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Item Heifer reproduction strategies: molecular insights into early embryonic development and viability(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2022) Manuel, Eden Elizabeth; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Sarah R. McCoskiCurrent heifer development strategies aim to produce the most fertile female possible. However, in western states heifers commonly transition from high to relatively low nutritional planes following breeding. The effects of maternal nutritive status on the embryonic system are not defined, though this transition is likely contributing to the high rates of early embryonic mortality observed in these animals. This study aimed to decipher the impact of maternal nutrition on day 14 conceptuses collected from beef heifers maintained on ?100% or 70% NRC nutrient requirements. Conceptus RNA was isolated and sequenced to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The DEG set included 771 annotated and 132 novel genes. The biological processes representing the most significant differential expression between conceptuses collected from Low- vs- High groups were hormone metabolic processes (Padj = 0.015), inner ear development (Padj = 0.015), inner ear morphogenesis (Padj = 0.015), hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation (Padj = 0.015), and tissue morphogenesis (Padj = 0.018). KEGG analysis identified the biological pathways most affected between Low- and High-derived conceptuses. Analysis revealed viral fusion proteins, oocyte meiosis, mineral absorption, and sphingolipid metabolism were significantly affected. Interestingly, the pathways representing the highest number of DEGs were peptidases and inhibitors (n = 22 DEGs), MAPK signaling pathway (n = 17 DEGs), and viral fusion proteins (n = 17). Deeper analysis of the KEGG pathway and gene ontology results linked many of the DEGs to processes related to the cellular differentiation, formation, and function of extraembryonic tissues. While more advanced embryonic patterning and fetal development presented as areas of concern in the literature search, at this time they are not likely factors contributing with the most weight to the high rates of embryonic mortality observed in beef cattle. A majority of the DEGs were related to pathways that control early cell specification events that are necessary for the formation of the trophectoderm and the yolk sac. Data indicates that a decreased plane of maternal nutrition affects the expression of genes associated with critical embryonic events, and likely contributes to increased rates of embryonic mortality by altering the function of extraembryonic tissues.Item Maternal injectable mineral during early gestation impacts placental function and calf performance(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2022) Ogg, Makayla Anne; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Sarah R. McCoskiLimited research has evaluated the effects of maternal mineral supplementation during early gestation on placental function and progeny growth. For this study, Angus and SimAngus cows (n = 52) were bred via artificial insemination. At day (d) 60 of gestation, cows were assigned to one of two treatment groups; an injectable group (INJ, n = 26) receiving a single subcutaneous mineral injection and a control group (CON; n = 26). A subset of cows (CON n = 10; INJ n = 6) were selected for liver biopsy at d60 and 209 + or - 1 of gestation. At d139.5 + or - 0.5 and 209 + or - 1 of gestation, uterine artery measurements were collected using Color Doppler ultrasonography. Placentas, liver tissue, and blood samples were collected from the first 11 cows from the subset group that calved (n = 11; CON, n = 5; INJ, n = 6). Analysis revealed a TRT*d interaction at d139.5 + or - 0.5 for circulating Co concentrations which were greater in INJ (P = 0.05) compared to CON cows. Circulating Zn concentrations tended to be decreased at d209 + or - 1 (P = 0.06) in INJ cows compared to the CON cows. Circulating Cu tended to be increased (P-value = 0.09) and Mn was decreased (P = 0.04) in INJ cows throughout the study. A TRT*d interaction was observed at d139.5 + or - 0.5 for non-gravid uterine artery area, diameter, and circumference to be increased in the INJ cows (P = 0.004, 0.006, and 0.006, respectively). Additionally, pulsatility index of the gravid uterine artery tended to be increased (P = 0.09) in the INJ cows. Hepatic Fe concentrations were decreased in the INJ cows (P = 0.01) at d209 + or - 1. Blood and liver samples were collected from calves (CON n = 24; INJ n = 26). INJ calves had greater liver Se concentrations (P = 0.001), lower Fe concentrations (P=0.04), and tended to have increased liver concentrations of Zn (P = 0.09) and Mn (P = 0.08) compared to CON calves. Finally, INJ calves tended to have elevated levels of serum Se (P = 0.09) compared to CON calves. These results suggest that injectable mineral administration during early gestation altered placental function and calf performance.Item Salt limited intake: impacts of salt level and form of supplement on intake, nutrient digestion, and variability of supplement intake in beef cattle(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2021) White, Hayley Christina; Co-chairs, Graduate Committee: Megan Van Emon and Timothy DelCurto (co-chair); M. L. Van Emon, H. M. DelCurto-Wyffels, S. A. Wyffels and T. DelCurto were co-authors of the article, 'Impacts of form of salt-limited supplement on supplement intake behavior and performance with yearling heifers grazing dryland pastures' submitted to the journal 'Journal of feed science & technology' which is contained within this thesis.; M. L. Van Emon, H. M. DelCurto-Wyffels, S. A. Wyffels and T. DelCurto were co-authors of the article, 'Impacts of increasing levels of salt on intake, digestion, and rumen fermentation with beef cattle consuming low-quality forages' submitted to the journal 'Journal of animal science' which is contained within this thesis.For centuries, salt has been used as a cost effective intake-limiter of supplements for ruminants. Beef cattle production in the western United States relies on self-fed, salt-limited supplement to offset seasonal nutrient deficiencies which, in turn, may improve performance and increase forage intake. However, research has found high variation in individual supplement intake among animals and across days. If cattle are over consuming high-salt diets, this may result in negative impacts on animal performance and additional cost for the producer. Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of form of supplement on supplement intake behavior, body weight, and body condition change and the impacts of supplemental salt levels on forage intake, water intake, dry matter digestibility, and rumen fermentation of yearling heifers consuming low quality forages. During a two-year summer grazing trial, individual supplement intake, time spent at the feeder, and frequency of visits was measured. It was found that supplementation and form of supplement did not influence heifer weight gain or intake CV (P = 0.26), but heifers in the pelleted treatment consumed more supplement (grams/kg BW), and at a faster rate compared to heifers fed the loose supplement form (P < 0.01). In study 2, six ruminally cannulated heifers were assigned to treatments to determine the effect of salt levels on digestibility and rumen parameters. Salt treatments consisted of: 1) control, no salt (CON), 2) 0.05% of BW salt (LOW), and 3) 0.1% of BW salt (HIGH). Forage and water intake, digestibility, and rumen parameters were measured. Supplemental salt tended to decrease forage intake (grams/kg BW; P = 0.06) and tended to increase DM fill (P = 0.07). Both water intake and liquid fill increased with increasing level of salt (P < 0.01). Ruminal pH and ammonia levels decreased with increasing salt (P < 0.01) while acetate concentration increased (P < 0.01). Digestibility was not influenced by salt levels (P > 0.05). Our results suggest that pelleting salt-limited supplements has a masking effect on the intake regulation of salt. Additionally, increasing levels of salt modifies rumen fermentation and digestion suggesting lower efficiency of intake and use with high-salt diets.Item The impacts of supplementing rumen degradable or undegradable protein to heifers and cows on supplement intake behavior, performance, reproduction, and nutrient digestion(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2021) Manoukian, Marley Kathryn; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Megan Van Emon; J.A. Kluth, S.A. Wyffels, T. DelCurto, C. Sanford, T.W. Geary, A. Scheaffer and M.L. Van Emon were co-authors of the article, 'Impacts of rumen degradable or rumen undegradable protein supplement on supplement intake behavior, performance, and