scholarly journals Maternal body condition during late-pregnancy is associated with in utero development and neonatal growth of Holstein calves

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Alharthi ◽  
D. N. Coleman ◽  
I. A. Alhidary ◽  
M. M. Abdelrahman ◽  
E. Trevisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Metabolites ◽  
Fat Depots

Abstract Background Nutritional management in the dry period can alter body condition score (BCS) in dairy cows, a subjective measure of body fat. As such, differences in BCS during late-pregnancy not only mirror nutrient utilization by fat depots, but also can play important roles on the metabolic and hormonal environment. We investigated the association between cow BCS during late-pregnancy on developmental parameters and blood variables of neonatal calves. Forty-nine multiparous Holstein cows were retrospectively divided by prepartal BCS into normal BCS ≤3.25 (NormBCS; 3.02 ± 0.17, n = 30) or high BCS ≥3.75 (HighBCS; 3.83 ± 0.15, n = 19) groups. Plasma samples were collected from cows at − 10 d relative to parturition. Body weight, hip and wither height, hip width and body length were measured at birth and weekly through weaning (42 d of age) and until 9 weeks of age. Calf blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at birth (before receiving colostrum, 0 d), 24 h after first colostrum and at 7, 21, 42 and 50 d of age. The data were subjected to ANOVA using the mixed procedure of SAS. The statistical model included day, BCS, and their interactions. Results Dry matter intake (kg/d or % of body weight) during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy was lower (P ≤ 0.06) in HighBCS cows. Plasma concentrations of fatty acids, ceruloplasmin, and nitric oxide were greater overall (P < 0.05) at d − 10 prior to calving in HighBCS cows, and they tended (P = 0.08) to have greater concentrations of reactive oxygen metabolites. Birth body weight was lower (P = 0.03) in calves born to dams with HighBCS. In addition, plasma concentrations of fatty acids, albumin and urea (P < 0.05) were greater in those calves. Although calves born to cows with HighBCS maintained a lower postnatal body weight (P = 0.04), hip and wither height, hip width, and body length, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in daily starter intake and average daily gain due to maternal BCS. Conclusions Overall, results highlight an association between BCS during late-gestation on in utero calf development and postnatal growth. A high maternal BCS during late-gestation was associated with lower calf body weights, which could be due to lower maternal intakes and a state of inflammation and metabolic stress.

scholarly journals Influence of Maternal Factors (Weight, Body Condition, Parity, and Pregnancy Rank) on Plasma Metabolites of Dairy Ewes and Their Lambs

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Pesántez-Pacheco ◽  
Ana Heras-Molina ◽  
Laura Torres-Rovira ◽  
María Sanz-Fernández ◽  
Consolación García-Contreras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Maternal Age ◽  
Plasma Cholesterol ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Cholesterol Concentration ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Dairy Sheep ◽  
The Impact

Pregnancy and lactation are challenging states that affect maternal and lamb health. In Lacaune dairy sheep, we evaluated the impact of parity, pregnancy rank, and body condition on body weight and the condition of ewes and lambs in mid-pregnancy (75 ± 5 d), in late pregnancy (142 ± 4d), and postpartum (52 ± 5d pp). Maternal age was associated with initial decreases, followed by increases, in body weight and condition. After lambing, both mature and maiden ewes lost weight and body condition. Maternal indices of glucose, protein, and lipid metabolism were within physiological values during pregnancy, but postpartum values depended on maternal parity and pregnancy rank, with multiple-pregnant ewes showing a postpartum increase in glucose and maiden sheep a postpartum increase in plasma cholesterol concentration. Male lambs were heavier than female lambs at birth, and lambs born to mothers with higher body condition scores were heavier. Lambs born as singletons were heavier than those born in litters. Maternal age and pregnancy rank did not influence lamb metabolic indicators. Sex affected plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Maternal metabolic indicators showed minimal effects on lamb phenotype. These results suggest that, when appropriately fed, dairy sheep can cover the metabolic demands of pregnancy and milk production, regardless of age and pregnancy rank.

The effect of dietary energy concentration on protein utilization during late pregnancy in ewes

1975 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Guada ◽  
J. J. Robinson ◽  
C. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Free Fatty Acids ◽  
Nitrogen Retention ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Nitrogen Utilization ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Energy Concentration ◽  
Dietary Energy ◽  
Unit Increase

SUMMARYFrom 62 days of gestation to parturition, 20 Finnish Landrace x Dorset Horn ewes were each offered one of four diets with roughage to concentrate ratios of 20:80; 40:60; 60:40 and 80:20, at daily metabolizable energy and digestible crude protein intakes of 490 kJ and 3·55 g/kg W0·75respectively. Plasma concentration of free fatty acids, glucose and urea were determined weekly, and nitrogen balance and digestibility trials were carried out at 70–80 and 130–140 days of gestation.On all treatments the concentration of plasma free fatty acids increased during pregnancy from approximately 200–600 μ-equiv./l and the concentration of glucose and urea decreased by approximately 25%.Digestibility coefficients for dry matter and organic matter increased from 58 to 68% and from 60 to 70% respectively as the proportion of concentrates in the diet increased and were not affected by stage of gestation. The apparent digestibility of nitrogen was not affected by the energy concentration of the diet.Between mid and late gestation there was a mean increase in daily nitrogen retention of 2·5 g and an improvement in the efficiency of nitrogen utilization of 19 percentage units.Nitrogen retention and the efficiency with which the apparently digested nitrogen intake was retained increased as the dietary energy concentration was increased. The mean daily increases in nitrogen retention were 0·0135 and 0·0039 g for each percentage unit increase in the concentrate portion of the diet at mid and late gestation respectively. The corresponding values for the improvement in the efficiency of nitrogen utilization were 0·13 and 0·10%.

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 Weight estimation and hormone concentrations related to body condition in Icelandic and Warmblood horses: a field study

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasmus Bovbjerg Jensen ◽  
Lucca Louise Rockhold ◽  
Anne-Helene Tauson
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
The Body ◽  
Neck Length ◽  
Morphometric Measurements ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Correct Determination

Abstract Background The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the accuracy of different body weight formulas for estimating body weight of Icelandic and Warmblood horses, as well as to assess the associations between the variables cresty neck score, body condition score, and plasma concentrations of leptin, insulin and cortisol. A total of 81 adult (≥ 4 years of age) horses (43 Icelandic and 38 Warmblood horses) was included in this study. The following morphological measurements were collected by two examiners simultaneously; body weight; height at withers; neck length; 0.5 neck length; neck circumference; umbilical circumference, two different heart girths, as well as two different body length measurements. The horse’s body weights were measured on a weight scale, and cresty neck scores were rated along with body condition scores using both the 0 to 5 and the 1 to 9 systems. Results In general, the concordance correlation coefficient was high for most formulas, but the mean bias and slope bias deviations varied between formulas. Some simple formulas using only heart girth, or heart girth and length can be used to estimate body weight of Icelandic and Warmblood horses as good as more complex formulas using four morphometric measurements. Plasma concentrations of leptin and insulin were higher (P < 0.001) for the Icelandic than the Warmblood horses, probably reflecting higher body fat content as suggested by the differences in body condition score. Conclusions Body weight formulas only give an estimate of body weight and not a completely correct determination. Some simple and more complex formulas can be used for Icelandic horses even though they are not developed for this breed. Complex formulas using four morphometric measurements were accurate, but simple formulas using only heart girth, or heart girth and length can be used to estimate body weight and thereby be applied to weight tapes and used to estimate the body weight of both Icelandic and Warmblood horses.

Anabolic effects of insulin and IGF-I in the ovine fetus are reduced by prolonged maternal fasting

2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (5) ◽  
pp. E907-E913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weihua Shen ◽  
Paul Wisniowski ◽  
Scott C. Denne ◽  
David W. Boyle ◽  
Edward A. Liechty
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Muscle Protein ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Nutritional Stress ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Amino Acid Infusion ◽  
Igf I

Fetal nutritional stress may result in intrauterine growth restriction and postnatal insulin resistance. To determine whether insulin resistance can begin in utero, we subjected late-gestation (130–135 days) ewes to 120 h of complete fasting and compared the results with our previous work in fed ewes ( 38 ). We determined the effect of insulin and/or recombinant human (rh)IGF-I infusion on ovine fetal phenylalanine kinetics, protein synthesis, and phenylalanine accretion. Experimental infusates were 1) saline, 2) rhIGF-I plus a replacement dose of insulin (40 nmol IGF-I/h + 16 mIU insulin/h), 3) insulin (890 mIU/h), and 4) IGF-I plus insulin (40 nmol IGF-I/h + 890 mIU insulin/h). During hormone infusion, both glucose and amino acid concentrations were clamped at basal concentrations. Amino acid infusion was required during infusion of either hormone to maintain plasma concentrations constant. However, the amount required during insulin infusion was less than during IGF-I infusion and 40% less than the amount required during identical studies in nonfasted animals. Phenylalanine used for protein synthesis and accretion was increased compared with control animals but again less so than in the nonfasted animals. In contrast to nonfasted animals, neither hormone increased the fractional synthetic rate of skeletal muscle protein nor that of plasma albumin. These results indicate that a short but severe nutritional stress can significantly alter the fetal anabolic response to insulin even when both glucose and amino acid substrate supplies are restored. Therefore, adaptive responses characterized by insulin resistance begin in utero when the fetus is subjected to sufficient nutritional stress.

Immunization of pregnant ewes against somatotropin release inhibiting factor increases growth of twin lambs

1993 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
SL Westbrook ◽  
KD Chandler ◽  
GH McDowell
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Bovine Serum Albumin ◽  
Bovine Serum ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Foetal Growth ◽  
Inhibiting Factor ◽  
Esterified Fatty Acids ◽  
Lamb Growth

Multiparous ewes, pregnant with twin foetuses, were immunized with a complex of somatotropin release inhibiting factor/bovine serum albumin emulsified in Freund's Complete Adjuvant, or placebo on about days 90, 111 and 132 of pregnancy. At lambing, ewes with viable twin lambs and no obvious abnormalities were penned indoors with their lambs and fed restricted amounts of a good quality ration. Birthweights of lambs were greater for immunized than control ewes (4.6 v. 3.6 kg, P < 0.05) and 6 weeks later differences were maintained (13.6 v. 10.8 kg, P< 0.001). Liveweights of ewes from both groups were similar at parturition and 6 weeks later; even so, immunized ewes tended to lose more weight post partum than control ewes (10.9 v. 8.8 kg, P > 0.10). Milk yields of immunized ewes were 20-30% higher than those of control ewes during the 6 weeks post partum and milk of the immunized ewes contained lower proportions of lactose than in control ewes at day 14 of lactation. Feed intakes of both groups were similar, resulting in improved efficiency of use of food for milk synthesis in immunized ewes. Plasma concentrations of insulin were similar for both groups of ewes and lambs at all times, but plasma concentrations of glucose at parturition and 6 weeks later and urea during late pregnancy were reduced and concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids tended to increase during late pregnancy in immunized ewes compared with control ewes. The data are consistent with more efficient feed use by immunized than control ewes enabling greater foetal growth, increased milk yields and greater lamb growth.

Corticotropin-releasing factor in the ovine fetus and pregnant ewe: role of placenta

1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (4) ◽  
pp. R995-R1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Keller-Wood ◽  
C. E. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Corticotropin Releasing Factor ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Fetal Plasma ◽  
Ovine Fetus ◽  
Arterial Plasma ◽  
Pregnant Ewe

In the sheep, maternal plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol are increased in late pregnancy, and fetal plasma cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone rise precipitously in late gestation. To test whether the ovine placenta secretes corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) into either the maternal or fetal circulation, pregnant ewes and their fetuses were prepared with femoral arterial catheters and uterine and umbilical venous catheters. Samples were taken from all sites before and during hypoxia. There was no difference in CRF concentration across the placenta in the mothers or the fetuses under resting or hypoxemic conditions, but maternal and fetal arterial plasma CRF concentrations increased between 128 and 145 days. In a second study, maternal and fetal femoral venous plasma CRF concentrations were measured 1-19 days before spontaneous parturition. The mean concentration increased 8.6 +/- 0.6 pg/ml 11-19 days before parturition to 13.0 +/- 1.0 and 13.2 +/- 1.4 pg/ml in fetuses 4-8 and 1-3 days before parturition, respectively. Maternal plasma concentrations did not significantly increase in the days closer to parturition. These studies demonstrate that there are low but measurable CRF concentrations in fetal and maternal sheep plasma but that these are not the result of tonic placental secretion of CRF.

The effect of nutrition during early life on voluntary food intake by lambs between weaning and 2 years of age

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 697-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Sibbald ◽  
G. C. Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Grazed Swards ◽  
Body Condition Scores

AbstractTwo experiments were carried out with Scottish Blackface lambs to investigate the effects of restricted nutrition during pregnancy and lactation on voluntary food intakes (VFI) between weaning and 2 years of age. Ewes were given diets providing 0·7 (LP) or 10 (HP) of their estimated metabolizable energy requirements during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy and subsequently grazed swards with mean sward surface heights of approximately 3 cm (LL) or 6 cm (HL) during lactation. All lambs were weaned at 17 weeks of age. In experiment 1, four treatment combinations (LP-LL, LP-HL, HP-LL and HP-HL) were applied and female lambs were studied. In experiment 2, two treatment combinations (LP-LL and HP-HL) were applied and male lambs were studied. In both experiments the lambs received a common level of nutrition between weaning and 2 years of age.In both experiments, mean live weights were proportionately 0·2 higher for HP-HL than for LP-LL lambs at weaning (P < 0·001) and in experiment 2 mean live weights and body condition scores were still higher in HP-HL than in LP-LL lambs at 2 years of age (P < 0·05). Abomasum weights were higher in HP than in LP lambs at birth and higher in HP-HL than in LP-LL lambs at weaning in experiment 1 and the weights of the rumen and dimensions of the rumen villi were greater in HP-HL than in LP-LL lambs at weaning in both experiments (P < 0·05). The treatments had no effect on lipid content or mean adipocyte diameter in the main fat depots at birth or weaning. There were no treatment effects on VFI in either experiment. It was concluded that restricted nutrition during late pregnancy and early lactation does not affect VFI between weaning and 2 years of age in sheep, even though there are differences in live weight and the development of the gastrointestinal tract at weaning and there may be long-term effects on live weight and body condition, particularly in male animals.

scholarly journals Effects of a Maternal Essential Fatty Acid and Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation during Late Pregnancy and Early Lactation on Hematologic and Immunological Traits and the Oxidative and Anti-Oxidative Status in Blood Plasma of Neonatal Calves

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2168
Author(s):  
Wendy Liermann ◽  
Katrin Lena Uken ◽  
Christine Schäff ◽  
Laura Vogel ◽  
Martina Gnott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Linoleic Acid ◽  
Conjugated Linoleic Acid ◽  
Essential Fatty Acids ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Coconut Oil ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Oxidative Status ◽  
Reactive Oxygen Metabolites

Fatty acids are known for their regulatory role in inflammation and oxidative stress. The present study investigated 38 calves born from dams, abomasally supplemented with coconut oil, essential fatty acids (EFA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or EFA + CLA, according to immunological traits and the oxidative and anti-oxidative status for the first 5 days of life. On day 2 of life, plasma total bilirubin, cholesterol, interleukin 1-β and ferric ion reducing anti-oxygen power (FRAP) were lower in calves with than without maternal EFA supplementation, and FRAP additionally on day 4. On day 3, the concentrations of reactive oxygen metabolites were higher in calves with than without maternal EFA supplementation and additionally on day 5 together of retinol. Total leucocyte counts were decreased in the EFA group compared to the CLA group on day 5. Lymphocyte proportions decreased from day 1 to 5 only in the EFA + CLA group. On day 2, plasma total protein was higher in CLA and EFA + CLA than in EFA calves. Similarly, CLA calves had higher interleukin 1-β concentrations compared to EFA + CLA calves. FRAP was decreased by CLA on day 4. Overall, the maternal fatty acid supply affected the inflammatory response and the oxidative and anti-oxidative status of the neonatal offspring.

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