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Feedlot Ruminant Nutrition and Metabolism

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A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 12398

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Miguel Henrique De Almeida Santana

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Guest Editor

Department of Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
Interests: nutritional genomics; omics science; beef cattle; nutrigenomics; fetal programming

Dr. Nara Regina Brandão Cônsolo

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Guest Editor

Department of Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
Interests: meat quality; beef cattle; beef nutrition; beef metabolism; metabolomics; metabotype

Prof. Dr. José Bento Sterman Ferraz

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Guest Editor

Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
Interests: molecular markers; statistical analysis; animal breeding; statistical genetics; selection

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ruminant production systems are constantly being developed to improve the quality of products from these animals, especially meat and milk. Consumers have increasingly demanded quality food with good nutritional properties and environmental friendliness. The use of strategies such as feedlot has been an important tool in improving these products and is usually related to a change in nutrition, which consequently tends to alter the metabolism of these animals. Several other factors can also influence these changes, such as adaptation to confinement, environment, feeding regime, stress, and genetics, among others.

Increasing evidence has shown the importance of metabolic changes in feedlot ruminants, especially in relation to performance and health, meat quality, and milk composition. New knowledge about the metabolism of feedlot animals is essential to improve the productivity and quality of products. A better understanding of the molecular factors that affect the metabolism of these animals can significantly help to achieve the new goals of producing food of animal origin for the growing demand of the human population.

This Special Issue of Metabolites will seek to expand knowledge centred around the metabolism of feedlot animals and its implications. We invite original research articles, brief research reports, and reviews covering (but not limited to) feedlot ruminant using omics studies, metabolic processes, biomarkers, target and untargeted omics approaches, omics networks, multi-omics, and systems biology.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Miguel Henrique De Almeida Santana
Dr. Nara Regina Brandão Cônsolo
Prof. Dr. José Bento Sterman Ferraz
Guest Editors

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Keywords

metabolism
metabolic pathway
omics
biomarkers
cattle
nutritional genomics
livestock

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 849 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metabolomics Changes in Meat and Subcutaneous Fat of Male Cattle Submitted to Fetal Programming

by Arícia Christofaro Fernandes, Guilherme Henrique Gebim Polizel, Roberta Cavalcante Cracco, Fernando Augusto Correia Queiroz Cançado, Geovana Camila Baldin, Mirele Daiana Poleti, José Bento Sterman Ferraz and Miguel Henrique de Almeida Santana

Metabolites 2024, 14(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14010009 - 22 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1431

Abstract

This study investigated changes in meat and subcutaneous fat metabolomes and possible metabolic pathways related to prenatal nutrition in beef cattle. For this purpose, 18 Nellore bulls were used for meat sampling and 15 for fat sampling. The nutritional treatments during the gestation were: NP—not programmed or control, without protein-energy supplementation; PP—partially programmed, with protein-energy supplementation (0.3% of body weight (BW)) only in the final third of pregnancy; and FP—full programming, with protein-energy supplementation (0.3% of BW) during the entire pregnancy. The meat and fat samples were collected individually 24 h after slaughter, and the metabolites were extracted using a combination of chemical reagents and mechanical processes and subsequently quantified using liquid chromatography or flow injection coupled to mass spectrometry. The data obtained were submitted to principal component analysis (PCA), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and functional enrichment analysis, with a significance level of 5%. The PCA showed an overlap between the treatments for both meat and fat. In meat, 25 metabolites were statistically different between treatments (p ≤ 0.05), belonging to four classes (glycerophospholipids, amino acids, sphingolipids, and biogenic amine). In fat, 10 significant metabolites (p ≤ 0.05) were obtained in two classes (phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine). The functional enrichment analysis showed alterations in the aminoacyl-tRNA pathway in meat (p = 0.030); however, there was no pathway enriched for fat. Fetal programming influenced the meat and fat metabolomes and the aminoacyl-tRNA metabolic pathway, which is an important candidate for the biological process linked to meat quality and related to fetal programming in beef cattle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feedlot Ruminant Nutrition and Metabolism)

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17 pages, 12006 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in the Lipid Metabolism of the Longissimus thoracis Muscle in Bulls When Using Different Feeding Strategies during the Growing and Finishing Phases

by Juliana Akamine Torrecilhas, Guilherme Luis Pereira, Elias San Vito, Giovani Fiorentini, Germán Darío Ramirez-Zamudio, Larissa Simielli Fonseca, Rodrigo de Nazaré Santos Torres, Tiago Adriano Simioni, Juliana Messana Duarte, Otavio Rodrigues Machado Neto, Rogério Abdallah Curi, Luis Artur Loyola Chardulo, Welder Angelo Baldassini and Telma Teresinha Berchielli

