Ewe nutrition in early and mid- to late pregnancy has few effects on fetal development

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 533 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. P. Martín ◽  
P. R. Kenyon ◽  
P. C. H. Morel ◽  
S. J. Pain ◽  
C. M. C. Jenkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Fetal Development ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Mammary Glands ◽  
Placental Weight ◽  
Fetal Weight ◽  
Fetal Thyroid ◽  
Lifetime Effects

Maternal nutrition affects fetal development, with potential lifelong consequences. The study reported here compared the anatomical development (dimensions and organs) of twin fetuses at Day 140 of gestation, from 58 twin-bearing ewes fed at one of three different nutritional treatments in early pregnancy [Day 21–50, Low (LD21–50) versus Medium (MD21–50) versus High (HD21–50)] and one of two different nutritional treatments in mid- to late pregnancy (Day 50–140, Medium (MD50–140) versus High (HD50–140)]. There were no effects (P > 0.05) of either early or mid- to late pregnancy nutrition on placental weight and fetal bodyweight or size measurements at Day 140. Semitendinosus muscles from LD21–50-HD50–140 fetuses were heavier (P < 0.05) than those from LD21–50-MD50–140 and HD21–50-HD50–140 fetuses, and fetuses from LD21–50 dams had lighter (P < 0.05) mammary glands compared with those from MD21–50 and HD21–50 dams, even after adjustment for fetal weight. Maternal nutrition also affected (P < 0.05) the weights of the fetal thyroid and brain. These results suggest that farmers can limit ewe nutrition in early pregnancy with only minor effects on the fetus. To investigate potential lifetime effects, a larger cohort of these animals is currently being monitored.

The partition of nutrients in ewes maintained in a moderate compared with a lean body condition in late pregnancy

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 743 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. McNeill ◽  
R. W. Kelly ◽  
I. H. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Placental Weight ◽  
Fetal Weight ◽  
Fetal Size ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Free Body

The effect of ewe fatness on fetal weight at term was tested without the confounding effects of placental weight and feed intake. We hypothesised that fetal weights should be similar in fat or lean ewes with placentas of a similar size, and tested the hypothesis by manipulating nutrition so that, at mating, Merino ewes carrying a single fetus were in a medium (score 2·9, liveweight 46·6 kg) or lean (score 2·0, liveweight 40·6 kg) condition. They were maintained at this fatness difference until slaughter at Day 146 of pregnancy when fetal, placental, and maternal tissues were weighed and analysed for composition. Subgroups (n = 8 per fatness group) slaughtered at Day 110, a stage when most placental hypertrophy is complete but the majority of fetal hypertrophy is yet to occur, confirmed that the treatments differed in ewe fatness (3·82 v. 9·19 kg empty-body fat, s.e.m. = 0·960; P < 0·001) but not placental weight (487 v. 538 g, s.e.m. = 41·5, P > 0·05). By Day 146, fatness differences (4·77 v. 9·56 kg empty-body fat, s.e.m. = 0·960, P < 0·001) and placental similarities (434 v. 502 g, s.e.m. = 38·3, P > 0·05) were maintained, and both groups produced fetuses of similar size (4408 v. 4382 g, s.e.m. = 204·6, P > 0·05). However, the fetuses in the lean ewes had 20% less fat/kg fat-free body weight (24 v. 30 g/kg, s.e.m. = 1·3, P < 0·01). Fetal weight was correlated with placental weight (r = 0·70; P < 0·01) but not with ewe fatness. Fetal fatness, however, was correlated with ewe fatness (r = 0·69; P < 0·01). Ewe fatness per se did not influence fetal size but did influence the deposition of fat in the fetus, possibly via a greater ability of fatter ewes to partition more glucose toward their fetus.

scholarly journals 273.Insulin-like growth factor treatment of pregnant guinea pigs during early pregnancy promotes fetal growth

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 273
Author(s):  
A. N. Sferruzzi-Perri ◽  
J. A. Owens ◽  
J. S. Robinson ◽  
C. T. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Placental Weight ◽  
Fetal Weight ◽  
Abdominal Circumference ◽  
Insulin Like Growth Factor ◽  
Crown Rump Length ◽  
Igf I

