DNA Methylation of Genes Participating in Hepatic Metabolisms and Function in Fetal Calf Liver Is Altered by Maternal Undernutrition during Gestation.

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of maternal undernutrition (MUN) on epigenetic modification of hepatic genes in Japanese Black fetal calves during gestation. Using a previously established experimental design feeding the dams with 60% (LN) or 120% (HN) of their global nutritional requirements during the 8.5-month gestational period, DNA methylation in the fetal liver was analyzed with reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). The promoters and gene bodies in the LN fetuses were hypomethylated compared to HN fetuses. Pathway analysis showed that the genes with DMR in the exon/intron in the LN group were associated with pathways involved in Cushing syndrome, gastric acid secretion, and aldosterone synthesis and secretion. Promoter hypomethylation in the LN group was frequently observed in genes participating in various signaling pathways (thyroid hormone, Ras/Rap1, PIK3-Akt, cAMP), fatty acid metabolism, and cholesterol metabolism. The promoter hypomethylated genes ALPL and GNAS were upregulated in the LN group, whereas the promoter hypermethylated genes GRB10 and POR were downregulated. The intron/exon hypomethylated genes IGF2, IGF2R, ACAD8, TAT, RARB, PINK1, and SOAT2 were downregulated, whereas the hypermethylated genes IGF2BP2, NOS3, and NR2F1 were upregulated. Collectively, MUN alters the promoter and gene body methylation of genes associated with hepatic metabolisms (energy, cholesterol, mitochondria) and function, suggesting an impact of altered gene methylation on the dysregulation of gene expression in the fetal liver.

The successful use of -omic technologies to achieve the 'One Health' concept in meat producing animals.

Human health and wellbeing are closely linked to healthy domestic animals, a vital wildlife, and an intact ecosystem. This holistic concept is referred to as 'One Health'. In this review, we provide an overview of the potential and the challenges for the use of modern -omics technologies, especially transcriptomics and proteomics, to implement the 'One Health' idea for food-producing animals. These high-throughput studies offer opportunities to find new potential molecular biomarkers to monitor animal health, detect pharmacological interventions and evaluate the wellbeing of farm animals in modern intensive livestock systems.

Maternal Nutrient Restriction Disrupts Gene Expression and Metabolites Associated with Urea Cycle, Steroid Synthesis, Glucose Homeostasis, and Glucuronidation in Fetal Calf Liver.

This study aimed to understand the mechanisms underlying the effects of maternal undernutrition (MUN) on liver growth and metabolism in Japanese Black fetal calves (8.5 months in utero) using an approach that integrates metabolomics and transcriptomics. Dams were fed 60% (low-nutrition; LN) or 120% (high-nutrition; HN) of their overall nutritional requirements during gestation. We found that MUN markedly decreased the body and liver weights of the fetuses; metabolomic analysis revealed that aspartate, glycerol, alanine, gluconate 6-phosphate, and ophthalmate levels were decreased, whereas UDP-glucose, UDP-glucuronate, octanoate, and 2-hydroxybutyrate levels were decreased in the LN fetal liver (p ≤ 0.05). According to metabolite set enrichment analysis, the highly different metabolites were associated with metabolisms including the arginine and proline metabolism, nucleotide and sugar metabolism, propanoate metabolism, glutamate metabolism, porphyrin metabolism, and urea cycle. Transcriptomic and qPCR analyses revealed that MUN upregulated QRFPR and downregulated genes associated with the glucose homeostasis (G6PC, PCK1, DPP4), ketogenesis (HMGCS2), glucuronidation (UGT1A1, UGT1A6, UGT2A1), lipid metabolism (ANGPTL4, APOA5, FADS2), cholesterol and steroid homeostasis (FDPS, HSD11B1, HSD17B6), and urea cycle (CPS1, ASS1, ASL, ARG2). These metabolic pathways were extracted as relevant terms in subsequent gene ontology/pathway analyses. Collectively, these results indicate that the citrate cycle was maintained at the expense of activities of the energy metabolism, glucuronidation, steroid hormone homeostasis, and urea cycle in the liver of MUN fetuses.

