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Biomedical subjects

D S Buchanan

Publications and source records attributed to D S Buchanan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Comparison of crossbred cows containing various proportions of Brahman in spring- or fall-calving systems: IV. Effects of genotype x environment interaction on lifetime productivity of young cows.

Lifetime productivity of young (2 to 6-yr-old) crossbred cows containing various proportions (0, 1/4, or 1/2) of Braham breeding was evaluated using 188 spring-calving and 154 fall-calving cows. Cows were mated to Limousin sires to produce 1983 through 1986 calf crops. The 1987 calf crops were produced using Limousin and Salers sires. Significant (P less than .10) genotype (crossbred cow group) x environment (season of calving) interactions were found for age at first calf and lifetime calving percentage and mature cow weight. Within the spring calving group, no differences were found between crossbred groups for age at first calf or lifetime calving percentage. However, within the fall-calving group, 0 and 1/2 Braham cows from Angus dams calved earlier than did those from Hereford dams. Age at first calf also tended to increase as proportion of Brahman increased in the fall-calving group. Within the fall-calving group, lifetime calving percentage for 0 and 1/2 Brahman cows from Hereford dams was lower than for those from Angus dams. The opposite was true for the 1/4 Braham crosses. In general, as the proportion of Brahman breeding increased, productivity, measured as weight per calf or weight weaned per year, increased; however, age at first calving increased also as proportion of Brahman increased. All spring-calving groups calved earlier in life (P less than .05) than their respective fall-calving counterparts and with the exception of the 0 Brahman groups, which were similar, spring-calving groups produced a higher (P less than .05) percentage of calves than did the fall groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗

Comparison of crossbred cows containing various proportions of Brahman in spring or fall calving systems: II. Milk production.

Monthly estimates of 24-h milk yield were obtained on 160 spring-calving and 153 fall-calving crossbred cows containing various proportions (0, 1/4 or 1/2) of Brahman breeding, all bred to Limousin sires. Milk production was measured using weigh-suckle-weigh procedures. Interactions between crossbred group and season of calving were not significant. Across seasons, milk production rarely was affected by proportion of Brahman breeding; however, milk yield, averaged over six monthly measurements, was greater (P less than .10) for cows out of Hereford dams than for cows out of Angus dams. Averaged over six monthly measurements, estimated 24-h milk yield ranged from 5.3 kg for Hereford x Angus to 6.2 kg for Brahman x Hereford cows. Season of calving affected milk yield during the first and fourth measurement periods. Fall-calving cows produced more (P less than .01) milk during the first period whereas spring-calving cows produced more milk during the fourth period. Lactation patterns for the two seasons differed. Spring-calving cows had a more typical lactation curve, whereas the curve for fall-calving cows showed more variability in milk yield throughout lactation. Phenotypic correlations between monthly measurements of 24-h milk yield and calf performance tended to be moderate and positive within the spring group. Correlations for the fall group, although positive, tended to be weaker than those found in the spring group.

Animals↗

Comparison of crossbred cows containing various proportions of Brahman in spring or fall calving systems: III. Productivity as three-, four-, and five-year olds.

Productivity of 3-, 4-, and 5-yr-old crossbred cows containing various proportions (0, 1/4, or 1/2) of Brahman breeding out of Angus or Hereford dams was evaluated using 489 spring-calving and 427 fall-calving records collected over a 4-yr period. Cows were bred to Limousin sires for the first 3 yr and to Limousin and Salers sires the 4th yr. Interactions between crossbred cow group and season of calving were not significant. Percentage of cows exposed to breeding that weaned a calf increased (P less than .01) as proportion Brahman breeding increased, was higher (P less than .01) for cows out of Angus dams than for cows out of Hereford dams, and was higher (P less than .01) for spring-calving cows. As the proportion Brahman increased, the percentage requiring assistance at birth decreased, and cows out of Angus dams required less (P less than .05) assistance than those out of Hereford dams. Preweaning ADG, adjusted weaning weight, weaning conformation, weaning condition, and adjusted weaning hip height increased a proportion Brahman breeding increased. Spring-born calves gained .12 kg/d faster (P less than .01) than fall-born calves. However, weight at weaning was similar for the two groups; spring-born calves were weaned at an average age of 205 d, and fall-born calves were weaned at an average age of 240 d. Fall-calving cows were heavier (P less than .05) than spring-calving cows, and 0 and 1/2 Brahman cows were heavier (P less than .01) than 1/4 Brahman cows. These data indicate that Brahman-cross dams can be used to improve reproductive rate and increase preweaning growth rate, and thus weaning weight.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Comparison of crossbred cows containing various proportions of Brahman in spring or fall calving systems. I. Productivity as two-year-olds.

