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The article discusses the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in animal science education, highlighting faculty and student perspectives on its benefits and challenges. It emphasizes the importance of ethical use of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to enhance learning experiences and streamline educational tasks. The authors advocate for a balanced approach that views AI as a partner to human expertise rather than a replacement, promoting thoughtful utilization of these technologies in academia. The article also addresses concerns about over-reliance on AI, generational differences in acceptance, and the need for educators to model appropriate AI use for students. [Extracted from the article]

The effects of supplemental Zn within steroidal implant strategy on performance, carcass characteristics, trace mineral status, and muscle gene expression were tested in a 59-d study using 128 Angus-crossbred steers (492 ± 29 kg) in a 2 × 4 complete randomized design. Implant strategies included no implant (NoIMP) or Component TE-200 (TE200 ; Elanco, Greenfield, IN) administered on day 0. Zinc was supplemented at 0, 30, 100, or 150 mg Zn/kg dry matter (Zn0 , Zn30 , Zn100 , Zn150 , respectively) from ZnSO4. Steers were stratified by body weight (BW) to pens (n  = 5 or 6 steers/pen) equipped with GrowSafe bunks (GrowSafe Systems Ltd. Airdrie, AB, Canada) and assigned treatments (n  = 15, 16, or 17 steers/treatment). Cattle were weighed on days −1, 0, 18, and 59 with blood collected on days −1, 18, 40, and 59. Muscle samples were collected from the longissimus thoracis on day 11 and liver samples were collected on day 55 or 56. Data were analyzed using the Mixed Procedure of SAS via contrast statements testing the linear and quadratic response to Zn supplementation within implant treatment and NoIMP vs. TE200 for performance, carcass, blood, and liver parameters. Specific contrast statements were formed for the analysis of gene expression in muscle including: Zn0 vs. Zn150 within NoIMP and TE200, NoIMP vs. TE200 (Zn0 and Zn150 only), and the linear effect of supplementing Zn0, Zn100, and Zn150 within TE200. Steer was the experimental unit. Day 18 BW and days 0 to 18 average daily gain (ADG) were linearly increased due to Zn supplementation within TE200 (P  ≤ 0.002) in conjunction with a linear increase from Zn in day 11 muscle epidermal growth factor receptor, matrix metalloproteinase 2, and phosphodiesterase 4B gene expression of TE200 steers (P  ≤ 0.05). Plasma Zn on days 18 and 40 linearly increased with increasing Zn supplementation regardless of implant treatment (P  ≤ 0.03) and was lesser for TE200 than NoIMP steers on day 18 (P  = 0.001). Day 59 BW and hot carcass weight (HCW) were greater for TE200 vs. NoIMP (P  ≤ 0.002) and HCW of implanted steers tended to linearly increase with increasing Zn supplementation (P  = 0.09). No effects of Zn supplementation were observed in NoIMP for HCW, BW, or ADG (P  ≥ 0.17). Yield grade and 12th rib fat tended to quadratically decrease within NoIMP (P  ≤ 0.09), with Zn100 being the most lean. These data indicate increasing supplemental Zn influences steroidal implant signaling machinery while increasing the Zn status and implant-induced growth of feedlot cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was hypothesized that the longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle proteome, phosphoproteome, and metabolome could explain postmortem metabolism and tenderness differences in muscle from cattle supplemented zinc (Zn) and/or ractopamine hydrochloride (RH). High percentage Angus steers (N  = 20) were fed in a 2 × 2 factorial assigned to Zn and RH treatments: control (CON; n  = 10; analyzed 36 mg Zn/kg dry matter [ DM ]) or supranutritional Zn supplementation (SUPZN; n  = 10; control diet + 60 mg Zn/kg DM [from ZnSO4] + 60 mg Zn/kg DM [from Zn–amino acid complex]) for the entire 89-d trial. During the 28 d before harvest, steers were blocked by body weight within Zn treatments to RH treatments of 0 (NO; n  = 10) or 300 mg (RAC; n  = 10) per steer per day. Steers were harvested at the Iowa State Meat Laboratory, where pH decline (1, 3, 6, and 24 h postmortem) was measured. At 24 h postmortem, LT muscle sections were removed from carcasses, and steaks were analyzed for Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) values at 1, 3, 7, and 14 d postmortem. Muscle samples were taken at 1 h, 1, 3, 7, and 14 d postmortem for the following analysis: troponin-T degradation (1, 3, 7, and 14 d postmortem), myosin heavy chain analysis (1 h postmortem), sarcoplasmic proteome analysis through tandem mass tagging analysis (1 h and 1 d postmortem), metabolome analysis (1 h and 1 d postmortem), and phosphoproteome analysis (1 h postmortem). SUPZN-NO