scholarly journals Maternal undernutrition during late pregnancy in sheep. Its relationship to maternal condition, gestation length, hepatic physiology and glucose metabolism

1996 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 593-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary J. West

There is a paucity of information on the metabolic effects of undernutrition of the ewe carrying multiple fetuses in late pregnancy. In the present study the effects of induction of ketosis from 132 d gestation in ewes carrying twin fetuses were compared with a control group. The ewes were well fed up to 132 d. Ketotic ewes showed a loss of condition score from 3·7 (SE 0·11) at 130 d gestation to 3·0 (SE 0·15) 10 d later after clinical recovery, compared with control twin-pregnant ewes (P < 0·01). The weight loss during the same time period was from 70·6 (SE 2·7) kg at 130 d to 64·2 (SE 2·7) kg at 140 d gestation. As expected, both groups lost weight and condition score in the first 28 d of lactation. Induction of ketosis caused a significant shortening of the gestation period to 142·8 (SE 0·7) d compared with 150 (SE 0·4) d in normal twin-pregnant ewes (P < 0·001). Ewes with induced ketosis recovered clinically and showed a normal feed intake by 3·4 (SE 0·07) d; three required treatment. Induction of ketosis resulted in reduction of hepatic uptake of bromosulphthalein (P < 0·01) and its biliary excretion (P < 0·05), metabolic clearance rate (P < 0·001), fractional clearance (P < 0·001) and 15 and 30 min retention compared with control twin-pregnant ewes. Most values had returned to normal by the first week of lactation. It is thought that in human pregnancy similar changes in bromosulphthalein clearance may be related to reduced binding sites for bromosulphthalein in the liver caused by increased circulating oestrogens. Induction of ketosis resulted in a significant hypoglycaemic (P < 0·01), ketotic (P < 0·001) state compared with well-fed twin-pregnant ewes. These changes could be correlated with the severity of the clinical signs, together with a significant rise in plasma urea (P < 0·001) and NH3 (P < 0·05) concentrations. Again, the return of most of these values to normal by the first week of lactation lends support to the reversibility of hepatic lesions caused by fatty infiltration of the liver. The seventy of this condition in naturally occurring cases suggests that factors other than undernutrition may be contributory, such as the general body condition of the ewe and glucose metabolism by the liver, including the conversion of propionate to glucose.

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Gao ◽  
Y.C. Liu

The study investigated the consequences of maternal undernutrition during late pregnancy on hormonal status and metabolic changes in neonatal lambs. Four ewes out of twenty-eight multiparous ewes mated at a synchronized oestrus were slaughtered at day 90 of pregnancy to collect fetal blood to serve as an initial comparison group. Twenty-four animals were divided into three groups and offered 0.18 MJ ME&middot;kg<sup>&ndash;0.75</sup>per day (restricted group 1, RG1), 0.33 MJ ME&middot;kg<sup>&ndash;0.75</sup>per day (restricted group 2, RG2), and control group (ad libitum CG) during late pregnancy, respectively. Immediately after parturition, blood was collected from the neonatal lambs in each group and analyzed for growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), IGF-II, insulin (INS), thyroxine (T<sub>4</sub>), triiodothyronine (T<sub>3</sub>), glucose (GLU), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and total amino acid (TAA), respectively. The results indicated that the maternal undernutrition during late gestation decreased the average lamb birth weight in both RG1 (P &lt; 0.01) and RG2 (P &lt; 0.05) compared to CG. During the late fetal development period, the concentrations of T4, INS, and IGF-I of neonatal lambs in CG were increased (P &lt; 0.05) compared to those at day 90 of pregnancy; the secretions of T<sub>4</sub>, INS, and IGF-I in RG1 and RG2 during restriction were suppressed. The neonatal INS concentrations in RG1 and RG2 were decreased (P &lt; 0.05), but the neonatal GH concentration in RG1 was greater than that of CG (P &lt; 0.05). The GLU concentrations of neonatal lambs in RG1 were lower than those of CG (P &lt; 0.05). However, the neonatal NEFA (P &lt; 0.05) and TAA (P &lt; 0.01) concentrations in RG1 were greater than those of CG. Thus, maternal undernutrition can change the hormonal and metabolic status of neonatal lambs, which may have significant implications on postnatal growth and adult health.


1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 ◽  
pp. 129-129
Author(s):  
T.F. Crosby ◽  
P.J. Quinn ◽  
J.J. Callan ◽  
B. Flynn ◽  
J.V. O'Doherty ◽  
...  

