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Steers and heifers were generated from Angus (A) and Belgian Blue (BB) sires mated to Brahman x Hereford (B x H) [F.sub.1] cows to characterize their growth, carcass traits, and LM shear force. A total of 120 B x H cows purchased from 2 herds and 35 bulls (14 A and 21 BB) produced calves during the 5-yr project. After the stocker phase, a representative sample of A- and BB-sired heifers and steers were transported to the Iberia Research Station to be fed a high-concentrate diet. The remaining cattle were transported to a commercial feedlot facility. Each pen of cattle from the commercial feedlot was slaughtered when it was estimated that heifers and steers had 10 mm of fat or greater. The BB-sired calves were heavier at birth (P < 0.01) than the A-sired calves. During the feedlot phase, the A-sired calves gained more BW (P < 0.05) than the BB-sired calves. The BB-sired calves had heavier (P < 0.01) carcass weights than the A-sired calves. This was due to a combination of a heavier final BW and greater dressing percent. Because of their greater muscling and reduced (P < 0.01) fat, carcasses from BB-sired calves had greater yield (P < 0.01) compared with carcasses from A-sired calves. Carcasses from A-sired calves had a greater (P < 0.01) marbling score and greater (P < 0.01) USDA quality grade than carcasses from BB-sired calves. Tenderness, as measured by shear force of the steaks aged for 7 d, was similar for A- and BB-sired calves. However, steaks aged for 14 d from the A-sired calves had a reduced shear force (P < 0.01) compared with steaks from the BB-sired calves. Steer calves were heavier (P < 0.01) at birth and weaning, and had more total BW gain in the feedlot, which resulted in a heavier final BW and HCW compared with the heifers. Steer carcasses also had greater marbling scores and quality grades, whereas the heifer carcasses had larger LM area per 100 kg of carcass weight. In conclusion, the BB-sired calves had heavier carcass weights and greater cutability, whereas the A-sired calves had a greater degree of marbling and greater quality grade, and steaks from carcasses of A-sired calves were more tender as measured by shear force at 14 d. Key words: beef, breed, carcass composition, growth, sex, tenderness

Angus bulls and heifers from lines divergently selected for serum IGF-I concentration were used to evaluate the effects of IGF-I selection line on growth performance and feed efficiency in 2 studies. In study 1, bulls (low line, n = 9; high line, n = 8; initial BW = 367.1 [+ or -] 22.9 kg) and heifers (low line, n = 9; high line, n = 13; initial BW = 286.4 [+ or -] 28.6 kg) were adapted to a roughage-based diet (ME = 1.95 Mcal/kg of DM) for 24 d and fed individually for 77 d by using Calan gate feeders. In study 2, bulls (low line, n = 15; high line, n = 12; initial BW = 297.5 [+ or -] 34.4 kg) and heifers (low line, n = 9; high line, n = 20; initial BW = 256.0 [+ or -] 25.1 kg) were adapted to a grain-based diet (ME = 2.85 Mcal/kg of DM) for 32 d and fed individually for 70 d by using Calan gate feeders. Blood samples were collected at weaning and at the start and end of each study, and serum IGF-I concentration was determined. Residual feed intake (RFI) was calculated, within study, as the residual from the linear regression of DMI on midtest [BW.sup.0.75], ADG, sex, sex by midtest [BW.sup.0.75] and sex by ADG. In study 1, calves from the low IGF-I selection line had similar initial and final BW and ADG, compared with calves from the high IGF-I selection line. In addition, DMI and feed conversion ratio were similar between IGF-I selection lines; however, calves from the low IGF-I selection line tended (P < 0.10) to have lesser RFI than calves from the high IGF-I selection line (-0.26 vs. 0.24 [+ or -] 0.31 kg/d). In study 2, IGF-I selection line had no influence on performance or feed efficiency traits. However, there was a tendency (P = 0.15) for an IGF-I selection line x sex interaction for RFI. Bulls from the low IGF-I selection line had numerically lesser RFI than those from the high IGF-I selection line, whereas in heifers, the IGF-I selection line had no effect on RFI. In studies 1 and 2, weaning and initial IGF-I concentrations were not correlated with either feed conversion ratio or RFI. However, regression analysis revealed a sex x IGF-I concentration interaction for initial IGF-I concentration in study 1 and weaning IGF-I concentration in study 2 such that the regression coefficient was positive for bulls and negative for heifers. These data suggest that genetic selection for postweaning serum IGF-I concentration had a minimal effect on RFI in beef cattle. Key words: beef cattle, carcass composition, divergent selection, insulin-like growth factor-I, residual feed intake

Accuracy and bias of EBV are important measures of the quality of genetic evaluations. A sampling method that accounts for the uncertainty in the estimation of genetic group effects was used to calculate accuracy and bias of estimated effects. The method works by repeatedly simulating phenotypes for multiple traits for a defined data and pedigree structure. These simulated values are analyzed using BLUP with genetic groups in the relationship matrix. Accuracies and biases are then calculated as correlations among and differences between true and estimated values across all replicates, respectively. The method was applied to the Irish beef production data set for 15 traits and with 15 genetic groups to account for differences in breed means. Accuracy and bias of estimated genetic group effects, estimated comparisons between genetic group effects, EBV within genetic group, and EBV across genetic group were calculated. Small biases were detected for most estimated genetic group effects and most estimated comparisons between genetic group effects. Most of these were not important relative to the phenotypic SD of the traits involved. For example, a bias of 0.78% of the phenotypic SD was detected for carcass conformation in Aberdeen Angus. However, one trait, calf quality, which had few performance records in the data set, displayed larger bias, ranging from -10.31 to 5.85% of the phenotypic SD across the different estimated genetic group effects. Large differences were observed in the accuracies of genetic group effects, ranging from 0.02 for feed intake in Holstein, which had no data recorded, to >0.97 for carcass conformation, a trait with large amounts of data recorded in the different genetic groups. Large differences were also observed in the accuracies of the comparisons among genetic group effects. The accuracies of the EBV within genetic group and EBV across genetic group were sometimes different; for example, carcass conformation in Belgian Blue had an average accuracy within genetic group of 0.69 compared with an average accuracy across genetic group of 0.89. This suggests that the accuracy of genetic groups should be taken into account when publishing EBV across genetic groups. Key words: accuracy, bias, data quality, genetic groups, multiple breed genetic evaluations

Pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) is an indicator of resistance to blood flow through the lungs and when measured at high altitude is a reliable predictor of susceptibility of an animal to brisket disease, a noninfectious cardiac pulmonary condition. (Co)variance components for PAP, birth weight, and adjusted 205-d weaning weight were estimated from 2,305 spring-born, registered Angus cattle from a Colorado ranch at an elevation of 1,981 m. A single measure of PAP was collected after weaning on animals born from 1984 to 2003. The same licensed veterinarian measured every animal. Multitrait animal models with and without PAP maternal effects were fitted for a pedigree including 132 sires and 793 dams. The interaction of year x sex was a significant fixed effect (P < 0.05) for PAP, but age of dam was not. Age at PAP testing was a significant (P < 0.1) linear covariate for PAP, and scores increased 0.012 [+ or -] 0.007 mmHg*[d.sup.-1] of age. Heritability of PAP direct was 0.34 [+ or -] 0.05. Maternal heritability converged to a boundary at 0.0, and the model with maternal genetic effects for PAP was not significantly better than a model with only direct effects. Phenotypically, PAP was uncorrelated with birth or weaning weights. Genetically, PAP appeared to have positive, unfavorable relationships with direct effects for birth (0.49 [+ or -] 0.12) and weaning weight (0.50 [+ or -] 0.18). Positive correlations imply sires whose offspring exhibited resistance to brisket disease had lower weights and gains. A model that evaluated PAP in females and males as different traits had heritability estimates for each sex of 0.38 [+ or -] 0.07 and 0.46 [+ or -] 0.09, respectively, with a genetic correlation of 0.64 [+ or -] 0.12 between the sexes and was not significantly better than the model assuming homogeneity by sex and a unit genetic correlation between sexes. The results suggest that PAP is moderately heritable in spring-born Angus cattle acclimatized and tested at high altitude, and selection for low PAP scores would be effective. Selection for growth at low altitude will produce cattle less suited to high altitude. Key words: cattle, growth, heritability, maternal effect, pulmonary arterial pressure

This study was conducted to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting growth and beef carcass fatness traits in an experimental population of Angus and Brahman crossbreds. The three-generation mapping population was generated with 602 progeny from 29 reciprocal backcross and three [F.sub.2] full-sib families, and 417 genetic markers were used to produce a sex-averaged map of the 29 autosomes spanning 2,642.5 Kosambi cM. Alternative interval-mapping approaches were applied under line-cross (LC) and random infinite alleles (RA) models to detect QTL segregating between and within breeds. A total of 35 QTL (five with genomewide significant and 30 with suggestive evidence for linkage) were found on 19 chromosomes. One QTL affecting yearling weight was found with genomewide significant evidence for linkage in the interstitial region of bovine autosome (BTA) 1, and an additional 19 QTL were detected with suggestive evidence for linkage under the LC model. Many of these QTL had a dominant (complete or overdominant) mode of gene action, and only a few of the QTL were primarily additive, which reflects the fact that heterosis for growth is known to be appreciable in crosses among Brahman and British breeds. Four QTL affecting growth were detected with genomewide significant evidence for linkage under the RA model on BTA 2 and BTA 6 for birth weight, BTA 5 for yearling weight, and BTA 23 for hot carcass weight. An additional 11 QTL were detected with suggestive evidence for linkage under the RA model. None of the QTL (except for yearling weight on BTA 5) detected under the RA model were found by the LC analyses, suggesting the segregation of alternate alleles within one or both of the parental breeds. Our results reveal the utility of implementing both the LC and RA models to detect dominant QTL and also QTL with similar allele frequency distributions within parental breeds. Key Words: Beef Cattle, Carcass Composition, Growth, Mapping, Quantitative Trait Loci

