Browsing by Author "Torres Rovira, Laura"

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A cross-sectional study of obesity effects on the metabolomic profile of a leptin-resistant swine model
(2020) Sanz Fernández, María Victoria; Torres Rovira, Laura; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Garcia Contreras, Consolacion; Astiz, Susana; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio
Identifying metabolite signatures associated with obesity and related diseases might represent a valuable preventive and therapeutic tool to predict subjects at risk, establish an accurate prognosis, and monitor treatment success. The current cross-sectional study is aimed to evaluate the metabolite profile of diet-induced obesity in a porcine model of leptin resistance. Six Iberian female pigs prone to develop obesity (OB) were ad libitum fed a fat-enriched diet (HFD) for 82 days. Five lean Iberian sows (CON) in a maintenance diet served as controls. At the end of the dietary treatments, all animals were sacrificed, and plasma, liver, and muscle samples were immediately collected for nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. In plasma, signals corresponding to betaine, glycerophosphocholine/phosphocholine, glycine, and glutamate were decreased; and the valine signal was increased in OB sows compared to controls. Similarly, the betaine signal was decreased in the liver. No differences were detected in muscle. The observed metabolite changes suggest alterations in branched chain amino-acid metabolism and the methionine-homocysteine cycle, which have been previously associated with obesity-related diseases and type 2 diabetes in human observational studies. The current study supports the utilization of the leptin resistant Iberian pig for further interventional research in the field.
Antioxidant homeostasis is disturbed in fetuses with leptin-resistant genotypes: a cross-sectional study
(2018) Gonzalez Añover, Pedro; Torres Rovira, Laura; García Contreras, Consolación; Vazquez Gomez, Marta; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Sanz Fernandez, María Victoria; Astiz Balnco, Susana; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio
Leptin resistance is associated with lower reproductive efficiency, with deficiencies in embryo viability and growth leading to low prolificacy and high incidence of intrauterine growth restriction.
Differential effects of litter size and within-litter birthweight on postnatal traits of fatty pigs
(2020) Vázquez Gómez, Marta; García Contreras, Consolacion; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Torres Rovira, Laura; Heras Molina, Ana; Astiz, Susana; Óvilo, Cristina; Redondo, Beatriz Isabel; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio
The current work evaluated the relative effects of the number of piglets in the litter of origin (high vs. low litter size) and the birthweight (low (LBW) vs. normal (NBW) in large litters) on postnatal performance and quality of carcasses and meat in purebred Iberian pigs. The results indicated that NBW piglets born in large litters had disparities in developmental patterns in weight and size, back-fat deposition, and fatty acid composition of viscerae compared to NBW piglets from small litters, which again were different from those found in LBW piglets when compared to their NBW counterparts. However, both growth patterns were altered and might indicate previous phases of metabolic disorders.
Effects of L-glutamine supplementation during the gestation of gilts and sows on the offspring development in a traditional swine breed
(2021) Vázquez Gómez, Marta; García Contretas, Consolación; Astiz, Susana; Torres Rovira, Laura; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Heras Molina, Ana; Castro Madrigal, Teresa; López Bote, Clemente; Ovilo, Cristina; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio; Isabel, Beatriz
The use of amino acids during pregnancy, such as glutamine (Gln), seems to be a promising strategy in selected swine breeds to improve the offspring prenatal development. The main goal of the current study was to assess the development of the offspring from parity 1–3 sows of a traditional breed, which were supplemented with 1% glutamine after Day 35 of gestation, under farm conditions. A total of 486 (288 treated) piglets from 78 (46 treated) Iberian sows were used. At birth and slaughterhouse, fatty acid composition, metabolism, and mTOR pathway gene expression were analyzed. At birth, treated newborns showed greater amounts of specific amino acids in plasma, such as glutamine, asparagine, or alanine, and Σn-3 fatty acids in cellular membranes than control newborns. The expression of genes belonging to mTOR Complex 1 was also higher in treated piglets with normal birth-weight. However, these findings did not improve productive traits at birth or following periods in litters from supplemented gilts (parity 1) or sows (parities 2–3). Thus, further research is needed to properly understand the effects of prenatal glutamine supplementation, particularly in traditional swine breeds.
