Effect of dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation and post-insemination plane of nutrition on global gene expression patterns in bovine uterine endometrial tissue

The objectives of this study were to examine the effect of (i) dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA and (ii) post-insemination plane of nutrition on the global transcriptome of uterine endometrial tissue, with particular focus on key genes and pathways that may affect pregnancy outcome. A total of 60 estrous-synchronised continental crossbred heifers were offered a concentrate-based diet supplemented (n-3 PUFA; n=32) or not (Control; n=28) with an n-3 PUFA-enriched product for 30 days prior to insemination. Following insemination, animals were allocated, within treatment, to one of two post insemination diets, either remaining on their existing high plane of nutrition (Control + High (n = 14); n-3 PUFA + High (n = 15)), or fed a low plane of nutrition diet (Control + Low (n = 14); n-3 PUFA + Low (n = 17)). Uterine endometrial tissue was collected, RNA isolated and gene expression analysis conducted using RNAseq. Comparison of transcript abundance across groups, highlighted a significant effect of diet on the endometrial transcriptome. The mTOR signalling pathway as well as pathways involved in early pregnancy/fertility was significantly enriched as a consequence of diet. A total of 60 estrous-synchronised continental crossbred heifers were offered a concentrate-based diet supplemented (n-3 PUFA; n=32) or not (Control; n=28) with an n-3 PUFA-enriched product for 30 days prior to insemination. Following insemination, animals were allocated, within treatment, to one of two post insemination diets, either remaining on their existing high plane of nutrition (Control + High (n = 14); n-3 PUFA + High (n = 15)), or fed a low plane of nutrition diet (Control + Low (n = 14); n-3 PUFA + Low (n = 17)). Uterine endometrial tissue samples were collected from all heifers following 16 days of differential feeding during the post-insemination phase.