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Chavatte-Palmer P, Couturier-Tarrade A, Rousseau-Ralliard D. Intra-uterine programming of future fertility. Reprod Domest Anim 2024; 59:e14475. [PMID: 37942852 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
The developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) shows that a relationship exists between parental environment at large, foeto-placental development and the risk for the offspring to develop non-transmittable disease(s) in adulthood. This concept has been validated in both humans and livestock. In mammals, after fertilization and time spent free in the maternal reproductive tract, the embryo develops a placenta that, in close relationship with maternal endometrium, is the organ responsible for exchanges between dam and foetus. Any modification of the maternal environment can lead to adaptive mechanisms affecting placental morphology, blood flow, foetal-maternal exchanges (transporters) and/or endocrine function, ultimately modifying placental efficiency. Among deleterious environments, undernutrition, protein restriction, overnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and food contaminants can be outlined. When placental adaptive capacities become insufficient, foetal growth and organ formation is no longer optimal, including foetal gonadal formation and maturation, which can affect subsequent offspring fertility. Since epigenetic mechanisms have been shown to be key to foetal programming, epigenetic modifications of the gametes may also occur, leading to inter-generational effects. After briefly describing normal gonadal development in domestic species and inter-species differences, this review highlights the current knowledge on intra-uterine programming of offspring fertility with a focus on domestic animals and underlines the importance to assess transgenerational effects on offspring fertility at a time when new breeding systems are developed to face the current climate changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascale Chavatte-Palmer
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Anne Couturier-Tarrade
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Delphine Rousseau-Ralliard
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, Maisons-Alfort, France
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Mobedi E, Harati HRD, Allahyari I, Gharagozlou F, Vojgani M, Baghbanani RH, Akbarinejad A, Akbarinejad V. Developmental programming of production and reproduction in dairy cows: IV. Association of maternal milk fat and protein percentage and milk fat to protein ratio with offspring's birth weight, survival, productive and reproductive performance and AMH concentration from birth to the first lactation period. Theriogenology 2024; 220:12-25. [PMID: 38457855 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Although the association of maternal milk production with developmental programming of offspring has been investigated, there is limited information available on the relationship of maternal milk components with productive and reproductive performance of the offspring. Therefore, the present study was conducted to analyze the association of maternal milk fat and protein percentage and milk fat to protein ratio with birth weight, survival, productive and reproductive performance and AMH concentration in the offspring. In study I, data of birth weight, milk yield and reproductive variables of offspring born to lactating dams (n = 14,582) and data associated with average maternal milk fat percentage (MFP), protein percentage (MPP) and fat to protein ratio (MFPR) during 305-day lactation were retrieved. Afterwards, offspring were classified in various categories of MFP, MPP and MFPR. In study II, blood samples (n = 339) were collected from offspring in various categories of MFP, MPP and MFPR for measurement of serum AMH. Maternal milk fat percentage was positively associated with birth weight and average percentage of milk fat (APMF) and protein (APMP) and milk fat to protein ratio (FPR) during the first lactation, but negatively associated with culling rate during nulliparity in the offspring (P < 0.05). Maternal milk protein percentage was positively associated with birth weight, APMF, APMP, FPR and culling rate, but negatively associated with milk yield and fertility in the offspring (P < 0.05). Maternal FPR was positively associated with APMF and FPR, but negatively associated with culling rate, APMP and fertility in the offspring (P < 0.05). However, concentration of AMH in the offspring was not associated with MFP, MPP and MFPR (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the present study revealed that maternal milk fat and protein percentage and their ratio were associated with birth weight, survival, production and reproduction of the offspring. Yet it was a preliminary research and further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emadeddin Mobedi
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Iman Allahyari
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faramarz Gharagozlou
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Vojgani
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Hemmati Baghbanani
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Vahid Akbarinejad
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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Machado AF, Facioni Guimarães SE, Lollobrigida de S Netto D, Guimarães JD, Alves Torres CA, Sanglard LP, Gomez-Leon VE. Phenotypic and genetic relationships among anogenital distance, anti-Müllerian hormone, and in vitro embryo production in Gyr dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:2512-2523. [PMID: 37863293 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration and number of recovered oocytes (ROOC) are phenotypic parameters associated with in vitro embryo production (IVEP). More recently, anogenital distance (AGD) has been proposed as a proxy for fertility in dairy cattle that is easy to collect at a low cost. The aim of this study was to characterize the AGD and its phenotypic and genetic associations with AMH and IVEP in Bos indicus Gyr dairy cattle. The hypothesis was that the number of ROOC, in vitro-produced embryos, and AMH concentration would increase as the AGD decreases. From July to December 2021, a single morphometrical measurement of AGD was collected in 552 donors from 6 herds in Brazil. A subset of donors had AMH assayed on the same day. Only ovum pick-up events that occurred up to 12 mo preceding and 7 mo succeeding the AGD measurement were used to assess the association between AGD, AMH, and IVEP. Thus, 472 donors (1,551 ovum pick-up events and 140 donors with AMH) were considered in the analysis. A raw average was calculated for each individual donor's ROOC, viable oocytes, total produced embryos, viability rate, and embryo rate (defined as total produced embryos/viable oocytes). Comparisons were conducted within the age categories of 3 to <6 yr or 6 to <10 yr. Phenotypic associations were performed in SAS software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Genetic correlations were estimated using the BLUPF90 family of programs. The AGD (128.7 mm ± 14; mean ± standard deviation) had a normal distribution and was highly variable (83 to 172 mm) among the Gyr population. Our experimental hypothesis was partially supported by a phenotypic association of a greater number of total produced embryos (R2 = 0.023) as AGD decreased. Our results failed to support an increase in AMH concentration along with a decrease in AGD. In addition, positive and low genetic correlations were observed between AGD and viable oocytes (r = 0.08), and embryo rate (r = 0.20). A greater number of viable oocytes and embryos were observed in donors in the high compared with intermediate and low ROOC categories within both age categories. The age interval of 3 to <6 yr showed a greater number of recovered and viable oocytes for the high AMH compared with the low category, but no differences were observed among the AGD categories. In summary, for the Gyr breed, AGD was phenotypically inversely associated with a quantity-related parameter, such as the total number of produced embryos. In contrast, AGD showed a low genetic correlation with qualitative-related outcomes such as viable oocytes and embryo rate. Further studies should be performed to validate these retrospective analyses and to better understand the association between AGD and IVEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréia Ferreira Machado
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506; Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil 36570
| | | | | | - José Domingos Guimarães
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil 36570
| | - Ciro A Alves Torres
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil 36570
| | - Leticia P Sanglard
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Victor E Gomez-Leon
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506.