Effects of maternal factors during pregnancy on the birth weight of lambs in dairy sheep
(Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2018) Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Torres Rovira, Laura; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio; Astiz, Susana; Vazquez Gomez, Marta; Gonzalez Martin, Juan Vicente; Vazquez Gomez, Marta
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of physiological and productive factors of ewes (age and type of pregnancy and level of milk production) during pregnancy on birth weight of lambs. The study was carried out in a single commercial farm on 334 Lacaune dairy sheep, classified by age (187 mature and 147 maiden ewes), pregnancy type (155 single vs 179 multiple pregnancies), milk production average milk yield per day (YDIM),from conception to drying off; 45 Low yielding, LYDIM, <1.37 l/d; 70 Average yielding, AYDIM, 1.37 to <1.8l/d; 72 High yielding, HYDIM, >1.8 l/d; and average milk yield per day during month of conception (Yc); 45 Low yielding, LYc, <0.91 l/d; 70 Average yielding, AYc, 0.91 to <1.3 l/d; and 72 High yielding, HYc, >1.3 l/d). Lambs body weight was recorded in 576 lambs (253 males, 323 females) at birth and at 18 days old. Differences among groups were evaluated with ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test when non-normal distributed. The lambs born to mature ewes were heavier than those from maiden ewes both at birth (4.2±0.8 vs 3.5±0.8 kg; P<0.0001) and at 18 d-old (8.8±2.0 vs 6.8±1.6 kg; P<0.0001). Newborns from single pregnancies were heavier at birth than those born from multiple pregnancies (4.3±0.9 vs 3.8±0.8 kg; P<0.0001), but no difference was found at 18 d-old (8.0±2.1 vs 7.9±2.1 kg; P>0.05). The birth weight of lambs was similar in the groups HYDIM and AYDIM and heavier in these both groups than lambs from the groups LYDIM (4.3±0.8; 4.3±0.8; 4.0±0.8 kg; P<0.05); there were no differences at 18 d-old. Concomitantly, lambs of the groups HYc and AYc were heavier than lambs in the group LYc at birth (4.4±0.8; 4.2±0.7; 4.1±0.8 kg; P>0.05), but values were similar among the three groups at 18 d-old. The present study suggests that, age, type of pregnancy and level of milk production during gestation in ewes are determinants of lamb birth weight.
Effects of maternal factors on the metabolic profile throughout pregnancy in dairy sheep
(WBC 2018 SPONSORS, 2018) Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Torres Rovira, Laura; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio; Astiz, Susana; Vazquez Gomez, Marta; Gonzalez Martin, Juan Vicente; Gonzalez Martin, Juan Vicente
Objectives: Physiological states as pregnancy and lactation modify metabolism in sheep. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pregnancy features (parity and type of pregnancy) on the maternal metabolism in high yielding Lacaune dairy sheep. Material and methods: The study was carried out in a single commercial farm on 334 Lacaune dairy sheep, classified by age (187 mature and 147 maiden ewes), parity (145 multiparous vs. 42 primiparous) and type of pregnancy (161 single vs. 173 multiple). Fasting plasma samples were collected at two points during pregnancy mid and late-pregnancy (74±5 and 141±3 d, respectively) and postpartum (52±5 d after delivery). The following metabolic parameters were considered: plasma ß-hydroxybutyrate (ß-OHB), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose, lactate, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides and fructosamine. Differences among groups and interactions were evaluated with ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test when non-normal distributed. Results: ß-OHB was higher during gestation in mature than in maiden ewes (0.58±0.20 vs. 0.37±0.11 mmol/L; P< 0.0001) at mid pregnancy, (0.67±0.34 vs. 0.55±0.21 mmol/L; P< 0.0001) and late pregnancy, but did not differ with age at postpartum (0.78±0.25 vs. 0.74±0.23 mmol/L; P> 0.05). During gestation ß-OHB was not affected by type of pregnancy, although, postpartum ß-OHB was lower in ewes that had carried out single gestation than in those with multiple pregnancy (0.59±0.27 vs. 0.65±0.31 mmol/L; P< 0.01). At mid pregnancy NEFA were lower in mature than in maiden ewes (0.46±0.22 vs. 0.57±0.17 mmol/L; P< 0.0001); whereas NEFA were higher in mature at late pregnancy and postpartum (0.67±0.29 vs. 0.55± 0.18 mmol/L; P< 0.0001 for late pregnancy); (0.50±0.18 vs. 0.44±0.16 mmol/L; P=0.004 for postpartum). At late pregnancy, ewes carrying a single pregnancy showed lower NEFA than those with multiple foetuses (0.57±0.25 vs. 0.67±0.25 mmol/L; P< 0.0001). Glucose levels during gestation did not differ with age, however, at postpartum mature ewes had lower levels than maiden ewes (67.90±6.44 vs. 74.63±7.54 mg/dl P<0.0001). Glucose during gestation was higher in ewes carrying a single gestation at mid (65.45±15.48 vs. 60.44±8.82 mg/ dl; P< 0.004) and late pregnancy (71.84±14.62 vs. 67.37±12.53 mg/dl; P<0.003) but did not differ postpartum. Lactate was lower in mature ewes at mid pregnancy (16.34±8.73 vs. 18.85±10.13 mg/dl; P<0.003), and postpartum (11.13±6.90 vs. 12.07±5.64 mg/dl; P<0.01), but it was similar at late pregnancy and did not change by type of pregnancy. Urea was higher in mature ewes at mid pregnancy (57.44±11.23 vs. 39.95±7.86 mg/dl; P<0.0001) and postpartum (67.56±15.01 vs. 58.18±13.53 mg/dl; P<0.0001), but lower at late pregnancy (41.44±10.70 vs. 42.31±8.81; P<0.048). Urea was higher at late pregnancy in ewes carrying a single gestation (43.29±10.15 vs. 40.45±9.50 mg/dl; P<0.004). Cholesterol was higher during gestation in mature than in maiden ewes (P<0.0001). However, at postpartum cholesterol was higher in maiden ewes (108.79±21.76 vs. 100.44±21.74 mg/dl; P<0.001) and it was not affected by type of pregnancy. Triglycerides were higher in mature ewes (23.51±8.04 vs. 19.29±7.33 mg/dl; P< 0.001) at mid pregnancy. At postpartum, triglycerides were higher in maiden ewes (17.73±8.62 vs. 15.07±4.37mg/dl; P<0.001) and did not differ with type of pregnancy. Fructosamine was higher at mid gestation in mature ewes (310.77±31.63 vs. 275.47±30.58 umol/L; P<0.0001) and at the same time, it was affected by type of pregnancy (289.75±36.95 vs. 300.30±33.90 umol/L for single and multiple pregnancies respectively; P=0.013). The daily average milk yield during the lactation was not different between primiparous and multiparous (312.42±130.68 vs. 339.6±0.142.9 L; P>0.05); before getting pregnant, primiparous produced less than multiparous (1.71±0.62 vs. 2.07±0.67 L; P<0.05), and after conception primiparous produced the same as multiparous (1.11±0.38 vs. 1.07±0.46 L; P>0.05). Milk yield was not affected by type of pregnancy. Conclusions: The present data reveal interactions among maternal factors (age and type of pregnancy) physiological status (pregnancy and lactation) and time of pregnancy on the metabolism of dairy ewes, which be related to health and productivity.
