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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Nutrition, Growth and Physiology » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #412750
Research Project: Optimizing Nutrient Management and Efficiency of Beef Cattle and Swine

Location: Nutrition, Growth and Physiology

Title: Tissue-specific impact of one-carbon metabolite supplementation and nutrient restriction in gestating heifers on fetal mitochondrial-related gene profiles

Author
item SAFAIN, KAZI - North Dakota State University
item HIRCHERT, MARA - North Dakota State University
item ANAS, MUHAMMAD - North Dakota State University
item ENTZIE, YSSI - North Dakota State University
item SYRING, JESSICA - North Dakota State University
item WARD, ALISON - University Of Saskatchewan
item Crouse, Matthew
item DAHLEN, CARL - North Dakota State University
item CATON, JOEL - North Dakota State University
item SWANSON, KENDALL - North Dakota State University

Submitted to: Current Developments in Nutrition
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/11/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Objective: The study investigated the effects of nutrient restriction and one-carbon metabolite (OCM) supplementation on mitochondrial-related gene expression in fetal liver and muscle of pregnant heifers on day 161 of gestation. Methods: Twenty-nine crossbred Angus heifers, artificially inseminated, were assigned to one of four nutritional treatments using a 2 × 2 factorial design. The first factor, gain, compared a control diet (CON; 0.45 kg/day ADG) against a restricted diet (RES; -0.23 kg/day). The second factor, OCM supplementation, included either a supplemented group (+OCM; methionine [7.4 g/day] and ruminal protected choline [44.4 g/day] in a ground corn carrier, and injections of 20 mg vitamin B12 and 320 mg folate weekly) or a non-supplemented group (-OCM; receiving saline injections and corn carrier). Fetal liver and muscle tissues were collected at 161 days of gestation for RNA extraction and transcriptomic analysis of mitochondrial-related differentially expressed genes (mtDEGs), followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis. Results: Muscle tissues had more mtDEGs (90%) compared to hepatic tissues (10%), with the majority of muscle mtDEGs being downregulated (FDR P = 0.1) across all treatment groups. In both tissue types, RPL12—a gene crucial for protein metabolism and translation initiation increased in expression, peaking with a 2,485-fold rise within fetal liver from the CON+OCM. Notably, about one-third of mtDEGs, including ACSM1, FABP4, and PCK were common across all treatments in muscle. Key GO processes such as the tricarboxylic acid cycle and gluconeogenesis were downregulated in muscle due to the main effects of gain and OCM (FDR P = 0.05). KEGG pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment in pathways including the citrate cycle, pyruvate metabolism and PPAR signaling, indicating altered energy metabolism and stress response in muscle. Conclusions: OCM supplementation and nutrient restriction selectively affect mitochondrial-related processes in fetal muscle with minimal effects on liver, emphasizing tissue-specific responses and highlighting the intricate balance between fetal energy needs and metabolic adaptations during early development. Funding Sources: Supported by the USDA, which is an equal opportunity provider and employer.