SE-FORM CHANGES IN LIPIDS, METABOLITES, AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY IMPROVE BEEF COW FERTILITY

The major goal of this project is to determine how manipulation of the form of selenium (Se) supplemented to cattle grazing pastures grown on Se-deficient soils (a widespread problem in the US) can increase fertility, and hence productivity and sustainability of the beef industry. This study will investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which a novel mixed 50% organic: 50% inorganic-form (MIX) of Se, versus the industry standard inorganic Se (ISe) alone, alters the lipids, metabolites, and antioxidant capabilities that contribute to a larger conceptus size previously observed in MIX-supplemented cattle at maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP). The objective of this project is to determine the mechanism of how the MIX-form of Se as a necessary mineral supplement will 1) mitigate changes in the liver that affect cell health, redox-function, and production of metabolites, and 2) determine metabolic, lipidomic, and metabolomic changes in intercaruncular and caruncular endometrial tissue that affect cell health, redox-function, and availability of energy sources in the endometrium at MRP.