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Biomedical subjects

C R Long

Publications and source records attributed to C R Long.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Isolation and characterization of MPM-2-reactive sperm proteins: homology to components of the outer dense fibers and segmented columns.

Sperm from most mammalian species catalyze the formation of an aster of microtubules in the oocyte after fertilization. One component that may be involved in the regulation of sperm centrosomal activity in the oocyte is a phosphorylated protein complex (MPM-2-reactive sperm protein; MSP) with a molecular mass of 77-85 kDa identified by the MPM-2 antibody. The objective of this study was to compare the MSPs to a previously identified 85-kDa complex (ODF/CP85) that is a component of the outer dense fibers of the sperm midpiece and the segmented columns of the connecting piece. MSPs were isolated from boar sperm using a differential extraction procedure and preparative gel electrophoresis. Three mouse monoclonal and rabbit polyclonal antibodies were made to the isolated complex, and these antibodies labeled similar proteins in rabbit, bull, boar, and mouse sperm. Extraction and solubilization procedures for MSPs and ODF/CP85 required harsh chaotropic and reducing conditions. In addition to migrating at the same molecular mass on gels, proteins from each preparation labeled with MPM-2, an anti-ODF/CP antibody, and the anti-MSP antibody prepared in this study. Amino acid composition was similar to that reported previously for rat and bull ODF/CP85. Furthermore, immunolocalization by both fluorescent and transmission electron microscopy indicated that the MSPs are components of the outer dense fibers and probably the segmented columns of the connecting piece. Taken together, these results indicate that the MSPs are the previously identified 85-kDa complex of the outer dense fibers and connecting piece. Therefore, it is likely that any involvement of these proteins in the regulation of sperm centrosomal activity is through the process of connecting piece disassembly.

Amino Acids↗

Evaluation of developmental competence, nuclear and ooplasmic maturation of calf oocytes.

In this study we evaluated nuclear and ooplasmic maturation of prepuberal calf oocytes to determine a possible cause for their low developmental competency. Calf oocytes resumed meiosis and arrested at the MII stage at rates similar to that of adult animals; however, zygotes derived from calf oocytes cleaved and developed at significantly lower rates. Ooplasmic maturation was assessed during oocyte maturation and fertilization. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that a majority of calf oocytes exhibited some delay in organelle migration and redistribution following maturation. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that following IVF, a higher percentage of calf oocytes had abnormal chromatin and microtubule configurations than those of adult cattle. These anomalies were characterized by delayed formation of sperm aster and asynchronous pronuclear formation. Microfluorometry was used to characterize the Ca2+ responses of calf oocytes to the addition of agonists or after IVF. The addition of thimerosal demonstrated the presence of Ca2+ stores in calf oocytes. Injection of near threshold concentrations of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3), used to test the sensitivity of the InsP3R, released significantly less Ca2+ in calf than in cow oocytes, whereas higher concentrations of InsP3 (500 microM) released maximal [Ca2+]i in both oocytes. These results suggested that the Ca2+ content of intracellular stores was similar, but the sensitivity of the InsP3R may be different. Following insemination, calf oocytes exhibiting [Ca2+]i oscillations displayed comparable amplitude and intervals to cow oocytes; however, a significantly higher number of fertilized calf oocytes failed to show oscillations. Our findings suggest that the low developmental competence of calf oocytes can be attributed, at least in part, to incomplete or delayed ooplasmic maturation.

Animals↗

Decreased survival with increasing prevalence of full-body, radiographically defined osteoarthritis in women.

The relation between full-body, radiographically defined osteoarthritis and survival was examined in a cohort of 296 women aged 42-76 years (mean age, 57.1 years). These women were a random sample of women with very low body burdens of radium who were part of a larger cohort of women first employed in the US radium dial-painting industry between 1915 and 1945. At entry into the study between 1957 and 1982, these women had a clinical examination, and full-body radiographs were taken. Fifty-five joints (18 joint groups) of the hands, feet, cervical spine, lumbar spine, pelvis, and knees in each woman were graded for osteoarthritis by the method of J. H. Kellgren and J. S. Lawrence (Ann Rheum Dis 1957; 16:494-502). Through 1985, 18.6% (n = 55) of the women died. Cox regression showed a decreased survival for women with an increasing number of joint groups affected with osteoarthritis after adjusting for age at examination (hazard ratio = 1.45 for each increase in 3.1 joint groups (1 standard deviation) affected with osteoarthritis, 95% confidence interval 1.12-1.87). Further adjustment for a history of diabetes, smoking, alcohol use, and body mass index only slightly altered the risk. Similar results were obtained for the number of joints with osteoarthritis and the number of structures (e.g., left hand and right hand) with osteoarthritis. These results suggest that an increasing prevalence of full-body radiographic osteoarthritis is associated with decreased survival independent of age and several comorbid conditions related to osteoarthritis.

Adult↗

Factors involved in nuclear reprogramming during early development in the rabbit.

Mechanisms of nuclear reprogramming and assessment of potential malfunctions that could be deleterious for development were evaluated in rabbit zygotes, parthenotes, and nuclear transfer embryos by analysis of DNA replication, nucleolar fibrillarin label, and localization of nuclear material reactive to the MPM-2 antibody. Nuclear transfer embryos were derived from G1/early S-phase donor nuclei and MII oocytes. In nuclear transfer embryos, DNA rereplication was likely to have occurred because label was incorporated, possibly in the centromeric regions of the chromosomes, prior to premature chromosome condensation and again following pronuclear formation. In parthenotes, DNA replication began very late in the cell cycle, which may be due to deficiencies in the artificial activation stimulus. The presence of fibrillarin label in the nucleolus was used as an indication of nucleolar transcriptional activity. Fibrillarin label was absent in embryos of all types up to the 16-32-cell stage. Although fibrillarin reappeared in nuclear transfer and parthenote embryos at the appropriate stage, not all blastomeres showed label indicating impaired development in these embryos. Labelling of phosphorylated epitopes by MPM-2 antibody showed a change in pattern of labelling during early development. Early cleavage stage embryos did not exhibit labelling over the spindle poles as did blastomeres from 32-cell embryos and tissue culture cells. All cell types exhibited labelling during interphase as dots located primarily over the nucleus in blastomeres from 32-cell embryos and in tissue culture cells, together with cytoplasmic label in embryos at early cleavage stages. Nuclear transplant embryos had a normal pattern of MPM-2 label. In contrast, the appearance of MPM-2 label in parthenotes depended on the type of calcium stimulation. These results demonstrate defects in DNA synthesis, nucleolar activity, and specific phosphorylation events, likely resulting from an improper activation stimulus and chromosome condensation in the transplanted nucleus.

Animals↗

Systemic diseases associated with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

PURPOSE: We investigated, in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, the prevalence of various systemic diseases before or at its onset and the incidence of subsequent morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We investigated prospectively the presence of systemic diseases before or at the onset of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in 406 patients. The information was obtained by complete medical history and physical examination. The prevalence rates of systemic diseases in young, middle-aged, and elderly groups were compared with those in the general population. We also analyzed the influence of systemic diseases on subsequent morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Compared with the prevalences reported in the general population, our patients in each of the three age groups showed a significantly higher prevalence of arterial hypertension (P < or = .02), diabetes mellitus (P < .01), and gastrointestinal ulcer (P < or = .02). Also, middle-aged and elderly patients showed a significantly higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease (P < .01) and thyroid disease (P < .01). Middle-aged patients had significantly higher rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cerebrovascular disease (P < or = .01). After onset of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, patients with both arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus had a significantly higher incidence of cerebrovascular disease (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is a multifactorial disease in which some systemic diseases may act as predisposing factors and others as precipitating factors. Patients with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy show no significant increase in mortality, but those with both arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus have significantly (P < .01) increased incidence of cerebrovascular disease.

Adolescent↗

Morphology and subsequent development in culture of bovine oocytes matured in vitro under various conditions of fertilization.

The objective of these experiments was to evaluate factors affecting in vitro fertilization of bovine oocytes matured in vitro, and their subsequent development to blastocysts. In Expts 1 and 2, sperm concentration, spermatozoa and oocyte incubation time, motility enhancers and semen source were manipulated. Fluorescent microscopy of microtubules and chromatin was used to observe sperm penetration rate, sperm aster formation and chromatin decondensation. Oocyte penetration rates were affected by sperm concentration but not by spermatozoa and oocyte incubation time. The effect of sperm concentration was due primarily to changes in polyspermy and not monospermy. Motility enhancers had no effect on any parameter measured. In Expt 3, oocytes were matured for 17, 22, 28 and 34 h before fertilization and evaluated for fertilization rates, morphology of cortical granules and exocytosis and blastocyst development. A domain free of cortical granules that was associated with the metaphase chromatin was not observed in mature bovine oocytes. As oocytes matured from 17 to 34 h, the distribution of cortical granules progressed from clustered to diffuse. Although monospermic fertilization rates were similar and cortical granule exocytosis occurred in all groups, polyspermy increased with maturation time. Development to blastocysts increased from 17 to 22 h of maturation but decreased thereafter with increasing maturation time. These results suggest that polyspermy can be reduced by adjusting sperm concentration and spermatozoa and oocyte incubation time with little effect on monospermic fertilization. Increased polyspermy with increased maturation time was not due to a lack of cortical granule exocytosis.

