O Brasil, com o maior rebanho comercial do mundo, só agora está desenvolvendo pesquisas sobre genética da eficiência alimentar. Além disso, é impossível ignorar a pressão nacional e internacional para uma indústria mais sustentável de produção de carne. Países como Austrália e Canadá, já desenvolveram programas para identificar animais mais eficientes, que produzem menos poluentes, em busca de marcadores moleculares para eficiência alimentar e qualidade da carne. Austrália, com um rebanho de 27 milhões de bovinos visa reduzir aproximadamente 30% do custo de produção de carne e 10% das emissões de metano, o Brasil com 205 milhões de animais tem um desafio ainda maior. O objetivo neste projeto foi estudar a eficiência alimentar e suas relações com características de lucro, carcaça e qualidade da carne em bovinos Nelore terminados em confinamento. O estudo avaliou em dois anos, 310 novilhos com medições individuais de consumo alimentar. Parâmetros de carcaça (peso, rendimento, área de olho de lombo, espessura de gordura subcutânea, peso dos rins, coração, fígado e gordura interna) foram determinados. Qualidade da carne de amostras maturadas ou não (pH, força de cisalhamento, cor, perdas por cocção, capacidade de retenção de água, índice de fragmentação miofibrilar e gordura intramuscular) também foram avaliadas. Variáveis de eficiência alimentar calculadas foram: conversão alimentar, eficiência de crescimento parcial, eficiência da manutenção, eficiência de ganho de peso, taxa de crescimento relativo, índice de Kleiber e consumo alimentar residual (CAR). Foram analisados os coeficientes de regressão linear entre as variáveis avaliadas e o CAR. Peso vivo médio metabólico e ganho médio diário não foram relacionados ao CAR (P>0,05). Os animais mais eficientes consumiram, no mínimo 11,2% menos do que os ineficientes (P<0,05). A redução do CAR em uma unidade reduziu 0,021 na eficiência alimentar e 0,796 na conversão. Não houve relação entre CAR e área de olho de lombo (P> 0,05), mas houve redução da espessura de gordura subcutânea e intramuscular depositadas, com a diminuição do CAR (P <0,05). A estimativa de energia retida no ganho reduziu em 0,2 Mcal/dia. Isto significa que mudanças na composição corporal do ganho foram capazes de explicar 16,5% das diferenças no consumo de alimentos entre animais eficientes e ineficientes definidos pelo CAR. Parâmetros de carcaça, fígado, coração e gordura interna assim como pH, força de cisalhamento e índice de fragmentação miofibrilar de amostras do L.dorsi não foram relacionados com CAR (P>0,05). O lucro foi positivamente associado ao CAR (r= -0,124;P<0,05), mas melhor associado à eficiência alimentar (r= -0,85; P<0,001) e ganho de peso (r=0,64; P<0,001). Ganho de peso, consumo de matéria seca, conversão alimentar, espessura de gordura subcutânea e lucro apresentaram efeito de touro. Há uma relação entre CAR e a composição do ganho em animais Nelore, de acordo com mudanças na deposição de gordura subcutânea e intramuscular. Pelo fato de produzir carcaças mais magras, a adoção do CAR como critério de seleção deve ser cuidadosa. Independente da possível redução na qualidade da carne, conclui-se que o CAR é menos adequado que ganho, consumo ou conversão alimentar para prever lucro em confinamento. / Brazil, with the biggest commercial herd in the world, is just now developing research on the genetics of feed efficiency. In addition, it is impossible to ignore national and international pressure for a more sustainable beef production industry. Countries like Australia and Canada have already developed programs to identify more efficient animals, that produce less pollutant, in search of molecular markers for feed efficiency and at the same time meat quality. Australia, with a 27 million bovine herd aims to reduce by approximately 30% the cost of meat production and by 10% methane emissions. Brazil with 205 million animals has an even greater challenge. The objective of this project was to study feed efficiency and its relationships with profitability, carcass characteristics and meat quality in Nellore steers finished in the feedlot. The study evaluated in two years, 310 calves with individual feed intake measurements. Carcass parameters (yield, size, loin eye area, backfat thickness, weight of the kidneys, heart, liver and internal fat) were determined. Meat quality of aged and not aged samples (pH, shear force, color parameters, cooking losses, water holding capacity, myofibrillar fragmentation index and intramuscular fat) was also evaluated. Feed efficiency