136. Evaluation of Performance and Nutritional Intake in Angus Cow-Calf Pairs During Pregnancy and Lactation

Journal of Animal Science · 2026-04-01

Abstract The nutritional demands of beef cows fluctuate across physiological and production stages, yet changes in efficiency as females transition from pregnancy to lactation and the effects of consuming endophyte-infected (EI) rations on metrics like residual feed intake (RFI) remain unclear. Therefore, this two-year study evaluated feed intake (FI) and physiological parameters of cow-calf pairs across pregnancy and lactation. In year 1, purebred Angus pregnant heifers (452.6±10.2 kg; 17-19 mo of age; n = 16) were fed an endophyte-free (EF) ration for 56 days. Individual FI was recorded using the Vytelle® Sense system, and weekly measurements were collected to monitor growth and physiological changes. In year 2, the same females (444.4±12.5 kg; 29-31 mo of age; n = 16) were reintroduced to the Vytelle® Sense system with their calves (166.4±8.5 kg; 5-7 mo of age; n = 16) during late lactation and were fed an EI ration. The same physiological measurements as in year 1 were recorded biweekly. Additionally, the Weigh-Suckle-Weigh (WSW) method was used to estimate individual energy-corrected milk production in cows. In both years, biweekly ration samples were collected to assess nutritional content and ergot alkaloid concentrations in the EI ration. A post hoc analysis of FI data estimated RFI for each year and assessed RFI category repeatability across years. Physiological data from cows and calves were analyzed using the MIXED procedure with repeated measures in SAS®. Effects of RFI category, time, and their interactions were evaluated for weight (BW), ADG, Body Condition Score (BCS), Hair Shedding Score (HSS), and FI. In year 2, these effects were also evaluated for milk (MILK) production in cows. For calves, effects of sex, dam RFI, time, and their interactions were analyzed for BW, ADG, BCS, HSS, and FI. In year 1, no differences were observed in BW, ADG, and BCS, while low-RFI (LRFI) heifers had lower HSS (2.3±0.2 vs 3.1±0.2; P = 0.0204) and tended to have lower FI (74.1±2.7 vs 80.9±2.4 kg DM; P = 0.0671) than high-RFI (HRFI) heifers. In year 2, 57% of dams retained the LRFI category and 78% retained HRFI. Based on this classification, no differences were observed in BW, ADG, BCS, and MILK, whereas LRFI cows had lower FI (73.6±3.4 vs 83.8±2.5 kg DM; P = 0.0159) and tended to have lower HSS (2.6±0.5 vs 3.7±0.4; P = 0.0987) than HRFI cows. For the calves, no differences were observed in BW, ADG, BCS, HSS, and FI. These findings indicate that the RFI category remains moderately consistent across pregnancy and lactation, and that a greater hair shedding ability may support feed efficiency in beef cattle.

Open data in autism research: the views of autistic people and parents of autistic children

2025-06-24

Open data has been promoted as a tool to improve the transparency, robustness, and efficiency of scientific research. However, the perspectives of participant communities, particularly those who are marginalised, are often overlooked in discussions around open data. For the first time, this paper examines the views of autistic adults and parents of autistic people regarding open data practices in autism research. Thirty interviews were conducted, which considered participants’ views on different degrees of openness of research data, and the factors that would influence their level of comfort with their and/or their child’s data being shared. Pre-registered reflexive thematic analysis that interrogated power dynamics in the participants’ statements led to the development of two themes: (1) Narratives of Research, and (2) Vulnerability and Risk in Research Participation. These themes reflected how narratives and risks around open data were experienced both individually and collectively. Participants acknowledged the potential benefits of open data for knowledge generation and improving services, but also expressed concerns about misuse, re-identification, and interpretations from secondary researchers leading to harmful narratives. Most participants preferred restricted access models over fully open data. The findings highlight the importance of meaningful engagement with participant communities to ensure ethical and transparent open data practices. We hope this work will inform not only autism researchers but also others working with marginalised populations on decision making about open data.

Participatory systems mapping: Can this approach improve how services work for autistic people?

