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Citations

18

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Grant support

Teruel Investment Funds, Grant/Award Number: FITE 451A and FITE 551A; Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Grant/Award Number: INIA RTA 2013-00059-C02; Government of Aragon, Grant/Award Number: A14_17R

Analysis of institutional authors

Noya AAuthorRipoll GAuthorCasasús IAuthorSanz ACorresponding Author

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November 7, 2019
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Article
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Effects of immunocastration performed at two live weights on the growth physiology, temperament and testicular development of feral beef bulls

Publicated to:Animal Science Journal. 91 (1): e13307- - 2020-01-01 91(1), DOI: 10.1111/asj.13307

Authors: Noya, Agusti; Ripoll, Guillermo; Casasus, Isabel; Sanz, Albina

Affiliations

CITA Univ Zaragoza, Ctr Invest & Tecnol Agroalimentaria CITA Aragon, IA2, Ave Montanana 930, Zaragoza 50059, Spain - Author

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of administering an anti-gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccine (Improvac (R), developed for pigs) on the performance, temperament, testicular development, and hormone and metabolite profiles of feral bulls (Bos taurus) vaccinated at two different live weights (LW). In all, 16 Serrana de Teruel animals were involved in this 2 x 2 factorial design using the factors LW (LIGHT vs. HEAVY) and vaccine treatment (control, C vs. vaccinated, VA). All animals received the same diet (ad libitum concentrate plus straw) over a 164-day fattening period. Temperament was assessed using chute and flight speed tests. Testicular diameter and subcutaneous fat thickness were recorded. Testosterone, IGF-1, urea, NEFA, and creatinine profiles were analyzed. Bull weight gain was reduced in VA compared to C animals, regardless of the initial LW. The vaccine did not affect the temperament tests, subcutaneous fat thickness or NEFA and creatinine concentrations and had minor effects on linear body measures. The vaccine inhibited testicular growth, reduced plasma testosterone to residual levels, and increased urea concentrations. LIGHT-C animals exhibited increased mean plasma IGF-1 concentrations compared to LIGHT-VA animals. In conclusion, vaccination reduced bull growth and sexual development irrespective of LW at immunization.

Keywords

AnimalsAnti-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (anti-gnrh) vaccineBehaviorBody weightCalvesCarcass traitsCastrationCattleCreatinineEndocrineFactor vaccineFatty acids, nonesterifiedFeedlot performanceGonadotropin-releasing hormoneIgf-1Insulin-like growth factor iMaleMale cattleMeat qualitySteersTemperamentTestisTestosteroneUreaVaccinationVaccines

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Animal Science Journal due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2020, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Miscellaneous).

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 1.4, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jul 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-07-07, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 8
  • Scopus: 7
  • Europe PMC: 3

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-07:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 12.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 12 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 1.85.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 3 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Noya Clavé, Agustí) and Last Author (Sanz Pascua, Albina).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been Sanz Pascua, Albina.