Animals↗

Growth and reproductive development in Brahman bulls fed diets containing gossypol.

To determine the effect of gossypol on growth and reproductive development, Brahman bulls (n = 30) were fed diets containing gossypol (6 or 60 mg.kg BW-1.d-1) or a diet free of gossypol from weaning through puberty. Diets contained cottonseed meal (CSM), whole cottonseed (WCS), or soybean meal (SBM) as the major sources of dietary CP. Diets were formulated to provide similar NEg for medium-framed bulls to gain .9 kg/d. Measurements of BW and scrotal circumference were obtained at 28-d intervals, and beginning at 10 mo of age electroejaculates were collected at 14-d intervals. By 196 d on feed, bulls fed WCS had gained less (P < .05) BW and tended (P < .10) to have lower gain/feed than bulls fed CSM. When spermatozoa were first detected in an ejaculate, bulls fed CSM tended (P < .10) to be younger than bulls fed WCS (357 vs 386 d; SBM = 380 d); bulls fed SBM were heavier (P < .05) than bulls fed gossypol (333 vs 310 kg), but they had similar scrotal circumferences. Bulls fed WCS reached puberty at an older (P < .05) age (613 d) than bulls fed CSM (528 d; SBM = 550 d) but had similar BW and scrotal circumferences. Electroejaculated semen quality and quantity did not differ (P > .10) between treatments at puberty. Seminiferous tubule diameters did not differ (P > .10) among treatments, but bulls fed diets that contained gossypol had larger (P < .01) lumenal diameters, smaller (P < .01) germinal epithelium thickness, and fewer (P < .01) germ cell layers than bulls fed SBM diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗

Herbage allowance x yearling heifer phenotype interactions for preweaning calf growth on humid pasture and semiarid rangeland.

Preweaning growth data were obtained during 4 yr on 349 Braford-sired calves from Brahman-Hereford F1 first-calf females. These females were allotted to either semiarid rangeland (Uvalde) or humid improved pasture (Overton) as weanlings and to one of four herbage allowance levels at each location as yearlings. Females were wintered on systems in local industry practice and maintained on various allotted herbage levels both as yearlings and during first lactation. The desired range in herbage allowance (400 to 2,800 kg of DM per 100 kg of BW at Uvalde and 80 to 460 kg of DM per 100 kg of BW at Overton) was accomplished by adjusting stocking rate monthly from April to weaning (October). Herbage allowance and yearling heifer characteristics (hook height, condition score, or weight) were treated as continuous, independent variables in regression analyses. Preweaning daily gain responded to increased herbage allowance differently for the two locations. Generally, at Overton, herbage allowance influenced suckling calf growth to a greater extent than for the F1 yearling variables, but at Uvalde this trend was reversed. Heifers with larger yearling heights had first calves that grew faster to weaning for both locations and all herbage allowances, although the relationship was stronger for greater herbage allowances at Overton (herbage allowance x yearling weight interaction, P < .07). This interaction was not detected (P > .15) at Uvalde. Interactions between herbage allowance and yearling condition score were detected (P < .05) at both Overton and Uvalde, but these interactions were different (P < .15) at the two locations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗

Chromatin and microtubule morphology during the first cell cycle in bovine zygotes.

Chromatin and microtubule configurations during the first cell cycle of bovine zygotes were analyzed by DNA staining and microtubule immunolocalization using an IVM/IVF system and oocytes matured and fertilized in vivo, in order to investigate the origin of the active centrosome and to characterize the nuclear and the cytoplasmic changes following bovine fertilization. Our results suggest that the paternal centrosome is active during early zygotic development, forming a conspicuous sperm aster soon after fertilization. We also report that polyspermy in bovine eggs, leads to the formation of numerous sperm asters with different degrees of association with the chromatin. The maternal structures in both monospermic and polyspermic zygotes can be lost or degenerate. Consequently, these cells may resume the first cell cycle as androgenotes, very often with several types of mitotic activity taking place in different regions of the cell cytoplasm at the same time. As indicated by a comparison of monospermic and polyspermic fertilization rates to rates of development, it is possible that some androgenetic embryos cleave and develop to the blastocyst stage.

