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Byrne CJ, Keogh K, Kenny DA. Review: Role of early life nutrition in regulating sexual development in bulls. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100802. [PMID: 37567659 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100802] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The availability of high-quality semen from genetically elite bulls is essential to support continued genetic gain and the sustainability of cattle production worldwide. While reducing the age at which usable semen is available also reduces the generation interval, it is dependent on timely onset of puberty in young bulls. There is now good evidence that hastened sexual development in bulls is achieved through enhancing nutrition in early life. This review will cover the physiological and molecular-based response to prevailing diet in key organs that orchestrate the ontogeny of sexual development in the bull calf. Given the central importance of the interaction between metabolic status and neuronal function to the progression of sexual development, we will discuss how communication between metabolic organs, reproductive organs and the brain are mediated via molecular and physiological processes. The availability of high-throughput nucleic acid and protein sequencing technologies and innovative data analytics have allowed us to improve our understanding of molecular regulation of puberty and sexual development. Analysing data from a number of organs, simultaneously, allows for a better understanding of the underlying biology and biochemical interactions that are influencing sexual development. Specifically, we can determine how early life nutritional interventions augment changes in potential key molecules regulating sexual development. Ultimately, a greater understanding of the inherent regulation of postnatal sexual development in the bull calf and how strategically targeted nutritional management can advance the ontogeny of this process, will facilitate the timely availability of high-quality semen from genetically elite animals, thus supporting more economically and environmentally sustainable beef and dairy production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Byrne
- Animal and Bioscience Department, Teagasc, Dunsany, Co. Meath C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - K Keogh
- Animal and Bioscience Department, Teagasc, Dunsany, Co. Meath C15 PW93, Ireland
| | - D A Kenny
- Animal and Bioscience Department, Teagasc, Dunsany, Co. Meath C15 PW93, Ireland; School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin D04 F6X4, Ireland.
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Todini L, Barile V, Barbato O, Terzano GM. Feedlot rearing versus pasture grazing enhances plasma leptin and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations but does not anticipate puberty in dairy buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis) heifers. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2022.2117104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Todini
- Scuola di Bioscienze e Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Camerino, Camerino, MC, Italy
| | | | - Olimpia Barbato
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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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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Rostami Dovom M, Noroozzadeh M, Mosaffa N, Piryaei A, Zadeh-Vakili A, Aabdollahifar MA, Rahmati M, Farhadi-Azar M, Ramezani Tehrani F. Maternal Exposure to D-galactose Reduces Ovarian Reserve in Female Rat Offspring Later in Life. Int J Endocrinol Metab 2022; 20:e123206. [PMID: 35993036 PMCID: PMC9383541 DOI: 10.5812/ijem-123206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Embryonic life is critical for the formation of ovaries in mammals, and the intrauterine environment may affect ovarian reserve. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to investigate the impact of prenatal D-galactose exposure on ovarian reserve in female rat offspring in their later lives. METHODS Ten pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups. In one group, rats were fed with 35% D-galactose-enriched food from the third day to the end of pregnancy, and in the other group, rats were fed with a standard diet throughout pregnancy. Female offspring (prenatally galactose-exposed rats and non-exposed control rats) were examined in terms of hormonal levels [anti-Mullerian hormones (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2)] and ovarian histology at 45 - 50, 105 - 110, and 180 - 185 days of their age. RESULTS The number of primordial follicles significantly decreased time-dependently in prenatally galactose-exposed rats compared to controls (P-value = 0.002). In addition, decreases in AMH (3.25 vs. 7.5 ng/mL; P = 0.000) and E2 (7.9 vs. 19.5 pg/mL; P = 0.000) and increases in FSH (6.5 vs. 0.8 mIU/mL; P < 0.007) were observed in galactose-exposed rats compared to controls at 45 - 50 days of age. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal exposure to D-galactose negatively affects ovarian reserve in female rats in their later lives. However, further investigation is needed to confirm our findings and explore underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Rostami Dovom
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Noroozzadeh
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nariman Mosaffa
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Piryaei
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azita Zadeh-Vakili
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Amin Aabdollahifar
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Rahmati
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahbanoo Farhadi-Azar
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Corresponding Author: Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Zhao S, Guo Z, Xiang W, Wang P. The neuroendocrine pathways and mechanisms for the control of the reproduction in female pigs. Anim Reprod 2021; 18:e20210063. [PMID: 34925558 PMCID: PMC8677349 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2021-0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis, the major hierarchical component is gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, which directly or indirectly receive regulatory inputs from a wide array of regulatory signals and pathways, involving numerous circulating hormones, neuropeptides, and neurotransmitters, and which operate as a final output for the brain control of reproduction. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in neuropeptides that have the potential to stimulate or inhibit GnRH in the hypothalamus of pigs. Among them, Kisspeptin is a key component in the precise regulation of GnRH neuron secretion activity. Besides, other neuropeptides, including neurokinin B (NKB), neuromedin B (NMB), neuromedin S (NMS), α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), Phoenixin (PNX), show potential for having a stimulating effect on GnRH neurons. On the contrary, RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP-3), endogenous opioid peptides (EOP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and Galanin (GAL) may play an inhibitory role in the regulation of porcine reproductive nerves and may directly or indirectly regulate GnRH neurons. By combining data from suitable model species and pigs, we aim to provide a comprehensive summary of our current understanding of the neuropeptides acting on GnRH neurons, with a particular focus on their central regulatory pathways and underlying molecular basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Zhao
- College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Zongyi Guo
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Wei Xiang
- School of Advanced Agriculture and Bioengineering, Yangtze Normal University, Fuling of Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Pingqing Wang
- College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, P. R. China
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Effects of Temperament on the Reproduction of Beef Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113325. [PMID: 34828056 PMCID: PMC8614566 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In beef cattle and other livestock species, temperament can be considered as their behavioral responses to human interaction. Temperament evaluation allows classifying cattle according to the level of responsiveness, from calm to excitable. Consistently across studies, beef females classified as more excitable have signs of increased stress response and are less fertile compared to cohorts with calmer temperament. Cattle temperament can be improved via genetic selection and acclimating young animals to human interaction and handling procedures. Abstract Temperament is often defined as the behavioral expression of animals in response to human interaction. Cattle temperament can be evaluated using an association of chute score and exit velocity, with cattle then classified as adequate or excitable temperament. To assess the impacts of temperament on various beef systems, these evaluation criteria were associated with productive and reproductive parameters of Bos taurus and B. indicus-influenced cattle. Consistently across studies, excitable cattle had greater plasma cortisol compared to animals with adequate temperament. Studies also reported that excitable beef females have poorer reproductive performance compared to calmer cohorts, including reduced annual pregnancy rates, decreased calving rate, weaning rate, and kg of calf weaned/cow exposed to breeding. Acclimating B. indicus × B. taurus or B. taurus heifers to human handling improved behavioral expression of temperament and hastened puberty attainment. However, similar benefits were not observed when mature cows were acclimated to human handling. Collectively, temperament of beef females measured via behavioral responses upon human handling impacts their reproductive and productive responses independent of breed type, and should be considered for optimal beef cattle production.
