Tristan B Dear*, Eileen I Chang, Jane Stremming, Saif I Al-Juboori, Nathan M Bonniwell, Dana Strode, Evgenia Dobrinskikh, Stephanie R Wesolowski, Laura D Brown
: Introduction Late gestation fetal sheep with placental insufficiency-induced fetal growth restriction (PI-FGR) have reduced vascularity and proportions of slow-twitch oxidative myofibers in tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. Sustained experimental hypoxemia in late gestation, a feature of PI-FGR, limits glucose utilization and oxidation and lowers anabolic hormones, yet does not reduce fetal weight or muscle mass. Objective We hypothesized that sustained hypoxemia disrupts oxidative myofiber development and microvascular growth in TA muscle. Methods Pregnant ewes were assigned to control (CON; n = 5) or hypoxemia (HOX; n = 10) at ∼125 days gestation (term=149 days) for ∼9-days. Myofiber area, type, and vascularity were quantified in TA muscle using immunofluorescence and Visiopharm® software. Data are expressed as mean±SD. Student’s t-test was used; P<0.05 was significant. Results Fetal PaO2 was 15% lower in HOX than CON (14.9±1.7 vs. 17.5±2.8; P=0.0427), modeling the hypoxemia in PI-FGR fetuses. Myofiber proportion, size, vascular area, arteriole and venule area, capillary area, and capillary to myofiber ratios were similar between groups. Conclusions In contrast to the PI-FGR fetus, sustained late gestation hypoxemia does not alter myofiber size, vascular architecture, or oxidative myofiber proportion in TA muscle. Thus, reduced myofiber and vascular development in the PI-FGR fetus may be caused by more severe or prolonged hypoxemia, or secondary to other factors following limited nutrient utilization and growth restriction. Alternatively, the absence of myofiber or vascular effects in response to hypoxemia may reflect fetal mechanisms to defend its oxidative metabolism and growth. (Supported by NIH R01-DK108910 and HD709404)
胎盘功能不全致胎儿生长受限（PI-FGR）的妊娠晚期胎羊，其前胫肌（TA）血管充血和慢缩氧化肌纤维比例降低。妊娠后期持续实验性低氧血症是PI-FGR的一个特征，它限制了葡萄糖的利用和氧化，降低了合成代谢激素，但不会减少胎儿体重或肌肉质量。目的我们假设持续低氧血症会破坏TA肌的氧化肌纤维发育和微血管生长。方法在妊娠~ 125天（足月=149天）将妊娠母羊分为对照组（CON, n = 5）和低氧血症组（HOX, n = 10），持续~ 9天。使用免疫荧光和Visiopharm®软件定量TA肌的肌纤维面积、类型和血管分布。数据以mean±SD表示。采用学生t检验；P<；0.05差异有统计学意义。结果HOX组胎儿PaO2较CON组低15%(14.9±1.7比17.5±2.8；P=0.0427)，显示PI-FGR胎儿低氧血症。各组肌纤维比例、大小、血管面积、小动脉和小静脉面积、毛细血管面积、毛细血管与肌纤维之比均无明显差异。结论：与PI-FGR胎儿相比，持续的妊娠晚期低氧血症不会改变TA肌的肌纤维大小、血管结构或氧化肌纤维比例。因此，PI-FGR胎儿肌纤维和血管发育减少可能是由更严重或更长时间的低氧血症引起的，或继发于营养利用受限和生长受限后的其他因素。或者，在低氧血症反应中肌纤维或血管作用的缺失可能反映了胎儿保护其氧化代谢和生长的机制。（NIH R01-DK108910和HD709404支持）
{"title":"16 Skeletal muscle microvascular architecture is unaltered in hypoxic fetal sheep","authors":"Tristan B Dear*, Eileen I Chang, Jane Stremming, Saif I Al-Juboori, Nathan M Bonniwell, Dana Strode, Evgenia Dobrinskikh, Stephanie R Wesolowski, Laura D Brown","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf398.013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf398.013","url":null,"abstract":": Introduction Late gestation fetal sheep with placental insufficiency-induced fetal growth restriction (PI-FGR) have reduced vascularity and proportions of slow-twitch oxidative myofibers in tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. Sustained experimental hypoxemia in late gestation, a feature of PI-FGR, limits glucose utilization and oxidation and lowers anabolic hormones, yet does not reduce fetal weight or muscle mass. Objective We hypothesized that sustained hypoxemia disrupts oxidative myofiber development and microvascular growth in TA muscle. Methods Pregnant ewes were assigned to control (CON; n = 5) or hypoxemia (HOX; n = 10) at ∼125 days gestation (term=149 days) for ∼9-days. Myofiber area, type, and vascularity were quantified in TA muscle using immunofluorescence and Visiopharm® software. Data are expressed as mean±SD. Student’s t-test was used; P&lt;0.05 was significant. Results Fetal PaO2 was 15% lower in HOX than CON (14.9±1.7 vs. 17.5±2.8; P=0.0427), modeling the hypoxemia in PI-FGR fetuses. Myofiber proportion, size, vascular area, arteriole and venule area, capillary area, and capillary to myofiber ratios were similar between groups. Conclusions In contrast to the PI-FGR fetus, sustained late gestation hypoxemia does not alter myofiber size, vascular architecture, or oxidative myofiber proportion in TA muscle. Thus, reduced myofiber and vascular development in the PI-FGR fetus may be caused by more severe or prolonged hypoxemia, or secondary to other factors following limited nutrient utilization and growth restriction. Alternatively, the absence of myofiber or vascular effects in response to hypoxemia may reflect fetal mechanisms to defend its oxidative metabolism and growth. (Supported by NIH R01-DK108910 and HD709404)","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145847311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Avika Gomez-Sharma, Jade Truong, Tyler Dean, Matthew Bucher, Maya Johnsen, Enrico R Barrozo, Maxim D Seferovic, Maureen Gannon, Kjersti M Aagaard, Adam Chicco, Jacob Friedman, Stephanie R Wesolowski, Paul Kievit, Carrie E McCurdy
