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This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: jas.2008-1641v1 87/7/2227    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Jones, K. L. Articles by King, S. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Jones, K. L. Articles by King, S. S.

Effect of domperidone supplementation of fescue-fed heifers on plasma and follicular fluid fatty acid composition and oocyte quality

Department of Animal Science, Food & Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Carbondale, IL

kljones{at}siu.edu

Abstract

This study continues a series of investigations evaluating fescue endotoxin exposure in beef heifer production. The objective was to evaluate fatty acid compositions in plasmas and follicular fluids and to assess oocyte quality from cattle fed fescue diets. The ability of domperidone, a dopamine antagonist, to mitigate these parameters was also assessed. Thirty heifers were divided into 3 treatment groups (n = 10/group) and administered treatment regimes for 24 d, at which time blood samples were collected. The treatment regimes were a diet with endophyte-free fescue (EF), diet with endophyte-infected fescue (EI), or EI supplemented with daily subcutaneous injections of domperidone (0.44 mg/kg BW; EID). Three heifers/group were administered treatments for an additional 10 d at which time their luteal phase ovarian follicular fluid and oocytes were collected. Plasma and follicular fluid samples were analyzed to determine fatty acid concentrations. Oocytes were matured in vitro to assess quality. In addition, abattoir oocytes were cultured in plasmas from treated heifers. In plasma, arachidonic acid was lower (P < 0.001) in EF-fed compared to EI-fed heifers. Decreased (P < 0.05) total omega 6 fatty acid concentration was observed in EF-fed compared to EI-fed heifers. Similarly, the EF-containing diets decreased (P < 0.05) concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid and C22:5n3 (P < 0.05) compared to EI-containing diets. Domperidone supplementation increased (P < 0.05) C18:2c9t11, C17:1n7, and several C18:1 isomers compared to the diet with EI and no supplementation. No differences between fescue endophyte groups were detected in any of the fatty acid concentrations analyzed in follicular fluid from small follicles. In follicular fluid from large follicles, C18:4n3 and C22:6n3 concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in EI-fed compared to EF-fed heifers. Oocytes cultured in serum (control) or plasma from EF-, EI-, or EID-fed cattle did not differ in their ability to progress to metaphase II. These observations indicate that fescue endotoxins can alter fatty acid composition and may contribute to the heifer’s altered physiology.

Key Words: arachidonic acid • domperidone • fatty acid • fescue • oocyte maturation