The present study was conducted to quantify and compare TLR2 (toll-like receptor 2) activity in monocyte-derived macrophages of zebu (Tharparkar) and crossbred (Holstein-Friesian × Jersey × Brown Swiss × Hariana) cattle. The cells were either induced with Pam3CSK4 or kept as control. The TLR2 activity was quantified in terms of IκB-α inhibitory subunit (NFKBIA) messenger RNA (mRNA) copies...

Because of low energy reserves at birth, piglets are dependent on the sow’s milk for survival. Breed differences can influence milk composition. The objective of this study was to examine litter characteristics, milk composition including calcium and the water holding capacity of casein, solvation, between the highly prolific Meishan breed and lean crossbred pigs. Samples were collected by hand...

Charolais bulls are selected for their crossbreed performance when mated to Montbéliard or Holstein dams. To implement genomic prediction, one could build a reference population for each crossbred population independently. An alternative could be to combine both crossbred populations into a single reference population to increase size and accuracy of prediction. The objective of this study was ...

Depletion of the ovarian reserve is associated with reproductive senescence in mammalian females, and there is a positive relationship between the size of the ovarian reserve and the number of antral follicles on the surface of the ovary. Therefore, we conducted a series of experiments to investigate the influence of stage of the estrous cycle, age, and birth weight on antral follicle counts (A...

Using a retrospective evaluation of feed efficiency, this study investigated the effects of physiological age on residual feed intake (RFI) in growing heifers. Data were collected during 1973 and 1974 at the McGregor location of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. Heifers (n = 77) were obtained from a large crossbreeding program utilizing a five-breed diallel mating scheme using Angus, B...

Heifer performance, diet composition, and forage composition were compared during rotational and continuous grazing of mixed pasture (alfalfa, tall fescue, orchardgrass). One hundred eighteen yearling heifers were used to compare the three grazing systems during 2 yr. Treatments included continuous (CONT), 6-paddock rotational (6-PADD), and 11-paddock rotational grazing (11-PADD). Rotational pa...

Good management of the pregnant heifer is crucial to ensure that she is well grown and healthy and calves down easily before joining the milking herd. This study collected primary data on all aspects of heifer management on 101 UK farms during heifer pregnancy from conception to calving including farm factors and associated costs of system inputs. A cost analysis workbook was developed to calcu...

Failure of passive transfer of immunity (FPT) in dairy replacement calves has been linked to increased neonatal morbidity and mortality and long-term decreases in productivity. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of FPT in US dairy heifer calves in 2007 and to use nationally representative data to investigate associations of FPT with colostrum and calf management practices....