: Introduction Metformin use in pregnancy is increasingly common, even beyond treatment of diabetes. Metformin crosses the placenta and bioaccumulates at equimolar concentrations near maternal circulation. Concerningly, metformin can suppress mitochondrial complex I activity in adults, limiting oxidative metabolism and ATP production. Objective Examine the effect of metformin on fetal growth and muscle metabolism in Rhesus macaques. Methods Twice-daily metformin (MET, 10 mg/kg) or placebo was given at 30 days of pregnancy with a chow (mCD) or Western diet (mWD). Fetal (n = 25F/17M) muscle was collected at g145 (of g164). Respiration was measured with carbohydrate or lipid substrates in permeabilized fiber bundles (PFB) from gastrocnemius and soleus or isolated mitochondria (mitos) from rectus femoris. Results Female mCD+MET offspring had reduced weight compared to mWD+MET (p = 0.02), with no differences in males. Muscle cross-sectional area was reduced with MET, independent of diet, in gastrocnemius but not soleus, suggesting fiber type-specific effects. In mCD, MET decreased CI reliance (p = 0.03) in gastrocnemius and soleus PFB. Increased fat oxidation and respiratory capacity in mWD was blunted by MET in PFB. Lipid oxidation (p = 0.03) was lower in mWD+MET mitos concomitant with reduced ATP production. CI and CI+II carbohydrate-respiration was higher in mCD+MET vs. mCD mitos (p = 0.04) but without greater ATP production. Conclusion Metformin resulted in subtle changes in fetal weight and was principally associated with reduced glycolytic muscle fiber size, mitochondrial respiration and ATP generation. As muscle mass correlates with functional capacity and insulin sensitivity throughout life, caution is warranted in using metformin during pregnancy. (Supported by NIH DK128187)
{"title":"33 Effect of metformin use during pregnancy on fetal skeletal muscle growth and metabolism in rhesus macaques","authors":"Avika Gomez-Sharma, Jade Truong, Tyler Dean, Matthew Bucher, Maya Johnsen, Enrico R Barrozo, Maxim D Seferovic, Maureen Gannon, Kjersti M Aagaard, Adam Chicco, Jacob Friedman, Stephanie R Wesolowski, Paul Kievit, Carrie E McCurdy","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf398.027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf398.027","url":null,"abstract":": Introduction Metformin use in pregnancy is increasingly common, even beyond treatment of diabetes. Metformin crosses the placenta and bioaccumulates at equimolar concentrations near maternal circulation. Concerningly, metformin can suppress mitochondrial complex I activity in adults, limiting oxidative metabolism and ATP production. Objective Examine the effect of metformin on fetal growth and muscle metabolism in Rhesus macaques. Methods Twice-daily metformin (MET, 10 mg/kg) or placebo was given at 30 days of pregnancy with a chow (mCD) or Western diet (mWD). Fetal (n = 25F/17M) muscle was collected at g145 (of g164). Respiration was measured with carbohydrate or lipid substrates in permeabilized fiber bundles (PFB) from gastrocnemius and soleus or isolated mitochondria (mitos) from rectus femoris. Results Female mCD+MET offspring had reduced weight compared to mWD+MET (p = 0.02), with no differences in males. Muscle cross-sectional area was reduced with MET, independent of diet, in gastrocnemius but not soleus, suggesting fiber type-specific effects. In mCD, MET decreased CI reliance (p = 0.03) in gastrocnemius and soleus PFB. Increased fat oxidation and respiratory capacity in mWD was blunted by MET in PFB. Lipid oxidation (p = 0.03) was lower in mWD+MET mitos concomitant with reduced ATP production. CI and CI+II carbohydrate-respiration was higher in mCD+MET vs. mCD mitos (p = 0.04) but without greater ATP production. Conclusion Metformin resulted in subtle changes in fetal weight and was principally associated with reduced glycolytic muscle fiber size, mitochondrial respiration and ATP generation. As muscle mass correlates with functional capacity and insulin sensitivity throughout life, caution is warranted in using metformin during pregnancy. (Supported by NIH DK128187)","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145847361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bethania J Davila Ruiz, Wellison J S Diniz, Priyanka Banerjee, Carl R Dahlen, Pawel P Borowicz, Chutikun Kanjanaruch, Christopher S Schauer, Alan J Conley, Lawrence P Reynolds
The World Health Organization estimates that 15 million babies are born preterm each year, with one newborn dying every 40 seconds. Understanding the mechanisms that initiate normal parturition is critical to identifying disruptions associated with preterm birth. In sheep, activation of the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, resulting in cortisol secretion, is believed to be the initial trigger for labor. We previously established a sheep model in which estradiol (E2) administration reliably induces parturition, enabling controlled investigation of labor mechanisms. In this study, we used this model to investigate the transcriptomic effects of E2 on fetal organ maturation. Pregnant ewes at late gestation (days 139–142) were randomly assigned to an E2-treated (n = 6; 4 Silastic® implants × 50 mg each) or a control (n = 6; 4 empty implants) group. Implants were inserted subcutaneously in the axillary region, and ewes were euthanized 26 h post-treatment for tissue and blood collection. Samples of the fetal hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal gland, and lungs were collected for RNA sequencing. Estradiol concentration was assessed in maternal systemic blood, umbilical vein, and fetal vein samples. Maternal E2 levels increased five-fold in treated ewes (p ≤ 0.01), while umbilical and fetal E2 levels were not affected relative to controls. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (p ≤ 0.05; |log2FC| ≥ 1) were identified in all fetal tissues: 4 (hypothalamus), 240 (pituitary), 5 (adrenal), and 2 (lungs). These findings suggest that maternal E2 indirectly influences fetal organ gene expression, particularly in the pituitary, potentially contributing to fetal organ maturation and preparedness for birth. (Supported by USDA 2021-67015-34277)
