Research - Nutritional Biochemistry

The Bequette group takes a species comparative approach to investigate aspects of nutrient metabolism that contribute to the low efficiency of nitrogen use by ruminants (5-20%), but higher efficiency by monogastric animals (>45%). Our lab employs whole animal and organ level nutrient balance techniques, and stable isotope, mass spectrometry and molecular approaches to identify metabolic flexibility at points in nutrient metabolism that can be targeted to further improve production efficiency. Accomplishing this should lead to important benefits relating to efficiency of resource use, reduction in feed costs, reduced environmental pollution, lower fat and higher protein products from animals, and benefits for animal and human health.

• Energy and protein partition
• Urea metabolism, recycling and ammonia detoxification
• Amino acid essentiality
• Developmental metabolism of poultry

Teaching

• ANSC 314: Comparative Animal Nutrition
• ANSC 688P: Protein Nutrition and Metabolism

Awards and Honors

• Graduate Research Board Award from the Graduate School of the University of Maryland (2003)

Other Accomplishments

• Authored or co-authored 41 journal articles, 5 reviews, 9 book chapters, 4 proceedings papers, 68 abstracts, 1 book and received 23 invitations to speak at collegiate, national and international meetings.
• Publications cited 629 times
• As PI or Co-PI, obtained $5 M (UK & USA) in research funds and gifts
• National Research Council co-author for Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants (2007)
• US Patent for a novel approach to improve nitrogen re-cycling by ruminants (2007)
• Editorial Boards of Journal of Nutrition, British Journal of Nutrition and Journal of Animal Science.

Publications

Books

• National Research Council. 2007. Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants: Sheep, Goats, Cervids, and New World Camelids. Natl. Acad. Press, Washington, DC.

Book Chapters

• Sunny, N.E., Owens, S.L., Bequette, B.J. (2007) Role of glutamine and glutamate in gluconeogenesis and Krebs cycle metabolism in late term chicken embryos. 2nd Intl. Symp. Protein Energy Metab. Nutr. p. 475-77.
• Baldwin, R.K., VI, El-Kadi, S.W., McLeod, K.R., Connor, E.E., and Bequette, B.J. (2007) Intestinal and ruminal epithelial and hepatic metabolism regulatory gene expression as affected by forage to concentrate ratio in bulls. 2nd Intl. Symp. Protein Energy Metab. Nutr. p. 293-95
• El-Kadi, S.W., Sunny, N.E., Owens, S.L., and Bequette, B.J. (2003) Glucose metabolism by the gastrointestinal tract of sheep as affected by protein supply. In Proceedings 1st Intl. Symp. Protein Energy Metab. Nutr. p. 401–4.
• Bequette, B.J. (2003) Amino acid metabolism in Animals: An overview. In Amino Acids in Animal Nutrition [J.P.F.D’Mello, ed.] Wallingford: CABI Publishing, pp. 87-101.
• Bequette, B.J., H. Lapierre, and M. D. Hanigan (2003) Amino acid uptake by the mammary gland of lactating ruminants. In Amino Acids in Animal Nutrition [J.P.F. D’Mello, ed.] Wallingford:CABI Publishing, pp. 347-365.
• Crompton, L.A., France, J., Bequette, B.J., Maas, J.A., Hanigan, M.D., Lomax, M.A. & Dijkstra, J. (2000) Isotope dilution models for partitioning amino acid uptake by the liver, mammary gland and hindlimb tissues of ruminants. In Modelling Nutrient Utilization in Farm Animals, [J.P.McNamara, J. France & D.E. Beever, eds.], Wallingford: CABI Publishing, pp. 353-360.
• Hanigan, M. D., France, J., Crompton, L. A., & Bequette, B. J. (2000) Evaluation of a representation of the limiting amino acid theory for milk protein synthesis. In Modelling Nutrient Utilization in Farm Animals. [J.P.McNamara, J. France & D.E. Beever, eds.], Wallingford: CABI Publishing, pp. 127-144.
• MacRae, J.C., Bequette, B.J. & Crompton, L.A. (2000) Synthesis of milk protein and opportunities for nutritional manipulation. In Milk composition. British Society of Animal Science Occassional Pub. No. 25, pp. 179-199.
• MacRae, J.C., Lobley, G.E., Bequette, B.J. & Backwell, F.R.C. (1996) Protein Metabolism in Specific Organs. In Protein Metabolism and Nutrition [A.F. Nunes; A.V. Portugal; J.P. Costa & J.R. Ribeiro, eds.], EAAP Publ. no. 81, p. 297-308.