Animals↗

Coitus late in pregnancy: risk of preterm rupture of amniotic sac membranes.

OBJECTIVES: Coitus with or without orgasm in late pregnancy is inconsistently associated with preterm rupture of amniotic sac membranes. We tested the hypothesis that during late pregnancy sexual behaviors including sexual positioning relate to the occurrence of premature rupture of membranes. STUDY DESIGN: Women aged 15 to 45 years having preterm premature rupture of membranes, term premature rupture of membranes, or preterm delivery without premature rupture of membranes were matched singly by age, race, and parity to control women delivered of term infants. Information about six sexual activities, obstetric history, cervical infections, smoking during pregnancy, and sociodemographic information was obtained by face-to-face interview. RESULTS: Only the male superior position was significantly associated with preterm premature rupture of membranes (odds ratio 2.40, 95% confidence interval 1.16 to 4.97) and preterm delivery without premature rupture of membranes (odds ratio 1.82, confidence interval 1.02 to 3.25) after confounding variables were controlled for. No sexual positioning or sexual activities related significantly to term premature rupture of membranes. CONCLUSION: Most sexual positions and activities during late pregnancy are not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Adolescent↗

Herbage allowance x yearling heifer phenotype interactions for the growth of Brahman-Hereford F1 first-calf females grazing humid pasture and semiarid rangeland.

Growth data were collected over 4 yr from 349 Brahman-Hereford F1, first-calf, lactating females that had been allotted as weanlings to either semiarid extensive rangeland (Uvalde) or humid improved Bermudagrass pasture (Overton) and to one of four herbage allowance levels at each location as yearlings. Heifers were wintered according to systems in local practice and maintained on allotted forage levels both as yearlings and during their first lactation. Heifers were bred to Braford bulls to calve as 2-yr-olds in January to March. Herbage allowance (400 to 2,800 kg of DM/100 kg BW at Uvalde and 80 to 460 kg of DM/100 kg BW at Overton) was maintained by adjusting stocking density monthly from April to weaning (October). Herbage allowance and yearling heifer hook height, condition score, or weight (taken on April 15) were continuous independent variables in regression analyses. Final heifer weight, height, and condition responses to increased herbage allowances were related to yearling phenotypes differently (P < .01) for the two locations. At Uvalde, yearling condition score interactions were especially important in that heifers that had more condition (especially those > 5 for 1 to 10 with 10 = fattest) as yearlings retained more (P < .05) weight and condition and grew more (P < .05) in height than did those of lower yearling condition. These females also responded to increased herbage allowance by gaining advantage (P < .05) in these variables, whereas those of lower yearling condition made smaller advances. At Overton, yearling condition played little role in subsequent growth. The yearling variable that had the greatest interactive effect was height. Shorter yearling heifers (< 123 cm) responded (P < .07) to increased herbage allowance so that they had greater final condition and grew more rapidly in height than those taller as yearlings.

Animal Feed↗

Adequacy of prenatal care and risk of pre term rupture of amniotic sac membranes.

Premature rupture of amniotic membranes (PROM) is associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality. A matched case-control study was undertaken to determine whether adequacy of prenatal care was associated with increased risk for PROM. Three study groups were defined, consisting of women delivering pre term with PROM, full term with PROM, and pre term without PROM. Cases were singly matched by race, age, and parity with women having full term deliveries without PROM. Data were collected by face-to-face structured interviews with eligible subjects and by medical records abstraction. Conditional multiple logistic regression indicated that among women with inadequate levels of prenatal care during pregnancy the risk for pre term PROM was 3.11 (CI = 1.10-8.78) and for pre term without PROM 2.18 (CI = 1.05-4.53) times higher than for their matched controls, even when adjusted for other sociodemographic, behavioral, index pregnancy, and medical history factors. We conclude that inadequate prenatal care may be a marker for less healthy behaviors, lifestyles, and environmental factors among women at increased risk for pre term delivery.

Adolescent↗

Influence of calving season and stocking rate on birth weight and weaning weight of Simmental-sired calves from Brahman-Hereford F1 dams.