Efficiency and demographics of a high-yield dairy ewe farm with two managing systems involving five or 10 lambings per year
(2018) Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Torres Rovira, Laura; Hernández Díaz, Fernando; Sanz Fernández, María Victoria; Pérez Villalobos, Natividad; Heras Molina, Ana; García Contreras, Consolación; Vázquez Gómez, Marta; Martínez Ros, Paula; González Martín, Juan V.; González Bulnes, Antonio; Astiz, Susana
This study assessed milk productivity, demographic characteristics and workload distribution on a single high-yield dairy ewe farm in Spain (Avila, Spain; continental climate, latitude of 40.90 N, altitude of 900 m) over a 7-year period considering a transition from a herd management system involving five lambings per year (5LY) to a system involving 10 lambings per year (10LY). The 5LY system was practiced on the farm from 2010 to 2012 and the 10LY system from 2014 to 2015, with 2009 and 2013 being considered transition years. During this period, 27 415 lactations were recorded from an average of 3746 Lacaune sheep/year. Several productivity parameters were higher in 2014 to 2015 than in 2010 to 2012: milk yield/lactation (370 ± 156 v. 349 ± 185 l), lactation length (218 ± 75 v. 192 ± 75 days) and dry period length (53.5 ± 38.3 v. 69.1 ± 34.8 days) (all P<0.0001). During 2014 to 2015, investment in new lambing facilities was possible, workload was distributed more uniformly throughout the year, workload per worker was smaller, rate of ewe culling was lower (35.39 ± 0.53% v. 42.51 ± 7.51%), ewe longevity was greater and higher-order lactations were more numerous ( P<0.0001). On the other hand, during 2010 to 2012, daily production was higher (1.73 ± 1.66 v. 1.70 ± 0.62 l/day; P=0.038), the interlambing period was shorter (283 ± 50 v. 302 ± 44 days; P<0.0001) and lambings/ewe per year were greater (1.42 ± 0.01 v. 1.30 ± 0.01; P<0.05). These results suggest that a 10LY herd management system can be compatible with profitability, productivity and good animal and worker’s welfare on a high-yield dairy farm, and may even be associated with better outcomes than a 5LY system.
Influence of maternal factors (weight, body condition, parity, and pregnancy rank) on plasma metabolites of dairy ewes and their lambs
(2019) Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Heras Molina, Ana; Torres Rovira, Laura; Sanz Fernández, María Victoria; García Contreras, Consolación; Vázquez Gómez, Marta; Feyjoo, Pablo; Cáceres, Elisa; Millán Frías, Mateo; Hernández, Fernando; Martínez Ros, Paula; González Martin, Juan Vicente; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio; Astiz, Susana
Pregnancy and lactation are challenging states that affect maternal and lamb health. In Lacaune dairy sheep, we evaluated the impact of parity, pregnancy rank, and body condition on body weight and the condition of ewes and lambs in mid-pregnancy (75 5 d), in late pregnancy (142 4d), and postpartum (52 5d pp). Maternal age was associated with initial decreases, followed by increases, in body weight and condition. After lambing, both mature and maiden ewes lost weight and body condition. Maternal indices of glucose, protein, and lipid metabolism were within physiological values during pregnancy, but postpartum values depended on maternal parity and pregnancy rank, with multiple-pregnant ewes showing a postpartum increase in glucose and maiden sheep a postpartum increase in plasma cholesterol concentration. Male lambs were heavier than female lambs at birth, and lambs born to mothers with higher body condition scores were heavier. Lambs born as singletons were heavier than those born in litters. Maternal age and pregnancy rank did not influence lamb metabolic indicators. Sex affected plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Maternal metabolic indicators showed minimal effects on lamb phenotype. These results suggest that, when appropriately fed, dairy sheep can cover the metabolic demands of pregnancy and milk production, regardless of age and pregnancy rank.
Las explotaciones lecheras no tienen que asumir una mala eficiencia reproductiva
(2018) Arias Vaca, Milton Rafael; Torres Rovira, Laura; Hernandez, Fernando; Gonzalez Martin, Juan Vicente; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis
Sin lugar a dudas, la eficiencia reproductiva compromete la rentabilidad de los rebaños. Desde los años 60, hemos ido observando como los indices reproductivos, en especial la tasa de concepción, ha ido disminuyendo a medida que la producción por lactacion y vaca se eleva.
