Journal of Animal Science, Vol 68, Issue 8 2319-2332, Copyright © 1990 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Contributions of ovum cytoplasm, uterine environment and postnatal environment to maternal effects in beef cattle

R. R. Maurer and K. E. Gregory
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Clay Center, NE 68933.

In the first part of the experiment, embryos of Brown Swiss-Hereford (BS-H) reciprocal crosses were transferred to BS and H recipient cows and embryos of Red Poll-Angus (RP-A) reciprocal crosses were transferred to RP and A recipient cows. Calves resulting from embryo transfers (ET) were weaned early (3 to 5 d). Males were castrated and their growth, feed efficiency and carcass composition were recorded. In the second part of the experiment, matings to produce reciprocal crosses were made by natural service (NS) between BS and H and between RP and A. Some of the offspring were weaned at 3 to 5 d; the remainder nursed their dams to an age of 150 to 180 d. Growth after 200 d, feed efficiency and carcass data were recorded on steers. Females produced in both parts of the experiment were reared for breeding, and post-200-d growth and age at puberty were recorded. Neither breed of recipient (uterine influence) nor breed of donor (cytoplasmic influence) had important effects on growth or carcass traits. Large differences were observed for most growth and carcass traits between offspring that were weaned early and those that nursed their dams. Effects of early weaning were greater in progeny of Brown Swiss and Red Poll dams than in progeny of Angus and Hereford dams. Prenatal maternal influences (e.g., ovum cytoplasm and uterine influence) are relatively small in comparison with postnatal maternal influences in contributing to maternal effects in beef cattle.