One-carbon metabolism in beef cattle throughout the production cycle

Authors: Crouse, Matthew; Cushman, Robert; REDIFER, COLBY - University Of Missouri; Neville, Bryan; WARD, ALISON - University Of Saskatchewan; DAHLEN, CARL - North Dakota State University; CATON, JOEL - North Dakota State University

Submitted to: Ruminant Physiology International Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/16/2024
Publication Date: 8/1/2024
Citation: Crouse, M.S., Cushman, R.A., Redifer, C., Neville, B.W., Ward, A., Dahlen, C., Caton, J. 2024. One-carbon metabolism in beef cattle throughout the production cycle [abstract]. Ruminant Physiology International Symposium Proceedings. Aug. 26-29, 2024, Chicago, IL. Abstract Program p. 6-7.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: One-carbon metabolism (OCM) is a series of connected pathways involving the methionine-folate cycles, transsulfuration, polyamine synthesis, nucleotide synthesis, free-radical scavenging, and energy metabolism pathways. These pathways functionally depend upon amino acids (methionine, glycine, and serine), vitamins (folate, B2, B6, and B12), and minerals (sulfur and cobalt). Growing bodies of research indicate that physiological stage, nutritional plane, diet, species (taurus vs. indicus), rumen protected versus not, individual versus combination supplementation, and method of delivery all affect the efficacy of one-carbon metabolite supplementation in beef cattle. Infusion studies showed that supplementing methionine to growing steers improves N retention and alters hepatic activity of methionine synthase; however, only supplementing methionine without folate decreases folate concentrations in circulation. When heifers were supplemented with methionine, choline, folate, and B12 for the first 63 d of gestation, metabolomic analysis revealed increasing OCM analytes to the heifer, but a buffering effect with minimal changes seen in fetal hepatic metabolite abundance. Methionine supplementation to heifers during the periconceptual period increased heifer circulating methionine but shifts fetal hepatic metabolism toward the transsulfuration pathway. In vitro supplementation of choline to beef cattle embryos results in calves of increased birth and weaning weights. Periconceptual methionine supplementation to cows increased gain and total-tract digestibility of calves. Overall, these data demonstrate that OCM is altered in those cattle receiving one-carbon metabolites, and that a metabolic programming response is elicited in offspring receiving supplements in vitro or during early gestation. Research should be considered to maximize efficiency of beef cattle production at all stages by identifying limiting metabolites or enzymes to maximize efficiency of OCM in beef cattle, as well as to understand the concerted effects of multiple one-carbon metabolites to balance the stoichiometry of the pathway.