About

Dr. Rodolfo Cardoso is an Associate Professor and a member of the graduate faculty in the Physiology of Reproduction section of the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University. He holds a D.V.M. and a Master’s degree in Animal Reproduction from Sao Paulo State University in Brazil, and a Ph.D. in Physiology of Reproduction from Texas A&M University. Additionally, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at the University of Michigan Medical Center. His research focuses on understanding the impact of prenatal and early postnatal environments on reproductive neuroendocrine function in females, utilizing sheep and cattle as animal models to benefit both the livestock industry and human reproductive health. Dr. Cardoso’s lab integrates whole animal physiology with cellular and molecular biology to elucidate mechanisms by which the perinatal environment influences reproductive processes in offspring. His teaching interests include practical reproductive management of livestock and advanced reproductive neuroendocrinology. He is an active member of the Interdisciplinary Faculty of Reproductive Biology and the Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, and his professional memberships include the Society for the Study of Reproduction, the American Society of Animal Science, and the Endocrine Society.

Research topics

• Biology
• Internal medicine
• Medicine
• Animal science
• Endocrinology
• Biotechnology
• Genetics
• Ecology

Selected publications

• CONDITION-BASED MAINTENANCE EM ELETROBOMBAS SUBMERSÍVEIS DE ESTAÇÕES ELEVATÓRIAS DE ESGOTO: UMA REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA DA LITERATURA

  2026-01-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Perinatal nutritional effects on postpubertal secretion of gonadotropins and feedback responsiveness to estradiol-17β in sexually mature heifers

  Journal of Animal Science · 2025-01-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Developmental changes in response to nutritional extremes may in some cases be manifested later in adult life. Objectives of experiments reported herein were to test the hypotheses that maternal nutrition during mid- to late-gestation interacts with postnatal nutrition during the juvenile period in heifers to impact (1) tonic secretion of gonadotropins, and (2) estradiol-17β (E2) negative and positive feedback responsiveness in adulthood. Heifers were selected from a larger population programmed nutritionally using a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of pre- and postnatal diets. Beginning at 90 d of pregnancy, Bos indicus-influenced cows (n = 95) bearing heifer fetuses were fed to achieve body condition scores (1 to 9 scale) of 3 to 3.5 (L; thin), 5.5 to 6 (M; moderate), or 7.5 to 8 (H; obese) by the onset of the third trimester and maintained thereafter. Heifer offspring were weaned at 3 to 3.5 mo of age and assigned to either a low- (L; 0.5 kg/d) or high-gain (H; 1.0 kg/d) diet until 8 mo of age, then fed a common diet until puberty. Heifers (n = 18; 6/group) representing HH, MH, and LL combinations were ovariectomized postpubertally and received E2 replacement. In experiment 1, blood samples were collected at 10-min intervals to evaluate pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) for 5.5 h. Heifers in the MH group (1.25 ± 0.11 ng/mL) tended (P < 0.09) to have greater amplitude of LH pulses compared to HH (0.91 ± 0.14 ng/mL) and LL groups (0.96 ± 0.09 ng/mL); otherwise, frequency, amplitude, and mean concentrations of LH and FSH did not differ among groups. In experiment 2, heifers received E2 (2.4 μg/kg I.M.), with blood sampling at 30-min to 1-h intervals for 30 h. Exogenous E2 (experiment 2) suppressed (P < 0.0001) mean plasma concentrations of LH and FSH equally among groups, then stimulated equivalent surges of LH beginning at 14 ± 0.4 h, with only 2 FSH surges detected. Similarly, neither negative nor positive feedback responsiveness to E2 differed among the treatment combinations studied..

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• OR21-04 Developmental Programming: Origin of MASLD in a Sheep Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Impact of Postnatal Obesity on its Severity