Autism · 2025-12-15

Influence of heat stress and fescue toxicosis on the pulmonary arterial pressure of beef heifers

Journal of Animal Science · 2025-01-01 · 1 citations

Peripheral vasoconstriction is a major consequence of fescue toxicosis (FT). However, it remains unclear if major blood vessels, such as the pulmonary artery, are impacted by this disease. This study aimed to evaluate changes in pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and different physiological parameters in replacement beef heifers consuming an endophyte-infected (EI) ration. Purebred Angus heifers (216.3 ± 6.1 kg; 9 to 11 mo of age; n = 36) were randomly separated and fed either an EI or endophyte-free (EF) total mixed ration for 49 d. On day 1, iButton temperature data loggers were inserted intravaginally to record temperature every 20 min throughout the entire study. The cattle comfort index (CCI) was used to assess comfort and define exposure to heat stress as thermoneutral, mild heat stress (MILD-HS), or moderate heat stress (MOD-HS). PAP was measured every 20 d to assess its response to ergot alkaloid and heat stress exposure. Weekly measurements were recorded to monitor growth and physiological responses of both treatment groups. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with repeated measures. Both groups were exposed to MILD- and MOD-HS on several occasions. An interaction between PAP results and heat stress exposure was identified, as both groups reported increased PAP values as CCI values decreased. The EF heifers ended the study with greater body weight (P < 0.05), average daily weight gain (P < 0.01), body condition score (P < 0.01), and lower hair shedding score (P < 0.01) than EI heifers. In contrast, EI heifers maintained greater vaginal temperatures throughout the study (P < 0.01). Additionally, EI heifers reported lower caudal artery diameters (P < 0.01) than the EF heifers, but no differences were observed in caudal vein diameters (P > 0.05). Lastly, no differences were observed in the packed cell volume and prolactin concentrations (P > 0.05). While the EI group displayed classical symptoms of FT, including caudal artery vasoconstriction, the PAP results indicate that ergot alkaloid consumption does not induce vasoconstriction on the pulmonary artery, but rather reflect that PAP may be altered by the exposure to heat stress. Additional research should be conducted in regions where changes in PAP are of interest to fully understand the effects of heat stress exposure on the cardiopulmonary system of cattle. Moreover, future investigations in EI fescue-dominant environments should focus on developing strategies to mitigate the negative consequences of FT and heat stress, in order to enhance animal welfare, productivity, and profitability in the beef industry.

99 Interaction between feed efficiency and infrared thermography in beef heifers exposed to ergot alkaloids

Journal of Animal Science · 2025-06-01

Abstract The integration of precision livestock technologies facilitates identification of animals with superior productivity and efficiency traits despite exposure to environmental stressors. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in nutritional intake and thermoregulatory response in heifers consuming an endophyte-infected (EI) ration. Angus heifers (216.3 ± 6.1 kg; 9-11 mo of age; n = 36) were randomly separated and fed either an EI or endophyte-free (EF) ration for 49 days. On day 1, temperature data loggers were inserted intravaginally to record vaginal temperature (VT) on a 20-minute-frequency throughout the entire study. Weekly measurements were collected to monitor growth and physiological responses of both treatment groups. Infrared thermography (IRT) of the ocular globe (OGT) and rib skin area (RIBT) posterior to the left scapula were recorded weekly. The comprehensive climate index (CCI) was used to assess exposure to environmental stress and determine its impact on physiological measurements. Individual feed and water intake was measured utilizing the Vytelle® Sense system, and the final residual feed intake (RFI) rankings were used for a post hoc analysis to identify cattle as either feed efficient (LRFI; n = 6) or inefficient (HRFI; n = 6) in both groups and determine its correlation to the VT and thermography results. Data were analyzed using a MIXED procedure of SAS with repeated measures. The effects of treatment and time were evaluated for Body Weight (BW), ADG, Body Condition Score (BCS), Hair Shedding Score (HSS), VT, OGT, RIBT, Feed Intake (FI), and Water Intake (WI). The EI heifers had lower BW, ADG, and BCS, and greater HSS over time (P&amp;lt; 0.0001), and also had greater VT (40.1 ± 0.1 vs 39.5 ± 0.1 ̊ C; P&amp;lt; 0.0001), RIBT (36.6 ± 0.1 vs 35.5 ± 0.1 ̊ C; P&amp;lt; 0.0001), and OGT (34.9 ± 0.1 vs 34.5 ± 0.1 ̊ C; P&amp;lt; 0.0001) than EF heifers. Moreover, an interaction between treatment and efficiency was observed where EI-LRFI and EI-HRFI had greater VT (P&amp;lt; 0.0001) and RIBT (P&amp;lt; 0.0001), and tended to have greater OGT (P=0.0671) than their EF pairs. However, no differences were observed within treatments between LRFI and HRFI heifers. In terms of nutritional intake, EF heifers had greater FI (P&amp;lt; 0.0001) but lower WI (P=0.0144) than EI heifers over time, and differences (P&amp;lt; 0.0001) were also observed in the duration and frequency of visits to the feed bunks and water troughs of both groups that were correlated to increased CCI values. Exposure to ergot alkaloids negatively impacts the physiological status and production efficiency of growing heifers by altering the animal’s thermoregulatory ability. Developing a better understanding of the mechanisms controlling these symptoms will improve beef cattle production and provide potential therapeutic interventions for disease treatment.

