Measurement of Metabolic and Inflammatory Serum Markers and Immune Marker Gene Expression during Superovulation in Beef Cattle

Alexandria P Snider,Derek J Mclean,Alfred R Menino

doi:10.4236/ojas.2021.112014

Abstract

Health status of donor cows during superovulation is important to ensure optimal embryo quality at time of collection. Because nutritional and metabolic status impact embryo quality some form of nutritional supplementation is often provided before and during superovulation. OmniGen-AF&reg (OG) feeding has been shown to assist in the maintenance of animal health through regulation of metabolic status and balance and supporting aspects of immune function. We observed feeding donor cows OG decreased percent degenerate embryos recovered following superovulation increased serum progesterone concentration and improved in vitro embryo development. Evaluation of OG feeding on markers of metabolic function and inflammatory and immune function in beef cattle embryo donors are reported here. Similarly, cow metabolic and inflammatory response with repeated superovulation protocols is not known. Biomarkers to monitor and evaluate cow health during superovulation may provide management options to improve embryo recovery and quality. Twenty-four Angus cross-bred cattle were randomly assigned to four treatment groups, fed 0 or 56 g/hd/day for 49 days and superovulated with 200 or 400 mg Folltropin V (FSH). Blood was collected weekly for analyses. The protocol was repeated on all cows 90 - 120 d later with cows reassigned to their original groups. No differences (P > 0.10) were observed due to OG feeding or FSH dose on metabolic and inflammatory markers. Replicate exerted a significant effect where serum concentration of albumin, IL1β, IL6, PGE2 and leptin were lower (P < 0.05) in Replicate 1 compared to 2. There was also a similar pattern of change in several of the metabolic and inflammatory markers during the superovulation protocol where concentrations were higher at the time of estrus and ovulation. Taken together, physiologic changes during the estrous cycle and the number of superovulation protocols can modulate metabolic markers and inflammatory response.

Highlights

Embryo collection and transfer are two commonly used assisted reproductive techniques in the cattle industry
Highest serum (P < 0.05) blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration was observed on days of blood collection (Day) 0 compared to other days of collection (Table 1)
Results from this study investigated if two different dosage levels of FSH and feeding OG to mature beef cows altered metabolic parameters, pro-inflammatory cytokines, Acute phase proteins (APP) and circulating immune cell gene expression during a superovulation protocol

Summary

Introduction

Embryo collection and transfer are two commonly used assisted reproductive techniques in the cattle industry. These techniques are used to improve herd genetics through the use of genetically desirable dam and sire matings [1]. It is important to reduce potential factors that can cause a decrease in embryo quality. Decreased embryo quality is associated with donor age, nutritional status, stress, and metabolic and health status [3]. Donor age has a role in embryo quality as older oocytes may be more susceptible to fertilization failure and early embryonic death. Donor nutritional status is important as a poor plane of nutrition can decrease body condition score leading to decreased fertilization rates and embryo quality [3]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion