Progress 01/01/21 to 12/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:This project targeted 2 specific audiences: 1) scientists and trainees in beef cattle production; and 2) industry stakeholders. Completion of the project's objectives established new knowledge regarding the role of skeletal muscle mitochondria in the live animal in modulating meat quality at harvest. Scientists gained insight into impacts of mitochondrial energy production profiles, associated metabolites, and oxidant status on meat quality outcomes; these insights will allow for effective interventions to be developed to enhance beef production. Those interventions may then be incorporated into production systems by industry stakeholders to ensure sustainability. Changes/Problems:Due to staffing issues, we continue to experience delays in completion of a final set of analyses as well as publication of results in peer-reviewed journals. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Undergraduate and graduate students and one postdoctoral researcher were trained in new laboratory techniques to assess the variables discussed above. Additionally, 2 graduate students presented results from the project at an international scientific conference, providing experience in communicating scientific findings, as well as critical networking and collaboration opportunities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been presented at scientific conferences focused on animal science. Data from this project were presented as graduate student competition posters, as well as included in an invited speaker presentation in the Meat and Muscle Biology Symposium at the American Society of Animal Science meeting by the PI. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: Characterize the relationship between temperament and skeletal muscle mitochondrial measures in Bos indicus and Bos taurus steers at key points in the production cycle. IMPACT STATEMENT: New knowledge of relationships between muscle antioxidant status, circulating blood markers indicative of growth and stress, and product quality metrics provide insight into optimal cellular environments in live animals to promote high quality beef products at harvest. This knowledge can be used to develop targeted interventions aimed at promoting appropriate cellular environments in beef steers to optimize production. 1) Major activities completed / experiments conducted All animal work and sample collection was performed previously (and previously reported). For this reporting period, the following analyses occurred. 2) Data collected; Muscle Antioxidant enzyme activities (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) Oxidative stress (malondialdehyde) Metabolomics Blood Cortisol Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) 3) Summary statistics and discussion of results and Data were analyzed with mixed linear models in SAS v9.4 and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to determine relationships between variables, where applicable. Angus had greater muscle antioxidant activities than Brahman but antioxidant status increased from 10 to 18 mo of age in both breeds. In Brahman, the trapezius muscle had greater superoxide dismutase activity than the longissimus thoracis muscle but this difference was not apparent in Angus. Temperament had no impact on muscle antioxidant activity. Angus had greater serum IGF1 than Brahman at 10 mo of age, but Brahman had greater IGF1 than Angus at 13 and 18 mo. In 10 mo Brahman, IGF1 was positively correlated with live animal weight and average daily gain. IGF1 in 10 and 13 mo Brahman was also positively correlated with marbling. IGF1 in 13 mo Angus was positively correlated with Warner-Bratzler shear force. In Angus, at 10, 13, and 18 mo, cortisol was positively correlated with live animal weight and hot carcass weight. At 10 and 13 mo, cortisol was positively correlated with ribeye area in Angus. 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized. For this period, key outcomes include: Differences in skeletal muscle antioxidant status between Angus and Brahman steers were discovered, which may mitigate oxidative stress, impacting growth performance as well as product quality at harvest. Serum IGF1 in Brahman may be related to growth and lipid metabolism, and tenderness in Angus. However, cortisol concentrations have a more prevalent relationship with Angus growth and subsequently beef production. Both of these outcomes represent a change in knowledge regarding live animal muscle and blood characteristics which impact product quality at harvest. Objective 2: Determine the relationship between live animal mitochondrial measures and product quality at slaughter in Bos indicus and Bos taurus steers. Nothing new to report for this period.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Wesolowski, LT, AN DiSilvestro, PL Semanchik, JL Simons, CP Carson, AL Earnhardt-San, DG Riley, GA Perry, CR Long, TJ Machado, RD Randel, TH Welsh, and SH White-Springer. 2024. Relationships between serum IGF1 and cortisol in growing steers to beef production and palatability. Journal of Animal Science. 102(Suppl 3):511-512. doi: 10.1093/jas/skae234.579. American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Meeting in Calgary, Canada.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Williams, BD, AN DiSilvestro, LT Wesolowski, PL Semanchik, JL Simons, CP Carson, AL Earnhardt-San, DG Riley, GA Perry, CR Long, RD Randel, TH Welsh, and SH White-Springer. 2024. Skeletal muscle antioxidant activity increases over time in beef steers and is greater in Angus compared to Brahman. Journal of Animal Science. 102(Suppl 3):508-509. doi: 10.1093/jas/skae234.575. ASAS Meeting in Calgary, Canada.