Metabolites 2023, 13(10), 1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13101042 - 28 Sep 2023

Viewed by 850

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the supplementation strategy’s effect on beef cattle during the growing phase and two systems during the finishing phase. One hundred and twenty young bulls were randomly divided in a 2 × 2 factorial design to receive either mineral (ad libitum) or protein + energy (3 g/kg body weight (BW)/day) during the growing phase and pasture plus concentrate supplementation (20 g/kg BW/day) or feedlot (25:75% corn silage:concentrate) during the finishing phase. Feedlot-fed bulls had meat (Longissimus thoracis—LT) with a higher content of lipids and saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and a greater upregulation of stearoyl-CoA desaturase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c than animals that fed on pasture (p < 0.05). On the other hand, pasture-fed bulls had meat with a higher content of α-linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and n6 and a greater n6:n3 ratio compared to the feedlot-fed group (p < 0.05). In addition, meat from pasture-fed bulls during the finishing phase had 17.6% more isocitrate dehydrogenase enzyme concentration than the feedlot group (p = 0.02). Mineral-fed and pasture-finished bulls showed down-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (p < 0.05), while the bulls fed protein + energy and finished in the feedlot had higher carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 expression (p ≤ 0.013). In conclusion, mineral or protein + energy supplementation in the growing does not affect the fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat of LT muscle. In the finishing phase, feeding bulls in the feedlot upregulates the lipogenic genes and consequently improves the intramuscular fat content in the meat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feedlot Ruminant Nutrition and Metabolism)

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15 pages, 4418 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Early Weaning Possibly Increases the Activity of Lipogenic and Adipogenic Pathways in Intramuscular Adipose Tissue of Nellore Calves

by Ariane Enara Pedro, Juliana Akamine Torrecilhas, Rodrigo Nazaré Santos Torres, Germán Darío Ramírez-Zamudio, Welder Angelo Baldassini, Luis Artur Loyola Chardulo, Rogério Abdallah Curi, Gustavo Henrique Russo, Juliane Arielly Napolitano, Gustavo Lucas Bezerra Tinoco, Thiago Barcaça Mariano, Jordana Luiza Caixeta, Philipe Moriel and Guilherme Luis Pereira

Metabolites 2023, 13(9), 1028; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13091028 - 21 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 953

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate by wide-expression profile analysis how early weaning at 120 days can alter the skeletal muscle metabolism of calves supplemented with a concentrated diet until the growth phase. Longissimus thoracis muscle samples were obtained by biopsy from two groups of calves, early weaned (EW; n = 8) and conventionally weaned (CW; n = 8) at two different times (120 days of age—T1 [EW] and 205 days of age—T2 [CW]). Next, differential gene expression analysis and functional enrichment of metabolic pathways and biological processes were performed. The results showed respectively 658 and 165 differentially expressed genes when T1 and T2 were contrasted in the early weaning group and when early and conventionally weaned groups were compared at T2. The FABP4, SCD1, FASN, LDLR, ADIPOQ, ACACA, PPARD, and ACOX3 genes were prospected in both comparisons described above. Given the key role of these differentially expressed genes in lipid and fatty acid metabolism, the results demonstrate the effect of diet on the modulation of energy metabolism, particularly favoring postnatal adipogenesis and lipogenesis, as well as a consequent trend in obtaining better quality cuts, as long as an environment for the maintenance of these alterations until adulthood is provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feedlot Ruminant Nutrition and Metabolism)

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16 pages, 1886 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Characterization and In Vitro Gas Production Kinetics of Alternative Feed Resources for Small Ruminants in the Maltese Islands

by Grazia Pastorelli, Kalliroi Simeonidis, Massimo Faustini, Angelo Le Mura, Mariagrazia Cavalleri, Valentina Serra and Everaldo Attard

Metabolites 2023, 13(6), 762; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13060762 - 17 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1423