variables calculated were: feed:gain ratio, partial growth efficiency, maintenance efficiency, efficiency of weight gain, relative growth rate, Kleiber index and residual feed intake (RFI). The linear regression coefficients between the variables evaluated against the calculated RFI were used. The average metabolic live weight and average daily gain were not related to RFI (P> 0.05). The most efficient animals consumed at least 11.2% less than the inefficient ones (P<0.05). The reduction in RFI by one unit resulted in a decrease in feed efficiency by 0.021 in feed efficiency and 0.796 feed:gain ratio. There was no relationship between RFI and loin eye area (P>0.05), but there was a decrease in backfat deposited and intramuscular fat gain due to the decrease in RFI (P<0.05). The retained energy, estimated by the difference in body composition, was reduced by 0.2 Mcal/day in inefficient vs efficient animals. This means that the change in estimated body composition was able to explain 16,5% of the difference in feed intake between RFI efficient and RFI inefficient animals. Parameters of carcass, liver, heart and internal fat, pH, shear force and myofibrillar fragmentation index of L.dorsi samples were not associated with RFI (P>0.05). Profitability was indirectly related to RFI (P<0.05). However, profit had much greater association with feed:gain ratio (r= -0.85; P<0.001) as well as with weight gain (r=0.64; P<0.001). The weight gain, dry matter intake, feed:gain ratio, backfat, RFI and profitability demonstrated sire effects. There was a relationship between RFI and composition of gain in Nellore steers, consistent with the changes in deposition of subcutaneous and intramuscular fat. Because it produces leaner carcasses, the adoption of RFI as a selection criterion should be evaluated carefully. Independent of a possible reduction in meat quality, the data demonstrates that RFI is less efficient than gain, feed intake or feed conversion to predict feedlot profit.

Resumo: Foram comparados dois rebanhos Nelore, um selecionado (NeS) para maior peso pós-desmame (PPD) e outro controle (NeC) selecionado para PPD médio, foi conduzido para avaliar os efeitos de 29 anos de seleção sobre a eficiência alimentar. Sessenta machos Nelore, sendo 41 NeS e 19 NeC, foram avaliados em baias individuais durante a Prova de Ganho de Peso. Características de desempenho e consumo de matéria seca (CMS) foram utilizados para determinar medidas de eficiência: conversão alimentar (CA), consumo alimentar residual (CAR), ganho residual (GR), eficiência parcial de crescimento (EPC), taxa de crescimento relativo (TCR) e taxa de Kleiber (TK). As médias iniciais de peso vivo e idade foram, respectivamente, 205 ± 31 kg e 267 ± 14 dias. Após um período de coleta de 112 dias, os animais do rebanho NeC apresentaram menor PV final que os NeS. Os rebanhos não diferiram em CMS expresso em % do peso vivo, área de olho-de-lombo, espessuras de gordura subcutânea na altura da 12a costela e na região da picanha. O CMS (kg/d) e o ganho médio diário (GMD) do rebanho NeS foram, respectivamente, 19,4% e 26,4% superiores aos do rebanho NeC. O aumento no GMD dos animais selecionados promoveu melhora significativa, em torno de 6% para CA, 70 g/d para a GR e 17% para a TK (P =0,02). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas para as demais medidas de eficiência (CAR, EPC e TCR; entre os rebanhos. A eficiência alimentar de bovinos Nelore não foi afetada por 29 anos de seleção para PPD. / Abstract: Two Nellore herds, a selection (NeS) for highest postweaning weight (PWW) and a control (NeC), selected for mean PWW, were evaluated summarize the effects of 29 year of selection on feed efficiency. Sixty Nellore bulls, being 41 NeS and 19 NeC, were evaluated in individual pens during the performance test. Performance traits and dry matter intake (DMI) were used to determine efficiency measurements: feed conversion ratio (FCR), residual feed intake (RFI), residual gain (RG), partial efficiency of growth (PEG), relative growth rate (RGR) and Kleiber ratio (KR). Body weight and initial age averages were, respectively, 205 ± 31 kg e 267 ± 14. NeC had lower final body weight than NeS. Herds did not differ in DMI expressed on % BW, rib eye area, 12th rib subcutaneous fat thickness and rump fat thickness. DMI (kg/d) and ADG of NeS were 19,4% and 26,4% respectively greater than NeC. ADG increase of selected animals promoted a 6% increase on FCR, 70g increase on RG (P=0.02) and 17% increase on KR. No Significant were detected for other efficiency measurements (RFI, EPC, RGR; P>0.05) between NeS and NeC. Feed efficiency of Nellore was not affected for 29 years of selection for PWW. / Orientador: Heraldo Cesar Gonçalves / Coorientador: Renata Helena Branco / Banca: André Mendes Jorge / Banca: Sarah Figueiredo Martins Bonilha / Mestre

