Accretion of key carcass tissues such as skeletal muscle and adipose tissue is a direct effect of the specific nutrients available to support the growth and development of these key tissues. Whereas these nutrients vary greatly, many often are key regulators of important cell signaling pathways that regulate the growth and differentiation of these tissues. Postnatal skeletal muscle growth is a result of hypertrophy of the existing skeletal muscle fibers in animals. A major driver of skeletal muscle hypertrophy is protein accretion in the existing muscle fibers. This is a result of the balance between rate of protein synthesis and rate of protein degradation. Certain signaling pathways can alter the myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform type in postnatal skeletal muscle. Alterations in the various MyHC isoforms result in different degrees of postnatal skeletal muscle hypertrophy. An enzyme, AMP-activated protein kinase α, has been shown to affect expression of MyHC depending on sources and availability of energy to the skeletal muscle. The mTOR signaling pathway has been shown to be a critical regulator of protein synthesis in tissues such as skeletal muscle. Different components of this mTOR pathway are regulated by key nutrients such as individual AA. In many meat animals, such as cattle and sheep, there are different types of adipose tissue depots that grow and differentiate differently from each other. Two key types of adipose tissue in ruminants that have economic importance are subcutaneous and intramuscular adipose tissue. Many of the genes that control preadipocyte differentiation of these different adipose tissues in cattle are regulated by fatty acids circulating in plasma. It appeared that various fatty acids could affect cell signaling through a membrane bound G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway. These nutrients, as well as micronutrients such as chromium, all have economic viability in the cattle feeding industry.

The white-tailed deer breeding industry has developed into a $1.6 billion-dollar annual sector. However, even with this rapidly growing industry, little is known concerning certain mineral requirements for deer raised in confinement and their conception success. Previous research has suggested that white-tailed does are more apt to conceive with elevated circulating levels of zinc, vitamin E, and selenium. This research project consisted of ninety-three does on standard confinement diets, supplemented with only a single dose of Zn, Se, Mn, and Cu via MultiMin at the time of CIDR input. Supplementation of MultiMin was fixed across all animals in the study. These does were assessed by drawing blood at the time of artificial insemination (AI). Whole blood and serum samples were analyzed for micromineral levels (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Se, and Zn) and fat-soluble metabolites (vitamin A, vitamin E, and cholesterol) at Texas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and analyzed using PROC REG in SAS. Conception success was determined by the does conceiving a fawn from from artificial insemination procedure which was verified via genetic testing of the fawn. It was found that the model containing the main effects vitamin E, zinc, and selenium along with their interactions of vitamin E by Zn and Se by Zinc was significant (P < 0.05; R²=0.15) on positively affecting conception success from artificial insemination. In particular, a tendency was detected in the relationship of vitamin E and selenium (P < 0.1). In post hoc analysis, parameter estimates from the regression were used, and selenium fixed at a level of 144 ng/mL is the point at which supplemental vitamin E has positive effects on conception from AI. This model shows that both vitamin E and selenium are required at higher levels than previously thought in confinement-reared white-tailed deer with intensive breeding programs. With further research using vitamin E and selenium, the mineral requirements of white-tailed deer in confinement can be better understood and aide producers in reproductive efficiency in their captive deer herds.

Trace minerals found in the diet are essential for animal health, but the role of mineral supplementation in maintaining bison health or boosting immune response is relatively unknown. This study evaluated the impact of an oral drench supplement containing Co, Cu, Se, and Zn—minerals associated with immune function—in reducing mortality and maintaining health in response to a Mycoplasma bovis outbreak in yearling bison. A total of 1,295 mixed-sex, non-reproductive yearlings were studied, with 464 receiving the supplement and 831 serving as controls. Mortality totaled 238 individuals (18.4%), with no statistically significant difference between groups (Pearson’s χ² test, p >0.05), indicating supplement ineffectiveness. Blood analysis confirmed no change in mineral status, suggesting that the supplement formulation, intended for cattle, may not meet bison-specific requirements. Water quality analysis of water sources used in the study revealed elevated Fe and manganese levels, but other mineral imbalances were not evident. Growth rates and final weights did not differ significantly between treatment and control groups, although males consistently outweighed females. Parasitological analyses showed minor differences in gastrointestinal nematode burdens, with no apparent link to supplementation or mortality. Serology results indicated significant differences but were likely of limited biological relevance. Finally, the study highlighted the potential implications of frequent bison handling for research or other purposes, which may increase stress and disease susceptibility. These findings underscore the need for bison-specific mineral information, as well as diagnostic, prevention, and treatment strategies to improve health management in this species.

Animal feeding is one of the largest operational costs in food animal production and plays a crucial role in the health and productivity of animals. With the rapid growth of the bison industry in recent years, there is a need for targeted research to establish nutritional guidelines specific to bison. Current guidelines rely heavily on cattle data; however, preliminary evidence indicates physiological differences between bison and cattle, suggesting the need for bison-specific nutrition guidelines. This study compares the mineral intake and circulating minerals of two South Dakota bison herds with differing management strategies. The first herd was a privately owned, commercial herd was supplemented with a commercially available mineral from weaning to slaughter and further with single dose injectable during production (SUPP; n = 70). The second herd was a governmentally managed herd at Custer State Park, Custer, SD, that relied solely on natural forage with no mineral supplementation (CON; n = 80). Blood, forage, and fecal samples were analyzed for trace minerals using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Performance records, including body weight, pregnancy status, and lactation status, were also collected at the annual round up. Descriptive analyses indicated numerical differences in circulating mineral concentrations between SUPP and CON bison. Supplemented bison exhibited higher mean concentrations of Co, Mn, and Zn compared to CON animals, while Cu concentrations were similar between groups. When summarized by pregnancy status, circulating mineral concentrations were generally comparable between open and bred cows, with bred animals exhibiting slightly lower mean Cu and Mn concentrations. Pregnancy rates differed numerically between herds, with the CON herd exhibiting a higher observed pregnancy percentage. Factors such as breeding dynamics and environmental conditions likely played a role in the reproductive outcomes. These findings provide critical data for developing species-specific nutritional guidelines to optimize bison health and productivity while supporting conservation and sustainable production practices. This will allow adjustments to supplementation practices to reduce health issues, lower costs, and enhance profitability.