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Anas M, Ward AK, McCarthy KL, Borowicz PP, Reynolds LP, Caton JS, Dahlen CR, Diniz WJS. lncRNA-gene network analysis reveals the effects of early maternal nutrition on mineral homeostasis and energy metabolism in the fetal liver transcriptome of beef heifers. J Nutr Biochem 2024; 132:109691. [PMID: 38879136 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2024.109691] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Maternal nutrition during pregnancy influences fetal development; however, the regulatory markers of fetal programming across different gestational phases remain underexplored in livestock models. Herein, we investigated the regulatory role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) on fetal liver gene expression, the impacts of maternal vitamin and mineral supplementation, and the rate of maternal body weight gain during the periconceptual period. To this end, crossbred Angus heifers (n=31) were randomly assigned to a 2×2 factorial design to evaluate the main effects of the rate of weight gain (low gain [LG, avg. daily gain of 0.28 kg/day] vs. moderate gain [MG, avg. daily gain of 0.79 kg/day]) and vitamins and minerals supplementation (VTM vs. NoVTM). On day 83±0.27 of gestation, fetuses were collected for morphometric measurements, and fetal liver was collected for transcriptomic and mineral analyses. The maternal diet significantly affected fetal liver development and mineral reserves. Using an RNA-Seq approach, we identified 320 unique differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across all six comparisons (FDR <0.05). Furthermore, lncRNAs were predicted through the FEELnc pipeline, revealing 99 unique differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs). The over-represented pathways and biological processes (BPs) were associated with energy metabolism, Wnt signaling, CoA carboxylase activity, and fatty acid metabolism. The DEL-regulated BPs were associated with metal ion transport, pyrimidine metabolism, and classical energy metabolism-related glycolytic, gluconeogenic, and TCA cycle pathways. Our findings suggest that lncRNAs regulate mineral homeostasis- and energy metabolism-related gene networks in the fetal liver in response to early maternal nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Anas
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Alison K Ward
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Kacie L McCarthy
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Pawel P Borowicz
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Lawrence P Reynolds
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Joel S Caton
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Carl R Dahlen
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
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Luecke SM, Aryee G, Holman DB, Schmidt KN, King LE, Crouse MS, Ward AK, Dahlen CR, Caton JS, Amat S. Effects of dietary restriction and one-carbon metabolite supplementation during the first 63 days of gestation on the maternal gut, vaginal, and blood microbiota in cattle. Anim Microbiome 2024; 6:48. [PMID: 39210404 PMCID: PMC11360793 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-024-00335-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal diet quality and quantity have significant impacts on both maternal and fetal health and development. The composition and function of the maternal gut microbiome is also significantly influenced by diet; however, little is known about the impact of gestational nutrient restriction on the bovine maternal microbiome during early gestation, which is a critical stage for maternal microbiome-mediated fetal programming to take place. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impacts of diet restriction and one-carbon metabolite (OCM) supplementation during early gestation on maternal ruminal, vaginal, and blood microbiota in cattle. Thirty-three beef heifers (approx. 14 months old) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment with main factors of target gain (control [CON]; targeted 0.45 kg/d gain vs restricted [RES]; targeted - 0.23 kg/d gain), and OCM supplementation (+ OCM vs - OCM; n = 8/treatment; except n = 9 for RES-OCM). Heifers were individually fed, starting treatment at breeding (d 0) and concluding at d 63 of gestation. Ruminal fluid and vaginal swabs were collected on d - 2, d 35, and d 63 (at necropsy) and whole blood was collected on d 63 (necropsy). Bacterial microbiota was assessed using 16S rRNA gene (V3-V4) sequencing. RESULTS Overall ruminal microbiota structure was affected by gain, OCM, time, and their interactions. The RES heifers had greater microbial richness (observed ASVs) but neither Shannon nor Inverse Simpson diversity was significantly influenced by gain or OCM supplementation; however, on d 63, 34 bacterial genera showed differential abundance in the ruminal fluid, with 25 genera enriched in RES heifers as compared to CON heifers. In addition, the overall interaction network structure of the ruminal microbiota changed due to diet restriction. The vaginal microbiota community structure was influenced by gain and time. Overall microbial richness and diversity of the vaginal microbiota steadily increased as pregnancy progressed. The vaginal ecological network structure was distinctive between RES and CON heifers with genera-genera interactions being intensified in RES heifers. A relatively diverse bacterial community was detected in blood samples, and the composition of the blood microbiota differed from that of ruminal and vaginal microbiota. CONCLUSION Restricted dietary intake during early gestation induced significant alterations in the ruminal microbiota which also extended to the vaginal microbiota. The composition of these two microbial communities was largely unaffected by OCM supplementation. Blood associated microbiota was largely distinctive from the ruminal and vaginal microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Luecke
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Godson Aryee
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Devin B Holman
- Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe, AB, Canada
| | - Kaycie N Schmidt
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Layla E King
- Department of Animal Sciences, and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Matthew S Crouse
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, USA
| | - Alison K Ward
- Department of Animal Sciences, and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Carl R Dahlen
- Department of Animal Sciences, and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Joel S Caton
- Department of Animal Sciences, and Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Samat Amat
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA.
