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Animals
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Metabolic and Endocrine Regulation in Ruminants
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Metabolic and Endocrine Regulation in Ruminants

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Physiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 June 2023) | Viewed by 10047

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Kristy DiGiacomo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
Interests: production animal; physiology; metabolism; ruminant nutrition; feed additives; alternate proteins; environmental stress; feed efficiency
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Understanding metabolic and endocrine processes in ruminants is crucial to many processes relevant to production animal productivity and health. Ruminant species are important globally for food (such as milk and meat) and fiber (such as wool) production. Advances are required in our understanding of energy and protein metabolism, endocrine control, metabolic signaling, homeorhetic and homeostatic controls, as well as inflammation and immune responses. This includes the broader areas of nutrition, digestion and digestive physiology, understanding the nutritional states of animals, comparisons between ruminant species, nutritional deficiencies, nutritional supplements and novel feeds, and their impact on metabolism and physiology. Progress in these topics will allow for the further understanding of how ruminants can be supported, such as via genetic selection or nutritional interventions, to ensure that their maximal production capacity can be achieved. In this issue we are seeking contributions that advance ideas in all elements of ruminant metabolism and endocrinology. We welcome the submission of novel research papers and literature reviews.

Dr. Kristy DiGiacomo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • metabolic
  • endocrine
  • ruminants

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 1648 KiB  
Article
Dietary Betaine Impacts Metabolic Responses to Moderate Heat Exposure in Sheep
by Kristy DiGiacomo, Sarah Simpson, Brian J. Leury and Frank R. Dunshea
Animals 2023, 13(10), 1691; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13101691 - 19 May 2023
Viewed by 1270
Abstract
Dietary betaine supplementation can ameliorate physiological responses to heat exposure (HE) in sheep. This experiment measured metabolic responses to glucose (intravenous glucose tolerance, IVGTT), insulin (insulin tolerance test, ITT), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenges in Merino ewes (n = 36, 39.7 kg) [...] Read more.
Dietary betaine supplementation can ameliorate physiological responses to heat exposure (HE) in sheep. This experiment measured metabolic responses to glucose (intravenous glucose tolerance, IVGTT), insulin (insulin tolerance test, ITT), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenges in Merino ewes (n = 36, 39.7 kg) maintained at thermoneutral (TN, 21 °C) or HE (18–43 °C) and supplemented with either 0, 2, or 4 g/day dietary betaine (n = 6 per group). Sheep had ad libitum access to water and were pair-fed such that the intake of the TN sheep mimicked that of the HE sheep. After 21 days of treatment, sheep were fitted with jugular catheters and subjected to consecutive daily challenges (IVGTT, ITT, and ACTH, d 21–23, respectively), followed by skeletal muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsy collections for gene expression analysis (d 24). The HE-treated sheep had a greater insulin:glucose ratio (p = 0.033), a greater estimated homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR; p = 0.029), and a reduced revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (RQUICKI; p = 0.015). Sheep fed betaine (2 + 4 g/day) had a greater basal plasma insulin (p = 0.017) and a reduced basal non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA; p = 0.036) concentration, while the RQUICKI was reduced (p = 0.001) in sheep fed betaine. The results suggested that betaine supplementation alters lipid metabolism by potentially improving insulin signaling, although these responses differ between TN and HE conditions. There was no other impact of temperature or dietary treatments on the tissue gene expressions measured. Our results support the notion that betaine, in part, acts to modify lipid metabolism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Endocrine Regulation in Ruminants)
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14 pages, 536 KiB  
Article
Yeast Culture Supplementation Effects on Systemic and Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes’ mRNA Biomarkers of Inflammation and Liver Function in Peripartal Dairy Cows
by Nathaly Ana Carpinelli, Jessica Halfen, Tainara Cristina Michelotti, Fernanda Rosa, Erminio Trevisi, Jim D. Chapman, Evin S. Sharman and Johan S. Osorio
Animals 2023, 13(2), 301; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020301 - 15 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1842
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of feeding a commercial yeast culture on blood biomarkers and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) gene expression in dairy cows during the transition period until 50 d postpartum. Forty Holstein dairy cows were used in a randomized complete block design [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the effects of feeding a commercial yeast culture on blood biomarkers and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) gene expression in dairy cows during the transition period until 50 d postpartum. Forty Holstein dairy cows were used in a randomized complete block design from −30 to 50 d. At −30 d, cows were assigned to a basal diet plus 114 g/d of top-dressed ground corn (control; n = 20) or 100 g/d of ground corn and 14 g/d of a yeast culture product (YC; n = 20). Blood samples were collected at various time points from −30 to 30 DIM to evaluate blood biomarkers and PMNL gene expression related to inflammation, liver function, and immune response. Liver function biomarkers, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and albumin were greater and lower, respectively, in YC cows in comparison to control. However, these biomarkers remained within physiological levels, indicating an active inflammatory process. Genes in PMNL expression related to inflammation (NFKB1, TNFA, TRAF6), anti-inflammation (IL10), and cell membrane receptors (SELL) were upregulated in the YC group in comparison to control. These results suggest that YC could stimulate a more active inflammatory response with signs of a resolution of inflammation in transition cows. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Endocrine Regulation in Ruminants)