  Journal of the Endocrine Society · 2025-10-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Disclosure: K.M. Halloran: None. J. Sustaita: None. R. Cardoso: None. V. Padmanabhan: None. ​Metabolic dysfunction is associated with insulin resistance and a hyper-inflammatory/oxidative state which is worsened by obesity. This can lead to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The trajectory of MASLD may be established early in life, and animal models provide a means to study the developmental origins of this disease. Prenatal testosterone (T) treated sheep from gestational days (GD) 30-90 manifest insulin resistance, a hyper-inflammatory/oxidative state, and hepatic lipid and collagen accumulation, like MASLD, in normal weight adults. While postnatal obesity could further exacerbate this phenotype, the severity of the phenotype in the GD 30-90 model will likely mask effects of postnatal obesity. Prenatal T from GD 60-90 results in a mild metabolic phenotype, allowing assessment of amplifying effects of postnatal obesity on the prenatally programmed phenotype. We hypothesized that prenatal T treatment from GD 60-90 causes liver disease that is worsened by obesity in adults. Pregnant sheep received twice weekly im injections of either T propionate (100 mg) in corn oil or vehicle control (C) from GD 60-90 (term ∼147 days). At 5 months of age, female offspring from C and T groups were fed a maintenance (M) diet, while another T offspring group were overfed (O). Ewes (n=6/group) were euthanized and liver collected at ∼3 years of age. Frozen liver was assayed for total collagen and triglyceride content, and paraffin embedded liver was sectioned and stained for collagen using picrosirius red and neutral lipid droplets using oil red O. Plasma was assayed for proinflammatory cytokines and total oxidant and antioxidant status. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests, and Cohens D effect size (d≥0.8 represents large effect size). In plasma, there were greater levels of oxidants in TM (P=0.036) and TO (P=0.008) compared to C, with no differences in antioxidant status between TM and TO. IL17a was higher in TO vs C (P=0.012) and TM (P=0.021) ewes. Similarly, IP10 was higher in TO vs C (d=0.95) and TM (d=0.95) ewes. Greater neutral lipid droplet accumulation was evident in TO vs C (P=0.048) and TM (P=0.009), but triglyceride content unaffected by treatment. Both TM (d=0.84) and TO (P=0.03) had greater collagen staining area vs C livers, while the total collagen content was greater in TO vs TM livers (P=0.049). Collectively, greater levels of oxidants in T treated ewes and greater levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL17A and IP10 in obese T ewes, combined with increased lipid and collagen content liver of obese ewes, are consistent with the hyper-inflammatory, oxidative state of MASLD that is worsened by obesity. This provides foundational evidence for the developmental origin of metabolic disease. Future investigation of effects on the transcriptomic level in liver would reveal regulatory mechanisms that contribute to MASLD. Funding P30DK089503, R01HD099096 Presentation: Saturday, July 12, 2025

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• 56 Investigating bee pollen’s role in fecal parasite management and FAMACHA scoring in crossbred goats

  Journal of Animal Science · 2025-06-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Large-scale production systems for sheep and goats are crucial to global food security. However, these systems face challenges, such as limited access to feed, parasites, and lower reproductive performance. The combination of poor nutrition and health issues often results in reduced reproductive success, slower growth rates, and lower overall productivity in terms of meat, milk, and fiber production. In the U.S., the goat population has steadily decreased, with a 2% drop in 2023. Bee pollen could play a significant role in addressing challenges in goat production by improving nutritional intake, supporting overall health, potentially enhancing reproductive performance and possibly improving resilience against common stressors such as parasites. Therefore, our objective was to investigate the effects of bee pollen supplementation on health, live weight, and fecal parasite load in goats. Crossbred does (Boer×Spanish; n=30) were allocated randomly into two treatments 1: supplemented bee pollen (T-BP: n=15) and 2: control (T-CTL: n=15). Goats were stratified based on live weight (LW)—one pen/treatment. The T-BP received 10g of bee pollen daily, fed individually in a milking parlor to ensure accurate dosing and intake. The bee pollen supplementation was provided with an additional 50 grams/day/head (12% CP; 2.96 MJ/kg; Feed Producer’s Pride®). The T-CTL group received pellets, fed individually in a milking parlor, but not pollen. Treatments received a maintenance diet with limited physical activity (8.3%CP; 2.03 Kcal/kg). LW and FAMACHA scores were assessed weekly. Fecal egg counts (FECs) were analyzed bi-weekly. Individual animals were the experimental units. The data were analyzed using mixed models and repeated measures of SAS. The initial (T-BP: 32.24 kg vs T-CTL: 32.89 kg) and final BW (T-BP: 34.71kg vs T-CTL: 34.56 kg) did not differ between treatments (P &amp;gt; 0.05). The FAMACHA scores were similar across both groups P-values’ using a scoring scale of 1-5, where 1 indicates a healthy animal and 5 indicates severe anemia (T-BP: 2.06-2.36 vs T-CTL:1.77-2.07). The FECs were similar across both treatments (T-BP:158.48-159.52epg vs T-CTL:126.48-127.52epg). Treatments had similar results across all measured variables, suggesting that the daily supplementation of 10 g of bee pollen did not influence the overall health or parasite load. In conclusion, bee pollen supplementation did not improve goat LW, FAMACHA scores, or FECs. Research with longer supplementation periods and varying doses is needed to confirm the long-term effect of bee pollen

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• 125 Stimulation of the hypothalamus and pituitary with exogenous kisspeptin and GnRH showed a similar response in LH pulsatile secretion in ovariectomized Bos taurus and Bos indicus beef heifers.