Abstract

The ever-increasing human population, the problem associated with climate change and recent crises—COVID-19 disease and trade conflicts—all impacted on the availability and cost of animal feed raw materials. This is clearly visible in realities which heavily rely on importation such as islands and small states, where producers involved in the agricultural sector were strongly affected by the sharp increase in prices. To deal with these global issues, alternative resources are perceived to replace conventional ingredients. This work aimed at assessing the nutritive value of different resources (sheep feed, mature carob, Maltese bread, wild asparagus, prickly lettuce, and loquat) for small ruminants present in the Maltese Islands, analyzing their chemical composition, gas production kinetics and antioxidant properties. In general, the variation in chemical composition resulted in different rumen fermentation kinetics (p < 0.007). The ratio between GP-24 h and GP-48 h was higher in Maltese bread than other substrates; loquat, prickly lettuce and wild asparagus showed lower fermentation kinetics in accordance with their high NDF and ADF contents. The antioxidant activity may be partially related to the polyphenolic content that was higher in wild asparagus, prickly lettuce and loquat. All feed characteristic confirmed their potential to be included as ingredients in ruminant diets and as a source of fiber. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feedlot Ruminant Nutrition and Metabolism)

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10 pages, 299 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Black Tea Waste and Legume Roughages: Methane Mitigation and Rumen Fermentation Parameters

by Gurkan Sezmis, Adem Kaya, Hatice Kaya, Muhlis Macit, Kadir Erten, Valiollah Palangi and Maximilian Lackner

Metabolites 2023, 13(6), 731; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13060731 - 07 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 995

Abstract

The chemical composition, in vitro total gas and CH₄ production and performance of cattle fed on factory black tea waste (Camellia sinensis) (BTW), alfalfa (Medicago Sativa), sainfoin (Onobrychis sativa) and white clover (Trifolium repens) was investigated. The gas production was quantified at the 24th hour of the incubation process. BTW was found to vary from roughages in chemical composition (p < 0.05). In addition, the roughages differed in terms of nutrient composition and gas production (p < 0.05). In legume roughages, acetic acid (AA), propionic acid (PA), butyric acid (BA), and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) values ranged from 52.36–57.00 mmol/L, 13.46–17.20 mmol/L, 9.79–12.43 mmol/L, and 79.71–89.05 mmol/L, respectively. In comparison with black tea waste, legume roughages had higher values of AA, PA, BA, and TVFA. Black tea waste contained a higher acetic acid ratio than legume roughages when compared as a percentage. There was a similar ratio of propionic acid to the rate calculated for sainfoin (Onobrychis sativa) and clover (Trifolium repens), and a similar ratio of butyric acid to the ratio determined for alfalfa (Medicago Sativa). The current study shows that the 5.7–6.3% tannin content of black tea waste can be used in ruminant rations with high-quality roughages. Due to the fact that BTW reduces methane emissions from ruminants and eliminates energy waste from them, the environment can be improved. To obtain more reliable results, further animal feeding experiments on legume roughages and BTW are required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feedlot Ruminant Nutrition and Metabolism)

14 pages, 1604 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Different Prenatal Supplementation Strategies on the Plasma Metabolome of Bulls in the Rearing and Finishing Phase

by Guilherme Henrique Gebim Polizel, Arícia Christofaro Fernandes, Édison Furlan, Barbara Carolina Teixeira Prati, José Bento Sterman Ferraz and Miguel Henrique de Almeida Santana

Metabolites 2023, 13(2), 259; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13020259 - 10 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1259

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of maternal nutrition on the plasma metabolome of Nellore bulls in the rearing and finishing phases, and metabolic differences between these phases. For this study, three nutritional approaches were used in 126 cows during pregnancy: NP—(control) mineral supplementation; PP—protein-energy supplementation in the final third; and FP—protein-energy supplementation during the entire pregnancy. We collected blood samples from male offspring in the rearing (450 ± 28 days old) and finishing phases (660 ± 28 days old). The blood was processed, and from plasma samples, we performed the targeted metabolome analysis (AbsoluteIDQ^® p180 Kit). Multiple linear regression, principal component analysis (PCA), repeated measures analysis over time, and an enrichment analysis were performed. PCA showed an overlap of treatments and time clusters in the analyses. We identified significant metabolites among the treatments (rearing phase = six metabolites; finishing phase = three metabolites) and over time (21 metabolites). No significant metabolic pathways were found in the finishing phase, however, we found significant pathways in the rearing phase (Arginine biosynthesis and Histidine metabolism). Thus, prenatal nutrition impacted on plasma metabolome of bulls during the rearing and finishing phase and the different production stages showed an effect on the metabolic levels of bulls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feedlot Ruminant Nutrition and Metabolism)

