Associations between Circulating IGF-1 Concentrations, Disease Status and the Leukocyte Transcriptome in Early Lactation Dairy Cows

Peripartum dairy cows commonly experience negative energy balance (EB) and immunosuppression together with high incidences of infectious and metabolic disease. This study investigated mechanisms linking EB status with immune defense in early lactation. Data were collected from multiparous Holstein cows from six herds and leukocyte transcriptomes were analyzed using RNA sequencing. Global gene expression was related to circulating IGF-1 (as a biomarker for EB) by subdividing animals into three groups, defined as IGF-1 LOW (<35 ng/mL, n = 35), MODERATE (35–100 ng/mL, n = 92) or HIGH (>100 ng/mL, n = 43) at 14 ± 4 days in milk (DIM). Differentially expressed genes between groups were identified using CLC Genomics Workbench V21, followed by cluster and KEGG pathway analysis, focusing on the comparison between LOW and HIGH IGF-1 cows. LOW cows were older and had significantly lower dry matter intakes and EB values, whereas HIGH cows produced more milk. During the first 35 DIM, 63% of LOW cows had more than one health problem vs. 26% HIGH cows, including more with clinical mastitis and uterine infections. Gene expression analysis indicated that leukocytes in LOW cows switched energy metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis (PGM, LDH, and PDK4). Many antimicrobial peptides were up-regulated in LOW cows (e.g., PTX3, DMBT1, S100A8, and S100A9) together with genes associated with inflammation, platelet activation and the complement cascade. HIGH cows had greater expression of genes regulating T and B cell function and the cytoskeleton. Overall, results suggested an ongoing cycle of poor EB and higher infection rates in LOW IGF-1 cows which was reflected in altered leukocyte functionality and reduced milk production.

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THE NUTRITIONAL BALANCE OF EARLY LACTATION DAIRY COWS GRAZING IN INTENSIVE SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEMS

Ciência Animal Brasileira ◽

10.1590/1089-6891v18e-40419 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 18 (0) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elisa Sierra Montoya ◽

Julian David Chará ◽

Rolando Barahona-Rosales

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Protein Supplementation ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Tropical Conditions ◽

Forage Intake ◽

Daily Milk Yield ◽

To Receive ◽

Daily Milk

Abstract A study was carried out to estimate the balance of metabolizable protein (MP), metabolizable energy (ME), calcium, and phosphorus in 12 recently calved (RC) and early lactation (EL, 42 - 50 days after calving) Gyr x Holstein dairy cows grazing in a Leucaena leucocephala and Cynodon plectostachyus intensive silvopastoral system (ISS) and receiving energy and protein supplementation. Dry matter (DM) availability from the grazing paddocks, nutrients offered and their balance were estimated. On average, the available forage DM per animal.day-1 was 44.7 kg for C. plectostachyus and 11.8 kg for L. leucocephala. EL cows had greater requirements of MP, ME, and minerals than RC cows. In RC cows, ME, MP, and mineral requirements were supplied by the total diet, while EL cows exhibited a negative energy balance. For both RC and EL cows, ME was the limiting dietary factor, whereas MP and P were found to be in excess. If cows were only to receive ISS forages with no supplementation, estimated daily milk yield would be 10 and 12 litters for RC and EL cows, respectively. Under tropical conditions, based on ISS forage intake, RC and EL cows can meet most of their ME, MP, calcium, and phosphorous requirements.

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Effect of overconditioning on the hepatic global gene expression pattern of dairy cows at the end of pregnancy

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.2020-19302 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

O. Bogado Pascottini ◽

J. De Koster ◽

F. Van Nieuwerburgh ◽

M. Van Poucke ◽

L. Peelman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Expression Pattern ◽

Gene Expression Pattern ◽

Global Gene Expression ◽

Global Gene Expression Pattern

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Body condition at calving and the performance of dairy cows in early lactation under Australian conditions: a review

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea01023 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 41 (6) ◽

pp. 823 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

C. R. Stockdale

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Body Condition ◽

Dietary Protein ◽

High Energy ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Considerable Proportion ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Protein Supplements ◽

