Proteins in bull semen have been found that increase fertility, including the fertility-associated antigen (FAA). The uses of FAA-positive bulls have been found in previous studies to increase conception rates at least 16%. Increased fertility rates by FAA-positive bulls increased the number of pregnant cows early in the breeding seasonUsing historical data to compute an equation that can demonstrate buyers and producers in the Southwestern United States the benefits of using and testing for FAA-positive bulls over time. The cost for addition of a cassette to the BSE testing will be offset by an increase in conception rate, birthing rate, and increase calf weaning weightsThis study focuses on the Southwestern United States, but eventually the information may be used nationwide. Fertility-associated antigen is a new science that is being studied to help the cattle industry increase production and profitability.

<p> Obesity and diabetes play a major role in many diseases prevalent in our current society. Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) is a recently discovered hormone that has potential for therapeutic treatment of obesity and diabetes. It acts as a hormone in times of metabolic stress and is shown to stimulate hepatic fatty acid oxidation, ketogenesis, induce weight loss, allow for sustained decrease in plasma glucose and triglycrides, and decrease the growth hormone response. Obese or diabetic individuals often have higher than normal amounts of circulating FGF21; consequently, they may be considered FGF21 resistant. It is then advantageous to have an assay to measure FGF21 that will allow us to study FGF21 further. It is also important to study FGF21 in various livestock species for potential biomarkers, or as indicators of carcass quality that could prove to advance further research. We have developed a working FGF21 assay using an amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assay (AlphaLISA). It is a homogeneous, no-wash immunoassay with high sensitivity and wide dynamic range. It is a bead based technology that brings two antibodies near each other allowing for an unstable singlet oxygen to trigger a downstream cascade of chemical events leading to a sharp intense chemiluminescent emission that can be read on an EnVision machine. The assay was set up using a &lsquo;sandwich&rsquo; design with guinea pig or rabbit anti-bovine FGF21 antibodies attached to the acceptor beads and biotinylated rabbit anti-bovine FGF21 antibodies attached to a streptavidin coated donor bead. The assay has a working range from 0.2- 200 ng/ml. Standard curves in serum from bovine, porcine, rabbit, rat, ewe, fetal bovine has been conducted and assay conditions were optimized for each. Manipulations of the sera were necessary in order to get functional curves. These included diluting it 2 fold or more, depending on the species, and increasing incubation temperatures. The assay can function using both serum and plasma. </p><p>

<p> Understanding the enzymatic activity in ruminant digestive systems is essential for securing adequate growth, reproduction and overall metabolism. In order to evaluate the impact of various nutritional sources and dietary strategies on enzymatic activity, five experiments were designed. Experiment 1 examined the influence of nutrient restriction and melatonin supplementation on maternal and fetal pancreatic development. Experiment 2 explored various phases of the reproductive cycle and the impact of intravenous arginine infusion amid differing levels of feed intake. Experiment 3 determined the effectiveness of realimentation during advancing stages of gestation. Experiments 4 and 5 examined the impact of variable rations on ruminal pH, NH3, VFA, total gas and methane concentration and enzymatic activity in steers consuming rations of fine- vs coarse-rolled corn and 20% vs 40% DDGS (Experiment 4) and corn vs barley based diets with low- vs moderate-oil DDGS (Experiment 5). Overall, nutrient restriction caused reduced BW, pancreatic mass and pancreatic enzyme activity in mature animals. In Experiment 1, the addition of dietary melatonin diminished the impact of nutrient restriction on maternal pancreatic mass and &alpha;-amylase activity while reducing the secretion of insulin and size of insulin-containing cell clusters. Fetal pancreatic enzymes were unaffected by treatment, however, pancreatic morphology exhibited greater insulin-containing cell cluster size in fetuses from adequately fed dams. In Experiment 2, arginine infusion did not alter pancreatic exocrine or endocrine function during the various luteal stage phases. In Experiment 3, realimentation during different stages of gestation decreased the impact of reduced feed intake and, in some cases, allowed for compensatory gain of the exocrine pancreas. The maternal and fetal endocrine pancreas was unaffected. Mature animals had greater changes in pancreatic exocrine secretions whereas fetuses differed mainly in endocrine function as a result of improper nutritional status. Comparison of pancreatic tissue revealed a greater quantity, and larger size, of insulin-containing cell clusters in fetuses which appear to separate as the animal matures. Differences in rumen enzymatic activity was found in Experiments 4 and 5, however, despite changes in lag time of gas production or ruminal degradation rates, the concentration of greenhouse gases (CH₄ or CO₂) produced were unaffected. </p>

