Effects of maternal methyl donor intake during pregnancy on ileum methylation and function in an intrauterine growth restriction pig model  

作　　者：Yan Lin Jiangnan Wu Yong Zhuo Bin Feng Zhengfeng Fang Shengyu Xu Jian Li Hua Zhao De Wu Lun Hua Lianqiang Che 

机构地区：[1]Key Laboratory of Animal Disease‑Resistance Nutrition,Animal Nutrition Institute,Sichuan Agricultural University,Chengdu 611130,Sichuan,China

出　　处：《Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology》2024年第3期1173-1189,共17页畜牧与生物技术杂志（英文版）

基　　金：This work was supported by Sichuan Provincial Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars(Grant No.2020JDJQ0041);CARS-35 and Sichuan Key Science and Technology Project(NO.2021ZDZX0009).

摘　　要：Background Intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR)affects intestinal growth,morphology,and function,which leads to poor growth performance and high mortality.The present study explored whether maternal dietary methyl donor(MET)supplementation alleviates IUGR and enhances offspring’s growth performance by improving intestinal growth,function,and DNA methylation of the ileum in a porcine IUGR model.Methods Forty multiparous sows were allocated to the control or MET diet groups from mating until delivery.After farrowing,8 pairs of IUGR and normal birth weight piglets from 8 litters were selected for sampling before suckling colostrum.Results The results showed that maternal MET supplementation tended to decrease the IUGR incidence and increased the average weaning weight of piglets.Moreover,maternal MET supplementation significantly reduced the plasma concentrations of isoleucine,cysteine,urea,and total amino acids in sows and newborn pig-lets.It also increased lactase and sucrase activity in the jejunum of newborn piglets.MET addition resulted in lower ileal methionine synthase activity and increased betaine homocysteine S-methyltransferase activity in the ileum of newborn piglets.DNA methylation analysis of the ileum showed that MET supplementation increased the methyla-tion level of DNA CpG sites in the ileum of newborn piglets.Down-regulated differentially methylated genes were enriched in folic acid binding,insulin receptor signaling pathway,and endothelial cell proliferation.In contrast,up-regulated methylated genes were enriched in growth hormone receptor signaling pathway and nitric oxide biosyn-thetic process.Conclusions Maternal MET supplementation can reduce the incidence of IUGR and increase the weaning litter weight of piglets,which may be associated with better intestinal function and methylation status.

关 键 词：ILEUM Intrauterine growth restriction Methyl donor METHYLATION SOWS 

分 类 号：S828[农业科学—畜牧学]