Early milk-feeding regimes in calves exert long-term effects on the development of ovarian granulosa cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nutrition has not only an impact on the general wellbeing of an animal but can also affect reproductive processes. In cattle, feeding regimes can influence the age of puberty onset and alter gonadal development. We analyzed effects of different milk replacer (MR) feeding regimes during rearing on ovarian physiology with specific emphasis on the numbers as well as gene expression characteristics of granulosa cells (GCs) at the age of puberty onset. Two groups of calves received either 10% or 20% of bodyweight MR per day during their first 8 weeks. After weaning, both groups were fed the same mixed ration ad libitum until slaughter at 8 months.

Results

Animals of the 20% feeding group had a significantly higher body weight, but the proportion of animals having a cor

SUBMITTER: Rottgen V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10464335 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature