One-carbon metabolite supplementation with plane of nutrition during early gestation alters maternal serum metabolite concentrations in beef heifers

Authors: ENTZIE, Y - North Dakota State University; KING, L - North Dakota State University; SYRING, J - North Dakota State University; HIRCHERT, M - North Dakota State University; SWANSON, K - North Dakota State University; Crouse, Matthew; DAHLEN, C - North Dakota State University; REYNOLDS, L - North Dakota State University; WARD, A - North Dakota State University; CATON, J - North Dakota State University

Submitted to: Animal
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/17/2023
Publication Date: 5/1/2023
Citation: Entzie, Y.L., King, L.E., Syring, J.G., Hirchert, M.R., Swanson, K.C., Crouse, M.S., Dahlen, C.D., Reynolds, L.P., Ward, A.K., Caton, J.S. 2023. One-carbon metabolite supplementation with plane of nutrition during early gestation alters maternal serum metabolite concentrations in beef heifers. Animal. 14(3):507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anscip.2023.03.123.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anscip.2023.03.123

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Application: Increase nutrient availability to the fetus during maternal nutrient restriction. Introduction: Maternal nutrient restriction during the first trimester alters developmental outcomes. One-carbon metabolites have the potential to change epigenetic events (Crouse, 2019), which are underlying mechanisms of developmental programming. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of one-carbon metabolite (folate, vitamin B12, choline, and methionine) supplementation with plane of nutrition during early gestation on maternal serum glucose, urea nitrogen, and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations, and glucose concentrations in allantoic and amniotic fluid at mid gestation. Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine cross-bred Angus heifers were oestrous synchronized and artificially inseminated with female-sexed semen. At breeding (day 0), heifers were assigned to treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Factors were targeted heifer daily gain: control (0.60 kg/day) vs restricted (-0.23 kg/day) and one-carbon metabolite supplementation (rumen protected choline [60 g/day] and methionine [10 g/day] in a ground corn carrier, and weekly injections of 320 mg folate and 20 mg vitamin B12) vs no supplementation (corn carrier and saline injections). Gain and supplement treatments were implemented from gestational day 0 to 63 and heifers were managed similarly from day 64 to day 161 ± 2 when they were necropsied. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture on day 62 and 154. Allantoic and amniotic fluid were collected at necropsy. Data were analysed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with day as a repeated measure for serum but not for allantoic and amniotic fluid measurements, and significance declared at P = 0.05. Results: Serum glucose was greater (P = 0.02) for heifers receiving the control diet compared with restricted (2.74 vs. 2.53 ± 0.06 mM). A supplement × day interaction was present (P = 0.04) for urea nitrogen, with heifers receiving supplement having the lowest urea nitrogen concentration on day 62. A gain × day interaction was present (P = 0.006) for non-esterified fatty acid concentration, which were not different on day 154 and greater (P = 0.005) in restricted compared with control on day 62 (372 vs. 181 ± 62 mM). Allantoic glucose concentration tended (P = 0.09) to be greater for heifers on the restricted plus supplemented diet compared with restricted no supplement and control with OCM supplement. Conclusion: One-carbon metabolite supplementation with plane of nutrition alters the concentration of metabolites in the maternal serum and allantoic fluid potentially improving foetal development in compromised pregnancies. Acknowledgments: (Supported by USDA-NIFA-AFRI 2018-07055).