Review Articles

• Bequette, B.J., Sunny, N.E., El-Kadi, S.W., & Owens, S.L. (2005) Application of stable isotopes and mass isotopomer distribution analysis to the study of intermediary metabolism of nutrients. J. Anim. Sci. 88: (Suppl. 1)
• Wallace, R.J., Newbold, C.J., Bequette, B.J. & Lobley, G.E. (2001) Increasing the flow of protein from ruminal fermentation - Review. Asian-Austr. J. Anim. Sci. 14:885-893.
• Hanigan, M.D., Bequette, B.J., Crompton, L.A. & France, J. (2001) Modelling mammary amino acid metabolism. Livestock Prod. Sci. 70:63-78. (Download Ref1-rev)
• Bequette, B.J., Backwell, F.R.C. & Crompton, L.A. (1998) Current concepts of amino acid and protein metabolism by the lactating ruminant mammary gland. J. Dairy Sci. 81:2540-2559. (Download Ref2-rev)
• Bequette, B.J. & Backwell, F.R.C. (1997) Amino acid supply and metabolism by the ruminant mammarygland. Proc. Nutr. Soc. 56:593-605.

Journal Articles

• Hanigan, M.D., France, J., Mabjeesh, S.J., McNabb, W.C., and Bequette, B.J. (2009) High rates of mammary tissue protein turnover in lactating goats are energetically costly. J. Nutr. 139: 1118-1127.
• El-Kadi, S.W. Baldwin. R.L. VI, McLeod, K.R., Sunny, N.E., and Bequette, B.J. (2009) Glutamate is the major anaplerotic substrate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle of isolated rumen epithelial and duodenal mucosal cells from beef cattle. J. Nutr. 139: 869-875.
• Bequette, B.J., and Douglass, L.W. (2009) The frequency of unilateral milking alters leucine metabolism and amino acid removal by the mammary gland of lactating goats. J. Dairy Sci. (accepted)
• Savary-Auzeloux, I., Kraft, G., Bequette, B.J., Papet, I., Remond, D., Ortigues-Marty, I. (2009) Dietary nitrogen to energy ratio alters amino acid partition in the whole body and amongst the splanchnic tissues in growing lambs. J. Anim. Sci. (accepted)
• Kraft, G., Ortigues-Marty, I., Durand, D., Remond, D., Jarde, T., Bequette, B.J., and Savary-Auzeloux, I. (2009) Adaptations of hepatic amino acid metabolism contribute to the nitrogen economy in lambs fed nitrogen- or energy-imbalanced diets. Animal (accepted)
• Sparks, M.E., Huang, Y., Baldwin, R.L. VI, Li, W., Connor, E.E., Li, C., Sonstegard, T.S., Schroeder, S.G., Bequette, B.J., and Li, R.W. (2009) Metagenomics detects functional shifts in the bovine rumen microbiota in response to propionate intake. Genome Biol. (submitted)
• Zeng, R., Bequette, B.J., Vinyard, B.T., and Bannerman, D.D. (2009) Determination of milk and blood concentrations of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein in cows with naturally acquired subclinical and clinical mastitis. J. Dairy Sci. (in press).
• Cyriac, J., Rius, A.G. McGilliard, M.L., Pearson, R.E., Bequette, B.J., Hanigan, M.D. (2008) Lactation performance of mid-lactation dairy cows fed ruminally degradable protein at concentrations lower than NRC recommendations. J. Dairy Sci. 91: 4704-4713.
• El-Kadi, S.W., McLeod, K.R., Elam, N.A., Kitts, S.E., Taylor, C.C., Harmon, D.L., Bequette, B.J., Vanzant, E.S. (2008) Nutrient net absorption across the portal-drained viscera of forage-fed beef steers: Quantitative assessment and application to a nutritional prediction model. J. Anim. Sci. 86: 2277-2287.
• Sunny, N.E., Owens, S.L., Baldwin, R.L. VI., El-Kadi, S.W., Kohn, R.A., Bequette, B.J. (2007) Salvage of blood urea nitrogen in sheep is highly dependent upon plasma urea concentration and the efficiency of capture within the digestive tract. J. Anim. Sci. 85: 1006–1013.
• El-Kadi, S.W., Baldwin, R.L.VI., Sunny, N.E., Owens, S.L., Bequette, B.J. (2006) Metabolism of amino acids and glucose by the sheep gastrointestinal tract in response to post-ruminal protein supplies. J. Nutrition 136: 1261–1269.