Maternal metabolic demands caused by pregnancy and lactation: association with productivity and offspring phenotype in high-yielding dairy ewes
(2019) Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Heras Molina, Ana; Torres Rovira, Laura; Sanz Fernández, María Victoria; García Contreras, Consolación; Vázquez Gómez, Marta; Feyjoo, Pablo; Cáceres, Elisa; Millán Frías, Mateo; Hernández, Fernando; Martínez Ros, Paula; González Martin, Juan Vicente; González Bulnes, Antonio; Astiz, Susana
Pregnancy and lactation, especially when concurrent, create a rather metabolically demanding situation in dairy ruminants, but little is known about their e ects on o spring phenotype and milk yield. Here, we evaluated the impact of pregnancy and lactation on the metabolic traits and productive performance of Lacaune dairy sheep and their o spring. Productive performance was measured in terms of milk yield, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and size. Productivity was assessed during mid-pregnancy (75 5 d) and late pregnancy (142 4 d) and at 52 5 d in the postpartum period. During pregnancy, high-yielding ewes had higher BW, BCS, plasma glucose, cholesterol, -OHB, and NEFA than low-yielding ewes, but lower levels of lactate and urea. High-yielding animals had lower BCS after lambing, but their lambs showed greater growth. Productivity during lactation was a ected by ewe age and parity: Mature ewes (but not maiden sheep) whose BCS increased steeply during pregnancy yielded more milk in the subsequent lactation than those whose BCS did not increase. Lamb BW and size were positively associated with milk yield in the subsequent lactation. Mature ewes had higher yields than maiden sheep, and mature ewes with multiple pregnancies produced more milk than those with singleton pregnancies. Ewes with male singleton pregnancies also showed higher yield than those with female singletons.
Maternal metformin treatment improves developmental and metabolic traits of IUGR fetuses
(2019) García Contreras, Consolación; Vázquez Gómez, Marta; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Torres Rovira, Laura; Heras Molina, Ana; Encinas, Teresa; Astiz, Susana; González Bulnes, Antonio
Metformin is an anti-hyperglycemic drug widely used for the treatment of insulin resistance and glucose intolerance and is currently considered for preventing large-for-gestational-age (LGA) o spring in pregnant women a ected by obesity or diabetes. Our hypothesis was the opposite—metformin may be used for improving the development of o spring a ected by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preventing the appearance of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates in non-obese and non-diabetic but malnourished pregnancies. The current study, performed in a swine preclinical model of IUGR by undernutrition, showed that fetuses in the treated group showed no significant increases in body-weight, but showed a significantly higher weight of the brain, the total thoracic and abdominal viscera, the liver, the kidneys, the spleen, and the adrenal glands. Maternal metformin treatment was also related to significant increases in the fetal plasma concentration of parameters indicative of glycemic (glucose and fructosamine) and lipid profiles (triglycerides). Overall, these results suggest a protective e ect of the treatment on the developmental competence of the fetuses. These findings may be of high value for human medicine in case of maternal malnutrition, since metformin is a cheap drug easily available, but also in case of placental deficiency, since metformin seems to improve placental development and function.
