Maternal nutrient supply: Impacts on physiological and whole animal outcomes in offspring

Authors: CATON, JOEL - North Dakota State University; Crouse, Matthew; DAHLEN, CARL - North Dakota State University; WARD, ALISON - University Of Saskatchewan; DINIZ, WELLISON - Auburn University; HAUXWELL, KATHLYN - North Dakota State University; REYNOLDS, LAWRENCE - North Dakota State University

Submitted to: Ruminant Physiology International Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/16/2024
Publication Date: 8/1/2024
Citation: Caton, J.S., Crouse, M.S., Dahlen, C.R., Ward, A.K., Diniz, W.J., Hauxwell, K.M., Reynolds, L.P. 2024. Maternal nutrient supply: Impacts on physiological and whole animal outcomes in offspring [abstract]. Ruminant Physiology International Symposium Proceedings. Aug. 26-29, 2024, Chicago, IL. Abstract Program p. 11.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Demands for animal products are projected to increase in the future; consequently, enhancing ruminant livestock production efficiencies in sustainable ways is a major goal for the livestock industry. Developmental programming {DP) is the concept that various stressors, including compromised maternal nutrition, during critical developmental windows will result in both short- and long­term changes in the offspring. Ruminant models of DP indicate that compromised maternal nutrition, including global under- and over-nutrition, macronutrients, and specific micronutrients, including amino acids (Met and Arg), vitamins (folate, B12, and choline), and minerals (sulfur, cobalt, and selenium) can alter offspring outcomes. Data indicate that maternal histotrophic composition, placental function, and likely fetal nutrient supply are altered by compromised maternal nutrition. Likewise, in offspring, visceral organ mass and function, metabolism, growth, and reproduction are affected. Findings from multi-omics approaches demonstrate that compromised maternal nutrition alters transcript abundance, metabolomic profiles, and multiple metabolic pathways. The underlying mechanisms of DP are driven by epigenetic events, which depend on one-carbon metabolism and micronutrient supply. Current findings indicate that DP in ruminants is real, that maternal nutrition can be a major driver of DP, that genomic and metabolomic changes in offspring are modulated by altered maternal nutrition during critical windows of development, and that underlying mechanisms of DP involve epigenetics. Critical research needs in the area of DP in ruminants include enhanced understanding of the underlying mechanisms, practical relevance to production segments and systems, impacts on short- and long-term animal health, and interrelationships with the host microbiome. Additionally, strategic supplementation and precision nutrition approaches should be developed to foster the positive and mitigate the negative aspects of DP to improve efficiencies and sustainability of ruminant livestock production systems.