• Oba, M., Baldwin, R.L., IV, Owens, S.L, Bequette, B.J. (2005) Metabolic fates of ammonia nitrogen in ruminal epithelial and dudoenal mucosal cells isolated from growing sheep. J. Dairy Sci. 88: 3963-3970.
• Edwards, J.E., Bequette, B.J., McKain, N., McEwan, N.R., Wallace, R.J. (2005) Influence of flavomycin on microbial numbers, microbial metabolism and gut tissue protein turnover in the digestive tract of sheep. Br. J. Nutrition. 94: 64–70.
• Guan, X., Bequette, B.J. , Ku, P.K.,Tempelman, R.J., & Trottier, N.L. (2004) Amino acid needs for milk synthesis is defined by the maximal uptake of plasma amino acid by the porcine mammary glands. J. Nutrition. (In press).
• Oba, M., Baldwin, R.L., IV, Owens, S.L, & Bequette, B.J. (2004) Urea synthesis by ruminal epithelial and duodenal mucosal cells isolated from growing sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 87: 1803-1805. (Download Ref21)
• Oba, M., Baldwin, R.L., IV, & Bequette, B.J. (2004) Oxidation of glucose, glutamate, and glutamine by isolated ovine enterocytes in vitro is decreased by presence of other metabolic fuels. J. Anim. Sci. 82: 479-486. (Download Ref22)
• Hanigan, M. D., Crompton, L. A., Bequette, B. J., Mills, J.A.N., & France, J. (2002) Modelling mammary metabolism in the dairy cow to predict milk constituent yield, with emphasis on amino acid metabolism and milk protein production: model evaluation. J. Theor. Biol. 217, 311-330. (Download Ref3)
• Guan, X., B. J. Bequette, A.G. Calder, P. K. Ku, K. N. Ames, & N. L. Trottier. (2002) Amino acid availability affects amino acid flux and protein metabolism in the porcine mammary gland. J. Nutrition. 132: 1224-1234. (Download Ref4)
• Bequette, B.J., Kyle, C.E., Crompton, L.A. Calder, A.G., & Hanigan, M.D. (2002) Protein metabolism in lactating goats subjected to the insulin clamp. J. Dairy Sci. 85: 1546-1555. (Download Ref5)
• Mabjeesh, S.J., Kyle , C.E., Mac Rae , J.C., & Bequette, B.J. (2002) Vascular sources of amino acids for milk protein synthesis in goats at two stages of lactation. J. Dairy Sci. 85:919-929. (Download Ref6)
• Daenzer, M., Petzke, K.J., Bequette, B.J., & Metges, C.C. (2001) Whole-body nitrogen and splanchnic amino acid metabolism is different in rats fed mixed diets containing casein or its corresponding amino acid mixture. J. Nutr. 131:1965-1972. (Download Ref7)
• Bequette, B.J., Kyle, C.E., Crompton, L.A. Buchan, V. & Hanigan, M.D. (2001) Insulin regulates mammary gland and hind-leg amino acid fluxes and blood flow in lactating goats. J. Dairy Sci. 84:241-255. (Download Ref8)
• Bequette, B.J., Hanigan, M.D., Calder, A.G., Reynolds, C.K., Lobley, G.E., & MacRae, J.C. (2000) Amino acid exchange by the mammary gland of lactating goats when histidine limits milk production. J. Dairy Sci. 83:765-775. (Download Ref9)
• Metges, C.C., El-Khoury, A., Selvaraj, A.B., Tsay, R.H., Atkinson, A., Bequette, B.J., & Young, V.R. (2000) Kinetics of L-[1- ¹³C] leucine when ingested with free amino acids, unlabeled or intrinsically labeled casein. Am. J. Physiol. 278:E1000-1009. (Download Ref10)
• Mabjeesh, S.J., Kyle , C.E., Mac Rae , J.C., & Bequette, B.J. (2000) Lysine metabolism by the mammary gland of lactating goats at two stages of lactation. J. Dairy Sci. 83:996-1003. (Download Ref11)
• Bequette, B.J., Backwell, F.R.C., Kyle, C.E., Calder, A.G., Buchan, V., Crompton, L.A. France, J., and MacRae, J.C. (1999) Vascular sources of phenylalanine, tyrosine, lysine and methionine for casein synthesis in lactating goats. J. Dairy Sci. 82:362-377. (Download Ref12)
• France, J., Hanigan, M.D., Reynolds, C.K., Dijkstra, J., Crompton, L.A., Maas, J.A., Bequette, B.J., Metcalf, J.A., Lobley, G.E., MacRae, J.C. & Beever, D.E. (1999) An isotope dilution model for partitioning leucine uptake by the liver of the lactating dairy cow. J. Theor. Biol. 198:121-133. (Download Ref13)
