Publication
Title
The effect of a negative energy balance status on β-carotene availability in serum and follicular fluid of nonlactating dairy cows
Author
Abstract
Abstract Maternal metabolic pressure due to a cows negative energy balance (NEB) has a negative effect on oocyte quality as a result of increased oxidative stress. In this study, we hypothesized that a NEB status may negatively affect the availability of β-carotene (bC, an antioxidant) in the micro-environment of the oocyte or follicular fluid (FF) and that daily bC supplementation can increase bC availability. We aimed to (1) determine the effect of a nutritionally induced NEB on bC concentrations in serum and FF as well as on the presence of bC metabolites, oxidative stress levels, and follicular growth in a nonlactating dairy cow model, and (2) investigate how this effect could be altered by dietary bC supplementation. Six multiparous nonlactating Holstein Friesian cows were subjected to 4 consecutive dietary treatments, 28 d each: (1) 1.2 × maintenance (M) or positive energy balance (PEB) without bC supplement (PEB-bC), (2) 1.2 × M with daily supplement of 2,000 mg of bC comparable to the level of bC intake at grazing (PEB+bC), (3) 0.6 × M with 2,000 mg of bC (NEB+bC), and (4) 0.6 × M (NEB-bC). At the end of each treatment, estrous cycles were synchronized and blood and FF of the largest follicle were sampled and analyzed for bC, retinol, α-tocopherol, free fatty acids, estradiol, and progesterone. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, insulin growth factor 1, growth hormone, total antioxidant status (TAS), and red blood cell glutathione (GSH) concentrations were determined as well. All cows lost body weight during both energy restriction periods and showed increased serum free fatty acid concentrations, illustrating a NEB. A dietary induced NEB reduced FF bC, but not plasma bC or plasma and FF retinol concentrations. However, bC and retinol concentrations drastically increased in both fluid compartments after bC supplementation. Follicular diameter was increased in supplemented PEB cows. Energy restriction reduced the TAS and red blood cell GSH, whereas daily bC supplementation could restore GSH concentrations, but not the TAS, to levels present in healthy PEB cows. In conclusion, daily bC supplementation can substantially improve bC and retinol availability in the oocytes micro-environment, irrespective of the energy balance, which may affect follicular development and oocyte quality in the presence of maternal metabolic stress. This knowledge can be of importance to optimize nutritional strategies in the dairy industry to feed for optimal oocyte quality and fertility.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of dairy science. - Champaign, Ill.
Publication
Champaign, Ill. : 2016
ISSN
0022-0302
DOI
10.3168/JDS.2016-10870
Volume/pages
99 :7 (2016) , p. 5808-5819
ISI
000377995100076
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 16.02.2017
Last edited 09.10.2023
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