One-carbon metabolite supplementation increases vitamin B12, folate, and methionine cycle metabolites in beef heifers and fetuses in an energy dependent manner at day 63 of gestation

Authors: SYRING, JESSICA - North Dakota State University; Crouse, Matthew; ENTZIE, YSSI - North Dakota State University; KING, LAYLA - University Of Minnesota Crookston; HIRCHERT, MARA - North Dakota State University; WARD, ALISON - University Of Saskatchewan; REYNOLDS, LAWRENCE - North Dakota State University; BOROWICZ, PAWEL - North Dakota State University; DAHLEN, CARL - North Dakota State University; CATON, JOEL - North Dakota State University

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/17/2024
Publication Date: 7/19/2024
Citation: Syring, J.G., Crouse, M.S., Entzie, Y.L., King, L.E., Hirchert, M.R., Ward, A.K., Reynolds, L.P., Borowicz, P.P., Dahlen, C.R., Caton, J.S. 2024. One-carbon metabolite supplementation increases vitamin B12, folate, and methionine cycle metabolites in beef heifers and fetuses in an energy dependent manner at day 63 of gestation. Journal of Animal Science. 102. Article skae202. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae202.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae202

Interpretive Summary: Maternal stresses that occur during pregnancy, such as restricted nutrition, can impact the developmental outcomes of the offspring in a process known as developmental programming. This programming can occur through epigenetics, which involves changes in fetal gene expression and can occur through the addition of methyl groups to DNA or histone tails. These changes regulate gene transcription in the offspring. One-carbon metabolites (OCM) act as intermediates or cofactors for the donation of methyl groups to DNA and histones. This study investigated the effects of differing maternal rate of gain along with OCM supplementation during early gestation on OCM and related metabolite concentrations in the dam and fetus. We found that supplementing OCM to beef heifers increased maternal OCM and related metabolite concentrations and fetal fluid OCM concentrations. We also found that low maternal gain increased maternal serum and liver OCM concentrations. We can conclude from these findings that both maternal nutrition and OCM supplementation can impact maternal OCM concentrations at day 63 of gestation, and that although differences in fetal metabolites were minimal, further research is needed to see if those maternal impacts will affect the developing fetus or calf later in its life.

Technical Abstract: One-carbon metabolites (OCM) are metabolites and cofactors which include folate, vitamin B12, methionine, and choline that support methylation reactions. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of moderate changes in maternal body weight gain in combination with OCM supplementation during the first 63 days of gestation in beef cattle on (1) B12 and folate concentrations in maternal serum (2) folate cycle intermediates in maternal and fetal liver, allantoic fluid (ALF), and amniotic fluid (AMF) and (3) metabolites involved in one-carbon metabolism and related metabolic pathways in maternal and fetal liver. Heifers were either intake restricted (RES) and fed to lose 0.23 kg/d, or fed to gain 0.60 kg/d (CON). Supplemented (+OCM) heifers were given B12 and folate injections weekly and fed rumen protected methionine and choline daily, while non-supplemented (-OCM) heifers were given weekly saline injections. These two treatments were combined in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement resulting in four treatments: CON-OCM, CON+OCM, RES-OCM, and RES+OCM. Samples of maternal serum, maternal and fetal liver, ALF, and AMF were collected at slaughter on day 63 of gestation. Restricted maternal nutrition most notably increased (P