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This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: jas.2008-0969v1 87/1/328    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Montgomery, S. P. Articles by Drouillard, J. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Montgomery, S. P. Articles by Drouillard, J. S.

Plasma metabolites of receiving heifers and the relationship between apparent bovine respiratory disease, weight gain, and carcass characteristics

Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-1600

jdrouill{at}ksu.edu

Abstract

Six hundred sixty-five crossbred beef heifers initially weighing 225 kg were used in a completely randomized design to measure plasma glucose, lactate, and urea N concentrations at time of initial processing and the incidence of apparent bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in receiving cattle and to evaluate the effect of apparent BRD on subsequent cattle growth and carcass characteristics. Heifers were processed within 24 h of arrival, and included vaccination against common viral and clostridial diseases, recording rectal temperature, and sampling whole blood for subsequent measurement of plasma glucose, lactate, and urea concentrations. Heifers were monitored for clinical signs of apparent BRD, including depression, lethargy, anorexia, coughing, rapid breathing, and nasal or ocular discharge. Heifers exhibiting signs of apparent BRD received antibiotic therapy, and the number of times a heifer was treated for apparent BRD was recorded. Following the 36-d receiving period, heifers were transported to native grass pastures and allowed to graze for 136 d. At the end of the grazing season, heifers were transported to a commercial feedlot where they were adapted to a common finishing diet offered for ad libitum consumption. Following the 124-d finishing period, heifers were harvested and carcass data were collected. Heifers treated for apparent BRD had lower plasma glucose (linear, P < 0.01), lactate (linear, P < 0.01), and urea N concentrations (linear, P < 0.06) measured at time of initial processing. Rectal temperature measured at time of initial processing tended to be greater (linear, P < 0.11) for heifers treated for apparent BRD. Heifers treated for apparent BRD during the receiving period had lower overall ADG (linear, P < 0.10), final BW (linear, P < 0.01), HCW (linear, P < 0.01), fat thickness (linear, P < 0.01), and marbling score (linear, P < 0.03). These data suggest that initial plasma glucose and lactate concentrations might be affected by the health status of receiving cattle and that increased incidence of apparent BRD in cattle decreases ADG and carcass quality.

Key Words: bovine respiratory disease • plasma metabolites • receiving heifers