ARS | Publication request: Influence of bovine temperament, transportation, and lipopolysaccharide challenge on ultrasound body composition traits

Submitted to: American Dairy Science Association Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: July 11, 2008
Publication Date: July 25, 2008
Citation: Vann, R., Burdick, N., Carroll, J.A., Randel, R., Willard, S., Caldwell, L., Dailey, J.W., Hulbert, L.E., Loyd, A., Welsh, T. 2008. Influence of bovine temperament, transportation, and lipopolysaccharide challenge on ultrasound body composition traits [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 86(E. Suppl.2):527. (Abstract #577)

Technical Abstract: This study was designed to determine the influence of bovine temperament on ultrasound body composition traits in response to transportation and endotoxin challenge. Brahman bulls (10 months of age) were selected based on temperament score which was an average of exit velocity (EV; objective measure) and pen score (PS; subjective behavior score). The bulls with the lowest (C; n=8; 0.87 m/s EV and 1 PS), intermediate (I; n=8; 1.59 m/s EV and 2.25 PS), and highest (T; n=8; 3.70 m/s EV and 4.88 PS) scores were used for this study. Prior to transportation (departure), after transportation (770 km), post-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge body weights (BW), ultrasound body composition measurements for longissimus muscle area (LMA), percent intramuscular fat (%IMF), rib fat (FT), and rump fat (RFT) were collected. Data were analyzed using PROC Mixed of SAS for repeated measures where appropriate. Body weights decreased (average 18.6 ± 5.5 kg) for all temperament groups from date of departure through post challenge LPS (P < 0.001). A temperament score x day interaction (P < 0.05) for LMA was evident with the T bulls (0.41 ± 0.22) having a greater change in LMA from departure to post challenge LPS compared to C (0.24 ± 0.24) and I (0.25 ± 0.22) bulls. There was a numerical trend for bulls classified as T (-0.15 ± 0.11) to have the smallest decrease in %IMF compared to the C (-0.41 ± 0.11) or I (-0.43 ± 0.11) bulls due to transportation or post challenge LPS. FT was reduced (average 0.015 ± 0.009 cm) due to transportation for bulls in all temperament classifications (P < 0.03). Bulls classified as T (0.005 ± 0.003) had the smallest reduction (P < 0.07) in FT compared to the C (-0.001 ± 0.003) or I (-0.004 ± 0.003) bulls post LPS challenge. Bull BW and FT was reduced due to transportation and post-challenge LPS. Although many of the changes in ultrasound body composition traits due to transportation and post LPS challenge are minimal, there are some trends; however, more research needs to be done to further elucidate these changes.