{"title":"47 Transcriptomic effects of increased maternal estradiol on fetal organs in late-gestation ewes","authors":"Bethania J Davila Ruiz, Wellison J S Diniz, Priyanka Banerjee, Carl R Dahlen, Pawel P Borowicz, Chutikun Kanjanaruch, Christopher S Schauer, Alan J Conley, Lawrence P Reynolds","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf398.040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf398.040","url":null,"abstract":"The World Health Organization estimates that 15 million babies are born preterm each year, with one newborn dying every 40 seconds. Understanding the mechanisms that initiate normal parturition is critical to identifying disruptions associated with preterm birth. In sheep, activation of the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, resulting in cortisol secretion, is believed to be the initial trigger for labor. We previously established a sheep model in which estradiol (E2) administration reliably induces parturition, enabling controlled investigation of labor mechanisms. In this study, we used this model to investigate the transcriptomic effects of E2 on fetal organ maturation. Pregnant ewes at late gestation (days 139–142) were randomly assigned to an E2-treated (n = 6; 4 Silastic® implants × 50 mg each) or a control (n = 6; 4 empty implants) group. Implants were inserted subcutaneously in the axillary region, and ewes were euthanized 26 h post-treatment for tissue and blood collection. Samples of the fetal hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal gland, and lungs were collected for RNA sequencing. Estradiol concentration was assessed in maternal systemic blood, umbilical vein, and fetal vein samples. Maternal E2 levels increased five-fold in treated ewes (p ≤ 0.01), while umbilical and fetal E2 levels were not affected relative to controls. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (p ≤ 0.05; |log2FC| ≥ 1) were identified in all fetal tissues: 4 (hypothalamus), 240 (pituitary), 5 (adrenal), and 2 (lungs). These findings suggest that maternal E2 indirectly influences fetal organ gene expression, particularly in the pituitary, potentially contributing to fetal organ maturation and preparedness for birth. (Supported by USDA 2021-67015-34277)","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"52 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145847370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Incidence of obesity and associated metabolic diseases are increasing at a rapid rate, with one in three Americans diagnosed as obese. This creates an urgent need for an understanding of the nutritional value of foods and the roles they play in the development of obesity and metabolic diseases. When evaluating the role of beef in the diet, all of beef’s nutritive and non-nutritive components should be considered as part of a whole food beef matrix. A serving of beef may contain multiple tissue types including lean muscle (LM), intramuscular fat (IMF), and subcutaneous fat (SF). As these are metabolically unique tissues, we hypothesize that these tissues contribute unique lipids to the beef matrix. To test the hypothesis, LM, IMF, and SF were dissected from five strip loins from cattle finished using a standard feedlot diet. The lipidome of the tissues was then determined using shotgun lipidomics. Each tissue type had a distinct lipid signature and contained different proportions of storage lipids, membrane lipids, and lysolipids (P < 0.01). Notably, LM contained fewer storage lipids and higher proportions of membrane lipids and lysolipids compared to IMF and SF, whereas IMF and SF did not differ significantly from each other. While most triacylglycerol (TAG) classes were similar across all tissues, SF contained greater proportions of TAG with 53, 55, and 56 carbons than LM and IMF (P ≤ 0.03). Across all tissues, TAG with 52 carbons and 2 double bonds were the most abundant. Membrane lipid composition of SF contained higher proportions of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, and ceramide than LM and IMF (P ≤ 0.03). Proportion of diacylglycerol in IMF and SF membrane lipids was higher compared to LM (P < 0.01). Lean muscle contained higher proportions of ether-linked phospholipids than IMF and SF (P < 0.01). Lysolipids make up ≤ 1% of total lipids in LM, IMF, and SF; LM contains a higher proportion of lysolipids than IMF or SF (P < 0.01). Of the lysolipids. Of the lysolipids, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is the most abundant across all tissue types; IMF contains higher proportions of LPC compared to LM and SF (P < 0.01). These data provide insight into the lipid composition of the whole food beef matrix of beef strip steaks and suggest that the whole food beef matrix may be influenced by fat trim level (amount of SF) and IMF content.
