Polymorphisms in Calpastatin and mu-Calpain Genes Are Associated with Beef Iron Content

The objective of this study was to assess the association of markers in the calpastatin and mu-calpain loci with iron in beef cattle muscle. The population consisted of 259 cross-bred steers from Beefmaster, Brangus, Bonsmara, Romosinuano, Hereford and Angus sires. Total iron and heme iron concentrations were measured. Markers in the calpastatin (referred to as CAST) and mu-calpain (referred to asCAPN4751) genes were used to assess their association with iron levels. The mean and standard error for iron and heme iron content in the population was 35.6 ± 1.3 μg and 27.1 ± 1.4 μg respectively. Significant associations (P \u3c 0.01) of markers were observed for both iron and heme iron content. For CAST, animals with the CC genotype had higher levels of iron and heme iron in longissimus dorsi muscle. ForCAPN4751, individuals with the TT genotype had higher concentrations of iron and heme iron than did animals with the CC and CT genotypes. Genotypes known to be associated with tougher meat were associated with higher levels of iron concentration

Sire Breed Effect on Beef Longissimus Mineral Concentrations and Their Relationships with Carcass and Palatability Traits

The objective of this study was to evaluate sire breed effect on mineral concentration in beef longissimus thoracis (LT) and investigate the correlations between beef mineral concentrations and carcass and palatability traits. Steer progeny (N = 246) from the Germplasm Evaluation project—Cycle VIII were used in this study. In addition to carcass traits, LT was evaluated for mineral concentrations, Warner–Bratzler shear force, and palatability traits. A mixed linear model estimated breed effects on mineral concentrations. No significant sire breed (P ≥ 0.43) or dam breed (P ≥ 0.20) effects were identified for mineral concentrations. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated among mineral concentrations, carcass, and sensory traits. Zinc concentration was positively correlated (P ≤ 0.05) with total iron (r = 0.14), heme iron (r = 0.13), and magnesium (r = 0.19). Significant (P \u3c 0.05) correlations were identified between non-heme or heme iron and most traits in this study. Magnesium concentration was correlated with all carcass and palatability traits

Evaluation of fixed sources of variation and estimation of genetic parameters for incidence of bovine respiratory disease in preweaned calves and feedlot cattle

The primary objective of this study was to estimate variance components and heritability of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) incidence in beef calves before weaning and during the finishing phase. The second objective was to investigate the impact of BRD incidence and treatment frequency on performance and carcass traits. Bovine respiratory disease is the biggest and most costly health challenge facing the cattle industry. The 2 populations used consisted of 1,519 preweaned calves and 3,277 head of feedlot cattle. The incidence rate of BRD in preweaned calves was 11.39%, and among treated cattle, 82.1% were treated once, 13.9% were treated twice, and 4.0% were treated 3 times or more. The incidence of BRD (P = 0.35) and the number of treatments (P = 0.77) had no significant effect on weaning BW. Heritability estimates of the entire preweaned population for BRD resistance and number of treatments were 0.11 ± 0.06 and 0.08 ± 0.05, respectively. The genetic correlation estimates for BRD incidence with weaning BW and birth BW were low (−0.02 ± 0.32 and 0.07 ± 0.27, respectively). The same estimate for the number of BRD treatments with weaning BW and birth BW was 0.25 ± 0.35 and 0.30 ± 0.27, respectively. The observed BRD incidence rate for feedlot cattle was observed at 9.43%. Incidence of BRD significantly (P \u3c 0.01) decreased overall and acclimation ADG by 0.06 ± 0.01 kg/d and 0.28 ± 0.03 kg/d, respectively. Carcass traits were also significantly (P \u3c 0.05) affected by BRD incidence; untreated cattle had a 9.1 ± 1.7-kg heavier HCW. Results were similar in the analysis of treatment frequency. The heritability estimate of BRD incidence and the number of treatments were 0.07 ± 0.04 and 0.02 ± 0.03, respectively. Estimates of genetic correlations of BRD incidence with production traits were −0.63 ± 0.22 for acclimation ADG, −0.04 ± 0.23 for on-test ADG, −0.31 ± 0.21 for overall ADG, −0.39 ± 0.21 for final BW, −0.22 ± 0.22 for HCW, −0.03 ± 0.22 for LM area, 0.24 ± 0.25 for fat, and −0.43 ± 0.20 for marbling score. Similar results for the number of treatments and production traits were −1.00 ± 0.68 for acclimation ADG, −0.04 ± 0.39 for on-test ADG, −0.47 ± 0.41 for overall ADG, −0.66 ± 0.40 for final BW, −0.58 ± 0.45 for HCW, −0.12 ± 0.38 for LM area, 0.42 ± 0.50 for fat, and −0.32 ± 0.37 for marbling score. Because of the high economic cost associated with BRD incidence, even these modest estimates for heritability of BRD resistance should be considered for incorporation into beef cattle breeding programs