Angus bulls (n = 16) selected for either high- or low-milk EPD but similar growth EPD were mated within location at random to Angus cows. Daughters were bred to calve at 2 yr of age and annually until 6 yr of age. Milk yield was measured four times during lactation with a portable milking machine to estimate 12-h milk yield. Milk was collected for analysis of the percentage of fat and protein. A mixed model procedure was used to analyze the weaning weight, milk yield, and milk component data. The model for weaning weight included location, genetic line of sire, gender of calf, and age of dam. Calf age at weaning was used as a covariate. The model for the milk yield and components included location, genetic line of sire, gender of calf, period, and age of dam. Random effects for all models included sire of dam nested within line, sire of calf, and year. Genetic line was a significant source of variation for milk yield (P < 0.01) and weaning weight (P < 0.01) but not for percentage of fat or protein. Location was significant for milk yield (P < 0.01), fat (P < 0.01), protein (P < 0.01), and weaning weight (P < 0.01). The interaction of line with location was not significant except for percentage of protein (P < 0.01). Age of dam was significant for milk yield (P < 0.01), weaning weight (P < 0.01), and percentage of protein (P < 0.01), but not for percentage of fat (P = 0.29). Line difference for mean weaning weight was 18.1 kg, which is similar to the difference between lines for milk EPD (19 kg). Weaning weights from high-milk EPD line daughters were heavier (P < 0.01) than low-milk EPD line daughters at each age of dam evaluated. Cows nursed by males had higher milk yields (4.33 kg/12 h) than cows nursed by heifers (4.0 kg/12 h). The difference in yields for gender was significant for 2-, 3-, and 5-yr-old cows, but not for 4-(P < 0.052) and 6-yr old (P < 0.15) cows. Correlation coefficients between weaning weight and weaning EPD, milk EPD, and total maternal EPD were greater than zero (P < 0.01) (0.76, 0.65, and 0.89, respectively). Daughters of sires with high-milk EPD produced more milk at each age and weaned heavier calves than daughters of sires with low-milk EPD. These results confirm the value of milk EPD for improvement of weaning weights in beef cattle and also validate age of dam effects on milk yield and the associated effects on weaning weights. Key Words: Beef Cattle, Milk Yield, Predicted Difference, Progeny Testing

Information on mature weight, hip height, and body condition score from Angus cows was analyzed to estimate variance components and compare prediction models. Observations from repeated measures were analyzed with animal models with or without condition score as a covariate and with or without an effect for permanent environment. Heritability (repeatability) estimates for mature weight, hip height, and condition score from Method R procedures were 0.40 (0.77), 0.62 (0.81), and 0.11 (0.38), respectively, from animal models containing a permanent environmental effect but without a covariate for condition score. Heritability estimates from animal models without a permanent environmental effect were similar to repeatability estimates from animal models with it, suggesting inflated estimates of genetic variance from models not containing a permanent environmental effect. Regressing mature weight on condition score reduced both additive genetic variance and permanent environmental variance, increasing the heritability estimate of mature weight to 0.54 and altering the biological interpretation of the trait. The covariate for condition score had little effect on hip height. Regressions of mature weight and hip height on condition score were 25.9 kg/unit of body condition score and 0.4 cm/unit, respectively. Least-squares means for mature weight and hip height tended to increase until 7 and 5 yr of age, respectively. Condition score tended to increase until 6 yr of age and decrease after 8 yr of age. Correlations between breeding value solutions for the same trait were high whether or not prediction models included a permanent environmental effect or a covariate for condition score, and whether or not the variance components used were derived from models containing a covariate for condition score. Results suggest the importance of including a permanent environmental effect in genetic prediction models for these traits. Whether mature weight should be adjusted for body condition is arguable, depending on availability of condition score predictions and tools for analyzing mature weight and condition score predictions in an environment-specific context. Key Words: Angus, Body Condition, Body Weight, Height, Heritability