  Journal of Animal Science · 2025-10-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract In the U.S., Bos indicus-influenced females represent ~30% of the cow herd. Nonetheless, these females have phenotypic characteristics that impair reproductive efficiency compared to Bos taurus females, including delayed puberty and inefficiencies related to the pharmacological control of ovulatory cycles. The mechanisms underlying these differences have yet to be fully elucidated at the hypothalamic-pituitary level. In this study, it was hypothesized that Bos indicus (Brahman) heifers have a decreased LH secretory response following serial stimulation with kisspeptin and GnRH under high progesterone (P4) negative-feedback conditions compared to Bos taurus (Hereford) heifers. Fourteen post-pubertal heifers (Brahman BR; n=8 and Hereford HF; n=6) were ovariectomized and received two estradiol-17β (E2) implants to create basal E2 concentrations. On d-5, all heifers received two intravaginal P4 devices (1.34 g), which were retained throughout the study. On d0, jugular catheters were placed. Each heifer was submitted to three distinct conditions: Kisspeptin (Kiss; 0.4 µg/Kg BW), GnRH (Gonadorelin; 1 µg/Kg BW), and Control (Saline). Intravenous injections were administered hourly for 8h with blood samples collected every 15 min. Circulating LH concentrations were determined via radioimmunoassay and statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD. Under control conditions, no differences in endogenous LH pulse frequency (BR: 2.4±0.8 pulses; HF: 1.8±0.7 pulses), LH pulse peak (BR: 1.49±0.2 ng/ml; HF: 1.53±0.34 ng/ml), and pulse amplitude (BR: 1.11±0.19 ng/ml; HF: 1.17±0.28 ng/ml) were observed between BR and HF heifers. Nevertheless, under the same P4 suppressive environment, GnRH administration induced concomitant LH pulses resulting in higher LH pulse frequency compared to control conditions but did not differ between breeds (BR=7±0.7 pulses; HF=6±0.8 pulses). Overall, GnRH administration resulted in detectable LH pulses in 86% of BR and 90% of HF heifers. Similarly, Kiss administration successfully stimulated high frequency of LH pulses compared to heifers under control conditions, potentially acting on the hypothalamic pulse generator, but did not differ between genetic groups (BR=5.9±1.1 pulses; HF=5.2±1.1 pulses). Overall, Kiss administration resulted in detectable LH pulses in 86% of BR and 83% of HF heifers. Unexpectedly, LH pulse peak was not influenced by GnRH administration or Kiss stimulation between BR (GnRH=2.29±0.15 ng/ml; Kiss=1.71±0.09 ng/ml) and HF (GnRH=2.44±0.2 ng/ml; Kiss=1.84±0.15 ng/ml) heifers. Additionally, no differences were detected in LH pulse amplitude between the genetic groups during GnRH (BR=1.51±0.12 ng/ml; HF=1.50±0.16 ng/ml) or Kiss stimulation (BR=1.03±0.04 ng/ml; HF=1.84±0.15 ng/ml). In conclusion, both GnRH and Kiss administration effectively increased LH pulse frequency despite P4 suppression, potentially by acting directly at the pituitary and the hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator, respectively. However, no differences in LH response were observed between genetic groups, thus refuting our hypothesis. These results suggest similar responsiveness to GnRH and Kiss stimuli in ovariectomized Bos indicus and Bos taurus heifers under P4 suppression.

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• 264 Precision feeding for programming brain development and reproductive performance of beef heifers.

