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Biomedical subjects

R E Short

Publications and source records attributed to R E Short.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Anovulation in postpartum suckled beef cows. II. Associations among binding of 125I-labeled gonadotropins to granulosa and thecal cells, and concentrations of steroids in serum and various sized ovarian follicles.

To determine if specific binding of 125I-labeled gonadotropins to granulosa and thecal cells, or concentrations of steroids in ovarian follicles change during the postpartum anovulatory period, 21 suckled beef cows were slaughtered on d 7, 14, 28, 42 or 56 after parturition (n = 4 to 6 per d). After slaughter, 10 to 15 follicles were dissected from each pair of ovaries and categorized by diameter: small (1.0 to 3.9 mm), medium (4.0 to 7.9 mm) or large (greater than or equal to 8 mm). Progesterone (221 to 612 ng/ml), androstenedione (48 to 94 ng/ml) and estradiol (2.7 to 23.9 ng/ml) did not change (P greater than .10) in fluid of small or medium follicles from d 7 to 42 to 56 after parturition. Similarly, specific binding of human chorionic gonadotropin (125I-hCG) or follicle stimulating hormone (125I-oFSH) to homogenates of small, medium or large follicles did not change (P greater than .05). In contrast, progesterone in fluid of large follicles increased (P less than .05) 3.4-fold between d 7 and 14, but decreased (P less than .05) 55% between d 14 and 28. Concentrations of androstenedione in fluid of large follicles did not change (P greater than .10) from d 7 to 42 to 56. Concentrations of estradiol in fluid of large follicles remained constant between d 7 and 14, but increased (P less than .05) 4.2-fold between d 14 and 28. We conclude that during the postpartum anovulatory period, there is no change in steroidogenic capabilities of small or medium follicles, both of which predominantly produce progesterone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Androstenedione↗
PubMed1986

Fetal growth of beef calves. I. Effect of prepartum dietary crude protein on birth weight, blood metabolites and steroid hormone concentrations.

Fifty-nine crossbred heifers (427 kg) bred to one Hereford sire were randomly assigned at 75 d prepartum to two diets. Heifers were individually fed, and diets were isocaloric but contained either a low (LP = 81% NRC, .56 kg/d) or high (HP = 141% NRC, .98 kg/d) level of crude protein. Jugular vein cannulae were inserted into 16 LP and 16 HP heifers at 10 prepartum. Daily preprandial blood samples that were collected until parturition were analyzed for serum estradiol-17 beta (E2), progesterone (P4), glucose (G) and urea nitrogen (UN). Heifers fed LP gained slower than HP-fed heifers before calving (.73 vs 1.02 kg/d; P less than .01); immediate post-calving weights and condition scores were 418 vs 444 kg (P less than .01) and 5.4 vs 6.1 (P less than .01; LP vs HP, respectively). Calf birth weights (35.3 vs 36.1 kg), average calving difficulty score (1.6 vs 1.6) and percent assisted births (35.5 vs 35.7%) did not differ (P greater than .10; LP vs HP, respectively). Prepartum concentrations of UN (6.2 vs 13.5 mg/dl) and G (52.9 vs 58.2 mg/dl) were lower (P less than .05) and P4 (5.94 vs 4.26 ng/ml) was higher (P approximately equal to .07) in LP heifers. Prepartum concentration profiles were related to calving difficulty score (CD, 1 = no assistance to 3 = hard pull) for E2 (CD1 vs CD2 + CD3, P less than .01; CD2 vs CD3, P approximately equal to .01), P4 (CD1 vs CD2 + CD3, P less than .05), G (CD1 vs CD2 + CD3, P less than .05) and UN (CD2 vs CD3, P less than .05). After calving, all dams were maintained together on pasture and supplemented with alfalfa hay and grain mix until adequate range forage was available to maintain weight gains. Dams that were fed LP prepartum gained faster than HP dams during this period (.49 vs .15 kg/d; P less than .01). Prebreeding weights (443 vs 453 kg; LP vs HP) and condition scores (5.1 vs 5.1) did not differ, nor was the postpartum interval affected (44 vs 40 d; LP vs HP). There was no effect of dietary protein on dystocia or postpartum interval, although there were diet-induced differences in body weight and condition of the dams at calving. Results indicate that differences in prepartum profiles of serum steroid hormones and metabolites may be related to dystocia, in addition to relative fetal oversize.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Fetal growth of beef calves. II. Effect of sire on prenatal development of the calf and related placental characteristics.

