Effects of maternal subnutrition during early pregnancy on cow hematological profiles and offspring physiology and vitality in two beef breeds

Abstract

This experiment evaluated the effects of subnutrition during early gestation on hematology in cows (Bos Taurus) and on hematological, metabolic, endocrine, and vitality parameters in their calves. Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica dams were inseminated and assigned to either a control (CONTROL, 100% requirements) or a nutrient‐restricted group (SUBNUT, 65%) during the first third of gestation. Dam blood samples were collected on days 20 and 253 of gestation, and calf samples were obtained during the first days of life. Pirenaica dams presented higher red series parameters than Parda de Montaña dams, both in the first and the last months of gestation. During early pregnancy, granulocyte numbers and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were lower in Pirenaica‐SUBNUT than in Pirenaica‐CONTROL cows. Calves from the SUBNUT cows did not show a physiological reduction in red series values in early life, suggesting later maturation of the hematopoietic system. Poor maternal nutrition affected calf endocrine parameters. Newborns from dystocic parturitions showed lower NEFA concentrations and weaker vitality responses. In conclusion, maternal nutrition had short‐term effects on cow hematology, Pirenaica cows showing a higher susceptibility to undernutrition; and a long‐term effect on their offspring endocrinology, SUBNUT newborns showing lower levels of IGF‐1 and higher levels of cortisol.

Effects of Developmental Programming Caused by Maternal Nutrient Intake on Postnatal Performance of Beef Heifers and Their Calves

“…Maternal nutrition in early pregnancy most impacts on organ and tissue development, with potential long-term consequences during any postnatal age, rather than on fetal growth, which is associated with maternal nutrition during later pregnancy [27]. These long-term consequences were evidenced in the offspring endocrine profiles at birth [15], in their performance during lactation [18], and at weaning, with retarded growth in SUBNUT heifers in the current study.…”

“…Nutritional restriction during the fetal development might affect the IGF axis [48]. In a previous phase of this study, heifers from nutrient-restricted cows had lower IGF-1 concentrations than heifers from control cows at birth [15]. A transgenerational relationship was described between IGF-1 concentrations of cows during early gestation and those from heifers during their suckling period [18].…”

“…This mechanism could protect those fetuses having greater chances of being reproductively successful [45][46][47]. At the beginning of this study, SUBNUT dams had a negative energy balance during the first third of the heifer gestation and PI breed was more sensitive to undernutrition than PA [15]. However, studies involving more animals are needed to demonstrate the sex ratio theory in the progeny.…”

“…We synchronized 53 PA and 32 PI multiparous cows which were then artificially inseminated (AI) and distributed into two nutrition treatments from the day of AI, both fed a total mixed ration (alfalfa hay 25.0%, cereal straw 25.0%, crushed barley 25.0%, dehydrated alfalfa 10%, rapeseed meal 6.5%, citrus pulp 4.5%, soybean meal 2.5%, and vitamin-mineral complex 1.5%; Table 1) during the first third of gestation as described in Noya et al [15]. Briefly, the control group (CONTROL, 574 ± 8.9 kg live weight (LW); 2.80 ± 0.038 body condition score (BCS) on a 5 point scale [20]) was fed a diet that supplied 100% of the estimated energy requirements for cow maintenance, lactation, and gestation; and the nutrient-restricted group (SUBNUT, 568 ± 7.6 kg LW; 2.86 ± 0.032 BCS) received 65% of their requirements.…”

“…These effects could vary depending on the breed and genetic background. Metabolic and endocrine responses to management can differ in the function of the breed [15][16][17]. In this study, Parda de Montaña (PA) and Pirenaica (PI) animals were used, because they are the two main beef cattle breeds adapted to a semi-extensive system of animal husbandry in the Pyrenees mountain region in Northern Spain.…”