Productivity of 2-yr-old crossbred cows containing various proportions (0, 1/4 or 1/2) of Brahman breeding was evaluated using 203 spring-calving and 171 fall-calving heifers over a 3-yr period. All heifers were mated to Limousin sires. Percentage of cows exposed to breeding that weaned a calf was the only trait for which a significant crossbred cow group x season of calving interaction was found. Preweaning ADG and age-adjusted weaning weight increased as proportion Brahman breeding increased. Age-adjusted weaning weight was similar for the two groups because spring-born calves were weaned at an average age of 205 d and fall-born calves were weaned at an average age of 240 d. For weaning condition scores, an interaction between dam breed and proportion Brahman was detected; scores tended to be greater for calves out of 1/2 Hereford dams than for those out of 1/2 Angus dams, and this difference increased as proportion Brahman increased. Weaning conformation scores were similar for all calves. Age-adjusted weaning hip height increased as proportion Brahman breeding increased. Based on numbers of weaned calves, spring calving was more advantageous than fall calving. Averaged across both calving seasons, weaning weight tended to increase as proportion Brahman increased.

Analysis of Variance↗

Insulin, growth hormone, glucose, and fatty acids in gilts selected for rapid vs. slow growth rate.

Twelve-hour plasma profiles of growth hormone (GH), insulin, glucose, and nonesterified free fatty acids (NEFA), as well as GH, insulin, and glucose responses to saline, glucose, arginine, and human pancreatic growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) infusion were examined in 15 crossbred gilts, selected for rapid vs. slow growth. For experiment 1 GH and insulin patterns differed (P less than 0.05) between the rapid growth line (RGL) and slow growth line (SGL). Mean GH concentrations in SGL and RGL gilts were 4.1 and 3.2 ng/ml, respectively (P less than 0.05). Plasma GH profile area was greater (P less than 0.08) for SGL than RGL gilts. Glucose level, glucose area, and insulin level were higher (P less than 0.05) for RGL than SGL gilts. Plasma NEFA levels and area were greater (P less than 0.05) for SGL gilts. In experiment 2 responses of GH, insulin, and glucose to saline, glucose, arginine, and GRF infusions varied (P less than 0.05) between and within lines relative to control values. These results indicate that selection for growth rate results in concomitant changes in endocrine and metabolic status.

Aging↗

Raw mung beans as a protein source for bred gilts.

A study involving 546 crossbred gilts from six seasons was conducted to evaluate raw mung beans as a partial replacement for soybean meal in diets for gilts during gestation. Gilts were randomly allotted to either a control sorghum grain-soybean meal diet or a diet in which a portion of the soybean meal was replaced with mung beans. In the first three seasons, gilts were fed diets in which the protein supplement was totally soybean meal or 89% mung beans (high level) and 11% soybean meal. In the last three seasons the level of mung beans in the supplemental protein was reduced to 61% mung beans with 39% soybean meal (moderate level). Feeding the high level of mung beans decreased (P less than .05) weight gain during gestation and reduced (P less than .05) weight loss during lactation compared with gilts fed the control diet or the moderate level of mung beans. Little difference was noted in litter size at birth, but litter size at 21 d for gilts fed moderate levels of mung beans was less (P less than .05) than for gilts fed the control diet or the high level of mung beans. Little difference was noted in survival rate to 21 or 42 d or individual and litter weights at birth and 21 d. Pig and litter weights at 42 d, however were reduced in gilts fed the high level of mung beans (P less than .05 and P less than .10, respectively) compared with the control diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗

Effect of exogenous progesterone on prostaglandin F2 alpha release and the interestrous interval in the bovine.