O Brasil, com o maior rebanho comercial do mundo, só agora está desenvolvendo pesquisas sobre genética da eficiência alimentar. Além disso, é impossível ignorar a pressão nacional e internacional para uma indústria mais sustentável de produção de carne. Países como Austrália e Canadá, já desenvolveram programas para identificar animais mais eficientes, que produzem menos poluentes, em busca de marcadores moleculares para eficiência alimentar e qualidade da carne. Austrália, com um rebanho de 27 milhões de bovinos visa reduzir aproximadamente 30% do custo de produção de carne e 10% das emissões de metano, o Brasil com 205 milhões de animais tem um desafio ainda maior. O objetivo neste projeto foi estudar a eficiência alimentar e suas relações com características de lucro, carcaça e qualidade da carne em bovinos Nelore terminados em confinamento. O estudo avaliou em dois anos, 310 novilhos com medições individuais de consumo alimentar. Parâmetros de carcaça (peso, rendimento, área de olho de lombo, espessura de gordura subcutânea, peso dos rins, coração, fígado e gordura interna) foram determinados. Qualidade da carne de amostras maturadas ou não (pH, força de cisalhamento, cor, perdas por cocção, capacidade de retenção de água, índice de fragmentação miofibrilar e gordura intramuscular) também foram avaliadas. Variáveis de eficiência alimentar calculadas foram: conversão alimentar, eficiência de crescimento parcial, eficiência da manutenção, eficiência de ganho de peso, taxa de crescimento relativo, índice de Kleiber e consumo alimentar residual (CAR). Foram analisados os coeficientes de regressão linear entre as variáveis avaliadas e o CAR. Peso vivo médio metabólico e ganho médio diário não foram relacionados ao CAR (P>0,05). Os animais mais eficientes consumiram, no mínimo 11,2% menos do que os ineficientes (P<0,05). A redução do CAR em uma unidade reduziu 0,021 na eficiência alimentar e 0,796 na conversão. Não houve relação entre CAR e área de olho de lombo (P> 0,05), mas houve redução da espessura de gordura subcutânea e intramuscular depositadas, com a diminuição do CAR (P <0,05). A estimativa de energia retida no ganho reduziu em 0,2 Mcal/dia. Isto significa que mudanças na composição corporal do ganho foram capazes de explicar 16,5% das diferenças no consumo de alimentos entre animais eficientes e ineficientes definidos pelo CAR. Parâmetros de carcaça, fígado, coração e gordura interna assim como pH, força de cisalhamento e índice de fragmentação miofibrilar de amostras do L.dorsi não foram relacionados com CAR (P>0,05). O lucro foi positivamente associado ao CAR (r= -0,124;P<0,05), mas melhor associado à eficiência alimentar (r= -0,85; P<0,001) e ganho de peso (r=0,64; P<0,001). Ganho de peso, consumo de matéria seca, conversão alimentar, espessura de gordura subcutânea e lucro apresentaram efeito de touro. Há uma relação entre CAR e a composição do ganho em animais Nelore, de acordo com mudanças na deposição de gordura subcutânea e intramuscular. Pelo fato de produzir carcaças mais magras, a adoção do CAR como critério de seleção deve ser cuidadosa. Independente da possível redução na qualidade da carne, conclui-se que o CAR é menos adequado que ganho, consumo ou conversão alimentar para prever lucro em confinamento. / Brazil, with the biggest commercial herd in the world, is just now developing research on the genetics of feed efficiency. In addition, it is impossible to ignore national and international pressure for a more sustainable beef production industry. Countries like Australia and Canada have already developed programs to identify more efficient animals, that produce less pollutant, in search of molecular markers for feed efficiency and at the same time meat quality. Australia, with a 27 million bovine herd aims to reduce by approximately 30% the cost of meat production and by 10% methane emissions. Brazil with 205 million animals has an even greater challenge. The objective of this project was to study feed efficiency and its relationships with profitability, carcass characteristics and meat quality in Nellore steers finished in the feedlot. The study evaluated in two years, 310 calves with individual feed intake measurements. Carcass parameters (yield, size, loin eye area, backfat