tended to have a lower (P  = 0.06) pH at 6 h postmortem and a lower WBSF value (P  = 0.06) at 1 d postmortem. CON-RAC had a higher (P  = 0.04) pH at 6 h postmortem and WBSF value (P  < 0.01) at 1 d postmortem. A lower pH at 6 h postmortem and lower WBSF value at 1 d postmortem in the SUPZN-NO treatment was accompanied by more sorbitol and fructose at 1 d postmortem, and less myosin regulatory light chain 2 at 1 h postmortem, and less adenosine monophosphate deaminase 1 (AMPD1) at 1 d postmortem than all other treatments. A higher pH at 6 h postmortem and higher WBSF value at 1 d postmortem in CON-RAC and SUPZN-RAC was accompanied by more soluble structural proteins (troponin-T and myosin-7) at 1 h postmortem than CON-NO. At 1 h postmortem, CON-RAC had more glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase than CON-NO or SUPZN-RAC. Differences in energy metabolism enzymes, metabolites, and structural proteins may affect ATP production, rigor development, and lactate buildup which may explain the differences in postmortem metabolism and tenderness development at 1 d postmortem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angus-cross steers (n  = 144; 362 kg ± 20.4) were used to determine the effect of Zn and steroidal implants on performance, trace mineral status, circulating metabolites, and transcriptional changes occurring in skeletal muscle. Steers (n  = 6 per pen) were stratified by body weight (BW) in a 3 × 2 factorial. GrowSafe bunks recorded individual feed intake (steer as experimental unit; n  = 24 per treatment). Dietary treatments (ZINC ; eight pens per treatment) included supplemental Zn as ZnSO4 at 1) 0 (analyzed 54 mg Zn/kg DM; Zn0); 2) 30 mg/kg DM (Zn30); 3) 100 mg Zn/kg DM (Zn100). After 60 d of Zn treatment, steers received a steroidal implant treatment (IMP) on day 0: 1) no implant; NO ; or 2) high-potency combination implant (TE-200, Elanco, Greenfield, IN; 200 mg TBA, 20 mg E2; TE200). BWs were taken at days −60, 0, and in 28 d increments thereafter. Liver biopsies for TM analysis and blood for TM, serum glucose, insulin, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), urea-N, and IGF-1 analysis were collected on days 0, 20, 40, and 84. Glucose, NEFA, and insulin were used to calculate the revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (RQUICKI). Linear and quadratic effects of ZINC were evaluated in SAS 9.4. Means for IMP were separated using the LSMEANS statement with the PDIFF option. Day −60 BW was a covariate for performance and carcass data. Growth performance, plasma, liver, and metabolite data were analyzed as repeated measures. TE200 tended to decrease plasma Zn by 8.4% from days 0 to 20 while NO decreased by 3.6% (IMP × day ; P  = 0.08). A tendency for a ZINC × day effect on G:F was noted (P  = 0.06) driven by Zn30 and Zn100 decreasing significantly from period 0-28 to period 28-56 while Zn0 was similar in both periods. An IMP × day effect was noted for RQUICKI where (P  = 0.02) TE200 was greater on day 40 compared to NO cattle, but by day 84 RQUICKI was not different between TE200 and NO. On day 20, increasing Zn supplementation linearly increased mRNA abundance (P  ≤ 0.09) of protein kinase B (AKT1), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), and myogenic factor 5 (MYF5). In this study, Zn and implants differentially affected genes related to energy metabolism, satellite cell function, and TM homeostasis on days 20 and 84 postimplant. These results suggest steroidal implants increase demand for Zn immediately following implant administration to support growth and may influence insulin sensitivity in finishing cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chelated copper (Cu) sources, such as Cu glycinate (CuGly), may be more bioavailable relative to Cu sulfate (CuSO 4 ) when fed to ruminants under antagonistic pressure. The objective of this study was to determine the bioavailability of CuGly (GemStone Cu; Phibro Animal Health) relative to CuSO4 in steers fed a diet supplemented with 0.3% sulfur and 2 mg molybdenum/kg of dry matter (DM). Sixty Angus crossbred steers (n  = 12 per treatment) averaging 288 ± 4.85 kg were enrolled in a 90-d study and fed a corn silage-based diet with one of five Cu supplementation strategies, including no supplemental Cu (CON), 5 or 10 mg supplemental Cu from CuSO4/kg DM, and 5 or 10 mg supplemental Cu from CuGly/kg DM. Steers were housed in pens equipped with GrowSafe feed bunks (GrowSafe Systems Ltd. Airdire, AB, Canada), with six steers per pen. Growth performance, liver Cu, and plasma Cu were analyzed in the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc, Cary, NC) with orthogonal contrasts to compare CON vs. 5 mg Cu/kg DM, CON vs. 10 mg Cu/kg DM, 5 vs. 10 mg Cu/kg DM, and CuSO4 vs. CuGly. Copper indices were regressed against Cu intake and