Effects of supplements differing in fatty acid profile to late gestational beef cows on cow performance, calf growth performance, and mRNA expression of genes associated with myogenesis and adipogenesis

Abstract Background Maternal nutrition during gestation affects fetal development, which has long-term programming effects on offspring postnatal growth performance. With a critical role in protein and lipid metabolism, essential fatty acids can influence the development of muscle adipose tissue. The experiment investigated late supplements (77 d prepartum), either rich saturated monounsaturated (CON; 155 g/cow/d EnerGII) or polyunsaturated (PUFA; 80 Strata Prequel), cow performance subsequent calf as well mRNA expression longissimus (LM) subcutaneous tissue at birth weaning. Results There was no difference ( P ? 0.34) body weight (BW) condition score from pre-supplementation through Relative concentrations C18:3n-3 C20:4n-6 decreased ? 0.05) to greater extent mid-supplementation calving for PUFA compared with CON cows. Cow plasma C20:0, C20:5n-3, C22:6n-3 were increased 0.01) supplementation period. At birth, steers had = C20:5n-3. No differences 0.33) detected steer BW dam milk production, however, tended 0.06) have pre-weaning average daily gain weaning PUFA. For steers: MYH7 C/EBP? LM 0.04) CON; MYF5 0.08) decrease more PUFA; SCD than CON. In addition, maternal MYOG 0.02) ZFP423 stage. Conclusions Late progeny supplementation, could been result downregulated myogenic genes