The 16th Annual
NC State University
Undergraduate Research Symposium
Biological Sciences:
Applied Sciences
(Crop, Poultry, Animal,
and Horticultural
Sciences)
Abstracts
Abstracts are listed in alphabetical order by the last name of the
corresponding author.
- Biological Sciences abstracts
Applied Sciences (Crop, Poultry, Animal, and
Horticultural Sciences)
Ecology, Environmental, Conservation, Botanical
Molecular, Biochemical, Genetics, Cell Biology
Zoology, Physiology, Behavior, Neurobiology
- Engineering & Technology abstracts
- Humanities, Social Sciences, Psychology abstracts
- Physical and Mathematical Sciences abstracts
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Bilello, Kelly E. |
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Department(s):
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Poultry
Science |
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Research |
James N. Petitte/Poultry Science Paul E. Mozdziak/Poultry Science |
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Title of
Presentation: |
The Effect of
Dietary Protein on the Growth of Transgenic Chickens Expressing High Levels
of Bacterial Beta-Galactosidase |
Recently, a line of transgenic chicken, designated
NCSU Blue-1, has been developed that expresses bacterial beta-galactosidase (LacZ) as a useful
tool for cell lineage analysis. Expression of the transgene
is particularly high in skeletal muscle, the small intestine, and spleen. In
addition, insertion of the transgene disrupted the
expression of CXC3CL1 (Fractalkine). However, the
expression of the LacZ gene and its insertion into
the fractakine gene may influence the general
physiology of the bird that may require changes in animal husbandry. For
example, it was noticed that the growth of NCSU Blue-1 chicks homozygous for LacZ appeared to be slower compared to hemizygous
or wild-type siblings. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine
the effect of dietary protein on the growth of NCSU Blue-1 transgenic chicks. A
total of 30 chicks for each genotype (wild-type, hemizygous,
homozygous) were fed an 18% or 22% protein ration. Bodyweight and feed
consumption were monitored. Beginning at 6 days of age, a significant
difference (P<0.05) was observed between the two diets regardless of the
genotype of the birds. Chicks of all genotypes had heavier body weights on the
22% protein ration compared to the birds on the 18% protein diet. However, by
36 days of age the hemizygote and homozygote
transgenic birds on the lower protein diet had smaller body weights compared to
the wild-type, non-transgenic birds. While the two diets had an impact on the
growth curve of all genotypes, this study demonstrates a need for an increase
in the level of nutrition for the NCSU Blue-1 line of transgenic chickens.
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Callahan, Brittney S. Beachler, Theresa M. |
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Department(s):
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Animal
Science |
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Research |
William
Flowers/Animal Science |
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Title of
Presentation: |
Reliability
of Semen Extenders 5-Days Post Extending |
Semen extenders are commonly used in semen analysis
labs worldwide. These extenders come in
two varieties, a five-day extender and a three-day extender. Our study used only the five-day extender. Extenders are used to prolong the life of the
spermatozoa so that analyses can be run several days after collection. Spermatozoa are very sensitive to any changes
in their environment. Do these extenders
affect the quality of the semen and skew the analysis results? This question was the main focus of our
study. Samples of normal morphology such as tail abnormalities, proximal and
distal cytoplasmic droplets, and acrosome
defects and head abnormalities were analyzed.
The data with significant differences are Motility (p=.01820), abnormal acrosome (p=.0179) and a very significant difference of
abnormal tails at (p=.0002), significant p values are those that are less than
.05. The ones that show no significant difference, but do suggest trends are
Progressive Motility (p=.0643), normal morphology (p=.0610) and translocated tails (p=.0804). Distal droplets, Proximal
droplets and "heads" show no significance at all between day 1 and
day 5. By comparing the results of same day of collection analysis and analysis
of five days later, we were able to conclude from our data that semen extenders
do not have a profound effect on the quality of the semen. Through several statistical analyses we were
able to compare our results from four days later to Kara Roski’s
same day results and found that the normal morphology rates and acrosome morphologies were not that different. It is an accepted fact that semen quality
will decrease as the length from collection date increases. Semen extenders were created for this reason
and is obviously why that they are used to prolong the life of the sperm for
analyses and insemination properties.
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Carter, Rebecca S. |
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Department(s):
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Biological Sciences |
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Research |
Kimberly Ange-van Heugten/Animal Science |
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Title of
Presentation: |
The Body Condition Scoring of Exotic Felids |
The purpose of this project was to develop a body
condition score (BCS) reference for exotic felids and counteract the declining
trend of existence for many of these felid species. Optimum health and
nutrition is vitally important for the survival of exotic endangered felids.