Big bale silage has become increasingly popular on many livestock farms in Ireland yet there is limited information on its use for sheep. The objective of this experiment was to compare the effects of feeding chopped or unchopped big bale silage, pit silage and hay when supplemented with either a barley or a molassed sugar beet pulp based concentrate when fed to ewes in late pregnancy on feed intake, ewe weight and body condition score changes, gestation length, lamb birth weight and colostrum yield.Sixty four mature lowland cross ewes (8/treatment) were oestrus synchronised in October and mated to terminal sire breeds (Suffolk, Texel or Charollais). The ewes were housed, winter shorn and pregnancy scanned in December, following which twin bearing animals were allocated to a 4 x 2 factorial experiment and individually fed either un-chopped or chopped big bale silage which had been wilted for 36-48 hours as is usual for this type of forage, pit silage, which had been wilted for 18-24 hours or hay.


2005 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Annett ◽  
A. F. Carson ◽  
L. E. R. Dawson

AbstractAn experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of increasing the digestible undegradable protein (DUP) concentration of concentrates on colostrum production and lamb output from prolific ewe breed types. Sixty triplet-bearing ewes with a mean condition score of 3.75 were allocated to one of five treatments (no. =; 12) for the final 6 weeks of pregnancy. Four of the treatments were offered a restricted grass diet (0.6 kg dry matter (DM) per day) plus one of four isoenergetic and isonitrogenous concentrates (0.56 kg DM per day) that were formulated to provide 25 (P25); 40 (P40); 75 (P75) and 95 (P95) g DUP/kg DM. Control ewes were offered a grass-only diet with the aim of achieving an equivalent total DM intake (1.16 kg DM per day). Concentrate composition had no effect on total diet DM, crude protein or metabolizable energy intakes, but the intake of DUP increased with increasing concentrate DUP level (P< 0.001). Supplementing grass with concentrates led to significant reductions in plasma β-hydroxybutyrate (P< 0.05) and non-esterified fatty acids(P< 0.001) concentrations. Plasma urea concentration tended to be negatively and linearly related to the concentrate DUP level (P< 0.1). Colostrum production and composition were not affected by concentrate type, except for the concentration of gross energy which was highest for P40 ewes. Concentrate feeding led to significant (P< 0.05) increases in colostrum yield 18 h post lambing and colostral outputs of ash, crude protein, total solids and gross energy but resulted in a lower (P< 0.05) colostral immunoglobulin G concentration. Lamb birth weight and total litter weight were not affected by late pregnancy feeding regime. However lamb survival to weaning was reduced significantly (P< 0.05) for P25 and control ewes, resulting in lower levels of lamb output at weaning. The results from this study indicate that offering rumen undegradable rather than rumen degradable protein has no effect on colostrum production and lamb performance when ewes are offered high quality grass-based diets in late pregnancy.


1986 ◽  
Vol 250 (4) ◽  
pp. E414-E421 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Henderson ◽  
P. R. Dallman ◽  
G. A. Brooks

To test the hypothesis that glucose metabolism is altered by iron deficiency, rates of glucose turnover and oxidation were assessed concurrently with the metabolic rate (VO2) in iron-deficient anemic rats and in normal rats at rest. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, 21 days old, were fed a diet containing either 6 mg iron/kg feed (iron-deficient group) or 50 mg iron/kg feed (iron-sufficient control group) for 3-4 wk. After dietary treatment the iron-deficient group was anemic, with hemoglobin levels of 5.8 +/- 0.2 g/dl, compared with 13.8 +/- 0.4 g/dl for controls. To study glucose metabolism, rats received a 90 min primed-continuous infusion of [6-3H]-and [U-14C]glucose via an indwelling jugular catheter. Serial blood samples were removed from a carotid catheter for determination of glucose concentration and specific activity. Expired air was monitored for VO2, VCO2, and 14CO2. The VO2 (ml X kg-1 X min-1) of iron-deficient rats was 20% higher than controls. Iron-deficient rats had a greater rate of glucose turnover (94 +/- 4 vs. 52 +/- 3 mumol X kg-1 X min-1) and a greater glucose recycling rate, even when normalized to VO2. Despite a higher blood glucose concentration (5.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 4.1 +/- 0.1 mM), the metabolic clearance rate was greater in iron-deficient animals (18 +/- 1 vs. 13 +/- 1 ml X kg-1 X min-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Author(s):  
G.A. Miranda ◽  
M.A. Arroyo ◽  
C.A. Lucio ◽  
M. Mongeotti ◽  
S.S. Poolsawat

