ry matter intake (MR plus CS), feed conversions, and EAA intake (MR plus CS) were similar for calves fed both MR. Study 2 (summer heat stress) resulted in more scours incidences compared with study 1, and 22AA MR formulation tended to increase scours possibly due to synthetic AA addition or greater carbohydrate (lactose) inclusion when AA replaced protein sources. Feed costs as MR and total feed costs were lower for calves fed 22AA MR compared with calves fed 22CP MR.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/azd-9574.html  The increased Leu, Lys, Met, Thr, and Val concentrations in the 22AA MR compared with the 22CP MR resulted in similar calf growth performance, but the feed cost was lower for calves fed the 22AA MR, which achieved similar growth performance at a lesser cost under current study conditions, but not enhanced as hypothesized.Peripartal cows mobilize not only body fat but also body protein to satisfy their energy requirements. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of prepartum BCS on blood biomarkers related to energy and nitrogen metabolism, and mRNA and protein abundance associated with AA metabolism and insulin signaling in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) in peripartal cows. Twenty-two multiparous Holstein cows were retrospectively classified into a high BCS (HBCS; n = 11, BCS ≥ 3.5) or normal BCS (NBCS; n = 11, BCS ≤ 3.17) group at d 28 before expected parturition. Cows were fed the same diet as a total mixed ration before parturition and were fed the same lactation diet postpartum. Blood samples collected at -10, 7, 15, and 30 d relative to parturition were used for analyses of biomarkers associated with energy and nitrogen metabolism. Biopsies of SAT harvested at -15, 7, and 30 d relative to parturition were used for mRNA (real time-PCR) and protein abundance (Western blotting) assays. Data were subjectedmpared with NBCS cows. mRNA abundance of argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) and arginase 1 (ARG1) also was greater overall in HBCS cows. Together, these responses suggested impaired insulin signaling, coupled with greater postpartum AA transport rate and urea cycle activity in SAT of HBCS cows. An in vitro study using adipocyte and macrophage cocultures stimulated with various concentrations of fatty acids could provide some insights into the role of immune cells in modulating adipose tissue immunometabolic status, including insulin resistance and AA metabolism.Compost-bedded pack (CBP) barns for dairy cows mainly use sawdust as bedding material. The objective of this study was to compare forest biomass to sawdust as bedding material for CBP. Variables evaluated included CBP moisture, temperature and CN ratio, bedding microbial counts, and behavior and welfare measures of nonlactating cows. The experimental design was a crossover where two 11-wk periods were performed. Treatments were CBP with sawdust (CBP-S) as a control treatment and CBP with forest biomass (CBP-FB) as the experimental bedding material. Weather conditions, intake, CBP temperature, CBP moisture, and welfare assessment were measured during the entire periods. We took CBP samples for microbiological analysis and video recordings for animal behavior assessment in wk 11 of each period. The CBP management was the same in both treatments and periods, based on twice-daily tilling at a 30 cm depth, and the addition of 0.8 kg/m2 of new bedding material per day. Ambient temperature and environmental humiditydetected in lying time (15.5 h/d), and time needed to lie down was higher in CBP-FB (5.3 s) than in CBP-S (4.6 s). We found that CBP performance and cow comfort in CBP-FB were lower than in CBP-S, but microbial counts of some species were better controlled in CBP-FB than in CBP-S.Selection indices are a critical component of many breeding programs. A common purpose of a selection index is to predict an animal's genetic potential for total economic merit. The objective of this study was to evaluate retrospectively whether a specific selection index comprising genomically-enhanced predicted transmitting abilities had the ability to predict observed lifetime profit in US Holstein animals. The selection index evaluated was dairy wellness profit (DWP$). In total, 2,185 animals were included in this study. Index values were used to rank and assign animals to quartiles (genetic groups worst 25%, 26-50%, 51-75%, and best 25%). Generalized linear mixed effects models were applied to estimate the associations between index quartile and defined economic outcomes. Similar analyses were conducted to estimate associations between index quartile and observed phenotype to characterize the extent to which profitability outcomes were driven by economically relevant production and health traits. Differences in lifetime profit and annuity value between the best and worst genetic groups for DWP$ were $811 (±297) and $232 (±88), respectively. Significant differences were also observed between top and bottom quartiles for milk production (8,077 kg), fat production (336 kg), protein production (264 kg), live calves (0.5), time spent in the lactating herd (6.6 mo), and cow mortality (8.4%). Additionally, differences in disease incidence were significant between the best and worst DWP$ quartiles for metritis (5.2%), mastitis (14.9%), and lameness (15.9%). The observed results of this study demonstrated the ability of DWP$ predictions to predict lifetime profitability of Holstein animals and its potential utility as a tool to guide selection and breeding programs. Improving DWP$ through genetic selection, when combined with good management practices, provides an opportunity for dairy producers to improve overall herd profitability.Genetic selection of Holstein cattle in the past 2 decades has seen an increased attention to fertility traits. Our hypotheses were that genomic merit for daughter pregnancy rate (GDPR) is positively associated with metabolic responses, hazard of estrus, and estrus characteristics. Pregnant heifers (n = 821) from one herd that were genotyped within 2 mo of birth (Clarifide, Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ) were fitted with automated monitoring devices (SCR Inc., Netanya, Israel) -21 ± 14 d relative to calving. Estrus characteristics recorded from calving to 62 d postpartum were evaluated. Blood samples were collected weekly from a subsample (n = 499) of cows, from 7 to 28 d postpartum, for determination of insulin-like growth factor-1, glucose, and nonesterified fatty acids. Cows received artificial insemination or embryo transfer following detected estrus and those not detected in estrus were submitted to an ovulation synchronization protocol starting at 75 d in milk. Linear and quadratic associations between GDPR and outcomes were analyzed, but when appropriate, results are presented according to GDPR quartile (Q1 = -1.