Changes in fatty acids in plasma and association with the inflammatory response in dairy cows abomasally infused with essential fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid during late and early lactation

Effect of Dietary Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Fatty Acid Supplementation during the Last Month of Gestation on Fatty Acid Metabolism and Oxidative Status in Charolais Cows and Calves

Fatty acids (FAs) are of utmost importance in the peripartal period for the development of the central nervous and immune systems of the newborn. The transport of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) through the placenta is considered to be minimal in ruminants. Nevertheless, the cow's FAs are the main source of FAs for the calf during gestation. This research aimed to investigate the influence of low-dose eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation during late gestation on the FA metabolism of cows and their calves. A total of 20 Charolais cows during the last month of their gestation were included in the feeding trial and were divided into a control group (CON) and an experimental group (EPA + DHA). The latter received a supplement in the amount of 100 g/day (9.1 and 7.8 g/cow/day of EPA and DHA, respectively). Supplementation of low-dose EPA and DHA alters colostrum and milk fatty acid composition through the elevation of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) without affecting milk fat and protein concentrations and oxidative status. Plasma composition in cows was significantly altered, while the same effect was not detected in calf plasma. No significant change in mRNA expression was detected for the genes fatty acid synthase (FASN) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha (ACACA).

Impact of deoxynivalenol on rumen function, production, and health of dairy cows: Insights from metabolomics and microbiota analysis

Deoxynivalenol contamination in feed and food, pervasive from growth, storage, and processing, poses a significant risk to dairy cows, particularly when exposed to a high-starch diet; however, whether a high-starch diet exacerbates these negative effects remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the combined impact of deoxynivalenol and dietary starch on the production performance, rumen function, and health of dairy cows using metabolomics and 16 S rRNA sequencing. Our findings suggested that both high- and low-starch diets contaminated with deoxynivalenol significantly reduced the concentration of propionate, isobutyrate, valerate, total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), and microbial crude protein (MCP) concentrations, accompanied by a noteworthy increase in NH3-N concentration in vitro and in vivo (P < 0.05). Deoxynivalenol altered the abundance of microbial communities in vivo, notably affecting Oscillospiraceae, Lachnospiraceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, and Selenomonadaceae. Additionally, it significantly downregulated lecithin, arachidonic acid, valine, leucine, isoleucine, arginine, and proline metabolism (P < 0.05). Furthermore, deoxynivalenol triggered oxidative stress, inflammation, and dysregulation in immune system linkage, ultimately compromising the overall health of dairy cows. Collectively, both high- and low-starch diets contaminated with deoxynivalenol could have detrimental effects on rumen function, posing a potential threat to production performance and the overall health of cows. Notably, the negative effects of deoxynivalenol are more pronounced with a high-starch diet than a low-starch diet.

Plasma Metabolomic Profiling after Feeding Dried Distiller's Grains with Solubles in Different Cattle Breeds

Dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS) are rich in nutrients and can enhance animals' growth and immunity. However, there are few reports on the effects of a diet of DDGS on plasma metabolism and the related action pathways in domestic animals. In this study, groups of Guanling yellow cattle (GY) and Guanling crossbred cattle (GC) having a basal diet served as the control groups (GY-CG and GC-CG), and DDGS replacing 25% of the diet of GY and GC served as the replacement groups (GY-RG and GC-RG), with three cattle in each group. Plasma samples were prepared for metabolomic analysis. Based on multivariate statistical and univariate analyses, differential metabolites and metabolic pathways were explored. Twenty-nine significantly different metabolites (p < 0.05) were screened in GY-RG compared with those in GY-CG and were found to be enriched in the metabolic pathways, including choline metabolism in cancer, linolenic acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. Nine metabolites showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between GC-RG and GC-CG and were mainly distributed in the metabolic pathways of choline metabolism in cancer, glycerophospholipid metabolism, prostate cancer metabolism, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. These results suggest that a DDGS diet may promote healthy growth and development of experimental cattle by modulating these metabolic pathways. Our findings not only shed light on the nutritional effects of the DDGS diet and its underlying mechanisms related to metabolism but also provide scientific reference for the feed utilization of DDGS.