Exposure to drugs and toxic chemicals, during late pregnancy, is a common occurrence in childbearing women. Some studies have reported that more than 90% of pregnant women use at least 1 prescription; of this, 60% used more than one. Another study indicated that 80% of the consumed drugs were not prescribed, and of this figure, 95% were “over-the-counter” drugs. Acetaminophen, the safest of all over-the-counter drugs, has been reported to induce fetal liver necrosis in man and animals and to have abortifacient and embryocidal action in mice. This study examines the degree to which acetaminophen affects the neonatal liver and kidney, when a fatty diet is simultaneously fed to the mother during late pregnancy.Timed Swiss Webster female mice were gavaged during late pregnancy (days 16-19) with fat suspended acetaminophen at a high dose, HD = 84.50 mg/kg, and a low dose, LD = 42.25 mg/kg; a control group received fat alone.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Yeram Park ◽  
Deunsol Hwang ◽  
Hun-Young Park ◽  
Jisu Kim ◽  
Kiwon Lim

Aims. Hypoxic exposure improves glucose metabolism. We investigated to validate the hypothesis that carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation could increase in mice exposed to severe hypoxic conditions. Methods. Seven-week-old male ICR mice (n=16) were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (CON) was kept in normoxic condition (fraction of inspired O2=21%) and the hypoxia group (HYP) was exposed to hypoxic condition (fraction of inspired O2=12%, ≈altitude of 4,300 m). The CON group was pair-fed with the HYP group. After 3 weeks of hypoxic exposure, we measured respiratory metabolism (energy expenditure and substrate utilization) at normoxic conditions for 24 hours using an open-circuit calorimetry system. In addition, we investigated changes in carbohydrate mechanism-related protein expression, including hexokinase 2 (HK2), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4), and regulator of the genes involved in energy metabolism (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha, PGC1α) in soleus muscle. Results. Energy expenditure (EE) and CHO oxidation over 24 hours were higher in the HYP group by approximately 15% and 34% (p<0.001), respectively. Fat oxidation was approximately 29% lower in the HYP group than the CON group (p<0.01). Body weight gains were significantly lower in the HYP group than in the CON group (CON vs. HYP; 1.9±0.9 vs. −0.3±0.9; p<0.001). Hypoxic exposure for 3 weeks significantly reduced body fat by approximately 42% (p<0.001). PDH and PGC1α protein levels were significantly higher in the HYP group (p<0.05). Additionally, HK2 was approximately 21% higher in the HYP group. Conclusions. Hypoxic exposure might significantly enhance CHO oxidation by increasing the expression of PDH and HK2. This investigation can be useful for patients with impaired glucose metabolism, such as those with type 2 diabetes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Luis Emilio Fazzio ◽  
Santiago José Raggio ◽  
Juan Facundo Romero ◽  
Juver Membrebe ◽  
Antonio Humberto Hamad Minervino

A safety study on ketoprofen 10% was carried out on pigs using a different dosing and treatment scheme. Forty healthy crossbreed pigs with similar age, weight, and body condition score were distributed into five treatment groups. The pigs were intramuscularly injected once with different doses of ketoprofen: 3 mg/kg (group 1X), 6 mg/kg (group 2X), 9 mg/kg (group 3X). In addition, the 3 mg/kg dosis was administered on three consecutive days (group 1X ext.). Intramuscular injections of saline solution were used in control group (CTL). The pigs were clinically examined throughout the trial and blood samples were taken for hematological and biochemical evaluation on days −4 (before treatment), +3, +7, and +14 (the end of the trial). Any unusual behaviour or clinical signs were reported as potential toxic effects of ketoprofen. Serum measurements showed that none of the ketoprofen doses produced changes in renal or hepatic biochemical parameters, liver enzymes, or total bilirubin. Likewise, hematological assessment indicated no altered parameters or hematocrit percentage in the study groups. These results demonstrate that ketoprofen has no adverse effects in pigs when the doses and scheme evaluated in this study are applied.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A261-A261
Author(s):  
Sirimon Reutrakul ◽  
Pamela Martyn-Nemeth ◽  
Laurie Quinn ◽  
Kirstie Danielson ◽  
Brett Rydzon ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Experimental and epidemiological data have linked insufficient sleep to increased diabetes risk. Women with a history of gestational diabetes (GDM) have a 7-fold greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This pilot study explored the feasibility of a sleep extension intervention in women with a history of GDM and short sleep, and the effects on glucose metabolism. Methods Women age 18–45 years with a history of GDM (at least 1 year postpartum) and actigraphy confirmed short sleep duration (&lt;7h/night) on weekdays were randomized at a ratio of 1 control (healthy living information) to 2 cases (6 weeks of “Sleep Extend” intervention: use of a Fitbit, weekly digital content, interactive tools, and coach delivered feedback in order to increase sleep duration). An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), 7-day actigraphy recording and questionnaires were obtained at baseline and 6 weeks (at the end of the intervention). Results Twelve women (mean (SD) age 40.3 (4.5) years) participated (n=8 Sleep Extend, n=4 control). Compared to baseline, nightly sleep duration increased in Sleep Extend group (+30.6 (48.8) minutes) but decreased in the control group (-6.8 (22.9) minutes). Both fasting and 2-h glucose levels from OGTT increased in both groups but were greater in the control group (Sleep extend vs. healthy living: fasting glucose +2.1 (9.8) vs. +12.8 (7.3) mg/dL; 2-h glucose +8.2 (21.9) vs. +20.0 (19.4) mg/dL). Self-reported sleep quality improved in both groups. When compared controls, Sleep Extend participants reported improved fatigue symptoms (Promis fatigue score change -5.1 (9.3) vs. 7.0 (1.0), p=0.008), and self-reported physical activity tended to increase (+1614 (3659) vs. -2900 (3922) MET-minutes/week). Combining all participants, an increase in sleep duration correlated with a decrease in fatigue (r= -.62, p=0.04) and anxiety symptoms (r= -.69, p=0.02). Conclusion Sleep extension through coaching and use of remote monitoring is feasible in women with a history of GDM. It appears to decrease fatigue and may improve glucose metabolism and physical activity. Support (if any) NIDDK P30 DK092949