thickness, weight of the kidneys, heart, liver and internal fat) were determined. Meat quality of aged and not aged samples (pH, shear force, color parameters, cooking losses, water holding capacity, myofibrillar fragmentation index and intramuscular fat) was also evaluated. Feed efficiency variables calculated were: feed:gain ratio, partial growth efficiency, maintenance efficiency, efficiency of weight gain, relative growth rate, Kleiber index and residual feed intake (RFI). The linear regression coefficients between the variables evaluated against the calculated RFI were used. The average metabolic live weight and average daily gain were not related to RFI (P> 0.05). The most efficient animals consumed at least 11.2% less than the inefficient ones (P<0.05). The reduction in RFI by one unit resulted in a decrease in feed efficiency by 0.021 in feed efficiency and 0.796 feed:gain ratio. There was no relationship between RFI and loin eye area (P>0.05), but there was a decrease in backfat deposited and intramuscular fat gain due to the decrease in RFI (P<0.05). The retained energy, estimated by the difference in body composition, was reduced by 0.2 Mcal/day in inefficient vs efficient animals. This means that the change in estimated body composition was able to explain 16,5% of the difference in feed intake between RFI efficient and RFI inefficient animals. Parameters of carcass, liver, heart and internal fat, pH, shear force and myofibrillar fragmentation index of L.dorsi samples were not associated with RFI (P>0.05). Profitability was indirectly related to RFI (P<0.05). However, profit had much greater association with feed:gain ratio (r= -0.85; P<0.001) as well as with weight gain (r=0.64; P<0.001). The weight gain, dry matter intake, feed:gain ratio, backfat, RFI and profitability demonstrated sire effects. There was a relationship between RFI and composition of gain in Nellore steers, consistent with the changes in deposition of subcutaneous and intramuscular fat. Because it produces leaner carcasses, the adoption of RFI as a selection criterion should be evaluated carefully. Independent of a possible reduction in meat quality, the data demonstrates that RFI is less efficient than gain, feed intake or feed conversion to predict feedlot profit.

Objectives were to characterize residual feed intake (RFI) and determine the phenotypic correlation between performance, feed efficiency, and other biological measurements in Brahman heifers, as well as the relationship between RFI determined in confinement and measurements of grazing activity on pasture. Three separate 70 d feeding trials were performed, and RFI was determined as the residual between actual and predicted dry matter intake (DMI) for a given level of production. Brahman heifers (n = 103; 5-to-9 mo of age) were individually limit-fed a pelleted 12% CP complete ration daily in Calan gates. Weekly body weight (BW) and DMI data were collected, and predicted DMI was determined by linear regression of actual DMI on mid-test metabolic BW. Ytterbium chloride was used to evaluate digestive kinetics, and fecal samples were collected to determine fecal volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration and determine apparent dry matter digestibility (DMD) utilizing acid insoluble ash as an internal marker. Measurements of temperament were evaluated on all heifers at weaning. High (n = 6) and low (n = 6) RFI heifers (Exp. I) grazed fescue and ryegrass to determine variation in grazing behavior, DMI, and apparent DMD. Data from all three experiments were pooled, and RFI was not correlated with average daily gain (ADG), DMI, BW, partial efficiency of gain, feed conversion ration, fecal VFA concentration, or any measures of temperament. There were no significant differences in digestive kinetics between the RFI efficiency groups. Fecal samples taken for acid detergent insoluble ash (ADIA) determination were not collected at frequent enough intervals to account for weekly variation in fecal ADIA concentration. Pasture measurements were not different between the efficiency groups for heifers evaluated for grazing behavior, as well as estimated intake as a proportion of BW, or apparent DMD. Results of this study suggest that Bos indicus cattle appear to have similar efficiency traits as Bos taurus and Bos indicus influenced cattle, making this measure of efficiency equally as valid for use in both types of cattle. This indicates that selection based on RFI can be made to increase feed efficiency without affecting ADG or BW in Brahman cattle.

