Body condition score and plane of nutrition prepartum affect adipose tissue transcriptome regulators of metabolism and inflammation in grazing dairy cows during the transition period

Abstract

Recent studies demonstrating a higher incidence of metabolic disorders after calving have challenged the management practice of increasing dietary energy density during the last ~3 wk prepartum. Despite our knowledge at the whole-animal level, the tissue-level mechanisms that are altered in response to feeding management prepartum remain unclear. Our hypothesis was that prepartum body condition score (BCS), in combination with feeding management, plays a central role in the peripartum changes associated with energy balance and inflammatory state. Twenty-eight mid-lactation grazing dairy cows of mixed age and breed were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatment groups in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: 2 prepartum BCS categories (4.0 and 5.0, based on a 10-point scale; BCS4, BCS5) obtained via differential feeding management during late-lactation, and 2 levels of energy intake during the 3 wk preceding calving (75 and 125% of estimated requirements). Subcutaneous adipose tissue was harvested via biopsy at -1, 1, and 4 wk relative to parturition. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) expression of targets related to fatty acid metabolism (lipogenesis, lipolysis), adipokine synthesis, and inflammation. Both prepartum BCS and feeding management had a significant effect on mRNA and miRNA expression throughout the peripartum period. Overfed BCS5 cows had the greatest prepartum expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and an overall greater expression of leptin (LEP); BCS5 was also associated with greater overall adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), whereas overfeeding upregulated expression of proadipogenic miRNA. Higher postpartum expression of chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) and the cytokines interleukin 6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was detected in overfed BCS5 cows. Feed-restricted BCS4 cows had the highest overall interleukin 1 (IL1B) expression. Prepartum feed restriction resulted in greater chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) expression. Overall, changes in mRNA expression were consistent with the expression pattern of inflammation-related miRNA. These data shed light on molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of prepartum BCS and feeding management on metabolic and inflammatory status of adipose tissue during the peripartum period. Data support the use of a controlled feed restriction prepartum in optimally conditioned cows, as well as the use of a higher level of dietary energy in under-conditioned cows.

Effects of precalving body condition and prepartum feeding level on gene expression in circulating neutrophils

“…The changes in the inflammatory phenotype in BCS 4 cows may be a result of the reduced adiposity in these cows, as adipose tissue is proinflammatory in nature (Vailati-Riboni et al, 2016). The current study demonstrates evidence of altered cholesterol utilization in response to BCS; compared with BCS 5 cows, we noted an increase (1.5 fold, P < 0.05) in ALOX5AP gene expression in thinner cows.…”

Potential of plant polyphenols to combat oxidative stress and inflammatory processes in farm animals

“…Conversely, inhibition of the proinflammatory condition during the peripartal phase in dairy cows by early post‐partum treatment with non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs led to a significant increase in milk yield over the whole lactation period and caused a reduction in somatic cell count in milk being indicative of an improved udder health (Carpenter et al., ). According to these findings, investigations aiming to prevent the proinflammatory condition during the peripartal phase, either by optimization of feeding regimes pre‐partum (Khan et al., ; Zhou et al., ; Vailati‐Riboni et al., ) or by administration of potential antiinflammatory feed supplements (Gessner et al., ,b; Hashemzadeh‐Cigari et al., ; Winkler et al., ), are of great relevance.…”

Methionine supply during the periparturient period enhances insulin signaling, amino acid transporters, and mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway proteins in adipose tissue of Holstein cows

“…The quantitative PCR was conducted as described previously (Osorio et al, 2014a). Previously validated internal controls for adipose tissue were ribosomal protein S9 (RPS9), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and β-actin (ACTB; Vailati-Riboni et al, 2015, 2016. Gene symbols and names are presented in Table 1.…”