Fifteen Hereford and 47 crossbred heifers were allotted by breed and body weight to be artificially inseminated to one of two Angus sires selected for progeny birth weights (L = low; H = high). Forty-two of the heifers were randomly assigned to be slaughtered at 200, 215, 230, 245 or 260 d of gestation for measurement of fetal and placental characteristics. Twenty heifers were allowed to go to term and five calves from each sire group were randomly assigned to be euthanized and dissected within 24 h after birth. Sire differences in birth weight (BW) and dystocia score (32.9 vs 35.4 kg; 1.8 vs 3.1, L vs H sires, respectively) existed (P less than .01), and there was a sire effect (P less than .01) for fetal calf weights (FW) and eviscerated calf weights (EW). However, there was a sire X calf sex interaction for BW (P less than .05), EW (P less than .01), FW (P less than .01), femur length (P less than .05), heart weight (P less than .05), kidney weight (P less than .01) and pituitary weight (P less than .01). Weight differences suggested these interactions were a result of the relationship of the organ weights to fetal body weights and the interaction effects on calf weights resulted from limitations in the maternal environment which restricted growth of H-sired male calves in utero. Sire X fetal age interaction effects were all nonsignificant (P greater than .10) except for cerebrum weight. This finding indicates that fetus and calf growth rates were parallel for the L and H sires. A sire effect was found for biceps (P less than .01) and liver weights (P less than .01), but not for cerebrum weights (P greater than .10). Increasing weight due to fetal age was attributed to hypertrophy for the cerebrum (P less than .05) and liver (P approximately equal to .01), while the biceps increased (P less than .05) by both hypertrophy and hyperplasia, as determined from deoxyribonucleic acid and protein analyses. All measured fetal organ weights except heart, when expressed as a ratio with EW, decreased (P less than .05) with increasing fetal age. Brain (cerebrum + cerebellum):liver weight ratios were higher (P less than .01) in L-sired calves (.32 vs. .28) than in H-sired calves. Total placentome weight (b' = 91; P less than .01) and placental fluid volume (b' = .32; P less than .01) were highly associated with FW, accounting for 84% of the variation in FW.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Heritabilities and genetic correlations of growth and reproductive measurements in Hereford bulls.

Weight, hip height, heart girth, pelvic height, pelvic width and scrotal circumference were measured at 403 and 490 d on 427 Hereford bulls. The bulls were members of a random-selection herd so estimates of genetic parameters should have a minimum of bias due to selection. Heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated by normal paternal half-sib (PHS) correlation procedures. In addition, 256 son-sire pairs (RSS) were used to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations by regression and covariance methods. The PHS method produced heritability estimates in the range of .41 to .58 for all measures at both ages, with the exceptions of hip height at 403 d (.24) and pelvic height at 490 d (.23). The estimates derived in the RSS method ranged from .10 to .60. The RSS relationship would contain a portion of any maternal X direct covariance effects. A difference in heritability estimated by the two methods could be a reflection of this covariance. Genetic correlations tended to be larger than phenotypic and, in several cases, were negative. The difference in the correlation between two measurements taken at 403 d vs the same correlation estimated at 490 d was not readily explainable but may be evidence for differences in maturation rates or maternal effects. Scrotal circumference had a positive genetic correlation with weight and heart girth and near 0 or negative genetic correlations with pelvic measures. Hip height had positive genetic correlations with weight and heart girth at 403 and 490 d and with pelvic measurements at 403 d, but the correlations were not as large at 490 d.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Nonpuberal estrus and mature cow influences on growth and puberty in heifers.

This experiment had two objectives. The first was to test a hypothesis that the presence of mature cows can influence the growth rate and physiological maturation rate of growing heifers. The second objective was to define a phenomenon termed nonpuberal estrus (NPE). Nonpuberal estrus in a prepuberal heifer is a behavioral estrus that is not followed by ovulation and formation of a corpus luteum. Two years of data were collected. All heifers were crossbred and were sired by Hereford, Charolais and Tarentaise bulls in yr 1 (n = 153) and by the same three breeds plus Jersey, Shorthorn, Brahman and Longhorn in yr 2 (n = 207). All heifers were born in the spring and weaned in October when approximately 180 d old. After weaning, heifers were assigned at random (within breed of sire) to control or mature cow (MC) treatment pens. Control pens contained 25 or 26 heifers and a sterile marker bull, while MC pens contained 25 or 26 heifers and a sterile marker bull plus four nonpregnant, mature cows. The presence of the mature cows did not (P greater than .10) affect rate of gain or yearling weight. Sire breed did (P less than .01) influence weight on test and average daily gain during the test in both years and affected (P less than .01) yearling weight during yr 2 but not (P greater than .10) during yr 1. A sire breed X treatment interaction effect on puberal traits was significant (P less than .01) in yr 1 but not in yr 2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1984

Relationship between pituitary responsiveness to Gn-RH and number of Gn-RH-binding sites in pituitary glands of beef cows.

