Prenatal nutrition modulates hepatic long non-coding RNA regulatory elements in Nellore cattle offspring

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Epigenetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Maternal nutrition is crucial for fetal development and long-term health outcomes.
• Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key epigenetic regulators with emerging roles in livestock production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of different maternal dietary strategies on hepatic lncRNA expression in Nellore cattle offspring.
• To identify specific lncRNAs and their regulatory roles influenced by prenatal nutrition.

Main Methods:

• 126 pregnant Nellore cows received distinct dietary treatments (NP, PP, FP).
• Offspring liver samples were analyzed using RNA-Sequencing to identify and quantify lncRNAs.
• Bioinformatic tools (FEELnc, CPC2, DESeq2) were used for lncRNA identification and differential expression analysis.
• Regulatory network analysis (Partial Correlation, Regulatory Impact Factor) identified key lncRNAs and enriched biological processes.

Main Results:

• 3,257 lncRNAs were identified, with 17 classified as differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) (FDR < 0.1).
• The late protein-energy supplementation group (PP) showed the most significant transcriptional changes compared to the control (NP), with 10 DELs identified.
• Specific DELs, such as TU7296, were linked to energy metabolism and immune function, while others were associated with fatty acid transport and oxidative protein folding.

Conclusions:

• Maternal nutrition during pregnancy exerts a lasting influence on the hepatic transcriptome of beef cattle offspring via lncRNA-mediated epigenetic mechanisms.
• Dietary protein-energy supplementation strategies can modulate offspring's metabolic and immune-related gene expression profiles.