CSB fed mixed. Increasing CSB led to an increase (linear; P < 0.02) in DM, OM, apparent N digestion, and water intake. Nitrogen balance (g and percentage of N intake) increased (linear; P < 0.08) with CSB addition. Feeding 10% CSB separately resulted in greater (P < 0.01) N balance compared with 10% CSB fed mixed. Using urea resulted in similar (P = 0.30) N balance compared with 10% CSB fed mixed. Inclusion of CSB improves intake, digestion, and increases microbial N production in ruminants fed forage-based diets.     

Influence of fish oil supplementation on growth and immune system characteristics of cattle

A study was conducted to determine the effects of supplemental fish oil on growth performance and immune system characteristics of beef calves. The grazing phase (78 d) used 48 yearling crossbred steers (231 +/- 22 kg initial BW) grazing 0.45-ha mixed-grass pastures (four per treatment) supplemented with 1.82 kg/d (as-fed basis) of the diets. Diets consisted of 1) corn-based supplement; 2) corn-based supplement with 1.5% (as-fed basis) fish oil; 3) wheat midd-based supplement; and 4) wheat midd-based supplement with 1.5% fish oil. On d 78, all calves were bled by jugular venipuncture, and blastogenic response of peripheral blood lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen was measured. Fish oil supplementation negatively affected ADG with the corn-based supplement, but it had no effect when added to the wheat midd-based supplement (base-supplement x fish oil interaction; P < 0.03). Isolated lymphocytes from calves fed the corn-based supplement with fish oil had a greater response to stimulation with concanavalin A than did lymphocytes from calves fed the corn-based supplement alone, but there was no effect of fish oil addition to the wheat midd-based supplement (base-supplement x fish oil interaction; P < 0.01). During the growing phase, the 48 steers (352 +/- 32 kg initial BW) from the grazing phase were moved to drylot pens and were stratified by BW and previous dietary treatment (three calves per pen; eight pens per dietary treatment) for a 56-d growing trial. Dietary treatments consisted of 1) control, and 2) the control diet with 3% (as-fed basis) fish oil. Calves supplemented with fish oil had decreased ADG, ADFI, and G:F (P < or = 0.02) compared with controls. Fish oil supplementation during the grazing phase modulated the immune system; however, the decreased growth performance associated with fish oil in both trials may limit its practical use as an immune stimulant.     

Intake and digestion of wheat forage by stocker calves and lambs

Because wheat forage contains high concentrations of N, NPN, digestible DM, and water, beef cattle and sheep require an adaptation period before positive BW are seen. The objective of the present experiment was to determine the impact of length of exposure of lambs and steers to wheat forage on BW gains, N retention, and forage digestibility. Sixteen steer calves (average BW = 210 +/- 12 kg) and 20 wether lambs (average BW = 31.5 +/- 2.0 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups. Group 1 grazed a wheat pasture for 120 d during the winter, whereas group 2 was wintered on dormant warm-season grass pastures plus warm-season grass hay and plant-based protein supplements. In the spring (April 5), all lambs and steers grazed wheat pasture for 14 d and were then housed in metabolism stalls and fed freshly harvested wheat forage to determine forage digestibility and N metabolism. Data were analyzed for lambs and steers separately as a completely randomized design, using the individual animal as the experimental unit. Lambs and steers grazing wheat pasture for the first time in the spring had less ADG during the first 14 d than lambs (80 vs. 270 g, respectively; P = 0.01) and steers (1.06 vs. 1.83 kg, respectively; P = 0.09) that had grazed wheat pastures all winter. Digestibility of DM, NDF, and ADF fractions and N metabolism of freshly harvested wheat forage by lambs and steers were not different (P > 0.10) between the 2 treatment groups. Less ADG during the first 14 d of wheat pasture grazing is most likely the result of less DMI by nonadapted animals and is not due to diet digestibility or N metabolism.     

