Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Livestock Issues Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #325487
Title: Influence of prenatal stress on insulin response to a glucose challenge in yearling Brahman bulls

Author
item D'OREY BRANCO, RUI - Texas A&M University
item NEUENDORFF, DON - Texas A&M University
item SCHMIDT, SARAH - Texas A&M University
item Sanchez, Nicole
item Carroll, Jeffery - Jeff Carroll
item WELSH, THOMAS - Texas A&M University
item RANDEL, RONALD - Texas A&M University

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/8/2016
Publication Date: 3/4/2016
Citation: D'Orey Branco, R.A., Neuendorff, D.A., Schmidt, S.E., Sanchez, N.C., Carroll, J.A., Welsh, T.H., Randel, R.D. 2016. Influence of prenatal stress on insulin response to a glucose challenge in yearling Brahman bulls. Journal of Animal Science. 94:, No.Supplement 1, pg.33.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: We hypothesized that stressing cows during gestation (prenatal stress, PNS) would increase the insulin sensitivity of their progeny. Progeny of PNS cows subjected to transportation for 2 hour periods on days 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 of gestation were compared with progeny of nontransported controls (CON). Yearling CON (n= 12) and PNS (n= 12) bulls with similar BW (298.50 +/- 5.95 kg) and temperament were selected for the study. Following 12 hours off feed the bulls were fitted with jugular vein catheters and placed in individual stanchions. After a 2 hour acclimation period, bulls were administered a glucose tolerance test (0.5 mL/kg body weight of 50% dextrose solution). Blood samples were collected at 10 minute intervals for 40 minutes and then at 20 minute intervals until 180 minutes postchallenge. Serum concentrations of glucose and insulin were determined by enzymatic assay and ELISA, respectively. Data were analyzed using mixed models procedures of SAS with repeated measures. Basal concentrations of insulin (P< 0.53) and glucose (P< 0.35) were not affected by PNS. Serum insulin increased in both CON and PNS bulls within 10 minutes of glucose administration with a tendency for PNS bulls to reach the insulin peak earlier (P= 0.09) and return to basal insulin earlier (P< 0.01) than CON bulls. Glucose concentration was not affected by treatment (P= 0.14) or by the interaction of treatment by time (P= 0.53). Time to reach basal glucose concentration was unaffected by treatment (P= 0.73). The area under the response curve was greater for glucose (P< 0.01) and lesser for insulin (P< 0.01) in the PNS bulls compared to CON bulls. The insulin to glucose ratio was lesser (P<0.06) in PNS bulls. These results support our hypothesis that PNS increased sensitivity to insulin.