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21 pages, 1865 KiB  
Article
Performance and Metabolic, Inflammatory, and Oxidative Stress-Related Parameters in Early Lactating Dairy Cows with High and Low Hepatic FGF21 Expression
by Denise K. Gessner, Lena M. Sandrock, Erika Most, Christian Koch, Robert Ringseis and Klaus Eder
Animals 2023, 13(1), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010131 - 29 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1746
Abstract
Induction of FGF21 expression in the liver and a significant increase in plasma FGF21 concentration have been demonstrated in cows during early lactation, but knowledge about the function of FGF21 in dairy cows remains limited. In order to improve the understanding of the [...] Read more.
Induction of FGF21 expression in the liver and a significant increase in plasma FGF21 concentration have been demonstrated in cows during early lactation, but knowledge about the function of FGF21 in dairy cows remains limited. In order to improve the understanding of the physiological role of FGF21 in dairy cows, the present study aimed to investigate differences in metabolic pathways between dairy cows with high and low hepatic expression of FGF21 at week 1 of lactation (n = 8/group) by liver transcriptomics, targeted plasma metabolomics, and analysis of inflammatory and oxidative stress-related parameters. Dry matter intake, energy balance, milk yield, and energy-corrected milk yield at days 8–14 postpartum did not differ between cows with high and low hepatic FGF21 expression. However, cows with high FGF21 expression showed an upregulation of genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-dependent cytoprotection compared to cows with low FGF21 expression at week 1 postpartum (p < 0.05). Concentrations of important antioxidants (tocopherols, β-carotene, and glutathione) in the liver and plasma, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity in plasma, concentrations of oxidative stress-related compounds (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and protein carbonyls), and levels of most acute phase proteins at week 1 postpartum did not differ between cows with high or low FGF21 expression. Moreover, among a total of >200 metabolites assayed in the plasma, concentrations of only 7 metabolites were different between cows with high or low FGF21 expression (p < 0.05). Overall, the results showed that cows with high and low FGF21 hepatic expression had only moderate differences in metabolism, but FGF21 might be important in the adaptation of dairy cows to stress conditions during early lactation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Endocrine Regulation in Ruminants)
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15 pages, 1215 KiB  
Article
Effect of Dietary Urea in Gestating Beef Cows: Circulating Metabolites, Morphometrics, and Mammary Secretions
by Ligia D. Prezotto and Jennifer F. Thorson
Animals 2023, 13(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010006 - 20 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1161
Abstract
Prolific use of supplementation strategies, including the utilization of urea, are practiced in beef cattle production systems. Unfortunately, the influence of urea supplementation on metabolics, adipose tissue mobilization, and mammary secretions is limited in beef cows. Therefore, the objectives of this experiment were [...] Read more.
Prolific use of supplementation strategies, including the utilization of urea, are practiced in beef cattle production systems. Unfortunately, the influence of urea supplementation on metabolics, adipose tissue mobilization, and mammary secretions is limited in beef cows. Therefore, the objectives of this experiment were to assess the influence of urea supplementation on metabolic profiles, morphometrics, and mammary secretions. Pregnant, multiparous beef cows were fed individually and assigned to treatment (n = 4/treatment) as Control or Urea Supplementation. Blood samples and body weight were collected every 28 d throughout gestation. Backfat thickness was measured via ultrasonography on days 28 and 280 of gestation. Total mammary secretions were sampled for composition. Concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids, glucose, and plasma urea nitrogen did not differ by treatment. Body weight and backfat thickness changed in response to the progression of gestation, but did not differ between treatments. Finally, concentration of urea nitrogen increased in mammary secretions of cows fed urea, but total content of urea nitrogen in mammary secretions did not differ between treatments. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the pregnant beef cow undergoes metabolic adaptation during gestation. However, urea supplementation failed to improve any of the morphometric parameters of the dams assessed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Endocrine Regulation in Ruminants)
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11 pages, 1088 KiB  
Article
Is the IL1RA/IL1B Ratio a Suitable Biomarker for Subclinical Endometritis in Dairy Cows?