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Akbarinejad V, Cushman RA. Developmental programming of reproduction in the female animal. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 263:107456. [PMID: 38503204 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Successful reproduction is a cornerstone in food animal industry in order to sustain food production for human. Therefore, various methods focusing on genetics and postnatal environment have been identified and applied to improve fertility in livestock. Yet there is evidence indicating that environmental factors during prenatal and/or neonatal life can also impact the function of reproductive system and fertility in the animals during adulthood, which is called the developmental programming of reproduction. The current review summarizes data associated with the developmental origins of reproduction in the female animals. In this regard, this review focuses on the effect of plane of nutrition, maternal body condition, hypoxia, litter size, maternal age, parity, level of milk production and milk components, lactocrine signaling, stress, thermal stress, exposure to androgens, endocrine disrupting chemicals, mycotoxins and pollutants, affliction with infection and inflammation, and maternal gut microbiota during prenatal and neonatal periods on the neuroendocrine system, puberty, health of reproductive organs and fertility in the female offspring. It is noteworthy that these prenatal and neonatal factors do not always exert their effects on the reproductive performance of the female by compromising the development of organs directly related to reproductive function such as hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, oviduct and uterus. Since they can impair the development of non-reproductive organs and systems modulating reproductive function as well (e.g., metabolic system and level of milk yield in dairy animals). Furthermore, when these factors affect the epigenetics of the offspring, their adverse effects will not be limited to one generation and can transfer transgenerationally. Hence, pinpointing the factors influencing developmental programming of reproduction and considering them in management of livestock operations could be a potential strategy to help improve fertility in food animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Akbarinejad
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Robert A Cushman
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, US. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933-0166, United States
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Hurlbert JL, Menezes ACB, Baumgaertner F, Bochantin-Winders KA, Jurgens IM, Kirsch JD, Amat S, Sedivec KK, Swanson KC, Dahlen CR. Vitamin and mineral supplementation to beef heifers during gestation: impacts on morphometric measurements of the neonatal calf, vitamin and trace mineral status, blood metabolite and endocrine profiles, and calf organ characteristics at 30 h after birth. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae116. [PMID: 38666437 PMCID: PMC11121445 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
To examine the effects of feeding a vitamin and mineral supplement to beef heifers throughout gestation on mineral status and hormone/endocrine profiles in the dam and calf, and morphometric characteristics and organ mass of the calf at 30 h after birth, Angus-based heifers (n = 72, 14 to 15 mo of age, initial body weight [BW] = 380.4 ± 50.56 kg) were estrus synchronized and artificially inseminated (AI) with female-sexed semen. Heifers were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to receive either a basal diet (CON; n = 36) or a basal diet plus a vitamin and mineral supplement (VTM; n = 36) via an individual feeding system beginning at breeding, with both diets targeting BW gains of 0.45 kg heifer-1·d-1. Heifers not pregnant after the first AI (CON, n = 19; VTM, n = 18) were rebred via AI 60 d after treatment initiation, and heifers gestating female fetuses (CON, n = 7; VTM, n = 7) received treatments throughout gestation and were experimental units for this study. Calves were separated from their dams and fed colostrum replacer within 2 h of birth and euthanized 30 h after the first feeding. Calf morphometrics were recorded, and tissues were weighed and sampled. Serum from the dam at calving and serum, liver, and muscle from the calf at 30 h were analyzed for concentrations of minerals. Serum from the dam and calf were analyzed for concentrations of leptin, vitamins A, D, and E, cortisol, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor 1. All response variables were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Calf body morphometrics and BW of the dam at calving (P ≥ 0.32), calf organ weights (P ≥ 0.21), and calf ovarian follicle counts (P ≥ 0.13) were not affected by maternal treatment. Concentrations of Se and Co in calf serum and Se in calf liver were increased (P ≤ 0.02) in VTM. Serum concentrations of Co and vitamin A in the dam were greater (P ≤ 0.01) in supplemented compared with nonsupplemented dams, and serum concentrations of vitamin D were greater (P ≤ 0.0003) in supplemented dams and calves compared with the nonsupplemented cohort. Maternal supplementation supported vitamin and mineral status in the neonate, yet had no discernable impact on BW, organ mass, or circulating hormones/metabolites in the calf. Evaluating offspring at later postnatal time points is warranted to determine if prenatal vitamin and mineral supplementation affects performance, health, metabolism, and efficiency of energy utilization in key metabolic tissues in the calf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Hurlbert
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA
| | - Ana Clara B Menezes
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA
| | - Friederike Baumgaertner
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA
- Central Grasslands Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Streeter, ND, 58483, USA
| | - Kerri A Bochantin-Winders
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA
| | - Isabella M Jurgens
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA
| | - James D Kirsch
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA
| | - Samat Amat
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA
| | - Kevin K Sedivec
- Central Grasslands Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Streeter, ND, 58483, USA
| | - Kendall C Swanson
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA
| | - Carl R Dahlen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA
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Santana ML, Bignardi AB, Pereira RJ, Oliveira Junior GA, Freitas AP, Carvalheiro R, Eler JP, Ferraz JBS, Cyrillo JNSG, Mercadante MEZ. Genotype by Prenatal Environment Interaction for Postnatal Growth of Nelore Beef Cattle Raised under Tropical Grazing Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2321. [PMID: 37508098 PMCID: PMC10376603 DOI: 10.3390/ani13142321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The prenatal environment is recognized as crucial for the postnatal performance in cattle. In tropical regions, pregnant beef cows commonly experience nutritional restriction during the second half of the gestation period. Thus, the present study was designed to analyze the genotype by prenatal environment interaction (G × Epn) and to identify genomic regions associated with the level and response in growth and reproduction-related traits of beef cattle to changes in the prenatal environment. A reaction norm model was applied to data from two Nelore herds using the solutions of contemporary groups for birth weight as a descriptor variable of the gestational environment quality. A better gestational environment favored weights until weaning, scrotal circumference at yearling, and days to first calving of the offspring. The G × Epn was strong enough to result in heterogeneity of variance components and genetic parameters in addition to reranking of estimated breeding values and SNPs effects. Several genomic regions associated with the level of performance and specific responses of the animals to variations in the gestational environment were revealed, which harbor QTLs and can be exploited for selection purposes. Therefore, genetic evaluation models considering G × Epn and special management and nutrition care for pregnant cows are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mário L Santana
- Grupo de Melhoramento Animal de Mato Grosso (GMAT), Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnológicas, Universidade Federal de Rondonópolis (UFR), Rondonópolis 78735-901, Brazil
| | - Annaiza B Bignardi
- Grupo de Melhoramento Animal de Mato Grosso (GMAT), Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnológicas, Universidade Federal de Rondonópolis (UFR), Rondonópolis 78735-901, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo J Pereira
- Grupo de Melhoramento Animal de Mato Grosso (GMAT), Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnológicas, Universidade Federal de Rondonópolis (UFR), Rondonópolis 78735-901, Brazil
| | - Gerson A Oliveira Junior
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Anielly P Freitas
- Centro de Pesquisa em Bovinos de Corte, Instituto de Zootecnia (IZ), Sertãozinho 14160-900, Brazil
| | - Roberto Carvalheiro
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Joanir P Eler
- Grupo de Melhoramento Animal e Biotecnologia (GMAB), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, FZEA, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-900, Brazil
| | - José B S Ferraz
- Grupo de Melhoramento Animal e Biotecnologia (GMAB), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, FZEA, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-900, Brazil
| | - Joslaine N S G Cyrillo
- Centro de Pesquisa em Bovinos de Corte, Instituto de Zootecnia (IZ), Sertãozinho 14160-900, Brazil
| | - Maria E Z Mercadante
- Centro de Pesquisa em Bovinos de Corte, Instituto de Zootecnia (IZ), Sertãozinho 14160-900, Brazil
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Sethi M, Shah N, Mohanty TK, Bhakat M, Baithalu RK. New dimensions on maternal and prepubertal nutritional disruption on bull fertility: A review. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 247:107151. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Wathes DC. Developmental Programming of Fertility in Cattle-Is It a Cause for Concern? Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:2654. [PMID: 36230395 PMCID: PMC9558991 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cattle fertility remains sub-optimal despite recent improvements in genetic selection. The extent to which an individual heifer fulfils her genetic potential can be influenced by fetal programming during pregnancy. This paper reviews the evidence that a dam's age, milk yield, health, nutrition and environment during pregnancy may programme permanent structural and physiological modifications in the fetus. These can alter the morphology and body composition of the calf, postnatal growth rates, organ structure, metabolic function, endocrine function and immunity. Potentially important organs which can be affected include the ovaries, liver, pancreas, lungs, spleen and thymus. Insulin/glucose homeostasis, the somatotropic axis and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis can all be permanently reprogrammed by the pre-natal environment. These changes may act directly at the level of the ovary to influence fertility, but most actions are indirect. For example, calf health, the timing of puberty, the age and body structure at first calving, and the ability to balance milk production with metabolic health and fertility after calving can all have an impact on reproductive potential. Definitive experiments to quantify the extent to which any of these effects do alter fertility are particularly challenging in cattle, as individual animals and their management are both very variable and lifetime fertility takes many years to assess. Nevertheless, the evidence is compelling that the fertility of some animals is compromised by events happening before they are born. Calf phenotype at birth and their conception data as a nulliparous heifer should therefore both be assessed to avoid such animals being used as herd replacements.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Claire Wathes
- Department for Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK
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Maia TS, Guimarães HR, Garza V, Pohler KG, Cardoso RC, Williams GL. Early juvenile but not mid to late prenatal nutrition controls puberty in heifers but neither impact adult reproductive function. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:1035-1045. [PMID: 35703941 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives were to test the hypothesis that pre and postnatal nutrition in the bovine female, independently or interactively, affect age at puberty and functional characteristics of the estrous cycle of sexually mature offspring. Brangus and Braford (n = 97) beef cows bearing a female fetus were fed to achieve body condition scores of 7.5-8 (H, obese), 5.5-6 (M, moderate) or 3-3.5 (L, thin) by the start of the third trimester and maintained until parturition. Heifer offspring were weaned and fed to gain weight at either a high (H; 1 kg/d) or low (L; 0.5 kg/d) rate between 4 and 8 months of age, then fed the same diet during a common feeding period until puberty which resulted in compensatory growth of heifers in the L group. Heifers (n = 95) from the H postnatal diet reached puberty two months earlier (12 ± 0.4 months; P = 0.0002) than those from the L postnatal diet (14 ± 0.4 months). Estrous cycles of a subgroup of postpubertal heifers (n = 53) were synchronized to evaluate antral follicle count (AFC), rate of growth and size of the pre-ovulatory follicle, size of corpus luteum and ovary, endometrial thickness, and plasma concentrations of progesterone and estradiol-17β (E2). Although there was a trend for postnatal H heifers to have greater AFC and plasma concentrations of E2 compared to L heifers, neither pre nor postnatal nutrition affected any other physiological or hormonal variables, including short-term fertility. Postnatal nutritional effects on pubertal age remained the dominant observed feature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiane S Maia
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Beeville, Texas 78108, USA.,Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Higor R Guimarães
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Beeville, Texas 78108, USA
| | - Viviana Garza
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Beeville, Texas 78108, USA.,Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Ky G Pohler
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Rodolfo C Cardoso
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Gary L Williams
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Beeville, Texas 78108, USA.,Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
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Vautier AN, Cadaret CN. Long-Term Consequences of Adaptive Fetal Programming in Ruminant Livestock. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.778440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental perturbations during gestation can alter fetal development and postnatal animal performance. In humans, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) resulting from adaptive fetal programming is known as a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality and predisposes offspring to metabolic disease, however, the prevalence and impact in livestock is not characterized as well. Multiple animal models have been developed as a proxy to determine mechanistic changes that underlie the postnatal phenotype resulting from these programming events in humans but have not been utilized as robustly in livestock. While the overall consequences are similar between models, the severity of the conditions appear to be dependent on type, timing, and duration of insult, indicating that some environmental insults are of more relevance to livestock production than others. Thus far, maternofetal stress during gestation has been shown to cause increased death loss, low birth weight, inefficient growth, and aberrant metabolism. A breadth of this data comes from the fetal ruminant collected near term or shortly thereafter, with fewer studies following these animals past weaning. Consequently, even less is known about how adaptive fetal programming impacts subsequent progeny. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the postnatal phenotype of livestock resulting from different models of fetal programming, with a focus on growth, metabolism, and reproductive efficiency. We further describe what is currently known about generational impacts of fetal programming in production systems, along with gaps and future directions to consider.
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Supplementing Trace Minerals to Beef Cows during Gestation to Enhance Productive and Health Responses of the Offspring. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041159. [PMID: 33919507 PMCID: PMC8072782 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary During gestation, the fetus relies on the dam for the supply of all nutrients, including trace minerals, which are essential for developmental processes including organogenesis, vascularization, and differentiation. Alterations in maternal nutritional status may promote adaptations that permanently alter the trajectory of growth, physiology, and metabolism of the offspring. Supplementing trace minerals to gestating cows may be a strategy to enhance progeny performance and health. The purpose of this review is to highlight current information relevant to trace mineral supplementation during gestation, with an emphasis on Zn, Cu, Co, and Mn, and their impacts on offspring productive responses. Identifying nutritional strategies targeted at this period of development and understanding the implications of such provides an opportunity to enhance the productive efficiency of beef cattle systems. Abstract Nutritional management during gestation is critical to optimize the efficiency and profitability of beef production systems. Given the essentiality of trace minerals to fetal developmental processes, their supplementation represents one approach to optimize offspring productivity. Our research group investigated the impacts of supplementing gestating beef cows with organic-complexed (AAC) or inorganic sources (INR) of Co, Cu, Mn, or Zn on productive and health responses of the progeny. Calves born to AAC supplemented cows had reduced incidence of bovine respiratory disease and were >20 kg heavier from weaning until slaughter compared to unsupplemented cohorts. Complementing these findings, heifer progeny born to AAC supplemented cows had accelerated puberty attainment. Collectively, research demonstrates supplementing trace minerals to gestating beef cows may be a strategy to enhance offspring productivity in beef production systems.
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Maternal nutrient restriction in late pregnancy programs postnatal metabolism and pituitary development in beef heifers. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249924. [PMID: 33831110 PMCID: PMC8031383 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal undernutrition during pregnancy followed by ad libitum access to nutrients during postnatal life induces postnatal metabolic disruptions in multiple species. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to evaluate postnatal growth, metabolism, and development of beef heifers exposed to late gestation maternal nutrient restriction. Pregnancies were generated via transfer of in vitro embryos produced using X-bearing sperm from a single Angus sire. Pregnant dams were randomly assigned to receive either 100% (control; n = 9) or 70% (restricted; n = 9) of their total energy requirements from gestational day 158 to parturition. From post-natal day (PND) 301 until slaughter (PND485), heifers were individually fed ad libitum in a Calan gate facility. Calves from restricted dams were lighter than controls at birth (P<0.05) through PND70 (P<0.05) with no difference in body weight from PND105 through PND485 (P>0.10). To assess pancreatic function, glucose tolerance tests were performed on PND315 and PND482 and a diet effect was seen with glucose area under the curve being greater (P<0.05) in calves born to restricted dams compared to controls. At slaughter, total internal fat was greater (P<0.05) in heifers born to restricted dams, while whole pituitary weight was lighter (P<0.05). Heifers from restricted dams had fewer growth hormone-positive cells (somatotrophs) compared to controls (P<0.05). Results demonstrate an impaired ability to clear peripheral glucose in heifers born to restricted dams leading to increased deposition of internal fat. A reduction in the number of somatotrophs may contribute to the adipogenic phenotype of heifers born to restricted dams due to growth hormone’s known anabolic roles in growth, lipolysis, and pancreatic islet function.
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13
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Copping KJ, Hernandez-Medrano J, Hoare A, Hummitzsch K, McMillen IC, Morrison JL, Rodgers RJ, Perry VEA. Maternal periconceptional and first trimester protein restriction in beef heifers: effects on placental parameters and fetal and neonatal calf development. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 32:495-507. [PMID: 32029064 DOI: 10.1071/rd19017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Few studies have investigated the effects of nutrition during the periconception and early gestation periods on fetal and placental development in cattle. In this study, nulliparous yearling heifers (n=360) were individually fed a diet high or low in protein (HPeri and LPeri) beginning 60 days before conception. From 24 to 98 days after conception, half of each treatment group was changed to the alternative high- or low-protein diet (HPost and LPost) yielding four groups in a 2×2 factorial design. A subset of heifers (n=46) was necropsied at 98 days after conception and fetoplacental development assessed. Placentome number and volume decreased in response to LPeri and LPost diets respectively. Absolute lung, pancreas, septum and ventricle weights decreased in LPost versus HPost fetuses, whereas the post-conception diet altered absolute and relative liver and brain weights depending on sex. Similarly, changes in fetal hepatic gene expression of factors regulating growth, glucose output and lipid metabolism were induced by protein restriction in a sex-specific manner. At term, neonatal calf and placental measures were not different. Protein restriction of heifers during the periconception and early gestation periods alters fetoplacental development and hepatic gene expression. These changes may contribute to functional consequences for progeny, but this may not be apparent from gross morphometry at birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Copping
- The University of Adelaide, Robinson Research Institute, School of Medicine, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - J Hernandez-Medrano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Derby Road, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - A Hoare
- South East Vets, 314 Commercial Street, Mount Gambier, SA 5290, Australia
| | - K Hummitzsch
- The University of Adelaide, Robinson Research Institute, School of Medicine, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - I C McMillen
- The Chancellery, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - J L Morrison
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, SA 5001, Australia
| | - R J Rodgers
- The University of Adelaide, Robinson Research Institute, School of Medicine, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - V E A Perry
- The University of Adelaide, Robinson Research Institute, School of Medicine, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; and Corresponding author.
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14
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Yao S, Lopez-Tello J, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Developmental programming of the female reproductive system-a review. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:745-770. [PMID: 33354727 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposures to adverse conditions in utero can lead to permanent changes in the structure and function of key physiological systems in the developing fetus, increasing the risk of disease and premature aging in later postnatal life. When considering the systems that could be affected by an adverse gestational environment, the reproductive system of developing female offspring may be particularly important, as changes have the potential to alter both reproductive capacity of the first generation, as well as health of the second generation through changes in the oocyte. The aim of this review is to examine the impact of different adverse intrauterine conditions on the reproductive system of the female offspring. It focuses on the effects of exposure to maternal undernutrition, overnutrition/obesity, hypoxia, smoking, steroid excess, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and pollutants during gestation and draws on data from human and animal studies to illuminate underlying mechanisms. The available data indeed indicate that adverse gestational environments alter the reproductive physiology of female offspring with consequences for future reproductive capacity. These alterations are mediated via programmed changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and the structure and function of reproductive tissues, particularly the ovaries. Reproductive programming may be observed as a change in the timing of puberty onset and menopause/reproductive decline, altered menstrual/estrous cycles, polycystic ovaries, and elevated risk of reproductive tissue cancers. These reproductive outcomes can affect the fertility and fecundity of the female offspring; however, further work is needed to better define the possible impact of these programmed changes on subsequent generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Yao
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Downing Street, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jorge Lopez-Tello
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Downing Street, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Downing Street, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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15
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Succu S, Sale S, Ghirello G, Ireland JJ, Evans ACO, Atzori AS, Mossa F. Exposure of dairy cows to high environmental temperatures and their lactation status impairs establishment of the ovarian reserve in their offspring. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:11957-11969. [PMID: 33041040 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to establish if exposure of pregnant dairy cows to high environmental temperatures and humidity during the first trimester of pregnancy impairs the establishment of the ovarian reserve (total number of healthy follicles and oocytes in ovaries) and fertility in their offspring. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations and number of follicles ≥3 mm (antral follicle count; AFC) were assessed on a random day of the estrous cycle in 310 sixteen-month-old dairy heifers. Based on season of their conception and early fetal life, heifers were separated into 2 groups: summer (mean monthly temperature-humidity index = 69.33 ± 2.6) and winter (temperature-humidity index = 54.91 ± 1.08). The AMH and AFC were lower in summer (419.27 ± 22.81 pg/mL and 9.32 ± 0.42 follicles, respectively) compared with winter heifers (634.91 ± 47.60 pg/mL and 11.84 ± 0.46 follicles, respectively) and were not influenced by farm and age at sampling. Heifers born to dams that were not being milked during gestation had lower AMH and AFC compared with offspring of cows on their first lactation, whereas no difference was detected between offspring of cows on their first and subsequent lactations. Summer and winter heifers had similar age at first service and at first calving, and similar number of services per conception. Regardless of season in early fetal life, heifers were classified into 3 groups based on AMH and AFC (low = 20%, intermediate = 60%, high = 20%). Heifers with the lowest AMH were older at first service compared with herd mates with intermediate AMH, but age at first calving and number of services per conception were similar among AMH categories. No difference was detected in any of the fertility measures among AFC categories. Heifers born to mothers exposed to high environmental temperatures in early gestation had smaller ovarian reserves compared with herd mates conceived in winter, but no association between season of early fetal life and fertility at first conception was established. Season of conception and maternal lactation status affect the size of the ovarian reserve, but not fertility, at first conception in the progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Succu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - S Sale
- Embryosardegna, 08022 Dorgali (NU), Italy
| | - G Ghirello
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - J J Ireland
- Molecular Reproductive Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1225
| | - A C O Evans
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - A S Atzori
- Department of Agriculture, University of Sassari, viale Italia 39, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - F Mossa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
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16
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Noya A, Casasús I, Ferrer J, Sanz A. Effects of Developmental Programming Caused by Maternal Nutrient Intake on Postnatal Performance of Beef Heifers and Their Calves. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:E1072. [PMID: 31816876 PMCID: PMC6940779 DOI: 10.3390/ani9121072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the effects of maternal subnutrition in early pregnancy on the growth and reproductive performance of female offspring during their rearing, first gestation, and lactation. We inseminated 21 Parda and 15 Pirenaica multiparous cows and assigned them to a CONTROL (100% of nutrition requirements) or SUBNUT (65%) diet until day 82 of gestation. Cows were fed 100% requirements afterward. During the rearing of female offspring, growth, physiological profiles and ovarian follicular dynamic were studied. At 16 months old, heifers were inseminated. After first calving, dam-calf weights were recorded during lactation. Heifers born from CONTROL cows were heavier at weaning (four months old) than heifers born from SUBNUT cows, but this difference disappeared at the end of rearing and during the first gestation and lactation periods. All heifers reached puberty at a similar age and live weight. During rearing, SUBNUT heifers had higher concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids, urea, and cholesterol and a lower antral follicle count than CONTROL, but no difference was found in their fertility rate. After heifer first calving, dam-calf weights were similar among groups. In conclusion, maternal undernutrition reduced offspring postnatal gains at weaning, compromising metabolic status and follicle population during rearing but did not impair performance in the first gestation and lactation periods of beef heifers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Albina Sanz
- Department of Animal Production, Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria (CITA) de Aragón, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, IA2 (CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), 50059 Zaragoza, Spain; (A.N.); (I.C.); (J.F.)