Protocol for a feasibility study and randomised pilot trial of the ICF Core Sets for Autism Strength and Needs Assessment in NHS diagnostic services

2025-04-07

Introduction: There are approximately 700,000 Autistic people in the United Kingdom and Autism is increasingly being diagnosed in adulthood. Diagnosis on its own does not provide adequate information to plan post-diagnostic support for Autistic people and clinicians often plan support without the use of validated standardised tools which may exacerbate inequities in care. This study will evaluate a novel Strengths and Needs Assessment, based on the World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set for Autism, for use in adult diagnostic services immediately on receipt of an autism diagnosis. Methods and analysis: A two-arm, multi-site, randomised pilot trial design will be used to evaluate the ICF Core Sets for Autism Strengths and Needs Assessment in 3 diagnostic services in England. A total of 72 newly diagnosed Autistic adults will be recruited across the 3 sites over a 6-month period and randomised into an Intervention group (Strengths and Needs Assessment plus standard care) and a Treatment as Usual group (standard care only). Both groups will complete measures of mental health and Quality of Life at baseline and 3 months follow-up. Acceptability and feasibility will be measured for the Strengths and Needs assessment and for trial procedures using standardised measures, progression criteria and qualitative data from clinician focus groups and interviews with a subsample of Autistic participants. The study design and procedures are being co-produced with an Autistic advisor/PPI lead and with a steering group of Autistic adults. Ethics and dissemination: This study was reviewed by the East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee and was given Health Research Authority approval on 18th March 2025. The results will be disseminated via reports to the funder (NIHR), a peer-reviewed journal paper and academic conferences. We will email a summary report of findings to study participants and will invite participants to an information dissemination event at the end of the study. Links to reports and a lay summary will be provided on the research group’s website: https://sharl.sites.sheffield.ac.uk/home.

14 Dietary fatty acid profile and choline altered the transcriptome of peripheral white blood cells of pregnant beef cows

Journal of Animal Science · 2025-06-01

Abstract In cattle, embryonic elongation requires an increased uptake of fatty acids supplied by the uterine environment. During the peri elongation period, the concentration of specific phospholipids, sphingolipids, ceramides, and oxylipins composed of unsaturated fatty acids and choline are increased in the uterine luminal fluid. Therefore, our objective was to provide a dietary supplementation strategy containing rumen-inert mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids and rumen-protected choline to support embryonic elongation and embryo-maternal communication. One hundred suckled multiparous Angus cows were randomly assigned on d -30 to receive either TARG) 100 g of a rumen-inert mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid source (Essentiom; Church and Dwight Co., Inc., Princeton, NJ) plus 60 g of a rumen-protected choline source (ReaShure; Balchem, Montvale, NJ) or CON) 114 g of a saturated fatty acid source (Energy Booster 100; Milk Specialties, Eden Prairie, MN). Treatments were top-dressed daily into a similar total mixed ration until d 30. All cows were synchronized using a 7-day CO-synch+CIDR protocol and received timed artificial insemination by the same technician on d 0. On d 16, uterine flushing was conducted in a subset of cows (CON = 20 and TARG = 23) to determine the presence and length of the embryo, and uterine luminal fluid was analyzed for the concentration of interferon tau (IFNT). Only samples with fully recovered embryos were analyzed (CON = 6 and TARG = 6). In addition, blood was collected to determine the concentration of progesterone (P4) and for RNA extraction and further RNAseq from peripheral white blood cells (PWBC). Cows subjected to uterine flushing were excluded from the experiment, and the remaining cows (CON = 29 and TARG = 26) received a blood collection on d 19 for further P4 and RNAseq analyses. On d 30, pregnancy diagnosis was conducted and only samples from cows deemed pregnant were analyzed. The effects of treatment, group, and their interaction on embryonic length, P4, and IFNT were analyzed by ANOVA. Embryonic length, P4, and IFNT did not differ between treatments, lengths averaged 6.8 ± 2.05 cm and 5.19 ± 1.79 on TARG and CON, respectively (P = 0.57). However, gene expression in PWBC was altered between treatments. On d 16, there were 22 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; FDR ≤ 0.05) in PWBC, with 11 genes being upregulated in TARG, such as PTGR1, TMEM38A, RAPGEF3, and AP3M2. On d 19, there were 702 DEGs (FDR ≤ 0.05) in PWBC with 413 downregulated and 289 upregulated in TARG with a major downregulation in canonical pathways involved in immune responses. Altogether, these preliminary results show major differences in the gene expression in PWBC during maternal recognition of pregnancy despite the lack of changes in embryonic parameters.

