Evaluating Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in Angus Yearling Bulls at High Elevation: Associations with Birth Traits and Growth Performance

The objectives of this study were to model the relationship between pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) estimates and birth weight, gestation length, and growth traits of developing bulls. Pulmonary arterial pressure estimates were collected from Angus yearling bulls ranging in age from 12 to 18 month...

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Main Authors: Kaylen Stearns, Hannah DelCurto-Wyffels, Sam Wyffels, Megan Van Emon, Noah G. Davis, Taylre Sitz, Tim DelCurto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/9/1302
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author Kaylen Stearns
Hannah DelCurto-Wyffels
Sam Wyffels
Megan Van Emon
Noah G. Davis
Taylre Sitz
Tim DelCurto
author_facet Kaylen Stearns
Hannah DelCurto-Wyffels
Sam Wyffels
Megan Van Emon
Noah G. Davis
Taylre Sitz
Tim DelCurto
author_sort Kaylen Stearns
collection DOAJ
description The objectives of this study were to model the relationship between pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) estimates and birth weight, gestation length, and growth traits of developing bulls. Pulmonary arterial pressure estimates were collected from Angus yearling bulls ranging in age from 12 to 18 months from a Montana-based Angus operation (>1600 m elevation, 5406 yearlings/18-month-old bulls from 2016–2023). Pulmonary arterial pressure was positively correlated with birth weight (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and gestation length (<i>p</i> < 0.01). No relationship was observed between bull PAP and weaning weight (<i>p</i> = 0.26). Pulmonary arterial pressure scores were negatively correlated with yearling weight (<i>p</i> = 0.04). Additionally, PAP estimates were negatively correlated with birth-to-weaning gains (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and weaning-to-yearling gains (<i>p</i> = 0.02). Lastly, PAP scores were negatively correlated with birth to yearling growth (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Sire lines influenced offspring PAP scores (<i>p</i> < 0.01), and dam−sire lines tended to have an effect on offspring PAP scores (<i>p</i> = 0.09). In summary, PAP scores were related to birth weight, gestation length, yearling weight, and growth from birth to yearling age. Our findings suggest that selection for higher growth should also emphasize selecting for lower PAP scores.
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spelling doaj-art-b9ffd74689cd44adb74c374aa022b9b62025-08-20T03:52:56ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-04-01159130210.3390/ani15091302Evaluating Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in Angus Yearling Bulls at High Elevation: Associations with Birth Traits and Growth PerformanceKaylen Stearns0Hannah DelCurto-Wyffels1Sam Wyffels2Megan Van Emon3Noah G. Davis4Taylre Sitz5Tim DelCurto6Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USADepartment of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USADepartment of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USADepartment of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USADepartment of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USASitz Angus Ranch, Harrison, MT 59735, USADepartment of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USAThe objectives of this study were to model the relationship between pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) estimates and birth weight, gestation length, and growth traits of developing bulls. Pulmonary arterial pressure estimates were collected from Angus yearling bulls ranging in age from 12 to 18 months from a Montana-based Angus operation (>1600 m elevation, 5406 yearlings/18-month-old bulls from 2016–2023). Pulmonary arterial pressure was positively correlated with birth weight (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and gestation length (<i>p</i> < 0.01). No relationship was observed between bull PAP and weaning weight (<i>p</i> = 0.26). Pulmonary arterial pressure scores were negatively correlated with yearling weight (<i>p</i> = 0.04). Additionally, PAP estimates were negatively correlated with birth-to-weaning gains (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and weaning-to-yearling gains (<i>p</i> = 0.02). Lastly, PAP scores were negatively correlated with birth to yearling growth (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Sire lines influenced offspring PAP scores (<i>p</i> < 0.01), and dam−sire lines tended to have an effect on offspring PAP scores (<i>p</i> = 0.09). In summary, PAP scores were related to birth weight, gestation length, yearling weight, and growth from birth to yearling age. Our findings suggest that selection for higher growth should also emphasize selecting for lower PAP scores.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/9/1302beef cattleheart−lung functionperformance
spellingShingle Kaylen Stearns
Hannah DelCurto-Wyffels
Sam Wyffels
Megan Van Emon
Noah G. Davis
Taylre Sitz
Tim DelCurto
Evaluating Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in Angus Yearling Bulls at High Elevation: Associations with Birth Traits and Growth Performance
Animals
beef cattle
heart−lung function
performance
title Evaluating Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in Angus Yearling Bulls at High Elevation: Associations with Birth Traits and Growth Performance
title_full Evaluating Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in Angus Yearling Bulls at High Elevation: Associations with Birth Traits and Growth Performance
title_fullStr Evaluating Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in Angus Yearling Bulls at High Elevation: Associations with Birth Traits and Growth Performance
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in Angus Yearling Bulls at High Elevation: Associations with Birth Traits and Growth Performance
title_short Evaluating Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in Angus Yearling Bulls at High Elevation: Associations with Birth Traits and Growth Performance
title_sort evaluating pulmonary arterial pressure in angus yearling bulls at high elevation associations with birth traits and growth performance
topic beef cattle
heart−lung function
performance
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/9/1302
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