Heifer nutrition during early- and mid-pregnancy alters fetal growth trajectory and birth weight |
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| Authors: | G.C. Micke T.M. Sullivan R.J. Soares Magalhaes P.J. Rolls S.T. Norman V.E.A. Perry |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;2. School of Population Health, Public Health Building - Room 401A, The University of Queensland, Herston Road, QLD 4006, Australia;3. QLD Department of Primary Industries, Tick Fever Centre, Wacol, QLD 4076, Australia;4. Graham Centre for Agricultural Research, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 2650, Australia;2. Mammalian NutriPhysioGenomics, Department of Animal Sciences and Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801;3. Zinpro Corporation, 10400 Viking Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344;4. Istituto di Zootecnica, Facoltà di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, Italy;1. Departamento de Producción Animal y Pasturas, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 780, Av. E. Garzón, Uruguay;2. Departamento de Morfología y Desarrollo, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 1620, A. Lasplaces, Uruguay;2. Departamento de Produção Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil 18168-000;3. Idexx Laboratories Inc., Westbrook, ME 04092;1. Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA;2. USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska, USA;2. Department of Veterinary Science, Università di Torino, Grugliasco 10090, Italy;3. AgSource Laboratories, Menomonie, WI 54751;1. Department of Animal Science, West Central Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, 402 West State Farm Road, North Platte, NE 69101, USA;2. Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, A224b Animal Science, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA |
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| Abstract: | Maternal nutrient intake during gestation can alter fetal growth. Whilst this has been studied extensively in the sheep, less is known about effects in the bovine. Composite-breed beef heifers were allocated to either a high (H/? = 76 MJ metabolisable energy (ME) and 1.4 kg crude protein (CP)) or low (L/? = 62 MJ ME and 0.4 kg CP daily) nutritional treatment at artificial insemination. Half of each nutritional group changed to an opposite nutritional group at the end of the first trimester (?/H = 82 MJ ME and 1.4 kg CP; ?/L = 62 MJ ME and 0.4 kg CP daily), resulting in 4 treatment groups: HH (n = 16); HL (n = 19); LH (n = 17); LL (n = 19). During the third trimester all heifers were fed the same diets. Fetuses were measured at 4-weekly intervals beginning at day 39 of gestation. Calves were also measured at birth for physical body variables. Low maternal nutrient intake was associated with decreased crown-rump length at day 39 (P < 0.01) and increased thoracic diameter at day 95 (P < 0.01). Umbilical cord diameter was reduced in L/? fetuses in the first trimester (P < 0.05) but was greater in ?/L fetuses in the second trimester compared to their respective H counterparts (P < 0.05). Calf birth weight was decreased in association with ?/L maternal diets (P < 0.05). In conclusion, fetal development of cattle may be affected by maternal nutrition as early as day 39 of gestation. This may be followed by either compensatory fetal growth, or alternatively, preferential fetal tissue growth that is dependant upon maternal nutrition. Clearly, calf birth weight may be altered by maternal nutrition during mid-gestation. |
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