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Ferreira CER, Campos GS, Schmidt PI, Sollero BP, Goularte KL, Corcini CD, Gasperin BG, Lucia T, Boligon AA, Cardoso FF. Genome-wide association and genomic prediction for scrotal circumference in Hereford and Braford bulls. Theriogenology 2021; 172:268-280. [PMID: 34303226 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.07.007] [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: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Scrotal circumference (SC) is widely used as a selection criterion for bulls in breeding programs, since it is easily assessed and correlated with several desirable reproductive traits. The objectives of this study were: to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genomic regions associated with SC adjusted for age (SCa) and for both age and weight (SCaw); to select Tag SNPs from GWAS to construct low-density panel for genomic prediction; and to compare the prediction accuracy of the SC through different methods for Braford and Hereford bulls from the same genetic breeding program. Data of SC from 18,172 bulls (30.4 ± 3.7 cm) and of genotypes from 131 sires and 3,545 animals were used. From GWAS, the top 1% of 1-Mb windows were observed on chromosome (BTA) 2, 20, 7, 8, 15, 3, 16, 27, 6 and 8 for SCa and on BTA 8, 15, 16, 21, 19, 2, 6, 5 and 10 for SCaw, representing 17.4% and 18.8% of the additive genetic variance of SCa and SCaw, respectively. The MeSH analysis was able to translate genomic information providing biological meanings of more specific gene functions related to the SCa and SCaw. The genomic enhancement methods, especially single step GBLUP, that combined phenotype and pedigree data with direct genomic values generated gains in accuracy in relation to pedigree BLUP, suggesting that genomic predictions should be applied to improve genetic gain and to narrow the generation interval compared to traditional methods. The proposed Tag-SNP panels may be useful for lower-cost commercial genomic prediction applications in the future, when the number of bulls in the reference population increases for SC in Hereford and Braford breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos E R Ferreira
- ReproPel, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
| | - Gabriel S Campos
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Patricia I Schmidt
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual de São Paulo, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Karina L Goularte
- ReproPel, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Carine D Corcini
- ReproPel, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Bernardo G Gasperin
- ReproPel, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Thomaz Lucia
- ReproPel, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Arione A Boligon
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernando F Cardoso
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil; Embrapa Pecuária Sul, Bagé, RS, Brazil
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Sánchez JM, Keogh K, Kelly AK, Byrne CJ, Lonergan P, Kenny DA. A high plane of nutrition during early life alters the hypothalamic transcriptome of heifer calves. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13978. [PMID: 34234169 PMCID: PMC8263617 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93080-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim was to examine the effect of rapid body weight gain during early calfhood consistent with earlier sexual development on the transcriptional profile of the hypothalamus. Angus X Holstein-Friesian heifer calves (19 ± 5 days of age) were offered a high (HI, n = 14) or moderate (MOD, n = 15) plane of nutrition from 3 to 21 weeks of age to achieve a growth rate of 1.2 kg/d and 0.5 kg/d, respectively. Following euthanasia at 21 weeks, the arcuate nucleus (ARC) region was separated from the remainder of the hypothalamus and both were subjected to RNA-Seq. HI calves exhibited altered expression of 80 and 39 transcripts in the ARC and the remaining hypothalamus, respectively (P < 0.05) including downregulation of AGRP and NPY and upregulation of POMC, previously implicated in precocious sexual development. Stress-signaling pathways were amongst the most highly dysregulated. Organ morphology, reproductive system development and function, and developmental disorder were amongst the networks derived from differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the ARC. Gene co-expression analysis revealed DEGs within the ARC (POMC, CBLN2, CHGA) and hypothalamus (PENK) as hub genes. In conclusion, enhanced nutrition during early calfhood alters the biochemical regulation of the hypothalamus consistent with advanced sexual development in the prepubertal heifer.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Sánchez
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Y Tecnología Agraria Y Alimentaria, Ctr. de la Coruña Km 5.9, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Kate Keogh
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Alan K Kelly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Colin J Byrne
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Pat Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - David A Kenny
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland.
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Cardoso D, Cardoso RC, de Paula Nogueira G. Functions of the GABAergic system on serum LH concentrations in pre-pubertal Nellore heifers. Anim Reprod Sci 2021; 229:106764. [PMID: 33991835 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106764] [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: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion pattern after gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) antagonist to determine the effects of the GABAergic system on LH secretion during reproductive maturation in pre-pubertal Nellore heifers. Nellore heifers (n = 10) were administered a picrotoxin injection of 0.18 mg/kg, i.v. Blood samples were collected every 15 min for 3 h at different developmental stages (8, 10, 14 and 17 mo of age). Plasma concentrations of LH were quantified using an RIA (sensitivity of 0.04 ng/mL and CV of 15 %). There was an interaction between treatment and age (P = 0.034). Picrotoxin-treated heifers had lesser (P ≤ 0.05) LH mean concentrations during a 3 h period at 10 and 17 mo of age compared to control heifers (P ≤ 0.05). Comparing the period before and after Picrotoxin injection in the same animals, there was a 33 % decrease in LH concentration at 8 mo of age (P = 0.0165). These results indicate the GABAergic system has a stimulatory function in inducing LH secretion in pre-pubertal Nellore heifers. These findings corroborate previous results that GABA increases GnRH/LH secretion in other species during the pre-pubertal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Cardoso
- Biological Institute, São Paulo Agency for Agribusiness Technology, Secretary of Agriculture and Food Supply, São Paulo, Brazil
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Menezes ACB, McCarthy KL, Kassetas CJ, Baumgaertner F, Kirsch JD, Dorsam S, Neville TL, Ward AK, Borowicz PP, Reynolds LP, Sedivec KK, Forcherio JC, Scott R, Caton JS, Dahlen CR. Vitamin and mineral supplementation and rate of gain during the first trimester of gestation affect concentrations of amino acids in maternal serum and allantoic fluid of beef heifers. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:6119706. [PMID: 33493276 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding vitamin and mineral (VTM) supplement and (or) rate of gain (GAIN) during early gestation on amino acid (AA) concentrations in allantoic fluid (ALF) and amniotic fluid (AMF) and maternal serum. Seventy-two crossbred Angus heifers (initial BW = 359.5 ± 7.1 kg) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with main effects of VTM supplement (VTM or NoVTM) and rate of gain (GAIN; low gain [LG], 0.28 kg/d, vs. moderate gain [MG], 0.79 kg/d). The VTM treatment (113 g•heifer-1•d-1, provided macro and trace minerals and vitamins A, D, and E to meet 110% of the requirements specified by the NASEM in Nutrient requirements of beef cattle. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi:10.17226/19014, 2016) was initiated 71 to 148 d before artificial insemination (AI). To complete the factorial arrangement of treatments, at breeding heifers were either maintained on the basal diet (LG), or received MG diet which was implemented by adding a protein/energy supplement to the LG diet. Thirty-five gestating heifers with female fetuses were ovariohysterectomized on d 83 of gestation and maternal serum, ALF, and AMF were collected. Samples were analyzed for concentrations of neutral AA: Ala, Asn, Cys, Gln, Gly, Ile, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, and Val; cationic AA: Arg, His, and Lys; and anionic AA: Asp and Glu. In serum, a VTM × GAIN interaction (P = 0.02) was observed for Glu, with greater concentrations for VTM-LG than VTM-MG. Concentrations of serum Cys, Met, and Trp were greater (P ≤ 0.03) for MG than LG. In ALF, concentrations of Glu were affected by a VTM × GAIN interaction, where VTM-MG was greater (P < 0.01) than all other treatments. Further, ALF from VTM had increased (P ≤ 0.05) concentrations of His, Asp, and 12 of the 14 neutral AA; whereas GAIN affected concentrations of Arg, Cys, and Asp, with greater concentrations (P ≤ 0.05) in MG heifers. In AMF, AA concentrations were not affected (P ≥ 0.10) by VTM, GAIN, or their interaction. In conclusion, increased concentrations of AA in maternal serum and ALF of beef heifers were observed at d 83 of gestation in response to VTM supplementation and rate of gain of 0.79 kg/d, which raises important questions regarding the mechanisms responsible for AA uptake and balance between the maternal circulation and fetal fluid compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Clara B Menezes