Grazed Pasture ◽

Feeding Experiments

With the current increases in genetic merit and feeding occurring at farm level, dairy cows are under increasing nutritional stress in early lactation. Cows obtain their energy at this time from the feeds they eat and from body reserves. The relationship between body condition at calving and productivity of dairy cows has been reviewed, with particular emphasis on interactions between body condition and nutrition in early lactation. Recent research on the influence of body condition at calving on subsequent milk productivity, conducted mainly in the United Kingdom with complete diets fed indoors, has produced results in apparent conflict with the previous results from southern Australia and New Zealand where cows grazed pasture. In particular, the overseas research suggests considerably less advantage to improvements in body condition than had been previously thought. It is concluded that more information is needed concerning the interaction between body condition at calving and nutrition in early lactation, with dietary energy and protein both being important. There is a suggestion that, when complete diets are fed, it is better to achieve high energy concentrations in post-calving diets by the use of high-fibre concentrates with a fat supplement, rather than with high-starch concentrates. This has implications for dairying in Australia, since cereal grains are the major energy supplement used on many farms in early lactation and recent research has indicated that immediate marginal milk production responses to the use of concentrates may be poorer with fat cows than with thin cows. Reports from controlled feeding experiments indicate that fat cows need more dietary protein than thin cows and undegradable dietary protein might be of more concern than rumen degradable protein. However, in dairy systems where pasture is a considerable proportion of the diet, benefits of supplying specific undegradable dietary protein supplements still need to be established. Recent research has suggested that pasture appears to provide considerable quantities of undegradable dietary protein, even though the crude protein in pasture is potentially highly degradable in the rumen. Body condition at calving may also affect subsequent reproductive performance. This is due to its association with the degree of negative energy balance occurring in early lactation and because fat cows may be more susceptible to metabolic disease(s). While the mechanisms involved are probably quite complex, increases in animal productivity will generate more stress in cows at a time of their annual cycle when stress needs to be minimised. Further understanding is required to link the relevancy of overseas research to Australian dairy farming conditions where pasture is a key input.

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The role of rumen-protected choline in hepatic function and performance of transition dairy cows

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114516001641 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 116 (1) ◽

pp. 35-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Arash Shahsavari ◽

Michael J. D’Occhio ◽

Rafat Al Jassim

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Transition Period ◽

Hepatic Function ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Liver Fat ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Negative Effects

AbstractHigh-producing dairy cows enter a period of negative energy balance during the first weeks of lactation. Energy intake is usually sufficient to cover the increase in energy requirements for fetal growth during the period before calving, but meeting the demand for energy is often difficult during the early stages of lactation. A catabolic state predominates during the transition period, leading to the mobilisation of energy reserves (NEFA and amino acids) that are utilised mainly by the liver and muscle. Increased uptake of mobilised NEFA by the liver, combined with the limited capacity of hepatocytes to either oxidise fatty acids for energy or to incorporate esterified fatty acids into VLDL results in fatty liver syndrome and ketosis. This metabolic disturbance can affect the general health, and it causes economic losses. Different nutritional strategies have been used to restrict negative effects associated with the energy challenge in transition cows. The provision of choline in the form of rumen-protected choline (RPC) can potentially improve liver function by increasing VLDL exportation from the liver. RPC increases gene expression of microsomal TAG transfer protein and APOB100 that are required for VLDL synthesis and secretion. Studies with RPC have looked at gene expression, metabolic hormones, metabolite profiles, milk production and postpartum reproduction. A reduction in liver fat and enhanced milk production has been observed with RPC supplementation. However, the effects of RPC on health and reproduction are equivocal, which could reflect the lack of sufficient dose–response studies.

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Functional analysis of the dairy cow mammary transcriptome between early lactation and mid-dry period

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029919000049 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 86 (1) ◽

pp. 63-67 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ye Lin ◽

He Lv ◽

Minghui Jiang ◽

Jinyu Zhou ◽

Shuyuan Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Digital Gene Expression ◽

Mammary Glands ◽

Differentially Expressed ◽

Mammary Tissue ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Gene Ontology Analysis ◽

Dry Period ◽

Molecular Events

AbstractIn this research communication we used digital gene expression (DGE) analysis to identify differences in gene expression in the mammary glands of dairy cows between early lactation and the mid-dry period. A total of 741 genes were identified as being differentially expressed by DGE analysis. Compared with their expression in dry cows, 214 genes were up-regulated and 527 genes were down-regulated in lactating cow mammary glands. Gene Ontology analysis showed that lactation was supported by increased gene expression related to metabolic processes and nutrient transport and was associated with decreased gene expression related to cell proliferation. Pathway mapping using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes showed that 579 differentially expressed genes had pathway annotations related to 204 pathways. Metabolic pathway-related genes were the most significantly enriched. Genes and pathways identified by the present study provide insights into molecular events that occur in the mammary gland between early lactation and mid-dry period, which can be used to facilitate further investigation of the mechanisms underlying lactation and mammary tissue remodeling in dairy cows.