Steers were generated from Angus (A), Beefmaster (BM), Brangus (BA), Gelbray (GB), and Simbrah (SB) sires mated to cows of their breed and to Brahman x Hereford [F.sub.1] cows (except A) to characterize their carcass traits, composition, and palatability. The 290 steers (48 A, 48 BM, 36 BA, 31 GB, and 46 SB) were slaughtered at an equal fatness end point as determined by real-time ultrasound and visual evaluation. Angus steers had lighter (P < 0.01), more youthful (P < 0.01) carcasses with a higher (P < 0.05) quality grade, more (P < 0.01) fat thickness, and a larger (P < 0.01) longissimus area/100 kg than BM-, BA-, GB-, and SB-sired steers. Angus steers also had a lower (P < 0.01) specific gravity, a higher (P < 0.01) percentage fat and less (P < 0.05) lean in the 9th to 11th rib, and steaks aged for 10 d were more tender (P < 0.01) than steaks from Brahman-derivative sired steers. The BM- and BA-sired steers had lighter (P < 0.01), more youthful (P < 0.05) carcasses, and smaller (P < 0.01) longissimus area than GB- and SB-sired steers. The 9th to 11th rib section from the BM- and BA-sired steers had less lean and more bone (P < 0.01) than GB- and SB-sired steers. The BA-sired steers had more (P < 0.01) marbling and a higher (P < 0.05) quality grade than BM-sired steers. The SB-sired steers had heavier (P < 0.01) carcasses than the GB-sired steers. There were no differences in shear force for steaks aged for 3 d for any of the breed types, but with 10 d of aging, steaks from Angus steers were more tender, possibly indicating that steaks of Brahman-derivative breeds aged at a slower rate than those from Angus. Key Words: Aberdeen-Angus, Aging, Beef, Crossbreeding, Tenderness, Zebu

Angus bulls (n = 20) from three purebred herds in Georgia were acquired to determine the impact of selecting sires based on phenotypic yearling ultrasound intramuscular fat percentage (UIMF) or UIMF EPD on marbling score of steer progeny. Each year in each herd, pairs of bulls were selected to create large differences based on their age adjusted phenotypic yearling UIMF measurements. The average UIMF, weighted by number of progeny per sire, was 3.75% (SD = 1.10%) and 1.70% (SD = 0.53%) for high UIMF (HU) and low UIMF (LU) bulls, respectively. All available ultrasound measurements collected in the purebred cooperator herds were combined with other ultrasound records collected by the American Angus Association for the computation of genetic values for ultrasound fat thickness, ribeye area, and intramuscular fat percentage. Each year bulls were randomly mated to 14 to 30 commercial Angus females. Carcass weight, fat thickness at the 12th rib, ribeye area at the 12th rib, marbling score, yield grade, and quality-grade measurements were collected on 188 steer progeny. Carcass data were linearly adjusted to 480 d of age at slaughter. Steer progeny sired by HU bulls had higher age-adjusted marbling score and quality grade (P < 0.05), and smaller age-adjusted ribeye area (P < 0.05) than steer progeny sired by LU bulls. No significant differences between phenotypic UIMF lines were found for age-adjusted fat thickness (P = 0.84) and yield grade (P = 0.33) in the steer progeny. The regression of age-adjusted carcass marbling score and quality grade of the steer progeny on ultrasound intramuscular fat percentage EPD of the sires produced highly significant regression coefficients of 90.50 and 49.20, respectively. Thus, yearling Angus bulls selected for high-phenotypic UIMF and UIMF EPD can be expected to produce steer progeny with significantly higher amounts of marbling and quality grade. It also appears that marbling can be increased without corresponding increases in external fat thickness and yield grade. Key Words: Beef Cattle, Carcass Quality, Selection, Ultrasound

Weights and body condition scores (BCS) were measured and assessed on Angus females (n = 367) over 14 yr (1981 to 1994) to allow calculation of weight adjustments for different BCS. Data were collected at five time periods: prepartum, postpartum, prebreeding, postbreeding, and midgestation. Individual cows with multiple records were included in the analysis as repeated measures to yield 3,912 total observations. Body condition score was assigned on a scale of 1 = emaciated to 9 = obese. Only BCS 2 through 8 were analyzed, as there were zero recorded observations of BCS 1 or 9. The final model included age and the time period by BCS interaction as fixed effects. Year by animal within age interaction and a residual error term were treated as random effects. Animal was included to correct for repeated measures across time periods and years for individual animals. All these effects were significant (P < 0.0001). Weight adjustments for BCS were calculated for each time period. Cow weight and weight adjustments for BCS were not consistent for each time period. Overall weight adjustments to adjust cows to BCS of 5 were (kg [+ or -] SEM) BCS = 2 (68 [+ or -] 12), BCS = 3 (50 [+ or -] 4), BCS = 4 (21 [+ or -] 1), BCS = 5 (0), BCS = 6(-24 [+ or -] 2), BCS = 7(-51 [+ or -] 3), and BCS = 8 (-73 [+ or -] 7). Key Words: Beef Cows, Body Condition, Weight