Braham-Hereford F1 dams have been used to evaluate the influence of grazing pressure on forage attributes and animal performance at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research Center at Overton. Data for this study were compiled from 1,909 records of Simmental-sired calves born to Braham-Hereford F1 cows from 1975 to 1990. Birth weight and weaning weight were analyzed independently to estimate the influence of year, season of birth, dam age, weaning age, and sex of calf. The effect of stocking rate as represented by levels of forage availability on weaning weights and subsequent birth weights was measured. Within the fall and winter calving seasons, lactating dams grazing at a high stocking rate produced calves with the lowest subsequent birth weights. Lactating dams assigned to creep-fed treatments had calves with the heaviest subsequent birth weights. Although dams that were less than 3.5 yr of age had calves with the lightest birth weights, there was no apparent decline in birth weight of calves from dams 12 to 17 yr old. Year, sex of calf, age of dam, stocking rate, season of birth, age at weaning, and birth weight were significant factors affecting weaning weight (P less than .01). Fall-born calves grazing cool-season annual pastures were heavier at weaning (267.6 kg) than either winter- (252.0 kg) or spring-born calves (240.9 kg). A stocking rate x season-of-birth interaction was observed for birth weight and weaning weight (P less than .05). Differences in weaning weight from low- vs high-stocked pastures were greater for fall-born calves (61.6 kg) than for winter-born calves (48.7).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗

Forage availability x heifer phenotype interactions for Brahman-Hereford F1 yearling heifers grazing humid pasture and semiarid rangeland.

Yearling heifer growth data were obtained during 4 yr for 524 heifers allotted to either humid bermuda grass pastures (Overton) or semiarid rangeland (Uvalde). Each year, heifers were allotted on April 15 to four forage availability levels (400 to 2,800 kg of DM per 100 kg of BW at Uvalde and 80 to 260 kg of DM per 100 kg of BW at Overton) maintained by varying the stocking rate monthly until mid-October of each year. Forage availability and yearling heifer characteristics (weight, condition score, and height at hooks, taken on April 15) were treated as continuous variables in regression analyses. Final heifer weight, height, and condition responses to increased forage allowance were related to yearling phenotypes differently for the two locations. Generally, at Overton, forage availability influenced final characteristics to a greater extent than did yearling variables, whereas the trend was the opposite at Uvalde. At Uvalde, the yearling characteristic that had the largest effect on performance was height at hooks. Yearlings with large frames benefited from increased forage allowance by accumulating body fat at a faster rate than those with small frames. In contrast, at Overton, the yearling characteristic that had the largest effect on performance was condition. Fat heifers responded to increased forage availability to gain even greater advantages in fatness at the expense of potential growth in height and, thus, achieved early maturation. Yearling phenotypes were more broadly adapted to arrays of forage availability for humid, improved pastures than for semiarid rangeland.

Adipose Tissue↗

Dietary habits, prepregnancy weight, and weight gain during pregnancy. Risk of pre term rupture of amniotic sac membranes.

BACKGROUND: Premature rupture of amniotic sac membranes (PROM) is associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality. A matched case-control study was undertaken to determine whether dietary habits, prepregnancy weight, and weight gain during pregnancy were associated with increased risks for PROM. METHODS: Three study groups were defined, consisting of women delivering pre term with PROM (PP), full term with PROM (FP), and pre term without PROM (PWP). Cases were singly matched by race, age, and parity with women having full term deliveries without PROM. Data were collected by face-to-face structured interviews with eligible subjects and by medical records abstraction. RESULTS: Conditional multiple logistic regression indicated that during pregnancy, PP cases were significantly more likely to have gained less than 21 pounds (9.5 kg) (OR = 2.7, CI = 1.14-6.36) and were only half as likely as controls to have improved their diet (OR = 0.43, CI = 0.18-0.99) while controlling for cigarette smoking, urinary tract infection, chorioamnionitis, chlamydia, and a history of previous PROM. FP cases were significantly less likely than controls to have gained 31-40 pounds (14-18 kg) while pregnant (OR = 0.56, CI = 0.33-0.94) and were significantly more likely than controls to have a somewhat inadequate pregnancy diet (OR = 2.05, CI = 1.11-3.77) while controlling for a history of previous PROM. PWP cases were significantly less likely to have gained 31-40 pounds (14-18 kg) (OR = 0.42, CI = 0.21-0.84) or greater than 40 pounds (18 kg) (OR = 0.37, CI = 0.17-0.80) while pregnant or to have had adequate dairy products intake (OR = 0.60, CI = 0.36-0.99) while controlling for cigarette usage. CONCLUSION: Maternal dietary habits, weight gain during pregnancy, and supplement intake are associated with the occurrence of both pre term and full term PROM and pre term delivery without PROM.