192 Awardee Talk: Assessing performance metrics and nutritional intake to determine efficiency in Angus heifers at different production stages

Journal of Animal Science · 2025-06-01

Abstract Nutritional requirements and intake of beef cows vary across different growth and production stages, and the selection of replacement females with increased nutritional efficiency may improve the cow herd productivity. However, it remains unclear if animals exposed to ergot alkaloids maintain their nutritional efficiency metrics, such as residual feed intake (RFI) and weight gain (RADG), across different production stages. This two-year study aimed to evaluate changes in nutritional intake, and in various physiological and performance parameters of heifers across different production stages. In year 1, purebred Angus heifers (216.3±6.1 kg; 911 mo of age; n=36) were randomly separated and fed either an endophyte-infected (EI) or endophyte-free (EF) ration for 49 days. On day 1, temperature data loggers were inserted intravaginally to record vaginal temperature (VT) on a 20-minute-frequency throughout the entire study. Weekly measurements were collected to monitor growth and physiological responses of both treatment groups. Individual feed and water intakes were measured utilizing the Vytelle® Sense system. In year 2, all heifers were exposed to an ultrasonography assessment for pregnancy detection, and those confirmed as pregnant (431.47±9.1 kg; 17-19 mo of age; n=27) were sorted back into year 1 groups, reintroduced to the Vytelle® Sense system, and were all fed an EF ration for 56 days. The same physiological and performance measurements were collected on the same frequencies as on year 1. A post hoc analysis using the individual feed (FI) and water intake (WI) data evaluated RFI, RADG, total WI and WI per body weight (WI/BW). All physiological and performance data were analyzed using a MIXED procedure with repeated measures and a CORR procedure to estimate Pearson correlations for RFI and RADG in SAS. The effects of treatment, time, and its interactions were evaluated for BW, ADG, Body Condition Score (BCS), Hair Shedding Score (HSS), VT, FI and WI. In year 1, EF heifers had greater BW, ADG, and BCS, and lower VT and HSS over time (P &amp;lt;0.0001) than the EI heifers. The EF heifers also reported greater FI (P &amp;lt;0.0001) but lower WI (P=0.0144) and WI/BW (P=0.0132) than EI heifers over time. In year 2, no differences were observed in BW, ADG, BCS, HSS, and VT between groups. The EF heifers had a greater FI (P=0.0458) and tended to have a greater WI (P=0.0616) than EI heifers over time, but no differences were observed in WI/BW. In a longitudinal comparison, both groups had greater BW, ADG, and FI (P &amp;lt;0.0001) in year 2 than in year 1, while the WI/BW of both groups was greater (P &amp;lt;0.0001) in year 1 than in year 2. Additionally, no differences were observed in BCS, VT, and WI of both groups between years. A strong correlation was observed between years in the RFI of EI heifers (r=0.622), but a very weak correlation was found in their EF pairs (r=-0.150). Additionally, moderate correlations were observed during the same period in the RADG of the EI (r=0.439) and EF (r=0.374) groups. Moreover, 80% of the EI heifers that had a negative RFI after year 1 maintained a negative score after year 2, whereas 75% of the EI heifers with a positive RFI after year 1 retained a positive score after year 2. In contrast, no differences were observed for the RFI of EF heifers, as 50% of both the positive and negative scores in year 1 did not maintain their score after year 2. For the RADG, 60% of the EI heifers that had a positive score in year 1 maintained a positive score after year 2, whereas 63% of the EI heifers that had a negative score in year 1 retained a negative score after year 2. Similarly, 75% of the EF heifers that had a positive RADG after year 1 retained a positive score after year 2, whereas 67% of the EF heifers that had a negative RADG after year 1 maintained a negative score after year 2. Based on these data, exposure to an EI ration negatively impacts nutritional intake, which consequently decreases animal physiological and performance parameters. However, the EI heifers had a greater retention percentage of RFI scores than their EF pairs while maintaining similar retention rates of the RADG scores, suggesting that these efficiency metrics may not be severely impacted by ergot alkaloid exposure or pregnancy status. Future research focusing on long-term evaluations of the retention of nutritional efficiency parameters and their relationship with physiological stressors will improve the productivity of the beef cattle industry.

