Impact of Exposure to Chronic Light–Dark Phase Shifting Circadian Rhythm Disruption on Muscle Proteome in Periparturient Dairy Cows

Abstract

Muscle tissue serves as a key nutrient reservoir that dairy cows utilize to meet energy and amino acid requirements for fetal growth and milk production. Circadian clocks act as homeostatic regulators so that organisms can anticipate regular environmental changes. The objective of this study was to use liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to determine how chronic circadian disruption in late gestation affected the muscle tissue proteome. At five weeks before expected calving (BEC), multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to either a control (CON, n = 8) or a 6 h forward phase shift (PS, n = 8) of the light–dark cycle every 3 days. At calving, all animals were exposed to CON light–dark cycles. Muscle biopsies were collected from longissimus dorsi muscles at 21 days BEC and at 21 days postpartum (PP). At p < 0.1, 116 and 121 proteins were differentially abundant between PS and CON at 21 days BEC and 21 days PP, respectively. These proteins regulate beta oxidation and glycolysis. Between pregnancy and lactation, 134 and 145 proteins were differentially abundant in CON and PS cows, respectively (p < 0.1). At both timepoints, PS cows exhibited an oxidative stress signature. Thus, dairy cattle management strategies that minimize circadian disruptions may ensure optimal health and production performance.

Effect of circadian system disruption on the concentration and daily oscillations of cortisol, progesterone, melatonin, serotonin, growth hormone, and core body temperature in periparturient dairy cattle

“…In the second study, once per day sampling found no difference in MEL between treatments (data not shown). Evaluation of the effect of PS on mammary development in the second study showed PS treatment decreased mammary development and increased expression of genes in liver and muscle related to oxidative stress (Casey et al, 2021b;McCabe et al, 2021a). One potential explanation of different study findings is the negative effect that PS treatment had on mammary epithelial proliferation and cellular stress in the liver and muscle was potentially negated by the positive effects of greater MEL levels in the first study (Suarez-Trujillo et al, 2020).…”

Circadian clocks and their integration with metabolic and reproductive systems: our current understanding and its application to the management of dairy cows

“…Ruminants rely on gluconeogenesis for 90% of their glucose supply ( Young, 1977 ), and thus minimizing exposures to factors that disrupt circadian clocks may be particularly important in late gestation and early lactation cows, when glucose requirements are particularly high ( Bell and Bauman, 1997 ). Limiting exposure to chronodisruptors may also decrease the risk for developing diseases in the peripartum period, as global analysis of the impact of exposing late gestation dairy cows to circadian disruption on hepatic transcriptome and muscle proteome found a potential for an increased risk of developing fatty liver ( Casey et al 2021 ), and increased oxidative stress in muscle tissue ( McCabe et al, 2021a ).…”