Zena M Herrera

Dr. Zena M Herrera


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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17 February 2026 in Metabolites
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MWMelanie White
Melanie White
RGRachel Female (F) Gibbs
Rachel Female (F) Gibbs
PGPablo Cesar Grijalva
Pablo Cesar Grijalva
ZHZena M Herrera
Zena M Herrera
SCShelley Curry
Shelley Curry
DYDustin T Yates
Dustin T Yates
Background/Objectives: Circulating inflammatory cytokines and tissue sensitivity are both elevated following heat stress-induced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Cytokines disrupt myoblast function and muscle growth, and thus we hypothesized that suppressing inflammatory tone in IUGR-born lambs by supplementing anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals would improve early postnatal growth. Methods: IUGR lambs produced by maternal heat stress were supplemented daily with 42 mg/kg oral omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) Ca2+ salts or placebo from birth to 28 days of age. Results: By day 28, the 21% lighter bodyweights for IUGR lambs were fully resolved by ω-3 PUFA due to the complete recovery of average daily gain. Subcutaneous fat deposition and visceral organ growth were modestly diminished in IUGR-born lambs, but skeletal muscle mass was more markedly restricted. This coincided with 63% less muscle AdipoR2 but 27% greater circulating adiponectin. ω-3 PUFA reduced or eliminated deficits in subcutaneous fat, visceral organs, and five of the six individual muscles assessed, which corresponded with rescue of myoblast populations and AdipoR2 content. In turn, asymmetric growth restriction was resolved at one month of age. Conclusions: These findings show that targeting heightened inflammatory tone during the neonatal period in IUGR-born offspring can recover early growth in skeletal muscle and other soft tissues.