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Kacie L McCarthy
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Cierrah J Kassetas
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Friederike Baumgaertner
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - James D Kirsch
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Sheri Dorsam
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Tammi L Neville
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Alison K Ward
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Pawel P Borowicz
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Lawrence P Reynolds
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Kevin K Sedivec
- Central Grasslands Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Streeter, ND, USA
| | | | - Ronald Scott
- Purina Animal Nutrition LLC, Gray Summit, MO, USA
| | - Joel S Caton
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Carl R Dahlen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
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Kelly AK, Byrne C, McGee M, Perry GA, Crowe MA, Sauerwein H, Kenny DA. Effect of calfhood nutrition on metabolic hormones, gonadotropins, and estradiol concentrations and on reproductive organ development in beef heifer calves. J Anim Sci 2021; 98:5909279. [PMID: 32954407 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the effect of plane of nutrition on the endocrinological regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis in beef heifer calves during a critical sexual developmental window early in calf hood. Forty Holstein-Friesian × Angus heifers (mean age 19 d, SEM = 0.63) were assigned to a high (HI; ADG 1.2 kg) or moderate (MOD; ADG 0.50 kg) nutritional level from 3 to 21 wk of life. Intake was recorded using an electronic calf feeding system, BW was recorded weekly, and blood samples were collected on the week of age 5, 10, 15, and 20 for metabolite, reproductive, and metabolic hormone determination. At 19 wk of age, on sequential days, an 8-h window bleed was carried out for luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol analysis. To characterize anterior pituitary gland function, an intravenous GnRH challenge was conducted (19 wk of age). Blood was collected via a jugular catheter every 15 min for 135 min for the analysis of LH, FSH, and estradiol. Calves were subsequently euthanized at 21 wk of age; the anterior pituitary, metabolic organs, and reproductive tract were weighed, and ovarian surface follicular numbers and oocytes recovered were recorded. Mean ADG was 1.18 and 0.50 kg for HI and MOD, respectively, resulting in a 76.6-kg difference in BW (P < 0.001). Blood insulin, glucose, and IGF-1 concentrations were greater (P < 0.001) for HI compared with MOD. There was a diet × time interaction for leptin (P < 0.01); concentrations were greater in HI compared with MOD at 20 wk of age with no difference between treatments before this. Dietary treatment did not alter the concentrations of adiponectin or anti-mullerian hormone. There was a diet × time interaction for FSH, whereby MOD had greater concentrations than HI at 10, 15, and 20, but not at 5 wk of age. Over the duration of an 8-h window bleed (19 wk of age), serum concentrations of LH, LH pulse frequency, and LH pulse amplitude were unaffected by treatment, whereas FSH (0.23 vs. 0.43 ng/mL) and estradiol (0.53 vs. 0.38 ng/mL) concentrations were less than and greater, respectively, for HI than MOD (P < 0.05). Likewise, following a GnRH challenge, the area under the curve analysis revealed greater (P < 0.01) estradiol and lesser (P < 0.01) FSH concentrations in calves on the HI relative to MOD diet, whereas concentrations of LH were unaffected (P = 0.26) between treatments. Ovarian surface follicle numbers were greater (P < 0.05) in HI compared with MOD. Total reproductive tract, uterus, and ovarian tissue expressed relative to BW were greater (P < 0.05) for HI compared with MOD. In conclusion, enhanced nutrition in early calfhood advances the ontogeny development of the HPO axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan K Kelly
- College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colin Byrne
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Mark McGee
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | | | - Mark A Crowe
- College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Helga Sauerwein
- Institute for Animal Science, Physiology and Hygiene Unit, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - David A Kenny
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
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12
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Menezes ACB, McCarthy KL, Kassetas CJ, Baumgaertner F, Kirsch JD, Dorsam S, Neville TL, Ward AK, Borowicz PP, Reynolds LP, Sedivec KK, Forcherio JC, Scott R, Caton JS, Dahlen CR. Vitamin and mineral supplementation and rate of gain during the first trimester of gestation affect concentrations of amino acids in maternal serum and allantoic fluid of beef heifers. J Anim Sci 2021. [PMID: 33493276 DOI: 10.17226/19014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding vitamin and mineral (VTM) supplement and (or) rate of gain (GAIN) during early gestation on amino acid (AA) concentrations in allantoic fluid (ALF) and amniotic fluid (AMF) and maternal serum. Seventy-two crossbred Angus heifers (initial BW = 359.5 ± 7.1 kg) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with main effects of VTM supplement (VTM or NoVTM) and rate of gain (GAIN; low gain [LG], 0.28 kg/d, vs. moderate gain [MG], 0.79 kg/d). The VTM treatment (113 g•heifer-1•d-1, provided macro and trace minerals and vitamins A, D, and E to meet 110% of the requirements specified by the NASEM in Nutrient requirements of beef cattle. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi:10.17226/19014, 2016) was initiated 71 to 148 d before artificial insemination (AI). To complete the factorial arrangement of treatments, at breeding heifers were either maintained on the basal diet (LG), or received MG diet which was implemented by adding a protein/energy supplement to the LG diet. Thirty-five gestating heifers with female fetuses were ovariohysterectomized on d 83 of gestation and maternal serum, ALF, and AMF were collected. Samples were analyzed for concentrations of neutral AA: Ala, Asn, Cys, Gln, Gly, Ile, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, and Val; cationic AA: Arg, His, and Lys; and anionic AA: Asp and Glu. In serum, a VTM × GAIN interaction (P = 0.02) was observed for Glu, with greater concentrations for VTM-LG than VTM-MG. Concentrations of serum Cys, Met, and Trp were greater (P ≤ 0.03) for MG than LG. In ALF, concentrations of Glu were affected by a VTM × GAIN interaction, where VTM-MG was greater (P < 0.01) than all other treatments. Further, ALF from VTM had increased (P ≤ 0.05) concentrations of His, Asp, and 12 of the 14 neutral AA; whereas GAIN affected concentrations of Arg, Cys, and Asp, with greater concentrations (P ≤ 0.05) in MG heifers. In AMF, AA concentrations were not affected (P ≥ 0.10) by VTM, GAIN, or their interaction. In conclusion, increased concentrations of AA in maternal serum and ALF of beef heifers were observed at d 83 of gestation in response to VTM supplementation and rate of gain of 0.79 kg/d, which raises important questions regarding the mechanisms responsible for AA uptake and balance between the maternal circulation and fetal fluid compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Clara B Menezes
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Kacie L McCarthy
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Cierrah J Kassetas
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Friederike Baumgaertner
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - James D Kirsch
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Sheri Dorsam
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Tammi L Neville
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Alison K Ward
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Pawel P Borowicz
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Lawrence P Reynolds
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Kevin K Sedivec
- Central Grasslands Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Streeter, ND, USA
| | | | - Ronald Scott
- Purina Animal Nutrition LLC, Gray Summit, MO, USA
| | - Joel S Caton
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Carl R Dahlen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
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13
