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Association between cow reproduction and calf growth traits and ELISA scores for paratuberculosis in a multibreed herd of beef cattle

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Abstract

The objective of this research was to assess the association between 4 cow reproductive and weight traits, and 2 preweaning calf traits and ELISA scores for paratuberculosis (0 = negative, 1 = suspect, 2 = weak-positive, and 3 = positive) in a multibreed herd of cows ranging from 100% Angus (A) to 100% Brahman (B). Cow data were 624 gestation lengths (GL), 358 records of time open (TO), 605 calving intervals (CI), and 1240 weight changes from November to weaning in September (WC) from 502 purebred and crossbred cows. Calf data consisted of 956 birth weights (BWT), and 923 weaning weights adjusted to 205 d of age (WW205) from 956 purebred and crossbred calves. Traits were analyzed individually using multibreed mixed models that assumed homogeneity of variances across breed groups. Covariances among random effects were assumed to be zero. Fixed effects were year, age of cow, sex of calf, year × age of cow interaction (except WC), age of cow × sex of calf interaction (only for WC), and covariates for B fraction of sire and cow, heterosis of cow and calf, and ELISA score. Random effects were sire (except for TO and CI), dam, and residual. Regression estimates of cow and calf traits on ELISA scores indicated that lower cow fertility (longer TO), lower ability of cows to maintain weight (negative WC), lower calf BWT, and lower calf WW205 were associated with higher cow ELISA scores. Further research on the effects of subclinical paratuberculosis in beef cattle at regional and national levels seems advisable considering the large potential economic cost of this disease.

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Abbreviations

A:

Angus

B:

Brahman

BWT:

birth weight

CI:

calving interval

ELISA:

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

GL:

gestation length

MAP:

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis

TO:

time open

WC:

weight change of cow

WW205:

weaning weight adjusted to 205 d of age

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Florida Agricultural Experimental Station and by USDA-APHIS grants numbers 03-9612-0130CA and 04-9612-0130CA as part of the National Johne’s Demonstration Herds Projects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0910, USA

    M. A. Elzo, F. G. Hembry, J. G. Wasdin & J. D. Driver

  2. Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610-0136, USA

    D. O. Rae & S. E. Lanhart

  3. Animal Sciences Bldg 459, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110910, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0910, USA

    M. A. Elzo

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  1. M. A. Elzo
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  2. D. O. Rae
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  3. S. E. Lanhart
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  4. F. G. Hembry
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  5. J. G. Wasdin
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  6. J. D. Driver
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Correspondence to M. A. Elzo.

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Elzo, M.A., Rae, D.O., Lanhart, S.E. et al. Association between cow reproduction and calf growth traits and ELISA scores for paratuberculosis in a multibreed herd of beef cattle. Trop Anim Health Prod 41, 851–858 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-008-9262-y

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