slopes were calculated using the GLM procedure SAS. Dietary Cu supplementation did not affect steer body weights on days 0, 28, 56, or 90 (P  ≥ 0.52), average daily gain, dry matter intake, or gain:feed (P  ≥ 0.36). Final plasma Cu concentration did not differ between CON vs. 5 mg Cu/kg DM (P  = 0.79), CON vs. 10 mg Cu/kg DM (P  = 0.65), or 5 vs. 10 mg Cu/kg DM (P  = 0.39). Steers receiving CuSO4 tended to have greater final plasma Cu concentrations than those receiving CuGly (P  = 0.08). Initial liver Cu concentration averaged 374 mg Cu/kg DM, which is considered highly adequate. No steers reached deficient Cu status by the end of the 90-d period. Control steers had lesser final liver Cu concentrations than supplemented steers (P  ≤ 0.04). Steers receiving 10 mg supplemental Cu/kg DM had greater liver Cu concentrations than those receiving 5 mg supplemental Cu/kg DM (P  = 0.01). Copper source had no effect on final liver Cu concentrations (P  = 0.57) and based on liver Cu and Cu intake the bioavailability of CuGly was similar to CuSO4 (115%; P  = 0.27). The initially high Cu status and the fact that cattle did not become Cu deficient may have impacted the relative bioavailability results, and more research is needed to investigate the role initial Cu status and antagonistic pressure play in the bioavailability of chelated Cu sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper (Cu) from Cu sulfate (CuSO4) may be more susceptible to antagonism when fed in cattle diets high in sulfur and molybdenum, but other Cu supplements may be better able to avoid this. The objective of this study was to determine the bioavailability of Cu carbonate (CuCO3; Emerald-C, Old Bridge Minerals, Old Bridge, NJ) and tribasic Cu chloride (TBCC; Intellibond-C, Selko, Indianapolis, IN) relative to CuSO4 when fed to steers supplemented with 2 mg Mo/kg DM and 0.1% S. Angus crossbred steers [n = 84; body weight (BW) = 282 ± 19.3 kg] were enrolled (n = 12 per treatment) in a 96-d study and fed a corn-silage based diet with one of seven Cu supplementation strategies: no supplemental Cu (CON), 5 or 10 mg supplemental Cu/kg DM from CuSO4, 5 or 10 mg supplemental Cu/kg DM from TBCC, or 5 or 10 mg supplemental Cu/kg DM from CuCO3. Steers were housed in pens equipped with GrowSafe feed bunks (GrowSafe Systems Ltd., Airdire, AB, Canada) with six steers per pen. The GLM procedure of SAS 9.4 was used to determine the bioavailability of CuCO3 and TBCC relative to CuSO4 using both liver and plasma Cu. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used to analyze liver Cu, plasma Cu, and growth performance data. Contrasts compared CON vs. 5 mg/ kg, CON vs. 10 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg vs. 10 mg/kg, CuCO3 vs. CuSO4, TBCC vs. CuSO4, and CuCO3 vs. TBCC. The bioavailability of CuCO3 relative to CuSO4 based on liver and plasma Cu was 89 (P < 0.01) and 133% (P = 0.21), respectively. The bioavailability of TBCC relative to CuSO4 based on liver and plasma Cu was 88 (P < 0.01) and 100% (P = 0.82), respectively. Over the 96-d trial, liver Cu decreased 66% in CON, from 74 to 21 mg Cu/kg DM. Steers receiving CuCO3 had greater plasma Cu concentrations than those receiving TBCC on d 56 (P = 0.05) but were similar by d 96 (P = 0.39). Copper supplemented steers had greater dry matter intake (DMI) than CON (P = 0.01). Steers supplemented with CuCO3 had greater DMI than those receiving TBCC (P = 0.05). Steers receiving TBCC tended to have greater gain:feed than those receiving CuSO4 (P = 0.08), but gain:feed did not differ between CON and supplemented treatments (P ≥ 0.6). In conclusion, CuCO3 and TBCC may be less available to steers under moderate antagonistic pressure based on liver Cu, but Emerald-C CuCO3 may result in greater Cu in circulation. More research is needed to evaluate the impact of feeding CuCO3 on systemic Cu metabolism and how factors such as initial Cu status impact relative bioavailability results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the integration of CliftonStrengths, within the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University. In previous semesters, CliftonStrengths was introduced to freshmen, but no further application of the assessment took place. Fall 2023 incoming students completed more intensive application following completion of the assessment. The objective of this study aims to determine if students’ soft skills are enhanced through awareness and application of their own strengths. This study surveyed new and current students, analyzing their perceptions towards CliftonStrengths and their experiences in group settings. Three surveys were administered at different time points during the fall 2023 semester, one current student survey (CSS) at the start of the semester, and two new student surveys for the beginning (pre-NSS) and