A Limousin Specific Myostatin Allele Affects Longissimus Muscle Area and Fatty Acid Profiles in a Wagyu-Limousin F2 Population

A microsatellite-based genome scan of a Wagyu x Limousin F(2) cross population previously demonstrated QTL affecting LM area and fatty acid composition were present in regions near the centromere of BTA2. In this study, we used 70 SNP markers to examine the centromeric 24 megabases (Mb) of BTA2, including the Limousin-specific F94L myostatin allele (AB076403.1; 415C \u3e A) located at approximately 6 Mb on the draft genome sequence of BTA2. A significant effect of the F94L marker was observed (F = 60.17) for LM area, which indicated that myostatin is most likely responsible for the effect. This is consistent with previous reports that the substitution of Leu for Phe at AA 94 of myostatin (caused by the 415C \u3e A transversion) is associated with increased muscle growth. Surprisingly, several fatty acid trait QTL, which affected the amount of unsaturated fats, also mapped to or very near the myostatin marker, including the ratio of C16:1 MUFA to C16:0 saturated fat (F = 16.72), C18:1 to C18:0 (F = 18.88), and total content of MUFA (F = 17.12). In addition, QTL for extent of marbling (F = 14.73) approached significance (P = 0.05), and CLA concentration (F = 9.22) was marginally significant (P = 0.18). We also observed associations of SNP located at 16.3 Mb with KPH (F = 15.00) and for the amount of SFA (F = 12.01). These results provide insight into genetic differences between the Wagyu and Limousin breeds and may lead to a better tasting and healthier product for consumers through improved selection for lipid content of beef

Frost Damaged, Immature Soybeans for Ruminant Diets

The potential for including freeze damaged, immature soybeans (FDIS) into corn based diets for ruminant animals was evaluated in a series of experiments. No differences in feeding value were evident for FDlS and normal soybeans except due to oil content. Oil content of soybeans depressed dry matter and particularly fiber digestion of corn silage fed to lambs (Pe.05). Nitrogen digestion and retention were also reduced (Pe.10) by feeding raw soybeans. The effect on N utilization appeared to be due to trypsin inhibitor activity, since this did not occur when soybean meal + oil supplements were fed. Nitrogen, dry matter and gross energy utilization decreased dramatically (Pe.05) when FDlS increased from 14 to 21% of corn silage diets. Use of FDlS in corn silage diets should be restricted to no more than 15% of diet dry matter

Cyberinfrastructure for Life Sciences - iAnimal Resources for Genomics and Other Data Driven Biology

Whole genome sequence, SNPs, copy number variation, phenotypes and other “-omics” data underlie evidence-based estimations of breeding value. Unfortunately, the computational resources (data storage, high-performance computing, analysis pipelines, etc.) that exploit this knowledge are limited in availability – many investigations are therefore restricted to the commercial sector or well-funded academic programs. Cyberinfrastructure developed by the iPlant Collaborative (NSF-#DBI0735191) and its extension iAnimal (USDA-#2013-67015-21231) provides the animal breeding community a comprehensive and freely available platform for the storage, sharing, and analyses of large datasets – from genomes to phenotype data. iPlant/iAnimal tools support a variety of genotype-phenotype related analyses in a platform that accommodates every level of user – from breeder to bioinformatician. These tools have been used to develop scalable, accessible versions of common workflows required for applying sequencing to livestock genomics