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 429
Author(s):  
Jorge A. Bustamante-Andrade ◽  
César A. Meza-Herrera ◽  
Rafael Rodríguez-Martínez ◽  
Zurisaday Santos-Jimenez ◽  
Oscar Ángel-García ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of two doses of hCG (100 and 300 IU) applied at two different times (7 and 14 d) after a fixed-time artificial insemination protocol (FTAI) upon some variables involved in the embryonic implantation rate in goats during the natural deep anestrous season (April, 25° north). The experimental units considered crossbred, multiparous, anovulatory goats (n = 69, Alpine, Saanen, Nubian x Criollo), with average body weight (43.6 ± 5.7 kg) and body condition score (1.86 ± 0.28 units) located in northern–semiarid Mexico (25° N, 103° W). Once the goat’s anestrus status was confirmed, goats were subjected to an estrus induction protocol. Upon estrus induction confirmation, goats (n = 61) were subjected to a FTAI procedure. Immediately after the FTAI, the goats were randomly distributed to five experimental groups: (1). G100-7 (n = 13) 100 IU, hCG 7 d post-FTAI, (2). G100-14 (n = 12) 100 IU hCG, 14 d post-FTAI, (3). G300-7 (n = 12) 300 IU, hCG, 7 d post-FTAI, (4). G300-14 (n = 12) 300 IU hCG 14 d post-FTAI, and (5). Control group, CONT (n = 12) 0.5 mL saline, 7 and 14 d post-FTAI. The response variables conception rate (39.36 ± 0.23), fertility rate (27.96%), prolificacy rate (1.1 ± 0.29 kids), ovulation rate (0.74 ± 0.20 corpus luteum) corpus luteum diameter (10.15 ± 0.59 mm), embryo number (1.58 ± 0.20), and embryo implantation rate (48.96%), did not differ between treatments. However, while the variables fecundity rate (67%), embryo efficiency index-1 (33.99 ± 0.20%), and embryo efficiency index-2 (27.94 ± 0.30%) were favored by the G300-14 treatment, the corpus luteum area was favored (p < 0.05) by both G300-7 (113.30 ± 0.19 mm2) and G300-14 (103.04 ± 0.17 mm2). Such reproductive strategy emerges as an interesting approach, not only to enhance the out-of-season reproductive outcomes, but also to boost one of the main rulers defining the global reproductive efficiency of a heard, namely, the embryo implantation efficiency.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 884
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle Haslin ◽  
Rene A. Corner-Thomas ◽  
Paul R. Kenyon ◽  
Adrian J. Molenaar ◽  
Stephen T. Morris ◽  
...  

The experiment aimed to examine the impacts of an increased growth rate of ewes between three and seven months of age on udder development using ultrasound and to establish whether ultrasonography could be used to identify ewe mammary structures that may be indirect indicators of singleton growth to weaning. Udder dimensions, depths of gland cistern (GC), parenchyma (PAR) and fat pad (FP) were measured in late pregnancy (P107), early lactation (L29), and at weaning (L100) in 59 single-bearing yearling ewes selected from two treatments. The ‘heavy’ group (n = 31) was preferentially fed prior to breeding achieving an average breeding live-weight of 47.9 ± 0.38 kg at seven months of age. The ‘control’ group (n = 28) had an average breeding live-weight of 44.9 ± 0.49 kg. Udder dimensions, GC, PAR and FP did not differ between treatments. Lamb growth to L100 was positively associated (p < 0.05) with PAR at P107 and GC at L29. There was no evidence of negative effects of the live-weight gain treatments on udder development of yearling ewes as measured by ultrasonography. The results suggest that this ultrasound method has the potential to identify pregnant yearling ewes which would wean heavier singletons.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document