Maternal Undernutrition during Pregnancy Alters Amino Acid Metabolism and Gene Expression Associated with Energy Metabolism and Angiogenesis in Fetal Calf Muscle.

To elucidate the mechanisms underlying maternal undernutrition (MUN)-induced fetal skeletal muscle growth impairment in cattle, the longissimus thoracis muscle of Japanese Black fetal calves at 8.5 months in utero was analyzed by an integrative approach with metabolomics and transcriptomics. The pregnant cows were fed on 60% (low-nutrition, LN) or 120% (high-nutrition, HN) of their overall nutritional requirement during gestation. MUN markedly decreased the bodyweight and muscle weight of the fetus. The levels of amino acids (AAs) and arginine-related metabolites including glutamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and putrescine were higher in the LN group than those in the HN group. Metabolite set enrichment analysis revealed that the highly different metabolites were associated with the metabolic pathways of pyrimidine, glutathione, and AAs such as arginine and glutamate, suggesting that MUN resulted in AA accumulation rather than protein accumulation. The mRNA expression levels of energy metabolism-associated genes, such as PRKAA1, ANGPTL4, APLNR, CPT1B, NOS2, NOS3, UCP2, and glycolytic genes were lower in the LN group than in the HN group. The gene ontology/pathway analysis revealed that the downregulated genes in the LN group were associated with glucose metabolism, angiogenesis, HIF-1 signaling, PI3K-Akt signaling, pentose phosphate, and insulin signaling pathways. Thus, MUN altered the levels of AAs and expression of genes associated with energy expenditure, glucose homeostasis, and angiogenesis in the fetal muscle.

Effects of low and high levels of maternal nutrition consumed for the entirety of gestation on the development of muscle, adipose tissue, bone, and the organs of Wagyu cattle fetuses.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of high and low levels of energy intake during the entire gestation period on the skeletal muscle development, organ development, and adipose tissue accumulation in fetuses of Wagyu (Japanese Black) cows, a breed with highly marbled beef. Cows were allocated to a high-nutrition (n = 6) group (fed 120% of the nutritional requirement) or low-nutrition (n = 6) group (fed 60% of the nutritional requirement). The cows were artificially inseminated with semen from the same sire, and the fetuses were removed by cesarean section at 260 ± 8.3 days of fetal age and slaughtered. The whole-body, total muscle, adipose, and bone masses of the fetal half-carcasses were significantly higher in the high-nutrition group than the low-nutrition group (p = 0.0018, 0.009, 0.0004, and 0.0362, respectively). Fifteen of 20 individual muscles, five of six fat depots, nine of 17 organs, and seven of 12 bones that were investigated had significantly higher masses in the high-nutrition group than the low-nutrition group. The crude components and amino acid composition of the longissimus muscle significantly differed between the low- and high-nutrition groups. These data indicate that maternal nutrition during gestation has a marked effect on the muscle, bone, and adipose tissue development of Wagyu cattle fetuses.

Effects of early high nutrition related to metabolic imprinting events on growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of grass-fed Wagyu (Japanese Black cattle).

