Browsing by Author "Vázquez Gómez, Marta"

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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.
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.
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.
Maternal supplementation with polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy: effects on growth, metabolism, and body composition of the offspring
(2020) Heras Molina, Ana; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Astiz, Susana; García Contreras, Consolacion; Vázquez Gómez, Marta; Encinas, María Teresa; Óvilo, Cristina; Isabel, Beatriz; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio
Maternal supplementation with antioxidants and n3 PUFAs may be a promising strategy to reduce the risk of intrauterine growth restriction and preterm delivery, which may diminish the appearance of low-birth-weight neonates. The present study aimed to determine benefits and risks of a dietary supplementation combining hydroxytyrosol, a polyphenol from olive leaves and fruits, and n3 PUFAs, from linseed oil, on developmental patterns and metabolic traits of offspring in swine, a model of IUGR pregnancies. The results obtained indicate that maternal supplementation with hydroxytyrosol and n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy has no deleterious effects on the reproductive traits of the sows (prolificacy, homogeneity of the litter, and percentage of stillborns and low-birth-weight, LBW, piglets) and the postnatal features of the piglets (growth patterns, adiposity, and metabolic traits). Conversely, in spite of a lower mean weight and corpulence at birth, piglets from the supplemented sows showed higher average daily weight gain and fractional growth rate. Thus, at juvenile stages afterwards, the offspring from the treated group reached higher weight and corpulence, with increased muscle development and better lipidemic and fatty acid profiles, in spite of similar adiposity, than offspring in the control group. However, much caution and more research are still needed before practical recommendation and use in human pregnancies.
Maternal supplementation with polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy: prenatal effects on fetal fatty acid composition in the iberian pig
(2022) Escudero, Rosa ; Heras Molina, Ana; González Bulnes, Antonio; Óvilo, Cristina; Astiz, Susana; Vázquez Gómez, Marta; García Contreras, Consolación; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Isabel, Beatriz
Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) is a major problem in pig production and different strategies, mainly maternal supplementation with different agents, are currently being studied. The combination of hydroxytyrosol and n3-PUFA seems to be a promising treatment to counteract IUGR, since the combination may help improve n3-PUFA composition and lower the inflammatory status of IUGR piglets. The aim of the present study is to determine the effects of a maternal supplementation, from day 35 to day 100 of pregnancy, with linseed oil and hydroxytyrosol on the fetal FA composition. The results showed higher n3 levels, including eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic FA in the offspring from treated gilts, which showed lower n6-PUFA/n3-PUFA (n6/n3) ratios. Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were also affected by treatment, especially in the muscle and brain. Thus, a maternal supplementation with linseed oil and hydroxytyrosol affected the fetal FA tissue composition, which could have implications in pig production due to the improvement of the piglets’ health status
Maternal supplementation with polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy: prenatal effects on growth and metabolism
(2021) Astiz, Susana ; García Contreras, Consolacion; Redondo, Beatriz Isabel; Óvilo, Cristina; Nuñez, Yolanda; Heras Molina, Ana; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Vázquez Gómez, Marta; López García, Adrián; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio; Benitez, Rita
Maternal supplementation with antioxidants and n-3 PUFAs may be a promising strategy to reduce the risk of intrauterine growth restriction and preterm delivery, which may diminish the appearance of low-birth-neonates. A previous studies showed beneficial outcomes of the combination of hydroxytyrosol and linoleic acid, but there is no data of its prenatal effects. The present study aimed to determine the possible prenatal implications of such maternal supplementation at prenatal stages in swine, a model of IUGR pregnancies. Results showed effects on litter size, with treated sows having larger litters and, therefore, smaller fetuses. However, the brain/head weight ratio showed a positive effect of the treatment in development, as well as in some other major organs like lungs, spleen, or kidneys. On the other hand, treated piglets showed better glycemic and lipidemic profiles, which could explain postnatal effects. However, further research on the implications of the treatment on litter size and prenatal and postnatal development must be done before practical recommendation can be given.
Metformin alleviates obesity and systemic oxidative stress in obese young swine
(2020) Astiz, Susana; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio; Astiz, Isabel; Barbero Fernández, Alicia; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; García Contreras, Consolacion; Vázquez Gómez, Marta; Heras Molina, Ana
The present study assessed the relationship between obesity induced by lifestyle and systemic oxidative stress and possible modulations by oral metformin treatments in young individuals, by using a translational swine model of obesity and associated cardiometabolic disorders (Iberian pig). The results indicate the existence of an age-related increase in both adiposity and systemic oxidative stress (using hydrogen peroxide as a marker), which is higher in individuals with obesogenic lifestyle and increased weight and obesity. Such effect was not found in individuals treated with metformin. The translation of these results suggests that childhood obesity increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and therefore systemic oxidative stress. Treatment with metformin would improve such oxidative status.