Observational study on a novel management system involving 10 lambings per year in one high-yield dairy ewe farm
(WBC 2018 SPONSORS, 2018) Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Torres Rovira, Laura; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio; Astiz, Susana; Vazquez Gomez, Marta; Gonzalez Martin, Juan Vicente; Heras Molina, Ana; Sanz Fernandez, María Victoria; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio
Objectives: In order to reduce non-productive days in dairy ewe production, the “accelerated sheep mating systems” can be used. One example is the STAR system, which involves up to 5 lambings/ewe in 3 years (1.2 to 1.4 lambing/ewe/year) through 5 successive annual breeding and lambing seasons (5LY). Despite its feasibility, a major disadvantage to this system is an irregular distribution of the workload throughout the year. For instance, the farm staff capacity is easily overwhelmed during the lambings periods, resulting in a deficient care of the newborns. In an attempt to distribute the workload more evenly, a high-yielding Lacaune farm transitioned from the 5LY system to a novel one consisting on 10 lambing periods per year (10LY). The present study examines the efficiency, productivity and workload concentration in this farm under both systems. Its goal was to determine the effects of a more intensive management system on the farm’s productivity, animal welfare and workload distribution. Material and methods: This observational study was performed in a high-yielding Lacaune dairy ewe farm (“Granja Cerromonte”, Spain). The 5LY system was performed from 2010 to 2012, and the 10LY system from 2014 to 2015. Years 2009 and 2013 were considered transition years. During this period, 27,415 lactations were recorded from an average of 3,746 ewes/year. Results: Daily production (1.70 ± 0.62 l/d vs 1.73 ± 1.66; P = 0.038), interlambing period (302 ± 44 vs 283 ± 50 d; P < 0.0001) and lambings/ewe/year (1.30 ± 0.01 vs1.42 ± 0.01; P < 0.05) slightly worsened in the 10LY system compared to the 5LY one. In contrast, milk yield/lactation (370 ± 156 vs. 349 ± 185 L), lactation length (218±75 vs 192 ± 75 d) and dry period length (53.5 ± 38.3 vs 69.1 ± 34.8 d) (all P < 0.0001) were better in the 10LY system. Most importantly, the workload distribution improved by the 10LY system implementation. During 2010–2012, an average of 889.19 ± 158.47 lambings/lambing period (range, 664 to 1 291) was recorded, resulting in an average of 1,502.73 ± 267.82 live newborn lambs/lambing period and 20.80±18.73 lambings/day (range, 1 to 110). There were 500.6 lambs and 296.6 lambings per worker during lambings periods. Extra work hours were necessary at peak lambings/ day. However, during 2014–2015, an average of 443.66 ± 253.18 lambings/lambing period (range, 85 to 937) was recorded, resulting in 709.85 ± 405.10 live newborn lambs/lambing period and 15.16±7.83 lambings/day (range, 1 to 51). There were 354.5 lambs and 221.5 lambings per worker during lambing periods. Since the lambing and lamb related workload was better distributed in the 10LY-period, the workload/worker fell by 50%, needing only two workers/lambing season to take care of the lambings and lamb pens in the 10LY system (354.5 lambs and 221.5 lambing per worker), compared to the three necessary in the 5LY one (500.6 lambs and 296.6 lambing per worker). Further, culling rate decreased (35.39 ± 0.53 vs 42.51 ± 7.51 % P=0.294) and higher-order lactations increased (24.17 vs 16,08%, P<0.0001) which could be the result of better ewe and lamb management. Another possible benefit could be the increase in the worker’s welfare, since the workload does not concentrate so drastically in certain days. Conclusions: Our study suggests that a 10LY herd management system can be compatible with good profitability and productivity and, more importantly, better animal welfare due to lack of animal overcrowding and better care of lambs and ewes during lambing. Furthermore, it could also mean better working conditions for the farm staff, since the workload is more uniformly distributed throughout the year.
Polyphenols and IUGR pregnancies: effects of maternal hydroxytyrosol supplementation on hepatic fat accretion and energy and fatty acids profile of fetal tissues
(2019) García Contreras, Consolación; Vazquez Gomez, Marta; Pardo, Zaira; Heras Molina, Ana; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Encinas, Teresa; Torres Rovira, Laura; Astiz, Susana; Nieto, Rosa; Ovilo, Cristina; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio; Isabel, Beatriz
Maternal supplementation with hydroxytyrosol, a polyphenol present in olive leaves and fruits, is a highly promising strategy to improve the oxidative and metabolic status of fetuses at risk of intrauterine growth restriction, which may diminish the appearance of low-birth-weight neonates. The present study aimed to determine whether hydroxytyrosol, by preventing lipid peroxidation, may influence the fat accretion and energy homeostasis in the liver, as well as the fatty acid composition in the liver and muscle. The results indicate that hydroxytyrosol treatment significantly decreased the energy content of the fetal liver, without a ecting fat accretion, and caused significant changes in the availability of fatty acids. There were significant increases in the amount of total polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, which are highly important for adequate fetal tissue development. However, there were increases in the omega-6/omega-3 ratio and the desaturation index, which make further studies necessary to determine possible e ects on the pro/anti-inflammatory status of the fetuses.