  Journal of Animal Science · 2025-10-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract Approximately 5 million beef heifers enter the U.S. cow herd annually, and their lifetime productivity is largely dependent upon their ability to attain puberty and produce a calf by 24 mo of age. However, a considerable proportion of heifers within existing U.S. production systems fail to achieve these goals, particularly in southern regions where Bos indicus-influenced cattle predominate. Consequently, managerial approaches are needed that employ precision feeding to program the reproductive neuroendocrine axis, while minimizing feeding costs and optimizing the consistent attainment of puberty by approximately 14 mo of age. Our previous research has clearly demonstrated that increased BW gain between 4 and 8 mo of age facilitates pubertal development by programming hypothalamic centers that regulate gonadotropin releasing-hormone (GnRH) secretion. Among the different metabolic hormones, leptin plays a critical role in conveying nutritional information to the hypothalamus and controlling puberty. Two hypothalamic neuronal populations that express the orexigenic peptide neuropeptide Y (NPY) and the anorexigenic peptide alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone (αMSH; a product of the POMC gene) are key components of afferent pathways that convey inhibitory (NPY) and excitatory (αMSH) inputs to GnRH and kisspeptin neurons. Our studies have demonstrated that short-term increases in dietary energy intake after early weaning at 4 mo of age result in epigenetic, structural, and functional modifications in these hypothalamic pathways to promote high-frequency, episodic release of GnRH and luteinizing hormone. However, integrating the foundational knowledge of metabolic imprinting of the brain for early puberty with issues related to lifetime performance is complex. One approach has been to employ a novel stair-step precision feeding regimen involving alternating periods of dietary energy-restriction and re-feeding during juvenile development. This approach is designed to support early onset of puberty by imprinting functional alterations in the hypothalamus during key periods of brain development while optimizing other aspects of growth and performance. Finally, while several key processes of fetal brain development occur during late gestation, neither maternal undernutrition (BCS 3.0-3.5) nor maternal obesity (BCS 7.5-8.0) during the last two trimesters of gestation impacted the organization of hypothalamic neurocircuitries controlling GnRH/LH secretion or age at puberty in the heifer offspring. Collectively, these results indicate that the adult reproductive phenotype in Bos indicus-influenced females is resilient to significant degrees of nutritional stress imposed during prenatal development, particularly if early gestation (first trimester) is avoided. These findings are in contrast with reports in Bos taurus females in which late gestation nutritional extremes result in delayed puberty in heifer offspring, suggesting that potential genotype-specific differences may exist. Research support: USDA-NIFA-AFRI (2018-67015-27595 and 2021-67015-33676).

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• 20 Evaluating bee pollen supplementation for enhancing health parameters in crossbred goats: A focus on complete blood count (CBC)

  Journal of Animal Science · 2025-06-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Extensive production systems for goats and sheep are crucial in the context of global food security but face various challenges, including limited food availability, gastrointestinal parasites, and reduced reproductive efficiency. The interplay between inadequate nutrition and poor health reduces reproductive success and places genetic pressure on survival. This contributed to a steady 11% decline in the U.S. goat population over the past decade, including a 2% decrease in 2023. Bee pollen, as a natural, nutrient-dense supplement, may help address challenges in goat production. Bee pollen is a source of proteins, lipids, sterols, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and bioactive compounds, and provides a sustainable option to enhance parasite resistance and improve productivity, particularly in environments with limited resources. In our quest to develop strategies to increase productivity, this study focuses on bee pollen supplementation’s effects on goats’ health parameters, specifically on the complete blood count (CBC) parameters. Crossbred does (Boer×Spanish; n=30) were allocated randomly into two treatments 1: supplemented bee pollen (T-BP: n=15) and 2: control (T-CTL: n=15). Goats were stratified based on live weight (LW) —one pen/treatment. The T-BP received 10 grams of bee pollen daily, fed individually in a milking parlor to ensure accurate dosing and intake. The bee pollen supplementation was provided with an additional 50 grams/day/head (12% CP and 2.96 MJ/kg; Feed Producer’s Pride®). The T-CTL group received pellets, fed individually in a milking parlor, but not pollen. Treatments received a maintenance diet with limited physical activity (8.3% CP; 2.03 Kcal/kg). LW and CBC parameters (White Blood Cells [WBC], lymphocytes [LYM], monocytes [MON], neutrophils [NEU], red blood cells [RBC], hemoglobin [HGB], mean corpuscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular hemoglobin [MCH], and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration [MCHC]; Table 1) were assessed every week. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture for CBC analysis. Individual animals were the experimental units. The data were analyzed using mixed models and repeated measures. Initial and final live weights (P &amp;gt; 0.05) were 32.88 and 34.54 kg for T-CTL and 32.24 and 34.71 kg for T-BP. Across the experiment, the CBC parameters were similar between treatments (P &amp;gt;0.05; Table 1). Our study suggests that the amount of pollen received did not significantly affect the animals’ overall health or hematological status. Both groups likely fall within the normal range for healthy animals, indicating no notable positive effects from the bee pollen supplementation. However, further analysis would be needed to determine if bee pollen influences other aspects of animal health or productivity. In conclusion, bee pollen supplementation did not impact CBC parameters. Further research with extended durations and varied doses of bee pollen may provide a clearer understanding of potential benefits in animal health and productivity.

