A Pilot Study: Maternal Undernutrition Programs Energy Metabolism and Alters Metabolic Profile and Morphological Characteristics of Skeletal Muscle in Postnatal Beef Cattle

Objectives: This study investigated the long-term effects of maternal undernutrition on overall muscle metabolism, growth performance, and muscle characteristics in postnatal offspring of Wagyu (Japanese Black) cattle. Methods: Wagyu cows were divided into nutrient-adequate (control, CNT; n = 4, 120% of requirements) and nutrient-restricted groups (NR; n = 4; 60% of requirements), and treated from day 35 of gestation until parturition. Diets were delivered on the basis of crude protein requirements, meeting 100% and 80% of dry matter requirements in CNT and NR groups, respectively. All offspring were provided with the same diet from birth to 300 days of age (d). Longissimus thoracis muscle (LM) samples were collected from the postnatal offspring. Results: The NR offspring had lower birth body weight, but their body weight caught up before weaning. These offspring showed enhanced efficiency in nutrient utilization during the post-weaning growth period. Comprehensive analyses of metabolites and transcripts revealed the accumulation of proteinogenic amino acid, asparagine, in NR offspring LM at 300 d, while the abundance of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and succinate were reduced. These changes were accompanied by decreased gene expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit A12 (NDUFA12), and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (ND5), which are essential for mitochondrial energy production. Additionally, NR offspring LM exhibited decreased abundance of neurotransmitter, along with a higher proportion of slow-oxidative myofibers and a lower proportion of fast-oxidative myofibers at 300 d. Conclusions: Offspring from nutrient-restricted cows might suppress muscle energy production, primarily in the mitochondria, and conserve energy expenditure for muscle protein synthesis. These findings suggest that maternal undernutrition programs a thrifty metabolism in offspring muscle, with long-term effects.