Altering methyl donors to beef heifers during the periconceptual period impacts fetal muscle transcript abundance

Authors: HAUXWELL, KATHLYN - North Dakota State University; Cushman, Robert - Bob; CATON, JOEL - North Dakota State University; DINIZ, WELLISON - Auburn University; Keel, Brittney; WARD, ALISON - University Of Saskatchewan; Lindholm-Perry, Amanda; Snider, Alexandria - Alex; FREETLY, HARVEY - Retired ARS Employee; DAHLEN, CARL - North Dakota State University; AMAT, SAMAT - North Dakota State University; Neville, Bryan; Thorson, Jennifer; Oliver, William; Miles, Jeremy; Crouse, Matthew

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/11/2024
Publication Date: 9/13/2024
Citation: Hauxwell, K.M., Cushman, R.A., Caton, J.S., Diniz, W.J., Keel, B.N., Ward, A.K., Lindholm-Perry, A.K., Snider, A.P., Freetly, H.C., Dahlen, C.R., Amat, S., Neville, B.W., Thorson, J.F., Oliver, W.T., Miles, J.R., Crouse, M.S. 2024. Altering methyl donors to beef heifers during the periconceptual period impacts fetal muscle transcript abundance [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 102(Supplement 3):205. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae234.240.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae234.240

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: New findings in developmental programming show an increased importance of methyl donor availability; however, effects of changing methyl donor concentration on the fetal transcriptome have yet to be identified. Differential gene expression (DEG) was utilized to determine the impact of maternal supplementation of methionine (MET), an obligate methyl donor, and guanidinoacetic acid (GAA), a methyl donor consumer, during the periconceptual period on bovine fetal development. Eighty MARC II heifers (initial BW = 346 ± 8.28 kg) receiving the same mixed ration and targeting the same gain (0.68 kg/d) were assigned to one of four treatments totaling 100 g/d of supplement with a ground corn carrier: MET (10 g/d), GAA (40 g/d), MET+GAA (10 g/d Met + 40 g/d GAA), and only ground corn carrier for control (CON). Supplementation began 63 days before breeding and concluded 63 days after breeding. Heifers pregnant with male offspring (CON, n = 10; MET, n = 8; GAA, n = 7; MET+GAA, n = 10) were slaughtered on d 63 of gestation. Transcript abundance was measured using RNA-Seq from extracted total RNA of fetal hindlimb samples (n = 35). The DEG analysis identified 227 upregulated and 121 downregulated genes from MET vs CON, 483 upregulated and 40 downregulated genes from GAA vs CON, and 672 upregulated and 34 downregulated genes from MET+GAA vs CON treated heifers (P