PSV-13 - Understanding the role of zinc and manganese in proliferation and protein synthesis of primary bovine satellite cells.

Trace minerals are vital for the health and growth of livestock, supporting multiple biochemical processes in the body. There are several different signaling pathways that may be affected by trace minerals, ultimately altering growth of skeletal muscle. However, it is currently unknown how trace minerals specifically impact growth of skeletal muscle. As such, the objective of this study was to determine how zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) affect proliferation and protein synthesis of primary bovine satellite cell (BSC) cultures. Cultures were grown to 80% confluency and treated in 1% fetal bovine serum (control), 0.05, 0.10 or 0.25 µM of Mn, or 10, 20 or 40 µM of Zn to assess proliferation. Additionally, the above treatments were applied to fused BSC cultures in serum free media (control) to measure protein synthesis. The trace mineral concentrations chosen were based off known ranges of circulating concentrations of Zn or Mn. A series of contrasts were constructed to determine whether growth of BSC cultures was different between the treated and control cultures. Treatment with 10 µM Zn increased (P = 0.03) proliferation when compared to control cultures. However, treatment with Mn at the tested concentration did not (P > 0.12) result in proliferation rates that were different than the control cultures. Treatment with 10 µM Zn, 20 µM Zn, or 0.5 µM Mn increased (P < 0.05) protein synthesis compared to control cultures. These results indicate Zn is capable of increasing proliferation and both Zn and Mn increase protein synthesis of BSC cultures. Additional research is needed to couple trace mineral nutrition with knowledge of BSC biology to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which trace minerals may function to support bovine skeletal muscle growth.