We investigated heat tolerance and growth rate in two trials under ambient conditions in central Florida. Trial I (1994) involved 38 Brahman (B), 21 Senepol (S), 19 B x Angus (A), 20 S x A, and 20 Tuli (T) x A heifers. Trial 2 (1995) involved 13 A, 35 B, 30 S, 23 B x A, 17 S x A, and 28 T x A heifers. Measurements were made on three consecutive weeks during the hotter and cooler seasons of each year and included rectal temperature (RT, [degrees] C), respiration rate (RR, bpm), temperament score (TS; 1 = very docile, 5 = very aggressive), blood packed-cell volume (PCV), and plasma cortisol concentration (CORT). Data for RT were transformed ([log.sub.10] [RT - 37]) before analysis. On the hottest date in Trial 1, [log.sub.10] RT was not different between B (.39 [+ or -] .011) and B x A (.37 [+ or -] .016) or between T x A (.35 [+ or -] .015) and B x A, but [log.sub.10] RT was lower (P < .05) in S x A (.30 [+ or -] .015) than in either S (.35 [+ or -] .015) or T x A. On all dates in Trial 1, RR was lower (P < .05 to .001) and PCV was higher (P < .05 to .001) in B than in B x A. There were few differences in TS except on two dates when B scored higher (P < .01 to .001) than B x A, and these differences were associated with higher (P < .05) CORT in B than in B x A. Using initial BW as a covariate, adjusted ADG (kg) of T x A (.52 [+ or -] .023) was not different from adjusted ADG of B x A (.57 [+ or -] .024) or S x A (.54 [+ or -] .023). On the hottest date in Trial 2, [log.sub.10] RT and RR were higher (P < .001) in A (.59 [+ or -] .017, 74 [+ or -] 2.7) than in B (.47 [+ or -] .010, 39 [+ or -] 1.6), S (.42 [+ or -] .011, 50 [+ or -] 1.8), and crossbred heifers (.47 [+ or -] .011, 60 [+ or -] 1.8; .43 [+ or -] .014, 55 [+ or -] 2.4; and .50 [+ or -] .012, 48 [+ or -] 2.0 for T x A, S x A and B x A, respectively), and RR was higher (P < .001) in B x A than in B. On the coolest date in Trial 2, RR was slightly lower in B (32 [+ or -] .5) than in A (34 [+ or -] .7, P < .01) and B x A (36 [+ or -] .6, P < .001) and was associated with higher PCV in B than in A. On both dates, TS and CORT were higher (P < .01) in B than in A. In Trial 2, adjusted ADG (kg) was higher (P < .01) in B (.43 [+ or -] .017) than in A (.32 [+ or -] .033), higher (P < .001) in S (.45 [+ or -] .018) than in A, and higher (P < .001) in crossbreds (B x A [.53 [+ or -] .023] + S x A [.44 [+ or -] .025] + T x A [.46 [+ or -] .019]) than in A. These data indicate that heat tolerance in [F.sub.1] crosses of tropically adapted breeds (Tuli, Senepol, Brahman) with a temperate breed (Angus) is similar to heat tolerance displayed by purebred tropical breeds (Senepol, Brahman). Key Words: Beef Breeds, Cattle, Heat Tolerance, Subtropics, Growth, Temperature

Nonpregnant yearling Brahman (n = 12) and Angus (n = 12) heifers were equally allocated to two dietary treatments in a replicated study to examine responses in lipid metabolism to nutritional treatments consisting of a moderate energy diet (2.0 Mcal ME/kg) fed at maintenance and a 2.5 x maintenance high-energy diet (2.4 Mcal ME/kg) fed for 30 d. In vitro lipogenesis and the activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) were determined in perianal subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies at the start and end of the trial. At the start of the trial, breeds had similar (P > .10) rates of lipogenesis and LPL activity. Brahman had greater (P < .05) HSL activity than Angus at the start of the trial and tended (P < .07) to have greater HSL activity at the end. Diet did not influence (P > .10) HSL activity. Heifers on the high-energy, higher-intake diet had greater lipogenesis (P < .001) and LPL activity (P < .01) than those on the moderate-energy diet. Inclusion of body condition score (BCS) nested within breed as a covariate explained breed differences for lipogenesis (P < .05). Thus, by including the covariate, the two breeds had similar (P > .10) rates of lipogenesis at the end of the trial. When adjusted for BCS nested within breed, Brahman had greater (P < .05) LPL activity than Angus. Key Words: Beef Cattle, Breeds, Lipoproteins, Triacylglycerol Lipase, Lipogenesis

This research was designed to examine genotype x environment interactions in cow-calf growth performance of grazing animals. Angus and Brangus cow-calf pairs (minimum of six per breed) were allowed to rotationally graze (14-d intervals) treatment pastures from approximately May through early October in each of 2 yr. Treatment pastures contained relatively pure stands of Alicia bermudagrass (AP) or a mixed stand of common bermudagrass and dallisgrass (CDP). Forage allowance was equalized, using 'put-and-take' cow-calf pairs, among forage and breed types at the initiation of each 14-d grazing interval. Forage samples were obtained in each paddock at the initiation of each grazing interval. Forage CP concentration was greater (P < .05; 13.5 vs 11.6%) and NDF concentration was less (P < .05; 63.8 vs 70.6%) for CDP than for AP. Daily weight loss was similar for Angus and Brangus cows, but it was greater (P < .05) for cows grazing AP than for cows grazing CDP. Calf ADG during the grazing season was 35% greater (P < .05) for CDP than for AP pastures and was 23% greater (P < .01) for Brangus than for Angus calves. Relative performance of Angus and Brangus cow-calf pairs was consistent between forages; no breed x forage interactions were observed. Key Words: American Angus, Brangus, Paspalum dilatatum, Cynodon dactylon, Genotypes, Environment