Because malnourishment can lead to chronic disease, poor reproductive
performance, and even death, it is critically important that endangered exotic felids
in captivity be properly nourished. The BCS of a cat is an overall assessment
of the cat’s health and nutritional status. Currently, the Nestlé Purina Body
Condition System for domestic cats is the primary felid scoring system
available for evaluating the nutritional status of cats, rating them on a scale
from 1 (very emaciated) to 9 (very obese). It can be difficult to rate the body
condition of an exotic felid using only a chart that is designed for domestic
cats. The objective was to make an exotic felid BCS reference by taking
pictures of felids from the
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Compton, Elizabeth C. |
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Department(s):
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Animal
Science |
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Research |
Charlotte E. Farin/Animal Science |
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Title of
Presentation: |
The Role of Transcription
in EGF and FSH Mediated Oocyte Maturation in Vitro |
The transcriptional inhibitor, DRB, prevents germinal
vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in bovine oocytes cultured
with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). However, it is unclear whether DRB is
effective in blocking maturation induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF).
Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the role of transcription
in mediating bovine oocyte maturation induced by FSH,
EGF or their combination. Bovine cumulus oocyte
complexes (COC) were cultured in the presence or absence of DRB in cSOF medium supplemented with FSH, EGF or their
combination. After culture, COC were denuded, fixed, and stained to evaluate
stage of meiosis. As expected, 93 ±4% and 85% ±4% of COC cultured without hormone or with FSH,
respectively, underwent GVBD. The addition of DRB did not affect the occurrence
of GVBD in the absence of hormone (90% ±4%). In contrast, DRB blocked GVBD induced by FSH (13%
±4%,
P<0.05). Thus, oocyte maturation in the absence of
hormone does not involve gene transcription, whereas transcription is required
for GVBD induced by FSH. When cultured with EGF, 93±4% of COC underwent GVBD.
If DRB was included with EGF, 73±4% of COC underwent GVBD (P<0.05). Thus,
only a portion of COC cultured with EGF mature using a transcriptional
mechanism whereas the majority do not. When COC were cultured with both FSH and
EGF, 92 ±4% underwent
GVBD. In contrast, only 16 ±4% of COC underwent GVBD when DRB was added
(P<0.05). Thus, it appears that the transcriptional mechanism used by FSH to
induce maturation over-rides that used by EGF in the majority of COC. In
conclusion, in the majority of oocytes matured with
FSH, gene transcription is required for oocyte
maturation. In contrast, in the majority of oocytes
matured with EGF, transcription is not required for maturation. Furthermore,
when both FSH and EGF are present, the transcriptional pathway stimulated by
FSH takes precedence.
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Fernandez, Diana |
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Department(s):
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Biochemistry |
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Research |
Christopher
M. Ashwell/Poultry Science |
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Title of
Presentation: |
Real Time PCR
Analysis of Differential Chicken Gene Expression in Response to Dietary
Phosphorus Restriction |
Dietary manipulation immediately post hatch has long
term effects on the regulation of gene expression in chicken. Experiments with
regard to market weight have suggested that broiler chickens fed a restricted P
diet from hatch to 96 hours of age were better suited to a restricted diet from
22 to 38 days of age than those fed a control diet in the first 96 hours post
hatch. The difference has been further examined by looking at changes in gene
expression between the two treatments by microarray
analysis. These experiments showed genes whose expression are significantly
affected by dietary P restriction including TC219243 (Retinal-g-protein
receptor opsin homolog), TC207130 (Rps3a-prov protein
homolog) and TC186738 (ChlGL VJC Ig
light chain precursor). These array results were verified using Real Time PCR.
Total RNA was extracted from the duodenum of chickens that were fed either a
control or restricted diet (0.5% and 0.25% available P, respectively) from
hatch to 96 hours of age. The RNA was converted to cDNA
and it was used as a template for RT-PCR using specific primers for the 3 genes
specified above. When the RT-PCR data was analyzed these genes were found to
have significant changes in expression between treatments and time.
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Gladden, Patrice J. |
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Department(s):
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Biological
Sciences Nutrition |
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Research |
Carol S.
Mitchell/Wake |
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Title of
Presentation: |
Extension
Education Equips Childcare Providers to End Adolescent Obesity Epidemic |
With more parents working longer hours outside the
home, childcare providers spend over 9 hours a day with children during their
critical years from birth to age 5. As a result, family meals are less common
and kids are less likely to be able to play outside. Healthy eating and
exercise therefore take back seats to fast food and sedentary lifestyles. In
this project, my objective was to provide childcare providers with the tools
and motivation to promote healthy lifestyles in the classroom. From January to
April 2006, over 100 different childcare providers across
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Hughes, Shaya
N. |
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Department(s):
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Animal
Science |
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Research |
Scott C. Whisnant/Animal Science Joe P. Cassady/Animal Science Matt H. Poore/Animal Science Gerald B.
