Neonatal vitamin A injection promotes cattle muscle growth and increases oxidative muscle fibers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vitamin A and its metabolite, retinoic acid (RA), are important regulators of cell differentiation and organ morphogenesis. Its impact on beef cattle muscle growth remains undefined.

Method

Angus steer calves were administrated with 0 (control) or 150,000 IU vitamin A (retinyl palmitate in glycerol, i.m.) per calf at birth and 1 month of age. At 2 months of age, a biopsy of the Biceps femoris muscle was obtained to analyze the immediate effects of vitamin A injection on myogenic capacity of muscle cells. The resulting steers were harvested at 14 months of age.

Results

Vitamin A administration increased cattle growth at 2 months. At 2 months of age, Vitamin A increased PAX7 positive satellite cells and the expression of myogenic marker genes including

SUBMITTER: Wang B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6236944 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature