The Y-chromosomal TSPY gene is one of the highest copy number mammalian protein coding gene and represents a unique biological model to study various aspects of genomic copy number variations. This study investigated the age-related copy number variability of the bovine TSPY gene, a new and unstudied aspect of the biology of TSPY that has been shown to vary among cattle breeds, individual bulls...

The expression of proteins in accessory sex gland fluid (AGF) of proven, high use mature Holstein bulls was evaluated. Thirty-seven bulls with documented fertility based on their non-return rates were studied. AGF was obtained by artificial vagina after bulls were surgically equipped with cannulae in the vasa deferentia. Samples of AGF were evaluated by two-dimensional SDS-PAGE, gels stained wi...

International Bull Evaluation Service (Interbull) Holstein evaluations from February 1995 through February 2003 were used to determine characteristics of progeny testing for Holstein bulls in Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, The Netherlands, and the United States. The decision to graduate a bull from progeny test (PT) was assumed to have been made based o...

Ghrelin, a 28-amino acid acylated peptide, was identified as the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor and its role in reproduction has recently been established. It is believed that the site of ghrelin expression in testes may indicate its role in local regulation. This study investigated the immunohistochemical (IHC) localization of ghrelin in Holstein bull testi...

Merit of service sires for Holstein cows designated as genetically elite for yield in January 1990 was calculated to determine the contribution of these cows to genetic progress. Service sires were determined from sires of registered female progeny because male progeny were selectively registered. Primary data were 1295 elite cows (top 1%) that had a daughter produced from a mating in the 6 mo ...

A survey was conducted to quantify incidence of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA)-related defects in market beef and dairy cows and bulls selling at auction during 2 seasons in 2008. Twenty-three BQA-related traits were evaluated by 9 trained personnel during sales at 10 livestock auction markets in Idaho (n = 5; beef and dairy), California, (n = 4; dairy only), and Utah (n = 1; beef and dairy). Ove...

Brahman preimplantation embryos are less affected by exposure to heat shock than Holstein embryos. Two experiments were conducted to test whether the ability of Brahman embryos to resist the deleterious effects of heat shock was a result of the genetic and cellular contributions from the oocyte, spermatozoa, or a combination of both. In the first experiment, Brahman and Holstein oocytes were co...

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) serves in the uterine endometrium during estrous presenting in the bovine mammary gland which is responsible to express interferon-T (IFNT), and is an important agent to encourage the continuation of pregnancy in the ruminants. Significant associations have been found between genes affected by IFNT and genes that are responsible for milk production traits. Seme...

There is a paucity of data on the beef production potential of Norwegian Red (NOR) compared with 'modern' Holstein-Friesian (HF) cattle. The present study used a total of 64 bulls in a 2 × 2 factorial design study encompassing two breeds (HF and NOR) and two slaughter ages (485; E, and 610; L, days). The mean initial age and live weight of the HF bulls were 179 (s.d. 47.1) days and 203 (s.d. 64...

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of gonadal hormones on LH release by successive injections of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH). In the first experiment 1 month-old Holstein bulls were used. Bulls were assigned to be: 1) left intact (n=5), 2) castrated (n=6), or 3) castrated and given 10 mg testosterone thrice daily for 15 days (n=4). All animals received three intram...