<p> Animals with multi-compartmented stomachs, also known as ruminants, are adapted to digest cellulosic materials, which constitute the primary expense on ranches and dairies. Industrial byproducts can be repurposed for livestock diets to decrease these costs. Therefore, finding alternative feedstuffs may benefit the economics of livestock production. The goal of this project was to evaluate alternative uses of ruminal waste from commercial abattoirs. This project addressed two primary objectives. First, ruminal fiber as a potential dietary fiber source was evaluated. Second, the potential for preservation of ruminal fluid for later use was assessed. Results for the first objective indicated harvesting rumen waste from slaughterhouses could be beneficial for sustainable livestock production, while reducing the environmental threat posed by disposal of ruminal waste. Nutritional values of rumen waste in relation to other common livestock roughages sources commonly found in ruminant diets are numberical , such as coastal Bermuda grass hay (<i>Cynodon dactylon </i>) and alfalfa hay (<i>Medicago sativa</i>). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and crude protein (CP) values were 68.1%, 39.9%, 10.9% and 15%, respectively. Contribution to variance for NDF, ADF, ADL and CP were 97.2%, 97.9%, 95.4% and 19.1%, respectively. <i> In vitro</i> true digestibility (IVTD) and <i>in vitro</i> neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD) were 46.2% and 21.6%, respectively. Results from the second objective showed lower degradation of feeds when frozen or lyophilized rumen fluid was used rather than fresh inoculum; however, differences in IVTD and IVNDFD suggest that, in the absence of fresh inocula, preserved rumen fluid may be a viable option. Implications from this study show rumen content could provide nutrients if fed to livestock and rumen microbes preserved (frozen or lyophilized) are still viable and able to degrade feedstuffs. Therefore, further research is needed to assess the consistency of using inoculum from slaughtered cattle and improve the preservation process.</p><p>

Tests in vitro for antiviral activity against avian influenza viruses, A/Turkey/Sanpete/85 (H6N8) and A/Turkey/Sanpete/86 (H10N9), isolated in Sanpete County, Utah, utilized known antiviral agents, amantadine•HCl (adamantanamine hydrochloride) and ribavirin (1-β-D ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide). The testing involved evaluation of seven drug concentrations. Maximum tolerated dose, minimum inhibitory concentration and therapeutic indexes were determined for each drug used. Both drugs demonstrated reasonable antiviral activity. Then they were tested against the H10N9 strain in 10-day-old Broad White turkey poults. Large- and small- particle aerosol delivery methods utilized. Various parameters, including water and feed consumption, health score (based on visible signs), recoverable lung virus, lung hemagglutination titer, and visual lung scoring were considered for the quantification of viral infection and, thus, antiviral activity in birds. Recovery of viable virus from infected turkey poults proved sporadic. Visible signs were varied and mild, limiting the usefulness of health scores. The onset of illness was reflected in the decline in water consumption. Moderate antiviral activity was demonstrated with the use of ribavirin small-particle aerosol, but ribavirin fog was not effective. Amantadine product slight antiviral activity when used with both delivery systems. The potential efficacy of both drugs and application methods indicate further study of these control systems is warranted.

