Metabolic profile and glycemic response in fully-grown sows born using assisted reproductive technologies

• Published in: Theriogenology Vol. 230; pp. 314 - 321
• Main Authors: Cánovas, S., Heras, S., Romero-Aguirregomezcorta, J., Quintero-Moreno, A.A., Gadea, J., Coy, P., Romar, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-12-2024
• Subjects: Assisted reproductive technologies; Glucagon; Insulin; Metabolism; Pig; Glucagon; Metabolism; Insulin; Assisted reproductive technologies; Pig
• ISSN: 0093-691X; 1879-3231; 1879-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.10.002

The aim of the present work was to gain insight into the metabolism of pigs derived from assisted reproductive technologies during their adulthood. Approximately 4h after feeding, a blood sample was taken from 3.5 year old sows born by artificial insemination (AI group, n = 7) and transfer of in vitro produced embryos (IVP group, n = 11) to determine the physiological concentrations of the main biomarkers of carbohydrates (glucose and lactate), proteins (albumin, creatinine and urea) and lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides). Four weeks later, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT; 1.75g glucose/kg body weight) was performed after an overnight fast and 1h of water withdrawal. Blood samples were obtained prior (T = 0 min; fasting conditions) and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240 min after glucose intake. At each time point, glycemia was measured immediately using glucometer test strips, and serum was collected to determine the above metabolites along with insulin and glucagon. After OGTT, the area under the curve (AUC) between sampling times and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA) indices were calculated. Under physiological conditions, the concentration of metabolites studied was similar between AI and IVP sows. In both groups, fasting decreased cholesterol and increased triglycerides and urea (P < 0.001). However, creatinine and lactate were similar in both groups under physiological and fasting conditions. The expected increase in albuminemia and decrease in glycaemia after fasting was only observed in IVP sows. OGTT revealed a different glucose curve pattern (monophasic in AI and biphasic in IVP group), a lower mean concentration of cholesterol, glucose, lactate, triglycerides in IVP compared to AI pigs (P < 0.01), and a higher mean concentration of albumin, creatinine and insulin in IVP compared to AI group (P < 0.05). On the contrary, no differences were found between groups for mean serum glucagon and urea levels, nor for glucose homeostasis indices HOMA-IR and HOMA-%B. The AUC differed between groups at several time points with larger AUC for creatinine, and smaller AUC for glucose, glucagon, and triglycerides, in IVP pigs than in AI pigs at 180–210 min (P < 0.05). In conclusion, under physiological conditions the metabolic profile of fully-grown AI and IVP sows is similar and within normal ranges. Glucose challenge revealed differences in metabolic and insulin responses between groups but with normal glucose tolerance in both cases.
•Does embryonic origin (in vivo vs. in vitro) affect the metabolism of 3.5 year old sows?•Do sows respond differently under physiological conditions, fasting and oral glucose challenge (OGTT)?•In in vitro produced sows, albuminemia increased and glycaemia decreased under fasting conditions.•During OGTT, in vitro produced sows had lower mean cholesterol, glucose and triglyceride concentrations than in vivo group.•Biphasic glucose curve and high insulin concentration in in vitro group indicate normal glucose tolerance in these animals.
The literature reports metabolic disturbances and a certain predisposition to insulin resistance and diabetes in individuals born from assisted reproductive technologies. Here, the metabolic profile and response to the oral glucose tolerance test were determined in in vivo and in vitro conceived sows at the age of 3.5 years. The results showed that the carbohydrate, lipid and protein profile is similar under physiological conditions, but the metabolic response is different when animals are subjected to challenging conditions such as fasting and glucose tolerance test. Therefore, the embryonic origin of pigs (vivo or vitro) should be considered when selecting sows for breeding programmes and metabolic studies.