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23 pages, 4617 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Cow-Calf Supplementation on Gene Expression, Processes, and Pathways Related to Adipogenesis and Lipogenesis in Longissimus thoracis Muscle of F1 Angus × Nellore Cattle at Weaning

by Germán Darío Ramírez-Zamudio, Maria Júlia Generoso Ganga, Guilherme Luis Pereira, Ricardo Perecin Nociti, Marcos Roberto Chiaratti, Reinaldo Fernandes Cooke, Luis Artur Loyola Chardulo, Welder Angelo Baldassini, Otávio Rodrigues Machado-Neto and Rogério Abdallah Curi

Metabolites 2023, 13(2), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13020160 - 21 Jan 2023

Viewed by 2221

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes, biological processes, and metabolic pathways related to adipogenesis and lipogenesis in calves receiving different diets during the cow-calf phase. Forty-eight uncastrated F1 Angus × Nellore males were randomly assigned to two treatments from thirty days of age to weaning: no creep feeding (G1) or creep feeding (G2). The creep feed offered contained ground corn (44.8%), soybean meal (40.4%), and mineral core (14.8%), with 22% crude protein and 65% total digestible nutrients in dry matter. After weaning, the animals were feedlot finished for 180 days and fed a single diet containing 12.6% forage and 87.4% corn-based concentrate. Longissimus thoracis muscle samples were collected by biopsy at weaning for transcriptome analysis and at slaughter for the measurement of intramuscular fat content (IMF) and marbling score (MS). Animals of G2 had 17.2% and 14.0% higher IMF and MS, respectively (p < 0.05). We identified 947 differentially expressed genes (log₂ fold change 0.5, FDR 5%); of these, 504 were upregulated and 443 were downregulated in G2. Part of the genes upregulated in G2 were related to PPAR signaling (PPARA, SLC27A1, FABP3, and DBI), unsaturated fatty acid synthesis (FADS1, FADS2, SCD, and SCD5), and fatty acid metabolism (FASN, FADS1, FADS2, SCD, and SCD5). Regarding biological processes, the genes upregulated in G2 were related to cholesterol biosynthesis (EBP, CYP51A1, DHCR24, and LSS), unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis (FADS2, SCD, SCD5, and FADS1), and insulin sensitivity (INSIG1 and LPIN2). Cow-calf supplementation G2 positively affected energy metabolism and lipid biosynthesis, and thus favored the deposition of marbling fat during the postweaning period, which was shown here in an unprecedented way, by analyzing the transcriptome, genes, pathways, and enriched processes due to the use of creep feeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feedlot Ruminant Nutrition and Metabolism)

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Review

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24 pages, 414 KiB

Open AccessReview

Enhancing Metabolism and Milk Production Performance in Periparturient Dairy Cattle through Rumen-Protected Methionine and Choline Supplementation

by Bingjian Huang, Muhammad Zahoor Khan, Xiyan Kou, Yinghui Chen, Huili Liang, Qudrat Ullah, Nadar Khan, Adnan Khan, Wenqiong Chai and Changfa Wang

Metabolites 2023, 13(10), 1080; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13101080 - 14 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1937

Abstract

For dairy cattle to perform well throughout and following lactations, precise dietary control during the periparturient phase is crucial. The primary issues experienced by periparturient dairy cows include issues like decreased dry matter intake (DMI), a negative energy balance, higher levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and the ensuing inferior milk output. Dairy cattle have always been fed a diet high in crude protein (CP) to produce the most milk possible. Despite the vital function that dairy cows play in the conversion of dietary CP into milk, a sizeable percentage of nitrogen is inevitably expelled, which raises serious environmental concerns. To reduce nitrogen emissions and their production, lactating dairy cows must receive less CP supplementation. Supplementing dairy cattle with rumen-protected methionine (RPM) and choline (RPC) has proven to be a successful method for improving their ability to use nitrogen, regulate their metabolism, and produce milk. The detrimental effects of low dietary protein consumption on the milk yield, protein yield, and dry matter intake may be mitigated by these nutritional treatments. In metabolic activities like the synthesis of sulfur-containing amino acids and methylation reactions, RPM and RPC are crucial players. Methionine, a limiting amino acid, affects the production of milk protein and the success of lactation in general. According to the existing data in the literature, methionine supplementation has a favorable impact on the pathways that produce milk. Similarly, choline is essential for DNA methylation, cell membrane stability, and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, RPC supplementation during the transition phase improves dry matter intake, postpartum milk yield, and fat-corrected milk (FCM) production. This review provides comprehensive insights into the roles of RPM and RPC in optimizing nitrogen utilization, metabolism, and enhancing milk production performance in periparturient dairy cattle, offering valuable strategies for sustainable dairy farming practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feedlot Ruminant Nutrition and Metabolism)

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