The purpose of this study was to characterize phenotypically Actinobacillus and Actinobacillus-like species cultured from ram lambs with epididymitis (lamb epididymitis), so as to better understand the species and strains of Actinobacillus responsible for causing the disease. Two American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) type species of Actinobacillus (A actinomycetemcomitans and A seminis) and 24 field isolates were tested in this study. The field isolates were cultured from either lesions or semen of ram lambs with clinical epididymitis and had been identified as members of the genus Actinobacillus, based on cultural and morphological criteria. When analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), these field isolates could be divided into 4 groups, based on the similarities and differences in the protein profiles. A panel of 13 MoAbs directed against 3 distinct proteins extracted from 1 field isolate (As8C) were also used in the enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), flow cytometry, and bacterial agglutination to screen these field isolates. Specificity of the MoAbs for the 3 proteins was confirmed by the enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) technique. Bacterial field isolates were also divided into 3 groups by the ELISA results, based on their different reaction intensities. Data generated by the flow cytometry, namely peak channel, mean value, and percent labeled cells, suggested that these field isolates could be divided into 2 groups. However, with the unique reaction pattern for each MoAb, the flow cytometry data suggested the possibility of preparing a bank of figures as a standardized reference to identify additional isolates belonging to the genus of Actinobacillus. Bacterial agglutination of some isolates was noted using hyperimmune mouse serum (HMS), but not using MoAbs. These data suggested that bacterial field isolates cultured from epididymal lesions of affected lambs were considered to be in the same group as the 2 ATCC-type species of Actinobacillus . Further studies will be required in determining whether A seminis or some other species of Actinobacillus is the primary pathogen responsible for lamb epididymitis.

Perhaps no mammal on the North American Continent has received more attention in the literature than the muskrat (Ondatra spp.), but little of this material pertains to the reactions of muskrat populations to drought conditions. The author was unable to find any literature containing information on the reactions of the Rocky Mountain muskrat Ondatra zibethica osoyoosensis to drought conditions in Utah. This information is of vital importance in formulating muskrat management programs in the State.

Four barren Holstein cows fitted with ruminal fistulas were assigned to each of two dietary treatments in a replicated 2 x 2 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of a basal ration and a basal ration plus lOg/d of a viable yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Cows were fed treatments for a 21-day adaptation followed by a 7-day collection period. Total ruminal bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria and protozoa were unaffected by treatment. Feeding the viable yeast culture significantly increased ruminal acetic acid and acetic/propionic ratio. Molar percentage of propionic, isobutyric, isovaleric and valerie acids and rumen ammonia-N levels were significantly reduced in cattle fed added yeast culture. Liquid dilution and particulate rate of passage and total tract apparent nutrient digestibility were unaffected by treatment. Eighteen Holstein cows in mid-lactation were allocated equally to one of two treatments based on stage of lactation and previous mean daily 2-week milk yield. Therefore, nine cows were allocated to each treatment. Treatments consisted of a basal ration and a basal ration plus 10g/d of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Cows were fed total mixed rations for a 10-week period. In week 8, feed and fecal samples were collected twice daily for 3 days. Acid detergent fiber insoluble ash was used to determine total tract apparent nutrient digestibility. Feeding mid-lactation dairy cows the viable yeast culture had no effect on mean daily dry matter intake . However, it tended to improve mean daily 3.5% FCM. Milk production efficiency was higher in lactating dairy cows supplemented with the viable yeast culture when compared to the nonsupplemented cows. Milk composition and overall mean body weights were unaffected by treatment. Total tract apparent nutrient digestibilities also were unaffected by treatment.

Rabbits and hares, both popularly referred to as rabbits, occupy a very prominent position in the wildlife of Utah. Over much of the state, they form the most conspicuous faunal group, and between the lowest portion of the state to above timberline on the highest mountains there are very few areas entirely devoid or their presence. There is great variation, however, in their abundance, both between localities and times. In some areas, rabbit populations often attain amazingly high numbers to the delight of sportsmen and the dismay of farmers.

A marked population of Spermophilus armatus averaging 529 individuals per year was studied for two and a half seasons on a 22-acre tract in northern Utah. The average date of emergence from hibernation of the first squirrel was 9 April. Mating occurred as soon as animals emerged from hibernation. The average date of appearance of the first litter was 31 May. Emergence sizes of litters were from 5.2 for yearling females to 6.3 for adult females. Few instances of predation were observed. Age and sex ratios varied throughout the season and for different portions of the study area. The population increased 22 percent from 1964-1965 and 15 percent from 1965-1966. Juveniles moved more than adults and males moved more than females. In 1964 and 1965, 90 percent of the squirrels had disappeared into hibernation by 1 August. Active periods were from 61 days for juvenile males to 97 days for adult males.