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Supplementing Ca salts of oil to late-gestating beef cows: impacts on performance and physiological responses of the offspring

Alice Poggi Brandão,†, Reinaldo F. Cooke,†,1, Kelsey M. Schubach,† Bruna Rett,†,‡ Osvaldo A. Souza,†,‡ Ky G. Pohler,† David W. Bohnert,|| and Rodrigo S. Marques$,

†Texas A&M University, Department of Animal Science, College Station, TX 77845; ‡Universidade Estadual Paulista—FMVZ, Botucatu, SP 18618-970, Brazil; ||Oregon State University—EOARC, Burns, OR 97720; and $Montana State University, Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Bozeman, MT 59717 Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/tas/article/4/Supplement_1/S22/6043895 by guest on 24 December 2020

© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribu- tion, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Transl. Anim. Sci. 2020.4:S22–S26 doi: 10.1093/tas/txaa090

INTRODUCTION advantageous to gestational programming com- pared with the ɷ-3 + ɷ-6 FA mix used by Marques Nutritional management of beef cows during et al. (2017), and also elucidate the specific pro- late gestation has direct implications on postna- gramming roles of ɷ-6 FA. Based on this ration- tal performance of the in utero offspring (Cooke, ale, we hypothesized that CSSO supplementation 2019). The majority of the research conducted to late-gestating beef cows will improve postnatal within this subject focused on energy and protein offspring productivity via programming effects. nutrition, and limited information exists about This experiment compared growth, physiological essential fatty acids (FA). Our group recently parameters, and carcass characteristics of cattle reported that supplementing Ca salts of ɷ-3 born from cows supplemented or not with CSSO and ɷ-6 FA to beef cows during late gestation during the last trimester of gestation. improved offspring performance (Marques et al., 2017). More specifically, feedlot growth rate and MATERIALS AND METHODS carcass marbling were greater in calves born from cows supplemented with ɷ-3 + ɷ-6 FA. These This experiment was conducted at the Oregon results were indicative of programming effects State University—EOARC Burns, and approved from essential FA supplementation, by improving by the Oregon State University—Animal Care hyperplastic muscle development and intramuscu- and Use Committee (#4974). lar adipose cells of calves during gestation. The mechanisms underlying the outcomes Cow–Calf Management and Dietary Treatments reported by Marques et al. (2017) still warrant investigation, including the individual role of Nonlactating, pregnant, multiparous Angus ɷ-3 and ɷ-6 FA. In recent studies with beef cat- × Hereford cows (n = 104) were assigned to this tle, linoleic acid and its ɷ-6 derivatives were the experiment at the end of their 2nd trimester of specific FA linked with fetal cell differentiation gestation. Cows conceived during the same fixed- and development (Schubach et al., 2019). Hence, time artificial insemination protocol (Marques supplementing a FA source based on ɷ-6 such et al., 2017) using semen from two Angus sires (d as Ca salts of soybean oil (CSSO), may be more 195 of gestation on d 0). Prior to the beginning of the experiment (d 1Corresponding author: [email protected] −15), cows were ranked by sire, body weight (BW), Received May 1, 2020. and body condition score (BCS), and randomly Accepted June 17, 2020. assigned to receive (dry matter basis) 415 g of S22 Calcium salts of soybean oil during pregnancy S23

Table 1. Composition and nutritional profile of pasture for a 35-d preconditioning period as a diets containing Ca salts of soybean oil (CSSO) or single group. On d 325, all calves were loaded into prilled saturated (CON) a commercial livestock trailer and transported for 215 km to commercial feedlot (Cannon Hill Item CON CSSO Feeders LLC., Nyssa, OR), where they remained Ingredients, kg/d dry matter basis as a single group until slaughter (Agri Beef Co., Grass-alfalfa hay 12.7 12.7 Toppenish, WA). Calves did not receive supple- Soybean meal 0.415 0.415 mental CSSO or CON during preconditioning or Essentioma 0 0.195 in the feedlot. EnergyBoosterb 0.170 0 Limestone 0.025 0

