In a study by New Mexico and Missouri researchers, Brangus heifers sired by bulls with differing EPDs for growth and scrotal circumference were evaluated for growth, feed intake, serum concentration of leptin, and puberty from 12.5 to 15.5 mos. of age. EPDs of sires were of three different kinds: 1) High Growth-Moderate Scrotal Circumference (HG-MSC); 2) Moderate Growth-Large Scrotal Circumference (MG-LSC); and 3) Balanced EPD values. Heifers were individually fed a diet of 79.4% TDN and 11.6% CP. There were no significant differences among sire groups in weaning wt., yearling wt. or ADG. However, feed intake was significantly greater (P<.01) for the HG-MSC and MG-LSC groups than the Balanced group. Serum leptin concentrations were similar among sire groups. Age at puberty was significantly earlier (P<.02) for the Balanced group relative to the other two groups (13.7 vs. 15.1 and 15.5 mos.). Pregnancy percentage was higher for the Balanced heifers (87% vs. 71.4% and 75.0%) but was not statistically significant, presumably due to the low numbers of heifers in the study. These results suggest that Brangus heifers from a sire with Balanced EPDs achieve reproductive competency earlier than those from sires with HG-MSC or MG-LSC EPDs. The authors indicated this relationship may be related to differences in mechanisms that influence feed intake, but appears to be independent of serum leptin concentrations among sire groups (Shirley et al. 2003. J. Anim. Sci. 81 [Suppl. 1]: 236).