Supplemental Smartamine M in higher-energy diets during the prepartal period improves hepatic biomarkers of health and oxidative status in Holstein cows

Performance and Metabolic, Inflammatory, and Oxidative Stress-Related Parameters in Early Lactating Dairy Cows with High and Low Hepatic FGF21 Expression

Induction of FGF21 expression in the liver and a significant increase in plasma FGF21 concentration have been demonstrated in cows during early lactation, but knowledge about the function of FGF21 in dairy cows remains limited. In order to improve the understanding of the physiological role of FGF21 in dairy cows, the present study aimed to investigate differences in metabolic pathways between dairy cows with high and low hepatic expression of FGF21 at week 1 of lactation (n = 8/group) by liver transcriptomics, targeted plasma metabolomics, and analysis of inflammatory and oxidative stress-related parameters. Dry matter intake, energy balance, milk yield, and energy-corrected milk yield at days 8−14 postpartum did not differ between cows with high and low hepatic FGF21 expression. However, cows with high FGF21 expression showed an upregulation of genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-dependent cytoprotection compared to cows with low FGF21 expression at week 1 postpartum (p < 0.05). Concentrations of important antioxidants (tocopherols, β-carotene, and glutathione) in the liver and plasma, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity in plasma, concentrations of oxidative stress-related compounds (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and protein carbonyls), and levels of most acute phase proteins at week 1 postpartum did not differ between cows with high or low FGF21 expression. Moreover, among a total of >200 metabolites assayed in the plasma, concentrations of only 7 metabolites were different between cows with high or low FGF21 expression (p < 0.05). Overall, the results showed that cows with high and low FGF21 hepatic expression had only moderate differences in metabolism, but FGF21 might be important in the adaptation of dairy cows to stress conditions during early lactation.

Effect of supplemental methionine on health and performance of receiving beef heifers

Methionine supplementation can improve immune function in transition dairy cattle. Our objective was to determine if supplemental methionine could improve health and performance of newly received growing cattle. Crossbred heifers (n = 384; 222 kg initial body weight; southeastern U.S. origin) were received in four truckloads (blocks) over 9 d. Heifers were weighed at arrival. The following day (d 0) cattle were vaccinated for viral and clostridial diseases, received 2.5 mg tulathromycin/kg body weight, and were stratified within the blocks by arrival body weight to 1 of 8 pens containing 12 heifers each. Within blocks, pens were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 0 (control) or 0.1725% Smartamine M to provide 0.1035% metabolizable methionine to the diet. Cattle were limit-fed at 2.2% of body weight daily (dry matter basis) on a diet containing 40% wet corn gluten feed, 34.5% dry-rolled corn, 10% corn silage, 7.5% supplement, 4% alfalfa hay, and 4% prairie hay. Pen weights were measured weekly to determine the feed offered the following week. Individual body weight and tail-vein blood samples were collected on d 0, 14, and 45. Plasma haptoglobin was measured to assess acute-phase protein response. Incidences of morbidity (1.6% for control, 2.6% for Smartamine M) and mortality (0.5% for both control and Smartamine M) were low. Between d 0 and 45, no differences were observed for average daily gain (1.24 vs. 1.27 kg/d; control vs. Smartamine M, P = 0.55) or gain:feed (0.107 vs. 0.110, P = 0.28), although dry matter intake was 1.3% greater (P < 0.01) for control than Smartamine M due to differences in diet dry matter concentration. An interaction between treatment and linear effect of day was detected for plasma haptoglobin (P < 0.05); over time, haptoglobin increased more for control (2.15, 2.28, and 2.95 mg/mL at 0, 14, and 45 d) than for Smartamine M (2.35, 2.37, and 2.58 mg/mL). Supplemental methionine may alleviate acute-phase protein responses in stressed receiving cattle.

