Colón Rodríguez, Ireliz

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    Characterization and comparison of growth patterns in slick and wild type-haired Puerto Rican Holstein calves and heifers
    (2023-12-11) Colón Rodríguez, Ireliz; Sánchez-Ródriguez, Héctor L.; College of Agricultural Sciences; Arcelay-Ruiz, Enid; Domenech-Pérez, Katherine I.; Department of Animal Science; Valentín-Román, Nashaly
    Ideal gains for Holstein heifers in USA are 0.73-0.86 kg/d. However, heat stress may limit cattle’s growth, where a slick-haired coat confers superior thermoregulation. Body weight, hip height, shoulder to pin bone distance, thoracic perimeter, wither height, and barrel growth curves were compared and evaluated (GLIMMIX and REG Procedures- SAS) in 9 slick vs. 9 wild type-haired Holstein calves, both weekly (1-8 weeks of life) and monthly (3-33 months of age). From1-8 weeks of age no hair coat type x age interactions (P≥0.1834) or hair coat type effects (P≥0.4778) were observed. During this period all evaluated variables increased linearly (R2≥0.34; P<0.0001).From 3-33 months of age only body weight (P=0.0312) and barrel (P=0.0038) presented a hair coat type x age interaction. However, no hair coat type effects (P≥0.5398) were observed. In this period all dimensions demarcated by bones behaved quadratically (R2≥0.87; P<0.0001), while body weight remained linear (R2≥0.94; P<0.0001). From 1-8 weeks of life, gains of 0.48 and 0.48 kg/d were observed in slick and wild type-haired calves. Respective gains of 0.61 and 0.62 kg/d were noted in the 3-33 months of age heifers. No growth-related differences were observed between hair coat types. Limited gains were observed in both groups.