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Cardoso RC, West SM, Maia TS, Alves BRC, Williams GL. Nutritional control of puberty in the bovine female: prenatal and early postnatal regulation of the neuroendocrine system. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2020; 73:106434. [PMID: 32115309 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2020.106434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Puberty is a complex biological event that requires maturation of the reproductive neuroendocrine axis and subsequent initiation of high-frequency, episodic release of GnRH and LH. Nutrition is a critical factor affecting the neuroendocrine control of puberty. Although nutrient restriction during juvenile development delays puberty, elevated rates of body weight gain during this period facilitate pubertal maturation by programming hypothalamic centers that underlie the pubertal process. Recent findings suggest that maternal nutrition during gestation can also modulate the development of the fetal neuroendocrine axis, thus influencing puberty and subsequent reproductive function. Among the several metabolic signals, leptin plays a critical role in conveying metabolic information to the brain and, consequently, controlling puberty. The effects of leptin on GnRH secretion are mediated via an upstream neuronal network because GnRH neurons do not express the leptin receptor. Two neuronal populations located in the arcuate nucleus that express the orexigenic peptide neuropeptide Y (NPY), and the anorexigenic peptide alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone (αMSH), are key components of the neurocircuitry that conveys inhibitory (NPY) and excitatory (αMSH) inputs to GnRH neurons. In addition, neurons in the arcuate nucleus that coexpress kisspeptin, neurokinin B, and dynorphin (termed KNDy neurons) are also involved in the metabolic control of puberty. Our studies in the bovine female demonstrate that increased planes of nutrition during juvenile development lead to organizational and functional changes in hypothalamic pathways comprising NPY, proopiomelanocortin (POMC, the precursor of αMSH), and kisspeptin neurons. Changes include alterations in the abundance of NPY, POMC, and Kiss1 mRNA and in plasticity of the neuronal projections to GnRH neurons. Our studies also indicate that epigenetic mechanisms, such as modifications in the DNA methylation pattern, are involved in this process. Finally, our most recent data demonstrate that maternal nutrition during gestation can also induce morphological and functional changes in the hypothalamic NPY system in the heifer offspring that are likely to persist long after birth. These organizational changes occurring during fetal development have the potential to not only impact puberty but also influence reproductive performance throughout adulthood in the bovine female.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C Cardoso
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - S M West
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - T S Maia
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Beeville, TX, USA
| | - B R C Alves
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - G L Williams
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Beeville, TX, USA
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14
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Feed supplementation affect age and weight at puberty in Girolando (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) heifers in the tropics. Livest Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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15
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Canal LB, Fontes PLP, Sanford CD, Mercadante VRG, DiLorenzo N, Lamb GC, Oosthuizen N. Relationships between feed efficiency and puberty in Bos taurus and Bos indicus-influenced replacement beef heifers. J Anim Sci 2020; 98:skaa319. [PMID: 32978943 PMCID: PMC7751194 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this experiment was to investigate the relationship between residual feed intake (RFI) and parameters associated with reproductive efficiency in growing beef heifers. One hundred and seventy-nine replacement beef heifers (Bos taurus and Bos indicus-influenced) were enrolled in a retrospective cohort design. Heifers were assigned to a 70-d feed efficiency test, and results were utilized to retrospectively classify heifers into low (n = 51), medium (n = 66), or high (n = 62) RFI groups based on their individual RFI values. Blood samples were collected weekly throughout the feed efficiency test and breeding season, which were analyzed for plasma concentration of progesterone to determine age at puberty (PUB). By design, residual feed intake differed among RFI groups where high (1.21 ± 0.08 kg/d) had greater (P < 0.01) RFI than medium (0.00 ± 0.08 kg/d) and low RFI groups (-1.49 ± 0.09 kg/d), and medium had greater (P < 0.01) RFI than low RFI heifers. Yet, no differences were observed between breed types for RFI (P = 0.53). Average daily gain (ADG) differed between breed types where Bos taurus heifers had greater ADG (P = 0.02) than B. indicus-influenced heifers. Furthermore, ADG tended (P = 0.08) to differ among RFI groups, where medium RFI heifers tended to have reduced ADG compared with low and high RFI heifers. No differences were determined between breed types for gain-to-feed ratio (G:F; P = 0.20; however, G:F differed among RFI groups and was greater (P < 0.01) in low vs. high, and low vs. medium RFI heifers. The percentage of cycling heifers by the start of the breeding season differed (P = 0.03) by RFI group, where a greater percentage of low RFI heifers were cycling compared with high RFI heifers. A difference was determined on PUB between breed types (P = 0.03), where Bos taurus (393.40 ± 4.64 d) heifers had a reduced PUB compared with B. indicus-influenced (406.90 ± 5.07 d) heifers. In addition, PUB differed by RFI group where low (385.96 ± 6.20 d; P < 0.01) and medium (398.47 ± 5.47 d; P = 0.02) RFI heifers had a reduced PUB compared with High RFI heifers (416.03 ± 5.58 d). In conclusion, more feed efficient heifers attained PUB earlier than less feed efficient heifers. Therefore, selection of heifers for feed efficiency may positively impact reproductive performance of replacement beef heifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luara B Canal
- North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Marianna, FL
| | - Pedro L P Fontes
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Carla D Sanford
- Department of Animal & Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
| | | | - Nicolas DiLorenzo
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - G Cliff Lamb
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
| | - Nicola Oosthuizen
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
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16
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Bonamy M, de Iraola JJ, Prando AJ, Baldo A, Giovambattista G, Rogberg-Muñoz A. Application of longitudinal data analysis allows to detect differences in pre-breeding growing curves of 24-month calving Angus heifers under two pasture-based systems with differential puberty onset. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2020; 100:714-720. [PMID: 31597200 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.10072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Longitudinal data analysis contributes to detect differences in the growing curve by exploiting all the information involved in repeated measurements, allowing to distinguish changes over time within individuals, from differences in the baseline levels among groups. In this research, longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis were compared to evaluate differences in growth in Angus heifers under two different grazing conditions, ad libitum (AG) and controlled (CG) to gain 0.5 kg day-1 . RESULTS Longitudinal mixed models show differences in growing curve parameters between grazing conditions, that were not detected by cross-sectional analysis. Differences (P < 0.05) in first derivative of growth curves (daily gain) until 289 days were observed between treatments, AG being higher than CG. Correspondingly, pubertal heifer proportion was also higher in AG at the end of rearing (AG, 0.94; CG, 0.67). CONCLUSION In longitudinal studies, the power to detect differences between groups increases by exploiting the whole information of repeated measures, modelling the relation between measurements performed on the same individual. Under a proper analysis, valid conclusion can be drawn with fewer animals in the trial, improving animal welfare and reducing investigation costs. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martín Bonamy
- Cátedra de Producción de Bovinos, Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias UNLP, IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Julieta J de Iraola
- Cátedra de Producción de Bovinos, Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias UNLP, IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Alberto J Prando
- Cátedra de Producción de Bovinos, Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Andrés Baldo
- Cátedra de Producción de Bovinos, Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Guillermo Giovambattista
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias UNLP, IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Andrés Rogberg-Muñoz
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias UNLP, IGEVET - Instituto de Genética Veterinaria (UNLP-CONICET LA PLATA), La Plata, Argentina
- Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Abstract
Developmental programming became an area of interest to understand negative environmental impacts on progeny performance. Recently, the concept that we may be able to harness developmental programming to target animals to their niche in the production system has gained recognition. Female fertility is an area where developmental programming has been moderately successful; however, the mechanisms remain unclear. Although some studies have demonstrated differences in gonadal development and attainment of puberty in response to developmental programming, these have not translated to improved fertility. To improve response to developmental programming, it is critical to identify factors that contribute to inconsistencies across studies.