Changes in the ability of Gn-RH to induce gonadotrophin release with time after synchronization of oestrus was determined in 4 groups of 6 cows each. Cows were given Gn-RH at 40-min intervals for 6 h beginning at -24, 0, 18 or 36 h (time 0 = removal of progestagen implant). Changes in concentration (ng/ml) of serum LH after Gn-RH averaged 2.9, 6.2, 6.4 and 33.4, whereas serum FSH averaged 25.7, 35.8, 35.8 and 97.3. Thus the responsiveness of the pituitary to Gn-RH had increased by 36 h after implant removal. Other groups of cows subjected to the same synchronization scheme were slaughtered at 0 h, 24 h or at various times after onset of oestrous behaviour. Gn-RH binding to crude pituitary membrane preparations was assessed. There was no apparent change in the affinity constant of Gn-RH-binding sites with time after synchronization. The number of Gn-RH-binding sites remained unchanged until the period of oestrus when a significant decline with time was detected. We conclude that the increase in pituitary responsiveness to Gn-RH that occurs before the preovulatory gonadotrophin surge was not directly associated with changes in number or affinity of pituitary Gn-RH-binding sites in crude pituitary membrane preparations.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Negative feedback control of luteinizing hormone secretion in prepubertal beef heifers at 60 and 200 days of age.

Prepubertal beef heifers at 60 and 200 d of age, born in the fall or spring, were assigned randomly to one of three treatment groups: (1) intact = 1; (2) bilateral ovariectomy (OVX); or (3) OVX plus estradiol-17 beta(E2) administered in silastic implants (OVX + E2). Luteinizing hormone (LH) was measured in serum samples collected at 20-min intervals for 4 h from heifers on -1, +7, +21, +35 and +49 d after OVX. Luteinizing hormone concentrations increased in the serum by 7 d after OVX in heifers at both 60 and 200 d of age (P less than .001; time X treatment). Prior to OVX, the LH patterns were characterized by low levels and infrequent episodic pulses. By 49 d after OVX, the mean LH concentrations increased and the pattern changed to one of rhythmic LH pulses with a periodicity of 1 h (P less than .001; time X treatment). Estradiol-treated OVX heifers did not exhibit a postovariectomy rise in serum LH concentrations. Serum E2 concentration 49 d after OVX in OVX heifers was threefold greater than in 1 or OVX heifers, thus demonstrating that E2 exerted negative feedback on pituitary LH secretion in prepubertal heifers. There was no measurable difference in serum E2 concentrations between I and OVX heifers; however, the contrast in the concentration and pattern of serum LH between the two groups was dramatic and suggested gonadal factors in addition to E2 are involved in controlling LH secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Genetic variance components of birth weight in a herd of unselected cattle.

Two replicates of a randomly selected herd of Hereford cattle have been developed at the Livestock and Range Research Station in Miles City, Montana. Dams were first bred to a random selection of bulls in 1976. For this study, birth weights of 1,012 calves born in 1977 through 1983 were adjusted for sex, age of dam and year effects. Analyses were on the entire data set and a series of subsets. Subsets were determined by parental birth weights, either above (H) or below (L) the overall mean for parents of that sex. Subsets were: H sires X random dams; L sires X random dams; random sires X H dams; random sires X L dams; H sires X H dams; H sires X L dams; L sires X H dams and L sires X L dams. Two additional subsets were termed assortative (H X H and L X L) and disassortative (H X L and L X H) matings. Genetic variance components including additive direct effects (sigma 2A), additive maternal effects (sigma 2M) and a covariance between transmitted and maternal effects (sigma AM) were estimated by solving simultaneous equations after estimating coefficients for offspring-sire, offspring-dam and offspring-midparent mean regressions and a paternal half-sib covariance. Estimates for heritability of direct effects, heritability of maternal effects and the genetic correlation between transmitted and maternal effects (h2 A, h2M and rAM) were .36, .82 and -.51, respectively, in the overall data set but varied considerably when estimated in the subsets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Growth and reproductive traits in beef heifers implanted with zeranol.

