Changes in the liver transcriptome and physiological parameters of Japanese Black steers during the fattening period

We investigated the physiological changes during the fattening period and production characteristics in Japanese Black steers bred and raised using the typical feeding system in Japan. Here, 21 Japanese Black steers aged 12 months were used, with experimental period divided into early (12–14 months of age), middle (15–22 months), and late fattening phases (23–30 months). The liver transcriptome, blood metabolites, hormones, and rumen fermentation characteristics were analyzed. Blood triglyceride and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations increased, whereas blood ketone levels decreased, with fattening phases. Blood insulin increased with fattening phases and was positively correlated with carcass weight and marbling in late fattening phases. Rumen fermentation characteristics showed high propionate levels and low butyrate levels in late fattening phases, likely due to increased energy intake. Genes related to glucose metabolism, such as SESN3, INSR, LEPR, and FOXO3, were down-regulated in late fattening phases. Genes related to lipid metabolism, such as FABP4, were up-regulated, whereas FADS1 and FADS2 were down-regulated. These findings suggest that the physiological changes resulted from changes in the energy content and composition of diets. Liver metabolism changed with changes in fat metabolism. Insulin was strongly associated with physiological changes and productivity in Japanese Black cattle.

Colostrum-supplemented transition milk positively affects serum biochemical parameters, humoral immunity indicators and the growth performance of calves

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of colostrum-supplemented transition milk on the growth rate of newborn calves. Thirty-six day-old female Holstein calves with a birth weight of 43.4 ± 5.5 kg were randomly assigned to a treatment group and a control group. On day 1, all calves received one portion (3 kg) of colostrum within 2 h after birth. Between the second feeding and the age of 5 days, control calves received only transition milk that had been collected from dams shortly before feeding, and the treatment group received 1.5 kg of colostrum collected from dams on day 1 and 1.5 kg of transition milk from subsequent milkings. Monthly body weight and average daily gain were used to measure growth performance. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at multiple time points to evaluate the biochemical and immune status of calves. Colostrum-supplemented transition milk increased the concentrations of serum immunoglobulins, triacylglycerols, cholesterol and total protein. The activity of lactate-dehydrogenase and ceruloplasmin decreased, whereas lysozyme activity increased with time in the control group. It can be concluded that additional five days of colostrum feeding positively influences non-specific humoral immunity indicators and serum biochemical parameters in dairy calves.

Blood biochemical values in Japanese Black calves in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan

To obtain blood biochemical basic data of Japanese Black calves in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, blood samples were obtained from 582 clinically healthy calves on 27 farms. Calves were divided into three stages: the suckling stage (between 14 and 90 days of age, n=191), the early growing stage (between 91 and 180 days of age, n=200) and the late growing stage (between 181 and 270 days of age, n=191). The mean concentration of total cholesterol, triglyceride, nonesterified fatty acids, calcium and zinc, and the mean activities of γ-glutamyltransferase and alkaine phospatase in the suckling stage were significantly higher than those in the early and late growing stages (P<0.01). The mean concentration of total protein, albumin and globulin increased gradually with growing. The mean concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate in the suckling stage was below 150 µmol/l, however, it elevated above 400 µmol/l in the early and late growing stages. The mean concentration of copper concentration was above 70 µg/dl in all stages. The mean concentration of zinc was between 90 and 110 µg/dl in all stages. These results suggest that the blood biochemical values of Japanese Black calves vary with growing stages, and the blood parameters obtained in this study are considered useful as indices for health management of Japanese Black calves.

A study of single nucleotide polymorphism of leptin gene effect on serum copper, zinc and iron concentrations in Czech Pied bulls

Leptin, the product of the ob gene, is secreted mainly in adipose tissue. Due to the associations between plasma leptin concentrations and body fat, leptin could be used as an indicator for the in vivo evaluation of carcass composition in breeding programs. Previous studies showed relation between leptin concentrations and some trace elements, suggesting that they might be mediators of leptin production. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphism of the leptin gene on concentration of trace elements in the serum of 58 Czech Pied bulls. Three experimental groups of bulls were formed depending on different leptin genotypes: group CC (n = 28), group CT (n = 21) and group TT (n = 9). In all groups, the age (at a mean age of 240 days) and the body weight (mean 291 ± 11 kg) difference among the chosen animals was non-significant. Blood samples of all bulls in experimental groups were collected from vena jugularis externa between 8.00 and 9.30 h. Concentrations of copper, zinc and iron in the serum of animals were measured. Significantly lower (P < 0.05) zinc concentrations were recorded in bulls of TT group (13.21 ± 1.81 µmol·l-1) compared to CC (20.09 ± 1.11 µmol·l-1) and CT group (19.67 ± 1.45 µmol·l-1). In case of copper and iron concentrations in serum of animals, no differences were recorded between the tested groups. This is the first study of its kind in Czech Pied cattle. Based on our results, we may assume that zinc plays some role in the metabolism of adipose tissue, havings an effect on beef quality.