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Biochemical and metabolomic effects of perinatal choline deficiency in the piglet
Author(s) -
Getty Caitlyn M,
Dilger Ryan N
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.345.7
Subject(s) - choline , fetus , endocrinology , medicine , gestation , biology , glycolysis , physiology , metabolism , pregnancy , genetics
Choline plays an essential role in tissue development during gestation and early postnatal life, and the piglet ( Sus scrofa ) may serve as a translational animal model to study perinatal effects of choline deficiency. Our objective was to determine developmental changes in piglets exposed to differing levels of choline both prenatally and postnatally. A factorial arrangement of choline sufficient (CS; 50% above requirement) and choline deficient (CD; 50% below requirement) diets were provided during the prenatal (last 65 d of gestation) and postnatal (48 h after birth through 28 d of age) periods. An interactive effect of choline level and perinatal period was observed for body weight gain ( P < 0.001), and prenatal CD piglets had smaller ( P = 0.014) brains than prenatal CS piglets. Blood chemistry panels revealed generalized impairments in liver function in postnatal CD piglets. Overall, metabolomic analysis identified 276 biochemicals and revealed that choline deficiency in the pre‐ and postnatal periods altered plasma levels of metabolites related to choline biosynthesis, glycolysis, and lipid metabolism. Additionally, interactive effects were noted for glycolytic intermediates, carnitine‐related metabolites, and many choline‐containing lysolipids. We conclude that the piglet is a sensitive animal model for studying developmental aspects of perinatal choline deficiency. U.S. Department of Agriculture Hatch Project ILLU‐538–319