Huntington/Animal Science |
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Title of
Presentation: |
Feed
Efficiency of Beef Bulls and Heifers: Measuring Thyroid Hormones |
In beef cattle, there are some animals that can gain
weight faster than other animals on the same feed. Those animals are more feed
efficient, and efficiency can be measured by residual feed intake. In this
experiment, there were two treatment groups, one of heifers and one of bulls.
The animals were individually fed and their weights were taken every two weeks
for eighty-four days, which is the typical length for a cattle growth trial.
Blood samples were taken at the beginning, middle, and end of the experiment,
and the thyroid hormones T3 (tri-iodothyronine) and
T4 (thyroxine) were measured. Normally, T3 represents
about 5% of the thyroid hormones in blood plasma, mostly from conversion of T4.
Though less abundant, T3 has greater metabolic activity and faster turnover
than T4. The thyroid hormones control metabolic rate and could affect the energy
use in the animals. The blood samples for bulls were taken from September to
December, while the heifer blood samples were taken from October to January.
There was not a noticeable difference in hormone levels between bulls and
heifers. In both groups, the level of T4 increased from the first sample to the
second and then dropped in the third, while the level of T3 increased
throughout the experiment. This could be an age effect or represent a response
to cooler temperatures. The hormone levels were measured with radioactive
iodine (125I) in antibody-coated tubes that bound to the free hormones in the
blood plasma. As part of the feed efficiency trial, we also used ultrasound to
determine the amount of fat and muscle on the animals. Their behavior was also measured
using a chute score, which analyzes how the animals acted while being worked,
and escape velocity from the headgate. The calmer
animals in the trial were the most efficient.
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Lane, Selena L. |
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Department(s):
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Biological
Sciences |
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Research |
Daniel H.
Johnson/Veterinary Medicine |
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Title of
Presentation: |
Effectiveness
of Cryosurgery versus Cold-Steel Surgery for Removal of Skin Tumors in Carassius auratus |
Ornamental fish are economically important to the pet
trade. In fact, pet fish outnumber all other pets in the
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Lannon, Kestrel R. |
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Department(s):
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Horticulture |
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Research |
H.D. Shew/Plant Pathology |
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Title of
Presentation: |
Root-Knot Nematodes
Break Single-Gene Resistance to Phytophthora nicotianae in Flue-Cured Tobacco |
Phytophthora nicotianae is a soilborne plant
pathogen that causes the black shank disease of tobacco. This disease causes
high levels of plant mortality in
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Layfield, Johnathon B. Russell, Chasity
L. Tate, Reginald D. |
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Department(s):
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Food Science |
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Research |
Dana J.
Hanson/Food Science MaryAnne Drake/Food Science Brian E. Farkas/Food Science |
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Title of
Presentation: |
Consumer
Acceptance of Cooked Bacon as Affected by Genetic Line and Feeding Program |
A 2x2 factorial study was conducted on the consumer
acceptance of cooked bacon as affected by genetic line and feed program. Pigs
(n=79) produced by current industry practices were compared to pigs (n=79)
produced from a 1980 genetic sample (GS). Pigs were randomly assigned to a 1980
or 2005 feeding program (FP), and were slaughtered when average pen weight
exceeded 116 kg. Bellies from slaughtered pigs were vacuum packaged and frozen
at –17oC prior to conversion to bacon. Bellies were skinned and pumped with a
brine solution and then cooked (avg. 3.5 hr) to an internal temperature of
59oC. Cooked bellies were then cooled (0oC) and vacuum packaged until slicing.
Packaged samples were sliced to 3 mm thickness for consumer acceptance testing.
Samples were cooked for 4.5 min using an 800-Watt commercial microwave oven,
and presented to consumers (n=84) that evaluated bacon for overall acceptance,
flavor, leanness, fattiness, saltiness, and crispness liking on a 9-point
hedonic scale. Consumer acceptability of
all treatments was high (> 6.3) and no difference was found between overall
liking scores for bacon from pigs fed the 1980 FP and bacon from pigs fed the
2005 FP. The 1980 FP had higher fattiness, leanness, and crispness liking
scores (P<0.05) than the 2005 FP bacon. There was no significant difference
in saltiness or flavor liking scores among all treatments. When consumers were
asked to make a forced choice ranking of the samples, the preferred bacon was
the 2005 GS paired with a 1980 FP. Changes in FP appear to have had the
greatest impact on consumer preference of bacon while changes in genetics had
little or no effect on overall consumer preference. Industry benefits include
higher consumer acceptability of bacon through data on changes in feeding
programs.
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Leksrisompong, Pattarin Thibault |