Trans-Generational Effect of Maternal Lactation during Pregnancy: A Holstein Cow Model
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Publication date
2012-12-20ISSN
1932-6203
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation in mammals begins in the first stages of embryogenesis. This prenatal programming determines, in
part, phenotype expression in adult life. Some species, particularly dairy cattle, are conceived during the maternal lactation,
which is a period of large energy and nutrient needs. Under these circumstances, embryo and fetal development compete
for nutrients with the mammary gland, which may affect prenatal programming and predetermine phenotype at adulthood.
Data from a specialized dairy breed were used to determine the transgenerational effect when embryo development
coincides with maternal lactation. Longitudinal phenotypic data for milk yield (kg), ratio of fat-protein content in milk during
first lactation, and lifespan (d) from 40,065 cows were adjusted for environmental and genetic effects using a Bayesian
framework. Then, the effect of different maternal circumstances was determined on the residuals. The maternal-related
circumstances were 1) presence of lactation, 2) maternal milk yield level, and 3) occurrence of mastitis during
embryogenesis. Females born to mothers that were lactating while pregnant produced 52 kg (MonteCarlo standard error;
MCs.e. = 0.009) less milk, lived 16 d (MCs.e. = 0.002) shorter and were metabolically less efficient (+0.42% milk fat/protein
ratio; MCs.e.,0.001) than females whose fetal life developed in the absence of maternal lactation. The greater the maternal
milk yield during embryogenesis, the larger the negative effects of prenatal programming, precluding the offspring born to
the most productive cows to fully express their potential additive genetic merit during their adult life. Our data provide
substantial evidence of transgenerational effect when pregnancy and lactation coincide. Although this effect is relatively
low, it should not be ignored when formulating rations for lactating and pregnant cows. Furthermore, breeding,
replacement, and management strategies should also take into account whether the individuals were conceived during
maternal lactation because, otherwise, their performance may deviate from what it could be expected.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
636 - Animal husbandry and breeding in general. Livestock rearing. Breeding of domestic animals
Pages
7
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Is part of
PLoS ONE
Citation
González-Recio, Óscar, E. Ugarte, and À. Bach. 2012. “Trans-Generational Effect of Maternal Lactation During Pregnancy: A Holstein Cow Model.” PloS One 7 (12): e51816. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0051816
Program
Producció de Remugants
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- ARTICLES CIENTÍFICS [2590]
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