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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Nutrition, Growth and Physiology » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #362524
Research Project: Improve Nutrient Management and Efficiency of Beef Cattle and Swine

Location: Nutrition, Growth and Physiology

Title: Association of insulin, glucagon, and glucagon-like peptide-1 with production traits of growing and finishing beef heifers fed forage- and concentrate-based rations

Author
item FOOTE, ANDREW - Oklahoma State University
item Freetly, Harvey

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2019
Publication Date: 12/5/2019
Citation: Foote, A.P., Freetly, H.C. 2019. Association of insulin, glucagon, and glucagon-like peptide-1 with production traits of growing and finishing beef heifers fed forage- and concentrate-based rations [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 97(Supplement 3):26-27. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz258.052.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz258.052

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the association of insulin, glucagon, and glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) with production traits of growing and finishing beef heifers fed a forage- (FOR) and concentrate-based (CONC) ration. This experiment was conducted over 2 years. Shortly after weaning, heifers (n = 74 and 62, for year 1 and 2, respectively) were placed on a ration containing (DM basis) 69.8% corn silage, 30% alfalfa hay, and 0.2% salt. Feed intake was measured for 84 d using Calan gates and BW were measured at 7-time points to calculate ADG using a quadratic regression of BW on time. Cattle were then transitioned to a concentrate-based finishing ration containing (DM basis) 67.8% dry-rolled corn, 20% wet distillers grains with solubles, 8% alfalfa hay, and 4.2% vitamin/mineral supplement. Blood samples were collected on d 42 of each period. Data were analyzed as a mixed model with fixed effects of sire breed, period, and the random variable of year. Hormone concentration was included as an interaction with period to determine the association of the hormones with production traits. Dry matter intake (DMI), average daily body weight gain (ADG), gain:feed (G:F), and all three hormones were greater in the CONC period (P < 0.01). Insulin was negatively associated with DMI only during the CONC period (P = 0.04) and positively associated with G:F (P = 0.01). GLP-1 was positively associated with CONC DMI (P < 0.01), FOR ADG (P < 0.01), and positively associated with FOR G:F and negatively associated with CONC G:F (P < 0.01). Glucagon was positively associated with residual feed intake (P = 0.04). While these data do not infer causality, they do indicate that more in-depth understanding of the role of gut peptide and insulin signaling in feed efficiency needs to be evaluated.