This study examined the effects of supplementing rumen-protected methionine (RP-Met) during the periconceptional period on post-weaning traits of female offspring. A total of 114 beef cows were randomly assigned to a control (CON; no RP-Met) and RP-Met treatment. Cows were supplemented for 14 days, starting 7 d before to 7 d after artificial insemination, with corn gluten (CON) or corn gluten plus 15 g of RP-Met (RPM). After calving, female offspring remained with their dams until weaning. Female offspring were weighed and measured every 2 weeks until a 56-d performance test starting at 420 d of age. One month after the performance test, carcass ultrasonography was performed. During the post-weaning period, female offspring from RPM treated cows had an increase in heart girth. These offspring also experienced greater final body weight and average daily gains during the performance test compared to those in the CON group. Additionally, a decrease in subcutaneous fat was observed in female offspring from the RPM treatment. In conclusion, RP-Met during the periconceptional period modulated body weight and subcutaneous fat deposition of the resultant heifer offspring.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.