Maternal supplementation with cobalt sources, folic acid, and rumen-protected methionine and its effects on molecular and functional correlates of the immune system in neonatal Holstein calves

Calves born to multiparous Holstein cows fed during the last 30 d of pregnancy 2 different cobalt sources [cobalt glucoheptonate (CoPro) or cobalt pectin (CoPectin)], folic acid (FOA), and rumen-protected methionine (RPM) were used to study neonatal immune responses after ex vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Groups were (n = 12 calves/group) CoPro, FOA+CoPro, FOA+CoPectin, and FOA+CoPectin+RPM. Calves were weighed at birth and blood collected at birth (before colostrum), 21 d of age, and 42 d of age (at weaning). Growth performance was recorded once a week during the first 6 wk of age. Energy metabolism, inflammation, and antioxidant status were assessed at birth through various plasma biomarkers. Whole blood was challenged with 3 µg/mL of LPS or used for phagocytosis and oxidative burst assays. Target genes evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR in whole blood samples were associated with immune response, antioxidant function, and 1-carbon metabolism. The response in mRNA abundance in LPS challenged versus nonchallenged samples was assessed via Δ = LPS challenged - LPS nonchallenged samples. Phagocytosis capacity and oxidative burst activity were measured in neutrophils and monocytes, with data reported as ratio (percentage) of CD14 to CH138A-positive cells. Data including all time points were subjected to ANOVA using PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc.), with Treatment, Sex, Age, and Treatment × Age as fixed effects. A 1-way ANOVA was used to determine differences at birth, with Treatment and Sex as fixed effects. Calf birth body weight and other growth parameters did not differ between groups. At birth, plasma haptoglobin concentration was lower in FOA+CoPro compared with CoPro calves. We detected no effect for other plasma biomarkers or immune function due to maternal treatments at birth. Compared with CoPro, in response to LPS challenge, whole blood from FOA+CoPectin and FOA+CoPectin+RPM calves had greater mRNA abundance of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1). No effect for other genes was detectable. Regardless of maternal treatments, sex-specific responses were observed due to greater plasma concentrations of haptoglobin, paraoxonase, total reactive oxygen metabolites, nitrite, and β-carotene in female versus male calves at birth. In contrast, whole blood from male calves had greater mRNA abundance of IRAK1, CADM1, and ITGAM in response to LPS challenge at birth. The longitudinal analysis of d 0, 21, and 42 data revealed greater bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI) mRNA abundance in whole blood from FOA+CoPectin versus FOA+CoPro calves, coupled with greater abundance in FOA+CoPro compared with CoPro calves. Regardless of maternal treatments, most genes related to cytokines and cytokine receptors (IL1B, IL10, TNF, IRAK1, CXCR1), toll-like receptor pathway (TLR4, NFKB1), adhesion and migration (ICAM1, ITGAM), antimicrobial function (MPO), and antioxidant function (GPX1) were downregulated over time. Phagocytosis capacity and oxidative burst activity in both neutrophils and monocytes did not differ due to maternal treatment. Regardless of maternal treatments, we observed an increase in the percentage of neutrophils capable of phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity over time. Overall, these preliminary assessments suggested that maternal supplementation with FOA and Co combined with RPM had effects on a few plasma biomarkers of inflammation at birth and molecular responses associated with inflammatory mechanisms during the neonatal period.

Multifaceted role of one-carbon metabolism on immunometabolic control and growth during pregnancy, lactation and the neonatal period in dairy cattle

Dairy cattle undergo dramatic metabolic, endocrine, physiologic and immune changes during the peripartal period largely due to combined increases in energy requirements for fetal growth and development, milk production, and decreased dry matter intake. The negative nutrient balance that develops results in body fat mobilization, subsequently leading to triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation in the liver along with reductions in liver function, immune dysfunction and a state of inflammation and oxidative stress. Mobilization of muscle and gluconeogenesis are also enhanced, while intake of vitamins and minerals is decreased, contributing to metabolic and immune dysfunction and oxidative stress. Enhancing post-ruminal supply of methyl donors is one approach that may improve immunometabolism and production synergistically in peripartal cows. At the cellular level, methyl donors (e.g. methionine, choline, betaine and folic acid) interact through one-carbon metabolism to modulate metabolism, immune responses and epigenetic events. By modulating those pathways, methyl donors may help increase the export of very low-density lipoproteins to reduce liver TAG and contribute to antioxidant synthesis to alleviate oxidative stress. Thus, altering one-carbon metabolism through methyl donor supplementation is a viable option to modulate immunometabolism during the peripartal period. This review explores available data on the regulation of one-carbon metabolism pathways in dairy cows in the context of enzyme regulation, cellular sensors and signaling mechanisms that might respond to increased dietary supply of specific methyl donors. Effects of methyl donors beyond the one-carbon metabolism pathways, including production performance, immune cell function, mechanistic target or rapamycin signaling, and fatty acid oxidation will also be highlighted. Furthermore, the effects of body condition and feeding system (total mixed ration vs. pasture) on one-carbon metabolism pathways are explored. Potential effects of methyl donor supply during the pepartum period on dairy calf growth and development also are discussed. Lastly, practical nutritional recommendations related to methyl donor metabolism during the peripartal period are presented. Nutritional management during the peripartal period is a fertile area of research, hence, underscoring the importance for developing a systems understanding of the potential immunometabolic role that dietary methyl donors play during this period to promote health and performance.