Sampling Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/tas/article/4/Supplement_1/S22/6043895 by guest on 24 December 2020 Nutrient profile,c dry matter basis Dry matter, % 91.9 92.1 Samples of all ingredients fed to late-ges- Net energy for maintenance,c 1.28 1.28 Mcal/kg tating cows were collected before the beginning Crude protein, % 8.3 8.3 of the experiment and analyzed for nutrient Fatty acids, % 2.46 2.45 and FA content (Dairy One Forage Laboratory, Palmitic (16:0), % 0.64 0.63 Ithaca, NY). Cow BW and BCS were recorded Stearic (18:0), % 0.61 0.08 and a blood sample was collected prior to the Oleic (18:1), % 0.16 0.41 beginning of the experiment (d −15). Within Linoleic (18:2), % 0.29 0.65 12 h after calving, cow BW, cow BCS, calf birth Linolenic (18:3), % 0.31 0.35 BW, and calf gender were recorded, and blood aEssentiom (Church and Dwight Co., Inc., Princeton, NJ). was collected from cows and calves. Blood sam- bEnergy Booster 100 (Milk Specialties, Eden Prairie, MN). ples were collected, processed, and analyzed for cValues obtained via wet chemistry analysis (Dairy One Forage plasma FA concentration as in Schubach et al. Laboratory, Ithaca, NY). (2019). At weaning (d 290), cow BW and BCS were re- corded. Calf BW was recorded over 2 consecutive soybean meal per cow daily in addition to 1) 195 g/ days upon weaning (d 290 and 291) and prior to cow daily of CSSO (Essentiom; Church and Dwight shipping (d 324 and 325), which were averaged to Co., Inc., Princeton, NJ; CSSO, n = 52) or 2) 170 g/ calculate preconditioning BW gain. From weaning cow daily of prilled saturated fat (EnergyBooster, until slaughter, calves were observed daily for bo- Milk Specialties, Eden Prairie, MN) + 25 g/cow vine respiratory disease (BRD) signs and treated daily of limestone (CON, n = 52). Supplement when signs were observed (Marques et al., 2017). treatments were iso-nitrogenous, iso-lipidic, and Carcass traits were collected upon slaughter at the iso-caloric (Table 1), and provided from d 0 to calv- commercial packing plant, including hot carcass ing. Cows were maintained in one of two meadow weight (HCW) that was adjusted to a 63% dressing foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis L.) pastures (52 cows/ percentage to estimate final BW and feedlot BW pasture, 26 cows/treatment per pasture) from d −15 gain. until calving. Grass-alfalfa hay was provided daily at 12.7 kg/cow (dry matter basis), and cows had ad Statistical Analysis libitum access to water and a commercial + mix. All variables were analyzed with cow as the From d 0 until calving, cows were gathered three experimental unit, and cow(treatment × pasture), times weekly (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) pasture, and sire as random variables using SAS and sorted into 1 of 24 individual feeding pens. (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Quantitative data Cows individually received treatments (1.42 kg of were analyzed using the MIXED procedure, and supplement treatment/feeding, dry matter basis). binary data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX Immediately after calving, cow–calf pairs were re- procedure. Model statements for cow-related re- moved from their pasture and assigned to the gen- sponses included the effects of treatment. Model eral management of the research herd until weaning statements for calf-related responses analysis in- (Marques et al., 2017), which did not include CSSO cluded the effects of treatment, calf sex, and the or CON supplementation. treatment × calf sex interaction. Results are re- Calves were weaned on d 290 of the experi- ported as least square means. Significance was set ment, and transferred to a 6-ha meadow foxtail at P ≤ 0.05.

Translate basic science to industry innovation S24 Brandão et al.

