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Objective: This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of citrus fiber (CF) as a natural alternative to sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) in marinated broiler boneless chicken breast and inside beef skirt on overall retention rate, shear force, and consumer sensory attributes. Methods: Five different marinade formulations were targeted to include 0.9% salt, either 0.25% or 0.50% STPP or CF and water on a finished product basis. Water and salt only were considered the negative control (CON). Chicken breasts (n = 14) and inside beef skirt (n = 14) were randomly assigned to a treatment, raw weights recorded and then placed in a vacuum tumbler. Marinated weights were recorded, individually packed, and randomly assigned to either retail display for 10-day retention rate, shear force analysis, cook loss, or consumer sensory panel. Results: Pickup percentage, and overall retention was similar among treatments for chicken breast and inside beef skirt. Citrus fiber treatments resulted in higher cooking loss compared to the CON in chicken breast; though, CF050 resulted in similar cooking loss compared to STPP025 in inside beef skirt. No differences were found in sensory attributes for chicken breast, however, WBSF data showed CF025 was tougher than CF050, STPP050, and CON. Inside beef skirt with CF050 were least liked overall by the consumer panel. Conclusion: Citrus fiber included in marinades at a lower percentage rate can produce similar texture characteristics, and sensory properties compared with those marinated with STPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Texas and Southeastern United States Cu concentration in the soil is in the lower 50th per-centile, this leads low bioavailability of copper for livestock. Therefore, a 70-d completely randomized block design study was conducted to determine the effects of Cu and fecal egg count in grazing beef cows (n = 40). Cows were blocked by parity and body weight (BW) then randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: standard offering of copper via free choice mineral (CON; Ragland Sweet Mag Mineral Mix, 425 ppm Cu) and those receiving a 25 mg Cu rumen bolus in addition to the standard offering (Santa Cruz Animal Health, Dallas, TX). Cattle were managed as a single herd at the with equal access to water, a grain supplement, and a warm season grass pasture. Fecal samples via rectal grab, blood via coc-cygeal venipuncture, BW, BCS, hair coat (1 being the healthiest) and shedding (1 being the most slick) scores were all collected on d 0, 10, 24, 38, and 66 relative to treatment initiation. Sera were analyzed to determine circulating Cu, macrominerals, urea, cre-atinine, and various blood proteins. Fecal egg counts were conducted to determine Coccidial, Moniezia, and Trichostrongyle egg content. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS inst. Inc, Cary, NC). No treatment x day interaction (P = 0.988) was observed for circulating Cu; however, Cu decreased (P < 0.001) in all cattle over time, and TRT tended (P = 0.090) to have increased Cu compared with CON. No interactions or main effects occurred (P > 0.509) for BW. No interaction (P = 0.4389) occurred for BCS, hair, or shedding scores. Hair scores (P < 0.001), shedding scores (P < 0.041), and BCS(P < 0.001) decreased in all cattle over time. Body condition for TRT (5.2 ± 0.056) was greater (P =.0024) than CON (4.9 ± 0.057). Hair score by day decreased (P < 0.001) in TRT, while the shedding had a tendency of increasing (P = 0.0411) by TRT. There were no interactions or main effects on Coccidial (P < 0.220) or Trichostrongyle (P < 0.274) egg content. While no interaction (P = 0.673) for Moniezia was observed, TRT tended (P = 0.095) to have fewer Moniezia eggsthan CON. No interactions (P > 0.100) were observed for any of the blood metabolites, and while they differed (P < 0.05) day to day for all cows, no treatment effects occurred (P > 0.10). Although Cu bolus administration at this concentration did tend to change Cu copper in the animal, effects resulting from it were minimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is gathering information about the safety and efficacy of hemp and its derivatives as potential animal feedstuffs. Yearling rough-stock bulls (n = 38) were used in a randomized complete block design to evaluate the effects of hempseed meal (HSM) as a concentrate ingredient on growth, dry matter intake (DMI), and efficiency. Bulls were blocked by body weight (BW), grouped into 10 pens (n = 3 or 4 bulls/pen), and randomly assigned to hempseed meal (HSM) or a control supplement treatment (CON; 72.5% cottonseed meal, 14.5% soy hulls, and 13% fat). Ingredients for CON were used because they were common commercial commodities and were formulated to match the macronutrients of HSM. Treatments were top-dressed at 10% of the diet, while 90% was fed as a mixed ration [50% bermudagrass hay, 40% textured commercial feed (10% CP)]. Feed delivery, treatment delivery, and orts were recorded daily. Diet samples were dried and used to calculate dry matter intake (DMI). Blood for urea-N (SUN; VetScan Chemistry Analyzer) and BW were obtained on days 0, 21, 42, and 63. Efficiency was evaluated for each period using DMI and average daily gain (ADG). Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS 9.4. Results were considered significant at P < 0.05, and tendencies were discussed at 0.05 > P > 0.10. No treatment×time interaction occurred for BW (P = 0.999), ADG (P = 0.563), interim DMI (P = 0.672), feed efficiency (P = 0.254), or SUN (P = 0.170). Treatment did not affect BW (320.4 and 324.69 ± 121.57 kg for CON and HSM, respectively, P = 0.996), but BW increased over time (261.13 ± 74.71 and 322.5 ± 121.57 kg, initial and final BW, respectively, P = 0.001). No treatment effect on ADG occurred (0.73 and 0.84 ± 0.13 kg for CON and HSM, respectively, P = 0.680). However, ADG decreased over time (1.0 ± 0.29, 1.19 ± 0.21 and 0.79 ± 0.13 kg, d0-21, d21-42, and d42-63, respectively, P = 0.005). Daily DMI resulted in a treatment×time interaction, where HSM often consumed more DM than CON (P < 0.01). Interim DMI increased over time (7.44 ± 1.25, 7.84 ± 0.98, and 8.18 ± 0.82 kg, d0-21, d21-42, and d42-63, respectively, P = 0.0073), but when combined with ADG to determine feed efficiency, the main effects were not different (P = 0.17). Over time, SUN increased (4.91, 10.52, 11.66 and 12.72 ± 0.35 mg/dL for days 0, 21, 42 and 