Abstract #214
Section: Physiology and Endocrinology (orals)
Session: Physiology & Endocrinology 1
Format: Oral
Day/Time: Monday 2:15 PM–2:30 PM
Location: Room 233![](/2019/images/btn-find-it.png)
Session: Physiology & Endocrinology 1
Format: Oral
Day/Time: Monday 2:15 PM–2:30 PM
Location: Room 233
![](/2019/images/btn-find-it.png)
# 214
Hepatic 1-carbon metabolism, methionine cycle, and transsulfuration pathway intermediates in neonatal Holstein calves are altered by maternal postruminal supply of methionine during late pregnancy.
A. S. Alharthi*1, M. Abdelmegeid2, R. Yambo1, A. Elolimy1, Y.-X. Pan3, C. Parys4, J. J. Loor1, 1Department of Animal Sciences and Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 2Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Shaikh, Egypt, 3Food Science and Human Nutrition, Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 4Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbH, Wolfgang, Hanau, Germany.
Key Words: methyl donor, epigenetics, nutritional programming
Hepatic 1-carbon metabolism, methionine cycle, and transsulfuration pathway intermediates in neonatal Holstein calves are altered by maternal postruminal supply of methionine during late pregnancy.
A. S. Alharthi*1, M. Abdelmegeid2, R. Yambo1, A. Elolimy1, Y.-X. Pan3, C. Parys4, J. J. Loor1, 1Department of Animal Sciences and Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 2Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Shaikh, Egypt, 3Food Science and Human Nutrition, Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 4Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbH, Wolfgang, Hanau, Germany.
Pregnancy and early life are critical periods of plasticity during which the fetus and neonate may be influenced by environmental factors such as nutrition. The aim of this study was to investigate if increasing Met supply during late-pregnancy affects profiles of 1-carbon metabolism, methionine cycle, and transsulfuration pathway intermediates as well as enzyme activities in neonatal calf liver. Twenty-eight calves born to cows fed a basal control [CON, n = 14; 1.47 Mcal/kg dry matter and 15.3% crude protein] or CON plus rumen-protected methionine (MET, n = 14; Mepron at 0.09% of diet DM; Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbH, Germany) were used. Liver biopsies were harvested at 4, 14, 28, and 50 d of age and used for metabolomics via GS-MS. Daily starter intake and weekly body weight were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Maternal supplementation with Met led to greater (P ≤ 0.05) BW (59.8 vs. 55.6 ± 1.4 kg). However, daily starter intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency were not affected by maternal treatment. There was greater (P ≤ 0.05) overall activity of cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) in MET calves, while betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT) and cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) increased (interaction P ≤ 0.05) in MET calves between d 4 and 14 with a peak at 28 d. Despite a linear increase from d 4 to 28, activity of methionine synthase (MTR) in MET calves was lower on d 4 and 50 d. Greater (P ≤ 0.05) hepatic concentrations of the 1-carbon metabolism and methionine cycle intermediates adenosine, betaine, choline, and N,N-dimethylglycine were detected in MET calves. Among transsulfuration pathway metabolites, concentrations of cystathionine, cysteinesulfinic acid, hypotaurine, serine, and taurine were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in MET calves. Overall, data suggest that increasing the maternal supply of Met during late-pregnancy benefits calf growth in part through alterations in hepatic metabolism.
Key Words: methyl donor, epigenetics, nutritional programming