Growth- and Breed-related Changes of Fetal Development in Cattle

Mao, Weibo; Albrecht, Elke; Teuscher, F.; Yang, Qiyuan; Zhao, Ruqian; Wegner, J.

doi:10.5713/ajas.2008.70293

Cited by 31 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Pelvic opening of DM dams was 10 and 6% lower ( P < 0.05) than in non-DM Charolais [ 115 ] or crossbred cows [ 116 ], respectively, so that the incidence of dystocia and perinatal mortality was higher in DM cows [ 116 ]. The heavier fetal weight of BBDM cattle compared to non-DM cattle [ 117 ], rising up to 50 kg in BBDM calves at birth [ 118 ] may increase dystocia. The ratio of calf birth weight to dam weight averaged 9.0% for primiparous BBDM cows [ 119 ] vs. 8.3% ( P < 0.001) for multiparous BBDM cows [ 120 ], compared to 7.5 and 6.5% for primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows, respectively [ 121 ].…”

Section: Consequences Of the Inactivation Of Myostatin On Conformamentioning

confidence: 99%

Double Muscling in Cattle: Genes, Husbandry, Carcasses and Meat

Fiems¹

2012

Animals

115

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Simple SummarySelection for an increased meatiness in beef cattle has resulted in double-muscled (DM) animals, owing to the inactivation of the myostatin gene. These animals are characterized by an excellent conformation and an extremely high carcass yield, coinciding with a reduced organ mass. As a consequence, voluntary feed intake is reduced, but feed efficiency is considerably improved, although maintenance requirements are not clearly reduced. DM animals are more susceptible to respiratory disease, stress and dystocia, requiring extra attention for accommodation and welfare. Carcasses of DM animals are very lean, and intramuscular fat content is low. The fatty acid profile is different when compared with non-DM animals, containing less saturated fatty acids. Collagen content of the meat is lower, so that meat from double-muscled animals is mostly more tender. However, meat tenderness, color and juiciness are not always improved. A different metabolism as a consequence of faster glycolytic myofibers can be partly responsible for this phenomenon. DM animals are interesting for the producer and butcher, and beneficial for the consumer, if an appropriate nutrition and accommodation, and adequate slaughter conditions are taken into account.AbstractMolecular biology has enabled the identification of the mechanisms whereby inactive myostatin increases skeletal muscle growth in double-muscled (DM) animals. Myostatin is a secreted growth differentiation factor belonging to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily. Mutations make the myostatin gene inactive, resulting in muscle hypertrophy. The relationship between the different characteristics of DM cattle are defined with possible consequences for livestock husbandry. The extremely high carcass yield of DM animals coincides with a reduction in the size of most vital organs. As a consequence, DM animals may be more susceptible to respiratory disease, urolithiasis, lameness, nutritional stress, heat stress and dystocia, resulting in a lower robustness. Their feed intake capacity is reduced, necessitating a diet with a greater nutrient density. The modified myofiber type is responsible for a lower capillary density, and it induces a more glycolytic metabolism. There are associated changes for the living animal and post-mortem metabolism alterations, requiring appropriate slaughter conditions to maintain a high meat quality. Intramuscular fat content is low, and it is characterized by more unsaturated fatty acids, providing healthier meat for the consumer. It may not always be easy to find a balance between the different disciplines underlying the livestock husbandry of DM animals to realize a good performance and health and meat quality.

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Section: Consequences Of the Inactivation Of Myostatin On Conformamentioning

confidence: 99%

Double Muscling in Cattle: Genes, Husbandry, Carcasses and Meat

Fiems¹

2012

Animals

115

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“…Late gestation is characterized by enhanced muscle growth and fat deposition that contribute to rapid fetal weight gain 14 . In fact, 60% of calf birth weight is attained during the last 2 months of gestation 15 and, during this time, organs undergo functional maturation in preparation for sustaining life outside the womb 16 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Utero Heat Stress Alters the Offspring Epigenome