The study was conducted to clarify how early high plane of nutrition related to metabolic imprinting affected growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of grass-fed Wagyu (Japanese Black cattle). Wagyu steers were allocated randomly into 2 dietary groups: (1) steers fed milk replacer (crude protein 26.0%, crude fat 25.5%; maximum intake 0.6 kg/d) until 3 mo of age and then fed roughage (orchard grass hay) ad libitum from 4 to 10 mo of age (roughage group, RG; n = 11); (2) steers fed milk replacer (maximum intake of 1.8 kg/d) until 3 mo of age and then fed a high-concentrate diet from 4 to 10 mo of age (early high nutrition, EHN; n = 12). After 11 mo of age, all steers were fed roughage ad libitum until 31 mo of age and then slaughtered. Growth performance, carcass traits, longissimus muscle (LM) meat quality and intramuscular fat (IMF) content, plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentration, and bone mineral density were measured. Body weight was greater in EHN steers (571 kg) than RG steers (520 kg; P < 0.01). Plasma IGF-I levels were higher in EHN steers than in RG steers at 3, 10, and 14 mo of age (P < 0.01, P < 0.005, P < 0.001, respectively); however, plasma IGF-I levels were lower in EHN steers compared with RG steers at 30 mo of age (P < 0.01). The total weight of the muscles and bones of the left half of the carcass was not different between the 2 groups (P = 0.065). Five of the 19 muscles investigated (semimembranosus, P = 0.036; infraspinatus, P = 0.024; supraspinatus, P = 0.0019; serratus ventralis cervicis, P = 0.032; serratus ventralis thoracis, P = 0.027) were heavier in EHN steers. Total fat weight in the left half of the carcass was 30% greater (P = 0.025) in HNE carcasses. Subcutaneous and perirenal fat weights were 53% and 84% greater (P = 0.008, P = 0.002, respectively) in EHN carcasses. The LM IMF content was greater in EHN loins (13.2%) compared with RG loins (9.4%) at 31 mo of age (P = 0.038); however, no differences were found for shear force, tenderness, and cook loss. These results suggested early high-nutrition affected the growth and meat quality of livestock.

Maternal Nutrition During Gestation Alters Histochemical Properties, and mRNA and microRNA Expression in Adipose Tissue of Wagyu Fetuses.

We hypothesized that maternal low or high nutrition would give unique effects to morphological and molecular dynamics in adipose tissue of fetus of fatty breed Wagyu (Japanese Black) cattle which produce highly marbled beef. This study aimed to determine the effects of maternal energy intake in Wagyu cows, during gestation on fetal adipose tissue development, histochemical properties, and gene and microRNA (miRNA) expression. Cows were allocated to one of two nutritional energy groups: 120% (HIGH) or 60% nutritional requirements of (LOW). Fetuses (n = 6 per treatment) were removed from pregnant cows by cesarean section at fetal age 260 ± 8 days and euthanized. Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), thoracic cavity visceral adipose tissue (TVAT), and perirenal adipose tissue (PAT) were collected for analysis. In histochemical analysis, in SAT and PAT, HIGH fetuses had greater diameter of adipocytes than LOW fetuses (P<0.05). Only in SAT, LOW fetuses had more Leptin (LEP) mRNA and tended to have more Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor gamma (PPARG) CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins alpha (CEBPA) and Glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 mRNA(P<0.10). In all SAT, TVAT, and PAT, LOW fetuses had higher levels of the brown adipose tissue (BAT) biomarkers Uncoupling Protein (UCP) 1 and PPARG coactivator (PGC) 1α mRNA than HIGH fetuses (P<0.08). Meanwhile, in the other adipose tissue, LOW fetuses had lower PPARG, CEBPA, and Zinc Finger Protein (ZFP) 423 (in TVAT and PAT), FASN (in TVAT), LEP and GLUT4 mRNA (in PAT; P<0.10). In particular, in TVAT and PAT, LOW fetuses exhibited lower expression of WAT biomarkers (PPARG and ZFP423). Differential expression of various miRNAs related to adipogenesis between the LOW and HIGH fetuses was detected in an adipose tissue-specific manner (P<0.10). Based on adipose tissue-specific effects of maternal nutrition, these findings suggested that poor maternal nutrition in Wagyu cattle increased BAT development in SAT, TVAT and PAT, while elevated maternal nutrition stimulated fetal SAT development compared with that of TVAT and PAT.

Type-I interferon regulates matrix metalloproteinases clearance of the bovine endometrial spheroid.