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17
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Mossa F, Latham KE, Ireland JJ, Veiga-Lopez A. Undernutrition and hyperandrogenism during pregnancy: Role in programming of cardiovascular disease and infertility. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:1255-1264. [PMID: 31347224 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Maternal nutritional status programs the development of several systems in female offspring, with effects that depend on the severity, duration, and window of development when the nutritional perturbation is imposed. On the basis of the developmental origins of health and disease concept, we hypothesize that gestational low caloric intake may induce maternal subclinical hyperandrogenism during early pregnancy and compromise cardiovascular health and fertility in the female offspring. To examine this possibility, a literature search for human and animal studies was conducted using two electronic databases, PubMed and Cochrane until April 2019 to address the following questions: (a) Do androgens have a developmental role in cardiovascular and ovarian development? (b) Is excess maternal testosterone linked to cardiovascular disease and infertility? and (c) Could early pregnancy undernutrition enhance maternal androgen production and compromise health and fertility in female offspring? The observations reviewed, establish a potential causative link between maternal undernutrition and subclinical hyperandrogenism with hypertension and reduced ovarian reserve in the progeny. Further studies in appropriate models are needed to better understand whether low energy intake and subclinical maternal hyperandrogenism during early pregnancy can negatively affect the health of the female offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mossa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Keith E Latham
- Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - James J Ireland
- Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Almudena Veiga-Lopez
- Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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18
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19
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Mossa F, Bebbere D, Ledda A, Burrai GP, Chebli I, Antuofermo E, Ledda S, Cannas A, Fancello F, Atzori AS. Testicular development in male lambs prenatally exposed to a high-starch diet. Mol Reprod Dev 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mossa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine; University of Sassari; Sassari Italy
| | - Daniela Bebbere
- Department of Veterinary Medicine; University of Sassari; Sassari Italy
| | - Antonello Ledda
- Department of Agricultural Sciences; University of Sassari; Sassari Italy
| | | | - Imane Chebli
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology; University of Djillali Liabes; Sidi Bel Abbes Algeria
| | | | - Sergio Ledda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine; University of Sassari; Sassari Italy
| | - Antonello Cannas
- Department of Agricultural Sciences; University of Sassari; Sassari Italy
| | - Francesco Fancello
- Department of Agricultural Sciences; University of Sassari; Sassari Italy
| | - Alberto S. Atzori
- Department of Agricultural Sciences; University of Sassari; Sassari Italy
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20
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Copping KJ, Ruiz-Diaz MD, Rutland CS, Mongan NP, Callaghan MJ, McMillen IC, Rodgers RJ, Perry VEA. Peri-conception and first trimester diet modifies reproductive development in bulls. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 30:703-720. [DOI: 10.1071/rd17102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutritional perturbation during gestation alters male reproductive development in rodents and sheep. In cattle both the developmental trajectory of the feto–placental unit and its response to dietary perturbations is dissimilar to that of these species. This study examined the effects of dietary protein perturbation during the peri-conception and first trimester periods upon reproductive development in bulls. Nulliparous heifers (n = 360) were individually fed a high- or low-protein diet (HPeri and LPeri) from 60 days before conception. From 24 until 98 days post conception, half of each treatment group changed to the alternative post-conception high- or low-protein diet (HPost and LPost) yielding four treatment groups in a 2 × 2 factorial design. A subset of male fetuses (n = 25) was excised at 98 days post conception and fetal testis development was assessed. Reproductive development of singleton male progeny (n = 40) was assessed until slaughter at 598 days of age, when adult testicular cytology was evaluated. Low peri-conception diet delayed reproductive development: sperm quality was lowered during pubertal development with a concomitant delay in reaching puberty. These effects were subsequent to lower FSH concentrations at 330 and 438 days of age. In the fetus, the low peri-conception diet increased the proportion of seminiferous tubules and decreased blood vessel area in the testis, whereas low first trimester diet increased blood vessel number in the adult testis. We conclude that maternal dietary protein perturbation during conception and early gestation may alter male testis development and delay puberty in bulls.
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21
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Taylor EG, Lemenager RP, Fellner V, Stewart KR. Effect of dried distiller's grains plus solubles in postpartum diets of beef cows on reproductive performance of dam and heifer progeny. J Anim Sci 2017; 95:4543-4553. [PMID: 29108060 DOI: 10.2527/jas2017.1637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Forty-eight primiparous and multiparous cows were fed a silage-based total mixed ration (TMR; CON), a TMR with 2.5 kg/d DM dried distiller's grains plus solubles (DDGS; MID), or a TMR with 4.7 kg/d DM DDGS (HIGH) from 8.5 ± 4 to 116 ± 4 d postpartum (DPP). All diets were formulated to be isocaloric for a postpartum ADG targeted at 0.22 kg, whereas CP exceeded requirements in both diets containing DDGS. Blood samples were collected from dams at 7- and 21-d intervals for progesterone concentration (resumption of cyclicity) and plasma urea nitrogen, respectively. A weigh-suckle-weigh procedure was used to measure milk production, and samples were collected for milk composition and fatty acid profile. A 5-d Co-Synch + controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol was used, and cows were bred (97 ± 4 DPP) by timed AI (TAI). Ultrasonography was used for measurement of the largest antral follicle at TAI and pregnancy diagnosis. Nineteen days after TAI, cow and calf pairs were managed as a single group until weaning and exposed to natural mating for a total of a 60-d breeding season. Starting at weaning, blood samples were collected from heifer offspring at 7-d intervals for progesterone concentration used as an indicator of puberty. A 5-d Co-Synch + CIDR protocol was used, and heifers were bred by TAI. Transrectal ultrasonography was used for measurement of the largest antral follicle at TAI and antral follicle count (AFC) at CIDR device insertion as well as pregnancy diagnosis. There were no differences in dam ADG ( = 0.364); however, DMI decreased with increasing DDGS ( < 0.0001), resulting in an increased feed efficiency ( = 0.042). Milk fat and lactose tended to increase with the addition of DDGS in the diet ( ≤ 0.055), and milk urea nitrogen increased ( < 0.001). There were no differences in resumption of cyclicity ( = 1.00) or diameter of the largest antral follicle ( ≥ 0.372). Timed AI pregnancy rates were not different with the addition of DDGS in the diet ( ≥ 0.174). Heifer ADG was reduced with DDGS during late lactation ( = 0.031). Heifer AFC had a tendency to increase with increasing DDGS ( = 0.081), with no impacts on dominant follicle diameter at TAI ( = 0.161). Heifer TAI pregnancy rate also was not different among treatments ( = 0.508). Overall, feeding 4.7 kg/d DM of DDGS to dams during early lactation increases feed efficiency of the dam, with minor statistically significant effects on dam or heifer offspring reproduction.
