Zaira Magdalena Estrada-Reyes

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University | NC A&T · Department of Animal Sciences

In this study, we estimated genetic parameters for parasite resistance traits and the distribution of runs of homozygosity islands in Florida Cracker sheep. The dataset contained 365 animals with phenotypic records at 38 days post-infection for fecal egg count (FEC), packed cell volume (PCV), FAMACHA score (FAM), and body condition score (BCS). The...

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the dietary inclusion of unfertilized (AS) and fertilized (AR) sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) hay on body weight (BW), average daily gain, and plasma metabolome of goats. Thirty-six naturally parasite-infected (>5000 eggs/gram) 9-month-old intact male Spanish goats (23.9 ± 0.15 kg) were rand...

The objective of this study was assessing the effect of the dietary inclusion of unfertilized (AS) and fertilized (AR) Sericea lespedeza hay on the parasitic burden, packed cellular volume (PCV), and whole-plasma metabolome of naturally infected goats. Thirty-six naturally parasite-infected (>5,000 eggs/gram) Spanish goats (23.9 ± 0.15 kg) were ran...

This study aimed to estimate the magnitude of the effects of dietary inclusion of peanut skins (PS) byproduct (Arachis hypogea L.) on intake, total-tract digestibility, and rumen fermentation of cattle via meta-analysis. Data were collected following the PRISMA methodology. Nine manuscripts and a graduate thesis met the inclusion criteria from 1983...

We conducted a meta-analysis in this scientific study to determine the effects of feeding meat sheep dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). Thirty-three peer-reviewed articles that met our inclusion requirements and were published between 1997 and 2021 were examined. To calculate the variation in performance, fermentation, carcass features, an...

We applied ruminal and plasma metabolomics and ruminal 16S rRNA gene sequencing to determine the metabolic pathways and ruminal bacterial taxa associated with divergent residual body weight gain phenotype in crossbred beef steers. A group of 108 crossbred growing beef steers (average BW = 282.87 ± 30kg) were fed a forage-based diet for a period of...

We evaluated the mRNA expression of genes involved in hepatic fatty acid, amino acid, and mitochondrial energy metabolism in crossbred beef steers with divergent low and high residual feed intake (RFI). Low-RFI beef steers (n = 8; RFI = - 1.93 kg/d) and high-RFI beef steers (n = 8; RFI = + 2.01kg/d) were selected from a group of 56 growing crossbre...

Florida Native is a heritage sheep breed in the US and expresses superior ability to regulate gastrointestinal nematodes. The objective of the present study was to investigate the importance of copy number variants (CNVs) on resistance to natural Haemonchus contortus infections. A total of 300 Florida Native sheep were evaluated. Phenotypic records...

We evaluated the effect of replacement of corn and soybean meal (SBM) with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in sericea lespedeza (SL; Lespedeza cuneata) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa)-based diets on ruminal fermentation and bacterial community of growing meat goats. Thirty-six male Spanish growing meat goats with an average body weight o...

We evaluated the mRNA expression of genes involved in hepatic fatty acid, amino acid, and mitochondrial energy metabolism in crossbred beef steers with divergent low and high residual feed intake (RFI). Low-RFI beef steers (n = 8; RFI = - 1.93 kg/d) and high-RFI beef steers (n = 8; RFI = + 2.01kg/d) were selected from a group of 56 growing crossbre...

This publication discusses a research project designed to explore the genetics of resistance to gastrointestinal parasites in sheep and goats. Written by Zaira M. Estrada Reyes, Yoko Tsukahara, Arthur L. Goetsch, Terry A. Gipson, Tilahun Sahlu, Richard Puchala, and Raluca G. Mateescu, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, Janu...

Climate change is causing detrimental changes in living organisms, including pathogens. This review aimed to determine how climate change has impacted livestock system management, and consequently, what factors influenced the gastrointestinal nematodes epidemiology in small ruminants under tropical conditions. The latter is orientated to find out t...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of peanut skins (PS) with and without polyphenols on the performance, rumen fermentation, and carcass characteristics of Florida-Native Sheep. Thirty-three intact lambs were randomly blocked by body weight (BW) (33.5 ± 0.1 kg; 11 lambs per treatment) and distributed...

Florida Native sheep is an indigenous breed from Florida and expresses superior parasite resistance. Previous candidate and genome wide association studies with Florida Native sheep have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms with additive and non-additive effects associated with parasite resistance. However, the role of other potential DNA var...

The Florida Native Sheep is one of the oldest sheep breeds in the United States. This heritage breed from Florida, naturally adapted to humid and hot climate conditions, is one of the most parasite resistant breeds from the Southern US. However, only approximately 1,000 individuals remain alive in the world. Therefore, conservation efforts and bree...