{"title":"The contributions of lean muscle, intramuscular fat, and subcutaneous fat to lipids within the beef matrix","authors":"Kyra L Elliott, Tate S Johnson, Jessie C Morrill","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf450","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf450","url":null,"abstract":"Incidence of obesity and associated metabolic diseases are increasing at a rapid rate, with one in three Americans diagnosed as obese. This creates an urgent need for an understanding of the nutritional value of foods and the roles they play in the development of obesity and metabolic diseases. When evaluating the role of beef in the diet, all of beef’s nutritive and non-nutritive components should be considered as part of a whole food beef matrix. A serving of beef may contain multiple tissue types including lean muscle (LM), intramuscular fat (IMF), and subcutaneous fat (SF). As these are metabolically unique tissues, we hypothesize that these tissues contribute unique lipids to the beef matrix. To test the hypothesis, LM, IMF, and SF were dissected from five strip loins from cattle finished using a standard feedlot diet. The lipidome of the tissues was then determined using shotgun lipidomics. Each tissue type had a distinct lipid signature and contained different proportions of storage lipids, membrane lipids, and lysolipids (P &lt; 0.01). Notably, LM contained fewer storage lipids and higher proportions of membrane lipids and lysolipids compared to IMF and SF, whereas IMF and SF did not differ significantly from each other. While most triacylglycerol (TAG) classes were similar across all tissues, SF contained greater proportions of TAG with 53, 55, and 56 carbons than LM and IMF (P ≤ 0.03). Across all tissues, TAG with 52 carbons and 2 double bonds were the most abundant. Membrane lipid composition of SF contained higher proportions of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, and ceramide than LM and IMF (P ≤ 0.03). Proportion of diacylglycerol in IMF and SF membrane lipids was higher compared to LM (P &lt; 0.01). Lean muscle contained higher proportions of ether-linked phospholipids than IMF and SF (P &lt; 0.01). Lysolipids make up ≤ 1% of total lipids in LM, IMF, and SF; LM contains a higher proportion of lysolipids than IMF or SF (P &lt; 0.01). Of the lysolipids. Of the lysolipids, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is the most abundant across all tissue types; IMF contains higher proportions of LPC compared to LM and SF (P &lt; 0.01). These data provide insight into the lipid composition of the whole food beef matrix of beef strip steaks and suggest that the whole food beef matrix may be influenced by fat trim level (amount of SF) and IMF content.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145847503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Melanie R White, Rachel L Gibbs, Pablo C Grijalva, Zena M Hicks, Haley N Beer, Eileen S Marks-Nelson, Dustin T Yates
: Introduction Muscle growth is impaired in intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) offspring by programming that includes elevated inflammatory tone. The resulting body composition changes reduce production efficiency in livestock and compromise long-term health in humans. Objective Evaluate whether anti-inflammatory ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplements improve body composition in IUGR-born lambs. Methods Pregnant ewes were housed under thermoneutral or hyperthermic conditions to produce control (n = 12) or IUGR lambs. From birth, IUGR lambs were supplemented (oral bolus) 0.42 g/kg ω-3 PUFA Ca2+ salts (IUGR+ω-3; n = 12) or placebo (IUGR; n = 11). Biometrics were assessed weekly. Loin ultrasounds were conducted on day 23. Muscle weights were determined at necropsy on day 28. Results Crown circumference/BW, abdominal circumference/BW, and cannon bone length/BW were greater (P<0.05) for IUGR lambs than for controls or IUGR+ω-3 lambs. Body length/BW was greater (P<0.05) for IUGR lambs than for controls and was intermediate for IUGR+ω-3 lambs. IUGR lambs had 14% less (P<0.05) ultrasound-estimated subcutaneous fat and 22% smaller (P<0.05) loin cross-sectional areas. Both were recovered in IUGR+ω-3 lambs. Ultrasound-estimated loin depth was less (P<0.05) for IUGR lambs (16.5±0.4 mm) than for controls (14.6±0.5 mm) and was intermediate for IUGR+ω-3 lambs (15.6±0.6 mm). At necropsy, IUGR lambs had 20 – 23% lighter (P<0.05) biceps femoris, semitendinosus, gastrocnemius, flexor digitorum superficialis, and longissimus dorsi muscles than controls. These deficits were partially or completely recovered in IUGR+ω-3 lambs. Conclusions Supplementing ω-3 PUFA improved muscle growth and body composition of IUGR-born lambs, demonstrating the role of inflammatory programming in IUGR growth outcomes. (Supported by USDA 2019-67015-29448, 2020-67015-30825)