This study investigated the effect of type-I interferon (IFN) on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) of the bovine endometrial stromal cells (BES) and epithelial cells (BEE). The cells were separated and purified from the caruncles and cultured in DMEM/F-12 containing 10% fetal bovine serum. Spheroids were generated by using ascorbate. Zymograms of the supernatant showed that BEE predominantly expressed MMP-9, whereas MMP-2 was expressed in BES and homo-spheroids. While MMPs expression was not detected in hetero-spheroids. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed that type-I IFN and P4 suppressed the gene expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in hetero-spheroids, respectively. On the other hand, gelatin zymography analysis of the supernatant showed that type-I IFN strongly promote the clearance of MMPs. While zymograms of the MMPs stocked in the hetero-spheroids were significantly reduced by type-I IFN. Phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride and leupeptin (both are serine proteinase inhibitors) significantly repressed the clearance of MMP-2 and MMP-9 induced by type-I IFN. Moreover, collagen fibers in hetero-spheroids significantly decreased after the treatment with type-I IFN. In conclusion, it was suggested that type-I IFN participate in the tissue remodeling by regulation the clearance of MMPs.

Effect of feeding rice whole crop silage on growth rate, levels of vitamin A, ß-carotene, vitamin E and IGF-1 in plasma and skeletal muscle protein degradation in Japanese black calves.

This study evaluated the effects of rice whole crop silage (RWCS) on growth, plasma levels of vitamin A, ß-carotene, vitamin E and IGF-1, and expression of genes involved in muscle protein degradation and synthesis in Japanese Black calves. Eleven calves were divided into RWCS (fed RWCS ad libitum and concentrate, n = 5) and control groups (fed hay ad libitum and concentrate, n = 6). Final body weight and dairy gain were significantly larger in the RWCS group compared with the control group. Plasma ß-carotene and vitamin E concentrations were significantly higher in the RWCS group compared with control group. Although plasma vitamin E concentration in the RWCS group significantly increased from 4 to 9 months of age, it did not increase in the control group. At 6 months of age in the RWCS group, ubiquitin B (p < 0.05) and calpain 1 (p = 0.097) mRNA expression were lower than control group, but they were not different between groups at 9 months of age. These results indicate that RWCS increases plasma ß-carotene level and promotes muscle growth because of a decrease in the rate of protein degradation, but the effect is lost with the increase in plasma vitamin E level.

Effects of feeding condensed barley distillers soluble on growth rate, ruminal fermentation, plasma metabolites, and myofiber properties of the longissimus thoracis muscle in Japanese Black calves.

This study evaluated the effects of condensed barley distillers soluble (CBDS) on growth rate, rumen fermentation, plasma metabolite, and myofiber properties, and gene expression related to metabolism in the skeletal muscles of Japanese Black calves, compared with soybean meal and corn. Twenty-four calves were divided into four groups: fed 5% CBDS based on the hay dry matter weight (low CBDS) and fed soybean meal and corn at the same nutrition level (control); and fed 15% CBDS based on the hay dry matter weight (high CBDS) and fed soybean meal and corn at the same nutrition level (high soy). The daily gain was larger in the low (p = 0.08) and high (p < 0.05) CBDS groups compared with the control group. In the CBDS-fed groups, plasma ß-hydroxybutyric acid concentrations were significantly higher at 6 months of age (p < 0.05), the percentage of type I myofibers was significantly lower and their diameters were significantly larger at 9 months of age (p < 0.05), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b mRNA expression was significantly lower (p < 0.05) and citrate synthase mRNA expression tended to be lower (low; p = 0.06, high; p = 0.05) compared with control group. Thus, feeding CBDS promotes growth and leads to animals with more glycolytic and less oxidative muscle metabolism.

Correlation between skeletal muscle fiber type and free amino acid levels in Japanese Black steers.

Free amino acids are important components of tastants and flavor precursors in meat. To clarify the correlation between muscle fiber type and free amino acids, we determined the concentrations of various free amino acids and dipeptides in samples of different muscle tissues (n = 21), collected from 26-month-old Japanese Black steers (n = 3) at 2 days postmortem. The proportions of the myosin heavy chain (MyHC), slow (MyHC1) and fast (MyHC2) isoforms were determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The contents of free amino acids and dipeptides were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The MyHC isoform composition varied among the tissue samples. The MyHC1 proportion ranged from 6.9% ± 3.9% to 83.3% ± 16.7%. We confirmed that there was a strong positive correlation between MyHC1 composition and total free amino acid concentrations, including those for two dipeptides. Among the 31 measured free amino acids and dipeptides, 11 showed significant positive correlations and five showed significant negative correlations with MyHC1 composition. These results suggest that a high MyHC1 content induces high free amino acid contents in bovine muscles possibly because of greater oxidative metabolism. This high level of free amino acids could contribute to the intense flavor of meat that is rich in slow-twitch fibers.

