Theses
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Browsing Theses by Discipline "Animal Science"
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- Accurate and Rapid Weight Assessment of Finishing Pigs.(2021-07-02) Abner, Victoria Ann; Jonathan Holt, Chair; Sierra Young, Member; Mark Knauer, Member
- Advancing Neuroendocrinology with New Technology in Sheep: RNAscope and Cell-Specific Vectors.(2020-10-09) Shuping, Sydney Lynne; Casey Nestor, Chair; Xiaoqiu Wang, Member; Matthew Koci, Member; Vivek Fellner, Member
- Alternative Litter Size Traits to Increase the Number of Weaned Pigs in Swine.(2015-05-11) Putz, Austin Michael; Mark Knauer, Chair; Howard Bondell, Minor; Christian Maltecca, Member; Kent Gray, Member
- Analyses of Diet and Blood Nutrient Concentrations in African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) Housed at the NC Zoo.(2018-03-20) Wood, Jordan Nicole; Kimberly Ange-Van Heugten, Co-Chair; Vivek Fellner, Co-Chair; Corinne Kendall, Member; Elizabeth Koutsos, Member
- Analysis of Captive African (Loxodonta africana) and Asian (Elephas maximus) Elephant Fecal Glucocorticoid Concentrations when Compared Among Several Environmental, Management, and Health Factors.(2016-07-21) Bray, Jessica; Kimberly Ange-Van Heugten, Chair; David Dickey, Minor; Janine L Brown, External; Charlotte Farin, Member
- Assessing Boar Reproductive, Physiological, and Behavioral Response in Two Different Housing Environments.(2012-08-21) Swing, Shelley Elizabeth; William Flowers, Chair; Charles Whisnant, Member; John Gadsby, Member
- Assessing Puberty in Ex Situ Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) via Growth Patterns and Fecal Hormone Metabolites.(2015-07-30) Maly, Morgan Ann; Charles Whisnant, Chair; Charlotte Farin, Minor; Daniel Poole, Member; Adrienne Crosier, External
- Assessment of Crossbred Dairy Cattle for Heat Tolerance in a Pasture-based System.(2020-03-23) Graham, Jason; Francesco Tiezzi Mazzoni Della Stella Ma, Chair; Dahlia Nielsen, Member; Stephanie Ward, Member
- Assessment of Nycodenz Gradient on Enrichment and Culture of Perinatal Porcine Spermatogonial Stem Cells(2006-11-22) Miller, Stephanie Renee; Dr. Paul Mozdziak, Committee Member; Dr. Jim Petitte, Committee Member; Dr. William Flowers, Committee Member; Dr. Robert Petters, Committee ChairThe objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a Nycodenz gradient enrichment method to enrich a dissociated single cell suspension of porcine testicular cells for spermatogonia, and to observe the separated fractions from the gradient over a 14-day culture period for cell viability and number of spermatogonia in culture. Two germ cell specific genes, VASA and DAZL, were utilized for detection of spermatogonia using immunohistochemistry. The control group included cultures generated from the enzymatic digestion of porcine testes prior to the enrichment protocol for each replicate. The NycoDenz gradient consistently separated the isolated cell suspension into three distinct layers and a pellet, all of which were assessed for spermatogonial enrichment. Testis cells were isolated and seeded in culture on day 0. Cell viability and percent of spermatogonia was assessed on day 0, 7, and 14 of culture. Viability was determined using trypan blue exclusion assay and quantified using a hemocytometer. Spermatogonia were morphologically identified as round, plump cells with a large amount of cytoplasm. Visualization of spermatogonia was facilitated by immunostaining with DAZL and VASA polyclonal antibodies and cells exhibiting morphological characteristics in addition to bright, concentrated fluorescence were counted as spermatogonia.