reproductive parameters with yearling heifers and cows grazing dryland pastures' submitted to the journal 'Journal of animal science' which is contained within this thesis.; J.A. Kluth, S.A. Wyffels, T. DelCurto, A. Scheaffer and M.L. Van Emon were co-authors of the article, 'Impacts of rumen degradable or rumen undegradable protein supplement with or without salt on nutrient digestion and VFA concentrations' submitted to the journal 'Journal of animal science' which is contained within this thesis.Low-quality forages, often low in protein, are a common feed resource for beef cattle in Montana and the western United States. A supplement intake study, as well as a digestion study were performed to observe the effects of rumen degradable protein (RDP) and rumen undegradable protein (RUP) on supplement intake behavior, performance, reproductive parameters, nutrient digestion, and rumen kinetics. Yearling heifers were used in a completely randomized design and two- and three-year old cows were used in a randomized complete block design for an 84-d supplement intake study. Treatments were: 1) pressed supplement block containing RUP (RUP), and 2) pressed supplement block containing RDP (RDP). Heifer and cow supplement intake displayed (P < 0.01) a treatment x period interaction. Cow intake rate and coefficient of variation displayed (P < 0.01) a treatment x period interaction. The RUP heifers consumed supplement faster (P < 0.01) than RDP heifers. The RDP cows had greater (P < 0.01) average daily gains than RUP cows. The RUP cows had greater final pregnancy rates than RDP cows (P = 0.04). In conclusion, protein type impacted intake behavior in cows and heifers, and RDP cows had ADG, but protein type did not negatively impact final performance or pregnancy success. Eight two-year old and eight three-year old rumen fistulated cows were used in a 2 x 2 factorial design for a 22-d digestion study. Animals were fed an ad libitum low-quality diet. Supplements included either RDP or RUP and were self-fed (SF) salt-limited pressed blocks or hand-fed (HF) the same loose ingredients without salt resulting in 4 dietary treatments: 1) RUP-SF, 2) RUP-HF, 3) RDP-SF, and 4) RDP-HF. There was a delivery x protein type interaction (P ? 0.04) for both NDF digestibility and water intake. There was an effect (P = 0.02) of protein type on fluid flow rate. Ruminal ammonia displayed (P < 0.01) a delivery x protein type x hour interaction. Valerate ruminal concentrations were greater in RDP supplemented animals compared to RUP supplemented animals (P = 0.04). In conclusion, self-fed supplements containing RDP may enhance the use of low-quality forages.Item The influences of diet and water systems on rainbow trout gut microbiome in relation to nutrient utilization(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2017) Betiku, Omolola Comfort; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Carl Yeoman; T. Gibson Gaylord and Wendy M. Sealey were co-authors of the article, 'Evaluation of protein reduction and essential amino acids supplementation of plant- and animal protein-based diets on production of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)' submitted to the journal 'Journal of the World Aquaculture Society' which is contained within this thesis.; Carl J. Yeoman, T. Gibson Gaylord, Suzanne L. Ishaq, Glenn C. Duff, Aurelien Mazurie and Wendy M. Sealey were co-authors of the article, 'Divided nutritive function of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) mid- and hind- gut microbiomes' submitted to the journal 'Frontiers in microbiology' which is contained within this thesis.; Carl J. Yeoman, T. Gibson Gaylord, Glenn C. Duff, Brian Bothner, Stephanie S. Block and Wendy M. Sealey were co-authors of the article, 'Differences in amino acid catabolism by gut microbes with/without prebiotics inclusion in GDDY-based diet affect feed utilization in rainbow trout' submitted to the journal 'Aquaculture' which is contained within this thesis.; Carl J. Yeoman, T. Gibson Gaylord, Ben Americus, Sarah Olivo, Glenn C. Duff and Wendy M. Sealey were co-authors of the article, 'Water system is a controlling variable modulating bacterial diversity of gastrointestinal tract and performance in rainbow trout' submitted to the journal 'Plos one' which is contained within this thesis.Plant protein ingredients are sustainable sources of protein that could be used to meet the demand of the