Effect of crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris) hay harvest interval on forage quality and performance of growing calves fed mixed diets

Twelve 0.81-ha crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris [Retz.] Koel.) hay fields were harvested at 21, 35, and 49 d of regrowth (average phonological growth stage of 30, 51, and 56, respectively). Increased harvest interval exhibited a linear decrease (P < 0.01) in CP (14.1, 13.7, and 10.6% of DM, respectively) and increase (P < 0.01) in NDF (65.3, 70.6, and 70.2% of DM, respectively) and ADF (35.7, 38.9, and 42.7% of DM, respectively). Hays were incorporated into 3 diets that contained 20% (DM basis) crabgrass hay, ground corn (33%), and soybean hulls (32%). Diets contained 14.4, 14.4, and 13.6% CP; 1.83, 1.72, and 1.81 Mcal of NE(m)/kg; and 1.21, 1.10, and 1.17 Mcal of NE(g)/kg; respectively. Diets were fed to beef calves in 12 pens at a rate of 2.3% (DM basis) of BW in 1 experiment (n = 120, initial BW 210 +/- 4.4 kg) and ad libitum in another experiment (n = 60, initial BW 207 +/- 4.4 kg). To measure passage rate of the hay and concentrate portions of the diets, 12 heifer calves (BW = 145 +/- 4.5 kg) were individually fed at 2.3% of BW for 14 d and dosed with Dy-labeled soybean hulls and Yb-labeled hay. In situ DM digestibility of the hays and diets were determined using 3 ruminally cannulated steers (BW = 584 +/- 10.4 kg). Harvest interval did not affect (P > or = 0.11) ADG of limit-fed calves during the diet acclimation or growing phases (average 0.32 and 0.80 kg, respectively) or ADG of calves fed ad libitum (average 1.21 kg). Dry matter intake of calves fed ad libitum averaged 7.9 kg/d (3.28% of BW) and was not affected (P > or = 0.22) by harvest interval. Gain:feed was not affected (P > or = 0.20) by harvest interval (0.13 and 0.15 for limit-fed and ad libitum-fed calves, respectively). Increased harvest interval linearly increased (P < 0.01) ruminal retention time of the hay and tended (P = 0.06) to linearly increase ruminal retention time of the concentrate portions of the diet. Harvest interval linearly decreased (P < or = 0.05) the extent of degradability and effective degradability of DM and NDF of hays, but DM disappearance of the total diet did not differ (P > or = 0.35). In the conditions of this study, increasing harvest interval of crabgrass hay from 21 to 49 d had no deleterious impact on animal performance or efficiency of gain when fed to growing calves in a high-concentrate mixture.     

Effect of live weight gain of steers during winter grazing: II. Visceral organ mass, cellularity, and oxygen consumption

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of BW gain during winter grazing on mass, cellularity, and oxygen consumption of splanchnic tissues before and after the feedlot finishing phase. In each experiment, 48 fall-weaned Angus x Angus-Hereford steer calves were assigned randomly to one of three treatments: 1) high rate of BW gain grazing winter wheat (HGW), 2) low rate of BW gain grazing winter wheat (LGW), or 3) grazing dormant tallgrass native range supplemented with 0.91 kg/d of a 41% CP supplement (NR). At the end of winter grazing, four steers were selected randomly from each treatment for initial slaughter to measure organ mass, cellularity, and oxygen consumption. All remaining steers were placed into a feedlot and fed to the same backfat end point (1.27 cm). Six steers were selected randomly from each treatment for final organ mass, cellularity, and oxygen consumption. Initial empty BW (EBW) was greatest (P < 0.001) for HGW, intermediate for LGW, and least for NR steers in both Exp. 1 and 2 (355 > 263 > 207 +/- 6.5 kg and 337 > 274 > 205 +/- 8.7 kg, respectively). For both experiments, the initial total gastrointestinal tract (GIT; g/kg of EBW) proportional weight was greater (P < 0.05) in NR steers than in LGW, and LGW steers had greater (P < 0.05) initial GIT proportional weight than HGW steers. Proportional weight of total splanchnic tissues (TST; g/kg of EBW) did not differ (P < 0.19) among treatments. Initial duodenal RNA concentration and RNA:protein were greater (P < 0.02) in LGW than in HGW steers, and NR steers were intermediate. Initial in vitro liver O2 consumption was greater (P < 0.09) in HGW and LGW than in NR steers (34.5 > 16.9 mL/min), whereas initial small intestinal oxygen consumption was greater (P < 0.01) in LGW than in HGW and NR steers (12.1 > 5.2 mL/min). Ruminal papillae oxygen consumption did not differ (P < 0.55) among treatments. The rate of decrease of GIT (g x g EBW(-1) x d(-1)) during finishing was greater in NR than in HGW and LGW steers in both Exp. 1 and 2, but mesenteric fat (g x g EBW(-1) x d(-1)) increased for NR steers, resulting in a similar (P < 0.75) increase in TST across the finishing period for all treatments. Similar rates of increase in TST across the finishing phase corresponded with similar rates of live and carcass weight gain among treatments. Our data support the hypothesis that increased visceral organ mass increases maintenance energy requirements of growing cattle.     