Analysis of differentially expressed genes and the promoters in bovine endometrium throughout estrus cycle and early pregnancy.

Endometrial gene expression is primarily regulated by the ovarian steroids and pregnancy recognition factors. This study was aimed to characterize differential expression genes (DEGs) in bovine endometrium together with the analysis of their promoter region. Bovine uteri at follicular stage (FS), luteal stage (LS), and implantation stage (IS) at Day 18 of pregnancy were collected. Total RNA extracted and prepared cDNA were then subjected to high-throughput sequencing. For promoter analysis, 1 kb upstream promoter region of each DEG was analyzed. The numbers of highly expressed DEGs were 496 and 597 at FS and LS, respectively. When compared the gene expression of IS with LS, 383 and 346 DEGs showed higher and lower expression at IS, respectively. It was also observed that 20-30 transcription factors (TFs) were included in each DEGs. In addition, promoter analyses estimated 150-160 TFs for each stage. DLX4 and interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) at FS, and IRF5, IRF9, STAT1, and STAT2 at IS were in common to DEGs and estimated TFs, respectively. This study highlighted potential molecular mechanisms controlling endometrial function during estrus cycle and IS, which will further guide to better understand the endometrial functions in future studies.

The Japanese Wagyu beef industry: current situation and future prospects - A review.

In Japan, Wagyu cattle include four Japanese breeds; Black, Brown, Shorthorn, and Polled. Today, the renowned brand name Wagyu includes not only cattle produced in Japan, but also cattle produced in countries such as Australia and the United States. In recent years, the intramuscular fat percentage in beef (longissimus muscle) from Japanese Black cattle has increased to be greater than 30%. The Japanese Black breed is genetically predisposed to producing carcass lipids containing higher concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids than other breeds. However, there are numerous problems with the management of this breed including high production costs, disposal of untreated excrement, the requirement for imported feed, and food security risks resulting from various viral diseases introduced by imported feed. The feeding system needs to shift to one that is more efficient, and improves management for farmers, food security for consumers, and the health environment for residents of Japan. Currently, we are developing a metabolic programming and an information and communications technology (ICT, or Interne of Things) management system for Wagyu beef production as future systems. If successful, we will produce safe, high-quality Wagyu beef using domestic pasture resources while solving the problems of how to utilize increasing areas of abandoned agricultural land and to make use of the plant-based feed resources in Japan's mountainous areas.

Current situation and future prospects for global beef production: overview of special issue.

The demand for beef as a protein source is increasing worldwide, although in most countries beef accounts for considerably less than half of total meat consumption. Beef also provides a highly desirable eating experience in developed countries and, increasingly, in developing countries. The sustainability of beef production has different meanings in the various geographical and socio-economic regions of the world. Natural resources including land mass and uses, rainfall and access to livestock feed, and the robustness of the economy are major determinants of the perception of beef sustainability. In this overview of the 2016 International Symposium on "Future Beef in Asia" and this subsequent Special Edition of the Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences on "Current Situation and Future Prospects for Global Beef Production", the contributions have been grouped into the following categories: Countries in Southeast Asia; Europe; and Countries producing highly marbled beef for export and/or domestic consumption. They also include reference to Special Topics including marbled beef production, and use of "omics" technologies to enhance beef quality assurance. Among these broad categories, notable differences exist across countries in the production and marketing of beef. These reflect differences in factors including natural resource availability and climate, population size, traditional culture and degree of economic development including industrial and technological developments. We trust that the International Symposium and this Special Edition on Current Situation and Future Prospects for Global Beef Production, the contents of which that are briefly summarized in this paper, will serve as a valuable resource for the livestock industries, researchers and students with an interest in enhancing the prospects for sustainable, efficient beef production that satisfies the growing size and complexity of consumer demands and markets for beef.