Table 2. Performance of beef cows receiving diets Table 3. Plasma FA profile µ( g/mL of plasma) of containing Ca salts of soybean oil (CSSO; n = 52) beef cows and their offspring upon calvinga,b or prilled saturated fat (CON; n = 52) during the last trimester of gestationa,b Item CON CSSO SEM P-value Linoleic (18:2 n-6) Item CON CSSO SEM P Calf 24.5 41.8 4.3 <0.01 Days receiving 85.5 85.1 0.6 0.60 treatments, d Cow 145 341 11 <0.01 Body weight, kg Linolenic Initial 504 505 9 0.89 (18:3 n-3) Calving 545 554 9 0.48 Calf 1.23 0.100 0.285 <0.01 Weaning 568 564 9 0.78 Cow 60.5 34.2 1.5 <0.01 Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/tas/article/4/Supplement_1/S22/6043895 by guest on 24 December 2020 Body condition Total polyunsaturated fatty acid score Calf 40.1 60.6 4.6 <0.01 Initial 4.88 4.88 0.04 0.92 Cow 270 450 15 <0.01 Calving 4.74 4.82 0.07 0.59 Total ω-3 Weaning 5.19 5.09 0.08 0.40 Calf 2.50 1.05 0.55 0.05 Cow 67.4 41.7 1.7 <0.01 a Cows received (dry matter basis) 190 g/cow daily of Ca salts of soy- Total ω-6 bean oil (CSSO; Essentiom; Church and Dwight Co., Inc., Princeton, Calf 37.6 59.5 4.4 <0.01 NJ) or 170 g/cow daily of prilled saturated fat (CON; Energy Booster 100; Milk Specialties, Eden Prairie, MN). Treatments were provided Cow 203 408 13 <0.01 from d 0 (d 195 of gestation) until calving. Total bValues recorded prior to the beginning of the experiment (initial; d identified −15), within 12 h of after calving, and at weaning (d 290). FA Calf 311 319 15 0.73 Cow 575 752 25 <0.01 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Cows received diets containing Ca salts of soybean oil (CSSO; Cow Parameters n = 52) or prilled saturated fat (CON; n = 52) during the last trimester of gestation. Composition and nutritional profile of diets aCows received (dry matter basis) 190 g/cow daily of Ca salts of soy- (hay + treatment) offered to CSSO- and CON- bean oil (CSSO; Essentiom; Church and Dwight Co., Inc., Princeton, NJ) or 170 g/cow daily of prilled saturated fat (CON; Energy Booster supplemented cows are described in Table 1. No 100; Milk Specialties, Eden Prairie, MN). Treatments were provided treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.20) for cow from d 0 (d 195 of gestation) until calving. BW and BCS (Table 2). Plasma FA profile did not bBlood samples were collected from cows and calves within 12 h of differ (P ≥ 0.19) between CSSO and CON cows on after calving. d −15 (data not shown), indicating similar FA pro- file before treatment administration. At calving, (Table 4). Others have also reported similar birth CSSO cows had greater (P < 0.01) plasma concen- and weaning BW, and well as preconditioning per- trations of linoleic acid and total ω-6 FA compared formance in calves from cows supplemented or not with CON (Table 3). These results are in accord- with ω-6 FA during gestation (Hess et al., 2008; ance with the FA content and intake of treatments, Marques et al., 2017). given that plasma profile reflects intake and intes- As designed, days in the feedyard were sim- tinal FA flow (Hess et al., 2008). ilar (P = 0.99) between calves from CSSO and CON cows (Table 5). Overall BRD incidence was Offspring Responses similar (P = 0.16) between treatments (Table 5). Nonetheless, the incidence of calves diagnosed No treatment differences were detected (P ≥ with BRD that required a second antimicro- 0.36) for calf birth BW and proportion of male bial treatment was less (P = 0.03) in calves from calves born (Table 4). Calves from CSSO cows also CSSO cows, resulting in reduced (P = 0.05) need had greater (P < 0.01) plasma concentrations of of treatments compared with CON (Table 5). linoleic acid and total ω-6 FA compared with CON Treatment × calf sex interactions were detected cohorts, corroborating differences noted between (P ≤ 0.03) for feedlot average daily gain, final BW, CSSO and CON cows given that maternal circu- and HCW. These responses were greater (P ≤ 0.05) lating FA are transferred to the fetus via placenta in steers from CSSO cows compared with CON (Marques et al., 2017). No treatment differences in (Table 5), and did not differ (P ≥ 0.59) between calf responses were noted (P ≥ 0.17), not BRD signs heifers (Table 5). A treatment effect was detected were observed until the end of preconditioning (P = 0.03) for carcass longissimus muscle (LM) Translate basic science to industry innovation Calcium salts of soybean oil during pregnancy S25