Objectives were to characterize residual feed intake (RFI) and determine the phenotypic correlation between performance, feed efficiency, and other biological measurements in Brahman heifers, as well as the relationship between RFI determined in confinement and measurements of grazing activity on pasture. Three separate 70 d feeding trials were performed, and RFI was determined as the residual between actual and predicted dry matter intake (DMI) for a given level of production. Brahman heifers (n = 103; 5-to-9 mo of age) were individually limit-fed a pelleted 12% CP complete ration daily in Calan gates. Weekly body weight (BW) and DMI data were collected, and predicted DMI was determined by linear regression of actual DMI on mid-test metabolic BW. Ytterbium chloride was used to evaluate digestive kinetics, and fecal samples were collected to determine fecal volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration and determine apparent dry matter digestibility (DMD) utilizing acid insoluble ash as an internal marker. Measurements of temperament were evaluated on all heifers at weaning. High (n = 6) and low (n = 6) RFI heifers (Exp. I) grazed fescue and ryegrass to determine variation in grazing behavior, DMI, and apparent DMD. Data from all three experiments were pooled, and RFI was not correlated with average daily gain (ADG), DMI, BW, partial efficiency of gain, feed conversion ration, fecal VFA concentration, or any measures of temperament. There were no significant differences in digestive kinetics between the RFI efficiency groups. Fecal samples taken for acid detergent insoluble ash (ADIA) determination were not collected at frequent enough intervals to account for weekly variation in fecal ADIA concentration. Pasture measurements were not different between the efficiency groups for heifers evaluated for grazing behavior, as well as estimated intake as a proportion of BW, or apparent DMD. Results of this study suggest that Bos indicus cattle appear to have similar efficiency traits as Bos taurus and Bos indicus influenced cattle, making this measure of efficiency equally as valid for use in both types of cattle. This indicates that selection based on RFI can be made to increase feed efficiency without affecting ADG or BW in Brahman cattle.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Skara : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2009. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Identifying molecular mechanisms regulating cellular energy utilization may lead to increased understanding of maintenance energy cost and improved feed efficiency in beef cows. Three experiments were conducted to characterize measures of residual feed intake (RFI) in pregnant beef cows; to examine the effects of moderate dietary restriction on visceral organ mass and proteins relating to energy metabolism; and to investigate the influence of pregnancy on visceral organ mass and proteins relating to energy metabolism. The first experiment combined data from five experiments using 321 pregnant Angus × Simmental cows. Including ultrasound fat measures and diet/management information increased the feed intake prediction model R2 by 7.3% and > 20%, respectively. Individual experiment RFI models varied greatly in accuracy. In the second experiment, 22 pregnant beef cows were fed at 85% (LOW; n=11) or 140% (HIGH; n=11) of net energy requirements during mid- to late-gestation. Tissue samples from liver, kidney, muscle, ruminal papillae, pancreas, and small intestinal muscosa were collected. Western blots were conducted to quantify abundance of: proliferating cell nuclear antigen, ATP synthase, ubiquitin, and Na/K+ ATPase for all tissues; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α), and 5’-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and phosphorylated-AMPK (pAMPK) for liver, muscle, and rumen; phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase for liver and kidney; and uncoupling protein 2 for liver. Cows fed HIGH had greater (P ≤ 0.04) ADG and final BW than cows fed LOW. Ubiquitin abundance in muscle was greater (P = 0.009) in cows fed LOW, and PCG-1α in liver was greater (P = 0.03) in cows fed HIGH. In the third experiment, 18 pregnant (PREG; n =9) or non-pregnant (OPEN; n=9) Angus × Simmental cows were fed for ad libitum intake during mid- to late-gestation. Tissues were weighed and collected and analyzed for protein abundance as described in the second experiment. Liver mass was lower (P ≤ 0.02), abundance of Na+/K+-ATPase was greater (P =0.04) and rumen pAMPK abundance was increased (P = 0.006) in PREG cows. These experiments indicate that measuring RFI in pregnant cows may pose some challenges, and nutrient restriction and pregnancy can influence molecular factors influencing feed efficiency. / Financial support was provided by Canadian Beef Cattle Industry Science Cluster, through funding provided by the Beef Cattle Research Council and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agriculture Adaptation Council-Farm Innovation Program, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ontario Cattleman’s Association.

