The Relationship between Mitochondria and Residual Feed Intake in Feedlot Cattle

.......................................................................................................36 Introduction..................................................................................................37 Materials and Methods.................................................................................38 Animal Management........................................................................38 RNA Isolation and Quantitative Real Time PCR ............................40 Western Blotting ..............................................................................41 Mitochondrial DNA Sequencing .....................................................41 Statistical Analysis...........................................................................42 Results and Discussion ................................................................................42 IV. THE DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A BLOOD ASSAY TO PREDICT RESIDUAL FEED INTAKE IN BEEF CATTLE ......................................................................................54 Abstract ........................................................................................................54.......................................................................................................54 Introduction..................................................................................................54 Materials and Methods.................................................................................55 Animal Management........................................................................55 Blood Collection and Lymphocyte Isolation ...................................56 Measurement of ATP Production ....................................................57