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Relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress with uterine health in dairy cows with different dry period lengths1

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txz040 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 607-619

Author(s):

Novi Mayasari ◽

Erminio Trevisi ◽

Annarita Ferrari ◽

Bas Kemp ◽

Henk K Parmentier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Inflammatory Biomarkers ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Dry Period ◽

Inflammatory Status ◽

Uterine Health ◽

Uterine Environment ◽

And Oxidative Stress

Abstract Earlier studies indicated that the inflammatory status of dairy cows in early lactation could not be fully explained by the negative energy balance (NEB) at that moment. The objective of the present study was to determine relationships between inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress with uterine health in dairy cows after different dry period lengths. Holstein–Friesian dairy cows were assigned to one of three dry period lengths (0-, 30-, or 60-d) and one of two early lactation rations (glucogenic or lipogenic ration). Cows were fed either a glucogenic or lipogenic ration from 10-d before the expected calving date. Part of the cows which were planned for a 0-d dry period dried themselves off and were attributed to a new group (0 → 30-d dry period), which resulted in total in four dry period groups. Blood was collected (N = 110 cows) in weeks −3, −2, −1, 1, 2, and 4 relative to calving to determine biomarkers for inflammation, liver function, and oxidative stress. Uterine health status (UHS) was monitored by scoring vaginal discharge (VD) based on a 4-point scoring system (0, 1, 2, or 3) in weeks 2 and 3 after calving. Cows were classified as having a healthy uterine environment (HU, VD score = 0 or 1 in both weeks 2 and 3), nonrecovering uterine environment (NRU, VD score = 2 or 3 in week 3), or a recovering uterine environment (RU, VD score = 2 or 3 in week 2 and VD score= 0 or 1 in week 3). Independent of dry period length, cows with NRU had higher plasma haptoglobin (P = 0.05) and lower paraoxonase levels (P < 0.01) in the first 4 weeks after calving and lower liver functionality index (P < 0.01) compared with cows with HU. Cows with NRU had lower plasma albumin (P = 0.02) and creatinine (P = 0.02) compared with cows with a RU, but not compared with cows with HU. Independent of UHS, cows with a 0 → 30-d dry period had higher bilirubin levels compared with cows with 0-, 30-, or 60-d dry period (P < 0.01). Cows with RU and fed a lipogenic ration had higher levels of albumin in plasma compared with cows with NRU and fed a lipogenic ration (P < 0.01). In conclusion, uterine health was related to biomarkers for inflammation (haptoglobin and albumin) and paraoxonase in dairy cows in early lactation. Cows which were planned for a 0-d dry period, but dried themselves off (0 → 30-d dry period group) had higher bilirubin levels, which was possibly related to a more severe NEB in these cows. Inflammatory biomarkers in dairy cows in early lactation were related to uterine health in this period.

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Regulation of pancreatic islet gene expression in mouse islets by pregnancy

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe-10-0298 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 207 (3) ◽

pp. 265-279 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

B T Layden ◽

V Durai ◽

M V Newman ◽

A M Marinelarena ◽

C W Ahn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Cell Function ◽

Global Gene Expression ◽

Surfactant Protein ◽

Surfactant Protein D ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Β Cell ◽

Expression Array ◽

Follow Up Studies

Pancreatic β cells adapt to pregnancy-induced insulin resistance by unclear mechanisms. This study sought to identify genes involved in β cell adaptation during pregnancy. To examine changes in global RNA expression during pregnancy, murine islets were isolated at a time point of increased β cell proliferation (E13.5), and RNA levels were determined by two different assays (global gene expression array and G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) array). Follow-up studies confirmed the findings for select genes. Differential expression of 110 genes was identified and follow-up studies confirmed the changes in select genes at both the RNA and protein level. Surfactant protein D (SP-D) mRNA and protein levels exhibited large increases, which were confirmed in murine islets. Cytokine-induced expression of SP-D in islets was also demonstrated, suggesting a possible role as an anti-inflammatory molecule. Complementing these studies, an expression array was performed to define pregnancy-induced changes in expression of GPCRs that are known to impact islet cell function and proliferation. This assay, the results of which were confirmed using real-time reverse transcription-PCR assays, demonstrated that free fatty acid receptor 2 and cholecystokinin receptor A mRNA levels were increased at E13.5. This study has identified multiple novel targets that may be important for the adaptation of islets to pregnancy.

