1. Feedlot performance and immune function analysis of implanted and non-implanted steers selected for alcohol dehydrogenase 1 C (ADH1C) genotype and fed a low vitamin A diet
- Author
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K.M. Madder, J.J. McKinnon, G.W. Torres, K.G. Krone, J.L. Duncombe, C.D. Luby, and F.C. Buchanan
- Subjects
beef ,alcohol dehydrogenase ,intramuscular fat ,marker-assisted management ,Animal culture ,SF1-1100 - Abstract
Previous studies have shown that the interaction between limiting vitamin A (VA) and an alcohol dehydrogenase 1 C (ADH1C) variant in beef cattle results in increased intramuscular fat in the longissimus thoracis muscle in one genotype when fed low dietary VA. Although quality grade is important for increased profitability and improving taste characteristics of beef products, limiting VA too drastically can impair animal welfare. The objectives of this study were to determine if this marker-assisted management strategy would be effective, and whether any impairment in immune function would occur in a feedlot setting. Mixed breed beef steers (n=2000) were sorted into 40 feedlot pens so that all combinations of ADH1C genotype (TT or CT), VA level (50% or 100% of recommended) and hormonal implant status (implanted (IMP) or non-implanted (NI)) were equally represented within the population. The VA×ADH1C interaction was not observed. An implant status × ADH1C interaction was observed with average daily gain (ADG; P=0.03). Steers that were IMP and CT had higher ADG than IMP TT (CT=1.69 and TT=1.62 kg/day), whereas both genotypes in the NI steers were lower (CT=1.29 and TT=1.32 kg/day). Implant status was shown to affect dry matter intake (DMI; IMP=8.55 and NI=7.87 kg; P
- Published
- 2019
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