Effects of protein concentration and source on nutrient digestibility by mature steers limit-fed high-concentrate diets.

Five ruminally fistulated 3-yr-old mature Holstein steers (average BW 691+/-23 kg) were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square experiment with a 2 x 2 + 1 fact orial arrangement of treatments. Effects of protein concentration and protein source on nutrient digestibility, excretion of DM and fecal N, ruminal fluid volume and dilution rate, ruminal characteristics, and in situ DM disappearance of whole shelled corn, ground corn, and orchardgrass hay were measured in steers limit-fed high-concentrate diets at 1.5% of BW. A negative control basal diet (NC; 9% CP) was supplemented to achieve either 11 or 14% CP; supplemental CP was either from soybean meal (11 and 14% SBM) or a 50:50 ratio of CP from urea and soybean meal (11 and 14% U). Dry matter and OM digestibilities were 5% greater (P < .07) for steers fed the SBM diets than for those fed the U diets. Starch digestibility did not differ (P > .10) among steers fed any of the diets. Nitrogen source did not affect (P > .10) apparent N digestibility or fecal N excretion; however, steers fed the NC diet had the lowest (P < .10) apparent N digestibility compared with those fed all other diets. Ruminal fluid volume was lower (P < .06) when steers were fed the NC diet compared with all other diets; there were no differences (P > .74) among diets for ruminal fluid dilution rate. In general, ruminal ammonia N and VFA molar proportions were not affected by protein source or concentration. Although CP concentration affected (P < .06) in situ DM disappearance of ground corn, CP concentration did not (P > .48) affect total tract digestion of DM or OM. This indicates that CP concentration may have affected site of digestion, but not extent of digestion. When mature ruminants were limit-fed a corn-based diet to meet primarily a maintenance function, protein source and concentration had little effect on measures of nutrient digestion.     

Influence of chlortetracycline and dietary protein level on visceral organ mass of growing beef steers

Thirty-two beef steers (285 +/- 3 kg BW) were used to determine the effects of chlortetracycline and dietary protein level on visceral tissue mass, chemical composition, intestinal morphology, and proliferation rate indices. Steers were allotted randomly by weight to a factorial arrangement of dietary treatments consisting of either 10 or 13% CP diets top-dressed with a corn meal carrier (500 g/d) containing either 0 or 350 mg of chlortetracycline. After 84 d, steers were slaughtered and visceral organs removed and separated. Rinsed wet tissue mass was recorded; total RNA, total DNA, tissue DM, and tissue N content were determined; and tissue sections were prepared for immunohistochemical analysis. Thin tissue sections were evaluated to determine crypt depth and villus height as well as proliferation rate by immunohistochemical detection of the nuclear antigen Ki67. Rumen and abomasum weights and small intestinal length were greater (P < 0.04) in steers fed the 13% CP diet than in those fed the 10% CP diet on both an absolute weight basis and a percentage of empty BW. Chemical composition of the small intestinal and ruminal segments were largely unaffected by increased dietary protein. Increasing the dietary CP also increased the villus height in duodenal (P = 0.02) and the crypt depth of jejunal (P = 0.03) sections. Dietary administration of chlortetracycline decreased (P < 0.01) small intestinal weight both on absolute and empty BW bases. Nitrogen and RNA concentrations of the small intestinal segments were unaffected (P > 0.1) by dietary administration of subtherapeutic levels of chlortetracycline; however, because of increases (P < 0.05), or tendencies for an increase (P < 0.1), in the tissue content of DNA, the ratio of N to DNA was decreased (P < 0.05) or tended to be decreased (P < 0.1) in the small intestinal segments of the chlortetracycline-treated animals. The observed decrease in small intestinal epithelial mass does not appear to be due to alterations in cell proliferation rate but rather cell size. Consistent with this finding, cell proliferation, as determined by Ki67 antigen staining, was not affected by dietary treatment. Chlortetracycline administration decreased small intestinal mass that may be a result of decreased cell size.     