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• Evaluation of Prenatal Transportation Stress on DNA Methylation (DNAm) and Gene Expression in the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) Axis Tissues of Mature Brahman Cows

  Genes · 2025-02-04 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background/Objectives: The experience of prenatal stress results in various physiological disorders due to an alteration of an offspring’s methylome and transcriptome. The objective of this study was to determine whether PNS affects DNA methylation (DNAm) and gene expression in the stress axis tissues of mature Brahman cows. Methods: Samples were collected from the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), anterior pituitary (PIT), and adrenal cortex (AC) of 5-year-old Brahman cows that were prenatally exposed to either transportation stress (PNS, n = 6) or were not transported (Control, n = 8). The isolated DNA and RNA samples were, respectively, used for methylation and RNA-Seq analyses. A gene ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of each data set within each sample tissue was conducted with the DAVID Functional Annotation Tool. Results: The DNAm analysis revealed 3, 64, and 99 hypomethylated and 2, 93, and 90 hypermethylated CpG sites (FDR &lt; 0.15) within the PVN, PIT, and AC, respectively. The RNA-Seq analysis revealed 6, 25, and 5 differentially expressed genes (FDR &lt; 0.15) in the PVN, PIT, and AC, respectively, that were up-regulated in the PNS group relative to the Control group, as well as 24 genes in the PIT that were down-regulated. Based on the enrichment analysis, several developmental and cellular processes, such as maintenance of the actin cytoskeleton, cell motility, signal transduction, neurodevelopment, and synaptic function, were potentially modulated. Conclusions: The methylome and transcriptome were altered in the stress axis tissues of mature cows that had been exposed to prenatal transportation stress. These findings are relevant to understanding how prenatal experiences may affect postnatal neurological functions.

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• MON-173 Postnatal Obesity Exacerbates Prenatal Testosterone Excess-Induced Visceral Adipose Tissue Dysfunction in a Sheep Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

  Journal of the Endocrine Society · 2025-10-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Disclosure: M. Agarwal: None. K.M. Halloran: None. R.C. Cardoso: None. V. Padmanabhan: None. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common hyperandrogenic disorder in reproductive aged women, is linked to metabolic dysfunction including dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and adipocyte defects. Prenatal testosterone (T) excess from gestational days (GD) 30-90 (term 147 days) induces similar dysfunctions in sheep, a precocial model of translational relevance. Considering obese PCOS women exhibit a more severe phenotype and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) influences insulin sensitivity, we used GD 60-90 T treatment to replicate subclinical metabolic perturbations and assess impact of postnatal obesity. We hypothesized prenatal T excess from GD 60-90 induces defects in VAT and postnatal obesity amplifies these defects. Pregnant sheep received bi-weekly im injections of T propionate or vehicle from GD 60-90. Offspring were weaned at 5 months and fed a maintenance (M) diet or overfed (O) to induce obesity. At ∼3 years, ewes were weighed and VAT collected to assess oxidative stress and triglyceride content as an index of functional compromise and subjected to RNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between control (C), T maintenance (TM), and T overfed (TO) ewes (n = 6/group). Commercial kits were used to measure triglyceride content and malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker for oxidative stress in VAT. Data were analyzed with ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey’s tests and Cohen’s d effect size (d≥0.8 is large effect size). RNA sequencing was analyzed with DESeq2 R package (Adj P&amp;lt;0.1) to identify DEGs. Genes passing threshold of log2 fold change &amp;gt;1 and FDR &amp;lt;0.05 were analyzed with DAVID Gene Ontology (GO). Body weights were higher in TM vs C (d=1.4), TO vs C (d=2.3, P=0.002), and TO vs TM (d=1, P=0.07). In VAT, MDA was higher in TM vs C (d=0.9) and TO vs C (d=2.2, P=0.02). Total triglyceride content was higher in TO vs C (d=2.4, P=0.01) and TO vs TM (d=1.18). On the transcriptional level, there were only 2 DEGs (1 up, 1 down) in TM vs C, 421 DEGs (86 up, 335 down) in TO vs C, and 1929 DEGs (1110 up, 819 down) in TO vs TM. GO analysis suggested alterations in pathways involving lipid metabolism, carboxylic acid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and metabolic processes in VAT of TO vs both TM and C ewes. TO vs TM ewes had enrichment of immune response in signaling pathways, inflammatory response and cellular signaling pathways. Collectively, a trend for increased oxidative stress and triglyceride content in TM ewes, both of which are significantly increased in TO ewes, coupled with transcriptional changes in lipid metabolic pathways in TO vs C and TM, and activation of immune pathways in addition in TO vs TM, suggests adipose defects induced by prenatal T exposure that may remain masked is unmasked or worsened by obesity. These results provide support for the role played by obesity in amplifying the severity of metabolic disease in a translationally relevant PCOS model. Funding NIH R01HD099096 Presentation: Monday, July 14, 2025

