Dr. Beitz's research activities include the etiology and prevention of ketosis in dairy cows, role of animal-derived foods and other dietary ingredients and a cholesterol reductase-containing microbe on cholesterol homeostasis in animals and humans, and nutritional and genetic control of milk and meat animal composition. Dr. Beitz's research program is related to the biochemistry and physiology of nutrition and is conducted partly as a joint effort with other animal nutritionists.

Study of the etiology and prevention of fatty liver and ketosis is a major emphasis of D.C. Beitz's research program. The technology to use glucagon to treat and prevent fatty liver and ketosis in peripartal dairy cattle is being developed.

A second major project is the use of dietary vitamin D and its metabolites as a method to improve the tenderness of meats. Moreover, the cellular mechanisms by which such effects occur are being studied.

A third major project is designed to evaluate the role of specific regulators of fat deposition in beef cattle and of milk fat synthesis by dairy cattle. Nutritional and genetic impacts on milk and meat composition with emphasis on fatty acids and the subsequent eating qualities of dairy and meat products are being evaluated.

A fourth major project is the technology to use cholesterol reductase and reductase-containing microbes to prepare low cholesterol foods and to decrease blood cholesterol is being developed. Role of bile acids and lecithins on absorption of lipids is being studied.

A fifth ongoing project is an evaluation of ghrelin and other gastrointestinal hormones on growth of cattle and human obesity.

Dr. Beitz currently has collaborative projects with scientists at the National Animal Disease Center on nutritional immunology and etiology and prevention of Johne's disease.

Wertz, A.E., T.J. Knight, A. Trenkle, R. Sonon, R.L. Horst, E.J. Huff-Lonergan, and D.C. Beitz, 2004. Feeding 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to improve beef tenderness. J. Anim. Sci. 82:1410-1418.

Bob, G., J.W. Young, and D.C. Beitz. 2004. Invited review: Pathology, itiology, prevention, and treatment of fatty liver in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 87:3105-3124.

Foote, M.R., R.L. Horst, E.J. Huff-Lonergan, A.H. Trenkle, F.C. Parrish, Jr., and D.C. Beitz. 2004. The use of vitamin D3 and its metabolites to improve beef tenderness. J. Anim. Sci. 82:242-249.

A complete list of Dr. Beitz's publications and professional accomplishments may be found in his CV, available in full as an Acrobat pdf document, via the link below. CV of Donald C. Beitz