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Daneshi M, Borowicz PP, Entzie YL, Syring JG, King LE, Safain KS, Anas M, Reynolds LP, Ward AK, Dahlen CR, Crouse MS, Caton JS. Influence of Maternal Nutrition and One-Carbon Metabolites Supplementation during Early Pregnancy on Bovine Fetal Small Intestine Vascularity and Cell Proliferation. Vet Sci 2024; 11:146. [PMID: 38668414 PMCID: PMC11054626 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11040146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
To investigate the effects of nutrient restriction and one-carbon metabolite (OCM) supplementation (folate, vitamin B12, methionine, and choline) on fetal small intestine weight, vascularity, and cell proliferation, 29 (n = 7 ± 1 per treatment) crossbred Angus beef heifers (436 ± 42 kg) were estrous synchronized and conceived by artificial insemination with female sexed semen from a single sire. Then, they were allotted randomly to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with the main factors of nutritional plane [control (CON) vs. restricted feed intake (RES)] and OCM supplementation [without OCM (-OCM) or with OCM (+OCM)]. Heifers receiving the CON level of intake were fed to target an average daily gain of 0.45 kg/day, which would allow them to reach 80% of mature BW by calving. Heifers receiving the RES level of intake were fed to lose 0.23 kg/heifer daily, which mimics observed production responses in heifers that experience a diet and environment change during early gestation. Targeted heifer gain and OCM treatments were administered from d 0 to 63 of gestation, and then all heifers were fed a common diet targeting 0.45 kg/d gain until d 161 of gestation, when heifers were slaughtered, and fetal jejunum was collected. Gain had no effect (p = 0.17) on the fetal small intestinal weight. However, OCM treatments (p = 0.02) displayed less weight compared to the -OCM groups. Capillary area density was increased in fetal jejunal villi of RES - OCM (p = 0.02). Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) positivity ratio tended to be greater (p = 0.08) in villi and was less in the crypts (p = 0.02) of the RES + OCM group. Cell proliferation decreased (p = 0.02) in villi and crypts of fetal jejunal tissue from heifers fed the RES + OCM treatment compared with all groups and CON - OCM, respectively. Spatial cell density increased in RES - OCM compared with CON + OCM (p = 0.05). Combined, these data show OCM supplementation can increase expression of VEGFR2 in jejunal villi, which will promote maintenance of the microvascular beds, while at the same time decreasing small intestine weight and crypt cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Daneshi
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (P.P.B.); (Y.L.E.); (K.S.S.); (M.A.); (L.P.R.); (C.R.D.)
| | - Pawel P. Borowicz
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (P.P.B.); (Y.L.E.); (K.S.S.); (M.A.); (L.P.R.); (C.R.D.)
| | - Yssi L. Entzie
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (P.P.B.); (Y.L.E.); (K.S.S.); (M.A.); (L.P.R.); (C.R.D.)
| | - Jessica G. Syring
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (P.P.B.); (Y.L.E.); (K.S.S.); (M.A.); (L.P.R.); (C.R.D.)
| | - Layla E. King
- Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Minnesota Crookston, Crookston, MN 56716, USA;
| | - Kazi Sarjana Safain
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (P.P.B.); (Y.L.E.); (K.S.S.); (M.A.); (L.P.R.); (C.R.D.)
| | - Muhammad Anas
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (P.P.B.); (Y.L.E.); (K.S.S.); (M.A.); (L.P.R.); (C.R.D.)
| | - Lawrence P. Reynolds
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (P.P.B.); (Y.L.E.); (K.S.S.); (M.A.); (L.P.R.); (C.R.D.)
| | - Alison K. Ward
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada;
| | - Carl R. Dahlen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (P.P.B.); (Y.L.E.); (K.S.S.); (M.A.); (L.P.R.); (C.R.D.)
| | - Matthew S. Crouse
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA;
| | - Joel S. Caton
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA; (P.P.B.); (Y.L.E.); (K.S.S.); (M.A.); (L.P.R.); (C.R.D.)
