scholarly journals The Effects of Prenatal Supplementation with β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate and/or Alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid on the Development and Maturation of Mink Intestines Are Dependent on the Number of Pregnancies and the Sex of the Offspring

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1468
Author(s):  
Piotr Dobrowolski ◽  
Siemowit Muszyński ◽  
Janine Donaldson ◽  
Andrzej Jakubczak ◽  
Andrzej Żmuda ◽  
...  

Prenatal and postnatal supplementation with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) and alpha-ketoglutaric acid (AKG) affects the development and maturation of offspring. Both substances have the potential to stimulate cell metabolism via different routes. However, parity affects development and may alter the effects of dietary supplementation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of gestational supplementation with HMB and/or AKG to primiparous and multiparous minks on the structure and maturation of the offspring’s small intestine. Primiparous and multiparous American minks (Neovison vison), of the standard dark brown type, were supplemented daily with HMB (0.02 g/kg b.w.) and/or AKG (0.4 g/kg b.w.) during gestation (n = 7 for each treatment). Supplementation stopped when the minks gave birth. Intestine samples were collected from 8-month-old male and female offspring during autopsy and histology and histomorphometry analysis was conducted (LAEC approval no 64/2015). Gestational supplementation had a long-term effect, improving the structure of the offspring’s intestine toward facilitating absorption and passage of intestinal contents. AKG supplementation affected intestinal absorption (enterocytes, villi and absorptive surface), and HMB affected intestinal peristalsis and secretion (crypts and Goblet cells). These effects were strongly dependent on parity and offspring gender. Present findings have important nutritional implications and should be considered in feeding practices and supplementation plans in animal reproduction.

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1438
Author(s):  
María Noel Meikle ◽  
Ana Paula Arévalo ◽  
Geraldine Schlapp ◽  
Gabriel Fernández-Graña ◽  
Alejo Menchaca ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an environmental enrichment (EE) plan on the reproductive performance of Swiss Webster mice and their female offspring used as recipients for embryo transfer. A total of 54 breeder mice and 60 F1 females, used as foster mothers, were allocated in two experimental groups to receive or not receive EE for physical well-being. Reproductive outcomes of the Swiss trios such as birth rate and pup number, litter size, pups’ weight at weaning, interlitter interval and time to first litter were analyzed. Environmental enrichment significantly increased pups weight from breeding trios compared to the control group (14.4 ± 0.1 vs. 13.8g ± 0.1, EE vs. control, respectively; p < 0.01). Other parameters did not differ between both groups. Reproductive parameters of female offspring used as recipients for embryo transfer did not differ among groups subjected or not to EE. These data demonstrate that the EE protocol applied in Swiss Webster breeder mice positively enhanced pups weight, and did not interfere with other reproductive outcomes. In conclusion, this study supports the implementation of EE plans usually applied for animal welfare in mouse facilities with slight improvement in reproductive performance.


1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (11) ◽  
pp. 2507-2512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elissa M. Derrickson

The effect of length of the lactation period on subsequent postnatal growth was examined in the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus. Litters were separated from the mother at 19, 20, 21, 23, and 25 days after birth. Some individuals in each group lost mass during the 24-h postseparation period, and animals in all treatments showed a significant decline in postnatal growth rate during this period. Average litter growth showed no long-term effect from the timing of mother–offspring separation, with no significant treatment effects after 25 days of age. The timing of mother–offspring separation affected male and female offspring differently, with female offspring mass at 42 days being lowest for females separated later. The timing of mother–offspring separation also affected maternal reproduction such that the timing of weaning was positively correlated with the length of the gestation period of litters conceived at postpartum estrus.


2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas T. Breuer ◽  
Michael E. J. Masson ◽  
Glen E. Bodner
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