Obesity and metabolic traits after high-fat diet in iberian pigs with low birth weight of placental origin
(2022) Bassols, Anna; Heras Molina, Ana; Yeste Vizcaino, Natalia; Esteban, Porrini; Lima, Sergio Luis; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Vázquez Gómez, Marta; Bettiga, Arianna; Trevisani, Francesco; García Contreras, Consolación; González Bulnes, Antonio
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and later obesity and metabolic disorders have classically been associated with maternal malnutrition, but most cases of IUGR are related to placental insufficiency. The current study, using a swine model for IUGR and obesity, aimed to determine the interaction of birth weight (categorized as low birth weight [LBW] or normal birth-weight [NBW]) and postnatal diet (categorized as maintenance diet [MD] or fattening diet [FD]) on body weight, adiposity and metabolic traits. FD induced higher body weight and adiposity (both p < 0.0001), with higher fructosamine levels (p < 0.005) and a trend toward higher HOMA-β index (p = 0.05). NBW pigs remained heavier than LBW pigs during the early juvenile period (p < 0.005), but there were no differences at later stages. There were no differences in metabolic traits during juvenile development, but there were differences in adulthood, when LBW pigs showed higher glucose and lower insulin levels than NBW pigs (both p < 0.05). These results suggest that (a) FD allows LBW offspring to achieve similar obesity in adulthood as NBW offspring, and (b) glucose metabolism is more compromised in obese LBW than obese NBW pigs. The comparison of our data with previous studies highlights significant differences between offspring with LBW induced by maternal malnutrition or placental insufficiency, which should be considered when studying the condition.
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.
Short-term effects of early menopause on adiposity, fatty acids profile and insulin sensitivity of a swine model of female obesity
(2020) Heras Molina, Ana; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Vázquez Gómez, Marta; García Contretas, Consolación; Astiz, Susana; Redondo Yelamos, Beatriz Isabel; Gonzalez Bulnes, Antonio
Menopause strongly increases incidence and consequences of obesity and non-communicable diseases in women, with recent research suggesting a very early onset of changes in lipid accumulation, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. However, there is a lack of adequate preclinical models for its study. The present trial evaluated the usefulness of an alternative method to surgical ovariectomy, the administration of two doses of a GnRH analogue-protein conjugate (Vacsincel®), for inducing ovarian inactivity in sows used as preclinical models of obesity and menopause. All the sows treated with the compound developed ovarian stoppage after the second dose and, when exposed to obesogenic diets during the following three months, showed changes in the patterns of fat deposition, in the fatty acids profiles at the different tissues and in the plasma concentrations of fructosamine, urea, β-hydroxibutirate, and haptoglobin when compared to obese fed with the same diet but maintaining ovarian activity. Altogether, these results indicate that menopause early augments the deleterious effects induced by overfeeding and obesity on metabolic traits, paving the way for future research on physiopathology of these conditions and possible therapeutic targets using the swine model.
The role of offspring genotype-by-sex interactions, independently of environmental cues, on the phenotype traits of an obese swine model
(2020) González Bulnes, Antonio; Heras Molina, Ana; Pesántez Pacheco, José Luis; Astiz, Susana; Garcia Contreras, Consolación; Vázquez Gómez, Marta; Beatriz, Isabel; Ovilo, Cristina
The present study aimed to assess the importance of offspring genotype on postnatal development, independently of confounding factors related to prenatal environment and postnatal lifestyle, using a translational model of obesity and metabolic syndrome (the Iberian pig). Hence, we compared two genotypes (purebred Iberian and crossbreds Iberian × Large White), produced in one single maternal environment (pure Iberian mothers) through artificial insemination of Iberian sows with Iberian and Large White heterospermic semen and maintained in the same conditions during postnatal development. The results indicate that, under same pre-and postnatal environments, the interaction genotype-by-sex has a determinant role on offspring phenotype (i.e., growth and development, metabolic and antioxidant status and fatty acid composition of different tissues). These results may set the basis for future preclinical and clinical research on the differences in the metabolic phenotype among genotypes.