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II is an important regulator of growth in many tissues and is abundantly expressed in the placenta during pregnancy. Gene ablation studies performed in mice have shown that IGF-II deficiency results in both impaired fetal and placental growth, whereas deficiency in IGF-I reduces fetal growth only. Conversely, maternal IGF supplementation in early pregnancy in the guinea pig increases placental and fetal size by mid pregnancy. This study aimed to determine whether these anabolic effects persist into late pregnancy after cessation of treatment. On Day 20 of pregnancy, mothers were anaesthetised and a mini osmotic pump was implanted subcutaneously, to deliver 1mg/kg/day IGF-I (n = 7), IGF-II (n = 9) or vehicle (n = 7) for 17 days. Guinea pigs were killed on Day 62 of pregnancy (term ~67 days). Fetal and placental weights, and maternal and fetal body composition, were measured. Total litter size was unaffected by IGF treatment; however, IGF-II increased the number of viable fetuses by 26% (P = 0.01). After adjusting for the number of viable pups per litter, maternal IGF treatment increased fetal growth by increasing abdominal circumference, crown-rump length and fetal weight (fetal weight: IGF-I 79+/–2.5 g; IGF-II 78+/–2.6 g; vs vehicle 68+/–2.5 g, P = 0.02). IGF treatment did not alter absolute or relative fetal organ weights. IGF-I reduced placental weight by 9% and IGF-II increased it by 9%, but not significantly. IGF-I increased the fetal weight�:�placental weight ratio (19+/–0.9 vs 15+/–0.9, respectively P = 0.043). IGF treatment did not affect maternal weight gain during pregnancy nor net carcass weight; however, IGF-I reduced maternal lung and adipose tissue weights. In conclusion, maternal IGF-II treatment during early pregnancy improved fetal growth into late gestation, possibly by modulating placental efficiency. As poor placental development is implicated in fetal growth restriction, increasing maternal IGF abundance in early to mid pregnancy may be a potential therapeutic approach to placental insufficiency.

Progesterone secretion and fetal development during prolonged starvation in the pig.

1979 ◽  
Vol 236 (4) ◽  
pp. E335 ◽  
Author(s):  
L L Anderson ◽  
D L Hard ◽  
L P Kertiles
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Fetal Development ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Fetal Mortality ◽  
Serum Progesterone ◽  
Prolonged Starvation ◽  
Fetal Survival ◽  
Progesterone Secretion

Roles of ovarian progesterone secretion and maternal nutrition in fetal development were investigated in a species that normally experiences considerable embryonic and fetal mortality. Pregnancies were maintained in 81% of Yorkshire pigs during prolonged starvation (e.g., 40 days; 0 kcal/day, water only) in either the middle third (days 30-70) or last third (days 70-110) of gestation compared with 100% in full-fed controls (7,028 kcal/day). In spite of severe maternal deprivation, fetal survival rates averaged 65% in starved dams and 63% in controls; mean number of living fetuses was 9.9 in starved and 9.6 in control dams. Fetal growth was reduced by maternal starvation during the middle third, but not the last third of pregnancy. Placental insufficiency was the primary cause of reduced fetal growth and resulted in abortion in a few of the dams. Progesterone in peripheral serum of dams starved either during middle or late pregnancy was maintained at levels similar (P greater than 0.05) to those in controls. Abortion occurred in starved dams only when serum progesterone concentrations dropped to less than 10 ng/ml within 3 days before loss of conceptuses.