Supply of Methionine During Late-Pregnancy Alters Fecal Microbiota and Metabolome in Neonatal Dairy Calves Without Changes in Daily Feed Intake

To our knowledge, most studies demonstrating the role of manipulating maternal nutrition on hindgut (i.e., large intestine) microbiota in the offspring have been performed in non-ruminants. Whether this phenomenon exists in cattle is largely unknown. Therefore, the objectives of the current study were to evaluate the impact of maternal post-ruminal supply of methionine during late-pregnancy in dairy cows on fecal microbiota and metabolome in neonatal calves, and their association with body development and growth performance during the preweaning period. To achieve this, heifer calves, i.e., neonatal female offspring, born to Holstein cows receiving either a control (CON) diet (n = 13) or CON plus rumen-protected methionine (MET; Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbH) during the last 28 days of pregnancy were used. Fecal samples from heifers were collected from birth until 6 weeks of age, i.e., the preweaning period. Fecal microbiota was analyzed with QIIME 2 whereas fecal metabolites were measured using an untargeted LC-MS approach. At birth, MET heifers had greater (P ≤ 0.05) BW, HH, and WH. During the preweaning period, no differences between groups were detected for starter intake (P = 0.77). However, MET heifers maintained greater (P ≤ 0.05) BW, HH and tended (P = 0.06) to have greater WH and average daily gain (ADG) (P = 0.10). Fecal microbiota and metabolome profiles through 42 days of age in MET heifers indicated greater capacity for hindgut production of endogenous antibiotics and enhanced hindgut functionality and health. Enhancing maternal post-ruminal supply of methionine during late-gestation in dairy cows has a positive effect on hindgut functionality and health in their offspring through alterations in the fecal microbiota and metabolome without affecting feed intake. Those alterations could limit pathogen colonization of the hindgut while providing essential nutrients to the neonate. Together, such responses contribute to the ability of young calves to achieve better rates of nutrient utilization for growth.

Mammalian Sulfur Amino Acid Metabolism: A Nexus Between Redox Regulation, Nutrition, Epigenetics, and Detoxification

SIGNIFICANCE

Transsulfuration allows conversion of methionine into cysteine using homocysteine (Hcy) as an intermediate. This pathway produces S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), a key metabolite for cell function, and provides 50% of the cysteine needed for hepatic glutathione synthesis. The route requires the intake of essential nutrients (e.g., methionine and vitamins) and is regulated by their availability. Transsulfuration presents multiple interconnections with epigenetics, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and glutathione synthesis, polyol and pentose phosphate pathways, and detoxification that rely mostly in the exchange of substrates or products. Major hepatic diseases, rare diseases, and sensorineural disorders, among others that concur with oxidative stress, present impaired transsulfuration. Recent Advances: In contrast to the classical view, a nuclear branch of the pathway, potentiated under oxidative stress, is emerging. Several transsulfuration proteins regulate gene expression, suggesting moonlighting activities. In addition, abnormalities in Hcy metabolism link nutrition and hearing loss.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Knowledge about the crossregulation between pathways is mostly limited to the hepatic availability/removal of substrates and inhibitors. However, advances regarding protein-protein interactions involving oncogenes, identification of several post-translational modifications (PTMs), and putative moonlighting activities expand the potential impact of transsulfuration beyond methylations and Hcy.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Increasing the knowledge on transsulfuration outside the liver, understanding the protein-protein interaction networks involving these enzymes, the functional role of their PTMs, or the mechanisms controlling their nucleocytoplasmic shuttling may provide further insights into the pathophysiological implications of this pathway, allowing design of new therapeutic interventions. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 29, 408-452.