Maternal Nutrition and Birth Outcomes: Effect of Balanced Protein-Energy Supplementation

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy influences postnatal life of animals; nevertheless, few studies have investigated its effects on the productive performance and reproductive development of heifers. This study evaluated the performance, reproductive development, and correlation between reproduction × fat thickness and performance × ribeye area (REA) traits of heifers. We also performed an exploratory genomic association during the rearing period in heifers submitted to fetal programming. The study comprised 55 Nellore heifers born to dams exposed to one of the following nutritional planes: control, without protein-energy supplementation; PELT, protein-energy last trimester, protein-energy supplementation offered in the final third of pregnancy; and PEWG, protein-energy whole gestation, protein-energy supplementation upon pregnancy confirmation. Protein-energy supplementation occurred at the level of 0.3% live weight. After weaning, heifers were submitted to periodic evaluations of weight and body composition by ultrasonography. From 12 to 18 months, we evaluated the reproductive tract of heifers to monitor its development for sexual precocity and ovarian follicle population. The treatments had no effect (p > 0.05) on average daily gain; however, the weight of the animals showed a significant difference over time (p = 0.017). No differences were found between treatments for REA, backfat, and rump fat thickness, nor for puberty age, antral follicular count, and other traits related to reproductive tract development (p > 0.05). The correlation analysis between performance traits and REA showed high correlations (r > 0.37) between REA at weaning and year versus weight from weaning until yearling; however, no correlation was found for reproductive development traits versus fat thickness (p > 0.05). The exploratory genomic association study showed one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for each treatment on an intergenic region for control and PEWG, and the one for PELT on an intronic region of RAPGEF1 gene. Maternal nutrition affected only the weight of the animals throughout the rearing period.

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Differential Effects of Maternal Diets on Birth Outcomes and Metabolic Parameters in Rats After Ethanol Consumption during Pregnancy

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114520005152 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-25

Author(s):

Yidi Wang ◽

Bradley A. Feltham ◽

Michael N. A. Eskin ◽

Miyoung Suh

Keyword(s):

Total Cholesterol ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Maternal Nutrition ◽

Maternal Diet ◽

Hdl Cholesterol ◽

Nutrition Intervention ◽

Metabolic Parameters ◽

Nutrition Status ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Metabolic Outcomes

Abstract Maternal nutrition status plays an important role in the development of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), but its direct evidence is lacking. This study compared a standard chow with a semi-purified energy dense (E-dense) diet on birth and metabolic outcomes in rats after ethanol (EtOH) consumption during pregnancy. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups: chow (n=6), chow+EtOH (20% v/v) (n=7), E-dense (n=6), and E-dense+EtOH (n=8). Birth outcomes including litter size, body and organ weights were collected. Metabolic parameters were measured in dams and pups at postnatal day (PD) 7. Maternal EtOH consumption decreased body weights (p <0.0001) and litter sizes (p <0.05) in chow-fed dams. At PD7, pups born to dams fed E-dense diet had higher body (p <0.002) and liver weights (p <0.0001). These pups also had higher plasma total cholesterol (p <0.0001), triacyclglycerol (p <0.003) and alanine aminotransferase (p <0.03) compared to those from chow-fed dams. Dams fed E-dense diet had higher plasma total- (p <0.0001) and HDL-cholesterol (p <0.0001) and lower glucose (p <0.0001). EtOH increased total cholesterol (p <0.03) and glucose (p <0.05) only in dams fed the E-dense diet. Maternal exposure to E-dense diet attenuated prenatal EtOH-induced weight loss and produced different metabolic outcomes in both dams and pups. While the long-lasting effects of these outcomes are unknown, this study highlights the importance of maternal diet quality for maternal health and infant growth, and suggests that maternal nutrition intervention may be a potential target for alleviating FASD.

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PSII-9 Drylot weaned calves at dry-to-rainy transition and rainy season and their effects on the growing phase

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa278.705 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. 401-402

Author(s):

Felipe A Nascimento ◽

Laura F Prados ◽

Luciana M Sousa ◽

Ivanna M Oliveira ◽

Flávio D Resende ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rainy Season ◽

Transition Period ◽

Block Design ◽

Mineral Salt ◽

Energy Supplement ◽

Protein Energy ◽

Nutritional Strategy ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Energy Supplementation

