Website
View WebsiteOffice Location
1675 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706-1284
Thomas D. Crenshaw is a Professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences with an affiliation with the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences. His primary research emphasis is animal nutrition. Crenshaw received a Ph.D. (1980) and M.S. (1977) degrees at the University of Nebraska in swine nutrition and a B.S. (1974) degree in Animal Sciences at the University of Tennessee-Martin.
Swine nutrition is Crenshaw’s primary area of expertise. Throughout his research career, two primary research themes have focused on nutritional factors that enhance bone integrity and the cation-anion balance of mineral elements. These research efforts have required integration of biochemical, physiological, and cellular pathways, with inorganic chemistry, and mechanical engineering principles. Crenshaw’s research expertise has attracted strong interactions with researchers in academia and the commercial swine nutrition industry. His expertise in the use of swine as a biomedical model has allowed collaborations with researchers in mechanical engineering, orthopedic surgery, urology, human nutrition, and biochemistry. Additional major research efforts have included projects in amino acid nutrition and use of fatty acids as energy supplements to enhance neonatal pig survival.
Crenshaw has provided leadership for the U.W. Swine Research and Teaching Center throughout his career. The center supports practical agricultural research and basic swine biomedical research. This role has allowed contributions to research projects in nutrition, breeding and reproduction, gene editing, biomedical models, animal behavior, biosecurity requirements for animal health, housing and ventilation requirements, and surgical procedures.
Crenshaw has authored or co-authored 124 peer-reviewed publications, 50 conference proceedings and book chapters, and 36 extension publications.
- Vertebral Growth Modulation Through Periosteal Resection and Fixed Length Deformity Overcorrection: Computational and In Vivo Pilot Study
- The growth modulating effects of tether tension on vertebral growth are biphasic: a study of posterior vertebral body tethering (pVBT) in a novel kyphotic porcine model
- Surgical periosteal resection changes bone geometry and strength in New Zealand white rabbits
- Transgenerational Epigenetic and Phenotypic Inheritance Across Five Generations in Sheep
- Accurate measurement of a bone surrogate flexural rigidity in three- and four-point bending
- Vitamin D Maintains Growth and Bone Mineral Density against a Background of Severe Vitamin A Deficiency and Moderate Toxicity in a Swine Model
- Repeated High-Dose Vitamin A Supplements, Standard of Care for Treating Xerophthalmia, Leads to Hypervitaminosis A in Piglets
- Effect of mineral diets on the development of cartilage material properties
- Effects of dietary sulfur amino acid levels on growth performance and intestinal immunity in broilers vaccinated and subsequently infected with coccidiosis
- Paternal diet induces transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of DNA methylation signatures and phenotypes in sheep model
- A simple daily dynamic feeding regimen for reducing phosphorus consumption and excretion in laying hens
- Vitamin D deficiency and anatomical region alters porcine growth plate properties
- Dietary supplementation of sulfur amino acids improves intestinal immunity to <em>Eimeria</em> in broilers treated with anti-interleukin-10 antibody
- Histological and radiographic evaluation of three common tendon transfer techniques in an un-ossified bone porcine model: implications for early anterior tibialis tendon transfers in children with clubfeet
- Evaluation of calcium to phosphorus ratio in spot urine samples as a practical method to monitor phosphorus intake adequacy in sows
Endochondral Ossification: The long-range objective is to enhance the productive longevity of swine by reducing the incidence of lameness. Lameness problems cannot be solved simply by adding more Ca and P to the diet.
Current projects involve the study of dietary fatty acid ratios (n-3:n-6 fatty acids) on bone integrity and remodeling. The ratio of dietary fatty acids may alter the precursor pools of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids which serve as precursors for prostaglandin synthesis. In connective tissue, prostaglandins serve as important signals regulating the balance between resorption and formation in bone and cartilage. In order to assess the effects of dietary fatty acids on the synthesis and release of Prostaglandins, bone cells will be harvested from animals preconditioned to diets with different fatty acid ratios. Mechanical strains on bone, which induce prostaglandin release, will be used in vivo to confirm responses observed in the in vitro experiments.
Cation-Anion Balance: Diets typically consumed by monogastric animals result in a net acid load that is compensated by renal ammoniagenesis and phosphate excretion (see figure). The ultimate source (bone stores vs. diet) of the phosphate excreted in response to the acidogenic diet is not well established. Depletion of bone phosphate would compromise bone integrity. We are using histomorphometric techniques as well as standard mineral balance techniques to evaluate the effects of acidogenic diets on bone in adult swine.
Renal compensated acidosis results from the consumption of acidogenic diets. The balance of dietary cations and anions presented to the kidneys is influenced by the rates of soft tissue and bone accretion as well as fecal ion excretion. Major compensation occurs by an increase in renal ammonium and monobasic phosphate excretion.
Lysine Utilization: Lysine, the first limiting amino acid in swine diets, is a major economic determinant in production costs. The maximum efficiency of lysine utilization for lean gain occurs at 50 to 60% of the lysine level required for maximum growth. Logistic curve fitting techniques are being used to develop response curves for alternate lysine sources. From predicted based upon a defined set of feed ingredient costs.
1994 Honorary Saddle & Sirloin Award, UW-Madison Saddle and Sirloin Club – award to recognize support for the Department of Animal Sciences undergraduate student club.
2000 UW-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Outstanding Advisor Award – this award recognizes demonstration of a deep concern for the welfare of CALS students with investment of exceptional time and effort in providing them with academic or personal guidance.
2007 Distinguished Service Award, Wisconsin Pork Association – recognition for service to the Wisconsin swine producers.
2012 Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association 40 in 40 Impact Award – honored 40 individuals on the 40th anniversary of WALSAA who have made a difference in farms, classrooms, laboratories, and/or businesses in Wisconsin.
J.S. Donald Short Course Teaching Award, UW-Madison CALS- awarded to an individual who has demonstrated passion and success in teaching and advising students in the short course format.
2016 Arthur J. Maurer Extra Mile award, UW-Madison CALS – this award recognizes an individual who has shown unusual concern for students and has provided service far beyond the call of duty.
2016 ASAS Gary L. Cromwell Award for Research in Mineral Nutrition – award by the American Society of Animal Science to recognize excellence in research dealing with mineral nutrition of livestock.