Metabolomic profile comparison of Nellore cows with high and low blood perfusion of the corpus luteum at Doppler diagnosis

• Grant number: 25/01124-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Nara Regina Brandão Cônsolo
• Grantee: Letícia Santana Pichelli
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/08845-3 - The metabolomic approach to improve Nellore beef tenderness: a concept of metabotype and biomarkers, AP.JP

Abstract

Beef cattle farming is a fundamental activity for the Brazilian economy, standing out for its production and export of beef. The success of this activity depends on technologies that enhance herd productivity, with super-early resynchronization being a key strategy, as it increases the cumulative pregnancy rate, reduces calving intervals, and optimizes genetic resources, improving the sustainability and profitability of beef cattle farming. This technique uses Doppler ultrasonography to assess the perfusion of the corpus luteum 20 days after insemination, allowing for the rapid identification of non-pregnant females. The perfusion of the corpus luteum, which indicates vascularization and progesterone production, is crucial for maintaining early pregnancy. However, limitations such as false positives can compromise reproductive management.Identifying metabolic differences in females with high or low corpus luteum perfusion is essential to improve diagnostic accuracy and minimize errors. Tools such as metabolomics enable the analysis of metabolic profiles, identifying biomarkers that optimize reproductive efficiency. These analyses are particularly useful for correlating vascularization with gestational status and improving pregnancy diagnosis.The study analyzed 135 Nelore cows during the 2023/2024 breeding season, using hormonal protocols for ovulation synchronization and resynchronization. The females were divided into two groups: pregnant (perfusion >25%) and non-pregnant (perfusion below 25%). Blood samples were collected for metabolomic analysis using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-RMN).The expected results include differences in the metabolic profiles of the two groups, contributing to a better understanding of female metabolism at the time of Doppler diagnosis. This could improve diagnostic accuracy and contribute to the economic and productive sustainability of beef cattle farming.