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Progress 01/01/23 to 12/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Preliminary results of this project were presented at the 2023 American Society of Animal Science meetings, reaching scientists, students, and industry leaders. Additionally, the PI presented an invited seminar including some of these results as part of the ASAS Meat Science and Muscle Biology Symposium. Finally, undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Animal Science and Texas A&M were intimately involved in analyses of samples from the project, which provided high-impact educational experiences in laboratory techniques and ethical scientific practices. Changes/Problems:Staffing issues and product backorders have delayed some timelines for sample analyses What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Three graduate students and 5 undergraduate students learned laboratory techniques related to antioxidant measures in skeletal muscle tissue and IGF-1 measures in blood. Additionally, 1 graduate student presented preliminary data from the project at the American Society of Animal Science National meeting, providing invaluable professional development opportunities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were presented as a poster and as part of an invited lecture in the Meat Science and Muscle Biology Symposium at the American Society of Animal Science National meeting. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?All laboratory analyses will be completed by the end of the next reporting period. Results will be presented at the2024 Southern Section andNational American Society of Animal Science meetings, as available. Additionally, if possible, wewill present some results at the TexasA&M Beef Cattle Short Course. Finally, at least one manuscript of the results will bepublished in a scientific journal.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Relationships between temperament, mitochondria, and production outcomes were reported in 2022. In 2023, we further investigated the mechanisms behind these relationships, including antioxidant status and IGF-1. These data are currently being compiled and analyzed, and will be submittedfor publication in 2024.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Wesolowski, LT, PL Semanchik, JL Simons, CP Guy, AL Earnhardt-San, DG Riley, GA Perry, CR Long, TJ Machado, RD Randel, TH Welsh, and SH White-Springer. 2023. Live animal longissimus thoracis mitochondrial capacities at 10, 13, and 18 months of age are related to post-harvest meat quality in Angus and Brahman steers. Journal of Animal Science. 101(Suppl 3):542-543. doi: 10.1093/jas/skad281.638.
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Progress 01/01/22 to 12/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Preliminary results of this project were presented at the 2022 Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science and 2022 American Society of Animal Science meetings, reaching scientists, students, and industry leaders. Additionally, the PI presented a seminar including some of these results at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology Seminar Series, targeting scientists and students in the veterinary school. Finally, undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Animal Science and Texas A&M were intimately involved in analyses of samples from the project, which provided high-impact educational experiences in laboratory techniques and ethical scientific practices. Changes/Problems:Staffing issues have delayed some timelines for sample analyses. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Three graduate students, four undergraduate students, and one undergraduate intern from a different university learned laboratory techniques related to antioxidant measures in skeletal muscle tissue. Additionally, two graduate students presented preliminary data from the project at the American Society of Animal Science Southern Section and National meetings, providing invaluable professional development opportunities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were presented at the National and Southern Section meetings of the American Society of Animal Science. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?All laboratory analyses will be completed by the end of the next reporting period. Results will be presented at the 2023Southern Section and National American Society of Animal Science meetings, as available. Additionally, if possible, we willpresent some results at the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course. Finally, at least one manuscript of the results will be published in a scientific journal.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Simple relationships between live animal skeletal muscle mitochondrial measures, temperament, and Warner Bratzler shear force at slaughter were determined. In brief, shear force was related to mitochondrial measures at 10 months of age (shortly after weaning) in Brahman steers but only after 120 days on feed in Angus steers. Within Brahman steers, temperamental animals had greater shear force measurements than calm and intermediate animals, indicating tougher meat in temperamental animals. Temperament did not impact shear force in Angus steers.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Simons, J.L., Wesolowski, L.T., Semanchik, P.L., Guy, C.P., Earnhardt, A.L., Long, C.R., Perry, G.A., Randel, R.D., Welsh, Jr., T.H., and White-Springer, S.H. 2022. Temperament and age impact skeletal muscle mitochondrial capacities in Angus steers. Journal of Animal Science. 