The present study was developed to determine if administration of progesterone, early in the estrous cycle of the cow, stimulated an advanced pulsatile release of PGF2 alpha from the uterine endometrium resulting in a decreased interestrous interval. Twenty-three cyclic beef cows were randomly assigned to receive either sesame oil or progesterone (100 mg) on Day 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the estrous cycle. Peripheral plasma concentrations of progesterone and the metabolite of prostaglandin F2 alpha, 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Administration of exogenous progesterone increased peripheral plasma concentration of progesterone in treated (3.67 ng/ml) compared to control (1.28 ng/ml) cows from Day 2 through 5 of the estrous cycle. Progesterone administration shortened the interestrous interval (16.7 d) compared to controls (21.6 d). The shortened interestrous intervals in treated cows resulted from an earlier decline in peripheral plasma progesterone. Decline of peripheral plasma progesterone concentrations is coincident with an increased pulsatile release of PGFM in both progesterone treated and control cows. Results indicate that administration of exogenous progesterone stimulates an earlier maturation of endometrial development, causing an advanced release of PGF2 alpha which shortens the interestrous interval of the cow.

Animals↗

Influence of Synchro-Mate-B and breed composition on estrous response and pregnancy rate in spring- and fall-bred Brahman crossbred beef cows.

Estrous response, pregnancy rate, and the relationship between palpable corpora lutea (CL) and plasma progesterone concentrations were studied during the spring (n = 149) and fall (n = 146) breeding seasons using postpartum, crossbred beef cows consisting of 0-Brahman, 1 4 - Brahman , or 1 2 Brahman breeding. At the start of each breeding season, a jugular blood sample was collected for progesterone analysis; each cow was palpated for the presence of a CL and randomly alloted within breed to a non-treated control or Synchro-Mate-B (SMB) treatment. Fewer (P<0.01) fall than spring bred cows exhibited estrus within the first 21 d of breeding. Within 48 h of implant removal, 84 and 64% (spring and fall, respectively) of synchronized cows exhibited estrus. In both seasons, more SMB than control cows became pregnant by 7 d of breeding. Percentage of Brahman breeding did not influence estrous response or pregnancy rate. On the basis of 292 evaluations, palpation per rectum correctly assessed ovarian status 74% of the time. These data indicate that although season can influence response. SMB can be used effectively to synchronize Brahman crossbred cows. In addition, it was found that there is a close relationship between palpation per rectum and plasma concentrations of progesterone.

Journal Article↗

Estrogen-induced pseudopregnancy in gilts: Its use in estrus synchronization and subsequent influence on litter response.

The effectiveness of using estrogen-induced pseudopregnancy followed by PGF(2alpha) (Lutalyse) treatment to synchronize estrus in gilts and the subsequent effect of pseudopregnancy on litter parameters was examined in two experiments. Experiment 1 consisted of a control (n = 49) group and a pseudopregnant (n = 49) group. Pseudopregnant gilts received PGF(2alpha) between Days 25 and 38 and were bred at the ensuing estrus. Ninety-two percent of the gilts responded to PGF(2alpha) and exhibited estrus in 4.9 +/- 0.2 (Least Square Mean +/- SEM) days. Duration of estrus was longer in pseudopregnant compared to control gilts (2.8 vs 1.7 d, P<0.001). Experiment 2 consisted of a control (n = 24) group and a pseudopregnant (n = 24) group. All pseudopregnant gilts received PGF(2alpha) on Day 38 and 79% responded with a mean onset of estrus at 5.2 +/- 0.2 d. As in Experiment 1, duration of estrus was longer in gilts from the pseudopregnant group (2.2 vs 1.7 d, P<0.005). The percentage of farrowing was similar for both groups in both experiments, and no differences existed in the number of pigs born and those alive at 21 d post partum. Litters from gilts in the pseudopregnant groups were heavier at birth than those in the control group (Experiment 1, 17.21 vs 15.25 kg, P<0.01; Experiment 2, 15.31 vs 13.55 kg, P<0.02) and at 21 d (Experiment 1, 60.81 vs 56.79 kg, P<0.01; Experiment 2, 51.89 vs 46.96 kg, P<0.02). Survival rate at 21 d was higher in offspring from pseudopregnant gilts in both experiments (Experiment 1, 85.3% vs 78.2%, Experiment 2, 91.4% vs 81.2%).

