Abstract #427

Section: Ruminant Nutrition
Session: Ruminant Nutrition IV
Format: Oral
Day/Time: Tuesday 4:30 PM–4:45 PM
Location: 317
# 427
Micronutrient supplementation and the peripartal plasma lipidome.
Y. Zang*1, S. S. Samii1, H. R. Bailey1, W. A. Myers1, A. N. Davis1, E. Grilli2, J. W. McFadden1, 1West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 2University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

The development of metabolic disease in dairy cows is associated with increased hepatic lipid deposition caused in part by decreased export of triacylglycerol (TG) as very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). A component of VLDL includes phosphatidylcholine (PC), synthesized from micronutrients including methionine (Met), choline, and betaine. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the effects of peripartal micronutrient feeding on the lipidome. Thirty multiparous Holstein cows were provided diets with or without rumen-protected micronutrients (22 g/d Met, 10 g/d choline chloride, and 3 g/d betaine; Mecovit, Vetagro S.p.A.) from −28 d prepartum to d 14 postpartum. Blood was collected routinely, and liver tissue was biopsied at d −28, 5, and 14, relative to parturition. In addition to routine analyses, plasma amino acids were quantified using targeted mass spectrometry. Plasma lipidomics was performed using liquid chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Following transformation, data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures. Characteristic changes in metabolic status were detected in cows transitioning from gestation to lactation including increased plasma fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, and liver lipid content, and decreased plasma insulin, glucose, and total TG and cholesterol esters (CE; P < 0.05). Micronutrient feeding decreased circulating fatty acids, selectively increased serum methionine levels 17 to 35%, and lowered serum Lys:Met ratio 13 to 28% (P < 0.05). Although plasma PC levels declined during the peripartum, treatment did not modify PC concentrations. In contrast, micronutrient feeding increased CE 22:0, 32:0, and 34:0 (P < 0.05). Moreover, cows fed micronutrients displayed increased plasma levels of TG 46:0, 48:0, 52:0, 54:0, 56:0, and 58:0 (P < 0.05). Most increases in CE and TG levels in response to micronutrients were observed from −28 to −7 d prepartum (e.g., TG 46:0 increased 132%; P < 0.05). We conclude that the described micronutrient feeding regimen can increase specific CE and TG found within circulation; however, the importance of these unique lipids for VLDL export needs to be determined.

Key Words: hepatic health, lipidomics, peripartal cow