We proposed that greater stearoyl coenzyme A (CoA) desaturase enzyme activity caused the elevated monounsaturated fatty acids observed in American Wagyu adipose tissue. Stearoyl CoA desaturase mRNA concentrations and enzyme activities were measured in subcutaneous adipose samples from Angus (n = 5) and American Wagyu (n = 5), fed to the Japanese market end point. A rat liver stearoyl CoA desaturase cDNA clone was used to measure the relative amounts of stearoyl CoA desaturase mRNA. Enzyme activities and mRNA concentrations, as measured by laser densitometry of slot-blot autoradiograms, were not significantly different between the two breeds at this stage of growth. This investigation has demonstrated that, at this stage of maturity, differences in fatty acid composition between Angus and American Wagyu steers cannot be attributed to differences in stearoyl CoA desaturase enzyme activity.

Weaning weight and postweaning gain field data from the American Angus Association were used to estimate age-of-dam adjustment factors for 205-d weaning weight. A two-trait model was used to take into account all genetic information available in the breed. Correction factors were developed for age-of-dam categories by sex of calf and management (creep or no creep) within maternal-grandsire birth-year groups. The maternal-grandsire birth-year groups were included to determine the need for updating age-of-dam adjustment factors for weaning weight. The mathematical model for 205-d weight included an overall mean, weaning contemporary group, age of dam by sex of calf and management code within maternal-grandsire birth-year group, animal direct effect, maternal genetic effect, permanent environmental effect, and residual error. The model for postweaning gain included an overall mean, postweaning contemporary group, animal direct effect, and residual error. Age-of-dam additive adjustment factors differed from the current factors used for the Angus breed. Young dams did not receive as large an adjustment as the current Angus adjustments recommended. Grouping the age-of-dam categories by birth year of maternal grandsire yielded different additive adjustment factors for 205-d weight. Noncreep calves tended to have larger age-of-dam adjustments than creep-fed calves did. Results indicate the need to consider including age of dam as a fixed effect in the animal model evaluation, so that adjustment factors may be specific to the genetic changes for growth in the breed. Key Words: Age of Dam, Beef Cows, Weight, Size

Mature size records collected on Angus cows of 5 to 12 yr of age were used to estimate heritabilities, genetic correlations, and EPD for mature weight and mature height. A total of 256 sires were evaluated using mature size data collected on 2,732 daughters. Data were analyzed using REML procedures with a two-trait sire model to estimate sire and error variances for mature weight and height. Models with and without adjustment of weight for body condition score were investigated. The linear model for weight and height included fixed herd-year-month the records were taken, sire genetic group, random sire, and residual error. Using unadjusted mature weights, heritabilities were .48 |+ or -~ .10 for weight and .83 |+ or -~ .11 for height. When condition score adjustments were made, heritability estimates were .45 |+ or -~ .10 for weight and .83 |+ or -~ .11 for height. Genetic (phenotypic) correlations between weight and height were .78(.58) for adjusted data and .66(.54) with no adjustment. Spearman rank correlations between sire EPD for adjusted and unadjusted data were .94 for weight and .99 for height. Two-trait models of mature cow weight with immature weights (birth weight, 205-d weight, 365-d weight) were used to assess genetic relations among mature and immature cow weights. Genetic correlations between mature weight and immature weights were .57 with birth weight, .62 with 205-d weight, and .45 with 365-d weight.

Preweaning data on 486 Angus, Brahman, and reciprocal cross calves (AB, BA) managed on common bermudagrass or endophyte-infected tall fescue were used to evaluate the interactions of forage type and sex of calf with direct effects, individual heterosis, and maternal effects. Calves were spring-born in 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1991 to five sires of each breed. Male calves were castrated at birth, and calves were not creep-fed. Average values of heterosis for birth weight, 205-d weight, weaning hip height, and weaning weight:height ratio (WT/HT) were important (P < .01) and consistent across forage environment. Heterosis for birth weight was larger in bull calves than in heifer calves (P < .05), whereas heterosis for other preweaning traits were consistent across sex of calf. Average maternal effects for WT/HT (P < .10) were important and consistent across forage environment. Maternal effects for birth weight were larger with bull calves than with heifer calves (P < .01). Maternal effects for weaning hip height favored the Angus dam managed on bermudagrass (P < .05) but not managed on fescue. A similar but nonsignificant trend occurred in maternal effects for 205-d weight. Direct effects for birth weight were larger in bull calves than in heifer calves (P < .01). Direct effects for weaning height were larger in calves managed on bermudagrass than in calves managed on tall fescue (P < .07). A similar but nonsignificant trend was evident in direct effects for 205-d weight. Direct effects for WT/HT were relatively small and unimportant. These data indicate that heterosis for preweaning traits reported in this research are relatively stable across the two forage environments but maternal and direct effects may vary with production environment.