Weaned replacement heifers were implanted with zeranol at 8 and 11 mo of age in two trials to evaluate growth and reproductive traits. Approximately 100 beef heifers were used in each trial, and the heifers were divided into categories of heavier than average (H) and lighter than average (L) weaning weight. Weight categories were further divided into control (HC and LC) and zeranol-implanted (HI and LI) groups. Heifers were kept in drylot from weaning to just before the start of the breeding season and were fed to reach a predetermined body weight by the start of the breeding season and were fed to reach a predetermined body weight by the start of the breeding season. Rates of gain in the drylot were greater in implanted than in control heifers in both trial 1 (.53 vs .48 kg/d; P less than .09) and trial 2 (.70 vs .63 kg/d; P less than .01). Pelvic areas were greater (P less than .01) in implanted than in control heifers of both trial 1 (175 vs 159 cm2) and trial 2 (175 vs 164 cm2). This increase in pelvic size was still present at the end of the summer pasture period, which followed the drylot period. Zeranol had no major effect (P greater than .10) on age of weight at puberty. Fall pregnancy rate was 16% lower in implanted heifers than in control heifers in trial 1 (62 vs 78%, P = .08) but did not differ in trial 2 (88 vs 87%, I and C, respectively).

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Pituitary and ovarian function in postpartum beef cows. I. Effect of suckling on serum and follicular fluid hormones and follicular gonadotropin receptors.

The effect of suckling on serum and follicular fluid hormones and on follicular gonadotropin receptors was studied. Sixteen anestrous postpartum cows were assigned to 1 of 2 groups: suckled (S) or weaned (W). All calves were allowed to suckle ad libitum from parturition to 21 days postpartum when calves from W cows were weaned. All cows were ovariectomized on Day 25 postpartum. W cows had more (P less than 0.01) pulses of LH during the 96-h period from weaning until ovariectomy than S cows (6.3 vs. 1.3 pulses). Serum concentrations of prolactin (Prl), estrone (E1), estradiol-17 beta (E2) and progesterone (P) were not different (P greater than 0.10) between groups. Furthermore, there were n differences (P greater than 0.10) in follicular in contents of luteinizing hormone (LH), E1, E2 and P between the treatment groups. However, follicular fluid content of Prl was greater (P less than 0.05) in the W cows than in the S cows (123 vs. 65.1 ng/cow). The number of follicular LH receptors was greater (P less than 0.05) in the W cows than in the S cows (71.1 vs. 48.3 fmoles/mg protein) although the number of follicular follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptors was not different (P greater than 0.10) between W cows and S cows (1531 vs. 1862 fmoles/mg protein). There were no correlation between serum hormone concentrations and follicular fluid hormone content; however, the numbers of follicular LH receptors and follicular fluid Prl content were highly correlated in the W cows (r = 0.85; P less than 0.05). It is concluded that removal of the suckling stimulus increases pulsatile LH release and the accumulation of Prl in the follicular fluid. These factors, either together or separately, may at least in part be responsible for the increase in follicular LH receptor concentrations that were observed in the W cows.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Relationship of growth and puberty in beef heifers fed monensin.

An experiment was designed to determine the effects of dietary monensin on age and weight at puberty in Bos taurus crossbred beef heifers. One hundred and forty heifers were allotted to two weight classes: heavy (H) and light (L) groups, consisting of heifers above and below the average weaning weight, respectively. Heifers within each weight class were assigned to one of three diets during a 203-d winter feeding period: (1) R, 80% roughage: 20% concentrate; (2) M1, R diet plus monensin (200 mg/head daily) with feed intake restricted to produce average daily gains (ADG) similar to R and (3) M2, R diet plus monensin (200 mg/head daily). ADG was higher (P less than .001) for M2 heifers than for R and M1 heifers, which performed similarly. Age and weight at puberty were similar across treatments in L heifers. However, in the H group, HM1 and HM2 heifers were younger (P less than .07) at puberty than HR heifers and this difference was not removed by covariate adjustment of either ADG or body weight. Weigh at puberty was greater (P less than .01) for HM2 heifers than for HM1 or HR heifers; however, this difference was removed by covariate adjustment of either ADG or body weight. Ninety-one percent of LM2 heifers and 100% of all other groups had reached puberty before the breeding season. Pregnancy rates did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Supplementation of a high roughage diet with monensin decreased age at puberty of heifers in the heavy weight class and this decrease was not due to increased body weight or ADG. Perhaps heifers with above average weaning weight possess a greater inherent growth potential than heifers below the average weaning weight and hence are more capable of utilizing monensin to an advantage.

