A proposed modulatory role of the endocannabinoid system on adipose tissue metabolism and appetite in periparturient dairy cows

Abstract

To sustain the nutrient demands of rapid fetal growth, parturition, and milk synthesis, periparturient dairy cows mobilize adipose tissue fatty acid stores through lipolysis. This process induces an inflammatory response within AT that is resolved as lactation progresses; however, excessive and protracted lipolysis compounds the risk for metabolic and inflammatory diseases. The suppression of lipolytic action and inflammation, along with amplification of adipogenesis and lipogenesis, serve as prospective therapeutic targets for improving the health of periparturient dairy cows. Generally, the activation of cannabinoid receptors by endocannabinoids enhances adipogenesis and lipogenesis, suppresses lipolysis, and increases appetite in mammals. These biological effects of activating the endocannabinoid system open the possibility of harnessing the endocannabinoid system through nutritional intervention in dairy herds as a potential tool to improve dairy cows’ health, although much is still to be revealed in this context. This review summarizes the current knowledge surrounding the components of the endocannabinoid system, elaborates on the metabolic effects of its activation, and explores the potential to modulate its activity in periparturient dairy cows.

Effects of endocannabinoids on feed intake, stress response and whole-body energy metabolism in dairy cows

“…As proposed by Myers, et al 31 , activating the ECS in cows could provide the opportunity to improve dairy health and increase productivity by increasing feed intake and improving energy partitioning. Previous studies in periparturient dairy cows have shown the involvement of the ECS in adipose tissue metabolism, more specifically, an activation of the ECS in animals exhibiting high rates of lipolysis 32 .…”

Endocannabinoids Produced by White Adipose Tissue Modulate Lipolysis in Lean but Not in Obese Rodent and Human

“…Thus, it has been demonstrated that CB1R activation in adipocytes favors energy storage by different additional mechanisms, such as enhancement of lipoprotein lipase activity, glucose uptake and adipogenesis (4,6,(15)(16)(17). Numerous studies have reported an ECS involvement in the regulation of fat mobilization (18,19). However, conclusions were mostly drawn from analysis of gene or protein expression obtained from animals that were chronically treated with CB1R antagonists (20,21).…”

Effects of intracerebroventricular anandamide administration on feed intake and milk yield of dairy cows

“…The extent of carbohydrate utilization could not be measured in the present study, but its increase may explain the decline in milk yield after AEA administration. In addition to stimulating carbohydrate catabolism, endocannabinoids may exert hormone-like effects supporting anabolic processes such as increased de novo fatty acid synthesis in liver (Purohit et al, 2010) or adipose tissue lipogenesis (Myers et al, 2021). In dairy cows, AEA reduced whole-body fat oxidation (van Ackern et al, 2021a).…”