Review: Effect of essential fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid on the adaptive physiology of dairy cows during the transition period

Cows fed total mixed rations (silage-based) may not receive as much essential fatty acids (EFAs) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) as cows fed pasture-based rations (fresh grass) containing rich sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids. CLA-induced milk fat depression allows dairy cows to conserve more metabolisable energy, thereby shortening the state of negative energy balance and reducing excessive fat mobilisation at early lactation. EFAs, particularly α-linolenic acid, exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, thereby modulating immune functions. Thus, combined EFA and CLA supplementation seems to be an effective nutritional strategy to relieve energy metabolism and to improve immune response, which are often compromised during the transition from late pregnancy to lactation in high-yielding dairy cows. There has been extensive research on this idea over the last two decades, and despite promising results, several interfering factors have led to varying findings, making it difficult to conclude whether and under what conditions EFA and CLA supplementations are beneficial for dairy cows during the transition period. This article reviews the latest studies on the effects of EFA and CLA supplementation, alone or in combination, on dairy cow metabolism and health during various stages around parturition. Our review article summarises and provides novel insights into the mechanisms by which EFA and/or CLA influence markers of metabolism, energy homeostasis and partitioning, immunity, and inflammation revealed by a deep molecular phenotyping.

Abomasal infusion of essential fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid during late pregnancy and early lactation affects immunohematological and oxidative stress markers in dairy cows

Oxidative stress and inflammation, as natural parts of metabolic adaptations during the transition from late gestation to early lactation, are critical indicators of dairy cows' metabolic health. This study was designed to investigate the effects of abomasal infusion of essential fatty acids (EFA), particularly α-linolenic acid, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on plasma, erythrocyte, and liver markers of oxidative stress in dairy cows during the transition period. Rumen-cannulated German Holstein cows (n = 38) in their second lactation (11,101 ± 1,118 kg milk/305 d, mean ± standard deviation) were abomasally infused with one of the following treatments from d -63 antepartum until d 63 postpartum (PP): CTRL (n = 9; 76 g/d coconut oil); EFA (n = 9; 78 g/d linseed plus 4 g/d safflower oil); CLA (n = 10; isomers cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA; 38 g/d); and EFA+CLA (n = 10; 120 g/d). Hematological parameters as well as markers of oxidative status were measured in plasma, erythrocytes, and liver before and after calving. Immunohematological parameters, including erythrocyte number, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, leukocytes, and basophils, were affected by time, and their peak levels were observed on the day after calving. The oxidative stress markers glutathione peroxidase 1 and reactive oxygen metabolites in plasma and erythrocytes were both affected by time, exhibiting the highest levels on d 1 PP, whereas β-carotene, retinol, and tocopherol were at their lowest levels at the same time. Immunohematological parameters were only marginally affected by fatty acid treatment in a time-dependent manner. As such, lymphocyte and atypical lymphocyte counts were both significantly highest in the groups that received EFA at d 1 PP. Moreover, EFA supplementation increased the mean corpuscular volume and showed a trend for induction of mean corpuscular hemoglobin compared with the CLA group during the transition period. The PP mean thrombocyte volume was higher in the EFA than in the CLA group (except for d 28) and both EFA and CLA reduced number of thrombocytes and thrombocrit at distinct time points. Hepatic mRNA abundance of markers related to oxidative status, including glutathione peroxidase (GPX-1) and catalase (CAT), was lower (P < 0.05) in EFA-treated than non-EFA-treated cows at d 28 PP. Dairy cows at the onset of lactation were characterized by induced markers of both oxidative stress and inflammation. Supplementing EFA and CLA had minor and time-dependent effects on markers of oxidative stress in plasma, erythrocytes, and liver. A comparison of EFA supplementation with CLA or CTRL showed higher immunohematological response at d 1 PP and lower hepatic antioxidant levels by d 28 PP. Supplementation with EFA+CLA had only a minor effect on oxidative markers, which were more similar to those with the EFA treatment. Altogether, despite the time-dependent differences, the current findings show only minor effects of EFA and CLA supplementation in the prevention of early lactation-induced oxidative stress.

