Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Washington State University:  2003
Master of Science, University of Florida: 1992
Bachelor of Science, Purdue University: 1990

Research Focus:
The nutritional requirements of the developing fetus are poorly understood.  It is commonly held that if the nutritional requirements of the gestating female are met, this is sufficient to meet the needs of the developing fetus and the neonate.  Our focus is to better define the nutritional requirements of the fetus to reduce embryonic mortality, ensure proper fetal development and viable offspring.  These efforts will benefit producers by improving reproductive efficiency and providing offspring that grow properly.  These efforts also have direct application in human nutrition as pigs are an appropriate model to study human nutrition.

Our research focuses on the effects of nutritional factors on animal reproduction.  We are specifically focused on the role that trace elements (particularly selenium, but also zinc, copper and manganese) play in fetal development.  Some of our previous work has shown that selenium content of fetuses is responsive to maternal selenium intake.  Most importantly, glutathione peroxidase activity was increased, hydrogen peroxide was decreased and lipid peroxidation was decreased in fetuses of dams who received adequate selenium nutrition.  This shows that the developing fetus is susceptible to oxidative stress and that proper selenium nutrition of the dam can offset this stress.

A better understanding of how nutrition affects reproduction will lead to improved efficiency of production but can also serve as a model to better understand those factors which affect human health.

Selected Publications:
Hostetler, C.E., Michael, J.J., Robison, M.R., Ott, T.L. & Kincaid, R.L. (2006) Effect of Se intake and fetal age on mRNA levels of two selenoproteins in porcine fetal and maternal liver.  J. Anim. Sci. 84(9):2382-2390.

Hostetler, C.E. & Kincaid, R.L. (2004) Maternal selenium deficiency increases hydrogen peroxide and total lipid peroxides in porcine fetal liver.  Biolog. Trace Ele. Res. 97:43-56.

Hostetler, C.E. & Kincaid, R.L. (2004) Gestational changes in concentrations of selenium and zinc in the porcine fetus and the effects of maternal intake of selenium.  Biolog. Trace Ele. Res. 97:57-70.

Hostetler, C.E., Kincaid, R.L. & Mirando, M.A. (2003)  The role of essential trace elements in embryonic and fetal development in livestock.  Vet. J. 166:125-139. 

Teaching Interests:
Providing a rich and diversified educational experience is important in the development of the next generation of leaders in animal agriculture.  It is our focus to combine factual information with experiential learning and in this way equip students with skills necessary to make them successful in the animal agriculture workforce.

We are particularly interested in developing a swine production emphasis within the animal science major.  Students enrolled in this educational tract will take course work in finance, human resource management and contractual agreements in addition to their courses in swine production, genetics, reproduction, nutrition and animal diseases to enhance their knowledge base.   They will also be offered employment at the University’s research and teaching swine farm or with one of the area producers both during the academic year and through summer internships.  Finally, we are developing a student club in which the students will be given responsibility of a group of sows at the University’s farm.  They will be solely responsible for all aspects of production from farrowing to the finisher phase.  Being responsible for all management decisions is key to developing problem solving skills that will be of great value in the workforce.  To accomplish these goals it is our desire to partner with not only companies directly involved in pork production, but also with industries allied to pork production.  This will give our students a broad base of experience and an appreciation of the diverse employment opportunities available in animal agriculture.

Classes Taught:
AS 478 – Advanced Swine Production
AS 323 – Advanced Animal Nutrition
AS 736 – Monogastric Nutrition