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18
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D'Occhio MJ, Baruselli PS, Campanile G. Influence of nutrition, body condition, and metabolic status on reproduction in female beef cattle: A review. Theriogenology 2019; 125:277-284. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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19
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Silva RP, Berton MP, Grigoletto L, Carvalho FE, Silva RMO, Peripolli E, Castro LM, Ferraz JBS, Eler JP, Lôbo RB, Baldi F. Genomic regions and enrichment analyses associated with carcass composition indicator traits in Nellore cattle. J Anim Breed Genet 2018; 136:118-133. [PMID: 30592105 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters and identify genomic regions associated with carcass traits obtained by ultrasound and visual scores in Nellore cattle. Data from ~66,000 animals from the National Association of Breeders and Researchers (ANCP) were used. The variance components for backfat thickness, rump fat thickness and Longissimus muscle area (LMA) were estimated considering a linear model whereas a threshold model for body structure (BS), finishing precocity (FP) and musculature (MS) traits. The SNP solutions were estimated using the ssGBLUP approach by considering windows of 10 consecutive SNPs. Regions that accounted for more than 1.0% of the additive genetic variance were used. Genes identified within the significant windows, such as FOXA3, AP2S1, FKRP, NPASI and ATP6V1G1, were found to be related with MS, while OMA1 and FFGY with BS and FP traits. The PLTP, TNNC2 and GPAT2 genes were found in the regions associated with LMA, as well as TKT, FNDC5 and CHRND can strongly be related with fat deposition. Gene enrichment analysis revealed processes that might be directly influenced the organism growth and development. These results should help to better understand the genetic and physiological mechanisms regulating growth and body composition, muscle tissue development and subcutaneous fat expression, and this information might be useful for future genomic studies in Nellore cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosiane P Silva
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineer, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana P Berton
- Departament of Animal Science, College of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Laís Grigoletto
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineer, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe E Carvalho
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineer, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael M O Silva
- Zoetis, Edifício Morumbi Corporate, Diamond Tower, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Elisa Peripolli
- Departament of Animal Science, College of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Letícia M Castro
- Nacional Association of Breeders and Researchers (ANCP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - José Bento S Ferraz
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineer, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Joanir P Eler
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineer, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Raysildo B Lôbo
- Nacional Association of Breeders and Researchers (ANCP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando Baldi
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineer, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
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Rodríguez-Sánchez JA, Sanz A, Ferrer J, Casasús I. Influence of postweaning feeding management of beef heifers on performance and physiological profiles through rearing and first lactation. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2018; 65:24-37. [PMID: 29870919 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 2 postweaning feeding management approaches (FEED: 0.8 [HIGH] vs 0.6 [MOD] kg/d target ADG) on the performance of heifers of 2 beef breeds (BREED: Parda de Montaña [PA] vs Pirenaica) calving at 2 yr. Twenty-five heifers previously creep fed before weaning (6 mo) were assigned to 2 planes of nutrition from 6 to 15 mo of age. At 15 mo, they were inseminated, and then received similar diets until weaning of their first calf (4 mo postcalving). Several parameters were measured to analyze growth and development (BW; ADG; size measures at 6 mo, 15 mo, calving, and weaning), performance at puberty and first breeding, and dam and calf performance in the first lactation (calving traits, ADG, milk yield). Metabolic (glucose, cholesterol, NEFA, β-hydroxybutyrate, and urea) and endocrine status (IGF-I and leptin) were assessed in plasma samples collected every 3 mo from 6 mo to calving and monthly during lactation. No interaction between BREED and FEED was observed. Heifers from the HIGH feeding treatment had higher postweaning ADG than those on the LOW diet. At 15 mo, they had greater BW, heart girth, and external pelvic area, but they did not differ thereafter. All heifers reached puberty at similar BW (55% mature BW) but different ages. Heifers from the HIGH treatment tended (P < 0.09) to be pubertal earlier, and PA heifers were 1.6 mo younger than Pirenaica heifers (P < 0.05) at puberty. At the time of conception (452 ± 59 kg) and calving (471 ± 51 kg), BW was above common recommendations in all groups. Calving traits and performance in lactation did not differ between feeding treatments. BREED only influenced birth weight; PA calves being heavier (P < 0.05), which resulted in a larger calf/cow BW ratio, but no effect on calving difficulty or subsequent performance. Metabolic substrates and hormones depended mostly on sampling date, which was related to current energy and protein intake. Glucose (P < 0.001), cholesterol (P < 0.001), and IGF-I (P < 0.05) were greater during the postweaning phase in heifers on the HIGH diet, and persistent physiological effects were observed during lactation. Age at puberty was negatively related with IGF-I (r = -0.43, P < 0.001), but not with leptin concentrations. In conclusion, regardless of breed, a moderate growth rate ensured adequate heifer development and performance until the first lactation, whereas no advantage was gained from enhanced postweaning gains.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Rodríguez-Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria (CITA) de Aragón, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2, CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), Avenida, Montañana, 930, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - A Sanz
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria (CITA) de Aragón, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2, CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), Avenida, Montañana, 930, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - J Ferrer
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria (CITA) de Aragón, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2, CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), Avenida, Montañana, 930, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - I Casasús
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria (CITA) de Aragón, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2, CITA-Universidad de Zaragoza), Avenida, Montañana, 930, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
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Chouzouris TM, Dovolou E, Rekkas CA, Georgoulias P, Athanasiou LV, Amiridis GS. A study on ghrelin and LH secretion after short fasting and on ghrelin levels at perioestrual period in dairy cattle. Reprod Domest Anim 2018; 54:91-99. [PMID: 30171634 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In two experiments, we studied (a) the changes of LH secretion in heifers under different feeding schedules and (b) total ghrelin concentration at oestrus in cows and heifers. In experiment one, synchronized heifers were allocated in three groups (R, regularly fed controls; F, fasted; and F-F fasted-fed). One day after the completion of the oestrous induction protocol, group F and F-F animals stayed without feed for 24 hr; thereafter, feed was provided to R and F-F cattle; 2 hr later, GnRH was administered to all animals. Blood samples were collected for ghrelin, progesterone, LH and cortisol concentrations. Fasting caused increased ghrelin concentrations in groups F and F-F, while in response to GnRH, LH surge was significantly attenuated in groups F and F-F compared to R. In experiment 2, lactating cows and heifers were used. On day 9 of a synchronized cycle, PGF2α was administered, and blood samples were collected twice daily until the third day after oestrus and analysed for progesterone, estradiol, ghrelin, glucose and BHBA concentrations. No difference was recorded between groups in steroids and BHBA concentrations. In comparison to mid-luteal values, ghrelin concentrations significantly increased at perioestrual period in cows, but not in heifers. This study provides evidence that starving-induced elevated ghrelin concentrations can have suppressing effect on LH secretion, even after ghrelin's restoration to basal values and that during oestrus, ghrelin secretion is differently regulated in cows and heifers, likely being independent from oestradiol concentrations. Further research is required to identify the determining factors that drive the different regulation of ghrelin secretion in cows and heifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Markos Chouzouris
