Methionine Supply during Late-Gestation Triggers Offspring Sex-Specific Divergent Changes in Metabolic and Epigenetic Signatures in Bovine Placenta

Fernanda Batistel, Abdulrahman S. Alharthi, Rainie R.C. Yambao, Ahmed A. Elolimy, Yuan Xiang Pan, Claudia Parys, Juan J. Loor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background Nonruminant male and female offspring respond differently to gestational nutrition, with placenta contributing to the underlying mechanisms. However, similar data are lacking in large ruminants. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of methionine supply during late-gestation on metabolism and DNA methylation in placenta from cows carrying male or female calves. Methods During the last 28 d of pregnancy, cows were individually fed a control diet (CON) or the control diet plus rumen-protected d,l-methionine (MET; 0.9 g/kg dry matter intake). Placentomes collected at term were classified according to cow dietary treatment and offspring sex as follows: Male CON (n = 7), Male MET (n = 7), Female CON (n = 8), and Female MET (n = 8). Calf growth was measured until 9 wk of age. Targeted metabolomics, RT-PCR, global DNA methylation, and activity of selected enzymes in one-carbon metabolism and transsulfuration pathways were performed. Statistics were conducted via ANOVA using MIXED models. Results At birth, Male MET calves were heavier than Male CON calves (7.6%, P = 0.02), but body mass was similar at 9 wk of age. In contrast, compared with Female CON, Female MET calves had greater body mass at 9 wk of age (6.3%, P = 0.03). Compared with Male CON, placenta from Male MET calves had greater concentrations of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and transsulfuration intermediates (23-100%, P < 0.05), along with greater 5-methyltetrahydrofolatehomocysteine methyltransferase activity (67%, P = 0.03). Compared with Female CON, placenta from Female MET calves had greater concentrations of one-carbon metabolism intermediates (13-52%, P < 0.05). DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) was upregulated (43%, P < 0.01) in placenta from Female MET compared with Female CON calves. Global DNA methylation was lower in placenta from Female MET compared with Female CON calves (45%, P = 0.06). Conclusions Methionine supply affects placental metabolism, DNA methylation, and body mass of the calf in a sex-specific manner, underscoring its importance as dietary methyl-donor for pregnant cows.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6-17
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Nutrition
Volume149
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2019

Keywords

  • DNA methylation
  • amino acids
  • dairy cow
  • methyl donor
  • placentome

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Methionine Supply during Late-Gestation Triggers Offspring Sex-Specific Divergent Changes in Metabolic and Epigenetic Signatures in Bovine Placenta'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this