Acetates↗
PubMed1979

Steroid levels after intramuscular injection of radioactive estradiol-17beta, estrone, progesterone and testosterone in the bovine.

Eight 2 year old Hereford cows from days 8 to 12 of the estrous cycle were injected intramuscularly with 5 ml of corn oil containing 5 mg of estradiol-17beta (two cows), estrone (two cows), progesterone (two cows) or testosterone (two cows). Each cow treated with estradiol received 494 microc of estradiol-17beta-6, 7 H3 and each cow treated with estrone received 492 microc of estrone-6, 7 H3. Each cow treated with progesterone or testosterone received 400 muc of H3 compound labeled in the 7 position. Total urine was collected by urethral catheterization of the cows treated with estrogens. Blood samples for plasma and serum were collected via jugular cannulae. Blood and urine samples from estrogen-treated cows were collected hourly for the first 24 hr, at 2 hr intervals for the next 26 hr, at 4 hr intervals for the next 12 hr and at 12 hr intervals until background was reached. Blood samples were collected hourly from 1 to 8 hr after injection from progesterone or testosterone-treated cows. Plasma and serum levels of radioactive estradiol-17beta, estrone, progesterone and testosterone were similar. Blood levels of radioactivity peaked at 2 hr post-injection in cows receiving estradiol-17beta and at 3 hr in cows receiving estrone. Blood levels of labeled estradiol-17beta and estrone were nondetectable by 54 hr and 83 hr, respectively. Peak urinary excretion of radioactivity was reached at 7 hr for estradiol-17beta and at 14 hr for estrone and nondetectable levels were reached by 95 hr for estradiol-17beta and 14 hr for estrone. At these times, 15.5% of the total dose of radioactive estradiol-17beta and 17.5% of the injected estrone had been excreted in the urine. Peak blood and urinary excretion levels were reached earlier for radioactive estradiol-17beta than for estrone, and excretion of estradiol-17beta was completed more rapidly. No difference was found in plasma and serum levels for any steroid studies; thus, endogenous steroid titers in blood plasma and serum are not different in the cow.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1979

Effect of mating stimuli on LH release in bulls.

Fourteen crossbred beef bulls were assigned at random to receive one of four sexual stimuli treatments. Treatments consisted of: (1) controls (four bulls), no visual or physical contact with any cows; (2) false mount (two bulls), allowed to mount an estrual cow; (3) mated (four bulls), allowed to mount an estrual cow with intromission and ejaculation; (4) electroejaculated (four bulls), no exposure to cows. Serum from blood samples taken at 15-min intervals from -15 min to 2 hr from sexual stimuli were radioimmunoassayed for luteinizing hormone (LH). Four bulls had elevated levels at the pretreatment bleeding, but none of the stimuli induced or were associated with LH releases. Basal levels of LH were consistent within bulls but varied considerably among bulls. Conclusion is that stimuli associated with mating do not cause a release of LH.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1979

Multiple linear and nonlinear regression analyses of factors causing calving difficulty.

Calving difficulty (CD) was analyzed as the dependent variable from observations on 592 first-calf, 2-year-old heifers that were either Angus X Hereford (AH), Charolais X AH or Simmental X AH. Independent variables were birth weight (BW), pelvic area (PA), BW.(33), PA.(5), cow weight (CW), cow condition score (CS) and sex of calf (S). CD was analyzed as score (1 = no difficulty through 4 = extreme difficulty) CD-I, % CD (1 vs 2 + 3 + 4 , CD-II) or % high CD (1 + 2 vs 3 + 4 , CD-III). R(2) values from CD-II and CD-III multiple correlation (R) analyses were consistently lower (.10 to .13) than from the CD-I analysis. When only BW and PA were included in the model, R(2) values for CD-I were .36, .39 and .39 for the linear, quadratic and cubic analyses, respectively. When BW, PA, CW, CS and S were included in the model, the R(2) values for CD-I were .40 and .42 for the linear and quadratic analyses (cubic effects were not tested). In the linear analysis with BW.(33) and PA.(5), the R(2) for CD-I was .36. In all analyses, the order of importance of the factors studied was BW and PA, with a much lower contribution from CW and S. CS did not account for a significant increase in R(2) in any analysis. CD remained below 50% whenever the PA BW ratio exceeded 8.4. This ratio is a convenient practical method to relate PA and BW to CD. Conclusions are that the linear effects of BW and PA account for the majority of the identified variation in CD (R(2)) and that small increases in R(2) can be obtained by adding CW, CS and S to the model and/or by expanding the model to include quadratic effects.

Journal Article↗