Tumor necrosis factor-α promotes lipolysis and reduces insulin sensitivity by activating nuclear factor kappa B and c-Jun N-terminal kinase in primary bovine adipocytes

Sustained lipolysis and insulin resistance increase the risk of metabolic dysfunction in dairy cows during the transition period. Proinflammatory cytokines are key regulators of adipose tissue metabolism in nonruminants, but biological functions of these molecules in ruminants are not well known. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate whether tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) could affect insulin sensitivity and lipolysis in bovine adipocytes as well as the underlying mechanisms. Bovine adipocytes (obtained from the omental and mesenteric adipose depots) isolated from 5 Holstein female calves (1 d old) with similar body weight (median: 36.9 kg, range: 35.5-41.2 kg) were differentiated and used for (1) treatment with different concentrations of TNF-α (0, 0.1, 1, or 10 ng/mL) for 12 h; (2) pretreatment with 10 μM lipolytic agonist isoproterenol (ISO) for 3 h, followed by treatment with or without 10 ng/mL TNF-α for 12 h; and (3) pretreatment with the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125 (20 μM for 2 h) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) inhibitor BAY 11-7082 (10 μM for 1 h) followed by treatment with or without 10 ng/mL TNF-α for 12 h. The TNF-α increased glycerol content in supernatant, decreased triglyceride content and insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of protein kinase B suggesting activation of lipolysis and impairment of insulin sensitivity. The TNF-α reduced cell viability, upregulated mRNA abundance of Caspase 3 (CASP3), an apoptosis marker, and increased activity of Caspase 3. In addition, increased phosphorylation of NF-κB and JNK, upregulation of mRNA abundance of interleukin-6 (IL-6), TNFA, and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) suggested that TNF-α activated NF-κB and JNK signaling pathways. Furthermore, ISO plus TNF-α-activated NF-κB and JNK signaling pathway to a greater extent than TNF-α alone. Combining TNF-α and ISO aggravated TNF-α-induced apoptosis, insulin insensitivity and lipolysis. In the absence of TNF-α, inhibition of NF-κB and JNK did not alter glycerol content in supernatant, triglyceride content or insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of protein kinase B. In the presence of TNF-α, inhibition of NF-κB and JNK alleviated TNF-α-induced apoptosis, insulin insensitivity and lipolysis. Overall, TNF-α impairs insulin sensitivity and induces lipolysis and apoptosis in bovine adipocytes, which may be partly mediated by activation of NF-κB and JNK. Thus, the data suggested that NF-κB and JNK are potential therapeutic targets for alleviating lipolysis dysregulation and insulin resistance in adipocytes.

Plasma proteomics reveals crosstalk between lipid metabolism and immunity in dairy cows receiving essential fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid

Essential fatty acids (EFA) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are unsaturated fatty acids with immune-modulatory effects, yet their synergistic effect is poorly understood in dairy cows. This study aimed at identifying differentially abundant proteins (DAP) and their associated pathways in dairy cows supplied with a combination of EFA and CLA during the transition from antepartum (AP) to early postpartum (PP). Sixteen Holstein cows were abomasally infused with coconut oil as a control (CTRL) or a mixture of EFA (linseed + safflower oil) and CLA (Lutalin, BASF) (EFA + CLA) from − 63 to + 63 days relative to parturition. Label-free quantitative proteomics was performed on plasma samples collected at days − 21, + 1, + 28, and + 63. During the transition time, DAP, consisting of a cluster of apolipoproteins (APO), including APOE, APOH, and APOB, along with a cluster of immune-related proteins, were related to complement and coagulation cascades, inflammatory response, and cholesterol metabolism. In response to EFA + CLA, specific APO comprising APOC3, APOA1, APOA4, and APOC4 were increased in a time-dependent manner; they were linked to triglyceride-enriched lipoprotein metabolisms and immune function. Altogether, these results provide new insights into metabolic and immune adaptation and crosstalk between them in transition dairy cows divergent in EFA + CLA status.

Liver proteome profiling in dairy cows during the transition from gestation to lactation: Effects of supplementation with essential fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids as explored by PLS-DA

