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Fetal Programming: Effects of Gestational Nutrition on Cowherd Fertility and Longevity

This study explores the impact of gestational nutrition on cowherd fertility and longevity, specifically looking at the effects of protein supplementation during late pregnancy. The results show that protein supplementation can significantly influence the reproductive success of female progeny. Future directions include investigating the specific time period and nutrients that are important for supplementation, as well as factors that impact uterine and placental blood flow.

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Fetal Programming: Effects of Gestational Nutrition on Cowherd Fertility and Longevity

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  1. Department of Animal Sciences Fetal Programming: Effects of Gestational Nutrition on Cowherd Fertility and Longevity Kimberly A Vonnahme, PhD Reproductive Physiologist February 11, 2010

  2. NDSU Animal Nutrition and Physiology Center Acknowledgements • Collaborators at NDSU • Joel Caton • Larry Reynolds • Dale Redmer • Anna Grazul-Bilska • Justin Luther • Carrie Hammer • Greg Lardy • Kasey Carlin • Eric Berg • Other collaborators • Rick Funston—UNL • Bret Taylor—USDA-ARS SES

  3. OUTLINE • What is Developmental Programming? • Can maternal intake really influence the reproductive success of her offspring?

  4. Phenotype • Classic Animal Breeding Example • Phenotype = Genotype + Environment Eg. Milk production = Holstein genetics + Mastitis

  5. Phenotype • Future Animal Breeding Example • Phenotype = Genotype + Environment Eg. Yield grade= Angus genetics + Protein supplementation in utero

  6. The Maternal Environment

  7. Programming • The process through which a stimulusor insultestablishes a permanentresponse • Developmental programming hypothesis • Exposure during a critical period in development may influence later metabolic or physiological functions in adult life

  8. Protein supplementation During Late Pregnancy Impacts on female progeny reproductive success

  9. 3 yrs: Gudmundsen Sandhills (n=170 heifer calves) Cows bred No supplement (NoProt) Protein (Prot) 0.45 kg/d 42% CP LG 12/1 – 2/28

  10. 3 yrs: Gudmundsen Sandhills (n=170 heifer calves) Cows bred No supplement (NoProt) Protein (Prot) 0.45 kg/d 42% CP LG 12/1 – 2/28 Ave calving date =March 27

  11. 3 yrs: Gudmundsen Sandhills (n=170 heifer calves) Cows bred No supplement (NoProt) Protein (Prot) 0.45 kg/d 42% CP LG 12/1 – 2/28 Ave calving date =March 27 Cool season grass hay (HAY) Sub-irrigated meadow (MDW) EL 5/1 – 5/30

  12. Growth Performance

  13. Growth Performance

  14. Growth Performance

  15. Reproductive Performance

  16. Reproductive Performance

  17. Reproductive Performance

  18. What’s Happening?? Ovaries?? Uterus?? Brain??

  19. Fetal Ovaries

  20. Future Directions • Time period of supplementation • Specific nutrients that are important • Maternal efficiencies • Factors that impact uterine and placental blood flow

  21. Developmental Programming • IMPORTANT TO ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY: • Growth and nutrient transfer • Reproductive capacity • Aging and lifetime productivity

  22. Goal: Healthy Offspring!!!

  23. NDSU Animal Nutrition and Physiology Center Acknowledgements Vonnahme, March 2008

  24. LARSON ET AL., JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE • Objective: Impacts of male progeny from cows • grazing winter range vs. corn crop residue • with or without protein supplementation • Pregnant 3 year olds • 2005 (109 cows) • 2006 (114 cows) • 2007 (116 cows)

  25. Steer Data

  26. Vonnahme, February 2009

  27. Nutrition during pregnancy impacts on milk yield

  28. Selenium during pregnancy effects on milk yield

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