{"title":"61 Trainee Award: Daily supplementation of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to IUGR-born neonatal lambs improved skeletal muscle growth and body composition","authors":"Melanie R White, Rachel L Gibbs, Pablo C Grijalva, Zena M Hicks, Haley N Beer, Eileen S Marks-Nelson, Dustin T Yates","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf398.052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf398.052","url":null,"abstract":": Introduction Muscle growth is impaired in intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) offspring by programming that includes elevated inflammatory tone. The resulting body composition changes reduce production efficiency in livestock and compromise long-term health in humans. Objective Evaluate whether anti-inflammatory ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplements improve body composition in IUGR-born lambs. Methods Pregnant ewes were housed under thermoneutral or hyperthermic conditions to produce control (n = 12) or IUGR lambs. From birth, IUGR lambs were supplemented (oral bolus) 0.42 g/kg ω-3 PUFA Ca2+ salts (IUGR+ω-3; n = 12) or placebo (IUGR; n = 11). Biometrics were assessed weekly. Loin ultrasounds were conducted on day 23. Muscle weights were determined at necropsy on day 28. Results Crown circumference/BW, abdominal circumference/BW, and cannon bone length/BW were greater (P&lt;0.05) for IUGR lambs than for controls or IUGR+ω-3 lambs. Body length/BW was greater (P&lt;0.05) for IUGR lambs than for controls and was intermediate for IUGR+ω-3 lambs. IUGR lambs had 14% less (P&lt;0.05) ultrasound-estimated subcutaneous fat and 22% smaller (P&lt;0.05) loin cross-sectional areas. Both were recovered in IUGR+ω-3 lambs. Ultrasound-estimated loin depth was less (P&lt;0.05) for IUGR lambs (16.5±0.4 mm) than for controls (14.6±0.5 mm) and was intermediate for IUGR+ω-3 lambs (15.6±0.6 mm). At necropsy, IUGR lambs had 20 – 23% lighter (P&lt;0.05) biceps femoris, semitendinosus, gastrocnemius, flexor digitorum superficialis, and longissimus dorsi muscles than controls. These deficits were partially or completely recovered in IUGR+ω-3 lambs. Conclusions Supplementing ω-3 PUFA improved muscle growth and body composition of IUGR-born lambs, demonstrating the role of inflammatory programming in IUGR growth outcomes. (Supported by USDA 2019-67015-29448, 2020-67015-30825)","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145847308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The human infant is the most immature of all mammals at birth, yet boasts the kingdom’s largest and most complex brain, which grows exponentially between 35 weeks of gestation and 2 years of age. Mothers’ own milk (MOM; excludes donor human milk; DHM) has evolved to provide personalized nutrition and bioactive components that prioritize brain growth, development and neuroprotection, as well as maturation of other body organs and metabolic and immunomodulatory pathways. Because of high MOM lactose and lipid to support the brain, MOM protein is the lowest among mammals, programming slow body growth, which is linked to lower obesity risk into adulthood. Clinical studies, albeit mostly observational due to inability to ethically randomize diet, have demonstrated improved long-term outcomes consistent with these components, including lower risks of non-communicable chronic diseases and higher measures of neurocognitive outcome. MOM components vary markedly as a function of lactation phase, with lactoferrin, secretory IgA, leptin, growth factors, gut colonizing components and other bioactives highest in the first postpartum month, suggesting programming and protection roles. Although MOM has not evolved to support optimal growth of preterm infants, necessitating exogenous fortification, the immature mammary gland secretes many bioactive components in higher concentrations and for a longer duration postpartum, with several studies suggesting a critical window for receipt of high-dose MOM during the first month post-birth in preterm infants. DHM is significantly less effective due to maternal donation during later lactation phases, storage, freeze-thaw cycles and pasteurization. Research priorities for feeding preterm infants will be summarized.