• France, J., Hanigan, M.D., Bequette, B.J., Metcalf, J.A., Beever, D.E., Lobley, G.E., MacRae, J.C. & Backwell, F.R.C. (1997) A model for quantifying the contribution of extracellularly-derived peptides to milk protein synthesis in the ruminant mammary gland. J. Theor. Biol. 185:379-388. (Download Ref14)
• Bequette, B.J., Backwell, F.R.C., Calder, A.G., Metcalf, J.A., Beever, D.E., MacRae, J.C. & Lobley, G.E. (1997) Application of a U- ¹³C-labelled amino acid tracer in lactating dairy goats for simultaneous measurements of the flux of amino acids in plasma and the partition of amino acids to the mammary gland. J. Dairy Sci. 80:2842-2853. (Download Ref15)
• Wray-Cahen, D., Roberts, S., Metcalf, J.A., Backwell, F.R.C., Bequette, B.J., Brown, D.S., Sutton, J.D. & Lobley, G.E. (1997) Hepatic responses to increased exogenous supply of plasma amino acids by infusion into the mesenteric vein of Holstein-Friesian cows in late gestation. Br. J. Nutrition. 78:913-930.
• Bequette, B.J., Metcalf, J.A., Wray-Cahen, D., Backwell, F.R.C., Sutton, J.D., Lomax, M.A., MacRae, J.C. & Lobley, G.E. (1996) Leucine and protein metabolism in the lactating dairy cow mammary gland: responses to supplemental dietary crude protein intake. J. Dairy Res. 63:209-222.
• Bequette, B.J., Backwell, F.R.C., MacRae, J.C., Lobley, G.E., Crompton, L.A., Metcalf, J.A. & Sutton, J.D. (1996) Effect of intravenous amino acid infusion on leucine oxidation across the mammary gland of the lactating goat. J. Dairy Sci. 79:2217-2224. (Download Ref16)
• Lobley, G.E., Connell, A., Revell, D.K., Bequette, B.J., Brown, D.S., & Calder, A.G. (1996) Splanchnic-bed transfers of amino acids in sheep blood and plasma, as monitored through use of a multiple U- ¹³C-labelled amino acid mixture. Br. J. Nutr. 75:217-235.
• Metcalf, J.A., Wray-Cahen, D., Chettle, E.E., Sutton, J.D. Beever, D.E., Crompton, L.A., MacRae, J.C., Bequette, B.J. & Backwell, F.R.C. (1996) The effect of dietary crude protein as protected soybean meal on mammary metabolism in the lactating dairy cow. J. Dairy Sci. 79:603-611. (Download Ref17)
• Metcalf, J.A., Crompton, L.A., Wray-Cahen, D., Lomax, M.A., Sutton, J.D., Beever, D.E., Bequette, B.J., Backwell, F.R.C., MacRae, J.C. & Lobley, G.E. (1996) Responses in milk constituents to intravascular administration of two mixtures of amino acids to dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 79:1425-1429. (Download Ref18)
• Backwell, F.R.C., Bequette, B.J., Wilson, D., Metcalf, J.A., Franklin, M.F., Beever, D.E., Lobley, G.E. & MacRae, J.C. (1996) Evidence for the utilization of peptides for milk protein synthesis in the lactating dairy goat in vivo. Am. J. Physiol. 271:R955-R960.
• France, J., Bequette, B.J., Lobley, G.E., Metcalf, J.A., Wray-Cahen, D., Dhanoa, M.S., Backwell, F.R.C., Hanigan, M.D., MacRae, J.C. & Beever, D.E. (1995) An isotope dilution model for partitioning leucine uptake by the bovine mammary gland. J. Theor. Biol. 172:369-377. (Download Ref19)
• Bequette, B.J., Backwell, F.R.C., Dhanoa, M.S., Walker, A., Calder, A.G., Wray-Cahen, D., Metcalf, J.A., Sutton, J.D., Beever, D.E., Lobley, G.E. & MacRae, J.C. (1994) Kinetics of blood free and milk casein amino acid labeling in the dairy goat at two stages of lactation. Br. J. Nutr. 72:211-220.
• Backwell, F.R.C., Bequette, B.J., Wilson, D., Calder, A.G., Metcalf, J.A., Wray-Cahen, D., MacRae, J.C., Beever, D.E. & Lobley, G.E. (1994) The utilization of dipeptides by the caprine mammary gland for milk protein synthesis. Am. J. Physiol. 267:R1-R6.
• Metcalf, J.A., Beever, D.E., Sutton, J.D., Wray-Cahen, D., Evans, R.T., Humphries, D.J., Backwell, F.R.C., Bequette, B.J. & MacRae, J.C. (1994) The effect of supplementary protein on in vivo metabolism of the mammary gland in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 77:1816-1827. (Download Ref20)