by Anna Maria Kneidl, Christina Deborah Marth, Sandra Kirsch, Frank Weber, Yury Zablotski, Anika Luzia Helfrich, Simone Tamara Schabmeyer, Julia Katharina Schneider, Wolfram Petzl, Holm Zerbe and Marie Margarete Meyerholz-Wohllebe
Animals 2022, 12(23), 3363; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233363 - 30 Nov 2022
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Abstract
The adequate expression of cytokines is essential for the prevention and healing of bovine endometrial inflammation. This study investigated the intra-uterine concentration of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)1B and its antagonist IL1RA in cows with and without subclinical endometritis (SE). Samples were taken [...] Read more.
The adequate expression of cytokines is essential for the prevention and healing of bovine endometrial inflammation. This study investigated the intra-uterine concentration of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)1B and its antagonist IL1RA in cows with and without subclinical endometritis (SE). Samples were taken from 37 uteri at the abattoir and 26 uteri in vivo. Uterine secretion samples were classified as showing no signs of SE (SEneg; polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocyte (PMN) < 5%) or showing signs of SE (SEpos; PMN ≥ 5%). Concentrations and ratios for IL1B and IL1RA were measured using a commercial and a newly established AlphaLISA kit, respectively. In both groups, a higher concentration of IL1B was detected in the SEpos group compared with the SEneg group (abattoir: p = 0.027; in vivo p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the concentration of IL1RA (p > 0.05). In uterine secretion samples retrieved in vivo, a lower IL1RA/IL1B ratio was detected in the SEpos group compared with the SEneg group (p = 0.002). The results of this study highlight the important role of IL1B and IL1RA during endometritis and the potential of the IL1RA/IL1B ratio as a possible biomarker for SE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Endocrine Regulation in Ruminants)
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12 pages, 1156 KiB  
Article
Adaptive Responses of Thyroid Hormones, Insulin, and Glucose during Pregnancy and Lactation in Dairy Cows
by Esterina Fazio, Arianna Bionda, Vincenzo Chiofalo, Paola Crepaldi, Vincenzo Lopreiato, Pietro Medica and Luigi Liotta
Animals 2022, 12(11), 1395; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12111395 - 28 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1685
Abstract
The study examined the effects of different stages of pregnancy and lactation on thyroid, insulin, and glucose responses in dairy cows. In the present study, 30 dairy cows (10 Holstein, 10 Simmental, and 10 Brown) at 30 ± 20 d of lactation were [...] Read more.
The study examined the effects of different stages of pregnancy and lactation on thyroid, insulin, and glucose responses in dairy cows. In the present study, 30 dairy cows (10 Holstein, 10 Simmental, and 10 Brown) at 30 ± 20 d of lactation were randomly selected and blood samples were collected once every 60 d for one year to measure circulating thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total and free triiodothyronines (T3, fT3) and thyroxines (T4, fT4), insulin, and glucose. Pregnant cows showed higher T4 (p = 0.010) and insulin (p = 0.046) concentrations at >180 d than at >60–120 d of pregnancy and in nonpregnant cows. Along the lactation phase, circulating T4 concentrations showed a biphasic trend, decreasing from 0–60 d to >60–120 d phase, which showed the lowest values, and then increasing until the end of lactation (>300 d) (p = 0.016). Glucose showed the highest concentrations at the start of lactation (0–120 days) and the lowest values at the end (p = 0.008). The monitoring of thyroid hormones, insulin, and glucose changes represents an important tool to evaluate the anabolic and/or catabolic adaptation in response to functional periods in dairy cows, which can potentially predispose the cows to an excessive negative energy balance and related metabolic issues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic and Endocrine Regulation in Ruminants)
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