This study evaluated the effects of pre-slaughter transport stress on the rumen fermentation and bacterial community of growing meat goats. Fifty-four male Spanish growing meat goats (28.9 ± 4.5) were stratified by body weight and randomly assigned into three treatment groups (n = 18 per treatment; 1) No transport stress (CON), 2) Transport stress...

For more than 20 years, the nutraceutical forage sericea lespedeza ‘AU-grazer’ (SL; Lespedeza cuneata ) has been used as an alternative to anthelmintic drugs for controlling gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants, but with little attention to animal performance. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusi...

Interseeding alfalfa (Medicago sativa) into warm-season perennial grasses like bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) has been proposed to increase the sustainability of forage production in the southeastern United States through improved forage quality, yield, and animal performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of homofermenta...

Abstract The effects of high-condensed tannin (CT) diet combined with preslaughter stress have not been studied at the metabolome level in goats. This study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding sericea lespedeza (SL; Lespedeza cuneata), a high-CT legume, and transportation stress on plasma metabolome in goats. Uncastrated male Spanish...

Social isolation can increase distress in goats, particularly when they cannot maintain visual contact with conspecifics. This experiment was conducted to determine the behavioral and physiological responses in goats during isolation with or without visual contact with conspecifics. Male Spanish goats (uncastrated, 8-mo old, average weight 29.4 ± 0...

We examined the effects of two direct fed microbial (DFM) products containing multiple microbial species and their fermentation products on ruminal metatranscriptome and carboxyl-metabolome of beef steers. Nine ruminally-cannulated Holstein steers (mean ± SD body weight: 243 ± 12.4 kg) were assigned to 3 treatments arranged in a 3 × 3 Latin square...

We examined the effects of dietary supplementation of a blend of mannan and glucan on the growth performance, energy status, and whole-blood immune gene expression of newly weaned beef steers during a 42 d receiving period. Forty eight newly weaned Angus crossbred steers (2 d post-weaning; 199 ± 13 kg of initial BW) from a single source were strati...

Florida Native sheep is among the most adapted sheep breeds to humid and hot climate conditions like that of Florida and express superior ability to regulate nematode burdens. This is one of the oldest sheep breeds in North America and is an endangered species. To ensure genetic diversity and long-term survival of the breed, protection of the curre...

The use of recombinant technologies has been proposed as an alternative to improve livestock production systems for more than 25 years. However, its effects on animal health and performance have not been described. Thus, understanding the use of recombinant technology could help to improve public acceptance. The objective of this review is to descr...

Social isolation can be stressful to goats when they are separated from the herd for veterinary care or prior to slaughter. This experiment was conducted to determine the behavior responses in goats during isolation with or without visual contact with conspecifics. Forty-eight uncastrated male Spanish goats (8-mo old) were randomly assigned to one...

Transportation conditions can significantly affect physiological status and meat quality in goats. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of duration of preslaughter stress on physiological responses and meat quality in goats. Fifty-four uncastrated male Spanish goats (8-mo old; BW = 29.7 ± 2.03 kg) were randomly subjected to one of...

We previously reported that milk production in dairy cows was increased by adding a specific xylanase-rich exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (XYL) to a total mixed ration (TMR) containing 10% of bermudagrass silage (BMD). Two follow up experiments were conducted to examine if adding XYL would increase the performance of dairy cows consuming a TMR contain...

Social isolation can be stressful to goats when they are separated from the herd for veterinary care or prior to slaughter. This experiment was conducted to determine the behavior responses in goats during isolation with or without visual contact with conspecifics. Forty-eight uncastrated male Spanish goats (8-mo old) were randomly assigned to one...

Abstract Transportation conditions can significantly affect physiological status and meat quality in goats. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of duration of preslaughter stress on physiological responses and meat quality in goats. Fifty-four uncastrated male Spanish goats (8-mo old; BW = 29.7 ± 2.03 kg) were randomly subjected...

We conducted a meta-analysis to examine the effects of dietary supplementation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on intake, digestibility, milk production, and milk fatty acids of lactating dairy. A systematic search in the literature from 1990 to 2019 was conducted and data from 33 peer-reviewed papers with 58 treatments and 1,350 sheep were u...

Background: Gastrointestinal nematode infection (GNI) is the most important disease affecting the small ruminant industry in U.S. The environmental conditions in the southern United States are ideal for the survival of the most pathogenic gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus. Host genetic variation for resistance to H. contortus allows...

Host genetic variation for resistance to Haemonchus contortus allows selective breeding of animals for increased resistance. This positive selection increases the prevalence of particular alleles at different loci in the population and creates unique genetic patterns in the DNA sequence. The aim of this study was to identify loci with divergent all...