Downregulated angiopoietin-like protein 8 production at calving related to changes in lipid metabolism in dairy cows.

Acute physiological adaptation of lipid metabolism during the postpartum transition period of cows facilitates peripheral metabolic regulation. Hepatokines, which are hormones secreted from hepatocytes, are presumed to play a critical role in systemic metabolic regulation. Angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8) has been identified as a novel hepatokine associated with circulating triglyceride concentrations in mice and humans. However, regulation of ANGPTL8 and its physiological effects is still unknown in cattle. The present study aimed to reveal changes in ANGPTL8 expression and secretion during the periparturient period, and to investigate its regulatory effect on adipocytes and mammary epithelial cells. In the peripartum period, liver ANGPTL8 mRNA expression was lesser on the day of parturition and 1 wk postpartum than it was 1 wk before parturition (P < 0.05). Moreover, plasma ANGPTL8 concentrations decreased on the day of parturition as compared with that 1 wk before parturition (P < 0.05). In addition, ANGPTL8 expression in cultured bovine hepatocytes was downregulated after oleate and palmitate treatment but upregulated after insulin treatment (P < 0.05). ANGPTL8 decreased hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) expression in differentiated adipocytes and cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-coa carboxylase (ACC), and stearoyl-coa desaturase (SCD) in cultured bovine mammary epithelial cells (P < 0.05). These data suggest that hepatic ANGPTL8 production was downregulated postpartum when the cows experienced a negative energy balance. This downregulation was associated with increased concentrations of NEFA and decreased concentrations of insulin in lactating cows, and it facilitated lipid mobilization from adipose tissue to the mammary glands. We speculate that ANGPTL8 might have beneficial effects in reverting or improving the physiological adaptation and pathological processes of lipid metabolism during the peripartum period.

Development of Implantable Wireless Sensor Nodes for Animal Husbandry and MedTech Innovation.

In this paper, we report the development, evaluation, and application of ultra-small low-power wireless sensor nodes for advancing animal husbandry, as well as for innovation of medical technologies. A radio frequency identification (RFID) chip with hybrid interface and neglectable power consumption was introduced to enable switching of ON/OFF and measurement mode after implantation. A wireless power transmission system with a maximum efficiency of 70% and an access distance of up to 5 cm was developed to allow the sensor node to survive for a duration of several weeks from a few minutes' remote charge. The results of field tests using laboratory mice and a cow indicated the high accuracy of the collected biological data and bio-compatibility of the package. As a result of extensive application of the above technologies, a fully solid wireless pH sensor and a surgical navigation system using artificial magnetic field and a 3D MEMS magnetic sensor are introduced in this paper, and the preliminary experimental results are presented and discussed.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate increases autophagy signaling in resting and unloaded plantaris muscles but selectively suppresses autophagy protein abundance in reloaded muscles of aged rats.

We have previously found that Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg), an abundant catechin in green tea, reduced apoptotic signaling and improved muscle recovery in response to reloading after hindlimb suspension (HS). In this study, we investigated if EGCg altered autophagy signaling in skeletal muscle of old rats in response to HS or reloading after HS. Fischer 344×Brown Norway inbred rats (age 34months) were given 1ml/day of purified EGCg (50mg/kg body weight), or the same sample volume of the vehicle by gavage. One group of animals received HS for 14days and the second group of rats received 14days of HS, then the HS was removed and they were allowed to recover by ambulating normally around the cage for two weeks. EGCg decreased a small number of autophagy genes in control muscles, but it increased the expression of other autophagy genes (e.g., ATG16L2, SNCA, TM9SF1, Pink1, PIM-2) and HS did not attenuate these increases. HS increased Beclin1, ATG7 and LC3-II/I protein abundance in hindlimb muscles. Relative to vehicle treatment, EGCg treatment had greater ATG12 protein abundance (35.8%, P<0.05), but decreased Beclin1 protein levels (-101.1%, P<0.05) after HS. However, in reloaded muscles, EGCg suppressed Beclin1 and LC3-II/I protein abundance as compared to vehicle treated muscles. EGCg appeared to "prime" autophagy signaling before and enhance autophagy gene expression and protein levels during unloading in muscles of aged rats, perhaps to improve the clearance of damaged organelles. However, EGCg suppressed autophagy signaling after reloading, potentially to increase the recovery of hindlimb muscles mass and function after loading is restored.