end (post-NSS) of the semester. Surveys captured demographic data and responses on a 0 to 10 scale. Response rates were 42% from pre-NSS, 22% CSS, and 24% from post-NSS. The pre-NSS and CSS contained 46 and 37 first-generation students, respectively. The pre-NSS consisted of 120 freshmen and 17 transfer students, and the CSS consisted of 43 sophomores, 44 juniors, and 59 seniors. Survey questions were structured around the primary domains within CliftonStrengths; strategic thinking, relationship building, influencing, and executing. Analysis of the pre-NSS responses showed 61% of new students were not familiar with CliftonStrengths and 78% have not taken the assessment. The CSS showed that 66% of current students have taken the CliftonStrengths Assessment. New students that completed intensive application of CliftonStrengths reported a 2.8-point increase from pre-NSS (4.9 ± 2.96) to post-NSS (7.7 ± 2.51) in response to identifying the value of CliftonStrengths in everyday life. New students reported being more comfortable with strengths at the conclusion of this semester with an average response of 9 ± 1.4 on a 10-point scale. The responses to “I believe someone in my career path should know their strengths” had higher average response rates from post-NSS (7.7 ± 0.26) compared with CSS (6.9 ± 0.20). Student responses to “I believe knowing my Strengths helps me at my best” also had higher average response rates from post-NSS (8.3 ± 0.24) compared with CSS (7.4 ± 0.18). Students responded to “I feel confident that I can recognize strengths in others” with higher response rates in the post-NSS (7.1 ± 0.30) compared with CSS (6.1 ± 0.18). All questions asking about the ability to identify domain types of other individuals were higher in post- NSS responses compared with CSS. The post-NSS responses to understanding how to use different domains in a group were greater for strategic thinkers, relationship builders, and influencers. In conclusion, the intensive application of Clifton Strengths in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University has increased familiarity, confidence, and comfort with their strengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angus-cross steers [n = 144; body weight (BW) = 359 kg ± 13.4] were used to assess the effect of dietary Mn and steroidal implants on trace mineral (TM) status, and liver and serum metabolites related to N metabolism. Steers (n = 6/pen) were stratified by BW in a 3 × 2 factorial. GrowSafe bunks recorded individual feed intake (experimental unit = steer; n = 24/ treatment). Dietary treatments included (MANG; 8 pens per treatment; Mn as MnSO4): 1) no supplemental Mn (analyzed 14 mg Mn/kg DM; Mn0); 2) 20 mg supplemental Mn/kg DM (Mn20); 3) 50 mg supplemental Mn/kg DM (Mn50). Within MANG, steers received a steroidal implant treatment (IMP) on d 0: 1) no implant; NO; or 2) combination implant (Revalor-200; REV). Liver biopsies for TM analysis and qPCR, and blood for serum urea-N (SUN) analysis were collected on d 0, 20, 40, and 77. Liver TM, serum metabolite, enzyme activity, and gene expression data were analyzed as repeated measures using PROC MIXED of SAS 9.4. The Correlation Procedure of SAS 9.4 was utilized to assess correlations between liver arginase activity, SUN concentrations, and liver Mn concentrations. No MANG × IMP effects were noted (P ≥ 0.12) for growth or carcass measures. Steroidal implants increased final BW (FBW), overall average daily gain (ADG), and gain to feed (G:F; P ≤ 0.01). Dietary Mn did not influence FBW, overall ADG, or overall G:F (P ≥ 0.14). Liver Mn concentration increased with supplemental Mn (P = 0.01). An IMP × DAY effect was noted for liver Mn (P = 0.01) where NO and REV were similar on d 0 but NO cattle increased liver Mn from d 0 to 20 while REV liver Mn decreased. Relative expression of liver Mn transporter ZnT10 tended to be least (MANG; P = 0.10) in Mn20 while Mn0 and Mn100 were similar. Relative expression of liver Mn transporter ZIP8 was not influenced by MANG, IMP, or MANG × IMP (P ≥ 0.23). Liver arginase activity was not influenced by MANG, IMP, MANG × DAY, IMP × DAY, or MANG × IMP (P ≥ 0.15) but tended to decrease over time (DAY; P = 0.10). On d 0, 20, and 40, arginase activity was correlated (r ≤ 0.33; P ≤ 0.01) with SUN and liver Mn. Relative expression of MnSOD in the liver was greater in REV (P = 0.03) compared with NO and within a MANG × IMP effect (P = 0.01) REV increased liver MnSOD activity. This study indicates current NASEM Mn recommendations are adequate to meet demands of finishing beef cattle given a steroidal implant. This study also reveals how implants and supplemental Mn influence liver enzyme activity and genes related to arginine metabolism, urea synthesis, antioxidant capacity, and TM homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]