| dc.description.abstract | Crossbred Angus heifers (n = 14) were bred via AI, assigned to nutritional treatment (CON = 100% of requirements for 0.45 kg/d gain and RES = 60% of CON) and ovariohysterectomized on d 50 of gestation. Fetal liver, muscle from the hind limb, and cerebrum were analyzed by RNA-sequencing, and a total of 548, 317, and 151 genes, respectively (P < 0.01) were differentially expressed. Functional categories affected by nutritional treatment included: 1) Liver: metabolic pathways and nucleosome core, 2) Muscle: skeletal muscle and embryogenesis, and 3) Cerebrum: hippocampus and neurogenesis. Bovine embryonic fibroblast cells were cultured in Eagle’s Minimum Essential Medium with 1 g/L glucose (LOW) or 4.5 g/L glucose (HIGH). Control medium contained basal concentrations of one-carbon metabolites (Choline, folate, vitamin B12, and methionine). One-carbon metabolites (OCM: methionine, choline, folate, vitamin B12) were supplemented to the media at 2.5, 5, and 10 times (2.5X, 5X, and 10X, respectively) the control media, except for methionine, which was limited to 2X. One-carbon metabolites increased (P < 0.01) basal respiration and Reserve Capacity in HIGH 2.5X and 10X compared with all other treatments. ATP-linked respiration was greater (P < 0.01) in HIGH OCM supplemented cells compared to Control and was greater in LOW 2.5X compared with LOW Control, 5X, and 10X cells. Total growth rate was greater (P < 0.01) for HIGH 2.5X and 10X compared with LOW Control, 2.5X, and 10X. At 24, 36, 48, and 72 h, cell proliferation in HIGH 10X was always greater (P ≤ 0.03) than Low 10X. Therefore, these data are interpreted to imply that a moderate maternal nutrient restriction during the first 50 d of gestation in beef heifers alters the transcript abundance of genes impacting tissue accretion, function, and metabolism suggesting potential alterations to fetal physiology which should be further investigated. Lastly, supplementation of OCM may improve fetal growth and program increased metabolic efficiency in the offspring, and thus should be a focus of future research into the effects of maternal nutrition on postnatal physiology. | en_US |
