Distinct serum metabolomic signatures of multiparous and primiparous dairy cows switched from a moderate to high-grain diet during early lactation

Abstract

Introduction Feeding of high-grain diets is common in cows during early lactation, but increases the odds of metabolic derailments, which can likely be detected as undesirable shifts in the serum metabolome signature. Objectives The present study aimed to identify the metabolic signatures of the serum metabolome of early lactation dairy cows switched from a moderate to a high-grain diet. Methods Targeted ESI-LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics was used to characterize metabolic alterations in the serum of early lactation multiparous (MP, n = 16) and primiparous (PP, n = 8) Simmental cows, according to parity and feeding phase. Data were analysed using different data mining approaches. Results Carnitine, acetylcarnitine, propionoylcarnitine, amino acid related compounds cis-4-hydroxyproline, trans-4-hydroxyproline, proline betaine, lysophosphatidylcholine PC a C16:1 and phosphatidylcholine PC ae C36:0 were identified as the key metabolites distinguishing MP from PP cows. A different serum metabolite composition during moderate and high-grain diet was also evident. Notably, cows fed high grain diet had higher serum concentrations of primary bile acids and triglycerides, but lower levels of conjugated bile acids and carboxylic acids during the first week in grain. Amino acids valine, cystine and taurine together with lysophosphatidylcholine PC a C26:0 and several phosphatidylcholines were classified as important features for cluster separation. Conclusions Our study greatly expands earlier observations on dietary effects on serum metabolome composition of cows. The altered metabolomic fingerprints clearly distinguishable by diet and cow parity hold potential to be used as early diagnostic tools for cows experiencing grain-induced metabolic disturbances.

Host metabolome and faecal microbiome shows potential interactions impacted by age and weaning times in calves

“…The difference in plasma BAs and ACs concentrations of weaning groups was probably due to their different dietary composition as the carbohydrates rich diet may result in higher levels of BAs [ 52 ]. A high concentration of serum taurine was observed in high-grain fed dairy cows [ 53 ]. A decreased level of plasma acylcarnitines was observed after feeding calves with a limited amount of MR in another study [ 2 ].…”

“…Taurine can be derived directly from the diet, absorbed through the epithelial cells and transported to the blood [ 17 ]. A significant increase in serum taurine concentration was reported with high-grain feeding in dairy cows [ 53 ]. However, endogenous synthesis of taurine from methionine and cysteine majorly takes place in liver and tissues [ 67 ].…”

From the perspective of genomics and metabolomics, revealing the effects of feeding methods on Jersey cattle on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

“…The decline and shortage of pasture quality, together with increased exercise and physical activity of grazing Jersey cattle, have resulted in Jersey cattle relying mainly on supplemented concentrates to meet their energy needs, which have a high fat content, leading to increased fat metabolism [71]. A similar result was found in cows, with an increase in fat catabolism in high-concentrate-fed cows [72]. The results also showed that concentrate supplementation signi cantly affected serum metabolites and promoted lipid synthesis in yaks [24].…”

Supplementing a Clay Mineral-Based Feed Additive Modulated Fecal Microbiota Composition, Liver Health, and Lipid Serum Metabolome in Dairy Cows Fed Starch-Rich Diets

“…Details concerning the determination of the serum metabolome and the results related to feeding and parity are given in Pacífico et al (4). Briefly, 10 µl of aliquots of serum samples were processed using a targeted metabolomics approach based on the Biocrates MxP R Quant 500 kit (Biocrates Life Sciences AG, Innsbruck, Austria).…”

“…The risk of health disorders deriving from impaired liver function is especially high during early lactation (2), and the disorders induced by high-grain diets further compromise liver function by enhancing the release and translocation of microbial endotoxins into the systemic circulation (1) as well as impairing the hepatic lipid and bile acid metabolism (3). In fact, recent research showed major metabolic shifts in bile acid metabolism in response to high-starch diets (4), and this finding was consistent with increased liver enzyme concentrations, e.g., aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), γ-glutamyl-transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (AP) during early lactation (5). These effects were particularly pronounced in primiparous cows, thus highlighting the already suspected role of parity in the ability of cows to cope with starch-rich diets (6).…”