This study aimed at investigating the synergistic effects of essential fatty acids (EFA) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) on the liver proteome profile of dairy cows during the transition to lactation. 16 Holstein cows were infused from 9 wk. antepartum to 9 wk. postpartum into the abomasum with either coconut oil (CTRL) or a mixture of EFA (linseed + safflower oil) and CLA (EFA + CLA). Label-free quantitative proteomics was performed in liver tissue biopsied at days -21, +1, +28, and + 63 relative to calving. Differentially abundant proteins (DAP) between treatment groups were identified at the intersection between a multivariate and a univariate analysis. In total, 1680 proteins were identified at each time point, of which between groups DAP were assigned to the metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, drug metabolism - cytochrome P450, steroid hormone biosynthesis, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and glutathione metabolism. Cytochrome P450, as a central hub, enriched with specific CYP enzymes comprising: CYP51A1 (d - 21), CYP1A1 & CYP4F2 (d + 28), and CYP4V2 (d + 63). Collectively, supplementation of EFA + CLA in transition cows impacted hepatic lipid metabolism and enriched several common biological pathways at all time points that were mainly related to ω-oxidation of fatty acids through the Cytochrome p450 pathway. SIGNIFICANCE: In three aspects this manuscript is notable. First, this is among the first longitudinal proteomics studies in nutrition of dairy cows. The selected time points are critical periods around parturition with profound endocrine and metabolic adaptations. Second, our findings provided novel information on key drivers of biologically relevant pathways suggested according to previously reported performance, zootechnical, and metabolism data (already published elsewhere). Third, our results revealed the role of cytochrome P450 that is hardly investigated, and of ω-oxidation pathways in the metabolism of fatty acids with the involvement of specific enzymes.

Transcriptome profiling reveals differential gene expression in the rumen of Hu lambs at different developmental stages

The development of the rumen is a critical physiological challenge in newborn ruminants. However, the molecular mechanism underlying different stages of rumen development in sheep remains poorly understood. Here, RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were performed to compare the transcription profiles of rumen development at 7, 28 and 56 days of birth (D7, D28 and D56). We identified 1246, 2257 and 627 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between D7 and D28, between D7 and D56, between D28 and D56, respectively. Also, 70 DGEs were co-expressed at these three time points. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses indicated most DEGs mainly related to transporter activity, channel activity and metabolism pathways. Noteworthy, the expression levels of most genes (CA4, CA9, CA12 and CA14) in nitrogen metabolic pathways were negatively correlated with the papilla length and width, but the papilla length and width were positively correlated with the expression of genes (PLA2G3, SLC26A9, SLC34A3) in ion transport pathway, suggesting that these genes may be involved in nitrogen metabolic and ion transport pathway and thus affect rumen development. These results provide new insight into the changes in RNA expression at different time points of rumen development in Hu sheep.

Effects of a Maternal Essential Fatty Acid and Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation during Late Pregnancy and Early Lactation on Hematologic and Immunological Traits and the Oxidative and Anti-Oxidative Status in Blood Plasma of Neonatal Calves

Fatty acids are known for their regulatory role in inflammation and oxidative stress. The present study investigated 38 calves born from dams, abomasally supplemented with coconut oil, essential fatty acids (EFA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or EFA + CLA, according to immunological traits and the oxidative and anti-oxidative status for the first 5 days of life. On day 2 of life, plasma total bilirubin, cholesterol, interleukin 1-β and ferric ion reducing anti-oxygen power (FRAP) were lower in calves with than without maternal EFA supplementation, and FRAP additionally on day 4. On day 3, the concentrations of reactive oxygen metabolites were higher in calves with than without maternal EFA supplementation and additionally on day 5 together of retinol. Total leucocyte counts were decreased in the EFA group compared to the CLA group on day 5. Lymphocyte proportions decreased from day 1 to 5 only in the EFA + CLA group. On day 2, plasma total protein was higher in CLA and EFA + CLA than in EFA calves. Similarly, CLA calves had higher interleukin 1-β concentrations compared to EFA + CLA calves. FRAP was decreased by CLA on day 4. Overall, the maternal fatty acid supply affected the inflammatory response and the oxidative and anti-oxidative status of the neonatal offspring.

