Effects of dietary n-3-PUFA supplementation, post-insemination plane of nutrition and pregnancy status on the endometrial transcriptome of beef heifers

Abstract

Supplementation of cattle diets with n-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can improve reproductive efficiency. Conversely, short-term fluctuations in feed supply can impact pregnancy establishment. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of (1) dietary supplementation with n-3-PUFA and (2) post-insemination plane of nutrition on the endometrial transcriptome. Beef crossbred heifers were offered concentrate based diets fortified with n-3-PUFA (PUFA; n = 32) or not (CONT; n = 28) for 30 days prior to breeding at a synchronised oestrous. Following artificial insemination, heifers were allocated within treatment to either a high or low plane of nutrition. Heifers were maintained on these diets for 16 days following which endometrial tissue was harvested at slaughter for subsequent RNAseq analysis. The influence of pregnancy status on the endomentrial transcriptome, within each dietary treatment group, was also examined. Post-insemination diet affected (P < 0.05) the endometrial transcriptome. Specifically, within n-3-PUFA-supplemented heifers, genes involved in embryonic development and mTOR signalling pathways, important in pregnancy establishment, were identified as differentially expressed. Results indicate that dietary supplementation of cattle diets with n-3-PUFA may have a positive effect on the expression of key fertility-related genes and pathways, during the critical window of maternal recognition of pregnancy, particularly where animals are underfed.

Insight on Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Endometrial Receptivity

“…In addition to dietary sources, for women of childbearing age, taking PUFA supplements may be beneficial for the treatment of menstrual dysfunction [ 13 ]. In animal experiments, researchers found that the addition of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to the feed of heifers improved reproductive efficiency, and the study showed that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids had a positive effect on the expression of key genes during the window of implantation [ 14 ]. Lipid metabolism is required for uterine receptivity and embryo implantation [ 15 ].…”