The research also might benefit humans by identifying gene patterns in adipose tissue, or fat, that best support breast-feeding and compounds made by cows that enter the milk and improve human health.

“The role of adipose tissue in reproduction has been a matter of study for decades,” said John McNamara, WSU animal scientist. “The pinnacle of adipose tissue function is reached in pregnancy and lactation, in which animals first store fat, and then use it during later pregnancy and lactation, followed by restoration for the next reproductive cycle.”

Excessive adipose growth is known as obesity. Understanding adipose tissue is critical in species survival, human breast-feeding, obesity and efficient food production.

“In addition to being a major energy-storage organ, adipose tissue is a source of several regulatory and health proteins including those controlling feed intake, inflammation and immunity,” McNamara said.

His research team analyzed gene expression in adipose tissue of dairy cattle in late pregnancy and early lactation. They found that in dairy cattle, the ultimate milk machines, dozens of genes in adipose tissue change when the animals start making milk.

Five major genes were shown to increase during lactation so that the cow can use her stored body fat to make milk. These five genes included three that respond to nervous signals to allow body fat loss. The other two are the enzyme hormone-sensitive lipase and its cofactor perilipin that allow the lipase to break down fat for the body to use.

“These proteins have been studied intensively in the control of obesity, but little was known about their role in species survival during pregnancy and lactation,” McNamara said.

Source: Farm & Ranch Guide