Table 4. Calving, weaning, and preconditioning Table 5. Feedlot performance and carcass char- responses from offspring of beef cows receiving acteristics from offspring of beef cows receiving diets containing Ca salts of soybean oil (CSSO; diets containing CSSO (n = 52) or prilled satu- n = 52) or prilled saturated fat (CON; n = 52) dur- rated fat (CON; n = 52) during the last trimester ing the last trimester of gestationa of gestationa

Item CON CSSO SEM P-value Item CON CSSO SEM P-value Calving results Days on feed, d 188 188 0.2 0.99 % of male calves born 56.6 51.0 7.0 0.57 Cattle treated for Calf birth weight, kg 37.0 37.7 0.6 0.42 respiratory disease, % Adjusted calf birth 38.3 39.1 0.6 0.36 Once 40.5 28.4 6.7 0.16 weight,b kg Twice 19.2 5.64 4.79 0.03 Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/tas/article/4/Supplement_1/S22/6043895 by guest on 24 December 2020 Weaning results Number of antimicrobial 1.49 1.18 0.10 0.05 Weaning rate, % 96.0 100 2.0 0.17 treatments required % of male calves weaned 56.9 51.0 7.0 0.56 Average daily gain, kg/d Calf weaning age, d 209 209 0.1 0.91 Steers 1.39 1.52 0.06 0.05 Calf weaning weight, kg 262 264 4 0.72 Heifers 1.54 1.50 0.06 0.59 Calf 205-d adjusted 267 270 4 0.57 Final BW, kg weaning weight,b kg Steers 553 579 9 0.02 Preconditioning results Heifers 575 570 9 0.66 Average daily gain, kg/d 0.68 0.67 0.05 0.84 Carcass characteristics Final BW, kg 287 289 4 0.77 Hot carcass weight, kg Steers 349 365 6 0.02 aCows received (dry matter basis) 190 g/cow daily of Ca salts of soy- Heifers 362 359 6 0.66 bean oil (CSSO; Essentiom; Church and Dwight Co., Inc., Princeton, NJ) or 170 g/cow daily of prilled saturated fat (CON; Energy Booster Backfat, cm 2.46 2.40 0.14 0.76 100; Milk Specialties, Eden Prairie, MN). Treatments were provided Longissimus muscle 79.6 82.4 1.2 0.03 from d 0 (d 195 of gestation) until calving. area, cm2 bAccording to BIF (2010). Marbling 526 510 15 0.47 Yield grade 3.76 3.68 0.07 0.43 Carcasses grading 85.9 88.0 4.9 0.77 area, which was greater in calves from CSSO cows choice or above, % compared with CON across sexes (Table 5). No aCows received (dry matter basis) 190 g/cow daily of Ca salts of soy- other treatment effects were noted (P ≥ 0.43) for bean oil (CSSO; Essentiom; Church and Dwight Co., Inc., Princeton, carcass traits (Table 5). NJ) or 170 g/cow daily of prilled saturated fat (CON; Energy Booster Results from this experiment indicate that 100; Milk Specialties, Eden Prairie, MN). Treatments were provided CSSO supplementation to late-gestating beef cows from d 0 (d 195 of gestation) until calving. improved offspring feedlot growth, mostly in steers, and carcass LM area suggestive of programming warranted to understand the programming effects effects on muscle development. These outcomes of ɷ-6 FA supplementation to beef cows during can also be associated with improved immuno- gestation, focusing on offspring immunocompe- competence and resilience to BRD in calves from tence, muscle and adipose tissue development, and CSSO cows, given that number of BRD treatments potential impacts on hyperphagia not addressed is negatively associated with feedlot performance herein (Marques et al., 2017; Cooke, 2019). and carcass merit (Blakebrough-Hall et al., 2020). Accordingly, maternal