Table 2 mRNA expression of target genes selected for validation of sequencing results. Genes were among the top up and downregulated genes in mammary parenchyma or fat pad of Holstein heifer calves (n = 6/treatment) fed pre-weaning (week 1 to 8 of life) an enhanced (EH) (1.08 kg of powder/head/day, 28.9% crude protein, 26.2% fat, DM basis) or restricted (R; represents the industry standard or control) milk replacer (0.44 kg of powder/head/day, 20.9% crude protein, 19.8% fat, DM basis)

 ABCC11

−11.65

0.0259

−3.67

0.047

0.00410

 ADAM12

2.56

0.0072

3.40

0.026

0.00010

 ASPHD1

4.87

0.0473

3.60

0.046

0.00402

 LOC100335879

4.95

0.0075

3.74

0.046

0.00395

 MPZ

−9.71

0.0202

−3.80

0.029

0.00045

 PLN

−17.14

0.0319

−3.93

0.037

0.00173

 SCN7A

−13.56

0.0186

−3.37

0.038

0.00203

 SEZ6L

8.14

0.0256

4.26

0.038

0.00195

 CAV3

−2.64

0.0019

− 2.20

0.012

0.00009

 ELN

6.26

0.0001

2.50

0.01

0.00003

 FCGR2A

8.71

0.0007

2.70

0.007

0.00001

 LOC781726

7.46

0.0970

3.72

0.019

0.00044

 PLIN4

6.37

<.0001

2.46

0.012

0.00012

 PLPPR4

−3.95

0.0345

−2.38

0.035

0.00165

 RPRML

−2.16

0.0042

−2.51

0.042

0.00237

 WDR66

−6.97

0.0015

−2.60

0.012

0.00009