Skeletal Muscle Expression of Actinin-3 (ACTN3) in Relation to Feed Efficiency Phenotype of F2Bos indicus - Bos taurus Steers

In this study, actinin-3 (ACTN3) gene expression was investigated in relation to the feed efficiency phenotype in Bos indicus - Bos taurus crossbred steers. A measure of relative feed efficiency based on residual feed intake relative to predictions from the NRC beef cattle model was analyzed by the use of a mixed linear model that included sire and family nested within sire as fixed effects and age, animal type, sex, condition, and breed as random effects for 173 F₂ Nellore-Angus steers. Based on these residual intake observations, individuals were ranked from most efficient to least efficient. Skeletal muscle samples were analyzed from 54 steers in three groups of 18 (high efficiency, low efficiency, and a statistically average group). ACTN3, which encodes a muscle-specific structural protein, was previously identified as a candidate gene from a microarray analysis of RNA extracted from muscle samples obtained from a subset of steers from each of these three efficiency groups. The expression of ACTN3 was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR analysis. The expression of ACTN3 in skeletal muscle was 1.6-fold greater in the inefficient steer group than in the efficient group (p = 0.007). In addition to expression measurements, blocks of SNP haplotypes were assessed for breed or parent of origin effects. A maternal effect was observed for ACTN3 inheritance, indicating that a maternal B. indicus block conferred improved residual feed efficiency relative to the B. taurus copy (p = 0.03). A SNP haplotype analysis was also conducted for m-calpain (CAPN2) and fibronectin 1 (FN1), and a significant breed effect was observed for both genes, with B. indicus and B. taurus alleles each conferring favorable efficiency when inherited maternally (p = 0.03 and p = 0.04). Because the ACTN3 structural protein is specific to fast-twitch (type II) muscle fibers and not present in slow-twitch muscle fibers (type I), muscle samples used for expression analysis were also assayed for fiber type ratio (type II/type I). Inefficient animals had a fast fiber type ratio 1.8-fold greater than the efficient animals (p = 0.027). Because these fiber-types exhibit different metabolic profiles, we hypothesize that animals with a greater proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers are also less feed efficient.

Impact of genetic potential for residual feed intake and diet fed during early- to mid-gestation in beef heifers on carcass characteristics and meat quality attributes of their castrated male offspring

Carcass attributes of steers were examined for influences of selection for residual feed intake (RFI), and exposure to different levels of prenatal nutrition. Heifers characterized for RFI corrected for backfat were mated to bulls with genetic potential for either High-RFI or Low-RFI, such that the progeny were expected to be H/H or L/L RFI (sire/dam). Pregnant heifers were assigned to a low diet (Ldiet; 0.40 kg/d ADG), or moderate diet (Mdiet; 0.57 kg/d ADG), from 30 to 150 days of gestation, after which all heifers were managed similarly. Steer offspring (n = 23) were also managed similarly until slaughter. Dressing percentage of steers from H-RFI dams/sires exposed to Ldiet during gestation was lower than all other groups (P = 0.02). Marbling was greater for steers from H-RFI parents, as was fat content of longissimus thoracis et lumborum and triceps brachii (P ≤ 0.02). Results suggest that parental selection for RFI and prenatal maternal diet can influence carcass characteristics of progeny.

Associations of feed efficiency with circulating IGF-1 and leptin, carcass traits and meat quality of lambs

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of feed efficiency classifications on live animal measurements, circulating IGF-1 and leptin concentrations, and carcass, non-carcass and meat quality traits of lambs. One-hundred and two lambs approximately 70 days-old with initial live weight of 24.6 ± 3.71 kg (mean ± SD) were individually fed for 56 days to determine residual feed intake (RFI) and residual feed intake and gain (RIG). Lambs were then classified as phenotypically Low-, Medium- or High-RFI and Low-, Medium- or High-RIG phenotypes. Circulating leptin and IGF-1 concentrations were higher in more efficient lambs (Low-RFI or High-RIG). Variation in RFI and RIG did not affect meat redness or tenderness, but High-RIG lambs had darker meat. These findings show that the phenotypically more efficient Low-RFI and High-RIG lambs produced carcasses with similar characteristics and meat quality as the less efficient High-RFI and Low-RIG lambs but have a strategic advantage of lower feed intake to achieve similar production outcomes.