Preliminary study of the effects of condensed barley distillers soluble on rumen fermentation and plasma metabolites in Japanese Black cows.

In Japan, condensed barley distillers soluble (CBDS) is a widely known liquor byproduct that contains a high level of protein and is used as a supplementary protein feed for cattle. The present study evaluated the effects of CBDS feed on rumen fermentation and plasma metabolites in Japanese Black cows. Applying a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design, nine cows were offered CBDS and hay (CBDS-t), soy bean meal and hay (Soybean-t) and only hay (Hay-t) over 35 days. We collected ruminal fluid and plasma just before feeding and at 3 h after feeding. The concentrations of propionate and butyrate in the rumen before feeding were lower in the CBDS-t than in the Soybean-t group (P < 0.05). However, after 3 h, the concentrations were higher in the CBDS-t than in the Soybean-t and Hay-t groups (P < 0.05). Although, there were no differences in the compositions (% mol) of propionate and butyrate in the rumen and the concentration of plasma ß-hydroxybutyric acid before feeding between treatments, after 3 h they were significantly higher in the CBDS-t than in the Soybean-t and Hay-t groups (P < 0.05). These results indicate that feeding CBDS promotes rumen fermentation and butyrate metabolism.

Translocation of Tektin 3 to the equatorial segment of heads in bull spermatozoa exposed to dibutyryl cAMP and calyculin A.

Tektins (TEKTs) are filamentous proteins associated with microtubules in cilia, flagella, basal bodies, and centrioles. Five TEKTs (TEKT1, -2, -3, -4, and -5) have been identified as components of mammalian sperm flagella. We previously reported that TKET1 and -3 are also present in the heads of rodent spermatozoa. The present study clearly demonstrates that TEKT2 is present at the acrosome cap whereas TEKT3 resides just beneath the plasma membrane of the post-acrosomal region of sperm heads in unactivated bull spermatozoa, and builds on the distributional differences of TEKT1, -2, and -3 on sperm heads. We also discovered that hyperactivation of bull spermatozoa by cell-permeable cAMP and calyculin A, a protein phosphatase inhibitor, promoted translocation of TEKT3 from the post-acrosomal region to the equatorial segment in sperm heads, and that TEKT3 accumulated at the equatorial segment is lost upon acrosome reaction. Thus, translocation of TEKT3 to the equatorial segment may be a capacitation- or hyperactivation-associated phenomenon in bull spermatozoa. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 84: 30-43, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of nutritional status on hormone concentrations of the somatotropin axis and metabolites in plasma and colostrum of Japanese Black cows.

We aimed to determine the effects of nutritional status on concentrations of somatotropic axis hormones (growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)), insulin and metabolites (glucose, total protein and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA)) in the plasma and colostrum in late antepartum cows. Eight pregnant Japanese Black cows were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (n = 4 per group). Control cows (CON) received 100% of their nutritional requirements until parturition, whereas restricted group cows (RES) received 60% of their nutritional requirements. Blood samples were taken during the antepartum period, and blood and colostrum samples were collected on days 0, 1, and 3 after calving. Compared to the CON group, the RES group had higher concentrations of GH and NEFA in plasma, but significantly lower concentrations of glucose and insulin in plasma. The concentrations of GH in plasma after calving were significantly higher, but total plasma protein was significantly lower in RES than in CON cows. Compared to the CON group, the RES group had significantly higher concentrations of GH in colostrum, but significantly lower total concentrations of protein in colostrum. Concentrations of IGF-1 were not different between the two groups. These findings suggest that maternal nutritional status during late gestation influences concentrations of GH and total protein in the blood and colostrum of Japanese Black cows.