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Submitted to: Midwestern Section of the American Society of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/2010 Publication Date: 9/1/2011 Citation: Rempel, L.A. 2011. Influence of metabolic pathways on dam longevity [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 89 (E-Supplement 2):140 (Abstract #279). Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Metabolism is an ever-changing dynamic system that can influence various physiological conditions including reproductive performance. It has been established that use of caloric restriction can enhance lifespan. But, it is also a well known fact that high energy demands in tandem with moderate to low feed intake can reduce reproductive capabilities. Swinging wildly to the other end of the pendulum, excessive weight gain can have detrimental effects on longevity and reproduction as well. Recent reports in human studies have coined the phrase “skinny fat,” otherwise known as normal weight obesity in which slender-framed people have excessive visceral fat altering their hepatic metabolism to reflect an obese environment. It is not out of the norm to expect similar variation within livestock species. Genetic selection within the dairy industry for milk yields has had a negative impact on fertility, reducing dam stayability. Similarly in the swine industry, peripartal energy demands can have a detrimental effect on weaning-to-estrus interval and reproductive performance post-weaning. Researchers are investigating alterations to metabolites during strenuous phases to better understand the relationship of metabolism and fertility. This presentation will highlight some of the current work being conducted in cattle, swine, rodent, and human studies to better ascertain the alterations in metabolic pathways and their impact on longevity from a reproductive standpoint. Obviously, variation in body condition exists and cannot be the end all, be all for estimates on dam longevity. But rather, these components used in tandem with genomic, gene expression, and applied studies will potentially provide useful measures to identify females that will have an innate opportunity to withstand nutritional insults while maintaining reproductive values contributing to dam longevity. |
