Maternal Overnutrition in Beef Cattle: Effects on Fetal Programming, Metabolic Health, and Postnatal Outcomes
Maternal overnutrition and targeted supplements during pregnancy strongly affect fetal development in beef cattle, influencing gene expression, tissue development, and productivity after birth. As modern feeding practices often result in cows receiving energy and protein above requirements, understa...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Borhan Shokrollahi Myungsun Park Gi-Suk Jang Shil Jin Sung-Jin Moon Kyung-Hwan Um Sun-Sik Jang Youl-Chang Baek |
| author_facet | Borhan Shokrollahi Myungsun Park Gi-Suk Jang Shil Jin Sung-Jin Moon Kyung-Hwan Um Sun-Sik Jang Youl-Chang Baek |
| author_sort | Borhan Shokrollahi |
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| description | Maternal overnutrition and targeted supplements during pregnancy strongly affect fetal development in beef cattle, influencing gene expression, tissue development, and productivity after birth. As modern feeding practices often result in cows receiving energy and protein above requirements, understanding the balance between adequate nutrition and overconditioning is critical for sustainable beef production. This review synthesizes findings from recent studies on maternal overnutrition and supplementation, focusing on macronutrients (energy, protein, methionine) and key micronutrients (e.g., selenium, zinc). It evaluates the timing and impact of supplementation during different gestational stages, with emphasis on fetal muscle and adipose tissue development, immune function, and metabolic programming. The role of epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs, is also discussed in relation to maternal dietary inputs. Mid-gestation supplementation promotes muscle growth by activating muscle-specific genes, whereas late-gestation diets enhance marbling and carcass traits. However, maternal overnutrition may impair mitochondrial efficiency, encourage fat deposition over muscle, and promote collagen synthesis, reducing meat tenderness. Recent evidence highlights sex-specific fetal programming differences, the significant impact of maternal diets on offspring gut microbiomes, and breed-specific nutritional responses, and multi-OMICs integration reveals metabolic reprogramming mechanisms. Targeted trace mineral and methionine supplementation enhance antioxidant capacity, immune function, and reproductive performance. Precision feeding strategies aligned with gestational requirements improve feed efficiency and minimize overfeeding risks. Early interventions, including protein and vitamin supplementation, optimize placental function and fetal development, supporting stronger postnatal growth, immunity, and fertility. Balancing nutritional adequacy without excessive feeding supports animal welfare, profitability, and sustainability in beef cattle systems. |
| format | Article |
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| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-9f4a0c20c803477fbc8ddd03dcd206932025-08-20T02:24:18ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-06-0114664510.3390/biology14060645Maternal Overnutrition in Beef Cattle: Effects on Fetal Programming, Metabolic Health, and Postnatal OutcomesBorhan Shokrollahi0Myungsun Park1Gi-Suk Jang2Shil Jin3Sung-Jin Moon4Kyung-Hwan Um5Sun-Sik Jang6Youl-Chang Baek7Hanwoo Research Center, National Institute of Animal Science, Pyeongchang 25340, Republic of KoreaHanwoo Research Center, National Institute of Animal Science, Pyeongchang 25340, Republic of KoreaHanwoo Research Center, National Institute of Animal Science, Pyeongchang 25340, Republic of KoreaHanwoo Research Center, National Institute of Animal Science, Pyeongchang 25340, Republic of KoreaHanwoo Research Center, National Institute of Animal Science, Pyeongchang 25340, Republic of KoreaHanwoo Research Center, National Institute of Animal Science, Pyeongchang 25340, Republic of KoreaHanwoo Research Center, National Institute of Animal Science, Pyeongchang 25340, Republic of KoreaHanwoo Research Center, National Institute of Animal Science, Pyeongchang 25340, Republic of KoreaMaternal overnutrition and targeted supplements during pregnancy strongly affect fetal development in beef cattle, influencing gene expression, tissue development, and productivity after birth. As modern feeding practices often result in cows receiving energy and protein above requirements, understanding the balance between adequate nutrition and overconditioning is critical for sustainable beef production. This review synthesizes findings from recent studies on maternal overnutrition and supplementation, focusing on macronutrients (energy, protein, methionine) and key micronutrients (e.g., selenium, zinc). It evaluates the timing and impact of supplementation during different gestational stages, with emphasis on fetal muscle and adipose tissue development, immune function, and metabolic programming. The role of epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs, is also discussed in relation to maternal dietary inputs. Mid-gestation supplementation promotes muscle growth by activating muscle-specific genes, whereas late-gestation diets enhance marbling and carcass traits. However, maternal overnutrition may impair mitochondrial efficiency, encourage fat deposition over muscle, and promote collagen synthesis, reducing meat tenderness. Recent evidence highlights sex-specific fetal programming differences, the significant impact of maternal diets on offspring gut microbiomes, and breed-specific nutritional responses, and multi-OMICs integration reveals metabolic reprogramming mechanisms. Targeted trace mineral and methionine supplementation enhance antioxidant capacity, immune function, and reproductive performance. Precision feeding strategies aligned with gestational requirements improve feed efficiency and minimize overfeeding risks. Early interventions, including protein and vitamin supplementation, optimize placental function and fetal development, supporting stronger postnatal growth, immunity, and fertility. Balancing nutritional adequacy without excessive feeding supports animal welfare, profitability, and sustainability in beef cattle systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/6/645maternal nutritionfetal programmingmuscle developmentadipogenesisbeef cattle production |
| spellingShingle | Borhan Shokrollahi Myungsun Park Gi-Suk Jang Shil Jin Sung-Jin Moon Kyung-Hwan Um Sun-Sik Jang Youl-Chang Baek Maternal Overnutrition in Beef Cattle: Effects on Fetal Programming, Metabolic Health, and Postnatal Outcomes Biology maternal nutrition fetal programming muscle development adipogenesis beef cattle production |
| title | Maternal Overnutrition in Beef Cattle: Effects on Fetal Programming, Metabolic Health, and Postnatal Outcomes |
| title_full | Maternal Overnutrition in Beef Cattle: Effects on Fetal Programming, Metabolic Health, and Postnatal Outcomes |
| title_fullStr | Maternal Overnutrition in Beef Cattle: Effects on Fetal Programming, Metabolic Health, and Postnatal Outcomes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Maternal Overnutrition in Beef Cattle: Effects on Fetal Programming, Metabolic Health, and Postnatal Outcomes |
| title_short | Maternal Overnutrition in Beef Cattle: Effects on Fetal Programming, Metabolic Health, and Postnatal Outcomes |
| title_sort | maternal overnutrition in beef cattle effects on fetal programming metabolic health and postnatal outcomes |
| topic | maternal nutrition fetal programming muscle development adipogenesis beef cattle production |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/6/645 |
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