Residual feed intake phenotype and gender affect the expression of key genes of the lipogenesis pathway in subcutaneous adipose tissue of beef cattle

Background

Feed accounts for up to 75% of costs in beef production systems, thus any improvement in feed efficiency (FE) will benefit the profitability of this enterprise. Residual feed intake (RFI) is a measure of FE that is independent of level of production. Adipose tissue (AT) is a major endocrine organ and the primary metabolic energy reservoir. It modulates a variety of processes related to FE such as lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis and thus measures of inter-animal variation in adiposity are frequently included in the calculation of the RFI index. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of phenotypic RFI status and gender on the expression of key candidate genes related to processes involved in energy metabolism within AT. Dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) were measured over a period of 70 d for 52 purebred Simmental heifers (n = 24) and bulls (n = 28) with an initial BW±SD of 372±39.6 kg and 387±50.6 kg, respectively. Residual feed intake was calculated and animals were ranked within gender by RFI into high (inefficient; n = 9 heifers and n = 8 bulls) and low (efficient; n = 9 heifers and n = 8 bulls) groups.

Results

Average daily gain ±SD and daily DMI ±SD for heifers and bulls were 1.2±0.4 kg and 9.1±0.5 kg, and 1.8±0.3 kg and 9.5±1 kg respectively. High RFI heifers and bulls consumed 10% and 15% more (P < 0.05) than their low RFI counterparts, respectively. Heifers had a higher expression of all genes measured than bulls (P < 0.05). A gender × RFI interaction was detected for HMGCS2(P < 0.05) in which high RFI bulls tended to have lower expression of HMGCS2 than low RFI bulls (P < 0.1), whereas high RFI heifers had higher expression than low RFI heifers (P < 0.05) and high RFI bulls (P < 0.05). SLC2A4 expression was consistently higher in subcutaneous AT of low RFI animals across gender.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that low RFI cattle exhibit upregulation of the molecular mechanisms governing glucose metabolism in adipose tissue, in particular, glucose clearance. The decreased expression of SLC2A4 in the inefficient cattle may result in less efficient glucose metabolism in these animals. We conclude that SLC2A4 may be a potential biomarker for RFI in cattle.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s40104-018-0282-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Association of body weight gain with muscle, fat, and liver expression levels of growth hormone receptor, insulin-like growth factor I, and beta-adrenergic receptor mRNAs in steers

The physiological basis of feed efficiency is unclear. Administration of GH or beta-adrenergic agonists improves feed efficiency in various animals. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that more efficient cattle have greater expression of GH receptor (GHR) or beta-adrenergic receptor (ADRB) mRNA in skeletal muscle, fat, and liver, the major target tissues of GH and beta-adrenergic agonists. Fifty Angus steers were fed a finishing diet for 75 d to determine residual feed intake (RFI). Carcass measures, skeletal muscle, subcutaneous fat, and liver samples were collected from the top 10 high-RFI steers and top 10 low-RFI steers at slaughter. Abundances of GHR, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF1), IGF1 receptor (IGF1R), beta-1 adrenergic receptor (ADRB1), ADRB2, and ADRB3 mRNAs were quantified by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. Low-RFI steers consumed 11% less dry matter intake than high-RFI steers (P = 0.004). Low- and high-RFI steers, however, did not differ in ADG or other growth or carcass measures. Low-RFI steers had a tendency to have smaller birth weights than high-RFI steers (P = 0.089). The expression levels of GHR, IGF1, IGF1R, ADRB1, ADRB2, and ADRB3 mRNAs in muscle, fat, and liver were neither different (P > 0.1) between high- and low-RFI steers nor correlated (P > 0.1) with RFI. These results do not support our original hypothesis. However, the expression levels of GHR, IGF1, and IGF1R mRNAs in muscle and fat were positively correlated with ADG (r = 0.52 to 0.65, P = 0.002 to 0.02), whereas the expression levels of GHR mRNA (r = -0.50, P = 0.03) and IGF1 mRNA (r = -0.47, P = 0.04) in the liver were negatively correlated with ADG. These results suggest that the GHR, IGF1, and IGF1R mRNA expression levels in the muscle and fat have a positive effect, whereas the GHR and IGF1 mRNA expression levels in the liver have a negative effect on postweaning body weight gain in cattle.

Association of residual feed intake with growth and slaughtering performance, blood metabolism, and body composition in growing lambs

The aim of this study was to determine the association of residual feed intake (RFI) with growth performance, blood metabolic parameters, and body composition factors in growing lambs. Individual body weight (BW) and dry matter intake (DMI) were determined in 137 male Hu lambs that were given a pellet feed four times a day for 50 d. RFI did not show a correlation with metabolic BW (MBW) or average daily gain (ADG), but it showed a positive correlation with DMI and feed conversation ratio (FCR). Organ weight and intestine length had a large influence on RFI in lambs. The low-RFI lambs have smaller rumen and longer duodenum indicating the less feed intake and more sufficient absorption rate of low-RFI lambs. The smaller organs like liver, lung and kidney in low-RFI lambs may be related to lower energy consumption and slower metabolic rate. The observed bigger testis was in low-RFI lambs was another cause of the improved feed efficiency. Finally, the plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were lower in the ELow-RFI group than in the EHigh-RFI group. This study provides new insight into the biological processes underlying variations in feed efficiency in growing lambs.