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the best nutritional strategy for weaned calves at dry-to-rainy transition and rainy season and their effects on the growing phase. One hundred sixteen Nellore weaned males (initial BW of 173±23 kg; 10 months) were used in a randomized complete block design (blocked by BW) in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments (divided in 12 lots with 9 or 10 animals/lot). Factor 1 was the strategy in the dry-to-rainy season transition (period I; pasture vs. drylot) and factor 2 was the strategy for the rainy season [period II; mineral salt ad libitum (MS) vs. supplement 3 g/kg BW]; consisting of four treatments: pasture in period I and MS in period II; pasture in period I and protein-energy supplement in period II (PEII); drylot in period I and mineral salt in period II; drylot in period I and PEII. At period I, all animals received a protein-energy supplementation (5 g/kg BW). The experiment lasted 244 days. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED of SAS. In period I, animals from drylot had highest final BW and ADG (P < 0.01; Table 1). There was no interaction among factors (P ≥ 0.772) in period II. In period II, ADG and carcass gain were highest from pasture animals (P < 0.01). Final BW and HCW were similar (P >0.788) at the end of period II, showing that animals recovery BW. Among strategies at rainy season, animals fed PEII had greater final BW and ADG (P < 0.01). Overall growing phase, HCW and carcass gain were greater for animals fed PEII (P < 0.01). Regardless of the strategy used in the dry-to-rainy season transition, animals were able to equalize final BW at the end of growing phase. In addition, protein-energy supplement at rainy season improves animal performance at the end of growing phase.

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Productive, nutritional, and metabolic performance of Chino Santandereano cattle receiving different degrees of protein-energy supplementation

Tropical Animal Health and Production ◽

10.1007/s11250-021-02643-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

Author(s):

David Esteban Contreras Marquez ◽

Emiro Rafael Canchila Asensio ◽

Edwin Davier Correa Rojas ◽

Candido José Ramírez Villareal ◽

Yeisson Yesid Robles Yaruro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Energy ◽

Energy Supplementation ◽

Metabolic Performance

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Do Cash Transfers Improve Birth Outcomes? Evidence from Matched Vital Statistics, and Program and Social Security Data

American Economic Journal Economic Policy ◽

10.1257/pol.20140344 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 1-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Verónica Amarante ◽

Marco Manacorda ◽

Edward Miguel ◽

Andrea Vigorito

Keyword(s):

Social Security ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Low Birthweight ◽

Maternal Nutrition ◽

Vital Statistics ◽

Cash Transfers ◽

Gestational Length ◽

Assistance Program ◽

Intrauterine Growth ◽

Key Driver

There is limited empirical evidence on whether cash transfers to poor pregnant women improve children's birth outcomes and potentially help weaken the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Using a unique array of program and social security administrative micro-data matched to longitudinal vital statistics in Uruguay, we estimate that participation in a generous social assistance program led to a sizable reduction in the incidence of low birthweight. The effect is due to faster intrauterine growth rather than longer gestational length. Our findings are consistent with improved maternal nutrition during pregnancy being a key driver of improved birthweight. (JEL I14, I32, I38, J13, J16, O15)

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PREDICTING THE EFFICACY OF PROTEIN-ENERGY SUPPLEMENTATION IN FRAIL OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN COMMUNITY

Journal of Frailty & Aging ◽

10.14283/jfa.2014.13 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

C.O. KIM

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Nutritional Assessment ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Mini Nutritional Assessment ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Home Healthcare ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Frail Older Adults ◽

Protein Energy ◽

Energy Supplementation

Background:Protein-energy malnutrition is a major cause of functional decline in the elderly and isclearly an important component of frailty. However, limited evidence is available about how to select frailindividuals most benefiting from protein-energy supplementation. Objectives:1) To investigate factors associatedwith stronger benefits from protein-energy supplementation, and 2) to test the hypothesis that the severity offrailty is associated with the efficacy of protein-energy supplementation. Design:Secondary analysis of data froma pre-post-intervention study and a clinical trial. Setting:National Home Healthcare Services in Gangbuk-gu,Seoul, South Korea. Participants:123 community-dwelling frail older adults [usual gait speed (UGS) <0.6m/secand Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) <24]. Intervention:Each participant was received with two 200 mL perday of commercial liquid formula (providing additional 400 kcal of energy and 25 g of protein per day) for 12weeks. Measurements:Relative change in the Physical Functioning (PF) and Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB) score between the baseline and 12-week follow-up assessments were measured. Results:Multilevelmixed-effect linear regression analysis showed that a lower level of baseline UGS was associated with a greaterimprovement in PF and SPPB score after adjustment for age, gender, education, living status, beneficiary ofpublic assistance, number of chronic diseases, compliance, and type of dataset (p<0.001). A lower level ofbaseline MNA score was associated with greater change in PF and SPPB score after adjustment for multiplecovariates (p<0.045). Participants with severe frailty (UGS <0.3 m/sec + MNA <17) showed 52.4% and 44.6%more relevant improvements in PF and SPPB score, respectively, than those with mild frailty (UGS 0.3-0.6 m/sec+ MNA 17-24) (p<0.001). Conclusion:Slower UGS and lower MNA score are independently associated with thegreater efficacy of protein-energy supplementation on functional status.

