Supplementing vitamins and minerals to beef heifers during gestation: impacts on mineral status in the dam and offspring, and growth and physiological responses of female offspring from birth to puberty

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of feeding a vitamin and mineral supplement to nulliparous beef heifers throughout gestation on the mineral status of the dam, calf, placenta, and colostrum; offspring growth performance; and physiological responses of offspring raised as replacement heifers. Angus-based heifers (n = 31, initial body weight [BW] = 412.5 ± 53.68 kg) were adapted to an individual feeding system for 14 d, estrus synchronized and bred with female-sexed semen. Heifers were ranked by BW and randomly assigned to receive either a basal diet (CON; n = 14) or the basal diet plus 113 g•heifer-1•d-1 of the vitamin and mineral supplement (VTM; n = 17). Targeted BW gains for both treatments was 0.45 kg•heifer-1•d-1. Liver biopsies were obtained from dams at breeding, d 84 and 180 of gestation. At calving, liver biopsies were taken from dams and calves; colostrum, placenta, and blood samples were collected; and calf body measurements were recorded. After calving, all cow-calf pairs received a common diet through weaning, and F1 heifer calves were managed similarly after weaning. Offspring growth performance, feeding behavior, blood metabolites and hormones were evaluated from birth through 15 months of age. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS with repeated measures where appropriate. Hepatic concentrations of Se decreased in VTM dams (P ≤ 0.05) from d 84 to calving, while concentrations of Cu decreased in VTM and CON (P ≤ 0.05) from d 84 to calving. Calf liver concentrations of Se, Cu, Zn, and Co at birth were greater for VTM than CON (P ≤ 0.05), but calf birth BW and body measurements were not different (P = 0.45). Placental Se, colostrum quantity, total Se, Cu, Zn and Mn in colostrum were greater (P ≤ 0.04) in VTM dams than CON. Finally, offspring from VTM dams were heavier than CON (P < 0.0001) from weaning through 15 mo. of age. These results were coupled with greater (P ≤ 0.04) blood glucose at birth, decreased (P ≤ 0.05) blood urea nitrogen at pasture turn out and weaning, and altered feeding behaviors in VTM offspring compared with CON. Maternal gestational vitamin and mineral supplementation enhanced mineral status in dams and F1 progeny, augmented postnatal offspring growth and blood metabolites. Consequently, in utero vitamin and mineral supplementation may exert programming outcomes on the performance and productivity of females raised as herd replacements and should be considered when developing diets for gestating cows and heifers.

Influence of Maternal Supplementation with Vitamins, Minerals, and (or) Protein/Energy on Placental Development and Angiogenic Factors in Beef Heifers during Pregnancy

“…For Exp. 2, the trace mineral concentration at day 84 and 180 of gestation of the dams and the placental COT at parturition is described in Hurlbert et al [ 31 ]. They reported a greater concentration of hepatic Se in VTM heifers compared to CON heifers at day 84 and 180 of gestation.…”

“…Additionally, Hurlbert et al [ 31 ] recorded and reported calf weight at birth, weaning, and post-weaning time points. No differences were found between treatments on calf weight at birth.…”

“…Unfortunately, we were unable to quantify angiogenic/vasoactive factor gene expression in the delivered placentas at parturition. Additionally, Hurlbert et al [31] recorded and reported calf weight at birth, weaning, and post-weaning time points. No differences were found between treatments on calf weight at birth.…”

“…Additionally, the maternal caruncle (CAR) and fetal cotyledon (COT) portions of the placenta were manually dissected. Details of the experimental design and resultant responses of the mineral status in the dam and offspring can be found in Hurlbert et al 2024 [31]. Briefly, crossbred Angus heifers (n = 28) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups at breeding: either control (CON; n = 12) heifers receiving a basal diet consisting of a blend of corn silage, prairie hay, millet hay, alfalfa, DDGS, and a premix as in Exp.…”