Adult↗

Heterosis retention for birth and weaning characters of calves in the third generation of a five-breed diallel.

Data were 876 birth records and 727 weaning records of straightbred and F3 crossbred calves produced in the third generation of a five-breed diallel. Among straightbreds at birth, Holstein calves were heaviest and widest at the shoulders and hips. Jersey calves were lightest and narrowest at the hips, and Brahman calves were narrowest at the shoulders. Holstein crosses tended to be larger at birth than crosses among other breeds. Among straightbreds at weaning, Holstein calves were heaviest and tallest, and Hereford calves were lightest and shortest. Angus calves had the highest survival to weaning rate, and Holstein calves had the lowest survival rate. Among crossbred calves, Holstein crosses tended to be larger at weaning. Estimates of average heterosis retained for birth characters were not significant. Significant breed mean heterosis retention was observed for birth weight, shoulder width, and hip width of Hereford calves and for shoulder width and hip width of Holstein calves. Estimates of average heterosis retained for weaning weight and height were 6.1 kg (P less than .01) and 1.02 cm (P less than .05), respectively. In general, estimates of specific and average heterosis retained for survival to weaning were nonsignificant. Significant breed mean heterosis was observed for weaning weight and height of Brahman, Hereford, and Holstein calves and for survival to weaning of Hereford, Holstein, and Jersey calves.

Animals↗

Genetic correlations among reproductive traits and uterine dimensions in mice.

The objective of this experiment was to identify relationships among reproductive and uterine traits in mice having normal or crowded uterine conditions. Littermate females were randomly assigned to be either unilaterally ovariectomized (ULO) or to remain intact (C) and to be killed either 3 d after mating (PM) or 4 d after parturition (PP) in a 2 x 2 factorial design. Measurements taken were ovulation rate (OR) and uterine length (UL), wet weight (UWW), dry weight (UDW) and displacement (UDP) in PM females and number born (NB) and implantation rate (IMP) in PP females. Heritability estimates from full-sib correlations were .18, .01, .33, .04, .14, .47 and .06 for OR, IMP, NB, UL, UWW, UDW and UDP, respectively. Phenotypic correlations among uterine measurements were moderate to high and positive. Genetic correlations for C and ULO females for OR with NB were .62 and .73, respectively. Genetic correlations between C and ULO females were .53 for NB and 1.05 for OR. Genetic correlations of UL and UWW with NB were high for C (.70 and .59, respectively) and moderate for ULO (.47 and .36, respectively). Genetic correlations between NB and other uterine dimensions were lower.

Animals↗

Characterization of relative growth of empty body and carcass components for bulls from a five-breed diallel.

Slaughter and carcass data were obtained on 197 bulls produced in a diallel involving Angus, Brahman, Hereford, Holstein and Jersey that were slaughtered at either 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, or 30 mo of age. Bulls were given ad libitum access to a 72% TDN diet on an individual basis from 6 mo of age until slaughter. Empty body weight (EBWT) was determined as the sum of the weights of blood, hide, hard drop, soft drop (minus contents of the digestive tract), and carcass weight (CWT), which were recorded at slaughter. Carcass protein (CPROT) and fat (CFAT) were based on weights and chemical analyses of lean and fat tissue and bone of the carcass. Empty body protein (EBPROT) and fat (EBFAT) were based on weights and chemical estimates of the components of the empty body. Growth of EBWT, EBPROT, EBFAT, CWT, CPROT, and CFAT relative to either live weight (LWT), EBWT, or CWT were investigated using the allometric equation. Breed-type differences existed (P less than .01) for the growth of EBWT relative to LWT. Comparisons of general combining abilities revealed that Angus, Hereford, and Jersey generally had lower maturing rates of EBWT relative to LWT and that Brahman and Holstein had higher maturing rates. Across breed-type, relative growth rates indicated that fat and protein were later-maturing components relative to LWT, EBWT, or CWT, which implies that other components mature relatively earlier. Relative maturing rates of components studied were not important in explaining differences in body composition that have been previously reported for these breed-types.

Adipose Tissue↗