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22
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Pinedo P, De Vries A. Season of conception is associated with future survival, fertility, and milk yield of Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:6631-6639. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-12662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Greenwood
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Beef Industry Centre, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia; and CSIRO Agriculture and Food, FD McMaster Laboratory Chiswick, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
| | - Edward Clayton
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia
| | - Alan Bell
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-4801, USA
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24
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Chavatte-Palmer P, Tarrade A, Kiefer H, Duranthon V, Jammes H. Breeding animals for quality products: not only genetics. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 28:94-111. [PMID: 27062878 DOI: 10.1071/rd15353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease on the spread of non-communicable diseases is recognised by world agencies such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Early environmental effects on offspring phenotype also apply to domestic animals and their production traits. Herein, we show that maternal nutrition not only throughout pregnancy, but also in the periconception period can affect offspring phenotype through modifications of gametes, embryos and placental function. Because epigenetic mechanisms are key processes in mediating these effects, we propose that the study of epigenetic marks in gametes may provide additional information for domestic animal selection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne Tarrade
- INRA, UMR 1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, 78350 Jouy en Josas, France
| | - Hélène Kiefer
- INRA, UMR 1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, 78350 Jouy en Josas, France
| | - Véronique Duranthon
- INRA, UMR 1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, 78350 Jouy en Josas, France
| | - Hélène Jammes
- INRA, UMR 1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, 78350 Jouy en Josas, France
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25
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Shoup LM, Ireland FA, Shike DW. Effects of dam prepartum supplement level on performance and reproduction of heifer progeny. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2016.1269301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay M. Shoup
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Frank A. Ireland
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Daniel W. Shike
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
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26
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Improving smallholder cattle reproductive efficiency in Cambodia to address expanding regional beef demand. Trop Anim Health Prod 2016; 49:163-172. [DOI: 10.1007/s11250-016-1175-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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27
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Sinclair KD, Rutherford KMD, Wallace JM, Brameld JM, Stöger R, Alberio R, Sweetman D, Gardner DS, Perry VEA, Adam CL, Ashworth CJ, Robinson JE, Dwyer CM. Epigenetics and developmental programming of welfare and production traits in farm animals. Reprod Fertil Dev 2016; 28:RD16102. [PMID: 27439952 DOI: 10.1071/rd16102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept that postnatal health and development can be influenced by events that occur in utero originated from epidemiological studies in humans supported by numerous mechanistic (including epigenetic) studies in a variety of model species. Referred to as the 'developmental origins of health and disease' or 'DOHaD' hypothesis, the primary focus of large-animal studies until quite recently had been biomedical. Attention has since turned towards traits of commercial importance in farm animals. Herein we review the evidence that prenatal risk factors, including suboptimal parental nutrition, gestational stress, exposure to environmental chemicals and advanced breeding technologies, can determine traits such as postnatal growth, feed efficiency, milk yield, carcass composition, animal welfare and reproductive potential. We consider the role of epigenetic and cytoplasmic mechanisms of inheritance, and discuss implications for livestock production and future research endeavours. We conclude that although the concept is proven for several traits, issues relating to effect size, and hence commercial importance, remain. Studies have also invariably been conducted under controlled experimental conditions, frequently assessing single risk factors, thereby limiting their translational value for livestock production. We propose concerted international research efforts that consider multiple, concurrent stressors to better represent effects of contemporary animal production systems.
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28
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Bell AW, Greenwood PL. Prenatal origins of postnatal variation in growth, development and productivity of ruminants. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/an15408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
This review provides an update on recent research into the effects of maternal nutrition on fetal biology and the growth, development and productivity of progeny in postnatal life of ruminant livestock. Evidence is summarised for effects on postnatal growth and body composition, feed intake and efficiency, carcass characteristics and meat quality, wool production, reproduction and lactation performance. In general, these demonstrated effects are not large in relation to the effects of postnatal nutrition and other environmental influences. The mechanisms underpinning the above production outcomes are briefly discussed in terms of systemic endocrine and metabolic responses, and cellular and molecular effects in skeletal muscle, bone, adipose tissue, wool follicles and brain of fetal, neonatal and adult progeny. Treatments observed to elicit tissue responses include maternal under- and overnutrition at various stages of pregnancy and placental insufficiency caused by increased litter size, chronic maternal heat stress and premating carunclectomy in sheep. The as yet meagre evidence for epigenetic mediation of intergenerational effects in ruminants is considered, as is the likelihood that other, more conventional explanations may suffice in some cases. Finally, evidence is summarised for the proposition that the placenta is not merely a passive conduit for nutrient transfer from dam to fetus, but plays an active role in buffering the effects of variations in maternal nutrition on fetal growth and development, and thence, postnatal outcomes.
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29
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Ibeagha-Awemu EM, Zhao X. Epigenetic marks: regulators of livestock phenotypes and conceivable sources of missing variation in livestock improvement programs. Front Genet 2015; 6:302. [PMID: 26442116 PMCID: PMC4585011 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Improvement in animal productivity has been achieved over the years through careful breeding and selection programs. Today, variations in the genome are gaining increasing importance in livestock improvement strategies. Genomic information alone, however, explains only a part of the phenotypic variance in traits. It is likely that a portion of the unaccounted variance is embedded in the epigenome. The epigenome encompasses epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation, histone tail modifications, chromatin remodeling, and other molecules that can transmit epigenetic information such as non-coding RNA species. Epigenetic factors respond to external or internal environmental cues such as nutrition, pathogens, and climate, and have the ability to change gene expression leading to emergence of specific phenotypes. Accumulating evidence shows that epigenetic marks influence gene expression and phenotypic outcome in livestock species. This review examines available evidence of the influence of epigenetic marks on livestock (cattle, sheep, goat, and pig) traits and discusses the potential for consideration of epigenetic markers in livestock improvement programs. However, epigenetic research activities on farm animal species are currently limited partly due to lack of recognition, funding and a global network of researchers. Therefore, considerable less attention has been given to epigenetic research in livestock species in comparison to extensive work in humans and model organisms. Elucidating therefore the epigenetic determinants of animal diseases and complex traits may represent one of the principal challenges to use epigenetic markers for further improvement of animal productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eveline M. Ibeagha-Awemu
- Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaSherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Ste-Anne-De-BellevueQC, Canada
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Hernandez-Medrano JH, Copping KJ, Hoare A, Wapanaar W, Grivell R, Kuchel T, Miguel-Pacheco G, McMillen IC, Rodgers RJ, Perry VEA. Gestational dietary protein is associated with sex specific decrease in blood flow, fetal heart growth and post-natal blood pressure of progeny. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125694. [PMID: 25915506 PMCID: PMC4411147 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OVERVIEW The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes is higher in pregnancies where the fetus is male. Sex specific differences in feto-placental perfusion indices identified by Doppler assessment have recently been associated with placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction. This study aims to investigate sex specific differences in placental perfusion and to correlate these changes with fetal growth. It represents the largest comprehensive study under field conditions of uterine hemodynamics in a monotocous species, with a similar long gestation period to the human. Primiparous 14 mo heifers in Australia (n=360) and UK (n=180) were either individually or group fed, respectively, diets with differing protein content (18, 14, 10 or 7% crude protein (CP)) from 60 d prior to 98 days post conception (dpc). Fetuses and placentae were excised at 98 dpc (n = 48). Fetal development an median uterine artery blood flow were assessed monthly from 36 dpc until term using B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography. MUA blood flow to the male feto-placental unit increased in early pregnancy associated with increased fetal growth. Protein restriction before and shortly after conception (-60 d up to 23 dpc) increased MUA diameter and indices of velocity during late pregnancy, reduced fetal heart weight in the female fetus and increased heart rate at birth, but decreased systolic blood pressure at six months of age. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE Sex specific differences both in feto-placental Doppler perfusion indices and response of these indices to dietary perturbations were observed. Further, maternal diet affected development of fetal cardiovascular system associated with altered fetal haemodynamics in utero, with such effects having a sex bias. The results from this study provide further insight into the gender specific circulatory differences present in the fetal period and developing cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan H. Hernandez-Medrano
