ARS/SCA: Effect of Se Form in Free-Choice Mineral Mix on Metabolic Parameters and Gene Expression of Steers Grazing Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue

RT-PCR primers developed and validated • Animals identified, purchased, and trained to in-pasture Calan gates. • Summer-long grazing trial completed, including serial 28-day collection of forage, and blood samples. • Animals slaughtered and tissues preserved. • Forage Se analysis completed. Whole blood Se, plasma prolactin, plasma amino acids, and forage ergot alkaloid analyses performed. • Targeted RT-PCR of pre-planned pituitary mRNA (RT-PCR) and protein (immunoblot) analyses initiated and completed. • Pituitary transcriptome sequencing initiated and completed. • Pituitary bioinformatics analysis initiated and completed. • Manuscript #1 (Effect of E+/Se form challenge on phenotypic parameters and pre-planned pituitary gene/protein expression) submitted. Manuscript #2 (Effect of E+/Se form challenge on pituitary transcriptome) submitted. • Pituitary transcriptome analyses deposited in GEO at NCBI. • Targeted liver gene and protein analyses completed. • Manuscript #3 (Effect E+/Se form challenge on liver gene/protein expression) submitted.