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Negative energy balance and hepatic gene expression patterns in high-yielding dairy cows during the early postpartum period: a global approach

Physiological Genomics ◽

10.1152/physiolgenomics.00118.2010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 42A (3) ◽

pp. 188-199 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

S. D. McCarthy ◽

S. M. Waters ◽

D. A. Kenny ◽

M. G. Diskin ◽

R. Fitzpatrick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Cell Cycle ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Postpartum Period ◽

Gene Networks ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Hepatic Gene Expression ◽

Early Postpartum Period ◽

Early Postpartum

In high-yielding dairy cows the liver undergoes extensive physiological and biochemical changes during the early postpartum period in an effort to re-establish metabolic homeostasis and to counteract the adverse effects of negative energy balance (NEB). These adaptations are likely to be mediated by significant alterations in hepatic gene expression. To gain new insights into these events an energy balance model was created using differential feeding and milking regimes to produce two groups of cows with either a mild (MNEB) or severe NEB (SNEB) status. Cows were slaughtered and liver tissues collected on days 6–7 of the first follicular wave postpartum. Using an Affymetrix 23k oligonucleotide bovine array to determine global gene expression in hepatic tissue of these cows, we found a total of 416 genes (189 up- and 227 downregulated) to be altered by SNEB. Network analysis using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that SNEB was associated with widespread changes in gene expression classified into 36 gene networks including those associated with lipid metabolism, connective tissue development and function, cell signaling, cell cycle, and metabolic diseases, the three most significant of which are discussed in detail. SNEB cows displayed reduced expression of transcription activators and signal transducers that regulate the expression of genes and gene networks associated with cell signaling and tissue repair. These alterations are linked with increased expression of abnormal cell cycle and cellular proliferation associated pathways. This study provides new information and insights on the effect of SNEB on gene expression in high-yielding Holstein Friesian dairy cows in the early postpartum period.

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Milk fatty acid profile related to energy balance in dairy cows

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029911000550 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 78 (4) ◽

pp. 479-488 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

Josef Gross ◽

Hendrika A van Dorland ◽

Rupert M Bruckmaier ◽

Frieder J Schwarz

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

De Novo ◽

Post Partum ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Feed Restriction ◽

Milk Fatty Acid ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Energy Status

Milk fatty acid (FA) profile is a dynamic pattern influenced by lactational stage, energy balance and dietary composition. In the first part of this study, effects of the energy balance during the proceeding lactation [weeks 1–21 post partum (pp)] on milk FA profile of 30 dairy cows were evaluated under a constant feeding regimen. In the second part, effects of a negative energy balance (NEB) induced by feed restriction on milk FA profile were studied in 40 multiparous dairy cows (20 feed-restricted and 20 control). Feed restriction (energy balance of −63 MJ NEL/d, restriction of 49 % of energy requirements) lasted 3 weeks starting at around 100 days in milk. Milk FA profile changed markedly from week 1 pp up to week 12 pp and remained unchanged thereafter. The proportion of saturated FA (predominantly 10:0, 12:0, 14:0 and 16:0) increased from week 1 pp up to week 12 pp, whereas monounsaturated FA, predominantly the proportion of 18:1,9c decreased as NEB in early lactation became less severe. During the induced NEB, milk FA profile showed a similarly directed pattern as during the NEB in early lactation, although changes were less marked for most FA. Milk FA composition changed rapidly within one week after initiation of feed restriction and tended to adjust to the initial composition despite maintenance of a high NEB. C18:1,9c was increased significantly during the induced NEB indicating mobilization of a considerable amount of adipose tissue. Besides 18:1,9c, changes in saturated FA, monounsaturated FA, de-novo synthesized and preformed FA (sum of FA >C16) reflected energy status in dairy cows and indicated the NEB in early lactation as well as the induced NEB by feed restriction.

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