The health and productive output of dairy cows can be closely correlated to individual cow feed intake. Being able to monitor feed intake on a daily basis is beneficial dairy farm management. Each cow can be addressed individually with minimal time required from those working with the animals. This is essential as time management is closely tied to resource management in a dairy operation. Anything that can save time and resources and increase profitability and herd health is a paramount advantage in dairy farming. This study examined the use of machine vision structured light illumination three-dimensional scanning of cow feed to determine the volume and weight of feed in a bin before and after feeding dairy cow. Calibration and control tests were conducted to determine the effectiveness and capability of implementing such a machine vision feed scanning system. Such a system is ideal as it does not obstruct workflow or cow feeding behavior. This is an improvement over existing systems as the system in this research study can be implemented into existing farm operations with minimal effort and costs.

Objectives of this study were to characterize feed efficiency traits and examine phenotypic relationships with feeding behavior traits in bulls. Performance, feed intake and feeding behavior traits were measured in bulls (n = 5,165) representing 2 breeds (4100 Angus and 952 Red Angus). Intake and feeding behavior traits were measured for 70-d using a GrowSafe system while fed a corn silage based diet (ME = 2.50 Mcal/kg DM). BW was measured at 14-d intervals. Residual feed intake (RFI) was calculated as the difference between actual DMI and that expected from regression of DMI on mid-test BW0.75 (MBW) and ADG, and residual gain (RG) as the difference between actual ADG and that expected from regression of ADG on MBW and DMI. Residual gain and intake (RIG) was computed as the sum of -1 x RFI and RG, both standardized to a variance of 1. Results from the study indicate that RFI was correlated with DMI (r = 0.71, P < 0.0001) but not MBW or ADG, whereas, RG was correlated with ADG (r = 0.87, P < 0.0001) but not MBW or DMI. RFI was negatively correlated with G:F (r = -0.53, P < 0.0001) and RG (r = -0.40, P < 0.0001). Feeding bout (FB) frequency and duration were correlated with RFI (r = 0.30, 0.36; P < 0.001), but were not significant or weakly correlated (r < 0.10) with RG and G:F. Meal criterion and duration were both correlated (r = -0.13, 0.22; P < 0.0001) with RFI, but not with RG or G:F. Bulls with low RFI spent less time at the feed bunk (129 vs 151 ± 31.2 min/d) and had fewer FB events (79 vs 91 ± 23.4 events/d) than high-RFI bulls. Low-RFI bulls had longer (P < 0.001) meal criterion (9.9 vs 8.5 ± 6.6 min) indicating they took longer to initiate new meals, and had longer meal durations (223 vs 244 ± 43.5 min/d) than high-RFI bulls. Bulls have distinctive feeding behavior patterns that contribute to between-animal variation in RFI, but not associated with RG or G:F.

Little is known about the adaptation of livestock to repeated transport. This study determined how repeated transport affected calf feed intake, plasma cortisol (CORT), post-transport behavior, and the expression of immune-related genes. Thirty-six 4-month-old Holstein steer calves were housed in groups of six with each group randomly assigned to either transport (T) or control (C) treatments. The T calves were hauled for 6 h in a 7.3 m x 2.4 m goose-neck trailer, at an average density of 0.87 m2/calf, every 7 d for five consecutive weeks. Individual daily intake was determined using Calan gate feeders. Blood samples were obtained in the trailer or home pen via jugular venipuncture before loading, and after 2, 4, and 6 h of transport. Samples were analyzed for CORT, serotonin, tryptophan, and the gene expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2, interleukin-12, toll-like receptor-4, toll-like receptor-2, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A in leukocytes. Behavior was recorded for transported calves at 5-min intervals for 1 h after return to their home pens. The C calves had a higher feed intake than T calves overall (P = 0.01), on the day of transport (P = 0.007), and the day after transport (P = 0.02). Pre-transport CORT concentrations did not differ by treatment (P = 0.77) or trial (P = 0.32). However, the T calves had higher response CORT concentrations than C calves during Transport 3 (P = 0.006), Transport 4 (P = 0.001) and Transport 5 (P = 0.02). The T calves had the highest response CORT concentrations after 2 h of transport and the lowest response CORT concentrations after 6 h of transport (P < 0.0001). Treatment did not affect gene expression in leukocytes, however, the expression of IL-4 (P = 0.01) and IL-6 (P = 0.05) was significantly lower after 2 h of transport than any other sampling times. These results suggest conflicting conclusions on whether the calves started to acclimate after being transported five times. However, CORT and gene expression differences occurred in response to the blood sampling regimen, which may provide insight to how calves acclimate during prolonged stress.