{"title":"34 Mothers’ own milk provides personalized nutrition and protection to optimize short- and long-term health outcomes in term and preterm infants","authors":"Paula P Meier*","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf398.028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf398.028","url":null,"abstract":"The human infant is the most immature of all mammals at birth, yet boasts the kingdom’s largest and most complex brain, which grows exponentially between 35 weeks of gestation and 2 years of age. Mothers’ own milk (MOM; excludes donor human milk; DHM) has evolved to provide personalized nutrition and bioactive components that prioritize brain growth, development and neuroprotection, as well as maturation of other body organs and metabolic and immunomodulatory pathways. Because of high MOM lactose and lipid to support the brain, MOM protein is the lowest among mammals, programming slow body growth, which is linked to lower obesity risk into adulthood. Clinical studies, albeit mostly observational due to inability to ethically randomize diet, have demonstrated improved long-term outcomes consistent with these components, including lower risks of non-communicable chronic diseases and higher measures of neurocognitive outcome. MOM components vary markedly as a function of lactation phase, with lactoferrin, secretory IgA, leptin, growth factors, gut colonizing components and other bioactives highest in the first postpartum month, suggesting programming and protection roles. Although MOM has not evolved to support optimal growth of preterm infants, necessitating exogenous fortification, the immature mammary gland secretes many bioactive components in higher concentrations and for a longer duration postpartum, with several studies suggesting a critical window for receipt of high-dose MOM during the first month post-birth in preterm infants. DHM is significantly less effective due to maternal donation during later lactation phases, storage, freeze-thaw cycles and pasteurization. Research priorities for feeding preterm infants will be summarized.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"47 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145847362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J Ramadoss*, V D Naik, A L Carabulea, H Jiang, J D Janeski
Electronic cigarette (e-cig) use during pregnancy has become a major health concern in recent years, perpetuated by perceptions that e-cigs are less harmful than traditional cigarettes. Extensive knowledge gaps persists regarding e-cig health impacts when aerosolized, especially in pregnancy. Recent reports indicate e-cig vaping leads to heightened risk of respiratory infection in nonpregnant adults, but there is limited data for the neonatal population. We hypothesized that fetal exposure to e-cig aerosols alters the developing lung’s immune environment in a sex-specific manner, resulting in deficient antiviral innate immune responses and more risk for respiratory viral infections. Using our well-established pregnant rat model, we utilized a custom-engineered e-cig system with a commercial e-cig unit and atomizer that offered a translational inhalation delivery method and generated vapor profiles comparable to human vaping. Our data indicate a major separation of immune-related genes between male and female fetal lungs, with sex-specific deficits in innate immune pathways, including the neutrophil system. Flow cytometry analysis of fetal lungs confirmed sex-specific changes in innate immune cell populations (primarily neutrophils) following e-cig exposure. RNA-seq showed that viral-sensing pathways, and type I IFN signaling pathways, including IRFs, INF receptors, and INF stimulated genes (ISGs), were downregulated in a sex-specific manner after e-cig exposure, suggesting impaired antiviral responses. Importantly, sex-specific enhanced susceptibility to neonatal viral infection in the e-cig exposed developing lung was noted. Sex-specific innate immune alterations were compounded by altered morphometrics, and e-cig altered neonatal lung development and function in a sex- specific manner. These data provide novel information on the growing area of e-cig effects on the offspring lung and on fetal/neonatal immune responses. It highlights the importance of examining sexual dimorphism in developmental adaptations. The findings emphasize the need for translational studies to better understand and manage respiratory infections with clinical differences between males and females. (Supported by NIH HL151497, AA23520, AA23035)
{"title":"44 Sexual dimorphism in E-cigarette-induced developmental lung immune adaptations","authors":"J Ramadoss*, V D Naik, A L Carabulea, H Jiang, J D Janeski","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf398.037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf398.037","url":null,"abstract":"Electronic cigarette (e-cig) use during pregnancy has become a major health concern in recent years, perpetuated by perceptions that e-cigs are less harmful than traditional cigarettes. Extensive knowledge gaps persists regarding e-cig health impacts when aerosolized, especially in pregnancy. Recent reports indicate e-cig vaping leads to heightened risk of respiratory infection in nonpregnant adults, but there is limited data for the neonatal population. We hypothesized that fetal exposure to e-cig aerosols alters the developing lung’s immune environment in a sex-specific manner, resulting in deficient antiviral innate immune responses and more risk for respiratory viral infections. Using our well-established pregnant rat model, we utilized a custom-engineered e-cig system with a commercial e-cig unit and atomizer that offered a translational inhalation delivery method and generated vapor profiles comparable to human vaping. Our data indicate a major separation of immune-related genes between male and female fetal lungs, with