The influence of pregnancy and plane of nutrition during pregnancy on pancreatic digestive enzymes and insulin-containing cell cluster morphology in beef cows

Abstract

To determine effects of pregnancy (experiment 1) and plane of nutrition during pregnancy (experiment 2) on pancreatic digestive enzymes and morphology of insulin-containing cell clusters, beef cows were slaughtered, and the pancreas collected 4 wk before parturition (if pregnant or similar time on feed for nonpregnant cows). In experiment 1, mature, nonlactating cows [717 ± 70 kg; nine pregnant (PREG) and nine nonpregnant (OPEN)] were used. In experiment 2, nonlactating, pregnant cows (639 ± 68 kg) were fed at 85% (n = 11; LOW) or 140% (n = 11; HIGH) of net energy (NE) requirements. Concentration (U g −1) and content (U kg −1 BW) of α-amylase and trypsin activities were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in OPEN than PREG cows. Pregnant cows had greater (P ≤ 0.03) insulin-cell cluster size and proportion of large insulin-containing cell clusters than OPEN cows. Concentration and content of α-amylase activity were greater (P ≤ 0.04) in HIGH than LOW cows. These data indicate that pregnancy status (PREG vs. OPEN) impacts pancreatic exocrine and endocrine functions and that plane of nutrition (85% vs. 140% of NE requirements) of pregnant cows may not greatly impact pancreatic exocrine and endocrine functions.

Oxidative damage and exocrine dysfunction of ovine fetal pancreas are induced by maternal nutritional restriction

“…Regarding the fetal pancreatic exocrine function, some results show that nutrient restriction of ewes during mid-to-late gestation had no effect on fetal pancreatic digestive enzymes (Keomanivong et al, 2016); however, more results demonstrated that pancreatic exocrine function is affected by both nutrition and pregnancy (Awda et al, 2017;Keomanivong et al, 2017). In the present study, increased serum amylase and serum lipase in RG2 were observed in IUGR fetal pancreas, which indicated that exocrine function in fetal pancreas was affected by maternal nutritional restriction during late pregnancy.…”

Nutritional and Physiological Constraints Contributing to Limitations in Small Intestinal Starch Digestion and Glucose Absorption in Ruminants

“…More recent studies have evaluated the effects of dietary intake restriction on pancreatic α-amylase activity in ruminants. Dietary intake restriction decreased pancreatic α-amylase activity in nonpregnant ewes [93], pregnant ewes [94,95], and pregnant beef cows [96,97]. Changes in pancreatic α-amylase activity in response to changes in dry matter or energy intake may be related to the abundance and activity of pancreatic proteins involved in energy metabolism.…”