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Human Capital and Wage Income Gains of Scaling-Up Maternal Prenatal Nutrition Interventions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa053_092 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 887-887

Author(s):

Nandita Perumal ◽

Mia Blakstad ◽

Goodarz Danaei ◽

Gunther Fink ◽

Mark Lambiris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Capital ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Low Birthweight ◽

Maternal Nutrition ◽

Scaling Up ◽

Nutrition Intervention ◽

Nutrition Interventions ◽

Middle Income ◽

Prenatal Nutrition ◽

Middle Income Countries

Abstract Objectives Scaling-up nutrition interventions during pregnancy may provide human capital gains by lowering the risk of adverse birth outcomes associated with reduced long-term socioeconomic outcomes. We estimated gains in years of schooling and lifetime wages of scaling up prenatal maternal nutrition interventions for a 137 low- and middle-income countries. Methods Through a comprehensive review of the literature, we identified four prenatal maternal nutrition interventions with convincing-level of evidence for improving birth outcomes: prenatal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS), calcium supplements, iron-folic acid supplements (IFA), and balanced protein energy supplements (BEP) among underweight pregnant women (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2). Effect sizes for intervention impact were derived from systematic reviews and random-effects meta-analysis. We focused on low birthweight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB) as primary birth outcomes. We used the 2015 LBW and PTB prevalence estimates to calculate country-specific absolute reductions attributable to scaling-up a given prenatal nutrition invention. We then used an effect size based on a de novo review of the economics literature to quantify gains in schooling and lifetime wages due to reductions in LBW/PTB under two hypothetical scale-up scenarios of 50% and 90% coverage. Results For each country, returns on schooling and lifetime wages were estimated for scaling-up each prenatal nutrition intervention. For example, in Bangladesh, scaling-up IFA supplements from current coverage of 26% to 90% was estimated to reduce LBW prevalence by 3.2% contributing to a predicted increase of 0.11 million school years and US$153 million in wages per birth cohort. Similarly, scaling-up MMS, calcium supplements, and BEP to 90% coverage was predicted to increase schooling by 0.25, 0.17, and 0.07 million years, and wages by US$338, US$223, and US$97 million, respectively, per birth cohort. Global, regional, and national-level estimates for schooling and wage gains for each nutrition intervention will be presented. Conclusions Our findings indicate that scaling-up prenatal maternal nutrition interventions will contribute to substantial population-level increases in human capital, particularly in countries with a high burden of low birthweight or preterm birth. Funding Sources Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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Exploring Attitudes Toward Egg Consumption During Pregnancy in Kenya (P10-054-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz034.p10-054-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Courtney Schnefke ◽

Chessa Lutter ◽

Faith Thuita ◽

Albert Webale ◽

Valerie Flax ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Interpersonal Communication ◽

Birth Outcomes ◽

Maternal Nutrition ◽

Health Workers ◽

Cultural Beliefs ◽

Phase Iii ◽

Preparation Methods ◽

Dietary Recall ◽

Egg Consumption

Abstract Objectives Eggs are nutrient-rich and have the potential to improve maternal nutrition during pregnancy and birth outcomes, but cultural beliefs may inhibit consumption during pregnancy. This study sought to understand pregnant women's and key influencers’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices as well as facilitators and barriers related to consuming eggs during pregnancy in Kenya. Methods The study was conducted in an urban (Nairobi) and rural (Kiambu) area, had 3 phases and primarily used mixed qualitative methods to triangulate data. Phase I included in-depth interviews, 24-hour dietary recall, and free-listing and pile-sorting exercises with pregnant women (n = 36), husbands (n = 12) and mothers-in-law (n = 12) of pregnant women, and health workers (n = 24). Phase II involved egg preparation exercises with pregnant women (n = 39). Phase III involved a week-long trial of egg consumption with pregnant women (n = 24). We used thematic content analysis methods to analyze qualitative data and tabulated quantitative data. Results All participants recognized eggs as nutritious for pregnant women and their unborn children, though only 25% of pregnant women consumed eggs the previous day. Participants believed eating too many eggs during pregnancy (1 or more eggs daily) leads to a large baby and complications during delivery. Unaffordability and unavailability of eggs also inhibit consumption. Health workers are the most trusted source of information on maternal nutrition, while other pregnant and nonpregnant women in the community were cited as those who most often discourage egg consumption. Fried and boiled eggs are the most common and preferred preparation methods due to ease and limited number of ingredients. Almost all women complied with the household trial, said they would continue eating eggs during pregnancy, and would recommend consuming eggs in moderation to other pregnant women. Conclusions Although participants believed consuming eggs during pregnancy is beneficial, cultural norms, practices, and beliefs may prevent pregnant women from eating them daily. Interpersonal communication from health workers and agricultural policies to promote affordability could lead to increased consumption, which in turn could have potential positive impacts on maternal nutrition and birth outcomes. Funding Sources RTI International.

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