sex-specific deficits in innate immune pathways, including the neutrophil system. Flow cytometry analysis of fetal lungs confirmed sex-specific changes in innate immune cell populations (primarily neutrophils) following e-cig exposure. RNA-seq showed that viral-sensing pathways, and type I IFN signaling pathways, including IRFs, INF receptors, and INF stimulated genes (ISGs), were downregulated in a sex-specific manner after e-cig exposure, suggesting impaired antiviral responses. Importantly, sex-specific enhanced susceptibility to neonatal viral infection in the e-cig exposed developing lung was noted. Sex-specific innate immune alterations were compounded by altered morphometrics, and e-cig altered neonatal lung development and function in a sex- specific manner. These data provide novel information on the growing area of e-cig effects on the offspring lung and on fetal/neonatal immune responses. It highlights the importance of examining sexual dimorphism in developmental adaptations. The findings emphasize the need for translational studies to better understand and manage respiratory infections with clinical differences between males and females. (Supported by NIH HL151497, AA23520, AA23035)","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145847365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alex Hintz, Jesus A Acosta, Bruno A N Silva, Todd Z DeSantis, Sheila Adams-Sapper, Bradley V Lawrence, D Hancock
: Introduction Primiparous sows can differ in microbial diversity compared with mature sows. Organic acids influence gut microflora when fed directly to the pig. Impact of organic acid blends (OAB) when fed to sows of differing parities on offspring microflora is lacking. Objective Evaluate the impact of 0% or 0.3% OAB fed to young (parity 1 and 2) and adult (> parity 3) sows on offspring microflora. Methods An OAB containing 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid was fed from 50-d of gestation through lactation. Feces was collected at lactation d-20 from 40 pigs/treatment with 2 pigs/litter sampled. Microbial DNA was extracted with 16s RNA amplification of the V3/V4 region. Results Primary effects were between 0% OAB young sows compared with adult sows and 0.3% OAB young sows. Alpha diversity (P < 0.05) and richness (P < 0.01) were greater in pigs from adult sows compared to young sows. Feeding 0.3% OAB to young sows increased diversity and richness to levels similar to that of adult sows while simultaneously repressing Anaerotignum lactatifermentans (P < 0.05) and Bacteroides uniformis (P < 0.05), two species naturally suppressed in piglets from adult sows (P < 0.05). Family Sphaerochaetaceae was higher in adult sows’ offspring and young 0.3% OAB offspring (P < 0.05) than young 0% OAB offspring and was supported by a corresponding increase in class Spirochaetia (P < 0.05) in adult sows’s offspring and 0.3% OAB young offspring. Conclusions These results indicate 0.3% OAB fed to young sows increased offspring bacterial diversity and richness and altered microbial profiles to be more similar to offspring from adult sows.
{"title":"30 Offspring microflora is affected by parity and organic acid use","authors":"Alex Hintz, Jesus A Acosta, Bruno A N Silva, Todd Z DeSantis, Sheila Adams-Sapper, Bradley V Lawrence, D Hancock","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf398.024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf398.024","url":null,"abstract":": Introduction Primiparous sows can differ in microbial diversity compared with mature sows. Organic acids influence gut microflora when fed directly to the pig. Impact of organic acid blends (OAB) when fed to sows of differing parities on offspring microflora is lacking. Objective Evaluate the impact of 0% or 0.3% OAB fed to young (parity 1 and 2) and adult (&gt; parity 3) sows on offspring microflora. Methods An OAB containing 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid was fed from 50-d of gestation through lactation. Feces was collected at lactation d-20 from 40 pigs/treatment with 2 pigs/litter sampled. Microbial DNA was extracted with 16s RNA amplification of the V3/V4 region. Results Primary effects were between 0% OAB young sows compared with adult sows and 0.3% OAB young sows. Alpha diversity (P &lt; 0.05) and richness (P &lt; 0.01) were greater in pigs from adult sows compared to young sows. Feeding 0.3% OAB to young sows increased diversity and richness to levels similar to that of adult sows while simultaneously repressing Anaerotignum lactatifermentans (P &lt; 0.05) and Bacteroides uniformis (P &lt; 0.05), two species naturally suppressed in piglets from adult sows (P &lt; 0.05). Family Sphaerochaetaceae was higher in adult sows’ offspring and young 0.3% OAB offspring (P &lt; 0.05) than young 0% OAB offspring and was supported by a corresponding increase in class Spirochaetia (P &lt; 0.05) in adult sows’s offspring and 0.3% OAB young offspring. Conclusions These results indicate 0.3% OAB fed to young sows increased offspring bacterial diversity and richness and altered microbial profiles to be more similar to offspring from adult sows.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"169 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145847417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marta Hita Hernandez, Kenneth Barentsen, Katie Bidne, Jamie Henry, Robert Dietz, Thomas Jansson, Theresa L Powell