Journal Article↗

A comparison of progeny sired by high and low indexing Hampshire and Duroc central test station boars: progeny performance.

A 2-yr study compared progeny performance of high (HI) and low (LI) indexing central test station boars purchased in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Boars were evaluated for a National Swine Improvement Federation index recommended for central test stations. The 1st yr 22 Hampshire boars were mated to three- and four-breed Duroc, Yorkshire, Landrace and Spotted cross gilts. A disease outbreak the first farrowing season caused severe death loss and reduced performance. From 198 litters, 826 pigs completed their gain test. The 2nd yr 23 Duroc boars were mated randomly to gilts produced the previous year. From 181 litters, 1,070 pigs completed their gain test. No differences existed for postweaning average daily gain (ADG) and probe backfat thickness (PBF); however, progeny sired by HI Hampshire boars were an average of 5.66 units better for the index (I) compared with progeny of LI Hampshire boars. Gilt progeny of HI Duroc boars were .03 kg, .79 mm and 3.93 units greater for ADG, PBF and I, respectively, than LI Duroc-sired gilts. Barrow progeny of LI Duroc boars gained .01 kg/d faster, had .59 mm more PBF and were no different for I than barrows sired by HI Duroc boars. Maternal grandsire effects were important for Duroc-sired pigs, with gilts of HI maternal grandsires having .01 kg faster ADG, yet barrows of HI maternal grandsires had .02 kg slower ADG as compared with gilts and barrows having LI maternal grandsires, respectively.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

Growth performance for four breeds of swine: crossbred females and purebred and crossbred boars.

Purebred and two-breed cross (F1) boars were mated to F1 females to produce all possible three- and four-breed cross pigs involving the Duroc, Yorkshire, Landrace and Spotted breeds. Individual postweaning average daily gain (ADG), age at 100 kg (AGE) and probed backfat thickness at 100 kg (BF) data were collected on 3,456 pigs. A total of 213 pens with an average of 15.58 pigs per pen was evaluated for postweaning feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) and average daily feed consumption (ADF). Genotype X environment interactions, specifically breed X year-season farrowed and breed X parity (for ADG), were found to be highly significant. Certain results, however, were reasonably consistent across environments. Duroc-sired pigs grew more efficiently than other sire breed groups (3.11 vs 3.21 F/G), although there were no significant differences in ADF between sire groups. Duroc-sired pigs had less BF than other three-breed cross pigs, based upon within breed of dam comparisons, suggesting differences in composition between the more efficient Duroc-sired pigs and other breed groups. Landrace-sired pigs were fatter than other sire groups. No real differences between crossbred-sired pigs and the average of contemporary pure-bred-sired pigs were apparent for F/G, ADF, ADG, AGE, or BF. Assuming paternal heterosis to be zero, these results suggested recombination effects to be negligible for postweaning performance traits. Apart from via direct genetic effects, mating crossbred rather than purebred boars to females of different breeding should have little or no impact on feedlot performance of offspring produced.

Animals↗

Effect of heat stress on early embryonic development in the beef cow.

