Yehui Duan1,2,3,4,5, Yue Zhao1,2,3,4,5,6, Qian Zhu1,2,3,4,5,7, Qiaoli Cai1,2,3,4,5, Huawei Li1,2,3,4,5, Yulong Yin1,2,3,4,5, Zhanbin Wang7, Xiangfeng Kong1,2,3,4,5,8. 1. Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Physiology and Metabolic Process, Changsha, China. 2. Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China. 3. Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China. 4. Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South-Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China. 5. National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China. 6. Henan University of Science and Technology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Luoyang, China. 7. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. 8. Research Center of Mini-Pig, Huanjiang Observation and Research Station for Karst Ecosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huanjiang, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The arginine family amino acids (AFAAs) exert important roles in the metabolism, growth and development of the conceptus. However, to date, few studies have investigated the effects of maternal nutrient levels on the concentrations and metabolism of AFAAs in the conceptus. RESULTS: Compared to low nutrient diets, high nutrient diets increased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of citrulline and proline (Pro) in plasma; the concentrations of arginine, glutamine, Pro and ornithine (Orn) in the amniotic fluid; and the concentrations of all detected AFAAs in the allantoic fluid, which were most pronounced on day 45 of pregnancy. High nutrient diets upregulated (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of arginase I (Arg I), Pro oxidase and spermidine synthetase (SRM) in the fetal placenta, as well as Arg II, SRM and spermine synthetase (SMS) expression in the fetal liver (most pronounced on day 45 of pregnancy). The same effect was observed for mRNA expression of NO synthase and Orn aminotransferase (OAT), mainly on day 110 of pregnancy, and for mRNA expression of Arg I, Arg II, OAT, Orn decarboxylase and SMS throughout pregnancy. High nutrient diets upregulated (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of Y+ L-type amino acid transporter (LAT) and cationic amino acid transporter 1 (CAT1) in the fetal jejunum throughout pregnancy. Dietary treatments did not affect (P > 0.05) mRNA expression of Y+ LAT1, sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2) and CAT1 in the fetal placenta, skeletal muscle and colon. CONCLUSION: High nutrient diets increased the concentration and transport of AFAAs in the mothers and conceptus, which likely improves growth and development of the conceptus.
BACKGROUND: The arginine family amino acids (AFAAs) exert important roles in the metabolism, growth and development of the conceptus. However, to date, few studies have investigated the effects of maternal nutrient levels on the concentrations and metabolism of AFAAs in the conceptus. RESULTS: Compared to low nutrient diets, high nutrient diets increased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of citrulline and proline (Pro) in plasma; the concentrations of arginine, glutamine, Pro and ornithine (Orn) in the amniotic fluid; and the concentrations of all detected AFAAs in the allantoic fluid, which were most pronounced on day 45 of pregnancy. High nutrient diets upregulated (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of arginase I (Arg I), Pro oxidase and spermidine synthetase (SRM) in the fetal placenta, as well as Arg II, SRM and spermine synthetase (SMS) expression in the fetal liver (most pronounced on day 45 of pregnancy). The same effect was observed for mRNA expression of NO synthase and Orn aminotransferase (OAT), mainly on day 110 of pregnancy, and for mRNA expression of Arg I, Arg II, OAT, Orn decarboxylase and SMS throughout pregnancy. High nutrient diets upregulated (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of Y+ L-type amino acid transporter (LAT) and cationic amino acid transporter 1 (CAT1) in the fetal jejunum throughout pregnancy. Dietary treatments did not affect (P > 0.05) mRNA expression of Y+ LAT1, sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2) and CAT1 in the fetal placenta, skeletal muscle and colon. CONCLUSION: High nutrient diets increased the concentration and transport of AFAAs in the mothers and conceptus, which likely improves growth and development of the conceptus.