213 from Conception to Birth: The Role of Minerals on Beef Cattle Fetal Programming

Abstract Fetal adaptations to nutrition in utero lead long-term effects on fetal growth and postnatal performance. Although required minute amounts, minerals play an essential role programming, likely through epigenetic mechanisms. Thus, changes the embryonic epigenome modulate gene transcription and, consequently, differentiation, growth, development of cells tissues. Despite growing knowledge nutritional epigenetics expression, literature implications (epi)genome is still scarce. Our research investigates offspring outcomes response maternal throughout periconceptual period pregnancy using a beef cattle model. We have reported placental expression heifers supplemented with vitamins (113 g•heifer-1•d-1) during first 83 days pregnancy. found coordinated crosstalk between fetal-maternal tissues fine-tuned regulation genes involved nutrient transport, tissue function differentiation. Interestingly, concentrations amino acids allantoic amniotic fluids serum were also affected. Furthermore, differentially expressed brain, liver, muscle diet. The nutrient-sensing PI3K-Akt signaling pathway was over-represented cerebrum, whereas mineral lipid metabolism identified liver. A second study showed that providing supranutritional selenium supplementation (105 mg Se/wk as Se yeast) different trimesters gestation increased concentration whole blood newborn calves. Likewise, calves born dams last trimester had myogenic genes. Altogether, these findings reinforce programming. However, further studies are understand regulatory mechanisms effects.