Spring-calving Angus cows (n = 24) in moderate body condition were assigned to either a high (H), maintenance-high (MH) to support superior milk, maintenance-low (ML) to support average milk, or low (L) energy diet at 12 d (SD = 4) postpartum. Energy balance for individual cows was determined by body condition change, weight change, and weigh-suckle-weigh milk production estimates. High energy intake increased (P < .05) BW, body condition score (BCS), and megacalories of body energy (BE) by 94 d postpartum. Neither dietary treatment nor BCS accounted for significant (P > .30) variation in days to first ovulation or conception. Fasting heat production was estimated to be 72.5 kcal/BW to the .75 from the regression of log daily heat production/BW to the .75 on daily ME intake/BW to the .75. Rate of daily BW change did not affect concentration of energy in the weight change. Body condition score change was highly correlated (r = .98) to BW change, with each unit of BCS (1 to 5 scale) change associated with 68 kg of BW change. Two methods were used to determine NE for weight change (NE-delta) based on empty body weight (EBW) change. Method 1 used the equation: BCS change = -.404 + .0147(BW change) and Method 2 used only the regression coefficient of this equation to predict daily BCS change. Methods 1 and 2 resulted in similar regression equations: NE-delta (Mcal/kg EBW change) = 1.590 + 1.251(BCS) and NE-delta (Mcal/kg EBW change) = 1.317 + 1.251(BCS). Ranges of estimated protein and lipid in the EBW change, respectively, were 10.0 to 13.7% and 17.1 to 77.2%.

Multiparous Angus and crossbred Angus cows were used to determine the effect of induced endometritis on plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) and progesterone (P4) and on duration of the estrous cycle of treatment. Beginning on the day of calving (d 0), blood samples were collected on alternate days. On three consecutive days, ranging from d 8 to 14 of the first postpartum estrous cycle, uterine horns were inoculated transcervically with either 3 x 10 to the ninth power colony forming units (cfu) of Actinomyces pyogenes and 1.5 x 10 to the ninth power cfu of beta-hemolytic Escherichia coli (treated; n = 9) in sterile PBS or with sterile PBS alone (control; n = 9). Samples of uterine fluid were collected by transcervical aspiration twice weekly from just before the start of each series of inoculations until the end of the experiment. Endometrial biopsies were collected transcervically between d 4 to 6 and 11 to 13 after inoculation. Based on clinical observations and results of bacterial cultures, all treated cows developed acute uterine infections. Controls did not develop uterine infections. Endometrial biopsies indicated that there were no significant diffuse or focal cellular reactions in response to the infection. The interestrous interval was greater (P < .0003) for treated (27.7 plus or minus 1.0 d) than for control (20.6 plus or minus 1.0 d) cows, but P4 concentrations were similar between the two groups. Mean PGFM concentration and PGFM profiles were similar (P > .10) between treated and control cows before bacterial infusions. Bacterial infusions increased mean PGFM concentration (P < .0001) and changed the shape of the PGFM profile (P < .02). These data indicate that induced uterine infections increase peripheral plasma concentrations of PGFM and extend the interestrous interval. They demonstrate the potential for using measurements of PGFM as an indicator of uterine infection in cattle.

Logistic regression models were used to analyze data on dystocia and perinatal mortality among purebred American Angus herds across the US. The odds of unassisted birth as compared to births with major difficulty were 11.58 times greater in cows than in heifers. Increased age of dam and decreased calf birth weight result in increased odds of unassisted birth in heifers. Birth weight also affects the survival of calves to 24 hours in heifers. Thus, age of dam and birthweight, especially in heifers, should be considered in evaluating sires for calf production in the Angus breed.

Body condition score was found to be a significant source of variation in the weight of Angus cows. However, the weight:height ratio showed a relatively low correlation with body condition score. Weight correlated more highly with condition score than height. The effects of herd, year-month and age had significant impact on both weight and height. The degree of fatness at a specific weight should be taken into consideration in the evaluation of mature cows.

Data in this experiment consisted of 418 lactation records, and weaning and birth weight records from 600 crossbred calves. The traits evaluated included birth weight, weaning weight, weaning weight per cow exposed, weaning weight per weight of cow, weaning weight per weight of cow exposed, and predicted milk yield. Angus, Brangus, and Gelbvieh sires were mated to purebred Hereford cows. Yearling and 2-yr-old Angus-Hereford, Brangus-Hereford, and Gelbvieh-Hereford daughters then were bred to Polled Hereford bulls (Data Set 2). Later-parity Angus-Hereford, Brangus-Hereford, and Gelbvieh-Hereford daughters were mated to Salers or Simmental sires (Data Set 3). Differences between Gelbvieh- and Brangus-sired calves or Gelbvieh-Hereford and Brangus-Hereford daughters were never significant for weaning weight, birth weight, or milk yield. Angus crosses had the lowest weaning weight, birth weight, and milk yield, but the highest kilograms of calf weaned per cow exposed in all data sets. Angus-Hereford and Brangus-Hereford dams had higher weaning weight per weight of cow exposed than Gelbvieh-Hereford dams (P [is less than] .01) in Data Set 3. There were no other significant differences related to cow weight. Key Words: Crossbreeding, Aberdeen-Angus, Brangus, Gelbvieh, Salers, Simmental

TYPICAL MODERN BEEF CATTLE ANGUS--This breed originated in Scotland from the black cattle native to the northeastern counties of Aberdeen, Angus, Kincardine, and Forfar. The breed is thought by some [...]

