Effects of metabolizable protein concentration, amino acid profile, and fiber source on the messenger RNA expression of skeletal muscle in peripartum dairy cows.

Abstract

After parturition, dairy cows mobilize AA from skeletal muscle to meet metabolizable protein (MP) requirements. High mobilization may compromise cow health and longer-term milk production. Postpartum diets with higher MP concentrations, improved AA profiles, or MP increased at the expense of forages rather than nonforage fiber sources may attenuate muscle catabolism; however, the molecular mechanisms responsible need investigation. We evaluated mRNA expression in the longissimus dorsi of cows fed postpartum diets differing in MP concentration, AA profile, and fiber source. From 0 to 25 d after parturition, 40 multiparous cows received the following diets: (1) 13% deficient in MP (D-MP), (2) adequate in MP using primarily soy protein (A-MP), (3) adequate in MP using blends of proteins and individual AA to improve the AA profile (Blend), or (4) similar to Blend except additional protein replaced forage (Blend-fNDF). Biopsies were taken approximately -5, 7, and 25 d relative to parturition. Greater dietary MP concentration (D-MP vs. A-MP and Blend) decreased expression of genes related to protein synthesis (MTOR, RPS6KB1) and degradation (FOXO1), inflammation (IFNG, TLR4), and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (HSPA5, DDIT) and increased genes associated with lipogenesis (PPARG) and glucose oxidation (LDH, MB). In Blend versus A-MP (i.e., effect of AA profile), expression related to apoptosis (CASP8) and inflammation (TNFA) decreased and genes associated with cell cycle progression (E2F1) and fast-twitch glycolytic muscle fiber type (MYH4) increased. Less forage (Blend-fNDF vs. Blend) decreased genes associated with lipogenesis (PPARG, ACACA) and ER stress (BCL2, DDIT3, EIF2AK3, PPP1R15A) and increased genes associated with inflammation (TNF), inhibition of myogenesis (MSTN), and autophagy (PEBP1). In summary and based on mRNA expression, increasing MP supply may attenuate muscle turnover and ER stress. However, an unbalanced AA supply reduced cell cycle progression and protein synthesis. Lower energy supplies may reduce cell growth and cause autophagy.