Polyphenols and iugr pregnancies: effects of maternal hydroxytyrosol supplementation on placental gene expression and fetal antioxidant status, dna-methylation and phenotype
(2019) García Contreras, Consolación; Vázquez Gómez, Marta; Barbero Fernández, Alicia; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Zinellu, Angelo; Berlinguer, Fiammetta; González Añover, Pedro; González, Jorge Ernesto; Encinas, Teresa; Torres Rovira, Laura; Nuñez, Yolanda; Ballesteros, Jaime; Ayuso, Miriam; Astiz, Susana; Isabel, Beatriz; González Bulnes, Antonio
The use of polyphenols is a promising strategy for preventing or alleviating intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) because polyphenol supplementation increases plasma antioxidant capacity and improves oxidative stress at the feto-placental unit; which are recognized as main issues in IUGR. However, there is a scarcity of experimental data on both realistic benefits and potential hazards of polyphenol supplementation during gestation. Hence, we aimed to use a swine model of IUGR pregnancy to determine possible effects of maternal supplementation with polyphenols (hydroxytyrosol) on placental expression of genes involved in antioxidant homeostasis, vascularization and fetal growth and thus on antioxidant status, DNA-methylation and phenotypic traits (morphology and homeostasis) of the fetus. Hydroxytyrosol improves placental gene expression and fetal antioxidant status and glucose metabolism in a sex-dependent manner, in which males were favored in spite of developmental failures. Concomitantly, hydroxytyrosol prevented hypomethylation of DNA associated with oxidative stress. Finally, no major deleterious effects of hydroxytyrosol supplementation on constriction of the ductus arteriosus, a possible secondary effect of polyphenols during pregnancy, were found. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Polyphenols and IUGR pregnancies: effects of maternal hydroxytyrosol supplementation on postnatal growth, metabolism and body composition of the offspring
(2019) Vázquez Gómez, Marta; Heras Molina, Ana; García Contreras, Consolación; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Torres Rovira, Laura; Martinez Fernandez, Beatriz; Gonzalez, Jorge; Encinas, Teresa; Astiz, Susana; Ovilo, Cristina; Isabel, Beatriz; González Bulnes, Antonio
Maternal supplementation with the polyphenol hydroxytyrosol in a swine model of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) improves the fetal oxidative status, decreases the appearance of low birth-weight neonates and favors growth during early postnatal stages (lactation). The current study aimed to determine whether hydroxytyrosol supplementation can also improve developmental patterns, metabolic traits, and body composition of the offspring during later postnatal stages (from weaning to adulthood). A total of 21 piglets born from control untreated sows and 20 piglets born from sows treated with hydroxytyrosol during the last two-thirds of pregnancy were selected on the basis of similar body weights at weaning, for avoiding any interfering effects occurred during lactation. The pigs in the treated group had higher average daily weight gain (ADWG) and, therefore, reached higher body weight and corpulence, greater muscle development and higher adiposity than their control counterparts. The following were not found: significant effects on metabolism and body composition except changes in the muscular fatty acid composition of the treated pigs coming from the largest litters; those more affected by IUGR processes. These findings suggest that maternal supplementation with hydroxytyrosol may improve juvenile development of offspring in at-risk pregnancies and pave the way for more specific studies aiming to elucidate effects on adiposity, metabolism, and meat organoleptic characteristics.