Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation

 

Scrotal circumference measurements as an indicator of growth in the male beef animal Público Deposited

Conteúdo disponível para baixar

Baixar PDF
https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/1v53k1633

Descriptions

Attribute NameValues
Creator
Abstract
  • Testes size as an indicator of future growth was examined in a total of 45 bull calves from spring calves born in 1978 and 1979. Scrotal circumference measurements were used as the physical indicator of testicle size in the live animal. Growth traits studied were preweaning average daily gain, weaning weight, feedlot gain, market weight and weight per day of age. Scrotal circumference measurements, and body weights were taken at birth, midpoint of the nursing period, and immediately before castration. Regression coefficients were calculated using preweaning growth traits as dependent on scrotal circumference. Birth scrotal circumference was significantly related only to mid-nursing weight (P<.05). Mid-nursing scrotal circumference significantly predicted (P<.01) mid-nursing to weaning growth rate, and weaning weight. Correlation coefficients calculated for mid-nursing circumference and growth traits were high and positive. Adjusting mid-nursing scrotal circumference for body weight decreased the correlation coefficients. Correlation coefficients calculated for the relationship of body weight and growth were high and positive as expected, and similar to values between scrotal circumference and growth. Twenty-three of the castrated animals were utilized in a postweaning feeding trial in order to examine the relationship of preweaning scrotal circumference to postweaning growth. Relationships between preweaning testes size and feedlot gains were nonsignificant. Measurements of scrotal circumference taken at mid-nursing and castration were both significantly correlated (P<.01) with market weight and weight per day of age, and so could be used as indicators of final weight. Birth testes size was a poor predictor of market traits as correlations were low. As expected, midpoint weight and weaning weight were highly correlated (P<.01) with end of feedlot trial weight. Early measurements such as at birth are not as valuable in making growth predictions as are later measurements. Findings indicate that measurements are best used to obtain a ranking of the animals on a within year basis. Finally, results suggest that scrotal circumference or body weight are of equal value in predicting future performance in male beef cattle and can be used as a management tool or practice.
Resource Type
Date Available
Date Issued
Degree Level
Degree Name
Degree Field
Degree Grantor
Commencement Year
Advisor
Committee Member
Academic Affiliation
Non-Academic Affiliation
Subject
Declaração de direitos
Publisher
Peer Reviewed
Language
Digitization Specifications
  • File scanned at 300 ppi (Monochrome, 24-bit Color) using ScandAll PRO 1.8.1 on a Fi-6670 in PDF format. CVista PdfCompressor 4.0 was used for pdf compression and textual OCR.
Replaces

Relações

Parents:

This work has no parents.

Em Collection:

Itens