: Introduction Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is critical for fetal brain development. Inadequate supply during the perinatal period has been associated with an impaired neurological function in children. DHA is transported from the mother to the fetus via the placenta by the Major Facilitator Superfamily Domain Containing 2a (MFSD2a) transporter. Objective We hypothesize that placenta-specific knockdown (KD) of MFSD2a in mice causes neurobehavioral changes in adult offspring. Methods We generated placenta-specific KD of MFSD2a using a mouse model of trophectoderm lentivirus transfection and embryo transfer. Neurobehavioral functions such as cognition, memory, motor skills and anxiety-like behaviors as well as social interaction were tested at 3 months of age in male and female mice from placental MFSD2a KD and non-coding transfection (SCR) pregnancies using Open field, Double H maze, Three-Chamber Sociability and Rotarod test. Results Adult mice from pregnancies with placental MFSD2a KD demonstrated a significant increase of anxiety-like behavior (n = 34 SCR and n = 39 MFSD2a KD, p-value<0.0001) and an impaired mobility (n = 41 SCR, n = 46 MFSD2a KD, p-value<0.001) predominantly in females. No significant differences were observed in memory or social behavior. Conclusion Our results suggest that placental DHA transfer by MFSD2a during pregnancy is critical for long-term neurodevelopment. (Supported by NIH HD104644)
{"title":"21 Trainee Abstract Award: Long-term effects of reduced docosahexaenoic acid placental transfer on offspring neurobehavioral outcomes in mice","authors":"Marta Hita Hernandez, Kenneth Barentsen, Katie Bidne, Jamie Henry, Robert Dietz, Thomas Jansson, Theresa L Powell","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf398.017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf398.017","url":null,"abstract":": Introduction Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is critical for fetal brain development. Inadequate supply during the perinatal period has been associated with an impaired neurological function in children. DHA is transported from the mother to the fetus via the placenta by the Major Facilitator Superfamily Domain Containing 2a (MFSD2a) transporter. Objective We hypothesize that placenta-specific knockdown (KD) of MFSD2a in mice causes neurobehavioral changes in adult offspring. Methods We generated placenta-specific KD of MFSD2a using a mouse model of trophectoderm lentivirus transfection and embryo transfer. Neurobehavioral functions such as cognition, memory, motor skills and anxiety-like behaviors as well as social interaction were tested at 3 months of age in male and female mice from placental MFSD2a KD and non-coding transfection (SCR) pregnancies using Open field, Double H maze, Three-Chamber Sociability and Rotarod test. Results Adult mice from pregnancies with placental MFSD2a KD demonstrated a significant increase of anxiety-like behavior (n = 34 SCR and n = 39 MFSD2a KD, p-value&lt;0.0001) and an impaired mobility (n = 41 SCR, n = 46 MFSD2a KD, p-value&lt;0.001) predominantly in females. No significant differences were observed in memory or social behavior. Conclusion Our results suggest that placental DHA transfer by MFSD2a during pregnancy is critical for long-term neurodevelopment. (Supported by NIH HD104644)","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"23 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145847420","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Greater than 200,000 children in the United States are born yearly with the aid of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Recent epidemiological studies have suggested that these treatments are associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, including fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, preterm labor, preeclampsia and some rare genetic and epigenetic diseases. Given that many ART treatments including in vitro fertilization (IVF) utilize multiple clinical and laboratory interventions to generate a cohort of embryos capable of implantation and development, it is critical to examine each intervention individually in order to assess its relationship, if any, to the described adverse perinatal outcomes. Both human and animal studies can provide us with significant insights into the clinical procedures as well as the molecular mechanisms that may be playing in role in the adverse outcomes associated with IVF. By analyzing these data, we can not only can we modify current protocols to minimize the maternal and neonatal risk, but we can gain understanding of the critical cells and processes that play a role in pregnancy establishment and maintenance.
{"title":"32 Assisted Reproductive Technologies and adverse perinatal outcomes: the what, why and how?","authors":"Maria Gracia Gervasi*","doi":"10.1093/jas/skaf398.026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf398.026","url":null,"abstract":"Greater than 200,000 children in the United States are born yearly with the aid of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Recent epidemiological studies have suggested that these treatments are associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, including fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, preterm labor, preeclampsia and some rare genetic and epigenetic diseases. Given that many ART treatments including in vitro fertilization (IVF) utilize multiple clinical and laboratory interventions to generate a cohort of embryos capable of implantation and development, it is critical to examine each intervention individually in order to assess its relationship, if any, to the described adverse perinatal outcomes. Both human and animal studies can provide us with significant insights into the clinical procedures as well as the molecular mechanisms that may be playing in role in the adverse outcomes associated with IVF. By analyzing these data, we can not only can we modify current protocols to minimize the maternal and neonatal risk, but we can gain understanding of the critical cells and processes that play a role in pregnancy establishment and maintenance.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"250 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145847313","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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