100(Suppl 1):9-10. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac028.017. Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science (SSASAS) Annual Meeting in Ft. Worth, TX.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Semanchik, P.L., Wesolowski, L.T., Simons, J.L., Guy, C.P., Earnhardt, A., Perry, G., Long, C., Law, D., Neuendorff, D., Randel, R.D., Machado, T., Welsh Jr., T.H., and White-Springer, S.H. 2022. Live animal mitochondrial markers during the feedlot phase are related to meat quality in Angus but not Brahman steers. Journal of Animal Science. 100(Suppl 3):128. doi:10.1093/jas/skac247.245. American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Meeting in Oklahoma City, OK.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Semanchik, P.L., Wesolowski, L.T., Simons, J.L., Guy, C.P., Earnhardt, A., Perry, G., Long, C., Riley, D., Law, D., Neuendorff, D., Machado, T., Randel, R.D., Welsh Jr., T.H., and White-Springer, S.H. 2022. Longissimus thoracis mitochondrial capacities and temperament of stocker calves are related to meat quality at harvest in Brahman but not in Angus cattle. Journal of Animal Science. 100(Suppl 3):302-303. doi: 10.1093/jas/skac247.551. American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Meeting in Oklahoma City, OK.
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Progress 01/01/21 to 12/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Preliminary results of this project were presented at the 2021 American Society of Animal Science meeting, reaching scientists, students, and industry leaders. Additionally, the PI presented seminars, which included some of these results at Iowa State University, Pennsylvania State University, and Rutgers University, targeting scientists and students in those specific regions. Changes/Problems:1) Live cell mitochondrial capacities were only able to be determined from one muscle group (longissimus thoracis) from only calm and temperamental animals (no intermediate) at the weaning time point. For this analysis, we can analyze 2 samples at a time per instrument and each experiment takes approximately 3 hours to complete. Additionally, samples must be analyzed within 24 hours of collection. At the time of award approval, we only owned one instrument. We immediately worked to order 2 additional instruments, which we completed approximately 2 months before the weaning collection. Unfortunately, this was very near Christmas Break and our purchasing office did not submit the order prior to break. By the time the order was placed (after Christmas), we did not receive the new instruments in time for the weaning collection. Since we could not push collections later due to the age of the animals, the decision was made to only analyze live cell mitochondrial measures from a subset of animals. All samples were collected from all animals for the remaining of the proposed analyses. 2) When the animals were moved to the feedlot, conditions at the feedlot were adverse to achieve acceptable growth of the animals. Therefore, the inital plan to collect samples at 90 days on feed was amended to 120 days on feed to ensure all animals had at least 90 days of steady growth before collection. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Five graduate students were intimately involved in animal care and sample collection and analyses throughout the 11-month project. They learned proper care of research cattle, ensuring welfare of each animal. They also learned blood and skeletal muscle collection procedures, as well as live cell mitochondrial analyses. While one graduste student presented preliminary data from the project at the American Society of Animal Science meeting, four students were able to attend the meeting, providing invaluable professional development opportunities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In addition to preliminary results being presented at the American Society of Animal Science meeting, the PI was interviewed about the grant. A story about the grant, including the interview, was widely distributed to local and national outlets, creating awareness of the project. This will facilitate a wider dissemination of results as soon as they are obtained. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?All laboratory analyses will be completed by the end of the next reporting period. Results will be presented at the 2022 Southern Section and National American Society of Animal Science meetings, as available. Additionally, if possible, we will present some results at the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Temperament score of Angus and Brahman steers was recorded at weaning, midway through the grazing period, and after 120 days on feed. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial capacites and function were also quantified at those time points and product quality was determined at slaughter. In 2022, analyses continue to address the relationships between these markers and others indicative of muscle oxidative stress and antioxidant status.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Guy, CP, L Wesolowski, A Earnhardt, D Law, D Neuendorff, CR.Long, GA Perry, RD Randel, TH Welsh, Jr., and SH White-Springer. 2021. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial capacities are impacted by breed and temperament in young Angus and Brahman steers. Journal of Animal Science. 99(Suppl 3):127. doi:10.1093/jas/skab235.231.
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