Creep-feeding to stimulate metabolic imprinting in nursing beef heifers: impacts on heifer growth, reproductive and physiological variables

This experiment compared growth, physiological, and reproductive responses of beef heifers with (MI) or without (CON) access to a creep-feeder, as a manner to stimulate metabolic imprinting while nursing their dams. On day 0, 60 Angus × Hereford heifers were ranked by BW and age (140 ± 3 kg and 68±3 days), and assigned to pairs so all ranking criteria were similar between heifers within each pair. On day 1, pairs were randomly assigned to MI (n=15) or CON (n=15). From day 1 to 51, MI pairs and their dams were allocated to 15 drylot pens where heifers had ad libitum access to a corn-based supplement through a creep-feeder. The CON pairs and their dams were maintained in an adjacent single drylot pen. From day 52 to 111, treatments were managed as a single group on a semiarid range pasture. On day 111, heifers were weaned and allocated to two pastures (one pasture/treatment), receiving hay and a corn-based concentrate until day 326. Heifer BW was recorded before and at the end of the creep-feeding period (day 1 to 51), and on days 112 and 326. On days 0, 51, 111, 187, 261, and 325, jugular blood was collected and real-time ultrasonography for longissimus muscle depth and backfat thickness assessment was performed. Blood was also collected every 10 days from days 113 to 323 for puberty evaluation via plasma progesterone. Liver and subcutaneous fat biopsies were performed on days 51, 111, 261 and 325. Average daily gain was greater (P<0.01) for MI than CON from day 1 to 51, tended (P=0.09) to be greater for CON than MI from day 112 to 326, while BW on day 326 was similar between treatments. On day 51, MI had greater (P ⩽ 0.01) plasma IGF-I and glucose concentrations, as well as mRNA expression of hepatic pyruvate carboxylase and adipose fatty acid synthase than CON. On days 261 and 325, plasma insulin concentrations were greater (P ⩽ 0.03) in CON than MI. Mean mRNA expression of hepatic IGF-I and adipose peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma were greater (P ⩽ 0.05) in MI than CON. No treatment effects were detected for puberty attainment rate. In conclusion, supplementing nursing heifers via creep-feeding for 50 days altered physiological and biochemical variables suggestive of a metabolic imprinting effect, but did not hasten their puberty attainment.

Effects of phenotypic residual feed intake on response to a glucose tolerance test and gene expression in the insulin signaling pathway in longissimus dorsi in beef cattle

The objectives of this study were to determine the insulinogenic response to an intravenous glucose tolerance test (GTT) and examine gene expression profiles in the insulin signaling pathway (ISP) in beef animals of differing phenotypic residual feed intake (RFI). Two experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, a total of 39 Simmental heifers, over 2 yr (yr 1, n = 22, and yr 2, n = 17; mean initial BW = 472 kg [SD = 52.4 kg]), were offered grass silage ad libitum for 104 d. Heifers were subjected to a GTT on d 8 and 65 of the RFI measurement period in yr 1 and 2, respectively. Concentrations of plasma glucose and insulin were measured at -45, -30, -15, 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min relative to glucose infusion (0 min). In Exp. 2, a total of 67 Simmental bulls, over 3 yr (yr 1, n = 20; yr 2, n = 33; and yr 3, n = 14; mean initial BW = 431 kg [SD = 63.7 kg]), were offered concentrates ad libitum for 105 d. Biopsies of LM were harvested during the RFI measurement period (yr 1, d 49 and 91; yr 2, d 52 and 92; and yr 3, d 50 and 92). The residuals of the regression of DMI on ADG, midtest metabolic BW (BW(0.75)), and the fixed effect of year, using all animals, were used to compute individual RFI coefficients. Animals were ranked on RFI and assigned to high (inefficient), medium, or low groupings by dividing them into terciles, resulting in 13 heifers and 22, 23, and 22 bulls in their respective RFI groups. In Exp. 1, data from 13 heifers from each of the high- and low-RFI groups, and in Exp. 2, data from the 15 highest and 15 lowest ranking bulls on RFI are reported. In Exp. 1, glucose and insulin response and area under the response curve for glucose and insulin were similar (P > 0.05) between high- and low-RFI heifers. In Exp. 2, no differences (P > 0.05) were found for mRNA expression of 22 genes of the ISP in muscle tissue; however, expression of the transcription factor SREBP1c tended to be positively correlated (r = 0.25, P = 0.07) with RFI. Expression of GLUT4, INPPL1, and SHC increased (P < 0.05) over time, while there was no effect of sample time for any other genes measured. Collectively, these results suggest that insulin response, sensitivity, and associated expression of genes in the ISP within muscle tissue are not contributory factors to variation in RFI. However, further examination of target genes of SREBP1c, which is involved in lipogenesis, may explain some of the biochemical processes underlying variation in phenotypic RFI.