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Reproduction and Physiology

Relationship between Body Composition and Reproduction in Heifers

Authors
  • Jennifer A. Minick (Iowa State University)
  • Doyle E. Wilson (Iowa State University)
  • Gene H. Rouse (Iowa State University)
  • Abebe Hassen (Iowa State University)
  • Mel Pence (Iowa State University)
  • R. Sealock (Iowa State University)
  • Steven Hopkins (Iowa State University)

Abstract

Carcass and reproductive data including scan weight, ribeye area, rump fat, 12-13th rib fat and percentage intramuscular fat and reproductive tract scores (RTS) at 344 days were collected on 180 1998-born and 70 1999-born Angus heifers to determine the relationship between these traits. 1998-born heifers with higher RTS tended to be heavier and have more rump fat at 405 days (P < .05). Heavier heifers and heifers with more rump fat had higher RTS when adjusted to 395 days (P < .05). 1999-born heifers showed a similar pattern, with heavier heifers having higher RTS (P < .05). Rump fat was not as significant for 1999-born heifers compared with 1998-born heifers. Heavier heifers with more rump fat are more likely to have more mature reproductive tracts at breeding.

Keywords: ASL R1769

How to Cite:

Minick, J. A., Wilson, D. E., Rouse, G. H., Hassen, A., Pence, M., Sealock, R. & Hopkins, S., (2002) “Relationship between Body Composition and Reproduction in Heifers”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 1(1).

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Published on
2002-01-01

Peer Reviewed

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Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0