Hereford and Hereford X Angus cows (n = 31) were utilized to determine the effects of heat stress on early embryonic development and survival. After acclimation to handling, cows were cannulated via the jugular vein on d 7 and assigned to either a control (C) chamber environment of 22 C, 35% relative humidity (RH) or one of two heat stress treatments. Ambient temperature was maintained at 37 C for 12 h followed by a decrease to 33 C for the remainder of the day in both treatment groups. Relative humidity was maintained at 27% in treatment 1 (TRT 1) and 38% in treatment 2 (TRT 2). On d 8 to 16, daily measurements of respiration rate (RES), rectal temperature (REC) and water intake were taken along with samples of blood, which were analyzed for hematocrit (HEM) and plasma concentration of protein (PP), progesterone (P4), estradiol-17 beta (E2), thyroxine (T4) and glucose (GLU). The uterus was recovered and flushed with saline on d 17 to recover the conceptus and uterine contents. Conceptus (if present) and corpus luteum (CL) wet weight were determined. Cows subjected to TRT 2 had increased RES and REC (P less than .01), while HEM was decreased (P less than .05) compared with C cows. Plasma T4 concentration was decreased (P less than .10) in TRT 2 compared with TRT 1 and cows, while P4 concentration were not significantly different. Corpora lutea wet weights were reduced (P less than .10) in heat-stressed cows vs C cows.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The crossbred sire: experimental results for swine.

Experiments aimed at comparing crossbred and purebred boars were reviewed. These experiments showed that crossbred boars matured sexually more quickly than corresponding purebred boars: they exhibited greater testis weight, large ejaculate volume and had better semen quality. Young crossbred boars were more aggressive sexually and achieved a higher conception rate, particularly on first service. Differences between the two types of boars for litter size and weight were generally small and variable in direction. Growth rate, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics of progeny of purebred and crossbred boars were generally similar. In addition, there was little evidence that use of crossbred sires had any effect on variability of pig performance.

Animals↗

Economic evaluation of alternative crossbreeding systems involving four breeds of swine. I. The simulation model.

A static, deterministic computer model, programmed in Microsoft Basic for IBM PC and Apple Macintosh computers, was developed to calculate production efficiency (cost per kg of product) for nine alternative types of crossbreeding system involving four breeds of swine. The model simulates efficiencies for four purebred and 60 alternative two-, three- and four-breed rotation, rotaterminal, backcross and static cross systems. Crossbreeding systems were defined as including all purebred, crossbred and commercial matings necessary to maintain a total of 10,000 farrowings. Driving variables for the model are mean conception rate at first service and for an 8-wk breeding season, litter size born, preweaning survival rate, postweaning average daily gain, feed-to-gain ratio and carcass backfat. Predictions are computed using breed direct genetic and maternal effects for the four breeds, plus individual, maternal and paternal specific heterosis values, input by the user. Inputs required to calculate the number of females farrowing in each sub-system include the proportion of males and females replaced each breeding cycle in purebred and crossbred populations, the proportion of male and female offspring in seedstock herds that become breeding animals, and the number of females per boar. Inputs required to calculate the efficiency of terminal production (cost-to-product ratio) for each sub-system include breeding herd feed intake, gilt development costs, feed costs and labor and overhead costs. Crossbreeding system efficiency is calculated as the weighted average of sub-system cost-to-product ratio values, weighting by the number of females farrowing in each sub-system.

Animal Husbandry↗

Economic evaluation of alternative crossbreeding systems involving four breeds of swine. II. System efficiency.

A static, deterministic computer model was used to calculate production efficiency (cost per kg of product) for four purebred and 69 alternative crossbreeding systems involving the Duroc, Yorkshire, Landrace and Spotted breeds of swine. Crossbreeding systems were defined as including all purebred, crossbred and commercial matings necessary to maintain a total of 10,000 farrowings. Driving variables for the model were predicted mean conception rates, litter size born, preweaning survival rate, postweaning average daily gain, feed-to-gain ratio and carcass backfat. Predictions were computed using breed effect and heterosis estimates obtained from experimental data involving the four breeds collected at the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station between 1976 and 1979. The most efficient breed combinations for each of the nine types of crossbreeding systems evaluated were predicted to reduce cost per kg of product by 6.7 to 10.5%, relative to the most efficient purebred (Duroc). The Duroc X (Yorkshire, Landrace, Spotted) four-breed rotaterminal was predicted to be the most efficient system, followed by the Duroc X (Yorkshire, Landrace) rotaterminal. Duroc X (Spotted X Landrace) and Duroc X (Spotted X Yorkshire) static systems ranked third and fourth overall, respectively. Sensitivity analysis indicated that ranking of systems predicted to be most efficient under the default model was reasonably robust to varying input economic, genetic and management parameter values. Results of this study suggested that three- or four-breed rotaterminal or static systems should maximize effective use of heterosis and breed complementarity in swine production systems.