Skibiel

Peñagaricano

Amorín

et al. 2018

Sci Rep

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Exposure to intrauterine heat stress during late gestation affects offspring performance into adulthood. However, underlying mechanistic links between thermal insult in fetal life and postnatal outcomes are not completely understood. We examined morphology, DNA methylation, and gene expression of liver and mammary gland for bull calves and heifers that were gestated under maternal conditions of heat stress or cooling (i.e. in utero heat stressed vs. in utero cooled calves). Mammary tissue was harvested from dairy heifers during their first lactation and liver from bull calves at birth. The liver of in utero heat stressed bull calves contained more cells and the mammary glands of in utero heat stressed heifers were comprised of smaller alveoli. We identified more than 1,500 CpG sites differently methylated between maternal treatment groups. These CpGs were associated with approximately 400 genes, which play a role in processes, such as development, innate immune defense, cell signaling, and transcription and translation. We also identified over 100 differentially expressed genes in the mammary gland with similar functions. Interestingly, fifty differentially methylated genes were shared by both bull calf liver and heifer mammary gland. Intrauterine heat stress alters the methylation profile of liver and mammary DNA and programs their morphology in postnatal life, which may contribute to the poorer performance of in utero heat stressed calves.

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“…The presented study included 1 additional group of HF fetuses at 4.5 mo of gestation and focused on prenatal muscle fiber development and muscle stmcture of semitendinosus muscle during gestation. Previously published data of BW and muscle weight (Mao et al, 2008) were extended by the 4.5 mo of gestation group and are presented in the current study to give background information about the growth of investigated fetuses. …”

Section: Animalsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Carcass, organs, and tissues weight development was previously published by Mao et al (2008). The presented study included 1 additional group of HF fetuses at 4.5 mo of gestation and focused on prenatal muscle fiber development and muscle stmcture of semitendinosus muscle during gestation.…”

Section: Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prenatal muscle fiber development and bundle structure in beef and dairy cattle1

Albrecht

Lembcke

Wegner

et al. 2013

Journal of Animal Science

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Muscle fiber development during gestation determines the muscle structure at birth and establishes the conditions for muscle development in growing cattle. Differences in muscle structure among beef cattle breeds and between beef and dairy cattle are obvious already shortly after birth. The objective of the study was to investigate the development of muscle fibers and muscle fiber bundle structure in semitendinosus muscle of divergent cattle breeds from 3 mo of gestation until birth. Fetuses of German Angus (GA), Galloway (GW), Belgian Blue (BB), and Holstein Friesian (HF) were harvested at 3, 4.5, 6, or 9 mo of gestation. Muscle sections were analyzed for fiber size and types as well as for bundle structure. The results confirmed that primary muscle fiber development occurs mainly during the first trimester of gestation. All fibers were initially positive for fetal fast myosin. Slow myosin as a marker for fiber maturation was detected in primary fibers at 3 mo of gestation showing a weak immunostaining. During the second trimester, the intensity of immunostaining strongly increased indicating increased slow myosin protein expression. Concurrently, the shape of primary fibers changed from myotubes to myofibers whereas the size stayed nearly constant. The main increase in muscle mass during the second trimester was caused by secondary fiber development. As an example, the ratio between secondary and primary fibers increased in Holstein Friesian fetuses from 5.9 at 4.5 mo of gestation to 21.6 at 6 mo of gestation. Primary and secondary fibers continued to growth during the third trimester. Regional differences in the density of slow muscle fibers were detected leading to greater variation within the muscle than among breeds. Structural organization of muscle fibers in muscle fiber bundles developed early in fetal life. At first, large main bundles were visible. Smaller structural units defined as primary bundles were measurable at 6 mo of gestation when most fibers were developed. The size of primary bundles nearly doubled from 6 mo of gestation to birth in all breeds. In summary, differences among breeds in the early fetal muscle fiber development were detected in contractile differentiation and partly in muscle fiber bundle structure. A prolonged secondary fiber generation and altered contractile differentiation may be involved in breed differences of postnatal muscle development.

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Growth- and Breed-related Changes of Fetal Development in Cattle

Cited by 31 publications

References 22 publications

Double Muscling in Cattle: Genes, Husbandry, Carcasses and Meat

Double Muscling in Cattle: Genes, Husbandry, Carcasses and Meat

In Utero Heat Stress Alters the Offspring Epigenome

Prenatal muscle fiber development and bundle structure in beef and dairy cattle1

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