63, respectively, P < 0.001), and HSM had greater SUN than CON (10.46 and 9.45 ± 0.30 mg/dL for HSM and CON, respectively, P = 0.0426). These data suggest that bulls fed HSM at 10% diet DM perform similarly to bulls fed the same nutrient profile of standard commercial feed ingredients, indicating comparable nutrient availability between the treatments. Conversely, increased DMI and SUN in the HSM bulls suggest a difference in nitrogen metabolism between the treatments that warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproductive efficiency and efficacy are key components of economic return in small ruminant production, therefore utilization of assisted reproductive technologies has increased. Despite advances in assisted reproductive technologies, pregnancy rates per embryo culture and transfer still remain low. The physio-chemical parameter of pH within the female reproductive tract and its potential implications in pregnancy success in caprine remains to be elucidated. The objective of this study was to evaluate vaginal pH and compare pregnancy rate for embryos produced in-vivo and in-vitro in goats. Spanish and Spanish Boer Cross females (n = 78) were estrous synchronized using a progesterone vaginal insert protocol and gonadotropin was administered at time of removal. Embryo grade and stage for conventional fresh embryo transfer and in-vitro fertilization were recorded. Vaginal pH was measured post transfer. At d 45 pregnancy status was determined via trans-abdominal ultrasonography. Successful embryo transfer (ET) was determined by kidding percentages. Data were analyzed using an ANOVA with a multiple linear regression model in GraphPad Prism 9.4. It was found that vaginal pH of females receiving cultured embryos did significantly predict pregnancy detection at d 45 and kidding (P = 0.02). However, the vaginal pH in females receiving fresh embryos had no effect of pregnancy and kidding rates (P = 0.451). While vaginal pH had a correlation with successful kidding of cultured embryos, further research is warranted to determine the relationship between physio-chemical parameters, environmental factors and pregnancy rates in goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercial beef cattle industry produces calves for replacement or slaughter. Female replacements are important to advance herd genetics, therefore, a tool to influence sex ratios may enhance reproductive efficiency. A commercial semen sexing kit, Heifer-Plus™, used in conjunction with artificial insemination, may alter the sex ratio of offspring by increasing motility of the X chromosome-bearing sperm. The aim of this research was to assess the methodology of Heifer-Plus™ through evaluation of motion patterns and kinematic parameters in conventional semen straws. Four bulls representing Angus, Wagyu, and Holstein breeds were utilized. Six straws of cryopreserved semen from each bull were thawed in a water bath (37.5°C for 35 sec). Three straws from each bull were pooled and treated with Heifer-Plus™ and 3 straws were pooled as the no-treatment control. Post treatment, all samples were aliquoted in microcentrifuge tubes and Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) measurements of motility and kinematic factors were assessed. Semen samples were held at 37.5°C for incubation for three 15-min periods (15-mins, 30-mins, and 45-mins) measuring thermoresistance and longevity of spermatozoa. After incubation, 80 μL of each semen sample were observed on CASA. Data were analyzed using ANOVA method in GraphPad Prism and P-values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. No effect of treatment on motility parameters or rapid velocity were measured, however there was a decrease in total motility (P=0.0045), progressive motility (P=0.0115) and rapid velocity (P =0.0099) across time intervals. Heifer-Plus™ treated cells had higher incidence of static velocity compared to control (P = .0038). Semen samples were clustered into subpopulation thresholdbased on sperm average path velocity (VAP) and linearity (LIN) at each time point. Spermatozoa treated with Heifer-Plus™ consistently exhibited a high velocity and variable linearity therefore were categorized consistently into two categories at each time point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spermatozoon motility is an important factor in successful artificial reproductive technologies. Successful reproduction requires properly developed spermatozoa with adequate forward, progressive motility that allows for transport through the female reproductive tract. Motility is driven by production of ATP; however, cryopreservation is known to have damaging effects on spermatozoa. Mitochondria utilize oxidative phosphorylation to synthesize ATP through an electrochemical proton motive force that is composed primarily of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). The mitochondrial membrane potential can be measured using a fluorescent, carbocyanine JC-1 dye (5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide). The objective of this study was to examine correlations between the mitochondrial membrane potential and motility score. Cryopreserved semen samples from three bulls were donated to Tarleton State University for research purposes. Samples were thawed, placed under a phase contrast microscope, and analyzed by three individuals with varying levels of training for rough motility. These samples were then prepared with JC-1 dye according to manufacturer's instructions. Two microliters of dye were added to a stock preparation of each sample. Samples were examined on a FACS Calibur flow cytometer at University of Texas Southwestern Core in Dallas, TX. Flow cytometry analysis was performed using FlowJo V10.7. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS v9.4. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed a strong, positive correlation (r = 0.90) between the mitochondrial membrane potential and motility (P = 0.28), thus indicating as the mitochondrial membrane potential increases, so does the rough motility score. These data represent a subset of a population that demonstrates the need of further research on the ability for spermatozoa to produce ATP and the correlation in forward, progressive motility. This research can provide a foundation in which future researchers may develop an assay that allows for testing of mitochondrial membrane potential by producers to select bulls with greater breeding potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]