Nutrient supply alters adipose tissue physiology in pre-weaned calves

• Published in: Journal of animal science Vol. 96; p. 417
• Main Authors: Romao, J, Leal, L, Hooiveld, G, Soberon, F, Berends, H, Boekschoten, M, Van Amburgh, M, Martín-Tereso, J, Steele, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Champaign Oxford University Press 01.12.2018
• Subjects: Adipose tissue; Animal tissues; Calves; Cattle; Cell cycle; Cytoplasm; Cytoskeleton; Dairy cattle; DNA microarrays; Fatty acids; Gene expression; Genes; Hyperplasia; Hypertrophy; Immunology; Interphase; Lipid metabolism; Lipids; Metabolism; Mitosis; Nutrients; Nutrition; Physiology; Transport; Weaning
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163

Early life nutrient supply can affect the performance of future dairy cows. Adipose tissue is likely to be a key part of that process as it is involved in the regulation of energetic, reproductive and immunological processes. However, it is not clear how early life nutrition alters the molecular regulation of adipose tissue in calves and potentially adult individuals. This study aimed at determining how differences in pre-weaning nutrient supply alter the adipose tissue transcriptome. A total of 12 female Holstein calves were fed two levels of milk replacer (28% CP, 15% fat): restricted (2.8 Mcal ME intake per day, n=5) or enhanced (5.9 Mcal ME intake per day, n=5). All calves had ad libitum access to a commercial calf starter (22% CP) and water. Calves were harvested at 54 ± 2 days and adipose tissue was collected for transcriptome analysis through microarray. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis analyzed the expression of 19,968 genes, of which 396 were differentially expressed (DE) between groups (P<0.001 and FDR<0.01). The directional expression of DE genes indicated that an enhanced nutrient supply alters the adipose tissue physiology of pre-weaned calves. Several relevant biological functions (P<0.05) were increased (Z-score > +2), including Lipid Metabolism (Fatty Acid Metabolism), Cell Cycle (Entry into Interphase, Interphase, Mitosis and Cell Cycle Progression), Cellular Assembly and Organization (Cytoskeleton Formation and Cytoplasm Development) and Molecular Transport (Transport of Carboxilic Acid). These findings indicate that adipose tissue of calves under an enhanced nutrient supply is physiologically distinct form restricted calves due to an increased development/expansion rate (adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia) and also a higher metabolic activity through increased fatty acid metabolism. Future studies are necessary to explore whether early life changes in adipose tissue regulation can produce carryover effects and lead to improved adult life performance of dairy cows.