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  • Title: Effects of rate of body weight gain during the first trimester of gestation on beef heifer and offspring performance, concentrations of hormones and metabolites, and response to vaccination.
    Author: Baumgaertner F, Menezes ACB, Diniz WJS, Hurlbert JL, Bochantin-Winders KA, Underdahl SR, Kirsch JD, Dorsam ST, McCarthy KL, Ramirez-Zamudio GD, Sedivec KK, Caton JS, Dahlen CR.
    Journal: J Anim Sci; 2024 Jan 03; 102():. PubMed ID: 39028632.
    Abstract:
    Our study objectives were to evaluate the effects of divergent rates of body weight (BW) gain during early gestation in beef heifers on F0 performance, metabolic and endocrine status, colostrum immunoglobulins, and subsequent F1 calf characteristics, growth performance, concentrations of hormones and metabolites, and response to vaccination. Angus-based heifers (n = 100; BW = 369 ± 2.5 kg) were adapted to individual feeding for 14 d and bred using artificial insemination with female-sexed semen. Heifers were ranked by BW and assigned to either a basal diet targeting 0.28 kg/d gain (low [LG], n = 50) or the basal diet plus an energy/protein supplement targeting 0.79 kg/d gain (moderate gain [MG], n = 50) until day 84 of gestation. Dam BW and blood samples were collected at 6 time points during gestation; body composition was evaluated on days -10 and 84; and fetal measurements were taken on days 42, 63, and 84. At calving (LG, n = 23; MG, n = 23), dam and calf BW were recorded; and colostrum, calf body measurements, and blood samples were collected. Cow-calf pairs were managed on a common diet from calving to weaning, followed by a common postnatal development period for all F1 female offspring. Growth performance, hormone and metabolite profiles, feeding behavior, and reproductive performance were assessed from birth to prebreeding in F1 heifers. Offspring were vaccinated against respiratory disease and bovine viral diarrhea pathogens on days 62.3 ± 4.13 and 220.3 ± 4.13 postcalving. By design, MG dams were heavier (P < 0.0001) than LG on day 84, and the BW advantage persisted until subsequent weaning of F1 calves. Concentrations of serum IGF-1 and glucose were increased throughout gestation (P < 0.001) in MG dams, whereas concentrations of NEFA were decreased (P < 0.001) in LG dams. Calves from MG dams were 2.14 kg heavier (P = 0.03) and had larger chest circumference (P = 0.04) at birth compared with LG cohorts. Heifers from MG dams continued to have greater (P ≤ 0.03) BW gain and feed efficiency during the development period, but no differences were observed (P ≥ 0.13) in body composition, concentrations of hormones and metabolites, feeding behavior, puberty attainment, and response to vaccination in F1 offspring. Hence, early gestation rate of gain impacted BW and concentrations of glucose and IGF-1 throughout gestation in the F0 dam, resulting in altered F1 calf BW and measurements at birth and increased gain and efficiency during the development period. Generally, beef heifers are managed on grazing pastures during early gestation, which are subject to fluctuations in forage quantity and quality. Variations in the nutrients available to the dam can impact the developing offspring during early gestation. Providing energy/protein supplements to grazing cattle is a method to ensure nutrient requirements are being met and to enhance the rate of gain. This study modeled the effects of pasture supplementation in beef heifers during early gestation to determine whether 2 rates of body weight (BW) gain alter maternal body composition and concentrations of hormones and metabolites, as well as changes to postnatal characteristics of the subsequent F1 generation heifer calves. The rate of gain affected the heifer’s BW, body composition, and concentrations of key metabolites and hormones, which likely altered the nutritional environment experienced by the fetus. Subsequently, F1 offspring from supplemented dams had greater morphometric characteristics at birth and had greater BW gain, feed efficiency, and eating rate during the postweaning development period. However, body composition, concentrations of hormones and metabolites, other feeding behaviors, puberty attainment, and response to vaccination of offspring were not affected. Further research is warranted to investigate how the early gestational rate of BW gain impacts key metabolic organs and mechanisms involved in transferring programming outcomes to subsequent generations.
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