Grants

Project	Funding Source	Amount
Improving the quality and consistency of grass-fed beef in the state of Maryland (08-09)	Jorgensen Foundation (Co-PI)	$10,000
Methionine as a Methyl Donor in Lactating Dairy Cows. (08-09)	MAES Competitive Grant	$25,000
Identification of key metabolism-related genes and pathway fluxes that determine tissue partition of macronutrients in beef cattle. (07-10)	USDA - National Research Initiative	$333,606
Analysis of Tobacco plant primary and secondary compounds and carbohydrates. (06-07)	Special Research Grant, USDA. (Subcontract to $306,842 grant: Alternative Uses of Tobacco (Co-PI)	$40,000
Nutritional and physiological control of metabolic pathways that alter milk protein and lactose synthesis by the mammary gland. (05-06)	MAES Competitive Grant	$19,500
Nutritional regulation of amino acid and glucose utilization by the gastrointestinal tract of sheep fed a forage diet. (03-05)	MAES Competitive Grant	$30,000
Feed analysis and potential use of tobacco byproducts for animal production. (03-05)	Special Research Grant, USDA. (Subcontract to $336,730 grant titled Alternative Uses of Tobacco by project director J.S. Angle)	$187,000
Do metabolic differences in glucose and energy substrate metabolism account for greater feed efficiency in White and Hybrid Striped Bass compared to Striped Bass? (04-06)	MAES Competitive Grant	$35,000
Utilization of crystalline amino acids by the gut in growing pigs. (04-05)	The National Pork Board (Co-PI: N.L. Trottier, Michigan State Univ.)	$25,000
Investigating the metabolic capacity and mechanisms of ammonia detoxification by the ruminant gastrointestinal tract. (03-04)	Graduate Research Board Research Support Award, University of Maryland	$3,500