The effect of forage source and particle size on finishing yearling steer performance and ruminal metabolism.

Two finishing trials and a metabolism trial were conducted to evaluate the effect of forage source and particle size in dry-rolled corn finishing diets. In Exp. 1, 224 crossbred yearling steers (BW = 342+/-11 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design consisting of seven treatments. Treatments were an all-concentrate diet or diets containing equal NDF levels provided by alfalfa hay or wheat straw (three treatments each) with each forage source ground to pass through a .95-, 7.6-, or 12.7-cm screen. Steers fed diets containing forage had greater (P < .05) DMI than steers fed an all-concentrate diet. Steers fed alfalfa diets gained faster (P < .05) with a greater (P < .05) concentrate efficiency than steers fed either all-concentrate or straw diets. In Exp. 2, 120 crossbred yearling steers (BW = 307+/-2 kg) were used in a completely randomized design and fed dry-rolled corn diets containing 10% alfalfa ground to pass through either a .95- or 7.6-cm screen. Alfalfa particle size had no effect on performance or carcass measurements. In Exp. 3, six ruminally fistulated steers (BW = 508+/-34 kg) were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square design and fed an all-concentrate diet or diets containing equal NDF levels provided by alfalfa hay, wheat straw, or ground corncobs with alfalfa and straw ground to pass through either a 2.54- or 12.7-cm screen. Steers fed straw diets spent more time (P < .10) chewing than those receiving the other diets. In conclusion, forage particle size had no effect on finishing cattle performance or ruminal metabolism data. However, cattle consuming different forage sources in dry-rolled corn finishing diets may not respond similarly in animal performance.     

Growth, carcass quality, and protein and energy metabolism in beef cattle with different growth potentials and residual feed intakes

Twenty-four beef steers (predominantly Angus x Hereford, 14 to 18 mo of age, 403 +/- 3 kg of BW), were housed and fed in individual pens for about 122 d. Twelve steers came from a herd that had been selected for growth (high growth; HG) and the other 12 from a herd with no selection program (low growth; LG). Another 6 steers (3 from each group) were slaughtered at the beginning to obtain the initial composition. All steers were fed the same corn-based diet (3.06 Mcal of ME/kg of DM, 13.6% CP) on an ad libitum basis. Two weeks before slaughter, total urine was collected for 5 d for estimation of 3-methylhistidine excretion and myofibrillar protein breakdown rates. Compared with LG steers, HG steers had less initial BW but greater final BW, DMI (7.52 vs. 6.37 kg/d), ADG (1.33 vs. 0.853 kg/d), G:F (0.176 vs. 0.133 kg/kg), ME intake (0.233 vs. 0.201 Mcal x kg of BW(0.75) x d(-1)), and retained energy (RE; 0.0711 vs. 0.0558 Mcal x kg of BW(0.75) x d(-1)); gained more fat (676 vs. 475 g/d); and tended to gain more whole body protein (100 vs. 72 g/d), with no difference in residual feed intake (RFI). Estimated net energetic efficiency of gain (k(g)) and ME for maintenance (ME(m)) did not differ between the 2 groups, averaging 0.62 and 0.114, respectively. The HG steers had greater HCW (350 vs. 329 kg), backfat (16.1 vs. 11.6 mm), and yield grades (3.53 vs. 2.80), with a similar dressing percent, KPH fat, LM area, and marbling score. Skeletal muscle protein gain (70.2 vs. 57.6 g/d) and fractional protein accretion rate (0.242 vs. 0.197%/d) tended to be greater in HG than in LG steers. Steers were classified into low (-0.367 kg/d) and high (0.380 kg/d) RFI classes. Compared with the high RFI steers, low RFI steers consumed less DM (6.61 vs. 7.52 kg/d) and ME (0.206 vs. 0.234 Mcal x kg of BW(0.75) x d(-1)) and tended to gain less fat (494 vs. 719 g/d), but were similar for initial and final BW, ADG, G:F, protein gain, HCW, dressing percent, backfat, KPH fat, LM area, marbling score, and yield grade, as well as for all observations related to myofibrillar protein metabolism. Residual feed intake may be positively [corrected] correlated with ME for maintenance. The maintenance energy requirement increased by 0.0166 Mcal x kg(-0.75) x d(-1) for each percentage increase in fractional protein degradation rate, confirming the importance of this process in the energy economy of the animal.     

