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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #342837
Title: Supplementation of corn dried distillers' grains plus solubles to gestating beef cows fed low-quality forage:II. Impacts on uterine blood flow, circulating estradiol-17beta and progesterone, and hepatic steriod metabolizing

Author
item KENNEDY, VICTORIA
item MORDHORST, BETH
item GASPERS, J
item BAUER, MARK
item SWANSON, KENDALL
item LEMLEY, CALEB
item VONNAHME, KIMBERLY

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/31/2016
Publication Date: 11/10/2016
Citation: Kennedy, V.C., Mordhorst, B.R., Gaspers, J.J., Bauer, M.L., Swanson, K.C., Lemley, C.O., Vonnahme, K.A. 2016. Supplementation of corn dried distillers' grains plus solubles to gestating beef cows fed low-quality forage:II. Impacts on uterine blood flow, circulating estradiol-17beta and progesterone, and hepatic steriod metabolizing. Journal of Animal Science. 94(11):4619-4628.

Interpretive Summary: Maternal nutrition is essential for adequate blood flow to the uterus and fetus, which influences the lifetime performance of the offspring. Supplementing dietary protein, by adding dried distillers' grains plus solubles to the diet, may influence blood flow and nutrient delivery to the fetus, especially when cows are grazing low quality forages. This study demonstrated an increase in uterine blood flow and calf birth weights when supplementing protein during the last third of pregnancy. This increase in calf birth weight was not associated with a corresponding increase in placenta weights, therefore the efficiency of the placenta was increased following protein supplementation. Furthermore, steroid concentrations were decreased following protein supplementation which was associated with an increase in steroid metabolism.

Technical Abstract: Improving uterine blood flow in nutrient restricted cows is vital to prevent under development of the fetus leading to decreased production characteristics of the offspring. This study examined uterine blood flow, steroid concentrations, and the activity of steroid metabolizing enzymes in pregnant beef cows supplemented with dried distillers' grains plus solubles.