63 - Impact of Supplementing Rumen-protected Methionine During the Periconceptional Period in Fetal and Postnatal Growth in Beef Cattle

Thursday, June 30, 2022

9:20 AM – 9:35 AM CT

Location: Oklahoma City Convention Center, 301 C/D

Presenting Author(s)

Daniella C. Heredia, MS

Ph.D Student
University of Florida
Marianna, Florida

Author(s)

FT

Federico Tarnonsky

Student
University of Florida
Marianna, FL
Oscar A. A. Ojeda

Search Results Web results Researcher
University of Florida
Marianna, FL
CS

Camila Santos Rojas

University of Florida
Marianna, FL
IF

Ignacio Fernandez-Marenchino

Student
University of Florida
Marianna, FL
DL

Daniel D. Luchini

Adisseo
Alpharetta, GA
PH

Peter J. Hansen, PhD

Distinguished Professor
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
ND

Nicolas DiLorenzo

Associate Professor
University of Florida
Marianna, FL
Angela M. Gonella, MS, Ph.D

Assistant Professor
University of Florida
Marianna, FL

Abstract: Previous evidence has suggested that fertilization and preimplantation embryonic development are sensitive periods that can be influenced by changes in maternal nutrition. We hypothesized that feeding rumen-protected methionine (RP-Met) during the periconceptional period will program bovine gestation in a manner that enhances fetal and postnatal growth. A total of 114 cows were fed a roughage-based diet and randomized to receive corn gluten supplemented with 15 g of RP-Met (RP-Met; Smartamine, Adisseo) or not (Con) from d -7 to +7 relative to artificial insemination (AI) with sex-sorted semen. Estrus synchronization was conducted using the 7-day CoSynch + CIDR protocol. Pregnancy diagnosis, embryo, and fetal morphology were conducted using transrectal ultrasonography 30, and 60 days after AI. After calving, 40 calves (Cont = 19; RP-Met = 21) were considered for birth weight (BW) analysis. Female calves (n=34) were weighed at 2 months of age. Pregnancy per AI at day 30 (Con = 50%, RP-Met = 55%) and day 60 (Con = 50%; RP-Met = 53.4%) were not different between groups (P ≥ 0.05). At 30 days of pregnancy, embryonic vesicle diameter (Con=11.0 ± 0.7 mm; RP-Met =11.6 ± 0.7 mm; P < 0.05) and circumference (Con=0.88 ± 0.09 cm²; RP-Met =0.99 ± 0.09 cm²P < 0.05) were larger in the RP-Met group but embryo length and abdominal cavity were not different between groups. No difference was observed in fetal morphology at d 60. A treatment by sex interaction was observed (P =0.04). Male calves (n=6) from cows fed RP-Met showed greater BW than those from Con group (Con=31.9 ± 2.3 kg; RP-Met =41.4 ± 2.3 kg) but no difference was observed in females (n=34). There was no difference in BW at 2 months of age between groups. In conclusion, using RP-Met increased embryonic vesicle diameter and circumference, and BW in males.