Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Burnett, Derris

Committee Member

Lemley, Caleb O.

Committee Member

Crenshaw, Mark A.

Committee Member

Smith, Trent

Date of Degree

8-10-2018

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Agriculture (Animal Science)

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine: the effects of maternal melatonin (MEL) supplementation during late gestation on the histological and molecular regulation in the Longissimus dorsi (LM) muscle of fetal bovine offspring, composition and gene expression of fetal perirenal (PR) adipose tissue, and LM gene expression in postnatal offspring at birth and d 195 of age. Maternal supplementation of MEL during late gestation resulted in no difference in calf fetal body weight or birth weight. However, at d 195 of age, calves from MEL treated dams had an average body weight increase of 20 kg. Fetal LM weight and length tended to be increased in calves from MEL treated dams. Fetal gene expression of calves from MEL treated dams resulted in: increased LM adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase-α (AMPK) and decreased PR adiponectin (ADIPOQ), CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (CEBPA), proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARg), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD). The improved metabolic status of LM coupled with the decrease in adipogenic gene expression, could result in calves from MEL treated dams having improved lean muscle accretion and reduced overall adiposity during postnatal development.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/21077

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