- School of Veterinary and Medical Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom
| | - Katrina J. Copping
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Andrew Hoare
- South East Vets, Mt Gambier, South Australia, Australia
| | - Wendela Wapanaar
- School of Veterinary and Medical Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom
| | - Rosalie Grivell
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- Department of Perinatal Medicine, The Womens and Childrens Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia
| | - Tim Kuchel
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Giuliana Miguel-Pacheco
- School of Veterinary and Medical Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom
| | | | - Raymond J. Rodgers
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Viv E. A. Perry
- School of Veterinary and Medical Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Gunn PJ, Schoonmaker JP, Lemenager RP, Bridges GA. Feeding distiller’s grains as an energy source to gestating and lactating beef heifers: Impact on female progeny growth, puberty attainment, and reproductive processes. J Anim Sci 2015; 93:746-57. [PMID: 25548202 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2014-8130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study compared postweaning growth, puberty attainment, and reproductive processes of female progeny (n = 33) born to Angus-Simmental beef heifers treated with either a control diet or a diet in which dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) were fed as an energy source during late gestation and early lactation. From 192 d of gestation through 118 ± 4 d in lactation, dams were fed either a corn silage–based control diet (CON) orcorn residue with DDGS, where DDGS were supplemented as an energy source (DG). Diets were formulated to provide similar daily NEg between diets, but CP requirements were drastically exceeded in the DG treatment. Heifer progeny (n = 33) were weaned, commingled at 191 ± 4 d of age, and similarly managed for the remainder of the project. Heifer BW and blood samples for progesterone assessment to determine onset of puberty were collected weekly beginning at weaning. At 255 ± 4 d of age, a single follicular wave was mapped via ultrasonography in 10 prepubertal heifers per treatment. Prepubertal antral follicle count and ovarian size were determined at 253 ± 4 d of age. Hip height was recorded at 213,297, and 437 ± 4 d of age. Estrous synchronization and AI was initiated at 447 ± 4 d of age. Binary data were analyzed with the GLIMMIX procedures of SAS and all other data were analyzed with the MIXED procedures of SAS. Progeny from DG-treated dams tended to be heavier (P = 0.08) than progeny from CON-treated dams from weaning until breeding. In addition, DG progeny had a greater (P < 0.01) frame score than CON throughout the developmental period. Ovarian size, antral follicle count, and follicular growth parameters did not differ between treatments. Age at puberty did not differ between CON (303 ± 10 d) and DG (320 ± 10 d) progeny; however, BW at puberty was greater (P = 0.01) for DG (326 ± 7 kg) than CON (298 ± 8 kg) progeny. Pregnancy rates to AI were greater (P = 0.05) in DG progeny (70.6%) than CON (33.3%), but overall breeding season pregnancy rate did not differ (P = 0.97). Moreover, rate of dystocia in female progeny at first parturition and grand-offspring birth BW did not differ due to treatment (P ≥ 0.74). In summary, feeding DDGS as an energy source during late gestation and early lactation to first-parity heifers resulted in female progeny with greater skeletal growth that were heavier at onset of puberty and had increased AI pregnancy rates.
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Mossa F, Walsh SW, Ireland JJ, Evans AC. Early nutritional programming and progeny performance: Is reproductive success already set at birth? Anim Front 2015. [DOI: 10.2527/af.2015-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mossa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Italy
| | - Siobhan W. Walsh
- Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland
| | - James J. Ireland
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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Walsh S, Mossa F, Butler S, Berry D, Scheetz D, Jimenez-Krassel F, Tempelman R, Carter F, Lonergan P, Evans A, Ireland J. Heritability and impact of environmental effects during pregnancy on antral follicle count in cattle. J Dairy Sci 2014; 97:4503-11. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2013-7758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Cushman R, McNeel A, Freetly H. The impact of cow nutrient status during the second and third trimesters on age at puberty, antral follicle count, and fertility of daughters. Livest Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2014.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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35
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Incorporation of genetic technologies associated with applied reproductive technologies to enhance world food production. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 752:77-96. [PMID: 24170355 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-8887-3_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
Animal breeding and reproductive physiology have been closely related throughout the history of animal production science. Artificial insemination provides the best method of increasing the influence of sires with superior genetics to improve production traits. Multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET) provides some ability to increase the genetic influence of the maternal line as well. The addition of genetic technologies to this paradigm allows for improved methods of selecting sires and dams carrying the best genes for production and yield of edible products and resistance to diseases and parasites. However, decreasing the number of influential parents within a population also increases the risk of propagating a recessive gene that could negatively impact the species (Reprod Domest Anim 44:792-796, 2009; BMC Genomics 11:337, 2010). Furthermore, antagonistic genotypic relationships between production traits and fertility (Anim Prod Sci 49:399-412, 2009; Anim Genet 43:442-446, 2012) suggest that care must be taken to ensure that increasing the frequency of genes with a positive influence on production does not negatively impact the fertility of the replacement females entering the herd.
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Abstract
In beef cattle, the main factors influencing nutrient partitioning between the dam and fetus include age of the dam, number of fetuses, production demand, and environmental stress. These factors play a critical role in programming the fetus for its future environment and available resources. Fetal programming reportedly affects neonatal mortality and morbidity, postnatal growth rate, body composition, health, and reproduction. Two main mechanisms responsible for fetal programming include DNA methylation and histone modifications. Alterations in the genome can be passed through multiple generations. Maternal environment (nutrition, age, physiologic status) can program progeny heifer growth and reproductive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard N Funston
- Department of Animal Science, West Central Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 402 West State Farm Road, North Platte, NE 69101, USA.
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37
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Sauerbrun-Cutler MT, Segars JH. Do in utero events contribute to current health disparities in reproductive medicine? Semin Reprod Med 2013; 31:325-32. [PMID: 23934692 DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1348890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Health disparities exist in reproductive medicine as discussed in detail in the subsequent articles of this issue; however, in most cases, the exact cause of these differences is unknown. Some of these disparities can be linked to environmental exposures such as alcohol and other hazardous toxic exposures (polycarbonate, pesticides, nicotine) in adults. In addition, low socioeconomic status, behavioral risk factors, and lack of education have been linked to poor obstetric and reproductive outcomes in minority groups. Aside from these various environmental exposures later in life, there is evidence that adverse events in utero could contribute to poor reproductive outcome in specific minority groups. We will focus on the developmental origins of health and disease as a possible causal mechanism for health disparities in reproductive diseases, as this perspective may suggest tractable solutions of how to address and eliminate these health disparities.
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Aiken CE, Tarry-Adkins JL, Ozanne SE. Suboptimal nutrition in utero causes DNA damage and accelerated aging of the female reproductive tract. FASEB J 2013; 27:3959-65. [PMID: 23792302 DOI: 10.1096/fj.13-234484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Early life exposure to adverse environments can lead to a variety of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in offspring. We hypothesize that female reproductive function may also be affected, with subsequent implications for fertility. We used an established maternal low-protein model where animals are born small but undergo rapid postnatal catch-up growth by suckling a control-fed dam (recuperated offspring). Markers of oxidative stress and cellular aging in reproductive tract tissues were assessed at 3 and 6 mo of age. Recuperated offspring had lower birth weight than controls (P<0.01) but caught up during lactation. 4-Hydroxynonenal (4HNE; an indicator of oxidative stress) was increased in recuperated animals compared with controls in both ovaries and oviducts at 6 mo. At 3 and 6 mo, ovaries and oviducts of recuperated offspring had increased mitochondrial (mt)DNA copy number (P<0.01). By contrast, germ-line cells showed no difference in mtDNA copy number, suggesting they were protected from suboptimal maternal nutrition. Oviduct and somatic ovarian telomere length declined more rapidly with age in recuperated animals. This accelerated cellular aging was associated with a declined ovarian reserve in developmentally programmed animals. These findings have significant clinical implications in light of worldwide trends to delayed childbearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Aiken
- 1University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Institute of Metabolic Science, Level 4, Box 289, Addenbrooke's Treatment Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Rd., Cambridge, CB2 OQQ, UK.
