Summary
This field study evaluated maternal chromium propionate supplementation during late pregnancy in beef cattle and its lasting effects on offspring metabolism and gene expression. The research suggests that maternal micronutrient status during gestation may programme neonatal hepatic function and growth trajectories through epigenetic or transcriptomic mechanisms. As a recent (2026) contribution to the livestock nutrition literature, the work bridges maternal supplementation, fetal development, and molecular biology in beef production systems.
UK applicability
UK beef and suckler cow systems could benefit from evidence on maternal micronutrient optimisation to improve calf health and performance. However, applicability depends on UK herd genotypes (breed mix), forage quality, and housing systems differing from Brazilian Brangus conditions.
Key measures
Neonatal growth rates, physiological parameters (as suggested by title), hepatic transcriptome (RNA-seq or microarray analysis), maternal and offspring metabolic markers
Outcomes reported
The study examined how chromium propionate supplementation during late gestation in Brangus cows affects offspring growth performance, physiological parameters, and hepatic gene expression in neonates. Measurements likely included body weight gain, metabolic markers, and transcriptomic analysis of liver tissue.
Topic tags
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