Effects of lysocellin and calcium level on mineral metabolism, performance and ruminal and plasma characteristics of beef steers

Metabolism and growth experiments were conducted to determine the effects of lysocellin and calcium level on mineral metabolism and performance of beef steers. Lysocellin at 0 or 22 mg/kg and Ca at .3 or .6% of the diet were fed in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Two steers averaging 287 kg BW were fed each diet consisting of 80% corn silage and 20% supplement (DM basis) in each of two metabolism trials. Steers were fed the diets for a 21-d preliminary period, followed by 7 d of total feces and urine collection. A lysocellin x Ca interaction was observed for nitrogen retention (P less than .01). Steers fed lysocellin and .6% Ca retained the most N (15.6 g/d), whereas steers receiving lysocellin and .3% Ca retained the least N (8.8 g/d). Lysocellin increased (P less than .05) apparent absorption of Mg. In one of the two metabolism trials, lysocellin increased (P less than .05) apparent absorption and retention of Ca. Apparent absorption and retention of Ca were higher (P less than .05) in steers fed .6% Ca when expressed as grams per day, but absorption and retention were lower (P less than .01) when expressed as a percentage of intake. In the other metabolism trial, the .6% Ca level decreased (P less than .05) urinary P excretion and increased (P less than .05) P retention as a percentage of absorbed P. In a growth experiment, 64 steers were fed similar levels of lysocellin and Ca for 119 d. Diets consisted of 90% corn silage and 10% supplement. Although no treatment effects on ADG, DMI or feed:gain were detected, lysocellin did affect concentration of several minerals in ruminal fluid and blood plasma.     

Effects of ruminal and postruminal infusion of starch hydrolysate or glucose on the microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract in growing steers

Forty crossbred steers were used to determine the effects of carbohydrate supply site on the indigenous bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract. Steers were fitted with ruminal and abomasal infusion catheters and assigned randomly to one of eight groups in a complete randomized block design. The experimental period was 36 d. Treatments included: 1) a pelleted basal diet fed at 0.163 Mcal ME x (kg BW(0.75)) x 1 x d(-1) (LE); 2) the basal diet fed at 0.215 Mcal ME x (kg BW(0.75)) (-1) x d(-1) (HE); 3) the basal diet fed at 0.163 Mcal ME x (kg BW(0.75))(-1) x d(-1) with ruminal infusion of starch hydrolysate (SH) (RSH); 4) the basal diet fed at 0.163 Mcal ME x (kg BW(0.75))(-1) x d(-1) with abomasal infusion of SH (ASH); and 5) the basal diet fed at 0.163 Mcal ME x (kg BW(0.75))(-1) x d(-1) with abomasal infusion of glucose (AG). The total volume ofinfusate (5 kg x site(-1) x d(-1)) was equalized across treatments and infusion sites by infusion of water. Glucose and SH were infused at rates of 14.35 and 12.64 g x (kg BW(0.75)) x d(-1), respectively. Ruminal, cecal, and fecal samples were obtained on d 36. Ruminal pH was low (5.79) in LE steers and unaffected (P > 0.10) by increased energy intake or carbohydrate infusion. Cecal and fecal pH were 6.93 and 7.00, respectively, for LE steers. Increasing energy intake (P < 0.10) and the rate of carbohydrate infusion (P < 0.01) significantly decreased cecal and fecal pH compared with LE. Ruminal counts of anaerobic bacteria in LE steers were 8.99 log10 cells/g and abomasal carbohydrate infusion had no affect (P > 0.10) on these numbers. However, ASH and AG steers had approximately 1.5 log10 cells/g more (P < 0.01) cecal and fecal anaerobic populations. Ruminal, cecal, and fecal aerobic bacterial counts were 40, 22, and 23%, respectively, lower than anaerobic counts. Generally, aerobic counts responded similarly to the anaerobic counts. Less than 1% of the anaerobic bacteria enumerated in the rumen, cecum, and feces were coliforms, and 97% of the coliforms were Escherichia coli. Carbohydrate infusions resulted in only numerical increases in fecal coliform and E. coli concentrations (P > 0.10). Fecal E. coli were highly acid sensitive in all steers, with less than 1% surviving a 1-h exposure to low pH (2.0). This suggests that cecal or fecal pH is not a good indicator of acid resistance, and it supports the concept that there are other factors that may induce acid resistance.     

