Table 2 Summary of published studies evaluating the effect of N-carbamoylglutamate supplementation to ruminants on reproduction
From: The significance of N-carbamoylglutamate in ruminant production
Animals | Dose | Delivery method | Duration | Outcome | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Suckling Hu lambs (IUGR twins, 7 d old) | 1% Arg or 0.1% NCG | In milk replacer | 7–28 d | ↑ Body weight, serum insulin and ↓ cortisol; mitigated negative effect of IUGR on nutrient absorption ↓ IUGR-induced apoptosis of hepatic cells ↑ Expression of antioxidative enzymes, phase II metabolizing enzymes and activation of the NO pathway to help protect from IUGR-induced hepatic oxidative damage ↑ Hepatic energy status and mitochondrial function ↑ Duodenal barrier function and mitochondrial function, mitigated duodenal inflammation and suppressed mitophagy ↑ Energy status, motivated key enzyme activities in the TCA cycle, inhibited AMP-activated protein kinase signalling pathway and ameliorated intestinal injury ↑ Intestinal function by regulating the oxidant status via the NO-dependent pathway ↑ Growth, intestinal integrity, immune function and oxidative status | |
Lactating cross-bred Boer × Yangtse River Delta White goats with twin male suckling kids | 0, 1, 2 or 3 g/d/goat | Mixed in TMR diet (15.9% CP) – frequency not stated | 0–42 d lactation | ↑ ADG and some aspects of rumen development of kids pre-weaning | [45] |
48 Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats | 0.3 or 0.4 g/d | Mixed with basal TMR diet | d 0–90 of gestation | ↑ Arg family of amino acids and glucogenic amino acid concentrations in blood ↑ mRNA expression of osteopontin, αv and β3 integrins and endometrial development ↑ Fetal brown adipose tissue stores and UCP-1 and BMP-7 expression | [67] |
32 Hu twin-bearing Hu ewes | Control (100% NRC) 50% NRC + 50% mineral-vitamin mix 50% NRC + 20 g RP-Arg + 50% min-vit mix 50% NRC + 5 g/d NCG + 50% min-vit mix | Mixed in basal diet | 35–110 d gestation | No effect of RP-Arg or NCG on placental weight, development, or efficiency. Some changes in gene expression in placentomes (VEGFER2 but not VEGFA, VEGFR1, PLGF1, ANG1/2 Altered metabolome profiles ↑ Fetal growth to intermediate between 50% NRC and 100% NRC (another paper claims ↑ to 100% NRC group) ↑ Plasma AA—improved metabolic homeostasis↑ maternal–fetal-placental antioxidation capability and promote fetal growth (intermediate between 50% NRC and 100% NRC) and placental development with RP Arg and NCG in underfed ewes ↑ AA availability in the conceptus to improve fetal growth in underfed ewes ↑ Immune function and thymus development in IUGR fetuses | |
Bovine granulosa cells (in vitro) | 0, 2 and 4 mmol/L | Serum-free medium for 24 h to 48 h | In vitro | Inhibited IGF1-, progesterone- and FSH-Induced granulosa cell estradiol production Inhibited StAR, CYP11A1 and CYP19A1 mRNA abundance in small-follicle granulosa cells ↑ Granulosa cell numbers induced by IGF1 and FSH Suggested direct effect on granulosa cells to regulate ovarian function by slowing follicular differentiation via inhibiting IGF-1 action, and steroid synthesis while stimulating granulosa cell proliferation | [59] |
Yak ovaries | 6 g/d/head | Mixed into TMR diet | d 0–32 gestation | ↑ Large follicle (> 5 mm diameter) number ↑ Angiogenesis and de novo cholesterol synthesis in ovaries ↑ Steroidogenic enzyme expression in ovaries Suggested NCG promotes follicular development by influencing cholesterol metabolism to initiate steroidogenesis in ovaries | [60] |
Multiparous Chinese Holstein dairy cows | 0 or 20 g NCG/d/head (n = 15/group) | Top dressed on TMR (12.6% CP dry period) | Last 28 d of gestation | ↑ Calf birthweight (5 kg) ↑ Plasma Arg in neonatal calves Altered markers of placental angiogenesis and uteroplacental nutrient transport ↑ AA metabolism and urea cycle of the calf | [72] |