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• PSXIII-18 Prenatal transportation differentially affects the adrenal cortical and adrenomedullary transcriptomes of Brahman bull calves

  Journal of Animal Science · 2024-09-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Prenatal stress (PNS) and early life adversity have been linked to epigenetic changes in the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems in various species. Previously, we reported that PNS calves had greater serum concentrations of ACTH and cortisol, were more temperamental, and had differential methylation of leukocyte DNA. The purpose of this study was to determine whether prenatal transportation stress differentially affected gene expression in the adrenal gland of calves. Mature Brahman cows inseminated to a single Brahman sire were assigned to either Control (n = 35; not transported) or PNS (n = 37; 2 h of transportation at 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 ± 5 d of gestation) group. From some of these cows, 8 Control and 8 PNS bull calves were humanely euthanized at 25 ± 2 d of age. Adrenal glands were obtained, separated into the cortical (AC) and medullary (AM) components, placed into cryovials, snap frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at -80°C. Frozen samples (200 mg) were submitted to Novogene Corporation for RNA sequencing analysis on an Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform to generate 150 bp paired-end reads. The reference genome was Bos taurus ARS-UCD1.2. The DESeq2 R package was used for differential gene expression analysis (DEG) and DEGs (P ≤ 0.05, log2FC ≥ 1) were evaluated for gene ontology (GO) subclass terms and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment pathways. For the AC DEG comparison, a total of 899 genes were identified, with 641 upregulated and 258 downregulated in PNS calves. The AC DEGs were in the cellular component, molecular function and biological process GO subclasses related to circadian rhythm, lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine regulation, muscle development, and lipid metabolism. The KEGG enrichment analysis identified nitrogen metabolism, cytokine signaling, and circadian rhythm pathways associated with DEG of the AC. For the AM DEG comparison, a total of 1,245 genes were identified, with 745 upregulated and 500 downregulated in the PNS calves. The AM DEGs were in GO subclasses related to skeletal muscle development, antigen processing, and neural crest development. The KEGG enrichment analysis identified cell adhesion, viral infection, cytokine signaling, and amphetamine pathways associated with DEG of the AM. These early results suggest that prenatal stress differentially affects expression of genes of the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla, which may affect health and growth of calves.Support: USDA NIFA Award No. 2019-67015-29573

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Recent grants

• Multigenerational Effects of Gestational Testosterone Excess

  NIH · $2.6M · 2020–2026

Frequent coauthors

• Gary L. Williams

  Mitchell Institute

  45 shared

• Sarah West

  Texas A&M University

  34 shared

• Vasantha Padmanabhan

  University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

  29 shared

• Thomas H. Welsh

  Texas A&M University

  29 shared

• Viviana Garza

  Texas A&M University

  23 shared

• David G. Riley

  20 shared

• Charles R. Long

  19 shared

• B. R. C. Alves

  19 shared

Education

• Other

  Sao Paulo State University (Brazil)

• M.S., Animal Reproduction

  Sao Paulo State University (Brazil)

• Ph.D., Physiology of Reproduction

  Texas A&M University

• Other, Reproductive Endocrinology

  University of Michigan Medical Center