Metabolomics approach to evaluate calves raised with growth-promoting implants

• Grant number: 23/16557-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Nara Regina Brandão Cônsolo
• Grantee: Brenda Santos de Oliveira
• Supervisor: Gleise Medeiros da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Research place: University of Alberta, Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/08192-8 - Evaluation of metabolic pathways correlated with performance and muscle mass deposition of Nelore calves during the rearing period., BP.IC

Abstract

Scientific research has witnessed remarkable progress in recent decades, propelled by advancements in interconnected disciplines such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and, more recently, metabolomics. The term 'metabolomics' was introduced relatively recently, around the 2000s, by Dr. Oliver Fiehn and his colleagues (FIEHN et al., 2000). Metabolomics has since assumed a pivotal role in the realm of omics sciences, emerging as a fundamental tool for comprehending biological processes. It stands out for its capacity to offer a comprehensive insight into the metabolome, which encompasses the entirety of metabolites present in an organism or biological system. Within this framework, our project centers on the utilization of metabolomics to deepen our comprehension of the impacts associated with the administration of growth hormone implants in calves. This research holds direct significance for the livestock industry. The selection of metabolomics as a primary tool is driven by its unique ability to unveil intricate details about molecular-level metabolic processes, thereby providing a precise snapshot of the physiological status of the animals. Our project aims to investigate the ramifications of growth hormone implants, specifically trenbolone acetate (TBA) and estradiol-17², in neonatal calves. This approach involves elevating the concentrations of IGF-I (Insulin-like Growth Factor I) in the animals' bloodstream, a factor linked to enhanced growth and development. Furthermore, the administration of TBA has demonstrated its capacity to reduce circulating cortisol levels, a catabolic hormone that can adversely impact the animals' immune response, particularly concerning antibody production. To achieve these objectives, we leverage the power of metabolomics, a pivotal element that enables the assessment of alterations in metabolic profiles resulting from these treatments. Metabolomics, with its ability to identify and quantify low-molecular-weight metabolites like sugars, lipids, and amino acids, assumes a critical role in unraveling the intricate interplay between nutrition and growth. Moreover, it provides a robust foundation for comprehending the physiological implications of metabolic changes that manifest in calves subjected to growth-promoting hormone implants.