This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
The narrow germplasm base of the upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), grown on the Texas high p... more The narrow germplasm base of the upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), grown on the Texas high plains historically, has limited improvement of fiber quality. Chemical mutagenesis and subsequent selection have helped the development of lines with improved fiber quality in cultivars adapted to this region. This study was conducted to determine the inheritance of improvements in fiber quality. M 3 lines with divergent fiber properties of micronaire, length, and strength were selected from a population of Paymaster HS 200 treated with 3% v/v ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) for two hours. The 115 selected lines of M 4 and M 5 generation were evaluated for fiber quality and lint yield. Regression of the M 4 and M 5 on the M 3 generation, as well as the M 5 on the M 4 was used to generate narrow sense heritability coefficients. Significant variations were observed between the mutant lines in all generations except for lint yield in the M 5 (1997). The highest heritability estimates were found in fiber length (h 2 = 0.29 * * to 0.46 * *). Micronaire and strength showed intermediate heritability estimates of h 2 = 0.14 to 0.19, while lint yield had a very low heritability estimate of h 2 = 0.03. Fiber length and strength were correlated (r = 0.58 * * to 0.46 * *) in all the three generations. The mutants identified in these studies have the potential to improve fiber quality of upland cotton without introducing alien genes that may reduce adaptation to short growing season production regions.
The objectives of this study were to analyze calf performance traits and sex ratio frequencies in... more The objectives of this study were to analyze calf performance traits and sex ratio frequencies in reciprocal Bos indicus–Bos taurus F2 Nellore–Angus calves (n = 539). The F2 calves were produced using reciprocal Angus-sired (AN) and Nellore-sired (NA) F1 sires and F1 dams, resulting in four F2 cross types. Calf weight traits were analyzed using mixed models. Deviations from 50% calf sex ratios were tested against expected binomial thresholds. Dam type influenced Julian birth date (p < 0.05) with calves from AN cows born 5 to 6 days earlier than calves from NA cows. Sire type and dam type affected birth weight (p < 0.05) with calves from NA parents approximately 2.5 kg heavier than those from AN parents; weaning weight did not differ for parent F1 type. However, an interaction between sire and dam types affected weaning weight (p = 0.038) where AN x AN calves were 5 to 8 kg lighter than other crosses. Sire type influenced calf sex distribution at birth (p = 0.036) and at weanin...
Birth weight (BW) records of 28,345 Brangus (BN) and Simbrah (SB) calves (12,252 of which were pr... more Birth weight (BW) records of 28,345 Brangus (BN) and Simbrah (SB) calves (12,252 of which were produced by embryo transfer) were provided by a private seedstock breeder. Objectives were to determine genetic mechanism(s) responsible for 12.3 and 6.9 kg differences in BW between reciprocal F1 crosses of Brahman (BR) and Simmental (SM) in male and female embryo transfer calves. The BR X chromosome is estimated to reduce BW by 5.3±1.2 and 4.2±0.9 kg compared to the SM and Angus X in male calves but contributed little to phenotypic variance. The BR X seems preferentially inactivated over the SM X. Gametic imprinting contributed 7.3±1.9 and 3.2±2.1 kg to the reciprocal F1 effects in SB and BN. The maternal gamete contributed 4.4±2.6 and 5.5±3.5% of phenotypic variance of female and male calves, while the paternal gamete contributed 0 and 1.3±1.6% to female and male calves.
Simple Summary Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) threatens cattle production and welfare globally.... more Simple Summary Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) threatens cattle production and welfare globally. We sought to quantify the effects of vaccine treatments and animal temperament classification on feed intake, feeding behavior and weight responses following challenge with bovine viral diarrhea virus, one of the pathogens associated with bovine respiratory disease. Commercially available respiratory vaccines were utilized, and temperament classification was based on exit velocity. Although overt clinical signs of respiratory disease were not observed following challenge, feed intake, weight gain, feed efficiency, and feed bunk frequency and duration were negatively affected. Animals administered a modified-live vaccine had more desirable feed intake, feed bunk duration, longer meal events and slower eating rates compared with those administered a killed or no vaccine. Temperament affected feeding behavior patterns, where calm steers had a greater duration of feed bunk visits and meal e...
Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV), is a component of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) worldwide.... more Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV), is a component of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) worldwide. Documentation of animal genetic influences and performance variability specific to BVDV challenge is limited. This study evaluated individual animal effects in the 14 d following BVDV Type 1b intranasal challenge in yearling, Nellore-Angus (Bos indicus-Bos taurus) F2 and F3 crossbred steers (n = 363) on carcass traits 180 d post-challenge. Prior to challenge steers were confirmed to be free of BVDV infection with families balanced across non-vaccinated control, killed (KV), or modified-live (MLV) commercial BRD vaccines. Hot carcass weight (HCW), adjusted fat thickness (AFT), longissimus muscle area (REA) and marbling score (MARB) were analyzed through mixed models with sire and pen(year) as random effects; potential fixed effects of vaccine, type of cross, pyrexia status, clinical sign presentation, and levels of feed intake and ADG 14 d post-challenge were investigated. Vaccine influe...
Effective science communication skills are vital to the animal science industry for translating s... more Effective science communication skills are vital to the animal science industry for translating science-focused information to lay audiences. To address the American Society of Animal Science’s (2017) third core principle of communicating research and scientific information in an “open, transparent, and dynamic manner,” we sought to investigate the communication styles of students enrolled in a senior-level animal science (beef cattle production) course at Texas A&M University. To do so, we described students’ preferred communication style(s) and ranching experience levels to assess potential effect of ranching experience levels on communication styles. We used Hartman and McCambridge (2011) communication style assessment to describe the communication styles of amiable, analytical, driver, and expressive for students enrolled in this course during four semesters (N = 188; spring 2018 = 61, summer 2018 = 15, fall 2018 = 55, and spring 2019 = 57). Of these, 124 were females (66%) and ...
Funding to support this work was provided by the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries ... more Funding to support this work was provided by the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. We also acknowledge the assistance of Robert and Donna Rea and family, Lisgar Station, via Home Hill, Queensland, Australia who supplied the cattle for this study. Efforts here contribute to DAFF project "Precision beef cattle production through an alternative genetic (epigenetics) approach" and USDA-NIFA Hatch project TEX 08937 "Investigation of input variation in economically important beef production traits." S.H. is a JS Davies Professorial Fellow.
Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect on the estimates of heritability ... more Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect on the estimates of heritability and permanent environmental effects as a proportion of phenotypic variance for FAMACHA score, fecal worm egg count and hematocrit value when year-round records are used. Records from 1008 Dorper sheep in a private South African flock comprised 17,711 FAMACHA scores, 6837 fecal worm egg counts (FEC; practically only Haemonchus contortus ), and 4209 hematocrit (packed cell volume-PCV) values that were collected from 1997 to 2000. Animal models were used to conduct single-trait analyses. Data were analyzed in two sets: 1) warm season records only and 2) year-round records. Treatment (with anthelmintic) status was investigated as a 2-level fixed effect in both sets; additionally records of treated sheep were removed for another analysis of both data sets. In analyses of warm season records, estimates of heritability and permanent environmental variance as a proportion of phenotypic variance for FAMACHA score were 0.33 ± 0.03 and 0.04 ± 0.02, respectively, when treatment status was modeled, and 0.41 ± 0.02 and 0, respectively, when treated records were excluded from the analysis. Heritability estimates for PCV were 0.22 ± 0.06 (treatment status modeled) and 0.28 ± 0.07 (treated records excluded), while permanent environmental variance as a proportion of phenotypic variance was, respectively, 0.13 ± 0.05 and 0.09 ± 0.06. Fecal worm egg count heritability estimates were 0.10 ± 0.03 (treatment status modeled) and 0.13 ± 0.04 (untreated records only). Permanent environmental variance for FEC was 0.04 ± 0.03 when treated records were excluded and 0.05 ± 0.03 when treatment status was included in the analyses. In analyses of year-round records, estimates of heritability and permanent environmental variance as a proportion of phenotypic variance for FAMACHA score were 0.32 ± 0.03 and 0.03 ± 0.02, respectively (treatment status modeled) and 0.36 ± 0.03 and 0.02 ± 0.02 (treated records excluded). Packed cell volume heritability and permanent environmental variance were, respectively, 0.19 ± 0.05 and 0.18 ± 0.05 in the analyses of untreated records, and 0.18 ± 0.04 and 0.15 ± 0.04, when treatment status was modeled. Heritability estimates for FEC were the same (0.11) for untreated records only, and when treated records were included. Permanent environmental variance was 0.04 ± 0.02 (treated records included) and 0.03 ± 0.02 (treated records excluded) for FEC. Collection and inclusion of cool season (that is, outside of the regular worm proliferation season) records in analyses may not substantially change estimates of genetic parameters for these traits.
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) plays a key role in bovine respiratory disease complex, which ... more Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) plays a key role in bovine respiratory disease complex, which can lead to pneumonia, diarrhea and death of calves. Current vaccines are not very effective due, in part, to immunosuppressive traits and failure to induce broad protection. There are diverse BVDV strains and thus, current vaccines contain representative genotype 1 and 2 viruses (BVDV-1 & 2) to broaden coverage. BVDV modified live virus (MLV) vaccines are superior to killed virus vaccines, but they are susceptible to neutralization and complement-mediated destruction triggered by passively acquired antibodies, thus limiting their efficacy. We generated three novel mosaic polypeptide chimeras, designated NproE2123; NS231; and NS232, which incorporate protective determinants that are highly conserved among BVDV-1a, 1b, and BVDV-2 genotypes. In addition, strain-specific protective antigens from disparate BVDV strains were included to broaden coverage. We confirmed that adenovirus construct...
The causes of bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) are multifactorial and include infection ... more The causes of bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) are multifactorial and include infection with both viral and bacterial pathogens. Host factors are also involved as different breeds of cattle appear to have different susceptibilities to BRDC. Infection with bovine pestiviruses, including bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 (BVDV1), BVDV2 and &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;HoBi&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;-like viruses, is linked to the development of BRDC. The aim of the present study was to compare the growth of different bovine pestiviruses in primary testicle cell cultures obtained from taurine, indicine and mixed taurine and indicine cattle breeds. Primary cells strains, derived from testicular tissue, were generated from three animals from each breed. Bovine pestivirus strains used were from BVDV-1a, BVDV-1b, BVDV-2a and &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;HoBi&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;-like virus. Growth was compared by determining virus titers after one passage in primary cells. All tests were run in triplicate. Virus titers were determined by endpoint dilution and RT-qPCR. Statistical analysis was performed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s Multiple Comparison Test (P˂0.05). Significant differences in virus growth did not correlate with cattle breed. However, significant differences were observed between cells derived from different individuals regardless of breed. Variation in the replication of virus in primary cell strains may reflect a genetic predisposition that favors virus replication.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
The narrow germplasm base of the upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), grown on the Texas high p... more The narrow germplasm base of the upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), grown on the Texas high plains historically, has limited improvement of fiber quality. Chemical mutagenesis and subsequent selection have helped the development of lines with improved fiber quality in cultivars adapted to this region. This study was conducted to determine the inheritance of improvements in fiber quality. M 3 lines with divergent fiber properties of micronaire, length, and strength were selected from a population of Paymaster HS 200 treated with 3% v/v ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) for two hours. The 115 selected lines of M 4 and M 5 generation were evaluated for fiber quality and lint yield. Regression of the M 4 and M 5 on the M 3 generation, as well as the M 5 on the M 4 was used to generate narrow sense heritability coefficients. Significant variations were observed between the mutant lines in all generations except for lint yield in the M 5 (1997). The highest heritability estimates were found in fiber length (h 2 = 0.29 * * to 0.46 * *). Micronaire and strength showed intermediate heritability estimates of h 2 = 0.14 to 0.19, while lint yield had a very low heritability estimate of h 2 = 0.03. Fiber length and strength were correlated (r = 0.58 * * to 0.46 * *) in all the three generations. The mutants identified in these studies have the potential to improve fiber quality of upland cotton without introducing alien genes that may reduce adaptation to short growing season production regions.
The objectives of this study were to analyze calf performance traits and sex ratio frequencies in... more The objectives of this study were to analyze calf performance traits and sex ratio frequencies in reciprocal Bos indicus–Bos taurus F2 Nellore–Angus calves (n = 539). The F2 calves were produced using reciprocal Angus-sired (AN) and Nellore-sired (NA) F1 sires and F1 dams, resulting in four F2 cross types. Calf weight traits were analyzed using mixed models. Deviations from 50% calf sex ratios were tested against expected binomial thresholds. Dam type influenced Julian birth date (p < 0.05) with calves from AN cows born 5 to 6 days earlier than calves from NA cows. Sire type and dam type affected birth weight (p < 0.05) with calves from NA parents approximately 2.5 kg heavier than those from AN parents; weaning weight did not differ for parent F1 type. However, an interaction between sire and dam types affected weaning weight (p = 0.038) where AN x AN calves were 5 to 8 kg lighter than other crosses. Sire type influenced calf sex distribution at birth (p = 0.036) and at weanin...
Birth weight (BW) records of 28,345 Brangus (BN) and Simbrah (SB) calves (12,252 of which were pr... more Birth weight (BW) records of 28,345 Brangus (BN) and Simbrah (SB) calves (12,252 of which were produced by embryo transfer) were provided by a private seedstock breeder. Objectives were to determine genetic mechanism(s) responsible for 12.3 and 6.9 kg differences in BW between reciprocal F1 crosses of Brahman (BR) and Simmental (SM) in male and female embryo transfer calves. The BR X chromosome is estimated to reduce BW by 5.3±1.2 and 4.2±0.9 kg compared to the SM and Angus X in male calves but contributed little to phenotypic variance. The BR X seems preferentially inactivated over the SM X. Gametic imprinting contributed 7.3±1.9 and 3.2±2.1 kg to the reciprocal F1 effects in SB and BN. The maternal gamete contributed 4.4±2.6 and 5.5±3.5% of phenotypic variance of female and male calves, while the paternal gamete contributed 0 and 1.3±1.6% to female and male calves.
Simple Summary Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) threatens cattle production and welfare globally.... more Simple Summary Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) threatens cattle production and welfare globally. We sought to quantify the effects of vaccine treatments and animal temperament classification on feed intake, feeding behavior and weight responses following challenge with bovine viral diarrhea virus, one of the pathogens associated with bovine respiratory disease. Commercially available respiratory vaccines were utilized, and temperament classification was based on exit velocity. Although overt clinical signs of respiratory disease were not observed following challenge, feed intake, weight gain, feed efficiency, and feed bunk frequency and duration were negatively affected. Animals administered a modified-live vaccine had more desirable feed intake, feed bunk duration, longer meal events and slower eating rates compared with those administered a killed or no vaccine. Temperament affected feeding behavior patterns, where calm steers had a greater duration of feed bunk visits and meal e...
Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV), is a component of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) worldwide.... more Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV), is a component of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) worldwide. Documentation of animal genetic influences and performance variability specific to BVDV challenge is limited. This study evaluated individual animal effects in the 14 d following BVDV Type 1b intranasal challenge in yearling, Nellore-Angus (Bos indicus-Bos taurus) F2 and F3 crossbred steers (n = 363) on carcass traits 180 d post-challenge. Prior to challenge steers were confirmed to be free of BVDV infection with families balanced across non-vaccinated control, killed (KV), or modified-live (MLV) commercial BRD vaccines. Hot carcass weight (HCW), adjusted fat thickness (AFT), longissimus muscle area (REA) and marbling score (MARB) were analyzed through mixed models with sire and pen(year) as random effects; potential fixed effects of vaccine, type of cross, pyrexia status, clinical sign presentation, and levels of feed intake and ADG 14 d post-challenge were investigated. Vaccine influe...
Effective science communication skills are vital to the animal science industry for translating s... more Effective science communication skills are vital to the animal science industry for translating science-focused information to lay audiences. To address the American Society of Animal Science’s (2017) third core principle of communicating research and scientific information in an “open, transparent, and dynamic manner,” we sought to investigate the communication styles of students enrolled in a senior-level animal science (beef cattle production) course at Texas A&M University. To do so, we described students’ preferred communication style(s) and ranching experience levels to assess potential effect of ranching experience levels on communication styles. We used Hartman and McCambridge (2011) communication style assessment to describe the communication styles of amiable, analytical, driver, and expressive for students enrolled in this course during four semesters (N = 188; spring 2018 = 61, summer 2018 = 15, fall 2018 = 55, and spring 2019 = 57). Of these, 124 were females (66%) and ...
Funding to support this work was provided by the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries ... more Funding to support this work was provided by the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. We also acknowledge the assistance of Robert and Donna Rea and family, Lisgar Station, via Home Hill, Queensland, Australia who supplied the cattle for this study. Efforts here contribute to DAFF project "Precision beef cattle production through an alternative genetic (epigenetics) approach" and USDA-NIFA Hatch project TEX 08937 "Investigation of input variation in economically important beef production traits." S.H. is a JS Davies Professorial Fellow.
Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect on the estimates of heritability ... more Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect on the estimates of heritability and permanent environmental effects as a proportion of phenotypic variance for FAMACHA score, fecal worm egg count and hematocrit value when year-round records are used. Records from 1008 Dorper sheep in a private South African flock comprised 17,711 FAMACHA scores, 6837 fecal worm egg counts (FEC; practically only Haemonchus contortus ), and 4209 hematocrit (packed cell volume-PCV) values that were collected from 1997 to 2000. Animal models were used to conduct single-trait analyses. Data were analyzed in two sets: 1) warm season records only and 2) year-round records. Treatment (with anthelmintic) status was investigated as a 2-level fixed effect in both sets; additionally records of treated sheep were removed for another analysis of both data sets. In analyses of warm season records, estimates of heritability and permanent environmental variance as a proportion of phenotypic variance for FAMACHA score were 0.33 ± 0.03 and 0.04 ± 0.02, respectively, when treatment status was modeled, and 0.41 ± 0.02 and 0, respectively, when treated records were excluded from the analysis. Heritability estimates for PCV were 0.22 ± 0.06 (treatment status modeled) and 0.28 ± 0.07 (treated records excluded), while permanent environmental variance as a proportion of phenotypic variance was, respectively, 0.13 ± 0.05 and 0.09 ± 0.06. Fecal worm egg count heritability estimates were 0.10 ± 0.03 (treatment status modeled) and 0.13 ± 0.04 (untreated records only). Permanent environmental variance for FEC was 0.04 ± 0.03 when treated records were excluded and 0.05 ± 0.03 when treatment status was included in the analyses. In analyses of year-round records, estimates of heritability and permanent environmental variance as a proportion of phenotypic variance for FAMACHA score were 0.32 ± 0.03 and 0.03 ± 0.02, respectively (treatment status modeled) and 0.36 ± 0.03 and 0.02 ± 0.02 (treated records excluded). Packed cell volume heritability and permanent environmental variance were, respectively, 0.19 ± 0.05 and 0.18 ± 0.05 in the analyses of untreated records, and 0.18 ± 0.04 and 0.15 ± 0.04, when treatment status was modeled. Heritability estimates for FEC were the same (0.11) for untreated records only, and when treated records were included. Permanent environmental variance was 0.04 ± 0.02 (treated records included) and 0.03 ± 0.02 (treated records excluded) for FEC. Collection and inclusion of cool season (that is, outside of the regular worm proliferation season) records in analyses may not substantially change estimates of genetic parameters for these traits.
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) plays a key role in bovine respiratory disease complex, which ... more Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) plays a key role in bovine respiratory disease complex, which can lead to pneumonia, diarrhea and death of calves. Current vaccines are not very effective due, in part, to immunosuppressive traits and failure to induce broad protection. There are diverse BVDV strains and thus, current vaccines contain representative genotype 1 and 2 viruses (BVDV-1 & 2) to broaden coverage. BVDV modified live virus (MLV) vaccines are superior to killed virus vaccines, but they are susceptible to neutralization and complement-mediated destruction triggered by passively acquired antibodies, thus limiting their efficacy. We generated three novel mosaic polypeptide chimeras, designated NproE2123; NS231; and NS232, which incorporate protective determinants that are highly conserved among BVDV-1a, 1b, and BVDV-2 genotypes. In addition, strain-specific protective antigens from disparate BVDV strains were included to broaden coverage. We confirmed that adenovirus construct...
The causes of bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) are multifactorial and include infection ... more The causes of bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) are multifactorial and include infection with both viral and bacterial pathogens. Host factors are also involved as different breeds of cattle appear to have different susceptibilities to BRDC. Infection with bovine pestiviruses, including bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 (BVDV1), BVDV2 and &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;HoBi&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;-like viruses, is linked to the development of BRDC. The aim of the present study was to compare the growth of different bovine pestiviruses in primary testicle cell cultures obtained from taurine, indicine and mixed taurine and indicine cattle breeds. Primary cells strains, derived from testicular tissue, were generated from three animals from each breed. Bovine pestivirus strains used were from BVDV-1a, BVDV-1b, BVDV-2a and &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;HoBi&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;-like virus. Growth was compared by determining virus titers after one passage in primary cells. All tests were run in triplicate. Virus titers were determined by endpoint dilution and RT-qPCR. Statistical analysis was performed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s Multiple Comparison Test (P˂0.05). Significant differences in virus growth did not correlate with cattle breed. However, significant differences were observed between cells derived from different individuals regardless of breed. Variation in the replication of virus in primary cell strains may reflect a genetic predisposition that favors virus replication.
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