scholarly journals Probiotic Supplementation Regulates Placental and Fetal Development in C57BL6/J Mice (P20-008-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Larson ◽  
Danielle Krout ◽  
Travis Alvine ◽  
Huawei Zeng ◽  
Amy Bundy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Fetal Development ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Placental Weight ◽  
Fetal Weight ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Probiotic Supplementation ◽  
Fatty Acid Binding ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Abstract Objectives Maternal high-fat (HF) diet predisposes offspring to metabolic syndrome, in part, by inducing alterations during placental development resulting in abnormal fetal development and offspring birth weight. We previously reported in a rat model that a maternal malnutrition diet increases fetal inflammation, and placental vascularization, and decreases offspring birth weight followed by adult-onset obesity. In the current study, we investigated when during gestational development a maternal HF diet induces changes in placental weight, lipid content, and inflammation. We further investigated whether probiotic supplementation offsets HF-diet induced adverse outcomes. Methods Two-month old female C57BL/6 mice were fed diets of 16% fat (normal-fat, NF) or 45% fat (high-fat, HF) for 8 weeks followed by 4 weeks of probiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, BB-12) supplementation. Fetuses and placentae were examined mid- (D12) and late- (D19) gestation Results Placental length, width, and weight as well as fetal weight were decreased in the HF group at D12. Probiotic supplementation reversed the HF diet-induced reduction in placental weight at D12. These beneficial effects of probiotic supplementation were absent at D19 as fetal weights from all HF diet fed groups weighed less regardless of probiotic supplementation. Probiotic supplementation reduced placental TNF-alpha mRNA at D12 and IL-10 mRNA at D19. Triacylglyceride concentration was increased at D19 by HF diet, in part, by the preceding increases in lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and plasma membrane-associated fatty-acid binding protein (FABPpm) mRNA expression at D12. Conclusions These findings suggest that maternal HF diet alters placental size and weight as well as fetal weight and that probiotic supplementation renders a protective effect against these changes in mid-gestation. Future studies are needed to determine whether the protective mechanism of probiotic supplementation in mid-gestation has beneficial effects on offspring developmental programming. Funding Sources USDA Agricultural Research Service Project #3062-51000-052-00D.

scholarly journals Maternal undernutrition during mid-pregnancy in sheep. Placental size and its relationship to calcium transfer during late pregnancy

1991 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Mccrabb ◽  
A. R. Egan ◽  
B. J. Hosking
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Placental Transfer ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Placental Weight ◽  
Fetal Weight ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Maternal Undernutrition ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Whole Body Metabolism

The aim of the present experiment was to determine the relationship between placental and fetal weight after placental growth had been retarded by maternal undernutrition. Placental weight and fetal weight were measured in single-lamb-bearing ewes which were well-fed throughout pregnancy, or severely undernourished between the 30th and 96th day of pregnancy. Placental transfer of calcium and whole-body metabolism of both glucose and Ca were measured during late pregnancy. The change in fleece-adjusted live weight between the 30th and 96th day of pregnancy was 99 (se 9.8) and – 146 (se 9.6) g/d for the well-fed and undernourished ewes respectively. The condition score of well-fed ewes did not significantly change between the 96th (2.9 (se 0.08)) and 140th (3.0 (se 0.13)) day of pregnancy, while it increased from 1.6 (se 0.15) to 2.3 (se 0.11) for the previously undernourished group. Undernutrition caused an increase (P < 0.01) in placental weight measured on the 96th (21%) and 140th (30%) day of pregnancy. In contrast fetal growth was not significantly affected by maternal undernutrition. While the voluntary dry matter intakes (g/d) of previously undernourished ewes after the 97th day of pregnancy were higher than for their well-fed counterparts, there was no significant difference between whole-body glucose or Ca metabolism, or the placental transfer of Ca measured during late pregnancy. This experiment confirms earlier reports of an increase in placental weight as a result of maternal undernutrition during mid-pregnancy; but the factors causing and the functional significance of this response have not been identified. Contrary to earlier proposals, placental weight per se did not limit fetal growth during late pregnancy. It is hypothesized that a combination of factors originating from maternal, placental and fetal sources act together to regulate growth of the fetus.

scholarly journals The influence of maternal nutrient restriction in early to mid-pregnancy on placental and fetal development in sheep

1999 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Heasman ◽  
L. Clarke ◽  
T. J. Stephenson ◽  
M. E. Symonds
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Development ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Placental Weight ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Nutrient Restriction ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Fetal Size ◽  
Size At Birth