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Funston R, Summers A. Epigenetics: Setting Up Lifetime Production of Beef Cows by Managing Nutrition. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2013; 1:339-63. [PMID: 25387023 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-031412-103649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Longevity of cattle is correlated to reproductive success. Many studies in different species report the influence of maternal nutrition on progeny performance, health, and reproduction. Maternal nutrient status can cause epigenetic alterations to the genome of the developing fetus, which potentially can impact future generations. This review discusses fetal programming mechanisms as well as maternal nutrition’s impact on placental development and progeny heifer performance and reproduction owing to nutrient restriction, age, or production status. Furthermore, we discuss how early neonatal nutrient intake and type can influence future productivity in the beef and dairy cow. Understanding how these factors influence progeny performance will enable cattlemen to produce replacement females better adapted to their environment through maternal nutrient regulation by stimulating fetal programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- R.N. Funston
- West Central Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska, North Platte, Nebraska 69101
| | - A.F. Summers
- West Central Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska, North Platte, Nebraska 69101
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40
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Dupont C, Cordier A, Junien C, Mandon-Pépin B, Levy R, Chavatte-Palmer P. Maternal environment and the reproductive function of the offspring. Theriogenology 2012; 78:1405-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2012] [Revised: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 06/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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41
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Evans ACO, Mossa F, Walsh SW, Scheetz D, Jimenez-Krassel F, Ireland JLH, Smith GW, Ireland JJ. Effects of Maternal Environment During Gestation on Ovarian Folliculogenesis and Consequences for Fertility in Bovine Offspring. Reprod Domest Anim 2012; 47 Suppl 4:31-7. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02052.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Perry GA. Physiology and Endocrinology Symposium: Harnessing basic knowledge of factors controlling puberty to improve synchronization of estrus and fertility in heifers. J Anim Sci 2011; 90:1172-82. [PMID: 22003230 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2011-4572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of replacement heifers is a major economic investment for all beef and dairy operations. The costs associated with heifer development cannot be recovered if heifers do not conceive and remain productive in the herd; therefore, heifers need to conceive early in the breeding season or risk being culled. Previous research has reported up to a 21% increase in fertility from pubertal estrus to the third estrus of a heifer. The use of reproductive tract scores to determine pubertal status has demonstrated that peripubertal and pubertal heifers have increased pregnancy success to estrous synchronization compared with heifers that were prepubertal. The development of RIA has allowed accurate measurement of peripheral blood hormone concentrations associated with the pubertal process and luteal formation. This basic knowledge has increased our understanding of the mechanisms that control puberty in heifers. In addition, understanding the hormonal changes that occur during the estrous cycle has allowed for the development of estrous synchronization protocols that result in increased control of follicular growth, regression of luteal tissue, and ovulation. Transrectal ultrasonography has increased our understanding of follicular waves; this understanding led to research investigating the endocrine regulation of follicular waves and development of methods to synchronize follicular waves for purposes of fixed-time AI. Current topics of research include the effect of antral follicle count on fertility and the effect of maternal nutrition (on the fetus in utero) on subsequent reproductive potential of a heifer (i.e., fetal programming). Advancements in genomic technologies will likely provide a powerful tool for selecting heifers at birth that will have a greater probability of being reproductively successful if managed correctly. Therefore, knowledge gained through basic research on factors that control puberty has improved and will continue to improve heifer development and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A Perry
- South Dakota State University, Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Brookings 57007, USA.
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Hatzirodos N, Bayne RA, Irving-Rodgers HF, Hummitzsch K, Sabatier L, Lee S, Bonner W, Gibson MA, Rainey WE, Carr BR, Mason HD, Reinhardt DP, Anderson RA, Rodgers RJ. Linkage of regulators of TGF-β activity in the fetal ovary to polycystic ovary syndrome. FASEB J 2011; 25:2256-65. [PMID: 21411746 DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-181099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Although not often discussed, the ovaries of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) show all the hallmarks of increased TGF-β activity, with increased amounts of fibrous tissue and collagen in the ovarian capsule or tunica albuginea and ovarian stroma. Recent studies suggest that PCOS could have fetal origins. Genetic studies of PCOS have also found linkage with a microsatellite located in intron 55 of the extracellular matrix protein fibrillin 3. Fibrillins regulate TGF-β bioactivity in tissues by binding latent TGF-β binding proteins. We therefore examined expression of fibrillins 1-3, latent TGF-β binding proteins 1-4, and TGF-β 1-3 in bovine and human fetal ovaries at different stages of gestation and in adult ovaries. We also immunolocalized fibrillins 1 and 3. The results indicate that TGF-β pathways operate during ovarian fetal development, but most important, we show fibrillin 3 is present in the stromal compartments of fetal ovaries and is highly expressed at a critical stage early in developing human and bovine fetal ovaries when stroma is expanding and follicles are forming. These changes in expression of fibrillin 3 in the fetal ovary could lead to a predisposition to develop PCOS in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Hatzirodos
- Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Robinson Institute, University of Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
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Micke GC, Sullivan TM, McMillen IC, Gentili S, Perry VEA. Protein intake during gestation affects postnatal bovine skeletal muscle growth and relative expression of IGF1, IGF1R, IGF2 and IGF2R. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2011; 332:234-41. [PMID: 21056085 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2010.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2010] [Revised: 10/19/2010] [Accepted: 10/27/2010] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)1 and IGF2 and their receptor (IGF1R and IGF2R) mRNA in fetal skeletal muscle are changed by variations in maternal nutrient intake. The persistence of these effects into postnatal life and their association with phenotype in beef cattle is unknown. Here we report that the cross-sectional areas of longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus (ST) muscles were greater for mature male progeny born to heifers fed low protein diets (70% vs. 240% of recommended) during the first trimester. In ST, this was accompanied by greater IGF1, IGF2 and IGF2R mRNA at 680 d. Females exposed to low protein diets during the first trimester had decreased IGF2 mRNA in ST at 680 d, however this did not result in an effect to phenotype. Exposure to low protein diets during the second trimester increased IGF1R mRNA in ST of all progeny at 680 d. Changes to expression of IGF genes in progeny skeletal muscle resulting from variations to maternal protein intake during gestation may have permanent and sex-specific effect on postnatal skeletal muscle growth.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cattle
- Dietary Proteins/metabolism
- Female
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/genetics
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/metabolism
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/genetics
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/metabolism
- Male
- Muscle, Skeletal/anatomy & histology
- Muscle, Skeletal/embryology
- Muscle, Skeletal/growth & development
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Phenotype
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Trimester, First
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptor, IGF Type 1/genetics
- Receptor, IGF Type 1/metabolism
- Receptor, IGF Type 2/genetics
- Receptor, IGF Type 2/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- G C Micke
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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45
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Micke G, Sullivan T, Gatford K, Owens J, Perry V. Nutrient intake in the bovine during early and mid-gestation causes sex-specific changes in progeny plasma IGF-I, liveweight, height and carcass traits. Anim Reprod Sci 2010; 121:208-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2010] [Revised: 05/05/2010] [Accepted: 05/25/2010] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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46
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Influences of diet during gestation on potential postpartum reproductive performance and milk production of beef heifers. Theriogenology 2009; 72:1202-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2009] [Revised: 06/25/2009] [Accepted: 07/05/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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