Walter Butler

My professional objective is to support the missions of the Department of Animal Science and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences by providing high quality research and teaching performance. My overall goal in research is to enhance reproductive performance in dairy cattle and other domestic animals. Nutrition and reproduction are interrelated and a smooth transition from late pregnancy to early lactation is key to optimizing fertility during breeding. I seek to describe the physiological mechanisms involved in their interaction. For example, the degree of body condition loss associated with negative energy balance delays first ovulation and negatively impacts fertility later during breeding. Feeding high protein diets to dairy cows stimulates and supports high milk production. Metabolism of high dietary protein during lactation is associated with higher urea in blood or milk (BUN, PUN, MUN) and lower conception rate, through effects on the uterine environment that negatively impact embryo viability. By understanding the cellular mechanisms most affected by energy and protein metabolism, I anticipate that dietary strategies and hormonal therapies can be developed to facilitate both high milk production and improved reproductive performance. In teaching, my goal is to provide stimulating and challenging instruction in animal physiology and mammalian reproduction. Understanding the importance of endocrine and biochemical mechanisms during the life cycle of mammals provides students with information and perspective to understand and contribute to animal well-being and performance.