Animal Husbandry↗

Genetic parameter estimates for reproductive traits of male and female littermate swine.

Reproductive traits of purebred and crossbred pigs produced in a four-breed diallel mating system using the Duroc, Landrace, Spotted and Yorkshire breeds were collected for five consecutive farrowing seasons (two farrowing seasons/year) beginning in fall 1976. Paternal half-sib heritabilities and genetic correlations for testicular traits (120 boars from 36 sires), serum testosterone (TE) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations before and after treatment with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH; 131 boars from 37 sires) and breeding performance traits (151 boars from 38 sires) were estimated. Heritability estimates were generally small to moderate except for sperm/gram testis (SGT), LH concentrations before (LHO) and at 3 h (LH3) after treatment with GnRH (.73 +/- .48, .61 +/- .46 and 1.19 +/- .45, respectively). A large positive genetic correlation was found for LHO with LH3 (.94 +/- .39), while a negative relationship existed for LH3 with TE concentrations at 3 h after GnRH injection. The genetic correlation between a boar's average first service conception rate and average conception rate also was significant (.82 +/- .54). Genetic correlations among littermate traits would suggest that selection for decreased age at puberty in gilts could cause an increase in LH concentrations in boar offspring, before and after GnRH injection, and may also have adverse effects on their ability to settle females. Selection for increased weight at puberty of gilts could cause TE concentrations of boar offspring to increase while having little effect on their breeding performance.

Animals↗

Nonlinear natural engine: Model for thermodynamic processes in mesoscale systems.

To develop intuition on the possible application of concepts from thermodynamic heat engines to mesoscale systems, we have constructed and studied a model thermoacoustic heat engine. The model consists of a chain of coupled nonlinear acoustic vibrators in which the primary thermodynamic medium is argon gas, the secondary thermodynamic medium is constituted by solids bounding the gas, and frequencies are ca. 3 x 10(2) Hz. The nonlinear elements are the necks, made flexible by means of an oil-loaded DuPont Kapton film, of Helmholtz resonators. When the primary medium is driven uniformly by an acoustic driver at a frequency somewhat below the low-amplitude resonant frequency and at a high enough driving amplitude, stationary localized or solitary states appear irreversibly on the chain. These are characterized by a higher vibrational amplitude than that in surrounding vibrators, where the amplitude can decrease; by the appearance of deep subharmonics of the drive frequency, corresponding to driven low-frequency vibrations of the Kapton film-oil systems; and by the pumping of heat toward the localized states. Possible implications of these results for mesoscale systems consisting of chains of molecular vibrators are then discussed.

Journal Article↗

Selection for increased weaning or yearling weight in Hereford cattle. I. Measurement of selection applied.

Selection was applied from 1964 to 1978 for increased weaning weight (WWL) or yearling weight (YWL) in two Hereford lines with an Angus line maintained as an unselected control line (CL). Each line was maintained with 50 cows and four sires (two sires selected each year and each used for 2 yr). Traits analyzed were birth weight (BW), preweaning daily gain (WDG), weaning weight (WW), weaning conformation grade (WG), weaning condition score (WC), weaning to yearling daily gain (YDG), yearling weight (YW), yearling conformation grade (YG) and yearling condition score (YC). After 15 yr of selection, a total of 3.22 generations of selection had occurred in both WWL and YWL. Average selection differentials in standard measure per generation for WWL, YWL and CL, respectively, were: BW, .44, .51, .0; WDG, .95, .81, .09; WW, .97, .85, .09; WG, .66, .57, .09; WC, .60, .38, -.02; YDG, .30, .79, .38; YW, .80, 1.05, .25; YG, .63, .62, .34 and YC, .45, .64, .24. The proportionate contribution of sire selection (delta S) to the average midparent selection differential per generation (delta M) was 70% in WWL and 76% in YWL. Selection indexes in retrospect were also calculated.

Animals↗