Understanding metabolic differences between breeds of cattle is important when selecting for production in semi-arid environments. Spring-calving Angus and Brahman cows (n = 8/breed) grazing in the Chihuahuan Desert were used to evaluate metabolic hormone status and reproductive performance in the Winter, Spring and Fall, 2000. Grazable forage CP was 5.6, 6.4, and 10.9% in the respective seasons. Angus were heavier than Brahman across seasons (P < 0.01). Body condition scores (BCS) were similar (P > 0.10) across breeds and were 4.4, 3.6 and 4.6 in the Winter, Spring and Fall. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in serum concentrations of the adipose derived hormone leptin in Brahman across seasons. However, serum leptin was greater (P < 0.01) in Winter than Spring and Fall in Angus. Brahman had more serum leptin than Angus in the Fall (1.8 > 0.70 0.09 ng/mL; P < 0.01). Partial correlation analyses with the effect of breed and season removed indicated that serum leptin was correlated with BCS (r = 0.31, P < 0.05). A main effect of breed suggested that Brahman had greater fecal output per kg BW than Angus (1.1 > 0.99 0.04, P < 0.01); however, no relationship (P > 0.10) was detected between serum leptin and fecal output or estimated intake. Serum insulin was higher (P < 0.01) in Brahman than Angus and was higher (P < 0.01) in Brahman in Fall and in Spring than in Winter. Brahman had greater (P < 0.01) serum IGF-I during the Winter than Angus and serum glucose was greater (P < 0.01) in Brahman than in Angus in the Spring and Winter. Mean concentrations of glucose for Angus and Brahman throughout the study were 35.4 and 46.6 mg/dL. Serum concentrations of triiodothyronine ([T.sub.3]), which regulates metabolic rate, were greatest (P < 0.01) during the Fall and lowest during the Spring for Angus and Brahman. Serum concentrations of [T.sub.3] were greater (P < 0.01) in Brahman than in Angus in Winter and Spring. Pregnancy rate after a 90-d breeding season was 75% in the Angus and 57% in Brahman ([chi square]; P: 0.46). Results suggest that Brahman cows tend to have greater concentrations of metabolic hormones relative to Angus cows and these concentrations may be sensitive to seasonal dynamics of forage quality in the Chihuahuan Desert. Key Words: Breed, Metabolic hormones, Desert

Angus x Hereford heifers were used to determine endocrine and ovarian function preceding nutritionally induced anovulation. Six heifers were fed to maintain body condition score (M), and 12 heifers were fed a restricted diet (R) until they became anovulatory. Starting on d 13 of an estrous cycle, heifers were given PGF2, every 16 d thereafter to synchronize and maintain 16 d estrous cycles. Ovarian structures of M and R heifers were monitored by ultrasonography daily from d 8 to ovulation (d 1 of the subsequent cycle) until R heifers became anovulatory. Concentrations of LH and FSH were quantified in serum samples collected every 10 rain for 8 h on d 2 and 15 (48 h after [PGF.sub.2[Alpha]]), and estradiol and IGF-I were quantified in daily plasma samples from d 8 to 16 during the last ovulatory cycle (Cycle -2) and the subsequent anovulatory cycle (Cycle -1). During the last two cycles before anovulation, M heifers had 50% larger (P < .0001) ovulatory follicles than R heifers and 61% greater (P < .0001) growth rate of the ovulatory follicles. There was a treatment x cycle x day effect (P < .001) for concentrations of estradiol. The preovulatory increase in estradiol occurred in the R and M heifers during Cycle -2 but only in M heifers during Cycle -1. A treatment x cycle x day effect (P < .05) influenced LH concentrations. During Cycle -2, LH concentrations were similar for M and R heifers, but during Cycle -1, M heifers had greater LH concentrations than did R heifers. Concentrations of FSH were greater (P < .05) in R than M heifers after induced luteolysis when R heifers failed to ovulate. There was a treatment x cycle interaction (P < .05) for IGF-I concentrations, and M heifers had 4.7- and 8.6-fold greater IGF-I concentrations than did R heifers during Cycle -2 and -1, respectively. We conclude that growth rate and diameter of the ovulatory follicle, and concentrations of LH, estradiol, and IGF-I are reduced before the onset of nutritionally induced anovulation in beef heifers. Key Words: Heifers, Nutrition, Ovaries, LH, Estradiol