Phosphoproteomic Analysis of Subcutaneous and Omental Adipose Tissue Reveals Increased Lipid Turnover in Dairy Cows Supplemented with Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Phosphoproteomics is a cutting-edge technique that can be utilized to explore adipose tissue (AT) metabolism by quantifying the repertoire of phospho-peptides (PP) in AT. Dairy cows were supplemented with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, n = 5) or a control diet (CON, n = 5) from 63 d prepartum to 63 d postpartum; cows were slaughtered at 63 d postpartum and AT was collected. We performed a quantitative phosphoproteomics analysis of subcutaneous (SC) and omental (OM) AT using nanoUPLC-MS/MS and examined the effects of CLA supplementation on the change in the phosphoproteome. A total of 5919 PP were detected in AT, and the abundance of 854 (14.4%) were differential between CON and CLA AT (p ≤ 0.05 and fold change ± 1.5). The abundance of 470 PP (7.9%) differed between OM and SC AT, and the interaction treatment vs. AT depot was significant for 205 PP (3.5% of total PP). The integrated phosphoproteome demonstrated the up- and downregulation of PP from proteins related to lipolysis and lipogenesis, and phosphorylation events in multiple pathways, including the regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, mTOR signaling, insulin signaling, AMPK signaling, and glycolysis. The differential regulation of phosphosite on a serine residue (S777) of fatty acid synthase (FASN) in AT of CLA-supplemented cows was related to lipogenesis and with more phosphorylation sites compared to acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase (ACSS2). Increased protein phosphorylation was seen in acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACACA;8 PP), FASN (9 PP), hormone sensitive lipase (LIPE;6 PP), perilipin (PLIN;3 PP), and diacylglycerol lipase alpha (DAGLA;1 PP) in CLA vs. CON AT. The relative gene expression in the SC and OM AT revealed an increase in LIPE and FASN in CLA compared to CON AT. In addition, the expression of DAGLA, which is a lipid metabolism enzyme related to the endocannabinoid system, was 1.6-fold higher in CLA vs. CON AT, and the expression of the cannabinoid receptor CNR1 was reduced in CLA vs. CON AT. Immunoblots of SC and OM AT showed an increased abundance of FASN and a lower abundance of CB1 in CLA vs. CON. This study presents a complete map of the SC and the OM AT phosphoproteome in dairy cows following CLA supplementation and discloses many unknown phosphorylation sites, suggestive of increased lipid turnover in AT, for further functional investigation.

Modulation of colostrum composition and fatty acid status in neonatal calves by maternal supplementation with essential fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid starting in late lactation

Sufficient maternal supply of essential fatty acids (EFA) to neonatal calves is critical for calf development. In the modern dairy cow, EFA supply has shifted from α-linolenic acid (ALA) to linoleic acid (LA) due to the replacement of pasture feeding by corn silage-based diets. As a consequence of reduced pasture feeding, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) provision by rumen biohydrogenation was also reduced. The present study investigated the fatty acid (FA) status and performance of neonatal calves descended from dams receiving corn silage-based diets and random supplementation of either 76 g/d coconut oil (CTRL; n = 9), 78 g/d linseed oil and 4 g/d safflower oil (EFA; n-6/n-3 FA ratio = 1:3; n = 9), 38 g/d Lutalin (BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany) providing 27% cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA, respectively (CLA; n = 9), or a combination of EFA and CLA (EFA+CLA; n = 11) in the last 9 wk before parturition and following lactation. The experimental period comprised the first 5 d of life, during which calves received colostrum and transition milk from their own dam. The nutrient compositions of colostrum and transition milk were analyzed. Plasma samples were taken after birth and before first colostrum intake and on d 5 of life for FA analyses of the total plasma fat and lipid fractions. Maternal EFA and CLA supplementation partly affected colostrum and transition milk composition but did not change the body weights of calves. Most EFA in calves were found in the phospholipid (PL) and cholesterol ester (CE) fractions of the plasma fat. Maternal EFA supplementation increased the percentage of ALA in all lipid fractions of EFA and EFA+CLA compared with CTRL and CLA calves on d 1 and 5, and the increase was much greater on d 5 than on d 1. The LA concentration increased from d 1 to 5 in the plasma fat and lipid fractions of all groups. The concentrations of docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid in plasma fat were higher on d 1 than on d 5, and the percentage of n-3 metabolites was mainly increased in PL if dams received EFA. The percentage of cis-9,trans-11 CLA was higher in the plasma fat of EFA+CLA than CTRL calves after birth. By d 5, the percentages of both CLA isomers increased, leading to higher proportions in plasma fat of CLA and EFA+CLA than in CTRL and EFA calves. Elevated cis-9,trans-11 CLA enrichment was observed on d 5 in PL, CE, and triglycerides of CLA-treated calves, whereas trans-10,cis-12 CLA could not be detected in individual plasma fractions. These results suggest that an altered maternal EFA and CLA supply can reach the calf via the placenta and particularly via the intake of colostrum and transition milk, whereas the n-3 and n-6 FA metabolites partly indicated a greater transfer via the placenta. Furthermore, the nutrient supply via colostrum and transition milk might be partly modulated by an altered maternal EFA and CLA supply but without consequences on calf performance during the first 5 d of life.