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- Title
Manipulation of Neonatal Leptin Profile via Exogenous Cortisol in Beef Calves.
- Authors
Lewis, L. K.; Ricks, R. E.; Long, N. M.
- Abstract
Ruminant animals exhibit a neonatal surge in leptin important for the programming of the hypothalamic center responsible for appetite regulation. Postnatal leptin concentrations have been shown to be influenced by maternal diet and elevated circulating cortisol. It has not yet been established whether postnatal leptin concentrations can be manipulated by exogenous glucocorticoids in cattle. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of exogenous cortisol on the leptin profile of newborn calves. Angus crossbred cows (n = 31) were blocked by parity, BCS, and age and bred via natural service. Upon parturition (d 0), calf BW was recorded and each calf was infused with either a hydrocortisol sodium succinate solution (HC) at a dosage of 3.5 μg/kg of BW or a similar volume of saline solution (CONT). Each calf was given an additional infusion of its treatment 24 hours post partum at 1.5 μg/kg of BW. Calf treatment was blocked by sex, dam BCS, and dam age. The CONT group consisted of 8 females and 7 males, while the HC group consisted of 8 males and 8 females. Blood samples were taken via jugular venipuncture before each infusion, daily from d 0-5, then every other day up to d 17. Serum samples were stored at -20°C until hormone analysis. Serum leptin and cortisol levels were analyzed via previously validated radioimmunoassay. Dam age, dam BCS, calf birth BW, and serum leptin and cortisol concentrations were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Age was similar (P = 0.81) among dams of HC and CONT calves (4.9 ± 0.5 and 4.7 ± 0.5, respectively). Dam BCS was similar between groups (5.7 ± 0.2 and 5.6 ± 0.2 units HC and CONT, respectively; P = 0.66). There was no significant difference in calf birth BW between treatments (P = 0.87), with HC calves weighing 38.5 ± 1.4 kg and CONT calves weighing 38 ± 1.4 kg. There was a tendency (P = 0.09) for HC calves to display reduced cortisol concentrations on d 1 and 2. Calves that received the HC treatment showed significantly reduced (P = 0.03) leptin concentrations on d 1-13. These data indicate that exogenous cortisol can be used to suppress neonatal leptin levels in cattle. This could be utilized as a management tool to increase voluntary intake of calves and impact overall production efficiency.
- Subjects
RUMINANTS; LEPTIN receptors; HYDROCORTISONE
- Publication
Journal of Animal Science, 2016, Vol 95, p38
- ISSN
0021-8812
- Publication type
Abstract
- DOI
10.2527/ssasas2017.076