Background: Gastrointestinal nematode infection (GNI) is the most important disease affecting the small ruminant industry in U.S. The environmental conditions in the southern United States are ideal for the survival of the most pathogenic gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus. Host genetic variation for resistance to H. contortus allows s...

Background: Gastrointestinal nematode infection (GNI) is the most important disease affecting the small ruminant industry in U.S. The environmental conditions in the southern United States are ideal for the survival of the most pathogenic gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus . Host genetic variation for resistance to H. contortus allows...

Background: Gastrointestinal nematode infection (GNI) is the most important disease affecting the small ruminant industry in U.S. The environmental conditions in the southern United States are ideal for the survival of the most pathogenic gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus . Host genetic variation for resistance to H. contortus allows...

Background: Gastrointestinal nematode infection (GNI) is the most important disease affecting the small ruminant industry in U.S. The environmental conditions in the southern United States are ideal for the survival of the most pathogenic gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus . Host genetic variation for resistance to H. contortus allows...

The aim of this study was to identify for the first time single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with H. contortus resistance in Florida Native sheep, using a targeted sequencing approach. One hundred and fifty three lambs were evaluated in this study. At the start of the trial, phenotypic records for fecal egg count (FEC), FAMACHA score,...

The aim of this study was to identify for the first time single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with H. contortus resistance in Florida Native sheep, using a targeted sequencing approach. One hundred and fifty three lambs were evaluated in this study. At the start of the trial, phenotypic records for fecal egg count (FEC), FAMACHA score,...

Background Gastrointestinal nematode infection (GNI) is the most important disease affecting the small ruminant industry in U.S. The environmental conditions in the southern United States are ideal for the survival of the most pathogenic gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus. Host genetic variation for resistance to H. contortus allows se...

Haemonchus contortus infections are an important source of animal production loss to livestock industry. Genetics of helminth resistance involves a complex set of factors related to the host immune response. The increasing use of genetic markers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genome wide association studies (GWAS) offers the pote...

The total number of animals contributing to this project was 153 lambs, including female and male individuals. Genotypic data came from 100 lambs (52 characterized as resistant and 48 as susceptible) genotyped by targeted sequencing. Parasitological and hematological traits were evaluated and a total of 23 genomic regions covering 13 genes were ass...

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Background Gastrointestinal nematode infection (GNI) is the most important disease affecting the small ruminant industry in U.S. The environmental conditions in the southern United States are ideal for the survival and growth of the most pathogenic gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus. Host genetic variation for resistance to H. contortu...

The aim of this study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated to internal parasite resistance in Florida Native sheep, using a targeted sequencing approach. One hundred and fifty three lambs (5 months and three months old) were evaluated in this study. At the start of the trial, phenotypic records for fecal egg count (FEC)...

Host genetic variation for resistance to Haemonchus contortus allows selective breeding of animals for increased resistance. This selection process creates unique genetic patterns in the DNA sequence. The aim of this study was to identify loci with divergent allelic frequencies using Fst statistic in lambs and kids selectively bred for low Haemonch...

The aim of this study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated to internal parasite resistance in sheep and goats exposed to H. contortus, using a targeted sequencing approach. Three different breeds of sheep (St. Croix, Katahdin and Dorper) and goats (Spanish, Boer and Kiko) were used in this study. Dewormed male animals w...

The aim of this study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated to internal parasite resistance in sheep and goats exposed to H. contortus, using a targeted sequencing approach. Three different breeds of sheep (St. Croix, Katahdin and Dorper) and goats (Spanish, Boer and Kiko) were used in this study. Dewormed male animals w...

The effect of Ovar‐DRA and Ovar‐DRB1 genotypes on fecal egg count (FEC) was determined in sheep and goats infected with Haemonchus contortus. One hundred and forty three sheep from 3 different breeds (St. Croix, Katahdin and Dorper) and 150 goats from three different breeds (Spanish, Boer and Kiko) were used. Parasitological (FEC), hematological (p...

The expression profiles of cytokines and anti-oxidant genes were determined from an experimental infection with H. contortus in Pelibuey lambs. The infection was followed for 34 days (d) to determine the number of eggs per gram (epg) and the packed cell volume (PCV). Differential white cell counts and expression profile estimations of IL2, IL4, IL5...

Cytokine and innate factors expression analysis in Pelibuey lambs after challenge with Haemonchus contortus

Haemonchus contortus is a parasitic nematode of Pelibuey sheep, a meat breed used in tropical regions. Due to anthelmintic problems, the identification of hosts resistant to H. contortus is another option of control. The aim of this study was to analyse the relative expression of IL-5 and IL-6 genes in Pelibuey sheep after H. contortus infection. N...