Acceptability and Usability of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) CoreSets for Autism platform: Evaluation by UK Adults

2025-10-23

A diagnosis of autism does not provide sufficient information to understand how the world is experienced by an Autistic person. The World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Functioning (ICF) Core Sets for Autism provides a framework from which a more in-depth understanding of an Autistic person’s profile of strengths and needs can be acquired. This is the first UK evaluation of the ICF CoreSets for Autism platform, an operationalization of the ICF Core Sets for Autism via an online assessment. In Study 1, 20 Autistic adults were supported to complete the assessment, provide feedback via think-aloud interviews and to evaluate it. In Study 2, which was pre-registered, 464 Autistic adults and 481 Non-Autistic adults completed the assessment independently online and evaluated it. Both studies used a participatory approach. Using standardised questionnaires both studies found the assessment “acceptable” and found usability to be “ok” or better. This was also true for subgroups of Autistic adults who expressed clinically significant autistic traits, anxiety or depression, those from minoritised ethnicities, older adults and who were unemployed. The findings suggest the ICF CoreSets for Autism platform has potential as a standardised evidence-based tool to improve understanding of Autistic adults’ strengths and needs.

PSIII-9 The supplementation of rumen-inert unsaturated fatty acids and rumen-protected choline modulates the uterine luminal fluid metabolome of pregnant beef cows during the peri-elongation period.

Journal of Animal Science · 2025-10-01

Abstract Early embryonic mortality is a major concern to the beef industry, as nearly 32.3% of multiparous cows will not maintain pregnancy past the first sixteen days of gestation. During this period, the uterine luminal fluid provides nutrients to support embryonic growth and development. Therefore, our objective was to modulate the uterine luminal fluid at the onset of the embryonic elongation period in pregnant cows receiving a targeted dietary supplementation to support early embryonic development. One hundred multiparous Bos taurus cows were weighed, body condition recorded, and stratified to be allocated in pens. Cows were acclimated to the individual feeding system for 15 days. On d -30, cows within pens were randomly assigned to receive either TARG) 100 g of a rumen-inert mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid source plus 60 g of a rumen-protected choline source or CON) 114 g of a saturated fatty acid source. Treatments were top-dressed daily into a similar total mixed ration. Starting on d -10, all cows were synchronized using the 7-day CO-synch + CIDR protocol. On d 0, ovarian ultrasonography was conducted, and cows were bred by TAI by the same technician using semen from two bulls balanced by treatment. On d 14, blood collection was performed to analyze the concentration of progesterone (P4), and ovarian ultrasonography was performed to measure the corpus luteum area. In addition, cows were subjected to a cytobrush collection in the uterine body for metabolomics analysis (TARG = 42 and CON = 49). However, only samples from cows confirmed to be pregnant, on d 16 or d 30, were analyzed (TARG = 16 and CON = 18). The fixed effects of treatment, group, and their interactions on P4 and CL area were analyzed by ANOVA. There were no differences in P4 and CL area at d 14 (P ≥ 0.19). The concentration of metabolites was analyzed in Rstudio with data filtering including metabolites measured in at least 75% of the samples or in at least 60% of one sample group. Depending on normality, data were analyzed either by ANOVA or Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. Significance was stated as P ≤ 0.05 and tendency as 0.05 &amp;lt; P ≤ 0.1. The concentration of 12 metabolites were significant and 11 tended to be significant in the uterine luminal fluid between TARG and CON. Among these metabolites, the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, amino acids, and phospholipid classes such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylethanolamine were greater in TARG. In addition, choline and betaine were also greater in TARG. In conclusion, the dietary supplementation provided herein modulated the uterine luminal metabolome during the period of embryonic elongation increasing the concentration of important metabolites that are integral components of membranes and fertility outcomes deserve further investigation.