Recorded live at the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) 2026 Meeting, this Student Showcase episode of the Real Science Exchange podcast explores emerging research into rumen-protected choline, prenatal nutrition, and dairy calf development. In this episode, we highlight Student Showcase: Prenatal Choline Effects on Offspring Mammary Development and discuss its scientific significance.
Episode 225: Student Showcase: Prenatal Choline Effects on Offspring Mammary Development
Timestamps:
Host Scott Sorrell is joined by Dr. Billy Brown and Carson Corwin of Kansas State University to discuss Corwin’s research presentation, “Effect of prenatal rumen-protected choline on dam feeding behavior and offspring mammary development.”
The conversation examines how feeding rumen-protected choline during the prepartum period may influence maternal feeding behavior and mammary development in offspring. The researchers also discuss what these early findings could mean for our understanding of prenatal nutritional programming in dairy cattle and why more research is needed before connecting developmental changes to future performance.
How Was Rumen-Protected Choline Evaluated During the Prepartum Period?
The study evaluated multiparous dairy cows receiving a rumen-protected choline supplement during the 21-day prepartum period.
Researchers used individualized feeding bunks equipped with RFID technology to track intake and feeding behavior. Measurements included meal timing, meal intervals, meal size, and number of meals.
The team then followed heifer calves from the participating cows to investigate potential effects on offspring development. Mammary ultrasound images were collected on days 1, 42, and 84 to evaluate mammary development over time.
Watch this discussion: 03:15 – 05:43
What Did Researchers Observe in Calf Mammary Development?
One of the most notable early findings involved mammary parenchyma development.
Corwin explains that calves born to supplemented dams showed increased mammary parenchyma area. Researchers also observed a tendency toward a greater parenchyma-to-fat-pad ratio, which the researchers discuss as an indicator of greater mammary system development potential.
Dr. Brown notes that the observed response occurred across the evaluation period rather than only at a single time point. He also discusses an approximately 10% difference in measured mammary parenchyma area.
These results provide researchers with another potential avenue for investigating how maternal nutrition during the prepartum period may influence development in dairy calves.
Hear the researchers discuss the findings: 05:44 – 07:49
How Could Prenatal Nutrition Affect Dairy Calves?
The discussion places the findings within a broader area of research examining the relationship between maternal nutrition, prenatal development, and the health and performance of dairy calves.
Dr. Brown discusses earlier research reporting responses related to calf growth, immune function, and longer-term development. He also notes observations suggesting potential downstream production advantages, while emphasizing that some observations remain unpublished.
Importantly, the researchers characterize the current work as an early step toward understanding the biological mechanisms involved.
Additional research will be needed to determine whether differences observed during early calf development translate into meaningful effects later in an animal’s life.
Listen to the discussion: 07:50 – 08:59
Could Epigenetics Help Explain the Response to Prenatal Choline?
Why would choline provided to a cow before calving potentially affect her offspring?
For now, the mechanism remains unclear.
Dr. Brown describes the biological mechanism as a “black box.” He explains that the team’s current hypothesis involves possible epigenetic factors, but emphasizes that a definitive mechanism has not yet been identified.
The team plans to continue monitoring the calves and evaluate metabolic factors that could provide additional insight into the developmental responses observed in the study.
Understanding those mechanisms could ultimately help researchers better explain how prenatal nutritional interventions influence calf development.
Watch this portion of the conversation: 09:00 – 09:41
What’s Next for Prenatal Nutrition Research in Dairy Cattle?
The episode also looks beyond the current choline study.
Corwin discusses plans for a new project evaluating a yeast supplement fed to prepartum cows earlier in the dry period. That research will focus on areas including calf immune response and colostrum quality.
The continued research reflects a bigger question within dairy science: How much can nutritional decisions made before calving influence the calf after birth?
As scientists continue investigating prenatal nutrition, metabolic responses, immune function, and developmental programming, research like this may help clarify how maternal nutrition contributes to the trajectory of calf development.
Watch the final discussion: 09:42 – End
Conclusion
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