Placental weight is a primary factor determining size at birth in many species. In sheep, placental weight peaks at approximately mid-gestation, with structural remodelling occurring over the second half of pregnancy to meet the increasing nutritional demands of the growing fetus. Numerous factors influence placental growth and development in sheep, and many workers (see Kelly, 1992) have investigated the role of maternal nutrition as a regulator of placental and fetal size. We have studied the effects of feeding ewes approximately 50 % of their recommended energy requirements during early to mid-pregnancy on fetal and placental indices measured at mid-gestation (i.e. 80 d) and close to term (i.e. 145 d). Maternal nutrient restriction is associated with a reduction in placental weight at 80 d, but an increase in placental weight at 145 d of gestation, compared with ewes fed adequately in early pregnancy. No significant effect on fetal weight was observed at either 80 or 145 d gestation, although differences in body dimensions and the insulin-like growth factor-1 axis were found in lambs from nutrient-restricted ewes delivered close to term. Maternal nutrition during pregnancy plays a pivotal role in the regulation of fetal and placental development in sheep, and therefore has the potential to influence both short- and longer-term health outcomes.

Placental Transfer of Calcium and Strontium in the Rat and Rabbit

1957 ◽  
Vol 189 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Wasserman ◽  
C. L. Comar ◽  
M. M. Nold ◽  
F. W. Lengemann
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Urinary Excretion ◽  
Fetal Development ◽  
Placental Transfer ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Placental Barrier ◽  
Tracer Techniques ◽  
Comparative Metabolism ◽  
Differential Movement

The comparative metabolism of calcium and strontium during fetal development was investigated in rats and rabbits using double tracer techniques. In general, the placental transfer from dam to fetus of strontium was about one-half that of calcium; the site of discrimination was the placental barrier. The major discrimination occurred in movement of Ca* and Sr* from dam to fetus, with little or no differential movement from fetus to dam. Under steady state conditions in the rat the relative Sr*/Ca* ratios in the fetus, maternal skeleton and diet were 0.17, 0.28 and 1, respectively. The over-all discrimination of 0.17 between fetus and diet resulted from absorption (0.42), urinary excretion (0.63) and placental transfer (0.65). In the rat it was estimated that 92% of the fetal calcium had originated from the maternal diet. In the rabbit during late pregnancy, it was determined that about 24 mg of calcium/fetus/day moved across the placenta as compared with a need of about 13 mg for fetal development.

scholarly journals Changes in physical activity across pregnancy among Chinese women: a longitudinal cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Lü ◽  
Yahui Feng ◽  
Shuai Ma ◽  
Yu Jiang ◽  
Liangkun Ma
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Chinese Women ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Central China ◽  
Dominant Form ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

Abstract Background Sufficient physical activity (PA) during pregnancy is beneficial for a woman’s health; however, the PA levels of Chinese women at different pregnancy stages are not clear. The aim of our study was to investigate PA changes during pregnancy and the association of population characteristics with PA change among Chinese women. Methods Data were obtained from 2485 participants who were enrolled in the multicentre prospective Chinese Pregnant Women Cohort Study. PA level was assessed in early pregnancy (mean = 10, 5–13 weeks of gestation) and again in mid-to-late pregnancy (mean = 32, 24–30 weeks of gestation) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF). Sufficient PA (≥ 600 MET min/week) in early pregnancy and insufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy indicated decreasing PA. Insufficient PA in early pregnancy and sufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy indicated increasing PA. The associations between demographic, pregnancy and health characteristics and PA changes were examined by multivariable logistic regression. Results Total energy expenditure for PA increased significantly from early (median = 396 MET min/week) to mid-to-late pregnancy (median = 813 MET min/week) (P < 0.001), and 55.25% of the participants eventually had sufficient PA. Walking was the dominant form of PA. Women with sufficient PA levels in early pregnancy were more likely to have sufficient PA in mid-to-late pregnancy (OR 1.897, 95% CI 1.583–2.274). Women in West China and those in Central China were most and least likely, respectively, to have increasing PA (OR 1.387, 95% CI 1.078–1.783 vs. OR 0.721, 95% CI 0.562–0.925). Smoking was inversely associated with increasing PA (OR 0.480, 95% CI 0.242–0.955). Women with higher educational levels were less likely to have decreasing PA (OR 0.662, 95% CI 0.442–0.991). Conclusions PA increased as pregnancy progressed, and walking was the dominant form of PA among Chinese women. Further research is needed to better understand correlates of PA change.

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