nutrition impacts develop- IMPLICATIONS ment of the fetal immune system and muscle tis- sues, including ɷ-6 FA as the CSSO source used Supplementing forage-fed beef cows during herein (Cooke, 2019). We also expected that CSSO late gestation with CSSO did not impact cow per- supplementation would improve carcass marbling, formance during gestation, or calf growth until a given that ɷ-6 FA stimulates adipogenesis via pro- 35-d preconditioning program. However, offspring gramming effects during gestation or early in life from CSSO cows had improved immunocompe- (Schubach et al., 2019). The benefits of CSSO tence in the feedlot, and expressed greater muscle supplementation during late gestation, however, development after being exposed to a high-energy were limited to muscle hypertrophy when offspring feedlot diet (e.g., carcass LM area). These results was provided a high-energy anabolic feedlot diet are suggestive of programming effects on postna- (Harper and Pethick, 2004), resulting in greater car- tal offspring growth and health resultant from ɷ-6 cass LM area. Therefore, additional research is still FA supplementation to late-gestating cows. Hence, Translate basic science to industry innovation S26 Brandão et al. supplementing CSSO to beef cows during preg- Harper, G. S., and D. W. Pethick. 2004. How might marbling nancy might be a feasible alternative to optimize begin? Aust. J. Exp. Agric. 44:653–662. doi:10.1071/ offspring productivity, welfare, and carcass merit in EA02114 Hess, B. W., G. E. Moss, and D. C. Rule. 2008. A decade beef production systems. of developments in the area of fat supplementation Conflict of interest statement. None declared. research with beef cattle and sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 86(14 Suppl.):E188–E204. doi:10.2527/jas.2007-0546 Marques, R. S., R. F. Cooke, M. C. Rodrigues, LITERATURE CITED A. P. Brandão, K. M. Schubach, K. D. Lippolis, BIF (Beef Improvement Federation). 2010. Guidelines for uni- P. Moriel, G. A. Perry, A. Lock, and D. W. Bohnert. form beef improvement programs. 9th ed. Raleigh, NC: 2017. Effects of supplementing calcium salts of pol- BIF, North Carolina State University. yunsaturated fatty acids to late-gestating beef cows

Blakebrough-Hall, C., J. P. McMeniman, and L. A. González. on performance and physiological responses of the Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/tas/article/4/Supplement_1/S22/6043895 by guest on 24 December 2020 2020. An evaluation of the economic effects of bovine offspring. J. Anim. Sci. 95:5347–5357. doi:10.2527/ respiratory disease on animal performance, carcass traits, jas2017.1606 and economic outcomes in feedlot cattle defined using Schubach, K. M., R. F. Cooke, A. P. Brandão, O. A. de Sousa, four BRD diagnosis methods. J. Anim. Sci. 98:skaa005. T. F. Schumaher, D. B. Jump, K. G. Pohler, D. W. Bohnert, doi:10.1093/jas/skaa005 and R. S. Marques. 2019. Supplementing calcium salts of Cooke, R. F. 2019. Effects on animal health and immune func- soybean oil to beef steers early in life to enhance carcass tion. Vet. Clin. North Am. Food Anim. Pract. 35:331–341. development and quality1. J. Anim. Sci. 97:4182–4192. doi:10.016/j.cvfa.2019.02.004 doi:10.1093/jas/skz272

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