69 Effects of supplementing heifers with dietary quercetin during late-gestation

Abstract

Abstract Introduction of antioxidants, such as quercetin, into the diets of livestock species have become a new and revolutionary field of study. The objective was to examine effects of dietary supplementation of quercetin in beef heifers. Assessments were evaluated based on uterine artery hemodynamics and maternal hormone concentrations during late-gestation, as well as calf morphometric parameters. Eleven pregnant, Angus x Brahman heifers were randomly assigned to receive one of two dietary treatments: 1) quercetin (250 mg/day; Liftmode.com, Synaptent LLC, Chicago, IL, USA) supplemented group (QR; n = 6) or 2) no quercetin supplemented group (CON; n = 5). Dietary treatments were applied daily from d 190 of gestation until calving in a Calan System (American Calan, Inc., Northwood, NH) with 3.63 kg of a commodity grain and approximately 8.16 kg of hay per head per day. Both groups were subject to ultrasound scanning via rectal ultrasonography of the uterine artery using Color Doppler on d 190, 220, 250, and 270 of gestation. Blood samples were also collected via coccygeal venipuncture for hormone analysis. Data were analyzed using the ANOVA method within the Proc Mixed procedure of SAS 9.4. Total blood flow was greater (P < 0.05) on d 248 and even greater (P < 0.05) on d 270 of gestation as compared to d 190 and 220. Contralateral Pulsatility Index (PI) was greater (P < 0.05) in QR treated heifers as compared to CON. Additionally, QR heifers yielded a greater serum progesterone concentration (P < 0.05) as compared to CON but no differences (P > 0.05) between treatments regarding serum estrogen concentrations. Calf birth weight was not different (P > 0.05), but calves from quercetin supplemented dams resulted in greater wither and hip height (P < 0.05). Future research with antioxidant supplementation could lead to further fetal programming implications.