growing aquaculture industry. However, feeding plant protein diets has some drawbacks in terms of reduced growth and poor feed efficiency. This dissertation evaluated the production cost of alternative protein diets for commercial production of rainbow trout. Also, it identified the microbiota and gene functions associated with alternative diets and how they differ between mid- and hind-gut sections of the rainbow trout intestine. Furthermore, it determined differences in microbial community compositions and functions in the luminal and mucosal GIT of trout when fed alternative diets, with/without prebiotics. Lastly, the significance of diet and water as environmental factors shaping the mucosal and luminal bacterial compositions in trout was investigated. Experiment 1 demonstrated that trout growth and body indices were not affected by feeding plant protein diet (PPD). In experiment 2, shotgun metagenomics revealed predominant bacterial population in trout microbiota. Genes related to carbohydrate metabolism were increased in the hindgut intestine of those fed PPD. Experiment 3 demonstrated that replacing fishmeal with 75% GDDY did not alter growth of trout, but not feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR). High inclusion of GDDY in trout diet resulted in enrichment of catabolic genes involving branched chain amino acids in trout midgut region. Experiment 4 showed that rearing in a recirculating water system significantly improved trout performance compared to rearing in a flow-through water system, while feed intake and FCR increased in fish raised in the flow-through system. Water samples were more diverse than GIT samples. Bacterial diversity was greater in mucosal scrapings of the GIT than in the lumen. Water system played a major role influencing the microbial communities in trout luminal and mucosal GIT. The lumen shared similar bacteria with the rearing water. The results of this study demonstrated that plant protein can effectively substitute for fishmeal in trout diets. It further showed that trout GIT microbiota vary between the mid- and hind-GIT. The hind-, but not the mid-GIT microbiome appears to be modulated by diet, while the mid-GIT is affected by water system.Item Chemical characterization and metabolic function of soluble dietary fiber from select milling fractions of a hull-less barley and its waxy starch mutant(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1990) Mori, TheodoreItem Protein and mineral nutrition and the weak calf syndrome in beef cattle(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1975) Bartle, Steven JonItem Influence of ruminal minerals on fiber utilization and supplementation on intake and nutrient balance of ewes(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1987) Harris, Katherine BarnesItem Protein quality of normal barley cultivars and their proanthocyanidin-free mutants(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1988) Overland, MargarethItem Towne's Harvest Garden and Community Supported Agriculture Program, Annual Report 2012(MSU Friends of Local Foods, 2013) Differnderfer, Anna; Reusch, Tim; Acker, Nic; Moyer, Candace; Gaston, Marcy; Holt, Charles; Harmon, Alison H.TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary...6 About Towne’s Harvest...8 Mission, Vision and Values...9 The Value of Towne’s Harvest Garden...10 Partner Analysis...11 2012 Plan of Operations and Organizational Structure...12 2012 Expenditures and Income...13 Towne’s Harvest Garden Layout...13 2012 Crop List...14 Student Involvement...15 Community Supported Agriculture Program...16 Student CSA...17 Food Bank Partnership...18 Campus Farm Stand...18 Towne’s Harvest Distribution Summary...20 President’s Luncheon...21 Publicity & Project Dissemination...22 Lessons Learned...23 2013 Proposed Plan of Operation...25 2013 Proposed Organizational Structure...26 2013 Predicted Expenditures and Income...27 Towne’s Harvest Annual Timeline...28 External Funding for Towne’s Harvest Garden...30 Towne’s Harvest On-going Goals & Progress...31 Towne’s Harvest On-going Goals & Progress...33 Appendix...34 APPENDIX THG Income 2012 | THG Expense Records 2012 | 2012 Crop Notes | Block and Row Crop Plan | 2012 Harvest Log: Certified Organic, CSA, and Food Bank | THG Staff Duties | 2012 CSA Member Survey Results | CSA Member Information | Towne’s Harvest Flyer; CSA Brochure; Community Food Truck Marketing Flyer; Student CSA Flyer