Nutritional Endocrinology in Dairy Cattle: Roles of the Ghrelin and Glucagon-Like Peptide Axis in Metabolic Adaptation and Developmental Programming.
Ghrelin and glucagon-like peptides aren’t just buzzwords in human biology. Dairy cattle researchers are now dialing in on how these peptide hormones drive metabolic adaptation during the most demanding stages of a cow’s life. Early lactation and weaning put serious pressure on dairy cows. The latest review out of Hiroshima University and collaborators breaks down how these peptides help cattle cope—and why that matters for both animal science and the broader field of peptide research.
Anim Sci J
by Sugino T, Fukumori R, Elsabagh M et al.
“Nutritional Endocrinology in Dairy Cattle: Roles of the Ghrelin and Glucagon-Like Peptide Axis in Metabolic Adaptation and Developmental Programming. Sugino T(1), Fukumori R(2), Elsabagh M(3), Inabu Y(1), Murayama K(4), Obitsu T(1). Author information: (1)Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan. (2)School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Japan. (3)College of Agriculture, University of Al Dhaid, Sharjah, UAE. (4)Dairy Technology Research Institute, Fukushima, Japan. High-producing dairy cattle experience profound metabolic transitions during the periparturient and periweaning periods that influence health and long-term productivity. In ruminants, feed intake and metabolic adaptation reflect coordinated interactions among rumen fermentation, hepatic oxidative feedback, and gastrointestinal hormones. This review summarizes evidence on ghrelin and the glucagon-like peptide (GLP) axis and organizes recent findings within a hierarchical framework linking rumen-derived substrates, intestinal nutrient sensing, and systemic endocrine responses. Ghrelin increases during negative energy balance in early lactation and appears to support metabolic mobilization, whereas its orexigenic effect is constrained by ruminant-specific intake control. Evidence also indicates that postruminal amino acid supply and fatty acid profile can modulate ghrelin secretion, highlighting the importance of the digestive site and nutrient type. The GLP axis complements this regulation. GLP-1 links postruminal nutrient-related signals with insulin dynamics and satiety, whereas GLP-2 is more closely related to intestinal growth and adaptation during developmental transitions, including weaning. Notably, improvements in intestinal development in early life do not always coincide with large or sustained changes in circulating GLP-2. Overall, viewing dairy nutrition through endocrine responses, alongside nutrient supply, provides a basis to interpret variable outcomes in transition cows and calves and refine feeding strategies across physiological stages. © 2026 The Author(s). Animal Science Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Society of Animal Science.”
Here’s the short version:
Ghrelin spikes when dairy cows hit a negative energy balance, like just after calving. This isn’t just about hunger—ghrelin actually helps mobilize energy reserves. But in ruminants, the expected appetite boost gets checked by their unique digestive feedback loops.
What cows eat—amino acid content, fatty acid makeup—shapes ghrelin secretion. It’s not just about quantity; it’s about where and what is digested.
The glucagon-like peptide axis (GLP-1 and GLP-2) does double duty. GLP-1 handles post-digestion nutrient signals, insulin, and satiety. GLP-2? Think gut growth and adaptation, especially during weaning. Interestingly, big improvements in gut development don’t always mean big bumps in GLP-2 levels.
Key takeaway: Peptide signaling is a critical piece of the puzzle in optimizing dairy nutrition and animal performance. These peptides connect rumen fermentation, intestinal sensing, and whole-body metabolism.
For researchers, this work is a reminder—don’t just look at macronutrients; track the peptide messengers too. Understanding the peptide axis opens new doors for designing better feeding strategies and interpreting those unpredictable cow responses.
Want more on the science behind these signaling molecules? Check the peptide research index for deeper dives into peptide-driven adaptation and metabolic control.
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