Responses to an estrogenic growth promoter in beef steers fed varying nutritional regimens

We investigated the influence of DM and(or) energy intake and dietary CP levels on the performance and nitrogen (N) retention of beef steers with and without growth promoter implants. In Exp. 1, four implanted (Synovex-S, 200 mg of progesterone plus 20 mg of estradiol benzoate) Angus steers and four Angus steers that were not implanted were assigned to concurrent 4 x 4 Latin squares. Initial BW averaged 296 kg. Each square consisted of moderate and moderately high DM intake treatments (4 and 6 kg/d) and low and adequate CP intake treatments (450 and 600 g/d) in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Periods were 2 wk of adaptation, 5 wk of growth, and 1 wk of balance collection. Experiment 2 consisted of two replicates of 32 Hereford steers each (initial BW 324 kg). Each replicate was a 4 x 2 factorial in which steers were individually fed for 63 d. All steers had ad libitum access to a 60% corn-based concentrate diet containing either 7.9, 10.0, 12.1, or 14.6% CP (DM basis), and steers were either implanted or not implanted with Synovex-S. Experiment 3 was similar to Exp. 2 except that all steers (initial BW 315 kg) received a low-protein diet (7.6% CP) with calculated energy densities of either 1.86, 2.04, 2.22, or 2.42 Mcal ME/kg DM, and steers were limited to an equalized DM intake of 9.5 kg daily. In Exp. 1, gains for the low CP, moderate and moderately high DM intakes and the adequate CP, moderate and moderately high DM intakes were 240, 555, 208, and 730 g/d, respectively, for steers not implanted and 333, 643, 488, and 988 g/d, respectively, for implanted steers (SEM = 102 g/d). Respective values for retained N were .13, .18, .16, and .26 g/kg BW.75 and .13, .15, .22, and .29 g/kg BW.75 (SEM = .04 g/kg BW.75). Implant response was greater (CP x implant, P < .01) for both gain and retained N when adequate CP compared to low CP diets were fed. For Exp. 2, the lowest CP diet reduced ADG (.97 vs 1.27 kg/d) and efficiency of gain (100 vs 120 g gain/kg DM). Synovex-S was less effective in improving efficiency for the lowest protein diet than for the other diets (11.7 vs 20.2%). During Exp. 3, neither Synovex-S nor dietary energy influenced gain and efficiency. We concluded that adequate dietary protein is necessary to optimize the response to estrogenic growth promoters and that the low response under inadequate protein and energy intake is not improved by increasing the energy density of the diet.     

Effects of intake level on metabolic response to estrogenic growth promoters in beef steers

Effects of diethylstilbestrol (DES, 10 mg/d orally, Trial 1) or Synovex-S (SYN, 220 mg ear implant, Trial 2) on gain and N balance (g/d) were determined in steers that consumed 1.3, 2.7, 4.4 and 7.4 kg DM/d (Trial 1) and 1.3, 2.9, 4.3 and 6.6 kg DM/d (Trial 2). Each trial was a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square with four pairs of steers per trial (BW:322 kg, Trial 1; 278 kg Trial 2) and a control and growth promoter steer in each pair. Steers were fed a pelleted 75% concentrate diet containing 16.7% (DM basis). Each period consisted of 1 wk of intake adaptation, 5 wk of feeding and 1 wk in metabolism crates (2-d adjustment and 5-d collection). Steers were switched among DMI but not among promoter treatments. Intercept and slope, respectively, for the regression of BW gain (kg/d) on DMI (kg/d) were -.66 and .276 for control vs -.84 and .328 for DES steers and -.69 and .276 for control vs -.89 and .356 for SYN steers. Similar regression values for N balance (g/d) on DMI (kg/d) were -10.3 and 6.91 for control vs -17.2 and 9.10 for DES steers and -4.5 and 4.67 for control vs -7.6 and 5.85 for SYN steers. Across trials, slopes differed from zero (P less than .01), and promoter slopes differed from controls for gain (P less than .01) and N balance (P less than .10). During an extra period at the end of each trial, all steers were fed the high intake level for 6 wk, followed by N balance determinations the last 3 d of a 7-d fast.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)