- Associations Among Body Condition, Reproductive Performance and Body Lesions in Group Housed Sows.(2014-07-28) Bryan, Miranda Raye; Mark Knauer, Co-Chair; Joseph Cassady, Co-Chair; William Flowers, Member; David Dickey, Minor
- Bioavailability of Phosphorus in Turkey Litter Ash and Dried Swine Lagoon Sludge Fed to Growing Pigs.(2022-08-09) McAuley, Cooper Thomas; Peter Ferket, Co-Chair; Eric VanHeugten, Co-Chair; Sung Woo Kim, Member
- Biological and Management Factors Affecting Colostrum Intake and Pre-Weaning Success in Piglets.(2022-03-23) Jenkins, Abigail Karren; William Flowers, Chair; Jonathan Holt, Member; Glen Almond, Member
- Brassinosteroid Supplementation as a Novel Nutritional Approach to Enhance Animal Feed Efficiency and Growth Performance for Meat Production.(2023-08-11) Thompson, Nikki Angelle; Debora Esposito, Co-Chair; Vivek Fellner, Co-Chair; Ramon Malheiros, Member; Eric VanHeugten, Member
- Breeding and Management Applications of the Milk Leukocyte Differential.(2019-03-20) Lozada Soto, Emmanuel Andre; Francesco Tiezzi Mazzoni Della Stella Ma, Chair; Kevin Anderson, Member; Christian Maltecca, Member
- Candidate mRNAs Regulating Meiotic Resumption in Bovine Cumulus-Oocyte-Complexes(2008-12-07) Hockney, Jessica Eileen; Dr. William L. Miller, Committee Member; Dr. Charlotte E. Farin, Committee Chair; Dr. Robert M. Petters, Committee MemberIn bovine oocytes, the resumption of meiosis is characterized by the breakdown of the germinal vesicle (GVBD). When cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) are cultured in-vitro in the presence of gonadotropins, GVBD is characterized by an initial inhibitory phase, which is followed by an acceleration in the rate of GVBD. An initial transcriptional event is required for gonadotropin-induced in-vitro maturation. The objectives of this thesis were: 1) to define the time course required for transcriptional initiation in bovine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs); 2) to determine the pattern of expression for Nr4A1 and Egr1 mRNAs in bovine COCs; and 3) to reduce the expression of Nr4A1 mRNA expression to determine its effect on oocyte maturation. Bovine COCs were cultured in the presence follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) alone or FSH with the transcriptional inhibitor, 5,6-dichloro-1-B-Dribofuranosylbenzamidazole (DRB), in order to refine the time course required for transcription initiation and to determine the pattern of expression for Nr4A1 and Egr1 mRNAs. All experiments contained a control group of COCs that were cultured for the entire duration in the presence of DRB. By adding DRB at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, or 180 minutes after the initiation of culture, it was determined that gene transcription required for GVBD occurs between 0 and 60 minutes after the start of culture. Analysis of COCs cultured for 0, 30, 60, 90 or 180 minutes demonstrated that Nr4A1 mRNA levels increased significantly (P<0.05) at 30 minutes after the start of culture, which is consistent with the time of transcription initiation required for GVBD. In contrast, Egr1 mRNA levels did not significantly differ throughout the culture period. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) designed from the sequence for Nr4A1 were used to reduce Nr4A1 mRNA expression and determine the effects of Nr4A1 mRNAs on GVBD in bovine COCs. Expression of Nr4A1 mRNA decreased in abundance in treatment groups containing siRNAs specific to Nr4A1 (siNr4A1) with the greatest decrease in expression occurring in the 25nM and 50nM siNr4A1 treatments. As expected, fewer COCs underwent GVBD when cultured in the presence of DRB at 9 and 20 hours as compared to COCs cultured in FSH alone. Additionally, no significant differences were observed between the FSH and nonspecific siRNA (siNS) treatment groups in the proportion of COCs undergoing GVBD at either 9 or 20 hours of culture. Fewer COCs cultured in the presence of 50nM siNr4A1 underwent GVBD by 9 hours of culture as compared to those cultured in FSH alone. The percentage of COCs that underwent GVBD did not differ between the siNr4A1 and FSH control treatments at 20 hours. The expression of Nr4A1 mRNA at 30 minutes after the start of culture did not differ with FSH, siNr4A1, or siNS treatments. In summary, gene transcription required for GVBD in bovine COCs occurs within 0 to 60 minutes of culture. Nr4A1 mRNAs are present in bovine COCs and these mRNA levels increase significantly after 30 minutes of culture. Furthermore, Egr1 mRNAs are present in bovine COCs, but Egr1 mRNA levels do not change throughout culture. Bovine COCs cultured with siNr4A1 showed a significant decrease in the percentage of oocytes undergoing GVBD after 9 hours of culture. In conclusion, it appears that Nr4A1 plays an active role in GVBD in bovine COCs.
- Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Carotenoid Kinetics with Potential Stress Measures.(2019-05-02) Freel, Tarra Ann; Kimberly Ange-Van Heugten, Co-Chair; Paul Siciliano, Co-Chair; Larry Minter, Member; Elizabeth Koutsos, Member
- Changes in Growth Performance, Cytokine Profile, and Behaviors of Growing Pigs Subjected to Heat Stress.(2020-03-13) Anderson, Lauren Elizabeth; Jonathan Holt, Chair; Daniel Poole, Member; Eric VanHeugten, Member
- Characterization of Follistatin as a Candidate Gene for Litter Size in Pigs(2005-08-04) Boyette, Keri Evelyn; Dr. H.C. Liu, Committee Member; Dr. Gene Eisen, Committee Member; Dr. Joseph Cassady, Committee Chair; Dr. Melissa Ashwell, Committee MemberThe objective of this study was to characterize follistatin (FOL) as a candidate gene for litter size in pigs. Litter size is a lowly heritable and sex-limited trait; therefore, response to selection may be enhanced by marker-assisted selection. Our approach for characterizing a region of SSC16, which includes FOL, was to utilize the candidate gene approach using type I and type II markers to determine if FOL had an association with the response to selection for increased litter size in the select line. Pigs genotyped were from a line selected for increased number of fully formed (FF) pigs and a contemporary control line. In generation nine, the estimated breeding value for litter size was 0.63 pigs greater in the select line than in the control line (Holl et al., 2003). A RFLP within FOL (n = 251) and the microsatellites, CGT27 (n = 224), S0363 (n=255), S0298 (n=260), and SW1661 (n=253) were genotyped. Effect of marker genotype on FF, number born alive (BA), number still born (SB), and number mummified fetuses (MUM) was tested. Data were analyzed by line with an animal model using MTDFREML. Fixed effects included year and marker genotype. In both the select and control lines, all markers had no significant affect on FF, BA, SB, or MUM when using the animal model. Therefore, follistatin is not likely to have a major effect on litter size in the population studied.
- Characterization of Type I molecular markers in a line of pigs selected for increased litter size.(2004-03-12) Blowe, Charlotte Dawn; Dr. Joseph Cassady, Committee Co-Chair; Dr. Eugene Eisen, Committee Co-Chair; Dr. O. W. Robison, Committee MemberDirect selection for increased litter size was practiced for eleven generations in a Large White-Landrace composite line of pigs. Litters were standardized at birth so that no replacement gilts were reared in a litter with more than ten pigs. A contemporary control line was maintained. In generation nine, the estimated mean breeding value for litter size was 0.63 pigs greater in the select than control line. The objective of this research project was to test associations between Type I markers and response to selection. A candidate gene approach was employed to search for markers, which may explain some of the difference in litter size between the two lines. Two novel markers were discovered within the follistatin gene, which have shown associations with litter traits. The estrogen receptor marker was not segregating in the population of pigs used in this study. The retinol binding protein marker was segregating in the population studied; however the magnitude of allele frequency change was relatively small. Polymorphisms were not detected in other candidates tested.
- Combinational Use of Na-Butyrate and Phytobiotics on Growth Performance and Intestinal Health of Nursery Pigs.(2018-03-27) Bloomer, Sarah Alissa; Sung Kim, Chair; Eric VanHeugten, Member; Jesse Grimes, Member