Mark J. Estienne

Course Taught

Fall Semester:

• PPWS 6004: Advanced Topics in Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science - Preparing Manuscripts for Peer-Reviewed Scientific Journals

Spring Semester:

• ​APSC 4444: Swine Production

The principle objective of my work at the Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center (TAREC) is to provide the Commonwealth with a high quality research program in reproductive physiology that is directed at solving problems in the Virginia and U.S. swine industries. I adhere to the philosophy that a mix of applied and basic research is the most effective approach toward solving swine industry problems. Applied research addresses acute challenges in the industry while a basic component in agricultural research is necessary for long-term advances and because scientists cannot effectively control what they do not completely understand. Specific research interests include enhancing semen quality and libido in boars used for artificial insemination, hormonal control of the gilt estrous cycle, and the impact of nutrition and management on sow reproductive performance.

I have the responsibility to develop and implement extension education programs for swine producers in the area of breeding herd management. My partial extension appointment allows me to keep abreast of the swine industry. Moreover, I can deliver, first hand, results of my research not only to the scientific community but to the end users as well. Finally, I provide leadership and management oversight of the TAREC swine research facilities. This includes supervision of two classified technicians in the operation of the Research Boar Stud (40-boar capacity) and the farrow-to-finish herd and facilities (96-sow capacity).

Refereed Publications (from 2014 – present)

* Indicates student advisee

Wang, D., M.D. Lindemann, and M.J. Estienne.  2020. Effect of folic acid supplementation and dietary protein level on growth performance, serum chemistry and immune response in weanling piglets fed differing concentrations of aflatoxin.  Toxins 12:651 (https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins12100651)

Estienne, M.J., S.G. Clark-Deener, and K.A. Williams. 2020. Growth performance and hematology characteristics in pigs treated with iron at weaning as influenced by nursery diets supplemented with copper. Journal of Swine Health and Production, 28: 190-203.

Tsai, T., G.A. Apgar, M.J. Estienne, M. Wilson, and C.V. Maxwell.  2020.  A cooperative study assessing reproductive performance in sows fed diets supplemented with organic or inorganic sources of trace minerals.  Translational Animal Science, 4:59-66.

Callahan, S.R.*, A.J. Cross, A.E. DeDecker, M.D. Lindemann, and M.J. Estienne.  2020.  Effects of group-size-floor space allowance during the nursery phase of production on future litter size and retention of sows through three parities.  Translational Animal Science, 4:299-306.

Estienne, M.J., S.G. Clark-Deener, and K.A. Williams.  2019.  Growth performance and hematology characteristics in pigs treated with iron at birth and weaning and fed a nursery diet supplemented with a pharmacological level of zinc oxide.  Journal of Swine Health and Production, 27:64-75.

Petrone, R.C.*, K.A. Williams, and M.J. Estienne.  2019.  Effects of dietary menhaden oil on growth and reproduction in gilts farrowed by sows that consumed diets containing menhaden oil during gestation and lactation.  Animal: An International Journal of Bioscience, 13:1944-1951.

Carter, S.D., M.D. Lindemann, L.I. Chiba, M.J. Estienne, and G.J.M.M. Lima.  2018.  Effects of inclusion of spray-dried porcine plasma in lactation diets on sow and litter performance.  Livestock Science, 216:32-35

Callahan, S.R.*, A.J. Cross, A.E. DeDecker, M.D. Lindemann, and M.J. Estienne.  2017.  Effects of group-size-floor space allowance during the nursery phase of production on growth, physiology, and hematology in replacement gilts.  Journal of Animal Science, 95:201–211.

Lugar, D.W.*, M. L. Rhoads, S. G. Clark-Deener, S. R. Callahan, A. K. Revercomb*, K. J. Prusa and M. J. Estienne.  2017. Immunological castration temporarily reduces testis size and function without long-term effects on libido and sperm quality in boars.  Animal: An International Journal of Bioscience, 11:643-649.

Estienne, M.J., and B.D. Whitaker. 2017.  In vitro fertility of cryopreserved spermatozoa from boars fed diets supplemented with selenium.  Journal of Swine Health and Production 25:194-197.

Adeola, O., M.J. Azain, S.D. Carter, T.D. Crenshaw, M.J. Estienne, B.J. Kerr, M.D. Lindemann, C.V. Maxwell, P.S. Miller, M.C. Shannon, and E. van Heugten. 2015. A cooperative study on the standardized total-tract digestible phosphorous requirement of twenty-kilogram pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 93:5743-5753.

Estienne, M.J., and R.J. Crawford.  2015.  Characteristics of estrous cycles in gilts treated with gonadotropins after estrus or treatment with a progestogen.  Theriogenology 83:459-465.

Lu, T., A.F. Harper, J. Zhao, M.J. Estienne, and R.A. Dalloul. 2014. Supplementing antioxidants to pigs fed diets high in oxidants: I. Effects on growth performance, liver function, and oxidative status. Journal of Animal Science, 92:5455-5463.

Lu, T., A.F. Harper, J.J. Dibner, J.M. Scheffler, B.A. Corl, M.J. Estienne, J. Zhao, and R.A. Dalloul. 2014. Supplementing antioxidants to pigs fed diets high in oxidants: II. Effects on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and fatty acid profile. Journal of Animal Science, 92:5464-5475.

Wittish, L.M.*, A.P. McElroy, A.F. Harper, and M.J. Estienne.  2014.  Performance and physiology of pigs administered spray-dried plasma protein during the late suckling period and transported after weaning.  Journal of Animal Science, 92:4390-4399.