- Department of Obstetrics and Reproduction, Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - Eleni Dovolou
- Department of Obstetrics and Reproduction, Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | | | - Panagiotis Georgoulias
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Lambrini V Athanasiou
- Department of Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
| | - Georgios S Amiridis
- Department of Obstetrics and Reproduction, Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
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22
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DeAtley KL, Colgrave ML, Cánovas A, Wijffels G, Ashley RL, Silver GA, Rincon G, Medrano JF, Islas-Trejo A, Fortes MRS, Reverter A, Porto-Neto L, Lehnert SA, Thomas MG. Neuropeptidome of the Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland of Indicine × Taurine Heifers: Evidence of Differential Neuropeptide Processing in the Pituitary Gland before and after Puberty. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:1852-1865. [PMID: 29510626 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.7b00875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Puberty in cattle is regulated by an endocrine axis, which includes a complex milieu of neuropeptides in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The neuropeptidome of hypothalamic-pituitary gland tissue of pre- (PRE) and postpubertal (POST) Bos indicus-influenced heifers was characterized, followed by quantitative analysis of 51 fertility-related neuropeptides in these tissues. Comparison of peptide abundances with gene expression levels allowed assessment of post-transcriptional peptide processing. On the basis of classical cleavage, 124 mature neuropeptides from 35 precursor proteins were detected in hypothalamus and pituitary gland tissues of three PRE and three POST Brangus heifers. An additional 19 peptides (cerebellins, PEN peptides) previously reported as neuropeptides that did not follow classical cleavage were also identified. In the pre-pubertal hypothalamus, a greater diversity of neuropeptides (25.8%) was identified relative to post-pubertal heifers, while in the pituitary gland, 38.6% more neuropeptides were detected in the post-pubertal heifers. Neuro-tissues of PRE and POST heifers revealed abundance differences ( p < 0.05) in peptides from protein precursors involved in packaging and processing (e.g., the granin family and ProSAAS) or neuron stimulation (PENK, CART, POMC, cerebellins). On their own, the transcriptome data of the precursor genes could not predict the neuropeptide profile in the exact same tissues in several cases. This provides further evidence of the importance of differential processing of the neuropeptide precursors in the pituitary before and after puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasey L DeAtley
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences , New Mexico State University , Las Cruces , New Mexico 88003 , United States
| | - Michelle L Colgrave
- CSIRO, Agriculture and Food , 306 Carmody Road , St. Lucia , Queensland 4067 , Australia
| | - Angela Cánovas
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences , University of Guelph , Guelph , Ontario N1G 2W1 , Canada
| | - Gene Wijffels
- CSIRO, Agriculture and Food , 306 Carmody Road , St. Lucia , Queensland 4067 , Australia
| | - Ryan L Ashley
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences , New Mexico State University , Las Cruces , New Mexico 88003 , United States
| | - Gail A Silver
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences , New Mexico State University , Las Cruces , New Mexico 88003 , United States
| | - Gonzalo Rincon
- Zoetis Animal Health , Kalamazoo , Michigan 49007 , United States
| | - Juan F Medrano
- Department of Animal Science , University of California , Davis , California 95616 , United States
| | - Alma Islas-Trejo
- Department of Animal Science , University of California , Davis , California 95616 , United States
| | - Marina R S Fortes
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences , University of Queensland , St. Lucia , Queensland 4042 , Australia
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, St. Lucia , Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - Antonio Reverter
- CSIRO, Agriculture and Food , 306 Carmody Road , St. Lucia , Queensland 4067 , Australia
| | - Laercio Porto-Neto
- CSIRO, Agriculture and Food , 306 Carmody Road , St. Lucia , Queensland 4067 , Australia
| | - Sigrid A Lehnert
- CSIRO, Agriculture and Food , 306 Carmody Road , St. Lucia , Queensland 4067 , Australia
| | - Milton G Thomas
- Department of Animal Sciences , Colorado State University , Fort Collins , Colorado 80523 , United States
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Thorson JF, Prezotto LD, Adams H, Petersen SL, Clapper JA, Wright EC, Oliver WT, Freking BA, Foote AP, Berry ED, Nonneman DJ, Lents CA. Energy balance affects pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone from the adenohypophesis and expression of neurokinin B in the hypothalamus of ovariectomized gilts†. Biol Reprod 2018; 99:433-445. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ligia D Prezotto
- Nutritional & Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Montana State University, Havre, Montana, USA
| | - Hillary Adams
- Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sandra L Petersen
- Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Clapper
- Animal Science, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, USA
| | - Elane C Wright
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska, USA
| | - William T Oliver
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska, USA
| | - Bradley A Freking
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska, USA
| | - Andrew P Foote
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska, USA
| | - Elaine D Berry
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska, USA
| | - Danny J Nonneman
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska, USA
| | - Clay A Lents
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska, USA
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Review: The effect of nutrition on timing of pubertal onset and subsequent fertility in the bull. Animal 2018; 12:s36-s44. [PMID: 29554994 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731118000514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of genomic selection has led to increased interest within the cattle breeding industry to market semen from young bulls as early as possible. However, both the quantity and quality of such semen is dictated by the age at which these animals reach puberty. Enhancing early life plane of nutrition of the bull stimulates a complex biochemical interplay involving metabolic and neuroendocrine signalling and culminating in enhanced testicular growth and development and earlier onset of sexual maturation. Recent evidence suggests that an enhanced plane of nutrition leads to an advancement of testicular development in bulls at 18 weeks of age. However, as of yet, much of the neuronal mechanisms regulating these developmental processes remain to be elucidated in the bull. While early life nutrition clearly affects the sexual maturation process in bulls, there is little evidence for latent effects on semen traits post-puberty. Equally the influence of prevailing nutritional status on the fertility of mature bulls is unclear though management practices that result in clinical or even subclinical metabolic disease can undoubtedly impact upon normal sexual function. Dietary supplements enriched with various polyunsaturated fatty acids or fortified with trace elements do not consistently affect reproductive function in the bull, certainly where animals are already adequately nourished. Further insight on how nutrition mediates the biochemical interaction between neuroendocrine and testicular processes will facilitate optimisation of nutritional regimens to optimise sexual maturation and subsequent semen production in bulls.
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Allen CC, Tedeschi LO, Keisler DH, Cardoso RC, Alves BRC, Amstalden M, Williams GL. Interaction of dietary energy source and body weight gain during the juvenile period on metabolic endocrine status and age at puberty in beef heifers. J Anim Sci 2017; 95:2080-2088. [PMID: 28727020 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2016.1002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Using a previously established model for nutritional acceleration of puberty, beef heifers ( = 48; 1/2 Angus × 1/4 Hereford × 1/4 Brahman) were used in a replicated 2 × 2 factorial design to examine the effects of diet type (high forage [HF] vs. high concentrate [HC]) and rate of BW gain (low gain [LG], 0.45 kg/d, vs. high gain [HG], 0.91 kg/d) on key metabolic hormones and age at puberty. After weaning at 14 ± 1 wk of age, heifers were assigned randomly to be fed HC-HG, HC-LG, HF-HG, or HF-LG ( = 12/group) beginning at 4 mo of age for 14 wk. Heifers were then switched to a common growth diet until puberty. Average daily gain was greater ( < 0.04) during the dietary treatment phase in HG heifers (0.81 ± 0.06 kg/d) than in LG heifers (0.43 ± 0.06 kg/d), and there was no diet type × rate of gain interaction. Puberty was achieved at a younger age (54.5 ± 1.8 wk) in both HG groups than in LG groups (60.2 ± 1.9 wk; < 0.04), but dietary energy source (HC vs. HF) did not influence this variable. Moreover, mean BW at puberty did not differ by diet type or rate of gain during the dietary treatment phase. Nonetheless, heifers fed HC-HG exhibited a striking increase ( < 0.0001) in serum leptin beginning at 26 ± 1 wk of age and remained elevated ( < 0.01) throughout the remainder of the experimental feeding phase compared to all other treatments. However, serum leptin in HC-HG dropped precipitously when heifers were switched to the common growth diet and did not differ from that of other groups thereafter. Overall mean concentrations of serum glucose were greater ( < 0.006) in HG heifers than in LG during the dietary treatment phase, with serum insulin also greater ( < 0.04) in HG than in LG only during weeks 20, 22, and 30. Mean serum IGF-1 was not affected by dietary type or rate of BW gain. We speculate that failure of the marked increase in serum leptin observed in HC-HG heifers during the dietary treatment phase to further accelerate puberty compared to HF-HG occurred because of its abrupt decline at the onset of the common growth phase, thus attenuating the temporal cue for activation of the reproductive neuroendocrine system.
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Júnior GAO, Perez BC, Cole JB, Santana MHA, Silveira J, Mazzoni G, Ventura RV, Júnior MLS, Kadarmideen HN, Garrick DJ, Ferraz JBS. Genomic study and Medical Subject Headings enrichment analysis of early pregnancy rate and antral follicle numbers in Nelore heifers. J Anim Sci 2017; 95:4796-4812. [PMID: 29293733 PMCID: PMC6292327 DOI: 10.2527/jas2017.1752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebu animals () are known to take longer to reach puberty compared with taurine animals (), limiting the supply of animals for harvest or breeding and impacting profitability. Genomic information can be a helpful tool to better understand complex traits and improve genetic gains. In this study, we performed a genomewide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic variants associated with reproductive traits in Nelore beef cattle. Heifer pregnancy (HP) was recorded for 1,267 genotyped animals distributed in 12 contemporary groups (CG) with an average pregnancy rate of 0.35 (±0.01). Disregarding one of these CG, the number of antral follicles (NF) was also collected for 937 of these animals, with an average of 11.53 (±4.43). The animals were organized in CG: 12 and 11 for HP and NF, respectively. Genes in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the associated variants can be considered in a functional enrichment analysis to identify biological mechanisms involved in fertility. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) were detected using the MESHR package, allowing the extraction of broad meanings from the gene lists provided by the GWAS. The estimated heritability for HP was 0.28 ± 0.07 and for NF was 0.49 ± 0.09, with the genomic correlation being -0.21 ± 0.29. The average LD between adjacent markers was 0.23 ± 0.01, and GWAS identified genomic windows that accounted for >1% of total genetic variance on chromosomes 5, 14, and 18 for HP and on chromosomes 2, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16, and 22 for NF. The MeSH enrichment analyses revealed significant ( < 0.05) terms associated with HP-"Munc18 Proteins," "Fucose," and "Hemoglobins"-and with NF-"Cathepsin B," "Receptors, Neuropeptide," and "Palmitic Acid." This is the first study in Nelore cattle introducing the concept of MeSH analysis. The genomic analyses contributed to a better understanding of the genetic control of the reproductive traits HP and NF and provide new selection strategies to improve beef production.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - B. C. Perez
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - J. B. Cole
- Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350
| | | | - J. Silveira
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - G. Mazzoni
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Section of Systems Genomics, Department of Bio and Health Informatics, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - R. V. Ventura
- Beef Improvement Opportunities, Guelph, ON N1K1E5, Canada
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G2W1, Canada
| | | | - H. N. Kadarmideen
- Section of Systems Genomics, Department of Bio and Health Informatics, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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27
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Byrne C, Fair S, English A, Urh C, Sauerwein H, Crowe M, Lonergan P, Kenny D. Effect of breed, plane of nutrition and age on growth, scrotal development, metabolite concentrations and on systemic gonadotropin and testosterone concentrations following a GnRH challenge in young dairy bulls. Theriogenology 2017; 96:58-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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28
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Reynolds LP, Vonnahme KA. TRIENNIAL REPRODUCTION SYMPOSIUM: Developmental programming of fertility. J Anim Sci 2017; 94:2699-704. [PMID: 27482657 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The 2015 Triennial Reproduction Symposium focused on developmental programming of fertility. The topics covered during the morning session included the role of the placenta in programming of fetal growth and development, effects of feeding system and level of feeding during pregnancy on the annual production cycle and lifetime productivity of heifer offspring, effects of litter size and level of socialization postnatally on reproductive performance of pigs, effects of postnatal dietary intake on maturation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and onset of puberty in heifers, effects of housing systems on growth performance and reproductive efficiency of gilts, and effects of energy balance on sexual differentiation in rodent models. The morning session concluded with presentation of the American Society of Animal Science L. E. Casida Award for Excellence in Graduate Education to Dr. Michael Smith from the University of Missouri, Columbia, who shared his philosophy of graduate education. The afternoon session included talks on the role of epigenetic modifications in developmental programming and transgenerational inheritance of reproductive dysfunction, effects of endocrine disrupting compounds on fetal development and long-term physiology of the individual, and potential consequences of real-life exposure to environmental contaminants on reproductive health. The symposium concluded with a summary talk and the posing of 2 questions to the audience. From an evolutionary standpoint, programming and epigenetic events must be adaptive; when do they become maladaptive? If there are so many environmental factors that induce developmental programming, are we doomed, and if not, what is or are the solution or solutions?
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29
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Fortes MRS, Nguyen LT, Weller MMDCA, Cánovas A, Islas-Trejo A, Porto-Neto LR, Reverter A, Lehnert SA, Boe-Hansen GB, Thomas MG, Medrano JF, Moore SS. Transcriptome analyses identify five transcription factors differentially expressed in the hypothalamus of post- versus prepubertal Brahman heifers. J Anim Sci 2017; 94:3693-3702. [PMID: 27898892 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2016-0471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Puberty onset is a developmental process influenced by genetic determinants, environment, and nutrition. Mutations and regulatory gene networks constitute the molecular basis for the genetic determinants of puberty onset. The emerging knowledge of these genetic determinants presents opportunities for innovation in the breeding of early pubertal cattle. This paper presents new data on hypothalamic gene expression related to puberty in (Brahman) in age- and weight-matched heifers. Six postpubertal heifers were compared with 6 prepubertal heifers using whole-genome RNA sequencing methodology for quantification of global gene expression in the hypothalamus. Five transcription factors (TF) with potential regulatory roles in the hypothalamus were identified in this experiment: , , , , and . These TF genes were significantly differentially expressed in the hypothalamus of postpubertal versus prepubertal heifers and were also identified as significant according to the applied regulatory impact factor metric ( < 0.05). Two of these 5 TF, and , were zinc fingers, belonging to a gene family previously reported to have a central regulatory role in mammalian puberty. The gene belongs to the family of homologues of Drosophila sine oculis () genes implicated in transcriptional regulation of gonadotrope gene expression. Tumor-related genes such as and are known to affect basic cellular processes that are relevant in both cancer and developmental processes. Mutations in were associated with puberty in humans. Mutations in these TF, together with other genetic determinants previously discovered, could be used in genomic selection to predict the genetic merit of cattle (i.e., the likelihood of the offspring presenting earlier than average puberty for Brahman). Knowledge of key mutations involved in genetic traits is an advantage for genomic prediction because it can increase its accuracy.
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30
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Ghrelin suppresses the GnRH-induced preovulatory gonadotropin surge in dairy heifers. Theriogenology 2016; 86:1615-1621. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2016] [Revised: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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31
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Polymorphisms and genes associated with puberty in heifers. Theriogenology 2016; 86:333-9. [PMID: 27238439 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Puberty onset is a multifactorial process influenced by genetic determinants and environmental conditions, especially nutritional status. Genes, genetic variations, and regulatory networks compose the molecular basis of achieving puberty. In this article, we reviewed the discovery of multiple polymorphisms and genes associated with heifer puberty phenotypes and discuss the opportunities to use this evolving knowledge of genetic determinants for breeding early pubertal Bos indicus-influenced cattle. The discovery of polymorphisms and genes was mainly achieved through candidate gene studies, quantitative trait loci analyses, genome-wide association studies, and recently, global gene expression studies (transcriptome). These studies are recapitulated and summarized in the current review.
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32
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Rodríguez-Sánchez JA, Sanz A, Tamanini C, Casasús I. Metabolic, endocrine, and reproductive responses of beef heifers submitted to different growth strategies during the lactation and rearing periods1. J Anim Sci 2015; 93:3871-85. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-8994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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33
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Cardoso RC, Alves BRC, Prezotto LD, Thorson JF, Tedeschi LO, Keisler DH, Amstalden M, Williams GL. Reciprocal changes in leptin and NPY during nutritional acceleration of puberty in heifers. J Endocrinol 2014; 223:289-98. [PMID: 25326602 DOI: 10.1530/joe-14-0504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Feeding a high-concentrate diet to heifers during the juvenile period, resulting in increased body weight (BW) gain and adiposity, leads to early-onset puberty. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the increase in GnRH/LH release during nutritional acceleration of puberty is accompanied by reciprocal changes in circulating leptin and central release of neuropeptide Y (NPY). The heifers were weaned at 3.5 months of age and fed to gain either 0.5 (Low-gain; LG) or 1.0 kg/day (High-gain; HG) for 30 weeks. A subgroup of heifers was fitted surgically with third ventricle guide cannulas and was subjected to intensive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood sampling at 8 and 9 months of age. Mean BW was greater in HG than in LG heifers at week 6 of the experiment and remained greater thereafter. Starting at 9 months of age, the percentage of pubertal HG heifers was greater than that of LG heifers, although a replicate effect was observed. During the 6-h period in which CSF and blood were collected simultaneously, all LH pulses coincided with or shortly followed a GnRH pulse. At 8 months of age, the frequency of LH pulses was greater in the HG than in the LG group. Beginning at 6 months of age, concentrations of leptin were greater in HG than in LG heifers. At 9 months of age, concentrations of NPY in the CSF were lesser in HG heifers. These observations indicate that increased BW gain during juvenile development accelerates puberty in heifers, coincident with reciprocal changes in circulating concentrations of leptin and hypothalamic NPY release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo C Cardoso
- Animal Reproduction LaboratoryTexas A&M AgriLife Research Station, 3507 Highway 59E, Beeville, Texas 78102, USADepartment of Animal ScienceKleberg Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USADivision of Animal SciencesAnimal Science Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA Animal Reproduction LaboratoryTexas A&M AgriLife Research Station, 3507 Highway 59E, Beeville, Texas 78102, USADepartment of Animal ScienceKleberg Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USADivision of Animal SciencesAnimal Science Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
| | - Bruna R C Alves
- Animal Reproduction LaboratoryTexas A&M AgriLife Research Station, 3507 Highway 59E, Beeville, Texas 78102, USADepartment of Animal ScienceKleberg Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USADivision of Animal SciencesAnimal Science Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
| | - Ligia D Prezotto
- Animal Reproduction LaboratoryTexas A&M AgriLife Research Station, 3507 Highway 59E, Beeville, Texas 78102, USADepartment of Animal ScienceKleberg Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USADivision of Animal SciencesAnimal Science Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA Animal Reproduction LaboratoryTexas A&M AgriLife Research Station, 3507 Highway 59E, Beeville, Texas 78102, USADepartment of Animal ScienceKleberg Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USADivision of Animal SciencesAnimal Science Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
| | - Jennifer F Thorson
- Animal Reproduction LaboratoryTexas A&M AgriLife Research Station, 3507 Highway 59E, Beeville, Texas 78102, USADepartment of Animal ScienceKleberg Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USADivision of Animal SciencesAnimal Science Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA Animal Reproduction LaboratoryTexas A&M AgriLife Research Station, 3507 Highway 59E, Beeville, Texas 78102, USADepartment of Animal ScienceKleberg Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USADivision of Animal SciencesAnimal Science Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
| | - Luis O Tedeschi
- Animal Reproduction LaboratoryTexas A&M AgriLife Research Station, 3507 Highway 59E, Beeville, Texas 78102, USADepartment of Animal ScienceKleberg Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USADivision of Animal SciencesAnimal Science Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
| | - Duane H Keisler
- Animal Reproduction LaboratoryTexas A&M AgriLife Research Station, 3507 Highway 59E, Beeville, Texas 78102, USADepartment of Animal ScienceKleberg Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USADivision of Animal SciencesAnimal Science Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
| | - Marcel Amstalden
- Animal Reproduction LaboratoryTexas A&M AgriLife Research Station, 3507 Highway 59E, Beeville, Texas 78102, USADepartment of Animal ScienceKleberg Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USADivision of Animal SciencesAnimal Science Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
| | - Gary L Williams
- Animal Reproduction LaboratoryTexas A&M AgriLife Research Station, 3507 Highway 59E, Beeville, Texas 78102, USADepartment of Animal ScienceKleberg Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USADivision of Animal SciencesAnimal Science Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA Animal Reproduction LaboratoryTexas A&M AgriLife Research Station, 3507 Highway 59E, Beeville, Texas 78102, USADepartment of Animal ScienceKleberg Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USADivision of Animal SciencesAnimal Science Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
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34
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Mirando MA, Stormshak F. Reproduction Symposium: external influences on reproductive neuroendocrinology. J Anim Sci 2014; 92:3183-4. [PMID: 25006064 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2014-8219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M A Mirando
- Division of Animal Systems, Institute of Food Production and Sustainability, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-2240
| | - F Stormshak
- Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331
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