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Hurlbert JL, Baumgaertner F, Menezes ACB, Bochantin KA, Diniz WJS, Underdahl SR, Dorsam ST, Kirsch JD, Sedivec KK, Dahlen CR. Supplementing vitamins and minerals to beef heifers during gestation: impacts on mineral status in the dam and offspring, and growth and physiological responses of female offspring from birth to puberty. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae002. [PMID: 38175528 PMCID: PMC10836515 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae002] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the effects of feeding a vitamin and mineral supplement to nulliparous beef heifers throughout gestation on the mineral status of the dam, calf, placenta, and colostrum; offspring growth performance; and physiological responses of offspring raised as replacement heifers. Angus-based heifers (n = 31, initial body weight [BW] = 412.5 ± 53.68 kg) were adapted to an individual feeding system for 14 d, estrus synchronized and bred with female-sexed semen. Heifers were ranked by BW and randomly assigned to receive either a basal diet (CON; n = 14) or the basal diet plus 113 g heifer-1 d-1 of the vitamin and mineral supplement (VTM; n = 17). Targeted BW gains for both treatments was 0.45 kg heifer-1 d-1. Liver biopsies were obtained from dams at breeding, days 84 and 180 of gestation. At calving, liver biopsies were taken from dams and calves; colostrum, placenta, and blood samples were collected; and calf body measurements were recorded. After calving, all cow-calf pairs received a common diet through weaning, and F1 heifer calves were managed similarly after weaning. Offspring growth performance, feeding behavior, blood metabolites, and hormones were evaluated from birth through 15 mo of age. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS with repeated measures where appropriate. Hepatic concentrations of Se decreased in VTM dams (P ≤ 0.05) from day 84 to calving, while concentrations of Cu decreased in VTM and CON (P ≤ 0.05) from day 84 to calving. Calf liver concentrations of Se, Cu, Zn, and Co at birth were greater for VTM than CON (P ≤ 0.05), but calf birth BW and body measurements were not different (P = 0.45). Placental Se, colostrum quantity, total Se, Cu, Zn, and Mn in colostrum were greater (P ≤ 0.04) in VTM dams than CON. Finally, offspring from VTM dams were heavier than CON (P < 0.0001) from weaning through 15 mo of age. These results were coupled with greater (P ≤ 0.04) blood glucose at birth, decreased (P ≤ 0.05) blood urea nitrogen at pasture turn out and weaning, and altered feeding behaviors in VTM offspring compared with CON. Maternal gestational vitamin and mineral supplementation enhanced mineral status in dams and F1 progeny, augmented postnatal offspring growth and blood metabolites. Consequently, in utero vitamin and mineral supplementation may exert programming outcomes on the performance and productivity of females raised as herd replacements and should be considered when developing diets for gestating cows and heifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Hurlbert
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
| | - Friederike Baumgaertner
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
- Central Grasslands Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Streeter, ND 58483, USA
| | - Ana Clara B Menezes
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
| | - Kerri A Bochantin
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
| | - Wellison J S Diniz
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
| | - Sarah R Underdahl
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
| | - Sheri T Dorsam
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
| | - James D Kirsch
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
| | - Kevin K Sedivec
- Central Grasslands Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Streeter, ND 58483, USA
| | - Carl R Dahlen
- Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
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Van Saun RJ. Trace Mineral Metabolism: The Maternal-Fetal Bond. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2023; 39:399-412. [PMID: 37442677 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Trace minerals are essential nutrients that have many biologic functions, many of which are related to metabolic activities, immune function, and antioxidant capacity. The pregnant dam provides essential nutrients to support fetal development, including trace minerals. Milk is known to be an insufficient source of many trace minerals during the early nursing neonatal period. The fetal liver is capable of concentrating minerals to generate a reserve for use during postnatal life; however, the sufficiency of this reserve is dependent upon maternal mineral status. Appropriate mineral supplementation in the gestational diet is critical to supporting fetal development, maintaining adequate antioxidant capacity to survive the birthing process, and sustain immune function and growth of the newborn animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Van Saun
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, 108C Animal, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Building, University Park, PA 16802-3500, USA.
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