Prepartum body condition score and plane of nutrition affect the hepatic transcriptome during the transition period in grazing dairy cows

Abstract

BackgroundA transcriptomic approach was used to evaluate potential interactions between prepartum body condition score (BCS) and feeding management in the weeks before calving on hepatic metabolism during the periparturient period.MethodsThirty-two mid-lactation grazing dairy cows of mixed age and breed were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: two prepartum BCS categories [4.0 (thin, BCS4) and 5.0 (optimal, BCS5); based on a 10-point scale], and two levels of energy intake during the 3 weeks preceding calving (75 and 125 % of estimated requirements). Liver samples were obtained at −7, 7, and 28 d relative to parturition and subsequent RNA was hybridized to the Agilent 44 K Bovine (V2) Microarray chip. The Dynamic Impact Approach was used for pathway analysis, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was used for gene network analysis.ResultsThe greater number of differentially expressed genes in BCS4 cows in response to prepartum feed allowance (1071 vs 310, over the entire transition period) indicates that these animals were more responsive to prepartum nutrition management than optimally-conditioned cows. However, independent of prepartum BCS, pathway analysis revealed that prepartal feeding level had a marked effect on carbohydrate, amino acid, lipid, and glycan metabolism. Altered carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism suggest a greater and more prolonged negative energy balance postpartum in BCS5 cows overfed prepartum. This is supported by opposite effects of prepartum feeding in BCS4 compared with BCS5 cows in pathways encompassing amino acid, vitamin, and co-factor metabolism. The prepartum feed restriction ameliorates the metabolic adaptation to the onset of lactation in BCS5 cows, while detrimentally affecting BCS4 cows, which seem to better adapt when overfed. Alterations in the glycosaminoglycans synthesis pathway support this idea, indicating better hepatic health status in feed-restricted BCS5 and overfed BCS4 cows. Furthermore, IPA network analysis suggests liver damage in feed-restricted thin cows, likely due to metabolic overload.ConclusionOverall, the data support the hypothesis that overfeeding in late-pregnancy should be limited to underconditioned cows, while cows with optimal degree of body condition should be maintained on an energy-restricted diet.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3191-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Residual feed intake divergence during the preweaning period is associated with unique hindgut microbiome and metabolome profiles in neonatal Holstein heifer calves

“…The present study demonstrated that M-eff calves had greater enrichment of key metabolites involved in energy-generating pathways such as citric acid cycle, gluconeogenesis, biotin metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, fructose and mannose degradation, and nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism [26][27][28], potentially enhancing the supply of energy to the calf. Furthermore, the induction of metabolic pathways for amino acid (alanine metabolism), vitamin (biotin metabolism) and fatty acid (arachidonic acid metabolism) metabolism at birth in M-eff calves also could have benefitted hindgut development and function during the preweaning period [29].…”

Glutamine and Glutamate Supplementation Increases the Levels of These Amino Acids in the Milk of Pasture-fed Mares

“…Therefore, Gln + Glu supplementation may be an important nutritional resource for lactating mares, as has been proposed for dairy cows and pigs [1,11,16], possibly limiting muscle catabolism and helping them to maintain fat-free body mass. This is important to regulate the female reproductive cycle [27], especially that of pasture-fed females, since the quality and quantity of nutrients in grass may vary throughout the year and animals may use their protein and fat stores to support gestation and lactation.…”

Hepatic Transcriptome Perturbations in Dairy Cows Fed Different Forage Resources

“…Pomin (2015) concluded that GAG displays anti-in ammatory functions by activating leukocyte rolling along the endothelial surface of inflamed sites and also regulating chemokine action on leukocyte guidance, migration and activation [26]. The study of Vailati-Riboni et al (2016) in transition cows demonstrated that feeding at 125% of nutrient requirements activated hepatic GAG synthesis pathways in underconditioned cows, while it inhibited it in optimally-conditioned cows [27]. Thus, it was suggested that overfeeding of fatter cows may decrease the synthesis of anti-in ammatory compounds and consequently induce some detrimental effects [27].…”