Colostrum induction of peroxisomes: making the link between perinatal nutrition and long-term development and fertility in swine

• Grant number: 21/12819-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: March 24, 2022
• End date: March 23, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Arlindo Saran Netto
• Grantee: Leriana Garcia Reis
• Supervisor: Theresa Casey
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Purdue University, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/22764-9 - Impact of enriched milk naturally with linseed and soybean oil, over gene expression and immune system, BP.DR

Abstract

The cost of replacement gilts having limited colostrum intake costs the pork industry over $200 million each year. Our exploratory analysis found infertile sows had lower levels of arachidonic acid (ARA) and a greater abundance of very-long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) than highly fertile sows. Since vaginal swabs were taken at three weeks of age, we surmised that ARA indicated level of colostrum intake. Secondly, high levels of VLCFA in the infertile animals was indicative of buildup ofin the tissue. Individuals with peroxisomal disorders have buildup of VLCFA. Peroxisomes play central roles in lipid homeostasis and fertility. We hypothesize that differing levels of colostrum stimulate differing rates of peroxisomal biogenesis. Differing levels of peroxisomal function and metabolites in tum affect development of the reproductive systems that affects life-long fertility. The overall goal of the project is to establish the link between colostrum intake and induction of peroxisome biogenesis and metabolites and fertility in swine and complete the following 1) Measure the fractional synthetic rate of peroxisome related proteins in response to level of colostrum intake in liver, jejunum and vaginal tissue of gilts; 2) Analyze whether abundance of peroxisomes in tissues and mRNA expression of peroxisomal related proteins is altered in response to level of colostrum intake, and 3) Determine if there is a relationship between level of colostrum intake the first 24 h after birth with temporal changes in tissue and blood lipids and fertility outcomes. (AU)